1982
Elizabeth Bastian Chapin
610.823.2172
busybethc@aol.com

Hello class of 1982! I am so thrilled to hear from some new voices and appreciate the quick reply. Susan Raffaele McHenry and husband Geoff will be empty nesters this Fall. Their twins are heading off to college in Ohio and South Carolina; their oldest child is a senior at William & Mary and hopes to go to medical school. Susan has volunteered and been involved in her children’s activities for many years! She might return to work at some day but is currently caring for her parents as they both battle cancer. A family trip to Cabo San Lucas is planned for the summer and a trip to France in the Fall. Keeping the days busy is Susan’s goal to fill the void at home. Summer 2019 marks the one year anniversary of a state of the sport 8 court indoor tennis center on the NJ shore (parkavetennis.com) where Elizabeth “Bambi” Maitland Grundwerg and husband are co-developers. The first year is looking good! Bambi has plans to travel to Portland, OR late summer to celebrate Linda Esterhoy Segur’s birthday with Anne Connal Biron and a girls week on the NW wine trail and beach! Life is good in Cincinnati for Dawson Casey Bullock! The kids are off the payroll! Her oldest, Caroline, completed her masters in biomedical engineering and is employed by a clinical trial company. Daughter Gibson recently moved to Milwaukee to begin her job in the marketing field. While husband John travels a lot, Dawson still runs her own business and a staff of seven. “Designs by Dawson” is an invitation, stationery, and gift store in Cincinnati. Her mother, Ann “Corky” Pattison Casey ’53, recently passed away. After discovering her mother’s Hood ring, Dawson proudly wore it to her mother’s service. Proud to know that Hood played a big part of her mother’s life and influenced lifelong friendships. If ever in Cincinnati call Dawson! Joy Miller Beveridge continues to enjoy serving on the Alumni Executive Board with the new Director of Alumni and Constituent Engagement, Kellye Greenwald ’86, and on the Board of Associates with Magaly Maurus Green ’74, Co-Chair and Emily VanderWoude, Director of Leadership Giving.  She would love to hear from other local alum who have time to volunteer at many local events where we engage with the students and with the community, both on and off campus.  Husband Don and Joy have been traveling more often to Arizona and California, visiting children and two granddaughters… retirement is looking better all the time, but no time soon!  They look forward to their annual trip to the Kennett Square area where they enjoy the Labor Day weekend with Elizabeth Bastian Chapin and Chip Chapin, while celebrating the lives of Elizabeth LePatourel Powell ’50 and Mary Hendershot Bastian ’50, once again united! After a tough 2018, Jackie McDaniel West is celebrating her 59th year all year long! 2019 has been filled with travel, concerts, family and friends! Her birthday celebration began in Nashville with friends and was joined by Christy Belisle Fitzgerald. Family visits in Louisville, a few days in St. Michaels MD with Glynnis Edwards Cowdery, a family trip to Alaska and a girls trip to Wimbledon are now memories! She has renewed friendships with Kim Keeney and Amy Blades Steward. Not only did they all attend Hood but they spent their high school years together! Kim and Amy have been a tremendous support to Jackie while she helps care for her sister who suffers from Alzheimers. Life is too short so Jackie is embracing experiences and friends. Focus on the positive! “Be where your feet are.” Back in January, Gretchen Steinmetz Keith and I, Elizabeth Bastian Chapin, attended the Hood/Albright basketball games in Reading, PA. We had a fun time cheering on the Blazer men and women with Kellye Greenwald ’86 and Hood’s athletic director Dr. Susan Kolb. I manage to keep travelling or I’m on the go when not in the office. Despite a desired better work/life balance, work hard, play hard is my motto!  Thanks to all who contributed to the column this issue. I hope to hear from more of you in the future. Best to all – Liz.

1980
Allison Horne
267.251.2077
auntieal@verizon.net
It has been a few years since I have reported on the Lucky Ladies (and men) of 1980…Katie McCombs Zirnkilton, Ellen Higgins Kornfeld, Amy Falk Felker, Laurie Drysdale, Beth Ward Ross, Ann Lawrence Brooks’79 and Sarah Ann Miller got together to celebrate their 60th birthdays in late September on Nantucket at Sarah’s house.  Audrey Tozer has kept in touch with many classmates via email, phone and Facebook.  Last fall she reported that she has been in touch with Anne Driscoll Williams, Theodora “Ted” Felegi Laws, Linda O’Toole Teebagy, Mary Zachry Tielking and Debbie Wills ’78.  Audrey and Kim run their individual businesses and keep quite busy around the farmette.  Their fur family consists of mini horses, standard sized horses, barn kitties and dogs.  Deborah May Beckmann Austill is still working here in Frederick as a Family Practice Physician Assistant for Frederick Primary Care Associates.  She and her husband, Dave, have 1 grandson and 3 step grandchildren.  Susan Reeder Jessee ran for County Council in 2018 in Frederick Co. but lost by just 520 votes. She has started a new job at USAMRIID as a Project Manager and finds it a privilege to be working on therapeutics and vaccines that will help keep our soldiers safe.  Her daughter, Emily, will be a junior at Hood this fall.   Kim Taylor Corle writes that her kids are in various stages of getting married, and she has rediscovered her art, actively painting and exhibiting while husband, Blaine, is golfing more than anyone she knows!  Mary Newton Deighan and husband, Mike, live and work in Charlottesville, VA.  Most of their nine children have graduated from college and are adults finding their way in the world, working jobs and raising families.  They are not quite the empty nesters yet with three children still at home, (two attending college and one in high school), but they’re getting there.  She still has her part-time bookkeeping job which has kept my mind nimble with all the advances in technology. She shifted her sewing hobby from costuming for theater to teaching small hands to sew in a beginners sewing club. She and Mike have been taking river cruises, most recently traveling both the Rhine and Danube Rivers.   Deborah Sheetenhelm Hammond, since retirement, has published 19 books and about to release lucky #20, Both Sides Now. Her books can be found on Amazon.com in both paperback and kindle versions.  Julie Flynn wrote that on Dec 14, 2017, after being together for 20 years, she married her partner, RaDonna Burik.  It was a small wedding performed by their pastors at the Lutheran Church they attend.  She thinks that they were as excited as she was that they could finally, legally, get married! She recently retired from Siemens Healthcare after 30+ years.  She doesn’t miss work at all and highly recommends retirement to everyone. Valerie Cerrone Nelson is a practicing midwife at Jacobi Medical Center, a large NYC hospital that serves a united nations of patients speaking every language.  Her grandson Desmond was just 2 and is the light and joy of their lives! Anne Reynolds Gurney and I recently got together in Gettysburg for lunch and a few of us from Meyran (me, Ellen Aries Mulhern, Linda Curry Heartfield, Jak Killefer Cruthers, and Kim Taylor Corle) got together last fall on Cape Cod for a weekend to celebrate our 60^th birthdays.  I also recently retired from Marsh & McLennan Companies after 26+ years and 12 years at Thalhimers, and like Julie Flynn, I highly recommend it.  I look forward to traveling and spending times with family and friends.  See you at our 40^th Reunion next June!

1978
Kathryn Brown Sandifer
klsandman2002@yahoo.com

Susan Dornbusch Sohn loves living in southern MD and being a part of their grandchildren’s lives-Grace (7), Luke (5). Her daughter is expecting her first baby in Nov. Lynette Cuthbertson Smith and I continue to get together as often as we can. She loves being a Nana! Tonya Thomas Finton says “Big changes for me”.  She and Tim moved to Richmond, VA in March.  Our oldest son lives there.  After a lifetime in Washington DC, this was a big decision but we are loving it!  I’ve met another Hood alum, Eva Sayegh Teig Hardy ’65, we live in the same neighborhood! Kelly Walfred Miller says last summer, she and Ed had lunch in Gettysburg, PA with Jennifer Goerk Lyden ’80 and her husband, Pete.  At Christmas, they surprised us with a fabulous CD, “A Christmas Valentine for You”, hosted by Pete! In March, Kelly had lunch with Ann Kowitski Barber ’77.  She was visiting her daughter, Kaelly, PA-C, in Massachusets and Ann drove from New Hampshire to spend the day.  “We talked about our law practices and then reminisced about the fun times at Hood!”  Anne Reed is still working full time as the Executive Director of the Transfiguration Spirituality Center just north of Cincinnati, and volunteers as deacon in the Episcopal Church for two local congregations. She’s also singing in a women’s barbershop chorus and in a barbershop quartet. “Once in while I am home to do laundry, attend symphony, opera, baseball, and just bask in the glow of quiet.” She and husband Giff visited their son in California in May, as they anticipate his completing his PhD in linquistics. Every Christmas their family gathers in Florida to spend time with Anne’s mom, and last October, they joined with family in Wilmington, NC to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of her aunt Anne Van Looy Mallett ’58 and her husband Jim. “I didn’t think there were any ‘Hoodies’ in Cincinnati, and one day at work, I was facilitating a quiet day and used the Hood bag given to us at the reunion to carry my books.  One of the participants came up to me and asked if I went to Hood. Dr. Christine McHenry ’73 (she was on the Board of Trustees) visits our Center regularly and has been a planning colleague. So now I have a Hood buddy in Cincinnati!” She is also proud to say that Taylor Greenbaum ’19, is a family member through marriage. And recently she was talking with a young woman in Frederick, MD, while attending a wedding, and urged her to attend Hood. Diane Zortman Duelfer shares that she retired as of October 1st, 2017. She married a wonderful gentleman and fellow bike rider, Jim Tice, September 5th, 2017. They now ride a tandem and can keep up with the “big boys”. They moved to Loveland, Colorado April 27th 2018. The biking and hiking is amazing. She still swims at a local high school about a mile from home. In November of 2017 she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. It took a bit to stabilize the meds, but now it is fairly well controlled. Hence the tandem bike. She has a grandson, Adeo, age 5. You can imagine the energy he has and how interesting he is. Laura, my daughter, and husband Aquee are expecting September 16th. Jim’s daughter-in-law, Candace, and son, Chris have a 2 year old, Eva, and are expecting September 30th. Fortunately they both live in San Francisco area. Her other daughter, Lisa, and husband, Scott, live in the Philadelphia area and help out with Diane’s Mom who is turning 90 in October. I trust this message finds everyone healthy and enjoying family and whatever passion fills their lives. Blessings to everyone. Joan Plant-Middleton lets us know that she is alive and enjoying life in DC! Suzanne Bohn Richardson sends greetings to all. Sally Whisner Hoague retired from Frederick County Public Schools after teaching Special Education 38 years.  Samantha and I still live in Lake Linganore and our daughter, Abby, is a senior at the University of Maryland majoring in education. Our daughter also teaches at the Kiddie Academy in New Market. As for me, Kathie Brown Sandifer, Husband Herb and I are “thinking” about retiring…. We have 4 grandbabies, with the latest arrival in May, Trevor William, to our son Brian and wife Jen.  We had an exciting adventure in June when we circumnavigated the Delmarva peninsula by sailboat, with an instructor and classmate.

1977
Elizabeth Anderson Comer
443.463.6437
ecomer@eacarchaeology.com

Elizabeth “Betsy” Stevens Watson died on November 21, 2018. Betsy’s obituary described her as “the light and life of everything she touched. She was always positive and encouraging, funny and insightful, and had a profound love for her family and friends.”  Our sincere condolences to Betsy’s family and her many Hood College friends. Nancy Armstrong Crochet passed away on June 19 from complications associated with her three and a half year battle against lung cancer. On July 14, a celebration of her life was held at her son’s restaurant in Philadelphia with husband Mike and sons Ed and Mike, and friends and family gathered.  There was an open bar, great food, and a lot of laughs as we remembered the awesome wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend that we were lucky enough to know.  Denise Swan Isacson writes “just crossed 40 years with Delta. I clearly remember Nancy Armstrong Crochet from our Hood days.  Her obit photo could be her Hood yearbook photo – she hardly aged!  Getting ready to go to Stockholm for about 5 weeks -Örjan has been there since Father’s Day.  Liv just got her Masters in Marketing from Stockholm Univ’s Business School.  Now, after she returns from Singapore and Bali, she’ll focus on securing a J-O-B.” Sharon Thorpe Kourtz writes “I enjoyed a long weekend in NYC in the fall.  Times Square has improved immensely since my last visit in the early 1990s.  We did the normal tourist bus tours and took in three plays.  I’m looking forward to a cruise in February.”  Ann Kowitski Barber’s says “My first grandchild arrived 7/23/18:  Jack Bryan DellaGrotte! Elizabeth and her husband live 3.5 miles away so I am babysitting one morning a week and whenever they ask! It’s the best thing having a grandchild! Last spring I took a Collette Tour and had a marvelous time while visiting Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Krakow, and Warsaw. Beautiful countryside, marvelous cities and many points of historical interest.  Just returned from a week at Marco Island, FL! In between all of this I still have a busy law practice!” Kas Kluth Rohm reports:  “Greg and I are enjoying life in a seriously refurbished 1940’s house in Lutherville, Maryland. Why didn’t anyone ever tell us being grandparents was going to be so much darn fun!  We have a one-year-old grandson, and this little guy has changed our lives! We’ll be celebrating our 42nd anniversary in a month, and we fondly recall all those weekends when husband Greg drove up to Frederick to visit the beautiful Hood campus so many years ago!” Adaline C Smith says “Megen Mack Opsahl, Faith Voth Stone, Kim Anderson McDonald ’78, and I have been getting together since we left Hood. In 2017 we enjoyed an Alaskan cruise together with our husbands, and we met this year (without husbands) in Nashville.  Megen has been living in the Seattle area for the last 15 years with her husband Mike, who is an infertility specialist with his own practice.  Their son Kevin is a writer for a newspaper in Utah and Matt, who was just married this year, is a graphic designer living in Boston.  Faith married Rick Hoffman in 2015 and moved to Florida. Their next big trip is to the Galapagos Islands.  Adaline has been living in Boston with her husband Gene where they both work in the pharmaceutical industry.  Their oldest daughter, Monica, was married this year, and Darrin and Ginger are both back in school working on advanced degrees.  Kim just moved to Williamsburg VA with her husband Brad and enjoys traveling (frequently to India) and visiting her growing number of grandchildren.  Their son Tyler is a Naval Officer currently stationed in Hawaii with his wife, Mary, and 3 children.  Poor Kim has to force herself to visit them in paradise quite often. Their son Luke and his wife, Rose, are living in Virginia, so they are close by and Kim can get a lot of “Mimi” time with her grandchildren! Kath Weslock was on campus in June and it was abuzz with excitement!  All were getting ready for reunion – tents were up – bars being set up (of course!) and there was a level of anticipation about the returning graduates.  Record numbers were expected for reunion 2019!  She reminded us to start planning for ours because it is literally around the corner!  Mark your calendar for June 2022! Kathy reminds us all that more than ever, the college needs our support.  “We have a wonderful President, terrific faculty and administration and they need our support, both in terms of our attendance at events as well as in financial contributions.  I know I’ve talked to some of you who, like me, have competing colleges that ask for help – and, we’ve come to the conclusion that Hood needs it more than others with large endowments and have begun to rethink how we allocate between our charitable contributions. You’ll hear a lot more from the college but I just wanted y’all to hear it from me that I have never been prouder of Hood or to have been a member of the class of 1977.” Kathy is correct on all accounts! News from the Comer family: Anne received her B.A. from Bard College and Margaret received her Ph.D. from Cambridge University, both in 2019!  Jacob is juggling his writing career and work trips to the Federated States of Micronesia, working on NASA funded grants.  If you are near Catskill, New York, stop by the Thomas Cole National Historic Site and take a tour.  You may have Anne as a tour guide as she has a yearlong fellowship at the site!  I so enjoy being a member of the Hood Board of Associates!  It gives me an excuse to visit campus, hear about exciting new programs, and meet amazing students!  We have hosted several excellent Hood students for internships at the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc. and one recent graduate, Alyssa Watson ’19, is our first emerging professional board member!

1976
Nancy Ludwick Warrenfeltz
nlwfeltz@hotmail.com

Valerie Saxton Sharpe writes: I enjoy reading about my fellow alums and seeing their many amazing accomplishments. I recently co-authored a book, with Roberta Strosnider, titled The Executive Function Guidebook: Strategies to Help All Students Achieve Success. It was published by Corwin in April, and the ISBN number is 9781544379289. I received my B.A. in Special Education in May, 1976 from Hood. Dr. Carla Lyon was my advisor with whom I continue to remain friends. My program at Hood prepared me well and opened the doors to many wonderful opportunities. One such opportunity was the privilege of serving as adjunct faculty at Hood for many years. After a full career in the field, I am still involved in special education currently as a consultant providing training in teaching executive function skills to psychologists, social workers, teachers, paraeducators, parents and students. David and Linda Fox-Jarvis are doing well in Virginia Beach. Linda has been practicing real estate for 36 years. She recently moved to Berkshire Hathaway Towne Realty. Her daughter Stephanie joined her as partner about ten years ago. It really is special working with family and passing along the business. Stephanie has a real talent for the field. David retired about two years ago. He keeps busy with projects around the house, golfing, and watching their 18-month-old granddaughter once a week. Speaking of their granddaughter, Carter Wynne has changed their lives! Most of you know — being grandparents is so much fun! Linda and David’s daughter and son-in-law live less than a mile away (which is so nice). Their son, Brian, lives with his wife in Fairfax and works for Amazon Web Services, so he is not too far away either. Linda and David are looking forward to a family trip in August to Oregon to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. Both kids, their spouses, and Carter Wynne will be joining. If anyone is visiting Virginia Beach, give Linda a call! Mary Alice Peeling’s big news is that she retired from Delaware Law School Library on June 30th—after almost 40 years. She looks forward to having time to volunteer, see friends and catch up on quilting projects. Congratulations, Murie! Barb Woolmington and Craig have finally started building their new (and final) home in Weaverville, NC. It is a small community about fifteen minutes north of Asheville. They love Asheville … but apparently so do many other people. The traffic all around the city is getting more congested every year. The Smiths left California for several reasons, heavy traffic being one of them. They didn’t want to repeat that in their new community, so they decided to head a little out of the city—but not so far that they cannot pop in for an evening of dinner and theater. They went to St Croix, USVI in March and were able to visit with Brad and Gail Lippert Ebersole while there. Lovely sailing and just a little snorkling. In May the Smiths traveled to Los Angeles to visit their youngest and to help celebrate his 30th birthday. Both of Craig and Barb’s children are doing well, Harrison is in Los Angeles and Alisha is in Portland, OR. Both are gainfully employed, but there are no grandchildren yet. They stayed on the West Coast when Barb and Craig moved east, so they don’t get to see them as often as they would like. Their new home will have a lovely guest room for anyone who wants to visit Asheville and would like a place to stay. Larry and I, Nancy Ludwick Warrenfeltz, flew to Los Angeles in April for a Navy reunion in Thousand Oaks. We visited the Ronald Reagan Library, Malibu, Hollywood, and Solvang. It was a fun trip! Every June we spend two weeks at OBX with family … priceless memories with our grandkids! Please email me your Hood news. I will include it in the next publication. Thanks!

1975
Debbie Page Rath
dp95942@aol.com
Last winter brought Steven and Rhea Bel-Jon Calkins a spectacular adventure. They flew to the Pacific coast of northern Baja in a Piper Cub and spent 3 magical days meeting and touching grey whales in one of their birthing lagoons. Then to the Sea of Cortez near Bahia de los Angeles to glamp under horizon to horizon stars and swim with sea lions. Rhea has been busy with the NGO.  She volunteers with Mujeres en Cambio revamping the donor and student scholarship systems and writing a partnership proposal to a Canadian fundraising organization. She is thrilled to say they were accepted. Cheryl Cuddeback is still in real estate but with a new brokerage firm. Her daughter, Samantha Mendl, just graduated from Hunter College, NY this year. Anne Cuppia ‘74 and Cheryl are heading over to Billie Weise ‘74 digs in Ocean Grove, NJ. They’ll stay out of trouble, obviously! Sue Shorb-Sterling has sad news to report. Her ten year old granddaughter, Norah Brubaker, died from septic shock in April. She was an active, healthy fifth grader who loved to read and was musically talented. Her family is coping as best as they can to accept this great loss. As her cousin stated, “Life is not fair!” Sue is reminded that our children and grandchildren are to bury us, and not the other way around. Sue grieves not only the loss of Norah’s life, but the loss of her future as well. Peg Yanarella Hosky is glad to say that all is well in Washington DC. They continue to enjoy running their successful marketing firm, fedinsider.com. Their children, while in their 30s now, are all local, much to Peggy’s delight! Her garden and it’s several thousand purple iris flourishes, and she reads and knits voraciously. Joyce Klugh Wilson retired in Williamsburg, VA, after 25 years of teaching in Fairfax County. She recently returned from a lovely two week cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. Joyce is a member of the LGA9 golf league in Ford’s Colony and volunteers often, especially for elementary school vision screening with the James City Lions Club. Jane Ludwick Viprino is still working but hopes to retire sometime soon. She is the supervisor of the laboratory at a large veterinary clinic in the Reading, PA area. In addition Jane volunteers at the local Berks Jazz Fest that is held in the spring.  Quite a big event. Jane has a son who just married in February. She will be a Nana by the end of the November and is so excited. The big gender reveal was just at OBX on the beach. It’s a Boy!!! The whole family has been going to the Outer Banks for over 30 years. Her sister, Nancy Ludwick Warrenfeltz ’76, was up from Florida and her family also gathered there. Always a busy and fun vacation. Thank you to everyone who continue to shared their news. I am still designing retirement plans for small businesses. My mom has been working hard recovering from her stroke but really struggles with the feeding tube. If she could only eat life would be so much better for her. Northern California is already into “Fire Season”. Love seeing all of the wildlife outside our house, but worry too much about potential fires. Hope everyone has a great end to 2019. Wishing you, your families and friends the best! Debbie Page Rath

1974

Patricia Kidd
pat.kidd@hotmail.com

Dot Herdle Files writes “now that Eben and I are retired, we’re free to travel.  We went to Costa Rica, the Galapagos, Israel’s Holy Land and Egypt so far. Oberammergau in 2020.  And to see our granddaughter…  Gotta get the travel in before arthritis gets the best of me. I can’t make the reunion, but send my love to everyone!” Carolyn Schoemer Huyghe just had a wonderful visit in the Denver area seeing our classmate and Memorial Hall mate Ann Williams DeMers. She and her husband Joe treated my husband Patrick and me to a wonderful dinner in their lakefront home in Arvada, CO. They are doting grandparents to their daughter’s son who is 5.  As for me, I am still enjoying retirement in Charlottesville VA and Ft. Myers FL. Spending my time trying to stay healthy and outdoors – definitely a full time job!  Ann and Sue Whaley went on a Hood sponsored trip to Spain recently and had a wonderful time.  I was at reunion on Friday and through lunch on Saturday.  I believe there were nine of us at the lunch. Beth Rittenhouse writes: I retired from my technical writer job a year ago and have settled into a new routine.  My husband Steve had retired the previous year.  My younger daughter was married in April this year in Ellicott City; it was a beautiful day and everything went as planned.  My elder daughter is planning a wedding for spring 2020.  Steve and I are avid birders and I participate in my church choir and attend a yoga class twice a week.  We have also become regular visitors at the local library.

1973
Leslie Hawkins
509.947.1838
hawkins.leslie.a@gmail.com

Toni Mathias Harvey and Ted are continuing to enjoy their bed and breakfast and store, The Inn at Lost River + The Lost River General Store in Lost River, WV, so if any Hoodlums find themselves in the area, there is an ice cream cone waiting for you!  They are doing a lot of traveling from WV to Philadelphia and Brooklyn to keep in touch with Toni’s mother, who’s 97, and with grandsons Will and Ted, all gifts in their lives.  Pat Henry Montgomery writes that she’s moving from San Mateo, CA to Boulder, CO this summer, and welcomes Hood contacts in the area (her sister, Claudia Henry Barkmeier ’78 lives nearby).  She’s having a great time with grandchildren, “getting to see new things and fight for old causes”, and grateful for life (as are we all!!).   Jill Schonek Pollard is living in Sarasota, FL, and she and her husband just returned from a repositioning cruise from Europe, which she recommends for those relaxing days at sea at season’s end (May and October).  They own a beachfront rental condo with one month minimum, and interested Hoodlums can rent through Evolve.com, and enjoy paradise in Sarasota.   Elaine Williams Bielenberg says golf and summer go hand and hand in Maine.  She’s also working on multiple costume designs and creations for “Into the Woods” production in August, with Cinderella, her mother and the Witch giving her inspiration.  Serving as Jr. Warden at her church has her overseeing buildings, repair and construction, which leaves her no time to get into trouble!  Donna Simmons Maneely has been traveling a lot in 2019, first a 5 week trip in March & April to Australia and New Zealand, including first time zip lining in NZ, and then a cruise in June from Seattle to Alaska with her choral group, who performed on the ship and in Seattle for 4 performances, and thrilled by the spectacular beauty of the Northwest and Alaska.  Peggy Weinbeck said that since retiring in July 2017, she’s traveling, dancing and enjoying life…she and her granddaughter Kaylie visited Ireland to celebrate her high school graduation, and since she’s been an Irish dancer, she had opportunity to perform at an inn on the Irish Sea, before heading off to WVU.  Peggy also visited Iceland in September with friends, and just returned from CA, visiting with friends, and with her son in San Francisco.  She is moving in July to Virginia Beach, to be closer to her daughter Lindsay, enjoy beach life, and hopes to visit Mary Layfield Law more often.   Ann Jones writes that 2019 has been very busy so far; starting with the decision to sell her house of 18 years, and when she put it on the market in May, the buyers made an offer on the first day!  She went to Botswana for a vacation she said was amazing, tenting and traveling around to see lions, leopards, and elephants, and came back to pack up and move the next day, and is renting a place while she downsizes and decides what’s next.  Charlie Miller Ponticelli’s big news is son Michael’s wedding on July 6^th, & as mother of the groom is buying her dress & showing up! Chris McHenry, who retired from medicine in 2008, and had been involved in spiritual direction and supervisor and retreat training, is now doing spiritual direction for her church.  Condolences to Mary Stevenson who lost both her sister in law, Georgia, and younger brother, Steve, on the same day in March.  Steve was 59 and had a cardiac arrest; many of us remember “little Stevie” as a boy visiting us at Hood.  Condolences also to Janis Wilson Polastre whose mother died peacefully in June at 94.  She and Bob did their annual getaway to Cabo San Lucas in March, and spent 2 weeks in May visiting daughter Lorena, husband and grandchildren in Italy, and glamping in Croatia. She’s got one more case left, & with Bob retired, they like doing what they want, when they want!  As for me, I did a ski trip to Switzerland in January and then to Hawaii in March (Big Island, then Kauai) which was fun, but a problem with my right foot curtailed my hiking and most activities by March, so I had surgery in April. Thank goodness I live in Tucson and can wear flip flops all year, and now I can wear a shoe again; life is good!  Keep the news coming!

1971
Mindy Wilcox
619.823.6230
mlwilcox3@gmail.com

Judy Ashway is enjoying her new home in Arlington, MA and has been busy traveling to see her children and grandson in some very interesting places. In February she visited son Dan and his wife in San Francisco where Dan is working on his PhD in psychology.  Judy enjoyed the city very much particularly the many beautiful gardens throughout the city.  In March she traveled to Costa Rica to visit daughter Hannah and her grandson and enjoyed the warm weather and the pool.  Judy sees Maylun Buck-lew who also lives in the Boston area a few times each year. Candace Dudden still works full time in San Antonio as a nurse-case manager for Medicare members, mostly elderly or physically and mentally challenged.  She assesses their needs and arranges for them to receive all necessary services.  She is able to work from home and doesn’t think she will retire because, as she explained, “I can do this job until I fall out of my chair!”.  In February she and husband Jim Schweitzera, retired Air Force Colonel and retired teacher, enjoyed a trip to Kauai, HI to whale watch and were getting ready for a trip to the Calgary Stampede in the summer.  At home they have 2 chiweenies, a cat, and 8 honeybee hives.  Candace ended her email by stating “I hope all my classmates are well and happy.” Sue Montag Wood wrote to say that in November 2018 Nancy Loader Calabretta came to Australia via New Zealand to visit her daughter and family who were house sitting in Brisbane.  They were able to spend a week together at Sue and Peter’s home in Wollongong just doing everyday things, which included making small mince pies, an Australian specialty. They then drove up to Brisbane via the Blue Mountains where Nan has a good friend from her library days who runs an Airbnb.  In Brisbane they shared a town house close to Nan’s family and cooked a delicious Thanksgiving meal together.  All the old favorites – turkey, sweet potatoes, and, of course, pies!   Sue also said that Alice Kleiner Meckley is coming to Australia to visit this summer. In June she and Peter are going to the US to meet up with friends and family as well as to do a bit of sight seeing. Nancy “Nan” Loader Calabretta wrote to say that four members of the Class of ’71 met for a mini-reunion in Hudson, NY, from June 18 – 21. The reunion was planned to coincide with Sue Montag Wood and husband Peter’s visit to the US from Wollongong, NSW, Australia.  Sue and Peter met up with Nan and husband Anthony in Collingswood, NJ.  Traveling together, they stopped for lunch and a tour at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park NY.  Upon arriving in Hudson, NY they were greeted by Alice Kleiner Meckley, husband Gus, Nancy Ludder Koberlein and husband Al. The days were consumed with eating, drinking, talking, laughter, and exploring the area. In short, it was the best of all possible times!  They are already plotting for a repeat reunion, possibly on the West Coast or Hawaii. They are hoping to see lots of our classmates at the 50th in 2021. Sarah Wilcox lives in the small Tidewater community of Gloucester, VA.  She spent the last 12 years managing the Wild Things Museum Store at the Virginia Living Museum (an incredible institution – sort of a combination zoo, gardens, aquariums, and education – all native to VA), and just retired in February. She is adjusting to retirement very happily, and has returned to some old loves, watercolors, cooking, and baking.  She and her husband of 42 years, Al Heist, are contemplating short trips to Virginia historical sites they haven’t seen yet, but mostly they are just enjoying their newly found time together.  They have two grandchildren, Courtney, 14 in Houston and Tyson, 16 in Tampa.  She keeps in touch with Audrey “Beau” Earle Villecco.  Linda Rosengarten reports that she is now a South Carolinian. After a divorce several years ago she took back her maiden name.   Last year she retired from the government and moved from Baltimore to Conway, SC, near Myrtle Beach, to live near her sister. Her daughter and husband live in northern AZ and both work in Glen Canyon National Park. Linda traveled to Iceland this past winter just before WOW airline went out of business. More travel planned for the future but now she just enjoying retirement. Mary and I are grateful to all of you who replied to our requests for news.   If you haven’t written in a while, please do!

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.