1949's 15th
This thing they billed as our Second Honeymoon is officially over just two scant days at this writing, but as I sit here on my early bird commuter train into New York I think I understand a little bit better Browning's emotional jag when he versed his famous "All's right with the world." Not that everything's exactly right with this bumpy old world of ours, as we can plainly see in our dailies, but a brave little band of Forty Niners is bullying a tired world into becoming a fitter place to live.
And let me tell you that after they have done battle in this awesome arena they still know how to lay down their cutlasses and reach for that cup of kindness. How do I know all this? Well, your reporter was in Hanover for the big show. And a really big show was our 15th year reunion. If you missed it let me say that you missed out on a truly fine weekend. If you were there you don't need me to tell you that you shared a great experience with some 125 classmates and their families. Make a promise to yourself right now that you'll be back for the next one.
Ann and I arrived on the scene Thursday afternoon after a pleasant ride up the Connecticut River Valley from New Jersey. Incidentally, there is a 4-lane interstate highway No. 91 in the works which will connect with the existing superhighways around Hartford and by 1966 will take us right to White River Junction. As nothing was scheduled much before Friday noon we decided to chase the sun and see if we couldn't play 18 holes of golf. We arrived in Hanover at 4:45 p.m., checked into our assigned room in Middle Fayerweather Hall (quite comfortable, I might add), and were pulling our caddy carts down the first fairway by 5:20. At 8:45 with the sun long beyond the Vermont hills and our scores pock-marked with penalties for lost balls we made it slowly down the 18th dragging our carts behind us. There was just one eating place open in Hanover by the time we had our golf shoes off and that was a Pizzeria just up from the Green Lantern Inn on Main Street. I recognized as a classmate a fellow who later joined us at our table with his wife. The couple turned out to be Andy and AnnKelsey just back from an extended visit to Damascus, courtesy of our State Department and glad to be off those 24-day camels for a while. We party pooped after that late dinner by sneaking past the class tent and into our dorm room by 11 p.m. because we figured the next few nights would be late ones, and we were right; but I can report that there were some '49 true sports around the piano as there had been as early as Wednesday night singing it up, chasing down a few beers, and swapping stories about their common intellectual experience in Hanover Town.
Friday morning was cold and eventually rainy. My frau and two other gals conspired to hunt for antiques using Cary Smith's wonderful hand-drawn maps as a guide. Much to my relief they found nothing, or should I say nothing they wanted and could afford. Meanwhile, I ducked into the DOC office and bought some old Winter Carnival posters at 50¢ each to decorate my basement. I am sure that many of you might like to do the same if given the opportunity. I'll check out the possibilities for you and report back.
Friday noon there were special luncheons by Tuck, Thayer, and the Med Schools. The Tuck School luncheon was in honor of Dean Olsen, who is retiring, and the only thing missing was our nerve to sing a chorus of the old Tuck favorite, "God Bless Free Enterprise." Friday afternoon showed us some sunshine once again. We loafed and had a chance to wander about campus, and this walk was a complete revelation to us. The building program over the past decade in Hanover is now virtually completed. Hopkins Center situated down from the Inn is a cultural city in itself. Many new dorms and class buildings have been put up or old ones given a face lifting. Most new buildings are neatly tucked away into campus corners so as not to give one the illusion of a great complex. One magnificent giant which does stand apart is the new Leverone Field House which blankets what used to be center and right field of the old varsity baseball diamond. There are no inside columns at all and a regulation baseball game could be played within its walls. Houston Astro-Dome fans please take note.
It was appropriate that the College schedule the alumni reception and dinner in the new field house on Friday evening not only as a means of showing off this splendid structure but also to accommodate its expanding alumni. Of course this affair afforded a great opportunity to meet and chat for the first time with old classmates as well as friends in our sister classes of 1950 and 1951. It was wonderful to see so many back. It seemed a little bit sad not to have more time to talk with each one, to meet his wife, and to learn more about what he was doing. This was so through the entire weekend. It is hard to put this feeling down in words, but it seemed a little like that big high school dance. You had a great time but never got across the floor to dance with the one or two lovelies who somehow meant a little more to you than the rest. Time just has a way of running out, and before we knew it it was Sunday and we were waving goodbye.
It was amazing to us how the College could so efficiently serve such a delicious chicken dinner to the many hundreds. Friday evening we were allowed to work off this meal with a surprise treat. Paul Woodberry and his able Reunion Committee arranged for a lively dixieland outfit from New York to play for us until the wee hours at the '49 tent. So good were these gents that many of your old buddies and their wives really kicked up their heels on the dance floor. The College also ran an alumni dance in the gym, but it was no competition for this gang. A few spenders kept the music playing a little longer by dropping some of the long green in the trumpeter's hat, but most had already gone to bed or drifted away.
Saturday was the big day and for the story on that one, my sleepy ones, you must wait for the next issue. I have exhausted my allowed space, and there is much more to tell. You will note that I have almost completely left out references to classmates. I have much material on them and this will follow in subsequent issues. Carl Struever's shoes are big ones to fill so make with the information and comfort your new secretary's anxiety. Bob Alden, our new class chairman, has written each of you a letter outlining the class elections and awards.
I'll now leave you with but a final thought. One classmate was overheard telling another what a shame it was that our young and virile Forty Niners all seemed to marry middle-aged women. I always knew that guy had class.
P.S. 1949 will have an informal reunion in Hanover the weekend of the Penn game, October 8-9. Mike McGean has a few room reservations lined up, and if you are interested, get in touch with him at once.
Quentin Kopp, atop the trailer, talks up1949's Second Honeymoon Sweepstakes.
CLASS SECRETARY
