CLASS OF 1917

All predictions that had been made about 1917's reunion were fully lived up to when the eighty-odd members of the class assembled in Hanover last June. Of course, everything didn't happen exactly as planned, but the schedule was followed closely through the entire program, and the bunch seemed satisfied.

It was a live bunch of Seventeeners that got back for triennial, 86 all told, although not every one could stay through. Those who were there for all the important doings were: Ray Allen, Max Antrim, Bill Birtwell, Angus Black and Mrs. Angus, Bob Boynton, Merie Brill, Alec Brown, Walt Burns, Clarence Campbell, Curly Carr, Walt Carr, Ralph Cocks, Clarence Cofran, George Currier, Chuck Downer, Bill Eaton, Forry Emery, Al Emmons, Bill Fitch, Pop Ford, Em Fritz, Joe Hallett, Roy Halloran, Ken Hammond, Maurice Healey, Dick Holbrook, Bunny Holden, Frank Huntress, Mose Hutchinson, Trott King, Stan Kingsbury, Don Litchard, Roly MacGown, Spike Maclntyre, Park Melvin, Rudy Miller, Jimmy Montgomery, Harvey McEwen, Jim McGowan, Don Norton, Larry Nourse, Don Richmond, Bud Robie, Scottie Rutherford, Jack Saladine, Sunny Sanborn, Bob Scott, Bill Sewall, Bart Shackford, Howie Shaffer, Len Shea, Butch Sherman, Walt Sisson, Gov Smith, Kewp Spearin, Ike Sprague, Chan Steiger, Hunk Stillman, Art Stout, Perc Streeter, Gil Swett, Barney Thielscher, Willis Thompson, Hal Tobin, Gene Towler, Harold Walker, Doc Walters, Monk Wells, Johnny Wheelock, Sam White, Phil Woodwell, and Heinie Wright.

Phil Blood, Al Bushnell, Windy Gale, and Barney Gerrish were in Hanover for part of the reunion, and Mr. and Mrs. Dick Morenus were there for Saturday and Sunday. Duke Howe, after a long siege of sickness, took his degree with 1920, but was present in spirit at '17's reunion. And along toward the end of Commencement, blushing Bud Steele and his bride showed up.

The traditional opening number on the official program, "Arrival of Alumni", was staged by 1917 all the way from Saturday afternoon to late Sunday night. The first reunion event was the memorial service for the Seventeen men on the honor roll, conducted by Rev. Mr. Dallas, rector of St. Thomas', in Rollins Chapel at four o'clock. The service was brief, but an impressive and fitting opening to the first reunion of the class since the war. Sunday evening the crowd gathered at the fence, and, led by Bud Robie, gave a first class imitation of an old time hum for the benefit of the Commencement guests.

Monday morning was to have seen the campus blossom with reunion uniforms, but a cold rain dampened not only the campus but the reunion spirits of every one but 1917. Nothing could keep the crowd penned up in Reed, however, so costumes were donned and a real old time peerade started around the campus. The uniforms were hastily improvised, but none the less effective as to usefulness and color scheme. Thanks to Sam White and his overall factory, every one was provided with white unionalls which fitted approximately, at least. Sam got hold of some white baker's caps, and Hal Tobin brought enough green cloth to make a big sash for everybody, and the general effect was excellent. These costumes had the added merit of being economical, and made possible an "economy reunion".

To return to the peerade, the line formed inside of Reed, and with Bud Robie's twopiece band at the head, toured the campus and finally wound up in the big tent. A brief class meeting was held, and then we stormed and took possession of Commons living room and piano, making the welkin ring with songs, cheers, speeches, and applause.

Nothing more happened until 6, when with 1915 we staged a creditable retreat ceremony as the flag on campus was lowered. During the band concert that followed, Seventeen accepted 1915's challenge to various competitive pastimes, but thanks to Barney Thielscher's able leadership, the five-year men were hopelessly outclassed. It was easy to see that the years had begun to tell on them, and out of consideration for our elders we called off the competitive stuff.

At 7:30 the crowd left by auto for Norwich and the Newton Inn, where was held the class banquet that will go down in Seventeen's history as "the banquet where nobody ate". However, food was the least of our worries, and we took the opportunity to hold the class meeting called for in the constitution. After a report from the treasurer was read, Jack Saladine was elected to the vicepresidency of the class, left vacant by Joe Emery's death, and after reports from the secretary regarding general class matters, it was voted to turn over to the Alumni Fund any surplus that remained from reunion taxes, which were $8.00 apiece. At the same time, to insure both a higher percentage of contributors and a higher total contribution to the Alumni Fund, all present paid Johnny Wheelock something toward the class quota.

Our little melodrama Tuesday morning at the Vermont game was the climax to the reunion. Gil Swett and his committee had prepared an impromptu burlesque on labor and picked an excellent cast. It included Vin Smith as President Wilson in a wheel chair, attended by Admiral Grayson in the person of Howie Shaffer; Capital, represented by George Currier; Lenine and Trotzky, alias Heinie Wright and Bud Robie, who fomented revolt against Capital; Maurie Healey Gompers, who organized the emancipated laborers; and Ike Sprague Debs, right from Atlanta, who was enthusiastically hailed as head of 1917's soviet. It was quite up to the standard set by Delta Alpha of other days.

A few stayed over for Commencement Day, but most of the crowd left Tuesday afternoon with promises of returning in two years for the Big Fifth, and bringing more with them.