Greetings, classmates! I am writing this on a beautiful fall day. By the time you read this column, it will be cold and possibly snowy here on Mount Desert Island.
I received emails and notes from several of our classmates — thank you so much! These emails are so much more fun to read than anything else in my inbox! Ellie Stewart Duley has written a book, Outside the Frame: A Mother’s Journey Through Autism. The book is available on Amazon — I took a sneak peek and it looks like a great read. Congratulations on your book, Ellie!
Carl Marsano writes that he and his wife, Deb, live in Saco and are enjoying life as grandparents. Their daughter Elizabeth has two girls and their son Adam ’11 and his wife, Kay Becker Marsano ’10, have a boy and a girl. Carl and Deb went to Denver earlier this year to visit his son and his family and did some hiking. They also enjoy exploring Maine, especially the Rangeley area. Carl is a senior specialist engineer at an engineering firm in the same position he has had for 15 years. Carl’s mother, Joyce Carlson Marsano, got her master’s degree at UMaine in 1970.
I received a lovely email from Chris Johnson. He married Jeri Hill-Johnson in Alexander, ME, on August 3rd. Jeri is a special education teacher at Sipayik Elementary School at Pleasant Point, ME. Chris is entering his 38th year as an educator at Calais High School. His son Nicholas Johnson ’13 teaches English in the classroom next to his. His youngest son, Logan Johnson ’17, is the executive director of the Maine TREE Foundation. Chris and Jeri reside in Calais.
I emailed the University of Maine at Presque Isle to RSVP to an event there in September, and I received a response asking if I was from the Class of ’84 at the University of Maine?! Turns out that Deborah McGillan Roark is the executive director for University Advancement & External Affairs at UMPI. She is married to Jonathan Roark, a retired US Navy Commander, which allowed them to live in several places, including Virginia Beach; Jacksonville, FL; Long Beach, CA; Charleston, SC; Germantown, MD; and then Dallas/Fort Worth for nearly 20 years. They have one daughter, Abby, and one granddaughter, Ellie. Debbie was formerly a banker, then she entered higher education in 2000. She recently moved back to northern Maine. Debbie received an MBA from the University of North Texas and her doctorate in Educational Leadership at Texas Wesleyan University. I knew Debbie in high school and had several classes with her at UMaine so it is such a thrill to reconnect. I’m looking forward to seeing her on my next trip to The County!
My husband, Jim Geary ’96G, and I went to dinner recently with Tracy Harding and his wife Aimee Smith ’85. They have sold their house in Hampden and have moved for at least part of the year to their house in Bar Harbor. Tracy retired as a partner from Berry Dunn, where he had worked since graduation. They are enjoying their retirements and have been busy visiting family around the country.
My husband and I are planning a trip to Slovakia and the Czech Republic in October. The primary purpose of our trip is to attend the wedding of a good friend in Slovakia, but we are also planning to spend some time in Prague and Vienna. We have not been to this part of Europe and are excited about our trip!
Rich Vannozzi ’06G spent several weeks in France this past summer and it looked like he had a great time! He visited with Diana Douglas Nye while he was in London.
Finally, I just saw on Facebook that Greg Michaud is in Edinburgh, Scotland, so I’m looking forward to hearing about his trip when he returns!
Thank you all for the notes and emails! Many of our classmates read the alumni magazine to see what everyone is doing. Please send along your news! Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2023!