"Ladieees and Gentlemen.

A Show for Children of All Ages Comes to Hanover

{There were rumors that an elephant wasseen grazing on the green for several days inJuly. They proved to be true; indeed, werelinked to the arrival from New York City of aslick circus troupe which gave some eight or ninecompletely sold-out shows. Suspecting that thestory needed a dual perspective say from aformer professional stage manager as well asfrom the unsullied eyes of youth we collaredJim Tonkovich '68, who, with wife and twoyoung sons in tow and a resume that featured aperforming arts background—fit the bill nicely. Mr. Tonkovich filed the following dispatch.Ed.}

My five-year-old took a Big Apple Circus poster to daycare this morning. Wednesday is show-and-tell day, and Chris was quite anxious to discuss his first trip to the circus. When we first talked about going to see the Big Apple Circus, I think he might have had in mind a carnival, much like the one at the Norwich Fair we had attended a few weeks before. If for no other reason, I wanted to take him to a circus so that he would know what they were, as opposed to a carnival or fair. Wendy and I felt strongly that he and his younger brother should have that experience, just as I had at their ages. Great Falls, Montana, was once a major rail pike, so most of the big circuses traveling the country in the late forties and early fifties made a stop there. Those were the big American three-ring variety, though, and interestingly enough, I remember few details from those extravaganzas, other than the circus car cages of exotic animals, the clowns (including the legendary Emmett Kelley on at least one occasion), and the sheer size of the big top.

Our overall assessment of the Big Apple Circus coincided with that of everyone we talked to it was a very classy act! The first indication we had was the thick padding on all the benches; and even though the early afternoon performance had been over less than half an hour before we were admitted, the seats and aisles had been thoroughly cleaned of popcorn boxes and paper cups. I was later told by David Bellows '72, who worries over performers and audiences for the Hop, that he watched circus personnel policing the grassy areas in front of the entranceway for cigarette butts!

The design of the tent was deceptively simple and roomy. Like any traveling set, there was little wasted space, and every light, every piece of rope and rigging, was in its precise space. This was no dusty show just in from the road. Nowhere could you see faded paint or worn equipment. There were higher-priced, box seats. But this is a peoples' circus, and our bleacher seats, like those in a good ballpark, were much better than the wooden folding chairs surrounding the center, and only, ring.

Whether one ring or three, circuses share some common traditions, including the general variety of acts, the circus parade (called by the Big Apple Circus their "Small American Circus Street Parade") and the ringmaster, who, as center-stage personality is the showman who holds all that energy together. Paul Binder '63 must have been born for this role, a realization that undoubtedly came to him on the street corners of Paris as he toyed with the concept of the small American circus and a sister circus school he would later start. The traditional red cutaway fits him perfectly, and his tightly curled dark hair gives him a slightly "artsy," devil-maycare appearance.

Wendy doesn't recall ever having seen a real circus, but her theatre training in areas such as mime, movement, make-up, and acting, itself, was not that distant from training in the circus acts. In most other parts of the world, in fact, theatre has generally had a much broader meaning than in this country, as it included such arts as mime, puppetry, dance, pageants, and circuses themselves. I've heard myself say "circus performer" many times, though never once in the same breath as "stage performer." I've never thought of the similarities between circus schools, such as Ringling's in Florida or Ringmaster Paul Binder's own New York School for Circus Arts and Wendy's alma mater the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. And I am embarassed to say, as a former theatre "techie" and musician, the parallel between a circus crew and circus band and their counterparts on Broadway never occurred to me. Until the Big Apple Circus came to Hanover.

We had been advised by friends to arrive early enough to get seats in the center sec- tion near the tent flaps. The weather dur- ing the circus' stay was beautiful, but un- usually hot, especially under the gaily striped, red, orange, and blue tent. I am always surprised at how large a role the sense of smell plays in recalling memories. Hamburgers cooking on a grill alongside sizzling chopped onions never fail to remind me of baseball games with my dad. And the smell of dry hay always brings back memories of money-in-the-haystack hunts at the Elks picnic. I wonder if Chris and Scott tucked away the memory of that unique combination of smells inside the Big Apple bigtop - of canvas and ropes, dirt, cotton candy and popcorn, and, of course, a lingering hint of horse and elephant manure.

Throughout the nearly three-hour show, I watched my sons' faces, trying to guess their reactions by their expressions. Two and one-half years old is perhaps borderline for the required attention span, while five and a half seems about the right age to begin to soak up all the sights and sounds that bombarded us. For both Chris and Scott, the performance must have been a bit like "Sesame Street" on fast forward. I would love to know what will remain in their memories, say a year from now, other than the clowns, one of whom, "Grandma," had the best part in the whole show. Will it be the gorgeous blonde on the trapeze, performing flawlessly at the top of the tent with no safety net? Will it be the tightrope-walker's forward somersault through a tiny hoop? Or the precision street acrobats of a tumbling-mat version of Michael Jackson and his brothers? The deceptive talents of Binder, himself, in a comedy juggling routine with one of the clowns his old streetcorner partner from Paris? The unbelievable top-spinning balancing act of one of Japan's "Living Treasures"? Or will it be the vertical bodystacking skills of the troupe of acrobats who catapulted themselves from fancy, red teeter-totters?

Or would it be the animals which would linger longest in a child's memory? The young spotted leopard, which spit and clawed the air, then rode submissively around the ring, draped around its train- er's neck? The elegant circus horse and its miniature pony partner? The monkey wearing a Dartmouth t-shirt with Binder's class, '63, in big white numbers? Or would it be the elephant? I remember the circus' advance publicity went something like, "a small, traditional European circus . . . with its own elephant" almost as if in apology for not having more. But only one was needed, for young Toto was as talented as his human counterparts, and seemed to enjoy performing every bit as much. I've heard a number of stories about the Big Apple Circus' stay in Hanover, but one about Toto is my favorite:

Arthur Owen, a troubleshooter for Building and Grounds, was in charge of raising the two flags on the green on the mornings the circus was encamped there. One of the flag poles was within the elephant's snow fence enclosure. The first morning that Arthur encountered Toto and his trainer, he was asked to bow to the elephant, whereupon, with a cue from the trainer, Toto bent one knee and bowed back. The next morning, Arthur was again reminded by the trainer, whose bow was returned by the elephant. The third morning, with no trainer in sight, Arthur forgot to bow, began raising the flag, then felt someone staring at his back. He turned and found the elephant waiting expectantly. So Arthur gave a perfunctory bow, and was astounded to see Toto, with no other cue, slowly return the bow with trunk raised in a salute.

Stuart Bratesman's photos do more justice, to this marvelous circus than I can. But I would like to sum up my impressions of an absolutely crackerjack family of crew and performers by way of a comparison with the only group I worked with in four years at the Hop that impressed me as much, with such a high level of professionalism, training, and enthusiasm. I guess, Mr. Binder, to place you so favorably namely, alongside Sir George Solti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is one small way I have of thanking you for your splendid creation.

Incidentally, I did try to thank Paul Binder personally, as I happened to pass him the morning after the crew struck the bigtop. He was struggling with a trail hitch on his car. I mumbled my thanks and he replied with a kind of exhausted grin, and immediately turned back to getting himself and the few remaining trailers and vans back on the road. Later that day, with only a large circle of bare ground and some worn paths in the grass to mark their presence, it was hard to imagine that more than 11,000 people had been so magically, so thoroughly entertained on the green for four days this summer. But I do have that circus poster to help rekindle memories, that is, //Chris remembers to bring it back from daycare.

Some Highlights, of the AlumniCouncil's 146 th Meeting

The 146 th meeting of the Council of Alumni in Hanover June 2-4. was a very busy and productive session. In addition to the substantial work of the several committees, the Council was addressed President McLaughlin, Dean Shanahan, and others. President McLaughlin stated that recent actions by the Trustees, the administration, and the faculty will "positively alter the fundamental character" of the College particularly by improving the quality of residential life. On the drawing board are: 1) A $14.5 million program to establish and define a new residential life system based on clustered dormitories. 2) A $ 1.7 million renovation of Thayer Hall. 3) A $16.5 million expansion and renovation of The College's athletic facilities subject to successful fund raising.

Enrollment and Admissions

Chairman David Saunders '63 reported on the preliminary profile of the Class of 1987, which will matriculate about 1060 (42% women). There will be 85 to 90 blacks in the class. The Committee noted Dartmouth's great success in interviewing, but enrollment/recruiting programs need strengthening, possibly with greater utilization of undergraduates, as well as on-going by young alumni.

Alumni Continuing Education

Chairman John Van de Kamp '56 gave the Council a brief rundown of continuing education activities, including the 1983 Alumni College which attracted over 250 participants. He also reported on the success of the club seminar programs (15), special Hanover seminars (8), Alumni Colleges Abroad (6), plus other special programs from which over 2,000 alumni have benefited.

Faculty Report

Professor Jere Daniell '55 provided the Council with some insight into the faculty's recent vote to modify the Dartmouth Plan with a 35-course, 12-term graduation requirement. This vote appears to end a decade of calendar-year "experimentation" and would seem, according to Daniell, to be a clear stamp of faculty approval of the basic year-round calendar.

Native American Visiting Committee

Chris Nicholson '74, Chairman, reviewed the 12-Year Report of the Visiting Committee. The Committee's purpose: to provide a forum for discussion of issues and concerns to the Native American Program and to adivse the President on the program. Since the Program's inception in 1970, 128 Native Americans have matriculated, with 81 having graduated from Dartmouth or other institutions. This 66% rate compares very favorably with the national average of 39%.

Thayer School

The Thayer School Representative, William Bonneville '54, TH'55, brought the Council up-to-date on the engineering education offered by Dartmouth. There continues to be great concern over the general national trend of fewer advanced degrees in engineering, and its implications for future faculty. There is also a critical shortage of advanced research and technology in both academic and industrial sectors. Nevertheless, the engineering major is the fifth largest undergraduate major at Dartmouth, with approximately one-half going on to advanced engineering degrees.

Tuck School

Tuck School Representative, Robert Danziger '56, T'57, reported on the "superb" condition of the School, giving due credit to the retiring dean, Richard West. The new Dean, Colin C. Blaydon, from Duke, began his duties in July. Applications were strong again this year, with 1710 to 140 places; 335 were accepted with a resulting yield of 42%. The class profile revealed an average age of 25, with 20% married and 80% with prior work experience (1 in 10 was a Dartmouth undergrad).

Bequest and Estate Planning Committee

The Committee's activities were reported by Judson Pierce '33, Chairman. He projected an 1982—83 total of $6.7 million to be added to the $115 million raised through this program since 1951. The program's new name will be the Bequestsand Trusts Program, more accurately reflecting its charge. Gary Dicovitsky '72 has joined the Bequests and Trusts Office as the third associate.

Alumni Honored

The Council also passed resolutions honoring several Dartmouth men for their service to the College and the Council. Excerpts from the resolutions follow:

Robert D. Brace '52

The Council expresses its deepest appreciation and sincerest congratulations to Robert D. Brace '52 for his outstanding leadership of the Dartmouth Alumni Fund over the past three years representing only the second time in the 69-year history of the Alumni Fund that an alumnus has served three consecutive years as Alumni Fund Chairman. Bob Brace has guided the Alumni Fund in raising a total of $26.2 million in unrestricted funds for the College, during these three campaigns taking the Fund from a $6.8 level to the record $9.7 expected this year.

Charles E. Widmayer '30

"Retirement" is a fragile barque in the 1980s, unlike the ironclad vessel it was in days of yore. Yet even in a sea of semiretirements and consultancies, you stand as a beacon, Charlie. And we stand to pay tribute to a stalwart alumnus whose grateful alma mater has called him out of retirement not once, or twice, but three times.

Only shortly after you retired in 1973 from your 30-year stint at the helm of the Alumni Magazine, you were first called away from the shores of surcease with the Trustees' commission to produce a biography of Ernest Martin Hopkins. That threeand-a-half-year assignment had just barely receded over the horizon when you were again shanghaied to serve as interim editor for Tuck Today. Then last December, the call for a seasoned hand once more brought you back to pilot the Alumni Magazine through rough waters.

Now, we greet you at the harbor of your fourth retirement with a 21-gun salute and a dip of the ensign of the flagship Dartmouth.

Philip D. Mclnnis '36

The Alumni Council salutes Philip D. Mclnnis '36 on his retirement as Assistant Treasurer of Dartmouth College. Returning to Hanover in 1962 Phil has been a very active Friend of Athletics and President of Friends of Dartmouth Hockey. His community and state directorships have included YMCA and Blue Cross, and he has served on the State of New Hampshire and local New Hampshire School Boards. Before service on this Council from 1959 to 1962 he was President of the Merrimack County Dartmouth Club and he has long been active in class affairs as a member of the '36 Executive Committee.

Addison L. Winship II '42

The Council wishes to express its special recognition stemming from its great respect, affection, and admiration for a former Council member Addison L. Winship II '42 who as Vice President for Alumni Affairs and Development, directed and inspired a dedicated.and superbly trained Hanover staff which serviced and helped make possible the outstanding success achieved by the College's five-year Campaign for Dartmouth. This concluded last December with an extraordinary total of $204 million contributed to the financial resources of Dartmouth. The Council recognizes that Ad moves into his final year as a College officer, and we salute and wish him well in these final months leading to his official retirement a year hence.

A. Alexander Fanelli '42

The Alumni Council wishes to pay tribute to A. Alexander Fanelli, one of the nicest, most humane and competent officers this College has ever known an officer and agentleman retiring this spring after 16 and a half years of selfless service to three Presidents and, more importantly, to the entire Dartmouth community. Competence has come easy to you, but competence without humanity is something else. Your unlimited supply of warmth, grace, and civility has set you aside wherever you have walked.

Rev. Warner R. Traynham '57

The Council wishes Dean of the Tucker Foundation Warner R. Traynham '57 continued success as he moves his ministry on June 30 to Los Angeles where he will become rector of St. John's Episcopal Church. Dean Traynham's influence on campus has been notable for broad student involvement in the programs of the Tucker Foundation.

Seaver Peters '54

Pete has served Dartmouth and the Dartmouth family with enthusiasm, distinction, and integrity during his twenty-four years of service, the last sixteen in the capacity of Director of Athletics. These sixteen years have been among the most significant in the annals of Dartmouth sports, since they covered the completion and dedication of the Thompson Arena, the addition of a number of other sport facilities, and new intercollegiate teams with the advent of coeducation. During these years Dartmouth teams won seventeen Ivy League titles, including a dozen in football, two in hockey, and three in women's basketball. It is with great regret that we say so long to Seaver Peters, although we understand happily that Pete and his family will remain in this area as he pursues other endeavors. (See "A Veteran Moves On," pp. 62-64.)

Opposite: Toto the elephant lifts his young rideraloft. Following page: Ringmaster Paul Binder '63 cavorts with Thetford's ThaddeusPoulter, a prospective '99, in one of those moments Thad won't soon forget. Photos by StuartBratesman '75.