1975

Greetings from the saddest place on Earth on Saturday night, October 16, 2004—Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts. Once again the Evil Empire threatens Red Sox Nation with obliteration. In writing these words, I recognize that by the timeyou read this, the ALC play off will have long been finished and the results known to all. But as a die hard fan, I can't resist the urge to predict that we will in fact win Game 4 of this series, tomorrow night. So with that taken care, I can now move on to a more happy space in the world—Dartmouth College.

Nancy and I have seen quite a bit of the Hanover campus this year, and we can report that the fall colors are in full bloom and the campus is as vibrant as I can ever remember. The football team—well, let's talk about something else.. ..The incoming freshman class seems to be adjusting to life on campus and from my daughter's view of life from a triple in Mid Fayer weather, things seem to be going along just fine. Moving boxes into Lizzies room on a warm September day, some 33 years after I first stepped foot on the campus is indeed a strange feeling, and I was constantly reminded by my daughter that this "is my Dartmouth experience, Dad, not yours." So be it, it's wonderful to be back on campus for any reason.

From the mailbag comes news that Michael Sandoe has joined Ledyard National Bank as a vice president and commercial loan officer. Michael has been an active member of the Upper Valley and has 20 years of banking experience most recently with Charter One Bank in White River Junction. Best of luck, Michael.

On the political front, our own Bill Hammett is running for re-election for a seat on the Sonoma Valley Unified School District Board. Bill is an architect with Hammett and Edison Inc., a concommonbond sulting engineering firm and also president of the Foundation, a nonprofit language, noncommercial radio and newspaper operator. He is married to Sara and has three sons ages 14,12 and 8.

I received a postcard from Lon Cross from Uganda. Lon was in Africa traveling through Uganda, Nigeria, South Africa, Botswana, Kenya and Rwanda as part of an assessment LMI, Lon's firm, is doing. The project is a logistics and medical infrastructure study being conducted under the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Act. Lon's work will help establish support for the distribution of $15 billion worth of AIDS-related medical supplies over the next five years. Great work, Lon.

And I invite all classmates to visit the class of 1975 reunion Web site—www.dartmouth.org/classes/75 —it's a great way to register for the reunion and see who's coming and who you need to call. The reunion is only six months away!

Finally, and all too frequently these days, I have the sad news to report the death of our classmate John H. Gridley Jr. His brother, Lewis, wrote that John practiced in Naples, Florida, and was active in a variety of charitable and professional organizations. He made particular note that John had fond memories of his days at Dartmouth and was close to many of his classmates. Our thoughts go out to John's family.

Well that's it for now. In 24 hours we'll know if hope springs eternal in Red Sox Nation. I promise not to re-write the column once the results are known. Win, lose or draw, we're all lucky to be alive. Nancy and I send our very best wishes for a happy, healthy and safe holiday season.

5 Boardman Ave., Manchester, MA01944; (617) 737-1100,ext. 302; jbildner@ newhorizonspartners.com