1955's 20th

There were 132 classmates gathered in Hanover for 55's 20th reunion. They were accompanied by 116 wives (or friends) and 185 children.

The advance party (pun intended) arrived Thursday afternoon to find magnificent weather and a well organized program waiting for them. Before the weekend was over we witnessed the arrival of classmates from as far north and west as Alaska (Jay Hogan); as far south as Grand Cayman Island and Puerto Rico (EricBergstrom and Roy Hill, respectively); and as far east as Paris (Pete Robinson).

Charlie Hulseboch won the prize for endurance. He drove from Chicago with his wife and seven children and was still smiling when he arrived.

Dave Flitner should get a prize for foresight. He sent his wife and kids ahead by car (all the way from Wyoming). He then flew into Leb, thoroughly rested and ready to go.

The first official happening was a cocktail party at the tent Friday evening. As usual the piper arrived all too soon to lead the revelers to dinner. After the buffet in the impressive, new Thompson Arena, and much beer and dancing at the tent, Friday ended at about 3:00 a.m. Saturday with Al Keith's dog Sheba chasing Henniger and Dell Isola to bed.

Web Wilde's mixed doubles tennis tournament got off to an early start Saturday morning. When the smoke had cleared Pete and BettyFishbein and Harry and Marge Ambrose were winners of their respective brackets. They were declared co-champions as the necessary energy for a play-off was lacking.

At mid-morning the class meeting was held at Hopkins Center. Chairman of the Trustees of the College Bill Andres brought us up to date on the issue of male/female admissions ratios. He assured the audience that the Trustees are making every effort to preserve the character of the College while being responsive to those who feel that the female population should be increased significantly. Bill opened the meeting to questions from the floor and responded to some good questions in a very direct manner.

At the business meeting that followed, it was decided that the Class would continue to give financial support to the ABC program and the DCAC.

The newly-elected executive committee chose John French to be our president for the next four years. Jed Isaacs was named treasurer, WebWilde will write the newsletter, and this writer will be secretary.

John has already organized the executive committee into a working group and it looks like fortunes of the Class will be in good hands until the big 25th. The first executive committee meeting is scheduled for the weekend of September 18 in Hanover.

The picnic at Storrs Pond was blessed with lots of sun, good food, and the presence of the kids who had previously been kept busy with their own interesting program. It was worth your life to walk through the parking lot it was so full of baseballs and frisbees. President Kemeny managed to run the gauntlet and spent some time with us.

The cocktail party at the War Memorial Garden at the Hop and a delicious roast beef dinner at Thayer Hall preceeded a talk by Dean Ralph Manuel on "The College Today." He kept it light and entertaining.

As usual Dell did a great job as master of ceremonies. Woody Goss won the drawing which returned his reunion tax to him. Reunion treasurer Ralph Sautter was smiling when he wrote him the check, but you know he was crying on the inside.

Sonny Peters was given a Dartmouth mural for his service as class president. Pete Thompson received a director's chair for his as head agent.

The rest of the evening was spent at the tent drinking beer and making promises to meet again at the 25th.

Hugh Brady and his committee (I won't name them individually because you've been seeing their names on every piece of mail you've received in the past year) deserve a huge vote of thanks. When things run as smoothly as this bash did, one is apt to forget how much foresight and planning goes into such an undertaking. The Boston contingent is getting pretty expert at putting these things on, but signs of complacency are popping up. Sautter let Henniger go to buy booze for the weekend all by himself.

One final note to the wives. Your husband is so modest he is reluctant to send this column news of his accomplishments. Why not do it for him? He'll be pleased.

A kilted (not pied) piper led the children of 1955 into Thayer (not the mountain).

CLASS SECRETARY