1921

As your neophyte secretary begins his task of grinding out the December news from the class, he is touched by the closing paragraph of Jack Hurd's valedictory at the end of his last reportorial effort in the November issue. We hope that the 21-gun salute which he mentioned has been fired with blank shells, and that there will be no backfire. If you find some of the Hurd flavor in some of the news items which follow, it will be because we are using material left behind by Jack as a bank of information which he had accumulated as a cache "in deserto," when the winds blow and the provender becomes scant.

The fleeting days of October found Jackand Eleanor Hurd immersed in the task of closing up their East Wheelock Street home, and preparing for their winter sojourn in Nice, France. They will be residing in a hotel with easy access to the Riviera, and within cycling distance of Monaco, the Casino and Princess Grace. Their address, for those who might wish to phone, write or call is Hotel Marina, 11 Rue Saint-Philippe, Nice, France. Their route to this spot was via air from Boston through Berlin.

Dan Ruggles' October SMOKER carried a complete play-by-play story of the successful Fall Reunion of the class, including the class meeting on Saturday morning, October 11. The entire proceeding was taped through the' courtesy of our honorary classmate, Blair Watson, and about a week later the results were reviewed at a private "listening" in Fairbanks Hall. Present were OrtHicks, Bob Loeb, Jack Hurd, and Hal Braman. Suggestions were made as to the cutting out of some of the extraneous material and the strident background noises of the 90 minute session. Shortly it is planned to make the edited version available to 1921 groups throughout the country who were unable to be at the get-together. Possible auditions could be arranged for Chicago, Florida, the West Coast - or even solo performances on request if the private listener were willing to assume the mailing expense arid the custody of this precious document.

Ing Baker has bicentennial memories of Nice, France where the Hurds will be spending this, and possible future, winters. "Early in 1918" Ing reports, "three of my buddies and I spent a leave in Nice of seven or eight days. I shall never forget our many and varied experiences which taught me much." As a sad aftermath, after returning to duty, one of Ing's buddies was wounded, a second taken prisoner, and the third returned home with incipient tuberculosis.

Phil Noyes reports that he and wife Florence spent a month last summer in Tacoma and Yakima, Wash. Half of the time was spent with Phil Jr. '49, and then, via Mt. Rainier, to visit daughter Elizabeth, who had previously celebrated Mother's Day by giving birth to a daughter. This made Phil a grandfather for the thirteenth time. Phil wonders if this might not be a new class record.

Bill Alley has forwarded a letter from Bunny Gardner which contains the news that he is about to retire from service in the Police Department, and will loaf until the first of the year. Bunny reports checking in at the first West Coast Seminar held at Yosemite National Park, but found no one registered that he knew. He had planned to register for the three-day session, but his schedule would not permit. "Maybe next year," he says.

Harry Mosser has spent five months evaluating Asheville, N. C., as a retirement spot. Afterwards he decided that his final decision would be a compromise between the White Mountains and the palms of Florida.

Newell Smith is on the move, having completed a transcontinental jaunt to the West Coast, then up to Canada, with stops at Jasper, Banff, and Lake Louise. At this writing he is probably on a cruise around South America.

Don Smith is recovering slowly from amputation of the right leg. Although he spends much time in a wheelchair and in bed, he drives around a bit in a manually controlled car - and reports that he is "still enjoying life with good meals and grog."

Howie Anger sends along word that BillOwen's wife Lillian passed away August 30 in Boca Raton, Fla. We know that all of Bill's classmates send their deepest condolences.

Carleton McMackin has moved to Arizona as his permanent residence, and has sold his sightly retreat at Mt. Cube, N. H. He feels that the dry climate of Arizona will suit him better. He still intends to pursue his mineralogical and photographic hobbies in the southwest area.

Helen De Grolf sends clipping from the "Amsterdam, N. Y., Recorder" telling of Durward's retirement from the banking business after 46 years of service. He had been assistant vice president and trust officer of the National Commercial Bank and Trust Company.

Doug Storer has moved to Belleair, Fla., but not to retire. He will still carry on as proprietor of the newspaper, radio and television feature called "Amazing but True." Bob Considine, well-known columnist, calls Doug a "magpie of curiosa" in a preface he has written for one of Doug's books.

Harry Chamberlaine sends along a copy of letter written to Jack Hurd, giving some information about what he is presently up to. In Rye, N. Y., he occupies himself with work for the handicapped, and also for the local library. He is trying to develop some idea in the field of art, but doesn't elaborate. Harry will go South for a while during the winter, but with his stay limited to a month, since he "gets tired of its monotonous weather after that length of time."

Mary Hall Noyes, widow of Hermon, with married daughter Mary Beth Bartlett, spent a few days in the North Country in early fall. They generally make an annual pilgrimage to Lyndonville, Vt., where Hermon's family proliferated. Mary occupies herself on Long Island with library work, and Mary Beth has just moved to the Concord, N. H., area. Mary Beth reports that she and her husband spent a most enjoyable weekend at the Squam Lakes House which is admirably managed by Jim and HelenDodge. A visit was also paid to Bob Burroughs' apple orchard, but Bob, unfortunately, was away at the time.

Paul Belknap is back from Mexico where he rescued Carli from a six-week sojourn with "would-be" artists at San Miguel de Allende. As a side line Paul has acquired a travel agency operated by South Koreans, with emphasis on travel to the Orient. Off then to Seoul? Could be, but his curiosity about the effect of snow on his Vermont retreat might take precedence.

Secretary, New Boston Rd. Norwich, Vt. 05055

Treasurer, 1341 Hill St., Suffield, Conn. 06078