1935

Just a couple of news items (that's all I have), then on to the blackmail and a possibly controversial proposal that may generate enough response to make the December column a little less of a unilateral operation.

Sax Ziemen, the social butterfly of your secretarial team (Sax is associate class secretary), reports a gathering of 1935's Cape Cod contingent, hosted by Bud Cahoon and Eileen. This was no simple cocktail function, since the Cahoon protocol requires the greeting of visiting dignitaries with a cannon salute. Bucks Weil and wife Jean, along with the Ziemens, were on hand from out of town, so a two-gun salute was deemed in order. The cannon refused to cooperate at first, but with expert advice from former artillery officer John Wallace (and a little help from a handy croquet mallet), percussion was finally achieved. Much to everyone's surprise, the salute was answered in kind from the opposite shore - The Great Class never does things halfway.

Others present included Helen Wallace, Mercer Curtis and Marian, Al Dodd and Marianne, and Dick Kenny and Libby. Despite the abundance of food and refreshment, everyone went home sober possibly in shock reaction to the heavy cannonading.

Dero Saunders reports an impending visit (as of August 15) to merry England - the 15th for him and Bea in as many years. Dero points out that he has steered the Coltons, Radaschs, Wallaces, and Leys to the pleasant group of flats that has become his standard headquarters in London and offers to do the same for any other classmates who might be interested. The Saunderses will make a side trip to Stockholm and also take in, with "horsey friends north of London," the Burleigh Horse Trials in Lincolnshire - "a different world." Perhaps Dero will let us have one or three paragraphs on just what comprises the difference.

As of this moment, that's all the news anyone has seen fit to supply. However, in pursuance of the threat posed in the October column, I am pleased to report that, to the best of my knowledge, there is absolutely no truth to any allegation you may have heard involving John Wallace in the operation of a gambling hall under the protection of local authorities in Wellfleet. John was known to sit in on a few poker games at the Chi Phi house in his day, but I seriously question whether he could spare any time from his yard work and world travels to lend actuarial, expertise to a bunch of professional gamblers, no matter what the inducement.

As you can see, I am concentrating my first campaign of n6n-vilification on John and will continue to do so until I get some real lowdown on his activities - extra-legal or otherwise - direct from the horse's mouth. (The anatomical geography is premeditated.)

That, however, is not to say that I don't have a full dossier of denials and disclaimers of allegations and rumors concerning such matters as the involvement of BillRussell in the New York City offshore dumping scandal; Put Kingsbury's association with the Cheshire County Mafia; Jack Au Werter's participation in a Ponzitype scam known as the Shaker Heights Pyramid; Dick Meyer's alleged effort to get Flo into the Texas Miss America contest by falsifying her birth certificate; etc., etc. You have been warned! I will be happy to substitute fact for allegation if you will but provide me with some.

As to potential controversy, I have two proposals, one of which will have to wait till the next issue, for lack of space. I have a son, class of '79, and a granddaughter, class of 'B6; both show great interest in The Great Class of 1935. And I know of at least a dozen other '35s whose Darmouth offspring have been directly involved with said Great Class in one way or another. It has occurred to me that beneficial relationships might be developed within class ranks by setting up some kind of affiliated membership (honorary doesn't seem to be the right word) for our second and third generation Dartmouths. This would entitle them to receive the "Tear Bag," attend mini-reunions, class meetings, and local gatherings, and even provide appropriate commentary for our class notes column in the magazine (how I would love that!).

My kids say they like the idea. How about yours? Actual membership, whatever we might call it, would involve nothing more than a genuine show of interest, plus payment of nominal dues, sufficient to cover the cost of mailings. Let me know what you think - this could be as hot an item as the Indian symbol, ROTC, or women on campus. If there is enough interest, the matter could be brought up at the '86 mini-reunion.

Box 986 Sag Harbor, NY 11963