Class of 1927
There have been so many favorable comments about the columns which were written last spring by Bob Williamson and Gus Cummings that we have decided to have more guest columnists during the coming year in an attempt to get more variety and life into this column. In the next issue our guest writer will be our welllaiown New York correspondent, Guy Bostwick.
Since getting back into circulation to a certain extent we have begun to learn a little of the many highlights of the Reunion last June. It seems that on Friday evening a duly appointed nominating committee met to consider names for election to honorary membership in the class. Many famous persons were considered but only one met all the necessary requirements, and so at the meeting on Saturday night the name of Jeff Tesreau was presented for honorary membership in our class. After due deliberation Jeff was unanimously elected, and Scout Josh Davis was appointed a committee of one to locate the candidate and bring him before the meeting. Josh promptly returned with his man and the induction ceremonies were performed. Jeff's flattering speech was roundly applauded, particularly by Jim Picken, Bill Elliott, Bob Stevens, and the rest of the ball-playing contingent. Our new honorary member also appeared at the picnic on Sunday and contributed much to the joy and success of the party.
At the class meeting on Saturday of Reunion the new class constitution was formerly adopted. Of particular interest was Article XI, which read as follows:
Section 1.
"The Secretary-Chairman and three members of the class, to be appointed by him, shall constitute Dick's House Committee.
Section a.
"The Dick's House Committee shall keep actively in touch with the House Mother at Dick's House and, with her approval, shall, as the need appears, recommend to the Executive Committee such action by the class as may assist in maintaining the spirit and usefulness of Dick's House.
Section 3.
"At the Fiftieth Reunion of the class, with the approval of the Executive Committee, the Secretary-Chairman, if it appears to be desirable, may offer to the class of 1977 or, later, may offer to a succeeding class, the opportunity of assuming the responsibility, which it has been the privilege of the class of 1927 to carry, as specified in the two preceding sections."
A framed copy of this article was presented to Mrs. Hall at Dick's House, and we have received from her the fine letter which follows:
"My dear Mr. Cummings:
"Seldom in my whole life have I been so stirred as I was that day at Dick's House at Commencement when you placed the copy of Article XI of the Constitution of the Class of 1927 and the book 'for Dick' in my hands. It was one of those rare moments of mixed emotions when the heart overflows and words fail.
"I wish I might tell every member of the class personally all that this lovely, thoughtful act means to me and to Dick.
"As I looked into the sea of faces of Dick's beloved friends and classmates I seemed to see Dick among you, and I know he was with us all in spirit and so was Mr. Hall as well.
"The genuine interest of the men of '27 in Dick's House is the source of great strength to the work Dick is carrying on in his house, and I can never find words to tell you how wonderful I think it is.
"You have made me very proud and very happy. As long as this interest lasts I have no fear for Dick's House. You are helping to mold into it the fine tradition which will make it grow in meaning as the years go by.
"The framed 'article' will be on the wall in the House Mother's office, where everyone will see it, and the book will find its place on the library shelves, there to bear witness to an everlasting friendship.
"I hope every '27 man who comes to Hanover will go to Dick's House and then come along Rope Ferry Road and find me and let me thank him for his kindness.
"Faithfully yours, "DICK'S MOTHER."
On Monday night after the Reunion two rather bedraggled-looking lads tiptoed into our room at the Newton Hospital, carrying a big four-foot birch log, which they presented to us with a very touching ceremony. It turned out to be a mammoth-sized Senior Cane, containing the signatures of all those who were at the Reunion. This souvenir, so well presented by Bill St. Amant and Gus Cummings, gave us a tremendous kick and now occupies a favored spot in our room. We'll show it to you at the Fiftieth Reunion if not before. Besides this memento the many fine telegrams and letters from classmates in Hanover helped greatly to dull our disappointment in not being able to attend the Reunion.
As you have undoubtedly heard, our class won the cup for having the largest number back of any of the reuning classes. We were also distinguished for having the best-looking costumes, and this opinion comes from various outsiders and not necessarily members of the class.
Hats off to Rollie Howes, who came all the way from California. To George Friede, who came from Portland, Oregon. And to Art Thompson, who journeyed east from South Tacoma, Wash.
The Chicago group arrived and left enmasse, and we are told added much to the life of the party. Although not so large in numbers, in activity, joviality, and downright fun they took it and gave it out blow for blow with the New York and Boston delegations. We hope that in their sober moments on the return trip to Chicago they decided that it would be a good idea to get together occasionally in their own bailiwick to sort of get warmed up for the big Fifteenth.
Chuck Baker, the hard boiled judge of Painesville, Ohio, was unable to attend the Reunion on account of some nuptials in which he was the leading man.
Cliff Randall, the erstwhile musical comedy star, now practices law out in that city made famous by Schlitz Beer (Milwaukee to you teetotalers). He is with the firm of Zimmers, Randall, and Zimmers.
Ken Lee is working for the Comic Section Advertising Corporation in New York City. Ken was back at Reunion, looking younger than ever.
Doc Browning up in Bennington, Vt. certainly can't complain about lack of business. He wrote that he would be unable to attend the Reunion because he had five "blessed events" to take care of over that week-end. We hope they didn't all arrive at once.
George Howell was back at Reunion, looking much the same as ever except for a little thinning out on top. George is practicing law in Chicago with the firm of Tenney, Harding, Sherman & Rogers.
Phil Corliss who came all the way from Yuma, Arizona, to attend the Reunion, was forced to leave the American Medical Association convention in Atlantic City two days early to get there in time.
From the columns of the Rutland Herald we learn that on September 5 Miss Miriam Perry became the bride of Bennett D. Bell. Ben is in the insurance business in Rutland, and his wife was formerly an instructor at Green Mountain Junior College. The best man was Ken Murray, New York lawyer recently returned from South America.
Have you played the new national game of "ALEE-OOP?" If so did you know that this game was invented and is now manufactured by Roy Blanchard, president of the newly formed Royal Toy Company of Worcester, Mass.? Inspired by a friendly game of flip-the-spoon-into-the-glass played one evening last winter after a strenuous day of skiing in New Hampshire, Roy devised this new game, and now with a force of over seventy people is producing more than fifty gross a day. It's a game of skill and chance, and if you haven't played it yet get your set today. No household should be without it.
A 1 Lawrence is now teaching at the U. S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn.
Dean Askew is proprietor of the Askew Motor Company in Riverton, N. J. Dean now makes his home in New Canaan, Conn.
Cam Clokey is commercial manager of the Ohio Bell Telephone Company in Youngstown.
A 1 McClure is also in the "number please" business, being traffic manager for the New England Telephone and Telegraph in Montpelier, Vt.
Harold Pownall now lives in Roanoke, Va., where he is vice president of the Southern States Oil Corporation. Curt Wright is now located in Chicago with the Schmidt Lithograph Company. New Dealer John Fuqua is working for the Trade Agreement Division of the Department of State in Washington, D. C.
Bob Williamson writes: "Heard when Iwas up in the country that Johnny Woodhad an addition to the family shortly before or after Commenceynent time. Rumorhad it that it was a girl, but I wouldn'tbe too sure about that."
There was also an addition to the Williamson family shortly after Commencement. R. Russell Williamson II is the name. Ought to be a great class in Hanover in 1959! 1927 marches on!
Secretary, 152 Waban Ave., Waban, Mass.
