1921

There is a splendid group of classmates wives who have, sadly, become widows. Although they receive the DARTMOUTH ALUMNI MAGAZINE, we seldom receive any news from any of them. To correct that oversight, I am writing and asking for a "Dear Abby" letter a full confession.

Let's start with an example from Caroline Wilde. We learn that she has sold her place in Hanover and has returned to Naples, Fla., to take up residence in Moorings Park, a life-care arrangement. Her pleasant apartment borders the Naples.Country Club, and Caroline reports the place is nicely conducted. Best of all are the many friends who live nearby.

Recently, the Dudley Robinsons came to have lunch with Caroline. Naples has become the home for Dartmouth grads of all ages, which has made for a very active alumni club and never a dull moment.

Marion Folger writes to tell us that only Joe, with his fantastic memory for names, dates, and history, could have kept the 1921 column full each month without begging for news from classmates. After 37 happy years at Dartmouth, Marion feels she made her last trip to Hanover in June when she returned to see the graduation of her grandson Peter Folger the son of David '53.

I am certain all classmates know that Benjamin Franklin's mother was a Eolger. If the Spaniards had settled in Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, would we ever have seen a Declaration of Independence? I'll publish every opinion received.

Marion continues in her letter by noting that Nantucket has changed considerably since Martha and I last visited the island. Much building is taking place because in the summer mobs of people crowd the island. Fortunately, there are stores on the south part of town so the Folgers rarely need to go to mid-town for shopping.

Marion, have the town fathers muzzled those church bells ringing out the time every hour on the hour all through the night?

Then Jimmy Smead's wife Dorothy, who lives in Meriden, N.H., followed with a warm letter about her' family. When her Doolittle grandchildren were small, they would stop at Dorothy's door "for a cooky" to eat on the way to school a mile up the road. Now they are readying for college. Erik leaves this fall to prepare himself for a career in the graphic arts. Beth is at Kimball Union. Martha Doolittle, their mother, leads a busy life as a homemaker and the administrator in the arthritis center at Mary Hitchcock.

Daughter Nancy and husband Dick (Arm- strong) have built a condominium on Eastman Lake, where they will move when Dick retires. So they will all be. living close by the lovely village of Meriden.

As for Dorothy herself, her flower garden in the summer is the envy of the village. The winter finds her doing crewel work for a community project, which brings us up to date on Jim Smead's family as of today. Thank you, Dorothy.

It; is a pleasure to learn that Helen Stark lives in Bedford, Mass., close to the Concord residence of our son Evan. So when we return north this summer, Helen can expect a phone call.

Helen's daughter Deborah and her husband Hoyt Ecker live in Weston, Mass., which makes Bedford an ideal centerpoint of the area. Helen has bought a terrace apartment at Carleton Village, which is filled with Harvard, Radcliffe, and Vassar alumni, plus former deans, professors, and other ex-Cambridge residents. Helen is a graduate of the University of Chicago none of whose grads seem to have found Bedford, Mass. As for Dartmouth grads, the towns around Bedford are loaded with Big Greeners but she can't find any '2 lers. That is a handicap for Martha and me too, Helen, since we have been spending our summers in Lexington and what is left of our generation has moved south.

Now, don't the rest of you ladies feel like writing just a little bit? A closing thought from Essays in Rhyme by Jane Taylor (1783-1824): Though man a thinking being is defined, Few use the grand prerogative of mind. How few think justly of the thinking few! How many never think, who think they do!

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