1949
The frost is on the pumpkin; the leaves here in upper Westchester are in flamboyant color; children are dusting up costumes from the attic preparatory for the immediate transition into hobgoblins; pumpkins from Allen Brothers in Westminster, Vt., are awaiting the annual desecration; and the evening chill presages an early, long and snowy winter! Those woolly bears crawling around the front door and the field mice attempting a fast scamper to warmer climes indoors tell me there's good news ahead for our skiing folk—a repeat of our 1947-1948 winter in Hanover. The wild wolf at the doorway serves merely to make some of us nostalgic about the passing—two weeks ago—of probably the best attended 1949 fall get-together at the College.
Despite some whimpers from environmental activists and conservative financial consultants, a smaller but architecturally superior bonfire signalled the commencement of Dartmouth Night on the Green on Friday night, October 13. Some of the Class witnessed the event from the Faculty Lounge in Hopkins Center to be joined shortly by first-timers and veterans. Dr.Rod Finkbiner and nurse Joyce enjoyed the camaraderie and the beer keg initiation along with Pete and Ann Lord who boast of a freshman son at the Big Green. Even Bob and Donna Muenzberg honored us with their presence after two years of absence in favor of Donna's alma mater—Bob dapper as usual! A great reward was to have King Ball back again, King having braved the cross country trip from Down East for the first time since our twentieth! King still smokes that rotten pipe—stay upwind at our next reunion to avoid air pollution!
So well attended was our informal socializing on Friday night that the keg resounded like a drum at approximately 11:30 p.m. Perhaps this explains the unusual turnout at our class executive committee meeting on Saturday morning—and most were there at nine, wide-eyed and bushy-tailed! EXCEPT—Bob Alden, who, with Persis and kids, had, amid cries of extreme poverty, camped out on Bob's land in Lyme on the coldest night thus far in the year. After Bob had peeled off two jackets and three sweaters he vociferously chastised the Class (still sporting one T-shirt, a woolen shirt, one sweater and continuously shivering) for its lack of support of the ABC Book Program. Seriously, this class-supported program of providing books at one-half price to Better Chance students is probably the only altruistic program sponsored by our Class and it needs your support. Send a small package of erudition via Bob Alden, Carriglea Drive, Riverside, Conn. 06878.
The meeting did not disperse with the entry of Brother Alden. Albert Raymond"Bud" "Fat" Hughes had obviously been doing some homework and laid out plans for our Twenty-fifth Reunion in June, 1974. Sounds great even this far in advance, so mark your calendars. Herb Gramstorff had the floor for the plurality of the session—he has bitten the bullet and volunteered (?) for the rewarding assignment of chief editor of our Twentyfifth Reunion Yearbook. Herb's research and staff-volunteering (?) has been so well done that he could print the volume tomorrow if he had input from all of you. To get him started check attics, basements, old trunks, wife's grunkle-pots, and old albums for photos of college days and thereafter and forward to Erpie at RD 2, New Canaan, Conn. 06840. Send mucho— he'll edit for pornography! More on this from Vail Haak, our newsletter editor. As a finale Clark Church, who had made the long voyage from Cincinnati with "Hail Pennsylvania" Jane, reported on the commendable performance of our Class in the 1972 Alumni Fund Drive. He sends thanks to all of you for a successful year coupled with pleas for improvement in 1973.
Due to the able leadership of our prexy Brud Becker we ended business discussions early enough to sample the cheer supplied by Mike and Lois McGean, partake of the flavorful chicken pot-pie prepared by the Inn, and arrive at the stands in time for the kick-off against Princeton, which, as you all know by now, was merely the prelude to a Tiger barbeque. One comment on the game not to be reported in the sports section—Dartmouth students are again cheering with great gusto albeit with questionable English. On balance—we're ahead!
Saturday night crowned the weekend reunion with the largest turnout in history to witness the awarding of the Gold Pick Ax Award to Paul Woodberry, currently with Allegheny Corporation. The citation and comment will be carried in full in a Haak Newsletter at a later date. To celebrate the affair we enticed Ed McAlister from Burlington, Vt., where he is immersed in drug control work. Ed is now sporting a beard to keep him warm during Vermont's winter season. Missing at the dinner after enjoying our lunch were Ken"Luke" and Marty Soule and no-show Skip Muller.
Thereafter, music was prominent, supplied by Ort Hicks at the piano and Charles Breed '51 on the sax. Bill andBeth Griffiths supplied the voices, AlWagner tickled the spoons, and Barbara Kilner kicked the light fantastic while Charles (Sam) Kilner observed the antics of Dick and Chesta Bandfield, Carll andBarbara Tracy, Ritchie and Betsy Hunt and Bill and Nomi Ballard. To assist the big band sound, accompanists Tom andAnn Swartz and Paul "Flash" and CathyErwin (especially nightingale Cathy) echoed forth with choruses of "It's the Talk of the Town", "Mood Indigo" and other current hits. Charlie Eaton supplied local color with his groomed appearance and very attractive date.
But lest we forget: Problems were not non-existent. Who else but Elliot Baritzand Margie would have a canine crisis while chasing their prolific results up Main Street, through Putnam's and back around the Chinese restaurant (no more Hanover Diner). All's well—after involving most of the Dartmouth staff a veterinarian was located in Woodstock. He prescribed the unusual cure of sugar pills.
And that ain't all: We were amply supplied with an up-north contingent most of the weekend. Ed and Anne MacBurney joined our lunch festivities; Al andPat Quirk and Spike and Carey Smith stayed with the group all the way, esp. Spike and Carey who attempted to carry the piano home to Dingley Dell on Saturday night (Sunday morn).
This short condensation of a fulfilling weekend in the North Country should only whet your appetite for the future! Plan ahead now for "Foliage Frolic '73" to be held October 12-14. 1973. I personally guarantee a larger keg next year. Adios, until the snow flies!
Secretary, P.O. Box 731 Rye, N. Y. 10580
Treasurer, Box 234, R.D. 5, Laconia, N. H. 03246
