First, an update on a grand Dartmouth tradition from Ed Heald, who carried our ’68 banner as a class of one on a rainy Dartmouth Night: The bonfire is now surrounded by three sets of fences, and the freshmen, led by bagpipers, walk (not run) one circuit around the fire, after which they are led out of the circle. Enthusiasm still runs high.

Now some correspondence I received about travel activities by classmates.

Jim Frey and Iris went to Berlin for their daughter’s wedding celebration; then to Prague, which they rate a favorite; and Amsterdam, where they celebrated their 55th anniversary. They proudly convey that our age need not prevent self-guided tours.

David Peck and Diane traveled to Patagonia in October. The trip started in Buenos Aires and then went much farther south to Cape Horn, the Strait of Magellan, five glaciers, and the unbelievably sharp and steep mountains of the Torres Del Paine.

Norman Silverman and Deborah Wolney took a 12-day trip to Ireland, which started with a flock of birds knocking out their plane’s engines on a runway in Detroit! They eventually arrived to enjoy a custom tour of the southern half of the island, starting in Dublin, then proceeding to Cork and Galway. The “spectacular” trip served as “a celebration of the 30th anniversary of Deborah’s 45th birthday.”

Norm and Deborah then hit N.Y.C. with Roger Witten and Jill, Jon Newcomb and Debbie, and Mark Waterhouse and Leslie for dinner at Carmine’s and Some Like It Hot.

Read (and contribute!) more about travel in the “Have Gear, Will Travel” feature in The Transmission, where you’ll also find the latest on the community service project (CSP). Jim Lawrie, Peter Hofman, and Peter Temple are in need of your CSP updates as they expand the program to include students and others.

—Jack Hopke, 157 Joy St., River Ridge, LA 70123; (504) 388-2645; jackhopke@yahoo.com