Alumni News & Note - Spring 2022

The Book Shelf The Book Shelf offers a selection of books written by alumni within the last two years. These are neither endorsements nor critiques of the books.

COVID SCHMOVID: A Primer for Survival (2021) By Colleen E. Kelley MED’88 COVID SCHMOVID is a children’s picture book that validates children’s feelings about COVID-19 in a bright cheerful book depicting how children and adults can stay safe in their daily lives keeping the coronavirus at bay. As a mom, an ER physician, and an Air Force commander, it seemed we all needed a fun way to spread the word. The idea for the book arose from living with and working within the frustrations and inspirations brought about by COVID-19. This colorful book was inspired by the incredible work that co-workers at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center have done to keep our communities healthier, and was also inspired by the devotion and care provided by local support agencies. To help continue this support, all profits from the book will be shared with the Vermont Food Bank and the Greater Bennington Interfaith Community Services.

A Swarm in May (2021) By Mark Anthony Powers MED’77 The debut novel from a doctor and beekeeper, A Swarm in May weaves systemic racism, little league baseball, and the art and science of beekeeping into a riveting medical mystery. Dr. Phineas Mann has come a long way from the darkness in his past. He has a loving wife, two bright children, a lively interest in beekeeping, and a rewarding career in intensive care medicine. And then a challenging case presents: an elderly man in the throes of full-blown tetanus. To make a difficult case worse, the patient’s openly racist son abuses and threatens his father’s medical team, especially the Black intern. When inexplicable setbacks occur, the son’s threats escalate, and the darkness from Phineas’ past comes roaring into the present.

Monster Box (2019) By Diane Roston HS'86-90 In Monster Box, something happens that’s unimaginable, like a pandemic or a box turned bad. In this children’s picture book, Molly and her brother Ben learn how the unexpected can bring a neighborhood together. Beautifully illustrated by J. Moria Stephens, this gentle romp is a story for our time.

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Pawns of the Wall: A Love Story (2019) By Derrik Woodbury MED’77, HS'79-82 Pawns of the Wall tells the story of a love triangle fractured by a mysterious murder. The pastoral border town of Patagonia, Arizona is already in turmoil from the new U.S. Government immigration policies. This murder connects many threads in a tapestry of intrigue and betrayal. Could the highest office of the U.S. Government sanction a pseudo-terrorist attack at the border to strengthen its base and secure continual political power? Would Russia aid the U.S. in a cover-up?

If you have written a book (please no textbooks) in the past two years and would like it considered for inclusion in a future issue of Alumni News & Notes, please submit a hi-res .JPG of the cover of the book, and a maximum 100 word summary utilizing this form: dartgo.org/bookshelf.