1946
You will be very pleased, I'm sure, to hear that Andy Murtha's very first Reunion questionnaire returns reached 98 replies, indicating pretty definite plans to return. (This is as of the end of February, and when you read this, the number should be away in excess of this. There will be Newsletters with more up-to-date stuff.) What this says to me is that '46 is eager to make the 10th the kind of a tenth we oughta have. And here's the definite proof that we're going to get a turnout. Andy tells me he has on the barrel-head, 33 "ten spots for the tenth." Correction to 35 "ten spots": he just turned his own in, and mine is arriving. That makes it 100 in and looking as if they will be there. Even more interesting is the big percentage of wives that will be in tow.
A little side news on wives is from the old Chairman himself. He and June Broderson of West Orange, N. J., were married February 11. A wonderful girl, and June, it's a real Dartmouth wife's indoctrination, to step into a partnership to run the Tenth Reunion. You're our girl, we're with you.
On March 9 Andy called a reunion committee meeting in my palatial office where we had room to seat two at a time. Musical chairs were in order as the turnout was good. BillSchulting and Dave Weld came in from New Jersey, Doug Leigh came down from his art director duties at Kudner Advertising Agency, and we got under way. Here's what came off the old drawing board:
i. First thing we got together was the follow-up double postcard to take a second pulse on how many will be back. Please get yours in the mail if it slipped your mind. Doug is doing a very functional and attractive layout.
2. Then we planned a few surprises to come at you. Doug is also working on some visual stuff to make the show go.
3. Dave detailed some of the greatest plans to make us feel welcome and wanted and, best of all, fueled. A cocktail party when you arrive Friday. A special surprise dinner. Lake Fairlee Country Club is all set for our banquet Saturday evening. Swimming and cocktails arranged.
4. Music will be everywhere, each night at the Tent.
5. Bill Schulting is giving an all-out personal effort to get good geographic personal coverage of all of us through a special committee, now being recruited. Even more, he's making a real appeal for beer in cans at a bargain price for a quality brand. You can't beat cooperation like this.
6. Joe Poole's farm is being set up for milk punch and mountain views Sunday morning.
7. Costumes, themes, extras, all are being readied to make the 10th the BIGGEST FOR THE BIGGEST.
It was just very fine indeed to see a newletter, the long lost Tomahawk of '46 from Jack Whitman, the unsung hero director of of the Alumni Fund for the Class. About now is the start of the '56 push. Above all we should try to make this a year of one huge participation. A frank way of looking at it would be along these lines I think: - If you are coming back to Reunion it's going to cost some dollars, so this year give to get our participation up, but perhaps not your usual large amount. And for those not able to get back, give a big chunk this year as your way of taking part in this hoopla year for '46.
See where Bill Graulty just joined the Trust Department of the Conn. Bank and Trust in Hartford. Bill had been with the law firm of Robinson, Robinson and Cole since graduation from Harvard Law School. Bill and his wife now have three children and those of you roaring up Route 5 might like to pop in on them at 150 Steele Rd. Robbie Smith has been appointed an instructor in social studies at the Meredith, N. H., High School, following a family tradition in education. Robbie completed the requirements for his Doctorate at Columbia University, and is currently at work on his dissertation, which is the History of New Hampshire. Prior to this position he was head of the social studies department of the New Hampton School. Thaine Youst says hello, Robbie. Cross the country, also teaching, is Art Scharr. Out in San Luis Obispo, Calif., Art is the teacher of English, Speech and Drama at the S.L.O. High School.
Tom Darcy performs a bit of reverse commuting from his home on Long Island in Valley Stream to Greenwich, Conn., every day to his very enviable job as technical director of the Nowland Co. Research firm. Here's a company with the right approach to life. They bought a magnificent estate in Greenwich, did not molest it with Neon Signs and comfort stations on the green, and the result is the atmosphere of relaxed working conditions where one accomplishes twice as much without the waste motion involved in city offices. Hank Durham is now the assistant to the president of the quality worsted mills of the Bachman Uxbridge Corporation in Uxbridge, Mass. Good to see this, Hank; hope your clan is well and your boys all good first basemen.
George and Mildred Hopkins are very much the "exurbanites" living up in Westport. George is doing famously in the insurance field. He has an officer's position with his insurance firm and is now in the New York Office. Learned that he and Mildred entertained Rocky Graziano the other night at dinner. Mildred is president of the PTA in Westport and she invited Rocky to talk to the group about juvenile delinquency. The word i get is that Mil gave a great intro to the Rock and he went down for an early round TKO from lack of a long speech, but after they got the questions going, Rocky rewarmed up to his subject. Understand he put the blame for juvenile "d" right where it belongs, on the parents.
Charlie Cunningham and Marion Diener were married on March 18. After the honeymoon they will live in Hanover in Charlie's very comfortable apartment on Rope Ferry Road. Charlie is a resident pathologist at Mary Hitchcock. Congratulations Cunninghams, see you at the Tenth. Just found an old picture of you,' Charlie, at a '46 picnic we had out at Ross McKenney's cabin. That was some doings. Swampy Marsh '44 sends his best to "Cheerful Charlie."
Can't help repeating myself, but the way this reunion is sizing up, it's going to be one of the most high-powered, "livingest shapes" ever. Let Andy know right away that you'll be there. EVERYBODY'S DOING IT!
Secretary, Indian Field Road Greenwich, Conn.
Class Agent, 10 Wildon Road, Wellesley, Mass.
