To classmates:

Here is the unexpurgated version of the December 2016 class of 1959 news.  There were fewer replies this time, so I won’t have to cut so much for the newsletter.

If you have a classmate/friend who does not use email, please print out a copy and send it to her and encourage her to mail me her news.

JANE ATMORE BROWN

No new news for me.  I am loving my retirement community here in Vero.  It was an excellent choice for me.  Lots to do to stay active and a great feeling of security.

CATHERINE BROOKE BUCKINGHAM

My daughter and I are taking a cruise to Cuba on a Greek line out of Montego Bay after Christmas!  Our diocese has a Companion relationship with the Episcopal church in Cuba.  25 years ago I helped begin our Companionship, so it will be wonderful to visit once again in the luxury of a ship. So many loving, giving people to see once again.

TARUN COMEGYS JOHNS

The year of 2016 has been an amazing adventure. Last winter after spending a week on a friend’s schooner in Key West, I drove north visiting friends along the way to my ‘winter home’  in Reisterstown. Early Feb I flew to the Bahamas for six weeks of cruising on Finesse, the boat I had crewed on for two weeks earlier in Oct. My captain considered me to be a co-captain which allowed me to do much of the navigating building my own confidence. We sailed from Abaco Sea down through Eleuthera and crossed over to the Exumas and sailed down to Staniel Cay. Snorkeling, fishing, iguanas, dolphins, hiking over the islands, meeting so many wonderful folks — it was truly a stress free paradise and a trip I shall never forget. The big item this summer was spending time on my boat in City Island, NY, then sailing it to Belfast, ME. I did bring a crew person along to handle the anchor and be an extra hand in many other ways. In the past two years I have sailed the East Coast except for the last 100 miles to Canada — next summer — and from the north of the Abacos to the south part of the Exumas. I can’t believe I had such opportunities! I plan to head south after the first of the year and back to sea, but just found out I have a triple root canal first.

NANCY FLETCHER ARTLETT

11/10/16 I am excited about spending my first Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family in 25 years! My eldest granddaughter is getting married the day after Thanksgiving, so the rehearsal dinner will be our Thanksgiving meal under a tent with heaters in my former home…..should be interesting. I hope to view retirement villages between the Charlottesville- Richmond area. So I fly from Sydney to Washington, DC. next Thursday and return in January hopefully stopping to visit Nancy and Fritz Huntsinger on the way! The Artlett family will probably still be in the process of mediation….no solution yet…and I have lived in limbo for over a year already. I have signed my affidavit and am prepared to get to court. It will cost all of us, but I have already spent more than I had planned! Life changes yearly and often we have no resolution or solution to circumstances. Friends have been terrific on both sides of the Pacific and my sister will be happy when she can hand over the paperwork she has managed for the past 25 years…..a huge help. Shall keep you informed!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year after a restful Thanksgiving! J Love, Fletch

GAYLE HAMILTON BLAKESLEE

11/10/16 Natalie and I are just back from a fabulous trip to northern Italy. Luckily missed the earthquakes although some in our group felt a couple of them. Traveling as much as possible as we turn the big 80.

EDEE HOWARD HOGAN

Just retuned from a two week People to People tour of Cuba so interesting meeting many wonderful people on that beautiful Island nation.

Was there two weeks so it was an extensive exposure and learned you can live without credit cards and limited wifi. It was good to return home (the day after Castro died) and appreciate our freedom and high standard of living.

The ’55 cars beautifully restored were fun and a nod to many fun times in them in the past.

MARCIA KING WILKE

I’m doing well. I’m scheduled to play Christmas carol duets with a friend who plays piano and flute at an Alzheimers’ facility and the retirement community where I live. One is this coming week and the other the weekend before Christmas. It’s been good to have a goal to work toward.

Family was here for the annual Hot Air Balloon Stampede. Unfortunately, it rained so balloons did not go up but we had a good time, anyway.

Handbell choir is playing this coming Sunday and again on Christmas Eve so I’ve been busy with that as well as practicing the piano.

Change of apartment last April so, if anyone wants my address, it is 1500 Catherine St., D303, Walla Walla, WA 99362.

KUULEI MOBLEY GREEN

11/12/16 This is Kuulei Green.  I no longer have good vision but I’m able to get around for myself.  I’m still living in Idaho so I don’t see many of the classmates but I’m fine.  Merry Christmas to you all,

Kuulei

LINDA MOHLER HUMES

I don’t have much news. Things are perking along pretty uneventfully which at this stage of life is good. I’m busy with a big genealogy conference Cumberland County Historical Society is having next fall. The coup is that CeCe Moore is the keynote speaker. My travels are now in the USA: New Jersey shore with my family and sometimes Maine and Chautauqua. My granddaughter Chloe is the light of my life. At seven she has moved on from Disney Princesses to American Girl dolls – thankfully.

JUDY MORELAND GRANGER

A year of wonderful family celebrations: in Columbus, Ohio in July, to celebrate my uncle’s 94th birthday, a trip that included a day with Carole Jones Rogers, then on to Grand Haven, Michigan, for a Granger family reunion, Bob’s brother, nieces and nephews, two of our sons and 3 of our grand children.  Celebration of Bob’s 80th in September here at home, with both of our brothers, all four of our boys and 7 of our 8 grandchildren.  Joyous times, feeling blessed with pretty good health, keeping busy, missing my Hood friends, as I am too far away!  Crazy Texas weather, 20s tonight, 70s on Monday!  Judy Moreland Granger

GAIL MULLIKEN PAINTER moved in May to Brookdale Silver Lake, an Alzheimer’s care facility in Silver Lake, Washington.  Her children, Greg and Cheryl, welcome communication from her friends.  In August, Greg wrote, “Speaking and language are particularly hard for her, and she is not able to form complete sentences most of the time. She does still recognize her family, but people and memories are beginning to slip away from her.  She still loves eating and shopping and is involved in every social activity at her facility. Mom is able to express that she is happy where she is, but does realize that things are not quite right with her brain.”

JOANNE PEPER MILNOR

11/10/16

I’m having a “bout” with sciatic nerve pain and had to postpone my river cruise on the Rhine & Mozelle.  I’m enjoying getting ready for Christmas, but with fewer decorations this year, but still cooking the favorites. Still involved with numerous arts organizations in the community. Jo

JEANNETTE PHELPS

11/28/16

Eagerly awaiting a campaign-free year ending in 7!  I’m eager to toast my birth.

6/23/2016  I am enjoying a renewal of friendships with eight of my high school friends and even took an oil painting class (on my bucket list) offered by one, Carolyn Councell, at our community college.  Carolyn is a well established local artist.

JOAN VICTOR BOOS

6/24/2016

John is finally home from rehab as of yesterday and starts outpatient rehab on Monday. We were very fortunate to get home safely after a trying trip with a stop in the emergency room of Reston Hospital in Reston, VA. John had a seizure in Dulles Airport on our trip home.  Fortunately, we had a wonderful nurse escort who finally got us both to Columbus, OH sadly after a 30 hr trip and 2 missed flights.

I still hope we will see you at our 60 reunion.  

ANNE WILSON HEUISLER

So far this year has been good, knock wood.  I am tutoring writing again at the Stevenson University Academic Center and am doing some free-lance editing, which I enjoy very much.  I finish my two terms as clerk of the Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church session in January and will miss being “in the know” but will not miss the clerical work.  I met Mary-Lou Trout Haddad at Buckley’s Tavern in Wilmington, Delaware, twice this year, once with Gayle Hamilton Blakeslee and once with Carole Jones Rogers.  Gayle and I planned a third get-together in January.

Thanks to all who contribute news.  It’s fun to hear what you’re doing.

Anne

ANNE WILSON HEUISLER

6102 BUCKINGHAM MANOR DRIVE

BALTIMORE, MD 21210

410 377 5026; aheuisler@comcast.net