Clubs & Groups
Clubs & Groups
CLASS NOTES
I hope 2021 is going well for everyone. Though it is happening virtually, I am glad to know that Dartmouth alumni around the world are maintaining connections and staying in touch during these challenging times.
John Bash ’67, president of the Dartmouth Club of Sarasota and Manatee, reports that on December 18 the club held a virtual holiday party hosted by Beaver Shriver ’82. Continuing with his family’s philanthropic tradition, Beaver described his latest endeavor, Rise Coffee Co. & Nye’s Cream Sandwiches, which trains and employs special-needs persons to deliver high-quality products. He introduced a Special Olympics athlete, Adam Carmona, who spoke about overcoming numerous challenges to succeed at the organization. The program closed with a couple of Dartmouth and holiday songs by the Dartmouth Aires in a music video acquired by our Zoommeister, Ed Mazer ’63, from the Dartmouth Club of Greater Boston.
Starting off the new year on January 15, the club invited Liz Stamoulis ’08, a Williams Parker law partner and Sarasota, Florida, 2020 Young Professional of the Year, to talk about the impact Dartmouth had on her career. Bill Wellstead ’63 reminisced about her attendance at the club when she was a student at Dartmouth. Liz talked about her academic adventures and her experience leading the football cheerleadingteam. Liz also spoke about her archaeological digs through the Dartmouth foreign study program, her years with a professional Greek dance troupe, and her performance at the Athens Olympics opening ceremony. Liz credited Dartmouth with helping her hone some of the skills needed to advance a corporate and intellectual law practice even during the pandemic. It was very uplifting and inspiring!
Sue Reed ’81 shared some updates from the Dartmouth Club of the Upper Valley (DCUV). In 2020, like everyone else, the club had to pivot quickly to virtual events. The club had some very good speakers at virtual events in 2020 and the turnout was typically as good as in-person events, but with slightly different people attending. The club realized that it had become easier for some alumni in its largely elderly group to attend events, since they could do so from the comfort of their own homes. Though that has been good, the club misses the social gatherings and the great food they used to have at in-person events. Sue shared several new efforts that the club tried this past year, with some notes for those alumni in clubs or groups who might wanttotiythemthemselves.OnFebruaiy 21 the club held a virtual trivia night. Organizers came up with the format and specific custom questions related to Dartmouth and the Twin States. It was a great success and members would be happy to share the format and trivia questions with others.
The club’s big effort in December was the care package project. This was the club’s first collaboration with the Women of Dartmouth Upper Valley group. Every December around 100 students stay on campus between fall and winter term. Recently, when fall term was adjustedto end before Thanksgiving, this break became longer and started to be called “winterim.” The students who typically remain on campus during this long winter term are often athletes who are training and traveling. But in 2020 this was very different. Most of the 2020 on-campus winterim students were those who could not go home, many for Covid-related reasons. They were living scattered and isolated in empty dorms, with many of the campus buildings closed and off limits. Even the dining halls were closed to gatherings, offering only takeout meals. Once the DCUV and Women of Dartmouth Upper Valley decided to team up to create care packages, there were only two weeks to execute the plan and in compliance with state rules limiting gatherings and travel between Vermont and New Hampshire. Additional factors in the planning included mindfully sourcing items in a way that would support local businesses, which were all struggling with restrictive Covid limitations, and creating an opportunity for alumni to participate in a joyful service event. The organizers decided to be guided by the traditions of intergenerational care packages from home: homemade treats, personal letters, cozy textiles. The clubs requested donations from alumni in the following categories: homemade cookies, handwritten notes of support, scarves, and gift cards from Hanover bookstores and eateries. More than 100 alumni contributed. In addition to the donations, the care packages included local candy, cocoa, masks, and a custom Dartmouth souvenir. The club collected the donations at the Alpha Delta house and then a small, masked group of alumni assembled 100 boxes and took them to the dining hall for distribution in midDecember to surprise the students. The scarves, many handmade, were offered separately so the students could choose their own. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible for the club members to meet the students in person to distribute the care packages, but it was an incredible effort that made everyone who participated glad to be connected.
Led by Sue, the club has been crafting and distributing what Martha Beattie ’76 describes as a “cozy” newsletter to all local alums via email. The updated and more frequent newsletter includes upcoming event announcements and updates on changes happening in Hanover. Sue has included interesting notes about history as well. With the most recent newsletters, she has also launched a series featuring guest writers commenting on the topics of bias and exclusion on college campuses.
Thank you for continuing to share your news. Please stay safe and send me updates about the great virtual events that your club, association, or affiliated group has organized.
—Stina Brock ’01, P.O. Box9274, Jackson, WY83002; stina.brock@gmail.com
Stina Brock '01
