1927

An event has occurred since the paragraphs for this month's column were first prepared which resulted, but happily so, in their being deposited in the circular file underneath our desk. The event was the announcement at about 1:30 p.m. on May 3, before several hundred class officers and guests assembled in the Thompson Hockey Arena, of Tom Gillespie as Class Newsletter Editor of the Year. The award was evidenced by a large, framed colored print of Dartmouth Row, on the back of which the following was inscribed:

"Betty Choate, widow of Rufus '27, wrote not long ago, 'I know only a couple of Rufus' classmates and a few more by name, but your wit and poetry make the "1927 Speakeasy" a joy not to be missed.' What better reader endorse- ment could the editor of that 'joy' enjoy. Those and similar delightful words come from classmates in places never to be found in Baedecker of any vintage. Your own 'Who's Who' and 'What's Where' may contain from time to time some quoted lines of which David Lambuth and Howie Imbs would not approve. Regardless, when 'Speak' speaks, E. F. Hutton listens. Your letters, always on time and in good form, have classic seasonal quotes from Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Frost, Longfellow, and Emerson; from Ogden Nash and Bennet Cerf; and from doggerel to which none lay claim openly, indicating that you publish under the editorial policy of 'something for everyone.' The 'Speak' has more departments than the Sunday Times. These newsy and educational epistles of the '27 tribesmen are worthy of special and high-level attention, so it is an honor to name you the Class Newsletter Editor of 1980."

Hanover is a beautiful place almost any month of the year, but it was especially lovely on May 2 and 3, after a week of rain, when the of- ficers of all the classes gathered there for the usual bash of meetings, dinners, and parties. You were represented by Ken Murray, Bob Williamson, Tom Gillespie, Charlie Paddock, Paul O'Connell, Larry Scammon, and Jay Will- ing as class president, head agent, 'Speakeasy' editor, secretary, bequest chairman, campaign coordinator, and assistant treasurer respec- tively, together with their wives Ruth, Peg, Dot, Ruth, Helen, Ora, and Marion in that order. In addition to the formal meetings, there were also informal gatherings which included Hale andFinney Ham and Steve and Dot Tracy.

Dick Hall's House was the subject of several meetings. We were especially impressed with one at the home of Ruth Mosher King; she was kind enough to show us scrapbooks and other memorabilia which she had accumulated over the years. You will remember that Ruth came first to Dartmouth in 1945 as a staff nurse at Dick's House and retired in 1978 after 33 years of dedicated service, during much of which time she served as administrator of the house and later as director of the Dartmouth Health Serv- ice. Also during this period, Dorothy Hall Leavitt, Dick Hall's sister and wife of Larry Leavitt '24, well-known football fullback, took a very active and close interest in the house. We particularly enjoyed a tour of Dick's House and a meeting there on Saturday afternoon at which the operation, financing, and new directions of the activities of the house were described in con- siderable detail by Dr. Raymond Jackson, now director of the College Health Service; his ad- ministrator, Bill Hurst; and Dr. Beverlie Co- nant, who is directing the very successful program of health education and self-help among the undergraduates.

We can't finish speaking of the Hanover scene without a comment that you'd hardly have recognized the Green. It was strewn that's not the best word but, anyhow, it was almost filled from street to street with several dozen large wooden sawhorses, on each of which was placed a huge, unseasoned timber eight feet long and eight inches square. The pleasant, sweet- smelling scent of a freshly-cut tree permeated the air. It first occurred to us that this was some sort of an exhibit of modern art. However, we learned later that all were deliberately set in place to await one of the events in an Inter- collegiate Woodsmen's Competition. Male and female undergraduates from a dozen colleges, some with shiny tin shin and foot guards, as worn by the knights in days of yore, were soon to display their strength and speed in axing through a log.

It should also be noted that the transforma- tion of the old Crosby Hall is almost completed. Externally, the old building appears from the front much the same as previously. However, the inside has been completely rebuilt and a large, attractive three-story brick addition has been added to the rear to hold the offices of the various alumni activities and to house meeting and social rooms for visiting alumni.

Unfortunately, not all the news is good news this month. We recently heard that Syd andRuth Harris had suffered the tragic loss of their 31-year-old son Mark in an automobile accident last January. Our sympathies go out to both of them.

We also extend our sincerest regrets to the wives and families of Lewis F. DeWolf, who died on March 22, and of Woodward Burgert, who passed away on April 28.

That's all for this school year. Have a good summer, and write us about it.

Thomas V. Gillespie was honored as Class Newsletter Editor of the Year during class officers weekend in May. The award cita- tion quoted a reader's evaluation of "The '27 Speakeasy" as "a joy not to be missed." His "newsy and educational epistles," the citation went on, are always on time and in good form and have "more departments than the Sunday Times."

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