1946's 30th

The long-awaited GTHES (Greatest Thirtieth Hanover's Ever Seen!) has now become exactly that. A turnout of over 180 classmates, wives, children, and guests enjoyed three memorable, meaningful days in glorious Hanover weather from June 9 through June 11.This report must commence with a tribute to Reunion Chairman Jack Whitman, Treasurer Jim Barnet and their incredibly hard-working committee members and associates; all of the months (indeed, years) of planning, creating, cajoling, hiring, buying, publishing and just plain hard work paid off in a perfectly coordinated Reunion. All of us owe a great debt to them, for a job that produced complete enjoyment for all the participants and great benefit to the College, as well as the Class.

Early Monday morning the registration headquarters were set up in front of Russell Sage, with Frankly the friendly dinosaur soaring in front of the well-stocked class tent. The early birds headed for the tournaments on the golf course and tennis courts; each arrival was greeted with a beautiful glass bowl from Campion's, and the Indian Head canes brought out by Bob Kimball began their name-carving jaunts from hand to hand. At lunch time special luncheons and tours of new facilities were held at Tuck and the Med School, and the juniors began meeting one another at their special tent on the Gold Coast.

Just as the beautiful sunset began, a cocktail party at the tent was the scene of hundreds of handshakes and introductions. A big contingent from the Midwest was very much in evidence, including Gus Cillaugh, Ted and Patty Fajen,John and Marge Ashby, Jim and Avis Heller (with three children and a happy exchange student guest), Dave and Ruth Chalmers (from Texas, not Calgary, this time) Dick and Jean Scharrer, Nick and Stoney Vorys, and Tom and Gloria Leech. After the great alumni dinner at Thayer, we had our choice of a Glee Club concert, a presentation of Threepenny Opera by the Players, and informal visiting with President and Mrs. Kemeny in their garden. Then it was back to the tent for some rollicking dancing to Charlie Breed's '51 Mink Brook Six, with special appearances by the Dartmouth Aires and the Distractions (the distaff side of the Glee Club). By midnight jackets, sweaters, and other outerwear began reappearing, by 2 a.m. someone noticed that the thermometer showed 28 degrees, and no one doubted that we were back in Hanover; but all remembered that such chilly nights mean beautiful tomorrows. The juniors, dancing to a rock band at their tent, never noticed the chill.

Breakfast at Thayer (all you can eat, and all fabulous) was followed by a meeting in Spaulding Auditorium with President Kemeny, where he announced the program for return of ROTC to the campus. The class meeting was scheduled for the indoor auditorium at Murdough Center, but the day was so gorgeous that we moved to the nearby outdoor steps, looking for all the world like the Roman Forum. A few late arrivals were reminded of the old Indian proverb: "You cannot soar with the eagles in the morning if you've been hooting with the owls all night." The various class officers briefly described their duties, and by acclamation the new slate was elected: President Jack Whitman, Treasurer Don Furber, Head Agent Jim Lynch, Secretary Ed Scheu, Newsletter Editor JackUlrich, and Bequest Chairman Frank Ettari. A well-deserved ovation accompanied the resolution commending retiring President Dave Weld for a great job; retiring Newsletter Editor RegPierce brought down the house (as expected) with a few inside local tales.

From the meeting it was on to the picnic at Storrs Pond, a joint outing with the '44s and '45s, an event which proved the great common sense inherent in Dartmouth's off-year system; all of us found many friends from those classes whom we might otherwise (literally) never have seen again. From there the athletes resumed the various tennis and golf tournaments, and a number of non-athletes found the crisp air, bright sun, filling food and free-flowing beer conducive to a nap.

That evening the clan gathered on the porch of College Hall, and environs, for cocktails before the class banquet in the all-new, beautiful dining room of the Inn. After the invocation by Chaplain Don Fitzsimmons, toastmaster RegPierce (with assistance from Weld, Whitman and Furber, and selected lovely ladies who did the drawing) conducted the Playback Game, rewarding the lucky winners from among those whose participation put the Class into the black during the past four years. Head Agent JimLynch reported the great results of his and BudScheu's efforts, and we then had the pleasure of two speakers: Professor John Rassias, the Dartmouth Director of Language Study Abroad (whbse address was accompanied by a special film showing intensive language training in action) and classmate Dave Whipple, of the U.S. Foreign Service, who was on the last chopper out of Phnom Penh and gave us some fascinating insights from a foreign service career. Dave and Carolyn were off to London the next day for reassignment - destination unknown. The banquet was followed by a joint dance with '44 and '45 at the Top of the Hop; the band (14 - count 'em 14) pieces was straight from the Glenn Miller-Tommy Dorsey era. The juniors rocked and rolled to their own band again at their tent.

On Wednesday morning, a joint service in memory of all deceased members of the reuning classes was held in Rollins Chapel, conducted by Chaplains Don Fitzsimmons. Fred Berthold '45 and Clint Gardner '44.

The windup to the GTHES - and what a windup! - was open house brunch at the Pierce's in Etna. Many arrived with the thought of having a quick bite, a last drink and a fond goodbye to all; the combination of Reg andNancy's hospitality, the delicious food and refreshments, the inviting pool, the fantastic view across the New Hampshire hills, and the constant congeniality of the GTHES was such that everyone found reasons to delay their departures, and the enjoyment continued far into the afternoon.

We wish the space provided here permitted us to list the names of all who attended; we'll send it to Bud Scheu, in hopes that he might slip them in from time to time.

In summary, '46's 30th was a well planned, well run, happy family affair. We had a great time renewing friendships, recalling college days, catching up on events of recent years, and renewing our ties to Dartmouth. All of us who were there will long remember three days in June in which we felt once again the purpose and the spirit that make us proud and happy to be members of the great Dartmouth family.

1935 earned two Reunion awards.

Tommy Donnelly, widow of Jim Donnelly'44, was elected to 44's executive committee, one of the few women among allclasses to hold class office. Here she sits atReunion with daughter Barbara '77.

RETIRING SECRETARY