1926
Since there is some futility in dwelling on the score of the Harvard game, we will concentrate on the arithmetic of 1926 participation during an otherwise .great weekend. 29 classmates, 21 wives, and 27 relatives and guests, making a grand total of 77, were at one or more of the class events. Johnny Manser did a great job in lining up as class headquarters Lyme Inn, where accommodations were excellent. Those who dined Friday night in Lyme and lunched Saturday noon in Oberlander Lounge were joined in the stands by '26 commuters from various New England points. Dinner Saturday night and breakfast Sunday morning were the final events of the weekend. The D.C.A.C. complimented 1926 for being in good physical condition by placing us in the top rows of the West Stand and also arranged to have the most exciting minutes at the end of the game played at the goal line where we were located.
At the Saturday night dinner, besides congratulating Courtney Brown on his 72nd birthday, those present expressed the great pride of 1926 in his election October 4 as Columbia University's 77th alumni trustee, elected by the trustees after nomination by a ballot mailed to Columbia's 32,000 alumni. Our Sid Lenke, as representative of Physicians & Surgeons Hospital, Columbia Medical Center, was proud to be one who nominated Courtney.
We were tempted to leave the Yale game to the elements, but word came that ten hardy people admitted to being in the vicinity of New Haven during the weekend, but not all admitted to tailgating in the rain, sloshing to the Bowl, or sitting in puddles for 60 minutes. Stew and Mary Lou Orr toured from Auburndale, Mass., to Worcester for the Holy Cross game and reported on a '26 gathering: Johnny Manser and Ed Emerson. So much for football, and the rest of the story will be highlighted in HubHarwood's sports column in "Smoke Signals." If the daily television weather maps are accurate, Jack and Dot Roberts are enjoying consistent 80° temperature in the 1926 financial winter quarters in Ft. Myers, Fla. Jack reports that dues checks and voluntary tax-free contributions to the memorial book collection are coming in at a good pace and urges rushing in those checks before IRS declares a new year. As fast as Jack deposits checks he forwards the "Dear Jack" notes to the class media so that Hub and your secretary's wells will not go dry. A few quickies: Bob Cleary and Snipe Esquerré spent ten days in the Maritime Provinces and the Gaspe - a trip Bob took 20 years ago and always wanted to repeat; Ritchie Smith of San Francisco reported on the wedding of Al and Ellen Louer's son, Roger, and commented that the bride is almost as lovely as the mother-in-law; Perk St. Clair told Jack Roberts that sometime somewhere the two must sit down alone and relive their great travel adventure of 1924 - tell us more, Perk. Holt McAloney, back in Florida after four months in North Carolina, is already dreaming about and planning a West Coast '26 get-together with the aid of Jack Roberts; Dick and Edna Burlingame also returned to Florida after a vacation in the mountains of North Carolina; Ed Hanlon commented on the lack of answers to inquiries for the class history, "These retired guys can't play golf all the time, and as for chasing women, the statute of limitations would soon apply"; DonChurch wrote that he enjoyed New Hampshire fall foliage, checked in at the Harvard game, voted, and then quietly headed for Florida.
Art and Inez Wilcox gave a glowing report of the quaint Greenwich, N.Y., of today to your scribe, who lived there in his freshman year. Bill and Miriam Sharp, long-time residents, keep busy taking care of grandchildren, and Art sometimes carries on one-way correspondence with silent '26 classmates as well as equally noiseless Peddie School alumni. Hang in there, Art!
Nate and Lois Parker missed fall football because of a trip to the Orient - a fitting respite for Nate after the time and effort that went into his wonderful 50-year address.
For Art and Margaret Stack, the 50th was their first class home-coming and they were more than delighted. For 60 years (yes, 60) they have spent summer vacations at their place on Lake Winnipesaukee, so 1977 is the year to travel to Hanover for the 40th annual class get-together in August.
Ed Farnum, in acknowledging the class birthday card, reported a fine time for his 73rd at Squam Lake, N.H., where he and Marjorie spend spring, summer, and fall, which leaves only a short winter stay in their home in Dover, Mass. It was a family party including son, daughter-in-law, daughter, son-in-law, 3 grandsons, sister, brother-in-law, and his sister-in-law. Ed is retired from New England Telephone Company, but Mother Bell could not attend.
During this happy holiday season may 1926 recall our wonderful 50th anniversary year and the joys and accomplishments that have been ours and look forward to years more of lasting fellowship as enduring members of the Dartmouth family.
Secretary, 9 Gammons Road Waban, Mass. 02168
Treasurer, 932-A Heritage Village Southbury, Conn. 06488
