Because so many of us have not been in Oakland much since COVID-19 forced the University into hybrid teaching formats more than a year ago, we haven't had to face it yet.
With vaccine distribution approaching 70% of U.S. adults, more and more of us are venturing out—some of us into Oakland, where the building housing the Original Hot Dog Shop on Forbes is empty, its well-aged greases cooled and congealed. Certainly, so much has changed over the years. But there's something about the O coming to an end that—while it may be good for our waistlines, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels—hurts. In the Fall/Winter 2020 issue of The Fifth Floor, we asked for one-sentence obituaries for the "Dirty O." Darlene Kress delivered, alliteratively:
Ominous operatives’ orders of “ovens off” obliterated overwhelming odors of oblong oddities oozing out of O’s original oasis.
Darlene graduated as an English Literature major in 1971. Here are her reflections on her time with Pitt English and the O: 
Dr. Rae Lee Siporin provided the most memorable class taken while I pursued a degree in English Literature. She led our small group in passionate discussions held in the Cathedral of Learning’s English classroom. Dr. Siporin offered unique perspectives of the characters and led us to a deeper analysis of literature.
In the fall semester of 1969, Tower C became the first coed housing on campus ,and the residents were determined by a lottery. I chanted goodbye Holland Hall and hello Tower C as I moved into room 609. Room 609 offered not only a good view of Forbes Field, but, when the windows were open, the odors of the O. As I watched the Pirates games through the window, while listening to it on KDKA, my enjoyment of the O’s culinary delights was heightened by those odors.
The pandemic provided an opportunity for me to write and explore vocabulary. I recently completed a short story on the strategies employed by a nursery of raccoons in an attempt to survive urban sprawl. Short stories provide an outlet for me to share my perceptions of society.
After graduating in 1971 with bachelor's degrees in psychology and English, I obtained an MBA and certification as a CPA. At this time, I have retired from the government and specialize in IRS tax matters. My current writings include preparing tax case position papers and s fiction.
Herb and I are currently planning our fiftieth wedding anniversary party this year. We were married in Heinz Chapel, and we are celebrating in Denver, where we have made our home since 1974.