I can’t believe I heard from only three classmates for this 2019 Winter Column. But the Summer 2018 column was a good representation, so I guess I can’t complain.  Here is the input – and I won’t even have to edit the column much because we didn’t write 750 words.  Tsk! Tsk!

Barbara Thomas Yinger: Just got back from Woodstock, NY, enjoying being with daughter Laura and her family from Indiana, Louisville and NYC.  Our grandson owns a cabin there and it creates a nice family get-together place.  That included getting better acquainted with two of our great grandchildren, a two year old and a one year old.  In early June I spent a morning with our “local” four year old granddaughter to accompany her and about 10 other day care friends on a two hour nature hike.  Both experiences were Energizing!!!!

Elsie Lyon Hinkhouse: It’s been a fabulous time at Morning Star, a senior living facility in Boise, ID where I have lived since Jim’s passing. I have met Kuulei Mobley Green, a 1959 Hood College classmate. Neither of us remembered each other but share many other remembrances of classmates and wonderful times at Hood. Kuulei is a retired Episcopal priest, another great connection we have.  In addition I’ve had a fabulous time in Boise.  My youngest daughter Amy and her family live here…the reason why we moved to Boise and I spend lots of time with her and her family.  This year my daughter, Ginger, from the Seattle area and her husband were here for 5 days, and my daughter Julie, her husband and two daughters from Cypress, Texas visited 5 days.  I’m blessed to be in Boise!  Love to all my “57 classmates.  Elsie

Carol Harkness Kilrea: You are such a sport to do this; hope all is well! Lots going on in my life – last of my 14 grandchildren graduated HS and is off to Kelly School of Business @ Indiana University – # 13 finishing his 2nd year @ ND where he made All American in x country running – # 12 finishing up @ Penn State and # 11 completing her degree @ Iowa!! All the rest working in Chicago – have apartments and in various degrees of relationships – Keegan got married last summer so we all welcomed Matt – a great guy!! Beverly Shores has just been named our 61st National Park (we are within a much larger area) and also been named Indiana Bird Town by the Audubon Society! Bill and I traveled to Mexico this winter and a month in Florida – we are now packing up for a family gathering in Hilton Head followed by a trip to Scotland- so very excited! My Fitbit pushes me forward and thankfully we are both healthy and able to “ get on with things” – wow!! Have I rattled on!  Guess you will have to edit this Molly! Take care and thanks again! Hugs Carol

Molly Smith Sperandio: Dealing with a hip replacement in January and subsequent rehab and therapy kept me from participating in one of my favorite volunteer jobs – that of being a Tax Consultant for the 2018 Tax Year during the months of January – April. If I had done my studying when I got my books in November, I probably could have done some of it, but a minor fall which tore up my arm and a bout with pneumonia kept me from it.  And after that little infection, which I had never experienced before in my lifetime, I can understand how people die from that disease!  I’m still walking with a cane, but that did not keep me from enjoying my annual drive to Willow Valley, PA in April to spend time with my sisters, bro-in-law and some nieces; a trip to CA in June for the high school graduation from Sacramento Waldorf School of the 7^th of my 8 grandchildren, Sophi; and another annual drive to Bethlehem, PA in June for our 38th Smith family reunion.  We live on.  All is normal!