1923
We are still cleaning up the tree damage from the worst storm of the winter, which made its debut on the first day of spring. This is the sort of experience that makes Florida converts of the likes of us, even if the weather differential wasn't as sharp as usual this year.
Eloise Roe writes that Ed's second hip operation was a success and that he is now getting around with a walker but will soon graduate to a cane. He misses his friends and his business but often consults with the young lawyer who took over his practice.
Vince Baldwin, whose recent telephone call I greatly appreciate, writes: "Last fall Connie and I participated in the Dartmouth Alumni College Study Course (we had seven books to read through, one 500 pages long), to the Black and Aegean Seas. There were about 40 Dartmouth people in the group, including Professor Scott and his lovely wife, who acted as our mentor and ship professor. It was a tremendous experience, because we spent four days on shore at ports of the Black Sea, three in Russia and one in Bulgaria; two days in Istanbul and Athens, and other delightful days on the Greek Isles, including Crete.
"We learned so much that history and culture were actually popping out of both of us. As it turned out, our class was the senior one represented in the party, although there were two men from '29 in the group.
"After Christmas, I went to the hospital for surgery, which was most successfully performed and required three weeks of convalescence at home. This wasn't too bad, because the temperatures were hovering between zero and minus 15 out of doors.
"Last year was professionally very busy for me, and this year promises to be likewise. Among other things, I have been serving on a steering committee of my law school for a campaign to raise upwards of 6 million dollars for the purchase and alteration of a large office building in downtown Chicago to house our increased law school enrollment. We are now occupying the seven floors of the new quarters, and they are ideally suited for the school. By merger, we have become the law department of Illinois Institute of Technology, but I still serve on the board of trustees. Another charitable activity for me last year was to head the World Service Drive of the YMCA Hotels Department, and that turned out quite successfully.
"Other family news which may be of interest is that my younger daughter has been appointed one of the four senior editors of Ginn & Company, book publishers in Lexington, Mass. She commutes by car from her home in Providence, R.I. All of the other members of the family are well and going strong.
"It hardly seems possible that we are looking forward to our 55th reunion. Years have escaped us so quickly and yet so gracefully that it's hard to realize that we have become senior citizens."
Word comes from Ted and Olive Caswell that they have purchased an apartment in Naples, Fla., where they have wintered for several years.
Jim Landauer writes that Leif Norstrand has been seriously ill. He is convalescing at home at Old Black Point, Niantic, Conn. 06357. Do write or send him a card.
And to help you keep a proper perspective on the passing years, here are excerpts from the letters of two of us who have recently reached the 75th birthday milestone. (I have several other equally interesting letters which I am holding for later because of lack of space.)
Jerry Werner in Carmel, Calif., upon whom the years rest lightly, writes: "My surviving brother, who just celebrated with a grand bash his 80th, told me that I should accept the festivities on mine as a 'right like Louis XIV.' We fell in with his advice, dining with young friends in Carmel on my birthday, journeying to San Francisco by air the following morning to dine with our son and his wife, and then to Hillsborough, where we helped a youngster celebrate the trauma of receiving his medicare card on his birthday - two days after mine. Very enjoyable and, miracle of miracles, we gained only one pound between the two of us.
"For some years, the passage of time has baffled me. Shortly we will be married 53 years, a fortunate event that I am sure took place the day before yesterday. A few years ago when I was doing recruiting for the college I was just able to control myself when one of the young twirps referred to an 'old timer of the class of '36.' We arrived in Carmel in 1942 and I find it impossible to believe that that was 35 years ago.
"Right now envy not the climate and beauty of California. The water problem is preposterous. We are allowed 50 gallons per day per person. Curtailment of service and fines are the penalties for error or the unforeseeable. Daily we read our water meters and allow no visitors to enter, bathe infrequently, flush toilets only when absolutely necessary, use paper plates and bottled water, and remain sticky or dirty, whichever comes first."
From Johnny Harkins in Nayarit, Mexico, from whom we are delighted to hear after all these years: "Thanks, I guess, for the remainder that I am 75, though it wasn't necessary. Those years talk for themselves, insistently when it's time to rise for breakfast but you'd rather remain in bed, overpoweringly when it is time to call it a day but you would prefer to stay up for one more drink over a good book.
"The celebration of the anniversary was entirely coincidental. A local young family had invited me to cocktails and dinner that Sunday. It turned out to be the host's birthday, his 30th, he said, although it seems to me we celebrated more than that. I stayed with it till more than evening shadows were falling and the tequila was low, and then announced, 'This one's for me.' That did it. I don't know about old age, only that I learn something new about it day after day, and that the insurance company advertisements with their promotion of the sunset years are better read than realized. Old Doc Pierce's Golden Elixir probably was better stuff. A young friend from Boulder, Colo., a bright and curious speaker for this decade, asked me recently if I had given any thought to reincarnation. I hadn't, lately, but I did, then, and decided 'I'm against it.'
"Until a month or so ago, a classmate, George Broadley, was here at the end of the road a good deal of the time. I did not know him in Hanover where, he said, he roomed with MonkKeith, whom I remember with pleasure. And I didn't see much of him here. But he had a voice that carried; he was not feeling well, he reported, and was going back to Washington, D.C., where he would have first-rate medical attention. Well, that's what he said."
The Alexander P. Gest Jr. memorial trophy, the highest award the Larchmont Yacht Club can give, was presented to Don King last January for his devoted service to yachting and the club. Don first joined the Larchmont Club in 1936. At that time he owned and raced a Long Island Sound Interclub No. 23 and later raced an S. boat for a number of years. He served on the Larchmont Regatta Committee for over 20 years as well as helped the New York Yacht Club with trials and final races of the America's Cup defense. He has also crewed all types of yachts, on Bermuda races and other distance cruises, including Corinthian Club events.
This is the last issue containing class notes until the fall. May you and yours have a happy and healthy summer. See you in October!
Secretary, Box 2 Francestown, N.H. 03043
Head Agent, 140 Garden St. Hartford, Conn. 06115
