Fall/Winter ’08/’09

Passionate Pursuits

Friends’ Central Directions Fall/Winter ’08/’09

2008-2009 Board of Trustees From the Headmaster: Ann V. Satterthwaite, Clerk Peter P. Arfaa James B. Bradbeer, Jr. Adrian Castelli Dear Friends, Kenneth Dunn Kaye Edwards I have just finished previewing the George Elser feature articles for this edition of Jean Farquhar ’70 Victor Freeman ’80 Directions, and if you can set aside the Christine Gaspar ’70 time, I believe you will be as fascinated as Robert Gassel ’69 I have been by the collecting passions of Edward Grinspan William Fordyce ’52, Joanna Schoff ’51, Walter Harris ’75 Sally Harrison Rich Ulmer ’60, Rachel Newmann Karen Horikawa ’77 Schwartz ’89, and current student Blake Deborah Hull Bortnick ’13. In her introduction, our Michael C. Kelly editor, Rebecca Anderson, sheds some Matthew S. Levitties ’85 Craig Lord light on possible motives for collecting Hillard Madway and provides additional examples of col - Ed Marshall ’68 lectors currently devoting time and effort Carol Mongeluzzi Suzanne Morrison to a favorite pastime in the School’s midst By all accounts, William Fordyce was Jeffrey Purdy and for our community’s benefit. The a very private man, and after his gradua - Lawrence S. Reichlin interest a collector displays in sharing a tion he was mainly absent from our com - Marsha Rothman collection is particularly gratifying to a munity. In the end, though, through his Jonathan Sprogell James Wright School that both encourages and sup - thoughtful and generous gift he returned Barbara M. Cohen, Emerita ports individual interests and values to the School and revealed an important Joanna Haab Schoff ’51, Emerita connections among members of the part of himself. We are moved by his community. example and deeply grateful. 2008-2009 Alumni/ae Board Mallory Floyd '96, Co-President Aaron Selkow '88, Co-President Sincerely, Rachel Newman Schwartz '89, David M. Felsen Vice President Headmaster Bess Collier '96, Secretary Jeffrey Brody '98 Gail Carter Zuagar '97 Anne Dufour Clouser '50 Alice Hess Crowell '46 Andrea Deutsch '85 David Ellis '51 Melanie McCarthy Frick '94 Bill Georges '88 Ruba Habtemicael '96 Susan Kelsay '59 Peter Klein '87 Patrick Lord '90 Jane Cubberley Luce '68 Clio Mallin '96 Cover photo by Hilary Takiff Weiss ‘96. Latifah McMullin '99 Donald Reimenschneider '52 (Left) “Festival Float of Battle at Ujikawa Bridge,” CORRECTION Alexander Schall '86 Barbara Weinberg '79 by Katsushika Hokusai, circa 1820, from the Our apologies to Albert Carter Pottash ’65 who Jessica Zeldin '88 collection of Joanna Haab Schoff ’51. was left off of his class list in the 2007 –2008 Immediate Past President Report of Gifts. Andrew Newcomb '87

1 Head of School David M. Felsen

Editor Rebecca H. Anderson Director of Communications

Art Director, Designer Suzanne DeMott Gaadt Gaadt Perspectives, LLC Editor’s Note : Development Office Staff Lydia A. Martin Director of Development My interest in Friends’ Central collectors pursued a passion. Their collections are Linda Waxman Wasserman ’75 Director of Alumni/ae Affairs began with William Fordyce’s gift in the varied—everything from rare Japanese James P. Brennan fall of 2007. As David Felsen notes, prints to plastic Pez candy dispensers— Director of Annual Giving William Fordyce was not an active alum - and the reasons they give for what moti - Joel F. W. Price nus, and the depth of his loyalty to the vates them are diverse—the thrill of a Webmaster/Data Specialist School caught us all by surprise. Of chase, a need for order, a love of beauty Leigh Browning course I was fascinated by his extraordi - and a foreign culture. But all of their col - Assistant Director of Communications nary generosity, but even more by the lections provide windows into other M. Brom Snyder intense passion that he had invested in worlds and times because these collectors Development Office Associate collecting. As I started talking to other were moved, not just to acquire individ - Jody Mayer Alumni/ae Relations and Annual Giving alumni/ae, faculty, and students interested ual pieces, but to reach for more knowl - Assistant in collecting, however, I realized that edge. Denise Koehler Morris there is something very familiar—at least The spirit of inquiry shared by these Development Office Secretary to our community—about William five individuals is not unique to them as Monica Peterson Fordyce’s story. collectors. It defines every member of our Development Office Secretary William Fordyce amassed one of the exceptional community. Friends’ Central largest and most significant collections of School encourages its students and facul - Printer American musical theater sheet music ty to embark on a spirited quest for Garrison Printing Company because he was inspired by the genre—its knowledge and to develop a passionate Photography: Hilary Takiff Weiss ‘96, sound, its connection to an historical attachment to ideas. Our alumni/ae sus - Michael Tolbert, Leigh Browning, moment, its visual interpretation. Walter tain that spirit in the way they live their Rebecca Anderson Annenberg once said, “If it moves me, lives and in their enduring loyalty to the We welcome any comments, letters, photo - that [is] enough. Being moved is what School. We hope you enjoy this issue of graphs, and suggestions for future issues. collecting is all about.” Much like William Directions and that we’ll hear from you Please send all communications to: Fordyce, each and every one of the collec - soon. Your stories, your passions, keep Editor, Directions tors featured in this issue has rigorously Friends’ Central vibrant. Friends’ Central School Rebecca H. Anderson 1101 City Avenue Wynnewood, PA 19096 [email protected]

Visit Friends’ Central on the web at www.friendscentral.org

2 Friends’ Central Contents

Departments

4 Campus Log

4 From Philadelphia to Birmingham: The 2008-2009 Film & Lecture Series 32 6 ALL STOP: Conflict Resolution in the Lower School 6 12 Fall Athletics Wrap Up

14 Fall Arts Wrap Up Feature 29 In Support 16 Pixies, Posters, and Pez: The Passionate 32 Welcome Back! Pursuits of Friends’ Central Alumni/ae. 35 Alumni/ae News • Grace, Wit and Lines: Joanna Haab Schoff ’51 43 Notes from Friends • A Passionate Chase: Rich Ulmer ’60 • A World of One’s Own: 47 Transitions Rachel Newmann Schwartz ’89 48 In Memoriam • Pop Culture All In a Row: Blake Bortnick ’13 16 • A Lasting Legacy: William Fordyce ’52

48 14 Directions Fall/Winter ’08/’09 3 All School: Campus Log

From Philadelphia to Birmingham: The Fall Film and Lecture Series For nearly five years, the Film and Lecture Series has introduced wide-rang - ing topics to the Friends’ Central commu - nity. Drawing largely on the School’s richly intellectual community of parents, alumni/ae, and faculty, the Series hosts evenings of music, film, politics, and his - tory four times a year. At this year’s first Film and Lecture evening, Everett Gillison (P ’10, ’13), Deputy Mayor of Public Safety in Philadelphia, addressed a full audience of FCS parents, faculty, and alumni/ae. First, though, he reminisced. “I remember cooking at the Pumpkin Fair. That was On September 8th Friends’ Central welcomed 1001 students and 251 faculty and the job for us dads!” Gillison said. staff for the start of its 164th academic year. There were 12 new teachers, administra - “Showing your kids that you care is the tors, and staff members, and 158 new students from pre-kindergarten through 12th most important thing you can do in your grade. Director of Admissions, Barbara Behar, noted at an opening faculty meeting child’s life. This community honors that that interest in Friends’ Central continues to be very strong, with at least 5 applicants and it has touched me and my family.” for every spot. Gillison’s compassion extends well Back row, from left: James McKeogh ’00 (Middle School math teacher), Brom Snyder beyond his children and Friends’ Central. (Development Associate), Sheila Rohrer (Middle School math teacher), Daniel Kennedy (Middle On this evening in October, he spoke and Upper School music teacher), Joel Windsor (Grade 5 language arts teacher). Front row, from with conviction about solving the most left: Margaret Perry (Science Department intern), Alice McBee (Grade 1 assistant teacher) Mary pressing security issues facing the city Fran Torpey (Middle and Upper School librarian), Nina Morton (Upper School science teacher), today by extending healing. “You can’t Danielle Kurliand (Pre-Kindergarten assistant teacher). Not pictured: Latonya Nesmith (Cafeteria overlook anybody. Even on your worst Staff) and Kristen O’Dore (Athletic trainer and physical education and health teacher). day, all you have to do is at least listen to their story.” For the skeptic, Gillison out - lined the Mayor’s very concrete plans that In the last two years, the Film and addressed the topics in his new book, The include collaboration with the police Lecture series has partnered with the Word of the Lord is Upon Me: The department, a reordering of the prison Friends’ Central School Distinguished Righteous Performance of Martin Luther system, and significant attention focused Scientist Program, to bring renowned King, Jr., as well as connections to the on re-entry. The plans are ambitious and scholars to campus for a public lecture 2008 presidential election. The following enthralling, and Gillison’s talk was a per - followed by a day visiting courses and day, he visited classrooms for discussion fect launch for this year’s season. working with the students. So far, and a close reading of King’s “Letter from Friends’ Central has enjoyed the National Birmingham Jail.” Rieder connected with Geographic Explorer in Residence, Wade the students in a unique way that enabled Davis, and Columbia University geologist, them to achieve an impressive level of Peter deMenocal. These lectures reinforce engagement with the material. Rieder in Friends’ Central students the under - himself says with emotion, “To put it self - standing that learning is a lifelong process ishly, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was and that they will carry their education very nice to be back in the special com - with them for the rest of their lives. munity of which I have so many fond This fall, alumnus Jon Rieder ’65, memories—of good friends and good came to campus to inaugurate a times, and wonderful teachers. Mainly, Distinguished Humanities Program that though, my enjoyment was not so self- will follow the same structure as the involved or backwards looking. I very Distinguished Scientist Program. On much enjoyed meeting so many interest - October 16th, Rieder gave a lecture that ing, intellectually serious, and caring

4 Friends’ Central Friends’ Central was delighted to learn this fall that eighteen seniors were recognized by the 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program— almost twenty percent of this year’s senior class and one of the largest groups in the area. In addition, two seniors, Natalie Willis and Brandon Laing, were recognized by the National Achievement Program.

National Merit Semifinalists Andrew Kelly Meg Bowie Liz Mitnick Anthony DeCusatis Eric O’Brien Rebecca Horowitz Jenna Paul-Shultz Jason Kirschner Imara Roychowdhury Michael Rubin David Simins Jake Schutzman Jennie Simon National Achievement teachers, not least of all Jim Rosengarten. Natalie Willis Semifinalist And I very much appreciate the care Jim Natalie Willis and all the others took in thinking National Merit Commended through the logistics of my visit. The Ben Bersoff National Achievement pride of place they gave to my meeting Justin Bortnick Outstanding Participant with FCS students was key. They were the Amy Corenswet Brandon Laing ones who made my day. They were terrif - Max Kaplan ic—smart, curious, lively, original, not afraid to venture bold opinions, and chal - lenging. Friends’ Central’s commitment to cultivating intellectual minds means that there will always be an abundance of explorers, thinkers, and learners to come to campus and inspire our students. The School is also fortunate to have the resources to attract outside speakers. This spring’s Distinguished Visiting Scientist will be Jared Diamond, Pulitzer-prize winning author of Guns, Germs, and Steel.

Sean O’Brien ’09 spent this past Friends’ Central Middle School forward to ’growing squash’ into bringing HIV/AIDS programs to summer at The UVM College of athletes have another team— the Upper School program.” schools, religious organizations, Engineering & Mathematical squash! A coed team will practice and workplaces. During his time at Sciences and Governor’s Institutes on the courts at Haverford College Upper School English teacher Al ActionAIDS, Al had his first of Vermont, a highly selective pro - under coach Enamullah Khan , Vernacchio was recently recog - encounter with Friends’ Central gram for high school students a member of the Khan squash nized for ten years of service at School: a group of FCS students, interested in engineering. As part dynasty and in 2007 Boston’s best ActionAIDS, a Philadelphia non- accompanied by language teacher of the program, he recognized Squash Instructor and Program profit that helps people living with Jacqueline Gowen-Tolcott , e

Upper School math teacher Chris Director according to Boston HIV and their loved ones cope spent their service days volunteer - t McCann for his influence and Magazine . Athletic Director Linda with the disease. Al began working ing for the organization under Al’s o N inspiration. McConnell says, “I know that I with the organization in 1994 as supervision. Congratulations to Al e

am personally excited to be in on the Coordinator of Training and for his dedication to such a valu - k a the ground floor of this, and I look Volunteers, designing curriculum, able organization. T >> training staff and volunteers, and

Directions Fall/Winter ’08/’09 5 Lower School: Campus Log

share it. Children need to be guided to understand that they have hurt someone’s feelings—they need to be made explicitly aware of it.” The process for helping chil - dren negotiate a conflict has particular importance in a Quaker school, where peace, equality, and respect are guiding tenets of all interactions in the communi - ty. At the heart of Deb and each teacher’s approach has always been the importance of honoring that of God in ALL STOP: each person and the need to give each Conflict Resolution child a chance to be heard. But everyone followed a different script, and from year at the Lower School to year teachers felt as if they had to rein - vent the wheel as the composition of the classrooms changed from grade to grade. By Toni Sharp Kindergarten teacher Deb Jones admits The need for unity came to a head during Assistant Lower School Librarian that as a young teacher she almost always the summer of 2004 when a group of took this approach. “But I quickly learned teachers from Friends’ Central’s Lower On any given day, conflicts abound at that it never changed the child’s behavior School attended a Friends Council work - the Friends’ Central Lower School. In the beyond the moment. It was the first reac - shop devoted to conflict resolution. There cafeteria, 2nd graders jostle over seats; in tion; not the best one.” Growing up they heard what everyone knew to be the classroom, 4th graders vie for a turn involves gaining a broader perspective true: that if we are to empower children on the computer; on the playground, and learning ways to negotiate disagree - to be peacemakers in their lives and lead - everyone wants to be first across the ments or differences. Deb, like all teach - ers in the world, it is important, even at monkey bars; and always in the sandbox ers, developed her own method for help - this age, to give them the training to where there a finite number of coveted ing children recognize their role in a con - speak about their feelings and confront digging toys and a seemingly endless flict and to develop compassion for who - aggressors with calm, non-violent lan - string of children who want to use them. ever it was they opposed. guage. But empathy and the language of Conflict occurs naturally in all human “Particularly in younger grades, the non-violent conflict resolution do not interaction, but especially between students often don’t realize that their come naturally to a kindergartener, so a younger children who have a fairly ego - behavior has any effect on a peer—they committee was formed and charged with centric view of the world. As an adult, the don’t understand that a sandbox toy developing a program that could be used quickest and easiest way to end a quarrel doesn’t belong to them just because they throughout the Lower School, regardless over a toy is too often the instinctual used it yesterday, or that they might hurt of the children’s ages or stage of develop - “stop fighting…because I said so.” their friend’s feelings by not wanting to ment.

Paula Burkhardt ’12 was cho - Basketball Coach at Rosemont This summer, Friends’ Central jun - opportunity has solidified her sen from among eighty other vio - College. Kiesha graduated from ior Emily Belkoff ’10 was one of desire to become a doctor. linists for the second chair in the Philadelphia University in 2005 twenty-four high school students Interlochen summer orchestra. and completed her MBA from the to participate in the Drexel Eighteen Friends’ Central students Interlochen is the country’s pre - same University in 2006. She was University College of Medicine and parents participated in this mier music camp. a four-year varsity basketball play - Mini-Med Summer Camp. The year’s Philadelphia AIDS walk, er at Friends’ Central. Tozer gradu - highly competitive program pro - raising over $1000 for the AIDS Two former Friends’ Central ath - ated as one of Friends’ Central’s vides students with the chance to Fund, which supports HIV/AIDS e t letes have taken Head Coach posi - all-time leading scorers, tallying experience expert lectures, rota - education, prevention, and servic - o tions at the college level. Kiesha 1000-career points. He went on to tions through branches of the hos - es in the Delaware Valley. Team N King ’01 was named Head play intercollegiate basketball at pital, and up-close access to doc - Capitan Madelena Rizzo ’10 , e k Women’s Basketball Coach at Eastern University, where he was a tors and their patients. Emily who led the FCS group for her a T Chestnut Hill College, and Ryan three-time All-Conference player, reports that the incredible third consecutive year, says, “I Tozer ’01 is now Head Men’s and four-time All-Academic selection. love organizing this event because

6 Friends’ Central The criteria for the program would dren have internalized be: common language, a set dialogue that the language and initiate included stating the problem, telling how an “ALL STOP” on their it feels, giving a solution, and some form own or come to a teacher of making amends greater than saying, and say that they need an “I’m sorry.” After a good deal of collabo - “ALL STOP.” The “ALL rative thinking, the “ALL STOP” acronym STOP” method has even was developed: migrated beyond the classrooms: recently a Lower School teacher reported that she saw an FCS student running through her neighbor - hood after a friend call - ing out, “Stop, we need an ALL STOP!” As Deb Jones says, “ALL STOP takes time, but it is time worth spending. I’ve seen the children start to really consider and become more aware of their Students in Lower, Middle, and Upper School behavior. It is our hope celebrated the International Day of Peace this that each child will con - September for the second year in a row. Lower School tinue to internalize these recognized the day with a peace sharing assembly in tools, and learn the full the morning. In the afternoon, they turned their Everyone enthusiastically embraced value of listening, thoughts inward during a special Meeting for the program: it was catchy, easy to learn, whether to praise, Worship. The entire School gathered outside under a and it resonated with even the youngest instruction, criticism, or cluster of trees to sit in silence. Hanging on the kids. Pre-kindergarten teachers introduce simply another’s feel - branches above them, peace flags that the children the acronym and with it the concepts of ings.” had made in art class earlier that week swayed in empathy and responsibility. In succeeding the cool September breeze. The colorful flags, years, these concepts are reinforced and modeled after Tibetan peace flags, beautifully used in the classroom, on the playground, expressed the children’s dreams of peace as they and anytime the children need to work held silent worship. out their differences. Three years after its introduction, many Lower School chil -

I find out how caring our commu - posters for display in the Isabel Friedman ’08 and her about breast development. On nity is. AIDS is still going strong, Hospital’s Annenberg Conference mother, Marisa Weiss, have pub - October 16th, the authors met and it is powerful to be surround - Center. In November, the students lished a book, Taking Care of Your with Upper School girls and their ed by Philadelphians who haven’t were invited to Lankenau for the “Girls:” A Breast Health Guide for mothers during a special hour- stopped trying.” Madelena also announcement of the “8 in ’08” Girls, Teens, and In-Betweens long assembly. Speaking about started an AIDS Walk club to campaign for eight Montgomery (Random House). Isabel is taking a what Friends’ Central had meant ensure that a Friends’ Central County Hospitals going smoke-free gap year before attending the to her daughter, Dr. Weiss choked team will participate in the in 2008. Two lucky students had University of Pennsylvania, and up, telling the audience, “the e fundraiser for years to come. the chance to ceremoniously cut Marisa is a breast cancer oncolo - unique environment at Friends’ t the giant cigarette to symbolize gist and the president and founder Central is why you feel so comfort - o N As part of Lankenau Hospital’s the end of smoking on Lankenau’s of breastcancer.org. Their book able sharing your concerns…there e campaign for a smoke-free cam - campus! provides young women with dia - is a trust that we don’t see at k a pus, Friends’ Central fifth graders logue skills to discuss their chang - other schools.” T >> recently created anti-smoking ing bodies and allay their fears

Directions Fall/Winter ’08/’09 7 Middle School: Campus Log

Stream Watch Recognized by the State

At the end of the 2007-2008 school year, Middle School science teacher Doug Ross learned some very exciting news. He had been awarded a $50,000 “Growing Greener” grant from Governor Rendell and the Pennsylvania Environmental Protection Agency. Ross and his students have been working on restoring Indian Creek for over ten year as part of a highly developed “Stream Watch” program that had already received significant local attention. But as Doug explains, an award of this size provided them with the fuel they needed to expand their services. He was thrilled to receive the acknowledge -

ment of their service and excited at the basis, and over time the FCS group began prospect of accomplishing much more. to develop partnerships with the Indian Creek begins in Wynnewood Fairmount Park Commission and other and splits in two just above the Friends’ local groups. Now the Friends’ Central Central City Avenue campus. The west Stream Watch Group visits Morris Park at branch flows through Penn Wynne and 66th and Sherwood during Middle the JCC while the east branch runs School service block every Wednesday, through the Green Hill Condominiums. and their responsibilities have expanded Across City Avenue, the stream enters the far beyond just picking up trash. Morris Park section of Fairmount Park As Friends’ Central eighth graders and the branches recombine. The creek Allegra Armstrong, Heather Witzel-Lakin, was once the site of a number of factories Allie Weiss and Marina Simon explain, and mills. In more recent years, it has suf - their Stream Watch duties are demanding fered from a lack of care and misuse. and require them to utilize their knowl - Doug Ross and Lylee Van Pelt began edge of science and the environment as working in the area many years ago, pick - they work to improve the area: “In ing up trash during an isolated service Friends’ Central School’s Stream Watch project. One of their students suggested program we remove invasive plants, such that they do service there on a weekly as Japanese knotweed and wisteria, so

On Saturday, October 4th, 2008, Rachel Fishman ’11 participat - FCS alumna Madeleine Upper School history teacher twenty-two members of the ed in the 2008 Maccabi Games in Sheldon-Dante’s ’03 photo - Kelley Graham has published Friends’ Central School community Detroit from August 17th-22nd as graphs were on display at MIT’s her first book, entitled “Gone to participated in the Philadelphia a member of the Philadelphia Rotch Library in a show called the Shops”: Shopping in Victorian Dragon Boat Festival. This was the Dance Team. She and her team - “Journey on Crocodile River.” The England . The carefully researched team’s second year of competition, mates won two gold medals and photos were taken during her trip book offers detailed observations and in their final race they won one silver medal. Rachel also to Bamako, Mali in November, on the important role of shop - their heat in 2:49. The Phoenix received a choreographer award 2007, and aim to capture every - keepers, shops, and shopping in e t Dragon boat team was led by cap - for her Jazz solo. day life in the city. MIT’s Office of Victorian life. Graham completed o tain and Lower School teacher the Arts funded Madeleine’s trip the book with the help of a N Mary-Chilton Van Hees and and show as part of their effort to Clayton Farraday summer stipend. e k drummer and Middle School bring Africa to MIT through the a

T teacher Debbie Fedder ’79 . arts.

8 Friends’ Central that we can allow the stream to become healthier and the native plants and ani - mals to flourish. We test the stream for important factors to the ecosystem, such as dissolved oxygen and pH, to make sure all the plants and animals have what they need to survive and live well. In addition, we do regular wildlife checks, and collect litter that would be potentially dangerous to the stream.” These tasks are fully inte - grated with Doug’s chemistry unit that all eighth graders take in the fall. The group’s newest project has been to help Friends’ Central’s neighbor, the Jewish Community Center, to improve the property that surrounds them. The Friends’ Central students joined forces with middle schoolers from the Perelman School and together they are working to remove the invasive Japanese knotwood and rebuild the area with native plants. Phriends’ Central Phanatics: Much of the money from the state grant The Middle School caught Phillies Phever this October during the will go to purchasing native, non-invasive plants. So far they have planted $1200 World Series. Even Middle School principal Ray DeSabato sported worth of trees and shrubs along the por - his Phillies shirt! tion of Indian Creek that runs through the Jewish Community Center. Pictured rooting on the Phils are (front row, from left) Charles Book ’16, Heather Witzel-Lakin, who has been Josh Fiebach ’16, Zach Jacobs ’16, Noah Averick ’16, Austin Margulies ’16 working on the Stream Watch project Ava Pollack ’16; (back row, from left) Lily Snider ’16, Aidan Plunkett ’16, since fifth grade, says that all the chal - Middle School Principal Ray DeSabato, Math Teacher Sharon Morsa, lenges the group faces such as cold weath - and Sam Silver ’13. er, wet conditions, hard work, and a seemingly endless mass of weeds and trash, pale in comparison to how every - one feels when they finally stand back and look at a cleared, healthy, and vibrant stream bank: “It’s a really rewarding serv - ice because you can actually see the dif - ference that you have made.”

Friends’ Central alumnus Aaron at CHOP. He also established the rently a student at the UCLA pectedly threatened by problems Schwartz ’05 recently finished a only city-wide newborn screening School of Theater, Film and with their medical insurance. fifty-nine minute radio documen - for sickle cell in West Africa, where Television, has directed a short tary, Chasing the Crescent Moon: the disease is prevalent in chil - film entitled Downward Slide. The An article by Friends’ Central The Story of Dr. Frempong and dren. To make the documentary, film is sponsored by UCLA and the School psychologist Juliet Sickle Cell Disease . The documen - Aaron traveled to Ghana, where he organization Divided We Fail, Sternberg called “Telling Tough tary, set in Ghana and taped interviews with patients, rel - which leads a non-partisan effort Truths: A Middle School Surveys Its Philadelphia, focuses on the life of atives, doctors, and support per - to end gridlock on the issues of Students About Bullying” has been e

Dr. Kwaku Ohene-Frempong, the sonnel about their experiences healthcare and financial concerns published in the Summer 2008 t child of Ghanaian farmers who with sickle cell disease. Since for U.S. citizens. One of eight issue of Independent School . A o N became an Olympic athlete, grad - August, 2008, the documentary films selected for the Stolen shorter version of the article was e uate of the Yale University School has been distributed to public Dreams short film competition, also published in the Fall/Winter k a of Medicine, and head of the radio stations across the country. Miller’s movie focuses on a family 2007-2008 issue of Forum . T >> Comprehensive Sickle Cell Clinic FCS alum Cory Miller ’99 , cur - whose financial security is unex -

Directions Fall/Winter ’08/’09 9 Upper School: Campus Log

success of this proposal required identify - ing and working out several logistical and public-policy concerns. For instance, twelve years ago the cafeteria used washable, china plates, bowls, and cups and washable silverware. The shift to disposable products hap - pened in large part because of the escalat - ing cost associated with replacing the countless items that were thrown away carelessly or removed from the building and never returned. A The GREENING general trend toward grab-and-go convenience made disposable prod - of the Friends’ ucts even more appealing. The committee spent the spring Central’s and summer planning how to make Dining Hall the switch a success. One of its first suggestions was to ask everyone to refer to the space as the “Dining by Joel Dankoff and Leigh Browning Hall.” The hope was that the renam - ing would draw attention to the It is startling but true: each week last importance of the changes and help year Friends’ Central’s students, faculty, shape student behavior. The com - and staff went through 1,000 paper cups, mittee also addressed practical, 1,750 paper dishes, 750 plastic salad con - logistical changes; for example, the tainers, and 3,000 plastic forks, spoons, dish-return window was far from and knives. The School regularly sent where students exited once lunch 4000 gallons of bagged trash per week to normally went to waste, presenting a was over and too small to handle the landfills or incinerators. Even as that strong visual case for the need to go increase in washable products. The solu - trash went out, more unrecyclable plastic greener. tion? Acquire wheeled dish-return carts products were trucked in from as far away In response, a committee of teachers, to collect dirty dishes and place them as Texas. students, and administrators developed a near the exits. Over the course of the 2007-2008 plan to replace disposable cups, plates, When School resumed in September, school year, our community’s recognition and utensils with reusable ones. Everyone the student body greeted the changes of the need for change steadily grew. On was thrilled at the prospect of radically with enthusiasm. Says Julia Ellis-Kahana Climate Day, one group created sculp - reducing our use of disposable products, ’09, “The reusable utensils and plates in tures out of the 3,000 plastic utensils that but the committee understood that the the Dining Hall have been working very

Friends’ Central 6th graders Kahana ’09 and the Blood Drive Alexa Fishback ’96 had a new sperses stories of wheelchair ath - recently made their annual trip to Committee, the drive collected 85 book published in December 2008 letes, volunteers, spectators and the Pennsylvania Renaissance pints, enough to save 255 lives. by Rodeale Press, The Daily Fix: even the city workers who paint Faire, where Abby Crowley and Julia says, “I’m so proud of what Your Guide to Healthy Habits for the course markers. Using each Alyssa Joines were chosen as the Blood Drive Committee has Good Nutrition. mile to structure the 26.2 chap - winners in the a state-wide poster done this year. Everyone who vol - ters, Robbins allows readers to competition. Kory Shore was a unteered and donated at our Liz Robbins ’88 , a sportswriter experience the event without ever runner-up. school made this day possible. It for the New York Times , published putting on a pair of running e t was incredible and I am looking a book for runners, A Race Like No shoes.” o On November 7th, 2008, Friends’ forward to the Spring Drive Other: 26.2 Miles Through the N Central held the most successful already.” Streets of New York . Publisher’s e k fall blood drive in School history. Weekly writes, “Robbins’s journal - a

T Organized by Julia Ellis- ist’s eye is thorough as she inter -

10 Friends’ Central well. When there are occasional accidents in the cafeteria (like when someone breaks a plate) the student body is very supportive. Instead of getting angry, everyone yells “Umpa!” and carries on lunch as if nothing has happened.” Students are even pushing for further greening initiatives for the Dining Hall, such as moving to napkin dispensers at every table. But the largest step is com - plete: we have dramatically reduced the landfill waste produced by 800 people every day by close to 60%!

The Other Side of “Greening” In addition to moving away from a dis - posable cafeteria culture, Dining Service Director Chris Rosenbaum and his staff have made a commitment to buying local This fall, sophomores and juniors spent a day to “Sizing up Stuff.” The food whenever possible. Part of this com - thematic day, devoted to raising consciousness about the negative impact mitment involves designing more season - that consumerism and the accumulation of “stuff” has on the environ - al menus. The Dining Hall has even been ment and communities, featured two special visitors: Wynn Calder of using fresh vegetables from the very local Sustainable Schools, LLC, and Al Johnson of the Smokey House project. Friends’ Central Upper School garden, The students spent the day moving between assemblies, student-led dis - run by science teacher Phyllis Gallagher, cussions, and faculty-led workshops, discussing various ways to simplify including Japanese eggplant, cherry their lives and address the problems associated with (over)consumption tomatoes, and fresh herbs. in our society. Despite the benefits to purchasing local food, one challenge troubles Chris: Pictured are (front row, from left) Charlotte James ’10, Emily Brodsky ’10, his customers aren’t as interested in Al Johnson, and Wynn Calder; (back row, from left) Matthew Frank ’10, imperfect apples that have been ripened Anna Herman ’10, and Emma Fox ’10. by nature. FCS students, like the majority of today’s society, have grown accustomed to pristine apples grown in a controlled environment. The dominant force of industrialized agriculture in the food market has created an expectation that good produce is large and unblemished. In reality, a locally grown fruit or veg - etable with a few flaws represents a prod - uct of equal quality that comes out of a more sustainable system. It also usually tastes better. Chris believes that once stu - dents realize that the apples and other local fruits appear as they do for an envi - ronmentally-conscious reason, their opin - ions will change for the better. “We have made great strides,” he says, and with the Dining Hall leading the way in local eat - ing, FCS students are sure to make great This fall, Friends' Central Upper School students held their annual club fair. Club strides, too. leaders lined up around the oval displaying colorful posters and sign-up sheets for an impressive array of clubs. In addition to traditional clubs such as Amnesty (Opposite right) Advertising their clubs are International, Black Student Forum, the Blood Drive Committee, and Service (from left) Liz Mitnick '09, Beth Committee, ten new clubs were added this year, including the Automotive Club, Deutschman '09, and Rachel McVey '10. the Jewish Culture Club, and the Students for Political Diversity Club.

Directions Fall/Winter ’08/’09 11 Fall Athletic Wrap-Up

FIELD HOCKEY All Friends Schools League All Friends Schools League Kaitlyn McCaffrey’10, Meghan Emily Rosenblum ’09, Sarah Record: 3-5-2 Cartafalsa ’12 (1st Team); Weingarten ’10, Julia Ellis-Kahana ’09, Coach: Jody Mayer Grace Pearlman ’10 (H.M.) Ariel Several’09, Hallie Greitzer ’10, Assistant Coach: Rachel Busza Alexi Several ’11 (1st Team); Captains: Alex Barron ’09, All Main Line Leah Perloff ’11 (H.M.) Nicole Deutschman ’09 Kaitlyn McCaffrey’10 (1st Team); MVP: Nicole Deutschman ’09 Meghan Cartafalsa ’12, All Main Line MIP: Isabel Terres ’12 Grace Pearlman ’10 (2nd Team); Emily Rosenblum ’09, Sarah Melanie Sachs ’11 (H.M.) Weingarten ’10, Julia Ellis-Kahana ’09 All Friends Schools League (1st Team); Ariel Several ’09, Nicole Deutschman’09, Megan Holt ’10 GIRLS’ TENNIS Alexi Several ’11, Hallie Greitzer ’10 (2nd Team); Leah Perloff ’11 (H.M.) All Main Line Record: 15-0 Nicole Deutschman’09, Friends Schools League Team Champion GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY Megan Holt ’10 (1st Team); (fifth consecutive year) Megan Wilson ’09 (H.M.) Friends Schools League Individual Record: 2-7 (dual meets) Champions: Emily Rosenblum ’09 Friends Schools League Individual (1st Singles); Sarah Weingarten ’10 Champion: Jillian Glen ’09 (6th Place) GIRLS’ SOCCER (2nd Singles); Julia Ellis-Kahana ’09 Coach: Jernell Mapp Record: 9-6-2 (3rd Singles); Hallie Greitzer ’10/Ariel Assistant Coach: Venetia Ricketts Coach: Sky DuMont Several ’09 (1st Doubles); Leah Captains: Jillian Glen ’09, Liz Mitnick ’09 Assistant Coaches: Diana Bleakley’01, Perloff ’11/Alexi Several ’11 MVP: Jillian Glen ’09 Dennis Hagan (2nd Doubles) (fourth consecutive in XC) Captains: Erica Bash ’09, Coach: Jason Henderson MIP: Ariel Parker ’11 Phoebe Harris ’09, Sasha Rescorl ’09 Assistant Coach: Kein Wilson MVP: Erica Bash ’09, Captains: Julia Ellis-Kahana ’09, All Friends Schools League Kaitlyn McCaffrey ’10 Emily Rosenblum ’09, Ariel Several ’09 Jillian Glen ’09 MIP: Phoebe Harris ’09 MVP: Emily Rosenblum ’09, All Main Line Ariel Several ’09 Jillian Glen ’09 (1st Team); Ariel MIP: Alexi Several ’11 Parker ’11, Liz Mitnick ’09 (H.M.)

12 Friends’ Central BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY BOYS’ SOCCER Most Valuable Players Record: 6-1 (dual meets) Record: 3-10-2 (Above, from left ) Friends Schools League Champions: Coach: Chris Campbell (Back row) Patrick DeSabato '09, Patrick DeSabato ’09 (1st Place); Assistant Coaches: Padraig Barry, Cross Country; Emily Rosenblum '09, Ivo Milic-Strkalj ’09 (3rd Place) Dan Crowley Tennis; Erica Bash '09, Soccer; Coach: Ed Soto Captains: Daniel Adelson ’09, Brett Daniel Adelson '09, Soccer; Assistant Coach: READ DeSabato ’02 Richardson ’09, Jacob Schutzman ’09 Brett Richardson '09, Soccer; Captains: Patrick DeSabato ’09, MVP: Daniel Adelson ’09, Max Gilbert '09, Water Polo. Jacob Snider ’09, Ivo Milic-Strkalj ’09 Brett Richardson ’09 (Front row) Kaitlyn McCaffrey '10, MVP: Patrick DeSabato MIP: David Thomas ’10 Basketball; Ariel Several '09, Tennis; (fourth consecutive in XC) Nikki Deutschman '09, Field Hockey; MIP: Joshua Glen ’12 All Friends Schools League: Jillian Glen '09, Cross Country. Daniel Adelson ’09 (1st Team); Most Improved Players All Friends Schools League: Brett Richarson ’09 (H.M.) (Bottom, from left ) Patrick DeSabato’09, Ivo Milic-Strkalj ’09 (Back row) Joshua Glen '12, (1st Team); Jacob Snider ’09, All Main Line: Cross Country; Phoebe Harris '09, Daniel Segall ’11, Alex Sheltzer ’11 (H.M.) Daniel Adelson ’09 (1st Team); Soccer; David Thomas '10, Soccer; Brett Richardson ’09 (2nd Team); David DeLeon '11, Water Polo. All Main Line: Michael Lowenstein ’11 (H.M.) (Front row) Ariel Parker '11, Patrick DeSabato’09, Ivo Milic-Strkalj ’09 Cross Country; Alexi Several '11, (1st Team); Jacob Snider ’09, WATER POLO Tennis; Isabel Terres '12, Field Hockey. Alex Sheltzer ’11 (2nd Team) Record: 1-10 Coach: Iain Anderson PA State Independent Championships: Assistant Coach: Ed Davis 2nd Place Captain: Max Gilbert ’09 All-State Cross Country: MVP: Max Gilbert ’09 Patrick DeSabato ’09, MIP: David deLeon ’11 Ivo Milic-Strkalj ’09 (1st Team)

Directions Fall/Winter ’08/’09 13 Performing Arts Wrap-Up

Madwoman,” a countess who thwarts a plan to destroy her beloved city, her three friends, played by Ariana Mundy ’09, Julia Romano ’09 and Jenna Paul Shultz ’09, and a philosophical Ragpicker played by Jason Kirschner ’09. Friends’ Central is participating in Philadelphia’s Cappies program, which allows students from local high schools to attend each other’s performances and write reviews that are published in area newspapers. The Cappies reviews of Madwoman enthusiastically praised the

This fall, FCS students and teachers put Madwoman on a spirited performance of Madwoman of Chaillot for two full audiences. Faculty members and Lower School children also of participated in the play to help set a Parisian scene filled with beggars, ped - Chaillot dlers, jugglers and mimes. The comic show featured Lizzy Marmon ’09 as “the

Winter Concerts

The holiday season brought many festive concerts and celebrations of music to Friends' Central School. Families, friends, and faculty greatly enjoyed watching these talented students perform.

Middle School Chorus directed by Brian Ramsey

Beah Jacobson '13 on piano, Jonathan Adler '13 and Sofia Seidel '13 on saxophone playing "My Favorite Things."

14 Friends’ Central er our own world, teaching that joie de vivre is a powerful healing force. Friends’ Central School demonstrated a mature understanding of these themes in a mas - terful and entertaining performance.” [Rebecca Saionz, Barrack Hebrew Friends’ Central students’ poise and talent Academy] on stage—even when a fire alarm inter - rupted Saturday’s show! One reviewer wrote for the Philadelphia Inquirer, “A timely choice, Chaillot urges us to consid -

Upper School A Cappella

Rebecca Ahn '10

Upper School Jazz Band

Upper School Orchestra directed by Daniel Kennedy

Directions Fall/Winter ’08/’09 15 pixies, posters, and Pez dispensers: the passionate pursuits of friends’ central collectors

verybody collects something. understand the motivation behind col - We collect dust under the bed, lecting in the animal world. Squirrels E newspapers and magazines on collect seeds for the winter and birds col - the coffee table, single mittens in the clos - lect string for their nests. Why do et; we collect greeting cards, matchbooks, humans collect? Are we motivated by a letters from our grandmothers; we collect desire to preserve the past? To achieve baseball cards, dolls, toy soldiers, insects, distinction? Or, as Freud and other psy - stamps and coins; we collect French wine, choanalysts have suggested, to satisfy an first edition books, American landscape obsessive compulsive drive for order? Is photography, and Blue Note jazz record - collecting inherently democratic or is it a ings from the 1950s. Some of our collec - pastime of the economically privileged? tions are accidental, others are sentimen - Why are some people called hoarders or tal, and still others are deliberate and packrats and others collectors? Last but researched. They end up displayed at not least, what determines the value of home, at antique shows, at local and our collections? international museums, traded on Ebay, Many Friends’ Central alumni/ae are and hidden in attics. Humans share an collectors, and recently the School has “instinctive urge to collect with the birds benefitted from the generosity and loyalty and the bees…with ants and rats…and of some of them. On campus, we have even several species of crustaceans” collectors as well: John Gruber has built a (Discovery Media 2007). But it is easier to curriculum around collecting moths and butterfly specimens, Hilary Takif Weiss and Caroline Maw-Deis teach Upper and Middle School students how to collect and transform leaves, twigs, and discard - ed scraps into art, and Peter Grove col - lects old Christmas trees for a Lower School bird blind. One thing they all have in common is a deep spirit of inquiry and a passionate attachment to learning more about a subject. Whether they are four or ninety-four Friends’ Central collectors all appreciate that the “collecting, like most passions, has the capacity to let us live in another world for awhile” (Herzinger 2006). Who knows to what lengths our current kindergarteners will take their love of buttons, spiders, or sticks. Or whether their pocketfuls will become valuable collections. –Rebecca H. Anderson 17 Grace, wit, three bols (Japanese calligraphy changed in and lines 1933). Western collectors, who never expected to understand the calligraphy, responded quickly to the exquisite tech - nique and imagery of the prints. Learning about the multiple layers in Surimono prints has preoccupied Joanna Joanna Haab Schoff ’51 loves to talk decades of the nineteenth centuries. They for at least the past twenty-five years, but about her collection of Surimono prints are elaborate interpretations of poems her interest in art began here at Friends’ from Japan, but she does so very modest - and each print overflows with literary ref - Central. “A memorable 12th grade art his - ly. In large part this modesty is because erences and represents the collaborative tory course at Friends’ Central Joanna's passion for the prints is equaled effort of artists, poets, calligraphers, School…was my first introduction to the only by her passion for sharing them with carvers, and printers. Although they were fascinating world of visual art,” she writes others. “I do not consider myself a collec - enormously popular when they were in the catalog to a recent exhibit. “The tor, but someone who has a lot of prints made, Surimonos did not attract the course was given by a very special teacher to share” she says. notice of Japanese collectors or art dealers (Hobson Pittman) who had the ability to One of the reasons Joanna loves to share until well after they began to be collected make his subject alive and personal.” her collection is that doing so gives her by Europeans and Americans, in large While Joanna attributes her love of the opportunity to talk about both the part because the prints are full of allu - the visual arts to Hobson Pittman and the prints and Japanese culture. “The more sions and jokes all conveyed in an obso - latitude Friends’ Central gave her to pur - you show, the more you talk about your lete calligraphy. According to Joanna, sue her individual passion, she credits her pieces and the more exciting it all gets,” there are only about five people in the father-in-law for her interest in collecting. she explains. “I enjoy talking about the world who can still read the older sym - In 1933, James S. Schoff was in charge of prints because when I do, I am really talk - ing about the history of Japan and its cul - ture. I fell in love with the Japanese peo - ple a long time ago, and my prints keep me connected to the culture.” Joanna began collecting Surimono forty years ago. When Jim was stationed in Japan in the 1950s, the Schoffs lived in the home of a Japanese gentleman who loved art and shared his scrolls and prints with them. When they returned to the States and began looking for art to fill their own home, Joanna and her husband gravitated to Toulouse-Lautrec’s use of line and humor. When Joanna learned that he was heavily influenced by Japanese woodblock prints, she began to seek out prints very similar to the ones Mr. Nakagami had shared with them back in Japan. She bought her first print from a renowned collector and curator, Joan Merivs, who helped Joanna understand the provenance of the prints and how to care for them. Surimono are limited-edition prints that, for the most part, were commis - sioned by poetry groups in Japan during the later part of the eighteenth and first

18 Friends’ Central Bamberger’s Department Store, which had just been bought by Macy’s. It was his responsibility to inform many of his employees that the transition meant they were out of their jobs, and he soon became ill from the task. When he went to the doctor, all of his tests came back negative. The doctor said to him: “There is nothing wrong with you, Jim. You need a hobby.” Jim spent small amounts here and there to purchase whatever old photo - graphs, diaries, letters, and books on the American Civil War he could. As the doc - tor had ordered, his hobby became a pas - sion that helped to heal his heart and spirit. In 1974 he bequeathed his collec - tion to the Clements Library at the University of Michigan where it is now one of the most heavily used collections and an invaluable source of information for anyone studying the political, eco - nomic, military, social and cultural histo - ry of the United States. As an older man, become my favorites.” vault,” she explains. “Part of me wants Jim told this story to everyone and any - Joanna’s commitment to sharing her someone else to have the pleasure of col - one, including the janitors at the library. prints is complicated by the fact that they lecting the pieces, and part of me wants “Get a hobby,” he urged. “Collect pennies cannot be exposed to light. The fabric my collection preserved!” if that is all you can afford. What’s impor - and paint are both highly sensitive and Whether she keeps her prints togeth - tant is that you find an interest outside of will fade quickly. Even when they are er or allows them to be dispersed and the yourself.” hung as part of an exhibit, the prints collection reformed, Joanna's intends to When Joanna and her husband start - must be rotated every six weeks. Joanna keep sharing them. “Conversations about ed collecting antique furniture, a well- has allowed herself the constant pleasure the prints are what make them valuable known dealer, Albert Sachs, gave them of one print in her house in Vermont, but to me,” she says. She likes to refer to a another piece of advice that Joanna often it is in a frame, on a table in a dark place quote by Manley P. Hall, another mentions in conjunction with her story where it can be turned to the wall when American collector of Surimono who about her father-in-law: “If you are inter - she leaves. wrote in the 1960s, “Granted that collect - ested in something,” Sachs said, “buy a Yet as Joanna states, “You don't col - ing of this kind will not change the piece. You’ll soon learn what you did lect unless you are interested in arranging course of history, or cause the collector to right and what you did wrong. Don’t try a display.” So what happens with a collec - suddenly expand in wisdom; but he may to do all the research ahead of time. Just tion over time? Does it need to be kept discover that he is becoming a more gra - start by purchasing something and seeing together in order to retain its integrity? cious person, less subject to negative where it takes you.” Does its integrity lie, as some social scien - thinking and more capable of enjoying Joanna’s collection of Surimono grew tists believe, in its arrangement, in “its intimate contact with beauty. Such expe - in just such a peripatetic fashion. When selection, composition, and ordering riences are very useful in a stress-ridden asked which print is her favorite. Joanna principles?” (Otto and Pederson 1998). culture. The surimono invites one to relax is quick to say, “I enjoyed collecting each Or is each piece valuable on its own? and gain something of the feeling of one for different reasons. But I always Joanna is not sure. “I enjoyed the process shibui.” remember sharing them. There are cer - of collecting and learning so much that it tain prints that always generate interpre - is hard for me to imagine my prints going tation and conversation. Those have to a museum where they will end up in a

Directions Fall/Winter ’08/’09 19 A Passionate times gone by.” Collections function as Chase repositories of memories and create a continuum where there might otherwise be disjunction. One problem with this view is that it assumes that once assem - bled, a collection remains intact. For Rich, this was not the case at all. “Passion drives all collecting,” says investor. He currently manages a compa - “Every year my mother made me go Friends’ Central alumnus, Rich ny, InVitro International whose mission is down to Children’s Hospital and give my Ulmer ’60, who currently has ten consid - to research, develop, and then commer - collection of cards from the previous year erable collections. He collects sports cialize non-animal methods of testing to a bed-ridden child.” For collectors— memorabilia, gaming items, mechanical cosmetics and creams. But in 1991 Rich’s not to mention young boys--the thought wind-up toys, old model trains, and with son gave him a Rich Ashburn card from of regularly giving away a year’s worth of his wife Bev, Beatrix Potter music boxes, the 1952 Topps series. Ashburn Jiminy Cricket memorabilia, 1950s was a childhood hero of Rich’s ceramic fish by California artists, Royal and later a friend. The card spoke Bayreuth porcelain from the late 1800s, directly to Rich’s abiding, wistful Stueben crystal, and the artwork of love of baseball and reminded him Thomas Kincaid and Peter Ellenshaw. of his very first collection. “I used Rich’s collections are so extensive that he to take my allowance, which was and Bev moved a mere half mile from the just twenty-five cents, down to the home they had built and lived in for 38 store. One penny got me a card years in order to have more room. “We and a piece of gum wrapped in a have a connection to each and every piece foil package. I did not care about we have collected, and we wanted to be the gum, but I treasured the able to put them out and visit them. Now cards.” Baseball cards led to foot - when Bev can’t find me, she calls out, ‘Are ball cards; football cards led to you upstairs?’ And I usually am--up in stamps and coins. “I always had the room devoted to my sports memora - something I was collecting.” bilia collection. As for Bev, I can usually Many social scientists who find her in the hallway upstairs that is study collecting focus on the way decorated with all of our ceramic fish.” collections help an individual con - The Ulmers’ passion for their collec - struct a life-story. Items collected tions has two sides. On the one hand, “are visible proofs of a lived life, of Rich is quite clear about how much he loves the chase involved in tracking down an item. But he is equally clear about how much research, time, and emotion time goes into acquiring each piece. His collec - tion of sports memorabilia offers a per - fect example of how these two sides work together. “I was born to play baseball,” Rich explains. “I was drafted by the Dodgers right out of Friends’ Central, but I had a scholarship to Brown. My father, who did not ask me for very many things at all, asked me to take the scholarship.” Rich graduated from Brown and went on to have a successful career, not as a baseball player, but as an entrepreneur and

20 Friends’ Central cards is frightening. But Rich grew to mum bid. That was too much for us. So appreciate both the tradition and the for now we are just going to keep track of important life lesson about attachment to that pig and see what happens.” things and his own capacity to help oth - “The thrill of chasing makes collect - ers. This lesson culminated when Rich ing what it is,” Rich says. “It can take was seventeen and he sold his stamp col - months or years to get a piece. My moth - lection in order to purchase his first car er always said, ‘don’t start something and pay for the insurance. “At the end of unless you can complete it.’ I live by her the day, I learned that I could get what I words even now. It is such a thrill to find wanted but first I might have to give up the last piece in a set. I always remember something else.” where and when I found the last piece, So years later, when his son gave Rich but not necessarily all the previous ones.” the Rich Ashburn card, he triggered a Although Rich emphasizes the thrill whole host of memories and emotions in Rich's research took him all the way back of the chase when he talks about his col - his father. “I decided this would be fun to the 1800s and Connie Mack, who was a lections, it is also very clear how attached again and I set out to collect a set.” Rich catcher before they had gloves. he is to them. He enjoys his collections picked the 1953 Bowman set of baseball As he went through the history of and he does not share them publically. cards, which he knew was the first color baseball, Rich learned an important les - Bev takes her Beatrix Potter pieces to the set. Prior to 1953, the cards had been son about collecting—in order to sustain local library once a year, but that is as far either black and white or colored in. Rich the chase, a collector often needs to rede - as any piece travels. “Christy’s has a tracked down each card, one by one, until fine his or her goal to keep it just out of Beatrix Potter auction that someday we he had all 160. “When I finished the set, I reach. “First, I wanted all the Ty Cobb might add our collection to,” explains had bonded with it. I had a great time cards, then I wanted all the Babe Ruth Rich. “But we haven't bonded with it and I had a beautiful set of ungraded cards. I kept making up things I wanted.” enough.” Collecting for oneself is tricky, cards. My next step would have been to Rich started mixing up statistical research though, and creates the need for compro - have it graded or to upgrade, but I knew in with his historical reading. “I did pop - mise. Consider, for instance, the way Rich that was expensive.” The grade of cards ulation counts—how many cards are out treats one of his most valuable pieces— corresponds to its condition and rarity. there? How many belong to collections the original Philadelphia application to Some cards in a given set will be more already?” Rich visited online grading sites the National League for a baseball team valuable than others, or have a higher and dealer websites, he and Bev travel to signed by Albert Reach. In order to pro - grade, because there are fewer in exis - shows and conventions. More recently, tect this letter, Rich keeps it stored in a tence, because of a slight mark in the Rich conducts most of his collecting on Tupperware box inside a fire-proof safe. printing process, because of the personal Ebay. Someday he hopes to donate it to the history of the player, and many other fac - Some collectors bemoan the rise of Baseball Hall of Fame. In order to enjoy tors. Card collectors first strive for com - Ebay, but Rich enjoys the strategic aspect it, he had a copy made and framed that plete sets and then for cards of higher of tracking pieces online and watching an he hangs on the wall in his sports memo - value. “I knew that to upgrade this collec - auction unfold. It is a game that, for Rich, rabilia room. tion could take me the rest of my life. I adds to the thrill of the chase. “We have “The enjoyment I get from each and wanted to move on to something else, so developed an unbeatable strategy,” he every one of my pieces is something I I sold that set and went backwards.” says. “For one thing, we never put in would not trade.” The research, the chase, For his next collection, Rich focused round numbers. Then, we wait until there and the strategy involved all provide a on finding all forty-eight of the original are thirty seconds left in the auction and thrill. But the pleasure of seeing his pieces 1933 Sport King Cards. This eclectic col - we inordinately up the maximum bid.” Of assembled in a group provides Rich with lection includes athletes from a variety of course, this strategy may not hold up a sense of completeness he otherwise sports—ice skaters, wrestlers, even a dog when you are bidding against someone would not have. “They remind me of sled racer. It also includes many famous who uses the same strategy and goes good times, adventures, and other peo - athletes such as Babe Ruth and Babe higher! “Bev and I were following a ple,” he explains. Including, perhaps, the Didrickson. “I became enamored with old Beatrix Potter pig for a long time. When young boy with a penny to spend and all cards and the history of professional it finally came up for auction on Ebay, we of life before him. sports. I started reading all the books I were ready. But someone else took our could find on the old figures in baseball.” pig away by bidding four times the maxi -

Directions Fall/Winter ’08/’09 21 A World of not exist anymore. The pixies all have One’s Own very thin necks and are highly breakable. Rachel would love to reach her goal and complete her collection, but for now, with two small children and a tight economy, Rachel enjoys her collection as it is, arranged very carefully up on a high A single white shelf runs along two walls shelf. in Rachel Newman Schwartz’s ’89 Rachel has other collections, too. She kitchen, up above the doors to her dining collects richly shining Lusterware pitchers room and living room. Most visitors and colorful, raw outsider art, particularly probably walk right into the large, warm pieces about Adam and Eve. She once col - space and without noticing the small, when she was 18 and her mother gave her lected Hot-Howard Cozy Cats, and she whimsical, ceramic condiment jars, olive a jam and jelly jar. “She saw it and has a growing interest in black and white trays, and salt and pepper shakers that thought it was cute so she gave it to me,” photographs of musicians. Each of her line these shelves. It would be hard to says Rachel. Any other 18-year-old might collections is displayed artfully and with leave the kitchen, though, without look - have enjoyed the impish little jar for clear restraint around her house. “Once I ing up. Each piece is brightly painted and awhile, maybe even kept it on her dresser. get something, I like to enjoy it. But I also topped with a highly expressive, elf-like But Rachel comes from a family of collec - pay a lot of attention to how I make a dis - heads that catches the eye and draws a tors and so when she unwrapped the jar, play. It is important to know where to put smile. The Holt-Howard Company of she was instantly inspired to find more. something and when to stop. Just because Stanford Connecticut produced the jars “When I was growing up, my parents I collect something, doesn’t mean it and small dishes for only two or three were always dragging me to flea markets should all be set out around my house.” years in the late 1950s and sold them and antique shows, and I saw their excite - Her sense of restraint is, in fact, part of through the Sears and B. Altman’s cata - ment.” The charm of the smiling, pink how Rachel defines herself as a collector. logs. In the past couple of decades, they jam and jelly jar, sparked a similar excite - “I consider myself a collector,” she says, have become highly desirable collectibles. ment in Rachel. She began scouring the “because I limit my focus. I am not exces - Rachel began collecting the Pixieware pier shows in New York where she lived, sive, and I am not a hoarder. I pick some - she went to antique shows, she poured thing very particular and I pursue it.” over online catalogs, and she learned to Although having a defined goal bid effectively at auctions. The “Jam ’n makes collecting fun for Rachel, she Jelly” jar was one of the first three pixies shares the love of the chase with her that Hold-Howard produced, and was peers. At one point, Rachel even kept a sold in a 1958 Christmas catalog as part diary of “the chase.” She had a notebook of a set that included ketchup and mus - in which each page detailed a different tard bowls. Fifty years ago the pieces sold potential source for an item and a record for less than five dollars each. Today they of each call or letter she sent in an go for upwards of four hundred dollars attempt to acquire the piece. When each. Rachel talks about her process, she has a Rachel has thirty of the Holt-Howard striking perspective on the thrill of col - pixies, ten shy of a full set and as close as lecting. “It is a game I play with myself,” anyone to completion. “I have a couple of she says. “I identify my goal, I find out if pieces that are really valuable, in particu - the piece exists, and then I get to say, lar a honey jar and an instant coffee con - okay—the piece is there. Can I afford it? tainer. The instant coffee pixie has a cof - Is it in the right condition? Can I get it? fee-colored face and is considered a cross- There is a hint of discomfort involved over collectible. People who collect the because you basically say to yourself, Holt-Howard Pixieware want her but so ‘What I want is there for the taking.’ To do people who collect African-American know what you want and have it within pieces.” As for the pieces that she doesn’t reach raises its own counter-challenge. have, Rachel worries some of them might You have to ask yourself , ‘Is it right for

22 Friends’ Central me now?’” between her collections. As a result, her ings all have their place in Rachel’s home Rachel’s honesty about the uncom - house, filled as it is with respectful and offer a remarkably intimate reflection fortable, psychological side of collecting is arrangements of her very diverse collec - of her very eclectic taste and life. They not only perceptive but also emotional. tions, is a remarkably personal glimpse exemplify the belief that collections are “My collections are very personal and I into Rachel herself. The extent to which personal narratives that allow individuals can look at each piece and tell you exactly Rachel enjoys her collections and what to pull the past into the present, forge a where and when I got it.” When she talks they remind her about herself under - continuum, and “make the world one’s about her collection of black and white scores one of the reasons why she has own” (Clifford 1988). For now that is photographs, for instance, this singular, pulled back a bit from looking for more. enough. personal connection is clear. The first It is not just the fullness of her life photograph Rachel purchased was a with two young children, or the tight William Wegman photo called “Looking economy, that act as restraints. It is Back.” Although she had always disliked also the dominance of Ebay. Wegman’s photos of dressed-up dogs, she As almost every collector will tell you, had just met her husband, Eric, and Ebay streamlined the entire process of found herself with a crush on his dog, collecting. It dramatically and irrevo - Solomon, as well. “‘Looking Back’ cable altered the way the game is reminded me of Solomon. It was my first played. Suddenly it is easy to sit at crush on a photograph,” she says with a home and keep track of what is in cir - smile. The other few photographs Rachel culation, what may be lost for good, and Eric have bought are similarly per - who owns what, and how much is it sonal. When they were living in New York worth. But this efficiency comes at a City and Rachel was working for the cost. Collectors rarely exchange photos recording industry, she and Eric spent and letters in the mail, and the need their weekends in Woodstock. They once for travel and conversation has greatly saw a show by the photographer original - diminished. As Rachel explains, “the ly hired to shoot the eponymous concert community aspect of collecting is and fell in love with a photo he took of gone. Ebay is anti-collecting. It is all Jimi Hendrix on his first trip back to the about acquiring now and that is not United States after becoming a star in fun.” Kitschy ceramic, lustrous pitches, Europe. The photo, its focus on the horde dramatic photographs, and edgy paint - of cameras aimed at Hendrix, the music connection, and the centrality of Woodstock, all spoke personally to the Schwartzs. One of the things Rachel likes about the black and white photographs she has collected is the way they stand alongside her collection of Outsider Art. The pho - tographs are contemporary and clean. Most of them are also very large and command your attention. The Outsider Art, in contrast, is gritty, rough, and much less overtly sophisticated. Rachel has focused on pieces that retell the bibli - cal story of Adam and Eve and is aware that many people will find the subject matter, as well as the unschooled tech - nique, discomforting. But Rachel is unabashed by the potential for discom - fort or for any perceived dissonance

Directions Fall/Winter ’08/’09 23 One collection’s his estate. It came as even more of a Lasting Legacy surprise to learn that one of the most valuable portions of that estate was packed away in over 100 cardboard boxes. Bill Fordyce was quite a col - lector, and he had left the School 45,700 sheets of music, many of them William De Lorme Trow Fordyce gradu - sidered myself a reunion person; so very rare and valuable. ated from Friends’ Central in 1952, a much time has elapsed that it’s Alongside his public devotion to Cum Laude Society member, class treas - quite futile to try to pick up the Tennessee Williams and Shakespeare, Bill urer, secretary of the Service Club, and a loose ends of the past, even in the nurtured a deep passion for musical the - member of the yearbook staff and cast of name of good fellowship. My mem - ater and old movies. The Friends’ Central Pygmalion. After Friends’ Central, he ories of FCS are happy ones, but yearbook of 1941 identifies Bill as a thes - went to Harvard University where he they are so remote as to be beyond pian and the “class accompanist on the earned both an A.B and a Ph.D. in meaningful contact with the elusive ivories,” and shortly after he earned his English, and for the next fifty odd years, entity we foolishly call the present. Ph.D., Bill fed this passion by buying he taught English at the University of That is the fairly mundane rationale sheet music from American movies and North Carolina and then West Chester for my absences, unsatisfactory even musical theater. Although his collection University. Despite the fact that he lived to me….My best wishes to you and was never displayed, cataloged, or made only a few miles from Friends’ Central, all our classmates. available to the public, at the time of his Bill never returned to campus and main - Bill death, Bill Fordyce was internationally tained little contact with his alma mater. known as one of the preeminent collec - Just before their 55th Reunion in May of In spite of his absence from the com - tors of rare sheet music from theater and 2007, Bill wrote to Donald munity, Bill had always maintained that film as well as songs written by many of Reminschnieder: he would “remember Friends’ Central.” the most important composers of the Dear Don: Still it came as quite a surprise when Bill 20th century. “The scope and depth of So it’s fallen to you to smoke me died last October, to learn that Friends’ Mr. Fordyce’s collection,” writes Sandy out of my badger hole. Well, this Central was the primary beneficiary of Marrone, an expert on sheet music, note will allow you a measure of “underscores its importance from [both] success. I’ve never con - a musical and historical standpoint.” Bill was an expert, though solitary, musi - cologist who filled his

24 Friends’ Central spare time studying, lis - The William Fordyce Collection is is impossible to find tening to, and learning about music from distinguished by its quality, too. Some music for in now; The Baseball Rag, Noel the stage and screen. He bought hundreds collectors focus on quantity in order to Coward’s first song; and “Away We Go” of books on movies, actors, and plays; he ensure scope and thoroughness. Having a Songs from the show that eventually held onto playbills and newspaper complete set of something increases a col - became Oklahoma. reviews; and he amassed a considerable lection’s value. But for others, Bill Fordyce The thoroughness with which Bill fed library of CDs. He had “a vast knowledge among them, quality is more important his passion for American musical theater of the subject…[and] a special eye for than quantity. According to Sandy, “Bill is unique, perhaps unrivaled, and his col - compiling a unique collection,” says regularly purchased high quality music lection has enormous value for anyone Sandy. Bill’s collection represents over 100 for his collection from the country’s most interested in music or American history. years of musical history and “includes prominent sheet music dealers. Those The generosity of spirit and the remark - nearly all of the well-known tunes of the dealers specialize in the scarcest music, able loyalty he displayed in remembering times.” But as Sandy notes, it was his and their customers pay high amounts to his formative years at Friends’ Central interest in the less well-known songs that acquire it. It was his willingness to pay have a value that is far more difficult to sets The William Fordyce Collection substantial sums for select sheet music describe. In concrete terms, Bill’s gift will apart. that allowed him to obtain very choice fund three to four full scholarships in “[Bill] focused on the rarely-heard editions which are what make this collec - perpetuity. While those scholarships are and unusual songs from America’s musi - tion so important.” tied to tuition and thus definable, there cal past…and the composers that [he] A few of the highlights in the truly is no accurate way to measure the collected wrote songs that reflect our Fordyce Collection are: Bill by Jerome impact of the educational experience Bill country’s history.” The collection contains Kern and P.G. Wodehouse, a song that has bequeathed to Friends’ Central and its music from nearly 200 different com - was written for but cut from an early students. Perhaps one Fordyce student posers, including Irving Berlin, Cole show, called Oh Lady, Lady. Many years will have an interest sparked while here at Porter, Jerome Kern, George Gershwin, later it was used and popularized in Friends’ Central. Perhaps, fueled by the Stephen Sondheim, Kurt Weill, Hoagy Showboat. This single piece of sheet intellectual and spiritual curiosity that are Carmichael, and Noel Coward. There is music once sold for as much as $6500. the hallmarks of a Friends’ Central educa - sheet music as well from as far back as The Jitterbug a song that was cut from tion, the graduate will pursue that inter - John Philip Sousa and Stephen Foster and The Wizard of Oz; You’re A Grand Old est and it will grow into a lifelong pas - includes songs from every movie or show Rag, the original version of You’re a sion. Perhaps that passion will sustain the that ever became popular as well as an Grand Old Flag by George Cohen which Friends’ Central graduate, enriching his abundance of rarely seen or heard songs was banned by Theodore Roosevelt and or her life emotionally, intellectually, and and pieces from silent movies and late ordered to be destroyed; Hooray for spiritually. This is the true potential value 19th century stage shows. Hollywood, such a well-known song that of Bill Fordyce’s gift.

Directions Fall/Winter ’08/’09 25 pop culture and faculty to admire and enjoy. In the in a row display case, colorful Muppet dispensers stood next to Pokemon characters; Micky and Minnie posed unconcerned behind Garfield and Hello Kitty; and various Santas smiled blithely beside Star Wars Storm Troopers. Blake’s many years of The world’s largest Pez dispenser, locat - Ball of Twine”). But to at least one collecting have created a miniature uni - ed at the Burlingame Museum of Pez Friends’ Central student, Blake Bortnick verse, inhabited by brightly-colored and Memorabilia in San Francisco, stands 7 ’13, Burlingame is less a cultural oddity charming representations of pop culture feet, 10 inches tall—over twenty times the than a kind of Mecca, and its towering over the past several decades. size of a normal Pez dispenser and about Pez snowman a beacon. It is this world, his mother Janet two feet taller than the average North Well, perhaps he wouldn’t put it that Bortnick suggests, that draws people into American male. The functional dispenser way. Blake has been collecting Pez dis - the collection. The Pez company responds offers a whopping 6,480 Pez candies to pensers since the age of three, but his so quickly to fads that people from many anyone lucky enough to tip back its jolly enthusiasm can at times seem muted. For different generations and walks of life can snowman head. Alternately, the snowman example, he speaks with a rather cool glimpse a part of their childhood in the will yield one standard size Pez dis - practicality (especially for an eighth grad - face of a Pez dispenser. The emotional penser—somewhat eerily, a miniature er) about the dangers of going out of his pull of these plastic forms is close to mag - clone of itself—accompanied by one way to purchase a collector’s item “in this netic for both students and adults—how stamped certificate of authenticity. economy.” (Once the market starts look - to resist the colors, the memories, and Without a doubt, some may be sur - ing up, it’ll be back to Ebay). But with maybe even the allure of something prised at the mere existence of a 7 foot 10 hundreds of dispensers, his impressive sweet? For that reason, Blake’s collection, Pez dispenser, let alone a museum devot - collection speaks for itself. which went on display for the first time ed entirely to Pez memorabilia (although The majority of Blake’s collection when he was in fifth grade, has consis - we are all citizens of a country that has was on display this fall in the Friends’ tently been among the most popular several contenders for the title of “Largest Central Blackburn Library for students exhibits of any in Blackburn Library.

26 Friends’ Central Blake’s affection for Pez, and pick out something “cool,” however, appeared long before Blake sees the ever-expanding he possibly could have devel - whole. If he keeps up his cur - oped any nostalgic associations rent pace, the collection could with the candy. As a young increase by the hundreds by child, he received one as a gift, the time he graduates. Though and, as his mother tells it, dis - it is tempting to seek out a penser and toddler formed an favorite Pez among the masses, instant bond. From that Blake’s vision is appealing, too: moment on, if the rest of the lined up together, the collec - family was having dessert, tion transcends the individual Blake wanted Pez, and nothing objects and becomes meaning - would persuade him otherwise. ful in its own right. Janet laughs, “We started stash - It’s easy to think of collec - ing them in the house because tions as deeply personal to the it was the only thing that collector and alienating to the would make him happy!” outsider—a product of expert - A small boy’s whim has ise, taste, erudition, or maybe now grown to a collection of just packrat tendencies. Blake’s over 500 Pez dispensers, and Pez collection stands out as Blake says he intends to main - both unusual and extraordi - tain an interest in Pez for his nary in size, yet deeply recog - entire life. He insists he doesn’t nizable and comfortable, even have a favorite Pez, that the to the uninitiated. It is engag - collection trumps any individ - ing and inclusive, a perfect fit ual character. While his friends for the Friends’ Central com - might look at his collection munity.

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Directions Fall/Winter ’08/’09 27 In Support Got Golf? Thanks to you, the 19th Annual Golf Outing Got $50,000 for Financial Aid

28 Friends’ Central On June 17th, Friends’ Central Classic raised $50,000 to help hosted its 19th Annual Golf Friends’ Central open its doors Classic at the ACE Club in to children with limited financial Lafayette Hills. Alumni/ae, par - means. Save the date for this ents, faculty, and friends gath - year’s Golf Outing on Monday ered to play the challenging June 22nd at the White Manor course, test their touch at a put - Country Club in Malvern. New ting contest, and enjoy lunch, this year, we will be adding ten - dinner, and a silent auction. The nis to the day’s events! For more money raised at the event sup - information, contact in Linda ports the School’s financial aid Wasserman at (610) 645-5042. program. This year, the Golf

Left to right from top:

Headmaster, David M. Felsen, and his grandchildren, Isabella and Ian, hold a check for the amount raised at this year’s successful golf outing.

Dave Ebby (Samuel '16), Jim Sheward (Amanda '21), Brad Bradbeer (James '14, John '21, Peter '16), Eric Guenther (Liesl '16 and Phebe '19)

Sharon Morsa, Linda McConnell, Christina Fryman (Samuel '10)

Kyle Beatty, Tom MacFarlane (Isabel '20, Lorna '17, and Sophie '15), Padraig Barry, Dan Crowly (Abby '15, Morgan '18)

Richard V. Pepino, Richard Pepino, Howard Ratinoff, Allan Papsin

Directions Fall/Winter ’08/’09 29 In Support

Welcome Back Welcome! to Lower School! On Sunday, September 8 th , the Home & School Association hosted a reception to welcome Lower School families back to school. Children and their parents enjoyed water ice, soft pretzels, and lemonade. Everyone reconnected with old friends, met new friends, and shared their excitement for the start of the new school year.

Left, clockwise from top:

Tori Lane '19, Nayah Moore '19, Emma Velinsky '19, Julia Nierenberg '19

Justin Badt '21 and Kieran McDonnell '21

Laura and Leonard Rossio (Hannah '20)

Howard Smith (Noah '18 and Amanda '21) and Michael Balitsaris (Peter '22, Quinn '20, Riley '17).

Opposite page, clockwise from top:

Isaiah Rice '19 and Tori Lane '19

Michael Murray '09

Jeremy Stursberg '09 (left), Doris Whitely (Dennis '12) and David Felsen enjoy food and conversation at the picnic.

30 Friends’ Central PSOC Kicks Off New School Year

Each September, the Parents of Students of Color (PSOC) committee hosts a reception to welcome families back to school. Throughout the year, the PSCO committee supports efforts to develop greater sensitivity and open communication in the Friends’ Central community, such as the Annual Bowl-a-Thon scheduled for Sunday, January 25th.

Friends’ Central Welcomes New Parents

September is filled with receptions, including one on September 9th for all parents new to the Friends’ Central com - munity. Each year, the Welcoming Committee of the Home & School Association arranges a warm, informative evening when new parents can hear from Above, left: Catherine and James Murdock the Headmaster and principals, meet each (Nicholas '14), and Kimberly Tarquinio other and many veteran parents, and (Gianluca '14 and Alessandro '17). learn about some of the many “extras” we have at Friends’ Central, such as instru - Above: Evan Smith (Lily '21), Laura and Jeff Shell mental music lessons, swim lessons, after- (Anna '21) and Les Book (Hannah '20, Charles '16, care, private transportation. Sophie '14).

Left: Lauren Becker Rubin '83 (Justin '21, Jesse '16, and Bryan '14), Gary and Angela Greene (Kathryn '18 and Jonathan '14).

Directions Fall/Winter ’08/’09 31 In Support

Pumpkins, Jugglers, Games, and Food at the Lower School Pumpkin Fair

On Sunday, October 26th , the Home & School Association hosted its annual Pumpkin Fair. The Lower School gym and parking lot were filled with families enjoying the carnival games, jugglers, Upper School Jazz Band, corn chowder, cotton candy, and many, many crafts. Fourth graders decorated the basement of the gym and led the fearless through a ghoulish haunted house. The money raised at the Pumpkin Fair benefits the Principal’s Discretionary Fund for Students’ Extra Needs. The Principals may use the money in this fund to help offset the cost of tutoring, music lessons, and books for eligible students.

Clockwise from top:

Jazz band performs in the Lower School gym

Cristian '14 and Alec Clothier '16

Scarecrow on hay bales

Peter '18 and Anna Gullace '21

32 Friends’ Central Headmaster's Reception

Annual Giving is the School’s first fundraising priority. Each year, our parents, alumni/ae, friends, and faculty recognize that tuition alone does not sustain the exceptional programs, facili - ties, and faculty that set Friends’ Central apart. Your gifts to the Annual Giving Campaign ensure that Friends’ Central can maintain its obligation to its students and its tradition of excel - lence. The men and women in The Headmaster’s Club have made leader - ship gifts. Their loyalty and commit - ment inspire us all. As a token of our gratitude for their generosity and dedi - cation to Friends’ Central, we host the Headmaster’s Reception each October. This year’s dinner was hosted by Cathy and Jon Fiebach ’82.

Clockwise from top left:

Cathy and John Fiebah '82 (Joshua '16 and Matthew '18)

Bill Weiner '76 and Jean Fitzgerald

Steven and Laurie Katznelson (Jacob '11)

Jo and John Zaccaria (GP Dylan '12)

Victor Freeman '80 and Deborah Johns

Share Our Vision…Support Our Priorities Annual Giving Campaign 2008-2009 As the 2008-2009 Annual Giving Campaign surges forward, we’d like to take a moment to celebrate these early milestones: First Out of the Gate : John E. Balson ’78 First Gift from Class of 2008 : Alec Uncovik ’08 Fiftieth Challenge : Andrew T. C. Stifler ’57 First Parent Gift : Anne and Steven Weiss (P ’15, ’13, ’11) First Reunion Gift : Elizabeth I. Williams ’44 First Leadership Gift : Leonard Sylk ’59

Directions Fall/Winter ’08/’09 33

Alumni/ae News

On Saturday November 8th , Friends’ Central hit the road! A charter bus full of faculty, alumni/ae, administrators, and friends drove up to New York City where more alumni/ae, friends, and their families spent the afternoon at Chelsea Piers. Everyone enjoyed the ice- skating, food, conviviality, and the spirit wear we brought! As always, connecting with alumni/ae we don’t get to see on a regular basis made all of us in the Alumnie/ae and Development Office eager for more! Come visit us and hope - fully we’ll come visit you, too.

Clockwise from top left: Rimi Chakraborty ’99, Amy Dunn ’99, Sarah Wasserman ’99, and Brooke Gassel ’99

Peter Chawaga ’09, Mary Chawaga ’13 and Laurie Novo

Jim Schoff, David Felsen, and Joanna Haab Schoff ’51

Erica “Doc” Harnett and Amy Dunn ’99

Directions Fall/Winter ’08/’09 35 Alumni/ae News

The Tradition of Racers' Day Continues

For thirty-four years , local alumni/e who have already celebrated their 50th Reunion, have been returning to Friends' Central every fall for the annual Racers' Day Luncheon. The Alumni/ae Office began this much-loved tradition in 1975 as a way to celebrate the loyalty of these alumni/ae and their enduring dedication to the School. The alumni/ae are greeted by current Friends' Central School stu - dents and entertained by Upper School musicians and choral groups.

Top to bottom: Hoylande Jones White ’45 and Cassie Gilda Dutton ’45

Dickson Warner ’41, Bill Carson ’41, Helen Thomas, William G. Thomas ’43, and Bobby Conn ’43

Lizzie Marmon ’09 (front) sings with the Friends' Central a capella group.

36 Friends’ Central Young Alumni/ae Return to School

On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving , over 100 young alumni/ae from the class - es of 2008-2006 returned to Friends’ Central for hoagies and Twinkies! Faculty, current students, and the Alumni/ae Office greeted them enthusias - tically. This annual tradition is a wonder - ful way to start the holiday.

Clockwise from left: Members of the Class of 2008 (from left) Teddy Mazurek, Mikey Pasek, Candice Hardie, Alec Unkovic, Anna Rosenblatt, and Isabel Friedman

David Rosenblatt ’08, Dan Horowitz ’08, Chris McCann, and Fernando Jones ’08

Max Bernard ’08 and Bill Kennedy

Mary Stroman '08 and Logan Brenner '08 reunite.

Baby Day

Every other fall, the Friends’ Central Alumni/ae Office welcomes alumni/ae and their young children to the Lower School for a reception in the library. Many of the graduates who return spent their own Lower School years on the City Avenue campus and they are delighted to see the “new” Lower School. Afterwards, they can enjoy the Pumpkin Fair and all the energy of the School.

Left: Craig Kline, Andrea Beltran del Rio ’91, and their children.

Right: Kim Kurtz Lent '87 and her daughter.

Directions Fall/Winter ‘08/‘09 37 Notes from Friends

Alumni/ae 1940 1943

1925 Louise Goetzenberger Howard ’40 writes Jane Stiefel Bertolett ’43 has four chil - from New Hampshire: “Old age for me is dren and seven grandchildren. In her note Helen May Talley ’25 celebrated her not yet bad - still a bit of ’old lady’ tennis. to Pat she writes that while raising her 100th Birthday on June 1st, 2008. Nine families of children and grandchil - children, she taught special education to dren are scattered. I now have five ’great- developmentally disabled children in the grandies.’ I wish a few other in the class of public school system. “Now however, I’m 1928 ’Eighty-Four Forties’ would write class free to play and write to old friends!” notes—remember the title of our Record Just before Anna Janney DeArmond’s ’28 Book?” Joyce Orem Brandle ’43 writes: “So sorry passed away on March 26, 2008, her I will be unable to attend our 65th niece, Margery DeArmond Macconachy Barbara Anderson Morris ’40 writes: “I reunion. I have many fond memories of ’62 wrote that Ann was in the health cen - loved my experience at Friends’ Central the short time we (the Mary Lyon girls) ter of Methodist Country House in years ago and my grandkids, Katie ’04 spent at your beautiful school during Wilmington having taught 41 years at the and Sam Morris ’08 feel the same about World War II.” University of Delaware. Ann ended her theirs, a great beginning! Friends’ Central career in 2000 at the age of 90, after two continues to be a wonderful place for Send us your news. decades of teaching at the Academy of learning and warm and friendly interac - 1944 We want to hear Lifelong Learning. When Margery sent tion.” from you, too! out Ann’s Christmas cards last season, she 1945 heard from Patricia Murray Rosenthal, whose mother taught Anna at Friends’ 1941 Dorothy Dunne Kittrell ’45 writes from Central about 82 years ago! “Our Friends’ Florida: “I have moved into a retirement Central connections run long and deep.” Pat Okie Alexander ’41 in CT has recent - community in Naples. I miss living on the ly been corresponding with Jane Stiefel beach but I am enjoying my new Bertolett ’43, who resides in Sarasota, FL. lifestyle.” 1934 Pat writes: “As pre-teens we lived across the road from each other in Penfield, Sarah Wallis Stevens ’34 “I am still a (now Havertown) and got into all sorts of 1946 ’snowbird’ with summers in Old mischief. I’d not even known she went to Saybrook, CT and winters in Jensen FCS till browsing the Directory!” Beverly Buck Brunker ’46: “Our daugh - Beach, FL. My six children are doing fine ter Leslie seems to have inherited some of and keep me busy with nine grandchil - my wanderlust genes; she just returned dren and four great-grandchildren.” 1942 from Thailand, where she was working to help the children all the way from Barbara Beketel Leonards ’42: “My four Bangkok to the northern border. She is a 1938 children, Tom, Sherry, Jeff and Jim, con - good world citizen and I’m a proud tinue to make me very proud and happy mother.” Irma Freidrich Lyday ’38 was sorry that –eight grandchildren and now three great she was unable to attend reunion. “As grands, 5, 3, and 1 year. I give thanks for Senior Girls President, I’m sorry to have each day.” 1947 missed our 70th reunion, but I was think - ing of all of you. I am looking forward to Gayle Waldhauser Martin ’42 writes: “On Julie Miller Edgerton ’47 seeing the pictures!” November 20th, 2008, Bob and I will cel - Members of the Class of 1947 met in ebrate 60 years of a spirited and loving February 2008 at the home of Florence marriage. Our two children both have Hinkle Frommer ’47 and Walter 1939 successful careers, Todd in robots and Frommer ’47 near Coral Springs, FL. Robin in computers. Three great-grand - Lillian G. Cannon ’39 is a resident of a children currently live in Australia.” Pictured from left to right are: Julie Miller continuing care facility in Cary, NC. Edgerton, John (Ditty) Jones, Marie Eliott Thompson and Florence and Walter Peter C. Ivy ’39 remembers serving on Frommer. “A fun time together.” the basketball squad (mostly as bench E. Florence Hinkle Frommer ’47 warmer) that won 21 and lost 0 in the Julie Miller Edgerton ’47, John R. (Ditty) 1938-1939 season. Jones ’47, Marie Elliott Thompson ’47, 38 Friends’ Central Ruth Harvey Mavronikolas ’49 “We moved 1957 to Greensboro, NC to be near our children and grandchildren, brother Cyril Harvey, Carole Cowell Motter ’57 “Enjoying the II ’51, and his wife, Judith Weller Harvey.” summer with my three daughters and their families and joyous that Laurie, my Emily Jones Sander ’49 writes: “The first eldest, came through chemo and surgery money I ever earned was $75.00 from the and is on her way to being well again. No Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks sign of cancer now (breast).” based on an essay on democracy that I wrote for Mr. Emerson. People like Cyril Richard Klein ’57 with son Geoffrey ’90 , Harvey (7th grade), Mrs. Munroe (Latin), daughter-in-law Nita, and identical twin Anne Whitcraft (English), Clayton granddaughters Jemma and Lucy visiting Florence Hinkle Frommer ’47 and Walter Farraday, and Dick McFeeley (headmas - from England. Frommer ’47 met in February 2008 at ter) continue to illuminate one’s life.” Walter and Flossie’s home in Florida. Julie & John had not seen Marie, Flossie or 1952 Walt for sixty-one years. After graduating from Friends’ Central, Marie and Flossie Barbara Stein Sickles ’52 “I have loved went on to Russell Sage College in Troy, selling real estate in Pennsylvania and New NY and graduated in 1951. Four Russel Jersey since 1971—still full time and lov - Sage College classmates were visiting ing every minute. My two girls are mar - Flossie at the time and attended the ried and each with children. Perhaps one reunion as well. They had not see Marie will send her children to Friends’ Central!” in fifty-seven years. Needless to say, every - one had a wonderful time catching up to date about each other, sharing memories 1954 and showing and taking numerous pic - tures. Walter and Flossie reside at their Barbara Pausser McLean ’54 sings with 1958 Florida home from November through the Colorado Symphony Orchestra May and spend June through October at Chorus and will be touring in Europe Carolyn McNeill Manwaring ’58 writes: their villa on Sugar Mountain in Banner next summer - Budapest, Vienna, Brno, “Having attended Greene Street Friends’ Elk, NC. In June, 2008 they will celebrate and Prague. School and Friends’ Central School, the fifty-seven years of marriage. They have Quaker beliefs have always influenced my three children: son Ken and his wife thinking. The wonderful teachers!” Maggie Frommer, Vestal, NY, son Dave 1955 Frommer, Boca Raton, FL and daughter Cheri Frommer DeLucia and husband Ted Clisby ’55 enjoyed his summer on Richard DeLucia of Davie and Travener, Cape Cod. FL. They also have two grandchildren— Daniella DeLucia and Monica Frommer. Middy Minster Larson ’55 writes from Florida: “I continue to indulge in my love of opera at Opera Tampa and Sarasota 1948 Opera and teach classes in the Tampa Bay on getting to know opera in schools and Virginia Keim Cole ’48 was sorry that she senior centers.” was unable to make it to Reunion 2008. She sends greetings to all of her classmates. 1956 Ann Dothard Walters ’58 writes: “George’s daughter was married at Bryn 1949 Carol Perloff Capper ’56 writes from Mawr Presbyterian Church on Oct. 11th. Oregon: “All is well here. I’m already We were there with from the 8th to 15th! Madge Littlefield Bird ’49 fondly remem - looking forward to attending our 55th What gorgeous weather we had the whole bers Martha “and so would all ’49’ers!” in 2011.” time! Both of my kids came with their kids. Saturday morning we went to a deli Ivan H. Gabel ’49 reports that he has 16 in Bala Cynwyd for brunch then hit the grandchildren! FCS campus to show my kids where we

Directions Fall/Winter ‘08/‘09 39 Notes from Friends

had gone to school. The place was abuzz 1961 are proud of daughter Hannah, earning a with students from the Japanese School helicopter pilot license in Hawaii, while students. George and I had a fun time Ann Ginsburgh Hofkin ’61 writes of her son Tom and wife Randi had their first showing them around. George and I went “Memorable trip to Mississippi and child, James Danner Estabrooks, on to the shore on the Monday after, first Louisiana, where I joined Rabbinic February 15, 2008. This is Esther’s and Long Beach Island where I went as a kid, Pastoral Counselor Rabbi Myrna Matsa Peter’s first grandchild. then on to Ocean City where George who offers services that include spent a lot of time. We stayed overnight “’Caregiving for Caregivers.’” Larry Levin ’65 appeared on the there, walked the boardwalk, watched the February 14, 2008 Oprah show with his Phillies, and had a wonderful time. We family and dog Oogy, who was rescued were SO happy about the Phillies, espe - 1962 from a dogfighting ring. He says, “I think cially George! Just wanted you to know!” that every day my family tries to atone for Margery DeArmond Maconachy ’62 what happened to Oogy. He’s been writes: “Jamie and I spend weeks in the through the worst imaginable horrors, 1959 West Chester area caring for our three and we feel very lucky because of what he ’oldsters’, on of whom is 97, one is 94 and gives back to us-an immeasurable Susan Kelsay ’59 “When I entered FCS in Anna Janney DeArmond ’28, my aunt, amount of devotion and love.” the fall of my junior year, I was surprised who is 98. The weeks we are home, we try what a friendly atmosphere welcomed to do catch up weeding and enjoy cruis - 1966 Send us your news. We want to me. It was quite a ’fun’ environment, ing and crewing on friends’ boats. In May hear from you, too! especially after what I had previously we’ll be on the ’Around Whidbey Race.’” 1967 experienced.” Anita Grumbling Warner ’67 writes: “It’s Tim Patterson’s ’59 company, Pressure 1963 been almost fourteen years since I retired Products Industries Inc., received the from a twenty-year career in finance. 2008 Philadelphia Chamber of Gwendolyn Luff Price ’63 had the chance Thinking forward to my husband’s retire - Commerce Manufacturing Company of to see their son, Nick, play with the ment in the next five to ten years, we have the Year award. PPI provides engineered University of San Diego Basketball team bought a second home on the French equipment for gases and liquids under against Connecticut. Riviera. We’ve been able to spend three to pressure to the chemical, gas, pharmaceu - four months there a year and are enjoying tical and related industries. learning about a new culture and learning 1964 a new language. I also continue my involvement with transcendental medita - 1960 Suzanne Bohrer Ashley ’64 writes from tion and helping to promote a peaceful New York: “I’ll never forget Anne world through that organization.” Elinor Whitelaw Hunt ’60: “I am present - Whitcraft’s reading of “Evangeline” in the ly involved in a literacy program called 8th grade! Best times on the fields playing 1968 Send us your news. We want to Cops-N-Kids in the greater Reading, PA hockey & lacrosse.” hear from you, too! area. We collect, sort and distribute books 1969 to children in the area. We also go into Martin G. Crabtree ’64: “I had received schools and read to the children. Also my very good preparatory training for higher 1970 husband and I and six others are about to education and for life. Good teachers; leave on a sailing adventure in the British Meeting for Worship was and still is Carry Cooper ’70 writes: “While visiting Virgin Islands.” important to me.” the U.S. last year, I saw Sherry McVickar ’70, her mother Alice Legge Penza ’36, Judith Deemer Roseland ’60 writes: “After 1965 and Bill Young ’70. Bill and I grew up in 30 years at ’306’ we are trying to sell our Bryn Mawr. Now he and my parents have house (we’d like to move to Ocean City, Esther Leiper Estabrooks ’65 reports that all moved to Washington. They live just a New Jersey). We have six ’Grands’ (with she has begun her twenty-fifth year as few blocks from each other, so, in a way, another on the way); we are enjoying Columnist and Poetry Editor for Writers’ we are still neighbors! I correspond (too them immensely and I am still working Journal. Her pen and ink art has appeared infrequently!) with Stephanie Koenig ’70, for the U.S. Department of Labor.” in this magazine since 2000, and her latest Christine Young Gaspar ’70, Chuck illustrated book, in full color, is An Odd Gregory ’70 - and would be delighted to Fable written by Norma Sundberg and hear from others. My email: carrycoop - released by CyPress Publications in the [email protected].” fall of 2007. She and her husband Peter 40 Friends’ Central Chuck Gregory ’70 wants the FCS com - writes: “Just started a non-profit called soldiers wrestling with their conscience in munity to know about two books recently Wool Power, Inc. Our present mission is the aftermath of war embody valor on all published by his company CWG Press. He creating a knitting resource room in three counts. There are few people in our writes, “Corbin Fowler’s Searching for Wote, Kenya for 150 knitters. Please visit increasingly corrupt society whom we can Truth, Justice, and the American Way is a my website at www.woolpower.org. Email point to as such models of fierce moral book of philosophy, politics, morality, me at [email protected]. Have a courage. The Good Soldier uses a longitu - and activism. It addresses war, religion, peaceful day.” dinal lens, moving from 1944 to today, to capital punishment, and other highly topical present the emotional history of these issues (www.createspace.com/3347303). veterans.” Mickey Z’s book No Innocent Bystanders 1976 is ’a manifesto in fractals.’ It’s a thought- provoking look at life in America, and the Emilie Richardson Temeles ’76 writes 1979 world, today. It’s a call for action. When I from Virginia that she is still teaching was at FCS a popular slogan was, “If middle school and that she and Dan ’75 Carol Rubin Fishman ’79 writes: “Charlie you’re not part of the solution, you’re are doing well. “Both kids are out of col - and I are excited to have Rae at FCS! She part of the problem.” Mickey Z is part of lege. All is great!” is so happy there! Recently Rae participat - the solution. He challenges you to think. ed in the 2008 Maccabi Games in Detroit He challenges you to do something. The After 23 years in Austin, TX, Susan as a member of the Philadelphia Dance several lists of extinct animals, each list Whitman ’76 and her husband Mark Team. She and her teammates won two titled “Wish You Were Here,” are an eloquent Gergen are moving to Berkeley, CA this gold medals and one silver medal. Rae and evocative way to bring the message summer, where Mark will be a senior pro - was also received a student choreography home (www.createspace.com/3354868). If fessor at Boalt Hall (Berkeley’s law award for her Jazz solo! It’s fun to catch you have a book that needs publishing, be school) and Susan will be an Assistant up with other alums— Debby Peltz sure to contact me! I don’t accept every - Dean. Their son Jonathan (9th grade) will Fedder ’79 and Doug Hyman ’79 also thing for CWG Press, but I’ll help you get go with them, while their son Ben will have kids in the class of 2011. I’m looking it in print one way or another.” stay in Austin to attend UT Law School forward to Reunion in 2009.” and Danny will be a freshman at Johns Stephanie Helen Koenig ’70 writes: “I am Hopkins (where he’ll play basketball). A mini reunion was held at Noel Trask’s teaching part time for the Red Clay Susan would love to hear from any of her (’78) house in June to greet Cathy Cutler School District in Wilmngton, DE. and classmates in the Bay Area (srwhit - (’79) upon her am training my Dutch Warmblood, [email protected]). return visit to the ’Korduroy Odyssey’ in classical dressage. I east coast. also earned my lifetime certification from Pictured are, left- A.R.I.A. as a Dressage Instructor 1978 right: Carol (National Certification).” Rubin Fishman Sarah Jackson Leonard ’78 writes from ’79, Amanda 1971, 1972, 1973 Send us your news. New Jersey: “I have lived in Millburn for Trask ’80, Cathy We want to hear the past 16 years. My husband, Jeffrey, is Cutler ’79, from you, too! originally from Long Island, and we have Debby Peltz Fedder ’79, and Joy 1974 two children Michael, 16, and Rebecca, 13.” Edelman Boonin ’79. Noel Trask ’78 is the photographer and host. Some of our Philip Schalow ’74: “Dr. Philip” is in his Lexi Lovell ’78 children: (L-R) Josh Fishman (future FCS sixth year of practicing upper cervical is working on ’15) Liz Mintz (Cathy’s daughter), Rae chiropractic (NUCCA procedure) and her latest docu - Fishman (FCS ’11), Hannah Trask has retired from the professional music mentary, The (Westtown School, ’11), Lev Boonin. scene. Instead, he is able to now to devel - Good Soldier. op harmony within his patients and facil - She writes: “The itate the performance of other music. problem is war. 1981 The issue is: What is courage? Julia Fineman Sauter ’81, Ed and Lainie 1975 There are some who put their very lives at are on the move to Grand Forks, ND, risk, others who sacrifice their own mate - where Ed has taken a position at the Sheri Gardner-Von Urff ’75 has her rial well-being for the greater good, and University of North Dakota School of Master’s Degree in Art Therapy from others who risk censure and face Medicine and Heath Sciences. Julia can be Hahnemann Medical College (’81). She ostracism in their communities. Combat reached at [email protected].

Directions Fall/Winter ‘08/‘09 41 Notes from Friends

1983 Amanda Welsh Greenwald ’90, husband Jason, Caleb, 6, and Remmie, 3 1/2, wel - Allison C. Smith ’83 writes: “I continue to comed Harlow Sadie on October 26, 2007. work in the strategic planning department of Saatchi & Saatchi Healthcare in New Beryl and Patrick Lord ’90 welcomed York City, but the good news is I live in Bay Marcus Francis Lord (below) on June 2, Head on the Jersey shore and I am mar - 2008. rying James B. Kane in August of 200 8.”

1984 Dawn Swersky Schakett ’87 and David Amy and Andrew Hamilton ’84 welcomed Schakett welcomed Alexander Benjamin daughter Katherine Jane in October. She Schakett on January 4, 2008. joins sister Sarah, six, and brother Matthew, three. 1988

1987 Daniel Bernstein Barnz ’88 recently had 1991 his film Phoebe in Wonderland show at Stephanie Denenberg Humphrey ’87: the Philadelphia Film Festival and Joy Clairmont ’91 and Max Kaufman ’91 “My husband Ted and I and son Danny received the Archie Award, a juried kudo welcomed Jonah Paul Kaufman (below) welcomed our second son/brother into presented in honor of the late Philadelphia on January 15, 2008. the world on March 12, 2007 August cineaste and scholar Archie Perlmutter. (Auggie) Charles Humphrey. Danny just Bill Weinstein ’94 is David Barnz’s agent! turned 4 and Auggie is now 1.” Sonya Sklaroff’s ’88 solo exhibition New Kimberly Kurtz Lent ’87 writes: “We are York, Here and Now, was on view at the thrilled to welcome Braden Michael Lent Jenkins Johnson Gallery, San Francisco in (Brady) to our family. Braden was born on May, 2008. Monday, April 21 at 9:55 am. He weighed 9 lbs, 6 ounces and was 22 inches long. Everyone is finally home and doing well.” 1989

Paul Paz y Mino ’87 writes: “Susan and I 1990 welcomed our son, Gabriel, on February 14, Laura J. Forman ’91 and Jason Dymbort 2008. Since September 2007 I have been Michael C. Brown ’90 writes that he has welcomed Casey Scott Dymbort (below) Managing Director at the San Francisco been living in New York City since 1997. on September 19, 2008. based non-profit Amazon Watch.” After 6 years designing for the theater, Michael is now designing environments, events and installations for a wider array of industries. You can view his work online at www.lot71.com.

Jonathan Ginsberg ’90 has worked for Robbins Gioia for almost 8 years. He is now working in Washington, DC supporting the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Information and Technology. His son Zachary is now 4 years old. Jon and Michelle live in Burke, VA.

42 Friends’ Central 1992 1994 1996

Perri Shaw Borish ’92 and her husband Anne Ross ’94 and Nathan Brockman wel - Clio Mallin ’96 made the trip to NYC Cary Borish have a 2 year old son named comed Tessa Ross Brockman in April 2008. from Philly to the skating event. She really Elijah and welcomed daughter Sonia enjoyed the time with faculty, former Borish (below) on April 9, 2008. classmates, and the opportunity to meet FCS alums from other classes. She’s happy to report no skating injuries or day-after aches.

Meredith and Todd Messinger ’96 wel - comed Cori Messinger (below) on July 21, 2008.

1995

Farid Moore Sanders ’95 married this Lisa and Zach Glaser ’92 welcomed summer (see below), on August 8, 2008, Emma Rose Glaser on August 21, 2008. to Tina Theler, a Swiss native, near Lucerne, Switzerland. Farid has been liv - Wynn S. Sanders ’92 recently spent time ing in Switzerland for the past four years, in Spain and Morocco, where he enjoyed where he has had a managerial position art and adventure. with Johnson and Johnson. He also is Meredith Bobroff Murphy ’96 appeared on 6ABC’s Action News Healthcheck on 1993 November 18th, 2008, discussing the ben - efits of acupuncture in association with Lauren H. Albert ’93 organized a kick-off fertility treatments. 6ABC’s website also event for the arrival of the company quotes Murphy: “Acupuncturist Meredith “Ladies Who Launch” in Philadelphia. Murphy…says more women are using “Ladies Who Launch” connects entrepre - acupuncture alone, or with fertility treat - neurial woman online and in person to ments, to up their chances of pregnan - foster creativity, community, and support. cy....Murphy says acupuncture taps into the powerful mind-body connection, to Brad E. Furman ’93 recently completed change the body’s chemistry. ’What his first feature film, “The Take,” starring they’re going through in their life doesn’t John Leguizamo, Tyrese Gibson, Bobby change—their job, their fertility treat - Cannavale and Rosie Perez. The inde - ment, their life, their stressors—but how pendent film is an Official Selection of about to receive a dual MBA from The it affects them changes.’” the Toronto International Film Festival London Business School and Columbia and has been acquired by Sony Pictures. University. Farid and Tina live in Zurich It’s set for release in 2008. and are the proud “parents” of two fluffy 1997 Persian kitties. Andrew Barson ’97 writes: “I am currently Andrew Scharff ’95 is “still clowning and living in Winter Park, Florida (right out - doing things with circus arts all over the side of Orlando). At the present time I East coast as well as a couple trips abroad am working for a nonprofit organization every year.” called the Center for Drug Free Living as an Intern Counselor, facilitating screening groups as well as engagement session and group counseling for new clients. For about four years I was working as the Head Chef at Bella Luna and Stella Blu

Directions Fall/Winter ‘08/‘09 43 Notes from Friends

restaurants. Since I moved to Florida I got 1998 back into school and I am polishing off my B.A. in Psychology at Rollins College Ilyse Berman ’98 writes: “Currently, I am and looking at graduate programs for working as a pre-kindergarten teacher at a either my Masters in Counseling/Social preschool in Devon, PA and have been Work or my Doctor of Clinical doing so for 6 years. I will be completing my Psychology Degree (PsyD).” Masters in Early Childhood in spring 2009.” Elizabeth Shinn Hulford ’98: “Currently Jessica Foster ’97 writes: “I just got back I serve as staff chaplain at Hinsdale from my honeymoon in Turkey with Hospital of the Adventist Health System. Emil Steiner (also a 1997 FCS grad). We It is the fourth largest nonprofit, reli - were married on May 25, 2008. 14 of our Janine Lewis McFadden ’97 writes that gious-based healthcare system in the friends from FCS attended the wedding. I she is a Mental Health Therapist at an country. Our base of operation is out of have completed one year at The Wharton Employee Assistance Program located in Orlando but Chicago is considered the School (Penn’s MBA program) and Emil Plymouth Meeting, PA and a Mary Kay hub of the Midwest Region. Our system is a blogger at the Washington Post.” consultant (www.marykay.com/Ljani9). “I includes 4 hospitals in the Chicago area. was recently married on August 31, 2008 We serve people of all ethnic, cultural, Michal Hertz and Benjamin Lee Shargel ’97 to my college sweetheart Dante socio-economic and religious back - were married (see below) September 27, McFadden (Lower Merion HS Grad).” grounds. I serve primarily out of 2008 in Brooklyn. Michal is a radiology Hinsdale Hospital where I work on the resident in California and Ben is a doc - Sondra Rosenberg ’97 is the director of art units of oncology, maternity, labor & toral candidate in math at UCLA. Ben therapy at the Renfrew Center of delivery, neo-natal intensive care unit, and Michal will use the surname Hertz- Philadelphia, a residential treatment facility medical, detox, and emergency room. Shargel. for girls and women with eating disorders. Each week I lead a devotional service She has published and lectured on the use where we sing, read Scripture, have devo - of creativity in the healing process for tional messages, and pray for hospital and women struggling with poor body image, personal concerns. I recently went on our post-traumatic stress and self-destructive annual mission trip, this year to behaviors. Hondorus, where I was interpreter for the medical staff and support to our team AnnMarie Polsenberg Thomas ’97 and her and those who came to our clinics. I love husband, Chris, welcomed daughter Sage my job, the staff that I work with, and Claire to the world on January 17, 2008. seeing God work with patients and fami - AnnMarie is an Assistant Professor of lies through some of the darkest Mechanical Engineering at the University of moments of their lives. Aside from hospi - St. Thomas in Saint Paul, MN. In her spare tal work, I fill in at pulpits throughout the time she is studying aerial arts, including region when pastors are away or unable Zachary Leibowitz ’97 is working as a flying trapeze, and is looking forward to to work. Worship is essential to my min - tal ent producer at Fox Business in New teaching a special engineering course next istry so I enjoy preaching at all locations.” York. He is also working to get this mas - year on the “Dynamics of Circus.” ter’s in Sports Management from Drexel. Andrew Kim ’98 is working in L.A. as a This year Zach attended lots of weddings Rachael Landis Weatherly ’97 and teacher. of classmates including Emil Steiner and Mitchel Weatherly welcomed Nola Rae Jess Foster, Matt Hagarty, Geoff Stevens Weatherly on July 4, 2008. David Levin ’98 is currently living in and Ben Shargel. Zach attended the Boston, MA, working as an Associate recent Alumni/ae Event in New York and Producer for NOVA online, the compan - will now star in a production of Jews on ion Web site to the PBS science program. Ice! In addition to creating Web interactives and audio features, he produces and voic - es NOVA’s podcasts (pbs.org/nova).

44 Friends’ Central Jim McCormick ’98 co-founded, pub - Phyllis Barsky ’01 is working on her lished, and edited a quarterly football masters in Education Policy from the magazine called Blitz that “was created to University of Pennsylvania. both inform and entertain the under - served football fan” (from the Publisher’s Joshua Pasek ’01 writes: “I’m getting a letter, vol. 1 issue 1). PhD in Political Communication here— enjoying it, but really an east coaster at Dan Silver ’98 currently lives on Long heart. Does mean that I get to consider Island and is working as the Marketing Facebook use research on some occasions.” Communications Manager for The New York Racing Association. This company operates Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, 2002 NY, Belmont Park in Elmont, NY, and Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, Jesse Soslow ’02 is leaving for China in NY. He has always had a passion for horse August 2008 to teach English for a year. racing and loves working at the track. Robyn Polykoff ’99 married Paul Ryan Peter Viola ’02 writes: “It was great to be Nick Yulman ’98 is manager of the Mudd in October 2008. featured in Directions and also hear Facilities and Archive Department at about FCS’ green efforts. Wouldn’t expect StoryCorps in NY (www.storycorps.net). any less. I’ve kept up my environmental Before joining the NY team he spent four 2000 work, though recently I’ve transitioned months on the StoryCorps Mobile Tour, from activism to government - I’m work - traveling between Chicago and Gulfport, Mwazhuwa Kuretu ’00 is working with ing as a Legislative Correspondent for Mississippi. Visit Nick’s website to experi - the drama program at Friends Select. Congressman Sestak here in D.C., learn - ence his interest in sound involving musical Teresa Ryan ’00 is currently finishing her ing the ropes on Capitol Hill. It can be automata at: http://www.nysoundworks.net/. final year of graduate school. She is look - hard work, but I’ve got a lot of neat ing forward to entering the “real world” responsibility - I cover his energy, envi - after graduation. She and her family are ronment, foreign affairs, and some other 1999 both doing well. issues, so it’s giving me a good foundation.”

Rimi Chakraborty ’99 just started her 2001 MBA and MIT’s Sloan school of 2003 Management, focusing on green building Elizabeth Spector ’01 is teaching 4th development and alternative energy. She grade in the Bronx and applying to Law Mary Crauderueff ’03 writes: “I am in also started teaching yoga as a certified School. She ice skated for the first time in my second semester of graduate school— Forrest Yoga teacher. She is still dedicated 15 years at the Friends’ Central event in I am working on getting my Master’s in to making time to see old friends and be New York City and lived to tell about it! Library Science with a specialty in Archives a part of Friends’ Central. and Records Management. Unfortunately Gina Zorzi ’00 and her partner, Tracy my semester is very long and I was unable Brooke Gassel ’99 is now living and Taylor, were married in 2006. Gina is cur - to come to FCS for Reunion because of teach ing in New York City and loves it. rently working writing curricula for my last classes and finals.” Her little brother Bruno is in 5th grade at school children. FCS. Benjamin Daniels ’03 made a documen - tary, This is My Cheesesteak, that played Latifah McMullin ’99 is Capital Program in the Philadelphia Film Festival. Assessment and Database Coordinator for the School District of Philadelphia Jonathan Wegener ’03 writes: “I graduat - ed from Columbia last year and continue Cory Miller ’99 is in graduate school at to live in New York -- I’m residing happi - the UCLA School of Film, Theater and ly in a brownstone on a beautiful tranquil Television. He received a grant from the tree-lined street in Brooklyn. My street AARP to produce a film on the US even has a bike lane!” healthcare system. It is featured online at dividedwefail.org

Directions Fall/Winter ‘08/‘09 45 Notes from Friends

2004 2005 Andrea DeSabato ’05 was Kevin P. Block ’04 will be in Maputo, named Temple University’s Mozambique for a year, working for the Student Athlete of the Month. Lurdes Mutola Foundation. Temple reports: “Andrea DeSabato is a Senior on the Diane Y. Chen ’04 is going back to CT after Women’s Lacrosse team. With a graduation and applying to dental school. major in journalism and minor in English, she has demonstrated Jenna E. Cooper ’04 is attending Columbia continued academic improve - University to pursue her Masters in Social ment and is consistently earning Work beginning fall of 2008. semester GPAs above 3.0. She is very hardworking, evidenced by Benjamin Hy Friedman ’04 graduated from earning a 3.7 semester GPA last Princeton in June and has plans to work fall while managing 18 credits. in a Lab in New York City in the future. This summer she completed and internship with NBC10, and has Rebecca Kantor ’04 is working at indicated a desire to work in sports jour - Annie Sprogell ’08 (above) is working at Architectural Achieves at the University of nalism.” Pilkington College, a high school in a Pennsylvania and has a grant to travel to small village 30 minutes outside of Estonia in September. Uganda’s second largest city in connec - 2006 tion with Africa & Asia Venture. She is Andrea B. Korb ’04 has plans to take a teaching Math, Biology and English to year off next year and move out west to Ryan B. Bash ’06 will be working in what she believes is the equivalent of sev - work as a ski instructor. She is consider - Oceanographic Studies in the Pacific in enth graders. The classes have about 70 ing law school in the fall of 2009. the Spring Semester 2009. students, which was a bit daunting at first but she is getting used to it and handling Joshua E. Meltz ’04 is returning to Miami Dwight Dunston ’06 was part of a relay it well. At the end of each lesson the stu - after graduation to start work in a sales job. team for Dickinson College that placed dents teach her Lusoga, the local language. sixth in its heat at the Penn Relays with a Annie lives in a house on the school’s Richard Pompetti ’04 is moving out to clocked time of 1:31:08. Dwight’s relay campus with three British girls all taking California after graduation to start work team also combined for a time of 3:26.48 a gap year. They have a pet pig named for Apple. in the 4x400 relay, placing sixth in that Maggie, who is quite cute but can get heat as well. angry very easily when you don’t feed her Jason M. Sheltzer ’04 writes: “I’m a enough. Some days they have quite the molecular biology major, and next year collection of livestock in their backyard. I’ll be attending MIT to pursue a Ph.D. 2007 The headmaster has a cow that always in biology.” chills out near Maggie and there are Andrew Roth ’07 and his roommate chickens and goats everywhere. It all sort Joseph Silver ’04 was travelled through entered a screenplay into the Ivy Film of makes Annie want to become a farmer. Europe in June and July of 2008. Festival (the largest student film festival She hopes all is well back in the US. in the world), and they won the prize for Hillary Turner ’04 is a new executive for Excellence in Comedy. Target and I started June 9, 2008 2008

Rana Wardlaw ’04 is planning to move to Ariela R. Weinberger ’08 is taking a gap Manhattan after graduation from Penn. year to study and live in Israel this year. In the fall of 2009 she will start classes at Muhlenberg College. Alumni/ae, we want to hear from you! Have you published a book recently? Run a marathon? Had a baby? FCS encourages friends to share their news with Directions . Email your notes and photos to [email protected] (preferrable method) or mail information to the Development Office, 1101 City Avenue, Wynnewood, PA 19096. Please mark the back of prints with your name and class year. Digital images must be of high quality (28” x 21” at 72 dpi, or 4” x 6” at 300 dpi). We accept photos up to 2MB.

46 Friends’ Central Marriages Arrivals Jonah Paul Kaufman to Joy Clairmont ’91 and Max Kaufman ’91on January 15th, 2008. Jessica Foster ’97 and Emil Steiner ’97 on May 25th, 2008 Casey Scott Dymbort to Laura J. Forman ’91 and Jason Dymbort on September 19th, 2008.

Elizabeth Strauss and Matthew Hagarty ’97 on Emma Rose Glaser to Lisa and Zach Glaser ’92 on August 21st, 2008 October 18th, 2008 Marcus Francis Lord (Beryl and Patrick Lord ’90) on June 2nd, 2008. Michal Hertz and Benjamin Shargel on September 28th, 2008 Cori Messinger to Meredith and Todd Messinger ’96 on July 21st, 2008.

Janine Lewis ’97 amd Dante McFadden on Gabriel Paz y Mino to Susan and Paul Paz y Mino ’87 on February 14th, 2008. August 31st, 2008 Tessa Ross Brockman to Anne Ross ’94 and Nathan Brockman on April, 2008. Tina Theler and Farid Moore Sanders ’95 on August 8th, 2008 Alexander Benjamin Schakett to Dawn Swersky Schakett ’87 and David Schakett on January 4th, 2008. Gina Zorzi and Tracy Taylor on July 29th, 2006 Nola Rae Weatherly to Rachael Landis Weatherly ’97 and Mitchel Weatherly on July 4th, 2008.

Sonia Borish to Perri Shaw Borish ’92 and Cary Borish on April 9th, 2008.

Katherine Jane Hamilton to Amy and Andrew Hamilton ’84 on October 27th, 2008. In Memoriam

Salvatore Anicito was the Athletic Director and a teacher of physical educa - tion at Friends’ Central School from 1973 to 1978. He was the head coach of varsity football, wrestling, and track, and one year, his teams held league champi - onships in all three sports! Sal is best remembered as the man who revitalized the Friends’ Central football program in the 1970s. His “Herd” won two Penn- Jersey championships. He knew the sport and was an excellent teacher of the game. After Friends’ Central, Sal continued to coach high school football and was hon - ored as Coach of the Year in three states—Texas, South Carolina, and Florida. Sal will always be remembered by his Friends’ Central students and col - leagues as a Coach who cared about his Friends' Central Varsity Football, 1975. Coach Sal Anicito is seated on the right. players and who taught them to succeed at the sport he loved.

In Memoriam

Former Faculty Alumni/ae Dorothy K. Linnehan Margaret Cannell Spencer ’43 Tom W. Riley Diana Richmond ’44 Anne Whitcraft * Carlton J. Austin, Jr. ’45 Douglas W. Crate, Jr. ’45 Alumni/ae Elizabeth Snyder Palcho ’54 Helen Lane Stout ’18 Frederick H. Halbach-Merz ’55 Edward S. Johnson ’31 Helen Ehrich Armbruster ’57 Helen Chapman Pugh ’33 Robert O. Drayer ’60 L. Paul Saxer ’38 Joanne Shelly Pearson ’60 Samuel T. Broaddus ’39 Frederick W. Klaus ’63 Dorothy Corl Armstrong ’41 Adrian W. Smith ’42 John M. R. Bruner ’43

* To be commemorated in Spring ‘09 issue.

48 Friends’ Central From the Archives

Seventy-five years ago , students looked for news and announcements on this bulletin board in the front hall of the Wood Building. Messages were hand-written and thumb-tacked to cork board. Today Upper School students and visitors are greeted by a 48” high- definition digital screen with a continuous display of recent photos and announcements.

Directions Fall/Winter ‘08/‘09 49 Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Bensalem, PA Permit #118