1932

Three 80th birthday celebrations came to our attention in August. A picture of a cute kid, perhaps around ten years old, appeared in the Concord (N.H.) Monitor on August 4. The name in the caption: John Swenson. "Guess who's fourscore," read the message. "Your family wishes you many more." JoAnn gave her husband a family party at Rye Beach, attended by some 45 Swenson kin, including Bill and Jeffie Sumner.

On the same day, Ethel and GreydonFreeman hosted a lawn party. It turned out to be in honor of Greydon a mighty young-looking octogenarian, all agreed. Charlotte Rowe, whose fractured pelvis had kept her home for months, was able to attend, though confined to a lawn chair. Other '32s on hand: Stoibers, Savages, and Tery Nitschelm. Your secretary had a grand time talking to various Dartmouths and Hanoverians but learned with regret that Francis and Sunny Savage are moving to Athens, Ga., soon after the October mini. As time marches on, they want to be close to their son.

I wonder how many mothers, influenced perhaps by pictures of Little Lord Fauntleroy, shaped their small son's hair into "Dutch cuts," bangs and all. I had mine through first grade. What a ribbing I took! The cover of Amy Corbett's invitation to Jim's birthday bash showed Jim at five or six with the caption "The still North remembers. "Crowning Jim's smiling face was a fetching Dutch cut, covering half his ears.

On August 25 well over a hundred guests found the Corbett home on Lake George. Co-hosts were Corbett daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren. One grandson and his friend supplied valet parking. A pianist familiar with all the tunes of "our era" supplied background music as friends conversed on a long veranda overlooking the lake. Art and Dobbie Allen were lately back from six weeks' sailing in Maine. Then Don and Ellie Marcus joined our group, and Howdy and Dottie Pierpont. Still more guests arrived, among them Bo andGinna Wentworth.

Sunset glow gave way to torchlight dining out-of-doors. When we drove away after dark, many still lingered, loath to leave the Corbett hospitality.

Box 286, Grantham, NH 03753