1923
At this point in our lives there are many of us who are not in the best of health - perhaps a more or less to be expected concomitant of the fact we're here at all. Scarcely a month goes by that I don't learn of another classmate who has suffered a stroke, a heart attack, or some other limiting affliction. I'm sure it would make dreary reading to list them all. Once in a while however an exception seems to be in order, if for no other reason than to give the rest of us courage to endure lesser trials. In December Charlie Zimmerman wrote to me he had telephoned Roy Height a few days earlier to enlist his Alumni Fund aid. Roy's wife Adeline wasn't sure he could make it to the telephone but he finally did and agreed to do his best to help. Roy has had arthritic problems for a number of years, complicated a few months ago by an operation for gastric ulcers that resulted in his heart acting up a bit. All seems to be well now; Roy sends his best to everyone and says he and Adeline are looking forward to seeing some of our classmates when they get to the Florida West Coast this winter.
Had a telephone call this weekend with season's greetings from Walt Rahmanop. Walt is still practicing medicine at his old stand on Elm Street in Manchester, N.H., and says he frequently sees "another eye man" in the person of Al Taylor's son, Dr. Alson P. Jr. '57.
Walt's daughter Wallis is at Bradford Academy and Walt Jr. at Governor Dummer Academy.
Bill Kimball brings me up to date on developments at Sanibel Island, Fla. On November 5 last, 62% of the voters in that unincorporated town decided it should become Sanibel City with a council and city manager form of government. Bill is now chairman of "Sanibel Tomorrow," a non-partisan group that with a fine Island newspaper will keep a sharp watch on local politics.
A good letter from George Whiteside's brother Nate '20 says that he and wife Mildred are former neighbors of the Kimballs and are looking forward to staying at Bill's Island Inn during the month of March. A letter to Babe from George's widow Ruth Ann, thanking the Class for the book given in his memory, arrived in the same mail.
A Boston Herald article in the real estate section tells of an interesting recreational development in Loon Village, N.H. Situated on the Kancamagus Highway and surrounded by the White Mountain National Forest, it is being developed on the principle of "Interval Ownership" by "Bub" Eaton's son Austin C. Jr. '62 and a partner. When I happened upon the article I tried to reach Bub's widow Virginia who is still living in North Hampton, N.H., but was unable to.
Clint Wells who is another of CharlieZimmerman's helpers writes: "Occasionally I hear from Harry Watson who seems to be enjoying his life in Clearwater, Florida. As for me there's not much to tell. I haven't taken any trips to the North or South Poles nor even the Equator. I'm married to a nice wife and have a daughter who lives in Springfield, Mass., with her husband and three-year-old son who we think is unusually nice — as are all grandchildren. I am still interested in photography which keeps me out of most mischief and old age keeps me out of the rest of it. So now you know why I don't write letters to the class notes column of the Alumni Magazine. There just isn't much news to tell. I do keep in touch with my good friend Owen M. Smith who lives in a beautiful home in South Portland, overlooking Casco Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. We write frequently and try to dope out the state of the economy and the stock market but our crystal ball seems a bit clouded."
Clint is now retired from the Chemical Bank in New York City where he served as Trust Officer in charge of new business development activities.
Babe Miner had a particularly generous response to his "Dear Babe" green slips this year. More from them later, but here are a few items:
From Mox Hubert: "Just returned from an 8000-mile canoe trip across country to Califor- California and back in our V.W. Camper, Kay and I. Wonderful trip, great sights."
Ed Roe writes: "I have finally decided to retire and we have put our house on the market and bought a smaller one in Greene, N.Y. Don't know how long it will take me to unload this house but I do know that getting out of a house I have lived in since 1907 will not be a picnic and will not be accomplished overnight." Ed's new address is 92 Genesee St., Greene, N.Y. 13778.
From Stuie Knight: "I did harpoon one swordfish last summer just to prove I could still do it. Also I caught 2500 pounds of bluefish averaging 9 pounds a piece and 550 pounds of lobster. So you can see I managed to keep fairly busy."
I have two classmate assignments which I haven't forgotten in case you have been wondering. First, I am charged by several of you - including various - wives - to obtain and circularize Babe Miner's recipe for popovers. Second, I have been commissioned by Ted Barstow to find out the meaning of the hebraic characters on the Dartmouth Seal and also the reason the college name is sometimes spelled Dartmuth. Comments anyone?
Dave Orr has asked all class secretaries to plug the Post-50 Reunion. This is the sixth annual time the event has been held. The dates are June 9-12. By the time you get to read these notes you all should have your 1975 appointment calendars working so make a note of the date.
Secretary, Box 2 Francestown, N.H. 03043
Treasurer, 960 Longmeadow St. Longmeadow, Mass. 01106
