And now some news from our class president, Meg Thompson Villarreal:
“Four stalwart classmates were in Orono for Senior Alumni Reunion. Etta Libby Davenport, Laurie Baldwin Liscomb, Andy McGarry, and me. Your ’61 board has approved both Etta and Andy serving another three-year term on the Senior Alumni Advisory Board. They have represented us well during their previous years on the board.
There was good opportunity to see the new additions to campus, visit the in-progress Alfond sports complex, and meet current students. It’s always fun to watch their total disbelief when we talk about dorm hours, separate dorms, and envy when we mention mayoral campaigns, snow sculpture contests, and actually working on Maine Day. At least the Maine Hello tradition is still in place. The UMaine Foundation observed that giving to the university has increased significantly, which allows more research, scholarships, and new programs to be developed on campus. There is now bus service to get students around campus and to classes on time and the Bear’s Den has increased in size and food offerings. Starbucks has now arrived in the Den as well! Start planning if you can to attend our 65th in 2026. You won’t be disappointed!”
Meg continued. “Ron Drogin and I caught up at our Deering High School reunion lunch.
“David Rolfe ’63 and Dave Haskell ’63 were there as well. They started out with ’61 but graduated later. Ron returned to Florida the beginning of October. He spends part of the year at Wells Beach. He is editor of a community newsletter/newspaper and has to get back to his editor’s desk. He has been doing college visits with his grandson, but alas, can’t convince him that UMaine is a good choice.
“I was just elected to the Portland Stage Company board and am looking forward to it. PSC presents some excellent productions each year with top talent from the New York stage and other regional theaters. UMaine Mid Coast Alumni partnered with PSC on a scholarship fundraiser in September; the play was about Sen. Margaret Chase Smith and Sen. Joe McCarthy and their feud of conscience. A great event for scholarship funds.
“Peter Haynes is on the board of a music support effort, 317 Main Music Center, in Yarmouth, ME. He was instrumental in getting several of the groups, including students, involved in a Celtic music performance last summer with the city of Portland organist on the Kotzschmar Memorial Organ. It was an amazing evening of song and dance.
“Peter and Susan McCracken have moved to Brunswick after many years in Yarmouth, ME. Jane Chiarini Grant and Alton ’64 have also relocated to Brunswick. We are getting a good representation of ‘61ers in the area. If you are planning to relocate to Mid Coast Maine, let us know! Any excuse for a party — or at least a coffee klatch.”
Thanks, Meg, for all that news. A final note was Meg and Marcia Sayward Blake meeting for lunch at the Dolphin Mariner in Harpswell for a quick lunch. Marcia still enjoys playing golf with her two grandsons.
Andy McGarry and Laurie Baldwin Liscomb concluded their trip north with a cruise into eastern Canada with stops in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, and the St. Lawrence seaway.
Another classmate cruising was Bob Morin and wife, Judy, who took a trip down the West Coast to Mexico. A highlight was a stop at the Reagan Library for a tour and picture at Air Force One.
The Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft announced that all Piscataquis and Penobscot County residents will now receive free library cards thanks to a donation left by Paula Willoughby. In honoring Paula, the library noted that she became the first woman graduate from UMaine to be commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps.
Last summer the New Jersey Athletic Conference bestowed its newly created Career Recognition Award to Larry Schiner ’62G for his 40 years of service to the New Jersey City University department of athletics. Betsy Flynn Drake and husband spent last winter in Myrtle Beach with a month stay in Williamsburg. Spent the summer in Maine recovering from a hip operation.
Had a nice email from Jeannine Macomber Hunter. Her husband, Jim, completed his term as an interim rector at their Virginia Beach Episcopal Church. Jim recently celebrated his 39th year as a priest. Prior to moving to Virginia, the couple resided in Albuquerque, NM. These days they keep their minds busy with word and board games.
I’ve been adding photos to our web photo album. Be sure to check it out and continue to email me your contributions.