1899

Glad to report that Paul Osgood's wife Marcella is safely home from the hospital. Her broken hip is still awkward and sometimes painful but the slow mending process at last is under way. Furthermore a "walker" now helps her navigate more confidently.

Our Hingham Home suffered irreparable loss in January by the sudden death of Katherine Haviland, the talented and dedicated mistress over many years. But the Quaker brethren are resourceful and faithful and temporary but adequate help is carrying on. An experienced married couple has been found to fill the gap until early March.

As I mentioned in the notes last month three younger members of the '99 family have accepted the responsibility of our 70th reunion in June: Dave Storrs' daughter, Phoebe Stebbins, Nelson Brown's daughter, Ellie Blanchard, and Julia Fifield, wife of George Clark's cousin. What a lift this will be for all of us. Details are already being arranged and the occasion bids fair to make this reunion one of our best. It may not be as spectacular as some of our youthful adventures but who wants to be spectacular in his 80's or 90's? Dave Orr is on the job for the College again, recruiting and arranging. It is certain that those of us who stay over night will be comfortably housed and fed either on the second floor of the refurbished Wheelock Inn or suitably accommodated nearby.

I am expecting news from Mrs. Arthur(Tat) Irving as to possible winter trips.

The secretary continues to enjoy the thoughtful neighborliness and devotion of Arthur and Helen, Bill and Janet, George and Anney. Arthur's son Peter was married last August in New Jersey and most of us were present. On January 25 Bill's younger daughter Marki became the mother of Janet Leo Crawford, the secretary's fifth greatgrandchild. Arthur is now retired after a life-long service as a salesman. George has moved to Somerville, where he can now walk daily to and from his job as librarian at Tufts University. He is responsible for buying, cataloging, and circulating all the books in this fine library. Meanwhile Malcolm and Rachel in not too distant Miami continue to enjoy a neighborly and interesting life among life-long Southern friends. And K.B. continues to enjoy life in this comfortable and quiet Friends Home in Hingham, Mass. It is an odd coincidence that my ancestor John Beal sailed in 1636 from Hingham in England to help colonize this pleasant land of Hingham in America.

You will be hearing soon from our "Reunion Committee," those "Three Little Maids" from the hinterlands who make up an executive committee as efficient and devoted as any in the ancient days consisting of Barstow, George Clark, Phil Winchester,Warren Kendall. Try to be present at some one of the events if it is not possible to attend the entire reunion. Come to savor the fact and depth of this feeling that has gripped every Ninety-Niner for almost 75 years; since that early September evening in 1895 when the weird cry of "Football, Freshie" rolled and echoed across the campus. This sudden cry made every newly created '99er know that he had been born into a new life; a new loyalty that would last all his days.

Secretary and Treasurer New England Friends Home Turkey Hill Lane Hingham, Mass. 02043