1916

By the time you read this, plans for the Fantastic Fortieth (including your own) will have been pretty well crystallized. The Fantastic Fortieth Newsletters have given you the program of events, some of which are in common with other reuning classes, and some of which are 1916's own, such as the Stag Dinner and Story-Telling Contest at Stell Hall, the Ladies Dinner the same night at the Inn, the Class Hum (at which Jack English will revive '16's old reputation as a singing Class), the Class business meeting on Saturday, June 16, at 10:30 a.m. in Room 105 Dartmouth Hall, preceded by the Class Picture on the steps of Dartmouth Hall and the Memorial Service Sunday morning at 10:00 in honor of our departed classmates. And of course the Class picnic.

There is still time, plenty of time, tor you to make your reservations for accommodations at Fayerweather and South Fayerweather for yourself and family, and to send your fee for all this program to Jim Coffin, at 26 Concord St., Nashua, N.H. I urge you to re-consider whether you can afford, at your age (or our age) to miss seeing these classmates, seeing the improvements in the College plant, which your contributions have helped pay for, and renewing your youth, four important years of which were spent on that very campus, with the daily view of those very hills, in fall, winter and spring.

And if you are the kind of opportunist who is constantly thinking, "It is later than I think," or if you have kept in mind AlecTelfer's saying which I have often quoted, "The best time of your life is now," you will be there.

And don't forget the icing on the cake, the post-reunion party at Loch Lyme Lodge, ten miles from Hanover, where, in the relaxed company of all who can spend two or three days out of their lives, you will enjoy the pinescent-air, the mountain views, and the luxuries of a well-run lodge, in the privacy of your modern cabin, and put on a pound or two with those delicious meals. After all, it's only a few times in a lifetime, so don't miss it.

Max E. Bernkopf, one of the distinguished lawyers of 1916, had his picture recently in the Boston papers, having been named to the Finance Committee of the Greater Boston Area Council of Boy Scouts.

All visiting 1916ers are urged to visit, when in Hanover, the "J" Gile Memorial Room dedicated to our revered classmate by friends and colleagues. Details of this have been given you in the Newsletter. A picture of "J" has been placed in the room, with an appropriate inscription testifying to his great services to the community as a doctor and leader. The room will be used for consultations between doctors and families of patients and by relatives of seriously ill patients. It is a fine tribute to a fine citizen.

At last reports, Col. John Ames was still in Hanover, visiting Ed Booth, enjoying the winter (which he said was not as severe as that in Korea) and shoveling snow, a pastime I do not recommend for anyone who graduated as far back as 1916, even though John has been in training by daily swims in the gym pool, and is keeping his weight down. Personally I have almost forgotten what snow looks like, and am well content to see it in my mind's eye only.

Speaking of little known facts, did you realize that in the merry month of May the following celebrate birthdays: Charlie Brundage, Gilford, Cole, Hosmer, Doenecke, Drennan, Eskeline, Fishback, Fletcher, Gammons, Jones, Kirkland, and Howell, the latter a Cornell grad who is president of a Tampa bank.

Horace Fishback and Paul Davis are newcomers to the list of those who have declared their intention of coming to the Fantastic Fortieth. It will be fine to see bank president Fishback, who hasn't been on the campus for such a long, long time, and the jollity of the event will be enhanced by the irrepressible Davis, who meets all the qualifications for being "the life of the party." It wouldn't be a reunion without him.

The Jardines have come through Daytona Beach and by now are back in Massachusetts, intent on the 1956 Alumni Fund Drive. Through the interest and generosity of certain classmates, the Fund had a start even before the campaign opened. By the time you get this issue of the MAGAZINE, the campaign will be nearly half over, and it is to be hoped and confidently expected that 1916 will bear its share of this annual obligation, as it always has before.

And finally, boys and girls, you should see the menus that have been selected for the Ladies Dinner at the Inn, and the Stag Dinner at Stell Hall, on Saturday night of Reunion. I won't print them here - we'll keep them for a surprise. You won't be disappointed.

A class officer essential to the success of 1916's Fantastic Fortieth is Treasurer C. Carlton Coffin, preparing for Reunion in June.

Secretary, Box 1998, Ormond Beach, Fla.

Class Agent, Box 151, Sagamore, Mass.