1937

Katie and I took two days in Hanover recently on the pretense of researching a few subjects for the coming 50th reunion. Lee andRuss Stearns kindly took us in, and though the temperature got to ten below, they showered us with warmth, both internal and in spirit, for which, many thanks. Russ caught up with Fran Fenn, and he and Mary joined us for dinner at the Windsor Depot restaurant, which was most handy for the Fenns. Lee was recovering from a bad bout with flu and thus was not her usual bouncy self. Russ gave her the deluxe treatment of not just the usual coffee in bed but full breakfast. Although officially retired he maintains a Thayer School office which he was in process of moving. Many of his former students write him or otherwise keep in touch from around the world, which makes teaching such a worthwhile satisfaction. They contacted some of them on their world trips last year.

Fran was planning another trip around the country, this time with new partner in '37 funding, Charley Collis in the famous jet. (New version of Travels with Charley?)

We spent some time in the archives of Blunt Alumni Center, where they store folders on all alumni as well as on each class in general. Copies of the questionnaires we fill out for the college directory as well as any important news that filters in on any of us are there. The reception room has pictures of the past, old copies of the Aegis, Green Books, and 25th yearbooks, and also hard-bound volumes of all Alumni Magazines back its founding. What a wealth of material! For instance: Art Ruggles, our first treasurer, had submitted an operating statement for the class in the November 1938 issue, which covered graduation: expenses for Commencement, including tax, were $8,300, which included: band, $700; two dinners, $700; and cigarettes, $13.75. Class Day exercises cost $90, which included: rental for Sachem costume, $8.62; 500 clay pipes, $25; tobacco for same, $2.10; Slim Connors filling pipes, $5; and parents' badges, $43.75. Alumni Magazine subscriptions, 519 for five years each, cost $3,114.

Then our very conscientious first secretary, Don McKinlay, laid down the ground rules for news in the Magazine column, and we quote: "The plan for the next five years is very simple. You and I both write letters. I distort all the news which is received. Each month a very dull article is manufactured from this hodgepodge, and I hope all will write to tell me how bad it is because then there will be more material for the next month!" (Through the years his theory has worked well as it's still going on. R.B.) There's more, but you'll have to wait.

Meanwhile, back to Mary and Fran Fenn's trip to the West Coast last fall. First stop was Oklahoma City to see Virginia and MarionCruce, where they were greeted with the sad news of her sister's death the night before. This put a different perspective on the visit, but the Fenns were made to feel like family and their stay was much appreciated. Marion is still soaring, winning the national senior championship on several occasions. Then on to Fallbrook, Calif., with Connie and SammySchuck, just missing his appearance as Buffalo Bill in Annie Get Your Gun for the 53rd time at the nearby Lawrence Welk Playhouse. He sported a good beard for the part. To increase their problems, they had to miss connections with Marion and Dave Mann, then Anne and Bob Barry as well as Helen andJohn Schilling in Seattle, except by phone. John is still active in the med school but retired from chairing the department of surgery. They did connect with Trustee EmeritusDon McKinlay in Denver, still a full-time lawyer and enjoying being senior in his firm. Finally to Kansas City with Pat Uhlmann and one of his very special gourmet lunches. TomReck was scheduled to join them, but some court function forced him to cancel out.

Prexy Ben Doran informs us the class trip to Holland, boat up the Rhine to Basle, and bus trip to Zurich, Switzerland, has already signed up the following: Dorans, Fenns,Walls (Tudor), Donaldsons, Bob Rosses,Erdmans, Crabbs, Park Johnstons, Farwells,Biallas, McCoys, Ochsners, Ziemers, Pat Olson, and Connie Sayre as well as the organizers, Barb and Wilder Pierce. If you are still considering going, best get on the horn and call Hank to see if there is still room: 609/ 921-7284. The trip is September 10-19.

Meantime, of course, there's that Alumni Fund thing which has surprisingly popped up again. It's right in the middle, so please to get it in as you always do.

10 Colby Road Wellesley, MA 02181