1929

Two of our classmates have been in the news because of their conservation activities:

The New Canaan Advertiser ran a photo of Jack Gunther, president of the New Canaan Land Trust, receiving a commendatory resolution from the board of selectmen because of the trust’s success in protecting fields and woodlands in their natural state. The resolution stated that the trust “has become nationally known as an example of wise protection of our natural environment.”

Some months ago the Nature ConservancyNews carried a beautifully illustrated article on Sandy River Gorge, a canyon 800 feet deep some 25 minutes from downtown Portland, Ore., which Arch Diack and his brother Sam, both prominent Portland physicians, have donated to the Nature Conservancy. The 156- acre tract was given with the condition that the organization would work for preservation of the entire gorge, the habitat of river otter, mink, coyote, raccoon, deer, elk, cougar, and black bear. According to the article, “Arch Diack might be found any Saturday or Sunday roam- ing the gorge with camera and sketch pad. And if there is ever any threat to the river’s integrity, the first letter on the desk of the appropriate of- ficials will be from Arch.”

Noting that Stan Platt serves as a member of the Council of New Directions (Russell Peter- son’s new organization), I wrote asking him to explain himself. His informative reply (from Minneapolis) follows:

“My retirement (December 31, 1976) from a lifetime of investment counseling was more of a graduation exercise than a pasturization, because now I am better able to concentrate on values perhaps helpful to future generations rather than just on day-to-day necessities and at the same time engage in neglected self- education, travel, tennis, etc. Longtime associa- tion in the activities of the World Federalist Association, the Institute for World Order, the Fund for Peace, and the International Peace Academy have now been supplemented through New Directions, aimed at action toward a more liveable world order.”

Many thanks for your letters and notes, which are beginning to come through via Jack Hub- bard, and here is the first, from John R. Hub- hard:

“As to news of myself, it is mostly a health report. Have had 3 coronaries and other heart- connected problems. My doc believes in medicine not surgery so I have quite a collection of pills. Marion is fine and golfs and bowls and raises the most beautiful tuberous begonias you ever saw. I still do a little vege- table gardening using the lazy man’s method of mulching everything and no plowing, digging, and little weeding. For my 70th birthday just got Charlie Widmayer’s Hopkins of Dartmouth; it is wonderful and brings back a lot of memories.”

(Regrettably, after these notes were prepared word came that John died on October 25. The Class extends its deep sympathy to his family.) Some more of your notes: From Buck Bulkley: “Sorry to miss the reun- ion this fall. We will be in Florida by then. We did attend the Princeton game and enjoyed Hanover despite the weather.”.

And from Paul Babcock: “Enjoying our new year-round home, on Ossippee Lake in New Hampshire. One son in Portland, Me., and the other in Wellesley, both Dartmouth alumni.

Recently the Washington Post featured a story about an international wine expert who said, “1929 was probably the best year of the 20th century.” Cheers for ’29!

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