1924
As a decrepit scribe, this writer offers but faint hope that you will pull through the following notes without contracting a severe case of mental hives or hang nails. Though you may never guess it from what you read here, the class' 22nd Reunion was champion among the pleasures of* alternately greeting, chewing the fat with, becoming reacquairtted with, and laughing oneself weak at the antics and remarks of the 82 classmates who returned for all or part of the July 27th weekend. Let it be noted now and well that the 83 wives and children added beyond measure to the success of the occasion. If at anytime between now and 1949, a questioning voice is raised on the propriety of bringing along Her Ladyship, may Pinky Booth never again jump over the handkerchief he holds taut, or Jim Henretta fall into a swamp chasing a fly ball, or Jeff Adams hit a high C, or Kip Higley introduce you and you and you to Brad Hersey's dog as "Miss Hersey,"—a few samples of many pleasantly memorable incidents.
Bevo Beers and son won the long distance travel record when they arrived from Guatemala. Several baseball sages who caught a few at the picnic were quick to observe that the Beers' heir was the most natural 11-year-old hitter they had ever seen. Dick and Mrs. Morin with their two daughters, also handy with a ball and bat, covered a fair chunk of the country too, to come all the way from Albert Lea, Minn.
Ken Harvey Jr., who is entering college this fall, let his father and younger brother shag a few of those flies mentioned above, most of which were well socked by A1 Stopford, the ex-Arizona rancher, and Bud Seavey who had four out of five of his family on deck. Win Sturtevant without benefit of banjo, and for reasons he can't imagine, did the catching all afternoon. Russ Treadway solo, but with a son coming to Hanover in September too; Charlie French accompanied by his daughter Mary, who goes to Vassar shortly; Ted Lamb; and Jim and Gladys Rutherford formed a sizable Ohio delegation. Ned and Judy Mansure from Chicago caught the last two days of Hanover Holiday and to make up for years of lost time from New England, toured the White Mountains on Thursday in company with Bob, Virginia and young Bob Hall. On Friday morning in the famous, long scheduled golf match, Pete Wheatley carried Phil Van Huyck to victory over Gil Thornton and Charlie Amelung, or so said Phil, all without benefit of their respective wives, Alma, Louise, Ruth and Marion who stayed right on campus.
Ex-Mass. Governor Channing Cox 'O1, partaking of a quick one at our Hanover Inn cocktail party, had only to look at such sartorial splendor as represented by Ev Baker, Charlie French, Charlie Holbrook, Ives Atherton, Ken Davis, Ed Spargo, Ted Learnard, Joe Falcon and Arnie Jenkins—among others—to remark that ours was about the smoothest class he had seen. Let this not be construed as an omission of the attractiveness of their wives or any one else in attendance. Even a liberal re-appearance of white cotton gloves with blue wristers, led by its originator Stan Lonsdale (who also wore his 15 th Reunion coat except when Martha drew the line), and aided and abetted by Red Maloney and Luit Luitweiler (Norma and Sally permitting), served the better to add color. Gals and children trouped off to the Outing Club for Friday night's Banquet, while the guys ate their dinner at the Inn Pavilion, tent-in-back to you.
No effort will be made to distinguish between those at the President's Reception who attacked the Oka cheese, the cookies or the punch with extra enthusiasm. A wholehearted turnout included Pres Smart and wife, A1 Robinson and wife and two children, Bob Bragg and wife, Henry and Luala Holmlund, Bob Wilkinson and wife, third parents present of a Dartmouth freshman, Les Sycamore, Ted and Marg Goddard, Doug and Doris Craig, Walt Emerson, Hank and Pauline Hartshorn, and Fred and Connie Briscoe plus daughter Anne.
We can take credit for another good crowd at the informally scheduled Hum by the Senior Fence, with Jeff Adams leading and coaxing a note or two out of such folks as Dave and Alice Perry, Otie Jackson (with wife and daughters Joan and Eleanor), Stan and Barbara Chittick, Whit and Dot Gowrie, and Frank and Emily Granata. Nor was the Alumni Dance in College Hall destitute of 1924 representation until the final whistle at 1:30 a.m. That's where the second generation shined, thanks also to their confreres from '23, '25 ad '26.
Parker and Marion Hicks arrived in none too good humor after a taxi in Laconia, N. H. hooked a fender of their brand new car as they were on their way to Reunion. Tillie and Marion Lourie kidded and talked them back into a better frame of mind, however. Every member of the class was grateful to have a chance to reune with Dot Strong, who attended all our functions and stood in the receiving line at the President's Reception.
The piece de resistance came on Saturday with the picnic at Oak Hill. Putty Blodgett lost but three seconds going swimming, although Beattie Adams and Lois Haws looked the "sitcheation" over and decided that nature had not provided the most ideal bath house facilities. Les and Lois Haws from their summer farm in Brunswick, Me., brought along their son Charles who to date has grown in a direction opposite to his father. While the aforementioned baseball practice took place, Bunny Holbrook picked a quart or two of wild raspberries, Doug Craig, Doug Braharn and wives visited their respective boys at camp nearby, Ken Foley, Chinee Allen and Gordy Bridge recounted, news of the Hanover Plain ably supported by their wives, to those less fortunately located. This is no place to decide who talked to whom, but there were plenty who gladly sat and listened or drank in the scenery, with and without other refreshment as the spirit moved—Ernie and Patsy Barvoets, Charlie Morse, Butts Lamson, Led Ladd and wife, Ted Neilson, Frank Chapman, Larry, Peggy and Zeke Marshall, Alec Gibson and wife, Vin Rogers and wife, Bob Bragg and wife, Cy Geilich, wife and son, Bob Fenderson, Jack Parker, Herb Marks, Mutt Reed and wife, Don Coyle, Don Bartlett and wife, and Doc and Ethel Christophe.
Country aii appetites popped up when Ross McKenney served his famous goulash. We stopped counting after Ev Baker and Les Haws had their fourth helping. Arnie George sat up in amazement when Russ opened his French Canadian story-telling with a yarn about a "doctaire" in Haverhill whose last name was George. At a brief business session, a nominating committee of Blodgett, Craig and Chittick brought in a "directed verdict" to continue the same class officers until the 35th Reunion, with the Executive Committee to confer on the position of Alumni Fund Agent and 1949 Reunion Chairman. Far too inadequate thanks were bestowed upon Jim White for the job he has done as Secretary, upon Mike Watkins for his work on the Alumni Fund, upon Kip Higley for the grandest reunion the class has ever had, and upon Jim, Chinee Allen and Ken Foley for their collaboration on the excellent publication of 1924's War Record, distributed while we were there. Write to Jim White if you do not receive your copy.
Since this bird Spaulding left out two important thanks, let me rush into print with a salvo of same to Phil Van Huyck for his 24Hour Notices this year, and to Ruff Miller, recuperating and cheerful in Dick's House, for his share in Reunion arrangements.
President Dickey twice visited our tent informally, in front of Smith, Woodward and Ripley. At the showing of the class movies, the German Band featured at our 10th vied with Love Rides the Rails for number of laughs. For some reason or other Stu Eldredge's visit appeals most as a happy ending to this report. Stu and his wife brought their four little girls, 114 to 8 years old, from their farm in Springfield, Vt. They were all dressed alike and they all had fun.
If your're still awake, you should have been there.
C. JERRY SPAULDING
DELAYED 20-ERS: 1924 has its 20th two years late.
Secretary, 70 Fifth Ave., New York 11, N. Y
Treasiirer, Niles & Niles 165 Broadway, New York, N. Y
