1918

Homer Benett reports the following: "Your card arrived this a.m. telling of your unsuccessful attempt to telephone me from Tucson a week or so ago. Sure sorry to have missed you. I had the bad luck to develop a case of pancreatitis which put me in a Tucson hospital January 14 to 23 and left me weak as a cat for a considerable time thereafter. In fact, I'm still bellyaching. Hopefully I'll get back on the golf course soon. Am stuck with a diet that eliminates fats and alcohol." Who cares about fats, Ben?

"About Green Valley, both Elizabeth and I like it very much. We came here to get Elizabeth out of the Ohio winters, etc. S he is much better here - no question about it. We have a nice lit- tle one story house on the 12th fairway of one of the two golf courses; good neighbors and a first rate T.V. set...

"Hopefully we may get east, this summer, maybe as far as Connecticut and Hanover. Be sure to look us up if you get this way again."

News has been sparse of late. So I appealed to Bob Fish for help. His reply follows in the inimitable Fish Style: "I'm sorry you had to write to me before I wrote to you... I do remember promising you assistance but on your record to date you don't seem to be in need of it from this quarter.

"There are other reasons for my relative silence. For one thing Jake has given me far more space in The Roar than I rate and overexposure is a serious ailment. For another, you have been doing a great job in getting some sort of expression from classmates who seldom make themselves known; thereby contributing to refreshing and interesting columns. And thirdly my health has been below even my 'adjusted for age and other afflictions par' resulting in a severe cut back in writing." (Hope you are feeling better now, Bob.)

"We have done very little this winter because of illnesses and gas problems; not that we have encountered any; but we've elected to keep our exposure to 'No Gas Available' at the lowest possible level. Besides, as spring approaches there's no urge to leave the blossoming fruit trees, the flowering acacia and wisteria, a closeby library, a not too far away Stanford University with all sorts of activities for the spectator athlete I've been for decades.

"I was delighted to get a phone call from FredCassebeer at Christmas. I've also heard from Paul Miner. Hope you get to see him at the Pow-Wow in Florida and find him in good health. Bill Mudgett and I call each other every month or so. Ed Booth does a good job in shipping me miscellaneous information about the College. Pups Colie wrote me he would be taking a good long vacation in the Bahamas. Give my best to Steve Mahoney, Al Gottschaldt, everyone who comes to the Pow-Wow and that goes for you too. Wish it were possible for Mildred and me to join all of you."

Ed Felt checks in from (shades of Cactus Jack Garner) Uvalde, Texas. Ed was apologizing for sending news of Hal Day's passing to Jake instead of to me. The apology is unnecessary but none the less appreciated. Thanks for the additional material on Hal. I have been fortunate in receiving material from several sources on Hal.

Ed tells of having a good time on a visit to New Orleans where they saw their daughter Elizabeth, the Howie Parks, George Stoddards, the Bill Eads '19, and Murray Baldwin and went on from there for two weeks in Yucatan. Chet Gale and Emily '19 also started out with them; but he was taken ill and ended up in the Ochsner Clinic where he got fixed up and they returned to Buffalo. Ed says it is springtime in south Texas. We can't claim that in northeastern Illinois but the birds are singing.

Tom Bryant sends me more material on MelSouthwick. He also tells of plans for Betty's birthday in the nursing home.

Any of us within shooting distance of San Francisco should continue to take note of the Dartmouth College conference to be held there May 17 - 19. For details write to Derek T. Knudsen '65, Suite 2424, One California Street, San Francisco, Calif. 94111.

1919 June 7-9

Sec., R.D. 2, Joliet, Ill. 60431

Class Agent, Lower Troy Road Fitzwiliiam, N.H. 03447