From Gae Kaufman Shulman now residing in San Francisco, “I enjoy being healthy and financially secure. I have been travelling extensively supporting and volunteering with cultural organizations.” Her recollection of Cornell, “I was 16 years old and Cornell offered a dynamic safe space to learn about myself and to become educated.’

A class note from Robert Treadway arrived. “I am living in Ann Arbor MI. reading about China, watching MSNBC, following the New York Times.and relaxing.”

Gerald Schneider writes from his home in Kensington, MD. He thanks the readers of his book “Progressive Values – Libertarian Solutions – A Practical Guide” for posting their reviews on Amazon and other on-line and print media. He remains active presenting programs on current issues for senior centers and schools. “As I approach 86 years of life, I take pride in positive thinking, lifelong learning and physical exercise.”

A lengthy note arrived after 63 years from Jay Sherman living in NYC. “Happy to note the publication of my book, “Esteban's Dance, a Novella and Five Tales” whose soul and roots were nurtured both in the Bronx and in Ithaca, especially in the soil of Cornell.”

After leading wildly divergent and adventurous lives spanning the 30 years from their Cornell graduation, the son of a Bronx cab driver and his three former Collegetown roommates unexpectedly reunite on a mysterious island in the Antilles called San Esteban. There a erstwhile Soviet hotel sits crumbling on the beach and the native population loves both baseball and chess, which were introduced to the island by Che Guevara.

Full disclosure: I was class of 61 but after 2 1/2 years I left Cornell to accept a job at a New York radio station and then to study film production at NYU. Various jobs in the industry followed before a 25 year career as a film editor and a supervisor of a TV network’s film services department. But I always fondly remember my days at Cornell, and my friends there, and think of those times often.

Sometimes you need a change from the standard class notes fare. Consider the following. James Keegan, in response to the question “What brings you the most satisfaction?” wrote “Surviving stage 4 cancer and living well despite a 100% Vietnam disability. I managed food distribution for 425,00 soldiers in Vietnam from 1967 to 68. Now retired in Las Vegas but maintaining an interest in food and agriculture and enjoying life .”

John King sent a lengthy note from San Rafael, CA having retired from Chevron Research Co. in 1996. John embarked on a second career as a computer consultant until 2010. He has three grandchildren the oldest is a freshman at Glasgow University in Scotland. “ Things are fairly quiet. I’m looking for a dog to keep me walking for exercise. My son has a new job as Sales Director for a software startup.”

From the Northlands of Wayzata, MN after many years, we hear from Cindy Johnson Pratt. “Having downsized from our 120 year old house on Lake Minnetonka, life is quite simple in our independent living facility. Best of all my family lives within 10 minutes so we see them frequently. After 20 years designing and making ‘one of a kind’ primitive hooked rugs, I can now enjoy them on the walls of our new home. My Hosta gardens with 150 varieties had to be left behind. After 50 years dividing and creating the gardens, what’s next? My granddaughter, Susie Foster graduated from Cornell in June in Environmental Engineering with a masters awarded in December.

Ruth Schimel PhD, ILR 61, Writes that she continues usefully with current work as Career & Life Management Consultant and Author www.ruthschimel.com.  Her dozens of articles on professional and personal development are also published by YourTango:  https://www.yourtango.com/experts/ruthschimel.  As of June 2024, a new project with Shari Garmise shows how art can include fun and stimulation while being a catalyst in relationship building:   https://artingconversations.com/.  Active in DC chapter and coast to coast chapters of Women’s Connection, I have provided guidance on storytelling and launching an intergenerational collaboration. www.ttn.org. These alternatives to retirement keep me vibrant despite the challenges of maintenance!”

I will conclude this Class Column on a somber note. Sue (Rand) Lewis notified me of the passing of our former class president Peter Greenburg. He died of complications from a fall while vacationing with wife, Elke, in Germany. Peter made significant contributions to the class and will be missed. Also, Gail (McDougall) Sullivan class council member, lost her husband Mike after a lengthy illness.

Finally, do not hesitate to send your emails to us. Doug Fuss <dougout@attglobal.net> and Susan Stevens (sastevens61@gmail.com