‘Formula’ for Success

Elizabeth Townsend Dearstyne
14 Durgins Way
Hollis, NH 03049
edearstyne@aon.at
AAG’58: CAROL BARNET FUCHS gets the
prize as first responder and writes: “Still enjoying
the music, museums, theater and proximity to
grandchildren (not necessarily in that order!) in
Philadelphia. We will be spending most of the
summer in New Hampshire again. This is the
10th year of SEAD.”
SUSAN McKENZIE WOLK tells us that she is
“pretty hunkered down up here in Williamstown. I
know Faith isn't interested in family news, but my
life is not as full of incident as hers, so here goes:
My oldest child, Nan (Susannah) is getting married
soon and having a baby in early June. I am very
excited for her and I can’t wait to see grandchild
number four.”
EMMA STEIN HOUSMAN writes: “I’m fast on
my way to becoming the bionic woman. Back
surgery last March, total hip in August and a total
knee scheduled in February. Then hopefully the
mechanical problems will be over and we can get
back to having some fun.”
JOANIE PARRY BAIM says that she is “surviving
the year with enjoyment but without anything
exciting to report! I love to go to my grandson’s
hockey games, some of which are at the rink at The
Albany Academy. My sister, Cathie, is coming to stay
while she has her 50th Reunion. I hope it will be as
much fun as ours was! My mom is 94 and says hi to
all she knew at Albany Academy for Girls.”
ELLEN STEIN NEWELL reminds me of the
shortest poem ever (which is entitled “On the
Antiquity of Microbes” and is “Adam had’em” –
remember that?) Ellen wrote: “Good news: no news!”
Are we surprised that FAITH PULLIAM
FOGARTY writes: “Okay, Tock, you deserve at
least one sentence for all your effort! My sentence
would be (turned out to be sentences): I spent
some time in February in Guatemala and Mexico,
and am feeling a bit out in the ozone. I am not
sure if I want to ever stay in one place again or
not, since traveling is all I really feel like doing. Yet I
don’t feel I’m being productive with my peripatetic
life style. I definitely have the hobo gene, so I’m not
sure how this will end up. I’ll look to 2011 for some
resolution of my dilemma. If I wait long enough, old
age and decrepitude will relieve me from having to
make a decision... or the U.S. economy!”
SUE BUCKNER HURD makes my life look
terribly mundane. She deserves The Citizen’s
Award: “My life is busy but wonderful. KELSEY ’10
graduated in June from AAG so I was down there
for that. I still have fun going to activities. My
granddaughter, Brianna ’15, was on the Middle
School basketball team. It was great to watch the
progress that they made. By the end of the season,
they could hold their own against some tough
teams. She had me out practicing shots with her in
18-degree weather. At least I could use the cold as
an excuse. I’m still working with Burmese refugees
teaching English, trying to get their children into
preschool programs, helping them get to doctor’s
appointments, etc. They are wonderful people
whose smiles and laughter brighten my day. This
time of year, the rescue mission in Albany is
overwhelmed by the homeless trying to get a
warm place to stay. We usually serve about 90 at
night but have been feeding 120. When I work
there, I receive more than I give. It is heartwarming
to see someone turn their life around. That takes
an immense amount of courage and humbles me. I
send my love to everyone. Our reunion was lots
of fun thanks to all of you who put so much effort
into it.”
JUDY LAUNSBACK LEWIS writes that “Chuck
and I sold our Naples, FL home and moved back
to cold Cape Cod in February. However, we may
be building a new home in the Venice, FL area that
would be ready next fall. Chuck thinks that he can
work in the Venice Morgan Stanley office.”
MIDGE COPELAND TRIVERS: “We are looking
forward to our daughter, Katrina’s, wedding on
October 8, 2010 in Decatur, GA. She has her Ph.D.
in Public Health and is working in research at CDC
in Atlanta. Our son,Geoff, and Colleen adopted a
beautiful girl from China – Amelia. While vacationing
on Marco Island, FL last winter, we dined with
JUDY LEWIS and had lunch with NANCY FRASER
MCEWAN and BETSY GAMMACK CAPPELLETTI.
LISA SHULTZ LUCAS lets us know that from
Ely Nevada her one sentence news is “no news.”
Doesn’t this sound just like good ole KIRSTEN
WALDBILLIG CHRISTIANSON?: “We are packing
to go up to northern Michigan to ski. Up near
Lake Superior where there are “mountains.” We
will be skiing telemark, which we both love. Carl
is a beautiful skier. I have been out on my crosscountry
skis almost every day going out of town
tight from our house where I can just jump on the
river. The snow is great, the light begins to fade and
I skied into the sunset yesterday, then out on my
headlamp and continued. The stars were so bright,
and two weekends ago we saw a spectacular
display of Northern Lights! The grandchildren are
more and more our focus. We love to sail with
them in the summer. They are such good sailors
and sit on the front of the boat to catch a wave on
their bare feet. Then we stop and they jump off the
boat and we all swim. I am teaching preschoolers
art right now. I love these little children! When I
arrive, they come running down the hall calling
“Kirsten, Kirsten, what are we doing today?” For
now, my one sentence is: “the house that we are
building in Bregenz, Austria will be finished in the
fall and we will move in January 2011, allowing us
far more time over there than here.” As Carol says:
Happy 70th birthday to all of us! I still “picture”
myself playing field hockey, smashing softballs into
the windows of the doctor’s office next to 155
Washington Avenue (and then having to go and
get them), and climbing ropes and vaulting over
the horse in the gym. That won’t be happening
again but I do love the memories.”
1959
Eric Moore
4110 Mel Smith Road
New Albany, IN 47150
Eric.Moore@pcusa.org
AA’59: It’s great to report I finally located our
classmate DON LORD (formerly DON NOORD)
living and working in the greater Sacramento, CA
area. He shared with me that he is divorced, has
one daughter, and is currently the owner of a
business called America’s Marketing. He earned
Master of Arts degree in Counseling from San
Francisco State University and a Ph.D. in Psychology
from CSPP, San Francisco. For almost 25 years, he
taught psychology courses and led workshops at
colleges and universities on the west coast. He
decided to change the spelling of his last name
shortly after his parents died. He is glad to be back
in the loop and wishes everyone his best.
I had a nice note from CHILLY FORESMAN.
Now retired, he and Marcia share their time
between Cape Cod, MA and Vero Beach, FL. He
expressed interest in attending our next reunion
(STEVE, take note).
I also heard from JAY FRANK. He and his
wife, Cathy, have two sons, both involved in the
computer technology business. Jay and Cathy
have one granddaughter, now 15 years old. Jay is a
licensed pharmacist, has taught nearly all of the
high school sciences and practiced psychology.
He is now retired.
STU JONES reports that he is working harder
than ever and earning half as much. The whole
Jones family enjoyed a week long “Caribbean
Christmas” this past holiday season. Stu reports that
DOUG NORTH ’58 is doing a great job serving as
Head of School of The Albany Academies.
Enrollment is up and fundraising is growing.
I’m still looking for classmate JEFF HARRIS. Any
help finding him would be appreciated. It’s always
good to hear from you. Send me notes and stories
that you don’t mind sharing with the Academy
family. My sincere thanks to those who already have.
Pam Morgan Marvin
105 Brightonwood Road
Glenmont, NY 12077
Seagull61@verizon.net
AAG’59: DORIS SHULMAN ALPART: Married
nearly 50 years, she and Alan spend time with their
grandchildren in Florida. They have also visited
England and Hawaii and have been to the Caribbean
several times. Doris still manages to find time for
gardening, cooking, needle work and music!
When not at home in Voorheesville, ELIZABETH
ELLIS BATES and her husband, Milt (retired), visit
their daughter and grandchildren in Naples, FL and
their youngest son and family in Maine. Their oldest
son lives in Voorheesville. They spend summers at
Warner’s Lake in the red cottage, which was the site
of AAG’s Bacon Bat during our senior year! Betsy is
an avid reader and enjoys playing cards.
Retired now by default (employer closed up shop),
TERRI BRONNER is learning about preventive and
body-mind medicine and yogic meditation. Never
one to exercise, Terri has joined a gym. Stress is
lower; peace higher. A number of social groups,
getting together with friends (including Carole
Rosenblum and Pam Marvin), tending to family
matters plus a small bit of volunteer work round
out the routine.
PAM MORGAN MARVIN volunteers at her
church and AAG. She also enjoys her grandson,
Luka; attending movies; spending time with friends;
and photography. She especially wants to thank
the AAG Class of 1959 for its support of the
Academies and attendance at our 50th Reunion!
CAROLE SOLOMON ROSENBLUM is a
self-employed consultant for business development,
operating her own company, Albany-based CSR
Associates. She created and maintains a year-round
habitat for wildlife in her backyard and cultivates
many perennial gardens. Most of all, she values family
and friendships and is dedicated to maintaining
resiliency and sense of purpose through “life’s
eventful journey.”
Spring/Summer 2010 21