I hope this finds all of you well. This can be a scary time for all of us but I thought I would touch base to see what you are doing so…
Hey, everyone! It is time to catch up! Since we are all ‘safe at home’ or ‘sheltering in place’ I believe we all have time to share our latest news with your classmates. Or simply let us know what you are doing during this unusual moment (or months) in time!
My first reaction to this entire experience is that I cannot believe the rebels of the sixties are just staying home watching Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime or whatever. That’s what we are doing, however, because that is what we need to do.
I admit that I have a set of CD’s from the Chicago White Sox World Series in 2005 that I have been viewing. I still smile when I revisit that wonderful year of baseball. John, on the other hand, rereads his “One Goal” books from the Chicago Blackhawks’ thrilling years of hockey in 2010, 2013 and 2015.What are you watching? Reading?
We also take walks up here in Ephraim, WI. This is a beautiful area in Door County. We are bounded by Lake Michigan and Green Bay. It is beautiful during all seasons! It can be a bit chilly this time of year, but I also knit a few hats and mittens so we are good to go! Look out. It this goes on much longer you may receive a pair of hand knit socks from me some day.
Oh, and I also made masks for some of the residents up here to help keep everyone safe.
Once again, I hope this finds all of you well. If everything works out perhaps we will see you at IWU next Homecoming! Until then, send news and stay safe.
Jill Wyatt Dew ’68
Didn’t see who sent this but if you’re in Ephriam, I’m 10mi. S. of you in Egg Harbor.
Gerri W. Friedberg ’60
I left the message! Newsletter editor Jill Wyatt Dew ’68.
I currently reside at an independent living facility in North Carolina. No family or outsiders are allowed, except for employees, who are temperature tested before entering. Our activities are limited, so that any participants are able to sit 6 feet apart. Because singing is such an important activity and no pianists live here, we are now relying on my fiddle sing-alongs to fill in. We have hymn sings in the large lobby area on Sundays and informal sings several afternoons each week. Last week we had a sing-along in our courtyard outdoors, so folks could come out on their balconies or gather (6 feet apart) in the atrium below. I do miss the Scottish fiddle group that I had just found, but I do enjoy helping to keep my fellow residents active. I have found many times that what we thought we were preparing for when we were in school can have surprising outcomes as time goes on. Joan Colburn Robertson, Class of x63
I’m doing well in Vancouver, Canada. Thanks for the newsletter.
Carol Pomeroy Zhong ’67
I live in Sun Prairie, WI, on the northeast side of Madison. I am enjoying (?) spring cleaning, wondering why on earth I kept some of those things. Two of my children live nearby, but our visits are limited to waving at each other from a distance. A friend is recovering (thank goodness!) from COVID-19. It is a terrible disease. Please observe all precautions. It CAN happen to you.
I hope all of you are well and safe.
Nancy Klemba Schultz ’63.
Easter was strange, the first time in my memory that I couldn’t go to church and sing in the choir.. My choir director is trying to arrange a synchronous choir for next Sunday’s U-Tube broadcast, details to be announced. Normally I keep my days straight by remembering which of the four ensemble rehearsals was last night. Now I rely on the TV to keep me straight, but too much of that equals weight gain. So I got a dog to pull me on walks (three a day), and am slowly clearing and planting the garden that laid fallow for three years during my husband’s chemo treatments. I made masks for my daughter and myself. The cancer center provides my husband with medical masks for his infusions. We live in a rural area with plenty of space for social distancing. Mary Sue (Knopp) Brewer ’65
Only 3 Virus patients in our county in Southern NM, but my husband and I are staying in except for my going out to grocery shop once a week. I cannot even shop at the Air Force Base commissary as a retired dependent, but I can go out to the pharmacy for medications, so that is good. We have worked several puzzles, and take daily walks. We took a drive in the mountains today and saw some snow from the storm the mountains had yesterday. It was sunny and in the mid 60s in the valley where we live. I have sewn some masks for people who needed them, and I have done some other sewing. My husband wove a scarf on the loom he built, and has done some woodworking. I need to get a project on my floor loom. We have had Bible Study using Zoom once a week, and our church services have been online every week.
My wife Susan Parker Dohren (’66) and I are stuck in our Florida home until at least the middle of June when we have a flight scheduled to fly us and our two cats back north to our villa at Woodcrest Villa, a continuing care community in Lancaster,PA. We have been having extremely hot and dry weather, so it’s not such a bad thing to be inside.
The coronavirus is terrible in Central Florida, Only the Miami area is worse. So we are staying in as much as possible. I ride my bike early each morning, but wear a mask.
We praise God that both our children and their significant others are all well and still working.
My new book “Windy City Stories” came out in March and is listed on Amazon. I think it’s an enjoyable read. Please at least look it up.
It is great hearing from everyone! I hope you all continue to stay well and find interesting things to do. Feel free to add a photo if you have one!
Wisconsin is now in place until May 26. I think I need to learn how to french braid my hair!!!
By the way, many IWU alums are working on the frontlines. Some are deeply involved in research. We can all be proud to have them representing us and working for everyone at this time!