1949

As we get into the fall season our thoughts turn to foliage, football, crisp nights, and warm days. It is also the time to consider the '49ers mini-reunion in Hanover on the October 13-15 weekend. This is the time of Dartmouth Night, and a weekend when many classes assemble in Hanover for their minis. This particular weekend will feature the Yale-Dartmouth football game as well as a series of other contests.

Let me try to entice you to attend. Leigh and I look forward to fall color, gathering with our classmates, and attending all the events.

On Friday evening a party is held in the faculty lounge overlooking the dying embers of the bonfire. This usually involves snacks and liquid refreshments.

Then, on Saturday, we gather in the lounge (after a class meeting in the morning) for a catered lunch prior to the game, and at night cocktails and dinner are served in the Wheelock Room at the Inn. The evening program includes the awarding of the Gold Pick Axe award and a speaker usually from the College.

On Sunday one of our resident hosts in the Hanover area, Doris and Punchy Thomas, invite all for a final gathering at their Vermont estate.

It is guaranteed to be a pleasurable weekend and we are sure if you try it once you will be a repeater. One of those who will be missed this year is Ken McClain, who died suddenly in May. Ken contributed funds each year towards the party at the mini. One of his friends in the oil and gas business said of him, "His knack for making the search for oil and gas fun left a long list of happy partners, even when the hole was dry." His daughter wrote us that "knowing classmates and alumni through the years enriched his life."

Heard from Charlie Russell, who said he expected to attend his first mini this year—how about considering this opportunity on your fall agenda.

As has happened to some of us, retirement thoughts have caught up with Sam Smith, who has spent 21 years of dedicated service to the College. He will begin to reduce his work load to part-time beginning this fall and ease into retirement status in 1993. This schedule will allow Sam to enjoy outside interests and yet continue to benefit Dartmouth over the next several years.

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