Class Notes

From Connie: Jerri Barden Perkins wrote a very enthusiastic account of the fantastic job UMW is doing on its Travel Abroad Scholarship Program, which was presented at the Scholarship Donor Appreciation luncheon on April 11. She said that prior to lunch there were numerous impressive poster presentations by scholarship recipients. She reported that it was great fun to walk around and select a number of exhibits of interest to her, of which topics included Study abroad in Italy; Should women in workplace use sex appeal to advance careers?; Pompeii; and Deity/Yoga. From the last she learned much about the art work she has donated and more on one Quan Yin to be donated. What a delightful experience to see the enthusiasm and knowledge of these students!

At lunch the student recipients and donors were seated together which Jerri thought was a wonderful idea. Since she did not have a recipient this year, she was seated with a student who had studied for a semester in Paris. Jerri loves Paris and this young lady shared her passion for Paris and her experiences. Another student, who will be the first in her family to graduate from college, shared her Study Abroad experience with the audience. She was from Richmond and was scheduled to travel to Egypt, but Arab Spring forced the University to find her a spot in Jordan. Not only did she have incredible adventures, but Jerri was impressed that the University could rearrange her educational experience under extreme circumstances. Well done, Mary Washington.

Jerri is planning on four travel abroad scholarships this year: One for a UMW student in memory of her husband and three trips abroad with teen granddaughters. They will sail in the British Virgin Islands, go on a Mediterranean cruise with UMW alumni in October, and, finally, spend time in London and Paris for New Years. She said it’s a lovely trip down memory lane for her and education for four students along the way. She is excited about travel and thrilled that a number of Mary Washington students have the opportunity. Jerri, you inspire us all!

Bev Carlson Shea sends many emails daily, but says that she has no news except that Eric, her 13-year-old grandson, will be visiting from California for another whole summer. She adds that hopefully she will survive!

Carolyn Crum Pannu texted Pat Scott Peck, who was on her way to see Lloyd Tilton Backstrom and Art in Hertford, North Carolina, where Carolyn had a delightful visit in 2007. Pat is driving from her new condo in San Antonio to Calais, Maine, where she has a summer home. Carolyn was teaching until her month-long break in August. She just returned from Texas to see her grandson play baseball before all of that disastrous flooding. They escaped it, but keep those less fortunate in their prayers. She is excited about our 55th reunion, and will room with Pat. Yippee!

It was nice to hear from Nancy Brooks Blevins who wrote, in reference to her family’s upcoming trip to Greece, that they have a daughter and son-in-law living in Italy now. He is a Captain in the Navy. She guesses they will plan to head that direction next year sometime. They did get to Greece once with Dave’s cousin. All of her husband’s family live on the island of Cephalonia. She looks forward to seeing everyone next year for our 55th!

This spring, Kelly Cherry published Twelve Women in a Country Called America, a collection of fictional stories about Southern women that are all very different from one another.

The collection is available at Amazon.com or Press 53, which can be found online. She said she had a ball writing this book. She and Burke are fine, though feeling overworked. She asked if everyone does at this age. Yes, I agree, and I am not writing books!

In November 2014, Eleanor Knight Jensen and Cliff flew to Barcelona where they boarded the Seabourn Sojourn, which was their home for 116 days, sailing to Angola, Nambia, and South Africa, among other destinations. This was the fifth year they celebrated Christmas and the New Year on a Seabourn cruise.

Kelly had a nice chat with Ellen Gotwalt Willing‘s hubby, Bill. Ellen was out exercising, which she does five times a week, and now that summer is here she has added swimming to her regimen. For the first time in 23 years they did not spend the winter in Naples, Florida, because travel has become increasingly difficult for Bill. He was very philosophical about aging (he is 92) and is doing what he can to get by. He spent three months in a nursing home last year but is at home now. Even though his body is weak and his hearing is going, his mind is sharp and he credits Ellen with being an excellent caregiver. They occasionally go out to dinner and the symphony, and attend church weekly. He is sorry they probably will not make it to our 55th. They will be missed, as he was one of the regular husband attendees!

My good news is that my health has improved enough that all my doctors have given me the go ahead to go to Greece with my family from June 17–July 9. I hope I can keep up! It will be the first time for grandson Leo, 8, to meet the Greek relatives. For our first extended trip since my lung transplant, Andy and I went to Florida and caught up with Carlotta Croghan Clark and Janie Riles. Carlotta and hubby, Preston, spend six months in Fort Myers and then head back to Annapolis, Maryland. When they sold their lighting businesses, they bought a beautiful apartment in a community where they play lots of tennis. Janie and hubby Jim Dietz live bi-coastally in Fort Lauderdale and San Diego. They had just returned from a month-long cruise to the Orient, where Janie taught art classes aboard ship—all expenses paid! Janie will be teaching painting classes, gardening, taking bridge lessons, and enjoying her two little grandsons in San Diego this summer.

Let’s try to get a good turnout for our 55th. We aren’t getting any younger, you know!

From Renee: Well, it looks as if the only news for my column is my own. I understand that this time was a bit of a rush and I’m sorry that you guys didn’t write. But you will do better next time, won’t you? Mostly, things are fine with me. I had a slight meniscus tear a couple of months ago. It is a painful thing, but following my doctor’s orders I stayed off of it most of the time, iced it, and took Advil. He told me he expected it to resolve in a couple of months. I of little faith did not believe him! He was right, of course. It’s about 90 percent now and feeling better each day. Classes at UCLA continue—most enjoyable, and no tests! Cosmology/Astronomy is fabulous. I also take courses in writing, current events, and the career of Barbara Streisand.

From Lynne: Once again, thank you all for your wonderful responses, especially with the very short notice. I have very little to report about myself; actually, I think that is good news, as it indicates we are in good health and still enjoying New York City and Connecticut. We are taking our first River Cruise in late September from Paris to Normandy with friends. Sandy and I have enjoyed time with Lloyd Tilton Backstrom and Art several times in conjunction with the UMW Foundation. I adore their energy, and when I’m with them, I seem to build up more energy myself. They leave for Pompeii and Herculaneum in September, and it sounds like a fabulous trip.

Sandy Walters Julifs and Harold have four granddaughters, all of whom will be graduating from one school or another this year. At the end of May, one of the Illinois girls graduated from high school and will attend the University of Alabama on a track scholarship in the fall. Her older sister graduates from the University of Missouri in December. Their California granddaughters are also graduates—one from high school (attending the University of Washington) and one from eighth grade. Otherwise, they are fine and busy with their own various activities.

Kay Slaughter is visiting Oxford, England, in September to learn about the influence of English gardens and architecture on Jefferson. She posts travel logs and other items on her blog, http://rivannawriter.blogspot.com, and invites you to take a look. Kay had a recent arthroscopy on her knee but hopes to be healed enough to dance at her grandson’s wedding in Hampton in June.

Peggy Howard Hodgkins and I haven’t communicated much until fairly recently, as she seems to travel constantly. She needs to be away from New England during the brutal winters; I can’t blame her for that! I didn’t get to see her last winter, as she stayed in New Jersey, Brooklyn, and Scarsdale rather than Manhattan. After that she visited her brother at The Villages, a friend in Fountain Hills, Arizona, and her sister in Georgia, with the entire trip lasting two months!

Sadly, Polly Updegraff Champ and Dan lost his oldest daughter to liver cancer in December; she was 62 years old. They did, however, enjoy Palm Beach Opera’s season as subscribers and donors. While there they also enjoyed biking and walking daily as well as hitting tennis balls with the machine. Polly continues to work wardrobe for the Broadway Series at the Bushnell in Hartford, Connecticut. They continue to care for their cottage on the Connecticut River, although it is becoming more difficult for them.

Eleanore Saunders Sunderland went on a Viking cruise in September to the Bordeaux Region, traveling on two rivers through interesting countryside with chateaux and wineries. Then in May she cruised again with Viking, this time on the Danube from Budapest to Nuremberg via Vienna. In addition, she traveled to Sarasota in February to celebrate her grandson’s 18th birthday and graduation. Sadly, Eleanore lost her younger sister, Patience, to a heart attack caused by emphysema. Losing two sisters in two years has not been easy for her, but she plans to be living a long time and has no health issues. We send lots of love and condolences to Eleanore.

In closing, I ask that you all mark your 2016 calendars to attend our 55th Reunion on June 3–5, 2016.