As summer heads into August, the number of Appalachian Trail through-hikers passing through Hanover has begun to increase markedly. Hanover is one of the last "civilized" stops on the way to Maine's Mount Katahdin, the end-point of the Trail. Bad weather may have delayed some hikers, but, since Katahdin closes in mid-October, hikers are gearing up for the final trek. According to Laura Dukeshire, administrative assistant for Outdoor Programs, between three and eight through-hikers come through the Dartmouth Outing Club office each day. Through-hikers can resupply, check their mail, use the internet and repair equipment in town before beginning the final 422 miles before Katahdin.
A recent struggle over artistic direction and legal rights to choreography has disrupted the cooperative spirit upon which Pilobolus, one of the most prominent modern dance companies in the United States, was founded at the College in 1971. Following the introduction of executive director Itamar Kubovy, in order to smooth out logistics and financial complications, Alison Chase, whose dance class at the College led to the creation of Pilobolus, complained of his "autocratic regime" which impeded her creativity. After a dispute over the legal status of Ms. Chase's choreography, she was voted off the board and kicked out of the company last fall. Ms. Chase, whose grievances were featured in an article in the New York Times on Monday, maintains that she has full legal rights to her choreography, though Mr. Kubovy has asserted that the rights belong to the company and, as such, cannot be awarded to any one member or former member of the company. Pilobolus, sans Ms. Chase, continues to perform regularly. In addition to Ms. Chase and a modern dancer, the original group consisted of Jonathan Wolken '71, Robbie Barnett '72, Michael Tracy '73 and Moses Pendleton '71.
Women's lacrosse coach Amy Patton has been tapped to become the new head coach of the U.S. Women's Developmental Team, of which she served as assistant coach from 1998-2000. Patton led the Lady Green to the NCAA championship game this year, where they lost 7-4 to Northwestern. Patton has coached the Lady Green since 1992, during which time she has compiled a 163-56 record with an even more impressive 77-16 mark in the Ivy League. In 1998, Patton was named the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association head coach of the year. During her tenure, Dartmouth has produced four Ivy League Players of the Year and 18 First-Team All-Americans. Devon Wills '06, Whitney Douthett '07, and Ann Leibovitz '07 are current members of the U.S. national team. The Developmental team will be selected during tryouts August 5-9 at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
