Hoping that everyone is safe and well. We are safe and healthy here in North Carolina. Mostly staying in, limiting grocery shopping to once every two weeks, taking long walks with the dog each day.
Reply to this message and let all of us know that you are safe.
Hope everyone had a happy Easter/Passover. Attached is a picture of our Seder table--for just the two of us. My two sons and their families held Seders at their homes too. I cannot remember a Passover Seder that didn't have at least three generations present. Times are certainly different.
Stay healthy and wash hands frequently.
In our state the stores must meter people in and out so they are never filled to more than 20% of fire marshall safety limits. The areas for queueing outside and at the registers are striped off to enforce the 6-foot distance. All the aisles have arrows to indicate that they are one-way passages.
Things are fine in the Jenkins household here in Oklahoma. The wife is working at home, my daughter, being in medical records, spends M, W, & F in her office and Tu. & Th. working at home. I'm keeping busy going through 62 years worth of slides/photos, sorting, scanning, and posting some of them to 'Friends of Everything Highland Park, IL - growing up in HP' Facebook site. Generating a lot of memories, not only mine but others that are members of the site.
So nice to hear about all of you. Self-isolation here in Oxford is strict..all food ordered in;
as an 'extremely vulnerable' person I get food from the government, but I give it away because others might benefit more. Astonishingly good local governance here, with 'hubs' set up to help those in need. At last sunny weather. Hoping you are all safe and well.
My wife and I are in our Sarasota, Florida home and we both are doing well. Our community and city are shut down, though it took some time for our state government to get with the stay at home program instituted by other states. We are using a shopping service for our groceries, and that works pretty well. We walk and bike within our community and see friends, neighbors and chat with them at safe distances. We're participating in Zoom meetings with community groups to maintain our relationships and spend lots of time with kids and grandkids on Facetime as well. They are all healthy, though dealing with the challenges of at home work and school. We normally split our time between Florida and Connecticut, but we're uncertain as to when we'll head north.
May you all find silver linings during these challenging times. And gratitude to Larry for the request to stay in touch.
Warmest wishes and love,
Neil
We were in Key West for the winter but the county kicked out all non residents of Monroe county so we headed to the Villages about three weeks ago. Not a lot of virus in this area compared to Lake county Illinois so we will stay here for awhile. At least the golf courses are open so we get some exercise! Hope everyone is properly social distancing and staying healthy...so far so good. Good to hear from you Diane
A small group of us from the Reunion Committee wanted to reach out to our classmates and encourage everyone to send a message of how you are doing during these challenging times and to bring us up to date on what and where you are in our 7th decade of life. We wish everyone to stay safe and healthy and to wash your hands hourly and don't touch your faces.
We want you to be with us on our 60th celebration!!!!!!!
Rick
Larry,
Nice to hear from you, hope you and all our classmates are safe, healthy and doing well in these very strange times. I have been keeping in touch with several of our classmate around the country and am glad to report that all are fine. Healthy and safe.
Be well and my best wishes to you and all our HPHS Class of '67 classmates.
Harvey
The past two months have been spent largely in isolation with my 'cellie', Beth, courts in Illinois having been shut tight since mid February. Were it not for the good fortune to have her smile every day and the enjoyment of her presence, I think I'd have gone bonkers. We don masks and gloves every time we go out to walk our dogs and find it amazing that so few of our neighbors feel vulnerable. They gather together to socialize without seeming to think twice. I am chomping at the bit to get back to the work I love, but I know it's going to be at least another month or more. And I want to be with our kids and grandkids on something besides 'Zoom'. All can find me on Facebook - glad to share more there, DSN
Hi all, we're fine here in San Francisco Bay Area. As a retiree, I am not minding the shut down. Lots of stuff to do at home - online classes and play readings, watching a lot of free streaming. I can still take my dog to the dog park daily and work with the few speech therapy students I still have online. We may be flattening the curve but I expect people our age will be sheltering in place longer. My son is able to work online from his home so all seems set for now. Hope you are all well and not minding the break too much. After all, we're all probably retired.... Cheers, Vicki
We're in Tucson, AZ and its about as good as it can be. We are in a community that usually has an abundance of activities which are all shut down. But we also can take walks and ride our bikes which helps a lot. My beloved photography club continues to meet on Zoom and we get into the wild to make wonderful images. I decided this is a great time to read a 900 page about Peter the Great. It's working and we'll stay until we can safely head back Northbrook. Our family is all well and coping. Y'all be safe.
Bob
Friday the 13th of March I was told the dance studio I sublet was going to close for two weeks (how naive and optimistic) The same day I received a phone call from the Highland Park Senior Center, they too were closing and my
balance and stability was canceled. That was my hint to head toward Sunset -
pick up a few things and head home. Today is April 14 and other then a
quick snowstorm today - all is well. Who knew that my last latte at Arriva Dolce with Jerry Taxy, Gerry Keen, and Ruth Sang was going to be the last time I sat with people at a restaurant. Washing hands and floors - so far so good.
COVID-19 is also spreading in Japan, but not as bad as in the US so far. My family and I are all doing well, but we are trying to keep social distancing, and therefore my wife and I are refraining from visiting our children and grandchildren, which is a great shame. Luckily, though, I am still in good shape to continue working on my own at home in Yokohama, thanks to the modern technology of 'tele-working', without going out entirely. I hope you all take care and stay safe.
Living in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the shut down and isolation began early. My wife and I are self-isolating in out home and wishing we could see our children and grandchildren in person instead of on Facetime. We are in good health, and having exciting experiences like having groceries delivered. Glad to see so many are doing well during this trying time and nice to see a number of familiar names.
Here in Prague my fiancee Janushka and I have been living safely and happily in lockdown for more than a month. We both work cheerfully from home sitting kitty corner at the kitchen table. I'm a consultant on philanthropy for marginalized populations here and in Israel --- Roma (Gypsies), disabled Arabs and Bedouin, and asylum seekers from Africa. She's employed as a transport construction company lawyer, but a yoga devotee is what she really is. I've even started up as her morning pupil. We order food online, go out for daily walks, speak with our favorite tree in the park, and wear face masks as required in the Czech Republic. On Skype or Zoom we follow the escapades of four grandchildren and their parents all of whom live in Costa Rica where the coronavirus is just warming up, just as the Czech restrictions are beginning to be relaxed.
In Ireland we are requested to âcocoonâ if 70 + which means not leaving your house at all! My husband Ray and I have like most people been compliant and only have walked in our small garden for weeks! Younger people work from home and only can go 2 km for essential trips or exercise once a day. My daughter has their children at home as schools and crèches are closed .We are missing the grandchildren like mad but see them on FaceTime and zoom. Our son a successful cinematographer has had all films wiped and is home with us and shops for groceries. We are well but suffering cabin fever! Stay well all!
Great to hear from so many classmates . We are doing well in long grove. Rusty
(Lee, class of 66) ,my life partner, is going into work wearing mask and gloves.
I am going nowhere . Hunkering down with my dog , taking walks,reading, doing puzzles and of course, trying to find new vids on my iPad. Wishing all safe and healthy staycations!. And special shout out to all the healthcare workers. Their
Stories are amazing.
On âlockdownâ here in Highland Park. Iâve been working part time for several years, but have not been to the hospital in over a month. So, I play Scrabble with Gail (she usually wins), read (how about a 900 page biography of US Grant?), practice my viola. I walk in Ravinia or at Sunset Park. Not to be too trite, but itâs certifiably dystopian. Zooming with family and pals from our class - thatâs been fun. Tried to zoom play a string quartet with my music friends recently - didnât work, too much of a delay. Iâm ready for all this to be over (hopefully will get through Grant beforehand), but it appears we are a long way off.
On âlockdownâ here in Highland Park. Â Iâve been working part time for several years, but have not been to the hospital in over a month. Â So, I play Scrabble with Gail (she usually wins), read (how about a 900 page biography of US Grant?), practice my viola. Â I walk in Ravinia or at Sunset Park. Â Not to be too trite, but itâs certifiably dystopian. Â Zooming with family and pals from our class - thatâs been fun. Â Tried to zoom play a string quartet with my music friends recently - didnât work, too much of a delay. Â Iâm ready for all this to be over (hopefully will get through Grant beforehand), Â but it appears we are a long way off.
Jerry, I finished the 850-page biography of Hamilton by Ron Chernow just before COVID broke out. An excellent book
What fun itâs been to read all your comments! Ruth suggested this on a zoom group coffee date with Jerry Taxy, Steve Keen, Ida Greenfield, Nancy Pollock, & Ricky Schwab. Weâve had a weekly coffee date which has also included Susie Fell, Cathy Stein, & Nancy Gordon(all maiden names!). Started with me & Ida after exercise at cute HP place & now many come when they can!
After all these years those high school bonds matter in spite of the many paths weâve taken. So if youâre in the neighborhood when this is over, drop by on a Fri. morning, 10:30, Arrive Dolce( next to where Gsells used to be).
I know weâre all missing our kids & dear friends but thank goodness for the technology!
Between this virus & politics weâve taken to cocktails after Lester Holt summarizes the day at 5:30!đ¸
Have been on Facebook with Carol Leonard, BJ, & Peggy Baldery since last reunion. Lots of re-connections & now this.
Stay well, dear friends, and let this communication prove to be a heart warming space for us all!đ
Jerry, I finished the 850-page biography of Hamilton by Ron Chernow just before COVID broke out. An excellent book
Larry - I read that one on the train commuting to the University of Chicago. Was surprised to actually see portions of the text make it into the stage musical. Donât think weâre going to see that for US Grant, although he turns out to be a very compelling figure.
I don't usually bother with this sort of thing, but have extra time with no piano students coming. I am well here in beautiful Maine. Enjoying gardening, reading (on Volume 3 of Franz Liszt biography), prayer time (I am a Christian now), my cats and , of course, playing my piano (Bach, Sibelius, and many others.) Hope everyone stays well. I would love to hear from Carol Leonard-have thought about you...
Survived cancer last year. Now on lock down in Nashville. Good thing horses don't transmit COVID-10 so I am able to get out and ride. Social distancing easy on horseback. Take care all and be well.
For now I'm in my St Pete house. Eager but cautious to get to my new house in Oswego, IL. Lots of things to do in this house, I quilt, make greeting cards and move furniture around. Moving the bed into a different room was what you could call physically challenging. For those of you that like ice cream and/or cheese Tillamook out of Oregon makes wonderful kinds of both. Mariano's and Publix, for the southerns both carry it.
Everyone stay safe and healthy. Hugs to all. Susan
Hi everyone! Everything feels hollowed out in Cambridge, MA, and with students gone, Harvard Square is like a ghost town. I feel for all the owners of shops, restaurants, salons, and so on. But spring is here, and I have taken some great walks and bike rides. So glad I can Zoom with kids and grandkids, who are in Los Angeles and in DC. Trying to look on the bright side, since I had always been longing for a few weeks without meetings, classes, & appointments--who knew I would get my wish in the worst possible way. I have stacks of good books by my desk and have tried to stay away from Netflix / HBO, save for a nightly episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Working on a project called The Heroine with a 1001 Faces, which is giving me the chance to read as much as I did as a kid in the Highland Park Public Library. Be well and sending good thoughts to everyone and high hopes that we will be on the other side of this soon. And a toast to the docs and health care workers among you and all over the world.
How wonderful to hear from so many o you and know that you are well.
I too, am staying in and keeping as busy as possible reading, cleaning, working out, etc. Iâve expanded my technological âexpertise â and have learned to Zoom
so I can stay in touch with my family in CA. Yes, you CAN teach an old.....
Speaking of old, while Iâm happy to take advantage of senior hours at the grocery store, I resent being classified as OLD....a fact both my kids and the media remind me of constantly.
Stay well and safe.
Ruth
(Posted by Webmaster)
We are well here, not too proud that Seattle was the first âhotspot,â but proud of our Governor in Washington and Univ of Washington doing major research on Corona starting back in 2015 which is paying off majorly now. . Otherwise, the best things weâve experienced with this crisis are some of the humorous videos and emails.
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