1970

Marj Menchey Berkheimer
mench49@gmail.com

I’m pleased to be your new class reporter but saddened that it is because Karin Ninesling Infuso, our loyal reporter, died in December 2019. I know that Karen “Kari” Blair misses her dear friend terribly…

My first reply came from Marty Hassell with the very happy news of being newly married! Marty and Ellen Anthony (Vassar not Hood!) were married on June 2, 2019. Linda Allan and Deborah Parsons ’71 were at the wedding. Much happiness and best wishes to them! Leslie Wenger Fitzgerald wrote from Savannah, GA where she and Steve have been living since 2000. They left NJ when McGraw Hill shut down the department she and Steve headed. They are enjoying the quieter, slower pace of the south and now operate a business intermediary office. Although busy with work, Leslie has returned to painting – look for her website: www.LFitzgeraldArt.com. Lauren Frankel wrote from Pasadena, CA where she is involved with organization development consulting. She met up with Phyllis Goodnow, while attending a wedding in Maine. She also keeps in touch with Martha Herbert Bounoure and Georgeanne Madouros Contoyannopoulos who are both overseas and Millie Smith Steinbrecher ’71 who is near Pasadena. Lauren shares the joy of being a new grandmother with Peggy Muncie. Her daughter and wife live in Minneapolis where Lauren often visits to see baby Juna. Elaine Hubert writes from Vermont but spends much time in Californian with daughter Laura and her children, Bodhi (3) and Bella (6 months). ((There is definitely a grandmother theme in this newsletter!))  Elaine and Myra Holsinger traveled together on a Hood alumni sponsored trip to the UK. (I have also been on one of these trips and encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities). Peggy Muncie became a grandmother on June 23rd . She is “over the moon with happiness”. Peggy and Stephen live in Greenville, SC . She will be looking for ideas and help for the Chapel Service on Reunion Weekend. The 50th Class is traditionally in charge of this lovely service. Please plan this event into your reunion weekend plans. Cindy Besancon Walsh wrote from Spokane WA. She and husband, Dan, retired there to be with their son and grandkids. Their outdoor activities include camping, fishing, golfing, horseback riding, and “rock hounding”. She finds gems in the mountains and creates jewelry! She recently vacationed with Sally Miller Keehn ’69. Nancy Schneider Alder is using her ECE degree with taking care of a niece’s baby. She has also been fostering kittens, volunteering at a surgical center, nursing home, and church and helps to care for her 95 year old mother. That’s a lot of admirable help given! Myra Holsinger writes that she and Marie Oliver Brackbill and Ellen Sands Smith get together at Ellen’s home in Easton MD for eating, talking, shopping, and watching Marie knit. I’m sure the food includes wonderful Eastern Shore seafood! I’m adding thanks to Myra as well as to Linda Allan for their many hours spent guiding our college as trustees. Donna Newman plans to be at our reunion, but she can’t believe its number 50! She says the 2018 was her fun year- 4 different beaches, domestic and Caribbean, 3 week Mediterranean cruise, couple of weeks in Paris, and a month in Asia? WOW! 2019 is the year homeowner obligations and repairs. Donna, I’d like to hear more about that month in Asia! Christine Goodwin Oster writes: no news here, just living in the woods, making pots, and frequently visiting our family in the DC area. As for me, Marj Menchey Berkheimer, Life is VERY Good! Phil and I have a home in Naples, Florida and have become snowbirds. We enjoyed hosting friends and family the past winter and learning about southwest Florida and its flora and fauna. Mary Rife James, hosted Hood Alums at her beautiful home in Naples in March. I also see Linda Allan and Myra Holsinger at Hood Trustee events on campus. I am now on the Board of Associates with Ellen Sacks so I feel very involved with Hood. You can be proud of your alma mater! Sam aka Mary Ryan Reeves and I see each other constantly in Frederick. We are already planning our 50th reunion for June 5-7, 2020. Sam and I will be co-chairs, Peggy Muncie will lead the Chapel Service (with volunteers), Linda Allan and Myra Holsinger will be heading the fundraising. Sam has designed a beautiful scarf in the Hermes style, bordered in yellow – our class color. We’re hoping you’ll buy and wear it proudly as we enter the reunion luncheon! Sam hosted Linda Israel Lamm ’69, for her 50th reunion last month. Sam and John also attended several reunion events especially enjoying the Campus Tour. I attended many events last month with Molly Stuart’69, my roommate in Terrace House my junior year along with Barbara Hoagland Zeigler ’69. Susan Taylor Shoch ’69, and Barbara were the co-chairs of their reunion. The Class of ’69 had a big turnout at the reunion and was a wonderful weekend. Please mark your calendars now for our 50th! Let Sam and me know of ideas and suggestions you might have. We have set up a Facebook page, Hood College Class of 1970. Please follow us as we plan and post plans for next June. Also add your comments and pictures.