1927's 45th

The delayed 45th Reunion, held 46 years after graduation and 50 years since our matriculation at Dartmouth, was most successful, with 171 persons in attendance. This consisted of 77 couples; 15 singles, and 2 grandsons. Included among the singles were five attractive, loyal widows, namely Jessie Carver, Claire Greener, Betty Cusack, PegFunkhouser, and Peg Stevens. It was a privilege to have them with us. Twenty-eight percent of the Class were back and 1927 tied with 1929 for the highest participation during our reunion period. Dave Orr of the College presented the cup to PaulHannah in recognition of this achievement. Paul kept the cup for about an hour, until Dave made a similar presentation to 1929.

Many classmates and wives arrived in Hanover on Sunday afternoon. President Howard Mullin had called a Sunday meeting of the executive committee at Lake Morey Inn. Others had arrived early to be on hand for the 10:30 a.m. panel discussion on Monday: Subject - "Dartmouth Today." Paul Hannah acted as moderator. Ruth Adams, Vice President of the College, and Donald L. Kreider, Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs, were the speakers. Then Harry B.Cummings '27, Richard W. Schmelzer '28, and Dr. Frank P. Foster '29 were the panelists and "gadflies," who tossed provocative questions at the speakers. It was a stimulating morning, and the College is endeavoring to keep abreast of new changes and trends, as well as pointing out the relationship of the new to past learning and knowledge.

The weather was warm and there were occasional thunderstorms and displays of lightning. Nevertheless all events went off as scheduled without the necessity of retreating to rain locations. There was a delightful luncheon outdoors on Monday at Faculty Pond near the DOC House. Then we walked to Dick's House for the Memorial Service conducted on the lawn by Rev.Charles Brewster and Rev. Richard Carter. Mention was made of friends who are no longer with us. Also emphasis was made on the joy of belonging to an exciting group gathered from several states, such as the Class of 1927. The class picture was taken on the lawn following the Memorial Service.

Other reunion events included an Alumni Dinner, cocktail parties, visit to the President's garden, an address by President Kemeny, an excellent concert by the Dartmouth Glee Club (my, how well and true those young men sing), a picnic at Storrs Pond, Class Dinner, and a panel discussion, "Directions in the Postwar '70s."

Space does not permit enlarging on the work done by Paul Hannah, Tom Anglem, Jay Willing,Betty McCall, Ken Murray, Bill North, and other committee members to provide an outstanding reunion. The names of the complete committee will be listed in a future issue of the Speakeasy.

Thanks to the efforts of Wat Dickerman '28, Sid Harris '27, Ted Girault '27, Charles Huntley'27, Cal Billings '28, Russ Goudey '29 and others, a jazz band was assembled. It played at the joint cocktail party and at the '27, '28, and '29 tents. Those in the band were Nat Morey '27 at the piano, Russ Goudey '29 on sax or clarinet, Charles Huntley '27 trombone, Wat Dickerman '28 washboard. Bill Marx '28 banjo, Dr. Ed Harris of the Med School banjo, and two musical friends of Morey from Utica (N.Y.) days, namely Dr. Keith Preston on the trumpet and Howie Berg trombone. It was great to hear jazz of the '20s and your author prefers jazz to present-day boisterous rock music.

The class dinner on Tuesday night was a joyous fun occasion. Rog Bury acted as master of ceremonies and Doane Arnold, glittering in a reddish orange jacket, told four Maine anecdotes. President Kemeny dropped by to express appreciation for the class support to Dartmouth. Tom Gillespie gave a resume of the Nitty Gritty replies to the fun questionnaire. Some 98 classmates supplied data. Collectively the Class has gained three tons of blubber since graduation. Portions of the Nitty Gritty summary will be published later in the Speakeasy. Then the '27 Miniature Glee Club, with Nat Morey at the piano and Michelini, Welty, Anglem, O'Connell, Gillespie and Girault as songsters, sang five numbers. O'Connell had translated Eleazar Wheelock into Latin and Michelini had prepared a parody on the Whiffenpoof Song.

The class meeting was held Wednesday, June 13, at 10:30 a.m. with Howie Mullin presiding. He requested a moment of silent prayer for deceased members. He read a citation to Secretary Bill North for Bill's five years of devoted service to Dartmouth and the editing of the 45-Year Reunion Book. Bill said thanks and regrets that his health does not permit his continuance as secretary. Mullin called for a rousing ovation for Paul Hannah and his reunion committee. Treasurer Gus Cummings was not present but Howie reported that the Class is solvent, has 231 dues-paying members, and has an interest-bearing savings account of $2545. Sam Wormser reported that he was astounded at the support of the Alumni Fund, with $88,000 toward our $100,000 goal President Mullin at the request of the Trustees will appoint a Class Resources Committee. Doane Arnold reported the following slate to serve as officers - Ken Murray, president; Paul Hannah, vice president; Gus Cummings, treasurer; and Charles Baker, secretary. Only highlights;'have run out of space.

CLASS NEWSLETTER EDITOR