1933

Planning has gone forward for the 1933 70th reunion scheduled for June 6-8. Reunion chairman Bob McDonald has been working industriously and has circularized the class with the details of the excellent program of activities. An early canvass showed 40 classmates, wives, widows and friends reporting that they would "do their best" to attend the festivities.The willingness of the College, in tribute to us nonagenarians, to foot the bills for dorm lodging (the Lodge) and class meals has been a welcome element in attracting interest. Events will include class dinners and receptions, campus bus tours, the Glee Club concert, the general Commencement luncheon on Baker lawn, the president's reception and Commencement exercises. Class events will include a class meeting, class picture and memorial service planned by classmate, the Rev. Bob James. Kudos to Bob and Mary Jo for this effort, and see you in June.

It is December 21 as we write, and our birthday is next Monday, but Jingle Bells have not rung as merrily this yuletide season as in former years. Only a few days before we received a letter from Manny Sprague, Rip Ripley and Bob McDonald touting reunion and seeking Alumni Fund participation, we were sent a notice from the dean of the College announcing that the director of the department of athletics and recreation was eliminating Dartmouth's swimming and diving programs. Since we had been captain of a winning swimming team in 1933, this was a surprising and unwelcome jolt. Then, the day after we had been guests of the Dartmouth College Fund at a reception "to build excitement for your coming reunion," we got the word that our top-student, three-letter grandson had been turned down for early admission. Thus, there was a leaden quality to the general merriment here which the holiday greeting card from the gift planning office of Dartmouth College was powerless to assuage. Perhaps by the time this sees the light (February), all will be well. We'll see.

Happy Easter!

John Monagan, 3043 West Lane Keys NW, Washington, DC 20007-3057;jsmonagan@aol.com

REUNIONJune 6-82003