As our 50th Reunion approaches, I am hearing from other class members, as well as meeting via Zoom with our class officers planning events for the weekend, September 29-30. You should be receiving mailings from the Alumni Association with details for what is in store.
John Irving, who has not been back for a reunion, is planning on coming from North Falmouth, MA. Lu Sung, whose adventures on a six-month vacation in Hong Kong I related to you all last year, also is looking forward to attending. He attempted to repeat the experience this past summer only to be detoured to Guam, then having to quarantine in a hotel room for seven days, and to top it off, broke his ankle on the second hike.
Others are checking in via the Alumni office. Bill and Carla Mahany Leathem ’79G celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Bill teaches cross-country skiing in Jackson, NH, and Carla continues to teach reading. They enjoy hiking and kayaking. They are helping to plan our Reunion. Jim Walsh ’78G is retiring this summer after over 50 years as a teacher-coach-administrator. He has been working in real estate for the past 12 years and plans on concentrating on that in his retirement, as well as spending time with his three daughters and two grandchildren. Craig Shinn ’74, still a professor emeritus at Portland (OR) State, works with a few doctoral students, mentoring mid-career and rising leaders in environmental resource organizations. As we emerged from Covid, Craig returned to New England last fall. He and his wife have also spent time with their six grandchildren and motor touring in their Red Solis van.
Jack Cashman is to be initiated into the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame in Bangor this summer. An original member of the UMaine booster club, Jack founded the semi-pro team, Jack’s 5, officiated in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, and helped to develop youth basketball in Old Town.
Wanda Lint Passero sent in this memory of being on campus — “realizing I could wear jeans to classes. Not new to current students, but this was a big deal in my time. I lived in Androscoggin Hall and had Blanche Henry as a ‘dorm mother’ (such were the times). She was strict, be in by 11 or be locked out. I enjoyed living in an all-girls dorm, having the place to ourselves.”
As I write this, I am in England visiting my daughters, who are married to British men, and our four wonderful grandchildren. Steve, who is still working full time putting that engineering degree to use, joined me for two weeks. I am fortunate to be able to come a couple of times each year and stay for six to eight weeks.
Please consider joining our class at the Reunion this fall. Fill the steins.