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| MAR./APR. 2004 VOLUME 106 NUMBER 5 | Class Notes |
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29 | 25-29-75-6-10-04-UAU! If you haven't figured that out after a minute or so, it's a call to all good (there are none but) members of the Class of 1929 who are to celebrate our 75th Reunion come June. You have to have been good to get this far!
It's going to be interesting to see how many of us make it! At our 70th in 1999, some 13 of us signed in—and had a great time. Several of that group have passed on, but the rest of us form a nucleus for this June. The Alumni Office says 60 '29ers are still around.What shape we're in is the important thing. Looks like the statement "Can't travel" sums it up for many. Hope you're better off!
I'm signed up to travel, but I live in downtown Ithaca and feast my eyes daily on Cornell. Elsie Clark Paolini is the only other classmate whom the Alumni Office says has indicated she's planning to come.Hope you're going to try and make it. "Nursing home" is the address, or part of it, of a number of us, and other questionnaires come with "We regret to inform you . . . "
Although friends say I don't look like, or act like 98,my age is typical of the class. I get some walking in most days, sleep pretty well most of the time, don't worry about what I eat, but find bran flakes and prunes helpful, and still play a mean game of pinochle!
Philip Freund, MA '32, five years my junior, probably is the most productive classmate at this time. A new edition of his Myths of Creation was published in England and the US last year. Three volumes of his series Stage by Stage (The Birth of Theatre) will come out this year.
Would be great to hear from you all! Carry on! -- Frank Schaefer, 625 McGraw House, Ithaca, NY 14850; tel., (607) 277-3867.
31 | By a string of small world, happy, lucky, and unlikely coincidences the following "Profile in Courage" (if I may borrow from JFK) was brought to my attention. It appeared as an editorial in the New York Times on Jan. 22, '03, the 30th anniversary of Roe v.Wade, under the caption "A Forgotten Hero." The title and the editorial refer to our late classmate George M. Michaels. Regardless of the position each of us may take on the still controversial issue involved, I submit that the Class of 1931 and all of Cornell should take great pride in the courage that George displayed as described in the following excerpt from that editorial.
"Among [the heroes of important causes] is an unlikely and largely forgotten local hero named George Michaels, who died in 1992. As a Democratic member of the New York State Assembly in 1970, Mr.Michaels cast the deciding vote to repeal the state's criminal sanctions against abortion, thereby dooming his chance of re-election from his largely rural, conservative, and heavily Catholic upstate district, and helping to set the stage for the Supreme Court's landmark decision three years later making abortion legal nationwide.
"In a new memoir, Aryeh Neier '58, the civil liberties and human rights activist, recalls watching crestfallen from the Statehouse gallery in 1970, believing abortion reform had been defeated, when Mr. Michaels rose in a hushed Assembly chamber to announce tearfully he was switching his vote. ‘I realize, Mr. Speaker,' he declared, ‘that I am terminating my political career, but I cannot in good conscience sit here and allow my vote to be the one that defeats this bill.' The nation could use many more like George Michaels."
Among the chain of coincidences that led me to this gem is, first, that my son Reeve "Ting" Vanneman '67 and George's son Rabbi James Michaels '68 were friends at Cornell . . . The latter was moved to send Ting a note of congratulations on his induction into the Cornell Athletic Hall of Fame . . . James happened to mention that their fathers were in the same class at Cornell, so Ting sent me a copy of the note . . . This time I did what I should do, but often fail to get around to doing— wrote James of my high regard for his father and for his late mother Helen (Wetzler), also a classmate . . . James very kindly replied and, inter alia, mentioned the New York Times editorial, which, of course, out in the fog and mist of the Cape I had not seen . . . Again, uncharacteristically, I got around to writing James to ask if he had a copy of the editorial. He did not have one handy, but sent me the date on which it appeared . . . The South Yarmouth Library saves copies of the Times for only a short time . . . I thought I could get a copy from the WWW, but with my very limited skills with the computer I knew it was beyond me . . . But the kindly reference librarian came back from lunch just as I was about to depart in despair . . . Yes! she would try to get me a copy—did I have a credit card with me? I did, and she got me the copy!
At any one of the ellipses in the preceding account, the chain could have been broken, and I would not have been able to share this "Profile in Courage" with you, and make this genuine class "hero" not quite so "forgotten." --Bill Vanneman, 237 N. Main St., S. Yarmouth, MA 02664-2088; e-mail, ggrampi@gis.net.
32 | For at least the second time in the 40 years during which I have been filling space in the Class Notes section of this magazine I have committed the most egregious offense with which a class correspondent can be charged. I missed the deadline for this issue. If the editor is in a kindly mood, the offering may appear on time; otherwise it might show up in the May/June magazine.
Mary Kelly Northrup '38, widow of Charles V., BArch '33, sent the Office of Alumni Affairs a note telling us that Charles passed away at his home in North Palm Beach. He and Mary had moved to Florida some years ago and the News and Dues Form we received in October 1994 carried the following note: "Happy we made the move to Florida—super living, swimming every day, etc." Previously, Charles had a distinguished 40-year career as an architect in Rochester.
The Cornell publication Communiqué carried a spread about the eight devoted alumni/ae who received the 2003 Rhodes Award, with a photo and brief column about each awardee. A few months ago I mentioned that Whitey Mullestein was among those so honored.What's new is that there is a great picture of our class president looking very majestic and thoughtful. But he appears not much changed from the animated coxswain who used to boss all those big oarsmen.
The late John V. Rice used to supply me with recollections of growing up as a campus brat. Here are a few quotes from a letter he wrote me in 1999: "I lived at 108 Wait Ave. and my dad was Cornell Class of 1890 and became head of Poultry Husbandry and built it up under Dean Liberty Hyde Bailey. One night when he and Mrs. Bailey were over for dinner he presented me with a book of his poems called Wind & Weather, which I still have. He was the first dean, and I have had the privilege of meeting every one except one who was recruited from Washington, DC, and lasted about two years. The farmers did not like him."
Johnny's letter continues: "After Colonel Barton the next colonel had twin redheaded boys. This was at the period between the two world wars when the Drill Hall housed some big guns that were used when the ROTC students drilled out in the country. The twin redheads knew where the blanks were kept, secured several, and when no one was around loaded a blank into a gun stored in Barton Hall and blew out most of the windows at the east end." He adds: "I met the surviving twin many years ago in Florida and foolishly brought up the subject. He was not pleased." -- Jim W. Oppenheimer, 140 Chapin Pkwy., Buffalo, NY 14209-1104.
34 | Winter really hit the Northeast! A heavy blanket of snow had arrived as I sat to write the column. Looking at the bright side—it means no more leaf raking until spring!
Congratulations to Bill Kaskela, M Ed '39. He writes,"High five for Bill Kaskela—still alive at 95!" Bill's track and cross-country prowess in college has given him longevity—and a sense of humor, too. Bill must be among '34's oldest living classmates. Dick Hosley of Marblehead, MA, has sold his Florida home.He'll no longer spend the winter in the South, but will live full-time in his Marblehead home.
Rod Crowley had his 90th birthday in February 2003. His family and close friends celebrated it with him at the Orange Lawn Tennis Club. By the time you read this he will have had yet another birthday. Rod had a wonderful trip viewing the spectacular scenery in Oregon and Washington states. He hopes to return to Ithaca for our 70th come June. Hope to see you there, Rod. Irving Taylor writes from San Rafael, CA, that his wife passed away this last fall after a long illness.We send condolences from the Class of '34, Irving. Because of eye problems he no longer drives a car or flies a plane. He stays active. Says he is blessed with four children and two grandchildren. Hopes to be back for our 70th.We look forward to greeting you in Ithaca.
John F.Kelley passed away in Spokane,WA, in September 2003.We received this sad news from one of his brothers, Thomas D.Kelley '31. John and his two brothers, all Cornellians, practiced law in the Spokane area—the only three brothers practicing law in the State ofWashington. Thank you for writing, Thomas.We send our sympathy to you and to John's family.
My wife Anne and I celebrated our 66th anniversary in November 2003. Next is my 92nd birthday this spring, followed by our 70th Reunion in June. That's a lot to look forward to and lots to be grateful for. Three of our grandchildren have Cornell undergraduate degrees, and our fourth, who went elsewhere, is in line to receive his Cornell MBA next June. I feel so grateful to be a Cornellian and for all the ways Cornell has helped me and my family.
I am sad to report that our classmate Karl Schmidt died in California earlier this last fall. Karl had a real love for Cornell and was a willing and effective worker for '34. He was a class officer and had written Class Notes for several years. Karl lived to celebrate his 90th birthday last summer.He fought cancer courageously for several years. One of his wishes, he told me in our phone conversations, was to live to get back for his 70th Reunion. He had never missed a Class of '34 reunion since graduation. Karl did not get that wish.We will miss you next June, Karl. You will be remembered and we will drink a toast to you! To Karl's wife Jeanne and his family, we send our deepest sympathy.
Early notices of those planning or hoping to return for reunion are coming in. So far we have 12 yes and three hopefuls. They are: Eddie Borjesson, Marcus Breier, JD '36, Jim Bruner, Charlie Day, Ed McCabe, Vashti McCollum, Helen Munson, Dick Rozelle, Winnie Saltzman, Irene V. Skinner, BS '36, MS '45, Irving Taylor, Norm Thetford, MD '38, and George Tretter. There will be more. Please send in your notice of intent—make plans to join us for this "last hurrah." The more the merrier, and we all want a "merry old time!"
As I write this, the holidays are approaching. I hope your holiday season was full of joy, love, and happiness, and that 2004 brings good health and prosperity to all our classmates. -- William R. Robertson, 143 Rivermead Rd., Peterborough, NH 03458; tel., (603) 924-8654.
Such wonderful optimism! Of course we will try to get back for our 70th Reunion—and how great it is that Winnie Loeb Saltzman and Ed McCabe are still cooking up all the arrangements. After all, June 2004 really isn't that far away. So just hang in there!
Pauline Babcock Fox sent me a brochure about the special academy named for her that "provides a full service academic program committed to helping young women make choices to improve their lives now and in the future." Services are individualized to meet special needs. Betty Buck Reynolds was honored for her 90th birthday. Did you know that she is a physicist who writes inspirational articles for children? Betty is active in her church, a garden club, Kankakee Little Theater, and the Niagara County Historical Society of New York—among other things. How about that!
Alice Goulding Herrmann is now in Connecticut in a retirement home—many people but no Cornellians—that's tough.Her daughter lives nearby which helps. Irene Van Deventer Skinner, BS '36, MS '45, wrote a lovely long letter. She grew up in the Finger Lakes region and now her youngest grandson is going to school in Canandaigua. She lives with her daughter and family in New London, OH, and has entertained graduate students from Cornell so keeps actively in touch with news of the campus.
Tena Talsky Lack does a little gentle bragging (allowed) that she plays golf and bridge and can still drive at night. She and Phillip will celebrate their 65th anniversary in December. Hurrah! Janice Buckley Lynch writes about the joy of having two sons, four grandsons, six granddaughters, and one great-grandson. One grandson loves Cornell so much he bought a house in the area for future retirement plans.
I have now exhausted all the news that was in my possession, so think of other items and send them on. I hope you all have a wonderful 2004. Keep well, and know that I enjoy hearing from you. -- Eleanor "Dickie" Mirsky Bloom, 463 77th St., Brooklyn, NY 11209.
35 | It seems that every time I am facing a column deadline, I am also confronting unusual weather. This time it is a two-headed blizzard, with the second phase just beginning.When you read about it, you will probably be enjoying a beautiful pre-spring day.
Dorothy Preston and I, with Viola Henry Miller-Mullane, our reunion chairman, attended the festivities connected with the inauguration of President Jeffrey Sean Lehman '77 in mid-October. As a representative of the Class of 1935, I wore a cap and gown for the first time since June 17, '35 in a somewhat abbreviated version of the academic procession. There was plentiful wining and dining on Thursday, followed by a gala Inaugural Ball on Friday.We would like to thank Margaret Gallo of Alumni Affairs for her magic in procuring transport at appropriate moments through her indispensable cell phone.
My store of news items will be totally depleted when I close this column, I regret to say. I do have several forms without names. In the routine they go through in Ithaca, they are separated from their envelopes long before they reach me, so I cannot match them. I do apologize.
Joseph Cohen, BArch '36, has retired from the architecture business and with wife Mildred operates a mobile home park at 620 Barstow Rd., Albany, GA 31705. That should keep any couple busy, but they still find plenty of time for dancing. Joseph has four children, five step-children, seven grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, and five step-great-grandchildren. A great family! Frederick Miller is retired and, after lots of great trips, he and wife Mary relax at home at 242 Old Comers Rd., Chatham, MA 02633, where he really "works" at golf. He keeps in touch with his fraternity classmate John Sullivan, BArch '36.
Lucille Bethke Bateman of 7215 Conway Circle, Belle Isle, FL 32809 retired in 1982 and enjoys her two sons who live nearby. She no longer travels, but did visit the South Pacific twice in earlier days. She is an elementary school volunteer and keeps active in church and women's clubs and a Hospice group. She has a Lakeside Park named in her honor. Congratulations, Lucille. Belle Isle is lucky to have you.
Frank Wolfsheimer writes from 2725 Newlands St.NW,Washington, DC 20015 that he is on dialysis three times a week, which takes a lot of his time, as does the stock market. His son Bruce provides him great help.He has two other sons and two grandchildren, a Brown grad and a Brandeis grad. L. Robert Crane, M Ed '40, of Box 156R, RD 1, Morrisville, NY 13402 is retired, but keeps busy with winemaking, fishing, and gardening. In winter he shovels snow. He and his wife have six children.
Do not hesitate to send along any news to me via e-mail or US mail, and start thinking about our reunion in June 2005. -- Albert G. Preston Jr., 252 Overlook Dr., Greenwich, CT 06830; tel., (203) 869-8387; e-mail, davada35@aol.com.
36 | Recently I suggested that you let us know more about your children, and this has produced the following from Jerome Sherk, who lives in Miami, FL. "I have a son in Haifa, teaching at the U. of Haifa; my grandson and daughter served in the Israeli army and now study in Hebron or farm in the West Bank. My daughter worked for AID in Peru, married a Peruvian, and has a son in high school and two adopted children in elementary school. She counsels low-income mothers of newborns in DC." Thanks, Jerome. Nice to hear from you.
Then we have the following from James K. Thomas, who lives in Sun City West, AZ, from October to April, and then in Kailua-Kona, HI, in the summer (I guess he had enough snow in Ithaca to last a lifetime). Jim says, "I'm ‘a bit' late with this. I wrote my check and laid this aside to provide some news and it just surfaced. Sorry about it and I'll do better next time." So we'll have to wait awhile for the news, but in the meantime it's nice to know that you are thinking about us, Jim. And that is the sum total of the news for this edition.
When I started this job I made some suggestions about things we would be interested in hearing about each other, regardless of how well we may have been acquainted at Cornell, and for some time you kept me busy and the column full with your responses. But now that has changed. In thinking about it, I realize that over the years when I read the Class Notes I look first for the '36 column, and in that column I look for names of people who had been my friends and acquaintances when we were there. After that I look at the '34, '35, '37, and '38 columns for the same reason, and then I get to the news about Cornell and its articles (both of which are being very well presented since the format changed). It's kind of like when I read the daily newspapers—after the gloom and doom, it's the news about people I've heard of that interests me most and I suspect this holds true for most of us.
So when we send in news about ourselves for the column, how big is our "audience"? I can't give you a number for the four classes I've mentioned above, but I've been told that there are only one hundred and nine of our class who still get the alumni magazine, and we will be lucky if each of us knew ten of that group. So what I'm getting to is that when you think about sending news about yourselves for the column, you are doing it for a very limited number of people and you don't even know who they are. Even when we include those in the classes immediately before and after us, the number is pretty small. This raises the question: Is the column now worthwhile? Should we continue it (I hope so!), and if so, how can we make the best use of it? For instance, would you be interested in my publishing the names of all of the 109 present readers, so you know who's out there that you know and will be interested in getting news about you?
Please let me have your thoughts, comments, and suggestions, and don't forget to send in whatever news you have. -- Bill Hoyt, 8090 Oakmont Dr., Santa Rosa, CA 95409; e-mail, subilhoyt@sbcglobal.net.
37 | Robert Hayman filled out his class news form on his 88th birthday last October. He enjoys golf, bridge, and travel—last year it was a South Pacific cruise to Hawaii, Tahiti, and New Zealand. Bob and Joan have four children, including Cornellians Amy Jo Pasmantur '75 and Richard Pasmantur '77, and two granddaughters. Bob volunteers several days a week at the hospital in Boca Raton, FL.
From Clifton Springs Jesse Dalrymple writes that his hobbies include arising in the morning. He also confides that he has outlived his enemies. The 70th reunion of his high school class of '33—now numbering two—wasn't terribly exciting, he admits. Cornellians in the Dalrymple family are son William '76, MS Ag '81, daughters Marya Dalrymple '70 and Elaine Dalrymple '73, MS '90, and granddaughter Kajsa Dalrymple '05.
Clayton Axtell Jr., JD '40, still keeps daily office hours at his Binghamton law firm.He has retired as president of the Conrad and Virginia Klee Foundation. A Kiwanian, he enjoys gardening and bowling. Three of Clayton's children are Cornellians: Margaret Axtell Stevenson '66, Clayton Axtell III '70, JD '73, and Karen Axtell Arnold '74. Granddaughter Amanda Stevenson '99 is a fourth-generation Cornellian.
Peter Cantline is an avid "reader" in spite of limited vision, thanks to "talking books" from the NY State library system, and he has enjoyed more than a score in the past year. The Cantlines have an apartment in the Glen Arden life-care center in Goshen, NY, spacious enough for the grand piano that was Pete's wedding gift to his bride Beth years ago. Beth plays in the lounge at the center and for entertainments.
Our co-presidents Edward and Doris Thompson Shineman are proud of their fourgeneration Cornell family. It started with Doris's father Ray Thompson 1909, and includes Ed and Doris, their sons Tom (Edward T.) '65 and Alan '69, and granddaughters Katryn '96 and Diana '02. There are four other "non-Cornell" grandchildren in the family. Ed has been tapering off on serving in the corporate world and is now a member of only two boards of directors. One of the companies, Tacconic Farms, which raises rats and mice for research, last year received an order from NASA for a batch of animals to arrive at the Space Center eight days pregnant at the time of liftoff into space. -- Robert A. Rosevear, 2714 Saratoga Rd. N., DeLand, FL 32720-1403.
It is so interesting for me to read and write about all the exciting things that occur in your lives and to share all the news about your activities, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with all of you.
Flora Daniel Glass, who is presently living in a retirement home, writes that she is on "the library committee, preparing new books for circulation, and inventorying books on the shelves; on the conservatory committee, watering plants; on the newsletter committee—or, actually I am the committee since I thought up the idea and assemble the newsletter; and visit the sick in the hospital unit. I also work in the shop at St. Paul's and help prepare the weekly Parish Notes."
Barbara KeeneyMandigo celebrated a 63rd wedding anniversary with her family this year and is living at the Lake View Terrace Retirement Community in Altoona, FL. Former classmate Adelaide Dolan Hatfield lives there as well. Barbara and her husband have traveled extensively visiting 4-H Club-IFYE people in Eastern Asia countries; and also three visits to Australia and New Zealand. They have had seven exchange students for a year from IFYE, plus supervised exchange houses in Oswego and Cayuga counties. Their camping trips have taken them through South America, Europe, Africa, and Central and Eastern Asia. They volunteer in the skill-care section showing slides and discussing their travels. Granddaughter Danielle is a junior at Cornell.
Ellen Carnell Seaburg has enjoyed 24 years of retirement in Roanoke, VA, where her son William Roy Seaburg '70 is located. She keeps busy with church activities, walking, reading, flower gardening (Laburnim Garden Club), Pi Phi Alumnae Club, and the Tea Sippers group (Britishers). Louise McLean Dunn meets with Albuquerque Cornellians monthly for lunch. She took a trip to Worthington, OH, to visit her son and wife in their new home and also went to Arkansas where she won six blue ribbons for her daffodils. Shirley De Voe Corney is busy attending lectures at SUNY Brockport, book club meetings, and the theater. She traveled north to the Thousand Islands and as far south as Cape Hatteras. Fortunately for her, her two daughters, their spouses, and grandson live only 1/2 hour drive from her, so they get together quite often. Phyllis Weldin Corwin, BS '36, is volunteering in the workroom of the library processing new books—at least 100 every week—plus reading, writing, giving talks to groups, playing bridge, and keeping in contact with Eleanor Raynor Burns, LLB '39, Fran White McMartin, Claire Kelly Gilbert, and Esther Dillenbeck Prudden.
Esther Schiff Bondareff is a docent and avid worker at the Palm Beach Zoo. She is constantly programming and fund-raising for Cornell and is a VP on the club board. Her travels took her to Cuba and then to the inauguration of President Jeffrey Lehman '77. Glenna Vreeland Wilcox has written to us about her summer home right next to the ocean. Usually the four children and spouses, eight grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren come to visit "grandma" from California,Minnesota,Massachusetts, etc., during July and August.However, this past summer they all decided to come at the same time and she said she loved every minute of it. To quote her, "It is a thrill to be holding a baby, and when it needs attention, just hand it over to its parent and say, ‘Here you are, she's yours!' No feedings, changes, baths, even no crying . . . just get up and move to another spot.Wonderful!" She forgot to mention how the cooking was handled for all her visitors!
Bertha Kotwica, MS '54, mentioned that her travels extended to local doctors and hospital as most of her time was taken up with various illnesses. However, she does spend much time reading and gardening when able. I hope you are feeling much better these days, Bertha. -- Selma Block Green, 15 Weaver St., Scarsdale, NY 10583; tel., (914) 472-0535.
38 | Eloise Thro Greenstone '43 sent in this fascinating news about her sister Carol Thro Richardson: "I am so very proud of my sister. At 87 years of age she still is employed by the State of New York as a seafood monitor. Five days a week she goes out on a ship and oversees the crew's work cleansing clams! (The racks of clams are taken aboard and the ship moves to clean waters. The clams are lowered in the racks into the fresher water where they cleanse themselves.) Carol loves being gainfully employed. She also does volunteer work for a Long Island hospital—in her spare time. Recently she came west to have a great visit with me." George Asai gardens and plays nine holes of golf three times a week. He retired from 20 years of federal government service and 20 years of military service in Europe and the Far East.
Alexander Early III (Glendale, CA) says he retired nine years ago as a result of cancer. "Forced to loaf for a few years, I became addicted to it."He has five granddaughters and one grandson. His oldest and youngest granddaughters live with him. His son John, an MBA from Virginia Tech and a CPA, is building houses in Blacksburg, VA. "My newest hobby is high school football, which is excellent. Now if only Cornell . . . !"He also landed in Who's Who: "Somewhere along the line I was made a Knight Commander of the Order of Polonia Restituta (Poland) and Knight Grand Cross of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre (Vatican)."
James Cooney, BS EE '48,writes from Corning, NY:"Marg and I are still relatively healthy.No long-distance traveling much anymore, but it's not really missed.My job entailed traveling both in the US and foreign countries, with my last assignment spending 1 1/2 years in China. I have three sons who live in the Northeast so we visit them from time to time. Best to all."
Preston Weadon, MD '41, practiced neurosurgery in Kalamzoo, MI, until retirement. After stints in Vermont (too cold) and North Carolina (great) he moved back to Kalamazoo to be closer to his children. He still hears from Charles Mosher, MD '41, a CUMC roommate. Other family Cornell grads include his son Mark '72 and Mark's daughter Molly '98, his late brother Don '40, and Don's son Don Jr. '67. "I'm grateful for my wife of 55 years, three children, and five grandchildren, all healthy. Does anyone recall the Book and Bowl Society, now defunct? My membership was deeply rewarding. Comprising faculty and students with literary interests, we met in faculty homes—refreshments limited to snacks, beer, and coffee—and presented our papers. I treasure the memory of a meeting at the home of Morris Bishop '14, BA '13, PhD '26. I learned more from this society than from many regular courses. I was sponsored for membership by Gene Russell '36, an editor of the Cornell Widow. Most impressive was the annual spring banquet with Archibald MacLeish as guest speaker, held at an elegant eatery (The Fontainebleau?) just outside Ithaca. But I bask in nostalgia. Greetings to all surviving '38ers."
M. Celia Coulter wrote from her winter address in New Paltz, NY: "My niece and husband took me to the wedding in Lodi of a grandnephew in August, where I saw almost all of my close relatives, and the rest were at the graduation party for a great-grandnephew in July in Bovina, NY.He graduated from my alma mater and lives in my native town. That is the reason I spend the summers in Walton, NY, as it is nearby. I gave up my car in November and will travel by bus if I come back here. On Emma Hunt's birthday in June I called her. She spends her time quilting."
Jewel Paley's family took her to Hyde Park for her 85th birthday to see FDR's home and Eleanor Roosevelt's Val Kilmer—a delightful visit. She has four beautiful great-grandchildren. Although she gave up tennis last year, she plays golf three times a week. Stephen Roberts, the former Cornell Polo coach from 1947-1972 (a volunteer), has finally given up playing polo after 67 years (1933-2000). "I've got enough sense to walk my dogs and not ride horses! But I'm still attending polo games at Cornell. The women's team is outstanding and the men's team is very good under Coach Dave Eldredge '81 (son of a former player of mine, Halsey Eldredge '44). I also visit the Cornell campus and especially the Veterinary college, even though I have given up regular practice (I like my sleep uninterrupted!). Living for the past ten years with Ruth, my forebearing wife, in the southern tier of NY State has been very pleasant and rewarding."
Charles Lounsbery writes that it's "life as usual and it's great! I'm glad I'm not in my teens. This time of life is wonderful. Gorgeous fall and the trees beautiful shades of yellow, my favorite color. May all keep well -- Class of '38, c/o Cornell Alumni Magazine, 55 Brown Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850-1247; e-mail, cornell_magazine@cornell.edu; or Helen Reichert Chadwick, 225 N. Second St., Lewiston, NY 14092.
39 | It will be nearly spring, I hope, when you read this, although we are inundated with snow now in Ithaca. So far, I have not received any news from you, and so in the face of our 65th Reunion in June,my thoughts have turned to past reunions, especially our 50th. On June 9, 1989, we proudly dedicated our Remembrance Garden at the Plantations. Just in the last three years, our numbers have significantly diminished, and so, with that in mind, I would like to repeat the words I spoke that lovely day in June.
"We who are here today to honor the memory of our classmates, are recalling a special time in our lives, as young women at Cornell. The women of the classes before the Second World War were strongly bound together: by segregation of classes in Sage, Risley, and Balch; by strict rules and curfews; and by a serious economic depression that affected the lifestyles of most of us. The men in our class were not an integral part of our lives; even our governments were separate!
"It was not yet an accepted thing for women to go to college. Those of us who did were ambitious, determined, and very hard-working.We studied hard, preparing for a world that offered little encouragement to educated women who wanted careers.
"The Women's Class of 1939 was small— about 323, I think.We knew almost everyone by sight, and most to talk with.We were competitive, but with great good humor. And we made lasting friendships. There was a warmth, a geniality, a genuine interest in each other that pervaded the class as a whole.We really liked each other. That liking, that warmth, that feeling of belonging is what brings us here today to remember, to laugh a little, and to honor our absent friends. As those of us who remain return to Cornell, we now have our own special place, our perennial garden where we may come to think, to contemplate —and always, to remember." See you in June! -- Ruth Gold Goodman, 103 White Park Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850; e-mail, bg11@cornell.edu.
Whitney Irish writes that he still drives day and night and sings with the local barbershop chapter and his church choir. He now lives at 30 Sullivan Dr., Canton, NY 13617, having moved there from Florida. He also sent me a clipping from the Watertown, NY, paper stating that Alexander Trainor Jr. had died. He had worked for the US Dept. of Agriculture until 1947, then joined the staff of the Ralston Purina Co. In 1951 he purchased a dairy farm, which he sold in 1961, and then semi-retired to care for his father and work part-time for a local funeral home.
Jack Tallman writes that he retired from the DuPont Co. in Wilmington, DE, at the end of 1981 and that his wife had died in 1999. He is now living in Shipley Manor, a retirement home in Wilmington. He states that his grandson Brian Tallman and wife Meg (Valentine), both chemical engineers in the Class of '92, live nearby and have two children, making Jack a great-grandfather.Meg is now president of the Cornell Club of Delaware. Jack's e-mail address is talljack4@aol.com.
Art Moak, a member of the Cornell crew, died two years ago. His brother wrote me recently that he wanted to obtain a copy of Ben Dean's book, volume 2, which is focused on the 1935-39 crew. This request was passed on to Ben who contacted Art's brother. -- Phil Twitchell, 1963 Indian Valley Rd., Novato, CA 94947; email, philtwitchell@comcast.net.