1920
From our treasurer, Al Frey, comes the following note from Sports Illustrated of January 26. It quotes Stephen Graves, aged 77, top-ranked tennis player in the 75-and-over division of U.S.L.T.A., looking at his future challengers: "An awful lot of good younger guys are coming up. There's that Clarence Chaffee, who just turned 75." Did you know that we almost arranged a match between these two gentlemen at our 55th reunion? Graves v. Chaffee — what a match! Steve declined in order to defend his title the following September in Charlottesville.
The principal speaker in Plymouth, N.H., at the presentation of The Robert Frost Contemporary American Award in the Spring was none other than Sherman Adams of nearby Lincoln. The award honored Anna L. Philbrook, pioneer child pyschologist and leader in the mental health field in New Hampshire. Sponsored by the Plymouth State College Alumni Association, the award honors individuality, hard work, and devotion to the nation, especially the country north of Boston, in the tradition of Robert Frost. Former winners are Sherman Adams, Amos N. Blandin, '18, Norris Cotton, and Frank R. Kenison.
From Pasadena comes a note from RalphRoberts that he and Dorothy spent two days in May at the Hanover Inn and greatly enjoyed themselves despite the inclement weather.
Another 1920 man comes to the Phoenix area. He is Paul A. Johnson, 5522 East Decatur, Mesa, Az. 85205. Paul's brother Edwin '22 already is well established in nearby Sun City. Welcome, Paul. You will enjoy the warmth of the Valley of the Sun after the Minnesota winters.
A welcome note from Marge Pope of Marblehead telling me that Marge's son John has two boys of college age and they are admitted to Dartmouth in the Class of 1980. Congratulations to the boys, their parents, and especially their grandmother, who could not be expected to conceal her pride.
Charlie McCoughran passed on to me another prideful note, this one from Ellen Ayres of Worcester, who attended the Dartmouth graduation in June of her grandson, Benjamin Waldo Ayres II. His parents the Donald W. Ayres '50 were also present. Now three generations of Ayres have trod the Hanover Plain, starting with our late and revered classmate Ben.
Word has come that a long-time resident of the Swampscott-Marblehead area has left the North Shore for Scudder Lane, Barnstable, Mass., 02630. What the North Shore loses the South Shore gains with the presence of GraceKitfield.
In mid-June Laura and Bill Carter headed their Peugeot toward San Diego. Mission — to call on Jack and Margele Mayer at their charming retirement home in lovely Rancho Bernardo. It was good to see the Mayers and exchange ideas and news about things Dartmouth and Class of 1920. The Carters spent equal time at the house of Frank and Claire Poor '26, two Phoenicians who escape the summer heat in San Diego. On our return we discovered the hottest spot in the southwest — between Gila Bend and Buckeye, Arizona, where we had a flat tire — a Michelin with an inner tube, no less! Have you ever tried to change a tire in the desert with the temperature above 120°?
According to Phil Gross, 1920's chairman for the post-55th reunion, the weather was fine and the food excellent, but attendance small. Among those present were Charles and FrancesMcGoughran, Phil and Hilda Gross, the Dalrymples and Marguerite, Harriet Miller, Al Foley, and Bud Weymouth. Later in June the Harold Bowers from Bradenton, Fla., stopped by on their way to a summer in Ipswich, Mass. With them in spirit were many of us too far away to come who felt as did Laddie Myers, who dispatched this mailgram to Hanover: "May the joy of this meeting be as great to you as is my regret for not being present." You summed it up so nicely, Laddie.
Linnea Amsden, Ken's widow, thanked the Class for the memorial book given to Baker Library in her late husband's name. She said it was a lovely thing to do. This is the message that invariably comes back and proves to me the fitness of the plan. The Frey plan adopted by the executive committee assures this memorial even to the very last man of us, after which fund continues under a new name as a 1920 Memorial in perpetuity. Charlie McGoughran's letter explained it in detail.
We hope you have had a good summer and anticipate a zestful autumn. A note to your secretary will be greatly appreciated, telling about your travels, if any, and the everyday details of your life. It is all grist for my mill.
Adios, amigos!
Secretary, 2549 East Beryl Ave. Phoenix, Ariz. 85028
Treasurer, Dresden, Maine 04342
