Class Notes

My husband Dan and I will celebrate our 49th wedding anniversary in June 2016 and are enjoying very much being retired together. Our three daughters, three sons-in-law, seven grandchildren, grandson-in-law, and two great-grandchildren all live in South Carolina, so we get to spend great times together often.

Eleanor Frith Peters and her husband Mike were to return to New York City in late January, as Mike was to retire after eleven years as President of St. John’s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They loved it there at the college and in Northern New Mexico, where Eleanor also enjoyed getting her hands muddy in the on-campus pottery. They were to return to the east to be closer to family. Mike’s mom is amazing, currently in her mid-90s and living in eastern Pennsylvania. Mike and Eleanor’s daughter Becca (a Social Studies teacher), her husband Patrick (a dentist), and their three older grandchildren live in Greenville, South Carolina. Their son Mike, Jr., (in the US Army), their daughter-in-law Christy (working for the U.S. State Department), and their two youngest grandsons (preschool age) are posted in Istanbul, Turkey, somewhat farther afield. Eleanor and Mike had a wonderful trip to visit them in late 2015 and hope to return often during their three-year posting. They were looking forward to other travels as well, including a trip to Cuba with the International Folk Art Market in Santa Fe. Eleanor is looking forward to seeing many of our classmates at our 50th! Mark your calendars!

Mary Beth Bush Dore writes that after a bad year with her husband, Casey, having open heart surgery for a heart valve replacement and a bypass (he is doing fine) and a water pipe break that resulted in new bathroom tile, new vanities, and new wood floors throughout the house, their daughter and her husband planned a big 70th birthday surprise in November for Mary Beth in Beaufort, South Carolina. Her two oldest friends, Gail Balderson Dise from seventh grade, and Sheila Schoenberg, from 10th grade, flew in from Virginia, followed by many old and new friends and relatives from Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, and Missouri for a surprise luncheon the next day.  Included in this group was her MWC roommate, Gail Balderson Dise, Gayle Atwood Channel, Lori Brown ’94, Amanda Broshears ’94 and Mary Beth’s daughter, Virginia “Ginger” Dore Marshall ’94—a mini  MWC reunion. Mary Beth says she was totally surprised for the first time in her life.  It was a great weekend.

Gayle Atwood Channel reports that wonderfully, in August, she and her husband were privileged to be with Laurie Newman DiPavoda Stocks in Kansas City, Missouri, on her birthday. Gayle and her husband were ending an interesting trip through the upper Midwest, flying out of Kansas City, and just decided to give Laurie a call where she lives in the suburb of Parkville. In all her graciousness, she immediately invited them out to dinner on the occasion meant for her family to celebrate her birthday.  And it gets better:  She and her husband Hugh came back to Hampton Roads the first week in December and they shared an amazing dinner experience at Steinhilber’s Restaurant in Norfolk. In November, they attended the surprise 70th birthday party for Mary Beth Bush Dore. Gail Balderson Dise was also at this special occasion.  A major planner for the party was Mary Beth’s daughter, Virginia. It was a beautiful, well-attended occasion that truly surprised Mary Beth. Also, in the spring, Jane Farrar Montague visited from her home state of Washington. She and Gayle were childhood friends who roomed together at Mary Washington and have remained close in spite of the distances.
There are other local graduates who Gayle sees on occasion and always enjoys their company. It makes her really look forward to reconnecting with many classmates at the 2017 reunion.