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Several faithful classmates emailed recently to give me some grist for this column. Jack Jouett reports "a most wonderous barge trip in southern France-Carcassone to Beziers on the Canal du Midi." He was unable to make the Panama trip but is enjoying good health and "ready for our 60th!" Speaking of Panama, as I write (mid-December), the Vallarino/Leavitt expedition has signed up 12 classmates and nine wives at this point for this late-January event. Tom Schroth writes: "About the time the Electoral College meets in Washington, Pat and I are scheduled to have another grandchild. That is the best news of 2000!" In response to the item about Henry Keck and his "golfmobile" (Nov./ Dec. 2000 column), Ducky Drake e-mailed: "Henry Keck will be the Man of the Century when he announces his drive-on-the-green golf cart can putt!" Speaking of golf, I had the experience of a lifetime last September, accompanying my son Nat on a two-week outing to Ireland/Scotland, where we managed 11 rounds on various courses in wind, rain and occasional sun. Our favorite: Royal County Down. Mike Thurston weighs in from Bethel, Maine, with classmate news: Fred Stockwell returned Thanksgiving Day from a trip to Antarctica. Mike added, "It was the best trip (Fred) ever had, but he says that every time." Fred is headed for Tibet some time in 2001. We'll be looking forward to your next picture show, Fred, come next fall's mini! Mike added that he will not be going skiing in Europe this winter, for the first time in 31 years, but hopes to patronize Sunday River facilities. John Keefe writes, "Ann took me on a cruise on the CrownDynasty—a press trip out of Aruba. While snorkeling there was a contest to see who had been married the longest. With 48 years, we were a lay down." Bob Field, who was under the weather at the fall mini, reports, "I've recovered." Scott Mitchell e-mails, "I am fully recovered from a near-fatal heart attack October 1999. Am playing tennis daily and enjoying life." Three deaths to report: Freeman Forbes Dodge, Charles Edmund Miller and Frank McClellan Dain. Our condolences to their families. Stay well!

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