1932
Dr. Irv Kramer wrote in November, not from Greak Neck but from Bermuda Dunes, Calif. Having noted our note that Bill Morton is an ex- officio member of the Board of Overseers of the Dartmouth Medical School, he says: "One of my daughters, Dr. Karen Hein, DMS '68 is the youngest appointee to that recently created Board of Overseers. She has enjoyed knowing Bill and working with him. I have been able to ease up on my medical commitments thanks to an excellent associate. Ruth and I have been relaxing in our spare time at a vacation home here, near Palm Springs."
Paul Leach sent a note to Ev Hokanson with his class dues, part of which (the note, not the dues) we're saving until next month. Paul lays claim to being the Class's "most retiring person." Having worked for the American Association of Railroads 1935-52, when he switched to federal government service, and having retired at the end of 1970, he qualified for a small Railroad Retirement annuity but not for Social Security. To achieve the latter and keep busy, he took on a succession of jobs - computer coding, special reading teaching in junior high, department store detective, hardware salesman, real estate salesman - staying with each up to the point of boredom. His payoff: "Now, with just 2 more quarters to go, Congress has up and passed a law saying that any Soc. Sec. payments I receive must be deducted from RR Ret. annuity! I promptly quit my latest job and will not file for Soc. Sec." Those who read the piece in the NY Times Magazine a few months back know what a booby-trap the Social Security laws are for many - especially, but not exclusively, us self-employeds.
Rog Needham writes Ev that following the example of co-worker John Merrill he retired from General Electric at Fitchburg, Mass., at the end of '74 after 30-plus years. Having qualified as a Registered Professional Engineer in 1962 following courses at Worcester Tech, he wound up his GE career as a controls engineer in the mechanical design section. Now a substitute teacher at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School in plant maintenance, machine shop, machine drafting, and carpenter shop, he notes: "Not too bad for an A.B. in Psychology! Between times cut firewood, run a 9-acre 'farm,' do home repairs for self and neighbors, and volunteer for 3 hours weekly at child day care center (4-5 year olds). It's more fun than working."
Also from Ev's mail: Jack McRae in Arlington, Va., retired last June after 32 years with DoAll Co.... George Blaesi, after a 3½- year "wonderful experience" in Samoa, retired to Sun City, Ariz., in January ... and over in Green Valley, reports John Swenson, the '32 contingent also includes Larry Burtis, ChuckAdkins, Eddie Toothaker ... the Ed Lewises enjoying their first winter in their new home on the coast of Maine (Brunswick — "but 1974 was hardly the year to build") ... Carl Parsons in Rutland retired for a year, a busy time on golf course and along trout streams, now enjoying Green Mountain hiking and maybe x-country skiing . . . Don and Pat McPhail recently drove #2 son to Hanover for an interview, hopefully for membership in Dartmouth '78. The sun also rises!
Browsing through our old Aegis, we noted that in the spring of 1931 the Ledyard Canoe Club, with Ben Drew in charge, had planted 2,- 000 three-year-old white pines on Johnny John- son and Occum Islands. So we asked Ben to make an expedition in his trusty kayak, to get us a picture of his noble forest as it looked age 47. Here is his rueful report:
"A great many of [the trees] survived our rather inexpert handling, and were growing smartly as we left Hanover for the Great Depression. Then came the Public Service Company, and the Hartford Dam, which inundated the three islands that were dear to the hearts of the Ledyardites. There was Chase Island, below the bridge, preceded by a nasty and tricky eddy, but a lovely rocky island, with a very decent Outing Club type cabin ... Above, one came first to Occum Island, best known as the site of the spring strawberry shortcake festival and race. He who ate the most shortcake often did not win the race, but I believe that Pete Knight won on both counts, his appetite being only slightly controlled by his desire to win.
"The largest island, also endowed with a cabin, was Johnny Johnson, scene of happy, sunny afternoons about spring houseparty time. It was on J. J. that we planted most of the pines, and without the dam this could have been a beauty spot today.
"Joe, I would like to report, at least, that I did paddle up the river to the site of these lost islands to be sure that they were gone. The distance, even in my kayak, was somewhat greater than it used to be, but just as enjoyable.
"Do you of '32 all know that the one island which survives is known as 'Titcomb Island', and this is the site of a memorial cabin to JackTitcomb who was lost during the war on Mindanao. I have been there often, these past two years, and the island and cabin are enormously enjoyed - a fine memorial. Ben"
Secretary, Orchard Hill Road Westport, Conn. 06880
Treasurer, 6517 Atwahl Dr. Glendale, Wis. 53209
