Tag: 1977

It appears that each New Year seems to be moving at a faster pace than the previous one. For 2016, it may have to do with this being an election year, complete with the bombardment of debates, ads, and unrelenting commentary (mostly negative) on everything. I am writing to you all from the chilly Northeast (minus-5 degrees this morning) by a nice fire with these updates:

Cindee Howard writes about her big year of anniversaries and changes: turning 60, celebrating 15 years with her partner, Jon, moving her 99-year-old father into assisted living, consolidating real estate.

Dave Levit writes about being a father of two Wesleyan grads. Dave and wife Ruth are enjoying life in Amherst Mass.; he writes about cutting back work to “full-time” (seriously?) in private practice of psychologist/psychoanalyst and teaching.

John Fink wrote in about connecting with Scott Director and his wife in Oregon while John was visiting his kids and grandson. John will be in NYC later this year and plans to visit with Peter Guenther and Rick Dennett. I appreciate John’s observation that with technology, a whole generation will never own a landline telephone nor subscribe to a newspaper. People’s continued interest in various screens makes it appear that his work in the television industry is safe for some time to come.

I received Janet Malkemes annual personal update of the comings and goings in her world. At her Community College of Charlotte she has been involved with the realization of a new building on campus. Janet has been enjoying some significant travel and meeting up with friends and family, both at home and away.

Jason Baron recently returned from Cambodia working with children in a remote village in Kampot Province. Jason created a nonprofit organization in his mother’s name with goal of building the first freestanding library at a high school there. After spending the better part of 35 years as a lawyer focused on preserving White House e-mail, this project has been life-changing. See thechellyfoundation.org for more information. Jason would love to hear from classmates, starting with his old gang at Foss Hill 5; reach him at jrbaron3@gmail.com.

Jim Melloan’s Radio Free Brooklyn (Internet station), which he began last year, made the UK Daily Telegraph’s list of best Internet radio stations. Jim has a weekly show Tuesday evenings. He also does some performing as a singer/songwriter in NYC.

Jody Friedman has moved, after 21 years, from Sylva, N.C., east one hour, to Asheville. Jody teaches adults with developmental differences at Asheville Buncombe Community College and is an urban-style homesteader growing edible and medicinal perennials, foraging, duck-keeping, water saving, etc. on the weekends. Her son and daughter live nearby and are doing well.

Joe Mabel sent an intriguing note that he is doing fine in Seattle, and that any other comments would have to wait until things settle out.

Lisa Nelkin has retired to a log cabin, along with a “completely spoiled rotten dog,” in the Colorado Rockies after living on her sailboat for four years: sailing from Baltimore to New Zealand with husband Bret. Lisa’s daughter and son-in-law live in Tampa.

Vanessa Burgess consoled me after the Patriots lost to Denver in the football playoffs. She joined Dave Thomas, Don Lowery, and Don Citak for dinner in New York (PJ Clarke’s). Vanessa mentioned that there will be a Wesleyan Women’s event in NYC in April. Stay tuned!

Will Altman wrote from Brazil that he has a new book expecting to be published this February: The Guardians in Action: Plato the Teacher and the Post-Republic Dialogues from Timaeus to Theaetetus (Lanham, Md.: Lexington Books, 2016). Will has two grandchildren, Eliza and James.

A few mentions were made that folks are looking forward to our next Reunion, only a year away in 2017. It is never too early to plan!!

Gerry Frank | Gfrank@bfearc.com

With autumn in New England comes spectacular foliage colors and a new set of class notes updating us on the goings-on of fellow 1977 grads. I am glad to report on so many fine professional accomplishments. Congrats to all!

Arnie Alpert sent along a note announcing his receipt of the Bill of Rights Award from the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of New Hampshire. The executive director summed up feelings that most of us will read with nodding agreement: “Arnie has served as a resolute champion for fairness and equality in New Hampshire for over 30 years. He has fought for immigrant rights, racial equality, and economic justice with unparalleled persistence.” Congratulations, Arnie!

Cindee Howard recently caught up with friend Penny Tuerk ’78 in Vermont. In addition, Cindee has returned to her love of partner dancing, through ballroom and Latin dancing.

David Schreff sends regards from the teaching pulpit: expanding his college teaching, lecturing on “Entertainment Management” at Iona College, and “Strategic Management” at Parsons School of Design in New York.

Eric Simons is hoping Louise Hazebrouck and Steve Rome ’78 include a stop in Colorado to visit in their retirement travels. Eric reports that Lee and Danuta Brown settled in Woodland Park, Colo., after many years in Texas and that they have been getting together a bunch.

Jay Kilbourn writes that after a two month seat-of-the-pants trip (with wife Molly) to New Zealand, Australia, Bali (Indonesia) and Myanmar, he is focusing daytime hours on the climate change/carbon challenge, renewable energy as a consultant and volunteer using his new BioEnergy Revisioning LLC firm, and in his role as president of Kennebunk Light & Power (a muni electric utility).

Jerry Caplin writes that former rugby teammate Steve Imbriglia visited. In fact Jerry got two Steves for one, because he was traveling with his son Steve, and the three spent a couple of beautiful hours together, reminiscing and solving the world’s problems. Steve the elder mentioned that one of his greatest hopes is that he will get to watch a Wesleyan football game one day alongside another lost buddy, Hank “Rosey” Rosenfeld. Both of Jerry’s daughters are at Duke, on the women’s fencing team.

Marian Appelloff is now a freelance book publishing editor for a number of institutions including Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Morgan Library & Museum.

Neal Osherow delivers occasional guest lectures to social psychology or law classes on “How One Might Confess to a Murder One Didn’t Commit.” This summer, after six years of dialysis, Neal was fortunate to receive a kidney transplant, which thus far has been successful. Neal lives in Los Angeles and welcomes any contact from friends and classmates at noshtp@aol.com.

Sue White Simonoff writes of her work at Boston University School of Medicine in the physician assistant program as the academic coordinator. She enjoys being in the Boston area.

Steve McNutt has been duly recognized professionally. In the spring, the second edition of the Encyclopedia of Volcanoes was published; he is one of the associate editors as well as author on five chapters. Over the summer, Steve was named an honorary fellow of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics.

Susanna Peyton writes that the Yale School of Nursing, her alma mater, is trying a pilot of her Operation House Call program this fall. As Susanna had originally wanted to receive schooling in the topic of intellectual/developmental disability care and couldn’t find it, this is a real happiness for her.

Wendy Brown Giardina has been traveling between Arizona, where her mother and sister live, and Switzerland. Wendy will be spending an extensive time in Geneva studying French literature at the university.

Iddy Olson has developed keen interest in the hospice system. She now sings in a threshold choir for hospice patients near her in Chicago. She describes this as a stunning international organization and invites us all to support and take advantage of it: thresholdchoir.org. Iddy and I had a tremendous trip out to Jackson Hole, Wyo., to visit Iddy’s two lovely kids, as well as soak up the splendor of the Tetons. And with any gathering with Iddy and her gang, a great deal of laughter was involved. Thanks to all for the updates. I hope everyone enjoys a peaceful fall/winter season.

Gerry Frank | Gfrank@bfearc.com

For much of our Class, 2015 marks our 60th birth year anniversary. Congratulations and best wishes to all for making it to this point. Many of our notes arrive from folks planning or having recently celebrated the big year.

From the looks of it on Facebook, Doug Green had a wonderful celebration for his birthday. Also, Doug attended a memorial gathering for Jean Redpath for which Iddy Olson did the lion’s share of organizational work. Both Doug and Iddy described how very moving and uplifting the event was.

Speaking of Iddy, the two of us celebrated our 60th birthday together in Lincoln, Mass., with an appropriately ’60s-themed dance party. Mike Coffey and Lisa Brummel participated in the festivities.

Deb Mercer celebrated the year with a European arts-architecture-garden focused trip in Belgium and Holland in May. How amazing the tulips must have been!

Louise Hazebrouck wrote on behalf of husband Steve Rome ’78, and herself, that they are celebrating the year by both retiring from teaching. They plan to travel abroad, along with lots of hiking, kayaking, reading and visiting with old friends. Can’t wait to see you in Boston!

Mark Beamis is taking a sabbatical from the world of work, beginning the summer of 2015. He’s planning a road trip across the USA visiting hometown friends and classmates from both Wesleyan and Exeter. Mark’s wife will be joining in for parts of the excursion and happily there will be regular updates on social media chronicling his adventures.
Sue Guiney is spending a quarter of the year in Cambodia. Out of this experience has sprung the charity “Writing Through,” teaching language fluency, conceptual thought, and self-esteem through creative writing. Living in London, Sue’s two sons are newly engaged to be married.

Cindee Howard has parlayed a biology major and MBA into a successful career as a copy editor. She recently returned from a Hawaiian trip with her partner, Jon. Like many, she is looking at turning a healthy 60 as a very fine option.

Susan Jacobson wrote from San Francisco where she married a native and has two grown sons living in nearby Portland. She would be delighted to cross paths with other Cardinals who are “out saving the world.”

Bob Giges sends greetings from Santa Cruz, specifically the UCSC Slugs, where he teaches acting as well as an impressive amount of fitness dancing such as Zumba and WorldDanz.

Paul Meisel wrote in that he is illustrating a story, authored by his son Peter, about a pirate dog named Stinky Spike. It will be published in 2016 through Bloomsbury.
John Fink got to visit Vancouver, Canada, to be with his six-month-old grandson, Alexander Churchill Fink. The whole family attended two nights of the U2 concert tour.
Steve Beauchamp has been all over television as he has appeared, post hospital, on episodes of Person of Interest, Black List, and the one I came across by surprise, House of Cards.

Wes Protheroe writes to us about his life post retirement: he serves on the board of directors at the Atlanta Humane Society and as a board advisor to a pharmaceutical company specializing in Alzheimer drug development.

Rick Dennett enjoyed watching Wes baseball’s great success in winning both “Little 3” and NESCAC this year. Rick’s son, Jonathan ’15, graduated this spring and has moved to Boston to begin his job.

Susan Shaw Webster hadn’t written to us since our graduation. She is a Manhattanite who with her Williams grad husband had two children: one a Williams grad, the second a current Wesleyan undergrad. Susan is a partner at Cravath, Swaine, & Moore specializing in corporate governance, M&A, and securities law.

David Schreff wrote us that his sports media and entertainment technology businesses are thriving. He has found time to teach at UMass-Amherst Isenberg School of Business. All members of his family are doing well!

Barbara Dicker Garii has moved back to NYC and lives in Jackson Heights. She is dean of the College of Education, Information, and Technology at LIU Post. Carol Cooper is deep into her research and dissertation working towards her Ph.D. in Jungian psychology.
Francis Rath is working for the Loudoun Health Department in emergency preparedness and response. Francis’ wife, Denise Thompson Rath, owns a successful horse business in Ocala, Fla., (www.greyfoxfarm.com).

Jonathan Kilbourn has been elected president of the Kennebunk municipal utility, the Kennebunk light and power district, building renewable power infrastructure.

Jim Melloan is now part of a new Internet radio station called Radio Free Brooklyn.

Both Peter Guenther and Jonathan Gertler have sons who have been involved in the relief effort in Nepal after the earthquake. Jonathan writes further that, in addition to his expanding business, he has his second CD of original songs (Sadetar Records, on iTunes, etc.) due to launch this year. Jonathan states that no matter how hard he works, “there is always time for music.”

Bob Nastri has been confirmed as a judge of the Connecticut Superior Court. Bob is currently running the criminal docket in Bristol.

Jane Goldenring is shooting a movie, Just in Time for Christmas, this summer in Vancouver. Jane taught a Skype class about work opportunities in LA and NYC for graduating film seniors at Wesleyan.

Will Altman has recently published a book, and the link can be found in the online edition of the Wesleyan class notes.

Dan Zegart has taken a full-time job with the Climate Investigations Center based in Alexandria, Va. Still working out of his home in N.J., Dan’s work focuses on big energy companies that are impeding the fight against global warming. Dan would love to hear from classmates, particularly those with an interest in climate and the politics of same: dzegart@yahoo.com.

Vivien Blackford is retired with her husband in Guilford, Conn. She founded Phoenix Association, an organization whose members were all formerly incarcerated folks who fought their way through the trials of prison and post-prison re-entry and are now eager for civic engagement.

Well, with what I have read in these notes, one must say that 60 never looked so good! Best regards to all!

Seriously, nearly eight feet of snow in one month? Warming by the fire at home between tours of duty shoveling during this latest blizzard, I take great comfort in the many notes of support as well as updates from fellow classmates, and, of course, the Patriot’s Super Bowl win!

I am so pleased to have gotten a note from Marcy Neuburg. Marcy has just completed 25 years on the faculty of the Medical College of Wisconsin; she is working one week a month and divides her time between St. Croix and Wisconsin. Daughter Abigail is attending Hamilton and son Max is moving to Minneapolis-St. Paul this summer where he will be married. Marcy has reconnected with Bob Rees, as Marcy will have many more opportunities to visit. Richard Parad updated that daughter Rebecca is following in his medical footsteps (completing her second year) and son Matthew is making inroads as a successful songwriter. In addition to his clinical care and research responsibilities, Richard is now co-director of the Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine Clinical and Translational Research Program. Peter Guenther expressed his pleasure at the outcome of the Super Bowl, especially in view of the grief all had to endure up to the game. Richard Shulman wrote in regarding the “Volunteers In Psychotherapy” and an upcoming UCLA conference on innovations in mental health, examining the Connecticut program where people don’t pay for their therapy but earn it through volunteer work at a charity or nonprofit of their choice. Susan White, who recently moved to Boston, works at the BU School of Medicine teaching in a new physician assistant program, as well as practicing at the Boston Medical Center. Vanessa Burgess touched base regarding a number of folks: Doug Green’s son will be at Wesleyan this fall playing football (we all have a date to meet at Homecoming), Dave Thomas’ son is a senior at Wesleyan, Dorothy Crenshaw, Marianne DiOrio, and Vanessa got together earlier this year. Dorothy’s PR business is thriving, and Marianne is a senior VP of global communications at Estée Lauder. Vanessa focuses on investments in the health care sector. Her daughter, Jill, is in the Boston area (so, you haven’t called?), and her second daughter, Marjorie, is a freshman at Wesleyan. Wendy Roylo Hee met up with a visiting Yoriko Kishimoto when she was in Honolulu last fall. Yoriko was introduced to Wendy’s new grandchild. Afterwards, travels took Wendy to California and Europe on a river cruise. Bruce Kaplan writes about life in Chattanooga, where his neurology career took him and his family some time ago. In addition, Bruce and his wife, Ann, created “Barking Legs Theater,” where he curates music performances focusing on jazz, bluegrass, and more experimental type music. He built a home on the island of Dominica, where he plans to spend more time in the future. It is available for rent at villapassiflora.com. I am told discounts for Wesleyan folks are available. Carol Cooper is finishing classes for her PhD in Jungian and archetypal psychology; dissertation begins this spring. The experience has been a fine enhancement to freelance and creative writing with her students of Manhattan Center for Science and Math. The Super Bowl brought some family conflict in Hope Neiman’s home: husband and wife splitting allegiances. Hope has been traveling extensively for work, with largest chain restaurants her primary focus. Janet Malkemes sends regards from Charlotte in her annual newsletter, as she hopes to lure more classmates for a visit down south. Jeff Gray enjoyed the company of many classmates at the wedding of his son, Jeffrey, to Emily Gittes last November, including: Bob Nastri, Paul Fichera, Dave Matteodo, and Ken Langley. Heartiest congratulations!! As with most of us, the intense snow couldn’t dampen Jeff’s spirits after the Super Bowl. Judy Allen echoed the sentiments. Joan Martin is enjoying a very active life. While not traveling by air as much (airports are indeed no fun), Joan proudly stated her adherence to most all liberal causes. A number of folks wrote in disbelief at the idea of turning 60 this year: Joe Mabel enjoyed a reunion gig of the Seattle band “The Squirrels” in his living room. Michael Rittenberg is still in medical practice and has four grown children and two grandchildren. One son and daughter seemingly plan to enter the “family business” of urology. Michael works with Cal Dysinger, who is chief of anesthesia at the same hospital. Dave Levy visits yearly to check in on his own parents. David Loder enjoyed playing golf with Barry Raebeck, Jeff Shames, and Andy Silverman ’76. David states, and we all should agree, that we need to do a lot more of this as we move into our 60s…and by “this” I am sure David means getting together with good friends and old acquaintances. Best regards to all!

Gerry Frank | Gfrank@bfearc.com

Another Labor Day weekend in Boston: Navigating the minefields of moving vans in the already congested streets makes one a bit less nostalgic for going back to school. The updates from our illustrious gang allows me to experience one of the best parts of September, being back in touch with so many classmates.

Here goes: New Manhattan residents Jane Eisner and Mark Berger ’76 have been able to reconnect with all sorts of Wes folks, including Don Lowery, Rachel Balf (visiting from Israel), Cliff Chanin ’75, Vanessa Burgess, and Ethan Bronner ’76. Rachel enjoys her new role as grandmother, which is a recent prevalent theme in these notes. Don Lowery also connected with Iddy Olson while on a recent trip to Chicago. Congratulations go out to Felice Burstein and John Roxby, who are new grandparents to a baby girl. The girl’s dad is Gabe Roxby ’06, so there is a lot of Wesleyan DNA floating around the family.

John Fink sent along an update from his trip earlier in the year: He was in Chicago (watching his son playing in the Western Amateur golf tournament), and connected with a former Wesleyan roommate, Dan Brugioni ’78. John attended a high school reunion, as he grew up in nearby Highland Park. While home in Hawaii is great, all three of his kids are finished with school and reside in Oregon, with a first grandchild due to arrive in mid-November. So, there are early discussions about possibly down the road spending more time on the mainland, perhaps in Oregon.

John Jackson sent along a couple of nice stories about Michele Roberts, who has been voted in as the new executive director of the National Basketball Players Association, making her the first woman to head up a major North American sports union. Fantastic! Jim Lyons sends along regards from Germany. Jim continues as a freelance writer and director: most recently of a new musical about the escape artist Harry Houdini at a larger, subsidized regional theater in Bavaria, as well as writing a WWI musical revue for a small Berlin venue, using original songs, letters, and documents from the era. He has been in touch with Rich Shulman, Mim Wolf, and Jim Melloan, and would like to hear from Phil Stern and Jeremy Caplin. It warmed my heart to hear that Jim is planning to attend our Reunion in 2017; it is never too early to plan! As it turns out, Jerry Caplin wrote in as well, about his first daughter leaving home for Duke University. Now Jerry, with a bit more free time, contact Jim Lyons!

Wendy Giardina wrote in about a wonderful trip to the U.S. earlier this year connecting with Laraine Balk Hope and Jeff Kahn ’76. Wendy has been spending a good deal of time reading 16th- and 17th-century French literature, as well as enjoying hiking and bird watching near her home in Switzerland. Don Ryan wrote in reporting on his son’s May graduation from Wesleyan: Don jokingly brought up the idea for a class contest rewarding the first grandchild to be accepted to Wesleyan. In keeping with a theme from these notes, there will be some serious competition.

Steve Beauchamp wrote about a near-death experience earlier in the year, including some very detailed photographs from his hospital bed recovering from staphylococcal bacterial spinal meningitis. Ugh!!! Luckily, Steve had great support from family and the Wesleyan community including: Dennis Robinson ’79, David Thomas, Vanessa Burgess, Paul DiSanto ’81, Don Citak, Kathy Mintz ’78, Bob Nastri, Jeff Gray, and Bill Belichick ’75. Steve is truly delighted to have made it through to continue experiencing life in his inimitable “go-for-broke” fashion.

Don Spencer and his wife bought a waterside house in Westport to settle into. They plan to build on the site so they won’t be moving from Darien for a couple of years. Daughter Jocelyn ’13 is working in Shanghai and will be starting grad school at the University of London in January. Younger daughter Alyssa is a sophomore at Clark University. Don arranged for Arnie Alpert to present the Oakwood Friends School’s annual Carolyn Dash Davis Gleiter Social Justice Lecture in May. Received a fine note from Ted Stevens, who has been continuing the visits to all the American baseball parks with a trip this past year to Milwaukee’s Miller Park. Ted is looking for updates from Mike Coffey and Iddy Olson. Joan Goldfeder wrote about her work as account director with Taproot, a not-for-profit whose mission is to engage professionals in pro bono service that drives social change. Joan is also launching a new marketing and creative content business with two partners. The company, Grace Creative, will specialize in reaching and motivating women in our demographic group: relentlessly young baby-boomers. Susan Jacobson sent along that in the past year she has joined a consulting firm, Robert Glavin, Inc., as a senior consultant. The firm works with nonprofit organizations on fundraising, governance and management. Richard Parad has a new position at work: co-director of the new Pediatric Newborn Medicine Clinical and Translational Research Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Daughter Becca ’09 just finished her first year of medical school. Son Matthew, the singer/guitarist/songwriter, has moved to LA to become a songwriter. Over the past 12 months he has written three songs that have hit the charts, and just signed a publishing contract with a company called Pulse Recording. Richard enlisted Jane Goldenring to help serve a role as a West Coast surrogate parent. Francis Rath no longer practices law but is still with the Loudoun County (VA) Health Department—as a member of the emergency preparedness group and the MRC coordinator. He is an active volunteer paramedic and assistant chief of the Loudoun County Volunteer Rescue Squad. Wife Denise runs a successful horse training and sales farm in Ocala, Fla.

Well, that about does it for now. My sincere thanks go out to all who sent along news. It means a lot to me and, so I hear, from so many of our classmates. My best wishes go out to all for a fine remainder to 2015.

Gerry Frank | Gfrank@bfearc.com

It boggles the mind to think how much more difficult the task of Class Secretary would have been in the days before e-mail. You’ve all made my life easier by replying to my pleas for class notes and updates. Many thanks! What also delights me are the number of first-time contributors we are still hearing from after all these years. Here we go:

Jay Kilbourn wrote about his profession combining business and ecology. Jay is VP of the firm Resource Solutions ,which is doing a host of good things: making composts from bio-solids, assisting paper mills in recycling their products, and assisting farmers in New England and New York with fertilizer alternatives made from wood and other materials. All of the work is part of thinking known as industrial ecology, to redesign industrial processes so that waste will be intentionally recyclable and a more valuable resource.

Bob Nastri has been nominated to the State Superior Court by the Governor of Connecticut. Sarah Schultz O’Loughlin is a school psychologist at a Charter Public School in Norwood, Mass.; she lives in Hull, Mass., is happily married to husband Spencer, and has four sons. I was impressed to hear that her sons are in business together.

Eric Simons, a frosh hallmate of mine, writes from Colorado about building a new home in the hills of Buena Vista, soon departing from Boulder. Eric, always the outdoorsman, has been developing and building wind farms around the globe. He’s married to his nearly retired corporate lawyer wife, Linnea, and has three grown sons. Eric would love to hear from Jack Brandon, Lee Brown, Greg Powell, Sarah Plotkin, and Leah Schmidt.

Carol Cooper has a 2013 music feature for the Village Voice, on the yearly Globalfest international artist showcase, which is up for a Pulitzer Award. In addition, she is teaching creative writing at the Manhattan Center for Science and Math. By the time we read this, John Fink will have made his way to New York for TV business and hopefully met up with Rick Dennett and Peter Guenther. Buzz Cohen has begun previews for his 62nd production as stage manager at the Public Theater in New York. Buzz manages one show per season at the Trinity Rep in Providence. Julie Shapiro is teaching law in Seattle and is proud of her son Eli ’17, a freshman at Wesleyan. Will Altman has been busy publishing works on the following: Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche: The Philosopher of the Second Reich; Martin Heidegger and the First World War; Plato the Teacher: Crisis of the Republic; The German Stranger: Leo Strauss and National Socialism. All books are published by Lexington Books. Will has retired from more than 30 years teaching in public high schools to devote himself to research and writing. He resides in Florianopolis, Brazil.

Jim Melloan wrote of leaving his position at Inc. Magazine to move back home to Westfield, N.J., to care for aging parents as well as do freelance writing and editing. On Sundays, Jim co-hosts a music jam at a place called Old Man Hustle on New York’s Lower East Side. He is in touch with Tom Kovar ’76, David Oppenheimer ’78, Jack Freudenheim ’79 (and his band Borough Boys), Ann Beutler Millerick, Professor Neely Bruce, John Williams, and Kit Reed.

Hank Rosenfeld’s book on Groucho Marx is receiving rave reviews in Italy. Sue Guiney wrote in about her new novel in her Cambodian series: Out of the Ruins. Sue has spent several months in Cambodia this year teaching a workshop in a shelter that is part of a different NGO: Enfants du Mekong. It has been helping kids in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam for over 50 years.

Mark Beamis wrote about remaining sane and serene as well as adjusting to the change in mayor in Boston. Jerry Stouck and wife visited their Wesleyan junior son David ’15 late last year in China and reports David’s siblings are all fully engaged in academics: both as graduate and undergraduates. Laraine Balk Hope wrote late last year describing her economist work at the Inspector General’s Office for the U.S. Postal Service. Her husband, John, is teaching biotechnology at Johns Hopkins. She is spending time with her extended family in the UK including a new grand-nephew. Lisa Nelkin and husband Bret are retired and living in Colorado Springs, traveling RV-style throughout the US and Canada. Lisa has a daughter married and living outside Baltimore, as well as a certified therapy dog.

Jerry Caplin is busy renovating homes in Charlottesville with his company, Silk Purse Properties, creating affordable rentals for blue collar families. He appears to be loving every minute of it. By the time we read this, Deb Mercer should have returned from her husband’s birthday celebration in France. Jane Goldenring has been a visitor in New England during this relentless winter to film Boychoir with an all-star cast including Dustin Hoffman. In addition, her new Disney Channel TV movie, Zapped, will be aired this summer. Finally, Peter Oldziey writes noting however the technology has changed things such that appreciation of music, or how he organizes his outdoor adventures, he still relaxes in jeans and tie-dye shirts just as he did at Belknap or on the Lodge or Upper Porch. “The more things change the more they stay the same.”

Ain’t it the truth!

Gerry Frank | Gfrank@bfearc.com

Here we are just a couple of days before Thanksgiving and outside here, in Lexington Center, the holiday lights are being strewn in most of the trees on Massachusetts Avenue, along with garlands being wrapped around the historically appropriate light posts. And if that were not enough, a gentle snow is falling. All of this to remind me that another year is winding down and that it is time to connect with friends and family, in appreciation for what this past year has brought.

Wendy Brown Giardina wrote en route to the States to celebrate her first Thanksgiving in many years. Wendy stopped work this year in favor of great books, writing, and long nature walks. Home is still in Switzerland, near her grown daughters. Joel Backon continues work at Choate; he will be on sabbatical next year to write a book with the working title of Clarity: Understanding the Real World. Joel’s son, Jacob, was married last year and teaches at St. Marks School. Joel plans, himself, to be married this spring to the woman he met eight years ago. Congratulations on all fronts! Deb Mercer wrote about her empty nest being a bit fuller this holiday with the return of her actor/writer son, Garrett. Deb, as board president for a Rhode Island Arts Center is busy fundraising for a chair lift to make her facility accessible. Jonathan Gertler and family are doing well. Jonathan is working on a second CD of original material “working with great musicians and fulfilling his musical fantasies.” He has been in touch with Ellen Gendler, Bob Krakower, Tom Kovar ’76, and Susan Davis Pereira. Business life continues to be busy in Boston and abroad as CEO of his consulting and advisory firm serving the biotech, pharma, and med tech community. Arnie Alpert forwarded me an article by William Greider in The Nation, mentioning Ron Bloom as a good candidate to be nominated to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. Jason Baron wrote in that he has retired as director of litigations at the National Archives, only to begin work as “of counsel” at a Washington, D.C., law firm. He and his wife, Robin, have celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary and their daughter, Rachel, is a freshman at Bowdoin. Jason is in touch with Helen Taenzer Lott, Peter Stack, Bruce Kaplan, Jerry Stouck, and Drew Kaplan. Jason would like to be in contact with Foss Hill 5 alums and others. Contact Jason at jrbaron3@gmail.com. Hope Neiman’s job has been taking her to Asia recently, without much sightseeing time. Her daughter graduates from Wesleyan in 2014. Hope is encouraging fellow classmates to work with the Career Center to help place Wesleyan graduates. Don Spencer continues his work from home with his private equity firm and with his local volunteer fire department (every youngster’s dream!). His eldest daughter, Jocelyn, is a “Teach for China” fellow in rural China; his younger daughter, Alyssa, is a freshman at Clark University. Me? Well, my life this year has been divided, like so many of you, into many different parts. In spring, I assumed the role of board chair at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum here outside Boston. It is an exciting time learning about the workings of a not-for-profit and motivating a board and staff into creating something which is greater than the sum of its parts. With over 28 acres, the place has the opportunity, and is poised, to do some amazing things with its location not far from Walden Pond. Not having relinquished my day job, the architecture business seems to be booming with our office fortunate to maintain a variety of types of projects. I continue to further my religious buildings portfolio. The “spiritual” designs contrast with the large residential component to my business, from single family to congregate housing. During the past year I was delighted to visit Chicago, at the subtle urging of my great friend Iddy Olson. As an eastern snob, I couldn’t imagine what the Midwest could offer during the summer. Boy, what a dope; Chicago was beautiful. We had a great time exploring the wonders of Lake Michigan and touring the vast architecture of this incredible city. Iddy has carved out a charming life incorporating all past and present periods in it: from her childhood, college, adult and professional periods. Currently she is spending the Thanksgiving holiday in Hawaii with her two kids.

That is it for now. Best wishes to you and yours for a wonderful 2014.

Gerry Frank
Gfrank@bfearc.com