1919

Our term of office as secretary started with a few days of rest after our strenuous Fiftieth. The idea was Chet Gale's, the setting Manchester, Vt.; the other golfers StuRussell and Cotty Larmon. There was absolutely no rest. Our reunion report, because its closing date was almost before reunion was over, was written on the back of score cards as we toured the course. This tended to destroy concentration and to introduce a certain tristesse into both ventures. In spite of this we received words of encouragement and cheer from Bob Stecher, George Rand (praise from Caesar), Max Norton, CottyLarmon, Win Batchelder, Nick Sandoe,Howie Cole, and from Sheridan Baketel '20 - a few of those freshmen turned out pretty well after all. In addition Cotty received a letter from Tom Proctor '18, Bob's brother. He said he had read the reunion report with interest and could not help thinking how much Bob would have enjoyed it. Many of us too, Tom, had that thought often during those three days.

We were more pleased than surprised, in mid-August, when the following announcement arrived: "Mrs. Jane S. Blyth and Mr.Stuart A. Russell announce their marriage on Saturday, August 16, 1969, at Hanover, N. H." The Russells plan to live in Hanover at 35 Rip Road. We feel confident that we speak for the whole Class when we wish them every happiness. At a pre-nuptial reception given by George and Marion Rand so Stu's close friends and neighbors might meet the bride-to-be we saw, at least, the Sandoes and the Larmons.

Earlier in the month reunion committeemen and class officers, past and present, gathered at Nick's place in Ac worth to finish off all reunion business. It was a fine summer day, the work load was light and handled quickly and effectively. The rest was great fun and we all agreed we should have more reunions or, at least, more meetings.

The July 4 issue of Time Magazine, in an article entitled Alumni - Money and Protest, stated, "Dartmouth's fiftieth reunion class ('19) produced what is expected to be a. record sum for the class." It is quite possible that no other Dartmouth class has been so featured in Time's Educational column and this is an additional tribute to the fine job Fred Daley has done. Also featured in the public prints was Win Batchelder. In a three column by-line story the Lakeville (Conn.) Journal of June 12 enumerated dozens of his civic accomplishments and as many of his Dartmouth kudos and distinctions as could be crowded into the space. It states finally, "This week Mr. Batchelder is pursuing another interest he treasures. He is going to Hanover, N. H., to attend the fiftieth anniversary reunion of his Dartmouth Class of 1919." There is a picture the caption under which is, "Not often is Windsor C. Batchelder caught relaxing on his patio ..." (honest) and there he sits with a Mona Lisa grin. We had an uncle who relaxed ,on his patio — we often thought he looked like a Billiken.

The Charlie Biddies of Barcelona, Spain, stayed over after Commencement for two or three months in Charlie's old homeland. They landed, after a little, at the Green Lantern Inn and seemed all set for a fine summer of relaxation and recreation. We visited them there and found them in fine fettle. We arranged for them to come to our hill-top farm. We listened to Charlie recite plans to visit numerous friends. Soon after we learned that he could not come to our place, nor visit the Bresnahans in Maine. Then, on the very day he was to visit the Sandoes, he was taken to the hospital where he had a miserable time recovering from what seemed to be exhaustion. We couldn't be sure his affliction was not caused by worrying for fear he would lose the lovely Catalina with whom the Class collectively had fallen in love. At this point we became so embroiled in moving a few of our worldly goods that we lost track of things and when we did look up from our work he was not only recovered but gone. We hoped for a while that maybe Katy had stayed behind - but no, she went away with him.

Miscellaneous intelligence received includes the following: Pat Leonhard has retired as chairman of the board of the Paterson Parchment Paper Co. Pat had been with the company since 1920, president from 1953 and assumed the chairmanship as well in 1961. From Bunny Collins, "Ann Blair, daughter of my grandson, Stephen Blair and his wife Mary, arrived in Newburyport on July 7. The shock to Mad and me on becoming great-grandparents was considerable but we are recovering." They should talk to John Shelburne; he's had a pocketful of great-grandchildren for years. And a letter from Charles Baker '27 to the ALUMNI MAGAZINE says in part, "... Will you please note that this (the booklet entitled Bishops of Ohio, 1819-1968) was written by Wallace J. Baker who is this week in Hanover for his 50th reunion. Mr. Baker is an attorney in Cleveland and Historiographer for the Diocese of Ohio of the Episcopal Church."

From Spider Martin, birthday card dispatcher and our general ear-to-the-ground, comes a number of items: a letter from Fred McCrea, "Thanks for the birthday greeting. It was nice to hear from you. I'm sorry I wasn't at the 50th - I guess I'll have to start to work on the 60th. Give my best to Cotty and Jim ... our last child, a daughter, is getting married next week. Big doings." And from Bill Hoard, the countryman's best friend, "The 1919 big reunion is now history and I have a strong hunch that all present enjoyed every minute of it. AlanJones will be returning to Fort Atkinson in a few days. I am looking forward to learning all about it from him. ... Thanks for the birthday card." And from Bud Potter, "Thanks for your card. ... Due to my two strokes I could not possibly have made the 50th. I cannot do much of any walking, but I'm lucky in so many other ways." Spider also writes that Howie Cole presided at the 160th annual luncheon at Bible House in September. Informs me that Charlie Warner writes from Hopkinsville, Ky., that he expects to be in Fort Lauderdale for the winter. Doc Hodgkins and Mary have been in Ellsworth, Me., for the summer but will be back in Southern Pines after Labor Day. Bill Carto missed reunion because of the death of his sister-in-law. And, as usual, Rock Hayes and Alice Earl have been in Charlestown, W. Va., for the month of August.

And then there was the Big Fund publication with Buffalo Committeeman Chester O. Gale pictured on the back cover. He seems to be hanging onto some words of wisdom issuing from Trustee John D. Dodd '22, but he's grinning as if he had just sunk a fortyfoot putt to take a dollar three ways from both Russell and Larmon.

Secretary, Quaker Hill Henniker, N. H. 03242

Treasurer, 184 Summer St., Springfield, Vt. 05156