1933
The big story for this issue is the stupendous mini-reunion at Hanover and Quechee on the weekend of September 27. There were about 45 of us at the cocktail party and dinner after the game on Saturday night. Most of those had also attended the pre-game catered cook-out in the Thompson Arena parking lot. There were too many to list individually, but noteworthy, as coming from a distance or with special effort, were: Marty Kerwiri from Texas, Charlieand Shirley Stege from Illinois, Ned and AnneLord from Maryland (though soon to be from Limington, Me., after the old Lord homestead is winterized), and the ever faithful MoniqueValensi (Randy). Jack Hunley came to the lunch but not to the dinner.
Mel and Ruth Katz were especially thanked by prexy Page Worthington for their efforts in making the whole affair such a success.
To refresh your memories, Sid Stoneman is chairing the 1933 class awards committee, with Page, Wes Beattie, and Jud Pierson as members. The first two of these '33 awards were presented at the dinner to Robert S. Fox and George F. Theriault. The awards were oval pewter trays, with the recipient's name and "Class of 1933 Award 1980" engraved thereon. Each tray was accompanied by an attractively printed and framed citation which Page read to the assembly at the presentation. Wes Beattie had done a masterful job in both historical research and writing, specifying all the education and the positions of responsibility these two men have occupied in their careers, their service to Dartmouth and their communities, and, finally, their dedication to the Class of 1933. Bob has been editor of the newsletter for 23 years! George was an early class secretary and class president, and also a genial host, along with his favorite hostess, Ray, in "Bedlam Manor," when that was the chief watering, or de-watering, place for all '33ers returning to Hanover. The committee could not have chosen more wisely for the first awards.
The weather for the entire weekend was sparkling. The foliage was not yet in its prime. The company was great; the game not so.
On the way home, my companion and I stopped in Manchester, Vt., staying overnight with Henry and Bettina Lowerre. They are both retired, Henry from stock-brokering; Bettina from doctoring in internal medicine at Bellevue Hospital in. New York City. Shortly they take off to visit the Benelux countries and England.
Speaking of doctors, Page has been traveling and visiting them. He saw Charlie Hinds in Bend, Ore., who retired as an anesthesiologist in 1975. He had open-heart surgery a year ago, is feeling fine, and expects to celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary with Bernada at '33's 50th. Also, Dr. Ralph Keyes, in Walla Walla, Wash., is still practicing. He has five children, one of them a seaman on an Arco tanker. Page himself has needed doctoring. He played at soccer with a granddaughter and pulled a tendon. Grandchildren are dangerous animals. Grandparents are endangered species.
Sam Cunningham is very pleased with you, so far. To date, 165 of you (including 9 widows) have paid your class dues. This compares with the same time last year when only 51 had ponied up. Many have added messages on the back of the slip and these will appear in Bob Fox's next or later newsletters. Keep news and dues coming: Sam Cunningham, 850 Mangrove Point Rd., Sarasota, Fla. 33581. To "Dartmouth 1933" $l5, please.
Jeff Davis writes that he and Bea had a lively summer at their summer home in Clinton, Conn. At one point, they had 13 guests, including 7 of those übiquitous grandchildren. Bea was head ghef; Jeff was water sports and recreation director. Chet and Sally Thompson visited them and expected to be at Quechee, but Sally met with some medical difficulties.
Bob Trask Cox and Shirley are doing a great deal of traveling in the U.S.A. and expect to see us effete Easterners at Williamsburg and way stations. Most of their travel money comes from playing bridge with the Spragues during winters in California.
I am just now preparing an obituary on Louis A.Poitras. Gene Kaplan roomed near him, second floor of Topliff, freshman year. Gene writes, "My recollection is that Louis was indeed a 'Native American.' He was quite depressed at Dartmouth, worked in the stacks of the library for a small stipend, kept to himself pretty much. One weekend, I learned that he had been thrilled at experiencing the previous winter's Hanover snow, and he volunteered a shy request to 'see our ocean.' Bill Litkoff and I borrowed a car and drove him to Portsmouth, N.H., where his excited grin at seeing 'our ocean' more than repaid our trouble.
"Another weekend, he joined us on a D.O.C. cabin trek, and a large faculty-owned dog joined us. The poor animal came in the first evening at camp covered with porcupine quills. Louis promptly placed the trusting dog's head between his knees, bent over, and pulled out each quill with his teeth to the relief of the dog and the amazement of Louis's friends.
"We enjoyed his quiet company and wished he were more at ease and related to the Hanover environment."
Be ye kind, one to another.
117A Old Nassau Road Jamesburg, N.J. 08831
