1988

Final "Jeopardy" category: Technology. The answer is ... "A method of electronically passing messages from one computer user to another, typically over computer networks." Yes, Class of '88 ... "What is email?" That's correct! It's clear you've been watching Ken Jennings on "Jeopardy" rack up all the cash. I think by the time you read this you'll know he ended up finally losing --- somewhere around day 75, according to People magazine, so I know it's true. Anyhow, the notes below came in by email, and if you don't have email yet, you've got to get it. It really works well. Send me your holiday notes; I'll leave out the part about Aunt Mildred's arthritis acting up and instead focus on your latest activities.

Some really great notes came my way. Annetta Hewko sent a note. (I've mentioned her a dozen times through others, and sometimes I got it "write.") As she described, 2004 marked a "wonderful beginning of a new era" for her. January 2004 --- new job and a move. New position in PepsiCo, still in international, looking after parts of the marketing functions for all markets outside North America, but now based at headquarters in Purchase, N.Y., living in Connecticut. So ends 12 years of living and working in Europe. May 2004 --- while still adjusting to life back in da USA, she and husband Michael flew off to Ukraine, returning in June with their new son, a beautiful 3-year-old boy named Eugene. So, the summer was Michael learning some Ukrainian while Eugene picked up (quite fast) English. All of them using great ways to communicate their bond, without language, as you parents out there can imagine. Annetta is back at work now. A year to remember, folks. Glad I could share it.

Tom Zinsmeister and family moved back to Chicago from a four-year stint in California riding the Internet revolution. He's back at Abbott Labs, this time as financial controller in support of global corporate purchasing and administration. A wholesome place, the Midwest, for raising his two girls.

Brian Knowles and Karen, and daughters Julia, 9, and Sarah, 6, wrote that they live in Saratoga, N.Y., where Brian works for Unisys Corp. Of late, lots of time with the Transportation Security Administration as the Oracle applications integration manager. Oracle matters are becoming his key area of focus with Unisys. His past job required a lot of visits to Washington, D.C., but they have been curtailed so he can focus on his organic vegetable garden. He even eked out a few gallons of maple syrup this year. The girls focus on cross-country skiing, cello and guitar. Karen manages the kids, although Brian claims some honors there, notably on weekends.

Wedding bells are ringing. Hear them? Catherine Slater wrote that on May 1 she married a gentleman she met on a blind date, an electrical engineer named MarkHeslep. Helping them celebrate the event were Annetta Hewko, Liz Adams and Joan (Diggs) Townsend. The Kelloggians were, not surprisingly, first to the dance floor and the last to leave. The couple spent their honeymoon exploring severalGreek Islands and touringall the sites of Istanbul.Catherine and Mark live in D.C., where Catherine is doing nonprofit marketing, filling spare time with teaching ata Johns Hopkins'evening MBA program in D.C. and finding time to tune up her tennis game.

Jamie became a Bat Mitzvah in October, and I managed to work my schedule to be in town for it. (Rosemary never reads this column, so I can write this and not get in trouble). Hope all is well with all of you and that you have your own blessings and happiness going into 2005.