As expected, Prez Bob Kirby and Brownlee McKee were up and at ’em for real in Rangely, Maine, for the eclipse, while the rest of us (Joel Leavitt and yours truly) followed its path through the middle of the country on TV. “Toots” Medlicott hosted a lunch at Kendal for the Kirbys and Doug Smith and Meredith (who is back to “hearty good health”). “Rusty” Rodriguez admits she is not an alum “but has 13 great-grandchildren” and comments, “Life is wonderful!” Not to be outdone, Joel tells us he has two new great-granddaughters with another on the way. Incidentally, Joel says he was selected to be one of the next astronauts for the moon mission (he bought out Musk for $10 billion), is starring in a flick next year with Taylor Swift, and on weekends will be the starting QB with the Patriots. I had a nice phone call with Bob Wilkinson and did some emailing with Steve Pollack but the big news is that I discovered my town, Concord, has 192 Dartmouth grads! I got this news when my eldest, Rebecca, and I attended a pre-election party for Cameron McKinnitt ’91 (who won as selectman) and Andrew Herchek, Th’09 (who won for school committee). The fete was hosted by Roberto Braceras ’91 and guests included Jamie Athanasoulas, Tu’01, Bill Barton ’94, David Carter ’88, Brian Crouse ’94, Mike Fahey ’97, Tom Gilmore ’96, Kerry Anne McCarterstone ’94, Dennis Morgan ’89, Jim O’Shaugnessy ’86, Kristen Piper ’94, Susan Reynolds ’84, and Mark Stein ’83. A nice email from Jilly Harned described her trip to Berlin, Germany, with visits with family to the Reichstag (parliament) and what appears to be a total recovery for the city from world war rigors. Jill was accompanied by daughter Julie and son-in-law Will, there to visit Jill’s grandson, Sam. Jill cited the low cost of living and had high praise for healthcare and contemporary architecture in another entry on her bucket list.

—Tom “Smiley” Ruggles, 8-5 Concord Greene, Concord, MA 01742; (978) 369 5879; smileytmr229@gmail.com