Bonnie & Alan Robb

Alan and Daniel and I have been so blessed to have shared many wonderful times with Evert and Marijke and you, over the years -- beginning, of course, with the famous "play group" gatherings when you and Daniel were but two years old!

One of our favorite funny memories was the salt-on-the-peaches story, of course! When Marijke and Evert hosted a picnic for all the play group families, it was a beautiful outdoor event. Instead of a salt shaker, Marijke had salt in a pretty box that was still on the picnic table when dessert -- a bountiful bowl of peaches -- was served. Alan (and others) took the salt for sugar that was to be sprinkled on the peaches -- and experienced quite a "taste treat"! Things were soon sorted out, as grimaces turned to laughter!

Daniel remembered his trip to Scotland with Marijke and Evert and you -- the harrowing driving ("Pops, you're driving on the wrong side of the road!") and the many adventures, including two teenagers named Victor and Daniel being chased when they strayed onto the Old Course at St. Andrews Golf Club! (Two years later, these same enthusiastic young athletes were hauled in for questioning while attending a Blue Jays baseball game in the Skydome!)

Marijke and I still try to get together for lunch on Main Street in Newark each month, and chat endlessly about old times and new. She and Evert have been devoted godparents to Daniel, and we have all been a big happy family, often sharing holiday meals and special occasions, in addition to the many spontaneous get-togethers over the years. I long ago accepted her superiority as a cook (which Daniel also brought to my attention!). In fact, at our recent Independence Day gathering, she wowed everyone with her magnificent key lime pie; she also brought some homemade goodies for Daniel and Natalia to take with them on their trip to Clarkson. Daniel told me last weekend that he had taken those to his new office to share, and that his professor (new boss) had been mightily impressed as he sampled them!

Evert kindly accepted the invitation to join the faculty in the Dept of Foreign Languages and Literatures at UD on a temporary basis, taking good care of my office for me while I was on sabbatical in spring 2005. Travel plans (he and Marijke have some "jet-setting" tendencies!) prevented his return last fall, but it was wonderful to have the venerable St. Andrews Latin master working with our students at UD.

We look forward to many more heartwarmingly good times together in the years to come!

Much love,
Bonnie