In case you haven't noticed yet, the weather has been gorgeous in Hanover lately. Sure, we got a little rain the other day, but that is behind us, and spring is in full bloom -- even feeling like summer at times.
My colleagues, Jordan Rose '09 and Michael Knapp '09, stumbled through a vain attempt at giving a few trite suggestions as to what to do when when the weather is warm in the "Toe to Toe" column on Sunday, but I think I can do better. I thought I would address the times and give my senior advice for how people can take full advantage of the beauty that surrounds us in Hanover. And I don't just mean work on your tan all day. While this can probably be rewarding (I wouldn't know), it may be good to mix it up a little bit.
- Get out and watch the Dartmouth baseball team. The squad (22-13, 16-4 Ivy) just clinched the Red Rolfe Division and secured a spot in the Ivy League Championship this weekend. The Big Green will play Cornell in a best-of-three series, and the games are held right here in Hanover.
There should be zero excuse for not making it over to the beautiful new ballpark. Dartmouth is motivated and ready, as the Big Green was favored to win the championship last year, but lost to Columbia at home. Don't let that happen again -- we can all help by showing support and heckling Cornell mercilessly. If Dartmouth wins the Ivy Championship, the team gets a bid to play in the College World Series tournament for an even bigger championship.
- Interact with people outside of campus. There are many opportunities to coach youth teams in Hanover, and arguably the best avenue for this is through Hanover Parks & Recreation.
There are chances to coach boys' and girls' lacrosse and baseball, and probably more sports of which I am not aware.
Both springs I have been on campus (freshman year and senior year), I have coached a youth baseball team with players in 7th and 8th grade. This year, Greg O'Sullivan '09, Jacob Kahane '09 and Matthew Walker '10 are all helping me keep the rascals from misbehaving, and we might even teach them a bit about baseball in the process. It's volunteer work, but well worth the time and effort, as you get to play baseball several times a week and end up making a small mark on many kids' lives. Our team plays home games at Sachem Field this Wednesday and Thursday, both at 4 p.m., in case anyone is interested in stopping by. Our fireballer is taking the hill on Wednesday.
- Invest in a cornhole set. There is debate over what this game is called, but it's glorious no matter what its name is. Two inclined wooden boards with holes near the top are set a certain distance apart. Two players at each side then take turns throwing three small bags filled with corn at the holes, accumulating points if the bag stays on the board or if it sinks through the hole.
Many people are skeptical of cornhole before they play it, but the game has won over countless fans across campus this spring. It's a fantastic way to take a study break while basking in the Hanover sun. And better yet, it requires very little athletic prowess -- anyone can play and enjoy themself.
- Jump from high places (into water). Hanover and the surrounding area offer countless opportunities to jump from high places into large bodies of water: the ledges, the copper mines, the river ranch (especially amusing at night), the rope swings (especially if people can build new ones just as the College cuts other ones down), etc.
The river is a bit cold, but the weather is warm, so it feels good. Trust me, live a little, take some risks -- it's what college is for.
- Take a hike. Early-morning hikes are one of the more rewarding facets of the Dartmouth experience, and I strongly believe more people should take advantage of the countless options the area provides.
From our early days at Dartmouth, an outdoor mind is fostered in us, in part due to necessity. The Town of Hanover does not provide much in the way of a night scene, but we are endowed with natural beauty. An early morning trip up to Bulch Hill to watch the sunrise is spectacular.
- Lastly, complete the Dartmouth Seven. Spring is a great time to do it.
