1956

How quickly we forget! Less than six months after our glorious 25th reunion, what has happened to the spirit that brought so many of us back together? Dartmouth Night, October 23, 1981, Hanover, N.H.: Your secretary and his wife Ann (daughter of Henry L. Fleet '25) were the only, repeat only, representatives of the class of '56 that marched in the Homecoming parade. No matter that it was pouring rain, that Dave Orr '57 cared not in what order class standardbearers lined up. Do we care so little that we were afraid to get our feet wet? (And our ankles and our knees.) Or is this the way the class conveys its view that if the secretary wishes to get pneumonia he is welcome to it?

The weekend had better monents, however, including the football game, which provided two blocked punts in the first five minutes right in front of the section where the class seats were. We had good representation in the CubeConroy wing of the White Town Ho-Jo's. Among those registered were Cliff Allen, Joel Ash, Ted Bremble, Don Davidoff, Tom Harper, Phil Hinkle, Mike Levy, Clem Malin, Flint Ranney, and Ted Rowe. Wives and children were also conspicuous. John Higgs could not make it at the last moment, but wife Helen and one daughter showed up, bringing much-needed winter clothes to another daughter at Dartmouth. Seen at the indoor Dartmouth Night festivities were John Allen with wife Judy and the Steve Swenson family. No Ho-Jo's for the Swensons they camped out at Storrs Pond. Once a chubber, always a chubber.

Saturday dawned bright and clear. The immediate result was to cut down the attendance at the abbreviated class meeting. In addition to the secretary, Ken Bridge, Tom Harper, and Flint Ranney showed up. "It is a small college. . . ." Nonetheless, a spirited discussion concerning several issues took place. In deference to our absent classmates, we made no earth-shaking decisions but will pass along our thoughts to Doug Keare.

The football game provided an opportunity to see more of our classmates. Among those sitting in the class section (we finally made the west side of the stadium) were Bob Danzinger, TomHealy, Josh Hill, Glen French, Line Spaulding, and Jack Wheatley. Forgive those missed, please! Following the game many went on to dinner together at Ho-Jo's, although a number of us skipped it to provide children and their friends a welcome change from Thayer for one evening.

The next class get-together is scheduled for January 29 and 30 in New York City. Note that this is one week earlier than the previous announcement. Make your reservations early with Cube.

While we were at Dartmouth for Homecoming, the opportunity presented itself to review the new journalistic offerings the Dartmouth Review and the Harbinger, the latter attempting apparently to offer an alternative to the former. In the Review were an article on thievery at Thayer (not food, certainly), a letter on the performance of cheerleaders, an interview with Milton Friedman, and articles on federal housing programs and the difference between Harvard and Dartmouth. The Harbinger offered articles which discussed the possibilities of Dartmouth adopting a residential college system, establishing a college co-op, and improving the role of fraternities. There were also an article on nuclear armaments and an interview with President Dave McLaughlin '54. In thinking about the fuss that is being made over the emergence of one of these journals, a bumper sticker that was popular in Washington, D.C., in 1976 comes to mind: "I disagree with your bumper sticker but will defend to the death your right to stick it." Enough said.

By the time this column appears it will be the holiday season. To all and their families, season's greetings and best wishes for the new year. Peace.

15 Old Hyde Road Weston, Conn. 06883