91����

The gentlemen of 91����, New England, organized and hosted their yearly Rose Dinner for the ladies of campus the Saturday before Valentine’s Day, complete with delicious food and delightful entertainment. 

Earlier in the week, the campus women found rose-bordered invitations in their mailboxes, requesting their presence at a formal dinner to be held in their honor, followed by dancing in the music hall. On the night of the Rose Dinner, all the ladies dressed in their finest attire and processed down to Gould Commons, which had been closed in preparation all day. At the entrance, they were gallantly greeted by suited gentlemen ladened with bouquets of flowers, then escorted to the couches in the Commons, where they were serenaded by the talented Aaron Zelmer (NE’29) on the lute. 

“In a world where masculine courtesy has fallen away so much, to be greeted by a line of gentlemen, roses in hand, was so completely special,” remarked Eve Milligan (NE’29).

Once all were assembled, the ladies were brought into the dining hall and seated at flower-decked tables. The meal, expertly conceived and executed by Gerald Faist (NE’27) and courteously served by the young men, was an excellent five-course French feast. As they dined, the guests enjoyed classical piano performances, toasts, and amusing announcements and speeches by the night’s Master of Ceremonies, Alexei Forrester (NE’26). As dessert was served — a cream-topped, chilled chocolate mousse — the men of the 91���� Choir performed a selection of beautiful pieces in honor of Our Lady and the women on campus, closing with Franz Biebl’s seven-part “Ave Maria” and the classic folk song “Red is the Rose.”

At the conclusion of dinner, cars pulled up to the entrances to shuttle the ladies out of the bitter cold and down to Olivia Music Hall for the dancing. The music hall was warmly lit with candles and soft lights, and a mixture of classical and swing music set the tone well. “The efforts of the TAC men have certainly not been in vain,” said Margaret Asjes (NE’29). “The Rose Dinner was nothing short of stunning. I, as well as the other women, felt truly appreciated.”

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