Reunion of the Class of '76

The '76 group at Hanover, for the "Fifty-fifth," numbered sixteen, seven men and nine women, about half the number present five years ago. The proportion of living graduates (30%) was certainly not large, but as surely not surprising when it is noted that more than a fourth of the class are living in California, enough others to make nearly half are west of the Mississippi, and that several are in a physical condition which would prevent making the trip. The seven classnfates were: Goodhue, Dayton, Ohio; Hardison, Wellesley Hills, Mass.; Hay, Worcester, Mass.; Hill, Winchester, Mass.; Piper, West Medford, Mass.; Stimson, La Jolla, California, and Tripp, Fair Haven, Mass. The nine ladies associated were: Mrs. Goodhue, Miss Hardison and two friends, Miss Peck and Miss Arentzen, all of Wellesley Hills, Mass., the Misses Hay, Mrs. Charles B. Hibbard, Laconia, N. H., Mrs. Leffingwell (Pipers sister), Dublin, N. H., and Mrs. Stimson. Two only of this group of nine were present when the class was graduated, Miss Eudora Hay and Mrs. Leffingwell.

Of the seven men mentioned six are active, much as they have been for a number of years though, in most instances, with reduced hours. Hay on retiring from business a few years ago turned to the fine art of painting. It has been noted of late that Goodhue has been present, once and again, at dinners given in his honor, the occasion being the completion of fifty years in general medical practice and surgery in Dayton, 0., stress being laid on the significance of his practice there. Let us hope there is at least some remote relation between the high standing of students from Dayton in Dartmouth and Shorty's presence in that city. Hardison, retiring by reason of age limit as Insurance Commissioner of Massachusetts, has continued his insurance activity as consulting actuary of the Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., Boston. Hill, retiring a year ago from the Brooklyn Public Library, has spent the past winter in research work in early American drama at the Huntington Library, Pasadena, Cal. Piper continues his duties as lecturer on dental history and clinical instruc- tor at the Tufts College Dental School. Stimson remains in law practice in Denver, Colo. There seems no change in Tripp's routine as head of the New Bedford, Mass., Free Public Library.

As to the character of the reunion it was, to a greater degree than ever before, informal. The presence of the class at the Inn partly accounted for this. Once each day all were gathered about one table in the dining room. So frequent were the meetings on the veranda and elsewhere there seemed no need of a special class dinner, and no one was inclined to suggest a trip or picnic outside of Hanover. The reduced number from former reunions was regrettable, but there were compensations. Not only were friendships advanced and class loyalties made more significant within the group by reason of ampler opportunity, but also beyond it; in '71 and '81, also located at the Inn, the same fact of enrichment held true; and as one advance leads to another, all social relations throughout the Commencement period seemed lifted to a new level, and the College, the source of the varied charm and deeper significance of Commencement deemed worthier of loyalty and devotion.

Of the rich banquet of events which the College offered, the members of the '76 aggregation partook as time and ability allowed. To enjoy all was impossible. There were a considerable number who made most of the important musical events. There is no activity of the College in which, perhaps, there has been a greater advance than in that of music. Fifty years ago musical instincts in the College during the year were largely limited to the glee club, group singing of college songs, fraternity songs, and the chapel singing; with a hired band for the events of Commencement week. Music, indeed, was largely what those musically inclined in the student body chose to make it, according to their initiative and ability. Today, music is regularly taught, it is a major interest; and not only is it held a joy in and of itself, it advances the worth and the charm of related college interests on many occasions to a degree hardly to be overestimated; it has become greatly diversified, and is distributed through many student organizations. In emumerating the occasions for music, it forms and uses during Commencement time, one may go far. There was music for class day, the Baccalaureate exercises, the ball game, the alumni dinner, the ball in the gymnasium, and for the graduation; while of purely musical events, twilight playing from the tower of Baker, outdoor concerts by the band, the concert by the musical clubs, and the organ recital. For the perfection of execution and the varied appeal this music will linger long in memory.

For the one member of the "Fifty-fivers" who had never been in Hanover, the College and its environment; the buildings without and within, presented unending phases of interest; and for the member who had not seen the College since 1876 the changes were quite as compelling. The changes in the past five years are notable, and very few of the group had been in Hanover in the interval.

How beautiful the scene; how generous seemed the material provision,—the intellectual, the social; how ample the aids for the ways of the spirit, if one would so travel; for variety of instruction, for suggestion in study. How necessary it all seemed for the meeting of present needs, yet how far from the simplicities of a hundred or even fifty years ago, of which there was an interesting reminder in the fire bucket of Daniel Webster now hanging at the entrance to Dick's House, nor a less striking suggestion if one recalled that not so long ago the second floor of Reed housed the books of the College with room to spare.

The use of the automobile has greatly enhanced the attractiveness of Hanover as a college town during Commencement. Not that the "Fifty-fivers" felt the need of spending much time outside the town, but they certainly appreciated how quietly and effectively the automobile distributee on occasion the Commencement throng and brings it home again. The Campus, once the centre of all, is now, at times, left almost completely to its own loveliness; on which beside the far stretching greensward then may only be seen, perhaps, a student and his lass attractive in their holiday rig. Yes, the Campus, having lost its athletic activities, aided by the swiftly moving automobile and by changing custom, has entered more fully than ever on its inheritance of beauty and charm.

Baker Library has been a great attraction, Dick's House, also, the Tuck buildings, and the other recent construction. The portraits in the Administration building, the Library, and elsewhere, have been good to look upon. The music, yes the music; but it were better not to repeat or amplify. As the days passed a new sense of worth and a new quality of appreciation seemed born. After all, loyalty, devotion, friendliness, class and college contacts; these were held the best things. The reading of aging faces suggested the beauty reachable by the human spirit; and the mingling of young and old left only content that life moves on from youth to age. That reception on the lawn at the home of Pres. and Mrs. Hopkins should not be omitted from the list of good things; it was greatly enjoyed, it was socially, near perfection: and there was neither heat nor chill, drenching dew nor threat of rain, a still air but no sultriness. Those who left early and looked back saw colorful groups against a background of ancient pines.

Beside the sixteen who have been mentioned as constituting the '76 group there were others who might be granted an essential place;— Ned Kenerson, class of 'O3, son of A. H. Kenerson '76, as regularly present at the '76 reunions as at his own, making one at the quiet evening chats, sitting with the class at the alumni dinner; welcome, thrice welcome. In such loyalties the College finds one of the riphest elements of its life. Dan Ryder, son of another classmate, brother-inlaw of Kenerson, and, like him, hunting up '76 men at their reunion. And still another son of a classmate (McElroy), classmate of Kenerson, present with mother and son for the graduation of a representative of the third generation. Mrs. McElroy had been present at former reunions and was held as one of the '76 group. Mrs. Helen Hardison Whittemore, of the 'O6 reunion, daughter of Hardison, also extended a greeting. Mrs. Ned Kenerson and Mrs. Parkhurst, daughters of Ryder '76, had a hand clasp for their father's classmates. Abbott and Flint, class of '7l, each with a brother in '76, were another affiliation.

Hill was called home early by the news of family sickness. Mrs. Hibbard departed quietly, leaving a note of goodbye. All had left by Tuesday noon except Stimmy and Shorty, and their wives.

Anyone wishing to purchase reunion group pictures may do so by writing to the College Studio, Hanover, N. H. We have the following class groups: '71, '76, '81 men alone and group, '86, '91 committee and group, '96 men alone and group, '11 men alone and group and committee, '16 men alone, group, and committee. '26 group and committee, '28, and '31 Senior class. All group pictures $1.00 each including postage.