9-1-08 -- From Mac Cross (This should have been in the Oct/Nov DRUM) -- " Dear Ike: Your plea touched my heart. Maybe you could use this or part of it. On September 23, I will reach 90 years of age, not impressive among members of our class but maybe a record in the Cross family. I plan to celebrate big time. I have invited 190 people, most of them folks in our retirement community, to join me in a big birthday party. Most of the invitees are old too, many well into their nineties and one delightful lady who is just 102 and published her first novel at 100! I expect most of them will come, many using canes, walkers or electric carts but who still enjoy cocktails, wine and hors d'oeuvres, especially when they're free!

"One other thing. Marilyn, my wonderful wife for more than 66 years, died last October. It left a gaping hole in my life that was not easy to fill, especially since I am totally deaf, hear but not well with a cochlear implant and particularly have difficulty communicating in large gatherings. Happily I found a young lady of 86 who lives in another building in this community who understands and is patient with my hearing. Not only that, she is outgoing, has lived in Charlotte all her life, knows about every body here, and gets me into activities that I would otherwise miss. In addition, she likes martinis and can drive at night!

"She can't take Marilyn's place and doesn't try to but she surely makes my life better and more fun and my whole family is happy about the relationship. My lady friend just called to invite me for cocktails before our Labor Day picnic. Regards, Mac"

 

9-29-08 From Seymour Wheelock -- "Hello, Ike, at last! As always our thanks for your stewardship of the Drum! -- always leaves me in a mist of nostalgia! We hope you're well and plan to continue, and I would urge my classmates to contribute to the common weal (what's a weal?)

"I tripped over the hose a couple of days ago and therefore am writing from what is probably a 'semi-reclining position'. As a coincidence my writing desk is a superb book written and illustrated by Howard Fogg, Dart '37, now deceased but always to be known as this country's premier railroad illustrator. I knew Howie at Dart; He was president of the model RR and went on to make a career out of his love of trains. The book I'm writing on is 'Fogg and Steam.'

"Janet and I have aged this year: she at 88 and moi at 90. Her infrastructure is more sturdy than mine so our excursions away from home are limited and we've even been evaluating a retirement home more, but as yet haven't made a decision -- too much stuff!

"Each evening I lean back and put my feet on the massive 2 ½" thick piece of maple of which you helped me make a 5 foot low table. I bought it from a farmer on Campion Hill. You called it ‘runner wood' because it was a butt end that curved naturally as the trunk met the ground. The farmers valued these pieces because they could be shaped as they stood, no steaming needed and they made rugged stone boat runners when the icy ground enabled the men "Medical School Story -- Roger Smith was conducting a class on intestinal disorders, and the subject was serious constipation. ‘Bill,' he asked of a drowsy and inattentive pre-med student, ‘how much croton oil would you give a constipated patient?' (the dose of croton oil is calibrated in drops, and few of those). Bill brightened up: ‘About 1 teaspoon 3x a day,I should think.' Dr Smith considered a moment: ‘Splendid choice -- if you wanted a moose to pass his antlers! ‘"

"The d. Club here is flourishing and breathing a collective sigh of relief at the what I take to be a reasonably acceptable re-structuring of the powers-that-be. Pretty conservative group here as always epitomized by the memory of Everett Parker '17 who rose in what he conceived to be righteous and fevered indignation at a Dartmouth luncheon in the mid-seventies, pounded the table and declaimed: ‘Let it be stated in the minutes of this organization that I am implacably opposed to the admission to D. College of women OF ANY KIND!' It was inevitable that one of the attendees would inquire mildly -- ‘Ev, how many kinds of women are there?'

"Pleasant late summer weather here -- in the 70's -- but still dry. This is a cruel statement as we contemplate the TV coverage of the Gulf coast disaster. Hard to imagine that huge population sitting in the dark!

"Have you had an opportunity to read Dave McLaughlin's book relative to Dartmouth matters? I haven't but plan to soon.

 

10-16-08 - from Al Thorpe -

" Ike - To keep you in the loop, here is a copy of a letter I sent to Donna today:

"Hi Donna - I'm sending a letter to Karl Bruch today resigning from the job of correspondent. Old age is finally getting to me! As I reminisce, I realize I couldn't have done the job without your help and encouragement. I appreciate your enthusiasm; it made the job enjoyable.

You certainly deserve Kudos for your consistent devoted work as Secretary for the class.

We all know about some of the trials and tribulations you have endured, and think you are a Great Lady for bearing up so well. Yours sincerely, (avt)"

 

Editor: The Class gives thanks to Al for the great job he has done in writing the D.A.M. column. Volunteers to continue his good work should contact Karl Bruch.

10/23/08 -- From my old DOC friend Dr. Arthur French -- "Dear Ike, Life is mostly stable, but it is Ann Arbor , Univ. of Michigan , with good athletic games and concerts as well as excellent walking in gently rolling country. Beverly and I get lots of good walks and excellent concerts (Univ. of Michigan brings them in) We are going to Europe next month, were in Asia and Australia last fall. We are both pretty well but a little less active. Best regards."

 

Our ex-Pres. John Moore writes from FL -- "For the most recent several years now, we've given up flying or driving up north during the hottest summer months here. Thank God for air conditioning! The bulk of the members of the Mt Lake community are here from Labor Day until say, Memorial Day, but there are always a few "hangers on" like us who stay through the winter and spring. We also have easy access to excellent medical facilities with fine doctors. The acid rest came a couple of years ago when Tina had a nasty fall while descending the tricky steps of the nearby Bok Tower resulting in her hospitalization for a couple of weeks and complete recovery. Have fun this summer! -- John"

 

10/27/08 -- A green card from Bob Wetzler -- "Hi, Ike. Time passes by -- in my case so little involves individuals that I knew at Dartmouth. All my friends have passed on, and most of the gang that made up the Skidmore ‘gang' that coalesced in the war years in NYC.

" Dree and I have settled here in Florida , living right on the Inter Coastal Waterway (10 years) and previous to that on a golf course in our compound.

" Recently we moved into a retirement facility/community here in Vero Beach . Love it and our timing was just right. Have many friends in the area and an active involvement with the UU Fellowship. Our son is located in a residential facility (program for the retarded) on Cape Cod where he will probably spend his remaining years. Fortunately he has an elder sister in Westwood who has become deeply involved in Rob's welfare.

" Enough for now -- I keep,our ‘token' annual contribution to the Alumni Fund so at least you can keep in the upper range of the % category While I have not kept a close ‘ Dartmouth ' contact, I have recognized the manner that my four years at Dartmouth has influenced me in all the years since. -- Bob."

 

10-29-08 --Editor's note -- We had our first snowfall in the highlands of Hanover with about ½". Temperatures are below freezing most nights now. Our wood furnace is doing a great job, but I hate to be dipping into the six cords of dry wood that I spent a month putting into the cellar.

In a recent article that I read about Annie Proux who wrote "The Shipping News" she said that after 30 years in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont she fled to Wyoming. "The Vermont people talked about nothing but wood." I guess I am one with them. I have remarked before that Prof. Lew Stillwell in our day spent much of his time in his cabin on an island in the Connecticut River and told me that he counted his wealth in firewood.

I determined that a cord of my wood (128 cubic feet) at 20% moisture weighs about 3500 pounds and that from the log to the furnace I handle each piece about 7 times. Who needs to join an exercise club? Right now above the barn I have a 15 cord pile of logs that a logger cut and dragged down out of our woods -- a colossal bunch of green bananas! Please join Hazel in suspecting my sanity. I remember an old friend, a Minnesota farm girl of German descent, saying, "Happiness is not to be found in idleness. To work is to be happy." So I am slow and lame, but happy.

 

10/28/08 -- Dr. Bill Huffman wrote, "Thank you for the last DRUM. I'm pleased that you enjoy the print that came up at a local auction here in Cleveland. I wonder how many bridges there have been between Norwich and Hanover over the years. I believe that there was a relatively new one in 1936 and in the last few years another. __________ has taken its toll over the years."

Editor - Sorry, but I couldn't decipher your last sentence, Bill.

I did some research on those bridges and came up with some interesting history that I sent on to Bill --

The architect and builder of the first one was Rufus Graves, a Hanover merchant. Resting on stone abutments, it crossed the River in a single span so arched that the center was some 20 feet higher than the ends. It was length was 344 feet, its width 36 feet and the stone abutments 40 feet square. Many of the huge pines of which it was built were 60 feet long, hewed 18 inches square. The White River Falls Bridge as it was known for over 60 years was opened in the fall of 1796.

That first bridge collapsed of its own weight in 1804. It was quickly rebuilt with a center pier and opened in 1823. It lasted until 1839 when it was wholly rebuilt except for the stonework. Like its predecessors it was an open bridge with a 4 foot parapet on each side. The bridges were toll bridges until 1852.

By 1854 this bridge was in precarious condition and "not worth repairing". On the morning of August 6, 1854 it was destroyed by fire. Arson was suspected.

A ferry was used until a new free bridge was completed in June 1859. It was the first covered bridge and was christened "Ledyard Free Bridge". (This is the bridge in the etching).

It proved to be very sturdy, surviving the great freshets of 1869 and 1927. With repairs and changes it stood for 75 years. In 1935 it was replaced by a steel and concrete span which was then rebuilt in 1998/2002.

 

10/30/08 - A note from Sara Allen -- "So glad you put that article about the dedication of our new Gunstock Nordic Clubhouse named for Gary in the Indian Drum . Thanks. I was sad to miss the mini-reunion in September. Gary died just one month after the one we attended the year before."

 

11/22/08 -- Your editor and Hazel are just back from Bozeman, Montana, where we had a great family reunion and I got inducted into my 90's. The weather was great and the peaks around the Gallatin Valley white with snow. Air travel isn't much fun anymore.

 

11/27/08 -- The Jacobys and Sally Wriggins and her daughter Dinny joined us here in Etna for Thanksgiving. Dinner was graced by three wild turkeys sauntering across the backyard.

 

Here's a list of living classmates as of the date that this goes to press. 79 of us will have reached 90 years of age or more by New Year's Eve.

•  Adams Josiah Joe •  Armanini Joseph Joe •  Armstrong Robert Bob•  Ashley Gardner Gard

•  Baumer Edwin Ed •  Bernstein Walter Walt •  Blake William Bill •  Blanchard Lloyd Lloyd

•  Bloede Victor Vic •  Braden Thomas •  Bruch Karl Karl •  Bumsted William Bill

•  Burnett Sherwood Joe •  Carlson Walter Mike •  Carpenter James Jim •  Case John Johnny

•  Christopher Joseph Joe •  Cockley Eben Eb •  Cowan John Jack •  Cross Malcolm Mac

•  Dance Walter Dave •  Darnley James Doc •  Dau Ray •  Davenport David Dave

•  Doyle Kelvin Kel •  Espy James Bruce •  Falkenau Clifford Cliff •  Fish David Dave

•  Fox Eldon Don •  French Arthur Art •  Fuld Fred Fred •  Gardiner Edward Ed

•  Gates Theodore Ted •  George Thomas Tom •  Gibson David Pete •  Gray Richard Dick

•  Gutman Alvin Vene •  Halpern John Jack •  Halsey William Bill •  Hanchette Russell Russ

•  Heaton Herbert Herb •  Heer Richard Dick •  Hewitt Robert Bud •  Holmes Lewis Jack

•  Huber Joseph Joe •  Huffman William Bill •  Hunter Douglas Doug •  Hutchinson William Hutch

•  Imo John Fran •  Ingersoll John D. Jack •  Jacoby Ned Jake •  Johnson Alan Bud AKA Stein

•  Jones Charles Charlie •  Joseph William Bill •  Kantor Raymond Ray •  King Stafford Staff

•  MacPhail Stuart Stu •  Maier Carl Carl •  Marshall Robert Bob •  Moore John John

•  Myers Gilbert Gil •  Palmer Ralph •  Peacock John •  Pellington William Bill

•  Preiss Jack •  Raymond Harry Bud •  Reighard Rodney •  Rice David Dave

•  Rideout Percy Perc •  Rose Louis Lou •  Rosen Henri Hank •  Rosenthal Allan Allan

•  Rubin Martin •  Rutherford William Bill •  Schaye James Jim •  Schechter Edward Ed

•  Schnitzer Gerald Jerry •  Schwarz Hugh •  Seller Welles Brud •  Sinclair William Bill

•  Skinner Robert Bob •  Smallwood William Bill •  Stockwell Howard Howie •  Stokes Henry Henry

•  Sudarsky Joseph Joe •  Sutherland Hector Hec •  Tatgenhorst Charles Tag •  Thorpe Alton Al

•  Toan Danforth Dan •  Tredup James Jim •  Valensi Stephen Steve •  Wagner William Bill

•  Weed Walker Ike •  Weil Robert Bob •  Weinberg Jay Jay•  Wetzler Robert Bob

•  Wheelock Seymour Sey •  Whitney Elliott Web •  Willetts John Johnny •  Wotherspoon William

•  York Richard Dick •  Zagor Howard Howie =================================================================================
John Schnell Reitzell of Baton Rouge, LA died 09/18/08. His wife predeceased him. He left
3 children. Next of kin is John S. Reitzell, no address given.

  Sarah Ellsworth Bogan informs us that her mother, Barbara L. Ellsworth, widow of Ted Ellsworth, "died peacefully at home with her family on November 8 th , 2008. She loved Dartmouth and continued her support long after Ted died in 1986. Please give our best wishes to Ted's classmates and their wives. Barbara enjoyed their class reunions. Sincerely, the Ellsworth Family."

John Stark died 11/10/08 in Venice Florida. He is survived by his widow Anna M. Stark at 454 Lake of the Woods Drive, Venice, FL 34293-4170, phone 941-408-9532, and their four children.

Jean Sheldon, widow of George Sheldon, died December 7 th , 2008 in Oakmont , PA.

12/16/08 -- Fall term exams were over on December 10 th , and the campus is quieter until January. We had a ferocious ice storm on the 14 th , and many places in the area are still without power. We only lost ours for about 8 hours. A thaw with temperatures up to 51 degrees yesterday cleaned the ice off the trees.

I am still coming up short with news from you with which to fill the Indian Drum , but will send it to press anyway so that you will have holiday greetings from Hanover and best wishes for 2009. - Ike