From Sherry Sergeant Cox:
Dear Cate,
Thanks for forwarding the info re Nancy Conrad and Dan Terry. That just confirmed what I suspected about Dan as our news did not list those killed in Afghanistan until several days later and when I saw Dan's name I couldn't remember if that was where he had been working so we went on the internet and confirmed it. What a sad time for the family, they will all be in our prayers along with the Conrad family. I'm also wondering if you have any updates on Pixie, I've thought a lot about her lately, I was just hoping that no news was good news. Our news has not changed drastically since Jan. when I wrote for this years Quad except that my mom, June Sergeant, continues to decline. Her Alzhiemer's is now considered severe and just two weeks ago hospice was brought in. It's hard to see her like this but most of the time she seems happy however, she talks very little but does still recognize the family and friends. Sarah will graduate in Dec. with a B.S. in Sports Management, she continues to work part-time in a P.T. clinic and will try again to get into a P.T. assistant program. Stephanie is in her second year of nursing school with the OU program, she will grad. in May 2011 with her BSN-RN. Steve continues with Red Cross although some changes will take place next year with the Military Emergency Call Centers but it looks like it will not affect his position or require a move for us. I continue to stay busy with home, church choir and Bible Study, Mary Kay and going back to Nebraska every couple months to help my sister, Sandy with my mom's care. I would love to see everyone next year but with all the uncertainties in our family I'll just have to wait and see. Colorado is always a preferred choice for me as it is not so far and I still have lots of family there.
Thanks again for keeping us posted, have a good safe move back from India.
From Helke Wolff Ferrie:
Helke (Wolff) Ferrie ('66) published this year a textbook in collaboration with various researchers and clinicians on the diagnosis, treatment, epidemiology, politics, and history on Lyme Disease in North America (Ending Denial is available through www.kospublishing.com). Helke and her husband Robert (a medical doctor and psychotherapist specializing on post-traumatic stress disorder) have started preparations for their move to Manitoulin Island in northern Ontario to open a practice in spring 2011; in that northern area there is a disproportionately large number of war veterans with PTSD yet, almost no mental health services. Their daughter Bronwen (Brar) Ferrie ('89) is teaching piano at the Doon School and working for MGVS in Mussoorie. Bronwen's daughter – and Helke's and Robert's granddaughter - Ysolt Brar was supposed to graduate in 2011, but did so a year ahead of schedule with an A-overall average, returning to Canada in May; she was admitted to the Ontario College of Art and Design and is sharing an apartment in Toronto with her older sister (18) Miranda, who attended Woodstock in kindergarten; Miranda also starts at the University of Toronto this year, having been accepted in the pre-meds life sciences program. The youngest sister, Malhar, began Grade 9 at Woodstock. Helke’s son Bryce Ferrie (’92) obtained a teaching certificate from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and in January became engaged to Parul Sanduja, who has almost completed her training in homeopathy.
Since I sent my e-mail (below) to you on August 30, Bryce got a job at private highschool which he very much wanted and is now thrilled to work at. This update better stay in place till next year!
Cheers, Helke
From Miriam Haqq Prabahkar:
Dear Cate,
For some reason I am not able to open the attachment as it is a newer version of Excel. If possible could you send it in the older version?
I was in the US for July 2010 as my youngest son, Stephen was married to Monica in Huntsville, Alabama. They are now in Fort Wayne, Indiana where Stephen works and Monica will be going to school, probably at Indiana University. This is the last marriage in my family. My father turned 90 and all of the siblings met together in Minnesota. We all were able to get together after 10 years!! I am now back in India again.
With many thanks to you Cate for all that you do to keep everyone updated. Have a safe trip back to the US.
With love and prayers,
Miriam
From Linda Gamble McKendry:
Hi Cathy (Cate!) Yes, you can delete the todaysdisplays.com as I closed down the company July 2009. Managing and administering my senior parents' care is full time work and I have to be on hand for any driving, even though we have a full time live in foreign worker from Philipines. We've had two medical crisis in the last two years where we almost lost Dad after septic shock following very successful surgery to remove a tumor in his large intestine. That was three months in the hospital and many miracles with full recovery except for an ileostomy bag which is fine!
Mom almost died of pneumonia this July and we were ready to call in palliative care until we remembered that she LOVES lemon merangue pie... and that turned her appetite around so she started to eat again which strengthened her. We now have a saying in our family, "Be careful what you pray for!" God is good and our prayers were answered.
We are planning a train trip in the famous Dome Car across the rockies from Calgary to Vancouver in October which they are looking forward to. The great thing is that our nurse and I get to go for FREE because we are the medically recommended caregivers for Mom (90) and Dad (88)!
I took in a senior boarder to fill an empty room, increase our revenue, and provide the same service to someone else since we are already doing it for Mom and Dad. Joe has been a God send and is strong enough to care for the yard, do some of the chores around the house and loves to do little handy-man fix-its.
Since the house I rented for Mom and Dad is right across from the Community School where my grand children attend, and since my daughter who lives a couple of blocks down went back to school and now to work, we are also doing after school care. This has a lot of advantages, in addition to the extra revenue, we have four generations under our roof every day of the week! We took on another little boy too and he rounds out the mix with kids to play with.
Jim and I bought a 75 acre farm near Edmonton, four hours drive from Calgary where we still live. Jim parks our 48' 5th wheel trailer there for the summer and is steadily fixing up the place after many years of neglect. So he is gone most of the time.
I spend my 'extra' time taking on a few retail merchandising projects from time to time and am on the board of CAP, Canadian Artists for the Poor where we promote artists with various events and use the proceeds to help organizations that need funds for Water, Medical, Education, & Opportunity. The City of Calgary gives us three blocks on 8th Avene, a cobblestone street mostly blocked off to traffic and we have an anual Art Walk which is fun and profitable.
It's great to keep in touch through Cate and even though a lot of our news involves the passing of our parents, siblings, or spouses as we are journeying through this life, we still have so much of life left to enjoy and hopefully do some of the things we dreamed of in Woodstock!
Cathy... you can edit this any way you want to fit into the news...
Obviously I prefer to have our reunion in the West... but I know that is a LONG ways for you guys to come... google Canmore, Alberta, Canada, which is just outside the Banff National Park and see if that offers anything suitable... it's certainly the right terrain for our mountain retreat... we'd have to investigate the costs and availablility, etc. but sooner is better than later.
Love 'n Prayers... Linda
From Maric McKelvey Olsen
Hi Cate,
I am pleased to announce a new grandchild born the 26th of July. Miranda F. Olsen. I will be visiting her in New York in
Oct. It will be wonderful to see my grandson Ulysses again, who will be 3 in Nov.
I am still painting and hope to have a web-sight up and running this next year.
We all need to pray for those families who lost loved ones this year. Some, too young.
My best to all, Marcia McKelvey Olsen.
From Margaret Colling Wicks:
Your job in India sounds like fun. I am retired from school teaching but still have my local political job. We live right outside of Binghamton, New York. If you are in the area please come and visit.Thanks for doing all the mailings and everything. Love, Margaret
From David Rugh:
Dave Rugh retired from NOAA after 34 years of research on Alaska's whales, including over 50 field projects, mostly in the Arctic. Dave and Ruthe have built a home on the Olympic Peninsula where most of their retired years will be spent.
From Philip Spottswood:
Dear CHPEBUH Family,
It doesn't seem possible that we graduated 40 years ago, though our aches and pains give proof that many years have passed! My wife Michele and I live with our two youngest children (we have 5 but three have left the nest and started their own); Samual will be 18 in December and Noah is 16. We live in Dayton, Indiana, a small town that is a bedroom community for Lafayette, Indiana. I am semi-retired and am developing a company (www.carefamilyllc.com) that will provide low-cost housing for special-needs adult populations. Michele is finishing nursing school next summer and will become the bread-winner while I keep the home fires going and build my company. We have had a blessed life and wish only God's blessings for all of you. With fond memories, Phil Spottswood
From Don Camp:
Cate, thanks for keeping this going. Here's my update
I retired from the Foreign Service in December 2009, but I can't seem to break the cord. The State Department sent me to Kathmandu for three months this spring to fill a short-term vacancy at the embassy -- that was an awesome gig. After a leisurely summer in Washington (and an opportunity to meet Woodstock's new principal), I've just moved to New York for the fall to work at the US mission to the United Nations. I'm the "senior advisor for South Asia" which means I spend my time with the delegations from that part of the world. Only downside is that the family is in Washington, where my daughter is still in high school. She graduates next year. Does anyone have any recommendation for any fine arts schools with good photography programs?
Don Camp
From Claire Blickenstaff Beery:
Hi Cate,
Sorry. Somehow I missed your first request. Here’s my update:
I’m thoroughly enjoying my new stage of life as a grandmother. Matilda (Tillie) Rose is 15 months old and lives with her parents (my daughter Mira and son-in-law Greg) in Jacksonville, FL where Greg is a history professor. Too far away for regular play dates, but Skype keeps us connected. Mira (36) will have her first book of poetry published in 2011 by Kent State Press. Oldest daughter Willow (38) has received national praise for her ground-breaking work (sorry for the pun) in the urban farming movement. Check out City Slicker Farms online. Her book on urban farming is due out from Penguin in 2012. Zoe (20) is a junior at San Francisco State University studying history. She continues her dancing and journalism online about the “Indie” music scene. My two jobs continue: teaching child development at Santa Rosa Junior College and directing the programs for children and parents at Jewish Family and Children’s Services. On the side is my little jazz combo and my knitting projects. Life is full and fun.
Here’s a photo of me and Tillie.
Love, Claire
From Warren Rees:
Cate,
I’m recovering nicely from my heart attack just before Thanksgiving last year. I finished cardiac-rehab in May and the doctor gave me a life-sentence of working out in the gym. I walk briskly for about 20 minutes and then work out on weights for about 45 to 60 minutes. He also condemned me to eating fish, chicken, and turkey. I told him that I don’t like fish so he told me to eat chicken and turkey. I can’t even eat pork “the other white meat!” Beef was always my favorite, and I miss my roast beef. I told my kids that I couldn’t eat roast beef, and sympathy was the last thing from their mind when they asked, “But you can still cook it for us, right?” (When we have family dinners I cook very lean roast beef, in potatoes, onions, and baby carrots. I add garlic, and bay leaves, after rubbing the meat with Montreal steak seasoning. Serve with saffron rice.
Love to all, Warren
From Karen Smyres Wolner:
The biggest event for us this year was a lovely family reunion. Under the effects of Alzheimer's, my mother is beginning to forget who all of us are so we hurriedly arranged a weekend when all 23 of us (number 24 was born 4 days later) could enjoy some time together. The 4 children of Bob and Mary Smyres, two in-law children, 6 grandchildren , 5 grandchildren spouses and 4 great-grandchildren gathered at a lake in New York. We came from Thailand, Kansas, Virginia, Florida, Ohio, DC, and New York. It was a wonderful but bittersweet 3 days.
John and I continue to enjoy our retirement. Son Jason and wife have just purchased a home and daugther Kim and husband have moved to DC, making it much easier to visit than Atlanta. We feel immense gratitude every day for family, friends and all the uncountable blessings that we enjoy.
Karen
From Harishwar “Deepak” Dayal
Dear All,
The sheer magic of Woodstock! Despite the decades that have rolled by since we were together as a class - there remains a wonderful bond of spirit. I have not met most of you since 1963 when I left school but there is always a soft, beautiful fragrance of remembrance.
Phil, Ruth, Linda, Arun are some of the classmates I have greatly enjoyed meeting over the years, albeit briefly. Cate, who is virtually a neighbor in New Delhi, has been amazing. With her dedication, loyalty, love and sincerity, she has surely fanned the flame of the spirit to keep it burning! We meet, Jack, Cate and I, not as often as we would like to, but whenever we do, it is quality time!
My home for the past 40 years has been the Arpana Ashram at Madhuban, Karnal, Haryana and attached above is briefly a bit of what I have been wholly engrossed in and by Divine Grace, wonderfully happy and deeply fulfilled. I thought I would share this with all of you with whom those exceptional, formative years of life have been lived.
Whenever any of you are in Delhi, please do get in touch so that we can get together.
God bless and with love,
Harishwar Dayal (Deepak)
E/22, Defence Colony,
New Delhi – 110024
Mobile: 91 11 9818600644
Email: harishwar.dayal@gmail.com or aum.arpana@gmail.com
From Suzy McCulloch Friedricks:
Hope all is well with you. Richard and I meant to send you our family news, but time just gets away from us. Guess we'll fill everyone in next year. Grandchildren is our big news. All 3 of our kids have just had or are expecting babies this school year. Our middle son, Ethan, and his wife, Jody just had baby number 2, a boy, Kai, born Sept. 13. David and Stacey are expecting a girl (baby number 3) in November and Elizabeth and Chris are expecting their first child in March. We'd love to find a way to live in the States, but can't give up what we have here in Hong Kong just yet. The catch 22 is that we have to say we aren't returning to our jobs here in November and schools in the US don't hire until the spring generally. And, sadly, it seems that we're thought to be too old to hire, anyway!
From Frances Hilliard Dawson:
Dear Cate,
Since the news of Dan Terry's death and then Pixie's e-mail, I have found it difficult to just celebrate the every day ordinariness of my life. Dan's story has opened some interesting doors. But that is for another day.
You can use the following if it is not too late:
I seem to have a assumed a peripatetic life style this year. Michael is working in Colorado Springs and in May I was invited to the change of Command at NORAD. Since then I have visited my mother, Ruth Graham Hilliard (staff and class of '40) four times and my daughter in Calgary once. I will be visiting everyone again in the fall. At the same time I keep the home fires burning in Ottawa and attend to my volunteer commitments, friends and have fun along the way.
Affectionately,
Frances
From Elizabeth Roxburgh:
This has been a year of ups and downs. The biggest highlight was going to sing Mahler's 8th Symphony ("the Symphony of a thousand") with Christchurch City Choir, Wellington Orpheus Choir, NZ Youth Choir, Tower Voices NZ and others including a children's choir from Wellington schools, and the NZ Symphony Orchestra, all under the baton of Vladimir Ashkenazy, as the opening concert for the Wellington Festival of the Arts in February. I really enjoyed this, and catching up with friends when we went to Wellington.
The next big thing on my horizon was not so exciting. After very few symptoms, I wound up in Christchurch Women’s Hospital in mid March and had a hysterectomy for cancer. As we all know Elizabeth likes to be different, so instead of the usual endometrial uterine cancer, I had something more rare, called a leiomyosarcoma, which is a fast-acting aggressive tumour with a short prognosis, and with pulmonary secondaries. My op was successful, and no problems with healing up. But the secondaries continue. I had two doses of chemotherapy but unfortunately, although I was blessed with none of the nasty side-effects like nausea, I also had none of the useful side-effects either (apart from losing my hair). The secondaries are widespread in my lungs so they can't be treated by radiotherapy, and I was told to make the most of life while I could.
I took a couple of weeks’ holiday in Auckland visiting Rabbit's friends and relations, and then moved on to Australia for another couple of weeks with more. I intended to visit the South Island rellies, especially in Nelson end of this month. But time has run out on me.
I started passing the word among the immediate family from the start and widening the circle by word of mouth. But I realize I have missed out some completely. So this is going to come as a shock to many of you. My apologies for its coming like a bolt out of the blue so late. I'm still coming to terms with it myself, though God has helped.
The day after I received the bad news of my short prognosis the reading set out for the day in Scripture Union notes (which would have been planned several years in advance) was Philippians 1:12-26, where Paul says, "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain. And basically I don't know which to ask for; because I know that God is in control in all situations" (Elizabeth's translation). I believe in a God who works miracles, but I believe it is His prerogative to choose, and I trust Him.
The hardest part in the last few weeks has been not being able to sing in the City Choir because of the breathing difficulties. But also I've had the miracle of watching what's happened to my city over the last couple of weeks. As many of you will know, Christchurch suffered a 7.1 magnitude earthquake just over two weeks ago. And we've had over 700 aftershocks so far. Some of you will remember a decade or so ago my describing how God gave me my house and gave me all the details I asked for. I didn't ask at the time, but God knew I needed an earthquake-proof house and He added that in the mix. I never even had a power cut and I've not been able to find a crack in the fabric of the building.
Reminds me of the house we lived in on the hillside in India called Aotearoa, which was built on a rock and weathered the severe storms of the monsoon, without any landslides, unlike many of our neighbours.
Do you remember the parable of the two men; one built his house on the rock, one on sand. When we have a crunch time like this we discover what our life is built on.
Much love to all of you. I’ve known some for a life time, some for only a short time. And thank you to all of you who have been so kind to me over the years, and the last few months.
Elizabeth
From Raj Isar:
Yudhishthir (Raj) Isar continues his mix of international academic and public speaking activities from his base in Paris, France; the 4th volume, entitled 'Cultural Expression, Creativity and Innovation', in his co-edited series ('Cultures and Globalization') was published by SAGE in March. His wife Galia is currently Director of the Division of Cultural Expressions and Creative Industries at UNESCO. Their son Edouard Lalit this year completed a combined Masters in 'Global Media and Communication' at the London School of Economics and the University of Southern California.
Dear Cate,
Thanks for forwarding the info re Nancy Conrad and Dan Terry. That just confirmed what I suspected about Dan as our news did not list those killed in Afghanistan until several days later and when I saw Dan's name I couldn't remember if that was where he had been working so we went on the internet and confirmed it. What a sad time for the family, they will all be in our prayers along with the Conrad family. I'm also wondering if you have any updates on Pixie, I've thought a lot about her lately, I was just hoping that no news was good news. Our news has not changed drastically since Jan. when I wrote for this years Quad except that my mom, June Sergeant, continues to decline. Her Alzhiemer's is now considered severe and just two weeks ago hospice was brought in. It's hard to see her like this but most of the time she seems happy however, she talks very little but does still recognize the family and friends. Sarah will graduate in Dec. with a B.S. in Sports Management, she continues to work part-time in a P.T. clinic and will try again to get into a P.T. assistant program. Stephanie is in her second year of nursing school with the OU program, she will grad. in May 2011 with her BSN-RN. Steve continues with Red Cross although some changes will take place next year with the Military Emergency Call Centers but it looks like it will not affect his position or require a move for us. I continue to stay busy with home, church choir and Bible Study, Mary Kay and going back to Nebraska every couple months to help my sister, Sandy with my mom's care. I would love to see everyone next year but with all the uncertainties in our family I'll just have to wait and see. Colorado is always a preferred choice for me as it is not so far and I still have lots of family there.
Thanks again for keeping us posted, have a good safe move back from India.
From Helke Wolff Ferrie:
Helke (Wolff) Ferrie ('66) published this year a textbook in collaboration with various researchers and clinicians on the diagnosis, treatment, epidemiology, politics, and history on Lyme Disease in North America (Ending Denial is available through www.kospublishing.com). Helke and her husband Robert (a medical doctor and psychotherapist specializing on post-traumatic stress disorder) have started preparations for their move to Manitoulin Island in northern Ontario to open a practice in spring 2011; in that northern area there is a disproportionately large number of war veterans with PTSD yet, almost no mental health services. Their daughter Bronwen (Brar) Ferrie ('89) is teaching piano at the Doon School and working for MGVS in Mussoorie. Bronwen's daughter – and Helke's and Robert's granddaughter - Ysolt Brar was supposed to graduate in 2011, but did so a year ahead of schedule with an A-overall average, returning to Canada in May; she was admitted to the Ontario College of Art and Design and is sharing an apartment in Toronto with her older sister (18) Miranda, who attended Woodstock in kindergarten; Miranda also starts at the University of Toronto this year, having been accepted in the pre-meds life sciences program. The youngest sister, Malhar, began Grade 9 at Woodstock. Helke’s son Bryce Ferrie (’92) obtained a teaching certificate from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and in January became engaged to Parul Sanduja, who has almost completed her training in homeopathy.
Since I sent my e-mail (below) to you on August 30, Bryce got a job at private highschool which he very much wanted and is now thrilled to work at. This update better stay in place till next year!
Cheers, Helke
From Miriam Haqq Prabahkar:
Dear Cate,
For some reason I am not able to open the attachment as it is a newer version of Excel. If possible could you send it in the older version?
I was in the US for July 2010 as my youngest son, Stephen was married to Monica in Huntsville, Alabama. They are now in Fort Wayne, Indiana where Stephen works and Monica will be going to school, probably at Indiana University. This is the last marriage in my family. My father turned 90 and all of the siblings met together in Minnesota. We all were able to get together after 10 years!! I am now back in India again.
With many thanks to you Cate for all that you do to keep everyone updated. Have a safe trip back to the US.
With love and prayers,
Miriam
From Linda Gamble McKendry:
Hi Cathy (Cate!) Yes, you can delete the todaysdisplays.com as I closed down the company July 2009. Managing and administering my senior parents' care is full time work and I have to be on hand for any driving, even though we have a full time live in foreign worker from Philipines. We've had two medical crisis in the last two years where we almost lost Dad after septic shock following very successful surgery to remove a tumor in his large intestine. That was three months in the hospital and many miracles with full recovery except for an ileostomy bag which is fine!
Mom almost died of pneumonia this July and we were ready to call in palliative care until we remembered that she LOVES lemon merangue pie... and that turned her appetite around so she started to eat again which strengthened her. We now have a saying in our family, "Be careful what you pray for!" God is good and our prayers were answered.
We are planning a train trip in the famous Dome Car across the rockies from Calgary to Vancouver in October which they are looking forward to. The great thing is that our nurse and I get to go for FREE because we are the medically recommended caregivers for Mom (90) and Dad (88)!
I took in a senior boarder to fill an empty room, increase our revenue, and provide the same service to someone else since we are already doing it for Mom and Dad. Joe has been a God send and is strong enough to care for the yard, do some of the chores around the house and loves to do little handy-man fix-its.
Since the house I rented for Mom and Dad is right across from the Community School where my grand children attend, and since my daughter who lives a couple of blocks down went back to school and now to work, we are also doing after school care. This has a lot of advantages, in addition to the extra revenue, we have four generations under our roof every day of the week! We took on another little boy too and he rounds out the mix with kids to play with.
Jim and I bought a 75 acre farm near Edmonton, four hours drive from Calgary where we still live. Jim parks our 48' 5th wheel trailer there for the summer and is steadily fixing up the place after many years of neglect. So he is gone most of the time.
I spend my 'extra' time taking on a few retail merchandising projects from time to time and am on the board of CAP, Canadian Artists for the Poor where we promote artists with various events and use the proceeds to help organizations that need funds for Water, Medical, Education, & Opportunity. The City of Calgary gives us three blocks on 8th Avene, a cobblestone street mostly blocked off to traffic and we have an anual Art Walk which is fun and profitable.
It's great to keep in touch through Cate and even though a lot of our news involves the passing of our parents, siblings, or spouses as we are journeying through this life, we still have so much of life left to enjoy and hopefully do some of the things we dreamed of in Woodstock!
Cathy... you can edit this any way you want to fit into the news...
Obviously I prefer to have our reunion in the West... but I know that is a LONG ways for you guys to come... google Canmore, Alberta, Canada, which is just outside the Banff National Park and see if that offers anything suitable... it's certainly the right terrain for our mountain retreat... we'd have to investigate the costs and availablility, etc. but sooner is better than later.
Love 'n Prayers... Linda
From Maric McKelvey Olsen
Hi Cate,
I am pleased to announce a new grandchild born the 26th of July. Miranda F. Olsen. I will be visiting her in New York in
Oct. It will be wonderful to see my grandson Ulysses again, who will be 3 in Nov.
I am still painting and hope to have a web-sight up and running this next year.
We all need to pray for those families who lost loved ones this year. Some, too young.
My best to all, Marcia McKelvey Olsen.
From Margaret Colling Wicks:
Your job in India sounds like fun. I am retired from school teaching but still have my local political job. We live right outside of Binghamton, New York. If you are in the area please come and visit.Thanks for doing all the mailings and everything. Love, Margaret
From David Rugh:
Dave Rugh retired from NOAA after 34 years of research on Alaska's whales, including over 50 field projects, mostly in the Arctic. Dave and Ruthe have built a home on the Olympic Peninsula where most of their retired years will be spent.
From Philip Spottswood:
Dear CHPEBUH Family,
It doesn't seem possible that we graduated 40 years ago, though our aches and pains give proof that many years have passed! My wife Michele and I live with our two youngest children (we have 5 but three have left the nest and started their own); Samual will be 18 in December and Noah is 16. We live in Dayton, Indiana, a small town that is a bedroom community for Lafayette, Indiana. I am semi-retired and am developing a company (www.carefamilyllc.com) that will provide low-cost housing for special-needs adult populations. Michele is finishing nursing school next summer and will become the bread-winner while I keep the home fires going and build my company. We have had a blessed life and wish only God's blessings for all of you. With fond memories, Phil Spottswood
From Don Camp:
Cate, thanks for keeping this going. Here's my update
I retired from the Foreign Service in December 2009, but I can't seem to break the cord. The State Department sent me to Kathmandu for three months this spring to fill a short-term vacancy at the embassy -- that was an awesome gig. After a leisurely summer in Washington (and an opportunity to meet Woodstock's new principal), I've just moved to New York for the fall to work at the US mission to the United Nations. I'm the "senior advisor for South Asia" which means I spend my time with the delegations from that part of the world. Only downside is that the family is in Washington, where my daughter is still in high school. She graduates next year. Does anyone have any recommendation for any fine arts schools with good photography programs?
Don Camp
From Claire Blickenstaff Beery:
Hi Cate,
Sorry. Somehow I missed your first request. Here’s my update:
I’m thoroughly enjoying my new stage of life as a grandmother. Matilda (Tillie) Rose is 15 months old and lives with her parents (my daughter Mira and son-in-law Greg) in Jacksonville, FL where Greg is a history professor. Too far away for regular play dates, but Skype keeps us connected. Mira (36) will have her first book of poetry published in 2011 by Kent State Press. Oldest daughter Willow (38) has received national praise for her ground-breaking work (sorry for the pun) in the urban farming movement. Check out City Slicker Farms online. Her book on urban farming is due out from Penguin in 2012. Zoe (20) is a junior at San Francisco State University studying history. She continues her dancing and journalism online about the “Indie” music scene. My two jobs continue: teaching child development at Santa Rosa Junior College and directing the programs for children and parents at Jewish Family and Children’s Services. On the side is my little jazz combo and my knitting projects. Life is full and fun.
Here’s a photo of me and Tillie.
Love, Claire
From Warren Rees:
Cate,
I’m recovering nicely from my heart attack just before Thanksgiving last year. I finished cardiac-rehab in May and the doctor gave me a life-sentence of working out in the gym. I walk briskly for about 20 minutes and then work out on weights for about 45 to 60 minutes. He also condemned me to eating fish, chicken, and turkey. I told him that I don’t like fish so he told me to eat chicken and turkey. I can’t even eat pork “the other white meat!” Beef was always my favorite, and I miss my roast beef. I told my kids that I couldn’t eat roast beef, and sympathy was the last thing from their mind when they asked, “But you can still cook it for us, right?” (When we have family dinners I cook very lean roast beef, in potatoes, onions, and baby carrots. I add garlic, and bay leaves, after rubbing the meat with Montreal steak seasoning. Serve with saffron rice.
Love to all, Warren
From Karen Smyres Wolner:
The biggest event for us this year was a lovely family reunion. Under the effects of Alzheimer's, my mother is beginning to forget who all of us are so we hurriedly arranged a weekend when all 23 of us (number 24 was born 4 days later) could enjoy some time together. The 4 children of Bob and Mary Smyres, two in-law children, 6 grandchildren , 5 grandchildren spouses and 4 great-grandchildren gathered at a lake in New York. We came from Thailand, Kansas, Virginia, Florida, Ohio, DC, and New York. It was a wonderful but bittersweet 3 days.
John and I continue to enjoy our retirement. Son Jason and wife have just purchased a home and daugther Kim and husband have moved to DC, making it much easier to visit than Atlanta. We feel immense gratitude every day for family, friends and all the uncountable blessings that we enjoy.
Karen
From Harishwar “Deepak” Dayal
Dear All,
The sheer magic of Woodstock! Despite the decades that have rolled by since we were together as a class - there remains a wonderful bond of spirit. I have not met most of you since 1963 when I left school but there is always a soft, beautiful fragrance of remembrance.
Phil, Ruth, Linda, Arun are some of the classmates I have greatly enjoyed meeting over the years, albeit briefly. Cate, who is virtually a neighbor in New Delhi, has been amazing. With her dedication, loyalty, love and sincerity, she has surely fanned the flame of the spirit to keep it burning! We meet, Jack, Cate and I, not as often as we would like to, but whenever we do, it is quality time!
My home for the past 40 years has been the Arpana Ashram at Madhuban, Karnal, Haryana and attached above is briefly a bit of what I have been wholly engrossed in and by Divine Grace, wonderfully happy and deeply fulfilled. I thought I would share this with all of you with whom those exceptional, formative years of life have been lived.
Whenever any of you are in Delhi, please do get in touch so that we can get together.
God bless and with love,
Harishwar Dayal (Deepak)
E/22, Defence Colony,
New Delhi – 110024
Mobile: 91 11 9818600644
Email: harishwar.dayal@gmail.com or aum.arpana@gmail.com
From Suzy McCulloch Friedricks:
Hope all is well with you. Richard and I meant to send you our family news, but time just gets away from us. Guess we'll fill everyone in next year. Grandchildren is our big news. All 3 of our kids have just had or are expecting babies this school year. Our middle son, Ethan, and his wife, Jody just had baby number 2, a boy, Kai, born Sept. 13. David and Stacey are expecting a girl (baby number 3) in November and Elizabeth and Chris are expecting their first child in March. We'd love to find a way to live in the States, but can't give up what we have here in Hong Kong just yet. The catch 22 is that we have to say we aren't returning to our jobs here in November and schools in the US don't hire until the spring generally. And, sadly, it seems that we're thought to be too old to hire, anyway!
From Frances Hilliard Dawson:
Dear Cate,
Since the news of Dan Terry's death and then Pixie's e-mail, I have found it difficult to just celebrate the every day ordinariness of my life. Dan's story has opened some interesting doors. But that is for another day.
You can use the following if it is not too late:
I seem to have a assumed a peripatetic life style this year. Michael is working in Colorado Springs and in May I was invited to the change of Command at NORAD. Since then I have visited my mother, Ruth Graham Hilliard (staff and class of '40) four times and my daughter in Calgary once. I will be visiting everyone again in the fall. At the same time I keep the home fires burning in Ottawa and attend to my volunteer commitments, friends and have fun along the way.
Affectionately,
Frances
From Elizabeth Roxburgh:
This has been a year of ups and downs. The biggest highlight was going to sing Mahler's 8th Symphony ("the Symphony of a thousand") with Christchurch City Choir, Wellington Orpheus Choir, NZ Youth Choir, Tower Voices NZ and others including a children's choir from Wellington schools, and the NZ Symphony Orchestra, all under the baton of Vladimir Ashkenazy, as the opening concert for the Wellington Festival of the Arts in February. I really enjoyed this, and catching up with friends when we went to Wellington.
The next big thing on my horizon was not so exciting. After very few symptoms, I wound up in Christchurch Women’s Hospital in mid March and had a hysterectomy for cancer. As we all know Elizabeth likes to be different, so instead of the usual endometrial uterine cancer, I had something more rare, called a leiomyosarcoma, which is a fast-acting aggressive tumour with a short prognosis, and with pulmonary secondaries. My op was successful, and no problems with healing up. But the secondaries continue. I had two doses of chemotherapy but unfortunately, although I was blessed with none of the nasty side-effects like nausea, I also had none of the useful side-effects either (apart from losing my hair). The secondaries are widespread in my lungs so they can't be treated by radiotherapy, and I was told to make the most of life while I could.
I took a couple of weeks’ holiday in Auckland visiting Rabbit's friends and relations, and then moved on to Australia for another couple of weeks with more. I intended to visit the South Island rellies, especially in Nelson end of this month. But time has run out on me.
I started passing the word among the immediate family from the start and widening the circle by word of mouth. But I realize I have missed out some completely. So this is going to come as a shock to many of you. My apologies for its coming like a bolt out of the blue so late. I'm still coming to terms with it myself, though God has helped.
The day after I received the bad news of my short prognosis the reading set out for the day in Scripture Union notes (which would have been planned several years in advance) was Philippians 1:12-26, where Paul says, "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain. And basically I don't know which to ask for; because I know that God is in control in all situations" (Elizabeth's translation). I believe in a God who works miracles, but I believe it is His prerogative to choose, and I trust Him.
The hardest part in the last few weeks has been not being able to sing in the City Choir because of the breathing difficulties. But also I've had the miracle of watching what's happened to my city over the last couple of weeks. As many of you will know, Christchurch suffered a 7.1 magnitude earthquake just over two weeks ago. And we've had over 700 aftershocks so far. Some of you will remember a decade or so ago my describing how God gave me my house and gave me all the details I asked for. I didn't ask at the time, but God knew I needed an earthquake-proof house and He added that in the mix. I never even had a power cut and I've not been able to find a crack in the fabric of the building.
Reminds me of the house we lived in on the hillside in India called Aotearoa, which was built on a rock and weathered the severe storms of the monsoon, without any landslides, unlike many of our neighbours.
Do you remember the parable of the two men; one built his house on the rock, one on sand. When we have a crunch time like this we discover what our life is built on.
Much love to all of you. I’ve known some for a life time, some for only a short time. And thank you to all of you who have been so kind to me over the years, and the last few months.
Elizabeth
From Raj Isar:
Yudhishthir (Raj) Isar continues his mix of international academic and public speaking activities from his base in Paris, France; the 4th volume, entitled 'Cultural Expression, Creativity and Innovation', in his co-edited series ('Cultures and Globalization') was published by SAGE in March. His wife Galia is currently Director of the Division of Cultural Expressions and Creative Industries at UNESCO. Their son Edouard Lalit this year completed a combined Masters in 'Global Media and Communication' at the London School of Economics and the University of Southern California.
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