Chat-Spring 2017 by Chatham Hall

spring 2017

the alumnae magazine of chatham hall

The Animal Issue the alumnae magazine of chatham hall

the alumnae magazine of chatham hall

2 letter from the rector \ 3–9 all creatures great and small \ 12 travel and service 13–15 community \ 17–19 students \ 20 athletics \ 21 congratulations, Mr. Wood 22–23 year one, 1894–1895 \ 24–32 class notes

on the cover Photo by Chip Riegel

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Laura Rand Matheny ’06, Editor Design by Christine Walker Printing by Collinsville Printing Company, Martinsville, VA

chatham hall administration

Suzanne Walker Buck, Rector Wendy Bradley, Dean of Students Maisie Deely, Director of Communications and Marketing Strategy Ned Edwards, Chaplain and Dean of Faculty Martha Griswold, Dean of Academics Nan Hambrose, Athletic Director

Christine Knight, Director of Advancement Anna-Karin Li, Director of Global and Strategic Initiatives Ronald Merricks, Chief Financial and Facilities Officer Carney O’Brien, Dean of Enrollment Management Sean Terwilliger, Chief Technology Officer Sharon D. Williams, Director of College Counseling

board of trustees

Stacey M. Goodwin ’83, Chair Sarah Monarchi Longpré ’84, Vice Chair Donie Martin Carlson ’87, P’18, Secretary Laura Brown Cronin ’72, Treasurer Lucy McClellan Barrett ’53

Katharine Bulkley ’77 Katharine Reynolds Chandler ’68 Sarah Collie ’85 Diana Howard Fisketjon ’78 Jane M. Garnett ’73 Richard Hare P ’18 Katherine Coleman Haroldson ’75 Melanie Kirk Holton ’87 Mary Kay Karzas ’71 John Runnells P’19 Robin Peake Stuart ’69 Michelle Thomas Supko ’02

ex-officio member

The Rt. Rev. Herman Hollerith IV P’15, Bishop, Diocese of Southern Virginia

trustees emeriti

Robin Tieken Hadley ’57 Penelope Perkins Wilson ’41, P’67

Chat is published by the Office of Advancement and is distributed to alumnae and those who have shown a continued interest in Chatham Hall. For comments and suggestions, or to request a copy of Chat, please e-mail lmatheny@chathamhall.org. Contributing Writers: Hunter Barnhardt, William Black, Suzanne Walker Buck, Laura Rand Matheny ’06 Photography Credits: Hunter Barnhardt, Maisie Deely, Catherine M. LaDuke, Laura Rand Matheny ’06, Chip Riegel, and Don Wood. Chatham Hall complies with applicable federal and local laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, creed,color, age, sex, disability, religion, national origin, or any other legally protected category.

designated representatives

Margie Hastings Quinlan ’66, President, Alumnae Council Laurie Trexler P’17, President, Parents Advisory Committee

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letter from the rector Dear Friends, I grew up in a home bereft of animals. My parents feared that our family’s busy lifestyle inclusive of chaotic work schedules, numerous after school commitments, and extensive travel would not lend itself kindly to properly caring for a pet. It was with great embarrassment that my “5th Grade Pet Fair Study” was on ants, the only creatures near my house that I could honestly analyze. As a young adult I appreciated animals from afar. It was not until 14 years ago, when I fell in love with Johnny Buck, that I also fell in love with a dog, specifically his dog, Salsa. In the years since, I’ve grown more and more attached to canines and have happily embraced four-legged family members in our home. We are currently blessed by the company of our black labrador, Kaya. Needless to say, she rules the roost. She is thrilled to be at Chatham Hall where she fully appreciates running through the fields, hiking on trails, playing with numerous canine companions, and sharing affection with phenomenal people. In a community that overflows with caring and compassion, it is no surprise that there are an abundance of Chatham Hall animal lovers among us! In fact, when we reached out to the community to gather stories for this issue of Chat, we were positively overwhelmed with responses of enthusiasm over the prospect of an issue dedicated to our furry friends. Thank you for sharing your stories with us. As lovers of all creatures great and small, Chatham Hall alumnae, friends, parents, faculty, staff, and students carry their passion for animals into the world. We know of foster parents to pups (young and old), wildlife handlers, veterinarians (galore), advocates for animal welfare, shepherds (of sheep), equine lawyers, proud owners of American Kennel Club winners, and the list goes on. Join us as we celebrate animals and some pretty amazing Chatham Hall humans in the following pages. Spoiler alert: there are no profiles of ants.

Esto Perpetua,

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all creatures

GREAT and small

Kerry O’Neill Irwin ’98

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Carol Jane Van Landingham ’62

EQUINE LAWYER

SHETLAND SHEEP FARMER Lawyer Kerry O’Neill Irwin ’98’s interest in equine law emerged while working as a riding instructor at Chatham Hall after graduating from The University of Virginia. Because it’s one of the few law schools that has an equine law focus, she applied to The University of Kentucky, and fell in love with Lexington—a horse heaven—on her first visit. She remains in Lexington today, where she currently works as a corporate attorney with Dinsmore & Shohl. Corporate law involves a great deal of transactional work, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and various commercial contracts. With a focus in equine law, Kerry also does a good bit of gaming (or gambling) work, due to the connection between horse racing and wagering. Kerry has also been able to assist with the formation of stallion syndicates for some major stakeswinning Thoroughbred race horses and has had a chance to appear

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It matters to the client that I can speak the language and that I understand the industry. Horse people have a strong work ethic based on the early hours, discipline and hard work that horses involve, and also an innate sense of patience that comes from working with horses. before the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission for a client. Equine law is a quite broad area of law because it involves all aspects of law. There is a litigation side (like lawsuits for breaches of contract or disputes among Thoroughbred stallion co-owners), a transactional side (like boarding agreements, bills of sale or lease agreements, syndications of race horses or sport horses, or even equine lending), an employment side (like hiring farm employees), and a regulatory side (i.e. representing clients in front of the United States Equestrian Federation or a state horse racing commission). And that’s just a start. “The common thread is that you have to know horses and horse people. It matters

to the client that I can speak the language and that I understand the industry. Horse people have a strong work ethic based on the early hours, discipline and hard work that horses involve, and also an innate sense of patience that comes from working with horses. You can’t get upset when your horse does something unpredictable; you have to find a solution. The same can be said with clients!” Kerry’s Chatham Hall experience, both as a student and an employee, has prepared her well for a challenging career. “As a riding instructor, I learned how to balance a lot of tasks, from caring for 50+ horses, to teaching beginners how to ride, to keeping everyone safe,” and as a student, Chatham Hall fostered independence in her along with a belief that she could do anything she set her mind to. “I work in a very male-dominated industry, but that has never bothered me, and I’m confident that I belong and that I can succeed. The Chatham Hall network has been an important factor in my life and career, because it has provided me with friends and business connections all over the country and all over the world.”

Told as a young child that “girls couldn’t be farmers, or veterinarians, or archaeologists, or jockeys,” Carol Jane Van Landingham ’62 always dreamed of having a farm of her own, and was indignant when her brother inherited their grandmother’s farm when her father died in 1986 because “he was the boy.” In the fall of 1960, Carol Jane’s mother sent her from a small North Carolina town in the segregated South to Chatham Hall, “mistakenly believing I would come back the southern belle she’d always wanted, and having given up my agrarian notions. She found I came home having learned to think, and she was not pleased,” said Carol Jane. In 1980, Carol Jane took a threeyear career diversion to work for the Cooperative Extension Service at the University of New Hampshire as a 4-H staff member. “As a single parent, I could not afford outfitting for Pony Club. Instead, my children joined a 4-H sheep club, a perfect

solution. Off we went to fairs in our VW bus! My agrarian notions were reinforced. I really missed these wooly creatures when my children left for high school and sold their sheep. I promised myself that when I retired, I would have sheep again,” she said. Nearly three decades later in 2008, Carol Jane’s lifelong dream came true when she and partner Betsy Emerson retired to rural Vermont and turned their small acreage into “Two Grammas Farm.” Happy, grateful, and living the life that she has always wanted, Carol Jane, together with Betsy, keeps a small flock of registered Shetland sheep, who are among Carol Jane’s spiritual teachers, and also provide excellent wool for knitters and hand spinners.

I really missed these wooly creatures when my children left for high school and sold their sheep. I promised myself that when I retired, I would have sheep again,

“Prayer Hinders No Work.” (Shaker saying) These farm chores are my first prayers of morning: To carry water to the sheep and hay them, To let out the chickens and grain them, And to bring up three fine eggs in Aunt Eugenia’s basket. It has begun to snow And the ice underneath is slippery, Reminding me how grateful I am For new muck boots with lugs and spikes. Before breakfast, There is still the kindling box to fill, And logs to stack beside the stove, And alas again, it’s time to empty ashes from the firebox. Finally, I can fill and light the stove To end the morning chill, And think about coffee and Maine granola. Then come “regular” prayers by the wood stove, Warming as ever, inside and out, And now, time to write this poem In praise of God’s, and my, morning. Jane Van Landingham 4/18/16

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Sarah Monarchi Longpré ’84

Kathleen Cornell '00

ANIMAL WELFARE ADMINISTRATOR

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VOLUNTEER As a Chatham Hall student, Kathleen Cornell ’00’s life goal was pretty simple: Go to a good school, get good grades, go to veterinary school, and become the next James Herriot. Life took a different turn and she fell into a fulfilling career in animal welfare administration, and Kathleen today realizes that if she had reached the goal of obtaining DVM behind her last name, “I probably would have ended up giving away services for free too much and either caused the hospital manager to have an apoplexy or run a veterinary practice into bankruptcy.” As Director of Animal Care at the Humane Society of Washington County in Hagerstown, Maryland, Kathleen and her team care for about 5,500-6,000 animals per year, striving to ensure that each animal (from dogs and cats to livestock and reptiles) is given the best possible chance to find a home. Animals are provided with behavioral training, medical care, grooming, and enrichment to make them an adoptable pet. In her role, Kathleen negotiates contracts with vendors like Bayer and Merck, coordinates surgeries, organizes staff training, and researches products and prices for her Development team so they can submit grants to

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national organizations such as the ASPCA. She also helps to coordinate the transportation of animals from other states during natural disasters like Hurricane Matthew, and even occasionally assists with phlebotomy. “One week I could be revising 72 pages of our standard operating procedures, the next I could be flirting with hypothermia by participating in the Polar Bear Plunge fundraiser, and the following I could be recruited to help feed a litter of newborn kittens with a bottle while waiting for a foster parent to arrive. There is never a dull day.” Kathleen finds the world of animal welfare not only fascinating, but exciting, “Gone are the days of the dog warden stigma or the dreaded number of days until an animal was euthanized simply for being there too long. Today animal shelters are progressing toward saving lives, and in some cases, helping people keep their animals rather than

surrender them.” Often subject to criticism and a general lack of understanding, careers in Animal Welfare require strong, confident people who are able to set aside judgment in order to help those most in need. “While we may not have changed the world, to one animal or person, their entire world was changed for the better because of something we did–nothing can replace the sense of accomplishment and joy that comes from truly loving my job and the work that we do.”

gone are the days of the dog warden stigma or the dreaded number of days until an animal was euthanized simply for being there too long. Today animal shelters are progressing toward saving lives, and in some cases, helping people keep their animals rather than surrender them.

After a more than 22 year career in consulting and operations work with PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sarah Monarchi Longpré ’84 left the corporate world in 2014 to pursue volunteer interests full-time. “Chatham Hall prepared me to think critically, manage my own time, be independent, and help others along the way. At Chatham Hall I always realized how fortunate I was, and I knew that I would want to give back. I think it was the ‘give back’ part that motivated me to leave the corporate world so I could focus my time and energy on volunteer work in areas that I was passionate about—education, cancer research, and DOGS!” Although Sarah volunteers with Golfers Against Cancer, Rice University Athletics and Rice University Fondren Library, and the Chatham Hall Board of Trustees, as a self-proclaimed “sucker for dogs,” her true passion is with K-9 Angels Rescue in Houston, Texas. Sarah and the K-9 Angels Rescue team helped to rehabilitate and rehome more than 1,000 street and

At Chatham Hall I always realized how fortunate I was, and I knew that I would want to give back. I think it was the ‘give back’ part that motivated me to leave the corporate world so I could focus my time and energy on volunteer work in areas that I was passionate about–education, cancer research, and DOGS! shelter dogs in 2016 alone. “Almost as importantly, we have started a focus on education related to spay/ neuter, which is really the root of the problem. Adopting out dogs is like putting a finger in a dam–preventing unwanted litters of puppies that will eventually need to be adopted is real progress.” Sarah serves as a foster parent for puppies, the “laundry

queen” at the adoption center, and on the spay/ neuter education team. At any given time, Sarah’s family (8.5 year old Yellow Labrador Chester and 10-month old Black Labrador Barney) is supplemented by one or two foster puppies. Since “getting hooked” after her first foster, Matilda, in 2014, Sarah has fostered approximately 40 dogs. “The most important thing to keep in mind when doing this type of work is being willing to help without judging.”

Maggie Oakes ’08, WILDLIFE REHABILITATION A volunteer with Southside Virginia Wildlife Center (SVWC) in Danville, Virginia, Maggie Oakes ’08 is responsible for triage of incoming animals, basic medical care, managing dietary needs for different species, and maintaining comfortable habitats for all injured and orphaned wildlife at the center. SVWC is state and federally licensed to care for all native Virginia wildlife with the exception of eagles and bears. Through her time at SVWC, Maggie has earned a Category IV wildlife permit through the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, allowing her many opportunities to educate the public on our native wildlife and how animals and humans can coexist peacefully.

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ANIMAL REHABILITATORS

Glenn and Brenda Huth P’18 purchased property in Whitsett, North Carolina for a veterinary hospital in 2005. Since then, their facility has grown into what is now the Stoney Creek Veterinary Hospital, Pet Lodge, and Rehab Center where they are “enhancing dogs’ lives one paw at a time.” Twelve years ago, Brenda, a nurse by trade, combined her love of animals with her medical knowledge and passion to care for others to join her husband in his work. Involved in the veterinary world in some way for 30 years, having been a kennel kid and a technician, Dr. Glenn Huth always knew

People are remarkable in how they will sacrifice themselves for their animals, how they will come to me with a health issue that they would ignore for weeks in themselves.

Run up a hill, do a figure eight, go up and down the curb. Make your dog sit and stand a few times. Get your dog to walk backwards while playing tug of war. When a dog gets injured and has surgery, they are expected to be still, which often creates a secondary injury worse than the primary injury. The treadmill helps the animal to get better faster. At Stoney Creek, the team gives people tools that they can take advantage of (even in a simple walk) to help get their dogs in better shape. And, the Huths have given their daughter the tools to achieve her own goals, to gain independence and to grow in confidence at Chatham Hall. Initially, Brenda had reservations. She was reluctant to send her 14-year-old daughter off to boarding school. She confesses, “It’s definitely a leap of faith, and I think that if you can help a parent understand what benefits there are, it’s easier to take that leap.” Seeing the transformation of their daughter, Brenda and Glenn have come to realize the value of the Chatham Hall community for the growth and development of all the girls who study here. The Huths have become active supporters and advocates of the school because they want to help it grow.

Rebecca Brown Hutcheson ’70, Nancy Bolduc ’72, and Ardon Brown Armstrong ’73 with Moose, Charlie, and a chicken!

Alumnae Connections through the love of Pets:

NANCY BOLDUC ’72, REBECCA BROWN HUTCHESON ’70, AND ARDON BROWN ARMSTRONG ’73 Years ago, while having dinner with friends in Houston, a woman told Rebecca Brown Hutcheson ’70 a story about her amazingly caring and considerate veterinarian who made a house call when it was time to put her family’s beloved labrador down. Imagine Rebecca’s surprise when she learned that the vet was her freshman and senior year desk-mate at Chatham Hall, Nancy Bolduc ’72. Since then, Nancy has taken wonderful care of Rebecca’s corgi, José, as well as her sister, Ardon Brown Armstrong ’73’s, many pups. “Over time we have learned that we have many friends who have known Nancy through her practice, and all have a story to tell about the special treatment she gives her patients,” shares Rebecca, “I like to think it was our dog’s fabulous personality, but I suspect it was our Chatham connection, that led Nancy to take him home with her for a sleepover once when he was boarding at her clinic. Lucky is the pet that is her patient!” “The two things I have loved best about being a veterinarian are getting to know and care for the dogs and cats, and getting to spend time with their families. It has been a delight to reconnect with Rebecca Brown Hutcheson ’70 and Ardon Brown Armstrong ’73. Houston may also boast of other extraordinary alumnae who share a love of animals: my aunt Clare Fleming Sprunt ’43, sister Clare Bolduc Richards ’79, Caroline Staub Callery ’49, Susie Peake ’79, Emily Todd ’75, Cornelia Cullen Long ’53, Madeleine Callery Hussey ’71, Sarah Monarchi Longpré ’84, and our dearly missed Lucie Wray Todd ’49, Diana Stallings Hobby ’48, and Ann Journeay Peake ’43. Living with animals gives us the opportunity to be lifelong students of nature and opens up a world of wonders. Pets enrich our lives with their companionship and reminders of the simple pleasures in life. It often occurs to me that though our pet animals are considered to have been tamed by humans they often end up gentling us!” -NANCY BOLDUC ’72

Anne Hathaway Bowes '63 HERONSWAY PEMBROKE WELSH CORGIS, BREEDER AND SHOWER

Anne Hathaway Bowes ’63 fell in love with Corgis at the 1968 Westminster Kennel Club show. Later that year, she purchased her first show dog from Marjorie Butcher of Cote de Neige Corgis, the top Pembroke breeder of her day, and Anne’s first mentor. Now, nearly 50 years later, Anne has bred more than 100 Pembroke champions under the “Heronsway” prefix. In 2016 she realized her dream of winning Best of Breed at Westminster Kennel Club, where her passion for Corgi’s blossomed so many years ago. Anne’s Pembroke Welsh Corgis have also won Best of Breed at two Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America National Specialty Shows, Best of Breed at Regional Specialties, Best In Show at All-Breed Shows, and have won numerous Herding Group competitions and group placements. In December of 2007, she was awarded American Kennel Club Herding Group Breeder of the Year, one of the most prestigious awards in the Sport. Anne has also been an American Kennel Club Licensed Dog Judge since 1990 and has judged all over the United States and internationally in Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, and Finland.

Aspiring veterinarian and Cornell graduate Libby Goldstein ’12 is pictured here with Lisa Shorter, parent of Tyler Burkett Martelli ’11, and Paul Erwin, husband of Lucy Holmes Erwin ’93, of Chatham Animal Clinic in Chatham, VA, where Libby is currently completing an internship.

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the animal issue

Glenn and Brenda Huth P'18

what he wanted to do with his life. “Rehab is my passion. Taking some of these older dogs and giving them the best quality of life we can give them as they finish out their lives is really cool. I joke that as I’ve gotten older, I’ve respected geriatric health care a lot more,” he shares. Since its opening, Stoney Creek has seen approximately 35,000 animals come through its doors. “People are remarkable in how they will sacrifice themselves for their animals, how they will come to me with a health issue that they would ignore for weeks in themselves.” The rehab center serves postoperative and injured dogs, athletic and work dogs, geriatric dogs, dogs with arthritis, and dogs needing weight management. The Huths use state of the art techniques like hydrotherapy (an underwater treadmill that provides resistance exercise without causing joint stress!), therapeutic/ cold laser therapy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, acupuncture/ chiropractic work, stretching, and therapeutic exercise. Dr. Huth explains “the best thing we can do for our pets is to keep them active.”

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campus news

Gretchen Blair Clark ’92

“I give to Chatham Hall to pay it forward. I am so fortunate to have a Chatham Hall education and I want to support the school to enable that same opportunity for young girls, while also showing prospective families that alumnae believe in the school. I recently began looking at schools for my boys and immediately looked to the prospective schools’ Annual Reports to gauge alumnae engagement. It struck me for the first time in that moment that alumnae participation in the Annual Fund really does reflect alumnae value in a school.

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Every gift matters.”

A 1997 graduate of Virginia Tech, Gretchen Blair Clark ’92, a civil engineer, is president of Reynolds-Clark Development, Inc. in Gretna, Virginia. Early in her career Gretchen served as engineering supervisor for the City of Manhattan, Kansas before moving back to Virginia to work as a project engineer for McKim and Creed in Chesapeake. In 1999 she returned to Southside Virginia, joining the office of Dewberry in Danville until opening Reynolds-Clark in 2004. Gretchen is an invaluable member of the local community serving as a board member for Revitalization for a Greater Gretna and is very involved in her church. She has served as past chairman of the Board of Directors for the Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce and past Board of Directors member of the Danville Regional Foundation. Gretchen’s husband Timothy J. Clark, Vice President of Blair Construction, has supported the design and construction of several major projects at Chatham Hall, including the gorgeous new front entrance. Gretchen and Tim have two sons, Gordon and Suter. Thank you for your consideration and support of the 2016–2017 Annual Fund. If you would like to make a gift in honor of a special Chatham Hall roommate, visit www.chathamhall.org/giving or use the envelope enclosed in the Chat! You may also contact Director of Advancement Services, Starlet Lemon, at 434.432.5600 or at slemon@chathamhall.org with questions.

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photo by Chip Riegel

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The network of Chatham Hall alumnae, families, and friends gathered at events held around the world this year! Rector Suzanne Walker Buck and Director of Advancement Christine Knight travelled to Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong to visit with current families, friends, alumnae, and consultants. In London, alumnae and friends gathered for “Fortified Tea” at Fortnum & Mason hosted by trustee Kate

Incredible India

Students challenged their intellect, body, and spirit in India’s Golden Triangle through Chatham Hall’s social action program during spring break. This signature Chatham Hall program, which alternates between India and South Africa, celebrated its 11th year this spring.

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Bulkley ’77. Current families, friends, and alumnae met at the Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia for Winterfest Weekend and a Chatham Hall reception. Alison Carter-Cady ’91 and Adam Cady hosted a reception for alumnae in New York, New York, and Mary Anne Burns P’09, Anne Lanier ’65, and Lee Porter Page ’59 hosted an alumnae reception in Vero Beach, Florida.

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CHATHAM HALL ON THE ROAD!

Chatham Hall Celebrates New Exhibition

GEORGIA O’KEEFFE: LIVING MODERN

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PENELOPE PERKINS WILSON ’41 AND ELINOR GREENE, II ’70

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Reynolda House Museum of American Art September 21, 2017 Exhibition Tour & Chatham Hall Reception Winston-Salem, North Carolina Peabody Essex March 8, 2018 Exhibition Tour & Chatham Hall Reception Salem, Massachusetts Chatham Hall is delighted to announce that we have partnered with three premier east coast museums to celebrate our own Georgia O’Keeffe! We will explore O’Keeffe’s life through a new exhibition, Georgia O’Keeffe: Living Modern.This exhibition expands our understanding of the renowned modernist artist by taking a new look at how she proclaimed her progressive, independent lifestyle through a self-crafted public persona, including her wardrobe, shown for the first time alongside key paintings and photographs. This unique series is as much about who O’Keeffe was as a person as it is about her art. Chatham Hall’s 123 year legacy of producing confident women is as strong as ever–join us as we celebrate the iconic Georgia O’Keeffe and each other! Questions? Please contact Amy Blair at ablair@ chathamhall.org or by phone at 434.432.5508

D i s t i ng u i s h e d A l u m na A wa r d

Lee Smith visits Chatham Hall as 2017 Writer in Residence

Celebrated author Lee Smith, visited Chatham Hall as the 2017 Writer in Residence in February. Over her two-day visit, Mrs. Smith led a writers workshop, delivered a keynote address, and met with English classes to discuss her works. Mrs. Smith is a New York Times best-selling author known for her stirring depictions of daily life in the rural south. Her works to date include thirteen novels and four short story collections, making her recent memoir another jewel to join the collection of her professional work. Speaking with creative writing students during her visit, Smith shared that writing has always been second nature to her. She was a voracious reader as a young girl, and the first stories she wrote as a child often featured her favorite literary figures being joined by an adventurous young girl named, not surprisingly, Lee Smith. Smith is no stranger to working with young writers, having been a creative writing professor at the University of North Carolina and Duke University. She has also been featured as the Writer in Residence at N.C. State University, and spent nearly 30 years leading adult education classes at the Hindman Settlement School in Kentucky. English Department Chair, Mary Edmonds, said, “We were so lucky to have Lee Smith with us! She was gracious, funny, and fully engaged with our school community. In our writing workshop, Lee took each student’s work seriously; she was incredibly encouraging. Her reading from Dimestore elicited laughter and conversation; her work with the English II and English III classes was a treat.” In recognition of her many contributions to the school, Chatham Hall seeks to endow

the Writer in Residence Program to name it in honor of Claudia Emerson ’75 who twice served as the Writer In Residence. A native of Chatham, Claudia Emerson later served as Dean and English teacher at her alma mater. She was recognized as the Poet Laureate of Virginia and was the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize. Claudia Emerson passed away December 4, 2014. Chatham Hall invites gifts to the fund. To make a donation please contact the Advancement Office, Attn: Claudia Emerson Writer in Residence Fund, 800 Chatham Hall Circle, Chatham, VA 24531. You may also contact Christine Knight, Director of Advancement, at 434-432-5549.

Chatham Hall Performs Dance troupe students offered their winter show What’s So Funny? February 17 and 18. Student dancers spent the winter season studying comedy in the aesthetic style of “failed seriousness,” which combines the physical comedy seen in the performances of actors such as Charlie Chaplin with more modern understandings of comedy–using purposefully awkward movements and cues to engage the audience. This style was born in the 1970’s by avant-garde troupes such as Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, which the Chatham Hall performers paid homage to through spring their costuming.

Student performers also presented Dani Girl in February. The challenging and inspiring story of a young girl overcoming a terminal illness was brought to life by the dedicated actors who had been rehearsing since November.

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DIANE HEISKELL SCHETKY ’57

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ANNE BRYANT ’67

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LEILA MCCONNELL DAW ’58 AND HALLAM HURT ’63

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POVY LAFARGE BIGBEE ’51 AND POLLY WHEELER GUTH ’44

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NINA JOHNSON BOTSFORD ’72

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GLORIA BOND CLUNIE ’71

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Brooklyn Museum 14 May 11, 2017 Exhibition Tour & Chatham Hall Reception Brooklyn, New York

Chatham Hall is proud to announce that this year’s Distinguished Alumnae, to be awarded at Reunion in April, are Sarah Morris ’72 and Kate Bulkley ’77. S a r a h M o r r i s ’ 7 2 , is Steinmetz

Professor of Classical Archaeology and Material Culture in the Department of Classics and the Costen Institute for Archaeology at UCLA. Prior to that, she was on the faculty in the Department of Classics at Yale University where she was Director of Undergraduate Studies in Archaeology. She was awarded a Loeb Foundation Fellowship from Harvard to research ritual infanticide, has done a residency at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and supervised field excavations in Israel, Turkey, Greece, and Albania. She has traveled all over the world to supervise digs, speak about her research, and conduct tours. Her book dealing with the interaction of Greece with its Eastern neighbors, Daidalos and the Origins of Greek Art, 1992, won the James Wiseman Book Award from the Archaeological Institute of America for 1993.

K a t e B u l k l e y ’ 7 7 is an awardwinning print and television journalist, conference curator, on-stage moderator and media commentator. Kate moved to London in 1990, as the first International Editor for Cable World magazine. She later joined Dow Jones-owned European Business News, where she created and co-presented an award-winning media show. From 1998 to 2001, Kate was on-screen Media Editor at CNBC Europe. For the last 16 years, she has been an independent journalist. She has written a bi-weekly column in the UK’s leading TV trade magazine Broadcast for more than ten years. She works at a high level across the media and technology industries, interviewing heads of companies such as the BBC, CBS, Vodafone, MTV, Dreamworks, Google, Twitter, and Amazon. The list of celebrities who have been on the sharp end of Kate’s questions includes: Tom Cruise, Kiefer Sutherland, Benedict Cumberbatch, James (Titanic) Cameron and members of the cast of Downton Abbey. Kate serves on the Chatham Hall Board of Trustees.

Can You Picture A Girl You Know At Chatham Hall? Alumnae refer new students every year.

All Girls Est. 1894 • Grades 9-12

www.chathamhall.org Chatham, VA CONTACT THE OFFICE OF ADMISSION TODAY! 877-644-2941 2015

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Janice Coleman,

CHATHAM HALL MATHEMATICS TEACHER 1964–1967 Having graduated from Mary Washington College in 1963 with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Sciences, Janice Coleman planned to teach in the Hampton, Virginia public school system for four years in order to satisfy the requirements of teaching in the public system for each year that she had received the Virginia State Teachers Scholarship. With the offer of Chatham Hall repaying the remaining three years of the loan to the State of Virginia, the Reverend Dr. William Yardley hired Janice to teach Mathematics in 1964. That offer was the first clue to Janice that Dr. Yardley possessed a unique foresight regarding faculty development. The next three years at Chatham Hall provided the second springboard for Janice’s future career, with the first having been the life-changing experiences at Mary Washington. Dr. Yardley supported graduate programs for employees (a second clue that Dr. Yardley was wise beyond normal expectations). Janice took advantage of the academic offer for one summer of advanced study. When Janice discussed her desires to travel beyond the borders of her childhood experiences of growing up in Rustburg, Virginia with travels in only the Eastern U.S., Dr. Yardley approved partial support for her summer travel abroad as a substitute for another summer of academics. He expressed his belief that the gains from exploring a larger world could become as valuable an education as working toward a graduate degree. As an outcome of that travel and Chatham Hall’s exchange program with the American School in Lugano Switzerland, Janice later taught for a year at TASIS, all with Dr. Yardley’s blessings.

“I am grateful for Dr. Yardley’s ability to think ‘outside of the box.’ He opened an expanded world to me; therefore, I wish to honor his legacy by including Chatham Hall in my estate plans.”

What is the Esto Perpetua Society? Chatham Hall welcomes into the

Esto Perpetua Society individuals who have included the School in their estate plans. If you have designated Chatham Hall as a beneficiary of your estate, retirement plan, life insurance, or other assets, you are a member! Just let us know. Esto Perpetua! spring

If you would like to become a member of the Esto Perpetua Society, we would be glad to help you! For information, please contact Director of Advancement Christine Cutright Knight at 434.432.5549 or at cknight@chathamhall.org. For online resources including eBrochures on a range of estate planning topics, visit our website at http://chathamhall.planmygift.org/.

C O L L E G E S TAT S NUMBER OF

College applications submitted this year

22 176 SENIORS

On average girls apply to 7.8 colleges and universities

Every senior has already received

AT L E A S T O N E A C C E P TA N C E

Number of colleges

122

(including the US, UK, and Canada)

We will know about scholarship funding, Ivy League acceptances, and final decisions over the next two months. A full list of college acceptances will be published in the fall issue of Chat. Stay tuned!

Recent Chatham Hall graduates and current seniors gather for a College Transition Workshop, where the Class of 2017 learned more about life in college from Chatham Hall’s young alumnae!

The philosophy of the Chatham Hall College Counseling Office focuses on options and fit. Director of College Counseling, Sharon Williams, believes the breadth and diversity of this year’s list reflects an intention to look beyond the familiar, and to consider schools of various sizes, types, and locations. “As in past years, this year has been a great testament to the breadth, depth, and curiosity that is a hallmark of the Chatham Hall experience. This class has been great about looking beyond names and searching for the school that fits who they are and has the resources to help them become who they wish to be,” said Williams.

2017

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Chatham Hall’s Chamber Choir and Sextet gathers before performing the National Anthem at the Villanova vs. Georgetown basketball game at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. in March!

Congratulations to Teacher of the Year

Molly Thomas!

Right: The mystery student featured on page 16 of the fall Chat was Maisie Strawn ’17, who presented her research regarding the sustainable farming of oysters to improve the quality of the water in Chesapeake Bay on February 28.

Science teacher Molly Thomas has been awarded Teacher of the Year Award by the Danville Chapter of the Air Force Association. She received the award for recognition of her outstanding work as a coach and mentor for the Chatham Hall robotics team, the Tutu Turtles. The award is given to teachers in the sciences who promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) in their students. Thomas’ work with young women in STEM makes her a particularly outstanding recipient of this award. During her tenure working with the robotics team, the Tutu Turtles have competed at both the regional and state levels, routinely placing in the top three against large fields of competition. Chatham Hall students are often some of the only young women seen at robotics competitions, and are one of the only all-female teams in the state of Virginia.

FIGHT Like a Girl

Through Chatham Hall GIRLS Day programming, Fight Like a Girl, a personal defense preparatory program designed exclusively for women, came to Chatham Hall! Juniors and seniors left this four hour course with a toolkit of knowledge and the tools to defend themselves should the unspeakable happen out in the real world.

The Tutu Turtles are pictured here with Meredith Lee ’12 who started the successful Chatham Hall Robotics Team six years ago.

spring

Alumna Michelle McKee ’06 has made a series of visits to Chatham Hall with her English Shepherd puppy who is a therapy dog in training. Puppy time has offered stress relief to students during exam times and has been great socialization experience for the little one!

19 campus news

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n e w s

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SWIMMING

RIDING

The swim team put up their best performance this season in the Blue Ridge Conference Championship meet, and were rewarded with a second place finish for their efforts! Catherine Cullen ’18, May May Drimmer ’20, Cheney Knight ’19, Brooke Lahti ’20, and Sarah Bennett Smith ’20 travelled to Virginia Tech to compete in the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association State Swim Meet February 17–18.

After a successful regular Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) season and fourth place finish in the IEA Regional Finals hosted at Chatham Hall, three members of the Chatham Hall IEA team competed at the Zone 3 Finals in Fredericksburg, Virginia in March and will move on to compete in the Hunt Seat National Finals in Lexington, Virginia April 21–23.

In addition to the outstanding performances by the Turtles Swim Team this year, coach Meghan Babcock was named Conference Coach of the Year.

After 32 years of teaching, coaching, and filling our days with joy here at Chatham Hall, Don Wood will retire this year. Don began his career at Chatham Hall in 1985, raising his daughters Leigh Wood and Sarah Wood Anderson ’96 here on campus with his wife Gayla. While unfathomable to think of Chatham Hall without the spirit and kindness of Don, his family, who currently live in Wisconsin, is elated to be getting him back. We thank Don for his years of service to Chatham Hall, and wish him much happiness in his retirement!

campus news

athletic news

Congratulations, Mr. Wood!

Isabella Hubbard ’19 won the Walk Trot Canter for Zone 3 and will ride along the top 24 in the division at National Finals. Elizabeth Trexler ’17 won both Isabella Hubbard ’19 the Open Flat and the Open Fences for Zone 3 among the top 12 riders in the Mid-Atlantic at the highest competition level in the IEA and will represent Chatham Hall at National Finals. Hailey Johnson ’19 secured a 5th place spot in the Novice Fences. This is the largest division in Zone 3 seeing at least 100 riders in post-season competition from Regionals to Zones.

2017

22 chat

YEAR ONE,

A tall French window led from the dining room to a side porch that overlooked a flower garden. It was that garden that provided the purple and gold iris that Mary Gilmer painted in the spring of 1895 that now lives as the school’s flower and colors.

Miss Jennie Nelson, 1838 - 1921

BY WILLIAM PRIESTLEY BLACK

Photos restored by Norman Hall

Born in 1838, Miss Jennie Nelson would have been 56 years old when she took on the task of creating a new school. Indeed, Clevius Orlando Pruden, the President of CEFI’s board of trustees, reported to the Diocese of Southern Virginia that she was “a lady of some years” whose experience with “other girls’ boarding academies” made her a suitable candidate for the job. Jennie Nelson was more than a “suitable candidate.” She had taught classical languages and French at Wellesley College, but had returned to Rustburg, Virginia to live with her brother Frank after leaving Wellesley. Education for women was changing at the end of the nineteenth century. Like other colleges for women, Wellesley now insisted that their instructors have university degrees. Although Pruden described Miss Nelson as “the most perfectly educated woman in Virginia,” she did not have a university degree. She could read both ancient Greek and Latin, but her formal education had ended when she graduated from Episcopal Female Institute, the diocesan girls’ high school in Staunton, Virginia. That would have been before the Civil War. Chatham Female Episcopal Institute opened with eight boarding students and 21 day students. Only one, Sue Lewis, came from another state, Little Rock, Arkansas. She would only stay one year. The others were from Virginia towns that were distant enough to make travel difficult: Mt. Airy, Lynchburg, Rustburg, Culpeper, and Chatham. The two girls from Rustburg, Carol and Fannie Nelson, were Miss Nelson’s nieces. Chiswell Dabney’s records fudge the boarder count a little. The board of trustees had rented the first floor and the attic of the Gilmer Family home. Belle Gilmer lived with her family on the second floor. The other seven boarders were tucked away in attic rooms. Belle Gilmer and her sister Mary lived with their mother, Eliza, in the family apartment. Even though Belle was with her mother and sister on the second floor, Dabney still counted her as a boarder. Dabney’s daughters, Louise, Lucy, and Bessie were day students. Belle’s sister Mary was the first art teacher.

Pruden described Miss Nelson as

“the most perfectly educated woman in Virginia,” spring

Photos restored by Norman Hall

Recent gifts to the Chatham Hall Archive have helped us to more clearly understand what it was like for the first year of our school. Arguably, the most important of these gifts is a photograph of Jennie Nelson, the first principal of Chatham Episcopal Female Institute. Until now, we did not know what Miss Nelson looked like. The photograph of the first students shows a woman who could have been Jennie Nelson. Now we know.

1894-1895

CEFI first students and Primary Department students at the Gilmer home named “Chatham Hall." Meals with the boarders, Miss Nelson, and the Gilmer family must have been like a family affair that first year. The house that was the first CEFI was the home of John Gilmer, a distinguished lawyer turned dairyman who had represented Pittsylvania County in the Virginia General Assembly from 1857 until 1865. Named “Chatham Hall,” the house had been built after John bought one hundred acres east of the town of Chatham in 1860. He and his wife, Eliza Patton Gilmer, raised seven children there. John Gilmer had died just before the school’s board of trustees was searching for a suitable building to rent for a girls’ school. Chatham Hall was ideal. The site was where Pruden Hall stands today. The view from its front porch was of the meadow that is the same today and of the town of Chatham. Access from the town would have been difficult. The entrance that is today at the foot of Pruden Street was a narrow bridge at the foot of an unpaved lane known as Owl Alley. The irony of the circumstance is that John Gilmer had served as a trustee for the new Chatham public school. His home would be the origin of a private school. The building named Chatham Hall was a two-story frame structure trimmed with green. Deep overhanging teardrop

eaves distinguished a style known as “carpenter gothic.” Its wide entrance hall became the dining room for the new school. A tall French window led from the dining room to a side porch that overlooked a flower garden. It was that garden that provided the purple and gold iris that Mary Gilmer painted in the spring of 1895 that now lives as the school’s flower and colors. A long curving white garden fence led to a bowling green that stood on the edge of the lawn. One of the day students, Maude Carter of Chatham, later described the parlor as having two massive pieces of French furniture. An escritoire had a compartment for writing as well as carved shelves for ornaments. An étagere had similar carved shelves and a lower part with mirrored doors. Two blue Wedgewood pitchers and two brown apostle pitchers graced the fireplace mantle. Sugar on the dining table was in an antique silver caudle cup made by a London silversmith in 1668. There were four faculty in addition to Miss Nelson. Miss Neva O. Saunders taught mathematics, physics, physiology, chemistry, and natural science. Miss Isla Ragsdale taught typewriting and stenography. Miss Mary Gilmer taught art. Miss Nelson taught modern languages, Latin, history, literature, and “Mental and Moral Sciences.” Chiswell Dabney’s list of faculty members includes Miss Margaret S. Crane but does not note the subject she taught. The fact that there were three courses of study, collegiate, intermediate, and primary, provides a clue. The courses listed for Misses Nelson, Saunders Ragsdale, and Gilmer fit the pledge that the CEFI curriculum would follow the requirements for admission to Wellesley College. A photograph of the first students shows little girls in the front. Miss Crane was probably in charge of the primary school. Chatham Episcopal Female Institute became Chatham Episcopal Institute the following year. The number of boarders would rise to fourteen. Girls from other Virginia communities would join with one girl from San Antonio, Texas. The faculty remained the same with one exception. An addition to the rear of the Gilmer home accommodated boarders more comfortably than the crowded attic of Chatham Hall. That first year was the foundation for what Chatham Hall is today. Esto Perpetua!

class notes spring 2017 42

Mary Tiedeman Hoagland I have lived a spectacular and happy life. My very dear spouse died five years ago. Together we spawned four lovely kids and they spawned 13 more. None of them live in Colorado, but if you name a large American city, I have someone there. Taitsie Curley ’42 is the only classmate I know is still with us. Hello to anyone who remembers me.

Lea Cumings Parson Had my 90th in July. Miss my best friend Polly Wheeler Guth ’44. Have 14 greats and two to come. I think Kat McKay Belk-Cook ’44 beats me! Love to all.

Nancy Howland Washburne On Valentine’s Day my granddaughter, Nancy, and her husband, Diego, both lawyers in Italy, made me a great-grandmother with the birth of Kimberly! I hope to see Kimberly when in Italy next summer for the marriage of Peter’s second daughter, Brenda, and Marco. They are both Architects. How blessed I am! Here, my other great (daughter of Sarah, Ellie’s child) was four in November! I love to think of Chatham Hall. I was just a kid there, and am still just a kid.

1956 Kate

Driggs Perry has been breeding and showing English Labrador Retrievers, Hawksmoor Labrador Retrievers to be exact, for some 30 years. See at right a sampling of pages from a book she recently put together on her 18th Century farmhouse and dogs.

spring

Eleanore Walton Bequaert will share the holidays with her nephew who lives nearby and is a caterer. Since last June she has been recovering from the insertion of a pacemaker. Anne Perkins Cabot Will fly to her winter home in New Zealand in January where she will stay until spring. Cordelia Ruffin Richards is looking for a buyer for her condominium so she can move to a retirement community in Annapolis. Adelaide Comstock Roberts wants a buyer for her house so she can move to her condominium in Newport, Rhode Island.

Joanne Shartle Anderson I had my aortic valve replaced on Sept. 2, 2016. I didn’t have to have open heart surgery, thanks to a new technique where they go up your femoral artery. We had all children and grandchildren for the holidays. I was OK, but somewhat lacking in energy! Now I am back to swimming and going to the gym. I will be 87 on March 13. I have talked to Edie Nalle

Schafer ’49, Frances Black Turner ’49, and Laurie Valentine ’49 on the phone, but I haven’t seen anyone. Edie lost her husband, Jack, earlier this year.

Kathleen Herty Brown So glad I went to Chatham Hall. My fun with the senior quartet continues. My group (of twelve men and women) sings at cheer centers and business lunches. We sing the “American Songbook.” And I still lead a chorus of 35 at Osher Lifelong Learning. Everyone should keep singing! Harriett Dayton Moved to Presbyterian Homes (Folkestone) in Wayzata, Minnesota last year. Like it a lot. Only a block away from beautiful Lake Minnetonka, with many, many fun people and things to do–like our wonderful choir. Sally Reese Pryor Living in a wonderful senior apartment facility, yet still visiting my lakeside home where a son is now living. I am interested in hearing from classmates! Phone is more fun! We can exchange memories and our current lives. My cell phone: 914.924.1805

Ann Cochran McCandless All is fine here. I am enjoying taking courses at Lifelong Learning at Washington University. “The Cultural History of France” and “The Medici Family”–great instructors. All is fine here in St. Louis. I go to an aquacise class a couple of times a week and walk my dog, Rosie, a lot. I keep in touch with Susan Fair Boyd ’51–we chat two or three times a year. I am going to Ireland with some friends in May–a trip on the Shannon River. My oldest grandson, Charlie, is getting married in September, so the whole family will gather for that in upper New York State.

Caroline Ramsay Merriam My husband, Duke Merriam, and I are still here in the Georgetown section of Washington, D.C. Have three children, seven grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. Go to Brittany in the summer, Jamaica in the winter. Judith Turben Walrath I see Barbara Scheetz Todd ’54 and Nancy Campbell Fales ’57 between Pittsburgh and Naples. Busy with my two grandchildren in college and my Carlisle business. Soon to retire.

Anne Sallee Slater Not much has changed here. My husband, Cliff, and I still live in Pacific Palisades, California in the winter and Portsmouth, Rhode Island in the summer. Would love to see any Chathamites in either place. We are both still working. Cliff is a financial consultant with Oppenheimer and I am an antique dealer doing antique shows all over California. Daughter Pam still lives in St Thomas. She would like to sell her active Day Sail business and retire to Florida. Any takers?

Emma Scott Christopher We enjoyed seeing Marcia Pyle Welch ’56 in January at our new home in Charleston, South Carolina. I am hoping that she will join us in the next few years at the wonderful retirement community we have moved to here named Bishop Gadsden. George and I are enjoying it and a wonderful new town to explore.

Marcia Pyle Welch Visited Emma Scott Christopher ’56 and George in Charleston–their new home in retirement community Bishop Gadsen. It’s the time in our lives to research and consider options for continuing care.

Pauline Ireland I have been busy as a one armed paper hanger; however, I send all my best wishes for all the students and faculty at Chatham Hall. I greatly enjoyed my stay there some years ago. I remember that we could not go into the small village the same day as the guys down in the small village! And that we had room inspections and I remember the

Headmistress checking each of our drawers in our room! Hmm: wonder what she was looking for (cigarettes?, other? we never had a clue!). And that we had to make telephone calls in the telephone booth. And that we all ate meals together in the dining room for all our meals. Not a bad setup in my view—family like! I sat at the nurse’s table for the whole time I was there, which wasn’t all that bad: I didn’t gain weight! We certainly learned to be a great part of the Chatham Hall family! May we always treat each other in like regard! One of these days I WILL get back up there for an event! Norfolk Terrier, Jamie, participating in barn hunts

Monica MacRae Driver ’59 I still cannot manage retirement—it is much harder when you are working for yourself. I do spend winters in Aiken, South Carolina, and we have finally moved into our refurbished house on the banks of the Hudson River outside of Saratoga Springs, New York. I welcome visitors in either place—both are wonderful in very different ways. I am able to work anywhere I can get online which makes it easy to move around geographically, but hard to find excuses not to work. Our internet business is chugging along. We have just developed a cloud-based management system for a segment of the thoroughbred industry. I also still manage a small thoroughbred racing partnership—we have three horses in training and two retired with 10–12 partners in each one. Our racing partnership generates the equivalent of an equine 401K and we use that to launch the horses in second careers and protect them down the line. Additionally, I help a cartoonist/caricaturist promote and sell his existing work and take on commissions. This all keeps me busier than I want to be. I do have a wonderful little Norfolk terrier and she has excelled in the AKC Events Barn Hunt and Earth Dog and has all sorts of titles. These are HILARIOUS events which involve little to no training and NO running around at all. You put the dog on the ground and that is about the extent of it—the dog either does or does not look for a rat ( no harm comes to the rat...). You can check these events out on YouTube if you are curious. Nice people attend and most of them are tottering around too. Agility is way in the past for most! A win at Saratoga by a gelding named Analysis who is now retired and going to an event rider, a filly named Electrified in the paddock at Saratoga last year (she was second in that race, won at Belmont, and is now in Aiken having enjoyed a vacation and getting legged up to return to Belmont), and the dark filly on the training track in Aiken is named Geladeira. She is at Belmont now getting ready for her first start. These horses are all 1/2 siblings (having the same dam), and they represent 4th generation breeding for Monica Driver ’59. They are in a racing partnership called Mosaic Racing Stable.

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Charlie Iliff on a boat

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class notes

Tammy Davenport Mavroleon Dixon ’60

Simone Crockett Although Marion has now moved to Chestnut Hill, she and I are still taking a course at the New School, The Art of Viewing Art—lectures on current art exhibitions in New York.

Susan Dwelle Baxter ’60 at Machu Picchu

Marion Benson Miller ’60 and Simone Crockett ’60 hard at work on their homework assignment to view Fast Forward: Painting from the 1980s at the Whitney

Margaret Bullitt Pough We have lived in this house for 35 years. A house that was once in the country is now almost suburban. Since my daughter Amanda and I have dogs (Border Terriers and Canaan Dogs), we began to look for more land where the dogs could be playing without annoying neighbors. So we are now moving to a brand new house. I hope it is the house I can live in the rest of my life. One floor living for me, but Amanda will be able to have a large, walkout basement with windows looking over the land. Moving is daunting, much decluttering. I am moving what I know I want, and will then winnow through the remainders as we get the old house ready to put on the market. We will be living in Danby, just south of Ithaca. Our new address is 34 Michigan Hollow Rd (Danby), Spencer, NY 14883. Wissie Thompson Traveling while I still can physically and financially. Went to Australia and New Zealand (spring 2016), to Portugal and Spain (fall 2016). Saw Lynn Gillespie de Comenge ’58 briefly. Have also seen from CH Class of 1958: Ellie Silliman Maroney ’58, Molly Buck ’58, Sally Saltonstall Willis ’58, Carroll Taylor Clark ’58, Kate Hodges Champa ’58, Ellie Morgan Moran ’58, and Jane Clark Warren ’58. From 1957: Tootie Greene ’57 and Janie Huntley Webster ’57. From 1959: Lee Porter Page ’59 and Betsy Baldwin Montague ’59.

spring

Margaret Cushing Classmate Lisa Rosenberger Moore ’59 and I saw The Fantastiks when she came in January. It was a real treat. I also discovered Marjory Flory ’47 is part of my French Salon Group. Maria Gallagher Truslow ’59 and I had a festive New Year’s lunch on Boston’s North Shore. Lee Porter Page I had a wonderful reunion with Wissie Thompson ’58 in Florida and we spent time with Lala Mapes Maresi ’59, Betsy Baldwin Montague ’59, and Janie Huntley Webster ’57.

Susan Dwelle Baxter All is well in Ponte Vedra Beach. I had two wonderful trips last Fall—one to Botswana with Abercrombie & Kent, and another to Peru, also with A&K. I’m still selling travel with Valerie Wilson Travel which I enjoy. This is such a wonderful company–Valerie closed all her offices in December to treat us all to a fabulous trip to New York to celebrate her 35th anniversary. I’m going back the end of March for a theatre fix. I have a darling new grandbaby—Ella Baxter Hipp, daughter of Lucy and John Hipp, who live in Charlotte. My son, Parker, and his wife, Ericka, and 4-year old William live in Colorado, so I don’t get to see them nearly enough. They will come for a nice three week visit in July. Our class will, for the most part, be celebrating milestone birthdays this year. Happy Birthday to all.

Tammy Davenport Mavroleon Dixon Watched in awe as Donald Trump got elected—all that was missing was Joan Collins on the stage—not quite a Dwight Eisenhower I feel—except of course for the golf! I am gearing up for managing Art for Youth London again–this year not until mid-December. It will be our 30th anniversary exhibition—the longevity of which I find hard to get my head around...more better later! Carol Harkey Garner Our winter community in Florida, The Landings, is so much fun! In response to Francis’ 50’s post, I posted the following: The Landings High School had a senior prom. I found my dress at my new favorite store, Goodwill! Our school principal, his secretary, school librarian, football coach, and janitor were there to keep us in line and to chaperone! But Fred and I still made out in the car! Carol Harkey Garner ’60 and husband, Fred

Lucy Wise Iliff ’60 and husband, Charlie, outside a marina in Fort Lauderdale last February

Lucy Wise Iliff For someone about to become 75 I’m leading a pretty crazy life. I am still working full time at SpinSheet magazine. Currently we produce two boating magazines, Power and Sail, and are about to add a third, Lenny’s Fish Talk. I’m in charge of classified advertising, distribution, and copy editing. I’m still playing tennis, bicycling, gardening, caring for two horses, and playing with our six grandchildren, ages one to twelve. When we can get away, we cruise on our Defever trawler. Miggie Lloyd Keuler I am enjoying spending time with my grandchildren (2 to 12 years old) and watching them grow up and evolve into fun and interesting people. At the same time, I see my children advancing in their careers and other interests. Since we all live in or close to Seattle, we have formal and informal family gatherings. I wish they were more often, but everyone is so busy. The Women’s March in Seattle became an unusual family event. I was with three children (missing one was in India on business), two of their spouses, and three of six grandchildren. It was an amazing, upbeat, and tiring experience. I had never marched for a cause before, but I am more concerned now about women’s rights and the rights of others who face discrimination. Great that Washington State took the lead in stopping the Muslim ban. Noree Lee I’ve been retired a while. I do write my own stuff (after years of writing other people’s stuff ). I’ve published poetry and short stories. My husband Ron is still working—as a psychiatrist. In a week I’m going to Hawaii, to swim with dolphins in the

wild—something I’ve been doing for several years that’s incredibly fun. Four grandchildren now, ranging from 8 months old to 25. My daughter Jessica Browning, who grew up in Berkeley and was therefore allergic to politics ended up getting deeply involved in the Women’s March. She noticed that there wasn’t one being organized for Sacramento—our state capital, so she thought she’d just give it a try: set up a steering committee, Facebook page, etc. Anyway, they were expecting to have a couple thousand show up. Turned out to be 35,000. Now there’s a nonprofit that grew from all the California marches that she’s on the board of. Meeting with the Governor’s office next week about recommended legislation, etc. Mary Potts Montgomery My news is my move two weeks ago to the Skyline retirement community, just uphill from downtown Seattle. Still unpacking and getting settled. I haven’t seen Gracie Nunes Thompson ’60 in a few months, but I’m sure we’ll be getting together soon. No travels this year, but I’m still volunteering at the Museum of History and Industry, where I used to work. Adelaide McKenzie Moss Other than recovering slowly from an upper respiratory thing going around, am working furiously on part two of my modern art history class...right now am in Dada and things will get surreal before long! We have a great thing here, college for older adults, taught by volunteers, so I’m really doing it for myself as much as for people who are clamoring for part two! Keep the old mind going, I hope! Still painting and organizing activities for the Wednesday morning painters’ group.

Lisa Wolcott Morehead I haven’t done much recently...but I am looking forward to being with Frances and Mary next weekend. I did hear from Laura Bethea King ’60 who said she’d love to do a reunion somewhere fun...she suggested Charleston... I am going to Boston because Alex, my youngest, qualified and is running in the Marathon. Next year my oldest grandson is planning on living with me and going to school in Austin! How much will my life change! Caroline Tate Like many of you, I am searching, which, of course, to me means a reassessment of my values, my lifestyle, my plan for the last stage of my life. Aging is a process of losing-physical abilities, friends, family members, our homes, our independence. My life, now, daily depends on my pain level. In this new sedentary phase, I began writing poetry. I hope that my poem, 11/9, will be meaningful to some of you. 11/9 The USA has left her port For where? How? And who is there? Is she lost? Or am I? Or both? Tossed in rough seas by forces of hatred, Afraid we are. We feel alone. Who is her captain? At best, an unknown. Raw, we sail into uncharted waters. Our world has shifted, our country cracked. Like navigators of old, we look to the stars And there we behold the brightest of all, Shining over Bethlehem, beckoning Us to come there, where we belong And to change our course.

2017

Ida Little ’67 with husband Michael and Annie Potts ’67

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class notes

Corinne Rafferty ’68 and Laurie Nussdorfer ’68 with Adam Whiteley, son of the late Nancy Remley Whiteley ’68 on his wedding day in Michigan in July 2016

John Nottingham Rye Collier, eleventh grandson of Sarah Benson Mumford ’65

Katrina Watson The latter part of 2016 and the beginning of 2017 have been devoted to large trips—in the fall Japan, in two days South Africa. My work on the boards of the Bowdoin Summer Music Festival (chamber music) and Surf Point Foundation (the creation of a small artists’ colony in southern Maine) continues and am more and more invested in the ACLU. Trying to construct a new life which permits more time for creativity—writing and drawing—and will be divesting of material things, but not the art and not the books!

Mary Allen Cox I’ve had some medical issues so haven’t played golf much. I am much better and hope to be out on the course when the weather cools!

Priscilla Pugh Kirkpatrick Hi to all!

Eugenia Richardson Nash I am enjoying my grandchildren. Two each live in Annapolis, Atlanta, and Austin, and range in age from two to eleven. A lively, adorable bunch!

Nancy Hanes White I am enjoying my two grandsons, four and one. They live in Atlanta. I enjoyed being with my classmates for our Reunion last spring.

Debbie Humphreys Jones I had such a fun weekend at Chatham in early October for the Alumnae Council meeting. Connecting with alumnae of all ages was so satisfying. The campus was so beautiful, the students were engaging, and I loved meeting our Rector, Suzanne Buck. Ida Little I had a visit with Debbie Humphreys Jones ’67 at my house in Florida and visits with Annie Potts ’67 who lives 4 hours from me. Annie and I will be driving to Chatham for our 50th and look forward to seeing the ’67 gang. Margaret Perkins Sise Best wishes to ALL members of Class of 1967 in our 50th Reunion year.

Cynthia McLean I’m still in Vancouver, B.C., Canada—give a call if you’re in town.

Muffy Dent Stuart I live in Lexington, Kentucky where I am busy coordinating a scholarship for children of parents who work on central Kentucky thoroughbred farms. This scholarship is for partial tuition for education after high school. I am also head of the Emergency Assistance Fund at Christ Church Cathedral that helps families in need of financial assistance. Spare time is spent playing tennis and with family which includes seven grandchildren! Son Sandy, his wife Alana, and their three children live in Lexington where he works in the Thoroughbred industry. Son Harrison, wife Katherine, and their four children live in Nashville where he is founding Headmaster of the Episcopal School of Nashville. The school is the dream of a group of families led by Ketch and Lydia Secor, son and daughter-in-law of Trina Robinson Secor ’68! Such a fun endeavor bringing our families together. I am getting excited about our upcoming 50th reunion. I hope and pray as many of us will come back and share in the fun time!

Jane Webb Crawford I will retire from the Classics Department at the University of Virginia in May 2017, and will move to Bloomington, Indiana where my husband teaches at Indiana University.

Sarah Benson Mumford Just welcomed our newest grandson on May 17, 2016. John Nottingham Rye Collier. This makes for a grand total of eleven...so far.

Talmadge Ragan I’m excited about a new book I’ve just finished narrating on Audible: Unbelievable Happiness and Final Sorrow: The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Marriage by Ruth A Hawkins and the University of Arkansas Press. I have also been performing: staged readings in Charlotte of a new play: God Speed John Glenn and also at N.C.’s Barton College in Sam Ragan: Inside the Poetry, a show I put together about my writer father combining personal stories with his poetry. Katherine Ivey Ward Our daughter Whitney and her husband Andrew welcomed Culver Ivey Dana into our family on September 8, 2016. Culver joins his brother, Dalton as our two grandsons.

Ninna Fisher Denny Lyn Davenport ’70, Catherine Williams ’70 and I are having fun catching up with each other as Class Agents while working on the Annual Fund for our class of ’70. Our follow-up phone calls are yet to come!

Mary Dunbar Enjoyed the tea party at Fortnum & Mason in London, meeting some of the European based alumnae. Peter and I are enjoying our Portugal life, having now completed most of our major projects after 4+ years. Don’t miss the hard farmer’s life in Northern Virginia.

Virginia Willson Welch Divide our time between Cape Cod and Stonington. Feel so lucky to have life and the friends we currently have. Robin Peake Stuart ’69 in Rwanda and Tanzania 2017 April, 2016 Class of 1969 gathering, Spring Island, South Carolina Row 1: Mary Wolcott Davis ’69 and Carol Harlocker McBee ’69 Row 2: Robin Peake Stuart ’69, Tucky Stout Pogue ’69, and Anne Blodget Holberton ’69

Irene Siragusa Phelps ’71 and Katie Belk Morris ’72 at the Exponent Philanthropy Conference in Chicago

Grandsons of Kit Ivey Ward ‘69

Venita Fields was recently recognized in the January publication of Mergers & Acquisition Magazine as one of the Most Influential Women in Mid-Market M&A. Read more at http://www.themiddlemarket.com/ influential-women/.

Irene Siragusa Phelps Katie Belk Morris ’72 and Irene Siragusa Phelps ’71 ran into each other in September 2016 at the Exponent Philanthropy Conference in Chicago. They had a great time catching up and discussing family philanthropy.

Catherine Doeller Sage Diane Wellborn Cagni ’80 and I met in Boston last September for a long overdue visit and The Boss! Such fun together...we had an absolute blast!

Margaret Malloy Sanders We survived Hurricane Matthew but had damage. Perhaps a chance to re-landscape the backyard. We had a wonderful trip to Alaska over the summer! Lisa Leake, my daughter-in-law, just released her second book! Go to 100daysofrealfood.com. Annie, Jane Garnett ‘73’s “fourth and perfect child”

Mia Miller I am still living in Anchorage, Alaska–my husband, Paul Harris, and I enjoy fishing for salmon every summer and an occasional hunting trip. Rigby Robinson Married, finally. To Janet C. Taparo, M.D. May 16, 2016 in Orient, New York.

Mary Boy The Class of 1975 is planning a celebration of our (mostly) 60th birthdays (some babies sadly do not hit that milestone this year but we are letting them come anyway). About 15 of us will be getting together at Fishers Island, New York, June 22–26 (still room for more). Look for the photos in the NEXT Chat!

Kate Bulkley ’77 and Robin Forde Emmons ’14 skiing in January 2017 Diane Wellborn Cagni ’80 and Cathie Doeller Sage ’80

Allison Sutton Fuqua All is wonderful in Summerfield, North Carolina–our oldest daughter, Caroline, just got engaged in NYC at Central Park on Bow Bridge to Joe Owens! Our youngest daughter, Sarah Randall, is loving living in Charlotte.

Row 3: Linda Alford Sahl ’69 and Julie Johnson ’69

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2017

Terri Coleman Washington I recently welcomed my second grandchild into world Jaleah Denise. She’s my little doll baby and will hopefully be a future Chathamite. I’m preparing for the release of my 5th novel in April titled Tomorrow’s Aftermath. All of my books can be found on Amazon under my pen name Author Terri D. I will also be retiring in April from my career at Aetna where I have worked for over 27 years as Director of Information Technology. I’m looking forward to starting this next chapter of my life. I plan to write more and already have a book in the works which is loosely based on my Chatham Hall experience.

Ali McGee Kelly ’98 meeting Gary Vanyerchuk at Social Media Marketing World 2016

Samuel Paul Pincock, son of Kristine Velasco Pincock ‘99

Elizabeth Mavar Spratlin I live in Jackson, Mississippi with my three boys and husband, and own a women’s boutique. Would love to hear from old Chatham friends!

Ann McGee Kelly After getting my MBA from Midway College in 2013, I embarked on a new career in social media management and consulting. I religiously attended the Social Media Marketing World conference in San Diego each year until

2002 Kimberly Daniels Taw ’02 and family with their latest addition, Josephus Whittaker Taws, born September 13, 2016 in Pinehurst, North Carolina

November 2015, when I was hired on at Social Media Examiner to manage the Social Media Marketing Society. Follow what you love and you may just find your dream job. I now work remotely from home helping other social media marketers stay at the top of their game.

Kristine Velasco Pincock and Joel Pincock would like to announce the birth of their son, Samuel Paul, born in June 2016. He is especially loved by his big brothers Joseph, Levi, and Aaron.

Lauren Taylor, DVM ’00 My passion has been horses from an early age. I think I was about seven when my father got our first horse and began taking me and my sister trail riding. While at Chatham Hall, my love for horses really blossomed as I rode both hunt seat and saddle seat. I always felt at home when I was at either barn, whether I was riding or cleaning stalls. I continued showing saddle seat through college and vet school (with a year in between also spent exercising Thoroughbred racehorses). After graduating from North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011, I completed an internship at Equine Services Hospital in Simpsonville, Kentucky, and now am a veterinarian at Greenville Mobile Equine Service in Greenville, North Carolina. This past July I graduated from the Vluggen Institute of Equine Osteopathy in San Marcos, Texas, and am really excited about how much my new skills are helping my patients. I absolutely love my job. We have the best staff I could ask for, and such appreciative clients that make my work gratifying. Every day is different, and different cases bring new challenges. I learn something new every day. My dad and I still have 8 Saddlebreds–three of which I bred, my dad raised, and I now show. Rarely does a day go by that I don’t touch a horse, and my life is full because of it. I am so incredibly appreciative of the opportunities Chatham Hall gave me. Nowhere else could I have had the opportunity to learn two riding disciplines at once (without even having to give up dance class). This knowledge has given me a great advantage in the field of sports medicine. I feel fortunate to have had teachers like Mrs Gibson, who made me realize how much I enjoyed science.

Chatham Hall math teacher and past parent Cheryl Haymes and husband with grandchildren Lucie, Gus, and Eli (Erin Haymes Ibarra ’04’s children); Theo and Sully (Erin Haymes Huan ’05’s children), and Lacie (Caleb Haymes’ daughter)

2006

Zach and Courtney Atkinson Curry ’06, photo by Celestial Sights Photography

Abigail Haymes Ibarra My husband, Jorge, and I welcomed our third child, Elijah Anderson Ibarra, on September 27, 2016. Big sister Lucie and big brother Gus are in love, as are we! Eli joined two other cousins who were born this year, bringing the total grand-kids for Mr. and Mrs. Haymes up to six! [See photo–there’s Lucie, Gus, and Eli; Theo and Sully (Erin’s kids), and Lacie (Caleb’s daughter)]. I am still teaching elementary-level French at a private school in Fredericksburg and am so thankful for the community where we live. If you’re ever blowing by on I-95, stop in to say hi!

Virginia Thomas Harring On April 30, 2016, I married Steve Harring at the Hahn Horticulture Gardens at our alma mater, Virginia Tech. My sister, Kate Thomas ’08 was Maid of Honor and Paige Abe ’06 was a Bridesmaid. In Virginia Thomas addition to my mom, other Chatham Harring ’06 and ladies in attendance were Caitlyn Bishop husband Steve Harring Kroboth ’07, Hannah Haymes ’12, and Mrs. Cheryl Haymes. Since the wedding was two weeks after our Chatham Hall reunion, I had to miss it, but I hope to be able to attend our 15th in 2021. APRIL AMODEO PHOTOGRAPHY

APRIL AMODEO PHOTOGRAPHY

Terri Coleman Washington ’85 and granddaughter Jaleah Denise

Shanda Jo Haley Blackmon is now a Cardiothoracic surgeon and consultant/Associate Professor at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She is married to Matt Blackmon, has three beautiful children, Grace (4), Jake (12), and Sam (12). She continues painting in her spare time, keeps bees, has three raised bed gardens, and speaks all over the world lecturing on minimally invasive surgery and innovation.

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chat

Virginia Thomas Harring ’06 with Hannah Haymes ’12, Caitlyn Bishop Kroboth ’07, Kate Thomas ’08, Paige Abe ’06, and Chatham Hall faculty members Cheryl Haymes and Molly Thomas

Whitney Phelps Hill In August, my husband and I welcomed our daughter Ivy (a future member of the purple team) to the world! Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Blair Our daughter Gretchen Blair Clark ’92 has a patent. We are happy.

2006 Grayson Smith Kirk,

son of Rimes McGinn Kirk ’06 and Jon Kirk, was born on February 3, 2016

Charley Before Ann O’Brien ’07After moving to Venice, CA in August 2016, my fiance and I quickly noticed what a dog-friendly city it was. We have close friends who are very involved in the Westie Rescue community, and they recommended looking into the Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue (SCGRR) group. As soon as I went to the website, my heart melted. SCGRR foster parents reached out to us and asked if we were interested in fostering a golden they just recently rescued until he was healthy again. We hadn’t thought about fostering a dog, but once we saw his picture, we knew we had to save him. He was shaved down to the skin, was extremely malnourished, and looked deeply depressed. He was found covered in ticks and fleas as he was kept tied up outside for the majority of his life. He had been hospitalized for anemia, had had two blood transfusions, wasn’t eating, and could barely move. We picked him up in late August, and slowly but surely brought him back to life. Over the next couple of months, we built a level of trust and he proved to be an extremely intelligent, loving, playful, loyal, and happy dog. When we brought him back to the vet for his check up, they couldn’t believe this new bouncy, happy pup was the same dog they saw slowly hobble out of the office not so long ago. On November 20th, we officially adopted Charley and he is living a life full of love, adventure, and happiness. Although it had its challenges, fostering and rescuing a dog was one of the most amazing and rewarding experiences. We tell everyone to look at rescuing a dog before going to a breeder now because there are so many dogs out there that just need happy and loving homes. Not only will you change a dog’s life, but they will also change yours. Charley After!

2017

in memoriam

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The Chatham Hall community extends its deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the following alumnae and friends of the School who have recently passed away. Elise Droste Turrell ’32 passed away in November 2016. Mary Dykema McGuire ’37 passed away December 20, 2016. She is survived by her cousins Anne Meigs Larkin ’40 and Marian Larkin ’65, sister-in-law Annette Shelden Dykema ’47, and niece Mary Dykema McDonald ’69. She was preceded in death by her cousins Margaret Meigs Blodget ’47 and Elizabeth Wheat Townsend ’52. Barbara Johnson Suddath ’40 passed away January 16, 2017. She is survived by her daughter Julia Suddath ’64. Joan Potter Taft ’42 passed away November 22, 2016. Ann Franklin Beach ’44 Passed away August 28, 2016. She was preceded in death by her sister Belle Franklin Devendorf ’38. Florence Hunter Ault ’46 passed away December 14, 2016. She was preceded in death by her daughter Sheila Monks-Baniak ’72, and is survived by her daughter Alicia Monks Murtha ’75 and granddaughters Bridget Murtha ’04 and Nanette Murtha ’06. Dorothy Pitner Miller ’46 passed away October 29, 2016. Ann Mitchell Throop ’46 passed away September 29, 2016.

Dina Kauders Leonard ’56 passed away September 26, 2016. She is survived by her cousin Deborah Kauders Spangler ’67. Josephine McFadden ’57 passed away December 23, 2016. Sandy Dent Withers ’61 passed away October 20, 2016. She is survived by her sister, Deborah Dent ’66. Karen Burns Blakey ’66 passed away February 1, 2017. Alice “Tina” Bossidy ’67 passed away February 24, 2017. Kate Downer ’68 passed away December 8, 2016. Dana Dow Schuler ’71 passed away September 6, 2016. She is survived by her cousin Christine Doan ’67. Mary Quinn ’95 passed away September 10, 2016.

Gisela von zur Muehlen Ives, Mother to Carolina Ives Pearce ’76 and Tanya Ives Jorgensen ’78, and wife of former trustee, George A. Ives, Jr., passed away December 20, 2016. Noramah Reksopoetranto, mother of Maya Reksopoetranto Harpster ’81, passed away February 16, 2017. Mr. William B. Wrench Passed away September 9, 2016. Mr. Wrench served on the Chatham Hall Board of Trustees from 1978–1985. He is survived by his daughter Suzanne Wrench ’81. Lane Allen Bettcher, brother of Hallie Bettcher Pettegrew ’86, passed away November 5, 2016. John Kent, father of Alyson Kent ’97 passed away March 4, 2017.

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Wilson Smith, husband of Kathryn Reed Smith ’45, passed away in 2015. Harry Gruner III, husband of Nancy Evans Gruner ’47, passed away December 9, 2016. Richard “Lefty” Thomas Marr, husband of Virginia “Ginny” Worthington Marr ‘55, passed away November 11, 2016.

Gainor Ingersoll Miller ’47 passed away February 4, 2017. She is survived by her step-sister Ann Robinson Clay ’44 and cousin Caroline Jeanes Hollingsworth ’50, and was preceded in death by her step-sister Ellen Robinson Clay ’46.

William Giese Martin, husband of Martha Justice Martin ’55 passed away May 22, 2016.

Janys Adams Krane ’55 passed away in April 2016. She was preceded in death by her sister, Mervyn Adams Seldon ’47.

John Milton Wallace, father of Frances Wallace Robertson ’73 and grandfather of Anna Wallace ’08 passed away November 11, 2016. He was preceded

spring

in death by his wife Sally Brittingham Wallace ’44.

Dail Mullins, husband of Ada Long ’63 passed away September 28, 2016.

2017

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