I feel one of the great things about Dartmouth is that if you reach out to alum activities it becomes an important part of your life.


The Dartmouth Club of Orange County (California) had the privilege of hosting the Glee Club, which gave a memorable performance after which we had a party where we mingled with the charismatic members. If this is a sample of the very bright students that schools are turning out, the future is in good hands.


They were fascinated by the Dartmouth freshmen handbook that I had preserved. They gathered around me and seemed to be interested in me and I wondered why.


Then I thought if in 1932 I was speaking to a 97-year-old alum, he would have been a freshmen in 1852, a different world. Fast forward the same number of years and our ancestors will be living in a world we cannot even imagine.


Here are some comments from classmates in 1990.


Earl Arthurs said he was disturbed by politically motivated, irresponsible Congress setting a poor example and creating, not solving, problems. The greatest problem is drugs, and the impact of TV is probably more bad than good. 


Len Bryant commented he is completely disgusted with both the executive and legislative branches of our government. “Special interests and the drive for reelection are running the country. We, in turn, have been calmly watching this process leading toward bankruptcy. For nine years we were quite comfortable with our artificial prosperity. Still, as I continue to read, I discover no place I would rather live than the good old United States of America.”


The great class of 1935 lives on!


—Edward Gerson, 2400 Mariposa West 3A, Laguna Woods, CA 92653; (949) 829-8400; ejgerson@webtv.net