1910's "45th in '55"
You pays your money and you takes your choice" is the old saying o£ the sideshow barker, but that is not the way we heard at "The 45th in '55" reunion of the Class of 1910. Messrs. Herb Wolff, chairman, Ray Seymour and John Vander Pyl, our reunion committee, laid it down, "You pays your money - and there is no choice." And that innocent-looking gimmick probably is one of the important basic reasons for the unqualified success of the grand family party of 1910.
As that phraser of phrases, Jim, Everett, aptly phrased it, "I haven't heard a gripe." The point is this: when you pay down in one item, the cost of everything but Monday and Tuesday morning breakfasts, you make it a point to be on hand with the rest of the gang for all other meals. That in turn means that you will be on hand for every item on the reunion program. Result: you see more of all the others, get better acquainted and feel that you are really having a genuine re-union. And at no point in the three-day period are you tempted to leave Hanover to look for some place to eat. This "single package deal" our committee planned turned out to be a real smart idea when applied to a reunion. A short cheer for the Wolff-Seymour-Vander Pyl combination. That cheer was echoed over and over again by just about every Tenner and his wife (if she was on hand).
The weather Monday, when we began to arrive in Hanover, did not get around to whole-hearted cooperation at first. Following a soaking wet Commencement Sunday, we had showers during Monday morning but in the afternoon it began to dry up and become evident that our first outdoor event, buffet dinner, would not have to be turned into an indoor event. Ninety-two were fed, so that indicated that all but a few who "paid their money" had arrived as planned. (Total attendance finally reached 105.) The mingling occasioned by the process of being served buffet style helped to thaw any remains of ice and all were soon "very old friends."
About eight o'clock we strolled across campus to Dartmouth Hall where we were entertained by films showing the college life of the present-day Dartmouth freshman. The films were especially interesting because they showed us the differences from the college life we knew and lived. The size and development of the plant and the many added facilities make a lot of difference. About nine o'clock, we journeyed back across the campus to the President's House and garden for his reception to the alumni of classes '09-'10-'11. Just to have the opportunity to view that attractive garden scene was a treat. The yellow lights all around against the background of many varieties of flowers and shrubs, all of which formed the background for the many fair young damsels of Hanover floating through the crowd with offerings of cakes and punch - well, it just made you glad you were there. About the time most of us had decided we should leave for our "home," Gile Hall on Tuck Drive, Jupiter Pluvius & Co. began preparing for the clearing-up shower, so some were caught and had to duck into fraternity house doorways and porches en route, and wait for the hardy ones to get their cars for the rescue.
When all were back in the big tent in front of the dorm we found ourselves listening to a group of Tenner singers who had gathered around, with that old key-tickler, WalterGolde, who had come all the way from North Carolina to join the party. Those old friends of ours, 1909, were located in the dorm next to ours, so that brought the two big tents close. '09 had a group of instrumentalists on hand to furnish perpetual music but when we began to sing, as far as we were concerned, '09 didn't bother us any more than when we were the freshmen and they were the sophs, in days long ago.
By the time the last Tenner had had breakfast, Tuesday, it was time to stroll up across campus to Andy Scarlett's headquarters at Steele Hall, just beyond Wheeler Hall. Andy's lecture on "New Synthetic Fibers" was a part of the Hanover Holiday program open to all alumni and friends. His audience on this particular June 14 was a packed house of Tenners. Andy showed us how much more there is to chemistry than 45 years ago. If we should hazard a guess, it would be that many of us gave closer attention to Andy's talk than to many we "attended" 45 or more years ago. He certainly impressed us with his understanding of the many synthetics we have met in recent years: rayon, dacron, etc. And he impressed us by the way he arranged his demonstrations so that we ordinary, non-chemistry-minded folk could follow him. This really was the "heaviest" item on the reunion program and it was quite a treat to be back in the lecture lab for an hour course.
Tuesday was a full day. Soon after we left Andy's habitat, it was time to gather in Thayer Hall for the special Alumni luncheon for our three classes — '09-'10-'11. Thayer Hall is the latter-day Commons where there are several rooms for meal service. For the speaking portion of this luncheon date, we moved over to College Hall in the spot where the Commons of our day (15$ breakfast, 15¢ & 20¢ luncheon, 20¢ & 25¢ dinners) held forth. Here we learned that we had come close to topping the other two classes in the matter of attendance at the reunion. The report of
"number present" was called in during the morning and since several of our 61 showed up in Hanover just after that report was made, we thought we had a chance. When the announcement was made we knew we had 61 of the Class present. Sixty was the number '11 was given credit for. However, they probably had some show up after their figure was reported. We had to take it with a smile. We made a showing anyway. We heard a satisfactory and interesting discussion by President Dickey that gave us some ideas about the problems of the College today and the ways in which alumni can and do fit into the Dartmouth scheme.
When the luncheon was over we took another stroll, this time to the north end of the campus out in front of where the administration building of our day was located. There we "posed" for our reunion picture. This did not take long. It was followed by our visit to Baker Library to see the special exhibit the Library had prepared showing a large number of manuscripts, books and photos of our deceased classmate, Ben Ames Williams. To quote the letter telling us of this 'memorial exhibition tracing the literary career' of Ben, "The exhibition provides an overview and survey of the vast output and accomplishment in authorship of the most prolific of Dartmouth's alumni authors — a record which included forty books and approximately five hundred magazine appearances." This proved so interesting to our group that we had to delay calling the Class meeting to order. This was the next item of this busy day, Tuesday.
The Class Memorial service in charge of Rev. Bill Moe was the first order of the Class meeting. The reading of the names of men who have passed away in the five-year period - there were 43 deaths - was prefaced with suitable words by Rev. Bill paying tribute to these men, and reminding us of the great privilege we enjoy by remaining able to make our return visits to the old College. The service was concluded by a prayer offered by Bill.
The business session gave opportunity for the Chairman-Secretary to make a brief report — brief because he felt that the TennerTopics and the monthly "columns" in the ALUMNI MAGAZINE, form the main part of such a report. He expressed his appreciation to the many Tenners who have helped by passing along news, and gave a sincere "thank-you" to Herb Wolff, Ray Seymour and John Vander Pyl for their work as Reunion Committee. Treasurer Jess Wilson gave us the figures accounting for the funds he has received, spent and saved for future spending. Jess reported that the response of the Class has been very gratifying in the matter of payment of annual dues. The report of the nominating committee Hilly Williams, chairman, Scott Perry and Herb Woods - was presented and adopted unanimously. The officers for the next five-year period: Chairman of Executive Committee and Secretary, RussMeredith; Treasurer, Jess Wilson; Members of Executive Committee: Heinie Barrett,Pineo Jackson, "Bones" Jones, Mac Kendall,Charlie Libbey, Bill Moe and Wilk Wilkinson. Motions passed included a vote of thanks to the officers and to the reunion committee for their services, and a vote to continue to send the ALUMNI MAGAZINE to Tenner widows, the selection of this list to be in the hands of the Executive Committee.
Andy Scarlett was then given the privilege of the floor to tell us about the Class' performance up to date on the Alumni Fund and the prospects for our making a 100% record this year. Andy called attention to the names of some men whose addresses he questions since no response has been received to mail sent to the last known addresses in the College files. He asked for help in locating facts about these men. There was a little time after the meeting adjourned for relaxation before the Class Dinner at the Hanover Inn.
A late start, plus slight delay in getting the whole hundred-plus steaks ready and a time limit for the dinner because we all had tickets for the show by The Players in Webster Hall, made it necessary to speed up the after-dinner program. Bill Moe gave the invocation before we began, and following the meal, which was tops, he and Frank Meleney responded to the call for a "few remarks" from the two Tenners who had honored the Class by being honored by the College at the Commencement Exercises, Sunday. Frank was given the honorary Doctorate of Science and Bill was made Doctor of Divinity. These were two very pleasing tributes and congratulations were many and sincere. Walter Golde was at the piano for a couple of songs which we squeezed in before we called upon a member of the faculty of our day, Prof. E. Bradlee Watson, who taught some of us English I & II, and some to declaim (English 9 & 10). He reviewed a lot of events of the good old days of '06-'10. His recital of these "incidents" caused many a knowing smile and was enjoyed and appreciated.
Wednesday morning several began packing to leave, but about 75 remained to attend the wind-up event - a buffet luncheon, and a very pleasing one, at the Outing Club House. The afternoon saw many more leaving, but there were 27 who made up an impromptu dinner party at Loch Lyme, which was engineered by Mac Kendall. Thursday morning after breakfast, it was difficult to count a half-dozen Tenners in Hanover
One feature which was started this year, and should be repeated, was a "Rogues' Gallery." This showed a number of photos of Tenners - at graduation and recent "shots." The contrast was educational.
There's end to all good things - and we reached it for the "45th in '55."
Here's who attended, listed according to the seating in photo:
Front row: Gladys & Jess Wilson, Helen (Mrs. Jim) Lowell, Florence & Mac Kendall, Mickey & Hazel Holmes, Lila & Ed Keith, Marion & Heinie Reed, Heinie, Maria & Henriette Barrett, Hap Hinman.
2nd row: Mabel Wilkinson, Charlie & Bertha Bardwell, Edith & Beezle Parker, Russ & Gladys Meredith, Dixi Crosby, Andy & Bertha Scarlett, Whit & Karen Eastman, Florence & Nort Cushman, Marion & Wayland Wood.
3rd row: Wilk Wilkinson, Ralph & Elaine Paine, Bertha & Leo Sherman, Olive & Hal Sprague, Scott & Mecha Perry, Elizabeth & George Underwood, Phyllis (Mrs. Nate) Sherman, Helen & Frank Meleney, Miss Orilla Moe & Bill Moe.
4th row: Walt Norton, Marion Hinman, Isabel Norton, Don & Ethel Bryant, Chan Baxter, Sidsell & . Harold Washburn, Charlie Libbey, Walter Golde, Virginia & Herb Woods, Ann (Mrs. Art) Gow, Ned & Gladys Loveland.
5th row: Art & Bertha Lord, Miss Dorothy Smith, Thayer & Dorothy Smith, Billy Williams, Mary & John VanderPyl, Ray Seymour, Herrick Kidder, Maurice Blake.
6th row: Jim MacPherson, Guy Perry, John & Gertrude Finn, Henry Hutchins, Bill Tucker, Pineo Jackson, Ted Hill, Evelyn & Dinnie Pratt, Helen & Ralph Taylor.
Top row: Bert Kent, George Davies, Herb "Wolff, Margaret & John Shambow, Ted Smith, Bones Jones, Charlie Fay, Jim Everett, Bill Murphy, Roge Pierce.
Not included in photo: Larry & Mim Bankart, Elizabeth Davies, Keith Pevear, Earle & Dot Pierce, Bill & Ella Taylor, Madeline (Mrs. Harry) Wells.
The Class of 1910 Family, arriving on Monday the 13th for its 45th reunion, enjoyed the early start.
CI.ASS SECRETARY
