1924
The News Letter was dated Feb. 29; I'm writing on March 4 - as Hanover braces for Town Meeting tomorrow night 1 wonder if any recall these New England democracy-in-action (often so called) devices. Believe me, they are some different quantitatively now. But to the point: Butts lists five recently deceased classmates; you'll find my obituary for Harland Stockwell elsewhere - a very active leader in civic affairs in Chicago who will be much missed by those he served as well as his colleagues in the Civic Federation. Political action of quite a different sort is in the form of a printed publication entitled "Betrayal," of which our Pennington Haile, over in Norwich, is a co-editor and leading mover - "for American Voters Betrayed by Johnson" and currently supporting the obvious choice for nomination as "our best bet" for the next President. The January issue was #5.
This is the time of year, other than the political heat-up, when we get pretty postcards from around the world. Butts has already commented on Alma and Pete Wheatley going to Mexico via Charlie French's ranch in Arizona; but also (news to me, too) telling us of his retirement job out in Malaysia ... of which more later, we hope, and perhaps some of Charlie's always-excellent pictures. ... Wonderful: Norma and RedMaloney away from the construction to Madrid, Tunis, Rome, etc. Indeed good to hear, and will have details at South Duxbury next summer - hopefully on Red's sailing boat. ... And another one hard to get away: Ives and Doris Atherton, come April, will get in that delayed trip to Beirut (Lebanon) to visit daughter Lynn and family; postponed when Doris broke her leg skiing a while back. ... Ruth and Joe Falcon (did you see his picture last month?) got off to Naples, Fla.; Sarasota until Easter with Kayand Rollie Bates.
I've done this one before, _ but a recent letter - plus a coincidental visit with three of them - impels me to bring Stu and Marion Eldredge up-to-date as of their four talented daughters. In order: Anne (Mrs. Richard Maury) Smith '59, lives in Florence, Italy, but both of them and three children are coming to the U.S. for six months while he works on portraits and she on her own paintings; Dorothy, Holyoke '61, is a scientist and married a professor now at Kenyon College after both being at Yale; Mary, whose unique work in copper I've described and the prizes it has won, Vassar '63, now works in soapstone and makes delicate jewelry, working in a studio on the Eldredge estate out in the hills back of Springfield, Vt.; Betsy, Wellesley '66, is earning a Master's degree in Philosophy (History of Art) in the University of London - currently documenting originals from reproductions and worse. All six are talented in art, but so much more in humanity.
A wonderful letter from Bill McNiff who retired after 40 years at Miami University (Ohio) as an especially skilful teacher of history as described in the "Dayton Daily News" in January). I'm passing this on to Butts before it is filed for it has much of interest including the Delta Alpha Freshman prayer of 1920 for the poor devils living in College Hall. I thought New Hampshire Hall was bad enough but the "pome" is a beat; also reminds me that as they had to get and wear barrel staves as skis everywhere they went on those three days of hazing by '23 we also had one of our wellknown and respected medicos appearing with minimum clothing in a barrel. How many, except the victim, remember who it was? We've recalled it together. He remembers.
Wally Lord hangs up his hat as former director of advertising and sales promotion for Converse Rubber Co., in Maiden, Mass. He joined the firm in 1924. I've mentioned at other times his editing of the popular Converse Basketball Yearbook—but not that it has been published every one of the 44 years he has been there (started two years earlier) ... the basketball "bible" has brought him fame and many friends. He'll continue as consultant for this annual.
Butts and I share: (1) common interests in the class and communication therewith; (2) the joys and frustrations or feasts and famines of news; and a delight in coastal Maine summers. Now add our concern that the recent Dartmouth dinner in Boston brought out only four of our classmates, including Butts himself. What can we do to sharpen this sector of our image? We also share concern that if you-uns pian on being in Hanover for the Princeton game come October, Bonnie Oaks has set the deadline for reservations (with any certainty of obliging you) at June 1. I'll do the promised and have details in the next Class Letter and perhaps some pictures. Will try. But reservations are, as he said, your responsibility; send to Bonnie Oaks, Fairlee, Vt., and do it now. No deposits necessary yet awhile.
As for the "feasts and famines," we've been blessed with several long and personal letters; of mine the two from Stan Curtis (see March issue for brief retirement news) and Bill McNiff deserve recognition and many thanks and will be passed on where there may be more space.
Secretary, 2 Brewster Rd. Hanover, N. H. 03755
Class Agent, 5 Deerhill Drive, Ho-Ho-Kus, N. J. 07423
