Louise Soucy
190 Main Street
Southwest Harbor, ME 04679
lcsoucy8@gmail.com
facebook.com/groups/UMaineClass1984/
Hello, classmates! Although you are reading this in the spring, I am writing this in early January! I hope 2018 has been a happy and healthy one so far for all of you. We have just survived many frigid days — I hope this means we will have a lovely spring.
My husband and I are enjoying being empty nesters. We had season tickets to UMaine football in the fall and truly loved going to the games and tailgating. The weather was remarkably mild for four of the five games, which made it even more enjoyable. We also visited our children at their schools and are excited to see them thrive in their own environments. We played golf late into the season, again due to those mild temperatures!
I got an email from Tim Fram. He commented on the death of his friend and classmate Barry Buckley, who had been in the public management program with him. I would like to share any news you pass along on the death of any of our classmates, along with any memories that you would like to share.
I also heard from Pat Dunn, who is now living in Augusta. He has started his own business, PLC Consulting, which focuses on providing disaster recovery and business continuity consulting services to small businesses in Maine. He was elected Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, serving St. Michael Catholic Parish in Augusta. He participated in the first-ever Nativity Celebration at the Capitol in the Hall of Flags in December, organized by the Knights of Columbus.
In October 2017, Barry Dana hiked the 100-Mile Wilderness in less than 48 hours. Barry, the former chief of the Penobscot Indian Nation, had read about the challenge online and started planning and training for the hike. The 100-Mile Wilderness is the most remote stretch of the Appalachian Trail, spanning from Monson to the edge of Baxter State Park. It doesn’t cross any major roads or pass by any towns or places to resupply. It does cross over woods roads, which allow a way for hikers to receive supply drops. Typically, hikers cover the distance in about a week. Barry completed the 100 miles in 45 hours and 35 minutes. Wow.
Barry has taken part in other long-distance endeavors. He regularly participates in Katahdin 100, the Penobscot Indian Nation’s 100-mile spiritual run and paddle from Indian Island to Katahdin organized each Labor Day. Last September, he hiked from Mount Washington to Katahdin, 261 miles on the Appalachian Trail, in eight days in honor of his late uncle Cliff Phillips, who died in a plane crash on Mount Washington in 1969.
I do not expect many of you to perform these types of feats, but I would like to hear from you. What is new in your life? Grandchildren? New sport? New home? I hear from classmates that they like to read this column. Send me your news and updates so that I have more to report!