1920

Every so often something happens to brighten especially the course of one's day in the eversunny Valley of the Sun. I refer to surprise telephone calls such as one from Leo and Alice Ungar in town briefly this summer to visit a relative ill in one of the Phoenix hospitals. It was good to chat briefly with them before they flew to Roswell, N.M., and thence homeward to lowa. And in the same week Ted Marden's cheery voice announced he was in the Southwest, where he was getting acquainted with his great-granddaughter in Alamogordo, N.M. Ted reported on his current visit and the local scenery he was enjoying and then told of his life and activities in Concord, N.H. Ted con- tinues to make the welkin ring, as an old barbershopper, in the Granite State.

Then from Littleton, Colo., a note from PaulRichter announced the happy news that he was flying east to Concord, N.H., his old stamping grounds, to visit brother Hib and get in touch with the Charlie Cratherns and many others in the area. I suspect he may even get up to Hanover, time permitting. He will be gone about two weeks over Labor Day. From his eagle's nest in Littleton, Paul is actively promoting the cause of Dartmouth through his association with the Dartmouth Club in Denver.

Good news from Rancho Bernardo in the San Diego region. Jack Mayer, reports Margele, is responding well to the various therapies he is receiving - far exceeding all expectations. Margele spoke of their getting together with the Howie Mullins, '27 and the Sandy Treats 'l9 and something about "Eleazar's Elixir" (Old Newburyport Rum) brought back from the east by returning 50-year reuner, H. Mullins. Margele also reported a visit from the AnnThomson family prior to Ann's 52-day cruise around South America.

Al Frey has finally torn himself away from Maine. He has at long last taken Horace Greeley's advice to go west. His full message, received in mid-August, runs, "Hi, Will. If you want anything from me (except water and wisdom) after August 24,1 will be at Apt. M-D, 100 Font Boulevard, San Francisco, Calif. 94132." Class dues will still come to you from Hanover, but how Al will handle his personal commentary on each is still his secret. As I reported last month, he is now distinguishedprofessor at San Francisco State University the school's way of compensating for its loss of a distinguished professor to the U.S. Senate.

Concerning the bit of doggerel about the "octogeranium" which I used in a previous issue, Dean Travis wrote me last June that he was an octogenarian and had been for two years. My curiosity was immediately aroused, so I began research on the matter. I discovered much of interest. For example, Emeritus Dean Joseph L.McDonald is the oldest male member of our 1920 family, with his 85th birthday coming up on November 21. We already have 20 qualified octogenarians. Including Joe, they are Bradley, Brotherhood, Bruce, Carpenter, Chamberlain, Dewey, Farwell, Goodnow, Maling, Masse, Mezger, Myers, Nichol, Rollins, Schinz, G. D. Smith, Wade Smith, Travis, and Watts. Following Joe, Dean Travis is senior man in this list and G. D. Smith is next in line. Our hearty congratulations, fellows!

During 1977 we have many classmates joining this distinguished group. A complete listing will be compiled and published at the close of the year.

In my May column I erred twice. In callingattention to Quest 77, a new publication edited by Bob Shnayerson '50, son of Dr. Ned, I not only mispelled the name but also called father Ned "Bob." Eagle-eyed Sherry Baketel Jr. caught the identity error (though not the spelling one) and with characteristic gentle Baketalian diplomacy brought it to my attention. Thanks, Sherry, for setting me right. To quote from a well-worn bit of television advertising, "I needed that." My apologies, also, to the Shnayersons.

A dispatch from Col. Charlie Sargent reports that 51 Dartmouth people sat down to a fine luncheon in mid-July at Bob and Martha Burroughs' Canterbury, N.H. farm. 1920s present were: the Sargents, the Clayton Wallaces, the Dalrymoles, Hib Richter, Warrie Gault,Hank Hayes, and Al Foley. He also said that the red raspberries were heavy on the vine and excellent pickin'. Al Foley was in fine form with his Vermont wisdom and humor and his excellent rendition of famous Dean Craven Laycock lines.

Sadly, I must report the following losses among our family this past summer: Muir Lind (June 13), Frank B. Morey (July 27), Charles W.McKenzie (July 31), Kenneth W. Spalding (August 7), and Lt. Col. Dan "Chief' Bender (August 28), all devoted Dartmouth men and highly respected classmates. From the distaff side we also lost Caroline Worth, widow of Harry in California and Edith McDonald, wife of Emeritus Dean McDonald in Hanover. Before her retirement Edith had long served with distinction on the staff of the Baker Library. To each of the bereaved families go our sympathies.

Adios, amigos.

2549 East Beryl Ave. Phoenix, Ariz. 85028