Class of 1903
For the third successive year President Victor M. Cutter and family extended their most genuine hospitality to the class for a day at "Musa" in New London, N. H., on August 1. In collaboration with the weather bureau and after a series of local nightly showers Vic registered his third perfect reunion day, and then proceeded to entertain and feed the fifty-four reunioners in a way which left nothing to be desired.
For the first time since Vic started this midsummer reunion idea a half dozen of the old regulars were compelled to be absent. Imagine if you can a 1903 reunion within the confines of these United States without Sue and "Meat" Hanlon. The General Electric Company holding a convention at Bridgeport, Conn., was the winner. Imagine a 1903 blueberry picking contest without Lewis Haney to urge on the pickers. Anna's illness prevented the Haney family attendance, and to her we extend our wishes for a speedy recovery. "Brutus" and Edith Luce failed to time an automobile accident properly and allowed it to occur the night before instead of the night after, or not at all, thereby failing to register at New London. I speak lightly because of absence of personal injuries. Earle and Carrie Wilson and family were at the last moment unable to come, thus registering their first absence. But to make up in part for such a list of absentees there came under the guidance of Clayton Erwin that long-time absent Charlie Webb and his better half, Eva. To see your old roommate for the first time in thirty-five years required a little circumspection on my part, but the old smile and mannerisms clinched the identification, and once more a 1903 reunion surpassed all others. Chas. is still in Washington, but decidedly on the outside as secretary to a Vermont Republican senator. Suffice it to say he has hopes for the future. Realizing the influence of the better half of the Webb family, the story of the regular five-year reunion in 1938 was unfolded, and a promise happily received that the Webbs would be present.
The blueberry picking contest was the number one feature for the day. In the absence of Lewis Haney, "Cherbuck" Edwards officiated as judge, and feeling that Lewis had run out on him, he proceeded to show all others how to pick blueberries. Profiting from accurate observation in former years as one of the judges of the contest and in the absence of "Meat" Hanlon, he succeeded in carrying off the blue ribbon, much to the chagrin of "Pip" Howard, who simply loves blueberry pie.
At just about noon, while the swimmers were thoroughly enjoying themselves and the band playing "Hail to the Chief/' or "somethin'," the great surprise of the day occurred. Vic always has something up his sleeve, and this day proved no exception. "Who's that fellow?" "Ted Hale from Chicago. Yes, sir." "Hy, Ted." "Let me present my daughter, Mrs. Beardsley." It is only at class reunions that one gets such thrills. Perhaps Ted is president of the Illinois Bell Telephone Cos. What of it? He's Teddy Hale of the class of 1903 pushing the treadles of the old bike around the oval track. God bless him! Just so the old age of the Potholeskers rolled away and the girls caught the atmosphere, and all agreed that the third summer reunion was the best yet.
Once more the president of our class presided over the pots and kettles, striving mightily to prove his superiority as Chef. Glad as we all were that Vic was in such superb form, the voice of the class gave it that that he must have been practicing under the guidance of "Chef without Equal" named by the Tribe of 1903 in 1935. Not only was the dinner all that you absentees can imagine, but the service by Thelma, Victor, and Donald Cutter —well, just the opposite of the old College Hail days when Hen Teague ran the show.
Another most delightful incident of the reunion of 1936 was the presence of Madam Cutter, mother of Vic, and of Mr. and Mrs. Osborne from Central America, Mrs. Osborne being a sister of Mrs. Cutter. Just here I pause to let you all in on a little inside information—Madam Cutter says she is responsible for the excellence of Vic's cooking. Hail to the Cutter family!
The following were present: Hamlin and May Bennett, Dick Brown, E. L. and Elaine Brown, Ray and Gertrude Brown, Ned and Edith Burbeck, Madam Cutter, Victor and Florence Cutter, Victor Jr., Thelma, and Donald Cutter, "Cherbuck" Edwards, Clayton and Cora Erwin, Ted Hale and Mrs. Beardsley, Forrest J. and Sadie Hall, Richard Proper, Pip and Jane Howard, Ned and Charlotte Kenerson, Otis and Florence Mudge, Bertram, Edwin, and George Mudge, Mr. and Mrs. Osborne, George and Lila Reed, Dorrit and Irene Reed, James and Cordelia Smith, O. W. and Amy Smith, Guy and Eva Speare, Harry and Edith Watson, Emily, Margaret, and William Jr., Charles and Eva Webb, Prex and Martha Whelden, James and Frank Whelden, Dana and Isabel Whipple.
On August 29, the departments of music, art, and creative writing of the Cummington School of Cummington, Mass., combined in the presentation of a show, "And Called It Macaroni." Miss Alice McElroy, daughter of John and Helen Boss McElroy of Albany, N. Y., student at Smith College Summer School, composed the music. The libretto was written by Samuel Morse, Dartmouth '36, and the stage director was Sidney Cox, assistant professor of English at Dartmouth. The musical composition was based on "Yankee Doodle," originally written at Fort Crailo in French and Indian War days. When Connecticut cavalry marched to Albany to aid the British regulars they appeared in nondescript clothing and a feather in their hats, and made contrast with the appearance of the British troops, resplendent in red jackets and uniform equipment, thereby inspiring a British surgeon to dash off the famous verses of "Yankee Doodle." Alice has attended two of our midsummer picnics at New London and is considered one of us. Ihe Potholeskers extend to her their hearty congratulations.
While looking over the Chicago DailyNews of August 5, my eye rested upon the picture of a most attractive young ladythat of Margaret Wentworth, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wentworth of Berkeley, Calif., who had been visiting friends in Chicago. On looking at Frank's Aegis likeness of 1902 I noted a most striking resemblance. My vote is for Frank Knox, publisher of the Chicago DailyNews.
Report direct from Washington has it that Andrew Jackson is working hard in one of those alphabetical offices, to be more accurate, as legal advisor to the Federal Trade Commission. We hoped Andy might be vacationing in this angle of the woods about August 1, but such a hope was in vain. The fact that somebody is working hard in Washington is news.
James and Frank Whelden had a wonderful day at Vic's. Motor boating, swimming, and eating just about consumed every one of New London's minutes. So it was with us all, Vic, another milestone in our class history and many thanks to you and yours from the class.
Secretary, 198 Humphrey St., Marblehead, Mass.
THIRD ANNUAL SUMMER REUNION Teddy Hale and Chas. Webb carry off the show.
