December 2025
Susan Miller Rietveld Gill
Hello cousins! I descend from the Kuchovitzky lineage. My parents are Bing and Dorothy Miller, grandfather Sam Miller, now deceased. My four sisters and I (proudly known as “the Miller girls”) grew up on the south side of Chicago, around 90th and Paxton Ave, then moved to Palos Park in 1964. I graduated from Carl Sandburg High School and then Illinois College, Jacksonville Illinois in 1973. Later that year I married Bill Rietveld and we became the proud parents of Kelly Rietveld and William Rietveld III, residing in Naperville, Illinois. Bill and I divorced in 2000. I met Robert Gill in 2003, and we married in 2011. We lived happily in Elk Grove Village until Robert passed away in 2023.
I retired in 2024 and reminisce about the many wonderful things that transpired during my adult years. Since my retirement, I’ve been enjoying traveling more to visit friends and family in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Las Vegas, Houston, Wisconsin, and Michigan to name a few destinations. I also find myself relaxing, enjoying old and new friends and family for meals and outings, and just now beginning a few postponed home improvement projects. Don’t call me lazy…I just can’t seem to get out of the relaxing mode!
In September, my sisters and I (Kathy Miller, Barb Hall, Joyce Golob) gathered at Barb’s new lake house on Lake Anna in Virginia for our annual Sisters Weekend. Unfortunately, Nancy McIntosh could not join us due to health issues. We had a great time catching up, touring local sites, new restaurants and of course, wine tasting! I recently returned from a wonderful visit to Riverview, Florida (a suburb of Tampa), where my son Bill, daughter-in-law Leah, and granddaughters Lily and Maddie reside. We had so much fun decorating for the holidays and participating in activities the girls can enjoy with Gramma.
As 2025 draws to a close, I smile and reflect on all the memories this year has provided. I wish you all peace, and a happy, healthy, safe and prosperous new year.
November 2025
David Shore
Here in the Suburban Wilderness, we’re gearing up for Thanksgiving with gratitude still fresh from our summer Family Reunion — what a joy to reconnect!
Life hasn’t slowed down: I’m teaching nearly 60 music students each week, while Diane balances her own roster, including ESL learners and students with unique challenges. When we’re not teaching, we’re painting the house — two-thirds done, with the second floor waiting for my soon-to-be 75-year-old knees (and, perhaps, cousin Fred’s paintbrush).
Sam keeps busy with work, while Ellen juggles work and the creation of a backyard sanctuary that is stunning. My brother Steve leads a 50-person volunteer crew in Chicago, delivering food to immigrant families who stay home to avoid ICE activities — with cousin Lisa Davis Helford among the volunteers. Brother Gary and Barb are moving from Arizona to Rockford, bringing them closer to home.
And at the center of it all is Mom, Edna — still teaching violin and piano, still living independently, and still very much a force of nature.
That’s our snapshot: music, family, service, and plenty of stories to share. Wishing everyone health and joy this season!
October 2025
Fred Gertler
Much has happened since we gathered in Highland Park, but two events stand out. The first is a trip I took to Los Angeles to visit with Jan and Bob (my sister and her husband). We had a great time that included walks along the ocean, delicious food – including a meal of pepper steak cooked by Jan that had its origin in a recipe from Rochelle Zimbler) – and visits with Jan’s son Robby and daughter Jessica. While with them I got to spend time with their children, Leo and Maya, and Andie and Quinn (respectively) and that was a lot of fun.
The other bit of news is that the remodel, aka The Neverending Story, took a big step forward as the dry wall was installed. This is very exciting. We don’t know when the work will be done or when I will move from Livermore to San Jose, but we are making progress, and that is good.
Oh, and Amy and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary. I am a very lucky man indeed.
