1940

Returning to Hanover is a treat in any season. To go back during the fall is something extra special and one of the many reasons Zel and I make the effort to be on hand for the minireunion. At that time of year, the naturally beautiful countryside is just beginning to take on its mantle of color and the campus is a hubbub of activity with the freshmen arriving, anticipating the new challenge, and the upper classmen settling in for yet another year. The weather often leaves something to be desired, yet rarely is it a deterrent. By the time we return to our home base, the two of us are refreshed and exhila- rated, having experienced a change from routine and having been with warm friends in a locale we love.

Our class distinguished itself with another great turnout for the mini-reunion, held this year on the weekend of the Princeton game, September 18 and 19. On hand were Oscar and Pitah Acer; Ken and Dot Arwe; Bob Austin with wife June; Chet Berry, prexy of the Cape Cod Alumni Association, with wife Ruthe; Lloyd and Peg Blanchard; Chet and Nancy Brett; Elmer Browne and Joyce; Joe Burnett; Bob and Faith Dibble; Bill Duncan, who recently relocated to West Lebanon and who substituted ably for the traveling MacMillens, ascertaining that arrangements were complete for the several functions; and Bob and Lili Graham. Also on hand were the Holmeses, Cliff and Christine, who has. shed umpteen pounds; Bob and Lee Lake; Jack and Lois Moody; Brad Rowland; Gordie Wentworth; and Stet Whitcher. We dined together both Friday and Saturday evening, harmonized not-too-poorly in Dartmouth songs led by ex-glee clubbers Austin, Graham, and Goulder, and helped Moody and Rowland celebrate their birthdays.

In the absence of Hugh Dryfoos, hospitalized (and since released) with a strep infection in the blood stream, Wentworth chaired the class meeting Saturday morning. At the meeting, Ted Miller was appointed head agent following acceptance of newly-wed ArtOstrander's resignation from the post after 12 dedicated years, during which 11 records were set by his teams of assistant agents. Art has received numerous citations from the College, and the class officers, at their meeting, expressed appreciation for Art's work with the following resolution which was passed unanimously:

"Resolved: The class of 1940 expresses its deep appreciation to Arthur W. Ostrander for his tremendous efforts as head agent of the class for the years 1970 through 1981. Due to his leadership, the class won the Green Derby in 1972, 1975, and again in 1977; surpassed all previous records for a 40th reunion class; and, further, in 11 of his 12 years as head agent, broke the College's existing record for the amount raised by any class for the number of 'years out' since graduation."

Made an adopted member of our class by the officers was Anne (Porter) Berger's husband Bob. He has been a dedicated and supportive assistant to Anne in her effort to maintain the photo albums for the class, and, with Anne, he regularly attends and participates in classoriented functions. Glad to have you aboard, Bob. Also brought before the class officers was the fact that several classmates had expressed a desire to remember Larry Durgin in some special way because of the inspirational leadership he had provided over the years at class reunions. Your officers suggest and encourage remembrance gifts to Dartmouth and/or to Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, Miss., where he was vice president for development at the time of his death.

While the bulk of the '40s braved steady rain to see Dartmouth beat Princeton, and had a chance to encounter John Manley and SamWilliams, Zel and I treated ourselves to a trip to the Jaffe-Friede Gallery at the Hopkins Center, where a retrospective exhibition of Walker Weed's works in wood were on view. His mastery of his craft is outstanding; his work is a real treat to scrutinize close at hand. The choice of woods, their beautiful finishes, the skillful joining of pieces without benefit of mechanical fasteners, and the simple styling influences of the Shakers and Scandinavians carried out in good taste were evidenced by Ike's works on display. Fabrics on upholstered pieces were the work of his wife Hazel. Ike was in the Northwest on a white-water trip when we were in Hanover.

Due to the fact that there was such a backlog of news from the summer for the October issue, I ran over my allotted space and there wasn't room for certain details of the Cleveland reunion: the frisbee session in which most everyone participated, the changing clusters of conversation, and the arrival of two lovelies from "down East," all 600-plus pounds of them, who came especially to see "Greek" Mahoney, arrangements having been made by our host, Lee Bassett. That reunion was particularly touching!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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