The Power of the “Circle” - Class of 1965 50th Reunion
During the 2015 Westtown Alumni Weekend, 54 classmates from the class of 1965 gathered accompanied by spouses,
partners and several assorted children attending from as far away as Scotland, Alaska and the Virgin Islands. For the 21 of
us who stayed on to participate in the Meeting for Worship after Sunday brunch, it was the culmination of an extremely
emotional experience and embodied the essence of caring and love exhibited by each classmate for the others during the
entire weekend. We sat in a final “circle” and were moved by the “gift” of each of those present. It was a powerful
ending to this special weekend.
This unique 50th anniversary weekend began, for this writer, Friday afternoon in
Central meeting up with various, early arriving classmates who had enjoyed the
morning experiences of attending classes and lunch with the students. Initially, the
exaggerations of “you haven’t changed a bit” abounded until we realized we were
possibly clueless as to who most of the people actually were. Naturally, there were
gasps and hugs all around.
Throughout the course of the weekend,
many activities were undertaken by
classmates when they could tear themselves away from visiting. A campus tour
by students provided insight to the new buildings that have been erected around
campus in the past 50 years as well as viewing a variety of new projects,
including the dredging of the lake which is now a muddy basin from which
hundreds of fish and turtles have been lovingly rescued. A multi-themed
symposium offered discussion on cutting edge issues. Various athletic events,
teas, exhibits and performances rounded out the offerings.
Our class proceeds from the Cabin to the theater
Friday evening turned out beautifully for our
supper at Joy Willits Dittmann’s lovely home.
As we drifted from one “circle” to another
during the evening, we were welcomed into
each with warmth, openness and a genuine
curiosity and concern for each individual over
and above information provided in our
remarkable “Reunion Book.”
Bill Telfair presents the class gift
Saturday began cool and damp which was fine
since we all attended the Alumni Association Annual Meeting. Following a
magnificent performance by Wendi Grantham (’85) including the very
appropriate Sentimental Journey, Bill Telfair presented our Class Gift totaling
almost $500,000 after which the school treated us to a delicious luncheon in the
Our class fills up the first two rows for the
Cabin. Saturday also brought surprises of unexpected classmates, drawn
Alumni Association meeting in the theater.
perhaps by the power of the 50th, and each was greeted with great joy and
affection.
Alex Gordon received close to a
standing ovation when he suddenly appeared at
the cabin door during lunch after a horrific trip
north that morning. Afterwards, we all gathered
for the class picture and once again scattered,
either individually or into “circles”, where
questions of the past 50 years were asked and
answered to gain a deeper understanding of our
very diverse and outstanding class.
The weather improved for the sumptuous dinner
at Graham and Debbie Brown Miles’ home. We
dined under the trees or pergola, picking out
added greenery that floated down from the trees
and flowering wisteria. It was glorious!!!! There
were two highlights. Firstly, Graham and Debbie
skyped Walter Lenk, who is homebound, and it
was a true joy for each of us to have a few
moments with this exceptional man and express our gratitude for his
wonderful work on the “Reunion Book.” Secondly, Tom Manning
sang the song he wrote for George Adams. Then Tom Manning
(guitar), Tom Kowal (guitar), Dave Bailey (mandolin and musical
saw) and Dave Burgess (piano) led us in singing some of those still
great tunes from the 60’s.
To c o m e f u l l
“circle”, by Sunday
Meeting we all
knew we had been
part
of
an
extraordinary
and
Saturday Dinner at Debbie and Graham's house
u n e x p e c t e d
experience during this 50th weekend. We came to know classmates we
had not interacted with while at Westtown and our hearts were
overflowing. In those 50 years, we have all enjoyed enormous highs and
the known depths of despair. Sharing brought us closer. Our 50th is now
history and for those of us who participated, it will forever be a part of
our lives.
First Day Meeting for Worship in the cabin
The final circle
Written by Sally Shirk with valuable comments from classmates - pictures by Bill Telfair, Miyo Moriuchi, and Westtown School
These were the 54 classmates at our 50th reunion
Alex Gordon
Alison Stokes Gottlieb
Arthur Thorp
Beth Guthrie
Betsy Brett
Bill Eaton
Bill Telfair
Buzz Burger
Catharine Forbes
Charles Rhoads
Charles Tatum
Christine Normart Hoenstine
David Bailey
David Burgess
David Burke
David Lawaetz
Debbie Brown Miles
Deborah Lebo Browning
Deborah Seeley Averill
Dudley Kimball
Ellis Raiford
Gail DeCosta
Graham Miles
Gretchen DeLamater Edgar
Ingrid Scholz Longo
Jane French Rieck
Janet Parker DeLaney
Jeannette Horne
Jennifer Sumner
Jim Maier
John Clement
Joy Willits Dittmann
Judith Trimble Waldner
June Cope Chidester
Larry Carter
Livy Heathcote
Liz Kettenring Maier
Lynn Carll Moffett
Master Bob Parker
Mollie Hibbard Simon
Patricia Stilwell Walker
Penny Claghorn Robertson
Peter Woodrow
Russell Brown
Sally Edwards Willits
Sally Shirk
Sara Broyles Fly
Stephanie Scott
Stephen Curwood
Steve Elkinton
Susanne Michel Grosjean
Tom Kowal
Tom Manning
Wink Porterfield