Class Notes - Keeping in Touch

1950’s

Steve ’56 and Charlotte

Andrews Mayhew ’59 are thrilled they have a new great granddaughter, Lily Jean born 2/3/21. Terry Gardner ’57 and his wife Hannelore celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on 2/21/21.

1960’s

Author Sue Kinney Humphries ’62 was celebrated at a book launch party at Central Hall Commons last fall. Her book, entitled Making a Monster – The first last word on 3D MONSTER design, is newly republished from her first edition, and features behind-the-scenes documentation of sci-fi and horror classics in theatrical make-up effects. Her book is sold on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. She says she has “finally” retired from her part-time position as a licensed clinical social worker at Northern Light Mayo Behavioral Health & Counseling.

Congratulations to Betty-Jane Stanhope Meader ’64 on her induction into the Maine Women’s Hall of Fame during a virtual ceremony. Retired in 2012 as an Associate Professor, Betty-Jane taught for 44 years, 41 of them at Thomas College in Waterville. Upon retirement, she served as state president of the American Association of University Women of Maine for two years. She served on the Board of Visitors at the University of Maine at Farmington and was the district chair and a past state president of the Maine Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and a member of Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for Key Women Educators and the Coalition for Maine Women. Congratulations on the welldeserved honor!

Kandyce Plummer Powell ’65 was a recipient of the University of Maine Maryann Hartman Award which recognizes Maine women whose achievement in the arts, politics, business, education, health care and community service provide inspiration. She has served as the executive director of the Maine Hospice Council and Center for End of Life Care in Augusta since 1992. Her focus on quality end-oflife care, particularly for the rural and underserved populations, has motivated a successful lobbying of the State Legislature, where she co-authored Maine’s hospice licensure law, (LD1821) and more recently, LD782, An Act to Improve the Quality of Life for Persons with Serious Illness. She developed a hospice program at the Maine State Prison, which she directed from 2000-2018. Following, she served as a visiting professor at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland, to continue her collaboration focused on humanizing health care. Kandyce was the 2012 recipient of our Dr. Mary Chandler-Lowell Award, given for outstanding career accomplishments.

After receiving her degree in therapeutic recreation from the University of Maine,

Swan(ette) Hussey Colpitts

’67 was employed at a long-term care facility. She developed a program focusing on music, art, and poetry. Upon arrival in Alamogordo, NM, she enjoyed 18 years in administration at the Flickinger Center for Performing Arts. Currently, her art works are featured by the Copper Heron Gallery, located in the historic district of the city. Her works include watercolor Zorn Gray Skies, ink and wash Pondering and La Antigua, from a recent trip to Guatemala. One of her first pieces she did at the age of 11 was an acrylic of her grandparents’ farm.

Kenny Green ’69 had always loved music, and he turned that love of music into a unique business. White Owl Products was founded 21 years ago after Ken met and married flutist Laura Lee Perkins. Their shared interest in Native American music quickly expanded after Ken made a flute for Laura. He's crafted 4,000 plus 6-holed Native American style flutes in a variety of keys; many made from Maine trees (cedar, tiger maple, black cherry). Ken was known throughout North America for his exceptional flute-making skills: beautiful tone, resonance, and immaculate pitch with hand-carved animal totems. He also sang in a church choir during winters in Arizona where he and Laura taught many classes, but still remained residents of Maine, living in Stockton Springs. Ken and Laura have traveled 100,000+ miles visiting Native American reservations and building an extensive collection of authentic Native songs and images of traditional instruments. They have recorded five professional CDs with Laura playing flutes and Ken performing drum/rattle accompaniments. As The White Owl Duo, they’ve received numerous grants for their work and were awarded five artist-inresidencies at U.S. National Parks. In 2020, they were spotlighted on a PBS television program featuring artistic coastal talent, entitled Celebrating Support.

1970’s

Retired from banking after 25 years in the states of Maine, Florida, and Missouri, Cheryl Taylor McNeil ’71 married again in 2005 and between them, they have 4 children, 9 grandchildren, and 8 great- grandchildren. She is very proud of all her children’s accomplishments and says that “family makes her world.”

Dan Joyce ’77 and his wife Gail Glover ’77

joined the grandparents club with the birth of Max Bronson on 11/23/20 to their daughter Julia and her husband Nolan.

1980’s

Tim Hagelin ’81 recently accepted the position of Operations Manager at Stonewall Kitchen in York, ME. Stonewall Kitchen was founded by two young entrepreneurs in 1991 at a farmer's market in Portsmouth, NH, where they actually filled the jars with blueberry jam made from Jim’s 90-year-old grandmother’s recipe. In 1995, the honors started pouring in, including their induction into the Specialty Food Hall of Fame. They’ve grown from producing a few dozen jars for the farmers’ market to about 75,000 jars daily!

The Alumni Office was recently contacted by Inez Strom Stock ’88 to let us know that she became a grandmother on 1/24/16 with the birth of her first grandson Caiden Lee Janes, born to her daughter Christine and her husband Shawn.

Last fall, former FA Trustee and alumnus John Simko ’88, was appointed by Maine’s Governor Mills to the five-member Board of Commissioners for the Maine Municipal Bond Bank, which was established by act of the Maine Legislature in 1971. The Bond Bank serves as a clearing house for public sector financing options with the State of Maine, often providing long-term financing for infrastructure projects sought by public schools municipalities, and utility districts. John’s experience as the Town Manager of Greenville, ME, as well as his current position as VP for Government Finance at Androscoggin Bank will serve to help him in this role.

1990’s

You Have A Village is a virtual community featuring anonymous peer support groups, expert moderators, and classes with parent coaches. Erina White ’93 and Christina Gentile created this community which is coached and facilitated by health experts. Their mission is to revolutionize the mental health space by creating a digital one-stop-shop for families seeking resources and support for children with mental health needs. Erina stated, “I am excited to address families’ mental health needs with emerging technology that connects parents from around the world and provides anonymity, connection, and mental health expertise.

Here’s a picture of the two granddaughters of Melissa Curtis Johnson ’95, Alana, 4 and Nora Jean born 10/7/20. Melissa says her move to Wisconsin has been wonderful and she is now running a Lifetouch Photo Studio.

In December, Stacy Stitham ’98, an attorney at Brann & Isaacson in Lewiston, ME, was elected to a one-year term as the vice-president of the Maine State Bar Association. She most recently served as an association governor for the Androscoggin district, and will continue her family’s legacy of leadership at the association by becoming the fourth generation elected to a board officer position.

The new owners of Davis Brothers Furniture in Guilford, ME, are Kara and Dave Speed ’98. We welcome them back to the area with their two daughters Hayden and Harper.

2000’s

Jason and Brooke Hartford

Sands ’00 were recently nominated at the 47th Flying Training Wing awards ceremony: Jason for Civilian of the Quarter, and Brooke, for Key Spouse of the Quarter. Brooke said of her winning, “At least one of us walked away with a WIN! NEVER would I think I would be recognized for any spouse awards in the military and this is the second time I have won! Just being me.”

This past spring, Beth Lewis Bisson ’00 was named the Piscataquis County Soil & Water Conservation District’s Outstanding Conservation Educator of the Year. Beth is a Pre-K teacher at Sedomocha, and throughout the pandemic reworked her curriculum to include as much learning outdoors as possible. Some examples were exploring the Dot Warren Nature Trail, learning about soil and soil health, as well as identifying tracks of different animals. They even did some snowshoeing last winter.

Harper Augusta was the name chosen by Ryan Edgerly ’04 and his wife Deanna for their baby girl, born 6/23/21 and weighing 8 lbs. 3 oz.

Dani Dow ’06 was wed on 6/20/21 to Adrian Buschmann ’00. Dani is a licensed esthetician and deputy code enforcement officer for the town of Dover-Foxcroft. Adrian is employed at PQ Controls.

Jack Brandon was the name given to the son of Scott and

Samantha Hall McKusick of

the Class of 2006. Jack was born on 3/22/21 and joins big sister Emmeline Jane, born 5/15/18. Proud great grandparents are Nora Bradbury Merrill ’66 and Jeff Merrill ’65. Grandparents are Gordon and Missy Merrill Hall ’84 and Paul ’72 and Jody Spruce McKusick ’76.

Brooks Lincoln Harney joined big brother Graham and his parents

Ryan and Kelsey Hill Harney

’06, on 1/29/21. Proud grandparents are Norm and Terri Hill of Dover-Foxcroft, and Auntie Lindsay Hill Lessard ’00.

A best friend of Kelsey’s, Shannon Marden Vachon ’06, and her husband Scot became parents to a baby girl Eleanor Dana, born in August of 2020. Proud auntie and uncle are

Ashley Marden ’05 and

Cooper Marden ’14.

After graduating from USM in 2015, earning a Bachelor of Science degree, Jessica Arbisi ’06 went on to the MGH Institute of Health Professionals, and in 2019 received her Masters of Science in PA Studies. She is now employed as a cardiology physician’s assistant in Bangor.

On 10/10/20, David White ’07 was wed to Rochelle Black. David is a direct care counselor for NFI North and the couple resides in Dover-Foxcroft with their four children. David is the son of Jere ’72 and Candy Anderson White ’71. A 2011 graduate of the University of Michigan and a 2018 graduate of the University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Sciences, Julie Earnest ’07 is employed as a guidance specialist at Mission Viejo High School in Mission Viejo, CA. Julie resides in Carlsbad, CA.

Danika Brown Edwards ’08

and her husband Kevin welcomed their son, Krew Robert on 2/20/21, named for his grandfather Robert Brown ’84. Krew weighed in at 7 lbs. 15 oz., and was 21” long. The family has recently moved back to the area from Saco.

Justin Hayes ’09 and his wife Samantha welcomed their second child, Madeline Mary, born 5/16/21. Their son Michael is very excited to be a big brother.

2010’s

Chase Hutchinson ’10, son of

Brett ’84 and Kelly

Richardson Hutchinson ’81

and Scott and Lisa Stevens Pangburn ’84, was married to Olivia Williams on 9/11/21 at Sunset Meadows in Corinna. Chase is a 2014 graduate of Maine Maritime Academy with a degree in power engineering and is employed as the Project & Operations Manager with Wunderlich-Malec Engineering in Winslow. Olivia is a graduate of Piscataquis Community High School and is a medical assistant at Northern Light Mayo. The couple resides in Dover Foxcroft with their children Colbie Schmiedlehner and Lane Hutchinson.

Bear Mountain Inn in Waterford, ME, was the setting of the wedding of Mariah Arno ’10 and Eliot Gagne on 4/18/21. Mariah is the daughter of Peter ’83 and Tracey Merrill Arno ’84.

Brandon Erickson ’10 and his wife Courtney Grant Erickson, along with their son Jace Michael, welcomed a baby boy into their family on 7/9/20. Bennett Keith Erickson weighed 7 lbs. 8 oz. and measured 21” long. Proud grandparents are Kevin ’81

and Ann Kendall Erickson ’82, and Eric ’83 and

Marcie Nickerson Grant ’87. The family makes their home in Dover-Foxcroft.

On 6/26/21, Mary (Beth) Dever ’11 was wed to Stephen Bartlett on the shores of Wyman Lake at the Maine Lakeside Cabins in Caratunk, ME. Mary is the daughter of Janine Church Dever ’79 and her husband Ben, also the granddaughter of Beverly Hall Church ’57.

This past December, Rachel Cody ’12 was awarded the global credential of Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute. Rachel is a program lead for aerospace programs at Ensign-Bickford Aerospace and Defense Co. in Simsbury, CT.

Do you have a story to share? Please keep in touch with the herd by sending your latest news to chall@foxcroftacademy.org. In 2016, Hilary Kendall Buotte ’12 graduated from Husson University with her BS in nursing. Immediately following, she accepted a position in the oncology unit at EMMC in Bangor. Her next move was to southern Maine to work in endoscopy, while pursuing her Masters of Science in Nursing at Simmons University. She graduated in the spring of 2020 with a GPA of 3.96 and passed her boards in August. She is now a family nurse practitioner and was wed to Matthew Buotte at the Portland Headlight last October. They make their home on Sebago Lake in Naples, ME, with their dog Charlie and cat, Ara.

After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in film and media art at Temple University, Jiayi “Eddie” Sun ’12 went on to attain his Master’s Degree in cinematography from the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles. He is presently a television editor at Phoenix Satellite Television in Baldwin Park, CA.

Tia Tondreau ’13 has relocated to Boston, MA, and is a recruiting manager at KNF&T Staffing Resources. She is a 2018 graduate of Florida State University with a BS in hospitality and business management.

Class of 2013 graduates, Alex

and Monica Miles Stevens, became parents to baby girl Ruth Katie born on 8/20/21, weighing 8 lbs. 12 oz. Big brother Lex was very excited to meet his baby sister.

Last May, Brittany Sletterink ’13 became a Doctor of Pharmacy after graduating from South College School of Pharmacy in Knoxville, TN.

Willow Mae was the name given by Forrest Law ’13 and his wife Lindsey to their baby girl born 7/19/21 weighing 7 lbs. 4 oz.

Dan Decker ’13, son of Melody Johnson Porter

’91 and Chris Decker ’89, and his fiancé Asia are planning to wed in June of 2022.

Congratulations to Amber Anderson ’14 who received her Master’s Degree in nursing from the University of St. Mary’s last spring.

Majoring in criminal justice and minoring in psychology, Abigail Warner ’15 received her BS from the University of North Florida in May.

Sebastian Zepeda ’15, branch manager of Bangor Savings Bank in Dover-Foxcroft, was wed to Camille Bozzelli ’17, in August. Camille recently accepted a position as a teacher in the Special Services Department of FA.

A 2019 graduate of McGill University, Berke Taner ’15 majored in finance and economics. He decided to make his home in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and recently started his career in financial services with First Derivative based out of Toronto.

Julian Zepeda ’15 graduated from USM in 2020 with a BA in economics. He presently is a junior trade operations analyst at Brown Brothers Harriman in Boston, MA.

A 2019 graduate of Case Western Reserve University, Anna Sedlackova ’15 received her BS in computer science, and in 2020 received her Masters as well from Case, graduating with a 4.0 GPA. She now makes her home in Santa Clara, CA, where she is employed by Apple as an AI/ML Rotational Engineer (Siri Rotational Program).

Julia Annis ’15 graduated in May with her Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Rhode Island, a six-year course. She will then be completing a post-graduate one-year residency at North Carolina State Veterinary Hospital to specialize in veterinary pharmacy. Her official job title will be clinical veterinary pharmacist. During the past year she did a 6-week rotation at Colorado State Veterinary Hospital, as well as several rotations in Maine, including a 6-week rotation at the transplant center at Maine Medical Center in Portland. Congratulations Jules on a job well done!

The Piscataquis Regional YMCA named Brooks Law ’15 as their new program director this past spring. He will be providing leadership to the aquatics team, fitness, youth, and family sports programs.

On 11/1/20, Mckenzee Stone ’16 was wed to Ryan Wang ’14 at Grace on the Lake in Harmony, ME. After graduation from UMO, the couple moved to Taiwan, where Ryan is the CEO of Klyiah Biotech, a custom contact lens manufacturing company.

Pictured here is Crystal

Macomber ’17 and her Dad

Jim Macomber ’83, on Crystal’s graduation day from the University of Maine @ Farmington this past May. Sedomocha Elementary has already scooped her up as their newest kindergarten teacher.

Kilee Hutchinson ’17 and

David Salley ’17 tied the knot on 8/7/21. Owen Booker ’17 served as the officiant of the ceremony. Kilee is the daughter of Brett ’84 and Kelly Richardson Hutchinson ’81. David is the son of Mike and Shannon Salley of Harmony. Kilee is employed with Bangor Savings Bank, and David is a 2021 graduate of Maine Maritime Academy with a degree in marine engineering. He is employed with Oceanspray Fisheries in Seattle, WA. The couple are dorm parents at Foxcroft Academy.