1940's 35th
While an all-time record was being established for June 10 by the weatherman (93°), 68 of us from Oscar Acer Jr. to BobWilliams (in alphabetical order) arrived upon the Hanover scene to establish headquarters in Middle Mass. All of the preliminary work to make three days run smoothly had been worked out by co-chairmen Creight Holden and JackMcDonald. Had it not been for the latter, the former wouldn't even have been on hand 'cause erroneously he'd entered the original planned date of June 17 in his appointment book and Jack found Creight at the last moment on the upper Michigan peninsula with the Governor. He made it to Hanover in record time!
There was no doubt that the prize for the alumnus who'd come the furthest for the great three days belonged to Fred Eaton Jr. who made it from Caracas, Venezuela, where he's president of Sears. Also from overseas, but not as distant, were the Cecil Moores, where he's European V.P. of Pan Am based in London. Both claims have been disputed by Scotty Rogers (who, though a resident of Westport, Conn.) had been in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday — got home on Sunday night, and made it to Hanover Monday a.m.
To this scribe's knowledge there was only one grandchild present, namely Ernie Landler's 14-year-old grandson. In addition there were nine teenage or older kids . . . and forgive me if there's an omission or error in count. Representing the widows of the Class - and very much in evidence at all functions was Ann Porter, who, incidentally, was elected a member of the class Executive Committee.
Friday evening was spent at the tent getting reacquainted and quaffing beer or something harder from mugs donated to the previously mentioned Ernie Lendler. Dinner, in traditional line-up Dartmouth Thayer Hall style, was followed by continued tenting — though some took time out to attend a glee club concert (ditto Saturday night). A combo kept all on their feet, but the action really started when ElmerBrowne, joined by others (including some '38s and '39s), took over the instruments and an old-fashioned jam session went well into the night.
Following an address by President Kemeny on Tuesday morning a class meeting was conducted by Bob MacMillen. Figures, up-to-the-minute, on our standing in the Alumni Fund drive were provided by Art Ostrander who was wearing dark glasses and a sandwich-board with blank checks, and shaking a tin cup. GordieWentworth offered a resolution, unanimously adopted, fostering the class backing of a bequest program and then Staff King presented the slate of new officers to take over 'till our next reunion. Without dissent we now have JohnCrandell as president; Bob Graham, class secretary; Bob Austin, newsletter editor and Messrs. Ostrander, Rainie and Wentworth continuing as head agent, treasurer and bequest chairman, respectively. The formal meeting closed with a word of special thanks from yours truly to Bob and Crosbie MacMillen for their efforts and hospitality to all visiting classmates and especially during the fall informal football reunions. Incidentally, save October 12 and 26 for Princeton and Harvard - both in Hanover. Bob still has some available rooms for the first weekend, but the latter was completely sold out before our reunion closed. Let Bob know NOW for either and he'll see what he can do.
Sixish Tuesday evening our class (all by itself for the evening) met for cocktails in the Thayer Hall lounge. About an hour later a champagne dinner (and it never stopped flowing!) was served followed by a few choice words from Creight. Professor Al Foley, an invited guest, regaled us with a few of his better known Vermont stories. Readjourning to the lounge we found it had been transformed into a candlelit nightclub where a full band recreated the big-band sounds of 1940 for our dancing pleasure 'till about midnight. The hardier (heavy boozers) classmates then returned to the tent where partying continued almost 'till dawn.
At 9:30 Wednesday morning a joint memorial service was held in Rollins Chapel with the classes of'38 and '39. Ministers from each class co-officiated, our representative naturally being Larry Durgin. One hundred and two decreased '40s were remembered.
The three days officially ended with a fantastic steak lunch at the DOC House. Cocktails were held outdoors, lakeside, while the outstanding meal itself was served upstairs in the dining room and on the porch. It was a happy, but sad time, for as the early afternoon arrived, more and more couples said goodby to each other and headed for their respective homes. 40's 35th had ended, but there was no doubt in the minds of all present that 40's fabulous 40th to be held in 1980 (not so far off) would be difficult to top our 35th - yet it will.
A list of those present included (some with wives and/or children): Oscar Acer, Jr., Kenneth Arwe, Gardner P. Ashely, Robert H. Austin, Benjamin Bacon, Chester R. Berry, Joseph M. Bird, Lloyd Blanchard, Lee Brekke, Chester S. Brett, Jr., Elmer T. Browne, Karl Bruch, Benjamin Bryon, William Bumsted, Robert P. Bunker, Sherwood G. Burnett, Lewis I. Chipman, Robert L. Clark, Malcolm deSieyes, Hugh Dryfoos, Lawrence L. Durgin, Fred C. Eaton, Theodore R. Ellsworth, Clifford A. Falkenau, Robert R. Gensel, Robert B. Graham Jr., Sidney T. Harrington, Creighton Holden, Clifford Holmes, Joseph F. Huber, William Huffman, Stafford J. King, Fremont P. Koch, Norman Lazare, Ernest R. Lendler, John Little, John F. McDonald, Jr., John M. McDonald, Donald F. McMahon, Robert W. MacMillen, Stuart MacPhail, William Martin, William C. Mercer, Harry C. Midgley, F. Warren Miller, Cecil W. Moore, Lester M. Nichols, John O'Shea, Arthur W. Ostrander, John Peacock, Mrs. Fred Porter, Donald G. Rainie, Frank B. Reeves, Joseph H. Rinehart, Robert J. Rodday, Scott A. Rogers Jr., Peter J. Sheldden, W. R. Smallwood, Hal Sommer, William Squier, James S. Timothy, Thomas Todd, Derrill Trenholm, Jordan VanCleve, Walker Weed, Robert Weil, Gordon Wentworth, Stetson Whitcher, John Willetts, Robert Williams.
With an all-time record for reunion giving of $215,000, 1938 members wear reunionsmiles: (from I.) Head Agent Bob and Mary Helen Hallock, Dorothy and President PaulUrion, and Beverly and Dawk Dawkins, Reunion giving chairman.
Dick Gilman '45 shared the senior fencewith son Brad '74 despite simultaneouscommencement at Occidental Collegewhere he is president. Students there urgedDick to come east for the Dartmouth day.
RETIRING SECRETARY
