diaspora potrezebiethe

Alumni Newsletter of the American Community School of Beirut, Lebanon

In This Issue

Summer in the City 2014

and Other Gatherings 1Potrezebie: The Mystery

Continues… 5In Memoriam 6Alumni Notes 72014 AA/ACS

Dues & Donations Form 8Lost Alumni and

Faculty Members 8

AA/ACS Urgently Needs Your HelpDues and Donations

First of all, thank you to all who have responded to the dues and donations appeals from your Board of Governors The pace of contributions and dues payments has increased, but the total to date in terms of dollars collected and number of participants is still well behind prior years Through August 15, we’ve collected $19,389 from 196 alumni, faculty, and friends In past years, we would have collected $35,000 to $40,000 from 450 or more alumni We’re making progress but more alums need to participate Please consider paying your dues or making a donation using the form on the last page of this issue or by credit card at: https://community.acs.edu.lb/netcommunity/onlinedues

Volume XXXVII, Number 3 Our 36th year of publication September 2014

SITC Alexandria, VA Coordinated by Anne Bruder ‘70Twenty-six alumni along with spouses and significant others met for a late lunch

at the River Bend Bistro in Alexandria Caroline Bruder-Ross ’81 popped out from the

Summer in the City 2014 and Other Gatherings

Row 1 (seated) Bob Miller ‘60, Ellie Bartlett ‘74, Stuart Bingham ‘74 and Betsy van den Berg-Toperzer ‘74. Row 2 Caroline Bruder-Ross ‘81, Anne Bruder ‘70, Meredith Reynolds, Jay Bruder ‘74.Row 3 Karen Hajj-Becknell ‘77, Laila Wolle ‘74, Georgia Clark-Sadler ‘58, Anne Seidel-Overington ‘77, Bill Herrmann ‘65, Susan Ingerson-Mahar ‘66, (hidden Charlotte Bruder ‘73, Cathy Pearson-Byer ‘72), Carolyn Bates-Bonner ‘68. Row 4 (rear) Delinda Curtiss-Hanley ’73, Jim Sams ‘78, Chris Ross ’60.

Page 2 | The Diaspora Potrezebie | September 2014

The Diaspora Potrezebie

EditorLinda Handschin-Sheppard ’68 (since 2013)

Phone: 425 883 6197 (Pacific Time) Evenings and weekendsEmail: lhshep@gmail com

Proofreaders Karl Barbir ’66 Jay Bruder ’74 Jeff Hutchins ’65 Dave Williams ‘74

Past EditorsPeter G Gibson (Fac), Founding Editor, 1978-1986 [RIP June 6, 2009]

Constance Scott-Walker-Lindstrom ’76, Editor, 1986-1990Jonathan G Stacey ’61 Editor 1990-2012 [RIP December 7, 2012]

Contributing StaffFadwa Ghannoum, Director, ACS Office of Development and Alumni Affairs

Lina Safa, Director of Research & Development ServicesDanai El Hajj Ibrahim ’06, ACS Annual Fund and Alumni Affairs Officer

Raissa Batakji, Director of CommunicationsBørre Ludvigsen ’64 Overseas Correspondent

Executive Committee and GovernorsWilliam Crays ’56, President, 337 981 2617, wdcrays@msn com

Danai El Hajj Ibrahim ’06, Vice President00961-70-656616, dibrahim@acs edu lb

Patrick Hinds ’56, Treasurer, 909 592 6264, hindspt@yahoo comMargaret “Mug” Kelberer ’73, Secretary, allonaam@gmail com

Governors of the Association Karl Barbir ’66 Maria Bashshur-Abunnasr ’84, Fac Jay Bruder ’74 Valerie Estes-Ragan ’76 Linda Handschin-Sheppard ’68 Jeffrey Hutchins ’65 Kareem Kombarji ’09 Majd Maksad ’00 Heidi Misslbeck ’74 Jamie Parker-Nelson ’75 Lynn Zovighian ’04

Honorary GovernorsHamilton Clark, Faculty, Head of School at ACS at Beirut

Nina Joukowsky-Köprülü ’79, Chair, ACS Board of Trustees

Ex-Officio Governor Fadwa Ghannoum, ACS Director of Development & Alumni Affairs

WebsitesAA/ACS: http://almashriq hiof no/acs/

ACS at Beirut: www acs edu lb

The Diaspora Potrezebie is published quarterly as a nonprofit activity of the Alumni Association of the American Community School at Beirut, Inc Subscriptions are provided free to all members of the alumni association Annual membership dues are $25 Please make checks payable to the Alumni Association of ACS (AA/ACS)

All correspondence should be sent to AA/ACS Membership Services, 13570 NE 54th Place, Bellevue, WA 98005-1036 Our legal address is: 3 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, 8th Floor, New York NY 10017-2303 The Alumni Association of the American Community School at Beirut, Inc. (AA/ACS) does not take positions on religious, political, social topics, or issues and does not endorse the positions or opinions given from time to time by contributors to this newsletter. © 1990–2014 Alumni Association of the American Community School at Beirut, Inc All Rights Reserved

kitchen from time to time to say hello and pose for photos We had a great lunch and the wine tasting that the restaurant had at the same time permitted a few sips of some intriguing wines

New England Fourth Annual Jeddah/ACS Barbeque Coordinated by Glen Grubbs The original idea came from my good friend Marke Baker

’73 in 2011, who simply stated that if we got the Grubbses, Bakers, and Lewises together at a gathering, those three families alone would account for 19 kids who had all attended ACS at one time or another, between the years of 1964 and 1974 We decided to set a random date in the middle of the summer and, lo and behold, 35 ACS related people showed up, including several parents and Mr. Allen Hovey FAC, a beloved

Charlotte Bruder and Delinda Curtiss-Hanley, both class of 1973

Class of ‘73, L to R: Pete Canarela, Ruth Harms, Maureen Beurskens, Herman Lammerts, Marke Baker, Dudley Smith, Morgan Gray

Page 3 | The Diaspora Potrezebie | September 2014

former faculty member The number of attendees has more than doubled People fly in from other countries, drive more than 1000 miles to get here, and rearrange their vacations just to be able to find themselves in New Hampshire on the weekend of the barbeque The classes of 1969 thru 1974 are heavily represented, but ALL are welcome All of the food is Lebanese, almost all provided by the former students: fattoush, zataar, baba ghannoush, hummus, kibbe, lamb kebabs, kafta, schwarma, BonJus, Almaza, baklava, labne, etc As usual, we

schedule NOTHING else to do but sit, chat, laugh, cry, hug, and eat; no entertainment is necessary It's catching on; I heard lately that Kris Hunt ’72 was so enamored of the party, she's having her own next spring in Houston!

SITC Greater Seattle Area Coordinated by Keith Watenpaugh ’57

A casual gathering was held at Mediterranean Kitchen in Kirkland, WA on Saturday, August 9 Fourteen locals alums enjoyed food from a second generation Lebanese immigrant family as we reminisced for a few hours

Class of '72, L to R: Lynne Moukerezi, Kris Hunt, Jeff Harstedt, Eva Amine, Cindy Fetterholf, Paige Gayuski, JoAnn Atwood, Sarah Brooks

Class of '71, L to R: Glen Grubbs, Rise Johansen, Sean Baker, Gina Canarela, John Locher, Evelyn Lambert, Mi Robertson, Sandy Smith (peeking), Kevin Handly, Cindy O'Leary

Front: Susan Griffith ’78, Tom Griffith FAC, Betty Buck-Nichols ‘56, Ken Sheppard, Cynthia Soghikian-Wolfe ’72, Carol Littlejohn-Johnson ’71 and her husband. Back: Dave Roberson, Bruce Finlayson, Pat Hills-Finlayson ’57(hidden) Bob Nichols, Linda Handschin-Sheppard ’68, Keith Watenpaugh ‘57, Jane Peterson ‘ 59 (hidden) and Chuck Walters ‘59

Our volunteer photographer unfortunately did not include Sally Brough ’69 in the photo

Ft. Myers, Florida Mini-ReunionFrom February 25 through 28, Carey Overton-Randall

‘56 and Don Randall once again hosted a gathering of ACS schoolmates at their home in near Sanibel Island The assemblage consisted of 17 alumni and spouses from the Classes of 1956 and 1957 with attendees traveling from California, Colorado, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and North Carolina As usual, the group met to reminisce, gossip, eat well, drink some, play a little golf, and visit the various attractions in the area The best part of course was the chance to renew the friendships and rekindle the camaraderie begun so many years ago

Eight members of the Class of 1956 were present: Bob Sample, Jack Sommer, Diane Renfer-Sommer, Diane McWood-Nowland, Ken Lebsock, Judy Mandaville-Lipman, Carey Overton-Randall, and Patrick Hinds. Five members

Page 4 | The Diaspora Potrezebie | September 2014

of the Class of 1957 attended: Linda McCarthy-Schick, Don Emmerson, Carolyn Holm-Emmerson, Barbara Knapp-Purnell, and Harry Purnell The spouses were Jerry Schick, Don Randall, Jim Lipman, and Evelyn Hinds In the accompanying photo, alas, Linda McCarthy-Schick’s husband, Jerry, is absent He is the photographer Sorry, Jerry

Bottom Row Left to Right: Linda McCarthy- Schick, Judy Mandaville-Lipman, Diane Renfer-SommerMiddle Row Left to Right: Don Randall, Bob Sample, Barbara Knapp-Purcell, Carolyn Holm-Emmerson, Diane McWood-Nowland, Evelyn Hinds, Ken Lebsock, Harry Purcell, Carey Overton-RandallTop Row Left to Right: Don Emmerson, Pat Hinds, Jack Sommer, Jim Lipman

SITC New York City at Beirgarten The Standard Hotel

Back row: Kareem Kombarji ’09, Sura Zaatari ’07, Rami Arbid (friend of ACS), Herman Lammerts ’73, Suzi Lammerts, Gabriella Romanos ’09 Middle row: Gautham Akula (Former FAC), Majd Maksad ’00, JoAnn Atwood ‘72, Mikey Muhanna ’03, Lina Halabi Akula (Former FAC), Farah Assir (friend of ACS), Aboudi Kabbani ’05, Mark Kennedy ’06, Ramzi Farah ‘05. Front row: Maya Gharzeddine ’05, Sylvia Zakhary ’05, Krishna Akula, Danai El Hajj Ibrahim ’06, Malek Rasamny ’05

Page 5 | The Diaspora Potrezebie | September 2014

Patrick Hinds ’56: The following is an article that appeared in the August 3, 1966 edition of the Aramco weekly newsletter, Sun and Flare Based on the content, it appears that at least one more cannonball –the third by my count– has borne the name “Potrezebie ” A picture of the cannonball accompanied the article, but was of too poor quality to reprint here However, the cannonball appears to be made of stone and has some capital letters in paint visible in the photo The capital letters are “NOM ” Is this the same cannonball held by Michael Mekeel ’66 in a photo taken at the 1966 Senior Ditch Day by Borre Ludvigsen ‘64 that appeared in the June 2014 Diaspora Potrezebie? Is it the same one referenced in the same article by Dan Swenson ’69 that made an appearance at the 1968-69 orientation at the Mishref Country Club? Is it the one in the photo in the 1974 Al Manara? The following article sheds some light on the continuing intrigue surrounding the fate of Potrezebie – or not

Potrezebie … What, Where? Aramco Sun and Flare, August 3, 1966“Potrezebie” – an unknown word but to readers of Mad

Magazine – is the name given to a baby cannonball that has long been the symbol of senior superiority at the American Community School at Beirut For many years, through antics reminiscent of the Roaring Twenties, it was borrowed, transferred, and hidden by underclassmen attempting to diminish that superiority

As each new class entered ACS the legends grew, and the battles became stronger, the intrigue more clever, the strategy more profound Suddenly the coveted object completely disappeared and rumor placed it in America, the Atlantic Ocean, and five fathoms deep in the Mediterranean

This year’s graduating class revived the custom, found a new cannonball and in honor of the original dubbed it “The Spirit of Potrezebie ” At the annual Awards Banquet, the Class of ’67 rose to the challenge and with tactics worthy of the basketball floor, it became their property The Aramco seniors however vowed it would be theirs – and with subtle maneuvers and a touch of Mata Hari they acquired the coveted object For several hours the previous possessors were not even aware that it had been removed

Agent 007 being unavailable, Agent Jamaica met fellow conspirators to formulate Operation Aramco Battle lines were drawn; the purloined artifact was placed in a secure but secluded position, and later delivered by protective escort to its present resting place

We have seen “Potrezebie,” we have photographed it, but

so well is its secret kept that even we do not know its present whereabouts ”

In addition to this news, an alumna has asserted to Linda Handschin Sheppard ‘68 that she is in possession of a cannonball that she believes is Potrezebie Hopefully, she will read this article, come forward, and provide a photo of it (Editor’s Note: Keep reading for her account, photo above.)

So, how many Potrezebies are there? What happened to them? We know that one resides in the ACS Office in New York City, and one may be in the hands of the unnamed alumna More input is solicited and desired

Elise Frauchiger-Judelle '64 writes: Really enjoyed reading the June ACS newsletter, especially the spread on Potrezebie I'd be amazed if there are any more stone cannonballs left at historic sites in Lebanon! It may be that more than one Pot graced the halls of ACS and the BD, because I know for sure that one of them now has retired to Tallahassee, Florida It may well be the one described by Jim Tracy '61 as the Pot he gave to "a junior whose name I don't recall " If that junior who lived in town was Glenn Ewing ‘62, I was the mere freshman who lived in the apartment below and managed to spirit the old Pot away from him It was painted with Class of '64 decorations and returned to the States in 1963, courtesy of the US Department of State which employed my father

I have carefully babysat that Potrezebie ever since, and it now seems quite at home in the Florida sun Apologies to Jim for absconding with it, but what, me worry? Thanks for all the great ACS memories!

Potrezebie: The Mystery Continues…

Page 6 | The Diaspora Potrezebie | September 2014

AA/ACS has begun a project to compile a current list of the names of deceased alums. You may send names, class years, and a brief obituary or commentary to the editor at lhshep@gmail.com. It is expected when completed this list will be available and password protected on Blackbaud Net Community.

Jeanne Plant-Tyler ’37 passed away on July 24, 2014, after a brief illness She always treasured her memories of ACS and the friendships she made there Reported by her friend: Roger Kellerman, P O Box 398, Talmage, CA 95481-0398 Editor’s Note: Jeanne wrote a wonderful article for the Pot in 1996 when she revisited Beirut, reminiscing about her childhood and the changes in the city

Follow us on …

ACS Beirut

her brother Kenneth Lebsock Donations may be made to American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA), 1111 14th St SW, Ste 400, Washington, D C 21005 Reported by Ken Lebsock ‘56; klebsock@verizon net and Marilyn Bunyan-Wilkens ‘53.

Charles L. Weidner ’53 as reported by his son Ken Weidner “My father, Charles L Weidner, was a student at ACS in the 1950s He loved his time at ACS and always spoke fondly of the school, Beirut, and AA/ACS, attending a reunion in the US with his wife several years ago

Charles passed away last summer; his last address was Spring City, PA His father, C Ken Weidner, was founding Dean of the American University Beirut’s School of Engineering ”

Ken may be contacted at Ken Weidner, 903 Winding River Lane, Phoenixville, PA 19460, weidner@sju edu

Herb Wunderlich ’71 was born in Dayton, Ohio on March 21, 1952, and died In Tempe, Arizona on August 5, 2014, after an illness His family moved to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia soon after his birth Herb attended school in Jeddah, Le Rosey in Switzerland and ACS After graduating from Arizona State University, Herb worked in Jeddah then returned to Tempe and settled there His career involved logistics and import-export freight management He is survived by his wife Sue, son Bert, daughter Lauren, brother Paul and sister-in-law Jo Parks ’67 who provided this report and may be reached at jpwunderlich@tx rr com

Martha Putnam FAC passed away on February 28, 2014 “She taught in the ACS elementary school in 1966 when Lyn Putnam-Heinz ’72 was in sixth grade and son Peter Heinz ‘74 in fourth grade Mom loved teaching at ACS and often talked about fellow teachers like Jeff Stallings FAC and Martin Gostelow FAC We had a Celebration of Life for her and Dad this summer in Myerstown, PA It was fun to see our world traveler P E teacher Sarah Rich FAC, at the service ” Reported by Lyn Putnam-Heinz ’72.

ACS Knights ACS Beirut ACS Beirut

Donna Mae Lebsock-Hansen ‘53, age 79, of Boise, Idaho, passed away on June 25, 2014 following complications of a stroke Donna attended schools in Denver, Colorado; Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; and graduated from the American Community School in Beirut, Lebanon in 1953 The Lebsock family lived for many years in the Middle East where her father was employed by ARAMCO in Saudi Arabia She is survived by her three children, seven grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and

In Memoriam

Donna Mae Lebsock-Hansen ‘53, photos courtesy of Ken Lebsock ‘56.

Page 7 | The Diaspora Potrezebie | September 2014

Alumni NotesSam Constan ’53 travelled to attend and speak at the

Catherine Carlin-Bashshur FAC, Trustee memorial service in Beirut He honored Catherine well at the memorial service and is shown below with Bill Crays ’56 (right) and Fadwa Ghannoum, ACS Director of Alumni and Development Affairs.

Bob Miller ’60 has spent the last 15 years researching and writing on US Veteran and Prisoner of War issues

In 2009 he authored “America’s Disposable Soldiers” about the Gulf War Syndrome afflicting veterans of that conflict In 2012 he followed with

“America’s Abandoned Sons” about the Department of Defense programs for Prisoners of War and Missing in Action service members Bob feels strongly that these programs were corrupt and incompetent and that his book led to Congressional hearings in 2013 and 2014 and subsequent changes in the DoD programs

Bob has recently published a novel “The Z-5 Incident: America’s Ultimate POW/MIA Betrayal ” You may contact Bob at The_Zormaster@MSN.com and all of his books are available through online vendors

Glen Grubbs ’71 and Gina Canarela ’71 at the ACS prom 1969

Glen Grubbs ’71 and Gina Canarela ’71 at the Grubbs Jeddah/ACS Reunion Summer 2014

Page 8 | The Diaspora Potrezebie | September 2014

Alumni Association of the American Community School at Beirut, Lebanon, Inc.2014 AA/ACS Dues & Donations Form

� 2014 Dues @ $25 00 (NOT tax-deductible) $ ____________________

ACSers who graduated during the last five years are exempt from voluntary payment of dues (You can always get a report about when you last paid dues by emailing Pat Hinds ’56 at hindspt@yahoo com)

� Three years’ dues paid in advance @ $75 00 (NOT tax-deductible) $ ____________________

� Dues I forgot to pay @ $25 00 per year (NOT tax-deductible) $ ____________________

� General Donation to the Alumni Association (tax-deductible) $ ____________________These donations are used for alumni association operating expenses

� Malcolm Kerr Endowment Fund (tax-deductible) $ ____________________Malcolm Kerr ’49, ACS alum and President of AUB, was assassinated in office in 1984 Tuition scholarships are given in his name to deserving ACS students

� Matching gift from my employer: ______________________________________________ $ ___________________

Make checks payable to "AA/ACS” TOTAL $ ____________________

� Check here if you do not want your donation publicized

First Name: ______________________ Maiden/Middle Name: _______________________Last Name: ________________________

Class Year: ______________________ Faculty/Staff/Trustee _________________________(Please note years) __________________

You may pay online: https://community.acs.edu.lb/netcommunity/onlineduesor print and mail this tear off form to Pat Hinds, 304 Calle Moreno, San Dimas, CA 91773

Lost Alumni and Faculty Members

Cynthia Dennett-Yee ‘57Karen Vaissiere-Blanchard ‘69Wyndham Wilson ‘70Frank Hubeny ‘70

Jooske Stil ‘73Karen Dace ‘74Drew Jones ‘78Joan Bliss-Ibish FACHelen Bentson FAC

Steve Kerr ‘83 was recently the focus of an extended article: “A Sunday Profile Steve Kerr - Warriors’ rookie head coach brings heart, mind of a champion to team” by Rusty Simmons In addition to many interesting basketball stories, it recounts his time spent in Beirut and Cairo as well as the heartbreak of the

assassination of his father Malcolm Kerr ’40 while serving as President of AUB in 1984 Link to full article: http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-rookie-coach-Steve-Kerr-a-total-team-5649479.php#page-1