1923
In the January notes we reported the, at that time, upcoming hip operation of Jock Osborne. In December Jock wrote us: "Left the hospital after four weeks and for the past week I have been doing my exercises at home. If all goes well I hope to return to the office within a few days - one crutch and a cane to assist.
"You ask how I feel about reporting some of our ills. Personally I believe that is the only way we have of learning the condition of some of our classmates. We certainly realize we are no longer 'spring chickens' so can't see any harm in reporting about those who have been less fortunate.
As time goes on I can see more of our classmates moving to Hanover or its suburbs. Had a letter from Sammy Sammis saying they were moving to Hanover in the near future. Can't think of a better place to retire."
With his usual prompt helpfulness Ted Barstow reports on the extent to which women are affiliating with Dartmouth fraternities. Ted got his figures from Mrs. Allard in the Dean's office. She was very helpful.
No data is available for the freshman class (1979) since pledging won't take place until the spring of 1976. In the class of 1978, 440 of 671 men were pledged and 10 women of a total in the class of 230. The ratio, as Ted carefully points out, is currently one woman pledgee to 44 men. (You'll note I speak of men and women - not boys and girls.)
Ted goes on to say: "One additional set of figures came to light which may interest alumni concerned over the decline of undergraduate interest in fraternities during the late sixties and early seventies. Incidentally one indication of this trend - superficial perhaps but obvious to an outsider, was the decline in the volume and quality of fraternity snow sculpture at Carnival time. Quite casual then but greatly improved the last couple of years."
October 1972 - Total number of students 3352 Total fraternity membership 1011 Per cent fraternity membership 30 October 1975 - Total number of students 3370 Total fraternity membership 1274 Per cent fraternity membership 38
Paul Soley's recent letter included the following which we are happy to have but sorry to hear of Elizabeth's serious illness: "I am still practicing medicine but not in private surgical practice as I had been up to 1967. At that time I gave up doing all major surgery and took a job in the emergency room for a salary. At the time I thought that I would keep the job for a couple of years and then quit. However, my health has been good and the job keeps me busy and there is a good salary in it so here 1 am at it after eight years and am still going strong. As if this were not enough I got a second job in a high security prison and manage to handle both jobs without so far ruining my health. I tell everyone who asks me that I have only one hobby and that is to make money. I love it and it keeps me always in a young environment. At present I am run- ning this household as my wife is very seriously ill and the whole responsibility falls on me. My three daughters are married or engaged in their professional work so there is no help from that source."
Dave Orr has written the class secretaries reminding them of the June 14-16 Seventh Annual Post-50 Year Reunion. This year's program has several new features including the new Dean of the College, Ralph Manuel '58, who will be the main speaker.
The new Tuck Mall dormitory will again serve as reunion headquarters with some additional space available in the former Inn Motor Lodge.
Dave will greatly appreciate an early response to the special mailing which you will be receiving soon.
From Nate Whiteside '20 and TrumanMetzel, old hands at Bill Kimball's Sanibel Island, come news clippings telling of the new plans for their lovely and still unspoiled spot. Bill is chairman of the newly chartered Commitee of the Islands, Inc., composed of some 500 members of Sanibel Tomorrow and the Sanibel Captiva Planning Board. The objective of this group briefly is, by working with the Sanibel City Council, to insure conservative control of the area and to avoid overdevelopment of the island.
Mox Hubert writes that he has just celebrated his 75th birthday. This started me checking birthdates and if the statistic doesn't disturb you unduly you'll be interested to learn that 108 others of us, including myself, have also passed this milestone.
Other important anniversaries include the 50th wedding anniversaires of Joe and SallyHouston and Jim and Betty McCabe.
Last November Pete Jones had a very touching letter from Matt Jones' widow Elizabeth thanking him for many past kindnesses and regretting that she and Matt had been so out of touch while they were living in France and England. She and Matt had planned to return to the States in late 1974 to decide where they would live which would probably have been Charlottsville, Va. Just a few hours before their departure however Matt's physician told him he couldn't possibly make the trip.
Babe Miner has had fine letters of appreciation for the placing of memorial books in the College library from Ella Lee Yaffe, DorothyM. Baldwin, Marion W. Sawyer, Ruth M. Fairbanks, Bill Gratz's sister Marion and CharlieRivoire's daughter Susan Hostnick. And we had a particularly nice Christmas letter from DynaPalmer who keeps busy and optimistic.
I am sad to report the deaths of three more of our number: Robert P. Lane on April 11, 1974, Miles M. Mills on October 20, 1975, and Frederick R. Flickinger on November 24, 1975. The sympathy of the entire class is extended to the families of these three classmates.
General Walter Miller '22 is presented theAlumni Award by Raymond Rasenberger'49, president of the Alumni Council.
Secretary Box 2 Francestown, N.H. 03043
Treasurer, 960 Longmeadow St. Longmeadow, Mass. 01106
