CLASS OF 1977 | 2018 | ISSUE 3
As the warm summer temperatures have been disappearing along with the abundance of daylight, we have some greetings from classmates to share here. Earl Phillips has received the prestigious designation as Lawyer of the Year for 2019. Earl’s practice has had a strong focus on environmental, energy and safety/health considerations. Heartiest congratulations go to you, distinguished Counselor.
Peg Batchelder writes that after being laid off from Bristol-Myers Squibb last May, it seemed fated for her to take an early retirement. Peg’s partner, May Coryell, retired that June, and they spent the summer packing for the big move to their condo on Maui. As one might imagine, retirement has been wonderful; they can’t imagine being happier anywhere else!
Paul Meisel’s oldest son, Peter, and his wife, Liz, had a boy named Riley on July 14. On the professional front, Paul has some children’s books coming out: Anna and Samia, a true story about a woman named Anna Merz who saved rhinos in Kenya; My Happy Year by E. Bluebird, a nonfiction diary of an Eastern bluebird; and See Me Play, a beginning reader. Paul’s I See A Cat, won a 2018 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award from the ALA.
A touching note from Jane Eisner: “Mark Berger ’76 and I welcomed Sadie Avital, our second grandchild, in August. Sadie and her big brother, Colin, live in Brooklyn, and we see them as often as humanly possible. She is named for my mother, Sadie, and I’ve learned that having your daughter (Rachel Berger ’06) give birth to a daughter and name her for your mother is truly one of the great joys in life.”
Lisa Brummel has been on tour visiting Switzerland and Germany on route to Israel. Lisa met up with Wendy Brown Giardina. I made sure there was up-to-date contact information for Rachel Helfer and Micah Balf.
Jane Goldenring has a Christmas movie, A Majestic Christmas, coming out this holiday season. Jane spent a lot of time in Montréal creating a winter wonderland in 90-degree weather. She has safely returned back to southern California to teach a graduate producing course at USC.
In Maine, Jay Kilbourn recently retired and is spending time as a citizen lobbyist with Citizens Climate Lobby, focusing on getting bipartisan support for the Carbon Fee and Dividend. This is a strategy to dramatically reduce carbon pollution and climate change, while growing the economy! Exciting to have a favorable solution to a critical global problem that enjoys support from Rs and Ds in this divided world. Following in his father’s footsteps, Doug Hauschild felt compelled to get involved again as an Eagle to teach merit badges. He is now signed up to teach eight merit badges (including the three citizenships) and has enjoyed the honor of sitting on or chairing 25 Eagle boards of review.
Catherine Compton Swanson is celebrating 25 years of marriage to Gary Jon Swanson. Catherine is a retired museum archivist. Along with their Brittany spaniel, Tucker, they enjoy their lake house at Otsego Lake in Northern Michigan and a cabin on Rangeley Lake in Maine. Catherine and Gary live in Lexington, Mass., and enjoy the symphony and the great town library. Yikes, we are neighbors!
Finally, one surprise in my life has been that my services as a wedding officiant have been much in demand. I just completed wedding number five in the Boston area this summer. In order to comply with California requirements, I became an ordained minister through the Universal Life Church which has garnered some prestige and/or legitimacy, along with a coveted clergy parking pass.
As these notes will be read at the end of 2018, I would like to wish all a very happy and healthy holiday season and new year.
Gerry Frank | Gfrank@bfearc.com