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1959

Carolyn Brown Straker
Momstraker@aol.com

Seventy-six of us celebrated the best reunion ever! Sporting yellow-and-white butterfly umbrellas and plumed hats, we strutted proudly, thankful to Evie Zoda Shippee and her hard-working and creative committee. Evie was honored with a service award from President Glotzbach—who, by the way, borrowed and placed upon his head one of our plumed hats for the presentation! Cheers and applause were abundant. We really looked and felt both cute and young. Many of us received enthusiastic letters of thanks from classmates; some are excerpted here.

Jan Beinetti Thurling wrote to Evie, “What a fabulous reunion! You and your committee demonstrated that ‘creative thought matters.’ I am proud to be one of the Golden Girls.”

Nonnye Landers Wheeler writes, “I was glad to hear about our reunion gift and glad to contribute. Congratulations on a job well done!” (The gift was the largest in total dollars raised by any reunion class in the history of Skidmore College.)

“It was spectacular, memorable, and so much fun!” wrote Nancy Rae Scully.

Ellen Stewart “loved the Lake George trip.” Just a reminder that Ellen wants you to call or e-mail her with your birthday: 303-772-8446 or ewstewart@earthlink.net.

Janet Hansen wrote to Evie, simply, “Your kindness is greatly appreciated.”

All the way from Paris, France, came Anne-Marie Philippe DeTourbet and her husband, Francis. Anne-Marie writes, “It took us two days to recover from jet lag and night flight, but we made it safely.” They appreciated our 50th, including the “wonderful warm welcome from everyone, great events planned by a top team, stirring recognition ceremony, and well deserved awards. In a way, for the two of us it was discovering an American tradition, and we felt privileged to be invited to participate. Reconnecting with old friends has been a real joy, and we also hope to develop new ties and make new friends.”

Roz Sutton Oesterle especially recognized Ro Schainman Halper for “making sure the artists submitted work in time and our class had a substantial space for our display, overseeing our umbrella production, and painting the lovely butterfly cover for our reunion booklet.” Roz also cited Maryann Bruno McCrea, who “relentlessly sought out class photos and memorabilia of our days at Skidmore and put together a fascinating and comprehensive display for all of us to enjoy.”

Barbara Huge Homeier wrote, “I was impressed with the inspiration, sentiment, and artistic work toward our butterfly motif, not to mention the fine historical booklet.”

And a special thanks to Sue Kettering Williamson, who has helped educate so many young people through her extraordinary financial generosity.

A July visit between Sue Jorgensen Clark and Maryann Bruno McCrea resulted in a mini-reunion of about 20 of us at a restaurant in Westchester. Cindy Magriel Wetzler, who was unable to attend our 50th (her daughter was married that weekend), was among the attendees.

This autumn Evie Zoda Shippee, Syl Smalley Chapman, Susie Gosch Martineau, Beth Oliver Linguri, and spouses took a trip together to Italy.