1950's Tenth Reunion: CLASS NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Well ... it's come and gone. Not long gone, though. I can still taste the beer and those midnight snacks at the tent... and that great farewell brunch Sunday morning. Gents ... it was a gasser. Weather? We had weather so good we should be ashamed. Activities? A bag full. You name it. We had it. And ... all on schedule. All well thought out... and tastefully done ... from cocktails to outing to the farewell brunch. How can the 25th reunion be any better? It can't... mainly because we'll all be fifteen years older.
People started filtering into Hanover early Friday... a hot, sunny day. By four o'clock the tent, between Rollins Chapel and Wheeler, was well filled and the kegs were evaporating in the heat. By five o'clock, when SqueakPiane started mixing the screwdrivers with Joel Leavitt in an advisory capacity (Hey, somebody, how much juice to how much vodka? Is half and half OK?), the tent was jammed and a steady flow of thirsty itinerants was wending its way into Wheeler to register with Frank Dickinson, Jim Vail, and Russ Chase. As the screwdrivers loosened the golden screw in everybody's navel ... they also loosened everybody up for the weekend. George Harris, all the way from San Diego, soaked up his native state's produce and chatted about his printing business and DickRibble, who is no longer a do-er, and stayed home in Hollywood. John Lotter, on leave from Milwaukee, sported either a pointed head or a wondrous straw hat. His wife insists it was a hat. Herb and Mrs. Carey look the same as ever, and are now living in Vermont, selling ice cream for Mr. Hood. Pauland Fran Canada arrived at the right moment, and jumped into the party with both feet. Berry and Pierce Udall left Ithaca and a dental practice to help celebrate the tenth. Bob Allcott, looking as alive as ever, was a good advertisement for working in Vermont, and particularly in his advertising agency in Rutland.
Gradually, as the screwdrivers diminished, the group filtered down to the gym for the Alumni Dinner. Informal, as you were, the buffet was excellent,, with all the returning classes together. Glimpsed John Dickey, George Colton, and Sid Hayward enjoying the food and the company. Glenn and Marion Fitkin, back from Toledo, enveloped several plates of food without batting an eye. Marion used to be a Teaching Fellow in the Chemistry Department.
After dinner, President Dickey's home and grounds were open for informal visiting. Al and Gertrude Durand enjoyed the soft, summer evening in his garden along with many others. An informal dance in College Hall followed, with a band that really kicked. Dick and Betty McSorley, unmarked by the past ten years, cha-chaed and mamboed with consummate ease. Black George Carter and wife Sally, ducked in out of the sudden thundershower. George is now silver-thatched ... only because it sells more Fords in Lancaster, N. H., where he has an agency. John Gammie and Catherine arrived from Long Island. John is a Presbyterian minister, with a charming wife from South Africa, whom he met in Korea and married in London.
As the evening wore on and the storm subsided, the '50 tent started to rock, with conversation, singing, and a combo. Nev andVally Chamberlain, Larry and Pug Batty,Bill Ferguson, Don and Sue Daniels, Skip andGenie Fauver, John and Mary Dwyer, Patand Joan Dolan, Dick and Mary Frey, Jimand Terry Harms, Paul and Joan Lena, and John and Tig Kent helped chop through the midnight snack that was served at the witching hour. As the morning approached stout hearted Sherry Marchant and Stretch Pendleton pounded the piano and drums until the wee small hours. After a leisurely breakfast Saturday morning, memorial services were held in Rollins Chapel for the six members of the class who have died since graduation. Conducted by Rev. Jim Birney, the services were simple and sincere. A class meeting followed, ably railroaded by head conductor Crash Mcllwain. Bill Frenzel read a letter from the absent Scooter Olin, Gerry Sarno read a report from Swede Swenson, class agent, and Si Morand read his Treasurer's report and promptly stepped into a snakepit with shorts on. That's all he had. Everything else was lost by the air lines on the way from his home. Cul Modisette read the nominating committee's report in the absence of Red Rowe. The report was acted upon, an Executive Committee elected, and Scott Olin, and Si Morand were reinstated as secretary and treasurer respectively. Frank Harrington was elected Chairman of the class for the
next five years. After the usual picture in the center of campus, everyone left for the Lake Morey Inn and an afternoon of rest and relaxation. An excellent buffet was served from one 'til three, in our tent in the gardens of the Inn. Tennis courts were pounded to dust, and a thundering softball game chopped up the garden fairly well. A number of brave souls played 18 holes, and probably never did eat. Only two hardy individuals braved the water, and wished they hadn't, when the stiff wind turned them blue. On the softball field, an unidentified hearty poled a line drive off Dan Schausten's Mercedes-Benz convertible and dimpled it attractively. Roused from the keg, Dan passively removed his vehicle from the line of fire. Gordie Hood, having left the luncheon table and the keg in a decimated condition, blasted the longest hit of the day, almost braining Alex Hoffman on the tennis courts. Alex, Dick Arnold, Mai Hill and Bob McIlwain ripped off several sets of presentable tennis before an appreciative gallery, who kept them supplied with cold beer. As the day wore on, Chipper Chapman and Stew Young assaulted the courts, while a passel of their less energetic friends offered unflattering suggestions from the sidelines. The party broke up about four, and everyone moved out for Hanover and the cocktail party at the tent. (Tip to the Committee for our 15th ... get the Lake Morey Inn ... it's great!)
At the cocktail party in the tent, CharlieDavison, Bill and Rae Embree, John andRuth Coffraan, Jim and Sally Farmer, Danand Rya Featherston, Newc and Sally Eldridge, Hal and Donna Fitkin, Bob Day,Court and Midge Cross, Dick and Sam Dale, Wes and Betty Carr, Marland and Jean Benner, Stan and Mrs. Brodsky, Tony and Gail Ambrose and many more. Down to the Hanover Inn for a tremendous dinner ... lobster, roast beef etc. with Al Foley and John Dickey. Tom and Annie O'Connell at the head table, with Tom the toastmaster. After dinner, The Players put on a tremendous production of "Guys and Dolls" and then to the tent, for several kegs and a midnight snack. Late arrivals, Kim and Nancy Swezey and Bob and Lou Kelley had lots of catching up to do. Rick and Eileen Miller, Sandy and Dot McCulloch, Paul and Dot Rouillard, Bill and Martha Pulley, Gordo and Liz Pinkham, Fizz and Barb Nichols, Jim McCrum, Tom and Jean Sours, Cliff and Shirley Whiteman,
Dick and Judy Tobin and many more thronged the place. The real do-ers, Chuck and Edie Garner, McCrum, Marchant, Day and several others quit at 7:30 A.M. The great farewell brunch started at nine, with Bob and Sally Burrill waving goodbye with their month-old tad. Nat Royall from Texas and Jack Meehan from Calgary, Alberta stoking up for the long trip ... and many more incidents.
No more space. A great job by Joel Leavitt and Ruth, and his committee. More details to come in the Newsletter: To those who couldn't make it... don't miss another one ... we missed you. To those who made it... see you soon. To those who made it possible ... thanks ... very much.
1950's 10th Reunion was well attended as 149 members of the class, plus wives and children, gathered in Hanover.
