Mary-Louise Springhorn Leidheiser
828.699.1999
mlouleid6@gmail.com

Ellin Bachrach Gordon and her husband are in good health and enjoying life. Natalie Colbert Bowers mentioned that, in the small world department, she bumped into Ann Parker Lampman’s twin brother at a Bucknell reunion. Peggy Crook Arnold:“I am fine although I don’t get around very well.  I still play bridge and go out to dinner with my friends.  Enjoyed the reunion pictures – thanks for sending them.” Other classmates sent thanks for my reunion letter including Jodie Kellogg Weddle (“my summer went well”), Carolyn Rusk (“I wish I could have attended”), Lorraine Smarsch (“arthritis limits travel”) and Carol Underhill Postell. Marion Decker McCormick:“Some frivolity for Halloween. The Montgomery Area Historical Society had a program about a gruesome 1900 murder. The house was packed. We few volunteers went in costume to pass out treats. It has been a long time since I had to find a costume and mask. Brought back memories.” Dee Dreller Sosin:“I am living in an active retirement home with stimulating classes and friendly bright people.  Hope to go to Thailand with my nephew, Alex, this December. He owns a home there and is an Asian Scholar.” Lois Eldridge Funsch: “I’m holding my own.  Get around on my motorized cart.  Play bridge several times a week. Sew stuffed kittens for children who are hospitalized.  My daughter lives 15 minutes away.  We have great times together.” Claire Enany Trimpey enjoys her oil painting (she was an art and English major) and her lovely retirement community in Wilmington, NC.  Doctor son, nurse daughter and grandchildren visit often. Joanne Kates Roos:“My favorite news was being able to visit Hood for our 65th Reunion.  My next favorite news is about my grandchildren. Billy Cole with Price Waterhouse in D.C.  Hannah Cole doing well at NC State.  My son’s daughter Holly Jo — a budding artist in Wisconsin.” Joan Kniffin Orozco:“All is going well here in Uruguay. Am very happy with my grandchildren and great grandchildren!!!” Madge Merkley Ziegler:“Jack and I are well.  Looking forward to Daufuskie Island; it snowed here (Carlisle, PA) yesterday (11/7).” Mary Murrie Hardy:“My life is busy now with the purchase of a condo on Lake Keowee in South Carolina.  My daughter Diane lives across the lake; it will be my get-away place when winter gets too cold in Pittsburgh.  Health is good except for arthritis in fingers and knees. I became a great grandmother for the 5th time!! I ordered a brick in memory of my roommate. Barbara “Cookie” Cook Oldt – hope to see it one day.” Franne Pickle Wetmore: “Reunion was a special time.  Mary-Lou Springhorn Leidheiser and I met at the Baltimore airport.  She drove us to Hood and afterwards to my home.  She then visited dear friends in Wilmington. Emma Jones Hann kindly introduced me to the Civil War Museum right in the heart of Frederick.” Kay Spear Feldmann: “Back into my fall schedule– classes, theater, bridge, etc.  It’s nice to be busy.  No travels plans ‘til spring.  It’s a good time, national politics notwithstanding.” Joan Scott Hellmuth in Massachusetts will travel to family in Maryland for Thanksgiving.  She is involved with “Lunch and Learn” presentations offered at nearby Regis College. Doris Simpson Felton lost her husband in April.  She has happily recovered from both a strep and staph infection.  She has delightful neighbors and a daughter nearby in Brunswick, MD.  She hopes to lunch with Dottye Handley Ewing soon. Jane Taggart Whittaker had a delightful time at her grandson’s “fun and wonderful” wedding in Buffalo, NY.  He and his bride are architects who met in college.  They will live in Philadelphia. Cal Wunderly Russwick has finally retired from teaching, although she still helps one day a week correcting papers, etc.  She also volunteers at a Women’s Club.  Doug is looking at knee replacement surgery.  All 5 of their children come for a day both in the fall and spring to help with chores and to visit. Jeanne Zimmerman Gearey loves where she is. Her condo at Cortez, FL looks out on the water. Her daughter lives nearby for visits and travels together. Florida classmates survived hurricane Irma.  Peg Lewis Christensen (Naples) spent a month in her Huntington, NY apartment and Carol Underhill Postell (Vero Beach) evacuated to a relative in Palm Beach Gardens for six days, but neither had water damage.  Carol did lose two ovens from a power surge.  Lynn Bischoff Mitchell, Jeanne Zimmerman Gearey, and Franne Pickle Wetmore experienced no problems, thankfully. Keep in touch, please.

Eleanore Jackson Knott
843.681.8580
weknott2@gmail.com

Hopefully you all enjoyed the article in the summer/fall HOOD MAGAZINE about Betsy McCain McAlpine, wedding picture and all.  Chatting with her, I learned that she and Harry are still making frequent trips up to Hood. This week they were going to a lecture on the history of the World War 2 Victory Ship that was named after Hood College and christened by Mrs. Stahr.

Marilyn “Tink” Smith Garrity had a full shoulder replacement in the spring but had recovered in time for a “fantastic family reunion at Lake Winnipesaukee, NH.”  There were 18 of them—her 4 kids, their spouses plus grandkids from MA, CT, NYC, Cleveland, and Phoenix.  Never to be duplicated memories were formed with relatives that hadn’t been seen for years. Tink was looking forward to seeing Cathie Strachan Upp when she visits her Phoenix family.

Donna Fogle Fisher wrote that her grandaughter #3 at 3 mos. old was the center of attraction at their family picnic this fall.  She accompanied by her parents were all visiting in MD.

Mary Lou Henry Deisroth, is realizing that she (make that we) can’t still do all that she wants to accomplish, so is slowing down but still enjoying bridge and reading with Book Club suggestions. One of their Fresh Air daughters lives in Puerto Rico and has been keeping her up-to-date with the hurricane results and slow progress being made.  She and Tony have 6 great granddaughters with another on the way.  Sounds like a great addition to Hood.  Mary Lou Hoffman Huff reported that Nancy Gillece ’81 and Emily VanderWoude were in Rochester and all had lunch with Anne Kurka Woods ’60 and Sharyn M. Duffy ’68.  They were all interested in hearing about all the changes and development at Hood.  She is happy and healthy, still keeping up with her gym workouts, stock market watching and a few volunteer activities.

Again I thank you all for sending news and wish that others would add to our column. I hate to admit it but find that I, Eleanore Jackson Knott, too must slow down. Our summer plans were aborted due to medical problems, but we did fly to Boston in August for 2 weeks which ended up being 3 when our flight home was cancelled because of hurricane Irma. Finally things are returning to normal and we’re all looking forward to quietly celebrating the holidays.

Corky Edwards Shulman
oahucork@aol.com
808.254.2531

Due to family circumstances, Corky Edwards Shulman will report class news in the next issue. Jayne Gillis deConstant reports having lost power during a severe coastal storm on October 29. Jayne writes: “it has been a miserable week, dark, cold, running out of food. My carriage house apartment is attached to my son’s house, so I was able to warm up at the woodstove in their family room. Today, November 2, we got some power. Phone will go on tomorrow. I have some food in my fridge and a new telephone pole outside. Greetings to the Hoodlums. Hope you all never have to spend a week like this! Otherwise, I’m hopping along in my walker, feeling 91 years on my shoulders, but as sassy as ever. Great memories of Hood friends will never leave me.”

Jean Wheatley Hilchuk
jhilchuk@aol.com
407.767.6863

It was reported that we still have 25 classmates living. But, I am inclined not to believe that figure. I have tried to contact anyone who gave Hood their phone number. However, many of those phones numbers do not answer or are phones that have been canceled. Those that did not answer or were canceled are these: Gladys Reinert Aungst, Betty Daubenspeck Carl, Nancy Ogden Carson, Gert Flagg Dalzell, Ann Wikel Hausman, Barbara Gill Jesser, Annabelle Sunderland Kepler, Mary Lou Chorley Touart, and Betty Foehl Tomaselli. Those who I talked to are the following. Mal Barnett reported that she had nothing to report. Janet Coblentz Cover resides in a retirement center in Frederick. She has a few dental problems. She is enjoying the new adult coloring books. Peg Traver Emery was in the process of having a garage sale. Her son and daughter in law live with her. Mildred Geiple Hufnagel has her son living with her. But she too has nothing to report. Mary Alice Knobloch Smith lives in a retirement center. She enjoys her bridge and the activities that the center provides. Phyllis Fine Soza reports that she is losing her eyesight. I, Jean Wheatley Hilchuk, also live in a retirement center and have been here for 12 years. I use the pool as often as possible. It is the only place I can walk by myself. A doctor ruined my legs and I use a scooter in the hallways. I can take it on our buses and go shopping. In my apartment, I use a walker and ride it backwards. We have a lot of activities here. It is something like being back in a college dorm. But I have a two bedroom apartment that looks over our swimming pool and wooded area. Helen Stottler Leaver lives alone. She is always busy helping other people. She is still in touch with all of her kids.

At the age of 96, Millys Nixon Altman published a new book titled “Year of the Flu”.  The book is a true story of a young doctor’s fight to save an entire village during the flu epidemic of 1918. The book is available in ebook and paperback.

Cynthia Clifford
415-563-5273
cynthiaclifford999@gmail.com

Carol Schlosnagle Bradford
703-653-4466
cbradford043@gmail.com

In some ways, it seems like only yesterday that we graduated as the Class of 1972, but it has been 45 years! Twenty-two classmates attended the reunion, all easily recognizable and looking good! As always, it was great to have some spouses join us. Special thanks to Lucia Grabenstein Kline and Chrisse Butler Hassett M.A.’75 for again serving as chairs and planning this wonderful weekend. We are grateful to Chrisse for hosting cocktails in her home on Friday evening. Saturday morning we were welcomed by Hood’s new president, Dr. Andrea E. Chapdelaine, with an optimistic look at the college’s future, followed by a lovely Alumnae Luncheon in the Ronald J. Volpe Athletic Center. Lucia and Chris Kline kindly invited us to a delightful reunion dinner in the amazing barn at Lucia’s family farm. Sunday found us in Coblentz for Strawberry Breakfast, a Hood tradition that continues to this day. Heartfelt thanks to Darlene DeMay for faithful service all these years as class agent—and to Sarah Sonne O’Donnell for volunteering to take on this important role. Darlene recently posted a reminder that July starts pledging for our five-year cumulative gift for our 50^th reunion. In other news: Linda Wicks Crites reunited with a number of Hood friends in May on their trip to Rhode Island. She and her husband Bob had lunch in Harrisburg with Kathy Stewart, dinner in Bethlehem with Jane Chaisson Blake and her husband Joe, and dinner in Denver, PA, with her Big Sister Cindy Worley Grill ’70 and husband Greg. She had last seen Cindy in 1993 so there was a lot of catching up to do. Thanks to Linda Cumber Gifkins for creating and maintaining the Hood Class of 1972 Facebook page. If you haven’t already, please open a Facebook account and join the Class of 1972 group. Linda posted: “Great to see ‘Kathy’ Grace Rand Nelson, who hadn’t been back in 45 years.” Liz Gruppe Stover and her husband Harold, who live in Hollis, Maine, claim to be retired but both stay very involved in their professions. Liz takes every opportunity to be back in the classroom subbing. She also has an antique business, has taught English to immigrants and stays politically active. Harold continues to play recitals, directs a chorus and composes. They have two daughters, Alice and Lucy.  Janice Williams Martin wrote to say that she and Al thoroughly enjoyed this reunion, her first, and are already looking forward to our 50th. She liked the renovations at Shriner and the many improvements to the campus. Marti (Martha) Murray Robinson says she is happily adjusting to retirement from teaching college English, although she does miss learning from her students.  In addition to travel, visiting friends and family, reading, riding, yoga, running and golf, she plans to pursue her fascination with Jungian psychology this fall through the Pacifica Graduate Institute’s MA/PhD program in Depth Psychology in Santa Barbara, CA. Marti’s guest was Pat Kidd ’74, the only little sister present (though not Marti’s). Kathy Stewart continues to enjoy round-robin email discussions on politics with Jane Chaisson Blake, Linda Wicks Crites, Kathy Martin Belikoff, Barrie Parsons Tilghman, and Candy. She enjoyed meeting Linda and Bob Crites for lunch in Harrisburg on their journey to a family reunion in May, and welcomed Candy to Harrisburg for a pre-reunion visit and river extravaganza.

Liz Bastian Chapin
610-670-9152
busybethc@aol.com

Hello class of 1982! I must apologize for our absence in the winter issue so I will first catch up on some older news…. Lisa Jean Spuria and husband retired in early 2016 with the federal government after 33 years and moved to Louisville, KY. While remodeling a house and acclimating to the new city, Lisa started her own consulting business.  She is doing some writing as well. Lisa keeps in touch with Amy Blades Steward and Susie Hiles Giallonardo. Deb Booth Cieri had a busy 2016. Her daughter Rachel wed Kevin Mull September 3rd. Godmother, Carol Donnelly O’Farrell, hosted a bridal shower and attended the wedding! Carol toured colleges with her middle child; one included none other than our own Hood College which left a favorable impression! Deb corresponds with Angie Sievers who stays busy with work and family. She also keeps in touch with Kim Whitley Bongiorni who is living back in her hometown of Waldorf and family. Gretchen Steinmetz Keith celebrated three weddings in 11 months! Daughter Lauren was married in June 2016; sons Bobby and Mark married in 2015. The family keeps growing and Gretchen is loving life as “Gigi” to two grandsons. Keeping the fun times rolling, Lisa Bodamer Kida hosted a “Six-Pack” Reunion at her Douglassville, PA home with Hood friends Jodi Palmer Murphy, Donna Trumbull Milewski, Caroline Peck Medley and Suzanne Norris Driscoll. They all enjoyed an amazing weekend of wine tasting, birthday celebrating, antiquing and catching up! The “Six-Pack” just attended the class 35th reunion in Frederick! They stayed at a wonderful old home on East Church St. in downtown Frederick and graciously hosted classmates for post reunion activities. Lots of reminiscing and new memories were made. Ellen Drogin Rodgers reports that over the past year, she’s enjoyed several wonderful visits to Hood: Spending a very brisk but amazing day with Joy Miller Beveridge representing the Class of 1982 at the inauguration of President Chapdelaine; attending the Hood Legacy Brunch with her sister Janet Drogin Wilson ’86, P’14 and niece Riley Wilson ’14; and being present at the Scholarship Recognition Luncheon at which our latest Class of 1982 Scholarship recipient, Le Nguyen ’17, was introduced. Ellen’s still ‘touching the future’ daily at George Mason University as the Academic Dean/Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs in the College of Education and Human Development. Pierre is a graduate program coordinator at Mason (and likes to say, Ellen is now his boss at work and home).  They enjoyed a family trip to Israel last July, and look forward to other adventures this summer. Over the past few years, Ellen has gotten together every few months (including a Florida vacation) with Susan Raffaele McHenry and Diana Schmidt-Romano ’83 to reminisce about days at Hood and life in Shriner Hall, sandwich generation trials, and the joys and challenges of everyday life. Susan’s eldest daughter, Jessica, just finished her first year at The College of William and Mary. The twins, Matthew and Julianne, just finished their second year of high school and keep Susan and Geoff busy with year round sports.   Diana and Don are traveling to France this summer following a trip to Wales last summer for the wedding of their youngest, Emily.  There is nothing like the friendships created while at Hood – clearly (and thankfully) they endure.   Ellen notes how wonderful it was to spend time with classmates at our 35^th reunion, and has so appreciated all of the support and kind words from those far and near on her award.  She looks forward to reconnecting with those who couldn’t make it during the coming year. “I would be remiss, as the Class Agent, not to remind everyone to remember Hood in your annual giving – especially contributions to our Class of 1982 Scholarship fund.  It’s our lasting legacy to the college.  Remember, it’s not the amount, as much as it is the act of giving.” Jacquelyn McDaniel West wishes everyone a happy 35th reunion! Although they missed seeing everyone and spending time at the beautiful Hood campus, Jackie and friends had an amazing “mini reunion” in Walnut Creek, CA with host Glynnis Edwards Cowdery. Meg Brown McGinn from CT, Christy Belisle Fitzgerald from FL, and Jackie from VA spent about five days laughing, talking, walking, eating, wine tasting, shopping and sightseeing from Napa Valley to San Francisco! Their fabulous hostess, Glynnis, spoiled them and even made congo bars! The girls wore their dinks, Jackie wore her old Memorial Hall t-shirt, they looked through scrapbooks and old photos. Much fun was had but friends D’Ann White Van Meter ’82, P’11 and Sharon Williams DePamphilis were missed! Regardless of the miles between them, the friendships from Hood remain everlasting bonds. They all hope to celebrate with the rest of the class in five years! Jackie is still living in Virginia Beach but recently moved to the oceanfront area. Coaching and teaching tennis, she also oversees the girls tennis program at a private school and remains active as a player/captain with USTA. Her daughter is a senior at Elon University in NC and her son now lives in Nashville, TN. Glynnis is an Arts commissioner in Walnut Creek and sits on several boards that support Arts Education and the Community. In her spare time, she is addicted to The Bar Method at a nearby studio. Glynnis loves hiking, reading and enjoys some creative work with fused glass and mosaics. She and husband spend much time at their beach house in Washington. Her son Henry lives in West Seattle and is working for a public artist. He hopes to launch his own design company. Daughter, Callie is in law school at George Washington University. Janet Brown Marler shared her whirlwind of the past two years. She married John Garofalo on a lovely autumn day with their daughters as bridesmaids. Janet’s 86 year old father walked her down the aisle! Daughter Mary Beth is an art student doing gorgeous work while Rose is a second grade teacher (and expecting their first grandchild!).  Janet teaches English and is an associate dean at a local community college.  John owns a restaurant on Long Beach Island, so the summer season is a busy time for them! Bambi Maitland Grundwerg reports that life is relatively stable since the last reunion. Her sons are grown and on their own. Bambi still works for IBM as a Marketing Program Director and still lives near the Jersey Shore. She looks forward to connecting with local or visiting Hoodlums! Bambi recently attended the 35th reunion with some of the Coblentz Hall gang (Marcea Horton Cotter, Ellen Yodzis Patton and Anne Connal Biron) and makes note of the reoccurring topics over the past milestone meetings such as HPV shots for teens, bifocals vs progressive lenses, hot flashes and grand babies! Several alums were fondly remembered and missed-Linda Esterhoy Segur, Lisa Chan, Sara Lankitus Spina, Barb Jamison Berman, Suzy Wyda Goldberg and Dawson Casey Bullock! After joining the Class of 1981 at their 35^th Reunion luncheon in 2016, Joy Miller Beveridge was very excited for our own reunion in June… and none of us were disappointed!  It was great fun to see both familiar faces, like my Spanish House roommates (Cynthia Richards Cathcart P’12 and Liane McCarthy) as well as those who hadn’t come back for Reunion for many many years.  Once on campus, it took no time at all to remember with great fondness our brief four years at Hood!  It made us especially proud to witness our own Ellen Drogin Rodgers receive her Distinguished Alum Award at the luncheon… her acceptance speech brought back wonderful memories and tears to our eyes!  If you have Facebook, please join our Hood College Class of 1982 group where we have posted many pictures and will continue to share updates on our class giving and plans for our 40^th!  On a personal note, Joys daughter, Kendall, remains in San Francisco, working at Facebook and playing semi-professional field hockey for the Olympic Club. Son, Danny remains in the Frederick area, where he and his wife work for State Farm, and recently had their first daughter… hoping Lydia James Beveridge may be among the Class of 2039!  Joy remains active with Hood, serving as a member of the Alumni Executive Board and Board of Associates, and Athletic Field Lighting Steering Committee.  Friendships through Hood, new and old, are a gift. Liz Bastian Chapin enjoyed reconnecting with fellow classmates at the 35th reunion. She also crossed paths with Betsy McCain McAlpine ’51, H’17, who was friends with her mother, Mary Hendershot Bastian 50, P’82! They lived across the hall from one another in Meyran! Earlier this year, Liz and other alumni in the Reading, PA area hosted some of the Hood choral members after a local performance. What a great experience! Being the mother of two sons, she so enjoyed having two Hood girls overnight!  Liz discovered that one of the other alumni hosts was a client!  And finally, last Fall, Liz reconnected via social media with a college friend met in Heidelberg, Germany during her junior year abroad. After two phone calls within 3 days, a trip to the Midwest was planned. Thanks to Hood College and the cultural programs for a great experience 36 years ago and the opportunity to develop life long bonds with friends from different parts of the world! Thank you to everyone who contributed news and a big THANK YOU to Joy and Ellen for co-chairing the reunion. Well done! 

Mary-Lou Springhorn Leidheiser
mlouleid6@gmail.com

We mourn the loss of Joan Hoffman Huebner. Carita Ackerly Warner: I’m well, busy with grandkids’ graduations here and afar!” Natalie Colbert Bowers: “Traveled to Lewisburg, Pa for Brittany Christine Bowers’ graduation (with honors) from Bucknell U – Martin’s school.  Caroline Colbert Brophy graduates from Conestoga H.S. and then heads to Ithaca College in fall.” Doris Dreller Sosin: “Hope friends will come to visit me in my new digs in the active retirement home.  Carol Cohen Friedman has two friends here who call me a ‘Hoodlum’. I certainly had no idea that Hood would live on and on in our lives.” Anne Gibson Bement: “We will go to New York to see old friends from television and Sesame Street days. Lots of time with my book club and finding good movies.  Daughter and family live in Minnesota. They visit us at Christmas time in our Miami Beach getaway; we visit them in warmer summer weather.”

Nan Fahnline Warren: “Last year I lost one of my Westies, so I got a rescue Westie to keep Nick company.  I am celebrating 50 years of membership in the DAR. I still keep active compiling treasurer’s reports, but that will end as I am losing my vision. But I can’t complain.“

Von (Yvonne) Hepburn Virtue: “Have a great time at reunion.  Too far to travel there from Denver for a short visit. Everything just fine here.  Still enjoying all the cultural offerings of the area, which is growing beyond belief. “ Barbara Hickman Reynolds P’80 will not be at reunion.  She’ll be attending a shower in Virginia for her first granddaughter to be married.  She still sees Carolyn Rusk regularly. Joan Kniffin Orozco: “Am fine and enjoying the family, playing bridge and being with friends. How the years have gone by!! Have a great time and give my love to everyone.” Peg Lewis Christensen entertained a group of 30 retirement community friends at her latest piano soiree, playing for a full hour the good ol’ tunes.  “Have fun in Frederick and give my greetings to anyone who’d remember me.” Phyl Loudermil Armstrong: “Praise the Lord, finally, my computer and mouse are working.  Health is improving (shingles) and am grateful for healing (left knee replacement). My best to all reunion attendees.” Ann Nygren Greenberg celebrated her June 2 birthday at lunch with her daughter Nancy and Peg Lewis Christensen, who still has an apartment in her hometown of Huntington, New York and visits there every year.  Madge Merkley Ziegler: “Jack and I are still on Daufuski Island.  I will not be able to attend reunion.” Dody Nygren Wisnom, still at home with husband Sam, sends greetings from Tucson. Kay Spear Feldmann: “Sorry, I am unable to be at the reunion.  As happens, some weekends are quiet and others are too full.  I will be thinking about what a wonderful four years it was.  Best to all who attend.” Jane Taggart Whittaker P’78 said there are just no friends like her Hood friends.  A grandson will join the family lumber brokerage business started by husband Frank.  She is proud of her family who continue to make the business a success. Jackie Wakeling has moved to a Bethesda retirement community.  She must use a walker all the time and for that reason cannot attend Hood Reunion.  Marguerite (Mickie) Weber Trachtman is a first-time great grandmother of twins (boy and girl).  She and her family continue to gather in Holland, Michigan for a week in the summer. Connie Woodall Fisher: “It won’t be easy to leave our 40-year-old house-in-the-woods, but it’s time.  We’ll move to a nearby retirement community.  I actually LIKE to pack things, weed out stuff  and draw floor plans. (Bill wants nothing to do with it. What a pair we make!)  My 96-year-old sister lives at Perry Farm Village in the summer, so we’ll have an instant friend–and we already know half the people there. So we’re off on a new adventure!” We stalwart six celebrated our 65^th: Natalie (Tillie) Colbert Bowers, Dottye Handley Ewing, Emma (Emmy) Jones Hann, Joanne Kates Roos, Franne (Teeter) Pickle Wetmore, and Mary-Lou Springhorn Leidheiser,.  Beautiful weather, delicious food (yes, sticky buns), a fine college update by President Chapdelaine, and a lively reunion dinner.  Jo Kates Roos reported: “Our class raised $48,951 for our anniversary year, with 64% participating. If we add one more new donor we would have 65% for our 65th year. Many thanks for the great support.” Keep your news (and dollars) coming, please, Mary-Lou.

Kathie Brown Sandifer
717-762-3045
klsandman2002@yahoo.com

Anne Reed in Cincinnati, Ohio: She is the new Director of Engagement for the Transfiguration Spirituality Center learning to become a trained spiritual leader. Giff, her husband, and Anne’s son Reed is in his final year of PhD program in Southern Ca. Anne finds time for a pleasurable Hobby-Singing in a Barbershop Quartet, “Keeps a smile on my face”! Anne saw Martha VandenBosche Goodlett in October and says “she looks the same and makes a mean apple pie”! Martha VandenBosche Goodlett wrote, that she will marry Steve Root on August 5, in S.C. Kelly Walfred Miller wrote that she and husband, Ed, continue in their law and mediation practice. She is also working part time as a MD Court Navigator. Their son Christian has completed 15 years of teaching math and coaching basketball. Son, Luke works full time, goes to college part-time and plays guitar. Their daughter, Kaelly capped off an academic career with straight A’s graduating Summa Cum Laude. She also competed in the MD 2016 Miss Carroll County, is an EMT and CPR instructor and is studying to be a Physician Assistant. Kelly looks forward to being able to spend more time with her 2 grandchildren! Tanya Hall Fuhrmeister is looking forward to being able to join her husband, Roy, in retirement in a few years. He is enjoying canoeing and kayaking on the rivers close to their home. Tanya is still working as an environmental consultant. She has 6 grandchildren to spoil, and they don’t live too far away, she’s so lucky. She still enjoys singing in her church and is in a local community chorale. Sally Lynn Whisner Hoague M.A.’82 writes that after 38 years of teaching at Walkersville High she retired last spring. “I had a wonderful career teaching students with special needs transition to adult”. As a part time family consultant for Connect and Learn she is able to go into homes to help parents of Autistic or developmentally disabled children. She and Samantha celebrated 25 years of marriage. Their daughter attends University of MD and majors in Special Education. Barbara Hughes Maistros wrote a very nice letter that unfortunately I had to edit. She, husband of 39 years, Bob, and 2 of her 6 children live in Lake Worth, FL and would love Hood visitors 4545 Luxemburg Court. Their eldest daughter Tina lives in Seattle with one child and one on the way. Her husband works for a biotech firm but also helps with a family vineyard in VA. Second child John Matt, and wife Angeli have a daughter, Penny, diagnosed with portal vein thrombosis, had a vein transplant in Chicago but is a lively beautiful 3 ½ year old now. Third child, Mia and her husband, John, just had their first baby in April. Daughter (#4) Tonia lives in Florida condo with Barbara, works as clinician/site manager specializing in reading and comprehension techniques for children with challenges. Son TJ (#5) lives in Brooklyn and pursues a master’s in Percussion at NYU. Daughter Traci (#6) just graduated from Liberty University and is back home in Fla.  Barbara looks forward to spending time with grandchildren, finishing sewing projects and helping Bob with his business, hoping to retire by 70. Kathy Reichbach wrote that she lives in St. Louis Mo. and would love any visitors coming through for work or fun. She loves her job as staff attorney for the standing Chapter 13 bankruptcy trustee; spending days reviewing debtors’ cases, holding hearings and attending dockets in federal court. She was able to go to Philadelphia for a 4 day conference last summer. She also went on a big trip August and September to Japan where she stayed with her niece, a civilian mechanical engineer assigned to the Navy base. She writes “I had a fabulous time and loved experiencing the very different culture.” She looks forward to more traveling this year or next…”I can’t believe we’re all in our 60’s and it’s truly been 39 years since we packed up and left Hood.” I, Kathie Sandifer, have been so blessed with another grandson to son Matt and Kate, little Max was born end of April and we’ve just returned from a trip to CA to visit. Breaks my heart not to have my grandsons closer, but yay for Facetime! Granddaughter, Gemma, to Brian and Jen is 2 years old now and talking. Daughter Katie just got engaged, yay! And will be graduating in August with her Nurse Practioner degree.

Elizabeth Anderson Comer
410-243-6767
ecomer@eacarchaeology.com

Our 40^th reunion weekend was delightful in every way.  Classmates at reunion included: Terri Pyle Reed, Barrie Briscoe Reightler, Sarah Kingman Matthews M.A.’80 , Elaine Patry Jones, Sue Bradley Wogatske, Ruth Ann Oyer Shaffer, Martha Homnack Armenti,  Barbara Crum Barnette M.A.’86, Ann Nicodemus Thompson, Diane Gurney Pratt, Diane Campbell McKenney, Dawn Cramer Stein, Sharon Thorpe Kourtz, Dale Hilgartner Cirillo, Jayne VanVliet Davilli, Deb Davis Hewson, Amy White Morgan, Kathleen Weslock,  Rubina Patel, Gretta Tomb, and Elizabeth Anderson Comer.  Terri captured the weekend perfectly: “Reunion was a wonderful weekend! Classmates from coast (Elaine from Maine) to coast (Diane Gurney Pratt from Washington) and as far south at Texas (Diane Campbell McKenny) came to celebrate 40 years. Both Dianes and Dawn Cramer Stein even brought their husbands! We certainly have some good looking grandmothers in our class.  I can’t believe Ann Nicodemus Thompson has 4 grandchildren and Barbara Ann Crum Barnette has 6.  I started the weekend with dinner at the Thompson’s, which included a homemade apple pie (thanks to Barbara Ann).  We chatted until after 11 and then I relived dorm life (but wished they had put us up in Coblentz, since there is a sink & mirror in every room there)!  For those who haven’t been in the area lately – Frederick and Walkersville are no longer separated by farm fields.  In fact, it’s hard to tell where one stops and the other begins!  We had a terrific lunch at Brewer’s Alley (organized by Diane Campbell McKenney) – and Amy White Morgan and Rubina Patel represented us at the college luncheon (and collected Hood chocolates for each of us).  Our class kicked off the dance party after dinner on Saturday (and the DJ even played The Streak in tribute to our freshman year).  After Sunday’s strawberry breakfast most of us attended the chapel service where Ann Nicodemus Thompson showed off her talents on the pipe organ.  The service (conducted by the class of 1967) used the hymn Be Thou My Vision, which was one that Sharon Thorpe Kourtz played to honor her husband Paul at his memorial service in February.  (I felt that it was like Paul was letting Sharon know that he was there with her this weekend.)  Rubina Patel honored our class with a brick on the walkway near the new fountain, declaring that we are the best.  (The 40th Anniversary is the ruby anniversary – so it was an appropriate and generous gift from our dear sweet Ruby!!)” The campus was stunning and the friendships were warm and enduring.  Amy summed it up perfectly:” What a wonderful weekend!  The 40 years magically slipped away.  Here’s to some wonderful Hood women!”  Classmates sent news to share: “Katherine Kluth Rohm and Greg just finished renovating a 1940 house in Lutherville, Maryland and are happy to be closer to town again.  Just returned from a whisky-tasting trip to Scotland (if you haven’t been and love whisky, gorgeous scenery and hiking, book your trip now–but watch out for the sheep in the road!).  Sadly, could not join the 40th reunion, but hope everyone had a wonderful time reminiscing. Cheers to all!” Diane Gurney Pratt and husband Rick have lived in Richland, WA for 35 years. “We absolutely love the Pacific Northwest . . . such a beautiful part of our country! Our three sons Nathan, Brad and Stephen are now living on their own within Washington State.  It is wonderful that they live so close to us.  And now, we are thrilled to have three grandchildren who delight our hearts. I continue to work in finance at our church. I love the work and the people.  Rick is a senior engineer at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory where he works on energy and national defense projects.  In July Rick and I will celebrate our 40th anniversary.  I will always treasure the memories from this past reunion weekend.  It was very special!  Hopefully many of us will be able to return back to Hood for the 50th reunion in 10 years.” Sharon Thorpe Kourtz is very appreciative of the support from her Hood family following the death of her husband (Paul) in February.  Her son, Collin, is a Novice Brother with the Capuchin Order of Franciscans. Our 40th reunion was a blast! …fun to catch up with friends…we missed seeing several classmates who couldn’t attend. Next time BTOBS…life is too short to miss these milestones! We have great plans for our next reunion so please don’t miss it!