1934

It was a weekend that bridged the years; that transported 407 Dartmouth dads to the fringe of a future that belongs to their sons.

This was Freshman Fathers' Weekend - three days to remember. It was a weekend that started with a gentle promise of spring and ended in a white fury of winter - the big blizzard of the year. In between, there was a sequence of events to warm the heart and nourish the spirit. We were our sons' roommates, "freshmen" again. We learned from them a new kind of language "booking" (studying), "power book" (cramming), "punting" (goofing off), etc. And, to the summons of the Baker Tower bells, we trudged across campus and attended classes with them (we caught three in a row, beginning with an 8 o'clock!); we shared with them the bountiful board of Thayer Hall and listened to them griping that "this must be the first time in history they ever served steak and French frieds for Saturday lunch - or any lunch"; we enjoyed the father-son fellowship at get-togethers in Spaulding Auditorium, the eloquence of the President of the College and the Class of 1967, of Dean of Freshmen Albert I. Dickerson '30 and Dean of the College Thaddeus Seymour, the good humor of Ross McKenney impersonating a French-Canadian lumberjack, the fine voices of the Freshman Glee Club.

Among the class of 1934 fathers with freshman sons, we saw Al Hine, Bill Judd and Stan Smoyer. We thrilled at the play of Stan's boy, Bill, who set up the only score for the Dartmouth freshman hockey team in a fight-to-the-finish 4 to 1 loss to the Yale frosh; watched Army run off with the varsity track meet in fabulous Leverone Field House (but the Dartmouth freshman basketball team won two .for their dads, and the freshman swimmers won one in the elegant new pool); just missed Buster Snow at the track meet. And, in the twilight of a crisp late winter afternoon, we walked with Ed and Barbara Brown to the John Mecks' ('33) for a freshman reception.

We had a pleasant visit with Orv Dryfoos' boy, Bob. ... Chatted with varsity and freshman coaches at a reception for freshman athletic teams and, in the process, added to our esteem of these men. ... Reminisced with old friends - Red Rolfe '31, Tommy Keane, Ellie Noyes '32 ... and Angel Tanzi. ...

For us, the most remembered hour was a pilgrimage with Larry in the tentative thaw of a superb Saturday afternnon to Rope Ferry Road for a quiet visit with Dr. Ernest Martin Hopkins. The young man from our house listened with near-reverence as words of treasured recollection and of great wit and wisdom came from "Hoppy." The years have left untouched the rich resonance of Prexy's voice, the sparkle of his eyes, the warmth of his smile, the magnificence of his words. Time enhances the greatness of some men, of men such as our beloved "Hoppy."

Nature contrived a surprise ending for this unforgettable weekend - a king-sized snowstorm of awesome grandeur. As we walked through the storm along fraternity row, our young man paused to declare himself: "You see what I mean, Dad, how beautiful it is up here!"

Of such moments are cherished memories made.

FROM THE MAIL POUCH:

GRANDPAPPY DEPARTMENT - Bernie Cushraan reports: "Only news here is arrival of second grandchild, Laura Eileen Fine. Guess time is flying." (Also see accompanying photo of Grandpaw John Foley and granddaughter Carole Baran, now 19 months old.)

CONDOLENCES - To Howie Linton on the loss of his mother, Mrs. Althea Mason Linton. ... And to Walt Keady on the pass-of his dad, Tom Keady '05, one of Dart- mouth's all-time greats - a great athlete (football and baseball), a great coach (baseball and basketball at Dartmouth; football at Andover, Bates, Lehigh, Vermont, Western Reserve, Massilon, Ohio, Tigers - where he coached Knute Rockne - and Quantico Marines) and a great gentleman. His name also will be enshrined in Dartmouth lore as author of "As the Backs Go Tearing By."

THUMBNAIL REPORT — From BobFord: "Not much news - two boys in college; twin daughters in junior high."

FULL REPORT - From Mary Foley: "You most likely have heard about the Boston Dartmouth Alumni Association 100th Anniversary dinner. John took down the names of '34 who attended - Al Levenson and Katherine, Harry Gilmore and Prue, Dr. Art Ward and Ardis, Jack Lynch and Frances, Dr. Win Watts and Sylvia, HerbHeston and Molly, Nick Xanthaky and Alice, John and me. The '34's won the loyalty place, so John says. The Hestons have a son in the Glee Club. He is a sophomore. Dr. Ward's son Steve is also in the Glee Club and is a senior. ..."

Mary rises to set the record straight. John is not spending his leisure time in the old rockin' chair - "He has been spending his weekends painting inside the house."

DAILY DIARY - From Hank Werner, faithful correspondent: "A typical week in a New York City man's life. Monday night went to a great Broadway show — 'Dylan.' ... Tuesday night Liz and I go to a charity event where she is an usher and 10,000 people show up at Madison Square Garden to see a presentation of the arts. ... Long talk with Jerry Danzig who has been to New Hampshire and California drumming up Nelson Rockefeller's bandwagon. Wednesday had lunch with Roily Morton who was in fine fettle. ... Thursday afternoon Clarence Davies and I meet to interview some Dartmouth applicants and after the meeting we go to Melrose Games at Madison Square Garden. ... Just as I'm entering, I spot Herb Steyn and his wife, Felice. We (Clarence and Hank) had agreed to cheer for Gerry Ashworth and Tom Laris, two recent Dartmouth alumni. But Felice made us promise to cheer for (West Point's) Bill Staub - who is her son and Herb's stepson. Bill didn't do badly (finished fifth in the Wanamaker mile with a 4:11.8 run)... so maybe we'll have two offspring of '34 in the Olympics. I'm sure you've seen Bill Clough's son's name appearing in the Winter Olympic games. ... And so to the end of my week and letter."

And so to press.

Secretary, 681 Overhill Rd. Birmingham, Mich.

Class Agent, 42 Monroe Ave., Pittsford, N.Y.