1926's Delayed 35th Reunion
Dartmouth's mellowing first Selective-Process Class held a Perfect 36th (or "Delayed 35th") Monday to Wednesday, June 11-13. A bit mellow... yet plenty merry. "Selective," too, with just 91 of almost 500 living grads and non-grads, reinforced by 78 wives and children.
Some fifty early-birds accepted the hospitality of Ed and Peggy Emerson, and spent a gay and tuneful Sunday evening at the Emersons' South Reading farm. The rest arrived Monday, early afternoon, and took up quarters in Lord and Streeter dorms, on Tuck Drive. Resisting the temptations of lectures, exhibits, and other scheduled attractions, these '26-ers showed true class loyalty by staying close to the '26 Tent, and its bottomless keg . . . preparing themselves for the strenuous evening ahead. At 4:30 the keg gave way to cocktails, followed by a reception (with '22, '27 and '28) at the "field-event end" of the Gym, dinner at the "basketball end," a guided tour of Hopkins Center, and an hour of visiting in President Dickey's beautiful garden. After that, informal reuning in and around our Tent, and tent-hopping to the nearby wigwams of '27 and '28.
Tuesday was the big day, starting with a generous buffet breakfast with '27 at Thayer. At 10, in the White Church, a simple but moving Memorial Service was conducted for the Class by Rev. Richard P. McClintock. (Easy to see why Wee's been beloved, in every church he's served.) Because of light rain, the Reunion pictures were taken in Webster Hall. . . recalling our first convocation, close to forty years ago.
After the picture, rain or no rain, golfing optimists set out for Lake Morey. Nongolfers and pessimists went through the Exhibit of 1926 Avocations (at the Dartmouth Museum; formerly Wilson Library) splendidly organized by Harold Trefethen, with the fine cooperation of Museum Director, Elmer Harp; Museum Curator, Alfred Whiting; and their able assistants, Mary Wesbrook and Evelyn Coutermarsh. Ex- hibited were: - Numismatics, Del Worthington; Fly-Tying, Sid Hayward; Old Silver, Herb Darling; Mexican Archaeology, RitchieSmith; Photography, Chip Chipman; Early Blown Glass, Hemi Trefethen; Painting, Wee McClintock; Old Scotch Whiskey, Carle Blunt; Mineralogy, Harold Trefethen; Rudolphiana, Bob May; Painting, Clyth Patten; Mosaics, Ann Stopford; Decoupage, Marian Marshall; Needlepoint, Det Harwood; Poetry, Dick Eberhart. (Space forbids the deserved enthusiastic comments!)
After lunch, by separate paths, the motorized trek to Lake Morey Inn . . . with gradually improving weather reaching perfection by mid-afternoon. Mecca, for most, was the lovely lawn in front of the inn, alongside the rows of luggage compartments neatly transformed into "portable" bars. (JohnArenovski's 6-case Impala was voted "Most Likely to Succeed.") At this handily located 19th Hole, our incoming golfers found a ready audience for their tales of prowess (?) on the links. There was Johnny Manser's tall tale of the one that got away: - a shanked chip shot that caromed off two rocks, through a sand-trap, and into the cup. And Nate Parker, modestly disclaiming his 73: - "I was lucky to score that well, considering how I was missing my long irons; I sank only two of 'em!" Seriously .. . that late afternoon at Morey must be voted our loveliest hour. Happy reuning in a perfect setting, on a beautiful day. A warm glow everywhere . . . good-fellowship unlimited!
Festivities then moved indoors, for a gay and noisy dinner and meeting . . . under the crisp toastmastering 'of Bill Hughes. Nostalgic music was supplied by Bob Carr and his "Occupational Musicians." Fine informal talks by Dean Thaddeus Seymour and our adopted classmate, Prof. Royal Nemiah brought silence (a dull talk would not have had a chance) and applause. Nate Parker's 73, of course, won the historic 1926 Thundermug. Other golf prizes were awarded to Marge Brown (for an 82), Del Worthington and Betty Traquair. In a split decision that may be appealed to the Supreme Court of Turkey, the Bob Williams were named the Longest-Trip Prizewinner over Bill Hughes
... on the dubious basis that since Bill came from Istanbul by himself, and was now to be stationed in New York, Bobo-and-Cappy's double round-trip from Hollywood was longer than Bill's one-way single from Turkey!
Del Worthington, Chairman of the Nominating Committee, announced the nominations for Class Officers and Executive Board for the next four years: - Board Chairman, Hub Harwood; Secretary, Ken Weeks; Treasurer, Ed Hanlon; Class Agent, HermTrefethen; Newsletter Editor, Chip Chipman; Bequest Chairman, Bruce Eaken; Board Members: - Don Norstrand, Bob Stopford, Nate Parker, Jim Traquair, Hank Parker, Perk St. Clair, Dick Husband, Ritchie Smith and Hal Marshall. This slate was unanimously elected. Last but not least, '26 was announced as the winner of the Class of 1930 Cup, for the largest number of members at Reunion.
A few gay blades stayed on after dinner and danced. Others returned to Hanover earlier, for the Players' performance of "L'il Abner." A final memory of that evening was Bob (Barney, the mailman, of the "Hazel" show) Williams, back at the '26 tent, enthralling the "L'il Abner" cast with tales of Hollywood. Wednesday, just brunch . . . and farewells.
One last, loud, grateful word ... a Wah Hoo Wah for our Reunion Chairman, WaltRankin, and his staff: - Harold Trefethen,Russ Clark, Bob Carr, Herb Redman, JoeBatchelder and Perk St. Clair . . . for a big job, well done!
See you at our 40th ... in 1966.
1926 recalled their freshman convocation as the reunion picture was taken in Webster Hall.
Despite rain the garden of Dick Hall's House was a fitting spot for this 1927 reunion picture.
CLASS SECRETARY
