Dear classmates,
As you read these class notes, the coldest part of winter will be behind us and we will be planning for summer. Well, think Reunion. As these senior years rush by, we lose people we care about. While we cannot stop the inevitable, we can find ways to stay in touch. The consensus of those who attended the Reunion last October was to continue with this yearly event as one of those ways.
While the following is not final, the general feeling is to meet sometime towards the end of September or early October 2026 in Brunswick for a second year and definitely stay at the Brunswick Hotel. Details to follow and your input is welcome.
At our Reunion in October, Trish Riley ’73, ’78G, chair of the UMaine System Board, brought us up to date on what is happening at UMaine and how the system is handling these unsettled times. Tom Peaco ’88, UMAA president, also attended as did Pat Cummings ’89, who is with the UMaine Foundation. There is always a Time of Remembrance led by Gina Barnes Grogean recognizing those classmates who have passed away.
As to news about your classmates—I am going to do as I did a year ago and give you the names of those who attended but their stories will appear in the next column. Enjoying the festivities were Barbara Fowles Allen and husband, Doug Allen ’62; Lee Bingham, Ron Brown, Elaine Murphy Burnham, Perry Clough, Janet Small Cowperthwaite ’92G, Dana Dolloff ’64G, Elaine Farashian, Marcia Roak Fitzgerald, Pat Small Flaherty, Judy Shaw Furlotte, Jim Goff, Gina Barnes Grogean, Tom Grogean, Penny Smith Harris, Irv Hodges ’64G, Bonnie Bassler Keast, Judi London McBrair, Susan Hurd McCarron, Bob Miller, Jane Tompkins Miller ’65, Mary-Jane Patterson Preble, and Rachel Boucher Smalley.
It has been a few years since Barb and Doug Allen have been able to make a reunion and I know you all remember Barb wrote this column for 25 years. It was wonderful to see them, and I am letting you know — all is well. On one final note, Janet Small Cowperthwaite made it her personal goal to talk to everyone who attended, and as we were leaving, she waved to me and said, “I did it!”
The camaraderie is there. Think about joining in. Always enjoy hearing from you so please reach out! Hope to see you next October!