1931

When there is a beginning, there should logically be an end, and that is just what is happening so far as this secretary has anything to do with getting news to you each month, October through June. When the first column, back in September 1956, was completed and on its way to Hanover, June 1958 looked millions of words away, and now that it is come, it seems like only a few months ago that I was digging for news for my first column to you. The letters about yourselves and others that may have come this way have been very welcome and to them are due the "Oscars" for whatever pleasures you have received. How often have I mused of the optimum to which a class column in the ALUMNI MAGAZINE could go were only half of the members of the class to send the secretary personal news of themselves and whom they see, - not every month, not even every year, but just once during your column editor's term of service. Not the many to hear about the few, but the many to hear of many more!

The first letter received by me for this column in the summer of 1956 was from Dick Fisher (one of my very hard working senior year roommates), and as fate would have it the last for this June issue is from this same "hockey jockey," who has forsaken the puck and steel runners for the stones and the brooms, and in his own words: "If anyone would have told me that I would be wielding a broom instead of a hockey stick on the ice, I would say they were crazy." It was his wife's prior success and enthusiasm at the sport that kindled his interest and not his age, you can be sure of that, for he is still a rugged guy especially on the golf course. His oldest, Janet, had a rugged sinus this spring, requiring an operation, but is expected to be back at her job with Sylvania by now. Carol, the second, is considering Northwestern for her college studies this fall, and Dick's firm, Northwestern Leather Company, is liquidating, which is pretty rough for a man so many years in their service. Dick saw Russ Woodruff, Marge and Charlie Nims at the Dartmouth Glee Club concert, and has had lunch with Johnny Benson. Ned and Marge Kent are living at 295 Beacon Street in Boston now so they and the Fishers are together much more often. The Rents' son, David, is attending school in West Newton, and John is at Hebron. Marge Kent is working as a volunteer at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Thanks, Dick, for writing and especially in time for this column.

There are only three new addresses to report. Dr. Edmund B. Sutton is back in Rockford, Ill., again at 1904 Melrose. LouisP. Costanzo, who came to Dartmouth from Stamford, Conn., is New England District Manager for Peterson Steels, Inc., at 530 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield, Conn., and lives at 48 Arcellia Drive, Manchester, Conn. Henry Watson's newest address is Education Office, Fort Buchanan, A.P.O. 851, New York, N. Y. In late March and early April the Homer MacVeans, and the FrankHodsons and daughter were in Hanover, stopping at the Inn. (And that is where I would like to be this very weekend, May 3, for Class Officers meetings, but here I am instead.)

Here is some current news on Rex Fall. He has been appointed vice chairman of the 1958 Pittsfield (Mass.) Community Chest. (I've got the budget job here, Rex.) Rex has done an outstanding job for the Berkshire Eagle with whom he has been since our graduation, and news editor for the past eleven years, along with his job of drama critic. He served with the Signal Corps as combat photographer in the Philippines and New Guinea during World War II. His list of many community services is most extensive. Congratulations, Rex.

The day was Tuesday, June 16, 1931, and how could you forget it, when 433 of us received that sheepskin token of four years of learning while really living! Thirteen graduated summa cum laude, 18 made magna cum laude, and 48 more members were awarded cum laude degrees. Chuck Hill was our valedictorian and Bill Seney had the rank of salutatory. The Green Book shows that 619 of us matriculated in 1927. The previous Saturday our president, Bill Steck, delivered the address of welcome to alumni and friends of the college, Doug Morris gave the address to the college, and J. M. O'Connor delivered the class oration. At the Bema Chuck O'Neill gave the Sachem oration followed by Courtney Anderson's reading of his poem for the class. At the Old Pine Jim Godfrey addressed the old stump where we broke those clay pipes. On Monday JackWarwick represented us at the Alumni luncheon, and our Bill Grant's dad spoke representing the parents. He was elected a trustee of the College that same day. We had our last ball that night in Memorial Gym, and that ended the "official" pre-graduation activities. Too soon it was Graduation Day; we assembled at Rollins Chapel, formed a split rank for dignitaries as they marched to Webster Hall, and were led by Dean Laycock and Red Rolfe, our class marshal. Those moments were too tense for us to remember much, if any, of the words of O'Connor, Martin, Morawski and Spence Miller. It was a great day for us, and the best part of all is to appreciate how great it has been to so many on just such a day since then and will be for so many more to come.

It has been a real pleasure being your secretary. It is not a job many would seek, but should the opportunity come your way for you to have the experience, take a short term of it, for time passes quite quickly and the task is not boring for you are writing to and of the guys you once knew so well, and for that unbeatable clan of Dartmouth Alums. Please direct your letters and class news to Jim Frame for the class news letter which will be published monthly through the summer, and then to Fred Slaughter, 734 Keystone, River Forest, Ill., who will be your scribe for this column through July 1960.

Thanks much for the privilege of being your secretary, and for sharing with me your experiences of being a Dartmouth grad. Adios!

Margaret and Bart McDonough '30 in Hanover with their son Bob '61, who played in the outfield on Eddie Jeremiah's freshman baseball team this spring.

Dr. William F. Putnam '30 (r) was one of two recipients of the Ross Awards from the American Academy of General Practice for the most outstanding papers published in the Academy journal this past year. Dr. James Martins, the other recipient, is with him.

Secretary, 345 West Murray, Macomb, Ill.

Class Agent, 225 Jefferson Rd., Princeton, N.J.