1926

As these notes are being written in February, elaborate plans are in the making for a sundrenched, mid-winter, all-1926 reunion at The Belleview Biltmore in Clearwater, Fla., under the direction of Don Church, long-longtime managing director of the establishment, and Hub Harwood, long-longtime managing expert in 1926 affairs. More on this after the fact. Meanwhile, 1926 had the largest class attendance at the February 6 meeting of the Dartmouth Club of Sarasota. Those present: Dickand Edna Burlingame, Don Church, Paul andBetsy Dillingham, Hub and Det Harwood,Clary and Betty Taylor, and Harry Savage.

Sandy Douglass, in a class thank-you note, referred to his longtime promotion of sailing as a sport, aided and abetted by his crew for 30 years - namely his wife Mary. Sandy retired from major competition five years ago, but was persuaded to enter the annual Sandy Douglass Invitational named in his honor by the Rudder Club of Jacksonville. Some of the young bloods expected to make mincemeat of the "old man," but Sandy fooled them by winning, saying that is one of the nice things about sailing - "Increasing skill makes up for advancing years."

A note from Bill Farnsworth from Pompano Beach, Fla., told of the loss in November of his wife Jean after a valiant fight with cancer for over four years. Bill and Jean had 44 years of happy marriage, and the heartfelt sympathy of the Class .goes out to Bill.

Johnny Greene, responding on his 74th from Santa Barbara, Calif., told of working with a group, "Concerned Citizens," whose effort is to cut governmental extravagance so as to reduce taxes. The group is encouraged by the creation of a nationwide tax revolt. Other than this, Johnny frequently sees Les McFadden, who, according to Johnny, has "a shock of beautiful white hair."

Bill Forrest, also a 74-attainee and also a Californian (Woodside), notes: "What you save in R.E. taxes you lose in federal and state taxes." So there we have it from the Far West. Bill also made this statement pertaining to offspring, on which class historian Ed Hanlon may have some comment: "A third great-grandchild joined the clan, Christopher Forrest Wade, first child of the younger daughter of my older daughter Marian (lost yet?), born January 17, 8 lbs. 4 oz., etc., etc. Daughter Marian, incidentally, is first daughter of '26, and the producer of first grandchild, etc., etc." Take it from here, Ed!

Commenting philosophically on the arrival of his 75th birthday, Kier Boyd, Pittsburgh, said that with a bit of luck and reasonable attention to health, one should reach 75 and that any birthdays after that constitute a welcome bonus. Tennis, anyone? Doubles, that is, which we are sure our former tennis team captain would advise.

John Blair wrote a fine letter regarding the passage of time from 1922 to the occasion of his 74th, and perhaps there will be room in "Smoke Signals" for it in full. Changing seasons on Leacroft Farm in Indiana make life very interesting for John and Betty. We await an answer to John's cryptic P.S. "I wonder if Hub Harwood still thinks I retired 28 years ago."

Center Harbor, on Squam Lake, N.H., is now the home for Ed and Marjorie Farnum, though they will retain their Dover, Mass., property if winter gets too tough at Squam. Grandchildren ranging from a grandson at Princeton to recent grandtwins promise activity at the Farnums' for some time to come.

Lou and Georgia Conant keep very busy at their Washington, D.C., home - Lou teaching a course on petroleum geology at Howard University, and Georgie active in the Meals on Wheels program. They also see friends from around the world who pass through the nation's capitol, and last spring they traveled across U.S.A. into Canada to visit friends and their two daughters in Palo Alto and Calgary.

Frank Knowles had an important birthday last fall at Jensen Beach, Fla., he being one of our senior 1926 classmates and heading next fall for his 80th! In his detailed letter Frank thanked the Class for greetings and told of his and Helen's many activities, including trusteeship in the local library, Rotary once a week, golf several times a week, and eight hours' work per week in the 1.7-acre yard. More of this in "Smoke Signals."

Already we are well into the annual Alumni Fund period, and many have probably already contributed to meet the continued need for alumni financial support, so that Dartmouth can provide quality education and experience for the present generation at the College today. Al Louer's team of class agents is pledged to give the specifics to all hands, although past records indicate that the 1926 constituency knows full well the importance of 100 per cent participation and the importance of generous support.

9 Gammons Rd. Waban, Mass. 02168