It’s been a few months since Reunion but here is a recap. Meg Thompson Villarreal conducted a short class meeting. She reported that as we “age out” there were many questions as to how we should most effectively and efficiently shepherd our ’61 Scholarship and the class fund. As a result, the decision was made to postpone any giving to any requests and to take stock of the responsibilities we have as a class to the disbursement of funds and the wishes of classmates. A committee was appointed to meet with representatives from the Foundation and the Alumni Association to better articulate our required and desired distribution of funds. If you would like to serve let Meg know (mvillarreal2@earthlink.net). Jean McNeary Woodard, who is retired at Dirigo Pines, is the class treasurer and gave a comprehensive report.
Honored at the meeting were June Toulouse Heintz with a Block M Award for her contributions both as a student and alumna and Andy McGarry with a set of etched glasses for his six years as class president. Andy is president of the Senior Alumni, and Etta Libby Davenport is on the board.
Nice seeing old and new friends and gathering tidbits about their lives. Laurie Baldwin Liscomb, along with her younger sister, did a Silver Seas cruise to Antarctica in February ’22, her last continent to visit. She started over by visiting Spain and Portugal with a stop in Morocco in late October. Marcy Podolan Alkalay took advantage of retirement and toured India with her granddaughter recently. Marcy lives in Meredith, NH. ’62G Peter and Gail McLain Berry cruised from Istanbul to Rome in November. Due to illness in the family, Dick Drisko was unable to attend the 35th Annual Otter-Caribou reunion at Ft. Benning, GA. The reunion was for aviators who flew these aircraft in Vietnam.
Larry Schiner ’62G and wife, Barbara, stay busy in Bluffton, SC, with golf and oldies concerts. In June they traveled to NYC to see Hugh Jackman in The Music Man. Peter McCracken and wife, Judy, are happy in Yarmouth, where Peter enjoys fly fishing with his grandson and boating on Casco Bay.
Nice catching up with the former Maine Campus editor, Mary Irving Fantucchio, who after 59 years in the Washington, DC, area is extremely happy in Scarborough. Mary’s guest was her sister Meadow Irving Welch ’64, who fit right in! So nice to see roomie Gingee Buckley Franco and Vince ’62 at the dinner. Vince and I worked on social research projects for Westat over the years so had time to share “war stories.” Don Sturgeon ’64G and Paul Talbot promised to send me news. Hey guys, I’m waiting.
Heard from Paul McGuire ’66G that after a decade of rural bliss on Titcomb Hill in Farmington, maintaining 10 acres of woodlot and fields and gardens, along with restoring cedar/canvas canoes, it got a bit too much, so with wife, Robin, moved to Portland, where they keep busy with book club, volunteer work at One Longfellow Square (Portland’s Listening Room), a small non-profit music venue; stewardship work with Portland Trails, Willow Homeowners Association chores; daily hikes or walks with their standard poodle, Freya; watching the Sea Dogs; rowing, paddling, and cross country skiing. Several times a winter, Paul drives to Black Mountain in Rumford to help with XC ski competitions.
In July 22, Senator Angus King issued a special press release called “Answering the Call: Maine’s Veteran Voices” that highlighted the experiences Bill Littlefield had as an Army Cold War Nuclear Weapons Officer. The entire interview can be found by searching A Veterans History Project with Senator Angus King.
Bob Morin and wife, Judy, spent a good part of last spring rejuvenating the cabins and lodge for a summer camp in Fairbanks, AK. Bob said it was freezing in May but invigorating.
Ellie Shibles’ lovely Wilton home and gardens were highlighted in the fall issue of Maine Homes by Down East. Spectacular doesn’t do the gardens credit.
Once again, I draw your attention to our class photo album. Navigate to UMaineAlumni.com, class notes, class pages, 1961, scroll to the bottom to access photos. We have one of the best, if not the best, collection of photos online. Continue to send me yours. You have my email address.