Class Notes

Hi there everyone. It’s hard to believe that 2014 is almost over. This year has gone fast. Hope it has been a good one for all of you.

A lovely note arrived from Mary Forte Hayes. She and husband Jim welcomed two MWC friends to Rockport, Massachusetts, this summer. First was her hall mate from Mary Ball Hall in 1969, Maryanne Fields Cherry, who is a third grade teacher in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Later came roommate Kay Smith Davis (a retired nurse educator) and her husband, Rob, from Hampton, Virginia. Even after decades apart, conversation never waned. Mary is a retired high school principal and consultant. She and Jim circled the globe last year and happily spend winters in California to be closer to three of their six grandchildren. For those of you who have not been in touch, please follow Mary’s example and tell us your news. It’s always a pleasure to hear from individuals for the first time.

Brenda Franklin reported a mini reunion with her dear friends, Terri Hall Alford, Nancy Mahone Miller, Kathryn Ray, Anne Toms Richardson, Shirley Harris Sutton and Mary Saunders Williams. They met in Fredericksburg October 1. President Hurley and his wife, Rose, hosted them for a tour of Brompton. President Hurley led the tour and spent time pointing out the significance of the art and furniture. Mr. Torre Meringolo showed them artist renderings and visual representations of the plans for the restoration of the Amphitheater. Then Brenda and crew brought him up-to-date on the Beanie Yells and the Devils and Goats. The old amphitheater probably still echoes from those events. Dr. Bill Crawley also was on hand to add to the amphitheater legends. After lunch hosted by the Hurleys in Seacobeck dining hall, our class sponsor Dr. Mike Bass and his wife gave the girls a tour of the Jepson Science Building. Of course their visit could not be complete without a journey to Carl’s ice cream. Nancy Mahone Miller posted some wonderful pictures on Facebook and they were a nostalgic reminder of how important those friendships formed during our college years have stood the test of time. This group is such a delightful addition at all of our reunions. It just proves what so many say, “Old friends are the best!”

Cheryl Prietz Childress and daughter, Thea, visited Baltimore in September. We had a terrific girls’ night out and caught up on everything. Thea and husband Eric enjoy living in St. Louis and Thea manages a theater there. Cheryl and Dave had a good season with the colonial re-enactments and Cheryl continues to do well with the buttons she makes. Son Alex still loves working for the radio station in Richmond. Cheryl and Thea remain avid equestriennes. We will probably get together Thanksgiving weekend. Even after so many years, it still feels like we just met yesterday.

Congratulations to Julie Obarski Simpson and Kathy Duley on their work anniversaries. Julie celebrated three years at Managed Travel Consulting and Kathy had her 26th anniversary at the Phoenix Art Museum. Come to think of it, my fifth anniversary with the law firm is coming up in February. It still keeps me busy as ever as well, as learning something new practically every day. Dennis and I had a wonderful vacation in Bristol, Virginia, at the Rhythm and Roots Reunion this past September. There was no shortage of fabulous music and this will probably become an annual tradition.

That’s about it for now but hope to hear from more of you in the future.