1912

If any one in the Dartmouth family thinks he has reached the end of the road as a useful citizen, or even approached it at the age of 79 or 80, let him reflect on the record of two members of 1912. JohnsonO'Connor tells us that "life grows fuller." During the past year the Johnson O'Connor Research Foundation, of which Johnny is the head, has bought a building in Washington, D. C., opposite the rear entrance to the Supreme Court. The Foundation has been looking for a building for 20 years in which to set up a Washington Laboratory. Just about the same time an opportunity presented itself to purchase a location opposite the zoo in San Diego, Calif. This site the Foundation had also been seeking for many years. Johnny's Foundation has just finished a study of 119 fathers and sons and discovered that two of their aptitudes descend almost exactly according to Mendelian laws. Now they are studying Music aptitude, in particular Tonal Memory, with a larger group. In addition to all of this, they are in the middle of following up men who took their work samples 20 and 30 years ago to see what has happened to them since. The Foundation's New York laboratory was so busy before Christmas that Johnson helped there for ten days, flew out to Pasadena Christmas eve to be with his son, then back to New York the following Sunday to resume work again. No wonder he is "playing with the notion" of a month in Florence, Italy, this summer, but there again it will be for the purpose of finishing Volume III of his English Vocabulary Builder. He spent six weeks last spring at the noted restaurant and inn, Las Mananitas in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Christmas brought your secretary a lovely colored card picturing this beautiful spot. Johnny's life is indeed full.

The other '12er is Hap Wanner who is so busy wife Sybil writes us for him. Hap is a real estate broker and Sybil is one of his salesmen. For his 80th birthday they celebrated with a cocktail party at home, then to the Goose Creek Country Club for the Annual Awards Dinner and dance where Hap received the Grandfather's Golf Trophy, winning it from many in that category who were under 80 years. As a member of the Virginia Seniors he came out first in his age group at the annual tournament in August at White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. (As a former member of Connecticut Seniors your secretary is fully aware of just what this honor means.) Hap is the advertising manager and Sybil the recording secretary of the Loudon Pony and Junior Show for the benefit of the Loudon Memorial Hospital. This show occurs each year at the same time as the 1912 reunion and is for 18-year-olds and under. They have entries from all over the United States as far west as California and have raised approximately a total of $45,000. Finally, he is an active member of both a poker and a bridge club. Another full life.

A review in the December issue of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE of "Farewell Old Mount Washington" has brought to light another 80-year-old '12er, Eddie Blackstone. If you read the review you will realize it was even more than that. It was a tribute to a Dartmouth man for it seemed to say to all of those who have a stake in New Hampshire: "We, of Dartmouth, are happy to tell you again that here is one of us who can help you go back in memory to the days which we believe were less troubled and life was less complicated." The book was published by the Steamship Historical Society of America, in itself adding prestige to the volume. Eddie has his physical limitations which handicap his traveling. He has asked all of us to join him in helping to keep our ranks from growing thinner.

We now have a successor to Al Smith as Bequest Chairman, Dutch Waterbury. Our congratulations to Dutch for taking on this valuable assignment. You should hear from him anon. Dutch's first customer, I believe, is to be Emma Pettingell who is planning a gift to the College in Ralph's memory.

An invitation recently received to join the National Travel Club contained among four others a picture of Syd Clark, "World Traveler, Author and Lecturer." Syd is staying home for the time being to watch over and help Mardi in her struggle to overcome the results of her recent cerebral hemorrhage. We are all pulling for Mardi and hoping for better days. A letter from Mark Allen reminds us that he shares his birthday with our Class President, DocO'Connor. Mark spent some time in January visiting his daughter in Phoenix. He is still working at the store every day, bowling once a week and playing golf "as often as possible." He reports that his oldest son was called a year ago from a church in Oregon to serve as Rector of the Episcopal Church in Seattle so that Mark has all that family close by. Jimmie Cleaves reports very little snow in Center Sandwich, N. H., but temperatures have been down to 20° below. His chief occupation seems to be feeding the birds on sunflower seeds, peanut butter, and suet in addition to doing a lot of reading. Wish we could get a look at you, Jimmie.

Mina Chase, Harrie's widow, writes Elisaabeth Park of her doings and her family. She has a Dartmouth son, graduated in 1941, and a grandson entering Dartmouth in September. She has started an auxiliary for the Brattleboro Retreat, something it has never had. She also helps in the Memorial Hospital there and keeps busy in the local Episcopal Church, all of which helps heal the wound caused by Harrie's death after "58 beautiful and rich years." Another full life.

Secretary, 15 Gloucester Lane West Hartford, Conn. 06107

Treasurer, 4 Bank Building, Middleboro, Mass. 20346