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BIO UPDATES Bio updates are included in alphabetical order below. Because this page has recently opened there are only a few, so keep them coming! Feel free to send one or two recent photos so they can be placed in an online photo album and linked to your update. Also feel free to send a couple of your favorites showing you in Ethiopia/Eritrea if you wish. A link to the photos is found at the end of each bio update. There are also several current photos of those who have not yet sent in bio updates here. All Ethiopia/Eritrea II RPCVs and staff are invited to submit bio updates of up to 1000 words or so to let friends and colleagues know what you are doing these days and what you think about: the “good old days” in EE; the influence of Peace Corps on your life; reaching the retirement years; your cute grandchildren; or whatever you care to talk about. Please mention where you served in in EE and what job(s) you had. Send your bio updates, ruminations and photos to Bob Matthai at rmatthai@sbcglobal.net and he will post them here. If at any time you wish to add to, delete or change your statement send the information to Bob at the email address abovee. This page was last modified on Friday, October 12, 2007 04:43:38 AM
Peter Arquin (sent July 12, 2007) After my Peace Corps service ended in 1965 I received my draft notice and ultimately enlisted in the Navy as a corpsman spending a fair amount of time in Vietnam taking care of Marines. Upon my return I entered medical school at Penn State and for the next 35 years I got married to a wonderful woman named Linda, had three children named Michael, Jennifer, and Meghan, who have now started to produce the appropriate number of grandchildren. I have been a cardiologist in upstate New York in Cooperstown for the past 30 years and I am currently considering leaving the practice of medicine and trying something different. I have
an application at the Peace Corps for Country Directorship. I am not sure where that's going to go.
Both Linda and I enjoy travel. Over the years I have had some interesting adventures with a 75-year-old adrenaline junkie river rat friend who likes to cruise down the rapids of some of the major rivers in this world such as the Yangtze, the Zambezi, and others. I have included a picture of myself and Linda last year hiking in Scotland. I look forward to the reunion this September in Maine.
John Calcagni (sent September 12, 2007)
After my Peace Corps experience in Ethiopia, I returned to Vermont where I began my career as a high school math teacher. I taught for 8 years and then took a leave to get my master’s degree at the University of Illinois. In addition to my degree I met Nancy, my wife-to –be, who was also in graduate school. This year we celebrate our 35th anniversary and we have raised 3 children: Kristen, a pediatrician; John, a high school math teacher; and Ann, a financial manager for Quaker. None of the children are yet married and we are looking forward to a time when they start families and we have grandchildren.
I retired from teaching in 2000 and I have been very busy working in my woodshop building furniture and painting in watercolor and pastels. My extensive flower and vegetable gardens keep me busy in the summer. Having grown up in Vermont and having lived here my entire life, I have tired of the cold winters. We have been spending them in Sarasota, Florida, where we can be more active outdoors. This has compromised my opportunities for skiing, but in exchange we have begun to golf.
One of the more rewarding volunteer experiences we have had since retirement was to tutor the “lost boys” of Sudan. There are a lot of opportunities to help those new to this country since Burlington is a major resettlement area for refugees. It is rewarding to see some of the students we tutored for two years now in college and functioning well in our society.
Through my sister-in-law in Philadelphia we have become acquainted with an Ethiopian from Lekempti, Takele Tsega. His political experiences in the country were hair-raising. We were able to meet with his family during the 1995 reunion in Addis.
My wife and I are looking forward to seeing everyone in Maine. The website is great and it has been nice to catch up with some of those who will not be able to come. Thank you for all your efforts.
Grover Hudson (sent August 13, 2007) After 1963-65 PC service in Yirgalem, Sidamo, where I taught English in grades 3, 4, 5, 7, 8,
and 11 and studied Amharic for sanity, I took an MA degree in linguistics from UCLA. Summers there, I taught English language teaching in one PC-Ethiopia training program and directed an experimental Amharic language program in another. I also taught in PC-Ethiopia training programs in Maine, Mass., and Utah. At UCLA I continued to study Amharic, building on what I had learned in Yirgalem from the 3rd and 4th grade students, and began to study the classical Ethiopian language Ge'ez, taught by Professor Wolf Leslau.
I returned to Ethiopia to teach in 1967-69 in the English Dept. of the then Haile Sellassie I
University (now Addis Ababa University), a position supported in those days by USAID. My
research in those years concerned the English language environment of Ethiopian high schools and common English-language errors found in essays written as part of the Ethiopian School Leaving Certificate Examination.
Then I took a PhD in linguistics from UCLA, with a dissertation in theoretical linguistics based
on research (sponsored by Social Science Research Council and American Council of Learned Societies) in Ethiopia in 1972-3, on Sidamo and four related Cushitic languages spoken in and near Yirgalem. From that research I also wrote a comparative dictionary of the five languages, Highland East Cushitic Dictionary, published by Buske (Hamburg), in 1979. In 1975-77 I directed and taught in a USAID/UCLA program at Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt, and in subsequent years have made several research visits to Ethiopia, supported by the US Dept. of Education and National Endowment for the Humanities, the last time for three months in the fall of 2000.
A member of the faculty at Michigan State University since 1979, I have regularly taught
Amharic here, and directed summer intensive Amharic-language programs sponsored by the
Foreign Language and Area Studies Program of the US Dept. of Education. Now about to retire from teaching, I continue to do research on Amharic and other Ethiopian languages. A book written with Anbessa Teferra, Essentials of Amharic, is about to be published by Köppe (Cologne). Based on years of teaching introductory linguistics, my textbook Essential Introductory Linguistics was published by Blackwell in 1989. A translation of this book is widely used in China, I am told. Now working on a comparative grammar of Ethiopian
Semitic, to be published by Harrassowitz (Hamburg).
In recent years, the main purpose of my research has been to argue the likelihood that Ethiopia is the original homeland of the Semitic languages (Arabic and Hebrew are the best known Semitic languages, but after Arabic Amharic has the most speakers) --not the Middle East, as usually believed. At my website www.msu.edu/~hudson I maintain a hopefully authoritative list of Ethiopian languages (71 now spoken, by my count), an annotated list of books for studying Amharic, and a full bibliography of works on the group of Highland East Cushitic languages.
I am married to Mutsuko Endo Hudson, also a professor of linguistics at Michigan State
University, and director of the MSU Japanese program. We travel a lot, professionally and for
pleasure, including to Mexico every year and to Japan or Europe most years.
The PC taught me the truth of the slogan which I remember clearly from those days, that between us and other peoples of the world there are no differences that make a difference. I continue to hope that US foreign policy might in our lifetimes turn to helping other countries, in the Peace Corps spirit and in contrast to the usual opposite purpose epitomized by policy of recent years.
Grover Hudson, 714 Chittenden Drive, East Lansing, MI 48823, hudson@msu.edu
IRENE KREUSER (letter from nephew sent 12/30/2006) Greeting! Thanks to all who have sent Aunt Irene a Christmas card and letters wishing her well. This year has been a good year health wise for her. Although I am afraid to say that her memory continues to erode. She does remember people and places when we talk about them in detail, but unfortunately quickly forgets the conversation. We took a trip by plane to Baltimore in November to see her sister Lorraine. They had a marvelous time together. We also spent a few days last fall in Chicaco and had the chance to visit with many of you. The enclosed picture was taken in November of 2006 [to be added to EE II album soon] and shows the quilt the Graff women made and presented to her last year. Please keep Aunt Irene in your daily prayers and know you are always welcome to visit her in Des Moines. If you would like to stop by and spend some time I know she would treasure it. P.S. Note: I would ask anyone who send a note to Aunt Irene (who is not part of my immediate family) to put a brief explanation of how you are related or what friendship you had with her. I have met many of you but I think some of her memory loss is rubbing off on me and it is great for me to be able to remind her just who you are. Don Ryan (nephew) 3317 Elmwood Dr. Des Moines, Iowa 50312 House: 515-274-6065 Cell: 515-707-3308 Irene's direct line: 515-633-2928 Direct AT&T 800 number: 800-495-0073
Joan McMahon (sent May 30, 2007) Dear Roger, How wonderful to hear you're taking on organizing an E/E II Reunion in Belfast, Maine September 21-23, 2007!! Gloria sent me the enclose notice from you, of which I've made this copy. What a glorious time of year to be in Maine, and Ihope you have a big turn-out of our group!! Sadly, my health has been turning me into a "hunchback of Notre Dame" skeleton with 23 years workth of Rheumatoid Arthritis--and now unexplained severe weight loss. I'm too weak to even go to my local store, let alone Maine--and this is also why I missed the wonderful Seattle Reunion last year, too. I'm so sorry I can't attend, Roger. Shirley [Haustveit] Ellingson told me you and Marge Taylor drove all the way across country and back for the Seasttle Reunion, and that you both seemed in wonderful health--and ageless. What happy news!! She also said you passed right through San Jose, California (about one hour's drive away from me) without realizing I lived in the area. What it joy it would've been to see you both again--had we only known!! I lived in the East Bay city of Alameda--right next door to Oakland and Berkeley--where my daughter and I have been since 1968. We missed getting here for the San Francisco "Summer of Love" in 1967 when a lot of young folks came from every state to unite in the common cause and huge summer-long party "wearing flowers in their hair." Remember that in the great long-ago?? It was sad to see a big drug culture emerge ultimately though from those who stayed. My daughter, Yete (short for her Ethiopian name of Yetemwork), is now almost 42. She lives in Oakland and works in San Francisco as a health program planner in the City of San Francisco Department of Public Health. It's great to have her nearby. She did 2 years in Peace Corps as a teacher in Lesotho, Southern Africa. After that she moved to New York City and got her master's degree in public health education at Columbia University. She loved New York and lived and worked there for four years, returning to California in May of 2006--mainly because of my poor health. Bless her heart--she's such a caring, fun and delightful daughter!! Don't know if you remember, but I have many relatives in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine--having grown up in Wakefield, Massachusetts. My sister returned to Wells, Maine. I have a 92-year old aunt and several cousins who live in Trevett, Maine--very hear Boothbay Harbor. What a Paradise Maine is!! You must love living in Belfast, Roger!! Did you grow up in Maine? I don't have a computer for e-mails and such, but would love to hear from you by leter or phone call (510) 769-9121 as to how your life has been going since Peace Corps days. We were all so lucky to have shared the wonderful Peace Corps years with the best group of people in the world!!! I wish you a huge success with the reunion and thank you for making it happen!!! Fondest regards, Joan (McMahon) 1704 Central Ave., Apt. 14 Alameda, CA 94501-2547 (photo to follow)
Ed and Jo Orser (sent October 4, 2007) Ed and Jo Orser live in Baltimore, where they settled nearly 40 years
ago and remain committed to urban life. Ed, who is again chair of the
department he helped to establish at UMBC in 1969, is now referred to as
“institutional memory” (neither term really his strong suits). He
continues to teach and write about urban history, with Baltimore
providing a rich source for topics. Jo is “retired” from her career as a
public school counselor in Baltimore County. The quotation marks for Jo
are because she in fact keeps very busy, most notably over the past
three years as principal liaison for a Sudanese family sponsored by our
church. This year we had the wonderful opportunity to spend the entire
Spring semester in Wales, where Ed was an exchange professor at Swansea
University, and we explored the beautiful Welsh countryside, walking
many miles of the coastal path. We enjoy good times with our two
children and their families: daughter Sharon thankfully is nearby; son
Stephen lives in Seattle, and we regularly spend time visiting with his
family and exploring the Northwest (they live so near the Assimba
Restaurant that we could walk there for last year’s reunion opening
night dinner!).
Ladena Robichaud Schnapper (sent July 4, 2007) Bob, Thanks for the invite [to the Maine reunion], but I don't think I will make it even though I would love to. In the midst of a life change - am leaving my job after nine years in a mental health center in August and going back to school for massage therapy. I want to become a GYMT - gypsy massage therapist and travel around the world looking up all my Ethiopian friends, advising them on wellness for by now they have picked up all of our bad Western habits, give them massages, make buna for them and have them make me "doro wat." Right!!! Well....we'll see!
I just gave your e mail address to Alemsahay Wadago who is in charge of organizing the Ethiopian Millenneum Celebration in D.C. They need all kinds of help. I thought you might have some ideas for them! Check out www.ethiopianmillennium2000.com
I can't seem to let go of Ethiopia - not that I want to. This past winter spent time in Alaska volunteering for Iditarod, ended up in a mini-race, then mushed 100 miles off the Bering sea, cross countried skied under Mt. Aleyeska and finally ate 'injera na wat' in Anchorage at Dr. Gebehayu's home. He used to come to my home in Dessie 45 years ago and haven't seen him since. He is(was) the Vice Chancellor of Anchorage University and has just accepted the same position at Governors University out of Chicago.
This summer I'm presenting a workshop on Ethiopian children's books.at the Ethiopian Adoption Family Culture Camp at Lake Geneva, WI. And it goes on and on.....maybe after school, I"ll return next year to check things out for possible work there or Israel. For those interested as Peace Corps is mentioned, Howard Lenhoff's book, BLACK JEWS, JEWS, AND OTHER HEROES just came out and a few chapters are about the work I did. I feel quite honored.
Otherwise I spend my time outdoors - lots of kayaking, white water rafting, scuba diving, camping in summer and cross country sking and mushing in winter.
So greetings to all at the reunion. Maybe I will make the next one???? Selam, LaDena
[excerpt from email sent July 8] l will send you a photo of me mushing in a separate e-mail and forward one of me during my five minutes of fame in D.C. recently at the Ethoipian restaurant, Dukem. They asked me to dance the Gurage dance! When I was in Addis in the 90's for the Ethiopian Jewish work, I ended up doing two television shows with my dancing seven different ethnic dances! Talk about instant fame!!! To this day when I'm in D.C. and meet Ethiopians who watched the show, I always get a free meal or drink!!!!
William Seraile (sent July 8, 2007) The highlights of my life since leaving Ethiopia in 1965. (1) grad school (M.A. and Ph.D)
(2) overseas experience: Vietnam with International Voluntary Services,1967-68. Ivan Myers and Gary Daves (Eth III in Mekele) and I went at the same time. Ivan and I survived the Tet Offensive but Gary was kidnapped in Hue and spent five years in N. Vietnam.
(3) Family: Married to Janette for 37 years; two children (Garnet, 33, and Aden, 28 No grandchildren yet. (4) Teaching. I just retired this September after 36 years of teaching college African American history. (5) Publications: 4 books (6) Hobbies: gourmet cooking, jogging (30 completed marathons) and serious reading. (7) Peace Corps: the best thing that happened to me by accident. I grew up in Seattle and attended that city's 1962 World's Fair. a photo exhibit of volunteers caught my attention and imagination which led to my application to join. Peace Corps has opened my eyes to the endless possibilities of multicultural experiences and afforded me the opportunity to learn more about myself in a time when we were young and opened to new experiences.
Doug and Lee Worthington (sent July 7, 2007) Hi everyone!
Since we gathered in Seattle, Lee has been fighting Round Two of her uterine cancer battle. She has multiple tumors in her abdominal cavity. Tried Chemo One from November to February. No effect. Tried a new chemo (Doxil) from February until now. Most tumors are shrinking or stabilized. Her CA125 marker dropped 60%, and her energy level is up slightly. We are now in a positive mode and cautiously optimistic about the future. If this trend continues, she made need the chemo just once every couple of months. We hope to make it to the next (post-Maine) reunion. This one is just not in the cards.
People who know me understand I play lots of racquet sports. I now have arthritis in both knees, and I have all but given up these sports. Currently into spinning and taking golf lessons for the first time in my life. Playing a good deal of duplicate bridge and doing a little writing. We are loving The Villages in central Florida. If you're looking for a retirement community with an unbelievable number of clubs and activities, this is it. If you have a hobby or special interest, they have a matching club for you here. The golf is free, and most people do simple errands in a golf cart.
If you're passing through this area (south of Ocala and northwest of Orlando), let us know. If Lee's feeling okay, we might even put you up for a night. Have fun in Maine.
Doug and Lee Worthington, 1501 Van Buren Way, The Villages, FL 32162, 352 753 7452
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