I’m finishing this end-of-year column in the peaceful predawn hours of Sunday, October 28, while Hurricane Sandy gets “set to make history as it aims at U.S. coast,” according to a Reuters report. The class of ’79 continues to make history as well, having recently been honored by the College with “Special Recognition for Strong Support of the Dartmouth College Fund.” Congratulations to all of you who contribute to the Dartmouth of today in so many wonderful ways!


I enjoyed tailgating this fall with many classmates, including John “Juan” Currier and professor Doug Arion. Doug writes: “It’s been great living back here in our family’s house in Whitefield, New Hampshire, as construction on our new home begins in nearby Bethlehem. The new house will be built by Steve Chardon, the best homebuilder in northern New England! Living here has been part of a new project I’ve been managing with the Appalachian Mountain Club. Along with Wisconsin’s Carthage College, where I’ve taught for almost 20 years, we are running public astronomy outreach programs all over the White Mountains. I also continue to run the Galileoscope program, an important volunteer effort to try to improve science education in the United States.”


I was so happy to reconnect with Jane Simms Hamner recently. Janie and her husband, Pat, are “almost empty nesters, with our oldest son graduating from Baylor in December, our middle son at Southern Methodist University and our youngest son a high school junior. Dallas is lots of fun, though Peter Greulich may beg to differ after having suffered through the record-breaking summer heat of 2011! I work in a pediatric practice three days a week and remain active with nonprofits in my spare time. Wipe Out Kids Cancer helps make life more pleasant for families in our area and raises money to fund children’s cancer research. More locally I am working with Connecting Point of the Park Cities and volunteering for the Dartmouth Club of Dallas.”


It was also great catching up with Kimberly Allen Hack after having been out of touch for way too long. Kim reports: “My husband and I still live in my hometown of Winnetka, Illinois. Our daughter is a senior at New Trier Township High School, so we’re in the midst of college essay hell. And yes, Dartmouth is on her list. We were back on campus this summer for a lacrosse camp. I’ve been lucky to get out that way frequently over the years to see my nephew, look for property, lecture at Tuck and do some recruiting. I’d love to have the excuse to visit our daughter in Hanover for the next four years, so keep your fingers crossed!”


I want to wish you all a happy, healthy New Year, as well as bid farewell to the two classmates we sadly lost in 2012: Hanover’s own Marina Finch, and Kevin James. The granite of New Hampshire was made part of them till death; they will forever remain strong in our hearts.


—Stanley Weil, 15 Peck Road, Mt. Kisco, NY 10549; (917) 428-0852; stanno79@gmail.com