december 2008 wdcr`s golden oldies!

OUR LEADERS:
John D. Burke – President
William G. Schur – Vice President
Lauren H. Cummings – Secretary
Andrew M. Carstensen – Treasurer
John S. Rockwell – Newsletter Editor
F. Sheldon Prentice – Head Agent
Marc Josephson – Webmaster
Gary Dicovitsky - Gift Planning Chair
DECEMBER 2008
WDCR’S GOLDEN OLDIES!
Some of the ‘72 voices/faces at June’s WDCR reunion dinner were (l-r):
John Rockwell, Joe Riley, Bill Aydelott, Chris Brewster, Mark “Loon” Stitham, Tim McKeever,
Bob Kirkpatrick, Charlie Smith (‘73) and Steve “Kong” Kepes.
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PAGE 2
Radio Days were remembered over a fine Norwich Inn dinner as WDCR alumni from late
‘60s and ‘70s classes assembled during Reunion Week. Along with Bill Downall (who somehow
missed being in that photo), other voices you might remember from the Golden Age of
1340 were Paul Gambaccini, Stu “Gary Stewart” Zuckerman and Dave Graves (all ‘70s);
Bob Shellard ‘69 and John Shapleigh ‘71. Our special guest was 89-year-old secretary and
“housemother” to us all, Evelyn “Mrs. H.” Hutchins. We watched Aydelott’s (in)famous WDCR
promotional film and the silly stop-motion films he made at the annual radio staff picnics
(Lordy, did we EVER look that young?). Plenty of anecdotes, especially the on-air bloopers,
were recounted.
One thing that was obvious from the comments of all attendees (many who were on the
station’s directorate in their Senior year), was the influence WDCR had on their Dartmouth
experience and their later lives. Quite a few of us have had careers in media, but even
the lawyers and businessmen among us were able to use the public speaking, writing and
leadership skills learned while “on the radio.”
Most of the ‘DCR gang also went to Robinson Hall the next morning to get a tour of the
current AM & FM studios and chat with undergrads and advisors. In the age of iPods the
importance of live radio “streaming” music and info into the college community would seem
unimportant, and there is a lot more commercial radio competition in the Tri-Town area, but
Dartmouth Radio survives. Bob K. and Stu
Z. have recently been made co-chairmen
of the Dartmouth Broadcasting Board of
Overseers, and in a statement to broadcast
alumni they said (in part): “We are fully
committed to continuing the tradition of
student learning through the medium of
radio. Sure, the competition is stiff these
days and the budget is so tight it’s beyond
squeaking. Nevertheless, our purpose
endures.“
To get an idea of what WDCR and WFRD
are like now, plus see more photos of
the 50th anniversary events, go to www.
webdcr.com/WDCRs50thAnniversary. Oh,
and so Downall doesn’t feel slighted, here’s
a shot of him next to Kirkpatrick (with
Dwight Macomber ‘70, John Marshall ‘71
and Bob Shellard behind them).
ACTION CENTRAL NEWS (cue newsy music theme)
As a Class Officer, I occasionally get e-mail from the other Officers about various highly
important class stuff (yeah, right). Noticing that an e-missive from our Webmeister, Marc
Josephson, had a new address ([email protected]), I was curious. Marc explains: “Yes - I
started a new business with my son Kurt after he graduated from MIT. We are developing a
‘72 NEWS DECEMBER 2008
PAGE 3
series of devices to reduce electrical energy usage. Our first product was just announced - a
device to remotely control window (or room) air conditioners. Using a standard web browser
from anywhere with Internet access, users can determine when they want their air
conditioner on and off. We included a local temperature sensor, so users can set
temperature ranges for turning the devices on and off as temperature fluctuates, they can
enter schedules for turning the devices on and off. A college in NYC used these to control
window air conditioners in administrative buildings, using the various departmental office
hours schedules to turn multiple air conditioners on and off depending on when staff was
supposed to be in the office, and we also developed the capability to turn the devices on
and off depending on the current price of electricity. Not many utilities offer real-time
electrical pricing to consumers yet, but several are in trials right now, and most industry
analysts say it is just a matter of time before all utilities will offer real-time electrical
pricing (typically really cheap in the middle of the night, and very expensive on hot August
afternoons when peak demand for electricity is very high).
Separately, I get together with David Hetzel on a regular basis. He bought a home about
11 miles from my weekend house, so we see each other quite frequently. David, Conni,
Lynn and I recently visited Bruce Ling ‘73 at his ranch in Wyoming, and were joined by Bill
Pollock. Had a really wonderful time, and hope to make it an annual visit.”
By the way, fellows, Marc J. is now our Alumni Council representative, so gripe to him
about anything alumni-related...
Charles Merrill ([email protected]) sent me a Green Card (which you all should do as
well!) recently. All he mentioned was that he had just had a book published, but with the
help of the Internet I was able to glean much more than his card offered:
Colom of Catalonia: Origins of Christopher Columbus Revealed (Demers Books), looks
at the widely-held belief that the explorer was Italian-born, most likely Genoese, in the
light of various theories that he may have been a Spaniard or Catalonian. Merrill’s decades
of research on Columbus’s origins qualify him to examine these unofficial, often-obscure
theories that, while perhaps nationalistic in origin, may have more credence than one might
think. Certainly proof that Columbus was not Italian-born would shake up the Italian-centric
views of many Renaissance scholars, not to mention tossing a spanner into Italian-American
Columbus day parades... Charles is currently associate professor of foreign languages at
Mount Saint Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Md. Any coincidence that I got his Green Card
right before Columbus Day?
As this year’s hurricane season started producing killer storms in the Gulf, I wondered
how and if Bev Love ([email protected]) was handling Gustav and Ike. Bev’s been
pretty busy, but not in the Gulf: “After Katrina, my wife and I moved to Canton, MS (near
Jackson). In July2007, I resigned from my position in Canton and began doing locum tenens
(temporary work) for one year including assignments in Fairfield and Canton,Il, 2 months in
Fairbanks, AK, Postsdam and Utica, NY, Dyersburg and Dickson, TN, and finally Marion, NC. I
was given a permanent position in OBG in Dyersburg, TN at the Dyersburg Regional Women’s
Center. Dyersburg is in Northwest Tennessee about 75 miles directly north of Memphis. My
wife and I are happy in this town of 22K. If you know anyone who wants to buy a house in
Madison County, Mississippi, let them know that my house is for sale. I do appreciate your
‘72 NEWS DECEMBER 2008
PAGE 4
email and the blessing from the class of 1972 for your concern as we faced the aftermath of
Katrina 3 years ago.
Vox Clamitis In Deserto but connected to many in the class of 1972. B Ray Love, MD aka
Lovedoctor.”
The Alumni Office just announced that Wayne Young willl be a 2009 Wearers Of The
Green inductee. To qualify, candidates must have been an award-winning athlete or
coach, and Wayne’s Alfred E. Watson Trophy for football put him on the list. The induction
ceremony will take place in Boston this May.
A GOOD(WIN) YEAR
2008 was eventful for Lee Goodwin: the lawyer-cum-photographer put on his first solo
show this fall at the Gardiner Gallery in Frederick, MD. The show featured his shots of Great
Falls, the Potomac river and the C&O Canals. If the pix below strike your fancy, log on to
leegoodwin.com to see a whole lotta lovely stuff (both in B&W and color)!
Lee also just changed jobs, moving from the recently-closed Thelen law firm to the D.C.
offices of Nixon Peabody. “I am very excited about the opportunity to join Nixon
Peabody. It is a major international law firm with offices across the United States,
including in Washington, New York, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago.
Independent energy has been an important part of Nixon’s practice for more than thirty
years, and the firm has capabilities in areas such as tax structuring and environmental
compliance that are far stronger than at Thelen.
I will be sorry to see Thelen go; it was a great institution with talented people and a long
history in the energy and infrastructure industries. But at the same time, I am excited about
the new opportunities at Nixon Peabody.” Lee’s new e-mail is [email protected].
FILLER FROM THE COLLEGE -- BONFIRE TRIVIA
Once again I have found interesting tidbits about our Alma Mater’s history on the
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college’s “Ask Dartmouth” website (www.askdartmouth.edu). I hereby quote one of their
knowledgable answers to oft-asked questions:
What is the history behind the Homecoming bonfire?
“On a May night in 1888, celebrations of a Dartmouth baseball victory over Manchester
made College history. The Dartmouth of May 4, 1888 reported: ‘The convulsive joy of the
underclassmen burst forth on the night of the first Manchester game in the form of a huge
fire. It disturbed the slumbers of a peaceful town, destroyed some property, made the boys
feel that they were men, and, in fact did no one any good.’
From such inglorious beginnings, the Dartmouth Night bonfire has become a treasured
tradition, kicking off homecoming weekend in October.
Since 1907, upperclassmen have delegated the construction of the bonfire to freshmen.
First-year students build the structure in the center of the Dartmouth Green, and revelers
still run around the conflagration, but a number of things have changed.
Originally, students built the bonfire from any scrap wood found in the vicinity, and
leftover railroad ties eventually became a popular source. Today, the structure’s layers are
made of non-treated, square-cut pine timber, harvested locally by a farmer near campus;
the base tier is filled with shipping pallets and other waste wood.
In its early years, the bonfire was followed by a pajama snake dance. (Archival
photographs in the Rauner Library show the singed fabric of those who drew too near.) Now,
students typically wear their class-year shirts and paint their faces. Contests have been held
by classes trying to outdo one another with competitions for the highest, fastest-built, and
the most combustible bonfire. The last 100-tier bonfire was built in 1979, but today, safety is
a primary concern. The bonfire is built to specifications outlined in the “Bonfire Construction
Safety Policies and Procedures” maintained by the Student Life office.”
AN APOLOGY FOR TARDINESS
OK, OK, I know I told you all waaay back in the spring that I was going to get back to
quarterly Newsletters. Well... right about when I was getting things started on an August
issue (with WDCR pix and all), I was told that I needed to move out of my old offices (and
either find a new space or cram it all into my 1-BR apartment) by early September. The real
estate people selling the building I had worked in for nearly 30 years were very nice and all,
but the poo-poo had hit the fan, so to speak. I was fortunate to stumble upon a subletting
deal from a bigger recording studio, which has given me a big room right off Times Square,
but I have to build the office/studio space myself. This has preoccupied my time for the
last few months, and will do so into 2009, but a lot of dust has settled (and if you’ve seen
my housekeeping, you’ll know this isn’t just a cliche!), and, with your continued e-mails
and Green Cards, I hope to get back on schedule now. The economy may be tight, but be
outgoing with your Class News! Hoping for a more Solvent New Year, I remain,
Your Obedient News Scribe,
John R.
[email protected]
Watch for rockwellaudiomedia.com - my new website!