NEWS & Letters

Letters - NEWS - QUESTIONS - Obits

Emails and Letters I have received. Posted most recent at bottom

Memories of Jane Handy - see next three entries

Hi, John,

I saw Dan Colby’s note about my mother, as forwarded to me by my sister – but I don’t know how to contact him, so am writing you – Thanks, Dan, for such a sweet letter and memories of my mother. I’m learning a lot about her from others as they recall their times with her. Many thanks.
For anyone who would like to join us – there will be a memorial for Jane Handy on August 9th, Sat, from 2-4, at Jane and Jack’s home in Huntington.
Thanks, Amy Handy AmyH@WCMHS.ORG

Hi, John -

I'm Dan Colby, a graduate of The Stowe School, 1968 -1971. My mom, still in Newton, MA, where I grew up, is on the mailing list (long story) of the Newsletter of The Birds of Vermont Museum, on Sherman Hollow Road, in Huntington. She sent me a copy of the January 2008 issue which I just received this afternoon. It is with a heavy heart that I am reporting that Jane Handy appears on the list of members who have made a significant difference to the museum who passed away last year.

I'm sure that many other Stowe School students felt, as I did, that Jane took a special interest in me, a troubled high school student, at a time in my life when I desperately needed kindness and support. Among other acts of charity, she included me in an small group at her house in Stowe one Thanksgiving, when I was unable to return home for the holiday. I had never ,seen sweet potatoes baked under a marshmallow topping and they were delicious! Isn't it funny what one remembers after nearly 40 years!

I was also a volunteer for one of her community service projects. I was a big brother to a couple of boys in a foster home in Morrisville, and every week, for more than two years, Jane loaned me her big maroon station wagon to drive over and spend the afternoon with these kids. That she trusted me enough to do that was a huge boost to an ego that sorely needed boostingin those days.

The last time I saw Jane, and Jack, was in August of 1998 when I married my wonderful wife Jayne and we spent our honeymoon in Newport, VT by Lake Memphremagog. We made a trip down to Huntington to spend a lovely afternoon by their pond. This was early in Jack's illness, and he was very much as I remembered, even taking us into the woods to show us the skat that documented a standoff that he had with a bear. Jane, of course, was her usual warm and wonderful self and it was fabulous to be with them both that day, a memory I shall always treasure.

Please get in touch and drop in to visit or spend the night if you are ever up near Sugarloaf or Farmington
in Maine. Dan Colby, 357 Barker Road, New Vineyard, ME 04956 You can Email Dan at dgcolby@yahoo.com

BURLINGTON FREE PRESS OBITUARY - 12/20/2007

JANE MARTIN HANDY — Jane Martin Handy, of Huntington, died peacefully at home with her family, on Dec. 19, 2007. She was born on Jan. 28, 1924. In 1945, she joined the American Red Cross, serving for two years in the Philippines and Japan. She met John (Jack) Handy in Japan, where he was stationed with the U.S. Army, 10th Mountain Division. They married in Japan in 1946, returned to the U.S. in 1947, and recently celebrated 61 years of marriage. Jack and Jane raised their daughters in Middlebury, Bennington, Stowe, and Huntington. During these years, Jane started a children's theatre in Stowe; worked in several schools as a nursery school, first grade, and remedial reading teacher; was a literacy tutor for the Vermont Adult Right to Read Program; taught English for the Refugee Resettlement program; and was a nurse's aide for the Visiting Nurse Association Hospice program. For almost 30 years Jane and Jack have loved being part of the Huntington community, where Jane has been a volunteer in the Birds of Vermont Museum, and in the Huntington Library. Jane received her B.A. in Counseling from Trinity College in 1976, and M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language from St. Michael's College in 1986. In 1988, she taught English in Nagasaka, Japan, at Koryo High School. Jane was a warm, welcoming, generous, and fun-loving person, excited by challenge and adventure, as well as by the creation of beauty in her art, home, and gardens. She loved to ski, hike, and camp, and climbed in the Pyrrhenees with friends when she was in her 70's. She loved nature, dogs, horses, books, plants, crafts, art, music, drama, dance, family, and friends. Most of all, we will miss her feisty spirit, sense of humor, encouragement, and her loving heart. Jack will miss his devoted companion of 61 years. She is survived by her husband, Jack Handy of Huntington; by her daughters, Amy Handy of Huntington; Jane (Jinky) Handy and her husband Ole Andersson of Alaska; Myra Handy and her husband Steve Dickens of Shelburne; Nell Griffin and her husband Tom, of Natick, Mass.; and Caroline Heffron and her husband, Adam Clayman, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and by 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held for Jane on Friday, Dec. 21, in the Huntington Library, from 6 to 9 p.m. A second memorial will be planned for summer, on a date to be announced. Those who wish may remember Jane through donations to the Birds of Vermont Museum, the Huntington Library, the Huntington Fire Department, or any Humane Society

Alumni remembers Gary Hertz

Hi, I went to Stowe 77-79 and did a stint abroad but came back to graduate in 79. Anyway, I wanted you to be able to post a faculty note about Gary Hertz. He was at Stowe 77-80 or 81 and taught math and Latin and did some admin stuff too. He passed away from complications of a stroke in June out in Washington. He was a tremendous teacher and a huge influence on many students.( I was in touch with his brother recently.) So, a really sad note - he will be missed and fondly remembered. I will send my bio someday too. Have you ever heard form Cathy Miller? I wish we could have a place to post these type of questions on the Stowe website. Its a hackers paradise though for some reason. Thanks for doing the site it was fun to read about some of my old friends.
Cheers, Cindy Cobb Graham, Rockingham, Vermont

We lost Noah Duys a few years ago in a climbing accident. If anyone has more info. please post it. Andy Wilson

Yearbook Wanted

John- My name is Dan McCullough class of 83. I’m in need of getting my transcripts for an educational institution in Florida , please advise ASAP. On a second note – I’d like to ask the alumni : "Does anyone have a yearbook from ‘82or ’83- If so – if it’s cool for me to contact you about it". Please email me if you have one. Thank you in advance and peace, Dan McCullough class of 83 danbethmc@verizon.net

Hi John, - When we met in Albany this summer, I don't believe either of us were aware of this incident involving Jack Handy. I certainly was not. I only recently discovered it through Ma Kellogg. She sent me the clipping. Thought you might want to add it to the website in some fashion.
Cya, -John De Ronde - Click Here for news article about Jack Handy

John -As an alumnus (class of '63) of Woodstock Country School, I only recently discovered their website. Like the school, much of the contact info, email addresses, etc... posted on that site is no longer functional. Do you have any information on anyone who might be operating a "clearinghouse" for alumni information for WCS? Thanks for your attention, David A. Greene, email: David.greene5@comcast.net

LOOKING FOR DREW GARRISON

Hi John, Do you have contact info for Drew Garrison? He was at Stowe School with me in 80-82. Lon Andrew Garrison, I think...... Thanks, Ben Rewis BRewis@visa.com

YEARBOOK COLLECTION IS AT STOWE PUBLIC LIBRARY
give these guys a "ration" please - John De Ronde gave the library a complete collection of yearbooks in 2005, all years, (gifted from Ma Kellogg) and they now can't find them...
Stowe Free Library - 90 Pond Street - PO Box 730 - Stowe, VT 05672 - (802)253-6145 - Fax (802)253-4808

Hi John,
Yes, I know that I planned to send you a note soon but this isn't the one. I've been a bit behind and catching up is hard to do ya know. Anyway, the reason here is that I saw the post from Dan McCullough about yearbooks and I sent him a note about the entire collection being at the Stowe Public Library. I think I recall telling you that after the last reunion, Ma gave me all her yearbooks to dispose of them as I saw fit. Frankly I didn't want them so I initially thought of sending them to you. Then I thought better of it and realized the library is not finite like us humans so I donated them in Ma's name. I thought it would be helpful if you were to list that somewhere on your site so that in the event someone else needs to see a book they can go to the library and locate them. That's it. Looks like your alpaca herd is coming along well. Regards, John De Ronde

John -
I had a little baby girl the weekend of the reunion in Stowe in 2005... since then we have decided to move to Essex Vt. The schools are a bit better here than in Burlington......I dont think I will ever move from Vermont...I knew the first day I visited Stowe school that my heart is here and that I would raise my family here. Good for you for moving back...I hope you and you're wife are loving it!
Thanks again for all your work on the web site! Its just wonderful!
be well!
~~~GayLynn Thornton

Looking for Dr. Siff

Dr. William Siff is a friend of mine. Do you know his e-mail address? My name is Roger Cummings at cmmngsrgr@yahoo.com Thank you, Roger K. Cummings

HI, I attended the Stowe School in 1989. I am wondering if you have a list or even a partial one of faculty and students during that time. I have lost touch and can’t even remember a lot of people’s last names. Any info you have would be appreciated. AJ Jones ajjones1@roadrunner.com

"Foggy memories of Stowe School"

Hi John,

I was at a dinner party last night and a fellow there mentioned that he had gone to his high school reunion. He said the experience was awkward, but he did connect with some people he'd lost track of. This morning I was inspired to look up Stowe School and I found your website.

I have to admit I have fond but very foggy memories of Stowe School and the people who were a part of my life there. I attended school briefly, 71-73. I started late in 71 and I was "tossed out" in March or April of 73. I did graduate, as I completed Stowe's requirements with an independent study. I returned for graduation that year and received my diploma with pot seeds under the plastic sleeve just like everyone else.

I can't remember names from that time, though "Pots" or "Pottsy" stands out. There was a couple of "Johns" and a "Colby" I think. There was a friend from Alabama, or another southern state, one from Everett MA, and a girl from Oklahoma. Perhaps this sparks some clues with someone else and they can fill in the missing parts. Somewhere I have a stack of photos from that time. Unfortunately I have moved around so many times since high school that memories and things have been lost.

While at Stowe we built a geodesic dome with and for a teacher. I don't recall his name. Was it Wolf? Someone taught geometry, and the class was great. I also recall creative writing as being a really good class. There was also the chemistry teacher that was "let-go", I was very happy about that because I think I was failing that class.

Jack's Land Rover was uncomfortable. I hated sitting in those un-padded seats in the back. The Land Rover was also why I was thrown out, it was "borrowed" for a joy ride, not by me actually, but I was pegged as the culprit. I was stubborn and I had done plenty of other questionable things so I stayed quiet about the truth.

Skiing was a blast. There was someone who did back flips and other arial stunts. All in all I enjoyed my time and my class mates and I credit Stowe with providing me with some basic academic and independence skills.

I'd like to hear from anyone from that time. I've added a link to my business site. In addition to product design, I'm a member of the faculty at RISD.
www.nathanielsmithdesign.com,
Thanks for your time,
Ned Smith

LOOKING FOR FLOOR TILE RECIPE

My name is Bob Graham and briefly attended Stowe as a freshman I think in 1971. I wound up on academic probation and was bounced out after one semester. It was a treat to find the website. although my stay was a short one I look back on those days as some of the best. My roommate was Ira Weis. some of the other folks I remember were Ian Leahy who I did some volunteer work with at a shelter or daycare in the northeast kingdom over Christmas break. Tony Stedem (not sure I spelled that correctly) was part of my group on the resource trek through the mountains. Steve Blair rings a bell as well. I also remember Ma Kellogg............does anyone have the recipe for that granola based hardtack called floor tile she supplied to the kids on the resource trek? Regards, Bob Graham, 2502 Talbott Ave. Louisville KY 40205 bglg84@bellsouth.net

LETTER FROM MILES BRYANT REGARDING STOWE SCHOOL "COUNCIL"
Saturday, May 23, 2009 4:48 PM

John,
I spent a few days with Laird Carlson and Claudia Whitman (Baldwin) in southwester Colorado last week. We got to talking about the Stowe School Council. After a few glasses of wine we concluded that this was one of the more unique experiments in education that we had encountered. What is missing for me is that I wasn't at the school when the council was actually formed. I'm told that it began as a
revolt against wearing coats and ties and grew quickly into this sort of constitutional manifesto governing all community members. I'd like to talk (exchange email, I guess) with any who want to talk about the formation and functioning of the council. Stories would be great. Hope you are doing well.
No Vermont for Sarah and myself this summer. We're off to Colorado in a couple of weeks. Then I have to work the latter part of the summer.
Miles Bryant. mbryant1@unl.edu,
Chair, EDAD Graduate Faculty
402-472-0960
133 TEAC UNL Lincoln, NE 68588-0360 http://cehs.unl.edu/mbryant/,

Jefferson Mack Letter
Monday, April 20, 2009 1:17 AM

John-

Just came across your web site on Stowe School. I graduated 1973(well-Vermont certificate if you must know the truth, as I refused to do my senior project).
Had dinner this weekend with Ellen Gutekunst (1974) In Montara, CA and reminisced about the old days. I hadn't seen her for 35 years! She is an artist and substitute school teacher in Portland, Maine.
After Stowe I went to college at Skidmore studying jewelry, theatre and philosophy. Did rock and roll lighting design for several years. Toured with B-52s, Modern English, Talking Heads, Thomas Dolby. Lots of fun but many occupational hazards like hamburgers, alcohol, drugs and no sleep.
Lived in England for two years, blacksmithing at an historical recreation museum(had to speak with an English accent) and created an English version of LL Bean, resurrecting the Real English Corduroys and selling them at Camden Flea Market. Found an old factory in Yorkshire that had made pants for the British army for 150 years and still had the old patterns. Unfortunately, we were underfunded and had absolutely no idea what we were doing. Got some nice corduroys out of the deal, though.
Moved to San Francisco in 1985 and became a building contractor, working on historic Victorians. In 1994 I gave my carpentry tools away and went back to my first love, blacksmithing, which is like jewelry for houses and buildings. Built up a company with 18 employees working on millionaire's houses, corporate offices and also producing products for sale in retail stores. 2003-Found myself in debt $250,000, laid everyone off, got divorced, terminated product line, refinanced the house and paid off the credit line.
Now I run a small blacksmith/metal artist business in SF. I fabricate custom commissions of architectural wrought iron for residential and corporate installations. Two kids-Peter, 13 and Sofia, 11. I play guitar and sing for the kindergarten classes and kayak all around SF Bay. I raise chickens in the city and garden in my back yard. www.mackmetal.com,
I did contact a bunch of alumni 13 years ago and spoke to quite a few to gauge the interest in a 25 year reunion. I will dig out the file and forward it to you.
People I spoke to:
Ted Janeway-In Detroit working for a worldwide shipping corporation. He has visited SF several times and we always have dinner;
Rodney Browder-cabinet maker in Fla;
Chip Wigton, Cincinnati-declared that it was he and Steve Spengler that set the woods in back of the school on fire with fire-crackers in the spring of 73;
Sue Steinacher-I spoke to her mother when I called her home on Long Island. "Sue's been outward bound ever since we sent her to Stowe!" I found her somewhere in Alaska running social services for local indigenous peoples. At the time she had adopted at least two teens from troubled homes. Previously she had sailed across the Bering Strait in a sealskin canoe and traveled down the Pacific rim of Russia on a Russian fishing trawler;
Jon Grasz, stock broker in Mass;
Dick Boake who is the company historian for Martin Guitar;
Laird Carlson and Claudia Baldwin in Colorado and Maine;
Laura Kirberger who did not have happy memories of Stowe and would just as soon forget all about it, thank you very much;
Matthew Skeele in Vermont had found some huge chunks of granite in the woods that had fallen off a train years ago and was carving them in situ;
Jay Polikoff whose father had played violin for Paul McCartney;
Ben Bridgeman who is still making hallucinogenic images;
and many others who have yet to be reprised from my notes when I find where I put them.
Not one day goes by that I don't marvel about the incredible experience I had at Stowe School and the camping I did across northern NY state and Vermont on our proverbial "Walk to school". Not to mention the afternoons spent cooking up river rocks on a fire and then ducking inside a sapling hut to throw water on the stones for an Indian sauna and then running out naked with 5 other guys into glacier melt river water or boiling off maple sap all day in a large square pot stolen from Ma Kellog's kitchen to make the best maple syrup I've ever had. Taking the gondola up Mt. Mansfield while smoking Vermont Green the whole way with the windows closed and skiing Hell-for-leather on XC skis all the way back to school. Sleeping in my sapling and visqueen dome up in the woods in deep winter in two sleeping bags. Asking Jack Handy a simple question and then trying not to laugh while he attempted to answer it without committing himself to anything dangerous or
controversial.

I have to say that my time at Stowe School GAVE me my life. I lost my virginity there. I fell in love there. I did LSD there. I learned how to write there. I blackmailed a teacher there. I broke into the school store and stole all the money and put it in Jack Handy's desk just to break up the February doldrums one year.
I became a person there. What a blessing-makes me think for a moment that there is a GOD/GODESS directing things...
Thank you for conserving these memories.

Paul Herzenberg 64'-65' Reflects
Thursday, September 24, 2009 12:29 AM

Hi John;

My name is Paul Herzenberg and I attended Stowe Prep. in 64 and 65 when I graduated. Heady days, great energy, beginning of Bob Dylan and the Beatles. Robert Frost - " When men and mountains meet great things happen." never forgot that.

In those days; the drug of choice was a diet pill, used to study through the night, for finals. Two days of that and the crash would bring on those chilling existential thoughts which the long, cold and dark Winter would further magnify.

But there was so much positive and creative energy buzzing around. All those guys, away from home in so supportive and beautiful an environment made for some incredible days and memories.

The river races in the Spring.

The first Snow Fall; breaking out the equipment and taking advantage.

Getting kicked off Mansfield for the first time after getting caught doing nutty stunts on the slopes.

Getting kicked off Spruce for the first time,,, well you know..

Skiing back to the dorm and coming into that little driveway, not knowing if someone was pulling in and, occasionally, having to go, straight, into the stream. Or, if you were lucky, walking back to the dorm; setting your skiis against the building and walking up the fire escape to your room in the penthouse.

Working in the kitchen and getting into a pancake throwing contest when Ma Kellog had her back turned.

Going into the Octagon, walking up to the condiment table, taking a napkin and spreading it with ketchup, mustard and relish; folding it up and eating it in front of some rich people from NYC or some place and getting them to feel sorry for you and buy you food. They in their ski ski clothes a we in jeans feeling cool

and at home, on our own turf.

Having a wine skin and drinking out of it while skiing; usually apple juice or cider.

Sitting in History Class with Mr. Barry Sandler teaching American History and having the place start to smell like a bar because some ones bottle of fermenting cider upstairs let loose and was dripping down the walls - yeah; that was about my first month at Stowe. I was impressed.

Learning to love Cheddar Cheese.

Bear Traps and long thongs and almost frost bitten fingers.

Skiing when the lifts were closed due to extreme cold.

River raft races which were so dangerous that someone would always get hurt badly and not being over protected by a bunch of politically correct jerks.

Baiting the drunk guys coming out of the Matterhorn bar with their girlfriends from our second floor windows.

Putting Mr. Bonneau's car in the swimming pool.

Hearing the Beatles: "I wanna hold your hand" for the first time walking down the isle in the dorm.

Going to sleep listening to the roaring stream across the street.

Having food hanging outside your window in a duffel bag.

Sneaking out of school, taking the train into the city; seeing Bob Dylan, staying at the Greenwich Hotel for 50 cents a night and then getting back to school before classes on Monday. Studying on the train on the way back.

Talking girls from Bennington College to sneak up the fire escape and spend the night with us.

Coming down to breakfast and placing your clip-on tie at the very second your rear hit the seat.

Getting laid for the first time amidst a huge mountain of mattresses by a local hotel owners daughter named ______ and then hitch hiking back to school and getting picked up in a tiny VW with three girls while you still had the smell of sex all over you and making very stilted conversation while you could watch their nostrils flare repeatedly. And, after getting back to school finding out your room mate had a pretty similar olfactory experience with the same girl.

Learning about the beautiful world of knowledge and reading, reading and knowing it was very cool to learn. And loving to learn if , even for the pure sake of learning.

The snow, the leaves, the mountains, all mixed in with getting to meet the most incredible cast of characters

at a young and mostly unsupervised age. Living together in a dorm with family style eating and a very nice set of rules to live by. Basically, leaving your family and never, really returning to that home except for holidays and visits. Learning to make it on your own.

Having dinner at John Handy's house with his beautiful family and taking part in his creative writing seminars.

He was a great man and he stayed in touch for years.

Watching Sonny Liston get blasted by Mohammed Ali on tv in the day room with every one going crazy.

Hanging around in the day room and picking up on cool conversations with just about anyone.

Learning about the Military way of life from Gary Confissori and getting a big dose of learning (Biology) at the same time. He was a graduate of Norwich Military Academy and drove us crazy but he made us study, hard and I never lost those skills.

Mike Schoenborn from middle of nowhere Gloversville N.Y and his sister who was here for my first year, Jeffrey Williams who talked to the ANTS and was one of my best roommates - ever, Tiny, Bob Allen who came to my house once, unannounced, found a ladder and climbed up to the second floor - only to scare the shit out of my sister but then she fell in love with him and had a crush on him for a few years, David Lesnow - really good guy, Brad Mosher - could actually throw knives, ski like a bastard and kick a soccer ball to kingdom come, Osborn, oh yeah could talk about anything, Siff, Dee Remick who came to visit me in Springfield mass and who tried to do a hill climb up my parents front lawn (hill) with her TR3 - but one of the coolest women I have ever met, and so many others whose names I have forgotten - I have to get a copy or two of the year books to put some names and faces together. While living in Malaysia my parents house had a serious fire and I lost all my Stowe and Goddard stuff.

Anyway: I went to and graduated from Goddard, was the only Economics major there, and then 3 years in the Peace Corps in Malaysia and then Bali and then Israel on a Kibbutz for a short stint ( up in the Golan Mountains) and then back to the good old USA round about 73 and then work, work, work - to this day-

We have a kitchen and bath design build company and do it all; cabinets, counters, tiles, installations, windows -yeeha- but I do get to work with really great people (15 of us) and some have been there for 30 years so its like a fam. You know those beautiful kitchens and baths you see in mags - we do those...very satisfying.

My wife: Liew Kim Lan is from Malaysia and is the most amazing person I know. Extreme gourmet cook and Master gardener and computer savvy. My son, 29 will be a full Registered Nurse in a few months and is out in San Francisco - so life is good and has been good to me and mine and I hope all my friends from Stowe are as lucky as I.

I really do think that my academic turn around - from the dark side to the light side was a result of my going to Stowe and I thank the organization and all who I met there for their part in my turning. And of course, my parents who sent me there when their funds were limited with the start of a new business.

Love you all;

Its late at night; can't spell check this - please understand...

Remember; We're all in this together................

Call me:

Paul Herzenberg

1-413-786-2133 Office

1-423-219-5949 Cell

1-413-788-4918 Fax

or Email

Bagus2@AOL.COM

Letter From W. T. Godbolt, Esq., Ltd.
Received October 28, 2009

Dear John,
I am a 1969 graduate (was only there for 68-69) and don’t remember whether I was know as Terry or Terrance back then. My wife calls me Terrance, college friends call me Terry, so I think I was in name transition then. I came across the sight when my wife asked if our daughter might like to attend Stowe, while we were considering another private school for her. My first response was that it’s a long way from Chicago, but that it was a wonderful time in my life.

Following my time there, I attended Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, worked for a Cleveland bank, then IBM in Allentown, PA, transferred to Atlanta, left them for a stint in Los Angeles (an excuse to get good seats for the ’84 Olympics) working in various computer systems related jobs.

I returned to school at Northwestern in Evanston, IL their business school, graduating in ’88, then did computer and business consulting until ’93, when I returned to CWRU in Cleveland to go to law school, graduating in 1998. Between B-school and law school, I got married, honeymooning on a drive with my new bride from Chicago to Seattle, where she was starting a Residency Program at the U of Washington – my 40th birthday was spent passing through Jackson Hole, WY.

The fore mentioned daughter was born in Cleveland, shortly before we left there to return to my wife’s hometown of Chicago. I’ve been practicing law in the Chicago area since.

I remember Jack Handy, Miles Bryant and the Williams’ as faulty, and John Headley, John Wilkerson, JP Morgan, III, Jay Iverson, Dave Deutl, Joe Hughes, Ross Stevens, John Riley and others as students.

Can anyone tell me about the Outward Bound Program’s relationship with the school? I was one of, I believe four students who was allowed to attend Hurricane Island Outward Bound School in lieu of the final 5 weeks of class, as a reward for academic achievement. My last days at Stowe were a whirlwind, as graduation was the day following our return from Maine.

I could go on… and on

Very truly yours,

William (Bill) Terrance Godbolt

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