Robert Hatch was awarded the Kansas State Exporter of the Year prize by the governor for his company’s “community stewardship” by increasing the size of his plant and adding 80 new jobs. His company is in the cereal enhancement business.

And the bad news is Norris Knosher died from the cancer he had been duking it out with for several years. And it came to pass that Richard Baldwin died in May and Michael Savage also passed on in May. The latter was an active recruiter for the College and served as an alumni admissions interviewer from 1991 through 2002.

But the better news is our class meeting is on for October 7 during this fall’s mini-reunion organized by Bob Hager, while applications pour in for the class’s 80th birthday extravaganza in Key West, Florida, in February of 2018. Start saving now for a truly exciting winter holiday fixed with care by Sid Goldman and his helpful classmates.

Meanwhile, Bob Conklin reported he recovered from pneumonia, a minor case, compared with the last time he had it 40-plus years ago. Never again has he been as sick as that. This bout was gone in just a week. He adds no exotic travel is planned for this year: a theater trip to N.Y.C., maybe Yellowstone in the fall and long weekend jaunts to see the kids and grands in California and Colorado. He pretty much blew the budget last year with a seven-week trip to Ireland, England, South Africa and Botswana; amazing trip.

—John M. Mitchell, 300 Grove St., Rutland, VT 05701; (802) 775-3716; jmm00033@comcast.net