Greetings, classmates! I hope this column finds you and yours healthy and well!
To start, I would like to congratulate Kathleen Esposito Dunbar, who has been
promoted! Kathleen is a registered dental hygienist at her hometown clinic,
Eastport Health Care. She has been there for nine years, and is now their dental
supervisor. Congratulations, Kathleen!
Another classmate has gotten a promotion — Ben McPhearson is now the
project manager at Landry/French Construction. With his 10 years of experience,
Ben has worked on the Bill and Joan Alfond Main Street Commons for Colby
College in Waterville, Camden National Bank’s new branch fit-out in Waterville,
and the Lockwood Hotel in Waterville.
Congratulations also to Trevor Marcho ’13G, as I received word that he got his
Ph.D. in music education from The Ohio State University in August! Trevor
explained to me that he has been a finalist for four higher education positions at
universities and colleges, but COVID-19-related issues have canceled many
faculty searches in post-secondary institutions. So for now, he is happy to be
teaching music at Oakland Park Elementary School in Columbus, and will
continue his search for a position in higher education next year.
UMaine will be welcoming back one of our own, Betsy Webb Ed.D., who has
stepped down from being Bangor’s superintendent of schools. Betsy is now a
professor in UMaine’s Educational Leadership Program and will also serve as the
executive director of the Penobscot River Educational Partnership. Welcome
back, Betsy!
When the pandemic hit, Emma G. Rose (née Potvin) wanted to help. The
Hampden, ME, writer contacted other Maine writers, who submitted stories,
essays, and poetry. Emma edited the anthology Paul Bunyan Wears a Face
Mask: A Curated Collection of Writing by Mainers During The COVID-19 Crisis,
which was published last summer. Writers range in age from children to retirees;
some are UMaine alumni or faculty. All proceeds from the book’s sale benefit the
United Way of Eastern Maine COVID-19 relief fund. For more information, see
imperativepressbooks.com
Elise Baldacci joined the Maine Credit Union League/Synergent as its senior vice
president of policy. She previously served as the Credit Union League’s vice
president of governmental affairs, and then spent a few years in Maine state
government. Elise will be responsible for leading governmental affairs, risk
management, and compliance efforts.
Theresa McDonnell Eckler, of upstate New York, writes that she is owner of The
Limitless Classroom ®, an educational consulting company that provides
resources and educational guidance to educators across the country.
Best wishes to Laura Mewa ’13G, who is currently planning a wedding with her
fiancé, Larry Hesseltine. Larry proposed at Christmas dinner 2019, and the two
had their engagement party in February. The happy couple live in Wiscasset.