1937's Twenty-fifth Reunion
I hardly know where to begin in reporting to you on our Reunion. Everyone I talked to said it was far and away our best ever, and I cannot fail to agree with them. One hundred and fifty of us, most with wives and many with at least a portion of their families, were on hand. The last count I had on Saturday morning was 411 souls in all.
But let's start in at the beginning. By noontime on Thursday, the clan began to gather. Bill Ashe and Bob Turner had the registration table set up and functioning, Sam Dillon had cold beer flowing, and reunioning was underway. Costumes of the day included a white knit golf shirt with a green collar and a small green D on the pocket, and a green-trimmed white hat for the men. The gals received a green-trimmed straw sailor hat with a plastic lined terry-cloth bag which had a bold "MINT BAG" and the Dartmouth insignia stamped on it. John Maloon is to be congratulated on these arrangements which seemed to please everyone.
Late that afternoon, the College had a reception for our Class at the '37 tent, and President Dickey and his charming wife were on hand to visit with us. Then on to Thayer Hall (the new "Commons") for a delicious roast beef dinner, again as guests of the College. Thursday evening WalterJohnson and Bill Leonard were the speakers at the Hanover Holiday program. Brud Johnson gave us a clear and concise picture on the history and development of liberalism in this country, while Bill Leonard spoke to us about some of the far right groups that have sprung up in America in recent years. Then back to the tent for pleasant conversation and happy reunioning far into the night.
Meanwhile the youngest set was being entertained, thanks to Carl Ray's planning, with an organized program of swimming at Spaulding Pool, movies, ping-pong and other games, and even a huge collection of comic books. Our ten-year-old-daughter couldn't get over the fact that she walked into the movies "for free," and all the coke she could drink was there for the asking!
And the teen set had their' own good time. Rides around town on an antique fire engine; twisting to their heart's content at their own tent with their own music; and free reign to make all the noise and hubbub so dear to the heart of any teenager.
Friday morning found us up and rarin' to go. After breakfast at the tent, we were organized into a group of ten seminars led by Carl Ray, Dave Rainey, Bill Timbers,Bill Cash, Hal Putnam, Frank Danzig,Monk Amon, Bill Heroy, Pat Uhlmann, AdParker, and Wayne Ballantyne. About 110 men and women showed up for the seminars, which turned out to be a lot of fun, and a phase of reunion which everyone agreed is worth repeating. Don McKinlay is to be congratulated for this excellent addition to the traditional reunion program.
Friday afternoon was fairly quiet. There were Medical, Thayer, and Tuck School Alumni luncheons, golf for many, and relaxing for others. Nearly all of us toured the rapidly completing Hopkins Center, to be impressed with its scope and the variety of needs which it will serve. Following a brief cocktail party at the tent, we all trooped down to the gym for the big Alumni reception and dinner. Early that evening, during the middle of President and Mrs. Dickey's informal reception in the beautiful garden of their home, a brief shower sent us all scurrying into the president's house, but this didn't detract one bit from the pleasantries of the affair.
The Alumni dance was held Friday evening in College Hall which we used to know as "Commons." I'm afraid that few of the '37 contingent attended, mainly because BobMcCoy had arranged for an excellent band at our own tent. Bob and Bill Dixon alternated at the drums, Frank Danzig sat in much of the time with his horn, and the place was jumping far into the night. You should have seen Carl Ray trying to keep up with his daughter Barbara - she nearly "twisted" him into the ground!
Saturday was a beautiful day, cloudless but comfortable. After we finally got all hands on deck for our class picture, we gathered in Sanborn House library for our Class Meeting. After a series of brief reports, the nominating committee of CharlieBlaisdell, Gus Farwell and Fran Fenn presented a slate of thirteen as candidates for the Executive Committee. This slate was elected unanimously, and is composed of the following men: Fred Asher, Bib Bankart,Rowley Bialla, Charlie Blaisdell, Boz Bosworth, Bill Coe, Frank Danzig, Gus Farwell,Bert Geller, Don McKinlay, Carl Ray, VinTurecamo and Pat Uhlmann.
Our class by-laws empower the executive committee to elect three officers to serve until our next reunion. Those elected were Wayne Ballantyne, Chairman; Bill Rotch, Secretary; and Frank Robin, Treasurer. Our chairman then designated, with the approval of the executive committee, JerryLow as Head Class Agent, Fran Fenn as Class Gifts Chairman, and Mai Merritt as News Letter Editor. The executive committee then passed a resolution thanking ArtRuggles for his twenty-five years of loyal service as Class Treasurer. As you know, except for a brief period during the war, Art has served the class continuously as Class Treasurer since before graduation.
After the meeting, we headed out to Lake Morey Inn for a barbeque, swimming, golf, loafing, and more reunioning. I sure hope that the movies come out that I took at the father and son baseball game. I'm sure that among the grand old men who played there must have been some awfully sore muscles on Sunday!
All too soon we had to head back to Hanover to get ready for our Class Banquet. Pat Uhlmann ran off the door prize drawing in jig time during the cocktail hour. Then off to Thayer Hall for a fine steak dinner and our thanks to Wayne Ballantyne who arranged for all our meals including the barbeque at Lake Morey. As guests at the head table we had classmates Bob Blackmail and Bob Barry, both of whom spoke briefly to us. (During the program about a dozen of the '37 glee clubbers sang a few Dartmouth songs, ending up with "Dartmouth Undying" as we used to sing it on the steps of Dartmouth Hall on a spring evening.) The highlight of the affair was when FranFenn and Boz Bosworth handed a check to President Dickey symbolic of the twenty-five year giving of 1937, amounting to $563,000, a new record of which our class can be justly proud.
President Dickey then responded to us in terms of the vital contribution such support makes to the College in its endeavor to earn and retain its claim to greatness. Then off we went to watch Charlie Blaisdell's son Chuck play the part of Marrying Sam, and Bill Coe's son John play the piana in "Li'l Abner," more music, dancing and what have you at the tent until the wee hours of the morning.
Dean Fred Berthold led a brief but moving Memorial Service in the Bema Sunday morning. Then brunch at the tent, and a steady succession of goodbyes, until by shortly after noon, we were all on our way homeward. If was a tremendous reunion in every way, and it contributed mightily to the growing unity and cohesiveness so apparent in our class.
Our special thanks go to all those who helped make this weekend so memorable. In addition to those already mentioned we want to thank Liz McCoy, who headed the Women's Committee, Mort Berkowitz and Lanny Moore for the fine publicity work, our hard working local arrangements men Justin Smith, John Milne and Russ Stearns,Rog Allen for his wonderful Silver Mint Bags, and Bill Rotch for the outstanding job he did on the 25 Year Book. And most of all, our gratitude to Bill Coe who organized the whole, wonderful affair.
CLASS SECRETARY
