Hey y’all! By the time you read this the winter holiday season will be in the rear-view mirror, we’ll have said goodbye to 2021, and, depending on what part of the country you are in, you’re probably starting to yearn for the rebirth of spring. As I write this though, my husband, kids, and I just put up our Halloween decorations. The start of the holiday season is here and it’s finally starting to feel like fall in Houston. Here are some highlights from the Class of 2004.
The first update comes from my hometown of Thorndike, ME, where Don Roux G resides. He accepted a new job as principal of Waterville Junior High School and began the new position in July. He was previously the principal of Wagner Middle School in Winterport. Congrats, Don! Malcolm “Mac” Smith, a journalism major and non-traditional student in our class, has written his third book, Maine’s Hail to the Chief: A History of Presidential Visits to the Pine Tree State. According to Mac, “the book examines the visits of the 19 sitting U.S. presidents that have visited our state during their term in office.” Mac said that he did much of the research for it, as well as for his two previous books, at Fogler Library. Congrats!
In promotions news, Kayla O’Malley Dill has been promoted to vice president of marketing and business development at MMG Insurance of Lewiston. Since joining the company in 2013, she has been a marketing executive, holding the position of territory manager in Maine. Congrats on this huge achievement, Kayla! And finally, news from the tippy top of Maine, the Maine Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame has named Michael Chasse as their newest inductee. Since the age of five, Michael spent days with his father, helping to ready the ski patrol at BigRock Mountain in Mars Hill. He has dedicated his life to skiing and to the preservation of the mountain, even after a skiing accident in 2007 almost ended his life and left most of his body paralyzed. As an engineer, he has been instrumental in developing a master plan for the mountain. When he’s not out inspecting the trails, which he still does in his specialized rip chair, Michael spends his days at Bike Board and Ski, the family-owned shop in Presque Isle. He is also a city councilman in Presque Isle. Congratulations, Michael, on being recognized for your passions and for your commitment to community.
As always, if you have news from around the state or around the world that you’d like to share, please send it my way. Happy New Year, Class of 2004. I wish good health and blessings to all our Black Bears, wherever life takes you these days.