1923

As I write these notes in mid-March, looking out over the snow banks, I am reminded that it takes a special kind of fortitude to live out one's declining years in New Hampshire. There are, however, 15 of us who still elect to do so. Wondering how some of these hardy souls are dealing with the snow, frost heaves, and black flies, I contacted as many as I could on a Sunday afternoon with the following results:

John R. Perley is associated with the Laconia Clinic. This group, which began 40 years ago with 5 medical men, now has a membership of 16. In 1929 John started general practice, including obstetrics and surgery. Over the years he has delivered 3,400 babies. He is still practicing but restricts himself to a five-day week of office work. The Perleys have four sons, John '59 (vice-president of the Amoskeag National Bank), Richard (in the ice cream business), Robert (in the construction and insulation business), and David (who is in high school) - all four still living in New Hampshire.

Phil Stevens in Nashua retired a few years ago from being treasurer and chairing the board of Maine Manufacturing Company. He still goes to the office every day but mostly only to manage his personal interests. Following my telephone conversation with him, Phil sent me a copy of the Centennial Gazette, issued in 1974 to commemorate his company's first 100 years of operation. It starts with a story about their folding lapboards, a wonderful product built on the same principal as the cover of a rolltop desk. It rolls up into a small bundle when not in use. Connie found one of them in an antique shop years ago.

The gazette goes on to tell of the company's product development over the years, which includes such items as a library folding chair, many wood products, and most particularly the famous White Mountain Refrigerator. These old ice boxes are today found only rarely in antique shops and carry a price tag of several hundred dollars. Today the Maine Manufacturing Company's large plant in Nashua makes steel furniture and school and laboratory equipment under the trade name of "Grade Aid." Phil and Marian have a son living in Hawaii, a daughter in Minnesota, and eight grandchildren.

Charlie and Ruth Chadbourne live in Charlie's native Manchester. He retired in 1965, as did so many of us at the then more prevalent 65-year deadline. Charlie and Ruth celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last February. They have a few of our inevitable medical problems but say they can't really complain.

I was able to talk very briefly With Ed Flindell in Hancock. I found that he is now bedridden with a malignancy which he has been battling courageously for the past ten years. Ed and Katherirte celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1975. She says their principal love these days is their fine music album. Their son, Edwin Fred III '47, received his doctorate in musicology in Berlin, Germany. A concert organist by profession, he lives in Berlin, but right now he is visiting with his father and mother. The Flindells also have two married daughters and 15 grandchildren.

Katherine told me that Ed's sister Lea, who is Karl Klaren's widow, now lives permanently in Naples, Fla. Her son Peter, who has his doctorate, teaches courses in Washington D.C. in South American politics. Peter's wife is a professor of Romance languages and literatures at Dartmouth. The junior Klarens have homes both in Washington and Hanover.

A telephone call to Marion Neidlinger brings the good news that Pudge, is home after four weeks in the Cape Cod Hospital intensive care unit. Marion says, "Pudge has been home now for two weeks. He is in good shape and sitting up. It's a slow, slow process, following a great many complications. We're just fine and very happy here in our comfortable home."

Barbara Bixby wrote me in mid-March that Chet had been in the hospital for the preceding several weeks with a serious skin infection which apparently resulted from sunburn during a recent trip to Martinique. Chet has had more than his share of ailments recently. He had only just recovered from a broken heel, which put him into a cast and on crutches for several weeks, when this latest misfortune caught up with him.

You will be happy to know that Jim Taylor is evidently much better. He writes, however, that he will not be able to be with us at our 55th.

We have had very little news from our Florida winter delegation. Charlie Zimmerman has just brought me up to date, however, with a fine letter which I am sure Ike will report on more fully. Very briefly: The Florida weather has not been up to Chamber of Commerce standards. Jimmy Landauer joined the Zimmermans at a luncheon they hosted for several visiting Dartmouth dignitaries, then flew back home to be with Ruth, who has been undergoing some heart tests. Unfortunately, both JeannetteQuencer and Miriam Horne came down with the flu, which has kept them housed, and the Bob McMillans had to call off their southern trip entirely because of a fall Natalie suffered. Bob Maxwell was expected to arrive momentarily in Delray Beach when Charlie's letter reached me.

If, as I am sure you will, you find this current issue mainly a depressing recital of our many and varied ailments, forgive me. I guess we must recognize, however, that we're pretty vulnerable at this point. If it does nothing else it should at least hearten those of us whose complaints are no less real but relatively minor.

Word comes from the Alumni Records Office that mail addressed to Nathan Zatkin is being returned. If anyone knows Nathan's present location, do write me.

We have had some very fine letters from several widows: Louise Howe, Marion Shepard(Carlton), Agnes Burgess, Jo Weston, and Elaine Roe, to name a few. Wish we could include them here - but thanks, anyway.

This is the last issue you will receive prior to our 55th. By the time it reaches you ike Phillips and his committee will have firmed up their plans and you will know all the details. Do try to make it to Hanover. You won't regret it. Just incidentally, for those of you who prefer sleeping quarters somewhat removed from the busy campus, there is, in addition to several other excellent nearby motels, a new Sheraton Inn in West Lebanon under the management of Ed MacNeill '68.

James A . Hamilton '22, right, and William L. Wilson '34 recently received goldto the assembly and to health care. Each medal bears a phrase which describesits recipient. Wilson's reads "quiet strength." Hamilton's says, "Never assume.

Box 2 Francestown, N.H. 03043