Class of 1966

I recently read a “beach book” set in Seattle. The high school girls were talking about their college plans — University of South Carolina, Stanford, University of Washington, and then one gal commented her mother was making her go to William & Mary, which wasn’t as big as her high school!! That’s one of the blessings of our alma mater, we are family.

Karen Ringley Dunlop and her husband, Jim, have moved to Windsor Run, a retirement community in Matthews, North Carolina, after living in Vienna, Virginia, for 50 years. 

When my request for news arrived at the Dauer house, Keith Dauer was just returning from his second hip replacement, completing his bionic transformation. Keith’s wife, Sandy, commented on what fun airport security will be when they start traveling again. They spent a week in Williamsburg in May before the surgery.

Keith Taylor and Carol Taylor HON ’14 are happily settled in Williamsburg Landing, where they are learning you “call someone” when there is a problem, and you retire your cookware. In March, they were in Vero Beach, Florida, and hosted Pete Nance and Judy Poarch Nance ’69 when they returned.

Ellen Allison Wandrei sent me news of Kathryn Munnell’s death last December. After graduation, Kathryn joined the Peace Corps and started a life of service, teaching children from all walks of life. She was an avid member of the Quaker community and taught in schools in Africa and Southeast Asia and many inner-city schools in the U.S. I didn’t know Kathryn at W&M, but, like often happens after reading an obituary, I missed out on knowing a special person.

Bob Sigafoes is living the good life between his two homes in San Diego and Alexandria, Virginia. He had plans to continue his tradition of sitting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on July Fourth for the firework celebration. 

Linda Cabot and Bob Moore are in Johns Creek, Georgia. Their four children and nine grandchildren are in Wisconsin, Michigan, New York and South Carolina. Linda retired from Georgia Tech and is busy with lots of hobbies. Bob spent his entire career in aviation, including time with the Air Force, Eastern Air Lines, the Airline Management Group and the Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards Service. He is now a vice president of membership/communications for the Johns Creek Veterans Association, which has the second largest veterans memorial park in the country. Bob says they often run into Steve Critchfield and Ann Jeffries Critchfield at their favorite local restaurant. Summer plans include a family reunion and following a granddaughter to the National Championship Soccer Tournament in Orlando, Florida. Bob and Linda celebrated their 36th anniversary in July.

Always traveling, Donna Province Grill has taken recent cruises to Australia, New Zealand and Japan and then a land trip to Greece. Next up, a cruise from Galveston, Texas, with her daughter and grandchildren, an Alaskan cruise and one from Scotland through Scandinavia across the northern Atlantic to Iceland and then Nova Scotia, ending in Boston. She is now resting for next year’s activities!

Ed and Elaine Neam Starace have been busy with graduations and confirmations. With their combined grandchildren totaling 18, there is always something to celebrate. Elaine had two surprise 80th birthday parties, one in Florida with friends and one in New Jersey with family. Like Donna, Elaine and Ed are also on the move with a two-week sailing trip to the British Virgin Islands and then a trip to France’s Provence region. 

Bernard Leigg is continuing rehab from a fall last fall when he broke his ankle. He reports that his 16-year-old twin boys are now driving! 

Maureen Strazdon and Vic Bary were in Morocco last March and had a farewell dinner at Rick’s Café in Casablanca. Now they are off to Croatia. Vic has taken up weightlifting with great results. 

From Bill Anderson, I learned that classmate Harry Wilkins died in June in Richmond, Virginia. Harry had a career with the Union Envelope Co. and was very active in his Episcopal church. 

John Sours ’66, J.D. ’69 stays busy with his legal work and keeping up with his health issues. After what he called a “lifetime dose” of radiation, his advanced prostate cancer is in remission and artery issues were treated with stents — we are living in a good medical time. He and his wife, Cheryl, are celebrating their 12th anniversary this year and attended a Rolling Stones concert in Atlanta with great songs ending in a 20-minute encore of “Satisfaction”! Watching 81-year-old Mick Jagger and 80-year-old Keith Richards cavort on stage was a real inspiration. They have a visit to the Ark Encounter museum in Williamstown, Kentucky, planned and a long weekend with Sigma Nu brother Butch Dibling and his wife, Carol, for the Georgia Tech/Virginia Tech game.

Like many of you, we have been doing graduations, both college and high school. Unfortunately, Dick Kern ’64 isn’t able to be with us as he is in nursing care at our retirement community. I see him all the time, but so miss our conversations and hugs. We will celebrate 59 years this summer. I do have my Velcro puppy, Amazing Meg, and she is my buddy. Not a perfect substitute, but she helps. And our son, Scott, and his wife are building a house in Greensboro, North Carolina, after living in California, Singapore, Grenoble and Kirkland, Washington. 

So, I take it back — you actually CAN lose a document on the computer. I hit delete on a thread of eight notes from you all and the whole thing disappeared — forever! I’d like to blame it on the fact that my 13-pound puppy, Meg, is sitting on my lap while I type and occasionally adds letters of her own while I am composing. Anyway, if you do not find your newsy note in this article, please don’t be offended and resend next time I come begging.

The big news now — we are turning 80! That is a shock since we started together when we were “mature” 18-year-olds. Many of you have already started celebrating this milestone and I guess I can whine a little here. My birthday falls two days before our oldest grandson graduates from UNC and three days before Mother’s Day. Guess who is going to be chopped liver? 

Dottie Gilbert Jordan and Tom Jordan enjoy meeting up with Mary Brennan Alie and Ray Alie ’71, M.A. ’72, as they all are in Williamsburg. Dottie mentioned watching the changes on the campus and being able to enjoy the activities. Mary has been an interpreter for Colonial Williamsburg since retiring from the Kalamazoo, Michigan, Public Schools and Ray is a mediator for the court systems in the Hampton Roads area. Tom works from home in sales and marketing and has no plans to retire and Dottie loves retirement but does lots of volunteering. 

Linda Johnson Morris and Ed Morris (VMI) enjoy traveling with extended family with a break during COVID-19. She and Ed are celebrating their 58th anniversary this year and have lived in Charlottesville for over 40 of those years. Next they have two family weddings and their annual trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We had a quick visit with Pete Nance and Judy Poarch Nance ’69 and Max, a cute little Havanese, and included Sandy McNeill Kern ’68 in the festivities since we are longtime friends.

Bernie Leigg has had a tough time after falling down steps at his home and breaking his ankle in two places. There is a reason our doctors always start off their yearly conversations with “have you fallen since your last appointment?” Mary Ellen Downing Gordon-Scudder is a passionate member of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a grassroots organization whose mission is to create the political will for a livable planet. In February — when I am writing this — the Mid-Atlantic regional conference was held at William & Mary in recognition of their active chapter of involved students. 

Vic Bary stays busy as the Cranford (New Jersey) Historical Society curator and newsletter editor. He was interviewed for a local blog about the visits to Cranford by four different presidents. He also put together a “Histories Mysteries” box of items for the local second graders to guess what these ancient items are — like a black Bakelite dial phone. And after he and Maureen travel to Morocco, he will be doing a 90-minute presentation to local history teachers on the history of Cranford. Sandy and Keith Dauer are involved with the history departments at their alma maters — Sandy at Indiana State and Keith at the College. One of the history professors visited them and Keith said the appearance of the department had changed dramatically. A young, quite good-looking, conservatively dressed and well-mannered man with more piercings on his countenance than either Sandy or Keith had ever seen before was proof of that thesis.

I received a chatty note from Spencer Timm commenting he was one of the oldest members of our class at 24 and thus his life has slowed down quite a bit. He frequently spends time with friends having organ concerts as they discuss their various health issues. Since his grandchildren are headed off to colleges, he and his wife are thinking about staying in Florida year-round and leaving Massachusetts behind. Marilyn and Dan Nase have been busy with their Harvest of Life Ministries. They ship Spanish study Bibles to detainees in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers in Texas, Arizona and Georgia. Dan is also back in the prisons doing English and Spanish services in three prisons close to Tallahassee. Dan is proud to announce that his two new titanium knees are great.

Jake Smith ’66, J.D. ’74 and Ginger Graef Smith ’69 stay busy with their kids, grandkids, boating and W&M activities. Living in the area is great for them as they had a big tailgate at Homecoming & Reunion Weekend and went to the Charter Day celebration. Jake reported that his 13-year-old grandson doesn’t know why he has to go to school because he can find anything he needs to know on YouTube — yikes! The Smiths will be going to Charleston, South Carolina, for a St. Patrick’s Day party with other alumni. Mary Ellen Coleman Culp is now married to a bionic man as Clyde Culp ’65 has new titanium shoulders.

Boyd and Pat Adams Clark are into eclipse chasing and plan to be in Texas on April 8 for the next total eclipse — hoping we all have clear weather that day. Classmate Gene Griffin got on the 80 train early and had a nice celebration with all of his family there. Betty Bishop Griffin ’67, M.A.Ed. ’73 and I can tell you that is never an easy thing to do with everyone’s schedules. 

We now have our last grandson graduating from high school in May!! He is the baby and says he is 5 feet, 16 inches tall. He is now the tallest in the family — a claim his father had until he had three sons who just kept growing. I continue to love our community. Just recently we were asked to fill out a form on what we thought about various aspects of The Pines. I told them I felt like I was living at the “Cheers” bar — everyone knows my name. This is one big family and that is special.

As I’m writing this we are on the verge of our 80s. You definitely pick up speed when you are “over the hill.” And since it’s also Halloween I need to share what a friend did. They were replacing a few boards on their deck so she went to Party City and bought a full-sized skeleton and laid him out under the deck before finishing the repair. Don’t you know that will be a crazy discovery someday!!!

Just missing the last deadline, Phil Marstiller wrote that he and Anne are downsizing but still living in Middleburg, Virginia, and remain active in the equestrian world. They had two getaway trips planned for Kiawah Island, South Carolina, one to celebrate birthdays and one to get away from Middleburg in February. Their son, Ward, has a daughter at William & Mary spending her last semester in Barcelona, and a son, Spence, has children in an international school in Denver where all schooling is done in a foreign language. Education styles have definitely changed.

Always love stories of the COOTs (Chi Omega on Tour) and this year Carol Boysen, Susan Embrey Coleman, Judy Hein Harrell and Mary Ellen Downing Gordon-Scudder traveled to Maine, mostly on the coastal part of the state. Upon their return they learned that fellow member Sandie Odum Glennie had lost her cancer battle. Sandie was salutatorian of our class and worked for an aerospace company in California. She met her husband, Larry, while working on the first probe NASA sent to Venus. Now that sounds a lot more amazing than a blind date to a PiKa party!

A rare note from Gail Morgan with news. She has moved from Northern Virginia to Johns Island, South Carolina, near her daughter. The community is on a small lake with a wide range of ages and lots of dog parades to watch from her porch.

Woody Caine retired from teaching but continues with his Vietnam War Experience talks at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, where he had infantrymen, aviator POWs, and survivors from the USS Mansfield. Elaine is very involved in the music scene in Charleston.

Gene Griffin and Betty Bishop Griffin ’67, M.A.Ed. ’73 are busy with grandchildren in Richmond and Arlington, Virginia. At Homecoming, Betty visited Hank and Charlotte Elder Marriott ’64 and Dickey Barron Sopchak ’67.

Bob Sigafoes has been rehabbing in San Diego after being T-boned and having his car flip over four times! Seat belts do make a difference and he is back to walking his beagle on the beach.

Keith Taylor and Carol Taylor HON ’14 have moved to Williamsburg Landing, a continuing care retirement community that actually puts them closer to campus.

Wilford Kale’s daughter, Anne-Evan Williams (the granddaughter of Dean J. Wilfred Lambert ’27, L.H.D. ’81) is headmaster of Wasatch Academy, a grades 8-12 boarding school in Mount Pleasant, Utah. Wilford writes three to four stories a week for the Virginia Gazette, including a book column “Kale on Books.”

Joy Cheatham Sibley caught up with Mary Baker in Ellicott City, Maryland, for lunch and catching up. She also met Alpha Chis from ’67 Charlie White Hurst ’67 and Ann Clark Womeldorf ’67 while visiting Williamsburg. Joy’s granddaughter graduated from Duquesne University and has a job, car and apartment — sounds great.

Kay Farmer Hunley lives in Maryland with her family, and now that she is retired from the Red Cross, she enjoys working in her yard and gardens. She still enjoys playing the piano at all hours of the day.

Donna Province Grill has been traveling since retiring — last year to The Netherlands, Switzerland, a South African safari, Italy and Spain cruise, Holiday Markets on the Rhine, London and the Cotswolds, Scotland, Scandinavia and the Balkans, and Sicily, and she has five trips scheduled for 2024.

Mary Ellen Coleman Culp had a positive report on Clyde Culp ’65. He had reverse shoulder replacement with many months of rehab. One down and now the other shoulder is on track for replacement next year.

Jake Smith ’66, J.D. ’74 and Ginger Graef Smith ’69, M.Ed. ’74 are staying put in Poquoson, Virginia, near grandchildren activities. Ginger and their daughters were involved in the Chi O 100th celebration at the College and Jake was put to work spiffying up the sorority house. Jake reported a somber Sunset Ceremony at Homecoming & Reunion Weekend this year as more and more of our friends are remembered. “The torrential downpour as the ceremony ended seemed to be tears from above of those who are missing our reunion.”

At the June Assembly, Virginia Lutherans (ELCA) elected the first woman of color as Bishop of the Synod of Virginia and Carlton Hardy ’66, M.Ed. ’67 was elected to a second term on the Synod Council as the first LGBTQIA representative. Carlton went to West Virginia for an open house for artist Robert Singleton, a friend and Williamsburg native.

Pat Walsh and Margaret Conn Walsh were with Mary Kay and Walt Wenk touring the Amalfi Coast and Greek Isles. Walt and Mary Kay went to Paris to see the Longwood (Mary Kay’s alma mater) basketball team play two games vs. the Paris All-Stars. Longwood won by 100 points. Walt and Mary Kay met Jim Korman ’65 and Babs Lewis Korman on a 10-day cruise from Montreal to New York.

Sandy and Keith Dauer were in Williamsburg after going to Sandy’s Indiana State homecoming. Sandy and Keith have given grants to both alma maters for the history department student travel program and met with the history department professors and attended several classes at both schools.

Nancy Combs Maffett saw a granddaughter graduate in Seattle and a local granddaughter is living with Nancy while in college. She is keeping up her COVID-19-era monthly Zoom visits with four W&M friends. Nancy writes that family, friends, reading and singing in the church choir bless her life in its quieter season — well said.

Boyd and Pat Adams Clark bought a camper during the pandemic and are enjoying national and state parks in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona. On their October adventure they went to Utah and saw the annular solar eclipse “ring of fire.” They have plans for the next one in April. Visiting family takes them to Portland to see their son and family, and their daughter and her husband can work remotely and decided to do that part time in Hawaii, so another visit was made.

Elaine Neam Starace and Ed took a two-week tour of Portugal and spend lots of time with their 18 grandchildren and eight children with golf games worked in occasionally.

Lalie Forman Eskay’s grandsons had successful soccer careers at W&M and William Eskay ’18 plays for the Newtown Pride team in Connecticut, which won a $1 million prize in the Soccer Tournament in Cary, North Carolina. Louise Callahan Chambers ’67 and her daughter live part time with Lalie on an unfarmed farm next to Lalie’s son, Bo Eskay ’88 and his wife, Jackie Eskay ’88.

Maureen and Vic Bary just did an 18-day tour of Malta and Sicily.

Marilyn and Dan Nase are back in the prisons of North Florida and are shipping Spanish Study Bibles. Dan conducts weekly Spanish services in the three prisons near Tallahassee, and he and Marilyn also teach at a women’s facility weekly.

I am currently awaiting a “repositioning” visit from Pete Nance and Judy Poarch Nance ’69 as they go from New York to Florida and pass my way on their trip! I continue to be glad we moved to our retirement community two-and-a-half years ago. Dick Kern ’64 is now in health care here and the care is outstanding. Do I like our current situation — no — but we have a great community to support us, and I have Amazing Meg, my 2 1/2-year-old mini-poodle. She thinks I hung the moon, but maybe it’s the other way around.

Just missing my last deadline, I heard from Nancy Combs Maffett, who took a W&M-sponsored train trip through the Alumni Journeys program from Vancouver to Toronto with her daughter. They started with extra time in Victoria at Butchart Gardens and Nancy was very complimentary of the trip. 

As always, Martha Wessells Steger has combined her travel with work — the perfect combination. She has recently written a civil rights article in Greensboro, North Carolina (home of the Woolworth sit-in and the International Civil Rights Center & Museum). Then on to Fargo, North Dakota, for an award and Colombia in South America for a travel society meeting. At the Vermont meeting, her daughter went with her, and she mentioned the artisans’ studios and the many craft breweries. 

I’m glad we are on the move again. Maureen and Vic Bary cruised around Spain and Portugal and on to Bordeaux, France, with extra time in Barcelona and Lisbon. 

Pete Nance and Judy Poarch Nance ’69 have a busy summer planned to visit their old stomping grounds in Darien, Connecticut, by swapping out their New York City apartment so they can catch up with old friends. Last year they “discovered” the North Fork of Long Island and will spend the summer there with their dog, Max, and Pete’s paint supplies. 

Bob Sigafoes travels across the country frequently between his condo in Old Town, Alexandria, and his home in San Diego. When he’s on the East Coast, he likes to include a trip to Williamsburg. 

Ruth and Spencer Timm split their time between Fort Myers, Florida, and Southborough, Massachusetts, where their three grandkids live. Ruthie traveled in Europe with their younger son for a few years. They are going to Provence for two weeks this year. Spencer prefers being the homebody after flying for work for 50 years — pizza and his dog are great company for him. In August, the two of them will go to Quebec City to celebrate Spencer’s birthday.

Art Henderson ’65 and Nancy Rhodenhizer Henderson have lived in Newport News for 40 years, with their children and grandchildren in the Richmond area. Their retirement has brought them time for golf, duplicate bridge and travel. 

Bernie Leigg’s twins are finally 15 — the age of most of our grandchildren! His older son passed away last November from a brain tumor at 56. Our condolences to the family.

Thanks to a May birthday, I did catch up with Mary Ellen Coleman Culp and Betty Bishop Griffin ’67, M.A.Ed. ’73 — no state secrets will be shared here, though. All enjoy good health, with some replacement parts for Clyde Culp ’65 and a fun part-time job for Gene Griffin fixing stuff on his schedule. Mary Ellen’s grandchildren are finishing up college and graduate school, while Betty is deep into dance recitals and sports — those years sure fly by fast! My birthday twin, Sandy McNeill Kern ’68, spent our birthday in Mexico City with her daughter, Allison. So much for our celebrations together.

As I am rapidly learning, we are losing classmates too often now. One of my deep regrets is when I read these obituaries of people I knew when we were kids and all the things they did in the intervening years — very impressive. Some of these were in the last W&M Alumni Magazine, but I will include them with more information. Dave Olson, fondly remembered as “The Lurch” by his Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity brothers, passed away in December. His wife, Linda King Olson ’68, died last year and they leave behind two sons and a grandson. Dave got his J.D. at the University of Richmond, and he did a stint in Vietnam before serving as prosecutor and commonwealth’s attorney in Newport News and then starting a private practice. 

And we lost Jim Harris ’67 last October — another Pika nickname — “Heavy.” Jim did graduate work at the University of Louisville and Virginia Polytechnic Institute — it wasn’t Virginia Tech then! — and also went to Vietnam, then had a 44-year career in behavioral science research. He was also an active volunteer for the Wounded Warrior Mentor Program. Jim and his daughter, Delaine Adkins, wrote a book about a beloved dog, “Two Pees and a Poop,” and it’s on Amazon. Jim’s sister, Jane Harris Smith ’68, also graduated from W&M. 

After my last column, I heard from Billy Binns ’67. Billy’s wife, Bette, died in 2019. He has remarried and is doing well. Bette stayed with me several times when she came to Williamsburg to see Billy. 

Howard Busbee ’65, J.D. ’67, M.L.T. ’68, L.H.D. ’22 passed away in May. He was an amazing alumnus of the College and gave it unparalleled support over the years. I knew Howard when we were in high school together in Falls Church and he was always a leader. Our love to Mary and their family.

One interesting obituary I received (I told you that’s the theme this time) was from Ken Stuart ’62, who was the executor of Rhea Redd Brown Choy’s will. She was a resident of New York City when she died last December. 

Personally, Dick Kern ’64 has had health issues after getting dehydrated. He is getting great care here and has joined me in putting on weight! I’m so glad we are near one son and his family, and our other son can come across country and stay with us for extended periods thanks to the internet. I just took a fantastic tour of the Duke Mansion in Charlotte. After living in North Carolina for 44 years, I had no idea what impact individuals in the area had. I know there is Duke University and we have Duke Energy but thanks to that family’s endowments, there is so much more. One man with absolutely no education came from a family tobacco farm, built the biggest cigarette monopoly of the time and then produced power for the Southern textile business. Very impressive!

Again, we start with the loss of a classmate — and my brother-in-law — Dave Kern ’66, M.Ed. ’68. After living all over the country, Dave and Sandy McNeill Kern ’68 settled in the Salisbury area of North Carolina about 20 years ago, and we were able to see them often with family times, travels and dinners together. As a friend so aptly put it — I don’t remember not knowing Dave. At the end of the year, Sandy moved to a retirement community in Salisbury. 

We did see Larry Paffrath ’66, M.Ed. ’67 at the funeral as he also lives in this area. Sandy is “retired” but preaches almost every Sunday since there is a shortage of preachers. She spent Christmas with her daughter Allison and her husband, Todd, in Mérida, Mexico. Spring plans include time in Mexico City with them as they move about Mexico every year. 

Thanks to classmates who answered my last-minute plea for news — my memory is rusty, but I’m in great company. Carlton Hardy ’66, M.Ed. ’67 always sends his clever Christmas card to me. Last year, he had a battle with kidney stones and bladder cancer but is on the mend. He says he is slowing down from his boards and committees, but the list is still long, and he is very involved in the arts, his church and the Hampton Roads community. He was able to travel through New England with stops in Newport, Mystic Seaport and all along the rugged coast. He also visited Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater landmark and Harpers Ferry.

Judy Poarch Nance and Pete Nance were in Florida for the winter, going to Casa de Campo (in the Dominican Republic, had to Google that) with friends for golf, spa time and food. They will be in London in May, and when they are home, Pete continues his painting. 

Sandy and Keith Dauer spent November in Rome and then cruised back to the U.S. Like many Northerners, they are in Florida for the winter before taking a Caribbean cruise. They are reducing their board involvements and enjoying retirement. Williamsburg is on their radar for a new location.

Betty Lane Faber retired from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, under the Department of Homeland Security, in September. Her son just earned his Ph.D. in basic math from the University of Illinois in Chicago. 

Bernie Leigg reports that his twin boys are now 15 — that statement makes me tired! 

Vic Bary and Maureen were on a W&M tour of Costa Rica and the Panama Canal when Vic sent me his note. 

Charles and Nino Allen Shipp had a great European tour, from Spain to England. One special part was being in the Chatsworth Outdoor Christmas Market on Nov. 11 when an air raid siren went off and over 1,000 people were silent, many wearing poppies, to commemorate Remembrance Day. The service members wore their uniforms, and young and old gave their seats to veterans on the Tube. 

Our dear friends Betty Bishop Griffin ’67, M.A.Ed. ’73 and Gene Griffin love having their grandchildren nearby. They are into soccer and dance recitals right now, but have had lots of sleepover time, too. 

After suffering for four months, Dan Nase wants everyone to get their Shingles 2 shot. 

Keith Taylor loved the epic Tribe football season and cheering them on in person. 

Linda Cabot and Bob Moore are celebrating their 35th anniversary and the successful blending of two families. Their nine grandchildren are spread out between New York, Wisconsin, and South Carolina,  while they are in Atlanta. Bob is very active with the City of Johns Creek Veterans Association, which has created one of the largest privately funded military memorial parks. 

A Christmas card from Patty and Ben Pomeroy ’67 mentioned time spent at Ben’s New Hampshire lake house and a National Geographic cruise to Alaska. 

Martha Wessells Steger spent time at the Salt Cathedral near Bogotá, Colombia. 

We are longtime friends with Ann Marie and Ken Williams ’67, and their Christmas greeting sounded like a Wild World of Sports menu — their very active grandchildren are involved in wrestling, football, pole vaulting, cheerleading, soccer, javelin and discus throws, baseball, competitive dance, swimming and target shooting — and they are active supporters of each activity. After 54 years, they relocated to a 55 and older community in Galloway, New Jersey.

From the W&M Alumni Magazine staff, I received an impressive article on Bob Mooney. The article from Virginia Business magazine is titled “Living Legends.” I’ve listed Bob’s business accomplishments before, and this article also highlighted his contributions to the arts as an avid art collector and benefactor. The other article I received is a delightful piece in the Virginia Gazette by Wilford Kale titled “The day I met the queen of England,” written to coincide with the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Personally, Dick Kern ’64 and I have been lucky to have our kids here off and on to help out. Suddenly, our youngest grandson is a junior in high school and just earned his Eagle Scout rank. That was a very special day as his two brothers and his dad could be part of the ceremony as Eagles, and if his uncle had been in town, he would have joined them. Proud of Sammy and his parents — this is truly a family achievement. 

And I would be quite remiss if I didn’t mention Carol Boysen and her thoughtful gift of e-hug blankets for us. Now, keeping our Meg off them is hard, but it’s fine when she joins us on our laps, and we all snuggle.

Our classmate Art Walsh ’66, J.D. ’73 passed away in June. Art and his brother, Pat, have been a major part of our years at the College. Deepest sympathy to all the Walsh family. Pat and Marg Conn Walsh, Babs Lewis Korman and Jim Korman ’65 and Mark Kay and Walt Wenk sailed around Scotland and visited the northern islands in August with lots of stories about Arty to share.  

Anne and Phil Marstiller attended his 60th reunion at Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania. Two grandchildren will be in France next year and Anne and Phil will visit. Horseback riding has been an important part of their lives, but after multiple injuries, Phil’s leaving that to Anne.

Vic Bary and his wife spent 17 days in France, from Paris to Burgundy, and then south through Provence, ending in Nice. Included was a seven-day canal trip on a small barge.

Laurette Harvey moved to Bethesda and continues her work as a psychotherapist. Her son’s family lives in Manhattan, Kansas, where they have a small organic farm — look up Piccalilli Farm.

Bob and Martha Graham Orton moved from Charlottesville to Falls Church and are new grandparents.

Boyd and Pat Clark traveled to the Pantanal wetland in Brazil where they saw colorful birds, anteaters, tapirs and jaguars. They are now exploring campgrounds in the southwest to get away from Denver winters.

Wilford Kale earned awards for his last two books and is now concentrating on freelance writing. His daughter, Anne-Evan Williams (Dean Lambert’s granddaughter), was named headmaster of Wasatch Academy in Mt. Pleasant, Utah.

Last October, Larry Court and Kathy Hill Court ’67 moved from Annapolis to Katy, Texas, after 37 years! Larry has had major back realignment surgery and is recovering. Living with one of their sons is their version of assisted living.

Jeanne Weber Ringe found one positive in COVID-19. She connected with W&M friends of 60 years. The Zoomers included Marjorie Rankin Peterson (Williamsburg), Nancy Combs Maffett (Colorado Springs), Bruce Edel Kakel (Anchorage), Chris Hunt Stack (Port Washington, New York), Mar-C Milona (Roanoke, Virginia), Brenda Robertson (Rehoboth Beach, Delaware), and Jeanne in east Tennessee. All are retired, some are volunteering, playing pickle ball, skiing, hiking, choir singing, dog training and traveling.

Jake Smith ’66, J.D. ’74 and Ginger Graef Smith ’69, M.Ed. ’74 and daughters, Jaclyn Smith ’01 and Allyson went to Ginger’s “new” niece’s wedding with a large gathering of Ginger’s birth family on hand. At Homecoming & Reunion Weekend they attended a “RE-HUDDLE” commemorating the ’67 defeat of Navy at the home of Jim Barton ’69.

Gail Williams Wertz ’66, M.A. ’20 asked for a plug for W&M’s GSAB — the Graduate Studies Advisory Board.

Pam Hurt Ferguson bought a condo in Greenville, South Carolina, near her son’s family and to escape winters in Indianapolis.

From Susan Embrey Coleman a COOTS update (Chi Omegas on Tour). They took their 2020 delayed cruise on the Harmony of the Seas in the Caribbean. The cruisers this year were Judy Hein Harrell, Alice Annon Miri, Sandy Odum Glennie, Mary Ellen Downing Gordon-Scudder and Susan. Susan was relieved to get away from the chaos of Hurricane Ian in South Florida.

Elaine Neam Starace and Ed are off to Egypt.

Over Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, Sandy and Keith Dauer met with history department members who have benefited from their research grant money. At Sandy’s alma mater, Indiana State, their grant money is directed at students rather than faculty. Now off to Rome and a repositioning cruise to Tampa. Betty Bishop Griffin ’67, M.A.Ed. ’73 and Gene Griffin enjoyed Betty’s 55th reunion at the Alumni House.

Ruth and Spencer Timm live in Fort Myers, Florida, and Southborough, Massachusetts. After Hurricane Ian their Florida condo was structurally sound but 8 feet of water in the garage has kept Spencer busy with residents and insurance companies as the association treasurer.

Judy Poarch Nance ’69 and Pete Nance rented an 1824 captain’s home in Greenport, Long Island, last summer and Pete can add expert oyster shucker to his accomplishments. They returned to their New York City apartment and are delighted to report that NYC is back!

Marilyn and Dan Nase are Zipline junkies. For their 55th anniversary they did their 22nd zipline adventure in Banning Mills, Georgia, the Flight of the Falcon, a quarter mile long reaching speeds of 75 miles an hour. They have one more to do — a zipline in a cave in Louisville, Kentucky. Healthwise things are getting better with Dan’s second knee replacement, but his months long battle with shingles has him plugging the vaccine. Their Harvest of Life Spanish Bible Project shipped 2,000 Spanish Bibles to prisoners in 2021 with even more being delivered this year.

Bernie Leigg is working on a novel, “Robbie Leonard.”

Charles and Nino Allen Shipp are headed to England and Barcelona to see classic estates and artwork as well as attend many choral performances.

Martha Wessells Steger is writing an article on civil rights sites for Richmond Magazine and will receive an award from the National Federation of Press Women in Fargo, North Dakota.

And, after years of writing, editing and rewriting, Grace “Gigi” Guinn Cramer ’66, M.F.A. ’67 has her book printed and available. “Miracle Warrior: Surviving a Shattered Life” was included in the W&M Alumni Magazine’s Summer 2022 Book Roundup. Gigi’s memoire tells the incredible story of a car accident that almost took her life and the resiliency with which she fought to stay alive. I just read a preview on the Amazon page and now I want to read more. Do check this out.

Sandy McNeill Kern ’68 and Dave Kern ’66, M.Ed. ’68 are moving to a retirement community in Salisbury, North Carolina. They will still be living close to us, which is good. Downsizing is a bugger, though.

I just got a notification of the death of one of Dick’s fraternity brothers and classmates, G. Bruce Taggart ’64 — affectionately known as The Buzzard.

 Personally, we are now officially old — we just got a Handicapped placard for our car — damn!!!

Travel has resumed for many, so there is news!! Sandy and Keith Dauer escaped a Connecticut snowstorm heading to Florida. They also visited Madeira, Portugal, for fun, not study, and a gorgeous January escape. As for many who have traveled lately, the last-minute COVID-19 test requirement was difficult to get done, then they learned a friend who had failed the test was given free hotel room with food and booze sent in — which again makes me wonder why we were so ready to graduate in four years when five would haven’t been bad at all.

I got sad news from Bill Anderson about the unexpected death of Jake Jacobsen in January. He leaves behind Vonnie and a myriad of accomplishments from his days in the Navy and then work in the aerospace industry, finally retiring to a horse farm in Arizona. And sincere condolences to Keith Taylor, whose 49-year-old son, David, died unexpectedly of a heart attack in May.

Elaine and Woody Caine stay active in the music and history worlds in Charleston, South Carolina. Woody is the Olde Guarde representative for the Charleston Alumni Board. A 20-year anniversary trip in the Netherlands has been changed to a favorite local restaurant.

Bernie Leigg is writing a novel about a troubled teenager named Robbie Leonard. His twin boys are 14 with lots of activities and his wife, Sharon Telisha Moore ’95, was Teacher of the Year at her school.

The College Chi Omegas had a centennial celebration of their founding and according to Mary Ellen Downing Gordon-Scudder, the College rolled out the red carpet with an exhibit of Chi O artifacts and documents including the chapter book everyone signed at initiation. Lots of familiar names there. About 200 attended, representing all classes since 1963. Susan Embrey Coleman attended with Mary Ellen and then drove on to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby and regrets not betting on Rich Strike.

Larry Paffrath and Nora Morsch Paffrath ’68 were in Florida, where they attended their granddaughter’s graduation from Stetson School of Law. They also visited Mary Kay and Walt Wenk near Sarasota, Florida. Another college connection was made in Charlotte, North Carolina, with Patty and Ben Pomeroy ’68 and the Wenks when Longwood’s basketball teams played and won their conference tournaments. Mary Kay and Patty are Longwood grads. And Ann Marie O’Donnell Carr and Ned Carr ’68, M.Ed. ’69, C.A.S.E. ’78, Ed.D. ’89 visited while attending the High Point Furniture Market. Nora has a Tri Delta reunion at the beach in October. We now live very close to Larry and Nora and are planning to get on their roster soon!

Pete Nance and Judy Poarch Nance ’69 sold their Darien, Connecticut, house after living in that area for 40 years. Jupiter, Florida, is now their full-time home with lots of travel planned. They are renting a house on Long Island and spending time in their Manhattan apartment to start with. Pete attended his 60-year high school reunion near Philadelphia — you “can go back” — at least for a weekend. Their dog, Max, and ours, Meg, are the same age — and again, what were we thinking!

Now, Bob Sigafoes has used his beagle, Zembie, to keep his sanity with walks him on the beach in San Diego. Cindy and David Anderson moved to a 55-and-older community in early 2022. Their two children work on the international level — one in wine and the other in cybersecurity! Sounds interesting. Also in a senior community, Nancy and Paul Allard moved to Greenspring Village in Springfield, Virginia. They managed three cruises last year and have plans for two more in the fall to celebrate their 50-year anniversary.

On Memorial Day in Cranford, New Jersey, the 86 residents who have died during wartime service are honored. Victor Bary presented a long overdue souvenir to the brother of a Vietnam soldier whose plane was shot down soon after he arrived there.

Our middle grandson graduated from high school and will be attending North Carolina State’s College of Art and Design. This is a whole new area of study for our math/science family, and we are thrilled for Benjamin. We’ll now have two in college and a high school sophomore — wow, that happened so fast!

#wordlimitsojustthefacts

Carlton Hardy volunteers on boards for the arts; on Hampton Roads, Virginia, community issues; and the Virginia Lutheran Synod.

Relaxed COVID-19 rules allowed Jake Smith ’66, J.D. ’74 and Ginger Graef Smith ’69 to do some travel and boating activities.

Grace “Gigi” Guin’s manuscript, “Miracle Warrior,” is being published in March.

Alan White is in Falmouth on Cape Cod. He retired from teaching at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy four years ago and now takes piano lessons and plays pickleball.

Belated congratulations to Gail Williams Wertz ’66, M.A. ’20 on receiving the coveted Alumni Medallion. Her bio is impressive!

Woody Caine taped an interview for the Veterans History Project, run by the Library of Congress. This is the result of his Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum and The Citadel teaching activities.

Denny Taylor Kelly is not really retired. She’s on several local boards in the Greensboro, North Carolina, area, and is active with the resettlement of more than 300 Afghan families.

Bob Mooney joined Phlow Corp. and got a federal contract to develop a pipeline for medications and pharmaceutical ingredients in the U.S. Bob has been recognized by the Richmond, Virginia, arts community.

Jim Hartman was on the way to a condo in a fishing village near Bangkok when he wrote.

Zoom teaching gave Joe Pitt a reason to retire after teaching for 50 years at Virginia Tech. Joe and Donna fill their time with national issues and farming and if it's in person, he plans to teach a class on aesthetics in the spring.

Our sympathy goes out to Dave Olson on the loss of his wife, Linda King Olson ’68. And to those of us on Jefferson 2nd our freshman year, I just read that our counselor, Polly Cherry Royalty ’64, also passed away last summer. Remember her playing the ukulele with Cathy Parsons Thomas ’64? Bonnie Lee Mayo Burnham ’66, M.A.Ed. ’78 also told me Colston Newton ’66, J.D. ’69 passed away in November. Bonnie commented that Colston was a wonderful writer and always looking forward to his next fishing trip.

Bonnie has kept in touch with Denakay Wade Cowdy, who has lived in England since the 1970s and is married to a Brit. She lives in Oxford and is retired.

Phil Marstiller and his family are very involved with their duck, quail and pheasant hunting outings. Phil’s foundation runs the gamut of emotions — disadvantaged youth can attend college, but not all efforts turn out as expected. Phil has a granddaughter at the College.

Martha Wessells Steger continues winning journalism awards, but this time reported her granddaughter attends Yale School of Music on a full scholarship as a violinist. Martha’s article on traveling via train in the U.S. is in January’s Richmond magazine. Maureen and Vic Bary’s travels continue to be delayed with a possible September barge trip.

Kay Rodgers is no longer a full-time minister but does record worship services for a senior community. She commented that COVID-19 has changed the way we all live — AMEN.

John Tudor ’66, M.Ed. ’69 visited Bill Harris in Arizona and saw Biosphere 2, where Bill was the director. They also stood on the “corner in Winslow, Arizona,” made famous by the song “Take It Easy” by the Eagles.

Bernie Leigg retired and writes a column in the local paper called “Leigg Let Loose,” which is humorous and controversial.

Anna Luptak ’22, the granddaughter of Keith Taylor and Carol Taylor HON ’14, got her undergraduate degree from W&M’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business.

Mary Blandford McGehee and her husband, Carruth, are adjusting to Tennessee but will be back in Baton Rouge when Carruth is named to the College of Science Hall of Distinction at Louisiana State University.

Susan Bunch Blanchard has a positive spin on COVID-19 — her family spent more time talking to each other.

Pam Hurt Ferguson lost her husband, Scott Ferguson ’65, two years ago and is navigating the difficult road of widowhood. She will winter in Florida and then plans to take up her artwork again. Pam is like several of our classmates who ended up graduating with a different class but still belong to us! She and Scott married in 1965 and when he went to Vietnam, she returned to graduate in ’67.

Jumping on the downsizing train, Laurette Harvey relocated in the same area but a smaller abode. In her words, “As I have often thought of myself as a bit ‘outside’ the norms of life with seeking adventure instead of stability, I say that the house was one I rented for all those years (34) as I didn’t want to be tied down.” Laurette helps with her son’s farm in Kansas and continues her work as a psychotherapist in the D.C. area.

Not to be left out, Dick Kern ’64 and I were in Maine with Dave Kern ’66, M.Ed. ’68 and Sandy McNeill Kern ’68 for our 49-year-old niece’s first wedding — now that was a celebration. Small world: Our first week here, a neighbor said his cousin went to W&M — did we know Tom Yerkes ’65? He was a special fraternity brother.

I am passing on sad news of the passing of John A. Jacobsen, on Jan. 24, 2022, in Ocala, Florida. Jake and his wife, Vonnie, had just moved from Arizona and were in the process of settling in the Ocala area with plans to continue raising their horses there.

Vic Bary’s wife, Maureen Strazdon, wrote “Celebrating Cranford” (New Jersey) for the Images of America series from Arcadia Publishing. It is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Mary Kay and Walt Wenk plan to celebrate Margaret Conn Walsh’s birthday in Williamsburg and resume travel in 2022.

Keith Taylor reported 69 people registered for our 55th. Prior to the reunion, he and Carol Taylor HON ’14 tested positive for COVID-19 but were recovered for the festivities. From Pete Nance, I learned that he and Keith were THE representatives for our official class photo –— they held the banner high. Also spotted in attendance were Clyde Culp ’65 and Mary Ellen Coleman Culp, Sandy and Keith Dauer, Tim Sullivan andAnne Klare Sullivan ’66, M.Ed. ’68, Betty Bishop Griffin ’67, M.A.Ed. ’73 and Gene Griffin ’66, Jake Smith ’66, J.D. ’74

and Ginger Graef Smith ’69, M.Ed. ’74, Anne Jeffries Critchfield and Steve Critchfield, as well as Martha Wessells Steger, who arrived from Milwaukee after attending the Society of American Travel Writers convention. Not being able to travel lately, Keith has set up a travel scholarship fund for history professors at W&M and he and Sandy have donated to the building of an outdoor classroom at their local elementary school.

Jim Hartman was with us for two years and keeps in touch with several classmates. He lives in Denver, Colorado, summers in northern Michigan and winters in Thailand.

Last issue Spencer Timm’s move from a huge farm to a condo was mentioned. He reported that aside from the physical move all is good. Since Dick Kern ’64 and I just did something similar a comment he made hit home — Spencer had to move to understand that being lucky to be old means being smart enough to make the changes that are needed.

Joe Pitt is professor emeritus of philosophy after teaching at Virginia Tech for 50 years! Steve and Maureen Baber Parel spent the summer in Bend, Oregon, before heading back to Dallas. Dottie Gilbert Jordan and Tom Jordan did their downsizing last year. They missed Homecoming after getting Covid, despite being vaccinated and very cautious. Also missing the festivities was Bob Sigafoes, who spends time in San Diego and Alexandria and likes to sneak in a trip to Williamsburg while he’s here in Virginia.

Elaine Neam Starace and Ed married in 2012 and each has four married kids and 18 grandchildren, ranging from college age to a 3-year-old ballerina. Pre-Covid, she and Ed traveled extensively, including a trip to Machu Picchu, and they are hoping to get to Egypt soon.

Carruth and Mary Blandford McGehee moved from Baton Rouge to a retirement community in Knoxville. Plans are to get involved with the Knoxville Symphony.

I was saddened to learn that Harry Wilkins lost his wife of 48 years, Bonnie, in February. Harry reports that Bill Anderson and John Jacobsenremain special friends and are helping him at this time. Joan Lowry Coates said she rightsized — not downsized — a great term. She and Jim have lived in Union, Kentucky (near Cincinnati), for 51 years, where they were able to raise their two children in a rural environment with city amenities nearby. Lots of trips with an exciting one to Iceland recently.

Melinda and Bart Watt have lived in the Memphis area for 38 years where he retired from AutoZone. Their children are also in Tennessee — one in Memphis and one in Nashville.

Anne and Phil Marstiller live in Middleburg, Virginia, where they enjoy the equestrian community. Phil retired from a 51 year career in law, representing whistleblowers. He has endowed the Philip S. Marstiller tennis scholarship at the College and is now forming a foundation — Giving Back — to help disadvantaged children attend college. Their two sons live in Richmond and Denver, and one grandchild is at W&M.

Colston Newton ’66, J.D. ’69 did have a taste of “normal” with a fishing trip with his grandson. Colston said his daughter is dating a PiLam, the first PiLam he’s met since W&M days. Grace “GiGi” Cramer’s book, “Miracle Warrior,” is with the editors with an early 2022 publishing date. Elaine and Woody Caine are the backbone of the Charleston music world and The Citadel/Patriot’s Point scene. Woody teaches and writes with his newest venture gathering stories on WWII veterans. Woody has been recognized by the Marquis Who’s Who in America.

Susan Embrey Coleman reported on the resumed COOT (Chi Omegas on Tour) trips. Judy Hein Harrell, Carol Boysen, Alice Annon Miri,Mary Ellen Gordon-Scudder and Karen Cottrell ’66, M.Ed ’69 spent a week at Bald Head Island. Bob and Susan Bunch Blandford plan to winter in Stuart, Florida. Betty Bishop Griffin ’67, M.A.Ed. ’73 and Gene Griffin ’66 have stayed in Williamsburg and have five grandchildren ranging from ages 7 to 13. Their daughter Beth Griffin Wallig ’95 and her husband, Greg Wallig ’94, also have a home on the York River, so lots of visiting opportunities.

I did get a sad note from Bonnie Mayo Burnham ’66, M.A.Ed. ’78 with a recap of her last five years. After our 50^th Reunion, she lost her husband, mother, sister-in-law and a cherished therapy dog. Special friends from the College were a help to her during all of this — Jane Snead Ford and Margaret Hanzlik Mullins ’66, M.Ed ’69. Bonnie has a new therapy dog now and works with Fairfax County Pets on Wheels visiting assisted living and nursing homes.

Dick and I are now in our downsized apartment in a retirement community in Davidson, North Carolina. Amazing Meg completes our little family and we are enjoying being close to our grandsons. I’ve started a Bunco group to get in the action here. Dick’s claim to fame with all the Davidson College people around us is playing two football games on their field and winning both — a little street cred with the locals.

There is finally a light at the end of the tunnel and now I am ready to wash and store our assortment of masks! And from the FEW notes I got back, I am not alone with that plan.

Our own Energizer Bunny, Cam Buchanan, commented that every time she retires from a job, her wife, Debra Hill, celebrates with a cross-country bicycle ride. She finished a 14-year adjunct term with the W&M Kinesiology & Health Sciences Department and off they went. They rode from San Diego to St. Augustine, Florida, on the Adventure Cycling Association Southern Tier – and you don’t need to actually see a map to get that visual. Cam learned she isn’t a fan of cactus and the Southwest desert climate but balanced that with beautiful sights and people met along the way. Cam is expecting her fourth grandbaby in June.

Jake Smith ’66, J.D. ’74 and Ginger Graef Smith ’69, M.Ed. ’74 got the grandparenting responsibility during remote work and learning, and fully understand why parenting is for the young. I’m sure many of you shared that experience with COVID. Jake had a minor stroke in early 2020 and completed his rehab right before the COVID lockdown of the rehab hospital and is doing well. They spent March in Charleston, South Carolina, to celebrate his 77th birthday with Kappa Sigs Bob Kelly ’69, Mark Hetterman ’70 and Jack Hurley ’72.

Always with a story, Jake Jacobsen served on the USS Buchanan as the gunnery officer during the Vietnam War. During that time his guns fired over 15,000 rounds of shells into North and South Vietnam for six months in 1972 and they were only hit once with the loss of one young sailor. Now the Buchanan is deep in the Pacific Ocean. Along with his personal story, Jake included pictures of his ship in other altercations over her 29 years of service – like I said, always an interesting story.

Jim Lofrese and Mary Lou Jenkins Lofrese ’68 resorted to Bridge Base and Zoom to get through the lockdown. Their granddaughter is a junior in pre-med at UNC–Chapel Hill and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Her father, Todd (their oldest son), asked Jim and Mary Lou if they knew about PBK. I think he got a W&M history lesson right after that comment. A family beach week at Surfside Beach, South Carolina, is on their calendar for the summer.

Joe Pitt retired from Virginia Tech after 50 years — now, that’s impressive! Martha Wessells Steger stayed very busy with ongoing writing projects. She is part of her Manakin Church’s Love Thy Neighbor initiative, too. She has won an award in the National Federation of Press Women contest with one of her four 2020 first-place award articles in the Virginia Professional Communicators annual contest. I always think the wrong person is writing this column when I read her accolades. Vic Bary’s daughters graduated from high school and are at Pepperdine and Cal Poly, while Vic’s planned vacations keep being rescheduled.

Arty Walsh ’66, J.D. ’73 had complicated surgery in May for multiple ankle problems. At the time of this column, he was home recovering and according to his wife, is incredibly resilient. His future will include serious rehab for four months. They were in Florida with Pat Walsh and Marg Conn Walsh and reported the other Walshes’ grandchildren are all doing well — don’t we love to hear that!

Clare Smith-Larson is reestablishing family connections and has several family celebrations planned. A trip to Kansas City for a NASCAR weekend was her first step back to normal.

After mentioning my age — and probably yours — in my plea for news, I got a long note from Spencer Timm.  Spencer started with the class of ’64 but had a “break” from school and then was reaccepted and praised Wayne Kernodle HON ’10 for that turnaround and being a senior member of our ’66 community. Spencer and Ruth winter in Fort Myers, Florida, and are now selling their 300-acre farm in the Berkshires of Massachusetts to live in a condo in the eastern part of the state near their grandkids. He commented that since buying property in Florida, they have become more popular with old friends!

It is with great sadness that I report the loss of Julia Ann Dickinson Greenwood ’67, the much beloved wife of Mike Greenwood. I was able to watch a livestream of Julia Ann’s funeral and hear the amazing difference she made for high school children with learning differences. Ben Pomeroy ’67 gave a beautiful homily for a special lady. 

Having a May birthday lets you catch up with special friends and I did have a long chat with Mary Ellen Coleman Culp. She and Clyde Culp ’65enjoy Annapolis, Maryland, and having most of their family nearby. Clyde has had some body parts replaced but continues in the restaurant business, which survived COVID. I love it when you can pick right up with a friend you’ve known forever but don’t see very often.

We see our family Dave Kern ’66, M.Ed. ’68 and Sandy McNeill Kern ’68 since they are only an hour from us. Dave spent some time in the hospital with a kidney stone issue and rehab, but is back home now. Sandy recently came out of retirement to perform the marriage of their son, Craig, in Austin, Texas. Their children are spread out between Texas, North Carolina and Mexico, so it was a good family time.

Our oldest grandson just finished his first year at UNC-Chapel Hill – but it was not a normal freshman year for sure. The first semester, they were sent home after two weeks and he went to “Couch U,” but in January they were allowed back in the sparsely populated dorms and did virtual classes there. He did have one class go in person after a couple of months and his gung-ho Grammy asked how he liked that. Well, it was raining so he watched it online. Really!! Going to class in the rain is part of the college experience. Dick Kern ’64 is still doing work with a personal trainer to get his mo-jo going again after his knee replacement — and we have a new puppy, Amazing Meg. She’s a handful, I’ll leave it at that. I did make a discovery regarding the male sense of humor. The vet said Meg’s a poodle and poodles are very smart and very stubborn — our oldest son didn’t think it was funny when I commented, “Oh, I also have a 51-year-old poodle.” And then when I commented I love to talk to Meg because she doesn’t say “Huh?” my sweet husband did not get amused with that! Oh my.

Information about our 55th Reunion is available on the Homecoming website, where you can also register to attend. We will be combining with the ’65 class who missed their 55th last year and you can be sure I’ll send out info as I get it. The dates for Homecoming are Oct. 7-10. It makes me sad when I think the last two classes have missed their 50th reunions — that was such a very special time for our class and one I’ll always remember with a smile.

Let’s cut to the chase! Every note I received had the same theme: all travel canceled, family and friends visits canceled, graduations and weddings missed, virtual everything, Zoom classes and meetings, clean closets and new recipes, books read, TV and the COVID numbers watched — and now hope at the end of these strange times with the arrival of the vaccine!!! Of course, I have to fill in some of the blanks.

Judy Poarch Nance ’69 and Peter Nance have added a new Havanese puppy to their world and Pete has stepped up his painting, some of which I shared in the online Class Notes. Our last social event was last February’s Charter Day, when Pete received his Alumni Medallion — weren’t we innocent of the future then?

Kathy and Jim McNulty are celebrating their 55th Anniversary in June. Jim retired in December 2019 after 50 years of academic and federal government work. Jim’s multiple degrees were all in economics, including a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina.

Jake Jacobsen’s four horses and two dogs have given him and Vonnie lots to do. He attributes shoveling manure to keeping him fit as their National Champion Dressage horse gets back in training. Jake is also working on writing a book from old scripts he had tried to sell as movies.

The onset of COVID disrupted Jack Cole’s men’s chorus but he still was an active fundraiser and managed to make up the lost revenues from canceled fundraisers and concerts. Jack lives in Fort Lauderdale.

Clare Smith-Larson had a litany of canceled adventures from a trip to the Maritime Provinces to multiple motorcycle rallies. They did do small local motorcycle rides, which Clare says automatically provide “social distancing.” 

Carlton Hardy’s notes always tickle me. My favorite: “I learned how to prepare tofu — throw it in the trash and grill some meat.” Carlton has reduced his board and committee obligations but is far from idle mentioning the community advisory council for transportation planning, among others.

Our condolences to Fran Cole Arndt on the death of her husband, Murray, last summer. Murray was a very popular professor at UNC-Greensboro.

Susan Romans downsized to a condo in Stowe, Vermont, which puts her close to everything. Great comment on the lockdown: “Now I know what hell is for extroverts!”

Jake Smith and Ginger Graef Smith ’69 have 2021 plans to cruise the Chesapeake, celebrate with family and hug!

Wilford Kale came out of retirement at 77 and is writing twice weekly for the Virginia Gazette as a freelancer — aka “back in the saddle” and thrilled with the opportunity. 

Colston Newton had a trout fishing trip canceled three times due to COVID. He also plays bridge weekly with Al Hooker ’72.  

Woody Caine is a published author, “Born Lucky: A Just Slightly Above Average Soldier’s Life.” His book is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble — that’s exciting. The blurb on the back cover: “The stories in this book are as real as memory and documentation can insure, but then, all such stories suffer from the impact of multiple retellings and time.” 

Cam Buchanan and Debra have a tandem bicycle fundraiser from San Francisco to St. Augustine, raising money for the reinstated W&M volleyball program. Amazing! 

Vic Bary has plans for a French canal barge trip next September. He also has two granddaughters starting college in the fall.

With wings being clipped, Sandy and Keith Dauer have set up travel scholarships. Sandy’s is for history students at Indiana State University and Keith’s is for history professors at William & Mary. Florida for the winter is their plan right now.

Jeannie Williams was a COVID-19 victim at Christmas, but recovered nicely and was well remembered by many classmates — our William & Mary ties still bind us. 

Also downsizing, Dottie Gilbert Jordan and Tom Jordan stayed in their same neighborhood in Williamsburg but with less space.

Marilyn and Dan Nase will celebrate their 54th anniversary in July. He sent me a letter he had written to 14 prison buddies who are serving life sentences since no in-person visits are allowed. As I’ve mentioned before, Dan’s organization sends Spanish Bibles to detainees and inmates in federal prisons. Since September 2017, they have shipped over 5,000 Bibles.

David Anderson wrote a lovely memoir on the different times since 1966 that his W&M connection has been recognized — by a logo on his car, a baseball hat, conversations that resulted in mutual friends and the like. It’s always fun when we have those chance meetings and my husband is now proudly sporting a brand-new W&M sweatshirt just to prove it.

Grace Guin Cramer ’66, M.F.A. ’67 had her memoir put on hold with the pandemic but is still hoping for publication by late spring. Her son works in the NICU in La Jolla, California, delivering babies from COVID mothers. 

Mike Greenwood just had extensive shoulder surgery after several delays. He has become quite the musician and performs as a very popular Elvis at his retirement community. They love him! 

Our grandson has restarted his dorm life at UNC after spending two weeks on campus last August — hoping this time he gets to stay. Lots of lives turned upside down last year. And one quick quip. Dick Kern ’64 had a heart CT last week and one of the comments said “Upper Abdomen Unremarkable.” I’m sure that’s a good thing, but the last time anyone said Dick was unremarkable was his English 101 professor! Love to all.

I’m hoping everyone checked out the online W&M Alumni Magazine class notes last issue, because our class had lots of news and pictures and an unlimited word count! Now we have a special increased word count again and actually not a lot of news. My sister-in-law summed up these strange times by telling me she calls her girlfriend and the conversation goes like this: “Hi, what are you doing?” “Nothing. How about you?” “Nothing.” “Goodbye.” We can all relate to that, and without our usual travels and family reunions, most of us have gotten a tad whiny and that isn’t good copy!

Mary Blandford McGehee had good news on her 7-year-old grandson, whose serious heart condition is now stable. He won’t have to go to the specialist in Houston now, but will see a doctor closer to home in Tennessee.

Maureen Baber Parel spent the summer in Bend, Oregon, where two of their four grandchildren live.

Woody Caine is teaching the fall semester online at The Citadel. He thinks the Zoom sessions have been very helpful in seeing the students up close rather than in a large classroom. Don’t we all hope our grandchildren are feeling that confidence with online learning? Woody has used his military passion to design and build armored vehicle dioramas focusing on World War II and Korea, and hopefully they will be displayed in the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum near Charleston, South Carolina.

Colston Newton ’66, J.D. ’69 has retired and is now a freelance writer working on his schedule. His daughter and two children live nearby, and she is an accomplished (read that as gets paid) artist. His son is with Amazon in Chicago.

Nancy Combs Maffett spent part of the lockdown in physical therapy for a new knee, but also had time with family in Michigan and helped get a granddaughter settled in college in August.

I got a nice long update from Donna Province Grill. She got an M.A. and Ph.D. in psychology from Johns Hopkins University and taught college for a few years before getting a law degree from West Virginia University College of Law in Morgantown, West Virginia, where she lived with her husband, Frederick Grill ’66, J.D. ’69. She joined Exxon’s law department for 18 years, and her career included work on the Valdez oil spill in Alaska and working on the merger of Exxon and Mobil. She then joined Lloyd’s Register Americas, Inc., which surveys ships all over the world. Donna became general counsel of the American subsidiary handling all things in the Western Hemisphere. Then, after 17 years, she retired to travel and has gone on many trips with the W&M travel group — with five 2020 trips canceled. Others are still on her docket for 2021. Donna has two daughters, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and now lives in the Houston area. She and Frederick divorced in 1984, but reconnected as friends later before his death in 2016. This has been heavily edited – Donna’s career has been expansive for sure.

Jack Drew ’66, M.B.A. ’67 and his wife, Chris, have traveled from Georgia to the West Coast to get their children settled in Los Angeles and Park City, Utah. Jack is an adjunct professor at University of Georgia’s College of Public Health, where at the time of his note there were lots of positive COVID-19 cases to study.

Art Walsh ’66, J.D. ’73 is not as active in his law firm, but is far from retired. His firm has grown from five lawyers to over 40 in four offices with many W&M law graduates. Both of Art’s daughters and their husbands are law graduates from William & Mary too: Ada-Marie Walsh Aman ’99, J.D. ’02 and her husband, Matthew Aman ’99, J.D. ’02 and Sarah-Nell Hoffmann Walsh J.D. ’04 and her husband Albert Guthrie ’05.

Carol Boysen recently reconnected with Win Whitehurst ’69, M.Ed. ’72 and Jean Kemp Hammond ’67. Jean and her husband, Don, retired to Pinetown, North Carolina, where they enjoyed living in the country and on the water. Sadly, Don died unexpectedly in August. Jean is hoping to meet in Williamsburg with Carol and other Chi Os for the centennial anniversary of their founding at William & Mary – the first sorority on campus. Unfortunately — another victim of the times — the Chi Os on Tour (the COOTS) have rescheduled and finally canceled their annual adventure — which is always good fodder for my column. Carol has now been in Richmond for nine years; Judy Hein Harrell and Alan Harrell ’67 split time between Richmond and Lake Hickory, North Carolina; Susan Embrey Coleman and Bennie are in Venice, Florida; Alice Annon Miri and Sayyed are in McLean, Virginia; Sandy Odum Glennie and Larry are in Bullhead City, Arizona; and Mary Ellen Downing Gordon-Scudder is in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Gigi (Grace) Guinn Cramer ’66, M.F.A. ’67 is still awaiting the publication of her book I mentioned in the last column. Her son, Cameron, works in the neonatal intensive care unit in La Jolla, California, and is working with COVID-19 mothers to make sure the newborns are safe.

Vic Bary and Maureen aren’t traveling, but he does edit the Cranford Historical Society’s newsletter and shared comparison of the area with the 1918 flu pandemic and our current crisis. Cranford, New Jersey, has had almost 100 COVID-19 deaths (85% in senior living facilities) versus six deaths in 1918, all among service members serving elsewhere.

From Richard Newlon, a long update: He lives in Reston, Virginia, with an architectural practice started in 1975. He has been married twice and has three daughters and is currently single. He was the architect for the Hennage House in Williamsburg, across from the Lodge and overlooking the 18th hole of the golf course. As his practice expanded to nearby states, Richard worked in North Carolina at the Outer Banks building beach houses, restaurants and a hotel. His daughters also are in the arts, with degrees from Pepperdine University, Corcoran School of Art, Academy of Art in San Francisco and the Royal Academy of Music in London. Richard received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Arizona. I checked his work out on Facebook — very nice.

Nino Allen Shipp had graduation plans at W&M with her daughter and granddaughter canceled, but did get a great gift from Judy Hein Harrell when Judy compiled a journal of the European trip she and Carol Boysen, Jean Kemp Hammond, Susan Sheffield, Linda Arey Skladany and Nino took the summer after we graduated. What a treasure.

Robert Ellis’ son, Nathan, is an aspiring filmmaker. He spent seven years in the Army, where he was a helicopter pilot (Blackhawks and Vietnam-era Hueys). He did a tour of Afghanistan and received a Bronze Star and several air commendations with valor. This life experience he now uses in his writing. He went to the University of  Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. You can see an example of his work on Amazon Prime Video in the third season of Discover Indie Film, where his short film, “Delivery,” can be seen in Episode 6.

Dick Kern ’64 has finished his new knee rehab and we are ready to go somewhere now!! Our grandson started his freshman year at the University of North Carolina and returned home less than two weeks later. We hate that he is missing what we remember as such a special time in our lives, but I guess he doesn’t know what he’s missing, so that makes it easier. Dorm life is definitely different than our days, though. In that two weeks, his roommate turned 18 and they had a party for him — food of choice: sushi — that just didn’t happen in Williamsburg in 1962!

Since absolutely nothing about this year has been normal, here goes with an online only Class Notes for the fall news. For the first time ever space isn’t limited — can I hear a YaHoo! I will include news I’ve gathered in your own words for the most part — with some pictures thrown in as extras. This could be fun.

But first, we WILL be having a 55th reunion over Homecoming in fall 2021. A couple of years ago the Olde Guarde decided no one wanted to be left out of reunions after the flamboyant 50th, so this is the new solution. It will be a much lower-keyed affair, but we will have time to gather as a class again and not just be included in Olde Guarde celebrations. Keith Taylor and I will be working with the college to get this organized and I’m sure will be asking for help along the way.

And some sad news. I had a message from Babs Lewis Korman about the death of Karen Cottrell ’66, M.Ed. ’69’s husband, Matt Clayton M.B.A. ’02, in May. Karen and Matt were married 29 years and had an exciting life together. After Matt was diagnosed with ALS in spring 2019, they continued to travel, see plays on Broadway, attend concerts and museums and even got to a Washington Nationals spring training camp. Our condolences to our classmate on her loss.

From Pat Walsh I received an obituary for Randy Adams. Randy died in October in Boston where he was a neurosurgeon and professor. He received his medical training at MCV and Yale before spending most of his career in Boston at Brigham and Women’s and Boston Children’s Hospital.

From Joy Cheatham Sibley, I received the news that her W&M roommate, Marie Brewer Armstrong, died in February of a heart attack. She and her husband lived on the water in Reedville, Virginia, and Joy had visited with them the year before.

And classmate Martha Wessells Steger’s husband, Tom Steger ’65, J.D. ’69 passed away last fall from Parkinson’s. They lived on a large piece of property in Midlothian, Virginia, and Martha is trying to manage the area on her own now. She did have successful knee surgery right before the shutdown. Tom took up art as part of his therapy and Martha sent me this picture:

Short Pump Barn and Shed

Boyd and Pat Adams Clark live in Colorado and according to Pat, “When we hike I wear a bandana and look like I’m the bad guy in some 1950s western. It turns out that I have really good hobbies for entertaining myself during a pandemic. Birdwatching and hiking get us out of the house just about every day. And when I’m inside I read and write. The hardest thing for us is not being able to travel to see our kids and grandkids, we try to have a FaceTime or Zoom call often. We will be on the road to the West Coast as soon as we feel it’s safe.”

I’ve shared several articles about Marilyn and Dan Nase’s Harvest of Life ministry in prisons in Florida, but when I got this note from Walter Wenk I knew I had to share his thoughts. “About a month ago, I visited Dan and Marilyn Nase to see what they have been doing for the last 40 years. As you know, their ministry is called Harvest of Life. I went with Dan to the Wakulla Correctional Institution. Quite frankly, it was intimidating and quite scary to have the gates close behind you and effectively be locked up for two hours. However, when we entered the makeshift chapel and faced the 70 men who Dan was ministering to, all my trepidation left. One could see the look of peace on all their faces as they waited in anticipation for Dan’s lesson for the day. These men understand what they did and have reconciled their punishment within their spirits. Actually, Dan has used the word of God to free them from their bondage. Dan and Marilyn have a great ministry and have given their whole life to the Lord. I saw firsthand the fruits of their labor and it is a wonderful calling. I just wanted you to know how great one member of our class has done with his life and the impact he has had on the ‘least of us.’” For information on Dan and Marilyn check out this website: www.harvestoflife.org

Jack Drew, like many of us, has been spending his corona time with household to-do lists from wife, Chris. He mentioned that his graduate degree is from Yale School of Epidemiology and Public Health and that COVID-19 is very serious. That is surely proving true.

Tom Daugherty and Nancy McNairy Daugherty ’67 “left their farm home of 35 years and downsized to the top of the Blue Ridge, overlooking the Shenandoah River and the Appalachian Trail. Three kids and seven grandkids are close but not too close.”

A long note from Clare Smith-Larson: “In the past, I might have written that we are living a boring life as retirees working part-time at our local fine arts theatre. This year has shaped up to be nothing even remotely boring. Our grandson, Logan, graduated from high school with none of the traditional pomp and circumstances. His older brother, a fifth-grade schoolteacher, has been learning how to and setting up learning opportunities for his students from home. Their sister had been working as a server in an upscale restaurant in the college town where they all live and was furloughed when COVID-19 first hit Iowa. Their community was one of the earliest, having had community members on the ill-fated Egyptian cruise ship that was infected during their voyage in the Mediterranean over the winter of 2019-2020. My son manages a natural foods grocery store in the community and is reasonably confident that he was infected by one of that returning cruise ship's voyagers. Since his recovery, about two weeks, he has worked tirelessly to serve the at-risk customers of his store. 

“Two in the family are also school district employees both furloughed in March. My daughter has continued to work in-office for a large architectural and engineering firm and her husband was required to work from home after the pandemic hit. Skip and I were furloughed from the Des Moines Civic Center on March 14 after we learned that many of the Broadway touring companies were postponing or canceling their scheduled appearances. Skip was recuperating from back surgery in mid-February. I found a part-time position as a cashier at our local grocery store where I already shop weekly.”

Grace Guinn Cramer ’66, M.F.A. ’67 has used her time wisely. “This ‘paranoid pandemic’ has given me a chance to finally slow down and WRITE A BOOK! My younger son Cameron Schiff made me promise to leave a ‘LASTING LEGACY’ for his two children following my husband’s fatal car crash 5 years ago! At the end of 2019 I made a New Year’s Resolution to write that book (if only I could have the TIME) to tell my two grandchildren (ages 4+ & 2+) what a phenomenal life their ‘Grammy’ has lived...and that I'M STILL HERE! All of a sudden OUR WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN and I've had several months to find time and select a professional ‘ghost writer’ who is helping me with my ‘MANUSCRIPT.’ It's a very S-L-O-W process having never written a book before, but hopefully it will be finished before the end of 2020! I'm enjoying the ‘slowdown’ but am anxious to find out what our ‘NEW NORMAL’ will look like! If there is a WINTER W&M ALUMNI MAGAZINE, my book just might make the deadline at year’s end! The book title is ‘MIRACLE WARRIOR’ which is the nickname given to me after I died, endured over 100 surgeries and was finally brought back to life by those incredibly amazing 23 trauma surgeons!”

Walter Beales continues to work full time during the pandemic. And from Joe Pitt: “Got an email from Colston Newton ’66, J.D. ’69 in which he misspelled his own name! Yes, we are all there! Donna and I celebrated our 54th anniversary recently.”

Like many others, Ellen Allison Wandrei had two trips planned this year but is staying home. Trips are always a big part of my usual column! Larry Paffrath ’66, M.Ed. ’67 and Nora Morsch Paffrath ’68 enjoyed social distancing at Nora’s sister’s house in Kiawah.

Mary Blandford Harris McGehee: “Since retiring from Louisiana State University (Carruth in the Mathematics Department, me in French at the University Laboratory School), we have studied Italian, traveled, volunteered after hurricanes, and been active in our church, among other things. For the last six years, we’ve also had an apartment in Knoxville, Tennessee, and now are getting ready to move there to be near our son and daughter-in-law and their three little ones. Matt is on the economics faculty and in the Boyd Center for Business and Economics Research at UT. In recent Augusts, Carruth and I have gone to Vermont to take part in Middlebury's Alumni College (my M.A. is from Middlebury). This year, Alumni College is cancelled, and they have substituted Faculty at Home, a series of lectures on Zoom. This doesn’t provide the relief from Louisiana heat, but the series is also wonderful. Last three talks were ‘Drums from Uganda,’ ‘The Science of Epidemiology,’ and ‘COVID-19 and Climate Change.’”

Jake Jacobson writes: “We have five horses, including Leaguer’s Gold Rush — a national champion in dressage, two mares and two colts. Taking care of horses is not exactly the way I thought I would be spending my retirement; however, I can lift a 50-pound bag of feed and an 85-pound bale of hay. Not bad for a 76-year-old. April 2020 was 45 years since the fall of Vietnam. It was a very strange week in my life because I had never seen a country disappear. I got to do things that I never thought I would do in the Navy, like swing from my ship to a South Vietnamese ship wearing my sword and side arm. Later we learned that there were VC aboard these ships and they could have offed us at any time. I would have my only Command At Sea during Operation Eagle Pull. I took command of an oiler and sailed it into Subic Bay under the American flag. I was then relieved by a Marine Corps corporal. Oh, well. Of all the things that really stick with me was our corpsman sitting by himself bawling his eyes out. I asked him what the problem was and he said he had been with the Marines in country and he was crying because of the men he couldn't save. ‘What a waste, what a waste,’ he said and then cried even harder. All I could do was pat him on the shoulder and let him have his space.

“Chino Valley is still a small Arizona farm town, but it is becoming a California refugee housing community. Cold in winter and hot in summer. Later this month or early next month the doctors will rebuild my chest. It started in November 2018 and continues today. We have been dodging the COVID-19 because we live a good distance from our neighbors, thus we have been spared.”

Wilford Kale: “Last June I began writing ‘Kale on Books’ for a group of Eastern Virginia weekly papers, including the Virginia Gazette. Produced every other week, it features books

written by Virginians or about Virginia. It has been well received. Then at the end of February I began writing regularly on a freelance basis for the Gazette. Yep, came out of retirement, so to speak. The paper had lost its four reporters and was facing difficult times. I don’t plan to do this long, but it’s fun — can get the black ink off my fingers. Worked for more than 25 years many moons ago for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. By the way in May I covered the W&M Board of Visitors for the first time in 28 years. The last time I wrote in the RTD about the board was May 1992. Yep, at 76 I'm still writing hard news and features ...”

Dick Kern ’64 and I were fortunate to be at the Medallion Ceremony in February when our classmate, Pete Nance, received the award. We were with Dave Kern ’66, M.Ed. ’68 and Sandy McNeill Kern ’68 and Gene Griffin and Betty Bishop Griffin ’67, M.A.Ed. ’73, along with Judy Poarch Nance ’69 for the weekend and were very impressed with it all! Be proud to be a graduate of The College of William and Mary.

Pete and Judy’s travel plans to Israel and Jordan were sacked and they have used this time creatively. Pete is “painting and producing more paintings than wall space will handle.” Judy has taken up the piano and is trying to remember those lessons learned as a 12-year-old. She is having fun. They are also playing serious online bridge. They did make it back to Connecticut from Florida for the summer and have hopes of getting to London in December.

Paintings by Pete Nance

Susan Bunch Blanchard: “My husband and I were in Florida for three months, which quickly turned into 5-plus months. And much as we felt privileged to be in a relatively safe place, we needed to be home … New Haven, Connecticut. 14 days of self-isolation. And this week reopening phasing begins cautiously. Restaurants need outdoor seating … and in New England how desirable is that? Brr! Masks continue with self-appointed citizens calling others out on every possible fault. Your mask isn’t as safe as mine ... a bit of grade school drama, etc. Walking is a very positive obsession. Courtesy still wins … when walking we all call out to one another with lovely sentiments: ‘looking good today, cute puppy, what is her name, saw you yesterday, what’s your name’! We are comfortable calling out now when we rarely made eye contact before. And the beat goes on … how resilient one is isn’t a constant. It can come and go, it can come in waves for those living alone or far from friends and family. Our children call a lot more frequently, I check in with friends who live alone, and when my husband and I come to the end of the day, we take a road trip, mostly to places we know well, and those we want to know better. Every other night one of us gets to choose where we are going. Sitting together in the car, we talk more in an hour than we talk all day.”

Bob Sigafoes: “California was the first state to require stay-at-home restrictions for all residents, plus the wearing of masks with any interactions with others, and I’m happy to say that here in San Diego, where I live, has done well with fewer cases and thank goodness fewer deaths than other large California cities. The only good thing to happen in all of this has been that the freeways are almost empty of the normal traffic congestion, plus my beagle dog, Zembie, has been getting five walks a day since it is still OK to be out walking your dog and I am getting more exercise on these walks since a hill is part of our path. The beaches finally opened several weeks ago for walking only, with the boardwalks closed and you can't put chairs or blankets on the sand — walking only, keeping social distances. Dog are allowed on the beach before 9 a.m. if on a leash. Zembie has enjoyed a whole new set of sights and sounds.”

Susie Romans: “I live to garden. It’s not that I am so good at it, but that it makes me feel good. Playing in dirt, I feel part of a whole, part of The Garden before we took it for granted. I imagine singularity as the changes of natural things, inseparable things and change. These photos tell the story of seasons my gardens in Vermont.”

Woody Caine: “I had to learn very quickly how to ‘teach online’ using a set of tools I had no prior experience with. But learn I did. So now I just have to get prepared for the fall with two versions of my course — an online one and an in-person one. Elaine continues to practice in preparation for a delayed flute quartet concert, and we made and use both cloth face masks and plastic face shields when we shop. So life goes on.

“You asked for stories of new or renewed hobbies. Well, I have long been a builder of miniatures — mostly military vehicle dioramas and a doll house and all its furniture. Elaine and I collaborated on the construction of a bookstore based on a DTY model titled ‘Sam’s Study.’ We worked on it for about an hour or so for many days, assembling each book, piece of furniture and other items, then adding a few touches of our own to the kit for the final layout. I have attached a photo of our creation.” 

Bernie Leigg and Sharon Moore ’95: “Bernie and Sharon their and 12-year-old twin boys are soldiering on fairly well in Danville, Virginia. Bernie finally retired from teaching college English after teaching English and creative writing for 51 years. Here is a picture of my twin sons, Jake (left) and Frank (right).”

Susan Embrey Coleman: “Here is a picture from out trip last September at the Hotel Manoir Rouville-Cambell in Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec — Judy Hein Harrell, Alice Annon Miri, Mary Ellen Downing Gordon-Scudder, Carol Boysen, Sandy Odum Glennie and Susan Embrey Coleman. We have another trip planned at the end of September that we hope we’ll be able to take."

Vic Bary: “Two photos from our February trip to Egypt: the Cairo Museum and pyramids at Giza.”

At our house we extended our stay-at-home with Dick getting his knee replaced when elective surgeries opened up. By the time this is online, all will be fine and trust me, we are both looking forward to that. Our grandkids stopped by to liven up our post-op lives and the youngest commented, “Papa, I’ve never seen you not in khakis and a button-down shirt.” Leisure post-op wear isn’t up to Dick’s usual standards. Our oldest grandson will be going to UNC-Chapel Hill —hopefully in August. School is still up in the air as I’m writing this.

When our grandson started kindergarten in 2007, he proudly announced, “I’m in the Class of 2020!” Wow, that was fast. 

In September, Judy Hein Harrell, Carol Boysen, Mary Ellen Downing Gordon-Scudder, Alice Annon Miri, Sandy Odum Glennie and Susan Embrey Coleman headed to Canada for their annual Chi Omegas on Tour trip. The home base was in Beloeil, Quebec, and from there, they toured Montreal and Quebec. Mary Ellen even tried the local staple, poutine, or gravy over cheese and fries. Their new motto is “Life is short, start with dessert!” But, it doesn’t replace “Friends bring laughter and meaning to life!”

Thanks for the Christmas notes, I have news to share. Susan Bunch Blanchard’s family is spread out, so those not on-hand over the holidays were FaceTimed. Susan was hoping to catch up with Betsy Reed Godsman who lives nearby. Maureen and Vic Bary are off on an Egyptian vacation that will feature a Nile cruise plus dinner in a pharaoh’s tomb and time in Cairo, Alexandria and Petra.

Judy Poarch Nance ’69 and Pete Nance spent holiday time in New York City hitting concerts and seeing William & Mary friends Terry Thompson ’67, Chip Kirby ’67 and Jeff Lund ’69. In February, Pete was awarded the Alumni Medallion at Charter Day, a well-deserved honor. Right after that, they were off to Israel and Jordan.

From Marilyn and Dan Nase, a cute story about camping in Florida as tropical storm Olga crossed their path. With only a non-waterproofed tent for shelter, they spent next day in the laundromat followed by a return home and making a giant donation of their camping gear to charity. In July, Dan was honored for his service at a banquet for the Military Order of the Purple Heart at the American Legion Hall in Tallahassee, Florida.

In between all of his volunteer commitments, Carlton Hardy traveled closer to home visiting Gatlinburg and historic areas of Winchester and Fredericksburg. He’s also working with the Silver Rainbow LGBTQ Group in Hampton Roads which addresses issues faced by the aging of the group’s members.

Bob Wandrei J.D. ’68 and Ellen Allison Wandrei took a W&M cruise from New York City up the coast to the Maritime Provinces in Canada and then down the St. Lawrence River to Quebec. Their son Steven Wandrei ’96 practices law in Bedford, Virginia, and another son is in Lexington, South Carolina. Each son also has given Ellen a grandson.

Ginger Graef Smith ’69, M.Ed. ’74 and Jake Smith ’66, J.D. ’74 had several family reunions. This year, Ginger “found” her paternal family via 23andMe and many are planning a gathering in Georgia with a Texas group. They also spent time in Charleston, South Carolina and the Chesapeake Bay with their sailing group.

Boyd and Pat Adams Clark weathered the terrible fires near them in Colorado last year. Now, they have snow and clear skies. Their daughter married in June and a mini family reunion resulted. Their family and friends go from coast to coast, so they did lots of travel and always included bird watching on their trips. The family was also together after Christmas for a trip to Hawaii. The best part of Pat’s note was the pictures of her family!

Woody Caine was selected the Patriots Point Distinguished Volunteer of the Year in Charleston, South Carolina, where he is very active in all aspects of the memorial. The Charleston Alumni Chapter had its Yule Log gathering and as the Olde Guarde member of the chapter board, he read his own version of “Twas the Night After Finals.”

Ann Marie and Ken Williams ’67 spend their time at their grandchildren’s various sporting events and they loved it. They’ve been in Margate, New Jersey, since they married and with Ken teaching and coaching at the local high school, they know everyone in the area, though they both feel a special connection to Williamsburg, too.

Sandy and Keith Dauer are “frequent cruisers” for sure. Their latest trip was to Terceira in the Azores Islands (look it up.) They are self-proclaimed trivia nuts, so I’m sure they’re repeat winners in the trivia contests on their cruises. Other cruises that they went on last year included one to Bermuda and another to Ecuador.

Barbara and Ron Chambers are volunteers in the AARP Income Tax Preparation program in Apex, North Carolina, and when that “job” ends, they’re off to Sicily in May.

Mary Kay and Walt Wenk are enjoying Sarasota, Florida and being close to the grandkids. Along with the Walsh’s and Korman’s, they have tickets to the CAA basketball tournament in D.C. in early March and have very high hopes for our team. On this theme, Dick Kern ’64 and I are big Jeopardy fans and in December during a basketball category, the question was, “Bill Chambers ’53 holds the record for rebounds of 1951 in 1952 from what college in Colonial Virginia?” We got that one right! Bill was the basketball coach when we were students.

Ben Pomeroy’s ’67 card showed all of his family standing in the Tennis Court Gazebo at Midlothian High School in Midlothian, Virginia, dedicated in memory of Debbie Pomeroy ’66, M.Ed. ’69.

We had a surprise visit from Butch Plageman ’64 before Christmas. Butch doesn’t live far away, but we hadn’t seen him in ages. He and Dick roomed together in old Taliaferro and the stories started to flow.

We had family time with Sandy McNeill Kern ’68 and Dave Kern ’66, M.Ed. ’68 over the holidays. Their four grandchildren and two sons were with us and it was the perfect holiday bedlam. 

And, as a follow-up to my story about finding and then meeting my half-sister last year, now even more about my beginnings have been uncovered. It’s amazing what a little spit in a tube will reveal when there’s absolutely no paper trail out there. Thanks to 23andMe, Ancestry and Facebook, my paternal side has been uncovered, it really is amazing. And, the best part for me is I had the best parents ever and never felt this crazy desire to find my roots.  Then these new options came along and questions I didn’t know I had are now answered! 

Dick and I had a whirlwind trip to Williamsburg for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend and enjoyed special time with our college “life friends.” I loved watching the next generation continuing the things I hold dear like reunions, tailgating and watching a football game at Cary Field, all with College friends and young families in tow. Betty Bishop Griffin ’67, M.A.Ed. ’73, Gene Griffin’s daughter Beth Griffin Wallig ’95 and her husband Greg Wallig ’94 were celebrating Greg’s 25th and it was like a walk back in time. The College has a definite hold on all of us and that’s what makes being an Olde Guarde member from W&M truly magical.

This Class Reporter has had to be a little resourceful in pulling together info for this article — come on ’66ers — I need you!

When we were in New York City last May to meet my new sister, we had planned to get together with Pete Nance and Judy Poarch Nance ’69. (See the article about Pete winning the Alumni Medallion here:  However, they had recently listed their house on the market so they could downsize (aren’t we using that word a lot nowadays!) and the sale was quick so they had to scurry around to find a place to live. They were successful and now have relocated back to Darien, Connecticut. They are headed to Portugal and Spain for a 17-day tour. Pete ran into Joe Plumeri ’66, D.P.S ’11 in New York and had a quick conversation. In February, Pete will receive the Alumni Medallion (read more in the article in this issue).

Vic Bary and Maureen Strazdon are on the go again. They took a Danube cruise from Sophia to Budapest and next February will be on the Nile and then on to Petra and Jordan. They are retired, but not retiring. Also on the go, Laurette Harvey toured the Italian Lake country for a spiritual retreat and vacation. She also went to Nueva Vayarta in Mexico — two very different climates for sure. For her 75th, she was skiing in Utah in a huge snow storm. Laurette also had a very unique experience — while on her son’s farm in Kansas she delivered a baby goat. Not part of my habitrail for sure. Laurette’s granddaughter just turned 2. How nice to have a little one as many of us have college age and older grandkids.

Marilyn and Dan Nase have expanded their Harvest of Life Ministry and are focusing on shipping Spanish Bibles and Bible studies to Hispanic detainees at the ICE detention centers in California, Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. The Bibles are only sent when a detainee requests one and their requests have tripled since 2017. This was not an intentional ministry for them, but it is a growing ministry.

Keith Taylor and Carol Taylor HON ’14 celebrated Keith’s 75th at the recently renovated Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach. One evening they were joined by Bob Simpson ’64, J.D. ’68 and Ann-Meade Baskervill Simpson ’65 who live nearby. Carol’s big day was celebrated at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia.

Bernie Leigg retired after teaching English in high school and college for 51 years!

Doing a different kind of travel, Colston Newton ’66, J.D. ’69 says he mostly commutes back and forth to Richmond to see doctors — do I hear an AMEN to that statement! Colston continues to write for newspapers and recently saw Sam Kushner ’67 and Ed Shifman. He also added that Joe Pitt and Donna Smith Pitt ’68 have retired and are living near Blacksburg, Virginia, after teaching at Virginia Tech. Colston went to his 50th law school reunion and saw John Gaidies ’66, J.D. ’69 and Fran Jacob Gaidies.

When Susan Bunch Blanchard ’65 has a family celebration it is an international occasion. To celebrate her husband’s 80th birthday, their kids came from Nairobi, Denver, Miami, D.C., Connecticut and Charlottesville, Virginia. They will be wintering in Stuart, Florida, after buying a condo there and getting out of New Haven. Last summer they stopped in Williamsburg for a colonial fix — we can all relate to that treat.

Woody Caine is the Olde Guarde representative for the Charleston, South Carolina, alumni group and hosted members at the Vietnam Experience at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in September. He is a regular guide at this full-sized simulation of a naval support base in Vietnam from 1968-69, when he was there. Rodger Bates is a full-time professor of sociology at Clayton State University in Georgia though he and his wife, Judy, live in Jackson, Tennessee. He publishes articles on homeland security, sociology and distance learning. He and Judy recently celebrated their 50th anniversary. 

I received an article on Gail Williams Wertz ’66, M.A. ’19 and her hands-on work as a graduate student in anthropology at William & Mary following a 50-year career in biomedical research. The online Alumni Magazine ran a great article on Gail’s new passion: https://magazine.wm.edu/online-exclusives/gail-wertz.php. I also received a very long and very interesting article that Wilford Kale wrote for the Virginia Gazette on the part W&M and Williamsburg played in D-Day. The website is https://www.dailypress.com/virginiagazette/news/va-vg-dday-0605-story.html.

 In the latest Alumni Magazine I saw an obituary notice for Lynn Efird Burnet of Niceville, Florida, who died last February. As a military spouse, she worked as a clerk-typist and procurement clerk at Patrick Air Force Base before becoming a homemaker for many years. She started a business with friends who shared her passion for cross-stitching and quilting. An active member of First Presbyterian Church in Niceville, she served on the missions committee. Survivors include her husband Bob, a daughter, a son, five grandchildren and a brother.

And, industrious reporter that I am, I have done some snooping via Facebook and have some more news. Art Walsh ’66, J.D. ’73 was honored by JDRF’s Rapaport Lifetime Service Award in 2016 for his work in raising money for Juvenile Diabetes research as a tribute to his late brother, John, who succumbed to the disease in 2000. This year was the 22nd Art Walsh JDRF Golf Outing and to date more than $1 million dollars has been raised.

And from Pat Walsh and Margaret Conn Walsh ’66 I learned some things about the Galapagos, where they vacationed with a grandchild last summer. Galapagos is a national park of 12 volcanic islands, with only four inhabited by humans. Like Africa where you see the Big 5, in the Galapagos you go for the Big 15 — 15 species unique to the area — different types of iguana, penguin, sea lion, seal, giant tortoise and eight species of birds. And while this was interesting, my favorite Pat story from the summer was posted on the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11. Neil Armstrong was a client of Pat’s when he moved from Houston to NASA in D.C. and I loved it when Pat said he has never met a nicer, more unassuming man. Wasn’t he a hero for all of us? It was nice to hear it was well-earned respect. I did chuckle reading Neil’s comment to Pat on the picture he sent him: “If you could convert your good ideas into cash we’d both be rich.” 

And one more notice from Facebook: Babs Korman and Jim Korman ’65 were in Africa and Amsterdam over the summer — wonder if they spotted the Big 5?

As for us, Dick Kern ’64 and I are behind the curve and just took our first ocean cruise. We went around the British Isles and the wet summer made the greens greener and the flowers were gorgeous. Thanks to the Outlander series, Scotland has lots of new tours and I did get amused when our guide said Outlander is just Fifty Shades of Grey in kilts!   

And a Happy 75^thBirthday to us! Lots of celebrations going on. Dana Gaebe and Beth Distler Gaebe ’68 celebrated Dana’s a day before their 50th Anniversary. Flossie Bishop Wolin ’66, M.Ed. ’69 celebrated with Ellen Roberts Morrison in Dallas with family. On the Southwest Airlines flight home, 148 passengers sang Happy Birthday to Flo and bought her a drink! Another celebration is planned with Sheila Thibeault. Keith Taylor extended his celebration over several days — as we all should.

Jake Jacobsen missed the last deadline because he is recovering from aortic valve replacement in November which followed a carotid clean out earlier. 

Maureen and Vic Bary took a three-week trip to Chile with unexpected rain in their starting place, Attacamba — which is known as the driest place in the world. They did get to Santiago, the Lake District, Patagonia and Easter Island. They ran into Philadelphia Eagles’ owner Jeff Laurie at Gray Glacier in Patagonia on top of a mountain. Since Vic was in graduate school in Philadelphia, he was thrilled with the chance meeting. And I love this idea: Vic’s high school is having a 75th birthday celebration for classmates.

And a correction, Pat Walsh and his son-in-law made a stem cell donation — got my twins mixed up!

Pat and Margaret Conn Walsh are going to Morocco in the fall.

Wilford Kale’s son, Carter Kale ’19, graduated from William & Mary and was named outstanding male athlete — the Griffy Award — selected by all athletes. He is an award-winning swimmer. But Wilford will still have a son in college at the University of Richmond, so tuition bills are still in his budget.

Jack Cole has been living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, since 1976 and retired on HIV disability in 1993 after 13 years as the Corporate Benefits Manager for Levitz Furniture. He has been a member of the original Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus since 1995. Jack has had several serious health issues as a result of being HIV positive since 1988 and thanks to modern medicine is “still hanging in there.”

Larry Paffrath ’66, M.Ed. ’67 and Nora Morsch Paffrath ’68 had a granddaughter in the W&M Class of 2019. Madison Paffrath ’19 has plans to attend law school.

Colston Newton ’66, J.D. ’69 attended his 50th Marshall-Wythe reunion. He also attended a ceremony honoring his late son, Edward Coston Newton, a retired Army Master Sergeant, who after 14 combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan succumbed to melanoma three years after retirement.

The Annual Chi O trip was to Cuba and included Judy Hein Harrell, Sandy Odum Glennie, Mary Ellen Downing Gordon-Scudder, Susan Embrey Coleman and Louise Hudgins Cole ’67. I was not given printable details!

A little birdie told me Mike Greenwood shot a golf game below his age – and he hasn’t reached the three-quarter century mark yet!

Bob Sigafoes is a retired dermatologist with homes in San Diego and Alexandria.

Woody Caine discussed his Vietnam War and European Cold War experience with a seventh-grade social studies class in Charleston. He and Elaine are vacationing in Maine this summer.

Susan Bunch Blanchard and Bob have now purchased a Stuart, Florida, condo after many years of wintering there.

Dave Kern ’66, M.Ed. ’68 and Sandy McNeill Kern ’68 celebrated Sandy’s birthday — not her 75th — in Puerto Vallarta with their daughter and husband. A highlight was a dinner in Liz Taylor’s former home, which included a bridge across the road to Richard Burton’s house.

The Pi Phis had a five-day reunion in Charleston enjoying “great food, a smidgeon of wine, and many laughs.” The group included Pat Patterson Van Tuyle, Tricia Patterson Riley, Cathy Quirk Hitchcock, Margaret Conn Walsh, Maureen Baber Parel, Margie Jensen Murphy, Betty Kent Swayne Hills, Robin Jenks Wintzer and Marie Fridenstine Williams. As we often say, even though we don’t always see good friends (of 57 years!) as often as we’d like, we can always pick up our friendships and proceed.

My turn — Dick Kern ’64 and I celebrated my 75th in New York City — but it was a lot more than a birthday celebration. A year ago, after doing 4 DNA tests, I had a big match on Ancestry.com. I was literally adopted on the day I was born — in Staten Island — and after growing up as an only child, I now have a half-sister! After a year of emails, family pictures and lots of sharing, we met sister Laurie and her husband and honestly, if she wasn’t my own sister, she’d be a BFF for sure! Not all of these reunions go smoothly, so I know I am one of the lucky ones – and I am thrilled. This story will definitely be continued.

After the snafu in the last issue, I’m trusting our Class Notes make the next one. Many thanks to all of you who do send me news when asked — it does get used. 

It is with great sadness that I report the death of Debbie Thomas Pomeroy ’66, M.Ed. ’69. Debbie was married to Ben Pomeroy ’67 and they had three children and seven grandchildren, all living near them in Richmond. Debbie was constantly involved in family and church activities and she and Ben have been avid W&M supporters over the years.

Jake Smith ’66, J.D. ’74 and Ginger Graef Smith ’69, M.Ed. ’74 sent me their Christmas letter filled with news. Several members of Jake’s family went to Shadwell Farm in Charlottesville last summer with an invitation from the Thomas Jefferson Foundation. Shadwell was the birthplace of Thomas Jefferson. Jake’s family bought the property in 1880 and in the 1940s sold it to the Foundation. From Shadwell you can see Jefferson’s later home, Monticello. Jake also participated in the Poquoson Veterans Project last fall and visited several Washington memorials with a group of veterans. The Vietnam Wall was special to Jake, where he found the names of two of his fellow crewmen. Another part of the celebration had Jake as honorary captain at a Poquoson High School football game and doing the coin toss. Being a part of this project helped erase the unwelcome reception received by Jake and many returning veterans from Vietnam almost 50 years ago.

Now on a personal note, Jake mentioned that his wife, Ginger, has located her birth family from a 23 and Me DNA test. She now has four half siblings and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Well, I have also had a similar experience as an adopted at birth baby when all records were tightly sealed. After doing four DNA tests, I had a big hit — and have found a half-sister and half-brother. My new sister and I have been in regular email contact since late May and this has been an exciting adventure. With the rise of these DNA testing kits, these stories will be popping up everywhere — I was just super lucky, and so was Ginger, that my appearance on the scene was heralded — these “new relative” situations can go a lot of different ways.

There was a great article on the W&M website on Pete Nance and Judy Poarch Nance ’69 and their funding of the Sara E. Nance Professorship of English in their daughter Sara’s memory. Professor Deborah Deneholz Morse is the first recipient and she presented a lecture at Homecoming & Reunion Weekend. Professor Morse also received the 2013 Plumeri Award, so she has been well-recognized by ’66 classmates.

Vic Bary and Maureen Strazdon did their annual Holiday Dive Vacation in Roatan and in February are due to go to Chile (Patagonia) and Easter Island.

Bob and Susan Bunch Blanchard are wintering in Florida just as another storm is set to hit the northeast. Bob had very serious knee surgery last year so they are excited to be able to make this trip.

Keith Taylor and Carol Brown Taylor HON ’14 can spend all of their travel time visiting their families in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Wilmington, North Carolina; El Paso, Texas and Northern Virginia.

Carlton Hardy M.Ed. ’67 is winding up his numerous volunteer positions and enjoyed a visit to Natural Bridge and a play at the historic Barter Theater in Abington, Virginia.

I had two notes about an upcoming Pi Phi reunion in Charleston, from Jeannie Williams and Pat Patterson Van Tuyle. Now I’ll be expecting news, girls. And, speaking of sororities, Denny Taylor Kelly and I had a great time together at the Greensboro Alumnae Tri Delta Founder’s Day celebration. Now that Denny is “retired” – and I use that word loosely – she is joining this super fun group. Christine and Jack Drew ’66, M.B.A. ’67 had a three week cultural experience in China with their adult children. The electric cars had definitely reduced pollution since their last visit 10 years ago. They stayed a week in Old Town Shuhe in the mountains along the Tea and Horse Caravan Trail near the Tibet border and 8,000 feet above sea level. Jack reports that Disney is now building a theme park next to the preserve.

Now, I love this story. Dana and John Tudor ’66, M.Ed. ’69 took a repositioning cruise from Southampton to Boston, New York and Bermuda last fall. The cruise was to commemorate John’s first Atlantic crossing when his family immigrated from England in 1957. At that time, the family was on a French Line passenger ship, the Flandre, which weighed 21,000 tons. The recent cruise on the 120,000-ton Celebrity Silhouette was considerably more traveler friendly. John was able to take pictures of the same sights he had captured in 1957. And, now they are off on another cruise to Belize with friends who have moved there from The Cayman Islands.

Sandy and Keith Dauer were in Paris last October seeing museums, cathedrals and picnics on the Seine and then headed to Williamsburg for Homecoming, where we had a quick visit. Keith and Sandy hosted several Fulbright scholars for Thanksgiving and then had a reception and symposium for Connecticut Fulbrighters. And now, back to traveling — a Western Caribbean tour and then a trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos in May. Meanwhile they are looking into buying a home on the west coast of Florida to escape their frigid winters.

Congratulations to Bettie and Butch Schilling ’62 on their marriage last fall.   

Speaking of Homecoming, we had a small group but warm fellowship. We spent a couple of evenings with Gene Griffin and Betty Bishop Griffin ’67, M.A.Ed. ’73 and met up with the Nances, Mike Greenwood and Julia Ann Dickinson Greenwood ’67, Ben Pomeroy, and Ann Marie and Ken Williams ’67. The Williams celebrated their 50th anniversary in Hawaii, Los Angeles and Dallas last year. A special moment for me at Homecoming was the concert by Chip Esten ’87, since we were avid followers of the "Nashville" TV series. I also had a tour of Jefferson Dorm — talk about things changing — boys on one end of the hall, girls on the other.

At the Homecoming Sunset Ceremony, class members who were memorialized included Thomas Browne, Graham Flowers, Bob Gatten ’66, M.A. ’68, Steirling Gunn, Roy Hartless, Paula Lippard Justice, John Kirkpatrick, Debbie Thomas Pomeroy, Mary Sherman, Doris McCauley Smith ’66, M.A.Ed. ’85, Ruth Cadd Walton and Martha Holbrook Wonnell.

Virginia Rose Cherry was one of our representatives on the Olde Guarde Council and because of family commitments has had to resign. She and Keith Taylor have been on the council since our 50^th reunion. I have agreed to fill in Virginia’s spot after getting a call from Olde Guarde Council Chair, Howard Busbee ’65, J.D. ’67, M.L.T. ’68 – Howard and I were on the Student Council together in high school so it’s a natural fit!

Thanks to Hurricane Florence I’ve had time to solicit news – what a tough time for North Carolina. I did love the comment that waiting for a hurricane was like being stalked by a turtle. But she came and she rained — big time!

Jeff Arnold, a retired circuit judge in Lake County, Florida, recently spoke about his life and his legendary family at the local historical museum. Jeff’s father was noted as a Lake County pioneer after founding the largest sawmill in the southeast, the largest employer in the area until it burned down in May 1925. After saying Jeff was born in Albuquerque, the article mentioned that he served in Vietnam and received his law degree at Florida State. It also mentioned the year he was born, not sure that detail was needed!!

Also giving a presentation, Vic Bary, spoke to the College Women’s Club of Cranford (N.J.) on World War I and the development of Cranford resulting from the war. Vic is on the Cranford Historic Preservation Advisory Board and has a MA in Psychology from Temple University and an MBA from St. Joseph’s University

Robert Kennedy has been elected to the Lewes (Delaware) Board of Public Works, coming on the board with experience with the Delaware Public Service Commission. Pete Nance and Judy Poarch Nance ’69 enjoyed an Alaska trip with Terry Thompson ’67 and Martha Kelley ’75.

Larry Paffrath ’66, M.Ed. ’67 and Nora Morsch Paffrath ’68 have been celebrating their 50th anniversary for months — and they aren’t done. The recently spent time with Mary Lynn Murphy ’67, M.Ed. ’67, Ann O'Donnell Carr ’67 and Ned Carr ’68, M.Ed. ’69, and Ginny Matish ’70, M.Ed. ’78 and John Matish ’69. Nora is leaving Larry to attend her annual “Deltas at Duck, N.C.” weekend. They also had their two children and seven grandchildren (oldest Madison Paffrath ’19 is a senior at William & Mary), and assorted other family members at their home in Cornelius, N.C. Next comes a cruise to Iceland and Northern Europe.

Most of what John Jacobsen wrote about substitute teaching can’t be used — the teaching life has changed a bit since he substituted at James Blair many years ago. He was torn between punishing the student or the parent — first world problem for sure. As he wrote he was headed for a bilateral heart catheterization.

Virginia Cherry has been caregiving for her brother and his wife as they face multiple health problems. She is president of the Sussex County Virginia Historical Society and is working on preserving the old courthouse. She is also president of the Petersburg Garden Club which is also in preservation mode with Centre Hill Mansion landscaping. The mansion dates back to Abraham Lincoln and has been featured in movies and TV shows. Virginia is also on the Swem Library Board, which is still the New Library to us, opening our senior year, and it’s already had three renovations.

Ellen Allison Wandrei and Bob Wandrei J.D. ’68 enjoyed a W&M cruise around Ireland. This was their second W&M trip, and while none of their classmates were in the group, it was wonderful. Bob has retired after 50 years of practicing law and they have jumped into many volunteer activities.

Pat Patterson Van Tuyle is a docent with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and on the Board of Governors of The Council, which is a volunteer organization for the museum. Pat and Glenn enjoyed a Viking cruise from Amsterdam to Basel, their 3rd Viking tour, and visited their son and wife in Portland with time in the San Juan Islands. Pat has just taken up kayaking and did a Segway tour of the Homestead. She has two granddaughters in college in South Carolina. And, ta da, the ’66 Pi Phis are planning an outing in Charleston next spring with Marie Fridenstine Williams at the helm.

Nancy Combs Maffett went to the Pasadena Rose Parade where her granddaughter marched with the Air Academy High School Band. Nancy’s son was in the Rose Parade with the same high school in 1992 — a great family tradition. Marilyn and Dan Nase shared a testimony from a Nicaraguan undocumented immigrant in prison under ICE custody whose life was changed by the Harvest of Life Ministries they started 35 years ago. They are currently working with 267 prisoners in Florida with their Christian-based ministry. 

Carruth and Mary Blandford Harris McGehee attended Alumni College at Middlebury, Vermont, on climate change. They also traveled to Knoxville where their son’s family includes their three grandchildren.

A note from Lalie Forman Eskay shows an Eskay dynasty at William & Mary. She now has a third grandson on the soccer team. With Hurricane Florence, the soccer team was evacuated to Frederick, Md., where Bo Eskay ’88 and Jackie Bernard Eskay ’88 hosted the team.

 Wilford Kale claims to be our only classmate with a child at W&M now. His son, Carter Kale ’19, is a senior on the swim team. His latest book, “Yorktown, Virginian – A Brief History,” is due out in late October. Another alumni family, Keith Taylor and Carol Taylor HON ’14, have her granddaughter at William & Mary. Chris and Jack Drew ’66, M.B.A. ’67 and family are headed to China in the fall. To stay busy in retirement, Jack is consulting with a Georgia law firm putting together the national opioid lawsuit.

Colston Newton ’66, J.D. ’69 has had several loses, including his sister Liz Newton Beam ’67, M.Ed. ’70, and his son, Coley. Coley was a retired master sergeant.  

Woody Caine teaches three classes at The Citadel and has become a published author in the ARMY magazine and the Patriots Point Newsletter. He is currently transcribing the WWII daily diary of a cousin who served as a B-17 bombardier in Europe.

Betty Lane Faber works at customs at Port Newark where she does cargo processing making sure the contents are not entering the country illegally. Her son is working on his Ph.D. in math at the University of Illinois in Chicago.

Pam Hurt Ferguson and Scott Kenfield Ferguson ’65 had planned a month trip to Europe but had it interrupted with cancer surgery for Scott. Since 2001 he has had several bouts with oral cancer and is now recovering. They have rescheduled the trip for mid-October. Pam said he can only swallow liquids and then included wine as one of his preferred beverages.

I did see on Facebook that Marg Conn Walsh ’66 and Art Walsh’s son-in-law has just become a stem cell donor, a truly life-saving donation.

While not in our class, but a friend to many of us, Frank Schilling ’62 recently married Bettie and they are living in Charleston.

And a correction on Martha Graham Orton’s book of poems. The title is “Calling into the Dark.” Martha and Robert recently traveled to England and Ireland meeting family there.

Bennie and Susan Embrey Logan did a transatlantic cruise to England and then extended to London, Normandy and Paris. Expecting a quiet summer, they also downsized homes, traveled to Costa Rica and Kentucky – not so quiet at all!

Lots of 50th Anniversaries being celebrated with our group, too. Gene Griffin and Betty Bishop Griffin ’67, M.Ed. ’73 celebrated with their family at their daughter’s river house. And Dave ’66, M.Ed. ’68 and Sandy McNeill Kern ’68 will be having all gathered around them on Lake Norman near Charlotte. Now, I have a real generational hiccup to report. We recently returned from our Pacific Northwest trip and flew into Charlotte, arriving late with a quick transfer. Dick Kern ’64 and I hauled from one end of the airport to the other — successfully — and when our young Uber driver picked us up in Greensboro after the flight, I commented that we “did an OJ” through the Charlotte airport. Her comment – “So you killed someone?” (Younger readers: check out the commercials O.J. Simpson did for Hertz in the 1970s.)