We have new entries, so even if you’ve viewed this feature earlier this summer, it’s worth another look!

How are we celebrating, as we venture into our ninth decade? Please let us know what YOUR plans may be, or if your birthday has already occurred, how did YOU celebrate? Please join in the fun! We will add your account to the mix that have already been received. READ ON to see what classmates have reported…

7/28/20 “White as Hell”

A letter from Jonathan and Deanne Ater (with new Editor’s Note as of 07-29-20)

Dear Family and Friends,

What is going on in Portland – and on your TV screen – needs some context. Below [on the full letter page] is a link to a long article from The Guardian which offers considerable insight into what has gone before and where we are today. … READ MORE

7/28/20 Transitions: Hitting 80, the Coronavirus and Some Practical Suggestions

By Stephen W. Buck

Steve Susman’s death from the coronavirus after he heroically survived a very serious bike accident reinforced what I wrote about my 80th birthday – it was a great celebration and it made me feel old and vulnerable … READ MORE

7/23/20 Y62 INTERVIEWS

This Y62 Interview, featuring classmate Kent Hughes interviewed by Y62 Communications Team member and classmate Steve Buck, was recorded on July 21, and sheds light on the discussion that will take place at the Y62 Virtual Coffee Hour on Thursday, August 6 at 1pm Eastern. Following some smaller group “test runs,” we’re opening up the August Coffee Hour to the whole class, based on first-come, first served response. To ensure everyone gets a chance to speak, we think we can manage about 50 classmates on the Zoom video call, so that will be the cap. To reserve your place, see the info in the email we sent you today or email us at YAM@yale62.org.

After you’ve watched the interview, you’re most welcome to post comments here.

7/23/20 Pandemic Reading, Anyone?

Class Secretary John Stewart examines a list of literary contributions. READ ON to see his recommendations.


 

7/17/20 Y62 INTERVIEWS

In this Y62 Interview recorded earlier this month, Y62 Communications Team members Dick Riseling and Chris Snow chat about Dick’s agricultural life on his Catskills mountains farm. He sees magical possibilities for the future of farming, if we can only envision, embrace and support it.

After you’ve watched the interview, you’re most welcome to post comments here.

7/17/20 COVID and Confusion

By William Stork

Bill brings us another installment concerning the flood of events in Hong Kong. READ ON

BREAKING NEWS 7/02/20
Yale Announces Plan for Fall Semester

On Wednesday, July 1, President Peter Salovey and Provost Scott Strobel announced the fall semester news in a message to the Yale community. We asked classmate Lee Bolman for his reaction. “On a quick look: moving classes online is the right thing. Bringing back ~60% of students is risky. The extensive testing regime may help, though CDC says there’s not evidence that such a program reduces infection beyond what you can achieve with social distancing. How will the quarantine requirements for students from high-risk areas be enforced? Almost inevitably, there will be mini-spikes of Covid-19 in the undergraduate population, and the hope is that they can be identified and controlled quickly. As the university acknowledges, the program is intrusive in many ways, and how well undergraduates will comply with the social distancing and travel restrictions is an open question. Interesting times, for sure.” For Lee’s recent essay on “Yale, COVID and What About Fall 2020?” please READ ON

BREAKING NEWS 7/02/20
“Whether” Report: Hong Kong. July 1, 2020

By William Stork

There is a chill in the air this summer in Hong Kong. “Whether” Hong Kong can or will proceed and function as once it had is the subject of some intense debate, scrutiny, pressure and concern… READ MORE

6/22/20
Yale, COVID and What About Fall 2020?

A. Whitney Griswold, Yale Art Gallery Collections

By Lee Bolman

A. Whitney Griswold, Yale’s president from 1950 to 1963, held opinions that were fairly conventional at the time, but seem retrograde today. He said that immigrants to the US did not understand liberal education… READ ON…

6/01/20 Y62 INTERVIEWS

In this Y62 Interview from Sunday, May 31, classmate Sam Waterston invited us all to a star-studded, no-cost, online gala scheduled for Monday, June 1, at The Public Theater. However, in response to the deaths of George Lloyd and others, the WE ARE ONE PUBLIC gala was postponed to a yet-to-be-determined date. Here, Sam speaks with Y62 Communications Team member Dick Riseling about his history with The Public Theater, as well as his longtime ongoing activism on behalf of the environment. It will be online and ‘live’ sometime in the near future, we hope, once its reschedule is possible. We will do our best to keep you informed on its rescheduling.

After you’ve watched the interview, you’re most welcome to post comments here.

5/31/20
It is Time for Watchful Waiting by All, and Not for Protests

By William Stork

Despite much in the media right on 26 May calling for world leaders to confront China on what has happened with respect to Hong Kong this – IMHO – is perhaps ill-advised, and I speak as a long-time resident of the HKSAR.

First off, the news then was not quite correct. Last Friday’s proposed legislation READ MORE

5/18/20
The Yale Blue Green Initiative

By Dick Riseling
Y62 Communications Team member

I’m eager to tell all of my Yale ’62 classmates about the Yale Blue Green Initiative that’s gathering strength and is worthy of classmate support. It is a Yale alumni organization already operating out of the Yale School of Forestry and Environment… READ MORE

The Listing of Front Page Stories for the Past Year Continues Here…