1939

We write this on the day following the advent of the New York transportation strike, when your executive committee shifted gears and held a meeting under the sponsorship of Sam Hird at the Upper Monclair Country Club in New Jersey. The group was eleven strong an extremely good showing under the circumstances. Present were Kaiser, Endy Smith, Cornie Miller, Bob Howe, Corner, Goding, Hird, Tomkins, Noland, MacMannis, and Jackson.

The treasurer's report showed a balance of $10,617 in the kitty, most of which is scheduled by committee vote to be placed in a money/ fund for maximum appreciation. Treasurer Cornie Miller advised that 323 men had responded, which is in line with past performance.

Bill Tomkins reported on what we call the "Indian Project." This has to do with an imaginative approach to invite either additional or amended lyrics to "Eleazar Wheelock," a College favorite that is no longer rendered by the Glee Club because of the questionable portent that the population of Native Americans on campus sees in the words. Rather than cast away the song forever, it was Bill's thought that some cooperative work on the part of the Native Americans, the Glee Club, and the campus as a whole (and this could include alumni) could be an ameliorating factor in the longstanding discord that prevails around the word "Indian" at Dartmouth. In seeking out campus reactions from the groups involved and from the College administration, Bill found some interest in the thought, but not enough perhaps to stimulate a contest or proposal for positive action. It would appear that the issue, on campus at least, is quiescent for the moment, and some concern was expressed that to pursue the matter would tip the balance. This thought might not be held however by the alumni body as a whole. It was agreed that further probing was in order before action should be contemplated.

Endy Smith, who chairs a committee on class awards, received approval to set up a special award to be given to a classmate who shows the most initiative in establishing a "new" career for himself between our last reunion and our 45th. This was a brainchild of Dave Lilly, who will be working with Endy on the award criteria. Also discussed was a class service award, on which further thought and effort will be placed.

Perhaps a fill-in on Dick Brooks's wedding which took place on New Year's Eve is in order. He married Bunny Miller, a Scottish lass, in Essex, Conn., before some 200 attendees, heavily Dartmouth-oriented. CornieMiller was best man and his wife Janet was matron of honor. Although Cornie was the guy who introduced the pair, he is not related to Bunny. Jack Kuhkle, Bill Webster, and Bud Lynch '38 were ushers. "Men of Dartmouth" was played at the ceremony held at the Essex Congo Church. Jack Coulson, head of the Scotland Society of New York, might have been there in his kilts. The couple has bought a home in Essex, where Brooksie, having given up his comic strip The Jackson Twins, is now engaged in more serious art.

We have a few well-earned retirements to report: Bruce Gillie will retire at year-end after 40 years with Du Pont. He is staying put at his home in Kennett Square, Pa., where he is situated on the golf course and surrounded by friends, but will go south for six weeks in the winter. Bill Buckley put in his last day with Liberty Mutual on December 21, and he and Ruth also plan to stay put at home in Needham, Mass., near sons and friends. Malcolm Fogg took early retirement from Ashland Chemical Company, a division of Ashland Oil, and he moved to the Sunshine State, where, along with golf and fishing, he'll do a bit of consulting. New address: 3963 S.E. Fairway East, Stuart, Fla. 33494.

Bob Gibson has stepped down from chairing the board of Sheldahl Inc. and has been succeeded by another Dartmouth alumnus, Dick Brierley '36. Gibby remains on the board and will chair both the compensation committee and the budget and audit committee.

Howie and Betsy Stoughton have endured a tragedy in the untimely loss of their fine young son Mark, aged 22, in an accident while working with the theater group in which he was a leader at his college in Florida. Howie reports that he, too, is retired and can't find the time to get into the projects he has lined up. He is principal bassist for his community symphony, is conquering the use of a TLS-80 leisure computer to assist in the "meanderings" of the stock market, and is competing with the monster in chess games. He also is the sole support of a mother Great Dane and her two pups, who, he says, "consider themselves household children and due all benefits that would accrue thereunto."

Our class has lost a dear friend in the person of Mrs. James Mathes, 90, who died March 7 in York Harbor, Maine. She was the mother of the late Jim Mathes and Dusty Rohde's and your secretary's mother-in-law, and had generously supported the College through a scholarship fund in memory of her son and hus band.

This is a reminder of the two mini-reunions scheduled for the fall, both of which promise excitement and fellowship, according to reports from Messrs. Noland and Kaiser given at the executive meeting in April.

777 West Street Pittsfield, Mass. 01201