Hello, Class of ’84! Summer is here at last and I am looking forward to spending some time golfing, hiking, and vacationing. Are any of you planning on traveling this summer? Perhaps you are finally taking a trip which has been deferred for a couple of years? Please send along news and photos of trips and vacation and we will put it in the next issue. Maybe you’ve retired or have new grandchildren? Your classmates are eager to hear what’s new with you!
My husband, Jim Geary ’96G, started a new job in Portland, ME, so we bought a condo in Southern Maine. In March, he became director of finance at the Glickman Family Foundation, so we are now splitting our time between Southwest Harbor and the Portland area. We love living on Mount Desert Island, so we don’t want to make a permanent move to Portland. However, our new condo is much closer to our kids so that is a huge benefit of being there. And, of course, there is a Target, Starbucks, and Trader Joe’s close by.
Mary Doak Gomane has joined Applewood Seed Company as director of sales and purchasing. Applewood is an employee-owned company and is a leading wildflower and garden flower seed supplier and a wholesaler of native grass and herb seed. Mary is based in Colorado and oversees all sales and purchasing activities. After receiving her BS in biology from UMaine, she received an MBA from Thomas College in Waterville. Mary has 26 years of diverse industry experience, including 17 years of purchasing and global sales at national seed companies. She is also a Master Gardener.
Dr. Thomas Gordon is the owner of Sebago Primary Eye Care Services (SPECS). SPECS has two Maine offices: one in Casco and the second in Bridgton. SPECS provides complete optical services, specializing in examining, diagnosing, treating, and managing eye-related disorders, diseases, complications, and injuries. Dr. Gordon and his team treat patients of all ages.
Kimberly Ridley has published Wild Design: Nature’s Architect. This beautiful book, which intertwines art and science through essays and vintage illustrations, explores the extraordinary structures and shapes found in nature. Kimberly is a science writer, essayist, and author of award-winning nature books for children, including the Kirkus-starred The Secret Pool. She received an MS in science journalism from Boston University and lives with her husband, the painter Thomas Curry, in Brooklin, ME.
When the National Wildlife Federation announced the results of the 2021 National Wildlife photo contest, Nancy Szostak Wright was one of the winners! She won in the inaugural portfolio category for her portfolio of 10 images, titled “Avoid Buzzkill: Capturing Bees & Wasps to Keep Them Alive.” Her photos are truly amazing! She was one of only 18 winners out of 40,400 entries. Nancy’s interest in photography began when she received a Pentax K-1000 from her mother upon graduating from UMaine. Over the years, she shifted her focus to nature and wildlife and began entering photo contests. Nancy lives in Westborough, MA.
Please send me your news for the next newsletter. I know many of you share on social media but consider emailing me your news as well. Many of our classmates love reading the alumni magazine and use social media on a limited basis. Additionally, I know many UMaine alumni, like me, catch up on news in the columns for other classes. Wishing you all a great summer and fall!