Lesley Waschler Bank

I just found this blog and I am thrilled about it - What a great idea! Thank you! It was wonderful scrolling down and reading the news about the sisters I knew (Joanne Fiore, Senny, MaryAnn Corrado, Patty McKeown, etc.) and those that have become legendary!

My life has been quite interesting since I graduated New Paltz in '72. I became a kindergarten and then a first grade teacher, and am still loving teaching my little ones. I married Ted Bank 35 years ago (oh my goodness!) and have a 31 year-old son, and 29 year old triplets (two girls and a boy). I am also the grandmother of two of the most beautiful boys in the world. I live on Long Island, and would love to hear from anyone who is around here. I am still best of friends with Meryl Weiss Linder '72 and hear from Carol Cooper Sonenblum ''72 periodically.

Lesley Waschler Bank '72 (motherbank@aol.com)

Barbara Passmore

My husband Hunter and I visited Jean Valentine Ward '64 at Jean's house on Echo Lake in Boonville, New York on September 18th and 19th. See attached photo. We enjoyed boating around the lake, visiting the local canal museum and walking around the remains of a four lock system. Who knew there were so many canals besides the Erie.

I hoped to get apples, but the ones I really wanted, Northern Spy were not in yet. They make the best apple pie. I had to make a pie with the Cortlands I brought back with me. I put up six pints and still have half a box left. What was I thinking?

Since I'm on a roll here, I reconnected with Arleen Marcone Schatz '64 a couple of years ago. We are now meeting weekly at the Thistle in Glastonbury where we "stitch." Arleen has completed several projects including a needlepoint of her condo building. That inspired me to design a needlepoint of my house, which is still in progress after about three years. I keep plodding along....

I correspond with Mary Terp Jankowski '64 and it was actually Mary's visit here a few years back that initiated the reconnection with Arleen. We were sitting around reminiscing and decided to try and find Arleen. Surprise, surprise we were successful.

I have enjoyed the yearly reunions, but will be unable to attend this year. Hunter and I are off to South Africa for two weeks.

Yours in Theta,
Barbara Passmore '64

Nina Friedman Lazar

Hi Ladies,

I wanted to write and wish you all a fun-filled reunion… I try to attend each year, but sometimes ‘life’ gets in the way of other plans. This year I won’t be able to be there, and I’m very disappointed! Previous plans were in place for months before receiving the information for the luncheon date. I’ll be up in the Berkshires with family. My husband and I closed on our ‘getaway home’ in June, and are truly blessed to be living our retirement dream.

I loved reconnecting with those at my table at last year’s reunion. Carleen reminded me of some special times we shared, and I was delighted to hear that I ‘had her back’ during pledging. I had forgotten, but apparently it meant a great deal to her – and that made me smile!

Life is busier than ever – I still do some work with the Early Intervention Program in NJ. We service ‘at risk’ babies/toddlers up to the age of 3 years, and then they enter the public school system. I’m also busily blessed to have 9 grandchildren, who keep my husband and me ‘hopping.’ They are great motivators for keeping that ‘spring in our step.’

I’ve continued my connection with Shirley Froman MacRae (my big sister – class of ’65). She lives in Texas and New Mex., and I’m in NJ, but we manage to see each other about once a year. We write and talk throughout the year. Recently I wrote to Ann Guthman, whom I knew way before New Paltz. She lived in the apartment just above ours, and entered college 2 years after I did. I had no idea that she was attending until she showed up at one of our Teas one evening. Via e-mail we reminisced a bit, and hopefully we’ll connect again in the near future.

For those who are begin the New Year, I wish you a sweet, happy, healthy and peace-filled year ahead. And to all sisters, I wish miles of smiles and a wonderful luncheon. If no songleader is amongst you this year, just sing from your hearts, and I’ll be listening for you :-).

Here’s to memories and sisterhood…

Nina (Friedman) Lazar

Carleen Schneider Wald

To all Theta Sisters especially the Class of 1968,

It breaks my heart, but I am going to miss the reunion by hours. Gary and I have to be in Baltimore for a major family event on Friday the 16th. After a breakfast Saturday we start driving north to New York and New Paltz. We plan to spend most of the week in the area visiting friends, relatives and old haunts. The following weekend is my high school reunion in Vestal. We drive to Albany on Sunday and return home to Chicago from Albany.

Gary, my husband is a native Californian. We met at Otto's Bar, Latham Circle, Troy, NY in 1970. He was on a 9 mos. triaining program from Chicago with GE Schnectady. We met at the beginning of the program and were married 9mos. later. We moved to Chicago and have been here ever since. We call it comprmise, but truthfully we love it here. We do love to go back east to visit and we are also exploring places to retire. Did I mention we have a truly midwestern 24 year old son named after his father?

Hoping to be able to visit with some of you who are in the area. My email address is carleenwald@comcast.net or waldgw@att.net.

Last year I went to the reunion with Susan Kramer and it was very special. I hope everyone goes this year and sings "There's a Long long LIne of Thetas".

A very special thank you to the dedicated group of Thetas who started the reunions and all of you who continue to work hard to keep Thetas connected.

Love in Theta,

Carleen Schneider Wald '68

Carmella Lagano Alfano

Hey, Theta Sisters,

Have you seen the trailers for the new horror movie, Sorority Row, which is about the sisters of Theta Pi???? Carrie Fisher apparently plays the housemother, which probably will make Mrs. Brice happy...I don't plan on seeing it, so those of you who do, please share...

Yours in Theta,
Carmella Lagano Alfano (Cape Cod, MA)

Linda Spiro Landers

Hi, Sorry I missed last year's luncheon but I was homebound due to my health problems. Woody & I are now grandparents for the first time. Jacob was born on Aug. 14 and we are enjoying this new phase of our lives. I am looking forward to this year's luncheon. Hope to see lots of you there!

- Linda Spiro Landers '61

Carol Schack Brown

It was wonderful to find Theta and the blog after all these years. Like many others after graduation I left NY and have lived in several states in the Midwest and Texas. I am now back in New York working for SUNY as the President of North Country Community College which is located in the heart of Adirondack State Park. It is amazing to come full circle. I am planning on attending the reunion in October and reconnecting with New Paltz and Theta. Naomi Rubin and I are in contact and it has been fun to catch up.

- Carol Schack Brown (68)