Class Notes

Barbara “Bobbi” Bishop Mann is excited about our 50th reunion. She is looking forward to seeing many dear friends and classmates and is working hard on the planning committee. In October, Bobbi organized a joyous meeting of the MW Lunch Bunch at Le Petite Auberge in downtown Fredericksburg, joined by Anne Clagett, Jana Privette Usry, Carolyn Eldred, Joan Cuccias Patton, Caroline Hoagland Stone Ruppar, Lois Rucker Scott, and Dianne

Twiggs Woodworth. Carolyn was still unpacking boxes from her move from Silver Spring, Maryland, to an active-adult community in Fredericksburg; Jana was heavily involved with singing in a select group in Richmond, still mediating cases for the courts and also working hard on our reunion committee; and Dianne was missing her four-year-old grandson whom she had

been keeping two days a week before he and his parents moved to North Carolina. Joan, Bobbi and Caroline happily reported on their recent travels and Lois gladly showed a marked improvement after her back surgery.

Caroline was married to Allan Ruppar on October 17 in Reston, Virginia. They met two and a half years ago on ChristianMingle.com while Caroline was living and working in Annapolis, Maryland. She retired in July 2014 and moved to Jacksonville, Florida, to a new home near her daughter’s family. After an Alaskan cruise and some time in Cape Hatteras, she and Allan are spending most of the year in Reston and enjoying the Florida home as “snow birds” during the winter. Since Caroline’s eldest granddaughter’s graduation is in Brighton, Michigan, the same week as our reunion, Caroline regrets that she will be unable to join all of us in June, but sends her best regards to all.

Lois managed to take her family to Colonial Williamsburg before she underwent back surgery. Her grandchildren reveled in racing her electric scooter around town! It was such fun that they have gone back twice more. Lois is delighted the children have developed a real love for colonial history. Since Lois’ daughter lives across the street from her, Lois and Sam have a very close relationship with their three grandchildren. Lois’ extensive surgery occurred shortly after Sam retired from 45 years of medical practice, so he was on hand to be a wonderful caregiver. Daughter Holly also flew in from California and was a great help. In August, Lois ventured out for the first time in months – she and Sam went to their Delaware beach house and spent a record three weeks.

Joan spent a large part of the year traveling abroad. Last spring she and a group of friends roamed around the lake region of Italy, enjoying quaint hotels, amazing meals, and glorious scenery. In September, she and other friends went to Portugal, where they rented a tiny cottage in a vineyard overlooking the Duoro River. From Lisbon, Joan flew to Paris and connected with another “old” friend for a river cruise from Normandy to Giverny to the cliffs of Omaha beach and back. Joan joined several Coronado High School classmates in the Outer Banks of North Carolina for a mini-reunion, and then later returned there for a Patton family vacation. Joan spent a wonderful Christmas at home with family, including grandchildren ranging from seven to 14 in age, and visited with Lee Enos Kelly.

Kitty Downs Gregg and husband Don decided in October to drive cross-country from Denver, Colorado, to visit family and friends and see the colorful fall countryside. Their first stop was Arlington, Virginia, to see their son’s apartment in the same building Kitty had lived in right after graduation. From there they drove to Mooresville, North Carolina, to visit Don and Terry Caruthers on the shores of Lake Norman. The four of them toured Charlotte, boated on the lake, and dined in a shoreline restaurant, talking and laughing throughout. Kitty’s next exciting trip will be to our reunion and then she and Don, Terry, and Don are planning another adventure together next fall.

Terry set a goal for herself after our 45th reunion to publish a book before our 50th. She intended to make a collection of her cousin’s poems, which she had typed and formatted, or five years of her husband’s grandfather’s Civil War letters, which she had organized and transcribed. But a few years ago, when she, her brother, and her sister began reminiscing about their childhood life in Monterey, Virginia, and some of the tales her parents had related, Terry decided to write down a few of them and called them “Benny Tales.” Her father, Benny, had been quite a colorful character who had affected many residents in their town and county through his business and public service. Once Terry began posting “Benny Tales” on the internet, she received encouragement and additional stories and memories from friends, neighbors, relatives and even strangers. Her goal has been realized: Last fall Terry published her first book entitled Benny Tales.

Ann Kales Lindblom and husband Steve have also finally realized a dream. They sailed their beloved yacht “Bravo” from Alexandria, Virginia, to Fort Pierce, Florida, via the Intracoastal Waterway, making memorable stops in ports such as Norfolk, Virginia; Charleston, South Carolina; and St. Augustine, Florida. They then returned home in time for Christmas with the family.

Yvonne March and Chris Ferree finally took the leap to the altar and were married in July after 18 years of courtship. They immediately traveled north to Maryland and celebrated with the rest of the family. For her 70th birthday in January, Yvonne was surprised with a fiesta at the Tampa Marriott with friends and family from Maryland, Ohio, Miami and Puerto Rico plus a dinner complete with flamenco dancers. Yvonne and her sister spent a couple of weeks with a niece in Bolivia, then went on to Canada. In October, Yvonne and Chris took a 10-day trip to Ohio to visit son Sean and his wife Beth. Later, Yvonne went to Savannah, Georgia, to help her daughter and grandson move to a new house. Chris and Yvonne also went to South Florida to visit his daughter and granddaughter and enjoyed several other short trips to complete their “WOW year 2015!”

Susan Roth Nurin entertained a steady succession of houseguests last summer in her cozy New York City apartment overlooking Central Park. She continues her three volunteer jobs aiding the opera, tourists, and the elderly, but has slowed the pace since her knee has been bothersome. Susan experiences many adventures and serendipitous events in New York and keeps a very interesting commentary on Facebook.

Cathe Cantwell Luria and husband Eric packed up their house in Gig Harbor, Washington, rented it out, and drove to Mexico. They rented a home for six months in Ajijic, near Guadalajara. Their daughter and three grandchildren happily joined them for Christmas. Cathe and Eric enjoy the fellowship of many ex-pats who are permanent residents of Ajijic, participate in a variety of cultural activities with the Lake Chapala Society, and sing in a 65-voice chorus, which gives many concerts and tours Cuba every spring. Back home Cathe will resume her membership in the AAUW, the League of Women Voters, and two vocal choruses.

Mary Kathryn Rowell Horner spent the summer traveling to family weddings. She and Charlie went from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Colchester, England, and Normandy, France, where they traced the steps of Charlie’s father when he served in the First Division which landed with the first wave on D-Day. It was very humbling to realize what the “greatest generation” did to protect our freedom. In August, Mary Kathryn and Charlie took a golf trip to Monterey, California, then spent a week in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, at the First Division Field Artillery reunion. In December, they retreated to their Florida hideout to avoid the winter weather and play more golf, returning to Virginia in April. Mary Kathryn would NOT miss our red-letter reunion in June!

Susan Hanes Chaney and husband Bill traveled in September to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and then to Savannah, Georgia, for Bill’s USS Savage reunion. They spend most of their time on the Northern Neck of Virginia with gardening, community activities, and sporting their 1940 Ford. Susan plans to join us at our reunion in June.

Linda Glynn Hutchinson and Pat Lewars Pace had a wonderful time last fall traveling in South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. The safaris were outstanding, introducing them to many unfamiliar varieties of animals plus lions, rhinos, elephants, and cape buffaloes. They ate exotic foods such as warthog, crocodile tail, eland and were charmed by the cute penguins on the way to the Cape of Good Hope. Cape Town was a great “change of pace” from all the animals. Since it was the dry season, Linda and Pat were a bit disappointed with Victoria Falls, which was only about a quarter of its usual grandeur, but it was still very impressive.

Kathy Goddard Moss and husband Tom focused on downsizing before putting their house on the market in February. Sorting through the possessions accumulated over 49 years of marriage was a real challenge, but necessary if they were to fit into an apartment in a retirement community. They visited son Joe and his family in California, had a wonderful time, and scouted the area for potential retirement homes. Back home, Kathy and Tom resumed their usual gatherings with sister Eileen Gooddard Albrigo and family, including the annual Gold Cup horse races and the welcoming of Eileen’s newest granddaughter. During the summer, they concentrated on hosting many friends and family members while they still had room enough. Their daughter and three grandchildren came from Spain and enjoyed several joint outings with their cousins. Friends (former exchange students) came from China to visit before the kids returned to Spain, and they spent a delightful month together. Tom is partially retired;

Kathy is officially retired, and when both their cars expired they became a one-car family and are liking it! In the fall Kathy and Eileen made their annual retreat to Hilton Head, South Carolina, visiting with “old” friends, and preparing the beach house for the winter.

Katharine Rogers Lavery and husband Hank spent nearly three weeks in Nags Head, North Carolinia, early last summer with practically all of the blended family in attendance. Now that the grandkids range in age from 10 to 28, it’s more difficult to gather the whole clan. Thanksgiving has become the one time everyone can convene and it was magnificent. One niece, a grad student, had recently returned from Turkey, France, and Germany with exciting tales to relay. Hank is semi-retired and Katharine continues to tutor math, play church music, and create wedding dresses for family and close friends. They both enjoy two senior bowling leagues and senior fitness classes.