1950
Dartmouth was in town last night.
Fortyfive voices were raised in song starting with the "Hanover Winter Song" and ending with the "Alma Mater" under the direction of Paul Zeller '50H At a reception following the concert, the members of the Glee Club spontaneously rendered the old familiar college songs into the wee hours. It was an enjoyable evening with Hanover magically transported to Bergen County, N.J.
Their hair was a little longer, not much, but a little. Sideburns were evident where once there had been none. And mustaches, too. But the music was as good, sung with the same enthusiasm as in our day. Except for closer harmonies, slightly higher pitches, and an occasional falsetto-like quality, you could close your eyes and almost hear Don Daniels, Chuck Gardner, and Bill Embree together with their colleagues. With music .as a common denominator the so-called generation gap was clearly a myth.
For me there was one discordant note. The "Injunaires" are no longer They have been replaced by the "Dartmouth Aires." Another element of our Indian lore has been quashed. It is sad. To me it never seemed demeaning. I was proud to be called a Dartmouth Indian. And I was pleased whenever headlines screamed, "Indians Scalp Tigers."
The evening offered a chance for a long talk with Paul Zeller to catch up with various happenings in and around the campus. Earlier we chattted briefly with Ken and Jill Edelson who attended the concert with two of their four sons. Scottand Betts Olin had braved a wild and stormy night to drive in from the western hills with progeny. Intermission was spent comparing notes. We missed John andMary Alice Dwyer along with anyone else who might have been there.
One of my favorite Dartmouth memories is hum-time. Evenings were suddenly longer as May progressed toward June. The afternoon ball games in the sun were over, and lingering warmth called for a stroll through the campus before settling in with the books. Everywhere the air was filled with song escaping from open house windows or rising from terraces as the pace of rehearsals increased. Then there was the competition itself with the music, whether humorous or serious, lifting from the steps of Dartmouth Hall and penetrating to every nook and corner of the campus. Summer was a coming; loud sing ...
One who not only remembers the fun of singing but also continues his enjoyment is Tom Ruggles. Today he plugs the Two By Fours. It all started twenty years or so ago when Tom Worthern '42 formed a quartet in the Mystic Valley, north of Boston. Expansion to an octet led to the group's name. Now they are twelve, including Jack Gilbert '34, Palmer Worthern '49, and Dick Miner '51. Their charity benefits include a recent visit to Hanover for the N.H. Arthritis Foundation. This year their spring sing with similar groups was in Princeton. John Knapp was the director-arranger for songsters from Washington.
The best careers are related to hobbys. Then you can work and enjoy it. LenMatless joins the ranks of those who endorse this principle. After 21 years of pressure and strain directing the Boy Scouts in the Syracuse area, he chucked it. He converted boating from hobby to career. The first step was to pack Susan and their two girls to Florida, 20 miles north of St. Petersburg. There Len is sales manager and part owner of Pirates Cove Marina. His sales responsibility includes two other locations, a variety of boats, outboard motors, storage, and repairs. The neighborhood is great and the weather, superb. Commuting is out. Len is settled now and looking for Dartmouth cronies.
Some '50-ites have remained single, preferring perhaps the virtues of bachelorhood to the blessings of a duet. One such is Joe Hendrich. He was recently promoted to senior regional vice president of American Express Investment Management Co. His territory includes Cleveland, Milwaukee, and Dallas with headquarters in Chicago, say the mid-West. Joe specializes in pension and profit sharing trusts and lectures on mutual funds. His lonely pad probably includes a well tuned piano.
Tidbits here and there: Bill Wallace has been appointed an assistant vice president of Calvin Bulloch, Ltd. To avoid the Rip van Winkle list, Bud Gleason reported in on his position as an associate superintendent for the Board of Cooperative Educational Services in Westchester County. This column reminded Bill Carpenter that his son Bill is rooming with Bud's son Jim as well as playing football with him. Bill and Bud are enjoying the wonderful chance to relive four great years. Daniel Jr. was born to Dave (Stretch) and Ann Pendleton late in 1971 Ben Ferguson reports that daughter Lauren is showing signs of interest in the Big Green. Jim Martel celebrated the Princeton victory with NinkHay and Wally Willett. The suspense list includes brief words from Dave Fink and Jack Greeley.
Ed Tuck reports that Web Gault is the focal point for the Hartford group that will help students to find special situations or temporary employment as part of year-round operation of the college. Dave Luce reflects that his philosophy department at the University of Wisconsin has no problems in contrast to the enrollment pressures and budget problems of the university.
For you May is trending into June. Is your Alumni Fund donation on its way? Dartmouth is working hard to solve its budget problems, including the extenuating influence of inflation. She needs your help.
For me it is April. An appointment with Form 1040 awaits my attention. You can relax and enjoy these lengthening warm Spring evenings.
The Two By Fours, an a cappella singinggroup from Boston featuring modernrhythms, old favorites, and comedytunes. Top row: Bill Jeffrey, TomWorthern '42, Dick Miner '51, TomVaill, Herb Bixler, Jack Gilbert '34, andFrank Colcord. Bottom row: PalmerWorthen '49, Tom Ruggles '50 (chiefagent and tub thumper), Phil Cabot, andEd Crabtree. Since Worthen and Rugglescontrol the votes, Dartmouth melodiesare standard fare.
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