Our executive committee has determined that we, as a class, have an emergent issue: Funding aid for Ukrainian refugees. Watching the televised news has given us all an appreciation for the needs of these people. Last March our classmates Larry Laster and Phil Schaefer joined Dan Dimancescu to energize an effort to fund supplies, food, and related life-support equipment for refugees arriving in Romania. Larry is on the ground living there in Piatra Neamt (west of Odessa across neighboring Moldova) with his wife, Maria, and her son, Andi. They are working closely with local leaders to determine the most effective way to meet the needs of the refugee families. We all appreciate that there are many charities working toward similar ends. What Larry has stressed is that however well-intentioned these agencies are, their administrative costs are excessively high relative to the needs of the people. Dan has devised a method to streamline the funds transfer with almost no overhead. Those wishing to contribute can use the Internet via the link www.alianta.org/donate. It is as simple as that. Funds go via PayPal directly to the Rotary Club in Piatra Neamt. Larry, Maria, and Andi disperse the funds by buying only the supplies, food, etc., that are in immediate need according to local officials. Classmates have been urged to contribute; the decision is solely up to you. To date more than $20,000 has been transferred to Romania; much, much more is needed. In other news we note the passing of our classmates Art Ward, M.D., and Bob Burton. Their obituary notices will appear as usual online on the DAM website. On April 21 co-secretary Rob Goodman and yours truly hosted a Zoom meeting to reunite for a casual exchange of comings and goings among the 27 classmates joining us. Topics covered included Les Buch’s bicycle trips to his doctor over Brooklyn and Manhattan streets and an East River bridge, Duncan Hughes’ move out of a home he and his family occupied for more than 30 years, travels of other classmates around their respective regions, and much news of other retirement activities. All classmates spoke and we judged the trial balloon successful. Watch for more sessions in the future. In February Bob Cahners wowed us over Zoom with his story of success on the field of sport (hammer throw world champion) as well as the dance floor. He has kept himself in supreme physical condition—a model for us all to emulate. Lastly, we had a letter from Hop Potter about his travels and golfing with Lee Chilcote in South Carolina, similarly from Hauser Weiler, M.D. In addition, Amin El Wary sentus his point-of-view from Amman, Jordan, on issues in the Middle East. Stay safe everyone; Covid-19 is still lurking. Also see our more detailed postings on our Facebook class of 1964 website, which includes a recording of the 90-minute April Zoom sessions. Best regards.

—Ray Neff, 3685 Fairway Dr., Norton Shores, MI 49441-7016; (616) 551-8595; rkneff@gmail.com; Robert C. Goodman Jr., Kaufman & Canoles, P.C., 2101 Parks Ave., Suite 700, Virginia Beach, VA 23451; (757) 624-3238; rcgoodman@kaufcan.com