It’s one year out from our ’77 class collective 70th birthday bash in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the planning team has shifted into high gear. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, August 20, to Sunday, August 24, 2025. The team (Chuck Dana, Cathy Burnweit, Gloria Martinez on the ground with Edy Ullman, Leslie Bradford, Nancy Vespoli and me attending in spirit) led by Ted Lapres and Amy Cholnoky convened a reconnaissance mission early June in Santa Fe to firm up venues and activities for the long weekend celebrating our seven decades of the good life. La Fonda on the Plaza in the heart of Santa Fe will be our HQ for the weekend. A multitude of group gatherings and fun activities are being fine-tuned to make sure we have plenty of togetherness while allowing individual time to explore this mystical and magical locale. Cultural activities include a tailgate at the famous open-air opera, an outing to Bandelier National Monument followed by a peek at Los Alamos for you Oppenheimer fans, Friday evening at the hopping Railyard District and a closing Saturday evening gala at the Palace of the Governors/New Mexico History Museum. Individual activities include guided hiking for all skill levels, horseback or bike trail rides, golf, yoga at HQ, and hot air balloon rides. The goal is to have something for everyone and every budget, so mark your calendars. We want you all to join us. The team will be emailing a short survey before Labor Day to determine your preferences for the trip, so check your inboxes and please respond ASAP.

The ’77 Guides and Seekers (G&S) network, established to help classmates connect with classmates who’ve had a medical or emotional crisis to share relevant advice, has officially launched with details available at dar7mou7h.com. G&S godfather Peter Mills has valiantly volunteered to confidentially connect guides (been through it) and seekers (about to go through it). Amy Cholnoky (seeker) and I (guide) recently performed a successful test case, spending an hour discussing preparations and expectations for her imminent hip replacement. Last year I was the seeker and Nancy Vespoli was my guide prepping me for my new joint. The concept is brilliant and the process is highly elucidating and comforting. Thank you, Peter, for your empathy and problem-solving skills helping classmates help classmates!

Speaking of new looks and new parts, Carol Muller is coordinating another very timely Zoom in September: “77Reconnecting: Quality of Life Surgery—Cataracts and Joint Replacement: When Is It Time?” featuring our own brilliant and did I say good-looking experts Eric Donnenfeld, M.D., and Vincent Pellegrini, M.D. (a.k.a. “Stork” and “Vin”), on Thursday, September 12, 8 p.m. EDT. Check your email for Zoom link and signup. Thank you, Carol, for keeping us connected with fascinating topics and speakers!

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—A.P. Duffy, 66 Saunders Drive, Wilton, CT 06897; (203) 979-2234; apduffy@optonline.net