1936

I'm sure most of us had mixed feelings about freshman year at Dartmouth. "Who can forget her soft September sunsets ..On the other hand there was "the crowding into Commons" to partake of some less-than-gourmet food. The fall of 1932 also involved such things as toting mattresses tresses across campus for demanding sophomores, but we did beat the sophomores in the football rush. We learned about many things aside from our studies, such as how to hang a cider jug out a dorm window and how to unravel the fire hose for a dorm water fight. Many of us learned about New England winters for the first time and often sought refuge from the weather in the Nugget, where dull movies were sometimes punctuated by peanut fights, and breaks in the film greeted with cries of "Fix it!"

Starting at noon on October 3, 1932, dining at Commons was made somewhat more pleasant—at least for those who enjoy music with their meals. On that day the 1936 Commons Orchestra, having set up on the balcony, cut loose with "Bugle Call Rag." According to a review, "The effect was so surprising that many a freshman below choked and coughed his astonishment at the unusual clamor from above." As the weeks went by the sound mellowed, and the band often played one of my personal favorites, then and now, "Night and Day."

In the fall of 1932 all freshman sports except football were officially eliminated due to budget retrenchment. The two football squads did not have great records, but they produced many players who starred on the varsity in later years. Among these were Al Butler, El Camp, Eddie Chamberlain, Don Erion, and Captain Jack Kenny, who was also captain in 1935.

The same El Camp and Al Buder were president and vice-president, respectively of our class that first year, with Bob Ireland as secretary and Al Gibney as treasurer. Considering the overall record of the class of '36 it appears that they did a fine job of getting the class started in the right direction.

To get back to the future, don't forget the fall mini-reunion October 22-23.

15 Bluff Road, Yarmouth, ME 04096