“Think on nature’s terms,” advised adventurer and avalanche expert Jill Fredston in response to facilitator extraordinaire Janine Avner’s provocative question on Jill’s top tip for managing risk in remote wilderness. She explained that enjoying majestic beauty and clearing one’s mind are terrific human experiences, but for safety, awareness of the natural order is paramount. Jill’s closest call came when she almost got sucked under an iceberg while paddling around Norway. To learn more about her decades of fascinating outdoor adventures, go to Amazon for her books, Rowing to Latitude, Snow Sense, and Snowstruck.

Opera tenor and singer-songwriter Michael Chu noted the special challenges of caring for your musical instrument when it is your voice. He trains by vocalizing daily and reminds himself of the No. 1 safety rule for singers—“Do not scream”—even when the orchestra kicks up the volume a notch. Michael performs live with the Leipzig Opera in Germany. At michaelchu.net, you may hear recordings of Michael singing pop and jazz tunes as well as such classics as Verdi’s Aida and our very own alma mater.

The virtual reunion webcast of this “Road Less Traveled” conversation was a smashing success; those who missed it can take solace in the fact that we definitely will be doing this again. Kudos to organizers Susan Fagerstrom, Maja Wessels, Mark “Alpo” Alperin, Deke DesCombes, and Richard “Boomer” Akerboom. Mini-reunion watch parties took place from coast to coast. Paul Elmlinger and Regina Ketting hosted a group at the Montana Building in New York City. In Boston Alpo, Susan, and Merle Adelman were joined by David Teplow, Mike Woodward, George Lester, Chris Bensley, Deborah Leggatt, Anne McNay, Jean Scarrow, Bob Burnham, Geoff Edelson, and Rob Dinsmoor. Gretchen and Brian Boyer hosted the Chicago gathering attended by Carla Sloan, Tom Ware, Tom Maver, and Lenny Robinson. Carla took the opportunity to share a priceless September 1976 photo of College Prez John G. Kemeny enjoying a meal at Moosilauke with her, Carol Burns, Todd Young, Steve Kim,and Dan Berry.

For the first time in two years the sun shone brightly on Homecoming. Alpo reports, “The foliage, events, and football team were at peak. Cathy McGrath hosted a ’79-’81 tailgate. After we drummed the Elis, the ’79s joined us at the DOC House for our fourth annual Homecoming dinner. After a buzzing cocktail hour we enjoyed fine victuals served by Maple Street Catering.” Jeff Demers posted photos of the festivities on our class Facebook page. Bob Brown, Roy and Leigh Johnson, and Cami and Brent Bilger flew out from San Francisco. Anne Malenka drove down the road from Etna, New Hampshire. Attendees included, among others, Bart Littlefield, Chris Browne, John Coco, Curt Flight, Dan Holmes, Meg LePage, Rick Salchunas, Peggy Stewart, Tom Tomai, and Rob Williams.

One final piece of great news: Our reunion year is finally here. We gather in Hanover to celebrate four decades as alums June 18-21. There you can ask Michael whether bears in the woods like Wagner. Mark calendars and make travel plans now.

—Rob Daisley, 3201 W. Knights Ave., Tampa, FL 33611; (813) 835-7722; robdaisley@me.com; Frank Fesnak, 242 River Road, Gladwyne, PA 19035; (408) 859-9652; ffesnak@gmail.com; Wade Herring, P.O. Box 9848, Savannah, GA 31412; (912) 944-1639; wherring@huntermaclean.com