1924
This is surely "the winter of our discontent." And so I must report both the "bitter and the sweet." First, those of you who knew LarryHarter and wrote him when hospitalized with "another stroke" will want to repeat the cards that gave him a lift in November. Rog Allen ('37) reports Larry is back in the hospital for over a month, "terribly weak." The address: 19 Barnes Lane, Garden City, L. NY 11530. See the next Class, Letter for more details. Then I have word from Shirley Austin that his son and business partner, Jim '50, has had to have serious surgery and that therefore plans to attend reunion may have to be changed. We all send our sympathy, I'm sure.
Turning to a happier note, there are three '24 grandchildren currently in the College and all doing very well. In alphabetical order, then: Peter Blodgett is a senior and has made his mark "loud and clear;" turn to the AlmuniMagazine, December, p. 22, and read his story - how he came to Dartmouth and why he has stayed. Then Charlie French had hoped to see his grandson graduate at our 50th reunion, too. He is Peter Conway '74, of Mary French Conway, Charlie's oldest daughter. Finally, Boband Dot Strong's daughter Betsy, has a freshman granddaughter here, Ann Van Curan. (See p. 276. of the 40-Year Book.) Ann is a good skier, like her mother and all the Strongs. The other two Van Curans are in Holderness and High School ... "all fine skiers," says Dot.
Of course this is the time for travelling, and so cards begin to come from distant lands. Stanand Barbara Chittick are poised as I write for an around-the-world flight by air with one of the best tours; Dave and Julia Dyche will do some fishing on Little Cayman Island, and then a couple of weeple of weeks in Mexico; of the local clan here, Ives aIves and Doris Atherton favor a few weeks in the CanaryCanary Islands. Harry Holmlund reports from ArizonArizona that "our winter has been a fine summer" ... all sunny and warm since October except 2 in December and 10 in January." BillBuchanBuchanan and Russ Treadway were there for a '24 co'24 nference!
Miscellany: It was a pleasure to have CedFoster's daughter (Shirley Fields) and granddaughter (Dallas) here for an interview with the Admissions Committee; we showed them the College, with mutual pleasure ... Red Maloney was here for the annual football awards dinner, reported elsewhere I'm sure ... Hobbies make retirement fun. (Several share stamp collecting ... "philately" ... with me.) Fred and ConnieBriscoe, (neighbors of Tup and Louise Tupper in Greenfield, N.H.) are very active in Audubon Society activities, with current interest focused on the "Bluebird Trail" project to set up bird boxes for these hard-to-see-in-Hanover birds. What is your hobby? . . . One noticeable change in attitude is seen in Hanover more and more: helping where needed rather than just personal pleasures. Example: the Tri-Kaps had a pre-Christmas guitar "sing along", with milk and cookies, for local-area retarded children ... and this has been true for "the past few years;" it included a demonstration of wood-splitting! How about that? WDCR, the local radio station, has a project each year: "Lend a hand," with focus this year on reviving the old Rogers Hotel in Lebanon for theatricals. Remember when we went to the Opera House in White River Junction for a show? Bet you can't recall what it was.
Without fear or favor or wish to do more than report some good news, recent publicity ... with details reserved for the Class Letter ... tells a Horatio Alger success story: how our Mike Branch started in 1937 as a one-man-project and with only $11,000 and as of the 16th of January 1974 had baeen chairman of the board for three years of a corporation with assets of 300 million dollars. (Reported by the First Federal Savings and Loan Association, Lake Worth, Fla. You can get a start on the story by reading page 41 of the 40-Year Book.)
Finally, and in some ways of first importance: send in your decision regarding the 50th Reunion. (I was amazed to have one classmate write me and ask for "details" ... Your mail will bring it your way again before you read this.) I also must report a very good start on the special Fund. We'll make it if we ALL follow the simple suggestion: double and double again ... that means: if you gave say $50. last year, make it 50 X 4 or $200. for your share of the 50th Reunion Alumni Fund. Several have done this; how about you ... or, if you're able, double even that again. Let your conscience be your guide is another good rule.
Secretary,2 Brewster Rd. Hanover, N.H. 03755
Treasurer, 111 Ross St., Fitchburg, Mass. 01420
