1947

Welcome to October, classmates. Here it is July, and it's hard to believe I'm writing for this far ahead. Deadlines are set, however, and besides, I do have news enough to ramble on. Here in New Hampshire, we have had spots of unique weather. In late May great heat, then five solid days of rain, totaling ten inches on the ground, five inches in the Chase cellar; an excellent chance to clean out the basement. June has seen fine weather, and July a bit less heat than expected and more precipitation, but all in all, flowers are beautiful. It's been a fine growing season, and I'm pleased to report I'm ahead of the weeds in the garden, and, so far, the bugs. A new tractor helps me keep up with the lawn. I want to lay claim to the fact that up until now, I've always mowed by hand (five hours), and also shoveled our driveway (20 feet X 100 feet, by hand). Now this machine is here to do both I hope as well. This is the glory of growing old.

Hanover is right now (July) a lush green; it is well-manicured and seems cool under the spreading elms and maples. Hiking and walks were never better. Make a note to visit Hanover in summer it's beautiful and also busy.

June 10 was the date of our last Chase wedding. Our daughter Suzan, Dartmouth 'BO, married Roy Springer of Mystic and Groton, Conn. He's a sea captain and surfer and helps operate the ferry from Long Island to New London, Conn. It was a beautiful and fun affair all the way, with Chases or their spouses involved all over the event, and much happiness shared by both families as our last child of six starts her own family life.

It seems only fair to include word of the other Keene classmates: Bill Kennedy, a lawyer in town, became a grandfather in April, as son Bruce came up with a boy named Scott. Charlie Schofield keeps busy with his lawn and other chores and reports that daughter Karen, Dartmouth '76, has moved to Concord, N.H., and has Charlie and Joan's two grandchildren, along with her pharmacist husband. Jack and Betty Zimmerman enjoy summer right in their own backyard, where they have a much-used pool and entertain grandchildren galore. I enjoyed a cool drink there, under the eye of their watchdog, a 14 inch by seven inch killer. (The size is approximate.)

Jack and I are perhaps the two closest-living classmates, he being about seven houses or one-half mile down our street. We well recall the reunion of 1983, sitting under the huge picnic tent at Chase Field, Jack, Betty, and I, recouping from the afternoon's events, when, poof the entire tent blew down around us in a sudden windstorm.

One of summer 1984's most memorable events was spurred on by Frank Weber. He visited Cotton Johnson, and noted that multiple sclerosis was ever-advancing, and wrote to myself and to Bob Motlong, former roommates. On June 27, Bob flew in from Colorado to spend five days visiting Cotton and Verah, and spent some of those days with the Chase family at Martha's Vineyard. Bob came complete with photos of grandchildren, kids, and girlfriends. Bob, as a lawyer/realtor, has put together some deals and now finds time to travel and play some. We all had a wonderful visit on the Cape with the Johnsons. Cotton nearly split, laughing at the reminiscing of his old buddies. Paralysis has taken his muscles, including his tongue, but he hears and thinks well and does enjoy sipping a cold Grisley Beer.

Frank Weber, after all, could not attend our Cape meeting, as he was busy attending to family business, demolishing Urs's car (he wasn't hurt), and moving Urs to Houston for the summer.

Bob and Ham also visited the Cape Cod cottage which Winky Crosen had set up and found Winky's widow Eunice was hard at work, helped by one or more of their seven kids and by at least one rambling grandson.

A lot of conversation was generated by JimOsborne's fine Alumni Fund drive. What a job Jim did bringing 1947 out in third place in our division.

Don Arel's widow Mary helped by contacting several others, and added in a note to me that she has completed final exams at Smith College as an Ada Comstock Scholar and is in her junior year. What an accomplishment.

Alan and Sally Epstein traveled to Europe in June and especially liked Switzerland. "It's like Vermont, only higher," Alan said.

I received a nice note from Al Gasner of Bethesda, Md. He continues year in, year out as one of the fund raisers for the Thayer School of Engineering, a most worthwhile cause, and a strong contribution of effort by Al.

1 have other notes about Bud Nossiter, LenSommer, and Norm Fink, but they will be in our November column. See you then.

63 Maple Avenue Keene, NH 03431