1947

Christmas is behind us, and we've lost all of our snow in one of those January thaws. Football is winding down, baseball will soon fill the air with million dollar contracts, and always one thought in the minds of so many of us: how many of these new millionaires could even shine the shoes of Ted Williams or Joltin' Joe? No one will be happier to see a new softball season than Joe Eisaman in the land of perpetual sun (if it shines through the smog), L.A. He'll put away his roller blades for a while and resume his duties patrolling right field for the L.A. Advertiser's Senior League. Joe is president and CEO, as well as manager of his team, but he still has to produce at the plate. Last year they went a respectable 15-7-2, for the season. Joe'll keep swingin'.

Dave Squire writes that they visit their Martha's "Vineyard home often, even in winter. They visited California recently to see grandchild number 11, but they love to return to the Vineyard for the peace it provides, at least when hurricane winds fade away.

"Bill Bailey won't you please write us," may be the title of a new song, as we've noticed our own William Bailey—now of White Plains, N.Y., and Southampton, Bermuda—was listed in the Novemaber 25 Business Week, fittingly under the heading of "The Corporate Elite. Quietly and steadily he's moved to the top of the insurance/management circle. He left the presidency of Aetna five years ago to become chairman and CEO of MBIA, the nation's largest insurance firm. The group was selected for high sales and profit records. Congratulations!

On the same up-beat note, yet tinged with sadness, is a note from Dr. Hardy Hendren, chief of surgery at Children's Hospital in Boston. We sometimes see the Doc on cable TV reviewing some new progress in children s operative care. This note reflects a gift by Hardy and Eleanor to the new Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center of a new pediatric inpatient room, to be named in memory of their daughter, Sandra McLeod Hendren 1947-84. A gift of love. Hardy, in his life, has particularly loved children.

Last October Dottie and I rode the rails across Canada: the forest, plains, Edmonton, and, finally, Vancouver and Victoria. Naturally, we phoned Paul Spiers, but there was no answer. Big disappointment! But once back in New England we called Belmont. We did get Linda, and shortly Paul, just as they were packing to leave for Egypt, where Paul is revisiting and continuing his writing. Paul wears many hats: he is president of his firm, PR Communications, and still director of Freelancers Over Fifty. Paul wrote me from Egypt, and he was eloquent in praise of Egypt and her people—so gracious and friendly, and very polite. Tea is a ritual, often served in shops during a purchase. Meals are an occasion, commencing at a late hour and continuing to wee hours—especially, Paul says, if you like the food. Egypt's greatest resource is its people, and their hospitality is as awesome as the pyramids, he says. He and Linda assure me they'll be back in Victoria, B.C., when they return in June '92.

See you soon

63 Maple Avenue, Keene, NH 03431