1944's 25th
The notes on the back of my old envelopes are as inadequate as lighter fluid for propelling Apollo 11 when it comes to describing the four days and nights in Han-over that were our 25th. Groups reported in literally from 'round the girdled earth'; the weather gods were kind; clever planning resulted in a Budweiser cache despite a New England strike; we thought and were challenged at panel discussions and bullsessions; and Messrs. Morse, Hagen & Co. had things planned in a fashion to make the Think Tanks envious. Pick your own adjective — great, grand, glorious or gorgeous — it was a memorable four days in Hanover.
Pulitzers, Emmys, Nobels - whatever the awards, they must go to Johnny Morse and Merle Hagen and their respective wives, Muriel and Nancy, for love and devotion and duty that made the entire reunion what it was. From name tags to jackets to ice cubes to receptions to dance bands to tents to panelists to awards to lobsters to brunches - the Morses and Hagens were the what - the for the what-for. They arrived early in the week to help set up Base Camp along upper Tuck Drive, and they were on hand Thursday afternoon as scores of station wagons spilled their contents and registration began. Dorm assignments, tickets, name tags, blazers and straw hats and a gift Bicentennial ashtray, compliments of RayZrike, were part of the packet. License plates and airline ticket stubs indicated points of origin: Lamar Agar and John Bird from Alabama; Buss Beattie, Don Davidson and George Springsteen in from Washington; Arizona contributed Chuck Richardson,George Kent, and Bob (F.) Miller; Ted Mortimer from Albuquerque; Sherm Davis from Michigan; Wayne Eves from Iowa; BobLindsay from Georgia; Howie Pennington from Colorado; Dick Ranger from California; Dick Sholl from Wisconsin; a flurry from Ohio and Illinois that included FrankAmes, Homer Bogart, Ted Brush, MacCorner, Tommy Douglas, Charlie Fox, BobHarris, Ed Hills, Al Howland, Gene Kinney,John Roberts, Gordie Ross, Steve Rothermel, West Shell, Don Sheridan, Jack Stephenson, and Don Warner. And then there was the Virginia group: Tom Breen, HarrySchoenhut, Bruce Thomson, and Earl Owen;Ed Knight from West Virginia; and Hardwick Caldwell from Tennessee. Wisconsin gave Ray Hensler and North Carolina was represented by Bill Trier. And so it went, over 200 strong; over 650 including wives and children.
Festivities commenced Thursday at 5:30 in one of the three tents with a reception given by the College, followed by an inchthick roast-beef dinner in Thayer Hall. Then the first of two Bicentennial Concerts by the Glee Club and the long hours into the wee hours around the keg in the tent. Would you believe until 4:30?
Friday dawned bright and clear and most made it to the 10:00 panel discussion "Is There a New Ethic?" The question may not have been answered but lots of others were aired as Clark MacGregor and TedMortimer represented the Class along with three Dartmouth professors. At the 11:30 class meeting a new slate of officers was swept into being: President, Phil Penberthy; secretary, Fritz Hier; treasurer, Bill Craig; class agent, Ezz Hale; newsletter editor, Merle Hagen; and bequest chairman, JohnBerry; and an executive committee of 23.
We got our only rain of the weekend at the Storrs Pond clambake, but if it wet heads it didn't dampen spirits. Norm Simpsoil easily won the best rain-hat award by wearing a zipper bag.
That evening we joined other reuning classes for dinner in Leverone followed by a Variety Show in Webster. The incomparable Doc Fielding '43 was M.C., with songs, dances, and funny sayings, and Ross McKenney and Al Foley each brought down the house with their story-telling. A raft of awards were made, among them: Joe MacFarland and Don Davidson for coming the furthest distance; John Berry and Gus Pratt for having the first Dartmouth sons (Class of 1966); Andy McDowell and John Eaton shared the most-eligible-bachelor prize; Ryland Robbins won the most-kids award (eleven!) going away; Rog Feldman, the most unusual occupation (washing airplanes); Clark MacGregor the most publicized career; Bill Walters, the most novel conveyance to get to Hanover (a camper); Bill Trier, the least hair, or Yippie, award; and Charlie Farley was the first grandfather.
Saturday offered a varied schedule: Two more panels, on admissions policies and "Generations in Conflict"; sports (DaveBlair won the golf tournament with a 77); tours of the countryside; and Wemo Epply hosted a gang at his hill-top home in Etna. At the banquet that evening in Alumni Hall, Phil Penberthy turned over to President Dickey a token check for $1,451,000, a sum representing the total Class of 1944 giving 25 years out of college. President Dickey spoke movingly to the group, noting that this was the last time he would be before a 25-year reuning class. And an incredibly young-at-heart crowd danced its feet off until 2:30 in the morning, with Russ Burdge easily the most nimble and tireless amongst us.
Sunday brunch at the tents. Farewells. Final beers. And an incredible, memorable time was "miraculously builded in our hearts."
1944 waited out a rainstorm and then enjoyed their clambake at Storrs Pond.
CLASS SECRETARY
