1950

Winter wonderland. The campus displayed its best mid-winter assets: a deep mantle of snow, the unique crunch of feet, the crack of flags snapping in the wind, carnival statues glistening in the sun, and clear blue skies. At night, as temperatures plummeted to the vicinity of -30°, the stars shimmered on the velvet of unpolluted skies and the lights on Baker's tower beamed a warm welcome. The magic remains.

The occasion for this outing was the first annual winter mini-reunion. The locale was superb. Accommodations at the Hanover Inn, usually unattainable, were commodious, convenient, and cozy. Meals were tasty. Attendance exceeded 40, including wives, at all the social functions. Summary: The weekend was a success. Come next year.

We worked hard, but there was time to relax. On Friday we saw the Dartmouth Player's production of H. M. S. Pinafore - Len andSue Matless enjoyed the debut of daughter Sara as one of Sir Joseph's relatives. The film society's tribute to Frank Gilroy on Saturday featured his three films. In the evening the hockey team came from behind to defeat Princeton in overtime. On Sunday, a brunch at Bob and Mary Kilmarx's retreat in Lyme preceded a challenging cross-country excursion into the hills for delightful vistas of the back country. There was a little time left to squeeze in a game of squash.

The executive committee spent several hours working through an extensive agenda and planning for the future. The mini-reunion committee headed by Frank Harrington and assisted by Len Matless and Newc Eldredge was commended for planning and executing the admirably managed mid-winter affair. The same crew will plan the autumn festivities for the Cornell game over the weekend of October 27. A committee on alternative programs was established to keep aware of the programs of other classes, to review the possibilities and suggestions for new programs, and to recommend new programs if and when appropriate. Dick Echikson was appointed chairman of this committee. The unenviable task of emulating Nev Chamberlain's performance as reunion chairman was accepted by Dave Taylor, who will set the tone for our 30th in 1981.

The major business, not unexpectedly, was fund-raising and establishing future goals for contributions from our Class. The program for the next several years has a three-fold thrust, all interactive: the Alumni Fund, reunion giving in 1981, and the Campaign for Dartmouth. Integrating these activities is a major undertaking for the three leaders working cooperatively. Head Agent Joel Leavitt will continue to seek ways to spur the Class to new achievements. Eric Miller accepted the role of reunion giving chairman. And the recently appointed capital fund coordinating chairman is Bob Mcllwain.

Although a number of details remain to be planned over the next several months, Class President Jack Harned set two principal objectives for the triumvirate of fund-raising committees. The first is that the Class of 1950 retain its leadership role, particularly in establishing targets for all future classes. The second is that the Class create momentum between now and 1982 that can be sustained in the post-campaign years.

One point cannot be repeated often enough. These money-raising drives - fund, reunion, capital - are not separate and distinct. Each is part of an integrated whole extending over five years; one is considered only in its relationship to the others. The significance for you, the ultimate donor, is two-fold: first, to raise your consciousness, your level of awareness to the needs of the College; and second, to think in terms of increasing your level of giving by at least a factor of two. Sandy McCulloch, who spends almost all of his time and energies in leading the Campaign, says it simply: "Every donor contributes to the Campaign; every donor contributes to Dartmouth."

Space is too limited for an exhaustive review of Frank Gilroy's Once in Paris. For the last time and in a nutshell: It's a simple story; a better little movie would be hard to find; the reviews are raves; see it.

An appropriate time for an old note: PatBrewster reflected that mud season in Maine " ... drives us to indoor pursuits..." like writing long, informative letters. By now, given the depth of snow over the winter on his cross-country ski trails, he has again survived both the trials and tribulations encountered as general counsel for the Central Maine Power Company and the rigors of his seventeenth Maine winter. Pat and Carol live in Manchester, just outside of Augusta.

Tidbits here and there: The news is that DaveTaylor is moving; it's big because he is leaving San Francisco for Hanover. In Portland, DickPeterson is pastor of an experimental, simply Christian church with no denomination. Marland Benner Jr. recently founded the firm of Benner, Birdsong & Associates, manufacturers' representatives for medically oriented products. The current turmoil in Iran causes wonder about the whereabouts of LarryStarlight, whose last address was in Teheran. Arthur Anderson & Co. has relocated CalBauer from Chicago to Geneva on the shores of Lake Leman. John Williams still resides in the Donnybrook section of Dublin.

Repetition may bore you, but the asking time is here again. Consider your contribution carefully and, in light of my earlier comments, give generously. Please.

Spring is come; in the North Country, is coming. Break out your racquets or your clubs. Enjoy the lengthening days, the warming sun. After the long winter, you deserve it. Cheers.

510 Hillcrest Rd. Ridgewood, N.J. 07450