1951

Let me revisit the fall minireunion weekend for a final true story. A '51 left the stadium and was walking to the dedication of the John Sloan Dickey Room at Dick's House. His route paralleled that of the Dartmouth Band as it celebrated victory by marching up East Wheelock, along Dartmouth Row, and in front of Baker Library. The '51 was enjoying again the greatest football songs anywhere. The band turned right on North Main and suddenly halted before Baker's side entrance. The music stopped. A clarinetist turned to the '51 and other stragglers and held a finger to his lips. "Shhh! This is a library!" A wide-eyed trombonist pointed to the Library and hissed "There are people studying in there!" "We have to be quiet," cautioned a drummer. And, one by one, in exaggerated hunter's crouches, the bandsmen sneaked into the library. No sound outside. Four bass horn players maneuvered their huge instruments through the narrow doors. "Shhh!" When all 75 players had slipped inside we heard the explosion of "Dartmouth's in Town Again" and could only imagine the havoc within.

A wonderfully creative Christmas card from Ginny and Dave Hilton included photos of four generations and various events in their lives. Dave's spending time with Winnetka Community House, The Life Underwriter Training Council, and the Dartmouth Alumni Council. A photo of Dave's son looks like it was copied out of our '51 Aegis. Both Daves continue to sell with Northwestern Mutual.

Vonnie and Chuck Eccles's card reminisced about the passing of Chuck's close friends Frankie Ulrich and Bob Kriedler last year. Chuck wrote that Bob was coxwain of the lightweight crew, "the best-ever group of individuals for me at Dartmouth." They love San Diego and thoroughly enjoy retirement.

Gabby and Sandy McDonald's card noted his retirement from Continental Plastic Containers. Sandy is consulting in public affairs and continuing to spend time in legislative, regulatory, and product-development activities with Continental. Sandy notes that his whole family seems to be in transition, with two sons in the midst of career changes and a third finishing up his senior year at Stanford. Bob Hopkins has updated his famous '51 Directory. It includes current names and addresses, of course, but also our freshman addresses and roommates, fraternities, and senior societies, as well as attendance at the 30th, 35th, and 40th Reunions. I can tell you that Bob's work is a really vital document used constantly by all of us who do class projects. Bob has authorized me to publicize the accessibility of the directory to any of you who have legitimate class business. For example, if a college group is performing in your area and you want to advise 'Sis nearby, he can provide lists by telephone area code or zipcode.

Watch out for Dangerous Dave Batchelder now that he is armed with a computer, by his admission the first equipment change since age 16. Hard to expect '51 Fables to get any better, but that machine does make writing more fan. Way to go, Dave!

A card from you would be nice.

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