1925

Al Buchanan, writing from Peekskill, N.Y., gives us an interesting account of where he is and what he is doing. "I still go to the office from 9 to 12 as Civil Defense Director for the City of Peekskill. I still live in the same 15-room house where I was born. It has been in the family for five generations. It was built in 1863 and commands a gorgeous view of the Hudson River Highlands. I live here with my youngest son Jeffrey who is a lawyer in Katonah, N.Y., and part of the time special counsel to state senator Bernard Gordon in Albany.

"I lost my wife Florence three years ago Christmas time, after 47 years of married life. This past Christmas I had all my family for Christmas dinner - five daughters and three sons plus 20 grandchildren. Five of the latter are in college, and that makes me pretty old.

"All my sons and daughters graduated from college. My three sons have doctorates, so you can see that I have been a busy guy putting children through college."

Since retirement Al has traveled extensively in this country, Canada and Europe. On a trip to the last mentioned area last fall he was accompanied by Al Jr., who was on sabbatical leave from Sports Illustrated, where he is advertising manager.

The concluding paragraph of his letter: "Hanover - have been through twice since 1924 on various trips in New England. It really has changed. Grown too big - and gals - wow!"

But none of us will deny the importance of ladies, and this is emphasized for 1925 by the interest and loyalty of the widows of our classmates. Many of them help the college financially. Some of them grace our gatherings in Hanover with their presence, and from time to time we receive news of them.

Lorraine Per-Lee came east from Wickenburg, Ariz., to spend Christmas with son John in Atlanta and New Years' with daughter Rocky and her family in Tennessee.

Betty Smith Sparks makes her winter home at the Ocean Club in Ocean Ridge, Delray Beach, Fla., but left there to fly to her home in Rockford, Ill., for the holidays with her family.

Dodie Tower of Pocasset, Mass., reports that after seven grandsons, she now has a granddaughter, born last fall to her youngest daughter. Dodie made a trip to Switzerland in November to be with her twin for a 40th anniversary celebration and their joint birthday.

Jean Edson, who played the organ so beautifully for us at the service in Rollins Chapel during our 50th reunion, suffered a stroke last fall. She was hospitalized for a time and is now at the Roosevelt, a home for senior citizens, in Washington, D.C.

Helen Sprague of Fitchburg, Mass., had a difficult time last year with a broken ankie, which necessitated a cast for ten weeks, but she reported at the end of the year that life was improving.

Miriam Howe of Hartsdale, N.Y., is another who took a long trip to be with family during the holidays. She went to Bristol, England, where her son Jim '57 is teaching at Bristol University this year. She also planned a spring trip to Egypt.

jeannette Goas Reeves continues to spend the winters in Vero Beach, Fla., where she keeps busy with church and hospital work.

Secretary China, Maine 04926

Treasurer, 5 Harmon Dr., Apt. D., Shuffield, Conn. 06078