Whole Again
Though I realize that Tara McMenamy Sheahan's battle with Lyme disease was by no means the sole focus of your article about her courage and strength ("Requiem for a Dream," winter 2006), I was most touched by it and want to thank you for addressing Lyme disease with such accuracy.
Though it is a growing health crisis, it is still greatly misunderstood and, as a result, is too often un- and misdiagnosed and under-treated. Like Ms. Sheahan, I saw several doctors and suffered myriad neurological, cardiac, reproductive, joint, and psychiatric problems before being diagnosed with disseminated/chronic Lyme disease. I have been on antibiotics for over two years now and am grateful that I too am able to once again do most things that I have always enjoyed (though on a much smaller scale than hers!).
Your accurate and poignant portrayal of the ramifications of Lyme disease in a magazine that has such a national reach is tremendous and will, I feel certain, have significant positive consequences. Thank you.
Julia Morris Ogden '86, M.A. English '96
Byfield, Massachusetts
Beauty and the Beast(ly)
John Elder is one of the most insightful, kind men in my life, and his teaching and written works have profoundly influenced my work in education. His characterization of Bicentennial Hall ("Into the Wood," winter 2006) reminds me to focus on the positive.
Given Bi Hall's location on my ex-favorite sunset spot on campus, this un-Vermont-scale monstrosity led me (and many of my classmates and professors) to dub it the "Death Star"—after Star Wars and the fact that almost all of the Environmental Council's suggestions were rebuked by the College administration. The article reminds me to focus on the successes and the beauty of the natural world, no matter where it exists, no matter where we are: Bread Loaf or the Death Star, Vermont or New York City, in a law office or an outdoor classroom.
So "Word" to John Elder for reminding me of his Zen training, to Nan Jenks-Jay for rocking the boat, to the Weybridge folks who got me off the meal plan and helped to get the new organic garden on campus, and cheers to the administration and the architects for a far more tasteful library!
Nic Tuff '99
Alexandria, Virginia
Seize the Day
I read with interest Professor John Elder's discussion of the economic benefits to the College in his article on the use of wood from local, sustainable forests in Middlebury's buildings ("Into the Wood," winter 2006). I remembered my student days and thinking about the use—and cost—of energy on campus.
A glance at the College's annual expenses reveals that Middlebury's facilities do not cease to be costly when construction ends and doors open to a reception of blue balloons and chocolate medallions with the college seal.
I arrived in Middlebury in 1997, around the beginning of the recent building boom. I was reminded that I lived and studied on a green campus. I still have the ruler, distributed to first year students, that reads, "Middlebury conserves and recycles: please maintain the tradition." It seemed to me that many students were not maintaining a tradition of conservation. It was not unusual to see open dorm windows in January, and it was typically security staff—not students—who turned down the lights in CFA at midnight. Energy conservation in Middlebury's now bigger facilities would save the College a great deal of money. It ought to be students who lead the effort.
Brendan Hogan '01
Rochester, New York
A Solid Language Plan
I congratulate Middlebury for affiliating with the Monterey Institute of International Studies to further expand our possibilities in the vast range of languages and international relations.
I encourage Middlebury to consider the third prong of a solid language plan—to add or to merge with a fine school of pedagogy, to prepare teachers of world languages that would cross the age groups of preschoolers through college-age students. I am thinking of a school that would prepare future teachers to do curriculum writing, maintain high standards that align with benchmarks, teach with strategies and materials that are age-appropriate, and finally pump into that the critical thinking that is so infused in the Middlebury philosophy.
Christi Rentsch de Moraga '76, Spanish '77
Marlborough, Connecticut
The writer is a teacher of French and Spanish.
Photo Op
Reading the interesting Student Scene article on Xan Hopcraft '06 and his pet cheetah, Dooms, ("Out of Africa, winter 2006) I wondered why on earth you put in such a strange photo. Is it a picture of someone, possibly Xan, sitting with a fake cheetah? Why not one of the photos of Xan as a child in Kenya with Dooms? It is clear from the article that there are photos available. That would have been much more interesting. Perhaps you could stick one in next issue.
Lyndall Heyer
Stowe, Vermont
Editors' Note: Yes, that is Xan in the photograph—taken in the screening room on the first floor of the Grille—and yes, the cheetah sitting beside him is of the plush-toy species. We considered using a family photograph of Xan as a youngster, accompanied by Dooms, but ultimately decided that this contemporary shot best illustrated the story. We are pleased to note that Xan was smitten by the stand-in, and graciously accepted our offer to keep the toy cheetah. It now resides in his dorm room.
Still Lacking After 39 Years
In the article "What Bubble?" (College Street, winter 2006), Karl Lindholm '67 recalls that there were virtually no classroom discussions about the war in Vietnam during his senior year. During my own senior year (1967–68), the library also shied away from that controversy. I compiled a list of a dozen pro-war and a dozen anti-war books and suggested that the library set up a rack holding both sets of books. They curtly refused.
At Middlebury today, courses on chemical warfare and the geopolitics of the Middle East are thought to constitute "a comprehensive response to social issues." Are you kidding? Show me a course on "The Cheney-Bush Drive to Destroy Democracy," or "Shredding the Social Safety Net: Every Man for Himself!" or "Squeezing Blood From the Poor to Fatten Tax Breaks for the Rich: The New Century's 'Modest Proposal.'"
That would make a start on addressing contemporary issues.
Sharon Smith '68
Canaan, Maine
The Decision's a Downer
Mark Twain wrote, "Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is the lightning that does the work." Middlebury's American literature department (and major) was lightning.
It was the road less traveled by any other college. The one with better claim that wanted wear, and it got it at Middlebury. And it did make all the difference. (Thanks, Mr. Frost.)
Middlebury has been a leader in the study of—and subsequent elevation of—American literature in so very many ways. With 80 years of longevity, Midd's equity in the teaching of Am Lit is enormous. We were the pioneers and arguably the greatest champion of our native country's literature in all the world.
As one working on our class's 50th reunion, I have been in contact with several classmates. Every one of us—from those who majored in Am Lit to those who took only the survey course with either Doc Cook or Howard Munford—feel the College has made a big mistake in doing away with the Am Lit department ("Major Movement," winter 2006), and Middlebury is the poorer for it.
Consider the impact of this decision beyond the interdepartmental squabbles and power grabs. Those of you wrapped up in this are but a small part of Middlebury history. Everyone makes mistakes. Intelligent people correct them. Bring back the American literature department and major.
After all, they still put erasers on pencils.
Phillips G. Terhune Jr. '56
Norwalk, Connecticut
In Memoriam
My heartfelt condolences go to Professor Donadio for his recent loss. When I read his passionate letter concerning the proposed change in the American Literature department ("Anglophoney Department," summer 2005), I felt my heart rate increase as it did often during his classes.†His†passion and respect for texts has so deeply enriched my life and the lives of my students that the mere sound of his voice in that letter recalled all that he has given me.†I am deeply sorry that something so important to this inspired and inspiring teacher has been lost.†I only hope he knows that what he brings to the study of great books endures ex departmenta. No one will remember the EAC in years to come, but no one will forget what Professor Donadio does in the classroom.
Irene Williams Nicastro, M.A. English '89
The Netherlands
The Life of Reilly
I would like to commend Matt Jennings for highlighting the upcoming retirement of Russ Reilly in the Winter issue of Middlebury Magazine ("The Reilly Factor"). Coach Reilly recruited me to play basketball at Middlebury and I was fortunate to play on his final team before he became athletic director in 1997. As Jennings' article stressed, Russ's impact on the College and on individual students went far beyond wins and losses. In
addition to teaching us X's and O's, he taught us life lessons and urged us to become better people along the way.
To me, a good coach is defined as much off the court as he is on, and Russ accomplished this balance like no other. A mentor to some and a confidant to many, he always sacrificed his own time and energy for the benefit of his players. To this day he follows the same approach, offering letters of recommendation, sage advice, or just an open door and an opportunity to sit down and relive the old days. June 30th will be a bittersweetday for the College, but Russ can leave knowing that his impact will continue for years to come.
Michael Hussey '99
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Thanks for the Memories
I've been looking over the winter issue of Middlebury Magazine, and I've been touched by several things.
First, the obits—at my age, one reads them first! One mentioned the death of Sanford Witherell '30. San was an adviser for the DU fraternity when I was a freshman and sophomore. He took time from his working schedule to help us guys out with problems we knew nothing about—at 18 and 19, what do you know about running a home? Also, I read that Gus Gustafson '48 died. Now there was a guy with a happy attitude about life. He was fun to be with, and he taught me the expression, 'That went over like a lead balloon.' How can you beat that?!
Second, the letter from Lynne Zummo '06 ("A Room of Their Own") brought back lots of memories—early Sunday morning rides in pickup trucks to whatever mountain was on that day's schedule; climbing up and coming down and riding home in the chilling air after having a wonderful day climbing and making new friends; racing to the fifth floor of Gifford Hall after dinner to view the sun setting over the Adirondacks. What a sight. What memories.
Dick Robinson '48
Washington, North Carolina
Road Trips
The fall issue with the essay by Mara Gorman '93 solemnifying Route 30 ("Country Roads") should strike an empathetic chord in many. Driving that road was truly memorable, and the fondest memories start at Lake Bomoseen. From the lake, where we later learned noted critic and raconteur Alexander Woolcott kept a retreat, I'd head north on a mostly unpaved, dirt-surfaced road that had a corduroy effect to it, resulting from the type of road scraper machine of the times, which led to much teeth chattering—to say nothing of one's innards.
Soon, I'd approach the first views of the Champlain Valley, an extensive, pristine green landscape, humbling in its beauty. Soon after leaving Cornwall, the first glimpse of the spire of Mead Chapel was a spine-tingler.
Bert MacFadden '39
Strafford, Vermont
Stifle Yourself
As a retired army officer and current member of the broadcast media, I was angered to learn that Professor Kevin Moss, "a professor of Russian at the College," is a strategist and advocate of overthrowing the presence of the military at Middlebury for allegedly "discrimination against Middlebury students." (Letters, winter 2006)
He is free to voice his opinion that lesbians and gays should be acceptable for the Marines and to be upset because a Marine recruiter is "'looking for candidates who are morally sound,' implying homosexuality is immoral." As a former ROTC grad from the College program,
I can assure him that the military does not feel homosexuality is an asset to the effectiveness of our troops during peace and/or war operations.
Professor Moss closes his winter issue letter by stating "the [College] policy should be changed by a vote. Discrimination has rarely been overcome by popular vote. Instead it has taken social protest and the intervention of the courts, precisely the strategy we are employing." His social liberalistic advocacy sounds like the harmful bleating of those misguided people who continue to undermine our military in their war against the fanatical terrorists who brazenly advocate the murder of anyone not a member of the Muslim religion. Moss should be reminded that the Marines are part of that fight against terror.
I am hopeful that Professor Moss during his classes does not include his misguided social philosophy and negativism of our military and his advocation that our courts should alter the rights of Americans who vote. It is assumed he is being paid to teach Russian, not to act as a spokesman activist to promote his view of our culture and the rights of Americans to vote over the last bastion of hope for liberals and socialists who aspire to control our courts. Thank God for our right to vote.
Jerry Gross '55
San Diego, California
Letters Policy
Letters addressing topics discussed in the magazine are given priority, though they may be edited for brevity or clarity. On any given subject we will print letters
that address that subject, and then in the next issue, letters that respond to the first letters. After that, we will move on to new subjects. Send letters to:
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