50th-reunion dates: June 2-5, 2016. BE THERE! * Congratulations to Linda Hall Lord, who retired from her post as Maine state librarian after 48 years of public service in education and libraries. Her leadership led to many initiatives that transformed and strengthened library services throughout Maine. Linda looks forward to more time with her husband and lots of traveling. * Sue Turner and Karl spend summer and fall in Maine and winter in Charleston, S.C. They traveled in Quebec last summer, and they spent Christmas in Wisconsin with their daughter and son-in-law. * Don and Marty DeCou Dick backpacked in Colorado up to 12,000 feet and discovered they’re not as young as they used to be. They visited Janet Meyer Throop in Oregon last fall. Janet was planning a trip to Africa to visit her children and grandkids. * While sightseeing in Phoenix, Connecticut’s Carl Floyd sent his travel plans: Florida and a cruise in February, Mexico in April, Hawaii in May and June. * Honoring a New Year’s resolution to travel more, Terry Saunders Lane has planned a month in California and a month in Argentina and Peru so far, with more to come. * It’s Alaska in August for Linda Mitchell Potter and intentions to keep hiking the Long Trail, having gone from Williamstown, Mass., to Middlebury, Vt., so far with another hundred or so miles to go to reach the Canadian border. *Susan Mahoney Michael and her husband are enjoying their new home in Brunswick, Maine, but will escape to the Caribbean and California in winter.* Perennial snowbird RVer Ted Houghton wintered this year in northern Florida. Ted’s campground data efforts have evolved into a bona fide business now, with access via website, Android, and iOS. * Anne Ruggles Gere’s semester sabbatical finds her and her family living in Puebla, Mexico, and learning Spanish. * As much as he continues to enjoy travel, Gary McKinstry loves coming home to his own special paradise, Sarasota, Fla., and surrounding area, where his real estate career continues to thrive, with demands for more housing and new development but protection of open green spaces and ocean views. * Karen Riendeau-Pacheco writes, “You never know where you’ll find Colby graduates.” Karen visits people in nursing homes and assisted living centers for her church, and during a recent visit to a favorite 95-year-old man, she was introduced to his son, Bruce Hubbard, Colby Class of 1971! * Phil MacHale is in France for the winter, “… writing my little fingers to the bone, still looking for an agent. I’m an accidental grandfather, which only proves that life goes on despite our best efforts.” Phil is writing a play about some technology geniuses. I won’t attempt to interpret the “accidental grandfather” comment. * Mary Gourley Mastin writes, “If you are obsessing about your geographically distant grandchildren, as I was, just get a puppy. It is a sure cure, especially if it is a Cavachon.” Google says that’s a cross between a Cavalier King Charles spaniel and a bichon frise. My Colby education continues. * Congrats to Debbie Chase, who retired from her long career with Weight Watchers. Time now for things that have been put aside for years and for new adventures, whatever they may be. * John “Daisy” Carvellas survived a tough summer with a broken hip and pancreatitis, which was cured when his gallbladder was removed. Happily he’s on the mend and spending the winter in St. Augustine Beach, Fla. * Californian Ed Mowry is back at his favorite winter spot, Mammoth Mountain, planning a road trip to Alta and Aspen to visit Colby friends, and still working on his next book. A third grandchild is due in April. Ed’s coming to our 50th. Are you?