1916
President Dickey refers to 1916 as a "vintage class." I take it that he thinks of us as "gentlemen, scholars and judges of good liquor."
Our late classmate, Tex Rogers, was an author and playwright of note, his best known book being "The Lusty Texans of Dallas." In it he explored the "society" of Dallas, with swift biographies of the rich and conspicuous, blended with a history of the city. About five years ago Tex backed a drive to change the title for Dallas residents from "Dallasites" to "Dallasans." "We have termites, parasites, Hittites, and Dallasites," he contended. "Dallasites is a hick word. But Dallasans sounds beautiful."
Sam Cutler, one of the best beloved Six-teeners, whose obituary appears in this or a subsequent issue of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE, was a rare blend of quiet courage and good New England humor. Only five days before his death he wrote Cliff Bean, "Thank you for the cards and letter you wrote me. They were very much appreciated. I am coming along slowly, but still have a nurse mornings - a pretty 20-year-old, who wakes me up with a smile and gives me my bath. Damit, why should I get well quick?"
Has anybody had late news of Bill andRuth McKenzie? Your Secretary had a card from him at the end of October. It was mailed from Kenya and said that they had been to Paris, Vienna, Athens, and the Greek Islands. Then they boarded ship at Venice for Port Elizabeth, Republic of South Africa, where their oldest son, Bill '45, is stationed. As the card was written they were sailing along the east coast of Africa, with the next stop at Magadiscio - "wherever that may be," sez Bill. And adds,
"This luxury business isn't hard to take."
Two young men, close friends at Dartmouth, pledged to "some day build something great." They were William Hosier Jr. '51 and James L. Kiley '53. Jim is the son of our late classmate, Ed Kiley and his wife Eva. Their dream has come to realization in the beautiful Skylon-International Center at Niagara Falls, Canada. The dream may have started when the boys were at Deveaux School, Lewiston, N. Y. After Dartmouth they attended the Babson Institute of Business Administration. In' the late hours of the evening the two young men would discuss their dreams for the future and pledged that someday they would undertake a business venture together. Some years later they got the idea that there was a great opportunity to capitalize on the vast number of tourists which come to see the Falls each year. Like most great projects there were years of frustration before the plan was consummated. But finally the Skylon became a reality. It resembles the great tower at the Seattle World Fair, rises 775 feet above the Niagara River between Niagara's two great cataracts. It offers a breathtaking view of the entire Niagara frontier, a panorama including two Great Lakes, the Welland Canal, and the skylines of Toronto and Buffalo. The Skylon features an observation deck, a dining lounge and a revolving restaurant operated by the Canadian Pacific Hotels, while the International Center features international displays of culture, products and services. Eva Kiley can well be proud of son Jim.
It seems that no sooner do I get the Class informed as to those who have gone to Florida, or elsewhere in the South for the winter than I begin listing those "birds" who are flying Northward to cooler climes, and the process is repeated — in reverse. But I can report one classmate who has decided to stay put. With their six children having long since "flown the nest" the RussellLeavitt homestead in Meredith, N. H., it doubtless was much too large for Russ and Edith. So in September they sold "the old homestead" and now have only one address, 128 North Adele Ave., DeLand, Fla. 32720.
The Class of Nineteen Sixteen considers it Dartmouth's Great Good Fortune that the agonizing decision which Coach Bob Blackman was called upon to make was made in favor of Dartmouth. It congratulates Coach Blackman and the 1965 Football Team. It hopes that it will continue our good fortune, not necessarily to have many more championship teams, but that the teams may continue to play the superb brand of football which has characterized the elevens which Bob Blackman has turned out these past eleven years.
HITTING THE JACKPOT: Seven successive Christmas cards which your Secretary opened had this sentiment, "See you in Hanover in June!" They were from Ralph and Lossie Parker (Nashua), Eva Kiley (Niagara Falls), Stew and Luella Paul (Gettysburg), John Ames (Washington), Dave and Ellen Miller (Denver), Carl Eskeline (Santa Barbara) and Mabel Tapley (Cambridge). Mabel will also be attending the graduation from Dartmouth of her eldest grandson, whose name, I believe, is Bill Vincent. Your Secretary hopes that this jackpot is an augury of our Great Gathering in the North Country come June.
1916 Class ReunionHanover - June 10-12, 1965
Secretary, 7 Swarthmore Place Swarthmore, Pa.
Treasurer, Staples Point, Freeport, Maine
Bequest Chairman,
