1917

Since the common room of College Hall was the setting for our 60th reunion, you may be interested to know that the first floor of the building is to be remodeled and refurnished for use as a student center. Many of us commented on the general unattractive appearance; of the room, which had been cut up into offices and a crudely equipped room. In our undergraduate days this room was light and airy with a grand piano which was much used for classic and popular music, In spite of the present bulky dullcovered sofas, it was not the blatant draperies at the bay windows that gave life to the place, but it was the bright goodly company of '17ers that lighted up the festivities of the cloudy and rainy weekend.

Now for a bit of news both good and bad, as our age produces. Wendell Reycroft's wife Eleanor wrote to a friend that in March Rey suffered a stroke, which paralyzed his right side and affected his speech. He is now in a home for care. He is holding his own and enjoying a pleasant roommate, who cheers him up.

Hal Walker wrote a very nice letter to us. The news was not as good as we could wish, but Hal seems to be taking his troubles in stride. A cataract operation in March left him nearly blind for a period of time. Temporary glasses and perhaps even contact lenses will bring back more normal sight. Rey had hoped to be at reunion but found it impossible at that time to make the trip. He is a consulting fire protection engineer in Marblehead, Mass. Let us hope he will continue to improve and come to see us here.

Larry Lockwood wrote last April expressing sincere regret that he and Florence would be unable to attend our reunion. Their old house was being renovated and required their presence to be sure all was going as planned.

Martin Sanborn declares that he is becoming more and more indolent and would do any reuning right at home. He does, however, do a little part-time work in real estate appraising for banks and friends. Otherwise he claims to be a professional loafer. Come on, Martin, we would be so glad to see you here any time!

Duke Howe is resolutely pursuing his frequent treatments for malignancy from which he seems to be improving even if slowly. It seems to us that Harold Holt, wrote a keen and exact observation about Duke as follows: "He has always been a fine man and has had a fine career. To me he is a living symbol of the sturdy Yankee virtues." That from a man who has shown the same attributes in his struggle with eye and other troubles.

Through Alfred Whitaker, a longtime friend and schoolmate of Vincent Smith, comes news that Vin is finding difficulty with his walking and therefore regrets he cannot travel to Hanover as he would so much like to do. Vin is a loyal classmate and Dartmouth booster, which is evidenced in part by his early and generous contributions to the Alumni Fund. He has attended many 1917 gatherings, and we hope he will be able to make it to Hanover sometime.

Lucile Towler has been experiencing a month's cruise on the Baltic Sea. How envious we all are, but we know that she is so capable of enjoying it to the full extent. Before leaving on the trip, Lucile inquired about Charlotte Emerson, a favorite among *17's widows. She had been in a Florida nursing home for some time doing for others with her bright conversation, slides, and records. She died (peacefully in her sleep) on June 19, 1977. We shall all miss her lovely disposition, and we proffer our sympathy to her devoted family.

One word more should suffice for this time. Please keep the news coming in to your secretary who might, if response is not forthcoming, be forced to indulge in fairy tales, which might be devastating. So '17 up with the real thing!

Village Apts. #12 Hanover, N.H. 03755