RE Log Spring 2022

SPRING 2022 Ransom Everglades LOG 43 Darrow Dutcher Hodges writes, “I started 2022 with my Red Cross case- work with fire evacuees, preparing to assist with the devastation in Boulder, Colo. Over 1,300 homes lost. May the optimism of 2022 last through the entire year!” See photo above. Laura Peterson writes, “As an alumna of the Everglades Class of 1963, I would love to be connected to my old class- mates – just loved them all. A little personal note: After leaving Everglades, I attended Drake University for my BA, then Trinity College Dublin for two years, earning a post-graduate certificate in Anglo-Irish Literature (Irish literature in English as opposed to Irish Gaelic). I did some more globe-hopping for a while, studying at the University of Edinburgh and the University of Lausanne for sum- mer sessions. I have worked as a graphic artist, substitute teacher and teacher; got- ten married (briefly and horribly); had a beautiful daughter, Joanna; and then, since my then-husband’s law practice was in Miami, I went to the University of Miami for an MA and PhD in English. I taught at Miami and Miami Dade College for over 14 years, but am now retired and living in an assisted living facility in Hialeah, where I have found several good new friends — we live together — white, brown and black — as a family. I would love to hear from my old classmates; my email address is LSPeterson1000@ yahoo.com . God bless!” 1964 Class Agent: Connie MacLeod Bischoff (cbischoff@fuse.net ) 1965 Class Agent: Carol Ann Norton Rogers ( carolannrogers@prodigy.net) Stephanie Turkington Byrne and her husband Bob continue to take full advan- tage of living in Carmel Valley, enjoying water aerobics, tennis, golf, gardening and daily walks with their dog. Carol Ann Norton Rogers and husband, Nielsen, drove from San Francisco in October to celebrate Stephanie’s 75th birthday. In November, Stephanie and Bob drove up to San Francisco for a birthday lunch celebrating Nielsen’s 76th! Maria Soria Hernandez writes, “As I enter the stage in life where I often think of my life in general and the different turns it has taken in that long winding road, Everglades always is top in my mind. I think of the great experience I had at Everglades for which I am grateful forever. “From the moment I stepped into my new classroom of 15 girls in 1963, I felt welcomed and included in many after-school activities. Stephanie and Jeannie were always willing to pick me up and drive. Maria Elena wrote and rehearsed the student council speech with me and told me how good it would be to run for student council. Patty’s mother suggested I work during the summer and found me jobs. “I had teachers who were patient and gave me individual extra time – I even had a teacher who taught me English pronunciation. Ms. Peirce would teach me to write and, most important, to paraphrase. Mrs. Marin advanced me in French. In those two short years, I acquired friendships that have lasted a lifetime, learned how to read English literature and write in English. Above all, I gained confidence as my teachers believed I could succeed. “For news, my husband and I are currently living in Raleigh, N.C., close to our daughter, son-in-law and two grand- sons. Our son, his wife and a grandson and granddaughter live in Honolulu, Hawaii. Before COVID-19, our plan was to divide our time between Raleigh and Honolulu. Although I miss Carol Ann and Stephanie a lot, I look forward to seeing more of Barbara, Alice and Maria Elena when it is safe to do so. I would love to meet Everglades alums in the Triangle area.” Renness Rogers Holmes , who has been living in the coastal beach town of Cronulla near Sydney, Australia, for 50 years, reports that she and husband Lyndsay are enjoying their children, Christopher and Shelby, and three grandchildren, two of whom live nearby. The youngest grandson, Bruce, has just moved with his parents to Western Australia, near Perth, where Christopher was recently transferred by the military. Once everyone is comfortable traveling again, Renness invites all of her class- mates to visit! Alice Garrick Lichtenstein is busy and enjoying life in Atlanta, living close to her daughters Melissa and Meredith. With their help, she has successfully downsized her possessions, given up her landline and embraced other techno- logical advances. She has a one-year-old grandson, Andre, and reports, “He is a honey!” She and mom Melissa have been teaching him American Sign Language. Daughter Meredith is in public health. Anna Matheson writes, “With my 75th birthday coming up soon, and being single, I am now downsizing and packing up to move across the country in order to be closer to my sons and grandchildren. Sometimes, I question my sanity and wonder if this is rational! Usually, the response is, ‘No, not really!’ “I have thoroughly enjoyed living in the Southern Appalachian mountains of Asheville, N.C., for nearly 34 years, and thought this would be my final home. However, I have suddenly gone from two grandchildren (seven-year-old twins of my older son) to four, as my younger son and his wife just adopted two of their foster children (ages two and four). Both families live in L.A. and I want them to be more a part of my life, and I want to be more a part of theirs. I have no desire to live in a big city, nor in Southern California! “I am moving to Bellingham, Wash., between Seattle and Vancouver, Canada. Bellingham is similar to Asheville in size and flavor. I have close relatives in both places, and will be one short flight away from my sons! I long to return to the ocean, and while the Pacific NW and the Atlantic off Biscayne Bay have little in common, the salty, balmy air is the same. Having grown up the daughter