Happy fall to everyone. I hope you and your family are all staying safe and
healthy. So sorry that our in-person 45th Reunion at Orono didn’t happen.
This has been an exciting summer and early fall for our family. Our first
grandchild was born in August. He and his family are doing well. As those of you
who have grandchildren know, that it is the most wonderful feeling in the world. I
can’t wait to watch him grow. We were fortunate to be able to spend two weeks
in Maine in early September, spending some time with him and enjoying Maine’s
beauty.
My other news is that I retired in September. I am currently back working in a
part-time temporary position and loving all the time for the fall projects.
A fellow retiree is Barbara Koeritz Wentworth, who retired in 2020 after working
as president and CEO of the United Way of York County. Barb will be greatly
missed and will miss the wonderful people that she worked with.
It was so great to hear from Mary Ann Chute Huff, all the way from Oregon
(Maine without snow, as she affectionately calls it). Mary Ann is also planning on
retiring partially now with plans to transition to full retirement in the next two
years. She plans to use the time to travel (once COVID restrictions end) and get
settled back on the farm where their children were raised. Currently the farm
consists of just chickens, a cat, and visiting daughter and granddaughter. Plans
are to add more critters and a garden. I can identify with these same plans
myself.
Hopefully we will be able to meet up in person for our 50th Reunion and see what
we have all been able to accomplish in retirement.
In April, Bob Van Peursem was named to the Brewer High School Hall of Fame.
Bob was both a track and field star there and starting halfback on their 1970
Class A state championship football team. While at Brewer he set a PVC record
in the 440-yard run that stood for 46 years, and was the 1971 state champ in the
same event. He ran track at UMaine for four years, where he set the indoor 600-
yard record. Congratulations.
Patricia Longabucco Bishop sent an update: “After graduating from UMO with a
B.S., I went on to receive my M.S. degree in wildlife biology from SUNY College
of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY. I worked at the NYS
Department of Environmental Conservation in Albany, NY, for 30 years as a
research scientist conducting studies on agricultural nonpoint source pollution
and ways to control it. I was the department’s expert on this topic and was invited
to the UK and EU to give presentations on our work in the NYC watersheds that
documented the effectiveness of agricultural best management practices for
nonpoint source pollution on stream water quality.
“After retiring in 2010, I went on to work part time for the People for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals (PETA) and, currently, The Humane Society of the US
(HSUS), as a scientist researching and advocating for the reduction, and
eventual elimination, of the use of animals in chemical safety testing. I live in the
country outside of Albany with my husband, two cats, an elderly German
Shepherd, and a Friesian horse with whom I compete in dressage!
I would love to hear news from others who may also be retiring and starting new
plans, moves, or enjoying new grandchildren. Please email news to
schweitzer53@yahoo.com.