July 2025
Happy Summer, Black Bears!
We’re into a great slate of summer events, and I’ve enjoyed seeing so many of you out and
about in the last month!
Dozens of alumni gathered in Boston to attend a Red Sox game together on June 11. We pre-
gamed at The Bullpen Tap + Kitchen just outside Fenway, and then went in together to see the
Sox take down the Tampa Bay Rays! It was a perfect night for a ballgame, and to be together
with fellow alums. Jeff Mills ’82, President of the UMaine Foundation, and I reconnected with
alum Harold ‘Skip’ Farkas ’74 at the event. The three of us were all part of a group of 20 UMaine alumni that traveled together to Portugal in May. Check our website for more alumni travel opportunities!
Foundation, and Abe Furth ’07 (R)
One of our largest annual events is Cocktails on the Coast, which we held in Portland on June
13. Following a meet-up at the Thirsty Pig in Portland’s Old Port and tap takeover from Orono
Brewing Company, the group walked down the hill to the Casco Bay Ferry terminal to board the
Bay Mist for a two-hour cruise around Casco Bay. Over 160 Black Bear alumni came together,
from the Class of 1969 to the Class of 2025, and many in between. It’s a great event for Black
Bears of all generations, and I look forward to it each year! We already have the date set for
June 12, 2026 – mark your calendar and make plans to join us!
What a treat to see over 120 golfers take to the course at beautiful Val Halla Country Club in
Cumberland for the 26th annual UMaine Alumni Chapter of Southern Maine golf tournament on
July 11. Over the past 25 years, this tournament has raised nearly $380,000 in endowed
scholarships for UMaine students from southern Maine. The event is still going strong, and
we’re so grateful to the sponsors, alumni volunteers, players, and our hosts at Val Halla for
their continued dedication and support. It now seems like a tradition that I have the
opportunity to play at this tournament with Matt McHatten ’90, President & CEO of MMG
Insurance; Tim McGonagle ’96, Partner & Senior VP with United Insurance; and Zach Frechette
’09, President & CEO of United Insurance. Both companies are long-time sponsors and
supporters of the tournament, and Tim Chairs the Alumni Chapter of Southern Maine board
and leads the tournament committee.
I hope to see you all soon at one of our many upcoming events!
Go Blue!
Tom Peaco ’88
President & CEO