Kathryn Brown Sandifer
klsandman2002@yahoo.com

Hello, Class!

Tonya Thomas Finton writes After 35 years in the Washington DC area, Tim and I are moving to Richmond VA where our oldest son lives.  My husband Tim retired this year so the time is right.  We already have lots of friends there and are excited about this new chapter.  I know there are some Hood alums in the Richmond area and I look forward to finding them.  We are just off 95, anybody passing thru Richmond is welcome to stop by!

I am now in my second year on Hood’s Board of Trustees.  I love being on the campus and meeting current students.  Tim and I attended our 40th reunion at Hood in June, it was wonderful seeing so many classmates.  Particularly special was spending the day with Brenda Hughart Payseure ‘79 and Jorja Notargiacomo Stark ‘78.

I hope everyone who came, and those unable to make this one, will plan to come to our 50th in 9 years!

Renee Kramer wanted all to know;   I was probably the oldest member of our graduating class, and all I have to report is that I am happy to say that I am still here!

Good luck in your quest for more information from our classmates.  I will look forward to reading the result of your efforts!

Janice Imhoff Hirneisen shared that she retired from teaching and but still substitutes a few days a week. Love
quilting, basket making and attending grandkids sporting and school
events.

Diane Zortman Duelfer  tells us;  she retired in September 2017 and married Jim Tice. They moved to Loveland, Colorado this past April and are loving biking, hiking and swimming.

It is absolutely beautiful. We are adapting to climbing various mountains which are steady inclines. The winds can be fierce and serve to build character! Every day is a new adventure.

Our grandchildren are in California. My daughter, Laura with husband Aquee and grandson Adeo (4) live in Redwood City.

Jim’s son Chris with wife Candace and granddaughter Eva (1) live in San Francisco. My younger daughter, Lisa, with husband Scott live in Folsom, PA.

Hello to everyone and Happy New Year!

Happy to hear from Lee Cameron Fenn!  She writes: Where to begin?  Starting my 4th year of retirement and not missing the workplace at all.  This past year Dan and I spent 77 days away from home living out of our camper with our 4 legged “kids”, Faith and lil Bear.  A lot of the trip was spent in Colorado while Dan hiked sections of the Colorado Trail.  I provided support dropping off and picking up from trailheads.  Onto some national parks, Black Canyon of the Gunnisons, Kings Canyon and Sequoia.  San Diego to check in with the in-laws.  Yosemite NP where fires were still smoldering.  Don’t know where 2019 will find our travels taking us.  Most likely out west again.

Daughter Kassie is married and residing in Windsor, PA.  She is working for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Would love to see you.

Herb and I are hoping to at least partially retire in the next year!  We hope to sail alittle more, visit family and friends and “catch up” on lots of the items on the “honey do” list!! We had a wonderful Christmas with all the kids and grandkids under one roof!  Please try to send me updated email addresses so we can stay in touch!!  Kathie “Brownie” Sandifer

Justin Fox
Jmf12@hood.edu

Joseph Denicola earned a Master’s in Applied Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Laura Shriver bought her first home in Towson, MD and is still working at Moveable Feast. She is looking forward to getting married to Paul Talis ’17 in May. Sara Eckard has moved from Prescott, AZ back east to Staunton, VA to work as a Fire Suppression Technician for the US Forest Service. Emily Warren is going into her second year of employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Parole Agent in Philadelphia. Aubrey Fetters earned her MEd in special education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism and is now working as a Behavior Specialist for UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital’s RESPOND Program. Yan Karavai got married and is expecting his first child in May. He is currently a Senior Business Analyst at Fannie Mae. Maya Gonzalez is currently working towards a Master’s of College Student Development and Administration at Shepherd University. Dynise Bolden is going into her second year as an Accountant for The Library of Congress. Rob Millar is nearing the end of his Ph.D. in Gerontology at the University of Maryland Baltimore. Gabby Troutman started a new position as Virginia Grassroots Coordinator at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Richmond, VA. Nicole Curreri is attending Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine to become a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. Mareca Williams is working in Finance for the Department of Defense and is halfway done her Master’s of Science in Project Management and Finance. Bailey Wright bought her first home and started a job at First United Bank and Trust. She is also working on her Master’s in Data Analytics at the University of Maryland University College. Kirsten Roy is finishing her MBA at Hood and has been invited to serve in the Peace Corps in 2019. Philip McCarty started his first full-time job as a Library Associate at the C. Burr Artz Library in downtown Frederick, MD. Ivana Soce Shuck continues to live in Frederick, MD. Started working as a Community Manager at Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. In December she hosted family from Croatia who visited the States for the first time. Shelley Hynson is working for the Public School Employees’ Child Development Program in Howard County as both a Director and Lead Teacher. Ricky Huerta continues to live in Washington, DC, maintaining his position in nonprofit communications. Grace Ciminera is finishing her final semester of graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania and is currently working as a clinician in an adolescent unit of an inpatient hospital. Sienna Bronson is teaching geometry and algebra III at GateWay Early College High School in Phoenix, AZ and is in the last semester of her Master’s in Liberal Studies. Michele Cirrincione is in her third year of teaching 5th grade and second year as Team Leader at an elementary school in Gaithersburg, MD. She is also working on her Master’s in Curriculum Instruction and Educational Leadership at McDaniel College. Allen Paxton will be graduating from The University of Iowa College of Law in May. Erin Murray is a Teaching Assistant at a Special Education school. Starting Master’s Program for Special Education in January.

Sarah Tapscott
301.807.7821
sarah.tapscott12@gmail.com

Kara O’Leary is living in Washington, D.C. working at the Society for Neuroscience, chairing the fundraising committee in the Developing Leaders Program at Planned Parenthood, and attending graduate school at the American Military University for a Masters in International Relations with a concentration in Conflict Resolution. Sometimes she sleeps, but any real downtime is at Book Club (Lauren Roesch ’14 is prez!) or happy hour.  Travis Gilbert is entering his second year as the historian at Old Baldy Lighthouse and Smith Island Museum of History. He is celebrating 4 years of living in coastal North Carolina.  Sarah Wagstaff is currently working in administration while she works towards her Master’s in Library and Information Studies through the online program at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Caroline Schuetz got engaged to Alex Jarnot ‘17 this past summer and she and Alex are currently still living in Southern California where she works as a preschool teacher. Tyese Solmes is living in a small apartment by the beach with her cat child, Rosie, and her loving partner Ivan. She is working in business administration and is planning graduate studies in Art History and Curatorial studies in the fall of 2020. She goes to Disneyland every other week, and is living her best life. Tara Little (Biser) and Devon Little got married in September 2018. She’s continuing with graduate school, and just presented her work at a conference at Cold Spring Harbor.  Maya Jackson started grad school in January 2018. She attends the University of Maryland, Baltimore and is in the Social Work program; she will graduate in May 2020. Maya is still working in the Baltimore area and will move into her own place in February. 2018 was an eventful year for Rowela Silvestre.  She rescued a pitbull/chocolate lab named Dixie May, received her MBA, and celebrated a year as a homeowner and got engaged.  Brianna Livesay became a licensed acupuncturist and began building her practice in Laurel, MD.  She hoping to specialize in psychoendoneuroimmunology and women’s health.  Julianne Berg recently moved to Silver Spring, MD, and has just started her second year as a Membership Specialist for the Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital.  She was chosen as the Camp Director for a community-based camp run by GSNC, and she’s very excited to begin in spring 2019.  Grace Cassutto celebrated her two- year anniversary at New Spire Arts, a performing arts non-profit, in November 2018. In January 2019, she helped open a new theatre in Downtown Frederick.  Keesha Fields is in her 2^nd year of her Master’s program at Shippensburg University.  Eliza Jacobs finished up her time teaching kindergarten in South Korea this past February 2018. She spent three months traveling in Asia and returned home to the United States, for the first time in more than two years, in June last year.  After another nomadic summer, she settled on an elementary school job and wonderful apartment in Portland, Maine. She plans to reside there for the time being and begin graduate school in the very near future!  Sarah Tapscott received a promotion, and will be marrying Owen Rosier ’16 in June of 2019.  She is loving life with her cats Sissy and Snippy, and her dog Sophie.  She and Owen cannot wait to see Sophie walk down the aisle at the wedding.  Of course, there will be pictures of Sissy and Snippy there, too.

Bianca E. Padilla
301.437.8772
bianca.e.padilla@gmail.com

Looks like we have been doing well Hood College Class of 2014! Here are some amazing updates from our classmates. Zach Lynch is a trooper for the Maryland state police. He and Kelsey Knippenberg are expecting a baby, Eli, in February 2018. Mercedes Barbosa is Graduating in May 2019 from the University of Maryland with a Master’s of Education in Special Education with a Severe Autism Certificate. She is engaged to Nick Paolino of Baltimore, MD. Amanda Cavanagh is pursuing a career in voice acting and music. She is a soprano for the Washington Metropolitan Gamer Symphony Orchestra and currently working on her first audiobook titled, “Ultra” by Olivia Hill. Amanda Lynn Garner got married on October 27, 2018 to Stephen Garner, admission counselor at Hood College. She also started a new job as a bereavement coordinator at Hospice of Frederick County. Steven Powell is a PhD student at Oklahoma State University studying school psychology. He also works as a consultant for rural schools. Bianca Padilla is a 5th grade math teacher in Montgomery County, Maryland. She recently became a National Trainer for the dance fitness company called, MixxedFit. Tabitha Browne Milliken got a new job as a Research Assistant with Geisinger Medical Center. Nicholas Duafala obtained his Master of Science in Finance from The George Washington University and is currently an Equity Research Analyst covering Oil and Gas E&P’s. Nicholas has since moved to Arlington, VA with his girlfriend, Ashlea, and two frenchies, Grizzly and Honey. Lacey Creelman completed her Master’s in Special Education from Walden University in April 2018. She started classes in October to complete her Administrator 1 Certificate from McDaniel College. Katie Jenkins Hansrote started a new job this past June with Cumberland County Aging and Community Services. She is still working with Older Adult Protective Services. Also, Katie and her husband will be welcoming their second baby girl in April 2019. Olivia Sledzik is currently living in Rhode Island and working at Providence Performing Arts Center. She got engaged in June in Rome. The wedding is September 2019. Jackie Frenning and her wife, Tabitha, bought a house in South Portland, Maine. Megan Gregory got a new job as a Public Relations and Marketing Manager at Veterinary Orthopedic Sports Medicine Group. She is getting married in Summer 2019. Amelia Lovelace is a PhD candidate at the University of Georgia studying Plant Pathology. She has published two papers on her research in Molecular Plant Microbe Interactions Journal and has presented her work at various conferences including American Phytopathological Society and International Congress of Plant Pathology. Ashley-Rose Bennett continues to work for the The Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) of Frederick County, and started an MBA program this past fall. Chad Love was accepted into the School of Dentistry at West Virginia University and will be graduating with the Class of 2022. Wishing everyone a fantastic 2019. Don’t forget that reunion weekend is June 7, 8, and 9. Hope to see everyone at our five year reunion.

Anne Hambrick-Stowe Rankin
717.945.4585
annehambrickstowe@gmail.com

Hello Class of ‘99!   Happy 2019! Congrats are in order for Stephanie Mellinger, Becky Roman Annacone, and Abigail Bowlsbey Lara! Stephanie was selected to participate in the 4th Cohort of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program in Baltimore, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Johns Hopkins University and other local higher education institutions.  Stephanie and her fellow business owners graduated from the four month program this past August. Becky ran the Mount Washington Road Race (7.6 miles, 4,650 feet elevation, 22% max grade, highest peak in the northeast) on June 16 and the Tough Mudder (10-mile obstacle course) on June 24, 2018. It was a tiring month for Becky but she is anticipating more runs this year! Congrats to Abigail who not only graduated from Hood this past semester earning her MS in Biomedical Science, but she and her husband welcomed their first son, Lucas Ian, in December 13. As for me, Anne Hambrick-Stowe Rankin, last August I had a kidney transplant.  I am glad to report that it was successful and that I am finally fully recovered!  And finally the big question for everyone— who all is planning on attending our 20th reunion this June?! (How has 20 years gone by already!?!)  I hope to see a lot of you there!

Mary Townley 804.307.3608
hoodmlt@aol.com

Hello Class of 1983! Thank you to classmates for their recent news.   I’ll begin with news from our friend, Jennie Grimes:  “After 9 companies, 41 countries, 3.1 million air miles and 6 states, Jennie Grimes retired from a 37-year career in high tech.  I now live in Asheville, NC and can highly recommend mountain life, craft breweries, waterfall hiking in the Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains and watching bears eat her peach crop.  If anyone’s in the area, please holler if you want a cup of coffee or a sit on the porch. I also heard from Pamela Stamey Inskeep.  She reports, “I still work part-time at my local library as a Circulation Aide and I lead the fiction and nonfiction book discussion groups there. Love it! In December, a boy I had tutored in math for 5 years reached the point where he doesn’t need me anymore – he is consistently getting A’s and B’s on his own, so we said our goodbyes. It was bittersweet. I was overjoyed with his progress but sad I wouldn’t be seeing him once every week. His parents and grandparents were lovely, kind and very generous. I started crocheting again in the past 2 years. It is very calming, and I get a feeling of true accomplishment and success upon finishing a project, mostly afghans but I might try a shawl or cardigan later on. I am also an avid reader – book group books and others for pleasure and increasing my knowledge. I always loved a good mystery. I reconnected with Kathleen Danielle Arbaiza LeComte. She wrote me last January or February and I have been a terrible friend – I have yet to respond – but I will, soon. My daughter now works at a charter school in Philadelphia, PA. She is a professional teaching coach or mentor, which means she teaches other teachers how to be great teachers.” Deborah Single Hays, (my favorite and only Hood roommate) reports, “Matthew (23) moved into his place in North Canton, Ohio and is now working as a wire line engineer for Baker Hughes in Massillon, Ohio. Stephen is in the process of moving to Iowa City, Iowa for a new job at the University of Iowa beginning on February 1st. He will be a full professor in both pediatrics and pediatric anesthesia. I will remain in Nashville until at least May 2020 when Timothy graduates form University School of Nashville. Lots of change all in a short period.” Kim Hall writes “It’s been an amazing year of transition. My brother (who some people met at reunion) and I have been helping my parents move and adjust to live in a senior community in Baltimore. Everyone was sad to leave a house that has been very good to the family, but it’s good to have more support for them.  Mom and I ended up being in the same publication! The new volume, If I Survive: Frederick Douglass and Family in the Walter O. Evans Collection edited by Celeste-Marie Bernier and Andrew Taylor, includes photos of some of my Mom’s quilts and an afterword by me a long with beautiful never-before seen materials from the Frederick Douglass family. Both os us were thrilled to be able to participate in the global celebration of the Frederick Douglass bicentennial.  Right now, I am writing captions for images of my Mom’s quilts that will be on display along with Frederick Douglass materials at the Maryland State House in Annapolis.  In the meantime there has been a lot of interest in my book project, Othello Was My Grandfather: Shakespeare and Race in the African Diaspora.  I just got back from giving a talk in Chicago and will be giving talks in Arizona and DC as well as a keynote address at the British Shakespeare Association in Wales.   Hopefully between all of these trips, I can get in some quilting and more  time with family!”

I, Mary Townley, broke my foot in December and am hoping to be out of my boot by March.  Our daughter, Emily, returned from a semester abroad in Perugia, Italy in mid-December. Carol and I were blessed to spend a week with her in Italy in late October. She had an amazing semester and now returns to Roanoke College to finish her junior year.  In May, she will depart for Kenya for 2 weeks as her May term experience.  She is loving life!  My non-profit, The Next Move Program, continues to do job training with young adults with special needs in the Richmond area.  We will begin pilot programming at The College of William and Mary in February and we are hoping to open a bakery in Richmond to provide job training and internship experiences for young adults with special needs.  Lots going on! Thanks to all and be sure to look me up in Richmond. Be safe everyone and be kind to one another. -Mary

Elizabeth “Liz” Bastian Chapin
610.823.2172
busybethc@aol.com

Barb Koiro Daye and family are all doing well. She and husband Mike, their 2 children, Mike and Eliza, and 3 grandchildren all live in Frederick! Barb is still recovering from shoulder surgery in October 2018. Husband Mike retired in June after 30 years with the Frederick County BOE. Not only is he a house husband, but he has been a good nurse to not so good patient Barb! The two travel quite a bit and look forward to their next adventure-a Panama Canal trip in December! 2018 was a busy year professionally for Bambi Maitland Grundwerg!  She finally “retired” from a globe-trotting IBM role after 21 years and settled into what she hopes will be her last job as a product marketing leader with a local central NJ software company.  And just to keep things interesting, she and her husband built a big tennis center on the Jersey Shore with a number of other investors — literally from the ground up.  It’s been open since August and they are looking forward to a winter full of good “indoor tennis” weather.   Also in August, Bambi was lucky to spend an afternoon in the Finger Lakes (NY) with Anne Connal Biron, Barb Jamison Berman, her husband Marc and daughter Jamie.  It was so good to reconnect! Joy Miller Beveridge continues to get together with Liz Bastian Chapin throughout the year and with Elizabeth “Baz” Lepatourel Powell ’50 on Labor Day.  Her new ‘grand-joy’ Annabeth Lee joined Lydia James in Arizona, daughters of Danny and Tricia Beveridge. Kendall remains in San Francisco and employed by Facebook.  Don continues to enjoy retirement and the expansion of his outdoor veggie and flower gardens, and his indoor azalea and rhododendron grow room. Joy is still at the Frederick National Lab (17 years and counting) and facilitates the collaboration between the Lab and Hood – summer plans include an intern in quantitative science at the Lab, and a scientific symposium on imaging in cancer biology at Hood.  Joy enjoys her continued connection with Hood by serving on the Alumni Executive Board and the Board of Associates… hoping to see more alums participating in volunteer opportunities and community events! Sad news of the passing of dear family friend Elizabeth LePatourel Powel ’50 in January 2019. The close friendship formed at Hood between “Baz” and my mother, Mary Hendershot Bastian ’50 continued through the years and passed through generations. “Baz” as she was called was also affectionately known as “Granny P” to my children and many others. Our annual Labor day weekend gatherings included many Hood friends, F&M friends and extended friends and family. She is reunited with the Hood gals now! Liz Bastian Chapin just celebrated with Gretchen Steinmetz Keith for her birthday! Both live in Reading, PA so they get together fairly regularly!  She continues to work long hours at the local AAA as a travel consultant. Had a terrific trip to Cuba in September 2018 and looks forward to some new adventures in 2019! Hoping to make some home renovations in the New Year as well. Later in January Liz, along with Carol Eisenberg Miller ’64 and some other Hood alumni in the Reading area plan to cheer on the Blazers when they play Albright and Alvernia in basketball! Always appreciate hearing from you! Take care – Liz Bastian Chapin.

Trina Clickner
727.366.1424
trinaclickner@gmail.com

Betsey Ditto Lillard – I am loving retirement, visiting my kids, my grandson and traveling. I retired from work as an admin in large medical office, am taking Spanish class, volunteering at Ft Frederick State park, and speaking fluent German (Hood classes have paid off!).  Husband Ric:  retired from Regional Fire Manager – Western Region, MD Dept of Natural Resources.  Daughter Kristina: wedding planner in Costa Rica with her own company, Perennial Weddings – her son is four and speaks both English and Spanish (hence Spanish lessons!).  Son Alex:  professor of Earth Sciences at Georgia State U in Atlanta, part time stunt performer in movies.  Granddog: Copper. Ginnie Roth – Life in Boston is wonderful – my family is here.  I love living walking distance to Harvard Square and I’ve done some fun condo renovations.  We took a fantastic Rhine / Mosel river cruise last Fall.  I love my job working in the legal department at a genomics research institute (The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard).  Patents, licensing and trademarks are very different from the litigation and regulatory work I did in DC.  It is very interesting and not as fast-paced.  While I do miss Washington and Frederick, I’ll miss our reunion as we have vacation / family reunion plans.  Best wishes to all for a great 2019!  Janet Wehking Mullen – I’m a grandmother – son Greg adopted a baby girl at Thanksgiving!  Tom and I bought a house in Edenton, NC on the Albemarle Sound.  I’ll be retiring any day now and then will move from MD to NC. John Anderson – John will be anxiously awaiting our reunion in early-June and the arrival of his first grandchild mid-June!  John is hoping for a great turnout, can’t wait, and sends love to all!!  Joyce Lavado Soucy – Our youngest daughter, Beth:  was just married in Seattle to a wonderful guy and hired by Airbnb – so excited!  Our oldest daughter:  in Annapolis with her husband and 18 month old son, working for a NGO.  Great things for Paul and me:  summers in RI / winters in FL.  Enjoying life!  Special shout out to Linda, Shafer, Sue Kulow and Suzanne Valmas.  HELLLLLOOOO! Marianne Hastoglis Gravely: I am RETIRED after 30 years working for USDA – just in time to keep from being furloughed!  I had a wonderful career.  I told my colleagues (babies, all) about how the USDA was often featured in our Hood Home Economics coursework, and then how when we would drive by the huge USDA buildings on the downtown mall during weekend visits to DC.  Back then I would often think how WONDERFUL it would be to work there.  Then, less than a decade after graduating that career dream came true for me once I moved to Northern VA from Japan.  My husband Alan retired from the FBI, my son Thomas (HUD Special Agent), and daughter Marie (high school teacher) live in the area.  My youngest daughter Hope (General Dynamics) lives in Virginia Beach. The oldest two are moving to California soon but we still plan to retire to Virginia Beach within the next few years.  So, as we like to say, “we’ll always have Hope!”.  I am an avid quilter and even though I am retired, I still don’t get to spend enough time at my sewing machine.

Nancy Ludwick Warrenfeltz
nlwfeltz@hotmail.com

Kathy Anderson Jewell’s husband, Chip, retired on December 31, 2017 from Frederick County Government.  He is now president of their local fire department and writes for several publications.  They both enjoy “grandparent care” days with their 5 grandkids – which certainly keeps them young.  Chip and Kathy traveled to Switzerland in September 2018 and were on a “Switzerland by Rail” tour put together by Trains Magazine.  They had great weather, great traveling companions, and great views from the top of the Swiss Alps. David and Linda Fox-Jarvis are doing well in Virginia Beach.  David has retired for the second time as of last December.  He retired from the Navy after 20 years in 1993 and then retired from BAE systems after 24 years. Linda continues working hard, full-time in real estate.  Their daughter, Stephanie, joined Linda about 10 years ago as her partner in real estate and 3 years ago they purchased a RE/MAX franchise – RE/MAX Coast & Country.  Linda had the best year ever in 2018 and loves working with her daughter.  Linda & David welcomed their first grandchild into the world in January 2018.  Carter Wynne is truly the center of their world.  Their son Brian is married and lives in Fairfax Virginia. He is in management with Amazon Web Services.  Linda and David feel very blessed. Jane Olsen travelled with friends to South America, specifically Chile and Argentina.  They toured the Chilean coast on an adventure cruise, the highlight of which was seeing Magellanic penguins nest building on a small island in the Chilean fjords while sitting in a zodiac in the middle of a driving snow storm.  Jane highly recommends Chile.  The people are very friendly and the scenery is spectacular. Lynn Furtek Eubanks writes: 2018 was a year of ups and downs. She lost her brother Robert in July. (Bob was married to Emily Gibbs Furtek ’75). Then Lynn spent an incredible week with the kid and the granddaughters … first time in years! Then had an incredible trip to Egypt in early December followed by an extended Christmas celebration in NJ with all four children and five of their six grandchildren! Michele Smith Guyette: For Michele, it was the first full year of being retired from teaching. The vast majority of her working days were spent as an hourly sign language interpreter. She now works for several different interpreting agencies, Madison school district and UW Madison and LOVES it! She feels like she’s “a student in the classroom of life.” She’s constantly learning, experiencing and meeting new and interesting people. She enjoys gardening, learning how to keep bees, walking with her neighbor, biking (on an E-bike…the only way to keep up with husband Paul) and going on an occasional camping trip with Paul and friends. She’s also been getting acquainted with the Bible. Michele now knows what retired people mean when they say they are busier than when they worked full time. She occasionally finds a spare minute … but then forgets where she put it. Paul’s year included flying to Claremont, CA with Michele in May for their daughter Madeline’s graduation, then driving back to Wisconsin in her car, visiting friends and stopping in antique shops on the way. In August, Paul was drafted into “Madeline’s Movers” and flew to California to help settle her into her apartment. Torie Hoveman Seeger writes of many changes this past year. Husband Geoff had major surgery for which they were not prepared, but has come out of it beautifully and they feel very fortunate!  Their son Ben finished 10 years with the Army National Guard Reserves and is working at a major medical research company as a mechanic.  He loves everything about the job.  His three daughters (grandkids 11, 7, and 3 years) are doing very well.  They were able to take the oldest on vacation this year and she learned a lot about Grandma and Grandpa.  She admitted to her grandfather at the end of the trip that she didn’t think she was “the hiker you and Grandma are.” A real compliment to us coming from a healthy 11-year old! Last but not least, Torie retired.  January 18th was her last day of work. She will be finding all sorts of things to keep busy and will keep us posted once she’s had a chance to experience some of them. Susan Rivers retired from Maryland Department of Natural Resources on August 1, 2018 and is still getting used to being retired.

Leslie Hawkins
509-947-1838
Hawkins.leslie.a@gmail.com

Sally Parkhurst Van Why is now a grandmother of 4 because her son and wife had twins Lily and Sam in 2018, joining 5 year old Jackson, and 3 year old Emma, and she loves being a grandparent!  Patti Suydam Ritter said her 2018 highlight was a trip in October to visit her brother in law and wife in Portland, then visiting Maui as a group for 10 days.  With a condo on the beach, they got to view beautiful sunsets every night.  Charlie Miller Ponticelli was back on campus in October for a gathering of the Global Studies Advisory Board, visiting the students and being a part of this great program.  She had lunch in the fall with Kathy Nixdorff Wilson, and laughed their heads off about being butterflies in our Soph Revue, (along with Mary Stevenson and Sue Woolhiser)!  Sue Rothmann Griffin wrote that she is still working at the New Canaan, CT library, although now thinking of going part time or retiring, and loves spending time with her granddaughters 7 year old Piper and 2 year old Sidney. As for me, Leslie Hawkins, 2018 highlights of included being back at Hood in June, receiving the Distinguished Alumna Award, and having my sisters attend the luncheon with me; they had a great time at our reunion!  I fulfilled one of my bucket list dreams with a terrific trip to Australia and New Zealand in November and look forward to more fun travel this year. Thanks to Elaine Williams Bielenberg and Lorraine Sharp Kish who have agreed to co-chair our 50^th reunion in 2023.  Last year’s reunion was fun for those who attended, but we hope to have many more show up for our 50^th so please reach out to classmates you’re in touch with, and those you haven’t seen or heard from in a while, check out our class Facebook page HOODLUMS CLASS OF 1973, and have fun with those connections.  In the meantime, keep your news coming to me!