1937
Bless all of you Christmas-card-note-senders! Since last June's reunion high we have received several pieces of unwelcome news. Bud Reed died January 14 of cancer, which started toward end of summer; his obitaury will be in a forthcoming issue. Al Bryant was laid low following a series of small strokes (blood pressure 220/ 120) which affected his left side and speech. He is embarked on a low-key, low-sodium lifestyle with all indications he will be O.K. It appears he had a small stroke, diagnosed by the ship's doctor, on their Caribbean cruise last May. He was certainly the picture of health at both our reunions and even now is looking forward to further travels when health permits. They were terrifically impressed with everything Egypt. Still more unwelcome news came from Hanover Jean Milne passed away at Christmas time after a long illness. (She had a history of emphysema). She was the sister of Hank McDuff'38. Also, word came from Gus Farwell, wintering in Florida, of the death of Wes LaCour's wife in January, apparently of cancer. Ruth and Wes moved there 12 years ago. Gus said, "It took 45 years and a trip of 1,200 miles for me to catch up with the LaCours. Last spring we got together with them and the Bob Rosses for dinner in Stuart. Ruth was a gracious lady." Our deepest sympathies go to Helen, Wes, and John.
Lynn and Dana Prescott's letter sounds like an airline travel brochure Mexico, Greece, Hanover (son's graduation and reunion), and Missouri for a giant family reunion for Lynn to which people flew in from everywhere. Dana still consulting for Beckman Instruments and Lynn still remodeling the house. They fly back to Hanover come summer for the weddings of two daughters of brother Baxter '39 - one July, one September. At this writing the Bosworths are practically due in Cambridge where daughter Johnnie is scheduled to bring forth twins! This will also give Martha a shot at what Eastman is like in winter.
Esther and Fred Mayo regret missing both reunions but read every word and devour each picture in the "Mint Bag" and MAGAZINE. They bought a lot in Pinewood, Ariz, (elevation 6,700 feet) on which they put a mobile home. It's two hours away, cooler in summer, and there's snow in winter. Jean and Jim Luttrell were planning a trip to St. Croix to see the Dillons' Pink Fancy, which friends confirmed to be a great spot. The Luttrells' annual Thanksgiving on the beach at St. John with the Bob Cheneys went down the tube, as Bob ripped up his Achilles' tendon moving a refrigerator and had to stay stateside in a cast.
Fess and Cal Eldred also missed reunion but claim to have been in the South for so long they have lost contact except for Jud Smith and the Mayos. Cal stays busy in retirement as a trustee of Talladega College and working with the hospital, while Fess works her needlepoint and yarn shop, not profitable but happy. Barbi and Dana Douglass say his throat operation is now getting excellent medical reports and their bed and breakfast venture finds their home booked solid from December 27 onward.
Olive and Joe Tardiff left early for Florida this year so Joe could get an early start on the last 140 miles of the Appalachian Trail. They are at Hallmark House, 4449 Poinciana Street, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, 33.308, phone 776-7835. The Reynoldses on the Cape hope they won't have another ceiling fall down on the next intended Bankart trip so we can get together. Cele Barrett, still living in the house she and Les had in Arlington, says she has renewed interest in the football team with a relative named Harold Bourque on it, a junior next year. He got in the Brown game last fall for two plays. Polly McLane writes that Pete's mother finally passed away at age 97. The whole McLane and Rotch clan gathered, complete with kilts and bagpipes. Rachel Laughton was heading south; she hoped to fly down with Marie Whitehill and was taking the directory to look up a few folks, including Phil Conti, who was a good friend of Fred's.
As a token of appreciation for his Herculean efforts as reunion chairman, the class voted to give Lem Bowen a present. A thank-you note from Lem says, "This is composed as I sit in a brand new Hitchcock chair with my name on it. As secretary,, would you accept for the class my thanks for this beautiful addition to our home and support for my aging fundament. Elizabeth and I are delighted with it and I am most grateful for the thought which underlies it."
Last June's 45 th reunion of the class of '37found these two classmates among numerousothers - enjoying the pastoral campus ambience; at the left is Frank Robin and at the rightis Herb Butz.
10 Colby Road Wellesley, Mass. 02181
