1953

"With a Gradus and Parnassum, a Bible and a drum" came Eleazar Wheelock to Hanover and into the history of the hearts of Dartmouth. And so it was when the fall season for fellowship began once again as the class of 1953 entered the Hanover Plains for the 1996-1997 season of the Dartmouth 1953 experience, our 43rd. There were even some bibles there, and drums, gradae, and parnassae aplenty. The occasion was the Penn game, a 24-22 victory that kept us on the edge the entire game. Dartmouth's football team looked good in spite of a few errors that will be ironed out before this article's ink dries. The Dartmouth defense, however, was truly awesome, I mean awesome, and it would appear that the overall talent is there to go all the way to the Ivy League championship.

Put Blodgett and Fred Carleton organized a superb mini-reunion which played host to 35 of us, including Fred Carleton and Mitzi Archibald, Put and Marion Blodgett, Seth (a.k.a. Robert Goulet) and Pat Carpenter, Nancy and Bill Johnson, Anne and Bob Simpson, Marilyn and Pag Paganucci, Brock Brower and son Monty, Donna and Chuck Reilly, Elaine and Fred Hitt, Jody and Jack Zimmerman, who will host the October 5 cocktail party, Maureen and Karl Friedman, Joan and Bernie Sudikoff, Valerie and Fred England, Audrey and Dick Lowenthal, Bob Callender, Fred Whittemore, Bob Henderson, our illustrious President M2 (Mole Malin) and your humble scribe. Pat Carpenter's dad, at 87 years young, also joined us. What a beaut! Still trying to quit smoking but has about given up!

The 50th Reunion Trust Fund group took advantage of the weekend to hold a planning session to involve far greater class participation in the program now that certain financial and legal requirements have been met. You will be hearing much more about that in this column, Don's newsletter, and early in the year from Chuck Reilly as to how it will connect with other fundraising. It is truly an exciting concept that has evolved from Fred Whittemore's vision to leave a permanent legacy for Dartmouth from the class of 1953 on the occasion of our 50th Reunion in 2003. Stay tuned.

After the game, Put and Marion Blodgett hosted us to a superb attitude adjustment hour atop their mountain in Lyme. And from there some 20 of us proceeded to the former Lyme Inn, now returned to its original name of the Alden Country Inn, for a marvel of cuisine, spirits, frivolity, and superb fellow/fellawship! It was just plain fun. What a lovely way to spend a glorious autumn day in Hanover, and in particular following an important football victory.

"And Five Hundred Gallons of New England Rum. Fill the bowl up, Fill the bowl up, Drink to Eleazar."

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