Dave Fleming
flemingd@frontiernet.net
Monmouth, IL
August 4, 2006
Dear ’46 Classmates:
Believe it or not, another year has
rolled around. Our Class Letter will reach you a bit sooner this year
and as I understand it, our target in future years will be about this
same time. Once again I’m sitting in for Ruth Franco, whom I
still consider to be in charge of this document, inasmuch as she
produced it so faithfully and effectively for almost 60 years. And as
in the past I’ll use italics for my comments and Roman type for those
from classmates.
Our 60th reunion gathering in June
turned out very successfully in spite of low attendance. Only five of
us were on hand: Shirley Nelson Bosmajian, Dorothy Buchanan Davidson,
Jean Phelps Edwards, Rachel Buchanan Pollock, and myself. We had a
grand evening of conversation, reminiscence and good food at our dinner
on Friday evening, which we shared with spouses (George Bosmajian,
Jim Pollock ’44 and Mary Fleming) along with a few folks from the
Class of 1941. Needless to say, we were sorry it wasn’t possible for
many more classmates to be on hand, but the inexorable passage of time
seems to have something to do with that! At any rate, it was a good
evening and the entire Alumni Weekend proved to be interesting and
enjoyable. Let’s move on to news from classmates. As in the past, my
comments are in Italics so separate them from what others have written.
Ruth Franco sent me an interesting story from the
Chicago Tribune about America’s covered bridges which included comments
from John Allaman about the Oquawka bridge not far from Monmouth
which John’s great grandfather built in 1866—one of five remaining in
Illinois and the 2nd oldest. The bridges have suffered from
vandalism in recent years and John comments in the story that “It’s a sad
day when you have to install cameras and take other steps to preserve
these landmarks”. The story includes a picture
of John walking through the bridge. Thanks, Ruth, for sending this
interesting story along.
Here’s a note from Shirley Nelson Bosmajian. “Alumni
Weekend was great. The College worked things out down to the smallest
detail. (chocolate candy on pillows the first night for those staying in
a dorm. Golf carts available---always---for anyone who needed or just
even wanted to have a ride around campus.) The same familiar
friendliness existed everywhere. The 60th reunion of the
Class of 1946 was small in number---just five. So that was a
disappointment---weather was perfect, however. We really missed all of
you who couldn’t make it.”
Right you are, Shirley. It would have been wonderful to have
a larger crowd. Another reunion attendee was Rachel Buchanan Pollock,
who writes as follows: Georganne Rudiger Berdo, a member of
our Class of ’46 died quite suddenly on June 19. She was a resident of
Washington, IA, where Jim and I live also. The diagnosis of cancer
causing her pain was made only days before her death. We talked before
I left for our 60th reunion and she regretted not being able
to attend. Jim and I were very happy to see and visit with other
members of the Class of ’46 who were at the reunion. Since then we have
traveled to Indiana and Illinois to see our daughters and their
families, and we expect to be with our son’s family in Kansas on the
Fourth of July.”
Mary Lou Mitchell Bolton writes to say “Hi,
Dave. No real news to report. Sorry to miss our 60th. Family visits and other activities made it impossible.” Mary Lou went on to comment about gifts to the college,
which reminds me I should report that there was no Class Gift
presentation for our 60th as there was ten years ago for the
Golden Anniversary 50th reunion. However, I can assure you
the College is always deeply grateful for the gifts we make. Alumni
gifts are a major component of support for M.C.
Our next correspondent is Robert Snyder,
writing from his home in Florida:
“Sorry we could not
make it to our 60-year class reunion. Our granddaughter (daughter of
Christy Snyder, MC ’77) graduated from high school on June 2. It
was important that I be there for that important occasion---I’m her only
living grandparent (I know you’ll all understand!) I hope all is well
with each of you—life is good!” Sincerely, Bob Snyder
Ruth Kinney checked in also with this note:
“After retiring as Library Director at York High School in Elmhurst,
IL, I bought a home and moved to Monmouth in 1987. The M.C. campus has
never been more beautiful than it is today.”
Shirley Goodman Knowles sent this note from her
home in Macomb. “Sorry to have missed the reunion. It was a busy
weekend so I couldn’t come. No exciting news here, but I love to hear
from all of you.”
Whenever the mail brings a note from Jennie Brown Young,
I find myself recalling “The Unsinkable Molly Brown”. Surely Jennie must
rank among the most energetic and active octogenarians anywhere.
Just read this!!: “Sorry to make you tired, Dave, but I am still a
volunteer Tax Aide for AARP, February to April 15. On Father’s Day I was
the coordinator for a Garden site included in Audubon’s annual garden
tour from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm. I had two volunteers to collect money
and keep track of the number of persons visiting. This garden was the
favorite on the tour—600 visited the site! I filled my huge cooler with
ice. When the reached over 80 we offered ice water but nothing came out
of the cooler. I HAD FORGOTTEN TO PUT ANY WATER IN IT. Later in the
day my chair dipped and I fell across the walk face first into the Hosta
mulch. Luckily, just got a scratch on my hand.” Jennie. Way to go, Jennie. I know whom to call the next time I
need a volunteer! Let’s move on to Ralph Tingley, whose note was
the last one I received.
“A tardy response to
your appeal for news of the Class of ’46. It may be too late for
immediate use (Ralph was wrong!) but perhaps it will serve as the
seed for whenever another letter is scheduled. I delayed writing
because my wife, Kay, was scheduled for a knee replacement (to match the
one she had three years ago). I thought I’d wait till that deed was
done, but after the successful surgery I was too busy to remember
anything—Kay had the new knee installed on June 19 and came home on the
23rd. So much for apologies.
I had a report of the reunion from Rachel Pollock—apparently the
Pollocks had a good time back in Monmouth. Due to our advanced and
advancing age we are not going to Manitoba in September this year—too
far and too isolated, including far from a telephone. I am on oxygen at
night and it is hard to haul a portable machine as we did last year. On
the expensive side, too. The last we heard the Pollocks are planning to
make another trip up north. They’re a bit younger than we.
Glad you are keeping up the class letter, and it is good to hear
that M.C. is doing well. Regards and good wishes to all.” Ralph.
It would be inappropriate to end this letter
without expressing my thanks to all of you who found time to send a note
for inclusion. With any luck, we’ll have even more responders next
time. And finally, I simply want to say thank you once again to Ruth
Franco who served the Class of 1946 so nobly for so many decades,
and whose efforts have been a major factor in maintaining our
continuity. Our hearts go out to you Ruth, and we look forward to being
in touch with you again soon.
Warmest greetings to you all,
Dave
