1926

Your scribe has been on safari so often via color film of African devoted friends he is convinced that with his myopic eyes we genuine McCoy would be an awful letdown. Moreover one more native dance will send him screaming to the nearest looney bin for permanent self-committal. Neverthe- less from the Golden Gate to the Verrazano Narrows darkest Africa seems to be the "in" place with '26ers this 45th reunion year. Witness this on safari report of RitchieSmith. "This is our third week on safari. The first two weeks we spent in the National Parks and Reserves game-watching and photographing. Such a profusion of game of all sorts and descriptions defies description. Our present camp is on the banks of the Tana River in northeast Kenya near Garrissa. It is less than 1000 feet in elevation and being practically on the equator quite hot in the daytime. But we get up at six for a morning shoot of sand grouse Yesterday Betty and I shot 55 in 25 minutes, This is a shooting block rather than a game preserve. We decided after three days here to move south to Mombassa to spend a couple of days on the Indian Ocean before going inland again to a ranch where we end our safari."

And this back from a safari report of Chuck Webster: "Just back from our extensive holiday in Kenya and Uganda. Sometimes on safari on a river bank in the East Tsavo it seemed like old Outing Club days Other high points were the beaches, a coral reef and a visit to the old ancient village of Samu; all highly recommended."

Speaking of safaris will somebody please tell me why nobody just visits Africa any more? Shades of Stanley, I suppose that adjective darkest" is obsolete and opprobrious today too but blessed if I know whether black,, blacker or blackest is now the proper or in" adjective? Be of good cheer though '26ers, I am sure we can count on Chuck and Ritchie for a few thousand well chosen words to enlighten us on these subjects come June.

While the Smiths and Websters were doing their black thing the Robert Clearys were doing their white thing, i.e. conquering on skis all the powder in Colorado and all the ice in New England. They unbuckled their boards just long enough to be the gracious hosts they are to friends over Easter on their lovely Herb Farm home and then took off for a business convention in Portugal to be followed by a jaunt through Spain.

Not to be outdone the Fred Hurds, as you are reading this, are spending two weeks bustling through Spain, Provence, and the Cote d'Azur. The Courtney Browns, building a winter home in Abaco, think nothing of commuting between there and Scarsdale seven times a season.

Even writing about all this activity exhausts me. Tennis anyone?

On a quieter note Hanseatic's star director, Charlie Bishop, proudly attests to bearing up through two fund meetings and the alumni dinner with nothing more to sustain him than one Schwepps and one fresca. The reason he gave for accomplishing this heroic deed was that his doctor told him he was already too sweet. Some fellows will believe anything a doctor tells them. Anyhow, Charlie, your classmates attest to your being effervescently good company whatever you tipple.

The alumni dinner honoring President Kemeny at which Fresca Bishop so nobly bore up was a huge success on all counts. Twenty-six's representation was outstanding. The table at which your scribe sat included those already mentioned with the exception of Smith and Webster, plus, for him, long time no see, Ford Graham and Fred Cadmus and shorter long time no sees Prof. Larry Kennison and Class Treasurer JackRoberts. The other table was graced by '26's gift to N.Y.U., scholar-student DickMandel; retired from too active practice but still teaching Sid Lenke, and robust, hale hearties Henry Lamb, Russ Newcomb, and Brant Wallace. If I missed anybody lay it to my safari eyes because at the gong we commuters do disperse with dispatch.

Hub Harwood writes: "We have just returned from Tucson where we saw Ed McClintock, Del Worthington, Al Louer and Mai Merrill. Also visited with Tubber, TomMurdough and Bob May while passing through Chicago."

Sad it is to have to report the death on April 9 of Isabel Buck. About a year after George's death Isabel was discovered to have a throat tumor which was malignant. She has been hospitalized off and on since then but with such a remarkable spirit she attended the August reunion even though she talked and ate with difficulty. She hoped to be with us for the 45th reunion and had already sent her contribution to the Alumni Fund for this year. Her gallantry under adversity and her loyalty to the College and Class will be remembered by all who knew her.

Finally you have all received Al Loner's Alumni Fund drive kick-off letter by now so if you have not already kicked in with your gift at least get your pledge off today. And try to raise it. The continued flow at top capacity of these free Alumni Fund dollars from us men of Dartmouth are vital to Dartmouth College's health.

See you in June but for heaven's sake let me hear from you before May 5.

Secretary, 16 R East Trail Darien, Conn. 06820

Class Agent,12 Roger Williams Ave. Highland Park, Ill. 60035