Sudy Taylor Graham
33760 County Road 43A
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487-9783
sudy_graham@yahoo.com
970-846-4789
www.facebook.com/groups/UMaineClass1970/
Well, here we are again! It has been wonderful to receive emails, texts, and phone calls from classmates I knew—and others that I hadn’t had the pleasure of personally meeting. You have no idea how much that means not only to me, but also to those who delight in hearing where life has taken you. Please don’t stay a stranger and give us an update.
I have mentioned that my husband, youngest daughter, and I want to make a move. Michaela and I had been leaning toward “home” (Maine) but my husband has stated “not east, not west, not south.” Which leaves north! We are looking at Montana and Idaho. Things could change so I’ll keep you posted!
A few years after graduation, John L. Collins found himself in Colorado working construction as he saved up to attend the University of Colorado for a teaching degree. John taught junior high science in Boulder, CO, coached football and soccer, developed an outdoor education club, and learned to rock climb. He married, earned an M.S. in secondary education, taught—got restless and worked construction again—and then decided to pursue oceanography at Oregon State University in 1983. After completing this degree John taught and coached at a community college and private school in Bend, OR. In 2000, they moved to D.C. when John got a “real” job (his words!) as an oceanographer for the National Marine Fisheries Service. After retiring, they returned first to Colorado; and then to Bend, OR, where they will soon greet their first grandchild! He says, “I still cycle, ski, and climb but a lot more slowly these days.”
Ralph Mansell ’71G wants us all to know that he’s “still kicking!” He spent his first 38 years after graduation as an athletic trainer for the University of Connecticut—and his last 13 as head athletic trainer. The job involved working with both future pro and world-class athletes, which gave Ralph the opportunity to visit most of our states as well as Europe, the Middle East, and Scandinavia. He and his wife, Debbie, are both retired and have three grown children and eight grandchildren. Today they enjoy camping, visiting family, many hobbies—and, of course, reading our column about ‘old’ classmates. He says, “Life is good.”
Lionel J. Dubay recently retired from the University of Florida, where he was assistant vice president for the Business Services Division. He arrived at the University of Florida in 1985, and aided in many changes: improving the student meal program, going Styrofoam free—and alongside Follett Higher Education Group, implemented a Rent-a-Text Program, a Price Match Program, and other programs that helped students financially. Right after graduation, Lionel was hired as the recreational director for Augusta. He became involved in the Augusta Civic Center and was instrumental in bringing many big names and bands to both the Augusta Civic Center and to Florida. Enjoy your retirement, golfing, and time with your grandkids!
Now for the newspaper articles –
Among those selected for the University of Maine Sports Hall of Fame is Gary Thorne, who has been broadcasting for 40 years. Many of us have followed Gary’s career and are familiar with his voice! It all began in 1977-1986 when he was the play-by-play voice of Maine’s hockey team—then on to calling games for the majors: New York Mets, Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils, Chicago White Sox, and the Baltimore Orioles. For 20 years he called college football games for ESPN and ABC. Gary is still the lead TV play-by-play voice for the Orioles.
Thanks to a $30,000 donation from the Stephen and Tabitha King ’70 Foundation, the Bangor Fire Department will be able to purchase a modern set of thermal imaging cameras. These cameras will allow the firefighters to see objects through heavy smoke and to read temperatures inside a burning building.
Well, that’s the news for the Class of ’70 this time! For a longer version, please read this column online at umainealumni.com.
We’d really, really like to hear from all of you (just not all at once, please!). Take care!