Community News

Brazil, Dominica, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Thailand

By JoAnna Haugen on Tuesday, April 19th, 2011

BRAZIL

Elizabeth K. Mathewson (64-66) is the author of Hospitalized: A Memoir of the 1960s Peace Corps, which was published in 2007. Mathewson taught public school at the secondary level for 32 years, where she frequently shared stories of her Peace Corps experience.

DOMINICA

Olivia Williams recently published a collection of short stories called Poetic Islands about her life and experiences in Dominica. Her passion for the country and the fact that it allows people to connect with other people and themselves is at the core of the book.

KENYA

Chris Gaido (91-93) has been very involved in water and crop sustainability projects in the Kenyan community of Oyani in the province of South Nyanza since serving in the country as a Peace Corps volunteer. Currently a project engineer for Caltrans, Gaido has actively worked to educate community members on agricultural and water issues. His most recent visit to Oyani was in December when he and another civil engineer helped the community improve a well by installing a solar pump system.

SIERRA LEONE

Kelly Russell (80-82) has been named as the new forest supervisor for the Gila National Forest in southwestern New Mexico. She has worked with the U.S. Forest Service for 25 years, and previous appointments include posts in Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, Oklahoma and California. Prior to this new position, Russell was the deputy forest supervisor for Klamath National Forest in northern California. She received her bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan College and her master’s degree from Auburn University.

THAILAND

Bud Weisbart (63-65) is the co-owner of A&R Tarpaulins Inc., a Fontana, Calif., manufacturer that designs and makes shade-based products. Started in 1976, the company is a family-owned operation with approximately 40 employees. Weisbart is the second generation in the family to run A&R Tarpaulins Inc.

Comments (2)

  1. Jay Levy said 763 days ago

    How can I get a copy of Mathewson’s book on the 1960s Peace Corps? It’s not listed on Amazon.com nor on Better World Books.com

  2. JoAnna said 761 days ago

    Hi Jay,

    You can purchase Elizabeth’s book on Lulu. Here is the link: http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/hospitalized/2307562

    Cheers,
    JoAnna

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