1921

In answer to my short letter to Roland Auger (who lives only a few miles down Ocean Boulevard), he wrote back to tell me that a heart which skips a beat on occasion keeps him more closely anchored to Lauderdale-by-the-Sea than he would prefer. Roland continues, "We have two daughters, ten grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren to bring in cheer." Yes, classmates, they do indeed. Even The Wall Street Journal reviewed a book this week on the editorial page about love of grandchildren for their grandfathers. It was revealing and touching to the heart strings.

One day my curiosity was aroused when I was asked with some friends to have dinner in a Chinese restaurant with the name "Ho Wah." At the first opportunity, I asked the owner what was the meaning of "Ho Wah." His reply: "Very good or very excellent." My next question was, "What would 'Wah Ho Wah' mean?" And he replied to that, "Fish very good." And that, classmates is the meaning of "Wah Ho Wah."

I then asked the proprietor, "How do the Chinese happen to have such words in their vocabulary?" His answer: "Our ancestors, the Indians, came to this land 20,000 years ago. When they caught this excellent fish, they named it 'Wah Ho Wah.'"

So don't let anyone tell you it means something different! The Chinese knew their history when we Europeans were living in caves.

We have recently learned some news of JackHubbell—that he has taken over management of the bequest program. From Jack's long business experience, I am certain the program will receive the enthusiastic attention that Jack has displayed towards the many positions he has filled since his so-called "retirement" from Simmons.

And we have learned from Jack, our class news correspondent in Rye, N.Y., that "the Rotary Club in Rye has awarded Harry Chamberlaine a trophy as the 'Outstanding Man of the Year.'"

Our correspondent goes on to comment that Harry has "earned it ten times over. He has his hands in all good things in Rye. He could be mayor hands down if he was willing to go through an arduous campaign."

Harry is head of the Rye Handicap Association; a very prominent layman in the Rye Presbyterian Church (who can ever forget how Harry conducted services at our 60th reunion); and a member of the board of the local library (an outstanding institution) and the Rye Historical Society. He is a dedicated citizen. "It's no surprise to me that the Rotary Club gave him this trophy a few days ago," writes our dedicated correspondent, Jack Hubbell.

Will 100 additional class members of 1921 sign up as special correspondents in their respective bailiwicks so that Russ Bailey and I may flood you each month with "May the Good News be Yours," which is the parting shot of the Ralph Renick Report from Miami T.V. each evening?

Those of you who drive south for the winter should give thought to a new mode of travel via the Scandinavian Cruise Line two and a half days from New York to Freeport and five hours from Freeport to Miami, all by luxury liner.

Your car goes with you free of charge. The entire trip is at bargain rates at least for this year.

The maiden voyage, which left New York City October 2, found Martha and me on board. Neither of us is superstitious, but on this maiden voyage we encountered no icebergs.

To make sure I avoid the fate of too little material for a class column in the coming year, I recently picked up some of my old Dartmouth files (mine go back to the early thirties) and began idly turning pages looking for items that would make good "notes," even in 1983. There is a mine of information buried deep in these files. If I ever run out of news, don't be surprised if you reread some "gold nugget" items. After all, if Abby Van Buren and Ann Landers can reprint old letters, why can't your secretary rewrite excellent news of long ago?

3575 S. Ocean Blvd., #304 South Palm Beach, Fla. 33480