1937
It's about time for kudos to a deserving but unsuspecting group of people. To wit, this is one helluva magazine and is managed by one helluva hardworking little staff that puts out a prize-winning product not always on time, but who's perfect? Read on.
It is widely known that the class notes section is far superior to any other and is a factor in the allegiance of Dartmouth alumni to their college. Thumb through that section and note that every class is represented. Very unusual to find one missing. Try that with any other Ivy League magazine, and not only count the miss- ing classes but see the short articles in many in- stances.
Older classes are apt to look first at the obituary section. Note how complete and up- to-date things are. Did you see the recent write- up here on Nancy Elliott, who keeps track of all us alumni in a never-ending job. Her depart- ment sends out complete files to secretaries, who normally write the obits as soon as a death is known. Her records cover us all from the dav of matriculation.
The only way to appreciate this magazine is to read it from cover to cover, starting with the letters to the editor. Prior to the tumultuous sixties, this section lay dormant. But then followed the admission of women and the In- dian symbol and Wah-Hoo-Wah controversies and this perennial forum of discussion has not been the same since. Not always constructive perhaps, but certainly loud and clear.
Book reviews of works by Dartmouth authors included two of ours this year Tom Mclntyre (November) and Walt Johnson (March). In March, did you note in the "Give a Rouse For —" column that Russ Stearns was honored as New Hampshire's Engineer-of-the- Year? And on page 61, did you see Jim Hathaway and two other Dartmouth graduates on the faculty of Appalachian State University pictured with John Dickey '29?
Not only do we find local color in these pages, but often a welcome dose of nostalgia, too. How about that article last June by Dick Holbrook entitled "We Will All Make Whoopee," about the history of the Barbary Coast and the Green Serenaders, with many names and pictures of our time. Especially in- teresting was the photograph taken on the Puerto Rican Line boat the students along the rail all so young and so grown-up.
Several articles this year gave a tug to the memory, like the one on the history and impor- tance of the Hanover Inn and the story of the bells of Baker Tower and how they are programmed to ring (old and new). The April issue carried a story, "Who in Hell was Jeff Tesreau?" Feel a little smug? We knew! And did you recognize the little guy sitting beside big Jeff in the dug-out picture? It was Dan Richardson 'OO, the retired telephone executive who divided his time between following student activities and sitting on the Inn porch. Later in that article did you note a one-word reference to "toastsides"? Pretty important breakfast in our day, about on a par with a milkshake (with ice cream) at Allen's, any time of day or even- ing, for ten cents. Do you recall the pinball machines at the back of Allen's that paid off in nickels if the ball dropped into the right holes? They got removed when too many guys learned how to beat the system.
Again in the April issue, on page 46, "At The Winter Games," was a reference to an article by Dick Durrance '39, expressing alarm over the "maniacal mountain diving" type of downhill skiing that was then gaining wide pop- ularity. What comes to mind is the awe and reverence attributed to those daring souls who could "take it straight" on Bunny Bertram s ('3l) Suicide Six! Ted Hunter was one! Those were the days of solid hickory skis with no steel edges, when you could get new tips securely glued back onto a broken ski for a couple of bucks. They were good; we had one.
Well, nostalgia, as usual, has overwhelmed our original objective, which was a tribute to the outstanding staff of this magazine from editor Dennis Dinan '6l on down the line. So when you see articles signed with initials, just refer back to the masthead and you will fin" MBR (Mary Ross), DMN (Dan Nelson '75), DCG (Dana Grossman), and RHR (Robe" Ross '3B). These, with a sprinkling of un- dergraduates, are the workhorses who make this magazine the very best in the league- Congratulations!
So, for old times' sake, please be sure Gene Jones has your gift to the 1980 Alumni Fun
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