1946

I spoke to Jack Whitman. He has had a siege of it with eye problems, but he was optimistic that he was on the mend. If you'd like to call him, he's in Hyannis, (508) 778-1333. I'm sure he'd appreciate it. He told me he recently talked to Dave Weld. I had tried Dave too, but too late. He was off to Florida. I did get Gene Bokor, and he was about set to make his annual run to Longboat Key in Florida. And Frank Ettari had called me a couple of weeks back to announce he was off to Tequesta, Fla., for the duration.

Not everyone took off for Florida. CarlPeterson was already there, and had been, he and wife Betty Lou, since 1990. He retired then, sold the house in Massachusetts, and now spends a bit of time playing tennis. I remembered Carl came from Manchester, N.H., so I thought Id track down a couple of others from that town. Tried Malcolm McClane, but a recording by Susan said they were freezing up at Wildcat Mountain. Bet they were out on the slopes—and I did try to set you Malcolm, at Wildcat.

I had more success with Don McAllister, a guy I haven't seen in years. He sounded just like he always did. He's been with Morgan Stanley for 42 years! What a record. And a partner for many of those years. He lives in Greenwich, Conn., and makes die daily commute. He expects to pack it in this summer He has a place on John's Island at Vero Beach, Fla. He plays some golf, and because he was honest with me, I shall not divulge his handicap. He said it's been years since he's been to Hanover and was afraid he wouldn't know anyone. Well, you wouldn't know the teachers, but you'd know your fellow '46ers, and they you—so come back!

Joe Brennan! Hadn't seen or talked to him since the 25 th. Remarkable how people never seem to change. Joe sounded great. He's still working, "sort of," he said. He had seven children, all doing well and three living in his area. He said he wouldn't mind if I said he's a 20 in golf. Knowing what a super athlete he was, I find that hard to believe. But maybe he whacks at the ball like he did with his lacrosse stick. Good to talk to you, Joe.

Talked to Lowell Thomas, and he's not "just around the corner." Anchorage, Alaska. He was just back from a ski trip to the Aspen area. He still operates his Thomas Air Company, mainly taking people to the Mt. McKinley region. He told me he no longer skijumps. I can t imagine how anyone ever could—but he was good at it. Said it was very warm in Anchorage: 18°-plus. And at JimBrindley's in La Crosse, Wise., it was minus- 24°! Didn't talk to Jim, but wife Mary Jane said he's been retired for three years now. They were about to take off for warm places. Will catch you later, Jim.

I have been informed that James E. O'Neil passed away on December 16.

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