1949

Leigh and I went to Bermuda in September to make up for the trip we missed in April due to her sickness. We were joined there by Ann and Pete Lord, and expected to return in sufficient time to attend the mini-reunion in Hanover October 8-10.

Received a letter from Bob Swift who said he would be in Hanover for the October gathering but thought some might be interested in hearing about the reunion of the V-12 in July.

Bob and Dean Yerrill represented the class of 1949 on the planning committee. Bob cur- rently lives in an air park on Cape Cod, so it was quite appropriate for Bob and Phyllis to fly up to Leb on July 16.

There were more than 400 attending, some of whom hadn’t been back in 5 0 years. There were seven in attendance from the class of 1949, Joe Baker, A 1 Bush, Arnold Cleve-land, Peter (Mike) Gish, MarceUo Mamiel- li, Dean Yerrill, and Bob Swift.

Bob further reported that Mike Gish pre- sented the College with a painting he had done for the military in Somaliland, and Ort Hicks led former Glee Club members in “Eleazer” and “Men of Dartmouth” (old version) at the variety show. Bob said all had such a good time the reunion may be repeated again in anoth- er five years. One wonders how many still can fit in their uniforms.

Following up on my attempt to portray life as a freshman in the class of 1949 which appeared in the Pea Green issue of the mag- azine, I received a letter from Gene Miller. Gene set the record straight by informing me that in actuality a small vanguard of ’49ers arrived in February of 1945. His further com- ments did bring back historical memories: “I was in die group of mostly 16 and 17 year olds that was the vanguard of Dartmoudt’s first post-World War II clan. Considering this group’s background and conditions in Feb- ruary 1945, it’s small wonder they weren’t put into counseling immediately upon matricu- lation. Most were housed in Richardson, Wheeler, and barely inhabitable Crosby. The campus was awash with ‘swabbies’ and ‘gyrenes’ (in retrospect, thank heavens for them)! For those that smoked, begging infe- rior brands at Allen’s Drug or the Indian Bowl was a major pastime. The pool table in the back of the basement barber shop was the center of a pitiable recreation effort.

“We had few upperclassmen role models, so we fashioned a way of life we fancied might be as it was in normal times—water fights, putting John Adler’s room (complete with lighted lamp) in Wheeler’s front yard, dodg- ing Wormwood, and carrying the Dartmouth tradition to die campuses of Smith, Skid- more, Holyoke, Colby, at al., usually by hitch- hiking on gasless, deserted roads.”

Gene’s remembrances are so well done, maybe he should help some of us put togeth- er a more detailed history of our illustrious class.

There was a mini-reunion over Columbus Day weekend, and since your secretary was in attendance you can expect the next issue to carry news of the gathering, the class meet- ing, and the current activities of those in attendance.

May all of you have joyous, healthy, and happy holidays, and may the New Year bring you only good times.

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