1984

You know, I thought that by turning 40, life would somehow get easier...or at least I could look back and have a modicum of hindsight that would enable me to meet challenges with more finesse. The challenge of writing this column, for example. Hindsight might not prepare me for this, but once again I am fortunate enough to be able to rely on a couple of well-timed e-mails to ease the way.

One of my freshman year roommates, Lisa Ragen Ide, wrote recently. Lisa is living in Minneapolis and is a part-time staff physician at a non-profit Center for Victims of Torture, where she sees people from all over the world. Next year, along with working part-time, Lisa plans to get her masters in pubic health as part of an occupational and environmental medicine residency. She and her husband, Buddy 'BO, have four kids (8,6,4 and 2), and spend a lot of time at their cabin in Wisconsin, where they keep up their Crosscountry skiing.

Lisa reported that Anna Sonnerup and her husband, Bill Shaffner, had a daughter, Rosa, in September'01. They, along with big sister Alexandra, live in Seattle. Also born in September 01 was James Randolph Hill Carter, born to Viva Hardigg and her husband, Bev Carter. Cola Parker and her husband, Andy, added Lucy to their clan this winter, joining Willy (5) and Ella (3). Cola and her brood live in Groton, Connecticut.

One of the most entertaining e-mails I have ever received came from Eric Dezenhall. Eric, who lives outside of Washington with his wife, Donna, and children Stuart (12) and Eliza (9), is busy with Little League and horseback riding. While I don't know if you remember me writing about Eric's book, Nail 'Em! A couple of years ago, you owe it to yourself to check out his new novel, Money Wanders (www.moneywanders.com). The book, according to Eric, is about a disgraced pollster and Dartmouth alum, and includes flashbacks to Dartmouth and parties on Webster Avenue. Eric relates: "The inspiration for the novel was Allen Waxman's freshman book picture...and the Uzi-wielding Rastafarian drag lord is completely based on Eric Grubman, who borrowed a beach towel in 1981 and never returned it". Attending the book party were Allen "The Voice" Waxman, Gordon "The Producer" Piatt, Brian "The Banker" Kinney, Shaun "Boy" Gurl, and Asa "Milhous" Nixon (a.k.a. "The Doctor"). As for the question of whether this book is autobiographical, Eric's attorney, Kevin "The Mouthpiece" Rosen advised him to say that he has no recollection of having relatives like this. When not writing, Eric works in crisis.management, regularly appearing on shows like Hardball and the O'Reilly Factor, analyzing corporate and political damage control.

I hated to edit that e-mail, but I needed to get some housekeeping information in. Did you know that next year is our 20 th reunion? Yes, and Kate Day has "volunteered" to help run it. I know Kate throws great parties, since she and Steve Day had one for me in Raleigh. If you want to help with this reunion or a mini-reunion at Dartmouth or host a mini-reunion of your own, please contact me. There are lots of things to do. Also, keep in mind that we have elections at reunion. That means you can help by volunteering to serve on the executive committee in any number of ways. Everyone can help by simplyupdating their e-mail and personal information with Dartmouth. And if you think of it, send an e-mail to me or Kathy and let us know what's happening with you.

6310 Cherry Tree Lane, Atlanta, GA30328; (404) 256-1853; mymy@mindspring.com;4821 Roanoke Parkway, Apt. 802,Kansas City, MO 64112-1822; krausek@umkc.edu