Association news & class notes
Don Linzey and his wife, Nita, spent two weeks on Sanibel Island, Florida, just five months before the entire western coast of Florida was ravaged by Hurricane Ian. They also attended the Mechanical Bank Collectors Association convention in Philadelphia, where they visited Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and other historic sites. Don’s collection of old iron mechanical banks continues to grow. He would be happy to talk with any alum who might be interested in becoming a collector. They are planning a Puget Sound cruise during the Tulip Festival in April 2024. Don continues to be on the faculty of the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. Although semi-retired, he is actively engaged in research on least weasels, cougars, and coyotes. His textbook “Vertebrate Biology, 2nd Edition,” which was published in 2020 by Johns Hopkins University Press, has already been reprinted. It is used throughout the United States as well as in many other countries. Don speaks to various groups such as Rotary, Virginia Tech Lifelong Learning Institute, and others about his other recent book “RESCUED! Tales of a Wildlife Biologist and His Sons.” He was recognized at Virginia Tech’s Authors Recognition Event, which had his three most recent books on display. The second edition of his book “Natural History of Great Smoky Mountains National Park” is due to be published by the University of Tennessee Press in March 2024. Don has served as a board member of the Humane Society of Montgomery County for many years. In addition, he is a member of the Animal Rescue Team for the Humane Society of the United States. In this capacity, he has volunteered for three tours of duty at their major facility in Maryland. Don and Nita reside on their 35-acre property outside Blacksburg, Virginia. Some years ago, Don and his sons discovered a white millipede in a previously unknown cave on their property. It was identified by a millipede expert as a species that had been declared extinct. It is currently under consideration to be officially classified as a federal endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Due to the presence of this species, their property is currently under consideration to be designated as a Natural Area Preserve by the state of Virginia. They also spend time at their home in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, with almost daily visits by black bears, turkeys, deer, and other wildlife.
Jerry DeFlora keeps busy doing Meals on Wheels three mornings a week. The rest of the time is spent in yard work and counting the deer in her woods. There has been a brown-and-white doe hanging around for the past four years. Occasionally, she has lunch with Jackie Cook Sanders, Joyce Lee Edington, and Joan Zajac Silex.
Mernette Houk LeFew and Chuck LeFew say they are getting old and just hanging in there. Chuck is still playing golf, and Mernette is walking and exercising to keep the body limber and in shape.
Ken Gill and Karen live most of the time in Captiva, Florida, with the Gulf in their front yard and the Roosevelt Channel in the back. They refer to it as paradise, and the property is named Dolphins Crossing. Ken continues to be a serial entrepreneur with two operating businesses, and he just made a major investment in a lithium company. This year, Ken and Karen have really jumped into the thoroughbred horse breeding and racing business. They have five broodmares in foal, one colt, and six fillies racing. They won a major stakes race in Saratoga, Florida, last summer. They have their horses in Midway, Kentucky, and they spend time on the 350-acre farm. They enjoyed Homecoming, and they had the opportunity to have dinner with President Julia Jasken and her husband, Dave. Ken and Karen are enjoying life and all it has to offer. In May, right after the Kentucky Derby, they are heading for the Amalfi Coast for two weeks.
Beth Sansbury is still traveling. With a cruise to West Africa, her count will be 89 countries. “Don’t know if I’ll make 100, but I’ll try,” she says. She and her husband, Dave, take shorter trips (Massachusetts to Georgia) in their motorhome to visit friends and family. Dave and Beth stay busy with their volunteer activities — he in traveler’s aid at Dulles Airport and she as a docent at Sully Historic House in Fairfax County, Virginia. They’ve published a book on travel in the area: “52 Perfect Day Trips for Fit Adults in the Greater Washington Area.”
Chuck Bernstein says, “The best part of my life is spending time with Jackie Cook Sanders.” In addition, he is still an Orphans Court (probate) judge. When not sitting, he has been doing some traveling: six weeks in Europe in fall 2022; the United Arab Emirates in spring 2023, with lawyers to study their legal system; and then about eight days in Ireland (Republic and the North) to study “The Troubles” and their peaceful resolution, which, thankfully is still holding.
Joan Zajac Silex and Karl Silex ’60 are still in their house after 42 years and wondering when and if they should move. Because Joan is immune-compromised, she mostly stays home and spends lots of time reading. Happily, she is able to do some volunteer activities through their church. She’s also been lucky to get together with Jackie Cook Sanders, Jerry DeFlora, and Joyce Lee Edington occasionally. Their oldest grandson, Ben Fireman ’26 is in his second year at McDaniel while their other grandsons are in 11th grade.
Ozzie Stewart is still snowbirding to Palm Beach, where the “BKLYN BOYS” get together often. They welcome guests! They spend quality time with their family traveling to Europe and within the United States with 14 of them creating memories together.
Joseph Stielper and Carol Carson Stielper are doing well. They try to stay active by hiking along the Patuxent River near their home or near their cabin in Fort Valley, Virginia, which is surrounded by the Massanutten Mountains. They usually go to Florida in the winter to hike in pleasant weather.
Pat Lakin Lemkuhl, M.Ed. ’71 says life on the farm is lonely without Taylor, but her wonderful daughters are always there to fill in. Her grandson, Will, got married last year, and it seems the boys are all following in their parents’ footsteps to be engineers. Pat’s daughter, Yvette, lives in Boonsboro, Maryland, and works for the town. She and Hugh shoulder much of the responsibility at the farm helping Pat. Yvette’s son, Hunter, decided to come back to Boonsboro and lives at the farm in the tenant house. He can work from home and is such a delight and comfort to have around. Hadley also decided to come home from Alabama after four years and lives in her great-grandparents’ home. Pat has been busy trying to help redo the houses and keep up with the farm.
Alan Katz reports that he and his family are doing well, except that the state of the world is very disturbing. They worry incessantly about what kind of world their grandchildren will inherit. They continue to travel between Baltimore and Nashville to be with grandchildren. Foolishly, he agreed to be on the condo board in Nashville in addition to being the president of the HOA board in Owings Mills, Maryland. For retired people, they are remarkably busy, although nowadays too much of that busyness tends to be dealing with medical issues. As the youngest one in our class, Alan still marvels that he is over 80 and cannot help but think about how old the rest of you are. But Alan tells people that as long as he is vertical and breathing, he guesses it is not too bad.
Mike Bird is staying active with walking, biking, table tennis, swimming, and trying to get his tennis game back after a three-year layoff due to injury. Three of seven grandchildren are in college this fall. Mike recommends reading Pauline Boss’ “Loving Someone Who Has Dementia.”
Barbara Horst Fringer and Jack Fringer ’60 celebrated 63 years of marital bliss in December. Remember, Barbara had to receive permission from Dean Howery to return to Blanche Ward after they married on Dec. 30, 1960. They are satisfyingly retired at Rainbow Chase, their house on Mill Creek in Calvert County. This is where Jack fished crab pots for a good many years, and Barbara concluded her teaching time at Patuxent High School. The grandchildren are their reasons to travel to Columbia, South Carolina; Charlotte, North Carolina; and McLean, Virginia, where their first great-grandson, Edmund James, arrived on June 6, 2023. Great-grandchild No. 2 may be “on the scene” even as The Hill goes to press.
Old age came too soon. Doug and I, Carolyn Powell Walkling, had a life of beauty in adventure, travel, hiking, and friendships. But Doug’s Parkinson’s disease began to progress. He fell a lot. There were too many visits to the emergency room. Doug and I made the decision with Sarah and Rich to move Doug into a board-and-care home nearby on Sept. 13, 2022. I go to care for Doug six days per week. On my day off, I hike and lead hikes in San Francisco. I love the city. It is full of beauty and diversity. I am also lucky to be in Rossmoor, the 55-plus community in the hills here in Walnut Creek. There are 200 clubs here. I enjoy book clubs, hiking with the Trails Club, concerts, plays, lectures, and friends. I’m hoping that you are all aging well. Come to see me. I will show you lots of beauty.
Carolyn Powell Walkling1961 Class Reportercpwalkling@gmail.com