1916

If these notes seem to be a bit outdated, with anachronisms and a few scattered whatnots, please bear in mind that they are being written in July for October publication. College will be open and football will be a much discussed topic by the time you are reading this. The notes are written just before we take off for Maine because once there anything that might savor of a chore is put firmly out of my mind.

Strictly Personal - or Ruminations of a Reuning Reporter: This column has not paid sufficient tribute to Sam Cutter and ArtConley and to their area men for the perfectly splendid job in planning and carrying through our Fabulous Forty-Fifth. Sam Cutler especially slaved away, aided and comforted by his good wife Lou. and the Class, particularly those present, owe them a deep debt of gratitude. There were a number of the Class which Sam had on his early lists as having intentions of being at Reunion, but who, because of illness, subsequent commitments or other reasons did not make it. The Class missed very much seeing Howand Mary Buffington, Charlie and SallyCressy, Ellie Doenccke, Rog Evans, BillGough, Paul Goward, Ed Gumbart, Al Lawton, Lee Hayward, Hiram McLellan, Rosand Kitty Magill, Jake and Anita Mensel,Joe and Selma Newmark, Audrey Soule,Phil Stamatiades, and Ken and BarbaraStowell, and hopes that their intentions toward our Fiftieth are strictly honorable. Your correspondent, who suffered a mild coronary in early April and spent five weeks in the Bryn Mawr Hospital, had set his sights on our Forty-Fifth, and the docs kindly allowed him to make the trip. This was done thanks to Cliff and Sally Gammons, who chauffeured him and his sisterin-law, Catharene to Hanover and who toted the baggage when a porter was not available. Many thanks for these and their many other kindnesses. The post Reunion at Loch Lyme ended for us with a "bon soiree." The occasion was Cap Palmer's birthday dinner, which all the group attended, with mine host Cap passing up and down the long table pouring the sparkling burgundy with which he was toasted.

Four of our classmates received honors around the Commencement period and rate a lusty cheer from the Class. Your reporter would never have learned this news from these self-effacing men, but fortunately his scouts were on the job. Charlie Brundage received a Dartmouth Alumni Council Award. Among other things he was cited for his generosity, his effort and his leadership in Dartmouth activities. Bill Brown, principal of the Glens Falls Senior High School, was awarded the American Educators Medal Award of the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Penna. He was one of twelve Americans to receive the honor this year. He has recently completed a historical novel, "A Hand on My Shoulder," the title of which might well be a fitting tribute to Bill from the thousands of students who have graduated from his schools and taken their places in the world as vigorous patriotic American citizens. Bowdoin College bestowed upon Ed Kirkland, "historian, scholar, writer, teacher, and Frank Munsey Professor of History, Emeritus," the degree of Doctor of Letters honoris causa. His many other honors and accomplishments listed in the citation are too lengthy to be written here. Keene Teachers College gave the honorary title of Assistant Professor (emeritus) to Spike Drenan, who retired in June as chairman of the English Department, after 32 years of teaching at the college. Spike was back at Hanover for his first reunion looking as youthful and debonair as you please. I learn that he is an avid stamp collector and has gained national recognition for his work in the philatelies field. While on the subject of first reunions may I also express the pleasure of the Class at seeing Fred da Costa back at Hanover in June.

I wish to thank the many members of the Class who sent me cards or letters during my sojourn at the hospital. "He jests at scars, that never felt a wound," and by the same token you have to get this special treatment from the Class to realize how close, after all, the bond of fellowship is in '16. The mail came literally by the dozens. Cap Carey wrote practically every day, and one morning he inquired if I was aware that Alan Shepard, the astronaut, was the son of Bart Shepard '13, who was a member of the senior delegation of Phi Gam when we were freshman. The letter came not fifteen minutes before Bart and his family arrived on the White House lawn to be received by the President. My room was packed with nurses and "other inmates" and we got a good look at Bart and his family, and later saw the press conference. Needless to say Phi Gam and Dartmouth have taken great pride in Bart's son, not only for his wonderful accomplishment but also the modest way in which he has conducted himself.

Stirling and Betty Wilson came right from Reunion to Philadelphia to attend the International Convention of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America (a mouthful) at Convention Hall. He kindly made tickets available to us and we attended a couple of the sessions, which were most interesting and enjoyable. Members and their families numbering in the thousands come from all over the United States and Canada. Stirling was so busy at his duties that I never caught sight of him. I am sorry to report that he had to return to the hospital at Bethesda for further treatment when all the festivities were over. He was not feeling well while he was at Hanover, but he kept up a valiant front, as he always has. I hope to report good news of him next month.

On their way home from Reunion Billand Ruth McKenzie stopped off a couple of days with Alec and Estelle Jardine at Sagamore, then on to New York to see their family, ending up by taking a couple of grandchildren home to Ohio.

Gus and Clara Braun '15 called on Ebenand Margy Clough '15 at their Ipswich,Mass., home following the class' 45thReunion. Shown (l to r) are Gus Braun,Margy Clough and Clara Braun.

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