Hello, classmates!
As I write this column, the Class of 1984 Reunion Committee is working on the final details of our 40th Reunion. We have several events planned in addition to the tours and get-togethers that the university organizes. I am looking forward to catching up with many of you and feeling like I am 20 years old again!
In conjunction with our 40th Reunion, we are encouraging you to contribute to the Class of 1984 scholarship. You should have received communication regarding this already and perhaps have already donated. We are suggesting a $1,000 pledge which can be paid all at once or spread over four years. Of course, any contribution will be appreciated as growing our fund will allow us to provide more meaningful scholarships to students.
What a terrific season for the UMaine men’s hockey team — it is exciting to see them winning once again! Many of the games sold out and I was sorry I could attend only one game! However, I am on the waiting list for season tickets for this coming year. Rich Vannozzi ’06G was smart and got season tickets when he came back several years ago. He was ahead of the curve!
Kay Adams Allcroft recently retired from Haley Ward after more than 40 years. She most recently served as senior HR adviser and vice president. Haley Ward is a technical consulting firm, offering a range of engineering, environmental, and surveying services.
Norway Savings Bank announced the recent hire of Andrew Goodwin ’93G as senior vice president and chief information officer (CIO). Andrew will oversee the overall management of the bank’s information technology (IT) and information security. He has more than 25 years of IT and executive leadership experience, having led many IT organizations in hospitals, clinics, and consulting groups as both a CIO and a senior consultant. He holds memberships and professional certifications form various trade and technology organizations, including CIO certification with the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives.
I also received an email from Patrick Dunn. He was appointed to the California board of directors for the Gift of Adoption Fund, which is a 501(c)3 whose purpose is to ease the financial burden of adoption to families throughout the United States. Adoption is very dear to Pat as his daughter, Catalina, was adopted from Colombia 28 years ago! He has also been appointed to the National Investor Board for the organization.
Pat and his wife spent three weeks touring Italy in November and had many wonderful experiences, including taking a cooking class! They visited Milan, southeastern Italy, Matera, Florence, Tuscany, Verona, and Venice. He said he was tempted to stay there but had to come back for Reunion. That’s a good Black Bear.
My husband and I recently renovated our kitchen. When we bought our house in 1995, it sported a strong Brady Bunch vibe, and we redid the kitchen in 1997. Twenty-seven years later, it was in desperate need of a refresh. We are so pleased with the results — I especially love my new pantry cabinets. A 100-year-old bungalow does not come with much storage, so it is satisfying to be able to add some.
We are also planning to go to a wedding in Northern Ireland in August. We have never been and are very much looking forward to it!
I hope all of you are enjoying a healthy and happy 2024. I would love to hear what is new in your life!