1915

Attempting to write a column during the hectic period just prior to New Year's Eve - for publication in February - is indeed a challenge. It is to be hoped that our anticipation of New Year's Eve will in no way interfere with the lucidity of what follows.

At the risk of reverting to "ancient history," it may be of interest to report that this scribe has recently completed his 17th year as class secretary and, as of this sitting, the roster of 1915 now stands at 138 living members. As most of us know, it has been the practice of " the secretary to send birthday card greetings to all members and we wish to pay tribute to the artist and composer of these cards - Art Sterling, out in Rockford, Ill., who has cooperated so admirably down through the years.

A mid-December letter from George Martin contains a bunch of reminiscences - such as: Kike Richardson seeing his 400th football game last fall; Pearl Richardson's handling of their annual hand-outs at pre- Harvard game parties; Jack Bowler's occasional letters; a return of his class dues from Chink Chamberlain which he, George, had already paid back in October; occasional get-togethers with the Chan Fosters; and a pre-Princeton game dinner at Luchows in New York. Never a dull moment in some circles, eh, George?

Paul and Thesese Rothery are quite happy with Florida living in the house they built in Naples in 1965. They passed their annual physical check-up and good for another year, or ten thousand miles - "which gives us a lift - no guarantee with this, though"! Paul had hoped they might see last fall's Princeton game via TV but, in view of the outcome, was glad they didn't. He adds a word of commendation for "the job you have done over the years as class secretary - a time-consuming labor of love for the Class and College." To which this scribe repeats his closing line "Cheerio and Bon Santé"!

From Marv Frederick we learn that 1915's scheduled class reunion next June is the "next to last," as the College does not schedule any regular reunion after the 60th. So we echo his sentiment to make our 55th one of the best! And that's quite a letterhead he's come up with in honor of the occasion!

Notes from hither and yon! Doc Noyes comes up with another quip (in French) which translates into: "I love you each day more than yesterday, but much less than tomorrow." George Walker, down in Florida, comments on Doc Noyes' barn museum "bursting with at least one of each and everything." A further note from DanDaniell reveals 15 grandchildren - 9 boys and 6 girls, and ends up with "The frost is on the pumpkins"! Hal Claflin in Brewster Mass., says he had hoped to see this scribe in Boston but will hope to make the June reunion in Hanover. Joel Harris in San Diego says the past year was rough but hopes he and Doris will make the 55th next June. George Ingalls out in Colorado suggests that he and this scribe give each other a whack on the back for having successfully reached our birthdays — both having been born on the same date. Doc Daisy up at Greenwich, N.Y., says he gets a kick out of birthdays — as long as they're not his! And Dale Barker advises us to "Hold on to your charisma - I don't know what it means but hope it means something good."

Further gleanings out of the holiday influx reveal: Bags Wanamaker is progressing from several trips to Hanover for certain ailments with further travel for a while curtailed; Ralph Brown, up in Maine, reports "everything kosher" and expects to keep going "as long as the pump works" including trips to Arizona, Virginia, and Canada, with jobs in between caring for two big dogs their daughter left with them while on a visit to Western Australia; GeorgeDyke says he heard this writer was ill but in the next mail received word I was up and "looking for tigers, just keep on punching" - says George; Elliot Sharp regrets he couldn't get to Hanover for the reunion last June - they were on a 30-day tour of Europe where he revisited an old pension he lived in while attending a military school during world War I at the Sorbonne. He and Hazel got quite a kick out of dancing in Venice where several hundred people gave them quite a hand; Phil Alexander reports he's better than he has been in several years; Jack Johnson says he's just a fair cook and maid, but did all right while wife Bertha was hospitalized and kept things going until she recovered; ShortyGray says everything is under control down in the southwest corner of the world (San Diego) and was quite elated over the victories of local ball teams over invading teams; Dan Daniell, up at Green Bay, says he envies those who don't have to shovel snow like they get out there; the Jack Fergusons out in Tulsa were introduced recently to their newest addition, a great-grandson, and were anticipating a gala gathering for New Year's with football and tamale pie after the West Coast game; the Herb Potters are rejoicing that Julie and Bill have bought a lovely home near El Paso; the Bob Griffins think it's about time the PhilMurdocks paid them a visit - which makes it mutual; and Tony Simoneau's only gripe is that a cold wave from the North has stopped his swimming down at Isle of Palms in South Carolina.

Secretary, 245 Avenue C New York, N.Y. 10009

Treasurer, 54 Warren Ave., Plymouth, Mass. 02360