Class of 1958 Summer 2019 Class Notes

Jane Ledyard Lazo (Mrs. Leo M.)

Hope that so far 2019 has been good to you. Our house in Boston is still hanging on — the gas company has come to an agreement with its unions so now we wait for warmer weather and the governor.

Really enjoyed seeing many of you at our 60th Reunion — everyone still looked and acted the same. The pre-Reunion gathering was held at the home of Rosemary Wright Fitzgerald on Pushaw Lake for a delicious BBQ dinner. On Thursday we started the day (those of us staying at the Black Bear Inn) with their continental breakfast, then hit the campus for tours — Fogler Library and the Emera Astronomy Center. The campus is not the place we all knew — it is growing by leaps and bounds. That evening we met at the Wells Conference Center for a social hour followed by the All-Alumni Dinner. The new university president, Joan Ferrini-Mundy, welcomed us back to the campus and we were entertained by the Maine Steiners —very good! We also got a chance to meet some of the ’58 Scholarship winners and chat with them.

On Friday morning we held our class meeting. Prexy Herbert Cohen opened the meeting. Marcella “Mickie” Mitchell Shibles led the Memorial Service for the nearly 300 members who have passed away since 1958. A discussion was held on changes to the scholarship fund and they were so voted. Herb sent a letter to the class explaining the changes, last summer.

Officers elected for the next five years were president, Herbert Cohen; vice president, Cynthia Rockwell Wright; secretary/treasurer, Jane Quimby Biscoe; class correspondent, Jane Ledyard Lazo; class agent, Robert McKown; and Senior Alumni representative, Alan Merritt. Members of the Executive Committee are: Richard Barter, Frank Keenan, Mickie Shibles, Sandra Daley Denman, Lois Danzig McKown, Roberta Wyer Morrill, Walter King II, and Gordon Winchenbach.

It was also decided to have a ”Tween” Reunion in 2020. Plans are in the works. Any suggestion, ideas, etc, get in touch with Herb or me.

When the meeting was over, more tours of the campus were offered and we ended the day with a Pat’s Pizza party at Buchanan House. Some of us attended Blackberry Smoke‘s performance at the Collins Center for the Arts. The group is a southern rock band known for its combination of classic rock, blues, country, and folk. Very good. Wish we had the Arts Center when we were students.

Having commitments in Bath on Sunday, we missed the pancake breakfast and the Kingston Trio performance that evening. All and all a good time was had by all.

Had a note from Milt Friend, who lives in Fitchburg, WI. A wildlife conservation major, Milt focused on disease issues of our wildlife population. He was active in the founding of the National Wildlife Health Center, where he served as the first director. He held that position for the past 23 years. The Milton Friend Building on the 23-acre site was recently named in his honor. The National Wildlife Health Center is part of the US Geological Survey, which is one of the bureaus of the US Department of the Interior.

Received a note from Marilyn Blake Berry, who is married to Bob ’59, ’62G. I won’t tell you how long
ago, but the mess in my West Roxbury home caused it to go into hiding until recently. Marilyn has been in contact with her former roommate, Devone Davis Baron. Devone was married to a career Air Force officer and they traveled around the US until his retirement, when they settled in Florida. When he passed away, she moved close to one of her daughters in Baton Rouge, LA. She is interested in getting in touch with classmates. Her address is K. Devone Baron, 5445 Government St. Apt. 328, Baton Rouge, LA 70806.

Thanks, Marilyn, for the info.

Now my usual cry — no news is not good news! For the last several issues, there have been no items for the column. Please send me some info. I am now settled in my apartment and I PROMISE not to lose it!