The 2012 U.S. presidential election is fast approaching. In fact this column should hit your mailboxes just a few weeks shy of November 6. Here then is news from some of our classmates who either have been or are currently involved in government and politics.


Writing from “one of the most beautiful places on earth” Karen Loeffler shared this perspective as U.S. attorney in Alaska: “I think most government workers would say public servants see themselves as just that—people proudly working for the public. My colleagues work long hours to enhance safety and improve communities. Of course in Alaska we always say we are somewhat unique given that the public we serve and protect includes bears, moose, caribous, whales and walruses. We had a great ski season last winter with an all-time record for snow here in Anchorage. Despite a rainy summer we still got in some wonderful sea kayaking. While kayaking in Glacier Bay we happened on a brown bear sunning itself on a snow patch next to the black bear cub it had obviously killed; a little gruesome but definitely nature on parade. I welcome all classmates and alumni to contact me whenever they get the chance to visit.”


Steve Hufford writes: “My wife and I just celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary with a two-week trip to Banff, Kootenay and Waterton Lakes National Parks in Canada. Definitely the best day hikes of a lifetime, highlighted by the Carthew-Alderson Trail! Here inside the beltway at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where we both work, we remain hopeful that our system of federal government can rise to its best level of performance, though admittedly the hype and posturing of the political process are overwhelming at times. Just had the opportunity to catch up with Burr Gray and send best wishes to all other ’79 classmates!”


Former Democratic member of the Maine House of Representatives (2008-10) David “Guy” Van Wie reports: “I am back to only one full-time job (environmental consulting) and have discovered what it is like to have something approaching spare time to read, play golf and catch up on long-overdue house projects. Our daughter Rosa just graduated from Dartmouth in June. She returns to Hanover this fall to complete her teaching internship in the White River Junction, Vermont, elementary school. Our son Garrett (a.k.a. “Bubba”) is a sophomore at Amherst College and was quick to point out that Amherst scored well above Dartmouth in the 2012 Forbes college ratings. He is playing soccer and enjoying college very much. Speaking of NESCAC schools, I ran into Ernie Parizeau last year at Middlebury College, where his daughter was playing soccer. My wife, Cheryl Bascomb ’82, and I share a passion for adult-onset ice hockey. She plays tournaments with a highly ‘sociable’ team. After a knee replacement a couple years ago I am on the ice three mornings a week. I hope to keep going as long as I can find replacement parts.”


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