Northern California

California's annoying winter switch from semi to near-total tropical climate, with its record mists and torrential dews, was canceled out for San Francisco alumni by the March 27 Dickey reception and dinner that completely eclipsed the climactics of past social seasons. From early evening to the late hours the famous Hotel Mark Hopkins banquet hall was brimming with satisfaction in current Dartmouth successes, and renewed confidence in the future, amply reinforced by President Dickey's most inspiring address and by a splendid and exceptionally colorful diffusion of Dartmouth's distaff notables. Never were so many wives waited upon with so much unconcealed admiration!!!

The resounding congratulations tor what was in all respects a high-tide occasion, reflected the keen committee team-work o£ Chairman Jack Slattery '38, Jim Morse '46, Bill Abbott '27 and Pete Zischke '52. Due in large measure to astute designing by Mel Wax '40, ex-Claremont, N.H., newshound who has won a place among the stars of San Francisco's (morning) Chronicle (The Voice of the West), and Tom Beaumont '45, a Young & Rubicam go-getter, the press, radio and tele, arrangements worked out smoothly and effectively. Guy Wallick's '21 Haywire Orchestra was at its uninhibited, never-fading best.

Leonard Vines '39, retiring from a constructive year as president, conducted the short annual business session which included induction of President Jack (Judicial) Slattery '38, Vice-President Bill (Brimming) Abbott '27, Treasurer (Honest) Nick Skylor '52 his assistant Gene (On-the-job) Carver 'so' Secretary Abe (Infallible) Winslow '20 and his assistant Dick (The Ink) Carpenter '10.

This is a spirited know-how team. Moreover, it is further fortified by the election as alumni councilor from this district of Ritchie C. Smith '26, specialist in making things move. Like his brother Dave '35 who engineered a goodly portion of President Dickey's social and conference programs here Ritchie knows the rule book governing how to make friends and influence people - one of these once-met, never-forgotten Smiths.

Frankly a partisan of California and Californians (his affections date from his days as a junior executive in the founding of the United Nations), President Dickey happily cooperated in a royal round of social and business conclaves that crowded his three-day sojourn. He is proud of the current California-at-Hanover delegation (largest of any state), warm in his appreciation of the invaluable and enlightening four-year service of Guy Wallick '21, about-to-retire President of the Alumni Council, and alert for the reciprocal in educational experiences with schoolmen of this burgeoning region. So, between visits with fellow educators, he was greeted at a series of intimate functions (including a Fly Trap Dartmouth weekly luncheon) given by Bob and Anne Leavens '01, the Wallicks '21 and Pete Kelsey '25.

Secretary, Pacific Tel. and Tel. Co. 140 New Montgomery St. San Francisco 5, Calif.