1936's "Never Better" 20th
THE 20th Reunion has gone into the books (a mere nineteen years after graduation, praise be) and a better Chautauqua never was staged! A total of 128 brethren went to the post and were cheered around the track by an almost equal number of wives and children. For the record and those classmates unable to make connections, let's review in such detail as space and time will permit.
By Friday noon the caravan was pretty well into camp. Johnny Fager arrived in Norwich from Pittsburgh and finally walked the last miles, satchel on his back, at 2 a.m. Saturday morning. More love than this hath no man for his class! By contrast, Ed Nilsson and NielsNielsen flew to Leb in their own jobs. Like all fly boys they spend more time getting to and from airports than they did in the air.
Uniforms consisted of green beer jackets with white patch pockets with a bold '36 over the heart. Green-brimmed crew caps with white crowns and green numerals made up the balance of the gear for the lads. The lasses got a duplicate cap and both sexes were labeled by name to bolster the time-weakened memory. The weatherman dealt us three off the top of the deck so guys and gals broke out the Bermuda shorts and high stockings. Campion and the Co-op sold out of bathing suits and trucks and the beer jackets went home untested, in many instances. You can't name a puddle, pond, lake or stream within a 50-mile radius into which someone didn't duck in the course of the weekend.
The buffet supper Friday night at the tent set a tall standard below which no meal subsequently fell. Oh, that lobster Newburg!
There was one sad note. On Friday night, or to be more precise, Saturday morning, the distributor of beer in kegs failed to leave the last one — so at 2 a.m. the compressed air tank blew a shrill "all clear" and only foamy froth fizzled from the once plentiful spigot. With the well run dry, a number of clear-thinking but tuckered couples headed dormward, be it Ripley, Woodward, Smith, New Hamp or a Fayerweather. Could be the fates were wise; in any event, no gripes met the committee as the sun peered over Balch Hill.
Following a balmy Friday night of revelry and alumni dancing, the sun rose early Saturday to herald a second perfect day. The agenda called for breakfast "at the convenience of the victim," as reunion planner, BobIngersoll so aptly listed it. The class meeting was the first real business of the day and it seemed like old times to park the frame again at 104 McNutt. Reports of the class officers came first. Frank Weston kicked them off with a treasurer's report showing a healthy exchequer. Accountants-by-profession, Hank Billings, Ed Higbee and Dick Knight heckled Frank into a most complete and enjoyable recitation. In fact, banker Dune Newell showed he, too, was still in undergraduate form, by adding a few spontaneous quips which provided final frosting for the financial cake.
Dink Gidney, who two months ago had accepted the position of Memorial Fund chairman, gave an outstanding talk and report on the Memorial Fund. Dink proved to all he will carry along most capably the splendid work Al Gibney has been doing on this most important job. For a number of mighty good reasons Al felt he could not continue with the Memorial Fund work so the executive committee, together with the chairman of the nominating committee, Gil Balkam, appointed Dink to take over last April. Al will continue the class contact with the families of classmates who died in the service. By vote at our 10th Reunion, the class accepted financial responsibility for the college education of each child of Class members who died in the service. Al reported that financial assistance would apparently not be necessary in any case, which he will continue to watch, however, for any changes.
Pete Fitzherbert reported on the Alumni Fund, heaping praise on the class for its support of his five-year chairmanship, no year of which has failed to beat the previous ones. Reunion Chairman Bob Ingersoll begged the gathering to heed his plea that at all subsequent buffet meals they go for "seconds" with dirty plates! Seems the caterers were charging for each new plate used.
Following a brief report by the Secretary, the class was presented a new constitution for its consideration and approval. In essence, it calls for establishment of the new office of class chairman, to be added to the present officer group. It also provides for an elevenman executive committee who will be responsible for appointment of class officers and initiation of all class business. A quorum was present and unanimously adopted the new plan.
Gil Balkam, hard-working nominating committee chairman, read his committee nominations for the eleven-man committee just voted. They were accepted unanimously and are: Paul Cleaveland, Pete Fitzherbert, Bob Ingersoll, Dick Hefler, Dick Morton, Ray Reitman,Brint Schorer, Dick Spencer, Gib Sykes, BrewTowne and Fred Weiss.
At a subsequent meeting of the new executive committee, the following officers were elected to serve until our 25th. They are: Chairman, Pete Fitzherbert; Secretary, JohnSawyer; Treasurer, Frank Weston; Alumni Fund Head Agent, Kirk Liggett; Memorial Fund Chairman, Dink Gidney. Under the new plan, the new Newsletter Editor will be appointed at a later date by the chairman, after consultation with Kirk Liggett, Alumni Fund chairman. Joe Cunningham still insists he's had it!
The Class picture, reproduced herewith, was taken in drenching sunshine at about high noon. For one good reason or another, several failed to get into the shot as it was over in no time and the fastest class photo we can recall. Directly following, the entire reunion body headed for the Gym, and the big Alumni Luncheon and Alumni Meeting. Again it seemed like old times to have Hoppy honored and to hear his familiar voice as he spoke briefly in acknowledgement of the fine tribute he had been paid. In a clever surprise maneuver, the Class of '30 got President Dickey to process matriculation papers for a wooden Indian, about which we're sure you can read elsewhere.
As the bright sunshine began to lose its intense heat the gang moved out to the D.O.C. House for cocktails on the shores of Occom Pond, and another terrific buffet banquet. A more perfect setting, or evening, can never be had. To a man and to a woman, everyone enjoyed those fleeting hours to the utmost. Again Bob Ingersoll received scores of justly deserved compliments for his planning and program execution. At theatre time, those who wanted Sabrina Fair took in a fine offering by The Players at Webster. Directly following the play, things really bubbled at the tent until the wee small hours.
At 9:30 on Sunday morning, in the beautifully simple setting of the Bema, we gathered for services in memory of the deceased members of the classes of 1934, 1935 and 1936. As the final touch to a weekend none will forget - a buffet "brunch" was served at the tent. From orange juice to charcoal broiled lamb chops it was just what the doctor ordered - Ingersoll, that is. A goodly number elected to add a day; they just couldn't leave when they were ahead. Others of us had to hit the trail and did so reluctantly but satisfied that never anywhere had anyone had a better 20th!
The following is a run-down of those whowere in Hanover during the weekend:
Tom Allen, Lill and Roy Adams, Pat and Ted Andrew, Carolyn and John Arnold, Fran and Gil Balkam, Dot and Herb Beskind, Hank Billings, Jane and John Bouker, Faith and Charlie Brooks, Ruth and Ed Brooks, Jerri and Ray Builter, Vi and Russ Capelle, Bob Chaffee, Kay and Brad Chase, Lee and Paul Cleaveland, Rose and Harry Coronis, Doris and Bill Crangle, Joe Cunningham, Fran and Bill Curtis, Julia and Fred Dailey, Joe Davis, Bill Davis, Maxine and Chuck Delbridge.
Also, Dan Doan, Al Doolittle, Phyl and Cliff England and George England (age 3 weeks), Don Erion, John Fager, Barb and Pete Fitzherbert, Nan and Len Florsheim, Shirley and Dave Fox, Jo and Bill, Al Gibney, Olive and Dink Gidney, Libby and Fred Gonnerman and Suzi and Holly Gonnerman, Dot and Paul Guilord, Barbara and George Hambleton, Lansing and Charlie Harrison and sons, Paul and Cot, Edith and Dick Hefler, Helen and Ed Higbee, Ruth and Hestie Hirst, Pat and Bill Hoffman, Pic and Norb Hofman.
Also, Cherry and Noxie Howard, Huff Huffman and sons, Steve and Tony, Margie and Ed Hyde, Bob Ingersoll, Barbara and Dick Jewell, Jessie and Spence Johnson, Larry Jump, Gerry and Frank Kappler, Fi and Bob Keeler, Dot and Bob Keller, Florence and Jack Kenny and "Ward and Jane Kenny, Dick Knight, Barbara and Bill Lee, Betty and Chuck Lehman, Kirk Liggett, Tom Luey, Cathie and Paul Lynch, Janet and Jack McKallagat, Jeannie and Bill McLaughlin, Mim and Bill Macurda.
Also, Stina and Bill Martens, Nancy and George McCleary, Jean and Len Mead and son, Chip, Kay and Ed Merrill, Joe Millimet, Madine and Dick Morton, Ben Moyer, Tony Muello, Phyl and Dune Newell, Jane and Niels Nielsen and daughter, Karen, Evvy and Ed Nilsson, Abby and Bill Niss, Martha and Dick O'Hare and Kathy, Tom and Christine O'Hare, John Ovitz, Edythe and Al Pactovis and son, Tink and Bob Paterson, Morrie Paine, Dan Poor, Pearsie and Cliff Porter, Dug Porter, Theo and Bob Prentice, Boyce Price.
Also, Peg and Ray Reitman, Barb and Howie Rogers (bride and groom of one month), Betty and Dave Sanderson and Nancy and Ned Sanderson, Nancy and John Sawyer, Gardner Schirmer, Doris and Brint Schorer, Barbara and Harvey Sevigny, Jane and Fred Shurts, Dale and Bruce Smith, Jinny and Joe Smith, Dot and Morrie Stein and Nancy, Fred and Steve Stein, Betty and Des Stewart, Emily and Bill Stimson, Emilie and Steve Stotzer, Ruth and Dick Stowell, Evelyn and John Sullivan, Virginia and Don Sutherland, Kate and Gene Tamburi, Laura and Elmer Thomas and Lauraine, Aileen and Chuck Thompson, Ruth and Tommy Thompson, Marion and George Tillinghast, Ellie and Jim Tindle, Joanne and Bud Tit-comb, Ethel and Art Toan, Daphne and Jim Tracy.
Also, Marge and Dick Tucker, Lou Tylec, Bob Walker and son, Bob, Gladys and Stan Walker, Sue and Fred Warne, Lee and Art Wasserman, Bernice and Fred Weiss, Gib and Vin Wentworth, Elsie and Frank Weston, Betty and Ted Whitmore, Francie and Connie Wickham, Helen and John Weisman, Bud Wolfe, Bounce and Ross Woodbridge, and last but not least, Lee and Bill Wyman.
We missed you swell gals and guys who hadto miss the affair. The Class of '30 reallypulled out all stops and over half the classwas on hand. We'll bust their record on our25th, that's for sure! It's been swell workingin your behalf. Please don't fail to send anyand all news to your new secretary, JohnSawyer, the minute it happens - and have agrand summer.
The younger set, accompanying Class of 1936 parents, contributed their share to this lively reunion.
'36, RETIRING CLASS SECRETARY
