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 5^th 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 12^th.  We had a Thanksgiving Service on October 15^th 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 5^th) 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 6^th 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-19^th-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

 

2015

Sarah Tapscott
301-807-7821
st12@hood.edu

It’s been a whole year, can you believe it?!  What a crazy and life-changing year it’s been doing so many great things all over the world.  Here’s what some of us have been up to:  James Sola began working as a contractor for Elanco where he has been developing both existing and new enzymatic assays.  Emily Eckard completed her first year of graduate school and will start full time fieldwork at Manor Care Pittsburgh in January 2017.  She is doing a Masters of Occupational Therapy program at Chatham University.  Adam Bir is a Financial Advisor with AXA Advisors in Buffalo, New York and lives in Tonawanda, New York.  Aaron Bowen-Ziecheck has been living in Lancaster, England while studying for his Masters degree in Information Technology and Management at Lancaster University.  He hopes to return to the US after graduating and start a career with an IT company.  Julianne Berg is currently finishing up her service year with AmeriCorps in South Carolina. Since August 2015 she has been working as a VISTA with the Palmetto Project and serving as their volunteer and story bank coordinator.  She finds the work to be extremely rewarding and wants to continue to work for non-profits in the future.  Andrew Musick started working in HIV research in a NIH/NCI lab at Fort Detrick.  He currently works in the Translational Research Unit within the HIV dynamics and replication program (HIV-DRP).  In May 2017 he plans on presenting his work in the 2017 HIV Dynamics and Evolution conference in Scotland.  Chelsea Rudy has been a long-term Special Education Substitute at Oakdale Elementary in Frederick County. She has not started graduate school but plans to pursue it in the near future.  Heidi Marino is currently a graduate assistant and in the ladder portion of her Masters degree program at Shippensburg University studying Communications with an emphasis in Strategic Public Relations.  Her Masters thesis focuses on the use of public relations to increase brand visibility for a fashion-based 501(c)3 nonprofit in connection with the Shippensburg University Foundation.  Stephanie Kelley graduated from University of Maryland, Baltimore County with a Masters in Social Work and a concentration in clinical behavioral health in July 2016. Stephanie is now employed as a Masters level clinician at an outpatient substance abuse treatment facility.  For a few months, Cody Lopez was substitute teaching but recently became a National Park Service Ranger for Catoctin Mountain Park in Thurmont, Maryland.  Russell Melendez works for the city of Baltimore as an Operations Technician Apprentice.  He’s responsible for keeping all the pumping stations and storm drains operational and keeping track of the amount of water being pumped daily.  He says, “life is great!”  Herman Cohee married Christine Carter ’14 in May of 2015 and celebrated their first year anniversary this past May.  He works for Amazon at the Fulfillment Center in Middletown, Delaware.  Maja Tavra got married and is now Mrs. Mendes. After graduation she traveled to California and Turkey and is learning the Turkish language.  She works with NCR in her home country of Serbia.  She lives in Belgrade but plans on coming back to the USA by the end of the year.  Naeisha Palmer is a kindergarten teacher in the Cape Henlopen School District in Delaware and recently bought her first home.  Alex Bodroghy began medical school at the prestigious St. Georges University in Grenada in January 2016 and loves every minute.  Jena Stone spent this past summer walking from Georgia to Maine. In April, Jena (trail name, Skittles) set out from Springer Mountain in Georgia to walk all 2189.1 miles of the Appalachian Trail with the hopes of reaching Mount Katahdin in late September.  Natalie Guerra has been working as an accountant for a small business in Alexandria, Virginia.  In a year she will be getting married to her fiancé Joey Maltais.  This fall she will begin classes to obtain her CPA.  Samuel Lopez started working in Frederick Community College’s Library and their Tutoring & Writing Center in April and gave a presentation on Frederick’s churches at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in August.  I, Sarah Tapscott am still Publicity Chair for the Choral Arts Society of Frederick and instructing local color guards.  In November 2015 I was promoted to Operations Lead for a 4-part corporation but I’m actively looking for opportunities in the event management industry.  I’m also beginning graduate school soon!  Keep an eye for my e-mails, send me your updated info, and keep doing great things 2015!

 

 

2011

Megan Dancause
717-285-7056
mdancause@comcast.net

It’s hard to believe that it has been five years since the class of 2011 left Hood College. What isn’t hard to believe is that the class continues to achieve and strive for great things. The class of 2011 has been keeping busy, as usual. LT Shane Brady, fighter pilot in the US Navy, is attached to the world famous VFA-151 Vigilantes providing a blanket of freedom while deployed on the USS John C Stennis (CVN-74) in the Western Pacific.  LT Brady flies the Navy’s premier Strike Fighter aircraft, the F/A-18E Super Hornet. Kayla Murphy Caw married Matthew Caw in October 2015 at Shade Trees and Evergreens in Frederick, MD. Sarah Johnston Comer, M.B.A,’14 earned a Master’s of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Human Resources from Hood College in May 2014 and was inducted into the Delta Mu Delta business honor society. She began a career in Records Management in November 2014 and married Matthew Comer in September 2015 amid the beauty of the New York Adirondack Mountains. Juliana Eaton Cooney and her husband are expecting their first child this fall, a girl due October 5^th. Megan Dancause earned her Master’s in Business Administration from Lebanon Valley College in May 2016. Lauren Dods is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree at UMUC for Management, with a specialization in Emergency Management. Jessica Miller Kehler married Garrett Kehler on November 7, 2015. In attendance were Hood graduates Jennie Huntoon ’10, Katie Bergin ’09, Maggie Paulk ’11, Anna Kovacsics ’15, Stephanie Hanthorne Miller, M.A.’14, Ashley Eaton ’10, and James Taylor ’12. Eve Maryn relocated to Phoenix, Arizona where she has been teaching kindergarten for almost a year. Whitney Plummer has been working at Experient-inc for three years and is getting married in October 2016. Emily Cucchi Raines and her husband purchased a home and moved back to Frederick. Emily also accepted a new job working as a Marketing Manager for a Cloud-based IT company. Reco Siler, M.S.’16, C’16 earned his Master’s in Information Technology with a Cyber-security certificate. He has been working at ORACLE as a Support Analyst for three years. Victoria Utoh ’10 was recently accepting into the PhD program at Seton Hall University where she will be studying higher education. Victoria will begin this fall!

2010

Ali Kelley
410-531-1108
aekelley06@gmail.com

Ashley Eaton started a new job as an accountant at LTBD, PC. She graduated in June from George Mason University with a M.S. in Accounting.

2008

Megan Phillips Rosier
megankrosier@gmail.com
mkp11@hood.edu

Sarah Haney Koons
240-520-6523
sjh6@hood.edu

There must be something in the air for the Class of 2008. There is a lot of happy wedding, baby and career news to share! Charly Mulligan married Bethany Culler on October 2, 2015. Charly and Bethany currently live in Hagerstown with their daughter Katelyn. Jennell Washington Lowry and her husband welcomed baby girl Alyssa on September 11, 2015. Marjorie Bodrogi Musary married Michael Musary, Jr. on May 16, 2015 in Reisterstown, MD. The newlyweds currently live in Prospect Heights, IL. Stephanie Garrett Soukup, M.D., recently finished as Chief Resident in Pediatrics at Sinai Hospital, and she will be starting as a primary care pediatrician in Olney, MD. Stephanie and her husband Andy had a baby girl in December. Candice Pfiester Moreland is working at Berkeley Family Medicine and Urgent Care as a PA. She has two beautiful little girls. Megan Tooker is working full time as a case manager at Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa, FL. It is a transitional housing program/shelter for homeless families. Megan will also be starting the Masters of Social Work program at the University of South Florida in August. Ashley Sirtautas Murphy, M.A.’11, C’10 and husband Justin, current Computational Science student at Hood, welcomed Ryker Madden Murphy to the family on January 16. Ryker was 7lbs, 5 oz and 20 inches long. The whole family is doing well. Amanda Jimenez Alley and her husband Patrick have been moving around; Boston, to MD to Maine, and finally settled in Rollinsford, NH with their two beautiful boys. Amanda keeps busy working part-time at the town library, blogging for two websites (Fit4Mom and Seacoast Mom’s Blog), and keeps active in several local mom’s groups. Patrick rehabs old mill buildings as the project manager for a local contracting company. Amanda’s godmother, Mari Padilla Spina ’86 was recently at Hood for her reunion and made Amanda so nostalgic that she is ready to come back! April Street Der had a busy spring. She graduated from Loyola University on May 21^st with a Masters in Counseling Psychology. On June 17, 2016 she married Anthony Der in Elkridge, MD. Malissa “Mal” Lamont Petterson wrote a stage play entitled, The 800th Annual Salvation Swing-Off. After their premiere run in Madison, WI, it was accepted to the New York International Fringe Festival in August. This is her third show produced in Madison, with the fourth due to hit the stage in 2017. As for me, Megan Phillips Rosier, I am still enjoying my full-time career as an Accountant for FMH, but I also decided to take up a 2^nd job as a Zumba instructor. Thanks for sharing all of your news and have a fantastic summer!

 

2006
Sharia Barksdale
301-449-5891
rdy2xplore@yahoo.com

Nichole N. May and fiancé Tony Rodriguez were engaged in November 2015 and will be celebrating a May 6, 2017 wedding in Coffman Chapel at Hood College with a reception to follow in Urbana, Md.

2005

Leslie Beck Hughan
410-303-2208
lhughan@gmail.com

Greetings classmates! In this issue, five members of our class have great news to share with you about new degrees, promotions, engagements, a birth, and being a published author. Maggie Hasselbach graduated with a Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary this spring. Nilah Magruder has a picture book coming out in November! How To Find A Fox, about a little girl’s attempts to photograph a sneaky red fox, was written and illustrated by Nilah and will release from Feiwel & Friends on Nov. 15, 2016. Currently it’s available for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. It’ll also be available in most bookstores! Together with her husband, Jennifer Stiegler-Balfour welcomed a second son, Mason Erwin Balfour on April 7, 2016 in Portland, Maine. Big brother Liam and the rest of the family couldn’t be happier about the new addition to the family. Jenny also received tenure and was promoted to Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of New England in March 2016.  Victoria Tanguay became engaged to Trevor Bromberg in September 2015. This spring she graduated from Colorado State University with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and earned certification in Medical Veterinary Acupuncture. Charlene Vestermark was promoted to Major in the US Army and is started her last year as a gastroenterology fellow at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on July 1, 2016. Additionally, Charlene and George Hauser, a dentist and a Captain in the Army, will be married in Jamaica come November 2016. They are really excited to begin this new chapter together.  Congratulations, Maggie, Nilah, Jenny, Tori, and Charlene!

2004
Chanda Gilmore
chandagilmore@gmail.com

Michelle Donati-Grayman
602-373-8656
m.b.donati@gmail.com

Class of 2004 has been very active again, from new babies to new jobs.  Congratuations to all of us! Congrats to Maya Laws Barney and her husband, Justin, on the birth of their first child, Jasmine Marie, born on June 16, 2016. Congrats to Sara Lewis and her husband on the birth of their third child, Lila Catherine, on April 17, 2016.  Lila joins big brothers Grant and Eamon.  Congrats to Melissa Janovic Dasch M.A.’10 and Thomas E. Dasch, Jr. on the birth of their third child, Tolan Robert, on September 6, 2015. Congrats to Cara Overcash Orr and her husband, Jonathan, on the birth of their second son, Karson Levi, on February 14, 2016.  Cara continues to practice family medicine as a Physician Assistant and accepted a position with Temple Physicians, Inc. in February 2015. Lauren Davies Rosario and her husband, J. Tito, welcomed son Kieran in November 2015. Fellow 2004 alum Jessica Lertora Sweeney is his godmother. Lauren was promoted to Marketing Manager at Psychological Assessment Resources (PAR), a publisher of tests for school psychologists, counselors, and neuropsychologists. Phil Dahlheimer and his wife celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary and their daughter just turned 3.  Sherri Moser took a job as clinical psychologist in primary care at the Orlando VA Medical Center and relocated to Orlando at the end of November 2015. Beatrice McClearn Glenn and her husband sold their first house and purchased their second house in August 2015. Mary Hope Rottman Shaw remarried in November 2014 and relocated to Wales, England on May 20, 2016 where she start a new life and career there as a web design specialist. According to Mary, her “ECE degree from Hood, though not in the same field, really comes in handy when I am writing up style plans for clients. My managers say I am excellent client-side.” Sarrah Kiermayr Yoder was promoted to the Therapy Team Lead of the Speech Therapy department at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Colorado Springs where she has worked for the past 7 years. Wendy Cochran Taylor has been with the Frederick County Health Department for over 9 years and has been the Program Manager of the Food Program within the Environmental Health Services Division for over 5 years now.

2002

Megan Mills
619-988-0462
meganrhiana@gmail.com

I hope this column finds all the class of 2002 doing well after a warm and relaxing summer. I’ve got a few updates from classmates around the country and I am thrilled to share that our Hood family has grown by a little bit. Melissa Spade Cristler and her husband welcomed their first child, Charlotte Emily Cristler on November 2, 2015. Maggie Laabs Piccone and her husband welcomed their second son, Finley David Piccone, on May 25 (his due date).  Louise Shoemaker Stephens, M.S.’06 and family relocated to Boise, Idaho after her husband accepted a job opportunity. She is continuing to teach secondary special Ed in the local school district and they bought a house in April so it looks like they will be staying for a while. In an entrepreneurial spirit true to her Hood roots, Kim Hart and her husband and started a company called Beach Bites which allows folks to order food from their favorite Ocean City, MD restaurants and have it delivered to them right on the beach!  There is a free app called Beach Bites people can download or they can order through our website: www.beachbites4U.com.  If you’re visiting Ocean City, MD this summer, check it out!  In addition, she started a performance company called BMoreMusical. They put on a few performances each year in Baltimore, the next show is in early October 2016 so be sure to check out BMoreMusical.com for tickets and more information. My family and I just wrapped up our first year here in Hawaii, so if you ever find yourself headed to the islands, drop me a line, I think we’re finally at the point where we can offer tourist advice!

1998

Pamela Wilson Colaluca
540-631-5928
pamelacolaluca@gmail.com

Erin Goley reported that, despite an unfortunate leg break, she had a wonderful time playing in the Hood Alumnae Soccer Game with Laura Kontes Ames, Naomi Cross, and Suzanne Benson ’00 this spring. Karen White is living in Fargo, ND with her dog Tera. This September, she will be celebrating 16 years at the advertising agency Avenue Right. She is also the Director of Christian Education at Prairie View Church. Laura Kontes Ames, Melanie Gorr and Angela Gennaccaro Brooke got together in Nashville, TN this June to celebrate their 40th birthdays! Any news to share? Please email me at pamelacolaluca@gmail.com.