1937

It was a good summer and a bad summer. Good mostly because they always are, bad because we thought by some miracle our class had escaped the ravages of time. Wrong! In late August we received word of the death of GrantCrane and also Frank Lowden. In September came word of the sudden passing of EdTemple. Details will be found in this or the next issue.

Congratulations to our reunion treasurer, Bill Heroy. Not because he turned us a profit but because at commencement last June he had the double distinction of watching his daughter graduate and of receiving from the Alpha chapter of New Hampshire his key to Phi Beta Kappa. (The historic moment is recorded in a photograph on page 67 of the October issue.)

A bit of news to be charged off to inflation: As stringently as the staff of this MAGAZINE have tried to manage it, there is no way they can cut expenses ($250,000 this year) other than to cut out one issue. Since January is the "least" month in advertising revenue, they decided to combine January and February into one issue. Next year they expect subscription rates will have to go up a dollar. By our arrangement your class dues pay 100% subscription, which means all classmates receive the MAGAZINE, which also goes free to widows. So when you get TomNast's dues notice, the bulk of which covers the cost of the magazine, please keep in mind that all who do not pay are being subsidized by those who do. Last year Tom counted 346 dues-payers out of 500-plus on the list, so too many are getting a free ride.

Back to the telethon notes. Al Mayer and Rita have split up. He continues to work for the Milton Bradley Company (game people) and has a new phone number at the old address, 617/786-4644. Wes Wallenius appears to be back in good health following a most harrowing bout with emphysema and related problems. Our call coincided with a post-reunion visit from old buddy Bill Stuart, who started with us and finished with 1938. He's the guy who appeared all the way from Arizona on a motorcycle, and we might say he needed a good shower on arrival (which he got). Ed Sterns went with Peggy to the Orient last April for a four-week business and pleasure trip. He is with Travelers Insurance. A number of insurance companies formed a pool to insure nuclear reactors on a world-wide basis as the risk is so great. The U.S. has its share and Ed is the chairman of the U.S. delegation of six different company executives who attended the meetings.

Fred Mayo had long planned to attend reunion since he retired. At the last minute Esther's mother (97) was not doing so well, so all their plans went down the drain. They had planned to see old friends in New England and their daughter as well. Fred says Sun City in Arizona (where they are) offers much they enjoy, from weather to golf, and they look forward to seeing anyone who comes their way.

September 16-17 was the date of fall reunion. It had been decided by the executive committee to forego mini-reunion this fall because of its coming so close on the heels of "the biggie" with all its expense. But this great class will not be denied! By popular request a fall reunion was organized at the last minute, with 15 classmates and wives staying at Hojo's, plus several others who stayed elsewhere but joined in all festivities. Friday night was BYOB and buffet at the X-Club, the old refurbished Norwich railroad station, now a private club of which Jud Smith is a member. We tailgated at the Stearnses' house, beat Princeton, then went down to the river to the Tom Dent cabin for another BYOB and buffet. We are so lucky to have the Stearns/Smith combine in Hanover to arrange things. Lee and Beth come up with delightful and appetising foods so we can all stay together and socialize throughout the weekend. At the game we could not hear Crawf Hinman hollering, as, fortunately, he was on the other side of the field among the Princetonians. Big surprise was sitting beside a long-absent member we finally found out was Jock Francine. Not quite so wiry as of yore, but trim, and it was good to see him and his wife Dolores. He retired from Boeing twice, once in 1960 when he came east to teach and coach for a year at Berwick Academy, Me., and again when Boeing offered him a proposition he could not refuse. So he retired yet again in 1976, buying a house and 30 acres in Limerick, Me. He keeps busy running crews of bush-cutting teams clearing fire lanes, etc. One team is all women. Dolores writes children's books. They went to visit June and DaveCamerer while the latter were on a trip to Kennebunkport recently. Jock, now that you've established contact with us, please don't be a granger.

All about the class meeting next month

10 Colby Road Wellesley, Mass. 02181