1932
Someone whom we haven't heard from in many years, Robert H. Smith, writes in from Central Point, Ore., that he has been fully retired for the past 13 years and that his present life-style is "relaxed - lots of travel and flyfishing for trout and salmon." Bob continues, "I have even written a book about native trout!" We are sorry to hear that he may not be with us at our 50th, as he writes that he will probably be in Alaska at that time — fishing, of course! Your secretary also plans to go to Alaska for some fishing, but after our reunion.
Irv Kramer has already reported about his very interesting trip to China last fall. Irv recently provided more details of one part of that trip — ten days spent on board the 250-foot yacht Kun Lun on the Yangste River. Irv also enclosed a picture of himself on board the KunLun, but unfortunately it was in color and couldn't be reproduced in these pages. But the picture showed a grinning Irv standing proudly beside a novice attempt at Chinese calligraphy on the bulwarks of the Kun Lun — giant, red characters that said, according to Irv, "Have a great 50th reunion, class of "32." How's that for world-wide publicity!
Our former class basketball star encourages a trip to China as soon as possible, saying, "I know that you've been in just about every country in the world, 'Whip,' but if China is not one of them, fly don't run there. A few years down the line tourism will spoil it. For example, they're building a 20-story hotel in Shanghai right now." Irv continues with some interesting observations: "The best way I can describe the country is that it has wall-to-wall people with bicycles for their legs. In a city of six million, there are three million bicycles! Between these, the übiquitous buses whose drivers constantly have their hands on the horn, the carts pulled by man or animal, and the flocks of sheep being taken to market, you can imagine how chaotic the average street scene is." Irv was accompanied by his wife Ruth, and they were pleased with the accommodations both on the yacht and on land. In Peking and Shanghai they stayed at the State Guest House usually reserved for visiting heads of state. Back in California, Irv tells us that Ruth "keeps busy doing volunteer work as a docent of the nearby Living Desert Reserve. One of her assignments is to transport four cages to various public schools and then explain the habits and lifestyle of the occupants. These include a rosy boa constrictor which she drapes around her neck and allows to slither down her arm, a tarantula which she handles carefully, a kangaroo rat, and a tortoise. Her greatest sense of accomplishment is convincing a frightened child to stroke the snake." Irv is busy in California and New York doing volunteer recording for the blind. It certainly sounds like the Kramers live an interesting and active life. We will see them at our 50th — but please, Ruth, don't bring the boa with you, as we will have plenty of interesting characters of our own on hand!
What you should do, however, to prepare for our 50th reunion is outlined in a recent letter from our Reunion Chair Ben Drew. Ben wants our full cooperation. First, bring along old photos of college days and previous reunions, and one good photo of you and your family. Deliver these to Gordon Lane at the tent upon registration and have them labeled. Second, bring along publications which you would like to display in the special editions room at Baker Library. Give these to the clerk at the class registration desk and he will arrange the transfer to the library. Third, your senior cane or freshman beanie should be part of your baggage. Finally, for those who are not attending and want to write a greeting to old classmates, mail them to Ben at Moody Hilly Road, Vershire, Vt. 05079. The cards will be posted.
Ben also advises that if anyone who is planning to go to the Spalding Inn after our official reunion has not received their mailing, they should contact the inn directly. The address is simply Whitefield, N.H. 03598. Ben is now updating his attendance expectations for our 50th reunion on June 11, 12, and 13. It looks like there will be about 185 classmates and widows, and some 300 people in all. Don't disappoint him, or yourself. We will see you there.
If you haven't contributed to the class of 1932 50th reunion gift to the College by now, please contact Bill Lieson or Marv Chandler, who are working very hard to make this a huge success and another record-breaker. Our class is moving strongly and steadily with a gift from all of us that we can be justly proud of.
Your Obedient Servant
911 North Northlake Drive Hollywood, Fla. 33020
