1923

I still need up-to-date addresses from about one hundred classmates. A second card has been mailed to these men. Please - take a minute, fill it in, and return it to me.

Statistically the returned cards show that 59% of us are now retired or semi-retired - a lower figure than I would have guessed at. Al Taylor reports himself as "mostly retired," Roy Brown as "very much retired" and BUll Kimball as "retired but not tired."

I have before me the report of the Fannie E. Rippel Foundation for 1965-1969. During this four-year period this thirty-million-dollar assets foundation made grants of more than six and a quarter million dollars to forty individual hospitals, medical research centers, and facilities for the relief and care of aged women. The guiding hand behind the necessary research, study and decision making which precedes the allotment of these grants is Jules Rippel.

The Rippel Foundation was provided for in the will of Jules' uncle, J. S. Rippel, and was incorporated in 1953. Jules was responsible for all the planning prior to its incorporation and has served as Foundation President since that time. The job is a full time one and involves a great deal of travel, both here and abroad.

The Foundation's report includes a preliminary statement by Jules which is perhaps the most thoughtful and timely comment on the social and economic impact of the ever increasing costs of medical diagnosis and treatment I have yet come across. At the January meeting of the National Board of Directors of the American Art Association Jules was awarded a citation and made a response on the subject of medical research, which gives you some idea of how deeply concerned and involved he is with the subject.

Ruel Smith had a bad setback recently when his son, Michael M. Smith passed away on November 23 following a heart attack in his apartment in White Plains, N. Y. Michael who was a commercial artist by profession lived most of his life in Scarsdale, N. Y., but had spent many summers at East Chop on Martha's Vineyard Island, Mass., where he represented the third generation of his family as Vineyarders. The sympathy of the Class goes out to Ruel and his family at this sad time in their lives.

Babe Miner is now back at the office after a three months' layoff and wants to express his deep appreciation for the many personal get-well letters he received during his illness. Babe also tells me that a considerable number of classmates have contributed a substantial amount of money toward the gift of the class to the John Dickeys. By the time you read these lines each of you will have received a personal acknowledgement.

Vic Cannon writes, enclosing a newspaper story of Dartmouth's representation in the recent Cleveland Cup International Hockey Tournament. Prominent in the write-up is a picture of Jock Osborne who captained the team in our senior year. Vic, Jock and Charlie Bishop had dinner together prior to the game with McGill. ChuckCalder was out of town and missed the 1923 gathering. Vic who has recovered nicely from a recently broken foot continues:

In November Georgia and I were in Vero Beach at our condominium. Our next door neighbors are George and Ruth Ann Whiteside who have been year-round inhabitants of Vero Beach for some time. We have much enjoyed having them nearby. Also a recent newcomer to Vero Beach is Joe Houston. He owns a house on the outskirts. Seen also in Vero while we were there were Lyman and Avon King who were visiting friends. While we were there we drove to Palm Beach and contacted Art and Adah Everit who live there when they are not in northern Michigan.

Joe Millar very kindly made a check of his 1923 New Jersey contacts and came up with the news that Graham Whitelaw has moved to Fox Hill Farm, Pomfret, Conn. 06258. With the exception of a brief note from him in 1934 we have had no news of Graham since our freshman year when he served as our class president. Joe also tells me that Tom Burch has moved back to New York but has no details. I'd like very much to hear directly from both Graham and Tom.

Ed Roe's good letter brings news of four married daughters and four grandchildren. Daughters Becky and Anne teach in the Denver, Colo., school system. Becky's husband graduated from the University of Colorado Medical School and is now interning at Denver Presbyterian Hospital. Daughter Noel's husband heads the ski school at Winter Park, Colorado. Ed is still practicing law in New York with a major portion of his work in trademarks and copyrights.

In my letter to Ed I asked him if he would reminisce a bit about our days at the Mary Smalley Eating Club. Here perhaps was one of the most colorful and vital aspects of the entire Dartmouth campus in the early 1920's. I spent what, in retrospect, were three very happy years there and before memories dim too completely I'd like to preserve for some kind of posterity the personal recollections of those of us who participated in that often raucous but always pleasant atmosphere of good cooking and good cheer. Ed writes:

I became a second tabler at Ma Smalley's and did some kind of work there for the privilege of eating at half price —so that I was sort of a half member of the club.

I remember Mrs. Smalley as a warm hearted person with great affection for the Dartmouth students who ate there. She was as you know a superb cook and my memories of her are all pleasant, even the episode when she ripped a shirt of mine down the back when I had done some chore not to her taste.

My memory is poor as to the 1923 men who ate at Mrs. Smalley's - can only remember that Stan Richmond was a first table man. You were there but I do not remember your role. It was a grand place and every day brought some new delightful experience.

My personal role at Ma Smalley's was to clean up the debris of pots and pans that accumulated after each meal. In those days there was no football training table and for a considerable period of time I had the cooperation of Bill Hatch '24 whom you remember as first string tackle on the 60 minute football team. It took a lot of educational dedication to face Ma Smalley's pots and pans after four quarters on a football field. I wish that any of you who knew that wonderful generous lady would write me of your experiences - particularly any of you who may have been awarded your "S" for meeting the exacting requirements of employment in the Smalley Club.

Secretary, Box 2, Francestown, N. H. 03043

Treasurer, 960 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow, Mass. 01106