In these challenging times, Aaron Epstein has found a way to make use of his not unimposing talents. In a very newsy letter he writes that he is no longer reporting on the U.S. Supreme Court or the U.S. Justice Department. He has learned to work with kid journalists in the elementary school. “I choose them, teach them, assign them to stories, discuss their drafts, work with them to improve their reporting and writing, and, ultimately produce the final product in a high-quality newspaper available both in print and online. Everything is different now, of course. With schools closed, I had to cancel assignments. Instead, I’ve asked them to write personal journals about their changed lives. Eight of my staff of 18 are participating, and today I asked a few of my newspaper alums, now in middle school or high school, to contribute, too. Those diaries, I hope, can fill all four pages of an edition in early June.”

I am certain Aaron would have loved such an opportunity when he was in elementary school. When he is not busy with that he has become a gourmet cook. Perhaps he can have the kids taste his food and critique it in their paper.

I was delighted to hear from Anton Phillips. From Naarden, a suburb of Amsterdam, Holland, he writes that they have been dealing with the Covid-19 virus there as well and with many of the same problems we are experiencing here. They are actively tracing and testing, which has allowed them to reopen their schools. He keeps busy counseling young people on their choice of major in college and future careers, adding that he does this in his garden, keeping a safe distance. Congratulations to Dick O’Connor, our new class president, and Donna Reilly, our new class vice president. Our class is fortunate to have you both. Now, sadly, I have to report what has become an ever-increasing number of losses to our class. We offer our condolences to the families of Charles Talamo, Brandon Schnorf Jr., Peter Grenquist, Alan Miller, Thomas Trager, Fred Pollard, and Robert Morris.

—Mark H. Smoller, 401 Lake Shore Road, Putnam Valley, NY 10579; (845) 603-5066; dartmark@gmail.com