Class of 1908
There has been a fine response to the cards sent out asking latest statistics about the class. The cards are going into a file, and we want 'em all back. Some of the boys evidently needed the stamp, and are holding the card until they can get another. We hear there was a good turn-out of 'OB at the Boston dinner March 11, and a gathering in Percy Gleason's office before the formal party. Reunion plans were talked over, and most of the Boston classmates will be in Hanover in June, if their present plans are carried out.
Malcolm Stearns, who travels all over the U.S.A. for Drug, Inc., was home the end of February, but he wasn't having, such a good time. His conversation sounded like a Yellowstone geyser in action. He'd just had four front teeth yanked out and the new ones hadn't come, so he was sticking close to South Orange, N. J., for a few days. His oldest son will be in the freshman class next fall. Malcolm says of course he'll be in Hanover in June, even if he has to thumb his way.
Everybody will be delighted to see Bub Shaw. He writes from Longview, Wash., that he's planning to be at the reunion.
"General" Knox has written that he is coming from Brazil; that's a long swim to be at the 25th. Francis Robinson from Des Moines is also promising to be there.
Letters from the Chicago boys say they are getting up steam. They had a dinner there recently and gave Bill Knight some sort of testimonial "in recognition of meritorious public service." We think Larry Griswold's tribute to Bill and the Shurtleff House gang in last month's MAGAZINE was almost as flattering to Bill.
Dolly Hilton has a new job, still in the banking business. It sounds very important.
So far nobody from the Pacific Coast has promised to be back, except Shaw. Those Californians will try to rewrite the song "Hanover, Here We Come."
Some more pictures of classmates have arrived for the gallery at headquarters in June. Plans for a costly s>sth-Reunion book, all illustrated, have been put on the shelf and you can guess why.
John Thompson was on a visit in Cleveland when the Editor tried to raise him athis New York home in February, at least that's where he told 'em to say he was. And soon after a letter from Herb Mitchell said he is coming to the reunion, so we suspect John did go to Cleveland and borrowed a lunch from Mitch.
Quite a collection of letters is in the box with the cards, and at the first chance we'll dig all the news out of them and pass it along, via MAGAZINE and bulletin.
And now about the Reunion. Really, it is surprising as well as pleasing how many classmates say they are planning to get back for the 25th. There is a lot of sentiment in some of the letters. Many tell of difficult economic conditions, but say they'll get to Hanover somehow.
The widely scattered reunion committee has had no meeting, and can't in advance of the June festival. Last month a group got together in New York and talked over the plans. Another group did so in Boston. Many letters have suggestions. It seems certain that there will be absolutely no expense attached to the reunion this year, except the cost of getting to Hanover and the College's low charge for room and meals while there. No class tax and no reunion tax. And no unannounced tax to be sprung on those who return. Of course that means no dances or picnics or excursions or elaborate costumes financed by a reunion fund. We won't have a band or a drum corps, and no orchids for the ladies. We'll have one of the best dormitories for reunion headquarters. Our program will be reunion rather than whoopee. There will be a simple class dinner without any frills. And there will be the old crowd, back in the old college, under the old Hanover elms.
Art Lewis' suggestion of a reunion costume consisting of a long gray beard and cane has been supplemented by several boys with original ideas. One thinks he'd like a barrel with shoulder-straps. Mort Hull wants a white hat with green numerals. What you'll probably get will be a nice big badge of genuine solid celluloid that costs about three cents and can be paid for out of Ted Barnes' depleted class treasury. That, of course, means you'll have to bring your own shirt and pants, unless the committee finally votes to furnish barrels.
There isn't a shadow of doubt that this 1933 reunion is going to be well attended. And that is what makes it worth while. Possibly none of the classmates at the 25th really want the rather artificial hilarity that goes with earlier reunions.
Editor, Milford, N. H.
