1931
We finally returned to what John Benson calls "that damned island" after nine weeks of seeing the country. After busing endlessly through 850 miles of Texas we wound up in Florida and found that Gladys and John were only a step ahead of us. I called Orrie Hobbs who urged us to come stay with them. Trudy and I declined because June and Orrie had just emptied the house of a Dartmouth horde the night before and it seemed to us like they needed some down time. Our plans were to go from Clearwater through to Ft. Lauderdale where Jim Swift had rounded up a motel room for us - no mean trick at that time for the influx of college students was well under way. We stayed three days in Ft. Lauderdale, dining at the race track on one evening and feasting on steak and lobster tails on another. Jim was ready to blow the whistle for another '31 get-to-gether but I said I thought there had been enough interactivity in that area for a while. John and Gladys Benson had been here also. Incidentally, John asked me recently in a letter, "Is there any fishing still?" meaning, still on Chebeague Island? Yes John, there is still fishing here but in the winter time a little more attention is paid to woodchopping. I have a cord or two out in the back yard waiting to be split.
Adding to things we never knew till now, JimFrame sent a report of the Duxbury (Mass.) Historical Society with the following paragraph: "We received from Parker Soule of Hanover, N.H., a fine portrait of Capt. Elijah Soule, his great, great-uncle, together with his brass-bound travelling desk and many pertinent papers. Captain Soule's desk was returned to his family in Duxbury by his crew, after the Captain died of yellow fever off China and was buried at sea."
Jim Frame adds: "We're pretty well down here at the moment and looking forward to a stay on Grand Cayman Island in March. My two-fifths retirement deal seems to be working pretty well most weeks. That is, I'm supposed to work three days but it's hard consistently to run a business on three out of five cylinders."
While Trudy and I were journeying through Texas I thought quite frequently about Joe Linz of Dallas. It seemed that we were too far away from Dallas like in Houston, Beaumont, etc., so I never did call Joe. However, when we got home there was a great long letter from him - too long for me to use in the column but I'm hoping Parker will be able to use most of it.
A note from Charley and Phyllis Mendell: "Charley is recuperating from gall bladder and other surgery. Last summer we had a delightful four-month trip to England and Scotland."
I have a news clipping here of Doug Morris on a 30 foot ladder hanging a 20 by 30 foot American flag in the Sun Bowl at Sun City, Ariz., in preparation for a Lincoln Day appearance of Sen. Barry Goldwater. Doug says this flag is the largest in Arizona. That ladder might well be the longest in Arizona. It makes me dizzy just to see a picture of Doug on high.
John Chamberlin sends me a bumper sticker "Chamberlin for Mayor" and advises that the general election is April 15. Guess I'll have to file an absentee ballot.
The Newton (Mass.) school committee named Charles L. Sullivan coordinator of the school system. I wish I knew what that meant - maybe Charley can advise.
Bill Little advises that he is traveling on business and pleasure to Washington, Chicago, California, and Hawaii. When Dink and he return they hope to concentrate on getting the Redding house in order. Redding, California, Bill?
The executive committee of the annual New Mexico governor's prayer breakfast named ArtSpiegel chairman for the 1975 breakfast in Santa Fe on January 23.
Rupe Brooke writes: "Program changes here are fewer hiking, biking and touring type activities and more bridge and volunteer work for the Lodge, Shrine, Lions and AARP buyers coop jobs."
From Dick Holbrook a long and thoughtful letter about planning for the 50th Reunion. Some very constructive suggestions are included. Again, for lack of space, I am forwarding the letter to Parker in hopes there will be room in the newsletter for it.
At 10,000 feet and momentarily holdingare Henry Stein '30, Shorty Pabst '38, andLee A. Chilcote '30, near Aspen, Colo.
Secretary, R.F.D. Box 15 Chebeague Island, Me. 04017
Class Agent, 2705 East Newberry Blvd. Milwaukee, Wis. 53211
