Scanning the input from all of you there is a recurrent theme that seems associated with our traditional residences…namely, “Downsizing”. We seem to recognize the labor for maintenance is getting out of hand as well as facing a lifetime of accumulations that have lost their meaning. Perhaps we really don’t need to hang on to the kids homework from elementary school. We begin to focus on smaller, more efficient residences, with or without care facilities and geography that puts us closer to our family roots. Recently our class webmaster, Larry Wheeler, wrote, “Some of you may already be aware, we sold our house in Houston and have relocated to the Texas Hill Country. We are building a house in San Marcos, TX in the Kissing Tree 55+ development and we will be residing in our condo on the Comal River in New Braunfels until the new house is completed.  There were a number of reasons for the move, but we guess the main reason was a need for a new adventure. We probably also got pushes from last year’s Hurricane Harvey and the increasing traffic congestion in the big city. Our son and his family relocated from Houston to Brenham, TX recently, so there was not much holding us in Houston.”

Larry’s thoughts are similar to others in similar situations who have commented and, in a future column, I may report on our own efforts to simplify our lives. At present, Susan and I are still in the “getting rid of stuff” phase. More to follow.

From Barbara Braun we received a Class Note as follows. “Here’s an announcement of my solo show of 26 paintings at NYU’s Kimmel Galleries, Reflections in Oil: Works by Barbara Braun from Oct 4, 2018 to Jan 27, 2019. I have included the press release for the exposition. “Braun, who majored in English lit and minored in art history at Cornell (BA, 1961), is an art historian (PhD, Columbia, 1977), author and literary agent. She rediscovered an early love of painting eight years ago. Since then she has taken a variety of courses and workshops, focusing her work on abstract oil painting, and has exhibited often in Woodstock, NY, where she has a home. Her basic inclination is toward expressionist abstraction, incorporating figures and elements from the human and natural worlds. She is also keenly aware of current events, and finds herself drawn to abstract evocations of the plight of refugees and of African-American men confronted by the police. This is her NY debut.”

A note also from Edwin Burmeister, “A bit unusual, but I am an Emeritus professor at two universities, Research Professor of Economics Emeritus at Duke University and Commonwealth Professor of Economics Emeritus at the University of Virginia.However, my wife, Marjorie B. McElroy, is still full-time teaching and research at Duke. Her primary interest is in quantitative research using econometric methods. My spare time is now spent on two things. Showing my Golden Retriever named Abby in American Kennel Club conformation dog shows. She is now more than half way toward winning her American Kennel Club Championship status. Secondly, I am constructing and enjoying the sound from a very high-end sound system with primarily McIntosh equipment. It has been a challenge to get everything working, including the streaming of extremely high quality audio files. And yes, I have reluctantly concluded that vinyl does indeed sound better-- much cleaner than CDs, etc. .

Madeleine Grossman wrote that she and Ed (’59) along with classmates Anne (Klein)and Lewis Rothman had a great trip to Australia last spring. We are delighted to have two grandchildren in the class of ‘21.

Setting a fast pace this past year, John Sargent and wife, Laurie, traveled to Japan (a Cornell trip), Italy (independent travel hooking up with a Cornell trip to Apulia - Italy), the Galapagos and Peruvian Andes, and recently Scotland, Paris, Reims, Burgundy, and Alsace. In addition to their travels John writes that he is doing on-going research into mathematical modeling of the impact of hemodialysis treatment: recently published in an article (September 2018) on acid-base issues and optimization during dialysis treatment. Finally, a note from Jay Treadwell, reunion co-chair at our 55^th. “I have had a rather rare form of brain cancer for the last three years and though it has taken me close to those three years to retire, I have managed to keep going. More and more of my time had been spent in visiting various medical offices and hospitals but now the good news. While the cancer had spread from the brain to the lungs, it, under the miracle of immunotherapy, has been reduced 30% so it looks like I will be able to help Cornell a little longer. When I was in the middle of this treatment I resolved to set goals one at a time and they have been compartmentalized thusly: First goal-go to Peggy's family reunion in Point Clear, Alabama- Now done.- Reach my 80th birthday (almost done)- Travel to VT to see friends,- Travel to the West Coast to see friends. Go on a Scandinavian cruise. (don't get out too far ahead of myself).”

Remember us in your thoughts. Your classmates want to hear from you. Emails are quick and easy. Susan will produce the next edition in two months. Send us your news. sastevens61@gmail.com and dougout@attglobal.net