1934
REUNION is, of course, still the big topic of interest for all of you and we have held the presses twenty minutes over time already in order to get in the first report from Chairman Marty Dwyer! Being much too messed up with income tax forms to try to give you the story myself, Marty has come forth with as nifty an account of our plans as a man could ask for. Therefore, without further ado, here's how things stand:
"This is report Number One from'your Reunion chairman. First of all, let me forestall the rock-bottom question ('Are we going to have a Reunion this year?') with the assgrtion that, in an early burst of caution, I addressed just that query to the first guys in the class whom I ran into after the Navy separated me. The reaction was (1) a glassy, uncomprehending stare; (2) a threat of mayhem to any class officer casting the shadow of a doubt. Without even a pinch of fear, then, that high-handed authority is being exercised, let's get on with it.
"Now I imagine everyone already knows the fundamentals but well, here's the big noise. The class of 1934 will reune over the weekend of July 5, 6, and 7 with the classes of '33, '35, '36. It's the first time in the history of Dartmouth Alumni Reunions that contemporary classes have come back together. And when you bring it up a little closer, it looks even better. The class of '34 is in the middle. Throw yourself back to our junior year in Hanover and you have the prototype. One class ahead of us and two behind.
"Write your own ticket on just how swell that strikes you. As for me, I think it promises a wonderful weekend. Add the fact that Thursday is the 4th of July and provides a four-day weekend away from the shop without losing a sale, a customer, or a piece of conscience, and we ought to get busloads from every hamlet east of Albuquerque. We drew the shiny end of the stick this time, make no mistake.
"Your committee doesn't intend to do too much programming. Just round up a few hundred '34s, add a like portion of '33s, '3ss and '36s, and you don't have to work out much of a worrisome time-table to have a good time.
"But here's the general framework that's proposed for the benefit of all who feel like breaking away occasionally from the class beer tent and the old upright piano. Friday is basic training—unpack that red bandana, slip into a costume (nothing elaborate), sprawl on the greensward and greet 'em as they come along. What the hell does Harry care if you do call him Steve. We have half a mind to mix up the name buttons just for the gag.
"That afternoon we'll probably run the first heat of a four-way Softball joust, and it could be that first and third will be beer kegs. Friday evening President and Mrs. Dickey will hold their reception at the President's house, and I think everyone will accept that invitation with alacrity. Later that night the Alumni Dance will be held in the Gym. I don't know what most of you guys will be thinking of, but X" suspect there'll be more than one nostalgic reminiscence of Glen Gray, Mai Hallet, and Irene Taylor, and whatever band we draw will probably knock itself out trying to meet requests for 'Dancing in The Dark' and 'lf I Could Be with You.' Incidentally—and I hope not too many oldsters read this letter!—the only other reuning generation in Hanover that weekend will be the '3sers, so is it too much of a wild guess that the jamboree in the Gym will look like Green Key our junior year? Oh cut it out, Bill—something got in my eye, that's all.
"Saturday morning, a respectable number of hours after sunrise, sees the meeting of all grads present, in Webster Hall, with President Dickey addressing. Then the playoff of the ball tourney, to determine who pays for the moist bases. Along about 3 or 4 o'clock comes adjournment to a nearby pastoral spot for a renewal of the fine strawberry festival that was such a high spot of our Fifth. The same cows or their direct descendants are expected to be present for those who don't like beer, but the steaks will already have been removed from most distant beasts. Barbecues have a way of going on and on, but along about dark time the Players will arch their proscenia with a customarily polished performance in Webster.
"Sunday is tearbag day, what with departures and all, but we'll try to cushion the shock by running the class meeting in the late forenoon and sparking this end of the festival by some High Note staged by the Special Events Committee. Last time the High Note was a piece of buffoonery that hasn't been forgotten yet.
"Well, Billy, that tears it. I figured there's no better way of starting off the story of '34s Even Dozen than to guess at what will go into it. Your committee is still very much in the suggestion-accepting stage. We expect to have a big class dinner soon in New York, to get everybody around here helping to iron out a lot of the stuff and get the sub-committees rolling their hoops.
"What else is there? Wives? Naturally and by all means. We almost all have 'em, and I dare say for a good many of us it will be first crack at showing off Hanover. Everything possible and plausible will be done to make them at home and to keep them going on all cylinders for the brief times their guys will be wandering. Children? If you bring them along, and let us know ahead of time, the committee will be glad to help make arrangements for their safe stowage. Tax, low, and you might say negligible. Nobody need give that item a second thought, because the things that buy a big time at a Dartmouth Reunion just don't run up into much moola.
"The final item in this report, Mister Chairman, is that opinion has so far been unanimous. I haven't seen a man yet who isn't going to be there. In 1939 we had about 150 participants. I think this time it will be closer to 250, and maybe when the returns start coming in we'll find that even that tab is too low. It's been a long, long time, but it's now approaching fact."
Secretary and Treasurer
General Box Co. 816 S. 16th St., Louisville 1, Ky.
