PDS Spring Journal 2020 Alumni Special Online Edition

JOURNAL JOURNAL PRINCETON DAY SCHOOL Spring 2020

PRINCETON PRINCETONDAY DAYSCHOOL SCHOOL Spring Spring2020 2020 Special Online Edition

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Alumni

Alumni Awards • Class Notes • In Memoriam

IN THIS SPECIAL SEGMENT OF THE

Spring Journal 2020 Note: Reporting concluded March 2020

• Letter from Michael T. Bracken ’98 Alumni Board President

• Alumni Awards

JULIE K. TAITSMAN ’90

Stretching a Safety Net Under the Nation’s Health Care System

PATRICK L. COURTNEY ’85

MLB’s Year-Round Utility Player

CATHERINE A. CHOMIAK ’05

Hooked on News

PARIS L. MCLEAN ’00

Shooting for the Stars

John D. Wallace ’48 Alumni Service Award

Alumni Achievement Award

Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee

• Class Notes • In Memoriam

GREETINGS FROM THE

2019/2020 Alumni Board

Michael T. Bracken ’98

President

Alumni Board Hello from PDS, On behalf of the Alumni Association, I hope that this note finds you well. Though, understandably, current events may serve to lessen the relevance of the Alumni Association’s 2019-20 accomplishments for some, I feel it is important to recognize all that has been achieved through the hard work and dedication of so many.

Increasing alumni engagement and connectivity has been, is and will remain the goal of the Alumni Association. To that end, and since the time of my letter in the Fall 2019 Journal, we have held 14 alumni events (including our largest ever New York City Christmas party), launched our PDS Alumni Instagram account (@princetondayschoolalumni), built an alumni network on Wavelength, welcomed several alumni speakers to campus and beat Lawrenceville in overtime at Baker Rink... special thanks to the Alumni Office and the Boys Varsity Ice Hockey team for all of their help with the aforementioned highlights.

Furthermore, though we’ve been forced to postpone this year’s Alumni Weekend until spring 2021, rest assured that we were ready to go with a new format that would have certainly been a blow-out success. Fortunately, we will be able to roll all of the planning and effort associated with Alumni Weekend 2020 into what will certainly be our biggest and best Alumni Weekend ever, Alumni Weekend 2021… double the attendees, double the awards, triple the fun.

I sincerely look forward to the brighter days to come and know that the next time we gather to celebrate our School, and each other, it will be all the more special. In the meantime, please reach out to me or any member of the Alumni Association Board with any thoughts or suggestions—we are all ears and eager to hear from you.

John L. Griffith III ’99

Vice President

Taylor Hwong ’88

Secretary

Stay strong and keep the faith.

Best, Mike

Brian Crowell ’11

Beth Geter-Douglass, Ph.D. ’82

Paris McLean ’00

Cameron Linville Rogers ’09 Joseph P. Rogers ’09

Julie Roginsky ’91

Scott Rosenberg ’04

Linda Maxwell Stefanelli mfs ’62 Jeffrey Straus ’12 David Straut ’74 Lisa Warren ’71

Kaylie Keesling Director of Alumni Programs & Giving

SPRING 2020

Julie K. Taitsman ’90 John D. Wallace ’48 Alumni Service Award

Stretching a Safety Net Under the Nation’s Health Care System

BY LINDA MAXWELL STEFANELLI ’62

Formal celebration of 2020 Alumni Awards and Hall of Fame recognition is now planned for May 2021. (Reporting for the 2020 Spring Journal concluded on March 15.)

The speed and severity of the global COVID-19 outbreak illustrates the critical importance of implementing a rapid and comprehensive game plan for the millions of people affected by the medical and associated legal issues that arise in such emergencies. This is the type of urgent crisis that finds its way to Julie Taitsman’s desk. As Chief Medical Officer for the Office of Inspector General (OIG), the agency that ensures the health and safety of beneficiaries of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) programs, Julie is responsible for supervising the response to everything from pandemics to opioid addiction, the care of migrant children and much more.

“We have a huge portfolio,” she says. “We cover over 100 different grants and programs representing almost $2 trillion of taxpayers’ money. With 1,600 people, we could spend all our time just fighting fraud in Medicare and Medicaid, but we have to cover the whole portfolio.”

With degrees in both medicine and law, Julie is eminently qualified for the broad spectrum of work she does.

She is OIG’s primary resource on clinical and scientific issues and lends medical expertise to audits, evaluations, inspections and enforcement actions. Her focus is on protecting and overseeing services for vulnerable populations, including the safety of children in Head Start facilities and medical care for elderly people in nursing homes. She founded OIG’s Quality of Care Workgroup to foster collaboration across the agency.

“My job is sort of a weird little nexus of law and medicine,” she says. “Some days I feel like I need the law degree, some days I feel like I need the medical degree, some days I feel I just need common sense, and some days I feel completely unprepared.”

The nature of OIG’s work requires it to respond quickly to emergency situations. For example, OIG has increased its focus in the last few years on the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s Unaccompanied Alien Children Program. “It had been part of our portfolio for many years but not a part that required much attention. But then, as the number of migrant children increased and the demographic changed, HHS was faced with caring for more children, and also for younger children and children with greater physical and mental health needs. We have to be agile to keep up,” Julie says.

Another area of focus, the Indian Health Service, is of special interest to Julie, who spent her first summer after graduating medical school volunteering as a primary care physician on the Southern Ute Reservation.

“We have an obligation to provide health care for members of recognized Native American tribes that goes back to treaties signed over 100 years ago. There have been issues with quality of care in the Indian Health Service, so while the population served might not be huge, we pay a lot of attention because it’s a vulnerable population with striking health disparities,” she explains.

The agency’s oversight mandate covers HHS institutions, including the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The coronavirus is not the first pandemic with which Julie has been involved: she worked on the international front to combat the JOURNAL

AIDS epidemic. The President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) is credited with saving over 18 million lives since it was established in 2003. It has invested over $85 billion, much of it through specific grants in Africa and Asia, and OIG is charged with ensuring the grants are properly awarded and executed and that the money is properly dispersed.

City to clerk for Judge Constance Baker Motley, a formidable former civil rights lawyer, in the U.S. Southern District of New York.

“In 2014, the Ebola outbreak landed on my desk,” she says. “We worked with government partners such as the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Department of Defense.”

In an equally weighty early career opportunity, Julie found herself just a year out of school making real healthcare policy decisions that affected tens of millions of people. “I was crafting National Coverage Decisions for the Medicare Program, basically deciding whether or not 60 million seniors and people with disabilities should be able to get a drug, medical device or other technology.

Responsibility like that would probably scare me now, but when you’re young, you’re not afraid.”

While OIG provides a necessary deterrent for unethical doctors and pharmaceutical outlets (it is currently seeking more than 170 fugitives on charges related to health care fraud and abuse), Julie believes it provides welcome support for honest practitioners.

It works with Congress, the states, health and human service professionals, and consumers to identify their needs and challenges, and often acts as a consultant to help experts identify and find solutions to their problems.

“We have an opportunity to do a lot of teaching where you get tangible results right away,” Julie says. Educating others is just one of the things she finds satisfying about her work. “We have a fantastic mission in OIG. There are wonderful people here and they’re here because they’re mission-driven. We’re a great agency.

We’re not political, we’re all career civil servants.”

“Dr. Taitsman is the model public servant,” says Principal Deputy Inspector General Christi Grimm. “She is committed to the mission of protecting Health and Human Services programs and the beneficiaries they serve. During her tenure as OIG’s Chief Medical Officer, she has published numerous articles on health care quality and safety, guarding against medical identity theft, and best practices for physicians and other practitioners to comply with often complicated federal health care laws. She is extremely calm under pressure, setting a professional standard for all to follow. Perhaps most valuable of all is Julie’s commitment to grow others; she fosters the strongest working teams in OIG by building up the confidence and skill set of each team member. Julie really is the terrific All Star she appears to be.”

Julie was four when she started at Princeton Day School and she thrived there. “One of the greatest strengths at PDS is the focus on writing,” she says. “You need small classes and committed teachers.

Learning to write effectively is time consuming, it’s not something for which you can follow an algorithm. I’ve found it’s a skill I draw on all the time. I have to analyze things rationally and then express myself in writing. It doesn’t matter what program we’re looking at, writing is the skill that cuts across all disciplines.”

She says she always expected to graduate as a PDS “lifer” but when Lawrenceville began accepting girls, her sense of adventure was piqued and she transferred there as a junior. In 1992, she graduated from Brown University phi beta kappa with a B.A. in International Relations and then moved over to Brown’s medical school, receiving her M.D. in 1996. During her last year, she was also enrolled at Harvard Law School from which she graduated cum laude in 1998.

She completed the Preliminary Residency Program in Internal Medicine at Carney Hospital in Boston before moving to New York

“That was an incredible experience,” she says of her work writing judicial opinions. “It’s almost like an upside-down pyramid where you have the most responsibility early in your career rather than later on.”

Julie has the distinction of having served in all three branches of the federal government. Her first federal job was in the executive branch’s Office for Civil Rights, ensuring access for people with disabilities. She served a year with the judicial branch in New York and completed the trifecta when she was named Special Counsel for Health and Science for the Senate Finance Committee. In that role, she investigated influence peddling by the pharmaceutical industry, worked to promote integrity in medical decision making and also authored the staff report on industry funding of continuing medical education.

For the last 16 years, Julie has been at OIG, which operates under HHS, a cabinet-level department that employs 80,000 people.

She lives in Bethesda, MD with her husband Matthew Tureck, an editor for CBS Evening News, and their 11-year-old son Nathan.

“One of the greatest strengths at PDS

is the focus on writing. You need small classes and committed teachers. Learning to write effectively is time consuming, it’s not something for which you can follow an algorithm. I’ve found it’s a skill I draw on all the time.”

“It is so reassuring to me that the medical director role at OIG/ HHS is held by my sister,” says Lisa Taitsman ’86 who, as an orthopaedic trauma surgeon, can appreciate Julie’s challenges and responsibilities. “Julie is smart, honest and ethical. She knows how important it is to promote patient safety and the health of the public. At the same time, she understands the role of the physician as well as the increasing administrative and regulatory demands and tries to mitigate unnecessary burdens. Julie has a great ability to keep things in perspective and even manages to have a sense of humor about it all. I could not be more proud of my sister and all that she has done to promote the ethical practice of health care in the U.S.” “We’re trying to improve the quality of care and safeguard federal money. That’s our mission,” Julie says in her soft-spoken but confident way. “We’re trying to make things better.”

SPRING 2020

Patrick L. Courtney ’85

Alumni Achievement Award

MLB’s Year-Round Utility Player

BY LINDA MAXWELL STEFANELLI ’62

Formal celebration of 2020 Alumni Awards and Hall of Fame recognition is now planned for May 2021. (Reporting for the 2020 Spring Journal concluded on March 15.)

The texts and emails start pinging at dawn and continue into the evening on Pat Courtney’s cell phone. As the Chief Communications Officer for Major League Baseball (MLB) and the principal spokesman for Commissioner Rob Manfred, he responds to a daily barrage of time-sensitive questions from media and the baseball community while supervising all aspects of the organization’s communications and media relations. He also directs media operations for the league’s premier events, including the World Series and the All-Star Game, and oversees its charitable giving programs and community relations initiatives.

“I always start with a list for the day but it quickly changes.

You have to be nimble,” he says. That flexibility has been especially evident since March 12 when MLB announced the suspension of spring training games and delayed the start of the baseball season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Pat is responsible for structuring all of my communications; internal to employees, to owners and clubs, to fans and to the press,” explains Commissioner Manfred. “More important, Pat is one of my closest advisors on policy and important decisions that affect the game. He has been a crucial part of the MLB leadership team for more than two decades and has contributed to the growth of the game with outstanding ideas. He is always a voice of calm and perspective in difficult situations.”

Baseball’s celebrated players, team rivalries and controversies are reported, examined and debated in a yearround news cycle. “The internet changed the coverage of our industry,” Pat says. “There used to be a 10:00 nightly deadline for newspapers but now, there’s no such thing.” He meets daily with a small group of MLB communications staff to go over the day’s headlines, decide how to respond and assign someone to cover each situation. Pat himself is in touch with reporters “non-stop” and says, “There’s a mutual respect with media I’ve worked with over the years, there’s a really good give and take.”

“Pat...has been a crucial part of the MLB leadership team for more than two

decades and has contributed to the growth of the game with outstanding ideas.

He is always a voice of calm and perspective in difficult situations.”

—MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred

“Over Pat’s long career in baseball he has developed relationships around the game and in the press that are invaluable,” the Commissioner says. “Those relationships are a tribute to his honesty, credibility and shining personality. In addition, Pat has great intuition as to how the press and our fans are going to react in a given situation. He is effective with the media because of his credibility and his ability to break down complicated issues in a way the media can understand.” In a rare honor for a member of MLB, the Major League Clubs honored Pat with the 2009 Robert O. Fishel Award for Public Relations Excellence.

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Pat is a Princeton Day School “lifer” who started in Madeline Weigel’s Kindergarten class. “She was a great person and had a huge influence on me,” he says. He grew up in Hopewell playing a variety of sports and learning all he could about them. “I had an uncle who umpired at a high level and he had a lot of stories. We always talked sports.”

Classmate Sal Fier remembers, “We used to count the minutes to recess so we could get the first available ball on the playground! Pat has always been easygoing and has a laugh that’s contagious. I truly believe his ability to relate to others in a genuine way, combined with his passion for sports, especially baseball, gave him the drive and determination that propelled him up the ladder at MLB.” “At PDS, it was clear Pat had an undeniable interest in sports, with baseball being his real passion,” Rob Chibbaro ’86 agrees.

“His strong work ethic, knowledge and ability to adapt led to a successful career at MLB. Pat is an expert in his field, very well-respected by his peers and colleagues, and continues to grow the game of baseball—it’s a dream job that he loves!”

It is also a job he had not even considered until a chance conversation during college changed everything. He was studying economics and sociology at the University of Richmond when, just prior to his senior year, a friend asked what he wanted to do after college. Hearing Pat planned to work on Wall Street or go into finance, he asked, “Why? Ever since I’ve known you, you’ve had this focus on sports. Why don’t you try to do something in that area?”

“It was the best advice I ever got,” Pat says. “It really set off a light bulb in my head.” He took the university’s first sports management class and interned with a professional sports agent. After graduation, he interned with the Philadelphia 76ers in ticket sales and then, in 1991, landed an internship with the New York Yankees.

“That was my break,” he says. He was one of three young interns in the organization’s communications department during the suspension of owner George Steinbrenner. The department head was overloaded with work and gave the $100-a-week interns all the responsibility they could manage.

Pat found himself handling game day operations, public relations and communications, working closely with the media and players.

“I loved it,” he says. “I couldn’t believe I was at Yankee Stadium every day. I was raw but that internship allowed me to develop skills.” One of his duties was to make up packets of daily news clippings and deliver them to the entire front office.

“What I didn’t realize was it was an opportunity to get to know everybody just by doing that. And of course, it was the Yankees who probably had the largest number of daily reporters of any team in professional sports, so I worked with media from all over the country.” He also got to know the players and recalls, “I was invited to work at spring training and on my first road

trip I grabbed a seat on the bus. Don Mattingly came and sat down next to me and welcomed me to the team. I knew I had made the right career choice!”

His next big break came just a year later when he joined MLB as a public relations assistant. “It’s different than working for a team because you’re involved in working with all 30 clubs and on every national situation,” Pat says. He was promoted through the organization and became involved with business aspects such as labor, broadcasting, sponsorships and sales. He was appointed Chief Communications Officer in December 2014.

The work is demanding but can be glamorous, too. Prior to the Sydney Olympics in 2000, Pat was delegated to be on the staff of the young USA baseball team. He was joined by Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda, who came out of retirement to manage the team, and the two became close during the six weeks in Australia. By the end of competition, the team won the Gold Medal. “It was unbelievable, a once in a lifetime experience,” Pat says.

“Pat is an expert in his field, very

well-respected by his peers and colleagues, and continues to grow the game of baseball—it’s a dream job that he loves!”

—Rob Chibbaro ’86

Pat oversees MLB’s wide-ranging charitable giving programs and community outreach. “The work with our charitable partners is extremely rewarding,” he says. His organization has relationships with Stand Up to Cancer, Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the Jackie Robinson Foundation to name a few, and recently announced a joint initiative with the Major League Baseball Players Association to fund services for vulnerable populations affected by domestic violence.

MLB seeks to grow the sport through community-based initiatives. “Our research shows what makes someone a baseball fan is either playing or going to a game at a young age,” Pat says. “When we engage with youth, we see the positive impact it has in the communities. We’ve built fields and run programs all over the world. A couple of years ago we helped refurbish a Little League field across from Ewing High School [NJ].

Over the last four years, baseball and softball combined have had the highest participation among team sports in the United States. It’s a challenge today to keep kids active, especially in underserved areas, and to make sure we have the facilities and the equipment to reach everybody.”

Pat has been with MLB for 28 years and still feels lucky to be there. He grew up loving baseball and is dedicated to giving others the opportunity to enjoy the game as he did. He says, “The number one goal now is to spread the love of the game to the next generation the way it was passed on to us.”

SPRING 2020

Catherine A. Chomiak ’05

Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Hooked on News

BY LINDA MAXWELL STEFANELLI ’62

Formal celebration of 2020 Alumni Awards and Hall of Fame recognition is now planned for May 2021. (Reporting for the 2020 Spring Journal concluded on March 15.)

For Catherine Chomiak, a suitcase and valid passport are essential tools of her trade. Barely 15 years out of high school, she has already acquired the expertise, experience and travel miles to excel at one of the most stressful, complex and fast-paced jobs around. She is a television producer with credentials that would make a veteran proud—and she is just getting started.

Katie, as she is known, began her network career at NBC News in Washington, D.C. and when she left in 2014 to accept a foreign posting, Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell took time at the end of her broadcast to say, “As we cover the news of the world, we all here at NBC and MSNBC rely heavily on the reporting of one person, Catherine Chomiak, my State Department Diplomatic Producer. She has been my traveling companion around the globe for years, covering trips with Hillary Clinton and then John Kerry, from Bali to Bagdad to Berlin and back. So this is a heartfelt and loving thank you until we meet again.” They resumed their partnership this March when Katie rejoined MSNBC and the show, this time as senior producer. As TV news outlets have pivoted this spring to comply with social distancing, business and travel restrictions, Katie and her colleagues find themselves continually recalibrating news productions and reinventing the audience experience at a time when the news is a more important lifeline than ever for millions quarantining at home to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before her return to the U.S. she spent five years in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, as senior producer for CNN International’s flagship Middle East prime time show, Connect the World with Becky Anderson.

She was responsible for all aspects of the two-hour telecast, from pitching ideas and deciding which stories to cover to managing a team of producers, writers and copy editors to taking the show to air in the control room. In 2018, the show received three Emmy nominations for its coverage of the war in Yemen and the Genoa Bridge collapse.

“I realized early on that I’m a news junkie,” Katie says. “If I can do something I love, that I’d be doing anyway, and make a career out of it, then sign me up!”

“Katie gives everything she does her all,” says classmate Anu Shah. “Part of that driving force is her motivation to do things the right way while still being willing to take risks. The other part comes from being a lifelong student. Katie has an inquisitive mind unlike any other person I’ve met. She delves deep into complex issues by capturing the full picture or asking the tough questions to tell a story that is both compelling and authentic.”

Katie admits that the complexity and unpredictability of her work require a bit of juggling. “I’ve had instances where things have changed during a show with breaking news. You plan what we call a ‘strong show;’ you have a good editorial ‘lede’ that’s newsworthy, you have a news-making guest that’s relative to the story, you have a panel of experts, and then your visual graphics and video. You can have this really strong show in the gate and then something happens and you have to turn on a dime. So I think there is a bit of agility and thinking on your feet that’s required but also a lot of teamwork, because it takes a multitude of people to do one hour of television. It can be exciting, but it’s certainly nerve-wracking.”

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As much as she is drawn to hard news, one of Katie’s favorite interviews was with Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli during his visit to Jordan in 2018. It was highlighted by a concert he gave in Jerash among the Greco-Roman ruins. “He’s very devout and we were at various holy sites so that came across in the visuals and then he just has the most amazing voice,” she says. “It was a beautiful, historic night in every sense of the word. It was very special to capture and to know we could share an experience that was very special for our team but also was impactful for the viewers, showing a different part of the world and a different side of a very famous man.”

Katie’s adaptability was honed as a teenager when she left the Branchburg public school system and enrolled at PDS as a freshman. She participated in the Maine Coast Semester at Chewonki during the second half of her junior year and then that summer, her father was transferred to Shanghai and the family moved halfway across the world. Katie completed her senior year in China.

“I think my experiences in high school broadened my horizons.

Coming to PDS and then Maine Coast Semester and moving to Shanghai, you couldn’t pick three more different but enriching places,” she says. “I think I got interested in international journalism because the only English-language TV station we got in Shanghai was CNN.” After a year, Katie was back in the U.S. as a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania. She graduated in 2009 with a double major in Political Science and Communications and Public Service. She minored in East Asian Languages and Civilization with a concentration in Chinese. “I wish I had a better ear for languages,” she laments. “I tried with French and Chinese and Arabic. I have the basics with all three but no fluency.”

“You can have this really strong show in the

in terms of class participation and the way the teachers really invited questioning, puzzling things out and discussing topics in a bigger context. To be a good journalist, the writing is just so fundamental. Being taught to write properly and then building on that foundation is really important. You get to a certain point and that has to be rock solid.

“Then I took Mrs. H.’s photography courses [legendary PDS photography teacher Eileen Hohmuth-Lemonick] so I also got the visual. At one point in my career I was what I call a one-man band; you’re there with a camera and you have to be a reporter and a camera person. I went from a still camera to a video camera but I think the focus of the aperture, the framing, are very relevant.”

In her next position as State Department Producer, Katie covered and reported on the daily briefings and traveled to 31 countries, producing live, hour-long remote broadcasts of Andrea Mitchell Reports. She covered the Arab Spring, Syria’s civil war, Iran’s nuclear negotiations, the rise of ISIS, and Osama bin Laden’s death. She interviewed Secretary Hillary Clinton on-camera for her first sit-down after the terrorist attacks on the U.S. Mission in Benghazi and interviewed Secretary John Kerry after Edward Snowden leaked classified documents.

“Katie has excelled at her work through a combination of great proficiency and a positive attitude that brings out the best in her colleagues,” says her brother Chris Chomiak ’07. “Her ability to coordinate production processes, talent and content has made her a valuable asset to multiple worldwide news organizations.”

“You can always count on Katie’s smile to brighten up a room,” Anu says. “Even in the most stressful moments, she never loses her affable personality. Katie’s kindness knows no bounds. She will drop everything to be with you and she’s the first to wish you happy birthday or host you if you’re in her neighborhood, be it Abu Dhabi or Washington, D.C. It’s no surprise that she’s made friends all across the world.”

gate and then something happens and you have to turn on a dime. So I think there is a bit of agility and thinking on your feet that’s required, but also a lot of teamwork because it takes a multitude of people to do one hour of television. It can be exciting, but it’s certainly nerve-wracking.”

During her junior year at Penn, she spent a semester in Washington interning at MSNBC. By the fall of her senior year, the 2008 presidential race was in full swing, so on weekends she commuted from Philadelphia to 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York to act as a freelance researcher. After graduation, she returned to Washington as an NBC production assistant for the Nightly News and did research for the Today show. Next, she was made a political unit researcher, preparing information on 2012 candidates and gaining experience as a digital journalist.

“I learned on the job,” Katie says, “but I also think if you are a good writer and a good critical thinker, those are two very important skill sets. I think that began during my time at PDS

Katie and her husband, Ben Klein, a real estate investor, live in the Capitol. Here they enjoy a light moment with a droll dromedary in the “Empty Quarter” of the Liwa Desert, U.A.E. SPRING 2020

Paris L. McLean ’00

Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee

Shooting for the Stars

BY LINDA MAXWELL STEFANELLI ’62

Formal celebration of 2020 Alumni Awards and Hall of Fame recognition is now planned for May 2021. (Reporting for the 2020 Spring Journal concluded on March 15.)

Paris McLean arrived at Princeton Day School in 1998 as a junior intent on making his mark in basketball. Twenty years later, he is still on the Great Road serving as Head of Lower School at Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart, guiding the education of over 80 boys ages five to ten.

It is a role he would never have imagined for himself before PDS but then, there have been a lot of surprises for Paris since then.

“Before I came to PDS, I viewed myself as an athlete who went to school to play more sports,” he admits. “At PDS, I began to understand what it meant to be a student athlete and to put that first and foremost, but it wasn’t without growing pains. I tried my best, I was really invested in the community, but academics were just really hard for me.”

Fueled by an abundance of natural ability, Paris found sports much easier. He credits his mother with getting him into athletics, mostly he suspects, so he could burn off excess energy outside the house. He played soccer at four, T-ball at five and basketball at eight.

“I’m forever grateful to my mom for shuttling me around to those sports,” he says. “She was a single mom. My father was absent from my life, so athletics was a way for me to be around positive, strong, healthy male figures and for me to connect with my peers. I didn’t have a sibling, so athletics was this community I could go to, this network of people to bring me along.”

By the time he was a freshman at Bordentown High School, Paris was playing on a very strong varsity basketball team. To broaden his experience, he joined a competitive summer league at Trenton’s Cadwalader Park, where he met Justin Leith ’99 from PDS. Their team won the championship that summer and Justin encouraged him to apply to PDS. “I didn’t even know what PDS was,” Paris laughs but he visited the school that fall, applied and was accepted. “I realized PDS offered something special but, at 16, my focus didn’t go much beyond better athletic facilities, better teams and showcases. Now, at 38, I know what that special something is: it’s the PDS family, it’s collegiality and sense of community, the idea that we’re part of something larger than ourselves. So I’m ever grateful I made that move to be part of something special. Without the School’s unwavering commitment to equity and opportunity and financial access, I wouldn’t have been able to attend PDS. I can’t even put into words the generosity they showed me and my family.”

Paris is open about his struggles to catch up academically and adapt to new expectations. He is grateful for the teachers who saw his potential and went out of their way to help him, especially the late Jim Walker, Chair of the Math Department. “He was selfless,” Paris says. “I was placed in Algebra II and I just didn’t have the foundational skills for it so four days a week for an hour, my entire junior year, he would hand-write math problems, equations and algebra problems for me and we’d just work. He didn’t have to do that.”

His social and athletic adjustment was much less difficult. Paris has a warmth and charisma that attracts people of all ages and by the end of his first year at PDS, he was elected a Peer Group Leader. He joined the Teacher’s Assistant Program (TAP) primarily to fulfill his Community Service obligation but discovered he really enjoyed working with young children.

“I could see myself doing that. You can really make an impact and a personal connection,” he says.

Whippet thin and 6’ 3”, Paris had always regarded basketball as his strongest sport, but after a breakout junior year as a wide receiver on the PDS football team in which he was named All-State and All-Prep First Team, he was generating interest from college recruiters and realized he might be better suited to that sport.

“There hasn’t been a finer student athlete to come through the doors here at PDS,” says Coach Pete Higgins. “I remember first meeting Paris on the football field during the hot summer. I was very impressed with how hard he worked through the drills. He came to the field every day with determination and tenacity, striving always to be a better player.”

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Paris helped the basketball team close its 1998–1999 season as Prep A State Champions and the next year he was named co-captain and received All-Prep Honorable Mention. “He’s a great guy,” says Justin, who played with him at PDS and now, as Director of Athletics at Stuart Country Day School, still teams with him in the Frank Konstantynowicz ’76 Alumni Basketball Game. “He was a real hard worker. He kind of set the tone for everyone else, so to have him added to our team, that was wonderful. He really helped us.” Paris also had an impact and received recognition as pitcher for the varsity baseball team.

By mid-point of his senior year, Paris was being courted by Division I colleges and universities but his G.P.A. hovered dangerously close to the NCAA Clearinghouse cut-off for eligibility. He decided to take a post-graduate year but then, at the last minute, changed his mind and reopened his recruitment process. He enrolled at La Salle University sight unseen and starred for four years as a defensive back, racking up national honors every year and being named a Scholar-Athlete by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.

He can pinpoint the moment early in freshman year when he focused his competitive drive on his marks and made Dean’s List a goal. “I did it by appling the skills I learned at PDS but had not had time to fully absorb while I was there,” he says. “Everything just shifted and the same kid who barely made Clearinghouse graduated from La Salle with honors four years later.”

“I know what that special something is [at

Princeton Day School]: it’s the PDS family, it’s collegiality and sense of community, the idea that we’re part of something larger than ourselves.”

In 2004, Paris returned to PDS to teach Lower School and coach football and basketball. He was just 26 when he became head coach of the varsity basketball team, which had seen four coaches in four years. “I thought I could stabilize the team,” he says. “I was looking for players who complemented each other.

We were building teams that had trust and strong chemistry.”

The year before he took over, the team won three games. The next year, under his leadership, it won 14 games and Paris was named Coach of the Year by the regional newspapers, an achievement he repeated in 2011 and 2012. During his tenure, he coached two 1,000-point scorers and a 2,000-point scorer, PDS Hall of Famer Davon Reed ’13, who went on to play in the NBA. Although he coached some outstanding players, Paris’ priority was to ensure every player had a role on the team and felt part of its success.

Head of School Paul Stellato served with Paris on the PDS Community Multicultural Development Team (CMDT) and says, “I was so impressed listening to him. He thought of everything and yet remained open to the inevitable surprises. I also saw that his kids adored him, the faculty were very fond of him and respected him, and parents loved him.” Paul urged him to apply to Columbia University’s Teachers College Klingenstein Center.

“He saw things for me that I didn’t even imagine,” Paris says. “I never would have thought Columbia was even within reach, but he encouraged me to be unapologetic and shoot for the stars.”

“He was so keen on soaking in experience and ideas and opinions,” Paul says. “He’s always looking out at the horizon and anticipating what’s next, a very impressive quality.”

It is a trait that translates to his athletic philosophy. “If we learn responsibility, integrity and hard work and the by-product is we win some games, that’s great,” Paris says. “It goes back to being part of something special, recognizing that we’re part of this network; it’s how we represent our school, our family and ourselves. If we walk away from our experience as good people, then I’m happy.”

PARIS MCLEAN ’00 PRINCETON DAY SCHOOL (attended junior and senior years)

Varsity Football 1998 All-State, All-Prep First Team selected by the The Times of Trenton & The Trentonian 1999 Co-Captain

All-State, All-Prep First Team selected by The Times of Trenton & The Trentonian Varsity Basketball 1999 Prep A State Champions 2000 Captain All-Prep Honorable Mention

Mercer County Finalists Varsity Baseball 2000 All-Prep Honorable Mention

LA SALLE UNIVERSITY Varsity Football 2001 CoSIDA Academic All-America All-District Football Team 2002 NCAA Leadership Conference Selection (1 of 200 players in all sports across the country) 2003 CoSIDA Academic All-America All-District Football Team

All-State Good Works Team (1 of 22 players selected in the country) 2004 Scholar-Athlete selected by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Philadelphia Chapter

Co-Head La Salle Athletic Relations Council

PDS COACHING CAREER

2004–2009 Varsity Football Coach 2004–2007 Boys Varsity Basketball Assistant Coach 2007–2015 Boys Varsity Basketball Head Coach 2008, 2011, 2012 Basketball Coach of the Year, selected by The Times of Trenton & The Trentonian 2012, 2013 Prep B Basketball State Finalists 2012–2013 Team Won ESCIT Tournament Prime Time Shootout

SPRING 2020

1950 We love hearing from you.

Please send your news to your class correspondent, or submit online at pds.searchwavelength.org or via classnotes@pds.org.

Please know that the Journal, including Class Notes, also appears on pds.org in our digital archives of the Journal.

Miss Fine’s School 1940

Phyllis Vandewater Clement 2375 Range Avenue #157 Santa Rosa, CA 95403 (707) 823-0925 (home) pvanclement@gmail.com

1943

Marjorie Libby Moore 90 Woolsey Court Pennington, NJ 08534-1428 (609) 730-9515 (home)

1949

Lucy Law Webster 19 Church Street Cooperstown, NY 13326 (607) 437-0887 (home) lucylawwebster@gmail.com

Lucy Law Webster received a lifetime achievement award from the Citizens for Global Solutions. She was given a painting by Picasso with the following text: Citizens For Global Solutions Award For Lifetime Achievement Lucy Law Webster

Donata Coletti Mechem 49 Marcela Avenue San Francisco, CA 94116-1471 (510) 851-1123 (cell) doe@mechem.org

My husband, Kirke, and I thankfully are both well and having busy lives. The high points of this past year were the two premiers of my husband’s opera, Pride and Prejudice, based on Jane Austen’s novel. A concert version—no costumes, sets or moving about the stage—was put on by the Redwood Symphony (Redwood City, CA) last April; it was a big success. The second was a staged version of four performances put on by Johns Hopkins University’s Peabody Institute in November. It was also a big success with a standing ovation after the fourth performance. All our family were able to be there, including my sister, Mimi Coletti Dow ’51. Wendy McAneny Bradburn ’50 and her husband, Norman, came up from Arlington, VA, where they live. They are currently visiting their daughter and family in New Zealand.

I also heard from Jean Milholland Shriver in Pales Verdes Estates, CA: “Not much new since last time. Son having local art show of paintings. Daughter going to teach jewelry method in England. Me, I’m just trying to keep breathing.”

1952

Marcia Goetze Nappi 251 Gardenside Lane Shelburne, VT 05482-6541 (802) 985-3070 (home) marciagn@aol.com

1954

Joan E. Kennan 3143 O Street, NW Washington, DC 20007-3117 (202) 342-2118 (home) joankennan@gmail.com

As in the past, I was fortunate to hear from my two most faithful correspondents.

Agnes Fulper wrote that over the Christmas holidays she visited her sister, Julie Fulper Hardt ’61, and brother-in-law in Princeton.

Aggie lives in Albuquerque, NM, and hadn’t seen her family for two years.

Lucy Law Webster ’49 (center) with Donna Park, Board Chair of Citizens for Global Solutions Education Fund, and Larry David, Chair of Citizens for Global Solutions Development Committee JOURNAL

Anna Rosenblad Davies was her irrepressible self when she reminisced about how several of us would meet up and walk to Miss Fine’s School together each weekday morning. She went on to say “Here we are—little old ladies.

But as long as we still have a clear head and are healthy, why complain? I am still painting and playing the piano.”

Your correspondent, Joan Kennan, survived hip replacement surgery in February 2019 and thanks to its therapeutic benefits, can now walk her Labrador retriever with ease.

This past January (2020) she was fortunate to be able to attend her nephew’s wedding in Jamaica—four days of beach and sunshine—a welcome winter break!

1955

L. Chloe King 25 Stonehaven Drive #217 South Weymouth, MA 02190 (781) 660-5191 (home) (781) 898-8312 (cell) lchloek@comcast.net

Merriol Baring-Gould Almond had her right hip replaced in early December and went to Croatia at the end of January. Bravo, Merriol!

She feels especially pleased and proud that two of her children are full professors at Columbia and Stanford. Merriol and Doug have nine grandchildren ranging in age from 8 to 17. The eldest just received her first college acceptance—to UNC Chapel Hill.

Jo Cornforth Coke sent news that she is spending two+ months in West Palm Beach in her sister, Julia ’61’s, condo. Then they will cruise to Greece, Israel, Turkey and Egypt, followed by a week in Paris, a month in Julia’s house in the south of France, and a week (or more) in London. Jo’s philosophy is, do it while you can! Her travel plans have increased greatly since she realized in December that she is 82!!! Having her health is a blessing.

Jeannie Crawford wrote: “Last November, Lucy Busselle Myers and I met for a lengthy lunch in Portland, ME. We hadn’t seen each other in over sixty years and it was a rich time of sharing.” Jeannie is anticipating three graduations of grandchildren in the spring— two college and one high school. A nice yearround house is springing up where Jeannie’s parents’ lakeside cottage used to be. It will be the home of daughter, Jodie, and family, designed by her husband Geoff. Jeannie is enjoying her new home and environment at Quarry Hill Retirement Community in Camden, ME.

Mary Tyson (now Ty) Goodridge wrote in the humorous spirit, which has always been a trademark: “Where is the gold wristwatch for Chloe King’s 65 years as our class secretary!!!

I am impressed by her tenacity and her care for all of us! We need to make sure that we tell those around us how we care, if indeed we do.” Ty is still working hard to rehabilitate her “broken shoulder, shredded rotator cuff and broken humerus!!” A long road ahead, no doubt! Ty misses everyone!

Teri Beck Morse saw all four of her sons over the holidays. Her grandchildren are all busy with studies and music. Nate, a junior at the University of Rochester, is majoring in mathematics, physics and optics, and playing the carillon and piano; Charlie, 16, is involved with the Boston Children’s Chorus, with a concert every month. The last one

Alumni Spotlight

Sara Cooper ’80

Warrior in a Hot Pink Chariot

by Linda Maxwell Stefanelli ’62

Sara Cooper may be forced to spend all day in a wheelchair, but she sees absolutely no reason not to deck it out with hot pink wheels. Her flashy ride, her mischievous smile and the jaunty Hermès scarf camouflaging her neck brace are simply the first clues that Sara is not about to let her illness define her. In November 2018, she was diagnosed with ALS, a progressively debilitating, incurable disease. While she may be limited physically, she’s lost none of her indomitable spirit or compassion for others.

“Initially terrified, I decided to take my diagnosis in a positive direction,” she says.

“I’m a problem solver. I can’t cure ALS but I do know how to get things done, so my goal is to raise awareness about this disease and help others who have it.”

The first hint of trouble came in 2016 when she was indulging what she calls her Martha Stewart tendencies by decorating her house for Halloween. Although she and her husband, Mike Delehanty, have no children, Sara had carved five pumpkins and was standing on a chair to hang the last decoration when she fell. She broke her left leg and right arm. She ended up in a wheelchair for three months and endured grueling physical therapy, during which time her therapist asked if Sara had fallen before. She realized she had, about five times over the year, unusual for a woman of 53.

“I really don’t believe there are any accidents in life,” she says. “I believe those three months were a trial period for me to really think about my life and to learn to be in this wheelchair.”

She experienced the first symptoms in 2017 with a weakening in her hands and legs. A year later she was officially diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease.

It tends to leave the mind unaffected but gradually and inexorably, one’s hands and legs cease to function and one loses the ability to speak, swallow and breathe. The average survival rate is two to five years from the onset of symptoms, although about ten percent of patients live more than 10 years. There are 30,000 Americans with ALS and every 90 minutes another is diagnosed and another dies. There are currently 10 people within a 10-mile radius of Sara’s house suffering from the disease.

Sara knew about ALS because her neighbor, Jodi O’Donnell-Ames, lost her first husband to the disease in 2001.

Jodi founded Hope Loves Company, the country’s only non-profit organization to offer emotional and educational support to children and young adults with a family member suffering from ALS. Sara serves on its board. Jodi says, “Sara’s an integral part of our growth with her marketing skills, her compassion, her intelligence and her vision.”

When Sara was unable to find information to navigate the complicated issues confronting people with a terminal illness, she used her considerable skills and business experience to create “The ALS Roadmap”, a hot pink and white brochure that provides practical advice on medical, legal, emotional, psychological and insurance matters. She plans to sell ads and use the proceeds to fund special treats for ALS patients and caregivers such as a spa day or cleaning service.

Sara Cooper and her husband Mike Delehanty

Blazing trails is nothing new to Sara.

She transferred to Princeton Day School in seventh grade after attending Stuart Country Day School through sixth. At PDS, she played varsity tennis and was a formidable goalie on the championship soccer team. “To play goalie, all you need is a lot of attitude,” she laughs.

Sara and classmate Lynn Shapiro Starr, now a lawyer and noted Washington telecommunications lobbyist, soon became inseparable. “We helped each other grow up, we nurtured each other,” Lynn remembers. “Sara was and is so much fun. She’s such a spirited person, so full of life even in the place she finds herself today. She’s extraordinary; she’s smart, beautiful, articulate, she’s the total package.”

Sara attended Wheaton College but after two years, transferred to Boston University and graduated with a degree in finance. She built a successful career in banking but felt unfulfilled so she took a gamble and enrolled at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts.

“It was the best decision I ever made,” she says. “It was nerve-wracking, but I never looked back. Culinary school taught me that my creative spirit, innate desire to nurture and my passion for building relationships could actually be the basis for a career.”

After 20 years in Boston, Sara and her husband settled in Titusville, NJ. She took a sales job at a regional newspaper, Town Topics, and reconnected with PDS by serving two terms on the Alumni Board. She calls herself a “serial entrepreneur” and co-founded Four Girls, a catering company that was honored by the Trenton YWCA. In 2010, she founded Cooper Creative Group. It provides marketing and branding solutions and operates as a consortium of local experts in marketing, public relations, information technology and communications. Last June, the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce honored Sara and her company with its first-ever Impact Award.

Sara has always been an enthusiastic and effective volunteer, serving on numerous non-profit boards and committees. She has a gift for bringing people of varying interests together and has developed a widespread network of friends and colleagues. She went public with her diagnosis in March 2019 and has been enormously touched by the outpouring of support. She has what she calls a tribe of about 50 women, and a few men, who do the things she no longer can.

They drive, do marketing, wash windows, weed the garden and write the thank you notes Sara would hate to leave unsent.

“I feel very blessed,” she says. “I’ve had a wonderful life, I feel great, I’m not just saying that. I’m adapting and the outpouring of support from everybody is truly more humbling to me than ALS.” “Sara has always led with her heart and has given so much to this community,” Jodi says. “What’s happened here is the beauty of ‘what goes around, comes around.’ People want to give back and support this beautiful, amazing, talented woman.”

“I’m a fighter and I’m determined to make a difference in my time left,” Sara says. Then that impish smile appears and she reminds us why she will do just that.

“I’m very strong-willed, I’m a little sassy, I’m pretty funny and I like to think I’m kind, but I do things my way. I’m not saying ALS is easy, it’s a vicious disease—but I’m not a quitter.”

The Class of 1980 Reunion Committee invites classmates and members of our community to make their gift to the PDS Annual Fund in honor of Sara Cooper ’80. spring 2020

at Boston Symphony Hall in January was a very moving tribute to Martin Luther King.

Granddaughter, Zadie, is singing in her seventh grade chorus. Teri is still working on her family history.

Lucy Busselle Myers and I see each other at Boston Symphony Hall now and then. Always fun! This spring we will have lunch together after the final BSO Open Rehearsal.

Alice Marie Nelson wrote she is enjoying a fabulous season of theater, opera and concerts.

If one lives in NYC, one needs to make use of these institutions. Alice Marie went to her 60th reunion at Bennington College. It was a multiple year reunion—very well organized and very interesting. There were new buildings to admire, classes and seminars to attend, and new and old friends to connect with. It was the first and only reunion Alice Marie has attended and it was highly enjoyable. She went to our 50th at Miss Fine’s and her 60th for Bennington. That will be it!

Life at Bay Village in Sarasota is wonderfully busy for Laura Travers Pardee and her husband, Fred! Laura has yoga two mornings a week as well as competitive duplicate bridge two, sometimes three, mornings weekly. Fred plays tennis at least three and sometimes four mornings a week! While we are here in Florida, we look forward to having lunch with Laura and Fred.

Barbara Kohlsaat VonOehsen sent news that she had surgery on a tendon in her left foot.

Sending get-well wishes, Barb!

Miss Rohr (Connie Rohr Reiter): “It’s difficult for me to picture all you young ladies from 10th grade now involved in careers, married, grown-up, even to being grandparents!

You were all young, happy, pretty and smart.

I remember you passed a law, and having to deal with it being declared unconstitutional by your Supreme Court. And I think back to when a few of us reinforced that study of the Guild System by actually attending the Metropolitan Opera House in New York to see—and hear—Die Meistersinger. Then there was a student-faculty basketball game and some exhausting after-school soccer. For me those were golden years, and you each and all helped launch me into my life’s work— teaching—and I’m still at it. I am so grateful to you. I wish you all very good health and happy lives. With great affection, and happy memories.”

Ann Freedman Mizgerd reported: “My husband, Joe, and I live in Bonita Springs, FL and love the great weather here. We do spend the summer and early autumn months at our home on Cape Cod. Our son, Jay, and his wife, Louise, live in Wellesley, MA, so visiting back and forth is wonderful. Their boys, our grandsons Bill and Clay, are grown, now ages 22 and 20. Bill has graduated from Brown University and is now getting his master’s there. Clay is a junior at Williams

JOURNAL

College. Jay is a professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine and is the Director of the Pulmonary Center there. His laboratory is engaged in research on pneumonia and other lung diseases. Our daughter, Cathy, lives and works as a journalist in Ann Arbor, MI, and her boys, Charlie and Joe, are high school students there.

“I’m in reasonably good health but have had three back operations over the years and now use a walker. Joe is quite active and enjoys tennis at least three times a week. He retired as a pulmonologist in 2011, and I retired as a pediatrician after my last back surgery! I would like to hear news about others in our class of 1955.”

At this point, L. Chloe King, the forever (ed. note: and SUPERB!) class secretary, is enjoying Florida! So good to have left coats, hats, gloves and boots in New England as we enjoy glorious weather on Anna Maria Island! We miss playing golf here, and in New Hampshire in the summer and fall. Our shoulders can no longer cope with swinging clubs. Thank you to all who responded with interesting tidbits for our class column. Hugs to all classmates!!!

1956

Charlotte Cook Rakela, Ph.D. 1133 55th Street Sacramento, CA 95819-3911 (916) 739-8918 (home) ccook@csus.edu

MFS ’56ers! Below you will find wonderful health status updates from Hobey Alsop Hinchman and Kay Dunn Lyman.

From Hobey: “Margy was right that everything that could go right in my surgery did go right, but cobalt was not part of it. Just an excellent surgeon who also had Lady Luck sitting on his shoulder. He was able to remove all three cancerous growths; originally he was only going for ‘the big guy,’ but since everything went so smoothly he went for the two small ones, too. I am one lucky lady! We are in Florida now enjoying sunshine and blue skies—something you don’t see in Cincinnati in winter. Life is good!”

From Kay: “I am feeling much better. The knee replacement was as easy as it could be.

Two steroid shots eased the back pain and physical therapy for the knee and hip brought an end to that pain. What a difference a year makes. I am in the editing process for my Simmons project. It is slow. Dick and I are managing our lives, with some help. Now I just pray that there is more civility in politics and less fighting in endless wars.”

Princeton is feeling more and more like home to Marina Turkevich Naumann. My Craig and I saw her for a lovely evening in late October. She is closing in on the last shipping boxes still in her basement, and starting to meet neighbors in her lovely town house

apartment on Palmer Square. She enjoys being able to walk to the Chapel on campus for concerts, and has joined the Present Day Club, which offers excellent speakers every week, along with a nice luncheon. Her children and grands live nearby. Her housemate is a very social black cat who is excellent company. She still misses her Bob greatly, but is taking steps into this new phase of her life.

Joan Pierce Anselm is happy to report that she and Claus are plugging along in reasonably good health, and Joan is volunteering in the gardens of historic Monticello. No more news because our phone connection was cut off. The other caller turned out to be our own Betsy T!

Joyous news from Molly Wade McGrath: The most important event of the past year for the McGrath family was the arrival of granddaughter Annabel Wade McGrath to Molly’s daughter, Helen, a single mother. Helen had been married for five years, had no children, but still dreamed of being a mother when she and her former husband divorced. After many efforts to defy the infertility odds, she became pregnant last November thanks to the gift of two donor parents. Helen carried the fertilized embryo through to term and gave birth to Annabel this past summer. They now live with Helen’s brother and his family in Dobbs Ferry, NY, and Helen has gone back to work full-time while Annabel goes happily to a family daycare situation near the residence.

Margy Pacsu Campbell reported to Cicely Tomlinson Richardson regarding her recent vacation trip to Cuba with Bob: “We returned to the place we have gone to for six years and found it sadly changed. Shortages of parts, cuts in medical supplies, and embargoes on computers from China because 10% of their parts are from the U.S. Fewer visitors since Russians are not coming, and the U.S. has cut off all travel to Cuba… Italians, French, British and Canadians are now arriving directly from Europe.”

On a happier note, Margy concluded with the following: “I did the right thing marrying my Bob in 1981. He took much needed and appreciated care of me when I was sick. And, at 77, he is still a journalist and ombudsman at the CBC, where he has been since 1972, biking downtown—some 10 miles a day—rain or shine. My recommendation for ‘a must read’ is City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert.”

In a brief note, Rosemari Rubino Johnson assured us that all is well with her and family, and she is still deeply involved in her many activities to enhance the health and wellbeing of low income citizens and migrants in the San Diego area, and mentoring of female medical students.

From Betsy Thomas Peterson’s conversation with Cicely: “Much of last fall was devoted to managing a big downsizing move for her sister, Jane, who lives in Evanston, IL. At

age 98, she was advised to move into her first assisted living residence! Another highlight was the 50th anniversary celebration of coeducation at Yale where Betsy was an honored guest. As a newly hired assistant dean of Yale, she arrived on campus the week before the university’s first women students in the fall of 1969. She had been interviewed by Yale alumna Ann Gardiner Perkins, whose dissertation on that first class has been published as Yale Needs Women. An anticipated summer trip to the Arctic has been canceled, but Betsy is looking forward to going to Montgomery, AL in April with a group from her church.”

As your scribe, aka Charlotte Cook Rakela, I owe a HUGE THANKS to Cicely for calling me several weeks ago to offer assistance with procuring news from all of us, and writing it up for PDS Class Notes. I welcomed her participation! Cicely was the interviewer and scribe for the write-ups of news from Margy Pacsu Campbell and Betsy T. Peterson. She persisted in this project, even though she and John both had falls during the two weeks before Class Notes submissions were due to PDS. Now there’s a real trooper! With love to all always, Charlotte.

1957

Susan Smith Baldwin 93 Webster Road Shelburne, VT 05482 (802) 383-8583 (cell) susiebaldwin108@gmail.com Nancy Miller: “Leap Year Day, 40 years ago, I moved into my house. My parents had given me the land next to their house, so had my house built. I’ve loved it but always thought, as I’ve aged, that I’d move to Pennswood Village, a CCC in Newtown, PA, sometime.

That sometime came faster than I expected when the Princeton Theological Seminary approached my niece, nephew and me wanting to buy both houses. Our land abuts their land and they would like to expand their farm. They have been very considerate and have made it very easy for me. If Pennswood accepts me, I plan on moving this spring.

There is no set date as I have until December, but I think that this will be the best time for me. It is very difficult to leave my lovely place but I’m sure that I’ll adjust. As to clearing out my house, that’s a whole different story!”

Molly Menand Jacobs: “Me, too! I am just moving a little further away... to an apartment in Buffalo, NY. It’s certainly not enticing me because of snow. It’s because my daughter Cricket, and her family moved there a few months ago. It’s not easy to leave my daughter Anne, but so easy to leave Princeton Hill Apartments since all I have to do is hand in the key.

“My chef granddaughters, Lyla and Emily Allen (PDS ’22, known as ‘The Kitchen Twins’) continue their food journey in Buffalo

ple of weeks ago with an English friend from Princeton. I taught them all to play bridge.

Even though I got the worst cards, it was worth it hearing Alan clown his way around the table. We have seen a lot of whales, smoke from the volcanoes, snow, bikinis, and delicious food from Alan…. Now that I’m 80 I have water on the knee. I only swam when Alan carried me into the sea… Much Love, Helen”

Twin granddaughters of Molly Menand Jacobs ’57, former PDS students, Emily (l) and Lyla (r) Allen ’22, on the front porch of their new home in Buffalo.

Molly Menand Jacobs ’57’s chef granddaughters, Emily (l) and Lyla (r) Allen ’22, being filmed for a TV food show in Buffalo in January 2020 now. They attend a school similar to PDS, the Nichols School. For about four years, they have been on TV shows such as The Rachel Ray Show in NYC and The Food Network in numerous cities. They also authored a cookbook called Teen Kitchen.

“If you lived in Princeton now you’d have trouble parking uptown. It’s really fun to remember some of our favorite places to go on Nassau Street. Mine were Hulit’s, Hinkson’s and Zinders. Then, of course, there was Renwicks! Which were your favorites? Mine are all gone!

“The house I grew up in, a grand old house at 140 Hodge Road, had a major fire and then it was torn down in 2018. My daughter Cricket, heard that two houses will be built.

“I am thankful to Alissa Kramer Sutphin for reaching out by email for my moving news and a family photo. That was followed by a call from Susie Smith Baldwin for updated news about the twins. We reminisced about ‘Dear Thomas’. I walked to school and Susie sometimes biked. He was ‘an institution.’

So good to have a long chat with Susie. We discussed a lot of subjects that were verboten in our days and are now out there. Ain’t it the truth?”

Postcard for MFS ’57 from Helen Wilmerding, now of Rye, NY: “Big Island, Kamuela, HI Feb. 9th… I’ve discovered where I got my sense of humor—my son, Alan (Heap). I came a cou-

In my years of writing our class notes, special thanks to Alissa for consistently responding to my unending 12th hour pleas for photos. Special thanks now to Ros Webster Perry for her willingness to serve as our class correspondent. Please send Ros news, MFS stories and high-resolution, large-size photos. Pictures with captions of interest “speak a thousand words” and require the first, maiden and last name of each person in photo from left to right, with class year of anyone who attended MFS/PCD/PDS. Ros welcomes emails any time before the August and February Journal deadlines—rosperry@ impulse.net Thank you, Ros.

Thanks also to Ann Wiley ’70, Class Notes editor, for her on-going support. News and photos for Ros can always be emailed to classnotes@pds.org [or mailed, attn. Class Notes, Alumni Office, PDS, 650 Great Road, Princeton, NJ 08540. If you would like photos returned, please remember to put your name/ address on the back of each photo. You may also submit Class Notes online at www.pds. searchwavelength.org.]

Ed. Note: Many thanks to Susan for serving as class correspondent since 2007. We could always count on her to send a great column. And we are most appreciative that she recruited Ros Webster Perry to take over.

Welcome, Ros!

1958

Nancy Hudler Keuffel 1329 West Indian Mound Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 (248) 540-8024 (home) (586) 481-7043 (cell) acornnhk@aol.com Lisa Fairman Heher emailed: “As 2020 has arrived, I am still amazed that I have been living in Maplewood for 14 years!! In that time, my two granddaughters have been a huge part of my life, as I think it has been reported before that, I live ‘with and alongside’ of them in my own wing of their home.

I have a super daughter and son-in-law, to say the least! Alessandra is now a freshman at American University, just made first semester Dean’s List and is enjoying DC. The younger, Phoebe, now a sophomore at Columbia High, is an active fencer on the school team and as an individual competitor. I had the fun of being her ‘traveling chaperone’ at her first national competition last fall—what an experience. I still love working in my lovely garden spring 2020

1961

here and miss that activity in winter months.

On a January day as I write, I look forward to heading to California in April to stay with my Vassar roommate. We will then head to Hawaii with her family to celebrate her 80th.

Mine rolls around in August, but I could swear it feels like 60! Thankful to be healthy and active, especially in view of how many family and friends are no longer with us.”

Sue Frank Hilton ’58 with her husband Dick.

Sue Frank Hilton wrote: “Dick and I travelled to Scandinavia—Stockholm, Sweden; OsloBergen-Flam-Fjords, Norway; Copenhagen, Denmark—in July/August 2019: an amazing journey. We did a ‘trip down memory lane’ in October 2019, visiting Allentown, PA (Dick), Delaware (Dick’s son and family), and Lambertville and Princeton, NJ (me). Two days in Princeton, and wow–many changes, especially our dear MFS no longer adjacent to the Battle Monument corner of Bayard and Stockton. My new news is that I am embarking on a Holy Land Tour to Israel 2/6 - 2/16.

The opportunity fell into my lap, offered by our former pastor, Jack Haberer, tour leader. I jumped at the opportunity. Dick and I will be traveling to Portland, OR to visit my brother, Alan, his wife, Bel, and their families for my 80th birthday in June. Also hope to visit eldest son Eric, 57, filmmaker in Hollywood, CA and do a National Parks swing during that time. I continue to be a 14-year docent at Artis-Naples/The Baker Museum of Art, and love leading tours for adults and children of all ages. Golf is still very much our together activity, as we live in a lively and lovely golf course community, Cypress Woods Golf and Country Club, here in Naples, FL. Dick continues his role as Clerk of Session for our beloved Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church.”

1959

Ann Kinczel Clapp 5 Farview Road Baltimore, MD 21212 (410) 464-9471 (home) annclapp@hotmail.com

Without plans to do so, our class has been chain emailing. This started when I sent a recap of our unofficial 60th at my beach house and classmates began responding to all. (I think I have everyone’s email address on it so that all get the thoughts from variJOURNAL

Mahala Busselle Bishop 145 Goody Hallett Drive Eastham, MA 02642 (207) 669-0063 (home) mahalabishop@gmail.com Julia Cornforth Holofcener Placido Mar 5200 North Flagler Drive #1406 West Palm Beach, FL 33407-2768 (908) 217-0327 (cell) holofcenerltd@comcast.net

Julia Cornforth Holofcener said: “Life is its usual combination of joy and lots of plans. My sister, Jo ’55, and I are visiting Greece and then cruising to Egypt, Israel, Cyprus and Turkey with my daughMFS 1959 celebrated their 60th reunion this past ter, Laurie, and granddaughter, fall: (top- l-r): Cecilia Aall Mathews, Ann Kinzel Samantha, plus a week in Paris.

Clapp, Abby Pollak, Judith Levin; (bottom l-r): Following that, Jo and I will drive Jean Schettino Conlon, Lucy Ann James, Susan to my house in the south of France Stevenson Bladder, Sasha Robbins Cavander to oversee repairs and tour around for a month. Finally, we head to London to check on my production of The Big ous classmates, but if you have a new address Sleepover at the White House, which I am hopplease send it to me.) Abby Pollak, Susan ing will open late in 2020.” To cap it all off, Stevenson Badder, Sasha Robbins, Lucy James, Jean Schettino Conlon, Judith Levin, Julia will be spending the summer on a lake in the Poconos.

Cecilia Aall Mathews and I laughed and reminisced for two days and nights. Who remembers Ellie Collins? Some of the memories and comments have been priceless. None of us can remember the cafeteria and would give a prize to someone who has a picture of it. Only regret was that more classmates could not attend. Jennifer Dunning hopes we will continue the mass emails commenting on the past AND the future.

I did hear that Marion Dean Hall is still in the same house, lawn bowling and singing in the church choir, and has an electrical engineer grandson and a granddaughter studying physics in college.

Dana Conroy Amand had a knee replacement and later traveled to Iceland with her son and two grandsons for Thanksgiving.

As usual, Nan Nicholes Goodrich wins the travels most award, having been to London, Paris, Strasborg, Reykjavik, Botswana and South Africa, (with a two-day ride on the elegant Blue Train) all this year, in between wintering in Sanibel and summering in NH at her lake.

Trudi Goheen Swain and Cherry Raymond are getting together to look for Cherry’s new home in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. Trudi wrote: “We go such a long, long way back—our dads were best friends from high school days at Lawrenceville. I’m so happy she’s relocating to an area that hopefully can still mesh with her holistic and spiritual way.”

Cynthia Weinrich reported that she is enjoying a semi-hibernation after a stressful but enjoyable What the Dickens (her caroling group) Christmas season. “Caroling for a Westchester elementary school’s classrooms was exhausting but great fun. Our repertoire was about three songs, but since there was a new audience every ten minutes, the enthusiasm of kids and teachers was constantly reinvigorating.”

Keep those emails coming to annclapp@ hotmail.com. This could be quite a year for NEWS!

1960

Penelope Hart Bragonier, Ph.D. 68 Beacon Street Boston, MA 02108 (617) 742-0093 (home) (617) 823-1150 (cell) Pbragon@gmail.com

Pamela Sidford Schaefer ’63, Sandra Sidford Cornelius ’61, Holly Sidford ’68 at recent gathering: two graduates of MFS and one who attended several years

Elise (Tibby) Chase Dennis wrote “I am deeply sad to write that my dear husband, Chip, passed away unexpectedly on December 13th. He had seemed wonderfully healthy and happy the day before. There was a beautiful memorial service here in Northampton at College Church, February 1. It was a huge gift that Cynthia was able to drive up and sit there with me during the service.”

Cherry wrote to Tibby: “I’m sorry to learn it was so sudden. May the angels wrap thee round.”

Cynthia wrote that it was great to be able to attend Tibby’s husband’s lovely memorial service and to share with her this very meaningful experience.

The class of ’61 sends our deepest sympathies to Tibby.

1962

Susan Shea McPherson P.O. Box 506 Hyannis Port, MA 02647 (508) 775-1368 (home) suebear3@gmail.com

Susan Heard reported: “I couldn’t be in a better place at this time in my life. I am one of the youngest at our retirement home! Bruce has physical limitations that will keep us from travel, but we saw almost all of the world while we could. We are very fortunate! Best to my MFS ’62 pals!”

Tassie Turkevich Skvir reported lots of good news: “Spouse Dan continues as PU Orthodox Chaplain (position held also while at PDS) serving students, alums (four PDS faculty/staff), faculty, visiting scholars and townspeople. Daughter Nika ’90, her husband and daughters attend New Canaan Country School either as teachers or students. Kyra ’94 stages homes in Brooklyn where her son (9) and daughter (12) attend school and where her husband, an architect, traverses the East River by subway, ferry or bike. Since retiring as Stuart MS Head, I’ve worked on the Princeton Adult School Board, recently as its President. In addition, I’ve assisted the Russian Patriarchate in its transcription of my grandfather’s 1917-1918 diaries written (longhand) while at a church conference within the Kremlin, as outside the Kremlin the Revolution erupted. Riveting. Took him two years to return to NYC by way of the Trans-Siberian RR. Publication this summer.

Presently, Dan is readying for PDS Archives the 10+ years of PDS-Moscow Exchange photos, documents, etc. … I wonder if PDS Archivist “Max” (Linda Maxwell Stefanelli) might want his 42 years of Links…?

Wendy Coppage Sanford has been traveling: “Thank you so much Susan for your persistence and faithfulness here, and loving greetings to you all! Polly and I celebrated 40 years together with huge gratitude. Last spring, we went on an excellent and eye-opening trip to

several parts of civil rights country with Road Scholar. The Equal Justice Initiative museum and memorial in Montgomery are not to be missed! Meanwhile, Paige and I are in close and fond touch—our friendship goes back to the playpen! Many of us in this class go back so far. Please feel my love.”

this planet. I am finding this milestone hard to believe, as it seems like just yesterday that we were all approaching the final months of our senior year. It was great to hear from some of you.

I second Wendy’s thanks to Susan, and her praise of the memorials and exhibits in Montgomery. The latter are very well done and very moving. My daughters, their husbands, their dogs, my adorable grandsons, and my youngest sister, Louise, spent from three to eight days with me at Christmas. It was great fun but a change from my usual solitude.

I seem to keep busy and am writing a book about three 20th century Houston female civic leaders. The process is fun but slower than molasses in January. I hope to finish this year. But I am perpetually being distracted!

Today it is installation of a heater, five sets of tennis with Roger Federer, and the Senate trial. Yet, I am still working.”

Sharon Stevenson Griffin feels very lucky to have the life she has had and continues to have. “For all my aches and pains, at least I am still here—I still have a loving husband, two wonderful sons who are married to women I love, four grandchildren I adore (I never knew being a grandparent was so exceptional).” She and Chick travel a lot, and when home, Sharon is involved in the Pound Ridge, NY Historical Society and Garden Club, plays mediocre golf, reads and sees as many family and friends as possible.

Kate Sayen Kirkland has been writing; look forward to her book: “Greetings all,

Gail Cotton wrote: “Once again, many thanks for continuing to serve as our class correspondent. It can be a thankless job and you are to be commended for persevering!

2020 has begun on a positive note. William Walker Miller, our fifth great grandchild, joined our family on January third. He weighed in at 6 lbs. 3 oz. and measured 19.5 inches. I emailed Kitty Walker Ellison as I thought she’d enjoy knowing his name. She replied that her grandmother’s maiden name was Miller. Perfect!

Kitty Walker Ellison responded: “Actually it seems he was inadvertently named after both my grandparents, William Walker and Adelaide Miller.

“All is well here in Loveland. Elder daughter, Jenny, was just appointed a County Court judge by the Governor. Younger daughter, Clare, got her Doctor of Occupational Therapy last spring and is working in Cheyenne (one hour north). I’m close enough to see both sets of grandkids (two/daughter) once a week, which is great fun. Otherwise, my time is spent golfing, gardening and playing bridge. A lot of the bridge conventions have changed since we learned it in the basement of MFS.”

Many thanks for those who sent news. Look forward to hearing from more of you next time.

1963

Virginia Elmer Stafford 312 Tulane Drive SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 (505) 342-2855 (home) vesalb@aol.com

I hope this finds you all well and enjoying life as we achieve or approach 3/4 of a century on

Ellen Levy continues to live in NYC, attend ballet class and suggests you visit her website www.missellenruthlevy.nyc to see her creative work.

Pamela Sidford Schaeffer reported that “life continues to be an adventure for us.” They have spent time in Atlanta with their daughter, Jacqueline, who is the writer and show runner for the first Marvel TV show. When at home she is caring for two dogs—“the older one is being rejuvenated by the younger one; I am not!” She is also grateful to be approaching 75 without any serious illnesses and the ability to travel and enjoy the routine of daily life. They hope to go to Sicily in April.

Kathy Sittig Dunlop had a stroke in December, which has left her with homonymous hemianopsia—“I love words but these are not two that I wanted to add to my vocabulary.” It has to do with vision loss, which has limited her life especially since she cannot drive. She continues to be her sister’s legal guardian but is grateful that she moved her to NY where she is near her daughter and family, as she would not have been able to see her as much with this new limitation. She can still read, so welcomes any book recommendations and would love to hear from anyone anytime.

Laurie Rogers feels like one of the lucky ones to be able to escape the gray and lifeless winter in the Northeast. She and Bob hope to take a road trip from Connecticut to Florida in mid-March. In early March she is heading to Steamboat Springs, CO with some skiing friends, and although she doesn’t ski, she enjoys new places. On a more serious side, she is helping her sister move into an independent living facility. She is saddened by the experience that the “next generation really doesn’t want old furniture or any of our stuff.” She wonders what to do with things that have been in the family for generations and asked if anyone else is experiencing this.

Polly Miller sent some wonderful pictures of her horse, turning 31, for whom she made a free rein ring, of a beautiful hooked rug that she made, and of Polly and Nick fly fishing. She and Nick remarried in 2007 after a

spring 2020

and are glad to have someone else do snow and leaves. We still volunteer at Grounds for Sculpture. Our latest count is six granddaughters! They are seven months to 13 years. Stay well everyone!”

Nick and Polly Miller ’63 divorce in 1989. They are heading to Panama this winter to fish, and to London and Finland to visit with former PDS exchange students. They seem to be enjoying living on Nantucket where Polly is active in community theater, choir and a women’s and community chorus. They both enjoy playing bridge, where they have made some new friends, as well as “keeping our memories working.” They are also very proud of their grandchildren who are off to several great schools.

I continue to have a very busy counseling practice in Albuquerque, NM, but hope to partially retire from the practice this year so that I can work on my dream of creating a course in Emotional Intelligence to be taught in junior and senior high schools. I also hope to follow my desire to live near water again and head to live in the Pacific Northwest.

When I can, I sneak in some travel largely to visit grandchildren who are spread across the country and my daughter who lives in Madrid, Spain.

1964

Barbara Rose 33 Calhoun Street, Suite 218 Charleston, SC 29401 (609) 937-1700 (cell) barbarabrose@me.com

By the time this column is published it will be spring again, and I wonder how it is possible for time to pass so quickly these days when it seemed so endless when we were all bound together at MFS, progeny of the 1960s.

Looking back over years past it seems to me that most of us have used our time well, building successful lives on lessons learned so long ago and giving back through the donation of time and energy to causes benefitting a greater community of people. Here, here to the MFS Class of 1964; 56 years out!

Jane Budny Conrad has retired from teaching and is still offering life lessons, this time to her grandchildren, who, lucky for her, don’t live too far away. “Curt and I have downsized JOURNAL

Cary Smith Hart, a retired pediatrician, spends a lot of her time with husband Gary, children and grandchildren. “Gary and I feel fortunate to have been able to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary last summer and to have had all three daughters and their families (six grands now) together then, and for Christmas in Indio near Palm Springs and Dora Lange’s casa. Unfortunately, between her company and ours, the best we got to do was a phone call. Hope we’ll do better next time. I did have a fun lunch with Joanna Hornig Fox in Washington, DC last fall. She is doing God’s work helping high schools in the south with the help of a Gates Foundation grant, all while commuting to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore where her office is. Amazing!”

Linda Conroy Vaughn wrote to tell me she and her daughter, Heather, enjoyed a rare, mother-daughter respite in NYC last month.

Of course, she has more travel plans lined up for 2020. “And yes, I do have a fascinating trip coming up in the spring. I’m going to the Eurasian countries around the Black and Caspian Seas... that’s Bulgaria, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Montenegro. I haven’t been to any of those places and don’t know much about them.

Should be good!” Bon voyage, Linda.

I anticipated hearing from more of you this winter, but hope springs eternal. Perhaps you’ll ALL write in for the next column, which is due in six months! Anyone planning to be near Charleston, SC, let me know. I’d love to see you.

1965

Margaret Woodbridge Dennis 11115 Fawsett Road Potomac, MD 20854-1723 (301) 983-9738 (home) hotyakker@gmail.com

Repeated calls for news and notes have gone mostly unanswered. After our annual “leaf peeper” house party in Vermont in October, which reunited me with wonderful friends from graduate school, many of whom I hadn’t seen for 48 years, our lives have been quiet.

I’m still plodding along trying to finish the book I started working on four years ago. I think the end is in sight.

Elise Rosenhaupt Noble wrote: “Having been fingerprinted and investigated by the FBI (yes, this is the new protocol), I will start tutoring in the Santa Fe Public Schools this week. Always grateful for friends and teachers at Miss Fine’s, I know that public education must underpin our democracy. Perhaps one of the kids I work with will someday run for the Senate. We can only hope.

“Our daughter, Kate, works on early childhood policy in New Mexico and continues as president of the Santa Fe Board of Education.

Patrick, our son, teaches Wilderness Medicine (www.outsidemed.com). Although his home is Santa Fe, he mostly teaches in Hawaii. Now that it’s cold and snowy (also often sunny) here, I think we should visit him there.

“Tom and I still work as real estate brokers, gardeners, neighborhood do-gooders (planting wildflowers, ‘mau-mau-ing’ the city to slow speeders with speed humps), political activists (Teresa Leger Fernandez for NM District 3 Congresswoman—watch for her), and, best of all, as Zachary’s grandparents.

“We love having visitors so we can explore.

This is an invitation to old friends!”

princeton country day School 1943 Peter E. B. Erdman 700 Hollinshead Spring Road #D100 Skillman, NJ 08558-2038 (609) 759-3362 (home) perdman700@comcast.net

1947

David C.D. Rogers 1602 Tuckers Lane Hingham, MA 02043 (781) 749-9229 (home) (413) 575-8575 (cell) drassoc53@comcast.net

1948

John D. Wallace 90 Audubon Lane Princeton, NJ 08540 (609) 921-2257 (home) njnb1@aol.com

1949

Bevis Longstreth wrote: “I am still upright, some of the time. Retired from practice of law.

Very engaged in efforts to decarbonize endowments and pension funds. Finished fourth historical novel, and searching for a publisher.

Website for books is bevislongstreth.com.

Married still to Clara Longstreth, a most active choral conductor, leading the New Amsterdam Singers in NYC.

1950

Michael P. Erdman 20 Pond Lane Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 (610) 528-5148 (home) (610) 608-8665 (cell) mperdman57@gmail.com

The following is partially taken from an obituary in the Princeton Alumni Weekly. For some reason it did not mention his living in Princeton in his early youth, and thus I have

added that from my memory of Art as well as a letter he wrote me in November 2017: Arthur D. Meritt died on November 29, 2019.

He was 85 and lived at Millcroft Senior Living Facility in Newark, DE. Art was a long-time resident of West Newark. He is survived by his wife Ann Trice Meritt and her children, Linda Littleton (Edward), Pamela Fleetwood, Mary Fleetwood, Susan Fleetwood and Alan Fleetwood (Krista). Art was predeceased by his first wife of 47 years, Patricia Haught Meritt.

Art was our classmate through all six forms of PCD. He lived on Battle Road at the end, in the circle. His father had something to do with the Institute of Advanced Study. The open fields near his house made for a good playground for those of us within bike range of the house.

Art played hockey and was the organizer of a band, which made lots of noise and included John D’Armes (Bones) on clarinet, Pete VanZant on trombone; I alternated between the drums and trumpet. Art played the piano by ear! What a racket; we had fun!

Art and I went to Deerfield Academy as the first school away from home. We lived across the hall from each other the first (sophomore) year. From then on we drifted apart, he into music and I into hockey.

Art was in our Princeton University class of 1957. He graduated with a BS in chemical engineering, after which he moved to Delaware and began his career with General Chemical in Claymont. He then joined Sun Olin in Marcus Hook, where he was employed for over 35 years before retirement.

While at Princeton, he was part of a band called the Tigertails, who played at cocktail parties and other events on and off campus.

At his retirement community, Millcroft, he enjoyed playing the piano for Ann and his fellow residents.

I, Michael Erdman, am now recovering from an 85th birthday celebration held in Vero Beach, FL last weekend with all of my kids (including Lea Erdman Marshall ’82 and Lynne Erdman O’Donnell ’85), plus my two stepchildren and all of the next generation a total of 18. We had a ball over three days!

1951

Edwin H. Metcalf 900 Hollinshead Spring Road #J100 Montgomery, NJ 08858 (609) 921-2386 (home) ehmet@comcast.net

1952

Philip Kopper 4610 DeRussey Parkway Chevy Chase, MD 20815-5332 (301) 652-2384 (home) PosPress@aol.com

Writing in dark, dank February, I regret to say our class news resembles today’s weather and

the generally gloomy environs of your nation’s capital.

Lawrenceville School, where at least three of our classmates embarked, relays the sad report that Dick Whitney abides at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in Charlotte Hall, MD.

In a dappled vein, Bob Hillier wrote that last fall he and Barbara spent a fortnight in Japan “an amazing country… Most moving was the day we spent at Hiroshima. As grim as the museum was, it was one place we really want to go back to.” Bob is “working harder today than ever before and having a ball,” putting in 80-hour weeks at StudioHillier on Witherspoon Street. Alas, he regrets that the practice of architecture seems no longer rooted (as was my belief ) in imagination, collaboration and artfully rendered drawings. He fears it will be “artificially intelligenced out of existence” in the next twenty years. Daughter Jordan, though armed with a master’s degree in architecture, now manages real estate portfolios for three corporations. She and her husband “just bought a condo in Philly with—and this is the important piece—TWO parking spots!”

Vehicular matters intrigue me and mine as well. Living less than an upscale mile north of the Washington, DC border, we ponder a mixed blessing: rush hour traffic hereabouts seems to have diminished over the past year.

That’s the good news. But could the cause be the rising number of vacancies in the ranks of the executive departments as more good people leave the government?

Life in this Big City looks darker and darker.

1953

Kenneth C. Scasserra The Court at Palm Aire 2701 N. Course Drive #509 Pompano Beach, FL 33069 (609) 598-1776 (home) kscas@hotmail.com

1954

Fred M. Blaicher, Jr. 710 Manatee Cove Vero Beach, FL 32963-3728 (772) 231-0046 (home) fritzblaicher@yahoo.com

1955

Guy K. Dean III 11 Lemore Circle Rocky Hill, NJ 08553-1007 (609) 921-6356 (home) guydean@verizon.net

1956

Robert E. Dorf 1063 Vail View Drive Vail, CO 81657 (970) 471-1067 (home) dorf b@outlook.com

Well, my recent request for updates from

remaining classmates managed to stir up a little politicizing, but politics aside, a few of the class are still alive and responding, which is a good sign.

I can always count on a little something from John Cook: “I’m four days past surgery for a new knee and I plan to can my walker mañana and graduate to a cane for a few days before becoming the biped I was five days ago. Jeanne and I went to Ireland with the Princeton hockey team, which played a mini-tournament with Colgate, Northeastern and UNH in Belfast. I got to play Royal County Down and Portrush (scene of this year’s British Open) with the coaches, and we got to know our way around Guinness stout and Jameson. All is well in Princeton.”

John Stein wrote: “For years I was able to say, ‘sure, I have to use a walker, thanks to the mysterious theft of my sense of balance, but I am otherwise pain free.’ That ended a week or so ago, when a sometimes horrible, variable pain mysteriously invaded my right thigh. My physical therapy gang tried massage, then ice packs—ouch, no good!—then heat. Hmm, that’s a little better. So now I await a callback from my doctor, traipsing along, my heating pad in tow, between the living room and the bedroom.”

I’m always glad to hear from Larry Estey: “Don’t know when I last shared news, but in June, Elizabeth and I sold our home in Stonington, on the Maine coast, and moved four hours south to Portland where we’re awaiting completion of a new condo project.

Didn’t expect to move quite so soon, but we put our house on the market April 15 and had a full-price offer on the 16th, so we’re now in a temporary rental apartment. I lived in Stonington for nineteen years, but my summer roots go back to my PCD years, when my parents worked at a summer camp on Deer Isle. Selling our house meant leaving the place I lived in longer than anywhere else in my life.

But we’re in a good place, lively city life, and much closer to medical resources when we need them. We’re in good health now, and look forward to a trip to Quito, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands in June.”

Peter Moock, David Kamenstein, John Davison and Dave Smoyer all managed to fog my mirror with a few breaths, but no real news.

Nice to know that I am assuming that the rest of you died.

As for me, I have completed my move back to Vail and now live in a modest condo with a view of the mountain, and steps to a bus that takes me the five minutes to my office and steps to the ski mountain. Thanks to some great new ski boots, I am able to ski more than one day a week, and have had some great days with Patty, albeit with less grace than my younger years. Our life still revolves around grandchildren, who all live close, my dog, and our twice a year visits to our home in

spring 2020

Mazatlan, Mexico. Still waiting for one of you to take me up on the free vacation I have been offering. You just have to get there when we’re there Oct-Jan and Apr-June. If you have any interest in Facebook, friend me, and you can get the latest things that amuse me. If any of you who didn’t check in get resurrected, let me know and I’ll announce your second coming in the next edition. Still would love to hear from Chris Shannon and Moke Raymond.

1957

James Carey, Jr. 245 A Chestnut Avenue #2 Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 (781) 801-2490 (cell) tim_carey@nobles.edu

Greetings to all the members of the PCD Class of 1957. As Joe Wright so aptly put it in his note to me, he has “no news, and at age 77, that is good news.” I may have said this before, but as I get older, I find myself more often “borne back ceaselessly into the past,” to quote F. Scott Fitzgerald. That is one of the reasons why I enjoy sending out my irritating note twice a year to get news from classmates.

I just got a first from Bev Aaron the other day, and it lifted my spirits to know that he, and most of the people I hear from, are engaged fully in their lives. So if anyone else in the class of 1957 who reads this and has not contributed for a time, I hope against hope that you will email me.

I continue to be fulfilled by the volunteer work I do at a local school, at Boston Children’s Hospital, and Boston Scores, an academic/ soccer program run through the Boston public schools. I continue to photograph lots of sports events at Noble and Greenough, where I taught for 38 years, and at various other places, most notably Boston University. No moss growing under the bottoms of my feet to date.

I feel beyond fortunate to be able to do what I do without restriction.

Squash photograph that Jim Carey ’57 took for Middlebury College As I usually do, I will use the words of each person who sent in material. Many thanks to them. I should note that Bob Smyth recently wrote a piece about PCD… I have sent it to those whose emails I have. It originally appeared in a recent edition of the Journal.

To those whose emails I do not have, forward them to me, and I will send the piece to you. It will take you back instantly to the old place!

JOURNAL

Bob Smyth is “still working with the young special ed. kids in the Princeton elementary school district (specifically, Riverside School).

Also having lunch periodically with Rob Kuser. Planning for the summer season at Lake Champlain in the Adirondacks and also a weeklong trip to the North Carolina shore (Topsail Beach)—off peak, so kids will be back in school and thus fewer people.

Adam Hochschild reported: “My wife, Arlie, and I continue to be blessed by living three blocks away from our 12- and 14-year-old granddaughters. As I write this, we’ve just had them at our house all week because their parents were away. Bliss! Other than that, we both continue to scribble away, but regrettably so far have failed to change the world by doing so.

My latest book, published in March, is Rebel Cinderella: From Rags to Riches to Radical, the Epic Journey of Rose Pastor Stokes.”

Joe Wright wrote: “I was asked by the PDS Journal to contribute something and thought of the following, but decided to save it for our own hard-working scribe. I bumped into a Dartmouth person here in Florida where we spend January and February. It brought to mind Staffy Keegan (now that he is grown up, he is Stafford) and our time as goalies for the PCD hockey team. Also, and more importantly, the fact that when we graduated, June 1957, our hockey team had the longest undefeated record of any junior high school hockey team in the USA: 28 games! If I remember correctly, our routine was that Staffy would start a game and play two periods, and I would play the third. The next game I would play the first two and he the last one. I think Staffy and I never lost a game! Some three years later when we were freshmen at college, Princeton traveled to Dartmouth. Staffy was at one end of the rink, and I was at the other. I had Pony (now a grown up Harrison) Fraker and Webb Harrison (so sadly departed) on my team and the final was Staffy’s boys three and Pony, Webb and Joe’s two! Here endeth the lesson!”

Harrison Fraker wrote: “I am finally fully retired from Berkeley as of last June, but advising on a fun research project called the Oakland EcoBlock. Funded by the California Energy Commission, it is the retrofit of a neighborhood to be zero energy, zero carbon and low water use. It combines deep energy efficiency retrofits, PV solar on the roofs, a DC backbone, vacuum flywheel storage, EV charging and water efficient fixtures, all funded by the savings in utility bills and vehicle miles traveled by gas cars. If successful, it could be scaled rapidly and be one of the thousands of things we need to do urgently to save the planet. I am also finishing a second book about insights from neuroscience and urban design, but too complicated to explain except to say it involves ‘embodiment theory’. Finally, I am almost fully recovered from an attack of Guillain-Barré Syndrome, an autoimmune disease that attacks your nerves. It struck while

I was captaining a sailing trip in Croatia with extended family. I could not walk for two weeks, but the nerves in my feet and legs are recovering, so I am back trying to play tennis.

Just trying to capture the best of Quality Time Remaining (QTR)!”

Bev Aaron wrote: “After 42 years of being governed by deadlines, first as a news film editor, photographer, writer and then producer of my Saturday night half-hour magazine-format show Prime Time that aired on Philadelphia’s ABC station, WPVI-TV, for 33 years, first with Jim O’Brien, then with Gary Papa and Cecily Tynan, I retired in 2008 to a cozy apartment in Phoenixville. It overlooks French Creek and its miles-long bike path is a few minutes drive from my three grandchildren, banker sonin-law and daughter, Liz, who manages their twenty-acre horse farm.

“Having written over three thousand half-hour scripts, it took a few years for the deadline nightmares to fade away. But they are long gone now, and I wake up grateful for the days ahead when I can read what I please, edit my journals or sit on the farmhouse back porch, admiring the view, thinking this retirement makes those years in the trenches well worth it.”

1958

Toby Knox 122 Fairway Drive South Burlington, VT 05403 (802) 985-3191 (home) toby@tobyknox.com

Greetings to members of the Class of 1958.

John Tassie reported: “On December 12th, I had open heart surgery and am recovering nicely. Not driving for six weeks was a killer.

The blockage was discovered when getting cleared for eye surgery, and there was no upfront pain. I had no heart pain afterwards either. In fact, my leg, which provided the bypass vein hurt more than anything else. I am back doing my volunteer work for SCORE, and look forward to playing golf again. If you are in Orlando, stop by for a visit. We have plenty of room.” Best wishes, John, for your continued rehabilitation.

Not to be outdone by classmates selling Princeton University football programs, John White relays his entrepreneurial venture selling “mums/corsages for the ‘beautiful young and old ladies.’ It became a very successful venture with (brothers) Peter ’62 and Bumper ’70 following my lead. And guess who got me started? Chris Wright. I sold a corsage for $2.25 and my cost was .50 each. The licensed Princeton college students gave me a hard time, so I couldn’t legally sell on-campus but did carefully, especially on Prospect Avenue with all the clubs and alums gathering there. It was a gold mine.”

Class correspondent Toby Knox is looking forward to an early spring in Vermont after returning from a three-week trip to Portugal.

1959

Paterson University and have thoroughly enjoyed managing the delivery of new largescale academic buildings to its growing campus.

I have no plans on retiring soon!

Stephen S. Cook 928 Mill Creek Drive Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 (561) 660-7890 (home) (908) 227-4391 (cell) stevecook566@gmail.com

1960

Karl D. Pettit III 6079 Pidcock Creek Road New Hope, PA 18938-9313 (215) 598-8210 (home) (267) 566-1499 (cell) karl.pettit@comcast.net

Karl “Pepper” Pettit ’60, Bruny Deihlan ’62 and Randy Hobler ’61

Phillips “Van” Blakeman wrote a long note, some of which is included here. He lost his wife of 24 years, Eileen Kerr Blakeman, this past August, and he still misses her. She was an accomplished author. He wrote: “for some reason, she enjoyed breezing through the PDS Journal, occasionally mentioning that I should add my bit.

“I arrived at Princeton Country Day to repeat the seventh grade, since the previous seventh grade in Simsbury, CT apparently didn’t take.

I had already been set back once in the second grade in Bloomfield Hills, MI, so I was two years older than everybody else. I managed to pass two more years at Solebury in PA. Then half a year at Princeton High, where one day I just got up, walked out and never returned.

What an enormous sense of relief that was.

Wow! It felt good.

“A friend of my folks found me a job on a cattle farm in Nebraska. I responsibly completed the season there and then returned to Princeton. On my own initiative, I attended suggested night courses at Trenton High. Then I took the GED test in Trenton and got my high school diploma.

“I then joined the Marines, having negotiated a three-year ‘Active Duty’ commitment. Parris Island and Camp Lejeune. Electronics training in San Diego to become a Radio Relay technician then was transferred to the El Toro Marine Air Base up the coast.

“In September of 1969, I began attending night classes at The Market Training Institute in Santa Ana, CA. I learned the programing languages COBOL, Fortran and IBM’s Assembly. I fell in love with the latter and graduated at the top of my class. In June of 1970, I began programming for the Western Electric Engineering Research Center near Princeton, NJ. “In September of 1971, Debra Hildebrand and I married. On February 7, 1978, Darby Dale Blakeman was born. On May 12, 1981, Brianny Davidson Blakeman was born.

Both girls went on to graduate from various Massachusetts colleges, with honors. Deb and I divorced in 1987.

“On December 20, 1995, at an ‘Adult Child’ Christmas party, I met Eileen.”

As a Board Member of Princeton University’s Princeton Prospect Foundation, I am presently collaborating with Princeton University’s Building & Grounds Staff on a Prospect Avenue streetscape project that will plant over sixty new, badly needed, shade trees along Prospect Avenue. The beautiful canopy of trees that so distinguished Prospect Avenue as one of the most beautiful streets in America has disappeared over the years, and it desperately needs to be restored.

1961

Peter H. Raymond 547 East Street Dedham, MA 02026-3060 (617) 365-0236 (cell) peterh.raymond@protonmail.com

Karl “Pepper” Pettit ’60 with Debbie Hobler ’66

Debbie Hobler ’66 with Brunie Deihlan ’62 From Karl “Pepper” Pettit: Herb Hobler’s memorial service was held in the PDS McAneny Theater on October 12, and a lot of PCD and MFS grads were in attendance. It was a heroic event, and somewhat of a reunion for old friends. The reception was held at the Nassau Club, and later continued at the Metro Grill until the wee small hours! It was great to catch up with Randy Hobler ’61, Brunie Deihlan ’62 and Debbie Hobler ’66. This spring, I’m spending a long April weekend with Davy Davis and maybe even Alex Patton and Jonny Howland, during which time we will attend the Harvard-Princeton lacrosse game.

I lost my dear wife, Kay, on our 14th anniversary this past summer following a slow four-year struggle with Supra-nuclear Palsy and liver disease. Our two cats, Thelma and Louise, and I miss her deeply as we work on rebuilding our lives without her.

I’m still gainfully employed as Director, Capital Planning, Design & Construction at William

Running through the class list to copy and paste email addresses for people with whom one spent hours every day for years, but so many years ago, sends unrelated thoughts and impressions knocking about like marbles dropped on the floor. The challenge, for instance, of forming connections between boys and the old men we have become; anecdotes known or discovered like those below from Randy Hobler; the cosmic vacuums of lives lived but unreported, and their cousins, the innumerable related questions; and, finally, the growing realization that few of those questions will be answered. So we class correspondents, prodded by our patient but earnest shepherd, hoof along, send out queries, collect responses, and let the spinners spin what tales they will.

Randy Hobler, always a good starter, at first without news, sent this: “If all our classmates want to make astute observations at cocktail parties when talking about the film A Beautiful Mind, (about John Nash, the brilliant mathematician who suffered mental illness, and whom Rich Reynolds, Regan Kerney and I had no doubt seen [had we known who he was] wandering the Princeton campus in the mid-1960s), they can point out that in the movie’s opening moments, two Princeton mathematicians are grousing about Nash in the courtyard of 1901 Hall.

One says something to the effect Cover of soonof ‘Who does he to-be-released book think he is, an Einstein or a Morse?’ by Randy Hobler ’61

spring 2020

“Since then, I’ve noticed (after my mother cowrote Princeton: On the Streets Where We Live) that there’s now a Morse Street near, appropriately, the Institute for Advanced Study… off of Olden Lane. Within about 200 yards of Morse Lane is Weyl Lane, named for Hermann Weyl, another giant in 20th century mathematics. As he lived directly across the street from me on Mercer Road, I used to play with his son, Peter.

Turns out Peter was Princeton ’67 and, like me, in the French Department.” But wait...there’s more! Also nearby is Einstein Drive.

“On one occasion, walking down Mercer Street with Bob Dorf ’56, we spied this old guy with a rumpled sweater, sandals and a shock of big hair. Bob ran up to him and tugged at his sleeve, shouting ‘Dr. Einstein! Dr. Einstein!’ I had no idea who he was.

“John Sheehan and Bill Shea did us one better.

They marched right to his door and knocked.

He invited them in, gave them cookies and milk, and played the violin for them!

“And Barbara Rose ’64 did even better. Before moving to our neighborhood, the Roses lived two doors from Einstein. Barbara was so young she couldn’t pronounce his name and called him ‘Dr. Iodine.’ When Barbara’s mother declined to buy her sandals, Barbara pleaded, ‘But Dr. Iodine wears sandals!’”

Randy did send news that his book, 101 Arabian Tales: How We All Persevered in Peace Corps Libya, vaulting predictable final publication hurdles, is due out soon; it should read as an important counterpart to the experiences of our Vietnam veteran peers.

Father John Sheehan wrote of his February 24 farewell concert before his March 3 return to the States, when he will stay at a Fordham community in the Bronx until receiving his new assignment.

His move from Jordan, which he refers to frequently as the safest place in the Middle East, closes out an energetic stage that includes full engagement of his musical and thespian talents. Father John Sheehan ’61

Regan Kerney had less news of himself than Hobler (“Nothing at this time. Still working. Still happy.”) but related the following: “When one of my Lawrenceville School colleagues fell ill recently, her doctor ordered her to the new hospital on Route 1, near Plainsboro, for rehydration. I offered to drive her to get checked into a room, and as I was getting her settled, a helpful volunteer pitched in to make things easier: none other than Ward Kuser, who volunteers his time and kindness in the emergency ward. This was a JOURNAL

Sunday night, so it constituted a big sacrifice on Ward’s part. It was great to run into Ward, though we didn’t have much time to catch up.

I was reminded of a rainy day on Broadmead when a teacher barked out, ‘Kuser, what is New Jersey’s main crop?’ After a long glance out the window, Ward replied, ‘Mud, sir.’ The teacher—I think it was Mr. Robinson—found little humor in the answer, but Ward’s peers thought it was brilliant.”

Ed Warren wrote: “I retired from college teaching and administration in 2015 and now teach part-time in the fall only, mostly topics in history or government. My wife and I enjoy summers on Cape Cod, winters in Florida, and travel overseas when we can. Life is good for a couple of near 75-year-olds. My best to you and our classmates.”

Like Ed, I retired from teaching but declined the temptation to return part-time or even as a substitute, choosing instead to sit on this couch and, when not writing PCD/PDS class notes, plug away at various writing projects in various genres; I’ve just finished a nearly lineby-line analysis of The Merchant of Venice and, in addition to a novel and screenplay, will turn to a video documentary of my former school’s production of a musical. Think how much I get to learn about video editing!

Regan Kerney encourages us to prepare for our reunion in 2021. As a math-challenged English major, I was caught off-guard. Let’s see... 1 from 0, 0; 6 from 2... um... 60th? Really? Let the planning begin!

1964

William E. Ring 149A Avenida Majorca Laguana Woods, CA 92637 (310) 600-2015 (home) mwmaverick@gmail.com Donald E. Woodbridge 64 Depot Hill Road Amenia, NY 12501-5817 (845) 373-7035 (home) maderacito@yahoo.com

Princeton Day School 1966

Deborah V. Hobler 1342 Rialto Lane Santa Barbara, CA 93105 (805) 682-4896 (home) (805) 314-8490 (cell) dvhobler@cox.net

I am writing to you on Valentine’s Day, 2020.

Happy Hearts Day to you all. This special day made me think of our class’s last Valentine’s Day, a Monday at PDS, February 14, 1966. It was just a few 54 years ago, when many of us sent secret valentines to our classmates—usually passed under the desks during a class, or hidden into our lockers. This is why Susie, Hannah and Margery look so happy in this photo.

1962

John F. McCarthy III 25 Brearly Road Princeton, NJ 08540 (609) 924-3926 (home) (609) 731-1287 (cell) jack@mccarthyllc.com

1963

John A. Ritchie 7302 Durbin Terrace Bethesda, MD 20817-6127 (301) 564-1227 (home) (215) 378-8919 (cell) jhnritchie@yahoo.com

Diran Majarian sent an update: “Active in private equity placements for shipping projects and advisory work for institutional investors in all sectors of the shipping markets. “Avid skier and swimmer. Competition horse riding in dressage and show jumping.”

Restored FIAT Barchetta by Diran Majarian ’63

Diana Lyness Amick brought us up to date on her family—she and David moved seven years ago to a working-class town in Upper Bucks County. They are both busy and content; volunteering at a local food bank, and sorting books for book publishers to be shipped to poor countries and thrift stores.

All four of their sons are within 10 minutes from their home, and they share meals together during the week. Diana says she is in charge of watching and entertaining her grandchildren. Diana ended her note to me by saying, “I am almost undone by the political tragedy that is playing out in this country… and elsewhere. To lose a love of ‘truth’ can never be righted. When did we become so cruel to the vulnerable, so worship of profit?’”

Enid Sackin Reddick reported that she and John took a once-in-a-lifetime one-month trip to Africa in October. They did a mini-safari in South Africa then went on to Madagascar to see lemurs and other wildlife, most of which can’t be found anywhere else. Enid said she had wanted to do a trip like this since her graduate school days when she studied lemur behavior.

I don’t think I ever knew that Enid! John and Enid took over 5,000 pictures and videos, and are trying to get them organized to share with family and friends. Speaking of family, Enid now has 12 grandkids, which keeps her busy.

In her spare time, she’s still dabbling in art, pottery, quilting, painting—trying to find a medium she’s passionate about. A musician and into old time music (isn’t that our time now?), John plays banjo, guitar, the fiddle and other stringed instruments. He is also taking a memoir writing class, and he keeps encouraging Enid to join, and she asked, “I’m wondering if others in our class have done that?”

Like Diana, Enid wrote about the state of our union. “We unfortunately haven’t been able to ignore the political machinations.” When the Senate voted against witnesses in the impeachment trial, she and John were more than frustrated and downhearted.

Katherine Becker is about to take to the Italian road once again in March. It’s a Renaissance art trip to Florence, with side trips to Amsterdam to cover the Dutch Golden Age. Katherine can rest easy on her trip now because on January 31, for the first time, she became a homeowner in Asheville, with mountain views in the winter, and more backyard space to accommodate her cat, Ned. She feels grounded. And as usual, she is continuing her lifelong learning, with her favorite course this time, “The History of Western North Carolina Stories of Greed, Sex and Violence,” a mix of true folk tales and early history of the region.

Linda Staniar Bergh shared a photo from Christmas in London of the Bergh-Pedley families. Daughter, Courtney Bergh Pedley ’02, is holding Linda’s grandson, Finn, who is now six months old.

Artwork by Hannah Blakeman ’66 Hannah Blakeman’s artistry and creativity continues. She recently completed her God Box…it’s painted, covered with material scraps, and package covers of tea bags, scents and soaps. Just by seeing her work, I felt like I was in an aromatic heaven.

In going through some of my dad’s scrapbooks recently, I came across a photo of Dad reporting for WHWH on the grounds of the new PDS building being constructed in 1963. Do you remember when we all walked through the main doors in September 1965? How different it was from Miss Fine’s School?

Margery Cuyler Perkins ’66 found a clone of one of her book characters

The book cover of the newest book

by Margery Cuyler ’66

not surprisingly, Margery’s new book, (I think her 53rd or 54th) Snow Friends, will be published in October 2020. Bravo!

Debbie Hobler ’66 found this photo of her dad, Herb Hobler, reporting on the grounds of the new PDS building being constructed in 1963.

I just finished attending the Santa Barbara Film Festival in January. My friend from Palo Alto, Molly, and I have now participated for 27 years! The films this year were terrific, including many documentaries about injustice around the world (and here), and dramas based on true stories of the conflicts of war in Georgia/ Russia and Kosovo/Serbia, and sadly present-day Syria/Russia. To maintain our sanity and sense of safety, we watched more than six “Screen Cuisine” films based on stories about cooking, food and meals, ingredients and restaurants. Yes, we did gain weight during the festival.

Linda Staniar Bergh ’66 (back, third from left) with family, including her daughter, Courtney Bergh Pedley ’02, seated with her baby

On Manhattan’s East Side, Margery Cuyler Perkins found a clone of one of her book characters, a skeleton named Bonaparte, though this Bonaparte is a barbershop. Looks like they give a real close shave! And

I am sad to report that Margery’s brother, Gren (George Grenville Cuyler ’53), passed away on February 1. He was about to be 82.

His great passion in life was the theater, and he excelled as an actor, writer, director and curator of all things theatrical. Our class extends their deepest sympathies to Margery and her family.

I am also sad to report that Galey Bissell Sergio-Castelvetere’s younger sister, Katharine (Kathy) Bissell-Maloney ’72 passed away last June 22, 2019. She lived with her husband, Joe, in Hancock, NY, and had been battling lung cancer. She was an energetic woman, artistic, and an accomplished equestrian. Our class sends our deepest sympathies to Galey and her family.

1967

Susan Fritsch Hunter 49 Boatwrights Loop Plymouth, MA 02360 (774) 773-9627 (home) (203) 206-6402 (cell) ares543@comcast.net

Phoebe Knapp Warren displayed her artwork at a solo exhibition in October 2019 at Aunt Dofe’s Gallery in Willow Creek, MT. “As a three-dimensional artist, I find my installations show a strong interest in archaic and primitive art, geometry, architecture and topography,” Phoebe wrote in a descriptive piece for the exhibition. spring 2020

(above) Phoebe Knapp ’67 stands with her sculpture, Beastie Boys, (below) Phoebe exhibited Sun Dogs, (larch, gold leaf and metal) at her solo show in Montana

“I like to work primarily in wood, because it is alive with memories and history, making each piece totally unique and a real challenge.

I carve or saw large chunks of wood or entire logs, which are hard to come by in eastern Montana, but which enhance the nature of the work. The material I find allows me to realize the concepts I envision.”

Marta Nussbaum Steele moved back to Bucks County, PA early this year–“where lower expenses have greatly improved the quality of my life at an age where amenities loom far more important,” Marta said. In other news, her daughter, Liza, got tenure at the John Jay College for Criminal Justice and is now an associate professor of sociology. “She loves Manhattan and can now stay there as long as she wants. Cleo (Marta’s granddaughter) is the joy of my life as always. Romain is a wonderful husband and father.”

Francoise Foassier wrote: “2019 was a year full of joys and sadness, as often in life. My grandchildren grow and grow (three are taller than I), which means that I can still be tall for the other three! My children are happy and full of projects, but this year also my mother passed away. On the day of her burial, June 3, I was happy to see Mary Young Bragado again. She came all the way from Valladolid, Spain with her husband, Max, and it was lovely to see them both so well. Southwest France continues to be an enjoyable place to live despite all that you must be hearing about France in the news!”

Julia Lockwood wrote: “My husband, Marc, has gone to Arizona to do what’s called a locus tenens. He’ll be a fill-in rheumatologist for the hospital in Kingman until the middle of May. He works a two-week on/one-week off schedule so will come home a couple of times.

JOURNAL

I’m staying here but am visiting twice, once at the end of February for a week, at which time we are taking a little road trip to see some of the national parks: Joshua Tree and Death Valley. Northern Arizona is not hot like the south, but at least there’s no snow or ice! Here at home in Maine we’re busy building a new little house on the site of the old Wildwood homestead that belonged to the Chapman family, then to my mother, and now to me! It’s a complicated and expensive business, but we couldn’t bear to sell the oceanside property, at least not yet. We hope to rent it in the winter and use it in summer and maybe someday move there.

“The girls are all fine. Rachel has had some interviews for a college job teaching history so we’ll see what comes. Shradha, now back in Portland, has a new job as the quality manager for a meat processing and distribution center at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, which allows her to capitalize on her experience as a quality manager at Bristol Sea Foods. And Priyanka is in the last term of her junior year at Farmington. My life here is busy with volunteering, music and language learning.”

It is with great sadness that I report the death of Beth Borgerhoff-Pomerleau ’69. Beth, as you know, was the younger sister of Jennie Borgerhoff, our classmate who died in 2015.

I have many good memories of Beth and the times I spent at the Borgerhoff’s house in Princeton and in Canada on a family trip.

I always admired Beth’s beautiful writing, intelligence and humor. I never imagined that the conversation I had with her at Jennie’s memorial service would be the last.

Julia also offered words about Beth: “Beth’s funeral service was in a large Catholic Church in Augusta, ME. There were lots of people, and it was clear that many people loved her through her contacts in music, art, the church and the community. I had gone to her home one time to play four-hand piano. We had a great time, and I wish I had gone again. She showed me her incredible artwork and all her knitting projects. Her courage and spirit were amazing as was, and is, her husband Ricky’s devotion. I remember her as a serious, highly intelligent high school student with an amazing streak of creativity in many areas and a strong sense of moral integrity. Her talents and generosity of spirit were enormous and reached many people.”

And some thoughts from Phoebe: “Beth was exceptional, by all standards. She was a great wordsmith with an imaginative soul. We all loved her poetry. She had a tremendous ability to laugh.”

The class sends its sympathy to Beth and Jennie’s sister, Ledlie Borgerhoff ’72, and to Beth’s husband, Ricky Pomerleau. Amemorial service had been planned for mid-June at the Princeton University Chapel.

1968

Sophia Godfrey Bauer 50 Hopedale Drive North Kingston, RI 02852 (860) 707-5649 (cell) sbauer2086@gmail.com Mary Hobler Hyson 1067 Wolf Hill Road Cheshire, CT 06410-1732 (203) 272-1294 (home) (475) 434-7773 (cell) bassett7750@cox.net

Andrew Fishmann reported: “Though I have retired from my outpatient clinic practice, I continue part-time as the Administrative Director of the Intensive Care Unit at the Good Samaritan Medical Center in Los Angeles. This is my 30th year as Director.

My wife, Kim, has decided to retire from clinical practice, and we continue to travel as much as we can. This past October, we spent two weeks driving around Sicily and now are planning our third trip to Israel with a stopover in Jordan and Paris on the way home. My youngest daughter, Addie, graduated from Towson University this past December and is applying next to medical school. My youngest son, Justin, is midway thru his first year at Temple Medical School in Philadelphia. My oldest daughter, Megan, continues as an executive at Counterpoint Publishing in the Bay Area while raising Max, now one year old, and Ella, soon to be five. Oldest son, Jason, has finished all of his medical training and works as a hospitalist in Orange County. I am looking forward to cohosting a Los Angeles event for PDS alumni this March.”

From Mary: I just have a little time to submit the Class of 1968 news for the Journal before the deadline. Eric and I head to Sanibel Island, which is on the west coast of southern Florida, for 10 days. Although it’s been a mild winter, I look forward to warmer weather.

Then by the time I return to Connecticut, I’ll have a “dose” of sunshine and warmth to keep me warm until spring.

I guess every once in a while I don’t reach out to classmates to get newsworthy notes. I did, however, receive some condolence notes about my dad, who died in August. I want to thank all of you who did contact me regarding my loss. It’s been fun to hear stories from classmates about Dad. Thanks go to Rick Ross for an email he sent to me earlier this month. Judy and Rick went to visit cousins in Boston for Christmas, with a full house (14) “... including a trip to the Fogg Museum at Harvard. What an exceptional collection! We’re here until March, mostly. (Judy has a golf trip to Jupiter, FL next week.) Then we go to Naples, FL for the month. We took a house—plenty of room.

Come visit!”

We will have a fabulous and happy celebration!

There is so much to celebrate: First of all: US Our years of experience Our years of laughter and tears Our years of longevity Our class accomplishments Our class friendships Our class is FIRST CLASS!

The Pond, a painting by Lisa Lawrence ’68 Lisa Lawrence and I are in touch often (emails). She always sends me her most recent paintings—wall murals presently. Take a peek at her most recent work of tall grass at a pond.

Lovely work.

Here’s to the great class of 1968. I hope you celebrate birthdays all year, for 2020 is a banner year for 70th birthdays! I think Bob Spears may be the only classmate who turned 70 last year? Do tell.

1969

Susan Denise Harris 801 Ocean Boulevard Isle of Palms, SC 29451 (203) 517-7656 (cell) susandeniseharris@gmail.com

It is with sadness I share that Beth Borgerhoff-Pomerleau passed away on November 8, 2019. Beth died at peace and with thankfulness for your notes and prayers.

Memorials in Beth’s name may be sent to Hands Together, a Catholic charity in Haiti founded by Father Tom Hagen, who was the Catholic chaplain at Princeton University who married Beth and Rick. Address for Hands Together is P.O. Box 80985, Springfield, MA 01138.

1970

Ann M. Wiley 124 Traditions Way Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 (609) 902-8132 (cell) awileyemail@gmail.com

Note: The Class of 1970 50th Reunion Committee is working with the School to plan for the 50th reunion to be celebrated in May 2021. Check out the Alumni Weekend website for details: pds.org/alumni-weekend. Come join us! Lew Bowers, Rebecca Bushnell, Frederica Cagan Doeringer, Rett Campbell, Allison Gilbert Kozicharow, Janet Masterton and Meg Brinster Michael.

A little ditty from Janet Masterton:

Ahh, to be 17 again and hopefully we will feel that way at our 50th PDS Reunion.

pds.org

Tom Berger wrote: “In December, my wife and I traveled to Venice, Italy for Christmas and a long winter break. Indeed, we will be residents on Venice’s Grand Canal in a rented apartment until 1 March 2020, when we return home to London. Following 10 years in the role, I retired in December as Chief Investment Officer of Equitable Life. After 257 years in operation, all assets have been liquidated and have been returned to clients with a 70% uplift on account values, a nice Christmas present to clients! Come 1 January 2020, Equitable will cease to exist in its current form. While it is sad to see a company founded in 1762 disappear from the scene, it is exciting to have the opportunity to do something totally different and spend 75 days in Venice this winter, where my wife and I are taking daily Italian language lessons and walking our legs off.

Lew Bowers “I look forward to reconnecting with my old high school classmates: Eric Heggen, Allyn Love, Calvin Johnson, Hilary Martin, Porter Eubank, Gil Farr, David Mack, Chris Mislow, Cathy Morgan, Bob Peck, Jimmy Rogers, Peter Worthington.”

Meg Brinster Michael sent greetings from San Salvadore Island. “Enjoying a little February getaway.”

Meg Brinster Michael ’70 enjoyed some warm weather this winter.

Wendy Lawson-Johnston McNeil reported: “I have been spending most of my time working on our family property where I live fulltime in a cozy log cabin. I love the tree farming life, and have had to learn a lot. It is great fun to be in the woods as much as possible and soak up the gifts of nature that are all around. We did try growing hemp this year for the first time. South Carolina permitted a few of us in the state to give it a try. Federal rules changed and were imposed retroactively, which negatively affected our ability to sell our raw product. So we will wait a year or so to make sure, when we launch this project again, there won’t be any unforeseen hitches.

“I am still working at the Guggenheim and trying to do my small part to preserve and enhance that family legacy.

“I am always thrilled to spend time with our kids and their offspring. We have two grandsons and two granddaughters. Needless to say, everyone knows that grandchildren are the absolute best! Luckily, they all love coming to visit us in SC where there are a ton of things to do. Riding horses and ATV’s seem to be the biggest hits!

Jack Kilgore is “still running a private art gallery in New York. We deal in late 19th and “Otherwise, not much to say. Life is good and early 20th century European art and sell paintfulfilling, the best that one could ask for!” ings to museums and private collectors. Fun but inefficient business! My wife, Kim, and I have one daughter, India Lake Kilgore. She is an aspiring pop singer and is a freshman at the Tisch/Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU. She is in an NYU dorm, but still seems to spend most of her free time at home! I just spent a week in Toronto and another in LA with India, while she wrote songs and recorded with producers there.

Hopefully, she will release some new songs very soon. She has one on Spotify now that you can listen to: India Lake: ‘Girl in New York City’. Super competitive busiWendy Lawson-Johnston McNeil and family ness, so not sure if she will end up supporting us… Kim just returned from Hilary Martin reported in: “I am still here in Australia where she was in Melbourne playing Ardmore, PA, nearly 25 years now. Retired Court Tennis. This is the original medieval but husband Kevin still slaving away @ tennis game. She can tell you all about it.”

UPenn, Chairman of Physiology in the Med Judi Migliori Ward is “still recovering from School. I keep telling him he needs to look for growing up in the crazy 1960s.... and lamentProfessor Becky Bushnell at Penn’s President’s ing our advancing age.”

Annual Christmas Party! spring 2020

“Allison (Gilbert Kozicharow) and I see each other all the time, as my ‘kids,’ Amanda, an oncology veterinarian, and Trevor, a start-up tech company guy, also live in DC—so I have lots of reasons to visit. The biggest news for us this year is that Trevor is planning to get married in late May.

“Kevin and I travel a lot, mostly owing to his being a research scientist who is invited to conferences in exotic locales. In October/ November, we traveled to Fez, Morocco for a meeting and then extended with a road trip through the Atlas Mountains to Marrakesh.

Rode camels in the desert—a bucket list item I didn’t even know I had! Being in Morocco was a special treat for me since I had gone to the Loire Valley in September with an old friend who asked me ‘Wouldn’t you like to come with me to Amboise and study French for two weeks?’ I said, “Oui, absolument!” So off we went for some very hard work (mornings) and languorous afternoons and weekends. C’était une experience magnifique! And I was able to use that brushed-up French in Morocco quite a bit. I am one lucky duck.”

Laurie D’Agostino Stoumen wrote to let us know that her mother, Elizabeth Willcox D’Agostino ’41, passed away on February 8, 2020 at age 96. “My sister, Lucy D’Agostino Crowe ’76, and I already miss her, but are comforted knowing that she lived a long and happy life. She went to Miss Fine’s until 3rd grade.

“On another note, I am now the grandmother of five! That makes me feel old, but they are all such a joy. I have cut back on my work a lot so I can help my daughter with her threemonth-old little boy. I forgot how much energy it takes to care for little ones. But, admittedly, I was a lot younger when I had my own!”

Our class extends our deepest sympathies to Laurie and her family.

Diane Erickson sent an update: “It has now been almost a year since my diagnosis of lobular cancer. The year was filled with surgeries

Diane Erickson ’70

Diane Erickson ’70’s granddaughter JOURNAL

(5), loss of both breasts and my hair, chemo, radiation and much love. My dear friends and family, several who have traveled this journey themselves, have surrounded me with love, support and much laughter. Talking and laughter help so much.

“There will be more time for art as I have retired from teaching at Stetson University.

“Other good news, my granddaughter turned two. Precious.”

1971

Blythe Anne Kropf 4343 East Soliere Avenue #2097 Flagstaff, AZ 86004 (917) 763-4923 (cell) blythekropf5@gmail.com Thomas C. Worthington 4355 Brook Avenue South Saint Louis Park, MN 55424-1011 (952) 927-9828 (home) worthington_tom@yahoo.com

Victoria Willock is “enjoying retirement in La Quinta; a big change after 35 years working in San Francisco.”

Rick Kramer provided the following: “Retired life has been anything but boring.

This past summer most of my time was taken up with home renovation projects, landscaping and grandkids. In June, Rick Bryant and I had our third annual weekend get-together in Boston and on Cape Cod. We visited the Boston Sax Shop and enjoyed fine dining overlooking the Atlantic, a ferry ride out to the Cape, with a day of sightseeing around Provincetown, MA during the Portuguese Festival celebration. In the fall, New England College asked me if I wanted to teach again.

As much as the call to do something I truly enjoy was tempting, I am having too much fun with my music, family and friends so I guess my teaching days are behind me.”

More great news from Laurie Bryant Young: “I am enjoying a happy retirement after a career with the Central Intelligence Agency. I retired just as my first grandchild was coming—I wanted plenty of freedom for visits. My son and his three children live in California (I’m in Virginia—three cheers for FaceTime), but my daughter and her two children live nearby in Maryland, so I see them often.

When I’m not playing with grandchildren, I’m gardening or singing with the community chorus. I just had a nice visit with Louise Broad Lavine a couple of days ago. She is also enjoying the pleasures of grandmotherhood and is still painting. Our classmates may not

Laurie Bryant Young ’71 and husband, Bill, with their daughter and her kids this past Christmas know she is an accomplished artist because she really delved into it after PDS. She does beautiful portraits and landscapes. Next time she visits, I’ll remember to take a picture of us both for the Journal.”

Lisa Warren wrote: “I have now been retired about a year and am still trying to get used to living a relatively quiet and stress-free life.

I continue to volunteer coach the PDS mock trial team, am on the PDS Alumni Board (relentlessly asking everyone for money), the Board of SAVE, our local animal shelter, the Advisory Panel for Visions and Pathways serving the needs of at-risk youth in several NJ counties, and I also volunteer with NJLEEP, a great organization in Newark that provides college access programs (including mock trial) for disadvantaged kids. Obviously, I have a soft spot for teens and animals in need!

Other than that, am exercising most days, visiting friends and family, traveling for pleasure a bit, seeing a lot of movies and shows and am enjoying retirement. All is well!”

As a follow up from last issue’s news, Betsy and Dave Claghorn proudly announce the births of three grandbabies: Ellie, Tate and Polly.

Natalie Huston Wiles ’71 with her family Natalie Huston Wiles provided this update: “Time is marching on and suddenly I find that Ellis and I are retired here in Virginia and enjoying the grandparent life! Ellis retired in 2018 after 20+ years in the Army and 19 years with the federal government. I retired in 2019 after nine years in Fairfax County as an instructional aide and 14 as a special education teacher.

“This year, we are so lucky to have both our boys and their families close by. Geoffrey

and Kathryn and their daughter, Mary, live in Fairfax. Geoffrey works for NPR while his wife is an RN in a local hospital. They expect their second child in May. Nathaniel and his wife, Maureen, welcomed their son, Thomas last April in Pittsburgh (a week before Maureen got her master’s degree at University of Pittsburgh) and moved to Arlington last June. Nathaniel’s job with the State Department will send them overseas in April for two years. Ellis and I are working on staying healthy and exploring our interests we haven’t had time for including all that the DC area has to offer. I plan on putting more time into my art. We also got to spend more summer time at our family place on Lake Champlain in upstate NY, where we usually get to be with my sister, Marion ’73, and family, and brother, Aubrey ’64, and family.

I keep in touch with Jean Schluter Yoder and happily have seen recently Diane Jass Ketelhut. On a sadder note, we lost my mom Katharine W. Huston on April 2, 2019. She was 96. She was an example of a life in service to others, to include family, church and community. What a wonderful life she and my dad gave us. We miss them both.”

Howard Vine ’71 with his son, Chase, and newborn grandchild, Jesse Thomas Vine And, lastly, from your class correspondent (Tom Worthington): When I am not helping out with the grandchildren (most apropos T-shirt seen on toddler: “That’s it, I’m calling Grandpa”), I am working on US Fish and Wildlife Service history projects, sailing, tennis, travel and volunteering at a local Head Start in south Minneapolis.

I hope you are all well and remind you to visit us in Minnesota if you are ever traveling this way!

That’s the news from our class! Hope everyone is planning to make it back to Princeton for our 50th in 2021.

1972

John L. Moore III 6 Ridge Farms Road Norwalk, CT 06850 (310) 357-9158 (cell) johnlmoore3@gmail.com

The newness of life is always a joyous occasion and especially welcomed during the cold,

gray winter months (at least they are here in the Northeast). I’m happy to share belated news of our classmates’ new additions to their families.

Paul and Jean Beckwith Funk are over the moon as firsttime grandparents, as their middle son, David, and wife, Roni, welcomed Ryan James Jean Beckwith Funk last September (2019). ’72 with grandson, Ellen Sussman and Ryan her husband, Neal Rothman, are “crazy in love” with their first grandchild, Claire McMinimee. As though Ellen didn’t have enough on her plate with writing multiple NY Times bestsellers, and teaching her craft in numerous workshops and courses, Ellen Sussman ’72 her daughter, Sophie with granddaughter, Croen McMinimee, Claire McMinimee and Connor McMinimee (father of Claire) have gone and flipped Ellen’s and Neal’s world upside down with happiness and joy at being new grandparents (October 2019).

Jean also provided a nice backstory to their friendship. Ellen Sussman and Jean Beckwith were both new to PDS when they met on the first day of seventh grade, and they became fast friends. After high school, they lost track of each other for almost a decade, only to discover in 1986 that they both lived in Short Hills, NJ, and the friendship picked right back up. They had their first children three days apart (Jean, a boy, and Ellen, a girl) and spent many happy times together as new mothers. Now living on opposite coasts, they both became grandmothers for the first time last fall, again just weeks apart, and again, a grandson for Jean and a granddaughter for Ellen. The friendship has endured, as many PDS relationships do, and this summer Jean is joining a group of Ellen’s friends to hike the Scottish Highlands. Pretty cool!

Alexander Laughlin reported: “Alexander D. Laughlin III was born this past month. I’m so happy when I am with my family. I am looking forward to helping with 1972 class events as we hit Alex Laughlin ’72 with 50th reunion in 2022.”

Alexander Laughlin III

Thanks to my prolific stepkids I (John} have 11 grandchildren ranging in age from 3 to 12.

Busy but fun! I would love to hear from other classmates who are now enjoying the wonders of being a grandparent. Photos and stories are fun for all of us to share. Are you aware that there’s a new online tool to find, follow, learn about, reconnect with your fellow PDSers?

It’s called pds.searchwavelength.com and it’s a user-friendly database with “some” information on approximately 5,700 alumni. I found it interesting to learn that 26% of our classmates (still) live in New Jersey! 12% live in New York and 10% in California. 6% in MA or VT and 5% in ME or PA. After that we are scattered around the country with only one classmate located internationally, in Mexico.

Fair warning—I’m gearing up to provide a longer column filled with good news for the fall Journal. Please take a couple of minutes and shoot me an email with a note on what you’re up to or have done in the past.

Planning to retire, already retired? Traveling, volunteering, hobbying, saving the planet, philanthropy(ing), anything! We have a great group of folks in our class, and we had some tight-knit and supportive times. Sure, life has changed over the decades, but it’s pretty cool to learn about each other now and think back to “then.” At least I think so, which is why I’m spending my time writing this and asking you to share.

1973

Cassandra L. Oxley 171 Pine Hill Road Boxborough, MA 01719-1915 (978) 264-4938 (home) (978) 270-1057 (cell) cassandra.oxley@gmail.com

1974

Polly Hunter White 2224 Carlow Drive Darien, IL 60561-8458 (630) 234-1691 (cell) pwhite2224@gmail.com

Ted Thomas: “Paige and I enjoyed having cocktails with David Straut and his family in Sun Valley over Christmas. We used to see each other there a lot back in the day. Great to relive memories.”

Terry Ward: “My partner, Gary, and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner with Barbara Spalholz in the Washington, DC AdamsMorgan district back in early November. The dinner was great.”

Diana Roberts: “By the time this Journal goes to press, I will be the grandmother of seven grandchildren, ranging in age from newborn to 12. And I can still touch my toes! It’s getting harder to leave, particularly the babies, for the long periods of wintertime that we usually travel. So this year we’re only gone for a seven-week housesit in the south of France.

Once again, the house sitting websites have spring 2020

landed a wonderful opportunity in our laps.

And this is by far the best one yet, a beautiful renovated 14th century home on the border of the Gard and Ardeche departments. Real life resumes back in Maine in mid-March when we gear up for a busy summer season at the boatyard, ready a house for rent, and help with those babies in need.”

Polly White: “Over the Christmas/New Year holidays I visited with Evelyn Turner Counts and by telephone with Palmer Uhl since Palmer was sick at the time. We had a great time catching up and sharing stories from the past year.”

Beth Ross sent a poem written by our late classmate, Cyra Jane Cain.

“Camping in Alaska” by Cyra Jane Cain When I was camping alone in Alaska the salmon were running to their home waters.

There were so many fish it looked like a wall—a silver wall moving upstream. It looked like there wasn’t any water between the fish.

I sat on the riverbank in the leaves and twigs watching the moving wall.

It was glorious!

It was dreamlike, hypnotic— the salmon were the river.

1974 classmates Beth Ross and Carin Laughlin Hoffman visited Cyra Cain in the hospital

1975

Yuki Moore Laurenti 464 Hamilton Avenue Trenton, NJ 08609 (609) 394-1065 (home) Laurentijy@earthlink.net Mary Sword McDonough 111 North Main Street Pennington, NJ 08534-2206 (609) 737-8435 (home) (609) 468-5437 (cell) mollyswordmcdonough@yahoo.com

This year marks our 45th reunion. It does not seem that long ago that we departed from PDS on our journeys both near and far.

JOURNAL

Caron Cadle wrote: “It’s been a wrenching two years. In mid-2017, we’d decided to sell the big suburban house and move into a downtown condo. In spring 2018, while we were still renovating the condo and purging our stuff, my mom developed dementia. So I had to sort out her large Princeton home of 47 years, too, plus relocate her here in Gainesville, FL. Since she’s a smoker, the right residence was hard to find.

“The short version is: within 18 months, we disposed of most of two houses’ worth of stuff, fixed up and sold the two houses, renovated a condo, ran four moves, sold four cars, bought one used car and leased one new one. Plus, yours truly tried to manage Mom on my own. Happily, just as I ran completely out of energy, we found a wonderful geriatric care manager who has put together a team of 24-hour caregivers Mom loves. We were also finally able to get Mom a big, beautiful two-room apartment, with a behemoth of an air filter to protect the caregivers from her second-hand smoke!

“By Murphy’s Law, my husband, Ralf Remshardt, Professor of Theatre History, had to be interim Director of the School of Theatre and Dance at the University of Florida for a year during the worst of all this. I was unable to be a really supportive spouse. Instead, Mom and I added to his load.

“We’re not feeling sorry for ourselves. We know too many others who have to navigate similar waters and also have children or multiple parents with issues to manage, and who don’t have the luxury we do, enough funds to afford private care for my mom. But it’s been a hard ride, and a real test of our ability as a team.

“The good news is, Mom is stable and contented, Ralf is back to teaching and research as opposed to endless and often frustrating administrative work, and as of three weeks ago, I can sleep through the night again, thanks to medical marijuana, which muffles physical pain and keeps my brain from jumping on the hamster wheel of useless, obsessive worry.

“You can tell we’re back in some kind of balance, or maybe we’re gluttons for punishment: we’ve just signed a contract to buy the condo right under ours (half the size), which also needs some renovations but will provide us with exactly the additional space we require. I’ll have my own office again, room to spread out my papers while doing projects without having to occupy the dining room table, which drives Ralf nuts. I’m also planning a small-scale permaculture ‘edible forest’ for the new balcony! All this should be accomplished in good time before Ralf ’s retirement, which should happen before 2025.

“Of course, the world and national situations don’t exactly help reduce stress levels. As I have very little time to spare right now, I’m donating to Bernie Sanders and systemati-

cally aligning our investment portfolio with our values. In the meantime, we try never to lose sight of the fact that life isn’t worthwhile without fun! Visitors welcome, especially once we have guest quarters available (winter 2020/21)!”

Ruth Barach Cox ’75 with her son and husband

1975 classmates Ruth Barach Cox and Kip Herrick O’Brien Ruth Barach Cox has a busy private business in painting conservation and works on paintings from collections throughout the southeast. Highlights this year have been the treatment of two gorgeous Monets, several Gilbert Stuarts and a large John White Alexander painting, among others. She lives in Durham, NC with her husband, Sidney, who is a research chemist working for a startup in Raleigh, NC. Her son, Ben (29), has his own business in southern California and her daughter, Sarah (26), is doing her doctorate in cognitive psychology at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Molly Moynahan wrote: “House in Michigan bought, condo soon to sell, new rental in Chicago, parents’ house sold–it’s all about the real-estate, writing, family and love.”

Philip Benson reported that he and David Beckwith and their mates saw in the New Year in Tunisia.

Philip Benson ’75 and David Beckwith ’75 with their mates in Dougga, Tunisia this past January

1976

Kathy Kehoe 2060 Cumberland Trail Plano, TX 75023-3225 (972) 398-8085 (home) (972) 897-6609 (cell) kgkath@verizon.net

Congratulations go out to Joanne Kind Hinton and Phil Thompson on the recent births of grandchildren.

Joanne shared: “I can’t believe it, but I am a grandmother! Charlie Kind Hinton was born 02-02-2020. Enjoy reading about everyone else, and hope more classmates post. Maybe an impromptu get together for all the alum living in the greater Princeton/metro area?”

That’s not a bad idea, JoJo—maybe a warm up for the big reunion next year?

Phil said: “New grandson. Am I really that old? Lucky all my kids live nearby. Spending more time off the grid in Vermont to relax between bouts of writing software.”

From Sally Lincoln Jeffery: “2019 was a big year. My son, Patrick, married a lovely Brazilian woman in Ellijay, GA, where I live, and my younger daughter, Lindsey, was married in Savannah. Eleven years ago my husband and I started Isaiah House, a long-term recovery home for men with substance use disorder. In September, our first gala fundraiser generated over $50,000, which was just enough to complete the 5,400 square foot expansion, which began in 2016. Now my husband and I are getting ready to spend eight days in Fairbanks, AK to see the Northern Lights!”

Travel is a common theme among our classmates. Would it be a crazy idea to try to organize a travel club and possibly trek together?

Maybe I’ll bring that up in our private Facebook Group ‘PDS ’76 Classmates.’

Julie Stabler Hull was back in Africa when she wrote: “At the tail end of a trip to Kenya (with friends) and then Cape Town with my husband, I decided to volunteer for two weeks at a Wildlife Veterinary Clinic in NE South Africa. Because it’s summer here now (95 degrees) and a little quiet on the wildlife front (too hot to dart and de-horn rhinos), I’ve spent most of my time so far lending a helping hand in the small animal clinic. The cases are a bit different than what we see at home—a puppy bitten on its face by a puff adder and a Dogo Argentino stung multiple times by a scorpion, among others. On Friday, I watched the vet perform ear surgery on a four-monthold albino elephant. I’m living on a farm with three people, six dogs, three cats, and 13 horses. Incredible experience.” Julie shared awesome pics from her exploits on FB!

Speaking of adventures, Judy Glogau recently made a trip that’s on my bucket list: Down Under. She posted: “Just back from trip with a friend to New Zealand. Loved the people, the beauty of the landscapes, the food and the

wildlife. I’m back four days and Fred leaves for a month-long business trip to India. Our oldest daughter, Laila, is in her second year of law school at Temple; middle daughter, Lilly, who finished a master’s in Bio-Med Engineering, is nicely employed and living in Hoboken.

Max, at home, going to RVCC and planning employment abroad. Ann Wittke Morrissey and I are members of the New Knees Club; improved my life immensely, I believe she feels same way. I saw former classmate Dick Warren today at the office; he is looking well.”

I hope Annie Witt is back at it following her down time!

Ann McClure Noel was able to swing south for a weekend to help Ann recuperate: “Spent time with Annie while she was recovering from knee surgery. Creigh labeled me as Nurse Ratchet. Can you believe it!?! Also got to spend time with Suzy ’86 and Mr. Franz on my way back home! Mr. Franz is such a special person! Volunteering at our library. Just made 30 purses for Fancy Nancy tea party.

Fancy Nancy loves her bling! Ready for major snow storm but I live in Vermont so boots, hat, mittens, warm coat and hand warmers are always accessible!”

That’s two classmates who mention Vermont.

No wait–make that three. Alyssa Oxley checked in: “I really don’t have any news, just trying to figure out how to spend more (all my) time in my glass studio. [She’s an amazing glass artist and instructor.] I also have an Airbnb I have been running, just over a year now, in my home here in Vermont’s littlest city, Vergennes.

I actually like doing it more than I expected.

Airbnb people are lovely, very respectful, which is nice as the apartment is filled with my friends’ artwork and some of my own.” Maybe I’ll take advantage of Ox’s apartment during the summer to beat some of the Texas heat as her little getaway sounds lovely!

Jonathan Stein shared: “I have still been traveling a bit. Last year I did more than 50,000 miles just on one airline. That didn’t count a business trip to Cyprus in November. Our daughter, Remy, moved to Salt Lake City last May, so in the past 12 months I have been there three times. She will be joining us for a European cruise in April. Beki and I are on track to have our 37th anniversary this year.

We are also enjoying Lola, our ten-month-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.”

One of my favorite things about being your Class Notes correspondent is reconnecting with people I’ve not seen or heard from in forever.

I was delighted when Amos Harris responded to my email with: “I’m married with three young kids–started late–and running a real estate development company, living the good life in St. Louis. We are thinking of a twoyear sabbatical, first year in La Jolla/Del Mar and second in Lisbon–would love any advice.

We get back to NYC fairly frequently and

Amos Harris ’76 and family spend time in Maine and Canada. My wife is Canadian, and our kids are dual. Love to connect with anyone on those flight patterns…”

Jim Daubert’s response was also a wonderful surprise: “Amy and I have all four kids through college. Still practicing cardiac electrophysiology at Duke. After needing shoulder surgery from playing hockey with the younger guys last year, I am sticking to over-40 and over-50 groups; if any former PDS teammates want to do any over-50 tournaments give me a yell!” We have so many accomplished classmates!

Gwyneth Hamel Iredale updated with: “I still live in Eugene, OR and enjoyed seeing Julie Stabler Hull while on a business trip to Seattle this past summer. She is still doing amazing trips and fundraising adventures. We hope to get together with Sandy Shaw in Idaho soon. Sandy has posted some amazing photos of moose in her backyard, btw! My job has been in digital marketing software platforms for real estate. We have our own version of a Silicon Valley outpost— Siliconshire—name influenced by the deeply forested and fertile Willamette Valley region.

What’s nice about living here is access to the outdoors: mountains, desert and coastal regions. I hike regularly and participate in our vibrant dance communities—flash mob dancing for charity and ballroom dancing. My son is getting his pilot’s license for starting a business using drones and my daughter is 17. She inherited the creativity I discovered in myself through PDS art classes taught by Arlene Smith. Thanks, Arlene, for the inspiration!”

My story remains pretty much the same. My e-commerce business, now in its sixth year, keeps me very busy and fulfilled, and my two boys seem to be sorting things out in their lives nicely (finally). No grandkids on my horizon anytime soon, but I’m not feeling old enough for that anyway, so it’s just as well! I’m trying to plan a family reunion at the Jersey shore for this spring, and if time allows I hope to look some of you locals up while I’m in state. spring 2020

Speaking of reunions, a year from now is a big one for our class. Can you believe it will have been 45 years? Egad. I am not going to volunteer to be on the reunion committee but I will help facilitate communication. We need a couple of people to step up in that role, so do a bit of soul searching to see if you can be that guy/gal who helps to pull this off for everyone else. It would be nice to have a big turn out and to see everyone again. Our class is comprised of diverse and interesting individuals, many of whom we did not really get to know back in the day thanks to teen angst and the oh-so infamous cliques of high school. But we also share the very unique experience of being PDS Class of ’76, and that’s a powerful common ground. Mark your calendar to set aside a few days next spring to come network, make new friends and reconnect!

Harold Tanner sent the following, approved for publication: “Harold Tanner remains more or less gainfully employed as a history professor. On the side, he has begun imposing poorly-performed covers of 1960s-70s rock and punk tunes on unsuspecting audiences at open mic nights in Denton, TX. His act is mercifully short, and decidedly not ‘family-friendly.’”

From Becky Hafitz Hull: “Big moves in 2020.

In January, we moved from Bernardsville, NJ to Syracuse, NY. Visitors welcome! Sara (Wellesley ’20, B.A. in Environmental Studies) and Jon (BFA, Acting, U Michigan ’20 ) are in their last semesters (yay) of college. Eliza is a yoga instructor at Y7 in Manhattan and James is at the Department of Housing 1977 Preservation and Sandra Benson Cress Development for 3726 Connecticut Ave., NW #113 Becky Hafitz Hull ’77’s the City of New Washington, DC 20008 daughters, Sara and Eliza, York.”

(503) 388-2686 and husband, Tony, in Lisbon Clooie Sherman sbcress@aol.com wrote: “Deborah and I are both well and celeHappy 2020! It seems haranguing from your brating 20 years together this year! Last sumClass Correspondent is getting less and less mer we took a big trip to France as an early effective, but thank you all who did contribute celebration. Not sure what this year will bring to the news of the class of 77! A reminder, if us. My mom will be moving to Maryland you’re on Facebook, join the Princeton Day sometime this year, consolidating my family School Class of 1977 page, where we can all there. Saying goodbye to Princeton will be th start to get excited about our 45 reunion tough! I have to say, I love being Facebook (ACK!!) in two short years. friends with Sarah Rothrock-Rickell and seeSimeon Hutner checked in with: “Andrew ing the wonderful Hildick-Smith and his wife, Hughie Jacobus dance sculptures ’78, were among the friends who helped me she’s creating these celebrate my 60th birthday last October. Hard days. So many to believe we are all 60 and that we have talents!! Sarah’s another reunion coming up in a couple of daughter Jessica, years…. I’m doing my best to keep up with my recently gradukids, Simeon (soon to be 11) and Julia (6), who ated from NYU are doing great. I’ve also been continuing to with a master’s edit and produce documentary films. The latest, in psychology, My Ascension, is about teen suicide, something and is now living I never heard of when we were at PDS but in Brooklyn and which has now reached epidemic proportions Sarah Rothrock-Rickell working at the and is the second leading cause of death for ’77 with her daughters, Harlem Children’s young people. Another film I edited, Cooked: Zone. Her daughter Maggie and Jess Survival by Zipcode, about the 1995 heatwave Maggie, is under in Chicago that killed 739 people, just aired contract with Rochester City Ballet!” nationally on PBS’ Independent Lens. Next is a Claire Treves Brezel shared: “My news starts four-part documentary series set in a recovery with my lucky kids, Emma and Aaron, who high school outside of Boston for kids who are are pictured here at Emma’s graduation in trying to overcome drug addiction and graduMay 2017 from Oberlin College. It was the ate. My wife, Lucy, is busy with her psychiatry most recent photo I could find where we practice while editing and writing chapters of weren’t sweaty hiking somewhere. Emma the first-ever textbook devoted to reproducreceived her master’s in biomedical ethics tive psychiatry. She also co-founded a startup, at Einstein COM and continues to work Phoebe, a digital platform focusing on pregin the Bronx as a project manager on NYS nancy and post-partum.” grants targeted to children with disabilities.

Karin Morgenstern Papp contributed: “Early retirement, one grandchild, loving the mountains in North Carolina!” Lucky gal!!

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Emma will be starting medical school in the fall. Aaron graduated from Wash U. in St Louis in 2018 and this May, will gradu-

Claire Treves Brezel ’77’s family, at her daughter’s graduation ate with master’s degrees in journalism and computer science from Columbia. He is a computational journalist and develops all sorts of neat research tools and visualizations for telling ‘truthful news.’ Last summer, he was an investigative reporter at the Miami Herald when the Jeffery Epstein case blew open. He had a number of bylines, two or three were on the front page. That was a proud mamma moment.

“I have found turning 60 in these turbulent times has been like being in a tornado, tumbling to and fro. Rather than go crazy, I have co-founded Transition Town Port Washington. TTPW is part of a global social, economic and environmental movement whose mission is to organize and promote a community-wide effort to reduce greenhouse emissions and transform our peninsula to a resilient, carbon-neutral economy. We are working on: community solar, community composting, educational film series for Earth Day, Advocacy and Protests, etc... Finally, we rent our ancestral home/villa near Rome: Casale Sonnino (Google search and links will pop up). We have lots of amazing reviews on VRBO/Homeaway and 58 on Tripadvisor.

Bring your family and friends and stay with the best host around, my brother George Treves ’71. Contact me if you are interested!”

Keith Usiskin sent the following update: “I now work for BMS in Lawrenceville so I take the opportunity to drive by PDS often. It looks to be thriving and beautiful. I’m thinking of stopping in, taking Keith Usiskin ’77 and that religion course, wife, Michelle and perhaps, I can finally get my high school diploma. Still living in North Jersey outside of Morristown. My lovely wife of 31 years and I go hiking in the Adirondacks frequently. Best to everyone!”

Your trusty class scribe, Sandra Benson Cress here: Many changes in the past few months.

Doug and I moved back from Barcelona to DC, right before Thanksgiving of last year (sad-face emoji). Doug took a job as VP of Conservation at the Ocean Conservancy, and

Sandra Benson Cress ’77 with husband Doug and daughter Lauren, in their new town I am starting a job at Georgetown University.

Daughter Lauren is in a rush, and is graduating early from Connecticut College this summer, with a major in anthropology and a minor in dance. I just had a wonderful drop-in visit from Beth Johnson Nixon, who was in DC for a Garden Clubs of America conference. I do love living in crossroads cities, where people can pop up at any time! And if any of you are interested in renting an apartment in Paris, our three-bedroom apartment in Montmartre is available for weekly rentals. You can see photos here: vrbo.com/278103, and if you are interested, please contact me. Other than that, my big plan this year is to walk part of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in August. As they say, “Buen camino!” and that goes to all of you.

Good health and good heart in 2020.

’77 classmates Beth Johnson Nixon and Sandra Benson Cress visited with each other for the first time in 20 years

Sarah Williams Goldhagen ’77 and family, Thanksgiving 2019

1978

Nora Cuesta Wimberg 5240 Oakwood Court Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215 (609) 418-0190 (cell) nlazz@mac.com

Nora Cuesta Wimberg wrote: Happy 2020 to all of my classmates! We started the New Year well. At midnight we celebrated with our 12 grapes as is our Cuban tradition. Jovan, our son, is in his second semester as a sophomore at Rowan University. My husband, Charlie, is getting set to retire—at the latest this June.

We have made several trips to visit family in Florida, spent a few days in NYC, spent a few days in the mountains of North Jersey, and will be traveling in the next few months to get away and relax. We sold our home in

Galloway, NJ and moved six miles away to a golf community, and are now renters! We have a beautiful townhome on the golf course; we do not have to worry about lifting a finger; they take care of everything! I still volunteer at the Red Cross and the NJ Food Bank, and work part-time for the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce. I am blessed.

Our daughter, Sheridan ’10, is a singer/songwriter in Nash, and now Tracey and I have an extra fun reason to get down there to visit.

Sheridan and her fiancé, Colin Montemarano, were home for Christmas, as was our grandson, Hudson, and his parents, Ren and Jenna.

Tom Gates ’78 and Suzanne Vine ’78 Nora Cuesta Wimberg ’78 with son, Jovan, and husband, Charlie, on New Year’s Eve Sue Keitelman Fineman wrote: “I got the greatest Hanukkah present ever: Ezra Lawrence Keitelman was born December 24th. Yes, my nice Jewish grandbaby (my first) was born on Christmas Eve to my oldest son, Jordan, and his wife, Lisa. He is the sweetest thing ever!

On a different note, as some of you may know, I was adopted, and during the week of Thanksgiving I found and met (via FaceTime) my biological half-brother as well as my biological cousins Sue Keitelman Fineman (in person)! It was ’78 with her first grandSO amazing. I still baby, Ezra Lawrence can’t believe it.

Keitelman My half-brother, David, and I have the same biological mother but through DNA we found out that we have different bio-fathers even though we both have a high percentage of Irish and British; I have a small percentage of African DNA. David and I have been searching for each other since 1991.

Thanks to a really good friend and the Internet, we have finally been reunited.”

Tom Gates visited Suzanne Vine in Nashville.

He wrote: “Suzanne was a gracious host as we did our best to welcome her and Peter back to the States after five years in Amsterdam!

Brad Clippinger ’78 with his son, Jack, on top of Mount Diablo, CA. “Great trip to see my son in San Francisco.

Ready to do it again!

It was a treat to have everyone in the same Tom Gates ’78 place for Christmas since it had been seven with grandson, Hudson Reynolds or eight years. The Gates family said good- Gates, age one bye to my dad, Moore ‘Mosie’ Gates, Jr. ’42 on November 30th. His was a wonderful, healthy life, and we all feel truly blessed to have known him.”

Suzanne Vine wrote: “Doug Fein ’79 drove three hours each way to have lunch with my husband, Peter, and me.

We moved back Doug Fein ’79 visited from Amsterdam Suzanne Vine ’78 in after five wonderNashville ful years there and are enjoying our first few months of living in Nashville. It was so nice to catch up with Tom Gates and Doug, and we’re looking forward to more visits from PDS friends.”

Greg Morea wrote: “Life continues for Greg and his wife, Barbara, in Gales Ferry, CT. He has now been with Electric Boat for over 36 years, and if the day ends in a ‘y,’ Barbara will have a choir event. Greg still runs the fish fry at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Gales Ferry during Lent. The fry continues to grow in popularity, and this is a labor of love for Greg as it blends together his love of food, cooking, food, community service, and food. This past fall, Greg and Barbara boarded a cruise ship, the Sapphire Princess, Greg Morea ’78 and in Southampton, his wife experiencing England, and ended the Northern Lights up a week later in Alta, Norway, where this past fall spring 2020

Barbara Vaughn ’78 during her artist talk at a show of her work in Budapest Barbara Vaughn ’78 (right) celebrated her birthday in November with family, and with Barbie Griffin Cole ’78 (left) they realized their top bucket list item and saw the Northern Lights. It took seven days to get to Alta, a wonderful city high above the Arctic Circle on the northern coast of Norway. Once there, we watched the sky explode with incredible colors that kept swirling, twirling, and twizzling for what seemed like hours on end. It should be noted that the temperature that night was around -15 degrees Fahrenheit, there was about a foot of snow on the ground, and this was the second night we were in Alta; the first was cloudy and snowy. Greg made up for the disappointing weather that first night by buying Norwegian Christmas lights to add to their display at home. We’ve since been asked was it worth it, all this travelling for a light show that lasted for a couple of hours. Let’s put it this way: Greg wants to move to Alta, and Barbara wants to repeat this cruise again and again.”

Nancy Chen Cavenaugh wrote: “I finally have news to share. We did it!!! On January 8, 2020 we packed up the cat and drove 10 hours to our brand new home in St. James Plantation, NC. We are enjoying retirement, especially the warmer weather. Visitors are welcome—y’all just contact us first: nancycav2000@yahoo.com.”

1979

Catherine White Mertz 67 Rybury Hillway Needham, MA 02492 (781) 449-4993 (home) (339) 225-0835 (cell) cathywhitemertz@gmail.com Evan R. Press 2707 Lakefield Way Sugar Land, TX 77479 (479) 283-8246 (cell) EvanRPress@gmail.com

Harriette Brainard: “I am working (in NYC and Denver) consulting for projects that promote sustainability and the circular economy, and advising on SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) implementation. One company is a plastic recycling facility for dirty plastic film, an amazing solution to a big issue. I also am traveling for the nonprofit C-Change Conversations (I am on their JOURNAL

board), which was founded in Princeton as a nonpartisan organization that speaks to risks of climate Harriette Brainard ’79 with change; we have her son, Alexander (“Z”), and been to 30 states oldest grandchild, Myuna, and presented on her third birthday to over 8,000 people. I am assistant editor for ConWatch, the conservation magazine of the Garden Club of America, as well as an admissions consultant for Solomon Admissions. My four children are in NY, one an organic farmer in the Catskills with two children and another one on the way.

I love having grandchildren. My older daughter is getting married this summer. I try to spend as much time as I can with my kids. I keep myself (much to everyone’s surprise) very busy, but I have finally found my calling. Most recently, I have been writing about regenerative agriculture, which is connecting me with amazing farmers and others across the US, and hopefully more articles. I loved seeing everyone at our reunion and look forward to seeing more of everyone. I miss all the people who knew me better than I knew myself!”

Joe Lapsley sent in an interesting photo of himself “at the actual Batcave, January 2020. Part of the Moosecycletheaterspielgesamtkunstwerk I wrote with our band Portmanteau Zone.” Check out the band at www.portmanteauzone.com.

Joe Lapsley ’79 at the actual Batcave.

Chris Price, Chris Horan and John Ager were at Baker Rink to watch the Panthers overcome the Larries. After an exciting three periods that ended at 2-all, PDS won 3-2 in OT, “and the world is a better place now.”

Text exchange shared by Evan R. Press. Evan: “Every single person [at the reunion] had a magical experience the entire time. It was remarkable.” Nick Donath: “My mere absence bestowed magic upon all those who attended.”

From Nick: “I’m working countless hours as an Esquire, still in Las Vegas. Well, I actually do count them ’cause that’s how I get paid!

My beloved cousin, Jackie Donath, visited me recently and we traversed the area with great fervor and joviality. Jackie was PHS ’68, but I hang out with her anyway.”

From Evan: “In just a few short months, both of my kids will be in college, simultaneously, and both on almost entirely free rides. If I

believed in God, I would thank her. Currently, one of my main purposes on this planet is to hold Andy Jensen to his proclaimed intent to arrange a PDS Skiing/Partying Reunion in Denver. Please bug him to no end, as I have been doing and will continue to do. I love you all. Even you, Ben.” Ben Dubrovsky’s daughter, Becky, is spending the last part of her senior year of high school in Israel.

She has an interesting commute to school.

Miriam Chilton: “A year filled with both the wonders and challenges of life.

After 15 awesome years at Ben Dubrovsky ’79’s the URJ (United Reform daughter, Becky, in Israel for Judaism), I moved to the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades to be their COO. After abandoning public transportation into NYC, I purchased a Tesla to make sure my carbon footprint was smaller, and I love it—I feel like a commuter in my own car. I encourage everyone to go electric. The new job feels just about right as I approach 60. (How did that happen?). My husband, Joel, is playing harmonica with an increasingly popular band called Lily Vakili (check them out on Spotify or YouTube—I take credit for that sparkly jacket), while still working at Sanofi. Both adult kids are navigating life, each finding their beautiful place and voice. Couldn’t be prouder.

All of this was overshadowed by the loss of Seth this fall. His spirit, creativity and love will be missed. Thank you for the support as we navigate the world without him.”

From Muna Shehadi: “I’m still in Milwaukee, still authoring away, though no longer writing romance. Private Lies, the first book of my Fortune’s Daughters trilogy, is out now (on Amazon) under my real name—a first!

Imagine the mispronunciations. The books will also be translated into seven languages— big excitement (for me anyway). I’m seeing Cynthia Tregoe Richetti as regularly as we can manage and will be hanging out with Cory Powers down in the Windy City next week, a rare but special treat. Cory still lives in San Francisco and has worked for the Waldorf School there for years. I’m pretty sure she runs the entire thing, though that’s not her exact title.” You can find more information about Muna and her book trilogy at www.

MunaShehadi.com.

We are very sad to report that our class has lost two beloved classmates in the last few months.

Seth Chilton died in October due to complications of diabetes. Bill Jacobus died at his home in Seattle, WA, after a long and courageous battle with the progressive consequences of toxic epidermal necrolysis and other medical conditions. Our hearts and warm thoughts go out to their families and friends.

Nick Donath ’79 with his cousin, Jackie Geoff George ’79’s beloved pup “Lux or … Wuzzy, Wuzzy Bear, Bear, Luxembourg, Delux, Baba, Baby Boy, Fuzz Bomb, Mr. Wiggles, and Chub, to name a few.”

Laura Farina wrote: “After two decades in The Swamp (Washington, DC), I’m back in the Garden State. In late 2019, I moved back to NJ, to Red Bank, which I discovered over the past few years visiting friends in the area.

Closer to family and lifelong friends, a few miles from the beach, and with easy access to NYC, it felt like a good move. I also became tired of not having a vote (no senators or representatives in a ‘state’ with a greater population than other states). I still spend time in DC, teaching at Georgetown and American University in their graduate programs in sports management, and visiting friends.

I hope to crash a few more PDS reunions now that I’m in striking distance. Last year’s 40th was one for the history books. (Thanks Evan, Cathy, Joe, Adam and others!)”

Karen Bdera is enjoying retirement and keeping busy. “My husband Nick (30 years and counting) and I live in Queens, NY. I still fundraise for the breast cancer cause (I have raised over $261,000 to help eradicate this disease). I donate some of my craftwork (mostly afghans and scarves) to Isabella Geriatric Center and the Hope Lodge of NY/ the American Cancer Society. I volunteer at God’s Love We Deliver, helping in the Finance Department for this amazing nonsectarian organization that prepares and delivers nutritious and delicious meals to people who are too sick to shop or cook for themselves.

I continue to participate with the New York Road Runners in road races throughout the year, having completed over 555 NYRR races, 21 of them being the NYC Marathon. Travel adventures are also fun—next trip is Aruba!”

Richard Ramsey reported: “I recently had the pleasure of spending time with Jeff Freda and Vince Pocino. It is both sad and a pleasure to note they have not changed one bit since 1980.”

1981

Camie Carrington Levy 2212 Weymouth Street Moscow, ID 83843-9618 (208) 301-0203 (cell) camie@palousetravel.com

Lindsay Suter ’82’s mill/home on left, ‘fish ladder’ under construction on right

Kirsten Elmore Meister 1004 Tasker Lane Arnold, MD 21012 (410) 647-5432 (home) kmeister5@yahoo.com

Douglass Bailey wrote: “Frantically printing and mounting photos and chasing other artists to ship their work for our exhibition in Portugal that opens in early March at the International Museum of Contemporary Sculpture, all while cranking up for the start of the spring semester at San Francisco State where I have taught visual anthropology and archaeology since moving to California from the UK in 2007. Don’t do much excavation anymore, but have never regretted being the eternal student. Love living on the left coast, officially based in San Francisco, but spending most of my time up in Sonoma. Son and daughter, and sister, Meg ’78, all live down in and around the craziness that is LA. Spent this past Christmas and New Year’s with my mom who, at 94, is still thriving in the Cotswolds.”

Lindsay Suter wrote: “For 18 years, my family and I have lived in a very old gristmill on the Farm River of Connecticut. For most of that time, we have been engaged in trying to restore the native fish runs to the headwaters by getting fish passage built at the dam, to allow the fish to get beyond this impediment and spawn. We formed a group (including the CT DEP, fishing advocates, the Regional Water Authority, and environmental groups) to raise money, and design the project. Fourteen years and $470,000 later, we are finally seeing it built! With luck and cooperative weather, it will be done for the herring runs this spring.

I will post an update after completion!”

Roger Holloway ’82 with the Stanley Cup and Liberty, a 28-year-old Bald Eagle

1982

Lorraine M. Herr 9S021 Skylane Drive Naperville, IL 60564 (847) 525-3576 (cell) LHerr@herr-design.com

Lorraine Herr wrote: “I’ve been away from downhill skiing for the past seven years. Mike and I had the chance to return to Whistler in February. It’s great to be back downhill skiing.

“The summer of 2020 will be my third year of beekeeping. I have two new hives arriving in May. I enjoy being able to support these fascinating little pollinators that enrich our lives.”

Roger Holloway wrote: “I’m going on 32 years at World Bird Sanctuary, where I am currently Deputy Director/CFO. Family is doing great. Had a great time with the Stanley Cup here in St. Louis!”

Leslie Pell sent news: “Our new blended family headed to Montana in July 2019 to celebrate Peter’s 60th! And what a trip it was! Schluters, Linnehans and one Pell... : ) ...rode, fished, hiked, swam, boated, zip-lined and fell in love with Montana. Can’t wait to see what the next ten brings.

1980

Suzanne Albahary D’Amato 16 Maiden Lane Bedford, NH 03110 suzannemndamato@yahoo.com Karen Kelly 43 White Pine Lane Princeton, NJ 08540 k2pk@comcast.net Virginia Ferrante-Iqbal wrote that she is “looking forward to connecting with my classmates at our 40th reunion. I feel lucky to be able to take part in this celebration with you all.”

Lorraine Herr ’82 and her husband at the top of Whistler Mountain

Leslie Pell ’82 and family in Montana (l-r): Cait Schluter, Bobby Schluter, Peter Schluter, Kate Linnehan, Leslie, Gibson Linnehan ’21 and Sam Schluter. Missing from photo: Ben Schluter, and grandkids, Birchal and Bethani spring 2020

1985

1983

Noelle Damico 325 Main Street #3B White Plains, NY 10601 revdamico@gmail.com Rena Ann Whitehouse 1309 South 92nd Street Omaha, NE 68124 (770) 845-1577 (cell) renawhitehouse@hotmail.com

Erik Schwiebert wrote to share this interesting piece of news: “Among his many talents and activities, Stewart von Oehsen is the current President of New Jersey’s Ernest Schwiebert Chapter of Trout Unlimited.” Erik is working with him to turn his father’s original trout drawings (of virtually every species of trout, char and grayling in North America) into prints to sell to benefit the chapter as well as all such chapters in New Jersey. “We are planning to get together again in early April for the chapter’s annual banquet and to do some fly-fishing in NJ and PA. JSvO [Stewart] has a lot going on...we are fellow serial multi-polar entrepreneurs!”

The trout prints are from a collection of 40-50 prints of trout made by Erik’s father, Ernest, to be the centerpiece of a book called, Trout of the Americas, which was never completed. Erik is working on it in his spare time. Stewart will work with Trout Unlimited to sell the prints to raise funds for local stream conservation efforts. Please contact Stewart if interested in helping to support this worthy cause!

Janet Zawadsky Mark wrote: “A bright time for me over the holidays was running into Laurie Gallup Fusco at a holiday boutique in my hometown of Madison, NJ. She was showcasing and selling her beautiful artwork. So great to catch up and what a pleasant surprise!”

Steve Ramsey shared: “I build sniper rifles for a living (my rifles are in service with SWAT teams all over the country as well as in Iraq and Afghanistan). Been sober for a decade now, although I don’t know that I’d necessarily recommend sobriety to everyone... Life is pretty good, though... I cut metal, read books, pat my dogs and never watch the news. Si vis pacem, para bellum.”

Steve Ramsey ’83 in front of his cabin in the National Forest outside of Prescott, AZ. Phil Berger wrote in with this update: “When not practicing law, my competitive sailing adventures continue. I am the J22 Fleet Captain at Corinthian Yacht Club of Philadelphia, I race my Flying Scot and Laser JOURNAL

“South Fork Golden Trout,” one of Ernest Schwiebert’s trout drawings

1983 classmates Stewart von Oehsen and Erik Schwiebert out of Avalon Yacht Club, and I am part of a team racing a J70 out of the Corinthian Yacht Club of Cape May. With my team, we will be attending a sailing/racing spring training event in St. Thomas in early spring. Also, during the winter, I compete in trap shooting as a member of the Corinthian trap shooting traveling team.

Trying to keep a healthy work/fun balance!”

Stewart, Ebe Metcalf and Mac McDougald went backpacking last September in the Golden Trout Wilderness in the California Sierras on the Kern River. Trying to catch the golden trout illustrated by Ernie Schwiebert!

Check out the video on Stewart’s YouTube channel (under his name).

1984

Edward J. Willard 214 Lynchburg Road Pilot Mountain, NC 27041 (336) 401-6360 (cell) tcwillard@mac.com

William Meyerhofer wrote: “Big news! My husband and I are daddies! My old friend, Jess, asked my hubby to be the donor for her to have a baby, and, thanks to the miracle of science, little Elio Edgar Tin Yan Hefes has arrived. He’s absolutely beautiful, living with his mom and grandparents right now out in LA. And as I write these words, he’s turning five-monthsElio Edgar Tin Yan old! Jess is French, so Hefes, son of Will Elio is a proud citoyen Meyerhofer ’84 de la France. We’re glowing with happiness and can’t wait to spend more time with him as he grows up.

Who knows? By the time you read this, he could be rolling over or even crawling! I never thought I’d take such joy in changing nappies...”

Lynch W. Hunt, Jr. 771 Mayflower Avenue Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 (609) 851-5521 (cell) lynchhunt@alumni.upenn.edu Marisa Petrella 40 Oval Turn Lane Levittown, PA 19055 (609) 462-3101 (cell) sales4metoo@msn.com

Reported by Marisa Petrella: During the past year I was able to meet up with Kathryn Jennings and I spent the day with Kim Starbucks-Thornton. Recently, I became an UnFranchise Business owner; feel free to check out my site at www.shop. com/Italianmama.

Reported from Kathryn Jennings: “I recently met up with Sarah Griffin Thompson ’84 (who teaches in the PDS Lower School). We went on a ‘Greek Summer’ together. We ran into each other at a Greek restaurant!”

Claudia Lewis wrote: “Hey peeps! I’m in the Philly suburbs. Just about to send child two of three off to college.

Keeping busy with a fun, challenging, new job and some wacky hobbies. Bought a little apartment building. Life is good. If you’re in my area or have any shared Claudia Lewis ’85 interests, hit me up!!”

Missing photo

Sarah Griffin Thompson ’84 and Kathryn Jennings ’85

1986

Mollie D. Roth 1666 East Cindy Street Chandler, AZ 85225 (202) 280-5887 (cell) mollie.roth@pgxconsulting.com

1987

Sofia D. Xethalis 1953 Shore Oak Drive Decatur, IL 62521 (217) 422-5648 (home) (217) 454-3345 (cell) sxethalis@yahoo.com.au

From Sofia Xethalis: I can’t believe I have a senior in high school and an eighth grader. I feel for both on the wait to hear from schools.

1988 Sofia Xethalis ’87 with her daughters, Celeste, 13, and Kristen, 17 Thankfully, Kristen is in her safety school. I know many of you have kids who have already gone off to school. Robin Cook McConaughy and Jon McConaughy ’85’s son, Fin, started at UC Boulder this year, my daughter Celeste’s (13) dream school so far. My family and I visited with Kiki Wolfkill this summer in Seattle; her mom was there talking about how Kiki and I may have bent some rules in high school. If you don’t follow her, Google Kiki, she is amazing, and still with Microsoft.

Last August, right after the notes were due, I heard from Allen Lincoln, which was a fun blast from the past. He wrote: “So what is Allen up to these days? Enjoying life in Florida! I just switched from gulf-side to Atlantic, moving to Fort Allen Lincoln ’87 Lauderdale. I’m taking a sabbatical from being a chaplain (hospice/ community), and spending time with my other passion, massage therapy! I keep wondering about the chances of an alum ending up on my table! Both my boys are officially out of the home, pursuing young adulthood in the funlands of Colorado. Cheers to PDSers!”

Robin Cook McConaughy and her husband, Jon (McConaughy ’85), sent news: “We continue to build our businesses in Hopewell, NJ, and now have a livestock farm, market, catering operation and restaurant in the area.

Come visit (brickfarmgroup.com)! Our son, Drew ’21, is enjoying life as a junior, especially playing hockey and, most especially, beating Lawrenceville at Baker Rink with family, friends, teachers, alums and a huge and very raucous PDS student section looking on.

Crucial was Drew’s pep talk before the game from Phil Clippinger ’83, with sage advice on how to ‘beat the Larries.’ Hope to see some of you as reunions roll around.”

Please send me an email; I would love to share small bits of our lives in this column. I am looking forward to our next reunion in two years.

PDS fans cheering on the boys ice hockey team as they beat Lawrenceville in January 2020

Mike Lingle 498 NE 55th Terrace Miami, FL 33137 (917) 882-8397 (cell) mlingletonic@yahoo.com

1989

Doria Roberts PO Box 8461 Atlanta, GA 31106 (404) 874-3779 (home) doriaroberts@yahoo.com

1990

Deborah Bushell Gans 103 Bilboa Drive Jupiter, FL 33458 (561) 799-2463 (home) (561) 252-4501 (cell) gansdebby@gmail.com

Matt Dickson ’93 reported that his sister, Rebecca Dickson Moeller, and her husband Ethan Moeller, welcomed into the world this past summer a beautiful baby girl, Ella Willow. “A parade of 1990 classmates have made their way to NYC to meet the new addition, including Dan Helmick, Dave Carugadi and Ben Helmuth.”

1991

Aly Cohen 1 Big Barn Road Cranbury, NJ 08512 (917) 273-4573 (cell) alycohen@yahoo.com

Julie Roginsky wrote: “My former Fox News colleague, Gretchen Carlson, and I co-founded Lift Our Voices, a national organization dedicated to eradicating nondisclosure agreements for toxic work issues, as a result of our stories being portrayed in the movie, Bombshell.”

Chris Jones ’91 (left) with cofounder Doll Avant and former Ambassador Andrew Young, who has taken the Aquagenuity clean water pledge I, Aly Cohen, was thrilled to tape my TEDx talk, How to Protect Your Kids from Toxic Chemicals (YouTube), which was recently released in December. My consumer book, Nontoxic: Guide to Living Healthy Aly Cohen ’91 in a Chemical World, presenting her published through TEDx talk.

Oxford University Press, will be released on September first. For great health info/tips, follow on Facebook and Insta: The Smart Human, and sign up for my newsletter at TheSmartHuman.com!”

1992

Sharon Thomas Haber 1675 York Avenue #20L New York, NY 10128 (212) 722-8793 (home) ziggythomas@hotmail.com Judson R. Henderson 5073 Province Line Road Princeton, NJ 08540 (609) 924-6446 (home) (609) 651-2226 (cell) jhenderson@callawayhenderson.com

1993

Darcey Carlson Leonard 5405 Windy Ridge Drive Midlothian VA 23112 (757) 634-4432 (home) darceyva@gmail.com

Julie Roginsky ’91 (left) with Gretchen Carlson in the Hollywood Reporter [reluctantly submitted against Julie’s will by good friend, Aly Cohen ’91] Chris Jones reported: “I recently became cofounder of a water start-up, Aquagenuity. We have built a database of drinking water contaminants found in your tap water. Our goal is to help people understand what is in their water, so we can prevent tragedies like Flint from ever happening again. Find out more at myaquascore.com.”

Matthew Dickson sent news about several classmates:

As part of Matt’s son’s Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Student of the Year campaign, many of our classmates have already contributed significantly.

“On a recent family trip to NYC, Matt met up with Danny Ragsdale and his baby boy, Charlie–easily one of the cutest PDS legacies of our generation.

“Griff Braddock, still living in Tampa, is the proud father of three great kids: Blair who is spring 2020

Alumni Spotlight

Sakeenah El-Amin ’98 Brings PDS Values to Oakland Public Schools

“At Princeton Day School I learned how to think. And that’s what I want for my girls.

I want them to have confidence in how they think; to have transferable skills; to know that they can do anything they want to do because they have that core of critical thinking and higher-level cognitive skills.”

Sakeenah El-Amin ‘98, founder of Girls Taking Up Space (GTUS), is on a mission.

She shared with us how her new nonprofit organization was inspired by her time at Princeton Day School.

A social justice-oriented educational and wellness program for girls of color in the Oakland area, Girls Taking Up Space seeks to empower girls of color by providing the tools they need to nurture their minds, bodies and spirits. “We place a heavy emphasis on social emotional learning and push our girls to think critically about the world and their place in the world.” The organization will launch their first session in January and serve 15-20 middle school girls. The program runs in conjunction with a public school in East Oakland, featuring after school classes for girls who apply or are referred from district guidance counselors. In addition to core classes, the girls will take classes on mindfulness, self-care, healthy relationship building, self-esteem and leadership development in an environment that is gender-responsive and traumainformed. For her, “the most rewarding part of this has been seeing the way that people have wrapped their hearts around this... I feel that this is a shared dream for people.”

Ms. El-Amin, who also works as the deputy director of a youth center and clinic in San Francisco, chose Oakland as the site of her program in part because it reminded her of Trenton, NJ, her hometown. “They have a very similar history and are facing the same issues of gentrification and lack of resources. To me it felt like the natural place where girls need these sorts of resources,” she observed.

Ms. El-Amin’s passion to create an organization like GTUS was fueled by the opportunities she was given as a child. “When I was 13, I had an opportunity that changed the course of my life. I got conJOURNAL

nected with a program called sions about Plato in Mr. New Jersey Seeds, and that Freedholm’s class, which is how I was able to attend were student led and Princeton Day School,” allowed them to think she explained. She recalls deeply about life and have visiting the school for the mature, adult conversafirst time and noticing that tions. These opportunities there weren’t any locks or to think critically and chains on the door. “Where engage meaningfully are I came from, my school, they what she hopes to translocked us in every day,” Ms. fer to her first cohort of El-Amin shared. She was students this winter. She also struck by the number of also emphasized the role kids in the hallways, spread that the unsung heroes at out with books, studying and Sakeenah El-Amin ’98 PDS had during her time talking, recalling, “they felt so here. “I just remember comfortable with their space,” For her, the the kindness of the kitchen staff, especially kind of emotional and physical space that Irene and Marie. They were there to greet she enjoyed at Princeton Day School was me every day with smiles and made my life changing. “I was able to just be free,” transition so much easier. I credit them she declared. also with wrapping around me and giving The GTUS programming focuses heavily me the emotional support that I needed to on social-emotional learning and studentgrow and flourish.” centered pedagogy, which she learned about Her advice to current students is to “try first-hand during her time at PDS. “There any and everything, it is the perfect training was something in the way that teachground to figure out who you are and what ers held me that I had never experienced you want. Be all the versions of yourself before. I felt that I was valued; that my and know that you will be supported and world view and where I was coming from accepted and that you have a safe place.” were valued. I felt supported, nurtured.”

Throughout her time at PDS, her At PDS, she had so many opportunithoughts were often drawn back to those ties to explore and find her voice. She girls she left behind. “I always thought joined debate, mock-trial, dance club and about the girls in my neighborhood, and I AWARE (a multicultural club). “I could do knew they would never ever be able to see anything that I wanted to do, I could even what I had seen or experience what I expecreate a club. I felt limitless there. It was rienced.” Her senior project, a documentary so awesome for me to be able to try on so entitled “The Dividing Line,” took the many different hats and roles and figure out viewers through her daily journey on the what I wanted and who I wanted to be.” bus to school, leaving Trenton and entering Ms. El-Amin emphasized that she Princeton. It highlighted the “stark contrast was continually supported at PDS by from where I began my day to where I the incredible faculty and staff. When ended my day.” For her, the question that asked who her favorite teacher was she motivates her current work is “weren’t the responded, “Oh this is hard! I have so girls I left behind just as worthy as I was?” many favorite teachers and I don’t want After graduating from PDS, she attended to miss anyone!” She particularly recalled Barnard College and majored in American “going bird watching with Mr. Lamotte for Studies and Pan-African Studies. She then English class and biology experiments with moved to Philadelphia, PA and worked Mrs. Maloney.” She also praised the discus- at a bridge program for kids from underresourced areas, similar to NJ Seeds. She continued on to Temple Law School, but after graduating she had the realization “that the only sustainable way to bring change to a community in need was through education.” She has worked in a variety of educational roles, mostly in the private sphere. “Part of the reason that I chose private was the experience that I had at Princeton Day School. I wanted to have the same freedom as a teacher that I had as a student.”

choosing between her pick of amazing colleges; Elise, the current title holder of Miss Teen Tampa, and son, Kellis, who like his sisters, has followed in his father’s footsteps onto the lacrosse field.

“Walter Hosey has been traveling to the HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) campuses to promote his Oaxaca, Mexico-based college internship and studyabroad program, and has recently expanded his curriculum to include the first class of winter break trips this past holiday season.

“Alisa Gabbe Crossfield, currently living in CT with her husband Scott and two great kids, has launched www.psychdiary. com, along with her Psychology Today blog: Emotionally Healthy Teens: Parenting Approaches Informed by Therapy.

“Julie Seltzer’s recent Ask Me Anything (AMA) with Julie the Scribe Facebook Live was a fascinating opportunity for individuals to learn and ask Julie questions about what it means to be a Torah Scribe.

“Jed Nussbaum, a managing partner at Nut Tree Capital Management, lives in Short Hills with his wife and two boys, and recently crushed his marathon personal best time— clocking 3:14:40.”

1994

Cynthia Shafto 9948 Robbins Drive Beverly Hills, CA 90212 (310) 498-1064 (home) Cynthia.678@icloud.com

1995

Melissa Woodruff Mccormick 257 South State Street Newtown, PA 18940 (215) 550-6596 (home) mwoodruf99@yahoo.com

1996

Stephen J. Nanfara 1023 Clinton Street #5A Hoboken, NJ 07030 (908) 310-9724 (cell) nanfara@yahoo.com

Justin Krebs wrote: “In November, I launched my campaign for New York City Council. I’m running for an open seat in the 39th District in Brooklyn (Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Windsor Terrace, Kensington, Gowanus, Columbia Waterfront District, Borough Park) in a 2021 race–and already had the chance to see fellow alums at a house party hosted by Aaron Beim.

Karen Masciulli wrote: “Hi, friends! I have now been in Colorado for 20 years and my two kids, Sophie and Charlie, are 10 and 12 and are pre-professional ballet dancers. We’re happy and living outside of Boulder close to the Flatirons and Foothills, and beautiful hiking trails. I am a lawyer and the Director

of Talent and Analytics for Diversity Lab, a think-tank that furthers diversity initiatives in the legal profession.”

Charlie and Sophie, the children of Karen Masciulli ’96

1997

Ellyn Rajfer Herkins 6 Anvil Court Marlboro, NJ 07746 (732) 970-8122 (home) ellynrajfer@gmail.com Mandy Rabinowitz Plonsky 60 W. 23rd Street #1611 New York, NY 10010 (609) 937-6348 (cell) mandyplonsky@gmail.com

Hilary Harris reported: “I’m enjoying running Kate & Keith Photography with my husband, traveling to Bali and Jamaica, and up and down the coast for weddings and events in the last year. When my husband and I are home in Maine, we run Sustainable Seacoast, a nonprofit we started to reduce waste in the food and event scene in our home area. We’ve succeeded in eliminating thousands of pounds of single use plastic, while testifying for change on the state level.

We spend a chunk of our winters visiting my brother, Alex ’94, in Hawaii, escaping the New England cold! Recently caught up with Ali Johnston while in San Francisco; she is still teaching yoga and traveling. “

2000

Natasha Jacques Nolan 35 Pine Street Roswell, GA 30075-4819 (609) 647-6982 (cell) nnolan@gigisplayhouse.org Sapna E. G. Thottathil 4127 Bayo Street Oakland, CA 94619 (510) 604-2357 (cell) sapna.thottathil@gmail.com Charles Hagaman and Jordan Nielsen ’01 were married on October 20, 2019 at the Metropolitan Building in Long Island City, Queens.

The two likely never exchanged words while at PDS but reconnected in 2014 through bridesmaid, Joy Woffindin ’01.

Adrian Arroyo and Jacob Goldston ’01 were groomsmen.

Jordan Nielsen ’01 and Charles Hagaman ’00 at their wedding

2001

Carolyn Yarian Morgan 430 E. 57th Street #4C New York, NY 10022 (609) 638-7249 (cell) carolyn.morgan2012@gmail.com Wilson H. Weed 707 10th Avenue #225 San Diego, CA 92101 (808) 859-1629 (cell) wweed1@gmail.com

1998

Jordan Nielsen and Charles Hagaman ’00 were married on October 20, 2019 at the Metropolitan Building in Long Island City, Queens. Among the bridesmaids was Joy Woffindin. Adrian Arroyo ’01 and Jacob Goldston were groomsmen.

Matt Dickson ’93 reported that his brother Jake Dickson’s Chelsea Market butcher shop, Dickson’s Farmstand Meats, has recently moved the storefront downstairs to the expanded footprint, and is now “cooking up to order 120-day dry-age rib eyes, ‘New York’s Best Hot Dogs’, and any other cut from the case.”

2002

1999

I am unfortunately going to start off this column on a somber note.

Giovanna Gray Lockhart 15 Willow Street Brooklyn, NY 11201 (917) 545-2575 (cell) gray.giovanna@gmail.com

Joanna Woodruff Rominger 836 South Broad Street Lansdale, PA 19446 jbw1980@gmail.com Lauren Welsh Sparrow and David Sparrow welcomed their second son, Beau, on September 25 in Houston, TX. “He loves to smile and watch his big brother, Angus, but mostly loves to eat.”

Aviva Perlman Fintz 275 W. 96th Street #5D New York, NY 10025 (609) 617-3754 (cell) aperlman26@gmail.com Hi Classmates,

September was a difficult month for some of us. I lost my sister, Robyn, to ovarian cancer and just a day later, Sarah Maloney lost her mother, our beloved biology teacher, Barbara, to pancreatic cancer. We want to thank those of you who have reached out to each of us and offered your condolences and support during this difficult time. spring 2020

Heather O’Leary Elfand ’02 with her students Sarah can attest that life does go on, even in the midst of grief, as she was the winner of the Jewish Book Council’s 2019 Gold­berg Prize for Debut Fiction for her novel, Naamah.

Heather O’Leary Elfand also found herself accepting an award for her work as a teacher.

She wrote, “I was named the 2019-2020 Queen Anne’s County Teacher of the Year, and up until September of 2019, I was in the running to be named Teacher of the Year for the State of Maryland. (I didn’t win.) Some of the ‘perks’ of being named the Teacher of the Year include getting a car, going to the White House at Christmas, and representing Queen Anne’s County at various events all around Maryland. In January, for example, I went to the Maryland State Senate in Annapolis and spent the afternoon with our Senator advocating for education!” Congratulations, Heather!

Kabeer Malhotra ’02 and Chelsea Turner from their Hindu wedding ceremony at Lambertville Station and their wedding reception the next day in NYC. Congratulations are also in order for Kabeer Malhotra. On Friday, October 18, 2019, Kabeer married Chelsea Turner in New Jersey at Lambertville Station followed the next day by a reception in Manhattan at Cipriani’s.

PDS classmates in attendance included David Ostro, who was also one of his groomsmen, as well as Brett Haroldson and Michael Kassler-Taub. Kabeer is currently a film and celebrity publicist at 42West, while his wife works for bridal designer Jenny Yoo. And just a month prior, Christina Koerte got married to Jon Krist in New Hope, PA. Her sisters, Andrea Koerte ’98 and Alex Koerte ’00, and Johanna Dickson were bridesmaids.

Speaking of Christina’s wedding Christina Koerte ’02 and Johanna, Johanna with her groom Jon recently got engaged Krist JOURNAL

Johanna Dickson ’00 with her fiancé Cam to Cameron Eshgh, who was one of the groomsmen in Christina and Jon’s wedding.

They are planning an April wedding in NYC. Additionally, Johanna joined PublicAffairs, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, as a senior publicist.

And finally, one last engagement to report.

I recently found out on Facebook that John Garret Denise got engaged to Shannon Urban in February.

2003

2003 classmates Michael Highland and Alex Alsup with their families ing with Jan Trumbauer and her husband, Miller, who moved to LA last year. LA continues to be equal parts chaos and fun. I just started a new job at an animation and design studio called BUCK, where I’m directing their expansion into making games.”

James Ramos wrote: “Sebastian was four on Thanksgiving and we now live in a world of Legos, Lego Star Wars, Star Wars and drums.

Suburban NJ life at its finest!”

Allison Marshall 317 NW 89th Seattle, WA 98117

Allison Marshall and her husband, John, welcomed their daughter, Isla Fleming D’Ascenzo, on October 14, 2019.

Nick Perold and his wife, Ashley, welcomed their son, Jasper, into the world Allison Marshall ’03’s on January 26, 2020, daughter, Isla making them a family of four with their daughter, Rowan, coming up on two years old. He loved seeing everyone in Detroit at Eleanor Oakes’s wedding and hopes to see you all again soon!

Ben Johnson wrote: “Hey everyone, still living in NYC and working at the Drone Racing League. My daughter, Kingsley, is in constant motion and spends most weekends running wild on the Highline. My wife, Megan, is the Broadcast Producer for CBS This Morning working crazy hours but otherwise we’re still loving the Ben Johnson ’03’s city. Hope you’re all daughter, Kingsley wonderful!”

Michael Highland wrote: “I started the year off right with a visit to Jerry Hirniak’s media class in January, where I advised the kids to use artificial intelligence to write their next script... very 2020. We also managed to cross paths with Alex Alsup and family, as well as Kristin Apple while we were in NJ. Eli Oakes just paid us a visit while in town with one of her photography classes. And next weekend we’re hang-

James Ramos ’03’s son, Sebastian

2004

Katherine Chimacoff Dickens 41640 Ferber Court Leonardtown, MD 20650 (925) 998-8191 (cell) Mrskatedickens@gmail.com Scott E. Rosenberg 111 S. 15th Street # 2204 Philadelphia, PA 19102 (609) 462-2526 (cell) rosenbergse@gmail.com Lily Mitchell “moved to Baltimore about a year ago; my husband and I are thrilled to be closer to our families.

I’m getting involved with advocacy work here around bicycling and transit access. I’ve also picked up a bit of work as a hand model, Lily Mitchell ’04 visjust for fun, which ited her “homeland, means I never have to Hunterdon County” do the dishes.”

Wedding bells rang out this past August when Russell Joye and Gretchen Sword (daughter of Martha Sullivan Sword ’73) were married in Princeton. “Rest assured the Panther Pride was flowing freely at this wedding-cum-highschool-reunion. The celebrants included a veritable who’s who of those that bleed white and blue: former Athletic Director Jan Baker, Barbara Sullivan ’66, Bobby Sullivan ’70,

2006

Many PDSers celebrated Russell Joye ’04’s wedding to Gretchen Sword Molly Sword McDonough ’75, Sarah Sword Lazarus ’81, Pete Buck ’77, Katie Poole ’71, Julianne Befeler, Hilary Cook, Chris Cara, Jason Davila, Sarah McDonough ’07, Morgan Sword, David George, Bob Grannatt ’02, Elizabeth Greenberg Wilkenson ’02, the brothers Hofmann (Jonni ’06 and Jeremy), the sisters Linville (Maddie ’06, Cammie ’09, Lucy ’14), Will King, Laddie Sanford, Dylan Leith, Artie Mittnacht, John Peach, Sean Rochford, even Danielle Horowitz managed to pop in for a quick ‘hi how are ya?’

The bride’s younger brother, Will Sword ’05, offered up some fine words in support of the bride and groom, and the groom’s older brother/former varsity ice hockey standout, Evan Joye ’02, delivered a searing indictment of his sibling’s style choices over the decades.

A good time was had by all, and someone at some point at least thought about singing the PDS fight song.”

Kaitlyn, daughter of Kathryn Batchelor Barth ’04

2005

Kathryn Batchelor Barth, her husband, Michael, and son, Matthew, welcomed their daughter, Kaitlyn, to their family on December 20, 2019. Everyone is doing well and loving being a family of four!

Hilary Richards Conger 193 Spring Street #2F New York, NY 10012 (609) 915-6651 (cell) hilary.conger@gmail.com Derrick Walker wrote that he’s living in South Philadelphia, and bought a house there last summer.

Will Denise said: “Meg Kerwin Denise and I had our second little girl, Penelope Kay Denise, on December 2. Her big sister, Maggie, is very excited and we are all enjoying being a family of four. I think the photo speaks for itself!”

Jacob M. Fisch 696 Elm Place #308 Highland Park, IL 60035 (609) 731-2540 (cell) mendyman@gmail.com

John Maher “started teaching at Washington University in St. Louis this semester as a visiting professor in architecture, focusing on community health. Still working for MASS Design Group from Chicago.”

On January 4, 2020, Allissa Crea married St. Mark’s alumnus, Matthew Mason, at The Union League of Philadelphia. They celebrated with some of their closest and oldest PDS friends: Mary Peters, Natalie Lescroart Maitre, Melissa Wong, Julia Kay Thompson ’03 and husband Joshua Thompson ’03, and Jessica Burns Caravella ’05.

2008

Tessica Glancey Crampton 336 East 86th Street New York, NY 10028 202-603-1979 tessicaglancey@gmail.com

Tova Ferstenberg moved back to Princeton last year and took a job as a labor and employment associate at Morgan Lewis & Bockius in Princeton. She is looking forward to being able to attend some more PDS events in the future.

Tess Glancey Crampton recently moved to New York City and is working in media relations at FOX News Channel.

Allissa Crea ’06’s wedding Seth Stein wrote: “I’m finishing up my fellowship in Chicago in Vascular & Interventional Radiology. My wife and I are moving back to the Princeton area in July. I’ll be working at Princeton Hospital, and would love to connect with former PDS classmates!”

2007

Nina Crouse 31A Jay Street Cambridge, MA 02139 ninacrouse@gmail.com Vishal Gupta 58 East Springfield Street #3 Boston, MA 02118 (609) 658-4768 (home) vishgupta2@gmail.com Alexandra Hiller Rorick 10 Downing Street #4L New York, NY 10014 (609) 658-2961 (cell) ali.rorick@gmail.com

2005 alumni couple Meg Kerwin Denise and Will Denise’s daughters, Maggie and Penelope.

Members of the Class of 2007 celebrated Jenna Dodd’s wedding (l-r): Nina Crouse, Alex Lescroart, Jenna Dodds, Allie Crouse, Ali Hiller Rorick

From Ali: Jenna Dodds married Ryan Spitz in Montauk, NY on a beautiful day this past October! I was a bridesmaid and was so thrilled to celebrate along with fellow classmates Allie Crouse, Nina Crouse, Alex Lescroart and Katie Romanov. Other PDSers in attendance included Sami Lieb ’11 and former Lower School teacher Kim Romanov.

Greg Francfort remains an equity analyst covering restaurant stocks at Bank of America, but has so far avoided shifting his entire diet to Big Macs and cheesy bread. He looks forward to his brother, Kevin Francfort ’11’s, wedding this summer.

Alexa Maher Hove and husband Erik are continuing to enjoy teaching overseas. “We have been able to explore the beautiful country of Myanmar and travel around Southeast Asia.

We loved cycling from Chanthaburi, Thailand to Siem Reap, Cambodia, over our fall break.

The beautiful countryside and the amazing temples in and around Angkor Wat were definitely my highlights. We also went to Chiang Mai, Thailand, for a four-day weekend to visit a former teacher of Erik’s and take in the gorgeous Yee Peng Lantern Festival. We hiked from Kalaw to Inle Lake in central Myanmar, and also explored the Mergui Archipelago in southern Myanmar. We can’t wait to see more of the country!”

Hannah Epstein ’08 shooting on the sidelines of the game in between plays at the Super Bowl spring 2020

Alexa Maher Hove ’08 and her husband Erik in front of Angkor Wat in Cambodia

2009

Ashley Smoots 1339 Westchester Ridge NE Atlanta, GA 30329 (267) 987-9448 (cell) asmoots@gmail.com Vinay Trivedi 325 Ridge Avenue Newtown, PA 18940 (267) 229-2425 (cell) vt1090@gmail.com

Sara Sherman “will begin accepting patients in her private practice, Hollywood Child & Adolescent Psychology, in March 2020. She is currently completing a fellowship at the University of Southern California/ Children’s Hospital Los Angeles specializing in developmenSara Sherman ’09 tal disabilities and with her dog, Sadie trauma. She’s living in West Hollywood with her dog, Sadie.”

2010

Anna Otis 42 Mercer Street Jersey City, NJ 07302 (908) 418-6102 (cell) annaotis92@gmail.com Alexandra Feuer Portale 125 North Park Road Newtown, PA 18940 (609) 240-1706 (cell) awfeuer@gmail.com

Theodore James Casey and Mary Alexandra Zickar of New York City are getting married June 13 in Rhinebeck, NY.

Lauren Constantini shared: “After graduating from Cornell in 2014 with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in business, I spent two years completing my MBA at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School in Baltimore. From May 2016 to mid-2018, I began my hospitality career at Marriott International in DC, mainly in luxury brand management. From there, I accepted a new role at Highgate Hotels in New York City as Director of Brand Innovation and moved to Brooklyn. Over the last several months, JOURNAL

I made the decision to pursue an additional degree—a master’s in counseling for mental health and wellness at NYU. Over the next two years, while still continuing to work full time, I will pursue my ultimate career aspiration of becoming a licensed psychotherapist.

As cliché as it sounds, I finally experienced that epiphany we all hope for—finding our purpose in life. On a lighter note, I rescued my puppy, Nico, in the summer of 2018, continue to be passionate about health and wellness, and hope to settle down somewhere warmer after I complete this degree!”

2019 was an emotional roller coaster for James Fuhrman. From the lo: watching the Yankees come up short again in the playoffs—to the high: GETTING ENGAGED! Sources close to Jim have him quoted saying “The highs far outweigh the lows.” Jim and his Jim Fuhrman ’10 fiancée, Diane, live recently became in Hoboken and can engaged be regularly found hanging out with other local Panthers.

Sheridan Gates continues to pursue a music career in Nashville, TN, spending 2019 touring the US performing in venues and house concerts from Seattle to Florida. (If anyone is interested in hosting a fun house concert, let her know!) Also, she is marrying Colin Montemarano of Pennington, NJ in Nashville this September!

Emilie Hamel Chowdhury shared: “I have been very happily married for two years living in Stockholm, Sweden. I’m also working in the Online Sales division at H&M. If anyone is ever in Stockholm, feel free to reach out!

We know all the best restaurants.”

Lovika Kalra wrote: “I am currently living in Philly, finishing up, in June, my pediatric dental residency at CHOP/UPenn. I will FINALLY be done all my formal training and hoping to work as a pediatric dentist in South Florida!”

Anna Otis is living in Jersey City and working for New York-based organization, DoSomething.org, a 501(c)(3) whose mission is to activate young people to take action (in a variety of ways) and create the most socially conscious generation ever. In her spare time, she can be found furthering her skills in graphic design, hanging out with other local PDS alums, exploring Jersey City, traveling to Vermont for hiking or skiing, and spoiling her boyfriend’s pup, Lady.

Aja Pryor wrote: “Just wanted to give you guys an update on me: I still live in New

Jersey and am currently living with my awesome boyfriend. I’m a singer/songwriter now and have a single that’s available on Spotify, TIDAL, etc.! My full album should be dropping in the next month or two. My instagram is @theoriginalsongbird if anyone wants to follow me on my musical journey :)”

Evan Quinn “is a financial advisor in Atlanta, GA and married his wife, Krista, in July 2019 in Barbados.”

Alexandra Feuer Portale: My husband, Joe, and I traveled to Finland and Denmark over the winter break for our honeymoon where we saw the incredible Northern Lights. We still love living in Bucks County, PA.

Alex Feuer Portale ’10 and her husband, Joe, in Finland on their honeymoon

2011

Evan D. Seto 18 Lynn Court North Brunswick, NJ 08902 (732) 710-0020 (cell) eseto17@gmail.com

Katie Gibson sent an update: “I just moved from Denver to SF to work with my brother, Chris Gibson ’10, on his startup, Wavelength.

I’m sad to be saying goodbye to all the CO based PDS ’11s but here’s to the next adventure!”

Ashley Hudson still loves living in Denver where she gets to play in the mountains all year round. She has transferred to the Ph.D. track of her graduate program, and has accepted the fact that she will now be in school forever. But the endless sunshine out in Colorado helps with all of the stress. She is working toward her goal of becoming a school neuropsychologist, specializing in intellectual disabilities, trauma/abuse, and traumatic brain injuries, and hopes that all kids have a chance to fall in love with learning as she did at PDS. Meade Atkeson doesn’t have much new to report, enjoying the winter up in Boston, but counting down the days until spring!

Sabrina Deana-Roga’s been missing the updates since 2011, so there’s nine years of updates to unload. But the past two are where the good stuff happened. In 2019, Sabrina co-wrote an episode of NBC’s Blindspot and was accepted into the Warner Bros Writers’ Workshop, which helped launch her career in screenwriting. She now works on the hit new

Alumni Spotlight

Ben Stadulis ’09

LT Ben Stadulis ’09 is a F/A-18F U.S. Navy fighter pilot assigned to the VFA-211 Fighting Checkmates. In November, U.S. Army Reserves Colonel Taylor Hwong ’88 spoke to LT Stadulis as he prepared to deploy once again aboard the USS Harry S. Truman, to destinations unknown.

him by Ms. Manno in seventh grade drafting class. He doesn’t exactly recall why she handed it to him, but presumably it wasn’t so he could absorb the military history.

Nonetheless, it led to a desire to become a Navy SEAL, which later transformed into the desire to become a Navy fighter pilot.

When I asked if he considered the Air Force, he replied with a reflexive and adamant, “No!” (Hey there, USAF Maj. Chris Campbell ’03, them’s fightin’ words, right?).

Other motivations include straight-up patriotism and the desire to support one’s country as well as to follow the career paths of others in the elite body of Navy fighter pilots and their heritage, as well as doing an exciting and challenging job that very few people get to do.

LT Stadulis attended PDS from PreK through Grade 12, which is known as being a “lifer.” He matriculated to Cornell University, where he initially planned to major in mechanical engineering but ultimately completed his bachelor’s degree What’s been enjoyable about your in the interdisciplinary science of Earth systems. He earned his officer’s commission military career so far? through Navy ROTC and upon graduLT Stadulis finds military life both exhilaation was commissioned an ensign and rating and rewarding. As they say, you get selected for the highly competitive Naval to see the world by exploring and meeting Aviator career track. However, friends at global ports of call. that was only the first of sevHe also values the camaraeral steps and schools on the derie. Military officers often even more selective path to hear from colleagues who becoming a fighter pilot, and have moved into the civilian ultimately a tailhook aviator, sector only to discover that meaning one of the very few values and concern for each who have the courage and skill other’s welfare are considerto land an aircraft on a fourably different there, a contrast acre steel strip bobbing in the made even more stark relaocean, aka an aircraft carrier. tive to the close bonds in the Following nearly three years tailhook community. In short, of Naval Officer and flight LT Stadulis loves his job. He training in progressively more gets to fly multiple times a complex aircraft (plus recovweek. Dog fighting in an F18 LT Ben Stadulis ‘09 is ery time from a motorcycle is “just another Tuesday’”— a U.S. Navy fighter pilot racing accident — sensing a how cool is that? flying with the VFA-211 ‘fast-machines’ theme?), LT Like most military officers, Stadulis is now two years into Fighting Checkmates.

LT Stadulis has frequently his first assignment with an operational been called upon to brief senior military unit. He is a pilot in an F/A-18F Super leaders, mentor subordinates and, of Hornet squadron, based out of Naval Air course, to both follow and lead within his Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA. LT squadron. His work teaches him leadership, Stadulis and the squadron returned from presentation skills and public speaking, a seven-month deployment in 2018 to the diligence, and perseverance. eastern Mediterranean, where his squadWhat’s next? ron ran combat missions in Syria and Iraq and also sailed north of the Arctic Circle LT Stadulis has already attained one major on joint exercises with one of our NATO career goal by earning his wings as a Navy allies, Norway. fighter pilot. If the Navy had its way, it would expect Ben to aspire to become What motivated your decision to the commander, or skipper, of a squadron. join the military?

However, sensing the privilege and honor His first conscious memory of wanting to of being part of such an elite fighting force, join the military, LT Stadulis explained, he wants to give back to junior officers who occurred at PDS as he was perusing D-Day will walk in his steps, or fly in his contrail, so

by Stephen Ambrose, which was handed to to speak. He is considering a slight detour

en route to command, possibly becoming an instructor, which would require training at the Navy’s Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program, aka TOPGUN, which, according to a Navy webpage, “only the top one percent of naval aviation pilots can attend.”

Typical of military assignments, his tour with VFA-211 will likely last only two to four years, meaning he might have such an opportunity as early as next summer.

How did PDS prepare you for life and the military and who were your favorite teachers?

He most fondly remembers famed English teachers Mrs. Walker and Mr. Lamotte, which is somewhat ironic, given his predilection for one inclined to study engineering!

Critical writing and reading comprehension skills that LT Stadulis learned at PDS proved invaluable in college and beyond.

In college, he saw classmates struggle with writing assignments, whereas he’d already suffered – but improved! – at PDS. Later, in military courses and as a junior officer he found, and still finds, that good communication skills are essential. He also appears to have an inherently strong work ethic that was positively reinforced while at PDS, which was especially helpful during flight school where a pilot’s depth of study readily becomes evident in the air but is largely self-driven. He also played varsity soccer and lacrosse, which reinforced his team ethos, diligence for practice and studying situational strategies and his collaborative skills.

What can be done to raise awareness among young people about military careers?

LT Stadulis advises providing opportunities to share with students what military careers are like to counteract any lack of knowing what is possible. Any other veterans, whether still in the service or separated, should self-report to PDS to share their stories! By serving as living examples, we can help current students more easily see what this career and lifestyle can look like.

Taylor Hwong ’88 is a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and a member of the PDS Alumni Board. He interviewed Ben for this alumni spotlight. spring 2020

TV show, Prodigal Son (on Fox, Mondays at 9 p.m.), for which she wrote episode 10 and co-wrote episode 17 for season one. She always knew her obsession with true crime, serial killers and twisted psychology would come in handy. The writers’ room is everything she could have wished for: discussion of murder, lots of snacks and an inhumane amount of coffee. Pretty sure her blood is 50% caffeine.

But she needs it because she’s also the co-host of a top-200 comedy podcast called, Two Girls One Ghost. And she recently got engaged to Nick Zeuli, her boyfriend of seven years. As if she doesn’t talk about dark things and the paranormal enough, they’re getting married on Halloween of 2020. It’s been a good few years.

Evan Seto has been spending the past six months or so learning the ins-and-outs of YouTube advertising, so if you’re annoyed by pre-roll ads from Vimeo, just let him know, he can actually fix that. And, as always, if you’re ever in Brooklyn, come say hi!

2012

Rachel Maddox 58 Fieldcrest Avenue Skillman, NJ 08558 (908) 829-4230 (home) (609) 571-7998 (cell) Rachel.Maddox@conncoll.edu Annie Nyce 9 Brookside Avenue Pennington, NJ 08534 (609) 558-2453 (cell) annienyce@gmail.com Peter F. Powers 364 3rd Avenue, #13 New York, NY 10016

(609) 658-8799 (cell) peterfpowers@gmail.com

2013

Leah G. Falcon 10985 Bluffside Drive #5218 Studio City, CA 91604 (609) 558-3887 (cell) lgfalcon04917@gmail.com Robert S. Madani 2662 Oregon Avenue St. Louis, MO 63118 (609) 240-9420 (cell) robert.s.madani@gmail.com

2014

Rory E. Finnegan 154 East 29th Street #13G New York, NY 10016 (908) 391-9303 (cell) ref8af@virginia.edu Mary G. Travers P.O. Box B Hopewell, NJ 08525 (609) 216-3244 (cell) mary.travers@yale.edu JOURNAL

2015

Grace Lee 67 Bridle Path Belle Mead, NJ 08502 (908) 280-0006 (home) (847) 387-9129 (cell) gracelee6666@gmail.com Caroline R. Lippman 13 Aqua Terrace Pennington, NJ 08534 (609) 737-3235 (home) (609) 651-0771 (cell) crlippman@gmail.com

Zachary Golden reported: “In June 2019, Zach started Johnson & Johnson’s Global Operations Leadership Development (GOLD) Program, a 2.5 year accelerated supply chain rotational program. He has been working in their pharmaceutical sector’s Digital Supply Chain Strategy & Innovation group as a product owner and will do so until end of March 2020. In March, he will be moving to Jacksonville, FL to become a Manufacturing Engineering Team Lead in J&J’s vision care manufacturing plant.”

2016

Kathryn T. Cammarano 6 Hunters Ridge Drive Pennington, NJ 08534 (609) 610-4340 (cell) Helen Healey 25 Springdale Road Princeton, NJ 08540 (609) 613-3983 (cell) helen.healey97@gmail.com Peter W. Klein 15 Planters Row Skillman, NJ 08558 (609) 218-1350 (cell) pklein@nd.edu

From Amanda Herrup ’16: “I am a senior at Furman University graduating in May with a Bachelor of Science in psychology. For the past few months, I have been able to complete an internship at an intimate partner violence shelter and hope to continue in this field studying forensic psychology next year. I also had the opportunity to study abroad in Gold Coast, Australia and travel to Bali for a few weeks!”

2017

Abigail Atkeson 201 Wertsville Road Ringoes, NJ 08551 (609) 213-7427 (cell) abigail.atkeson@gmail.com Tyler A. Birch 10 Moselem Springs Court Skillman, NJ 08558 (609) 619-1727 (cell) tbflyers@gmail.com

2018

Hallie B. Hoffman 63 Grist Mill Drive Belle Mead, NJ 08502 (609) 480-4240 (cell) halliebryn@gmail.com

Hallie Hoffman: This semester has been filled with a number of exciting opportunities for me! When not in class, I spend most of my time working with admissions at Muhlenberg College. I am currently their Social Media intern and am responsible for managing the college’s Instagram account for prospective students. In this role, I have started exploring video production as well as creating other content featuring students and college events in weekly posts. Additionally, one of my favorite roles on campus is being a tour guide, something I originally found my passion for while at PDS. I am currently a tour guide mentor on the Executive Board at Muhlenberg, and I have spent the past few months training new tour guides, which has been extremely exciting. I have also been selected to take over the role of Student Tour Coordinator in the fall, and I cannot wait to have an even greater leadership role within this program.

Giving tours every week and training other students in this role is a constant reminder of how much I love Muhlenberg and the college experience in general, and I truly love the opportunity to help other students find the right college for them as well!

Devon Wenzel is enjoying her new exploration into comedy at the University of Chicago as well as her adventures with Nestor, the Cat! Devon wrote: “I have begun on my quest to land a job under Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

The first step of this is to become a stand-up comedian—so now I do stand-up comedy.

According to my RA, I am ‘surprisingly good.’

Furthermore, Nestor, my favorite orange boy of the Midway, sent me to the hospital due to my terrible cat allergy. I have Nestor Syndrome.”

2019

Amon DeVane 287 Bunker Hill Road Princeton, NJ 08540 (908) 202-1402 (cell) amond1234567@gmail.com Raina Kasera 62 Devonshire Drive Princeton, NJ 08540 (609) 716-7551 (cell) raina.kasera@gmail.com We love hearing from you. Please send your news to your class correspondent, or submit online at pds.searchwavelength.org or via classnotes@pds.org.

Please know that the Journal, including Class Notes, also appears on pds.org in our digital archives of the Journal.

In Memoriam The School has learned of the passing of the following members of the Princeton Day School community. We wish to extend our deepest sympathies to their families and friends.

Reporting for In Memoriam through March 2020 unless otherwise noted Robert Aresty Brother of former Trustee Jane Aresty Silverman ’63; and Uncle of Trustee Jacob Silverman ’89 and Sarah Silverman Blaugrund ’94 Iva Borsari Barros Mother of Andre Barros ’87 Jose Barros-Neto Father of Andre Barros ’87

G.P. Mellick Belshaw Father of George P.M. Belshaw ’84

Eileen Kerr Blakeman Wife of Phillips “Van” Blakeman ’60

Louise “Frenchie” Blodget Mother of H. Townsend Blodget ’61 and Sarah “Sally” Blodget Carton ’75

Elisabeth (Beth) Borgerhoff-Pomerleau ’69 Sister of Ledlie Borgerhoff ’72 and Jennie Borgerhoff ’67 Barbara Broad Mother of Louise Broad Lavine ’71 E. Roger Budny ’59

David E. Carlson Father of Eric Carlson ’90 and Darcey Carlson Leonard ’93 Dorothy Irving Crossley ’46

G. Grenville Cuyler ’53 Brother of Juliana Cuyler McIntyre ’53 and Margery Cuyler Perkins ’66

Elizabeth Willcox D’Agostino ’41 Mother of Laurie D’Agostino Stoumen ’70 and Lucy D’Agostino Crowe ’76 Ellen Freedman Dingman ’58 Sister of Ann Freedman Mizgerd ’55

Antonio Elmaleh Husband of former Trustee Anne Williams ’74 and Father of Sarah Elmaleh ’02 Dudley A. Eppel Father of Dudley Eppel ’81 and Meredith Eppel Jylkka ’84

Elizabeth Sinclair Flemer ’43 Mother of Heidi Flemer Hesselein ’70 and William “Bill” Flemer ’71 (Louise Hutner ’70)

Oscar Flores Brother of LS Spanish teacher Sonia Flores-Khan Mary Pettit Funk ’41 Mother of Paul Funk ’72 ( Jean Beckwith Funk ’72) and Eleanor Funk Schuster ’74

Moore “Mosie” Gates ’43 Father of former PDS Trustee and Alumni Board President Thomas Gates ’78 (Tracy Gates, former PDS Alumni Director) and Grandfather of Sheridan Gates ’10

Juanita E. Gibbs Grandmother of Misha Hill ’06, Maya Hill ’18 and Michael Hill ’18 Joseph Gigliotti ’88 Brother of Gregory Gigliotti ’84 and John Gigliotti ’85 Llura “Lulie” Gund Wife of former Trustee Gordon Gund and Mother of Grant Gund ’86 and Zach Gund ’88 Robyn Perlman Harvan Sister of Aviva Perlman Fintz ’02 Charles Henderson III Husband of Elise “Tibby” Chase Dennis Hugh Hoffman Brother of Karen Hoffman Friedlander ’69 and Brian Hoffman ’84 Jonathan P. Horner Husband of Trustee Anna Horner and Father of Thomas Horner ’27 William Jacobus ’79 Brother of Marget Jacobus ’75, Claire “Hughie” Jacobus ’78 (Andrew Hildick-Smith ’77), Laura Jacobus ’81 and John Jacobus ’82 John R. Janick Father of M. Daryl Janick Kent ’73 J. Steward Johnson, Jr. Father of John S. Johnson ’84 Marcia Jones Mother of Robert Bowen ’82, Kathryn BowenPoole ’83 and Melinda Bowen Dempsey ’84 Stuart Kirkpatrick ’65 Brother of Alexander “Sandy” Kirkpatrick ’58 and Peter Kirkpatrick ’61 Katherine Schilling Schick Lyall Mother of former Trustee Pamela Kelsey and Grandmother of Lisa Kelsey ’93 and John “Jay” Kelsey ’96 Linda McStravick Niece of former PDS Printer Pat McStravick Maria McStravock Mother of PDS Technology staff Tom McStravock Arthur D. Meritt ’50 Elizabeth S. Murray Mother of Faneen Murray-Cieslinski ’67 and Robin Murray ’70

Peter R. Rossmassler ’47, former Trustee; and Father of William Rossmassler ’82, Thomas Rossmassler ’86 and Richard Rossmassler ’91 Joan F. Rowland Mother of Stephen R. Rowland ’78 Wendy Gartner Rowland ’53 Sister of Sandra Gartner ’61 John Schafer Father of William Schafer ’87 Brenda J. Scott ’73 Paul O. Shapiro Grandfather of Leslie Shapiro Davenport ’06 and Meghan Shapiro Kapilevich ’08 Jacques P. Sibeud Father of Amy Sibeud ’83 and Eugenia Sibeud ’89 Harvey A. Silk Father of Sally Silk ’76 Simon Tams Husband of Daren Hicks ’73 Robert “Wood” Tate Father of Anne Tate Massie ’75, Thomas Tate ’76 and Laura Tate Kagel ’78 Donald C. Thiel Former PCD Industrial Arts teacher Dolores Thierfelder Mother of Trustee Mark Thierfelder and Grandmother of Zoe Thierfelder ’19 and Quinn Thierfelder ’22 Jayne Leavitt Thorne ’48 Henry Urbach ’80 Brother of Barbara Urbach Lissner ’73 Janet Willis Mother of Tracy Gates, former PDS Alumni Director (Thomas Gates ’78, former PDS Trustee and Alumni Board President) and Grandmother of Sheridan Gates ’10 John Winton Father of former Upper School English teacher Kate Winton ( John Baldwin, former Upper School math teacher) and Grandfather of Erin Burns ’08 and Kelsey Burns ’10 J. Taylor Woodward ’55 Father of John T. Woodward IV ’84, Seth Woodward ’88 and Anne Woodward Colanzi ’90 Andre Yokana Father of Davis Yokana ’76 and Lisa Yokana ’77 John C. Zahner Father of James “Jamie” Zahner ’84 and John Zahner ’85

Wallace C. Palmer ’49 Caroline Peloso Mother-In-Law of Laurent “Chip” Cash, Upper School Math teacher Giacomo Rosati Father of Arianna Rosati ’88

If you know that a School community member has passed away, please sent that information to classnotes@pds.org. If possible, please include a copy of the obituary (or information to locate the obituary).

spring 2020

In Memoriam

Special Edition

Remembering Betty Wold Johnson We recently learned of the passing of Betty Wold Johnson, parent of alumni, trustee emerita, and generous, unalloyed supporter and advocate of Princeton Day School. She was 99 years old.

Over the course of 60 years, Mrs. Johnson helped shape the trajectory of the School. She first joined the School’s ranks as the parent of three alumni: Woody ’62, Libet ’68, and Christopher ’77; and as step-mother to Rebecca Bushnell ’70, who now serves as the School’s Board Chair. She went on to underwrite transformational efforts of program and faculty professional development; preserve the integrity of the School’s campus through her partnership in the Coventry Farms Project; steward its journey as a trustee and trustee emerita; and, in the last decade, embrace two of its signature, PreK-12 curricular initiatives: Health and Wellness, and STEAM, the latter of which is named in her honor. Her keen eye and boundless enthusiasm inspired members of the community for which she cared so deeply. Her disciplined, common-sense approach to both the business and art of leading a school benefitted her trustee colleagues and every Head of School. Hers was a voice to heed, as

her attention to detail and broad, informed perspective yielded deep, rich opportunities for the School. In ways too countless to number now, Betty Wold Johnson stands with a select company whose commitment to the School sustained it and allowed it to flourish. Her loss to our community is as immense as is the influence she brought to bear upon it.

“With each successive conversation with Betty during the last dozen years, I came to understand more completely the vital role and responsibility of our school in the larger community,” said Head of School Paul Stellato. “Her commitment to its students was entire,

Head of School Paul Stellato with Betty Wold Johnson (center) and her step-daughter Rebecca Bushnell on campus last September.

JOURNAL

and while she entertained any number of proposals from heads of school, her decisions always turned on one thing: the quality of student experience. Two years ago, we invited her to tour the Wellemeyer STEAM Center. Sharing our vision of the program while an engineering class went on around us, it became quickly apparent that our opinion—my opinion—mattered little compared to those of the students in her midst. She lingered with them through the entire class period, pressed them for answers and opinions, and encouraged them to invest themselves in the educational opportunities the School had given them. Students won that day with Betty. In truth, students always won the day with her.”

The Princeton Day School community shares its condolences with Mrs. Johnson’s family. As it plans its tributes to Mrs. Johnson, it is fortunate to have captured a moment in this decades-long partnership in the fall edition of the Fall 2019 Journal.

JOURNAL JOURNAL PRINCETON DAY SCHOOL Spring 2020

PRINCETON PRINCETONDAY DAYSCHOOL SCHOOL Spring Spring2020 2020 Special Online Edition

JOURNAL P.O. Box 75 . Princeton, NJ 08542

shipping 650 Great Road . Princeton, NJ 08540 T 609.924.6700 . www.pds.org Spring 2020 Journal Volume 58/Number 1

opportunities of a lifetime. every day.

Alumni

Alumni Awards • Class Notes • In Memoriam