1933
Mel Hershenson is not a great booster of the free-trade rage, but he has survived the lethal impact of open markets and is happily enjoying life in Lake Worth, Fla., with Mary, his wife of 59 years. Mel was in the leather business in Peabody ("Peabddy") in 1972 and when the imports started pouring in, he recognized the inevitable, "turned the key in the door," sold the business, and sought a sunnier clime. Although not a lawyer, he works as a volunteer in the state's attorney's office in West Palm Beach doing interviews with complainants and the accused in misdemeanor cases. He enjoys his work and knowing Mel's joie de vivre, one can imagine that discussions with him must be memorable experiences for victims and malefactors alike.
We caught Al Florin unawares with a surprise call, but were glad to find that he and Trudy were "getting along with it very well" down at Long Boat Key on the Gulf whither they retired after 40 years of medical practice in the Oranges in New Jersey. After P&S, Al entered general practice, then served with the U.S. Public Health Service during WW II and subsequently with the New York State Department of Public Health, winning his M.P.H. and engaging upon early experimental work with penicillin in venereal disease cases. In the 1950s he returned to general internal medicine and continued until his retirement. Bridge and the theater are now the Florin recreations. It is interesting to note that to Al, many of the issues which have other alumni all stirred up seem "trivial indeed."
We have always thought that Pinehurst was one of the best places in the country in which to live and our opinion was enthusiastically confirmed by them when we talked recently with Dave and "E" Coolidge. After his war service and activity in the printing business, he retired in 1976 and they promptly headed south from Wilmette. They built a house in Pinehurst in 1976 and have lived there ever since. Dave was with us in that traumatic year of 1929-30, but left thereafter as did 184 of our fellows prior to June 1933.
3043 West Lane Keys, NW, Washington, DC 20007-3057
