1927

Under the able leadership and superb arrangements of Tom Gillespie and FrankStrong, who co-chaired the affair, 74 '27ers had a glorious weekend October 9-11. It was enjoyable from the moment on Friday morning when eight intrepid golfers braved the lowering skies, occasional mist, and cover of fallen leaves on Quechee's golf course until the homeward trek began on Sunday, which was as glorious a fall day as New Hampshire ever produced. The class (members, wives, widows, children, and one dog) never stopped chatting, reminiscing, feasting, and generally basking in each other's company.

There were about 35 at the luncheon at Quechee Country Club on Friday and almost double that number assembled in the Tavern Room at the Inn that evening for drinks and a delicious dinner. There were practically no attendees who did not make the class meeting on Saturday morning, and later most of them heard President McLaughlin demonstrate his firm grip on the College's problems in his question-andanswer session. The class voted to hold its 1982 fall reunion the weekend of the Harvard game, October 15 and 16.

The memory of that sad event, the William and Mary game, was blotted out by a festive and excellent banquet that evening. A1 Lawrence, our speaker, gave a witty and delightful account of his distinguished teaching career the success of which he modestly attributed to "being in the right place at the right time."

Accolades were given to Howie and Edna Mullin from San Diego and Bo and Gene Head from Houston, Tex., the reuners who had covered the most miles to join the fun. Warranting and receiving enthusiastic attention were Ruth Baker, Peg Funkhouser, Allice Wormser, and one of the newest '27ers, Sykes Hardy's recent bride, Ann.

Everyone acclaimed the weekend as being a fitting warm-up for the 55th reunion next June.

Your secretary's thanks for the foregoing write-up go out to secretary pro-tem Paul Hannah as well as to our reliable correspondents SydHarris and Tom Gillespie. The reason for the "secretary pro-tem" bit is that I was unable to make the weekend when I had a fall which hospitalized me for eight days beginning October 9. Thankfully, I am now home and a few broken bones are well on the mend.

Some other items of news which had accumulated are:

In Newburyport, Mass., Brad Fuller still plays golf five times a week. He has chaired the city's school committee almost continually since 1938 and was seriously considering retiring until the recent tax-cutting law in Massachusetts, locally called Proposition 2½, presented so many budgetary problems that Brad could not bear not being a part of them and so decided to run again.

Jay and Marion Willing are understandably proud of their granddaughter Debbie who, as a freshman this fall, is a champ player on the Dartmouth women's tennis team.

Jack Sheldon missed the fall reunion in Hanover but expected to come east from Tucson, Ariz., to attend the Harvard game in Cambridge on October 17 in conjunction with a visit to his son and daughter-in-law.

Memory Jogger: You remember, of course, that Eleazar Wheelock died on April 24, 1779But do you remember the following details surrounding his last days which serve only to enhance our high estimate of the man?

Early in 1779, epileptic seizures began to rack his frame and soon became progressively worse. Nevertheless, he continued to teach and preach until he had to be carried to the hall in a chair. Later, too weak for even that, he received students in his house. It is told that on his last day he walked into the room without assistance, talked with composure, and "died almost standing on his feet."

It seems only fair to report that the role assigned to Eleazar in Hovey's celebrated song, as the purveyor of 500 gallons of New England rum in the wilderness, is almost pure fiction. One of his chief concerns was keeping his students out of the local taverns. As for the 500 gallons, they only fill the exigencies of the meter. The passing of two centuries has not distorted the view that here was not only an outstanding personality but a truly dedicated and pious man.

The simple: slab that covers his tomb in the lovely cemetary in Hanover reads in part, "By the Gospel he subdued the ferocity of the savage and to the civilized he opened the paths of science."

Back in the current century, sadly, we have to report the addition of another name to the list of '27ers who have completed their careers, namely Joseph H. Gintzler in July.

And lastly, be sure to include the 55th in your plans for June 11-13, 1982. See you there!

11 Rolling Lane Wayland, Mass. 01778