1922

Peter Kiewit, at a banquet in Washington, D.C., a few months ago, was the honored recipient of the "Distinguished Nebraskan Award." The Nebraska Society of Washington accords this distinguished recognition to Nebraskans whose personal achievements have brought widespjead acclaim to themselves and to the Cornhusker State. Nebraska Senator Roman Hruska, who made the presentation, cited our classmate's civic contributions as well as his achievements in the construction industry. Congratulations, Peter, it is one more of the many reasons the Dartmouth fellowship is proud to have you as one of its own.

And, incidentally, on January 29 in a smooth transition a much needed new computer replaced its predecessor in Dartmouth's Kiewit Computation Center. The new computer permits considerably increased usage and more flexibility. It is already being used 20 hours a day. The former machine and its accessories are being sold.

It's doubtful, ya know, if English is never spoken, ya know, in this country no more, ya know. Average scores on the Verbal Scholastic Aptitude Test have dropped from 478 to 437 in the past 12 years. The highest possible score is 800, and, though a million pre-college students take this test annually, only 15,000 score 700 or higher. SAT scores, of course, are by no means the sole criterion of college admission, but they do provide an indication of scholarly aptitude. Dartmouth, for example, in selecting a freshmen class of about 1,050 from approximately 8,000 applicants cannot completely ignore such credentials.

Many causes are undoubtedly contributing to this decline in scores, but one is apparent in many homes throughout the nation. With many school-age lads and lassies it is obvious that their favorite course is TV hypnosis. Surely, ya know, the kids don't read books no more, ya know, like they used to, ya know. And what can parents and grandparents do about that?

Well, Jeanette Hotchkiss, wife of our Gene and mother of three distinguished Dartmouth sons, has prescribed two enticing remedies. Five years ago these notes described her bibliographpy, European Historical Fiction forChildren and Young People. Now her more recent American Historical Fiction for Childrenand Young People, early readers through high school, continues the excellent work.

This 318-page bibliography has brief, alluring descriptions of more than 1,500 books from approximately 500 authors. The subjects begin historically with the Vikings and extend to almost yesterday. Among the subjects covered are the Arts, Education and Social Service, Indians, Industry and Technology, Medicine, Presidents and their Families, Sailing Ships and Seamen (with 19 books on Pirates for boys age eight to 88), Science, Slavery, Civil Rights, Black History, Spies and Secret Service, and lastly, due entirely to the alphabet, Women.

Like its forerunner, European Historical Fiction .... this more recent American HistoricalFiction for Children and Young People is a gourmet's reading menu that cannot fail to develop good literary tastes. Both books are published by The Scarecrow Press, Metuchen, N.J.

It's time, ya know, to turn off the telly, ya know, and turn back to books. And, hopefully, good reading just might phase out the last "ya know."

To the sorrow of all classmates, Al Crampton left us on February 16. An obituary will appear this month or next.

Likewise the entire class family joins JimHamilton in bereavement on the death of his wife, Dr. Edith L. Hamilton. She passed away on February 22 in Duxbury, Mass. Ted and Saima Laycock represented the Class at the memorial service in the First Parish Church, Duxbury, and Warren and Mary Daniel!, Ike and Harriott Miller, and Len and Margaret Morrissey were at the interment service in Hanover's Pine Knoll Cemetery.

"The nation's most attractive college towns are probably Hanover, N.H. and Chape! Hill, N.C.," says the Los Angeles Times in an article gratefully received from Ray and Doris Atwood while they were in L.A. visiting their daughter Judy and family. In accepting the compliment Dartmouth folks would merely omit the "probably" and limit their approval exclusively to Hanover, N.H. And that, of course, is the college town hoping to welcome a goodly gathering of Twoters and wives back to the Post-50th Reunion, June 14-15-16. Steve Kenyon gave all the details in The Twoter of February 13. Hanover in June with your classmates - than whom there are no others!

Now that your 1975 income tax has been paid, it might be timely to consider how the tax could have been shaved somewhat closer. After all, it's your money and maybe you don't care where it goes. But if you do care, the 1976 Alumni Fund offers the opportunity of an increased contribution to Dartmouth where you can be assured it will be used prudently.

Secretary, 11 Brockway Road Hanover, N.H. 03755

Class Agent, 106 Magnolia Terrace Springfield, Mass. 01108