Tara Kierstead
facebook.com/groups/UMaineClass2008/
REUNION at Homecoming October 26-28, 2018
Hi classmates,
I am sorry to report the passing of our classmate Jennifer McCurry Drapeau, whom we lost on October 14th. Jennifer fought a hard battle against an aggressive form of cancer. Her husband, Joey, posted a heartfelt statement on Facebook, in which he detailed how much he loved her, how much her friends and family loved her, and how much their two little girls will miss her. This love and admiration for Jennifer were echoed in numerous articles about her that news outlets covered after her passing. Everyone who spoke about Jennifer commented on the impact she had on others, as a kindergarten teacher at Jameson Elementary School in Old Orchard Beach, as a mother, a wife, a sister, and as a friend. We will miss her, and our thoughts are with Jennifer’s friends and family.
In other news to report, classmate Matt Foster has been certified as a Certified Park and Recreation Professional by the National Certified Board and the National Recreation and Park Association. After graduating from UMaine, Matt worked for the Wood County Parks Department in Wisconsin, before becoming the assistant director of parks and recreation for the town of Farmington. Congrats, Matt!
In sports news, classmate Yann Dupuy G has been named John Bapst High School’s new varsity boys’ soccer coach. Yann teaches French at John Bapst, and was previously their boys’ junior varsity soccer coach. Congrats, Yann!
Many thanks to Jeff Hake, who sent his news: “I recently moved back to central Illinois after leaving my job as the farm manager at Eva’s Garden in Dartmouth, MA. I now live with my girlfriend in McLean, IL, where we are starting a small farm operation in nearby Funks Grove on her family’s land. The farm will eventually have a farm-to-table café and event space, where we can combine the best of food, fun, and education in the heart of American agriculture. While we work to develop this operation, I will continue my role as an educator for farmers looking to learn or expand their sustainable agricultural practices, and will be working at PrairiErth Farm, a 15-acre organic vegetable farm in nearby Atlanta, IL.”
As always, feel free to send along any updates you would like to see in our column.