1938

The writer of the June issue class notes of a reuning class is almost inevitably in limbo. On the theory of feisty things first, the biggest news, naturally, has to be of reunion, but the difficulty is that reunion will have been already when you read these words, even though they're being written seven weeks before our June 12 rendezvous.

Also, the annual Class Officers Weekend can't be reported on because it hasn't taken place quite yet; and your secretary isn't able to attend this year anyway. He is sorry. He or his successor will try to do better next year. But this month he's in limbo... or maybe out on a limb.

Ergo, he's deeply grateful, as always, for a note and a clipping, this time from Jim Cotter. The clipping, from a recent Boston Herald, reports that three Boston physicians honored with special awards at the 59th annual convocation of the American College of Physicians included John P.-Merrill of Peter Bent Brigham Hospital. John received the Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Foundation Award for his con- tributions to clinical care. Truly, as Jim notes, "What an excellent career!"

Regarding himself, Jim writes that he's feeling great after successful surgery performed by another Dartmouth medical man, Maurice E. Costin '40. Jim also inquired about lobster prices here, for comparing with the $6.50-a--pound in his area, North Falmouth, Mass. They are currently about $3 a pound on the hoof in a tank, hard-shell (not hard sell). Under the pressure of too many people, lobsters, like many other non-human, desirable fauna, are becoming endangered. Jim had recently heard from Marsh Land, vacationing in Florida, and talked with Dick Holt.

Thinking back 40-44 years, how many of you remember the Hotel Coolidge in White River? It's funny what a person does recall, after that long. In my case it's with amusement now, though there might have been some resentment then, that I remember a Vermont blue law which inhibited a customer from carrying a glass of beer from bar to booth, or maybe it was from one booth to another. Only the waitress could do that. (This bit of nostalgia is evoked by a promotional pitch and brochure recently received from that worthy hostelry. The letter suggests, "If you haven't been back in White River Junction since 1970, we might surprise you." I am sure that that is true... and how much truer going back 40-plus years, to the mid-30's.

A "Pace Setter" received this very day indicates both that we've come a long way (just over 50 per cent of our $400,000 objective) and that we've still got a long way to go (just under 50 per cent). Let's see to it that the first percentage is a lot bigger and the second a lot smaller by the time these notes appear in June.

Box 187 Damariscotta, Me. 04543