1954

Jean Baker Leister Weikert
717-243-5364

Thank you for those who keep in touch!  Alice Avanozian Arana wrote a splendid news letter telling of her husband Oswald Arana passing away.  Thankfully, they shared writing a Spanish work book, 10^th edition for the first year textbook, Puntos De Partida, successful for over 30 years.  What a meaningful, enduring legacy!  Their family includes Cecilia, who works with life size puppets in NYC, a kid’s project.  Middle son, David, lives in Burbank, California and is a musician.  He has his own studio and works with several orchestras and bands, arranging their music, as well as with several vocalists.  Michael, the youngest, is a lawyer and serves as a DJ in several NY clubs.  Alice keeps busy at her residence Morningside in Fullerton, California with line dancing, fitness classes, and library committee.  Barbara Weaver Batdorf thoughtfully wrote a summer of her and Jack’s life together.  They are still living in the home they built in 1963.  Jack, a retired pharmacist, and Barbara, who is still interested in reading, enjoy their constructed green house where they propagate and grow a variety of plants.  Their daughter Ann lives and works in Washington, D.C.  Middle son, Mark, is living outside of Dallas, Texas.  Son, John, is living in Santa Cruz, California in a beautiful beach home.  Betty Remsberg DeColigny wrote of Warren and her travels, including a mid-June visit to Mystic, Connecticut.  Their triplet granddaughters are happily busy.  Erin Thomas graduating from Frostburg University with a psychology major, honors and continuous study for a Master’s Degree in sociology from Salisbury University.  She is also working at Homewood Retirement center in the dietary department.  Granddaughter Relli Thomas is to be married in September.  Completing the triad is Cindy Armentrout, who was married to Chris Ray last July.  A thought-provoking letter from Sally Bogar Hedstrom, M.S. ’81 reported that her husband Ray Hedstrom passed away last May.  Our condolences and prayers, Sally, for your regaining strength after being a caregiver.  Wendell Stockdale, Jane Hinkle Stockdale’s, P’78 husband, wrote a devoted letter last December, talking of Jane’s March 4, 2015 stroke, with her presently being in a skilled nursing, where they reside at Willow Valley in Lancaster.  Betsy Oehrle included pictures in her Christmas letter of beginning the Annual Durban, South Africa Commemorative Salt March from Mahatma Gandhi’s home in Phoenix to the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.  Betsy sends prayers for true peace, respect, loving wisdom, compassionate friendships and joyous energy.  As your class correspondent, it is safe to say Mark and I continue to be happily busy newlyweds and feel blessed to have fresh perspectives at our age (83).  We keep being content with home, family, church, friends, scripture study, maintaining health, ballroom dancing, gardening, and yes, keeping a balance electronically. Son, Andy Leister, experienced a stroke in May 2015, which compounded adjustment to the previous surgeries at Penn State Hershey Medical Center in 1976 and 2010.  We’re visiting regularly at the nursing home at the Brethren Home in New Oxford, Pennsylvania.  Thankfully, we have a supportive family which is helping with restorative therapy since he has right-side paralysis and decreasing vision.  Our remaining children, Kathy with her husband Orrin Orewiler; Christine Abrams; Heidi with her husband Ron Haafre and Daniel Leister are all residing in Hanover, Pennsylvania.  Grandchildren: Kelsey, Sierra and Sean Miller; David with new wife Rachel and Rachel Abrams; Erin and Nick Haafre are dispersed throughout Hanover, Cambridge, England, Fort Gordon, Georgia, Mansfield University, Pennsylvania, Lincoln Intermediate Unit, Harrisburg Area Community College, and Millersville University.  The youngest grandson heading for St. John in Annapolis, Maryland.  Reunion on the 12^th of June was a joyous one with seeing grad school classmate Magaly Mauras Green ’74, M.A.’79 and undergraduate classmate Barbara Weaver Batdorf and her husband John.  It was reassuring to hear our new President, Dr. Andrea Chapdelaine speak at lunch.  Barbara, Jack, Mark and I were lucky to share a table with Lois Vars Mason ’51, Betsy McCain McAlpine ’51, with her husband, along with a few other members of the class of 1951.  Thanks again for keeping in touch!

1953
Johanna Chait Essex
516-487-1883
johalessex@gmail.com

Condolences to Charlotte Beshore Ahrens on the passing of Bob in Feb. 2015. Condolences to Kathy Sponsler Patten on the loss of her husband. Condolences to the family of Elizabeth Sweeney Qualls, who passed away this past April. Received a cheery note from Marge Aronson Dalmas—She and Bob are hanging in—Marge has advanced degenerative disc disease, but they try to stay involved and enjoy life. Charlotte Beshore Ahrens broke her hip last year, and it took a year of TaI Chi clasees to get he back on her feet—but all is well now. Evelyn Bragg Trageser wrote that “I’m alive and kicking most mornings, but like any electric chair lift in the latter part of the day.” Penny Fradd Vahsen, P’77 will be attending 4 weddings of her Academy grads this summer, a well asl taking a river cruise from Brussels to Basel. Jerry Griffith Macomber had a bout with “walking pneumonia”  “that left her in the  hospital  and then home with antibiotics and oxygen 24/7—her family and many friends stepped into help––she is “learning new lessons in old age.” Nancy Brown Kohlheyer was in Brussels when they had terrorist attacks, but is now back in the states.  One of her former art students was badly wounded, but is now recovering. She and John have been together for 9 years and have enjoyed every aspect of it. She did visit Lois Wolfe Haffly and Buffie McKim Powell when she was in the states last year. Betty Gerstmyer Allen was diagnosed with Guillian Barre syndrome in Feb. 2014, and is now at Brookdale Hockessen, where she is learning how to walk with a walker and write again. She uses her daughter Sue’s address—127 New Granville Rd., Wilmington, De 19808,and her phone number is 302-235-2340—She is doing as well as can be expected, and would love to hear from classmates. New email address for Elaine Green Powell—depowell@metrocast.net–She and Dave are very happy in their “independent home” in Concord, N.H., but they still have their Lake Cottage which is the family gathering place in the summer, and ski base for their children and grandchildren in the winter. Nadya Klotz Giusi still has her practice as a Marriage Family Therapist, and is working on her 5^th book.  She has 2 daughters and 5 grandchildren. Pat Lloyd Fordham is recuperating from arthroscopic shoulder surgery due to a bad fall against the kitchen counter—it will take several months to heal, and then she will need physical therapy. Corky Pattison Casey, P’82 will be in Old Saybrook, Conn. the end of July  and would love to see anyone who might be in the area. Janet Peek Clancy is expecting her 6^th  great-grandchild this July. One of her grandsons is a NYC fireman who is a member of the fire departments  football team, and they flew to NC to compete—she still plays lots of tennis and bridge, and enjoys being involved in all that she does. Lovely long note from Marilynn  Phillips—she has had a happy, busy year with trips to Seattle to visit son Chip, the wedding of her grandson Tyler , a visit with her brother Dick for Thanksgiving, and enjoying all the wonderful things her grandchildren are accomplishing. Judy Rank Loposer is still in Walla Walla, Washington—her three children live close by which makes life even better, ”Whenever I see wisteria blooming I think of the pergola.” Beverly Rosenberg Sager had a fall on the tennis court and broke her wrist, and is now in physical therapy.  If all goes well she and her daughter plan to spend a week in Paris in June, and then in August she travels to California to visit with her son. Sheila Seigal Asher has sold her home on Kiawah Island, and will be going back to Florida. Their family joined them for the Passover weekend and was terrific. In general life is good, and they are grateful. Lois Wolfe Haffly is doing well after having back surgery in Oct. to relieve pressure on her sciatic nerve. She sends her best to everyone. The Essex Family is fine—I’m still involved with Kings Point—helping out at Cookie Café, as well as sponsoring cadets—and I volunteer at the nursery school where I taught—reading the “golden oldies” to the children –Hal is doing well, and we both enjoy visiting with our children and grandchildren.

1952

Mary-Lou Springhorn Leidheiser
828-693-0630 mlouleid6@gmail.com

Evelyn Bischoff Mitchell:  Moving to a lovely senior community where dear friends reside, so I know I’ll be happy there. Can’t believe that in the 45 years, we never threw anything out!  Still plan to winter in Florida. Nancy Campbell Barrett:  Moved into a lovely retirement home in Reno after 63 years in California.  Daughters Melinda and Judith helped me.   Food is delicious, the residents friendly, and staff competent and helpful. I’m finally retired!!!  My new address is 3201 Plumas St. – Apt 228, Reno, Nevada  89509-4768.  Phone: 760-742-3391. Dee Dreller Sosin:  Life is good.  I keep very busy – the gym, my garden, local and national politics, plus theatre, symphony, dance. historic preservation. Still trying to save the world.  This August, I’ll meet Mary-Lou Springhorn Leidheiser in Asheville, NC.  On a Folk Art tour there. I’ve been a folk art collector for 60 years. Anne Gibson Bement:  I’m well but moving slowly with balance problems. Traveling only to our Miami Beach getaway or visiting daughter and family in Minnesota. Biggest accomplishment this year was completing my photography website www.annebement.com. Dottye Handley Ewing:  I’ve organized a monthly “Opera Matinee” at my retirement center.  Enjoyed newly published bios of H. Beecher Stowe, Jefferson, J Q. Adams and Ted Kennedy. I recommend them.  Staying more active with mind than body.  Emma Jones Hann:  Took my annual trip to New England. Saw my Little Sis, Penny Hapgood Noepel ’54, P’87, reunited with dozens of cousins at a Connecticut family wedding, and visited my hometown, Pittsfield, MA. Next trip – Washington, DC, on an all-woman Honor Flight for WWII and Korean veterans.  Looking forward to our 65th reunion in June 2017.  Jo Kates Roos:  My Linda’s son, Billy Cole, is graduating from the College of William & Mary.  He has excelled.  Bill would have been so proud of him.  Sister, Hannah, is an honors student in class as well as in marching band and symphony orchestra. Peg Lewis Christensen:  You will not be surprised to hear I have no tidbits for Hood Class News.  I’m sure you’ll do a lovely remembrance of Mary Sihler Sauerteig – her donation of the trumpets to the Hood Chapel organ, her love of music, her rich alto voice, her laughter, her philanthropy, her love of gardening and all creatures, great and small. (Mary died on Memorial Day; her two sons were with her.) Phyl Loudermill Armstrong:  The days are spent taking care of the necessities of home, yard, car, life, family, cat….you got the picture. Will have knee replacement in July. Mary Murrie Hardy:  Had a small stroke in April.  No after-effects, thank God.  Planning trips to Isle of Palms, SC (with most of my family), Lake Keowee, SC (to daughter), then to Michigan (to another daughter) Updating my home. By the end of my trips, I’ll want to stay home and enjoy it. Seems very hard without Bob, but I’m learning what the “new normal” is.  Betsy Newcomer Payette:  My news is always the same so I guess it’s better than having bad news! Keeping in contact with Carolyn Rusk and Barbara Hickman Reynolds P’80 on a regular basis. Kay Spear Feldmann:  Life is good; at 85 not too bad.  Still driving so can be independent.  One grandchild moving back to Baltimore; should be fun.  Planning August riverboat trip to southern France. Nancy von der Heyde Needham:  Still writing letters; don’t own a computer.  I’m a great grandmother for the second time.  Was in the hospital with cellulitis (4^th time) but I’m okay now.  I watch the Washington National baseball team.  Our class news is getting closer to the front of the magazine (smile). Connie Woodall Fisher:  Oops!  I just scrolled past old messages and there you were, with a deadline.  Sorry.  I am alive and well and will attempt to be more alert at your next posting. Dee Dreller Sosin reported: “I was so lucky to have the opportunity to meet President Obama at my daughter Leah’s home.  She and her husband had a fundraiser for the Democratic party.  Fifty of us spent the evening with this wonderful, bright, astute, and handsome man.  History of the United States honored and touched me.” We mourn the loss of Fran Brainerd Carpenter, Francine Dondershine Schwartz, Nancy Eaton, Marilyn Koch Swanson, Doris Lindblade Burn, Dottie Shillis Dowdell, Pat Wallace Wilkirson, and Mary Sihler Sauerteig, whom I’ll miss terribly.  I spent most weekends this year helping her. Moving back to Chicagoland in early fall. All four offspring and seven grands are there.  It’s time.

1951

Eleanore Jackson Knott
843-681-8580
weknott2@gmail.com

Mary Lou Hoffman Huff is almost back to normal after enduring a broken wrist for 10 weeks. She has spent some of that time trying to dispose of things she has saved “because some day I might need them.” Most of us can probably identify with that. Tink Smith Garrity and her daughter from Phoenix were happy to drive down to Tucson to have lunch with Cathie Strachan Upp in April. Cathie’s daughter Debbie had passed away after a long battle with cancer, but Cathie is slowly returning to her activities and finds helping others does help a little. Previously she had been very involved in volunteer service. She did enjoy a trip to her youngest granddaughter’s graduation from Texas Christian Univ. Lois Vars Mason also reported sad news of her husband of 20 years, William B. Mason, passing in March.  He was a financial planner but has been in charge of worldwide distribution of bananas for United Fruit in Boston. It was sad to read the editor’s note in the last issue that Sara “Sally” Weaver Langie, P’83 had passed away.  We had been roommates in Shriner. After a few more appointments, Walt and I will be driving north as usual.  We enjoyed our winter visits to Florida and look forward to spending the rest of the summer with family and friends in New England.  These trips do seem to get longer but we are very blessed to be able to go. I enjoyed talking with Betsy McCain McAlpine after she and Harry returned from our 65th reunion.  Although she was disappointed in the small number of classmates who were able to return, she and Phoebe Brown Ford, Mary Louise (Ludie) Reed Hall, Lois Vars Mason and Molly Wood Tully had enjoyed being together for their class dinner, many college activities, and much reminiscing. Please think about sending me some news of your activities to share with classmates. Molly Wood Tully wrote, “We may have been few in number but we made up for it in spirit~~Five Brave Members of the Class Of ’51 gathered in Frederick over the weekend of June 10-11 for our 65^th, and I think we held our own in noise level, hilarity and celebration…  Those who participated were – of course, first and foremost Betsy McCain McAlpine and her faithful backup, companion and husband Harry who might as well be a class member for all the spirit and hands on participation he provided.  Lois Vars Mason greeted us to hear the new President give an update on the college and we all joined together for lunch after in the dining hall. Others were:  Phoebe Brown Ford, who came by train from Greenwich, CT and joined Molly Wood Tully in Washington overnight and for the trip to Frederick.  We picked up Ludie Reed Hall who now lives in DC at a retirement home (Thomas House).  None of us had seen Ludie since graduation (I believe she married Lee Hall before graduation and did not walk down the aisle with the rest of us. Ludie has traveled the world as her husband was working for Time Magazine.  She has a son and daughter who both live relatively close to DC and are a great support to her.   We all stayed at the Hampton Inn which made carpooling easier. We enjoyed the evening dinner and speeches in the new Volpe Athletic Center, a huge gymnasium, and he personally had a special hug for each of the ’51 members. Strawberry breakfast was the usual gourmet feast, and we all said our goodbyes and took off til the next reunion.  We’re sorry there weren’t more of you but realize that at our age we’re probably lucky to be alive let alone attempt challenging trips to such outlandish places like Frederick, Maryland.”

1948

Corky Edwards Shulman
808-254-2531
oahucork@aol.com

Aloha, Hoodlums! There are 65 members of the class of 48 still truckin’……..and since most of us have hit our 90th birthday, I’d say we are a pretty long-lived group of women. I share my birthday with Queen Elizabeth; we both hit 90 on April 21st; my four youngsters came from the mainland to help celebrate. And in 2018, we’ll enjoy our 70th class reunion!!!! Ginny Mansfield Alm and Bob are well and enjoying life in The Villages, FL. They play lots of bridge, and Ginny continues keyboard lessons and plays nine holes of golf twice a week. (As one of the “Folksies” gang of eleven, Ginny and I have enjoyed many happy reunions.)!! Ann Barnum Connellee remembered my birthday April 21st, mahalo, old friend! Ann and Bill and daughter Gail vacation at Kiawah in a friend’s house on the ocean. “We are so fortunate to have each other and love our cottage here at Bishop Gadsden (Charleston, S.C.).”!! Janet Beck Agnew has moved to Hamilton, Ohio where she lives with her daughter, Kerry. Janet and her three daughters will attend a family reunion in West Virginia where she will be the matriarch of the clan! (Way to go, Ging!)!! Shirley Benson Rice ( Farmville,VA) writes that she has two grandchildren graduating from High School this spring, both are going on to college. (Congrats to both.)!! Anne Chaney Mesmer, from Washington, D.C…”living day to day with lots of help and cheered by visits from family and friends.” (Anne always had that positive glow.)!! Elaine Henderson Cortelyou still enjoys her river home in Fairton, N.J. that she shares with the deer and the turkeys. She works at the church and enjoys cooking. (Wish I did….good for you!)!! Mary Hershberger (San Antonio, TX) retired in 2014 after a 65 year career in the Retail Fashion and Travel Industry. “I am now enjoying the free time with friends and my standard white 5 year old poodle ‘Sophie Tucker.”. (Ditto me & my 7 year old chihuahua)!! Barbara Heiss Jackson, in Sarasota, FL.: “We mourn the death of Louise Renninger Rittenhouse, P’74, G’07 (Tootie). She was one of eight of us who kept in touch via round robin letter. There are just three of us now; Elsa Eggers Hauswald, Shirley Benson Rice, and me. We keep in touch now by phone.” Barb has three children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. (We too mourn ‘Tootie’)!! Margaret Green Lebherz was privileged to represent the Class of ’48 in the alumni procession at the inauguration of President Andrea Chapdelaine. She writes “Hood was blessed with a beautiful October Day for this outdoor occasion as only Maryland can provide.” (Amen, amen)!! Katherine Maguire Rafferty reports in from Denver that husband John has had his second-knee-replacement and is recuperating nicely at home. “Our two girls live in CA and FL. so we visit in CA yearly. We all need to HANG IN THERE!” (Hear hear! I agree!)!! Betty Paterson Reims (Wallingford, CT) still spends the winters in Florida. “I”m using a cane like everyone else, but keep plugging. As I watch the French Open, I wonder how I played tennis all those years!! We were lucky and had a good life.”!! A blue note from George Southworth: “It is with a sad heart that I inform you that my wife, Lorene Myers Southworth, passed away on May 20 at Kirkhead Village Retirement Community. We moved here to live out our remaining years. Unfortunately, hers were shorter than we would have liked.” (Aloha nui loa, Renee)!! As for me, still hangin’ out in the islands with daughter Kim and grandson Arion in residence, enjoying hearing from old classmates! However, as of the deadline (6/20/2016), cards sent to Vivian Rice Englander and Jean Neel Perkins have been returned to me, unable to forward. If any of you know the whereabouts of any of these gals, please advise!!

1944

V. Jean Wheatley Hilchuk
407-767-6863
jhilchuk@aol.com

Hood sent me the names of thirty of us for me to contact to see what we are up to doing these days.  Thirteen of us were able to respond.  Most of the phones rang but there was no answer to my call.  The only phone call that had been discontinued was that of Emma Vonderheide Rhoderick.  Marilyn Barnett is still living in New Orleans.  She reported that she really didn’t do much of anything.  But at least she knew what she was talking about.  Betty Lee Daubenspeck Carl does play gold and bridge.  Janet Louise Coblentz Cover is living in Frederick in a retirement center.  She says she is in the assisted living section.  There are several other Hood grads that she has met there.  Gertrude Flagg Dalzell is still living in her own home.  She continues to attend meetings and does quite a bit of reading.  Anne Schwab Dulabahn is also in a retirement center.  She uses a walker and does not drive anymore.  She wishes that her daughters lived nearby, but they live in D.C. and California.  Margaret Traver Emery lives in her own home and has a son, Nelson, living with her.  She is planning a trip to Texas and then to New Jersey to visit her family.  She then intends to sell her home and settle someplace else.  Mildred Geiple Hufnagel lives in her own home.  Her son lives with his mother.  She keeps busy with the usual activities.  Annabelle Sunderland Kepler still drives and lives in her own home.  That seems to be quite the thing for one of our age.  Betty Jane Black Newport lives in her own home too.  She has meals on wheels delivered to her.  Way to go Betty.  Phyllis Carts Searle has a caregiver with her to see her needs.  Mary Alice Knobloch Smith is one of our active ones.  She plays duplicate bridge.  She has family near her which is great.  Mary Lou Chorley Touart is in a retirement center also.  She has retired from the job she had as an editor of their paper.  Her family keeps in touch with her.  Gladys Reinert Aungst called from Newport News.  She still lives in her home.  Her daughter is staying with her.  She no longer drives and uses a walker to help get around.  Well, that is the classmates I heard from.  Hope it brings you up to date.  As for myself, I am living in a retirement center which is near where I lived on the golf course.  I am unable to walk with the exception of walking to the pool which I do daily.  So I ride these long halls in my electric scooter.  The three members of our class that died this past year are: Mildred Easterbrook Patzig, Marilyn Jane Fowler Orth, and Helen Jacqueline Wright. 

1972

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

Thanks for the wonderful response to my call for news; unfortunately, I had to edit heavily with a limit of 750 words, so please also post often at https://www.facebook.com/groups/124118741026202. Nancy Leigh Williams Bishop and Dan are happily retired in Malibu. Daughter Sam and son-in-law Joel live in Australia; he will compete as goalie on the Australian Water Polo team at the Rio Olympics. Carol McVey Burke, M.S. ’80 and her husband recently attended the wedding of the daughter of her Hood roommate, Gretchen VanWhy Gowen, P’08. Sarah M. Gowen ’08 is the third generation to attend Hood; her grandmother is Margaret Hope Whitehead VanWhy ’45. Marianne Taylor Strittmatter continues to run the family business in York, PA; she enjoys gardening, traveling, writing memoirs, and time with her children and four grandsons. Helen De Leonard writes that since retiring from teaching, she has finally been able to perfect living in the present moment! She volunteers with her church, including as a Stephen Minister. Last summer, she visited Gini Procino Hartmann and Tom at their new home in Watchung, NJ; and joined Robin Shaw Leto and Ken in San Francisco for their daughter’s wedding in Golden Gate Park. Linda Cumber Gifkins and her husband enjoy life in southern Vermont, and frequent visits in Brooklyn with kids and grandkids. She continues to work full time at the travel startup Routehappy. Last summer, they had a delightful surprise visit from Darlene DeMay and Jim in their fabulous RV; they hope to visit Betsey Briddell Kipp and Deryl in Boothbay, Maine. Robin Shaw Leto and Ken celebrated their 40^th anniversary with a Panama Canal trip in April with their family; son Jason works with the MA Teachers Association in Boston and daughter Dara continues post-doctoral studies in molecular biology at Stanford. Sue Gorelick Marlenga reports that both daughters married in 2015—Sarah in May and Ashley in November. Mary Jane Scully Bauer was in Boston for Sarah’s wedding but in Israel during Ashley’s. Sue’s been in touch with Joan Leslie Wadsworth, who’s retired from teaching; she and George look forward to their son Greg’s July wedding. Sarah Sonne O’Donnell continues to teach high school biology. Her father passed away March 26 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but had enjoyed photos of his new granddaughter, born three days earlier. Helen-Mae Reisner joined the U. S. Postal Service in ’09 in Philadelphia and was recently appointed to a senior leadership position at Headquarters in Washington. She is in North Bethesda and was delighted to discover that Carol Lipson Fivozinsky and her husband live in the same building. Becky Riehl enjoys retirement in The Villages, FL, including water aerobics, bridge, golf, and riding in her golf cart.  She also travels to Nashville, TN, golf tournaments in Las Vegas and Myrtle Beach, and cruises on her pontoon boat. This summer, she plans to see Cindy Land Humphries ’74 and Lucia Grabenstein Kline. Marti Murray Robinson retired this spring from Ulster County Community College as a Professor Emerita after 25 years of teaching English. She’ll travel this summer to the Galapagos Islands and then to Ireland with the Hood alumni travel program this fall and continue her studies through the Jung Society of Washington, DC. Connie Dawley Seeley reports that she is very happily engaged; she and Karl met online in 2014. They live in Clarksburg, MD, close to Hood and will be married in August. They often see Linda Wicks Crites and Bob; Connie and Linda attended reunion weekend, and shared lunch with friends from ’71 celebrating their 45th: Mary McMunigal Burland ’71, Edith Purdie ’71, and Betsy Cooper Pizzolato ’71. Recently, Linda and Bob joined Marsha Kraft Brick and Jim in Rhode Island for brunch; they continue to enjoy retirement and have added Tai Chi and Senior Aerobics to their weekly schedule. Danise Simpson Simmons and Bruce relocated to Aurora, IL, when their son-in-law accepted a transfer to the Chicago area; and he and their daughter, Sarah, invited them to go with them. Their new address is 1286 Church Court, Aurora, IL 60502. Kathy Stewart remains gainfully retired in Harrisburg, PA, enjoying gardening, birding, and screen porch life with an orange fuzz ball named Sparky. She had a great time at the wedding of Jane Chaisson Blake‘s daughter Heather; stays in touch with Kathy Martin Belikoff, who’s exploring the country via RV with Larry and their German shepherd; and has invited me to visit when I’m back East this August. Barrie Parsons Tilghman and Mat much enjoyed a trip to England and France to commemorate the D-Day invasion—the most meaningful trip of their lives. Barrie was reminded of Dr. Bragdon’s American History course, just as she had recalled Dr. Latkovski’s classes on an earlier trip to Latvia. Barrie recently had lunch with Barb Cox Bisset, who’s busy with five grandchildren and a part-time position at Goucher College “and looks just like she did the day we left Hood.” Janice Williams Martin and Al took a cruise to Mexico, and continue to enjoy 4-H and their farm with plenty of animals.  Deidre Jean Wright is proudly taking her oldest grand nephew, Chase Wise, to Lowell, MA, for the 2016 Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders on 29 June. Then she’ll become Quartermaster for VFW Post 8696, Palm Coast, FL; she’s also proud to serve as a speaker for “Veterans in the Classroom” with the Flagler County school system. Allison Zack/Jeffrey Hagerich and Mike divide their time between Rochester, NY and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL—the best chapter of their lives yet! She volunteers with environmental programs; this year, they travel to Chautauqua, Sicily, Singapore, and China, and then to California to visit their daughter. Jane Hively Zarfoss left York, PA in 2012 and moved to West Palm Beach, FL with her 90-year-old mother; she also spends time in the San Francisco Bay Area with her two children and three young grandsons—visitors are welcome in Florida or San Francisco! This column is dedicated to our classmate Kris Vasey Smith, who enjoyed a successful career with Hawai’i Pacific University and passed away September 25, 2013; Mahalo, Kris. Save the date for our 45^th reunion: June 9–11, 2017!

Sara (“Sally”) Zimmerman
Class Reporter

Greetings You Talented, Dedicated, Traveling, Major-Life-Decision-Making, Care-giving, Creative, Fit, Physically active, Musical, Mini-reunion loving, Spouse-Children- Grandchildren- and -Pet adoring, Teaching, Newly-retiring, Still working, Volunteering, Gardening, Reading, Art and Fiber-art making, Amends-making, Life-loving, and Beautiful-people Classmates!

Thank you everyone who sent news:

Linda MacDonough Morrow : “George and I spent two weeks in Europe in May. His youngest is living near Paris while in grad school. George, as a dutiful father, visited her to be sure she is doing OK (in Paris!) and I, as a good wife, accompanied him (to Paris!). We also spent a few days in Barcelona to visit a former Penn State nutrition student/friend.

In September my 42-yr-old daughter married for the first time to a man 10 years her senior who had never been married before. I’m sure there was a lot of adjustment to be made on both sides, but they seem to be doing well. George and I visited them over the Mother’s Day weekend and had a great day touring Ft. McHenry, near their Baltimore home.”

Marjorie Simmons Carlson: “Our oldest grandson, Chris, Jr., is now an attorney in the States Attorney’s Office in Charleston, WVA – he recently vacationed with two buddies in Iceland; Bill and I were at High Point University on May 7 to attend the graduation of our granddaughter, Hannah; granddaughter Molly Carlson Berger will receive her Elementary Ed. Degree from Maryland Univ. on May 19, and…the “Library Lady” (that’s me) will be retiring from Riverdale Baptist School, Upper Marlboro, MD, on June 8 after 37 years of service. These are the highlights; there’s much more ‘on my plate’!”

Candee Mack Westdorp: “We have two grandsons graduating from college. Our granddaughter is in her second year of serving in the Peace Corps after graduating from college.
We are fine and playing lots of tennis. Best wishes to all classmates.”

Jane Hoskins Bollman: “Not much has changed for me, but as I write this, just home from teaching a weekly art class, I’d have to mention the enjoyment I get teaching senior citizens (as opposed to junior high students in the 60’s). It is a lot more fun! Thanks to Jack Davis at Hood for developing my passion for art.”

Pam Roberts Welham: “Bonjour! Walt and I were in Paris for a three week visit- another item off our bucket list. We had an apartment in the Marais with a small ‘place’ across the street that has a Wed and Sat market. Yesterday I bought cherries, strawberries, cheese, and lilacs. Idyllic! We took a two-day tour to the Loire Valley and also visited Chartres for a day. Otherwise, we learned more about the Paris bus system and visited some of our favorite places in this wonderful city.
We sold our house in Annandale, VA before leaving on this trip and will move to the retirement community nearby, The Fairfax, in August. We are looking forward to living in smaller quarters with less upkeep- easier to leave when we travel. A classmate of Walt, USNA ’62, and his wife (Joan and Pete Odell) are staying in our house while we are away and they wait for their apartment at Bay Woods, an Annapolis retirement community, to be completed. A sign of the times for our contemporaries. We are looking forward to this next chapter- what better way to begin than a trip to Paris?!!!”

Marvia Slade Perreult: “We flew to Buffalo in February to spend time with daughter Melanie, now the Provost of Buffalo State University, and had our return trip delayed one day due to snow. I’m becoming involved in committees in the 55+ community in which we live. Also have been volunteering at Salisbury University, in the Historical Research Center, transcribing a 1799 handwritten (duh!) diary of a prominent local figure to computer. Very interesting!

Other than that, looking forward to finally getting together again with Bobbi Arthur Pretzsch, Linda Martin McManus, and Gail Wood Fortin this September in Fenwick Island, DE.

Barbara Arthur Pretzsch: Our business (daughter, Lyn included) of buying houses in foreclosure, renovating and selling them has been quite a challenge. Mostly I’m a “gopher” and a baby sitter for the grandchildren. When I’m not helping at a house under renovation I’ve been active in 2 line dancing groups, some Zumba classes, Silver Sneakers classes and a crochet and knitting group. Bob and I recently went on a cruise to Cozumel and Progresso. It was lots of fun as several of the cruisers in this group were some of the line dancers in one of my groups. My other line dancing group put on a fund raiser for the Gulf Coast Woman’s Center for Nonviolence. We had 3 line dance teachers, food and door prizes and made nearly $1000.00 for the center. I’m planning on another Crochet Conference trip, one to the Hemingway Days in Key West (my brother-in-law is a Hemingway Look-alike and as such helps select the next Papa Hemingway) and to visit with Hood friends, Gail Wood Fortin, Marvia Slade Perreault and Linda Martin Mc Manus in September. It will be a busy summer. My grandchildren are growing up as they are wont to do and playing baseball/softball this season. They have also played basketball, soccer and karate. Going to games takes up a number of hours each week.
BTW I was at one of my grandchildren’s basketball games and saw a car with a Hood license plate frame. I left a card on the car to let them know there was another Hoodlum in Gulfport, MS but never got a call. Anyone know of anyone in this “neck of the woods” from Hood?”

Doris Dalziel Kimball: “Greetings, all. There are no big changes in our lives. George and I still love living in this cozy condo right on the lake. It is like living on a cruise ship except no one makes our bed or turns the towels into elephants. I plan and plant the gardens surrounding the building because it is still a pleasure. Am trying to find time to do watercolors again and continue to walk around the lake, read for two book clubs and try to remember all the cards played at Bridge. Helping the staff to serve the patients at our gorgeous, local hospice facility is about the only volunteer work I still do. Life is good and precious.”

Judy Hammond Blatchford: “ Park and I continue to travel with Lindblad Expeditions a couple of times a year, most recently to Peru, Chile and Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in addition to two weeks in Baja California. We love experiencing nature and exotic animals and places on their small ships with expert naturalists and photography advisors.

This spring we are celebrating two of our granddaughters’ graduations (from Lehigh and Proctor Academy) while our three younger grands are in middle and high schools. Soon thereafter we’ll be heading north to the Adirondacks for the summer. As I write this at the end of May, in three days we’ll be gathering in Baltimore for a mini-reunion with Roger and Jane Hoskins Bollman, Carl and Susan Shinnick Hossfeld, Susan Rugemer Kurtz, Penny Misirian Mardoian, and Ben and Nancy Turner Heckscher. Hard to realize it has been 58 years since we girls first met one another on the Hood campus!”

Penny Mardoian: I went on a wonderful 3 week trip with Smithsonian Journeys to Australia and New Zealand. The highlight of the trip, for me, was seeing the Sydney Opera House from every conceivable location. It has been two years since Art passed away and my life is full of family, friends and volunteer work.”

Susan Shinnick Hossfeld: “Carl and I just returned from a trip to France, five days in Paris in a small, eclectic Latin Quarter apartment, followed by a River Boat Cruise on the Seine. Highlights on the Seine were: charming French villages, Rouen, Normandy, Honfleur and Monet’s House and Gardens. We had a wonderful get-together with Judy and Parker Blatchford, Jane and Roger Bollman, Penny Mardoian, Susan Kurtz , Nancy Heckscher and Ben.”

Harriet Rusty Papst Midge Hoagland: “In May, Bill and I returned from an exciting Viking Ocean cruise to Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Poland, Estonia, Russia and Finland. Now we look forward to an array of events… a grandson’s last crew meet, the national championship in Philadelphia and his high school graduation, a granddaughter’s ballet performance at the Kirov and the youngest of my daughter’s boys receiving his Eagle Boy Scout award. This summer all the children and grandchildren (4 boys, 1 girl) have found time to spend time with us at our summer home in Old Saybrook, CT. Hooray! Life is good.”

Lillian Detrick Blood: “Dave and I have been busy with our organic vegetable garden. This year it was chosen to be featured on the Ridgewood Garden tour. Our 19 year grandson, Aiden flew in from Hermosa Beach, CA to give us some extra help. We are fortunate to be in good health and continue to ski, hike, kayak and spend time with our family. Dave continues to practice cardiology, however, I retired to pursue other interests.”

Elizabeth (Betts) Davis Ackerman: “Here’s the latest exciting(?) news from the Pacific Northwest…….
The nicest part of being a piano teacher right now is that I am teaching my little 8-year old granddaughter. What could be lovelier? This year I have gotten into contra dancing and English country dancing; both lots of fun and good exercise. I am about to put in my veggie garden. My Japanese garden is an ongoing project which I share with my landscape architect son. Recent travels include Cabo San Lucas and Williamsburg Virginia where I learned so much about our history. I live in a beautiful part of the country and welcome any classmates who would like a tour guide.”

Regina Schlank Pyle: “Celebrating our 75 birthdays, I joined a long time pal in Phoenix, where she grew up, and spent February and March, renting a condo to escape Boston’s winter. Monica had driven out with her wonderful albeit large dog, Francesca, and I offered to drive back. So we had a wonderful road trip- 8 days, 2,700 miles, 6 dog friendly motels and visits with friends and relatives along the way. No real sight-seeing because of Francesca but gained a new appreciation for how vast the country is, how totally different various parts are, and just how much of what we buy every day is transported by the thousands of semi-trailers we passed along the way. My major souvenir is a semi-flashy T-shirt with Route 66 emblazoned in sequins.
In early May I attended the first ever reunion of my NYC elementary school – PS 6 – class of 1954 – a mere 62 later. Two gals came up with the idea and through the internet and various networking connections were able to find about half of the 90 classmates. The gal who found me was best friends in high school with my best friend in college, Liz Kovacs, and we were bride’s maids in her wedding…and she remembered. The gals were the hardest to find because of name change. 29 attend the reunion along with 11 spouses. We had a tour of the school with lunch and a dinner reception and buffet at the University Club donated anonymously by a generous class mate. It was an amazing gathering to say the least.

When I was contacted I shared my memories shrouded all these years in shame about a boy who joined our class in 5th grade, 1951 – shy, pudgy, spoke little English and had numbers on his arm. The shame was that no teacher told us what Michael had been through – surviving Auschwitz and being freed 1/45 when 4 years old. He was reunited with his mother who had been sent to another camp and they immigrated to NYC in ’51. The organizers were able to find Michael Bornstein through a holocaust website and he came with his wife. He earned advanced degrees in chemistry and worked for Eli Lilly and Johnson and Johnson; now retired he lives in NYC and New Jersey. After the event he emailed that he wasn’t sure why he attended but now felt closure after 62 years meeting the children that shunned him and the adults who now embraced him. He has co-authored a book, Survivors Club: The True Story of a Very Young Prisoner of Auschwitz, with his daughter, Debbie Bornstein Holinstat, available on Amazon 3/7/17.
All is well in Boston – keeping busy chairing my neighborhood association and a trustee of my condo association. Fortunate to be in great health and sharing my life with Monty, a cairn terrier, and Rossy, a cat.”

Elizabeth Kovacs Dudley Washburn: “Small world. Regina Schlank Pyle (who was my dear half sister at Hood) was invited by my dear friend from Music and Art High School, Lillie Anderson, to attend their 54th Reunion at P.S. 6 in New York City. They had a blast. Both were bridesmaids in my wedding in 1963. My husband Ted and I are enjoying retirement immensely: family time, good friends, entertaining. church activities, gardening – Portland is “Rose City”, doggie time, reading great books, “Silver Sneakers” aerobic classes, etc. I’m painting as much as I can and exhibiting here and there. Since we lived overseas for 16 years (England, Kenya and Turkey) we are happy to stay put. We are always ready to share a meal and visit with any Hoodite passing through Lake Oswego, Oregon.”

Ann Holmes Flatt: “Aside from a few health issues, JP and I have gratefully enjoyed another good year, keeping happily occupied with family, friends, community activities, trips in our RV, and travels abroad, most recently a Safari in Kenya. I never thought that item in my bucket list would become a reality. WOW! What a treat! In September we have plans to return to Switzerland to visit family and friends.
Art classes have me exploring different mediums. For now it’s challenging watercolor. Singing with the Worcester Chorus has been rewarding in many ways. In addition to our 4 annual concerts, we recently hosted singers from Mexico City for a week and performed 2 concerts with them in New Haven, CT and in Worcester, MA. This August we will be going to Québec City for a week to perform in a Music Festival. Two of our concerts will be with a Québec chorus.
Skiing in the winter, yoga, hikes up our local Mt Wachusett, and happy hours in my garden help to keep me centered and sane!
JP and I enjoy occasional get-togethers with Rusty Papst and Bill Hoagland. We welcome any other Hood classmates to visit us whenever they are in the area. We are still in our large turn-of-the-century home in Princeton, MA and like to have reasons to keep it! We are not ready to downsize – yet – but realistically know it is not far away!”

Judi Simonsen Ziobro: “Ed and I are still enjoying good health and as much family time with our kids and their kids as they are able to share with us. We did our usual Florida trip in March, saw Judy Bailey Allison and Tom, then did a cruise with Judy Jensen Burgess and Gordon to the Panama Canal and some other ports along the coasts of South and Central America. Beautiful scenery and a truly wonderful experience with our only mosquito encounter happening in Ft. Lauderdale before the cruise began. I still am involved in making music in my church, in both vocal and handbell choirs, and sewing of all sorts for all sorts of projects (Shepherds’ robes, Days for Girls kits, alterations for prom dresses, etc.). It keeps the mind active and gives me an excuse for not doing housekeeping duties. Life is good!”

Barbie Reeves McGee: “Wow – What a year it has been for me. My husband has been in the hospital twice for heart issues. He is stable now but is not in good health. As for me, I am lucky to be in good health. I just keep going. Being busy is good for me. I finished another year of subbing – had decided to give it up but changed my mind. I need the mental stimulation of dealing with the youth of today.

I am also involved in a retired teachers group. My position is to plan five luncheons a year. Then I work with a “Find Arts” group to raise funds for scholarships for high school seniors who are going to college in the arts.

For a great read: Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson. It’s non-fiction but reads like a novel.

I wonder what Dr. Lewis would have to say about the ‘2016 Race to the White House.’ Looking forward to our next reunion.”

Sara (aka Sally) Zimmerman: class reporter…. For all of you who said you may get in touch with me next time you are coming to the west coast of Florida, yes, do it! I have a small home on a lake preserve and bird watchers’ paradise on Esprit Drive in New Tampa, only three miles off of I-75, and I love sharing it with friends. Not during these summer months, though. It’s a good time to beat the heat, and I’ll be flying to Columbus, OH in a few weeks for a national meeting of Unitarian Universalist ministers and a visit with a niece and her family. In July, I’m booked for a trip to Milwaukee to visit my daughter and grandchildren Henry (12) and Helen (9). Henry just graduated from 6th grade. In August, I’ll be flying to Pennsylvania to attend our 58th Central Dauphin high school reunion. Now in retirement from full-time parish ministry, I’m much busier as a consultant and free-lance minister doing Sunday pulpit supply than I ever thought I would be and loving it. SZ

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

Wow! What a crazy last few months we’ve seen, Class of 2015! In our years at Hood we experienced a lot of change and since graduation, less than a year ago, our lives have been no different! We have so much to celebrate and so much to look forward to! Miguel Caruso has been accepted to the Officer Candidate School for the United States Army. Eliza Jacobs will be heading to Bucheon, South Korea in February for a year to teach English. Tara Biser started graduate school at Johns Hopkins University and is working towards her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Meg DePanise is working for Hood’s Marketing and Communications Department and towards her MBA. Maya Jackson is working for Keswick Multi-Care Center as a Social Work Designee and looking into graduate school. Brigid Ayer works at Hood as a Student Life Assistant in Sports Information and is pursuing her Masters in Business Marketing. Krystal Wood is currently attending Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia and pursuing a Psy.D. Degree in Clinical Psychology. Sarah Wagstaff is an Assistant Teacher at The Goddard School in Columbia, Maryland. Emily Eckard started graduate school for Occupational Therapy at Chatham University. Lindsey Willhide began graduate school at the University of Maryland School of Social Work in Baltimore and plans on getting her LGSW license after school. Stephanie Kelley and Amanda Decker also began graduate school at the University of Maryland School of Social Work in Baltimore and will be completing school with Lindsey in 2016. Prettany Overman will be in Berlin, Germany until late-summer 2016 working at the Jüdische Gemeinde (Jewish Community Center and Synagogue). She also gives tours at a museum and at a former Concentration Camp and Soviet Special Camp. Chelsea Bunker moved to rural Cofradía, Honduras where she is now the fifth grade teacher at the San Jeronimo Bilingual School, and loves Central America. Caroline Schuetz moved to Frederick, Maryland and was promoted to Site Director for the Crestwood Middle School Boys & Girls Club where she runs an after school program for about thirty students, and is an AmeriCorps member. Angela Moore got engaged to her boyfriend on graduation day, and will be getting married next October. She lives in Texas and works at Therapy & Beyond as a behavioral therapist. Heidi Marino is now a graduate student at Shippensburg University pursuing a Master’s Degree in Communication Studies with an emphasis in Public Relations. Erin Botker is now an Admissions Counselor for Hood. Oritsegbubemi Ndze-Williams is working in the construction industry installing geomembranes on landfill sites across the lower east coast of America. Amanda Shaffery and Robert Vaughn moved to Memphis where they are attending the University of Memphis for graduate school. Rob is working towards a Masters in Statistics and Amanda is working for a Masters in Egyptology. Logan Bachtell began her graduate studies at Marymount University in the Forensic and Legal Psychology Program. Kacy Strasser accepted a job teaching middle school art at Frederick Classical Charter School. Megan Rodriguez will be getting married in January 2016 and works as a Software Developer for iNovex Software Solutions. Jessica Zambreny is a Therapeutic Support Staff member and is attending graduate school at Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Julianne Berg moved to Charleston, South Carolina as an AmeriCorps VISTA. She is serving for a year with the Palmetto Project, a non-profit that serves as the statewide navigator for the affordable healthcare act. Ryan Lenhart is teaching math in Frederick County and coaching cross-country and indoor/outdoor track. Anet Zhandosova is applying to medical schools and working as a medical assistant at MetroMed Urgent Care in Leesburg, Virginia. Jessica Morales is in Charlotte, North Carolina at The Charlotte School of Law, pursuing her Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree. Teresa Rivera has accepted the position of Marketing Manager at All-Fill Inc in Exton, Pennsylvania. I, Sarah Tapscott, am working during the day, Publicity Chair for the Choral Arts Society of Frederick, and researching graduate schools to pursue a Masters in Museum Studies and hope to also obtain a Teaching Certification. Please keep in touch with me about all of your amazing changes and keep persevering!

Bianca Padilla
301-437-8772
hoodcollege14@yahoo.com

Hello Class of 2014! Let’s catch up with what our classmates have been up to. Congratulations are in order to Emily Singleton who is engaged to Joshua Dimeler and will be looking forward to a September 2016 wedding. Jackie Frenning who recently got engaged and looking forward to an October 2016 wedding. Melissa Caples is engaged to Greg Miller. Katie Jenkins is engaged to Andrew Hansrote and will get married in April 2016. Classmates Zach Lynch and Kelsey Knippenberg are engaged. Congratulations are also in order to Tabitha Browne who married Byron Milliken in June 2015. Lauren Engel married Brian Ulander in September 2015. Classmates Ashley Rose Bennett and Menzi Khumalo recently got married. Christine Carter Cohee married Herman Cohee ‘15 in May 2015; Mindy Everleigh King married Justin King in October. Tiffany Zechman Flook welcomed her first child, Ava, in December 2014 and teaches kindergarten at Liberty Elementary School in Frederick County. Jackie Frenning has a new job as an Academic Testing Associate at Frederick Community College. Lauren Shaak is the Tree Fruit Extension Entomology Research Technician at the Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center in Biglerville, Pennsylvania. Emily Singleton has been working since November 2014 as a Grants Administrator for the Maryland Energy Administration. Kate Kopasek is an Outreach Rehabilitation Counselor at Key Point Health Services. Bianca Padilla is in her second year of teaching as a fifth grade teacher in Montgomery County. Christine Carter Cohee works for W.L. Gore as a Lab Technician. James Thuman works as a data scientist for Booz Allen Hamilton. Will Haller works at Schaefer Center for Public Policy, Envolve. Olivia Sledzik is working at the White House Historical Association in DC as an editorial specialist. Nathaniel Erb has kept busy with his involvement in social justice. Since his cross-country cycling trip with human trafficking advocacy group, Worthwhile: GO, he continues to be involved with human trafficking policy, youth leadership, and global social justice initiatives. He recently authored the first law in the United States to open college access to human trafficking victims. Melissa Caples works as a part-time contract as a conservation technician at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Brianna Dyckman was accepted into the Americorps NCCC program for the Atlantic Region where she will start in February 2016. Kierianne Lupari is a 3rd grade teacher in Fairfax County. Amanda Price is currently at an internship at the BirthPlace at Frederick Memorial Hospital. Denisse Guitarra is working at Alizee Pathology as a Laboratory Specialist. Lauren Engel is in the Applied Behavior Analysis Master’s program at Ball state university. Will Haller is a Psychology major and attends the University of Baltimore for Industrial/Organizational Psychology for Graduate school. Melissa Caples is attending George Washington University to obtain a Master’s in Museum Studies; and Amy Hagerdon has a Master’s of Public Affairs and a Master’s of Science in Environmental Science from Indiana University. Katie Jenkins will graduate from Shippensburg University with her Master’s Degree in Social Work in May 2016. Amanda Price is in her second year of graduate school for her Masters of Social Work at Salisbury University. Denisse Guitarra is pursuing a Master’s at the University of Edinburgh. Steven Powell received his Master’s in School Psychology and pursuing an EdS degree. Continue to keep in touch with your success, joys and accomplishments Class of 2014!