Class Notes

A thank you to all who sent holiday greeting cards for this column. I did not get as many this year, but enjoyed each one that I received. Currently, I am in rehab for nerve problems causing pain in my legs. Therefore I am using a different format to give you the information that I received.

Betty Gavett Breeden moved to the Villa Retirement Center, in San Diego, California, in May. She fell right into the routine, and two days after she got in she was playing the piano for a general worship service held every Saturday morning. She is now part of a group who will be caroling through the facility, and has been appointed as chaplain of the Resident Council’s monthly meeting. She is keeping very busy with these activities.

Patti Head Ferguson has been on the go again, and spent this holiday in a home perched on the top of a hillside, with a distant view of the Sea of Cortez, where they planned to swim with family. Upon return to Santa Fe she was packing up again, this time for a long cruise to Easter Island, Bora Bora, and New Guinea. While there she hopes to meet a head hunter that will want her white head.

Gerry Boswell Griffin said this has been an unusual year for her. In early June, she had a fall in her apartment that broke her right wrist. This led to an exciting ambulance ride to the ER, followed by a cast, and two and a half weeks down in her health care facility, with tender care. The cast stayed on for six weeks and she had to do all of her normal activities as a lefty. To salvage a bit of the summer, her daughter Judy flew from Phoenix during the last week of August and they drove to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to see “The Lost Colony,” an outdoor drama on Roanoke Island. They also had a tour of the Elizabethan Gardens. They had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Judy and her son David from Atlanta.

I was sorry to receive a phone call from Peggy Penn Hutchens’ husband, Tom, that she is now in a nursing facility in their retirement village in Florida.

Nan Riley Pointer is happy to report that all the great grandchildren are well. Carrington is seven years old and Addie is four and both are livewires. Gabriel, 12, and Zoe, 6, live in Portugal and were here last Christmas and she enjoyed their holiday visit last year. She and Joe took several big trips this year. In January, they cruised to Hawaii. In July, they took a cruise from Copenhagen to St. Petersburg and visited Estonia, Finland, Sweden, and Germany on the way. They had a neat experience at St. Petersburg. The ship docked at a large building with shops carrying Russian items. While browsing she saw football nesting dolls. She could not believe that they had a Virginia Tech doll over there in Russia. Of course she had to buy one for her grandson Chris, who is a Virginia Tech student.

In Humble, Texas, Garland Dorsey McCarthy belongs to two book clubs now and still can participate in water aerobics (to a degree).

Helen Hopkins Timberlake, of Ponte Vedra, Florida, spent a lot of time traveling back and forth to Ormond Beach, Florida, where they were redoing their son Glen’s house. Helen enjoyed a surprise visit from President Hurley and his wife, Rose. They were charming. MWU will surely miss them when they leave.

Virginia “Ginny” Hardy Vance had trouble with her eyesight recently and does not know if she will be sending holiday cards next year. She is now in an assisted living facility in Tallahassee, Florida. She keeps busy with what she can do, knitting hats and quilting for several shelters. She misses her friends and former activities.

I was sorry to hear from Connie Metzger Verlander that her husband passed away. Connie is living in a retirement area in Longwood, Florida.

I also received cards from Anne Osbourne Cox, Carol Bailey Miller, Ruth Maynard Nuhn, and Chris Schleter (son of Shirley Cole Schleter). Although no new news was included, it was good to hear from them.

Tom Augherton is one of the original 100 World War II veterans who was invited to enroll at Mary Washington College after the end of the war, and he served as president of the Veterans’ Club. After graduation and subsequently living in the Washington, D.C. area, Tom moved to Arizona in 2011 following the death of Elizabeth Augherton, his wife of 59 years. His retirement followed a 35-year career in the steel industry in government marketing.

He reports that fellow graduate of MWC and former neighbor, Ruth Ann McWhorter ’48, (spouse of Hugh Stevens) died in 2014.

Tom has been an active participant with the Road Scholar program, attending lectures and trips originally in the East and more recently in Arizona and California. On one trip to St. Andrews in the maritime province of New Brunswick, Canada, he was able to visit the home built by his family ancestors in the 19th century who had emigrated from Ireland.

When not traveling, Tom volunteers as a bereavement counselor at his local church where he receives ongoing training. He enjoys his new southwestern lifestyle which is situated on desert acreage near family. He recently joined a large group of World War II veterans who meet for monthly lunch programs. Last year Tom was interviewed by a high school historical studies program conducted with military veterans of all wars which coordinates its publications with the U.S. Library of Congress.

Louise Davis Hume was sorry to hear that Rosie Bell Morris has passed on, as they enjoyed her company at our 50th reunion in 2001. She says that at our age, it is not unexpected.

Louise and her husband, Lindy, are hanging in there. A retired Industrial Arts teacher, he is 90 and has age-related problems, but can do his usual chores, some yard work, taking out the garbage, and fixing breakfast. She tells him to pray that she outlives him, as he would never make it without her. She is in fairly good shape and can still drive, even at night, and manage the housework, although hampered by COPD (she says she didn’t stop smoking soon enough). They still live in the house they built themselves with hand tools in 1958.

Their daughter, Jeff, is still working as an editor in Falls Church, Virginia. She is also a certified genealogist. Their son, Ed, is Creative Services Manager at Edison in Los Angeles, California. He also is a woodworker, has made a lot of his furniture, and he also builds and repairs. He has a son in design in Miami and a daughter working at the Library of Congress.

Louise keeps busy with her hobbies. Using research skills learned as a History major at MWC, she has written several family history books (only desktop published for family members). She still does some sewing and uses her handcraft skills to make bobbin lace. Teaching bobbin lacemaking and being President of the local Lace Guild keeps her busy.

Louise says, “I am looking forward to our 65th reunion this spring. Hope to see y’all there.”

Britten Beauvoix’s book The Question: What Makes You Feel Loved describes the three R’s of love: How to recognize, receive, and recreate love. It includes the answers of 150 people from all over the world aged seven to 101. She thinks everyone would agree that we need more love in the world and that is why she is campaigning to have “The Three R’s of Love” become a standard course in our school system. Anyone interested in joining the campaign to have our children learn about love before they take a course in sex education can contact her at empowr@cox.net. You can buy her book on Amazon, follow her on twitter, or learn more about her on Facebook.

Time seems to be flying faster and faster, and unfortunately our class news seems to be getting smaller and smaller. If there is a correlation in this, I really don’t want to know. So here goes with what I’ve got.

Charlotte Fisher Klapproth sends a thank you for the reunion pictures I sent.  She thought our group of six looked well for an average age of 82. Our first picture was taken with a group from way back labeled “the golden group,” I believe, and we all had a hysterical moment arranging ourselves on the steps. Murmured in the background was a comment, “looks like a bunch of cats.” That was probably from the beleaguered photographers who were trying to corral the group. Charlotte was looking forward to a visit with her daughter and two dogs at the end of July. This will be followed by recuperation and followed again by another round of doctor visits for her thyroid problem and constant tiredness. Her last comment was “at least we’re on this side of the grass!”

I received a wonderful surprise from Joan Darden. I am going to repeat her e-mail verbatim because I couldn’t write anything better than she did, and thank you Joan for making my day. Joan writes,

“I am obediently reporting that I am alive. Am still kicking the gluteus maximus of some golfers occasionally! Just playing at my club and a few state events…..and it’s still fun!  Also am currently on a bowling team and co-ed pool team. We may not be outstanding, but we are ‘precious’! Of course the guys are not precious, just good looking and fun!  Oh and am still playing duplicate Bridge…doing a few rules seminars on golf at the club…getting up when I please…going to bed when I please…sipping wine when I please…and, oh yes, going to funerals, drat it! So that’s about it.”
Patricia Seitz Hartel relates that she and Art spent a wonderful week in Halifax, Canada, in early September with friends they have gone away with each year since 1962. She is still selling and listing real estate in Wayne, Pennsylvania, with Coldwell Banker Preferred and her husband is still practicing law. They have four grandchildren who live far away, however, they do see them now and again.
I have a list of activities from Joan Kleinknecht which I may or may not have written about before, but bear with me. Either I forgot that I did or better yet you all forgot what you read! I just love getting older. Joan keeps very busy. She is a board member of a local hospital collecting hand-made prayer shawls, a supporter of a special needs school at another hospital, a tutor for young children, and she reads to children ages two to six at her Gaelic American Club.
I received interesting news from Mary Margaret Papstein Carter. The library where she works part-time had a program to celebrate The National Poetry Festival. They knew she had gone to college with Hettie Cohen Jones, and since she and her former husband, LeRoi Jones, were right at the heart of the Beat movement, they asked her to speak about her memories of Hettie.  She placed a call to her, and Hettie shared lots of information with her. She is still working and teaches at the New School in Manhattan and is also working on a new book to come out next fall.  Hettie has two daughters, both graduates of Yale and both on staff at Columbia University. Although she doesn’t have much connection with MWC graduates, she did relate that her suitemate, Linda Johnson, died many years ago. On Mary Margaret’s home-front, her family had a get together of all the family in September, and even their great-granddaughter (just turned one) came from Arizona. Then there were several mini vacations for her and George, the last one to Maine where they enjoyed a lot of seafood.  They were also lucky to spend a weekend in Philadelphia when Pope Francis was there and got a few chances to see him. Even though it was very, very crowded, there was such a sense of pleasure everywhere, and it was definitely something they will always remember.
Well, I am finally out of my business, after spending a lot of time trying to sell the shop and comfort my customers who simply didn’t want me to leave. Both our local newspaper and television station celebrated my 40 years in business, for which I am grateful. At the moment, I am sort of at loose ends but I’m hoping something will come up to keep me as young as “The Dance Shop” did for 40 years. I may look old, but this old gal ain’t done yet! Have a glass of wine for the 55’ers.

Thank goodness for Hermie Gross Fox, a loyal correspondent. She wrote to me at Christmas to tell me of her 2015 adventures. She took her son, John Fox, and his family to Washington in April while the cherry blossoms were in bloom. Hermie’s sister Peg, a nephew, niece, and great niece joined the group as well along with another niece who lives in D.C. They visited all the highlights including Arlington National Cemetery, where Hermie’s parents are buried. Her grandson, Preston Fox, received a scholarship to Pace University where he is now a freshman. In October, Hermie and her sister took a Viking River cruise from Berlin to Prague. In December, she was off to the wedding of her granddaughter, Taylor Fox, to Timothy Detviler. Hermie and Peg planned to see the River Walk in San Antonio and then she was off to Houston to visit daughter Jenny Graham and family for Christmas.
My son Tom has been with the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the current administration. Upon his retirement from that position, I met the President in the Oval Office as he thanked Tom for his service. Visiting the White House on a personal basis is quite an experience. I spent Christmas in Des Moines again with Ted and his family. That’s all folks. Keep in touch so we can fill this space!

Many thanks to Joan Frankhauser, who so ably served as our class agent for so long. Thanks to those who “almost volunteered,” because I plan to do this for only two years and I want you to be ready to volunteer quickly next time. It is exciting to learn of the many things our classmates are doing.

Ellen Hertz Hewitt is learning bridge and French, and in June plans to visit Newport, Rhode Island, where she and husband Charlie can renew their love of New England. Elizabeth “Libby” Fordham wrote of her grand-nephew who is playing tennis in Fredericksburg, which she finds is changing so much from what it was. Florence “Foncie” Lawrence Williamson is living in Raleigh at Sunrise Senior Living. Katherine “Kay” Nelson Richardson is now at Lakewood Manor Retirement Community in Henrico, enjoying the classes, entertainment, and friendly people there.

Deane Ford Rook lost her first husband some time back, and is now married to Navy Captain Clark Rook. She has homes in Tucson and Pensacola, and she’d love to get an alum chapter going in the latter area.

Our famous author and painter Mary Montague Sykes produced a new novel in 2015 entitled Evening of the Dragonfly. She taught a class, “Painting Like Georgia O’Keeffe” at several locations and has plans for more in 2016. Her art is exhibited in many locations, including Richmond, Williamsburg, and South Carolina. She has a website where more information is available.

Barbara Craft Grantz and Helen Grantz Fortner have special family ties, seeing each other’s children when their own live far away. Like so many of us, they travel to see them on special holidays. This Christmas Barbara visited her son in California. Barbara and husband Walt went on an archeologically-oriented trip last fall with their daughter to Israel and Petra. In January, Barbara and hubby visited Patagonia and Buenos Aires, where Walt was born and lived as a little boy. He recognized some of it, too. Cliff and I visited Chile and cruised from there around the cape to Argentina, making several stops. I especially enjoyed making the acquaintance of some penguins.

As I began receiving your messages, I learned that not all of our classmates have updated email addresses. If yours has changed, please mail to alumni@umw.edu.

Thank you all for responding to the post card that alerted you to send class news. We are all busy in December but I appreciated you taking the time to write. I still don’t have a computer in my home but my cell phone has many features that I am still learning to use. Your notes were clear and I tried to not delete any of them. Staff at AT&T has always been helpful tome in answering my questions.

Julia Harris Porter wrote that she had spent three quarters of a year in 1967 in Australia, and she returned there briefly in November of 2015. She has a first cousin there, and this is the second time she met her three sisters. Julia and her sisters visited the Great Barrier Reef and, after Cairns, spent a week in Sydney.

I spoke with Carol Lehmann, and she shared that she traveled in August of 2015 to Oxford, England, for the third time to participate in Michigan State University’s Odyssey to Oxford, a two week continuing education program that is in its 32nd year at Oxford. This year she took a course in the English Civil War and took trips to various sites of interest. Her garden club is planning a trip to the English Cotswolds this coming June to visit gardens, and she is looking forward to a return trip to England.

Frances Karins Updike and her husband Bud have moved permanently to the west coast of Florida where they have many friends from their past and new ones. She sees a few MWC gals frequently from younger classes. Days pass rapidly with swimming, biking, and hours spent in her studio painting in water color. Their Sarasota area is steeped in culture, so many educational opportunities. Her roommates, Jerry Sample Stocks and Carol Ann La Salle McMahon Roberts come with husbands for a great visit each February, where they catch up with each other’s busy lives. They have had these reunions since their 55th. She said, “We are aging, but well, gratefully.” Something we all hope to do.

Another “traveler” in our class, Fay Parke Cantrell and her husband Alex enjoy good health and continue to travel extensively. In June they took a cruise down the Rhine River starting in Amsterdam and traveling through Germany and France. They plan a cruise in June of 2016 going to Barcelona. While at home she volunteers, raising many flowers which she takes to Hospice patients. Her husband raises golden (white) retrievers. She enjoys hearing from UMW friends.

Jerry Sample Stocks is enjoying her life after she graduated in 2013 from college with a degree Studio Art, and she is now an assistant art teacher at Holy Trinity Classical School on a part-time basis. She is looking forward to getting together with Fran and Carol Ann and their husbands. Their friend, Mary McCardell Furr, and her husband John have both passed away.

When I read Elinor Runge Vitek’s note I had to laugh, she began by saying “Susannah, I guess you didn’t know this was a lifetime appointment.” Life was simple, I received notes, used a manual typewriter, and made a carbon copy of the notes. Now I am at the library using Word. I have my cell phone which can do most anything, but I need the program changed so it will stop going black within five seconds. I have the 1958 yearbook to check MWC names. I remember when at least three of you advised me I should do the class notes; we were at a party at the motel. I think I had just moved back to Virginia from St. Louis, Missouri in 1986.

Elinor saw Martha Kimball and Betsy Smith at the last reunion. Betsy is in Florida. Elinor and Brant are still in Annandale, Virginia. She spoke about spending time in Cotswolds. Elinor is looking forward to Aruba in February. She said we are now placed in the 1908 and onward group, which I do not understand. I hope to make it to the next event in 2016.

Lucinda West Preston shared that her sister, Cynthia West Benney, was diagnosed with cancer July 2014 and after chemo, radiation, and surgery, the cancer returned to the liver. She passed away on September 24, 2015. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Lucy.

Judy Townsend Brainbridge has been busy traveling in an elders-hostel program with scholars for five days in Iowa with “Utopian Communities” and a second trip to Crisfield, Maryland, for “The Best of the Chesapeake.” She has a book published, which is a history of Greenville since 1786.

Mary Lou Morris Wolsey provided an extensive update of her life and family, so I am going to hold her update for the next publication of the UMW Magazine.

Loretta Hutchings Tate reported that she is living at Harbourway, the assisted living wing of Atlantic Shores Retirement Community in Virginia Beach. A health problem a year and a half ago left her wheelchair bound. Other than not being able to walk, she said she is doing great. She enjoys her three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She enjoys keeping up with her roommate, Mary Virginia Garrett Wadsworth, and suite mates Sara Daly Rothenberger and Frances Ferguson Rowan. She retired after 20 years working for U.S. Senator John Warner, and she loved every minute working in the Senate Office.

Kay Martin Britto has had some very happy experiences lately: A trip to Paris with her 18-year-old grandson who graduated from Collegiate and is now at VT; attendance at the wedding of her oldest grandson in Richmond; and a recent visit from MWC roommate, Anne de Porey McGrath.

Mary Lou Morris Wolsey and her husband, Wayne, are now in their ninth decade. They took an Atlantic coastal cruise with the Michigan State Alumni Association, seeing many interesting places including Spain, the Isle of Guernsey, and Normandy, and they met Julie and David Eisenhower. He spoke at the D-Day 60th Anniversary Ceremony in June. Mary Lou and Wayne have tried to visit most U.S. states and most U.S. capitols. Their son, Roger, is a Methodist minister and daughter Carole is still doing special education work. She and Wayne are also involved with their grandchildren. Mary Lou is still involved with the Minnesota Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French, coordinating its website and serving as message service guru. Mary Lou sent information about family members which, with her permission, I will report in the next issue of UMW magazine.

For me, 2015 had its ups and downs. The owner of my apartment building suggested that I move to a first floor apartment, as I had 17 steps to get to my second floor apartment (which I did not mind but I agreed to move to the first floor). Two of my cats died, and my position at BHS ended so I “retired,” and now I am finding myself.

I received a phone call from Jane Tucker Broadbrooks. She and John have made the transfer the Chatham, Illinois, to be near John Karl, Kathy, and their kids, Tucker (high school senior examining colleges), Anna (high school freshman), Virginia (second grader), and their foster son, T.J., who is eleven. Everyone is happy with the move. John is now using home dialysis which makes things easier. He was hospitalized with arterial fibulation and now has a pacemaker so their decision to move is a good one. Jane passes the news that Molly Bradshaw Clark visited in May. She was in India in February and took her granddaughter to Paris in April. She is considering the option of a retirement home near her son in Charlotte. We have lost Jo Neal Hendrichs Sauley. She had sold her Charlottesville home and moved to Richmond to be near son, Sean, and family. Evan and family are in California. Jane said it was very sudden.

I received a post card from Phyllis Hartleb Rowley reporting on another European cruise in August, a two month trip from the Mediterranean to Norway. Wow, busy girl!

Ann Brooks Coutsoubinas fell and broke her shoulder and wrist. Thank goodness, Anastasia had made the move to Ann’s and luckily was there to help her. She had surgery (screw and two pins). It has been a long haul, but she has finally recuperated and is substituting again.

Irene Piscopo Rodgers wrote of the loss of Joyce Kirby Erlandsen in April. She had three children and eight grandchildren and had settled in Connecticut. She was an active skier and Bridge player after her teaching years. She was also a volunteer driver for special needs people.

Kay Rowe Hayes, Irene, and I met at Kay’s home in Warrenton this past spring for a slumber party. Irene had a UMW meeting and I was the chauffer from the Richmond Airport. Kay was our fantastic cook and story teller. We talked for hours with an amazing view of rolling hills and the companionship of Kay’s Rottweiler, who thought she was one of us girls! Irene is planning a trip in January to Argentina, another trip in April, and then on to Paris and the South of France.

Dorothea “Dodie” Reeder Hruby and Dale made their move from Burkes to Williamsburg in February. They are located in Patriots Colony. The apartment is spacious and the community is populated with retired military. They are now only an hour away from their daughter Taya and her family in Suffolk. They are half-hour from Liz and husband in Ft. Bliss and Elizabeth’s daughter, Mariah, who is a sophomore at Christopher Newport. Dale II, their son, and his wife, Kristen, are outside Dallas. Dodie and Dale accumulated frequent flyer miles; they flew to Colorado for Dale II’s son, Nate’s, graduation from the U.S. Air force Academy. They followed that with a stopover in Dallas to meet the newest grand-dog, Bailey. In April, Dodie’s sad phone call told that Emily Babb Carpenter had succumbed to cancer. The memorial service was held at St. John’s Church in Richmond, where Emily was baptized, confirmed, and married. Dodie, Kay Rowe Hayes, Jane Howard Buchanon, Catherine Deshman Crandall, and I attended. Kitty’s husband, Rev. Harry Crandall, gave the eulogy. Emily was buried in West Point beside her son, Stephen. Dodie and Dale’s Christmas note mentioned attending the funeral of Ed Lee, Diana Treshman’s husband. Kay also came and stayed over a night at the Hrubys. Tom Carpenter, Emily’s husband, was there at the funeral.

Martha Spilman Clark and Paul’s Scripture Union “abandoned boys” in Lima are now adults. The first Sunday of every other month Martha and Paul have get-togethers. They started with eight and at the last meeting there were 22; with wives and children they hit 50. So, though retired, they are very much still involved. Their son Billy is developing a Scripture Union in Ecuador, Columbia, and Bolivia. How wonderful!

Frances Bourke Lirth is planning her annual trip to Chapel Hill in June to see her mother who is 101! Bunky and Roger’s son is married with two children. One of their daughters is married and living is Seattle. Their other three daughters are still fancy free. She and Roger are preparing for a big Christmas!

Maria Phipps Ireland’s back has healed well, and all is fine in New Jersey with her family. Daughter Kristen and her husband, Greg, are fine. Their daughter Caitlin is now 24. Son Nick graduated last spring. Son Kent and wife, Daphne, are all doing well. Daughter Larissa is 16 and Gavin is 11. Gary and Maria and traveling friends took a trip up the Danube. They stayed in Budapest a few days, then traveled to Vienna and Nuremburg, ending with a few days in Prague, and it was beautiful.

Celeste Shipman Kaufman and Alan took some wonderful trips this year. They traveled to Nassaw, Florida, California, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Austin, Texas, where their grandson, Austin (Julie’s son), is working on his Ph. D at the University of Texas. They also went to a family reunion in Lauter, Mississipi. “Pug” wrote that their children are fine and their grandchildren became adults overnight. Luckie (Jeff’s son) graduated from LSU this year and their youngest grandchild, Sarah (Julie’s daughter), will start college in the fall, and Nancie (Julie’s oldest daughter) and her husband, Mike, have added a “great grand-dog” to the family. Smylie (Jeff’s oldest) received his PGA card this summer. He won the Las Vegas tour in October. His card is valid through 2018, and he will play in the Masters and other big tournaments. They are thrilled, and are adding on the miles watching him play. The family was together for Thanksgiving and Christmas found them in New York for another gathering.

Julia Coates Littlefield is happy that her sister, Lucy, has downsized and returned to Lexington from Delaware after 40 years. The children and grandchildren are doing fine. Daughter Bess and her husband Mike’s son, Jack, received his Bachelor’s in Economics and History from UVA in May and is employed by a market consulting firm in Charlottesville. Son Scott and his wife Susan’s some, Chris, is a fifth grader in Augusta, Georgia. He is an excellent athlete in AAU league in middle school basketball and football. Their youngest grandchild, Mary (Scott’s), is seven years old, a budding artist, and a ballerina. There was a Littlefield reunion in September in Portland, Maine.

Mary Massey wrote that she and her husband, Jack Meiners, have kept psychically fit and mentally stimulated this past year with adult education and exercise classes, dog walking, and yard and garden work. They went to Walla Walla, Washington, in June for Jack’s family picnic. In July they attended the biennial Appalachian Trail Conference in the Shenandoahs in Winchester. It was very hot, and they took many indoor workshops, walked in the Virginia Arboretum, and toured Patsy Cline’s home. In November, Mary will have been hiking 45 years, and in December she had volunteered 25 years at the Audubon Naturalist Society (3,000 hours)! She has received the volunteer of the year award. Jack has reached 20,000 miles of hiking since retirement! (Not counting miles of dog walking.)

Barbara Barndt Mieler and husband, Wayne Seeley, stayed January, February, and March in their cabin in New York, with a whole lot of wood cutting going on for the fireplace and plowing for their garden. To celebrate her 80th birthday in March, Barbara’s daughter, Ann, surprised her with a three-day visit. They spent riding, eating, and enjoying the weather. In May, Barbara made a quick trip to Pennsylvania for the Devon Horse Show. They celebrated the Seeley family reunion in Ithaca, New York, in August. Late September found Ann, Wayne, and Barbara vacationing in Ocean City, New Jersey. In the fall, they went back to New York for cleaning up for winter. In October they returned to Pennsylvania for Wayne’s 60th high school reunion. He continues to volunteer at a hospice and Barbara stays involved in church activities. What a busy year!

Eleanor Markham Old’s husband, Arthur, wrote that their grandsons, Parker and Tyler, continue their education at Savannah College of Art and Design. Arthur keeps busy with house projects, routine doctor visits, visits to North Carolina and Leesburg, and attendance at UMW Elder study, civil War Roundtable, plays at UMW and Riverside Dinner Theater, and the community 55 club. Martha and him keep on the go.

Anne Launders Spilman and Bob and all three children and grandchildren are fine.

Sally Steinmet went to her 60th high school reunion and had a grand time. Besides the college choir she joined, she now has joined a church choir. She continues her yoga classes.

Charlotte Wohlnick Wiggs and Archie took a trip to Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls, Easter Island, and a Mediterranean cruise. During the summer they went with their granddaughter, Anna (Tracy and Andy’s daughter), to France. Molly (Tracy and Andy’s oldest daughter) graduated from MIT in June. Anna is a freshman at Mason High School in Ohio. Charlie and Arch’s son, Alan, and his wife, Dale, are continuing their education at Raleigh.

Lucas, the man in my life, is in first grade, reads well and enjoys learning. He is getting so tall (another Tom?).

As many of us, I’m thinking about who can have a mini-reunion in 2016. We are part of the 1908 Society, so we can attend any time. It won’t be an official 60th, obviously, but I think it would be good to do it. I will send you a letter in the Spring.