It’s that time of the year. The income tax is all squared away, and I’ve received my stimulus package refund. I really don’t feel very stimulated, though I have to admit that tank of gas is looking more and more attractive. Here in Oregon, everything is in bloom, and the last graupel (you may have to look this one up) has fallen. This winter has seen a record snowfall in the mountains, with 200+ inches still on the ground. All in all, a somewhat unusual year, but then again, each year is more unusual than the previous.

It’s now some time later, and Polly and I have just returned from Ithaca. We were struck by several things--the old refrain “...the sun shines west, the sun shines east, but I know where the sun shines least” was, as in the past, appropriate. Some things have changed --the almost continual and extensive building that is ongoing, and the youth of the students ( I know, they “look younger every year”, but this year, they really do!). Time hasn’t changed the beauty of the area--while the gorges, the lake, the sun fading “in the crimson of the west” are great memories for us, they are an ever-present part of the daily life of those young kids.

There are some website changes afoot. At its last meeting, the CACO Board supported the idea of removing Class Notes from the websites for privacy reasons, as well as to encourage both class membership and support for the Alumni magazine. Although I have strong feelings about tying the Class Notes to the generating of revenue, I am concerned about privacy. Class Notes are a marvelous and extraordinary means of remaining in touch with old friends, but unfortunately may also offer information to the unscrupulous. Over the next few weeks we will be removing all of the earlier Class Notes from this website, and will not be adding new ones. We would not do this if there were not another means of getting the Class Notes to you. The Cornell Alumni Magazine is now available at an expanded website which can be found at: <http://www.cornellalumnimagazine.com>. Although you can receive the magazine without having paid dues, unfortunately only those who have paid will be able to additionally log in to get to the Class Notes. Alas, another casualty of the information age. In order to sweeten the pot, a rewards program is in the works. For information on that program, go to: <http://www.alumni.cornell.edu/caco/membership.cfm>

One other change you may note. In the past, the list of deceased classmates (In Memoriam) included their titles--Dr., Mr., Colonel, whatever. While the deceased listing in the Alumni Magazine will continue to carry that information, we remember them here without it. If you feel that the removal of titles is in error, let us know and we’ll bring them back. Finally, note that the listing of deceased classmates comes from a variety of sources, and the information is not always current or available to all. We rely very much on the information that you can supply, so please, if you find out that one of our old friends has died, please let us know-we will pass that information on to all who keep track.

Polly and Paul Herman