CODE College of the Atlantic Association Bar Harbor, Maine 04609 January 1988 Vol.3, No. 2 Carpenter's Speech Celebrates Growth Bill Carpenter's speech, delivered at COA's construction celebration on October 9, 1987. When I think of the beginning of Human Ecology at COA it was in the very first class of the first experimen- tal summer session in 1971. I was co- teaching with Sam Eliot. I'm glad he is here to verify the story because it is so far back that it's at the point where memory begins to shade off into invention. But Sam and I were Together again COA alumnae Alice Leeds, Megan Godfrey Kraus and teaching this first meeting of the first Gillian Brown Fulford renew old friendships during COA's first 10th Reunion. COA class in the room that was to See story on page 6. become the original Thorndike Library. This was before it was Kael- smart. The nature of their intel- the circular staircase that was our in- ber Hall but Ed had been living in it ligence is in traveling to some sacred tercom before their were any exten- so it was already beginning to take on place every century or so to burn sions to the phone system. his name. themselves up. This is tragic in the What the phoenix knows is that At any rate Sam and I and the sense that they do die, but it is also death is necessary for rebirth and so first twelve students had settled in desirable because they are renewed. it walks willingly and proudly into the around the table and had opened The bird that flies out of the ashes is fire when its time has come. The fire Thoreau's The Maine Woods, which a brand new creature and has the of 1983 was tragic but it has allowed was the first book taught at COA. strength and beauty and agility of the unbelievable generosity and crea- The doors were open to a lovely youth. It is ready for the trials and tive energy that we see now focused Maine summer morning and in ran a challenges of the next hundred years, upon this spot in order to rebuild. chipmunk with a cat in hot pursuit-- and it is full of new ideas for the par- We are able to be doing what we are probably Ed Kaelber's cat--and the ticular demands of a new century. doing today because of the fire. cat caught the chipmunk by the neck None of us will ever forget There can be no evolution without and began chewing off its head the where we were standing when we biological death. There can be no way they do. I reached out and heard the news of the COA fire. creative activity without some pre- smacked the cat across the head so Many irreplaceable objects were vious destruction. It's hard for us to the chipmunk got free and went scur- destroyed, and there is almost noth- see and hear the earth being rying back into the garden. ing so horrible in human history as dynamited and back-hoed all day This incident divided the class the burning of a library. It carries long while we try to teach non-violent down the middle. They put their echoes of the death of civilization it- relations to the land. It's hard to un- books down and started to argue self. The fire was a particular loss to derstand why they have to dig so whether or not I, man, should have the COA faculty because so many of deep into the earth for a foundation. interfered with the processes of na- us had our offices there and so much "That's where the poolroom and the ture. That dialogue has been going of our labor had gone towards build- saunas are going to be," Dan Scully on here ever since. ing the Thorndike Library collec- tells us, but it still haunts us to see the To the best of my knowledge no tions. In a way the childhood of the hole because we do care so much cat ever caught a phoenix. Phoenixes school was lost -- the blue learning even for plain granite rock. are too big and too mythical and too center, the yellow learning center, The new Kaelber Hall will trans- (continued on page 4) Editor's Note You have in your hands the Winter issue of COAA NEWS. By the time our Spring issue appears it will have a new name, supplied by one of you. The only suggestion to date is "The COA Blowhole" (as in a whale's breathing apparatus), COAA NEWS is published in Fall, so please help think up something better and send it on to me or to Becky within Winter and Spring by College of the the next month or so. Atlantic Association, COA's alumni The 10th Year Reunion was enormously satisfying to me. Over thirty COA organization since 1982. graduates and former students, from the college's earliest days, spent Columbus Day weekend together on MDI. Counting husbands and wives and children, we COAA NEWS, were more than 75 persons. Over one hundred participated in the Saturday eve- January 1988 Edition, Vol. 3, No. 2 ning events, which included a round table discussion group, a wine and cheese Editor, party with faculty and friends, a vegetarian dinner, and a dance, all in the Tur- Philip B. Kunhardt, III, '77 rets. Production Editor, I have rarely seen such a wonderfully alive evening, literally aroar with con- Rebecca Buyers-Basso, '81 versation, serious and hilarious. To me it was COA at its best, and most fun. The Layout, spirit of the weekend is caught for you in Alice Leeds' sensitive article, in pic- Jamien Jacobs, '86 tures taken during the Saturday boat trip and later that evening, and in words spoken on Friday by Bill Carpenter and Father Gower. COAA 1987-88 Board Members A single weekend cannot bridge a ten year expanse. But for some, it was the Michael Kaiser, '85, Secretary first real contact with the college in a decade. A reunion is for reuniting, and for Jean McHugh, '81, Treasurer many that happened. Special thanks to the people who worked so hard to pull it George Bennington, '82 off. The $300 left over from contributions after paying all our bills will be saved Joy Knowlton, '82 to help host future COAA events. Philip B. Kunhardt, III, '77 In this issue we have initiated a "Readers' Forum", whereby faculty, staff and alums share with one another the books which they have found to be most in- fluential. Suggested books can be "best ever read" or "best read in the last year or two". Submissions should be given complete with author, title, publisher and year, and your own brief annotation or review. Here's a way we can keep up with the best in each other's fields. The most thrilling work I have recently been exposed to is David Attenborough's four-part series on PBS, "The First Eden". What a marvelous in- terweaving of history and natural science! Attenborough sees the Mediterranean as a microcosm of the entire planet, holding essential lessons for humanity. Here is television at its best. At a recent All College Meeting the COA students and faculty unanimously Table of Contents approved a Resolution mandating the use of recycled paper for COA News and COAA NEWS. As I write, we are in the process of searching out suppliers of Carpenter's Speech page 1 such paper. It might mean going out of state. Ecology and economics, conserva- tion and support of local enterprise: the issues can become difficult to sort out. It Letters from Alumni page 3 reminds me of debates we had back in the early 1970's. I'm glad things are still lively! Annual Appeal page 5 Send me ideas for future newsletters, in the form of poems, articles, or let- ters. Thanks to Jamien Jacobs '86 who helped Becky and me with this issue's Readers' Forum page 4 production. Tenth Reunion page 6 PHILIP B. KUNHARDT, III Campus Store, Notices Editor and Update Form page 11 2 Letters Thanks for reading this letter. Best employees and myself more than November 30, 1987 wishes for the college wish we could busy and it is very satisfying work. Dear Friends, have been there January 9th. Daniel Hatch Tutor is our son This is the first time in my life Warmly, who was born on Thanksgiving Day that I've written a single letter, and Tom (and Cynthia) Fisher '77 three years ago. As you who have copied it, and sent it out to more than been blessed with children already one or two people. I understand its * * * know, we are daily amazed at what a usefulness. There may be others. Un- mirror, teacher and bearer of joy he derstand, this letter isn't really about Dear Friends, is. So we work, we play with the boy, me. So, what's it about? I am curious about what we travel, though not enough, we Okay, it's partly about me. Since everyone is doing in their lives now. I work on the house (I don't expect it St. John's (graduated St. John's Col- have caught glimpses of people and ever to be finished) and life is good. lege, Sante Fe, N.M. in '86) I've been their names from time to time and We will never be rich or powerful or four months in Monterey, California, even heard actual news from mutual famous but life is a daily goodness. four months in France, nine months aquaintances. I surely hope that I hope that your reunion was a as a Production Editor in a book every one of you is as happy as I am success and that you all enjoy being publishing company. And on Decem- in my life. Tom Tutor is the man I in each others presence and in the ber 2 I am leaving for Nicaragua, married and from his Mississippi place that is so beautiful and once which is the real subject of this letter. heritage he brings a true enjoyment did mean so much to our young lives. I am going to work on a con- of living which manages to soften my I know that there are still faculty struction brigade in a cooperative Puritanical work ethic a bit. He members --Steve and Susan, Elmer called Chompipe in the mountainous builds furniture and has worked on and Carol, Ernie-- there who repre- region of Nicaragua called Matagal- boats as a woodworker and now he is sented a lot of good things about the pa. The group I am going with is programming computers. An expres- wholeness of education to me and I called Architects and Planners in sion that pertains and has been in use am grateful for that. Perhaps I will Support of Nicaragua and is working a long time on Islesboro: "Trim your run into some of you again someday to provide direct material support to sheets to the prevailing wind." or at the next such event. the peoples of the United States and Fortunately for me I have not Sue Hatch '73 Nicaragua. had to change occupations in the ten I will fly to Mexico City and from years that I have been home from- there to Managua, Nicaragua's capi- Alaska. I have a landscaping and gar- tal, which has a population of about dening business that keeps my four one million. We will then drive to the (continued on page 8, column 1) Carpenter (continued from page 1) form the College of the Atlantic. To piece of historical trivia. Back in the Maine I had only worked my way bring the library back to the campus chipmunk days of 1972, we had a through C. One of the secrets of the is to bring the heart of the institution small grant that allowed us to put the old library that the accreditors never back into the center. The word ecol- first library collection together before noticed was that we were strong in ogy means from its roots house- we even opened the official doors. I Aristotle and Bacon and Chaucer but knowledge. As gracious as the Turrets had access to a large university we tapered off sharply from there. building is, we have been in a sense library at the time out in the midwest Well, that collection was lost. houseless for the last four years. We and so the college asked me to select Thanks to Marcia Dvorak and the have been parking our cars where we some books for the humanities col- gifts of so many people we have al- once studied and exchanged ideas. lection that might be right for COA. ready rebuilt so much of it and now it Now the concept of Human Ecology This was before computerization. I contains authors equally distributed will at last have a physical home. went into a card catalog that con- throughout the alphabet. And that's With new faculty members and so tained perhaps half a million volumes just the beginning. Speaking for all many wonderful new students, there and started to leaf through diligently the faculty I want to thank everyone is a sense that our discipline is going card by card jotting down good books who has given of their energy and to enter a new phase of growth. It's and sending the titles off to Lynn resources to achieve this day. very lucky and appropriate that we Dermott at the end of each week, and will be expanding into a new she would in turn order them from WILLIAM CARPENTER household at the same time. the publishers. When the academic I want to close with another year ended and I had to come to 3 Readers' Forum Alumni asked the COA faculty recently, "What are the three most exciting books in your field that you have either read or taught in the last five years?" What follows is a list of recommended readings for us with their annotations. Recommended by John Anderson, new faculty member in zoology: 1. Loren Eiseley, The Star Thrower. New York Times Press. "Anything by Eiseley is worth reading, but this is the best single collection of essays." 2. Thomas Pynchon, Gravity's Rainbow. "I first read this while doing field work in Baja & dip into it periodically whenever I need to be reminded of what happens when one gets too out of synch with the world." 3. Larry D. Harris, The Fragmented Forest. University of Chicago Press. "One of the first serious attempts to apply some of the hocus pocus that has plagued theoretical ecology to real world situations." If I can be greedy and add a couple more, let me toss in: 4. Thomas S. Eliot, Four Quartets. "Forget all the revisionist biographies that have come out recently. Four Quartets is one of the most profound portrayals of humans-in-the-world that this century has produced." 5. Henry Beston, The Outermost House. "A really nice read about doing what we would probably all like to do." Recommended by Joanne Carpenter: 1. Joseph Campbell, The Masks of God: Primitive Mythology. Penguin Books, 1976. 2. John Fowles, The Ebony Tower. Little, Brown & Co., 1974. 3. Carl Jung, Man and His Symbols. Dell, 1968. Doubleday, 1969. Recommended by John Buell, new faculty in public policy: (These books are listed in order of degree of difficulty.) 1. Langdon Winner, The Whale and the Reactor. University of Chicago Press. "This book is an impressive discussion of the way the scope and intensity of technological development impacts upon democratic values." 2. Ivan Illich, Gender. Pantheon. "This is a highly controversial but stimulating discussion of the relationship between economic society, personal identity, and equality between the sexes, a book which challenges both conservative and mainstream feminist views." 3. William Connolly, Political Theory and Modernity. Basil Blackwell. "This difficult but stimulating discussion of the modern urge to achieve perfect community, attunement to nature, or technological mastery is an important challenge to a certain kind of Green or 'deep ecology' perspective." Recommended by Craig Greene: 1. Charles Darwin, On the Origin of Species. Harvard University Press. Facsimile of first edition of 1859. "The classic synthesis of all time!" 2. E.O. Wilson, Biophilia. Harvard University Press, 1984. "An eminent biologist discusses the deep connection between humans and the rest of life on Earth." 3. Philip J. Darlington, Jr., Evolution for Naturalists. John Wiley & Sons. "A world class evolutionary biologist and consummate naturalist shows how field observation demonstrates the dynamic processes of evolution." Recommended by Steve Katona: 1. Richard Dawkins, The Blind Watchmaker. Norton Publishers. "Excellent summary of current ideas on evolution. Very readable." 2. Sarah Hrdy, The Woman That Never Evolved. Harvard University Press. "Integrates evolution, primate behavior and human behavior with sensitivity to philosophy and feminism." Recommended by Don Meiklejohn: 1. Benjamin Barber, Strong Democracy. "A very plausible exposition of how a democracy on the Rousseau pattern may be developed." 2. Hugo L. Black, A Constitutional Faith. "Three lectures setting forth Black's views on the Constitution with special reference to the First Amendment and due process of law." 3. George F. Kennan, Memoirs. "Highly personal and elegantly written account of Kennan's career from early days in our Moscow Embassy to his later career as scholar and elder states man." 4 Letters Dear Friends, little real theological basis) and that's Lets see...a daughter, Claire, will In the course of my work for In- it. Well, we didn't succeed in directly be 2 in February. Cynthia '80 was ternational Fellowship of Reconcilia- involving any dissident elements but awarded the Montessori Associations tion. I started getting more and more we did succeed in involving good International (AMI) Assistance to In- involved in East-West work, par- theologians. The fact that the semi- fancy Certificate. She's using it as a ticularly of a religious nature. That nar was held in Budapest made it full time Mommy now, with plans for was partly accidental (they couldn't possible for us to do a lot more than consulting. What free time she has find anyone to send to a meeting and I would have been possible in almost now, she's been studying got sent) but also part of a growing any other East European country. homeopathy. realization among a lot of people in Anyway, that was a fascinating I now have a Master's degree in the peace movement that fear of "the experience and got me thinking that I Architecture having graduated from Russians" is a motor that pushes the would like to continue working in the the North Carolina State University arms race along and that it will be dif- field of religious contacts between School of Design in December '85 ficult to do much about the weapons East and West. It is all so very com- with AIA Certificate of Merit. I without addressing that basic fear. I plex and interesting. So that Fall, I minored in landscape architecture was particularly involved in an inter- enrolled in the Slavic Institute of the and computer graphics using both in national seminar with the theme University of Amsterdam and started my thesis "Towards an Environmental "Towards a Theology of Peace" which studying Russian on pretty much a Architecture for Bald Head Island" involved a lot of heavyweight full-time basis. And, to make a long I'll be taking my registration exam in theologians and Christian peace ac- story short, that's what I have been June. I'm working now as an architec- tivists. It was held in Budapest in Sep- doing ever since, though I've now tural designer and project manager tember '84 and was a fascinating ended my stay in Holland. for a small firm in Durham, N.C...I experience. In fact the preparation Joe Peacock '78 love it but it's not lucrative yet. process was even more interesting Which brings me to my last item. than the conference itself, given our * Any COA student wanting feedback various efforts to involve more dissi- about the field I'm in is more than dent-type elements from Eastern December 1, 1987 welcome to contact me. So please put Europe, or at the very least, to involve Dear Friends, me on your "mentor" list, (even genuine theologians with a genuine As I can't recall seeing any news though the name makes me shudder, personal interest in peace from the about us in any COAA newsletters, mildly). I occasionally have infor-ma- East, since mostly they just feel here is a brief rundown of what's tion for job contacts down here as obliged to speak out on behalf of the happened to us in the past 2 or 3 well. Soviet viewpoint (and, of course, with years. So, enough from "the real world". (contiuned on page 4, column 1) Alumni Make Strong Show of Support For Annual Appeal Alumni contributions for annual alumni support. of 100% participation of alumni in giving have increased substantially in In reviewing alumni participation the annual campaign for this year. response to the COAA's personal- in the annual appeal COA president Thus far, 19% of graduates have ized campaign to encourage all alum- Lou Rabineau said, made contributions. The board wants ni to "Give a Day to COA". As of "It's exciting to see alumni com- to extend thanks to all those alumni December 31, 1987, 73 contributions ing forth in support, reminiscent of who have given a day to COA. We totalling $6053 have been received. the spirit that they showed as stu- hope to hear from the rest of you Already this academic year dents. Besides the financial help, the soon. alumni have surpassed last year's alumni participation and dedication giving. In fact, the gifts received from sets a good example to current stu- MICHAEL KAISER this appeal have had an impact on the dents at COA." college's overall fund raising efforts. Lou went on to say that the The number of gifts to the college this college's trustees were impressed by year has increased by 47%; much of the strong support of alumni. that increase can be attributed to The COAA board had set a goal 5 Ten Year COA Reunion: Term papers, fall garden projects, and life in Slippery Rock take their place on the back burner. I'm flying to Maine. After hours of delayed flights, fake food, running bertween ter- minals in the rain, and missed con- nections, I'm in a small plane flying over nightlit Portland. Out my win- dow, the Big Dipper hangs above a clear horizen. In silence, a meteor drips from the Dipper's rim, streaking the sky while it burns out. I breathe deeply. I'm in Maine again. Our tenth reunion begins with the dedication ceremony for Kaelber Hall on Friday noon. It's the epitomy of an autumn day as faculty, alumni, and trustees gather around a big hole Cathy Johnson, Charlie and Hannah Pingree, Jackson Gillman and Asa Pingree. in the ground. Faces sparkle, both new and familiar. Ed beams like a alumni to become a parent -- she was years gone by, it doesn't seem like proud father. pregnant at our graduation in 1976, there is much to catch up on. I keep Speakers step onto the platform confides to me that perhaps she is an thinking of what my Korean friend and address us, one by one, from trus- over-calm mother; Charlie is clearly Jin-Hee said recently. "You have the tee chairman Ed Blair's welcoming concerned). Cheering the children same fruits here that we have at home remarks to Louis Rabineau's view of along narrow ledges, we climb to the in Korea, but they're different". the future to Elmer Beal's lilting song. Beehive. We feast on our view of Everyone is the same but different, Jim Gower, in his characteristic deep Sand Beach and the headlands, skip the same essential person we always simplicity, reminds us that life is One. across the flat rocks, and follow a knew, perhaps married and parented, We are brought back to our purpose more gentle trail to the Bowl, whose certainly a bit older and wiser. (Is this in being here. Lisa Hammer, All Col- name I have always loved for its way what growing up is all about?) It's lege Meeting moderator, imagines the of describing the hilltop pool of true for the college also. We are back future Kaelber Hall, comparing it to water. Sunning on the Bowl's rocky on familiar territory, yet the site is so the home each of us longs to dwell in, beach, we share a few peaceful mo- changed -- so changing. the home we would fill with produc- ments. At the dinner party on Saturday tivity and reflection. Bill Carpenter The weekend continues, a festive evening in the Turretts we gather for relates his peculiar tales, offered crisp collage of planned and improvised an all alumni meeting (AAM?), the as the Maine air, carved with finer events. There is an elegant cocktail first time we have met like this in ten craftmanship than ever. He recollects party at the home of COA Chairman or more years. Bill Carpenter outlines one of COA's first class sessions, a of the Board, Ed Blair. We go off to some current issues which the college literary discussion of Thoreau's dinner in clusters. In between events is facing. How does COA go about Maine Woods. Abruptly, a mid-class- Jackson Gillman offers Lauren Senoff finding more women faculty? Should room cat-and-chipmunk chase and I a moving performance of his there be a degree focus? Should resulted in a captured chipmunk and recently composed story about an al- COA use the semester or the quarter subsequent human intervention. The coholic family. system? (Do some of these sound ensuing discussion typified what was On Saturday morning many of familiar?) Should the governance to become the COA approach to the 30 returning alumni and their structure of COA evolve to a form human ecology. growing families meet at Northeast more in keeping with an established I spent Friday afternoon with Harbor pier for a boatride around college? (Bill feels that COA's most Chelli Pingree and her family -- Char- Frenchman's Bay. The seals are out, unique aspect has always been its lie, Hannah, Cecily, and Asa. We but with conversations flowing strong, governance structure.) What is the blaze the Precipice Trail, not realiz- we find it hard to keep up with what's role of art in COA's curriculum? Are ing how challenging it will be for going on out there in the bay. present curriculum guidelines ap- Cecily and Asa. (Chelli, the first Yet in a funny way, even with ten propriate? (There is currently a re- 6 One Perspective quired interdisciplinary core course want it to be, so long as the chipmunk Hugh McArthur, Scott McIssac, John in human ecology). doesn't have to deal with a cat and March, Pam Parvin, Jim Perkins, Philip opens the discussion to Bill Carpenter's classroom at the Chellie Pingree, Fran Pollitt alumni. How has our COA education same time. Langford, Cathy Ramsdell Sweet, affected our lives? Even as we speak, I'm back in Slippery Rock now, Barbara Sassaman, Steve Savage, more alumni arrive to join our discus- rewarming half-baked term papers Laurie Senoff, Vicki Smith Savage, sion. Threads in the fabric begin to and piling leaves on our garden. Allison Blizard Wade, Bill Wade, appear. At COA we gained the con- Speaking of early American litera- Rick Waters. fidence to speak our minds and ture, last night I came across some- hearts. We learned to respect ques- thing Melville scrawled into the mar- tioning. We learned how to seek our Invocation own answers. We gained the deter- mination to stand behind our values. We gather amid the beauty of We learned acceptance and humility creation. Leaves in multiple colors, and independence and caring. It is gold, green, red. Blue sea and sky here we were encouraged to become with white clouds all embraced by the people we are still becoming. warm sun and gentle breezes. We After the group discussion, Carl gather in wonder and reverence in Ketchum remarks to a few of us, "It the presence of the orginal art, takes ten years to see how effective an without adequate words to the Ar- educational program is," if one judges tist, we all say Glory. by the fruits of its labors. Profes- We give thanks to those who sionally speaking, we have seen alum- have given us this project. We ni go on to become doctors, lawyers, commit the resources used to con- ministers, parents, teachers, coun- struct and maintain this structure selors, carpenters, farmers, dancers, to further the delicate balance of artists, administrators, and architects. nature so as to enhance the condi- These are certainly outward marks of tion of all living creatures. success and accomplishment. Judging We ask that this building be a by our reunion discussion, education place where people of every race, at COA harvested something even religion, political persuasion and Patty Dodd Hagge more vital in each of our lives. style of life may learn that all crea- The reunion is a journey home gins of his copy of King Lear. Over- tion is one, the Creator is one, the again, reuniting with a shared sense looking the sexist noun, it seems ap- human family is one and all are of purpose and joy in life, returning propos; one in one fabric of visable and in- to a part of ourselves. Our fruits are visable--the large, the small, the Men must endure the same but different, we are One, near and the faraway. Their going hence even as their and human ecology is anything we We make one whole and with coming hither: inadequate words we all say Holy. Ripeness is all". May we all be inspired to live Much love to all of you. in the spirit of the names which will 1988 Reunion grace this building. To live with the ALICE LEEDS '76 simplicity and humility of an Ed This year's 10th Reunion was Kaelber; to live with the generosity important not only to those who en- and sense of public service of the joyed the time together, but to the "10th Reunioners" Thorndike family. College as well. The COAA Board That all who study here may feels it would be good for a 10-year reunion to be held on a regular Wells Bacon, Bruce Bender, John go forth strengthened in mind and Biderman, Gillian Brown Fulford, body to serve with sensitive basis, each fall, provided there is enough interest. Since the weekend Patty Dodd Hagge, Mary Dohna, generosity and extend that gift takes a lot of planning, what is most Marilyn Downs, Henry Elliott, Bill which is beyond words. needed now is a Coordinator to Ginn, Jackson Gillman, Kathy Hazard, Cathy Johnson, Megan Shalom, your peace. take charge. If you are interested, Godfrey Kraus, Scott Kraus, Philip Amen. speak to us soon and we'll be glad to give you suggestions. Kunhardt III, Alice Leeds, Ed Lemire, Gene Lesser, Julie MacLeod, FR. JIM GOWER 7 Letters (continued from page 4) city of Matagalpa where we will meet Tell him I sent you. And remem- Compared to the green, terraced with representatives of housing and ber Just Say No To Contra Aid and hills of our home in Nepal, this coas- planning, members of the regional the US war on Nicaragua. Our tal village is like another world; government and will visit several paychecks pay to support it. another PLANET! Not only are the cooperatives in the region. Liz Barnet '82 people different - in color, custom, Throughout my time there we will P.S. If you want to write me in culture and life-style, what they eat, meet with representatives of the San- the next couple months (end of how they cook, how they raise their dinista government, Mothers of January or so) you can at the children, how they make their Heroes and Martyrs, and others. APSNICA address above. A more livelihood and consequently how they I will be helping to build homes stable address for me is my mother's: view the world, but the sandy for peasants. I will be working in an beaches, salt air and flat ocean area referred to as the "rearguard" of horizon make the western hills of a war zone. What this means is that Nepal seem light-years away! And there have been attacks by the US- though it's only been 4 weeks since funded contras against these we left our village for our adventure peasants. And the people are on a October 15, 1987 in India, it seems like months. We're 24-hour self-defense vigilance. Dear Friends, looking forward to our return. Families lose sons and daughters in We're here in Gopalpur-on-the- But between now and then we the war or worry about their sons and sea for our last day of fun and sun; have much to do and see. From Puri daughters being lost in the war. sand and sea; carefree days and cool, -just north of here and probably sig- The work I'll be doing is hard moonlit nights. Now we must head nificant enough a town to be in your physical labor (a lot of digging and back to the hussle and bussle of the world atlas (it's about 500 km south hauling). The work day begins at 6:30 sprawling metropolis af Banares of Calcutta) we'll go to New Delhi a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. with an where our good friends and faithful via Banares. Twelve days ago it was hour break for lunch. (It's in the guide Mr. Todd makes his home. Banares that introduced us to India same time zone as our own Central Yes, the 24 hour train that brought us with clouds of coal and diesel smoke, Time Zone). to this sea-side paradise will, in cacophony of horns blowing and The brigades last for six weeks revenge for our insulting remarks bicycle-bells ringing and a series of but I may stay on for the later about its incessant noise, its crowd, bicycle-rickshaw "traffic jams" that brigades. dust and dirt, take us away from the brought home the reality of a country This is a Christmas letter of sorts fresh fish and daily swims in the Bay of 750 million people living in a land and a call for support. If you're inter- of Bengal that we've enjoyed so much half the size of the United States. and back to the holiest of all cities in ested in knowing more about the Everywhere we went there were APSNICA brigades or would like to India: Banares. people on foot, on bicycles, in rick- But the memories are ours. The receive their newsletter you can write shaws, on motorcycles, in cars, busses (address below). image of the quaint, ordered fishing and trucks. Coal-burning steam en- I'm also writing to make an ap- village as seen from the top of the red gines puffed over ancient looking peal. If you can donate any amount of and white brick lighthouse; of the steel bridges pulling ancient looking money to support this effort to build grass-roofed houses juxtaposed with railroad cars filled to overflowing homes and plumbing systems for the "modern" corrigated tin-roofed with Indians of every caste. And even these people, please do, now or buildings; of the local fishermen though the trains are long and fre- months down the road. The kinds of crashing through the fierce breakers quent, like the busses they're all things they buy with the money are in their primitive boats. These boats packed. tools and supplies like hammers, are made from what looks like big Unlike Nepal, India is criss- augurs, a 16-inch Jack plane, trowels, pieces of driftwood cleverly designed crossed with railroads that, though string, drills, and screwdrivers. to form two halves which, when out-dated and rickety, enable people I'll report back later on what I lashed together form the only vessel to travel from the northern hills to the see and learn. I wish you all a that could possibly take them from southern most beaches with wonderful season. their safe beach-side village through reasonable reliability and safety. For more information or to send the threatening waves to their fishing However, in my travels I've seen material aid, write: grounds off-shore. And with nets that many a carcass of an upended freight Steve Kerpen must be 60 meters long by 1 1/2 car abandoned on the side of the APSNICA, P.O. Box 1151 meters wide, they catch enough sar- tracks. Fortunately the worst incident dines to trade for the rice and Topanga, California 90290 I've experienced is just a nasty jolt (213) 455-1340 vegetables that keep them alive. when the car in which I was riding a (continued on page 9, column 1) 8 Letters car equipped with faulty springs and rolling hills silhouetted against a step closer to "winter". So until then, I shocks crashed down onto the rails dusky sky grew orange with the set- wish you all well and encourage you after riding over a slight rise in the ting sun; the cooling evening air to write to me of your lives and ad- tracks. The rail lines in India were brought whispy layers of mist down to ventures. built by the British which means they settle subtly in the valleys enveloping Peace to you and yours are at least 40 years old; most of them fields and trees; and exotic, colorful Scott (and Liz) Durkee '84 are more like twice or three times birds perched on the telephone wires * * that old, the trains included. that raced along beside us. Between Gopalpur and Puri I Telephone wires? They're 11 November 87 rode on a train drawn by a steam en- everywhere! And after living in my Howdy! gine for the first time in my life. tiny, primitive village in far west With studying out of the way and Smoke, cinders and soot filled the air Nepal for the last 6 months, the project deadlines behind me, I'm as we chugged and hissed up the trussed steel towers and buzzing high- finally looking forward to spending coast past green fields of rice on one tension wires looked like something some relaxing time at home. And side and the ocean on the other. Then out of a science fiction movie. Until what better time of year to be a we'd disappear into the jungles of the power lines reached the city they homebody, when the days are lowlit palms with primitive villages of almost looked American, but once and crisp, and the evenings bright African-looking huts. The huts were they enter the tangle of a populated with fire warmth and love and the naturally made of local materials: area they look more like a ball of yarn busyness of projects, festivities and palm leaves and grasses for the roof that's been kittenized! Every other goodies. We've got our wood and sides and bamboo for the struc- telephone pole is mass of hay-wired stacked in the garage (the weather tural skeleton. I saw women drawing confusion; a utility workers bureau forcasts a colder-than- water from hand-dug wells using in- nightmare. How it functions is beyond average winter), and the leaves fall genious and fascinating pumps also my westernized imagination. Actually, faster than we can rake them. Slim made from entirely local materials, it doesn't function so very well: black- the cat loves to play "yard panther" in and men with long, slender bamboo outs and brown-outs are more com- the piles; his little body buried, the poles fishing in the man-made irriga- mon than "emergency broadcast wagging black tail looks like it tion canals. system" announcements on the radio, belongs to the leaf pile! Tonight is The activity on the train was though they usually last an hour or so stormy and the snow level is equally entertaining: men with raspy, instead of 60 seconds. predicted to come down to 7,500 ft. scratchy, yet penetrating voices So these are some of my observa- We're all hoping for a good early hawked everything from tea and cof- tions from India. It's the first time I've base. From my office window the fee, "pan" and peanuts (pan is a leaf been "south of the border", so some of mountains are a dominating that's smeared with lime the kind them may seem naive, but when one presence. These days, the leaves that they use to make cement! beet- visits a new and different land, every- having turned, and fallen, the moun- lenut juice, tobacco and a wide thing seems fascinating. Upon our tains appear in my impatient minds- variety of spices that, when chewed return to Patan and our little village eye to be anticipating our presence in produces a bright red saliva that's ex- of Beestiota, I'm sure I'll have a their snow fields yet to be. I could go pectorated in spurts leaving the chance to relate all of our exciting ad- on and on about snow and skiing but sidewalks and streets looking like a ventures to a riveted crowd of neigh- I don't want to sound fanatical. bloody battle ground!) to cigarettes bors gathered 'round our kitchen Halloween was fun. I was and Indian snacks of spiced beans, door. Madonna and Cam was a cat burglar. puffed rice and chic peas all invariab- My next letter should include We carved 2 jack-o-lanterns and got ly served in rolled up leaves. Children tales of the rice harvest, descriptions a record number of candy swung from the upper berths while of my appropriate technology projects scavengers, despite the pouring rain. parents dozed; electric fans attached underway and perhaps the onset of Went to several parties to show off to the ceilings of the dingy, crowded winter in the valley. It's been over 90 our black tights and eat cheese dood- compartments feebly attempted to degrees everyday here in India, but up les. keep the sticky, sweltering passengers in the hills at 4,500 feet the air should For the first time in many years cool in the afternoon heat. be crisp and cool with hints of fall. I we will not be on a camping trip for Outside the train the countryside don't expect to find slopes covered Thanksgiving. We are staying home of eastern India rushed by. Women with brilliantly colored foliage or to share our feast with good friends dressed in vibrantly colored cloth groups of boys tossing around a foot- and take in some early season snow stood in the middle of vast green ball around the schoolyard, but the sports. As usual I will make a fields of ripening rice; misty blue, general feeling should be at least one soybean turkey and as usual I will (continued on page 10, column 1) 9 Letters probably be the only one eating it. I'm presently working at the Lisa Damtoft '79 visited us at our But the thrill of cooking is whetting local whole foods bakery to pay the home in the south of France for the my anticipation. I'm looking forward rent, teaching myself guitar, and month of July, for painting, gardening to the plethora of parties, pleasurable doing plant rescues and wild plant and taking care of Cassandre (2 years proceedings, and piquant predica- gardening around my house. My real old). Leonard Ortiz was born August ments, which occur piggyback during work involves developing a program 22nd. Anyone welcome to drop by for the next several weeks. They help dis- for male survivors at the local rape all the wine you can drink in exchange tract my attention from the fading crisis center sort of a continuation for some babysitting! daylight, the increasingly transparent of my human ecology essay and re- Claire Verdier '80 treetops, and the larger heating bills. search, writing and program develop- Then after I can't put on another ment on issues of child abuse for a tight, shiny dress or clink another national child rights alliance based glass of season's cheer , the sun will here in Durham. I've recently * * * be on the upswing and I'll ski every published an article in the Journal of spare moment until spring (but I'm Victimology and will have an article in I am living in Alaska with my hus- not fanatical). the upcoming issue of Changing Men band who is a musician with the Army Major changes at work: we've Magazine. Band. I am a secondary science gone to the "studio concept", where John Long '86 frequently comes teacher having done my internship on the staff works in permanent studio into the bakery. He seems to be en- a Navajo Indian Reservation. Would groups. Our studios are organized by joying his stay at the Duke-dom Rom love to hear from Christine Ridenour! project types: hospitality, health, and Rumour control - via the North Where are you?? technical. Somehow I landed in the Carolina Botanical Garden. Folks Diane Peret Bourke '77 technical studio, although I am far has it that Katia Wolf is in this area from being technically oriented, but looking for a job in rare plant conser- that may soon change. Since there vation. * * * are but 2 female architects in the Jim Senter '85 firm, myself being one of them, it is I am currently on a one year politically beneficial for the firm to leave of absence from my position at "use" me as project manager for those the California Department of * * * projects with female clients. I'd Transportation. I am on loan to the rather be promoted because of my California Department of Health Ser- capabilities, but being used has its I'm finishing my Master's in vices, Toxic Substance Control benefits. Resource Policy/Management and Division working on policy and Cam and I went to California for look forward to moving back to program issues regarding compliance our 2nd anniversary vacation. We Maine in May. Had a great summer with requirements of the California visited L.A. and San Diego, checked doing "research" in New Zealand and Environmental Quality Act. out the job market and the real estate Australia. Patti is busy spinning wool Rick Moss '79 scene. Business is booming for ar- and keeping the Landscape Architect Professors in line here at the school. chitects, jobs are readily available, but the cost of housing is unreal!!! Would love company or to hear from folks! * * * Way radical! And those "So-Cals" are Peace! always surfing and tanning. Life Chris Hamilton '85 could be worse Anyway with the I'm teaching ESL at an alterna- School of Natural Resources dried up market here, we may be in tive high school for multicultural California before we know it. Things University of Michigan young people. Went to Central seem shockingly green there when America last summer to meet in-laws as well as fellow teachers and one's accustomed to the spareness unionists. and subtlety of the desert. It's amaz- * * * Barbara Dole Acosta '75 ing what they can do with philodendrons there I've just completed my M.Ed. at So, a toast to friendship, fun Antioch/New England. I'm teaching gatherings, and beach vacations. in a K-1 classroom at the Harrisville Take Care. School. Drew and I will return to Love, Maine soon to find a piece of land. Sue Freed (Sooz) '80 Jane Halbeisen '86 (more on back page) 10 Campus Name That Newsletter Store The COAA Board announces a contest for the naming of its one-shy-of- Quarterly Newsletter (currently COAA NEWS). If you win, you will like the prize. Send all submissions to Becky Buyers-Basso, College of the Atlantic, For those of you who have been before March 1. The winning name will appear on the Spring Issue. wondering how to get your hands on a COA sweatshirt, want to buy the latest edition of VOICES or have Nominations Sought been thinking about ordering a COA chair for your office, this is The COAA Board Nomination Committee is presently seeking names of the the place to look. persons interested in serving for a two-year term on the Board of Directors. You may nominate yourself, or someone you know to be willing to serve. Board mem- The alumni office is handling bers meet six times a year, in places like Portland, Maine, New York City, sales of the following items. To Washington, D.C., Boston and Bar Harbor. Each member is given significant order, please write or call: work on behalf of the Association and the College. It also happens to be a lot of Rebecca Buyers-Basso fun. Send nominations to Becky at COA. Alumni Office College of the Atlantic Bar Harbor, ME 04609 Annual Meeting Set (207) 288-5015 The COAA Annual Meeting is scheduled for the morning of May 28, Graduation Day, from 10-12 a.m. in the COA auditorium. The agenda will in- Alumni directory $10.00 clude a brief annual report, elections, an open discussion and a light lunch. A xeroxed listing of the Please come and participate. names, addresses and phone numbers (where available) of all former COA students. Alumni: COA sweatshirts $16.00 Someone Wants to Know Navy Turquoise Moved lately? Got the job? Wrote the book? Won the case you always COA tee shirts $14.00 said you would? Said "I do"? How about that new baby? Help us keep Long sleeved alumni and other members of College of the Atlantic community Red, Royal blue informed about your activities. COA tee shirts $8.00 Navy Please print or type: Black Name Home # VOICES $4.00 The 86-87 edition of Class (year) Work # COA's art/literary journal Street Current COA catalog $1.00 City/State Zip Old COA catalogs $2.00 (if available) I'd like my address in the next COAA NEWS. Subscriptions to This is my NEW mailing address. OFF THE WALL $20.00 Here's my News!: -ALSO- COA captain's chair custom order Faculty publications by request Remember to include awards, honors, appointments, job changes, organizations, offices held, professional achievements, etc. Please include a Maine residents add 5% sales tax. picture if possible! Please return this to: Becky Buyers-Basso, College of Thank you. the Atlantic, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 11 Letters I can't remember what or when I last wrote I have 2 children now: a daughter Rachel Brook 5 1/2 years SEA PRINCESS Phone LEAVING DAILY 276.5352 and a son Gabriel Forest 1 1/2 years 930 1245 3458600 NATURALIST CRUISES both born at home. I work part-time in a natural foods store and am also a potter and member of the league of N.H. Craftsmen. Last year we moved from our home in Ossipee to an old cape in Wolfeboro. I would love to hear any news or an address and phone number for Anne Fitt. Thank you! Sally (Skye) Cornwell-Perkins '77 RR 2 Box 691 Stoddard Road Wolfeboro, NH 03894 * * * "All our kids" -- 10th Reunioners Caroline and I now have 2 girls - 3 years and 6 months. I just left the Pennsylvania Office for Consumer primarily Texas-Eastern Pipeline Art. Coyote Love Press published Advocates for the Pennsylvania PCB dumping case. "Blush" by Colin Sargent in Decem- Dave Wersan '79 ber 1987 and "Moonwings" by Martin Department of Environmental Steingesser in January 1988, and I am Resources - Central Region Litiga- * * * tion and Enforcement. Will be deal- designing a typeface based on the I am teaching "Introduction to type of Simon de Coling. ing withng hazardous and solid waste, the Book Arts" at Portland School of George Bennington '82 COAA NEWS Non-profit College of the Atlantic Organization Bar Harbor, Maine 04609 U.S. Postage Paid Bar Harbor, ME Permit #47 Address Correction Requested