The Class of ’73 has been doing a great deal of reflecting about Colby friendships lately. The recent article that Lloyd Benson wrote about the 50 years of friendship with the Lambda Chi brothers appeared in the Boston Globe magazine as well as the last issue of this magazine. He is very grateful for the wonderful comments and messages classmates have sent him. Peter Rinaldi was brought to tears over the story and the “wonderful picture” of these guys who he remembers at age 22. * Sue Schink has two Forever Friends from Colby. One is a classmate she knew since seventh grade and then at Colby; this woman is one of a few who ”knew her when.” Her other FF is her college roommate; though often separated, it’s as if they were never apart when they are again in touch. I share that sentiment as well, Sue. These two women are her “prayer warriors” with whom she can share her deepest concerns and biggest joys; the years at Colby were important to the building of these relationships “to be strong pillars” in her life. * Fran Gates Demgen, while reading a poem to her granddaughter, believes the understanding of poetry, politics, or pandemics “is facilitated by experience and critical thinking.” We all learned through our Colby education. * Anne Badmington Cass describes being a “Colby Couple” (with husband Richard Cass) represents her most cherished friendship from college. Knowing him for more than 50 years is inspiring. She writes of other Colby duos they see, including Norm and Pat Flanagan Olsen, Amy (Brewer ’71) and Gary Fitts, Susan (McBratney ’74) and Matt Powell, and Anne (Traver ’74) and David Swardlick. Anne also identifies Sigma Kappa sorority as a source of extended closeness and those forever friends such as Sue Colucci Neumyer, Janet Hueners Crook, and Roberta Rollins Wallace. She finds reunions to be “great fun,” and I agree; I have come to know many of you well through wonderful opportunities to return to campus together and serving as your class correspondent. * Norm Olsen has been thinking about the wonderful connections he renewed while working on the 45th reunion—and how that experience has resulted in more close communication since then. As a Colby Couple, Norm and Pat have raised three sons, all of whom graduated from Colby, and their middle son and his wife are also a Colby couple. * Alex Wilson, the loyal spokesperson for the aforementioned LCA friends, wrote to update on their most recent gathering, the Winter Pokerfest, at the newly completed home of Duncan Leith and his wife, Jennifer, in Cape Neddick, Maine. Joe Mattos provided a preview of the website he’s building using 50 years of friendship photos taken since freshman year at Colby. I have seen this as well and hope it can serve as a model for others to consider. * I look forward to a weekly online bridge date with Forever Friends Jackie Nienaber Appeldorn, Debbie Mael Mandino, and Lisa Kehler Bubar—just like 50 years ago. * A reunion committee has begun planning for our 50th Reunion (May 31-June 4, 2023). Hard-at-work members include chair Lisa Kehler Bubar, class correspondent yours truly, class president Gary Fitts, gift planning agent Doug Gorman, and executive committee members Dave Baird, Janet Gillies Foley, Sue Yovic Hoeller, Norm Olsen, Ken Viens, and Alex Wilson. This core group will be working hard to develop the next phase of planning, which will involve more classmate recruitment for important roles in making our reunion what we want it to be. There is a part to be played by anyone who wants to become involved, so please watch for communication from one of these hard-working volunteer leaders. * I hope you and your families have been safe and that the worst is behind us. Thank you to President David Greene and his compassionate leadership of Colby at this time.