October 2001

I am writing this article a month after the September 11 tragedies and wanted to share some stories from classmates. April Stempien-Otero was in D.C. and saw the smoke from the Pentagon from her hotel window. She then proceeded to drive 3,000 miles back home in a rental car with a 2-year old. April is an assistant professor of cardiology at the University of Washington. Brooke Glidden designed a memorial to stand as part of the rebuilding of the World Trade Center. The design is posted on nycmemorialforamerica.com. It has already been endorsed by Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields and has been viewed in NZ, UK, AU, SA, and Japan. A courtyard among the new buildings will offer a place for rest and reflection and will also be home to the structural part of the memorial, a series of walls. The walls will be striking reminders of what was done to all of us on September 11th and will be architecturally interesting and congruous with the surrounding edifices. Michael Rieger was in lower Manhattan on business and wrote. “Fortunately, I was in the WTC complex 24 hours PRIOR to the tragedy. On September 11, I was at my NYC office (about 6-7 blocks from the WTC complex). I felt something at the end of a meeting and came out to see everyone watching the WTC and the TV too. Shortly thereafter, we felt a major shock (like an earthquake) and saw the other tower erupt into flames.  I was able to get a message to coworkers and friends that we were okay, and add we were evacuating just as the siren went off.  We got to the floor lobby and saw everyone waiting for elevators.  I immediately asked where the stairs were (only spend a few days a year in that office) and a rush of people followed us to the stairwell and down the 25 floors to the street. My three coworkers (2 NY based and my new hire) and I couldn't bear to watch people jumping from the towers.  So, after a few minutes we started walking to Midtown. One of our colleague’s father-in-law is president of a union local, which was on the way, and we all joined them. They talked with us for 5 hours, helped get calls out to let people know we were okay, and gave us food. If it weren't for them, I don't know how I would have made it through the day.  I have also never seen people who have such differing political views be so united in their support for our leaders and their desire for justice.  All everyone cared about was saving as many people as could be and bringing all those behind this horror to earthly justice.  Some of the men were in their mid to late 60s and were ready to don their military uniforms again.  It was amazing.  It is a day I will never forget.  I just hope we can stop something like this from happening again. I took a train to my brother's in Albany the next afternoon. After having multiple flights cancelled, reinstated and cancelled again, I finally got home the following Sunday thanks to Southwest Airlines.  After a short cab ride home, it sure was wonderful to see my wife again. Unfortunately, I know there were alums and others who will not be going home to their friends and family.  My prayers and support go out to their friends and families.  I promise them, I will never forget.

Rob Levine and wife, Laurie, welcomed twins Michael Aisak and Sarah Allison on August 13.  It’s an instant family in a 600 square foot NYC apartment.  Fortunately they don't need much room yet! I think Jayne Daigle Jones can officially boast of having a basketball team. The Jones family added Lara Judi on June 20. And get this, Baby Lara weighed in at a healthy 11 lbs. 7 oz. The Jones now live in Piermont, NH. André Cramblit is operations director of the Northern California Indian Development Council, a non-profit that serves the 105 federally recognized tribes in California and the more than 600,000 Native peoples in California from tribes throughout the country. André and wife, Wendy, have a son Kyle. André told me that the Class of 1986 was the first group of Natives Americans at Dartmouth that graduated 100% of the American Indian students that matriculated.  In no particular order they are: Mabelle “Go-Nads-Go” Drake, Ray Hitman” Burns, André “What is That Watermelon Doing There?” Cramblit, Helen “And Away” Farr, Dawn “SD” Gourneau-Allen, Heid “Tasty Kitty” Erdrich, Julie “Eye Contact” Russ, Joanna “Which Way Did She Go” Lowery, Herman “The Terminator” Narcho and Vivian “Miss Chevious” Johnson. More on each of these people in future columns.

 

¾Davida (Sherman) Dinerman, 12 Kings Row, Ashland, Mass.  01721; 508-231-8813;

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