If I have timed this right, you should be reading this in the heart of football season. I wanted to pay tribute to the Marching Band—largely because I was watching a movie about a marching band a few weeks ago—which led me to ask a few bandies to write in with some of their memories.


From Dr. Pam Adelstein (a family physician in a community health center in Dorchester, Massachusetts, and married to Michael Weissmann): “So I did not play a band instrument but had always wished I could be in Marching Band. I was off my junior fall but living and working in Hanover so I saw an opportunity. I played accordion as a kid; I wanted to play piano but grew up in a small house. My father told me I could play accordion instead, because ‘the accordion is just like the piano.’ Well, watching my friends learn Billy Joel and Star Wars themes while I played polkas and Hungarian dances, I learned that the two are nothing alike. But, here was my chance to put my accordion playing to good use—a marching accordion! I auditioned, got in (I think more based on the novelty factor rather than my skill), fashioned a little music stand that attached to my accordion with some clear packing tape, bought the requisite white pants in West Lebanon, New Hampshire, and there I was, the only marching accordion player in the Ivy League. Hawaii Five-0 and all!”


Dan Foster writes, “I was in Marching Band sophomore year for the P.E. credit. For field practice we would gather on Lebanon Street behind the Hop and march to the football practice fields near Thompson Arena. Traffic would stop while we arranged ourselves, but Hanover took pedestrian disruption of traffic in stride and cars would just follow us for a couple of blocks while we marched down the street. One afternoon there was some murmuring among the band and word eventually filtered forward that we were leading a funeral procession. I remember hoping that the deceased had grandchildren and that they just assumed that someone had arranged for the band to be part of the procession for their grandmother or grandfather.”


Write in with your favorite football or Marching Band memories!


As you may have read, we have recently lost another classmate, Dann Angeloff. If you head over to the Dartmouth ’93 Facebook group, Gustav Peebles posted some great photos.


With some happier news, Israel Sanchez has rejoined international law firm Greenberg Traurig as shareholder in their Miami office. 


The latest book from children’s author Sara Leach, titled Warm Up, has reached my desk. You can read more about it at www.amazon.com/warm-orca-limelights-sara-leach/dp/1459804287. I know there are a few classmates with young daughters—this book was called, “A sweet story that will surely leave a smile on your face. Not only does it capture the beauty and emotion of dance, but also the power of friendship,” by a School Library Journal teen reviewer.


Lastly, big thanks to Jeff Middents for pitching in last column and helping me out as I was recovering from my wrist surgery. I’m back two-handed and typing like a pro! So keep me supplied with news.


—Beth Krakower, c/o CineMedia Promotions, 11500 Olympic Blvd., Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90064; dartmouth93@gmail.com