1943
Although spring is just around the corner, as a matter of fact by the calendar it is two weeks and four days from the date this article is being written, you would find it very difficult to convince any Hanoverites of this as the snow still towers over such mere articles as automobiles, buses and the like. Last week undoubtedly many of you noted that the National Intercollegiate Ski Meet was held at Dartmouth and, even though thawing weather and rain were predicted, none of the officials were too concerned as the snow depth on the terrain to be used for this Meet exceeded 100 inches. This is more than yours truly would like to dig through in order to arrive at his office at 75 Federal Street.
New York City was the site of the largest Dartmouth Alumni gathering outside of the Hanover Plain ever recorded. 1700 plus Alumni, wives and guests gathered at the Waldorf-Astoria the night of February 5, to honor President Emeritus Ernest Martin Hopkins' 80th Birthday. It was one of the most impressive affairs that I have ever attended as the ballroom of the Waldorf was gaily decorated in green and white, and formed a real operatic setting as the Dais was surrounded with hundreds of tables on the main floor and two balconies provided tables for those less fortunate. Nelson A. Rockefeller '30 was the Master of Ceremonies and did an outstanding job introducing the following speakers: Hon. Sherman Adams '20, John Sloan Dickey '29, Charles J. Zimmerman .'23. Although Dr. Hopkins was not scheduled to speak, he could not resist the temptation to say a few words when he was presented with a replica of the Wentworth Wheelock Bowl, originally given by Governor Wentworth of New Hampshire to President Eleazar Wheelock at Dartmouth's first commencement. As usual, the good Doctor was at his best and had many stories to tell in reminiscence of his past activities as President of Dartmouth College. 1700 strong gave a standing ovation to his remarks and the halls rang with strains of Eleazar Wheelock.
You will be interested to note that the Class of '43 is still considered as one of the younger classes as we found ourselves in the top balcony. Due to the outstanding work of James Elleman, Bus Mosbacher and their cohorts, the following '43s attended this event: Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert L. Augenblick, Mr. & Mrs. Richard M. Bugbee, Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Calder, Mr. Charles M. Donavan, Mr. & Mrs. James D. Elleman, Mr. & Mrs. Howard E. Geer Jr., Dr. J. Paul Harvey Jr. and guest Miss Martha Toale, Mr. Peter Heggie, Mr. William J. Holliday Jr., Mr. & Mrs. Robert R. Krumm, Mr. & Mrs. A. Preston Moore, Mr. & Mrs. Emil Mosbacher Jr., Mr. & Mrs. George B. Munroe, Mr. & Mrs. Stanton B. Priddy and Mr. Donald H. Taylor. You'll have to pardon the possible omission of people present not recorded here as yours truly, in his usual efficient way, did not take down any names but merely is trusting to his memory, which you have found in the past is somewhat lacking in detail. It was a great evening and a wonderful opportunity to meet with so many of our classmates. The majority seemed to have hardly changed over the past fifteen years. I honestly believe that George Munroe could step back out on the basketball court and represent Dartmouth as a sophomore rather than an Alumnus. He has the same baby face (please excuse the expression, George), slim figure, and a full head of hair. This can't be said for all of our class, yours truly included.
Shirley and Jim Elleman joined my wife and myself after this affair for a quick drink as others departed for home because of the late hour. Our home, for the moment, was at the Waldorf-Astoria in an accommodation that was equivalent to our house in Westwood, Mass. It seems there was a mix-up in our reservations. Our room was not to be ready until after this dinner was well under way, which, as you can imagine, caused my blood pressure to rise considerably. After going through the room clerks, assistant managers, and finally the manager, they gave us, in order to keep me quiet, a suite of rooms that the President of the United States, I think, would have felt quite adequate amusing and interesting, proving the theory that the squeaking wheel gets the grease.
During this trip, my wife and I were the guests of Pat and Bus Mosbacher in their lovely home in White Plains, where we had an opportunity of talking over old times both on the Dartmouth campus and on the sailing waters of Long Island, Marion, Mass., and the Solent (a body of water, as you geologists know, between Southampton, England and the Isle of Wight).
Just to prove that this was not enough excitement for one weekend, yours truly ushered his brother Allan '42, off into matrimony on the following Saturday, February 8. This gala event took place in South Orange, N. J. One of the ushers was none other than Malcolm S. Smith '41, an ex-commodore of the Dartmouth Yacht Club. There was a distinct green tinge to the whole affair as Pat and Bus Mosbacher joined in the activities. The lovely bride was Ruth Tobelman of Orange, N.J. She is a member of the Junior League of the Oranges and a graduate of the Beard School and Bennett Junior College. She is fast becoming indoctrinated in the sailing ways of one Allan L. Priddy.
As I have already stated, February was the month for Dartmouth activities as on February 13, the Dartmouth Alumni Association of Boston had its annual meeting, the theme being "Dartmouth Family Football Night," with Red Rolfe, Director of Athletics, and Bob Blackman, Head Football Coach, being the featured speakers of the evening. John Meek substituted for President Dickey, as the final speaker of the-program.
In my opinion, Bob Blackman is not only an outstanding football coach, but one of the best after-dinner speakers on the current Dartmouth "Team." It appears that Bob has put a stop to all the rumors concerning his seeking a bigger coaching job, by buying a site on which to build a new home. Some 700 Alumni, gathered for this occasion, couldn't have been more pleased.
John Meek hit upon a subject that was close to every father's heart - the Tax Credit Plan for Education being considered by Congress. John testified in Washington before a committee deeply engrossed in this project and he urges all who are close to their congressmen to put in a plug for some form of tax relief for education. I don't think those that can will need much urging!
A rejuvenated effort on the part of ElmerStevens, John Koslowski and myself, ably assisted by my wife, enabled us to contact by letter and phone some 67 '43s in the greater Boston area. Our efforts proved helpful but not overwhelming, as the following crossed martini glasses and forks and knives during a very enjoyable evening: "Doc" Fielding, Bill Glovsky, John Koslowski, "Farmer" Mead, Elmer Stevens, Bill Taylor, "Judd" Waldron, Stan Levin, John O'Day and your editor. Of course, our representative at the head table, Mr. Fred Stock well secretary of the Boston Alumni was there resplendent in his tuxedo.
"Doc", as usual, kept the table in uproarious laughter throughout the meal with jokes, both new and old. He did throw in one serious thought concerning his wife, Sue Bennet of TV fame. He said she was becoming So occupied with her work that he had to turn to Channel 7 in order to see what she looked like these days.
Judd Waldron took the medal for traveling the furthest distance as he pulled in from Rochester, N.H. He also admitted that being married to his legal profession was not quite enough and he plans to do something about it as soon as possible.
There was more news of a chit-chat nature that would be fun to include and there is also other news of classmates' activities throughout the country, but the powers-that-be in Hanover have the censors shears out, so I'll have to close now and bring you up-to-date next month.
Secretary, Allied Research and Service Corp. 75 Federal St., Boston 9, Mass.
Class Agent, 42 Homewood Ave., North Haven, Conn.
