1929
In a letter describing Nelson Rockefeller's visit to Berlin as part of the U.S. Bicentennial, Shep Stone, director of Aspen Berlin, reports: "I have been in Berlin since mid-1974. Needless to say, I have many memories here: three years of work on my Ph.D., after our graduation, at the University of Berlin, which is now in the Communist part of the city; marriage to Charlotte, a Berliner, in 1933; the army days here after the War in a ravaged city; the rebuilding of the city and country during the years I was with John J. McCloy, U.S. High Commissioner for Germany; and later when I was at the Ford Founda- tion. And now again."
Bob Monahan's clipping service brings news" of a Berlin closer to home. Arthur Bergeron was honored by a dinner on his retirement as vice president of the Berlin City Bank (N.H.). He had previously served as director, legal counsel, and president of banks which merged into the present institution.
Bob also enclosed a long article from the Valley News by Art Nighswander, counsel for the N.H. School Boards Association, titled "A Look Ahead in the Complex Area of School Law." Art chronicles increasing litigation over such issues as discipline and proper dress, and concludes:
"The next ten years will see substantial litigation in many areas which we cannot now foresee, but of this we can be sure: litigation is costly to all parties involved. School law, after years of dormancy, will develop into a complex body of law which will require much patience, understanding, and restraint on the part of all parties concerned."
In another clipping, Bob and Joe D'Esopo appear in adjacent columns — Joe as winner in the N.H. Sweepstakes and Bob as a participant in a hearing about closing the West Lebanon bridge for repairs. After Bob's statement supporting the City Council's vote to close the bridge despite the protests of merchants, the article said, merchants seemed quieted. "It hit like a sledge hammer between the eyes," stated one.
Leonard Doob, among other professional activities, reviews books for the Key Reporter, a Phi Beta Kappa newsletter, reporting recently on six in the social sciences.
A news story and photo report that CharlieDudley has been elected chairman of the Upper Valley SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives). Charlie comments: "The chapter here is very active and has some great people, including Dick Black and Ed Chinlund and Gwynne Prosser '28. I feel like a dwarf among giants with all the big names and large corporate experience. Had dinner with George McKean and wife at the D.O.C. House about two weeks ago. He looks great and plays a fast game of tennis doubles."
May and June were busy months for me, with two separate trips to the Pacific Northwest for meetings on sewerless sanitation. In Portland Hal and Elizabeth Hirsch invited me to their spectacular new house, on a ledge overlooking downtown Portland to distant Mt. Hood. We had dinner at the Multnomah Athletic Club with young John Piane, his wife Toni, their daughter and her finance — a delightful evening. Then in Vancouver, B.C., I attended the U.N. HABITAT conference as an observer representing the Appalachian Mountain Club, and participated in workshops with other nongovernment types. A highlight was dinner with Harry Baehr's wife Jo-Ann on the top floor of a hotel giving a view of harbor, bay, snow-capped peaks, and forest. She grew up in Vancouver and pointed out many landmarks.
A social note, slightly delayed - last March a group of '29ers formerly from upper New York State held a reunion in Florida. Bill and MarionKeyes, Elli and Marge Cavanagh, and Phil andCarolin Fitzpatrick spent three delightful days together at Delray Beach.
Our letter-of-the-month comes from Bob Lyle, writing from Dallas: "Recently we returned from a seven-week trip to England. Starting with a week in London, we then went on the 'Cathedral Tour.' We rented a car in Canterbury, after seeing the cathedral there, including standing on the spot where Thomas Becket was struck down by the minions of the king. Then came Salisbury, Chichester, Lincoln, York, etc.
"We moved on up and over to East Anglia, then to Hexham and Hadrian's Roman Wall. Crossed the Pennines, a mountain range of about 2,000 feet, and into the Lake Country — the homes of Wordsworth and Shelley. I appreciate those early nineteenth century poets more since seeing where they lived. Along the way Oxford and Cambridge were seen.
"Despite the heat of 90° to 95° for three continuous weeks, it was a good trip and most enjoyable. Mastery of a stick shift, right-hand-drive car for 1700 miles (plus) is an achievement - particularly with no accidents. England has no air-conditioning in hotels, cars, buses, businesses, homes, or whatever.
"Now I'm catching up on a number of things about the house that I've put off for a long time and trying to do the same on our farm in East Texas (115 miles due east of Dallas).
"This next year will be one of no gainful employment. I wound up as I began — teaching Latin. I taught in four schools and I headed four schools. It's time for a break."
Bob, thanks for a good report. As a '29 retiree I. can assure you that the day is not long enough for all that needs to be done. And who will be the next author-of-the-month for this column We need some news, or you may be forced to read screeds from me on sewerless sanitation.
At this writing Duke and Horty Barto are scheduled to spend the month of September in one of their favorite spots — Austria. Happy holiday!
Ruth Brittan, left, Lyt and Olive Johnson, and Trunkie Brittan make a festive '29 four-some on a 33-day summer cruise on the Norwegian-American Line's Sagafjord.
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