Class Note 1975
Issue
If any of us are still wondering whether climate change is real—this past winter sure seems to make the case. Having returned from a trip to our nation’s capital in early February to more snow surrounding the Capitol than most of the ski areas in New England (not to mention the lower elevations of Vancouver, British Columbia, just before the start of the Winter Olympics), I’m a believer. Ever the optimist, I guess the good news is that our house in Manchester, Massachusetts, which today sits about 50 feet above sea level, may be prime waterfront property with the capability for a dock in Lizzie’s lifetime. Life at the College seems to have finally settled down a bit as Dartmouth institutes some much needed budget adjustments as it copes with the continuing impact on its operating and capital budgets from the significant decline in the endowment. If only the federal government would act the same way.
But enough reality—time for the mailbag and a great update from Michael Hutton, who just remarried. Michael reports that he met his new wife, Rebecca Gajda, through their shared interest in the study of nonprofits. She is on the faculty in educational leadership at the University of Massachusetts and Michael will be relocating to Amherst—his fourth major geographical move since leaving the Upper Valley. Michael will continue his position with the Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida as director of grants administration—and will be going back and forth to Jacksonville, Florida, for business.
Michael has also been in touch with Rich Laffin. According to Michael, Rich has been running since Dartmouth, most recently completing the Miami Marathon, and has completed a few other marathons as well with his son Ben. Rich and Sooz (Gillette ’76) still live in Minneapolis, where Rich is an architect and Sooz practices as a doctor. They have two kids, Ben and Jenna.
Michael also recently spoke to Fred Cann. Fred continues to live in Portland, Oregon, and is involved in international construction and business law (www.cannlawyersusa.com). He is also very involved in historical building preservation there. Fred lives with his partner, Ellen, and her son Anthony. Reunion chair “never misses a detail” Lon Cross will be happy to know that Michael, Rich and Fred intend to get to Hanover in June!
I also heard briefly from Bill Cahill just before he traveled to Haiti to lend some much needed help. Bill promises to give us all an update in the next column.And just a reminder that our 35th reunion is just around the corner. If you haven’t already done so, visit our class homepage at www.dartmouth.org/classes/75/index.htm to learn more about what we have planned and who is planning to attend. In addition to the usual offering of dinners and social gatherings there will be a concert (for just our class) featuring Livingston Taylor and a wide assortment of Alumni College seminars presented by members of the College faculty. You won’t want to miss this unique opportunity to renew, reconnect and redirect.
Keep those e-mails coming. Nancy and I look forward to seeing you all in June at the 35th (the festivities begin June 14) if not before.
—Jim Bildner, 5 Boardman Ave., Manchester, MA 01944; (617) 737-1100; jbildner@tpi.org
May - June 2010
If any of us are still wondering whether climate change is real—this past winter sure seems to make the case. Having returned from a trip to our nation’s capital in early February to more snow surrounding the Capitol than most of the ski areas in New England (not to mention the lower elevations of Vancouver, British Columbia, just before the start of the Winter Olympics), I’m a believer. Ever the optimist, I guess the good news is that our house in Manchester, Massachusetts, which today sits about 50 feet above sea level, may be prime waterfront property with the capability for a dock in Lizzie’s lifetime. Life at the College seems to have finally settled down a bit as Dartmouth institutes some much needed budget adjustments as it copes with the continuing impact on its operating and capital budgets from the significant decline in the endowment. If only the federal government would act the same way.
But enough reality—time for the mailbag and a great update from Michael Hutton, who just remarried. Michael reports that he met his new wife, Rebecca Gajda, through their shared interest in the study of nonprofits. She is on the faculty in educational leadership at the University of Massachusetts and Michael will be relocating to Amherst—his fourth major geographical move since leaving the Upper Valley. Michael will continue his position with the Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida as director of grants administration—and will be going back and forth to Jacksonville, Florida, for business.
Michael has also been in touch with Rich Laffin. According to Michael, Rich has been running since Dartmouth, most recently completing the Miami Marathon, and has completed a few other marathons as well with his son Ben. Rich and Sooz (Gillette ’76) still live in Minneapolis, where Rich is an architect and Sooz practices as a doctor. They have two kids, Ben and Jenna.
Michael also recently spoke to Fred Cann. Fred continues to live in Portland, Oregon, and is involved in international construction and business law (www.cannlawyersusa.com). He is also very involved in historical building preservation there. Fred lives with his partner, Ellen, and her son Anthony. Reunion chair “never misses a detail” Lon Cross will be happy to know that Michael, Rich and Fred intend to get to Hanover in June!
I also heard briefly from Bill Cahill just before he traveled to Haiti to lend some much needed help. Bill promises to give us all an update in the next column.And just a reminder that our 35th reunion is just around the corner. If you haven’t already done so, visit our class homepage at www.dartmouth.org/classes/75/index.htm to learn more about what we have planned and who is planning to attend. In addition to the usual offering of dinners and social gatherings there will be a concert (for just our class) featuring Livingston Taylor and a wide assortment of Alumni College seminars presented by members of the College faculty. You won’t want to miss this unique opportunity to renew, reconnect and redirect.
Keep those e-mails coming. Nancy and I look forward to seeing you all in June at the 35th (the festivities begin June 14) if not before.
—Jim Bildner, 5 Boardman Ave., Manchester, MA 01944; (617) 737-1100; jbildner@tpi.org