![mountains_edited.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a64899_fbbcd97c99d647f19e96ab47b19337e6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_201,al_c,lg_1,q_80,enc_avif,quality_auto/a64899_fbbcd97c99d647f19e96ab47b19337e6~mv2.jpg)
BLIND DATE
Chapter III (1970-72)
A Life of Teaching Begins
![benningtonauthor.com eastern washington university](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d2f840_29d3edc7de984152918bfe9e4c458aaf~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_432,h_282,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/EWUCampus-1600x1067-1.jpg)
Certainly one of the better small colleges in the country, Eastern Washington exhibits beautiful classic architecture along with the new, having been founded in 1882. Cheney has a wonderfully friendly, small town atmosphere that we really came to love. The campus is also unique in its iconic "neo-silo" dormitories. I would have jumped at the chance to teach there
Communications & Media Relations, Eastern Washington U
![benningtonauthor.com autumn leaves](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d2f840_bff351419e6741b38fa37c3c54c68a54~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_327,h_221,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/PICT0043_edited.jpg)
Still pregnant with Shelly, mom and Holli shuffle along in the autumn leaves in front of Showalter Hall
![benningtonauthor.com baby shelly](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d2f840_deea6a990f8147dd9195454a025b8087~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_168,y_0,w_2664,h_2000/fill/w_244,h_183,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/PICT0032_edited.jpg)
New family member, Shelly, arrives in October to Holli's delight
![benningtonauthor.com doctor's supervision](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d2f840_e657fac2aa8c456da200267ba0640e6b~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_404,y_0,w_3816,h_2944/fill/w_284,h_219,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/PICT0009_JPG.jpg)
Little Shelly needs a doctors supervision
![benningtonauthor.com riding trike](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d2f840_0c086fde42e0441094cd030fcca9a4fd~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_741,y_351,w_2819,h_2080/fill/w_297,h_219,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/PICT0025_JPG.jpg)
If Holli can ride a bike, I can ride a trike!
![benningtonauthor.com sisters](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d2f840_533dae197c994ab59dd4f25caf4f91e1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_223,h_335,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/PICT0006_JPG.jpg)
Sisters quickly learn to enjoy each other's company.
![benningtonauthor.com mom and girls](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d2f840_444413de07304b8f84e788dcb296bf67~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_248,h_332,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/img042_edited.jpg)
Mom and her adoring little girls
![benningtonauthor.com scablands](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d2f840_5b81c61557924ce58c76d4579ef1832d~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_0,w_2492,h_1365/fill/w_334,h_183,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/5839-2760-1365-3-Turnbull_edited.jpg)
![benningtonauthor.com snow ghosts](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d2f840_db3a6629cd6148e7bb90831de96069f9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_268,h_201,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/holly-mandarich-FidWUAMGoPg-unsplash.jpg)
Unsplash: Holly Mandarich
Tom Munson
Beautiful pine forests and ponds near the college. What you don't see are the layers of bedrock (upper left) scoured by floods that make up what are termed the scablands, throughout SE Washington. Many of the ponderosa pine were infested with mistletoe
Snow ghosts
It is now on to Waukegon Community College in Wisconsin