CLASS NOTES and his energetic work maintaining connections between his classmates and NMH.” I also enjoyed 18 holes of golf at the excellent Crumpin-Fox course with Cal Swan, son-inlaw Chris, and Inga. Perhaps the most enjoyable part of reunion was when we all gathered either in our designated dormitory or in the special room designated for us in Alumni Hall (formerly called West Hall) to reminisce and to discuss our present lives. Cal told us that at graduation, his diploma envelope was empty except for a note to see H.L. Baxter, who reminded him that there were eight penalty hours to work off in West Hall scrubbing pots and pans before he was to leave Mt. Hermon— due to smoking infractions. I also had penalty hours to work off after I got caught on the Northfield side of the river by Mr. Baxter and a campus cop, and refused to name my two partners in crime. They were Wink Cornwell, who crossed the main bridge underneath, and Bob Lawton, who ran upstream. My eight penalty hours were completed at the farm the next day after graduation, shoveling manure. Ted “Shovel” Covel still has his wonderful sense of humor. When one of Ted’s teachers came to see him in his room and kept knocking at his locked door, Shovel thought it was one of his classmates and replied, “If you want to see me so badly, just piss under the door and float right in.” When Ed Humphrey stood next to G. Laurence’s door going “croak, croak, croak,” the door suddenly burst open before Ed could get away from the Frog’s angry path. • Don Krueger and Anneliese are frequent cruise travelers. They had just returned from a long trip around the world on the Cunard line prior to reunion. • I worked with Paul Carver for many years at Maguire consulting engineering firm, cleaning up the various rivers, lakes, and harbors. Paul enjoyed model trains and train travel. Some of his favorite train trips were at high altitude in Tibet and on the Trans-Siberian Railroad from China to Moscow. I missed seeing Paul Canada and his son, Andy, who came to reunion late, left early on Saturday, and did not attend the class dinner. Paul is in a wheelchair and made a long and difficult trip from North Carolina by car. • We also enjoyed talking to Alan Moore ’44 about soccer World Cups and his coaching career in soccer and lacrosse. • Arlene Finch Reynolds, with whom I went to the senior prom, is also class secretary. Cal Swan used to date Jacqueline Snyder Johnson. It was interesting to re-connect with them as well as with the four other Northfield classmates. We all resolved to try to be well enough to attend the 75th reunion in 2020. • Ralph Schwaikert died suddenly on 3/8/15. Cal Swan and I had planned to meet Ralph and his wife, Susan, for dinner in March at Hilton Head on our way to Florida. After the death of his father and grandparents, Ralph was placed in an orphanage at age 4, where he spent 10 years until he entered Mt. Hermon on a scholarship. With newly found freedom, he went wild and
50 I NMH Magazine
broke all kinds of rules until he was kicked out and enrolled in Chester Academy. Ralph went on to Hobart College and graduate school at Rutgers. At 29, he became president of Bon Ami Co., and following its sale, president of B.T. Babbitt. He then bought two of its former manufacturing facilities and formed his own successful company, which he sold when he retired at the age of 40. Bored, he bought three new companies, which he managed together with his sons, Bill and Jes. He then sold the first company to American Home Products, the second to Reynolds Metals, and the third to son Bill. Ralph was a member of many golf, social, and tennis clubs. He married Susan and moved to Hilton Head in 1986. With Susan, he leaves his sons Allan, Bill, and Jes, and several grandchildren. Cal and I, shortly after Ralph’s death, kept the scheduled dinner date with Susan. However, we all missed Ralph’s company. • Our current class list contains 53 classmates. There were 183 originally in our class. You are one of the lucky 29 percent to still be alive.
46
Northfield Betty Bolger Fleming bettyb.fleming@verizon.net Podie Shipton Brunton writes, “Hal and I
have much to celebrate. In April we had our 60th wedding anniversary, and this month Hal turned 94. Our daughter and son-in-law live in Columbia, S.C., so all celebrations are bigger and better with them. Hal is still the brainy one, but his walker is indispensable. I am still swimming laps and have a momentary break from tennis with a strained wrist. • Connie Callahan Hornickel had “successful corneal surgery that improved the sight in the right eye (my only usable eye) so that I can see better than I have in the last 20 years. Am now able to participate fully in many volunteer projects throughout the community.” • Alice Elder Leake writes, “My grandson, Teo, moved to Paris for an extended period to attend Ecole 42 in the fall of 2014. In the past, our classmate Jeanette Mitchell has invited classmates to visit her in Paris, so I wrote to ask her if that warm invitation extended to family members of her classmates—and yes, it did. She suggested that Teo call her. After two very pleasant meetings, they plan to get together again when Teo returns from his summer work assignments
Mount Hermon’s class of ’45 pose for their 70th reunion.
in the U.S. Teo is full of praise for Jeanette’s inquiring mind, her scholarship, and her enthusiasm for living a full life. Jeanette has my sincere thanks for her warmth and hospitality.” • Jane Everett Haslun died following a massive brain hemorrhage on 2/17/15. She leaves her devoted husband of 63 years, William Haslun, as well as her three children and their families, which include six loving grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Jane was always an enthusiastic supporter of NMH, and will be remembered for her commitment to her family and community. Husband William said, “She was a wonderful mate, friend, and mother. All who knew her loved her so very much.”
46
Mount Hermon Hugh Findlay hughf@occia.com, findlay22@verizon.net
Wow, what a winter we had this year on Cape Cod. My wife was enjoying a brief spell in Cape Cod Hospital when the worst storm hit, so I went to my daughter’s house to stay because she had a generator. We were never happier to see spring come. • The best news I have for you all is the stirrings from some of our classmates for our next reunion, which will be next year—our 70th. I have been procrastinating about making the trip back to Gill, but this would be just the thing, and I am making plans already to be there and join all who can make it to do some reminiscing. The last time I made it, my wife and I had a great time talking to everyone. I am still driving, and it is really not a terrible trip for many of us in the New England area. • I have heard from Ed Finch, who sent some information from Bill Haslun, who has been in touch with Bud Jacobs. Of course we cannot expect a large crowd, but I think any of us will be pleased to meet with some old friends. It is interesting to me that I feel very close to classmates from Hermon but have very little contact with those from Bentley. That was probably because I had to work part time in a Boston hospital in order to pay for everything. I am sure that many of you had similar experiences and, besides, I also was already in love with the girl I married, so I didn’t get involved with dating others or partying. • I am sure that Ed Finch, with the help of others like Bill Shores, Bill Haslun, and Bud Jacobs, will be in touch with us by the time you read this, so really save the time and make the plans so that you can come. • I received a copy of Bob Mulcahy’s book, Kansas City Charlie, which both my wife and I have read. It is interesting and easy to read. Thanks to him for that! • Meanwhile, keep me posted with what is happening in your life and contact me so that I can report. My address: 500 Ocean Street Unit 153, Hyannis, Mass, 02601, telephone: 508-775-3472, and cell: 508-776-6324. I love hearing from you. Incidentally, as I write this, it is the 66th anniversary for me and Amelie.
47
Northfield Joan Pearson Turner turnerjoan4@gmail.com