class notes

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1956

Averill Geus
egeus@optonline.net

Gayle Bishop and Wally recently moved into retirement quarters at Querencia in Austin, TX.

There was great news from Barbara Marolla Roberts. A multigenerational novel she has worked on for about 20 years, in writing classes and on her own, was published recently. The Vineyard on Mulberry Street traces the dramatic story of an Italian American family from the 1890s through the 1970s. Of interest to our classmates are chapters 35–38, which recall our own years at Skidmore. Bobbie even provides the words to long-forgotten college songs such as “The Junior Blues.” Bobbie, who lives in Brewster, NY, was assistant director of graduate admissions at Pace College for 20 years. Currently a graduate advisor, she can’t quite bring herself to retire just yet. She attended the New York State Library Association’s annual convention at the City Center in Saratoga Springs in November.

On August 18, Stonington, CT, resident Sandy Linen Halsey hosted a luncheon for George and Judy Murdough Rollinson, Rosemary Gilman, and Harry Friedland, husband of the late Barbara Levine Friedland. Harry told the group about his trip to the Czech Republic in July. He has been working on a special memorial to Barbara: His backing and support resulted in a new edition of the Jewish prayer book for Liberal congregations in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The book is illustrated with drawings by artist Hugo Steiner-Prag, which were commissioned in 1938 but never used because of the Nazi invasion. Harry received a standing ovation at the dedication of the prayer book, held in a rebuilt synagogue in the city of Liberec. He said he was thrilled that he could do this for Barbara.

Marjorie Liss Hollinger lives at Hamilton Field, a converted Air Force base north of San Francisco, CA. Retired from public-health nursing for 15 years now, she swims and walks a lot. She is a docent for the Audubon Society, a weaver, and a member of her church choir. Her daughter is a wildlife biologist with the Redwoods Sciences Center in Humboldt County, and her son, a patent attorney for a computer company, lives near Marjorie in the Presidio.

Marg Hunt-Heinlein Martin lives in San Rafael, CA. She welcomes visitors from our class, so if you plan to be in the Bay Area, look her up.

In June Gracia Parkhill Dayton and husband Bruce enjoyed a reunion in Lexington, MA, with Ed and Sue Kelley Miller, Roily and Rosemary Monaco Faulkner, and Vic and Cathy Larrabee Carpenter. They agree that it’s exciting to know that Skidmore is such a “hot” school.

Claire LaBelle Stebbins and husband Roland celebrated their 50th anniversary for a week in Cape May, NJ, with 20 family members. They then took another week for themselves and toured Hawaii, with time out for lots of golf. The Stebbinses are delighted that they finally have a granddaughter at Skidmore. Freshman Leslie Stebbins ’12 was recruited for the basketball team. Claire is looking forward to many games and is happy and excited for her.

Mimi Seltzer Potts is happily living in Lake Worth, FL. Remarried almost 14 years ago to Russ, Mimi has three daughters, a stepdaughter, and five grandchildren. She would love to hear from former dormmates. Mimi’s husband is an avid hunter, and his interest has taken them to Africa and Canada. In September they toured British Columbia. Back at home, Mimiknits and sells baby-carriage blankets.

George and Judy Murdough Rollinson headed south for Vero Beach, FL, in October. During their summer in Rhode Island, they saw Amy Celotto Mongillo and had dinner with Cele Druss Mark and her husband, Arthur. Judy’s family welcomed a new member, a schnorkie (schnauzer-Yorkshire terrier mix) that she adopted from the local Humane Society. Judy visited Skidmore last June to attend a middle-school moving-up ceremony for granddaughter Samantha, daughter of son Tim Clemmey ’90 and wife Sharon.

Olive Tibolt Mullen and husband Jim visited Arthur and Cele Mark at their condo in Narragansett, RI. They enjoyed the daily concerts at the Newport Music Festival. Olive is delighted to join the ranks of grandmothers. Her 46-year-old daughter recently had a baby girl. Over the summer Olive gave her 50th annual piano recital.

Ruth Waldman Levin and her husband live in a small town in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. A retired librarian, she enjoys visiting family and friends. Although she loves the Florida sunshine, she occasionally still misses New York.

We were saddened to learn of the death of Tony Halsey, husband of Sandy Linen Halsey, early this summer. He was a dynamic community leader and closely associated with Skidmore, not only through Sandy but also through their children.

Edwin and I celebrated summer this year with a getaway trip to Waldeboro, ME. It was a relief to escape from the “chicness” of high summer in the Hamptons. We returned in time to enjoy our local Skidmore annual luncheon.