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31 | In the absence of any fresh news, the following notes are gleaned from responses to inquiries about the intentions of '31ders to return for last June's 75th Reunion. Ralph Carpenter (Ralph E. Jr., 30 Atlantic Ave., Newport, RI 02840-3100) is working on a book on the history of the city of Newport. I understand he has long been involved in the preservation of the historic grand "cottages" in the town.He said that there "was only a 5 percent chance that he could get back to Reunion. That evidently dwindled down to zero by June. Veasey B.Cullen (26348 Arcadia Shores Cir., Easton, MD 21601-7920) was reported to be unable to talk on the phone. A "caregiver" said there was no chance that he could come. (Sadly, there were all too may responses like this.)

From Jim Knipe (James R., 728 Norristown Rd., Apt. D203, Lower Gwynedd, PA 19002): "Have had heart problems. Still walking around. Certainly not as strong as I used to be, but hope to see all of you June 8, 2006." In a spring follow-up phone conversation, Jim still expected to come to our 75th, but still later he decided it was more than he should undertake (not an intentional pun!), and he had to cancel. Gene Maiorana (Eugene E., 15029 16th Rd., 2nd Fl.,Whitestone, NY 13050-3117): "Had a heart attack and was in the hospital for an extended period.Have to be careful. Everything in moderation.Will not be able to come to Reunion." (That makes two that were counted on!) Bill Neckerman (William M., 1310 Fifth Ave., Apt. 506, Youngstown, OH 44504): "I moved into a Presbyterian retirement home in 1996. I get excellent care and am kept busy with exercise classes and entertainment programs. Unfortunately, I am unable to travel, so I cannot make the reunion."

Hurray for Rosemary Hunt Todd (200 Alliance Way, Unit 239C, Manchester, NH 03102)! She was one of the five who came to Reunion—with her daughter Sally Solmssen of Summit, NJ. Earlier she had written, "Have an attractive apartment for independent living near one of my daughters.My family gets me from summer spots on Lake Michigan to Chicago to Martha's Vineyard. I now have 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren." Bill Vogel (William H. Jr., 1361 E. Boot Rd., Apt. 111,West Chester, PA 19380) sent me some pictures of himself and two of his WWII "buddies" at a recent reunion. The snapshot of himself shows a 2004 Bill Vogel in his own 1940s dress blue uniform! (Can anyone else make that boast?) In response to my request, Bill sent me a quite lengthy account of his wartime service. I carefully filed it away for this occasion—so carefully that I can't find it right now! However, the essence of his tale was that he was drawn in very early—in 1941— and sent to Iceland, where he spent a long stretch operating one of the very first, newly invented radar units, watching out for German attacks on shipping in the Atlantic, or fearfully on the mainland US. He named one of the positions for the equipment "Camp Cornell." Bill is another of the regulars who was a "definite" for our 75th, but had to cancel at the last minute.

Larry Waitz, DVM '31 (Dr. Lawrence T., 4595 Skunk Lane, Cutchogue, NY 11935): "I can no longer travel because of age (95) and the usual ailments—hearing loss, blood pressure, loss of eyesight in one eye, prostate, etc. etc. etc. I am very fortunate to have no pain and be able to walk around my home and yard. I was an avid sailor for 50 years, both cruising and racing. I have been retired for many years. I took up painting in 1967 and have had many shows and sold many paintings. I believe I am the last surviving veterinarian of the Class of 1931." Reta MayburyWaln (Mrs. James A., 1900 Lauderdale Dr., #D108, Richmond,VA 23233-3942): "I am 99 years old. I am in very good health and still very active. I live independently in a Richmond Baptist lifecare home—a truly wonderful place. Here we have excellent care from the staff and the residents are also loving and caring." -- Bill Vanneman, 237 N.Main St., Apt. 250, S. Yarmouth, MA 02664-2088; e-mail, ggrampi@yahoo.com; tel., (508) 760-4250.

32 | Shortly after settling into a job during the summer of 1932 I was told that a group of Cornell alumni met for lunch every Friday at a round table in the Buffalo Athletic Club. Although most of the regular attendees were far older than I, it was my good fortune to make many enduring friendships. One who remains vivid in my memory was H.Halsey Miller '11. In the course of time I learned that Halsey's father,William H.Miller 1889, despite never finding time to finish his studies at Cornell, designed many structures on the campus and elsewhere in Ithaca. Among them is the Andrew D.White mansion. If you have not been back to the campus in a long time, you will be delighted to see how extensive rehabilitation and restoration have brought the old lady back to life.

Morris Bishop '14, PhD '26's A History of Cornell tells how "Jennie McGraw, wealthy and idle, decided to build a great house" and W. H.Miller drew plans for a Gothic pile cunningly adapted to modern use. The site chosen was a fine one situated between University Avenue and Fall Creek, and the house was apparently intended to be the flagship of Ithaca dwellings. Jennie did not live long enough to enjoy its elegance, so the mansion came down and the land was acquired by Chi Psi. Bishop's ever-present wit shows through in the following quote: "Jennie went to Europe and bought furnishings and works of art, noteworthily (for $4,000) Randolph Roger's sculpture ‘The Pleiad Missing from the Sky' which is now in the Art Institute of Chicago (in the cellar, I suspect)."As to William H.Miller, he had a tremendous impact on the campus, as evidenced by Barnes Hall, Boardman, Lincoln, Stimson,Morse, the Library, and others. Before I leave the subject of buildings I must note an observation Hiram Corson made about Goldwin Smith Hall. He called it "a Greek temple with bungalow trimmings."

Another senior friend and Buffalonian was Charles K. Bassett '14, who made a significant contribution to the pleasure of being on the Cornell campus, although Charlie's gift arrived too late for us who left in 1932. The original gift of Jennie McGraw consisted of nine bells. The two additional bells, a D-Sharp and an F-Sharp, I am told by people who know more about music than I, increase the tonal range of the chimes. Since then I believe there have been other additions. President White is said to have been impressed by some "changes" he heard one Christmas Eve in London and ordered that the "changes" open each day's activities on campus. I believe they still do.

Discussions on all sorts of topics livened the Friday luncheons and on one occasion it turned to an article in Life magazine that purported to investigate the question of whether it was actually possible to throw a curve ball. There were even stop-action photos, which were apparently intended to establish something or other . . . I can't remember what. One regular with much seniority was Harry Harding, PhD 1910. Sometimes called "Judge" or "Commissioner," I think that Harry held some sort of judicial position, but in any case he was much respected. As the discussion became unpleasantly heated,Harry brought it to an end with the announcement, "This is nonsense. I THREW curves." -- Jim W. Oppenheimer, 140 Chapin Pky., Buffalo, NY 14209; tel., (716) 886-1314.

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35 | Dear Classmates: I apologize again for missing a recent column because of a lack of news. Hopefully, my fresh supply will last through the year. I don't know that it was missed because the only person who showed concern was a friend from the Class of 1936!

Jack Todd (Blackburn Rd., RD #4, Sewickley, PA 15143) writes that he retired in 1975 and has six grandchildren and seven greats. You will recall that Jack was a longtime president of the Men's Class of 1935 (1937-1955?), following the untimely death of Bill Foote, who was elected president during our senior year. Jack, please let me know if the years I show are not correct. You must have many reminiscences that would be great to share.We would welcome them.

We have received from the Buffalo News the obituary of Marjorie Block Friedman, who passed away July 11, 2006. Described by family members as a "word freak,"Marjorie was editor for ten years of the Enigma, a national magazine devoted to esoteric word puzzles. One of her three daughters, Kitty Goodman, said she was a sports fanatic who never missed "Jeopardy" or "Wheel of Fortune" and read the New Yorker faithfully for 65 years. Her volunteer activities included tutoring immigrants in English and working with Planned Parenthood.

Elizabeth Williams Stavely (10961 Gurley Lane,Mendocino, CA 95460) writes that she enjoyed our 70th Reunion very much. She says she has become much more lame than when she was in Ithaca, causing her to cut down on her activities except for bridge. She blames the wet Northern California for the problem. Esther Major Batchelder (555 N. Broad St., Apt. 604B, Doylestown, PA 18901) says she is enjoying senior apartment housing after years of caring for a house and acreage. Her attention is now on her family, particularly her five great-grandchildren in London and Virginia. She has recently visited London, Scotland, and San Francisco. Gaert Gudernatch, MD '39 (17 Cobble Rd., Salisbury, CT 06068) was honored by the Town of Sharon with his picture on the cover of its 2005 Annual Report.He is now partially disabled and housebound, but is taking some interesting history courses.

As I write, the summer here has reached its wonderful phase, so I will wish all of you the best and hope you will send me your news. -- Albert G. Preston Jr., 252 Overlook Dr., Greenwich, CT 06830; tel., (203) 869-8387; e-mail, davada35@aol.com.

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38 | "I'm gardening my extensive layout here in Sequim," writes Walter Tatum (Sequim,WA; walterbertha@peoplepc.com). And that's not all. "I also play pool in my rec room, work crossword puzzles, and attend family functions, as well as participate in Rotary Club and do art work. Sold all our property in California to come live in Sequim. I am also class director for the Hotel school for '34, '36, and '38. I'd fish for salmon, but the weather is too hard on us seniors in winter." Walter's favorite Cornell memory is the time he competed in the 100-yard dash against Jesse Owens in the Penn Relays. Jesse, of course, won the Olympic 100 and 200 in 1936.

William Smith II (Big Flats, NY) was inducted into the Steuben County Hall of Fame on April 22. He got the nickname "Cadillac" Smith 40 years ago when he was given money by the federal government to plow under part of his corn crop and used it to buy a new Cadillac and drive it to Washington, DC, to criticize government waste. Elected to the NYS Senate in 1961, he served as Deputy Majority Leader for ten years. In 1981, he helped write the state's Stop DWI program.

Class co-presidents William and Elsie Harrington Doolittle (Glastonbury, CT) wrote last spring. Elsie volunteers at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art and keeps ahead of the housework. She says Bill's present day job is a "secret.""After-hours" activities for both of them are numerous and varied. In addition, Bill is learning billiards at the town's new community center, and they both help get out the class News and Dues letter.

Arch Petty sent the most recent correspondence.When he wrote in July, he was waiting for hurricane season to hit and taking an aspirin a day.What he said he'd rather be doing is playing golf. Arch remembers the beautiful Cornell campus from his days on the Hill. Sounds like it's time to think about coming back to Ithaca for the 70th Reunion in June 2008! -- Class of '38, c/o Cornell Alumni Magazine, 401 East State St., Ithaca, NY 14850.

39 | There are no messages from our class members this time. This is the first time this has happened in the three years that I've been our class correspondent. However, I received from Cornell an up-to-date listing of all classmates and it seemed appropriate to analyze our performance—since we are all in the 90- year-old ballpark now. Here is what I learned:

1) Of the 677 original graduates for the Men of 1939, 27 percent, or 180, are apparently still alive and kicking. 2) In the three years of my experience, only 62 men have sent in any news items; this is only 34 percent of those apparently able to do so. 3) In other words, there are 146 men I'm waiting to hear from.

So how about you fellows taking a pen and paper and sending in some news, or tell about some of your experiences for the past 90 years. You can send it directly to me at the following address (by US Mail or by e-mail) or return the News Form from our annual News and Dues fall mailing in the envelope provided. v Phil Twitchell, 1963 Indian Valley Rd., Novato, CA 94947; e-mail, philtwitchell@comcast.net.

Phil Twitchell describes some interesting statistics in this issue regarding our male classmates. Statistics, of course, rely on some common characteristics that permit classification by groups, and these groups also apply to my female classmates. However, following are some uncommon characteristics of these women that perhaps defy statistical analysis. Not having obtained permission from any of these wonderful friends to portray their unique accomplishments, I take the liberty of using only their initials as a hint of identification and to add verisimilitude to these remarkable tales. Of the many such tales I could recite, here are just a few examples.

DRS piloted B17 bombers to England during WWII. As if these rare acts of courage and skill were not enough, she flew her aircraft upside down at frequent intervals, righting it for meals and other necessary interludes. This uncommon practice had the advantages of confusing enemy fighter planes and anti-aircraft gunners, keeping a nourishing supply of blood to her brain, and preventing the onset of varicose veins in her legs. Two of these advantages are still evident to all who see DRS at reunions.

EFB built a magnificent home in Blue Hill, ME, with her own hands. It overlooks a huge bay occupied by seals and other sea creatures. A powerful telescope is permanently mounted in the living room to see them at close range. Nearby, EFB tends a garden that provides vegetables and fruits, some of which she cans for winter consumption. The basement houses a complete woodworking shop, where she turns out artistic and useful items of professional excellence. From her vineyard, she makes wines and liqueurs of astounding taste and power.

ELW wears tennis shoes as she lobs her well-directed shots against her husband Bill, but she is far from the "old lady in tennis shoes." You can spot her racing around Hamburg to her daily assortment of worthwhile activities, a continuation of her undergraduate days at the same enthusiastic pace. She deserves great credit in avoiding expressions of wifely concern for Bill's safety as he pilots his plane.

EPA has devoted a lifetime of dedication to education, sometimes of an unusual sort. She has, for instance, undertaken the teaching of visiting foreign businessmen, as well as encouraging high school students to avoid the use of "I mean, y'know, man" and other interjections of popular speech. Her ideas of education would go far in stemming its decline and ultimate fall.

If you can't guess the identity of the classmates mentioned here, send some news of your own and I will seek permission to reveal their names. -- Ruth Gold Goodman (with assistance from Bernie '41), 103 White Park Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850; e-mail, BG11@cornell.edu.