Class of 1960 Winter 2020 Class Note

Kay Sawyer Hannah

Dick Sturgeon ‘66G, who starred at Old Town High School and UMaine, where he earned All-Yankee Conference status in ’59, was inducted into the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2019 on Aug. 19 in Bangor. Although a knee injury shortened his playing career, he coached with the UMaine freshman team, later at Madison and Cony high schools, and for 11 years as head coach at the University of Southern Maine.

Cynthia Rockwell Wright ’58 hosted another happy reunion on June 29th at The Damariscotta River Grill for UMaine friends in her own and close classes. Glad to be included were Mary Grispi ’71G, Tade Osier Cross, Marie Ifill Jordon, Connie Atherton Martin, and myself, (Kay Sawyer Hannah).

Fred and Diane Tatlock Pierce enjoyed a family trip this past summer to the British Isles that included Edinburgh and, of course, playing golf at the famous golf resorts at Old Head Golf Links in Kinsale, Ireland; Mt. Juliet in So. Ireland; and Carnoustie and St. Andrews Golf Links in Scotland; concluding with a four-day tour of London before returning to Las Vegas. They say the cooler temperatures in the UK were a welcome change from the blistering heat in Las Vegas. From late December to about mid-April they will again be in Maui. They enthusiastically say they plan to attend our 60th Reunion in September 2020.

In August Rick Lloyd was chosen president of the Aloha Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America, a huge club of classic car owners. He’s hoping to fly back to our 60th Reunion, health providing. Bet no one will out-distance him.

That brings me to our Class of ’60 Sixtieth Class Reunion coming up as the foliage season begins next fall on Thursday, Sept. 24 and Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, followed by a football game on the 26th. I can tell you, having attended the 60th Reunion of my husband, Pete Hannah ’59, on campus this past September, that seeing those former schoolmates with whom we have so much in common and the special events the Alumni Association arranges along with the class reunion committee, make the trip especially worthwhile. Walking across campus, as beautiful as ever, brings back so many memories! If possible, classmates, let’s make the effort to go and share them with one another. If any of you are interested in a pre- or post- Reunion gathering such as at Boothbay Harbor or Mt. Desert Island, let me know ASAP.

Travel news from Fred Varricchio is that by the time you read this he and his wife, Claudette, will have had a three-week trip in November from London to Beijing with eight stops, which included Petra, Angkor Wat, Oman, and other UNESCO sites.

In early October Gail Rae Carter, Nancy Small Russell, Sally Wakefield, and Diane Tatlock Pierce enjoyed a mini reunion arranged by Gail with Tri Delta Sorority sisters at DiMillo’s Restaurant in Portland.

“Believe me,” Gail reports, “our 60th Reunion was a big, huge topic!” Gail continues her substitute teaching at Greely High School.

Nancy still works at the local Cape Elizabeth library and she and Jim ’59 volunteer at a local soup kitchen, among the things.

Sally was visiting her husband’s family, who included her in a recent trip to England and Scotland.

Ace Conro ’63G, class president, manages to travel periodically from his home in Mattapoisett, MA, to visit various departments on the Orono campus as well as the alumni office on behalf of us all, while continuing his job of officiating at the many track meets on his schedule in eastern MA. He attended the All-Alumni Dinner in September to be with the Class of ’59, and in early winter he plans to do a mailing about our own 60th Reunion.

So, what else is going on? I suspect there are more of you making trips, attending family graduations or weddings, pursuing hobbies, doing volunteer work, serving on committees, the likes. Even if you aren’t doing anything special or are just visiting doctors, I’d like to hear from you and send word out through the column. Please share!