Can that be snow on the ground? In what must be the quickest summer and fall on record, snow is appearing on the tops of the mountains as we drive up on Route 89 heading north to yet another Dartmouth football game. We’ve seen a number of classmates over the past few months, including a very mini-reunion dinner with Blake Winchell and Dave Lampert on one of Blake’s recent visits to Boston; and continue to be beaten on the squash court by Sandy Tierney, but still happy to be playing singles squash after all these years. Even Blair Andrews made a near fly-by on his way back from vacation in Maine. We are also increasingly meeting younger classes of Dartmouth alums who are passing through the Crimson empire as they navigate their careers and have to say, they make us all proud of what they are accomplishing in the world. 


In a bit of a personal story—with relevance to all of us—my dad, Allen Bildner ’47, Tu’48, just returned from his 65th Dartmouth reunion in September, when he was joined by some 70 or so other classmates—this is one of the College’s first 65th reunions as they had previously stopped having formal reunions after the 60th year. So for all you plan-ahead folks, mark your calendar for September 12, 2040, that’s just 27 years from now. I think its safe to say that for all those who come, the Hanover Inn will have rooms ready for you.


On a sadder note, I learned during the summer that Michael Hollis, a prominent force in Atlanta for decades, passed away. Michael’s career spanned many spaces, including starting a number of businesses (he founded Air Atlanta as well as companies in the broadcasting, retail and investment sectors) and significant public service—notably as executive director of the Virgin Islands Housing Authority and associate chief counsel to the president’s Commission on the Accident at Three Mile Island. Our thoughts go out to his wife, Dena. Michael was an amazing force of nature.


Do keep in touch. Nanc and I hope to see many of you long before September 12, 2040.


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