1927
Here in Wayland, two weeks into 1986, the ground is bare, the air is gray, and the circular, 24-inch diameter thermometer on a tree in the back yard reads-10 degrees C.
The weather was considerably warmer in Venice, Fla., on January 2 when RogerBury and Laura Musgrove were married. Congratulations to Rog, and best wishes to Lolly; they are now on their merry way on a trip around the world by sea and by air. Doc Harvey will pinch-hit for Rog as host of 1927's annual winter meeting in Sarasota on March 19.
When Jack Draper, retired New York City surgeon, reached his 80th birthday a while back, he brought up a new angle that had not occurred to us, namely: "The more birthdays you have, the fewer you have to look forward to." Bill Chapman also has problems in being a new goldstar member of 1927's "Made it to 80 Club." He wrote that "first, you think of something that needs to be done, then concentrate on doing it; secondly, having done it, you try to remember if you did." Other than that, Bill is just fine and dandy.
To get caught up on other 80th birthday celebrations: Bill Elliott wrote from Bedford, Mass., that "the children promoted a large gathering of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I got another shirt and tie that I don't need."
Larry Scammon's 80th was a double whammy, for he was married on the same day in 1927, making this his 58th wedding anniversary as well. The picture of his latest class birthday card of ski-joring on Main Street in 1924 brought back fond memories of the days when Butterfield Hall stood where Baker Library now is.
The 1985 record for the most birthday parties goes to our revered class president, Paul Hannah, who reported no less than five. These included an office party, a neighborhood gathering, and three parties put on by his children, daughters-inlaw, and other family members.
Jack Oakes commented on his birthday as follows: "Considering my age and previous condition of servitude, I am quite well. I keep busy here in Ormond Beach, Fla., by taking care of most of the work around the grounds and, due to Dorothy s back ailment, have recently done much of the inside work as well. She is showing improvement, for which we are thankful."
Charlie Fleischer, in Highland Park, Mich., is doing well with the pacemaker that he has worn ever since his heart attack in 1974. He is now driving his car short distances but felt it advisable to resign from the board of directors of the condo in which he lives.
Norm Swift wrote from Montrose, Va., that he had a good summer of 1985 in Maine where he saw Stu and Helen Ensinger. Norm was planning a trip last fall to visit a daughter in Seattle, Wash., and over the Christmas holidays planned another trip to visit a son in Dallas, Tex.
CORRECTION: Since this magazine does not print corrections of errors in its obituary section, we have to advise you, here, that in the November issue our report on the death of George Van PraagMarks appeared under the heading for the class of 1926. Sorry!
Other sad news this month includes the death of Henry T. Vietor on November 26, 1985, and of Paul Revere O'Connell on January 4, 1986. In Paul's unexpected death, the class has lost one of its most active and loyal members. For more than 12 years he was chairman of the class's bequest program and was largely responsible for 1927's excellent participation in this important program.
That's it for now.
11 Rolling Lane Wayland, MA 01778
