Thanks to everyone who took time to share some of their Hood College memories.

Patricia Heilman has very fond memories of Dennis Hughes, his friends, and Hood Theatre. Cooking dinner at Dennis’ apartment, the parties there. They worked hard, learned a lot, and had so much fun. There was Debbie Page, Jodi Pavlis, Rhea Bel-Jon Calkins, Dale Cunningham, Cheryl Cuddeback, Kurt & Libby, and so many others that her memory needs a nudge to remember. She remembers Miss Julie was fraught with problems including a few ghostly encounters when we moved the production from Brodbeck to Rosenstock. There were other ghostly encounters in Brodbeck after either Babes in Arms or Pure as the Driven Snow.

Rhea Calkins remembers Dennis Hughes, Hood Theatre, Mount St. Mary’s competitions and a young lady named Debbie who put her heart and soul into every production.

Dory Barrows Smith lived in Coblentz and has fond memories of occasionally sneaking into the dining hall for cereal after hours; once they scored ice cream! Security was a little lax since they lived upstairs.

Jayme Juncker was only at Hood for one semester, freshman year, 103 Smith. Her roommate was Anna Volpacchio Ucci and her big sister was Mary Beth Layfield Law. She’s still in touch with both of them. She spent all weekends at USNA. Campus was beautiful. Food was great and dinner served family style every night. Figgy Pudding aflame served just before Christmas break.  Sitting in the pergola. Practicing the song they sang together for parent’s weekend. Seems like a lifetime ago.

Ann Wiggins Ely remembers sitting in the pergola with friends playing our guitars and singing for what seemed like hours. Although they didn’t spend much time in there in the Spring, when the wisteria was in bloom and all those bees. She also spent a lot of time playing guitar and singing with friends in dorm.

One of Ellen Bosek McMahon’s favorite memories is Father’s Day Weekend. Her dad always went home checked out as was she.

Cheryl Cuddeback had so many memories to share. Her first memory happened during her first night at Hood. While deep in her sleep she was awoken by a couple of gals giggling, talking and singing in the hallway. For the next 3 years she not only was blessed to become friends with Billie Weiss and Margery Berringer, she became part of their special tribe that she has forever cherished. As they use to say, “It’s been Memorial”. They partied hardy by frequenting the Frederick Townies hang-out, “Brownies” where they were able to dance on the bar. They also appeared in various Hood Theatre productions under the guidance of our dear and beloved director Dennis Hughes. They took road trips to Florida during Spring Break. On Halloween night they all wore costumes. One of them, Liz Burwell was John Belushi from Animal House; her clown outfit stuffed with balloons; and them trying to push her in the car to go to the Gold Dust Inn.  She is blessed to still maintain close contact with Billie and Ann Cuppia Gandy.

Sue Shorb-Sterling’s highlight of her years at Hood was singing with the various choral groups. During rehearsals Dr. Warner taught music theory, music history, and how to sing acapella. She also has fond memories of singing the Messiah with the Naval Academy: two concerts at the Academy and two concerts at Hood. She can visualize all Hood’s young women dressed in black skirts and white blouses and the midshipmen wearing their dress blues. Another singing memory was traveling with Dr. Warner and the choir in Europe during the summer of ’74. Little did she know she would be living there a few years later while her husband served there in the U. S. Army. Thank you, Hood and Dr. Warner for these fond memories and for giving her the love of music that is lasting a lifetime.

Peg Yanarella Hosky was an early commuter to Hood and spent much of her free time on campus with Dixie Miller, the advocate and “house mother” in the Alumnae House. Dixie entertained them by making them delicious dips from cream cheese, whipping cream, and fruits. Dixie meant a lot to those who drove hours each day to attend Hood!

I also have so many fond memories. All the time spent in theatre with friends, the different productions, sets, costumes but never acting (although Dennis tried play after play). A special thanks to the ladies of Smith who made every day special. Maybe we’ll do this again and I’ll share more.