1940
With our eminent class secretary gallivanting over the face of the globe on a so-called business trip, I have been called upon to put pen to paper in his stead. If you notice differences in style and a drop in quality, never mind because I won't be here long. He's due back next issue.
About the middle of January, Brownie took off like a big bird for London, Amsterdam, Beirut, Baghdad, Teheran, Cairo, Rome and Spain. He expects to be back right after Washington's Birthday. The purpose of this junket is somewhat vague, but it seems that the wellknown pharmaceutical firm of Merck & Co. sells an occasional pill in those far-off lands, and Brownie has been sent over to find out how they do it. I understand from Joyce that such research demands a great deal of entertainment involving wide and repeated sampling of the beverages of these storied lands between sundown and sun-up. Also something about entertaining the daughters of the local druggists, but I am a little vague on the details since Joyce did not give me the impression that she was very au courant of this aspect of the trip. One rumor is that he is acting in some capacity for the State Department. This I understand from an unimpeachable source to be a lot of bunk. As a matter of fact, they are holding their breaths until he gets back. Things are bad enough in the Near East without turning an American medicine man loose there whose three objectives are sampling firewater, entertaining druggists' daughters and giving away a few samples. If I have in any way misrepresented the purpose of this earth-shaking trip, I apologize. I had hoped to give you a little first-hand information from Brownie, but I guess they don't have ink in harems. Or maybe he is hoarding his experiences to use as material for his next dozen columns.
And now to a really earthshaking coming event on the Hanover Plain:
1940's FIFTEENTH REUNION-JUNE 15, 16, and 17, 1956.... Your reunion committee, ably headed by the one and only FrederickL. Porter, has been working for some time and has now shifted into overdrive. You have all received questionnaires which please return post haste if you have not already done so. The reunion will only be as good as the cooperation of the class makes it and if you don't give your suggestions and it turns out not to be as you wanted it, you have no one but yourselves to blame. Besides, the committee needs everyone's help to make it a slam-bang affair. Apropos of which, the following from Reunion Chairman Porter:
"Plans for our 15th Reunion, June 15-17, in the beautiful town of Hanover are well under way though certain details will depend on your answers to the questionnaire. Considering our advanced age the motif will be comfort. As you drive up to your comfortable dormitory (ours is yet unassigned), you will be met by Stet Witcher with envelope containing tickets and bar admissions in one hand and the tax bill (amount yet unfigured, but we will keep it down). In the other, Gordie Wentworth will fit uniforms to all the ladies in the back room and the men in the hall. Bob Austin will be standing by to see that the beer is cold and supper is served on time. You and your wife (we plan) will take the elevator to your room, freshen up and return to the Tent (the focal point of all activity). And now we become serious; Friday night supper will be served in the tent, compliments of the Hanover Inn and your tax. There will be no need to leave your classmates and fight for a hamburg on Main Street. Later Friday evening, if you wish, the President's Reception and the Alumni Dance in College Hall. We have arranged for a hamburg stand, within feet of our tent, to serve quick lunch and coffee 'til the wee hours both Friday and Saturday nights.
"Saturday morning, bright and early, a continental breakfast will be served in our tent (a pay-as-you-eat affair). Some free time, depending on the hour you arise, then the class picture. At noon, Saturday, the Alumni Luncheon, all wives are invited, a departure from our 10th. In the afternoon, possibly a softball game. Saturday evening we will move out to the Outing Club House where we will have a class cocktail party (included in the tax) and banquet. After dinner you may wish to attend the Players; tickets are included in the envelope Stet will hand you. Or you may wish to return to the tent for music, frolicking and trying to turn the calendar back sixteen years. Sunday morning a continental breakfast in the tent and lots of black coffee for the road, should you want to make an early start. Certainly it is not too early to start working on your plans. Get that sitter lined up, buy some foundation garments, the old ones may sag, check your trousseau and ask your successful neighbor if you can borrow his Thunderbird. All plans are subject to change for we are still in the process, but we do guarantee it will be one great enjoyable PARTY."
You will note from the letter you received from Fred with your questionnaire that LewLambert is in charge of Hanover L-A-I-S-O-N. That didn't seem like quite the spelling I learned when I was at Dartmouth so I looked it up in the dictionary. Not only did I find that the spelling was incorrect but I also found an interesting definition which I quote: "an improper intimacy between a man and a woman." With the spelling he uses and the definition I found, I don't know what we're in for!
And now for some news: Bill Rothermel has been named director of sales and assistant to the president of Fidelity Life Association. Bill takes on his new duties after two years of staff service with the Kemper Insurance Companies in Chicago. Best of luck, Bill, in your new job.
Ray Unangst has been promoted by American Airlines. He has been appointed staff manager - reservations and ticket offices for the central region, embracing fourteen mid-western states. Ray has been with American since 1941, with time out for Air Force duty during the War. If any of you decide on the spur of the moment on Friday afternoon of a big holiday weekend that you would like to surprise Aunt Minnie and spend the weekend with her, Ray's 'your boy!
A newsy letter from Don Rainie, who inci- dentally wishes to hell you would send in your class dues of $5 pronto, brings the following:
"Cliff Holmes writes, 'We are one heck of a long way from Dartmouth out here (El Paso, Texas). Never see a '40. Christine and I manage to keep busy. We have four kids (a girl and three boys), run a music studio-store (200 plus students per week), and I am again teaching radar at Ft. Bliss, which borders the city here. Weekends are busy, too. I'm superintendent of the Sunday School at Valley Congregational Church and teach a 7th grade class. Christine has the Primary Department Ist and 2nd grades. If we can get the help to keep the studio cooking in our absence next June, we'll be there for reunion.'
"Jay Weinberg reports a trip to Bromley for skiing over New Year's where he. met Joe Adams. He still looked the same.' Jay tried to contact Chuck Goodwin since they were staying in his home town of Weston, but they weren't able to get together. Jay indicates that reunion in June is on his calendar.
"Scatty Rogers replied briefly and succinctly to my Magazine Litter. He supplied no news save that 'Loomie and I are eagerly anticipating Reunion.'
"Phil McCoy reports, 'My contact with Dartmouth has been very limited, to my great regret, but I expect to make reunion in June if No. 5 child arrives on schedule in .May.'
"'Jack McDonald indicated he was planning on reunion, but achievement of that goal depended on the dates and the retention of baby sitter help-not to mention the office - of course! Bud Raymondis giving serious consideration to a trek East for reunion, particularly since Ike Weed has offered sleeping accommodations Smock Thompson and 800 Hayden are planning on reunion."
A note from Herb Landsman informs us of a third child, Margaret, born last August. He has been in Cincinnati for about six years, working diligently for Federated Department Stores. Herb is planning to attend reunion, as is Chal Carothers if he can get his new house in Byfield, Mass., functioning in time.
And so, like the Groundhog, I think I'll go back into my hole. With the Alumni Fund and reunion coming up, I've got a lot to think about. Besides Hugh Schwarz wishes I'd stop wasting my time on Brownie's job and get to work on the Indian Drum.
Making plans lor the 1941 Class Reunion, the Committee, convening at the Hanover Inn, included (l to r): Bruce and Kathy Friedlich, Fran Smith, Mouse Hall, Snuffy Smith, Ray Welbourn, and (in rear) Stew Steffey.
Secretary, 322 Canterbury Road, Westfield, N.J.
Treasurer, 88 North Main St., Concord, N.H.
