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

2014·101.3 MB·English

by  Middlebury College

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
[phone] f i
shops & restaurants!
[phone] 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".
[phone] creativefiberdesigns.org
[phone] 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. [phone]
[phone] 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/
[phone] theinnonparkstreet.com
eatery and wine shop "Gourmet Provence".
[phone] 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 -
[phone] neshoberiverwinery.com we offer 25 guest rooms, as well a 2 bedroom suite.
[phone] 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. [phone]
[phone] 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
[phone] rosebelles.com
Mention this ad for special offers at each Brandon business listed here