1923

60TH REUNION

Since Ike Phillips has thoroughly covered the details of our 60th reunion program, and the minutes of the morning meeting on June 14 have been sent to all of you, there isn't much more that can be said about our wonderful three days in Hanover. Just for the record, however, and the benefit of those in adjoining classes, a few highlights:

For the reunion committee members plus a few helpers the activities began Sunday afternoon with a few hours stuffing envelopes with programs, lists, tickets, etc. There was a dividend attached to this effort, however, in the form of one of the finest buffet suppers we have ever enjoyed at the Inn dining room.

Perhaps the most appreciated of the arrangements for the next three days was the availability of nearby lodgings. There were 20 rooms at the Inn and 26 at the nearby Lodge to accommodate the 87 of us present. This included 44 classmates, 31 wives and widows, and 12 other guests. The Hayward Lounge was all ours, and for the long hauls to such affairs as the Tuck School and Medical School luncheons, buses were provided.

Monday was a day of "settling in" together with the graduate school luncheons, President and Mrs. McLaughlin's garden reception, and the Glee Club's evening concert. I agree with Ike that the addition of female voices to the singing is a big plus.

On Tuesday, the 1923 memorial service in Rollins Chapel was particularly impressive. Pete Jones conducted it. Memories of good friends were all around us as we paid tribute to them in an environment that, with its brightened interior, is no longer the depressing place we knew so well.

Ac 11:15 on Tuesday we held our class meeting. The nominating committee's recommendation that all present class officers be elected to serve another five-year term was accepted. Reports of the meeting are included in the minutes which were sent you under separate cover. Some of the ladies and others who did not attend the meeting were much impressed with the question-and-answer period conducted by President McLaughlin and former New Hampshire Governor Walter Peterson '47. After a fine luncheon at the Outing Club we were relatively free until the class reception in the Inn Tavern Room, followed by the class dinner at Thayer Hall. Pete Jones emceed, CharlieZimmerman was principal speaker, and, quite appropriately, Blanche Gelfant, professor of English and occupant of the Robert E. Maxwell Chair, also spoke. Understandably for me at least, as well as for Connie, the high point was her election to class membership.. Ike, in his usual courtly and generous way, tells about it in his most recent "Skiddoo."

All reunions, particularly those at the fiveyear milestones, call up memories of reunions past. I searched through my file of old ALUMNI MAGAZINES to recall some. I could find no record of any until the 25th, which was really a big one. Following are a few reminders of it, as described by Truman Metzel, class secretary at the time:

Charlie Rice was reunion chairman and 458 '23 people were on hand, with 174 men, 118 wives, and 166 children taking over six dormitories. Attendance was so high the class picture was taken in three sections. A super-sized tent handled cocktail parties, breakfasts, a steady consumption of beer, music, and Red Carbaugh's bid for the theatrical trade a buck and wing dance with samba overtones. The men wore white hats with '23 numerals, and the women had handbags designed by OpalMarie Zimmerman. Monk Keith was the classmate who traveled farthest for the reunion, as he did again this year. Class officers elected for the following five years were Truman Metzel as secretary-chairman, Colin Stewart as treasurer, and Lee Young as class agent. Some of the guests present at the class dinner were Dean Pudge Neidlinger, Father Sliney, and Bishop Dallas. The principal speakers were Bishop Dallas and Jules Rippel, who presented President Dickey with the class gift of $109,955.40. Contributions came from 431 givers with 92 per cent participating. The unforgettable Prexy Hopkins made one of his rare, at that time, public appearances and closed thmeeting with these words: "I am proud to belong to a college which can produce a class like 1923 and proud to know a class like yours which can produce a college like Dartmouth." Memories! Memories!

As of this moment, it has been decided that we shall have no official 65th reunion. Going back over the record, however, I find that the classes of 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, and 1918 all had official 65ths. We may change our minds. Who knows?

Large group activities form the backbone of reunions, but one-on-one ruminations and reminiscencesare surely the meat of most quinquennial gatherings. Proving the point, here two members of the classof 1923 engage in earnest conversation.

Box 2 Francestown, NH 03043