1953
Johanna Chait Essex
johalessex@gmail.com
516.487.1883

Our reunion group was small, –only 5 of our class was able to make it, but our stories of times gone by were poignant and funny—seated at the table were Pat Lloyd Fordham, Shirley Dana Few, Sally Kuhns Giarratana, Buffie McKim Powell, and me. Everyone looked wonderful. Sally plans to move to Philadelphia as soon as an apt. opens up near her daughter—she plans to donate some of her pottery work to Hood. Her carved figurines are exquisite. Pat’s daughter has moved to Kansas, leaving Pat an empty nester, except for her pets. Shirley came with her granddaughter, as she didn’t want to drive alone—she looks great. Many thanks to the 50th reunion class for taking Buffie under their wings in the dorm they were most helpful and it was truly appreciated–Buffie’s big news was the weddings of her 2 granddaughters–2 weeks apart, and in separate parts of the country—congratulations. Many thanks to Buffie, for all the calls she made—it is truly appreciated. Prior to the luncheon we went to Hodson Auditorium to hear President Chapdelaine give an update on the college and its plans for the future (if you haven’t had a chance to meet her please take the opportunity when she is visiting your area – she is a great addition to the Hood family) including the rededication of the four pillars in front of the Administration building. The luncheon was held in the Volpe Athletic Center—after a toast to those no longer here, and those who could not join us, we all chatted away—and caught up on what we are doing etc., and believe it or not, even discussed our next reunion! Dinner was held in Coblentz—you might recognize the exterior, but the interior has been changed—there is now an elevator on the one side, for those who cannot climb the front steps, and the circular stair case has been enclosed—dinner was a delicious Maryland style buffet, but when asked about tables girls etc. we found it is no longer done—but we did tell Pres. Chapdelaine about the Hood Christmas Dinner of our era, Campus Day and told her that we were an all-freshman dorm—something never done again.
I received a short note from Margie Brown Barati – her husband has Parkinson’s disease, but is improving now that he has begun PT— they stay busy with the activities at Providence Point.
Nancy Brown Kohlheyer is back in Brussels, painting again and “healing over my loss to dementia of My beloved Johnny”. Faustena “Penny” Fradd Vahsen now is a great grandmother for the fourth time, has 13 grandchildren, and has sponsored 203 midshipman.
Jerry Griffith Macomber and her daughter had a delightful cruise on the Columbia River-in June she will fly to California with her other daughters to see her first great grandchild, and July will see cataract surgery—after 20 years of steering operation Christmas Child she retired giving the position to a “younger, more energetic woman”—hard to believe someone is more energetic than you. Short note from Bobbie Morris Harrison—she is fine, and life goes on. Judy Rank Loposer’s family took her on a trip to Maui—she does indeed have a “wonderful family”
Bev Rosenberg Sager visited with Sheila Seigal Asher in Florida—[they had been roommates at Hood]. She plans to visit her CA children in August, and at the end of August plans to tour Malta with her art instructor.
Hal and I are fine—along with my two sisters [Muriel Chait Durbin ’55, and Linda Chait Solomon ’63, M.A.’84, M.A.’95] we took a Tauck Tour of New Orleans in April—although we had been there previously this trip covered things we hadn’t seen before, plus a great private jazz concert, and of course delicious food. Thanks for your e-mails and notes—they are truly appreciated–Jo