Update 7-25-06

Hello,

It's very hot in California.  Yes, I know -- it's very hot in the rest of the country, too.  But I'm where it's been 118 degrees.  And the combination of bad air, super heat, and old lungs ain't great.
        So before I kick off, the rest of the responses about the newsletter, again pretty much in the order they came.
   
    From Robin Feit Baker:  I love our newsletter.
   
    From Terri Donohue Calamari:  I enjoy the newsletter and your editorial comments.  Keep on keeping on.
   
    From Lynn Nudleman Villagran:  I agree with you that anyone who is no longer interested in the newsletter should just remove his or her name from the recipient list.  I guess I am one of those nostalgic people who still enjoys a connection to my high school.  I often just skim the letters, but I enjoy reading names that ring a bell and keep my brain synapses active with old memories.
        Nancy Nudelman Lobell agrees with what I wrote.  So you have our permission to print the opinion of two of the three triplets.  Also, I remember the barn at June Reising's home and enjoyed hearing about the history of it.
   
    From Judy Hartstone:  I can understand what Jerry's saying.  I think I voiced similar thoughts when we met for lunch.  But basically, it seems like it's up to you to decide whether or not you want to continue doing the newsletter.  Anyone else has the choice to opt out of receiving the e-mail.  I just don't want to miss something really important.
   
    From Robert Fiveson:  Jerry made one good point -- not everyone contributes.
   
    From Ray Staley:  Continue the newsletter as you see fit, and I will continue to speed through the parts that I don't care for and continue to read what interests me.
   
    From Barnet Kellman:  I don't agree with Jerry.  The newsletter, in all its forms, has been and is valuable.  One suggestion by way of  editorial compromise:  you might consider using headings and putting class of '65 entries first, so that people can more easily find what interests them.
        Onward, in no particular order:
        Good to hear from Les Glasser.  Hi, Les. 
        My wife Nancy, and the kids, and I are out in East Hampton, where we are always glad to run into Henry Gabbay.  It's been a few years since I've seen Toni Rea and Ed Schmidt out here, but that's my fault, not theirs.  Our vacations have become shorter rather than longer as we get older.  It seems unfair.
       My oldest, Kate, is off to Kenyon College in a month.  Did any of our classmates or their kids go there?
        The other night, we went to see the documentary Wordplay, about the crossword puzzle community.  Very enjoyable.  It reminded me of our salutatorian, and my Colgate classmate, Rich Silvestri.  Didn't he used to construct crosswords for The New York Times? Has anyone heard of or from him?
        Also, the other night I got great news on legal matters from Artie Halprin.  Hooray!
        On a worried note, I'm very troubled by what's going on in the Middle East, the rocket attacks on Israel, the retaliation, and the inevitable -- and outrageous -- alignment of world opinion against a country trying to defend itself.  Anyone else?
   
    From Marc Jonas:  As they say in my business, with all due respect to fellow Falcon Jerry Bittman, I dissent with respect to his opinion calling for the cessation of Reunion class news.  Variety is the spice of life, and some people might readily prefer the diversity of news to extended accounts from the same sources.  If Rich will type, I shall read and enjoy.
        And, boy, it's hot here in Philadelphia.
   
    From Booker Gibson:  You can continue your newsletters as long as you want.  We "elderly" retired faculty members love to read what all you former students have been and are doing.  As far as I know, you're the only class that's ever attempted such a project.  Many thanks to all.
   
    And from Jerry Bittman again:  I believe what I wrote in the week before last was pretty accurate, and that only a few people from our class have written in since.  You might have a few more that you haven't printed, but it will still add up to just a few.
        As I stated before, you have done a  great job, but everything has a life span.
        I'm not the least bit surprised that you said you have received seven additional comments from members of our class.  As I originally stated, there are about five to ten people who would care enough to respond.  That is a very small percentage of our classmates that
    receive the newsletter.
        I really don't care whether the newsletter continues.  All I was saying was that it had run its course, and since you were "tired" of doing it," this was your way out.  Apparently, you got a second wind.
        And for Larry Rugen:  I lived in Las Vegas for many years, and have been to the parks in Utah.  I also lived in Denver for seven years.
        Here is a tip.  Do not stay in Vail.  Continue driving east on I-70 for about an hour.  There is a town in the foothills called Evergreen.  Stay at a place called Davidson's Lodge.  I assure you that it will be the most romantic spot you and your wife have been to.  Ten minutes away is Red Rocks Amphitheater. You must try to get tickets for whoever is performing there.  Every entertainer who has performed there has said it is their favorite venue.  My friend saw The Beatles there and showed me the ticket stub -- price $4.00.  I have seen many concerts at Red Rocks.  The best was The Moody Blues, performing with the Denver Symphony.  Also, the services every Easter at 5:00 AM are special.  You are sitting outside in the theater, facing east.  Therefore, you see the sun rising over Denver.
        Good luck and have fun.
   
    [Rich -- I've mentioned before that I've wondered how long this newsletter could last.  As I've noted that some weeks' news is more interesting than others.  And it doesn't take much to spot the filler and realize it's being used to keep the conduit open.  But until the newsletter becomes all filler, all the time, I think I'll leave things as they are.
        And it sure is nice hearing from more people.  So, thanks, Jerry.]
   
    Next week, the information about the Gibson and Tampio award winners.  Honest.