Hi, All—
Here is your unexpurgated version of the class news, which I will have to cut to 750 words for the magazine.
Gayle Hamilton Blakeslee and I attended the alumnae (I refuse to say alumni because we are alumnae!) lunch on Saturday, June 8th. Attendees: Gayle Hamilton Blakeslee, Mary Jane Findlay Hodge, Nancy Fletcher Artlett, Janet Hobbs Cotton, Edee Howard Hogan, Carol Koreywo LeGore, Carol Wick Erickson, Rachel Ravey Johnson and her husband, Carl, Nancy Rogers Huntsinger and her daughter, Susan, Patricia Shoaf, Roberta Wood Trimble and her sister, Paula Ellison, and I, Anne Wilson Heuisler. Susan Huntsinger remarked that it is funny how so many of us called each other by our last names: Fletch, Rog, Hammy, Willy.
We had a small contingent compared to previous reunions, but it was fun to see each other, and our class was recognized as usual for the large number of present and former trustees. All were asked to stand and be applauded.
Edee was awarded special recognition for her gift of $250,000 to establish a master’s degree program in nutrition. Jeannette Phelps was remembered for her bequest to the Virginia Lewis chair in history “in honor of her favorite teacher.”
If you looked at reunion pictures online, you saw that a lot went on that weekend besides the luncheon, but I haven’t received any reports.
ELEANOR BROWN WHEELER
As usual, this is the last minute. Life has been far too busy this year. First and most important, my husband Phil is regaining his health. He has recovered from both flu and pneumonia (shots for both were up to date which probably lessened the severity.) Modern medicine was able to locate and stop significant internal bleeding. As this was happening, our beloved dog developed degenerative myelopathy and had to be euthanized.
Meanwhile, our new house is coming along nicely. It will be much more tailored to our current needs. It also has the advantage of being only 5 minutes from a major shopping area and a hospital. Our son is planning to build next door to us. It is also closer to my daughter and her family. Our grandchildren are now in college. Allison was excited to go to Nationals as part of the rowing team. And we have a new dog, Lady (we share ownership with our son. We are too old to have a dog without a backup plan.) I hope everyone reading this is doing well. As the saying goes, getting old isn’t for sissies.
MARY JANE FINDLAY HODGE
Having a wonderful reunion at Hood. Then I am spending a few days with Rachel Ravey Johnson and family in Virginia. Then back to Long Island to my physical therapy work as a clinical therapist, a “cat mother” and rescuer, and my wonderful daughter Clea who is married and lives nearby.
NANCY FLETCHER ARTLETT
The weekend was super—old friends, great weather, and more than enough food! College looks marvelous—was just happy to be here.
GAYLE HAMILTON BLAKESLEE
We had a wonderful ten days in Paris in April—Yes, we were there for the fire, a couple of hours before it was discovered.
JANET HOBBS COTTON
I continue to serve as a Hood trustee. The campus looks fabulous. In September we graduate the first doctoral degrees. Great academic progress. I am a docent at the Phoenix Art Museum. We enjoy our vacation home in Puerto Vallarta.
EDEE HOWARD HOGAN
Great to be at Hood again—Hood is looking good as are the Class of 59ers. I spend the summer at Bethany Beach, Delaware. If you are in the area, stop in.
CAROLE JONES ROGERS
My daughter, Caroline, and I hosted a mini-Hood reunion for Gayle Hamilton Blakeslee, Judy Moreland Granger, and Anne Wilson Heuisler at Caroline’s home on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. We visited Ocean City, MD, and Chincoteague National Seashore, talked about old and new times and had a wonderful five days.
CAROL KOREYWO LeGORE
Great to see class members and to be on the gorgeous campus. The luncheon was held in the new gym part of the wonderful sports complex. No real news—both sons and families close by.
JUDY MORELAND GRANGER
2019 has turned out to be a busy year for us! In February, we moved out of Sun City and into a senior apartment about twenty minutes away in downtown Georgetown, TX. On June 9, Bob and I celebrated our sixtieth anniversary, and on June 12 I left for Baltimore to spend a week there and on the Eastern Shore with Hood roommate Carole Jones Rogers and dear friends Anne Heuisler and Gayle Hamilton Blakeslee. On June 28 our grandson Barrett, son Bob’s youngest, is getting married in Flushing, Michigan. Then, on July 30 we head to the mountains of western North Carolina to spend a week with my brother and sister-in-law, our annual escape from the Texas heat! We are both well and thankful for that.
RACHEL BRUNDRED RAVEY JOHNSON
Husband Carl and I stayed in Shriner! Wonderful memories of dear dorm pals, inc. Mary Jane Findlay Hodge, Bunny Johannesen-Lynn, and Sally Donahue (nee Sylvester). My life has been one of wilderness adventure, kayaks, canoes, tobogganing, dog-sledding, and swimming every chance I get!! Still going strong. Loved college teaching, adore my two daughters. My spouse (much younger than me!) is a jewel. Hugs to all!
hemlock@email.com [not “g”mail!]
NANCY ROGERS HUNTSINGER
A real treat to see “old” friends and Hood—all of us—and the campus looking better than ever! President Andrea Chapdelaine is a treasure! Hood is so fortunate to have her—and Dave here!
Cheers and continued best wishes to all!
MARY-LOU TROUT HADDAD
Charles Haddad spearheaded the fund-raising to restore Boyertown’s State Theatre, serving as president of the State Theatre Preservation Society. They raised over $100,000 to purchase a digital projector and wraparound sound system. Gayle Hamilton Blakeslee, Carole Jones Rogers, Judy Moreland Granger, and I trekked to Boyertown on June 13th for lunch with the Haddads. To welcome us, Charles had mounted on the State Theatre marquee “Welcome Hood College 1959”! Charles also had ordered a special Hood cake for our lunch. He and Mary-Lou certainly do make us welcome!
CAROL WICK ERICKSON
I enjoyed our 60th reunion. I moved to a retirement community—Maris Grove, an Erickson community, last October. I went to Spain in April with Edee and the Hood trip. I am playing golf and bridge and enjoying my new situation.
MARY JANE WILLIS BOWMAN
Farragut, TN
Mary Jane Bowman, age 81, of Farragut, formerly of Kingston, Tennessee, and originally from Oreland, Pennsylvania, died on April 14th. Teaching for 24 years at Cherokee Middle School, she taught 7th-grade social studies and eventually created an 8th-grade honors combined social studies/reading class. She was an avid tennis and bridge player, and an active member of Farragut Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir. She volunteered with several organizations including the Farragut Museum as a docent, the Tennessee History Museum, and the Food Pantry. A nature and animal lover, she enjoyed traveling about the U.S. and to national parks and historic sites with her husband and family, gardening and wildflowers, music at the symphony, and a book club. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in education and a graduate of Tennessee Technology University with a master of arts in elementary education. She is survived by her devoted husband of 59 years, Robert Bowman; daughter Debbie Cornett and son Robert Bowman Jr.
ROBERTA WOOD TRIMBLE
So happy to be here and rehash old memories. I am so impressed with the campus, curriculum, and future plans. It is all awesome! Life has been great, and I perceive that my Hood experience was very foundational to that experience. I still am working at a mental hospital full-time doing groups for outpatient therapy. I am grateful.
ANNE WILSON HEUISLER
I went to Minneapolis in April to catch up with my son and family.
Now simmering in 95-degree Towson but enjoying my beautiful 7th-floor view of North Baltimore’s forest of trees.
My 24 weeks of the Shakespeare course (How To Read and Understand Shakespeare) are half through, and I think Shakespeare’s Tragedies are coming next. It is great fun to preside over a course with no student essays to read. The elderly students are appreciative and enthusiastic, enjoying the opportunity for unstressful communication with the Bard.
Thanks to all who contribute news. It’s fun to hear what you’re doing.
Anne
Anne Wilson Heuisler
1055 W. Joppa Road Unit 750
Towson, MD 21204
410 377 5026; aheuisler@comcast.net
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