For those within striking distance of Hanover, here’s hoping fall brings an opportunity to revisit campus, take in foliage and football, and bask in the glow of a bonfire and the warmth of rekindled friendships. For those in Northern California, a September wine harvest party arranged by Anne Arquit Niederberger, Karen Francis DeGolia, and Jack Oswald was undoubtedly a wonderful chance to unplug and reconnect. It sure seemed to have all the elements of success, from e-bikes to hikes among the redwoods, from exceptionally good company to Sonoma’s finest wines. I look forward to recapping the weekend’s highlights in a future column and to keeping you updated on Karen’s plans to create a wine in honor of our 45th at her vineyard, Limerick Lane.

In late summer news, Juliet Aires Giglio embarked on what could be described as a mini family reunion and a mini Dartmouth reunion in one. I loved hearing that Juliet’s dad, Randy Aires ’57, is still spry enough to travel the world—and invited Juliet and her sister, Katherine Aires Byrnes ’92, along for the ride. Their Dartmouth alumni travel adventure in the Baltics was an epic journey from start to finish. Thought-provoking lectures, multi-generational socializing, the bracing combination of a Finnish sauna and a swim in the Baltic Sea, even a meeting with Lech Walesa, were experiences that transformed Juliet to a convert when it comes to embracing alumni travel programs.

Eric Grubman celebrated many a joyous milestone during the summer: seeing his twin sons graduate from Yale Medical School, marrying one off and gaining a daughter-in-law, and toasting his 30th wedding anniversary. His wife, Stephanie Green, attributed their fortuitous meeting to alphabetical order—leading to their rubbing elbows in gross anatomy lab in med school. Don’t you just love these old-fashioned love stories that predated dating apps?!

In this election cycle classmates on the political scene have been gaining traction and photo ops. Many ’84s expressed excitement at seeing Leah Daughtry at the Democratic National Convention, while others assumed that as cochair of the rules committee, Leah was plenty busy helping navigate Harris’ unprecedented path to the nomination. Closer to Hanover, Republican Bill Hamlen,a common-sense conservative, has been hard at work campaigning for the September primary and, ideally, a congressional seat representing New Hampshire’s 2nd District.

For those who want an escape from the political noise or consider curling up on the couch one of fall’s simple pleasures, I’ve got the ticket! Hold Your Breath, a psychological thriller coproduced by Alix Madigan, premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September and is now streaming on Netflix after the Hollywood strikes significantly delayed its release. With an award-winning cast led by Sarah Paulson and The Bear’s Ebon Moss Bachrach, the thriller is set in the 1930s Oklahoma dust bowl. Not one to rest on her laurels, Alix is now hard at work on Horsegirls, an indie film project that has her based in Portland, Oregon, for three months. Stay tuned!

—Deana Washburn, 209 Casino Ave., Cranford, NJ 07016; deanadw@aol.com