1960

TWENTIETH REUNION

A record-setting 154 classmates arrived in Hanover for our 20th reunion along with approximately 130 wives, a few dates, and 230 children. The group filled Massachusetts row and Hitchcock Hall and overflowed into Wheeler, the Lodge, the Norwich Inn, and wherever else they could be accommodated.

As usual, the D.C.A.C. staff, led by Jerry and Pat Berndt, conducted a well-prepared, fun-filled program for young people ranging from age 6 to 18. Most of their activities were held at the junior tent in front of Alumni Gym, but the kids roamed all over the campus. The computer center was a favorite stopping place, as was the new Collis College Center - the location of rock dances for the teens and early breakfasts for the younger ones.

A few eager beavers arrived as early as Thursday morning to attend the reunion seminar on "Great Issues for Spaceship Earth" or the computer course. Roger Wolf flew from Tucson, Ariz., to Boston on Wednesday, spent the night with the undersigned, and hopped on a Thursday morning Air New England flight to West Lebanon to make sure he wouldn't miss a thing. Others came from much greater distances. Many were on hand from the West Coast, such as John Walker, Dick Foley, JohnWheaton, Jack Hodgson, and Dick Gale, and Al and Silvia Danson arrived from Mexico City. But the award for longest distance went to Ambassador Paul Boeker, who flew in from La Paz, Bolivia, with his wife Peg. Honorable mention went to Don Belcher from Leiden, Holland, and Pete Crumbine from Portugal. Dave and Brenda Farfan arrived from Trinidad, where Dave runs an office equipment business. Several classmates had arrived by Thursday night in time to hear the Glee Club concert. Only a few lucky ones could get tickets for Paul Zeller's final performance on Friday night.

Sports events were a highlight of the reunion. A golf tournament and a mixed doubles tennis tournament were held on Friday. The golfing foursome of Bill McCarter, Jim Graham, PhilKron, and Bob Kenerson succumbed to the rugged terrain of the Hanover golf course. However, by virtue of some back-room shenanigans, Kron was awarded low net while Bryant Barnes won low gross, Dave Vaules, second net, and Zoo Gazley, second gross. Zoo and Seth Strickland managed to wipe out TomBrock and Al Stowe in a replay of the match which they have held every reunion since graduation. Reunion chair Dick Ossen, who made all arrangements for the tournament, also managed to win the prizes for the closest to the pin and the longest drive. None of the other participants could locate the markers. The mixed tennis was a hit, with Hal and June Harris taking first prize and the Freedmans and Lofgrens playing second and third, respectively.

Peter Strock '59 sent me the official results of the Storrs Pond challenge race with special congratulations to the class of '6O, which took eight out of twelve possible places. We swept the men-over-22 field with Frank Virnelli first, Rollie Kilman second, and Bob Phillips third Our daughters swept the women-under-22 field with Debbie Weitzman first, S. Preininger second, and V. Frankel third. Second and third for the women over 22 went to J. (Brooks's wife) and C. Burns (Jim's wife). Those who ran particularly deserved the cold beer that flowed freely at the Storrs Pond picnic on Saturday afternoon, while the roasting sun drove many into the pond for a cooling dip.

The many classmates and wives who attended one or both reunion seminars on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning can readily appreciate the efforts of Bob Kenerson, who organized and was moderator of both sessions. As suggested by the title, "Turning 40-Turning Off-Turning On," the panelists examined how they had spent the last 20 years, what their goals had been, whether and how they had achieved them, and what had most influenced their lives. Reverend Ken Taber, JohnWalker, and Paul Boeker participated in the Friday panel and Hap Dunning, Sol Rocken-macher, and John Goyette were joined for the Saturday morning panel by Scilla Benson, who presented the women's viewpoint and described the recent emergence of her career plan.

Nick Muller was humorous and impressive, in spite of the oppressive heat and humidity, as toastmaster of the class banquet in Thayer Hall. Seth Strickland announced several awards and prizes, including a presentation to Gene Kohn of the Class Newsletter Editor of the Year award. Tom Reilly won the award for the largest family, with honorable mention to Reunion Chair Dick Ossen and his staff, including Bob Irvine, publicity; John Goyette, special events; Dudley Smith, treasurer; RickLyman, entertainment; and Bob Kenerson, panels. Dick Davidson won the drawing for a free weekend. His daughter Jody '82 worked hard for the class, along with the other Dartmouth undergrads, on the dorm crew. Seth introduced the new class officers and executive committee. Our new president is Gene Kohn, while PhilKron is now treasurer; Mickey Straus replaces this weary hand as secretary; and Bob Phillips is our new head agent. The new executive committee represents a broader spectrum of the class, with 17 new faces and 9 holdovers. A new advisory council of past presidents was created, consisting of Borden Powers, Al Stowe,Spence Morgan, and Seth Strickland. Percy Dovetonsil (Bob Bove) presented a curious composition entitled "Ode to a Bookworm," and the festivities concluded with a forceful, chair-hurling, shirt-rending demonstration by Professor John Rassias of the language teaching methods he has applied so effectively.

Following the class banquet the majority of us squeezed into SAE to hear Big Wheelie and the Hub Caps recreate for us the rock-and-roll fraternity parties of our college days. The night owls were treated to a bit of piano by BobKenerson and delightful tunes sung by PamHibbs. One small group headed to White River for a pre-dawn breakfast and some early risers claim to have seen Dick Ossen closing down the party as the sun rose on Sunday morning.

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