1940

Dear Class: Hooray hooray, it's the first of May, Outdoor loving starts today!

Well, maybe it's past the first by now, but the thought is there. Now is a good time to let us in on your summer plans, so that we may pass them on to the class. So grab the pen or the processor and drop a line to the class.

These are February and March notes for the most part, beginning with a word from Jack O'Shea. When this was penned, Jack was getting ready for a fiveweek change of scene to Florida. He sees Gary Allen from time to time. All are well.

Our VP, John Moore, writes from Cleveland to say hello and to initiate some planning for the 50th reunion. Yes! Yes! It's none too soon to start thinking and working toward that golden event.

I'm sorry to interrupt with news that we have lost two more classmates. Moody Cook Dole II died last December after a long illness. He was 65. Joyce Dole sent me the news, and I have written back to her on behalf of all of us. HenryValentine Chase died on February 19, 1986. He was 67. Our sympathies go to the families of both. Obits will appear in this or a later issue.

On a happier note, here are selected excerpts from Tom Ballantyne's February letter from Melbourne Beach, Fla.: "I am now lolling about in a three-bedroom townhouse perched on 18 miles of sparsely populated beach. The ocean is at my door and may at times be in it, depending on tides and Caribbean storm patterns. Could use a new set of knees, a new pair of eyes. Can't complain, however. So far I have avoided the cruel countdown that has claimed so many of our classmates. Have a delightful lady friend and manage to freeload now and then at one of Harry and Nettie Hoyt's affairs or watch football at Bill and NancyBumsted's or Bob and Ann Berger's - all of whom were nice enough to locate within easy driving distance. Keep the flag flying high and my best wishes - Tom." Thanks, Tom.

I have a nice status report from RudyHorky out Wilmette way. "We still have a daughter, Kathy, who is a junior at Illinois Wesleyan. Our two older daughters are married: Marcia in the Minneapolis area and Pam, who is married with two daughters, in nearby Libertyville. My wife, Barbara, teaches in a secretarial school, and I am semi-retired (working part-time). When Kathy finishes school, perhaps we can give some thought to retirement." Thanks for the update, Rudy.

"While undergoing a frightening cab ride in Rome, I looked up and there was. a tall jogger wearing a Dartmouth sweatshirt!" This from Trenny Trenholm, in Austin, Tex. His trip to Italy of last November took him to Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, and Florence as well as Rome, and brought back a few World War II memories. He concludes: "Seem to be busy with this and that - small PR business, United Way, etc. - sure beats sitting around listening to my hair fall out. - Trenny."

It's a new address for our sculptor classmate, Bill Joseph. He's now at P.O. Box 13244, Dinkytown Station, Minneapolis, MN 55414. Bill says he continues full time with his Abstract Cast Aluminium Architecturally-Oriented Sculpture. He's developed this in his own style over the past 30 years. Bill has traveled the world looking at sculpture. His most recent trips were in the U.S., to Cleveland and Boston. He's looking forward to seeing the Hood. Good to hear from you, Bill.

Gard Ashley writes to say no broken bones on his recent trip to Switzerland (part ski, part study). Upon return he had dinner with Herb Porter, who was in town on a consulting trip for Mayflower. "Good time," says Gard, "recalling the times we had at the 45th - including the Moose." Gard is planning to take up the violin again after a long hiatus, so we'll expect a concert by the time of the 50th.

A quickie from Ty Cobb tells of pleasant times with Sylvia and John Peacock, while the Peacocks were visiting San Diego. Ty and Rhoda were in Palm Beach at the end of March for the National Croquet Team Championship. Since this column was written in mid-March, I have no results. Good luck, Ty!

When the new Hood Museum opened last fall, we saw the Alvin P. Gutman Gallery. I wrote Al, asking for a little more information on how it all came about. I thought you would all enjoy the pertinent parts of his letter: "Dartmouth has had a strange hold on me as it has on so many of its graduates. The four years were memorable, happy ones that had a real meaning and influenced my life. I made many good friends whom I still see - also Jerry Lathrop's course in art was an influence I cherish. So, when I was approached for the last capital drive, I felt I could express my feelings for the College by doing what I did. The museum is a treasure, I think. It worked out much more beautifully than I had dreamed and I am happy and proud to be associated with the Hood and Jerry Lathrop after all these years again. I hope this doesn't sound pretentious or too emotional, but it does tell the truth and answers your question. - Alvin."

That closes out the month, ladies and gents. Kindly keep your letters coming.

Box 336 Old Lyme, CT 06371