Because you are reading this, we can only assume that you like reading Christmas letters. I like them, but they seem to be frowned upon in some quarters, so we figured if you took the time to type in the URL, you too enjoy these missives.
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The chronological topics:
As usual, we visited the Lubin clan in the Oakland area last holiday season, getting there in time for the holiday family dinner hosted by Jonathan’s grand-nephew, Conor and his partner Megan. Sadly, this was the last time we had with Jim (husband of Jonathan’s niece Beth, father of Conor) who passed away a few months later from ALS. He will be missed — his perspective and wit was a highlight for us at the Lubin holiday dinners. [R: Jim (left), me, Mike]
In early March, Jonathan attended the Arizona Winter School at the Southwest Center for Arithmetic Geometry/University of Arizona in Tucson.
The redecorating of our condo wrapped up (master BR, master bath, and guest BR). While Jonathan is a bit indifferent to such things. I’m very pleased with how it has all turned out.
Above: Before shots
Below: After shots
As usual we drove down to Cadiz KY for the Thomas Family Reunion held on the traditional date of the Sunday after Fathers Day. Always so nice to catch up with family! (R): The traditional group photo.
In mid-July, we drove to Pine Point by way of Lindsay ON to visit Káča. Once in Pine Point our time was spent in the usual festivities of beach and sandbar walking, tide supervision, and eating.
We got to see the remodel of the east end of the living room where we had a gas fireplace installed, which also provides heat on chilly days. Additional work is being done with the lighting, ceiling, and painting.
Across the street at the King Cottage, we’re investigating having the structure lifted as we did with the Little House. In January, a storm flooded the Point, and I think we were lucky the Cottage wasn’t damaged. If the water had been any higher, it could have been knocked off its rather sketchy foundation (See images below.)
Above, Little House living room remodel: (L) Before shot from October 2023. (R) After shot October 2024.
Above, flooding from 13 Jan 2024 storm: (L) The King Cottage on left behind railing on the Bait Shed pier. (R) Flooding on Jones Creek Drive looking east towards the King Cottage.
Cindy and Mike were already there, and we were joined, schedules permitting, by Harris, and her mothers M’lyn and Diane. This year we were also joined by Jonathan’s niece Beth for almost a week. One day we drove up to Brunswick to see Betsey, Jonathan’s colleague from his Bowdoin days. On our drive back to Saint Paul, we stopped off in West Lafayette IN to have breakfast with Barb, a colleague of mine at RepliGen.
While we were away in Maine, we had acoustic panels installed on the ceiling of the great room in the condo. Last year’s August Party was so noisy that I had to retreat to the hallway outside the unit for respite. So we engaged an acoustic engineer to assess the problem. Once we sent him the room measurements (27ft x 27ft), his immediate response was “I see your problem.” The panels were up in time for the party which was another success, although light on family this year with about 70 guests over four hours. A number of guests commented how effective the ceiling panels were in reducing the noise.
Above, acoustic panels: (L) Before, (R) After.
The most exciting event this year was our daughter Devlin’s wedding to her long time beau, Arman. They announced their engagement in late spring (as I remember). Devlin’s engagement ring featured diamonds from Mom’s engagement ring — Mom would have been very pleased. The wedding was planned around the Maine Marathon in Portland which would be Devlin’s first. The ceremony was held October 5th on the deck of the King Cottage with her sister Madison officiating. I offered to cover the meal and ordered a selection of lobster rolls from Bite-into-Maine, and a charcuterie board from the Cheese Iron for cocktail hour. Arman’s mom, Imelda, made his favorite spring rolls (now they’re our favorite too!) for cocktail hour. It was topped off by Harris’ strawberry chiffon cake. Devlin successfully completed the marathon the next day.
Above: (L) Madison leading the celebration, (M) Arman's parents, Imelda and Apollo, adding Phillipine traditions to the ceremonies, (R) one of the many portraits taken after the ceremony.
Above: (L) Due to the stiff breezes, the unity candle ceremony was brought inside at the Little House, (M-L) Devlin and Arman looking over the selection of lobster rolls from Bite Into Maine, (M-R) Harris putting the finishing touches on the wedding cake, (R) Arman and Devlin after the marathon.
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My job continues to be tremendous fun, even after 4½ years. Our site in Roseville which was known as Rebiotix has been rebranded as Ferring Microbiome as the integration into greater Ferring reaches completion. The integration into the global organization means that I have some close collaborators at sites in Copenhagen and just outside Tel Aviv — which means my meetings can start rather early in the morning. I was able to venture to Copenhagen in early April, but haven’t managed to get back to either site since.
In less chronological topics, the church hire a new music/choir director starting with the new church year in September. His background includes training in choral directing, and it has shown in the output he’s been able to draw out of us. The compliments we get from the congregation are frequently along the lines of “I’ve never heard the choir so good!” I still take my voice lessons at the MacPhail Music Center in Minneapolis with Dennis Peterson, an operatic tenor. Choir and voice continue to be the highlight of my week.
Jonathan maintains his usual habits of mathematics, photography, and perusing the New York Times and Washington Post online.
We brought two new cats into the household in early September. Boris (top) and Natasha (bottom) are litter mates and came to us via the Bitty Kitty Brigade rescue organization. They were about 5 months old at the time and have taken over the condo. Pippin does not approve.
As usual, we visited the Lubin clan in the Oakland area last holiday season, getting there in time for the holiday family dinner hosted by Jonathan’s grand-nephew, Conor and his partner Megan. Sadly, this was the last time we had with Jim (husband of Jonathan’s niece Beth, father of Conor) who passed away a few months later from ALS. He will be missed — his perspective and wit was a highlight for us at the Lubin holiday dinners. [R: Jim (left), me, Mike]
As usual we drove down to Cadiz KY for the Thomas Family Reunion held on the traditional date of the Sunday after Fathers Day. Always so nice to catch up with family! (R): The traditional group photo.
My job continues to be tremendous fun, even after 4½ years. Our site in Roseville which was known as Rebiotix has been rebranded as Ferring Microbiome as the integration into greater Ferring reaches completion. The integration into the global organization means that I have some close collaborators at sites in Copenhagen and just outside Tel Aviv — which means my meetings can start rather early in the morning. I was able to venture to Copenhagen in early April, but haven’t managed to get back to either site since.