I had a conversation with Gene Matusow ’57 recently and Paul Gingold’s name came up. It seems that Paul has been spending lots of time cruising because he finds it cheaper than living on land. This was such an intriguing idea that I had to give Paul a call. Paul and his wife, Kim, have had a travel agency in Lambertville, Pennsylvania, for the past 30 years and this helps them get away often. As we spoke they were planning to leave on another world cruise aboard the Crystal Serenity for 108 days. In 2007 they did a world cruise aboard the Regent Seven Seas Voyager, 2008 was 60 days around South America and 2010 was the Voyager again. He mentioned a number of other shorter trips, but by now you get the idea. Bon voyage to Paul and Kim!


I now interrupt to announce the Barbary Coast Jazz Band playing in honor of three newly fallen classmates. All living 1956s honor the passing of Wesley Hugh Smith, Richard Lewis Gordon and Paul Eli Margulies. We bow our heads in silent tribute.


Had a call from John Yassin seeking contact information for Don Sokol, who recently moved to Chino, California. I was able to help out and would be happy to assist anyone else with similar needs. John lives in Potomac, Maryland—still working two days a week as a consultant at Walter Reed hospital and enjoying his five grandkids. 


I close with the first stanza of a poetic limerick written in 2004, “Pound a Minute.”


Cruise when you are in the food mood,


Large meals with deserts interlude;


Include the buffet,


For a huge stowaway,


Every bite makes your belt-line protrude.


—Joel D. Ash, P.O. Box 1733, Grantham, NH 03753; (603) 863-3360; joel@poeticlimericks.com