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.

Christian W. Slagle ’42: passed away on March 2, 2012 at Country Side Care Center in Aurora, Illinois at the age of 87. He graduated from the Buxton School in Short Hills, New Jersey with the graduating class of 1942. Later he attended the University of Iowa where he earned his BA in Sociology. His daughter, Allison, tells us he was a very creative wonderful man and spoke very fondly of his high school.

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.

William St. Pierre: It is with great sadness that we report the passing of William A. St. Pierre, a beloved staff member at Buxton since 1992. Bill died at home on February 10, 2012 surrounded by his loving family, to whom we send our sincerest and heartfelt condolences.

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.

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.

Robert Mulliken ’59: Possibly our biggest news is that we got married in August 2011. After owning and occupying a house together for the past eight years, Pam and I decided it was about time. A practical consideration is that we travel quit a bit including internationally. Regardless of such things as healthcare POAs, we felt we can advocate more successfully for each other in the event of some medical emergency. We’re in pretty good shape now, but at our age, one never knows. The other reason for matrimony was that it’s fun.

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.

Frank Weddell ’62: I’m still singing, working as a DJ, paralegal, and running my property management business. Oh yes, and I married my partner of nine years, Erik Guerra.

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.

William B. Atwood ’66: Buxton may be interested to hear that I won two physics prizes this year: the AAS Rossi Prize (from the High Energy Astrophysics Division) and the SPA Panofsky Prize given for excellence in Experimental High Energy Particle Physics. Both of these awards were in recognition of my invention of and work on the Fermi-LAT gamma ray telescope onboard the Fermi satellite in orbit since June, 2008. You can easily google these to see more. I am still very much engaged in this ongoing mission and am presently in Rome returning to the US from meetings with our Italian collaborators. Ciao, Bill.

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.

 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.

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.

Frank R Wood ’79:  plays Russ/Dan in Clybourne Park, winner of the 2011 Pulitzer Prize and London’s Oliver Award for Best Play. This wickedly-funny new play about race, real estate and the volatile values of each, opened April 19, 2012 and is playing at the Walter Kerr Theatre, 219 West 48th Street, New York, NY. Performances are Tuesday through Thursday at 7 pm, a matinee performance on Wednesdays at 2 pm, and Friday at 8 pm. Check theatre listings for additional performances each week on Saturday and Sunday. It will run through
July 15, 2012.

Kim Sobel ’81: Kim will be displaying her work at Jessica Ryan Lapinski’s (’84) Gallery, The Trailside Gallery, in Northampton Massachusetts, April 8th – May 5, 2012. Reception for Kim is Friday April 13th, 5- 8PM.

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: Spring is here and it’s National Poetry Month. As many of you know, poetry is important to my family and me, and I hope you will check out this documentary project that I’m involved in producing, Even Though the Whole World is Burning. Former Poet Laureate W.S. Merwin has made his way outside of the academic poetry scene and I think the exclusive access we have will make this an intimate and important film about the role of poetry (as well as activism) in life. We have about two weeks to get to the end of the Kickstarter campaign so a donation of any amount would be fantastic. Thanks, and please spread the word.

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.

Matt Allen ’90: a first sargeant in the Missouri National Guard, has received his orders for Kuwait, mustering on or about the first of May, 2012. This is his second tour as a combat medic, having previously served in Afghanistan, Nangarhar Province in 2008.

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!

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

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.

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. Update: My brother’s and my company, Void Blossom, wrote the music for this showtime radio spot, and then Warren Sapp rapped on it. And we created some music for a Promax party for Broadway Video that is held each year in New York City. They synced up our music to some of their TV shows that they produced last year. We’re quite excited about these opportunities.

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.

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.

Rowan Magee ’06: I will be traveling to Argentina in June 2012 with Jessica Grindstaff’s company, Phantom Limb, and I’ll be premiering a new play of my own in Brooklyn this October.

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 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!

Maxwell Malvin ’08: is graduating from Roger Williams University on May 19, 2012, with a degree in legal studies. He will be attending Tulane University in New Orleans where he will be pursuing a degree in Maritime and Admiralty Law.