The Wheel, part two
The Wheel, part two I respectfully disagree with Thomas C. Howenstine’s ’66 critique of The Homestead [in his published response to an article that appeared in the Spring 2006 “Life on Earth” issue]. The methods for living explored at The Homestead are neither outmoded nor misguided, but do provide clues for how civilization might better provide for present and future generations, with minimum damage to the global ecosystem. Whether or not central heating was an improvement over wood, buildings that use passive solar heating (windows or black walls strategically placed to trap the sun’s heat), combined with superb insulation, are surely an improvement over either system. All Homestead cabins use passive solar heating, supplemented by wood stoves; the strawbale Cabin Bob, and the under-construction earthship Cabin Phoenix are especially notable for their insulation and construction from earth-friendly materials (straw, soil, and used tires). The Homestead is replete with methods for reducing reliance on fossil fuels and non-renewable energy sources. On-site organic gardens. An on-site water system with a solar-powered pump. Solar electricity for lights. Does Mr. Howenstine think that people who take solar energy seriously do so only for political correctness? The Homestead emphasizes student-led maintenance and improvement of facilities because that is what makes it a living-learning experience. Mental and physical efforts are rewarded by new knowledge and skills. Any persons interested in creating ecologically sustainable living spaces are well-advised to consider the techniques and technologies employed by The Homestead, whether or not they plan on building their own homes.
Ross Wood Studlar ’04 (Homesteader, ’01-’04)
White River Junction, Vermont
Live and Learn
After reading the short article on the community standards residential program [in Shaw Hall], I must admit that I was moved to point out that perhaps if we had called it Helping Ourselves Understand Social Environments and Realizing the Utopian Living Experience (H.O.U.S.E. R.U.L.E.), the residential fraternity experience might still exist at Denison. While I will readily admit to not being much of a student at Denison—I know my GPA was below average—I consider my experiences of living in the Kappa Sigma house the best “common sense” learning of my life. The feeling of a sense of pride and unity with others simply because we chose to live in the same housing structure has stayed with me throughout my life. I believe this is something you can only hope to emulate in the residential hall experience.
Don “Robo” Roberts ’74
Dayton, Ohio
The Class of Bill Clarke
Refugees International, the homeless of rural Georgia, the uncertain teenage boys of Canton, Ohio. All know the compassion of Bill Clarke and his openness and generosity. So does the Class of ’51. Bill was a working member of the 50th Reunion Committee. He took on the chore of phoning 33 non-graduating classmates. He was a very thoughtful, contributing member of the Chapel Committee. (The class sponsored an all-alumni service in memory of deceased classmates, staff, and faculty.) And Bill made it possible for Tom Carroll’s Welsh Hills Dixieland Band to play “Saints” and other songs on the chapel steps as the service ended. Bill’s classmates are proud of him and his commitments to others. All wear their Habitat for Humanity hammer pins with special affection. We wish him well with the post-polio syndrome and with his continuing good works for the children of Canton.
Joyce Roper Nye ’51
Old Greenwich, Connecticut
Peace in Wartime
What a surprise to find a feature story about my college chum, Tai Shigaki, in your splendid summer issue. She and I took a religion course from Professor Stewart, and she joined me in the YW’s Community Service program that provided Saturday evening entertainment and Sunday morning services in rural Ohio churches.
Your story contained many details about Tai’s earlier life that I knew nothing about, so it meant a lot to learn more about the hardships she faced before she came to Denison. I always counted her as one of my dearest friends, and wanted to invite her to join my sorority. I was truly disappointed when sorority national officers would not allow pledging her because of her racial origin. This decision was not consistent with our weekly meetings’ ceremony that included a quotation from the Bible promoting faith, hope, and love. Our national attitude against Americans with Japanese parents was surely disgraceful back then.
Tai displayed her outgoing, friendly personality many times during her years at Denison, and I’m not surprised to learn that she dedicated her life to helping other “victims of circumstance.”
Barbara Hayne Holaday ’44
Phoenix, Arizona
The article about Tai Shigaki reminded me of the Air Cadet program which ran for a year from February 1943 until February 1944. Chosaburo Kato ’25 taught mathematics to Flight D2, a unit of our group. We liked to call ourselves cadets, although our official military rank was simply private. The program was supposed to develop a high level of mathematics and physics so as to prepare us for a course in meteorology. One of Dr. Kato’s students in Flight D2 was a lad named Bill Rehnquist, who was destined a few decades later to become Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition to a lot of mathematics, he also undertook to learn Japanese from Dr. Kato. In a letter to me dated November 27, 1998, he wrote: “Towards the end of our stay at Denison, I took private lessons in Japanese from [Dr. Kato] thinking that I might like to go into the Air Intelligence. His efforts were unavailing, however, as in my interview I was unable to understand much of what the interviewer said, and he in turn was unable to understand almost everything that I said!”
Earnest B. Leach
Lyndhurst, Ohio
Monomoy Memories
Of special interest to me was President Knobel’s article, “At Home at Monomoy.” For a short time in 1943-44, Monomoy was my home also. I have no idea why I, a member of the Navy V-12 unit housed in Stone Hall, was lucky enough to be selected to move to Monomoy. We were aware that the unit’s commanding officer and the contingent of Marines were quartered there. We also had information that the Marines had short sheeted the C.O. there.
A favorite room of mine was on the first floor in the back. It was rather like a lounge, with padded seating along the walls and a gas log fireplace. Before morning calisthenics, I would stretch out on one of the seats for a precious few more minutes, then it was out to the tennis court for our exercise. I also remember the desk in the front hall, where a watch was made of the coming and goings of the sailors (maybe the Marines also, but I rather doubt that). I distinctly remember having watch duty and helping a fellow student—Montana Slim was my name for him—with calculus problems.
President Knobel relates that women occupied the house at one time. We must have been aware of that. I recall some of us wrote our names on the wall in one of the closets, hoping for a response if the girls ever returned. My memory fades a little about the “expansive attic” noted in President Knobel’s article. I think we did have a social affair in the ballroom, but maybe that was only wishful thinking at the time.
It was a great pleasure to return to Granville in October 2005 to see our grandson, Joshua Zingg ’09, and to see the changes that have been made. The changes on the campus have been many, and more than I could appreciate. Monomoy, however, appears essentially the same as when we young boys lugged our gear down from Stone Hall those many years ago.
Robert W. Bryant ’47
Shepherdstown, West Virgina
Dr. Knobel’s excellent article on Monomoy Place brought back in a flash my first exposure to this wonderful building and the vision of the couple who made it a reality.
Several days after first arriving at Denison in September 1979, my roommate and I were pleased to receive invitations to a welcoming reception for all freshmen at the home of Dr. & Mrs. Robert Good. At the appointed day and time, we excitedly headed off to the big soiree. Savvy froshes that we were, we ignored the map to Sunset Hill enclosed with the invitation and headed to the new president’s home at Monomoy Place. Following our knock at the door, we were somewhat taken aback when an aproned Nancy Good emerged, and even more surprised not to find dozens of our classmates in the spacious rooms behind her. The invitation was a hoax.
My roommate and I turned tail to leave, but Mrs. Good would have none of that. She insisted that we come in and take an impromptu tour of the manse, which was still in the final stages of renovation. She repeatedly expressed how thrilled she and Bob were that the Denison powers-that-be had shared their vision for a new home for the president that was more evocative of the residential experience at Denison, while making them more accessible to both the town and gown communities. She shared personal anecdotes, such as Dr. Good’s daily obsession with straightening each and every framed picture on the wall after the workmen’s pounding had set them askew. She showed us her exhaustive cookie cutter collection. We partook of freshly baked goodies in the kitchen. After more than an hour, Mrs. Good said she wished she could invite us to stay for dinner, but they had an official engagement that evening. Secretly, my roommate and I were relieved that we did not have to share our predicament with the Big Cheese.
I am pleased that after more than 25 years, the building has stood the test of time and continued to serve admirably in the role Bob and Nancy Good envisioned. Moreover, I will long remember the incredible graciousness of the first First Lady of Monomoy.
Charles T. Bingham ’83,
M.D. Altoona, Wisconsin
Errata
To date, we know of two (only two!) incorrect listings among the legions of names included in the Donor Report section of our 2005-06 A-Report. Melvin L. Barnes ’48 should have been listed as a President’s Associate, and Deborah W. Joslin ’73 should have been listed at the William Howard Doane Society level.
—Ed.