1937
Risking accusations of being completely out of season, we have leftover fall material we were unable to squeeze into proper sequence. Football! The Ivy League season is all too short compared to the professionals, yet of more interest to us provincials. We went to the Brown game as privileged guests of long-time Brown friends, the Crosbies, to witness the capping of the League title for Joe Yukica & Company. This was thrilling to see. We sat high up in the stadium on the Brown side and must say we were not used to hearing such threats to "our boys" as "Kill 'em! Get that S.O.B.! Block that kick!" while we sat quietly enjoying what "they" apparently did not. We tailgated in the area next to the gym and saw numerous Dartmouth folk, but nary a '37 crossed our bow. We also cheered loudly at home watching the televised Princeton game and hoping for a few camera shots of some '37s in the stands. Again, nary a one. An excellent football season, but somehow, someday we are just going to have at those Harvards!
We have since received Roger's "Mint Bag" telling of the turnout at the Princeton muster, including the Robin/Rose gathering which read like a small reunion in itself. Speaking of FrankRobin, he was awarded the Alumni Fund's citation for outstanding performance as a head agent during the '7B campaign. All credit to the College for such recognition for a dedicated quiet guy like Rob who spent endless time and personal attention to make sure our class goals were met.
Monk Amon gave us a quick review of his recent trip to Denmark to get a deposition. The Dane spoke no English, thus complications through an interpreter. It was the coldest week in the history of Denmark - 20 to 30 degrees below zero Celsius! On a short sight-seeing bus trip he was shown the channel between Denmark and Sweden, bit over a mile wide, frozen solid, and people walking on it between those countiies. The ferry was out in the middle frozen in. Monk appreciated the U.S. a bit more when he found a gin and tonic cost $5.50, a gallon of gas $2.20, and a light breakfast $7.
Our memorial book program is very much appreciated by widows, as witnessed by notes from Bill Miller's wife Pat in Honolulu and Earle Cleave's wife Gladys, who asked that their thanks be extended to the Class. Also JeanBreitinger, who added, "The support and courtesies given to me during Bill's illness by so many of his classmates will always be remembered by me and our children."
January 11 to 15 was opening week at the Collis College Center, which to us is College Hall. It has been renovated as a center for formal activities and events as well as a place to meet friends or gather informally on a "common ground" for the whole community. Charley Collis was guest of honor (with Monk) for the opening ceremony complete with President Kemeny, representatives from the College, and trustees. It was a big event all around. Charley was asked to say a few words and from what we hear they were beautifully chosen as well as emotionally stirring.
A letter from Mutt Ray enclosed a copy of one he received from the Class of 1937 scholarship recipient, Norvin Leach, thanking the Class for its help. He said his experience so far in Hanover has been fascinating, with such an overwhelming selection of opportunities compared to the school from which he came. He is in the hockey and basketball pep bands and had the thrill of going to Princeton with the marching band. He is involved with the Jack-o-Lantern, fencing, and cross-country skiing. He works nights at Thayer Dining Hall. We enjoyed his reaction to Carnival - "a giant traffic jam and beautiful ice statues." He thrilled to one of his friends getting a ride from a Time correspondent in town to cover the event. Seems we recall the notoriety of folks like Glen Gray and Artie Shaw and the like hanging around town just to play a little music!
Us Bankarts enjoyed a long weekend in the North country with the Douglasses in Bethel, Me. It was like Monk's visit in Denmark except 10 to 20 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. If you think that Douglass was going to get me out on one of his snowmobiles, you're mistaken. One morning only one of four cars would start! Good to be back home where it's warm, isn't it, Monk?
10 Colby Road Wellesley, Mass. 02181
