So, what have you been doing during the pandemic? I would truly like to know; send me an email at the address below. One of the more creative and erudite members of our class (no one ever accused me of that) came up with a novel solution. Don Drakeman, after many years developing life-saving biotech solutions, has succumbed to the grape. He shares this explanation, which made me quite jealous.

“Just finished the Diploma in Wines from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust. It’s kind of like the bar exam (the other one) except harder and the drinking comes first. For one of the six exams, you start by blind-tasting 12 wines (had much Pinotage or Torrontes lately?), then straight to a three-and-a-half-hour handwritten essay exam. Questions range from the standard Burgundy/Bordeaux topics to Swiss wine regions (forgot to study for that one). Not a bad lockdown and retirement activity, all in all, especially since you can do most of it remotely and can start by getting certificates with less robust requirements.”

You should have recently received a note from Al Austin, who will be stepping down from his role as our Alumni Council representative. His final meeting was this May. Many thanks, Al, for your service. He will be succeeded by Brent Douglass as the new representative for the class of 1975 starting this fall. We wish Brent the best and please do contact him if you would like any specific questions asked or areas of operation probed at the next council meeting.

That’s it for now.

Vox clamantis in Tejas.

—Stephen D. Gray, 3627 Avenue M, Galveston, TX 77550; (650) 302-8739; fratergray@gmail.com