1949

As of this writing Hanover is crowded with graduating seniors and their families in the annual Commencement ritual. The next few days will see a flood of returning alums. Among the flurry of events is the seasonal swan song of the University Chorus of the Upper Valley. Originally the creation of Ort Hicks more than a dozen years ago, a group of ex-Glee Club members and others were organized to sing for the reunion folks when the College Glee Club was on the road. Thanks to Ort, our class has always been in evidence. Of the three dozen or so members of this four-part male chorus, a few more than half are Dartmouth alumni with the '49 contingent consisting of George Hartmann, John Stearns, "Punchy" Thomas and Dean Merrill and honorary classmate Rod Vitty. Former members include Ed Clogston, Vail Haak and the late Chet Palmer. After performing around the Upper Valley at retirement homes Harvest Hill and Kendal and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Memorial Hospital, the final act is at Spaulding Auditorium for a thousand or more reuning attendees.

Gordon Thomas reports visiting with Ralph Burgard at the birthday party of a mutual friend. They were fraternity brothers and this was their first meeting since graduation. It's never too late.

A thought is currently in circulation here-abouts. How about Gunther Purdue for chairman of our 60th reunion?

Our class ranks have been depleted with the deaths of Ernie Beattie and Maurie Dewey.

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