Tag Archives: Barbara

Conway Mini-Reunion 2014

Seven gorgeous women enjoy the New Hampshire sunshine.
Left to right: Carol Sweeney Benson, Dee Deferranti Abrahamse, Barbara Freeman Douglass, Judy Marshall Kennedy, Diana Diggin, Sue Wheatley Carr, and Marian Strong Moore.  You’re not getting older;  you’re just getting better!

Conway Group

Classmates- Debbie Holden Franz saw Carol in Come Back Little Sheba at
Quarryworks this summer while visiting her son in Essex, VT. Jean Austen also
visited Carol and they went to King Arthur Flour in Norwich, VT but missed Diana Diggin.  No surprise, her co-workers sang her praises.  Carol also said that
Chris Hollister Hila had reconnected with an old friend and was enjoying his
company.  Carol had a good season at her local theater and is really looking
forward to next summer when she plays the evil Moriarity in Baker Street and
will reprise her Trip to Bountiful.
Reunion- We were lucky to have the two reunion chairs, Sue and Marian,with us.
They asked us to imagine a blank slate and then say what we really want at
reunion.  Spending time with each other, classes and tours/discussions of new
programs, buildings were most important.  There was a lot of discussion about
ways to cut costs and to be sure everyone can come.  One saving could be
costumes, with us bringing more as we did with the shoes at the 50th. Another was to simplify meals, which may not be possible since offerings are pretty much
controlled by the college commissary.  We also discussed whether the booklet is
needed or could be electronic instead of printed.  The consensus was that it was
important. Another suggestion was that we all read the same book before reunion, perhaps with an alumnae connection.
Which is a segue to books: some that were recommended were Gone Girl, Orphan, All the Light You Cannot See, and Hope Against Hope.  Marion’s book group is reading the latter, written by Sara Carr (note last name) and describing success stories of new Orleans schools.  Students at Tulane will have this book as a campus wide read.
Dottie Smith Mann visited Judy earlier this summer and posed an interesting
question: “If you were Obama, what one thing would you try to do?”  Great topic,
with discussion about immigration, gun control, taming special interests, and a
fascinating political maneuver suggested by Maureen Dowd that Obama either resign or accept impeachment after initiating executive action on the programs he cares the most about and allow Joe Biden, the ultimate political maven,to finish the term while Hillary campaigns for 2016.
Other thoughtful questions were how to contribute in retirement?  “How can I
make a difference?” “What would you like to do as your senior years get more
senior?”  “What’s meaningful to you that surprises you?”  “What are things I
dreaded but now welcome and love?”
In answer to the last, some suggested public speaking, finding our voice,
improving listening.  For making a difference, Marion explained her church’s
“Pay It Forward” where an individual is given $50 and then reports how that made a difference.  Carol has her own “Abigail’s sister”, based on her role as a
homeless woman in Open Me Last.  She puts a $5 bill in envelopes, brings them to the food pantry, and tells them to distribute as they see fit.  One recipient
said, Wow, do you know how many bananas I can get now?
I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon, getting energized by this
group of wonderful, active, caring women.  How lucky we are.

Barbara Freeman Douglass  (I apologize that I can’t italicize or underline.  Aargh)

NH Mini-Reunion, August 2013

Submitted by Barbara Freeman Douglass

Judy Marshall Kennedy organized a mini gathering in North Conway, NH in
August,and eight classmates were able to enjoy catching up and sharing
views on books, non-profits, and health. In fact, we were so engrossed in
conversation that we completely forgot to get a picture of the group.

Sue Wheatley Carr”s daughter, Sarah Carr, has written a book, Hope
against Hope, about education in New Orleans. Sue has also produced a
book on lichens of Cape Cod with her photographs. Judy Kennedy explained
the vagaries of one’s own small business, in her case Whitehorse, which
involves guide books and motorcycle gear.

Diana Diggins’ job at King
Arthur Flour in Norwich, VT has us thinking about a field trip, perhaps
moving our venue next summer.

Dee deFerranti Ambrahamse saw Carol Sweeny
Benson’s performance in Open Me Last at Quarryworks in VT and said it was
excellent.

Bobbi Childs Sampson is about to finish off her last NH 4000
footer, saving Moosilauke for the fall. That means she has climbed 47
already! She also shared her involvement with a school in Haiti.
Membership on boards, getting and keeping board members, raising money are
all concerns.

Marion Strong Moore is involved with Salvation Army, Sallie
Crittenden with the Unitarian Church, Judy Kennedy with the local theater
and with MountainTop Music which enriches the Mount Washington Valley area,
Barbara Freeman Douglass with Dollars for Scholars. Barbara said 2013
hasn’t been the greatest so far because it’s been dominated by breast
cancer treatment, but the chemo is over, the prognosis is good, and the
support of women (like her classmates) is wonderful.

Marian shared that
“John and I have signed up for a retirement community and expect to move up
to the top of the list for entrance in 3-4 years. The decision does not
come easily, of course, but, it is a gift to our children and an exciting
time of new beginnings.There are, to be sure, pros and cons. On balance,
it seems the right thing to do while we are still able to move into
independent living. ”

Judy Kennedy contributed this comment:
“I must say that the happiness of being together and enjoying each other’s
company for a few hours lingered on well into the late evening for me. In
between visits like this, I forget how enriching it is to get together with
such an interesting and interested group of women and the openess and ease
with which we share our thoughts and concerns!!”