Merry Christmas 1996

Dear Friends,

Well it is that time of year again. When all thoughts turn to plump men with beards and red longjohns. Amid the hustle and bustle we take time out to say hello to friends and family we think of so often and just don't take the time to contact. Be assured if you are reading this letter you have been in our thoughts many times throughout the past year.

What a great year the kids have had. Nathan played Little League in the spring, went to Baseball Camp, was in an Opera (non-singing part), played AYSO Soccer (his true love) this fall, had a small speaking part in UTM Vanguard Theatre's Fall Production and is now in basketball practice and tries to fit in Cub Scouts. He is having a great fourth grade year, enjoying school and doing very well.

Clare, too, has had a big year. She was in an Opera (non-singing part), a dance recital, and started Kindergarten. She has grown up into a very independent young lady. This fall she had her third hernia surgery in almost two years. She is doing great but will have to stay out of Dance until after the first of the year. When I picture the kids in my mind I see the image of Clare sailing a Sunfish (with help) across the lake at camp last summer.

Donna has started working part time for the University as the Clinic Coordinator for the Tennessee Early Intervention Infant Stimulation Program. She is really enjoying this new experience. She is still teaching Hydrobics and occasionally Lifeguarding for Campus Recreation. Last spring Donna and I went on a quick overnight trip to southeast Tennessee and return home with a floor loom. She has set the loom up in the garage and hopefully after the holidays she will have time weave on it. She is very active the local weaving guild.

Our summers are still spent in Maine at Camp Four Winds. We have been there every summer since 1980. Donna has been the Program Director for three years now. Much of my time this past summer was spent establishing a pottery program for the Camp. We spent a week there last Christmas and it is just as wonderful in the winter.

I am in the middle of my fifth year at UTMartin. I was promoted to Associate Professor of Art this past summer. (Yeah!) The Art program is growing which is what we want but it sure keeps me busy. With heavy course loads, faculty senate and committees I don't have enough time to work in the studio. If you are somehow connected to the Internet check out http://fmc.utm.edu/~dmcbeth/dmcbeth.htm. This will give you some sense of what I do and maybe I'll get some family images on the web over the holiday.

Joyous Holiday to you all and may 1997 be even better!

Dave, Donna, Nathan, Clare and, believe it or not, 16 year old Honey