1923
The 50th wedding anniversary of Francis and Mildred Donovan on June 29 reminds me that many of us are approaching another important milestone. The Donovans' three children, Dorothy and former New Hampshire Governor Walter Peterson, Mary Elizabeth and her husband Prof. John Finger, and Francis Jr. and his wife, hosted a lovely party for their parents at the Peterborough Country Club. There are ten grandchildren, one of whom, John Reed Peterson, will be a Dartmouth freshman this fall.
George McLaughlin who is now chairman of the McLaughlin Gormley King Company in Minneapolis writes: "While well along in years. I still come to the office most days' for a short time and greatly enjoy my activities there. Thai is one of the advantages of a small company and probably also one of its disadvantages and may be the reason it remains small. However, the new management that has been brought up over the years is doing an excellent job. I can't heir but admire their work.
"Mrs. McLaughlin, the widow of Donald P. Gaver who died in 1955, and I travel as much as our health will permit. We are getting older and not improving healthwise. We get most fun out of our grandchildren. Mrs. McLaughlin- father, a very wise man, once said that if he had it to do over again, he would have nothing but grandchildren."
George's firm has built an excellent reputation in a limited technological area and has published several books on Pyretkrum, TheNatural Insecticide, the latest of these a Historof Pyrethrum for which George composed the first chapter.
Dick Townsend writes that the area in which his and Nan's home is located has achieved the status of street numbers to replace their rural route and box numbers. They can now be reached at 5390 Alhambra Valley Road, Martinez, reached. 94553. Dick's letter head indicate; he is still practicing law.
Cap Palmer sent me a clipping from The Hollywood Reporter listing various movie jo openings. If you know of a moose (animal, not lodge member) for a supporting roll in "Funny Lady" or a belly dancer with at least one year's experience who are unemployed, cornmunicate with Cap. Cap adds a note defining a college reunion as "an alumni get-together to see who's falling apart."
Bill Kimball seems to be increasing his concerns with Sanibel Island Inn in Sanity Fla. He is now president of the Inn and has accepted the vice presidency of Sanibel Tomorrow. This organization is and has been working very hard toward incorporation the aim of home control of growth, land use, etc. It is supported by funds donated by interested friends and residents of the island. Many of us have visited this beautiful and as yet unspoiled spot - the Metzels, Huberts, McMillans, and Dodges, to name a few who come to mind.
A couple of good letters from Dick Kershaw bring word that he is now comfortably and permanently installed in his winterized former summer home at Old Lyme, Conn. This is a small and quiet town at Exit 70 on the Connecticut Turnpike. Dick says "If any of our classmates are passing through call me at 203-434-1538 and stop for a bracer and some talk (or some bracers and a talk)." Dick keeps up a lively correspondence with many of us - particularly Win Weser, John Moore, ClarenceGoss, and George Plant. He'll very much miss Johnny Allen.
Lulu Allen writes that the summer closing of her Prentiss, Miss., School has let her catch up on her correspondence. She's now in her new home, the one she came to from Liberia, W.A., having burned down. Her message to the Class: "Thanks for the Alumni Magazine. You really have made me a Dartmouth person and I can't do anything but live up to how wonderful all of you are."
Babe Miner and/or I have received several fine letters recently from 1923 widows: BeatriceCullen, Catherine Gates, Margaret Wilkinson,Hope Burke, Dyna Palmer, Miriam Home, and Bett Davis. Memorial books have now been placed in the college library in memory of their husbands.
Metz writes a bit ruefully that only he and Bunny, the Cy Gordons, and Ted Barstow attended Alumni College this year from the ranks of 1923.
We were happy to have Ted and Olive Caswell for overnight in early September. They were on their way to visit some neighbor friends of ours, one of whose Naples condominiums they have leased for several winters. This friend gathered together some 15 nearby New Englanders who favor the Naples area as a winter refuge. Ted seems to have recovered completely after his recent serious surgery and Olive too is now back in good health.
Charlie Rice is recovering slowly from two recent serious operations. He writes: "Guess I'm impatient for quick changes. The glasses bother me most but from what I can gather it will take nearly a year. Things look closer than they are - present problems particularly. I have no problem driving but it is for only short distances. At present we are not planning on Hanover much as we'll miss the get togethers we have enjoyed so much. For a guy who for 72 years was never in a hospital except as a visitor I've had my fill since last November."
George Weston writes Ruel Smith: "Our summers are like our winters. We play, drink, eat, watch TV and go to bed. As a matter of fact we have a lovely home facing east to the Wilbraham Mts., three flower beds and plenty of shrubs to take of. We do our own housework we manage to keep busy. I don't mow the awn.' George and Jo are now at 531 Hall Hill Road, Somers, Conn. 06071 in the summer, and nave a permanent P.O. Box #2014 C.B.S., New Smyrna Beach, Fla. 32069 during the winter months.
By the time this reaches you the football season, which as I write has just begun with a 14-0 loss the University of Massachusetts, will be about over. Having survived the trauma of tree early season losses in 1973 however, we are looking for better things to come and resorting to that old New Hampshire maxim - Slow at the start - hell at the finish."
Secretary, Box 2 Francestown, N.H. 03043
Treasurer, 960 Longmeadow St. Longmeadow, Mass. 01106
