As Newton Highlands Congregational Church, UCC, parishioners reconvene after a balmy summer 2025, they are sharing stories and comparing notes.
Ann Hulsing and Ethan Bolker
Ms. Hulsing and Mr. Bolker were married at the church on August 20, 2025. The Reverend Dr. Ken Baily officiated. In honor of the bride’s floral dress, the Reverend Baily sported a floral tie.
“Afer our vows we celebrated with cake, sparkling cider, and candied walnuts,” reported Ms. Hulsing. “It was a sweet, sweet day.”
Carol H.
“We (husband, step kids, and families (minus one granddaughter)) enjoyed our annual Texans/Newtonians get together at Dumpling House in Newton.”
Wendy Donnell
Ms. Donnell spent part of her summer on a sabbatical in Italy, with visits to several sacred venues, including the Vatican in Rome. She also drove west to Amherst, MA, for a visit with the Reverend Susan Cartmell.
Sally Brickell
“I spent a week in Mesa, AZ, with my family. We had a blast seeing the world’s largest pipe organ! And yes, it was extremely hot.”
Holly and Michael Grieb
“It was a busy summer spent traveling for personal and work purposes. We started in June going to Florence and Paris to visit Ainsley, who was studying abroad, and ended with a work trip to London.”
Alex and Gena Bezdek
“We are so grateful for a wonderful summer, one that included a Harry Potter-themed birthday party for Edie, lots of time for George in his lion costume guarding the Pridelands of our backyard, and a family trip to Vermont with Gena’s family from California.”
Kitty Rieske
“My summer vacation included a trip to Maine, gardening 🧑🌾, and our annual trip to Lake Winnipesaukee. BTW the house was Mille McMullin’s vacation home.”
Liz Ramos
“We took a sailboat ride on the Cape and saw an amazing rainbow and stunning sunrise!”
Liz Simpson
“This summer we spent time at the magnificent Niagara Falls. It was unforgettable, with the thunderous roar of the waterfalls and mist rising in the warm air creating a breathtaking scene. Time spent there felt both peaceful and powerful, a perfect blend of nature’s beauty and energy and the wonder of God’s creation.”
Nina and Jim Harper
“This summer Nina and I visited Yellowstone and Grand Teton Parks. It was Nina’s first time there and my first since I was 10. Our trip was unexpectedly extended for five days as Nina contracted pneumonia, but with good care at the University of Utah hospital, she fully recovered and we made it home safely. We also spent a week with family in the Adirondacks and had a brief visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake.”
Anna McMahan and Keirsten Lawton
“We spent some time with friends in London, where we got to see a lot of amazing things including Westminster Abbey and to watch the opening match of the women’s rugby World Cup (England vs USA) live! It was lovely.”
Joy Huber and Randy Ellis
“Scott, Ruth, and Jana, and Rich and his family were all with us in Maine at the same time this summer. We were fortunate to have all nine of our immediate family (plus 14 others from my brother and sister’s side) up with us for one weekend! Some of us paid a visit to Maine Wildlife Park. Yes, that is a moose in the background. Sadly just sleeping.”
Peter Boberg
“This summer was a summer of family. We had an amazing safari trip to Botswana and Zimbabwe to celebrate my mother’s 90th birthday, and a 16-person family gathering in Tahoe with my wife’s family.”
Rich Bryden
“We visited the Guatemala highlands in August – here in the lovely and colorful town of San Juan La Laguna, an agricultural- (and tourism-) oriented town of one of the regional Mayan ethnic subgroups. We enjoyed much coffee, chocolate, honey and many other local products!”
Renata and Daniel Wilson
“This summer was filled with family, joy, and cherished traditions. The highlight was our annual trip to Wellfleet, where we gathered with Dan’s mom, my mom, and my brother-in-law’s family, who traveled up from Kentucky so we could overlap a few days together. We enjoyed time at the beach, shared plenty of fresh oysters, watched lots of baseball games, and, most importantly, created beautiful memories. It was truly a season of connection, relaxation, and gratitude.”
Tony Rudie
“Lizzie visited us in Gloucester.”
Melissa Dietrich
“We started our summer with a family trip to London to celebrate Zachary’s graduation from WashU and Zach and Lars’ birthdays. It was fun to visit and show the family around as I hadn’t been back since my junior year in college, when I studied abroad for the year. We even got to experience a football game: Fulham vs Manchester City!”
Christy, Katie, and Shosty Liao
“We started summer in Taiwan visiting family and friends, saw lots of museums and a few concerts, and spent few days at Alishan National Forest Recreation Area. We also took a few short trips here and there, with a grand finale to Corning, NY, visiting the Museum of Glass and Watkins Glen Gorge. Shosty went to all the places with us except for Taiwan. Great time!!”
