Retirement Teacher News Page

Retiree Address Information - Retiree name, addresses, email addresses and phone numbers are available from Carol Carelli simply by emailing her. STA was reluctant to post this information on the website for confidentially reasons.

2009 Retiree Luncheon - The Schalmont Retired Teachers and Administrators held their annual brunch at Mallozzi's Restaurant on October 7, 2009. It was reported that a good time was had by all. Thanks to Audrey Patneaude and Carmeen Kolpack who hosted the event again this year. **Note: If retirees contribute the dues to the retired teachers' and administrators' luncheon, their names will remain on the active list to receive the luncheon invitations every year. If anyone has pictures from the luncheon and would like them posted on this site, please email Carol Carelli ( For 2008 photos, click the link above)

Mark Alfano - Mark retired in 2005 from the middle school and since retiring, he and his wife, Chris, have been traveling around in their motor home. "Gotta find out what's around the next bend in the road, you know!" He and Chris are enjoying their grandson immensely and are excited as another is on the way. Mark stated, " I continue to go to NASCAR races regularly and Ernie Wein and I are still "hanging out. The funny thing about retirement is how full your days become!." Email address available.

Harlene Bachorik -Harlene and her husband have built a home in Florida and are spending their winters there. Her Florida home is within walking distance from her good friend (and co-teacher), Sue Terry. Schalmont retired teachers are welcome to come and visit! Harlene stated, " We now have 3 grandchildren (almost 4) and our favorite times are when we are with them. Both my husband and I enjoy visiting friends in various parts of the country. We also spend a lot of time kayaking in the Adirondacks and in Florida. I am a member of our church's handbell choir - my son is the director and so far, we are handling our roles without conflict." Email address available.

Bill Baker - "Since retiring from the HS in 1998, Judy and I have been living here on the coast of Maine. We love being close to the ocean and taking walks along the rock coast or along our sandy beach- why travel when you already live in a tourist destination?

We have been working as Special Education "Ed. Techs." in the York Schools since the fall of 1998; Judy is at York Middle School and I am at the HS, a five minute walk from York's Long Sands Beach. I work mainly with kids who are having academic problems.

Frankly, my eyes have opened to the number of courses that some students are forced to take that simply are not helpful for them in any imaginable way. In our race to keep up with our imagined foreign rivals, American schools are neglecting a number of our students."

Roger Casey - Roger retired in 1995 from the Middle School. He lives 6 months in New York and 6 months in Florida. He and Ricki still run their bed and Breakfast in Stillwater during the summer. He also enjoys golfing 4-5 times a week in Florida. Email address available.

Barb Costanzo - Barb retired in 2002 from Jefferson. Email address available.

Chuck Culver - Chuck retired from the middle school in 2000. Chuck and his wife, Mary, have relocated to Florida. He stated, "Since I retired, I have been involved in many and varied activities and finally took a trip this past September (other than visiting friends and family in the New York Capital District area) to Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. But to begin at the beginning, I worked as a teacher fir CompUSA in Latham for a time in 2000 and 2001. then I worked as a handyman, painting, repairing, updating and generally redoing a small house Mary owned in Delmar. I also was a student for a time, studying IRS regulations with H & R Block. I worked one tax season with them and decided that they didn't pay anywhere near what my time was worth. (Does that sound familiar, somehow?) About this time, I decided to try to learn to play golf (more) Email address available.

June Cummings -June is living in Jensen Beach, Florida. Email address available.

Marybeth Cutting - Marybeth retired in 2002 from Mariaville. She stated, " Since retiring, I have traveled - most recently (December, 2007) to Germany and Ireland (April, 2007). My daughters have lived in Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD; Nashville, TN; Pensacola, FL; Corpus Christi, TX; Little Rock, AR; and Chicago, IL so I have visited these places, also." In addition, she has visited Alaska and Denver. Email address available.

Linnea D'Andrea -Linnea is still involved with a number of community organizations. She is on the board of the Schenectady YWCA and the Literacy Volunteers of Mohawk-Hudson, Inc. She is also a volunteer librarian at the Schenectady County Library as well as a Stephen Minister with the First Reformed Church in Schenectady. She and her husband, Tom, also enjoy traveling. Email address available.

Don Dean - Don retired from the High School in 1991. He is enjoying retirement, subbing at Guilderland High School and Middle School. He also enjoys his second home in Chestertown, NY. Don is currently making a cedar (wood) strip canoe and travels to Greer, SC twice a year to visit his son and his family. Email address available.

Mark Eiser - Mark retired in June 2009 from the Middle School Music Department. He has been spending time with his two grandchildren and his son, Gavin and wife are expecting their second child in the spring. His son, Bradley, is in his senior year at Michigan State, majoring in music education. He recently completed an addition on his home and even subbed for a few days at the middle school. Mark and his wife, Carol, have been camping and traveling with their RV. He is also putting an addition on his which " will keep me busy for a long time."

Diane Evans -Diane retired from the high school in 2004 and keeps herself busy by creating quilted wall art, studying art quilting through classes and is selling her works on her website: www.artquiltsbydiane.com. She invites everyone to visit her site!

Joanne and Tim Finnegan - Joanne and Tim taught at Jefferson and have been to Ireland, Italy and England since retiring. They are also "frequent fliers" to Chapel Hill, NC, where their daughter, Jennifer and her family live and to San Francisco where Cammeron's family resides. Tim is also playing a lit of golf. Joanne would like to "connect" with Melanie Jakway, so if anyone out there knows her email address, please contact her at joafin28@aol.com

Michael Foley - Michael retired from the middle school in 2006 and is keeping busy negotiating our next STA contract. Email address Available.

Nancy Foley -Nancy retired from the middle School in 2005 and spends her time golfing, boating on Lake George in the summer and vacationing in Florida. She has also been scoring NYS tests and teacher certification exams. Email address available.

David Guest - Dave retired in 1994 from the high school. He spends his time with a little golf and a little gardening. Dave came out of retirement to take a couple of "Interim" positions at Scotia in 1997 and at Schalmont in 1998.. He and his wife, Nancy spend the winters in Florida from the end of December till the first week in May. Email address available.

Lucy Heacock - Lucy retired from the high school in 1990. Address and email address is on file.

Marie Hornick - Marie retired from the High School in 2000. She stated, " Since retiring in 2000, I have worked as a consultant for the State Education Department for 5 years, and as a private sector consultant. For six and a half years, I also volunteered as a reading tutor for at risk first-graders at Clarksville Elementary School. Email address available

Being retired is a full-time job, and I take it seriously. Before retirement, I had no need of a watch or a date book--every classroom had a clock and any time outside a classroom was spent reading and commenting on student papers. Very shortly after I retired, my husband presented me with both items, and I am now never without them."

Donna Jahnel - Email address available.

Kathi Keilman - Email address available.

Marcia Ketchum - Marcia retired in 1996 from the middle school. She stated, "Lots of golf, swimming, reading, theater/concert/art events - Time with son and family living here in Arizona. Short trips in Arizona. Learning Spanish (still very much an on-going process). Trying to keep up with technology advances - a losing battle, I'm afraid. Constant household updates. Everyone in this area thinks anything older than 5 years is outdated...the Scottsdale effect. Check out FHTIMES.com for a capsule of life here in almost small-town Arizona!"

Charlotte Kincel -Charlotte has been active as a volunteer at Proctor's and participates in a golf league in Florida. They have travelled to Colorado and completed a 19 day cruise to Europe. They also are enjoying their 2 grandchildren. Email address available.

Carmeen Kolpack - Carmeen enjoys rubber stamping, creating greeting cards, invitations, programs and advertisements for a local florist. She also incorporates computer graphics with these projects. Carmeen and Audrey Patneaude hosted the 2008 Schalmont Retired Teachers' Brunch in October. Email address available.

Marilyn Ladopolous - Marilyn retired from the high school in 2002 and has been substituting at Shenendehowa and Ballston Spa. In her spare time, she enjoys relaxing with her family. She also took a trip to Greece. Email address available.

Adrienne Levinthal - Adrienne retired from the middle school in 2005. She stated, " I have been visiting my sons in San Francisco, CA and Burlington, VT, snorkeling in St. Thomas, skiing at Gore, gardening, walking with an international walking club called Volkssporters, going to the movies and live theatre." Email address available.

Alan Longshore - Alan retired in 1997 as the Superintendent of schools. Email address available.

Suzanne Mason - Suzanne said she has been golfing, and fixing up her camp in Lake Pleasant. She is helping her mom and singing with the Delmar-based Friendship singers, volunteering at the church. She and Mike went with 18 other members of her church to Dulac, LA (80 miles southwest of New Orleans) to help re-build homes that had been damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. She stated, "It was 92º - 100º each day! Fortunately, the mission where we slept was air-conditioned." Suzanne stated for 2008 that she has been involved in some musical groups. She still enjoys golfing, skiing, gardening and going out with friends. Email address available.

Janne Mathes - Jan retired from Schalmont in 2002. She stated," We are enjoying our life here in Blacksburg, where our daughter and family live. We have been going back and forth between Blacksburg and Schenectady for about 41/2 years and finally sold our house up north this December. We will miss friends, and at the same time, are enjoying our life here! "Email address available.

Gay McClaine -Gay retired in 2006 from Jefferson. She has travelled to the beaches of New Jersey, Florida, and Maine. She also enjoys spending time with her 3 grandchildren and 89 year old father. In her spare time, she is gardening and completing long-awaited household projects as well as reading literature and audio books. A special note - She saw the defeat of cancer in her husband, Paul! Email address available.

Kathy Meyer - Kathy retired from the high school in 2000. Email address available.

Jan Mikovich - Jan retired from Jefferson Elementary in 2001. She stated, " We have become grandparents of 9 grandchildren, including a set of triplets born in 2006 to our youngest daughter, Susan. We visit Karen in Utah, Kay in Maryland , Sue in Vermont and babysit one day a week for our daughter, Lisa. If not involved in the preceding activities, you can find me on a golf course, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, or snow shoeing. Regards to all present and past STA members!" Email address available.

Donna Morey - Donna retired from Pine Grove in 1994. She enjoys traveling, crafts, and gardening. She previously subbed at Schalmont for several years after retirement. Email address available.

Kathy Nooney - Kathy is retired from Jefferson Elementary. She has been spending her time traveling, volunteering, exercising, reading, going out to lunch, spending more time with her family and friends and taking care of her parents. Kathy updated her activities indicating that she has travelled to California, Florida, Georgia and NYC a few times. I have also spent time doing many neglected projects around the house. She stated " Taking care of my elderly parents has been a big responsibility. But most importantly, I make sure that I keep busy doing a lot of the fun activities that I deserve after my many years of teaching." Email address available.

Patricia Pangburn - Pat retired in 2006 from Jefferson. She enjoys reading and has traveled to Key West, Cancun, Arizona, San Francisco and Washington DC. She also has taken art classes and spends more time at the gym. Email address available.

Gerry Pinkerton - Gerry retired in 1995 from the High School and is living in Scotia. Email address available.

Craig Sargent - Craig retired in June, 2007 from the Middle School and is still coaching three sports in the district. He enjoys working out at the Guilderland YMCA and he and his wife, Barb, will be taking a cross-country trip in June, 2008.

Linda Schneider - " I have traveled to Hawaii, Mexico, Europe and just returned from a Mediterranean cruise that took us to Turkey, Greece, Croatia, Italy and Spain. I am also a golfer and will spend this winter in Florida and South Caroling. I also volunteer in the gook shop of the local library. I am also a literacy volunteer for Saratoga County. When I can, I spend as much time as possible with my two granddaughters ( 3 and 5)". Email address available.

Ed Sindoni - Ed retired from the Middle School in 2001 and has been enjoying retirement by playing golf ( "still poorly"), cruising, and going to NACSAR races (3 or 4 a year). He is still active with his photography and car detailing businesses and loves being a grandparent to his 2 year old grandson. Email address available.

Gary Stone - Gary retired form Jefferson in 2000. He did not tell us what he is doing, but we have his address, email and phone number on file.

Gertrude Suits - Gertrude retired from Pine Grove in 1971. Sadly, she passed away on April 11, 2009.

Sandra Suits - Sandy retired from the high school in 2000.Email address available.

Sue Terry - Sue retired from Pine Grove in 2002. She said, " I have a winter home in Florida (east coast) and live there from January - April. Email address available.

Diane Unger - Diane retired from the Middle School in 2006. She said, "My husband, Harris, and I opened the Jonesville Store in Clifton Park with partners. It has been a great experience." (www.thejonesvillestore.com). Email address available.

S. Robert Valente - Bob taught 6th grade at the old Jefferson school (now the Rotterdam Police Department) and then 5th grade at the elementary school from the early 1960s to the mid 1980s. His daughter, former Schalmont School Board of Education member, Barbara King, sadly informed us that he passed away from kidney failure on February 2, 2007. He had just turned 81. He enjoyed meeting his retired friends and had lunch with them a couple of times a year. He worked under Mac Provost and Ross Stagnitti. Barb stated, "His students and their parents absolutely loved him. I actually have contact with 2 of his former students - one was his dental hygienist and the other was his banker - Sue Partington of Pioneer Bank. My father loved to go to see her, even after he moved from Rotterdam. She even attended his funeral."

Audrey VanAlstine - Audrey retired in 1985 from the Middle School and enjoys her winters in Florida and golfing in the summer.

Rebecca Vojtisek -Becky retired in 2007 from Mariaville Elementary where she taught 4th grade. She wrote, " This is my first year of retirement and I am loving it! We spent the month of March in Naples, FL, golfing and relaxing. We've been to the Cape several times as well as Hilton Head and Washington, D.C. We skied this winter and we are looking forward to our annual family vacation in Delaware." Email address available.

David Vojtisek - Dave retired from the Middle School in 2002 where he taught Technology. He stated, " I retired in 2002 and have kept busy doing small remodeling projects. Now that my wife has retired, we can spend more time golfing and travelling." Email address available.

Paul Volk - Paul retired in 1985 from the middle school. He stated, " Amy and I continue to keep busy with the kids, grandkids, and an elderly sister. For a fun thing, we are going to Florida to watch our 16 year old grandson, Eric Fabian, a junior at Schalmont HS, take part in a National Rodeo competition. He is a whiz at it. Our 3 grownup kids are all doing well. Sandy, our oldest, is an attorney in Vermont, and he and his wife, Debbie, have a 5 year old son, whom they adopted in Guatemala. Gregory and Sabine live in Manhattan and have a 6 year old son, Maxmillian. Gregory is an art critic who curates art shows, writes for several well-known art magazines, and is a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. Maryl and her husband, John, live in Rotterdam and their oldest son, Christopher is a junior at Siena. Maryl is a physical therapist and really enjoys it. Our health is reasonably good and we enjoy life. Life is short, so take the scenic route". Email address available.

Fred von Daacke - Fred retired in 1995 from the high school. He also sent a beautiful tribute to our current STA president, Alisha Bahrmann, who was a student of Fred's almost 20 years ago. He stated, "I know it 'goeth before a fall', but seeing Alisha Bahrmann is now the President of STA just makes my heart glad! Years ago, she was my student for short period. I take no credit for her abilities, but she was a tough, bright and always engaged learner. It was my good fortune to have her as a student and I will never forget those dark eyes burning a hole through when I was not clear. She is a total credit to Schalmont both as a student and a teacher. I can only hope that the administration and Board (of Education) know how fortunate they are to have her and the other former Schalmont students (as teachers). Must be that in spite of the negative press about the 'failures' of public education, something was going right. Well, the Towns of Rotterdam and Princetown owe Schalmont big time. Let us hope they remember just a little of what got them there. George Amedore also owes them; he just doesn't remember that right now." Email address available.

Ernie Wein - Ernie retired from the middle school in 2004. Since then, he and his wife, Debbie, stated , " Debbie and I get away in the winter to Hilton Head, Disney World and the Gulf Coast of Alabama where we walk the beaches and play some golf. We participated in the Reading Dog Program with our two Golden Retrievers in the Schenectady elementary schools and with the "Prevent a Bite" Programs at the Niskayuna Recreation playgrounds in the summer. We hang out with the Alfanos a lot and the Sindonis when we can." Email address available.

Faith Weldon -Faith retired from the high school in 1998. She stated," I have explored the art world, in particular, water color, but I also paint with acrylics and pastel. My work is on display at the Local color Art Gallery on Troy-Schenectady Road and in various venues in the Capital District. I continue to ski (downhill and cross-country) in the winter and play tennis and golf - the latter with some other folks from Schalmont - Nadine Toma, Nancy Foley, and Joan Sharpe. Kayaking and walking are also active pastimes as well as gardening. Once my husband retired, we began traveling quite a bit and have visited the French Alps for skiing, the Canadian Maritime Provinces, Alaska, Central Europe, Costa Rica, Northwest Mexico and the Copper Canyon, St. Anton, Austria (skiing) and France and Spain this fall. Life is good. As for education-related activities, I am a occasional worker at NES in Malta where I assist in evaluating teacher certification exam essays. My favorites are the French exams, of course. I also participate in UCALL- the classes offered by Union College to seniors in the Schenectady region. Some are very interesting." Email address available.

Patricia Youmans - Pat retired in 2003 from Jefferson. Since retiring, she had taken several cruises to Bermuda, the Bahamas, Caribbean, Nova Scotia, Las Vegas, Florida, and South Carolina. She has seen several Broadway shows, the Daytime Emmys and attended a Soap Opera Fan Luncheon. Her hobbies include quilting, miniatures, doll collecting, and Home Bureau crafts. She is living in Ballston Lake. Email address available.