Hello, 1971 classmates,
Wow, several of you responded to my plea for information. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Please keep the information coming. I will need some tidbits for the next magazine!
James Emery writes that he is still involved in theatre. After graduating from the University of Maine, he received an MFA in acting from Smith College, then moved to Boston and helped in the founding of The Open Door Theatre of Boston. He moved to Providence and worked with George Bass at Rites & Reasons. He now lives and works in Northampton, MA. James has worked professionally in educational theatre, summer theatre, political theatre, dance theatre, equity housing, readings, workshops, etc. He loved his experience teaching with American high school students from active military families based in Spain, England, and Germany. James still remembers his shows with Maine Masque in Hauck with great fondness.
Becky Clifford Pride writes that she still lives in the family homestead in Falmouth, ME, and she occasionally sees Dave ’70 and Charnette Severn Chadwick and Ed ’69 and Rayle Reed Ainsworth ’70, all fellow alums. She lives with her husband of 36 years, Douglas, and their two “kids” — cat Ripple and dog Buddy. After teaching English to juniors and seniors for 35 years at Yarmouth High School, she now tutors students, helping them with their college essays. She is also quite involved in her Episcopal church. Becky writes, “I LOVED all that the university gave me: a high-quality education, lifelong friendships, a sense of place, immeasurable joy, and adventures. Thanks to all of you who made life there so grand.”
Dennis and Connie Craig Hogan retired in 2013. Connie retired from a career as an elementary school teacher, and Dennis retired from a sales career at the HJ Heinz Company. He also worked for Pillsbury and Market Basket. They lived in Pelham, NH, from 2000-2022 and then moved to Frisco, TX, to be closer to grandchildren. They have four sons and nine grandchildren. Two sons live in Texas.
Larry Szetela is a CPA in Nashua, NH, serving local, national, and international business, nonprofit, fiduciary, and individual clients.
Juana Perley writes that she has moved to Coeur d’Alene, ID, to be nearer her grandnephew and niece. Maine is still her home and will always have a place in her heart. She loves to come back to Maine and eat lobster for every meal. She has had some interesting moose and deer encounters in Idaho, the other potato and lumber state.
Larry Ellis and his wife, Norma, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June. they have lived in Ashburn, VA, since 1994 when they returned from a five-year tour in Brussels, Belgium, where Larry worked with the World Customs Organization. He later retired from a career with the U.S. Customs service (since reorganized as Customs and Border Protection). Larry and Norma have four children and seven grandchildren with another due in early 2025.
W. Joseph Cote (Wayne, as he was known at UMO) wrote to tell of his interesting career traveling the world. After graduating he worked for three years in the UMaine Alumni office. He went to graduate school at Washington University in St. Louis. Sales, marketing, and a three-year stint in professional theater led him to his career in the international five-star hotel industry. He began in Istanbul for five years and continued working in 23 foreign cities covering all five continents. At the peak of his career, he was listed as regional director of Swissotel Hotels and Resorts for North America and the Middle East. He returned to New England in 2012 for family responsibilities. Wayne retired in 2018 and lives in Camden, ME. He is involved with theatre and has been teaching seniors about acting through the Coastal Senior College, where he serves on the board of directors. He also produces a weekly literary program for the Camden Public Library.