Update 12-24-02


Hi,

Christmas Eve, and we all know the song lyrics, no matter what our upbringing.  But, before we sing, lots of mail:

From Paul DeMartino, a report on the latest New York gathering:  Just a quick note on happenings around here on Long Island.  We met at Lily Flanagans in Rockville Centre on 12/8.  Those in attendance included:  Robin Feit Baker, Barbara Endy, Joan Aires Cleven, Barbara Brill, Louise Wiemer, Dennis Shapiro, Mark Yetman, and yours truly.  We had a nice time catching up, and later most of us went to Robin's house to watch the tape of the 20th Valley Stream South Reunion, which, oddly enough, most present had not attended.  It was an interesting look at how we were in 1985, and how little some of us have changed since.  We plan to get together sometime after the holidays, probably in January or February.  If, however, someone from out of state is visiting and wishes to get together over the holidays, by all means have them contact me or Dennis Shapiro, and we'll get a small group together just for the occasion.  Anyway, wishing all classmates a joyous holiday, and lets all hope for a peaceful New Year.  (Oops, I forgot to mention that Gayle Ulrich also was with us, having come up from Florida for a visit.)

And a fast note from Gayle:  I wanted to let everyone know that I just returned from a two-week visit to New York.  I stayed with Robin Feit again, and she was a gracious host, even arranging for it to snow six inches the day after I arrived! It was good to see everyone at Lily's.  Mark was kind to bring the 20-year reunion video, which we all watched together at Robin's.  I am still amazed that the reunion has brought me these special friendships.  I wish all a peaceful New Year.

An unrelated note, from Zelda White Nichols:  Allen -- I am so sorry to hear about your mom.  My deepest condolences.  I lost my dad last year and know how you must be feeling.  I guess we are at that stage where we do have significant losses in our lives, and it makes us appreciate what we have that much more.  My dad was 94, and maybe by the time we reach that age science will have progressed to the point where the 90s are like the 70s of today -- the 70s are still relatively young now compared to when we were kids.
       Have you ever been to the Southwest for photography purposes, Allen?  My husband Dave and I are amateur photographers and find the desert fascinating, although my best shots have been at dawn on the lakes and coast of New Hampshire and Maine.  When we lived in Massachusetts, we were literally two blocks from the New Hampshire border and twenty minutes from the coast.  We could be in Maine in thirty-five minutes.  Maine, New Hampshire, Washington, and Oregon are still my favorite states, although I love Florida for its Everglades.  Terrific photography there, too.  You would love our wildlife in California, also filled with lizards, snakes, frogs, wonderful spiders, and tarantulas, as well as bobcats and mountain lions.  Still, we are suffering the same problems as you seem to be, with too much development driving out our wildlife. 
     Isn't the Internet wonderful, Mr. Gibson?  How many teachers, I wonder, get to know what a huge difference they made in so many lives, as you are learning now?  Without modern technology, we would never have this opportunity to say "Thank You."
       Happy Holidays everyone!

Other wishes for the New Year. from Lynn Nudelman Villagran:  My wish is for a peaceful year to come for all of us.

And from Terri Donohue Calamari:  Please send my wishes for Happy Holidays to all.  (Actually, she sent either a more detailed message, or a photo from a movie she's working on -- I think it's called Cold Mountain.  But I couldn't download the damned thing, even after trying on two different computers.)
Linda Chanes Abel sent news of website offering a 50th Reunion poem -- not ours, quite yet.  The address is:  http://www.wtv-zone.com/pbarikmo/50.html

A quick weather report from Steve Spector, somewhere near Napa, California:  We just spent a week without power and water, with redwood branches coming down like giant spears for days, and eventually, trees coming down on cars and houses, which they crush, sounding like, and feeling like, bombs.  All with eerily warm weather and a full moon.  I watched a ninety-five foot douglas fir of ours go down in a wind that was simply incredible, building and building for hours, then after reaching a screaming peak that took our tree and hundreds of others, it just stopped.  Silent.  Full moon.  Awesome. Worth the price of admission.

A travel note from Barbara Blitfield Pech:  Through my annual winter cold/drug stupor, I grabbed the ringing phone, hoping it wasn't just my mind playing tricks.  Instead, I heard the warm, friendly voice of Irene Saunders Goldstein announcing her arrival in Pompano next week and extending the delightful invitation to visit, and recuperate poolside, with her.  As the dates are open, we have made no definite plans, but are hoping that anyone else in the area will make time available to join us.  Please let either of us know, via e-mail or phone.  My home number is: 305 387-0160, and my cell phone is: 305 586-7222.  Good times ahead, and the best days.  Looking forward to another Florida mini-reunion -- hot tub not a regular feature!  Best regards to all.

Word from Grace Dibble Kincade:  Thanks to all who sent good wishes for our new grandson.  Who would have
thought we would be so excited about being called "grandma!"  Of course, he is the perfect baby, and his hair has a little red in it.  In one week my son Travis -- the daddy -- took finals, had a baby, and graduated from college.  Needless to say, we all had a very wonderful and emotional few days.  Now, it is on to the holidays.  We are expecting an announcement from our daughter Christy and her boyfriend Brad.  Any and all contributions for a wedding are appreciated, but not tax deductible!   A very happy and healthy new year to all.

Finally, a report from our international reporter in China, Robert Fiveson, now signing himself as the Bobster:  What an amazing experience!  We saw things and ate things that are beyond belief.  They treated us like we were emperors, truly. We went to The Great Wall -- an unbelievable architectural accomplishment, and very, very steep and difficult to climb -- in parts, unbelievably steep.  It goes for thousands of miles, and every brick was hand carried and set in place by laborers over a period of 1000 years!  Next, we saw The Forbidden City -- where you could feel the ghosts of the most elite class from 2000 years ago!  Then, we traveled on a ship for two days, up the Yangtze from Wuhan.  We also went on a side trip on a feeder river, where men of a certain ethnic tribe pulled us along by hand from foot paths along the shore.  Later, in smaller boats, we floated back downstream and walked along some very difficult trails to hidden temples -- all of which will be under about 900 feet of water by this time next year.  Plus, we saw the Three Gorges Dam construction, the largest project of its type in the history of humanity.  Finally, we went to Shanghai, which is like another planet.  In the last 12 years, the place has turned into a modern metropolis of imaginative skyscrapers unlike any built anywhere else.  It looks like a set for a city of the future in a far off galaxy.  My son Josh and I are both ready to move there in a heartbeat -- no kidding.  We ate all variety of fish and frogs, and mushrooms, and even goose foot and fried scorpions!  They taste like tiny soft-shell crabs, but the stinger kept pinching my cheek and lip.
       Overall, it was an amazing and unforgettable experience for both of us.  I have plans to try and do some business there, as I met with the top man at Wuhan TV -- our hosts -- and a friend of mine who I met in DC, but who has moved back there (he is Chinese).  This is a nation of over one billion people, and the place is just at the brink of opening up like a ripe and beautiful plum to capitalist ventures.  The Chinese are a very warm and gracious people, and because of my friend living there, Josh and I got to get off the beaten path and be more in the local life.  That made it all the more meaningful for us.
       The Beijing International Science Festival had invited film makers from all over the world, and we got to make some very nice and intelligent new friends as we all traveled together -- very bonding and unforgettable.  My friend there, and his father -- who is a famous jazz saxophonist in China, who reminded me so much of my father -- and many, many of the people we got to meet and interact with were profoundly affected by the Cultural Revolution.  In the case of my friend's father, he was not allowed to go near his instrument for many years, and his wife was forced to wear a heavy metal sign around her neck in public that read Enemy Of The People!  I guess their crime was they were not poor and had skills!  My friend himself is a very talented artist and set designer, and he was forced to work in a factory for many years.  They all know that it was a big boondoggle, and Mao is increasingly being looked at as a manipulator of the people, and a man who used doctrine to keep power.  Shuxing (my friend) and I had many, many conversations about the politics, history and future of China.
       To say I am enchanted is to say nothing at all.  Josh is ready to go back.  There was not a single woman who, upon looking at him, didn't say how handsome he is.  In fact, two older women suggested he do his university studies there and find his wife.  Josh was sheepish in response to that one!
       Gonshee Fat Tai (Happy New Year!)


Absolutely.


The home page address:  http://hometown.aol.com/falcons1965a


Rich