Class Notes and Agents

Class of 1963

Bill Ball wrote, “Finally retired at 77.  As I suspected, retirement S..KS.  I want to start another company and make it grow.  But, so it goes.  Change is inevitable and I may as well accept this as part of life.”

Erick and Candy Johanson reunited with the 1967 corps of cadets regimental staff at the 55th VTCC class reunion at VA Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia in September ‘22.

Class Agent: Wayne Pinkham
 

Class of 1964

Judy Smith Chapman and Dick continue to enjoy life in Worthington, MA and are fortunate to spend February and March in Beaufort, SC.  They keep busy enjoying their family and friends, gardening, playing golf and most importantly, enjoying life.  They look forward to seeing everyone at their 60^th.

Class Agent: Barbara Vigue Day
 

Class of 1966

Vicki Boetsch writes, “Weather has been beautiful here in midcoast Maine.  Shortly after Alumni Weekend, I was t-boned in a car crash in Rockport that resulted in a severe concussion.  However, recovery with lots of help, has me riding my horse, driving a car, and relearning this “digital world” again.

Alumni weekend was great, especially seeing Rex Fowler accept his well-earned Distinguished Achievement Award from Anna Parker.  I understand he went on to receive more awards throughout New England and in the music world.  Many of us danced away Friday evening to the music of Aztec Two-Step 2.0 along with Leon Southard ’64’s introductory great trumpet music.

Norbert Young’s familiar face around campus was greatly missed that weekend as he was learning the role of caregiver to his lovely wife, Christine, who was in the hospital in Bangor.  Since then, Norby has been busy renovating their home in Duck Harbor in preparation for her return.  I look forward to visiting them over the Holidays.

Dalen Mills and his wife Liz have returned to their Florida home.

Linda Abbott tells me, “I’ve accepted my son moving in with me, with his cats!”.

Anna Parker asked me to address in this issue the changes associated with her memory losses.  She has been required to move into a more secure care unit there at the Danforth North in Portland.  She told me she was ever grateful for Rex Fowler’s assistance in helping her face this lifestyle change.

On a lighter note, my brother, Chris (Kip) Boetsch ’69 spent two weeks with his Wild Hog Harley Davidson Riders out in the Colorado Rockies (I guess that’s where they were!).  Lastly, my brother, Greg Boetsch ’65, has become a noted trapper in the Megunticook Watersheds of Knox and Waldo Counties.

Here’s to being hopeful and grateful as 2022 comes to an end – and please write!

Class Agent: Vicki Boetsch
 

Class of 1968

From Sharon Hanson Ringuette:  Sadly, Cheryl Foster Duplessis passed away last Tuesday (September 27) evening around 11 pm.  I am told she was comfortable until the end.  I am so sad.  We were friends for a long time and kindred spirits in many ways.  I am so sad there was no celebration of her life anywhere nor did they put anything in the obituary other than family information.  It's like she just vanished.  She had a wonderful, full, productive life and was still working for The Birches in Rockwood doing all of their finances.  Believe me, I think they must be scrambling to replace Cheryl.  She was the salutatorian of the class, a very smart woman.  I will hold all of our memories close to my heart.

Congratulations to Kathy Starbird Warburg.  Kathy and husband Paul celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary on Saturday, September 24^th at a small family gathering hosted by their son Jason and wife Melissa; daughter Tristan and grandchildren Henry, Felix and Nathan. 

Class Agent: Sharon Hanson Ringuette
 

Class of 1970

This October marks the 35^th anniversary of the ministry of the Reverend Scott Jones.  Reverend Jones was raised in Pittsfield and graduated from the Bangor Theological Seminary in 1987.  During his years at the seminary he was a student minister in the First Universalist Church in Dexter as well as the First Universalist Church of Sangerville and Dover-Foxcroft.  After graduation he served several churches in Massachusetts before returning to Maine 30 years ago where he has served small town congregations in West Summer, Oakland, Castine, and most recently Sangerville and Dexter which has brought him full circle.  In those 35 years, he has delivered too many sermons to count and conducted over 200 weddings and 300 funerals. 

Class Agents: William Cunningham, David England, Martha Lloyd
 

Class of 1971

Milton Webber writes, “Have been very busy with Identities, working around the house while my "Nurse" is out on appointments!...I'm waiting on a new hip, probably into the new year, I will be good as new!... I have recently "retired" as the Alumni Assoc. President, Buddy Ingraham has taken over the reigns, and is off to a Great and auspicious start!... The Big news to share, is that Greg Saunders and I will be embarking on a cross country trip to his winter home in Mesa (Outside of Phoenix) Arizona, hauling his 40' 5th wheel... An adventure for sure in the making ....Route 66 is in our sights, as well as Vegas.... will be back around the end of November.... Reunion was a lot of fun as usual, with the Crowning of Rex and Leon as our Dist. Ach. Award Winners....Was nice to see a lot of Alums... You all know where I am... Stop by anytime!!!!....Happy Holidays to all, albeit a tad early!!!!

Scott Levin writes, “I have written a novel which circles around my many careers and narrated it as an adventure during a fictitious reunion predicament caught in the wilderness during a horrific snow blizzard in the wee hours of night. It's entitled "The Reunion", and is on Amazon.com. Off and on for about 7 years I have been in research to decipher the codes of the market makers in order to trade to "ES" which is the S&P 500 e-mini futures. I am frightfully close during a time when the markets are just crazy. The whole world is a bit crazy now and we are transitioning into a realm that we don't even know what it is yet. It's both scary and exciting. I spend the afternoons taking care of my 98 year old mom who has Alzheimer's Disease. Our Power Ball lottery has surpassed 1 billion dollars and I don't have a ticket”.

Susan Bowman writes, “My husband and I adopted a special needs child who was one of our foster children.  We did foster care for 21 years.  My son lives in Florida and I have 2 grandsons that are in the service.  I lost my daughter, Melody, to cystic fibrosis at 4 months of age.  I spend my days caring for my daughter Kayleigh who has many medical issues and behavioral issues.  I was able to attend the 50th reunion and reconnected with many classmates.  Would love to hear from even more because I don't get out much but do have email, or a phone if you want to call.  Thanks to those who kept in touch.”

Colleen Peterson Seremet writes, “I’m thoroughly enjoying retirement, splitting my time between home in Maryland and my summer place in Maine.  Although my three grandsons keep me busy with cheering on their activities, I find time for some long-awaited bucket list travel.  I visited Norway and the UK in April 2022 and have a river cruise from Amsterdam to Plague planned for Spring 2023.  As always, I look forward to seeing friends at our annual reunion!’

Michael Brown writes, “After 69 years living and working in the Mars Hill area, I sold my home and made the move (one more adventure, actually) Downeast.  I currently reside in Machias while house hunting.  I had held many positions with various companies working transportation, agriculture, winter sports and food processing.  During that time I have seen many of my dreams come true and bucket lists filled (some dreams are STILL coming true).  I formally retired on 1 Jan. 20, but in March of this year wound up getting bored enough that I went back to work in a less stressful environment down here on the coast.  I have stopped by the old campus a few times for a quick drive by, but it was always during a road trip or some other mission that gave me an excuse to head out of town (whichever town that happened to be at the time).”

Class Agents: Jeffrey Knights, Laurie Fitts Loosigian
 

Class of 1972

Paul Sauer wrote, “Just a short note, the first one I have ever sent to MCI.  My wife and I planned to attend the 50^th reunion (plane tickets and all) but the Covid variant precluded our visit at the last minute.  All is well now.

My life, so far, has been absolutely wonderful!  I finished Tufts Medical School in Boston, trained in General Surgery, found a wonderful wife and left for a plastic surgery residency in Birmingham, AL in 1985.  After a short stent in academic medicine, returned to Birmingham in private practice.  My wife and I raised two sons, one an attorney, the older son a plastic surgeon (he will start practicing with me in June 2023) – priceless!

I am nearing retirement and plan more visits to Pittsfield in the future.   All the best to you and the MCI family!”

Class Agent: Patricia Thibault
 

Class of 1987

Angela Wood Wren has a new granddaughter, Josie ann.  She is Angela’s first grandchild and she was born to her son and daughter-in-law.

Kathy Bouffard Kitchin, married to Chip  Kitchin ’88 said they are going to be grandparents in May.

Ray Withee said he is still living in the COUNTY, has one granddaughter, Lorelai, who was born this past February to his daughter Callie and son-in-law Nate.

Scott LaPanne bought a home in Centerville, Ohio and retired from the U.S. Navy after 33 years.  He now works for the Department of Veteran Affairs in Dayton, Ohio.

For myself, everything is pretty much the same.  I still live outside Tampa, Florida and my business is doing well.  My oldest daughter Shelby graduated from Oklahoma City University and is moving to NY City to chase her dreams on Broadway.  My youngest daughter Delaney is a Junior in the Physical Therapy program at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida, which was recently hit by Hurricane Ian.  The school is relatively new, so it faired very well in the storm.  They only missed a week of classes.

On a sad note, we lost a classmate in September.  Corey Nelson passed away suddenly.  He did attend the reunion in August so many of us got to see him one last time.  Which reminded us all why reunions are so important.

Class Agent: David O'Brien
 

Class of 2003

Daisy Cunningham writes, "Just a fast update.  A few years after high school, I found my way to Wiscasset and met my then, future husband who was, at the time enlisted in the United States Navy.  After his enlistment ended, he went on to a different career and as I grew tired of working for others, I decided to start my own business, Maine-ly Elderberry in 2018 which focuses on organic elderberry syrups, teas and lemonades.  I also dabbled in several other businesses, but as Maine-ly Elderberry grew, I couldn't keep up with multiple businesses.  My husband and I have a 13 year old son named Alex Jr. that excels at basketball.  We are collectors of horror decor and enjoy watching movies and exploring new places.  Life is good!

Class Agent: Ashley Holt Morency