1931

The recently published heaves from a Family Tree is a memoir byjoe Ruskay. It chiefly concerns the Baum-Webster-Crohn family, beginning in 1842 when their forebears arrived in New York, and highlights the activities of unusual individuals who were deeply involved in the public life of New York City. Wonder what Joe thinks of the flat-tax issue, he being co-author of Halfway to Tax Refom (Indiana U. Press, 1970)? Reviewing Joe's participation in WW II as per our '31 yearbook, I think it likely that Joe and I were in the same area around Salzburg and Berchtesgaden 50 years ago on VE Day.

Came a note from Carolyn Johnson of Ascutney thanking me for my note of condolence to Evelyn Carpenter, Parker's widow. Ms. Johnson explained that, having power of attorney, she had taken my note to Evelyn who, although very much with it mentally, is completely bedridden.

Also came a note from Gertrude and Irv Bettman. Now settled in Eugene, Ore., near their son, Thomas '65, they asked for Anne Rothschild's address. I had previously received a gracious note from Ann thanking me for my concern over Ed's loss.

Kit Baldwin, Dick's widow in Sherwood, Ore., must have gotten a big chuckle over my remarks in a recent Class Notes column about W.C. Fields's "man in the bright nightgown," as she wrote me a great letter. She relates how, after graduation in 1931, she got a job in the Rutgers library at $1,215 per year, a princely stipend compared with those of some of the class in that year. Those were the days!

Ed Brummer writes that he attended Class Officers Weekend in early May, and he reports that Lucy Cogswell has been ailing. She'd like to hear from you out there, I'm sure. Ed had applied for tickets for admission to Commencement in Hanover to hear President Clinton speak. We expect a report, Ed.

Fates willing, I hope to see a lot of you at the September 30 Cornell-game-weekend mini-reunion.

4211 Coplay Creek Road, Schnecksville, PA 18078