Silver Tracks Spring 2020
Retiree Homecoming 2020
As we all work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the health of our members is of the utmost importance. Due to increasing concern over the spread of the virus, we are cancelling our 2020 Retiree Homecoming, which we were planning for Tuesday, June 2. We believe this is the best course of action based upon what we are hearing from the state and federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Please be safe and take steps to protect yourselves, your family, and the general public in the days ahead.
Oral History Project
2020 was the fourth year for the All Maine Women and Retirees Council’s project to add to the archives at the UM Library Special Collections. 2019 interviewees: Mark Anderson (Coordinator Ecology & Environmental Sciences, School of Economics), Karen Boucias (Director of International Programs), Ken Palmer (Professor Emeritus Political Science) and Rosemary Bamford (Professor Emerita Education). This year’s interviewees were Robert Strong (Business School Professor of Finance and Founder of the Spiffy Program), Mazie Hough (History and Women’s Studies), Alfred Leick (Spatial Information and Engineering/GPS), and Barbara Ouellette (Associate Director, Honors College). Compilation videos of each year will be posted on our website.
Scholarship Awarded
This year’s recipient of the UMaine Retirees Harold “Brownie” Brown Scholarship Fund is Emma Turlo, the great-grandchild of Jonathan Biscoe, who worked in the Physics Department for 27 years. Emma is a member of the Class of 2020, majoring in communication sciences and disorders with a double minor in dance and child development and family relations. She is also on the dance team.
This scholarship fund helps relatives of University of Maine retirees who attend the UMaine campus. As of 2019 the fund is fully endowed at the Foundation and can help generations of students who study here for years to come. Your support and gifts can be sent to the University of Maine Foundation or made online.
Barbara Hikel Award Recipient 2019
Judy Round, winner of the 2019 Hikel Award, is the quintessential Oronian (if there is such a word) graduating from Orono High, then from UMaine, and then worked in marketing and fundraising for the University before retiring in 2012. But the word ‘retiring’ was not in her vocabulary and she immediately set to work replacing her prior work activities with volunteering in a variety of areas at the University.
She was heavily involved with the Page Farm and Home Museum, serving on its Board, as its Registrar and as its newsletter editor. She served on the Board of the ‘Friends of Dr. Edith Marion Patch’, working to reclaim the legacy of Dr. Patch and rehabilitate her historic home on College Avenue. She was also a member of the Orono Bog Boardwalk fundraising campaign committee. For a time she sat at the front desk of the Alumni Center greeting those visiting. She was a long-time member and chair for a term for the President’s Council of Retired Employees. She took on the Council’s newsletter for several years.
We are honored to award her this recognition and know that she left all these entities better off for having served them.
University of Maine Research
George Jacobson, Professor Emeritus, was the Keynote Speaker at the 2019 Retirees Homecoming. Professor Jacobson’s topic was “The Evolution of Maine’s Research University.” He traced the evolution of the University of Maine from primarily an undergraduate institution into a world class research University which focuses on teaching, research and public service.
Annual Outing
On October 16, 2019, members of the President’s Council of Retired Employees and friends embarked on their annual outing to special places in Maine. All retired employees are invited to join in on these outings — getting the word out is a stumbling block. Last year we went to the Cellardoor winery in Lincolnville for a tour and a wine tasting. That establishment is well worth a visit.
This year we went to Skowhegan and were treated to some of the extraordinary businesses going on there.
Our first stop was to Maine Grains. This business is located in the repurposed former Somerset county jail in the center of Skowhegan. It is an organic milling operation, coordinating with local farmers who provide the grain. It is also a café, creamery, knit shop, radio station, and weekly farmer’s market. As stated on their website: “Maine Grains isn’t just a new business, it’s an engine of transformation, helping the town of Skowhegan take center stage in a state-wide grain renaissance. Maine Grains’ bold idea to repurpose a jailhouse into a grist mill has created an international following, and Skowhegan has successfully established itself as one of the country’s emerging rural food hubs. Communities across the state are now looking to Skowhegan as an example of how to successfully restore the benefits of regional grain production and heritage seed restoration.”
Our tour, along with a history of the enterprise and delicious snacks, was provided by Amber Lambke, president and founder who gave us about two hours of her time. She has much to be
proud of. You can buy a variety of their milled organic grains right there including oatmeal, rye, farro and many others.
Local bean varietals are also available. Sign up for a tour on the Maine Grains website or just drop by for a snack.
After the tour some of us went to the ‘from-scratch’ Bankery as recommended by Amber. This is an amazing bakery in what had once been a bank. There you can find stunning varieties of pastries, cakes, pies, and bread (grains supplied by Maine Grains). I wish I didn’t have to say this but there is no similar bakery in the Bangor area. Besides the wonderful pastries and cookies, you can eat in their restaurant or take prepared meals out. Once you visit, you’ll never just drive through Skowhegan again. Check out the Bankery website.
Our next stop was a tour of the New Balance factory in Norridgewock (there is one in Skowhegan as well). New Balance is a major employer in this area of Maine, and many of the employees have long tenures there. It is a tightly-organized and well-oiled manufacturing operation that handles a number of New Balance styles (other factories make other styles). Most of the operations are very repetitive and so rest periods are frequent and jobs are rotated to maintain physical health and mental focus. Related operations are organized in a circular format which facilitates conversation while not hindering the assembly line processes.
We ended our day with a visit to Bigelow Brewing in Skowhegan for pizza and beverages. This is a great facility in a lovely location — we’d like to return in the summer — where beer is brewed and pizzas are made. According to Bigelow’s website: “Bigelow Brewing has a belief that beer can and should be about a place. We strive to make beer from our community, using local ingredients to feel a sense of ownership of where we live. We are committed to our local community and hope it influences our customers to expect that from their beer. It is important that every beer Bigelow Brewing produces is made with malts that are grown in Maine. Fruits and vegetables are from local farmers. One of the things we love about Maine and specifically the Skowhegan community, is how local customers and businesses support one another. Using local products is a chance to support small farmers and preserve our agricultural heritage.” You guessed it — they also get supplies from Maine Grains. They also host musical events from Thursday through Saturday. We were introduced to the facility by chef Erik Levine who prepared a selection of pizzas for us.
We all had a wonderful time on this trip and hope that many more people will join us next time to — where? To be announced!
The President’s Council of Retired Employees Mission Statement
The Council will enhance communication between the University of Maine and the community of retired employees. The Council will encourage active involvement of retirees in the life of the University. The Council will provide advice to the University President on matters of importance to retirees.
Nancy Boyington (Secretary)
Dusty Dowse (Interim Chair)
Marian Dressler
Michael Pullen
Susan Randall
Claire Strickland
Phyllis Thibodeau
Gloria Vollmers
New Members as of Fall 2019/2020
David Bagley (replacing Ethel Hill)
Richard Judd (replacing Ray Pelletier)
Thomas Sanford (replacing Joe Genco)
Kim Whitehead (representing President’s Office)
University of Maine employees and retired employees are an important part of the fabric of the University of Maine. Gifts totaling more than $10 million in support of the University have come from these groups over the years. Many thanks to all of you!
The University of Maine is an EEO/AA employer and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System)