1926

At Thanksgiving time with all the blessings which are ours, 1926 especially rejoices that Jack Roberts, our steadfast treasurer, keeps on a sound financial course and reminds us of annual dues and the voluntary tax deductible donation to the Memorial book collection. Jack enclosed with the dues bills a fine letter from the vice president of the College, Ad Winship '42, expressing deep appreciation for the gift of the memorial' room which was made possible through annual giving with class dues.

"No optimism or options concerning optimal use of myopic optics" was the reason given by Tony Gleason for missing the 50th. He and Janet indeed were missed. In spite of his eye and other health problems, Tony continues to serve in Scotch Plains, N.J., civic affairs - Red Cross and Civil Defense. This is true Dartmouth courage and spirit!

Ted Greeley, in a letter to Tubba Weymouth which he shares with us, sends greetings to classmates whether in Hanover or at home as he was reminiscing about Dartmouth fifty years ago. Ted and Laura have lived in Palm Springs, Cal., for 35 years, 30 of which Ted devoted to the local school district. While no longer running cross-country as in Hanover, he still walks at a good clip and enjoys many hobbies in and around their home.

When acknowledging Class birthday greetings, Paul Kyburg also thanked the entire U.S.A. for helping celebrate his Fourth of July birthday. The trot provided for translating his birthday card was really needed, he said. He tells people he had three years of Latin - that is, he took Latin three times.

From Rocky River, Ohio, Vin Myers sent thanks to '26 for his birthday card - "a certificate of membership to a most honorable and exclusive club" - and told how much he and Jimmie enjoyed reunion.

Sorely missed at reunion were Ed and EvelynHanlon, but Ed is spending many hours as official class historian compiling our unofficial class history. Anyone called upon for information (despite Ed's astounding knowledge of the class from 1922 to date) should hasten to reply.

A month in the Orient was ending just as the 50th reunion was starting, so Fred Rowe in Sausalito, Cal., could not catch his breath sufficiently to undertake the long trek to Hanover. His thoughts were with 1926 those three days and he appreciated the Class birthday card.

This year Ted and Polly Seely will have a longer stay at Sanibel Island, Fla., having rented their Meadville, Penn., home to Alleghany faculty members who want it for the entire college year. Professors really do not need an English translation for a Dartmouth diploma written in Latin, but Ted was nice enough not to point this out as to his birthday card.

A feature item of the 50th has thus far escaped notice in the '26 media and deserves mention. Our learned chairman of the memorial book committee, Les Talbot, appeared at the tent wearing a white T-shirt with green Roman numerals MCMXXVI. Very appropriate. In instant replay, Charlie Bishop fielded a companion piece. And speaking of Romans and Charlie, the secretary was asked to lend his ear while Charlie explained that on his birthday card was typed "Artium Baccalaurei," whereas it should have been "Scientiae Baccalaurei." Ah, tempus fugit, and one's cranium shrinketh!

Bill Viall writes from Manhasset that not only did he read all about reunion but also got a glowing first-hand report from Lucy (Nicky)Nickerson. He said that as the years roll along the class birthday cards mean more and more to him.

We were sorry to learn that Bob Cort of Clinton, Conn., lost his wife Katherine last June, and the class extends its sympathy to him. Katherine was a Red Cross Gray Lady and was very active in several hospitals.

Bob and Francine Riotte were not at reunion because Bob's health did not permit the long trip from Naples, Fla. However, the many mini-reunions of '26 they attended in Florida make up in part for their missing the Hanover event. We assume there is a grand piano in the Riotte household, as it is hard to believe otherwise recalling Bob's great talent in college.

After leaving Hanover with the memories of a wonderful reunion, Clary and Betty Taylor spent the summer in Newport, R.I., before returning to their home in Clearwater, Fla. Clary said he was glad to know what his class birthday card diploma says, because fifty years ago when he didn't know his dad told him, "Four years of college and you can't read your own diploma." Not much later Clary was an assistant principal in a Rhode Island high school.

One afterthought on reunion: while certainly plenty of Hanover dogs looked in on the 50th activities, a certain 1926 dog came all the way from California to enjoy the big event - "Robbie," poodle-terrier aged ten who more or less rules the life of Bob Williams.

The editors of DARTMOUTH ALUMNI MAGAZINE came up with a surprising page-and-a-half-plus of 50th reunion close-up pictures in the September issue. This was a welcome change from previous years' group pictures, which in a size reduced to fit the magazine makes recognition very difficult. As in all "firsts," gremlins had their innings - how to identify persons if their name tags were not showing and the participants had long since departed. The gorgeous movie queen with Charlie (Durango Kid) Starrett is really Marmie (Norry) Williamson of Eastman, N.H., and the happy '26er being pinned with a green carnation by a beautiful graduate is Ken Andler, lawyer turned author: "To Have Been Or Not To Have Been," the June 1972 Yankee story of Gully Lenson '26, and "Mission To Fort No. 4," featuring an Indian student in the Class of 1777, among others. Will the three persons photographed only in profile please identify themselves so it will not be necessary to have a contest to name them?

Ken Andler ... identified.

Secretary 9 Gammons Raod Waban, Mass. 02168

Treasurer, 932-A Heritage Village Southbury, Conn. 06488