1940

Another beautiful midwestern summer is rapidly slipping by, a sure reminder that it's time for me to dust off the trusty Royal and to get busy with the job of writing the column. Thank you, one and all, for having observed the request to "stay healthy" over the summer. You complied! And, let's keep the good record going.

Just in case that you missed it, read the tribute to Bob Graham that appeared on page 46 of the June/July issue of the Alumni Magazine on the occasion of his retirement after more than 17 years as Dartmouth College News Service director. Further honoring him, the Alumni Council had a resolution struck in thanks "for a thousand and more jobs so well done by a man who has cared ever so deeply about his college." It cited his undergraduate energies given to freshman football, boxing, the DOC, lacrosse and the Glee Club; his writing talent that has given Dartmouth news a much-admired writing style and the College one of America's fine news operations; and for having given freely of his time as friend, teacher, and counselor to countless Dartmouth students, teachers, and staff members, for having served as an unofficial journalism instructor and as overseer of The Dartmouth, and for having assisted in an untold number of Dartmouth activities always with a special fondness for things out- of-doors.Your classmates share the pride of the occasion and extend their good wishes to you and to Lili. Enjoy your retirement, Bob. He is looking forward to writing articles and perhaps a book, with the worries of running an office off his back. After a life full of deadlines, he says he now wants to "climb some mountains at my own speed."

In the last column it was reported that Maurice and El Williamson had moved. A complete address was not available at the time. To bring your records up to date, the Williamsons can be reached at RD #3, Box 226A, Rein beck, NY 12572.

On Cape Cod, the little town of Brewster is notable for its broad tree-lined streets, historic buildings, and rural charm. It is also known as the fastest-growing town on the lower Cape and that worries some longtime residents who feel the small-town feeling will be lost to suburbia. A year ago the town planners imposed a year's ban on all new condominium and time-sharing projects; then earlier this year a developer announced plans to begin a 1,200-unit condominium project to be completed ten years from now. Reacting with many year- round residents who fear that growth may spoil their town is Bob Dibble, resident and owner of the Brewster Store, a town landmark built in 1852. Says Bob: "I'm not happy about it (the town's growth). Maybe I'm a little reactionary but I would settle for no change at all. It's been said so many times, and it may sound trite, but the Cape is losing its unique character. We're becoming suburbanized. Before 10ng... it will become just another place to live."

Earlier this year Bill Wagner enclosed a note with his class dues payment saying, "I read the Alumni Magazine but I don't see much about any of my old classmates. Being a 'plow jockey' way out in 'loway/ the news I do read I find, with regret, in the obituary columns. But at my age and way out in the corn and bean fields, I can't expect miracles. I still have some snapshots of Top liff Hall. . . as well as my old '40 sweater which I can still wear." Thanks, W.R., for sharing with us. When next you write from Mason City, how about expanding upon the farm management service you operate.

I want to share Tom Ballantyne's response to the birthday card from the class at his milestone 65th. He claims to have been reminded how fortunate he is to have made the crucial milestone of Medicare eligibility. "Now I have the option of having my kidney stones zapped under the financial aegis of either Blue Cross or Uncle Sam's pocketbook. I guess this is what the full life is all about.

"Can't really complain, however. When I consider the cruel manner in which fate elected to pluck . . . worthies from '40 long before their allotted time, I have to count my blessings. Am still working productively at a reasonably acceptable level of mediocrity. Am still knocking a squash ball about three to four times a week without inducing anything approaching complete physical collapse. And I can look forward to some pleasant times ahead in Melbourne Beach, Fla., where there is a 100-foot clam bar that sells a baker's dozen of ice cold oysters for $2.85.

"Have even acquired a word processor as a Christmas gift to myself. Really a miraculous tool that takes much of the drudgery out of writing. Can just imagine how much Dante and Shakespeare could have accomplished if they too could have strung words together with electronic blips instead of quill pens."

Much more news to write, but must head out to Cleveland 1940's annual gathering, this year at Bill Huffman's. More in a month.

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