1935
Fresh from last issue's famine comes this issue's feast. Thanks to the green card included with the "Tear Bag," I have more messages than I can do full justice to not an unhappy feeling!
You will be getting a full report in the "Tear Bag" on the Class Officers Weekend (COW) of May 2 and 3, so I will touch on only a couple of items that I found especially significant. (It was my first COW experience.)
Most impressive was the enormous enthusiasm of the some 450 alumni participants. Acknowledging the obvious fact that the College is having more than its share of problems these days, the prevailing sentiment was that our feeling for Dartmouth is something totally independent of any sentiments we may entertain concerning current developments, and that the College will, as it always has, survive its problems of the moment and remain the kind of institution we know and love. There are dedicated, competent, representative people on the Board of Trustees putting in a lot of time to assure that.
Which leads almost automatically to a plug for the Alumni Fund, which is an essential resource for all the functions that make Dartmouth the unique institution most of us perceive. I've had a couple of cards indicating an intention to withhold contributions this year an attitude which seems to me to fit the "cutting off the nose" category. Chacun a son gout!
Let me also put in a plug for a recording made by the College's new wind ensemble, soon to be released, which will include a specially commissioned composition, "Dartmouth Fantasy." I guarantee it will raise the same goosebumps, for most of you, that it generated in the '35 contingent at the Friday night concert. Dero Saunders, incidentally, was one of the five alumni selected to present the coveted Alumni Awards an honor for him and, by association, for The Great Class! I should also note that, had there been a Jazziest Outfit of the Evening Award, it would have been a shoo-in for Helen Wallace, who showed up in a red and black silk jacket and slacks ensemble that caused at least a dozen cases of whiplash among some of the younger alumni.
Getting along to classmate communications: on the Hanover Troubles front, Bucks Weil reports reassuring conversations with Smith, Wallace, and Colton to quiet his alarm over what's been happening; O. Fay Allen offers the most succinct comment: "I am for tepees on the campus Green"; and Bill Hands registers unhappiness with the faculty involvement.
Bill has just acquired a winter refuge in Stuart, Fla., and on that subject, CamDuncan, noting The Great Class's mass migration to Florida, suggests Texas as an alternative: "more room, climate is great, good fishing on the coast and you don't have to wait too long to tee off."
In the Life-Marches-On department, I have reports from opposite ends of the spectrum. Your hardworking secretary will have remarried by the time you read this (a lovely lady from Atlanta who is looking forward to meeting you at the fall mini), and Sam Rees announces with pride the arrival of a great-grandson. How many other great-grandchildren do we have? I've only had one other reported.
Several classmates have more substantial news. Harry Ackerman's movie Gidget's Summer Reunion has led to a contract for a 22-episode TV series. A lengthy news article, compliments of Fred Raymond, reports the activities and career of Bill Gahagan lacking space to do it justice, I'm passing it along to Reg and Dero. And a note from Quentin Anderson reports publication of Emerson and HisLegacy, Essays in Honor of Quentin Anderson, edited by three of his students. Son Max '77 is assistant curator in Roman art at the Metropolitan Museum, and his Harvard brother is finishing his dissertation on Kant at Columbia. The Andersons must have some heavy dinnertime conversations! Charlie Nayor writes that his daughter has graduated from Class Baby at our 25th reunion to casting director at Universal Studios. (Note: does she have a spot, Charlie, for an old man with a cane?) While visiting her in L.A., Charlie and Phyllis had dinner with the RudyPachts.
Two stories: Bill Adams, coming within one stroke of shooting his age, was asked by his golfing buddies why he didn't mark his ball and wait three weeks for his birthday; and Lowie Haas, following a 44th-anniversary dinner with his bride, overheard the maitre d' say, "Can you imagine being married to the same woman for 44 years?" You will recall that Bob Naramore along with most of the rest of The Great Class) is similarly afflicted. Lowie has a "great musical evening" with Bill Mann and Ruth and maintains almost weekly contact with roommates Dud Russell and Fred Raymond. Says Bill Bury is moving to Jonesboro, Maine.
Ed Freeman took a drive through the Southwest as far as Laguna Beach, Calif., where he had lunch with Lewis Peck and wife (Lew spent his freshman year at Hanover). Ed was expecting a visit from Dick Hube and Betty in April. John McPherson sends a photo of five members of the Mount Dora Lawn Bowling Club (John is president), featuring members from '33, '34, '35, '36, and '38. They need a '37 to fill the straight. (I've sent the photo to the magazine for possible publication.) Fritz Hormel, from nearby Amagansett, invites me to join him and BradYork at a monthly "Tuesday Club" in Southampton.
Finally, Hal Stanton recaps his last three years: July '84, lost wife Merle (I feel for you, Hal); July '85, retired; March '86, loving retirement "without a care in the world." On that happy note I close.
Peace and love to you all.
Box 986 Sag Harbor, NY 11963
