Linda Card
52 Wildwood Drive
Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107
(207) 799-0545
facebook.com/groups/UMaineClass1978/
Greetings, classmates. Do you realize that next year will be our 40th Reunion? How on earth did that happen?
There’s lots of news this time. Ken Lindlof G, former Waterville High basketball coach, was named the new hoops coach at longtime rival Winslow. Ken coached at Waterville from 1981-2002, compiling a 245-163 record. He also works as an assistant football coach at Lawrence High in Fairfield and a color analyst for Maine Public Television’s high school tournament broadcasts.
Brenda Nasberg-Jepson and her husband Alan ’76, filmmakers and operators of Crown of Maine Productions, have spent several decades creating videos that document the culture and history of northern Maine. This past winter, one of their neighbors on Madawaska Lake invited them to Florida to discover winter without snow. In the course of their 10 days in the Sunshine State, Brenda and Alan filmed four couples from different parts of Maine. The result was a film called Snowbirds: Mainers Who Go South in the Winter, shown recently on Maine Public Television.
Congratulations to classmate Wally Russell on his induction to the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame. During his time at UMaine, the point guard twice led the Black Bears in assists before becoming a high school basketball coach in Milo and Guilford.
Dr. Demi Kouzounas, a Saco dentist, has been elected chair of the Maine Republican Party.
Thomas D. Moore writes that he is ready to “take down my shingle” and retire to his mountain retreat in Wyoming after his career in electrical engineering took him to Utah, Oregon, and Washington. He thanks his Maine education for providing him with the tools to make his professional journey. His words of wisdom are, “the snow is the same on the other side of the hill but it sure is a lot more fun sliding down.”
The University of Southern Maine recognized Dorothy Moore Ph.D. with a Distinguished Alumni award. Dorothy served as dean of the College of Education and Human Development at USM from 1987-1995, and retired with the title of Professor Emerita of Education.
Jack Cosgrove ’84G, who served as head coach of the UMaine football team for 23 years, was honored with the New England Football Writers Association’s George C. Carens Award. “I’m grateful, thankful, honored,” he said in receiving the award, which is presented to those who have devoted significant time and effort to football in New England.
Victoria Kusch Erker of Orono has closed her secondhand bookstore, Front Porch Books, after 12 years in business. Her husband, fellow classmate David Erker, has also retired. Their son lives in Central America, so they will now have the flexibility to visit him more often.
Kenneth Hodgkins was awarded an honorary doctorate at UMaine’s 2017 Commencement. Ken is the director of the Office of Space and Advanced Technology in the Bureau of Oceans, International Environmental, and Scientific Affairs for the U.S. State Department.
Ruth Ludwig Lind, president of Moxie Auctions in Stockton Springs, has been elected the first female president of the Maine Auctioneers Association. Her company conducts fundraising auctions for nonprofits throughout Maine.
Dr. Stephen Nightingale was named to Fort Fairfield High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame. During high school, he earned 10 varsity letters in cross country, track and field, and basketball.
Proving it’s never too late, Steve Arsenault has, at the age of 60, started a new business. You’re giving hope to those of us who don’t want to retire AND want to try something new. Steve and wife Ann moved to Westport Island, where his hobby of coffee roasting has grown into Crossroads Coffee Beans. Please stop by for a cup if you’re in the area!
Like Steve Arsenault, I’m creating a new life as well. My younger son leaves for college in 10 days—happily for him and sadly for me. I’m single after decades of marriage and am completing my studies to be ordained as an interfaith chaplain.
If you need someone to perform a wedding, funeral, etc., please call me.
See you at our 40th!