1922's Fortieth Reunion
"Well, they definitely are not young but they do seem to have lots of fun." That appraisal of '22 at its Fortieth Reunion was whispered - so she thought - by one young Hanover waitress to another at Wednesday's breakfast. After looking us over closely for three days, this somewhat perplexed teenager summed it all up in a nutshell.
Every Twoter reunion, of course, is always the best and the Fortieth did indeed surpass its memorable predecessors. The pleasure of the class family together again in Hanover was obvious all through the three days.
Of many happy highlights, one was particularly bright. Our venerable Class won the Class of 1894 Attendance Cup for having the highest percentage of living graduates back for reunion. Admittedly, retention of the award may be temporary because several younger classes will hold reunions June 15-17, but '22 won it among the four classes in Hanover during June 11-13. And even if our distinction should be ephemeral and some younger class should claim the cup, they just cannot have more fun than '22 at its Fortieth.
All told, there were 138 in our Reunion clan. There were 70 classmates, 59 wives, one classmate's widow - most cordially welcomed, five daughters, one son, and two granddaughters. The return of some classmates after too long an absence delighted us. A complete list of all present will appear in the next class newsletter.
Reunion chairman Bob Clark had arranged everything perfectly with not one detail overlooked. Such an excellent, enjoyable reunion does not just happen. For competence and cordiality, planning and work, Bob and his wife Grace richly deserve the gratitude of the Class.
We lived in Fayerweather Row - North, Middle and South - with our class tent conveniently nearby. A few early birds checked in Sunday but the majority arrived Monday afternoon. Nothing in the Dartmouth fellowship exceeds the joy of again meeting members of the class family looking well and happy as they come in at reunion.
Our program officially began at five on Monday with a cocktail party in the tent. After that enjoyable gathering, we all walked down to the gymnasium for the Alumni Dinner. There we joined the other reunion classes, '26, '27 and '28, and exchanged greetings with many of those youngsters.
In the twilight we all went over to visit President and Mrs. Dickey who welcomed us in their lovely garden. Some then attended a Hanover Holiday lecture entitled "And Gladly Teach" by Prof. Herb West. Later we gathered along Fayerweather Row and got caught up with what had happened to each of us since we were last together. But with deference to hard won maturity we did not stay up to greet the dawn.
A New Hampshire drizzle on Tuesday did not bother us one iota. We had a fine, leisurely breakfast in the tent. Incidentally, the food throughout Reunion evoked many compliments with thanks again to Bob Clark for the fine arrangements.
Due to the showery sky all class pictures that morning were taken in Webster Hall. That brought back memories of graduation and made some of us wonder if the years have really changed us as much as they seem to.
At a memorial service in Rollins Chapel we paid respect to our 101 departed classmates. A dignified, impressive service was conducted by Dean Fred Berthold Jr. '45, Dean of the Tucker Foundation. The Class gratefully acknowledges his kindness.
At nocn it was over the river and up the valley to the Lake Morey Inn for a delicious lunch. We chose to eat indoors and made the most of it with some of the best community singing Vermont has heard in a long time.
At the ensuing Class Meeting the officers presented their reports — of which future notes will have more to say. The nominating committee of Jack Dodd, Clif Watson and Roy Ball presented the following slate which was voted into office:
Chairman, Wilbur W. Bullen; Secretary, Leonard E. Morrissey; Treasurer, CarrollDwight; Class Agent, Carter H. Hoyt; Bequest Chairman, Eugene Hotchkiss; Newsletter Editor, Stephen M. Kenyon. Executive Committee Members in addition to above officers: Francis H. Horan, John S. Johnson, Edmund F. Leland Jr., Modie J. Spiegel, Richard P. Stetson and John C. Wood.
Returning to Hanover many of us went on a tour of the new Hopkins Center. At one time or another during our stay practically all went through the building and came away highly impressed.
The Class Dinner on Tuesday evening at the Outing Club House on Occom Pond was a complete delight. With his familiar, inimitable skill, Frank Horan presided as master of ceremonies and called upon Bill Bullen, Bob Clark, Jack Dodd, Judge Sterry Waterman, Dr. Dick Stetson and Len Morrissey. As a Trustee of Dartmouth and General Chairman of the Alumni Fund, Jack gave a particularly informative and interesting talk on the College. The other talks will not escape future comment.
As befits a singing class, we then rolled out the piano and with maestro Dick Willis at the keys we had the best song fest in years. After that Dr. Ted Robie showed his slides of some Dartmouth activities which included many of our classmates. Most of us were ready to sleep when we got back to Fayerweather but some got their second wind and breezed away some more.
Wednesday came in a beautiful June day. After breakfast in the tent many of us strolled around Hanover and —to put it mildly - decided that we liked it. At noon we had a most pleasant lunch on the Hanover Inn Terrace. Then all too soon, goodby and good luck till we meet again. And that was our Fortieth - it could not have been better and everyone of us enjoyed it thoroughly.
The 40-year reuning class of 1922 won the 1894 Attendance Cup with eighty men present.
CLASS SECRETARY
