Friends & Relatives Comment About us in 2010

Allan Jirikowic

Hi Ivan… your parents were faeries that arose from Rock Creek park. A little later they became king and queen of the hippies in all of Takoma Park. They spread their magic around , found a magic motorcycle and blessed Europe as well….they had a mission. Chris was posted in Buenos Aires and Sandy was involved in art inspiration when I met her..in the magic land of Rockville…she later managed a parking lot at the doomed Rockville mall 

which we cursed together and it was destroyed. We attended an Ingmar Bergman film festival at the now long gone Circle movie theatre….we discovered we were hopeless existentialists and rather enjoyed it….Chris later returned and helped with a magic wedding ring store where he was shot in an attempted hold up…but he survived thanks to the destruction of the evil Rockville Mall and the gnome he worked with who later went on to be a refrigerator repairman…. the coming of you and your sister inspired a move to the west where they roamed the country selling their wares…but thanks to you they no longer have to trek back and forth across America, as you harnessed the internet. The only sad thing is I do not see them as often. Years ago, I was having a birthday celebration, to which I had invited them and they did not make it…She better have a good excuse I said..!..she did…you were being born Ivan!…we share a birthday and some day I am going to surprise you on Feb 19th…….our birthday…..Happy Anniversary Chris and Sandy!….Love Allan

Bob Ayre—Hot Lead and Stuck in the Mud in Memphis.

So we are all trying to leave the Pink Palace art fair and it’s mud up to the hubcaps. I say to Chris “We are never going to get to Gaithersburg at this rate. If they start shooting we will get a taste of hot lead”. Chris says “ You know, you can taste the hot lead”. He goes on to tell me the story of the Great Washington DC Shootout; how he and Sandy put the keys in the mailbox and headed west.

Memphis was also the origin of the “Geezers”. We thought we were old then. HA!!! Here we are 20 years later. Well it’s their 40th. Exotica made us a ring on our 50th in 2005. Expect a call in 2015 for number 60…Do you take Medicare?

Marshall Keith [Sandy’s brother]

After they got married, they traveled around and ended up in Argentina with Margo and family. I still remember a letter they sent. I had been feeling like a burnout because I wasn’t doing much except playing music. They told me that that was probably a healthy thing to do under the circumstances. Playing music, off by myself, chill out, and get myself together. That letter meant a lot to me.

I was with Sandy visiting Betsy in the hospital when we got word that Chris had been shot. And that was ALL we heard. Sandy was understandably frantic to find out what was going on, and it took a long time to learn that he was going to be okay. He later told me the details. The weirdest one being: the bullet ended up in his mouth, and he spit it out into his hand!

That trip to Arizona with their blue van AND the moving van is forever burned in my memory. We had walkie-talkies. The moving van was “mother ship” and their blue van was “blue bird.” The mother ship broke down one afternoon (in the middle of nowhere). Sandy took off in Blue Bird in search of help. The rest of us waited around for a LONG time. It got dark -we were getting worried. Then we heard the walkie-talkie crackle: “mother ship, this is blue bird….come in mother ship” …and the rest is history!

take care—mrshL

Nino deProphetis 

A story I remember was just after Betsy and I were married Betsy was in the hospital and was visited by Gram, Sandy, and I think Russ, Jeff and Marshall (might be wrong). They were en route to see Granny up in northern New Jersey. At that time I still hadn’t gotten to know members of the family well, having met them only about three times.

That night we got a call from Barry, Chris’s partner at the jewelry store, that Chris was in the hospital after being shot during an armed robbery. The robber had grabbed something Chris had put a lot of work into that week and chris demonstrated that it wouldn’t go without a struggle. The family was stuck not knowing what to do, so I suggested that they all go up to see Granny as planned while I drove Sandy to D.C. Since we knew little about Chris’ condition the trip was very upsetting to Sandy and I remember trying to talk about different things to distract her (probably not the right thing to do). Barry was there when we arrived and gave us the details of the event so I would have something to tell the others when I got home. Chris was hurt pretty bad, but we knew he would fully recover

(only a flesh wound!) From what I can remember, the bullet had traveled from his back up through his neck, bruising the jugular, and out his mouth.

A later robbery caused a cop to get shot, and that is when they decided not to do retail in Washington anymore. Hence the move to Arizona and on-line sales.

It was my first of many experiences seeing how Gram could handle adversity and just move on indominably, almost like a frontierswoman from a Willa Cather novel.

Nino

Chuck Schuster [Sandy’s cousin]

Sandy and Chris, you have always been the coolest of cousins. I’ve really admired your laid-back spirit and your beautiful jewelry for a long time.

One of my favorite vacations in many, many years of global traveling was because of your kindness. I took my daughter, Ali Kayu by train to Arizona to see Aunt Lal. Ali was an active, curious four-year-old, (she turns 20 this year!) You let us stay in your comfortable home with the magnificent view, (at the time I felt a bit guilty because Aunt Lal was in her trailer, but seemed quite content there.) Ali and I had a great time playing, exploring and, as always, doing art projects. Of course Ali especially liked Camille’s room. I loved the incredible view, which was so breath-taking and inspiring that my artwork changed forever. We had lots of fun spending time with sweet, clever Aunt Lal, going to the Grand Canyon and other interesting places. I’ll always be grateful to you for your generosity. Not everyone lets artists and their four-year olds take over their home. You have a place to stay in Indonesia anytime.

With thanks, best wishes and congratulations — Charles (Chuck) S.

Anne Bassett

Wow! 40 years!

I am anecdote-less. I do so appreciate both Chris & Sandy’s community spirit and their involvement with good green and controlling-growth causes. They truly have the cooperative spirit with everything related to our JAC Gallery. Both have shown me random acts of kindness, like rides, congratulations when appropriate (like my recent re-election to Council), remembering various personal issues and inquiring about them, art compliments, and ENCOURAGEMENT.

Both are the salt of the earth.

Lisa Dane

I met Sandy in seventh grade when our family moved to Rockville from Silver Spring. I remember many after-school walks and talks at her lovely home. Sandy’s creativity and writing ability were already apparent in seventh grade in Mr. Conway’s English class. Creative, smart and ‘cool’, Sandy had her pick of guys who wanted to carry her books for her walking home from school! Though’ I wasn’t present at the wedding ceremony, I knew that Sandy and Chris got married in a sylvan glade. Am I recalling correctly that she was wearing a long print gown, perhaps in robin’s-egg blue with a hood? Or was that Cyndi’s? No matter, it was a perfect ceremony for the times and when she and Chris explored the world, selling handcrafted purses, meeting Donovan (who wanted a purse for FREE, the bum!) They both set the standard for young love!

Many years and two great kids later, Sandy and Chris remain a dynamic and committed couple. I admire their passion for creativity, creating jewelry and their continued adventurous spirit as evidenced by their jaunts around the country, selling at shows, conventions and fairs. I’d never heard the word ‘titanium’ until Sandy and Chris described what it was! And you are both still so youthful and good-looking…how dare you!

Sandy and Chris demonstrate the best of the sixties…modeling a relationship that has evolved through the seventies, eighties, nineties and now, into our new millennium. Love those “Tumbleweed Reports”! Keep ‘em coming!

We would love to see you more often! Come to Northern California…your guest room and Ghirardelli chocolates await!

A toast to 40 years!

Love and hugs!

Lisa Caplan Dane (and John Dane)

Ron Broadhead & Becky Chamberlain

We remember a couple of New Years Eve gatherings at Chris and Sandy’s that were a real “blast”. A good mix of people, good food and lots of laughs. Along about midnight the kids lit some sparklers and set off a few fireworks in the front yard, we’d all hang around and enjoy the show. Then, with considerable prompting from some of us, Chris brought out his secret stash of fire crackers. They were really loud and Sandy was less than enthusiastic about the possibility of a visit from the Clarkdale Police, but it was fun being “bad” with a group of good friends — Ah, the good old days in Clarkdale. So many fond memories of picnics at the river and carving pumpkins for Halloween too.

Wow! 40 years!! Congratulations, you make it look easy.

We miss you — Ron and Becky

Rex Peters

Congratulations! Chris and Sandy on 40 years of what has to be wedded bliss. Aside from all the good times at the coop, there was a memorable New Years Eve several years ago, when after a nice, social evening, Chris and Ivan brought out the fire works. I was astonished watching Chris, with his bare hands, as skillfull as any brain surgeon’s, held large firecrackers, small bombs, and as Ivan lit the fuse Chris would wait just long enough to toss the firecracker so it would explode in midair! Very, very fun.

Here’s hoping for many more years of good laughs. Love ya, Rex

Alice Keith [Sandy’s mother]

The day of the wedding, we walked from our house down into Rock Creek Park. For a walker like me, it was just a delight. But for your grandmother (Florence), she had to have John Brewster on one side and Gene Keith on the other. It was a beautiful spring day — the next day it snowed. Chris and Sandy wrote their own vows, and they really fit them. I remember Sandy was working on her vows, or going over them anyway, the hour before the wedding.

Betsy Klinger [Sandy’s sister]

Sandy and Chris’s wedding day was a beautiful early-spring day and the park setting was perfect. Their outfits made you feel like you were attending a dinner at a castle…they were all decked-out in velvet. It was a day full of promise and new beginnings.

Fast-forward to about 1973 or 74 — 

I was living in Miami, going to graduate school. Sandy and Chris came for a visit after having been (I think) in Argentina for quite awhile. They were very appreciative of a vegetable/beef stew that I made because they apparently hadn’t been getting their FDA-approved amount of fresh vegetables when they were in South America.

When Ivan and Camille were young — 

Sandy used to sing songs in the car to keep the kids occupied. The kids loved the songs and would sing along at high volume. Chris made that neat “switchboard” for Ivan complete with lights, buzzers and twirly-things. Chris should have worked for Fisher-Price because his stuff was way better than theirs!

Fast-forward to Marianella’s and Joe’s wedding — 

Chris, Ivan and Camille made their way to the College Park area for Marianella and Joe’s wedding. Bob and I and Giulia and Liza were staying at a motel nearby. Sandy was at home recuperating from surgery.

Bob and I used GPS to find our way from the wedding to the reception, and then to the after-party. During our travels that day we received several calls from Chris (via Ivan) who couldn’t find either a) the restaurant or b) the after-party. After a few of these calls I thought that Chris is either

a) completely lost without Sandy or b) completely lost without GPS or c) both. After all, they used to live in the area!

I voted for c) and got them a GPS for Christmas. Chris, I hope you will bring Sandy and the GPS next time!

Lots of love to a great couple!

Betsy March, 2010

Rusty Keith [Sandy’s brother]

I remember the spring of Sandy and Chris’s wedding. They were making plans for a wedding in Rock Creek park which did work out. We usually travelled in the VW van. Marsh, Chris and I went down into the L’Enfant Plaza parking garage. Each level left less overhead clearance, and we got through to some tight spaces. We were just joy riding and didn’t need to park. Another time in the van, Chris and I had to get to Berryville, VA. I believe we used White’s Ferry. We were going to drop off or pick up something.

Sandy was working at the book store and Chris was working at the telephone company during that time. Chris asked me to be a body guard when he was carrying their honeymoon cash.

The day of their wedding was beautifully sunny. Chris wore the red jacket he got at a thrift store, I think. Sandy wore the blue dress that she sewed. The reception at the 14th St. house was nice and lasted several hours. After the 28th of March, Sandy and Chris worked a little bit more and then they left for Europe. It was sad to know they would be gone longer than a year. And to think they are still together after 40 years.

—Rusty

Larry and Betsy Boothe [Chris’s brother & sister-in-law]

Betsy and I will always remember Christopher and Sandy’s wedding in the woods, oh so long ago. In their untraditional dress, and us, sitting on tree stumps, we felt a little out of place as this unusual (to us) celebration was unfolding. Let’s see…..that was 40 years ago, and your marriage has realized that elusive goal of making it work. Betsy and I congratulate you on this very special anniversary. You are a wonderful couple, even if we did have to sit on tree stumps!

Neal & John Brewster [Neal and Sandy’s mother are twins]

Chris and Sandy’s wedding took place in Rock Creek Park on a beautiful day in March, 1970. We had to walk a fair distance to get to the wedding location, and it was like something out of Camelot! The beautiful bride was dressed in a long, elaborately embroidered blue velvet dress, and the handsome groom wore an embellished maroon velvet tunic. A recorder player provided the music, and it was a lovely ceremony.

The reception took place at the Keith house on 14th Street in Washington. By that time, the bride had changed into blue jeans, and we all had a very festive time. The next day was Easter, with terrible sleet and snow—good timing for the outdoor wedding!

Ellie Bauer

The first time Sandy and Chris Boothe participated in Made in Clarkdale’s invitational Annual Exhibit was in 1991. They were working hard making Exotica a successful business. Their jewelry was becoming successful and recognized nationally and they were busy going to shows all over the country while raising two super neat kids. They had to be nagged into participating in what was growing to be a regionally and national acclaimed exhibit. They were and continue to be quite demanding of themselves in terms of their art form. 

I had become interested in working with scraps of this and that in collage or assemblage way and was completely captivated by the workings of light and color in Sandy and Chris’ jewelry. SO one day and walked over to their home/studio/workshop and asked Chris what he was doing with all the scrap bits and pieces that were collecting in piles here and there (well-organized little mountains). He gave me the most quizzical look that was reminiscent of ‘are you all there, Ellie?’ So, I remarked that I was going to use them in some pieces I was working on and these poor little old ‘castaways’ were just the perfect bits. 

Chris grinned and I walked away with a bunch of stuff that kept my assembling urge in line for quite a while. And so was born and new series of works for me — mandanas , a take-off on imagery painted walls and floors of homes by Rajasthani (India) women to mark all the sacraments and celebrations of life. 

Thank you, Sandy and Chris. 

Neil Hunt & Tori Heide

When we lived in Clarkdale we found another family nearly just across the street. They ran a Ma & Pa jewelry business, he was a master craftsman who was managed by his strong, independent wife. They had two wonderful children, a boy and a girl, who were smart, kind and good looking. They were politically active, even in local politics and they were left leaning. We enjoyed their company and marveled at our incredibly parallel lives. I would like to stipulate though…I never, never had a shirt like that. (I got my wedding shirt in Denmark and it was really, really casual… but not that casual.)

We thrive in your shadow. We just celebrated our 25th last summer. We miss celebrating holidays with the Boothes and look forward to doing so again some day. You guys set the bar high.

Your friends in the North,

Neil, Tori, Lisa & Espen

Deborah Allen-Adair and Mitch Adair

To The Boothe Family,

Your 40th anniversary offers an excellent opportunity of Deborah and I to extend our most heartfelt congratulations on your wonderful life together. For two people who came together so young, your lifelong love and devotion to one another is truly inspiring.

Deborah has known you two for much longer and shared many more personal experiences with you than I have and could probably share numerous short tales of adventure and humor to which we all could relate. However, I’d like to take this opportunity to let you know how truly special we feel you guys are. After all, you were the only people we chose to witness our own union, on that beautiful day in the Westfork of Oak Creek Canyon. I’m sure Deborah will agree with me on this, but please allow me to make one thing perfectly clear. Chris and Sandy, you two are, without a doubt, the finest people I have ever met in my life. Your devotion to each other, to your family, to your community and to the betterment of all those around you is unparalleled by anyone I’ve ever come across. You face each day with optimism and humility. I can’t recall either of you ever uttering a discouraging word or vocalizing a negative thought. I’ve watched your business metamorphous each year as necessary to provide for your family. From shows, to rings, to beads, to so much more, you guys have always been willing and able.

You’ve raised 2 wonderful kids, who’ve grown up to be well prepared to face, explore, challenge and contribute to today’s global community.

You tend to your Mom’s needs in her golden years and return the love which has so obviously been passe to you throughout your entire lifetime. You lead the way at the Co-operative, you have attended Verde Valley Stewards and on and on. Always giving your best while asking for little in return. And when adversity has arrive at your doorstep, you’ve faced that too, with a strength, courage and dignity which show the true colors and compassion of your singular soul.

It is with great honor that Deborah and I Consider you our very best of friends. We wish you and your family all the very best in the future and may the rest of your lives be blessed with love devotion and togetherness.

With Love, Mitch Adair and Deborah Allen-Adair 

I hadn’t lived in Arizona more than a month back in 1989 (still living in my new employers spare bedroom having just moved here from Australia) when Sandy and Chris came for a visit (bringing with them soft shelled crab). I guess Bill had met them at craft shows and possibly supplied them with Niobium.

We all went for a hike in the wilderness outside of Sedona. We toured caves and were awestruck with the beauty that surrounded us. We stopped for a moment beside this large rock wall and all of a sudden this large clap of thunder startled us making us jump and laugh. I believe the thunder bonded us and we have been close friends ever since.

Deborah Allen-Adair 

Kay Seurat

I first met Sandy at the infamous Tubac show, back in the early 90’s. It always was a fairly dreadful show, being 9 days long back then. But the year I met Sandy, it was even worse than usual. The show promoter decided that year to expand the show, and added a whole bunch of new booths on a dirt lot in town. It was a miserable existence those 9 days, since the shoppers weren’t willing to venture onto the lot, and the only positive note being that we had plenty of time to get to know our neighbors. Meeting Sandy was truly a silver lining in cloudy Tubac that winter.

She invited me to come visit the Verde Valley, which I did, and ended up spending quite a bit of enjoyable time with Sandy, Chris, Ivan, Camille and Alice during my winters in Arizona.

The year we met was the year the movie came out about the guy who built the baseball diamond in the corn field, so during that long 9 days in Tubac we spent a lot of time saying “build it, and they will come” and of course, they didn’t. But good things did come of our dirt lot adventure, mostly a long lasting friendship with a great family.

Willow Block

Besides the small stories I remember of the “good ole days” of doing craft shows with young children. Such as Iris pushing Camille around in her stroller and both of them them loving it, or when Iris had to get four piercings in her ears to wear graduated sizes of your beautiful hoop earrings. (which she wore for years by the way)!

I especially remember sharing a quiet meal at a nice restaurant after a busy show day (no kids along for a change). Sandy mentioned how bad the food at the hospital had been and were soon told the story of the shooting with the rented gun and the evidence of the last shoe in the stolen taxi cab! So shocking! and told with such calmness and even humour. I’m still in awe!

I also have a chuckle remembering telling Sandy how the shows blurred together so much I’d often get in the car and ask Luke where are we going as he always drove and kept track of schedules for us. Chris said oh I always have to ask Sandy when i get in and I’m driving!

So fun to share good times with you guys. I love your wedding story, and you still seem like kids.

Love, Willow

I treasure my 30th anniversary ring from you guys. 

Liz and Rob Janega [Liz, honorary sister]

I met Sandy and Chris Boothe a couple of years after their wedding. When Marshall and I were planning our 1974 European odyssey, much of the advice we got came from those inveterate travelers. Over Sunday “family dinners” at Alice’s, they would give us tips — such as the brilliant idea of getting to Europe on a container ship, which we did. 

Sandy and Chris are each so creative and interesting, and their house in Rockville mirrored that. From the first time we met, Sandy felt like a sister to me — and not only because we are both tall, blonde, and have big feet! One time I walked into the kitchen and Chris was at the stove behind a giant pot of steaming water. Was he cooking spaghetti? No — he was steam-bending a long piece of veneer for one of his projects. 

When they moved to Arizona, they had a combination moving party/goodbye party/and titanium jewelry give away. It was sad to see them leave the area, but it has been a pleasure to hear of their interesting careers, and watch their children grow (if only via Facebook). 

The last time we saw Sandy and Chris was several years ago when Ivan was looking at colleges in Pennsylvania, but I still feel as though I am a part of their extended family. It’s so rare and wonderful to see a long, happy marriage. Happy 40th Anniversary, Sandy and Chris!

Liz and Rob Janega

Marcia Brewster [Sandy’s cousin]

Wonderful Encounters with Sandy and Chris

It is hard to isolate memories of Sandy, as I have known her since she was born. She and Bonnie were the little girls who played together when the two big families got together. 

Over the years Sandy grew to be a beautiful, intelligent and talented human being, and she found the perfect match in Chris Boothe. Their wedding in Rock Creek Park was the quintessential 1960s ceremony, complete with Edwardian dress and the Bride and Groom furnishing the music. Who would have imagined that these two very young people would end up having the most compatible relationship and lasting marriage among all the offspring of the three Coxe girls? They were truly blessed to find each other’s soul mate.

Sandy and Chris are the most harmonious couple I know. Who else would be content to be with a spouse pretty much 24 hours a day for 40 years? We loved our visit to their cozy home in Arizona in 2008 and last year we shared a house with them in Cape Cod. We had a fabulous time with Sandy and Chris, Ivan, Camille and a few hangers on. It was such a pleasure to have someone like Chris B. around — always ready to lend a hand when anyone needed anything. Sandy and Chris are at the top of my list of people to share a house with. 

Besides all the good memories of reunions and parties at Bethany Beach and elsewhere, a lasting memory of Sandy is when she came with Aunt Lal and Camille (only about six months old) in 1986. They came to help me pull myself together when I had reached a crisis point soon after the twins were born. Sandy’s upbeat nature and compassion got me beyond that situation, and I will never forget her generosity.

I am very happy that Sandy and Chris have such a special and serene relationship. It has stood the test of time, and we look forward to celebrating the 50^th with them. 

Much love, Marcia (and Bob, Matthew and Marshall)

28 March 2010

Joycelyn Merchant & Chuck Kroon

We treasured each moment we spent with them, It was just good friendship. Give them our love. 

Bill Myers

During the first five or six years of their marriage, Chris wore the same jeans every day and never washed them, until one night, while he was sleeping, Sandy took them out into the back yard, doused them with gasoline and burnt them.

There is, or was, a photograph of Chris sitting Indian-style on the floor, with each knee fully revealed by the holes in the jeans. Written on the jeans on one thigh, with a marker, is “DIS” and on the other “GRACE” (written by Sandy, obviously, shortly before the night she absconded with the offending jeans and burnt them).

Bill Seeley

It only took one visit.

The year was 1989. Sandy & Chris came to Visit Reactive Metals Studio. It only took a couple of days and they were hooked on the Verde Valley. Within a few days of returning home to DC they called. I was asked to see if I could find a house for them.

The kids, of course, had not seen the area and I had an idea that might help them. I Borrowed a video camera and shot a tape of the town. As I remember it started with the from the top of Mingus Mountain and wondered through Jerome and Clarkdale. I shot the school they would soon attend. I shot the house that looked just right for the family. Within a couple of weeks Sandy came back to town and bought that very house. Some time later I remember being told how well everything fit. There was even a plate rail in the dinning room for their collection.

Phil, Ellen, Rebeca and Sophia Willis-Conger

Chris and Sandy Boothe are our N. AZ angels. When we put our heads together to come up with a single story…we were challenged!

We all remembered the “Restaurant Quality” meals that Chris and Sandy served out of that little kitchen with the tiny oven.

Very memorable was the incredible thunderstorm that rocked all of us after dinner at Alice’s house.

We also thought of the Thanksgiving desserts shared and plays of strong independent women we enjoyed together.

Hiking was also a favorite memory of the two of them — but it was mostly Ellen’s memory.

We all appreciate Chris’s checking in on Bonita’s spot on the top of the hill-straightening the rocks around her ashes.

We love the cards they have made (currently on our refrigerator), the jewelry and barrettes that are so colorful and beautiful…(currently on our coats, in our hair and our ears!)

The collective favorite memory however, is the one of the Christmas package that arrived that first Winter in Portland. It was an immensely thoughtful collection of fun holiday decorations, glow sticks (for the dark winter), snacks for the reindeer and a great card with a color photo of the Boothe Family. It warmed our hearts and the chill of being in a new place without our dear friends. 

Much love to two wonderful people, and the first 40 years of their great partnership!

The Willis-Congers

Jeff Keith [Sandy’s brother]

JEFF REMEMBERS 1970 AND “THE WEDDING”

I am more than seven years older than Sandy. So if she was 17½ years old at this time, I had just turned 25. My daughter Vanessa was a year old and just getting ready to start walking.

POLITICS: This was more or less the heart of the Vietnam War years. There was still a military draft, and a draft lottery had been introduced. President Richard Nixon was a little more than a year into his first term. He was moderately right-wing. We all thought he was VERY right-wing, but that was before the 1980s happened. Nixon’s vice-president was Spiro T. Agnew, the former governor of Maryland. Disliking Richard Nixon was one thing I had in common with my father. *

After someone in Nixon’s cabinet made a remark about “the silent majority,” the anti-war movement said they would show them where the real majority in this country stood, and on November 15, 1969 on The Mall there was the largest demonstration that this country had ever seen, more than 700,000 people. Jenny’s parents drove down from Vermont to it, so we got a free ride and brought baby Vanessa along. 

Sandy and Marshall didn’t like the school in that neighborhood; they’ll have to tell you why not. 

I had …come down for New Year’s after spending Christmas with Jenny and Vanessa in New Hampshire. I had no idea that Sandy and Chris were planning anything big. They were so young! Soon after I got home in January, I got the announcement about the wedding in March. 

(I looked in my old diaries, and I’m sorry to say that I didn’t write up a description of the wedding itself. I hope someone else has a good description of it.) I know we all walked from the Keith house over into Rock Creek Park. … The weather was perfect, a sunny day in early spring. I think the ceremony was pretty free-form or New-Age-ish, although there may have been a minister officiating. 

The evening after the wedding, there was a long reception with many of Sandy and Chris’s friends. 

Margo Figgins

Dear Sandy and Chris,

It seems like only yesterday in a Maryland suburban house stacked with African effigies that you were strapping cloth diapers to Scott with a thin red leather belt borrowed from one of my dresses. Wow… what a journey. I love the way in which our lives have woven in and out of each other’s… which only happened because you once saved mine. Enduring gratitude for that. But this is about you. I wish you a well-earned wonderful 40th anniversary celebration. I so admire the lives that you have fashioned for yourselves as individuals, as a couple, and as a family. 

When I think of what I hope for, not just for myself but for the world, the two of you embody it. May your adventure continue with all of the passion and risk that each border crossing requires: “The borders are our natural sites of creation…the places where we invent, transgress, and create.” (Toni Morrison). I send this in honor of all the inventions, creations, and transgressions ahead of you, and with an enormous amount of love. —Margo 

Bill Shoemaker and Carol Steele

We both clearly remember helping to help you move out of the house in MD and being amazed of the finality of it. I remember your Dad likening putting all of the family’s stuff into the truck to piecing a puzzle together. It was a really tight fit. He later told me that everything had survived the transcontinental trek, which was amazing in itself.

Marsha Foutz

I’m not sure how I first met Chris and Sandy…was it through the Bill or through the lovely Deborah…but Reactive Metals must have had a part. Now with many years of partying and a bit of Rex thrown in… oh and a bit of Ellie and Made in Clarkdale…oh, Chris does wonderful annual demonstrations for my school… oh, and let’s not forget all of that Mayoral election stuff…oh! and those Renzi and Verde Basin things. Hey! I guess we’ve had a few adventures together!

So…..

After all birthdays in which we were delighted with fireworks and my

incredible earring collection….. and all the political and art show

shenanigans …. and after sharing so many stories and depending on each other to get to resolve our dramatic local controversies, may I say officially call us “BUDS for LIFE?”

Happy anniversary! May the rest of us married folks achieve 1/10th as many happy and fruitful years together!

Jan Cherubin

…They were together all the time, in the front seat of Gregor, Chris’s VW bus, and everywhere else. They drove me to the world—skinny dipping in quarries, panhandling in Georgetown, berry picking in Dumbarton Oaks, on the mall marching to end the war, circling the empty pilings of the underground garage at L’Enfant Plaza at 2 in the morning just for the fun of it. 

I was, as I said, only thirteen and fourteen at the time. That they included me in their adventures, adventures I could never have had with my over-protected suburban friends years away from being able to drive, and far less creative and independent at any rate, was a validation of my worth and shaped my identity. 

Life began and ended with my cousins. I talked about them so much, Chris and Sandy, Chris and Sandy, my cousins, Rachel and Chris and Sandy, that one friend of mine thought I had a freaky cousin named Christmas Andy. Going to see Christmas Andy for the weekend? Yes, I’d say, my eyes shining. There was nowhere else I wanted to be. 

It was only fitting that forty years later Chris and Sandy came to L.A. to help me pack up my mother’s apartment when she died. Ever protective, supportive, kind and responsible. 

Happy Anniversary. Thank you for everything. 

Love, cousin Jan

Dave Engstrom, a.k.a. “Mr. Phoenix”

As for Mr. and Mrs. Boothe, they’re not called wizards for nothing. I get Exotica and Erotica mixed up from time to time. I’ve come to realize that it’s Exotica by day and well, instead of boots we knock trees. Down. Now that’s what 40 years of practice does.

Mildred Cherubin [Chris’s aunt, as told to Jan Cherubin]

When Chris and Sandy told us they were having their wedding in Rock Creek Park, I thought that’s nice. But then they had us schlepping through the woods — Florence and I were wearing high heels of course, it was a wedding after all — and we’re tramping through the woods for miles it seemed, and I thought, what, are they crazy? 

But when we got to the clearing and we all gathered around, Chris spoke. He said, “We brought you here to share our love.” And at that moment, I stopped my internal complaining and I thought, Ah! Now that makes sense. Now I know what I tramped through the woods for. And of course, it made me cry.