1958

What a grand and glorious reunion it was thanks to reunion chair Frank Sands and his hard-working associates. The prime example of that hard work was Joe Kabat,who had major surgery on Wednesday and still drove 50 miles on Monday to man the registration desk.

The sun was shining most of the four days, and only showers on Wednesday afternoon sent us scurrying to tents (all the better to hear The Onion River Dixieland Band) during the picnic at Peter and Susan Williamsons house in Lyme on Wednesday and forced us to move the banquet that night to Thayer Hall. It had cleared by that evening, but the mosquitoes would have eaten us alive in the Bema. Fortunately on Tuesday evening we had beautiful weather with just enough breezes to keep the bugs at bay, which permitted us to feast on an authentic New England clambake at the DOC House on Occom Pond. A mystery doo-wop quartet (one member looked very much like an old Dartmouth quarterback named Dave Bradley) entertained us.

Sam Smith's lecture, "Sex: The Way We Were," filled 13 Carpenter to overflowing, and the crowd included many of my Hanover neighbors. (Does anyone remember Peyton Place?). Fortunately the lecture was videotaped and shown to another crowd early Wednesday morning. Other highlights were the symposium led by Derrick Cartwright, director of the Hood Museum of Art, and the evening spent at the Montshire Museum of Science across the river in Norwich, Vermont. Both are well worth visits your next time in Hanover.

On Tuesday morning we gathered at the Roth Center for Jewish Life for the memorial service for 83 lost classmates. Jim Crawford and Rabbi Edward Boraz led the very moving service. Jim also spoke at the banquet using as his text words from President Dickeys Convocation address in 1954 and his valedictory to us in 1958.

At the class meeting some business was conducted, and full minutes are posted on the class Web site. The dues will remain at the current level of $50. The class increased the contribution to the athletic sponsors program to $2,000, even though one wag suggested there appears to be an inverse relationship between our increases and the number of victories. Also voted was a continuation of the policy of not paying for the Alumni Magazine subscription for anyone who has never paid class dues, never made a contribution to the College and never attended a reunion, unless he requests to receive it. The class thanked those stepping down after years of service. The longest tenure was that of Joe Jacquet, who has served 18 years as minireunion chair. Bob Eleveld and Roger Bruttomesso each served five years as president and treasurer, respectively. The nominating committee then presented the following slate, which was approved by acclamation: President, Ralph Manuel; vice president, Frank Sands; secretary, Andy Thomas; treasurer, John Trimble. Since the meeting, John Murphy has agreed to continue as newsletter editor, Gersh Abraham has taken the reins as head class agent and Frank Gould will serve as mini-reunion chair.

I hope all of us will gather in Hanover on Commencement Weekend in June 2008.

4 Willow Spring Circle, Hanover,NH 03755; (603) 643-5749; ralph.n.manuel@ valley.net