At this writing (mid-August) the fall gridiron season is still several weeks away. But the preseason media poll, as voted by Ivy coaches and media, puts Dartmouth seventh, ahead only of Columbia; Penn and Harvard are on top. After last years 1-9 record, and the loss by graduation of nine offensive starters, there is little to rebut the poll. Yet, there is reason for optimism. Returning coach Buddy Teevens '79 is reason enough for this season ticket-holder. While the win-loss results will take a while to improve, these upcoming Saturdays at Memorial Field should be interesting and encouraging. Practice begins August 24 and the regular season starts with the Colgate game at home on September 17.
Speaking of which, that weekend is also our mini-reunion and prexy Doug Thomson has stuff lined up, especially during the Saturday evening dinner where the guest speaker will be Bob Gaudet '81, Dartmouth hockey coach. Last year's speaker, Terry Dunn, will become our newest honorary class member. Our Pick-Axe awards go to Ted Krug and Jay Evans, while the Alumni Council Award goes to Ray Truncellito. All well deserved.
Among our recent authors is Charlie Russell, residing in Nassau Bay, a Houston suburb. After a career as a professor of sociology, Charlies newest book is Undaunted:A Norwegian Womanin Frontier Texas. His interest developed when he and wife Inger, a Norwegian, moved from Connecticut to Texas in 1992. The discovery of a Norwegian immigrant community in Texas since 1845 moved him to write the story. The book is published by Texas A&M University Press for release in October. Charlie's earlier writings were for the Boston Post sports page and he remembers well the presence of Connie Pensavalle at all those football practices and games.
Another of our members whose lifelong passions still burn brightly is Seward Weber. A self-styled environmental activist, Seward left Northwestern University in 1970, where he was dean of students, to return to Vermont where his roots were and his interest in, and concern for, the environment has occupied him to this day. The 1970s were the days in the sun for the environmental movement and much pro-environmental legislation dates from that period, but the movement has since receded. Yet believers such as Weber remain involved in the educational effort, one not to be resolved on our watch.
2108 Austin Road, Woodstock, VT05091; dlfelicityfarm@yahoo.com