The Big 40th for 1915
THE glorious 40th is now history - though its "spell on us remains"! And what history was made! A turnout that exceeded our fondest hopes and came within a gnat's eyebrow of winning first place in the 1894 Award race - two small percentage points behind our youthful and exuberant competitors, and still friends, the 25th-Year Class of 1930.
Statistically there is a mark for the next 40th-year group to shoot at — 95 registered members and a total registered attendance of 171.
The highlights? There were many. Naturally, the class dinner Saturday evening was the focal point and was handled with neatness and dispatch by our retiring president, JackMason. From the moment he announced that the ladies had given permission, because of the heat, for the men to remove their jackets to the final singing of Men of Dartmouth, it was a delightful, auspicious occasion, headlined by President Dickey's remarks paying tribute to 1915 for the part it has played in College and other affairs down through the years. Under the usual order of business, reports were made by the secretary, treasurer, class agent and bequest chairman, and MaruFrederick, as class agent, was presented with a beautiful plaque in recognition of the fine job he has done in carrying on successive Green Derby wins to the number of eight, with a ninth in the offing (we hope). As a nice interlude, Charlie Griffith gave us a beautiful rendition of Danny Boy on the violin - which took us back along the nostalgic trail - as only Charlie can do it. The boy has not lost his touch!
Starting with the registration and social hour at the class tent, it was reminiscing and revival, intermingled with harmony (some of it close) and renewing acquaintanceship, reshaping the faces of today to those we knew of yore. The name badges helped a lot and it didn't take long to adopt a casual adeptness in reading them (a little tough, however, on us guys with bi-focals!).
The buffet supper in the tent was a knockout. And right here, let's pay tribute to the Hanover Inn management for the wonderful food, and lots of it, provided at the supper, and the very tasty viands and service they furnished at the dinner. And all that included in the original assessment! (I wouldn't know about the "refreshments" end of it!)
The President's reception presented a veritable fairy-land. It is nice to be treated so royally!
Later in the evening, those who were so minded tripped the light fantastic in College Hall. (How about that wisecrack on the program about those interested and "able"!) Others repaired themselves again to the tent and great were the reverberations thereof. There were a lotta husky voices the next morning.
The class picture was negotiated without too much discomfort Saturday morning - what's a class picture without bright sunlight? I'm curious as to who, if any, missed it.
A substantial luncheon in the coolness of the Gym got us back on the beam to listen to some fine speaking at the Alumni Association meeting on the top floor of the Gym - so ably conducted by Nelson Rockefeller '30. If any of us were ever hazy about the ingredients of Dartmouth Spirit, President Dickey gave us a fitting formula for it. And we certainly couldn't help but be proud of CharlieGriffith's able dissertation in behalf of the William Jewett Tucker Foundation.
Jack and Madelaine Bowler's open house was typically "Bowler-esque," if I may use that expression. Warmth of hospitality combined with a beautiful setting, aided and abetted by wonderful weather - that is my definition of "Bowler-esque"!
After the class dinner, many of the Class enjoyed the College Players' rendition of Sabrina Fair, after which the class tent once more went into action. Again, certain of the gathered assemblage "made the welkin ring." When Gus Braun and Johnnie Johnson take over at the piano - Brother, that's it! And certain of the ladies weren't too bashful, fortunately, to lend their talents to the occasion. I sincerely hope the neighbors were sound sleepers!
The Class Memorial Service Sunday morning was simple and impressive and nicely conducted by Marv Frederick, with your Secretary reading the names of those classmates who have departed since last reunion. It is good to give sincere expression of our memory of them.
The wind-up was a fitting one at a buffet luncheon given by Charlie and Susan Griffith at their "new" old home in Norwich. Again, the weatherman cooperated. They have redecorated the interior without losing that good old New England atmosphere, and at the same time modernized with the last word in equipment, appliances, fixtures, and such. Many a wife's heart yearned to get in that kitchen and some of us wood enthusiasts "itched" at the panelling in what I presume will be Charlie's den. The luncheon was most tasty and Charlie's punch "not hard to take." They are good hosts and sent everyone back into the wide, wide, world with a happy contented feeling.
A few other highlights and sidelights should be mentioned. There was the 1915 Cadillac, provided in good running order by JackBowler with an accommodating chauffeur if you please, which perambulated back and forth from headquarters to various gathering places, giving us all a "lift" - in more ways than one. There were the class "canes," provided by the Committee, which added zest, nattiness and, occasionally, welcome support. Through the skillful manipulations of Johnnie Johnson, we were all provided with some snazzy "D-1915 - 19.55" lighters - presented by Takanaga Mitsui - made in Japan. We had telegraphic greetings from the Rotherys in Lucerne, Switzerland, from Henry Marcy and the Johnny Kimballs in Florida, from John Loomis in Cheyenne, as well as from Mitsui in Tokyo. There were very pretty green and white rhinestone pins for the ladies - courtesy of the Committee. Each classmate received an appropriate greenbound new Class Directory, thanks to facilities provided by Chan Foster. Incidentally, those of you who may wish to bring your "25-Year Book" up to date can do so by checking this Directory against the Year Book. We had oodles of letters and cards from many who couldn't come - all of them heart-warming.
From the Class of 1930, in answer to a greeting from us (copy of which seems to have been lost in the shuffle), we received the following:
To 191.5 — your greeting most heartening and welcome - your proffered counsel most unnecessary -so far. May you enjoy your few remaining years in health and happiness, and with loyal serves to the College we all love so much. (Signed) C. E. Rauch '30 Reunion Chairman. P.S. - Come up and see us!"
Offhand, I would say we gave a pretty good answer to that "few remaining years" by giving the "youngsters" a run for their money in the percentage of attendance derby! We'll be watching (I hope) the attendance figures at their 40th! Anyway, congratulations, 1930, on your swell accomplishments!
Herewith are the 1915 officers elected at the dinner meeting for the ensuing six years until next reunion: President, Dale Barker; Vice President, Maru Frederick; Secretary, PhilMurdock; Treasurer, Russ Rice; Class Agent, Roy Lafferty; Bequest Chairman, Kell Rose; Executive Committee, Jack Mason, KentSmith, Earl Clough; Regional Vice Presidents, Jack Bowler, Kike Richardson, Ernie Boyd,Leo Rolan, Bob Fredericks, Thornt Pray, PaulGibson, Art Sterling, John Ferguson, PhilAlexander, Chuck Ingram, Dick Redfeld.
And here's who attended our 40th Reunion:
Dale and Bess Barker, Bill Bemis, Don and Fanny Bennick, Bob and Anna Bigelow, Gene Bissell, Art and Gertrude Boggs, Jack and Madelaine Bowler, Ernie and Beatrice Boyd, Gus and Clara Braun, Ralph Brown, Sid and Dot Bull, Leo and Ottilie Burt, Pop Byers, Gib and Claire Campbell, Dick Clarke, Al Cleveland, Eben and Margorie Clough, Charlie Comiskey, Joe Comstock, Tom Connelly, Sid and Doris Crawford, Doc and Harriet Davis, Win and Mildred Davis, Hal and Gladys Davison, Ed Dewing, Bud and Tex Doe, String and Grace Downing, Les and Louise Dunn, Russ and Delphine Durgin, George and Madeleine Dyke, Frank and Thelma Ekstrom, Karen and Peter, Adolph and Margaret English, Alpheus English, John and Madelon Ferguson, Bob Fitts, Leo Folan, Chan and Dot Foster, Marv and Marion Frederick, Howie and Mrs. Fuller.
Carl Gish, Speed and Betty Granger, Shorty and Betty Gray, Bob Griffin, Charlie and Susan Griffith, Hal and Cora Harlow, Chan and Marjorie Harwood, John Healy, Dave Hitchcock, Dabney Horton, Malcolm Howland, Chuck and Aida Ingram, Johnnie and Beatrice Johnson, Ray and Olive King, Roy and Maude Lafferty, Kay Leonard, Russ Livermore, Duze and Helen Lounsberry, Erl Mac Andrews, Justin McCarthy, George and Mae Martin, Jack and Kay Mason, Walt and Beatrice Meader, Norvie and Lois Milmore, Willis Morey, Johnny and Jean Mullin, Phil and Tilda Ruth Murdock, Art and Charity Nichols, Roy Norwood, Doc and Priscilla Noyes, Doc and Elvie O'Hara, and Mary, Phil and Rose Pelletier, Johnny Pendleton, Hal Pinkham, Thornton Pray, Dick and Miriam Redfield, Bill and Jeannette Reynolds, Russ and Isabel Rice, Kike and Pearl Richardson, Kell and Helen Rose, Ethel Russell, Ash and Winifred St. Clair, Sammy Sanborn, Buster and Mollie Sawyer, Ralph Sawyer, Dutch and Marjorie Scharmann, Ed and Genevieve Shea, Art and Mrs. Sheldon, Al Sherman, George Simpson, Jim Sisk, Ben and Marion Slade, and Elizabeth, Kent and Thelma Smith, Red and Lucy Stevens, Duke and Catherine Sullivan, Mary and Paul, Bags and Grace Wanamaker, John Warren, Lucy Ann Webster, Bill and Marjorie Williams and Dick and Adalene Wyman.
1915's reunion trademark was a Cadillac ofthe same vintage as the class.
The Class of 1915, with 48% of its graduates back, had a strong reunion turnout
CLASS SECRETARY
