1905

The 1905 dinner at the Clearwater Beach Hotel on February 16 was one of the most successful we have had in many years. Perfect weather with clear blue sky and warm sunshine helped and all present were in extra good health, considering our ages. Robert Falconer gave the blessing and was the special guest since this was the date of his 89th birthday. He was presented with a birthday cake and we all sang "Happy Birthday, dear Robert."

There were no formal speeches but everyone joined in the general conversation which was spiced with anecdotes of past days and comments on the present state of the College, the country, and the universe.

Lucy Bell assisted the secretary with the local arrangements and the success of the affair was mostly due to her telephone calls. Present were the John Bells, the RogerBrowns, Fred Chase, Bill Blatners, RobFalconers, C. C. Hills, Arthur Lord '10, neighbor of Fred Chase and brother of Fred Lord '98 who died last fall; the Henry Lowells ('14) and Norman Gordons ('23), both couples have been classmates at Alumni College; Edith Sanborn (widow of Bill '17) and Lucy Rogers, our Florida neighbor, who attends the same church in Portland, Me., as Ernest White.

Two of our most faithful widows, Bertha Chamberlain and Florence Fall, have already sent checks for the '71 Alumni Fund. Bertha Chamberlain's check makes 55 years of uninterrupted giving which I am sure is a record for a classmate and widow. Florence has contributed every year since Gib died.

The Third Century Fund office has sent me the report of the record of 1905. This shows that thirteen members of '05 have made contributions. Of these four have since passed on: Brooks, Goodrich, Putnamand Tuck. The thirteen men who made contributions are: Balph, Blatner, Brooks, Brown, Campbell, Chase, Falcon- er, Goodrich, till, Putnam, Russell, Tuck and White.

The total contribution is $69,810.39 and gifts range in size from ten dollars to $38,219.92. I have a feeling that when the final figures for the TCF are tabulated this record of 1905 will be one of the most outstanding, especially considering the age of our living men.

I was not personally involved in the campaign since I was up to my neck in the regular Alumni Fund work. But I wish to extend my most sincere thanks for your generous contributions.

Birthdays coming up: April 9, Fred Chase born 1883; May 21, John Bell, born 1881; June 5, Carroll Campbell, born 1882; June 15, Rowland Balph, born 1882.

Hope to see you at our June '66 reunion.

Secretary and Class Agent 5 Pine Ridge Rd., West Medford, Mass. 02155