CREATIVE THOUGHT Cultivating curiosity D
rake Patten ’84 has built a career out of curiosity, a trait that was honed and
refined by her Skidmore education. “Skidmore taught me to pursue my dream and to be smart about it,” she says. After completing a self-defined major in his-
tory and material culture, pursuing her fascina- tion with objects, she went on to study medieval and Viking archaeology in England before earning master’s degrees in anthropolo- gy and American history with concen- trations in applied archaeology. Over the next
decade, Patten seized opportunities to work in the archaeology depart- ment at Monticello. She investigated Thomas Jefferson’s private retreat as
well as gravesites discovered in the historically free black community of Charlottesville, Va “I love how archaeology helps people talk about issues that are hard to talk about,” Patten says. “It’s a tool to connect the public to history and what we can learn from it.” This passion for connecting the public to
history led her into nonprofit work. Settling in Providence, R.I., she worked for the Council for the Humanities, developing community projects, and later as executive director for the Steel Yard, an organization dedicated to reclaiming Providence’s metalworking traditions. Patten’s latest venture grew out of her
microfarming hobby and interest in the history of Providence’s backyard gardens. Realizing that no local stores sold the supplies she and other small-scale farmers needed, last year Patten launched Cluck, an urban farm and gar- dening supply store. Located on the site of an abandoned gas station, Cluck is both a retail enterprise and a learning and teaching hub for the city’s urban farmers, offering year-round classes, workshops, readings, and other pro- grams.
“What’s so great about this business,” she
says, “is I’m still learning every day from the people who come here. Everyone’s got a lesson to bring to the table.”—Sara Daniels ’05
Lindsay’s grandmother (and Jennifer’s mom) is Carolyn Coffin Marlowe ’56. LILLY JARAY OSTROVE 2129 ANGUS DRIVE WALNUT CREEK, CA 94598-3305
DANJASRY@YAHOO.COM
tinsville, N.J., with wife Dina, son Nicholas, 8, and daughter Haylee, 6. Mark is relaunch- ing a toy company
’84
Mark Nathan lives in Mar-
N MAY 29–JUNE 2
and doing some sales, marketing, and production consulting. He says the change is very exciting and “there are many challenges to embrace.” Mark trav- els a lot but is glad that his family can sometimes join him on the road. Keith Behrle lives in New Jersey and works in NYC. He shoots video for CBS, does corporate video shoots, and pro- duces live events. Check out his work at
http://keithbehrleproductions.com. He has two boys, Jordan, 14, and Tyler, 12. Jordan loves anything to do with flying and Tyler loves baseball and basketball. Deborah Stein Norden can’t believe it’s another reunion year! Son Nicholas is graduating from Boston University and studying for his MCATs, and son Erik is at Tulane, also in pre-med, and loving it. Deborah works at Soros Fund Manage- ment handling philanthropy for one of the family members. Cyndy Comeau Risku moved to Vir-
ginia Beach, Va., in 2012. She is pursuing a project management program at Regent University and a landscape design pro- gram at Tidewater Community College. Her youngest daughter is a high school junior. Cindy’s business, C Photography, also keeps her very busy. CALEY O’NEIL 6550 COLLEGE GROVE DRIVE, UNIT 35 SAN DIEGO, CA 92115
CALEYO@AOL.COM
The former police detective is now lead investigator for the personal-injury law firm of Ellis Ged & Bodden in Point Pleasant Beach, N.J. He was married to Megan Conley Roilo in November, by a judge who used to sign P.J.’s search war- rants. He observes, “Life is circular and funny at times.” Tom Brandt spent the winter holidays visiting family in Santa Fe, N.M., skiing and visiting Andrew Engel.
’85 40 SCOPE SPRING 2014
David “P.J.” Rosenthal retired from law enforcement in 2011.
As if turning 50 and getting solicited by AARP wasn’t enough (as Carrie Grady pointed out), Bill Conn expects to be a grandfather this year! CINDY PENDLETON 81 SMITH ROAD CHARLTON, MA 01507
CROPEN1985@GMAIL.COM
Speak Inc., a speakers and trainers bureau. Son Zach, 17, will attend Harvard next fall. Son Drew, 15, is in ninth grade. Ruth, who has cut back on her work hours, recently rescued a couple of puppies and is planning her family’s next travel adven- ture.
’86
Northampton, Mass., resident Barbara Neulinger held a solo exhibit at the Oresman Gallery at Smith College in March that featured works relating to the growth patterns of crystals and minerals. In addition to painting and exhibiting, Barbara teaches art to preschool through sixth-grade students at the Northampton Montessori School. Husband John is chief photographer for the UMass-Amherst communications office, and their son, Lucas, is a freshman at Northampton High School. Barbara stays in touch with Skidmore art buddies Joan Kristensen, Julia Jacquette and Peter Marciano. My freshman roommate, William Smith, spent the holidays managing the stage at Radio City Music Hall during its Christmas show featuring the Rockettes. It was his 13th year working the event, which, he reports, “never gets old, even after 200 shows in two months.” Will lives in Greenwich Village with his fiancée and black Lab. Last November, I saw Ian Selig’s band, Doghouse, rock a packed house at MTK Tavern in Mt. Kisco, N.Y. Zack Salino, Joe Grillo, and Nick de Janosi ’87 were also on hand for the show. They enjoyed a great night of music and catching up. CLIFF NELSON 25 LENOX AVENUE WHITE PLAINS, NY 10603
CLIFFORD.S.NELSON@
LIVE.COM
going scribe Christine Callahan, who served us so well for so long. Gregory Rutchik and wife Erin live in Santa Monica, Calif. Gregory is advising tech and pre-IPO companies, a change from “traditional lawyering.” He stays in shape practicing yoga and martial arts. Greg celebrated his birthday in NYC with
’87
As your new class secretary, I hope to continue the fine work of out-
Ruth Levine-Schmid lives in San Diego, Calif., and is founder of
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DAVE HANSEN
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