Garith (Mechanical Engineering, 2002) and Amy (Laboratory Services, 2002) Helm took a 15-day Mediterranean Cruise in July. Their adventure began in Istanbul with stops in southern Turkey, the Greek Islands, Athens, the Amalfi coast, Sicily, Dubrovnik and finally, sailing into Venice...12 ports in 5 countries! While every port was unique and wonderful, their favorites were Istanbul; the island of Santorini; Amalfi/Positano; and Venice. They said the entire trip should be in "1,000 Places to See Before you Die" (and most of the ports were)!

Carol and Art (Electronics Engineering, 1993) Krakowsky took two grand daughters, Megan and Wendy, on an Elder Hostel program in France.

The program was in a medieval village near Bordeaux, Villneuve sur Lot (New town on the Lot River). The focus of the program was French cooking, French language, and French history. The group had 27 members, about half were grand children.

The group members did the food preparation, cooking, and serving for their own lunches for six meals, under the supervision of an experienced chef.

Also included in the program were visits to medieval castles and towns, an operating bakery/museum where each member baked their own bread, an operating goat farm where they milked goats and made cheese, a prune farm (the region is famous for the quality of prunes), and a winery chateau in the Sauterne region. The group also went on a treasure hunt (in French), and danced in the town square.

One of the highlights of the program was dinner with a French family who served local foods and wine during a 3-hour dinner.

The last two days of the program were spent in Bordeaux where the group toured the city, visited the highest sand dune in Europe (Dune de Pilat), and took a tour-boat ride around the area.

The return flight was on August 11, one day after the terrorist arrests in the UK, and the airports were a mess, including Charles De Gaulle in Paris. The flight was 4 hours delayed and all liquids, tooth paste, chap stick, and most metal objects were removed from carry-ons. Art even had a one inch nail file broken off his fingernail clippers. However, lunch on the plane was served with metal utensils including an 8 inch steak knife. (290)

On July 17th the second mini-reunion of Pioneer, CA area retirees and their friends was held at Cleve (Mechanical Engineering, 1993) and Betty Gunderson’s lovely home on the Mace Meadows golf course. Other attendees were: Dan (Electronics Engineering, 1996) and Kay Placido, Pat (G Division, 1990) and Jane (Engineering, 1993) Ellis, Don (Mechanical Engineering, 1987) and Audrey (Director’s Office, 1986) Emig, Steve Kahn (Mechanical Engineering, 2002) and his wife, Darlene Santos, Ron (Mechanical Engineering, 1993) and Donna Carr, Gus (Engineering, 1993) and Jane (Mechanical Engineering, 1993) Olson, and Ron (Mechanical Engineering, 1990) and Barbara (Mechanical Engineering, 1993) Hill.

The September Retiree luncheon will be at noon on Wednesday September 20th at the Elks Lodge in Livermore, 940 Larkspur Drive. In keeping with this time of year, our own Alan Mode will speak on: “Dyslexia - It's more that b-d confusion" - What dyslexia is and isn't, modern views on the condition and methods to cope with condition, and some local programs to help students with dyslexia learn to read.

Please send any news or input (please include the date and department from which you retired) to Jane or Gus Olson. E-Mail: Jane@LLNLRetirees.org or Gus@LLNLRetirees.org.