1924
Since making the last progress report to our constituents the wires coming out of Hanover have been hot. The word is out that the 1924 nag is the horse to watch in the closing moments of the 1954 running of the Green Derby. Track followers are agog over the strong showing of our entry throughout the race, and the wise money is flocking to the windows to back our steed. At this moment the horses have rounded the turn and are making their stretch run for the finish line. Jockey Ranney has our hay burner under the whip as he starts his drive for what may be a furious photo finish. Harr and his assistants have done all they can. The final result is up to the 1924 supporters in the stands. Back our entry with the long green right now, and stick around for the payoff. This long shot is coming home a winner! THIS IS OUR YEAR!
To get away from the "race track" atmosphere for a moment, can you think of a better time for leading the pack than in this, our 30th Reunion year. Never before has our Class reached its assigned quota. We are on the verge of doing just that right now. Those of you who have thus far failed to get a check off to Hanover can do much to assure our suecess by taking care of it today. The drive closes June 30, only a few short days away. We need more contributors. To paraphrase a quotation attributed to Benj. Franklin, "Take care of participation, and the dollars will take care of themselves." Let's get with it, and stand up to be counted. We need every possible name on the list. We need your help — right now! Remember - THIS IS OUR YEAR!
Just a few days after this reaches you families from California and Washington, Florida, Georgia and way stations, will be starting the long trek back to the Hanover Plain to share in the celebration of our 30th Reunion. The big weekend has been set for June 18-19-20, and at the rate the applications have been pouring in we will have a record-breaking attendence. Wes Blake and his hard-working committee have taken care of everything, right down to the last minute detail, in order to insure a smooth running reunion program. More than ever before this is planned as a family reunion, and will be coed all the way. If you get an overwhelming urge to join the fun at the last minute, don't be deterred by the fact that you haven't mailed an application. There'll always be room for some more. Pack your bags, step on the starter, and go! All roads lead to Hanover, so we'll be looking forward to seeing you in the tent on June 18-19-20!
We were delighted to receive a letter from Gus Caldwell not too long ago, reporting on a recent tour of the alleged sunny State of Florida. While in the citrus belt he stopped over at Pompano Beach and chanced to run across Ed Jones, Number 1 citizen of that delightful community. Gus reports that Ed frequently tears himself away from the bridge table long enough to play top-flight tennis which is going some for a grandfather. Gus wistfully remarks that as far as he is concerned "the spirit is willing, but the legs get so weary!" The boys agreed to make the pilgrimage to Hanover for the 30th, and have made good on their pledge. Their applications are at hand as this is written.
Gus continues his active interest in the Naval Reserve and meets with his unit every Tuesday night, as does Sam Ellis. Gus writes, "Sam has warded off the encroachment of the advancing years, and looks like a million in his four gold stripes, a rather vulgar display of gold if you ask me - a lowly Lt. Commander." Just what else Gus does to keep himself out of mischief he didn't say, but from the general tone of his letter we would hazard a guess that everything was just a doin' fine.
Around the first of the year the ubiquitous Orton H. (for Hanover) Hicks '21 made a business trip through Africa and Australia. Ort is one of the shining lights of MGM, and reports getting together with Jerry Sutten in Johannesburg. Jerry is Managing Director for Warner Brothers for all of Africa south of the equator. Jerry married a South African girl and they have two fine children, a daughter 17 and a son 14. He is reported as shooting close to par golf, and is president of the Country Club. In Australia Ort looked up Earl Daum who is one of the leading industrialists in that great country. Earl is Managing Director of General Motors - Holden's Ltd., and operates a huge automobile plant in Adelaide. It was great to get Ort's report on the successful activities of at least two of our expatriates, and to learn that "though round the girdled earth they roam" there still burns a continuing interest in the College and its welfare.
Rev. Ted Hubbell writes that he is now actively engaged in the work of the Committee on Ministry to Defense Communities, a Home Mission project of the National Council of Churches, centering around Ohio's atomic area in and near Piketon, Ohio. This is a tremendous work, aimed to bring a religious influence into the lives of thousands of workers who are living in trailers, or other forms of temporary shelter with no organized community life. Nineteen missionaries are working in the area, and Ted is finding great satisfaction in this arduous, but important, work. More power to him!
Dick Dickinson just sent us the happy news that he, too, has joined the growing ranks of proud grandfathers. Dick writes, "I have deferred acknowledging your birthday card until I was in a position to tell you that I am now a grandfather. Which is now the fact, attested by a 6½ pound red-headed boy who, to my regret, has been penalized half the distance to the goal line in the opening minutes by being given his grandfather's silly name or is it his silly grandfather's name?" One way or the other, it is great news, and congratulations are extended to all parties at interest. Dick concludes by saying that Reunion plans are still up in the air, owing to a plethora of family activities in June, but that, all other things being arrangeable, he'll be on hand for the Big 30th. Here's hoping.
In accordance with time-honored custom, a completely new slate of officers will be elected to guide the destinies of 1924 for the ensuing five years when the Class convenes for its usual Reunion meeting on Saturday morning, June 19. This, then, will be the last column it will be our pleasure to write as Secretary of the Class. If I may be permitted, I should like to drop the over-worked editorial "we" and say good-bye in more personal terms.
Over the past five years it has been a real satisfaction to write the monthly column appearing in this magazine. The constant contact with various members of the Class, through lively correspondence, has been a continuing source of interest and pleasure to me. Surely no Secretary has ever received finer support from the Class membership. It is my feeling that our Class has come a long way during the past ten years in a growing warmth of friendship and increasing Class solidarity. It is my hope that this will continue in the years to come. For my successor, whoever he may be, I bespeak your continued loyalty and support. For the nonce, it is au revoir, auf Wiedersehen, hasta la vista, and so long. Thanks a million for all you have done to make these past five years so pleasant.
Secretary, 328 Orchard PL, Ridgewood, N. J
Class Agent, Cherry Lane, R.F.D. 1, Morristown, N. J.
