Though we had told her she could start dating when she reached the prime age of 35, she jumped the gun on us and started dating Tom Poch at college in Minneapolis sometime in the fall of 2002. Tom was interested enough in Elizabeth that he arranged to spend Christmas vacation with our family that year, and we (four daughters strong) subjected him to a testy cross-examination about his intentions, who he was and where he was going. At the end of the questioning, he surprised us with a question of his own, and point blank asked us if he and Elizabeth had our blessing to pursue their relationship. Despite the fact that 35 was still a significant number of years away, we relented and gave our blessing. Fast forward to the following Christmas, 2003. Tom called me early in December and advised me that he would like to surprise Elizabeth by flying out to the Black Hills and would like to propose to her during his time here. He asked me if there was a particular location that was special or meaningful to her, and I suggested that his timing was perfect for a Harney Peak event. Our friend Jeff had arranged for us to have a boys and a girls cabin outside Hill City for two nights, and Jeff agreed to ferry Tom from the airport so he was already at the cabins when our family arrived. Suffice it to say, everyone was surprised and delighted (especially Elizabeth) to see Tom there, but no one had a clue that there might be an ulterior motive. So we played card games and word games and used the sauna and the hot tub and ate and relaxed, started the tradition of a New Year’s Eve toast with root beer, and five of us (the young couple, Jeff and myself and my youngest daughter, Moriah) prepared for the Harney Peak hike on New Year’s Day. For all practical purposes, it seemed like our usual trek, except that we were introducing a Minnesota snowboarder to the natural beauty of the Needles and more.

The Leonard Lopate Show

We say goodbye to 2007 with a look at the past year's most overrated movies....then welcome in 2008 with some predictions for the world in the year ahead. Also: a journalist explains why she thinks the risks of fatal food allergies have been greatly exaggerated. And find out how political narratives are created for the candidates.

Be sure to check out our new film series Political Projections! We're asking you to watch a few movies about campaigns, and then tune in on Jan. 8 to contribute to the discussion.

Britney Spears

Britney Spears: Street Walker seems to be focused on reviving her career and spent the weekend at the Millenium Dance Studio rehearsing for her next video. Her father Jamie came along to offer moral support, according to OK! Magazine:

Get ready for more mystery in new season of 'Lost'

The next step in the rescue plan was for the group to make a trek to the radio tower and shut off a tape-loop rescue plea that also was interfering with any other transmissions.