1923
Over the years, as many of us have faced serious illness or surgery we have found in BabeMiner not only a friendly and personal concern but a professional understanding and reassurance that has meant a great deal to us. Now Babe feels that the time has come to close the book on the practice of surgery and retire from his present position as Director of Emergency Services at the Springfield Hospital Medical Center. He writes: "It was not an easy decision to make but after 47 years I felt, as did Florence, that we should call it a career - and so be it! It has been a fruitful and satisfying life and I just hope that when the whole work is assessed I will have contributed in some small way to the betterment of mankind. I do leave the career with regrets for there is still so much to be done - but there always will be and that is as it should be."
In a recent letter to Charlie Zimmerman,Monk Keith tells of a pleasant visit from Bill Buchanan '24 who was Monk's roommate for two years. He goes on to say: "My grandson, Lt. A. J. Arguedas is now at Camp Pendleton. On April 5 his wife gave birth to twins. They are our fourth great-grandchildren. I suppose it is some sort of record to have TWIN great-grandchildren. Can anyone top it?
"While I am still actively working for American Bank Note Co. my great hobby is a small coffee farm Bill and Jo Buchanan visited as they brought me a fancy Italian straw hat for the mid-day sun. It so happened that the evening of the day the Buchanans left burglars broke into the farm house and stole the straw hat.
"Hope you are keeping well and that you will some day come to Costa Rica where all insurance is a government monopoly."
Lulu Allen writes Bob McMillan: "Such a delightful statement in the DartmouthMagazine. You were all so nice to me I can never forget it. I am well and work at the 'Head Start' school for children age 4 and 5. I work two days a week and really enjoy it. I have retired from nursing but I was asked to help with the children."
I greatly appreciate the recent notes from Beatrice Cullen, Bett Davis, and Mim Home. The sympathy of the entire class goes to these ladies as they rearrange their lives and look confidently toward the future.
Charlie Bishop says that while most of us are reporting the frequent arrival of great-grandchildren he and Catherine are announcing the birth of their first grandchild - a boy, born to the junior Charlie Bishops. The baby's father is controller of the Foremost-McKesson Building Products of San Jose, Calif.
As forecast last March in this column the Ralph Clarks visited with the Metzels just about the time that particular issue of the AlumniMagazine arrived in Scottsdale.
Truman and I have been indulging recently in some mutual musing about Dartmouth's admissions policy. We can't help but be reminded of the legendary method of grading "Smutt" papers - hurling them down a flight of stairs with the better grades going to the ones that fell the farthest. He also reminds me of a graduation requirement we both had a lot of trouble with - climbing a free swinging rope in the gym. I also seem to recall a swimming test that was pretty tough for some of us - or was that someplace esle?
I feel sure that all of you are aware of alumni concern over the loss of both the Indian Symbol and R.O.T.C. Much has been said and written on these two subjects - some of which has originated with our classmates. Almost without exception I believe we favor the return of both - the Indian as a traditional if sentimental symbol, the loss of which in a way leaves the College nameless, and the return of R.O.T.C., an unfortunate necessity that the years and four wars have taught us we can't do without
I have never felt that this column should serve as a forum for causes. Additionally there isn't enough space to debate them adequately anyway. It does seem to me however that those of you - and there are many - who feel strongly about these issues should make your concerns known to our class officers and/or the college administration.
Warm letters of thanks and commendation have come to Ruel Smith from both President Kemeny and President Emeritus Dickey for the personal copies of the pictorial record of our 50th Reunion which were sent to them. Ruel adds that numerous copies of the Reunion book are stored in Room 201 Crosby Hall and extra copies can be yours for the asking.
Word has just come to me from his brother Nate Whiteside '20 of the death on March 28 of our classmate George Whiteside. An obituary will appear in either this or a later issue.
Ike Phillips' wife Susan died Wednesday May 15 after a long illness. Memorial services were held at the family home in South Royalton, Vt., the following Sunday. The setting was a long view of the Vermont hills and valleys that Ike and Susan loved so well. All of their children and grandchildren, some frovery far places, were there, together with their many friends and neighbors. We will miss her greatly. Representing the Class were Frank and Gladys Doten, Joe and Alice Pollard, Pete Jones, Clarence and Prisciila Goss, Jim Broe. Harriet Maycock, Ted Barstow, and Wal; and Connie Dodge.
By the time you receive this copy of the Alumni Magazine, which will be the last regular issue until late October, Post Reunion will be behind us. Right now we are battling the black flies which for a month or so make Maine and New Hampshire practically uninhabitable. Funny thing - 50 years ago they didn't seem to be such a problem - but then neither did snow removal. lawn maintenance, etc., all of which loom large in these later years. I hope you and your families will summer well and happily, and thanks for your very great help during the year just passed,
Secretary, Box 2, Francestown, N.H. 03043
Class Agent, 140 Garden St. Hartford, Conn. 06115
