1934

Now that we have found out about the families we reared, and our vigorous parenting has simmered down to the special days when the average three and a half grandchildren arrive, what else have we been doing for our communities? Well, we've lent our '34 enthusiasm to a swarm of local activities. Based on questionnaire replies, and for this summary merging current with past activity, 45 percent have been or are active in a professional association, and 32 percent in a business association some were in both.

Many were also members of one of the organizations that tie bonds together over luncheons and projects: 15 percent were Rotarians, five percent Kiwanians, and 13 percent Masons. The Lions were dominant in some areas, and Civitan, Optimist, and Elks, along with service connected groups such as American Legion and VFW, were named.

Looking at the boards where many vital community decisions are made, 40 percent have served church or synagogue in that way. There were 20 percent on country club boards, and ten percent each on library boards, on school boards, and now on condo/ co-op boards. Gordon Hunter has headed his YMCA board.

Mostly in the past now, 20 percent were involved as Scout leaders and ten percent as coaches of aspiring young athletes. A fullthroated seven percent can sing for their suppers they are active in choral groups. And that brings us to some of the other specialized activities mentioned maybe you'll note a soul mate you hadn't suspected. Our wildlife looks for protection to John Poole and AceMiller. Growing things count on the conversation efforts of Art Wood, Ed Kaiser, DickEmerson, Walt Bryant, Karl Weber, and that "volunteer master gardener," Arne Yensen.

When it comes to promoting local attractions, the chambers of commerce have looked to Laurie Herman and Bill Wyne, or if trying to encourage small businesses, to Mike Menchel or to John Roberts if needing architectural review or to Ed Kelly for running community employment programs. Many, like Art Moebius, have helped local historical societies or have been a prime factor for the community's art or science museum, like Nick Xanthaky, Gordon Kibbe, John Hoyt, and Andy Donaldson. Local symphony orchestras have looked to Art Leonard, HerbHawkes, and Charlie Armes for guidance and to Don Allen and Bob Goodman for performing talent.

Mac Collins, of course, scores heavily with his activity, SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives). Charlie Strauss has been contributing a valuable service by making records for the blind several times a week. (The Alumni Magazine noted that Kent Rhodes '33 received the Volunteer of the Year Award from Reader's Digest for this service.) WaltCrandell lists a healthy side activity for a doctor ski council. And if we get in trouble from all this activity, we could call on HerbAndresen, who has been active in "Crime Alert," or on Bill Gilmore, who has been on the "Sheriff's Posse" out there in rugged Arizona country.

In addition to these community activities there are many who have been active in the political sector, and we'll take a look at that next time.

You know from the newsletter that BerniceWendall, Jim's widow, passed away this winter at her home in Grand Rapids. She had been a strong support for Jim while he served for a dozen years as our initial bequest chairman.

It is Alumni Fund season, and you don't need further reminders that Dartmouth looks on the class of 1934 as a champion. We don't want that aura tarnished. Fortunately that doesn't require us to duplicate our 50th-year explosion. Our target is 15 percent over our 1983 results. Vinnie Cerow, matching gifts chairman, reminded us that many companies have expanded their programs to include retirees, so be sure to check with your old organizations to see if that might apply to you.

As we in '34 all know, he writes very well indeed about others, yet he is often shy in revealing his own accomplishments. But I was tipped off by a Hanover source that a recent headline in The Dartmouth blazoned: "Scherman heads panel on careers in media." Our Bill Scherman, who is author of How ToGet the Right Job In Publishing, described four major paths to a job in the media: (1) being a genius whom any media representative would be a fool not to hire; (2) being lucky enough to stumble into the right place at the right time; (3) having persistence enough to write many letters inquiring about jobs and then following those up with phone calls; and (4) having "good old American know-who," which is important in both getting entry-level jobs and switching to the so-called plum jobs. Douglas Greenwood '66, editor of the AlumniMagazine, moderated the panel.

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