1974

Sally Johnson Leland
207-865-0280
sallyleland@sbcglobal.net

Sincerest thanks to those that reached out with news. Louise Whitridge Hicks Smith shared that she continues to practice Dental Hygiene and takes care of eight rescue cats. Church, artwork, harping, golf and gardening fill the hours in between. Louise’s son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Candice, treated her to a wonderful trip to Australia last summer.  A snorkeling lesson prepared her for truly going “Down Under” on the Great Barrier Reef.  An Aboriginal gave them a hands on lesson in Aboriginal art and she took home a small painting. Louise has been painting in gouache watercolors and is concentrating on Australian birds and animals. Her daughter, Courtenay, helped her open an Etsy store…”Daisyinthyme”.  There are blank note cards for sale with printed versions of Louise’s artwork, so be sure to check it out!  I hope to lure Louise to Maine to paint this summer or perhaps in the dead of winter. Barbara Miller Beem is happy to report that she sold the old house in Catonsville, and she and her mom are now ensconced in a lovely new 55-plus condo community with underground parking! The move was extensive albeit short (large house with many antiques) — two miles in distance but another world completely.  Barbara’s days are busy. She sees her grandchildren most every day and is active in a charitable knitting group at her church. Her writing has shifted into high gear, and she is part of an inspiring writing group. No doubt she misses Ken terribly and his editing genius. Deborah Fay Kohler has had a roller coaster year. Since the auto industry is pretty much back on course her husband, Ed, took a new job back in his old stomping grounds on the other side of the state.   Deborah continues to do interim ministry at a small rural church and really enjoys helping churches negotiate the transition between settled pastors. They figure they only have to work a few more years, and Ed is so much happier now than when he was developing transmissions for trucks.  Deborah had the good fortune to go with the women in her family to Bermuda while Ed continues racing with a new event at the Brickyard in Indianapolis. In the Fall they’ll celebrate their anniversary by going (finally) to Hawaii with every intention of hiking the volcanoes. Deb wishes more classmates would send in updates as she always enjoys reading what is going on in the lives of old classmates.  I couldn’t agree more! Victoria Raeburn Benton checked in. Vicki continues to  tutor and proctor medical exams. Husband, Leigh, is still a site manager at Middletown Carting, serving as County Legislator, and part-time jeweler. Her sons and daughters-in-law are all turning 40 and the grandkids are entering the pre-teen stage of 9-12!   Leigh and Vicki will be celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary in August and will celebrate while on a Rhine River Cruise. Peggy Bull Larsen, M.S.’79 wrote that her husband, Michael, is enjoying semi-retirement while Peggy has moved into a new position as Director of Presidential and Special Events at Goucher College. They just returned from a wonderful Viking River Cruise on the Danube, traveling through eastern Europe from Bucharest to Budapest. For those of you not on my email list I wanted to share via Elizabeth Guertler Godfrey, M.A.’80 that Ellen Cosby passed away February 25, 2016.  Ellen was diagnosed with Stage 4 carcinoma of “undifferentiated origin.” It coursed through her quickly, and not knowing its origin, there was no way to wage a battle against it.  Joyce Manbeck MacKellar, M.S.’00 and Elizabeth attended her memorial service in Baltimore where her life was celebrated by her family, friends and colleagues. Many of the legal community attended and they praised her dedication, intelligence and integrity as Chapter 13 Trustee for 26 years. As Elizabeth shared, “Ellen was a devoted friend and will be so very missed.” As for me, Sally Leland, I have served seven years as your class scribe, but it is time to pass the torch in hopes someone else may be able to coerce classmates for news more effectively than I!   Please contact Ashley Nick Wilson at wilsona@hood.edu if interested.  My thanks to you all and to those who regularly touched base.  May you be blessed with much happiness and good health.