“Summer’s here, I’m for that. Got my rubber sandals. Got my straw hat. Got my cold beer. I’m just glad that it’s here,” so begins James Taylor’s song, “Summer’s Here.” I couldn’t have said it better. And in that vein, this will be a short column as we’re on our way to our home off the coast of Maine on North Haven. 


Just one bit of news to report from our California desk. Blake Winchell wrote that he had dinner with Keith Benson, his Hitchcock freshman and sophomore roommate. According to Blake, “Keith is married to wife No. 1 (that’s generally a good thing says my wife No. 1), whom he met at Tuck and is now happily retired and splitting time between Sterling, Illinois, and Chicago.” Blake attached comparative photos 41 years apart, but they are too scary to print. 


A shout out to Bill Barmeier, who is a partner at Omidyar Network and leads the firm’s investment, legal and finance operations. Bill, got your LinkedIn message. Love to catch up and hear more about what you’re doing. 


Well, the ferry is about to leave the dock, so time to shut down the electronics and enjoy the ocean. Enjoy your summer and do keep in touch. All best. 


—Jim Bildner, 5 Boardman Avenue, Manchester, MA 01944; (617) 495-6513; jim_bildner@harvard.edu