1919

As we type these notes each month, we like to look ahead a little to the time when they are to be read. There is little use saying "Happy New Year" on December 30 when your words will not be read hopefully) before February 14. And so, we think of Valentines and we wonder if this is not apt to be the last Valentine's Day for Dartmouth College. After an all-year experience with women all over them, who could be turned on by a pagan festival for lovers? Our mail on coeducation has been small but 100% it has expressed disapproval. Our own feeling is one of bereavement, of losing a generous, ever-loving, joyful mother to whom we have been completely devoted. She taught us many things not the least of which was a love for Dartmouth men.

Christmas cards came to your secretary from all over. We should, we know, acknowledge each one, but our wife Mary has all of our cards suspended from a nylon fish net which covers completely the south wall of our living room. Were she here, she could recite them all off from memory, as women do, but how do we know? Thanks, everyone. Being in the deep south where one is more than likely to see Prancer and Nixon, Donner and Blitzen complete with sleigh and Santa Claus dashing across every front lawn—and all the sprinklers goingone is apt to think there can be no real Christmas without a stout fir-balsam properly trimmed. So it was cheering to get a card from George and Marion Rand which said, under a scene of the Nativity, "The First Christmas Tree was a Palm." Made us feel better.

Through Spider Martin we have word from Don Graves: "First of all, thanks for my birthday card. On October 27 I was 75. To the man upstairs I am indeed grateful. But today is a real big day in my life. After trying for 36 years, I made a hole-in-one, on a regulation par-3 hole, 191 yards in length. I used a three wood.... Please excuse the scribble, but I'm still in a state of shock." Bob and Florence Stecher who had plans to start around the world about now have rearranged things and will again join the Martins "in Scottsdale, Ariz. The George Rands, the Stu Russells and the Rock Hayeses were planning about a month ago to take in Disney World in Florida. We wonder if they ever made it. We have read frequently of traffic backed up for 40 miles and the gates shut at 10 a.m. because the place would hold no more.

Jack Reilly had a slight heart attack this fall but now is coming along all right. The New York Luncheon Group, as planned, celebrated- its 10th Anniversary early in December. It was a bad-weather day and only 12 were able to make it. Henry Clay, down from Boston, was honored with a birthday cake because it was his 75th.

Also in hand we have a news clip (yes again) about Spider Martin. A photo shows him with the president of Dean Junior College dedicating the Joseph W. Martin Jr. Seminar Room in the collegers new library, which is housing many of his insures and memorabilia. Also with them is Cameron S. Thompson, a Tufts College character, an old friend of our, long-time lead man of the Jordan Marsh Co. onetrustee of Tufts, and chairman of the "card of trustees of Dean. It just happens at Cam and Spider are golfing partners in a weekly foursome at Braeburn which also includes V. C. Ziegler, president of Gillette. Mmm, we thought, Cam put the bite on Spider for a room. Spider said, all right if they couldn't win the money from Ziegler. Then we read Spider's letter. He said, "I gave and furnished the room.... Notice your old friend and my golfing partner in the picture.... He encouraged the project." What we can't understand is how they got the Saturday off for the dedication. That foursome tolerates no cuts.

Secretary, Box 122, Chandler Rd. Wilder, Vt. 05088

Treasurer St., Springfield. Vt. 05156