Sara (Sally) Parkhurst Van Why
814-623-1557
sallyvanwhy@gmail.com

Wow, almost our 45^th class reunion.  Since many of us have the opportunity to travel, I asked to hear about your journeys and any other news.  Ann Jones says the big event of her year was traveling Route 66 for her 66^th! You can read about it on her sister’s blog: http://www.blog.thezenofslowcooking.com/route-66/. It was lots of fun – not least of which being able to spend nearly two weeks of uninterrupted time with her sister. She went back to the Navajo reservation and revisited some of the places that she frequented when she lived and taught there after Hood. She said, “Who was that young girl?  – amazing that I had the courage to do that way back when!”  Back in Lake Forest, Ill Ann continues to work in real estate and do volunteer activities with the Caucus, Historical Society, etc. Bonny Barncord Berger and husband Richard celebrated his retirement with a hiking trip to Ireland with friends.  They loved the beautiful country and friendly people. They celebrated her 65^th with a wonderful trip exploring Italy. She says, “That’s one good thing about being our age. We feel the need to travel as often as we can to see as much as we can!” They also spent a fun week in Bar Harbor, Maine with their three kids and two grandchildren. She keeps in touch with Alison Alder Kennedy and Ann Jones thru Facebook. She takes Zumba with Joan Theobald Wentling ’66. Leslie Hawkins says she finally made it to retirement after a 40 year career in health care administration and moved from her last job in Washington state to Tucson and a new home.  The last few months have been a whirlwind of getting to know a new area, and a new lifestyle not designed around work, but around her interests and exploration of new places.  She also just returned from London and tour of Scotland.  Patricia Henry Montgomery just returned from a three week trip to Hong Kong and Taiwan.  Catherine Seely Rulon-Miller (who went back to her original married name in order to have the same last name as her sons) received her Master’s degree in Pastoral Care and Counseling. She did her internship at Mirmont Treatment Center, which is an inpatient facility treating alcoholics and addicts. She feels called to work with this population since she can joyfully report that she has 20 years of sobriety from alcoholism. She has gone through two marriages and is happily single again and ready to stay single for a long time. Her two sons, 30 and 34, are healthy and employed. Lorraine Sharp Kish does her traveling between her three sons who live in three different states a plane ride away.  They are all happily married including the last one who was married at a New York state winery in September. What fun! She and Pete are planning to downsize once again and move south to the beach, hoping to attract more visits from kids and grandkids. Sherry Bronski Waltz took a cruise around the British Isles. Charlie Miller Ponticelli will be serving on the External Advisory Council for Hood’s new Global Studies program.  Under the direction of Prof. Paige Eager, the program offers an amazing interdisciplinary major preparing students for career paths in global business & economics, global politics and world cultures. Donna Simmons Maneely continues to enjoy retirement with travel. She enjoyed a beautiful Hawaiian island cruise tour with her Aussie friend. She did her annual N. CA trip to see family including two college age grandkids and middle school new teenager. She also relaxed on her annual summer vacation on FL’s Gulf Coast near Sarasota at the beach while visiting her sister. In Sept./Oct. she splurged on a quick trip to Australia to see her dear mate again and attend a football championship of her favorite Aussie team. Singing for 6 yrs. in Encore Chorale is a true treat. Just before our June 2018 reunion she will travel with them to Montreal and Quebec for a concert tour. Sailing and snow skiing also occupy a little of her recreational time. As one of our three reunion co-chairs, along with Karen Bast Griffith, and Kathy Nixdorff Wilson, she and I are certainly looking forward to seeing you at our reunion. Please do mark your calendars to attend June 8-10.