1964 – Fall ’20 Class Letter
1964 – Fall 2020 Class Letter
Pat Ostrom Kohnen ’64
925-201-7377 / [email protected]
Greetings to my ’64 Classmates,
I hope that you are doing well during this challenging time. Here at Stoneridge Creek in Pleasanton, California we are following protocols to wear masks, social distance, and wash our hands often. Our independent living population is 800 and there have been only two COVID-19 cases, and both residents have recovered. Today, our air quality is quite good, but we have been experiencing smoke from the many wildfires here in northern California. Stoneridge Creek has not been endangered by any of the fires.
I have become a Zoom user. I host our Stoneridge Creek book club and chair the Creekview health and long-term care committee. Creekview is our living unit for assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. I also attend Zoom exercise classes, and have had Zoom cocktail hours with other residents. If you would like to have a Zoom visit send me an email and I will set up a visit.
Ripon has The Center for Politics and The People (www.ripon.edu/cpp), and I have recently participated in two of their webinars. Our classmate, JAN WREDE ’64, moderated the Racial Justice in the Courts: South and North webinar last month which addressed very current issues for us all today. The other webinar honored the 100 year anniversary of women’s suffrage, The Right to Vote: Past, Present and Future, and discussed challenges that still exist for the voting process. I hope that all of you will exercise your right to vote. You can access both of these webinars by searching for Ripon College on YouTube where other recordings of events are also posted.
Class Note:
JAN WREDE ’64 of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin shares, “OUTSPOKEN: The Olly Neal Story by Olly Neal as told to Jan Wrede was published June 1, 2020. It is available on Amazon. This is what has been said about the book: ‘Olly Neal’s autobiography provides a vivid and candid narrative of his lifelong commitment to the struggle for black freedom and equality. Neal’s story is not only instructive, valuable, and worthwhile in its own telling, but it is also an important addition to the far too few firsthand accounts of black lives in Arkansas. This book, like Neal, is a true state treasure.’ This book is especially timely in 2020. It is an easy read and those who are interested in diversity and racial equity might use this book to learn firsthand the struggles and successes of an inspiring, but little known black civil rights leader.”
Students are on campus at Ripon and attending classes in person, but life on campus is not what we remember, especially due to COVID-19. However, the College is doing its best to ensure the health and safety of all, and you can learn more about their current precautions and campus restrictions here: www.ripon.edu/coronavirus-information.
Ripon is still in need of our financial support. If you are financially stable, please join me in supporting Ripon. Three members of our class have contributed to the Emergency Assistance Fund this past fiscal year. Thank you!
I have enjoyed connecting with a few Ripon classmates on Facebook. I would also be pleased to hear from you via email, [email protected]. Please also consider sending me an update on how you are doing, or share news with me that can be included in our next Class Letter.
Stay safe,
Pat