1936's 35th
CLASS SECRETARY
1936 broke another Dartmouth record when 113 members of the class returned to Hanover on June 14 for our 35th Reunion. This was the largest 35th reuning group to date. The crowd was swelled by 93 loyal wives and guests and 22 children. The reunion tent was on Tuck Mall in front of Hitchcock and the class was housed in Hitchcock and Russell Sage. Phyl andCliff England greeted each classmate, passed out the hats and tote bags, checked the rosters and distributed schedules, tickets, and maps. This was all done under the watchful eye of Reunion Chairman Norb Hofman who had just returned from three weeks in Hawaii.
The weather in Hanover was beautiful except for a light rain on Tuesday, but it wasn't enough to dampen the picnic at the Lake Fairlee Camp. Chuck and LoisAaron had planned the picnic and the camp afforded a spectacular view of the lake. The hamburgers and hot dogs were cooked over charcoal and no one strayed very far from the cooking area. And of course, there was beer on tap. At reunion there is always beer on tap.
The tent on Tuck Mall was the constant source of refreshment, conversation, music, and singing which often continued into the early morning hours. Paul Lynch couldn't move too far from the piano and his fingers must still be tender from his constant playing. The tent activities were further enlivened by a continuous film slide show put together by Frank Kappler. Frank had requested pictures and slides of our college years or previous reunions be sent to him for this project. He edited them and it provided chuckles and nostalgia during the evening hours. Frank also provided taped background music of the thirties. The original phonograph recordings of Bing Crosby elicited many wishes for more music "like the good old days." On Monday evening there was a cocktail hour before the buffet dinner at the Leverone Field House and on Tuesday a similar happy hour before the steak roast on the Mall. Gene and Kate Tamburi did a wonderful job planning the food and menus for the reunion. The hit of the Roast menu on Tuesday, was a hot vichyssoise laced with bourbon, but Gene wasn't releasing any trade secrets.
The banquet on Wednesday evening in Hopkins Center was planned by DickMorton who acted as toastmaster. It was a beautiful evening highlighted by the presence of Pudge and Marian Neidlinger as honored guests—by some impromptu remarks by Professor Al Foley—by the surprise speaker of the evening, a Treasurer's report by Jim Stephens which won't be quickly forgotten and by the plea of Coach Jake Crouthamel '60 to resist the elimination of athletic training in our colleges since it provides vital service in producing the well rounded graduate. '36 ran its own golf tournament and Gil Sykes passed out the prizes. Low net went to Peg Yelverton and Al Gibney, High gross was captured by Bill Macurda while Easy Guibord and Bob Keeler won the awards for the most lost balls. The longest balls were driven by Madine Morton and BillYelverton and Vin Wentworth drove one to within 10 inches of the pin. Peg Reitman achieved a sjmilar honor for the ladies but not that close. The musical interlude of the evening was provided by the Injunaires and it was made more enjoyable by the presence in the group of Bax Fullerton '73. Another musical group assembled on the platform and sang a topical rendition of "Eleazar" (if coeducation is adopted). "Fill the tea cups, fill the tea cups" replaced the "bowl." Class Chairman Gil Balkam was presented with a silver tray in appreciation for his leadership during these past five years. It was really a superlative evening.
On Thursday morning the festivities terminated with a 9 a.m. brunch in the tent catered by the Inn staff. The day was brilliant and sparkling. Some of our classmates had long journeys ahead of them. Dick and Grace Wakefield were on vacation from Seattle, Wash. Dune Newell and Koe Thompson had to return to Arizona and New Mexico, and Dr. BillMcLaughlin to California. This is just a sample of what went on during these four days in Hanover. I can't describe the warm feeling of renewed friendships in surroundings we can never forget. It is a great testimonial to our taste in women, for the wives enjoy reuning as much as we do. Cliff and Phyl England have already volunteered to handle reservations for the 40th. The 35th Reunion committee under Norb Hofman deserves a great vote of thanks for a job well done.
Rev. Jim Lancaster conducted the Memorial Service in Rollins Chapel and he concluded his remarks with these words, "Let those of us who continue the pilgrimage accept with good grace the fact that Dartmouth is not static, but lives and grows and changes. Some forty years ago we were admitted to the company of those who are called 'Men of Dartmouth.' While affirming our respect for the values of our heritage, let us leave this place in the consciousness that we serve this venture which not only was, but is, and is yet to be, Dartmouth. And may God help us."
Discussion meetings with students were a new feature of the reunion program.
