1911 Has a Memorable 40th
As 1911'S Fortieth Reunion passes into history, it has left 180 people much the happier for its occurrence; 108 of these were present at Whitefield and were later joined by the rest in Hanover. This group was made up of 95 men, 77 wives and 8 children. As has become our custom, we received three men, all with their wives, with great rejoicing at their first appearance at any reunion. These are Chet Jenkins, Ira Knight and Chub Pease.
Starting with the opening of the Mountain View on Friday, June 15, there were about 15 couples on hand and this number increased day by day until they left for Hanover on Friday the 22nd in time to make the picnic at Keene's in Hanover Center. Of course, all engaged in the usual activities at the Mountain View, which consisted primarily of some of the men with a few wives indulging in nine, and sometimes 18, and on one occasion, 27 holes of golf with most of the rest sitting around visiting and recalling old times, discussing the present state of the nation and just generally enjoying themselves and looking forward to the next meal which Jimmy Gavin would have ready for us and which are beyond comparison with any other place we know. Mary had spent most of the winter in Whitefield and with crews of workmen had been improving and keeping the plant in condition, so that it looked new and fresh, as always. A new feature this year was the bird walks, led by 'Barbara and Brad Patten. One of the highlights of the occasion was the discussion between certain members who had been on the bird walk as to whether the other knew the brown-eyed vireo whereupon the wife of the one suggested that perhaps he had got the brown-eyed vireo and Old Crow confused.
Mary welcomed those who had arrived by Saturday with a delightful cocktail party on the sun porch. The Club House was headquarters for all the class for an hour following golf and before lunch and again in the early evening before dinner. The Dodge family were present Wednesday evening upon which occasion Chub Sterling in a very appropriate manner presented Mary, for the Dodge family, with a beautiful painting by Owen of Ledyard Bridge, made just prior to its destruction in 1938. Also, Frank Scuyler Dodge III was presented with a silver cup properly engraved by his grandfather's classmates.
Monday evening was made delightful by Alice Stout, who was scheduled to give a talk on her travels in Europe, and by George andMiriam Morris who were to give a piano duet. It turned out that the schedule was confused because Alice played a charming group of her own compositions and George and Miriam gave a most interesting talk about their travels through Europe and all the Mediterranean ■countries, where he was visiting in behalf of the International Bar Association. This evening was enjoyed by all the guests of the hotel as well as the 1911 'ers.
On Thursday evening, the last night there, Mary gave a cocktail party at the Club House for the whole group of 1911'ers. Senator and Mrs: Tobey were in Whitefield during our stay and our group enjoyed informal talks with the Senator.
We were blessed with beautiful weather during the entire week and all look back with fond memories of that memorable time. Many made a resolution to be back in June 1952 for another one of these informal reunions that have become so much cherished by all of those who participate.
When Friday, the 22nd, arrived, all departed for Hanover. Most checked in at headquarters at Mass Hall before proceeding to the picnic at Keene's, a delightful spot, although the occasion was somewhat dampened by showers, which began late in the afternoon. In spite of that the Keenes served lobster fresh from the state of Maine, together with many sundry fixings, a picnic affair which was highly enjoyed by all except a few who just can't eat lobster. The party lasted until around nine o'clock by which time most of the class had returned either to headquarters or to take in the President's Reception, which had to be held in the library instead of on the beautiful grounds of the President's home because of rain.
Saturday was one of those days when it rained most of the time with just enough light of the skies to lead you into the false hope that it would be clear and fine. This actually happened about five o'clock so that the dinner at the Outing Club could be approached without umbrellas and rubber boots. The Class picture had to be postponed until the gathering inside the Outing Club in the evening. Because of the heavy downpour and lack of space in Mass for the crowd to gather, all adjourned to the Commons, where with Jack Ingersoll at the piano and Lew Partridge acting as major-domo, the gang had an old-time songfest.
At noon the men went to the Alumni Gymnasium, where a buffet lunch was served inside the west wing followed by an excellent meeting of the Alumni Association, at which Bob Burroughs '21 presided and Governor Sherman Adams '20 of New Hampshire and President Dickey made strong addresses on the state of the College and the problems that it faces. The highlight of the meeting for us was a presentation by Sid Hayward of the silver cup to 1911 for having the largest percentage of living graduates present at reunion. We had been informed earlier that we also were to receive the 1930 cup for the largest number of men present but when the Class of 1941 found out our number, they made their list larger by six men. However, there was a catch in both of these awards because the permanent award went to the Class of 1926 at their reunion at Commencement for the largest number present and to 1901 for the largest percentage. However, it was a real accomplishment for 1911 to have such a large group present as 83 graduates and 12 non-graduates were with u.s.
While the men were enjoying these activities, the gals were being served a delicious buffet lunch at the Agry home in Etna. In spite of rain which spoiled the view of the distant Green Mountains, the occasion was a delightful one for all those present. After the Alumni meeting was over, many of the husbands drove out to the Agry farm also to see Warren's new home and to listen to some of
Duke Dunning's wonderful Swedish stories. President and Mrs. Dickey joined us at the Outing Club for the banquet and business meeting, which was preceded by a cocktail hour. The thanks of the Class go to TedO'Leary, Jim Mathes and Dick Paul for so generously furnishing the Class with materials essential for this occasion and the other meetings of the group, together with making possible refreshments at headquarters. Jeannette Gill served a fine roast beef dinner to 149 people as a few of the Class had already left town. Following the dinner a business meeting was held.
To his own great regret and the disappointment of the rest of us, Chub Sterling was unable to be present. Chub made a great effort, actually, to get to Whitefield and the reunion there, following an operation only a few weeks prior to the occasion, and the morning that we were to leave Whitefield for Hanover Chub had a little setback which delayed his coming until after reunion but you'll all be glad to know that at that time he had greatly improved and was on his way back to Greenwich and to work. In his absence Ben Stout, vice president, presided.
John Dickey made an informal and interesting talk, delighting us especially with a recitation of some of the funny experiences that he has as President,
Gabe Farrell led us in a short prayer and read the names at the memorial service for the 33 classmates who had died in the 5-year interval, the last of these men being HarryGonyer about whom we received a telegram giving the news of his death that day.
One of the first items of business was a resolution, passed unanimously, to wire Chub our regret being unable to be with us. Class Agent Mac Rollins reported for the Alumni Fund and was able to announce that we had exceeded our quota for the first time in many years and made a touching appeal to enlarge the surplus and to make the life of the class agent in the future a less arduous one by prompt compliance with his pleas. Mac is to be heartily congratulated for his work during the 5-year period and this ultimate accomplishment in the fifth year. All the class have greatly enjoyed his delightful "Rocking Chair" newsletters.
Treasurer Sarge Eaton reported on the finances of the Class and announced that during the 5-year interval the balance on hand had been increased from $1,064.24 to $1,409.27. He warned, however, that this balance would decrease without an increase in dues since during this period, the price of the MAGAZINE had been increased and the number of payments that would have to be made to the Memorial Fund would likewise be greater during the next interval. He called attention to the fact that it was the practice of the Executive Committee to contribute $10 to the Memorial Fund from the Class at the death of a classmate instead of sending flowers. This practice has met with favor in the past and will be continued. He, therefore, recommended that the class dues for the next four years be made $20, which would make the yearly dues $5. This is due to the fact that our 45th Reunion will merely be a 44th and take place in June 1955 in accordance with the schedule of reunions now being followed.-'-This recommendation was voted on and unanimously approved.
The secretary reported briefly, reading telegrams and letters which included one from our Class baby, Dave Hedges, who regretted his inability to be there and other members of the Class who had hoped to be there but could not for other various reasons. He stated that the statistics of the Class at the present time are as follows: of 395 men, who, at any time, were associated with the Class, 20 are now listed with other classes, that 110 had died, including the 33 in the past five years, leaving 266 on the list, of whom about 200 might be considered really interested and active. There are 177 graduates in this group.
At this point, Ken Clark in behalf of the Nominating Committee moved that the number of members of the Executive Committee be changed from five to seven and following the adoption of this amendment to the bylaws he presented the names of the following men: Nat Burleigh, Hanover; Josh Clark, Boston: Sarge Eaton, Bridgeport; Gene Gardner, Cleveland; Austin Keough, New York; Chub Sterling, New York; and Ray Taylor, Palo Alto, Calif. The slate was unanimously adopted. Following this business meeting, slides of the gang during college and through the 15th reunion were shown and then a showing of the latest College movie followed. The meeting broke up about 11:30 but an informal gathering at headquarters lasted until much later.
Sunday was pleasant and sunny so that as the classmates pulled out during the morning and afternoon, they could leave Hanover with a feeling that it had been a great reunion. Somehow as the years have passed we all seemed to have mellowed and have come to enjoy more and more these rare occasions when we can get together. Our next will be in June 1955 and here's hoping that all who were at this one and some of those who were not will be here then.
The following classmates and wives were present at Whitefield: Marion and Warren Agry, Ruth and Sid Backus, Bee and Nat Burleigh, Mary and Aubrey Butler, Marion and Harold Card, Mary and Dick Chase, Polly and Josh Clark, Elizabeth and Ken Clark, Jack Coggins, Lillian and Burt Cooper, Grace and Jack Crooks, Julia and Duke Dunning, Marguerite and Fred Eaton, Esther and Sarge Eaton, Sybil and Slim Eaton, Emma and Chuck Emerson, Grace and Seth Emerson, George French, Eunice and Bendy Griswold, Helen and Fred Harris, Louise and Bill Hart, Hazel and Ted Harvey, Coleen and Cap Hedges, Frances and Ed Keeler, Jane and Hugh Kenworthy, Kate and Austin Keough, Marion and Ira Knight, Dot and John Learoyd, Ruth and Jim Mathes, Muriel and Shorty Mayo, Miriam and George Morris, Margaret and Spim Norris, Alice and Ted O'Leary, Troy Parker Tib and Walt Reilly, Mildred and Mac Rollins) Hazel and Jack Russell, Kay and Bob Sanderson, Art Shepherd, Dorothy and Jack Steeves, Kay and Chub Sterling, Alice and Ben Stout, Cora and Ray Taylor, Biff Thompson, Muriel and George Thurber, Angela and Tim Vaitses, Viola and Brownie Wilder, Lew Sisson, Barbara and Brad Patten and Florence and Charlie Stebbins.
The group was joined in Hanover by the following: Hopper Allison, Mildred and Vail Applegate, Sam Aronowitz, Marion and Ken Ballou, Dorothy and Carl Bowker, Paul Briggs, Grace and Ed Chamberlain, Mary and Dud Dudley, Bernice and Deac Dunham, Elsie and Gabe Farrell, Marion and Les Gibson, Dorothy and Bill Gooding, Linda and Les Hawkridge, Helen and Dave Heald, Rachel and Mahl Hill, Ruth and Carl Hoar, Jack Ingersoll, Dutch Irwin, Clyde Locke, Jake Lovejoy, Jim Mai ley, Ray and Bill Marden, Bertha and Harold Moseley, Swede Nedham, Anne and John Norris, Helen and Lew Partridge, Doris and Dick Paul, Margaret and John Pearson, Lucile and Chub Pease, Ed Poole, Dan Porter, Budd Schell, Bertha and Hen Seaver, Boli Sherwin, Dick Stevens, Betridge and Carl Stucklen, Helen and Dutch Waterbury, Rebecca Jackson, Barbara and Syd Beane, Hal Halstead, Doris and Eb Holden, Louise and Chet Jenkins, Jule Mac Lam, Hub Pierce, Al Wheeler, Kath and Mert Wilson and Asunta and Windy Winship.
A HIGHLIGHT OF 191 TS 40TH WAS THIS LARGE GATHERING AT THE OUTING CLUB HOUSE
CLASS SECRETARY
