Hello, classmates,
When I wrote my last column, I started with the hope of being able to give you all “great detail” of the plans for our 60th reunion in 2023. By the time you read this column, you will have all the information you need to plan your attendance. Remember that the information is on the UMaine-AlumniAssociation website. If you have questions, please go to the website and check out our class page. You may also reach out to me. I hope to see many of you at what definitely will be a fun event.
I know in the 2022 winter column I recognized John Martin as the longest-serving state lawmaker in Maine history. He has completed his 22nd term in the House. Term-limited, he has left the Legislature for only the third time since he was first elected in 1964. Perhaps by the time this column is published, he will have made a decision, but as of this writing, he has not ruled out running again. Go for it, John!
Our class page on the UMaine-Alumni Association website has an article about Dave Sklar. I am certain a number of you will remember Sklar’s clothing store which had stores in Old Town, Brewer and Bangor. A successful store owner for many years, Dave has other passions as well. His passion is Jewish history and attacking anti-Semitism. His family lost many relatives in their home countries to Nazi atrocities. He was a founding member of the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. and is active in its message. Through the education efforts of the museum, young people learn to care and to not let history repeat itself—regardless of who is being persecuted.
In August I had the pleasure of having lunch with Judy Phelps Finkel and her husband Bob. Judy was president of Balentine our senior year and we met again a few years later when I moved to York and she was teaching at the middle school here. We met At Warren’s, an icon in Kittery Maine. I mention Warren’s with the thought of how many of you know this restaurant. Famous for its salad bar, it has been in business since 1940. Although she claims to be retired, Judy continues to be very much involved with her horses.
Ron Brown was recently elected to the Maine 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees. With partner Jill, they are heavily involved in the acquisition and repurposing of Bridgton’s Magic Lantern Theater into the Magic Lantern Innovation Lab and Learning Center, an educational enrichment center for students of all ages and a community center for Greater Bridgton. As an activities revenue stream, it will continue to operate the theater and restaurant. The Magic Lantern’s acquisition was made possible by substantial community support including the theater’s former owner, the Howell family, the King foundation, and Jill’s family. The restaurant is named Web’s Tavern after her late son.
Marcia Roak Fitzgerald has quite a tale to tell of her trip home this summer after she and her sister Diana Taylor (class of 1976) flew to Oregon to meet up with their sister Roberta Foltz (class of 1965). They visited Mount Shasta, both the city and the volcano, and then went on to Sacramento. While there the decision was made to board the Amtrak California Zephyr for the trip home. After a wonderful first leg of the trip, they came to a stop on day two in Utah because of an accident on the tracks. Repeated delays resulted in their missing their connection in Chicago. They spent a great couple of days in Chicago at Amtrak expense. Marcia is not sure she would do a long train trip again, but it was an adventure for sure. Without question there is more to this story than what is related here.
As I was about to send this column off to Orono, I received a card from Baron Hicken. The card has a picture of the moon high above Nubble Lighthouse. Baron refers to it as my “neck of the coast.” He says hello to all who may remember him and mentioned he has been in touch with Guy Whitten, Chubb Michaud, Pete MasPhee, and Neal Harvie.
As always, and I have said this before, I enjoy hearing from you. There would be no column without your news. Please stay in touch and plan on being a joyous part of our 60th reunion in 2023.