This winter it was all about weather and politics. Seems our winter left to go to the Euro zone and our politics left to go—well, probably best to leave that conversation for another day. If you were at Winter Carnival this year, much of the ice sculptures were left to your imagination, including the one on the Green. But in true Dartmouth fashion the weekend celebration went on despite the lack of snow. So all in all, life continues as it always does. Enough small talk, now to the mailbag.


Congratulations are in order for our own John R. Brumsted, M.D., who was recently named president and chief executive officer of Fletcher Allen Health Care and Fletcher Allen Partners in Burlington, Vermont. Fletcher Allen Partners is an integrated delivery system comprising Fletcher Allen Health Care and Central Vermont Medical Center. In making the announcement, Roger Stone, chair of both the Fletcher Allen board of trustees and the Fletcher Allen Partners board of trustees, said, “At this moment in time when so much is at stake in healthcare we need someone who is absolutely committed to making the system work in Vermont and someone who has established relationships with our many stakeholders. John is that person.” Congratulations, John. 


In other news, Paul Parsons has a new novel being released this spring titled Baden-Powell’s Beads. It’s the first of a four-part thriller based on the strand of Zulu beads recovered in South Africa in 1888. 


And finally, Hal Macartney sent me a note about Dave Farmer, who was recognized last year by the U.S. Olympic Committee as its volunteer coach of the year (all country, all sports!) for his work with the Aurora, Colorado, high school rugby program. As Hal notes, Dave is the real deal, devoted to the kids and often practicing in asphalt parking lots as the city has no funds or space. Truly an amazing accomplishment. Well done, Dave, we’re proud of you.


Enjoy the spring—summer won’t be far behind. Who knows? Maybe we’ll get snow in June. Keep touch. Nanc sends her best, as do I.


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