1954's 20th
The big weekend is over! The memories that remain I am sure will be only happy ones for the over 130 classmates and total of 455 family members who attended the great extravaganza.John Gillespie erstwhile reunion chairman, ably assisted by Pete Barker, reunion treasurer, and Dick Page, our Publicity chairman, put together a flawless weekend that evidenced great planning as well as great care. From check-in time at the class registration booth in front of Russell Sage to checkout time at the well-planned and administered Bloody Mary Brunch in the class tent, everything ticked like clockwork. The only problem in evidence over the whole weekend was the weather - which was completely contrary to the forecast.
Friday afternoon was overcast and dreary. Saturday was absolutely disastrous with drenching downpours and cold. But even the negative weather was overcome by the warmth of hundreds of friends joined in camaraderie.
The official events of the weekend really started Friday night with a cocktail party at the class tent followed by an informal dinner at Thayer Hall. After dinner many thrilled to the usual excellent performance of the Glee Club - followed by the traditional kegs, etc. at the class tent.
Busy Saturday began at 10 a.m. with what amounted to a State of the College Address by President Kemeny. If you haven't heard the President speak, then you have missed an experience. He held the joint audience of 1952, 1953, and 1954 in his hands as he discussed with warmth and great humor the state of the College, its students, and its alumni.
The President's address was followed by the official class meeting presided over by Tom Kelsey, the outgoing chairman of the Class Executive Committee. "Kels" did his usual efficient job of administration - up to a point. That point was the report of the nominating committee - the main business of the meeting. For some unknown reason, the chairman of the nominating committee was nowhere to be found. This might, under normal circumstances, have been considered to be an unusual circumstance. However, since the chairman of the nominating committee was Bill White, no one was really surprised that he had lost his way. A motion was made to move the meeting to the tennis courts where it was believed that White was probably handicapping the class tennis matches. The motion was defeated because no one could really walk that far after the previous evening's frivolities. "Kels" adjourned the meeting until the class banquet that evening.
Shortly after the meeting, the group formed for what was to be a cookout and afternoon of fun and games at Storrs Pond. By the time we reached the pond the temperature had dropped to around 60 degrees and a typical Hanover fall day seemed to be developing. Before the end of the afternoon the picnic had been rained out. However, the spirits of the group were not dampened, and before the end of the evening cocktail party, prior to the class banquet, everyone was apparently sufficiently warmed up for an evening's fun and games.
The banquet was presided over by that famous raconteur Dick Page. There is no way that mere words can describe the hilarity of the evening. Mere words certainly were never enough to describe Dick. For a while it seemed he was the main speaker - and it probably seemed that way to Ralph Manuel, Dean of Freshman, who was the main speaker. But fortunately both were outstanding. No one could have done a better job than Dick Page. Although anyone could have done a shorter job. And no one could have presented a more amusing view of the Dartmouth student of today than Ralph Manuel.
The long-adjourned class meeting was called back into session by Chairman Kelsey to nominate the new officers and executive committee of the ClaSS. By this time Bill White had been found. In fact in his pink-striped pants and pink jacket Bill White couldn't be missed. White presented the new slate which was duly considered and railroaded through. The new officers and executive committee is as follows:
Chairman, David J. Mandelbaum; Secretary, Fredric Alpert; Treasurer, Richard D. Barker; Head Agent, George D. Voss; Committee: William G. Barker Jr., Robert V. Berry, Philip A. Christophe, John L. Gillespie, David M. Gleason, Peter M. Kenyon, Edmund L. Kidd, I. Robert Levine, James R. Love, Stephen M. Mullins, Arthur I. Rauch, and Howland S. Russell.
The retiring class chairman, "Kels," presented an engraved silver drinking cup to Dave Metz, the outgoing class agent for his unselfish and untiring efforts for the Class over the last four years. He also presented a tray to Dick Barker for his outstanding performance as treasurer which has brought '54 to the level of the greater participation of dues-paying members from any class within our age group. "Kels" also extended his thanks and those of the class to Bruce Classon, retiring class secretary, for his herculean efforts of producing 50 class columns without any available news. I trust you will all cooperate better with me to see that news is forthcoming.
President Kemeny appeared for a few minutes at our dinner Saturday evening and was presented with a check that is to serve as token funding for a Class of '54 Memorial Fund. The executive committee voted to establish this Fund with the hope that bequests will be made to it to honor departed class members. The Fund is open to all who wish to give in any amount whatsoever for purposes of memorialization. Further information can be obtained from the College.
Bob Berry, Reunion Giving Chairman, announced that our reunion alumni fund goal of $100,000 appeared to be achievable, and by the time you receive this Alumni Magazine the Class of '54 should have raised its $100,000 goal for this reunion-giving year. Bob Berry, in conjunction with Dave Metz, certainly has done an outstanding job.
The banquet was followed by a evening of music and dancing highlighted by an appearance by the Dartmouth-Aires. It was totally just a great evening.
The weekend ended Sunday morning when the weather decided to become just beautiful. The whole clan gathered at the tent for a lavish breakfast accented by Gillespie's outstanding Bloody Marys. There was an understandable reluctance by all to leave. There is no question that when it comes to accomplishment JohnGillespie and his wife Sandy. Pete Barker, and Dick Page must be recognized for a greatly organized job. It was a fantastic weekend. Those of you who were there have great memories of it. Those of you who weren't there can have great hopes of what the 25th will be like.
Mary Watts christens the racing shell givenby the Class of 1963 in memory of her husband,Dan Watts '63, former oarsman whodied earlier this year. Watts competed forthe Lake Washington Rowing Club ofSeattle in the 1963 Pan-AmericanGames. Christening water came from LakeWashington and the Connecticut.
CLASS SECRETARY
