Document

More NotesDining with

Evan

Questions and Answers: Evan Fielding

Ask anyone on campus what their favorite part of the day is and you’re likely to get the same answer: lunch. More Notes was curious to see exactly what kind of magic

occurs in the High Mowing kitchen that keeps us all coming back for more. An interview with Evan Fielding, Director of Food

Services, gave us lots of food for thought:

Q: Do you have a food philosophy?

A: The kitchen staff and I strive to prepare good food.

You might say we are dedicated to presenting the beauty of nature

at each meal — to bring the best of the outdoors, indoors. We serve only fresh food, prepared by hand.

Q: Who helps you?

A: The kitchen staff has eleven members. We work as a team and are a very stable group. I’ve been here at High Mowing since 2002 and am aided by my wife Wendy—who does the bak-ing—and many other capable people. Some, like Bill SooDAk ’74, who does the nighttime cooking, have been here almost as long as me.

December 10, 2009 Issue No. 6

Evan Fielding

Director of Food Services

High Mowing School

More Notes

More Notes | December 10, 2009 | 2

Evan Fieldingcontinued

Part time employees in the kitchen are: Serafin Anderson, Karen Nadeau, Dee Slingerland, Blair Granum, Samantha Rule, Max Gershfield, Richard Heaps and Victoria CHABOT Soodak ’74. And, Mike Anderson helps out, too.

On a typical day, we might serve lunch to 150 people. We arrange

our choices so that each of those diners can make it through the lunch line in 10 min-utes or less. That ensures each guest receives the food we prepare while it is still hot —both tasting and looking its best.

Q: Do you have a tried-and-true approach to making meals at High Mowing?

A: We try to serve the same categories — but not the same food — at most meals. Lunch and dinner are always comprised of two main entrees; one with meat

and one that is vegetarian. Beyond that, we always serve a root vegetable, green veg-etable and a grain dish. There is a salad bar and a soup offering. And, of course, we always have wholesome bread and —yes!— dessert.

Because our students are teenagers, our food must be recognizable as well as nutritious. Peanut butter is a staple at snack time; we make our own. Finger food is also popular. Its portableslike our students!

Q: What brought you to High Mowing?

A: I was 19 years old when I started cooking. I loved the outdoors and saw cooking as a way to bring nature inside.

WHAT’S COOKING? Wendy Fielding cuts vegetables in

preparation for the day’s lunch.

More Notes

Roughly 30 years ago, I became involved with a work-study program in the Boston area, run by Hiroshi Hayashi. In Japan, Hiroshi was a Master Chef. He came to

America to study natural foods and developed a philosophy that transcended both his Asian roots and traditional natural cooking. As his student, I

learned to prepare dishes that redefined what natural food could be.

Initially, I came to High Mowing with Hiroshi. He brought his students here to work in the kitchen. This allowed us to cook in a “real” environ-ment with fresh, natural foods. In fact, the kitchen at High Mowing is

his design. It is open and accessible, much like a stage. We are the actors on that stage. And, we invite the diners to join in our performance by eating

what we prepare.

When the opportunity arose to accept a permanent position at High Mowing, I was eager to take it. I have been here ever since. And, I hope to be here for a long

time to come. — Evan Fielding

More Notes from High Mowing School | www.highmowing.org | December 10, 2009 | 3

Evan Fieldingcontinued

EVAN’S

TOFU CROQUETTES

FOOD, ACCORDINg TO EVAN,

CAN bE pREpARED IN ONE OF

THREE wAyS: MASHED, CUT

OR SERVED wHOlE. HERE

IS A SIMplE RECIpE FOR

TOFU CROQUETTES wHICH

INVOlVES MASHINg AND

RESHApINg SOybEANS.

INGREDIENTS

Extra Firm Tofu, 1 block (14oz.)

—should be of high quality;

hand-made, fresh. Vermont Soy

is best.

Onion, 1 oz.

Carrots, 1/2 oz.

Mushrooms, 1 oz.

Fresh Ginger, 1/4 tsp.

Olive Oil, 2 tsp.

Tamari, 2 tsp.

White Pepper, 1/8 tsp.

Salt, 1/8 tsp.

• Saute vegetables in olive oil

• Add tamari

• In a separate bowl, drain water from tofu and crumble by hand or mash with a fork.

• Add vegetables

• Form croquettes into small pat-tiesSteam, pan fry or bake until brown.

• Enjoy!

Can also be used as a sauce for vegetables, without the step of browning to solidify.

More Notes

Nativity at High Mowing

If you spend an afternoon at High Mowing these days, you’re bound to hear groups of students rehearsing their parts for the upcoming Nativity performance. As there may be some readers of More Notes who are new to the school and don’t know the history of High Mowing’s Nativity, I’ve taken the liberty of reprinting an excerpt from Mrs. Em-met’s description in From Farm to School:

High Mowing is rich in Christmas reverence and Christmas frolic. The chapel services through Advent lead up to the high event of the season—the Nativity.

The Nativity at High Mowing grew out of one held at the Edgewood School—the Christ-mas story told in music, pantomime and song. It was worked out by the five seniors of the first graduating class, who had come up with us from Edgewood. Its form changed and adapted itself to our big room with its heaven-sent balcony. Between the two windows we built a shed of old beams and boards so that it looked like part of the room. This was curtained with skrim to hide the crèche until the angels came to open them. A Christ-mas tree with 33 red roses and the signs of the zodiac and candles balance the balcony. Above the crèche shines a star, a many pointed star from Italy. The curtain is closed and everyone—shepherds, angels, Mary and Joseph gather behind to sing “Prelude Thought to Christmas.” Slowly the curtain opens to find Mary sitting on the steps listening to heavenly strains (from Palestrina) while the angels gather on the balcony, until her hear-

from the Executive

Director

MEMORIES OF ACHRISTMASpAST

More Notes from High Mowing School | www.highmowing.org | December 10, 2009 | 4

Duncan MOffITT '68 sent the photo on this page and the next, depicting the 1964 Nativity. Mrs. Emmet hired photographer Eric Sanford of Manchester, NH, to document the event. Thank you Duncan for sharing these with More Notes!

More Notes

More Notes from High Mowing School | www.highmowing.org | December 10, 2009 | 5

ing becomes sight as Gabriel comes down to her. Then the vision (angels and Gabriel) vanishes heavenward to the “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” written for us by a student, who then took himself to Harvard to major in music.

Then comes the voyage to the inn in pan-tomime to an early English carol. Joseph and Mary cross to the inn and Joseph raps with his staff. The inn keeper stepping from behind the curtain is distressed for there is no room at the inn, then realizes as he meets Mary’s quiet look that something must be done. Worried, bewildered, he finally thinks of the shed and leads Mary and Joseph to it. He closes them within the curtain and goes back with a worried shake of the head.

The music now changes to an old Greek folk song, “Shepherds On This Hill.” The shepherds are apt to be many as they are our masculine singing group, led by a boy with a recorder. They

straggle in, cold and weary and settle down to sleep. The angels, singing the same melody, descend and form a moving curtain in front of the crèche. They wake the shepherds to

wonder, and joining the angels in song the shepherds move to the manger. Joseph receives their gifts and Mary shows the child—friendly, human. Then the shepherds move away to wait under the angel balcony.

The music changes to an early carol in a formal Byzantine mood as the kings come with their gift bearers, stately and magnificent in garb that came literally from the East. They cross the room, over and back and over again, a long stately voyage.

They point to the star, find their way, and one by one present their gifts and then stand by the Christmas tree.

The Nativity closes with a full chorus of the “Gloria” and finally the “Sanctus.” The picture now seems like a Renaissance painting. The crèche in the center, angels above and

around, shepherds to the right, kings to the left. The entire picture grew from the space of the room, the balcony, the steps, from music we found and music written for us, from materials giv-en by friends and relations that had been to the East or had searched in their attics: a Nativity that grew at High Mowing. Every year it has been the same, almost step-by-step and note-by-note, and every year it is different because of the individuality of those who move through it.”

wE HOpE yOU’ll bE

AblE TO jOIN US FOR

THE NATIVITy THIS yEAR ON

SATURDAy, DECEMbER 12,

AT 5:00p.M. OR ON SUNDAy,

DECEMbER 13 AT 8:00p.M.

— Doug Powers

More Notes

More Notes from High Mowing School | www.highmowing.org | December 10, 2009 | 6

Christmas block for juniors

During Christmas block, I am reading Gilgamesh to the juniors in English class. Gil-gamesh is the oldest literature we know, an epic poem from ancient Sumeria. It was written in cuneiform in the third millennium BCE, but was part of an oral tradition for centuries before that. Gilgamesh is a king, half man and half god, who meets Enkidu, who is half man and half animal. At first they are rivals and enemies, but after a brutal fight, become inseparable friends.

They fell like wolves

At each other’s throats,

Like bulls bellowing.

Their feet danced the dance of life

Which hovers close to death.

And quiet suddenly fell on them

When Gilgamesh stood still

Exhausted. He turned to Enkidu who leaned

Against his shoulder and looked into his eyes

And saw himself in the other, just as Enkidu saw

Himself in Gilgamesh.

The idea of eyes as windows of the soul is central to Sumerian ideology. Their god-idols have enormous blue goggle-eyes made of lapis lazuli. What a dramatic moment as these warriors recognize their bond!

I read this story during Christmas block because it presents the most impor-tant questions facing humans, appropriate topics as the winter solstice and the cold cause us to turn inward and reflect upon our lives. The story is chiefly about questions Gilgamesh must face when Enkidu dies. He mourns in a way that is familiar to anyone who has lost a loved one:

It seemed for a moment he could almost touch his friend,

Could speak to him as if he were there:

Enkidu. Enkidu. But suddenly the silence

Was deeper than before

In a place where they had never been

Together.

He sat down on the ground and wept.

Enkidu. Enkidu.

Classroom Updates

GILGAMESH TABLET:This is part of a tablet

on which the Epic of Gilgamesh is recorded.

More Notes

More Notes from High Mowing School | www.highmowing.org | December 10, 2009 | 7

Gilgamesh goes on a long, symbolic journey in which he grapples with the question: Is there something more than death?

He feels alone, “singled out for loss,” unable to understand how the rest of the world goes blithely on while he is consumed with his grief. He ponders the idea that humans have a “special grief of privacy within the universe.” Each of us holds something inside that no one else knows, something that we never reveal to anyone. Ultimately, each of us is entirely alone.

In the end, Gilgamesh must accept that mortality is a part of human life, that there are no remedies. The basic humanity of this story can be astonishing. The ancient Sumerians seem totally foreign to us both in time and place, with their strange art, their strange, ill-behaved gods and their weird half-animal beings. But the experience of human grief is the same as ever. The feeling of being alone in the world, while the crowd roars all around, is universal and timeless. Maybe, if we can find a shared humanity with even these ancient and foreign people, there can be hope for peace on earth. —Wendy Bruneau

Deirdre O’MEARA Humphrey ‘45 is indeed the student in this photo of Mrs. Emmet, High

Mowing’s founder, teaching History through Art. Deirdre informed us that she is the proud

parent of two High Mowing Alumnae, Eloise HUMPHREY ‘81 and Nora HUMPRHEY ‘67,

as well as the grandparent of alumnus Jacob IMLAY-HUMPHREY ‘04. Her family was the

first to send a second generation to High Mowing, and one of only a handful to send three!

Thank you, Geraldine ROSSE Mathews ‘46, for successfully identifying Deirdre, who is a

very active and productive octogenarian!

Classroom Updates

continued

The High Mowing Music fund, more commonly referred to as the David Anderson

Music fund, was established in memory of David ANDERSON ’96. The intent of the

fund is to assist young musicians in financing their studies as music students.

Awards are based upon financial need as well as merit. Ten awards were issued

this year, totaling $6,500. The 2009 recipients are:

Carly Abrahams-Dematte ‘11 (violin) Claire bradham ‘13 (violin)Emma Clopton-place ‘13 (violin) Seamus Conley ‘11 (guitar)Ellie Davis ‘12 (violin and voice) Zoë Falk ‘10 (cello)Caitlin gillam ‘12 (voice) Christian Hoschek ‘12 (viola)

Nicole perez ‘10 (viola) The Sinfonietta

Congratulations to all! We wish each of you the very best as you pursue your study of music!

THE HIgH MOwINg MUSIC FUND

SCHOlARSHIp COMMITTEE

ANNOUNCES THE 2009

SCHOlARSHIp RECIpIENTS

musicfund awards

More Notes

More Notes from High Mowing School | www.highmowing.org | December 10, 2009 | 8

from the Guidance

Office

College Applications and Acceptances

College applications are still being filed at a steady rate by our seniors. More than half the class has applied to at least one college, with the busiest deadline of January 1 just around the corner. At this time, seniors have applied to 44 different colleges and we have 9 acceptances! Congratulations to these seniors who have been accepted to the following colleges:

Amanda Mullen University of Edinburgh, Scotland

Tulane University, Louisiana

Mica Low Savannah College of Art and Design, Georgia

Jessica van Dam Mercyhurst College, Pennsylvania

fana Takahashi College of St. Rose, New York

Washington State University, Washington

pSAT Results

Score reports for the PSAT have been mailed to the school and handed out to all juniors and sophomores who took the test in October. More than 3.5

million students take the test each year. The score sheets include estimated SAT scores and an Improve Your Skills section with personalized suggestions for

how to improve the scores. PSAT scores are not reported to colleges.

SCHOOl NOTIFICATION

SySTEM

High Mowing uses Global Connect’s Parent Notification System to notify parents of routine

messaging events; weather related school delays, closings, event cancellations, or urgent

situations. The system allows us to reach parents and staff members instantly and securely.

Parents will receive a phone call and an email with a recorded message from Cary Hughes

explaining the nature of the call. If the message is not received live by a person on the other

end of the phone, or through the message machine leaving a message, then the cell phone will

be called. We had great success with this system last year. In the event there is a notification

and you did not receive a phone call or email, please let Dianna Normanton know. We use

the information provided on the parent information sheet at the start of school. If any of your

contact information has changed, please contact Dianna at 603 654-2391 ext. 107, so she can

update your information. NOTE: SCHOOL CANCELLATIONS ARE ALSO AN-

NOUNCED ON WMUR TV (CHANNEL 9) AND POSTED ON THEIR

WEBSITE: WWW.WMUR.COM (UNDER THE SCHOOl ClOSINgS SECTION).

glObAl COllEgE

DECEMbER 15, AT 12:20p.M.

Rebecca Hillman ‘09 will present a slideshow about her experiences as a freshman at Global College. First-year students begin their studiesat the center in Heredia, Costa Rica. Global College is an undergraduate program offered by long island Uni-versity where students pursue a Bachelor of arts in Global Studies.

More Notes

More Notes from High Mowing School | www.highmowing.org | December 10, 2009 | 9

Important Information about Tuition Assistance

At High Mowing, we strive to make tuition as affordable for every student as we are able. For this reason, we offer tuition assistance to families that demonstrate financial need. Since economic times are still challenging, we expect to continue to experience greater than average demands for tuition assistance for 2010-2011. For this reason, if you wish to be considered for tuition assistance for 2010-2011, I urge you to submit your application on or before the deadline of february 1, 2010. Please under-stand that we will not be able to guarantee tuition assistance for 2010-2011, in any amount—even to a current family that would qualify—if this deadline is not met.

• The Committee will first consider the needs of returning students whose families have submitted their applications by February 1, 2010.

• Next, we will consider new families that submit their materials by February 1, 2010.

• After the first two groups of awards are made, if dollars remain, we will consider out-standing requests—on a first-come basis, with no priority given to current families.

This year, we ask you to submit your Parents’ Financial Statement online. This will save time, resources and money. You’ll notice that the fee for an online application is $35 versus $42 for paper applications. When filing your application, one change that you will notice is that you will be asked to submit tax documents for 2008 and 2009 directly to the NAIS.

As always, we understand that not everyone can get their taxes done by February 1. If that is the case for your family, submit your 2008 tax return initially and follow up with your 2009 tax return when it is completed.

If you need additional information or materials, please call the Admissions office at 603 654-2391 ext. 109 or email [email protected]. As always, you are welcome to call me if you have any questions. —Pat Meissner

from the Admissions

Office

More Notes

More Notes from High Mowing School | www.highmowing.org | December 10, 2009 | 10

from the Athletic Director

Final Soccer Update

The 2009-2010 Soccer season ended with the men’s and women’s teams travelling to Putney, Vermont, to cap off a victorious season. Although the women endured a loss, they emerged with a sterling season record of 7-2-1. And the men’s final stats were 12-2! Congratulations to all our athletes for such a spirited season and superior efforts throughout the fall.

2009-10 High Mowing Women’s Soccer Team awards:

Nicole Perez ‘10 for Women’s 2009 MVP

Georgia Doing ‘10 for Women’s Offensive Player Award

Nicole Perez ‘10 for Defensive Player Award

Hillary Renaud ‘13 and Allison Hill ‘13 for Rookie(s) of the Year

MacKenzie Renaud ‘12 for the Coach’s Award

2009-10 High Mowing Men’s Soccer Team awards:

Dillon Badger ‘10 for Men’s 2009 MVP

Tolin Vaccaro ‘12 for Offensive Player Award

Brian Schmidt ‘10 for Defensive Player Award

Nick Wilson ‘11 for Rookie of the Year

Jaimen Perez ‘11 for the Coach’s Award CONTINUED ON NExT pAgE

bASKETbAll SCHEDUlE

Beginning the week of november 30th, the men’s team practices late (5-6:30p.m.)

monday/Wednesday/Friday and early (3:30-5p.m.) on Tuesday/Thursday. The women

have the reverse of this schedule: early (3:30-5p.m.) on monday/Wednesday/Friday and

late (5-6:30p.m.) on Tuesday/Thursday. The teams alternate this schedule each week

resulting in an “a/b” schedule. For example:

Week of Nov. 30 and Dec. 14:

Girls: MWF 3:30-5 /TTh 5-6:30

Boys: MWF 5-6:30/ TTh 3:30-5

Week of Dec. 7:

Boys: MWF 3:30-5 /TTh 5-6:30

Girls: MWF 5-6:30/ TTh 3:30-5

For more details on the practice schedule, please contact Keith Badger at athletics@high-

mowing.org.SEE ONlINE CAlENDAR FOR SCHEDUlED gAMES AT: WWW.HIGHMOWING.ORG

ON NOVEMbER 18, HIgH

MOwINg HElD ITS FAll SpORTS

AwARD CEREMONy IN THE

bIg ROOM. COACH wOOD AND

COACH gUlDEN pRAISED THE

EFFORTS OF bOTH TEAMS AND

HONORED THOSE ATHlETES

wHO MADE ExCEpTIONAl

CONTRIbUTIONS DURINg

THE SEASON.

soccer awards

More Notes

The evening was enjoyed by all, and—just like the Olympics—the torch was officially passed to the sport of basketball and our two basketball coaches Rich Solito (women’s basketball) and Craig Wilson (men’s basketball). Both teams have attacked the newly renovated gym floor (thanks to our gifted Maintenance Department) and are eager to begin their respective seasons! (Please note some of the slight changes in the schedule, below.) The men’s team has already travelled to Vermont Academy to play an early bird awakener to help get the juices flowing.

Their final score was 63 -43, in favor of Vermont Academy, yet the lads felt that they played well with only three practice sessions and a partial team. They

will meet again officially later this winter.

Both teams have selected their respective team captains; Madeline Tucker ‘10 and Zoë falk ‘10 will lead the women, while Dillon Badger ‘10, Brian Schmidt ‘10 and Max Wilson‘11 will lead the men. Good luck to all in the season ahead!

More Notes from High Mowing School | www.highmowing.org | December 10, 2009 | 11

Athleticscontinued

HIGH MOWING BASkETBALL SCHEDULE — 2009/2010

Girls Bus Boys Bus

Fri 12/4 Vermont Academy @ VA 7:00p.m.

Wed 12/9 Brewster @ Brewster 2:30p.m. 11:30a.m. Holderness @ Holderness 2:30p.m. 12:00p.m.

Mon 12/14 Proctor @ Proctor 4:30p.m. 2:30p.m.

Wed 12/16 Dublin @ Dublin 2:30p.m. 1:30p.m.

Winter Break: Friday — Sunday, 12/18/09 — 1/10/10

Wed 1/13 Holderness @ Holderness 5:00p.m. 3:00p.m. Dublin @ Dublin 3:30p.m. 2:30p.m.

Sat 1/16 Dublin @ Dublin 2:30p.m. Tilton @ Tilton 4:00p.m. 2:00p.m.

Wed 1/20 Nashua Christian @ NC 7:00p.m. 11:45a.m.

Fri 1/22 New Hampton @ NHS 1:30p.m. 11:45a.m.

Sat 1/23 Cardigan Mountain @ CMS 2:30p.m. 11:30a.m.

Tues 1/26 Dublin Christian @ DC 5:00p.m. 3:30p.m. Dublin Christian @ DC 6:30p.m. 5:00p.m.

Wed 1/27 Putney @ Putney 3:00p.m.

Sat 1/30 Dublin @ Dublin 2:30p.m. Dublin @ Dublin 1:00p.m. 12:00p.m.

Wed 2/3 Kimball Union Academy @ KUA 2:30p.m. 12:00p.m. Phillips Exeter @ PE 4:00p.m. 2:00p.m.

Fri 2/5 Proctor Academy @ Proctor 4:00p.m. 2:00p.m. New Hampton @ NHS 5:30p.m. 3:30p.m.

Sat 2/6 Proctor Academy @ Proctor 4:00p.m. 2:00p.m.

Wed 2/10 Phillips Exeter @ PE 3:30p.m. 1:30p.m. Vermont Academy @ VA 2:00p.m. 12:00p.m.

Kimberton Tournament in PA: Friday — Sunday, 2/12/10 —2/14/10

Wed 2/17 New Hampton @ NHS 2:30p.m. 12:30p.m. Holderness @ Holderness 5:00p.m. 3:00p.m.

Fri 2/19 Cardigan Mountain @ CMS 5:00p.m. 2:30p.m.

Sat 2/20 Proctor Academy @ Proctor 3:00p.m. 1:00p.m. Kimball Union Academy @ KUA 1:30p.m. 11:00a.m.

Wed 2/24 Holderness @ Holderness 2:00p.m. 12:00p.m. Vermont Academy @ VA 4:00p.m. 2:00p.m.

Sat 2/27 Boys JV Tournament @ New Hampton

More Notes

Tracking Mystery

Now that the snow seems to be here in earnest, I plan to submit a tracking picture for each issue of More Notes throughout the winter months, for all those who wish to test themselves on their “knowledge of place.” Tracking is a fundamental skill of the naturalist and one of the best ways to learn the basics of field ecology. Mark Elbroch (author, tracker and wildlife consultant) states: “tracking is field ecology”. It “offers holistic lessons in natural history, animal behavior, biology and ecology in such a manner that knowledge is unconsciously absorbed.” Test your-self to see if you can guess who made the tracks pictured here. The answer —along with a new mystery track— will be in the next issue. Happy hunting! —Keith Badger

More Notes from High Mowing School | www.highmowing.org | December 10, 2009 | 12

Naturalist News

The start of what we hope will be

a long and

merry

season!

The start of what we hope will be

a long and

merry

season!

possibles bags Completed

The intermediate naturalist students have been making capotes and possibles bags. These activities align with the adolescent’s need for "identity work"— or projects which develop a sense for who they are and what they can accomplish as they go out into the world. By trans-forming raw materials into something utilitarian and artistic, they also transform themselves.

More Notes

More Notes from High Mowing School | www.highmowing.org | December 10, 2009 | 13

High Mowing welcomes New Faculty Members

Suzan Moffett has joined our administrative staff as a part time web administrator. Her primary focus is to fi-nalize our new website and launch it in the near future. She will also generate, collect, and update new content

for the web site in an effort to keep our community informed about current events and information. Suzan has served as School Manager at Pine Hill Waldorf School for the past 6 years, and is very familiar with Wal-dorf education. She holds an MA in Behavioral Science and is very interested in the ever-developing world of communications via the internet. Suzan says, “I am excited to help High Mowing develop a stronger web presence and am looking forward to getting to know everyone here even better.” Welcome Suzan!

The Language Department at High Mowing School is pleased to welcome a new part time-teacher to the Spanish Department. Paola Santillan-Dias was born in Lima, Peru and is a native Spanish speaker.

She has experience teaching students in an elementary Waldorf school in California and tutoring college students in Spanish and English. Paola is also a parent in our community; she is the mother of Christian

Hoschek ’12 and 5-month-old NisaSol Pacha Maki—which in the indigenous language of Peru (Quechua) means “Sunflower Earth Hands.” Welcome Paola!

DECK THE HALLS:High Mowing’s “Tree Raising / Cookie Eating / Holiday Singing

Event” was held in the Big Room on December 4, during morning break.

More Notes

More Notes from High Mowing School | www.highmowing.org | December 10, 2009 | 14

Student News

Done something noteworthy?

tell us!ntichanuk@

highmowing.org

Uncle Fran’s breakfast performances and Video

On November 18, Uncle Fran’s Breakfast (Shea Vaccaro ’10, Seamus Conley ’11 and Jonah Tolchin ’11) performed at Studio 99 in Nashua. They presented a full show to an appreciative audience, including many High Mowing students brought over by dorm counselor Michael Noer! The band also performed in October at Milford’s Pumpkin Festival and made an appearance on New Ipswich’s public access television. Use this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue10_3--arw to see a video of one of the pieces performed at Studio 99.

NH All-State Music and jazz Festivals

On November 21, six High Mowing students auditioned for the New Hampshire All-State Music Festival at Memorial High School in Manchester. The weekend-long Festival, held in April, features performances by 500 of New Hampshire’s best high school music students (performing in symphony orchestras, choruses, and concert bands) at the Capital Center for the Arts. Bella Goldman ’12 (soprano), Nick Ferlazzo ’11 (tenor), Christian Hoschek ’12 (violist), Nicole Perez ’10 (violist), Zoë Falk ’10 (cellist) and Fana Taka-hashi ’10 (cellist) auditioned. They each presented prepared pieces, etudes, and on-the-spot sight-reading to panels of adjudicators—in what can only be described as a “pressure cooker” scenario. Unfortunately, neither Bella nor Nick were selected for the Festival, de-spite their very hard work and excellent performances. However, Fana, Zoë, Nicole, and Christian were accepted to the Festival and will perform with the NH All-State Orchestra in April. All six students prepared carefully and represented High Mowing beautifully at the auditions. Please congratulate and thank these students when you see them next! A special mention for Nicole Perez’10: this year marks the fourth in row that she’s been ac-cepted to NH All-State — an impressive feat by any measure. She’ll be officially recog-nized for this achievement at the Festival in April.

In other All-State news, sophomore Ellie Davis ’12 is preparing her folder of sheet music for the NH Jazz All-State Festival chorus. Ellie, an alto, was accepted to the NH Jazz All-State chorus and will be the lone student from High Mowing at the weekend-long Festival, at Pinkerton Academy in February. Please congratulate Ellie!

Alumni performance: Mia Govoni

On November 28, singer/songwriter/guitarist Mia Govoni ’08 was a featured performer at Studio 99’s Fourth Saturday Open Mic in Nashua. Mia performed a 30-minute set of origi-nal material for a wonderfully responsive audience. Mia will perform a short set at Studio 99 again on December 13, at 8:00p.m. as an opening act for singer/songwriter Jason Myles Goss. Accepted to Boston’s Berklee College of Music, Mia was also offered an opportu-nity to record a set of her original songs at 92.5 FM/The River. —Elise MacDonald

The

More Notes from High Mowing School | www.highmowing.org | December 10, 2009 | 15

SENIORS ’10

Andrea and Keith Badger

Lulah and Mark Devine

Ellen and Philip John Friel, III

Kirsten Hascup

Monica Marshall and Ken Susskind

Martha and John S. McLean

Robert C. Meissner, Jr.

Patricia M. Meissner

Brian Mullen

Dianna and Stephen Normanton

Annette and Schäefereit

Bambi and Cliff Schmidt

Sabine and Fritz Schuster

Yoko and Seiji Takahashi

Barbara and Peter Talbot

JUNIORS ’11

Ina Anderson

Donna and Chipper Brown

Wendy Bruneau

Amy and Michael Conley

Molly Geaney and Michael Moore

Dick Oliver

Belinda Rathbone

Allen A. Raymond

Judie and Andrew Sky

SOPHOMORES ‘12

Wendy Bruneau

Amy and Michael Conley

Jennifer and Milan Daler

Jacqueline and Richard Davis

Pamela Dickenson and Mark Salwasser

Claudia and Rainer Duchêne

Karen Hennessey and Andrew Goldman

Brian Mullen

Dianna and Stephen Normanton

Dale Pollack and Jim Janetos

Victoria CHABOT Soodak ‘74 and William SOODAK ‘72

Mary Ellen Stringos

fRESHMEN ’13

Heather and David Cochrane

Kirsten and Curtis Hill

Catherine Marcial

Kim McCormick and Bo Bradham

Carol and Michael Oliver

Dick Oliver

We are very grateful to

the following parents who

have given to the 2009-10

Annual Campaign.

Our goal this year is to

raise $260,000; to date,

thanks to the generosity

of our Board, faculty and

staff, alumni/ae and

parents, we have raised

more than $120,000!

To give, please contact

Heather Cochrane, Director of

Development and Alumni Rela-

tions at 603 654-9408 ext. 105

or [email protected]

or send your check — payable

to High Mowing School — to

Heather’s attention.

Thanks you!for joining us in our support of High Mowing School THE PARENT COMMITTEE OF THE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN

Molly Geaney and Michael Moore Sabine and Fritz Schuster Yoko and Seiji Takahashi Barbara and Peter Talbot

Janu

ary

D

ecem

ber

Upcoming Events

More Notes

More Notes from High Mowing School | www.highmowing.org | December 10, 2009 | 16

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

for more calendar items:

www.highmowing.org

More Notes

Event Details

Nativity performance — December 12 and 13

The Nativity will be performed on Saturday, December 12, at 5:00p.m. and on Sunday, December 13 at 8:00p.m., in the Big Room. Please join us for one of these moving performances. Designed by Mrs. Emmet in the very early days of the school, this play has become an annual event, with many students participating. Day students should be

at the school at least 1.5 hours before the performance for costuming and warm-up. Day students are also invited

to dinner on the Saturday night of Nativity in order to more easily attend the Snow Goose Party—an all-school event—which begins at 7:30p.m. and ends at 10:30p.m.

AlSO on Saturday December 12, after the Nativity

Potluck dinner with Alumni/ae Association at 6:30 p.m. Join fellow Alumni/ae in the Emmet Alumni House for a potluck dinner. Please bring a dinner dish to share.

AND: Parent Social 7:30 p.m. (same time as the Snow Goose party for students). Gather with High Mowing parents in the Alumni House! Parent Susan Danoff (a professional story-teller) will present The Gift of the Magi. She will also offer her CDs for sale, donating all proceeds to the school. Sing-ing is a definite possibility—so, bring your instrument!

And, please bring a holiday goodie to share.

More Notes from High Mowing School | www.highmowing.org | December 10, 2009 | 17

HIgH MOwINg IS OpEN

Martin Luther King Day

January 18, 2010

Presidents’ Day

February 15, 2010

Memorial Day

May 31, 2010

Katrina Kenison lewers: TONIgHT!

Katrina Kenison Lewers, parent of High Mow-ing alumnus Henry LEWERS 08, will read from

and talk about her latest book, The Gift of and Ordinary Day, in the Emmet Alumni House on Thursday, December 10 at 6:30p.m. This will be followed by a potluck —please bring a favorite dish to share. All are welcome!

fOR MORE

INfORMATION,

CONTACT: Parent Association Co-Chairs, Amy Conley [email protected] (603) 249-9560 or Ellen Friel [email protected], or Heather Carver, Development Assistant, [email protected]

Nativity Performance, circa 2001. If you can identify the exact date, please let More Notes know!

More Notes

Community Bulletin BoardSupport our Music programs!

The High Mowing Friends of Music is forming for parents/alumni/students and other members of the community. Our goal is to support the music programs at High Mowing and to develop additional programs on and off campus. We will assist with publicity for concerts, help the High Mowing Music Director, fund raise, support and otherwise promote musical events in the area. ALL community members, alumni and parents—who enjoy music and want to support our kids in the process—are encouraged to join. Call Amy Conley at 603 249-9560 or email her at [email protected] if you would like to become a member. Any help is welcome: from baking to organizing to putting up flyers. Join us!

More Notes from High Mowing School | www.highmowing.org | December 10, 2009 | 18

MORE NOTES is published every other week throughout the school year by High Mowing School. If you would like to have an item considered for publication, please submit it via email to: [email protected]

Submission deadlines:

Jan 18 Feb 1Feb 15 mar 1mar 15 mar 29apr 12 apr 26 may 10 may 24

June 7

High Mowing School222 Isaac frye HighwayWilton, NH 03086603 654-2391www.highmowing.org

Editor and

Designer:

Nancy Tichanuk

Development

Director:

Heather Cochrane

yule Festival and Secret Santa — December 17

The Yule Festival has been held the last night before winter vacation since 1942. An all-school holiday dinner begins at 6:00, followed by the Festival in the Big Room. (All students are expected to attend and dress-up attire is requested.) It includes many traditional holiday activities as well as some that originated at High Mowing’s first festival, including brightly colored jesters, the Yule log, wassailing, and a reading of the Christmas story in the Bible in as many languages as possible. Traditional aspects of the evening include a presentation of the Christmas Book (a collection of words and pictures from each student to the School), skits, music, cookies, and a senior interpre-tation of the carol Partridge in a Pear Tree in Eurythmy. The identity of Father Christ-mas, who presides over the festivities, is always a secret! Other surprises and events contribute to the warmth, fun, and beauty of this event.

Dates for the 2010 AWSNA Summer Conference at the Atlanta Waldorf School and Academe of the Oaks is

now confirmed for June 22 - 25, 2010. We invite you all to participate, as we embark on a three-year journey

exploring adolescence and how to work together to build vibrant K-12 programs. We look forward to seeing

you in Atlanta! The Summer Conference Committee consists of Connie Starzynski–Summer Conference

Committee Chair, James Pewtherer–Pedagogical Section Council, Stacy Alston–Waldorf School of Atlanta,

Eva Handschin–Academe of the Oaks, Arthur Pittis–Austin Waldorf School, Carol Bartges–RSSNY, and

Michael Soulé–AWSNA Leader of Programs and Activities.

Winning with Waldorf IV a huge success…Duffy Waldorf was his usual expert and generous self, full of

good teaching, gracious good humor, willingness to help, and just plain champion style. The preparation done

by the on-the-ground-golf crew at the Waldorf School of Orange County was top notch. Their hard work,

twinkly sense of humor, and love of their Waldorf School made the day. Our own AWSNA Board

representatives, Val Bertelsen III and Lynn Kern, were there golfing well. Careening golf cart tours were

managed again by Patrice Maynard, Chaddie Hughes, Board Member of both AWSNA and the Baltimore

Waldorf School, and Barri Borsky, Development Director at Highland Hall, who has been a good partner on

all four Winning with Waldorf golf benefits, as she helps to lend us Duffy. Pictures will be posted soon on the

www.whywaldorfworks.org web site. Winning with Waldorf V is already planned for June 7, 2010, and will

be hosted by the Emerson Waldorf School in North Carolina. Save the date!

Important News from Canada…The membership of the Canadian Educational Standards Institute (CESI)

and the Canadian Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) has voted to dissolve their respective

associations and to endorse the creation of a new organization that will combine the strengths of both founding

groups. This organization will be headed by Anne Marie Kee, former Executive Director of CESI. A new

board was also elected that includes members from each former board. CESI was a national accrediting body

for independent schools in Canada applying a rigorous process based on twelve standards drawn from

international best practices. CESI was recently recognizd by the National Association of Independent Schools

International Commission on Accreditation, a world accrediting body. CAIS was an association that provided

professional development opportunities and hosted annual conferences for faculty, staff, and school leadership.

“The mandate of the new organization is to significantly enhance the opportunities for member schools to

pursue their own ambitious agendas of renewal, innovation, and constant improvement,” says Kee. “National

accreditation based on international standards will differentiate these schools and give families the confidence

of knowing that the school they choose is a cut above the rest.” Toronto Waldorf School is currently the only

Canadian Waldorf school with CESI accreditation.

Although this year’s main flu – the H1N1virus – has been declared an emergency, we encourage schools and

families to remain fully informed about the virus. It is still milder than many other viruses, lasts only about

three days, and, as with most diseases, the danger is usually for the very young and the very old.