Yolanda Sly Kozuha
Hello, Class of ’97!
It is wonderful seeing alumni active in the community and sharing their expertise with others. I hope this finds you well. The coffee roastery keeps me busy — think Lucy in the chocolate factory — while letting me meet interesting people. News to share? You can email me at yolandasly@gmail.com or via Facebook under Yolanda Sly Kozuha.
Congratulations to Daniel J. O’Connell G for being inducted into the Brewer High School Athletic Hall of Fame for his leadership and work to improve Brewer and its sports facilities, reported the Bangor Daily News. “Coach O’s” roles over the last four decades include coach, public servant, administrator, and volunteer. He also has been a baseball umpire for more than 30 years.
Lt. Col. Jon Velishka returned to a UMaine classroom in the fall of 2018 to help teach UMaine graduate students national security and foreign policy, focusing on the reunification of the Korean Peninsula. Jon’s 20-plus year military career includes several overseas deployments, including Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003-2004. While stationed at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, CA, he coached and trained fellow soldiers how to conduct counter insurgency operations, negotiations and engagements with Iraqi civilians.
Tony C. McKim, president and CEO of First National Bank and its parent company, The First Bancorp, announced the appointment of Sarah Dubay ’00G as business development officer. In this position, Sarah is based in Ellsworth. She joins First National Bank after 15 years as the chief communications and public affairs officer for Penobscot Community Health Care along with extensive volunteer experience in the greater Bangor area. Besides her UMaine degrees, Sarah earned a degree in medical education leadership from the University of New England.
Bette Stevens has published a book, My Maine: Haiku through the Seasons. Her collection of haiku “offers readers the chance to lean back, relax, and enjoy the serenity of living close to the land. Through the author’s voice and eyes, you’ll wander through the four seasons of wonder The Pine Tree State has to offer and have an opportunity to brush up on some interesting Maine facts along the way.”
Bette is a retired elementary and middle school teacher and an award-winning author and storyteller. My Maine and her other books are available online and to bookstores and retailers through Ingram. She says that readers should feel free to contact her directly at (207) 938-2753.