1945

Box 111 Westford, MA 01886

The first snowfall of the year is gently falling on the three inches already on the ground, having wiped out an intra-family Veterans Day end-of-season golf match. We hope this is not an omen, but after several years of light snowfall this area is due for a rugged New England winter.

Since last month's notes a number of exciting things have happened in Hanover, chief of which was the mini-reunion on October 17, 18 and 19. Although the football team did not "decimate" Harvard, it made a credible showing and was the only Dartmouth team to lose that weekend. And a week later at New Haven the teams had a collective 5-1-1 mark against Yale, including the first varsity football win of the year. The same team showed its great class when it presented the game ball to Joe Yukica after a win over Columbia in the last home game for him and for the seniors. The game was on PBS television and demonstrated what Ivy League football is all about.

As usual the organizers, George andBetsy Barr and Cliff and Betty Jordan did a superb job for the mini-reunion, starting with buffet and libations at Blunt Alumni Center before Dartmouth Night, tailgating before the game, and featuring a pig-roast hosted by Don and Rosalie Cutter on Saturday. Ruth Sisson, wife of Don Sisson again lightened up Friday's party with her piano skills. The only drawback to that activity is that it ended too quickly so that 1945 could be well represented in the Dartmouth Night parade. In keeping with recent tradition there was a good turnout and the '45 banner was again paraded across the front of Dartmouth Hall. We also developed some new allies in Hanover when astute classmates asked class of '90 gatherings, "What is '45 times two?"

The executive committee meeting featured a lively discussion of various issues and heard some excellent reports. VicSmith commented on the Green Derby victory, the first one since 1968 and only the fifth since 1945. The others were 1948, 1949, and 1950. On the negative side participation dropped substantially, perhaps understandable in the light of the events of the winter and spring. It now looks as though things at Dartmouth are levelling and this is an appeal to all of you, especially those who skipped a gift in 1985-86, to give again in 1987.

John Osborn gave his usual glowing treasurer's report, including the information that 412 dues payers in 1985-86 is the best we have done during his tenure. John then left for his annual stint as a drummer with the Dartmouth alumni band.

The weather for the tailgate and the game was perfect, and it was good to know that the DCAC has a lot of faith in the stamina of a class 41 years out of college since our seats were in the top three rows of the west stands. Although there were leaves on the trees of Occum Ridge, the colors had gone. However, next year the Hanover mini-reunion will be earlier, either on the last weekend of September or in early October so that foliage will be close to peak. Also for those of you who have spent a weekend at Shady Lawn Motel and partied in Room 19, 1986 marked the final chapter in class activities there. Next year we will be staying elsewhere. George will keep you posted and will also supply (or has supplied) further details on the October weekend in a newsletter.

Two of those present were Dick andLynn Owen, who were visiting their son, a member of the class of 1990. (How many classmates have children who are freshmen in college or still in secondary school?) Dick, who is a federal judge , in New York, is presently presiding over a conspiracy case involving members of the Mafia. This assignment is a real tribute to his judicial ability and shows the respect which his contemporaries have for him.

We hope your holidays were happy and again extend best wishes to everyone for a peaceful and healthy 1987. Send news!