Voices
“When my pager went off, all my existing problems didn’t matter”
—HANK WITHINGTON ’21
H E A R D F ROM C A M P US
What Helped Me Get Through This Year HANK WITHINGTON ’21
URSULA FRIESHERFORT P’14, ’17 CERAMICS TEACHER
Back in March of last year, I was re-introduced to puzzling and that immensely helped to calm my nerves. I bought puzzles that were particularly beautiful in terms of color and imagery that pleased my aesthetics.
JON HASTINGS ’01 SCIENCE TEACHER
MIKE VAN DOLAH SCIENCE TEACHER
Daily walks in the woods with my two dogs and my wife to get fresh air, forget about the daily grind, and connect while being disconnected from technology.
OLIVIA ALWITT ’21
Watching bootlegs of musicals has gotten me through this year.
KAY MCCABE ARTS DEPARTMENT CHAIR
One thing that has gotten me through the year is walking. We are so lucky to have so many beautiful places to walk; you get exercise and don’t have to wear a mask. Life goes on in nature, and it is reassuring to observe that.
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I’ve found a fair amount of peace in my sourdough baking. Warm crusty bread is love.
ANNELISE SELIGMANN ’23
SCRIB FAUVER P’09, ’12 WORLD LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT CHAIR
My COVID puppy Kya.
JESSE MATHERS SCIENCE DEPARTMENT CHAIR
KIMBALL UNION MAGAZINE
A small stuffed animal shark. It’s from a person who has been there for me, so it’s like they are here with me.
JERRY USERY INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGER
Podcasts have been great. Comedian Marc Maron started doing Instagram live as an extension of his presence every morning and sharing his life. His thoughts—and his fans sharing their experiences—has been grounding.
It was immediate family. My wife’s support and the joy of my kids being mostly oblivious to COVID was great.
BOB BLAKE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
I’ve been living alone in New Hampshire since the beginning of January while my wife and daughter have sheltered in Florida. Having the Epic East pass and spending time outside skiing with my adult son every weekend January through the first week in April has been essential to my health and happiness.
SANDY OUELLETTE H’16, P’03 RECEPTIONIST
This is an easy one for me: daily hugs from an adorable 2-year-old who lives with me! Everything else seems less important.
Fire Brigade. Every so often, when my pager went off, all my existing problems didn’t matter. All that mattered in my mind was my mission.
TIM WHITEHEAD P’18, ’20 HEAD BOYS HOCKEY COACH
Working with our student-athletes each day on the ice and in the gym has been truly inspiring. With COVID restrictions, there were limits to what we could do and certainly fewer games we could play, but our players’ drive to improve and their enthusiasm and passion for the game they love never diminished. There’s no doubt the experiences and lessons learned through perseverance this year will make us stronger and more resilient in the future.
TYLER DIXON ’23
Since we can’t easily take a vacation due to COVID, music and TV have been a great escape. It’s almost like taking a micro-vacation every once and a while.
ILLUSTRATIONS BY ROBERT NEUBECKER
