Ginny Bellinger Ollis
4022 Front Street
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 295-3904
ginnyollis@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/groups/UMaineClass1964/
Hello, Black Bears! As I am writing this, fires have been devastating the Golden State, floods running all over the south and coastal areas, and never mind the “bomb cyclone” putting the central states and east coast under cover! All I can say is that Mother Nature has been in a bad mood for long enough. Climate
Change seems to be her sword.
Mary Day Monahan, whose late husband was classmate Gene Monahan, had a life moving around the Northeast because of his job with Chevron, but now travels from her home in Northville, MI, near family, to visit with their children in Sterling, CT, New York City, and Los Angeles, earning a lot of air miles. She is enjoying Mahjong and would love to connect with anyone in Ann Arbor or closer to her!
Robert Clark generously interrupted their very busy life to report on his wonderful experience visiting Normandy, Brittany, and the Loire Valley areas of France this past year. The wine and food were as good as expected, but what they loved most was the people, some of the nicest folks they have encountered anywhere, and as interested in getting to know their visitors as they were in knowing them! It was sooooo good they plan to return for three weeks this year visiting Burgundy. They are brushing up on their confessed “meager proficiency in the language” and very eager for their next trip.
Mary Goucher Macomber put down her cookie-baking to advise that, having gotten their house all upgraded, they traveled quite a bit too this year. Mary has been serving on the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, which certifies everything from crane operators to TSA agents, to midwives, and so forth, with her usual verve and élan! It took her to one of her favorites, New Orleans, and they also visited Chicago and Tucson. She spent enough time at home to work with Crisis Housing Solutions as treasurer and served on the Broward Aging and Disability Resource Center’s Advisory Council — as well as enjoying her and Mac’s grandkids.
Peter Pullen gets this column’s annual excellent alum recognition for gathering with about 25 of his relatives at the University of Maine Homecoming game. I think he took responsibility for Maine’s win! And while celebrating the holidays with family in Camden, ME, he witnessed the enormous caravan of huge semis traveling down Route 1 to deliver the wreaths donated by Walmart, Hannaford Groceries, and others. They sold their home in Massachusetts, and now summer in Monson, ME, and winter in Lecanto, FL.
Peter Bourque is busy planning the 55th class Reunion. (Yes, I must have been five when I graduated!) If you have any great ideas or want to help, you might contact him at peterbourque@myfairpoint.net and offer! It’s a huge job. He and Mary Thomas Bourque ’65 were also thrilled with a performance of the UMaine women’s a cappella group Renaissance, which their granddaughter Marissa Smith ’20 joined this year!
Bill Potter joins our well-recognized alums doing special things. He was the 2017 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the Woolwich Fish Commission. He and Barbara Wilmarth Potter have lived in Woolwich for over 40 years. Having met at the university, Bill and Barbara celebrated their 50th anniversary this June.
I retired four days ago from my real estate practice, but there is never a time when all transactions are done at the same time, so I have really minimized my work days to 5-7 hours, and am eager for my business partner to absorb it all by summer. I have plans to grow up to be a Tony-winning playwright, establish my no- dues no-meetings “58 Forever” club on a national basis for people who think aging is too annoying to do it (membership has one requirement, just say it!), and to do some of the me-things that have been put on hold for so many years.
Happy 2018 to everyone, and please let me hear your news!