1932

By the time you read this you will have had later bulletins on 1932's progress in its Reunionyear Alumni Fund effort than are presently available, but we here exclaim over the extraordinary facts contained in the early dispatches from Hanover. These show that even before the official start of the Fund drive, some 54 members of the Class (along with matching fund gifts) have contributed a total of $160,247. That sum compares with $21,233 from 80 persons at the same time last year, an increase of more than $139,000, and with our old final total record of a little more than $100,000 four years ago. At the current writing we lead all reunion classes except 50th-year 1926, which is already over the half-million mark.

This remarkable early achievement reflects, of course, the fall and winter diligence of reunion giving chairman John Zimmerman and his committee. On April 1 trusty veteran head agent Bob Ackerberg threw his cohorts, tactically deployed across the land, into the undertaking. When you get that note or telephone call, please give heed to your agent's explication of the meaning to the individual of the class goal of $260,000. In a note just received Bob puts it succinctly: "Our goal is five times our '75 effort, so our average gift should be five times our '75 gift." As made clear above, some of the Class's most generous givers have helped substantially to put that average figure within reach of us all. Following those first 54, much continues to depend on the remaining 361.

Carl and Phyllis Ward are planning their second swing east from California in nine months to be at Reunion. And the Bill Sauers are coming from Santa Barbara, Bill postcarding: "California still looks good, though I feel like a goat climbing on our rear slope." But, "Sorry, too far, maybe for the 50th," Stu Thatford postals from Scottsdale.

In Florida the Sid Alexanders are also opting for the 50th.

Dr. Ralph Littwin will be doing a Connecticut switch, visiting his daughter in Oakland, while his son will be in Hanover for his fifth. The SidWrights will be holding to the newly built base of their retirement home in Hawaii. Another Californian, Ray Bartlett, calls: "My best to all '32ers! Sorry to miss the 45th!" And Ellie Jump from Oregon: "Hanover is even further off after retirement than before. Perhaps for the 50th, but no promises."

"The University of Minnesota does not get out as early as Dartmouth," writes Shel Reed, "so at reunion time I am reading final examina- tion papers. However, will have retired by our 50th, so should be able to attend."

Rog Needham was hopeful but uncertain about Reunion when he wrote from Gardner, Maine, last fall, having already made a salmon fishing commitment to his uncle. In his second year of retirement he was keeping plenty busy as home maintenance man, neighborhood handy man, and "substitute teacher in local vocational school - plant maintenance, machine shop, carpenter shop, welding, air conditioning, math, and science, and teaching evening adult classes in blueprint reading. Plus the usual church, United Way, Community Action Council, Republican City Committee etc."

The Ev Meads were last in Hanover in 1938 shortly after their marriage. Ev writes from Cleveland: "Now, one wife, three daughters, and five grandsons later we're gonna try and make it. Ruth is finishing up her last year as an elementary teacher in Rocky River, and I am semi-retired and looking forward to retiring in Walnut Creek, Calif., come the summer."

The Bill Pecks, having sold their Sturbridge house and moved to Florida in January, have hopes of making Reunion. So do the TomFosses, Tom reporting from Holyoke "an average quota of joy and sorrow. Average or not, it is my heart that rejoices or rages and shows the wear and tear."

From Dover, Mass., Ben White avers: "The world doesn't impress me. I shun the headline news _ it's all bad. Racial strife, drugs, high taxes, high unemployment, mediocre to worse politics, international arms race. I could go on forever with energy shortage and wasted money for trips to the moon. And Hanover - even that isn't the same."

Howie Wile demurs: "The world looks fine to me, despite newspaper headlines and despite becoming a victim of the mandatory retirement age that pervades all academic institutions. Being not ready for retirement, mentally, physically, or morally, I am looking for new worlds to conquer, with Washington as a base. Have some good leads and six months still to go-"

Walt Ziegenfuss, in Ardmore, Pa., has a formula: "I avoid smokers, drinkers, and old people. I'd rather be ignored than be old in health and habit. My college ski pants still fit. With directions from Prexy Hopkins' education I have acquired knowledge of the truth and facts about all living things - and stop guessing beyond that point."

"Retirement this year is eating up more hours than the day holds with activities," WarrenHallamore postcards from Bermuda. "I lost my wife in April '75 and remain in Bermuda eight months of the year and in Ireland about four months. I'll see you, I hope, on the 50th."

That's a date. Meanwhile, we hope, we shall be seeing a great many of you in Hanover in June. As somebody may previously have remarked, it's our last chance to reune before our 50th.

Secretary, Orchard Hill Road Westport, Conn. 06880

Class Agent, 919 Monroe St. Evanston, Ill. 60202