1952
Mary-Louise Springhorn Leidheiser
828.699.1999
mlouleid6@gmail.com

Carita Ackerly Warner: “Husband and I are busy with gardening, bridge and book clubs, travels and keeping up with kids and grandkids.” Dorothy “Dixie” Baird Nace has been hobbled by a pinched nerve in her back but is still working with pressed flowers and on many committees. “Can’t sit around like a pansy!” Kay Brown Gauffreau; “I am in assisted living at RiverWoods Retirement Community in Exeter, NH and like this living. No meals to get. I take part in the activities. My son, George, died at the end of November. My daughter, Liz, lives 16 miles from me.” Natalie Colbert Bowers said that Dottye Handley Ewing organized the Hood alums living in their retirement community to attend a Hood lecture. Doris Dreller Sosin: “Sara ElShafie, Jodie Kellogg Weddle’s granddaughter, is visiting me. She is beautiful, articulate and persuasive. Studying for her doctorate in Biology at UC Berkeley, she has worked with film artists to create story training workshops for science communicators.” Von Hepburn Virtue : “Alive and well in Denver. My son lives just ten miles from here. Daughter and grandchildren in CT visit twice a year.”
Emma Jones Hann and her daughter will travel to Eastern Europe on a Danube River cruise.
Joan Kniffin Orozco: “Am fine and enjoying my three bisnietos. Getting into winter here in Uruguay.” Peg Lewis Christensen: “My building at Moorings Park in Naples was evacuated May 1st for major repairs after Hurricane Irma, expected to take eight months. I’m staying temporarily in the Assisted Living building on campus. It’s been a nightmare.
I did talk with Jackie Wakeling, who has moved to an assisted living community in Woodbridge, Virginia.” Phyl Loudermill Armstrong: “March was highlighted by a visit from my 16 year old Denver granddaughter, Vivian. We enjoyed 4 days here in Oklahoma City then flew back to Denver where I stayed a week visiting with my 12 year old granddaughter, Naomi.”
Mary Murrie Hardy: “I’m getting my garden ready for a garden show in June, and then I’ll go my Lake Keowee condo. So proud of my grandson who just enlisted in the Air Force. Planning a river cruise with my 7 children and spouses to Alaska in July of 2019. Have to book early.”
Betsy Newcomer Payette: “I volunteer as a Friendly Visitor for home-bound church members and have enjoyed day bus trips to the Amish area of PA for musical theater, etc. Enjoy Mah Jongg games and am looking forward to annual trip to Grand Cayman with family.”
Ann Nygren Greenberg says she’s “older and greyer and still planting tomato plants in her garden.” Franne Pickle Wetmore will travel with a niece to Paris and then take a Rhone river cruise. Elizabeth “Bee Jay” Quillen Brustad is “hobbling along, happy to have family nearby.”
Cynthia Reinsmith Olson: “I am headed to Colorado for a granddaughter’s wedding. Two other married granddaughters live, one in California and one in England. The latter with her English husband take care of the Queen’s horses. We have a picture of him riding along side of the Queen’s carriage. Lee and I don’t travel much anymore; he uses a walker and forgets a bit.” Phyllis Salvati Kantra: “My husband Bob died in February, two days after having reached 90. Fortunately I have one daughter in the area, and live in a terrific CCRC. Many thanks, Mary-Lou for doing all that you have done, and still do.” Joan Scott Hellmuth will again this summer rent a house on Cape Cod that can accommodate her family. She enjoyed a trip to Charleston, SC with a friend. Kay Spear Feldman: “I am well and busy. Looking forward to the July birth of a great granddaughter.” Jane Taggart Whittaker mailed a happy, hello note with fun photos from an Easter gathering with family. June Zwigard Pfeifer has two girls and two grands nearby. Hiking for her and husband Walter is now somewhat limited. June has a detached retina in one eye and knee issues but an upbeat attitude. She reminded me that several Hoodlums came from her Columbia High School: Doris “Dee” Dreller Sosin, Ginny Green McDermott, Connie Woodall Fisher. Sadly, we’ve lost Betsy Cannen Martin, Lois Eldridge Funsch, Marion McDonnell Ball, and Barbara McLean Higgins.