1923
If you're curious about the current early fall Hanover scene, the following from Ted Barstow will bring you up to date:
"The pleasant intermission in Hanover between semesters, when you can always find a table at Lou's and you only have to drive around the loop once to find a place to park, is almost over. The new freshmen have arrived! They are lined up at the bank, opening checking accounts. And at the book store just try to get inside! I watched one boy shelling out sixty plus dollars for text books. Shades of the 20's! If books had cost that much then, I would have had to go without eating for a month".
From Dick Townsend in Martinez, Calif., comes the following fine report of a Mini-mini reunion last May in Morocco: "Nan and I were planning to drive around Morocco last spring. We learned that Paul and Priscilla McKown were planning a similar trip in the opposite direction and that our paths would cross at Fez, where we would both be staying at the famous Hotel Palais Jamais at the same time. The result was that the four of us spent two delightful evenings together in Fez.
"Our paths crossed again at Tangier a week later - entirely unexpectedly, since we did not have a definite schedule at that stage and they were running ahead of their schedule. But we both ended our Moroccan trips at the same hotel at the same time. So we had another very pleasant evening together in Tangier.
"Thereafter Paul and Priscilla drove north through Spain and into Portugal. In spite of all of the trouble in Portugal, they did not have any problems there until they were on a TWA 747 plane at the Lisbon airport ready to take off, when the captain announced that they had received a threat of a bomb aboard the plane. The result was that all passengers, baggage, mail and other cargo were removed from the plane, and the passengers were required to identify their checked baggage and have it all inspected. No bomb having been found, they finally took off seven hours late. What a way to end a marvelous two months' trip, but at least they arrived home safely.
"Paul is an expert amateur movie photographer. He has travelled to many interesting places and. has taken a great many pictures with his 16 mm. movie camera. He edits his pictures severely to reasonable length and shows them and lectures at schools, clubs and other gatherings, including even the famous California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.
"Paul and I agree that Morocco is a fabulous country and an excellent place for a reunion."
Our medical contingent keeps in pretty close touch with Babe Miner. He had almost instant response to his "Dear Babe" cards from five of them this fall: Karl Stadlinger announces his retirement as of July 15 this year with a new address at 111 Country Club, Burbank, Calif. 91501; Paul Soley sent word of the death of his college roommate Red Downes and suggested that Red's epic book on the life of Warren G. Harding be placed in the college library in Red's memory; Lew Woodruff reports that he retired from private practice in 1971 and moved to Tucson, Ariz., where he works part time in the outpatient V.A. hospital; Russ Perley says "No change. I am enjoying doing just office work and referring OBs and surgery", and HerbHorne says he and Bea had a fine summer at home but are looking forward to Hawaii in October.
And a right cheerful note from Pete Howe who says: "Two years have passed since our 50th - years in which more and more classmates retire and disport themselves in healthful fun or mayhap in SIN. Not me! My aquiline nose has furrowed the grindstone a quarter of an inch more and I see no relief in sight, Thank God!"
Several letters during the summer pause from Truman Metzel, parts of which I covered last month. I don't believe, however, that I told you he and Bunny were in Hanover last June for the graduation of his son's stepdaughter Susan - cum laude, special honors group - one of 31 girl graduates. Truman suspects she is the first 1923 granddaughter to graduate.
Truman takes great pleasure in sending me news clippings from far away places, reporting the vagaries of New Hampshire politics and in particular the most recent senatorial election. Before some one else reminds me, incidentally, I have written our classmate John Charles Durkin (Chuck to you) to enquire if he is related to the well reported victor.
Truman also bemoans his lack of success in drumming up 1923 trade for Alumni College. The Metzels and Ted Barstow were our only representatives this year.
Roger Saltmarsh was last reported in this column in 1956 and was not included in the Golden Review. I am particularly happy therefore to update you with the following note from him to Babe: "Just a line for 1923. After leaving Dartmouth I worded for Liberty Mutual Ins. Co. in Boston for 3 years, then 5 years for Concord Dairy Co. in Concord, N.H. Then to H. P. Hood and Son, Charlestown, Mass., and worked for them all over New England for 36 years, managing plants, and teaching methods and training. I retired from Hoods in 1965. In 1921 I was married to Viola Tyrrell. We had one daughter and one son. My daughter had two children and lives in Melrose, Mass. My son also had two children and lives in California.
"Since my retirement in 1965 I have been busy. My wife and I took two months, traveling to see our children and grandchildren in California. My wife has since been busy with garden clubs and arts and crafts and I have been doing school police work and gardening in Stoneham, Mass. Where we pay taxes."
Last June I had a good letter from Lee Young in Naples, Fla., enclosing a clipping describing the organizing of a new Alumni Club in that region. Alumni Magazine publishing schedules prevented me acknowledging it here until now. Lee says Honey plays a lot of golf in Florida but they like to get back home to Summit for the spring and summer.
Major Bird says he stuck pretty close to home in Andrian, Mich., last summer because of the rain and heat. The latter, especially, spoils his travels so he does most of his moving about in the spring and fall.
Major goes on to say: "I am only semi-retired so I still have a hand in business. I have seen no 23'ers except Shunt Turnbull recently. Shunt, I believe, suffered a light stroke several months ago which has made it difficult to get around. However he appears much like his old self.
"Although I have not seen Art Event I hear from him quite regularly. His permanent home is now in Florida.
"As for myself I feel very well and keep active all the time. As a preparation for the Centennial I am currently 'doing' Charles M. Andrews 'The Colonial Period of American History' - a four volume work."
A Bowdoin friend provides me with the news that 164 freshmen men and 73 freshmen women were pledged to Bowdoin's nine "fraternities" this fall. I have no comparable Dartmouth statistics. Perhaps Ted Barstow can enlighten us.
Secretary, Box 2 Francestown, N.H. 03043
Treasurer, 960 Longmeadow St. Longmeadow, Mass. 01106
