1921's 50th
CLASS SECRETARY
The Great Golden Get-Together is over. From the start it was a smash hit, mostly due to the unflagging and diligent efforts of Reunion Chairman Reg Miner. This report is for the permanent record, and for the benefit of those class-mates who were unable to attend. A more complete report will be in the July SMOKER.
Officially, there were 215 classmates, wives, widows and a few other family members who registered, plus a half dozen more who only showed for parts of a day. This won for the class two silver cups, one for the highest percentage of living members in attendance, and the other for the largest attendance at a Fiftieth Reunion.
There were several couples scheduled to be with us whose plans had to be cancelled out at the last minute. These included Normand Pat Crisp, Rynie and Lee Roths-child, Ken and Eloise Thomas, and Billand Susan Lies. We also missed PollyMayo who, instead of coming up from her home in Lake Park, Fla., found herself instead in a hospital.
Our "adopted members" were in evidence at many of the events—including the G.Lawton Johnsons, and Prof. Francis andMildred Sears. Blair Watson seemed to be everywhere, taking movie shots which will be seen at later dates.
The class tent was conveniently located directly in front of the reunion dorm, Middle Mass, where refreshments were available, ably served up by two of the Tanzi brothers, who had come down from their retirement spot in Maine for the occasion. Fred Johnson furnished a brand new piano for informal singing (of sorts), which continued each night into the wee sma' hours, led by Professor Wells.
Two excellent class dinners were served on Friday and Saturday nights, with a luncheon Sunday noon at the D.O.C. House adjacent to the golf course. The Friday night affair was termed "informal" since there was no program involved. It proved to be an excellent opportunity for table-chatting and getting re-acquainted.
Saturday noon the class attended me alumni luncheon and annual meeting of the General Association of Alumni, at which our John L. Sullivan delivered the traditional Fifty Year Address. He discussed the coeducational problem facing the College which will eventually be resolved by the trustees, and expressed the belief that the final decision on the matter might be delayed for several years. Towards the close of the meeting, President Briggs unveiled and presented to the College an oil painting of our own beloved Orton Hicks. This had been executed by Paul Sample '20, a professional artist with many prize works in his experience.
Several bus tours were provided during the reunion period which gave those who were not familiar with the 1971 physical scene the chance to bring themselves up-to- date on changes during the past fifty years. Shuttle buses were available for events off campus.
The busiest program of the reunion was that of Saturday morning. This started with a most impressive Memorial Service in Rollins Chapel as arranged by Jack andEleanor Hurd. The 17-year-old grandson of Ort Hicks, Kip Coerper performed magnificently at the organ, and Bishop CharlesGilson presided in the pulpit.
The official class picture was taken on the very crowded steps of Dartmouth Hall, followed immediately by the class meeting. Reports of the various class officers were heard, and the following officers were elected for the next five years, as nominated by the Executive Committee: President, Ellis O. Briggs; Vice President, Donald F.Sawyer; Secretary, Harold F. Braman; Treasurer, Thomas W. Staley; Editor of the SMOKER, Daniel B. Ruggles; Bequest Chairman, Thomas V. Cleveland, Co- Chairman, Roger C. Wilde; Memorial Book Chairmen, John Hurd and Robert L.Loeb; Head Class Agent S. FurberHaight.
Many of the classmates came far cross country to be with us. These included Al and Marghie Dunn, Doc and Dorothy Fleming, Connie and Irene Keyes, and Guy and Kenneth Wallick from California; Phez Taylor from Idaho; Furb Haight from New Mexico; and Katrina Forman, Arlene Payson, and Virginia Schultz and Doug Storer from Florida. Also Jack and Olive Graydon from Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
As far as we can determine this was the first reunion ever attended by O.C. Ward,Howie and Aretta Anger, and SamPlumb. We wish we could also provide a list of classmates and wives who have had a perfect record of attendance at all 1921 reunions.
The Saturday night dinner in Alumni Hall emceed by Jack Hubbell in his usual capable manner. He read citations covering the retiring class officers, and presented them with medallions in token of their valued years of service. During the course of the program the Injunaires entertained with a pleasing mixture of songs, mostly in the Dartmouth vein.
The evening closed with a piece of icing on the .cake, with a sharply staged performance in the Center Theater by Max Morath who provided a two-hour piano and song recital which was a rich and entertaining treat. He was a polished musician and singer, with perfect execution in a fast paced presentation. John Sullivan is to be thanked for assuming the financial expense of bringing Mr. Morath to Hanover.
The 50-Year Class of 1921 had a very fine turnout of 107 men and a grand total of 218.
