1915
The Hopkins Memorial Dinner? Fantabulous! Sentiment and emotion, warmth and affection, brilliance and perfection - all combined to produce a "once-in-a-lifetime" spectacular experience. The attendance actually did reach 2200 and the Waldorf rates an accolade for its efficient service to such an overflow crowd. The rendering of Dartmouth songs by the Glee Club behind a transparent backdrop projection of Dartmouth scenes was beautiful. Their parody on Eleazar Wheelock with "Hoppy" as the theme brought down the house. The "floor show" was highlighted by the towering birthday cake on a catafalque carried slowly through the auditorium and onto the dais where "Hoppy" did the honors in cutting the first piece. A further birthday touch was added by the single candlelighted cakes carried by the hundreds of red-jacketed waiters serving the individual tables. The effect was startling when the lights were dimmed and the thousands of pinpoints of candles set off the diners in their gleaming evening dress. Later, President Dickey observed that "if this wasn't the largest Dartmouth gathering in history, it certainly was the greatest — in black tie." It was a thrilling evening and to those of you out yonder unable to attend, we can earnestly say: "We wish you coulda bin there!" Those '15ers fortunate enough to make it included Jack Bowler, the Al Bradleys, the Leo Burts, Fred Child, Dick Clarke, Charlie Comiskey, the Marv Fredericks, Wy Fuller, the Carl Gishes, Speed Grander, the Ray Kings, the Roy Laffertys. the Phil Murdocks, Fred Pierce, the Kike Richardsons and the Beardsley Rumls. After-dinner parties were many and lively and late, and 'tis rumored there were some vacant office desks the next day. The Ray Kings graciously hosted a group of '15ers and others in their suite at the Waldorf and a good time was had by all.
A week later, the worthy Boston brethren foregathered at the annual Dartmouth Alumni Association of Boston dinner at the Statler Hotel and more than 1000 joined in this colorful affair. Our roving reporter says that Dick Hill '41. Treasurer, in a pinch-hit speech, had 'em rolling in the aisles. Coach Bob Blackman highlighted the evening and the consensus seems to be that Dartmouth is fortunate in having a man of his caliber at the helm of our football destinies. Any doubt of his remaining at Hanover was set at rest by his purchase of a home there. As one of the boys put it: "He'll hafta stick around to pay up on the mortgage now and then!" String Downing showed he's still in good form ('tho retired) by leading the whole gang in a resounding Wah-Hoo-Wah for the coach. '15ers there to lend the proper touch were - Dale Barker, Sid Bull, Hal Claflin, Eben Clough, Ed Dewing, String Downing, Bob Fitts, Chan Foster, Russ Rice, Kike Richardson, Doc O'Hara, Ed Shea, Al Sherman and George Simpson.
The Chan Fosters' daughter, Becky Russell, made the big time in bridge circles by being paired with Sam Stayman '30 in an A.C.B.L Charity bridge (duplicate) game in Lynn, Mass., on February 12. They tied for top in their section. Incidentally, Chan and Dot took off for the South in mid-February for a four to six weeks' trip.
Once again those hardy sons-of-snow, Kike Richardson and Eben Clough, donned their wintry waistcoats and headed into the "Narth Country" on their annual fishing junket. "Lotsa fish, lotsa snow and lotsa good fellowship," says Eben.
We are all grieved at the sudden passing of our friendly Doc Dex Davis and extend our deepest sympathy to Harriet and family.
Bob Bigelow reports a visit with Kay Mason late in January —says she is fine.
Had a nice letter from Fred Lowe from Austin, Tex., where he has been getting a sample of the "true Southern hospitality" they breed down there. He was planning to drive back to Burlington, Vt., with his daughter along the middle of March. Fred sends his best to all classmates and has this suggestion to pass on - "If you're planning to do anything, don't put it off! I've called on the widows of three friends recently that I had planned to see 'sometime soon'!"
Which reminds me of the interim Reunion. Marv Frederick, who heads up the Committee, advises that the Hanover Inn has been reserved for our interim Reunion for the weekend of October 10, 11, 12, 1958 - this Fall. A package deal has been made for room accommodations for two nights, two dinners, and a possible cocktail party, effective Friday the 10th and Saturday the 11th, at an astonishingly low figure per couple. Other meals are on your own. Festivities start at 6 p.m. Friday, with a social hour and dinner, and end (officially) after breakfast Sunday. Details as to reservations and arrangements will be forthcoming in due course. So - you've got all summer to clear the decks of odds and ends and tag that October weekend for the interim Reunion in Hanover. What could be sweeter than Hanover in the Autumn?
Howie Fuller is very appreciative of comments he has received and passed on to his colleagues at the VA Hospital in Buffalo "to whom I am forever singing the praises of Dartmouth College."
Tex and Bud Doe were last reported on the high seas headed for the Mediterranean and expected to visit Bud's sister in Europe. Duze and Helen Lounsberry had plans for travel abroad around March. Scanning back over previous travel news items, Dale Barker opines the Class might have a good nucleus for a reunion abroad, and says I should get myself a foreign correspondent. In lieu of that, my good wife says she'll settle for a trip abroad!
And then comes a card from Marty and Mae Martin, showing the wondrous new University of Miami where they often watch football practice. Russ Rice wants to know if it's too late to get in on the grandchildren race? They've just had two more - another Russell Jr. to Stan and his wife, and a girl Linda to his youngest son Dave and his wife. Says Isabel's all in a dither.
Jack Bowler was expecting to go back to work March 1 - says their new house is going along well - will probably be moving in about a month, but each week it is put off another week. To many of us, that last has a familiar ring! Happy landing, Jack.
Jack and Madelon Ferguson drove to New Orleans the last of January and spent a few days with son Jack and his wife Miriam and their three daughters. He further states: "Tulsa is having a wonderful winter this year, the thermometer right now (February) is flirting with 70 - the snow and rain and cold all went south of us into Texas, Louisiana and Florida and then moved up to your precincts. You should try Tulsa some time!"
Back in February, Beardsley Ruml addressed a two-day session in Springfield, Vt., of the Vermont Conference Group, a private committee of Vermont business men, set up to study the long range development of the state's economy. Earle F. Swett, former principal of Wrentham High School and assistant Superintendent of Wrentham schools, is a candidate for the School Committee of Wrentham, Mass.
Changes of Address: Richard W. Redfield, 2114 N. Raymond, Altadena, Cal.; AndreasH. Tomfohrde, Route 1, Box 409, St. Helena, Cal.; George W. Simpson, 15 Ferndale Road, Weston, Mass.
Secretary, 301 East 53rd St. New York 22, N. Y.
Class Agent, Federal Trust Bldg. 24 Commerce St., Newark 2, N. J.
