1940
It is indeed a pleasure to receive a detailed newsy letter from Joe Dunford who departed New York for the sunny climes of Tucson, Ariz., last August. Pelican Films, which he heads, also officially moved and there is much family news. Quoting in part from his epistle about Cathy and himself we learn that "Our twin daughters, have been suffering from asthmatic attacks since 1971. Nothing seemed to help and we just decided to try the Arizona climate. Result - no asthma!
"We have purchased a home in Tucson (growing at a fantastic rate). I've had to wind up some activities that were only possible with a New York City operation, but have retained other things that I can handle from here. Since moving here I've attended the Tucson Alumni Assn. luncheons. As nearly as I can guess I was the only '40 there.
"I've made contact with all segments of the film industry that exists here and in Phoenix and there are some interesting possibilities, but I simply haven't made up my mind whether to join forces or stay as an independent producer. My son Chris and his wife live here too. He is finishing up a Ph.D. at the University of Arizona in ecology.
"My older son Dave is an economist with the State Department in Washington. Since my problems take me to Washington now and then I manage to keep up with them and my grandchildren.
"It's really too early to say, but we are really thinking strong about the reunion. Cathy is acting in "Inherit the Wind" with the Arizona Civic Theater, singing with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, making some radio commercials on the side for a local advertising agency and selling real estate full time for Denton Realty." Joe, it must be a whole new way of life for you and sounds very exciting. It also must seem strange having grandchildren ap- proximately the same age as your two youngest! Thanks for all the news and we hope you and Cathy will make Reunion June 10 thru 12th!
It's with sincere regret that we report the loss of another classmate, Sumner Peterson. His obituary appears further on in this issue. I hate to keep mentioning Creight Holden's name in this column, but he must have a great press agent! A lengthy article in the Detroit FreePress entitled "Those Plush Carpet Grand Hotels Where Detroit's Elite Visitors Hole Up" has him expounding against the trend towards plushness and lushness. To paraphrase his comments, his St. Clair Inn swims against the trend being comfy and cozy and steeped in tradition instead of being a plush carpet new "monster." The article says that he himself is the Inn's chief attraction - never stopping and demanding activity on the part of his entire staff. With this kind of a write-up how can our Reunion (of which he's co-chairman) be anything but the greatest!
Several news releases at hand, one of which is quite different. In 1971 Jack Little established the Lester K. Little 1914 Scholarship in honor of his father who resides in Cornish, N.H. The first recipients are a brother and sister who entered the College in the fall of 1972 and 1973 respectively. Hilary and Evelyn Chan originally from Taiwan, graduated from high schools in the states. Preference in granting the scholarships is given to Chinese students as Jack's father was with the Chinese Customs Service from 1914 thru 1949. Both of the current recipients are student assistants in the Chinese program at college. While contacting Jack about the press release I'm sure you'll be pleased to learn that a poem of his has been published in "The Potato Book" a new cook book - and all royalties therefrom are being donated by Jack to the Hampton Day School. Buy a copy, get fat, and help the Day School! Jack's also embarked on a new career - he's now a free lance columnist for the Easthampton (L.I.) Star, a weekly in his area.
Three newspaper clippings (two with photos!) speak of N.H. Insurance Commissioner FrankWhaland as the featured speaker at the state meeting of the N.H. Association of Realtors; a review of an art exhibit held in November and December at the Princeton (N.J.) Gallery of Fine Arts entitled "Tomas George, Landscape Drawings 1956-1973" (Ed. note: it was an outstanding review); and for the eighth consecutive year Jack Rourke produced the "Stop Arthritis" telethon on KTLA (Channel 5 in L.A.) which was MC'd by Jane Wyman assisted by Jack.
My larder is still not bare, but I'd be derelict as one of your elected class officers if I didn't add another mention of our forthcoming Reunion on June 10-12. Jack McDonald mailed a list to all of you of the 82 of us who've said for sure we'd be on hand. The plans sound great - and there is absolutely no place like Hanover at that time of year - so why not plan ahead and make the 82 classmates grow to 150! Then with wives, children, etc. we'll be a great group gaily galavanting gregoriously!!
Secretary, 200 5th Ave. New York, N.Y. 10010
Treasurer, 64 North Main Street Concord, N.H. 03301
