1956

It certainly was a memorable 30th—from Tex Fridlund's greetings at registration, through Rosie Rosenwald's commentary on the communication of AIDS (during dinner, no less!), to the Kingston Trio's "concert" on "nostalgia night." It was great to be back home in Mid Fayer, with time to reminisce with former roomie Bill Beard. And to make the trek down Webster with Bill Behrens and Don Alexander to see the Phi Delt house.

Rosie and his committee did a superb job of planning, and we came close to the record for the 30th. At last count, we were 127 strong, plus wives, children, and guests, thanks in large part to Ted Bremble and his efficient telecommunications network. The food, arranged by Ken Bridge, and the libations provided by the inimitable CubeConroy were abundant and excellent.

Memorable, too, were Herb West's floor show, Rosie's dip in the Connecticut, DaveStackpole's startlingly brief appearance, Leo McKenna's arrival just in time for lobster, Jim "Rox" Loghry's cap, and BilLoyer's rodeo outfit. Also, the moving memorial service, conducted by our own Rev. Jim Breeden and Bishop Pete Rosazza, along with the Rev. Jim Crawford '58.

Dinner on Monday was preceded by a parade to Thompson, led by former band members, including Will Sogg, and was followed by a concert by former glee clubbers, including Noel Sankey and ClemMalin. Was Bob Dumont up there too? I got so carried away with the golden oldies, I forgot to take notes.

A concert by the current Glee Club, following dinner, was conducted in part by Erich Kunzel '57 and again featured former glee clubbers for the singing of "Men of Dartmouth"—an occasion marked by the quiet, unobtrusive, but pointed walk-out of two undergraduate coed Glee Club members. Feelings on the Alma Mater run strong and deep.

Tuesday morning opened with "Flash" Malin's smashing victory in the 2.6-mile Alumni Run, followed by the annual meeting of the Association of Alumni presided over by Jon Strong, and featuring an interesting and informative question-and-answer session with President David T. McLaughlin '54.

Then came the class meeting, conducted by Doug Keare, who roasted Rosie and then commented seriously on his disappointment with the recent appointments to the Board of Trustees and the need for better selection procedures. Pete Bernard gave an astounding report on the state of the treasury, which overfloweth! Bob Faulkner, Glen French, and Dick Whitney reported as Class Agent, Bequests Chairman, and Scholarships Chairman, respectively. Cube's report as Social Chairman was that when all the bull was over the bar would be open. Wally Pugh brought the report of nominations, all of which will appear in the newsletter.

A picnic at the boathouse was highlighted by two crew "races." Don't know how many of our stalwarts were there, but I did see Bob Becker, Bill Faunce and, of course, Rosie. A 1966 TANZI license plate was the subject of a sprightly auction in which DougKeare and Roger Bensen worked the price up to, would you believe, $700, and then let it go to a '57.

During the afternoon, there was an informative discussion of "Changing Careers at Mid-Life." A '56-'57 band concert was the victim of the week's only bad weather along with the reception and dinner planned for the Bema. The tent served for the former, and we repaired to Thayer for the latter, to hear Thad Seymour and recall our times together some 31 or more years ago.

Wednesday brought the photo session, almost missed by Howie Sodokoff, followed by the memorial service, certainly the "most moving event of the reunion." Then, "Great Issues Then and Now," a panel discussion moderated by Dick Duncan '57, including Bill Tell, Chris Wren '57, and David Brock '5B. Their comments on, respectively, the oil situation, the present state of communism, and the law as it is variously interpreted, brought lively response from an overflow audience.

Bill Carleton shared some genealogical gems, Egil Stigum has reorganized Mass Mutual, Jim Flynn is keeping Corning honest, Len Clark is still hunting heads and drawing funny little guys with holes in their heads and drooping timepieces, MurrayKaplan brought two prospects with him, and Rollin Montelius probably won the prize for the longest trip back, coming from France for the occasion.

Survivors closed things up Thursday morning with breakfast at the '5B tent, where we ran into Frank Gado '5B, who arrived Wednesday evening believing he was a day early. Old-timers disease may get us all one of these days.

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