Class Notes

I think that because the holidays are almost upon us there is very little news to report from our class this time. Please remember that our 50th will be coming up before you know it, so please plan ahead to join us in 2020! Plans are already being made for that time and we hope to see all of you then!

Kathi O’Neill sent this information regarding the endowment for the Talley Center for our upcoming 50^th. We know that mental health needs are a major concern in our country, and those attending college are often especially vulnerable and in need of our support. The Talley Center at Mary Washington offers crisis intervention, consultation, community referrals, and training and educational outreach programs. Back in the fall, we launched a fundraising effort to create the Class of 1970 50^th Reunion Endowment for the Talley Center. We hope you will join us in making a pledge and ensuring a lasting contribution from our class in honor of our upcoming 50^th Reunion. Be on the lookout for an e-mail that contains details for making your contribution.

Sandy Sayre is managing to stay very busy! She has finally retired for the third and last time (she thinks!) from teaching. Her time now is focused on raising her 3 grandchildren (ages 14, 16, and 18) since her daughter passed away in 2013, gardening, helping her husband with his business, and working with a volunteer group to help the homeless find housing and employment. The oldest grandchild is starting at Longwood this fall. She had NO luck getting her to visit UMC!! The youngest one, 14, will be attending the Science and Medicine Academy in Chesapeake, VA. Only 60 rising 9th graders were accepted from the entire city!! She is very busy with her church where she coordinates the landscaping of the church and is involved in the Food Bank. She also volunteers with the church’s pre-school program to help the children with gardening projects. In the fall, she will be volunteering at some of the public schools to help tutor in reading and whatever else they need.

Teresa O’Neil Sanders writes that she is now extremely involved with volunteer work and fundraising for her church and community. Her husband Don turned 70 this fall. They went to Africa in the spring with a tour that focused on farming in Africa. They took a safari which was a fantastic way to end the trip. She and Don have three grandchildren (8, 6 and 1) and they are a real blessing to them. Don is still working full time but has decided to downsize his farming operation which might give them more time to travel. Teresa adds that her time at MWC enriched her life.

I have managed to stay quite busy this year. In Feb. I went to Costa Rica with some girlfriends and I zip lined and white water rafted for the first time and hopefully not for the last time! In March my husband and I took a river cruise from Amsterdam to Vienna. I stay busy with our 4 grandchildren and thoroughly enjoy being a part of their lives. In Nov. I had a serious surgery in Phoenix but recovered in record time and I am now back at the gym and ready to travel again!

Please send news for the next edition!