1934
As I write, snow has just left the Hudson valley, but when you read this, May will be shining and '34 thoughts will be focused on returning to celebrate the "Gold on the Green," June 8-10. Latest word from chairman Bill Wilson showed 150 classmates and widows sure to come, with at least 25 more hoping to make it, so with our wives we should have a gala group of more than 300.
Elmer Fulton is busy arranging an exhibit at Baker Library of the books and articles published by the class communicators. Trust you sent him any appropriate item that's not already part of the Baker Library collection. As an old Buckeye, one item I'm especially eager to see is an illustrated treatise with over 200 photos, Outdoor Sculpture in Ohio, by DickCampen. It should be quite a treat with a lot of "things I never knew till now" about our classmates. Harry and Kay Wallace are in charge of setting up a memorabilia room in Silsby Hall. These are items you can still search for around the house and bring to Hanover with you. It should be a wonderful way to journey back in time.
Keep in mind that you don't have to end your 1984 Hanover visit with reunion. You can add new ideas and fresh historical perspectives (to replace those you've forgotten) by coming back to the Alumni College, the oldest such in the country and now in its 21st year. Or you could get a real lift from a rousing Rassias language minicourse.
One of those you can catch on the Green in a rare appearance offstage is our man AlanHewitt. I had a clipping sent by a '23 from Los Angeles about the special tribute in New York to Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. As BillScherman reported in the newsletter, our Alan was one of the celebrities on stage that day, having been in many plays with the Lunts. The Lunts had a record 20 plays written specifically for them by Sherwood, Behrman, Anderson, and others. Alan was introduced as the only living actor who has appeared in three Pulitzer Prize-winning plays.
One of the previously "not certain" attendees, Isobel Brennon, now is coming with George and Marion Donehue and is looking forward to seeing many of Barn's good friends. She said, "We made all reunions except the fifth, when we were on our honeymoon and had run out of money." You'll also be seeing two couples fresh from a reunion warm-up in Hawaii: a smiling photo of Boband Gusta Goodman alongside Stu and AnnaBarber proves they are glowingly ready for Hanover.
Then you'll be seeing Joe Swensson up from Manchester, Conn., with Biz, his state representative wife who is happily walking again after a rough hit-and-run encounter and who is still quite active in the political arena. Who else do we know who had an engraved invitation for luncheon at the White House this year! Joe was a Tuck major whose career had a reunion connection. He met his future boss while socializing in the 20-year reunion tent the week he graduated from Tuck in 1935. The temporary job Joe was offered with the Norton Company lasted 37 years. He worked as product engineer and advertising manager until a mild stroke prompted retirement in 1972. Since then he has done a lot of rewarding local volunteer work, heading up the planning board, the Rotary, the Red Cross, and the Home Health Aide Service. When writing, Joe sent a clipping that showed his neighbor, Al Hine, being honored for his many contributions to the Greater Hartford community and the automotive industry there.
One classmate you probably won't get to see at reunion is Irving Diamond. He had a heart attack two years ago, and other illness followed which have kept him from wandering far from his Manhattan apartment. Irv was an English and philosophy major when he decided to attend Tuck. Could that unique combination be the reason he landed "bag and baggage" in the right line of business from the very start? He joined Wings Luggage, soon designing an entire line of new products: better cosmetic cases. He won a number of industry awards and 20 years ago led the trend toward casual luggage. While action is restricted now, he has the comfort of knowing his son is in charge of the business and his two daughters are close by. Daughter Barbara gave us this welcome update at his request.
The 1984 Alumni Fund will be well underway when you read this trumpeting that this is the fund's 70th year and the year in which they want to surpass $10 million. The class of 1934 is well aware of the importance of this year's drive, with reunion-giving chairman Stan Smoyer, head agent BobThompson, and the work crew leaving no stone unturned in pressing toward our 50th-year target. One growth aspect of the Alumni Fund has been the spreading practice of matching funds. Ted Gregory is helping to find such hidden treasure. The matching fund policies of companies can change and include retirees, too, as I happily found out recently.
And finally, where do you think Roily Wilson went this past winter? You guessed it Antarctica! His greetings from aboard the Lindblad Explorer spoke of "icebergs to port and starboard" and penguins giving welcome with shouts and fin-flipping.
See you on the Green!
JUNE 8TH,9TH & 10TH
140 North Broadway, #F12 Irvington, NY 10533
