Buxton School - Williamstown, Massachusetts

We’re happy to share news from our alumni and former faculty on this page. This information is updated whenever news is received, so please keep in touch and keep us up-to-date!

In Memoriam

David Mitchell ’36: David attended Buxton at Short Hills, and graduated from Yale in 1944. He founded the investment banking concern, Mitchell and Associates, in 1984 and in which he remained until his death.

Michael Codel ’56: Michael attended Oberlin College after leaving Buxton, studying political science before serving in the Peace Corps in Nigeria. He worked as a reporter for the Associated Press in Africa and England. Later, Michael worked as an editor in Geneva for the publishing and advisory firm Business International, then settled in the DC area, doing  public relations work from 1975 to 1985 for the American Health Care Association, an organization that represents state health organizations.

Donald B. Koons ’47: Donald attended Buxton in New Jersey, finishing in 1947.  His brother, Ronald, reports that their mother was on the faculty there during the WWII years.  Donald died on July 14, 2010.

Patricia H. Smith Lasell ’47: Born in 1930, and died Jan. 2, 2011 in Los Angeles.  She was a fine wife, mother, actress, legal assistant, and dearest friend to Joe and Peter, her sons with John Lasell.  Scarcely out of the Neighborhood Playhouse, she was featured with Henry Fonda in “Point of No Return” on Broadway, followed by many TV and Movie appearances including “Bachelor Party”, “Spirit of St. Louis”, the Debbie Reynolds Show, the Bob Newhart show, Save The Tiger, and frequently with Quinn Martin’s productions.  Later she worked for several years in the legal department at Gorfaine-Schwartz Agency, the film composers agency.  She enjoyed every minute of her life, even through a sixty-five year fight with Diabetes, only to be let down by her heart at the end. She gave great care and love to everyone.

Susan Read Wright ’53: Born on January 10, 1935, Susan attended Buxton graduating in 1953.  She passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, November 13, 2010.  Susan loved all animals, especially horses, dogs, and cats, having had numerous ones over the years.  She is survived by her children Paul Berger, Gretchen McMullen, Brenda Beckman, David Berger, and Allison Quaderer, as well as step-children, step- grandchildren and great-grandchildren.   She was buried privately in her family plot at Oakland Cemetery in St. Paul.

Daniel Rippe ’01: Dan attended Buxton from 1998-2000, and passed away in Mexico.

Anton Khlevitskiy ’01: Anton attended Buxton from January through June, 1998. He died on April 30, 2011 in Cambridge, Massachusetts at the age of 28.

Carmelina M. Roy: Word has been received that Carmelina M. Roy, 84, died on December 28, 2010 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.  Her parents, Giovanni and Maria Roffinoli, were storybook grandparents to many Buxton students back in the ’50s and ’60s.  They were caretakers of Buxton buildings and grounds and lived in the Gate House at the foot of the hill.

Virginia Lastayo Riorden: longtime resident of Williamstown, Massachusetts, died January 20, 2012, near her home in Asheville, North Carolina, where she had lived since 1993. For fifteen years she taught eleventh and twelfth grade American and European History at Buxton, and for twelve years was the Comptroller at the Clark. She is survived by her husband, Shane Riorden, former Business Manager at Williams College, three daughters, Ellen, Elizabeth, and Rebecca, and five grandchildren. A memorial gathering is planned for a family reunion later this year.

News

Otis Kidwell Burger ’41: I have spent the last five years researching and writing a 500-page novel about the 1849 Gold Rush. Now, I can’t even find an agent. All the young adults for whom this book was intended are studying to get into college, or are on email. So would-be young writers beware: I published my writing in the ‘50s and ‘60s, but publishing has changed profoundly. It isn’t a very good way to make a living anymore. I’m well and 88, and my daughters are both fine, and so are my granddaughters occupying Wall Street and Boston.

Virginia Steebler Sandhusen ’45: It’s great to read updates on former classmates. Hope to meet with some in February in New York City.

Irving “Sandy” Taylor ’47: I am healthy, hearty, eighty and retired. Charlotte and I enjoy close contact with sixteen grandchildren between us!  We visit cousin Anne Barus Seeley ’38 periodically on the Cape. We recently attended her 90th birthday celebration with 150 friends and relatives.  Anne graduated from Buxton Country Day School in the late ’30s and later taught at Far Brook School in Short Hills, NJ for 21 years, formerly the site of Buxton Country Day School.

Stephen Burr ’47: I’m still vertical! Still paint pictures! Am writing a novel titled, “Children of the Apocalypse.” Watch out!

Laura Doyle Stochholm ’49: Wonderful to hear how well the school is doing – it’s come a long way since 1949 – the second year in Williamstown!  I always remember how much the school made a difference in my life.

Sylvia Lum Felix ’50: I own and run a used and antiquarian book shop in downtown Keene, New Hampshire.  Great Fun!  My youngest son has just moved to Brattleboro, Vermont, and is continuing his medical practice.  It is nice to have him near.

Alice Mackler ’50: is a participating artist at the Annual Pottery and Sculpture Sale sponsored by Greenwich House Pottery, 16 Jones Street, New York, NY 10014-4132, between Bleecker and West 4th Streets and 6th and 7th Avenues.  Receptions ($10 suggested) will be held on Friday, December 16, 2011 from 6-9 pm, and Saturday, December 17, 2011 from 7-9 pm.  This sale, which features three floors of work from GHP Artists and Staff, will take place on Friday, December 16, from 6-9 pm, Saturday, December 17, from 12-9 pm, and Sunday, December 18, from 12-4 pm.  For more information call 212-242-4106 or go to their website.

Tim Wohlforth ’51: I am doing quite well here in beautiful Ashland, Oregon. Recently, Genna Anderson ’51 visited with her extended family to take in the Shakespeare plays. I continue with my mystery writing. The Pink Tarantula, a collection of short stories, has been published by Perfect Crime Books. I have a story, One Dark Berkeley Night, in the anthology Send My Love and A Molotov Cocktail published by PM Press. Learn more about these and other titles at Tim’s website. I recently appeared as part of Men of Mystery held in Orange County.

Carol Beardsley Finnigan ’53: I’m still very active at age 75 years old.  I volunteer at the local library and for the last 10 years have been visiting the nursing home where my husband passed away.  I also walk, participate in swim aerobics, and do yoga at least 3 times a week. Hope all is well at Buxton. Those years meant so much to me.  God Bless Mrs. Sangster. The best to you all.

Dirk van Loon ’54: Dirk has a new website in which he features Canada’s rural life focusing on farming, gardening, forestry, crafts, and much more.  Rural Delivery, Atlantic Forestry, Horse & Pony, Atlantic Beef, and The Family Cow are magazines within the website providing great insight to the pursuit of environmental issues in Canada.

Susan E. Roth ’58: It has been 53 years since graduation day–on that dappled lawn with summer breezes–with Ellen’s cheerful voice addressing each and every one of us with special words of wisdom.  I have cherished the 19th century book of English poetry given to me with her own unique poem inscribed within.  We had the world before us.  And so, we took it, each to our own unknown destination.  My memories of Buxton will never diminish. I am now semi-retired, well, pretty much out to pasture, except for seeing a few private patients, which is pure delight.  Retirement in New York City offers a smorgasbord of cultural choices so that I feel blessed, by chance, to be here. I have not kept up with anyone except Anne (Sister Mary John) Marshall ’58 whom I shall visit this summer (2011) in England.  Our correspondence has meant so much to me over the years, and this, my second visit, will be most meaningful. I hope those who remember me are well–and wish those young people at Buxton interesting journeys.

Geoffrey Graham ’61 and Susan Graham ’61: The Grahams have formed a nonprofit organization called Hope for the Nations, which is a ministry of Antioch International Church (AIC) which provides relief for those in Haiti.  Their website includes information about sponsoring a child, donor opportunities, urgent needs, and their Hope for the Nations blog.

Sheila Carey Musselman ’63: I’m working as a therapist with military service members and their families, helping them with deployment and reintegration issues.  I am happily married (for 36 years) and have four adult children who are having their adventures in life and are doing well.  I am a happy woman, and I value the wonderful experiences I had at Buxton with all of my heart.

Neville Bryan Peltz ’69: I’m not very good at keeping in touch, but intentions are very good, and hopefully, I will get better at it as I get older! Both my children are married. My son Daniel is about to turn 35, has been married for 4 1/2 years and is father to my 2 grandsons – Grey (almost 3) and Sidney (7 months). My daughter Jennifer (age 30) was married in September (2010) at our home on Martha’s Vineyard. A really wonderful occasion. My husband Bill and I have been married 37 1/2 years. We are going strong, but both currently unemployed. There is not that much work out there for those over the age of 60 with too much experience. Ironic, isn’t it! Hope to be able to visit for Reunion 2011 – we shall see what happens…

Janet MacFadyen ’71: I have a book forthcoming from Slate Roof Pressd (poetry) in 2012 entitled, In the Provincelands.  One of my poems was also just nominated for a Pushcart Prize. All’s well.

Piera Kllanxhja ’72: I was at Buxton 30 years ago as an artist and I still am.  To see my artwork, go to the Artists Register where my crystal glazed porcelain is displayed.

Joan Levy Hepburn ’72: Joan writes that her September 11 triptych (4 x 12 feet) has been selected for the permanent collection of the September 11 Museum in New York City. She will have a solo exhibition of drawings and paintings at Gilbert Gallery at Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, CT from November 3, 2011 until November 30, 2011. There will be an opening reception on Saturday, November 5th from 6:30 until 8:30 pm.

 Rand Wilson ’72: Participated in a rally to reign in corporate greed and address growing inequality in Somerville and the United States on December 10, 2011.  Rand, a Somerville resident, was among a group of local depositors seeking to close their accounts at the Davis Square branch. The rally featured short speeches by local residents and students, colorful signs and chants, and Somerville’s Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band.

Katherine Seeger ’73: It was a wonderfl summer at Killooleet!  Great staff and campers, warm weather, lots of creativity and growth. A week after the campers went home, Hurricane Irene clobbered camp, as it did so much of the rest of the State of Vermont. Congrats and thanks to Governor Peter Shumlin for great leadership as the state put itself back together. At Killooleet, the cabins were fine, but the property sustained over $100,000 worth of damage to the driveway, lake dam and brook dam.  Photos can be seen at www.killooleetirenerecovery.com.

Donald Russell ’73: I recently joined the faculty at George Mason University School of Art where I run the Provisions Research Center for Arts and Social Change.

Peter Shumlin ’74: who served as state senator in Vermont from 1992-2002 and 2006 to the present, has been elected Governor of Vermont.   Read more in The Burlington Free Press.

Antonio Ibanez ’75: Dara is an ESL teacher and I am a special educator for ESL students.  Kira is a junior at Temple University studying public relations.  Devin is a senior at Brookline High School, is captain of the rugby team, and is applying to colleges.  I hope everyone and their families are in good health, doing well financially, and happy.

Charles Harrington Elster ’76: This August St. Martin’s Press will publish my tenth book, The Accidents of Style: Good Advice on How Not to Write Badly. I invite all Buxtonians to visit my website at http://members.authorsguild.net/chelster.

George Hall ’81: My band Kingsley Flood will release a new CD is December, and plans to celebrate this fact on Thursday, December 9-10, 2011 at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  We were profiled on NPR’s Weekend Edition in August 2010, and voted “New Artist of the Year” at the 2010 Boston Music Awards and “Best Roots Act in Boston” by the 2009 and 2010 Boston Phoenix Best Music Polls.  Also, a song of ours was chosen NPR’s Song of the Day this past May; we recently released a video for it which includes people in bear suits.

Mia Boyle ‘83: Wow! What a great newsletter. Seeing the pictures and reading the news inspired me to update. I’m currently living in Seattle, WA and I’m enrolled in a graduate program at Antioch University. I’m studying Systems Theory, Complexity Theory, and all that jazz- along with sustainable design and communications (film). I am currently working on a documentary film about permaculture. We are involved in bringing sustainable agricultural methods to the Tibetan settlements in India. Some of you may remember my musical obsession. Last year I wrote and produced an album of songs I’d had sitting around for some time. I made it available as a free download. Rockers check it out here: www.miaboyle.com. The enduring friendships and connections I have from Buxton never cease to amaze me. If you’re ever in Seattle, drop me a line!

Will Tacy ’84: was recently appointed to the newly-created position of Executive Editor for Yahoo! News. Will has held leadership positions in online news for 15 years – as the first managing editor of nytimes.com, as editor of the innovative StarTribune.com  in Minneapolis and, more recently, as editorial director of Newsweek.com . He joined Yahoo! last year as the senior director of Front Page News, programming news and sports content for the nation’s largest media audience. Over that time, news consumption on the Yahoo! Front Page has grown by more than 80 percent each month.

Ed Aubry ’85: has written his first novel, Static Mayhem, in which nearly everyone in the world disappears and the two humans left seek to find one another.  This is a #1 novel on TheNextBigWriter.com, a semi-finalist in Amazon.com’s Breakthrough Novel Award contest in 2008, and the 2008 Winner of the Strongest Start Novel Competition.  Ed is currently working on his second novel, Caprice.

Williams Cole ’86: One of the defining events of 2011 was certainly the emergence of the “Occupy Movement” and all it means. So I’ve become involved in producing a fast-moving collaborative feature documentary about the beginnings, the occupations and the evictions (and the future). The Occupy Wall Street collaborative film project involves more than 75 filmmakers, editors, shooters, etc. and I hope will be one of the first long-form pieces to get out there. Here’s a blog post I wrote that will give the project a bit more context and what my involvement is (please ignore the silly photo of me with camera/clipboard).

Amy Dalsimer ’87: In addition to raising Mia (9) and Nathaniel (6), Amy works at the City University of New York where she does curriculum development, faculty training, grant writing, and manages programs for non-traditional students (mainly immigrants and adults returning to school).  She often thinks of her time at Buxton and hopes her children can have as remarkable high school experience as she did.

Connor Hopkins ’90: Things are going well in Austin.  My company, Trouble Puppet Theatre Company, will be presenting our adaptation of Upton Sinclair’s THE JUNGLE this March, with support grants from the City of Austin’s Cultural Arts Division, and The Jim Henson Foundation.  This is the fully realized version, but an earlier version won us some local awards, including Best Script, Best Director, and Best Sound Design.  I am hoping to come to the June 17-19 Reunion Weekend this year.  It’s been – wow – a really long time since I last made it.  Well, it may be a long stretch between visits but Buxton and the people I have known through the school are never far from my thoughts.

Sarah Y Tschorn ’95: We welcomed our second son, Caleb David, on July 6, 2011.

Toby Daly-Engel ’96: This year was full of changes…I completed my PhD at the University of Hawaii in May and moved to Tucson in June to take a post-doctoral research and teaching position at the University of Arizona. It’s a big switch, but instead of working with sharks like I did for my PhD, I’ll spend three years in the Sonora Desert working on the reproductive genetics of giant water bugs! In other news, I married my boyfriend of five years, Jeff Eble, at his family’s home in Cape Cod in October. Hoping to introduce him to the Buxtonites at a reunion now that we finally live on the mainland!

Jessica Grindstaff ’96: Erik Sanko and I have started a theater company called Phantom Limb and in January 2010 we traveled to Antarctica on a National Science Foundation Artist award as research for a new theatrical endeavor about Ernest Shackleton and the future of Antarctica. As part of this project Erik and I are in residency at MASS MoCA in March with a work in progress showing on Saturday March 13th with a focus on sound/music and video projection.  In the Fall of 2011, as part of Phantom Limb’s “69ºS” – The Final Stage by Phantom Limb & ArKtype, our adult puppets were featured in the Arts & Leisure section of the New York Times, describing the opening at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Next Wave Festival. Phantom Limb can be followed on Twitter.

Zachary Lihatsh ’98: Peter Lihatsh (Proud Pappa) reports that his son, Zachary has been included in the current Christmas issue of Martha Stewart Living in the Gift Guide for Artisanal Goods.  His website shows some of his unusual works and is worth a visit.  Zachary is currently residing in Tucson, Arizona.

Anna Curtis ’99: Hello everyone!  I’m living and working in D.C.  Loving it!

Iso Rabins ’99: appeared on the Bay area local news for his involvement with the Underground Farmers market, featuring local foraged foods. Iso was also recently featured in the Sunday New York Times photo essay on the Eat Real Festival in Oakland, CA

Yolanda Holland ’00: This year I am completing my 2nd year of my Ph.D. Program in Counseling Psychology at Fordham University, while working at a public elementary school as a guidance counselor. I appreciate Buxton for being a part of my journey as a self-directed learner. This holiday season, I hosted a Brooklyn holiday party among family and friends, including Buxton alumni Jessica Neptune ’98, Kate Lundell ’99, Rebecca DeCola, Molly Foresta, and Jacob Mitchell and Leola Brady-Price ’00. I have been fortunate in my opportunities to grow the life-long friendships kindled at Buxton. These last few years have found me in Williamstown more frequently as my brother, Daniel Bivins ’12 is finishing up his tenure as a Buxton Student. I look forward to seeing my alumni friends and faculty at both the reunion in NYC this February, and on campus this summer 2011.

Althea Bryant ’01: Greetings!  I am living in Burlington, Vermont, and working as a licensed massage therapist in chiropractic offices and in my own practice.  Sending my love to everyone at Buxton and beyond.

Sarah Friedman ’01: I really enjoyed the reunion this year.  Mingling with my classmates and with both the older and younger classes.  Buxton has remained such a special place.  I’m in the midst of making a career change.  Half way through an intensive massage therapy program and am thoroughly enjoying the shift from working on my computer and freelancing to working with my hands directly with people.  It’s a different type of energy that I believe we need to survive–that human contact we lose when we leave boarding school!

Jonathan Schuyler ’01: is Sommelier and General Manager of 2941, an award-winning fine dining restaurant in the Washington, DC area. His wedding to Lara Budeit took place in October 2011 at a rustic Maryland Vineyard. He sends affectionate greetings to everyone at Buxton!

Luis Rullan ’02: is recently married! He and his wife own Timber Ridge Camp in Reisterstown, MD, open to campers from the age of 6 and up. Contact Luis directly if you’re interested in finding out more about the camp, rullanstrcamps@aol.com.

Jacob Spector ’02: My brother and I are Daj Ray, and we have a company that writes music for TV and film.  We are working on a comedy right now that just started casting, and is filming next month.  We are also available for music licensing through Sandblast Productions, a company that writes for the NFL, Showtime, NBC, HBO, and a few other TV stations.

Alex Matisse ’03: Alex is building an impressive outdoor kiln for his ceramic ventures. Keep up with his progress on his blog.

Duncan Tonatiuh Smith ’03: I want to share some good news with you. My book, Diego Rivera; His World and Ours, published by Abrams books for young readers, just won the Pura Belpré award for the best illustrations. The Pura Belpré Award honors Latino authors and illustrators whose work best portrays, affirms and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in children’s books as detailed in the press release. The awards are given by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). Good vibes to all Buxtonites out there from San Miguel de Allende!

Elyse Derosia ’04: We are now celebrating the one-year “birthday” of BODEGA, an interdisciplinary artist-run space in Philadelphia, PA. Located in Olde City at 253 North 3^rd Street, BODEGA provides an alternative to the commercial gallery model, presenting innovative art and serving as a platform for cultural exchange through gallery exhibitions, performances, screenings, and lectures. In October of 2011 Philadelphia Weekly named Bodega on their “best of the best” list, stating, “Bodega in Old City has a real monopoly on the best, but still accessible art in the city, often seeking to break down the barrier between the ‘concept’ and the physical product.” As we move forward into our second year of programming we plan to continue making physical improvements to our space, expanding our artist book viewing library, releasing unique pyublications through Bodega Press, and furthering our efforts to broaden our viewership and influence within and beyond the Philadelphia community.  We are excited to have been invited by the Philadelphia Institute of Contemporary Art to participate in the Spring 2012 exhibition that will highlight collaboration, cooperation, and community in contemporary art practice.

Crystal Ann Benoit-Pearson ’05: I will be traveling with my church on a missionary trip to Nicaragua from January 7 through January 14, 2012. While there, we will be teaching basic medical health care needs to poverty stricken individuals. As some of you know, I am a Certified Medical Assistant who specializes in OBGYN care and will be focusing my teachings on pre-natal, gynecological, and overall feminine health care. I am so excited to share and teach my knowledge, and with your love and support, we can make a difference together. Please consider a donation to this very worthy cause. All donations are tax-deductible, and your contribution, no matter how small, will definitely make a difference. Please make checks payable to Harborside Christian Church and in the memo line, please include “Crystal P. – Jan-Nicaragua.” Send them to me at 2113 Clover Hill Road, Palm Harbor, Florida 34683.  I have such a beautiful feeling about this trip and I thank you in advance for your support.  I plan to keep a journal of my experiences in Nicaragua and will share my adventures and experience when I return.

Jacob Cohen-Rosenthal ’05: Jacob’s mother reports that Jacob is doing well and has been living in China for almost three years, which is very far away for her, but is quite enriching for him.

Asher Woodworth ’05: together with friends Emma Morehouse and Trevor Wilson, is working on a project this summer intending to create a thoughtful meld of arts, agriculture and farming known as the Runnymede Project, based in North Hampton, New Hampshire. The inspiration for this experiment was time spent in Japan with Tanaka, the international renowned improvisational dancer and choreographer where training to build up strength and endurance is emphasized. Runnymede Events are scheduled for August 2011.

Yoseff Ben-Yehuda ’06: As Assistant Editor, I have been working on the latest edition of the Chinati Foundation newsletter, Volume 16. The Chinati Foundation is a contemporary art museum based upon the ideas of its founder, Donald Judd. Located in Marfa, Texas, it has a membership of over 800 local, national, and international members. For more information contact them at 432-729-4362 or information@chinati.org. Yoseff looks forward to visiting Buxton soon.

Max Malvin ’08: Ken Hough ’08 and I have opened an online business called BonusBuggy. We are partnered with  over 100 online stores (Barnes & Noble, BestBuy, Apple iTunes, Target, Walmart, Kmart, Newegg, Tigerdirect…. Just to name a few!)  from which you can shop in return for points.  The points you earn by shopping through www.bonusbuggy.com are redeemable for free merchandise (tvs, ipods, camercas, video game systems, radar detectors, etc.), gift certificates, checks, and more!  There is no cost for using BonusBuggy, so it’s a win-win situation!

Will Tacy ’84: was recently appointed to the newly-created position of Executive Editor for Yahoo! News. Will has held leadership positions in online news for 15 years – as the first managing editor of nytimes.com <http://nytimes.com/>, as editor of the innovative StarTribune.com <http://startribune.com/> in Minneapolis and, more recently, as editorial director of Newsweek.com <http://newsweek.com/>. He joined Yahoo! last year as the senior director of Front Page News, programming news and sports content for the nation’s largest media audience. Over that time, news consumption on the Yahoo! Front Page has grown by more than 80 percent each month.