1912

This has been a strange summer for weather. Here on the Maine coast we had about five weeks of almost nothing but rain and fog. The former was so prolific that my peas merely appeared above ground, even blossomed but refused to grow, and finally succumbed to Peter Rabbit's persistent appetite. What few beets withstood the downpours finally were consumed by the same energetic animal. My older son, driving across the country from Nevada with his wife and youngest daughter towing a 20-foot cabin cruiser, found little use for the latter during the five weeks' stay on the Island as cruising on this rockbound coast in the fog proves to be an adventurous pastime.

We had several letters of regrets for one reason or another from those who found it too much to attempt the 60th Reunion. Among these was Ruth Worton who sold her home of 43 years last January and is now "enjoying an easy life" in her four and one half room apartment. Lew Warren out in Bismarck, N. D., said he was seriously considering the trip but, following an auto accident in May, he had one arm in a sling for some time which left him in no condition for traveling. A rather pathetic letter arrived from Guy Swenson who is partially paralyzed. It seems that on the Sunday morning of our Reunion his son decided to drive him to Hanover where they arrived in midafternoon. They went from Thayer Hall to Sage to College Hall finding none of our Class as we had scattered to various points including QuechFrench's new home at Quechee Lakes. All this was a great disappointment to Guy.

Bill and Margaret Middlebrook decided it was too long a trip from Minnesota. They hadn't been back long enough from a good winter in Pompano Beach, Fla., to feel like attempting another long journey. Eleanor Smith has a new venture which kept her on the job while we were reuning. She now operates the Squire Tarbox House on Westport Island, Me., open to guests who wish to spend one night or a whole month. According to Bill Shapleigh the food at Eleanor's is tops.

Jim Steen, recent inhabitant of Sun City, Ariz., has already become famous in those parts. The Sun City-Youngstown News-Sun of May 5, 1972 carried a one page spread with the caption "Rue's on the mound, Steen's at short, but who was on first 64 years ago?" Included were pictures of Jim and Dale Rue, an old high school basketball teammate, and a photo of the 1908 Chicago University High School basketball team with Captain Jimmy Steen in front center. The newspaper feature was the result of this meeting of old pals at the Sun City Rotary Club luncheon. The writeup also detailed Jim's baseball accomplishments reaching a high point when he was varsity catcher at Dartmouth.

Another newssheet came our way from a local Vermont paper carrying the quarter-page announcement, "Quechee's Big Year" by Quechee Lakes Corporation. Another quarter page showed a view of Quech andBertha French in front of their home, the Quechee Lakes House, in his native town to which Quech returned 17 years ago. They say the entire layout is charming.

On July 14 Henry Stevens, sister Anna, Elizabeth Park, and Myron Files '14 celebrated Henry's 81st birthday at the Exeter Inn. Bill Shapleigh and Henry planned a get-together in Durham, N. H., for '12ers on September.

Two very appreciative notes have been received from Hazel O'Connor and Gertrude Crocker thanking the Class for the Memorial Book gifts to the Baker Library.

A sad note must be added. Since our last news column three of our number have left us: Dutch Cottrell, Roy Frothingham and "Fritz" Wallburg. Dutch was the oldest living member of 1912. Roy's death was a shock, as he had all plans made for the trip cross country to Hanover in June. The news of Fritz's death has just arrived at this writing. Two widows have died, Mrs. Arthur C. Buell and Mrs. KennethI. Goss. Our sympathy goes to all these families.

Secretary, 15 Gloucester Lane West Hartford, Conn. 06107

Treasurer, 4 Bank Building Middleboro, Mass. 02346