1974

1974

Greetings, ’74 classmates. As we end 2022 and begin 2023, let us all hope for a new year that brings us renewal. It seems that all the news this year was negative, with the so-called end of democracy, threat of recession, record inflation, pandemic fatigue, climate catastrophe, and mental health crisis on campus.

Fortunately, good things are happening in our class and for Dartmouth. As I write this, you’ve received Rick Ranger’s long epistle. For those of you in other classes who don’t receive it, it includes eulogies for former President James Wright and classmate Dudley Flanders, updates on Rick’s mission in Uganda, a short biography on new class Alumni Council rep Duncan Todd, and reprints of a recent article on retired attorney and fiddler extraordinaire Bernie Waugh. At our November class executive committee meeting we set goals for our 50th reunion to raise a total of $2 million; $500,000 each for our class scholarship and health-equity projects and $1 million for Dartmouth College Fund. A thorough summary of these efforts is also included in Rick’s letter and copies are available simply by contacting Rick or me.

On December 1 we held our first all-class Zoom meeting to introduce our new website, launch our health-equity project, and promote our official fundraising campaign for our 50th reunion. Hosted by webmaster Ken Hall, it was a successful start to what the executive committee believes will be a series of virtual class gatherings during the next 18 months, designed to build momentum for both our fundraising and attendance at the reunion itself in June 2024. The presentations were recorded and are available to watch on the class website. Stay tuned for the next event coming soon.

Bob Baumann sent me his latest erudite commentary on the war in Ukraine. To access this, go to www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/ Military-Review/Online-Exclusive/2022-OLE/ Baumann.

Chris “Lance” Baldwin notified me regarding four books he is writing, the most immediate one being a treatise on the geologic fall line (North America), “How Geology Drives History: An Exploration into the Eastern Atlantic Seaboard Fall Line & Its Impact Upon Civilization.”

“The geologic fall line is the most significant phenomenon in American history; it is an escarpment, not a fault, that runs from N.Y.C. to Alabama and beyond. The Piedmont to the west was higher than the coastal plain to the east so the fall line is characterized by 900 miles of falls and rapids. Explorers trying to sail upriver could not get by the fall line. They had to settle there. Fall-line cities became major points of trade and commerce. The major Indian trails, now Route 1 and Route 95, run parallel to the fall line. Because of the cheap power at the falls, more than 1,000 mills sprouted up. For these reasons, fall-line cities morphed into 37 major cities in the eastern United States. This is not taught in American history, despite it being the single most important phenomena. My book will change that.”

Until next time.

—Philip Stebbins, 17 Hardy Road, Londonderry, NH 03053; p.stebs@gmail.com

Philip Stebbins