Class of 1974 Spring 2018 Class Note

Diantha Hawkes Grant

6999-02 Merrill Road #292

Jacksonville, FL 32277

(904) 860-3550

dondigrant@gmail.com

facebook.com/groups/UMaineClass1974/

 

Greetings from very warm Florida. Don and I decided not to travel this year, except to the land of sunshine. We are giving the RV a well-deserved rest after a 6,000-mile adventure in the Southwest. I’m working for the third year at Amazon, making sure you get all those packages on time and in good condition. It’s truly a labor of love. This year, I had the good sense to work just part-time but I don’t need to go to a gym to work out, that’s for sure. We spent a glorious summer in Maine last year at our lakeside cottage and giving tours at Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village. We always look forward to coming back from away. Now for the news.

Congratulations to Patricia M. Gautier G on her successful bid for an at-large seat on the Auburn School Committee. She served as the librarian at Edward Little High School for 25 years and hopes to give back to the community and share her experiences with Auburn students. Her credentials include having worked on two accreditation leadership teams that addressed the need for a new high school. Patricia also worked on committees that resulted in winning state funding for a new school. She considers herself fiscally responsible while honoring the great need for schools to receive adequate funding. Since her retirement, she has been involved with the Community of Kindness and the Green Dot initiative. She and her husband, Don ’72, have lived in Auburn since 1985.

We received news of the retirement of “Dr. JackWaterman in Waldoboro, ending a 60-year family legacy. Both of Jack’s parents were physicians and although not pressured to become a doctor, he found his path while at UMaine. In truth, he was a drummer in a rock and roll band and his band mates were pre-med. He went to medical school in Kansas and after a residency he returned to Waldoboro to join the family practice. One patient commented, “He cares for his patients and he takes time to talk and understand what’s happening in patients’ lives.” He delivered 60 babies before the local hospital took over obstetrics. He even still made occasional house calls! Jack and his wife plan to travel and he’s planning on playing the drums again.

The class notes were a little sparse this time. You know you have interesting things happening in your lives. Please share them with us. My email is above and I keep an email folder just for alumni news. Hope to hear from you soon.