1970

I understand that many of you have long since grown weary of recent rehashings of our reunion in this column. Accordingly, this month we'll degenerate back to the level of catty gossip you have come to expect.

In essence the Latvian people seem utterly drained of ambition by the years of communist oppression. Standing in lines appears to be a full-time job for a high percentage of the population. The fear of shortages is so pervasive that hoarding is rampant and homes are stockpiled with a most unusual array of supplies. The country is exceedingly drab, devoid of much color other than gray. Pollution is rampant. For instance, the water supply was so foul that almost all the foreigners in their group came down with skin rashes after several days of exposure from washing.

Still, the Steinmanises remain fiercely proud of their heritage and ever hopeful as regards recent opportunities opening for the Latvian people. Sadly, souvenirs were in short supply, but at least the ever generous Sven let Anda bring home a nanny for the children!

As a final reunion footnote, we have some news to report concerning the one and only John Chittick. John made a surprise last-minute appearance at our gathering, much to everyone's delight. Unfortunately, the excitement of it all nearly killed him. Only a few days later a worsening siege of chest pains resulted in his admission to a Cambridge hospital for tests and observation. His doctors diagnosed arterial occlusion and John subsequently underwent a balloon angioplasty. We're happy to report that he's now very much on the mend.

John operates a thriving card printing business with a stock in the zillions, so more of the danged things would be the last thing he needs. Send him your best wishes (and orders) anyway at: Pate Poste, 43 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114. He promises to fill all Christmas requests received by the first of December.

P.O. Box 3934, Modesto, CA 95352-3934