We had a wonderful time; so much so that my mother, brother and I returned two years later following my high school graduation to spend additional time at the ranch before my mother headed off to join my father and sister in Australia and I and my brother started another college/school (respectively) year in the States.
The ranch provided a welcomed respite from my occasionally dark moods that often prevailed while I was at Abbot.
I thoroughly enjoyed my 50th High School Reunion this past weekend. In fact, as I revealed during the reunion session titled "Impact of your Abbot/Andover Experience" last week, I spent those two years at Abbot and many more until recently in a depressive state known as dysthymia either brought on by an eating disorder that began in Manila during ninth grade or that precipitated the eating disorder. I'm still not sure which.
So, why did I choose to attend the reunion? Because I had so many wonderful memories of the girls with whom I studied, attended classes, walked, talked, and played sports -- as well as played. I spent a lot of time at Abbot observing people because I found it hard to reach out and connect. I wanted to reconnect after a long absence and to rekindle some rather special memories.
I and my classmates were encouraged to attend by Mae Concemi Bradshaw (Chair of our class fundraising committee as well as moderator of sessions and a working in the background person), Kathy Krakauer ('62 Class Secretary, who also put together the wonderful slide show constantly running during registration in Morris Hall), Lynne Moriarty Langlois (50th Reunion co-chair who with her committee members Mae Concemi Bradshaw, Beth Crane, Kitty Grant Galaitsis, Kathy Krakauer, Anne MacDougall, Natalie Gillingham Schorr and Meriby Sweet put together a very special collection of events) and others who sent along emails and ultimately by the Alumni Office that mailed a beautiful glossy-bound book, co-edited by our own Kitty Grant Galaitsis and Paul Upson (PA) with many pictures and our stories of where we've been and where we are. The flip side carries a photo on the Phillips Academy original campus and within, their stories.
My planning began. I contacted Kitty Grant Galaitsis who had visited Tucson a couple of years back. As thanks for the private tour I gave her of the Tucson area, Kitty had invited me to stay with her and her husband the night before the activities began. I made airline reservations (finally using a lot of accumulated miles) and very reasonable hotel reservations (thank you, Meriby Sweet, not only for the rate but also for the brilliant idea of offering us an opportunity to be all in one place), car rental (I found driving on Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York highways to be nerve-wracking - entrance ramps and exit ramps were frighteningly close together) and reservations for our animal companions so they'd be in good hands while I was gone.
The scheduled events stretched over four days, beginning with Registration at noon on Thursday, June 7, and closing with a brunch on Sunday, June 10. Coincidentally, my husband's calendar included a business trip the week of the 10th so he planned to fly on Saturday to join me for dinner and dancing on Saturday night. From there we sketched out a trip that included a visit with his daughter and her family (and 2 week old baby boy) near Boston, with my cousin and her children in Rhode Island, and with my son and his family in New York City. We have four grandchildren -- all boys!
Kitty and Tony welcomed me into their home on Wednesday evening having held a delicious dinner until I arrived. My "everlost" (our family's nickname of the Neverlost GPS direction provider since trees interfere with reception) got me there quickly in spite of a hair-raising transit through the Sumner Tunnel from Logan Airport. One of my classmates mentioned she chose to fly into Manchester, NH and drive down - a suggestion I will investigate when I return to Andover another time. Following a solid night's sleep and a brisk walk in the morning, Kitty led our two-car parade to the campus where we parked in a central spot within walking distance of both the Abbot and the Andover buildings.
I love the desert here in Tucson where I've lived for forty-two years. Our backyard reflects hours of work to install plants and trees that are native and that provide us with flowers, perches for birds, and hiding spots for rabbits and other critters like coyotes, bobcats, javelina and a occasional (rare) cougar that come to visit and/or drink water out of our little pond.
Yet, I am always startled and become nostalgic for the amazing green of the east coast from New York and points north. The campus proved no exception. I'll be posting other photos further along.
Although I'd brought along a camera, I neglected to pull it out the first day so several opportunities for photos were missed including registration, (so here are photos of what I received during registration and managed to bring home)
the joint class discussion of the "Impact of your Abbot/Andover Experience" moderated by Mae Concemi Bradshaw and Charlie Bakst in Kemper Auditorium and the reception and dinner buffet in Davis Hall located in McKeen Hall on the Abbot Campus. Here's a photo looking at McKeen Hall from the side gate leading onto the campus from School Street:
And, here's another looking down School Street towards the Abbot campus:
Notice the young sappling. The Andover area suffered through a terrible winter storm and several beautiful beloved older trees were lost. During the reunion, I learned that the class of 1997 got together, issued a challenge and raised funds to plant 50 trees. According to the Spring 2012 issue of the Andover Magazine that just arrived in my mail box, $98,000 has been raised with a goal of $150,000. I believe this young tree is among those planted so far.
The joint discussion in Kemper Auditorium was well-attended and the comments were heart-felt - sometimes serious, sometimes very funny. We were all so young, really. Many who spoke remembered how unsettling it was to come from home to a new place to live - some very homesick; how tough but encouraging their teachers had been; how much fun they had; what a great (and at times not-so-great) classroom experience and solid education they were provided. As I listened to comments and shared my own, I found myself reflecting on the backbone, so to speak, I gained there and how prepared I was for college. I found the discussion to be a wonderful entry into the weekend.
To find Kemper Auditorium my search took me quickly through the Gelb Gallery, the location of the Creative Works Exhibit arranged and hung by our classmate and art gallery expert, Anne MacDougall whose long-time experience as one of the principals of the G.W. Einstein Co, Inc. yielded a wonderful collection of some of our classmates' works ranging from a triptych to photographs to abstract paintings to a creation out of empty paint tubes. If I can get my hands on a list of what was there, I'll place it here with more details.
Classmate and then PA faculty member for 36 years, Natalie Gillingham Schorr welcomed us all to a buffet dinner where conversations continued, more people had arrived, and re-connections continued at a rapid pace. Soon, though, travel and the day caught up with many of us. The 7-mile drive back to the hotel went without a hitch thanks to my on-board navigator Martha Mason Denzel.
The next morning I joined Beth Crane and Kathy Krakauer for a brisk walk before heading to campus to observe a fascinating discussion titled "Our Changing World" moderated by Frederica Aalto, Anne Ripley, and Steve Abbot. The session began by each recounting their life and how their activities reflected and continue to reflect the changing world we live in. Frederica talked about her birth family's support of family planning and her decision to immerse herself in this field on behalf of women who for one reason or another would prefer to not have or postpone having a/another child (among other situations).
Anne revealed that following her graduation with a degree in nursing, she devoted considerable time to service in the Far East, particularly Thailand where many people from Cambodia during those terrible times sought refuge.
Steve Abbot discussed the evolution of his career of creating documentaries including a recent project to interview those who are social entrepreneurs.
Steve had begun to show us a documentary when his presentation was halted and we were advised that we could either stay and continue to see what Steve had created or to go to a different classroom in the building to learn about Frederica's extensive activities. I wanted to see both, actually, but truly wanted to hear what Frederica was doing so moved along.
Her audience
Once or twice she referred to herself as "just a housewife", but she is much more. She, as a member of Planned Parenthood, traveled to the Middle East several times to bring information, medicines, medical equipment/supplies and knowledge to doctors and others interested in promoting family planning and in caring for women and girls who had suffered assaults as well as births gone physically awry. Many in the Middle East have benefited from her devotion to this project. She had many adventures to share and people to talk about. It is her hope to continue her work there and following her presentation, several of us expressed an interest in supporting her in some fashion.
The session, as one might imagine, lasted longer than scheduled yet everyone was captivated by what she has accomplished. We were due to be on the Abbot campus at noon for the formal Abbot lunch and most of us appeared by 12:30 along with several new faces -- people who had registered that morning.
Lunch was in the School Room of Abbot Hall where we, as girls, attended Chapel each morning and vespers on Sunday evening, a service I loved. Meriby Sweet photographed most who entered the room while several posed for photos including one with a portrait of Mrs. Crane, our cherished principal, who served from 1955-1966. Those and more photos can be found on Facebook if one identifies Abbot Academy in the Facebook search function.
From left: Lynne, Meriby, Kathy, Beth, Mrs. Crane, Natalie, Lexa Crane, Julie Crane
We also gathered for a group photo:
Included starting in the back from left to right:
Frederica Muller Aalto, Anne MacDougall, Natalie Gillingham Schorr, Valerie Crane, Sue Boynton Koerber, Becky Bartlett, Lynne Moriarty Langlois, Martha Mason Denzel, Hilary Field Gripekoven, Carrie Thomas, Kathrin Krakauer, Kitty Grant Galaitsis, Cammy Moore, Jennifer Hesketh Aviles, Abby von der Heyde Summersgil, Barbara Stone Smith, Susan Niebling Hammond, Meriby Sweet, Cathy Wilkerson, Beth Crane, Betsy Bruns Eaton, Anne Ripley, Ingrid Quark Manning, and Sue Mallory Dunn.
Missing from the photo were Mary Louise Currier Gagnon who attended dinner the evening before, Mae Concemi Bradshaw who was in many places at once, Beverly Brown Berg who attended Frederica's session that morning; Carolyn Dow, Martha Lyman, and Darcy Wheeler Bacon who came later either for/or the Parade, the annual meeting in the Phillips Chapel, and the Memorial Service, and Cynthia Everett White who arrived in time for dinner on Saturday night.
Another group photo with Mae present:
From left: Mae, Martha, Lynne, Meriby, Beth, and Hilary
Notice the polo shirt that Meriby is wearing. You'll see many of us wearing this shirt in photographs taken during the gathering in Cochran Chapel following the march. Meriby took on the task of having many of these, with the Abbot logo and of the Abbot blue, made for us and sent along a humorous email inviting us to purchase one to avoid being identified as a "trailing spouse." Another class, soon to hold a Reunion, has requested many. I believe you can still contact Meriby to buy one if you're interested.
Here are some more photos:
The afternoon promised to be interesting with the session "What is On Your Bucket List" moderated by George Andrews and Kitty Grant Galaitsis in place of Darcy Wheeler Bacon followed by one of the classes I'd signed up for - Global Islams - led by Diane L. Moore, Instructor and Department Chair, Philosophy and Religious Studies. She also teaches at the Harvard Divinity School.
Bucket lists invariably included Non Sibi (not for self) activities as well as plans for trips, blessed involvement with grandchildren, and brief accounts and encouragement for second and even third careers. The discussion shifted when Carrie Thomas remembered our classmate, Louise Getzman, who took her own life during a bout with depression at a time when being gay was rarely revealed and often dealt with painfully and privately. Others stepped forward and revealed their family's experiences on this topic while others reflected on the climate in general in the sixties and seventies. Kitty and George kept the microphone in motion to acknowledge both Abbot and Andover graduates.
There were two classes on Friday afternoon: The Addison's Collection (Addison Gallery of American Art) and How It Has Grown and Global Islams. Our class, Global Islams, was packed. No one was disappointed for we enjoyed a lively discussion first on religious illiteracy and then contemplated how Islam is practiced in diverse ways depending on the sect and jurisprudence of that sect. Two case studies were provided. One of a marital situation in Malaysia in which the husband can simply say, "I am divorced" and he is but in which the wife must go through a lengthy court hearing process that still does not guarantee a divorce even if the husband is abusive as was the the case. The second situation occurred in Turkey when, after secularization occurred, some women began to wear head scarves again. The government reaction to ban this activity fueled additional protests. Our discussion included examining what might have happened if the government had let things be, given that the country is predominantly Muslim. Great class. Terrific example of the caliber of teacher on campus.
By now I was ready to relax. I joined a very noisy cocktail reception in the gym and from there, thank goodness, moved with several classmates (we all managed to populate tables close to one another) including Kitty and her husband, Tony who joined us for clam chowder, steamed clams, delicious lobster with shells prepared, corn on the cob, and I forget what else. A feast. Dessert was strawberry shortcake. Several people went back for seconds. The evening passed very quickly and I was ready to drive the seven miles back to my room and get a solid night's sleep.
Except (!) I decided to take a look at one of the volumes we were given when we registered: the book by Susan McIntosh Lloyd titled A Singular School: Abbot Academy, 1828-1973. Suddenly it was 11:30! We also received the two book package of Academy Hill and the Campus Guide of Phillips Academy, Andover. I had decided to check my bag on the flight back. The addition of these two books made that decision very wise.
The Non Sibi Breakfast in the Memorial Gym starting at 8 a.m. Saturday morning was on my must-do list for I was curious to learn how the campaign of our class had gone. In addition to Mae, who was chair, members of the Abbot fund raising committee included Beth Crane, Lynne Moriarty Langlois, Hilary Field Gripekoven, Meriby Sweet, and Martha Mason Denzel. Much to my astonishment (Mae's remark as she passed my chair on her way to the podium was, "hold on to your pants") we are blessed with an extraordinarily generous group of classmates for our total combined Abbot/PA Class Gift exceeded $9 million. I'll update this figure when we receive the final results. Breakfast, by the way, was delicious.
Six classes were offered Saturday morning. I had originally signed up for Write for Your Life, Lou Bernieri, Instructor in English and Executive Director, Andover Bread Loaf, but the class began at 8:45 a.m. while I was at breakfast so I decided to look in on Michael Legaspi's Science, Religion, and the Pursuit of Wisdom. I was not disappointed. Mr. Legaspi, Instructor in Philosophy and Religious Studies, began the class by eliciting synonyms for wisdom. It soon became clear that this was not an easy task. He took us through thoughts about Artistotle, the Bible, Descartes, and finally what he called "The Ghost of Sophia: Modern Science and the Loss of Meaning."
I walked away with two terms that have continued to provoke thought: concilience and second voice. Mr. Legaspi provided a handout for further reading and discussion that included a website devoted to 'wisdom research' administered by the University of Chicago. I was reminded during the class, as I had heard before, that Wisdom as a concept is feminine in every language.
If most if not all of the teachers at Andover exhibit this kind of enthusiasm, technique, and knowledge, the students continue to benefit tremendously, an education about which all of us are very proud.
Other classes offered included Teaching History at Andover: The Pedagogy of the American Past, Christopher L. Jones; Teaching Economics in a Trillion-dollar World, Christopher Shaw, Instructor and Department Chair, History and Social Science; Adventures in Astronomy, Clyfe G. Beckwith, Instructor in Physics; and Justice and Globalization, Thomas S. Hodgson, Instructor in Philosophy and Religious Studies.
On a beautiful sunny and pleasant Saturday morning, we gathered behind our class banners in front of the Oliver Wendell Holmes Library and, led by bagpipers, marched on into the Cochran Chapel for the Celebration of Reunion and the Annual Report from Oscar Tang, chair of the Board of Trustees of Phillips Academy. A pamphlet of Abbot Academy songs had been put together for our class and we sang two of them as we marched towards the Chapel - the Abbot Class of 1962 Song, words by Meriby Sweet to the tune of Anchors Aweigh and Come Along and March, words by Alice Shultz, Class of 1933 to the tune of Percy Grainger (Country Gardens). What fun!
Many remarks of praise were exchanged between Oscar Tang, outgoing Chair of the Board of Trustees, and retiring Principal Barbara Landis Chase - two individuals who have given so much to this institution. Mr. Tang announced class gifts and recognized the contributions of others, including Dean of Admission Jane Fried. The achievement of need blind admission, a goal of Mrs. Chase, was highlighted. Forty-six percent of the student body receives financial aid (p. 25 of the Spring 2012 Andover Magazine) while the endowment stands at a remarkable $797 million. Again from the Andover Magazine, Barbara Landis Chase and her trustee partners David M. Underwood '54 and Oscar L. Tang '56 helped to raise more than $560 million since 1994. A tremendous celebration of noise frequently came from the balcony where the youngest reunion class gathered to express their enthusiasm.
We paused during the meeting and listened to pianist Seho Young, PA Class of 2015 (think about his class year for a moment and the packed chapel of about 1200 people), as he rendered a beautiful interpretation of Widmung ("Dedication") by Robert Schumann, transcribed by Franz Liszt.
The Chapel graced by trees:
Inside the recently renovated Chapel that includes seat cushions for the wooden benches, courtesy of the Abbot Class of 1962.
In we marched, filling the Chapel including the balcony, occupied by more recent graduates!
(Carolyn Dow insisted that I be included in a photo!) As you can see, by this time Carolyn Dow (first photo) and Darcy Wheeler Bacon as well as Martha Lyman (second photo) had joined the group.
The schedule called for us to walk over to the Addison Gallery steps for our Class Photo. I'm looking forward to seeing the photo although I know I and others had difficulty sitting there for quite awhile in the hot, bright sun.
However, a cookout lunch under the trees was nearby and following a delicious meal, many of us played musical tables as we continued conversations with classmates with whom we had not had a good opportunity to speak previously.
I also took the opportunity to return to the Gelb Gallery to spend more time with our classmates' creations.
There were other events that afternoon and I regret not attending Global Engagement: A Greener Blue (discussion including "alumni who are tackling the related social, economic, and environmental challenges through innovation and action") yet I needed some time for myself to process everything of the previous three days.
After awhile, I wandered slowly over to the Abbot Campus for some quiet introspection, to take some photos, and to visit areas I had not seen for a long, long time.
Before I begin posting the photos, I want to post this one of the bench that sits in front of Draper Hall. The bench with its inscription (and the extensive renovations of all the buildings initiated by an extremely generous gift by Oscar Tang) honors Oscar Tang's wife (deceased), Frances Young Tang, Class of 1957. More about his life and his extraordinary generosity can be found here. If you have the opportunity, ask Meriby Sweet to recount the story of Mr. Tang's reaction when he saw the decaying Abbot Campus.
After pondering this bench, I walked around the circle and snapped some shots. While reading the guides to the campus, I learned that Draper Hall was deliberate designed to look medieval. I always thought so, even had nightmares about it. But I walked inside, too, and thanks to the renovations and many changes, none of the thoughts rushed back that I had worried about.
Draper Hall viewed from School Street:
Viewed from the back that sunny afternoon:
I ran into Natalie Gillingham Schorr and her husband. They'd come from the lower campus and encouraged me to look for the new plaque in the Secret Garden, a place I do not believe I ever visited while at Abbot. While searching, I discovered this seeming attempt of a petroglyph far back on the campus near the road. I showed the picture to several people but none had seen this before. Have you?
My stroll included the Maple Walk, still showing a bit of the asphalt path that existed there once upon a time:
The soccer field where I played (and loved) the position of left-wing halfback. My children played soccer when they were younger, too:
And, I finally discovered The Secret Garden:
And, the plaque on the rock:
A couple more photos:
Looking across the Sacred Circle to the gates opening to School Street:
The Abbot Chapel
and the location of the Abbot Tea hosted by Natalie that afternoon at 4 p.m. where we enjoyed sipping tea and munching cookies, chatting more with friends and Principal Barbara Landis Chase, and listening to a practice session by the Abbot Reunion Singers who were later to sing during the Memorial Service.
A record of Mrs. Chase's accomplishments, written by Dr. Christopher Shaw '78, Instructor and Chair, History and Social Science, can be found starting on page 20 of the current Andover Magazine.
Following the tea, I walked with Betsy Bruns Eaton to the Cochran Chapel on the Phillips campus so she could prepare for her remarks during the service (5:30 pm) and I could locate the programs and begin greeting those who arrived early. I did not take any photos other than this one -
Susan Mallory Dunn and I were greeters for many classmates of Louise Getzman and Mary Noyes Martin as well as the classmates of 26 men of the Phillips Class of 1962 who have passed away. During the service, the bells tolled after each name was read.
We were welcomed and called to worship by The Reverend George E. Andrews, II, Phillips Class of 1962 who also gave the benediction. The service, planned by the Rev. George E. Andrews, Betsy Bruns Eaton and Jonathan W. Sox was a wonderful tribute to these women and men taken from us all too soon.
Among those classmates was Charles Beard whose widow, Vivian Beard, sang a hymn - Amazing Grace - and an anthem - Oh Lord, I'm On My Way. The chapel resounded with her beautiful voice and her presence lent a special touch to the service.
At this point I stopped taking photos. I returned to my hotel room to greet my husband, Enrique, who had flown in from Tucson for the dinner and dance which began at 8 p.m. in Paresky Commons. We were directed to an upper large room where our two classes enjoyed a delicious meal, wine, and finally dessert. Enrique and I, as did others, chose to retire at this point knowing that we had a busy four days ahead of us.
What a wonderful reunion it was! A huge thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make it a success.
