Andy Paul
I’m spending my leisure time stacking firewood, and it will be winter by the time you read this. A good time to catch up on the latest news from the Class of ’82.
If you have visited Orono recently, you likely drove over the Brandon M. Silk Memorial Bridge, dedicated last June to the memory of a fallen hometown hero, Staff Sergeant Brandon Silk, son of our classmate Lynn Ronan Silk ’82, ’95G. A 2003 graduate of Orono High School, Brandon was a Black Hawk helicopter crew chief and member of the US Army’s 101st Airborne Division serving in Afghanistan. More than 200 family and friends gathered at the dedication ceremony on June 29. Our deepest condolences go out to Lynn and her husband, Mark, and gratitude for their son’s service and sacrifice. The next time you drive across the Stillwater River on Main Street, please think of Brandon.
Bruce Van Note was appointed by Maine Governor Janet Mills to serve as commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation. He previously served as director of policy and planning for the Maine Turnpike Authority and, before that, as deputy commissioner of the Maine DOT. As commissioner, Bruce oversees 8,818 miles of state highway and 2,742 bridges, as well as airports, seaports, railroads, and more. Congratulations, Bruce.
Carter Newell G made headlines this year with the opening of his company’s new mussel-bagging plant in Bucksport. His company, Pemaquid Mussel Farms, based in Damariscotta, grows hundreds of thousands of pounds of mussels off the Maine coast in 100 feet of water on special rafts that he designed. Next time you order mussels, who knows? They may be Carter’s.
A theatre company performing in the Bangor Mall? That became a reality in 2019 when the Ten Bucks Theatre Co. moved its performance space to the 40-year-old shopping center, in the space formerly occupied by a clothing retailer. Julie Arnold Lisnet ’85G is one of the founding members of the group and, ironically, worked at the Porteus department store during her college years (I remember trips to the mall to buy posters at Spencer Gifts to cover the walls of my dorm room in Chadbourne Hall). Break a leg, Julie!
In other theatre news, Kevin O’Leary takes a look at the Woodstock generation in his new play, Rock ‘n Roll, which debuted in September at the Portland Stage Company Studio Theater. The Portland native has taught English, theater, and playwriting at Morse High School in Bath for more than 19 years. Congratulations, Kevin!
We heard from Tim Nightingale G via email. Tim has spent his entire career in commercial banking and is now the executive vice president and senior loan officer for Camden National Bank. Throughout his career Tim has been involved in several community service organizations in leadership positions. On a state level, Tim currently serves on the board of directors for the Finance Authority of Maine, having been appointed to that role by former governor Paul LePage ’75G. He was also appointed to and serves on the Maine Economic Growth Council, where he works with business and legislative leaders from around the state to develop a long-range economic plan for the state. Tim was also appointed by Maine governors John Baldacci ’86 and LePage to the Maine Technology Institute board of directors, where he served two terms. Thanks the update, Tim!
If you’re ever in Southwest Harbor, drop in the town hall and say hello to Marilyn Lowell, who has served as town clerk there since 2013. A resident of Hancock, Marilyn previously served that town for more than 11 years, wearing many hats — registrar of voters, general assistance administrator, deputy treasurer, and deputy tax collector. In the summer months, you can find her enjoying time at the family camp on Molasses Pond in Eastbrook.
Have any news of your own or just want to share what’s new in your life? If you have anything to share, or just want to give a shout out to your classmates, please drop me a line.