Kudos to our classmate Don Carrigan, featured on the cover of the winter magazine. As I write this, spring is in the air. Our dog is extremely happy. He’s camped out on our deck as I’m writing — on chipmunk alert!
Congratulations to David Anderson ’89G on his impending induction into the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame. As a high school athlete at Foxcroft Academy, he scored 1,000 points. He played basketball at the University of Maine and has been a longtime game official.
Dave Halligan ‘79G continues to be in the news for his outstanding coaching career. He will be inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame on September 15, 2024. This is a well-deserved honor that recognizes the 500 wins in two high school sports — basketball and soccer — with 12 state championships in soccer and six in basketball. Congratulations!
Malcolm Hunter, Jr., retired professor of ecology at UMaine, is co-author of Our Maine: Exploring Its Rich Natural Heritage. It is out in paperback and includes essays and photographs that offer a vivid portrait of Maine’s wild places, wild creatures, and human impacts.
At 72, Steve Pelletier has spent the last 50 plus years throwing the javelin. His first throws were at Edward Little High School in 1969 and he’s still competing today in USA Track and Field Maine and the Maine Senior Games. Last year he qualified as an All-American athlete for throwing the javelin over 100 feet. Since graduating from UMaine, he has coached track and field at various schools — Edward Little, Augusta, Orono, Brewer, Lewiston, Kennebunk, and Bates College. He also spent time at the ski and snowboard center at Sunday River. Steve was inducted into the Lewiston-Auburn Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. I think he epitomizes the expression “If you don’t use it, you lose it!”
Former Golden Bucks Coach Joel Sankey was honored last fall for his 28-year career at Bucksport High School. In a surprise ceremony prior to the football game, he was presented with a plaque and named honorary captain for the coin toss.
We were sorry to hear of the unexpected death of William Tanner, who was a case manager at the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter in Waterville. The unfortunate accident happened during a December winter storm, when a tree he was moving with his tractor fell on him. His loss has been significant as he spent his time at the shelter helping those with addiction get into recovery programs. He was seen as very forthright and firm in dealing with the clients at the shelter.
Finally, congratulations to David Taylor, who was presented with the 2020 Black Bear Award. Due to COVID and other complications, the award was presented in February 2024. The award is presented annually in appreciation of outstanding service to the University of Maine through multiple endeavors. After majoring in anthropology, David earned his Ph.D. in folklore and served on the board of the Maine Folklore Center for a decade. Decades later, he was instrumental in brokering an agreement with UMaine and the Library of Congress to digitize and preserve the archives of Maine folklorist Sandy Ives. David has also organized numerous events for UMaine faculty, alumni, and students in the nation’s capital. In addition, he and his wife established the Sandy and Bobby Ives Fund to support UMaine students engaged in ethnographic research, folklore fieldwork, and oral history in Maine and the Maritimes. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for your alma mater!
The Alumni Association is looking for alumni to assist with plans for the 50th Reunion. Reach out to Ashley Twombly ’10, ’12G for details at 800-934-2586 if you would like to help. More information is available on Facebook or www.umainealumni.com.
That’s all the current news. Remember, you can email me any time with your latest news at dondigrant@gmail.com.