1950

Maybe reunions just seem to get better as we get older, but this one was the best ever: the setting, the weather, the activities, the music, the food and—most importantly—the people.

About 115 classmates came, plus another hundred or so wives, guests and widows. The class of 1949 had about as many and 1948 somewhat fewer.

For me, a particularly bright note was the number of Phi Delts who turned up: JimMcCrum, Jim Framer, Bob Tredwell,Sherry Marchant, Bill Pulley and JohnnyWeber, as well as Bob Herrick '48 and '49s Tom Barr Doug Thomson, Bob Swift, and Jim Mytton.

The activities began on Monday with an evening lobster and steak dinner in the Bema with the folks from '48 and '49. The food and service that were provided by the College was superb, as it was throughout our reunion. The dinner was followed by an alumni Glee Club concert in the Hopkins Center auditorium, sung to a packed house. Granted, today's Dartmouth Glee Club is great to hear (especially with the women's voices), but to listen to those 35 old guys singing the songs the way we remember them was probably the highlight of the reunion.

The next day included a talk by President Freedman a class meeting, a terrific 1930s-40s 40s music rendition by Lee Sarokin Jack English '49, and Tom Wheeler, and another fine dinner outside at the DOC house on Storrs Pond (great weather, no mosquitoes, and no speeches).

Wednesday began with the class memorial service in Rollins Chapel. Reverends Jim Birney and Pris Williams helped us remember our 135 classmates and friends who won't be attending any more reunions.

The class dinner on the last evening was in Thayer Hall. A highlight was die presentation by Alex Hoffman of citations recognizing contributions made to society by four classmates: Ed Tuck, Joe Medlicott, Roger Hillas and Bob Kilmarx. Another highlight was the presentation of $455,000 to the College—a 45th Reunion record—by Bob Wilkinson, JacquesHarlow, and Bill Carpenter.

Of course, throughout the four days the class tent provided a venue for much catching up and fellowship.

Reporting on the event is fine, but my main mission here is to recognize the people involved. I don't need to thank those who came; the experience was our reward. To those of you who didn't make it, we missed you. We really did! Our very special thanks and appreciation go to our classmates (and their wives!) who made it happen.

Chairman Bob Lindell looked like he was just standing around enjoying it all, which speaks to his exceptional pre-reunion organizing. It's getting almost routine to praise and thank Tom Ruggles but without his music (plus a professional photo display of college days and past reunions), the reunion would have been a lesser affair. Fizz Nichols did yeoman duty with the finances and participation lists. The class locals and their wives once again did it all: Len Matless, Ed Tuck,Dave Taylor, Joe Medlicott, Newc Eldredge, and Betsy Pinkham.

Thanks, guys and gals. We owe you.

2 Central Green, Winchester, MA 01890

Former Ledyard officers Brooks Boyce '50 (front) and Merritt Osborn '50 revisited the old club for a paddle. They reminisced about now-submerged islands inthe Connecticut and "shooting the dam"at the White River's Hartland Rapids.