1949
Returning to Hanover at any time of the year is a delightful experience, but there is something especially glorious about a fall weekend which transcends simple nostalgia and captures us as surely as time. The annual fall class reunion was a big success once again, and the football team saw fit to honor our numerals by scoring 49 points against an outclassed Brown team.
The Dartmouth Night spirit has for many years been stoked by a gigantic bonfire at the center of campus. We wondered why the fire wasn't as high as usual and found out that this tradition was in serious jeopardy. Our on-the-scene reporter, Lois McGean, advised us that there is a critical railroad tie shortage in upper New England. In fact, the Dartmouth Club of New Haven came to the rescue by sending a freight car full which arrived just in the nick of time. This is all the more understandable in light of the fact that there is no longer any passenger service out of White River for either Boston or New York. The sad truth is that it was a chronic money loser through the years. Polly and Thad Seymour were our gracious hosts once again at a reception for the class after the Dartmouth Night festivities. Their cordial welcome gives our weekend a marvelous send-off.
Our Saturday morning class executive committee meeting moved along smoothly and was followed by a luncheon before the game for classmates and their wives at the Tom Dent Memorial Cabin down by the Connecticut River. My brief notes emphasize a few points covered at the meeting which the class should know about. The class treasury ran up a small deficit for the past year which never would have come about had we a few more dues-paying class members. The question was raised as to whether many classmates truly realize the importance and the function of class dues. To clear up any misconceptions, those failing to pay dues are in effect receiving a free ride from those who do as far as the ALUMNI MAGAZINE is concerned as it is mailed to every man in the class.
A brief word about the class memorial books program also seems in order at this time. Several years ago in searching about for an appropriate way of memorializing our departed classmates, your executive committee decided upon a memorial books program wherein a book would be purchased in the name of the class by the college library as a permanent memorial to each departed classmate. This program is now in operation. An inscribed name plate is placed in each book, and the college will maintain a separate file system on these books so that at any time an interested library visitor may quickly be able to identify and see any of the collection. I hope you will all feel as we of your committee do that this is a fine and meaningful tribute from all of us collectively to each of us separately.
The final item of interest was the decision to meet next year for the Penn game weekend of October 14-15. Gordon Thomas will once again be responsible for lining up rooms which is no small task, but it is never too early to let him hear from you.
The Gold Pick Axe Award becomes more popular with each passing year. This year the three-man committee consisted of Rollie Becker, Burt Proom, and Carl Tracy. This coming year Carl Tracy becomes chairman and - the two additional members. The committee reported to me as its ex officio member that a number of excellent nominations had been received during the past year and that a great deal of time had been put in by them on the final selection. As chairman, Rollie Becker presented this year's award in absentia to MarvinDurning, national "Conservationist of the Year." You may recall having read in the May ALUMNI MAGAZINE about Marv's selection to receive the "President's Award" for his voluntary efforts to enlist public support for the two major outdoor recreation and open space programs in the state of Washington. The actual citation together with photographs will be seen in the class newsletter.
I was able to jot down a few notes on the backs of envelopes and business cards from some of our classmates in attendance which I now pass along to you. Dick Day and his wife sat next to me at the game, and I distinctly remember making a few notes on my ticket stub, but you guessed it, it must have been turned into confetti somewhere along the line. I do recall that Dick and his brother run a GMC truck dealership in Auburn, Mass., but the family still calls Worcester home. They were at the game with the Cort Crosses '50 who have a summer place near Sunapee.
It was nice to have Pat and Bob Zeiser join us again after Pat's prolonged illness. Pat claims the only drop-out of the year at the local dog obedience school. Her dog apparently wouldn't even come in out of the rain until she bought a certain training book and began teaching it herself. Now the dog will come in out of the rain if she calls it. Bob is running for the City Council in East Providence with a slogan of "Vote Wiser, Vote Zeiser."
Jane and Rollie Becker together with their brother and sister-in-law did the Quartet from "Rigoletto" in full costume last summer for the village society of Jafrey Center, N.H. He even dueled with his mother-in-law in silk tights and sashes, and how many men will ever be in a position to claim such goings on? Our underground tells us that but for a septic tank problem the Beckers truly love their summer place in the country.
Gordon Thomas was telling the boys in the back room about his planned trip to Beirut, Istanbul, and Athens. He claims his prime interest will be in visiting his sister in the Peace Corps in Afghanistan but we know his dedicated purpose is to research the Byzantine art of belly dancing. Doris thought he'd be back for the Yale game, but I hope she doesn't hold her breath.
The weekend long distance record belongs to Joan and John Sweetland who drove in from Minneapolis. John is assistant professor at the University of Minnesota School of Hospital Administration as well as a partner in a hospital management consulting firm. He travels around the country doctoring sick hospitals and still finds time to coach pee wee hockey. Joan is still the effervescent gal I remember from her Colby Junior days.
A few quickie notes to complete the list includes a word from Jim "Spike" Smith that he is now in Boston as regional sales manager for Encyclopedia Britannica Educational Corporation, specializing strictly in teaching materials. Al Wagner is the new chairman of the Republican Town Committee of Wenham, Mass. Chesta and DickBandfield have been raising thoroughbred puppies, and they might even have one for you if the bid is right. Herb Gramstorff's wife Ann claims that they usually have a home project a year. This year it involved remodelling, but Herb put his foot down on relocating the staircase, and we don't blame him. It's a nasty job. Hope even more of you will be with us next year. It was a great weekend. Meanwhile, Happy Holidays to one and all!!
Secretary, 15 Twin Oak Rd. Short Hills, N.J. 07078
Treasurer, 530 East 86th St., New York, N.Y. 10028
