News that came with the dues

Marjorie Kenyon Salathe: "In July 2007 Bob and I took a wonderful week-long cruise on the Ontario Waterways aboard the Kawarthe Voyageur from Big Chute to Peterborough. We went with seven other couples ... from Hopkinton NH."

Ron Hill: "Early February 2008 -- The queston is, 'Where can I put the snow?' But with an address in Jackson NH, who's complaining? I like it! With snow blowing, roof raking (several roofs have collapsed in the area), and shoveling interspersed with XC skiing and some alpine, that regimen seems to work out well for a lad my age." (We had an excess of snow in Durham also, but not the accumulation because every storm was followed by a thaw.)

Raymond F Hamel Lt Col ret: "Except for several back surgeries, I'm alive and well. I'm still doing volunteer work as a nurse (LPN). My wife of 55 years is doing well and two of my sons have followed in my footsteps and retired as Air Force officers."

Harriet Forkey: "Jere and I are having a great skiing winter with tons of snow. Unfortunately--too much ice for my liking. We're looking forward to returning to Durham in April to smell the flowers."

Margaret Fuller Taranda: "Talked with Cal Samaras yesterday. She's recovering from hip surgery & doing well. She & Carol O'Neil & I meet for lunch about once a month to catch up on news of families & friends. Always great to see them!"

Jean Miller: "We are still dividing our time as you can see by the addresses [Castine ME / Scottsdale AZ]. Is anyone planning a 55th reunion for next year or shall we just wait for our 60th? Perhaps a short cruise would be fun." (From the sound of things, the logical place for a reunion would be Naples FL!)

Rosemarie Murphy: "Moved to FL three-plus years ago--love the heat! Enjoy returning to New England in fall months. Hello to all my friends."

Don Wheeler: "Finally retired and living in Florida. We live in a wonderful community called the Villages. Our two daughters, their husbands, and son #2 all live an hour from us. That makes it nice."

Theodore (Ted) Bond: "Jane and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in June. We're both well, living [in] the only house we've ever owned, enjoy our flower garden and the birds during the winter."

John Boehle Jr: "Anne '56 and I still love Ridgefield and New England. However, we do go to Florida's Sixty Key, Sarasota, for six-eight weeks each winter. We stay active in various clubs, church, volunteering, and travel."

Richard Cilley: "I ski all winter with my great grandsons. Every other months I spend in Seattle taking care of my seven-year-old grandson that's autistic. Would love to hear from anyone with similar first hand experience."

Joyce Hiller: "Still enjoying Cape Cod in the summer and Florida in the winter."

Nancy Lovejoy Hunter: "We did attend UNH's social hour in San Francisco Oct. 22. 'Twas a beautiful day and I forgot my camera."

Phyllis Branz Ainspan: "Our son ... was married March 18, 2007, in Albany [NY].... Debbie Atherton Atwood was among the guests.... Anne Higgens Kynast (started with us) lives in Florida. Her husband Frank died this past February. Nancy Olsen Raymond and Gene live in Florida. Nancy, Anne, and I .... lived in Congreve North, ground floor, our freshman year."

Ralph Austin: "Beverley and I have been retired about eight years, she as a secretary (or administrative assistant if it pleases you), I after 28 years in the army, 10 years as a librarian, 5 years as an engineer, and 3-4 years of unemployment. We have six children ... all around the country including a glass blower, an engineer, an architect, another administrative assistant (not secretary), an occupational therapist, and a computer programmer. There are also 10 grandchildren ... and one great grandchild."

Ed Caldwell: "Thanks for the good news. There times when I am afraid to open your e-mail as it may have a black cloud attached."

Dave & Pauline (Durkee) Richardson: "After many years of roaming all over the world, we ... are settling back into more local trips. Last year we toured the canyons of western USA and loved the experience. We now have 11 delightful grandchildren ranging in age from 4 to 20.... We're beginning to experience some health problems but I guess that's to be expected as one gets older."

Barbara Stone: "In 2007 I lost my husband of 52 years (Phil--Tufts class of 1951) so it wasn't a good year for me. However, the rest of the clan (all UNH grads) are doing just fine."

Tom Rand: "All well.... Still flying airplanes--it's time to stop I guess." (Tom, I don't see how that follows!)

Eddie & Kathy (Raymond) Madden: "Celebrating 55th wedding anniversary this year (2008) in great post & beam abode in NH.... Ed still playing trombone & piano--doing music composing/arranging of concert band music. I [Kathy] still play trumpet & both of us are active in Scotsdale AZ community college band.... Looking for info re Marylin (Porter) Parsons & Bob Parsons '53."

Donald MacInnes: "Vivian & I continue to spend May to October at our island home in Halibut Cove, boating, salmon & halibut fishing, clamming and picking blue mussels. We continue to maintain good health. Winters are spent on Whidbey Island north of Seattle.... We rarely see snow here."

Connie Ketchum: "I was married to Jack Armstrong until 1978. We spent the first ten years in the Air Force and had five sons.... The next stop was civilian life in CT for four years, then to Holderness NH ... where we had our real estate company and the boys were heavily involved in ski racing. After the divorce I managed an advertising/print shop agency until 1998 and then a very welcome retirement. I moved to Kennebunk ME that year.... I am having a fine life here, only three miles from the ocean and happily involved with an exciting library."

Hans Klunder: "I am retired since 1993! Raising and now selling Christmas trees and enjoying the snowy North Country. Off to Germany over the holidays with my wife Inge."

Elizabeth Moore: "Live in Brattleboro VT and [???] Scotland since husband John died in 2000. Enjoy travel, lunches & bridge with friends, reading, walking & exercise, plays & concerts, and time with my family. Life is interesting and varied."

Debbie (Atherton) Atwood: "Life is good! Family, friends, music, good coffee and a sip of Scotch at bedtime ... who can ask for anything more."

Dennis Comolli Sr: "Still spending 6 months at each location [Naples FL and Dover NH]. Can't get NH out of my mind.... Also umpiring baseball. Did Red Sox minor league spring training 2006 and 2007. Staying busy directing Mass tennis touraments, girls individual and boys team; 89 schools keep me busy during April, May and June."

Norma Claflin Spinks: "I'm still a sub at Willie Moss School for the Deaf in Longmeadow [MA].... I'm still teaching American Sign Language at our church in Agawam and still interpreting there Sundays and for the 'Singing Christmas Tree' and the Easter pageant."

Lee Perkins: "We are proud parents of a UNH freshman in M.E."

Cynthis Pierce Fors: "Last June I was the recipient of an honorary life membership award presented to me by [the] American Association of University Women at the Army Navy Country Club in Alexandria VA. After fifty years of paying dues I guess membership does have its privileges."

Robert Schroeder: "We enjoy traveling in our motor home. Try to spend winters in California with daughters and granddaughter."

Jean and Porter (Pete) Sickels: "Pete was inducted into the State of Maine Baseball Hall of Fame in July 2007. His extensive coaching career and his stint with the St. Louis Cardinals as a player in their farm system were noted at the presentation."

Capt Bruce Robertson-Dick: "My 4 yrs of UNH Lacrosse set me up for a lifetime of robust health. Still work on the Hamptons' extensive waterfront. Recently completed a 3 yr hitch as a small boat operator for the Trustees of Southhampton, home port to all the bold type names you can conjure up & tie up for 4 dozen mega-yachts each."

Patricia Nutter Leighton: "We are still living in Naples ME and enjoying the early great skiing. Can still keep up with the youngest of the grandchildren--3, 4, and 7 years old!"

Russell and Betty Rubeor: "We are still alive & kicking. Oldest son Jim is on the maj/gen list (USAF). Very proud!"

Nelson McLeod: "I'm alive and still working (out of my home)--Praise God!"

I got a sweet letter from Dexter Parsons '57 who says he reads our class notes in the UNH Magazine so as to get news of East Hall residents (and indeed it does seem that there were a lot of us in the class of 1954). Talk about keeping in touch the hard way!--"About eight years ago I had heart surgery at Maine Medical Center and knowing that Dr. Ed Caldwell was in residence there I asked that he stop by my room and we had a great time talking about our dormitory experiences." And added: "I'm sure you remember Cecil Ritchie"--who?--"or perhaps you remember him affectionately as just 'Pop.'" Oh gosh yes, the ancient janitor for East and West Halls. Why, he must have been all of sixty years old, and not a hair on his head!