Class Notes

Margaret Colt Domini ’40 writes, “I am in assisted living (Youville) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. My daughter lives three blocks away. My life has been very full and happy, three children, a rewarding job (teacher), a happy marriage, four grandchildren, and six greats, all girls! There were seven of us Colts, and all went to Little Red for at least a few years. We all remember it fondly.”

Henry Rose ’47 writes, “We in the Class of ’47 are all turning 93 now, and a few of us are still surviving and in touch, including Jane Roland Martin, Joe Colt, Phyllis Botner Davies, Ann Rosenthal Oliver, Olga Landeck Rothschild (her mother was our music teacher at LR), Joan Studer Levine (her father was principal after Irwin died), and Heather Akselrod Rodin. Our class "president" was Olga "KK" Karlovna Heisler, but I've lost touch with her for several years. We visited Emily Baruch Kirby several times, including her island in Winnipesaukee. I am in touch with most classmates I know of who remain with us.”

Bob Belenky ’49 writes, “My personal/professional memoirs are soon to be published — hopefully to cheers, references to LREI in the early chapters. Emphasis is on my compelling, possibly useful career in child psychology that was much influenced by and thus well within the spirit, if not the letter, of progressive education.”

Stephen Diamond ’49 writes, “I have not been able to reduce my life to a few sentences.”

Karl Enselberg, MD ’50 is a retired physician. He is living in Florida, is 90 years old, and has been retired from medicine for 20 years. He writes, “LREI has always been important to me.”

Robert Melik Finkle ’54 was an LREI lifer; he was interviewed by Elisabeth Irwin herself and given a full scholarship to Little Red at the age of four. Now 86 years old, he is still a working architect, has lived in Vermont since 1962, and is extremely active and healthy.

Carter Bancroft ’54 has been retired for seven years. He and his wife, Brooke, enjoy traveling, spending time with their two sons, Josh and Devon, and being together and with friends. He also enjoys teaching scientific mysteries (both quantum mechanics and consciousness) and genetic engineering, etc., in the Stony Brook University OLLI program. Carter belongs to a men’s group (for 12 years+), is part of a book club, continues to play sports (tennis and softball, learning pickleball), and participates in acting classes.

Astrid Beigel ’54 writes, “I have little to update since last year but always like to read notes from classmates and others. I have enjoyed 68 years since graduation from LREI and a career in behavioral health with a focus on program design, management, and evaluation. I retired four years ago but continue to serve on behavioral health committees. Life in Los Angeles is back to pre-Covid and allows great activities. I am fortunate to have good friends, including one of my LREI classmates, Annette Hidary ’54.

Stephen A. Fisher, MD ’54 was saddened to learn of his classmate Peter Feldman’s passing. Stephen writes of his classmate, “Peter went all the way through Little Red and EI and was much appreciated for handling his alumni class newsletter (which has recently been taken up by Robert Finkle ’54). He went on to become a widely successful theater director in many cities and countries, including New York, the UK, Europe, and especially Canada. He also taught drama in many locations, including at the university level, starting with Columbia and ending as a longtime professor at Brock University in St. Catherines, Ontario, where he lived with his wife, Nina.”

Yvonne Korshak Ruben ’54 has had an academic career, and her novel “Pericles and Aspasia” was recently published. Set in classical Athens, the story is of Pericles (the founding visionary of democracy) and Aspasia (one of the most influential women of antiquity), who find love against the odds. “Through their story, I've tried to bring to life the arts, history, and politics of the world's first great democracy. I like to think I've succeeded — please let me know!”

Hope Niman Prosky ’57 and Nancy Rubin Mikelsons ’57 were deeply saddened by the passing of their friend and classmate Beth Dolan Drezner ’57. They remember Beth fondly.

Michael Saltz ’57 has published his memoir, “The Winding Road: My Journey Through Life and the MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour,” which includes a chapter about his time at EI. His long career as a senior producer at the NewsHour garnered an Emmy and two Peabody awards, among others.

Stephen Wandner ’58 wrote an article titled "Equity in Unemployment Insurance Benefit Access" was published in the American Economic Association Papers and Proceedings. The Upjohn Institute's press is reviewing his book manuscript. Stephen and his wife are enjoying spending time with their two children living nearby in the Washington, D.C., area. They are not traveling, so they can only Zoom with children and grandsons in Berkeley and Boulder.

Roberta Wallitt ’59 is self-publishing a book through Amazon titled “From Classroom Teacher to Co-Conspirator: A Journey of Transformation.” The book focuses on her experiences in Ithaca and credits her Little Red experiences as critical to everything that followed.

Penny Hays ’60 writes, “After a varied work history in social work, as well as TV and computer consulting, I ended up at Time Inc., doing Photo Research in the Time Inc. Picture Collection. I retired in 2007 after 18 years and love living at the end of Long Island. I have fond memories of dancing the polka with classmate Giulio Maestro ’60 as 10-years-olds.”

Donald S. Coburn ’57 is living in New Jersey. He is a former mayor of Livingston, Essex County prosecutor, trial and appellate Judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey, and selectman in Monterey, MA.

Peter B. Smith ’57 writes, “Graduation day in 1957 now seems like ancient history, though where the time went, I have no idea. Since then, I graduated from Cornell (BS), New York University (MA), and the University of Vermont with a Ph.D. in wildlife ecology, after which I taught for over 40 years. To my surprise, Green Mountain College closed its doors for good after almost 200 years, shortly after I retired there. No connection that I am aware of. Along the way, my wife Stephanie and I had a daughter (science teacher) and a son (a biologist with the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife). We now have two granddaughters, and all live around the village of Belmont, VT.

Steve Salzmt ’60 writes, “I turned 80 this year. Quite traumatic; becoming an octogenarian. I’m still active, and my wife and I travel as much as we can.”

Kathie Amatniek ’61, known for decades in the feminist movement as Kathie Sarachild, received one of this year's Clara Lemlich "I've Got Something to Say" Awards, sponsored by the organization Labor Arts.

Paul Golden ’62 writes, “Ellen and I have been living in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, for the past five and a half years. Happily, I get back to New York to visit family, friends, and classmates. In recent years, we've traveled to Havana, Cuba, Machu Picchu, Peru, and Provence, France. We regularly visit Santa Fe, New Mexico, where we have a home.”

John Robbins ’62 writes, “I am mostly retired after 30+ years as a professor of medicine at the University of CA Davis. My wife (of 59+ years) and I spend part of the year in Sacramento and part in Lyon, France. Our daughter is in Sydney, Australia, so we also spend time there when Covid permits.”

Paul Goldsmith ’63 is currently making a short film for the museum on Monhegan Island, where he spends his summers. The rest of the year, he lives north of Los Angeles, not far from his four daughters and two grandchildren.

Tom Nussbaum ’63 graduated from Hamilton College and George Washington University Law School before moving to Colorado in 1970. His wife is a law school classmate and a trial attorney in Denver. Tom has been active in environmental, social, and political causes and campaigns in Colorado. This includes stints as legislative liaison and ombudsman in Governor Richard Lamm’s administration and as campaign manager for the successful election/reelection of Denver Mayor Federico Pena (in addition to serving as his chief of staff).

Judy Smith ’64 published a book on mothering in later life, titled “Difficult: Mothering Challenging Adult Children through Conflict and Change.” You can purchase it on Amazon or another online bookstore, and please leave a review if you see the usefulness of the book.

Betty Gruber ’64 relocated to Houston, Texas. She writes, “If you find yourself in this neck of the woods, please reach out via email or text.”

Steve Nussdorf ’66 writes, “Still going and keeping the dream alive. Best to all.”

Elizabeth Lindenfeld ’69 writes, “My husband and I are now grandparents to Calliope Sierra, born January 19, 2022, and are expecting a second grandchild, a boy, due June 2023. I am still singing and am President of the Board of Directors for Pacific Coast Chorale, San Diego, California.”

Linda Rubenstein Coleman ’69 writes, “We just celebrated our 50th anniversary with our three daughters, two sons-in-law, and three grandchildren. We continue to love living in Vermont. Get in touch If you come to Burlington.”

Ross Jacobson ’71 retired in New Orleans and is loving it. He is spending time visiting seven grandchildren around the country. They are living in New York, Washington, D.C., and Big Sur, California. He loves hearing from his LREI classmates.

Kate Dundes Shattan ’73 remains a New York City resident and is still practicing architecture with her business partner of 35+ years. She is still married to her husband of 32 years. Kate looks forward to seeing her classmates at their 50th reunion!

Alan Klugman ’74 writes, “After two years of Covid restrictions, I threw caution to the wind and traveled to Copenhagen to spend some time with my brother and his family. My wife and I are enjoying the arrival of our third grandchild, who lives five minutes down the road.”

Wendy (Whelan) Vega ’68 writes, “I worked in TV sound for 30 years on both coasts. Then automation hit, so I am now a cat sitter. I live in Westchester with pets. I was married, didn't take to it. No kids.”

Marc Abrams ’75 is still working at the Oregon Department of Justice. He spent the last two years defending the governor's Covid regulations and representing the legislature in its various battles.

Eytan Mirsky ’79 recently put out his eighth album of original music, "Lord, Have Mirsky!"

Rosa Silver ’82 is based in Portland, Oregon, and continues to travel. She will be in New York City more when her eldest son transfers to New York University. Rosa is becoming certified as a facilitator of Byron Katie’s Helpline for The Work. She continues to volunteer with Portland Art Museum and various community radio stations and to DJ on Mixcloud and at local venues. Rosa is writing a memoir and has a painting residency in Italy.

Victoria Shestack Aronoff ’84 writes, “I live in Maplewood, New Jersey, with my two grouchy teen kids and two bulbous guinea pigs. I am a development director for a small nonprofit and recently started a greeting card business that showcases my limited ability to draw animals wearing clothes. I'm so happy to still be friends with some of my LRSH classmates!”

Nabil Ayers ’89 writes, “I attended fifth grade (Zora Brown's class), and it still stands out as one of the best years of my childhood. My mother and I moved to Salt Lake City the next year (my name was Nabil Braufman then). I just published my memoir, ‘My Life in the Sunshine.’ There's a short section where I talk about Little Red, and how important and wonderful it was. Amazingly, the first excerpt appeared in Rolling Stone, and the editor-in-chief is Noah Schactman ’89, who was also in my fifth grade LRSH class and is the ‘Noah’ I talk about in the chapter. It's a small world, indeed.”

Ama Birch ’95 completed her fifth book, “Spirit,” published by Belladonna*. You can purchase it from the Belladonna* website

Naomi Raquel Enright ’96 writes, “I was a guest for LREI’s Book Week, where I had the opportunity to read from my book, ‘Strength of Soul,’ and my essay, ‘The Hidden Curriculum.’ It was surreal and incredible to speak on the very stage I had performed on and graduated from more than 20 years earlier. I loved returning and am proud to be an LREI alum.”

Tim Jones-Yelvington ’00 writes, “My most recent book, a story collection called ‘Don't Make Me Do Something We'll Both Regret,’ loosely themed around queer evil, was released this summer and is available from Texas Review Press.”

Allison Lebar ’01 has a new son (a future Little Red student). Allison is a teacher trainer at a Bronx public school.

Eduardo “Ricky” Salcedo ’07 writes, “After graduation, I served in the military with a tour to Afghanistan. Coming out of there, I decided to go back to school to develop my skills as an automotive technician. I am currently an instructor at an automotive college in Queens, New York.”

Steven Susaña-Castillo ’12 moved to San Francisco. He is excited about this next chapter and exploring the west coast.

Maya Peart ’12 is an assistant audio editor at C5, an Oscar-winning post-production sound studio in NYC. Maya has over 60 film credits and has worked on critically acclaimed projects, including Lin Manuel's directorial debut, “Tick tick boom!,” “Jeen-yuhs” (the three-part docuseries charting Kanye West's career), and “Immigration Nation” (a Netflix docuseries about immigration in the United States).

Rene Servisi ’13 writes, “Antonio Valle was my favorite teacher in high school; he taught me my first words of Castellano. I fell in love with the world he gave us peaks into through our classes — the music, the culture, the history. Now almost ten years later, I have been living in Madrid for five years and am working in production for contemporary art, curating and making works for museum exhibitions around the world. A lot of this is thanks to my Spanish teacher Antonio.”

Amalia Jaimes-Lukes ’17 is the farm education co-coordinator at Red Hook Farms in Brooklyn, a youth-centered urban agriculture and food justice program operating one of Brooklyn’s largest farms.

Julia Noonan ’17 moved to Madrid, where she is teaching English to fifth and sixth grade students. After working her fourth summer at Farm & Wilderness Camps in Vermont, Julia shared, “I started off as a swim teacher, and now I am waterfront director at one of the camps! It is gratifying to be a positive role model and watching many of these campers grow up over the years.”

Zoey Arongino ’18 is attending New York University’s Silver School of Social Work to pursue a master's degree.

Jonathan M. Ziebarth ’20 created the Ziebarth Center for Innovation, a nonprofit dedicated to creating access and pathways for underserved urban youth to lead successful, self-sufficient, prosperous, and happy lives. This includes a new partnership with The I Have a Dream Foundation of New Jersey to run a pilot program.

Ruby Hutchins ’21 spent the summer working at the Dutchess County SPCA, caring for and supporting medical care for over 200 cats and kittens. In the fall, she began her sophomore year at Kenyon College, where she plays on the women's basketball team.

Johnny Cook ’22 works at Goizueta Investment Management Group.

Please consider joining the Elisabeth Irwin Heritage Society with a planned gift to LREI. For more information, please contact Jenny Weil, Director of Advancement, at jweil@ lrei.org or at 212.477.5320