1937

Among many articles and writings scheduled for the big 50th reunion is a history of the class. Herewith your secretary issues a plea to all to send me any appropriate material you may have stored away through the years such as: pictures (black-and-white), diaries, or clippings you can spare temporarily, as you will get them back. Perhaps you recall some event you think should be of historical interest we can include that would fit this category. Please think about it-better still, act-so we can have a choice of incidents or facts pertinent to '37 activities or people unavailable in the college files. Any questions, please drop me a line.

Those attending our 45th reunion may remember the unheralded arrival of a tired, dusty guy on a motorcycle from Tucson, Ariz., by the name of Bill Stuart, claiming membership in the class. After a bit of investigation as well as soul-searching it was true! He started out with us and for unknown reasons graduated with 1938. Even the Aegis had no notice of him, but he is listed in the last College directory with '38, living in Hollywood, Calif. We just received a notice from EricRafter reminding us of that event and saying Bill died in October of a heart attack. Bill was an English major and a member of Alpha Tau Omega. He served in the army during the war in Hawaii, where he later lived. He was a published author of short stories and a novel, Mention My Name in Hawaii.

We talked to Monk Amon's secretary recently, who told us he was back to work part time, still as cantankerous as ever but apparently back to normal. He visits his son in Falmouth on the Cape every other weekend, promising to keej in touch if any health changes warrant. We understand he quit smoking, thank goodness.

Last summer we took a day off to drive up to Gloucester where Katie has many fond memories, taking a side trip to Rockport to have a visit with Nancy andMarsh Roper whose home high on the hill overlooks the harbor. Rope long ago gave up civic responsibilities and contents himself with puttering about the garden summers and with trips abroad when the mood hits. They had no immediate plans to report other than to grow older gracefully like the rest of us. We also popped in on Al Grey, who stays with his sisterin-law, Esther, when up north from Florida. Al never seems to stay in one place for long. On another day we drove to Cape Cod to attend the Dartmouth Club of the Cape luncheon with Gib Reynolds and Rachel Laughton. Following that we contacted Dick and Ruth Sawyer in Pocasset, who asked us to drop by their allseason home which is right on the water. Dick has done much of the work on it through the years, tackling any job, big or small, with marvelous dexterity-work most of us would be forced to hire builders to do. We should all be so clever!

For old times sake we called Ernie April. About two years ago he had had a polyp removed from his vocal chords; he is OK but sounds hoarse. Other than that he is fine, completely retired from being principal of Salem High School. He says Dot is a marvelous cook, so he eats well. He has no special hobbies and his hair is pure white now, having turned gray in the forties.

Bob Turner sent word he would like an up-dated class directory, which we sent. His thank-you note was delayed until his return from visiting with old roomie MelEstey. The Esteys have a new home in Sun City West, Ariz. Bob was much impressed with that development, but "for an old New Englander it would take time to get used to a lawn of sand, stones, and cacti rather than grass, shrubs, and trees."

During World War II a number of people sent money gifts to the College in memory of class members who died in action. Since there was no class organization to handle them, they went to FranFenn, who then was "wearing all the hats." It amounted to about $1,500 which Fran set aside until a proper time for action. In 1962 he turned it over to the Alumni Fund under the name of the Class of 1937 World War II Memorial with income from it to be credited to the Fund annually. It is still working! Other classes have done the same thing. After the death of the last remaining classmate the Trustees can determine its disposition.

Please take note: our mini-reunions are as follows: September 29-30, 1986, and October 9-10, 1987.

We heartily recommend a visit to the new Hood Museum and especially the Ivan Albright Gallery wherein are several gifts from Julie and Dick Rush. Incidentally, they flew back from Europe to attend the opening last fall.

10 Colby Road Wellesley, MA 02181