1975

By the time you read this Dartmouth's elections will be over, both political parties will have chosen a nominee and Dartmouth's latest sophomore class will take its rightful place as summer residents on campus. For all the rest of us it's a time to enjoy that special season that seems to renew our lives year after year.

And from the looks of the mailbag, you could say this is our class's literary month.

Jonathan Kern, our own NPR radio and news producer, has a new book coming out this summer: Sound Reporting: The NPR Guide to Audio Journalism and Production, published by the University of Chicago. The Amazon description says it all: "Jonathan Kern, who has trained NPR's on-air staff for years, is a gifted guide, able to narrate a day in the life of a host and lay out the nuts and bolts of production with equal wit and warmth." I profiled Jonathan two years ago in the Alumni Magazine and am delighted to see his latest work in print.

And from Christopher Carlson, whom I mentioned in my last column, comes word that Hyperion Books has just published his children's book titled Puddlejumpers. Puddlejumpers is the fantasy story of Ernie Banks, an orphan who discovers his destiny on a mysterious journey that is sure to enthrall young readers ages 10 and up. Chris has also just co-written a screenplay titled Beast of Bataan that is scheduled to go into production in September and will star William Hurt and Willem Dafoe, to name a few. The film is about the war crimes trial of Japanese General Masaharu Homma, whom the United States held responsible for the Bataan Death March.

Chris is also working on a screenplay with our own Vernon Chadwick on a story based on Vernon's experience traveling in Ukraine. Finally, Chris reports that he has seen a number of classmates during the year, including Rob Emslie, Dick Moran, Mike Nutter, Russell Hart, Rich Laffin, Sue Gillette, Steve Alpert and Mike Keats.

Chris' conclusion speaks for itself, "I can joyfully report that they are all well fortified with ample granite in their veins and continue to explore this world with courage and delight." What more could you ask for? Finally, on a sadder note, I learned that Michael Sandoe died this past winter.

Following graduation Michael lived in the Upper Valley the rest of his life and was an active member of the community and most recently vice president for commercial lending at Led-yard National Bank. He will be missed and our thoughts are with his wife, Cori, and their three children.

Well that's all the news for now. Make the most of the summer; fall is just around the corner.

5 Boardman Ave., Manchester, MA 01944; (617) 737-1100, ext.302; jbildner@literaryventuresfund.org