1923
In an early March letter to Charlie Zimmerman, Bud Freeman says: "I keep busier than ever and right now am preparing for a very good spring season with six single-family houses under way and four. apartment buildings. Life looks rosier than ever, for I was married on New Year's Day to Annette Dodd Stoddard. With a wife, I also acquired four charming daughters, another son and two grandchildren, which, with my own son and his new wife, makes me quite a paterfamilias. The family gathered for the event, returning from places as far apart as London and San Francisco. Then we hied to Mexico. And now I look forward to introducing Annette to my Dartmouth family."
After short teaching assignments at Dartmouth and the University of Vermont, Art Gordon taught for 40 years at the University of California (Berkeley). Now retired as professor of Latin emeritus, he writes: "I am working on my last book which I hope to finish before it finishes me. Each article or book now seems harder than the ones before it. Thus far I have had 85 articles or books published. The 86th has been accepted for publication in Italy, and I have read proofs of it.
"In recent years we have spent all of January and sometimes the Christmas season on Marco Island in south Florida, which we have seen becoming a resort." Art's wife Joyce has been the co-author of 14 of his literary works.
Charlie and Catherine Bishop rented a home this past winter in Green Valley, an attractive retirement development a few miles south of Tucson, Ariz. During their stay a rendezvous was arranged with Truman and Bunny Metzel, who spend their winters in Scottsdale. According to our reports, all hands were hale and hearty and enjoying the Arizona sunshine. So far as we know, there are only three other '23 people in that state. Ed Gumaer lives in Sun City, and Ted Hellwig and Lew Woodruff are Tucsonions.
Chet and Barbara Bixby, after touring Arizona for some ten days, visited the Metzels in mid-March. Then they stayed at Elkhorn Ranch south of Tucson and are now in love with Arizona, having signed up for another stay at the ranch next year.
The following comes from Dick Kershaw who in spite of many infirmities and the loss of his beloved Dolly sets us a pretty high standard of optimism: "As for health, my old ticker is still plugging along with a number of attacks since 1938. My dad used to say, "Never worry about your heart; it'll last as long as you live." I have a cataract on my left eye and the old legs are a bit wonky. But I have little to complain about on those scores. Recently picked up an exercise cycle which I pedal for a mile or two a day. And that covers the state of my constitution and bylaws.
"People move around more often these days, so this in-town neighborhood has changed during the past 30 years. The new neighbors are both kind and congenial. All except two are younger than I am, but they conceal their boredom with me, and we have some good times. The holidays spawned a lot of dinners and cocktail parties. Last October, neighbors gave me a 74th birthday party which started at 6:30 one evening and wound up at 7:00 the following morning. And a couple of weeks ago another dinner-and-cards party ended the same way."
In mid-February, Mim Home was again the charming and gracious hostess at a cocktail party and buffet for available 1923 Florida east coasters. The Walt Friends, Herb Homes, BobMcMillans, Ken Quencers and Ted Caswells (who deserted their West Coast retreat for a few days), and Glen Elliott were there. Following are a few reports from those of us who reached our 75th in February and March:
Phil Segal: "Enjoyed my 75th very much. It was just like a carnival weekend, never a dull moment."
Bus Dodge: "We didn't do anything special to celebrate this one - just glad to have made it. Ethel did give me a Dartmouth clock for my 70th - so I have enjoyed looking at that for five years!!"
John Jennings: "I got through my 75th pretty well with the help of the cup that cheers. Seriously, I had a very nice day, and Emily and I went out for dinner in the evening.
"It would have been nice if our daughter Martha and the five grandchildren could have been here, but they live rather far away in Racine, Wis. Usually we see them in the summer."
From Pete Jones in Hope Town, Abaco, Bahama, comes the following word to JimBroe's wife Grace, expressing the sentiments of the entire class: "Down here in our remote winter refuge we have the news of Jim's passing and want to express our sympathy for the sad day and our hope that the many happy memories may brighten the future days as we all think of the splendid things he did for and with us who enjoyed his life and friendship.
"He surely loved and helped Dartmouth and his classmates of 1923 and we want to express our love and appreciation for him."
The following from Ward Hilton brings us sad news of his wife Sally: "I suppose I should report to you for the record, if you keep such records, that my wife Sally died December 19 from cancer. She was, as you may recall, a sister of Jane Wallace, Bill's widow. So I am now shifting for myself and considering moving to a smaller place. My emphysema, which is in a modified form keeps me from any strenuous activity or any traveling."
A card from Kip Couch brings good news of Jim Taylor. "Jim is now home and somewhat recovered. He was delighted with the letters he received from his classmates. He said 'I thought they had forgotten me.' " Again, Jim is at 530 Luzerne St., Johnstown, Pa. 15905.
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