WellsNotes Fall/Winter Wells College Alumnae and Alumni Newsletter 2020 Wells College Association of Alumnae and Alumni KATIE FONG ’06 NAMED 2020 YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENT

The Wells College Association of Alumnae and Alumni (WCA) is proud to announce that Kathryn “Katie” Fong ’06 is the recipient of the 2020 Young Alumni Award. The award recognizes Katie’s extraordinary professional and personal achievements, civic engagement and legacy of service to her alma mater.

Katie’s leadership in these areas was already evident during her time as a student, when she served as a class officer and student organization leader, and also made fundraising phone calls on behalf of the Advancement office. Her enthusiasm for Sister Wells has continued in the years since graduation. She served on the board of the Friends and Recent Graduates Organization (FARGO) for young alums, and was always a supportive and friendly advocate for countless alumnae and alumni. She has also long been a constant presence at Wells events in both New York City and Aurora as well as the annual Reunion weekends, and served as a panel facilitator in the College’s second annual Women’s Leadership Conference back in February.

After earning her bachelor’s degree from Wells — majoring in women’s studies with a minor in history — Katie spent the first 13 years of her career as an executive search consultant and has worked with senior finance, operations, supply chain and merchandising executives in some of the world’s most well-known retail, fashion and consumer brands. In 2016, Katie decided to refocus her career on guiding organizations toward healthier, more equitable culture and practices, and so began pursuing her graduate degree while working full time. Last year, she transitioned fully to a career in organization development consulting.

Katie currently specializes in coaching emerging leaders and advising leaders and teams on how to integrate the values of equity, diversity and inclusion into their strategic priorities. She completed her master’s degree in organizational change management from the New School in May of this year. Katie was awarded her program’s prize for best graduate thesis for her paper entitled, “Renewing the Interrogatory Imperative: Hope and Persistence from 20 Years of Interrogating Whiteness in Organization Development.”

Five years ago, Katie was selected by her peers to serve on the Board of Trustees; her second term as an alumna trustee will end June 30. With her deep perspective on the College’s complicated history and her professional expertise in mentorship, change management and diversity and inclusion issues, she has emerged as a leading voice on the board.

This year, she was also a central figure in the Bell Tower Committee, the ad hoc group of concerned trustees, alums, faculty and staff who helped lead the response to the financial challenges the College has been facing, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. She was chair of the Auxiliary Academic Programs and Student Life Enrichment Subcommittee, and also a member of the Ancillary Revenue Subcommittee. The Bell Tower group collected and analyzed numerous ideas submitted by the greater Wells community, and its report served as a springboard toward a more comprehensive strategic planning prioritization effort that is currently underway. Katie has since served as a member of the Strategic Steering Committee for that process and has dedicated tremendous time and effort to this IN THIS ISSUE work throughout the summer and fall of 2020. PAGE 2 | WCA REUNION VP’S MESSAGE Katie writes, “Wells shaped who I am in profound and fundamental ways, and it has been the greatest privilege of my life to give back to the College through PAGE 3 | WCA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE service as a trustee. My term on the board has frequently felt like a second Wells PAGES 4-7 | NEWS FROM CAMPUS education. Much like my time as an undergrad, this experience has broadened my worldview, stretched me intellectually, solidified my values, and introduced PAGES 8-40 | CLASS NOTES me to some of the most remarkable people I could have imagined. More than PAGES 41-43 | NEWS FROM CAMPUS CONT. ever, I appreciate that Wells is about relationships; I owe a debt of gratitude to the continued on page 42 Wells College Association Board HELLO, WELLS FAMILY! President Hello to all of you! Amy Cerand McNaughton ’86 [email protected] I hope this issue of WellsNotes finds you in good spirits! I have to Nominating Vice President acknowledge that it sure has been a year, am I right? We miss seeing Sue Eskedahl ’79 peoples’ smiles on campus and having you here in Aurora. I hope that you [email protected] have plenty of love and support in your life especially this year, and I want Reunion Vice President to send my condolences if you have lost a loved one to this virus. Keep Christin Schaaf ’99 [email protected] making decisions to stay as safe as possible and know that we are thinking of you and your families during this strange and difficult time. It has been Fall Weekend Vice President Kristine Selander Gordon ’80 heartwarming to see our community come together through fundraising, [email protected] volunteering, engaging, and interacting with students who are so grateful WCA Trustees to be back home in Aurora. I have talked with students who have truly good attitudes and are trying Katie Fong ’06 to make the most out of a bizarre and tough time. I have loved connecting with you all in these last [email protected] months since March particularly, as we think differently and creatively to connect. Thank you for Joanne Kelley ’83 continuing to engage and support our beloved Wells. I work at Wells because of the special connections [email protected] our alums bring to this wonderful place and it fills me with joy to see you virtually and in person. Heather Kowalski ’90 I hope you save the date and plan to attend Reunion in June (3rd-6th) where we will party like it’s [email protected] 2020 AND 2021 (the band is already booked!). I’m especially excited to be celebrating my 15-year National Annual Giving Chair Reunion on double duty with ’05 and my class, ’06. I hope you take time to follow us on social media Eliza Heppner ’06 [email protected] and attend our virtual events. We are continuing to have virtual Learning by the Lake sessions on the first Wednesday of each month, and be on the lookout for alum events and career panels supporting our Award Committee Chair students in their professional development. Have you filled out our WCA & Advancement Surveys? (if Megan Donovan ’88 [email protected] not, please visit www.alumni.wells.edu/updateyourinfo). Please update us on your contact information, and let’s continue to find creative ways to stay connected & engage with one another and our students. Members-at-Large Crary Reynolds Brooks ’87 One of the most popular requests from students is to connect with alums and hear your stories of your [email protected] time at Wells, and your career path since graduating. Rachael Ristau ’15 Be well, and reach out to chat with me any time! I love to hear from you. [email protected] Member-at-Large—FARGO Your Wells sister, Brad Murray ’15 [email protected] Admissions Liaison Rachel Porter ’06 Talyse Hampton ’09 Alumnae/i Engagement Officer [email protected] Member-at-Large—Strategic Liaison Deb Callahan ’85 [email protected] Interim Alumnae and REUNION 2021 Alumni Engagement Director Well, this year didn’t go the way anyone thought it would. I hope that Pamela J. Sheradin ’86 [email protected] you are all staying safe. Cancelling Reunion this year was a difficult but right and wise decision. Reunion 2021 is in the works. Save the date for Alumnae and Alumni Engagement Officer June 3-6, 2021!! Everyone is welcome to attend. We will be celebrating Rachel Porter ’06 the ’1s and ’6s, and also a belated celebration of the ’0s and ’5s. [email protected] 2020 has taught us all the importance of always having a Plan B (or C, and D…). The intent is to have an in-person event on campus in Aurora. We don’t know what the situation will look like over the next few months. An in-person event may not be realistic. For that reason, we will WellsNotes have a GO/NO-GO decision made in March 2021. If we are unable to December 2020, Volume XIII, Issue II have the in-person Reunion we are used to, we will move to the digital world and do our best to have WellsNotes is published by Wells College. It is circulated free of charge to College a program there. I want to thank all of the Reunion Chairs in advance for their patience and agility. alumnae and alumni. My hope is that I will see you all in Aurora. Given everything in 2020, I will be open to a lot of real Editors Kelly Brown hugs! If we do need to move to a virtual event, my hope is that more of you will be able to participate. Christopher Pollock Virtual events increase accessibility. Being virtual may encourage some of you ’2s, ’3s, ’4s, ’7s, ’8s and Pamela J. Sheradin ’86 ’9s to log into some of the offerings that you might have missed by not coming back to Aurora. Who Design knows, including a virtual offering might be something that we include in future in-person Reunions!? Jacobs Press Class Notes Editor In short, Reunion planning has begun and the ideas are flowing! The dates are June 3-6, 2021. We will Kelly Brown make a decision regarding in-person or virtual in March 2021. If you have any ideas you would like for Contributors us to include in either an in-person event or a virtual one, please reach out to [email protected]. Emily Peters Rachel Porter ’06 See you in June! Photography Kelly Brown Emily Peters Christin Schaaf ’99 Michele Vollmer WCA Vice President for Reunion

2 Fall/Winter 2020 Wells College Association of Alumnae and Alumni WCA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear Alumnae, Alumni and Friends, I want to extend a huge thank you to all who participated in our WCA survey and listening sessions. Around 25% (1,350) of you filled out our survey, which is fantastic. We are going through the data, which will take time, and our goal is to share the results after the new year; because this is a volunteer-driven effort, however, I ask for your patience. I’d also like to thank Faherty Nielsen ’06 for her hard work and expertise with this project. Many shared how much they appreciate the increased communications from the College and asked for more opportunities to have constructive dialogue with the College, with students and with each other. Several expressed interest in mentoring students, providing internships and offering career advice. Others commented that, even though Wells and the WCA do a good job of creating multigenerational opportunities to connect, we can do better. We will find more ways to interact with each other, like the successful “Virtual Learning by the Lake” monthly programs. You can find information on Learning by the Lake under the Events and Programs tab on our website at alumni.wells.edu/events. There, you can also sign up there for future programs or download handouts and watch recordings of past workshops. We have also created a new email address, [email protected], which is monitored by the WCA executive board: myself, Reunion VP Christin Schaaf ’99, Fall Weekend VP Kris Gordon ’80 and Nominating VP Sue Eskedahl ’79. Please send us your thoughts! Our survey and listening sessions proved that our alumnae and alumni are passionate about Wells, and I’d like to share a word cloud created from the answers to the survey’s open-ended questions: Through this challenging time, I believe Wells has asked the right questions, selected the correct benchmarks, and is prioritizing strategies that will make the College stronger. I am looking forward to ringing in the new year, and engaging more with the Wells College community as we continue to strengthen our network. I am grateful for all of the hard work being done by so many in our community. Happy holidays,

Amy Cerand McNaughton ’86 WCA President; Member, Wells College Board of Trustees To Have and To Share Annual Giving provides a path forward

Thanks to the generosity of the Wells family, we were able to open for the 2020-2021 academic year! The number of gifts, pledges and words of encouragement were an inspiration to all of us on campus.

The path to this point was a difficult one with the many ways the pandemic threatened our small liberal arts college. With our study abroad program cancelled and many students deciding not to return to in-person learning at this time, lost revenue had to be made up in fundraising. The Wells Family answered our call for support in a truly remarkable way; close to 1,700 alumni and friends gave a total of $3.7 million by the end of our fund year on June 30, giving Wells College trustees the confidence to open for a new academic year.

What will Wells do differently in order to be a thriving institution of learning as we move forward in our new world? Trustees, faculty, staff members, alumni and students have been busy working on the details of a new strategic plan. This is our roadmap forward with both measureable outcomes and accountability built in. While the new programs in our Strategic Plan grow to generate revenue, heightened fundraising will be integral to ensure a sustainable future. We hope we can continue to count on the Wells family to continue to live the words of our motto: To Have and To Share.

Wells is navigating a challenging present while positioning our College for a better tomorrow. Please accept our gratitude for seeing her value and supporting her through this difficult time and turning it into a chance to prosper.

Sustainability Practices Wells remains committed to environmentally responsible practices. This piece is printed at Jacobs Press, an environmentally conscious facility run by 100% wind power, with vegetable inks and on paper from tree farms with sustainable harvesting methods. They practice sustainable production methods in which nearly all waste paper, plastic, wood and metal is recycled. If addressee has moved, please contact the Alumnae and Alumni Engagement Office at [email protected], 315.364.3200, or via postal mail at Alumnae & Alumni Engagement Office, Wells College, 170 Main St., Aurora, NY 13026. Wells.edu 3 Welcome to Wells! Every first-year, transfer, and early arrival student (in quarantine due to their state of origin) was given a facemask “made with love and care” by Laurel Roe Morris ’82. Laurel made almost 300 masks so each student could have a Wells red and white mask and either a blue and green mask for the first-year EVENS or a purple and yellow for transfer ODDS. She had many Wells alumnae supporting her in this project: Vicki Cross Shuster ’82, Laura McCally-Sprague ’81, Joan Ashworth Dwyer ’82, Nore Porter ’07, Myriam Godfrey ’85, Sloane Bailey ’87, Susan Trainor ’85, Allison Dodge Gunnip ’07, Jennifer Nachbur ’83, Liz Wylegala ’79, Lisa Knapp Kaempffe ’80, Constance Schey ’81, Irene Shannon ’82 and Ann Jennerjahn ’80. Students wrote thank you notes to all the alums who were involved in this project and included photos of themselves choosing their masks. Susan Trainor ’85 sent the following email to the alum office. Her words embody the heart and soul of our amazing alums and make us appreciate the small-- but great--things that really make a difference. Hello Kelly, The thank you card and note from Laurel Roe’s mask recipients arrived on Saturday. And I promptly burst into tears… I don’t cry much these days - work in healthcare and too busy taking care of problems to take time for a cry. But the thought of Laurel engineering this fundraiser and support for Wells students ... And the thought of her making it so easy for us to help creatively ... And the hours she put in at her sewing machine ... And what the experience of being in college as a first-year student or a new transfer student in the middle of the Pandemic ... And remembering what it felt like to be there myself with none of those challenges… And the thoughtfulness of you and the students to put together a PERSONAL thank you with pictures and notes and just everything … It all just came together at once in a rush of emotion. I am so grateful to have been a Wells student and now a proud alum. Thank you ALL for this reminder of what truly matters. I hope you and all the first year and transfer students have the kinds of days and experiences I had in Aurora - the ones that stay with you wherever else you go! Susan Trainor ’85 VIRTUAL EVENTS “Virtual” is the word of the day, month and year. The fact that Wells faculty and staff are able hold so many events virtually this year has benefits beyond the campus community. This year offers many opportunities for Wells alumnae and alumni—no matter where the winds have blown you—to interact with Wells faculty, staff, students and fellow alumnae and alumni. Courtney Cloutier ’15 is capitalizing on this opportunity. “Since graduating from Wells, I have dearly missed attending on-campus events. The Visiting Writers Series becoming a free, public, live-streamed event has been a gift. Getting to see old friends, and interact with new Wellsians—both students and faculty—while also attending a reading and Q + A has been the bright spot on my calendar. The digital format also allows me to invite my current advisors and classmates from my MFA program, as well as other reader and writer friends, to join in too. Wells has always been home, but now home feels like Wells.” In June, Wells held its first-ever virtual 5k to honor the retired long-time cross country coaches Jack and Nancy Daniels. With over 100 participants, alums, students and friends of the College set out to complete a 5k. Thanks to the Jack and Nancy Daniels Virtual 5k Committee for all their hard work, coordination and enthusiasm! Additionally, College trustee Randy Kissell has established a monthly “Virtual Learning by the Lake,” an installment of workshops and lectures on the second Wednesday of each month. The first of which was hosted by Sue Eskedahl ’79, longtime alumna volunteer and LinkedIn extraordinaire! Her session focused on helping alumnae and alumni attendees make the most of their profiles along with networking tips. November’s session featured Randy speaking on The End of Heavy Metal: How Aluminum Saved Civilization. We hope to connect with you into the new year. Visit alumni.wells.edu or wells.edu to find all upcoming virtual events for the spring 2021 semester.

4 Fall/Winter 2020 Pleasant Thiele Rowland ’62 Elected to Toy Industry Hall of Fame

After selling her brand to Mattel in 1998, Pleasant opened American Girl Place- Chicago, where fans could bring their dolls to shop and dine while engaging in the- atre and salon experiences. The Toy Industry Hall of Fame is part of The Strong Museum in Rochester, NY, along with the Toy Hall of Fame. In addition, Pleasant will be opening a new spa on Sherwood Road, east and up the hill from Aurora, in early 2021. The spa will be the newest addition to the Inns of Aurora that includes the E. B. Morgan House, the Zabriskie House, Wallcourt, Rowland House, and the Aurora Inn. Pleasant Thiele Rowland ’62 has been elected as a member of the Congratulations, Pleasant on both your election to the Toy Industry Class of 2021 Toy Industry Hall of Fame and will be honored virtu- Hall of Fame and to your newest Inns of Aurora addition! ally during the 21st annual Toy of the Year Awards on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. Other inductees are William C. Killgallon (Etch A Sketch), Margarete Steiff (inventor of the world’s first stuffed animal), and Phillip Bloom (toy news pioneer). The Toy Association stated, “Rowland founded American Girl… when she combined her love of American history and her commit- ment to high-quality educational products to create The American Girls Collection…As a trailblazer in creating purposeful play, Pleasant expanded her vision with the launch of a contemporary line, now called Truly Me, that celebrates girls’ individuality with dolls featuring a diverse array…She went on to create the Girl of the Year line, featuring contemporary characters who experience modern-day issues, and Bitty Baby, a nurturing line of diverse baby dolls.”

Sophomore Ivy Tradition The Wells College ivy tradition started in 1877 by Anna Adams Piutti, class valedictorian, who planted the first ivy in front of Main. Over the years the annual tradition has changed. Today FARGO (Friends and Recent Graduates Organization) representatives present each member of the Sophomore class with their own ivy plant. Even in the midst of COVID, this symbolic Wells tradition continues! Furrowing and intertwining as it grows, the ivy serves as an example of the twists and turns friendships can take, but also as a testimony to the long-lasting connections and bonds made with friends at Wells that last years and years, far beyond the years spent on campus. The ivy symbolizes friendship in another way. It grows in difficult locations, literally defying gravity as it snakes its way up the side of buildings. It grows in a challenging environment, exposed to whatever harsh Nathan Soliman ’23, Maria Munoz-Ochoa ’23, Byonte Jones ’23 conditions are thrown at it. Not dissimilar to the friendships created at Wells and those that stick by you, no matter what is happening. And finally, the ivy is a symbol of survival and determination. It may be completely removed from the side of a building, but more often than not, it finds itself there again. This represents our human spirit, and the strength we all possess to carry on, regardless of setbacks or seemingly insurmountable circumstances: a strength possessed by all those who spent time at Wells College. Nash Nash ’23

Wells.edu 5 Students Go Virtual for End-of-Semester Presentations

At the end of a typical semester, the Wells community comes together to enjoy pre- Lesbian Scientists & Technical Professionals. In fact, Mollie is working on creating a sentations from students about their recent internships — but of course, this semester database of scholarships and other academic opportunities specific to LGBTQ scien- has been anything but typical! Instead, the Center for Academic and Career Advising tists, and her goal is to share this resource with the entire Wells community. partnered with staff from the College’s Information Technology and Educational Technology departments to host this semester’s presentations virtually. Tiffany Miner ’21 took an entrepreneurial approach to her fall 2020 internship, convincing the owner of a local campground in her hometown of Marathon, N.Y., During the afternoon of Saturday, Dec. 5, community members could “drop in” on to create an internship position specifically for her. Tiffany, a psychology major, spent any one of 29 individual presentations; topics included genetic disorders, heat pump part of her internship creating a new reservation system. “The original system was technology, how to run a nonprofit, and interning for a U.S. congressman. created using Excel, but I was able to use Google Sheets — that way the customer and the campground staff could make updates in a more efficient manner, and it helped Though the virtual presentations were done in a style similar to a traditional ses- cut down on accidental double-bookings,” Tiffany said. She also created a tax ledger, sion, there was still a bit of a learning curve for all involved. “The hardest thing for helped with advertising and campsite rentals, and other behind-the-scenes aspects of students was learning how to host their own meeting and to share their screens [with running a small business. the viewers],” said Jonathan Gans, the College’s educational technology coordinator. When planning the event, Jon and his colleagues realized that the best method would be to enable simultaneous individual presentations. They decided to create a separate “meeting” for each presenter using the Microsoft Teams platform, giving the virtual presentations an open-house feel as guests dropped in and out of various presentations. Jazzmyne Williams ’21, a health sciences major, worked with the Aurora Farmers Market to understand how such markets can not only build a bridge with the greater community but also provide more tangible health benefits compared to shopping at a regular grocery store. “I realized that a farmer’s market isn’t just about providing healthy food, but it’s also about healthy spending, too. We also wanted to show how supportive Wells stu- dents are of the Aurora community,” Jazzmyne said. Jazzmyne’s original plan after graduation was to pursue a physician’s as- sistant degree, but after her internship she is now considering other options in the area of public health. “I am passionate about making sure that people get access to the resources they need,” she added. “The poster session allows students to showcase their good work so that the campus community can learn about the students’ experiences and our valuable community partnerships,” said Linda Galbato, director of aca- demic and career advising. “The experience itself leads to the development of skills that are valued by prospective employers as well as graduate and professional Janlynn McCoy ’21 spent her internship working at a local not-for-profit wildlife programs,” Linda added. rehabilitation center near Utica, N.Y. There, she learned how to work with a wide variety of species, including herons, ducks, owls, hawks, skunks, raccoons, beavers, Mollie Walts ’21 presented on LGBTQ individuals in science, technology, engineer- rabbits and deer. Encountering new challenges and animals made every day “a new ing and mathematics (“STEM”) fields. Mollie, who is majoring in health sciences and experience and a new form of chaos,” she added. Janlynn, an environmental science minoring in biology, showed how LGBTQ retention in these fields is approximately major and biology minor, learned that the job is not always a “happy” one (and not 7% lower than that of their non-LGBTQ peers. In addition, she analyzed their ex- all animals can be saved) — and she’s now interested in pursuing a career in wildlife periences in each STEM field, showing that their levels of openness differed; for -ex rehabilitation. ample, she found that engineers were less comfortable revealing their full identity at their workplace versus those working in the life sciences. Staff who were involved in the event were pleased with how things went. “In some ways, the virtual experience was superior to the traditional model. I really liked the Identifying and celebrating LGBTQ members of the STEM fields is important, opportunity to interact with each student without the distractions of a large, noisy Mollie said, because it can help students and burgeoning professionals “see them- venue,” said Linda Galbato. “One thing I really like about all of our poster sessions selves” and thus make these professions more accessible. One aspect of her research is the energy generated during the event — I felt that same energy in the virtual involved identifying several professional associations for LGBTQ scientists, includ- showcase due to the technological orchestration of the event. I will definitely consider ing 500 Queer Scientists, Pride in STEM and the National Organization of Gay and virtual presentations in the future,” she said.

The Power to Connect Make Purposeful Connections. Create Opportunities. Share Experiences. You are important to the future of Wells and her students. One of the ways you can help is to ensure that we have your current contact information. It helps us stay connected to you, and keeps you connected to our students and the wider Wells community. Connecting students with alumnae and alumni has been identified as a critical need. They are eager to hear your story, ask you questions about your major, graduate school, career path and so much more. You can be one of their best resources. So in addition to providing your current information please consider ways you would like to engage with the Wells community. Please take a few minutes to update your online profile by visiting www.alumni.wells.edu/updateyourinfo If you have questions, please contact the Office of Alumnae and Alumni Engagement at [email protected] or 315-364-3200.

6 Fall/Winter 2020 ClassNotes The Show Must Go On! Under the guidance of director Siouxsie Easter, Wells theatre students performed (Un)Masked in Phipps Auditorium October 23 and 24, 2020.

Siouxsie attended the Association of Theatre in Higher Education’s virtual national conference this past summer. In every session, the story was the following, “We aren’t having a fall show,” or “We are doing a Zoom play.” Neither one of those sounded appealing to Siouxsie, “Theatre is meant to be experienced live!” After reading tons of plays written for Zoom, she began to think about ways to put on a live show, safely, with masks.

(UN)Masked is an evening of theatre scenes from traditional and untraditional theatre that uses masks as part of the production. Masks have been used in theatre for hundreds of years, so it was natural to include them in our production. The scenes are from ancient Greek, commedia dell’arte, Restoration Comedy, Shakespeare, Expressionism, Modern, and we even included a Zoom play! Further contributions from our alums included the awesome opening The play featured a cast of seven first-year students and two sophomores. night gift bags given to each cast and crew member! The gift bags were They learned six performance styles of theatre history in six weeks. made possible by the generosity of Sloane Bailey ’87, who spearheaded What also made this show so special is that we were able to include the task and the following contributors: Sheri DeFrees Allen ’87, alumnae/i in the Zoom play and as our dramaturg. The Zoom play was Crary Reynolds Brooks ’87, Deborah Callahan ’85, written by Luke Lauchle ’20. Eva Koshel Castleton ’11 directed the play Nancy Connors ’92, Colleen Corcoran ’90, Carol Lynn Courtney ’80, and gathered alums from all over to join them as actors: Jen Dimond ’92, Dulcie Corkill Elwood ’73, Giavarna Faison ’14, Dorothy Bittner ’08, Elsa Dial ’11, Giavarna Faison ’14, Meggy Hai Sarah Bryce Heppner ’05, Delia Case Ingham ’87, Renee Forgensi Trang ’06, Casey Jamieson ’15, Khadeja Merenkov ’10, and Minarik ’80, Cherie Mitchell ’87, Christine Moleski ’87, Alex Riad ’12. In addition, Ed Easter ’16 served as the dramaturg and Jennifer Pelton ’92, Gail Pesyna ’70, Christin Schaaf ’99, Heather Candy Butchino ’17 assisted with making the masks. Coburn Snyder ’87, Rachelle Stanko ’90, and Jennifer Zalewski ’99.

FIRST DAY OF CLASSES ON CAMPUS! While some colleges are struggling with COVID, Wells started out full steam ahead. It was a gorgeous day by the lake and our students embraced being back on campus for their classes. Welcome Class of 2024!

A big Wells tradition for our seniors, the champagne breakfast couldn’t be celebrated in quite the same way but, as we know, Wellsians are an innovative lot. Congratulations to Hannah Flansburg, Kaylen Furr, and all of our senior students! Here’s to the Class of 2021!

(FYI: Hannah and Kaylen are roommates and considered a “family unit,” so they are able to be around each other without masks as long as they are not with others.)

Wells.edu 7 ClassNotes Sara Spezzano ’12, Juli Vibbard 2015 Glassman ’12, Dayna Vibbard TYLER FISCHETTI ’16, Rachel Mattraw ’12, Charlee 53 PARK AVE. Weidman ’15, Cassie Smythe ’15 AUBURN, NY 13021 and Braden Allen ’11. ClassNotes [email protected] campaign for a company of our 2012 2020 choice. I had the opportunity to go 2014 JESSICA WARD EVANS JAHAIRA POLANCO back to UCC for graduation and JES LYONS 30 Gail Dr 1770 Andrews Ave. Apt. 4D signed Ireland’s graduate scroll. 361 S Manoa Rd Owego, NY 13827 Bronx, NY 10453-6834 This was an experience that I will Havertown, PA 19083-3208 [email protected] [email protected] never forget and will apply to my [email protected] everyday life.” 2019 BRANDON JACKSON 120 Co-Op City Blvd, Apt. 15B Bronx, NY 10475-3826

2018 Leanna Dellinger ’12 and Nicole DiMauro ’12 DALLIA RORICK at Leanna’s wedding September 19, 2020 479 County Rte. 13 VanEtten, NY 14889-9500 [email protected] Leanna Dellinger ’12 married Brent Aylesworth on September 19, 2020. Jessica Jasewicz had the Nicole DiMauro ’12 attended and opportunity to study abroad at the Atop Bald Mountain in the Adirondacks. (L-R): Cody Primmer ’15, Sam Hall ’18, Rachel Leanna wore Nicole’s Wells ring as University College Cork (UCC) Snyder ’11, James Feocco ’17, and Eliza Schwab ’18. Photo taken by Rachel’s husband her something borrowed. Tom. as a Wells student. “I loved it there and wanted to go back as soon as Don’t you love running into Wells I could. When I graduated from family in the wild? In October Wells, I was accepted by UCC to 2020, Eliza Schwab enjoyed a get my masters from 2018-2020 birthday celebration with James in Food Business and Innovation. Feocco ’17, Sam Hall and Cody The most rewarding part of my Primmer ’15. While hiking they master’s program was learning about met Rachel Snyder ’11 and husband how to make a successful business Tom atop Bald Mountain in the through the eyes of many different Adirondacks and introduced individuals from international themselves after noticing all the students, local students, and even Wells swag. guest professors. Some highlights from this program include creating our own business plan for a product Wells alums in attendance at the wedding of Paige Stone ’13 and Meagan Hillard on or service that our team came up 2017 October 10, 2020 (L-R): Elijah Stone ’19, Sara Spezzano ’12, Juli Vibbard Glassman ’12, KELLY REPPERT Dayna Vibbard ’16, Paige, Rachel Mattraw ’12, Charlee Weidman ’15, Cassie Smythe ’15, with and having the opportunity to Braden Allen ’11 make a Christmas digital marketing 379 Doing Rd. Norwich, NY 13815-3281 [email protected] 2011 CHRISTINE BECKER 5119 Williams Fork Trail Apt. 113 2016 Boulder, CO 80301 CHELSEA CARLIN [email protected] 373 Ayer Rd. Williamsville, NY 14221 [email protected] 2010 ANNA FELDMAN 52 Maynard Rd. Jessica Jasewicz ’18 received her masters from University College Cork (UCC) in Northampton, MA 01060 Paige Stone ’13 married Meagan Hillard 2020. [email protected] on October 10, 2020 Thank You for Sharing! 2013 2009 We’re happy to publish your news as written by you! Wells ROSE CHAMBERLIN TALYSE HAMPTON 8906 Center Pointe Dr. 239 W 135th St. Apt. 4A welcomes your submissions to Class Notes, as gathered and Baldwinsville, NY 13027 New York, NY 10030 assembled by your class secretary. In keeping with our news [email protected] [email protected] “for alums, by alums” approach, editing by the Alumnae Paige Stone married Meagan and Alumni Engagement Office is minimal, limited mainly to Hillard on October 10, 2020. errors in formatting or structure. Many Wells alums were in attendance: Elijah Stone ’19,

8 Fall/Winter 2020 ClassNotes time to explore but are doing a lot some saucy. You can check out Jen Zalewski is still working as 2008 of hiking and meeting neighbors Abjectification at Apprentice House, director of constituent records NICOLE RILEY while gardening. If any Wells alums or Bookshop.org. (There might be at Syracuse University. She had 124 Pendleton St are in the area please reach out some Wells inspired stuff in there.) a wonderful trip to Namibia, in Cortland, NY 13045 as Rachel would love to meet up She publishes as C. Kubasta. You Southwest Africa, this past fall. She [email protected] with Wells folks around Cleveland/ can also find her on Twitter and IG enjoys volunteering on the Canton and is happy to travel to @CKubastathePoet. WCA Award Committee and at meet up in a socially distanced her new church, and hanging out 2007 way—go for a walk perhaps? with Joey and Lela, her two crazy ALLISON DODGE GUNNIP pooches. and 11329 Bonta Bridge Rd Stephanie Jones Labadie husband Brock welcomed their son Cato, NY 13033-3314 I’ve been learning to code, and Jack, who was born on June 13, [email protected] creating digital implementations of 2020. “He joins the ranks of future card games. It helps to connect to Evenliners, along with his big sister friends with online game days and Daphne!” voice chat. 2006 - Carol KATIE FONG 566 Sterling Place #2A Brooklyn, NY 11238 2005 1998 [email protected] SARAH BRYCE HEPPNER DORI SHAND RILEY 6134 Sligo Mill Rd., NE 8517 Evans Mill Place Washington, DC 20011 Raleigh, NC 27613 [email protected] [email protected] Abjectification Stories & Truths, by Tina Kubasta ’99 AUDREY KITTREDGE YEAGER 220 Edwards Dr Amy Reff and Ivan, her husband of 2004 Fayetteville, NY 13066-1006 ALEXIS BOYCE four years, moved to Florida last [email protected] PO Box 425 March—right at the start of the Aurora, NY 13026 pandemic. She wrote a Medium Laura Beauregard had been [email protected] post about the most bizarre road trip enjoying being a chef at Bistro by she’s ever been on, called Moving the Sea in Matunuck, RI on the to Florida in the Midst of a Pandemic. site of the 87-year-old musical She and Ivan are now enjoying the theatre her husband Randy Beck 2003 Tampa Bay area and just survived BROOKE ANDERSEN BEDARD manages; Theatre by the Sea… their first summer without a scratch 27 King St. until COVID hit. Silver lining, it or a single bout of heat stroke. Monson, MA 01057 gave her extra time at home with In early September, they took Stephanie Jones Labadie ’06 and [email protected] her eldest Nicholas who leaves for husband Brock welcomed son Jack on possession of their very first sailboat. Champlain College on August 26. June 13, 2020 In between weekend sailing trips, They were lucky to have a last big her freelance copyediting and trip to Disney at Christmas. While Colleen Curry Dimmitt ’06 publication design business is 2002 she waits for the entertainment welcomed baby daughter, Matilda MEGAN NAGURNEY thriving, and she has ventured into world to be resurrected, she will Edith Dimmitt, on March 18, 2020. PHANTHASY writing her own online courses as give all her attention to her 15-year- 11028 McIntosh Ct. another source of income just in old daughter Emily who is utterly Waldorf, MD 20602-6131 case. Amy writes, “I never thought thrilled to be the only child while [email protected] I would be so blissfully busy once I mom is bored. Good thing they just hit middle age!” adopted a 6-week-old, 1.5lb kitten named Doc, who terrifies their 2001 5-year-old, 15lb tom-cat Spacey. JENNIFER BURKE 6548 Elmer Hill Rd. Rome, NY 13440-9365 [email protected] 1997 KARLYN KASPEREK BACKUS 159 Princeton Ave Depew, NY 14043-2858 2000 [email protected] KK LEUAMCHAMPASSAK [email protected] Ivan and Amy Reff ’99 with their sailboat Colleen Curry Dimmitt ’06 with her in Florida. daughter Matilda Edith Dimmitt who JILL MULLINS-CANNON was born on March 18, 2020 1714 Alabama St Bellingham, WA 98229-5403 Rachel Porter and partner Jenn [email protected] purchased their first home in Massillon, OH to be closer to Jenn’s family. They have been busy 1999 learning new home-owning skills CAROL LAGROW like tearing up terrible linoleum 25 Oak St choices and sanding/finishing Wurtsboro, NY 12790 gorgeous floors. And of course, [email protected] doing so much painting. Between COVID, job searching, and house Tina Kubasta has a new collection projects, they haven’t had a lot of of short stories out—some creepy, Laura Beauregard ’98 and family enjoyed a visit to Disney, Christmas 2019 Wells.edu 9 ClassNotes KATIE HALLIGAN-ELINOFF 3541 Caribeth Dr. SHARE YOUR NEWS Encino, CA 91436-4103 [email protected] Please submit your news to your class

Aaric Lyday Mason writes, “I am secretary by the following deadline: living the dream I said I wanted Frosh year: I am happily married February 1, 2021 to a man who loves that I am a smart, strong woman (and he is as smart and strong, so we are equally yoked!) and we are full partners in our life decisions. I have five jewels in my Mother Crown, the Jamia Gaffney ’96 and her son in NYC to oldest of whom, like me, left at 18 see Hamilton. to experience life on his own; I am so proud of his independence. I still homeschool my other four. I am continuing my own life education—have made seven quilts and built five bookcases, as well as Betsy Temple Truax ’96 and Sandy learning to refinish wood furniture; Paradise-Miòoso ’96 on Seneca Lake. my favorite is a treadle sewing Summer 2019 Leah Eagan ’94 and her machine from 1890. I am hoping exciting news! In June, she was sons graced the Hamilton stage. promoted at the nonprofit where she to tackle architecture next. We just spoke about using document design works as the executive director of sold our house in northern Utah as a means of counterfeit deterrence. the Mammoth Lakes Foundation. In and we are headed on a grand new I even played in the highly addition, Betsy is currently serving adventure.” Catherine Murphy ’96, Rachel Steck ’96 competitive, conference-sponsored and Sandy Paradise-Miòoso ’96 on the set as the president of the California of Hamilton soccer match where I had an Hi 1997 sisters, I hope everyone and Association of Parks and Recreation quick visit in September. In the assist—not too shabby considering their families are staying healthy and Commissioners and Board fall she finally went to her first I haven’t played in, ahem, 28 years! safe during this challenging time. Members. Congratulations, Betsy! New England Patriots game. In While in Lisbon, the conference My girls are successfully navigating Let’s raise a celebratory glass to your November Sara Charles Goguen ’95 folks did their best to normalize 10th and 6th grade virtual learning promotion in June! zipped into the city to see Waitress. our experience, even though the that, given the COVID numbers in pandemic was quickly shutting In December Catherine Murphy, Erin Stepowany Lesser is living in Los Angeles, I expect to last at least down the world around us and the Rachel Steck and her siblings all Plattsburgh, in the North Country until the spring semester. There are feeling of panic was palpable. My travelled to New York City to see of NY. The past several months lots of negatives about the situation, return flight just happened to be Hamilton. Sandy was able to sneak have seen a lot of remote teaching, but looking at some positives. I’m the morning of March 13th and the away in February for a week of hybrid teaching, and in-person grateful to be avoiding a double- relief I felt upon arriving at home skiing at Tremblant in Canada, teaching of seventh grade English. school drop off and pick-up each was overwhelming. We enjoyed along with two shorter trips to She’s grateful for those small, day (my husband has been away an extended escape from our new Vermont. Saw the Globtrotters. So personal classes at Wells, as that’s for a pandemic-induced extended stay-at-home norm, with a visit fun!! Then came the after... and what her current classrooms look period shooting a TV show in to my parents in Aurora for the now no Broadway until June 2021. like! She so enjoyed the Zoom Vancouver—damn the quarantine early part of July. I even had a lawn So they’ve been biking, walking, sessions set up by Michele Russo, as that prevents us from going or him visit (socially distanced, of course!) watching Leah Dimler’s son play well as the group chats that got us from coming home for weekends), with Jennifer Segal ’94, who had baseball via Facebook. Spent time through much of the spring as we and we are all sleeping later each the pleasure of meeting my dad’s in Maine, Cape Cod, and Seneca discussed the future of our beloved day! I sing to Aaric Lyday Mason new feathered friend, Rocky. I can Lake with Betsy Temple Truax ’96. Wells. Our plans to take over and thank her for being the sole honestly say that with everything Just trying to make the best of the Aurora for our 25th Reunion next responder to the L-Z last names 2020 has held, being in Aurora and situation. “Now we wait for better June remain firmly in place, thanks from our class! swimming in Cayuga Lake was times. Stay Safe everyone and I pray to the support and help of so many - Katie especially soul fulfilling. I echo I’ll see you all at Reunion or for a of us. Erin and her husband Mark Erin’s sentiments and remain highly “class trip” to see Hamilton in New were so sad to say goodbye to their optimistic that I will be seeing York City!” wonder cat of nineteen years, Jem, many of you in person for #25! Stay 1996 - Leah but have added two new kittens to safe out there! LEAH CERMAK DIMLER the family who are rambunctious - Lisa 941 Sheehan Ave. and adorable (and named Scout and Glen Ellyn, IL 60137-6485 Boo). “If there’s any other message [email protected] to send, it’s just this—please vote! Class of 1996 (and our favorite 1995 LISA GIL Reunion-crashers, you know who BRIDGET WILLIAMS DUDZIK 12258 Scotts Mill Dr. you are!), see you soon!” 194 South Montgomery St. Bristow, VA 20136-1914 Walden, NY 12586-1637 [email protected] I am so thankful for my visit [email protected] with Sandy Paradise Miñoso last In the before times things were September when we were in New great, thanks to her steady work, York City for a family event. As wrote Sandy Paradise-Miñoso. always, we had a great time catching 1994 ALUMNAE AND ALUMNI Since last writing, Summer 2019 up and talking into the wee hours ENGAGEMENT OFFICE Leah Eagan’94 and her sons graced Sandy Paradise-Miòoso ’96 saw the of the morning. March saw me Globtrotters. So fun!! 170 Main Street the Hamilton stage; Jamia Gaffney crossing the Atlantic to Lisbon, Aurora, NY 13026 brought her son in August. Lisa Portugal for the High Security [email protected] Gil was in New York City for a In our present world of COVID, Printing EMEA conference where I Betsy Temple Truax writes with 10 Fall/Winter 2020 ClassNotes nearly three months for her to find a Mary Jo Jorolemon Norfolk says 1993 kayak to buy, but she is completely hello from North Carolina! Last 1991 KELLY BOUCHIE BELL hooked and falling in love with year she accepted a position as DAVIDA BARBOZA KOSA 30 Holly Tree Ct. her home state all over again as she operations manager at Learning 10024 Hume Ct. Richmond Hill, GA 31324 explore its lakes and ponds. She has Services, an amazing company Bristow, VA 20136-3066 [email protected] been so grateful to stay connected that works with individuals with [email protected] to her Wells sisters through periodic acquired brain injury. It’s been an DAYANNE DOUGLAS IZMIRIAN Zoom calls, Facebook messages interesting challenge to learn a new 10489 E Aberdeen Ave and even the occasional snail mail! job and navigate a pandemic but Englewood, CO 80111 Through all this, she is more 1990 thanks to an excellent team, she is COLLEEN CORCORAN [email protected] grateful than ever not only for the doing well. Eric, the sweet beagle 406 Church St education she received, but the sisters (Brandi and Molly), and she Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 sisterhood of lifelong friends. Wells are still loving North Carolina. [email protected] 1992 Sisters are the best! SUSAN ARTHUR GORMAN Stacey Garretson let me know she is KRISTINE SWANSON MUNDEN reports that 4506 Mainfield Ave. Collene Dewey Hein living in San Cristobal de las Cases, 6501 Brownwood Ct. besides the whole COVID and Baltimore, MD 21214-2843 Mexico waiting for the world to Austin, TX 78731 turning 50-thing, everything is [email protected] open to travel once again. [email protected] well. Her biggest news recently is that her oldest daughter got JULIE HAMBLIN KING I heard from Lieh Stone Brumback engaged at the end of August 10 Brighton Ave. last year and she had some great and her youngest is a senior this Andover, NJ 07821-4547 updates! She and her family moved 1989 year! Her husband and she spent JOELLE CABAL VITALE [email protected] to Henderson, TN in 2017. She most of quarantine rebuilding/ serves as retention coordinator 4 S Hunter Ave remodeling their kitchen. It has Auburn, NY 13021-4358 Anna Loan-Wilsey reports that since at Freed-Hardeman University [email protected] her last update, she had her seventh been an adventure for sure. Melanie and Rick is an associate professor mystery novel published, Murder Chapman Morton and Collene are in the Bible department. Their at Blackwater Bend (under the pen still in constant contact. She has also daughter Catherine was married in name Clara McKenna) and despite enjoyed the Zoom get-togethers July of 2016 and remains in Texas the pandemic, she finished writing our class has been having. It is so (she is hoping to move closer to her eighth novel, Murder at Keyhaven nice to see everyone even if it’s not them). Their second child Philip is Castle, which will release next in person. She can’t wait until we attending FHU and their youngest summer. Like most of us, she has can meet at Wells for a great big Edmund is enjoying high school spent all her time at home: tackling birthday party for all of us! band and dual enrollment courses home projects, enjoying the gardens through the university. her husband has created on their Wendy Birch is living outside of acreage and helping her 6th grader Philadelphia with her husband and As for me, like many, there were Hillary Joyce ’89 using her cellphone to take photos for her post card project. navigate the world of 100% remote son, who somehow just started high big plans for turning the big five-o, learning. She can’t wait until she school, even though it seems like he complete with a band and a full- Hillary Joyce used her phone to take can travel again! was born only last year. She is in her blown party that were unfortunately 20th year of teaching art and feels put on hold thanks to the pandemic. poignant images in the beautiful fortunate to still enjoy it. Turning Farm Coast region, produced them Tandy Hamilton, reports that her I endured my first summer without as blank post cards, and invited job as an assistant principal at 50 prompted her to finally do my northland home in Lake of Bays. people to write motivational City Honors School in Buffalo, something she’d wanted to do for a Cecilia Vick Staunton and I had messages to strangers–and she’s been NY has been even more busy and long time, rent an art studio. It has our moments of commiseration as getting a great response. For the stressful during their 100% remote been wonderful to have a dedicated she has a northland home as well. full article, Making a difference, instruction model, and she misses space for making art. She spent most I’m very much looking forward to one postcard at a time, published seeing her students’ smiling faces. of her summer days there painting the Canadian border reopening. and found it to be incredibly I’ve been so thankful for my Wells in EastBay, RI visit https://www. fulfilling. Sisters and especially the class of eastbayri.com/stories/making- 1992. As Jen Dimond mentioned, a-difference-one-postcard-at-a- Kenya Daugherty is focused on the the Zoom calls and Facebook time,72808? More recent, Hillary blessings during this pandemic. messages of encouragement have has been working on a grassroots She is healthy. She moved to her been abundant, supportive, and photography campaign called The mother’s hometown in Southeast needed for all of us. We will be Goddess Project. In taking photos Missouri, where she spent planning a re-do on all our 50th of women, she captures what she childhood summers. Small town birthday celebrations! I’m so hopes makes them feel beautiful and living agrees with her! Enhancing thankful for you all! confident in their own skin—no her career prospects within the - Julie matter their age, shape or color. Jen Dimond ’92 in her new kayak! pro beauty industry, she begins esthetics school October 12. She is also on the journey to motherhood! Jen Dimond had big plans for 2020, including a trip to Sonoma to She has been so fortunate to have celebrate turning 50 and a long- community with her ’92 sisters. She anticipated excursion to Wigtown, is happy to say “I’ve reconnected Scotland to run a bookstore for with Marie-Josee LeFevre ’93. You all have been a wonderful blessing.” a week with Ilene Goldman. She was excited for a visit to Maine She looks forward to hearing from . Looking from Kia Correll Larsen and Sue Cynthia Renee Oliver forward to us planning next year’s Arthur Gorman. Alas… none of that happened and she had to find new collective BIG BIRTHDAY ways to stay active and entertained CELEBRATION, which she thinks during this pandemic. She fell in should be where she lives during the rodeo! love with kayaking! Apparently so Sloane Bailey ’87, Karen Chimento ’87, and Crary Reynolds Brooks ’87 during Reunion did the rest of the U.S., as it took Weekend 2019. Wells.edu 11 ClassNotes Leslie Greenough Abel writes that 1988 she and Chris have been married for JENN BARNETT 31 years and have a son, Nicholas 690 Main St. (26), and daughter, Rebecca (19). Hampstead, NH 03841-2048 Their favorite places to travel are [email protected] Bermuda and the Adirondacks. Leslie was able to get together with Heather FitzPatrick Pierce 1987 and Stacia Giftos Bissell this past SLOANE BAILEY February. After teaching for 32 8113 Smithfield Ave. years she will be retiring at the end of this year! Springfield, VA 22152-3052 Carrie Beth Day Marzec ’87 and Stacie [email protected] Giftos Bissell ’87 in 2018 “Our practice has been open road trip overnights, as she has also A big shout out to our class! Nearly throughout the pandemic,” shares done in the not too distant past with 35 of you responded to my pitiful Sharalyn O’Reilly Nachbauer. They Carrie Beth Day Marzec. “I never Allison Selfridge Cyganowski ’87 pleas for input. Maybe it was are staying safe and have had no depart from a visit with any of them incidences of COVID within their and husband John in Barcelona with my threats, cajoling, nagging… the Sagrada Familia Basilica in the without feeling more grounded and emails, text messages, Facebook practice. It was difficult for a while background. inspired.” A few years ago Stacia PMs, our class FB page, or ghost to schedule lung cancer surgeries retired from her 20+ year career writing input for some of you. because there is a broad definition computers. Daughter Nadia works as a math teacher, math coach, and We’re definitely taking up a lot of of elective. Both their girls had in retail and has been masking school administrator. Since then she this publication. I’m told this may COVID college graduations this it and son Alexander works at a has been doing a combination of be a Wells record (not that I’m year from University of Vermont hospital in New Mexico caring for web development and maintenance competitive or anything). I have so and Parsons School of Design. COVID patients. Their vacation for a handful of clients (all have enjoyed reconnecting with many Olivia moved in with Emily in in August was at a campground been for incredible women who of you through these notes, phone Queens and is working remotely in New Hampshire. They just own their own businesses) but calls, and our virtual happy hours! as an engineer for BL Companies celebrated their 33rd anniversary in mostly she’s done a fair amount of on Long Island. Emily is back in September. Allison says “I miss all education/coaching, writing, and my Wells Sisters, Girls Just Wanna Karen Chimento and her partner school for another degree. Olivia public speaking on the topic of brain Pam have been working from home is still her best photography model, Have Fun...” injury. Stacia had opportunities to for the last six months but with free mostly because she’s free! Adam speak at some large conferences to time, taking their son Will up to continues to work as an architect Stacia Giftos Bissell writes that her diverse audiences. Loves it. Wells almost every week to golf! at VanderHorn Architects in children Jacqui (33), Levi (30) and Dillon (28) live in Alexandria, VA, Karen has been fortunate enough Greenwich, CT. He is less than an Ruby Kipniss Krajick lives on the to have gotten to see Sloane Bailey, hour from the girls so they use his Denver, CO and Burlington, VT, Upper West Side (New York City) Delia Case Ingham, and Laura muscles every time they need them. respectively. Jacqui and her husband with her husband Kevin, daughters Taylor in recent months, and has Sharalyn is not quite an empty Erik are the parents of Stacia’s Stella and Lydia, a Guinea pig, very much enjoyed the ’87 class nester because in addition to having one granddaughter, Magnolia (9 bearded dragon, and her dog Rosie. virtual happy hours. Delia and her 91-year old mother live with months). Her cat Greta is simply the Ruby is still working for the Federal Karen were sad to give up a road them, they also have Adam’s cat and best little thing ever. Stacia wrote Judiciary in lower Manhattan and a story about her a few years ago trip to Iowa to see Wendy Hudson Emily’s dog. “Not sure how that her two girls are telelearning their to clear some old buildings on happened.” They have spent a fair that was published in the one of freshman and junior fall semesters her farm land, but if COVID ever amount of time with the kids and the Chicken Soup for the Soul books at home. Ruby misses hearing from about cats! The Berkshires are still ends, perhaps next year! Meanwhile friends at their lake house on Great Heather Coburn Snyder, Monica her home, but she has spent a fair Karen and family have been finding Sacandaga Lake. It’s been unusually Klopsis Barsamian, and Jenna amount of time in lovely Sonoma, new trails around the Ithaca area quiet because of all the restrictions Dudnyk Soccorsi. to explore and cooking up a storm. going on. The kids can’t wait until CA over the past few years with an old acquaintance who is now her She is ever hopeful that Sloane will they can go on a real vacation. Christine Deemer Fonseca is move to Aurora and they can plan post marriage partner. From there currently working as an educational the Wells retirement community— Cherie Buhlmann Mitchell says they’ve enjoyed trips to Tahoe, San psychologist, national consultant right next to/in close proximity to that she is not up to a whole lot Francisco, and Portland, OR. They her future goat farm—in Aurora! these days. Every morning she have also enjoyed trips to Austin, does the happy dance and gets to TX for motorcycle racing and Costa Rica for some exploration. Stacia Sheri DeFrees Allen is officially put her two angels Zander (8) and an empty nester. Although the Sophia (5) on the school bus. She and her ex-husband co-parent and transition was difficult, she made it doesn’t let the dogs eat her cats co-grandparent, and will sometimes through. Her next adventure will and is slowing hacking away at even travel together to see their be partnering with Karen on the her to-do list that got ignored for granddaughter in Virginia. She still goat farm, adding in sheep for their the past six months–at home and camps in the White Mountains each wool. She plans on making organic at work. She is the president of year for a few weeks with family goat’s milk soap for Crary to give HelioMetrics (heliometrics.net), a and friends, although this year she to the women and infants center software company that identifies chose not to due to COVID. A few she supports. While Delia will knit drug diversions in hospitals. For years back she had an opportunity to hats and leggings—for the goats, of the most part, her sanity remains connect with some family members course—from the wool. Sheri will intact, though there are days where who live on mainland Greece, and put her nutritionist background to it might be holding on by the tiniest then headed to the Greek island of use to make sure the animals are sliver of a thread! Sifnos for some relaxation. Stacia’s well-fed, working with Susie to children and father were on that grow organic vegetables…only the In January 2020 John and Allison trip with her making it a very best for our kids. We wouldn’t want Selfridge Cyganowski managed cherished adventure. Most recently Karen to give them too much rum a short trip to Barcelona, Spain. she has had the good fortune cake. Since March, along with daughter of reconnecting with Heather Hannah, they have been full- Fitzpatrick Pierce and Leslie ’87 Classmates Heather FitzPatrick Pierce, Greenough Abel at their homes for Leslie Greenough Abel, and Stacia Giftos time working from home on their Bissell during a visit in February 2020. 12 Fall/Winter 2020 ClassNotes quilt guild, the Juneau Modern Quilt Guild. This has been fun to coalesce a group of creative, supportive women and form some new relationships. They have been building a home in Tok, AK, an area in the interior of the state which is more remote. Also, they had a carriage house built where her daughter Amanda (’87’s class baby) is building a new home in Indianapolis, IN. Amanda is a happy OB/GYN and she and her husband have two children who are, of Ruth Boyer ’87, Ulster County, NY Public course, adorable, fun and intelligent. Defender They hope to see them soon. (Note: become increasingly popular and Christine would drop Amanda off is very pleased to see all of the This past June, ’87 classmates Sloane Bailey, Karen Chimento, Delia Case Ingham, and in my dorm room every Tuesday Laura Taylor got together in Aurora. They were joined by Kaylen Furr ’21. Together good predictions about this year’s they tie-dyed 180 bandanas and mailed one to everyone in the classes of ’87 and ’21. and Thursday morning during our enrollment and hopes it continues last semester so she could attend long after the current health crisis and speaker, and an author. Needless with her hubby and kids. “I really classes sans baby. One time I took is over. to say, it keeps her very busy. Her have nothing to complain about.” the baby–still in her car seat—to 11th self-help book was just released the bathroom with me so I could Deirdre Connolly is still practicing this month on the topic of gifted Liz Collins is happily ensconced shower. Peeked out and the car seat law in New York City. She, too, is kids. In addition, she is rebooting in Concord, NH with Jennifer was there, but NO baby! Wrapped working remotely. And her 14-year- her career as a novelist, writing new Jones ’88. We do forgive Liz for in a towel, but still soaking wet I old daughter Charlotte started high works under a pen name for release marrying an Evenline, especially discovered our housekeepers had school this fall! Yikes!! (Note: We in 2021 or 2022, with luck. When since they’ve two amazing [now her on the crossbar–cooing and expect Wells to be on Charlotte’s not helping parents and kids with adult] children: son Keagan (26) and loving on her.) extremely short list of schools!) their educational needs, or writing daughter Delaney (22). The last year books and articles, she spends has been quite eventful with the Cindy Lathrop Yale is a second-grade Ruth Boyer has been appointed time helping other educational aforementioned marriage (after 34 teacher in Auburn. She married a to be the public defender for counselors and psychologists hone years) and the fact that Liz retired career farmer, lives right behind Ulster County, NY. (https:// their craft, conducting parenting (yes, retired–how is that possible?) Wells, has four amazing daughters, ulstercountyny.gov/news/executive/ workshops, reading and binge- from her role with the State of and five beautiful grandchildren! ulster-county-appoints-ruth-boyer- watching the latest nerdy show New Hampshire. However, instead She loves to read and garden. (Note: public-defender). (Note: Ruth can (love my fandoms). Christine’s of a life of leisure she parlayed her If I lived behind Wells, there would help settle disputes between Karen children–now adults–are trying experience as a nurse and program be a beaten path between my front and neighbors over inquisitive, to forge their way in this crazy director into a role as a government door and the Wells soccer field!) runaway goats!) world. Her youngest finishes up her and health services consultant for undergrad in 2021, and her oldest Mercer. (Note: Our goat farm and Jane Oberg has been living in Susan Staneslow Olesen has been is looking at grad school options. retirement community will be, Nantucket, MA for 11 years after busy! She had two short stories They are both strong, independent especially for Jennifer, Evenline- retiring from teaching at Syracuse published at the end of June, Sticky women with keen brains and well friendly.) University for 20 years. She is Situations and Flotsam, in two developed emotions–she couldn’t grateful to have taught in London, volumes of Writers Unite! Anthologies ask for anything more! Her husband Well, it has been a dreary summer UK for many of those years and Dimensions of Science Fiction. Just is a middle school teacher, so his weather-wise in Juneau, AK, just always fondly remembered her two weeks after, she had her own days are spent trying to figure out to make COVID living a bit less January term studying British 22-story anthology published, online learning and making sure his pleasant. Trying to look at the Theatre with Professor Alan Kerasi: Foundations, a tie-in to her students feel seen and heard. 2020 bright side and make the best of it, Clugston. While living on current novel series (you don’t have has been a challenging year all the Christine Moleski has been spending Nantucket, she has worked as to know the novels to enjoy the way around, but her family is safe time working at her dental practice, director of education at Egan stories). Foundations was supposed and healthy, they have jobs, and she which she enjoys immensely and Maritime’s Shipwreck & Lifesaving to have a big send off at a science- is graced with more time to spend also started Alaska’s first modern Museum, as well as managing fiction convention in July, but, like the dairy section of a health food everything else, that got cancelled. store. Jane enjoys living near her A shame, since there are so many two grown children and four good stories in it. At the end of the Young Alumni Award for grandchildren: Emmae Jane (16), year, her novel Bitter Truths will be Axel (11), Victor (7), and Eva (4). published, finishing the Prisoner of Outstanding Achievement She has especially loved travelling the Mind series. It will be her 10th with Emmae to New York City, novel! Did you know Prisoner of the Wells College, in partnership with the Wells College France, and England. She attended a Mind started at Wells? She wrote Association of Alumnae and Alumni (WCA), seeks Boston area Wells event in Hyannis the first bits for Professor Bennett’s nominations for the Young Alumni Award for Outstanding Port a few years ago and is looking creative writing class, and that forward to another when it is winter wrote about two-thirds Achievement. This award recognizes a recent graduate possible. Jane is forever grateful to who has shown extraordinary achievement in professional, of the novel. She envisioned one Wells and the incredible years she little story, never once suspecting philanthropic, and/or service work—within the first decades spent there and still misses being it would grow to five volumes and following graduation. in Aurora. All of her wonderful an anthology of political intrigue, The award is presented each fall. professors are responsible for social commentary, and women’s inspiring her love of learning at rights! You can get the books and Wells and her love of many years Nominations are due by June 15, 2021. Nomination forms e-books for Prisoner on Amazon, of teaching at Syracuse. In times can be downloaded from alumni.wells.edu. or through your library, as well as such as these, it would seem that her first series, Best Intentions, and fine, small colleges like Wells will her other anthologies. Other than Wells.edu 13 ClassNotes that, she stays super busy with eight partner in Vermont Beer Shepherd degree at Indiana University. This will be president of the local club kids, four of whom are actually out (vtbeershepherd.com), a unique craft last summer, Lisa Klein Jiardini ’89 next year. She is also co-chair of of the house now (three bios and beer distributorship, and manages and a friend came for a socially- Dream It, Be It, a program which five adopted). The baby is four this vacation rentals for a local real estate distanced visit to Aurora. Sharon has helps underserved high school year, so she’s trying hard to balance outfit. She’s also been in touch with reconnected with her sister, Kristen girls recognize their full potential. preschool with viral caution. She’s Heather FitzPatrick Pierce, scoring Munger ’90, and they are doing The transformation in their girls is very glad she’s not in kindergarten one of her amazing pieces of pottery a lesson exchange where Kristen truly amazing. Susan is humbled this year. Her library job survived and foraging, socially distanced of is teaching her how to paint, and to be a part of this program. Shout quarantine, and she fills any course, for fiddlehead ferns together. Sharon’s teaching Kristen how to out to any Wells Alums who are remaining hours sewing quilts She is grateful to be in touch read music. Wells Professor Emerita Soroptimist members, she would (check out Half-Assed Quilting with the women of ’87 recently Susan Sandman came to visit just love to hear from you. Susan is Company on Facebook). She was and reminded of their incredible before she moved to Brooklyn. It in contact with Allison Lindbeck teaching a writer’s workshop once strength, courage, and grace. was fun catching up on old times. Viehl, ’88, whom she gets to see a month at the library, but while every other year in California, all of the in-person programs are No grandkids, no divorce…the currently on hold, she still writes big news coming from Heather for the Cheshire Public Library FitzPatrick Pierce. She had a blog. Her son Chris is working GREAT weekend, just before with plastics. Marina is finishing COVID hit, with Leslie Greenough grad school and teaching special Able and Stacia Giftos Bissell. ed. in Boston, Allie is living her Thanks to Stacia for prompting this dream in Virginia and managed reunion! Her family has stayed well to breed her dream of a long- during COVID, and Vermont is haired calico kitten that is just a doing exceptionally well keeping gorgeous mix of color. Joe and Luke transmissions down. Finally left weathered quarantine better than Central Vermont recently for some they expected, though they are still time in Acadia National Park, ME. waiting for day programs to restart. If you’ve never been there–GO! Nick had a death in his family, but (Note: Heather will be making is still working hard. Jesse graduated custom food and water dishes for this year and after three months of Karen’s goats, color coordinated to Susan Bartkowski ’87 works with schools in Kenya ; pictured is a 6th grade class at one ripping their hair out over FAFSA, match the hats and leggings Delia is of the schools, Skyping. he decided at the very last minute knitting.) he wanted to wait a year for college. Susan Bartkowski started her own Colleen Capel Revello, whom she Oy. And Aurora is now 4 going Connie Manwell Costa is currently law firm two years ago. Starting a visits with in Lake Placid, Sharalyn on 14 and can work a cell phone on furlough from her preschool new business is challenging, overall O’Reilly Nachbauer, whom she sees better than Susan can. Aurora loves teaching position at University a great and successful experience. in Saratoga and at the lake, Michelle swiping it and making videos of Church Nursery School in College She was fortunate to receive advice Bir, who travelled to St. John, USVI herself doing just about anything Park, MD due to the pandemic— and support from her local legal with her in 2019, Mary Flynn, and (WTH? Is that inborn?). She keeps hoping to get back in the classroom community. Although her travels Sloane Bailey. Also Nancy White them on their toes and reminds soon! She has just about completely to Kenya have been halted, she is Martinez ’70 who is a Soroptimist them daily they aren’t as young recovered from her second hip frequently in touch with her friends Sister. as they used to be the first time replacement surgery in May and and NGOs there for her work with around. Susan stays in touch with FINALLY walking like a normal Loisaba Community Trust (loisaba. “Kinda goes without saying that Melanie Wilday, Marcia Metzger, human again and has been able to com). Food supply is their largest 2020 is a weird year,” writes Deidre Cheri Rosen, Julie Kisacky, and go back to Jazzercise although she problem, especially with the schools Pope… she went to Alabama at the Lisa Klein Jiardini ’89, but is always is no longer an instructor. Her kids being closed. Their Anti-FGM/ end of February to see her niece and happy to hear from anyone! (Note: are back in school, virtually for the Alternative Rite of Passage program two grand-nephews, and returned It sounds like Susan and Aurora moment (ages 15 and 12) and her has grown exponentially. With to the full impact of COVID should write children’s stories about family just spent a month at their assistance from many resources, they on their life and business. Their Karen’s goats.) house at Deep Creek Lake, MD in have brought internet service, pen chocolate shop was ordered closed as August. They currently have four pal and skype communications with part of pandemic control in March. “I don’t have anything earth cats and one dog—all of which 6th grade classes in Saratoga and in They were fortunate to already have shattering to report”, says Siobhan came to the lake house with them Ewaso, KE, built a family planning an online store, which helped them Boyer from Lewes, Sussex (the (the cats always say they will never and birthing center, provided get through. Deidre and Robyn *very* South Coast of England). forgive them for the three-hour car medical supplies and visiting U.S. returned to having production and She and Chris, along with their ride but then forget and enjoy their doctors and scholarships from retail in one building, bought a faithful chocolate Labrador Bert, time LOL). Connie proceeded to primary to medical school. Their cute little delivery van, and since have emerged from lockdown and try to wear the dog out with long alums are amazing individuals St Croix Chocolate Company “shielding” (super lockdown for walks that she is finally able to take who not only excel at their jobs, (stcroixchocolateco.com) turned “extremely clinically vulnerable”). and truly enjoy. they always give back to their 10 (!) in June, it turned out to be They are enjoying the last of the community. Susan has been a good time to review and reset. sunshine before winter, Brexit and After having spent 28 years in involved with this organization Even as the virus wreaked havoc, COVID combine to try and darken Indiana, Sharon Munger Wailes got since 2006. It has been a life life continued. They lost Robyn’s their days. Siobhan did make sure to a job teaching German at Penn State changing experience. Susan is also brother in May and her parents request an absentee ballot! and moved back East! And because actively involved with Soroptimist celebrated their 60th wedding real estate is so expensive in State International of Saratoga County anniversary in August. They After Heather Coburn Snyder College, Sharon bought a place in (soroptimistsaratoga.org), a worked in their yard, went to Zoom became an empty nester, she made Aurora. Her older son (25) started local club of the international birthday parties, and did a lot of the smart move to the great state graduate school this fall in jazz organization. They raise funds cooking and baking. Summer was of Vermont a couple of years ago. studies at the Manhattan School of and work locally and globally unusually quiet and lovely for them. Since landing in Stowe, she has Music. If anyone in the New York to provide the best for women She is looking forward to hearing burned a footpath between her City area needs a jazz bass player, let and girls through economic everyone’s news and hopes everyone home and Vermont’s amazing craft her know. Sharon’s younger son (21) empowerment. This was a natural is safe and well! breweries and pubs. She is a silent will be finishing up his jazz studies fit after her experience at Wells. She

14 Fall/Winter 2020 ClassNotes “Was great connecting with Wells Laura Taylor’s work life became “For the first time in a dozen for public programming or staff women on Zoom this summer,” more intense after a promotion to years, I’m not teaching,” writes presence. Thanks, COVID. But it writes Lisa Eskalyo-Viviano and the senior leadership position in Kathleen Davies. Instead, she has given her more time to work also sharing her twin daughters on Cornell’s International Services is working at Fragomen LLC (a alongside Jan (thank goodness Jan screen! Busy with their full-time Office. Work is balanced by the global immigration firm) as a recently retired) on the raised- virtual schooling now, and also with joy she finds in playing old time legal writer. She really enjoys the bed veggie garden and for the her psychology practice (virtually music with others and in the never- work, although she misses being never-ending weeding of the 40 seeing patients). All doing well and ending effort to become a better in the classroom. Her daughter feet of lavender hedge in front feeling very grateful. player (fiddle, guitar, and banjo). Eva is spending her senior year of of Fallengutter. She’s also back Her husband Scott plays bass and high school at Interlochen Arts into serious rowing with the local Kelly Kadera Moloney shared that guitar and they have two Ithaca- Academy, majoring in theatre master’s rowing team—indoor, on she has been working online since based bands, Better Weather String arts. They haven’t traveled much the ergs, because...thanks, COVID. mid-March, spending most of her Band and Northside. Besides music, recently, but they have developed an She rowed 100,000 meters in time at her cabin on a lake in the Laura loves to knit sweaters, run, annual holiday tradition: Michael, August for a Dog Days of Summer north woods of Wisconsin. In June, and partner dance (all kinds). Her Eva and Kathleen spend the week challenge and is going to do another 12 female scholars became the first two daughters are grown and doing between Christmas and the New 100,000m challenge in September- all-woman editorial team of the well. (Note: We’re recruiting Laura Year with Susie Erdey and her October and a Womxn Run the American Political Science Review and Scott to play for the goats!) wife Jan Nunley. They hope that Vote relay at the end of September (politicalsciencenow.com/apsa- circumstances will allow them to do (rowing, not running). In the announces-the-new-editorial-team- “I have been enjoying my role that again this year. meantime, still cooking her way for-the-american-political-science- as a stay at home parent for the through various countries’ food review), political science’s flagship past 13 years after retiring from Karen Dashfield called me after I traditions; the current obsession is journal. She is one of those 12! my job of 19 years with General sent her a pitiful email…and then Indian. Kelly co-authored a paper: Conflict Reinsurance as an assistant vice we played phone tag. As we all Environments and Civil War Onset president,” shares Martha Thoburn know, Karen had her vet school Things that have not changed (academic.oup.com/jogss/advance- Lindner. Bruce and Martha got application completed in junior in over 20 years for Delia Case article-abstract/doi/10.1093/jogss/ married in Aurora in 1998 and high school, so we are not surprised Ingham: Same husband, same ogz064/5830775?redirectedFrom celebrated their 20th Anniversary that she works non-stop taking care three kids, now adults (daughter, =fulltext). In March, she adopted a in Aruba in 2018. Their kids, Mark of domestic animals and wildlife. Elizabeth Ingham ’17—go puppy and named her Pearl. “She is and Anna, are now in 12th and (NOTE: IF Karen ever retires and ODDLINE), same number of pets. an active teenager and I love her.” 11th grade, respectively, and doing leaves northern New Jersey, we are Things that have changed: her job… Each of her three kids have been college searches. She is proud to sure she will join us and dote on the it’s whatever it takes, private chef, able to visit the cabin. Max stayed say she participated in the Women’s goats!) handyman (let her know when four months, and Maddy and Lily March the first two years at the you come up with a better job title have spent some long weekends. State Capital in Connecticut. Dorothy Birnbryer Harden shares, for that one), designer, therapist Martha felt like she was with her “It is with a very sad heart that I (5 cents), election inspector…her Crary Reynolds Brooks has a full Wells Sisters! They are lucky Bruce write this email, as recently my dear latest one is antique auto mechanic. house in New Jersey! Her husband is still gainfully employed during mother passed away. Although I Next up will be designing hat and Geoff is currently working from the pandemic which allows her to am mourning her loss, I know her legging knitting patterns for goats. home and two of her four adult remain head chef/hockey mom/ beautiful, gentle heart and vibrant Just before the lock down Mike children are doing college online central planner as well as college spirit surround me and are with and Delia were on the west coast during the pandemic. Crary is planner. They also have a 9-year- me always. I am more determined of Florida in their little camper van excited that her mother, Crary old black lab-like rescue dog from than ever to do honor to her where Mike was coaching some Pearson Reynolds ’57, recently Louisiana, named Perry, who is the memory and live a life worthy sailors. Since then they’ve holed moved in with them. Her son center of their family. This year they of her. Dealing with care for my up in a cabin in the Adirondacks. Arthur Brooks ’18, (Evenline – we were fortunate to take a glorious mother and her death has allowed Kathleen Monaghan and Delia are try to not hold it against him), vacation on Lake Winnipesauke me to gain precious insight into dreaming of their next Burning has moved to his own apartment in New Hampshire where they how fleeting and marvelous life Man adventure via zoom and Karen nearby. Crary recently joined the rented a house on an island with is. I am planning a trip to London Chimento taunts her with pictures WCA as a member-at-large. She another family. The Wells Women in January (pandemic permitting) of goats in Batman costumes. Sloane is also a board member of North Martha see most often are Carol for a wedding—not mine, but my Bailey hosted her last sleepover at Porch Women and Infants’ Center Ann Cuttitta Viebrock ’86 and life partner John’s niece.” Dorothy a haunted Wells property along (northporch.org), and is on the Vanessa Smith ’88. In 1998, Vanessa is working hard and going back Main Street where they tie-dyed board of Harmonium Choral reconnected with one of Martha’s and forth from Islamorada (Florida all afternoon with Laura Taylor Society (harmonium.org). Crary best friends from childhood, EB Keys), Fort Lauderdale, and Ocala. and Karen Chimento (sans goats). is very excited to reap the benefits, Lehman, at Martha’s wedding. Work hasn’t let up much since “Wishing everyone safety and good with Sheri’s help, of Karen’s goat (EB and Martha grew up next COVID. John recently bought her health.” farm. door to each other and EB’s dad a horse for riding—“can’t wait ’til taught Econ at Wells until they she is ready for saddling!” She’ll Mona Sen says, “not too much to were in eighth grade.) Vanessa and be back in Ocala soon, back in the say except that I have a wonderful EB are now happily married, own saddle, and going to do some zip life, I’m very happy and I continue a house, and have two cats! They lining over the Ocala National to fight the good fight! This have been her regular texting sanity Forest—in honor of her mom. She December makes 35 years with check during the pandemic. Her also promises to share photos of dad, Professor Crawford Thoburn, Petey, her Heinz 57 dog who has retired about eight years ago and is lived a long life, and Sheila her still enjoying living in Aurora. He rambunctious, buoyant rat terrier. continues to publish and volunteer Dorothy closed with “Life goes on... at his church and is an avid walker and it is beautiful. Cherish it.” throughout town. “Looking forward to an in-person reunion Susie Erdey has been working from with my 1987 classmates when her dining room table since March COVID is over!” (Note: we are 13, as the non-profit, where she’s hoping Professor Thoburn develops director of development, hasn’t Wreaths Sloane Bailey ’87 helps to place on each grave at Arlington National Laura Taylor ’87 and husband Scott. play lists for the goats.) been able to reopen its buildings Cemetery. Remember  Honor  Teach. Wells.edu 15 ClassNotes MS. Still writing my blogs for dogs, and one wicked cute foster Tracy Hope Davis says that “All is Movement. She has an off-campus everydayhealth.com, the online pocket beagle. Three of my cats well here in Northern California. apartment and hybrid classes. Peter magazine that has kept me on for are in renal failure (hospice), two Brad and I are working remotely, and I enjoyed a two-week camping a few years. COVID has been a are tripods (both missing right which is the silver lining during the trip in Northern Idaho in August challenge and kept me at home rear leg), one is missing an eye… pandemic! We are empty nesters and are hoping we get the all clear quite a bit. I don’t mind staying my American Staffordshire terrier now as our son is entering his for a 35th Reunion trip next year!” hunkered down. David and I are has an autoimmune disease of the sophomore year of college. I am well and happy.” (Note: We’re eyes, the husky I pulled from a so proud of the Wells team for all From Lisa Ward we heard “Mel hoping Mona will write for shelter in Louisiana is really old they are doing and I have enjoyed and I are both well and thankful Backyard Goats once Karen has her with heartworms, incontinence, and sharing texts and emails with my for that. We recently got together farm.) blind in one eye, my chunky chi Wells Sisters. Wishing you and your with Liz Collins ’87 and Jen Jones was confiscated from his previous families much love, good health and ’88 at Jen’s brother’s brewery in owner, and the beagle is heartworm peace!” Biddeford—great to see them! Dyed positive. It is a full house! As for my hair blueberry blue this summer, Wells, I am definitely back in Deborah Creed reports that she has thinking of my Wells family. As if the mix…enjoying virtual happy gained ten pounds during COVID, things aren’t hectic enough with my hours, staying connected with our lost her job, gained a boyfriend, job, planning board, and emergency women’s soccer team, assisting with is considering a move to Alabama manager duties, I took on the task the College’s strategic planning, along with a career change. And this year of managing my friend working with Heather Kowalski ’90 she is very sick of this COVID stuff Martha’s campaign for a Maine to revitalize the Washington Wells (edited for profanity). Senate seat. It’s been an incredible Club, and am a member of the learning experience, a lot of work, Wendy Hudson ’87 (r) and daughters, WCA Awards Committee. It has Karin Hurlbert Wikoff is still a and a fair share of nail-biting. We’re Sam (l) and Leah (c), her “pride & joy”. truly been inspiring and grounding (remote) librarian at Ithaca College; keeping fingers crossed for Reunion to be in touch with so many of my enduring upheavals (COVID, in 2021, wishing a safe and healthy Wendy Hudson’s two daughters, Wells Sisters. And Wells Brothers economic crunch, social justice winter for all.” Sam and Leah, are “my pride and (looking at you Brad Murray ’15). protests, climate crisis, political joy”. Leah is finishing her senior chaos). “Both adult sons currently First off I am appreciative that year at St. Olaf in Northfield, Maybe next year we’ll work on the living with me (please move out!). people still respond to my call for MN. She’s a dual English and goat-friendly retirement community Ran as a Bernie delegate; first time news! And no worries if you did not religion major. Sam graduated from in Aurora that Karen mentioned! on a ballot! Taken up swimming this time, but please do not hesitate Rhodes College in Memphis in Habere et dispertire at the Y. Have seen more former in the future. I have changed jobs 2013 with a dual major of French - Sloane Wells employees than alums and as an RN no longer work and environmental studies. She is recently: Susan Terry ’86 (twice in in the hospital but full time in an environmental engineer and Charleston), Barb Blom ’82 (local an outpatient infusion clinic. I works remotely from their small Wells events), Arthur Bellinzoni, am much happier, no weekends, Iowa town, for the time being. 1986 holidays or 12 hour shifts. Our HEIDI RUSSELL JOHNSTON Ken Larson, Diane Koester, Jim Wendy is “freshly single” as of 2018 three kids are all in their last year of 3412 Westbury Place & Lydie Haenlin, Molly Brown and inspired by all our classmates’ school and we are anxious to have Birmingham, AL 35223-2106 (former library employee), success and perseverance in taking them off the parental payroll. We [email protected] Marybeth Correll (former assistant on this next chapter. Her wellness to president—lives a few hundred have our ups and downs with them, company, Lean and Green, Inc. that’s how it goes. I miss seeing Melissa Berger-Stoller hopes yard from me!), and Bill Sloan (leanandgreen.com), is simmering people this year and can only hope everyone is doing well during (former director of public relations/ along with a primary service of for better next year. these challenging times. And Susan’s ex)—had a lovely birthday annual corporate wellness. She has - Heidi reports, “Our family is fine—Zoe outing with him yesterday.” a conservation project to restore an is working, Jessie is a college senior, oak savannah acreage. She and her and Maddie is in 10th grade. Larry For Amy Cerand McNaughton 2020 daughters named the land Cloudy 1985 and I enjoyed time at the beach has been a Zoom meeting blur, all DEB CALLAHAN Ground after Joni Mitchell’s Both this spring and summer. And in of which were Wells related! Also, 1222 Boucher Ave Apt. D Sides Now. All Wells Women are February, we took an official Wells “Our European trip was cancelled, Annapolis, MD 21403 welcome to come camp, hike Itchy tour which was wonderful! The but we did drive to Texas in [email protected] Knickers Trail, take in Bee Balm campus looked fantastic! In writing September with a stop in Wichita Lane, sip Bumble tea, venture news, my new picture book just on the way. The change of scenery UNA MONEYPENNY down through Deer Tick Alley, and released: Sadie’s Shabbat Stories- it’s was a life saver! My stress relievers 226 Canaan Rd dare to wander the Bottoms. “We all about family connections and this year were LOTS of jigsaw Brooktondale, NY 14817 decided that a little fun adventure the power of storytelling. Looking puzzles and good conversations [email protected] and faith in the unknown was called forward to celebrating our 35th outside on our patio! Went through for in 2020!” Reunion and seeing everyone… a lot of wine. Hoping that we will hopefully in person! ” see each other in Aurora next June!” I remain active in my community 1984 and parish, volunteering with BETSY BRADY After enjoying a couple of years The big news for Annemarie many organizations including 26 Rockaway St. of traveling and playing around Vachon Colino is, “I graduated in Wreaths Across America Marblehead, MA 01945-3312 in retirement Jill Porter had a bad May with a data science MS from (wreathsacrossamerica.org) at [email protected] feeling about 2020 and decided to University of Notre Dame (my Arlington National Cemetery. It get serious again. “I now find myself second masters). I am trying to put is so inspiring to see thousands JEANNE LEFEVER living in north central Wisconsin that to good use at AT&T. Peter of people come together—even 1121 1/2 Harbert St and serving as the director of a and I are officially empty nesters in truly awful weather—placing Tallahassee, FL 32303 mid-sized library and its foundation. this fall. Our youngest PJ started 250K wreaths to make sure every [email protected] It’s been a bit surreal picking up UCLA this fall. Although classes hero laid to rest there is honored my life and moving to a place that are online, he has an apartment and remembered. Animal rescue LISA KENDRICK NICHOLS wasn’t even on my radar, much less near campus with friends and is remains one of my passions, 847 Hale St. doing so during a pandemic, but it thrilled for this new step. Our typically focusing on seniors and Beverly Farms, MA 01915-2233 is wonderfully chill here. Wishing daughter Caitlin is a junior at Tufts those with special needs. I currently [email protected] everyone the best.” studying environmental engineering have 14 felines (11 gingers), three and volunteering with Sunrise

16 Fall/Winter 2020 ClassNotes JUDITH SCOTT PELLOWE states and helping Democrats plan for work that keeps her safe (asthma PO Box 1222 their vote. It’s been great to partner makes her high-risk). She is getting Alton, NH 03809-1222 with many invested Americans caught up on the pile of books and [email protected] wanting to save our democracy. projects that always had to take a On the business front, last year they back seat to work, and not minding launched a new tile website: www. being away from the craziness for a mooremerkowitztile.com. For those while. 1983 of you who are working from home BAMBI TANCIOCO KOKINOS and interested in a home renovation Barbara Moochler-Warren is 185 Washington St. project, check it out! She and Neil hunkered down in Florida riding Marblehead, MA 01945-3304 are doing well. Woodrow is living out the pandemic as best she can, [email protected] in Gramercy in New York City and trying not to catch cooties!! adjusting to the city’s challenges. IANA BURHOE STROMINGER She hopes all is well with her ’83 Prior to March, Emma Weiss was 22 Moulton Rd. Wells classmates. rolling with 2020 and was living Arlington, MA 02476-6220 Emma Weiss ’83 and Suzanne Trout ’83 at it up at Mardi Gras with Suzanne [email protected] Mardi Gras. Jennifer Nachbur admits it has been Trout. Since March, she has been Brady ’84 and wants to catch up an interesting year! She is mostly overseeing special education services The pandemic has affectedAndrea with Bambi Tancioco Kokinos and telecommuting for her job as public virtually, which is exhausting. She Chevalier’s non-profit organization perhaps even Molly Booth Waniak relations director at the University had to cancel her trip to Aurora (ICA-Art Conservation) in that they at some point, albeit probably post- of Vermont’s Larner College of this summer, but did a lot of hiking will have a serious loss of revenue pandemic. Medicine, with just a handful of around Louisiana. She is back at this year. Not surprising. The board in-person days over the past seven virtual school now, going to a and executive director have decided Karen Lartin was happy to be able and a half months and just reached hybrid model in mid-October! to sell their 18,000 sq ft building to host Suzanne Trout, Jen Nachbur her UVM 25-year anniversary in She’s excited because she has missed and move to a leased space (8,000 and Jackie Owens Daniels for a September. For that, she selected seeing the kids in person. “Stay sq ft) in a neighboring community weekend in Williamstown, shortly a cherry rocker emblazoned with safe!” arts center. They will have to make before the Massachusetts shutdown; the UVM seal and a plaque with a lot of adjustments and changes they enjoyed art at MASS MoCA her name on it on the back, which Debora Britland Wong and Don in the coming months. This move (Massachusetts Museum of she will certainly use as she ages. are grateful to have enjoyed a will hopefully help them financially Contemporary Art) and Clark Art She and husband Mark celebrated solid year of retirement before while they continue to offer Institute and good food; Joanne their 29th wedding anniversary everything went awry. Since the highest level of preservation Kelley was missed as she had a Wells in August. Their three grown being laid off, Elisa has begun services. She has been in touch with board meeting conflict. Trish had children are all over—one son in interviewing at other hotel/casinos Hilary Garrett, Alyn Feuer Katzung to extradite her daughter from Vermont, another in Ft. Collins, in AC for a supervisory position and Susan Muench Schmidt during Cambridge University for COVID CO, and their daughter in Salt Lake in the industry. The best news is the pandemic and they are keeping shutdowns and while she enjoys her City, UT. They were fortunate to that Jeremy is finally working in their spirits up. “Greetings to the company she is very sad she and so spend time with them earlier in the mechanical engineering, with a rest of the class!” many other students had to forfeit summer when they braved air travel contractor for the FAA. Elisa and such a wonderful experience. After and came east! She and Julie Lerman Don made improvements to the Ferriss Buck Donham is up to her surviving shutdown, she is happy to randomly ran into each other at a deck and bathroom. Don has also usual antics: growing flowers, be able to work because she missed Vermont creemee (soft ice cream) made improvements and repairs selling flowers, buying bulbs and her patients! She is ever grateful her stand a couple weeks ago and it was to anything that their church has tubers and bare roots to grow family has been spared the COVID great to see her, at a distance and needed. Aside from taking up more flowers, foraging flowers, illness. with their masks on. “Wishing all a golf, she has been taking members propagating flowers, weeding safe year—hang in there, folks!” of their congregation to medical and maintaining flower beds. appointments, and visiting others COVID hasn’t changed her career Christina White Nevins, after who are unable to get out, which except that she’s now taught floral expostulating “News?? During a she has found to be very rewarding. arranging classes on Zoom! pandemic?? Not much going on, The cats have had medical needs haha!” said she was working from so she missed a trip to Cedar Point After practicing law for almost home, like so many others, and does with her family. She’s looking 30 years, Trish McIntosh French not miss her commute one bit. She forward to traveling again in 2021. completed a lengthy and highly hasn’t been anywhere and has no competitive appointment testing plans to go anywhere in the near Your secretary had a nasty stressful process and was appointed to future, so she is just tending her spring/summer with the upstairs a position as a United States garden and doing a lot of reading neighbors, complete with dueling Administrative Law Judge in and home projects. Whenever she emails and trading accusations 2016, first with the Social Security grumbles that she’s bored and wants of not obeying the condo docs. Administration and then the to travel and get back to normal… Ultimately, thankfully, they are Federal Energy Regulatory she just counts her blessings that she selling their unit, after suggesting Commission. She hears and Jennifer Nachbur’83, Suzanne Trout ’83, and her family all remain healthy Ethan and I sell ours! We went decides matters relating to the Jackie Owens Daniels ’83, Karen Lartin ’83 enjoyed a weekend get together in and employed! on a very happy road trip to visit rates, services and market issues Williamstown, MA. daughter Amanda in Madison, affecting the interstate transmission Deanna Stuart and kids are fine in WI, where she works for Google. of electricity, natural gas, crude Susan Moore noted that the year their new, rather insular life. She Sightings of Ferriss Buck Donham and refined petroleum. She and 2020 has challenged our country left Brooks School after 23 years are rare due to the shutdown. I still husband Brian celebrated 31 years and its citizens in so many ways. this spring after an arts department enjoy biking 18-25 miles a day, but of marriage in May and they split She has been very politically active shakeup, moving off campus miss traveling! Every person who their time between Massachusetts and has spent much of the year as but staying in North Andover. replied to the call for news wishes and Washington, DC. Their two a Biden/Harris volunteer, being Ana is a sophomore at the high everyone stay safe and healthy, even adult daughters (now 30 and 26) are part of a dedicated team committed school, where she is doing remote though it had to be edited out for healthy and happy with their lives to making positive changes for schooling. Xiu is a sophomore at brevity. and jobs. She maintains contact our country. The past few months Smith, which made the decision to - Iana with Suzanne Trout, Emma Weiss, she’s been calling voters in swing go remote in August. She is looking Ellen Hillers-Patterson and Betsy Wells.edu 17 ClassNotes and younger, and they are lucky to on exhibition preparation for their Karin Gregory says they are all fine 1982 see four of them regularly. Three next three exhibitions. She looks in Maine. Her oldest granddaughter KRISTIN SODERBERG others are in Texas and two are in forward each morning to seeing started kindergarten in a hybrid ZIMMERMAN Wisconsin. They’ve been fortunate birds feeding in her yard along with model, but really likes it. Their 97 Stone Ridge Rd to see most of the family during the watching the squirrels, bunnies, 3-year-old granddaughter has Franklin, MA 02038-3145 pandemic. Their children surprised woodchucks, and chipmunks. She flaming red hair, like her dad and [email protected] them with a family backyard 40th feels as though she is doing a good Karin’s husband Don. Karin’s dad anniversary party in August. A deed for her neighbors, who grow turned 90 this year and remains true surprise and fun to see all of vegetables, by luring animals to her healthy and still able to get around them! Jennifer is teaching adult yard instead of theirs! in his own home. Karin keeps 1981 basic education at Central Lakes HELEN SCHWICKRATH busy managing their private equity College. She teaches academic 390 BRd.way, #14 Diane Cobb Byrne says that they fund business, Blue Highway literacy online but may be doing Somerville, MA 02145-2719 are all healthy, which is a blessing. Capital, which invests in small rural in-person teaching in October. She [email protected] Her younger daughter Kelley and companies throughout the U.S., may also make a foray into ESL her husband recently relocated particularly the Northeast. She is teaching as well. She is in the health ROSEMARY DUGAN STEVENS to Durham, NC from New York working mostly remotely and doing risk pool with rheumatoid arthritis 1 Pine Tree Dr. City…big switch after six years! little traveling. Furman Gregory, so is a bit concerned about in-person Katonah, NY 10536-3334 Her granddaughter, Lily, started the law firm that they started in work. She keeps busy with knitting, [email protected] kindergarten this fall and loves 2006 continues under her husband, household odd jobs, and a little it. She and John maintain the who is 71 and refuses to retire! They lending library she built. She keeps grandparent bus, getting Lily where missed being able to go to Aurora in touch with her Wells dining hall she needs to go during the week for our 40th class Reunion and 1980 table gang, and other Wells alums, while her dad is at work. Diane also 40 years for the Whirligigs!!! JANICE COLLINS Alex Decker Wincell and Alex returned to work at the dance studio She hopes to see all of our class at 158 Hillside Dr. Masui ’86. over the summer with very limited Reunion 2021 and sing under the Swannanoa, NC 28778 student capacity. She is actually Aurora stars to our alma mater! [email protected] Joan Lawrence Allen shares that thankful because it gets her out of COVID has certainly made the house! Nora Holley shared that after living KRISTINE SELANDER GORDON operating their farm/education/ in Summit, NJ for 27 years, she and 21 De Bary Place winery business challenging, Sandy Robertson Clifford reports her husband have moved to Chapel Summit, NJ 07901 though their winery has kept them that the ongoing pandemic has Hill, NC, where they designed [email protected] essential. With the ever-changing curtailed their travels, canceling and built a house on 10 acres. Her regulations, they have learned to their planned trip to Charleston and husband is from Durham and Greetings from the Class of 1980! be flexible, creative, adaptable and Savannah, hoping to reschedule to attended UNC so moving back to Sadly, we missed our chance to rather numb. Thankfully two of 2021. They have limited their travel North Carolina was always their have our 40th Reunion visit to their daughters have returned to to day trips around Massachusetts plan. Nora is busy with her design Wells in June 2020. We are looking the family business and have the and a few trips to their family work business (decorating, kitchen forward to celebrating at Wells in energy to keep it moving forward. summer cottage in Pennsylvania. and bath design). Her husband is 2021. The good news is everyone Their first grandchild arrived last She feels fortunate to have a place teaching part-time at UNC. She that I heard from is in good health November. Joan is blessed to see to get away to! Her son Brendan misses her children of course, and finding their way through this her every day and has embraced the finished his master of architecture in with two in New York City, one difficult time. I hope everyone in grandma role. She and Doug hope April and is continuing to interview in Colorado, one in Utah and the the 1980 class is getting through to be able to hit the road and travel for jobs, fortunately working for his youngest who is a junior at Clemson 2020 without illness, family losses, this winter, if not internationally, at father in the meantime. Her other University (SC). and job challenges. least to some place warmer. son Michael, moved to Philadelphia in August with his girlfriend who is Bridget Best Johnson is excited to The best quarantine story is from Susi Barbarossa says she is lucky pursuing her master’s at University be retiring on November 30 after Jennifer Johnson Friends who enough to be working from of Pennsylvania, while he is 31 years of public relations work for built/painted a pickle ball court home, though a bit difficult to working and contemplating starting Jamestown Community College. in her driveway (family project)! do as a bookbinder working in his own master’s. She looks forward to new ventures They play quite often with friends conservation for a library! Her and adventures in 2021! and neighbors. She says it’s great managers are amazingly supportive, Carol Lynn Courtney shared that for dropping quarantine pounds! as is the entire university, with they are doing well in Minnesota! Mindy LaBranche lives in Rochester, Jennifer shared that they took the plenty of projects that don’t They continue to be very busy with MA, near Cape Cod, with husband pandemic opportunity to move involve hands-on work; just lots of their consulting business through Rick, and a menagerie of typical full-time to their lake house north computer time. After six months the pandemic, adjusting to the and unusual pets. She has never of Minneapolis/St. Paul. They love at home, they let her go into the remote way of doing business. She is lived in the same place nor had the it! Their daughter Gaby Friends library to gather an armful of still playing her sax! same roommate (he prefers husband) ’12 and her family are close by notebooks for a project. She has no for longer in her life. She is still making it even better. They have idea when she will return to her Jennifer Reed Durfee says Hola! She teaching biology part-time at nine grandchildren, 4 years old lovely conservation room and work is so thrilled to share the news that Bridgewater State University and their first grandchild Avery Mariner Massasoit Community College, was born in February to daughter but the pandemic has reduced her Aurora and husband Trevor, who course load quite a bit. She hopes to WE LOVE YOUR PHOTOS. live in Ithaca, NY. With a lot of find contract data analysis or writing Help us print them clearly—so we can recognize creative planning they were able work, but that also is in short supply. your smile. to have their other daughter Eliza’s wedding in their backyard in Lisa Locke Levine is thankfully healthy in Pennsylvania. They • Set camera to: . August, modifying the original plan 150 to 300 dpi from the Charlotte, NC venue. She experienced a COVID high school • Email JPEG FILE ATTACHMENTS to your class described the event as very intimate graduation for their daughter secretary or to [email protected]. and beautiful! Perry back in June. The pandemic has been very tough on their • Provide DETAILS, NAMES and CLASS YEARS. daughter, as well as many high school and college graduates.

18 Fall/Winter 2020 ClassNotes Their grandson Liam is thriving norm for them. She is grateful to be is planning to rent at first so she SHAUNA TINDALL and is now 14 months old. Lisa happy and healthy. will have time to explore. Diana 1053 Scio Hills Ct. practices optometry part-time, with says recommendations from her Ann Arbor, MI 48103-6305 precautions, of course. She loves Mary Shaw McDaniel writes to say classmates are happily accepted! [email protected] keeping up with Peggy Holden that she and Bill have been able to Thompson via emails and phone stay healthy so far in this pandemic, Our multi-generational household calls, and enjoys seeing others on though their retirement community has included our daughter Valerie, Facebook. She wishes everyone as a hot spot closed down and is her husband David, and our good health and better days ahead just beginning to re-open up again grandsons Henry and Sam since in 2021. slowly. They go down to Fairfield early 2019. Valerie completed her three times a week to sit with their medical internship at Morristown Our Western NC retirement home granddaughter Sophia (10) while Hospital in June and started her build was finally move-in ready she is doing hybrid schooling. They dermatology residency at NYU in in December 2019. Jim and I both became grandparents for the fourth July. It has been a blessing in the retired from our government time last November to a baby girl, pandemic having them here! My jobs in the DC area, did a quick Charlotte; her parents are their son husband David cared for the kids Christmas with family, and moved and his fiancée, Brooks and Sarah full time for 20 weeks while the to North Carolina all in one week! Stock. Brooks and Sarah were day care center was closed. I’m still Truly crazy! We spent two months planning a wedding last March but working for HPE from home. Our in the area getting settled before postponed it to October 10. It will daughter Rachel started a new job COVID shut everything down in be a social distancing wedding in in Maryland in February. Katie is in March. Luckily we were ambitious Darien. Boston working at a biotech startup. Donna Godfrey ’76 and Emma wearing and joined a local church, made I keep close to Wells through the their facemasks. friends with neighbors, and got Bev Shengulet-Youlton and Dave WCA Board and regular Zoom our house pretty well set up before celebrated 28 years of marriage meetings with my group of friends. Donna Godfrey reports the March. Happily there is lots to on October 3rd! Daughter Sarah I hope to see everyone at our pandemic has made everything do here with social distancing. I is a software engineer at NASA delayed 40th Reunion next year! amplified, re: Emma’s issues and don’t miss work at all! I now enjoy and is working on her master’s in - Kris challenges! “I’ve tried to get us out getting enough sleep, needlepoint, applied mathematics at Santa Clara one or two times a week for a ride reading books, relearning piano, University. Son Nathan graduated in the car and/or picking up orders, hiking and bike riding (first time in June of 2019 from UCSB with a groceries, pet supplies, or crafts for in ~10 years). And having days B.S. in Pharmacology and received 1979 PATTI WENZEL CALLAHAN her! I’ve been sewing flannel baby when I don’t accomplish anything Distinction in the Major and an 320 Overlook Dr. blankets for soon-to-be new moms at all! Sadly, getting to see my Academic Excellence Award. He has Syracuse, NY 13207-1021 (daughters of family & friends)! I’ve sons and family has been limited been working at a biotech company [email protected] cooked up a storm of GOOD EATS by state quarantines and distance. in the Bay area. On October 12th, (check Facebook), plus have been We are planning a cross country Nathan starts his new dream job MARTHA DOVE dealing with injuries from a fall road trip in spring 2021 to see my working in a lab at Stanford within 1008 Pleasant St. Unit 24 shortly after lockdown (both knees West Coast sons, and some of the the Division of Cardiovascular East Weymouth, MA 02189-2516 & ankles), thank heavens for an old country that we have never seen Medicine. Their kids are launched! [email protected] pair of crutches! ” before. I have enjoyed catching up, Bev volunteers in the community through a few cocktail hour Zoom for many organizations. This is calls, with some Wells buddies, her second year as the Alzheimer’s Jennifer Reed Durfee, Renée LAUMC Team Captain. She wishes 1978 Forgensi Minarik, Karin Gregory, everyone health and happiness. BETSY HURSH GINSBURG Kris Selander Gordon, Mary Shaw 109 Hillside Ave. McDaniel, Robin Vanderwall, Carol Alex Decker Winchell has been Glen Ridge, NJ 07028-2218 Lynn Courtney, and Diane Cobb retired for a couple of years. She [email protected] Byrne, and the occasional husband has discovered pickle ball – which and kitty cat joining in. It is fun she says she is horrible at, but it and spirit lifting! I hope to see a makes her laugh…a lot. She got 1977 large Class of ’80 crowd at Reunion Jennifer Johnson Friends to try it RHONDA RIVERS TEVELS in June 2021 (if New York state and she now has a pickle ball court 5936 Allen Padgham Rd. allows). I am ready for a trip to see in her driveway! Most of Alex’s Farmington, NY 14425-7007 Cayuga Lake and our beloved Wells! time is spent as a Red Cross disaster [email protected] Donna Godfrey ’76 and Betsy Gibney - Janice volunteer. She also serves as a Amsbary ’76 caseworker helping families recover MEG TOCANTINS Nell Sprague Massee reports that from the impact of disaster. Gregg 24 West Trail Jody Ruhle Barnard is thrilled she is surviving this crazy pandemic retired from Delta Airlines on 9/1 Stamford, CT 06903-2406 that Wells opened for the year. “I fairly well. The bright spot for her while she was in Iowa helping deal [email protected] was a little worried. We are doing is the birth of their first grandchild with the derecho storm. Since fine. I haven’t taught since the end - Jordan Thomas Massee on May travel is not much of an option of March. We went on a healthy 4th. What a joy he is! Nell is in just now he’s focused on yard and eating cruise down the Danube the process of transitioning to live house improvements. Right now it 1976 with friends last November…lots in Florida. She and her husband is staycations for them. Alex hopes MARY KATHERINE DECKER of fun! Our younger daughter Jane are going to be sharing baby- Reunion is a go in 2021! KAMFONAS had a COVID outdoor wedding in sitting duties with Jordan's other 228 Church Rd. New Hampshire in June with only grandparents, so they are living Diana Woehle’s big news this year Devon, PA 19333-1820 11 attendees. She hopes to have 200 in Palm Beach Gardens through is that she retired from Amgen in [email protected] next year for a big celebration. We the winter then will head back to September and will be moving also traveled to Seattle to see our Virginia to get their house there from Southern California to Maine SUSIE HENGERER SNEERINGER first grandchild born to our first ready for sale. She says it is a crazy in spring 2021. Until then she will 7 Keats Common daughter and her husband, who are year for sure. They cancelled three be getting ready to sell her house Slingerlands, NY 12159 both doctors. The baby boy’s name trips, but better safe than sorry. and figuring out which town [email protected] is Kieran. Now we are quarantining Zoom meetings have become the she would like to move to. She for two weeks. Our son lives and

Wells.edu 19 ClassNotes works in Brunswick, ME, so weeks of lockdown. My mother even more of a burning passion in 37 years that I have lived here, nobody is close by! My husband avoided COVID in a care facility my soul is…how to get people to including the South Mountain Whitney is enjoying retirement. but succumbed to old age (99) in see—to know—to understand—to YMCA, the South Orange Rotary The family roofing business was June. We had a Zoom memorial, BELIEVE—that a child is not his/ Club, the PTA’s and HSA’s and sold, and now he is volunteering as so many others did. During the her diagnosis!!!! I’ve been a long- bunch of others. I love being busy.” a lot and working on our house. I lockdown my husband joined in the time advocate for children but now hope to tutor young kids and teach popular activity of bread making I’m trying to figure out the best Martha Osberg Clark wrote, at Mass Audubon this year. Keep and continues now making all the way to really get folks to WAKE “2019 was a year of change for me. healthy!” family bread (the flour arrives in UP!!!!! Any ideas? Finally, thanks After working for 39 years at the 50 pound sacks.) I had to adapt to to the horrific permanently life Massachusetts Archives, a long-term my painting class being on Zoom altering covid (which I deliberately dream job, I retired. My husband and continue to make progress write with a lowercase “c”), there’s Peter retired the same day. Four working in oils for portraits and nothing else to say other than, days later we moved to a new home landscapes. My daughter set up a by the time this is read, I pray in western Maine. We now live on a website and Instagram account for there’s been a major change in our lake and are two miles away from a my art which has now become my country.” small ski area. It has taken a while to second career. After the lockdown, get used to my new life, but it really it was wonderful to be able to have After Wells JoAnn Clauson Joy went is nice. One daughter and her family my studio at the nearby art guild in back to being a flight attendant for a live nearby in New Hampshire, Port Washington. It was a safe space number of years, and lived in New while my other children provide from the virus and an opportunity York City. “I saw a handwriting reasons to travel to Oregon and to leave the apartment. Being in a analyst, who suggested I would Florida. If only we could!” larger house again might have been become a psychologist, and decided a plus. We tried to assist in ways that that was a good idea. I got my Diane Arnold says, “It’s hard to we could to help those healthcare Ph.D. in psychology in 1990, and believe that I’m 66...when I think workers on the front lines and worked for the local hospital until back on my two years at Wells, it I retired. I am now happily retired is only with fond memories. After Betsy Gibney Amsbary ’76 with her two read incessantly on any medical granddaughters, Harlow and Grace. information we could access. I have and living just outside Burlington, my sophomore year, I took a gap come to terms that life will be a VT. The handwriting analyst also year and spent it in Jackson, WY, Betsy Gibney Amsbary’s husband new normal but looking forward suggested that I would be a good returning to the East to head to Bruce Amsbary, of almost 43 years, and hoping for some relief in the painter, and I am now having a lot Penn State, where I graduated with passed away November 14, 2019. spring from a hermetic lifestyle, but of fun learning to paint. I am doing an economics degree. My love for He was diagnosed with pancreatic grateful my family and friends have realistic paintings pretty well, and economics began at Wells in macro cancer in August 2016, just 11 been healthy. We are still planning hope to move into abstract painting. and micro econ during my freshman months after he retired. “We had on some winter time in South I have been happily married for 20 and sophomore years! My husband three and one-half years, so we feel Florida so fingers crossed and years. We do not have any children, Dean Goodermote and I moved to we were the lucky ones. It has been masks on.” however, I am close with three Stowe, VT after living in the Boston a difficult year to the say the least. children. Overall, things are going area for 40 years. We’ve owned our I have spent the last four months Fortunately Vicki Taggart Cox was very well. It is nice being in touch.” home here for 23 years, moving with my daughter Sarah and her able to travel to Europe again last here full time about 11 years ago. young family in Seattle. I try to get fall (2019), before COVID and all Ardyth Behn is full of gratitude My daughter Rachel is married together for coffee or lunch with its entanglements descended upon that she has been able to work and lives in Geneva, Switzerland— Donna Godfrey when I’m in Seattle. us. “This time we were able to continuously as a physical therapist working for the Red Cross, putting I have two amazing granddaughters, see parts of Germany and Austria in this time of COVID without her public health degree to good Grace Elizabeth Eytinge (2 ½) which we had not previously seen, getting it. “I just got back from the use. My son Luke lives in Boston and Harlow Rose Eytinge born in as well as Prague and Budapest; best wedding—my eldest niece Kaci with his girlfriend and works in the February 2020.” both of which we found thoroughly Lynn Behn to Bill Beers.” tech industry, currently working enchanting! We stayed state-side for remotely from home, of course. Having survived COVID in the summer vacation…got back up to On September 17 Stacey Trimble Dean and I have six horses, so you first hotspot in the metropolitan New England for a much needed Borden’s son Jared Borden married can imagine what goes along with New York area, Mary Behling had relaxing and gorgeous week in Brittany Smith in the county that...a lot of mucking, caring for to adhere to a lengthy lockdown Martha’s Vineyard. But I mostly clerk’s office in Sacramento. “It was pastures and our land, etc. We’ve through the spring. “We canceled want to ’plug’ our upcoming 45th attended by our older son Aaron turned into farmers! I am chair of our spring river cruise in Southern Reunion: June 3–6 2021; classes Borden and his girlfriend Elina, the board for the Helen Day Art France and instead assisted with ending in 1 & 6 and classes ending who live on Alameda Island in the Center here in Stowe, a wonderful childcare for our 2-year-old in 0 & 5 (postponed from 2020). San Francisco Bay off of Oakland, community based art center with granddaughter and our 4-year-old This will be a unique opportunity Brittany’s father, and John and amazing art galleries as well as a full grandson after the initial three to share our Reunion with some of Brittany’s best friend, Marissa. education program with classes and our dear friends in the Class of ’75! Dennis and I and Brittany’s mother workshops for kids, teens and adults. Let’s show our support for Wells, Diane were not present. Dennis and That has kept me super busy and especially in light of some rather I are doing very well during the engaged with the community. Over tense and precarious moments and pandemic, feeling a little depressed the years, I have had bilateral hip decisions faced this year with the the last few days knowing that replacements and a knee replaced pandemic. So be sure to mark your we would not be present at the (like many of you, I’m sure), but I 2021 calendars now with a ’save the ceremony but we’ll get over it. keep active and am currently hiking date’. Also follow any news/updates Dennis sold Stacey Electric Service, the Long Trail in Vermont, which on our Class of ’76 Facebook Inc. after 34 years and he is now starts in Massachusetts and ends at page: https://www.facebook.com/ a homebody, fixing and cleaning the Canadian border. I am tackling WellsCollegeClass1976. Definitely up all the pieces of the house and it several sections at a time just looking forward to seeing as many collecting stuff cooking. I continue having come off the trail after six classmates as possible!” to spend my time outside with days in mid-September. My love for tennis, golf, yoga, walking, boating hiking began out in Wyoming as The joy of first hug after isolation, grand- Cheryl Glover’s biggest news is “I and swimming, morris dancing and a teenager. I keep loosely in touch children (cousins) of Mary Behling’s ’76, skiing. I have been a community with Muffie Andruss, Alice Kellogg when they were finally able to see each got new knees!!! Yay!!! My other other. news—which has now become activist in South Orange for the and Patti Connor-Greene (my

20 Fall/Winter 2020 ClassNotes My son Eric and his wife and advocate for Virginia’s protection son moved from Denver to Santa and advocacy agency specializing Barbara, CA recently which makes in social security and traumatic it even harder to visit them. We brain injury. She recently received miss our old life like everyone the 2020 Weinstock Award from else but have actually enjoyed the the Brain Injury Association of enforced downtime.” Virginia. In family news, Liz’s husband Dave thankfully entered Robin Weinhold and her husband remission from non-Hodgkins Mark are doing fine in rural lymphoma just as the pandemic Virginia. COVID concerns resulted was starting. Her son is studying in a canceled trip to Colorado in computer science. Richmond is the spring to watch their middle home now after nearly forty years, grandson compete in the USASA and with three sisters who joined Championships. His passion for her, she is pleased to have made the skiing keeps them traveling to move south. the mountains all winter long. Robin and Mark welcomed a new Margaret “Megan” O’Neil granddaughter in January for whom Schwarzkopf writes from her home they babysit a few days a week. in Vermont that 2020 has been Family of Kristina “Kebby” Berg ’76: (L-R) Husband Brad, son Mike and his son Greg, Kebby, son Steve and Mike’s wife Beth. Another grandson graduated from special for her and her family. They high school in the spring and started welcomed their first grandchild in roommate at Wells for two years). I we live in a less populated area of college in August. They have missed January! And then a new puppy, a consider these gals true heart friends New York State (in Clinton, near visiting the grandchildren who live Scottish deerhound, arrived in the and think of them often. I hope this Utica). I have had a lovely summer in Tennessee. Robin keeps busy spring as Megan began to downsize finds everyone well enough, during tending to our yard and gardens. with the farm chores and finishing from Irish Wolfhounds. this uncertain time. I am lucky to No worries about social distancing building projects she and Mark be living in Vermont and spend so doing that, and it seems most began years ago. After completing MK Decker Kamfonas will be much of my time outdoors...which everyone around here wears a mask the work on two new bedrooms, adopting a puppy, a nine-week- has made the social distancing piece and follows social distancing rules. bath, and garage office/apartment old Lab/border collie rescue very to COVID that much easier. I never We haven’t traveled anywhere much in their guesthouse this fall, they soon! “We had two rescues, both changed my name and go by Diane to my husband’s regret. I am more will complete the renovation of Lab/Rottweiler mixes, for about Arnold. If ever in Stowe, ask around of a homebody so I don’t feel (at their farmhouse, begun twenty- six years until our male, Peri, and look me up. I have warm and least now) the confinement. I try to seven years ago, before it turns one passed away in the summer, 2019. great memories of my time at Wells. stay active with exercise and doing hundred years old. For fun, Robin Peri’s sister Olive has had the Take good care everyone and cheers things outside and in the house. I and Mark have purchased dirt look of abandonment ever since, to all!” look forward to winter because of bikes. While Mark enjoys riding so we knew we had to get her a cross-country skiing and for the with their grandson, Robin is still companion as soon as possible. This Kristina “Kebby” Berg reports: Pre- change of seasons. I have seen Susie thinking about it! past June I retired from teaching pandemic I had retired in May 2019 Hengerer Sneeringer a few times in middle/high school English and from my private practice, and we the last few years, which has been Ginny “G” Winter writes that while from my position as reading were getting our house ready last a lot of fun. She doesn’t look a day 2020 marked over thirty years specialist in my home district, summer to sell, because we wanted different!” in continuous operation of her Tredyffrin Easttown, PA. Having to move to the eastern part of New business, Equinox Consultancy no idea how long COVID would York State, since both our sons live Karen Green Bardawil took a LLC, it has been a rough ride continue to take control of our lives there. My older son Mike married lovely trip to Thailand, Laos, and with the slowdown caused by the I knew I could not continue with and has a son Greg (2). His wife Cambodia in January. “We were pandemic. G was able to acquire distance learning after thirty-seven Beth is a veterinarian who takes care aware of COVID on our travels and a PPP loan and claims her public years of productive face-to-face of research animals at Pfizer. They we were happy to make it home sector clients remained the most contact. It was time to resign from live near West Point. Our younger before the borders were closed. stable. Transitioning her facilitation, teaching, time to consider next son Steve is in Albany and has During our quarantine at home I coaching, and consultation services steps, and certainly time to bring been active in civil rights activities started baking bread and sewing to 100% remote platforms has home a new puppy for Olive! In there. My husband Brad still runs again. Overseas travel seems to been seamless for her, however, other news, our son John has been his private practice but hasn’t seen be out for the foreseeable future. the market demand is down accepted into the doctoral program clients in a few years. When the Last week we drove to St. Louis for organization development at the Conservatoire de Paris and pandemic hit, we put our move on and spent a week quarantining services. She anticipates regaining the Sorbonne for his proposal on hold, because we didn’t know what with my daughter Elise. She is a momentum in the months ahead. the evolution of improvisation for that area of the state will look like minimally invasive GYN Surgeon She enjoys her work and maintains the piano in classical music. Our economically. Plus everything seems at Washington University hospital. she intends to “keep on keeping daughter Grace has begun teaching up in the air. Happily, no one in our Next week we’re moving our on!” During the slow-down she at the Clementine Montessori family or close friends have been quarantine to Wellfleet Cape Cod picked up her guitar again, the School in Philadelphia. It has not sick with COVID, I think because for a two week change of scenery. same one she had at Wells, and has been easy for her as a first-year started practicing, playing (and teacher dealing with face-to-face building callouses!), and singing teaching protocols since September Get social with us! with friends at state campground and generally unaware of the rigors campfires (propane fire rings!) or of teaching large groups of young socially distancing in the backyard children. On top of that she is facebook.com/wellsalums with Boulder friends. (If I’m not completing her master’s degree mistaken, G, your senior picture in in early childhood education twitter.com/wellsalums our yearbook has you singing while from Chestnut Hill College in playing that guitar. Enjoy!) Philadelphia and will graduate in instagram.com/wellscollegealumni December. My husband Michael is Liz Van Swall Horn does not retired until he is called at any time have retirement in her plans. She to consult for machine learning/ youtube.com/user/WellsCollegeNY continues as a senior disability rights systems design projects. Thank

Wells.edu 21 ClassNotes you, Robin, G, Liz, and Megan, “For the past five years, I’ve been for your news. Perhaps these KEEP YOUR INFORMATION UPDATED volunteering at Big Cat Rescue. engaging narratives will inspire BCR is a sanctuary for abused and more contributors. I look forward Help us go greener by providing a current email address abandoned big cats, focused on to seeing our class at Reunion next and/or cell phone number. Receive invitations to events, ending the trade in them as pets, June.” props and parts. We’re located our monthly Alum2Alum e-news and other College in Tampa, FL. I take care of the Lu “Diana” Currie Kazazis is still updates. cats, which is a rewarding and very busy with organizational work [email protected] 315.364.3200 enlightening experience. We’re in but during this pandemic has taught Florida, so it’s not surprising that herself a little bit more sewing. Susan Hengerer Sneeringer’s my husband volunteers at a gun Thank goodness for hobbies! “Our “decision to downsize our home a 1975 club. My daughter and her husband oldest son and his wife had a little few years ago was a good one as it PAM BUGBEE LAURION are in New York in the health care girl last year! After having three allows us to travel easily without W176N8432 Sunset Ridge industry. I’m hoping that all are brothers and three sons, having home worries and visit our three Menomonee Falls, WI 53051-2652 well, safe, and wearing masks.” a girl was perfect! We will be children often. We are thrilled to [email protected] meeting, halfway between Chicago have two grandchildren (3 and 2½) Susan Campbell is “grateful for and New Jersey, in Ohio soon. This and a third on the way the end of WENDY PRATT countless things. I’m a visual artist, is the best we can do right now for October. Thankfully we took a 501 North Lucia Ave. working in acrylic and watercolor. our traveling bug! Stay safe!” trip to Normandy with my brother Redondo Beach, CA 90277-3009 My work has been shown all over and to Lambeau Field for a Packers [email protected] the East Coast as you can see on Carol Wood Lustenader and Tom game last year, my 65th birthday my website, sfcampbellart.com. are also doing well despite the present. While mostly keeping close My award-winning graphic design lockdown. “We live in Sausalito, to home during the pandemic, we work as art director has appeared on the San Francisco Bay close to 1974 in many publications, including did manage a trip to Colorado to PAM THOMAS DYER the Golden Gate Bridge and enjoy American Film magazine and visit my daughter’s family and our 8 Troon Lane the beauty of this location and its Américas magazine (Organization of house in the mountains as well Bluffton, SC 29910-4979 proximity to what was once a great American States), Amtrak, and the as my family cabin in the Maine [email protected] cultural center, pre-pandemic. Our woods. I am retired and Gene is Smithsonian. I also design books, oldest daughter Diana (and Nic) working toward it. I see Mary Kay record covers, posters, etc. and have have given us one granddaughter, Lanigan DelGiacco ’75 often and published my illustrations in them. 3 1/2-years-old with a second keep in touch with Kebby Berg and 1973 I have just retired after teaching granddaughter due in late March. Jody Ruhle Barnard. I had hoped we KATHI LENROW for 16 years in the graphic design Our son James (and Jennifer) are would get many of us together for 15 White Oak Ct. department at the University of living in Sacramento where they our 45th but not sure that is going Montvale, NJ 07645-2018 Maryland, Baltimore County. I purchased their first home. Our to be able to happen next June. [email protected] never expected to be teaching, but third child Juliana works for a San Where did that time go? Stay well I really loved it—the students were Francisco-based consulting group everyone.” “2020 is a year we will remember a delight. My husband, Terence and supports herself while pursuing and wish we could forget” wrote Winch, is the former head of her two passions. The first is live Shauna Tindall reports “In the early Laura Avery. “My stateside family publications at the Smithsonian’s theater and as singer, song-writer stages of the pandemic, I made cloth has avoided COVID but several National Museum of the American and has won awards for best actress masks for two months, sending relatives in the UK suffered with it Indian, as well as a traditional Irish in our area. Her second passion is some to the Navajo Nation and but have had good outcomes. I’m musician. We have a son, Michael as a knitting designer. We miss the some to my mother’s retirement thankful I play golf and have been Campbell Winch, who has just stunning beauty of fall at Wells, and community. As the season changed, able to socialize at a masked distance started on his MA in sound design wish the College all the best.” I got busy with my garden; I am with good friends. I’m dismayed at Yale School of Drama. I often working to expand my native by the number (and volume) of the think of Wells and the great times Just like everyone, Pamela Stephans plants to support a greater variety people who didn’t learn anything had there and of the stunning Moench says, “COVID has put a of butterflies and birds. I have from Rodney King’s plea of ’why beauty of the lake and the whole big damper on our travel. As my enjoyed working on citizen science can’t we all just get along?’ The area.” husband says, these are the go-go for Monarch butterflies. I continue lack of civil discourse throughout 60’s before we hit the slow-go to lead a conversation group for our country, from the people at the Anita Deinhardt Manuel doesn’t 70’s and the no-go 80’s. I have not adults learning English as a Second grocery store to the highest levels of have any news this time. “Between been able to visit my dad, 93, in Language; we have had some lively government, is heartbreaking. Let’s the pandemic, the state of turmoil Rochester because of COVID and conversations about COVID and hope we can all be agents of change in the U.S., and our 9-year-old quarantine restrictions. Bill and I the political scene in the U.S. Wish and healing.” granddaughter’s ongoing seven- are still living in St. Louis but our I had bought stock in Zoom, as we year (plus) cancer battle, there just son Andrew lives in Austin, TX. are all connecting on that platform. Amalia Barbieri Stephens and Scott isn’t anything to say. I hope that we We were very fortunate to have Dick and I managed a brief getaway were thrilled to celebrate their son all continue to stay well as winter visited Andrew and his girlfriend on Lake Huron but no other travels. Nick’s wedding to Atlanta native, approaches.” in early March. Last November we I also keep busy with social justice Callan Wells in September 2019. purchased a townhouse in Auburn, issues. I have enjoyed staying in “Visited with Mary Sickles Roberts, Elizabeth “Lisa” Elkinton Barr AL where Bill did his undergraduate touch with Cheryl Glover. Cheryl Nancy McCouch Davis and Pam loves gardening and is currently the work. Our townhouse is two blocks and I both share the sentiment of Jones in 2019 but missed seeing president of the board for Yew Dell from campus which allows easy Fannie Lou Hamer: we are sick and Wells friends this year! Have turned Botanical Gardens in Crestwood, access to all the sporting events, tired of being sick and tired. Hoping to more than our usual camping for KY, just outside Louisville where restaurants and other college that you all are protected from the pandemic time entertainment and she lives. “I am still happily married functions. Swimming, walking and virus and remain in good health.” have successfully stayed healthy. which is a help during this crisis. some bicycle riding are keeping - Mary Katherine, Susie & Shauna And thanks to an avid interest I’m playing a lot of golf and very me somewhat busy without the in online learning this year, my little tennis. My children and four ability to travel. I stay in touch ESL MOOCS on coursera.org are grandchildren live on opposite sides with Joanne Steele Welsh and Lisa enrolling ever more students.” of the country in Portland, OR and LaPenna Leesman ’78.” Washington, DC.” It’s been 16 years since Candy Barre Couser retired from IBM.

22 Fall/Winter 2020 ClassNotes Woodstock 50th anniversary with moved to be near her youngest enjoy our lake home in Holmes, our sons, partners and grandsons, daughter. Hope all of you are NY, lower Dutchess County, and courtesy of my New York cousin, coping with the new normal.” are staying healthy, seeing friends and I tie-dyed tee shirts for a group in small groups, and praying for of 20. We were able to visit John Lois Krieger Ross is still working good health for all and that YOU and Mary Roberts in Massachusetts full time as a family support social ALL VOTE!!! 100 years ago women on our way back to Vermont after worker for a non-profit preschool were beaten and some died for that attending the Woodstock concert. for developmentally disabled right!!! Let’s do it for Minerva...and Mary gave us a tour of Walden children in Troy, NY. Bill is well RBG!!!!” Newly engaged, Pete Nye and Linda Pond and the cemetery where all and also still working. “I was Hasenfus ’73 the Concord worthies are buried, extremely fortunate and grateful to COVID forced Susan McChesney Although 2020 has been a and I became tearful when I saw have a reconnection with Wells and Hunt to cancel their annual devastating year for us all in terms the graves of Louisa May Alcott Aurora when my daughter, Jackie weekend together with Nan Cellar of the pandemic, it has actually and Harry David Thoreau. We also Ross ’11, started attending Wells in O’Donnell, Diana Fraser Govern and been a special year for Linda caught up with Nancy McCouch the fall of ’07. Since that time, and Anne Murphy Acton (and spouses). Campbell Hasenfus. “Last October, Davis and Amalia Stephens at to present, I make a trip to Aurora “This would have been our 10th I reconnected with a high school Nancy and Stephen’s new home every chance I get and love every annual get together. John and I have friend at our 50th reunion. The in White River Junction, VT. We minute that I am there! Continuing settled into retired life and now split good news is that we are getting enjoyed a Zoom call with Bruce my lifetime family tradition, we our time between Bonita Springs, married! We hope it will be safe to and Ellen Searle LeBel this year, and enjoyed a wonderful summer at FL and Phippsburg, ME. I wish I have a party one day... life is good!” I emailed her several times as the the lake in the Catskills with my could say we were more productive, wildfires burned within 50 miles of children and grandchildren. Life is but it’s mostly golf, bike trails, the her home in Northern California— good. Warm regards to all.” beach and boating. We are looking she was concerned, but prepared. forward to the end of COVID and a Mary spurred me to apply for an Lark Ludlow says, “Yes, there is a lot return to normalcy!” absentee ballot to vote in Vermont, to be thankful for in this remarkably which I have done, along with our bizarre and challenging year! Here At the start of the lockdown, younger son Charlie, who relishes at Tahquamenon Falls Brewery Pub, Rita McMahon’s little non-profit, being an accidental American—he we lost seven weeks of business due the Wild Bird Fund (WBF), was asked if he would be eligible to vote to COVID and were finally allowed deemed an essential service by New in Texas! I said no. I hope everyone to open on Memorial Weekend at York State and the New York City is safe and will VOTE.” 50% capacity and having no idea mayor’s office. “So WBF remained who would be traveling to us. Much open to treat the many thousands of Pat Jones fondly remembers the to our surprise, summer traffic was distressed and injured wild birds and Pam Jones ’73 and Gerry at Woodstock 45th Reunion, the 25th, and the the highest in the history of the park animals rescued by compassionate Pam Jones’ life in lockdown UK 5th, as well as her four years at Wells and consequently for us, up about New Yorkers. The number of cases, “was infuriating (government and study abroad in France. “I think 20% in an already busy season. It is compared to last year, has actually incompetence), terrifying (fear of of so many of you, things we did, hard to imagine saying this, but this grown. Even during the lockdown, catching the virus, and/or running places we went. During this time of increase was not what we wanted New Yorkers apparently decided out of toilet paper) and lonely for seclusion with the pandemic, I am when we were dealing with a it was essential to rescue injured the physical presence of our faraway also recalling other times, people, severe shortage of help and difficult wildlife they encountered. From children and most especially, our and places of my many years. I can working conditions in general. The our perspective, the silver lining to delightful 2-year-old grandson. I kind of travel in my head now, whole UP of Michigan was inun- the pandemic is that people have was bereft of my volunteer duties travel back, travel out, let the travel, dated with tourists. The reason for embraced the solace that nature at our opera house and cinema. and it all, sink deeper in me…I this was that our area was one of gives in these trying times and are But Gerry and I, grateful that have been re-studying French, the few open areas in the country! determined to make a difference. we are retired on comfortable now on Duolingo, prompted by As we approach the end of the fall We expect to treat over 7,000 this pensions, used the time to update our daughter’s being with us for season, we are hoping, as I am sure year.” our wills and clear out the closets seven months now, bridging her we all are, that a vaccine will spare and the cellar. Zoom calls were life in Brazil and her immanent life us all soon. Bless one and all and Jill Kimber Myers and her husband a lifesaver for my book group in Toulon, France. Don’t know if Cheers!” are both well in the California and for staying in touch with we’ll be able to travel there to visit desert. “We are truly retired. We our friends and family, and the her but practicing French gives me Val Manzo has “a new and amazing have been helping my niece, her weekly Clap for Carers enabled us France in greater measure than I associate attorney working with husband works in Egypt, and she to meet up (socially-distanced, of could have expected.” me, as I transition to less work... and her newborn are only four course) with our many neighbors, or even...RETIREMENT!! My hours away in Arizona. Luckily as we drank our glasses of wine Linda Noyes Kneen says, “Hello husband retired over five years ago we golf as a hobby. So, even with in the street. We are fortunate from Ohio! Tim and I are doing AND I am six years older than he, COVID, we are able to enjoy the to live on the edge of a national well. It’s been almost seven years so I need to get there one day, too! outdoors and play. We keep in park, so Gerry and I walked the since my double lung transplant, and Michelle Pfeiffenberger, Esq. will touch with friends and family and hills, through the woodlands so far, so good! I have to be very get us there! We handle real estate, support our local charities and and the parks every day, exercise careful as the medications are NOT small business, wills, trusts, estate friends. We have totally cleaned out that went a fair way to keeping good for the kidneys, but it’s a small planning, estate administration our drawers and closet, and have us sane during these months. price to pay for still being here. (once a person passes) and asset completed all home repairs. I have That and the occasional gourmet Despite the virus, we have seen our preservation planning. We do enjoy taken up oil painting and Paul is takeaway meals from our favorite three kids and five grandkids, all of it! My son Chris De Marinis just into radio control and electronics. pub. I am a natural introvert, so I whom live out of state (Maryland got engaged to the lovely, inside and We appreciate every day! Wishing didn’t chafe particularly under the and Michigan). Life is a little less out, Ericka Bestoso; both are oracle everyone well.” restrictions but got on with my busy now that the vegetable garden data analysts in New York City. My reading and crochet projects. And is done and everything is frozen daughter Emily De Marinis is in her Kristin Ohlson is still working! we are still married! I was able to or canned. Tim still works at the third year of post college work, now “I wrote the book The Soil Will see several Wells friends over the veterinary clinic one day a week at HubSpot, recently named the Save Us: How Farmers, Scientists summer 2019—seems like another to keep his hand in. I used to see best company to work for in all of and Foodies are Healing the Soil to world. The standout highlight of Priscilla Abrams Hays on occasion, Massachusetts!! So far she’s a North Save the Planet, which Rodale that summer was attending the as she lived a town away, but she End, Boston resident. Tom and I Press published in 2014, about

Wells.edu 23 ClassNotes how farming and other land hugging—a strange connect but Felicia Roper and Cathy are “just from the forest fires along with practices that respect nature can no connect. I still work full time hunkering down at home because COVID. “Living on the coast has help reduce the load of greenhouse as chaplain at Masonicare, a large of the pandemic, but we do go out been very smoky but so far safe gases that cause warming. I was complex for seniors. My work in our car some and drive around from fire, and our local COVID interviewed about that book for is in the long-term care facility. to see all the lovely country around numbers are low. Both Allegra a movie that was just released, We have been very fortunate, Raleigh, NC. I don’t have much and Eloise moved home to Arcata narrated by Woody Harrelson, due to very early precautions, to other news, other than my kids are last spring, leaving Seattle and Los called Kiss the Ground. It’s a hopeful not have had any COVID among doing OK too. My daughter is still Angeles, respectively. Fortunately, take on our environmental crisis. our residents. However, the toll in Wisconsin, and my son and his they both work in our family You should watch it! https:// on people ages 85-105 has been wife are here in Raleigh. They’re software business. We have all kissthegroundmovie.com. I’m emotionally devastating. What is all working, and just hanging out stayed healthy in spite of the stress now in the final stages of another more important than family visits? at home too. My only other news is and not traveled out of our area, book called Sweet in Tooth and Holding the latest newcomer into that I have a ’birthday with a zero’ grateful for each moment of grace Claw: Connection and Cooperation the family? Being hugged by your coming up next month…YIKES! I amidst uncertainty. As a family we in Nature, which will be published children, grand, great and great- can’t wait to see everyone in 2023… participate in Get Out the Vote and by Patagonia Works in 2020, with great grandchildren? Our seniors may the pandemic be GONE by climate change activism, raising two an introduction by the company’s have been deprived of eating then!” spaniel puppies and cooking meals charismatic environmentalist meals together, enjoying live together. I have continued therapy founder Yvon Chuinard. I lived in entertainment, worship and group Faye Schechter Fay’s “big, sad with clients online but reduced to Cleveland for 40 years; now live in activities. They are parked in front news (in addition to the dystopian, three days a week to maintain my Portland, OR.” of TVs. Still, they make the best of terrifying nightmare through health and balance work, gardening, it and are so grateful when I come which we are living in our country art and family time. I feel thankful Margaret Pericak-Vance is still room to room with my chapel-on- right now) is the fact that Marshall for ZOOM calls with a few Wells director of the John P. Hussman wheels for individual (short) services passed away last year after one year friends to commiserate and comfort Institute of Human Genomics and flowers from my garden. At of dealing with pancreatic cancer. each other.” (HIHG) at the University of Miami Yale New Haven Hospital chaplains We had 48 years together from the Miller School of Medicine. “My learned to do everything via time we started dating, and I am Laura Thomas is well and happy to main research focus is on genetics phone, teleprompters and Zoom. forever grateful for that. Ira, Alex, report that her family is also. “My of Alzheimer’s disease and related Separation at critical times is the their wives, Ruth and Lisa, and my sister Margaret Thomas ’84 moved dementias. The HIHG is a leader in hardest experience for most humans. four grandchildren continue to feel in with me two years ago, along this area. I also work in age-related I, too, have a gratitude list and add the loss as if it were yesterday. And with her three cats—added to my macular degeneration. Despite to it daily. It really helps. I hope by at the same time, we move on and one, that keeps us busy. I see Anita COVID, we are making great our next Reunion date we can all function. Anyone who has had such Deinhardt Manuele about once a progress towards identifying new be together again. Holding all my a loss would say the same thing. My week. I’m happy to get out and see genes that will hopefully lead us to classmates, my Wells family in the 91-year-old mother is still living her, wearing masks, of course! I’m new therapeutic targets. In March Light.” on her own nearby and so I see still active at church, which has just we had to shut down and 100 staff her daily to support her needs; she now reopened. Otherwise, no news and 21 faculty members began In Rhode Island, the governor has COPD and is obviously at the except for the weirdness of life right working from home. We were able locked down in early March and greatest risk during this time of now!” to open the labs in July so at least BJ Rich, was glad she did. “I have COVID. The isolation for each of our lab staff and faculty were able to become very adept at using Zoom us is dramatically challenging. But Pat Van Hemelryck’s life has changed resume on-site work while taking for work and connecting with again, we both have perspective and dramatically. “We used to travel but all COVID precautions. It’s been friends. Sally Willard, Rosey Jordan understand how horrifically worse have put most of that on hold. We a challenge running everything ’75, C.M. Deucher ’75 and I get it is for those suffering so much were traveling with our little trailer from my home office. I used to together Sunday afternoons for a greater pain and loss. I am busier when all hell broke loose. We had travel more. On a personal note, my virtual beer. These are difficult than ever, working remotely with intended an April trip through the daughter Danica finished her Sports times and it is important to me to my clients. The structure and focus southwest and made a beeline for Medicine Fellowship at Duke and connect with my oldest friends. are essential to my functioning these home from southern Arizona when took a position as assistant professor I was happy to see that Wells is days. My family and I can make a it became apparent that traveling of orthopedic surgery at Columbia working hard to survive this terrible long list of things for which we are was no longer an option...state and University at their new Mt. Sinai time. I felt that if anybody could do grateful.” national parks were beginning to Campus in Miami Beach. That was it, the Wells community would rise shut down, buying necessities was the best COVID news. She is only to the occasion. I hope all of our “What a strange year it has been!” compromising and visiting with 20 minutes away and I don’t have classmates are safe and stay healthy.” said Dori Hanson-Schlins. “Roger folks was no longer advisable. We to take a plane to see her. It is great and I are fine physically here in hunkered down at home. Made having her live so close. Rich still Mary Sickles Roberts gratefully suburban Minneapolis, but the stress one absolutely necessary trip to lives up near Fort Lauderdale; I miss resides in beautiful, rural Carlisle, of the national political situation the Chicago area in June to help the grandkids a lot due to COVID. MA. “I have a wonderful house and civil unrest after George out when my son’s second born I finally got to see them last and property, where I enjoy doing Floyd’s murder here have made baby boy arrived. We are now weekend—masks and all. Will this virtual yoga, teaching piano, and for a tough emotional ride. Have grandparents to five boys ages 9 ever end? (sigh). Other than that, meditating daily online with 1,500 been busier with volunteer social years to 5 months. Our family I’ve been cooking a lot (relaxes me to 2,500 transcendental meditators. justice commitments, Zoom board bubble consists of my daughter after a day of back to back Zooms) In mid-March, within 24 hours, I meetings for church, and just joined and family, and the rest of our and it is Miami—so I bought an went from teaching in studio piano the League of Women Voters to get social circle is maintained on underwater track for the pool that lessons to virtual lessons. Through out the vote! Our trip to Ireland Zoom, Facebook or other virtual has been fun. Stay safe until we can classes and webinars at the Francis was canceled in September, so platforms. Since the beginning of all meet in person again.” Clark Center, I have discovered we re-booked for October 2021. September, we are helping with the new ways of teaching and keeping No other trips planned this fall or homeschooling of two grandsons Thayer Quoos’s granddaughter is the joy of music alive for my winter—another Minnesota winter who come to our place on a rotating 15(!) and attending her sophomore students. I have been swimming to handle, with COVID knocking basis for three days at a time. Both year by Zoom. “When I remember in Walden pond since the summer on the door! Be well, everyone!” have some interesting learning high school, I recall all the social and continue by wearing a wetsuit. challenges. Living out on acreage events, the clubs, the after school I have met many hearty swimmers Living in northern California means and pretty isolated, gives these boys activities. While we connect with who inspire me to keep going!” Ellen Searle LeBel is enduring a chance to get out and roam freely anyone in the world, there is no a double siege with devastation for part of their learning time. I’m

24 Fall/Winter 2020 ClassNotes big on outdoor time for growth and writing and we are working on happy to be able to provide this for a book on marriage. I closed my In Memoriam the boys. Having said that, I have public policy firm in Princeton Marian Parker Congdon ’39 B.J. Greener Henry ’60 become more and more aware of officially in 2018 after nearly 40 Ann Brown Spaulding ’39 Joan Hunter Hansen ’62 the fact that we are not getting any years. The business addressed Barbara Reed Turner ’41 Daisy Mathias ’62 younger. After three days of one- complex urban issues; improving Frances Stephens Fowler ’41 Kate Fitzgerald Ernst ’63 on-one with each kiddo, I definitely the quality of life through; research, Jean Lamont Sherwood ’45 Susan Gardella Shean ’65 can use a break! I feel blessed to be community engagement and Diana Phillips Brashears ’46 Marilyn Hooper Rohlfing ’66 healthy and in a situation that is policy development in education, Nancy Bacon Andrews ’46 Constance Parke Waterman ’67 relatively stress free. But my heart is economic development, housing Lois Burton Merkel ’47 Susie Simmons Ganzenmuller ’69 heavy with all the issues that must and women’s empowerment. In Judith Stolitzky Stecher ’47 Susan Sherwood Clarkson ’70 come to a head as we wind towards 2013, my firm put me on loan Kathryn Sharp Fithian ’47 Barbara Kirk ’70 the end of 2020. So much needs to assist a Head Start Agency in Virginia Rogers Burgess ’48 Marcia King Agraphiotis ’71 to change and I am quite anxious Trenton to transition and reimagine Lenore Elman Asher ’49 Karen Toohey Hughes ’71 about what it will take to achieve their mission to create education Corinne Howard Farnham ’50 Cornelia Weigl ’74 these absolutely needed changes. readiness and address serious issues Constance McDonald ’50 Nancy Parr ’79 Staying informed and supporting around child poverty. Today some Rusty Hadley Dunbar ’51 Melanie Fischbach Jones ’81 causes as best as we can as we move seven years later, after establishing Nancy Wilson Cleveland ’56 Gerd Aasen ’85 forward. As I approach my last year the Center for Child and Family Marjorie Hampson Judd ’56 Caroline Davy Williams ’86 in my sixties with my 74-year-old Achievement, we are continuing to Cricket Ford Luellen ’56 Heather Olson ’89 husband of 46 years, we are at a touch families and equip children Ann Converse Marx ’56 pivotal point in our lives. We are living in poverty with the essential reflecting and contemplating the tools of access to learning in our To view the most up-to-date obituary notices, please visit next steps while still competent and mission to close the achievement alumni.wells.edu/memoriam energetic enough to direct them. gap. Since our inception CCFA’s Sometimes daunting and sometimes Read to Achieve has facilitated our daughter, who gave birth in an egg beater)...and this is just my exhilarating is the road ahead. Best over 60,000 books given to kids New York City in April. Just days starter list! What a year! Stay well wishes to all!” living in poverty in New Jersey, before that happened, the powers everyone! Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina that be allowed spouses to be in the - Kathi and California to establish their delivery room. Thank goodness own at home libraries! On my for that! Our grandson and family 70th birthday I was honored by the have moved out of New York City students and parents in Trenton, to Annapolis where we can visit 1972 HOLLY GOSSELINK DAVIDSON NJ with a book event at the them frequently. Our son and his 5897 Lower Lake Rd. Community Gregory School where family are in Houston and, like PO Box 331 our demonstration model is located. so many others, are in the midst Cayuga, NY 13034-0331 My consulting work continues more of trying to balance work and [email protected] in the context of diversity, inclusion, childcare. Recently the family Wanda Webster-Stansbury ’73 and husband Charles pumpkin picking equity and social justice, serving as a tested positive for COVID. So far subject matter expert, senior advisor all have light symptoms, but it has Wanda Webster-Stansbury wrote, on issues of education, race and meant that they will have been in 1971 “Hey Amazing Wells Women! gender, equity, health, economics quarantine for over a month. I can’t SUZANNE DOTY What an incredible time we justice and reparations. I was wait for 2020 to be over. I miss the 1555 Merrill St. #109 are blessed to be living in and honored last year to be the keynote community of friends with hugs Santa Cruz, CA 95062 experiencing! No matter how speaker at Project for Public Places, and going out for dinner or lunch [email protected] difficult it may seem at times, each at their International Placemaking without worrying. But I have been day I’m reminded that although we Week in Chattanooga TN. I was playing bridge online and in person PAULA SCALI are in this together, the pandemic also recently engaged as a member with friends outside on porches. 5604 Chesterbrook Rd reality is vastly different for those of Amplifying Stewardship and Thank goodness for that!” Bethesda, MD 20816-1302 who are poor, especially children have worked on the Rethink Health [email protected] living in poverty!!! Our blessing Project—an initiative of the Ripplel Nothing new to report for me. is that we can do something to Foundation. God is my source for We’re pretty COVID phobic so Peggy Peterson Anderson and help someone far less fortunate renewal and strength, 15 years ago we haven’t been anywhere or seen husband David relocated back to the then ourselves! In June 2019, my I established a women’s prayer and anyone since March. We had plans East Coast, after 17 years in Kansas. husband Charles and I relocated bible study group—Blessed Among to follow our daughter to Tokyo They settled in Middletown, NJ, from Monroe, NJ to begin a new Women—that has since evolved (March) and Berlin (September) and love being only 15 minutes adventure in Newport Beach, CA, into a national network of powerful to cheer her in two marathons from the ocean. “I have a beautiful ten minutes from our daughter praying women! I dream about but as you know, everything was studio upstairs for my beadwork and her family. We are so happy returning to art and painting again cancelled. Instead of looking at (editorial comment: fabulous hand to be closer to our two incredible and am currently working on a few what we missed, I’m focusing on blown beads!), and a bead making youngest grandsons, Mason (5) ideas. This pandemic is a serious the good things we have. I hope studio set up in the garage. Crafts and Matthew (3)! What a joy to game changer, every moment many of you have the same lists. are definitely necessary in these see them grow and listen to their is so precious. We must remain I’m thankful for good health for us COVID days. Our last travels were questions, while looking into optimistic! I continue to have so and our family. I’m thankful for our to Arizona in February where we those eyes and seeing warm smiles much confidence in our collective friends with whom we’ve stayed met our new great-grandson and I through masks. No complaints— will to change America! Wells close despite not getting together. had my annual lunch with Wilma everyone is healthy and making the Woman are powerful! We have I’m thankful for all those people Squires Birk. It has been strange to best of it all. This year my husband much to contribute! Take care & who selflessly put themselves on the move across the country to be closer and I will celebrate 47 years of God bless you all.” line for others. I’m thankful that to family and old friends, but then marriage, we are still best friends, I didn’t retire and still have a job not be able to see them! However, enjoying being with one another, Beverly Whiting Young is delighted that I can do in my bunny slippers. we have some pods with friends, we hanging out with life listening to to report that “Tom and I are I’m thankful that I now have an walk daily, and are very happy to be lots of jazz. Walking lots. Charles, still healthy, and that we have excuse to grow out my gray hair back in this part of the world.” who is an author of seven children’s welcomed another grandchild into (although sometimes it looks like I books, has inspired me to start our family. This time, it was from combed it with a vacuum cleaner or

Wells.edu 25 ClassNotes Peggy Cozier Arnold sends In 2018, Christine Rathkopf Feller abroad. Fortunately, our daughter in gross review/annually—not greeting from the South Carolina and husband Ken moved from and her husband live close by, so too shabby! Fun too—new set Lowcountry! She finds it hard to Portland, ME to Grand Junction, even during the darkest days of of colleagues—lots of interesting believe that she and Bob moved to CO. “We love it out West. We COVID in this area, we were able issues. She speaks regularly with the Charleston area over six years are completely surrounded by to see them and our grandson, Karen Minton and still misses her ago when they retired. “Our sons huge, gorgeous mountains. I have who will be two in November. very close friend Nancy Bird (as are both in Charlotte, NC, and we completed 18 trips to Kenya, My son is also close by and we see do we all). Pancreatic cancer, that see them when they can make time Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and him frequently. My husband is still also took RBG, needs to be wiped in their busy lives. No grandchild Somaliland on behalf of client working in biotech and his drug is out! “My son and daughter-in-law yet! We see Mary Graham from work developing health care now in cancer and COVID clinical recently moved, with my 4-year- time-to-time on Hilton Head infrastructure, and I am currently trials. I have been retired from old granddaughter, to Upstate New Island, and during our last pre- contracted to open 23 residential teaching high school technology/ York from Minneapolis. With the pandemic trip north, we visited group homes for people with business for eight years and most warm weather, we visited frequently with Ruth Foster-Morgan and her intellectual and developmental thankful to not be teaching during and sat on their back porch or husband Steve. On a very sad note, disabilities, three home health these trying times. I do put in a fair on the outdoor deck of local I must, with a heavy heart, note care agencies, two personal care amount of volunteering for the two restaurants along the shore of Lake that classmate Karen Toohey Hughes agencies, and four mental and state marketing clubs I support but Champlain…idyllic!! With colder passed away in mid-September. behavioral health clinics in Maine, their local and state competitions weather, COVID concerns may Karen and I were childhood friends Massachusetts, Minnesota, Ohio, have been called off for this year. decrease that and increase face-time, in New Jersey before Wells. She Arizona, Texas, and Oregon. All I will miss keeping in touch with but it’s still wonderful having them will be terribly missed.” owned by immigrants and people the students. I have learned to play close by. My youngest on the other of color. I love my work, I love golf and found a little group I play hand is still loving New Zealand my clients, and I love my country. with that is most tolerant and fun and will be starting graduate school Wells alums are welcome to visit to be with. Stay safe and wear your there soon. We won’t be seeing him anytime!” mask :).” for many months, but he’s good about face-time too so I really can’t Angele Buschmann Gilroy is still Virginia “Ginger” Mange Houston complain.” living in the DC area and continues and husband Bill live in Ottawa, to work at the Congressional Canada and are enjoying retirement. Joan Field Lakin’s last few years have Research Service as a specialist in “Before COVID, we did some been difficult. A few months after telecommunications policy. Plans travelling in Scotland and Ireland taking the whole family on a cruise to retire this past spring, and take and enjoyed a cross Canada train to Alaska, she lost Alan, her husband a three-week trip to Hawaii, were trip last fall. Our favorite travel of 46 years, to an aggressive form of shelved due to the pandemic. In destinations are to visit our sons. prostate cancer. “He was obviously the last few years she has been Thomas and his family now live a big part of my life and he was also travelling around the U.S. visiting in Hawaii on Maui. Because of a part of my life at Wells. When I’d iconic sights such as the Alamo and COVID, we haven’t managed drive back and forth to Easton, PA Mt. Rushmore, and went to the to get there yet. He works for on weekends, I usually had a car full Johnson Space Center in Houston to Fairmont Hotels. Our younger son of Wells friends or, if he could find Karen Toohey Hughes ’71s obituary was celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ted lives in West Palm Beach and a ride, he would bring his friends to right next to RBG in the NY Times…both moon landing. She plans to attend teaches high school. We have two Wells. I have wonderful memories amazing women! our 50th Reunion, conditions wonderful granddaughters, Riley of 50 years together but it’s not easy. Bonnie Baranowski made big permitting, and looks forward to a and Jordan, who also live on Maui. I’ve spent the last few years learning changes in her life in 2018. After big turnout and catching up with We have enjoyed a beautiful, warm how to live this new life. Our two more than 30 years in the Boston classmates. summer which has made it possible children and their families live area, she sold her condo and bought to golf frequently. It is great to get nearby. I now have a new puppy and a house in a 55+ community in Mary Graham is enjoying life fresh air and socialize distantly. We she and I spend a lot of time in my South Kingston, RI and moved her in Hilton Head, but glad to be had a wonderful reunion with Myra garden. I still chair Hamden, CT’s mother (now 95 years old) from beyond the hot, touristy summer Szahaj-Young, her husband Rex, Inland Wetlands Commission and Utica, NY to live with her. They there. “Even with COVID, I have Hillary Coan Hoppock and husband am getting used to the new normal both enjoy being near the many managed to do some traveling Dave a year ago to celebrate our of Zoom meetings and masks and beaches and great local seafood. this year; in June to Colorado for 70th birthdays. We rented a house self-isolation. Stay safe everyone.” Bonnie continues to travel with a week and then in July for three on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.” her sister-in-law Shelley Osmun weeks with my two pups to a very Ginger plans on attending our 50th Alison Walter Martin retired from Baranowski ’68 and Shelley’s sister, dog friendly resort in the Asheville Reunion next June. her director of recruiting role Marion. They traveled to Peru area. That being said, I had two in 2015 and remained in Boston in 2019 and rented a villa on the trips cancelled, one being with because her two sons live nearby. Pacific coast, and to Costa Rica Kathy Holmes Kobos, her sister “I spend lots of time with them in February 2020. A visit to the Dorothy “Pixie” Holmes Kather and their families, especially my Greek Isle in June was postponed. ’67, and another friend to Vermont grandchildren ages 12, 10, 4 and Bonnie plans to attend our 50th to walk among the fall foliage. 2...barbeques, subway trips to the Reunion and had already pledged Matter of fact, we would be there city, overnights, attending games her Reunion gift! right now if not cancelled. I plan and further afield, Disney World, a to be at Reunion, assuming Wells dude ranch, and more. I’ve traveled continues to survive and COVID a lot by myself and with pals (or did disappears…” pre-COVID) and hope to get back to that when it’s safe. My interest in Along with everyone else, history remains, so I read a lot and Jane Prusick Hesson has had a enjoy on-line lectures and virtual challenging year. “Adding to the Mollie Lampi ’71 and her 4-year-old walking tours covering topics COVID issue, my husband had granddaughter. across the ages. I’ve become an avid knee replacement surgery and Mollie Lampi stepped back into news follower which, of course, is back surgery. We are feeling quite the volunteer/professional world watching history in the making. I Marion Osmun, Shelley Osmun grounded and miss our usual and was elected vice president of wonder what 2021 and beyond will Baranowski ’68, and Bonnie Baranowski her local food co-op—$29 Million bring. Life is definitely a banquet!” ’71 in Costa Rica, February 2020. trips to see friends both here and 26 Fall/Winter 2020 ClassNotes Chris Kiley Maxfield is a big fan more. “It helps to have two of my of Zoom. “What a year! Since three children here and all four we can’t visit our daughter and Call for Nominations of my grandchildren. I spend as family in London, Zoom is a WCA AWARD much time as I can with them. lifesaver, allowing us to meet with I’ve been retired from the New the children frequently as I read The Alumnae and Alumni Award Committee is actively York State Department of Health from The Chronicles of Narnia and seeking nominees for the Wells College Alumnae and for eight years now and have other books, and Fred discusses Alumni Award. The award honors Wells alums of high been doing at-home consulting science. Pursuing my interest in achievement in professions and careers, in volunteer and throughout. I am also playing tennis singing, a highlight of the past two community work, in service to their alma mater, or in some and golf whenever I can and have summers, was participating in the combination of these endeavors. Nomination forms can be even started to play some pickle Oxenfoord vocal music program downloaded from alumni.wells.edu on the WCA page. ball. Last year I competed at the near Edinburgh, with opportunities National Senior Games in tennis in Albuquerque, NM. I didn’t bring committee chair home any trophies but had a terrific Megan Donovan ’88 time!” [email protected] Paula Scali still works full time at Merrill Lynch/Bank of America bowling…what? And am playing interpreter for an early intervention working from home at her dining bridge. (Both after a 30-year break.) program. In March we went virtual, room table since March 20, 2020. “I Kate and I adopted two dogs, a making calls to Spanish speaking am actually enjoying working from Malcolm Martineau on the piano and bonded pair of American bullies. families via telehealth platforms. We home and don’t miss the commute Chris Kiley Maxfield ’71 at Oxenfoord Chris and Kristen got married, have been able to make in person and all of the traffic at all and now music program in Scotland. Maddy and Neil came to those visits since July, which have been have time to cook since I am only to study with top-notch musicians. festivities too! All changed with the so helpful. Our ’wings have been a few steps from my kitchen. Mike, Best moment was performing virus: still no clients in the ECHO clipped’ because of COVID, with my golf pro partner of 17 years, and a Poulenc piece with Malcolm building, but we have been giving a many trips cancelled or postponed. I are happy spending lots of time Martineau at the piano. Last fall huge amount of food and financial Looking forward to getting back with our two grandchildren, Corby Durrie Durrant Golding’79 and help with a skeleton staff. We also on the road in 2021. Also looking (2 ½) and Hugh (1). My son Danny I traveled to England to celebrate pre-pack clothing for next day pick forward to reading everyone else’s and his wife Mary bought a house the 500th anniversary of our up. No bowling, no beach week. news.” last December and are only five sister church in London. They put I do play bridge on-line, which I blocks away from us in Bethesda, together a fantastic Son et Lumiere love. Very much looking forward Karen “Mittens” Minton may try to MD. Pure joy that we get to see with live music and theatre for the to Reunion, and an end to all the get on the local public library board. the kids so often. Am starting to occasion. We also enjoyed some ickiness surrounding us lately. (PS: “I am alive and love living in the plan activities for our 50th. We will Royal Shakespeare Company even though I live near DC, I was cleanest air in America Adirondack be sharing our Reunion with the and walking tours. A second hip NOT among those standing outside Mountains of New York, right class of 1970. Am open to all ideas replacement in 2018 allows me to Walter Reed.)” across a grand—but not Great — for our 50th but the best idea is for stay active with dance aerobics, Lake Champlain, Burlington, VT. everyone to come, please!!! Stay yoga, and now, lots of walking. The Lisa Kozack Micali says there’s I miss our dear friend Alice Hanson safe.” blessings of modern medicine! The nothing much new to report. She’s who spent summers on Cape Cod, only drawback is setting off airport trying to patiently outlast COVID as I did. Fortunately, I am in touch alarms—not that there’s much and yearning for normalcy! “We are with Dori Hanson Schlins ’73 traveling lately. Looking forward to enjoying our three grandchildren (Alice’s younger sister) and her our 50th!” and luckily remaining healthy. husband Roger. I was assigned to be Boston is doing a good job of her Junior Sister when she entered following health precautions. Since Wells. Dori has a delightful sense my two singing groups cannot of humor and is a dynamo herself,

meet, I have participated in several giving generously of her time Grandchildren of Paula Scali ’71 and their virtual choirs and am amazed at the and talents to multiple nonprofit play area quality of music, collaboration and groups, and we are both history lovely global communities being nuts. Regards to all and let’s hope Char Stetson and wife Lesley fostered by some very dedicated and common sense prevails.” moved from one beautiful place talented musicians. Art and music (Vermont) to another (Maine) in Durrie Durrant Golding '79, Mary cannot be stopped! Virtual hugs to Kathie Mryglot Nolan is happy 2009. “Thankfully, she understood Dierdorff (a friend), and Chris Kiley all.” living on the peninsula of Hull, how important it was for me to Maxfield ’71. Taken in Monkey Hadley, return to my roots and live here. England. MA with bay water views from her Maddy Jordan Miller is sure her home and a short walk to the ocean I retired from being an early Pat McNabb finally retired in news is like everyone else’s news: beach. “I moved to Hull to be close childhood education consultant 2014, after 36 years with the Army. learning to survive and thrive to my daughter and two grandsons and author in 2014. Since then, “Maddy Jordan Miller came to the during this pandemic. “I am (ages 6 and 3) who live nearby I’ve been motivated by two goals: ceremony, which was great. I was grateful for so many things: our in Hingham, MA. I spent a year keep the mind and body strong not sure how retirement would health, our retirement living and working on a committee planning and healthy. For the mind, I began go, but eventually found my way income, our connections with the the celebration for Hull’s 375th cello lessons and practice every to a full retired life. I volunteer bigger world through Zoom, our anniversary which culminated in day for a couple of hours. For the at a non-profit serving two local faith that tells us that, in spite of a huge parade. Cindy Davy Butler body, I work outside, walk, hike, communities—they had their 50th the chaos that surrounds us, there visits often to go to the beach with or cross-country ski, depending on anniversary last year. I’m Involved is a plan...We are grateful that we me. I am pleased to be fully retired the season. Except for the current in many aspects…my favorite is moved to Rhode Island about a but was not thrilled with turning state of our country, my life is full working in our clothing shop. year ago, and that my home in 70!” and happy. Visiting Acadia National Clients pick out clothes and get Manchester, NH, of 20 years, sold Park anyone? We’re very close!” needed housewares, linens, lamps, quickly, in spite of the pandemic! Bev Harasiemowicz Pasley is still appliances. I love it in part because I’m also grateful and quite in Rhode Island and finding that Sherry Patterson Thevenot spent I get to speak Spanish! Also started unexpectedly employed as a Spanish she likes this little state more and two years in the French House and

Wells.edu 27 ClassNotes her junior year in Paris. “Life on analyst (the science of where) for May 2021! Friend me on Facebook separate groups have spun off. An campus was scant but essential, my We Conserve PA, land conservation if you haven’t already.” example is the group she started favorite haunt being the incredible trust, and my mom is still with us. - Suzanne with Sylvia “Boofie” Schilling new library. After graduation, I I’m still the director of a family Younkin, Esther “Chipi” Morales, returned to France where I’ve been foundation that is chipping away at Judy Wallis Fenton, and Maxine ever since—50 years! Now, dipping various edges of disadvantage. A lot Bergen ’73. Back from the toes into retirement, I look back at of stills, all good.” 1970 Netherlands for three years now, KAREN BROWN three vastly different professions: Soose has revived her “executive PO Box 520 gallery director, air sports magazine I’ve recently semi-retired and coaching practice and works with E. Middlebury, VT 05740-0520 editor, and national guide/lecturer. moved to a 55+ community in non-American tech executives [email protected] Eighteen months ago I became a Santa Cruz. I’m three blocks from living around the world who work granny three times in one week! Big the ocean and loving it. I’ve made for companies such as Google, As our 50th Reunion in Aurora Bang. COVID wiped out my entire lots of new friends, helped start a Microsoft, and Amazon. Love it!!” was postponed until spring 2021 wine guiding season but allowed new local Democratic Club and due to the COVID pandemic; and me delicious time to spend with just got elected as president of our Tobie Tyler van der Vorm and Jaap as many of us have been spending a the little ones. Something about a resident’s association. In August are still on Longboat Key where lot of time staying safe rather than silver lining. Of my Wells chums, I 2019, I had my knee replaced (seems they “have successfully dodged both indulging in our favorite pastimes, see Stacey McGlone Gemmill every like a lot of us now have bionic COVID and hurricanes so far this the notes this fall/winter may seem few years. Never enough. La vie est parts!) and Alex spent the month year.” In addition to shopping for just a tad bit less exciting than in belle.” here taking care of me. Such a good and delivering food to a Sarasota years past… son. And to prove what a small food bank, she has adopted a Sandra Berg Tulchinsky and world it is, one of my friends here Zoom…lifestyle, taking classes, …but, there is much to look husband Ilya retired in 2014 and knows Wilma Squires Birk and meeting monthly with a book forward to! From Mary “Twitchell” moved to southwest Florida the actually slept at her house!!! We all group, and also meeting monthly Mitchell Goodman, co-chair of the following year. “Most of my time seem to be connected which makes with two groups of Wells classmates, Reunion committee: “I first want to is spent enjoying our little corner me smile. Sue Mennear recently one hosted by Bev Hitchins and the say what a wonderful team I lassoed of paradise, interspersed with moved to Oregon just in time for other by Ruth Huyler Glass. Ruth into helping with a very successful cruises and visits up north. One their wildfires. Luckily they didn’t says the larger Zoom gathering fundraising effort for our 50th advantage of life here is having hit Eugene but the smoke was really “provided at least a glimpse of folks” Reunion: Ilia Salomone-Smith, friends and family wanting to bad. Inga Anderson Golay and but looks forward to the real thing Page Bigelow, Stepheny Powell visit us. I consequently don’t miss husband Frank are happily living in next spring. She is now fully retired, McGraw (my partner in chairing the Minnesota at all. Other news in my Palm Springs. I really enjoy reading and says “as a former head of school, Reunion), Mary Blankley Barefoot, life is that my step-daughter Ivy about everyone’s life especially in I am particularly happy not to be and Christine Boice Saplin. Our changed careers, going from concert these trying times. I trust that many the one making decisions relative to amazing Wells board members, hall musician to farming 40 acres. of you have begun making plans to school closings and openings.” Gail Pesyna and Tobie Tyler van In addition to cows, chickens and attend our 50th Reunion in May der Vorm, were also on this stellar other critters, she is raising our two 2021. We had a wonderful time at Debby Gillett Roecker and Steve team! We will forge ahead with perfect grandchildren! Our younger our 45th and I’m sure we will have a “are still in our old farmhouse planning for next spring when the daughter Sara lives in Boston and better time next spring. We will be in Upstate New York, trying to college gears up for Reunion, once works in clinical research. She, too, sharing our 50th with the Class of maintain our five acres as we age.” again.” Twitchell has also somehow changed careers and moved from 1970, so it will be fun to see other She sends “thanks to Soose and Gail found time to continue with trustee hospital research to customizing Wells sisters. Last December, I had [for]organizing our ’reunion’ earlier duties for her library and other software platforms used in clinical a wonderful trip to New York City this summer” and to “Ruth Huyler organizations. trials. Other than that, my life to visit my son Alex Riad ’12 as Glass for keeping us connected!” is wonderfully uneventful. I am he opened his first full-length play Ilia Salomone-Smith has spent hopeful that 2021 might include a in the Village. I helped organize Anne Eaton Woolley says that while time “reorganizing our house—my road trip to Aurora for our 50th.” a Wells night for area alums and a lot of her activities are on hold, she office—it’s that time in our lives.” got to visit with Peggy Peterson is “back to being a docent at Duke They went through “a full month of Anne “Mitty” Ewing Beal emailed Anderson and her husband Dave. Farms environmental estate” and spare the air days—smoke, darkness news to the alum office about her (They just moved back to the East is also part of a “fun Wells [Zoom] at noon—end of world!” due to the mother, Nancy Maddock Ewing ’43, Coast, but I’ll let her tell her story.) group”. She is gradually “find[ing] wildfires in California. Christine’s and included her own news as well. Alex was accepted into the Juilliard homes for all the family antiques. I Master Gardeners Program has “I’m eager to see everyone again Playwriting Fellowship Program even gave 19th century swords to made some adjustments to what at our 50th Reunion…I loved our last year and this was the play that Deb Roecker’s son Geoff, who is a she describes as the “COVID way 40th. I’m grateful to be healthy and got him in. The play received very Civil War re-enactor and historian of life.” A drive-through plant still married to the same optimistic, good reviews. I may be biased but I among other things!” sale; and answering more than ever cheerful idiot who makes me loved it!! We sang to him after the three times the number of phone laugh and takes me sailing. My show which embarrassed him and Pat Cunningham and Paul are and email questions as last year, much adored daughter Irina is a GIS perplexed his friends. See you all in “enjoying retirement despite “evidence that many have turned COVID. We can garden and enjoy to home gardening as a respite from our wooded neighborhood.” She the chaos that surrounds us.” She says that postponing the Reunion has also managed to knit 14 shawls until 2021 “spurred emails and and still has “unused stash”. phone calls between Rose Ann Christian, Susan Raab, Donna Stepheny Powell McGraw praised Waters Talmage, [and] Lynn Perrott the efforts of Susan “Soose” Smith.” Newman Solomon and Gail Pesyna for organizing a virtual reunion on Lynn Perrott Smith “retired Zoom, but adds “we look forward about four years ago; every day is to getting back to normal times and Saturday”. The virus did interrupt an extraordinary Reunion in 2021.” their travel plans this past summer, as they had planned “to go to Opening night for Alex Riad ’12s play: front (L-R): Talyse Hampton ’09, name unknown, Susan “Soose” Newman Solomon Jena Tesse Fox, Suzanne Doty ’71, Dominique "Nikki" Britten '14, Crary Reynolds Brooks ’87, Prague and Vienna to celebrate called it a ReZoomion, and tallied Lisa Hotte Young ’78. Back (L-R): Giavarna Faison ’14, Peggy Peterson Anderson ’71, Beethoven’s 250th birthday.” Alex Riad ’12 48 attendees, from which several 28 Fall/Winter 2020 ClassNotes Andy Otness’s trip to China was to an in-person Reunion, as are so myself very fortunate to have NANCY TILLINGHAST cancelled. “However, my yard and many of us. gone there and really appreciate 164 Island West Dr. garden have never looked better.” having an education that helped me Bluffton, SC 29910-6135 She continues to tutor ESL students Julie Curtiss Kocher “lives in Texas negotiate all different kinds of jobs. [email protected] remotely, and has been working on with her husband Paul and great I also learned how important it is to remote candidate forums for local grandsons, Nathan (8) and Dallas be part of a caring community and I Greetings from your class agents, elections. She has also “decided to (5-½). Retired? Only from the hope in some small ways I’ve passed Nancy Tillinghast and Anne Oliver age in place. Result, I converted a job at a local hospital. Boys are that forward.” Roberts! We were delighted to bathtub to a ‘walk in shower’ this full-time job, especially when we see messages from many of our summer.” had to home school (online) during Lydia Slater reports “lots of classmates and found it interesting quarantine and first three weeks walking, staying healthy, and to see different ways we’re all After a travel-filled 2019,Lucy of the new year.” I guess COVID staying in touch weekly with coping with the pandemic. What a Wachter Freeman decided to sell has upended many of our lives Carolyn Anderson Collins as usual.” resilient group we are! But most of the house she had lived in “for over and routines in ways seemingly She echoes Alice: “I love all the all, we send our hope that all of our 35 years and moved into Coronado unimaginable just a few short communication from President classmates are staying healthy and Retirement Village. At the present months ago. Gibralter: really keeps alums in the safe during this challenging time. time, we are restricted to the loop so beautifully.” premises of this facility, but I get For Lee Lipshultz Shepherd, “the Sarah Chase comments that summer outside daily for exercise walks and virus put an end to all our group Kathy Hutchins Welling, whose weather in Northern Virginia was enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. musical activities.” However, she mother, Jeanne Bahn Hutchins ’43, hot and muggy with tons of rain. says “we have kept our chops up is “doing well at 98”, continues She said, “Everything about 2020 Marsha Bell and Lucy Wachter by giving porch concerts, cello and board work “fund-raising and has been crazy. Wonder if we’ll set Freeman remain best friends even keyboard, every other week all strategic planning for new boards records for snow this winter.” after 50 years.” Marsha adds “I am through the summer and will keep here [in Vermont] as well as others”. so very happy to be retired during going until it’s too cold.” She adds: “It was wonderful to see Beverly “Berry” Jones enjoyed this unsettled time! I’ve been trying so many members of our class for time with her grands searching for to maintain a daily exercise regimen Jeri Vargo says she and Anne “have our virtual reunion—and to note lobster on a pier in Maine. “I spent at home (not always successfully...) been staying under wraps in Aurora how accomplished and talented three months babysitting full-time and I am making great strides with and trying to avoid the epidemic”. they all have become! No surprise for the older two children. I loved my first big retirement project of They did get away to Maine for a really with the incredible education living with my son and his family scanning all my photos; I only have few days. we received at Wells...and the in Boston during the week and five years of photos to go!” Because opportunity in such a small intimate returning home to Cape Cod every Lucy is essentially quarantined, Marion Henze Bartell had planned all women’s college to find the weekend. Life is pretty normal Marsha has been able to do some “a family vacation in Big Sky, MT, strength of our voices and acquire on the Cape since I returned full grocery shopping and “necessary for the end of July” and decided amazing leadership skills. And such time. I’m playing bridge, eating errands” for them both. to go ahead with their plans, fun to hear the memories—took out, volunteering at the Wildlife enjoying rafting, fishing, and me right back to Aurora and those Center and having great walks on For Nancy White Martinez, reading, exploring Yellowstone. They visited special four years.” the beach.” knitting and volunteer work are Linda Sullivan Curtis “all socially keeping her busy. “Thank goodness distanced, of course” during the Your scribe had a pre-COVID Nice to hear from Mary Yeater I have a dog who motivates me to trip. She’s hoping for a lot of snow January/February trip to Australia Rathbun who is still living in walk a few miles a day, helping to in order to ski and snowshoe this and New Zealand, and a COVID- Monona, WI and working part- stave off isolation!” winter. distanced early August two-week time (fall semesters only so she can solo stay at our family’s very travel in the winter) teaching gender Patricia Fahey Swaim says she has Gloria Geary Coolidge reports that rustic camp on the Maine/New and women’s history in the liberal “kept myself amused by more golf her “best Wells news is that Ann Hampshire border just south of arts transfer program at a two-year than I have ever played in any Bartlett and I traveled to Antarctica Canada. Interspersed were the college. She says preparing to teach prior season”, but is “so grateful for and Buenos Aires early in 2020. (It usual: yard work, home repairs, the course online has been a real the companionship, fresh air and was her idea!)” Who knew what the reading, sporadic exercise, with challenge that has dragged her exercise.” pandemic would bring. some boredom thrown in for good farther into the 21st century than measure. Vermont has done a pretty she has ever been before. This year Carolyn Salisbury Brigham, retired Pat Adams Justicia-Linde was less good job of fending off COVID she spent the month of February from her position as a college fortunate in her travel plans. They infections, but we’ll see how well in Malta and loved it. Last year librarian, “is enjoying pickle own a second home in Spain but we do this fall and winter. Perhaps she traveled to Puerto Rico with ball, Mahjong, bridge, kayaking, have been unable to travel there. Wendy Millar Phillips can sum our classmate Mary Feeney. “Who biking, hiking in the Great Smokey Otherwise, “there have been few up for us all how we’re feeling knows when I will travel again, Mountains, and volunteering at her highlights so far in 2020, except… about missing Reunion and our but hopefully I will be able to see community library.” our class Zoom get-together, which old friends: “It was wonderful to my son, Michael Rathu ’11 during was thoroughly enjoyable.“ see so many classmates during our the couple of years he is studying at Susan Worral-Murphy phoned to say reunion call in June. Thank you Trinity College, Dublin, starting that COVID delayed her planned Susan Hotine echoes the Zoom again to Soose and Gail Pesyna for November 1.” move back to Aurora, where many sentiment: although travel has their hard work in organizing it for of her family members live. She’s “pretty much ceased…I did very us! I am grateful for health, family, Nancy Nutt Schiffer wrote, “I am been busy downsizing, although much enjoy seeing a bunch of our and friends and send my warmest well and thriving in Pennsylvania. without book sales to accept her classmates at the Zoom reunion. regards to all of you! Here’s hoping It is reassuring to see that we have donations, that too is going slowly. Maybe we will make it in person that our dear Alma Mater will found fullness in life as we hoped. After the last of her horses died a next June.” survive these turbulent times.” I enjoy the news about each friend. year or so ago, she now has three - Karen “Bouncer” Keep up your good works. Hope to cats to keep her company. Alice Woodson Smith visited see you at a future Reunion” Tobie at Christmas, then returned Debby Lee hasn’t “been doing much later when Jean Jones Morris and From Clair Henderson Leighton, family were visiting. She adds, 1969 except trying to stay healthy and ANNE OLIVER ROBERTS “I so hope everyone is staying well “I’ve been really impressed with a bit of civil rights and political 3107 West Sentinel Rock Rd. during this awful year. I’m still what President Gibralter has been activity,” but is looking forward Phoenix, AZ 85086-2228 in my same house in a semi-rural accomplishing at Wells. I consider [email protected] section of Manchester, CT, so I’m Wells.edu 29 ClassNotes keeping busy pulling weeds, taking as You Always Are!’ And so, I wish and 1839/1845 floors of two rooms and mentoring, with a few phone walks and reading in my yard or on that for all of you!” in our 1839 Greek Revival. Hoping calls during the week. Now there my porch. Since July I’ve been able to stay here for a few years to enjoy are two or three Zoom meetings to have some outdoor meals with Alice McAteer Wilson says “We are the new kitchen, etc.!” a week plus those few calls. The friends and go to the gym.” all doing well, thank God. Van and antique shop, where I have a case, I are traveling between Georgia Nancy recently enjoyed a phone reopened and I work there two Mary Geldmacher reports “My and Texas, as we drive through conversation with Jeanne half days per month. And need to daughter (a labor and delivery nurse) the south, in this one nation under Mohr Drahos who was home in update my case in the hope that and grandson live in Georgia, so I God. We enjoy the freedom of this Pennsylvania. Jeanne is Grammie someone will buy something! The haven’t seen them in person since blessed region. We wish all of you to 3-year-old Jack, whom she has best thing that happened during the Christmas. Max (7) is back to in continued good health and freedom, over twice weekly for a morning pandemic for me is that my younger person school, wearing a mask in with God’s blessings and love.” of fun. On days when Jack visits, granddaughter (10) discovered class. My daughter got COVID but it’s early to bed for Grammie! Her FaceTime. So, I get to see her not too badly. Her wedding got Sue Coe Adams wrote, “Great daughter Jamie married last year, beautiful face often. She shows me postponed and they’re eloping this news Wells (I think/hope) starting lives in Boston with her husband her room, all her Harry Potter stuff month. I very much miss seeing with 400+ students. Not sure how Brad, and works at MIT. Jamie and carries me around the yard them and miss all the traveling I’d sustainable this is, but I’m heartened relayed that MIT brought seniors while she climbs trees. EEK! She been doing.” to know that so many care so much only back to campus this fall— would stay on the phone all day, so about our beloved alma mater to one more variation on college/ I do have the painful task of telling Our hearts go out to Kate Landon help nudge her along for a while university enrollment management her I have to get off the phone! I so who wrote, “Although confined longer. [Yikes—that sounds kind this academic year! Jeanne shares enjoyed our Reunion last year! I’m to quarters, have kept busy with a of grim.] Given all that’s (not) all our hopes for healing from the praying for Wells, for financial and vegetable garden, quilting, lots of happened in the past 6 months, I devastation of this pandemic. health safety.” exercise and caring for my husband, don’t have much to share. We had a who’s struggling with a myriad nice visit in Bend, OR with Steve Linda McAteer Cooke wrote from Nancy Tillinghast and husband of maladies including early stage and Blair Handley Jenkins in early their home in Florida: “My news is: Tom take daily walks in the dementia and COPD. Glad that July: great hiking, golf and biking We are all well, happy, and blessed neighborhood or sometimes on Wells is open for students!” [Editors’ in the shadow of the Cascades. to be living in the greatest country the beach in nearby Hilton Head note: We were reassured by Kate’s Our kids invited Blair and us for a on earth. God bless America, one and enjoy weekly rounds of golf. follow-up note.] “I’m grateful for short week of blissful camping at nation under God.” She adds, “Online visits with the support of good friends, plus a beautiful Crater Lake just a couple Anne Oliver Roberts and other good team of medical professionals. of days before the smoke and ash And from the hills of New classmates have been a blessing! I’m utilizing an online program made the entire area dark, gray and Hampshire, Nan McCarthy wrote, Like so many of our classmates, I from the VA that offers help to unwelcome. And we recently spent “These days I stay close to home. miss family in-person visits and caregivers dealing with dementia of a very tasty afternoon catching up No big trips overseas. My sister and the joy of travel. We are grateful to a loved one. Getting older is not for with Al and Sally Colegrove Jones several friends live nearby, so I see have toured Sicily, Venice and the the faint of heart!” [Amen to that, in Grass Valley, CA just as the fires them regularly. My sister and I and Greek Islands before the onset of Kate!] were starting to make their mark. our pups went up to Lake Ossipee COVID. I am cautiously optimistic Spending most of our time in the for a few days and really enjoyed about my upcoming drive north “Just a quick note to say hello to mountains has kept (some of) the it. We did a lot of sightseeing, to visit my daughter Sara and my all my classmates!” says Eileen COVID craziness at bay. We’ve revisiting places from our tourist grandsons Max and Ben (and grand- Bingham Tuttle. “Hope everyone been actively working on getting days and seeing a lot of new things, pets Lizzie the bassett and Olive is staying safe and sane. My coping out the vote for November. Now too. We have brought back the the cat). I had hoped to join both mechanisms during this pandemic if we could just figure out how Sunday drive and have done a lot of my children and their families on include eating lots of chocolate, to harness these horrific fires and exploring. Just like when we were Cuttyhunk Island last August, but Netflix (I can really relate to Grace debilitating smoke…I hope that by girls, the ride usually ends with a states’ COVID requirements made and Frankie), and Facebook (send me the time the newsletter comes out, stop for ice cream. I’m still painting, the drive prohibitive.” Nancy adds, a friend request). Ruth Harlow is a some sense of calm and hope will although not a lot is happening in “I’m filled with gratitude for all true inspiration!” have embraced us all. Not really an the art world these days. I hope the family and friends (including upper, I’m afraid. Let’s hope we can everyone is staying safe and well.” Wells classmates!) who have found On that note, our class song leader, wrap up 2020 quickly, efficiently, ways to remain connected this past Ruth Harlow wrote, “Overall, positively and energetically and have Linda Calcote Kayser sent on a year via face chat, Zoom, email, I’ve been doing quite well. As an the opportunity to push restart. great photo of her granddaughters, Facebook, Marco Polo and more! ambivert, one VERY comfortable Thanks for doing this—again! Kaitlyn and Emily, taken after a And I applaud all faculty, teachers, in social situations, yet gaining Warm wishes coming your way.” school play (Frozen, of course!). She students, parents and grandparents recharging by being alone, this said, “I don’t have a lot of news. who have stepped up to help our isolation has not been as hard for me Judy Whittum-Hudson wrote, “We We are, of course, tired of being children, grandchildren and great- as it has for some. I started singing are fine in Michigan but seriously at home but we’re still behaving grandchildren with online learning! and recording a new song every day missing traveling and live music. very conservatively. I have lots of What an unspeakably challenging and posting it on My Bravery Tour. Before the shutdown, we did a friends who are eating outside at year it has been! I am looking Sometimes the songs sound fine great tour of Peru with Globus last restaurants, getting together, etc. forward to my first stint as a and sometimes I think EEK! As of October. Lloyd and Sally Huggins We get out to walk, get groceries, poll worker and my first virtual September 30, I’m on day 185 of no Johns ’70 did the tour also, so we go to doctors. And Ken is working mentoring assignment through the repeats. In addition, I am walking caught up and shared some good constantly, at home, but all the United Way of the Lowcountry. everyday exploring all the great laughs. Except for the altitude, time. I’m on Zoom a lot. More While I have not resumed the conservation land and trails around which did not work well for us, it church meetings than I would Master Gardener program enjoyed here, photographing interesting was one of our more memorable normally have. I volunteer with a in Virginia, I volunteer on the places, things, events, reading, travels. In January we returned group called RENEW. We help grounds of our church on Hilton water coloring again, writing/doing to Mexico City and then to the young mothers get out of poverty, Head with two friends who are Zoom poetry conferences, and Yucatan visiting Mayan Ruins, especially by teaching them to fellow Master Gardeners. As we following a favorite Boston based new to us. In Mexico City, we understand differences between move into a new planting season singer and his band—The Adam discovered the Museo Soumaya middle class and lower-class habits, here, I look forward to more Ezra Group. I always end my entries which houses an outstanding art thought processes, and culture. pleasure in the garden! I pray that with ’Be Well, Be Safe, Be as Kind collection. Instead of traveling, we Usually we meet in Paterson on 2021 brings improved health and are in the midst of a kitchen redo Wednesdays for a class/program healing to our nation.”

30 Fall/Winter 2020 ClassNotes Anne Oliver Roberts says “My Steinmetz Blum and husband she is reading, Zooming and Like everyone else, Wendy Wilson husband Fay and I and our two Jim traveled to Scotland in 2019 supporting a chamber music group, Hilty has had many plans changed Australian shepherds, Piper and to renew their vows in the same arts foundation and other arts or cancelled. She and Ken were Bella, are coping with the social church where they were married 25 organizations online. Like the rest supposed to spend most of the last distancing here in Phoenix and years ago. They were attended by of us, she eagerly awaits a return to summer in the UK and Europe not venturing out much except to their same best man, now concierge travel and in-person exchanges. where she had tickets to the Chelsea pick up groceries ordered online, at the Balmoral, where they spent Flower show. So, she has been occasional doctor appointments and their honeymoon. Otherwise, all I think that Judy Ehren and I are keeping busy with her gardening take out tacos when we just can’t is well with them and their family, living somewhat parallel lives and gardening webinars. At least resist any longer! Thanks to Zoom, including four grandchildren. right now. Life in her retirement her golf handicap went down ten we’ve been taking great Osher community has been somewhat points and her own garden looks Lifelong Learning Classes (OLLI), Mary Brayton writes that personal constrained, with limited visitation great. Check out her gardening and I’ve been keeping up regularly and professional life continues to to the assisted living facility and blog at http://www.comyagardener. with family and friends, and groups be rewarding. Her daughter and many activities and lifelong learning com. (No, Wendy, you are not like book club, ProMusica Arizona son-in-law in Arizona are expecting programs now broadcast on the BORING!) Chorale and orchestra (though our twins momentarily, bringing the community TV channel, and other performances have been cancelled) grand total of grands to four. Her meetings online or Zoomed. She Rhea Hirshman is also grateful for and staying involved in Get Out the other daughter in San Francisco is has been able to get up to Wells two technology, which has allowed her Vote for the election. Reading and being creative and resourceful at or three days a week to be on the to keep in touch with many of us exercising help too. This has been home as her yoga studio is closed for golf course for a 7 a.m. tee time. through monthly Zoom meetings, the longest and hottest summer now, but she has company with her Her company there is mostly of the and she has already been used to in Phoenix which doesn’t help new adopted rescue pit bull, scary wildlife variety, but she appreciates working from home. She is able to the confinement very much! We looking but very sweet. Mary’s the beauty around her. see friends and colleagues locally had planned to get away to cooler psychotherapy practice has gone on outdoors as weather permits. She locations but the virus prevented line, as well as a lab she is teaching Nancy Rathkopf Fallon is well and does miss singing with her chorus, that. I’m already planning where at Santa Clara University. She is enjoying her new life in Idaho, and seeing Wells friends in person we’ll go next summer. Thank looking forward to meeting up with moving there from Atlanta last and visiting the campus. Teaching goodness my sons and their families Jane Lang for lunch in Mill Valley. September into a 55+ community her students online has been an have remained healthy though in Coeur d’Alene. Most of her usual adventure. She chuckles that she Drew and Sophia live in Los Other than the constant threat activities have been curtailed, but wonders who that gray-haired lady Angeles, which has been hit hard as of fire,Dionys Miller Briggs and she is still teaching an exercise class in her bathroom mirror is, but she you know. Doug and family are in nearby family are doing well in three times a week and walking and seems friendly so Rhea is glad she’s Hamilton, Ontario, which wasn’t Carmel. Grandson number two hiking a lot. there. (I think we all relate, Rhea!) hit hard until recently. We send arrived recently, and Dionys had the all my best to our dear Wells ’69 chance to entertain his older brother The pandemic has hit a “reset” Life here has been busy as I have Classmates! for some overnights to give the button for Myra Egelman Feeney, been managing our village store - Anne & Nancy new parents a break. Her daughter, rendering most of her calendar items solo, with many fellow residents assistant professor of neurobiology impossible. Thanks to technology relying on our services, but I am at University of Rochester is back she has been able to take courses, heartily grateful to have meaningful teaching in person in the lab, but practice yoga and meditation, and activities to keep me busy. The 1968 any visits for the foreseeable future meet with friends, family, Wells bright ray of sunshine in this weird KAREN KENNEDY GALLIMORE will be on Zoom. classmates, and even have a reunion situation has been the birth of our 1290 Boyce Rd Apt. 405C with a fifth grade class she taught first grandchild, Violet Musson Pittsburgh, PA 15241 Terryl Chapman still lives in in 1978, all virtually. Fortunately, Gallimore, on March 19 in Buffalo. [email protected] Cape May, NJ surrounded by she is able to see her local family, Every time I pick up my cell (like her five grown kids and spouses, daughters and grandchildren often. all of you, often!) her beautiful face ANDI MCMAHON LAMOREAUX ten grandchildren, and two step smiles at me and makes everything 21 West Goethe St. #8B grandchildren. Fortunately, she has Susan Peterson Goldstein is well else insignificant. We just hope Chicago, IL 60610-8295 been able to spend time with them and hunkered down in rural Virginia to meet her in person before she [email protected] around her daughter’s swimming at her summer house. She is graduates from Wells! And thanks pool, even while observing planning to return to Ft. Lauderdale to my dear Andi for partnering with What a surreal year! Many thanks quarantine. She was recently in time to vote. Both children and me! to all who responded to my usual elected to her county Democratic families are in California, and like - Karen request. Obviously, circumstances committee and has many Zoom all of us, she has no idea when she changed plans and impacted lives meetings, etc. will be able to see them in person. Barbie Christy Kimberly and her for all of us, but we all seem to be husband celebrated their 50th managing through it. Thanks to circumstances, Deb For Elisabeth Goodridge, Zoom wedding anniversary this past June Coulson Choma has not had much has made meeting easier and more and have an October 2019 trip Shelley Osmun Baranowski, her happening, including visits with convenient, and making distant to Russia to look back on with sister-in-law, Bonnie Baranowski family and friends. She and Russ people more accessible. Virtual pleasure, “before COVID changed ’71, and sister Marion managed a have remained healthy and she teaching, meeting, and meditation everything.” They’ve spent most of wonderful trip to Costa Rica, but is using her extra time rereading are all virtual, and she wonders this year near Chesapeake Bay and had to cancel plans for a Greek everything on her shelf, especially if Zoom fatigue is a legitimate on a lake in the Adirondacks, where Island cruise. Otherwise, she has books she hasn’t read in 25 years, diagnosis! She and Peter decided they welcomed a long summer done what we all have, stayed home, and riding A Small Fortune, also to have a solar array installed, and visit from their older daughter and safe, and venturing outside for walks known as Penny, and improving her love the excess electricity so much, two grandchildren. Their younger to relieve monotony. Currently, dressage. She maintains that “life is they have invested in an all-electric daughter is also staying with them. she is in Rhode Island with her good!” car which can go for 160 miles on Barbie wishes everyone good health mother-in-law Mary and sister- one charge, although curtailment for the duration, and she’s pleased in-law Bonnie avoiding the heat Carol Iskols Daynard splits her of travel has lessened their need for about the encouraging news from and hurricane season in West Palm time between Boston and the it right now. Home improvements, campus. Beach. Berkshires, spending studio time gardening, art projects, films and working on memory sketches, reading are keeping them Dorota Gora Stoddart, with time Working mostly at home for 53 collages of previous work, with an entertained. on her hands during the lockdown, Bank in Chicago now, Betsy occasional new piece. Otherwise, has been making soups and adding

Wells.edu 31 ClassNotes lots of new recipes to her culinary Being in the line of fire has new In Larry and Beth Swanson a shop, and gardens in the heart repertoire. She’s also been enjoying meaning for Nan D’Arcy Gunderson. Leyking’s pandemic-curtailed life, of Salida, Colorado’s historic a lot of opera and is thankful to the “Whether it’s COVID or protests they miss traveling, dining out, district. One exhibit, Sum of the Met for their free nightly streams. or wildfires and ever-present cultural activities, and classes, while Parts, features wood assemblage Tom was recruited back to work at smoke, we enjoy living in Oregon,” using apps to continue enjoying installations and a jumbo Moroccan General Dynamics and is operating she says. “Lots of risk, and isn’t it some of them. “Most of all, we rag kilim, which to her is a out of their home’s basement. Their interesting how risk-averse our miss physically hugging our friends metaphor for the grandest living son Paul was unable to make his society has become since we were and family, though we do stay in assemblage piece known to exist— usual summertime visit, but they young? With caution, I say: Life touch. Our son and son-in-law life on earth. “How many threads have great memories of the surprise Goes On! Wells prepared me to be are considered essential workers will we pull from the Tapestry visit he made last Christmas (he civic-minded and to keep learning. and luckily have remained safe of Life before we grasp the harm came to their door dressed as Santa Currently I’m learning about and healthy. Randall, a doctor, has we inflict—before we assume, Claus!). implicit bias, climate issues and worked diligently since the outbreak instead, the role of guardian, of the stoic mindset of some Russian either through telemedicine or by keeper?“ Thordis wonders. A And from Gail Funston Wasson, we authors. It seems to me that Wells physical appointments. Our son-in- permanent exhibit displays an array hear not only about cancelled spring is expressing the soul of a great law Gordon, a FedEx pilot, has been of handmade utilitarian objects— trips but also about her and John’s institution: Helping Others Learn. working overtime delivering PPE works of art—brought back from explorations in New Hampshire, Thanks to all who keep in touch.” to countries all over the world. Like Greece over the past several discovering a new interest in plants, most of our ’66 classmates, I am decades. The museum website is birds, and geology. They’ve seen While waiting out the coronavirus excited to receive continuing good museumofauthenticity.org. Check it some grandchildren, though not all, at their home in Florida, Betsy reports from Wells that the college out for photos. and have been on Martha’s Vineyard Lydecker and Jim missing families, is on track for a safe and viable most of the summer, where they’ve long-distance friends, and travel academic year.” Carol Mason Robinson keeps had good times with Chrissy Lapp and eagerly await the post-COVID thinking retirement will become Williamson and Woods. time when they can visit families up What a strange year! For us, it’s only more peaceful but that doesn’t seem north. They stayed busy co-writing meant disrupting our ordinary lives; to happen. They continue to spend As for me: I’ve been working from Check the Neutral: “a small collection for so many, it’s been so much more as much time as possible on their home since March, but with the of Jim’s experiences over 35 years as devastating. We miss seeing family sailboat but aging bodies are no loosening of some restrictions a power lineman. Lots of fascinating and friends in person, and are happy longer fit for trips to the Bahamas here in Illinois, I now go into the stories, many humorous, some we can see them via Zoom and the so they sail closer to home around station one morning a week. It’s poignant.” Betsy will let us know phone. We’ve had time to be more Cape Cod and the islands. Their challenging to keep the place on the when it’s ready for distribution. thoughtful and supportive of the four grandchildren, ages 5-13, all air with so many of us confined to needs of others, those we know and live close by so luckily they can see home, but modern technology has In October, Marena Basos Gonz those we don’t. We miss museums lots of them, be their biggest fans, really come through. No travel to celebrated her mother’s 101st and art galleries but have time to and enjoy watching them grow. report—alas. Last year I managed birthday with champagne, cake, learn through reading, Zoom, Robby is still writing his great the Caribbean, Aurora, and my and lots of cards and balloons. “If and various studies on our nation’s American novel and Carol still hometown, but plans for this year she can do this…so can we,” she history, the present reality of racial loves tending her gardens. Climate and next are on hold. My retirement says. After 46 years in her home, relationships and whatever else change and political advocacy is now fixed for September 2021, Marena’s downsizing for a move to interests us. We were able to have work have become a surprisingly and I’m already looking around for a retirement community, joining fun with friends in the Adirondacks, big part of her life and a great way volunteer activities. Family all well several friends. She enjoys being sharing with them, cooking hot to stay connected and feel useful. —fingers crossed, and prayers, for a member of the Shakespeare dogs over an outside fire, and Thankfully, all are well and trying all of you and your families as well. Dramatic Club and the Lions and boating around the lake. Hoping to get used to a strange masked - Andi serving two local non-profit found- you are well and that we’ll beat this world! ations as chair and vice chair. She virus soon. stays in touch with Sandra Smyrski - Ruthellen Patty Wardwell Porter writes from Grindlay, Tuju Salve Fields, and Bend, OR that being shut in by 1967 Faith Fernalld. In New York City COVID and smoked in by forest EILEEN KRASKOUSKAS Jan Worman Wilkenson wrote from last January, Tuju, Sandra, and fires in Oregon, Washington, and 1201 Melville Square, #211 Delaware. “Have really enjoyed the Marena visited the newly renovated California have been devastating Richmond, CA 94804-4545 Zoom meetings with classmates. Museum of Modern Art, and dined and enlightening experiences. [email protected] Makes me realize how lucky I am to at the Edison Hotel. “Be safe all and be a Wells grad. I’m grateful that the Never has she appreciated more let’s do our best to keep Wells alive!” what has been lost: clean air, ELIZABETH VAN RANST college was able to open this fall. beautiful forests, clear streams 120 Foster St. I’m still tutoring kids with learning “Amazing that with all this staying- and rivers, and time with dear Cambridge, MA 02138-4745 differences. They are teaching me at-home,” says Candace McDowell, friends and family. Patty feels this [email protected] how to use the Zoom applications! “my to-do list is expanding, not Ben died in June. He had dementia, is a crucial time of awakening, diminishing. What I/we have but died of pneumonia. He donated worldwide, to the devastation of accomplished is enjoying and his body to science and when climate change. In response, she and 1966 sprucing up our home and garden, his ashes were returned, we also Mike are treasuring gardens, berry RUTHELLEN POWELL HOYLE yummy meals (and nights off) from got a letter telling us about all bushes, and fruit trees, family and 1014C Greenleaf Rd a dinner exchange, sewing masks, the different doctors-to-be who friends and enjoying this simpler Rochester, NY 14612-1960 streaming church, Zooming a Bible benefitted from studying him. It time of living with plenty of time [email protected] study, birthday parties and chats was, somehow, comforting to know to play games, read books, chat or with children, grandchildren and he had contributed so greatly. I’m text with friends, like Nan D’Arcy JODY KESSLER LAKE great-grandchildren, YouTubing looking forward to Reunion next Gunderson and other Wells buddies. 1300 NE 16th Ave. Apt. 431 yoga, and starting more projects spring.” They enjoy grandchildren and now, Portland, OR 97232-1480 that may go unfinished. After two great-grands and are filled with [email protected] mailing her 2020 General Election After seven and a half years of gratitude for their life. ballot early, “It was strange leaving effort,Thordis Simonsen celebrated KATE LEBOUTILLIER O’NEILL without an I Voted sticker and the completion of her Museum of Liz Bowman Rothermel succinctly 55 North Main St. knowing that election results would Authenticity: Genuine Encounters expresses feelings most of us share! Pennington, NJ 08534-2204 be at least a month – and a very in Art and Culture. The museum She is staying close to home [email protected] chaotic one – away.” includes two renovated buildings, (Wyomissing, PA) and safe so far.

32 Fall/Winter 2020 ClassNotes She hopes the pandemic is over soon is two and getting more adept at and eating! She writes she must and misses friends, lunches out, and running, (providing exercise for own at least 20 masks of different her exercise program and sends love Susan!), saying no and expressing colors/types and has gotten very to all classmates. her thoughts and feelings about comfortable wearing them. Thea most things in her young life. sends best wishes to all of the class Linda Wilson Whynman wrote from Wells friends’ emails and phone of 1966—stay well and stay hopeful. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, calls provided a wonderful respite (Thanks to Thea, our own Trustee, where she and husband Saul are from and boost to the grayness of for keeping us apprised of activities well and enjoying lovely weather smoky air during the recent and at Wells.) and great outdoor spaces. She terrible forest fires. Susan is in a reports that everyone is wearing couple of groups—all Zoomed, and I am happy to report that all masks and awaiting a vaccine. regularly gets together with friends. the Lakes are healthy and doing Like most of us, they are staying She’d love to go swimming, but well. I spent the spring making engaged with online classes—yoga, is appreciating walks around the masks for residents and staff in bridge, watercolor—and keeping neighborhood, getting in touch our retirement community. Now Betsy Buenger Shults ’68 and Rindy in touch with family and friends with nature and keeping somewhat Brown Townsend ’66 in front of Main, I am concentrating on quilts for via Zoom. San Miguel has been on fit. She sends warm wishes to September 2020. various charities. Thankfully we lockdown since March and is now everyone. Rindy hopes all are doing well in live in the age of computers and slowly opening up. Eventually, they this unusual and challenging year! can stay in touch with friends hope to get back to Maine for a Rindy Brown Townsend writes from and family, Zoom with Wells month and reunite with family, sail Florida that she and Barry have been Like everyone else, Thea Smith classmates (thanks, Kate!), take with their son in Burlington, visit fortunate for the past seven months Sawicki has been marooned at classes, attend meetings and even grandkids in Boise, and catch up to have been minimally affected home since March 16th, when the read books online. We particularly with medical appointments. Linda by COVID and the resulting state of Ohio went into lockdown. enjoy family video chats since wishes all her classmates the best, quarantine. They continued their It was a good time to clean closets our family is bicoastal, with son and when this passes invites visitors normal life without the usual and discover bags and bags of yarn Michael in Virginia and daughter to come enjoy warm Mexican socializing in large groups. They that she has since crocheted into and granddaughters here in Oregon. hospitality! biked, golfed, swam and walked. baby blankets, lap throws and Best wishes to all classmates for Mini vacations are taking the place hats to be donated to charity. She good health and happiness. Susan Woodward Weinstein writes of usual fall travels. They drove to tutors a young woman at the local - Jody from Oregon that she spends most Colorado to see family, traveled to homeless shelter who is studying weekdays at her daughter’s home their farm in Upstate New York and for the ACT tests to apply for a First, a rip-roaring “Woo hoo!” “grandnannying,” as her daughter a visit over Labor Day with their nursing undergraduate program. A to the Class of ’66. We rallied works from home full time. Her younger son and family. Took a highlight of late summer was the generously behind the Bell Tower grandsons (9 and 13) are in school— quick trip to Aurora and met Betsy restaurants opening for in-dining Committee, providing spirit and at home. They see a few friends Buenger Shults ’68 for lunch at the and her first lunch out. Thea was funds that significantly contributed now and again, but regular school Fargo. Betsy’s husband Dave was in amazed at how special that felt to Wells’ safe reopening this fall. is missed! Granddaughter Ellie law school at Cornell with Barry. after months of at-home cooking SMART PLANNING As members of the Wells family, we all have gratifying reminders of the difference Wells has made in our lives. It is why we support the College. Planned gifts have had a dramatic impact at Wells, from its founding to the present. In addition to your annual gift, one of the most meaningful ways to support the Wells experience is to include Wells in your will, estate plan or through a life income gift. A legacy gift is a lasting statement about who you are and what is important to you. Simple ways to make your mark on the future: • Make a gift through your will or trust • Donate appreciated stock and save on taxes • Make a gift through your retirement plan • Make a gift that gives you fixed payments for life • Give life insurance you no longer need Interested? Contact Wells today for more information.

Pamela J. Sheradin ’86 Director of Leadership and Planned Giving

315.364.3260 [email protected] wells.edu/plannedgiving

Wells.edu 33 ClassNotes Many thanks to Gail Abbott for of whom,” she says, “like me, sharing her poem expressing not desperately need a new haircut.” ALMA MATER just loneliness amid the Coronavirus pandemic, but also the unexpected Fifteen hundred miles up the Fair Wells, with loyal hearts we will forever sing, connections we have discovered. coast, Julianne Jones Edmonson has enjoyed visits from family and And to the name we love our joyous tribute bring; In times of loneliness friends, safely spaced on her back And Wells, dear Wells, we shout in singing, Come back little bee deck, and is not looking forward Come sit with me to the long Maine winter. Julianne To thee our song we raise, Don’t fly away! continues with her National Cancer I’m lonely today Institute drug trial for ovarian Thee would we ever praise, You can crawl on my toes cancer and, with a lot of tweaking Our Alma Mater, Dear Alma Mater! Tickle my nose of her medications, she is happy to I don’t care where you land be holding her own. “Of course, To thee our song we raise, Just don’t fly away Wells friends have been totally Thee would we ever praise, I’m lonely today. wonderful, which has not been surprising,” she says. “Wishing Our Alma Mater, Beloved Wells! Hope Dillon-Jones says: “In the everyone well.” year of the pandemic I feel that life by the church for fighting off an made it home to Rochester in is like talking to a teenager. “How Debbie Maher continues to work Indian attack on his family, and, in March, just as the pandemic was was your day?” “OK.” “Where part-time as Cape Cod Community 1782, another freed his “Negro slave getting started. For the next few did you go?” “Nowhere.” “What College’s rep on Martha’s Vineyard. woman, Betty—my first indication months, she organized her photo did you do?” “Nothing!” The “For on-island students, COVID that any of my ancestors had albums, “thus I relived every recent virus has taken some of her nurse restrictions have been good anything to do with slavery!” trip and family occasion, which was friends and turned rheumatology, news,” she says. “All courses are fun and rewarding,” she says. “As her former specialty, upside down. now offered remotely, so students “I feel fortunate to be living usual, we spent most of the summer However, on the marvelous side: don’t need to take the ferry to through the pandemic in a remote in the Adirondacks, seeing our a niece, the daughter of Martha campus. Another blessing is the community in the SoCal desert,” children and grandchildren for the Dillon Stothers ’71, invited her to island’s relatively low number of says Steph Kyser De Long. Her first time in seven months; life was attend her wedding dress shopping, infections—despite many summer daughter and granddaughter wish almost normal!” where coincidentally, Tears from visitors not wearing masks while in she’d join them in Connecticut, but Heaven played on the sound system. public. “I feel fortunate and grateful the desert will be home for a few Addie Murphy Gundlach’s summer In July, new grandson Dillon as my family and friends remain safe more years, at least. Steph celebrated was much less normal. In early arrived. “I missed a lot with my and healthy, despite the disturbing the life of her late husband Ron at summer, her son Drew developed own children: and even with my feeling of disaster in the bigger a memorial gathering in October, septicemia after a dental cleaning first two grandchildren, so helping picture of our world!” on the 25th anniversary of their and was hospitalized for seven out has been sheer fun. Nothing wedding; she sends thanks to all weeks. High fever and delusions like a pandemic to bring home the “I’m not going anyplace anyway, her Wells classmates who reached took him to a local hospital in important things in life.” so, like many of us, I’ve increased out after his sudden death last Baltimore and from there to a Zoom, phone, Skype, and summer. She’s glad to be continuing larger hospital, where they found Kris Valentine Crittenden and WhatsApp contact,” says Marsha her freelance writing on topics brain lesions, abscesses on his liver Albert became great-grandparents Cohen Boer. “But I’ve been lucky. including health and small business, and spinal cord, and bacterial to Lina, born to Al’s granddaughter. On the first anniversary of Dom’s and appreciates the companionship meningitis, “among other crazy “Otherwise, like the rest of the passing, our son Benjamin drove 13 of a 14-year-old border collie. “I tell things!” she says. “Imagine having world, we are missing the lives that hours to pick me up in north Jersey her she’s not allowed anywhere near your mother-in-law come to stay once were,” she says. “Isolation has and take me back to Chicago for ’that bridge’ yet.” with you for eight weeks!” That taken away the joys of travel, eating a three-week family visit.” Road was Addie, as she and her daughter- out, and bantering with the wait warrior that he is, Ben then drove As a widow in the pandemic, Kitty in-law listened together every day, staff, chatting with gym friends as Marsha to Maryland, where she Whittemore Adams most misses providing two pairs of ears as the I sought to keep this body moving, stayed two weeks with her daughter hugs, not just from Gordy, but from medical teams checked in.” Drew’s and talking up close and personal Kimberly, who then accompanied friends as well. She made photo been recovering since his discharge with friends and family. These losses her back to New Jersey where they organization her first pandemic in mid-August. The family is are real and have left me unusually spent another week together. “A lot project: gutting albums, digitizing relieved but anxious for the whole emotionally fragile. Here’s to the of scenic touring of the Midwest hundreds of prints, tossing half, ordeal to be finished. Wells Belles of ’66 as we look and east: masks on, picnic basket making piles for each child, framing forward to getting through these packed, no stopping except for the large collages of ones that make her Last summer, Marsha Boer and I times and becoming more accepting necessities.” smile, and putting her favorites back were among the early participants of a new reality as the resilient, into albums. With grandchildren in a group exploring possible hopeful, happy lot we’ve always Continuing to dig into her family’s far away, nurture comes from collaborations between the college been!” genealogy, Gail Elias says she gardening, walks and talks with one and the local Haudenosaunee “gave up chasing 70-year-old friend at a time, memoir writing, (Iroquois) people. In a first step, From Florida, Sue Jenks Breen men in Boulder County, CO, and and poetry. She also reads, watches Wells added a course—immediately writes, “Most of us in all likelihood switched to chasing 250+-year-old- movies, sticks with an exercise oversubscribed—covering remain hunkered down. I am men around northern Maryland class on Zoom, stays involved and the relationship between the grateful to be safe and reasonably and ‘the wilds’ of 18th century informed while trying not to get Haudenosaunee Confederacy and healthy, and feel fortunate to Pennsylvania.” She spent the stressed by the news and hoping to Euro-Americans from earliest have my son with me, along with summer finding her German understand the deeper meaning of contact to our times. On the my feline army of three. I’ve Baptist Brethren ancestors and our times. home front, amid the chaos of our rediscovered a love of photography unraveling their history. “Similar to national leadership and the looming and beach sunrises, living less than Mennonites,” she says, “these folks Frank and Susan Van Ranst Crego specter of Coronavirus, cancelled 1,000 feet from the powerful beauty didn’t take up arms, served God, began the year with a wonderful chorus rehearsals and concerts have of the Atlantic Ocean.” A freelance not man, and wore plain clothes trip to Egypt and Jordan, been a deep disappointment. I writer, Sue continues to work and (think black, no zippers).” One highlighted by a four-day voyage bristle at the weirdness of imposed has enjoyed Zooming with family gave 21 blankets to the Continental on the Nile in a dahabiya, a small distancing from my grandchildren and a few Wells classmates—”several Army, another was nearly shunned 14-passenger sailing barge. They (3 and 7), who live two short

34 Fall/Winter 2020 ClassNotes blocks away. But, ironically, I loved home for me for 55 years. I don’t drop out at any time. The fun part the beautiful quiet of the early 1963 want to live anywhere else!” is the discussion that ensues among months of lockdown. And I love MARY FRANCISCO MILLER participants on Facebook. It fills a my book group and the extra time 700 Clayton Corners Dr. Caroline ”Sukie” Knott and husband gap for me, because at the beginning to read. I scribbled hundreds of Ballwin, MO 63011-2839 Bob were fortunate to take a of this year I decided to dissolve the GOTV postcards to Pennsylvania [email protected] cruise through the Panama Canal Shakespeare Reading Group which voters. And 250 days into the and spent some time in beautiful I had facilitated for 26 years(!). We pandemic, finding new recipes Costa Rica in early February. “It had read every play at least once, and cooking simple but inventive was a relaxing and stimulating and many three, four and five times. dinners remains one of the brighter 1962 trip bringing us back to Maine in Like many others, I’m trying to FRAN MURRAY MCARTHUR moments in these times. Thanks, mid-February. in time to begin organize lots of memorabilia from PO Box 420 everyone. Wash your hands, keep sheltering in place in mid-March. the past, even including some of Orient, NY 11957-0420 your distance, wear your mask, and Our retirement community had my mother’s and grandmother’s [email protected] above all, please stay well! three COVID cases early in the treasures, including pictures of our - Kate pandemic process so we moved to ancestors. The hard part is deciding our summer place on Littlejohn what to discard, what to keep, and 1961 Island in Maine. The house is how to keep it. I send good wishes 1965 SUSAN BIELE ALITTO winterized so we have been here to all my classmates. Some of the SUSAN STAMBERGER 5200 South Kimbark Ave. on the ocean since mid-March happiest times of my life were spent 9335 Belvoir Ave. Chicago, IL 60615-4010 watching the changes in the ocean at Wells College!” La Crescenta, CA 91214-2333 [email protected] and weather.” [email protected] SALLY MACLAY DAYTON Nan Leeming “feels lucky to have NANCY ROSE STONE 615 Laurel Lake Dr. Atp A-235 both my sons living here in Ithaca. 1958 1940 Mahre Dr. CYNTHIA FERGUSON Columbus, NC 28722 They have come for dinner on my Park City, UT 84098 CAMPBELL [email protected] patio most of the summer. In the [email protected] 535 Mountain Ave Apt. 316 beginning, Chris did my grocery New Providence, NJ 07974-2014 shopping for me, but now I go early [email protected] in the morning when the stores 1960 open. Cornell and Wells seem to be 1964 EDIE WILCOCK PATRICK M’LIZ CAMPBELL PARKHURST BARB KENNEDY doing a good job. It’s hard I am sure. 114 West Fairview Ave Apt. 417 681 Fairfax Way PO Box 207 Son Chris is tested twice a week Johnson City, TN 37604 Williamsburg, VA 23185-8204 Mount Vernon, ME 04352 as he works with Cornell students. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Jay and family are doing things in a pod. I am cleaning closets, reading SUSAN BECKER TIER PATRICIA SMITH WATERBURY a lot and take daily walks outside. 2838 Lakeridge Lane 7955 16th Mnr Apt. A103 Better times will come.” Westlake Village, CA 91361-3303 Vero Beach, FL 32966-1548 [email protected] [email protected] Harriet “Hank” Smith Lindblom and Dan are well, “but we’re hiding Thank you to all who responded to out here in our little house near my call for news and hope to hear Rutgers University in New Jersey. 1959 from more next time. ALUMNAE AND ALUMNI We get our food delivered and we ENGAGEMENT OFFICE only go out to the pharmacy, the I was so happy to findSusie Hoyle 170 Main Street bank, and necessary trips to the Doyle who had been missing for a Aurora, NY 13026 doctor. Our one daughter Beth few years due to address changes. [email protected] lives in Poughkeepsie, NY, two She still lives between Florida and hours away. We have seen her a Gig Harbor, WA. They were unable Mary Ann Hopkins Hagan sent a few times on special occasions for to return to Washington in June as report from the Northwest amid a porch visit, with masks. In my her husband had a fall in the airport smoke and COVID. “I retired as opinion. that is the hardest part of and they are still in Florida but education director of the Seattle the pandemic, not being able to see Peggy Richie Weymouth ’64, Barbara hope to go back to Washington in Buddington Angle ’64 and Leigh Spencer Symphony about 20 years ago but our friends and loved ones! Zoom December to stay for a while. Susie Sorensen ’64 cross country skiing in have carried on in the world of and Skype really aren’t the same as Galena, ID the first week of March 2020. has been following Wells’ efforts music, playing harpsichord with in-person contact. However, we to keep going and has been very several early music groups, singing have found plenty of things to keep impressed with all that has been in the Medieval Women’s Choir, us busy. Dan spends hours playing done and continuing. Susie did say and playing the viola da gamba at his beloved harpsichord, and I have that she is in touch with workshops throughout the west. I many books waiting to be read Becky Hatch Glezen and Janet moved into a wonderful retirement (I just finished Hamnet (which I Brown Tucker around holiday times. community seven years ago where highly recommend), plus movies to I am joined by two other Wells watch, especially films of the ’30s Ann Darling Hamar said that belles, Sally Soest ’64 and Mary and ’40s on Turner Classic Movies. she and Martin had moved to a Montgomery ’64. Here at Skyline As a singer and an opera fan, I’ve retirement community and really I head a committee that brings watched many of the Met Opera like it although miss their beautiful performances of music, lectures live streams. The choir I’ve been in Japanese maple tree. I know how and discussions by local authors for over 50 years cannot meet now, she might feel as I too have a to our in-house audience, before but we’ve recently started a project beautiful one. They celebrated COVID in person, now through the to record a virtual concert. And I’m their 60th anniversary this past internet. I still serve on one early enjoying a Facebook Group called December, a year late, in Florida. With over 150 years of Lake Preston music board but try to carve out Shakespeare 2020 Project. They history, museum board members Paulette This was the best time they could time for painting with watercolors, have put up a schedule to read all of Field and Mary Melony Rockino ’64 get all their family together. They (right) co-edited the Lake Preston History which has been a passion of mine the plays this year. About five days did have a week in Block Island this Book, which was published in November for nearly 20 years. Seattle has been are scheduled for each play. There’s summer but returned to two weeks 2019 after three years of hard work and no pressure. You can jump in or dedication. Notice Mary’s sweatshirt! of quarantine, but felt it was worth Wells.edu 35 ClassNotes it. I am sure others have had to do summer, which was a first for me who was performing in Frozen, on and that keeps me sane. Doing the same thing if they wanted to get since I was about three. I have really Broadway) has been able to work more anti-racism work, too. Can’t out of jail for a while. missed my ocean and all that we from home, but I still miss them complain.” enjoy there, especially tennis. At a lot. If Broadway ever opens up An unusual year but Elna Junker least our children have been able again, Jake will have the lead in “We still get out and about but Hickson answered my call to spend some time there. We are a new musical called Between the much more slowly.” wrote Nancy immediately saying that all her happy that we are still in our house Lines, based on a book by Jodi Barten Chagnot. “We were able to activities have come to a halt as we have more flexibility with Picoult. It was supposed to open last go north for a few days at Christmas including all of her music work. She walks and chats with neighbors March, now aiming for next June… and had a nice visit with all the kids. still has her church commitment from a distance. I did return to fingers crossed. Sometimes Roberta Best of all we were able to enjoy our but it is virtual, like most. Her tennis in August with my doctor’s Monaghan Yarker Smith and Nancy 3-month-old great-granddaughter. husband’s docent work at two okay. I am tired of being chief cook Stewart Gates Gerber and I are So glad we made that trip because museums ended as well. They are and bottle washer to say nothing able to get together for a meal and I don’t know when we’ll all be so glad that her husband’s 90th of cleaning engineer. Certainly a TV movie, pretending things are together again. Zoom is fun as well birthday celebration on a cruise to our yard looks a whole lot better normal for a few hours. Otherwise, as FaceTime but a poor substitute Alaska took place in 2019 instead of than in other summers when not Zooming has become my main for being together. At least we are this year. Fun consists of walking well attended beyond lawn cutting. means of communication for able to enjoy friends here in Florida the dog and talking with neighbors, Our children and grandchildren classes, family celebrations, etc. My and the nice weather makes life at a distance while doing so, plus are nervous about getting near us neighbors in my condo building are easier. Hope this virus is soon just a gardening and projects. so we haven’t seen much of them. great, keeping in touch, exchanging bad memory!” However, our three children and food and recipes, sharing books, Gina Williams Merwin wrote about spouses provided the event of the and, of course, bemoaning politics, Rosaly “Roey” Swann Bass “finally the death of Francie Ludwig Marx’s year by celebrating Dick’s 90th so we don’t feel too isolated here. I decided to move out of my big, husband and is so happy that she birthday in October for three try not to think about the possibility beautiful house into a cute little and Bob had a week-long visit days under a tent in the back yard. that the rest of my life may be cottage at a retirement home with them in September 2018. I They all stayed at our Kingsmill lived like this. ☹ I am pleased that nearby, Rivermead. I have to say am sure all of ’58 would want to Resort but most of the time were Wells has been able to keep its head it’s daunting to move and get rid extend sympathy to Francie. Gina here serving up fabulous food, all above water and keep the campus of years of stuff. My farm, Rosaly’s seems to be doing what we are all of which was brought here in a COVID-free while resuming Garden and Farmstand, will doing…that being ordering on line, Uhaul with all the furnishings for classes. Something to be said for continue on because I have a much only doing doctor appointments, inside the tent that came from our a small, isolated campus after all! younger partner who will keep Zooming, especially with board daughter and son-in-law’s patios Let’s hope 2021 brings many good it going. This pleases me because meetings of the Medical Alliance in Roanoke, VA. Everything was changes after 2020.” having started it in 1973, I’ve put 47 and Hospital Auxillary and happy to so beautiful, with hydrangeas years of my life into it!” be healthy and keeping it that way! everywhere and tons of memorabilia Teddy Stevenson Cameron is still for Dick to enjoy. We had our own trying to sell her house and is Jean Leary Riel and Gordon are Word from Roberta Monaghan separate table. There were games, constantly emptying drawers, file doing fine. “We are lucky to have Smith says she, Sue Kline Collins and crossword puzzles to solve and a cabinets, boxes, etc. “How did I each other. We go to church online. Nancy “Stewie” Gates get together fabulous video including wishes (along with my boys) manage to Our Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla now and then and used to do a lot of from so many friends and a few acquire, accumulate and find so taught a virtual class on boating things together before the current songs played by a string band that much ‘stuff’? I, also along with safety with seven of us instructors times. Her family are well and a Dick used to march with on New everyone else, am suffering from and the students in their own grandson is doing post-doctoral Years Day in Philadelphia. All confinement. Fortunately, I have homes. We haven’t traveled much work at the University of Sydney. ten grandchildren checked in on been able to get out and have some since last December, but last week we He created a big Zoom contact that that video as well. The memories people in—family, friends and visited my sister Sally Murphy ’62.” included Roberta and relatives in will last forever. If you ever need all in small groups. Have been to England and California. Quite an event planners just check in with Pennsylvania to see Duncan and As for my news I have moved to achievement. our children. I wish all of ’58 the his family, which contains my Lantern Hill, a retirement spot in very best in these trying times and two granddaughters, Madison and New Providence, NJ and am happy Pat Smith Waterbury, as with hope we will all be back doing Abby. One trip to Pennsylvania here. It wasn’t easy after living in some of us, missed getting to the things we love to do with all in September was for a memorial the same place for about 50 years, our treasured Bay Head, NJ this this mess way behind us. Let us all service for Tad who passed away but my four children and eleven summer. She and Steve were in support Wells in every way we can. July 3 just before hurricane Isaias grandchildren were a big help. Florida when COVID started and It was a wonderful four years for hit. Thousands of us were out These past months with COVID remained until their move this fall us and we need to be able to offer of electricity, internet, etc., for around have not been easy as you to a new retirement community in the experience and education to five to seven days. Somehow, know, but fortunately there have Roanoke, VA where they are near students in the future. I mentioned Tiger in Florida and Duncan in been very few cases here. Thanks their daughter Amy. They have that we lost Susie for a while due to Pennsylvania, managed to get their again for your news! Take care! had a few health issues and Pat had address changes so please everyone father’s ashes to Pennsylvania in Stay well! a fall last October that ended with let Wells Alumnae Office know time for the service. Judy Korman, - Pat a bad break in her upper arm that when you relocate. We don’t want Anne Horton Ladau and I have has created some challenges. They to lose anyone, especially when managed to meet at least once a Nancy “Browna” Brown Armstrong celebrated their 60th anniversary Wells needs everyone’s support. month. Anne has managed to keep wrote, “I’m lucky to have my while they were in Florida and - M’Liz us all socially distant, at the side of husband Paul ‘Army’ still with me so many friends contributed to a her pool. A delightful palace to be and both of us still able to travel wonderful video celebration that Suzanne Kline Collins has captive. We are now trying to find to our various vacation homes. Amy put together for them. They managed to keep well, trying to a place to meet for November… Next week we’re driving to Florida are now settling into their new live a “normal life” while social unpopulated malls are looking to stay for the winter. We’ll fly home and look forward to a return distancing. “Except for my older interesting. To be continued.” home to spend Christmas with to Bay Head next summer. son, who came through Delaware family—our two sons, their wives a couple of times and stopped to Shirley Oviatt Paul is doing pretty and family live near us. We just got As for Dick and me, we are doing see me, I have not seen others well with COVID, “since I’m an back from the Denver, CO area, the same as most people. All of in my family for almost a year. introvert and Hermit-wanna-be. having visited our two daughters my activities ended and we did Fortunately, everyone in my Getting more painting done, and and their families. Our youngest not return to Bay Head, NJ this family (except my grandson Jake, have more time to study art online, turned 50 this summer and almost

36 Fall/Winter 2020 ClassNotes everyone celebrated together in our Karen. They have been wonderful assisted living section of Kirkland summer cottages on Beaver Island, 1957 and are building a house. It was to became available and I decided to MI. Yes, COVID sure has thrown ELLIN MESSOLONGHITES have been finished by June, but with take it. Thanks to my children, I a whopper…our daughter-in-law JOHNSON all the problems, nothing happening am happily settled in my new home. won’t even dine away from home. 4280 SW 78TH AVE. there. On the bright side, I am now (Contact the alum office for Anita’s So we have our routine and hope it PORTLAND, OR 97225-2309 a grandmother to Norah Suzanne. new address.) lasts for a while longer!” [email protected] Son John lives in Ohio so we don’t get to see much of them except on Vivi Savarese Schubert has been Gail Willard Briggs wrote, “This Zoom. Anita Calkins Shannahan doing a lot of reading, baking and crazy, recently turned 84-year-old, and I talk every day. She just moved knitting during this Coronavirus decided to open an antique shop in 1956 into a lovely apartment in the same year. She highly recommends Caste ALUMNAE AND ALUMNI Homer, NY. I had one here nearly building as before. Blessings to all.” by Isabel Wilkerson. Most of their ENGAGEMENT OFFICE seven years ago, which I had to give socializing is outside and they take 170 Main Street up as my husband needed me at thinks of many daytrips. Aurora, NY 13026 Kathleen Van Deusen home. Now, as a widow, I opened Wells often. She remembers the [email protected] again in July and am having fun outfit she wore on her trip to Wells Anne Parker Taylor has been staying despite the fact that the antique freshman year. “I wore a spiffy black close to home but with time to Elise Mock’s granddaughter Anne business is at an all-time low. I Mock married Eamon Glackin on and white checked suit with a pencil work on writing a memoir, and spoke to Andronike “Nike” Leondis August 22 at the Profile Club in thin skirt. I carried a red purse certainly Wells College will be Passios on my birthday. She left for Franconia, NH. and wore a red hat with a flashy in it. “Was awarded a final honor Florida today where she spends the rhinestone in the middle and a veil! for another book I co-authored winter—her two sisters are there. Very different from today’s entering entitled The Legacy of La Luz: Her husband has died.” freshman. Westminster Place has Building Community with Respect for had no cases of the virus. The the Land featuring a planned area Ann Beltz’s year has been dining room and library are closed. development designed by architect challenging. “John has had his Thank goodness I can still drive.” Antoine Predock 50 years ago. We health issues—a couple of falls, a overlook the Rio Grande river, its catheterization and his dementia has Joan Ruf Pappas states that life dense Bosque of Cottonwood trees, been getting worse. So far we’ve has changed for all if us in 2020. the sacred Sandia mountain to the been able to stay in our home with “We are isolated and not going east with lots of sun, high desert a caregiver five days a week. In The wedding of Anne Mock, anywhere. I do all the shopping animals and birds. I am up for a August all our family gathered in granddaughter of Elise Mock ’56. L - R: as Art has a very low immune knee replacement in December. Am Raleigh, NC for our granddaughter, George Mock lll, Eamon Glackin (groom), system due to ongoing multiple so pleased with Dr. Gibralter and Anne Mock (bride), Carrie Mock, James Alix Beltz’s wedding to Jordan Mock myeloma (a blood cancer). So far, his success in opening Wells this fall Williams. This was after two he is doing very well. Five of our amidst the pandemic.” postponements and then an hour grandchildren are moving on in Cornelia “Keela” Messenger Rogers delay in the actual wedding due and Jim are still living in Lake their busy professional lives. The Marjorie Silver Burriack reports that to an accident on a major highway Placid and still enjoying life with twins in Hawaii are now in junior “We have been sticking to home leading to the venue. The day was lots of family near, including three high school. Our bridge games plate since visiting Ann Greener lovely and the bride was beautiful. great-grandchildren. She is still have come to a halt and the orchid Ottaviano in February. After we Our daughter Karen, husband having fun working part-time and meetings are also non-existent left Vero Beach, we spent four days Mitch and son Kyle had flown to loves to read class news. because of the virus. I still play in Jensen Beach with my niece Charleston and went to Raleigh tennis once a week with my older with lots of sightseeing. Then we with them. On our return, we friends. My garden and my orchids travelled over to the West Coast for were able to celebrate Kyle’s 30th keep me busy. We have not been an overnight with Mynette Sheller birthday a few days later. October 1955 fishing much due to the virus but Wilson and Jim. After a few other 2nd our oldest grandson Ryan was ANN GREENER OTTAVIANO hope to do so soon. Laura Woolven stops to visit other family members, engaged to Whitney Delozier after PO Box 1290 Shapleigh is not doing well in a we arrived home on March 8th just finally able to have the proper time Wilmington, VT 05363-1290 nursing home and her husband Dick as everything was shutting down. to talk to her father for permission [email protected] passed away this year. Kathleen Van Tried to connect with Cynthia to marry. Whitney had gotten Deusen sold her home and moved Fulton Williams for lunch but very sick early February with Priscilla Cameron Oppenheimer into a senior living facility in the she was not available and Marcia severe nerve damage (un-related to reports “It is hard to believe that Chicago area and is doing well. Hendrie Holroyd was not feeling COVID) and was even able to fly we have been in our great new That is the news from Melbourne, well. We have been renovating our to North Carolina for the wedding. apartment at Woodcrest Villa in FL. Greetings to all!” summer home in Hebron, CT and We’ll be celebrating Christmas here Lancaster for a year now. Not much are looking forward to a warmer with our family. to report during that year, except Anita Calkins Shannahan states Thanksgiving there with new storm that Fred and I are both doing well. that this year started out great! windows, insulation and a new cast Kimmey Carnell Decker is back Had a great visit from Jane Marsh “My daughter and I spent 10 days iron wood stove! Reading lots of where she lived during college Dieckmann and Dick last January. in Hawaii with my nephew Jeff books and have done many puzzles years. “Nothing works very well… Have kept two of my groups Calkins and his wife Lauri. They of various types. I am not looking the legs, the eyes, the old body! going this summer by meeting on have a lovely home in Maui where forward to another housebound Four grandkids prefer Colorado to members’ patios or in city parks—a we spent most of our time. We were winter but am making one last trip the east, while the last grand finishes sanity saver. Poetry group will fortunate to see Greg Calkins and to Maine on Monday for a short college at University of Colorado meet in garages during the winter, Lyn as our time overlapped for one visit with Stu’s sister. Our youngest Springs; another is in Denver, and others on Zoom. Weird world we’ve day. At the end of the month Tom grandson was just sent home from another in Ohio working for Pepsi. survived to exist in!” and Carol joined me in Florida for college yesterday because one of My three kids are in the east—one Pete Taylor’s memorial service. his roommates tested positive for in New York City (many years) Molly Shannahan Taylor starts with Even though it was a sad time, COVID, so he and his father, who and the other two are in Albany. sad news. “My husband Pete passed we enjoyed having all the cousins picked him up, are in quarantine for We are struggling with COVID…I away on January 8th from various together. My health went downhill 14 days. Good thing I sent him a big just hope it goes away! Our years ailments. I can’t tell you what a from then on, starting with a can of popcorn the other day!” are short and who knows about the blessing Hospice was! They were herniated disc plus my Parkinson’s. I election—ugh!” there at our beck and call. I am now was so thankful we had those trips. Sally Hitch Barton-Higgins claims - Cyn living with my son Jim and his wife Fortunately, an apartment in the it has been quite a ride these past

Wells.edu 37 ClassNotes eight months. “I spent the second will be sold at the same locations for fitness center daily and I continue conclusion that now is the time to week and a half of March on a road the Christmas season.” my tradition of lap swimming four get back to New England where my trip with old biking and skiing or five days a week. I have just roots and family are and live with friends on a trip to Taos, a stop Jane Marsh Dieckmann agrees, joined an art class, so plan to resume my older son and family as soon as in Santa Fe to join more friends “These are hard times for us all. painting (something I had to give they can add a room addition to and on down through Truth and I can assure you that Wells has up while conducting international accommodate me and preserve their Consequences to Green Valley, AZ opened successfully and that so far visitor programs, followed by privacy. I am having more difficulty for a reunion with more biking and everything is going as well as can 30 years in charge of Cincinnati with mobility, but of course a skiing buddies. Great time, explored be expected. Enrollment is down, Kharkiv Sister programs.) Our summer with more than 50 days almost as far down as Mexico. On as some returning students decided latest family news is the September with temperatures over 110 degrees the way back we could tell that the not to return. Some unexpected wedding of one of our four may have had something to do with virus was up and running. Decided funds are helping greatly, and work grandchildren. It took place at the decision! I am actually looking to bypass home, did not want to continues on curriculum reform. So the Cincinnati Nature Center. It forward to snow! I have loved living bring virus to my kids as they are says our “guardian angel” from the was a lovely setting, despite social in Phoenix for 45 years but am working, they were afraid of passing administration, Chris Pollock, who distancing and all of the safety ready for this change.” the virus to me. My daughter and lives nearby and has been bringing precautions of our time. Good granddaughter live with me. I groceries to us, off and on, since health and best wishes to all.” stayed with a sister in Arvada who March. Kendal at Ithaca has turned was on the trip with me. As you out to be a good place to be. Dick “The love of learning, the sequestered 1952 ROSEMARIE WIRTH KRENITSKY know things only got worse, I did and I are as well as can be expected, nooks, and all the sweet serenity of 575 Osgood St. 1212 not return home until April 30th. although I have been trying to deal books.” From a poem by Longfellow North Andover, MA 01845-1987 Until then we had a great time, with some health issues continuing for his class on their 50th Reunion [email protected] lovely walks, view of Pikes Peak from since we packed up to move from Bowdoin College. The covered in snow, all the peaks clear here, more than four years ago. So quote pretty much describes how “Fellow Survivors” is what Frances as a bell. Space! Quiet! It all ended far, it is a puzzlement. Before March I survived the pandemic in my “Narf” Clinch Jones calls us. when I returned home. On May I was in charge of arranging all new apartment in Vero Beach, FL She managed one great birthday 2nd on a walk in the park, 6 a.m., classical music programs here, a full- last winter. I also took long walks meeting with family, greatly no cell phone, took a fall after time job that vanished quickly. Now with my mask on and for real social reduced in number from the smelling sweet lilacs; stepped away I collect information on virtual distancing, I kayaked on the Indian original plan, during the summer in without looking down. Had a hip programs and publish it in our River and its estuaries. Nothing Delavan, WI. They Zoomed with replacement on May 5th. Recovery monthly newspaper. I am lucky to like nature to revive you! Before other family members, watched old is slow but visit our condo once a be in touch with Pris Oppenheimer COVID arrived, I enjoyed a visit home movies, went on a boat ride, month in Summit County to hike and in January we spent the night from Marge Silver Burriack and and generally had a great time. She SLOWLY, also do Zoom classes and in their beautiful new apartment in her husband, Stu. Unfortunately, I sends her love to all. a book club, fitness class and run the Harrisburg. She lives in a retirement lost my sister, Betty Jane Greener household.” village called Jenner Pond in ’60, to multiple health issues last Sandy Adler Leibowitz and husband Southwestern Pennsylvania, not far spring. I finally made the dash for Arny celebrated their 65th wedding Marcia Hendrie Holroyd says, from Wilmington, where she grew Vermont the end of June. I return anniversary with Chinese takeout “Still alive. Staying put most of the up. Her children are all fine, and she to Florida at the end of October as I and Zooming with their four time. Not going out as my driving was away going to a granddaughter’s have a granddaughter preparing for children, all of whom are well is down to local weekly runs to wedding in Virginia. John Rodewig her wedding in Vero Beach in early and busy. They also attended a grocery store. I feel very isolated. sounds well and strong when we December. I enjoy hearing all your grandchild’s graduation from My Vermont house is going up for spoke with him. He had to cut short news and feel free to visit me in Clark University. Sandy, always sale in the spring.” his annual spring stay in London Vermont or Vero Beach. Let’s pray optimistic, says she is looking and felt lucky to get back when that this too shall pass. forward to our 70th Reunion in Milly Zourabichvili states that “It he still could. “It’s sad about our - Ann, “Brownie” to my 2022. is always so nice to receive news Reunion, but I am happy to hear classmates. from Wells College where I spent from classmates at any time.” Accustomed to being homebound such a wonderful and interesting during her long and persistent year 1954-55 and had nice friends Nancy Haines Snow is legally blind illness, Carol Shults Millonig who invited me during Christmas in one eye and has macular in the 1954 KATHERINE VAN WORMER remains in good spirits. Her sister and Easter vacations. A few of them other. “My arms and legs have HOWARD Janet Shults McCoubrey ’53, lives came to Paris but now I have no limited me to a wheelchair. So, 5729 36th Ave. South across the street from Carol, which more news! Amicales pensees. on my 87th birthday last month I Minneapolis, MN 55417-2907 makes life much more endurable laughed and said that my husband, [email protected] for both of them. Carol, like many Lois Prem Simon is creating a new at 90 years, is my eyes, and my legs, of us, is interested in knowing how and different line of jewelry— but the rest of me still works.” Wells is handling the COVID virus. mostly necklaces using small one inch pieces of rusty rebar along with Marilyn Turtle Braun and John 1953 Gratitude sums up Shirley King Orr’s 100-year-old bits of things she has spent most of 2020 preparing ALUMNAE AND ALUMNI attitude to the Corona situation. She collected over the years. “When for retirement living. “It was ENGAGEMENT OFFICE is happy to be well taken care of in rebar is cut, the inside reveals a a move postponed because we 170 Main Street her retirement community and feels brilliant sterling silver. I am using loved our home, of 57 years, and Aurora, NY 13026 lucky to have survived a lightning the rebar as a message of America’s the surrounding community so [email protected] strike in her apartment in July. Aside strength since all structures, bridges, much we had trouble making that from the shock of the experience, buildings and highways are held decision. However, it was past time Jenna Hardy Speer is surviving Shirley lost her phone service and together with this material. It is to declutter, pack up and move the Corona Virus so far. “Since I had to replace two phones, her TV the inner core. The rebar is also on—and we finally did! We chose can’t drive anymore, because of my cable box, computer modem, and a symbolic of not judging the outside Maple Knoll Village, a Cincinnati vision, I have groceries delivered small TV. She’s grateful that it could appearance—look to the inside for retirement community not far and see a few brave friends who have been so much worse. the beauty. These were to be shown from our old home. We moved can still drive and visit. Thank in March at two wonderful locations in at the end of June. We are still goodness for emails and texting and Laura Nader wrote that she and her in Charlotte; a fine art gallery and a getting settled in but have found the phone that keeps me in touch family are still seeking justice in the boutique, then COVID came. They old and new friends here, as well as with the rest. Skyping with family matter of the Boeing Ethiopian air activities we enjoy. John uses the is a godsend also. I have come to the

38 Fall/Winter 2020 ClassNotes crash in which her granddaughter especially when it takes twice as long to the skilled nursing section of Mona Williams Brown believes was killed. Laura also has a new to do as it used to take. Fortunately, Gallway Ridge in Pittsboro, NC. her life is improving, even if it is book coming out late this fall— it is a wonderful place to walk, so The campus is closed to all visitors in small increments…her heart watch for it! you always encounter someone to since the beginning of March with is having a harder time pumping chat with along the way…another stay at home strictly enforced. This blood to her lungs. It will worsen Janet “Elise” Lauster Witzeman blessing in this solitary existence we means all meals in the apartment and make her eventually bed ridden enjoyed a visit from her son Jeff for are having, especially as her hearing and no social gatherings. As a result, but she hopes it will take a while for her 90th birthday in August, and she is a problem and she is not great on there have been no positive cases that to happen. There is no pain for was looking forward to his return today’s telecommunications. Her reported. Her daytime companion which she is thankful but sometimes in November, as well as from her New York City grandson and wife has a cell phone so the family can she gets a little faint, and opts for daughter Karen and her husband in were recently in Aurora, the result FaceTime with her weekly. She lost lying down for a half hour. She January and February. Elise was still of an online search for a luxury her sight ten years ago due to small can’t master the computer and just dealing with Graves’ disease, along hotel in New York state. They strokes but has remained as active learned that the local paper is going with a bad case of shingles, when stayed at Zabriskie House and said it as possible and keeps a positive digital for all but Sundays, which is she wrote; and she has all our good was lovely. They also took a bunch attitude. disappointing. wishes for better health. of pictures of Wells and the village for her. Edith Weekes Ulatoski is coping Like Mona, I find it hard to Like Shirley I feel lucky to be with the smoke layering the air compare life today with the times I living in a caring, thoughtful Rusty Hadley Dunbar thought in the Seattle area. The local climbed mountains, mushed dogs, community. Not only have all our everyone had her new address in fairgrounds have been taking in rode camels and other animals needs been taken care of, but they Princeton where she has been for surviving cattle and providing food. through all parts of the world also have kept us busy, entertained, four years until she started getting All the hay for the winter that was but we have happy memories of and laughing much of the time. returned envelopes from friends. put aside is burned and there are the old days! My mantra when My Texas son and his wife have Hopefully she is now up to date drives to supply food for the many asked how I am is to reply, “not as been living most of the summer with everyone. She moved north animal shelters. The damage in the good as yesterday, but better than and fall in their Maine house knowing she should be nearer at area is horrible and the drought was tomorrow” as arthritis moves up and my South Carolina son and least one of her four family groups. very serious so they are thankful for the spinal column. I am facing his wife spent several months in Now she is in Princeton about a 20 some rain. Each year the climate downsizing which means disposing Massachusetts, waiting with their minute drive from her daughter. change is more apparent…warm of many treasures but that is life so I son and his wife for their expected Princeton is a nice place to live but waters and decreasing salmon am trying to accept it. Meanwhile, I baby, who arrived at the end of a difficult town to drive around. She harvest! Both daughters will be wish all of you a better year ahead! August, a little girl named Eva, my gave up driving when she moved living on the island soon. That - Jan second great-grandchild. So many there to avoid dealing with students means no more dependence on the blessings, and in this gorgeous on bicycles and the heavy car traffic. whims of the ferry system. Their Massachusetts environment, with its The apartment complex has a gym, only grandson is competing to be a wild turkeys, deer, chipmunks, and and a pool which are great gathering Green Beret, currently at Ft. Bragg 1950 JUDI BLANK GOLDSMITH hummingbirds. places but with the virus most social but there is no guess where he will 3550 SW Bond Ave, Apt. 1804 - Love to all, Ro activities have stopped, including go from there. He and Joe have Portland, OR 97239 the wonderful library which has long talks when there is time and [email protected] closed. She had joined a local opportunity to use the phone. It is a Women’s College Club where there huge challenge and Aldous is loving SARAH LEIDT HOCKINGS 1951 were two other Wells girls but that it! (I don’t think those of us who are JANET POOLE REINHARDT 200 Library Place has stopped. At least she has a bal- non-military have any idea what 647 Willow Way Princeton, NJ 08540-3068 cony and can wave as people go by. it takes to be a Green Beret and I, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-8427 [email protected] for one, thank him for the serious [email protected] Taffy Preus Mairs is content to be in commitment to our safety). a retirement facility as so many of Well, was I ever wrong! I thought us are these days. She moved to the Nancy Weil Rosenthal went to visit that with all of us enduring the 1949 Episcopal Home a year ago August, her daughter in New York and was BARBARA ABT HICKLING pandemic shutdown my mailbox is working out with a trainer, and quarantined there; she had the virus 109 Village Dr. would be overflowing with hopes to continue putting one foot test. Those were requirements to Endwell, NY 13760-1065 responses! Where are all of you? in front of the other. There are visit her sons in Boston and Maine [email protected] movies during the week with nine where she spent most of August. Alice Brown Westervelt is alive and people able to attend, but asked Back in South Carolina she is doing well and her home in Spring Green to stand six feet apart. There are her volunteer work, and reading is a lovely place to be in quarantine. options in the Pub and Grille two more than in a normal year. She is 1948 No one has been in the house but CAROL NALEN BOSLET nights a week or she has a grab and able to stay in phone contact with she meets people on the porch…and 217 Winsor Ln go to take back to the apartment. the grands who are mostly working there are always workmen around Haverford, PA 19041 One visitor a day and walking at home. Her sixth grandchild in the summer when you have an [email protected] outside has been a godsend. Heide started graduate school at Stanford, old house. Her daughter and two is still in Houston and gets north her ninth is completing her college age granddaughters have We mourn the death of our long- a couple times a year…the cabin application to law school, and the been on the porch to do lessons serving news gatherer/reporter, north of Dulut is the lure. Julia lives tenth just got inducted into Phi Beta and homework. She still goes to Virginia “Jinny” Rogers Burgess. nearby as does Elizabeth so she is Kappa, all of which keeps Nancy’s the office on Friday mornings, and What a gift of dedication to blessed to have them in the area. spirit up. meets the group in the parking collecting our news she gave to the She meets with old friends in the lot, unless it is raining. One more Class of ’48! Sadly, we also lost Joan parking lot, where they sit in the car Margarete Weisbrod Lindsley is still example of how we are all coping! “Shep” Shepherd Jones in 2019, and visit through open windows. doing genealogy. Her son-in-law shortly after she and I returned from She is 91 and still standing though had a number of the Mayflower Jean Carr Semonite still has plenty a week at the Santa Fe Opera, our she uses walking sticks to circle the Planters, and she discovered her to do despite COVID. She is still in fourth trip there. neighborhood. husband had three pilgrims. She her house on the shore of Casco Bay also does administration work for outside of Portland, ME and with Jean Morrow Benson, living alone Thanks to Teeny Redfield Sander’s the fire department but mostly sits most of the house services drying in Tucson, AZ with a daughter son, I report that she is doing the outside to watch traffic go by. up, her spare time is minimal, nearby, is happy and busy. She’s best she can. In May she moved a knitter for both families—13 Wells.edu 39 ClassNotes grandchildren and 17 great- a ladies group and on Sunday of the college-aged grandsons for grandchildren (she may set the afternoons with her husband. an extra heavy chore. My property 1945 record for our class!) and charity. She misses her weekly duplicate is near the train to Philadelphia MARGE LEINROTH GOTSHALL She’s also a birder of sorts, enjoying bridge, weekend dining and with the orchestra, opera and ballet 145 Columbia Ave Apt. 519 the numbers and varieties of birds dancing at their club and her opera available but alas, on hold for the Holland, MI 49423 that flock to her feeders. She subscription in Seattle—all victims present, as is the Bryn Mawr and [email protected] delights in the changing views of of the pandemic restrictions. She Haverford Colleges Choral for the beautiful Catalina Mountains says knitting and gardening don’t students and us oldies. I do proofing near her home. measure up! and editing for the Bryn Mawr 1944 Presbyterian Church’s publications ALUMNAE AND ALUMNI Barbara Tait Guthneck has lived, for Joan Gahan Prum thinks that surely which keeps my hand in the ENGAGEMENT OFFICE the past nine years, in Presbyterian she isn’t the only member of the game. The other three children 170 Main Street Village North in Dallas, TX. Two Class of ’48 who is wondering if and a bunch of grandchildren live Aurora, NY 13026 of her children live nearby. She has she is too old to move to another scattered about the country; visits [email protected] her own apartment and can cook country! But in the meantime, on hold, sadly. but the several dining rooms are here in New Haven, CT, she can - Carol very tempting, as are all the report that she is as active as possible activities offered. She is very under lockdown conditions. And 1943 ALUMNAE AND ALUMNI involved in the bridge groups. all of her loved ones—five children, ENGAGEMENT OFFICE four daughters-in-law, eight 1947 ALUMNAE AND ALUMNI 170 Main Street Bonnie Scott Eyre, sadly, is grandchildren and their wives and ENGAGEMENT OFFICE Aurora, NY 13026 wheelchair bound but her caregiver partners, four great-grandchildren 170 Main Street [email protected] or her brother get her out to her and a new baby due in December— Aurora, NY 13026 barn regularly where she checks on are doing well. “I have reason to [email protected] Mitty Ewing ’71 wrote to say, “My her four horses. rejoice, even in the midst of an mother Nancy Maddock Ewing is unmanaged pandemic.” still as beautiful as she was when Ann Justice McLendon is living in she was selected a class Post (how her Loveland, CO home, now 20 Phebe Miller Sorensen is still living many Wells alums will even know years and counting! The pandemic alone on her farm with tenants who what that outdated honor was?). has cut short her drives to Denver do the necessary work. Fall lambing She will be 99 in December. Her for the symphony and opera, has just started and her goats are mobility is very limited but she is but a lifelong male friend from away for a month to be bred for still in there, the strong minded Denver still comes up regularly for February kids. And for variety, ever watchful mother, grandmother musical events and theatre with Phebe has started a cattle operation. and great-grandmother adored by her in Loveland. She delights in So much for free time! She still is her offspring. Occasionally her her two female grandchildren, one taking weekly drumming lessons Nancy Rueckert Lawrence ’47, a beautiful dear friend and Wells roommate of whom is a competitive kayaker and focuses on African rhythms 96 years young! Marjorie Rachlin calls to check on (now an Olympic sport); the other, using Djembe drums. Nancy Rueckert Lawrence says, “I her which recalls wonderful days valedictorian of her high school am alive and well. Because of my gone by. class and now pursuing physics and Katharine Lydecker Lowe, after advanced age I am not allowed math in college. decades in Schenectady, NY, moved into stores or to go to multi- north to Will Rogers Apartments peopled gatherings by my tiger of a Anne Zabriskie Sheldon lives at at Saranac Lake to be near her daughter. It does keep me well and 1942 beautiful Rogue Valley Manor in daughter Betsy. She is occupying LAURA BEALE TOY I anticipate a much longer life. I Medford, OR, where, sadly, fires the apartment her older sister Louise 1400 Waverly Rd Apt. A324 have three grandchildren, expecting raged and destroyed homes and vacated when Louise moved to Gladwyne, PA 19035-7001 another momentarily and one great- cars belonging to many of the 600 Florida, and is enjoying all the perks [email protected] grandchild!” staff members at the facility. The that this senior citizens’ facility residents are planning an early and offers. She’s abandoned cooking; Betsy Rieley Troth’s son-in-law generous pre-Christmas gift for all “Why not” Kabby says, “when they wrote to the alumnae/i office with 1941 those workers. Anne, a gardener, offer such delicious meals?” A range the following note…Sad to report POLLY VANNEMAN FISHER has 18 rose bushes that she tends, of activities occupy her days and that Betsy passed away in her sleep 1063 Edgemere Ct. Apt. 2 loves the rugged mountain views, summer brings many family members on September 10 at home. There Akron, OH 44321-1686 and laments the Corona-driven to their “camps” on Long Lake. was no illness or injury and he [email protected] loss of the many activities offered thinks she simply felt it was time at the Manor. Two of her sons live Marion “Ronnie” Strickler Rolston- to move on to her next adventure. in Colorado and her one grandson Fritter is looking forward to seeing She was comfortable, safe and not just received his graduate degree in some news from her classmates. 1935-1940 alone. She was a lady from a bygone ALUMNAE AND ALUMNI political science. “Here’s hoping that all of us are era, that had everybody’s hearts. She ENGAGEMENT OFFICE doing more than just hanging in, at will be missed dearly. 170 Main Street Jody Warvel Davis has been living least that’s what I’m trying to do! Aurora, NY 13026 in Indianapolis in the Marquette Hope everybody is well and doing [email protected] Retirement Home for the past five their best to survive this unbelievable years. She plays bridge and walks election year.” 1946 every morning with an 80-year-old ALUMNAE AND ALUMNI friend and keeps up. (Go, girl!) She I downsized a couple of years ago ENGAGEMENT OFFICE says the meals are great and if you to a charming house in Haverford, 170 Main Street don’t have to cook them yourself, of PA, on the property of an old Aurora, NY 13026 course they are! Winsor estate, with one-half acre [email protected] of professionally designed gardens Martha Early Randall is still and a brook. It’s helped me survive studying! She takes weekly Italian the pandemic, as nothing ever stops lessons on Skype and reads Italian growing, especially weeds! My mystery stories on her kindle. She daughter lives nearby and if I’m golfs twice a week—once with lucky I can occasionally hire one

40 Fall/Winter 2020 ClassNotes A Semester Like No Other CHECK OUT OUR

Unlike many other colleges that saw increasing numbers of COVID-19 HOLIDAY VIDEO cases on their campuses, Wells College managed to conduct a full semester this fall — partially in person, and partially remote — with only a half- dozen active cases identified by the time this WellsNotes went to press. College leadership attributed this to a combination of factors, including arrival testing for returning students in late August, frequent surveillance testing of everyone on campus, widespread adherence to social distancing and hygiene protocols, and the College’s location in rural Cayuga County where case counts had been relatively low during summer and early fall, compared to other regions of New York State. Wells College’s prevention efforts were further bolstered by a $15,000 grant it received in October from the Cayuga County COVID-19 Fund, an affiliate fund of the Central New York Community Foundation. All students were tested for COVID-19 in late August upon their initial arrival on campus. Then, in September, the College began its ongoing program of surveillance testing, mandating that every student and employee Despite the challenges we all be tested once during each two-week cycle at no cost to them. Over 2,500 faced in 2020, a lot of great things tests were administered throughout the fall; the latest data may be found at happened at Wells this year. See the College’s COVID-19 dashboard (wells.edu/covid-19-dashboard). some of them at our holiday video! To help the College navigate the many new protocols and requirements //wells.edu/happy-holidays presented by the coronavirus pandemic, Wells College created a new From all of us at Wells, happy holidays to you and yours! position of COVID-19/Title IX coordinator, and convened a new, smaller task force to continue the collaboration needed to addressing the many logistical and health-related issues raised by the pandemic. After Wells students left for the Thanksgiving break, they will remain off campus as they finish up the fall semester and their final exams. The spring 2021 semester will begin a week later than initially planned, so that students who need to quarantine can finish that two-week process before classes begin Feb. 1. There will be no spring break this year, and Commencement is still scheduled for Saturday, May 22. “In mid-August, I wrote our community and told them that we have an incredible opportunity in front of us to demonstrate that, at a small, rural private college within a caring community, we can successfully navigate the complexity of a global pandemic and keep our community safe from harm. And I feel that we have been able to achieve that ambitious goal,” said President Jonathan Gibralter.

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Check out the Wells College Book Store (https://bookstore.wells.edu/inside/) and see some of the cool Wells gear that Rich has in store (pun intended!) for you and your fur baby! Here are just a few items that caught our eye.

Wells.edu 41 ClassNotes KATIE FONG ’06 NAMED 2020 YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENT continued from page 1 Wells friends who have been my This December brings the start Wells education and in living the other community, artistic and touchstones since I was a student, of a new Aurora adventure for Wells mission as an alumna — to civic organizations. Upon and to my board colleagues — Katie. She and her partner Abby think critically, reason wisely stepping down from the College’s whom I am proud to also call purchased an 1850s octagonal and act humanely as I cultivate a Board of Trustees in 1998, Shirley my friends — who have guided, house in Poplar Ridge and meaningful life — has guided my was named honorary trustee, mentored and encouraged me moved from Brooklyn with work on the board as well as my and received the WCA Award in these past five years.” their cat Bea. Together they look personal and professional ethos. 2007. forward to supporting Wells Amidst the change and challenge “Perhaps the greatest reward of and the Aurora community as facing all of us as 2020 comes to Due to the pandemic and the my time on the Board has been locals, and hope to host alums, a close, I can’t imagine a more cancelation of Fall Weekend, we were getting to know the students Wells students and community relevant moment to recommit to not able to honor Katie in person who call Wells home — I am members, local residents, friends these guiding values and, as our this year. We look forward, however, always impressed (though never and family as home renovations motto says, to have and to share to celebrating her accomplishment surprised) at the brilliance, and public health conditions with others all that Wells has sometime in 2021, so please stay tenacity, and strength of voice allow. given me.” tuned for more details. and character our students demonstrate,” Katie adds. “The Of being this year’s Young This year’s award is being given persistence of the Wells spirit Alum award recipient, Katie in memory of Shirley Schou across generations constantly says: “To receive this award, Bacot Shamel ’58, who passed inspires me and gives me hope especially at this moment in away in January. Shirley was, for for the future of Wells and the time, is a tremendous honor and many years, a generous donor and world our graduates will shape.” a humbling responsibility. My extremely committed volunteer profound belief in the value of a not just to Wells, but numerous

Calling All Former Wells Athletes Wells Athletic Update We want to know what you’ve been up to since playing your sport at Wells! “Where Are They Now” is a Wells College Athletics series Despite regular fall contest and championship cancellations by that spotlights alums with an inside look at some of the many the NCAA and North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC), special student-athletes from years past. We would love to tell your Wells continues to hold safe and successful athletic activities for story; knowing that part of your life journey involved your time at student-athletes. Wells! • All Fall, Winter and Spring teams have been able to If you’d like to possibly be featured on our “Where Are They Now” practice under a phased in process grounded in the health Spotlights, please share your story with us by emailing Sports and safety protocols recommended by the NCAA. This Information Director Mark Jagord at [email protected]. includes non-contact practices to meet social distancing requirements and masks to be worn for the duration of practice. • The Men and Women's Cross Country team, coached by Ross Cobb '18 has been re-activated with a full roster. • Over 150 Wells College students are participating in one or more of our 15 NCAA Division III Varsity Sports. • The campus fitness center, gyms and pool received approval in early September by the local health department, to continue operations under the current state requirements. Hours and guidelines are posted on the Wells Express website. • The boathouse has been opened on weekends throughout the fall semester for students to use the kayaks and canoes. • Plans for winter sport contests will be reevaluated in January of 2021 by the NCAA and NEAC. We are proud of our student-athletes for embracing the circumstances and making the most out of their practices, even though they’re not playing competitively against other schools at the moment. 42 Spring 2020 ClassNotes Can’t Come to Wells? We’ll Bring Wells to You! “Cancelled”, “Rescheduled”, “Google Meet”, and “Microsoft Some topics “Postponed” were words that Teams.” include housing, became very familiar with our The Admissions Counselors— classes, support Admissions team and their with help from the entire Wells from staff and connections to other schools and Community —held weekly faculty, athletics, organizations. 2020 presented virtual hangouts for the class of experiential our staff with the opportunity to 2024. The team’s main goal was learning move some of our programming to be a resource and help students opportunities, virtually. And it pushed us to be prepare for arrival, in order to dining, campus innovative, in turn, we replaced build a welcoming community life, ice breakers “cancelled”, “rescheduled” and before they arrived on campus. and much more! “postponed” with “Zoom”, Please mark your calendars Ink and Grooves Some of you may recall a column in the Express titled “Ink and for the 2021 Women’s Grooves.” So, Ink is pretty self-explanatory…something written, but Leadership Conference we questioned the meaning of Grooves. Sounds like something from the ’70s, right? Those of us in the alum office knew who would know and Activism Symposium! the answer…Pam Sheradin ’86 AKA “Knower of All Wells Stuff.” April 2021 No, it wasn’t from the ’70s but has the vibe as in the phrase “whatever your groove might be!” We love the idea, so we’re bringing Ink and Grooves back! It will have a special page on our Wells.edu website. The column features literary pieces (Ink), artwork, music, pottery, etc. (Grooves) by alums. If you would like to showcase something please visit our website at www.alumni.wells.edu/ink-and-grooves and complete the online form that includes a short bio, headshot (if desired), specific info about you and a photo of the book or item that you’ve created. There is also a place for you to provide a link that will direct the Wells community to find more information and to purchase your item as well. Spring 2008 Express

A combined effort for the month of April 2021 called “Activism April.” More details to come in the alum2alum monthly e-newsletter and on social media, as well as on alumni.wells.edu. In the meantime, the speaker application form is now open: alumni.wells.edu/wlc. All are welcome to submit applications to speak at these virtual events during each week in April. We would like to encourage persons of all ethnicities, religions, and backgrounds to apply, in order to deliver an inclusive and well-represented experience for our students and conference attendees. The deadline to apply is Feb. 1, 2021 Questions? Activism Symposium: Andre Lynch [email protected] Women’s Leadership Conference: Rachel Porter ’06 [email protected]

Wells.edu 43 Non-Profit Wells College Association US Postage 170 Main Street Aurora, NY 13026 PAID Permit #1 Auburn, NY

COME HOME AND JOIN THE BIGGEST WELLS PARTY OF THE YEAR!

REUNION 2021 CHECKLIST:

1. Plan to attend Reunion: June 3-6, 2021

2. Register online by May 15

3. Support Wells College by making your Reunion gift

4. Call, text or email your classmates and ask them to join you at Reunion

5. Get ready to celebrate Wells College—and you!

For more details, bookmark our Reunion website: alumni.wells.edu/reunion