Marilyn Garis Kellow
262-334-5782
maggiehood1958@gmail.com

Cynthia Williams Bohakersays this past year has been interesting, but all is well. Her daughters live in Sparta NJ, Kyoto, Japan, and Phoenix AZ. Her grandchildren range from 1 to 32 years of age. Susanne Smith Evans says that the lower Connecticut River and Long Island Sound are lovely at this time of year and she is enjoying some late Fall sails. She is also involved in the Holiday House Tour in Essex. The town’s architecture represents the 1700 period up to today. Sue no longer recognizes the word “old”. She says “vintage” sounds so much better!!! Jane Walton Godfrey says that everything is OK. She and Dick will be married 60 years in December. She still remembers how she had to get permission from Dr. Truxal so that she could return to Hood to finish her senior year……how times have changed!!! Susan Brown Melech would like for classmates to let one another know if they are planning to attend our 60^th reunion in the Spring of 2018. Anne Walton Merriken had a second total knee replacement in July. She has had great results and thankful that she has only 2 knees. They plan to go to Alabama to celebrate their granddaughter’s 5^th birthday. Carolyn “Cyp” Patton Meyer’s husband, Richard, died of congestive heart failure in March, after being in Hospice since last November. She is busy settling his estate and downsizing. Joan Bennett Moran visited family members in MD and GA this summer. She continues to be involved in church and community activities and welcomed her 3^rd precious great-granddaughter, Nikoletta Tsapakis, in March. She sends news that Carol Horwath Klecka’s son Mark has moved back to Florida from Chicago. She is happy to have some family close by. Hurricane Irma gave all of them a scare, but they experienced only strong winds and power outages. Jeb suggests that our class should consider purchasing a Hood brick in memory of our deceased members. Mary Allen Reynolds’ knee surgery went well. She is now busy with household projects, making her bathroom accessible and a complete redo to her bedroom. She says, “Shopping on the net makes choices much easier. You can design a whole room without spending a penny.” Elly Baumgart Ritchie has been busy traveling this year. A trip to Canada for the graduations of 2 grandsons….one college and other high school. A trip to Lynchburg VA and several to NJ Shore, including one there in February with Joan Enterline to celebrate her 80^th. Penny Adams Rogers relates the sad news that her husband passed away on June 19^th of pancreatic cancer.  She wrote from Boston while spending time with children and friends on a trip to NYC Montreal and Halifax. The trip was a healing gift and a wonderful way to be together and celebrate her husband’s life and go again to his favorite musical, Hamilton. She will be headed to visit in FL before going home to Hawaii. Jenny Krohn Rose’s grandson Adam received his master’s degree in technical math at UC Davis and now is studying for a PhD. Her granddaughter Ana will graduate from high school this spring. Their Portuguese Water Dog, Rosie, is entered in 2 AKC rally events in November, when they hope she will get her AKC companion dog degree. Carol Huelsen Warrington and husband Bob are doing well and are extra busy selling their home in Duxbury MA and moving to May’s Landing in NJ. Summers will be spent there near family and winters will be in Venice FL where she sees Joan Bennett Moran and Carol Horwath Klecka. I had a nice visit on the phone with Sara Lea Callaway Redmon. She has accepted to chair our 60^th reunion next spring and hopes everyone is excited and planning to attend. She is anxious to tour the campus and downtown Frederick. She wants to encourage everyone to fill out the “Data Form” and to contribute your pledge for our class gift. As the time approaches, I would be happy to keep you up-dated via email as well as our class website as to those of you who plan to attend. It would be great to have a nice gathering. It is so much more fun and meaningful to see familiar faces on “our campus” from the1950’s. I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year…………..Maggie