To classmates:
Here is the unexpurgated version of the summer 2016 class of 1959 news. I had to cut it severely to comply with Hood’s 750-word limit for the summer magazine. That leaves us with about a sentence apiece, so please forgive me if I stripped your news item of its details.
If you have a classmate/friend who does not use email, please print out a copy and send it to her and encourage her to mail me her news.
TARUN COMEGYS JOHNS
Merry Christmas from the Wanderer 2015
The adventure continues. I did not leave Ariosa and Capt Mike Pittinger Jan. 1, but remained in Boot Key Harbor, FL, enjoying the community of the mooring field, St. Columba Episcopal Church, and the many sailing friends I met. All the time I was learning more about boat maintenance and different ways to do things. Mike is a great captain and mentor never missing an opportunity to teach me something new. It was truly an incredible experience. Someone accused me of just having too much fun! Friends in Key West provided a wonderful holiday season starting the New Year with a progressive dinner in their homes and watching the winch be dropped from the top of a schooner mast—Key West tradition. I met crew who introduced me to Schooner Spirit of Independence and Capt. Rick Sands who became a huge part of my sailing support system. I joined them for some of the sunset cruises as guest crew and highly recommend this attraction when in Key West!
Watching the sun rise and the dolphins feed, toasts and conch horns for the sunset, bright full moons shining on the water, Sat. night potlucks and open mike for the mooring field, happy hours meeting folks from all over, manatees in the harbor, swimming at Sombrero Beach, and snorkeling on Sombrero Reef. Always something going on at St. Columba’s and I sang in the choir in the spring through Easter.
In March Mike and I drove to Annapolis for a sailing workshop. Luckily, he was home when he developed a ruptured appendix with serious complications. His fiancée, Betsy, was an incredible nurse seeing him through the next 8 weeks. I returned to take care of the boat and was made skipper of Ariosa! All went well and my sailing friends provided any help I might need. Longtime friend Elaine Gilbertson came and spent several days with me. We joined in the fun of “The Battle of the Conch Republic” on Spirit of Independence and Key West life. Elaine has caught the sailing bug again! Such is the life of a sailor in winter!
Mike returned in May with weight lifting limits and Dick Couture to help crew on our return to MD. Sailing back in heavy weather as we trailed a fickle tropical depression ANA up the coast provided an exciting trip with winds to 35mph and extremely high waves. Dick was great crew to Beaufort, NC, when he had to leave. Mike and I continued on running into more messy seas in the Chesapeake before completing our journey at Solomons Island. Such an adventure I had never dreamed would be mine! I was truly blessed when I sailed into Annapolis last fall.
May 22 I left Ariosa and flew to Maine with four graduations on my schedule — Tarun Porter, a BS in biology and a BA in French from University of New Brunswick; Lauren Johns graduated with high honors from John Bapst High School, and Cameron Porter from Bluefield High School, PEI. Working in France as an au pair for twin babies, Clarkson University to study engineering, and working at snow making at Lake Louise, Alberta, before entering university — a wonderful mix of talents and great personalities.
Off to Rochester, NY, for a family celebration of Becky Comegys’ life, then down to the Eastern Shore to check out Trillium. It was determined that keel damage had been done when I was hit by another boat while at anchor sailing down from Maine. With good advice from Rick Sands I was directed to City Island, NY, where the boat was transported and has been put in A-1 condition in a great boatyard —Consolidated Yachts. I stayed with Joey and Jim Peace on their lovely farm while arranging all this. Again, friends had come to the rescue and I enjoyed some time quite close to where I grew up! A high school class reunion took me back to DE and a good visit with John and Ellen Hamilton in Dover. The touchstones of our lives become even more meaningful as the years go by.
July11 found me finally back on Shoals Rd. to stay for the summer. The basement guest room was renovated from last fall’s flooding just in time to receive Oscar and Anh Damiani and daughter Kim from Italy! Our AFS son from Gov. TJ High School years had returned and a glorious weekend with many of the family found us cruising on the Katahdin, paddling on Prong Pond, and enjoying hours of chatting and eating around the campfire. Too few days in Maine this year, but I’m always thankful to return to Shoals Rd.
Little time to sail in the summer, but I did have a great day aboard Misti and Dan Guerin’s Bristol 35 on Penobscot Bay. After sailing the whole East coast, I still find Maine to be as good as it gets!
Sept. found me in Williamsburg for a Rittenhouse girl cousins first reunion. A grand venue for lots of catching up over too many years, so we have already scheduled a second reunion in Memphis next fall!
Mike came to Maine for a fly fishing week in Sept and to see where it was I live. Eric and Linda came for a weekend of fun and Mike taught her to fly fish. She was a natural and all hoping for more fishing time.
I closed the house in Oct. and drove to NY to visit Dave and Lynn. Foliage across the NE mountains was magnificent. Dave and I drove to Clarkson University to visit Lauren in her new surroundings. From there I came to Reisterstown, MD, the home of Mike and Betsy and my “winter headquarters” between adventures.
I flew to Marsh Harbor, Bahamas, and spent the last two weeks of Oct. on S/V Finesse, Capt. and owner Lloyd Lippe. We had met through Rick Sands. It was as fine a sailing trip as I have ever experienced — lots of sailing. We anchored at Manjack Cay for a week where we met Bill and Leslie who built their home (the only one) 24 yr ago. They shared their bountiful fruit, their knowledge, and their skills teaching us how to open and clean our conchs. In turn we were able to help haul some lumber up the hill for a neighbor who is now building and to go with them to Green Turtle Cay for supplies. Finding the conchs and fixing cracked conch, watching dolphins eating breakfast by the boat, seeing the turtles swim out with the tide, snorkeling, hiking, and taking in the beauty of this paradise was magical. We also sailed south to Lynyard Cay and caught a beautiful 26” mutton red snapper while trolling on our return to Man O War! My last night there and the chef at the Dock ‘n Dine prepared the fish three ways for us to enjoy! And there was still a filet left for Lloyd to eat!
Back to MD on Nov 1 and the next day an invitation to join Ken and Sara Aiken on Tintean to sail from Annapolis to Green Turtle Cay!! We left on the 5th and motored down the Chesapeake to Norfolk in thick fog. The weather cleared for a nice trip through the locks down the ICW in the Dismal Swamp — a new experience for me. Elizabeth City, the Harbor of Hospitality lived up to its name as we spent the weekend there being entertained by friends of the Aikens. Then to River Dunes, a luxurious marina for 2 nights before going to Oriental, NC, for an annual maintenance check. Unfortunately, the check revealed a number of problems requiring lots of work which closed the window of opportunity for me to continue to the Bahamas and return in time to fly to Alberta, Canada, to spend Christmas with Merryman and family.
I had driven to Aiken, SC, to spend a few days with Larry and Jocelyn and stayed through Thanksgiving. Bloodies and Bagels on the lawn, Blessing of the Hounds, and dinner with friends at the Green Boundary rounded out a festive day. I returned to Oriental to meet Mike and Betsy who would bring me back to MD.
I have enjoyed seeing lots of friends and relatives for lunches and visiting Ginny Stanhagen at her new cottage in Winchester as I prepared for Christmas in Banff. The shopping is done and I fly out tomorrow on Dec. 15 to see the Porters in their home of the next 3-5 years in Edmonton, Alberta, while Stephen works on a project in the tarsand fields.
I thank God every day for giving me the friends and family I have and the strength and energy to enjoy all my adventures.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Tarun
The capt/owner [of the sailboat] has been recovering from surgery since March 15, so I have been aboard alone. It has been an exciting time during which I have also spent a number of days on Spirit of Independence in Key West visiting and sometimes, guest crewing. We begin the sail north around May 1 arriving in Maine in time for granddaughter Tarun’s graduation with two degrees at UNB (Canada). From there I shall be joining a friend to sail the coast of Maine from east to west returning to Bangor for Lauren’s high school graduation. Cameron is the last high school graduate end of June on PEI, Canada.
Tarun
A Hood reception in Sarasota to meet the new president. Fun sharing a table with Martha Allen ’59 and Carol Horwath and Joan Bennett Moran ’58.
NANCY CURRAN CROWLEY
Hope you are doing well. Age has a way of creeping up on us. We have a few aches and pains but we are still able to move around. Thank God
Our family has three graduations this year, two college and one high school. We are only making it to the high school graduation. The others are in Chicago and Boston.
Here we moved from the cold in New Jersey to warm California. Now our family is moving east to the cold zones. There is something wrong with this picture.
Last year we were able to take a couple of cruises. We like it if we don’t have3 to fly. Fortunately we are able to cruise out of San Pedro. This time we took a coastal cruise and a Mexican Riviera cruise. It is so nice to be able to relax and be pampered for a week.
NANCY FLETCHER ARTLETT
Frank Artlett passed away on October 12th. We had a Thanksgiving Service on October 15th so I have buried the two men in my life within a month! I will probably return to the states and begin the next chapter of my life in Richmond….near two sons. My third son, who lives in Hungary, will visit next week for three weeks to help me sort out a collection of junk that Frank compiled for decades since he built the house in 1947…..a big job. He was a hoarder. I came here with two suitcases…..will probably need a container to get out of here. My quilting stash is the most important personal property. I am starting to send boxes of very meaningful items across the Pacific.
Nancy Rogers Huntsinger recently had shoulder surgery. She is a trooper, but this surgery was more than she had anticipated, I think! Both of us have been cut too many times. The wounds are now talking!!
Frank Artlett
ARTLETT, Frank Arthur
Passed away peacefully at age 94
Late of Riverwood
Loving husband to Nancy and father to Janice, Graham, Stephen and Warren and their families. Forever in our hearts.
A Thanksgiving Service, celebrating Frank’s life will be held at Punchbowl Uniting Church, 11-15 The Broadway, Punchbowl on Thursday 15/10/2015 at 11am. Frank will be privately cremated.
**********
GLORIA FRIEDMAN GREENSPUN
1/4/2016 Here I am again! Jamie has been working at NBC writing for the show, Chicago PD. Her name appears in the credits at the beginning, and in big letters it says Producer JAMIE PACHINO. It should say writer of this episode after that at some point. The show airs this Wednesday, January 6th at 10:00 P.M. on your NBC channel.
On Tuesday evening (the 5th) there is Chicago Fire at 9:00 and Chicago MED at 10. These two shows are running a story this week that will connect to Chicago PD on Wednesday. BUT! You don’t need to watch them all. They each reset their part so you are up on the storyline on Wednesday, and each one can stand alone when it is shown.
Jamie is in Chicago this whole week. She is on set to be there to consult on the filming of her next segment to be shown soon. You will be advised!
Thank you again and again for putting up with me. Many of you have asked for this, and the others were chosen because I think you like Jamie! In any case, I hope you enjoy the show!
I am happy to inform all of you that Jamie has written the Hallmark Christmas movie this year. It is being shown this coming Sunday, December 6th at 8 p.m. EST on the Hallmark station! It is called The Bridge and is based on the best selling book of the same name by Karen Kingsbury. Jamie has told me that it is a sweet story and should please a wide audience.
I hope you will be able to watch it, or DVR it. The Hallmark people liked it enough to have Jamie write a sequel to it for next year!
Hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving festivities and will have a happy holiday season and a New Year filled with good health and good times!
Thanks for putting up with this very proud President.
Gloria
GAYLE HAMILTON BLAKESLEE
6/1/2016 Just back from a perfectly wonderful trip by ship from London to Bergen visiting English southern coast and islands of Ireland and Scotland. Such beautiful gardens.
EDEE HOWARD HOGAN
Had a most interesting trip to Lima Peru in February fascinating place and on our time zone! March took me to Kauai and a wonderful week on that enchanting Island. I leave tomorrow for a Culinary Adventure in Portugal First granddaughter is getting married in Wisconsin May 21 so am looking forward to being with all the family. Love the travel and also enjoying all that Washington DC has to offer.Memorial Day and off to Bethany Beach until end of September- Classmates welcomed!. .
CAROLE JONES ROGERS Dear Friends, Just home from Olivia’s graduation. It was great and I thought my friends who have a political bent might be interested in Matt Damon’s Commencement speech; You can find it on Matt Damon’s web site or MIT website under news MIT.edu. Boston papers called it bold for the occasion. One of Olivia’s friends sure did not like the part about our banking system (she is headed to Wall Street). Anyway, we are very proud of her and her four year record of all A’s and two B’s (pardon the bragging; Olivia would be mortified, but I am a grandmother and she is my only grandchild, so figure I am allowed just this once) Each department had a reception tent so was nice to meet Olivia’s classmates and their parents at the Civil Engineering, Environmental and Energy Studies.
MARCIA KING WILKE
My husband, Norm, died in February, and I moved in April from assisted living, A222 to independent living, D303, 1500 Catherine Street, WW 99362. Now I have to go back to cooking, although I do occasionally eat in the dining room. Anyone have good recipes for a single person?
I forgot to mention my sister, age 88, died the week before Norm, so her service was in March. I was able to attend that in Westminster, MD. Our brother, age 91, died last June, but neither of us were able to get to his service in western NY. Luckily, his son and all my sister’s kids, grandkids and great-grandkids were in Westminster so we had a good gathering. My family was unable to attend. That’s what I get for moving all the way across the country!
Norman Wayne Wilke
Born: March 13, 1932
Died: February 18, 2016
Norman W. Wilke, 83, of Walla Walla, died peacefully at home on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016. He was born to the late Charles and Etta Grace Wilke in Troy, Kan.
In the early 1940s the family relocated to Portland. Shortly after graduation from Jefferson High School, he enlisted in the Army and served as a sergeant in the Korean War. After returning from the war, he received his engineering degree from Oregon State University and moved to Walla Walla where he worked as a structural engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 31 years, retiring in 1989.
Prior to marrying Marcia D. King in 1963, he had two awesome sport cars: a Triumph TR3 and an Alpha Romeo. His love for Marcia, however, surpassed his love of those cars and their sale may be part of the reason he and Marcia had a wonderful marriage of 52 years, resulting in three children and five grandchildren.
Norm is survived by his wife, Marcia. Their living children include Cate Lyon of Walla Walla and Allison (Stuart) Blankenship of Spokane. He is also survived by daughter-in-law, Gwen Wilke and grandchildren Morgana and Maya Wilke of Kenmore, Wash., as well as Caleb, Lilith and Silas Blankenship of Spokane.
Norm was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings and his son, Christopher.
At his request no service will be held. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Heifer International of whose work Norm was especially fond, to Walla Walla Senior Center at the Park for which he delivered Meals on Wheels, or to the charity of your choice.
EMILY RUTH MICHAEL KAHN
Emily Michael Kahn passed away in Kennebunk, Maine, on December 8, 2015, at the age of 79 after battling cancer. She was born on July 23, 1936, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Monroe and Esther Michael. She is survived by her beloved husband, Charles, and her daughter, Maggie Hall (Perry) and her son, Howard Schloss (Debbi). She is the proud grandmother of six; Hallye Hall Perkins (Stephen), Emily Hall Billingsley (Baxter), Michael Schloss, Lindsay Schloss, Gigi Schloss and Matthew Schloss; and one great-grandchild, James Perkins. Emily grew up in Baltimore and New York City, where she attended high school, and after that attended Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. She lived in New Orleans for 42 years and moved permanently to Kennebunk, Maine, in 2005, where she had vacationed for three decades and had a second home. Emily had an indomitable spirit, loved her family, adored to give parties, was passionate about tennis and was an avid fan of the New Orleans Saints and Boston Red Sox. She loved children and dogs. For many years she volunteered at the Children’s Hospital of New Orleans, helping kids suffering from cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 Route 1, Scarborough, Maine, 04074. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Emily’s Book of Memory Page at www.bibberfuneral.com. Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043.
ANNE MONTESANO KERPSACK ELLIS Sad to hear that Frank Artlett died. When I was in Australis, he took us all around to his favorite places.
Our Hood College mini-reunion was cancelled this year because of ill husbands, but we keep in touch by phone.
I was blessed to have four families plus Bob Sr. here for Thanksgiving. Between my house and the Joe Kerpsacks, we were able to accommodate almost everyone. We ordered dinner for 24 from Publix with all the trimmings. Went to the beach and enjoyed the sun. All voted to return next year.
I am loving my new home in Emerald Lakes – large rooms, nice yard, close to church and easy to get around. I swim every day and am looking forward to the garden club, Florida style.
Summer at Conesus Lake found me adding my things to my grandmother’s and mother’s, and I fashioned a family picture wall for posterity.
First Christmas in Florida. I have reacquainted with Montesano cousins about 1 hour away. I am staying put because I need some downtime.
JUDY MORELAND GRANGER
A little news, mainly about our summer travels. Eleven of our family gathered last Saturday evening to share in celebrating our 57th anniversary–a blind date at Hood that went really well–thanks, Jan Knecht ?? (name now). We leave after July 4, heading for a Granger family reunion on Lake Michigan, stopping on the way to be with my aunt and uncle in Delaware, Ohio, as they celebrate his 94th birthday. He was a lucky young Lafayette grad, “90 day wonder” as they called them in the Navy, scheduled, before the bombs dropped and the war ended, to be part of the invasion of Japan. We’ll spend some time while we’re there with Carole Jones Rogers. In late August we head to the mountains of North Carolina to spend a week with my brother and sister-in-law in their summer home there–they escaping the Florida heat and we the Texas! On the way we’re spending a day at the WWII museum in New Orleans–everyone says it’s amazing.
JOANNE PEPER MILNOR
I just finished “screening” (for artifacts) at an archaeology dig in Surfside Beach, SC @ the Ark Plantation. And the Long Bay Symphony Season has ended & so has my volunteering there. All will pick-up again in July. And so I have a brief period of time to catch up on house maintenance & yard work. My brother will visit in June and then I will river cruise in the fall, Switzerland, Germany and, France, followed by a visit to friends in Spain. Life is good in South Carolina. Jo Peper Milnor
JEANNETTE PHELPS
J.P. enjoyed reading The Peabody Sisters. “My winter will be enriched by the author Margaret Fuller and more mid-19th-century women. And a quart of vegan tomato & eggplant soup is in my fridge – cures all colds. J.P. says hi to everyone.
MYRA SILBERSTEIN GOLDGEIER 5/2/2016 has moved to a retirement community, The Forest at Duke in Durham, NC. Myra said she wanted to be near one of her children, close to a good medical facility, and close to an airport. She found all three stipulations and is in a roomy 2-bedroom cottage as of 4/27/16.
MARY-LOU TROUT HADDAD suffered a broken pelvis last winter, which really slowed her down for a while. She loves to read and appreciates suggestions. She also finds Facebook very entertaining. Mary-Lou and Charles recently attended a granddaughter’s college graduation.
CAROLYNNE VEAZEY LATHROP
Well, I get email AND Facebook so clearly I have no excuse for being late with class news. But it will be early for next time!
I just got back last week from a week at my son Nathaniel’s near Boston. I went then in order to see my grandchildren, Kierthan, 14, and Annika, 12, in the fall play of the Concord Youth Theatre, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Annika was in the chorus and Kierthan was Pharaoh, which meant he had to impersonate Elvis. Thanks to Youtube he was able to research Elvis’ style. I was also able to see Nathaniel play cello in the New Hampshire Orchestra, both in rehearsal and in concert. The soloist was a very good violinist, Jennifer Koh.
Nathaniel will also be playing in the pit orchestra for the New Hampshire Ballet (Manchester) performance of The Nutcracker in the coming weeks. Any of you in New England might want to add that to your Christmas activities, as I’m sure it will be delightful. Last year I saw the Boston Ballet’s version, as Nathaniel was playing with them at the time.
Since I am working only two days a week at the University of Dubuque, I can go a little more often to visit my New England family, but for a shorter time, since I don’t have any vacation days. My younger son, Toby, lives in Madison, Wis., and surprisingly I see less of him than my New England contingent.
I’m going back to a physical therapist again for a few sessions trying to correct a balance problem. I think it is caused by medications so I’m not sure what they can do, but I want to avoid falling. It has been three years since I was diagnosed with celiac disease so I’ve pretty much adjusted to the gluten-free diet, though I have been known to cheat. When I started eating gluten-free my supermarket had almost nothing, but now they have a variety of products.
Anne, I hope you are recovering from you ankle injury and getting around better. And I hope every one else reading this is well, too.
JOAN VICTOR BOOS
May 4, 2016
I’m writing from my hotel room in Johannesburg SA where I am currently staying while my husband, John, is recovering from a fall while on safari in Kasone, Botswana. We had him med-Flighted to Milpark hospital here for treatment. He suffered a subdural hematoma and concussion. He is recovering and we are waiting to hear from his travel insurance about plans to fly him home to Columbus, OH. He is slowly improving and is currently stable enough to travel. He is not a happy camper!
Fortunately our son is with us and is helping me since this side trip was not on our itinerary. We hope to leave within a week and our son will return to his family in Lusaka, Zambia.
I hope that the next time I write things are better. Joan Boos
May 5, 2016
Things changed yesterday. John became unresponsive and they did an emergency CT scan and found out he had developed a chronic subdural hematoma which can occur after a head injury. Pressure from fluids while the injury is healing build up and have to be released. They operated yesterday afternoon and removed the clot and liquid build up. He was still sedated when we left yesterday and will be for another day. He will have to remain there in ICU until he shows improvement then moved to another ward. In other words, he will be there for another three weeks. Fortunately our son and daughter-in-law are with us. I would be floundering without them. Plans are, my son will fly home to Lusaka on Sunday and Katrina will stay with me until his return the following weekend. They have two young children,11&13, at home and both work.
Regards to all and keep John who many of you know in your prayers.
6/16/16 We arrived home on Sat. Jun 11 and John was admitted to the hospital for evaluation. He was transferred to Ohio Health Rehabilitation Hospital on Tues and is in an intense rehab program probably for 2 weeks or to be determined. He improves every day. Our daughter and her family arrived yesterday.
Thanks to all the Hoodlums who sent prayers and good wishes.
SUE WILSON OFFICER
Am missing all my friends on the East Coast. My back is not getting any better & keeps me pretty much at home. Changes from day to day. Am trying everything but nothing has helped so far.
ANNE WILSON HEUISLER
I had a pretty rough winter, beginning last fall with a broken ankle from Ambien-induced sleepwalking, falling down seven steps. My sister moved in to help me until I could handle the stairs. Then she had knee surgery, and it was my turn to help her. But she didn’t recover. Something mysterious affected her mentally, as well as recurrence of chronic digestive complications, and her condition deteriorated until she died on December 19, 2015. Carole Jones Rogers arrived a few hours after Jeannette died. She spent the night here on her way to her daughter, Caroline’s on the Eastern Shore. Carole was a great comfort to me. I was devastated. Jeannette and I did so much together, especially in the years since Phil died. She had worked on writing a memoir for years. I found it on her computer and added an epilogue and produced a pdf copy as well as a printed copy. It is really a wonderful story, a narrative of her life and family as well as the story of our parents and extended family. It is a priceless gift to all who loved her. I recommend that we all follow Jeannette’s example and try to write our stories.
ANNE WILSON HEUISLER
6102 BUCKINGHAM MANOR DRIVE
BALTIMORE, MD 21210
410 377 5026; aheuisler@comcast.net
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