ellen kanner

We�ve had a good, yet crazy year with Ray finishing his second Masters (he is FINALLY done with school!!), this one being in Library and Information Science from the University of Rhode Island, and the rollercoaster ride of job hunting in the academic world! This has been a year of �Three weddings, two job offers and ? funerals!�

In May we traveled out to Prescott, Arizona for Ellen�s cousin Michael�s wedding. It was a grand affair at a ranch in the hills, complete with roaming horses, amethyst sunsets, a pinzgauer, and snow flurries as Jan, the lovely bride, walked down the aisle! It was great to see our distant relatives, and friends from Germany. We took a week to drive up to Antelope Canyon and around Page and Sedona, AZ for hiking and sightseeing.

Expecting to move this year, we�ve halted all house projects and have got it to a point we enjoy and think will be quite sellable in the local market (Residents for a teaching hospital nearby and Dartmouth College grad students keep the market going here)! Our year has been filled with travels for interviews, trips to Portland, ME, a few conferences here and there and plenty of kayaking.

Ellen continues to work for Dartmouth College and ended her 1.5 year term as Interim Associate Director when a new head Director was hired in September. Ellen has completed work on two of her largest Web projects at the college so far: the Hood Museum of Art and the Dartmouth College Libraries, the latter will launch in early 2008. In February, she presented at a conference in Palm Springs. She also continues to do freelance design work, joined AIGA.org this year, and continues to make and sell her jewelry at galleries around New England. She has been exploring her crafty side by taking classes to learn to make glass beads, weld metals, create mosaics, and do wool felting.

In September, we went out to LA for Ellen�s friend Heather�s wedding. Heather and Ellen were best of friends in San Diego, saying often they had �saved each other from San Diego!� Ellen was a bridesmaid in the beautiful outdoor wedding in Westlake, CA. After the wedding, we headed to Kauai, HI for 10 days of rest and relaxation, snorkeling, sightseeing, hiking the Na Pali Coast, and of course�a festive luau!

We recently adopted a semi-feral kitten�a bit of a challenge�and have been working to integrate him into the family. Our older cat, Sage, has been a perfect example and surrogate mother for little Mowgli as he gets acquainted with humans.

Just recently, Ray accepted a temporary four-month Reference Librarian position (sabbatical replacement) at Keene State College. The position will be from January 21 to May 9, and will involve a much longer commute but great experience.

We look forward to new adventures and all 2008 has to offer, and wish everybody health and happiness in the New Year! Best Regards, � � �
Ellen & Ray