I’m writing this at the end of February, but by the time you read this we’ll all be at our 35th reunion in Hanover! I can’t wait for June 13-16.

Reunion has a lot going on for our classmates; I’m excited about helping to put together an alumni band that will play on Friday night. There’s no shortage of great musicians in our class and in the ’88s and ’90s, but right now the band will include myself, Eric Berlin on drums, Brad Drazen ’90 and Rob Crawford ’90 from Second Hand Jam, Alison Berger ’90 on vocals, Matt Greene ’90 on guitar, and Tim Burger ’88 on bass, Sue Abraham ’88 on vocals/guitar, Wayne Weil ’88 on bass and guitar, and Derek Pew ’88 and Andy Winslow ’88 on keyboards, vocals, and drums from the NRO band during our years. It will be odd doing mostly virtual practices, but we’ll be playing songs we all know. Regardless, it will be a blast! We also have two student bands playing, so it’s a great Friday afternoon.

Speaking of music, I recently drove out to Tucson, Arizona, to pick up a guitar amplifier and tried to see if I could grab lunch in Phoenix on the way back either with Anne Gazzaniga, Fred Miner, or Jacqueline Allen Tierney, but on short notice all were booked—totally understandable. Anne did mention a great place, Tacos Chiwas in Mesa—where she had taken Alec Scott and Karin Willinski when they visited—it was really good and will get added to my #nedsgoodeats list. I’m always looking for suggestions….

With reunion coming, please make the time to reach out to friends or reconnect with those you haven’t talked with.

Let me know one best thing you experienced at reunion to have a full recap in our column after—or feel free to send restaurant recommendations. I’m not picky!

—Ned Ward, 2104 Graham Ave., #B, Redondo Beach, CA 90278; ned@nedorama.com