2010 Cobblestone - Pine Cobble School

COBBLESTONE
THE
VOLUME 74, NUMBER 1
THE NEWSLET TER OF PINE COBBLE SCHOOL
From the
Interim Head
of School
Over the busy summer months, I
took some time to reflect on the Pine
Cobble motto – A Good Beginning
Never Ends – as well as on some of
my own beginnings.
My beginning at Pine Cobble was as
a young teacher in 1984. I was fresh
out of Williams College, excited
about my first classroom of students.
All independent schools have a
knack for putting their newest teachers into as many different teaching
opportunities as the school day
allows. During my first two years at
Pine Cobble, I taught classes in first,
second, fourth, sixth, seventh, and
eighth grades – not to mention, the
after school hours I spent as yearbook advisor and field hockey coach.
That beginning opened my eyes to
the magic of a school that values
both excellence and goodness,
community and individual effort.
It also launched me on a path that
has challenged me to be my best,
every single day.
As I learn and grow, I find inspiration
in some other beginnings – those of
our students.
Our students begin at three years
of age learning about responsibility,
compassion, courage, and more.
They live these character traits in
their daily interactions with friends
continued on back cover
FALL 2010
Eloise Pasachoff ’89:
A good beginning never ends
For Eloise Pasachoff, who just completed a year as a law clerk to
United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, relationships
matter: family, friends, co-workers. And many such relationships
were formed at Pine Cobble.
From the age of three until she was fourteen years old, Eloise was
a student at Pine Cobble School. She refers to PC as the “center of
her childhood” and the friends she made and faculty who taught
her became her extended family. To this day, classmate and close
friend Cornelia Alden ’89 can have Eloise in stitches if she so much
as sings the first line to “Roll on, Columbia, roll on”– a song they
both sang repeatedly in Mr. Crumb’s third grade music classroom.
In the two decades since she left Pine Cobble, Eloise remained
close to her Pine Cobble family while branching out and developing
new and meaningful relationships along the way. She went on to
earn both her bachelor’s degree and J.D. from Harvard University.
(In between obtaining those two degrees, she was a middle school
and high school English teacher and also earned a master’s degree
in English from Yale University and a master’s in public administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.) It was at
Harvard Law School that she first contemplated the possibility of
working in the highest court in the nation.
“In law school, you spend tons of time reading cases from the
Supreme Court. As an institution, it’s seared into your brain as
being such an exciting place where so many important decisions
are made,” she explains. “The opportunity to be a part, even a small
part, of that decision-making process is a law student’s dream.”
After law school, Pasachoff clerked for two judges, a federal trial
level judge and a federal court of appeals judge – both of whom
were in New York City. As she researched governing legal principles
to help prepare the judges for arguments and aided them in drafting opinions, Pasachoff discovered the importance of an entirely
new relationship: the tight bond that develops between law clerks
and their judges. Pasachoff describes the relationship as both professional and one that is much like a parent-child relationship.
continued on page 2
A GOOD BEGINNING NEVER ENDS
Eloise Pasachoff ’89 with Pine Cobble Upper School students
“The judge and other clerks become your
family,” she says. “Your judge becomes
central to your personal and professional
development. When I go to make decisions – big and small – I hear both my
parents’ and my judges’ voices in my
head. It’s a lifetime, special relationship.”
stepped down and Justice Sonia
Sotomayor was confirmed. Pasachoff
applied for a one-year clerk position,
interviewed and was accepted. A year of
intense work, personal and professional
growth, and amazing opportunities
followed.
After clerking, Pasachoff worked for a
law firm in New York City for a couple of
years, then decided to be a law professor.
As a stepping stone on the way to that
goal, she took a position teaching legal
research and writing at Harvard Law
School. During her first year of teaching,
Supreme Court Justice David Souter
When asked about the best part of her
job as a Supreme Court Justice Clerk,
Pasachoff responds: “Aside from the
obvious – getting to know and work with
Justice Sotomayor, who is a wonderful
person and legal mind – the best part
was having the privilege of working with
all the other clerks.”
“Clerking at the Supreme Court is an
incredibly challenging job,” she says.
“Every issue is complicated and nuanced
and it is truly a pleasure to go to another
clerk and ask his/her opinion. I was so
fortunate to have forty extremely smart
people thinking about and dealing with
similar legal issues as they advised their
own justices. Being able to talk through
questions and cases with all the other
clerks – it was like being at an incredible
intellectual feast.”
Reflecting on her many years at Pine
Cobble, Pasachoff can tell you the names
of every teacher she ever had and talk
easily about what she learned in each
class. Her memory for detail is remarkable.
With joy, she reminisces about “playing
dress up and swinging so high” when she
was in the Lower School. Pasachoff also
remembers which parents she wanted to
ride with on half-days in the winter when
the whole school went to Jiminy Peak for
skiing lessons. “The ‘cool’ parents were
the ones who let us listen to rock music
in the car. My parents were not ‘cool’ in
those days!”
Eloise Pasachoff ’89
Pine Cobble’s influence was so profound
that her college applications referenced
her fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Branson,
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and the polysyllabic words of the week
that her class would learn.
“Mrs. Cariddi, one of my sixth grade
teachers, was a seminal figure in my life”
states Pasachoff. “She was the first person
who gave me bad grades. She let me know
that I was not working to my potential and
told me to step it up. It was then that I
realized the importance of always giving
110%.” The same teacher also honed her
lifelong skills in note-taking and creating
outlines – skills, she says, that served her
in law school, as a clerk and as a law professor. She also recalls with affection her
two years spent in Mrs. Becker’s English
class, adding that she was honored to
have Mrs. Becker attend her wedding
in 2003. (The wedding was held on the
Pine Cobble grounds, and classmates
Cornelia Alden, Leslie Weinberg, Jennifer
Palmer, and Kip Bonsignore were also in
attendance, as was her sister, Deborah
Pasachoff ’91.)
This past March, Pasachoff hosted Pine
Cobble’s Upper School students for a
memorable tour of the Supreme Court
and a personal visit with Justice
Sotomayor. Despite her hectic schedule –
on top of her job, she has a toddler at
home, and she serves on the Pine Cobble
School Board of Trustees – she spent a
considerable amount of time making
arrangements for the visit, and the day
of, she spent a couple of hours with the
students and faculty.
Why would someone whose life is so busy
go so far out of her way for young people?
“I can’t think of another institution that
played such a formative role in my life,”
she answers. “Pine Cobble was the center
of my childhood. I wanted the opportunity
to say thank you in some small way. I had
eleven years of incredible happiness, education, social development and memories
at Pine Cobble.”
Brooke Hardman ’92
Keeping it Local
Brooke Hardman knows a little something
about community. She also knows about
creativity. The actress and former Pine
Cobble student has appeared on the stages
of such internationally-renowned theaters
as Steppenwolf, Williamstown Theatre
Festival, the New Repertory Theater, and
more. She’s been a featured stilt walker
with Redmoon Theatre Company, trained
with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, is a
founding member of Shack Productions, an
independent film company, and has taught
acting, music, and Shakespeare everywhere
from Chicago’s south side, to rural
Montana, to London, England.
Learning by Doing:
Michael Gallagher ’99 Starts
an Organic Farm
Michael Gallagher has always learned
by doing. Whether it was tapping maple
trees with former Pine Cobble teacher
Andy Vadnais (and accidentally setting off
all of the fire alarms while boiling sap),
making stone age tools in seventh grade,
or tackling geometry and trigonometry as
an independent study during his Upper
School years, Gallagher has always figured
out that the best way to learn something
is just by jumping in.
In the past few years, as the economy
declined, Hardman became concerned
about the future of theater funding.
“Times are changing,” Hardman said. “I’ve
seen theaters close as a result of one or two
donors being unable to maintain their level
of giving. I knew we needed a model of
something more sustainable.”
It is a philosophy that has served him
well, and it is one he has tried to pass on.
After graduating from Williams College
with a double major in Russian and
Biology, Gallagher joined the Mississippi
Teaching Corps, a program that allows
participants to earn a master’s degree
while teaching in critical needs schools.
“I taught math, and it was just incredibly
hard,”says Gallagher.“The kids were so
far behind that the textbooks were useless.
I ended up writing the curriculum as I
went.”
Some days Gallagher would create four
to five pages of geometry proofs for the
kids, and ask that they, too, learn by doing.
“I’d just hand them the proofs and say, ‘do
them. I’ll answer any questions you have.
You can look at the book, you can ask one
another for help. But here are ten proofs:
pick five and do them.’ And the kids hated
it. Oh, man, they just hated it. But that’s
much more what life is like – you’re given
a situation, and you just kind of have to
figure it out.”
Today, Gallagher is figuring out something
totally new for himself: farming. Last year,
Gallagher started an organic farm, Square
Roots Farm, in Clarksburg, MA. The farm
operates under a CSA (Community
Supported Agriculture) model, wherein
people purchase “shares” upfront, then
share in the farm’s harvest.
“Farming is really the only thing that made
sense for me,” said Gallagher. “I wanted to
produce something, really make something. Farming is one of the few professions that allow you to create something
of value, produce something that’s useful,
and not extractive. How many things can
you really say that about?”
In his first season, Gallagher raised 520
chickens, 75 turkeys, seven pigs, and a lot
of vegetables – literally thousands of heads
of lettuce, and a proportional amount of
cucumbers, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower,
broccoli, cantaloupes, watermelon, tomatoes, potatoes, parsnips, carrots, onions,
garlic, scallions, tomatillos, eggplants,
snow peas, snap peas, green beans,
Michael Gallagher ’99
herbs, beets, summer squash, winter
squash, pumpkins, and more. He also
sold out all thirty shares of his farm within
two weeks – reserving 20% of shares for
low income residents, thanks to a partnership with Target Hunger, a program of the
Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
Next year, he plans to almost double his
membership, and expects that he will still
have a waiting list.
“It’s been really fantastic,” he says. That is
not to say it has been easy: the days are
long, the work is difficult, and he’s made
more than a few mistakes along the way,
including accidentally killing a greenhouse filled with vegetable starts one day
when he was too distracted by his work
with chickens to vent the greenhouse.
“Although I’d apprenticed on a couple of
farms, I wasn’t totally ready when I started.
But I didn’t see many ways that I would
get much more ready, either. I knew I was
never going to be ready until I’d already
done it and screwed up some things.
Sometimes you just have to go ahead
and do it.”
Hardman and her husband, Brian Ditchfield,
found their model in the sustainable farms
of Martha’s Vineyard, Ditchfield’s home.
The couple was impressed with local farms’
ability to sustain themselves, while building
a stronger community. Together, the couple
founded ArtFarm Enterprises – a performing
arts organization supported by two forprofit companies: ArtFarm Designs, a web
design company, and ArtFarm Events, which
provides one-of-a-kind events.
“ArtFarm Enterprises give artists a home in
which to create, perform, and showcase
their work, but it also employs them
through events and web design. This is a
huge departure from past funding models
for arts organizations, which relied solely
on grants and private donors. It’s more
viable over time.”
ArtFarm Enterprises just finished its second
season. This summer the non-profit invited
three playwrights to workshop, write, and
begin staging brand new works, which
were performed as Vineyard Arts Projects.
ArtFarm also co-produced a show with the
Island Theater Workshop, Vineyard Arts
Project, and PigPen Theatre Company,
which performed at the outdoor stage at
And that confidence, says Gallagher, is
something he learned decades ago, at
Pine Cobble School.
“Pine Cobble teaches kids how to learn,
how to tackle problems. And the school
also instills the confidence that you
CAN tackle problems. You get a lot of
confidence coming out of Pine Cobble.”
“It’s a good thing,” he says. “It was
certainly a good thing for me.”
Brooke Hardman ’92, left, and Alley Ellis rehearse
ArtFarm’s production at The FARM Institute
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Featherstone Center. ArtFarm hosted
Boston’s award-winning theatre company
Actor’s Shakespeare Project, lead by
Robert Brustein, as they performed ASP’s
highly acclaimed 2010 production of
Othello.
Hardman also teaches acting and
Shakespeare workshops in the Vineyard
School, ensures that all visiting artists do
workshops with local children and adults,
and is determined that everyone have
access to productions, regardless of ability
to pay. “It all comes down to community”,
she says.
Hardman reflects fondly on her years at
Pine Cobble, where she was a student
from preschool through third grade.
“Those were pretty formative years,” she
said. “Pine Cobble really encouraged creativity and imagination. I remember so
well teachers like Mrs. Grillon, Mrs.
Lehmann, and Mrs. Brooks, who really put
a lot of emphasis on creative arts and
movement. I have such strong memories
of the Bennington Puppet theater coming
down, of being in a performance of Snow
White . . . I really attached to the creative
arts very early on.”
“It was just so much fun,” Hardman
added. “What a privilege it was to attend
Pine Cobble. It was there that I first discovered the things that I’m passionate
about today.”
­
Semper Fi
Sean Rush Filson ’85
Semper Fidelis: this well-known motto of
the United States Marine Corps, translates
to “always faithful.” Pine Cobble alumnus
Rush Filson is a living testament to this
motto: both in his service to his country,
and his loyalty to Pine Cobble.
Major Rush Filson believes in service.
Seventeen years into his career with the
United States Marine Corps, Major Filson
has served his country all around the
world, on ship and on land, most notably
in stability and support operations in
Bosnia and East Timor, and counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan.
He has served as an advisor to the Afghan
National Army, an infantry battalion operations officer, an expeditionary subject
matter expert for the Commander of the
U.S. Sixth Fleet in Naples, Italy, and most
recently as Guard Company Commander,
Marine Barracks Washington. Recently
promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Filson’s
next role will allow him to serve as the
Executive Officer of the Marine Barracks
Washington.
Major Rush Filson ’85 greets Upper School students at the 8th and I Barracks
“I just never tire of what the military
offers,” says Filson. “There’s the exhilaration of leading and developing Marines,
the chance to keep learning new things,
the opportunity to serve as one of the
many tools of foreign policy, and the ability to work each day with selfless, driven,
and dedicated people who want to make
a difference in peoples’ lives.”
Filson joined the Marines in 1993, after
graduating from Bates College (and before
that, Mt. Greylock Regional High School).
Motivated by his father, who served as a
Marine infantry officer and his grandfather who served in the Army horse cavalry,
Filson wanted “to make a difference with
people who were not able to help themselves, to lead, and to be a part of a distinguished organization.”
Still, he hasn’t forgotten his roots. Last
March, Filson hosted Pine Cobble’s Upper
School students for a tour of the Barracks.
In March, twenty-five seventh, eighth and
ninth graders accompanied by several
faculty and administrator chaperones,
had the privilege of visiting the famous
“8th and I” Barracks. Students toured
the Barracks, learned about the history
of its location, and even got a taste of life
as a Marine. Several students tried on
60 lb. flak jackets and 100 lb. back packs,
and they all prepared and ate MRE’s
(meals ready-to-eat).
While everyone was extremely grateful
for the attention and time put into this
visit, Major Filson was modest explaining
why he went to such lengths to arrange
the Pine Cobble visit.
“I wanted to expose the Upper School
students to a piece of Washington DC,”
says Filson. “One that not only reflected
the workplace and occupation of a Pine
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Cobble alumnus, but also the rich history
of the city.”
Plus, says Filson, it was the chance to give
back to a school that first set him on his
current path.
“I still employ lessons today that I learned
way back when I was at Pine Cobble: to
continually educate yourself and most
importantly, have patience and tolerance
with those who may disagree with you.”
Filson speaks enthusiastically of his early
years at Pine Cobble School. Several
teachers stand out in his memory. “Playing
soccer under the tutelage and leadership
of teacher and coach Jerry Baran was
certainly a highlight as was having Mrs.
Carridi introduce me to the fascinating
world of archaeology and ancient history.
I still clearly remember her having us
paint pottery, then having us excavate,
record, and assemble the pieces after she
broke them up and buried them in the
school sand lot. I also got a taste of the
theatre at Pine Cobble, playing the role
of Pooh-Bah in ‘The Mikado’ under the
directorship of Mrs. Burns and Mr. Krum.”
Filson added that he felt what makes
Pine Cobble so special is “the quality of
education, the school’s traditions, and
teachers’ genuine desire to make their
students succeed in everything they do.
That’s real, and it’s infinitely valuable.”
Major Bunge Cook ’90
When you talk to Warren “Bunge” Cook –
whether about his career, education, or
family – three themes emerge: teamwork,
challenge, and service. Cook, a Major in
the United States Marine Corps, has built
his life around these three values.
“Service has always been a tradition of my
family,” said Cook.“My dad (Warren Cook,
’59) enlisted in the Marines after high
school, completed officer training while
at Dartmouth College, and served in
Vietnam. In the Cook family, it was burned
into our circuitry that it’s critical to serve
something other than yourself.”
Dollars and Sense
Angie Joffe Dumler ’96
When Angie Joffe Dumler entered
Pine Cobble in the sixth grade, she was
struggling with math.
He attended Pine Cobble from Beginners
through fifth grade, when his family moved
to Maine. He graduated from Holderness,
then attended Williams College, choosing
the liberal arts college over an expensefree ROTC program at the University of
Massachusetts. Instead, he did the Marine
Corps Platoon Leaders Course (PLC), an
alternative military training program, ultimately graduating first in his class, and with
a rank of second lieutenant – the same rank
that a student from a service academy like
West Point would have.
“Originally, I thought it would be great
leadership training. I wasn’t sure I wanted
to actually be in the military. But when you
go to Williams, there’s a clear path to law
school, medical school, or banking – and I
didn’t want to do those things. The Marine
Corps was a great way to stay working with
young people, to be involved with teams
and service.”
“Before Pine Cobble I had actually needed
math tutors. Then I had Jay Merselis as my
teacher. Three years later, by the time I
went on to high school, math was no
longer a problem. Today, I use it every
day in my career field.”
Dumler, a financial advisor at Morgan
Stanley, notes that during her three years
at Pine Cobble she found not only help
with academics, she also discovered a
new sense of confidence.
Bunge Cook ’90
Still, he didn’t expect to be there long-term.
Not surprisingly, what stands out most
about Pine Cobble to Cook are all the
chances he was given to challenge himself
and to be a part of teams. “I loved skating
at the rink and skiing twice a week,” said
Cook. “I loved all sports, soccer, other
team sports, you name it.”
“I expected to stay in the Marines for four
years, get out, then move to Europe, use
my French skills, and sell Sno-Cats. But
here I am, twelve years later, still a Marine.”
Other aspects of the school, too, offered
a chance to be a part of a winning team –
for example, when he was in the play,
HMS Pinafore.
During those twelve years, Cook has
been all over the world. He’s completed
four tours in Iraq, one tour in Afghanistan,
and had one deployment to Southeast Asia.
He briefed Condoleeza Rice in the situation room, and has traveled to Africa,
Djibouti, the Persian Gulf, Pakistan, China,
Thailand, and Japan. He helped coordinate
allied coalition forces in Egypt, practicing
collaborative military operations, so the
forces would be able to work as a team
in a conflict.
Years after he left Pine Cobble, when
he was a student at Williams, he even
returned to assist other students in teambuilding, by coaching the Pine Cobble
lacrosse team.
“Everything I do, everything I’ve ever
done is team-oriented. I just really love
working with others serving something
greater than myself.”
“Sixth through ninth grade can be a
tough time, especially I think for girls.
But Pine Cobble was just an amazing
community to be part of during those
years. I made some great friends and
felt totally supported.”
Dumler found herself challenged not
only in the classroom but also on the
sports field.
“When I entered Pine Cobble I really
had had no experience with team sports,
and field hockey and lacrosse were both
new to me. The program at Pine Cobble
was fantastic. I loved sports, loved having
Sue Wells (current Head of School) as
my coach. My high school didn’t offer
lacrosse, and by then I felt strongly
enough about the sport that I helped
start a lacrosse program there.”
The value of sports, says Dumler, is that
it teaches you teamwork and to win and
lose gracefully.
“No day is ever the same. There’s a line in
the Marine Corps hymn that says, ‘we fight
in any clime or place,’ and that’s how it is.
Climates and environments always change
– you never do the same thing twice. The
one thing constant is that you’re working
with young marines who are looking to
make things happen.”
“I like working with cocky, energetic
young men and women who have a sense
of purpose,” he adds. “They don’t do it for
the money. They do it for the camaraderie
and adventure.”
Plus, he says, he can challenge himself.
“It’s an active lifestyle – I get paid to be in
good shape. We do a lot of intense things.
It’s definitely a lifestyle instead of a job.”
He stays in such good shape, actually, that
he was the subject of a two-page profile in
Skiing Magazine (December, 2007 issue).
Angie Joffe Dumler ’96 and her daughter Isabella
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“We had team huddles in lacrosse and
field hockey,” says Dumler. “And now at
work, we have a team huddle, too; we just
play different positions. When I played
lacrosse I played a forward; nobody
expected me to be a goalkeeper. In my
finance team I mostly work with clients
and do financial planning; nobody expects
me to be the investment decision maker.”
This sense of confidence and teamwork
is especially helpful in a down market.
“When I started in finance four years
ago, things looked great. Obviously, the
last four years have been tougher. But I’m
happy that I’ve been here through this
experience, rather than start out with a
long bull market. Although a bull market
is easier in many ways, I’ve learned so
much now.”
Pine Cobble, she says, “really was a great
beginning on so many levels. Although I
went to private schools before and after,
Pine Cobble was a totally different experience, a warmer, more supportive
environment.”
Jayson Tanzman ’82
Jayson Tanzman isn’t letting the economy
get him down. Even with all the challenges
in today’s economic climate, Tanzman has
found both career success and a deeply
meaningful life. In fact, it was last year, as
the stock market teetered and the national
unemployment rate hit 9.7%, that Tanzman
was promoted to Vice President and
Senior Advisor at Merrill Lynch, where
he has worked since 2003.
The key, says Tanzman, includes two skills
that he began learning decades ago at Pine
Cobble: love of learning and community.
“It’s been a tough market, no question”
Tanzman says. “The stock market, on the
whole, was higher in 2002 than it is today.
In this environment, wanting to learn new
things is essential. There is so much to
know. The market and the world are
constantly evolving. There are new products, new ideas, new skills. You have to
have an open mind and be excited to
learn different things.”
Tanzman first discovered his love of
learning at Pine Cobble.
“Ellie Patterson was the best teacher I ever
had in my entire life, with the greatest
impact on my life,” said Tanzman. “Like so
many teachers, she helped me learn and
grow, with kindness and humor. She was
just a wonderful, wonderful lady. I miss
her terribly.” Other teachers, like fifthgrade teacher Mr. Burns, deepened that
love of learning, as well.
Being active in the community helps, too.
Tanzman sits on a number of boards, and
recently finished four years of service on
Pine Cobble’s Board of Trustees. He is also
a member of the Chamber of Commerce,
a Rotarian, and involved with a number
of charities.
“As it happens, meeting new people is
one of the secrets to success in business,”
he says. “It’s as important as hard work.”
Tanzman credits Pine Cobble with
showing him the value of community.
It was here that he made many friends
he still sees today.
“Pine Cobble has a strong sense of community to it, such a sense of belonging.
I’m still friends with people I met nearly
four decades ago – it’s incredible. Beyond
those individual friendships, the school
really shows you how valuable a close
community can be.”
This sense of belonging, says Tanzman,
is unique – and it’s one of the things that
convinced him to join the Pine Cobble
Board, following in the footsteps of his
mother, Melinda Tanzman, who served
on the board from 1975-1977 and again
from 1988-2000. She served as President
from 1990-2000 and is the second longest
serving President in Pine Cobble history.
“It’s just amazing,” says Tanzman. “You
might see this level of community at some
other private high schools or colleges, but
I think it’s rare when you have that sense
from a place where you went to nursery
and elementary school. You just can’t put
a price tag on something like that.”
Linda Bernard and Elias Sekkal ’14
Write On!
Elias Sekkal, a sixth grader at Pine Cobble
School, was awarded an honors designation in the Massachusetts Letters About
Literature 2010 program. His letter was
among the top one percent of letters
received in this competition.
Letters About Literature is a national
reading and writing program that asks
students in grades four through twelve
to write letters to authors whose work has
made a significant difference in their lives.
It is sponsored nationally by the Library
of Congress and Target Stores. More than
4,100 letters were submitted in Massachusetts in 2009-2010 across three age levels.
Sekkal’s winning letter was written to
Natalie Babbitt about her Newbery Honor
Medal-winning book, The Search for
Delicious. The Search for Delicious is a
magical tale, first published in 1969, about
a nation severely divided over the meaning
of a single word. Sekkal’s letter explored
the power and potential of words and
made the connection between Babbitt’s
work and his own struggle to communicate
after his parents’ separation.
“This book helped me truly appreciate
words and their ability to connect people,”
Sekkal wrote in his winning letter. “Words
can hurt, but they can also heal. Words
may bring opposing sides together. For
all people young and old, words have
magic, and words have strengths . . . words
have changed my life.”
“I’m so proud of Elias’ accomplishments
this year,” said Lamia Sekkal, Elias’ mother.
“And I am forever grateful to his wonderful
teacher, Linda Bernard, for her guidance
and endless patience with Elias. It’s amazing how she was able to reach him and
encourage him to create something beautiful out of a difficult experience.”
Bernard recommended that Sekkal read
The Search for Delicious, and encouraged
her fifth-grade class to participate in
Jayson Tanzman ’82 and his daughter Leah
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Letters About Literature. Bernard has
taught fifth grade at Pine Cobble for 22
years, always with a strong emphasis on
excellent writing. In 2008-2009, two of
Bernard’s students, Jake Daugherty
and Matthew Germanowski, received
Honorable Mention from the Letters
About Literature program.
“Linda Bernard is simply an amazing
teacher,” said Daugherty’s mother, Sue
Daugherty. “Good writing is challenging
at any age, and what she is able to inspire
in those children is just stunning. She
truly has a gift.”
Sekkal was honored during a ceremony
at the State House in Boston on May 11,
2010. While he spoke enthusiastically
about his trip to Boston for the awards
event, Elias chose to share something
else with us when asked about the trip.
Sekkal wrote a second letter; this one
was to his teacher.
Dear Mrs. Bernard,
John F. Kennedy once said, “The course of
civilization is a race between catastrophe and
education. In a democracy such as ours, we
must make sure that education wins the race.”
I started the race Mrs. Bernard, and I have
you to thank. You believed in me and gently
tugged, pushed and led me to soar and be a
winner. You are an amazing teacher and I will
always think of you as a role model for years
to come.
Respectfully yours,
Elias Sekkal
z
DON’T MISS
THE 5th ANNUAL
FOUNDERS’ DAY
GOLF TOURNAMENT
September 2011
Stay tuned for the date
WAUBEEKA GOLF LINKS
ALUMNI/AE: Here is the perfect
chance to get old friends together
for a day on the links. All levels of
golf ability are welcome.
JOIN US! Look for more information
at www.pinecobble.org, Spring 2011.
Contact Janine Hetherington to sign
up now: j.hetherington@ pinecobble.org
MANY THANKS to our Fall 2010 Golf Tournament Sponsors
Breakthrough Resources LLC
brewhaha!
Budz Family
Coakley, Pierpan, Dolan & Collins
Cobble Hill Farm
Collins Family
Colonial Pizza
Dave’s Auto & Tire Center
Donovan and O’Connor, LLP
Eleven @ MoCA, Inc.
Farrington Construction
Finnegan Family
George Apkin & Sons
Greylock Federal Credit Union
Harrington Family
Harry DiMarzo
Howard Family
Mark Perry Building & Remodeling
Matthew McDonough, Attorney at Law
Meehan Electronics
Mezze Catering, Inc.
Moonlight Diner & Grille
Northern Berkshire OB/GYN
Orthopedic Associates of
Northern Berkshire
Richard & Deborah Provenzano
Purple Valley Auto
Raceway Media
r.k. Miles Inc.
Sand Springs Springwater Co. Inc.
True North Financial
Waters of Sand Springs
West Oil Company
Williamstown Physical Therapy
Williamstown Realty
Williamstown Savings Bank
Happening on Campus
PINE COBBLE 1960 CELEBRATES 50TH REUNION
Reunions are good for the soul. It’s pleasant to revisit the happy scenes of one’s
childhood and gain a renewed sense of
gratitude for the good fortune of having
grown up in a beautiful place like
Williamstown, and for having been able
to go to a school such as Pine Cobble.
Two years ago PC’s class of 1960 invited
all the classes from 1955-1965 to a luncheon on the Gale Road campus, with happy
results. To celebrate its 50th reunion, the
class planned a picnic lunch for the weekend of June 19, 2010, this time combining
forces with Ting Barrow ’59 and his Face book group “Williamstown Remembered”
(see sidebar), including friends and playmates from the town at large. Old friends
and playmates returned for an entire
weekend full of events beginning with a
Saturday lunch at Pine Cobble and on to a
tour of the Williamstown Theatre Festival
facilities, a hike up Stone Hill, cocktails,
dinner and dancing at the Williams Inn,
and informal breakfast gatherings at the
various inns in town. Many of us visited
the Clark Art Institute and the Williams
College Museum of Art, and toured
Williamstown’s streets and back roads
to check up on our childhood homes.
Many stories and reminiscences were
exchanged, aided by the display of vintage
Cobblestones and other artifacts such as
Alice Chaffee Freeman’s report card from
seventh grade (“Alice is not working up to
her potential . . .”). Archival movie coverage
of the Pine Cobble fire of 1970 and subsequent rebuilding of the school ran on a
screen for anyone brave enough to watch.
Perennial reunion goers Sandy Hewat
and Ted Cole, both class of 1960, were
unable to be at the luncheon due to family
commitments; they celebrated early at
dinner on Thursday with classmate Alice
Freeman. At the main event, lunch on
Saturday, Interim Head of School Sue
Wells and Board President Joe Finnegan
warmly welcomed Sally and Chris
“Cricket” Faison ’60, Carole and Norm
Urmy ’59, Brammie and Warren Cook ’59,
Cathy and Chuck Despres ’60, Jeff Cook
’62, Ann and Sandy Faison ’62, Meg Little
Warren ’62, Lang Rust ’58, Alice Chaffee
Freeman ’60, Nancy Foote ’60, Lisa Barber
Houck ’60, Jonathan Barber ’64, and Flora
Rodriguez and Ting Barrow ’59, as well as
fourteen non-Pine Cobble contemporaries. A catered lunch was enjoyed outdoors in a pavilion with a view of the distant mountains. The meal was topped off
by a cake in honor of Chuck Despres ’60.
Chuck was observing his 65th birthday. He
and his wife Cathy had driven across the
country from Crescent City, CA to be at
the reunion.
7
Several participants commented that it
was worth a long trip just to see how
happy everyone was to be together again.
A big thank you is due to Pine Cobble for
their generosity in letting us use the campus for the day, and to Sue Wells and all
the others who helped before, during,
and after the event.
Stay tuned for information about the
next one!
Alice Chaffee Freeman ’60
Williamstown Remembered
Those of you who belong to Facebook
may be interested in a group therein started by Ting Barrow ’59, for people who
grew up in Williamstown during the 40s
and 50s. At present there are about seventy members, and more are always welcome. Read discussions, reminiscences,
and enjoy looking at archival photographs
from the private collections of members,
some never before seen. Post news pertaining to Williamstown and receive notice
of events of interest taking place there
and elsewhere. Just search “Williamstown
Remembered” on Facebook and follow
the instructions to join.
Williamstown Research Group
Email-based Williamstown Research
Group, administered by former resident
Mike Miller, is a regular cyber-newsletter
comprising articles, photographs, and
interesting bits and pieces about
Williamstown history of the recent and
distant past. Using items from the archives
at the Williamstown House of Local
History and from his own collection,
history buff Miller treats subjects such as
Leake’s Pond, the “Stone Bench” on Stone
Hill, the Eisenhower-Stevenson presidential campaigns, Winston Churchill’s connection to Williamstown, and Williams
College German professor “Dutchy” Wahl.
A popular regular feature of the newsletter
is “Where in Williamstown?”, in which participants are asked to identify the location
in town of a building, place, monument, or
person from a partial photograph: harder
than one would think. There are over two
hundred members of this email list at
present, most with current or past ties
to the town. Mike will not use an email
address for any other purpose, and it will
never be revealed to other members
unless specifically authorized by the
owner. There are no requirements for
membership except an interest in
Williamstown history. To join, email
Mike at [email protected]
Character Education
BUILDING STRONG PILLARS THAT STAND
Character education makes a difference
at Pine Cobble School. We have been
developing a program for the past seven
years that is now woven through all that
we do in our school community. There
are nine Character Pillars that we focus
on during the academic year: respect,
responsibility, gratitude, compassion, self
control, patience, honesty, cooperation,
and courage. Each Monday morning the
“Pillar of the Month” is the feature of our
Lower School assembly. Stories are read,
songs sung, and group discussions are
focused on the pillar at this gathering.
Weekly Intermediate Assemblies and All
School Assemblies also spotlight the
pillar in age-appropriate ways.
Many teachers discuss the pillar of the
month daily in their classrooms. Stories
are read and acted out that demonstrate
the pillar in action. Older students identify
character traits in literature and discuss
them in the light of our pillars. One
teacher gives her students a monthly
assignment to do a project that represents
the pillar of the month. Students work in
small groups on projects to learn firsthand about cooperation. When conflicts
arise in the classroom the pillars give
structure and offer “a tool bag of lan-
Mary Pierson ’65 with her pre-K friends
A G O O D B E G I N N I N G N E V E R E N D8S
guage” to work through these issues
together. As one preschool teacher notes,
“the children do understand these concepts, and the pillars are the framework
on which we at Pine Cobble base our
curriculum and our expectations.”
Parents have also seen a positive influence
on their children through the Character
Education Program at Pine Cobble. One
family noticed wonderful growth in their
young son regarding his relationships with
his peers and his extended family. Pillars
are discussed at home daily to reinforce
core values in this family. Another parent
remarked, “I honestly find the emphasis
on character growth and respect for community taught by the pillars to be the real
gem of the Pine Cobble Program.”
The Character Education Program continues to grow at Pine Cobble and together
we are “building strong pillars that stand”
to strengthen the foundation of our wonderful school. Our goal is to encourage
students and staff in developing strong
individual and community character traits
and to aim to make a difference in our
school and our world.
Mary Pierson ’65
Director of Character Education
Pine Cobble fourth graders created this chessboard with a straight edge, compass and string after studying Euclidean geometric construction.
Adding to Excellence: PINE COBBLE’S MATH INITIATIVE
Last Spring, Pine Cobble received exciting
news in the form of a $20,000 grant from
the Milton and Dorothy Sarnoff Raymond
Foundation for mathematics education
and resources to be used during the 20102011 academic year. The money will enable
the school to build upon its extraordinary
math curricula and to offer a dedicated
math resource room for students.
cepts are understood rather than simply
memorized. Skills in the lower grades
include pattern recognition, number conceptualization, arithmetic facts, number
sense, estimation, place value, fractions,
and integers – all of which are necessary
for the abstract ideas that come later, such
as variables, linear equations, and factoring in algebra, or geometry proofs.
“We’re incredibly excited about this
math initiative,” said Sue Wells, Interim
Head of School. “It reflects our commitment to mathematical fluency at every
grade level – to helping students understand, at a deep level, mathematical
principles, operations, and properties,
as well as how to apply them in real life.”
By the intermediate grades (fourth, fifth,
and sixth grades) students continue to
hone their arithmetic skills, and begin to
master geometry, number theory, algebra,
prime factorization, and statistics. Students
are challenged to solve complex puzzles,
create statistical models, and apply an
array of algorithms as a way of understanding not just how to solve a problem, but
what numbers represent. Here, too, math
comes alive; last year’s fourth grade class,
for example, explored Euclidean geometric
construction by creating a giant outdoor
chess board using a straight edge, compass and string, and by creating a large
scale dodecahedron in the classroom.
Jay Merselis, Assistant Head of School,
agrees. “The math initiative will allow us
to provide a comprehensive assessment
of every child’s individual math skills at
the start of the year, ensure that each student is challenged and supported, and
prepare all students for future success
in higher-level mathematics.”
Already Pine Cobble helps math come
alive. From the earliest grades, when
three- and four-year-olds are introduced
to fractions by baking, then dividing pies,
teachers ensure that mathematical con-
In the Upper School (seventh, eighth,
and ninth), students master pre-algebra,
algebra, high school geometry, and for
some, even algebra II, integrating axioms,
equations, and proofs. In addition to their
9
rigorous classroom curricula, students
do an independent math study under the
direction of math teacher, Jerry Bope. Past
subjects for these projects have included
fractal geometry, Pascal’s triangle, (a study
of the binomial coefficients in a triangle)
and non-Euclidean geometric systems like
hyperbolic space. Independent projects are
presented before the school at the end of
the year. Because our student-faculty ratio is
low, students receive highly individualized
attention as they master, and apply, mathematical principles.
The math initiative allows the school to
review and enhance the strongest aspects
of the curricula. In addition, all students and
teachers will now have access to a dedicated
math resource room which will support students who struggle with a specific content,
advanced math students who want to
expand and grow their knowledge, or those
who simply want more time to study math.
The resource room will include innovative
materials, manipulatives, games, online activities, and programs, and other resources that
can be integrated into the classroom. After
school teachers can work with students
one-on-one or in small groups. “The math
initiative is a very exciting opportunity to
take our mathematics program to the next
level,” said Wells.
SAVE TH E DATE:
FOUNDERS’ DAY
SATURDAY
MAY 7, 2011
P LE A S E J O I N U S!
M A R K YO U R
C A L E N D A R S:
Pine Cobble
S KI and S KATE
SALE:
Georgia ’15 and Stephen Hannock P15
FRIDAY/SATURDAY
NOVEMBER 12/13
2010
Campus Cleanup
P L E A S E J O I N U S!
This summer a group of inspiring volunteers
came to campus each Wednesday to maintain
and beautify our incredible campus. This
included both a dedicated core group, led
by the exceptional team of Diane Taylor, Paul
Baran P18/21 and Bob Pizani GP18/21, as well as
additional volunteers of staff, faculty, students,
parents, grandparents, and alumni/ae.
Their work was simply incredible. They cleared
brush and trees, raked, planted flowers and
evergreens, spread mulch under the playground equipment, and so much more. The
work was physically demanding, and volunteers did it in nearly every weather condition –
from driving rain to record heat waves.
Much of the work is evident from the moment
one arrives on campus; regular visitors can’t
help but notice the plantings at the school’s
entrance, the cleared brush by the driveway
that makes visible the nearby mountain range,
or the hydrangea trees (donated by alumni)
that greet the children near the Good Day Bell
at the conclusion of each day. Other work
might be less obvious – for example, the fifty
yards of mulch spread beneath the lower
school playground, making the grounds
significantly safer for our children.
These efforts weren’t merely work, however;
they were also great fun and an important
part of community building. Every volunteer
expressed pride in our school and a genuine
desire to help.
We are truly grateful for everyone’s efforts,
and for their remarkable and ongoing
dedication to Pine Cobble.
Paul Baran P18/21
10
Pine Cobble Alumnus Spoke of
Community & Strength at Graduation
Matt Chandler ’98 was the commencement
speaker at this year’s Pine Cobble School
graduation ceremony on June 11. Chandler,
the deputy press secretary for the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS),
is a senior spokesperson focused primarily
on immigration, border security, and
federal law enforcement.
Chandler spoke of the importance of community, and he encouraged the graduates
to engage positively in their communities
and the world at large, noting that this ability to serve others is part of what makes
this nation so great.
After graduating from Pine Cobble’s
ninth grade in 1998, he attended Concord
Academy then Colorado College, graduating in 2006. Since his college graduation,
Chandler has been a spokesperson for
U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), and
a communications director and press
secretary for the Obama for America
presidential campaign throughout the
intermountain West. He previously worked
for RBI Strategies and Research, a political
consulting firm in Denver, CO, where he
worked on various international, federal,
and state campaigns and served as a
spokesperson for an international Darfur
advocacy campaign.
In his speech at Pine Cobble, Chandler
noted that “in this country, everyone has a
unique opportunity to change the debate,
change your community, and change the
world.” He noted the challenges of the
Gulf Coast – Hurricanes Rita and Katrina,
and now the BP oil spill, and said, “every
time disaster strikes, we hear stories of
great strength, of survival, revival, and of
resilience. They are uniquely American
stories.”
Chandler said that it is our nation’s willingness to help strangers, and our ability
to band together in both times of need
and times of strength that is the “backbone of our national character, and the
greatest source of our national pride.”
“The true bedrock of our nation’s
strength,” he said, “is our people and
the values that we defend and hold dear:
hard work, sacrifice, shared responsibility, and service to others.” Chandler then
reminded graduates of their own place
in their community and world:
“Think about what this community
has done for you,” he said. “They have
shaped you, educated you, supported
you…wherever you go, whatever you
do, remember the values that they have
instilled in you . . . with the support and
care this place has given you, comes
responsibility to continue to engage
positively with your community.”
“See the world now, then imagine
the world as you’d like to see it in the
future,” he said. “Then, chart a course
there. Everyone has the power to
make a difference.”
Old PC buddies Avery Cushman ’99 and
Matt Chandler ’98
M A R K YO U R
C A LE N DA R S :
THIS YEAR’S
ALUMNI/AE FIELD
HOCKEY AND
SOCCER GAMES
WILL BE:
SATURDAY
NOVEMBER 27, 2010
1:00 P.M.
P LE A S E J O I N U S !
Matt Chandler ’98 with parents Michele and Chip Chandler and family friend Lisa Cushman ’69
A GOOD BEGINNING NEVER ENDS
11
stick for the first time in my life: the
strange exhilaration I felt trying to cradle
and run at the same time; the joy that
splashed over me when I was assigned
my first field position; the importance,
the confidence it made me feel.
I always thought that I was more of an
observer than an active participant. I
thought that I would just get on with the
rest of my life just observing, rather silently.
And then, one day, I was hanging out on
the field during a game, as a defensive
wing, looking over our attack side crowded
and busy with our offenders. It hit me,
pretty hard, that I was part of this team.
Nothing too surprising or amazing of a
discovery, but I hadn’t realized this before.
Observing felt fine now, except I realized
that I had already learned of my capabilities
over time and was ready to hit the floor.
When I called for a pass from one of my
teammates two minutes later, for the first
time I heard my voice sounding as confident as I felt.
2009 grads Jilly Lim and Daisy Davis
That was only a year ago, and I’m thinking
about all this as I look out the window.
Reflections of a Ninth Grader
The clock ticks and tocks.
I am lying on my stomach on my bed
listening to my iPod and thinking about
how I’m aging every second, even right
now.
There are a lot of white clouds passing
by out the window, which I’m watching
thoughtlessly. They move away pretty
quickly, and the small bit of sky I see
through my bedroom window is left
empty.
Looking out the window into the clear
blue sky, I’m remembering the same me
The clock is still ticking, and truth be
told, I’m still getting older and older as
the seconds pass.
who looked at the same sky only a year
ago. The same Jilly who stared at the same
sky blue air and wondered about things
she didn’t understand. Time feels like a
weird thing; I feel so different from the
girl I remember from last year, and for
some reason it’s mind-numbing to think
about this.
Over the last couple years, I have tried a
lot of things and experimented a lot of
things on myself.
I recall scenes from last year when I stood
on my school field and held a lacrosse
12
But now I also know that the clock won’t
be so fast. Many things will happen in the
next year. There will be a lot of changes,
and I will recall myself as I am now and will
contemplate the differences I made. I still
see the clouds moving away quickly and
the sky getting darker, but I feel just fine.
Jilly Lim ’09
Editor’s note: Jilly came to Williamstown three
years ago from South Korea and spent two years
at Pine Cobble School.
A Memorable Trip
to Washington DC
Thursday, March 11 –
Saturday, March 13, 2010
After a lovely night of rest, well, not exactly… after the LONGEST night we have ever
had, the Upper School prepared for the
day that awaited us. We knew we would
have fun, but we never guessed what an
enlightening experience we would have.
As we pulled up to the Supreme Court, we
were shocked at the size and beauty of the
building, inside and out. When Justice
Sotomayor walked into the room, we were
hit by a sense of awe. This woman could
make a decision to change our country
with one single vote. The genuine interest
she showed for each student’s question
and the heartfelt answers she gave will
stay etched in our minds forever.
Both before and after the twenty minutes
with Justice Sotomayor, we spent over an
hour with Eloise Pasachoff ’89, Clerk to the
Justice for this year. Eloise truly captivated
us and left us with a lot to think about –
she felt strongly that we should treat
everyone with respect and work hard at
all we do in life. Next we went to the U.S.
Marine Barracks at 8th and I, where we
were greeted by Major Rush Filson ’85.
We had an unforgettable tour and learned
about the lifestyle of our soldiers while in
the field, such as what they eat and what
they wear. Next, we went to see the Terra
Cotta Soldiers exhibit at the National
Geographic Museum, seeing 2,000 year
old clay replicas of soldiers that once
guarded the ancient ruler’s tomb. For
dinner, we experienced another great
part of DC history – Ben’s Chili Bowl.
Look it up online sometime! Finally, we
returned to The Lab School where we
spent all three nights camping out on
the gym floor – our “hotel”.
Upper School students on the steps of the Supreme Court
Rachel Swoap ’11
^
ALUMNI /AE, PARENTS,
GRANDPARENTS
AND FRIENDS:
Check out our vastly improved
Pine Cobble School website:
www.pinecobble.org
Learn what is happening on campus, stay in
touch with us, look at our photo gallery and
support your alma mater. All of this can be
found by just a click of the mouse!
Patrick Finnegan ’11 tries on “in-country” gear at the Marine Barracks in Washington DC
13
Gifts to Pine Cobble School
Pine Cobble’s 2009-2010 Annual Fund Drive was a great success. As a
community, we reached and far surpassed our goal of $125,000. The Drive
closed on June 30, 2010 at $153,303! We are deeply appreciative that so many
members of the Pine Cobble family come together each year to ensure the
school’s extraordinary learning environment.
With gratitude, the following is a list of donors:
Flinton Society
$5,000 and up
Herbert Allen
Linda J. L. Becker P88 S
James R. and Mary Lou Briggs P77/78/80/83
GP17/20
Daft Family Foundation
Royce and Jennifer Diener
Fairbanks Family Charitable Foundation
Edgar & Doris Flinton Trust
Dave Fehr GP06
Joe and Tracy Finnegan P11 B
Stephen Hannock P15
The Holland Family P97/01/05/08/10
Joan and Jim Hunter 61 P96/03
Susie Hunter Watson 65
Robert and Lisa Lourie In honor of
Linda J.L. Becker
James Melcher 53
Milton and Dorothy Sarnoff Raymond
Foundation
Pamela Weatherbee 45 P74 GP13/15
Cobblestone Society
$1,000 – $4,999
Osmin and Monica Alvarez P14/17
David and Jennifer Armet P14/19
Dusty Bahlman 68 P88 B
John and Jeri Baran GP18/21
JoAnne Barker
Jerald Bope and Mary Ellen Czerniak P07 S
Jim 83 and Susan Briggs P17/20 B
Tom and Serah Byrne P15/18
Jonathan Cluett B
Ted Cole 60
Charles Despres 60
Harry and Harriet DiMarzo GP10/11/14
Cecil Driver & Janice Cook P12
Mary and Hank Flynt P66/68/71/74
Alice Chafee Freeman 60
Don and Sally Goodrich P87 GP17/20/22
Whit and Roby Harrington GP06/08/12
Guy Hedreen and Elizabeth McGowan P10/13
Richard and Elizabeth Hedreen GP10/13
Jane Swift and Charles Hunt III P14/15
Independent Charities of America
The Jake Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Walker Kimball, Jr. P81/83
Pine Cobble Parent Teacher Group
Anne Sclufer 51
Jim and Marilyn Simons In honor of
Linda J.L. Becker
Jenny Walsh Singer 92
Dr. and Mrs. John Sprague 45 P71/73/75/81
Frans and Solenn Van Schaik P21
Dr. James Whittum P12/16
Greylock Society
Paul and Corrina Gitterman P18/21
Carrie Greene P09
Scott and Sue Hamilton P11
Dr. and Mrs. Barry Hastings GP14
James and Karen Hetherington GP17/19/22
Janine and Foster 87 Hetherington P17/20/22 S
Sandy Hewat 60
Brooks Hoffman 78
Wendy and David Horton P85/88
Brian and Mea Jowett P20
Richard and Mary Beth Kerns GP17/19
Chris Newbound and Amy Herring P09
David Pittelli and Amy Stevens P17/19
Paula and Geoffrey Tabor P11
Jay Thoman and Lee Venolia P08
Chip Tilgner 74
Michael Tillou and Lara Hutson P20
Barbara Wright Turner 47
Sue and Peter Wells P06/08/12 S
Roger and Catherine Yamamoto P95/98
1937 Society
$500 – $999
Cornelia Alden 89 S
Anne and Joe Apkin P09/11 B
Williamstown Savings Bank
Judith Benjamin GP17/21
John and Janet Bryan GP16/18/20
Heleny Cook 65
John Cook Jr. 62
Sam Crane and Maureen Strype P09 B
Carter Crawford 52
James F. Dickerson 62
M’Ellen Erickson P97/00/18 S
Juliet Flynt 66 FS
John and Deborah Germanowski P13
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation
Rick and Ivanna Lutazzi B
Frank and Deb Mahan P15 S
Martha Parrish GP08/11
Eloise Pasachoff 89 B and Tom Glaisyer
Bill and Amalie Reichblum P08/11
Michael Samson and Ingrid van Niekerk P09/19
Ranjit and Naveena Shastri P13
W. Anthony Sheppard and Lara Shore-Sheppard
P17/19
Thet Soe and Mar Lar K Myint P12
David 77 and Lori Tilgner
Berkshire Society
$250 – $499
Ting Barrow 59
Berkshire Taconic Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Brodsky GP16/17
Katherine and Thomas Byrne GP15/18
Burley Dickerson 67
Donald Dion P94
Peter French FS
Sandy Gadsby 49
Joe and Joanna Gitterman GP18/21
14
$100 – $249
Helene and Stu Armet GP14/19
Barbara and Paul Baran P18/21
Jerry and Maureen Baran P88 FS B
Don and Ollie Beaver GP06
Daniel Becker P88
Blair and Ali Benjamin P17/21
Linda and Scott Bernard P93/95 S
Bruce Brawley 78
Dorothy Briggs Brill 77
Fleming Brooks 86
Michael Brown and Sylvia Kennick Brown P14
Andy and Sue Budz
Steve and Nancy Bullock 50
Jonathan Buoni 84 B
James T. Burger FS
Thomas and Ann Marie Carlough P12/14
John and Kathleen Case P81
Meredith Cochran 69 P06 B
Rabbi and Mrs. Howard Cohen P05/07/10
Robert and Sharyn Collins GP15/18
Warren 59 and Brammy Cook P87/90
Katie Cummings S
Mr. and Mrs. Mills Edgerton GP12/14
Abbott Fenn FS
Sean Rush Filson 85
Dr. and Mrs. John Flinton
Nancy Foote 60
Jamie Fosburgh 79
Whit Fosburgh 77
Ken Fox 57
Philip Fox II 51
Tom and Elizabeth Fox 53
Dana Pilson and William Gentry P19
Catherine Gillespie S
Rynard 81 and Sue Gundrum P10/11/14 S
Liz Hannock GP15
Bruce Harley and Mieke Kohl P20
Dr. Alison Hastings P14
Bobby and Jean Hayes 84
Michael Hayes 83
Brigid Hennessey and David Casey P12
Dr. Jeremy Hertzig 87
Mark and Kathryn Hollander GP16/18/20
Amy and Simon Holzapfel P20
Alan Horton 85
Scott and Sheila Hotaling P16
Sharon Hotaling GP16
Lisa Houck 60
Allison Howard 84
Mr. and Mrs. George Hummer GP15
Bob and Roxanne Iwanicki P12
Larry and Hulda Jowett GP20
Norton Kennedy 71
Molly and Eric Kerns P17/19
Dick Lamb and Holly Taylor P95
Kyle 92 and Christina Lamphere P17/18
Mr. and Mrs. David Lamson 53
Sulgi Lim P10
Jason Longo 77
Chip and Jennifer Lovett P92/08
Joy Joslyn MacNulty 51
Maple Grove Services
John Maragon 70
Al and Nancy Marden GP16
Sigrid and Gordon McWilliams 37 GP08
John G. Merselis III and Family P16/18/20 S
Mary and Jack Merselis GP16/18/20
Anne Bahlman Miley 70
Dr. and Mrs. Scott Morris P13
Virginia O’Rorke and Kuhrt Wieneke P93/96
Prof. Jay and Dr. Naomi Pasachoff P89/91
Peter and Mary Pierson 65 S
Becky 88 and Gary Polumbo P15/18/20
David and Maribeth Pomerantz P15/18
Cindy Parrish and Jonathan Post P08/11
Galen Rhode 81
Maude Rich 91 P14/20 S
Hilary Richards 85
Chris and Jodi Roosenraad 88
Susan and Cris Roosenraad P88 FS
Hannah Hewat Rose 57
Gillian Ryan 78
Patricia Blair Ryan P78/81
Beth Saulnier 84
Susan Scarborough Schulz 80
Esso Scherr 77 and Shelly Pozzi
Lamia Sekkal P14
Tom and Carol Shuey GP14/19
Bob and Carol Stegeman
Bryan Stevens 48
Charley Stevenson and Kate Brill P19/20
Alan and Kristi Strahler GP20
William Talbot 51
Frances Taliaferro 48
Jayson Tanzman 83 B
John Walsh P92
Janet and Jim Watkins GP15
Sherri and David Wilson P09/13
Audrey Witter P13/18
Randall and Rhoda Woods
Larry and Judy Wright P80 S
Friend
Up to $99
Sarah Benton S
April Bernard P12
Lynn Bizzi S
Phyllis Blair GP96
Tim Brooks 79
Mark Bucknall 83
Beth 90 and Jim Callahan P18 S
James and Dolores Callahan GP18
Jordan Callahan 18
Donald 76 and Margaret Campbell P12/14
Duncan and Ann Campbell P76/78 GP12/14
Beau Carter 58
Patty and Cleave Carter 82/83
Heidi and Michael Clements 78
Dr. Richard and Robin Clutz P87
Averill Cook 98
Frederick FS and Katherine Coombs
Winsor Copeland 58
Marie-Dominique Corbiere and John Fenske
P88 FS
Lisa and Michael Cushman 69/68 P97/99/00 S
Hallie and Daniel D’Agruma P20
Alex and Sue Daugherty P13/16/22
Judith Davidson 59
Chloe Dircks 05
Jude Dircks 08
Michael Edwards 95
Amy Morgan and Peter Ellard P13/15
Monica Endres S
Patricia Everett 72
George 53 and Lorraine Faison
Gordon Faison 52
Annie Farrell
Jenna Fenander 83 P13
Margaret Fenander P78/80/83/85 GP13
Laura Fernandez 83
Liza Fosburgh P77/79 FS
Reed Wendorf-French 04
Leslie Fuller P04
Nancy Garton S
Mrs. Carol Gibson 60
Robert 58 and Anne Giddings
Catherine Gillespie S
Chris Gillooly and Bonnie Hayden P14
Hayden Gillooly 14
Gilooly Family P16/18/20 S
Giom P16 S
Rabbi Goldwasser and Jonquil Wolfson P13/20
Talia 13 and Eliana 20 Goldwasser
Tara Goodrich 84
John and Patricia Gower P20
Mr. and Mrs. Norman Greenberg P69 GP91/18
Nancy and Timothy Griffin GP17
Gail and Dan Guss P99 FS
Deborah Allen Gutschera 53
Billy 87 and Maureen Hayes
Michelle and David Holzapfel GP20
Christine Honiker P16
Kevin and Moira Jones P08
Avie Kalker A
Christina Kelly-Whitney P15/17 S
David 15 and Jonah 17 Kelly-Whitney
15
Anna Kennick GP14
Lisa Klensch 73
David and Briana Lachman P21
David Lane P16/19
Helen and Mark Ledbury P21
Melissa Levis 84
Cameron Mahan 15
Edward and Jeanne Mahan GP15
Jack and Pamela Matalon P03
Jacob Matalon 03
Tara Watson and Robert Mathews P20
Ellen Kearsey Mayne 60
Matt and Ellie McDonough P18/21
McGrath Family P19/22 S
Sally Dodge Mole 61 P84/86
Joan Morgan GP13/15
Shawn and Julie Murphy S
Lois Nelson GP13/16/22
Dick and Beth Nesbitt P08
Mary and Daniel O’Connor P76/78 FS
Joy Onasch 86
Dr. and Mrs. Michael Payne P00/04/08/12
Kate Buckley Pell 68
Neal and Frieda Pilson GP19
Isobel and David Polumbo GP09/15/18
Leslie Polumbo P09
Scott and Sheilah Printz P16/17
Shaun Ralston 87
Recco Family P07/09
Rick Reeves S
Mr. and Mrs. George Repice GP16
Dr. Kevin Rhoads and Ms. Sandy Camper P20
Kristen Rigazio S
Anne Sawyer P64/68
Nancy Eaton Smart 53
Amie Witten Smith 79
Jane and Peter Smith P11 S
Anne Johnson Stone 50
Steve and Jennifer Swoap P09/11/13
Beth Tanzman 77
Carol and William Tihen P81/84/85 FS
Thomas Tihen 81
Kirsten Leaning Vernon 81
Andrew Walak 01 S
Meg Warren 62
Nathaniel Whitman 95
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Whittum GP12/16
Beverly and Charlie Wilson GP13/18
Eve Witten 80
Donations to the 2009 -2010 Annual Fund
totaled $153,303.
89% of current parents, 89% of faculty and
staff, 100% of Board Members and 19% of
our alumni/ae gave to the Annual Fund.
P = parent
GP = grandparent
S = staff / faculty
B = board member
FS = former staff
Numbers by name indicate graduation year
Polly Dickerson Scholarship Fund
Gifts-in-Kind
The Polly Dickerson Scholarship Fund continued to grow during the 2009 - 2010 school
year with gifts from devoted family and
friends. Her Fund will assist one of our students for the 2010- 2011 school year. Polly’s
love for life and everything in it lives on at
Pine Cobble School. Please help her Fund
continue to grow in the coming years by
giving to Pine Cobble’s Annual Fund and
note that you would like your gift to go to
The Polly Dickerson Scholarship fund.
From Founders’ Day Auction items, to help
painting and doing carpentry work around
campus, to photography equipment, to work
on the grounds, and much more, Pine Cobble
receives many wonderful and useful in-kind
gifts. These donations help the quality of life
for the students and faculty at Pine Cobble
School. Pine Cobble is grateful to all of you.
This year’s donors include:
Burley Dickerson 67
James F. Dickerson 62
John Dickerson
Norton Kennedy 71
Peter and Mary Pierson 65 S
Bridget Watkins Hannock
Scholarship Fund
Bridget loved children and gave her time
and energy to many organizations whose
mission involved children. It is Bridget’s love
of giving to others that we want to honor
each year, and funds in her name will assist
one of our students for the 2010 - 2011 school
year. Please help us continue to provide
worthy scholarship students with financial
aid by giving to Pine Cobble’s Annual Fund
and note that you would like your gift to
specifically go to scholarship aid in Bridget
Watkins Hannock’s name.
This year’s donors include:
Phyllis Blair GP96
Annie Farrell
Liz Hannock GP15
Stephen Hannock P15
Joan and Jim Hunter P96/03
Janet and Jim Watkins GP15
Louise T. McGowan Scholarship Aid
Louise’s love for children and education
lives on at Pine Cobble School. For the
2010 - 2011 school year, funds in her name
will assist one of our students. Please help
us continue to provide worthy scholarship
students with financial aid by giving to Pine
Cobble’s Annual Fund and note that you
would like your gift to go to scholarship
aid in Louise T. McGowan’s name.
62 Center for Theatre and Dance
Jerry Baran P88 FS B
Paul Baran P18/21
Linda J.L. Becker P88 S
Ali and Blair Benjamin P17/21
brew ha ha!
Jim Briggs Sr. P77/78/80/83 GP17/20
Lisa Cushman 69 P97/99/01 S
Images Cinema
Jonathan Cluett B
Katie Cummings S
Jake and Harris Elder
M’Ellen Erickson P97/00/18 S
Joe and Tracy Finnegan P11 B
Nancy Garton S
Chris Gillooly P14
Rye and Sue Gundrum P10/11/14
Janine and Foster Hetherington 87 P17/20/22 S
Simon and Amy Holzapfel P20
Hulda and Larry Jowett P85 GP20
Molly and Eric Kerns P17/18
Mieke Kohl and Bruce Harley P20
David Lane P16/18
Helen and Mark Ledbury P21
MassMoCA
Sean and Kristine McGrath P18/22 S
Amy Merselis P16/18/21
Mt. Williams Florist
Parent Teacher Group at Pine Cobble
Debi Pendell
Persnickety Toys and Monique Suters
Peter and Mary Pierson 65 S
Bob Pizani GP18/21
Dana Seddon, Design Vision Eyewear
Shima
Jane Smith P11 S
Storey Publishing
Summit Farm
Jane Swift and Chuck Hunt P14/15
The Cottage of Williamstown
Mike Tillou and Lara Hutson P20
Jennifer Trainer Thompson
Frans and Solenn Van Shaik P22
Lindley Wells 06
Williamstown Theatre Festival
Zen Tree Wellness, Nicole Anagnos
This year’s donors include:
Guy, Rose 10, & George 13 Hedreen
and Liz McGowan
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hedreen GP10/13
Matching Gifts
Thank you again to everyone who filled out
their employers’ matching gift forms for the
2009- 2010 school year. These donations are
an easy bonus to Pine Cobble’s Annual Fund
as well as Scholarship Funds. The following
companies donated by matching the gifts
their employees gave to Pine Cobble:
Amica Companies Foundation
Bank of America Corporation
Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation
Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co. LLC
Green Mt. Coffee Roasters
Mass Mutual Financial Group
Matching Gift Companies can match,
double, sometimes triple, your gift to
Pine Cobble School. Please check to see
if your company provides this benefit.
Restricted Gifts to School Programs
For the 2009 - 2010 school year many restricted
gifts were given to Pine Cobble School by
members of our community. These gifts are
essential in making programs possible at
certain grade levels, purchasing books for
our library, beautifying our campus, and
supporting special campus projects. All of
these gifts have enhanced our programs and
touch each student’s daily life. Thank you all
for your vision.
James R. and Mary Lou Briggs P77/78/80/83
Joe and Tracy Finnegan P11 B
Whit Fosburgh 77
Scott and Sue Hamilton P11
Stephen Hannock P15
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation
Richard Hein and Julia Walker P13/16
Jim and Karen Hetherington GP17/20/22
The Jake Foundation
Norton Kennedy 71
Robert and Lisa Lourie –
In Honor of Linda J.L. Becker
Joan Morgan GP13/15
Parent Teacher Group at Pine Cobble
Martha Parrish GP08/10
Milton and Dorothy Sarnoff Raymond
Foundation
Amy Stevens and David Pittelli P17/19
Jenny Walsh Singer 92
Pamela Weatherbee 45 P74 GP13/15
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Whittum GP12/16
Williamstown Physical Therapy
Heritage Society
In the mid 1990s seven Pine Cobble alumni/ae
and friends became the charter members of
the Pine Cobble School Heritage Society.
Members of this society include people who
have put our school in their estate planning
in the form of a bequest, trust beneficiary, or
other planned gift. We wish to thank those
charter members and others who have also
included Pine Cobble School in their will. Your
generosity and support of Pine Cobble will
continue in perpetuity for future generations
of students.
If you have included Pine Cobble in your will,
please let us know. We would like to thank
you and acknowledge you as a member of
Pine Cobble’s Heritage Society.
The entire list of donors has been compiled and checked
with care. Every effort has been made to ensure that the
results are complete and accurate and printed at the
donor’s request. If an error has been made or a name has
not appeared, please notify the Institutional Advancement
Office and accept our apology.
W AY S
T O
G I V E
If you wish to make a contribution to
Pine Cobble School’s Annual Fund,
here are the ways to do it:
1. Go to the Giving menu at
www.pinecobble.org
This is a secure giving site.
2. Send a check, payable to:
Pine Cobble School
163 Gale Road
Williamstown, MA 01267.
GP17/20
Joanne Barker
Linda J.L. Becker P88 S
Phyllis Blair GP96
Ted Cole 60
Heleny Cook 65
Courtney Corelli Foundation
Royce and Jennifer Diener
Harry and Harriet DiMarzo GP10/11/14
M’Ellen Erickson P97/00/18 S
Fairbanks Family Charitable Foundation
Sean Rush Filson 85
16
3. Appreciated securities and planned giving:
Call the school at 413-458-4680 ext.19,
or go to the Giving menu at
www.pinecobble.org
4. Look into your company’s matching gift
program through your Human Resources
Department and send in the paperwork.
Report on the
Capital and Endowment
Campaign
Our Capital and Endowment Campaign has
been gathering energy and raising significant
funds for several years. We are still in the silent
phase of the campaign, and we have many
members of our community to thank for their
support of this necessary and forward thinking
effort. Everyone who knows and loves this institution understands our desire to ensure, via a
significant endowment campaign, that Pine
Cobble continues to be a leader in elementary
and middle school education in the region for
many years to come. The endowment is the
primary focus of the Campaign, while we have
and will continue to make capital improvements
and renovations.
Those listed have made our progress to date
possible in the Capital and Endowment
Campaign. To them we express our deep gratitude. Our campaign efforts are ongoing and we
will be reaching out to all members of the Pine
Cobble community for much needed support
that will allow us to achieve our financial goal.
We will keep you posted on the campaign’s
progress. Thank you for caring.
$250,000 – $1,000,000
Fairbanks Family Charitable Foundation
$100,000 – $250,000
Linda J. L. Becker P88 S
Dr. Edgar and Mrs. Doris Flinton
Pamela Weatherbee 45 P74 GP13/15
$50,000 – $99,999
Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation
Whit and Roby Harrington GP06/08
$25,000 – $49,999
Joe and Tracy Finnegan P11
Susan Gold
Jim and Joan Hunter 61 P96/03
James Melcher 53
$10,000 – $24,999
Anonymous
Alice Dodge Berkeley 58
James R. and Mary Lou Briggs P77/78/80/83
GP18/20
Mary and Hank Flynt P66/68/71/74
Susie Hunter Watson 65
Liz McGowan and Guy Hedreen P10/13
Elizabeth Solomon 60
$1000 – $9,999
Dusty Bahlman 68 P88
Jim and Susan Briggs 83 P17/20
Harry and Harriet DiMarzo GP10/11/14
Betty and Richard Hedreen GP10/13
Mr. and Mrs. Charles O’Brien
Eloise Pasachoff 89 and Tom Glaisyer
The Scherr Family 66/67/68/77
Shine Wire Company
Dr. and Mrs. E. Michael Tarazi P14/16/18
Dr. James Whittum and Ms. Wendy Gipp P12/17
Up to $999
Cornelia Alden 89 S
Anesthesiology of Bennington
Leah and Robert Barbuto FS
Jerry and Maureen Baran P88 FS
Ting Barrow 59
Dr. Jonathan Cluett
Daniel Currie 93 S
M’Ellen Erickson P97/00/19
Juliet Flynt 66 FS
Bill and Rosalie Girard P99/02/04
Sigrid and Gordon McWilliams 37 GP08
Shawn and Julie Murphy S
Deborah Pasachoff 91
Professor Jay and Doctor Naomi Pasachoff P89/91
Mary and Peter Pierson 65 S
$1M Transformative Gift from the
Fairbanks Family Charitable Foundation
Pine Cobble recently received a $1 million
pledge from the Fairbanks Family Char itable Foundation. Susan and Jim Briggs ’83
are the trustees of the Foundation, named
in memory of Susan’s parents, Alan and
Elaine Fairbanks.
Jim attended Pine Cobble for nursery
school through ninth grade and he served
on Pine Cobble’s Board of Trustees from
2003 to 2010. Jim was the President of Pine
Cobble’s Board from 2005 until his term
concluded in June. Jim and Sue’s children,
Sarah and Patrick, now attend the school.
“My parents consistently demonstrated
humility, character, and kindness,” said
Sue. “We made this gift to Pine Cobble
because we know that this school is a
special place, one that instills these critical
values in its students. Pine Cobble is also
an important institution to this region.”
“My parents also felt very strongly about
receiving a quality education,” Sue added.
“The Foundation has a primary focus to
give back to, and improve the quality of,
educational institutions that are important
to our family. Pine Cobble certainly is one
of them.”
These include $20,000 toward the math
initiative, new funding toward the restoration of the Tiffany fountain, a record high
Annual Fund campaign, a $150,000 gift
from Robert and Lisa Lourie in honor of
Linda J. L. Becker, and a $125,000 bequest
from the founders of the school, Edgar
and Doris Flinton. The Fairbanks Family
Charitable Foundation pledge is a significant boost to Pine Cobble’s ongoing
Capital and Endowment Campaign which
is designed to ensure long-term financial
stability, improve our science facilities,
and add much-needed gym and theater
space.
“This remarkable pledge from the
Fairbanks Family Foundation will be transformative,” said Susannah Wells, Interim
Head of School. “As with other generous
gifts, it will ensure that Pine Cobble can
thrive – not just today, but also for generations into the future.”
That, says Sue Briggs, is the idea. “Pine
Cobble is such a special place,” she said,
“where wonderful people foster lifelong
values and love of learning in our children. We need this school for our future.”
This extraordinary gift comes amid a host
of other first-time gifts to Pine Cobble.
17
Alan and Elaine Fairbanks, parents of
Sue Briggs P17/20
Avery Cushman ’99 wedding – August 2010 L to R front row: Annika Wells ’12, Whitney Wells ’08, Georgia Hannock ’15, Lisa Rudolph Cushman ’69,
Avery Cushman Hoglund ’99, Lucia Cushman ’00, Patrick Finnegan ’11, Averill Cook ’68 L to R back row: Jeff Cook ’63, Warren Cook ’59, Burley
Dickerson ’67, Bunge Cook ’90, Payson Cushman ’97, Michael Cushman ’68, Matt Chandler ’99, Gerry Smith ’70, Eamonn Reynolds-Mohler ’99, Kim
Cushman ’69, Averill Cook ’99, Willard Cook ’70 Lost in the crowd (not shown): Jay Merselis ’83
I’m sure I’ve forgotten other “important
folks”. . . please forgive my “someheimers”.
Anyway, Alice Freeman did an AMAZING
FEAT in bringing so many Pine Cobble and
Williamstown folk together for “the last roundup”. . . or maybe it was the “next-to-last”. . .
Anyway, Carpe Diem, Nosce Te Ipsum,
Plutot La Vie! ’Til we meet again . . .
The Alumni/ae News
Notes from the 60s
Chuck(y) Despres ’60 – After attending the
Reunion, which we thoroughly enjoyed, we
drove back to California by way of Brooklyn
(where sister Lani and family live), DC (where
brother John and family live); then on to
Niagara Falls, which I had never visited. And
then we got back on I-80 and headed west.
After seven weeks on the road (and too
many Econolodge nights!) we arrived home,
where we found our house intact and a
mountain of mail. It felt great to rest in one
place: “Be it ever so humble . . .”
We missed seeing Sandy Hewat and Ted Cole
by one day, mais c’est la vie. It was good fun
seeing Lang Rust (I had forgotten his wonderful,
irreverent sense of humor!), Norm and Carole
Urmy (whose son Matt is a phenomenal musician, songwriter, and balladeer, Alice Freeman
(I’ve been kicking myself for not asking her to
dance!), Lisa Houck (and her chaperone,
Jonathon Barber (“Loomie”) – to whom I had
to admit I hadn’t read Harry Potter!), Sandy
Faison (who looked young, well-haberdashed,
and articulate as ever), Chris and Sal Faison
(the very picture of a healthy-living couple),
Nancy (“tee”) Foote (looking very NYC svelte),
Warren Cook and wife (still farming in Maine
Sandy Faison ’62
and looking very fit), Averill Cook (still living in
Williamstown), Sue Wells – a great lady and a
great Head of School for Pine Cobble.
Ting Barrow and Alice Freeman broadened
the scope of the Reunion to include other folk
from “Williamstown of old” . . . “and a good time
was had by all” (I hope).
I missed seeing Beano Hunter Solomon,
Ellen Kersey Mayne, Carol McWilliams Gibson,
and Charlotte (Randy) Rust Castro . . . and hope
life is being kind to each of them . . . as well as
to other schoolmates whose whereabouts is
not known.
18
Elizabeth Irene Hunter ’60 – Now I’m Beano
Solomon! Oh my goodness we all turn 65 this
year and qualify for Medicaid. But we all know
we are still way cool.
I live in Park City, Utah, just outside Salt Lake
City where there is no humidity but lots of
snow. I have a second home in Vegas that I
escape to. I mention these things only in case
there are alums in the area. That way we could
get together.
I do normal things. Normal being a relative
term in Utah. I do things in moderation: ski,
snowshoe, hike. I’m on the board of the ballet
company in Salt Lake and I’m involved with the
Gay Lesbian Center as well. Gay rights are probably the thing I am most passionate about at the
moment. There aren’t very many of them
(rights, not gays) in Utah, the reddest state in
the Union. I scream a lot and frequently threaten to take my business elsewhere.
My daughter Virginia is an over-achiever.
She is working on a doctorate in art history but
keeps getting offered Fellowships so I don’t
know when the thesis will get written but I
guess it doesn’t matter. She is happy and
healthy and got her dad’s brains.
I’m far away but all my siblings are nearby
enjoying Williamstown and Manchester. My
brother Jim keeps us posted and does a good
job representing all of us.
That’s it. I hope you are all as happy and
healthy as I am.
Notes from the 00s
Mary Pierson ’65 – I continue to teach at Pine
Cobble and am beginning my ninth year! It is
a joy to be involved at this wonderful school. I
teach music to the Early Childhood classes and
am the Director of our Character Education
Program at school. This year we are expanding
our program to include Outreach Projects in
the local communities for every grade. Our
family continues to grow and we enjoy our two
grandchildren Isa and Lena so much! It was
great fun to see so many alums back for
Founders’ Day. Come join us next year!
Kimberly Sullivan ’00 – I’m in Cleveland, OH
and work as a Creative Operations Manager
at Rosetta – an interactive marketing agency
(www.rosetta.com). I graduated from Case
Western Reserve University in 2007 with a
degree in Business Management, concentration
in Marketing, and minor in Psychology.
Jessie Harsch ’00 – I graduated from Wheaton
College in 2007 with a B.A. in Art History. I currently live in South Boston and work at Sound
Postings supporting Yo-Yo Ma and love it!
Lisa ’69 and Michael ’68 Cushman – Our
daughter Avery (PC ’99) was married at our
home in Williamstown this past August. We
were surprised to see Pine Cobble alumni/ae
make up such a large percentage of the wedding guests! Michael and I were so happy to
have everyone there to celebrate with us. It
was perfect weather, a beautiful setting, great
dancing – overall a perfect wedding.
Rachel Greenwood ’01 (with news from
Adam Rothschild ’98) – Since last fall I’ve been
directing a grassroots political campaign office
in Manhattan that builds support for environmental and social justice causes. Working
alongside fellow alum Adam Rothschild ’98, I’ve
been fighting to pass stronger climate change
legislation, as well as stop the gas and oil industry from destroying our planet even further. For
Notes from the 80s
Foster Goodrich Hetherington ’87 – I started
my own company this past year – Breakthrough
Resources, LLC. I offer business development
and political strategy consulting all over NY, NJ
and New England. My family is still enjoying
life in Bennington, VT and we are very much
involved in all the great stuff that is going on at
Pine Cobble. My wife, Janine, is in Institutional
Advancement and all three of my sons are
now students! James is in third, Eamon is in
Kindergarten and Gavin is a Beginner.
Megan Holleran ’89 – Mr. Baran, Ms. O’Connor
and others inspired me and I found a passion
for the Middle East. I went to grad school for
International Peace and Conflict Resolution
and for over ten years have worked in Iraq,
Afghanistan, West Bank & Gaza, Lebanon and
other places on local governance and
community development.
Mellisa Walley ’00 – I graduated from MassArt
in 2007 with a BFA. I’m currently living and
working in Davis Square, Somerville, MA, as
a freelance illustrator.
Foster Goodrich Hetherington ’87, wife Janine,
sons James ’17, Eamon ’20 and Gavin ’22
Rebecca Pillemer Lewis ’96 – Trainedfor a half
ironman triathlon in July . . . trying to balance
training, work, and the kids . . . Is there balance?
The race was great – I completed the 1.2 mile
swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run in 6 hours
17 minutes!
Tim Petricca ’97 – I have been living in San
Diego for five years. I left my job as a financial
advisor in October to pursue law school. I’m
studying for the LSATs now and am taking
them in October. I plan to start law school
in fall 2011. My top choices are UCLA, USD
(University of San Diego), and Northeastern.
Michael Gallagher ’99 – This spring I started
Square Roots Farm in Clarksburg, MA. The
farm keeps me extremely busy; I’m growing
vegetables for a thirty member CSA and also
selling shares of pasture-raised chickens,
turkeys, and pork. I’ve even got a website
and blog for the farm – check it out at
http://squarerootsfarm.wordpress.com/
Zoe, daughter of Rebecca Pillemer Lewis ’96
Notes from the 90s
Maude Rich ’91 (AKA Mrs. Rich, AKA Maude Mikulewicz)
I traveled with my family in the US and abroad,
visiting relatives and cultures. It was great fun!
I’m pleased to begin my tenth year at PC and
my ninth year teaching Kindergarten. Miss
Samantha Rich will be in kindergarten and Miss
Jacquline Rich will be entering the sixth grade;
the family tradition continues at Pine Cobble!
The Rich family looks forward to another
exciting and enriching year for each member
of the family.
Angie Joffe Dumler ’96 – I am living in Atlanta
with my husband John (a Berkshire School
Alumnus), and fifteen month old daughter,
Isabella. I am a financial advisor at Morgan
Stanley.
Jay Merselis ’83 P16/18/20, Andy Walak ’01 and Terry Fina P11
19
year teaching English in France, a second year
studying Arabic in Egypt, followed by a third
year in which I was teaching English in
Martinique. I’m currently beginning a doctoral
program in French Literature at Washington
University in Saint Louis, MO. I will be taking
my MA exams in the winter of next year and
hope to have my PhD in six years time, which
is to say, when I am thirty!
Hannah Christiansen 07 at Oberlin
the Human Rights Campaign, we’re working to
end employment discrimination in the 29 states
where it remains legal to fire someone solely
for being gay or lesbian.
It’s been an incredible and fulfilling year of
activism, which I’m looking forward to continuing this fall when I move to our Los Angeles
office to work for Environment America. Adam
has been promoted to direct the entire
Northeast Region next year.
We both miss Pine Cobble dearly and send
our warm regards to all the students, alumni,
faculty, and staff!
Bill Walak ’01 – I just got married in September
to Barbara Whitney. My wife and I are finishing
up veterinary school, we will be done in
November! Other than that, I have been
surfing as much as possible.
Robin Girard ’02 – After graduating from Bard
College at Simon’s Rock in 2007, I spent one
Shoshi Rome ’02 – I’m currently moving out to
Washington State. I graduated from Lesley
University with a Holistic Psych degree in 2009
and have been traveling ever since. I’ve been a
student of Herbal Medicine since I’ve been out
of school and did some work in Ghana, Africa.
I went to Cambodia last winter and volunteered
at an orphanage, then went down to Arizona in
the spring and lived with a Navajo elder where
I herded sheep and learned more about ethno
botany. Then I went down to Mexico and lived
with the Huichols, an indigenous group in
Jalisco, and learned much about their culture.
Right now I’m going to be looking for a job in
Washington while taking a few pre-med classes.
My next steps are to live with the nomadic people of Mongolia for six months, then work in
Japan for the rest of the year. After my travels
are over I am planning to go back to school to
become either a Naturopath or Anthropologist.
Frank Levesque ’03 – I went to Pine Cobble from
Kindergarten through ninth grade, graduated in
2003 and after that attended military school for
four years, then Southern Vermont College for
two. I am currently working for a landscaping
company in Williamstown and a tree service in
Adams. I will be starting my own tree and
landscaping company in the spring.
Rachael Gallagher ’04 – I am a senior at Marist
College, and I graduate this May with a degree
in Fashion Design and a minor in Anthropology.
I spent last fall semester studying abroad in
London, interning with a designer named Nico
Didonna, and doing some traveling to Istanbul
and Spain.
It’s funny to think that even though I never
graduated from Pine Cobble I still think it definitely helped to shape me. I wouldn’t be the
person I am today without the solid foundation
PC gave me . . . And even though I left in a time
of turmoil and changes I wouldn’t trade that
time for anything.
Cedar Niles ’04 – I was accepted into the
Accelerated five year Masters’ Program for
Administration of Justice at Salve Regina (where
I’m a senior now, Undergrad Majoring in ADJ
and Psychology)! Cheers from Newport!
Lindley Wells ’06 – After spending my first
semester of freshman year abroad in Salamanca,
Spain I began my official college career at Colby
College last January. I have declared my major
in Environmental Studies with a focus in policy
and am busy at work taking all the necessary
classes to complete it. I arrived early my sophomore year to be a freshman orientation trip
leader. At school I am busy being a tour guide,
field hockey player, freshman orientation leader,
mentor to an elementary school child, and a
student.
This summer I worked for two catering companies assisting with events ranging from 20-400
people. I assisted the head chef in the kitchen
prepping, cooking, and arranging all different
types of foods. In addition to my work with the
catering companies I kept busy babysitting. I
spent most of the summer caring for my vegetable gardens and being at home with family
and friends.
Hannah Christiansen ’07 – I began playing
field hockey at Pine cobble, continued in high
school, at Emma Willard, and am now a varsity
player at Oberlin College, where I entered as a
Freshman earlier this Fall. I am designing my
own major at Oberlin, in Medieval Studies; I’m
simultaneously preparing to enter the Oberlin
Conservatory to study violin performance,
which I hope will come to fruition next semester. I’ve played the violin since I was four years
old, and often played while at Pine Cobble.
Once in the conservatory, I’ll remain in the college as well, and will then earn a double degree.
Andrew Nesbitt ’08 – I traveled to The Snow
Farm on the south island of New Zealand with
four other junior skiers from New England in
August to ski train and race at an international
level. I trained and raced alongside national
teams from New Zealand, Australia, Canada
and Russia.
Whitney Wells ’08 – I am currently a senior at
Miss Hall’s School. This year I am the President
of School. I run the student council and morning meetings. Over the summer I traveled to a
family reunion and did a lot of sports camps.
I also did many college visits, went out to
Martha’s Vineyard and spent time with friends,
family, and my dog Bubba.
Beth Callahan ’90 with Gavin Hetherington ’22 and Ms. Rigazio on the first day of school 2010
A G O O D B E G I N N I N G N E V E R E N D S20
The Cluett Fountain
The Cluett Fountain Reborn
Ninety-nine years ago, George Alfred
Cluett, my first cousin thrice removed,
built an estate at 163 Gale Road in
Williamstown, MA. None of my immediate
family had ever set foot on the property
before it became the Pine Cobble School.
We had no direct connection to the gorgeous estate or grounds that surround
the house.
This is why we decided to support the
renovation of the Tiffany Fountain behind
Cluett House. The fountain is a piece of
the school’s unique architectural character, and an exceptional work of art from
the famed Tiffany Studios. Now, it is also a
beautiful and functional focal point where
children may gather to sit and read or play
under the spray on a sunny afternoon.
However, there is something captivating
about this place. Whenever I walk the
Pine Cobble grounds, I feel a connection
to my ancestors. I can see them smiling.
What better legacy can a family leave than
helping generations of children grow joyfully on what was once a family home?
Witnessing the current transformation of
Pine Cobble, with revitalized grounds,
facility renovations, and new energy, has
inspired my family to reconnect with this
special place. Quite simply, we want to
ensure that many more generations of
children will have the opportunity to
21
learn in this incredible, one-of-a-kind
environment.
Ensuring the future success of Pine
Cobble requires the generosity of those
individuals who feel a connection to the
school. Whether it is because of your own
experiences on campus, a relationship
with devoted educators, or even a distant
family connection, I hope others will join
my family in supporting Pine Cobble. It’s
a gift that will go far, one that will keep
giving for generations to come, because
“a good beginning never ends.”
Jonathan Cluett
Member, Pine Cobble Board of Trustees
Cluett House
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
2010 - 2011
S C H O O L A D M I N I S T R AT I O N
Joseph Finnegan P11, President
2010 - 2011
Sam Crane P09 , Vice-President
Joseph Apkin P09/11, Treasurer
Susannah Wells P06/08/12 , Interim Head of School
Eloise Pasachoff 89 , Secretary
Linda J. L. Becker P88 , Director of Admission
Dusty Bahlman 68 P88
Lisa R. Cushman 69 P97/99/00 , Director of Placement and
Assistant Director of Admission
Jonathan Buoni 84
M’Ellen Z. Erickson P97/00/19 , Head of Lower School
Jonathan Cluett
Meredith Cochran 69 P06
Janine Hetherington P17/20/22 , Director of Institutional Advancement
Jay Merselis P16/18/20 , Assistant Head of School
Charley Stevenson P19/20
Susannah Wells P06/08/12 , ex officio
Photography: Bunge Cook by Drew J. Williams; Avery Cushman wedding by Amanda Herzberger, Orchard Cove Photography; Brooke Hardman
by Lynn Christoffers for MV Times. Others by Chris Gillooly, Janine Hetherington, Ali Benjamin, Alice Chafee Freeman ’60, Diane Taylor.
Contributors: Jonathan Cluett, David Pittelli.
22
Experts say . . .
The Legacy of Kindergarten
The Value of Character and Community
In a long-term study of 12,000 children, Harvard researcher
Raj Chetty examined the effects of kindergarten education
and life paths of almost 12,000 children who had been part of
a well-known education experiment in Tennessee in the 1980s.
He found that excellence in kindergarten led to better adult
outcomes across a variety of measures – including earnings,
quality of higher education, retirement savings, home ownership, and more. The study, which controls for factors like
income and parental education, lends further credence to the
idea that excellence in early childhood education imparts lifelong non-cognitive benefits to students, and that these
benefits do not fade over time.
“…our research on child development makes it clear that there
is only one way to truly combat bullying. As an essential part of
the school curriculum, we have to teach children how to be good
to one another, how to cooperate, how to defend someone who
is being picked on and how to stand up for what is right . . . Most
important, educators need to make a profound commitment to
turn schools into genuine communities. Children need to know
that adults consider kindness and collaboration to be every bit
as important as algebra and reading. In groups and one-on-one
sessions, students and teachers should be having conversations
about relationships every day. And, as obvious as it might sound,
teachers can’t just preach kindness; they need to actually be
nice to one another and to their students.”
Read More: The Case for $320,000 Kindergarten Teachers.
David Leonhardt, New York Times, July 27, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/28/business/economy/28leonhardt.html?_r=1
Read More: There’s Only One Way to Stop a Bully.
Susan Engel and Marlene Sandstrom (former Pine Cobble parent),
New York Times, July 22, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/23/opinion/23engel.html?scp=1&s
q=There%27s%20only%20one%20way%20to%20stop%20a%20bully
&st
23
A GOOD BEGINNING NEVER ENDS
PINE COBBLE SCHOOL
163 GALE ROAD WILLIAMSTOWN MA 01267
PHONE: 413-458-4680 www.pinecobble.org
From the Interim Head of School
and teachers, and they carry these traits
with them year after year. By the time they
become adolescents, they are living examples of the value of character education.
The middle-school years can be a time of
great anxiety and cruelty. At Pine Cobble
it is a time to cement friendships, to challenge oneself, and to support each other
in becoming the best each can be.
This year we begin an ever deeper commitment to character education, as each
class will connect with a non-profit organization and do community service for the
entire year.
I see other beginnings, all around me – in
our school’s commitment to a long-term
planned maintenance program on our five
buildings. We have all seen the marvelous
dedication of our families, alumni/ae,
faculty and staff in helping care for our
twenty-acre campus in a way that would
make its designers, Frederick Law Olmsted
and son, proud. There is a renewed commitment to spreading the word about Pine
Cobble, through increased marketing and
publicity efforts. As we look ahead, we are
inspired by a strategic planning process
that has deepened everyone’s commitment to this incredible place.
Non Profit Organization
US Postage
PAID
Permit 183
Greenfield MA
continued from page 1
When I began at Pine Cobble, I never
dreamed I would be writing this piece 26
years later, two of my own children now
alumnae and my third an eighth grader.
That beginning, as an assistant teacher,
helped me become who I am today.
This summer I attended the Institute for
New Heads in Atlanta, Georgia. There, I
was inspired beyond words by faculty
and other leading minds in the world of
education. My colleagues there included
heads of fledgling charter schools, heads
of traditional preparatory schools, and
individuals just starting schools in such
faraway places as the nation of Jordan
(working with King Abdullah II). As I articulated Pine Cobble’s mission to my peers
in Georgia, I saw more clearly than ever
before what happens at 163 Gale Road
every day. As a school, we launch our students on the road to successful, thoughtful
lives. We help foster intellectual curiosity,
the desire for lifelong learning, and values
like compassion and courage. At Pine
Cobble students gain the confidence that
allows them to take healthy risks as they
pursue their dreams. They learn to strive
for excellence while above all else, live
an honest, purposeful life.
What began in 1937, when the Flintons
started this remarkable school, continues
today. Each of us, every day, makes a good
beginning possible – for our students, for
our community, and for the world at large.
We welcome you all to the beginning of
Pine Cobble’s 74th year. I look forward to
the year with excitement and pride.
Susannah Wells P06/08/12
Interim Head of School