1909

"Enjoy yourself - It's later than you think!

The Ought Nine singers through the years Have yet to face their singing peers. With harmony, they ring the gong - They'll sing all day or all night long.

You've got to hand it to the '09 singers. They'll bust out into melody at the drop of a hat and keep on going, listeners or no. The group pictured here held forth at our 50-year class dinner. Ed Martin took the shot of the lads in action. The vocalists were permitting the melodious tones to emanate from their diaphragms. That's the sign of a knowhow singer. Another sign is when they open the mouth wide and you can see the tonsils quiver.

The guy with his hands in his pockets (left) is Harry Buchanan, who came on to Hanover from Topeka, Kan., for the first time since he left college the middle of his junior year. Next is Art Swenson, the golden throated tenor who has no difficulty hitting the high-register notes. Jim Hitchcock, who looks as if he were sneering at the number, is obliterating the person of Jock Adams who'll step forward any time a hum is indicated. The other guy is Hal Clark, a basso profundo.

To the left, Al Newton, the hard-working chairman of '09's Golden reunion who had been elected class president to succeed Joe Worthen, looks on benignly. He's proud of his boys. The enthralled young lady, who is completely carried away by the harmony, is Al's daughter, Eleanor.

Most Dartmouth men, from the evidence, like to sing. It makes for pure relaxation, for when one is singing, or playing a musical instrument, nothing else enters his consciousness. Last year, '09 lost one of its old stand-by singers - Jake Mason, who was taken sick before our informal reunion and died June 28. This year, Sandy Hooker, a regular in the bass section, was on for reunion, but for some reason, he didn't feel like singing. This past summer Art Swenson, the backbone of the high-noters, was hospitalized for several weeks with a serious illness. As this is being written (September) he has returned home with three nurses and is making progress. If the well-wishes of his classmates and other Dartmouth friends have anything to do with it, he'll completely recover.

Harking back to college days, one of the guys around our time who contributed much in musical circles was Roland (Pop) Chesley '08. He was a piano player of note who has continued with his music all during his adult years. He read with interest the piece about Harold Osborn that appeared in a last year's issue of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE.

Pop wrote: Ossie was a great pal of mine and he was one of the finest. He had many dates for his clever magical manipulations outside of Hanover, and I always went along with him and Karl Hammond, to tickle the ivories during the performances. I was always referred to as the "Professor."

He induced me to join the Lebanon, N. H., Masonic lodge in 1908 - Franklin Lodge No. 6, one of the old chapters. I have paid my dues and kept my membership there ever since, as a little tribute to Ossie. Recently, I was presented the New Hampshire Grand Lodge 50-year medal.

In musical circles, Pop has run more to the high class stuff during his mature years. Until recently, he was sponsor of the Great Artists Series that has delighted audiences in his home town of Utica, N. Y. After more than a quarter century of being in charge of the programs, he has turned over the responsibility to a local institute. You'd better plan to be in Hanover next June, Pop, when the classes of '07, '08, and '09 are talking about having a joint reunion.

A slogan for our twilight days, Is one that's apt and pat. Write down the words that I repeat; And paste them in your hat.

In the July issue of the Reader's Digest was a piece about a doctor who had received from China a letter written by a former patient. She told him about a Chinese saying which, translated, said: "Enjoy yourself - It's later than you think."

The doctor, who had almost forgotten about the woman, was struck by the thought. He hadn't taken a vacation in years, always putting it off by assuming he was too busy. This warning changed his mind and he prepared to take a three-months cruise to South America on a tramp steamer. But before leaving, he told a good friend of his, another busy man, about his decision, and persuaded the friend to accompany him. They had a glorious three months of relaxation and rest. Telling about it, the doctor reported that his friend died not long after the trip, but what pleasant memories he had to cherish, before the final summons.

It has struck me that we oldsters, or even younger guys who are engulfed in the complexities of modern living, can well ponder this philosophy, and when we hesitate about taking in a reunion, or doing something that might require a little sacrifice in time or money, to heed the words _ "Enjoy yourself _ It's later than you think!"

In the book of memory, I turn the pages back to the record of Mike Stearns, president of the class of 1908 and the main spark plug in keeping the class alive. After he engineered a highly successful 50-year reunion, I was to see him for the last time as he walked into his quarters in South Mass, carrying the two cups his class had won for having the largest number of classmates and wives in attendance, and for having the largest percentage of living classmates back. He looked a little tired, but he had lost none of the ebullience that was so characteristic of his nature.

Two weeks later Mike was dead, but I imagine when he entered the Pearly Gates he said, "Here I am, Maker. Mission accomplished."

Class Notes Editor, 141 Pioneer Trail, Aurora, Ohio

Secretary and Treasurer, Sandwich, Mass.