The Blog

Aimee Simmons replaced Sean Owen as Dean of students. Cost of a gallon of gas was $1.23. Dungeons and Dragons, various video games and all things Goth were in fashion and it seemed that everyone wore black. Residents in “New Castle” were Oliver S., Will D., Ben B., Pat B., Joshua P., Matt D., Erick W., Nick C., Christopher P., and “Don Juan.” The year I wrote them a Christmas story about New Castle.

No dorm photo or collective image but this was the year that I started making dinner now and again for the dorm. This picture was from 2009 some 14 years later but the menu was basically the same. Lasagne, salad, garlic bread and some cranberry juice in wine glasses. Mr Farraday replaced Mrs Fraser as Academic Dean. Todd G. was dorm president and sang with the Bandeleros. He is also one of the students that I most admired in my time in New Cottage.

Sacha P. returned as our dorm president and Sang Jin P. also returned. Another “creative “ dorm picture. We welcomed David I., Todd G., Rodrigo G-V., Noel H., Nick S., Mizuho S., William K., We said goodbye to Academic Dean Nancy Fraser, Firkins Reed College Counseling and Cap Corduan Design and Production in the Theater Dept. At this time the girls wore white for graduation.

Points of interest this year. 1882-83 – 1992-93 was Festival 100. 100years as a school. 1992 President Bill Clinton Elected, 1993 World Trade Center bombing, Aids was on the rise and times were changing. Still had gymnastics but skating was long gone. Students this year -Sang Bak S., Max A., Sacha P., Satohiro K., Sheldon P.,Jon P., Jeremy P. and Travis. Eric continued as a dorm parent. Spanish teacher Graciela Taylor retired after twenty five years.

Settling in to New Cottage being a boys dorm for three years now – the most since the eighties. Larry bought a house and moved off campus but we could always visit him at his work downtown. I asked the students to dress nicely for the dorm picture and perhaps wear ties. Well, yes they did wear ties but not much else. I had to remember that it was an Arts school and not stifle creativity!!
I called them “The Best dressed Dorm.”

William K. Nick J. Alec D. Craig M. Max P. Bill P. Randy A. Mike M. Justin H. Seth W. Donnie W. Matt C. Another year of boys and Larry Smith stays as our other dorm parent. Mr. Medvitz replaces Mr. Tumelaire in the Social Studies Dept. Mr. Owen replaces Mrs. Tumelaire as Dean of students. Mr. Blackman joins the administration team. Alec D. returns and also graduates this year. This was the year of the first all school photo.

Fernando Z., Jose A., Willy B., Ted N., Adam W., Oscar S., Alberto P., Alec D., Dorm Parents, Ron Reid, Heather Reid, and Larry Smith. Also the Reid’s youngest son Andrew amongst the BOYS!!! Sept 1989 and back to BOYS again. A very cosmopolitan group from France, South America, UK and even Natick. Jim Woodside is the head of the Art Dept. Ken Tighe is dorm parent in Clark and Steve Carver joins the Social Studies Dept.

May 2019. This seems to be a perfect time to feature some Alums. Why is that you ask? It is because three of the most faithful New Cottage alums, Eddy A., Benny I., and Luke R. are returning for their 30th Reunion this week. We also had the pleasure of seeing Adam G. and Jack T. last year for their 30th – another faithful pair. Although now retired we are still living in Natick, 5 minutes walk from school and I usually have scones in the freezer!!

Back to girls. New Cottage was a girls dorm when we arrived in 1980 and in 1985 it became a boys dorm due to an increasing number of boys. Then in 1988 when we were getting used to a boys dorm it switched back to girls again. In the years to come we became very adaptable and just changed the decor accordingly !! I think they copied the boys very well for their dorm picture,