Hello, classmates —
Who thought we would still be dealing with COVID-19 18 months after the first cases were detected in our state? Nonetheless, here we are, and I hope you and your loved ones are healthy.
I don’t know if the pandemic has somehow played a role in the lack of news from all of you, yet it would be wonderful if some of you would be willing to send me a quick email with a bit of professional and/or personal news. New grandchild? New job? Retiring? Moving? Trust me, your UMaine friends would like to know.
In September, fellow ’78 grad Jack Cosgrove ’84G was inducted into the University of Maine Sports Hall of Fame. Did you know Jack is the winningest coach in our school’s football history? During the years 1974-1977, he earned all-conference honors playing quarterback for the Black Bears. In addition, he was a three-time Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year finalist and a three-time conference coach of the year. During his tenure, he led the Black Bears to five NCAA berths and three league titles. In 2001, Jack was named the American Football Monthly I-AA National Coach of the Year after leading Maine to a 9-3 record and a berth to the second round of the NCAA FCS playoffs.
Jack Hardy G was recently inducted into the Maine Principals’ Association Hall of Excellence during a virtual ceremony. Jack, a native of Livermore Falls, has spent his career in secondary school education. For over a decade, he taught and coached at Greely High School in Cumberland, ME, before becoming the school’s athletic director for 14 years. Following his time at Greely, Jack served as the assistant principal at Falmouth (Maine) High School before becoming the athletic administrator at North Yarmouth Academy. This is not the only award to recognize Jack’s contributions in his field. In 1987 and 1989, he was named the Maine High School Track Coach of the Year, and in 2004 received the National Federation of State High School Associations Service Award.
Patrice Krant retired to Alaska after a career with The Coca-Cola Company. She currently serves on the board of a writers retreat in Alaska and has endowed a fund there for the benefit of Maine writers. The Katahdin Fellowship will be awarded each year to one woman writer from the state of Maine. A fellowship allows a woman writer to spend up to four weeks in residence at Storyknife Writers Retreat in Alaska. This project is her way of sharing her adopted home with women writers from Maine, where part of Patrice’s heart will always reside.
I have two personal notes to add here.
First, I wish to recognize several of Jack Hardy’s fellow inductees into the Maine Principals’ Association’s (MPA) Hall of Excellence. Ralph Damren, the late Jim DiFrederico, and the late Bob Whytock ’52, ’54G were all dear friends of my late dad, Al Card UMaine ’53 (MPA Hall of Excellence 2017).
Second, I sustained a spinal cord injury in mid-May and spent three months in the hospital. At this point, I don’t know how much function and mobility I may regain. One day I was walking, working, and going about my business; the next day I didn’t know if I would walk again. Luckily, I can now use a walker and I’m working hard to get to the point where I can hopefully use a cane. Although this is the most difficult challenge I’ve faced in my life, there are many moments of grace and humor. One thing that keeps my spirits up is hearing from or visiting with friends. Thank you to fellow ’78 graduates Kathy Bourgoin of Orono and Brenda Nasberg-Jepson and her husband, Alan ’76, of Madawaska Lake Township for their visits.
May you all be well, and please write!
Linda