1947

Hi, classmates. We're on our way out of winter, at least by the calendar. It's the end of January, and we're writing for the March issue. Our last column was written December 2. There we were looking forward to the "frosty morns, the crunch of feet on snow." So far in New Hampshire we've had the frosty mornings, all right. As frosty as 35 below zero. And feet have also crunched snow right now about 14 inches can be seen, It's a good year for Winter Carnival, which will have been with us February 9-12. You know you're an old-timer when you can remember when you had to leave Hanover for a date, or when your date came by bus or train and left when Carnival was over. Nowadays I would surmise there is the possibility of your date staying over, and even appearing in class on Monday. I was ahead of my time my Dorothy was a nurse at MHMH, so she never went home either, and we eventually learned how to play house.

Snow and winter always bring memories of Hanover scenes. Skiing at Oak Hill was my speed then, and Frank Weber and I both skied all one afternoon, only to discover on taking off our skis that we each had broken the back 18 inches off one of our boards. Didn't make a difference. Our roommate BillHallager was on the ski team, along with DonPage they couldn't understand how our downhill performance went unaffected. That's our secret, boys.

Will we ever forget the square dances, walking to Norwich, Lebanon, or West Lebanon, over snowy roads, occasionally pushing each other into snow drifts arriving at the dance all hot to trot? Those square dances brought out the country in many a city boy: Bob Motlong, Cotton Johnson, Pete Townsend, Doc Curley, and Bill Buckingham, to name a few. Norm Fink used to particularly like squares. He and I remember walking to Norwich in snow the dance, a fight, and a thumbed ride back to Hanover. When we got in the car, only then did we notice the driver was probably too stoned to even make the bridge. We helped him some, but were glad for the snowbanks. Norm and I also debated the merits of rousing Cotton Johnson to tell him of our exploits; we discussed this aloud all the way from College Hall on Main Street, down the road to Crosby, and up the stairs. We were about to knock on Cotton's door when it burst open before us; seems our discussion carried through the air from up the road, had already woken him up, and he had lain in bed seething over every word. And Gerry Franklin, along with John Slade, only laughed, when they came out to quiet us down. So much for snow. We love it.

We have some plaudits to pass around. Given a class of our top caliber, it would seem that a few of us would make good. I wish more of you (or more wives!) would crow a bit and send me excerpts or news to print of your doings.

Hugh Chapin, in Lexington, Mass., has completed the merger of the insurance business which he and the late Bill Wood founded in 1961 and built to a thriving business, through long hours and great effort. Hugh has carried on, and now Chapin-Wood has merged with Brewer and Lord, one of New England's oldest and largest insurance agencies, providing a full range of insurance, financial] and risk-management services from five Massachusetts offices. Congratulations, Hugh, for a fine job also as president of Insur- ance Brokers of Massachusetts and of the Massachusetts Association of Independent Agents and Brokers. Two sons, Stewart and Tom, went to Dartmouth, and I think one is up there now, with family. And Joan Chapin runs an art business and keeps very busy she must tell me more specifics on this enter- prise. Bill Wood went only about halfway with Hugh, passing on in 1972 just before our 25th reunion, but his efforts helped make the business grow. He would be proud to see Alex, his son, today a flier with the U.S. Air Force; he looks just like Bill. He was in Hanover last year, along with his mother Joan, now Mrs. Townes Harris, in Manchester, Vt. Townes is our very active class president, and Joan helps him.

In Hershey, Pa., there is a very active bank, the Hershey Trust Company. In December 1983, Robert Allen was elected by the board of directors to be president of the Hershey Trust Company, effective February 1, 1984. Bob is also president of the Hershey Bank. He has risen in banking circles from CEO of Farmers Bank in Delaware to executive VP at Girard Bank in Philadelphia, prior to coming to Hershey. Nice work, Bob Allen, and greetings to Elizabeth, who is probably chief executive officer of the Allen family of three children. No doubt they're banking more than candy bars down there.

Again on the trail to the top, we have Roland "Rocky" Routhier, elected senior VP of Texaco Inc. as of January 1. Rocky left Dartmouth in 1947 (how about that) and joined Texaco in 1949 as a sales trainee. He attended class every day, learned well, and handled management positions in West Africa, in Latin America, and in Rome, then became executive VP of Texaco Services, Europe, in Brussels in 1969. Since 1981 Roland has been president and CEO of Texaco, Canada, Inc. His U.S. address was New Canaan, Conn., prior to his service in Canada, and he has kept up a steady interest in Dartmouth. Rocky, I hope this means you'll be able to attend our next reunion. With all that traveling you've done, I'd like to print a few of your words in this column. Congratulations.

Let's see, whom did I meet recently, among our classmates. I guess the most recent was Jack Trethaway we crossed paths over New Year's at Dartmouth's hockey tournament. Dartmouth's hockey is not really a lot of fun yet this year but it will get better. Better to reminisce. Jack was at the game with wife Joy and their son Tom, with fiancee. Jack has sold his thriving general store and hardware business in Peru, Vt. (Manchester area) to devote more time to Joy and Alzheimer's, and to skiing. He was surprised at the speed he traveled just like the old days on skis. I wonder, Jack, does speed have anything to do with added weight? Jack looks youthful, as all 57-year-olders do now, and Joy was smiling, and good-looking, and a bit anxious to be off to the next activity. I personally have other friends with Alzheimer's and have noted that one by-product is that all your friends disappear in embarrassment. Don't let that happen to Jack. He and Joy aren't embarrassing, they are enjoyable. Jack needs your notes, not only to enjoy while skiing, but also for his newsletter. Keep them coming.

I also can tell you that I appreciate your notes. One just came from Joe Eisaman, in Los Angeles, Calif. a simple note which said the December column was well written and interesting. What a nice thing to say. I was about to give up the column, but now will keep it rolling another month or two. Thanks, Joe.

Our next column will be written during maple-sapping season always a highlight here in the North Country. See you soon.

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