1937

FORTIETH REUNION

Five years ago herein we called our 35th The World's Greatest Weekend. We have to say our Fabulous 40th was even bigger, better, and probably our most outstanding. We had the most alumni back (142), the most people (251). the most money by far the class has ever raised for the fund (5385,000), the most contributors (372), and, though this comparison is problematical, the most fun. Maybe that's because it was the most recent!

This is a report for those who were not there and a quick review for those who were. Reunion was officially Monday through Thursday, but a surprising number showed up Sunday to watch reuning 1922 clear out of the Fayerweathers and Richardson to make room for us. They had mostly rain but our arrival was greeted with clearing skies and ideal weather (except in one instance).

Ben Doran's workforce put together the registration kits. Jean Breitinger and Ernie Roos sorted out the men's shirts and women's tote bags. Charley Collis' gift to all attenders, a martini pitcher etched "3D7" and two glasses etched with our nicknames, were stacked and the boxes labeled. Supper was hamburgers and coffee fetched from MacDonald's in West Leb. Early to bed that night.

Monday was gorgeous. All day long cars arrived bearing grinning classmates and wives. Soon the '37 shirts were everywhere. Tuck, Thayer, and the Med School held luncheons for their alumni. 5 p.m. brought cocktails at the class tent, and still people arrived. Informal dinner for all classes was given by the College in Alumni Hall and elsewhere followed by a reception by the president in his garden. Then back to Spaulding Auditorium for the glee club concert featuring a sing-a-long led by our ex-leader, Al Bryant. Then back to the tent where beer was always on tap and the bar was open. Much socializing and talk.

Tuesday. After breakfast at Thayer Hall, it was back to Spaulding for the president's talk and a question and answer period. The picnic at Storr's Pond was next, and there seven stalwarts peeled down for a swim in the 60° water while the rest wolfed down hamburgs, beer, etc. Golfers and tennis players (organized by BobRoss and Carl Erdman - with prizes yet) staggered in late. Will Brown announced a canoe trip in honor of Pete McLane, expresident of the canoe club, and 12 canoes and 35 people paddled upriver to Titcombs cabin (new since our time). That evening we gathered by the Tommy Dent cabin on the river for a cook-out. Just about serving time the deluge came, chasing everyone into the tent - except the poor student workers, who got soaked. It was a very noisy tent, but that added to fellow- ship, including a few X-rated mosquitoes.

Wednesday brought another lovely day. Rev. Frank Young led the memorial service at Rollins Chapel. Then the class picture in front of Webster was followed by the class meeting in 105 Dartmouth. Ben Doran was given a standing ovation for his dedicated work as reunion chairman, as were Fran Fenn and Frank Robin for their dedicated and untiring fundraising results. Nominating committee chairman Gus Farwell read the list of new class officers as follows: president. Mutt Ray; vice president, Ben Doran (new office): treasurer. Tom Nast. And since your secretary's request for replacement was either lost or completely ignored you are stuck for another five years (D.V.) with secretary Bankart. Don McKinley m.c.'d the seminar entitled "What are you going to do with the rest of your life?" Pertinent to our group and highly interesting. The panel consisted of two professors, Bosworth, Fenn, Ken Stearns, Mutt Ray, PollyMcLane, and Connie Sayre. Connie's opening remark apropos any retiring husband from the wife's point of view was most appropriate "What do you do with twice as much husband and half as much income?" The seminar solved no immediate problems but gave us much to think about.

That night it was dress-up for dinner preceded by yet another cocktail party with president Kemeny and college officials as guests. Long dresses, jackets, and ties were an abrupt but colorful change. Dinner was again at Alumni Hall, Mutt Ray in charge of arrangements. Corky Ray labored long at home making beautiful gingham artificial flowers which a crew of wives helped mix with fresh flowers for the tables. Very attractive. Bill Leonard performed the toastmaster duties with good stories. Pat O'Sheel recited the class poem he wrote for the occasion, which was excellent. As he officially passed the gavel to Mutt, retiring president Fred Asher was given a standing ovation for his exemplary leadership. The class was awarded two silver cups for attendance (see above). Frank Robin and Fran Fenn together presented president Kemeny with a giant symbolic check for $377,783.37 - note the 37 cents. Dinner was followed by dancing at the Top of the Hop and more chit-chat back in the tent.

Thursday brought the farewell brunch at the tent. After such a wonderful gathering it was sad to see everyone packing up for home and saying, "See you at the 45th."

Special credits go to Rog Allen for his allencompassing publicity, Hal Putnam for organizing slides and class movies (Boy, do we look young!), Bill Heroy for handling the money and registration, Mort Berkowitz and FrankDanzig on the raffle, Jud Smith and RussStearns for handling the Hanover end, and very special thanks to Tom Nast's daughter, Tricia, for her endless hours as chief of student workers and bartender and, you name it, she was on hand to help.

In recent years our class has developed a cohesive spirit, which culminated in our very fabulous 40th reunion. It was relatively quiet, dignified, sincere, well-run, friendly, and an awful lot of fun. We're only sorry anyone had to miss it.

1927's 50th reunion celebrities: Paul F. Hannah (left), who was the 50-year speaker, andPaul Revere O'Connell, who is the president of The Dartmouth Alumni Association.

The late Samuel Zellner Wormser '27 was honored posthumously last June 11, whenAllice Wormser received her husband's Alumni A ward from the Secretary of the College.Several of the family were present to hear Sam cited for outstanding military service tohis country, for tremendous energy and success in the service of his College, and forgenerous civic-mindedness. The award gratefully acknowledged Sam's gift to Dartmouthof a "loyalty, leadership, and wise counsel enjoyed over the years by the College."

10 Colby Road Wellesley, Mass. 02181