Stu Anness: Sue and I are well keeping busy with family and home projects. We enjoyed short trips to Naples and Harbor Springs. Julia and Gregg DeSilvio met us for dinner during our last Florida vacation. Best wishes to all.
Jamie Barth: Rick Yorde '71, P '96 and I enjoyed a wonderful visit to Havana in February 2020, the last great holiday for this year. Our group of 10 was based in Old Havana, with tiny winding streets. We rode in old convertibles along the Malecon (a broad esplanade and sea wall) and met with Roberto "Chile" Lopez, Castro's personal videographer. We learned the original rhumba in Matanzas, enjoyed a rehearsal of a remarkable dance company in a crumbling former movie theatre, and delighted in the charm of the lovely Cuban people. It was a wonderful adventure!
Jim Breece: I continue to be active in the Asian Art market but more active relocating from Evanston, Illinois to Litchfield, Connecticut. Both children are avoiding Covid concentrations and living nearby in Kent and Bantam Lake.
Sandra Brown (Bothfeld): I hope that everyone is staying safe and sane still, and settling into our new norm. Surprisingly, we have been very busy with an active real estate market here while still being cautious. I spend half of my time helping seven of my nine grandkids who also live in Evanston with remote learning. My six year old granddaughter knows more about computer access than I do!
James Carson: I relocated from Chicago to Cincinnati in 2010 and am now enjoying the closer proximity of siblings Dave Carson '80 and The Rev. Mary C. Carson '86. Rather to my own surprise, I now reside in the independent living section of the Twin Towers retirement community. I repeated a trick that stood me in good stead in defending my PhD dissertation--namely, scheduling the move for Friday the 13th. It worked.
Edward Cohen: My Instagram is @drinkwinelearn. Our Motto: “You don’t learn, if you don’t drink”. It’s about wine appreciation. Drop in, say hi and we can scroll down memory lane together!
Molli Colwell: I am writing this on my last day of work. After 42 amazing years at KPMG LLP I am finally retiring. Since most of my planned travel has been limited by COVID-19, I'll be filling my days with ballroom dancing, gardening, cooking and baking, knitting and skiing (once we get some snow). Doesn't sound too bad.
Paul Conterato: My wife Debbie has just retired after 32 years with Ball Horticultural and looking forward to sleeping in. I'm still in insurance and not sure if I know how to retire. Our daughter is doing well with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and we have a 22 year old granddaughter in her 5th year at Michigan State in Civil Engineering, then into the Army. Our 19 year old granddaughter is a freshman at Michigan State studying music education, and will be part of their marching band whenever it resumes playing. And I've actually lost weight (on Purpose) during Covid lockdown.
Alice Fleming: We are overjoyed to welcome our first grandchild, Ruth Grace Cooper, born September 25, 2020, and named for my husband's mother who died earlier in the year. Our daughter, Kathryn Feder Cooper ’12, and her husband Alex are thoroughly enjoying parenthood. They live in Atlanta and we live in Connecticut, so we've had to do a lot of quarantining so we can see each other--all worth it! This happy occasion was a spur for Kenyon friends to share a Zoom call which included David Horvitz, Martha Blazer Smith, Julie Johnson '73, and Bob Zoller.
Jan Forsyth: As a first-time contributor to this forum, I suppose I have a lot of ground to make up. After leaving Kenyon I returned to the Washington, DC area and enrolled in law school. I retired two years ago from my active practice in civil litigation with the DC Superior Court (worked with Ulysses Hammond, ’73, for a brief time there) and Allstate Insurance. I am keeping busy with volunteer work for an immigration rights clinic and as the newly elected President of Accotinck Unitarian Universalist Church. I am keeping active in anti-oppression work and self education (reading Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer and An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz). I'm writing postcards this fall in an attempt to counter voter suppression efforts.
I hope and expect to continue to spend my summers in an inherited family home in Southern Alberta. I took advantage of my father's birth in Canada to become a dual citizen. A longer residence in Canada is looking increasingly attractive.
Todd Gordon: After spending much of my adult life working for a large media company, I began writing feature screenplays about ten years ago, with a particular focus on adapting unfairly obscure or forgotten novels. (They were the only ones I could afford the rights to.) More recently, I pivoted to short films to pursue more collaborative projects. “Pianoforte,” a short narrative film I wrote and produced, was released in 2018. “Old Hen,” a short I wrote and directed, is about a septuagenarian cross-dresser and is an official selection, this year, of ten film festivals and counting!
Wilder Gutterson: Wilder has embarked on a new career as a couples counsellor (or did I already report that – who the hell can remember these things?). I see a huge range of couples – from well-heeled to destitute, and I hope do a fairly good job of helping them on a path of self-discovery to move forward, or move on. Taking long bike rides and swims amid London lockdown, and even made it to Corfu for two weeks this summer. Britain has impending Brexit so we have our own version of global meltdown, pandemics, and mendacious politicians. Vaccine can’t come soon enough.
Carol Heiberger: We've been splitting our time between downtown Philadelphia and Morgantown, WV. Timing worked out so that we had a choice between a neighborhood of 40,000 or a small city of 25,000 when the initial lock down was imposed. We picked the small city and the trees and the river.
Ken Heick: So far surviving Covid in Great Falls, VA, near Washington DC. This has been an odd year, of course - spending much more time working at home. My daughters (2d and 3d year college) taking online courses and living here. Unfortunately I missed my 50 year high school reunion because of the inability to travel. I certainly hope to attend the Kenyon 50-year reunion in 2024! I have spoken with Mike Jachimczyk and he seems to be doing well. Still busy doing legal work - and learned about Zoom. I'd be delighted to hear from others about how they are handling their lives right now.
David Horvitz: As a long-time Trustee of the college, our work has never been more interesting or challenging than it has been for the past year. To keep this short let me just say this, I'm confident that we are in good hands with Sean Decatur and his senior staff. Our board is meeting every two weeks now and things change by the minute. The college is managing as well as or better than any of us could have imagined. I'm really proud to be a part of Kenyon.
Richard Irving: It's been a while since cramming for our Comps FINALS in my room at Farr Hall! If age related decline isn't in effect that was the last time I recall being within 6' of you. I trust you and your family are well and looking forward to the "new normal" post COVID 19 which was-the most extreme change in our basic freedoms I can remember.
I'm not really worried about the upcoming election as I have hope the American people will make the right choice, drama notwithstanding. Speaking of which my involvement in the furtherance of our mutual interests in Theatre has taken many turns but at least active ones till now. I am recently retired from 15 years with the City of LA specifically DWP during which I kept my hat in the ring doing commercials, industrials etc.
Prior to that I was doing mostly stage productions covering a wide genre from LA OPERA chorus to equity roles in musicals, contemporary plays and Shakespeare. While so engaged for 4 years I was in the USAF as an air controller near Syracuse NY. It's similar to ATC but with military aircraft.
Afterwards I received a full grant for an MFA in Performing Arts in the San Diego area in 1988 during which I was cast as understudy for Sondheim/Lapine Into the Woods which was preparing for Broadway at the Globe Theatre in San Diego. Alas, I stayed and finished my MFA and didn't join the cast.
In 1989 I moved to Los Angeles where I've been ever since. I'm in the process of selling my condo in DTLA and looking into the San Diego areas to relocate. "America's Finest City" has a lot to recommend it especially these days with its appealing "climate" in so many ways...
Clare Kendall: I am still living and working as a doctor in England and have been kept busy in general practice during Covid. We have moved over mainly to remote consultations. In the initial phase I did sessions in our local "hot hub" in Kent, wearing full PPE and assessing patients for Covid symptoms in their cars. Things have quieted down over the summer and the hub has now closed. With the current increase in rate of infections we are gearing up for winter and have put up a gazebo in the carpark for seeing symptomatic patients.
Our son Thomas was ordained a priest into the Catholic Church in July and has joined a parish in Guildford where we can view him over the livestream. Our younger son William is working for a charitable foundation in London and is also doing a part time degree in psychology.
Roger Medoff: I continue to live in Columbia, Maryland, and still work as an Assistant Attorney General at the Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources. My wife, Juliet, is a professor of psychiatric nursing at our local community college, and my daughters, aged 22 and 27, recently both graduated from their respective school programs; Maggie with a BA from Pitt (non-fiction writing and anthropology), and Olivia with a masters in mental health counseling from Johns Hopkins, and both girls are now each working in their respective fields.
Tim Newcomb: After taking first last year, I was pleased to come in second in the annual Association of Alternative Newsmedia awards for political cartooning, which covers newspapers across the U.S. and Canada. Sadly, the winnings weren't enough to score a snazzy new car from Porsche salesman Thad Toole...in fact, the winnings weren't even enough to buy a cup of coffee, but it was still a nice honor. In the meantime, I've been grateful to be riding out the COVID zombie apocalypse in the mountains of Vermont, and even happier to have our daughter Lydia VanDorn Newcomb '08 back in the state working as a criminal defense attorney.
Frank O'Donnell: All is fine here in Arlington, TN. I am enjoying my volunteer work for the American Legion. My wife Sandy, our son Brian, and our daughter Kristi, are all doing well. I am now working with the legion, to promote a national oratorical contest. This contest is designed for high school students, to give them an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the U.S. Constitution. Contestants will provide an oration on an aspect of the Constitution. In so doing, they will sharpen their speaking skills. We are encouraging local students to participate in this contest. On a separate subject, and on a nonpartisan note, I would like to encourage all of my classmates to head for the polls and vote for the candidate of their choice on November 3. This may be the most consequential election of our lifetime. I look forward to staying in touch with all of you.
Dennis Pannullo: The Covid lockdown proves ideal for writing fiction. I chose the genre I like least, the tragic dog story, and produced it in the least publishable format, the novella. As a short story or as a novel I am confident that it would be well received. Even though I may never see it shared with a grateful public, I found the experience personally gratifying.
David Pasahow: Like everyone I suspect, I’ll be delighted to see 2020 blend into the background. The Asian Flu combined with our every four year Silly Season has resulted in a toxic and confusing time for all. I remember when my Grandmother spoke of the Great Depression...I think this is our generations equivalent. Personally my wife Clair and I are fortunate to live in two rural communities...the Hill Country of Texas and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan...small towns with high speed internet and Amazon Prime are really quite livable. Professionally my consulting practice is winding down with two Board assignments providing sufficient intellectual challenge. Our ranch In Texas provides my physical outlet...no gym required. The herd of Hereford cattle and property always need attention...and you can do some quality thinking on a John Deere. I wish everyone the best as we navigate ourselves through these challenges.
Hal Real: At the beginning of the pandemic, Hal Real ‘74 co-founded NIVA-the National Independent Venue Association, creators of the #SaveOurStages movement. Hal says “If you believe in the importance of independent live music, comedy and performance venues in the USA, please support us - and all Kenyonites are invited to join us at World Cafe Live in Philly when we finally get to enjoy live music together again on the other side of this crisis!"
Martha Schulman: I was especially proud to be a graduate of Kenyon when I listened to a virtual talk by President Sean Decatur about what is happening at Kenyon. The campus approach to COVID appears to be sensible and safe. I was delighted to learn about the emphasis on training and dialogue for students, faculty and staff relating to antiracism and equity.
Despite the stress about COVID and racism in the world, our country, and Richmond, Virginia, where I live, I have found much to be grateful for during this time. My partner, George Puster, and I usually go on at least 2 month-long international trips each year. When we are home, our life is pleasantly hectic with our children, grandchildren, friends, volunteering and lots of classical music concerts. Now, we still have outdoor gatherings with family and friends but without the travel and the concerts, life is less hectic. We have discovered many wonderful places nearby to hike and kayak and we realize how beautiful Virginia is. We have also completed all of those home and yard projects which we had been putting off and more. We are grateful for the life we have and we hope that more Americans and people around the world will be able to feel the same way in the near future.
Janet Shuff (Bloss): I spend most days at 'Birdland'. That's my name for the 12 acres of forest, field and creek that Ron and I bought adjacent to our home. I plant trees, pull weeds, feed fish and turtles, listen to birdsong and try to avoid poison ivy, snakes and fire ants. Our daughter Suzanne has recently announced her engagement to a wonderful young man and we are delighted. Life is good.
Peter Smagorinsky: Peter Smagorinsky accepted a golden parachute and is retiring at the end of 2020 from his position at The University of Georgia, which is not to say he's retiring from the profession, only working from home and only with people he chooses to work with. He's also planning to get married in May, 2021 to Judy Johnson of Athens, GA.
Thad Toole: Yes, there is yet another Theodore Thaddeus Toole causing havoc and terrorizing the universe! TTT V (aka Theo) is 16 months of mini human tornado. There is nothing safe. He opens everything, throws it on the floor, and moves on. His cousin, Sullivan, is a sweet, petite, beautiful little girl. To say that she has stolen her grandfather’s heart is an understatement. Otherwise, my wife Becky and I just keep chillin’. We wonder just how all of this happened? I hope all is well with everyone.
Jack Trawick: Jack reports having translated a comparative religions major into a career in urban planning and neighborhood development in his home city of Louisville. There, he led the work of a non-profit community design center for thirty-three years, and continues to serve organizations developing affordable housing in historically disenfranchised neighborhoods and for persons with severe mental illness. Through what began as a professional collaboration, Jack met Patti Clare in 1983, with whom he has subsequently shared a life journey (joined by daughters Emma and Callie) that has grown ever richer by the day. From Kenyon, Jack remains grateful to the late Don Rogan, who somehow managed to guide a lost soul and sophomoric mind through difficult times, and who quietly encouraged a struggling student to risk the unconventional.
Kathy Widin (Dawson): Greg and I are still living in Minnesota, with our kids Joan (analytical chemist) and Peter (ecological landscape designer) nearby. Greg retired in 2013 from 3M Co. and Kathy in 2015 from her forestry consulting business. We've traveled to England and Ireland since retirement, luckily the last trip was in 2019 rather than 2020! I keep busy with quilting, environmental advocacy, gardening and native plants, and for Greg, home projects, metal working, several musical groups and Ham Radio fill his time. Joan and her husband had a son, Liam, in 2019, who is 15 months and ready to take on the world. Being a grand-parent, in this time of COVID-19 and Climate Change, is challenging, but we are very happy to be close enough to have some family time in spite of our changing world.
Doug Wilhelm: I’m still a self-employed writer in Middlebury, Vermont. My 17th book, Street of Storytellers, won three national prizes: the gold medal for young-adult fiction from the Independent Press Awards, the silver medal for teen fiction from the Benjamin Franklin Awards, and second place for all fiction from the IndieReader Awards, plus the gold medal for YA books from the Independent Publishers of New England.
