Class of ’97 — I hope this finds you well! In life’s chaos you don’t always get to connect often. But there is nothing like reconnecting with old friends while rooting for the College of our Hearts Always! It was a great hockey season and I’m looking forward to seeing more “Go Blue!” in my feed when fall sports start. Let us know what you’re up to at yolandasly@gmail.com or Facebook at Yolanda Sly Kozuha.
Thanks to your generous contributions to the UMaine Foundation, this year’s recipient for the Class of 1997 Scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year is Isaac Weber. Thank you note snippets include, “I chose UMaine for its strong engineering program and opportunities to participate in research. My goal is to pursue a career in aerospace engineering, with aspirations to fly the F-35 in the Navy.” He is a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, with a concentration in aerospace and working toward a one-year MBA. “Your support not only helps me in achieving my academic and career aspirations but also inspires me to one day give back and support others in the same way.” Isaac graduated from Dexter Regional High School and lives in Garland, ME.
Thank you for your service: US Army Col. John Velishka was named 25th Infantry Division Deputy Commander – Support.
John’s service in the military has included a variety of assignments. His commands include 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery, 1st Calvary Division and the 210th Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. Following battalion command, he served as special assistant to the director, joint staff, J7, joint force development. Following brigade command he served as the division chief for the fire support and air and missile defense division in the HQDA, DCoS, G8, and the chief of staff for the chief of staff of the Army’s transition team. Most recently, he was a special assistant to the director of the Army staff.
Congratulations to Ida Page on her retirement at nearly 81 years old and after running Robert and Mary’s Place for 23 years, reports the Ellsworth American. “We have served 233 families over the 23 years and it is time to rest,” said Ida, who was executive director of the nonprofit that helped people with memory loss. “It wasn’t caregiving as much as it was giving them a place where they were comfortable and felt that they had friends to deal with instead of caregivers,” Ida said.
Congratulations and best wishes to Leigh Kellis on her newest endeavor, The Galley of Life, a visual and performing artist co-op, which opened in Portland this past winter, reported the Bangor Daily News. “Portland is so creative, to have it all in one place would be exciting,” she said. Her plans for the space include art shows, music recording, comedy, and lectures. “I believe in community, and I want to do something good for the world. Music, art, comedy — it’s what makes life tolerable.”