1939

Perhaps due to our reunion double-headers this fall, the gathering at Bonnie Oaks over the September weekend was a mite smaller than usual. Those faithful who bedded down alongside Lake Morey were Tom and Liz Burrel, Jack and Billie Coulson, Jim and Lois Corner, Walt Darby, Moose and Priscilla Dudis, Wes and Anne Goding, George and Shirely Hanna, Dick and Math Jackson, Jack and Lois Kuhkle, Alex and Sylvia Lansberg, Cornie and Janet Miller, Hugh and Trudy McLaren, Bert and Sally MacMannis, Bud and Marybelle Richardson, Dusty and Happy Rohde, Betsy Wyman, and Endy and Georgette Smith. Naturally Bob and Evie Kaiser were on hand and hosted the pre-game picnic at their digs. We were joined there by Herb and Ginny Mattledge, George and Biddy Boswell, Kim and Jean Ayres, Jim and Meg Brigden, Archie Mallon, Jack Treadway, Baxter and Ellie and daughter Laurie Prescott, and Dick Monahon. Seen in the stadium wearing 40 to 7 smiles were Bill Risley and family.

Naturally there was an early morning executive committee meeting Friday morning conducted by prexy MacMannis. Treasurer Miller reported his dues mailing was out, which led to discussion about a raise in the cost of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE, which goes to all class members and widows who desire it. More ominously it also led to a discussion of a possible increase in our dues in that it seems desirable to work up a fund to cover our memorial book program, which unfortunately will become more expensive as our numbers are thinned, and of the matter of funding our 50-year gift, which is earmarked for $50,000. In view of recent increases, however, it was decided to table the matter for discussion at a later date.

An enthusiastic report was read on our scholarship student, Gail Koziara '82. She is now a junior and will continue to receive our award until she graduates, as long as her performance remains high. The president also noted that Lou Highmark, generally present on this weekend, was in Belgium on business. BillTomkins, another regular, was home tending on wife Lois, who was battling a health problem that we sincerely hope has been dissipated by this time. Another committee member, HankConkle, was busy tending the cash register in his shop at Cashiers, N.C. Wells Bates and Betty were in Scotland. The DeGraffs had to decline, having just returned south after a trip to Cape Cod and a three-day visit with the Rohdes in York Harbor, Me.

Betsy Wyman reported good participation in class activities from the wives and spoke of an impending luncheon she was sponsoring in Boston for some nine area widows. She reported on a very pleasant visit with Martha Cheney (wife of the late Gordon), who is a very enthusiastic Dartmouth gal and promises to join some '39 outings in the future. We'll look forward to her participation.

In the absence of Sam Hird it was easy to resolve that the spring executive committee meeting be held Under his auspices at the Upper Montclair Country Club, which served as our meeting place last April because of a New York transit strike. It was so pleasant that the Committee hankered for another taste of Sam's New Jersey hospitality. MacMannis was commissioned to advise Sam of our audacious decision in good time.

Limited progress is being made on our "Indian project" as defined in earlier notes, and Endy Smith promised future action from his award committee, which will research the merits and ground rules for future class awards.

Bob Kaiser received the earned accolades of all hands, not only for his usual fine job on bequests, but for the impeccable arrangements for the weekend. He was rewarded by a vote to request more of the same for our next fall minireunion over the same weekend at Bonnie Oaks for the Princeton match in '81.

Jim Corner and Co. received high praise for the laboratory job in squeezing out a record $94,691 with a bonza 68.6 per cent participation, of which, incidently, $2,474 was received from 23 persons as memorial gifts, and 33 matching gifts for $10,705 was included. A nod for this last to Moreau Brown. Thanks go to 52 classmates who served on Corner's committee as agents, including 10 new ones, and this doesn't count the omnipresent Bob Howe, Wes Goding, and Bill Tomkins. Which reminds us that Howe has now stepped down as head of major gifts in lieu of his assistant Tomkins. Bob has agreed to assist Bill in the same capacity next year.

And by the time you read this piece, our second fall gathering at Williamsburg will have passed into history and will probably have been duly reported by Darby and Davidson, who are both scheduled for a first-hand report.

777 West Street Pittsfield, Mass. 01201