1968
15TH REUNION
We arrived at our Fayerweather HQ on Friday, June 17, and were greeted by the broad smile of Ed Heald. It was a hot and beautiful day, hotter than Texas, as Dan Hedges noted, but there was an immediate and pervading sense of magic, fellowship, and anticipation as former friends greeted each other and new friends were made. No time was lost those not engaged in reminiscing were out attacking Mt. Moosilauke or escaping the heat at Storrs Pond with '58. Campion's, the Co-Op, and other local retailers were helping us upgrade our Dartmouth identities (yes, even some Indian ties were spotted). Those in town by noon may have had Dikkon Eberhart autograph his second novel, Paradise, at the Dartmouth Bookstore. Perhaps a few were enjoying the computer course in the cool of Spaulding.
The gang was rolling in fast in the p.m. Thanks to the organization and hard work of Reunion Chairman Joe Grasso, his registration team, and undergraduate assistants, all were checked in quickly. We got spruced up for the parade to Thompson Arena, our first glimpse of '67 and '69 and, for many, our first look at this fine facility. I watched our head puckster, John Meehan, and I think the sight of that structure brought back a raft of memories and a lump in the throat as we passed Smoyer Lounge. A fine dinner was highlighted by an alumni glee club performance. The voices of '67, '6B, and '69 were as enthusiastic and powerful as ever. Off we went to a warm reception in President McLaughlin's garden, then back to the Hop for a Glee Club concert and another first for many the sound of women's voices in that group. It was a great performance bolstered by our own reunion glee clubbers. On we went to the tents and the find of the decade one Charlie Bradshaw, a sing-along piano player who banged out sixties tunes from memory, non-stop, until the keys were ready to collapse. "Discovered" several years ago by Joe Grasso in Lamie's Tavern in Hampton, NH, Charlie gave an unparalleled performance!
Saturday morning breakfast was followed by our class meeting chaired by John McNamara in 105 Dartmouth. Perhaps the greatest challenge of attending was holding back the tears as Greg Marshall, now a minister in Meriden, NH, gave a brief, powerful, and touching memorial message and read the names of our deceased classmates. For reasons known only to the Almighty, we have lost many more than the classes surrounding us. We had good cause to remember these good men who lived full lives until their potentials were nipped in the bud. Business followed, along with a vigorous and humorous discussion on the merits of taking only one plate at the forthcoming picnic (we were charged by the plate) a true belt-tightening strategy. In later discussion of our Alumni Fund performance, it appeared that a little belt-tightening, planning, and purse-opening were indeed in order, and some ground was laid to focus on future reunion fund drives, especially the 25th. In looking foward at the next five years, the leadership for that time frame was announced by John Engelman, chairman of the nominating committee: president, Joe Grasso; secretary, Bob Block; treasurer, John Pfeiffer; newsletter editor, Jack Noon; head agent, Mark Waterhouse; Alumni Councilor, David Stanley; and mini-reunion chairman, Ed Heald. In addition, the following classmates were named to the executive committee: Bill Adler, Randy Blair, Don Clausing, Steve Calvert, Frank Couper, Ken Dardick, Peter Dunn, John Engelman, Peter Fahey, Bill Hoyt, John Lazarus, Dave Loring, John McNamara, Jon Newcomb, John O'Shea, Jim Payne, Jon Page, Burt Quist, Bob Reich, Bill Rich, Jack Sedwick, Richard Thorner, Jim Tonkqvich.
We adjourned, ready for another blast into the past, present, and future in the form of a reunion seminar entitled "Choices," run by Steve Calvert and Professor of Psychiatry Stan- ley Rosenberg. This was a thought- and emo- tion-provoking session. The objective was to share the things we find important in our lives now and compare those things we had to (and have been willing to) give up, temporarily or permanently, in order to place our priorities where we now think they belong. The question lingered: Are we different somehow as a group because of the times we grew up in, the fact that we are baby boomers, the war in Vietnam, or whatever? This question may linger, but an encouraging feeling emanated from the gather- ing and the sharing was, perhaps, "different, maybe, but certainly not alone." Off to Storrs Pond we went to eat, drink, visit, play, and fend off another scorcher. There was some debate on who was having more fun, the parents or the kids. The program for chil- dren of all ages was impressive. Classmates were definitely outnumbered by family mem- bers; 118 '6Bers officially attended, with 170 spouses and children, for a grand total of 288 present. Unofficially, we were proably over 300, and I understand we out-distanced '67 and '69 with both more classmates and more total attendees. Some came from afar, notably our Norwegian contingent of Hans Mehren and Jens Raanaas and families; Larry Hall all the way from Seoul, Korea; and Doc Hagen from Naples, Italy (relocating back to the States, I believe).
Saturday evening it was hot and showers were threatening. Expecting a miracle, we had cocktails and a fine steak dinner outdoors on the banks of Occom Pond; thunder and lightning boomed overhead, but there was not a drop of rain. Joe Grasso made thoughtful remarks and rendered thanks for the service of outgoing class officers. Then the podium was turned over to Noel Perrin, professor of English, who kept us on the edges of our chairs with his four short stories relating to the theme of "constancy." Noel proved to be a marvelous storyteller and a skilled orator, with important messages drawn from daily life. He perhaps also brought back to mind the calibre of faculty many of us had the good fortune to experience as undergraduates.
We sauntered down to the new Collis Student Center and a joint party with '69. Collis is an impressive addition to the College, reminiscent of a large ski lodge. We danced to the "Flames," who flamed-out early, so most moved to the booming '67 tent, where records provided music. A heavy shower (at last) around midnight cooled us off a bit but did nothing to dampen the spirits of those en route from the flameout. A rather late night was had by all, and the dawn came quickly. Sunday morning, as some were wolfing down breakfast, others were grinding it out in the reunion run (6.2 and 2.0 miles). I don't have all the entries or results, but we had a good contingent running in the 6.2-mile. Although we didn't capture the top places, Jay Cary was in the 10th to 15th position, followed by Doc Hagen, then by Bill Clark and Dan Hedges, who finished together. Bill Philip might not have finished so high on the ladder, but he got kudos for his shirt which advertised his services in psychotherapy, moving, and hauling! Then we were packing up and experiencing the emotion of all-too-soon goodbyes.
This was a great gathering and a hint of reunions yet to come. We missed those who were not able to be there and thank the reunion committee for producing such a fine event: Joe Grasso, chairman; Ron Weiss, treasurer; Jim Tonkovich, publicity; Bill Hoyt, food and beverages; John McNamara, uniform; Steve Calvert, seminar; Jim Donnelly, registration; and John O'Shea, entertainment. And there are always those who are on no committee but rise to the occasion and offer valuable assistance. Our thanks go out to those "unsung heroes" as well.
I noted that the most frequently-asked question at reunion was, "Have you heard any news of. . . . ?" So as I pen my final words as class scribe, I thank all of you for your support over the past ten years and I ask those who have not been in touch to re-surface and those who've stayed in touch to keep doing so . . . and keep Bob Block rolling in news!
DAVE LORING '68
Reflective gazes are much in evidence at reunions but it's hard to tell if these two '68s arerecalling some freshman-year prank or are cogitating a return to the buffet table. The two were partof the group of 118 '6Bs who returned to Hanover for their 15th.
Mcintosh Lane Bennington, VT 05201
