1985

El Nino produced a record winter of mild temperatures and little snowfall here in the New York metropolitan area. But it couldn't keep us diehard skiers off the regional slopes for a family excursion one day in January, during which I literally ran into Mark Engel and his clan shushing down Mohawk Mountain (or whatever it is we call the peaks in Connecticut with snow on them. Perhaps "hill" is more appropriate). No sooner did we exchange "hellos" when we spotted fellow "parent turned ski instructor" Billy Budd, with 8-year-old Christian and his other boys (Bill 11 and Thomas 4) nearby. Mark and I admitted to looking upon Billy's scene somewhat enviably as we both struggled with the somewhat awkward maneuvering of our 4- and 2-year-old "skiers." Meanwhile, Billy's kids are preparing for the Olympics—can you believe he has an 11-year-old? He's going to have teenagers at our next reunion!

Speaking of reuniting, this March witnessed the occasion of a joint "Happy 35th" celebration in Boston for Alison CooperPhillips, Jenny Archibald Williams,Allison Shutz Moskow, Valerie Hartman-Levy, and yours truly. Treating ourselves to the creature comforts of the Charles Hotel, sans les maris at sans les enfants, we softened the blow of turning the big 3-5. With two expecting second babies Jenny due April 3; Val due May 3), it might be a stretch to say that we were completely footloose and fancy free. But we were without car seats, blankies, and sippy cups, enjoying hot latte (decaf, of course), eating meals without interruptions, and talking about everything under the sun until our throats were dry. We've already planned the next gathering to celebrate the first anniversary of our 35th. Stay tuned!

In case you missed the December 21st edition of The New York Times Sunday weddings section: "One friend described the romance of Hubbard Marmaduke Jones III and Mary Roberts Hertzog as 'Crocodile Dundee meets Nancy Drew.' The bride is a tall, slender...Kroll Associates private eye—wisecracking, independent and tenacious... .Mr. Jones, who is known as Bardy is like a human Swiss Army knife, with endless capabilities....There was no doubt the wedding would be held at Christmastime.. .Mary calls herself a 'Christmas fanatic'..." Mary loves Christmas movies because they all have happy endings. For her, this is the ultimate happy ending." The longer version of the article includes a classy picture of our very own Mary puckering up to lay a big, wet smacker on the rosy cheeks of none other than Santa Claus while her ever-admiring hubby looks on. We wish them many happy years together under the mistletoe. Gayle Gilman took time out from her work at A&E Television Networks to participate in the ceremony, and Gary Ryan Laterzo also witnessed these blessed nuptials.

Chris Hunt just concluded a four-month odyssey through Cuba to pen Waiting forFidel. To discover the findings behind his spirited journey, pick up your own copy now in print. And while you're book browsing, be sure to explore another non-fiction work: .. .And the Angels Wept, a treatise regarding the hotly dividing issue of race in America by new author Juanita Sanders. When not researching their well-documented works, Chris resides in New York City as a freelance journalist while Juanita Sanders lives in Providence with her husband, Ferdinand, and their two children. Don't let El Nino (or the summer version I've recently learned of, La Nina) upset your seasons or create new reasons to avoid sharing your news with your classmates. Keep the news coming—we'd love to hear from you.

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