Julie-Ann Baumer
P. O. Box 82
Lisbon Falls, ME 04252
jabaumer@gmail.com
facebook.com/groups/UMaineClass1986/
Did you know there was a Maine Basketball Hall of Fame? Where have I been? Located within the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, the Hall of Fame is now in its fourth year. A rich repository of Maine’s basketball history, the Hall recognizes outstanding players, teams, and coaches. On August 20, our own Kissy Walker was inducted into the Hall of Fame for her many achievements as Husson University’s women’s basketball coach. With over 425 wins in 26 years, I’d say that’s not too shabby. Kissy is also a member of the New England Basketball Hall of Fame, inducted in 2015.
School’s back in session and for Rhonda Pierce Fortin, “homecoming” will mean returning to Pemetic Elementary School in Southwest Harbor, ME. Formerly an assistant principal at Westbrook Middle School, Rhonda was hired as Pemetic’s principal this past spring. A Southwest Harbor native, she attended Pemetic herself. After graduating from the University of Maine, she spent 22 years teaching math, chairing Westbrook High School’s math department, and most recently working as assistant principal at Westbrook Middle School.
Some of you might remember back in 2013, Rick Nickerson ’99G was one of the first group of nominees selected by the Grammy Foundation for a Music Educator Award. Rick, nominated for this prestigious award again this year, was one of 10 national finalists. Modest and focused on his mission of music education, he told Bob Keyes of the Maine Sunday Telegram, “I don’t have a problem when the attention is on the kids. But I am uneasy when the attention is on me.”
While playing tourist in Bath one day, I picked up some chocolates at a “made in Maine” shop. They were delicious and I was intrigued to learn that Savour Chocolatier is owned and operated by Kim Dagher G. Putting her UMaine MBA to work, she’s found a niche market for her artisan chocolates in the Bangor and central Maine marketplace. Kim didn’t start her business on a whim; she took courses at Ecole Chocolat and studied at the Barry Callebaut Chocolate Academy in St. Hyacinthe, Canada. Her best-selling product is the dark chocolate Maine sea salt caramel.
I can’t believe I’ve been writing our class notes for four years now. As they say, “where has the time gone?” When I’m not burning the midnight oil on this fun project, I do some freelance writing. For the past eight months, I’ve been working on a weekly series about Lewiston’s Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul for the Sun Journal. It’s been an interesting assignment and it’s a constant reminder of my own Franco-American heritage. In my research, I was pleasantly surprised to learn the contractor who built Lewiston’s iconic church, Louis Malo, was one of the contractors who built the north and south wings of Stevens Hall. All roads lead to “the college of our hearts always.” The Basilica series is archived on the newspaper’s website.
Friends and classmates, I enjoy hearing from you, whether it be an accomplishment, a recollection, or just a quick hello. Take care and we’ll meet again here in the spring!