1931
Guest Editor once again - Shep Wolff, Class Treasurer, who has been taking ad- vantage of his spare time in Pomfret, Vt., where he is successfully retired, to hand-write a note on hundreds of bills for class dues sent out this year. The response has been tremendous. I have a stack of these notes three inches high in front of me at this minute - more than enough material to cover this month, and next month, and probably another month as well. Shep has forwarded many of them to me, in several letters, the last of which came without any postage stamp on it whatever. Apparently the cash supply in South Pomfret runs low during the dead of winter. Fortunately, my credit card with the U. S. Postoffice stood me in good stead, and the letter arrived with 6¢ postage due, which my wife promptly paid to the postman, and equally as promptly collected from me. I'm sending a bill to the class treasurer, and hope for the best in due time, so that my books may be balanced once more. Now for the news.
Payson Weston has just purchased a house in Clearwater, Fla., which is to be his retirement nest, he having 35 years with Dun and Bradstreet nearly under his belt. Claims he has had little contact with Thirty-oners except that he spoke with John B. Freeman recently. He doesn't say what he said, and he doesn't say what John said, but I'm sure that the conversation took place. This is the stuff of which novels are made. Westy, why not fill in some details?
"More and more I'm enjoying my retirement," writes Bob Blocksom, "since August of 1961 (sic!). Love Southern California with my 'Native Daughter' spouse. (Qu'est-que c'est?) A year ago this fall we enjoyed two months down under, including Perth where my daughter Barbara and her family have lived for two and one-half years with about one and one-half years to go on their contract. We plan to spend Christmas with my son Bob and his family in Erie, Pa., and New Year's with friends in Clearwater, Fla." Bob, shake hands with Westy the next time in Clearwater!
Dig this from Hal Glickman: "I don't have much news to offer. My family is my main source. While I work at the main task of the economic provider my wife Ruth is busy with the various money-raising social funds. My oldest son, Ernest, is with Harbridge House, management counsellor. Daughter Joy is in Nigeria working with Biafran orphans. Son Carl is in Virginia working on a government-sponsored project, teaching the disadvantaged. Daughter Sheryl is a junior at Western College for Women. Baby son (Get the "baby," son) Carl, at sixteen, has just had the pleasant experience of buying his first jalopy. It's a lot of fun with such a family and I am looking forward soon to becoming more active in Dartmouth events." Hal, we envy you your dull, uneventful, unproductive life!
Professor Maurice Whittinghiil says: "My new sport is sailing eight or nine months of the year, with a little return from skiing in the North Carolina Mountains during mid-winter." Trudy Burrill, ye secretary's wife, greens up with jealousy at this. Her best sailing season lasts two and one-half months in Casco Bay, Me.
Brant McCullough writes: "Still working, but not so hard. Oldest daughter, Sheila Stolley, is living with us while husband Ensign Stolley is in the Pacific. No. 2 daughter, Karen, just announced her engagement. I had one cataract operation in 1967 and the other in early 1969. In our office last Christmas there was posted an announcement, This year's Christmas party has been cancelled due to last year's Christmas party.' " (Wow!)
From Tom Gafford this enigmatic bit: "Rocking along, man, just rocking along. Tom A. is maintaining and programming computers at the Air Force Base in Tacoma, Wash. Loves the stuff, but then, he's been an electroholic since cub scout days." (Gee, I never knew cub scouts were electroholics!)
Here's Ned Campbell with a nothing-toomuch-to-report: "I am getting a big kick out of our grandchildren age 5 and 7, both children of son Cary. My only daughter Carol is being married early in March. Had a reunion in July with my old roommate Cliff Power in Middletown, Ohio, where Cliff's son, John, was married. I also see occasionally George Acheson who is doing a good job as president of Acheson Manufacturing Company here in Pittsburgh.
Phil Holden planned to visit Shep and Harriette Wolff around Thanksgiving. However, the weather and snow conditions turned so poor that they stayed at home. Phil, if there's no snow on Stage Road in South Pomfret right now in February, I suggest you consider handball as an emotional outlet! Shep says "Phil is still able to ski well and seems to do plenty of it." Wish I could say the same. The last time I took off on skis was from Wheeler Hall in 1928 with Luke Watson and we dove down the runway from Occom Ridge to the Connecticut River in the moonless night at 11 P.M., Luke just fine and me just terrified. I have always felt more comfortable on the piano bench. (I'm talking about Roger Burrill.)
So much for Guest Editor Shep Wolff. Your secretary hasn't scratched the surface of Shep's material and the ALUMNI MAGAZINE is insisting on compressing space for economic reasons. More from Shep next month, and next month.
Charley Babbitt wrote as follows: "It was a real treat to run into Josh Stickney in Rutland, Vt. Josh lives in Lancaster, Mass., and represents Putnam Tool Company of .Detroit throughout New England. I forgot to ask him if he can still swim the 50 yard dash in under 25 seconds, but I bet he can." Josh, you really can't, can you? If you can, I've got a contract for you from Phineas T. Barnum, ready to sign!
Frank Blatz's boy Frank Jr. won the mayor's post in Plainfield, N. J., as previously suspected.
We have a clipping from Billy Alton reporting on a lecture he gave in Old Greenwich, Conn, recently. Because repetition may cause heavy lids under the eyes, we are not recapping the news item because it's been done before. What would be most refreshing is a letter from Billy which would give a personal angle to his work in Christian Science. Billy, please advise.
Lastly but not by any means leastly, we must describe the vulgar Christmas card received by ye sec. from Dick Holbrook which contained a photograph taken at some fraternity gathering somewhere with Roger Burrill in the foreground holding a glass of beer up to the camera.
This slander has got to cease, Richard.
As a new wrinkle in informal class reunions, some 70 classmates and wives of 1930 enjoyed a ten-day, "simply fabulous" trip toVenezuela, beginning February 2. Shown at Kennedy International Airport before their departure via VIASA jet are most of theParty. Margot and Bob Bottome '30 of Caracas were hosts and tour planners, and Bill Coles '29 also contributed to the LatinAmerican hospitality. A day at the Venezuelan ranch of Nelson Rockefeller '30 was one of the highlights of the trip.
Secretary, 23 Coughlin Rd. North Easton, Mass. 02356
Treasurer, Stage Road, South Pomfret, Vt. 05067
Bequest Chairman,
