Class of 1967

Dear Golden Sisters,

During this past year, we all have been indelibly marked by COVID. The simple routines of life were glaring by their absence. How we missed hugs and kisses, visiting friends, eating in restaurants, travel and vacations. Instead, we were confronted with fear of the virus, lockdowns, quarantines and cancellation of church services, weddings and funerals. Despite it all, the recurring theme in comments from the Golds of ’67 was just how grateful we feel for the blessings we do have – good health, vaccinations and Zoom. The lessons we learn continue and we extend our support and sympathy to those who did experience the loss of family and friends.

Personally, I am deeply thankful for the hard work and efforts of Trish Clark Seifert, Marguerite (Muggsy Ernst) Mason, Genie Flahie, Sue Numrich and Nancy Viano Brown in navigating the innumerable details to establish the endowed scholarship in honor of Boodie and Sister Lidwin. Together their unique talents and expertise resolved the myriad details necessary to bring the idea to fruition. Recently while speaking with Boodie’s husband, Pete Clark, he asked that I assure all of Boodie’s golden sisters of his deepest appreciation for their contributions to the scholarship fund. In addition, special thanks for assistance with the Weekly Reader to Genie, Muggsy and Sue. Now let’s take a look at what 67’s golden girls learned during the year of COVID.

Karen McLinden Hickman, semi-retired, teaching online creative writing classes, resides with  husband Bill in VA. They moved there prior to the pandemic. (The running joke is that 6,000 square feet is hardly downsizing.) Son Brian and family are in Ohio while daughter Erin and family are in Albuquerque, NM.  Lisa and family are nearby.  With six grandchildren, google meets and phone texts keep them together.  Karen has a children’s book at the publishers that will hopefully be out by summer, another blessing. Although Karen thinks of 2020 as an intensely sad, distressing inconvenience, she acknowledges that she is blessed. Everyone is thriving.

Kathy Seubert Heberg claims she has nothing to report, except that she and her husband Ed have both received vaccinations.  They are still being cautious and dutifully wearing masks.  She has just about given up on finding Lysol wipes, but will not miss wiping everything down in the evening. In an effort to continue downsizing, Kathy is going through all the many articles, magazines, etc. that she has saved to read in her “spare time” and is making painfully slow progress.  Other than that, she has joined the ranks of women who have decided to see what color their hair really is.  Yep, it’s gray!

From sunny FL, Sue Walson Stolzer reports that the pandemic seemed easier in Florida because she could continue to walk outside, play golf with her husband and see family who live close by. Her community was hit hard by deaths, but COVID only seemed to be a complication. Sue’s son in San Antonio, her daughter in Plantation, FL, and their families all had bouts with COVID, but rallied through.  Another son, a Port St. Lucie paramedic, was able to arrange vaccinations for Sue and her husband (all legally so don’t be a hater)! In addition, they procured precious tickets and enjoyed a baseball spring training game. Recently, Sue joined up with her PEO women’s group which had not convened in person since March 2020. Of course , no cruises, no hotels and no visits with the out of state loved ones, but that’s coming soon. Masks and distancing aside, this is the new normal! Sue confirms that she knows how blessed they were and continue to be.

Marie Richards Zawatzky reports what she has not done in the last year. She hasn’t visited with friends; hasn’t dined out; hasn’t traveled to favorite Pacific NW regions for weekend get-aways; hasn’t shared precious moments and holidays with family; hasn’t shared hugs and kisses with grandchildren; hasn’t been able to attend the funeral when her sister in Maryland died of COVID-19. Marie also decided not to continue the above list because she believes that to dwell on what we have lost is futile. Besides, Marie is still a firm believer in Hope for a Better Future. After all, more folks are getting vaccinated all the time, and she and her husband Larry are in reasonably good health. Finally, delightful adventures still remain on her bucket list and hundreds of wonderful books still await. Onward!

In addition to assuming some long term Weekly Reader assignments, Marguerite (Muggsy) Ernst Mason may have found a second career in the theater. Muggsy admitted to her bravura performance as a sheep in the Zoom Christmas Pageant at her church. It got such brilliant notices that she has been invited back to participate in the living Stations of the Cross. Her role as one of the Weeping Women of Jerusalem offers a challenge to appear both inspirational and uplifting while contemplating the destruction of Jerusalem. In between her roles, Muggsy drives her neighbors hither and yon all over Vermont, tends to her garden and educates her Trinity pals about the joys of pure maple syrup.

Jane Herlihy Dee has learned to plan ahead, make reservations for the next food delivery, check the NY Times for a new twist on chicken and incorporate technology into daily life. Jane describes how important Zoom has become. It enables her to see family, visit with Trinity sisters and work out with a trainer. Jane also shares that she is fortunate to live with her daughter, Alicia and a granddaughter. Her son, Michael, and his family, including two more granddaughters, live close by so she is able to see them as well. In addition, a golden retriever puppy named Bailey has joined the brood. According to Jane, Bailey is an energetic handful who has brought the household a lot of joy! She is looking forward to this summer when the entire Dee family will get together on Long Beach Island.

Regina (Genie) Flahie announces that the impending arrival of her first grandchild is the only news worth reporting. But we know that if it were not for Genie’s faithful commitment to sending out the Weekly Reader, most of us would be totally out of the loop. As for the past year, Genie confesses “I’ve gotten older, less agile, blinder and hear less.  I’m also less tolerant of old people, a trait that will not see me well in the coming years.” Hopefully, Genie will find a way to put up with the Old Golds.

Although Ginny Allen endured both the hassle of moving in December and the postponement of international trips, she notes how lucky she has been during the pandemic to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of long walks along the ocean. She is also grateful that her family has not been seriously impacted by the virus. In the plus column, Ginny relates that she DID accomplish one thing in 2020, but kind of by mistake.  As a Boston Area Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, usually she volunteers at the Boston Marathon. When the pandemic forced the cancellation this year, Ginny received an email from the group suggesting she could participate by running, jogging, walking, etc. 26.2 miles in her local area. She had misread the email. It actually said 2.62 miles. Ladies, be careful when you read email on a mobile phone!  Anyway, she did manage to complete the marathon,

Kathleen Courtney once again has led the west coast roundup providing updates on some of the “67 gals of the golden west. Keating Vogel and Palmer have moved to Santa Rosa which is a little north of San Francisco. Their first born, Emma, along with her husband and two small sons, recently arrived from their home in Singapore for a two month visit. In addition to loving to babysit her grandsons, Keating belongs to two book clubs, plays mahjong on Zoom and continues to run – no marathons this year. Perhaps, Keating should consult Ginny Allen before accepting any running challenges. Kathleen Zooms with Keating and four other ladies once a week for a chat and book club.

Kathleen and her husband John had dinner recently with Kathleen Lavin Mague, whose home base is in Wyoming. Kathleen was visiting her son Chris, his wife Reiko and her two grandsons in San Francisco.  Alex (18) is heading off to Virginia Tech and Sean (13) is looking forward to returning to real school.  She also plans to visit daughter Jenny and two more grandchildren in Boston. Kathleen is still in the labor force, cross country skiing, hiking and participating in two book clubs. She and her late husband Michael traveled all over the world and had numerous adventures, but she will probably be staying closer to home for a while.

Jane Bailey Braunger ex ’67 (Jane wrote the Gold song with Louise Smith) and husband John became first time grandparents less than a year ago when son Matt and his wife brought granddaughter Rose into the world. Although Jane and her husband live in Portland, they are planning visits to Los Angeles to enjoy time with baby Rose.

So finally, that leaves Kathleen Courtney and husband John Bardis who are both well. She was planning on selling her domain name (XDM), but picked up two new clients for various marketing projects and decided it is too much fun to stop.  In addition, Kathleen chairs an economic round table and participates in a Greek women’s organization and community advocacy projects. She Zooms with Keating and four other ladies once a week for a chat and book club.  But the news of the hour is that her stepson Tom informed his father that, on the cusp of his 92nd birthday, John Bardis will become a first time grandfather! That lucky little baby will have Kathleen as a fairy grandmother!

Moving to southern California, my former roommate, Mary Haggerty Korey claims that she has little news to report but admits that it was nice to be able to read and read and read. The only times she ventured out were to walk the dog, grocery shop, take her husband to doctor appointments, eventually attend church, and finally get the vaccine. To her chagrin, along with most of us, she gained a pound or two and seemed to be contributing less as a member of society.  Hopefully that will now change as she has begun to volunteer again and, best of all, hug her children and grandchildren.

After two COVID shots, Mary Ann Hoeper Benavides waited a week and then set out in a tiny, pricey RV to drive to CA to see her son in LA. It took six days and five nights with outside activity pretty much limited to fueling the van while wearing gloves. Life at her retirement community has consisted mostly of being a hermit, but due to observance of guidelines and caution, there was not a single case of the virus among residents in independent living.  Mary Ann has read a lot and enjoyed listening to classical music.

Martha Smith Butler writes that although she has not lost any family members, she has lost a few long time friends to COVID. Like most of us, Marty is grateful for what she does have. She has a backyard and garden to walk around in. Her daughter and grandchildren have been in her “bubble” and without them Marty doesn’t know what she would have done. Her son has had two business trips to Phoenix and, after quarantining, they have also been able to be together. She has enjoyed family Zoom calls and calls with friends. And puzzles and cards. If she has not forgotten how to kneel, Marty may try attending church in the not too distant future.

 Kathleen Rockwell Lawrence writes that her family is healthy and she’s glad to have Andrew in her pod, where he’s been for the last 52 years.  Still, the pod has had its moments this year.  One member wants the other to double mask; to order out and avoid supermarkets; also to avoid the laundry room and city buses.   Kathy spends many hours per week shopping, cooking, reading recipes, newspapers, novels. Also, bingeing on MSNBC and great series like The Nick and Call My Agent. She wishes she could see her little grandsons before they’re big–misses the pair of them so much she’s actually agreed to babysit once COVID lifts!

From Texas, Rosemary Scotti Foster reports that in January 2020, she and Perry were feted at a big celebration for their 50th wedding anniversary – and they said it would not last!  One of their sons lives nearby and has six children; the oldest of whom, a girl has received a full basketball scholarship to Lubbock Christian University.  Her other son, his wife and two children live near Dallas. So far Rosemary and Perry have not gotten COVID and were happy to get their shots. Luckily, they did not lose power during the recent “great freeze” in Texas. According to Scotti, they are blessed and doing well.

Carol Moss Ryan states that she is most grateful that her family has been spared the virus.  During the pandemic she has taken to domestic pursuits and has resurrected a very old, circa 1940, sewing machine.  She has made masks for family and friends.  Her efforts have not been entirely altruistic;  she needed a distraction from the refrigerator. She misses her kids and grandkids terribly; she is thankful for Zoom but can’t wait for hugs and kisses. She writes about her communication with Boodie Christian during her final days. Boodie hated texting on her flip phone (with an attached and somehow bejeweled stylus),  but Carol had no other way to reach her.  To the end Boodie was her brave and very elegant self, always using a salutation – Miss Moss or My Dear.  A few hours before Boodie died,  Carol received a wonderful “thanks”.  Ever the communicator.  RIP, our beloved friend. “

Pre-pandemic, there were plans for a big party to celebrate Mary McGee’s 75th birthday in December 2020. COVID appeared on the scene and her milestone was actually observed by enjoying take-out with her husband. In April 2021, they probably will mark 50 years of wedded bliss with another take-out meal since Toronto still has very strict lockdown regulations. Mary muses that in 1971 she would not have considered having a  “good mate to weather a pandemic” as a prerequisite for marriage, now she knows that it is very important and she is grateful to have one. Vacation plans including a tour of Iceland and a train trip through the Canadian Rockies have been postponed. Although Mary has begun to tolerate the level of incompetence among politicians and bureaucrats, she has learned that everyone will be better off if each person follows public health guidelines and is co-operative, patient and kind.

In the same vein, Barbara Howerton, urges everyone to get inoculated ASAP, given the increased spread of variants! Her sister Katherine, who lives with Barbara, has chronic kidney disease (CKD) which has the highest risk for death from COVID-19 worldwide. Protecting ourselves is the best way to protect others.

Marianna Law Merritt shared her reflections on a year of “living virtually”  The high points included more time with her grandson (9) who attended virtual school from her house, lots of  time to enjoy her nine month old black lab puppy and some long walks getting to know nearby neighbors. Things she found surprising (and encouraging) were the resilience of kids as they masked up without complaint  for sports and outside play and their enthusiastic participation in a virtual Sunday school class she co-taught. Marianna reports that a valuable takeaway from the year is that sports talks and sharing sports brackets can be a unifying and safe topic in an extended family separated by physical distance, political views and opinions on efficacy of vaccines. Nevertheless, Marianna looks forward to experiencing once again in the fall – large family gatherings, restaurant dining in and running with a group.

Sadly, the younger of two brothers of Yvonne Godoy Ramos died of a heart attack on Mardi Gras day –  almost a year to the day of the beginning of the lockdown in NOLA.  Yvonne, living at home in Baton Rouge, has now received both vaccines. Her daughter’s family, including granddaughter Alexandra, are in New Orleans. Yvonne has been reading a lot, bingeing on movies and communicating with FB and phone. She also continues to study Italian on her own after two years of regular classes at LSU.

Sharon Sullivan (on the left) and her family had a Christmas gathering, in a parking lot in NJ!

According to Sharon Volovski Sullivan, it has been an extremely difficult year: so many days of quarantine, separation from family, a life and a self hardly recognizable. Thankfully, despite the trials, there have been some good things which have happened.  Sharon and her husband welcomed the arrival of their first grandchild, Kayleen Malaika Sullivan, on May 22. Although they enjoyed a few socially distanced gatherings, most visits with her precious granddaughter have been via Portal.  As the world came screeching to a halt, Sharon was scheduled to begin a two-year apprenticeship program with the Guild for Spiritual Guidance. Instead of meeting in person, the apprentices began what has turned out to be a year of Zoom meetings. Difficult as it has been to create “community” totally on screen, the ten people in the program have bonded in a shared spiritual journey.  Throughout the pandemic; through racial and political upheaval; through news of violent events and natural disasters, they have tried to be spiritual seekers. Because she lives next to a park, Sharon began to take photographs, mostly in nature, in order to document the passage of days. Recording the elapsing of time, she suddenly discovered the photographic art of Miksang and contemplative photography. What began as a survival strategy has become a passion and will likely be the subject of her final practicum for the Guild.

In the past year, Sue Numrich has learned that she has great neighbors and dog walkers in her bedroom community and, thanks to COVID, she has gotten to know them. Not only has she met these folks, but Sue has been adopted by the family of a fifth grader who lives two doors away and fell in love with Sue’s rescue dog, Miles, a charming Shih Tzu. How can anyone resist his face? Obviously, Sue cannot. As the story goes, Sue went to her car dealer because of a warning light on her dash. There was an adoption event at the dealership and she came home with four new tires and one old Miles. Now Miles is not the only one who realizes how amazing Sue is! In March, Sue was the recipient of the “Meritorious Civilian Service Award”. With a citation and three medals, it was bestowed on her in recognition of her singular civilian service for the Army Science Board. This honor was followed shortly thereafter by another award. The company for which she works, the Institute for Defense Analyses, is known fondly as the quiet think tank. The President of this company proudly informed Sue that she had been chosen to receive the highest award the company grants for Excellence in Research.

With all humility Sue acknowledged, “I guess this is why I find it hard to retire. I get to work with great people, do work that is challenging and that sometimes goes all the way up the chain in the Department of Defense, and now I do it all from my kitchen table.” Kudos, Sue! Your golden sisters are so very proud of your work and extraordinary service to our great nation.

I would like to bring our COVID tales to an end by quoting Sharon Sullivan. “The return to normal seems actually nearly as overwhelming as the sudden onset of these events.  Will we be different for all these experiences?  Will we be better?  Have we learned to live more simply, more justly, more reverently in this world?  Can we live more peacefully with uncertainty?  Have we learned to see the diaphanous beauty present in everyday life?  What are we willing to do to guard and protect it?   Indeed, it has been a year of learning to live with the questions! “

Love to all,

In lieu of Boo,

Ann Donnelly Malinowski

Gold Class of 1967

Greetings, Golds of ’67!

This year’s themes seem to be anniversaries, travel, grandkids and health progress. Without further ado, here is the news shared by our classmates. Trish McGarraghy Bowman (VA), who says “all is well and good,” is awaiting the arrival of two new grandsons this spring, bringing her total to six boys and three girls, aged 0 to 19!
Martha Smith Butler (AZ), whose children are well and whose grandkids are the “delight of my life,” is dedicating this summer to decluttering. She survived a flood in part of her house, but notes that, even with the frustration and ensuing paperwork, what was lost was just stuff.

Muggsy Ernst Mason, snowbound in VT, (for a hilarious recount of Muggs’s Christmas return home, email me and I will send), has given up the gym to face all the shoveling. She is volunteering for a long list of organizations, and has even been taken on by Habitat for Humanity as a carpenter!  She is planning her trip to visit Kate Clair Freeland and husband Ted in CA, where she can restore her faith in spring and see “green growing things.” Ted and Kate traveled to Belize to snorkel, Zambia on safari and Sun Valley for a writers conference, plus seven trips to DC to visit the daughters and Annie the Perfect Baby, with whom they are besotted. Kate has cut work down to part time, as if all those travels leave any time for work!

Martha Knight is still working and has some other companies interested in her instruments which have relevance to the cannabis industry! Ah, Martha, give peace a chance!

Trish Clark Seifert went to a meeting in New Orleans, among other adventures and travels. She is volunteering on local hospital research councils, helping novice writers prepare manuscripts for journals, and working with millennials to learn about the importance of connections. Trish highly recommends the Sr. Fidelma mysteries, referred to her by Maggie McAloon, which concern a 7th century Celtic nun/lawyer and her husband and son. “Talk,” says Trish, “about strong women who possessed equal rights under the Celtic church”. Maggie herself is semiretired but continues to teach medical students. She has taken several trips to Haiti on medical missions with the students, and, while enjoying the experiences, is “a bit old to sleep on a mattress on the floor and wash in cold water.” She and Maria Alvarez have Haiti in common. Maria continues her work with the school in Haiti between her travels to China, where her husband teaches. She was thrilled to spend time in her home country, the Dominican Republic, where she met up with a life-long friend. They now have a blog for those with whom they attended school!

Katherine Ivers Zatkowski is surviving 2019’s strange winter, and looking forward to a time “without parking restrictions and cancellations.”

As for Diane LeRoux Arnold, she reports that she attempted to notify TC about her doctorate from one of the College’s online forms, and, Ed.D or not, was not able to do so. Sue Doherty Russell reports in that she and Melinda have done multiple cruises, one with Ed and Kater Nicholson Pendergast. Susan also attending Campus on the Cape with Kater (and more of us) this past summer. As a volunteer at the Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen, Sue is on “a first-name basis with most of the homeless here in Delray Beach.” A different volunteer gig, this time for the Chris Evert Charity Tennis Tournament, allowed Sue to chauffeur celebs and tennis stars. As for Kater Nicholson Pendergast, she and Ed celebrated his 85th birthday with a gathering of family and friends. Several Golds and TC sisters attended and a grand time was had by all, including nine children and 20 grands. Reporting in from sunny Florida is Sue Walson Stolzer, whose five grandchildren continue “to thrive and delight me.” Sue and husband Bill will be taking two of the soon-to-be-eighth-grade grads to London, for “royalty and all things Potter. The other three grandkids will share a trip with Sue and Bill the following year. Speaking of grandkids, Mary Swift Deakyne has two new ones — two girls after being “top heavy with boys.” There are now five males and two females. Mary wants you to know that her “Trinity years were special to me and I have wonderful memories.” I, too, remember them that way. Missy Fay Hayes is enjoying time with family since all four of her sons and their families live nearby. They, and three grand dogs, will be spending a week in June in Destin, FL, to celebrate Missy’s 45th wedding anniversary. She beaches, crabs and fishes, and is a member of her community choir. You can’t keep a good song leader down!

Big news from Kathy Rockwell Lawrence! Two of her novels are being reissued on Amazon! The two are Maud Gone and The Last Room in Manhattan. She is involved in a new work, and she and Andy are approaching their 51st anniversary! Grandsons Blaise and Arden Hawk, whom she “adores,” take up some delightful time in her life. Catherine McLinden Hickman (Karen to us) just published her fourth children’s book, Milton Saves the Bakery, under the pen name of Karen M. Hickman.  She and her husband toured the Baltic on a cruise in August for their 52nd anniversary. Karen is sending grandkid #1 off to Michigan University, where he “will get in the band and send his Nana off to the Rose Bowl, a bucket list event” for her. Karen teaches a Writer’s Workshop and co-directs the Northern Virginia Writing Project. Kathryn Cross writes from the Dominican Republic for her 10-day annual sojourn, facing decisions about reading, doing crosswords or napping. She is retired and living in CO, where, shortly, two of her three sons will reside nearby. The other is in NC. Kathryn thanks Susan Doherty Russell for tracking her down and urging her to attend our 50th — her first since transferring (you never stop being a Gold, Kathryn), and hopes to see us all in ’22.

Keeping with the grandchild theme, Liana Fiol-Matta, in NYC for a panel discussion of a federal law concerning Puerto Rico’s fiscal situation, trained down to Philly to visit her grandson who is at U Penn Wharton. Snowbirds Gary and Janice Fisher Long, winter in Amelia Island, FL, and summer in Arlington, VA. As she writes, the sun is shining bright and “the ocean glistens and pelicans are dive bombing.” Send some this way, Janice!  Anne Maher Teddlie spent the month of January at Amelia Island in then went on to a visit with her sister in Naples, FL. Her travels this year included a cruise from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale through the Panama Canal which she and husband Don viewed from a balcony as both had spent days confined to their cabin by norovirus. A trip to Como, Italy, went much better. Ann chats with Kathleen Brennan Kelly, but missed their yearly rendezvous in Siesta Key.

Another southerner, Henrietta Carriere Hight (SC) cites sure signs of spring. She and Jon have been and will be doing quite a bit of traveling — Lake District of England and order area with Scotland — English Major Heaven! This fall, its Artist Heaven, as Henri takes a trip to France with a group of fellow students to visit the areas, especially the Impressionists, enjoyed. When not trotting about, Henri keeps busy taking life-long learning classes at Furman U. Intrepid travelers and happy grandparents Mary McGee and Jack Lee took in Portugal and Spain joined by Mary’s sister Anne, TC ’64. And Ann Chuhran Long, who continues her work for NASA on a half-time basis, takes continuing education classes and related day trips. For further adventures, she and her husband toured the Amalfi Coast last year, and will soon be touring southern Spain.

Laurie Casey Alkidis, still in Michigan, spends two months each winter in Texas with their three grandsons. Her daughter Kristy and she attended the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT, and saw five films in two-and-a-half days! At Easter, Laurie will chaperone her 15-year-old Seattle Grandson on a school trip to Madrid and Barcelona. Sharon Volovski Sullivan continues to work as a substitute teacher. She and husband Tom sing in the church choir and their ancestry searches took them to France where they stayed with new-found cousins. Like Sharon, Marie Calcara Murphy still enjoys work while those around her are retiring. Marie and Regina McGranery shared a pilgrimage this past year, and this coming summer Marie will be on panels at the International Psychoanalytic Associations in London. She and Jack are renovating a home in St John’s, FL. Marianna Law Merritt walks her “daily companion grandson” to and from school every day, and says she is fortunate that her family’s arthritis tends to show up in hands rather than knees!

Now to Chicago, and Joanita Gonsalves Birkmeyer! She celebrated 55 years of arrival in the US last August. After meeting us that September, I think it’s a wonder she stayed! She and husband Bob will celebrate 52 years of marriage this year. She lost her oldest sibling in February and now is the top of the sibling line. Granddaughters Vesper Belle and Winnie rate about three visits in CA each year, and are expecting a baby brother. Grandson Julian is in Chicago, checking out colleges. Often, she says, “housework goes neglected until the cobwebs and the dust and fluff force me to drag out the vacuum cleaner and duster;” she’d rather concentrate on needlework and reading in the cold months; gardening in the warm ones. We shared a delightful lunch last baseball season. Ginny Allen checks in from Costa Rica, where she is finishing a three-week eco-adventure around the country. Ginny has downsized to an apartment (landlord sold old place) and is experiencing her first time since TC not having real estate to herself. Ginny will have little time to get used to apartment living, as she is travelling to Mongolia, China, Hong Kong and Tibet in May/June, spending a month in Ireland in September/October, and after 10 days at home, will be off to Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa for a month! Ginny assures us that she does seem to have a good amount of time with family and friends, even if her travel schedule is packed, as is she!

Wow! These grandkids! Deidre Ryan Menoyo has five of them aged 10-16, each thriving. Deirdre serves on the board of The Mass Rivers Alliance, an environmental organization she founded with her late husband Eric. The new nice man in her life now is teaching and living and living in Abu Dhabi. Received greetings from our Green/Gold classmate Yolanda Piedra Ruisanchez. Helen McMahon Thomas checked in and Barbara Oliver Reynolds hit “reply” when I asked her to, so I will take that as a greeting as well. Vicky Pundsack Reynolds, no relation I assume, continues her volunteer work with DePaul Cristo Rey High School and sends heartfelt greetings to all. Gael Cavanaugh Finan, here in NJ, is awaiting golf season and volunteers for the St. Vincent de Paul Society.  Paula Peppler Nawn is looking forward to her father’s 99th birthday in June, and rejoicing in the fact that 66% of her children are now in Ohio!

Kathleen Courtney continues her SF activities including chairing a neighborhood organization, managing the retrofit of her 115-year-old condo building and looking forward to the 90th anniversary celebration for the local Greek Women’s Group Daughters of Penelope. She and her husband John will celebrate his 90th birthday in Peloponnesus, Greece, where his father was born. Kathleen reports that Kathleen Lavin Mague travels from Jackson, WY to SF where the Kathleens joyfully meet. Kathleen then proceeds to Boston to visit more family. Keating Vogel soon leaves for a month in Singapore to visit her daughter, son-in-law and grandson. And Jane Bailey Braunger just founded a “village” organization in Portland, OR, where she frequently visits Mary Connelly LaBarre who continues on her very slow journey with her debilitating and destructive disease.

Yvonne Godoy-Ramos is recovering from her first corneal transplant. Linda Suit Thompson “got my chest scraped yesterday. Had we only known about basking in the sun years ago!” Kathy Lamb O’Hara had an annual visit with her doc. Kathy enjoys being a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for CPS kids, making a difference in a child’s life.  Genie Flahie is safely ensconced on the newly-renovated first level of her home. Her son and daughter-in-law have the upper levels. No more stairs!  In the back to school vein, Ann Horstman Rafferty was, much to her shock and surprise, invited to return to the classroom and teach sophomore and senior theology at Merion Mercy Academy, where she taught 23 years ago! Two of her sons married “angels in disguise” in 2018, adding to her delight in all her family, including the grandchildren, ages 4-16.

And now for the triple-ettes! Jane Herlihy Dee had a wonderful trip to Nantucket with here three kids, spouses, three granddaughters and sister Trish Herlihy Doyle’61. She is deeply involved in training her cocker spaniel, whom she calls a “work in progress.” Jane is looking forward to travelling to London and Sonoma this year. She delights in meeting up with TC friends, including Ann Donnelly Malinowski, who is now on her way back from a visit to Spring Training in Florida! Last year, Ann and family members took a European River Cruise, and this year, four of the five sisters are taking another. Another Ann trip was taken to CA to surprise John and Mary Haggerty Korey at their 50th wedding anniversary party. Mary reports, “What a joy and what a memory!”

Now, for a few memories. As you know, I send out a weekly message, in which I try to connect with the Golds with musings, poems (not my own) and memories from the TC days. Here are some of the responses:

About the bell that rang for classes: Susan Numrich reports that it was an electronic bell and, because she was always up and dressed by 6:30, she never heard the first warning!  June O’Brien Hurtgen tells of a senior year event during which she and Corliss Sheremeta Ardussi were sleeping in, not having heard that there was to be a fire drill. “We were startled awake, threw on our trench coats and raced down the stairs. There we found life going on a usual. Everyone else knew it was a drill and had combed hair, etc.” From Ann Donnelly Malinowski, we hear that Janie Herlihy always ran upstairs and napped between the 1:50 and 2:05 bells, driving Mary Haggerty, who had enormous trouble getting to sleep under the best of circumstances, to distraction.

About snow, traying and the forbidden slacks: Martha Knight responded that she was the first to wear slacks to class. During one of the snowstorms she came by bus from “good ole Tenley” and, wearing black pants and boots, showed up in Dr. Hornig’s class. No one said anything. Maggie McAloon trayed in slacks, as, I am sure, did others. I had to get special permission to wear slacks from Alumnae to Main when rehearsing for plays. The Main-ers probably just rolled theirs up and snuck downstairs.

A good time was had by all in Cape May (Maggie, Trish Clark, Carol Moss Ryan, Barbara Hauck Crowe, Sue Russell, Muggsy, Kater, Genie Flahie, Anne Maher, Mary McGee, Mary Haggerty, Ann Donnelly, Kathy Rockwell and yours truly. Sue Numrich had to cancel at the last minute, but was there in spirit for sure! We may try for another one before our next reunion!

And now, dear reader, from me. Great Cape May. Great lunch in Chicago with Jo. Great visit with Carol Moss. Great gatherings with Ann, Janie and Gael, plus Peggy Harrington MacNeill ’66. Great visits with Muggsy (all meals included — you never knew me to miss a meal!). Great Campus on Cape Cod. Pete and I, for all our aches and pains, are well, and planning trips to the Eastern Shore and Cape Cod again. Looking for diversion? Visit beautiful Little Silver — we’d love to see you. And now, with great relief and the sincere hope that I have left nobody out and gotten at least most things correct, I remain

Yours very truly,

Boodie Christian Clark

24 Laurelwood Drive

Little Silver, NJ 07739

732-741-7091

booinls@verizon.net

PS — If you get a chance to see the show Come from Away, I highly recommend it.

Our Golden Jubilee was a rousing success! Antonia Daily, who couldn’t be with us (and who is recently retired and still adjusting) asked if I would summarize it. In brief: chaos, cocktails, chatter of all kinds. Because there were so many of us, it is well-nigh impossible to recount the different groups, conversations, laughs, dances. But I must mention our class photo from the Jubilee luncheon, and our subsequent Well Sing. Since we were the 50th class, our photo was taken first. And then we adjourned to O’Connor, practiced for a few minutes, re-elected “The Susans” – Doherty and Numrich – to chair the 55th Reunion, and took our places on the first and second floors. Led by our Belles Deidre Ryan Menoyo and Martha Moynahan McMahon, along with songster Mary Ann Datillo Gaul, we sang the old beloved songs – The Marching Song, “Don’t Forget,” “Today, While the Blossom Still Clings to the Vine,” and many more. If there was a dry eye in the house, I didn’t see it. I sure didn’t have it. Looking around and down from the second floor, it was a perfect day and a perfect way to “Try to Remember,” which we did.

Thanks to Susan Numrich, the Saturday night party at the Washington Court Hotel was spectacular! Great food, terrific DJs, screams of laughter and, at the end, “The Smoker Song.” Those of us gathered to sing it were deep in dreams of all of you.

On Sunday morning, some of us went to TC for breakfast; others went their various ways. One of our number (you know who you are, Deirdre) said that in her wildest imagination she could not have conjured up a more perfect 50th Reunion. Many of you said the same in your answers to my pleas for news. True, all true.

And now, in no particular order but with deep appreciation to my respondents, the news since then.

Marianna Law Merritt, for whom the 50th was her first Reunion, is already planning for the next one and much enjoyed spending time with two of her roommates, Karen McLinden Hickman and Janie Martini-Bowers. Marianna’s “weekday companion,” her wonderful grandson, is now in kindergarten, and they enjoy their walks to and fro. Marianna has joined a daytime Bible study group and found some new friends in her (and our, I guess) age group. Another newbie, actually a double newbie since we haven’t heard from her in 45+ years, joined us at Reunion. Kathryn Cross, who was found by Susan Doherty Russell after an extensive investigation, joined us and reconnected as if the “re” had no meaning. She and her roommate Ann Blyberg and loads of others chattered as if it was yesterday. Kathryn is living in Colorado helping with “the littles” reading, and wondering what she wants to be when she grows up! Janice Fisher Long first stated “I have nothing to report which is GOOD.” Upon my commiserating with her, she said I had misconstrued (me????) her, that she meant that all was good; life on an even keel, books to read, movies and plays to see, music to hear and wine to appreciate, and that she does all of the above! Anne Maher Teddlie reports that she and Don are fine, “aside from the normal ills of being 72.” They are travelling frequently and continuing their volunteer works.

Martha Smith Butler loves our “community of fellowship,” and calls her grandchildren “the delight of my retirement.” Phoenix had the hottest winter in memory. Send some here, Marty, please! As for Carol Dwyer Simmons, time spent with her four-year-old granddaughter is “great but tiring.” She and four siblings and families held a wonderful reunion, and in August, Carol and her sister Maureen took their annual trip – this time to Venice. Kathy Lamb OʼHara, still searching for normal, is doing very special volunteer work for CASA. She is a Court Appointed Special Advocate and is assigned to be a friend to a child in the foster care system. Speaking of volunteering, Susan Doherty Russell was a volunteer driver at a Chris Evert Charity Tennis event, and her passengers were the Pointer Sisters. Sue and Melinda are happy and healthy, and Sue has expanded volunteering to a local soup kitchen. She is, she says “on a first name basis with all the homeless here in town!” Gael Canaugh Finan and husband Bernie are now residents of a 55-and-older community which they like very much. Gael is giving time to St. Vincent DePaul selling used furniture, which she likes because the proceeds stay local.

Joanita Gonsalves Birkmeyer celebrated 50 years of marriage just before Reunion, and delights in her three grandchildren: Julian, Vesper and Winona. Trish Clark Seifert says she has nothing to report, except that they went to Falling Water. I know that’s less than true, because Trish hosted a lovely dinner for me at her house when I went down to VA for Genie Flahieʼs sonʼs wedding reception. Trish, Trish McGarraghy Bowman, Sue Numrich, Diane LeRoux Arnold, Kathy Seubert Heberg and I shared a grand evening of Chinese food and conversation. As for Genie, she flew off to Brazil for son George’s marriage to the lovely Gabi, then hosted a USA reception for the bride and groom, which was one of the happiest events I have ever attended. Trish Bowman is looking forward to her daughter Carolyn’s June wedding, and feels fortunate to have her sisters, children and grandchildren nearby, allowing for lots of family gatherings.

Fifty-some years ago, when the fates squeezed Ann Donnelly Malinowski, Mary Haggerty Korey and Jane Herlihy Dee into a triple, who could have imagined that both Ann and Jane would have grandchildren living in Hoboken! But Ann doesn’t want Mary to feel left out because her “grands” are in CA. Mary sends greetings to all and hopes to see as many as possible in Cape May. Janie’s year was tough after the loss of her husband, but she also had the joy of welcoming two new granddaughters. As for Barbara Hauck Crowe, determining she has too much “stuff,” she is involved in what she calls a bout of “Swedish Death Cleaning.” In keeping with the nationalistic nature of her report, Barb had her DNA tested. Like the guy in the commercial, she is not German! She is Irish! Welcome to the club, Barb! Mary McGee and husband Jack Lee enjoy seeing their grandson Adrian once or twice a week. Mary sent a photo of her and her nephew, who graduated from Trinity in 2017 with his MA in education, 50 years after our commencement! Mary says that, while he is not the first third-generation TC grad, he is the very first male!

As for Barbara Oliver Reynolds (DNA test, anyone?), her cruise to Scandinavia and returning to Iceland after 46 years allowed her to compare the 36 degree temperature in Iceland with the 10 below wind chills in Ohio. Muggsy Ernst Mason sends sincere thanks to all the Golds who reached out to her with notes and phone calls when her husband Peter died. Muggs made a September visit to Little Silver and a good time was had by all, and I will be going up to see her in VT in a month or so. Muggsy received a great Christmas present from Kate Clair Freelandand husband Ted, who sent her ticket to Oakland for a good long visit. Kate herself reports that she has lessened her work week to three days, but still keeps hold of seven days of worry. She and Ted, while dealing with home improvements, traveled – Africa twice, Switzerland, Sun Valley Writersʼ Conference.Carol Moss Ryan writes from Maui (oh, how sad!) that her motto while there is “beach/read/eat.” Doesn’t that sound grand? Carol and Kevin are first-time grandparents. They will celebrate 40 years of marriage with a trip to Spain this spring. Kathy Rockwell Lawrence is taking a year off from adjuncting at CUNY and, while she misses teaching, loves the time she’s spending at The Writers’ Room on Astor Place. She and Andy will celebrate their 50th in June and love spending time with “the youth of tomorrow,” Blaise (5) and Arden Hawk (almost 1). Vicky Pundsack Reynolds, retired from U of Cincinnati, is working on a campaign for the DePaul Cristo Rey High School for low income city students. (Ann Donnelly Malinowski also gives time to Cristo Rey.) Dian Callaghan Reynolds and husband Tom have been taking classes through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of Denver University. They are planning a Midwest trip in May to visit baseball parks in Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Cincinnati or Kansas City, making their major league total 20 out of 30 parks!

According to Marie Calcara Murphy, while others are travelling to exotic places, she is still heading to the office every day, when not writing and presenting at conferences. She and Jack, who has cut back his work load and is enjoying “time affluence,” will be making a pilgrimage to the churches and monasteries in France and Switzerland this summer to celebrate their 50 years of marriage. Marie says that grandchildren are “the excellent reason for not strangling our own children when they were teenagers.” Mary Ellen Brady Jensen has sent a photo of her youngest “reason for not strangling our own children.” Yvonne Godoy Ramos was on her way to Kansas City and thence FL when she wrote – two complete wardrobes in one suitcase! As for Rosemary Scotti Foster, it was what she calls a “quiet year,” with only two cruises and no new grandchildren to join her and Perry’s six who range in age from 13 to 2.

Linda Suit Thompson, still caring for her non-English-speaking mother-in-law, recommends Confessions of an Imperfect Caregiver by Bobbi Carducci for some great coping methods, among which glasses of wine figure prominently. Similarly, Charli Miller Sugihara works hard to maintain a positive mindset.

Maria Loli Alvarez-Murray is back from her sojourn in China. She relates that Christmas there is almost non-existent, which, when you think of it, sort of makes sense. She is off to the DR shortly, and will probably return in May. Enid Galliers, who says she has nothing much to say this year, traveled to GA in June, then to St. Petersburg for a week in September, and then to the Caribbean on a week-long cruise (she held a sloth!) and then to Palm City, FL. I wonder what Enid would consider an eventful year? Perhaps one like Ginny Allen’s. Ginny writes from Thailand, from whence she moves on to the Philippines for a visit for the 50th reunion of the high school class she taught there. In May, she’s off to Australia and may do a safari this coming September. Last fall she spent three weeks in India and Bhutan. In between, actually right after Reunion, Ginny, no stranger to cardiac cath-ing, had another stent put in, which is why she restrained her dancing at our Saturday night event. If she happens to be around, Ginny will come to Campus on the Cape on August 23.

From SC, Henriettta Carriere Hight is still lifelong learning through art classes and the travel bug sent her off to Munich and Prague. She and Jon will be coming north for Henri’s various reunions, and she hopes to see many, many of us in Cape May. Sue Numrich, resting after the well-deserved laurels vested upon her at Reunion, went off to Florence where she paid homage to Sienna, Assisi, wine and cheese. At the Uffizi, she was enthralled by Michelangelo’s uncompleted gallery of slaves and so much more. After an appropriately Italian cooking lesson, Sue returned home and had a total shoulder replacement. Then she had a car repair and came home with four new tires and a rescue dog named Miles. May both your pup and your tires, not to mention your shoulder, wear well, Sue. Down in sunny FL, Dave and Kathleen Flood Renton spent Christmas with children and grandchildren, minus the Boston offspring who, four days after Christmas, welcomed the Rentons’ 11th grandchild. A splendid time was had by all, and Kathy is enjoying life every day. Summer will bring back many of the Christmas celebrants, and maybe #11, as well! Our CA correspondent Kathleen Courtney reports that she and Jon traveled from Ireland where they attended her grand-nephew’s christening, to Amsterdam, St. Petersburg and Moscow, ending up in Athens for a rendezvous with 20 members of the Bardis clan. But Kathleen says that meetings with classmates were “even better.” In November they went to Portland for the wedding of Jane Bailey Braunger’s son Matt. Jane, you will recall, was, with Louise Smith, the co-writer of “Thunder Hail.” Mary Connelly LaBarre’s husband Jerry was the officiant at the wedding and Kathleen had the opportunity to visit Mary at the care facility where she lives. Mary is an “unbelievable spirit, accepting her condition and loving to talk about the past at TC and with her family. Her address: Marie Rose Center at Mary’s Woods, Caritas Room 105, 17360 Holy Names Drive, Lake Oswego, OR 97034. Kathleen also dined with Kathleen Lavin Mague and Keating Vogel and husband. Keating will be “on site” for the birth of her first grandchild in Singapore. Kathleen is winding down her company and remains active in community advocacy, the Greek community and St. Dominic’s.

Also from CA, June OʼBrien Hurtgen has all three sons living locally and they get together almost weekly. Only grandchild Annabelle is almost five, and a true delight. June reads and plays bridge and is missing her two darling dogs who died last year. From our classmate Lynda Murphy, who lost her husband Jon Boisclair in 2014, comes the news that her daughter Alexandra Marie is a JD MBA working for UBS Wealth Management and her son Pierce is CEO of CARVOODOO, a start-up on-demand car service. Lynda, still practicing law, splits her time between DC, Palm Beach and Chateauneuf de Gadagne. Another of our freshman Golds, Sharon Volovski Sullivan, stayed on in DC to tour after Reunion, and walked so much in the heat that she wound up with plantar fasciitis/tarsal tendonitis, which took five months of physical therapy to clear up. Ah, Sharon! Laurie Casey Alkidis has gotten together with Kathleen Brennan Kelly, who lives about 45 minutes from her. Laurie also traveled to Cyprus where the whole family of 8 adults and 8 children went octopus fishing, parasailing and mosaic viewing. Laurie continues her work for the Assistance League, a national organization for clothing, feeding and supporting children and women at risk. Laurie says that Reunion made her realize what “a remarkable group of women we were at Trinity: bright, adventurous and ready to change the world. Perhaps,” she adds, “we did accomplish the latter in some fashion?”

A Golden first! A response from Kater Nicholson Pendergast! Now don’t faint! Kater will be, as of the end of December, fully retired from Northeastern University after a 47-year career. She is, she says, entering “Phase III” of life, and among other pursuits, is greatly enjoying ladies’ lunches, which are most fortifying. Kater and Ed took a road trip through five southern states visiting several of his kids and grandchildren, and, to prepare for more adventures, Kater has taken up yoga and engaged a trainer. She urges all Golds and friends-of-Golds to come to Campus on the Cape on August 23. It is always a delight. And she plans to see us all in Cape May. Liana Fiol-Matta, writes sadly that her Puerto Rico is still in dire shape, with many houses gone or simply unusable. She and her husband Hamid visited a mountain region where friends have second homes – 30% of the trees are gone. That said, her family, close and extended, is all well and safe and her grandson will be attending Wharton in September.

As for me, I had a rough winter health-wise, but am emerging from my lousy cocoon and eagerly awaiting spring. I went to London with Pete last July, Punta Cana, DR, in February (unfortunately missing Maria Loli by about a month) and am going up to VT to see Muggsy next month. June (be warned, Jo) we will be in Chicago. All too infrequently, I see Ann Donnelly Malinowski, Gael Cavanaugh Finan, Janie Herlihy Dee, occasionally Ellen Dempsey Feeley-Neches and Peggy Harrington MacNeal ’66, who has recently moved to my area. Always a joy. And, in advance, let me apologize for any errors, misquotes, omissions, commissions and near occasions of sin contained in this narrative.

In closing, I want to pass on some thoughts from our own Regina McGranery. “There is no doubt that an ‘attitude of gratitude’ lifts our spirits. Society encourages us to [dwell on] something bad happening which, in context, we did not deserve. Long ago, I decided to reflect when something good happens which, in context, I did not deserve. … Often good things appear to happen ‘out of the blue’ and we need to pay attention, to make these experiences color our day and our attitude toward our lives.” Let’s listen, my friends, and do it. Thanks, Regina.

PS: Cape May, September 25-28.

Very much love,

Boodie Christian Clark
booinls@verizon.net

Greetings! By my count, I heard from or about half of you, and the news is plentiful and interesting. Also, many of you notified me that you will be attending our Golden Jubilee Reunion, and where I know, I will indicate with a “Y” – yes; or a “P” – probably. There are two newsworthy stand-outs among all of the extraordinary Golds of 1967, so they will be first. Behind her back, Anne Churan Long’s husband John contacted me to tell us all that Anne has been awarded NASA’s Exceptional Public Service medal in appreciation of her 40+ years of service on “dozens of missions that have revealed the unknown, benefiting all mankind.” The citation says a great deal more. John feared that Anne would be too modest to blow her own horn, and indeed, while she mentioned the medal briefly in her message, her four grandsons and the fun they have predominated. Congratulations, Anne, and thank you.

Forty-nine years after she received her A.B. from T.C., Diane LeRoux Arnold (Y) earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership summa cum laude from Northeastern University. Good job, Diane! When she traveled to Boston for graduation, she also took part in a reenactment of the Boston Tea Party with other family members.  She got to keep the feathers!

According to Martha Smith Butler (Y), “Grandchildren are a gift from God.”  From super-hot Phoenix, Marty delights in retirement and her grand-twins!

Jane Herlihy Dee (Y) concurs. She and Frank are delighted with first granddaughter Addison, and Jane retired to be the baby’s companion during the school year, when her daughter-in-law is working. A new daughter-in-law has joined the family, and daughter Alicia is living back in the US, after her time in London. Gael Cavanaugh Finan’s son, Joe, is also returning from London to work back in the US.

Mary Ann Hoeper Benavides checked in. She and Jose are alive, happy and much enjoyed a visit from her son and daughter-in-law. Dr. Susan Brown (Y) is still directing the Center for Better Bones (www.betterbones.com). She loves work but is striving to play a better game of golf. She continues to seek “lightning with her guru, Sai Maa.”

Just got off the phone with Helen McMahon Thomas (Y). She is still working, and she and her husband are searching for a house at the beach. Retirement beckons, alluringly.  Also spoke with Grace Hogan, who is keeping herself busy with dog-sitting, “extended-day school program” twice a week and visiting with her brother and sister-in-law, who are living nearby. Gracie sends love.

Janice Fisher Long (Y) cites a few aches and pains, but managed to cruise the Iberian Peninsula (many shore excursions) enjoying Bilbao most especially. She and Gary spent a week in the Outer Banks with 24 family members, ranging in age from 10 months to 72 years.

Every cloud has a silver lining, according to Kathy Seubert Heberg (Y).  The drops she had to take after her cataract/glaucoma surgery made her “stubby little eyelashes” look fantastic! She loves that the monovision implants allow her to read without glasses, but hates being able to see “every little wrinkle.” Kathy and Ed saw Tony Bennett perform – “remarkable.”

Ginny Allen (Y) wrote from the beach in front of the house she grew up in and she is an active volunteer, cleaning up beach litter, monitoring invasive species, gathering with Boston Area Returned Peace Corps volunteers, and handing out water on Patriot’s Day during the marathon. She has travelled to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Andes, the Amazon and the Galapagos!

As for Karen McLinden Hickman (P), her new book, The Missing Caboose is available from Deep Sea Publishing, where it’s “cheaper than Amazon/Barnes and Noble.”  Karen brings her writing skills to George Mason University’s Early Writers Camp for children in grades one to four, and to the George Mason Northern Virginia Writing Program Summer Institute. Karen, who says she’s “having too much fun to retire,” will be visiting Brugge and boating down the Rhine next year. She is enjoying her three children and six grandchildren.

As for Barbara Oliver Reynolds (Y), she enjoys cruising, having spent time in Dubrovnic, Kotor and Monte Carlo. She is having great fun in retirement, and has a family reunion this summer at the Jersey Shore with 30 others. The report in the new TC directory of Barbara’s demise was, thank Heavens, greatly exaggerated. Gracie Fama Hodge(Y) greets everyone and looks forward to gathering next June in DC. Terry Davis Perl (P) is well and happy and passes on the news that Mary Cath Heap is building a home in Florida.

Lynda Murphy (Y), who calls herself our “One Year Sister,” assumed the management of their business following her husband’s death. She and her daughter are both attorneys, and her son is working for an internet startup. Once a Gold, Lynda, always a Gold! Sally Smith Mahoney (Y) and Marie Calcara Murphy (Y) checked in. Marie, “fortunate to be a Golden sister,” continues in her psychotherapy practice. She and Jack celebrated their “major” birthdays by taking the grandkids to Spain. Sally hopes to see a group of Golds at Campus on the Cape later this month.

Yvonne Godoy-Ramos (Y) is learning Italian and reviewing her French. She is a member of an Italian conversation group which meets monthly at a different Italian restaurant each time!

Nancy Cunningham (Y) loves the adult ed classes she teaches, but says “while legs and lungs are still up to the challenge” she’s traveling to Bhutan and Nepal.

Barbara Hauck Crowe (Y) enjoyed a fascinating trip to Israel and Jordan. She rode a camel in Petra, and saw more Roman ruins than in Rome!

Joanita Gonsalves Birkmeyer journeys by car twice a year to see her granddaughter Vesper Belle (soon to be joined by a sister) in Los Angeles, and enjoys her grandson Julian in Chicago. I asked Jo if her granddaughter “shimmered off in silence like the old vesper bell.” Ah, “Halls of Ivy.”

Laurie Casey Alkides continues with the Assistance League of Southeast Michigan, which provides clothing, hygiene kits and books to over 5,000 local children. Laurie remembers with fondness hiding her car Gladys off campus and taking clandestine drives to B’land with Judy Marini, Toni Drapiewski and Ginny Allen. Laurie has eight grandchildren.

Speaking of grandchildren, Ann Horstman Rafferty (Y) relates that caring for her grandchildren “reminds her of how the world should be.”  She is in the process of downsizing and is increasingly aware of the important blessings in life.

As for Muggsy Ernst Mason (Y), she can’t remember why she enters rooms, and is in deep mourning at the demise of Prairie Home Companion, Lake Woebegon being a composite of the little towns around St. Cloud, where she grew up. She volunteers and recently worked on a fundraiser for Neighborhood Connections because it is near the Medicare office and she feels she should “do her part.”

Kathleen Courtney (Y) sent enough news to fill a book! She and John were in a very bad car accident. John had nine pelvic fractures and Kathleen suffered three. They are, thank God, fully recuperated. Kathleen continues to consult for a small group of clients and still works as a community activist. Kathleen sends word that Keating Vogel is still working for an accounting firm and running marathons, and that Kathy Lavin Mague, who has relocated to Jackson, WY, is enjoying three book clubs and frequent travel. Kathleen saw Regina McGranery (Y) when both of them were visiting with Mary Connelly LaBarre, enjoying to the fullest Mary’s “moments of intense presence,” as did Helen McMahon Thomas on her visit to the LaBarres.

Jane Bailey Braunger lives in Portland and visits Mary weekly. Kathleen urges all the Golds to come to Reunion to “celebrate friendships and the women who have made a difference in our lives.”

Chrysse Cummings Dow (P) enjoys her life in Florida. Kathy Flood Renton and Dave live nearby in the winter and they play golf together. Chrysse celebrated her 70^th birthday with family at a ski resort in Vermont, and traveled to Scotland for her son’s mother-in-law’s 60^th birthday.  Michele Malone Byrnes (Y?) also shared a visit with Kathy when the Rentons visited Pasadena. Mary Ellen Brady Jensen (Y) is still working as a data manager at UCLA and is planning for retirement. She comes east from time to time. Her three children are married and among them have four grandoffspring. Linda Suit Thompson (Y) is enduring the reconfiguring of her house because her mother-in-law, who now lives in India, is moving in with her and Kuldip. She much enjoyed a Caribbean cruise which was a special one for Irish fans of Celtic Thunder.  Linda’s travel companion is one such. Maria Alvarez (Y), just back from China where it was very, very hot, marvels that the hot pot is the favorite local dish there. Ginny LaPortecontinues her work with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, hoping to resume the presidency of her local branch this fall. Sue Numrich is “drawing down work — seriously!” Reducing the workload to 18 hours/week will give her time to see “where the spirit (or Spirit) leads.” Sue is planning a diving trip to Curaḉao, to give her two new knees a workout.

Marianna Law Merritt (Y) is in her fourth year as a “stay-at-home grandmother” for her special-needs grandson. She recently completed her fourth half marathon.

As for Ann Donnelly Malinowski (Y), she just returned from the “vacation of a lifetime” with Joe, daughter Monica, and nine of Joe’s cousins to Italy, where they visited Serra Avellino, the birthplace of Joe’s grandfather Saverio. They saw the house where he was born, and the church where he was baptized. Ann and Joe are expecting their first grandchild any minute.

Mary McGee (Y), happy in her downsized condo in Toronto with its breezy  ninth floor terrace, travels a great deal. She and her sister Anne (TC’64) recently attended the complete Ring Cycle at the Kennedy Center, and she then went to visit Carol Dwyer Simmons in Baltimore.  Carol, a sixth-time grandma, returned to Ireland with two of her sisters, her first trip back since she visited 50 years ago with Mary McGee, Mary Swift Deakyne (Y) and Lauren Cooke Opie (Y). Since the loss of her husband Willie, Mary Swift has entered a new life chapter, and is determining its direction. She loves her grandchildren and has the eldest three of the four for one full week apiece at Camp Nana-Poppa!

As for Carol Moss Ryan (Y), she and Kevin are living retirement at their new home in Rhode Island, and Carol is avidly looking forward to our 50^th, for which she hopes to be laryngitis-free!

Genie Flahie (Y) is now a great-great aunt. She tells her relatives not to refer to her as Great Great Aunt Genie, but rather to say, “Aunt Genie is great, great!”

Our most recent planned-for NYC luncheon was cancelled because of multiple illnesses, but I was delighted to hear from Antonia Daley who is in good health, and still working full time. We New York (area) girls will try to reschedule after the summer.

Checking in from her home “in paradise,” June O’Brien Hurtgen has all three sons and granddaughter Annabelle nearby. She is still involved in seal rescue, and she and Peter share their home with their 110-pound Great Pyrenees, Beau. With elections upon us, Katherine Ivers Zatkowsky (Y) attended the convention in Ohio at the behest of her son, and Paula Peppler Nawn (Y) intends to spend the time until Election Day ringing doorbells. Paula and Tim went to adult summer camp at Cornell. She studied film; he, Russian. Then they headed for the Rhode Island shore, presumably to make a Russian language movie while enjoying vacation.

Trish Clark Seifert (Y) recently attended the 8^th Scandinavian Cardiothoracic Conference in Reykjavic, and is now spending spare time reading Icelandic crime novels. She is teaching, writing, and “trying to stay out of trouble.”

Speaking of Iceland, Chris Cating (Y) spent her 70^th birthday there. She recently welcomed her first grandson, and says she won’t stop working until she figures out what to do with herself. Bee Bee Brinkman Mangriviti (Y), who gives me entirely too much credit for understanding French, will see grandson Tristan off to kindergarten this month. As for Sue Walson Stolzer, she and her husband took a cruise to the Baltic and Russia, visited Spain and cruised home transatlantic. Sue works with other activists identifying and trying to stop or prevent algae blooms in local waters. Still on the farm, Charli Miller Sugihara (Y) and husband Arrigo are exploring living options which might better fit their needs. Self-described “Panda Maniac” Enid Galliers (Y) has visited furry friends in Memphis and Toronto, and has traveled to Machu Picchu and Mesa Verde to see more of those delightful beings. Kathy Lamb O’Hara (Y) writes that she and Dennis are expecting their fifth grandchild on December 8 (“Catholic joke”) and that they enjoy retirement to the fullest.

Ginny Allaire Beals (P) sent wishes to all on “a beautiful summer day that reminds me to savor the moment.” Deirdre Ryan Menoyo (Y), a proud grandmother of five, recently moved from her home of 40 years to her daughter’s residence, where she is housed beautifully. She is contemplating a small apartment closer to Boston, and spends time with her son in LA. She has a “beau” who teaches about the Middle East and gets to travel to interesting destinations such as Bern, Boulder, Toulouse and more.

All is well with Trish McGarraghy Bowman (Y), whose oldest grandchild just got a learner’s permit and whose youngest is just pulling herself up! There are seven in all and Trish will be spending Labor Day in the Outer Banks with all of them. All of her five children live in the DC area. Grandson Blaise continues to delight Kathleen Rockwell Lawrence (Y) who, as I write, is looking forward to a visit from Mary McGee and her husband John. A great deal of her time is spent at The Writers Room at Astor Place, and, under the nom de plume of “Street Hollering Woman,” she pens rants on various annoyances for The Village.  Henrietta Carriere Hight (Y), officially moved to Greenville, SC, and has officially told her boss that she’s retiring. She takes classes at Furman, and is enjoying having more time to paint. Rosemary Scotti Foster (P) enjoyed a Netherlands River Cruise and a land tour of France. Scotti has a new grandbaby, and is grateful that her son, a Dallas police officer, is “safe.” Scotti had a heart attack in March, and is now the possessor of two stents.

Dian Callahan was in touch earlier in the year about the death of her sister.  Liana Fiol Matta (Y) retired on January 31 and continues to care for her brother. Her new grandchild is “gorgeous like the previous four.” Liana is trying to get husband Hamid to retire as well, and looks forward to teaching law this fall. She passed along the news that our classmate Haydee Morales’ husband Hector Deliz passed away this year. President-for-Life Susan Doherty Russell (Y) and Melinda have enjoyed multiple cruises and weekend stays across Florida. They drove from Delray Beach to Virginia, “the Bataan Death March comes to mind,” says Sue. She planned to rendezvous with Kater Nicholson Pendergast (Y) and others for Campus on the Cape this past August. Kater is still at Northeastern, and splits time between Boston and her home on Cape Cod. Maggie McAloon (Y) is vacationing in Pennsylvania as I write and Missy Fay Hayes (Y) and I had a wonderful chat, and she’s ready to lead songs!

Phew! As for your correspondent, things go well. I have returned to work for some part-time assignments and greatly prefer being totally retired. Pete and I travel a bit, imposing on friends to put us up as Carol Moss Ryan and husband Kevin did this summer. We have many bookings for what we laughingly call “The Guest Suite,” and love to have family and friends visit as long as their housekeeping standards culinary expectations are low.

Please forgive any errors and omissions (or additions, for that matter). In closing, may I ask that any of you not mentioned here, or any of you who read this whom I haven’t contacted, get in touch with me or with someone else from the class? The 50^th Jubilee, which will include a Well Sing, promises to be a remarkable one, with delightful (and some perhaps not so) memories and great conversations. I will be hosting my Whiskey Sour Party on Friday, June 2^nd. Consider yourself invited. I can’t wait to see you.

Fondly,

Boodie Christian Clark

By the time all of you read this, the snow will be melted and the lovely summer breezes will be upon us. That being said, here is the news, with the caveat that I will undoubtedly get some things wrong, for which I apologize in advance. And if nothing else, the answers to my question about life-changing or favorite books makes for a pretty good list of reading suggestions. Also, the names this year’s Cape May attendees, if not otherwise identified, will be followed by the designation CM, in parentheses.

Our “news” has taken a turn toward retirement, in many cases, but not all. Helen Burke (CM) and husband Allen King are cruising the world, and many Golds are following Helen’s travels on her blog. Martha Smith Butler still works part time and is enjoying her two wonderful grandchildren. Marty says that she should not be blamed for her lack of prompt responses as her mother said her time in purgatory would be spent atoning for all her unanswered correspondence and unwritten thank-you notes! Ellen Dempsey Feeley Neches and her family had a sad loss before Thanksgiving, making for a different sort of holiday. Christmas was spent in Charlotte, NC, with family members. Ellen and Phil celebrated his daughter’s college graduation in Portland.

Gael Cavanaugh Finan (CM) recommends The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace, and wishes to express to all of you again how much she appreciates the overwhelming support she received from the Golds when her son Stephen died – it helped her tremendously. Genie Flahie, retired, sends the message, “if I don’t want to do anything, I’m not going to do anything!” Enid Galliers says she is “surprisingly well” and is greatly involved in visiting friends and seeing the world. She may hold the class record – she’s been to all seven continents! In a similar vein, Maria Alvarez-Murray writes that she recently realized that her four decades of work as a multilingual psychologist in the public schools of Boston, NYC, New Britain, CT and Gainesville has allowed her to work with children from all [inhabited, I presume] continents and 40 different countries; from urban, peri-urban and rural settings and from all SES levels. Jerry and she continue to travel to Haiti yearly to supervise the scholarship program they established for children from the village where they lived as newlyweds 43 years ago. With the help of family and friends, they sponsor 110 boys and girls in two local schools – tuition, books, uniforms and “hair ribbons, to boot!” Son Nate is back in Florida after his four-year Asian sojourn and is working on his Ph.D. in ESOL.

Gracie Hogan, just back from a Rally for Life in Columbia, sends greetings to all, while Martha Knight, who has gotten out of the peptide business, has a grant to build instruments to purify molecules. She was asked to teach a graduate course at Catholic University in biotechnology entrepreneurship – the students, she says, are mostly from other countries. Kathleen Rockwell Lawrence is well and answered my appeal from San Francisco, where she had a merry meeting with Anne McManus Parker. Kathleen has a new grandson and teaches classes at Baruch College. She much enjoys both.

Mary McGee (CM) and husband Jack both suffered from bouts of Moroccan virus upon their return from that segment of their frequent travels. She is loving grandmotherhood and hopes to see everyone in 2017 at our 50th. Mary mentions two books she read at Trinity which made huge impressions on her – The Other America and The Grapes of Wrath. For Claire McKenna McMcHugh, grandmother of two, service enhances life. She is active in her parish and volunteers three days each week. Jane Pilliod says she is “happy and well in Baltimore.” For Helen McMahonThomas, life goes well. She is anticipating her fourth grandchild who arrives in April. Judy Van Schoyck in CA, sends best wishes to the Golds. Mary Ann Datillo Gaul checked in snowed in, as did Kater Nicholson Pendergast (CM).

Janice Fisher Long wonders why it takes longer and longer to get things done now that she’s retired! She and Gary split their time between Virginia and Florida, where Janice edits the monthly newsletter for her Newcomers Club on Amelia Island. They hope to visit Chicago and the national parks in the coming year. Ann Kilcoyne McGrath reports that she is well, despite the complications she experienced when she got her new knee.

Kathleen Courtney has had many delightful Gold encounters during the year. She lunched with Susan Numrich and Regina McGranery (both CM) while in DC for a Trinity Alumnae Board meeting, and dined with Kather and Ed and Keating Vogel and husband Palmer when she and John went east for his reunion. Keats continues to be a runner. In May she visited Mary Connelly Labarre and husband Jerry to whom Kathleen introduced Mary during the Trinity years! Speaking of Susan Numrich, she is, as I write in process of dealing with new knees #1 and #2, and the rehab necessary to get back her mobility. Fromm’s Art of Loving and Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning have had profound effects on her, but she grew up on Bullfinch, The Bold Heroes of Hungry Hill and the Blue Fairy Book. Chris Cating, still a worker bee, has no big news, but much, she says, to be thankful for. Ann Donnelly Malinowski(CM) continues her work at the local food pantry and volunteering at Newark’s Cristo Rey High School. She and most of the Donnelly clan and families took a fabulous European river cruise in the fall.

Henrietta Carriere Hight (CM), who has attempted retirement several times, is now phasing into it, working three days a week, taking an art class and volunteering in her free time. She joined the group in Cape May, and she had lunch with Sue Numrich when Sue was in Florida on business. Michelle Malone Byrnes likes her work and has no plans to retire soon. She visits her daughters in Mill Valley and Santa Barbara, delighting in the company and the beauty of both locations.

BeeBee Brinkman Mangraviti recommends The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and Mastering the Art of French Eating, the latter a collection of anecdotes and tasty treats by Ann Mah. BeeBee tries to make every day a “sunshine day.” Joanita Gonsalves Birkmeyer, who recommends Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese, welcomed a granddaughter this year, a little rahnee to join the little rajah. Jo and I had lunch in Chicago when I visited my cousins last spring.

Muggsy Ernst Mason found herself overwhelmed by my book question, saying that if she stacked all the books she’d read, “the pile would probably stretch to Saturn.” Her husband Peter’s condition is about the same, with mobility problems that make trips outside his facility difficult. Muggsy recommends Mastering the Art of French Cooking (see BeeBee, above, for results) and The Green Tapestry by Beth Chalto, about the art of gardening. Kate Claire Friedland’s eldest daughter got married in September, and Muggsy was invaluable in providing support, both emotional and practical. “Muggsy,” Kate tells us, “can do great things with Mason jars (no pun intended)” and Kate has crossed fingers that Muggsy will be back for the next wedding this coming August. Kate recommends All the Light you Cannot See and Boys in the Boat. Jane Herlihy Dee also recommends All the Light You Cannot See, along with Stones in the River. Daughter Alicia has returned to the US from London, so the family is all stateside, and Jane and Frank are expecting a first grandchild any moment now.

Linda Suit Thompson (CM) has travelled to Little Rock, Bath, NY, to meet her husband’s Canadian cousins “half way,” and to Fresno/Las Vegas. Coming back from Las Vegas, she was on the plane with Mike Tyson! Charli Miller Sugihara (CM) can’t believe she ever had time to work. She traveled to Puerto Rico for a family reunion in July, came to Cape May in September, and remains dedicated to her nonprofit organizations. Carol Dwyer Simmonssays she is retired, living in Baltimore and traveling – the Balkans, St. Petersburg and Moscow, and an “enjoyable week in Tuscany.” She and Mary McGee and spouses (spice?) got together for dinner when Mary was in Baltimore visiting family. As for Trish Clark Seifert (CM), she shared a road trip with our class baby Kristina to pick up her grandson in central Georgia. On the way, they stopped a “nice hotel in South Carolina and had eggs Benedict for breakfast. Trish encourages everyone to “make a road trip and have eggs Benedict for uninterrupted talk time with beloved family members.” She is enjoying the Sr. Fidelma series by Peter Tremayne, about the role of Irish women in the 7th century, and was a happy part of the Cape May crowd.

Right after her husband’s retirement after 40 years of orthopedic practice, Sue Walson Stolzer stepped onto a Princess ship for a 35-day cruise around South America. Since then, they’ve cruised the Caribbean and through the Panama Canal, and driven around the south visiting baseball parks! Sue loves travel, having laundry and housework taken care of for her!

Speaking of trips, Barbara Hauck Crowe (CM) travelled to Italy in the fall. Her life-changing book is the text for Calculus 101, from Trinity. “I went to study the first chapter and realized ‘I don’t get this. I’m supposed to be great at math.’”

Ann Chuhran Long, a devotee of escapist fiction, continues to work full-time on a NASA 14-year project involving launch formation of four scientific satellites. She can’t, she says, retire until the project is “safely in orbit.”

Deirdre Ryan Menoyo continues her involvement with environmental causes, chairing the native plant society and vice chairing a land trust with which her late husband was also involved. A wedding on Martha’s Vineyard provided the opportunity for a great family get-together.

As for Gloria Guard, professional and family health setbacks pervaded the year, but in September, she and her partner Wicky “got hitched,” making for a joyous occasion. In December, Gloria welcomed her first grand-girl!

As many of you already know, Sue Doherty Russell (CM) and her partner of 34 years Melinda Schwartz got married in Florida at midnight of the first day of legality. Susan enjoys volunteering at a local homeless shelter and “putters around the golf course.” Susan recommends The Boys in the Boat; she and Melinda have never met a cruise they didn’t like! Congratulations and much happiness to Gloria, Wicky, Susan and Melinda!

Karen McLinden Hickmen recommends Unbroken, with its “never give up” message which applies to so many situations. Unbroken’s author Laura Hillenbrand managed to complete the book in spite of a health condition which keeps her mainly housebound! Kathy Seubert Heberg also recommends Unbroken, along with Transatlantic, another story of endurance. Kathy has shared with me a very special volume, Simple Abundance – A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach. Husband Ed is doing well on the road to recovery.

From Mary Hucksam Conroy, who says she doesn’t have much news, comes word of her New Zealand and Australia cruise last year, and a plan to visit South Africa in spring, which will include several safaris.  Sandy Pierson (CM) drove around Ireland in August, and joined the group in Cape May in September, She recommends The Iris Fan, a historical novel of the Edo period. Sandy is involved with several organizations and clubs in her parish. The Little Prince is Gracie Fama Hodge’s favorite. Gracie had always heard that Joyce’s Ulysses was the world’s greatest book, but didn’t understand it. So she took a course in it, and now celebrates Bloomsday every June! Ann Horstman Rafferty, another Little Prince fan, is on the RCIA team for her parish, and enjoys very much caring for her grandchildren.

A Year By the Sea – Thoughts of an Unfinished Woman comes highly recommend by Sharon Volovski Sullivan who delights in spoiling the canine she refers to as her “four-footed dependent.” Another Gold cites a work about a woman – as an 8-year-old, Katharine Ivers Zatkowsky read Nobody’s Girl by Hector Malot, a story set in 1893 which has served as a life-long inspiration through its messages of determination, ingenuity, loyalty and compassion.

Maggie McAloon (CM) greatly enjoyed a river cruise in Germany and Switzerland. She is still working full-time, but plans to cut back come July. Maggie writes that her daughter Becky has become “a beautiful young woman, both inside and outside.” All the Light You Cannot See comes up again – Laurie Casey Alkidas highly recommends it, along with Annie’s Ghosts, her non-fiction choice. Laurie is in touch with Ginny Allen and Kathleen Brennan Kelly, with whom she hopes to meet up in May. As for Carole Gallagher Steen, she completed a half-marathon in California “just to be sure I could still set a challenging goal and accomplish it.” She continued, “one, and done!” Carole spent a weekend with Nancy Viano Brown who was west on a business trip and detoured to Houston – they called Lauren Cook Opie and had a laugh fest. Speaking of marathons, Mariannaa Lawe Merritt and her son finished the Navy/Air Force half-marathon together and is planning two more half-marathons. She takes care of her grandson, savoring the “sweet day-to-day moments as a stay-at-home gram.” Marianna is an ESL citizenship coach, and recommends Rare Bird as a special work.

Never did I think that The Scarlet Letter would make this list, but Mary Haggerty Korey (CM) read it in high school and it began a life-long love affair with historical fiction. Mary is busy with family and various volunteer projects. June O’Brien Hurtgen is loving having a granddaughter after three sons. She’s a docent at a seal rescue and rehab facility and enjoys her bridge lessons and sessions. A reader of mysteries, June delights in The New York Times crossword puzzles.

From grandmother-of-five Rosemary Scotti Foster comes news that her two hearing aids do not allow her to ignore people any more. Scotti and Perry enjoy cruises and are hoping to journey to Asia and Australia. Scotti credits the Bible with allowing her to look at things differently and she “tries to make her actions reflect that.” Marie Calcara Murphy recommends Judith Viorst’s Necessary Losses for finding the beauty of continual growth. Mary Ann Hoeper Benavides is truly settled in to her retirement community and offers Secret of the Heart by Jean Marie Howe and The Luminaries for a class reading list.

Along with All the Light You Cannot See, Yvonne Godoy-Ramos finds inspiration in The Woman’s Room and “anything by Thomas Merton.” Yvonne is in the beginning of the process of returning to LA, specifically Baton Rouge, from KS. She will be nearer to family there, and farther from winter cold. As for Carol Moss Ryan, (CM) her daughter Mary lent her with The Lifechanging Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. It’s a challenge. The Ryan family will celebrate daughter Kate’s wedding in April. Carol travelled to Italy in the fall.

As you know by now, Golds gathered at Trinity to fete the honorable Liana Fiol-Matta, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico. Diane LeRoux Arnold, Regina McGranery, Genie Flahie, Sr. Marie Romejko, newly-joined Gold Yolanda Piedra Ruisanchez (graduated in December of ’67 after 3 ½ years as a Green) and I listened raptly as Liana wowed an audience of young women who couldn’t wait to have photos taken with her and to meet her and honor her. At the luncheon following, Golds sat with Liana and her husband, and Sr. Margaret Claydon. I must quote myself on looking around that table, “Yeah! Sure could have anticipated this 50 years ago!” Liana also spoke at New Jersey City University, where her sister is employed. Ann Donnelly Malinowski and her brother Peter, a former dean at NJCU, attended and were blown away by the Chief Justice.

Credit Nancy Cunningham with an interesting volunteer experience. She is spending a month in Cambodia, volunteering at a school in Phnom Penh. Nancy loves her job teaching pre-GED skills and ESL. Kathy Lamb O’Hara, between trips around the country visiting family and friends, enjoyed the second “Grand Tour of Ireland by the O’Haras,” with fourteen of her closest family members. Kathy shares a generational story – on their way to Cub Camp, [grandson] Sam said, “My mom said you are going to wash our shirts, Grandma.” “I did. I washed and ironed your shirts, Sam.” “What’s ironed?”

Three of our Cape Mayettes send greetings to all: Paula Peppler Nawn, Anne Maher Teddlie, and our newly-returned Gold Terry Davis Perl each and all were integral parts of a happy, if damp, gathering in that lovely South Jersey town.

Kathleen Flood Renton is enjoying life with a ninth grandchild on the way. She traveled a bit this year touring Turkey with her daughter last spring, and took a cruise on Douro River in Portugal with husband Dave in autumn with an extension through Bordeaux and the Dordogne in France to Paris on their own. She sends her wish, “may the good times continue to roll!” to all of ’67.

I am a book worm, as many of you know. But the one which has made the most difference to me is T.H. White’s The Once and Future King. Literally and philosophically, its effect on my life continues to be positive and profound. Pete and I are well, and enjoying our good fortune in being so. Plans have begun for 1967’s Golden Jubilee in 2017, with hopes that attendance will be record-breaking. We have a gift and sharing it in person will be wonderful. That’s it for this year. In the words of my beloved Kipling, “let those who have read to the end pardon a thousand blemishes.” Oh, and I guess I’d better read All the Light You Cannot See!

Boodie Christian Clark (CM)