1924's 50th
This is my swan song, as I retire after 20 years as your secretary. I wish for Dana Bent, my successor, many of the happinesses I have enjoyed during these years (and Margaret has shared them with me for the past 17, with great enthusiasm and joy).
Before I write a brief summary of the FABULOUS FIFTIETH, there are a few "notes" to mention: Len Levy and his wife Leona, were with us as a new experience; he had just stepped down from direct managerial responsibilities, from the Riverdale Drapery Fabrics, prior to retirement at end of the year. He was one of the founders 50 years ago and will continue as an executive consultant. They have a Dartmouth son, John '57. We have one marriage to report, and one presumably a fact. First, Wales Holbrook, recently himself a marriage counselor, married Mrs. Betty Evans on May 3rd; they will live in Santa Barbara, where he has been living. The second, Keith Drake, hoped for a reunion-tied marriage but had to make other plans. His wife is our Gordon Bridge's sister and so closely tied to Mary.
I must also mention the disappointments where sickness kept classmates at home: PaulWright is very seriously ill after a stroke, hospitalized; Leon Rothschild and Bessie had to cancel because of her illness. On the other hand, Jimmie Reid, president-elect, came although his wife Emmie had died suddenly about a month ago; Phil Van Huyck also came although Lou has been in and out of the hospital both for a serious lung problem and also a very complex bone break. Spud Spaulding won his battle with circulatory problems. One impressive battle won, with courage, was Doc Graham's wife Marion who touched all the bases with the help of the wheel-chair we supplied... just in case! I also know that Si Geilich was kept home by the illness of his wife Rachel.
Now THE reunion: it was a triumph on all counts. I'll leave to Butts Lamson and his Class Letter, where he has more room, to prove my point. The high points; to me, were these: (1) our wonderful attendance record and the (generally) good health of us in our early three-score-and-ten years. (2) the strong showing financially despite some pessimistic predictions several months ago; (3) the fact so many were quartered in the Inn and Inn-motel, but no complaints heard this time about the dorms - perhaps because the crew we had as dorm-clerks, etc. were unusually excellent. (I recall my son Jonathan '56, had that role at our 30th (4) The food, every meal, was excellent. (5) And many, many new friends were made and old ones renewed . . . with some indicating they were very pleasantly surprised at the friendlineś displayed, for which our Hospitality Committee should take a bow.
Rather than detail the program, point by point, I hereby offer a copy of that program in the large-envelope-size printed in gold on folded exterior; a postage stamp will be appreciated I have enough to go 'round, I think. A feature repeated for other reunioners, and much-enjoyed, was a "college bus tour" which showed off the new features without having to walk hither and yon. I'll add a sixth point to the above 5: our weather was excellent. No rain we did run from one too-hot day to two cool evenings. But it was never unpleasant. Classes since then have had cooler days and there have been three thunder storms... the worst one was midnight on Monday. We were lucky.
My space runs out, but I'll use what I have to turn back the pages. 1 have run through an accumulation of 20 years and found several surprises ... all stirred many memories. Here are a few: (1) I have turned over to Dana Bent the four bound volumes of the Daily Dartmouth for our years, given by Bill Buettner's widow Helen. In addition, there were news clips of the Dartmouth football victory over Harvard in 1938.. full of our Les Haws, Red Hall, etc. (I've mounted them for future reference.) (2) I had forgotten that I edited our 1924 Went to War book, in 1945-46, at Jim White's request. (Seep 283 of our 40 Year History for officers and Executive Committee then.) (3) Also, a copy (mintcondition) of THE 24 HOUR NOTICE oo April 1934, "compiled and edited by (you've guessed it?) Spud Spaulding and including a wonderful doublespread, with names, of "Who's coming to Reunion"... our 10th, famous for Shanty Shane. The reunion chairman then was Luit and he had a fine group of regional "hard working members" working for attendance of 150. The tax? $10... with "beer on draught constantly"... but "pay-as-you drink!" Here are some headlines: "Putty Blodgett Opens Gun Store in Boston." (He and Char were delighted to see one grandson graduate as a senior at Dartmouth (Peter) and another from Hanover High School (Putnam) ) "Haws catches a few 245" he had seen here and there; "Ken Harvey Hero in Short Football Season" in a scrub game in Nov. "at the DOCs field in Groton, Mass.
... Dick Teel, Stan Lyon, Tillie Lourie, Frank Harrington, Don Wilbur, Brad Hersey heaved passes and galloped diligently but Ted Learnard. "for the other side, managed to run the wrong way, hindered at times" by team-mates Dave Perry, Wes Blake, Stan Lyon, and Spud, et al.. "Chinee Allen Lends a Hand on Webste. Stamp" . . . that was the 3¢ of 1932 (not 1½¢): "Don Hull Turns Artist;" "Curt Bird Seeks Lowdown on Connie Bennett," noting that Al Vincent played brother to her in "Two Against the World," and that he (Curt) once dated her. "Coffin Journeys East to Inherit Toothpicks" ... a factory for same in Maine; "Smoke Smith Withdraws Offer of Reunion Mascot"... his dog Gin Fizz. There's more, but that is enough for a while.
Next time I'll round up a big picture display; for our 55th. Start sorting out some to give to the Library Archives, as I'm doing; somehow they lack a good file. But our senior year movies, shown in the tent, are a fine documentation... we'll show that, also, come 1979, See you then, here!
Blodgett Day" on June 9 saw Put '24 on campus to attend his 50th Reunion and, alongwith Put Jr. '53, to watch grandson and son Peter '74 receive his A.B.
CLASS SECRETARY
