HAPPY HOLIDAYS

We hope that you have had as lovely a year as the Roper Family. Although very busy, we have had an opportunity to catch up with old friends, visit family and meet lots of new people!

We look forward to hearing from you this year, and wish everyone PEACE in 2010.

Love,

the Ropers

Ted: edward.h.roper@gmail.com

Paula: paularoper143@gmail.com

Caitlyn: sapphire.dachshund@gmail.com

Eric: johnericroper@gmail.com

William: william.c.roper@gmail.com

You can also find us on Facebook!

Ted & Paula

Highlights of 2009 include: * Paula joined Ted & Caitlyn in Harmonium Choral Society (she's singing in a chorus for the first time in nearly 30 years). If you are interested, there is a terrific video (short) from our Holiday Concert a couple weeks ago: http://www.nj.com/morristown/index.ssf/2009/12/weekend_roundup_harmonium_crea.html

* Ted joined the VoiceActors' Orchestra for their Holiday Production of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer. Above photo is Ted as Santa in the New Providence production, and in NYC he was second everything (elf, reindeer, spotted elephant, etc.).

* Paula opened a Performing Arts Conservatory with her partners: Joe Narciso, and the Elefante Family. It has consumed her every waking moment (except when she was at rehearsals and productions for kids, Marching Band competitions, attending award ceremonies, and occassionally sleeping). You can check us out at http://www.the-pac.com/. There are also videos of Rudolph on the blog section of the PAC website.

* We made a quick trip to North Carolina in June when Paula's father, Paul Lowder, turned 80 years old. It was terrific to see family and friends we'd not seen in years, and reconnect. Makes us want to visit NC more often.

* Ted has a new position at Avanade, where he is selling Microsoft consulting services to Avanade customers and working closely with Accenture,

* Paula has been teaching Religious Literacy classes at area churches and synagogues as well as officiating an occassional wedding.

As you can see from the Thanksgiving photo of our kids, they are all looking very grown up (Will is 12 3/4, Allison is 28, Caitlyn is 18 and Eric (the tall one) is 15).

We continue to host our star border, Rev. Joseph Hambor, each month along with anyone else who wants easy access to NYC. The Roper Family B&B is almost always open.

Caitlyn Roper

This year, Caitlyn has been VERY busy. In June she sang at Carnegie Hall (for the 2nd time) -with Ted and Eric. They sang the Rutter Requiem, and the highlight was the John Rutter, himself, conducted.

In the Spring, Caitlyn was one of five inductees into the National Latin Honor Society (the first time ever at NPHS), and shortly afterwards was inducted into the National Honor Society (50th group at NPHS celebrating the High School's 50th anniversary).

In August, Caitlyn attended Choir Camp at Wilkes Barre, Pa. It turned out to be a lot of fun for her. She loved being away from home for a week, and made some new friends.

Senior Year at NPHS - includes A car, a lead in the fall play (Helsa - The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940), Humanities, AP Psychology, Music Theory, BC Calc (her life ended here), and AP Chemistry. Caitlyn received acceptance notifications from both Drew University and Fairleigh Dickenson University before Christmas. She is about 99.9% sure that she is going to attend FDU next year in the Quest Program (5 years - BA, MA and Teaching Certification). Caitlyn sings at NPHS in Women's Choir, Jazz Choir, and Concert Choir, and also sings with the Harmonium Choral Society.

J. Eric Roper

Eric's past few months were consumed with the largest bass drum in the New Providence High School Marching Band. He loved Marching Band, and New Providence went on to become the State 5A Champions for 2009.

Prior to Marching Band, Eric attended Choir Camp in Wilkes Barre, Pa, where he met Maddie Hartke-Weber.

Eric continues to play Piano, performs with the NPHS Concert Band, earned his 2nd Degree Black Belt in TKD this year, and acts whenever he gets the opporunity (he played BOB in Twinderella earlier this year, and is currently working on Thoroughly Modern Millie). He sings in the NPHS Men's Choir, NPHS Chorale and with Gargoyles (a choir for young men with changed voices). In addition to music, his favorite thing about high school has been Technology and Design (we used to call it wood shop) where he is building and designing.

William Roper

The highlight of 2009 for Will was the opportunity to appear in the Chester Theatre Group's June production of Nine. Will was young Guido, and had two terrific solos (his voice did not change until September). The cast was incredible.

In July, Will went to work with Ted in NYC for the day. Will says, "It was fun." They also started sampling Buffalo Chicken wings all over the area, and writing a blog about their adventures.

In September Will started Middle School (7th grade), where he plays Baritone Saxophone in the Band and Jazz Band, and Viola in the Orchestra. He is still playing the violin and Alto Sax at home. Will is still singing, and performed in September Song with Ridge Light Opera, where he sang "Gary, Indiana". This was the show where his voice changed. He now sings Tenor with the Gargoyles (a choir for boys with changed voices).

Will reads everything he can, plays with the dogs, and loves his Shakespeare class.

Allison & Daron Aukerman

Allison and Daron Aukerman. Paula took this photo when we visited them at Thanksgiving. Allison hosted and prepared a fantastic meal. Daron has applied to State College and is waiting to hear, while Allison works as a Certified Nursing Assistant at a community for older folks. She loves her job! They live in a house that Daron's grandfather built, outside of State College, PA.

Grandkids!

Ashleigh (3) and Elizabeth (4) are growing up so fast! We can hardly believe it. They live in State College, PA with their Mom and Dad (Allison and Daron).