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Middlebury College magazine. Vol. 88, No. 3 : 2014 PDF

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Preview Middlebury College magazine. Vol. 88, No. 3 : 2014

M KviW Its » KCtiir/3^ W$U •■a:.'. ÇiS i m miM. . • I- •y'S-|\ pj, J W ^ : 7 ««• ■■■ ■■ « ■ •* m III III H !! !! J! . -'ÿ-; ■':■■ ■■ ?v> f ^:ft''. Cf : __,k '■ Summer 20/4 : ■.■ ■ ^ 'V' TRAIL MIX The TAM turns iS-p- 28 h M " " ' I ! , 1 1 " " THE CHALLENGER ! !.. ' I " " Can Shenna Bellows ’97 stun the political establishment by winning a Senate seat in Maine?p. 54 FINDING MOM Following the death of her mother, a writer makes a discovery about t;* ‘ loss. A 96 ■r . Wit- * 1■‘ . 4 k '*■ 7 T H A N K Every student m ight have a different reason to be grateful for a M iddlebury education, but all of their reasons have som ething in com m on: YO U I IV Vr.M^.kV- / It* Your gift to Middlebury makes this exceptional education Voor +D Hi(9SleU(J ^ possible. iç on TNCPIERTIOM for 'O '>06 Visit go.middlebury.edu/thankyou2014 to watch a short video of students giving thanks. To see your gift acknowledged, visit go.middlebury.edu/honorroll. M i d d l e b u r y C O V E R ESSAYI If you’re looking for guidance on the books that you should read in your lifetime—and are considering using the summer to get started— this topic is worth exploring further. In the novel category, should one read Jacqueline Susann’s truly terrible Valley of the Dolls instead of, say, Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn or—the greatest of all novels— Middlemarch by George Eliot? For poetry, Amazon recom­ mends Shel Silverstein instead of the poems of Robert Frost, Walt Whitman, or Emily Dick­ inson. For a great biography, we get Robert A. Caro’s admirable life of Robert Moses. But what about James Boswell’s Life of Johnson, arguably the finest biography ever published? Certain books here are familiar to high school students, including To Kill a Mockingbird, Slaughterhouse-Five, and Catcher in the Rye. I don’t like any of these much, if truth be told. One of my sons recently graduated from high school, and he complained that in the past six years he had been asked every single year to read To Kill a Mockingbird. Surely there are other books about race relations in the American South? I did like certain choices that Amazon made: Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried is cer­ tainly the best book about Vietnam; more than that, it’s a dazzling work of art. John Irving’s The World According to Garp will always deserve readers, as will The Roadhy Cormac McCarthy and Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. So, if this is the summer to get started on your reading quest, I suggest readingThoreau’s By Jay Parini , Axinn Professor of English and Creative Writing Walden, which didn’t make Amazon’s list. It’s a sublime work of literature, better than any What To Read? of the memoirs included here. And read The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin before you read The Liars’ Club by Mary Carr or The Tear Fm a lover of books, great ones and not-so-great ones. of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion. The latter are fine books, but they should not crowd out And I also love lists. So it didn’t surprise me when Am­ Thoreau or Franklin. It’s sad to see that Shakespeare and Tolstoy azon recently came out with its “too Books to Read in don’t make Amazon’s too. Nor do Updike or Bellow. I’d say that only about a third of the a Lifetime.” ff I was, however, more than a little shocked books on Amazon’s list are in any way essen­ tial reading. Now, I’m not arguing that you by the list, which included a few classics, such as George should spend vacation time reading work that I or others consider essential. But if you are Orwell’s 1^84 and Charles Dickens’ Great Expec­ interested in “must reads’’—life is short, after tations, squeezed alongside Kitchen Confidential all—rip this page out of the magazine and take by Anthony Bourdain and Gone Girlhy Gillian it to your local bookstore. Or order online, if Flynn. Really? And do you think The Very Hungry you must—just don’t let the online store choose Caterpillar should sit on the shelf of must-reads- the selections for you. 13 before-dying with Pride and Prejudice, the great masterpiece byJane Austen? This essay first appeared as commentary on CNN.com. COVER AND ILLUSTRATION. ABOVE, BY GARY VENN Summer 20/4 1 [SCENE “Hey, Sonia, what do you call the man with the rubber toe?” f After a brief moment of concentrated silence in the station, we exchange a huge smile, f “Roberto!” f Chuckles, laughs, and perhaps the occasional groan ripple across the Champlain Valley. It’s almost one o’clock on a Thursday afternoon, and if you have your radio tuned to 91.i FM, you’re listening to Sunny with a Chance of Soul, f Whether we’re broadcasting to hundreds of listeners or if only our moms are tuning in, cohosting a radio show lets us spend an hour every week swapping music and grooving to some of our favorite tunes. When our mics are turned down, we sing along and wander the stacks of unfamiliar albums lining the 5 walls of WRMC’s studio. There’s a wonderful kind of synergy in bringing together two friends with differ­ ent tastes in music. Sabi’s library is full of oldies and | Billyjoel, while Sonia’s playlists are a lot more modern. Whether the forecast predicts blue skies or a blizzard in May, there’s always a chance of soul in the station. By Sonia Rodrigues ’15 and Sabi Sabharwal ’15 Photograph by Brett Simison Since its first broadcast in 1949, WRMC has been a source of song and talk for the Middlebury community and beyond. Find out more at wrmc.middiebury.edu. ■ SCENE J^m Students aboard Middie- bury’s research vessel, the R/V Folger. sample water and sediment collected from Lake Champlain. -. — _ ^..... One of the dominant narratives of the Lake Champlain hasin is the story told by the geology and hydrology of the lake. It’s a complex tale, one of water flow, sediment development, and ecological history, none of which have been completely unraveled, f At the Middlebury School of the Environment, which was launched this summer, unpackaging the story of Lake Champlain is just one part of a curriculum that focuses on sustain­ ability; on understanding a specific landscape through narratives informed by the natural sciences, social sci­ ences, and humanities; and on gaining a global perspec­ tive on key issues, such as socioeconomic inequality or environmental negotiation, f Students such as these are inheriting unprecedented environmental challenges. This intensive six-week program is designed to change their lives—and the lives of others. By Steve Trombulak , Director , Middlebury School of the Environment Photograph by Brett Simison Summer 2014 5 ■ S C E N E H B Gertrude Hewitt Lathrop ’34 attended her 80th reunion in June, an occasion that warranted a standing ovation when she entered Mead Chapel for convocation. When I was a student, we went to chapel almost every day; I believe we didn’t go on Saturday During the week, we’d go every morning at io:oo after our 9:00 class. Some mornings we weren’t there that long, f I’m sure I’ve been back to the chapel since the ’30s, but it’s been a long time. I noticed they got a new carpet, a very pretty rose-colored one. I noticed that right away when President Liebowitz brought me in. f What did I think when people started to cheer for me? I guess I hardly realized what was happening. It almost seems like a dream to think about it now. f My dress? I’ve had it for some time, but I hadn’t worn it in a while. I thought it fit the occasion, though. Don’t you? f I was a French major and after graduating I taught French over in New York State for eight years. I loved teach­ ing, and I love the French language. I’ve been to France several times. Well into my 80s, I traveled a lot—I’m almost 102 now, you know. I’d go to Europe, California, the Rockies. But there’s also something really nice about being home. By Gertrude Hewitt Lathrop ’34, as told to Matt Jennings . Photograph by Todd Balfour ■ d Summer 2074 7 Unhurried. Unspoiled. Unforgettable Just 20 minutes south of Middlebury, Brandon is the quintessential town in which to enjoy quaint shops, great food and the perfect night's sleep. Our picturesque village is just a few minutes away....join us for time well spent! Moo A &r^^A4oA lAA A women's boutique with fabulous clothing, Charming and unique - 39 guest rooms, incl. great jewelry and accessories, handbags, some family rooms and whirlpool suites all with private bath - Complimentary full breakfast & cards, candles, soaps and more! Wi-Fi ~ center of town, walking distance to (802)247-5004 f i shops & restaurants! (800) 639-8685 Brandonlnn.com Ttie- Uidd The Lilac Inn is a leading luxury romantic E AT V E A Fabric & Fiber Arts Destination - w'hheerne you Vermont Country Inn Boutique Bed and 1 and like-minded artists collaborate, learn and find cr’^â fru m ' Breakfast known for romantic getaways and inspiration-your resource to gather the trendiest, Fabric & Fiber^ra weddings in any season. traditional or hard-to-find supplies for your "lost art". (802) 247-8777 creativefiberdesigns.org (802)247-5463 lilacinn.com 6(UII4 slnof Exhibiting the work of a dynamic, vibrant, Offering beautifully designed rugs, luscious and varied collection of 50-plus local artists. sheets, fairtrade towels and blankets, unusual Open to the public 10 to 5,7 days a week, light bulbs, kitchen and bath hardware, throughout the entire year. rosemary topiaries and more. (802) 465-1817 (802) 247-4956 brandonartistsguild.org thehomeshopvt.com ^ lAA oA Oi\kt> frove-Aoe' Center village location, 6 comfy rooms, and Offering traditional and French cuisine in living room with baby grand piano and fireplace. simple, elegant fashion. We are also the perfect spot for special event celebrations in Great breakfasts and evening dessert too! our private dining room. Visit our sister bakery/ (800) 394-7239 theinnonparkstreet.com eatery and wine shop "Gourmet Provence". (802) 247-9997 cafeprovencevt.com 6>rf^A4oA wofor Uo4a«' Visit our tasting room located in our post and Enjoy our friendly atmosphere and cozy beam barn featuring local craft beers and wines accommodations...and take in the gorgeous from Foley Brothers Brewing and Neshobe River mountain views from the front porch. An affordable Winery, made on premises. choice when traveling or vacationing in the area - (802) 247-8002 neshoberiverwinery.com we offer 25 guest rooms, as well a 2 bedroom suite. (800) 675-7614 brandonmotoriodge.com Tide' djf^T-e'bo lAA Situated on 1,200 acres, our lovely guest house is Cozy elegance is experienced at this National the perfect place for an overnight stay, weekend Historic Register 1860s B&B. All guest rooms boast private bath, AC, fine pressed linens, getaway, or extended vacation. Easy access to featherbeds. Sumptuous breakfasts. Extensive Brandon's shops, restaurants and galleries. gardens. (802)247-3235 (802)247-5223 swallowsnestvt.com www.vermontgazeboinn.com lAA Stay, relax and enjoy a mindless stress-free ^r^rv4oA getaway ambiance while visiting Middlebury and Vermont. Take an easy stroll into center www.brandon.org 802-247-6401 [email protected] village for fine dining or specialty shops. Spacious comfortable guest rooms with excellent breakfast. Brandon Museum at the Stephen Douglas Birthplace; Our 24th year as Owner Innkeepers. open mid-May through mid-October (802)247-0098 rosebelles.com Mention this ad for special offers at each Brandon business listed here

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