Karin Ninesling Infuso
910-400-5137
kinfuso@aol.com

Approximately 30 members of the Class of 1970 attended Hood Reunion 2015. Despite clouds on Friday, the weather was warm and breezy. The campus was flower-filled and beautiful, and the Ronald J. Volpe Athletic Center, where meals were served, was attractive and air-conditioned.  Hood Alumnae staff provided amenities such as table settings, servers, golf carts and bus transportation which helped everyone have a comfortable time. Marj Menchey Bernstein hosted a Seven-0-A-Go Go cocktail party on Friday night in her beautiful new home where we reconnected over wine and appetizers. During the Saturday luncheon, Margaret “Peggy” Muncie received the Distinguished Alumni Award. Her classmates applauded her inspiring remarks and sang the traditional Hood tribute “To Peggy.” President Volpe was surprised with a Distinguished Alumni Award and his response was emotional and touching. The dinner on Saturday night was notable for an excellent menu of filet mignon and glazed sea bass, an open bar and a musical combo that played during the evening. Strawberry Breakfast on Sunday included the traditional berry, cornflakes and ice cream menu as well as eggs, waffles, sausage, potatoes, fruit and pastries. As we finished breakfast and departed for Chapel Service or the journey home, we agreed that Reunion 2015 was the best reunion yet, and we hoped that more of our classmates would attend our 50th reunion in 2020. Various classmates offered personal comments about the weekend. Space restriction limits this content, but please read the complete column on the Hood website. Linda Allan, M.S. ’78 remembered classmates who have died and celebrated those in attendance. She is already thinking about our 50th reunion gift. Linda Ayers was glad to see classmates and loved visiting the campus which is “more beautiful than ever.” Ada Karen Blair appreciated the chance to see classmates again and noticed Hood’s attention to details that made the weekend so memorable. She enjoyed the Saturday morning coffee with comments by President Volpe and President-elect Chapdelaine. Marie Oliver Brackbill attended the functions with long-time friend Ellen Sands Smith. Jeanne Bryant Wyland attended the events and made us smile wearing her Hood blazer on Friday. Sandy Doucett Greenberg had a “terrific time” at the reunion with friends Nancy Schneider Alder and Vickie Smith Diaz. Sandra White Harper has not visited Hood in a long time but has “fond memories” of her time there and stated the campus is “beautiful.” Marty Hassell played and sang with us at Strawberry Breakfast and hopes to see us again next reunion. Linda Kramer Evans said the campus is “more beautiful” than it was 45-years-ago and was “delighted” to attend the reunion with her former roommate Susan Spiro. Ann Lefko Heslin, pleased that Hood is doing “fantastically well,” wishes all classmates would visit the campus. Myra Holsinger, our class agent, offered information about our 50th reunion gift.  She was glad to see classmates, especially Elaine Hubert.  Elaine called the reunion a “wonderful chance to touch base with old friends and get to know some classmates better.” Marj Menchey Bernstein, a gracious hostess on Friday night only four weeks after she moved into her new home, declared Reunion 2015 was “GREAT!”  Karin Ninesling Infuso wished she had more time to explore the new areas of the campus and enjoyed connecting with people she did not know well 45-years-ago. Anne Parkin Pierpont rekindled friendships and made new ones and was proud that Hood honored Peggy Muncie, “a wonderful role model” for all of us. Barbara Pepi Danella enjoyed interacting with classmates at the events. Mary Rife James commented on the memories that “came flooding back” of her “extraordinary experience” at Hood. She is “eternally grateful” for the career that Hood afforded her. Mary “Sam” Ryan Reeves shared her thoughts about the out-going and in-coming presidents and stated our reunion was an “awesome” weekend.  Ellen Sands Smith commented on the wonderful “camaraderie” of the classmates who forged new friendships during the “terrific weekend.” Nancy Schneider Alder missed being in Coblenz Dining Room, but thought the Ronald J. Volpe Athletic Center was a nice venue. She is glad that Coffman Chapel and the Onica Prall Child Development Lab are still the same. Vickie Smith Diaz enjoyed a “wonderful visit” that included walking around the “lovely campus” with friends. As the weekend progressed, classmates talked about absent classmates who attended reunions in the past as well as classmates not seen in many years. All attendees hope to see many members of the Class of 1970 at our 50th reunion in 2020.