Julie-Ann Baumer
Brrr — winter is definitely here and I am throwing a flannel scarf over my flannel shirt as I type these class notes.
Talented NBC Sports Boston anchor Gary Tanguay announced in an April Twitter video that he is battling Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. His initial announcement reported he was being treated at both Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana Farber in Boston. A popular fixture in Boston sports coverage for almost 20 years, Gary has remained at work at NBC Sports Boston during his treatment. We filling the steins and sending you UMaine love, Gary!
Husson University’s women’s basketball fixture and coach, Mary “Kissy” Walker clocked her 500th career victory this year. Now in her 29th year (!) coaching the Eagles, Walker has amassed an amazing list of accomplishments including 10 conference titles, four NAIA national tournaments, and six NCAA Division II tourney berths, and membership in the elite Maine Basketball Hall of Fame. Kissy shows no signs of slowing down and told the Bangor Daily News she has no plans to retire.
Author and legislator Donna Loring ’86, ’17 Hon. L.H.D. was appointed senior advisor on tribal affairs by Maine Governor Janet Mills. In this role, Loring is the liaison between the governor’s office and leaders of the four federally recognized tribes in Maine (Maliseet, Micmac, Penobscot, and Passamaquoddy). Donna, a multiple-term Penobscot Tribal Representative to the Maine State Legislature, authored and sponsored LD 291 “An Act to Require Teaching Maine Native American History and Culture in Maine’s Schools.” The act was signed into law on June 14th, 2001 and has changed the way Maine views its history.
Friends and classmates, stay warm, keep your steins filled with good cheer, and most importantly, stay in touch!