1930

I thought you'd heard enough about my September trip to the Orient, but many inquired about it in Woodstock. So ... it was short but delightful, with three days each in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangkok, and ten days on the Ocean Pearl, with shorter stops in Kaohsiung, Brunei, Manila, and Kuala Lumpur. For several days Typhoon Sarah pursued us with wind and wave. Two scheduled stops were cancelled: Corregidor, because of too much water (rough water) in Manila Bay, and Kuching, Sarawak, because there wasn't enough water to enter the river.

More frequent travelers, the Jacobses, probably set a record by participating in three Alumni College events, the China Seminar and Seine River cruise, to which they added a 12-day "Journey of the Czars." In between they toured Vermont, New Hampshire, and Ireland, joining the Russian tour in Shannon; then nine days in Germany, including Oberammergau, anticipating next year's Passion Play. First time in many trips to France they made a "sobering visit" to Omaha Beach and its American Cemetery. Except for Ellie French at the Seminar there were no other '30s.

To Milt's report on the October mini I add mine on the Bema lunch bunch, who increased to 15: Callaway, the Chilcotes, the Condons, the Davises, Ellie, Doris

McClory with three guests, plus Olsen,Tiedtke, and Marr. But for Carol's surgery the Haffenreffers would have made 17. Despite 17 deaths, other numbers held up well: 39 at the meeting (45 in 1988), and 75 at the dinner (67 in '87 and 71 in '88). Bodes well for the 60th.

Florence Sturman missed Woodstock but plans to join the Sarasota-Bradenton group this winter and definitely hopes to return for the 60th "and as often as I can beyond that. The class is very special to me too." She's blessed with so many attentive friends and caring family she's been spared much of the trauma of her recent loss.

Heading for Woodstock I made my usual Florida "short cut." I missed the Marshes, who were on the West Coast, but had two good days with the Odberts. They're doing well despite some Golden Years problems, and despite these they're thinking of the 60th, as all of you should.

318 Los Rincones, Green Valley, AZ 85614-2937