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1. Received from Mary Nelson Keithahan Feb. 3,2005
One of our classmates, Mary Nelson Keithahn, is co-hosting a tour to Jordan from April 26 to May 6, and there are still a few places left. The group will explore many layers of history in Amman, Mt. Nebo, Mukawir (Machaerus), Madaba, Hammat Ma'in, Kerak, Petra, the Wadi Rum desert, Lot's Cave, the Dead Sea, Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan, Pella, Umm Qais (Gadara), Ajlun, and Jerash. The group will fly Royal Jordanian Airlines non-stop from New York to Amman, stay in first class hotels, and travel in a deluxe motorcoach. The basic cost of $1728 covers airfare from New York, bus, entrance fees, guide, hotels, and daily buffet breakfast and dinner (great food). Incidental costs such as travel insurance, lunches, some tips are extra. Mary was in Jordan for the second time last April on a "familiarization tour" sponsored by the Jordanian government and the Jordan Tourism Board. It is a fascinating, beautiful country. People were friendly and tourists very welcome. Jordan is probably the most stable country in the Middle East right now. The tourism industry has suffered because of the situation in Iraq and Israel/Palestine, and Jordan is working hard to bring more tourists to the country. The host of this tour, the Rev. Dr. Graham Bardsley, founder of "Friends of Jordan," has been responsible for over twenty tour groups to Jordan in the last several years. Graham is a Presbyterian pastor from the D.C. area. He and his wife, Dr. Robin McMahon, have led many tours to Israel and Jordan, and plan a good balance of sight-seeing, study, worship, recreation, shopping, and fun. The other co-host, John Horman, is a composer from Silver Spring, MD, who has collaborated with Mary on hymns, anthems, and musicals for almost 20 years. They will again be responsible for planning and coordinating daily worship and music at the various sites. Harriette Longacre Phelps has signed on for this tour. If anyone else is interested, contact Mary within the next few weeks for more information. E-mail: mnkeit@spe.midco.net or Phone: (605) 892-4712.
The Treasury in Petra
Riding a camel in Wadi Rum
2. Received from Bill Edwards May 12, 2005 E-mail: WEdw633582@aol.com
Hi Doug and Classmates, Getting ready for the 50th Reunion I've been reading a book or two which I think might be fun to discuss. Thanks to Liz Preston Sandala I'm about done with Cold by Larry Gould. I'd known about the book for a long time but didn't have a copy. She was kind enough to send me her copy. First published in 1931, Liz's copy of Cold is one of a limited edition issued in 1984 by the College. Illustrated with photos of the Byrd Expedition Dr.Gould helped direct, each chapter begins with a quote echoing Larry's bent towards the liberal arts. It's an interesting insight into his scientific endeavors. I've just finished The Princes of Ireland by Edward Rutherfurd. This is his fifth book after Sarum, Russka, London and The Forest. All quite readable especially for those who have visited Great Britain, Russia or Ireland. He tells his stories in "James Michener fashion" though not quite as weighty. Finally, I am rereading A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. A potpourri of science through the ages Bryson book is described as "a dazzling quest, the intellectual odyssey of a lifetime, as this insatiably curious writer attempts to understand everything that has transpired from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization."
If there are others who have read any all or all of these maybe we can get together at the reunion and discuss them.
