1917

Death again has struck among our number, and I must report the passing of three more classmates. Tommy (Errol) Thompson passed away at his home on September 12 following a heart attack. In recent years Tommy had been active in class affairs, regularly attending reunions and our fall parties. In fact, he had made a reservation for the party at Woodstock this fall, and those fortunate enough to be present greatly missed him and Dot. Then, on September 13, George Dandrow passed away at Spearfish, S. D. Finally, belated word of the death of George Oberne, on November 11, 1961, has been received. He was with us for only a brief period, having transferred to the University of Illinois from which he graduated.

Sherm and Helen Smith had looked forward to joining us at Woodstock for the fall party, but when the Methodist churches in Bourne and Cataumet, Mass., asked Sherm to deliver the layman's day address on Sunday, September 29, he decided that that request had a No. 1 priority. Incidentally, Sherm retired from Bostitch after 28 years, and on September 10, was tendered a dinner to make his retirement official.

Vic and Irene Smith were unable to attend the fall party because Vic had been invited to represent his class and make a homecoming day address at Vermont College on the occasion of his 50th reunion there. Should any of you wish to look up Vic at his office, you will find him at a new address. On July 31 he moved the office of Victor C. Smith, Inc. to 49 South Second St., Fernwood, Pa. (Mail address - P.O. Box 345, Lansdowne, Pa. 19051. Phone Madison 2-2310.) Vic's office, shop and warehouse are now all in a new building at the new location.

On September 15 Ted and Marie Lonnquest celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary and in recognition of the event, their children staged a "Fiesta Day" which was enlivened by the presence of all of the two generations junior to them. It was a heartwarming experience for both Ted and Marie.

In order to give you a fresh slant on our fall party Gil Swett was asked to write his impressions, and here is what Gil had to say:

If you've never been to one of these parties you'll probably think it a manifestation of approaching dotage for an old duffer to fly a 3,000 mile round trip just to go to a party! I admit the fond impeachment. I obeyed the impulse.

Another who felt the same way, evidently, was Walt Walters, who flew in alone from Minnesota and shared with me the "bachelor dormitory" up in the attic of the White Cupboard Inn. It was reassuring to have such distinguished and pleasant company in my dotage. Dotage, hell! As always on these parties, the years rolled off like raindrops on a duck's back. To say that we were glad we came is a gross understatement.

The well-loved hills outdid themselves in putting on their fall show. Never have I seen them more strikingly beautiful. There wasn't a cloud in the blue sky, and the air was crisp and clear and bracing, yet not cold enough to be uncomfortable in the Memorial Field stands. The game was a cliff-hanger of the first order, with a victory at the end. The campus was vibrant and alive with students and their dates and alumni. It was a goose-pimply feeling when the kick-off whistle sounded, and the goose pimples didn't come from the temperature.

Of course, all of these things - delightful as they were - were not enough in themselves to make the trip sensibly justified. The real pull this year, as in all the years before, is the warmth that comes in the renewal of friendships - the comradeship that seems to be more binding and pleasant with each successive year we get together.

It's not an easy thing to describe to those of you who've never been there. It's a tapestry of many small incidents. Reminiscences, of course. The presence of the girls who are by now as much members of the clan as the men. The serious discussions about the College and its affairs - it's final emergence into that "Preeminence in all Phases" towards which our well loved "Hop" and our dynamic John Dickey have been pointing through all the years of our alumni life. On the gayer side, the impromptu barber shop songs around the bar. (A sour note now and then in the harmony, but to those who were singing, it sounded damn good!)

A host of new memories are with me as I go back home. A recharging of my Dartmouth batteries. It's a pity that more of our classmates can't share the experience every year. There aren't too many more of them to come. I don't plan to miss 'em.

To what Gil has said, let me add that on Saturday evening there was a meeting of the class Executive Committee with all '17 men at the Inn present as guests. JackSaladine reported on the Alumni Fund campaign, Gil Swett on the Bequest Program and Bill Sewall, speaking for Mose HutchIns and himself, on the possibility of publishing a 50 year report.

Those who were at Woodstock for all or part of the weekend included Ralph and Ethel Sanborn, Mose Hutchins, Pete and Lucy Olds, Bill and Sally Sewall, Barney and Adele Thielscher, Sandy and Tommy Lynch, Len and Laurene Reade, Bill and Helen Birtwell, Bob and Anita Scott, Ruth Sisson, Jo Weeks, Walt Walters, Jack Saladine, Gil Swett, Sumner and Charlotte Emerson, Norm and Mary McCulloch, Phil and Jo Evans, Duke and Dot Howe with their son and Duke's brother, Bob and Gail Boynton, Bill Eaton and Don and Helen Brooks.

Guy and Marjorie Richardson and HeinieWright and his daughter, Robin, were seen at the game, but they did not show up at Woodstock.

Secretary, R.F.D. 1, Box 27 Woodstock, Vt.

Treasurer, 315 Oxford Rd., Havertown, Pa.