There was a great response this time from our classmates, so I’ll start right in.* Ron Rasmussen has a unique approach to turning 80 this year [let that settle into your heads, everyone]. Ron is writing his autobiography, including chronicling his years at Colby. Keep us informed of your progress, Ron! * Sheldon and Audrey Hittinger Katz, along with their entire family of three children, spouses, and eight grandchildren, chartered a 16-berth boat over the holidays to celebrate their 50th anniversary in the Galapagos Islands. The trip was the climax to a happy year that also included a summer at their farm in Otisfield, Maine, and a slow move from Maryland to a condo in Washington, D.C. * News from the Deep South (Carolina, that is): Babs (Faltings) ’56 and Warren Kinsman still enjoy their winters in Beaufort but are equally happy when they return to their camp or cottage [the terminology depends on whether one is a true Mainer or not; you can decide] for the summer on Green Lake in Maine. Warren and Babs would love to see any “snowbirds” passing through on their way to Florida. *Ellie Shorey Harris, her daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters flew to France last fall to visit another of Ellie’s granddaughters, Maddy Harris, who was studying in Paris for a semester of her junior year. The tourists did not leave a stone unturned in that beautiful city, from Notre Dame to Versailles, and enjoyed dining on every delicacy that came their way. Ellie found that trekking with a 10- and 13-year-old for four days was a monumental challenge, but she certainly rose to the occasion. * After four years of collaboration, Pat Martin Maloney and her daughter Katrina are celebrating the publication of the first volume of their book, Dearest Ones at Home. It is the story of Pat’s great-aunt Claire Taylor’s experiences in Russia during the Russian Revolution, derived from letters she had sent home from 1917 to 1919. Katrina did the writing and editing, and Pat did all the research. The book can be found online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Congratulations to you both. * Our Energizer Bunny friend down in Exeter, N.H., Anne Schimmelpfennig Laszlo, keeps the same fast pace that she always has! Anne lives on the border of a salt marsh and keeps her camera always at the ready to photograph the abundant bird and animal life, which leads to creating note cards and turning the whole endeavor into a “cottage industry.” She also designs and knits children’s scarves in the shapes of animals and birds for clients in California. Such talent does not go unrewarded! Anne wonders what our classmates enjoy reading; she suggests Garrison Keillor as an antidote to winter blahs. In February Anne, her son, and grandson planned to head to a tropical snorkeling area—Anne’s Christmas gift to them. * Take care and stay safe, especially those who are off on such high adventures.