1926
In January when the snows began to bury Buffalo, Charlie Abbott in near-by Kenmore got word out that Lois and he were planning a spring trip to Europe to avoid missing fall football games. Charlie concedes that about the only nice thing in having a birthday is getting a class greeting card.
While most of us in eastern U.S.A. are still talking about "The Winter of 1977," Bill Forrest of Woodside located in central California tells us how lucky we are, since in his region the worst drought in.history has caused great hardship. In answer to our inquiry about Knox College where Bill took up residence in 1925 after leaving Dartmouth we learned he graduated Cum Laude having straight A's for two years.
In territory where some Christmas wreaths are still up, it is pleasant to re-read favorite holiday cards: Lil Jost, recalling fun seeing friends at the 50th and August reunions; MarionArenovski, with regrets having missed the 50th. but seeing the Ed Dooleys and other Florida Dartmouth friends; Bob and Clyth Patten with reports of all well at Port Richey, Fla.
We have an addition to our list of three generations at Dartmouth, having heard from Jack Morgan that his son Jack Jr. '58 has a daughter, Cheryl A. Morgan, in the class of '79: besides which, she is center on the varsity women's hockey team.
Ben and Mercedes Kent topped off the 50th reunion driving 7,500 miles on a six-week trip through the northwest, spending three weeks in Colorado - a state tied with Arizona after their favorite, Vermont.
From our bank of "Dear Jack" notes which treasurer Jack Roberts faithfully forwards to Hub Harwood for "Smoke Signals" and to your scribe, we have the following six items:
Lee Powers, while missing the Harvard game. did accompany Paul and Mary Newhall to see the Columbia game and in addition to see Dick and Betty Eberhart bicycling for exercise in greater Hanover.
Don Hopkins keeps busy in Montclair, N.J., with travel, golf, and volunteer work at Handi-Crafters, Inc., organized to train the handicapped to take jobs competitively in the industrial market.
Paul Venneman, sorry to relate, suffered a stroke a year ago December and hospitalized until June 1976, thus missing the 50th, which caused him considerable dismay. He has been taking therapy weekly to help the paralysis of his right side. While not able to write yet, Paul can type some, but his work as an accountant is considerably limited. We hope his condition has improved since his note to lack some six months ago.
Jim and Eleanor Jenkins missed the August reunion and fall events due to being in the Mediterranean, but details of their travels are lacking.
Dan and Sally Drury are locating in a condominium in the Village Green, West Lebanon, N.H for the warm months, and have bought a house on Casey Key, Sarasota, Fla., for the winter months - not a bad arrangement.
Harold Rosenberg is still working hard as executive director for Myasthenia Gravis in Los Angeles, Cal., though trying to slow up a bit.
In a letter dated the last day of 1976, Tony Gleason expressed thanks for the class birthday greeting on the copy of his 1926 sheepskin with the comment that he wondered how he got into Dartmouth without Latin - it still being all Greek to him. Tony reports being busy with community affairs.
Granny Knight, Santa Monica, Cal., acknowledging his natal card, recalled experiences in his Dartmouth Latin class when the matter of trots was reviewed and resolved by his professor. He added: "I had hoped to make the 50th reunion, even though the idea was accompanied by somewhat mixed feelings. I had seen a photograph of nine of my classmates only four of whom I recognized with certainty. This made me wonder whether after an absence of 40 years my appearance on campus at our 50th might not result in my being completely unrecognized and thus treated as a visitor from a distant planet. I hope fate will take me east again and circumstances will perhaps allow a visit to Hanover. In the meantime, warm regards to all of my classmates and to those who labor in the vineyard of the Class of '26 to keep the lamps lighted and good spirits flowing."
And speaking of Greek, Bob Mclndoe in a recent letter recalled the course on Greece given by Professor Adams, in which he learned one Greek phrase, "maeden agan" - "nothing in excess," this phrase having been something of a cornerstone of Bob's life philosophy. (Bob welcomes correction of Greek spelling if necessary by any qualified classmate.)
The story in "Smoke Signals" of Dick Husband's experiences as a teacher on an aircraft carrier reminded Al Morris of his 1953-54 tour of duty as senior medical officer on the carrier Wasp, which included a trip around the world with many exciting and interesting events, all of which were spelled out in full by Hub in his last newsletter.
With over 50 years of existence in the wide wide world, we in the class of 1926 have become very conscious of the value of our Dartmouth experience and understand the need to keep the College financially able to afford the same excellence in education for the present generation. Al Louer, head agent, and his ever-willing volunteer workers are bringing word to us all that now is the time to give serious consideration to our 1977 gifts to the College.
Secretary, 9 Gammons Road Waban, Mass. 02168
Treasurer, 932-A Heritage Village Southbury, Conn. 06488
