2011
Janny Scott, a former QLF volunteer and a longtime reporter for The New York Times, has published,
“A Singular Woman: The Untold Story of Barack Obama’s Mother,” the first detailed account of the life of Stanley Ann Dunham, the Kansas-born anthropologist, international development consultant and microfinance pioneer who was the single most powerful influence in the early life of President Obama.
Janny spent two and a half years researching and writing the book, traveled repeatedly to Indonesia and Hawaii, and interviewed nearly two hundred of Dunham’s friends, colleagues, professors and relatives, including President Obama and his sister. The book, which reached The New York Times bestseller list after its publication in May, is widely available in hardcover, e-book and audio book form.
Photo by Nina Subin
QLF Volunteer
Innu and Innuit Community, St. Augustine River, Quebec, 1974
I enjoy receiving the QLF updates. I still remember my year with QLF fondly and am grateful for the valuableexperience I gained straight out of undergrad. Even though I was based w/Jim Levitt at Harvard, the QLF staff included me as 'one of their own' - including on a memorable retreat to a winter lodge outside Montreal. What a fantastic group of people.
My path since my year at QLF took me back to Canada for a MA at theUniversity of Western Ontario (based on research on community-based ecotourism in Costa Rica), then to Duke University for a PhD in Environment (based on governance of marine protected areas in Belize - looking at local participation, use of science and local knowledge, roles for NGOs, etc). My own research interests have stayed near to many of the issues that QLF works on. I am now back in Canada again (this time importing an American husband!) in a faculty position in the Dept. of Geography at the University of Guelph. So far so good!
I was recently asked to give a guest lecture to a consulting firm outside of Toronto - they have a 'sustainability committee' that invites speakers to talk about a range of environmental issues. As an incentive, they offered to make a $500 donation to the charity of my choice - I was pleased to ask them to direct that money to QLF! In addition, I hope to soon be able to make contributions of my own - but in the meantime it was great to be able to do something to direct support your way.
Noella Gray
Research Associate, Technology and Environment
Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, 2000
I'm freshly graduated from Penn with a BS in Economics and a concentration in Environmental Policy and Management. My passion and interest in this area was definitely piqued through QLF and my summer with you guys. I am working just outside of DC for a management consulting firm in their energy, environment and climate solutions group. We have many contracts with the Department of Energy, and I am working mostly with the Save Energy Now grant which is a program that helps industrial companies reduce their energy intensity. A part of the program is training plant engineers on using technology more efficiently and I coordinate these trainings for the DOE through their Industrial Technologies Program.
Alexandra Caffrey
Brooks School
Volunteer, Harrington Harbour 2005
My goodness. Happy New Year and congratulations on all you have accomplished in your first 50 years and all the very best for the next 50!
Helen Hays
Sounds Conservancy Grantee
I was delighted to see the photos you recently sent to QLF supporters, particualrly the one of Bob Bryan shaking hands with Kirby Nadeau. Kirby was the chief camp counselor the summer I spent as one of his counselors at the Maine Indian Camp back in 1982. I'm also delighted to see that Bob Bryan is looking whole and hearty and is continuing to be very active in the organization. I hope I'll have a chance to visit with him one of these days, perhaps when Nora and I are next in Boston.
John Arbab
Maine Indian Camp 1982
Came across this picture and thought you'd better see that QLF still gets around. I've actually gotten to do some field work this year (for pay,even). About half my time still is building our local land trust (LongPoint Basin Land Trust) through which I've launched a major reptile conservation project. Hence, the picture.
Been a busy year - contract for Canadian Wildlife Service last winter, lots for land trust, field work and species at risk surveys for Six Nations, plus all sorts of other things. Not to mention Kevin's growing nursery and garden design business, which seems to consume lots of my life, too!
Gregor Beck
MBCP/Living Rivers 1986-1999
Exchange Participant 1990
QNS Supervisor 1996, 1997
Oh I do love hearing the always exciting updates from the QLF family! Good to hear the projects and programs are still doing their important work, recession or not. I've been lots of places since my time in Ipswich and Conche. First few years were teaching elementary school in Rockport, Maine. Then back to NYC for a Master's degree (Gender Politics) at NYU. Then did several years learning tons about non-profit programs from Teach for America, both in NYC and Chicago. I am now back in school for a PhD in Gender Studies at Indiana University
Think about my time at QLF fondly.
Katie Schweighofer
Program Assistant, Conche, Newfoundland, 2000
As always, great to hear from you and see the great array of programs, and celebration of the 50th anniversary. Amazing! We are all well. I am still teaching bio in Lexington. The kids are growing up (14 & 19 years).
Elliott Gimble
St. Croix River, 1985-1986
Mark and I have lived south of the border in Cholula, Mexico, for 14 years. Our restored 18th century adobe house is a beauty. I continue teaching Vipassana meditation and international therapy training in Spanish.
Ginger Clarkson
Northwest River, Grenfell Mission, 1985-1986
Congratulations QLF. A great organization. I'm still senior pastor of Plymouth Congregational Church here in Lawrence. Wife Linda is Executive Assistant to the Provost at Kansas University.
Peter Luckey
Goose Cove, 1970
Latabatiere, Quebec, 1972
Croque, Newfoundland, 1975
50 Years? What's even more alarming is that my summer in Batteau, Labrador was 40 of those years ago! Good news - I still remember the experience well and with great fondness!
Lee Paige
Batteau, Labrador, 1970