Class Note 1971
Issue
Jan - Feb 2018
This class note covers two major film projects spearheaded by some of our dedicated classmates.
Bill Phillips is directing The Final Climb,a film on the courageous life of Andy Harvard and his battle with Alzheimer’s. Here’s Bill’s vision of the film: “Alzheimer’s disease is one of the cruelest and costliest health crises of the 21st century. In 2017 classmates Michael Maynard, Tom Loucks and Pete Webster established a nonprofit organization, The Final Climb Inc., for the professional production of The Final Climb, a film that honors Andy Harvard and advocates an end to Alzheimer’s. Throughout his life Andy worked with others to overcome insurmountable challenges on 13 expeditions to South America, China, India, Nepal and Tibet, including the most challenging route to be attempted on Mount Everest. He climbed to the extremes of joy and experienced the depths of human loss. In 2009 Andy was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease. While health professionals, caregivers and friends share his optimistic attitude, Andy now confronts his biggest challenge—and it’s one for all of us. Bill is supported on the film by a team of professionals and six Dartmouth student filmmakers and researchers. The film uses tragedies and triumphs from Andy’s adventurous life as metaphor for the medical, legal and financial challenges facing the growing epidemic. Interviews with leading researchers, clinicians, lawyers, ethicists, politicians and personal heart-wrenching stories from Andy’s family, friends, climbing partners and colleagues will inform and inspire. All his life Andy lived by the principle that with teamwork, determination and leadership, nothing is impossible. Visit thefinalclimb.orgto learn more about this important film and how you can help. Contact michaelmaynard2@gmail.com for more information.”
Kathy Duff Rines, with a team of fellow exchange students and support from our classmates, is working with nationally recognized filmmaker Bill Aydelott ’72 to capture the history of the first four years of women students at Dartmouth, 1969-72. At our cluster reunion in June 2016, Aydelott put together a promotional clip of women and men telling their personal stories from these years. Please visit vimeo.com/206180288. The stories range from thoughtful comments to “did this really happen” anecdotes. Of importance is that for the first time, these fours years will be researched and documented. Dartmouth made no attempt to keep the exchange students’ contact information, acknowledge their contribution or recognize them as part of Dartmouth’s history (there was no mention of the exchange program in the Aegis). This will be an independently produced film; seed money has been raised, yet additional funding for this budgeted $35,000 film is being sought. Tax-deductible donations may be sent to Jim Bays, 460 Walker Road, Grantham, NH 03753. Please make checks payable to “Class of 1971” and specify “Women’s Film” in the memo line. Aydelott will be using Dartmouth students in the production of this film; a panel discussion of exchange students and current students is planned, focusing on what has changed and what still needs to be addressed.
—Bob Lider, 9225 Veneto Place, Naples, FL 34113; liderbob@yahoo.com
Bill Phillips is directing The Final Climb,a film on the courageous life of Andy Harvard and his battle with Alzheimer’s. Here’s Bill’s vision of the film: “Alzheimer’s disease is one of the cruelest and costliest health crises of the 21st century. In 2017 classmates Michael Maynard, Tom Loucks and Pete Webster established a nonprofit organization, The Final Climb Inc., for the professional production of The Final Climb, a film that honors Andy Harvard and advocates an end to Alzheimer’s. Throughout his life Andy worked with others to overcome insurmountable challenges on 13 expeditions to South America, China, India, Nepal and Tibet, including the most challenging route to be attempted on Mount Everest. He climbed to the extremes of joy and experienced the depths of human loss. In 2009 Andy was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease. While health professionals, caregivers and friends share his optimistic attitude, Andy now confronts his biggest challenge—and it’s one for all of us. Bill is supported on the film by a team of professionals and six Dartmouth student filmmakers and researchers. The film uses tragedies and triumphs from Andy’s adventurous life as metaphor for the medical, legal and financial challenges facing the growing epidemic. Interviews with leading researchers, clinicians, lawyers, ethicists, politicians and personal heart-wrenching stories from Andy’s family, friends, climbing partners and colleagues will inform and inspire. All his life Andy lived by the principle that with teamwork, determination and leadership, nothing is impossible. Visit thefinalclimb.orgto learn more about this important film and how you can help. Contact michaelmaynard2@gmail.com for more information.”
Kathy Duff Rines, with a team of fellow exchange students and support from our classmates, is working with nationally recognized filmmaker Bill Aydelott ’72 to capture the history of the first four years of women students at Dartmouth, 1969-72. At our cluster reunion in June 2016, Aydelott put together a promotional clip of women and men telling their personal stories from these years. Please visit vimeo.com/206180288. The stories range from thoughtful comments to “did this really happen” anecdotes. Of importance is that for the first time, these fours years will be researched and documented. Dartmouth made no attempt to keep the exchange students’ contact information, acknowledge their contribution or recognize them as part of Dartmouth’s history (there was no mention of the exchange program in the Aegis). This will be an independently produced film; seed money has been raised, yet additional funding for this budgeted $35,000 film is being sought. Tax-deductible donations may be sent to Jim Bays, 460 Walker Road, Grantham, NH 03753. Please make checks payable to “Class of 1971” and specify “Women’s Film” in the memo line. Aydelott will be using Dartmouth students in the production of this film; a panel discussion of exchange students and current students is planned, focusing on what has changed and what still needs to be addressed.
—Bob Lider, 9225 Veneto Place, Naples, FL 34113; liderbob@yahoo.com