Class Notes

The Class of 1973 50th Reunion Scholarship needs all of our help. The goal is to award our first scholarship fall of 2022, which requires the endowment to be funded with an initial $25,000. Make your contributions through cash donations, multi-year pledges, transfers of stocks and insurance policies, or through your estate plan. All gifts must be designated Class of 1973 50th Reunion Scholarship.

From Dale Cole Carter: Thanks to my classmates for their support during my husband’s illness & passing. William B. Carter on September 8, 2019. A special thanks to Kris Overstreet Helms ’73 who flew to Annapolis to be with our family at Bill’s memorial service. It was such a comfort to have Kris there along with Bill’s classmates from USNA. I’m taking the next year as a time of travel & reflection. Italy, Ireland, Greece & New Zealand. We have a great group of UMW alumni in the Denver area. If you ever find yourself in this beautiful part of the country, give me a call.

From Cynthia Howk: It’s no surprise that our class members are now in our late 60s, and that can mean medical issues, which is my first item to report. Ann C. Salter, a member of our class & long-time friend here in Rochester, had a stroke in mid-May, which resulted in hospitalization and now extended rehabilitation, which continues today. Upon experiencing symptoms, Ann was able to walk to her neighbor’s apartment & was immediately taken to Rochester General Hospital’s emergency department. After a week at the hospital, she was transferred to RGH’s rehab center at Hill Haven campus, where she has an excellent team of physical, speech & occupational therapists.

Ann has a demanding Mon–Fri rehab schedule to work on her situation, which affected her right side. This includes learning to write with her left hand, while also working on regaining more use in her right arm/hand. The same with her speech, which has aphasia – that too, has improved immensely. She communicates & knows everyone/everything that’s going on (politics, especially). Recently, a group of us took Ann out to the movies – twice: to see “Downtown Abbey” and “Judy,” as well as a birthday bash at one of our local eateries.

Coordinating Ann’s situation, however, has been a major challenge, as she is an only child, has no children or spouse & no immediate relatives in the area. So, there are 6 of us – close friends – who we’ve named “Team Salter” to coordinate Ann’s situation, including legal, financial, medical, social, transportation and more. Ann had no “Health Care Proxy” when this happened & her “Power of Attorney” form also needed updating – which has created many challenges (she now has these legal forms, in place). I’ve been telling everyone: make sure you have your Will, Power of Attorney & Health Care Proxy legal documents & they are up to date. When you don’t have one/any of these – it creates havoc, in a health care crisis. And – you never know when a “health crisis” might occur: one minute you’re working as a grant writer/consultant (such as Ann), the next, you’re on your way to a hospital emergency department with a major health crisis. The only upside of this crisis, is that Ann has now quit smoking – hasn’t had a cigarette since May (not a method for which anyone would opt).

The next step in Ann’s care plan is for her to move to an assisted living campus, which is underway, reviewing options, facilities, programs, and many additional factors. An on-going process with a lot to coordinate. Ann would love to hear from other classmates – which they can do via my email (chowk156@gmail.com), as I see Ann on a regular basis & report on “doings” out in the world/among colleagues/etc. – she loves to get news & hear juicy gossip!

As for myself, Cynthia Howk, I’m still on-staff at The Landmark Society of Western New York, doing interesting historic preservation projects & planning in our 9-county region. Our big project this summer was our organization’s move in August from our Corn Hill neighborhood location of 80+ years, to a very different situation: the historic Warner Castle, an 1854 residence, located in the city of Rochester’s oldest park, Highland Park. Sorting/packing/organizing/down-sizing collections, etc. in preparation for the move were no easy tasks. No joke: moving isn’t for sissies! We’re still settling in & completing renovations to the Castle, but its setting in the park – in an arboretum of 120+-year-old trees – is wonderful & we’re looking forward to expanded programming opportunities at this beautiful site.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this update. Send your news to me any time throughout the year.