1954
The big news all this year, of course, are the plans for the 25th reunion in June. Dick Page,John Gillespie, and Pete Barker are devoting the year to strategic planning for this great event. For the remainder of the year a large part of this alumni column will be an update of the reunion plans, with Dick Page serving as the contributing guest editor. The following is the latest flash from Dick:
"Whether or not your son or daughter turns down Dartmouth for Harvard, your malpractice policy goes from 'occurrence' to 'claims made,' your handicap goes up three strokes the Monday after the big tournament, your stock portfolio declines 20 per cent while you're on a 'no calls' vacation in the Bahamas, your bank raises its prime rate the day before you get the loan commitment, your wife beats you at tennis in front of the neighbors when you were really trying, or some other disaster befalls you between now and next June, we will still have our 25th reunion. And there's a lot you should have done by now to be a part of it.
"By now you should have returned your preliminary registration card telling us that you and the family are planning to be in Hanover June 14-17, come you-know-what or high water; ordered a one-month supply of Grecian Formula for delivery in late May; convinced your wife that reunions, even the 25th, are really quite informal and that no new clothes will be necessary; practiced wearing your 'Ben Franklins' to avoid embarassment in front of classmates; and made plans to have your tennis racket restrung in the spring.
"By now you should long since have bathed Bill White's ulcers in milk by returning your reunion book biography and commentary with picture (if not, do it now!); promised to start a diet in January which by June will provide a guaranteed weight loss of no less than 20 pounds; scheduled six golf lessons from the club pro for April and May in preparation for JoeMesic's golf tournament; and persuaded your teenage daughters that all fraternity men (other than you) are less-than-honorable people and should be avoided like the plague during the reunion festivities.
"By now you should have been looking into a travel schedule for next June with whatever side-trips strike your fancy; told your boss and/or the worker bees that you won't be around the hive for a few days early next summer; investigated and obtained quotes on the hair transplant you've always wanted but were afraid to ask about; called your room- mates, both of whom are more successful than you, but whose wives aren't quite as pretty as yours, to make sure that they'll be there; had the tailor let out your 1954 blazer with high hopes that the faded and unfaded portions will match; and taken just one more look at the Green Book and Aegis to make sure it really happened as you remember it.
"By now you should have realized that your 25th reunion is a once-in-a-lifetime event that just can't be passed up; decided that Dartmouth was and is a meaningful part of your life which must be savored to be appreciated; and come to the conclusion that our four days together next June will be as wonderful as we want to make them, and it will take all of us to do just that!"
I have a little room for some class notes so that you will be up-to-date on all your old friends when you see them in June.
American Express Company announced that Tom Myers has been named executive vice president, marketing, for American Express card division. Tom was formerly chairman of Norman, Craig & Kummel, Inc., an advertising agency headquartered in New York, where he has spent almost his entire business career. With Tom in charge of marketing, watch for John Kemeny to replace Sam Ervin on those American Express commercials.
The peripatetic Jonathan Moore has appeared in print again. An article in BostonMagazine, "The New England White House - Is Jonathan Moore's Institute of Politics Really Running America?," details the involvement of John and his Institute of Politics in preparing a plan for the Carter transition to the presidency. To quote the article, "the report of the study group on presidential transition... tells quite simply everything you need to know about how to become president once you've been elected. Prepared by a study group consisting of Moore and Harvard professors Graham Allison, Laurence Lynn, and Ernest May (chairman of the group), the report is meticulous, thorough, and fascinating." In addition to dealing with John's involvement in the plans for the presidential accession, the article describes the activities of the Institute under John saying, "Under Moore, the Institute is a place of crackling energy and almost constant publicity." It is a most interesting story of how one man's intelligence, energy, and dedication has quietly influenced the national political picture over a period of years.
Sheldon Woolf's corresponding secretary and spouse, Betty Ann, sent us a great letter about their exciting trip through Southeast Asia where Shelly led a group from the Young President's Organization on a fact-finding trip. Shelly and Betty Ann were gone a total of eight weeks in Bali, Singapore, Thailand, Phillipines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and Australia. During their travels they saw Audrey and DickLewis in Sydney, Australia, and Pete andAudrey Gutlon in Hong Kong. Their visit must have made the Gutlons homesick because I understand Pete and Audrey have now returned to Boston after many years in Hong Kong.
Remember, June is creeping up already. Make your reunion plans today.
95 Plymouth St. New Bedford, Mass. 02740
