1911
Our First Fiftieth
This is the slogan that you will be seeing frequently between now and June 1961. It was suggested by Margaret Pearson and accepted by your reunion committee as a fitting title for this coming major event. The dates to be noted and not forgotten are June 9 to June II, 1961. Except for the returning alumni of older classes our class will be the only one reuning at Commencement. At Whitefield your executive committee formally organized itself as the Reunion Committee and started to work. It added three new members and allotted jobs. Jack Russell has accepted the task of Chairman of Attendance. His job will be to get every living member of the class back. He will be happy to hear from you that your long-range plans call for Hanover in June'1961. Ken Clark will deliver the address for the 50 year class at the meeting of alumni and seniors following the big alumni luncheon. Howard Dunham is already at work with John Pearson and NatBurleigh in preparing the Fifty Year Class Report. Through the intervening months you will be asked to amplify and correct such facts as we now have available about you. More details about Our First Fiftieth will be coming to you as the time approaches.
The next gathering of 1911'ers is in the immediate future and let this be a notice to you to tag the date, October 23. This will be the annual pre-Harvard Game dinner at the University Club. Failing any further notice of this affair drop a card to Josh Clark, 92 State St., Boston 9, and tell him whether you prefer fish or fowl.
A report on last June's informal reunion at the Mountain View would contain the same glowing descriptions of the occasion as in previous years. If attendance is a measure of success this will go down as the best of any in a non-reunion year in Hanover. There was a total of forty-three, nearly all of whom were there the full time from Wednesday afternoon to Monday morning. You would have seen the following couples: Burleighs, both Clarks (Josh and Ken), Crooks, all three Eatons (Fred, Sarge and Stan), Emersons, Farrells, Gardners, Griswolds, Lester Gibsons, Maynard Hutchinsons, Partridges, Pattens, Pearsons, Russells, Sandersons, and of course the Silks. In addition we were happy to welcome Marion Agry, Lillian Cooper and Mildred Rollins and to have Linda (Hawkridge) bring her husband. He readily became one of the old timers. Sandra Mulhern, Eunice Griswold's attractive neice, completed the group.
Although it rained nearly every day we were there it did not interfere in the least with our enjoyment, except for the three or four who are still able to play golf. These would be Slim Eaton, Jack Crooks, Bendy Griswold, Pat Partridge, Jack Russell, and Gene Gardner. Most of the others were physically able but they look on golf as an old man's game. The net result was more time for visiting and enjoying the luxury of the hotel. This was especially true from 5:30 to 7:30 in the cocktail lounge each evening. On the second of these occasions there was a special event, the celebration of the fortyninth wedding anniversary of Jack and Grace Crooks. Kay Sanderson headed a committee of busy women who prepared gifts and rhymes for the happy couple. The climax of these few days was the cocktail party given by Mary and Tom Silk at their beautiful home on Sunday evening. This is the house that Mary's mother built a few years ago just below Mary's other home which now is an adjunct to the main hotel which again is next to the Sports House. The pouring rain outside did no more than to muddy up their floors.
Another bright spot was the evening in which Brad and Barbara Patten showed slides and movies taken on the South American trip from which they had just returned. Although the purpose of the Patten's trips to Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji Islands, South America and other far-flung places was to lecture to medical schools, they have brought back pictures of ancient Inca Ruins, elephants and lions, the world's largest waterfalls, mountains and jungles.
Once again the class gives a most hearty vote of thanks to all the Dodges for their part in solidifying the close friendships of so many classmates and their wives.
It is again the sad duty of the secretary to record the death of another classmate, Stan Rockwood. Our usual memorial of a contribution from the class treasury to the 1911 Permanent Fund was made and brought these words of appreciation from his wife. "Stanley had a special place in his heart for his 1911 classmates and Dartmouth College. The 'tithe' to the class - memorial fund in his name is a fine tribute and I am very grateful." Mrs. Rockwood has accepted a position as an infirmary nurse at Hobart and after September 1 her address will be Hobart College Infirmary, Geneva, N. Y.
Our congratulations go to the two money men in the class. Bendy Griswold has shown you that he is not only keeping ahead of our creditors, but we have two more years to go with most of the dues that can be expected for the six-year period already in.
Josh Clark with your last-minute cooperation put the class into a tie for number two position in the Go-o-o Dartmouth Competition, quite a change from last place where we were when his last appeal went out. The only class ahead of us between 1909 and 1915 was the latter and they are tough competitors. Our final rating of percentage of givers was 96%.
Here is the latest word from Coleen about Cap Hedges.
Cap is about the same, his mind is keen, he eats and sleeps well. He still does not have much use of his right arm and leg. He goes to his Land Co. office for a short time every day, but has retired entirely from The Hedges Co. He eats lunch at the Roosevelt Hotel with his old "cronies" whom they call the "Horse Buyers." He enjoys being with them and learning what is going on in the business world. We were very fortunate in finding a very good boy to help us and go to Florida with us. The two and a half months there did us a lot of good, but without some one to help we will not be able to go again next winter. This boy is entering college. Cap is very appreciative of the cards and letters he has received from his many Dartmouth friends, even if he is unable to answer them.
Steve Rossiter has returned to Manchester, N. H., where he is living at the Hotel Carpenter.
A card from London informs us that Ruth Backus spent a couple of months this summer visiting England and the Continent. She was greeted later by a new adopted grandson, William Haven Welsh. Her daughter "Puss" and her husband live in Burlington, Vt., where he is a practicing physician.
Gov Jordan has retired from his position with the State of New Hampshire and has started in on "his planned twenty year work around his home in Pittsfield, N. H."
Although still continuing his private law practice, Jack Russell is spending most of his business hours in Clifton, N. J., as Chairman of the Board of Pope and Gray, commercial ink manufacturers.
There will be two football games in Hanover after you get this MAGAZINE. The Burleighs hope that all classmates who are in town for either or both occasions will make 1 Webster Terrace their headquarters after the game. Do not wait for a special invitation.
Secretary, I Webster Terrace Hanover, N. H.
Treasurer, Seaside Ave., Saco, Me.
