1950

Three glorious days! Even the drive was enjoyable, a time to exult in the changing scene and season. The countryside shone in copper and gold with highlights of scarlet under a canopy of unblemished blue.

As night fell, temperatures dropped. The special excitement of Dartmouth Night filled the air. Grand Marshal Bob Blackman signaled the start of the torchlight parade as a hunter's moon rose in a cloudless sky. Ten bands intermingled with the long green line of classes from 1917 to 1987 wending around the campus.

The banner with "a touch of class" an aegis of green on white easily visible even at night was borne by various stalwart standard bearers: Gordie Pinkham, George Jewett, Ben Shaver, Bill Broadbent, and SandyMcCulloch. The assembled multitudes a swelling crowd of town and gown and country observed and applauded the passing of the class of 1950.

Songs rivaling cheers filled the frosty air, although the chant of '87 paled compared to '86. Drumbeats set the tempo and excited anticipation. Coaches and captains promised victory, as Hal Fitkin listened appreciatively. The crowd flowed to mid-campus to perform its ritual dance around the totemic bonfire, which strove, unbuffeted by winds, to touch the moon.

A nightcap at the Woodstock Inn was shared with Bill and Liz Sullivan, Dan andJoanne Featherston, and Nev and RandiChamberlain.

The next morning was crisp and clear. DickEchikson and Jack Kent shared the drive with me and watched the rising sun play hide-and-seek among the dark green hills. The river valleys boiled with mist and fog, even wisps of frozen crystals, shrouded Hanover. The Outing Club, a warming fire glowing, filled for meeting and brunch. FizzNichols, Chuck Gardner, Dave Taylor, and Jim Birney exchanged news and memories. At the last moment Ben Johnson unexpectedly appeared.

By game time the mists had cleared, the air was warmer, and October reigned resplendently. Dick McSorley exhorted louder cheers from Don Hall, Bob Mcllwain, and Frank Harrington. As local regulars Ed Tuck and Newc Eldredge rooted from their envied seats on the 50-yard line, Cornell displayed a good runner, tied the score at the half, but posed no real threat.

Post-game festivities at the Woodstock Country Club glowed with exuberance. Jackand Marilee Beatty of Portola Valley, Calif., won the long-distance award. Jack and Ra-chel Newkirk were welcomed for the first time. The gathering of 70 classmates included Gene and Carol Ulrich, Bob and CarolynWilkinson, and Jack and Eleanor Craver. We matched notes with Jack and Jill Harned, who recounted their long vacation in the Swiss Alps. Music by Tom Ruggles concluded the evening (and the night, and the early morning).

Even a mini-reunion takes time and planning. Len and Sue Matless deserve accolades for their attention to all the details.

Gridiron gleanings: The non-Ivies remain a stumbling block, even though two games were close and should have been won. Only Holy Cross, a powerhouse this year, ran away with the game. Victory returned with the resumed Ivy schedule. However, the element of drama is a little strong. Wins have not been secured (nor two games lost) until the last quarter. And Yale, a non-winner burdened this year with its worst record, was hungry and tough enough to hold out until the last 47 seconds. Polsinello and Daly are on target for records galore, but Weissman's running has been slowed.

Tidbits here and there: Nine years ago the San Francisco Ballet, which won acclaim at Spoleto's "Festival of Two Worlds" last spring, was on the verge of dissolution; the single vote that saved the company was cast by Fritz Jewett. In Japan, Dave Hitchcock represented Dartmouth at the centennial of Waseda University. Hardly anyone knows Fred Rogers except the children, who watch his "Mr. Rogers's Neighborhood"; the educators, who bestow awards on him; the child-development specialists, who praise his attention to the unique problems and needs of childhood; and Johnny Carson or Eddie Murphy, who spoof him. Two faces in the crowd at Yale Bowl were Chuck Gardner and Scott Olin.

Only yesterday summer ended. Today still reflects October's glow. Then suddenly the holiday season quickens and surrounds us. Enjoy wassail and season's cheer. So long, and peace.

John F. Stockwell '49, left, who recently.assumed the post of executive director of theKing Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh,Saudi Arabia, is congratulated upon his appointmentby Abdul Rahman Al-Arfaj, right,director general of the King Saud UniversitySchool of Medicine. More on Stockwell'sSaudi experiences is in the 1949 class notescolumn.

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