1945

I am pleased to report that this year's minireunion weekend was a smashing success. I must qualify that. As you know that the members of your executive committee are all staid and responsible citizens, you also know that does not mean anyone got smashed. But it does mean that a good time was had by all and that George Bar deserves accolades for making the arrangements. The class of 1945's super banner was the hit of the Dartmouth Night parade; the bonfire was spectacular; Room 19 at the Shady Lawn (Lady?) Motel was active as usual; the east stands of Memorial Field provided Indian summer sunning; and dinner at the DOC House was excellent. The football game, you ask? I don't seem to recall a football game.

The meeting of the committee was most productive, particularly with respect to arrangements for our 40th. Cochairmen (persons?) Steve Hull and Bob Paulson are moving right along with plans that include live entertainment on all three nights. Other key members of the reunion committee include Paul Gover, Don Sisson, and Paul Caravatt. And, of course, there's Ted Smith, who's looking for your $4O (refundable) deposit in that Box 1945, Reading, MA 01867.

Especially for you non New Englanders, the second evening will be highlighted by a clambake, Maine lobsters and all. The excitement begins Monday, June 10. So get out your business calendar right now and scribble right over June 10,11,and 12, 1985: 1945 REUNION HANOVER. The festivities will conclude, by the way, with brunch on Thursday morning.

John Osborne's treasurer's report showed that we presently have 404 dues paying members, the second highest in our history, made up of 315 grads, 77 non grads, and 12 widows. Particularly when you consider that attrition has deleted our potential membership by about 100, you can see that the Spirit of '45 is alive and well and living "round the girdled earth."

This spirit lives on in other ways also. I'm sure that most of you remember classmate Roger S.Brown, and I am pleased to report that I have learned just recently that there is now another Roger Brown. He is the son of Christopher and Marilyn Brown, was born December 24,1981,and bears his grandfath- er's name. Although he lives in Switzerland, where his father is in education,he has already made his mark in New Hampshire. At the tender age of one year and nine months he insisted on climbing most of Mt. Moosilauke by himself, "thereby proving himself to have the same granite in his muscles and his brain as had his late grandfather."

Oh,yes ...I almost forgot. I was helping hold up the 1945 banner during the Dartmouth Night festivities, when a young fellow came up to me and in apparent innocence asked: "Did they have bonfires back in you fellows' time?" Perhaps I was just taken aback, but would you believe that for a few moments I really couldn't remember?

Somewhere in there, there just has to be one of those "You know you're getting old when's. . ."

Box 39 Atkinson,NH 03811