Important news comes from Virginia (Ginny) Wheeler Jones.  It may seem difficult to believe, but plans are underway for our 50th class reunion–2016! Ginny wrote, “Though still a ways off, there is reunion information to share.  In meeting with some folks on campus recently, it seems reunion gifts now only count ONE YEAR prior to the event–for us, beginning July 1, 2015.  Though donations to Hood are always important, this time frame may be useful for your future donation planning. Also, there is discussion about which choice ON campus will best meet our needs for a sit-down meal for our dinner, as requested. As it will be our 50th reunion, we get first pick! More information to come.” Ginny added, “Let’s all start looking forward to this big celebration!” Thanks, Ginny for your efforts to make our 50th reunion a happy success.  Speaking of a happy success, Pat Chapple Wright has just published a new book, High Moon over the Amazon, telling of her quest to understand what she calls “the monkeys of the night.”  Pat has been called “the world’s foremost expert on lemurs.” There is mention early in the book of her years as a biology major at Hood. I already have my copy available through Amazon.com.  The book has been endorsed by Jane Goodall, who calls Pat “a born storyteller” and “an amazing woman,” and summarizes, “this is a book you must read.”  You make us all proud, Pat!  Another classmate, celebrating a landmark moment, is Bonnie Kloeblen Hagerman. Her Care Wear Volunteers program has just found its new home, a one-room house built in the 1880s, in Frederick’s historic district, #324 West Patrick Street. Bonnie emailed photos of the tiny house, now her office, squeezed between two much larger red-brick buildings. Bonnie reported that Care Wear Volunteers continues to grow in number of participants and number of hospitals served. Through this nationwide project, handmade baby items are delivered directly to hospitals. Faith Parker Mentzer said she is “back to being as normal as I have ever been,” following a breast cancer diagnosis. “I became a statistic,” she commented, and had radiation treatments and surgeries. I am sure we are all pleased, Faith, that you are now back to teaching, singing in choral groups, working on house projects and spending time with grandkids. Nancy Newcomer wrote that she moved back to Colorado in 2010 to be near children and grandchildren. She has her real estate license there and enjoys teaching real estate pre-licensing classes. She is in touch with Cathy Saunders Weber who is very busy enjoying retirement.  Laurie Wheeler Brown emailed on Nov. 1 from D.C. where she had just attended her mother’s memorial services. Laurie commented, “My mother was 101 and had a wonderful life and went peacefully. We all hope to do so well.” We are sorry for your loss, Laurie, but grateful for your good memories of her. Laurie was on her way to her home in North Carolina then on to her winter home in Florida. World traveler, Bonnie Scull Hawkes, returned in early November from one of her many cruises with husband Geoff.  Lucky, Bonnie! This time they had ventured into the North and South Pacific visiting Hawaii and Tahiti. Bonnie added that details of the trip can be found on her blog at http://2013-sep29-statendam.blogspot.ca/. Once back on land and facing winter, Bonnie was looking forward to another ski season on the slopes of Whistler Mountain.  Husband Elliott and I received an email in the fall from Jane Dearstyne Veeder. She and husband Chuck are planning an Alaskan adventure for the coming summer and are looking for travel tips while here. We hope so much, Janie, that these plans materialize and we can be Great Land travel guides for you! Margy Bard Brownstein expressed a sorrow that I am sure is shared by all of our classmates. “I was shocked to learn of Brenda Miller Maines’ death in the previous Hood Magazine–such sad news.”  Margy added, “We were in each others’ weddings but had lost touch the last couple of years.” As I write this column, husband Elliott and I, Dianne Beebe Barske, are involved in extreme downsizing, moving within Anchorage to a home about a third the size of our big, old house–our home for 35 years.  Amazingly, the home sold overnight to the first person that looked at it! Our new address is 4821 Pavalof Street, Anchorage, AK 99507.