Some changes on campus this year. Ken Tighe took a full time position in the Art Dept. when he replaced Mr Carter. There were no longer any 7th graders.There were only six 8th graders and Ros F was one of them. Also we now had to have a female dorm parent and we welcomed Laura Thede to New Cottage as our other dorm parent. It was very different for parties and cakes and tablecloths replaced pizza and paper towels!
The number of boys were increasing and Clark was a boys dorm this year. Of course that meant that our three year students Benny and Eddie were no longer in New Cottage but have continued to be part of our life. This was their senior year and they graduated along with Luke and David.
In New Cottage this year we had Claire B. and Debbie A. who were also seniors.
Debbie A. came back many years later with her spouse and they were dorm parents in Clark.
“Yellin Ellen” made us laugh with her antics and Kristy R kept things calm. I loved hearing Lorna W sing at the Christmas Choral concert and her rendering of “Oh Holy Night” was amazing. Our children missed the boys but enjoyed the girls who spoiled them.
Anna O would also have visits from one of our former New Cottage students.
I remember that Bruce Miller was head of the Theater Dept. and directed a play called Playing for Time by Arthur Miller. It took place in Auschwitz and told the story of Nazi-sanctioned women’s orchestra in the camp. Alison P from another dorm played the part of SS-Lagerführerin. I actually sat there detesting her because I could only see SS-Lagerführerin and not Alison – brilliant acting.
I left the play and could not have a conversation for about 15 minutes as it had such a profound affect on me.
It was at that point that I realized what a profound effect art can have on us. To make us think, to make us laugh and to share in the joy that Art gives our students.
“We are constantly invited to be who we are.” Henry David Thoreau.
