1899*

The Fortieth Reunion, like all Ninety-Nine Reunions, was the grandest ever. The exceptionally well arranged program ran with clock-like precision to the greatest pleasure and appreciation of all present. Fifty-four members of the class with thirty- two wives, twenty sons and daughters, one grandchild and eleven guests participated. The space allotted here is too small to more than mention the high lights and a more complete account will appear in the class report.

The Group Dinner in the Hitchcock Room at Thayer Hall was the first time we appreciated the large numbers present and this was a very sociable occasion. The '99 Party in the Tent under the direction of Donny brought out much of the past, present and future experiences of our classmates and was conducted in Donny's usual brilliant style. Saturday morning was devoted to games and sports, the contests for Tim's Cup and the Gay 90s Games keeping many busy. The Alumni Parade was cancelled on account of rain but most of us attended the Alumni Meeting at the Gym where it was announced that '99 was third in the attendance race. The Men's Dinner at Lyme was carried out with a true Indian motif in charge of Peddy, himself a real Indian Chief, who appeared in Indian Chief's head dress with the speakers wearing Indian feathers and the proceedings commenced by the beating of an Indian Drum. The program described the occasion as a "Convivium Conciliumque Magnificum Anni Quadragesimi" which of course had to be explained to the "lower" and other element present. The talk by Hobe was one which we will never forget, and he really outdid himself, which shows how good he was.

At the same time the Ladies and Guests Dinner was held at Thayer Hall under the capable direction of Helen Parker.

During Saturday afternoon George Clark opened his exhibit about which he had written us before. It filled three rooms in Robinson Hall and was the best and biggest show George has ever produced. He showed by pictures, letters, posters and the handiwork of various members the present surroundings and accomplishments of practically every one in the class, so that it was almost like visiting each in his own home. This exhibit was not listed on the program but it came very near to stealing the show.

Sunday morning after much commanding by Joe and threatening by Hobe a class picture was taken of the whole group which proved exceptionally good.

The Memorial Service in the White Church was most impressive and followed the customary order. The address by K. Beal was a masterpiece. The procession to Tibbetts' grave finished the service for most of us although a committee later placed a wreath on Musgrove's grave.

The class meeting in the tent took care of the real business of the reunion and resulted in a vote of the class to take a 100% subscription to the ALUMNI MAGAZINE and the election of Winchester as Class Agent and the writer as Secretary. The various reports showed our finances in good shape and that the necessary class work had been well done.

The Family Dinner in charge of Bones was most enjoyable, Bones exercising his authority in a dictatorial manner and even spurned the advice of Mrs. Bones who dared to object to his methods. Tony Willard was down for a speech but a telegram received during the dinner announced that he was ill and had been obliged to return home, although his illness did not prove to be as serious as we feared at the time the message came.

Sunday evening the long distance cup was awarded to Willis Hodgkins over the violent objections of Bones and the prizes to winners in the Gay 90s games and Tim's No. 2 cup were awarded midst great hilarity. The final event, the class tree exercises, came at 9.30 P.M. with the entire group marching to the '99 tree to the weird measured beat of the Indian drum by Willis, and with lighted lanterns carried on long sticks by all. This event was the spectacle of the reunion and probably received more attention by the commencement crowd than anything we did. The entire class grouped in a large circle around the tree and the new secretary was installed by Hobe, the ceremony consisting of a short serious talk by Hobe and the delivery by him to the writer of the lighted candle in the '99 candlestick and the '99 gavel. The class ode was then sung by all and the benediction pronounced by Dave Parker. The procession returned to Massachusetts Hall with the drum beating, lanterns glowing, the old and new secretaries leading, and the fortieth reunion formal program was ended.

The post-reunion festivities started Monday morning with a stop for doughnuts and coffee with Mr. and Mrs. Ned Warren at their home at Orford. Then a long drive past Clarkland and the birthplace of Peddy to Stonnywall where Rodney and Mrs. Sanborn fed us royally. In the evening Silver put on a wonderful show at which the '99 uniforms appeared and Willis banged the keys of a piano mounted on a truck. Some special degrees were awarded. The grand final event was George Clark's lunch at the summit of Cannon Mountain after a thrilling trip on the aerial railway.

The '99 social event of the summer was the twentieth wedding anniversary of Tim and Mrs. Lynch which was celebrated at Clarkland July 15th. The party numbered twenty-two, was held on the screened-in porch and the piece de resistance was an enormous pot of home-grown and homebaked beans. Among those present were the Speares, the'Benezets, the Richardsons and the Ned Warrens. George having been the best man at the wedding perhaps this gives some answer to the mooted question, what good is a best man anyway.

The semi-centennial of the founding of the Good Will Homes and Schools at Hinckley, Maine was held July 26-30. This is the community in which Leon Martin has been for more than ten years principal of the high school. This unique community has, in normal times, furnished home surroundings to two hundred fifty homeless boys and girls. During his term at Good Will Farm, Mr. Martin has raised the standards of the schools and both he and his wife have been respected and useful citizens of the community and advisors to the boys and girls.

A late letter from Tony says that he has been having throat trouble which he thinks is now controlled, that he is as well as usual and expects to resume his teaching.

As a part of his reunion activities, Bones witnessed the graduation of his son. Lute and George Rounds both have sons among the undergraduates.

Evans who was unable to attend the reunion on account of illness is reported by Sleeper to be on the road to recovery, but he still has a long way to go even after spending many weeks at the Somerville Hospital.

Your secretary has attained the rank of grand-father by the birth of Judith Carol Tracy August 6, 1939.

Don't forget the Harvard Game as plans will be made for a dinner carrying on the custom which has been so popular.

Secretary, York Village, Maine

# 100% subscribers to the ALUMNI MAGAZINE, on class group plan.