1914's 60th

Recalling the fact that at our Reunion in 1969 the Commencement exercises were driven indoors by rain, we made arrangements to bring an ample supply of warm, sunny weather with from Florida for our big 60th this year.

Our reunion chairman. Herb Austin, had done a superb job making all arrangements and selecting the menus for our meals. Our cocktail parties were models of congeniality. On Friday night the Class gave a handsome sterling silver platter, suitably engraved, to Kathy, (Mrs. Martin J.) Remsen as a token of our appreciation for hosting the party.

Of those who made the trip, everyone appeared to be in fine fettle and it certainly did our hearts good, as the saying goes, to shake the hands of well-remembered classmates and to josh and reminisce with them about former days when there were more of us gathering together. As it was, there was a goodly turnout of Classmates, wives, widows, and guests.

On Sunday morning all gathered in the lounge of College Hall where Lize (The Reverend Arthur) Wheelock conducted a nostalgic memorial service for our departed members and read the list of names of those who have passed on since our previous Reunion.

Immediately after the service a business meeting was called to order by retiring Chair-man Vogie Stiles, principally for electing class officers. The nominating committee had Prepared a slate which was approved and then the Class chose to retain the incumbents, class agent, secretary, and newsletter editor, marshal!, and chaplain. Lize Wheelock was fleeted treasurer. Because of the rule that the chairman cannot succeed himself, it was necessary to choose a new name for that position. So. on recommendation of the nominating committee, Rufe Sisson was duly elected as our new leader. Without giving Rufe a chance to protest or accept this new honor which had been accorded him. Vogie Stiles, with great dignity, announced the result of the election and laid down the gavel. In spite of his surprise, Rufe, undaunted, slipped gracefully into his place at the rostrum and, after a few well-chosen remarks, declared the meeting adjourned.

Happily for all concerned, the pleasant rather continued and the more hardy of our classmates elected to join and march in the long parade across the campus to Baker Library, in the meantime, the rest of us secured seats in the rocking chairs on the veranda of the Inn from which to review the exercises.

What a picture! Beneath the spreading elm trees the seating area was flanked by bright colored flags and the gathering audience itself presented a kaleidoscopic view of rapidly intermingling colors. Closer to our vantage point, members of the kid faculty, grim faced, Hastened by to find their places, blacks swaggered past, small tots rode in state toted by their hiking parents, cars chugged through the intersection, and casual pedestrians sauntered Past in various stages of undress and hirsute adornment.

Such is the view from the piazza of the Inn on Commencement morning while the chimes in library belfry peal forth the old familiar tunes. Who could forget? And who, amongst us, could fail to feel his heart stirred by nostalgic memories and buoyed up with new hope, new murage, and the prospect of continued progress.

Twenty-four men of 1914 and a total of 44 were back for the 60th Reunion.

Most of the 74 participants in " The Great Leap Backwards" of 1919 gathered at Webster Hall.

CLASS SECRETARY