Skidmore College - Scope Magazine Fall 2018

35 SKIDMORE COLLEGE Las Vegas and Zion with her son Caleb’s family, and her New England granddaugh- ters keep her busy with the- atrical, band and cheerlead- ing events. As always, she doesn’t aspire to a career in charity work: “I’m just focused on being a good mom, grand- ma and neighbor.” Debby and husband David ran into Jill Ayers Gilbert and John at the colorful July 4 parade in Wardsboro, Vt., a favorite occasion for her family. Eleanor Schmidt Schweigaard-Olsen and her husband Bert cruised from Miami to Barcelona, then traveled around Spain via high-speed train. A highlight was the recently opened Sorolla Museum in Madrid. They cruised to Lima, Peru, in January. While they were away, kind neighbors cared for Chester, their 18-pound Maine coon cat! Ellie and Bert enjoy water aerobics, pickleball and lots of music at the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina, where they spend summers. Ellen VanDusen Guthrie is still working three days a week for the Louisville, Ky., chapter of Habitat for Human- ity, building houses and being an advocate for the home- buyers — very gratifying work. She misses her deceased husband but is playing a little golf and making new friends. Joyce Jacobs Grand has finished editing her books Margaret: From Newton to Nerja and Moving Forward . She is speaking at several book clubs this fall. Septem- ber plans include visiting her older son, Steve, and his wife and son in the Netherlands. A grandson is there for soc- cer coaching and enjoys the international baccalaureate program at the International School. Mary Anita Hoff Fallon lunched with Elaine Perl- man Cohen and Aaron at Gulfstream Park racetrack in March. MA hosted the annual Skidmore luncheon at Devon Yacht Club, noting that it is “always special.” Peggy Hiller Harris cannot believe most of us are turning 80 this year. “Luckily I’m still in good health and stay active in many civic organizations,” she says. Her travel is limited since her husband is unable to go with her. They enjoy at- tending their two grandsons’ school activities in Savannah, where their families live. Penny Miller Hansen reports the loss of her wonderful husband of 48 years, Brock, in March. She says, “I know that many classmates are also dealing with the double challenge of losing a beloved partner and learning how to live alone.” She has been revising the eight-week class she teaches each semester at American University’s lifelong-learning institute. It’s called Today’s Supreme Court: A Class for Citizens. “The students are very bright,” she says, “and the subject is very relevant — particularly this year.” Sandy Blair Ohanian enjoys living in a retirement commu- nity in Florida and participat- ing in its many activities. She volunteers as a docent at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida every week. In May, she went on a great three- week tour of northern Italy with Overseas Adventure Travel. Suzanne Denby Pelton celebrated her 80th birthday in June with a delightful luncheon for her family and lots of friends. I attended and was pleased to see Becky Martin Watson and husband Al, as well as Gail Moran Morton ’s widower David and wife Judy. Missing was Pam Crossley Faulkner , who had a datebook mishap (forgot to look). It happens. Jean Lowes Dignazio lost her long battle with cancer the evening of International Woman’s Day, March 8. As with many women, her main contribution was social support, especially for her husband and children. Marty Miller Spencer spencer.mam@gmail.com ’61 While in Michigan this summer, I attended one of my favorite events of season: a Sousa concert by the Northport Community Band. As I walked in, I hugged Ann PutnamMcGinnis , a regular usher at these events and a friend from freshman year. After we got to know each other in this special part of the world, she discovered that I was class secretary and we realized that we had both minored in music. Unfortunate- ly for us, Ann left to attend the University of Michigan, where she met her husband. We feel a special bond because of our shared experience in 1957–58. The Sousa concert was great, as always. Margaret Howe-Sope r says her life is “full, interesting and happy.” Skeet is volunteering, reading, taking road trips and enjoying grandchildren. She sends her best to all. Linda Collier Kenerso n and I almost connected this spring during an art tour she took in Washington, D.C. Linda shared that Frances Malino was honored in May for her 30 years at Wellesley Col- lege, where she established the Jewish studies curricu- lum. The college’s Sophia Moses Robison Professor of Jewish Studies and His- tory, Linda spoke on “Jewish Voices: Muslim Lands.” An internationally recognized scholar, she has written eight books on Jewish communi- ties in France during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Westchester, Pa., resident Karen Devine Janney enjoys “a good life” with many activi- ties at her adult community. She participates in a book club and bridge club as well as strolling the beach and swimming in the pool. Karen has friends and family near- by, including her best friend, a daughter and son-in-law, and a sister and brother-in- law. Both grandchildren are in college; one will gradu- ate in 2019 with a degree in mechanical engineering. A travel lover, Karen’s most recent destinations include China, Turkey and Scotland. Fran Fenn Hofmeister ’s hus- band, Bill, fought leukemia for almost a year and a half, with a “roller coaster” series of hospitalizations.  In Febru- ary Fran became his full-time caretaker, and in March he lost his battle, surrounded by the entire family. Fortunately, he enjoyed some terrific times with them before he passed away. With the sup- port of her daughters and Bill’s kids, Fran is hanging in there. After tackling the taxes and probate issues with pro- fessional help this spring, she is beginning to see a small light at the end of the tunnel. Alice Chase Kaufman recently visited Waikiki, Hawaii. Over the past year, she had two stories published in Marin Magazine , spent a month in Nice, France, and visited Seattle and New Orleans. Alice volunteers for the Humane Society thrift shop in San Anselmo, Calif. (and usually spends about $20 there each time). She is also editor of the Friends of the Larkspur Library newsletter. Alice and Frank adopted a terrific dog named Rosie; all concerned are very pleased and in love! She speaks to Ellen Rein Goldin frequently but doesn’t see her nearly enough. Alice encour- ages classmates in the Bay Area to contact her: “Let’s get together.” Los Angeles resident Edna Simons Alvarez recently went to a piano festival on the Lofoten Islands off the coast of Norway. Last December Kirsten Holt and Mary Pierce Riney had lunch at the “famous” Chez Panisse in Berkeley, Calif., while Kirsten and husband David were visiting the area. “It was so much fun,” says Kirsten. They reminisced about last summer’s fun six- day reunion in Boston with Brenda Giombetti Darcey and Anna Jalar Jeanneau . Kirsten went on to visit son Kristian and his family, which includes 4- and 7-year-old grandkids, in western Mas- sachusetts. The East Coast trip also involved stops in Maine and Vermont. Back at home, Kirsten enjoys time with 9- and 14-year-old grand- daughters in Berkeley, where her daughter is a pediatrician, and with her 30-year-old horse Ginger, who amazes the family with her vitality. (My granddaughter Nora just started leasing a horse named Chocolate!) Kirstin is looking forward to a January trip to the Galapagos and Machu Picchu; she hopes it’s as much fun as the Skidmore alumni trip to India two years ago. Charlotte Smiley Read gig4smile@aol.com