Southern California
In a setting that would have done credit to Omar the Tentmaker, viz, the ballroom of the swank Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, about three score of the faithful gathered on April 8. The occasion was the annual dinner of the Association and the presence in Southern California of our honored guest, Dean Don Morrison.
John Lyman reflected the sentiments of most of us when he reported, "I went over to pick up the Dean, expecting a venerable, gray-haired gentleman of the philosopher type, and here's this freshman-looking character with a crew haircut who kindly offered me his arm as we went down the steps! Yes, the youthfulness of Dean Morrison and his clear, concise presentation of Dartmouth today made many of us appreciate that the future of the College is now in the hands of a vigorous and intelligent new generation.
Dean Morrison was with us three nights and two days. We did not show him the sights from the front seat of a panel truck (San Francisco, please note), and we trust he enjoyed the salubriousness of our climate and the warmth of our companionship.
A fitting tribute to the memory of DaveBoyle '40, who passed away this year while serving as president of the Association, was presented by his former college roommate, Wes Hadden '40. Then the chairman of the nominating committee, Frank Danzig '37, offered the following officers for 1954: President, William C. Eldridge '34; First Vice President, Wesley B. Hadden '40; Second Vice President, Edwin L. Ramsey '35; Secretary, George R. Purvis '46; Treasurer, Stuart H. Durkee '33; Assistant Secretary, John Novascone '46; Assistant Treasurer, Harry Colmery '46; Alumni Councillor, Leon Rothschild '24; Chairman Scholarship Committee, John Lyman; Chairman Enrollment Committee, Robert Williams '26. Also nominated as directors for two years: Wendell Williams '34, Garth B. Jones '40, Kenneth Lieber '36, Mark Landsberg '49; and as directors for one year: Frank K. Danzig '37, Harry S. Ackerman '35, John F. Rourke '40, Rudolph Pacht '35.
John Lyman made a brief preliminary presentation of plans which are now afoot to raise scholarship funds among the alumni of Southern California to pay at least the tuition for four years to a boy from this area who wishes to attend Dartmouth. Long range plans also call for raising a permanent scholarship fund, the interest from which could also be used to help send more boys to Dartmouth from Southern California.
Leon Rothschild filled us in on activities of freshman candidates; and Wes Hadden filled us out by providing an excellent repast in the best traditions of the Huntington. Wes also announced that the treasury is solvent once more, but added a plea for all members to send in their current dues. All the above events of the evening were ably directed by Bill Eldridge '34, who will carry on through the next year what we hope will be a varied and interesting program.
The Southland, as this area is affectionately, if somewhat confusingly referred to by the Los Angeles Times, has gone ski-mad, Dartmouth men are active in the F.W.S.A. and in the many ski clubs and organizations.
Dave Boyle '40, whose death early in January was such a stunning loss to the Southern California alumni, was one of the most avid devotees, as well as one of the best. Several years before, he had been concerned with a survey of the Mt. Baldy area for big-time skiing. Others took up the plan and in 1952 and '53 a quarter-million-dollar chair lift was built by a syndicate at Baldy Notch - just fifty miles from Los Angeles. Wes Hadden and Don Wor den, both '41, were and are connected with it.
What more logical than to revive the "Dartmouth Winter Carnival of Southern California" at Snow Crest Resort, only a mile from the base of the new triple lift? Dave and the writer had planned on this party for February 12-14 and he had planned to attend. We felt sure that he would want us to continue, so the Association went ahead.
On Friday afternoon, Helen and Bill Eldridge '34, with daughters Joan, Lynne and Beth; Helen and Wendell Williams '34, with Wendy and Chris (the only boy), Rudy andVeda Pacht '35 and their two little girls, Pam and Penny, and Ellie and Lem Arnold '44, with Flicker, age 2½ pulled into Snow Crest in a driving rain which promised to be "the white stuff" up on top. Welcomed by Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, our hosts, and by Cappy and myself, they found snug cabins and roaring fireplaces.
Saturday brought the kind of weather that drives the Carnival Committee in Hanover off their rockers. It rained, sleeted, snowed, froze and blew clouds in your face. During this exhibition of sunny "Southland" weather, Patti and Garth Jones '48 drove in, closely followed by Louise and John Earle '43, and their guests Margie and John Wright, with BruceDunsmore '45 and Janie Ausman, filling up the car. Most of us played the fireside circuit for the rest of the afternoon.
At 6:30 we started gathering in the Snow Crest Rathskeller for hot buttered rum and other thermo-dynamic sundries, followed by a baked-ham dinner, speeches, singing and dancing. Sunday brought snow and colder, with skiing close at hand. By mid-afternoon, well before dusk, we headed homeward, a fine party over, and the temperature a respectable Hanoverian 20 degrees.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CARNIVAL: A ski weekend at Snow Crest Resort, Mt. Baldy, trought together these alumni, wives, and guests: First row (l to r): Margie Wright, Cappy Williams, Veddo Pacht Pacht, Louise Earle Ellie Arnold, Carol Boyle, Helen Eldridge, Janie Ausman, Patt, Jones. Back row: Rudy Pacht 35, Bill Eldridge '34, John Earle '43, Bob Williams '26, Lem Arnold '44, John Wright, Bruce Dunsmore 45, Garth Jones '48. Not shown, Helen and Wendell Williams '34.
Secretary, 454 N. Camden Dr., Beverly Hills, Calif.
