busy with my soundtrack show, Music From The Movies, and writing film reviews for the radio station web site (www.kuhf.org). In addition, this past year I gave the occasional arts-related lecture around town. In September of 2009 I gave the pre-concert talk before each performance of the Houston Symphony’s musicand-silent-film presentation of the opera, Der Rosenkavalier. In January 2010 I attended the Critics Choice Movie Awards in Los Angeles, given by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, of which I am a member. Among the many stars there, I met Susan Sarandon. In March 2010 I gave a preview of the joint Houston concert with Oscar-winning performers Marvin Hamlisch and Joel Grey who were both great! I just came back from a weekend in NYC where I caught La Traviata at the Met (no, not the one Slatkin conducted!). I also saw and enjoyed Twyla Tharp’s new Sinatrathemed Broadway show, Come Fly Away. Otherwise I’ve been very slow in decorating the apartment I moved into last summer. But, it’s only 10 minutes from work! Best to you all.“
we only see each other occasionally?) Gilda, my job is taking me to Dallas-Ft. Worth this summer. Would love to catch up with you! And, Reggie, could I sign on as your sidekick? What exciting, glamorous work you have! Surely you could use an administrative assistant…or perhaps a valet? While you ponder my resume, guess I’ll continue to hang out here in Mitchellville (a half-hour or so from D.C.). If anyone is ever in the neighborhood, please stop by. You’ll get some good eats (Ernie is a great cook!), and, who knows, you could pick up a nine-year old administrative assistant in the bargain! Blessings.”
Sarah House Denby wrote, “Two weddings in 2010! Son Ted is marrying long-time girlfriend (since 2001) Katie O’Neill on Cape Cod in May. Stepdaughter Mari is marrying long time (since 2000) squeeze Colm Leahy in September on Lake Superior in Michigan. Let those wedding bells ring!” Dee Dee Roach-Quarles notes, “Great to hear what everyone is up to! We’re still percolatin’ here in Mitchellville, MD. My life can be summed up in one name, Adira…my nine-year-old. When I hear so many of you talking about your grandchildren and married children, I feel…well…strange. Now I know why my sister looked at me like I had lost my mind when I announced at the age of 47 that I was going to adopt a child. Of course then I had no idea which child God had in mind for me to adopt. Nine years in, I can honestly say, ‘H-h-e-e-e-l-l-p-p-p’ I’m tired, y’all…and in need of respite care. Adira is 12 children in one. Imagine… nine, alternately going on 16 and two…times 12! I thought I could tire her out by signing her up for 40 activities (dance, gymnastics, karate, swimming, etc.), but all that has put not one dent in her energy level and in the meantime is killing me. Anybody really bored and want to borrow an adorable, super high-energy, drama queen…for a week? (I’ll pay you handsomely!) You may die of exhaustion…but you won’t die bored. I can promise you that! When I’m not being done in by Adira, I’m still working as a project officer at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Between Adira and my job, I see my husband, Ernie, occasionally, and we’re still good friends after all these years. (Could it be because
Beryn Frank Harty ’72 and her husband Rick during a trip to Green Turtle Cay Resort, November 2009
Beryn Frank Harty sent her annual holiday letter and reports that her life, with her husband, Rick, is full of opera, book club, volunteering for as well as touring botanical gardens all over south Florida; volunteering also for major sailing races in Miami; and many trips around and about Florida. Her life is a happy and energizing one! And as for me, Joanna Betts Virkler, I have a son, Arthur, who got married last summer and lives with his wife and two step-children in Alexandria, VA. He works as a chef for Dean and Deluca in Georgetown; his wife teaches school and is an officer in the Navy Reserves. My younger daughter, Marie, moved to DC last summer, is back in college and works for The Container Store. My older daughter, Justine, got her master’s last spring and immediately after joined the foreign service. She currently is manning the East Africa desk at the State Department. She’s getting married this summer to the chair of the Literacy Department at George Mason University! My son with mental illness, Philip, lives nearby, has a part-time job he enjoys and now also has a dog, which is a great blessing. My stepdaughter, Kathryn, and her husband live in Winter Park, CO, with
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