Bill Currie
7090 Covenant Woods Drive
Apartments C 110-111
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
(804) 569-8187
wdc52@cwresidents.com
The class has a new correspondent on board. At least we will give it a try with the help of the class. Al Cole, co-president, announced at our 65th Reunion meeting that I was willing to assume that job. Al will also partner with the assignment. His email is: altoncole@ymail.com
We want to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to Nancy Schott Plaisted ’53, who willingly jumped in to write the ’52 column when Jack Merry passed away. Now, for the rundown of classmates as the info is available:
Our sincere thanks and appreciation to Woody Beach ’51, husband of the late Ginny Norton Beach, for playing the pipes during the memorial part of our Reunion meeting. Woody goes back and forth between his house on Raymond Pond and Ocean View in Falmouth.
Al and Marnie Murray Pease have settled in at an assisted living facility in Camden not far from their previous residence. They were honored with the Black Bear Award at the September luncheon. Unfortunately, Marnie experienced a fall and was hospitalized for a short period of time, so they received their award at the Kennebec Valley Alumni Chapter meeting in October.
Joan Vachon Victor recently moved to Middlebury, VT, to be near her daughter. She has rented an apartment for the winter instead of living in her large home in Saco. She is thinking of returning to her cottage at Ferry Beach in Saco for the summer.
While chatting with Fran Smart Trefts she mentioned that she had a great time at Orono in September and plans to attend our 66th meeting this June at York Harbor.
Had a nice phone chat with Don Spear. He lives in an assisted living facility in Portland near Westbrook College. I asked Don how he was doing and in typical Don response, “Bill, we don’t have enough time.” I said, “Give me the short version.” He said, “Old age and arthritis.” That sounds just like Don. Don is still performing his Maine Folks Stories.
The day before Thanksgiving we had a wonderful chat with Jean McIntire White at her home in Orono. She and Lin ’54, ’65 C.A.S. had just returned from a three-week visit with their daughter and family in California.
Bill Lindquist called recently and we caught up. They stopped by on the way south last fall and we spent two hours reminiscing. He and Diane have recently renovated their home at Sanibel, FL. Recent hurricanes had little effect on their home. They planned to enjoy the holiday season at his daughter’s home and with Diane’s family nearby.
Paul Hand ’55G was honored as a health volunteer in Doylestown, PA, last May. Paul grew up in Fort Fairfield, and after graduation from UMaine, obtained a doctorate from Penn State. His focus was in the dairy industry and later worked his way to CEO with Land-of-Lakes. He retired in 1993 after 17 years. Paul started volunteering in 2004 at the Doylestown Hospital doing whatever was necessary. He said, “Volunteering keeps you active in mind and body; it’s good for your health.” He has contributed thousands of hours of service to patients, families, visitors, and associates of the Doylestown Hospital. Paul has been an active supporter of other civic organizations as well. Our congratulations to Paul.
I received a memo from Ruth Bernstein Bookey. Ruth and husband, Ted, continue to live at Granite Hill Estates in Hallowell and enjoy their senior living arrangement. Both are very active with poetry activities. Ruth had a book published in spring, 2017, and Ted has just finished his fifth book of poetry.
John LaFlamme tells me that he is slowing down somewhat and doesn’t drive much at night. Knowing John, “Mayor of Kennebunk Beach,” that will not slow him down.
We were pleased to be able to provide scholarship assistance to five direct descendants of classmates Harold “Bud” Stewart, Jean Bagley Porter, Robert Cohen, Edwin Lee, and Ruby Bryant Higgins ’59G. It is important we keep in mind: 1. Students must inform Financial Aid of their class relationship at the same time they apply for enrollment at Orono; 2. Enrollment application must be made by May 1; and 3. Confirmation of enrollment must be made by June 1 along with the student’s signed confidentiality agreement. Missing these deadlines may void any financial assistance due to lack of class scholarship funds being available.
Finally, tentative plans are underway for our 66th luncheon meeting on Monday, June 25, 2018 at the Dockside at York Harbor. More coming, as we get closer to the date, but start planning now.