CLASS OF ’69 NEWS – WINTER 2021

Virginia Monaco Hatfield was first to check in with the news of the birth of her first grandchild, Lina Sam Benhain, on August 4th – the “one bright spot in 2020” she claims. Ginny and her husband live nearby to their daughter, so they get to help out with Lina on a daily basis. Our condolences go to Pat Warren Carlson who lost her husband of 36 years in early November. He died peacefully at home which was a blessing. Five days later Pat had robotic surgery to remove a small nodule from her lung. Surgery was successful and all is clear. One encouraging note was purchasing a summer home in Lewes Beach, DE and furnishing it almost entirely “on-line.” Pat is thankful for a supportive blended family and granddaughters who continually delight. Christy Lundt Lambertus has been able to continue work from her office (with an assistant), staying in touch with clients by email, phone, etc. She has kept her husband home (house arrest) because “his immune system stinks.” Marty Silcox Hankins did lots of FaceTime and Zooming with her kids and grandkids over the holidays. Her pottery business (www.shilohpottery.com) continues to flourish despite the pandemic. She keeps in touch with Lila Wisotski, Susan Basford, Donna Carr, Sue Korff Hammer, Linda Lamm, Susan Taylor Shoch, Sue Barncord Rinker, JoAnn McManamy, and Penney Weatherby on Facebook. Jill Stanley reports that she and Adam are healthy – so far. She was grateful her daughter and family, including 2 grandsons, stopped by to see them in Indiana on Father’s Day, as they relocated to Portland, OR. Jill and Adam are on the Board of the National Square Dance Convention in Indiana and have missed dancing in recent months. But she has seen fellow dancer, Betsy Seele Gottta, several times on the dancing circuit. Esther Kofod reminds us that her book, The Libyan, in which Hood College plays a small part, is still available. She actually gave me a copy – it’s quite compelling and I highly recommend it. Pat Etzel Parker is looking forward to her daughter Maia’s wedding at her home in mid-September. Something, she says, to think about in these troubled times. Barb Sims is on Zoom for weekly chats with friends and chorale rehearsals, and enjoys streaming various programs and concerts. The silver Covid lining for Susie Holtzmann Richardson is that she, Linda Richards McKnight and Susie Lawrence have been talking weekly. She’s amazed by the power of connecting with each other and the deep roots of their friendship. Carole Downing Staton and Roy finally got to visit with daughter Jennifer and family (grandchildren 9 and 3 ½) over Christmas. Son Andrew returned to Hill AFB in Salt Lake City from his latest deployment to UAE on Thanksgiving. Son Eric lives nearby. The Statons “very quietly” celebrated their 50th anniversary in October. Chris Diehl is completing her final year of teaching “on-line” at Southern Connecticut University. Dave and I, Sayre Roney Steere, rejoiced in October when, after 2 daughters and 3 granddaughters (ages 16, 14, and 12) we finally got a boy! Orin Clarke Nester was born to our youngest – the one who got married in July of 2019. We were on hand for his birth as well as the first week of his life, helping out as best we could. Since then, visits have been few and far between. Eternally grateful for Zoom. Meanwhile Dave and I take daily hikes along the beautiful trails here in our neighborhood. I also exercise “on-line”, plug away at stitching projects and “puzzle.”

Summer 2020 News

It’s been a challenging few months for us all, but “69ers” are weathering the storm in fine fashion. Christy Lundt Lambertus, in South Florida, is still able to go to her office each day to keep in touch with clients. She’s grateful for good health, but “bummed” that two major trips had to be cancelled. Ginny Monaco Hatfield also missed out on a trip to Poland in May, but on the bright side, is thrilled to be expecting her first grandchild on August. Regular golfing outings, as well as decorating a new townhouse in Lewes Beach, DE has kept Pat Warren Carlson on an even keel. She’s also supplementing her granddaughter’s 5th grade curriculum with integrated lesson plans. Innovative Marty Silcox Hankins initiated “Virtual Shopping” in order to keep Shiloh Pottery in business. She enjoys yoga and a knitting group via Zoom and feels fortunate to be sequestered on her 40-acre farm. She has also reconnected by phone with her big sister, Ann Truell Bennett ’67. Sally Miller Keehn and husband Dave sold their home in Allentown, PA in January and moved to Leeds, MA – a mere 10-minute drive from their daughters. She’s nurturing a latent artistic ability by painting a mural on her new basement wall! Timing was not great for Margaret Dunkle as she had planned a trip to China in April to teach and tour. But now she can focus on sending her research papers on the History of Women in America to Harvard’s Schlesinger Library – and working with local officials to build a community center named after Calvert County’s own Civil Rights leader, Harriet Elizabeth Brown. As president of her 60-member chorus, Lila Wisotski was most distressed at having to cancel three major choral events. And while also mourning the loss of her brother, she finds joy in gardening and bird-watching. As founder of the WellRefugeeCenter, an agency focusing on health and mental health, Kathleen Connors has been hard at work during the pandemic. Her organization is the only multi-lingual Help Line (beyond English and Spanish) in the state of Georgia to provide clients with assistance for financial security, as well as food for the elderly and disabled. After 50 years on the job, Susie Oliver Schneider has finally retired from the teaching profession. She says that doing distance learning this spring via Zoom was a far cry from how she taught back in 1970, before computers had even been invented. Joanne Ingoldsby Peters has become a Zoom expert, using it for quilting classes, book group, ladies lunches, qi gong practice and happy hours. Jean Winn Swan laments that three major trips didn’t happen – but her garden has never looked better! With Jean as illustrator, husband Bob is writing fairy tales in which their grandchildren are the main characters. How clever! Carole Downing Staton sorely misses her grandchildren but is grateful that via Zoom she can “see” her family on a regular basis. Peggy Jackson Wyckhouse met the challenge by converting her classes at N. Orange County community college district to “distance education.” She also teaches weekly cooking classes for senior and convalescent centers. Dave and I – Sayre Roney Steere actually timed a trip just right, returning from snowy Lake Tahoe on March 14th, the day the lockdown went into place. Since then I’ve been doing lots of hiking, gardening, virtual fitness classes, jigsaw puzzles and “solo” Scrabble. We ‘ve cheated a few times and visited with our girls who, fortunately, live only an hour or so away. Our youngest – the newlywed, is expecting a baby in October. We’re thrilled to announce, “it’s a BOY”!

Class of ’69 Fall News – 2019

Pat Warren Carlson was thrilled to attend our 50th Reunion, noting that the physical changes to the campus were eye-opening, as were the strides being made in adding diversity to the student body. She is especially pleased with Hood’s addition of doctoral programs. Maureen Clancy Shiftan considers our reunion one of the highlights of her year. Soon thereafter she and her husband celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at their home in Telluride, CO. The festivities continued in early September when they traveled to the Dolomite Mountains of northern Italy. Son Ben and his wife celebrated their 1st anniversary with them – and son Nicholas proposed to his fiancée in Brittany, France before joining in the family fun. A month later Cindy Kannapel Weiss and Glenn also traveled to Italy in honor of their 50th. They hit all the high spots – Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples and Sorrento. Cindy considers it a “trip of a lifetime.” Jill Stanley welcomed a new grandson, Emmet, in May. He and his brother Aviv are – according to Jill, the “cutest little boys in the world.” Marty Silcox Hankins had a busy summer, visiting cousins in Long Island and Massachusetts, as well as her daughter and grandchildren in Chincoteague. She continues her involvement in Master Gardening and Shiloh Pottery, and recently helped organize a voter registration event in conjunction with the League of Women Voters. She caught up with Lila Wisotski at the annual Carroll County Public Library Day for Book Lovers. When Susie Oliver Schneider is not in the classroom she takes part in boat racing, including the J-70 World Championships which took place last September and featured 91 sailboats. Christy Lundt Lambertus had a stressful summer as a result of 3 different surgeries. Thankfully she is on the mend. I was pleased to hear from Sue Beers Hester and learn that she too lives here in the Seattle area – quite close in fact to her children and grandchildren. What an adventure she had celebrating a belated 70th birthday. She walked the Camino Frances in France and Spain – 550 miles and 39 days of walking/hiking through constantly changing landscapes. She found the experience physically challenging, meditative, and filled with interesting people from all over the world. Ellen Kiel was on hand in August to help Pat Etzel Parker and her husband Dowell celebrate their 50th anniversary – Ellen was a member of the wedding party! Ellen’s son and his wife recently moved to Colorado Springs – so that’s where Ellen and her husband will be spending the holidays. Jo Ann McManamy had a wonderful summer starting with our 50th reunion and ending with the taping of The Price is Right in August. She was selected as a contestant and won designer purses and a trip to Switzerland! Karol Bedyk Strang and Bill welcomed grandchild #2 in July – the first little girl in the family, Alice. Another baby – a boy this time, is due in January. She claims they are the “best 50th anniversary presents ever!” Carole Downing Staton rejoices that son Andrew has returned safely from Afghanistan. Next assignment – Hill AFB near Salt Lake City. Carole and Roy met roommate Betsy Kasin Hubbard and Ken on the Outer Banks this fall. She continues to delight in grandchildren Austin and Quinlynn. Whereas Europe seems to be the preferred destination for 50th anniversaries, Dave and I, Sayre Roney Steere headed in the opposite direction – to Bali and Singapore. Bali was extraordinary – so exotic, teeming with motorscooters, lush rice fields, and populated by strict Hindus who offer gifts to the Gods on a daily basis. Temples abounded! Singapore, on the other hand, is quite American, very cosmopolitan, and just as clean and safe as touted. And so easy to maneuver on foot! We’re now settling in for another Seattle winter, all the while keeping super busy with all the “fitness-focused” activities our Trilogy neighborhood has to offer.

1969
Sayre Roney Steere
850.319.6018
sayre1126@gmail.com

It’s been gratifying to hear all the positive comments regarding our Alma Mater from the attendees our 50^th Reunion.  Sadly, due to various reasons, some of us had to miss.  Both Carolyn “Kip” Cantagalli Dumaresq and Christy Lundt Lambertus had back surgeries.  Christy later reported a successful outcome and looks forward to a pain-free future and more travel this fall.  Pat Etzel Parker and her husband were busy celebrating their 50^th wedding anniversary, as were Karol Bedyk Strang and Bill, who spent two months touring Europe – including a couple of days at the French Open.  A baby granddaughter is due in mid-July.  The excuse for Ginny Monaco Hatfield and me is that we both had daughters getting married this summer, precluding a trip back East from LA for Ginny, and Seattle for me. The school year is not quite complete for Susie Oliver Schneider.  Ruth Coston Perencevich was unable to attend due to competing 50^th reunions – her husband won the draw!   Lila Wisotzki was involved in a mixed voice choral performance that entire weekend and had to beg out.  Bad timing for Christine Diehl as well, as her church was celebrating a 300^th anniversary.  Chris finds life on the southern shore of Connecticut still awe inspiring.  She will continue part-time teaching in the Fall.  Margaret Dunkle also regrets missing our reunion. She states that “my two years at Hood were very important to me and my development as both a feminist and a thinker.”  Carole Downing Staton reports that husband Roy has finally joined the ranks of the retired.  Son Andrew is deployed to Afghanistan again but hopes to be home by the holidays.   Among those attending our reunion was Donna Holst Carr, who lives near Frederick and has been married to the same guy for 50 years!  They have two sons and expect two grandchildren this year.  She particularly enjoyed catching up with Joanne Ingoldsby Peters, who is currently concentrating on improving her golf game and plans to go to Greece in the Fall.   Linda Israel Lamm, Sue Korff Hammer and Marty Silcox Hankins rounded out their circle.  Marty volunteers with Master Gardeners, works behind the scenes at Shiloh Pottery and continues her political activism.  Pat Warren Carlson sat down with Dr. Chapdelaine and agrees with Joanne’s assessment that she is the right person to lead Hood into the future.  Carol Crofoot Hayes gave high marks to Susan Taylor Shoch for arranging a great off-site dinner and amazing slide show.  She bonded once again with Maureen Clancy Shiftan, Debby Jones Lash, Joan Esselen Foot, Charlotte Blum Moors, Shahrnaz “Nazy” Safavi Martin and Molly Stuart.  Post-reunion she took her twin six-year-old granddaughters to Jamaica!  Linnea Linden Morettini loved re-connecting with Janie Pickard Hahn, Karla Leum Stoner, Judy Baab Sunderlin, and Karen Baab Harley.  The only disappointment was the status of Coblentz – renovations are desperately needed!  Rave reviews also came from Cheryl Brown Dreiling.  She traveled in April with her sister, Melanie Brown Hughes ’76, to Andalucia (southern Spain) on the AHI Hood sponsored trip.  Most enjoyable, she says.  Sue Korff Hammer sent word of the death of Elizabeth “Libby” Marckwardt Oliver.  Our sympathies to her family.  I, Sayre Roney Steere, continue to love my new life here in the Pacific Northwest.  Our baby girl, Doris, was married July 5^th in a lovely outdoor setting.  Our three granddaughters were Junior Bridesmaids.  The following day our girls hosted a brunch for Dave and me to commemorate our 50^th anniversary which took place a week later.  We’ve become avid hikers and “pickleballers” and I recently took up Mah Jongg.  We highly recommend our Trilogy “over 55” community where constant activities abound.

1969 Class News – Summer 2019

It’s been gratifying to hear all the positive comments regarding our Alma Mater from the attendees our 50th Reunion. Sadly, due to various reasons, some of us had to miss. Both Kip Cantagalli Dumaresq and Christy Lundt Lambertus had back surgeries. Christy later reported a successful outcome and looks forward to a pain-free future and more travel this fall. Par Etzel Parker and her husband were busy celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, as were Karol Bedyk Strang and Bill, who spent two months touring Europe – including a couple of days at the French Open. A baby granddaughter is due in mid-July. The excuse for Ginny Monaco Hatfield and me is that we both had daughters getting married this summer, precluding a trip back East from LA for Ginny, and Seattle for me. The school year is not quite complete for Susie Oliver Schneider. Ruth Coston Perencevich was unable to attend due to competing 50th reunions – her husband won the draw! Lila Wisotski was involved in a mixed voice choral performance that entire weekend and had to beg out. Bad timing for Christine Diehl as well, as her church was celebrating a 300th anniversary. Chris finds life on the southern shore of Connecticut still awe inspiring. She will continue part-time teaching in the Fall. Margaret Dunkle also regrets missing our reunion. She states that “my two years at Hood were very important to me and my development as both a feminist and a thinker.” Carole Downing Staton reports that husband Roy has finally joined the ranks of the retired. Son Andrew is deployed to Afghanistan again but hopes to be home by the holidays. Among those attending our reunion was Donna Holst Carr, who lives near Frederick and has been married to the same guy for 50 years! They have two sons and expect two grandchildren this year. She particularly enjoyed catching up with Joanne Ingoldsby Peters, who is currently concentrating on improving her golf game and plans to go to Greece in the Fall. Linda Israel Lamm, Sue Korff Hammer and Marty Silcox Hankins rounded out their circle. Marty volunteers with Master Gardeners, works behind the scenes at Shiloh Pottery and continues her political activism. Pat Warren Carlson sat down with Dr. Chapdelaine and agrees with Joanne’s assessment that she is the right person to lead Hood into the future. Carol Crofoot Hayes gave high marks to Susan Taylor Shoch for arranging a great off-site dinner and amazing slide show. She bonded once again with Maureen Clancy Shiftan, Debby Jones, Joan Esselen Foot, Char Blum Moors, Nazi Safavi and Molly Stuart. Post-reunion she took her twin six-year-old granddaughters to Jamaica! Linnea Linden Morettini loved re-connecting with Janie Pickard Hahn, Karla Leum Stoner, Judy Baab Sunderlin, and Karen Baab Harley. The only disappointment was the status of Coblentz – renovations are desperately needed! Rave reviews also came from Cheryl Brown Dreiling. She traveled in April with her sister, Melanie Brown Hughes ’76, to Andalucia (southern Spain) on the AHI Hood sponsored trip. Most enjoyable, she says. Sue Korff Hammer sent word of the death of Libby Marckwardt. Our sympathies to her family. I, Sayre Roney Steere, continue to love my new life here in the Pacific Northwest. Our baby girl, Doris, was married July 5th in a lovely outdoor setting. Our three granddaughters were Junior Bridesmaids. The following day our girls hosted a brunch for Dave and me to commemorate our 50th anniversary which took place a week later. We’ve become avid hikers and “pickleballers” and I recently took up Mah Jongg. We highly recommend our Trilogy “over 55” community where constant activities abound.

Winter 2019 News

Liz (Sylvester) Simons checked in last fall after reading the latest news column. She and Bill have lived in Arlington, VA since 1975. Both are retired now, Liz from a career in clinical and community social work, followed by a stint as a jewelry designer. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in March and will mark the occasion with a trip to Egypt in November. Christy (Lundt) Lambertus continues to work full-time as an estates and trust lawyer in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, but can do so at her own pace, leaving plenty of time for travel – most recently to the Basque area of Spain and France. To any classmate embarking on a cruise, Christy will be happy to provide transportation from hotel to port. Val (Dietz) Polansky and Gary follow the philosophy – Do it while you still can! Hence, in the summer they took a 39-day trans-Atlantic cruise from St. Petersburg, FL to St. Petersburg in Russia! They returned home via Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Iceland. In the fall they jumped in their RV and drove to the west coast and back, through 29 states, racking up over 6600 miles. Whew! In December Margaret Dunkle coordinated and emceed a Tribute to (deceased) Arvonne Fraser, an early advocate to end sex discrimination, and international leader for women’s rights, at the Woman’s National Democratic Club in Washington, DC. In addition to Master Gardening, knitting, and participating in two book clubs, Marty (Silcox) Hankins has been politically active since 2016 and quite involved in the 2018 midterm elections, registering voters and serving as an election judge. After a hiatus of over 45 years, Pat (Warren) Carlson has taken up bridge again, playing with members of her local AAUW chapter and bringing back memories of long sessions back in the smoker in Memorial. She also practices yoga with Hood alum, Cookie Bolig, with whom she worked at the Delaware Dept. of Education. Jill Stanley proudly reports that she is finally a grandmother! Daughter Rayna and husband Bill welcomed Emmet Barry Green on Feb. 25, 2018. His baby brother is due in May 2019. Virginia (Pagan) Schragel’s family now includes 18 grandchildren (some “steps”) plus one great-granddaughter and another on the way. Many live near her in the Phoenix area, others in Indiana and North Carolina. Ginny has had to give up horseback riding for now due to health issues, but hopes to be back in the saddle soon. Chris Diehl continues to teach as an adjunct at Gateway Community College. She also dabbles in watercolors and is active in her church. She stays in touch with Marya Rusinak, who is a Pilates instructor and plays in a recorder group which performs in the Cincinnati area. Carole (Downing) Staton and Roy were thrilled to have the entire family gather together for Christmas – the first time in 6 years. Son Andrew was promoted to Major in the Air Force. Carole pinned on his insignia at the ceremony at Ft. Bliss, El Paso, TX in November. They spent Thanksgiving with daughter Jennifer and Craig in their new home, doting on Austin (7) and Quinlynn (18 months). Cindy (Kannapel) Weiss and Glenn have plenty of opportunities to interact with their grandchildren, teenager Bryn and little ones, Will and Amelia. They look forward to their annual escape from the harsh Pennsylvania winter and another stint in Marco Island, FL, this time for 5 weeks of fun in the sun. As for me, Sayre (Roney) Steere, I’m slowly getting acclimated to life in the Pacific Northwest. Turns out moving was a wise choice, judging from what happened to Panama City, FL in the wake of Hurricane Michael. I’ve taken up pickleball and serious hiking – the trails (and views) around Mt. Rainier are breathtaking. In October we made another cross-country Tesla trip to USNA where Dave and the other 68’ers celebrated their 50th reunion. It was fun to see Jane (Ronald) Raglin and Barbara (Hussennetter) Larsh ’70 at the various events. Next for Dave and me – a wedding! Daughter Doris got engaged at Christmas and will be married in July, just a few days shy of our 50th anniversary.

Class of ’69 News – Fall 2018 edition

Retirement is suiting Marty Silcox Hankins quite well. Last Fall she and Ken travelled in their “slide-in camper” on the back of their pickup to Nova Scotia. She remains busy with Master Gardening and Shiloh Pottery, in addition to visiting children and grandchildren in Houston and Baltimore. Another Master Gardener, Pat Etzel Parker, is delighted that her husband Dowell has recovered sufficiently from orthopedic issues, that they can take their first cruise – to Alaska, this summer. She also has an animal watching expedition in Kenya planned for October. She and Ellen Kiel continue their birthday tradition of getting together for a day at the spa. Ginny Monaco Hatfield wrote from beautiful Lake Tahoe where she has a small cedar home. She says it’s like “living in a tree.” She’s anticipating knee surgery in the near future. She’d love to hear from former roommate, Ellen Fogler Greenberg. Sarah Jane Snyder Raffety checked in from steamy Texas where temperatures have topped 100 degrees. She says “hi” to 69’ers and sends sisterly love. As an active member of the League of Women Voters, Margaret Dunkle strives to get high school students registered to vote at age 16 so they can cast their ballots when they turn 18. Margaret was recently honored by the National Women’s History Project under the theme, Nevertheless She Persisted. She also participated in the “March for Our Lives” event led by students from Parkland High School in Florida. Carole Downing Staton can once again breathe a sigh of relief as son Andrew safely returned in January from his 4th deployment. He and his wife reside in Texas. Carole and Roy take great delight in their grandchildren, Austin (6 ½) and Quinlynn (1). I will quote from Marianne Handy Hraibi (St. Johnsbury, VT.) “I doubt if any of you remember me at all. I was at Hood only for our freshman year. I transferred to the Boston Conservatory as a Dance Major sophomore year. At Hood I lived in Coblentz, top floor. My roommate was Martha Gyorik-de-Salanky. Years ago in Hanover, NH I was friendly with the mother of my son’s good friend. We found out quite by chance that we had known each other at Hood. Shahrnaz Safavi from Iran! Nazi had spent a year in Belgium with her husband. While there she received her issue of Hood Magazine. She was astonished to discover I was the same “Marianne” that she had known at Hood 1965-66. When she returned to Hanover, we both were in awe! Neither of us had asked maiden names and had only known each other by our married names. It is such a small world!” Since Debbie Dick Holbert’s retirement, she’s trying to visit all the international cities that she didn’t explore while flying for United before they merged with Continental. She’s making headway! Christine Diehl wrote from Connecticut where she just finished the Spring Semester at Gateway Community College, teaching Developmental Math to students of all ages. It’s rewarding, she says – and helps pay the taxes in Connecticut! Trips into NYC and Cape Cod will highlight the summer – before returning to college in the Fall. Chris keeps in touch with Marya Rusinak who lives in Cincinnati, OH. Nancy Roe Hebdon and Fred are the proud grandparents of a third-year law student at George Washington Univ. in D.C. They recently traveled to Europe, Scandinavia, Egypt and China and have an upcoming cruise around Iceland. They are happily retired and live on the water in Cambridge, MD, not far from Marty Mulford Gray and her husband. For me, Sayre Roney Steere, it’s been a tumultuous few months. The decision to leave all we’ve known for 26 years in Panama City Beach, Florida and move to Seattle WA. was huge. But “family” has a very strong pull. We downsized to the max, sold our precious home (it was a tearful goodbye), drove the Tesla back across country, and as of May 16th moved into our new little abode in a “55 and older” community called Tehaleh in Bonney Lake, WA right at the base of Mt. Rainier. We’re slowly getting acclimated, but certainly love being closer to our girls. Now we can actively take part in our granddaughters’ lives – already we’ve been to a track meet, a dance performance, a Triathlon, an oboe recital, swim practice and soon an elementary school graduation. Turns out Jill Stanley has family nearby – may even see her one day!

CLASS OF ’69 NEWS – Fall 2017

First to check in was Susie Holtzmann Richardson with the exciting news that after living the single life for 25 years, she’s getting married! She’s known Hal for over 40 years – his deceased wife was a dear friend of Susie’s. Sarah Jane Snyder Raffety and Clyde will welcome a new grandson in November. Their other grandchildren (ages 15 and 12) live far away, but this little guy will be considerably closer. Now that Marty Silcox Hankins has retired from teaching, she and Ken were finally able to travel in the fall, taking a 2-week, 2000 mile trip in a camper all through Nova Scotia. She keeps busy with Shiloh Pottery and “Master Gardening” in Carroll County, MD. Carolyn Cantagalli Dumaresq just acquired a new puppy to add to her pack of three Border Collies. Kip says she’s “fully involved in puppy potty boot camp.” She is paying it forward with four Doctoral candidates from Immaculata Univ. Kip wonders if anyone knows how to contact Leslie Van Backer? Margaret Dunkle’s most dramatic recent event revolved around attending the Association of Community College Trustees annual meeting in Las Vegas. She got to visit Hoover Dam and catch a couple of shows before heading back to Maryland – just 24 hours before the mass shooting! Her hotel was only 2 blocks away. She said “the event felt eerily like 9/11 when I was scheduled to fly from LAX to DC and got a call from the car service, saying they weren’t going to pick me up because the airports were closed.” The twin towers were being attacked. Betsy Seele Gotta celebrated turning 70 with a dinner party for several close friends in October. Then her square dance club surprised here with a dance/party attended by 120 dancers from all over New Jersey. Betsy and Roy recently visited Branson, MO, then stopped to see Jill Stanley and Adam in their new Indiana home. Speaking of turning 70, these girls did it right! Susan Taylor Shoch, Barbara Hoagland Ziegler and Rick, Betsy Rudolph Lustenader and Jim, Deborah Dick Holbert and Woody celebrated with a magical tour of Greece in late September. Their tour guide was Chrysanthe Papayani Koumas and George Manos. They visited Athens, the seaside village of Nafplio and cruised to Mykonos, Ephesus, Patmos, Rhodes and Santorini. Betsy and Jim flew to Rome before heading back to Hanover, NJ. Susan stopped in VA to see Sue Korff Hammer and her Alpaca Farm. Susan, Barb, Deb and Chrysanthe all “winter” in Florida. Peggy Jackson Wyckhouse and her husband are still among the employed, primarily because they continue to support their 39 year-old medically disabled daughter. But Peggy has reduced her teaching load drastically. Last year’s spinal fusion still gives her problems. Pat Warren Carlson works part-time in the doctoral program in Educational Leadership at Delaware State University, chairing or co-chairing 17 committees – and graduating 17 doctoral student this year. Pat and Michael have 3 grandchildren – a grandson who is a freshman at Boston College, and 2 granddaughters, ages 4 and 8. They each share their grandmother’s love of golf. Pat won low net in both her overall and senior club championships. The Carlsons will celebrate their anniversary with their annual trip to Punta Cana in December. Carole Downing Staton and Roy welcomed granddaughter Quinlynn in June. She is little sister to 6 year-old Austin. After several years of planning the Statons took an Alaskan cruise in July. Words, Carole says, cannot describe the wonders of that part of the world. Life is about to take a drastic turn for Dave and me, Sayre Roney Steere. We’ve decided to chuck our idyllic Florida lifestyle and move to Seattle to be closer to our 2 daughters and 3 granddaughters. Our house is on the market and we’ve contracted to build a new home in a “55 and over” community about an hour south of the city. We’re aiming for a spring move. Meanwhile we continue to travel, spending 3 weeks in Seattle this summer, a week in Maine, another week in Branson, MO, and finally a 7-day Caribbean cruise, which got extended to 10 days thanks to Hurricane Irma. From day to day we had no idea which ports we were going to hit. After 25 years in one spot, Dave and I are definitely “needed” in many organizations. It will be hard to break ties – and seek out similarly rewarding “purposes” in our new life.

Class of ’69 News 2017

My “roomie” Cindy Kannapel Weiss was the first to respond to my plea for news. She recently discovered her near neighbor in Lansdowne, PA – Gwen Ebersole Lehman ’68 – small world! Cindy has nicely recovered from back surgery but anticipates a knee replacement in the fall. A little R&R in Cape Cod and Cape May over the summer should do wonders. Her three grandchildren live not far away. Carolyn Cantagalli Dumaresq stays busy with dog training and showing in agility her three Boarder Collies. In addition she teaches Doctoral students Quantitative Research (Statistics) for Immuculata University and volunteers with Rotary exchange students and rescue dogs. She stays in touch with Connie Meek who competes worldwide in skiing and running. In retirement Carol Wyman Harris now creates handmade greeting cards and other crafts which she sells at area craft fairs. Attracting birds, bees and butterflies to her garden is a passion of hers. Jill Stanley and her husband have been Indiana Hoosiers for a year now. They’ve gained a granddaughter AND a great-granddaughter and continue to dance and make new friends. Marty Silcox Hankins has officially retired from teaching! She continues to help Ken with his pottery business and volunteers with the Carroll County Master Garden program. A 46th anniversary trip is planned to Smith Island, then off to Nova Scotia in September. Susie Holtzmann Richardson writes: “Susie Lawrence, Linda Richards McKnight and I are grateful to share the joy of later in life relationships with very special men and to support each other through the aging and death of our parents.” Esther Kofod shared roommate Joanne Fodor’s glowing review of Esther’s book The Libyan: “Libya should salute Esther for writing such a heartrending tale of their country. She makes the madness and cruelty of Libya palpable and hence gives a real voice to the decimated beauty of the land and her peoples. Through the details she chooses to express and the character of her personhood she has made me aware of the true Libyan.” In addition to running a horse boarding business, Karla Leum Stoner and Bill manage a farm in south Frederick County at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain. They love river cruises and so far have taken two in the US and two in Europe. Sadly Sarah Jane Snyder Raffety reports battling IPF, diagnosed in 2014, but she keeps a positive attitude and looks forward to welcoming a new grandson in November, and to visiting with Sharon McDonald Sayles later this year. Thanks to retirement, Joanane Ingoldsby Peters is again transitioning from winter hobbies – snowshoeing, genealogy and quilting, to her summer favorites – travel, golf and gardening. A trip to Ireland is planned for September. Linda Israel Lamm and Doug enjoyed a week of art and architecture in Havana, Cuba with Sam (Mary) Ryan Reeves ’70 in February. They’ll head to North Carolina this summer and to London in the fall. May 23rd marked the culmination of lots of work on the part of Margaret Dunkle. The portrait of civil rights hero Harriet Elizabeth Brown was unveiled at the Calvert County, MD courthouse. Margaret spearheaded the event. Virginia (Penney) Weatherby Brown writes: “Libby Marckwardt Oliver and I just returned from a 9-day cruise to Bermuda and the Caribbean to celebrate our 70th birthdays and 52 years of friendship.” Also taking a recent Bermuda cruise were Carole Downing Staton and Roy. Prior to that they went to El Paso, TX to visit son Andrew before his next deployment. They’ll welcome a new granddaughter in Binghamton, NY in June, then set sail on an Alaskan cruise in July. Dave and I Sayre Roney Steere are doing a good bit of traveling ourselves. In November we took a quick “family anniversary” cruise to Cozumel. We packed up the Tesla again in January and drove to Flagstaff, AZ where our girls and “grandgirls” joined us for a week at a resort. Snow abounded while at Grand Canyon but the weather was ideal in Sedona. This spring we drove up the east coast to Cape Cod and on the return trip “hit” the Poconos, Atlantic City and Washington, DC. Next up Seattle, home to both our daughters. But this time we’re flying!

Carolyn Cantagalli Dumaresq (now retired) checked in from her 15 acre mountaintop home near Harrisburg, PA where she does lots of volunteer work, including doing evaluations for a no-kill shelter for Border Collies; fund-raising for Susquehanna Service dogs; helping Rotary with foreign exchange students; chairing a grant-making committee for a Woman’s fund; teaching agility at a local dog club and showing her four Border Collies in Agility. Christy Lundt Labertus was head coordinator of her mother’s 100th birthday party which took place in August, an event she said was like planning a wedding reception. Though she still works full time, she and her husband travel frequently – they especially like river cruises. After being residents of Anchorage, Alaska for more than 40 years, Jill Stanley and her husband Adam moved to Greenfield, Indiana – where they are “dancing to their hearts content” and basking in the longer, warmer summer. A mini-Hood reunion took place in Bar Harbor, Maine in August. Nancy Roe Hebdon (and Fred) and Martha Mulford Gray (and Guy) drove up from Cambridge, MD while Nancy vom Eigen Rassmussen, Sandra Jung Vrem (and Rick) and Linda Walls Bradley (’70) traveled from the Northwest. This was their first reunion since the death of Linda Stockdale Warren – and still missed from their original group is Christine Herbst Cole. These girls have been getting together since 1979! Meredith Owen Atkinson and husband George took a fascinating 6-week trip from Maine to the Pacific following the Lewis and Clark Trail. Marty Silcox Hankins will be retiring from teaching in June, a career she began in 1969! She took some time off to raise 2 children but started back when her daughter was 3 – she is now married with 2 children of her own. As part of her retirement plan she is now a certified Master Gardner in Carroll County, MD, all the while helping her husband Ken with their pottery business. Pat Warren Carlson and her husband, Mike Ciccarelli, celebrated their 32nd anniversary with a week in Punta Cana, joined by twenty good friends and fellow golfers. Pat returned to three final doctoral dissertations defenses and was “happy to participate in the joy of three successful defenses leading to three more new educational leaders.” Pat and Mike look forward to having all their children and grandchildren with them to ring in the New Year. Margaret Dunkle has been busy in retirement, chairing the Harriet E. Brown Commemoration Task Force, earning the William Donald Schaefer Helping People Award for her effort, and being appointed a trustee of the College of Southern Maryland. Chris Diehl is completing the Fall Semester of teaching at the local Community College, hoping “to help as many as possible achieve their dreams for future vocations.” Jill Windisch Peterson and Craig continue to enjoy retirement after 12 years. They stay busy with volunteer work, committees, bridge, mah jong and travel – including a recent 3-week trip to Australia and New Zealand. They attended the wedding of Jill’s Hood little sister, Fran Heck Darrow’s son in the spring. She also passed on the sad news that our classmate, Linda Nelson Martinez passed away about a year ago. On a happier note, Linda’s roommate Karol Bedyk Strang and Bill became grandparents in September. Son Cameron (and Renny) presented them with James, and according to Karol she is now “captivated by a little soul.” Dave and I, Sayre Roney Steere put our new Tesla to the test in August and drove across country, via the southern route to California and on to Seattle, where we then took our whole family (2 daughters, a son-in-law and 3 granddaughters) on a 7-day Alaskan cruise. A great opportunity for family bonding. We returned to Panama City Beach by way of cowboy country – Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota. What a magnificent land we live in! Church commitments, Garden Club projects, fitness (running, yoga and aerobics), and gardening in general keep me busy throughout the year.