Message from the Chair, President’s Council of Retired Employees

Last year’s keynote by Dr. Lenard Kaye, “Staying Engaged as We Age: It’s Just Plain Old Good Medicine� were words of wisdom for our age group. Evidence indicates that being engaged increases our emotional and physical health. Opportunities are available for us to stay engaged, if we look around.

Garden clubs, UM Rec Center, YMCA, and hiking clubs are examples of exercise opportunities. Possible fees are even subsidized by our health insurance as well as by 91¸£Àû as described in the 2025 and 2026 Silver Tracks Newsletters.

Dr. Kaye has found that helping others helps us—emotionally and physically. Churches, food banks, the Red Cross, and many other organizations depend upon volunteers to conduct their services. Let us not forget that there are over 20 organizations available at the Retiree Homecoming that can use our service. We can talk to them about possibilities beginning at 9 a.m. on June 4th.

Looking forward to seeing you on June 4th. We have another engaging program.

Tom Sandford, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Emeritus

Retiree Homecoming

Thursday, June 4, 2026
Wells Conference Center, 91¸£Àû Campus
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Featuring Speaker David Hart, Director of the Center for Sustainability Solutions.
See below for more.

Projected tours include:

• New Athletic Facilities: Track & Field Facility, Soccer Complex, Alfond Arena
• Page Farm and Home Museum
• Versant Power Astronomy Center: The Universe Through All Senses
• Bog Boardwalk

Retirees will receive a postcard or email with registration information when available or visit 2026 Retirees Homecoming for more details.

A Note from 91¸£Àû President Ferrini-Mundy

Greetings from Orono! Our spring semester is in full swing and it is wonderful to be surrounded by the energy of a vibrant learning community like ours. As you may remember, there is renewed energy on campus this time of year, as we bounce back from the holiday break and we start looking towards the upcoming commencement exercises on the horizon. It is the perfect moment to share a few updates from the University of Maine.

Over the past year, 91¸£Àû has been faced with significant operational challenges due to changes in federal funding and policy; both have disrupted key programs and pushed our community to reimagine how we meet the moment. Our university-wide strategic re-envisioning process is underway and will help set the course for a dynamic and sustainable future for the University of Maine. It is a bold rethinking of our role and organization but it leverages our great foundational strengths—strengths that you helped foster during your time at the university.

We also continue to face budgetary and demographic challenges but, in both instances, I am so proud of the ways in which Black Bear resilience, creativity, and innovation have galvanized to help us navigate these times.

Despite the turbulence, we have much to celebrate.

All around campus, you can see the progress taking shape through new construction and renovations. Recent highlights include the completion of major renovations to the Harold Alfond Sports Arena and Shawn Walsh Hockey Center. The project was made possible by a transformational $320 million commitment from the Harold Alfond Foundation to the University of Maine System, which includes a $170 million investment in 91¸£Àû Athletics to fund the Athletic Facilities Master Plan as part of UMS TRANSFORMS. The new facilities are spectacular and I hope you have the chance to experience them soon if you haven’t yet.

We are making steady progress on the construction of a new facility designed to advance pioneering research and education in advanced manufacturing, as well as develop the engineering and computing workforce. The 50,000-square-foot GEM building will house the Factory of the Future and incorporate digital manufacturing technologies and fully adaptive, immersive learning spaces for students both here and across the University of Maine System (UMS).

At 91¸£Àû, our research, teaching, and public engagement are driving academic and economic growth across the state, all while fostering a campus where students feel supported and safe. This fall we launched the Downeast Nursing track, a program that allows 91¸£Àû Machias students residing on campus or in the region to earn a four-year nursing degree from the University of Maine at Augusta while conducting nearly all of their studies on the Machias campus or online. This innovative program is designed to meet the needs of our students and they will earn two fully accredited four-year degrees simultaneously: a bachelor of nursing degree from UMA and a bachelor of college studies degree from 91¸£Àû Machias. The current cohort is at capacity and we look forward to continued growth in the future.

The higher education landscape continues to shift around us, as do the challenges we face as an institution, but your continued support helps us grow, innovate, and stay true to our mission of academic excellence and student success. Thank you for being such an important part of our community and for proudly sharing your Black Bear spirit wherever you go.

Joan Ferrini-Mundy
President, University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias
Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, University of Maine System

Retiree Spotlight: Dana Humphrey Hiking and Photographing the World

Dana Humphrey, College of Engineering, Dean Emeritus

It’s been over three years since I retired from 91¸£Àû and I’m having a blast. My retirement mantra is to do as much as I can now because who knows what the future holds. I say this with an eye toward both the inevitable physical decline and the increasingly unstable world that we live in. The mindset of “I’ll put it off to tomorrowâ€� only works until you reach the day when there are no more tomorrows.

For me, the foundation of life is being physically active. This was true when I was working and it’s even more true now. I hike, backpack, and cycle. One of my long-term dreams was to backpack the entire Appalachian Trail. I did what’s called a “section hike� over 12 seasons. Eleven of those were squeezed in during Julys while I was Dean of Engineering. A few times I thought I was going to pass out due to the heat and humidity in New York and New Jersey. I completed the final 275-miles (Hot Springs, NC, to Springer Mt., GA) on October 19, 2023. It was so great to hike in the fall because of the cooler temperatures and beautiful foliage. The trail brings you to magical vistas and through beautiful forests that most people never see. In total, I hiked 2,183 miles over 151 days with a cumulative elevation gain of 520,000 ft (nearly 100 miles of climbing!) while carrying a 40-lb pack. Some people probably think I was a little crazy, but I was in heaven.

I do miss the personal connections that I built up during my 36 years at 91¸£Àû. For me, these have been largely replaced by my new Maine Appalachian Trail Club friends. This is my major volunteer activity. I’m on their Board of Directors, an Assistant Campsite Manager, and co-leading an effort to replace all the old privies. An incredibly dedicated group of volunteers has already replaced 30 and we only have 12 left to go! Not only does this satisfy this engineer’s need to build things, it keeps me outside, physically active, and with great people.

Staying mentally active is also critical. I had no plan for this, but an unexpected opportunity landed on my doorstep two weeks after I retired. I got a phone call from Dr. Kristen Sobolik, Chancellor of the University of Missouri—St Louis (UMSL). Many of you will remember Dr. Sobolik as a 91¸£Àû faculty member in anthropology and an administrator in our College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She wanted to know if I was interested in being a consultant to help them start a new School of Engineering. This has turned into: budget and personnel planning; working with architects and engineers to design a $15 million lab and office renovation; and serving on, and in some cases chairing, the search committees for their new director and three program coordinators. This is exactly what I did as a dean at 91¸£Àû. I was so gratified to see them admit their first incoming class of engineers in Fall 2025.

This brings me to my new passion: landscape and wildlife photography. This challenges me physically and mentally, as well as provides the motivation to travel the world. In 2025, I was on the road for 3 months with major trips to The Outer Banks, Patagonia, Svalbard (1,100 miles northeast of Iceland), Bisti Badlands (NW New Mexico), Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota where I did a 144-mile backpacking trip, and New Zealand. My furthest point north was latitude 82.4°N in the arctic icecap, and as far south as 52°S in Patagonia. I took over 3,000 images in 2025, of which maybe 30 were really good. The main reason for so many images is that I typically shoot 4 frames per second when photographing wildlife and when I’m on a moving boat. The mental challenge of photography is trying to compose impactful images and then to edit them to bring out all their beauty. I have been so fortunate to have had great instructors who have helped me to see more clearly. There is so much to learn in photography. Even if I’m fortunate enough to live to 100, I’ll only have scratched the surface.

You can follow my travels on my and see more of my photographs on .

Mary Bird is 2025’s Barbara Hikel Award Recipient

The Barbara Hikel Award is given annually by the University President to a University of Maine retiree who, after retirement, provides extraordinary voluntary service to the University of Maine. Last spring the President announced Mary Bird as the 2025 recipient of the Hikel Award.

Since Mary Bird retired in 2009, she has provided continuous leadership in activities related to Science, Education, and Outreach. Her leadership and efforts in recognition of the legacy of Edith Marion Patch and the restoration of Patch’s historic Braeside home on College Avenue, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, have made a significant impact on the University and local community. Edith Patch was the first woman scientist employed by the University of Maine. Mary was an early member of the Friends of Edith Marion Patch and served as Chair or Vice Chair for many years. Additionally, Mary has been an active volunteer at the Page Farm (multi-year winner of the Hugh Murphy Volunteer award). And in cooperation with her spouse James ‘Jim’ Bird, the 2024 Hikel Awardee, Mary has devoted many hours in fundraising and other activities for the Orono Bog Boardwalk.

Mary Bird is an excellent choice for the 2025 Barbara Hikel Retiree Award.

David Hart is the 2026 Retiree Homecoming Keynote Speaker

David Hart is the Director of the Center for Sustainability Solutions and Professor of Biology & Ecology. He will speak about 91¸£Àû’s Leadership in Aligning Research with Societal Needs.

David Hart became embroiled at the age of 17 in a controversial proposal regarding the environmental and economic future of a coastal California watershed, which sparked his lifelong quest to strengthen the role of science in society. Since then, he has conducted extensive environmental research, advised government, industry, and NGOs, and developed innovative programs addressing challenges that require a dual focus on improving human well-being and protecting the environment (i.e. sustainability challenges).

Dr. Hart’s keynote at the Retiree Homecoming is eagerly anticipated.

Retiree Homecoming 2025: How’d We Do?

A review of the evaluations from last year’s Retiree Homecoming indicate a high level of satisfaction with the quality of organization tables, speaker (Dr. Len Kaye), luncheon, and overall program quality. Comments include “Nice Job!� and “Excellent!�

Respondents were a bit less supportive about receiving the Silver Tracks newsletter electronically, but still well supported. Some pointed out that an electronic newsletter is eco-friendly; clearly it is expensive to print and mail the newsletter. We appreciate your suggestions for future retiree trips and potential workshops.

Announcements

Retiree Outing

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Boothbay, ME
May 21, 2026

Meet at the University of Maine in Orono at 8 a.m. to carpool, or at the Gardens at 10:15 a.m. Purchase tickets individually (seniors $21 if purchased online) at .

This is a walking tour. For more information and to indicate your participation contact Tom Sandford at sandford@maine.edu or (207) 942-0598.

91¸£Àû Resource for Retirement Inquiries

Tammie Perez, Senior Benefits Specialist, is the University of Maine System Retiree Benefits Liaison and is available to answer general retirement questions and advocate for retirees if they have issues. She can be reached at (207) 973-3373 and at benefits@maine.edu.

91¸£Àû Rec Center Access

For the 2026 calendar year, retirees from 91¸£Àû can receive a free membership to the 91¸£Àû Rec Center if they are not covered by Silver Sneakers or Renew Active. Spouses and partners may be added to that membership for $125. This will probably change in 2027 for retirees without Silver Sneakers or Active Renew who will likely be charged a nominal fee.

Retirees also receive member rates on equipment rentals, programs and classes offered by Campus Recreation, including Fit Over 50, Senior Yoga and more. For more information, visit the Campus Recreation Center website.

Geezers with Sneakers Getting Coffee

Orono Public Library
Orono, ME
Mondays and Fridays

Join fellow active senior men and women for walking, talking, and coffee—or perhaps, just join for coffee! Monday and Friday mornings. Walks begin and end at the Orono Public Library. Meet at 9:20 a.m., walks begin at 9:30 for 1/2 hour. Coffee hour (complimentary) begins at 10:00 a.m.

For more information contact harlan.onsurd@maine.edu.

Harold “Brownie� Brown Scholarship Recipient for 2026 is Isaac Webber

Isaac Webber received his undergraduate degree from 91¸£Àû in Mechanical Engineering, and now is pursuing a graduate degree in composite materials and advanced manufacturing.

Isaac played the trumpet in the Screamin’ Black Bears Pep Band for four years. He was part of a 91¸£Àû team that participated in an international competition sponsored by The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), designing, building, and flying mission-tailored electric radio-controlled aircraft. He is currently interning at a defense contractor.

Isaac feels that 91¸£Àû is his home, and is grateful for the scholarship support. “Better yet, this scholarship is in memory of my late grandmother who worked in our admissions office for over 25 years. My family and I are so happy to see her contribution to 91¸£Àû be celebrated in this manner.â€� Isaac Webber’s grandmother, Donna Oakes, passed away in 2009. Isaac tells us many in his family graduated from 91¸£Àû—parents, cousins, aunts, and uncles.

The Brown Scholarship goes to a student who is a relative of a 91¸£Àû retiree. The endowed scholarship fund has grown over the years, thanks to the generosity of many retirees. Your gifts can be sent to the University of Maine Foundation or made online by visiting .

Retiree Writes New Book for Young Adults

Professor Emeritus Richard Kent has a new novel for young adults (ages 13+) titled The novel shares the story of a team of fifteen-year-old Maine players touring England in 1989. Award-winning Maine author Lynne Plourde writes: “Maine kids taking their Maine spirit, talents, humor, kindness, and resourcefulness to England in 1989, I was hooked. Well-developed characters, tragedies and triumphs, laugh-out-loud teen humor, and the engaging journey of how a divided team becomes a *united* team.�

During the 1980s and 1990s, Coach Rich Kent led 30 State of Maine select soccer teams to England with fellow coaches and chaperones. The boys’ and girls’ teams from Maine toured in and out of London, practiced in public parks, attended professional matches, and played games against English school teams. These trips, with a total of 500 players over 13 years, lay the groundwork for Kent’s novel.

At 91¸£Àû, Kent directed the Maine Writing Project, a site of the National Writing Project. He founded and directed the online graduate writing program within the College of Education and Human Development. Kent’s latest book is his 25th.

Retirees: Stay In Touch

Please update your contact information with the Foundation by contacting them at (207) 581-5100 or umainefoundationcorp@maine.edu.

The President’s Council of Retired Employees

Thomas Sandford, Chair
Rick Borgman, Vice Chair
Richard Judd, Secretary
Louis Bassano
Gail Dyer-Martin
Michael Eckardt
Cindy Eves-Thomas
Rich Kent
Jen Perry
Claire Strickland
Althea Tibbetts
Taylor Defa
Sarah McPartland-Good
Jeffery Mills
Tom Peaco

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’s President on matters of importance to retirees and the University community in general.

umaine.edu/retirees

The President’s Council for Retired Employees wishes to thank the University of Maine Foundation for their support of the Silver Tracks Newsletter and other activities of the council.

91¸£Àû System is an equal opportunity institution committed to nondiscrimination.

The post Silver Tracks Spring 2026 appeared first on President's Council of Retired Employees.

Message from the Chair, President’s Council of Retired Employees

Greetings to University of Maine Retirees,

I am looking forward to seeing you at Homecoming on Thursday, June 5. We believe we have another great program including a presentation on staying engaged as we age by Professor Lenard Kaye, School of Social Work. Don’t forget the President’s remarks, organization tables, awards ceremonies, complimentary lunch, door prizes and four tours plus seeing friends.

Each year the University of Maine Retirees Harold Brown scholarship is awarded to a student whose relative has been employed at the University of Maine. This scholarship is helping our own while remembering and honoring a former colleague. We all thank current and deceased retired employees who have helped fund the Harold Brown scholarship so that its value as of December 31, 2024 was $26,254 with an award of $541. It is time for me to step up and add to the UM Retirees Harold Brown Scholarship and thus increase the yearly stipend. I hope some of you will join me at our website.

Thomas Sandford
Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Emeritus

Retiree Homecoming

Mark your calendar! Please join us from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 5.

• Location: Wells Conference Center on the Orono campus. 131 Munson Rd.
• Parking: A parking lot will be reserved (the “Wells Lot” across from Wells on Munson — look for the signs).
• Check In: Arrival confirmation, parking passes, tour tickets, handouts, etc.
• Organizational Fair: Over 23 organizations available to meet you including Alight, Aetna, UM Benefits, Eastern Area Agency on Aging, Senior College, Fogler Library, Franco American Centre, Hudson Museum, Literacy Volunteers of Bangor, UM Extension, and the Versant Power Astronomy Center.
• Program:
  • Welcome and Remarks.
  • Keynote by Dr. Lenard Kaye, Professor of Social Work and past Director of the Center on Aging. “Staying Engaged as We Age: It’s Just Plain Old Good Medicine.”
  • Introduction of the Hikel Awardee for 2025.
  • Announcement of the Brown Scholarship Awardee.
  • Free lunch and door prizes.
• Four optional after-lunch tours: Hudson Museum, Athletics Facilities, Cooperative Extension Diagnostic and Research Lab, and Hotel Ursa (formerly Cobern Hall and Holmes Hall). See below for more information about the tours.
• See information on registering for the Retiree Homecoming.

A Note from 91¸£Àû President Ferrini-Mundy

This year marks 160 years since the founding of the University of Maine. Established in 1865 through the Morrill Land-Grant Act, 91¸£Àû was built on the then revolutionary idea that higher education should be accessible to all, not just the wealthy or elite.

As Maine’s land-grant institution, our mission always has been to serve the public good, expand access to education, and connect academic knowledge with real-world applications. Today, our commitment remains strong, but the ways we fulfill this mission have evolved to meet the needs of today’s students and society.

A modern reflection of 91¸£Àû’s founding principles is the Research Learning Experiences (RLEs) program. Launched in 2021, RLEs provide first-year and transfer students with hands-on research opportunities from day one. Today, we offer 152 RLE course sections across the 91¸£Àû System, with 68 of those at 91¸£Àû and 91¸£Àû Machias. These courses engage nearly 2,000 students, helping them develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills while making real-world connections in their fields.

RLEs also encourage our students to pursue research in greater depth through other robust hands-on research opportunities offered on our Orono and Machias campuses. 91¸£Àû’s strength in research, innovation and outreach continues to gain national and international recognition: in February, the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching reaffirmed 91¸£Àû’s status as a “Research 1â€� institution, the highest and most prestigious category of American research universities.

Construction is underway for the Green Engineering and Materials Building (GEM), an innovative facility will house the Factory of the Future, a hub for advanced digital manufacturing, materials science, and adaptive learning spaces. The GEM building will exemplify our commitment to being a learner-centered R1 university; it will provide immersive, hands-on learning experiences for students at 91¸£Àû and throughout the University of Maine System, supporting the development of tomorrow’s leaders in technology and innovation.

As we celebrate 91¸£Àû’s rich history, we are also looking forward. Strategic Re-Envisioning (SRE) is a bold initiative designed to shape 91¸£Àû’s future as a leader in education, research, and public service. SRE is about more than refining what exists—it’s about fundamentally rethinking how we deliver education and support students in ways that benefit our students, state and nation.

As 91¸£Àû celebrates 160 years, we honor our history while embracing bold ideas for the future. Our commitment to student success, hands-on learning, and innovation ensures that 91¸£Àû remains a leader in education and research for generations to come.

To our retirees: Your years of service and many contributions helped shape this university, and your legacy lives on in its continued growth and, more importantly, our students’ success. Thank you for being part of 91¸£Àû’s incredible journey.

Joan Ferrini-Mundy
President, University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias
Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation
University of Maine System

Your 2025 Homecoming Keynote Speaker: Lenard W. Kaye, DSW, PhD

Lenard W. Kaye is Professor of Social Work, Immediate Past Director of the Center on Aging, and Past Interim Director of the Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering at the University of Maine. A prolific writer in the fields of health and human services and aging, he has published approximately 200 journal articles and book chapters and 17 books on specialized topics in aging including older adult part-time work and the federal SCSEP initiative, social isolation and loneliness, home health care, productive aging, aging in rural America, family caregiving, controversial issues in aging, support groups for older women, and congregate housing. His research and writing on older men’s caregiving experiences and help-seeking behaviors, is widely recognized and frequently cited. His recent books include Social Isolation of Older Adults: Strategies to Bolster Health and Well-Being, Springer Publishing Company (2019) and the Handbook of Rural Aging, Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group (2021). Forthcoming books include: A Man’s Guide to Healthy Aging, 2nd ed. (Johns Hopkins Press), The Social Isolation and Loneliness Epidemic: Examining the Facts (Bloomsbury Academic Inc.), International Perspectives on Older Adult Social Isolation and Loneliness (Frontiers in Public Health) and Portraits in Tenacity: Aging in the Oldest State (University of Maine Press).

He is the past Co-Principal Investigator of The Mayer-Rothschild Foundation Designation of Excellence in Person-Centered Long-Term Care and currently the Lead Evaluator of AgingME2, Maine’s Geriatrics Workforce Development Program. His research and training projects have been funded through the National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Aging (NIH/NIA), Administration for Community Living/Administration on Aging (ACL/AoA), U.S.DHHS, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and multiple national and regional foundations. He is a Past President of both the Maine and New York State Gerontological Societies and sits on the editorial boards of the Journal of Gerontological Social Work and Journal of Aging Life Care, and is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America.

Meet Heath Kennedy, this year’s Harold “Brownie” Brown Scholarship Recipient

Heath Kennedy, the great-nephew of the late University of Maine Professor Emeritus of Physics Kenneth Brownstein and Instructor in English Andrea M. Brownstein, is this year’s recipient of the University of Maine Retirees Harold “Brownie� Brown Scholarship Fund, and he has reached out to thank the group for its generosity in assisting in his education.

Heath is a musician at heart, playing the piano since he was five years old, and the tuba since 5th grade. When he came to the University of Maine, Music Performance was an obvious pick for his major. He participates in the University of Maine Symphonic Band and is an Undergraduate Research Fellow at the McGillicuddy Humanities Center.

“This scholarship has done so much to help me afford my education. College isn’t cheap, and this has allowed me to be able to continue following my dreams and study to become a performer. I am so grateful,� said Heath.

Heath is certain to have a bright future with his University of Maine education, and we all look forward to his future performances.

91¸£Àû Scholarship Fund was established at the University of Maine Foundation in 2013 by the President’s Council of Retired Employees. The fund provides financial assistance to students in good academic standing attending the University of Maine in Orono who are relatives of University of Maine retirees. As of December 2024, the scholarship fund has grown to $26, 254. We invite retirees to consider supporting this important fund. For additional information, contact Sarah McPartland-Good at 1-800-982-8503 or saram@maine.edu, or gifts can be made online: .

The President’s Council for Retired Employees wishes to thank the University of Maine Foundation for their support of the Silver Tracks Newsletter and other activities of the council.

The 2024 Barbara Hikel Award Recipient: Jim Bird

This Hikel Award was established in 2006 in memory and recognition of Barbara Hikel, an exemplary 91¸£Àû employee who stayed involved with the university for many years after her retirement. The award is presented to a University of Maine retiree who provides extraordinary voluntary service to our university. Retirees contribute to our community in many ways, and the Barbara Hikel Award provides meaningful recognition of those efforts.

The recipient of the Barbara Hikel Award must be a University of Maine retiree with at least ten years of university service and age 55 or older. Typically, those eligible for the award have been retired from the university for at least three years before their nomination.  The President’s Council for University of Maine Retirees is proud to announce Jim Bird as the 2024 recipient of the Hikel Award.

Jim Bird worked at Fogler Library for 21 years as a science librarian and head of the library’s Science and Engineering Center. During this time, he also became involved with the Orono Bog Boardwalk, first as a volunteer, and then as Director in 2008. Jim retired in 2014 but has continued to serve the University as Bog Boardwalk Director.

The Orono Bog Boardwalk is one of the most popular outdoor destinations not only for the City of Bangor but regionally and statewide with 25,000-35,000 visitors annually from more than 20 countries.  The Boardwalk is managed by volunteers from the University of Maine, the Orono Land Trust and the City of Bangor.

Its one mile loop begins in the Bangor City Forest before crossing into a portion of the Orono Bog owned by the University of Maine. While traveling along the boardwalk, visitors experience an ecological transition from upland mixed forest through forested wetlands and eventually into the open landscape of the Orono Bog. Interpretive signs describing the unique flora and fauna of the bog greet visitors along the way. The Bog Boardwalk is wheelchair accessible and ADA compliant, and the Orono Bog is designated by the US Park Service as a National Natural Landmark.

As Director of the Boardwalk, the first task Jim tackled was boardwalk reconstruction. The original construction needed to be replaced in order to keep it safe for visitors and functional over the long-term.  To raise the funds needed, Jim organized a successful fundraising campaign which included writing and submitting several grants, and leading other fund-raising activities for the Boardwalk. Jim coordinated numerous other fundraising efforts beyond grant writing, but the one most emblematic of his character, selflessness, and dedication has to be the boardwalk yard sale.

Each year, Jim would take donations from community members of items they no longer needed and would amass them for an annual yard sale to benefit the boardwalk reconstruction. Jim personally directed a volunteer and his pickup truck to hundreds of people’s homes to pick up their donations, stored them, often in his own garage, and then hosted the yard sale at his own home with his wife Mary on Main Street in Orono. Over 14 years Jim quietly raised more than $40,000 from his front lawn.

In total, the nine-year process culminated with the replacement of the entire Boardwalk with an overall cost of approximately $1 million dollars. That effort would not have happened without Jim’s leadership and drive to see the project complete.

In addition to fund raising, Jim worked alongside other volunteers investing thousands of hours to remove the old wooden boardwalk and install the new sections. For the last 15 years, Jim Bird has been the heart and soul of the Orono Bog Boardwalk. He is a true inspiration, and in his retirement his contributions to the University of Maine via the boardwalk exemplify the definition of extraordinary service.

Share Your Climate Story

After another winter, and with early spring upon us, perhaps this is a good time to reflect on our ever-changing world and environment. Do you have an experience to share that contrasts the climate of decades ago when winters seemed to be colder and a little longer than in recent years?

Perhaps it was ice skating in early November; snow lasting into April; or being able to start the garden a week earlier than when you were younger; or maybe there is simply a remarkable weather event that you experienced and will never forget. Whether you spent your life in Maine or have lived in places far and wide: If you have a story to tell, please share it with us! Send your story to Sarah McPartland-Good (sarahm@maine.edu) of the University of Maine Foundation.

(FYI: Our newsletter staff may edit your submission for clarity and length.)

2025 Retiree Homecoming Tours

We are offering four different tours after lunch. You must indicate your preference when registering. Assignments are first-come, first-served. We can offer limited shuttle service for those needing special accommodations.

1. Hudson Museum: Gretchen Faulkner, Director of the Hudson Museum, will lead the tour of the Hudson Museum. The Hudson Museum maintains a collection of over 9,000 objects, many of which are Native American and dating back to 2000BC. Convenient parking is near the museum in the Collins Center for the Arts lot.
2. Hotel Ursa: The new on-campus hotel located a few blocks down the road from the Wells Conference Center. The hotel includes two extensively refurbished historic buildings, Holmes and Coburn, and the new Polaris Hall.
3. Athletic Facilities: A walking tour, led by Deputy Athletic Director Jason Grunkemeyer, will include the Pierre & Catherine Labat Softball Complex, the new field hockey complex, the new Mahaney Dome and Memorial Gym facilities. 91¸£Àû Athletics has recently upgraded many facilities with multiple updates underway.
4. Tick Lab: Griffin Dill, the manager, will lead the tour of the Cooperative Extension Diagnostic and Research Laboratory. This new lab provides diagnosis, testing and research for pest management, agriculture and wildlife for the State of Maine. This tour will be a presentation at Wells Conference Center if registration exceeds 25 retirees. If registration is 25 retirees or less, the tour will go to the laboratory where there is sufficient parking.

New Balance Recreation Center News

Retirees With Silver Sneakers

Retirees with a medical insurance plan that includes Silver Sneakers get free access to the Recreation Center and are eligible to participate in programs included in a regular Recreation Center membership. Spouses eligible via Medicare and on the retiree’s insurance are also included in the household membership. Spouses who do not qualify pay a secondary fee of $125/year.

Visiting should be the first course of action for all retirees. This website shows potential eligibility provided by their individual insurance providers and access to local gyms wherever they live.

Retirees with a Silver Sneakers plan should visit the New Balance Recreation Center to complete the membership paperwork required by Silver Sneakers. The Center processes that information and checks eligibility via Silver Sneakers. This needs to be done annually per Silver Sneakers policy.

Retirees Without Silver Sneakers

The Recreation Center has been providing a retiree membership that functions like Silver Sneakers for retirees who are on other forms of insurance but fully retired from the university. The retiree receives a membership and can add their spouse if eligible or add the spouse to the membership for $125 if they are not.  Neither plan includes additional family members like grandchildren or adult children.

For the non-Silver Sneakers membership, retirees should contact Kristie Deschesne,

Associate Director for Programming kristie.deschesne@maine.edu, to set up the membership. The requirements echo Silver Sneakers, and the individual must be retired from the University of Maine. Information required include name, retirement date, and insurance plan (to check if they are eligible for Silver Sneakers).  Also, a liability waiver needs to be signed.  Each retiree and their spouse’s case can be unique, so it can take a little time to figure out and ensure fairness.The Retirees Without Silver Sneakers program is for this calendar year 2025 and may change in the following years as the programs and eligibility of individuals change.

91¸£Àû Machias retirees should check with the Murdock Reynolds Acquitic and Fitness Center for policies.  The same holds true for all campuses of the University of Maine System.

Programs Appropriate for Retirees

Specific programs appropriate for retirees offered by the Recreation Center include Fit over 50, Senior Yoga, Aqua Burn, and Personal Training.  While some of these programs have fees, it is important to recognize their value to one’s lifestyle, independence, and finances in saving healthcare costs and medicines.

For additional information contact:

Jeff Hunt, Director of Campus Recreation at 207-581-3054, fax 207-581-4898, or email at jhunt@maine.edu.

Stay in Touch and Homecoming Registration

Please register for Homecoming and/or update your contact information online:

If you are unable to complete your registration online, please call the University of Maine Foundation at 207-581-7787. The staff will gather your information and complete your registration.

Remember to let us know whether you are bringing a guest and if either of you require any special accommodations.

Also, if you plan on joining a tour after lunch, be prepared to choose from our four tours ( a first and second choice if desired).

1. Tour of the new on-campus Hotel Ursa (including historic campus buildings Coburn and Holmes Halls). Maximum 20 retirees.
2. Tour of the Hudson Museum including behind the displays. Maximum 25 retirees.
3. Walking tour (hard hats not required) of upgraded athletic facilities including softball, field hockey, Mahaney dome and memorial Gym. Maximum 50 retirees. Learn more at goblackbears.com by viewing their “Facilities Plan.”
4. Tour of Cooperative Extension Diagnostic and Research Laboratory. Presentation tour in Wells Conference Center for a maximum of ≥26 retirees, or tour the Laboratory if ≤25 retirees. The Laboratory is a 7-minute car ride from Wells Conference Center. Please provide your own transportation.

Register by May 23, 2025.

REVITALIZING THE FLAGSHIP — Capital Projects

Take a stroll around campus over the next few years, and you’ll catch a glimpse of multiple works in progress. Of the many capital projects underway, The Alfond Arena and Shawn Walsh Hockey Center renovations and additions may be one of the most prominent, sitting as they are on the corner of College Avenue and Long Road. This project is expected to be completed by the fall of 2025.

Just up the road, Morse Arena is on schedule to begin construction in the summer/fall of 2025 with an anticipated opening during the 2027-28 season. Thanks to a $10-million gift by Phil and Susan Morse, the new home of Maine men’s and women’s basketball, Morse Arena will seat approximately 2500 fans. For 91¸£Àû’s Division I athletes, the Arena will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, from a sports medicine area to a new strength and conditioning center that will benefit the entire athletic department.

In the shadow of Morse Arena, The New Balance Track & Field and Soccer Complex should open in October of 2025 thanks to a $7 million commitment by New Balance Athletics. The complex features a state-of-the-art soccer turf and a modernized track. A multipurpose area next to the track will provide space for athletics and community events.

These projects, and others, were made possible by a transformative $320 million commitment from the Harold Alfond Foundation to the University of Maine System (UMS). The Foundation’s commitment includes a $170 million investment for the 91¸£Àû Athletics master plan, part of UMS Transforms.

Beyond athletics, 91¸£Àû’s five-year plan identifies some of the most essential needs, including, upgrading science and engineering facilities to advance research and learning, reducing deferred maintenance, modernizing living environments, increasing space utilization, and decreasing energy consumption and the use of nonrenewable fuels.

The October 2024 91¸£Àû Capital Projects Update, included the following projects:

• Shawn Walsh Alfond Arena renovations and additions are underway. Project is currently on schedule and on budget. Project anticipated completion date is fall of 2025.
• The design of the new Morse Arena is in the first of three phases, anticipated groundwork to begin in the fall of 2025 for utilities and full construction spring of 2026.
• The design for the new soccer complex and track and field complex is in the final stages, construction anticipated to start possibly in November of this year depending on the weather.
• The Mahaney Dome project is completed, the connector between the dome and Memorial Gym is in the scoping phase, potential construction next summer.
• The Sawyer & Hitchner ’87 Wing HVAC projects are currently in design and anticipated to start work next year.
• Bennett Hall Lecture Wing HVAC and Bennett Hall steam repair projects will be going out to bid this fall with work anticipated for next summer.
• Witter Farm Robotic Dairy Facility is under construction, anticipated completion early 2025.
• Sustainable Aquaculture Workforce Innovation Center (SAWIC) is in design with construction anticipated to start next spring.
• The nursing Skills lab and renovations in Dunn Hall are in punch list.
• The Food Innovation Lab project within the office wing of Keyo is in the progress of awarding a design firm with construction anticipated for next summer. Planning for relocation of existing staff in Keyo is underway.
• AMC Renovations, New Student Success Center and Industry 4.0 are in the planning phase to start work later this fall.
• GEM groundwork is underway with construction anticipated to start as early as late fall of this year.
• ASCC Secure Textiles Lab phase 2 is in construction.
• Wells Common Sodexo project is underway and interior work is anticipated to be completed this fall.
• The UMEC project is in design with construction anticipated as early as next spring or summer.
• The electrical infrastructure project will be starting very soon. Traversing of the campus will be affected by brief road and sidewalk closures as well as portions of the Belgrade Parking Lot.
• The Lighting upgrade project is in progress and anticipated to be completed at the end of October with the last project within the Fogler Library.
• Machias Powers Hall replacement of the ADA ramp is in scheduling for work to be completed this fall.
• Machias Reynolds Gym flooring and bleacher replacement is underway.
• Machias Powers Hall building envelope work is in planning, anticipated to start next year.
• Machias stormwater management plan is wrapping up and has been submitted to the state for approval. Once approved, work to address stormwater will proceed next year.
• Phase 1 of the Big Idea moves continue and on schedule.

(91¸£Àû Capital Projects Update: October 2024 Capital Projects)

* * *

To stay up to date with ongoing projects, visit the 91¸£Àû website for “Capital Construction Projects and Services.â€� There you’ll also find links to monthly updates.

Or, you could put on your walking shoes and tour campus to have a look for yourself of our university’s exciting transformation. While you’re at it, why not stop in the Union for lunch.

The President’s Council of Retired Employees

Thomas Sandford, Chair
Rick Borgman, Vice Chair
Richard Judd, Secretary
Louis Bassano
Gail Dyer-Martin
Cindy Eves-Thomas
Rich Kent
Claire Strickland
Althea Tibbetts
Gail Werrbach
Isabella LoRusso
Sarah McPartland-Good
Jeffery Mills
Tom Peaco

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’s President on matters of importance to retirees and the University community in general.

umaine.edu/retirees

91¸£Àû System is an equal opportunity institution committed to nondiscrimination.

The post Silver Tracks Spring 2025 appeared first on President's Council of Retired Employees.

Message from the Chair, President’s Council of Retired Employees

Greetings to University of Maine Retirees,

I am looking forward to seeing you at Homecoming on Friday, June 14. Mix, mingle, renew old friendships and make new friends during the Registration/Meet the Organizations hour, during lunch, and after the Homecoming has ended. There will be a broad slate of organizations hosting tables to provide information and in some cases offer opportunities for service. The President’s Hikel Award highlights the benefits to all of service. Considering Bangor just set a new all-time record for least snowfall in February, you will not want to miss our 2024 Homecoming speaker on climate change.

This year two 136-year-pld 91¸£Àû retirees—well, retired buildings—are still contributing as Coburn and Holmes Halls (now Hotel Ursa) have rooms reserved for retirees at Homecoming. Among the four tours conducted after lunch will be a tour of the new hotel. Also consider the puffin watch retiree outing from Bar Harbor on July 12; last year’s schooner retiree outing was popular and well-received. See below for further details about Homecoming and the puffin cruise.

Thomas Sandford, Associate Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering

Retiree Homecoming 2024!

Mark your calendar! Please join us on Friday June 14 for the annual Retiree Homecoming.

• Location: Wells Conference Center on the Orono campus. 131 Munson Rd.
• Welcome by President Ferrini-Mundy. Keynote by Dr. Jacquelyn Gill, Associate Professor of Paleoecology and Plant Ecology, on aspects of climate change.
• Four optional after-lunch tours—Littlefield Garden, Versant Power Astronomy Center (including a show in the planetarium), Rogers Farm Master Gardener Demonstration Garden, and the new on-campus Hotel Ursa (including historic campus buildings Coburn and Holmes Halls). See below for more information about the tours.
  • There are tour size limitations and you must indicate your preference when registering (see below). It will be first-come first-served.
  • There will be very limited shuttle service for those with walking limitations. We encourage you to provide your own transportation if desired. Hotel Ursa is not far down Munson Road. There is ample parking near the Versant Power Astronomy Center and Littlefield Garden. You must transport yourself to Rogers Farm, which is 3.2 miles away (about 8 minutes by car) from Wells.
• Check-in begins at 9:00 AM with coffee, tea, and juice available. The tours end about 3:00 PM.
• 9 AM and on: Over 20 organizations available to meet you, including the University of Maine Foundation, Aetna, Alight (formally AON), UM Benefits, the Collins Center, Versant Astronomy Center, Hudson Museum, Zillman Art Museum, Eastern Area Agency on Aging, Fogler Library, Franco American Center, Literacy Volunteers of Bangor, Senior College, and UM Extension.
• Introduction of the Hikel Awardee for 2024. Announcement of the Brown Scholarship awardee.
• Free lunch and door prizes.
• A parking lot will be reserved for attendees (the “Wells Lotâ€� across from Wells on Munson—look for the signs).
• See information on registering for the Retiree Homecoming.

Roger Merchant Discusses an Active Retirement

Roger Merchant retired from Cooperative Extension in 2010. He is a licensed forester and professional photographer, and is certified by the National Association for Interpretation. Roger earned a degree in Forest and Land Management from 91¸£Àû, but had left the state for work. He returned to Maine in 1980 after seeing an ad in the Maine Times for a person to do Forestry Education and community-based work for Extension in Piscataquis County. His broad-based education and experiences made him an ideal candidate for the position. Besides his degree, Roger had a background in social work and community development. In the 1970s Roger worked in West Virginia, primarily in the field of social work.

Over his 30-year 91¸£Àû career, Roger created programs in Forestry and Environmental Education for kids at risk using the Outbound Experiential Model. In addition, his leadership/community development work led to successful heritage and culture-based tourism programs.

Roger began his photography journey when his father gave him a camera for graduation. Immediately he began photographing his footprints from environments and locations over the span of a lifetime. In Maine, he began photographing forests, rivers, and landscapes and noticed significant changes in forest landscapes over time. His journey has continued and expanded in retirement. He has two websites featuring his work—his original site at and, more recently, his site that features his high-quality artistic work.

Thoughts on Retirement

“It can’t be said enough, [it is important] to stay active physically, mentally, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Fitness is important.� Roger believes that “in our culture, when you step out the door into retirement, this is the end of your social value. In indigenous societies elders have a role to play to their last breath.�

Asked about his experience with retirement, Roger doesn’t feel that classic retirement fits his style or desire. He misses the collegial relationships he had which have not been replaced with anything to the same extent and engagement. He said that he had to learn to let that go. Roger cautions that the last thing a retiree wants to do is to retire and start setting up to do things like they did before in their working life. “I went through a period where I was getting connected with this and that and my wife asked me if I was trying to recreate my work. I think in a way I was but when you retire you need to let go of that.�

Stay connected, remain active, pursue a passion, and remain linked to what you did. —Roger Merchant

But Roger feels it’s important for retirees to “stay connected, remain active, pursue a passion, and remain linked to what you did.� For Roger that link is through photography. Recently, Roger presented a 1.5-hour webinar on Forest Photography for the National Forest Guild. “What I went through in creating and presenting my webinar was very different from my work. It was related but very different because I was working in a realm where I had not done any program development presentation work, but it clearly built on my forestry, social work, and extension background. But the photography dimension was really putting myself on the line in a way I had never done before. It featured my work, my interpretation and being able to turn that into a learning experience for an audience that I care about.�

He offers words of caution about avoiding isolation. “I treasure solitude; I love being alone in the woods; that’s what got me through COVID. Solitude is different from isolation . . . . It’s really important in retirement to not isolate yourself and become cut off from relationships and people.�

Roger would welcome a reconnection with retirees. He feels that the “University or Cooperative Extension could play an important role to help create, strengthen, and nurture relationship among retirees.� Perhaps the President’s Council of Retired Employees might play a role in helping retirees reconnect, perhaps by a pre-Homecoming event and/or outings and events spread throughout the year.

2024 Retiree Homecoming Tours

(See registration information)

This year we are offering 4 different tours after lunch. You must indicate your preference when registering. Assignments are first-come first-served. We can offer only limited shuttle service for those needing special accommodations. However, there is convenient parking near Littlefield Garden, Versant Astronomy Center, and Rogers Farm. Hotel Ursa is just a few blocks from Wells Conference Center.

• Brad Libby, Superintendent of Horticultural Facilities, will lead a tour of the Ornamentals Trial Garden. The Ornamentals Trial Garden has nearly 2,500 plantings, with an extensive collection of cold-hardy landscape plants.
• The tour of Versant Power Astronomy Center includes a look at the facilities and telescopes, plus a 1-hour show in the planetarium “Forward to the Moon.â€� This show engages audiences in NASA’s efforts to send humans and robots to the moon and Mars. The next step is the Artemis Program which plans to land the first woman on the moon’s surface. Jessica Meir from Caribou Maine is an astronaut in the program and might be the first Mainer on the moon.
• We are offering a tour of the new on-campus Hotel Ursa, located a few blocks down the road from the Wells Conference Center. It includes two historic buildings, Holmes and Coburn, which have been extensively refurbished, as well as a new building Polaris Hall. Read more about Hotel Ursa.
• Cooperative Extension’s Horticulturist Kate Garland will lead a tour of the Maine Master Gardener Demonstration Garden at Rogers Farm. This beautiful garden teaches and inspires. You will have to provide your own transportation to Rogers Farm, which is 3.2 miles away from Wells Conference Center. Rogers Farm is part of the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station at the state’s R1 public research university.

A Note from 91¸£Àû President Ferrini-Mundy

What a beautiful spring we are beginning to experience! I am pleased to see students and members of our community enjoying the weather and all that our Orono campus has to offer. Spring is a great time of year to write to you all about the exciting projects and opportunities happening at our university.

91¸£Àû has seen numerous construction projects and renovations on campus. This spring, Hotel Ursa, 91¸£Àû’s new independent boutique hotel and first public-private partnership (P3), will be opening its doors, offering high-quality hospitality services and supporting local community events and partnerships. Ursa incorporates Coburn and Holmes Hall, two of the oldest historic buildings on campus, into its unique foundation and construction, offering 95 hotel rooms and suites, and a bistro cafe. I welcome you all to visit the hotel this spring and enjoy its beautiful architecture.

Through research, learning, and public engagement, 91¸£Àû continues to
strengthen our state’s academic and economic opportunities while maintaining an inclusive and safe learning environment for our students. Through our Finish Strong program, 91¸£Àû and 91¸£Àû at Machias are partnering with 91¸£Àû Fort Kent to offer a new adult degree completion initiative launching this spring. I am eager to see the success of this program and how it advances adult accessibility to higher education and
bolsters workforce development throughout the state.

Our university continues to flourish with new opportunities and offerings. I would like to thank you all for your ongoing support of 91¸£Àû. I truly believe that we can continue to enhance the academic success and excellence offered at 91¸£Àû. You all play a significant role in strengthening our community engagement and sharing our Black Bear pride!

Joan Ferrini-Mundy
President, University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias
Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation
University of Maine System

Barbara Hikel Award Recipient 2023

The Barbara Hikel Award is given annually by the University President to a University of Maine retiree who, after retirement, provides extraordinary voluntary service to the University of Maine. Last spring the President announced Michael Eckardt as the 2023 recipient of the Hikel Award.

Mike Eckardt was the Vice President for Research from 2003 to 2013. Since his retirement he has assisted Special Collections in Fogler Library as well as serving as a board member for the Collins Center for the Arts. As a member of the Collins Center for the Arts Advisory Board, Mike developed a familiarity with the Hudson Museum and its extraordinary collections. For more than 5 years, he worked diligently, spending thousands of hours editing the Museum’s collection database, reviewing nearly 10,000 records. During COVID, Mike did not stop work on the project. He continued to work remotely each week on this project to facilitate migration to an enhanced database system that supports multiple synchronous users, greatly increasing the capacity to track and research the collection.

Mike’s dedication, attention to detail, and willingness to do additional research greatly contributed to a public access database that allows researchers from around the world to be able to see the entire collection virtually.

Mike Eckardt is an excellent choice for the 2023 Barbara Hikel Retiree Award.

91¸£Àû Retirees Harold “Brownieâ€� Brown Scholarship 2024

Scholarship Awarded to Deanna Oakes

My name is Deanna Oakes and I am a senior here at the University of Maine majoring in Elementary Education with a focus in Childhood Development. The last three years on campus have been absolutely incredible; it feels like a tightly connected community. As for my grandmother Pamela Oakes, she retired from the University of Maine after 45 years of service in the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering as an Administrative Assistant. She is now enjoying retirement by spending the summers in northern Maine and the winters in Florida. Receiving the Harold “Brownie� Brown Scholarship is such an honor. I am proud to come from a family with such extensive work ethic. When I reach graduation I hope to pursue a career with as much commitment and success as my grandmother did at the University of Maine.

The endowed scholarship fund has grown over the years, thanks to the generosity of many retirees. Your gifts can be sent to the University of Maine Foundation or made online: .

Announcements

Retiree Field Trip

Plan to join UM Retirees on a 2.5-3 hour Puffin and Lighthouse cruise on Friday, July 12. The Bar Harbor Whale Watching Company’s cruise leaves from Bar Harbor at 9:30 (arrive at the dock 45 minutes earlier). After the voyage you’ll have time to have lunch and wander the shops of Bar Harbor if desired. Cost is $73.58 per person. Reserve places at sandford@maine.edu or 207-942-0598. Hold your place(s) by sending your fee(s) (address upon reservation).

Last fall’s retiree field trip aboard the Schooner Olaf was a great success. Don’t miss this year’s summer cruise.

Oral Histories

Once again this year All Maine Women, led by sociology major and pre-law student Paige Allen, interviewed retirees about their experiences at 91¸£Àû. The interviewees this year were Maxine Harrow (education field experience, College of Education and Human Development) and Bill Dalton (catering services). Maxine worked at 91¸£Àû for 25 years and retired in 2005. Bill worked at the university for 40 years and retired in 2022.

The interview will be posted to the PCRE website, joining
interviews from prior years already there.

AARP Maine Fraud Watch

AARP offers an online program the second Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. “Fraud Watch with Phil and Pam� presents an insightful discussion on fighting scams and fraud in Maine. They talk with other Mainers, colleagues, and community leaders.

Scammers are using innocent older Mainers as inadvertent accessories to their crimes to both steal money and to insulate themselves from being discovered by the authorities.

These discussions are free and open to all. You do not need to be an AARP member to join the conversation. For more information and to register search “AARP Maine Fraud Watch� and you will find the site.

If you are a victim or a target of fraud, call the local police and the AARP Fraudwatch Help Line at 877-908-3360.

UMS Resource for Retirement Inquiries

Ann Remick is the UMS Retiree Benefits Liaison and is available to answer general retirement questions and advocate for retirees if they have issues. She can be reached at 207-973-3373 and at ann.remick@maine.edu.

New Campus Hotel Ursa

Opened on March 5th, the Hotel Ursa at 1 Moosehead Road features 95 rooms and suites in three buildings. The name of the hotel, of course, refers to the Ursa Major and Ursa Minor constellations, meaning “Greater Bear and Lesser Bear,â€� appropriate for a 91¸£Àû Black Bear hotel.

For those who might enjoy a taste of days gone by, the stylishly restored Coburn and Holmes halls, gems from the 1880s, offer classic amenities. The newly built Polaris Hall complements the 19th-century, repurposed buildings offering 58 contemporary rooms. Coburn Hall features 30 rooms of varying sizes and Holmes Hall has 7 rooms plus a presidential suite that faces Munson Road. The hotel has a fitness area, a study room, and MajorMinor, a cafe and bar open during daytime and evening hours. In addition, hotel guests may access the New Balance Student Recreation Center.

The parking area between Holmes Hall and the Fogler Library was redesigned and is reserved for hotel guests.

Hotel Ursa has set aside a block of rooms for the Retiree Homecoming for June 13, 14, and/or 15. For the special group rate book at by May 16 using special group code PCRE. The rooms set aside for this event are first-come, first-served. A tour of the hotel is being offered the afternoon of Homecoming. Select the tour during registration, also first come, first-served.

Both Holmes Hall and Coburn Hall date from the late 1880s, and both were designed by Boston architect Frank Kidder (an 1879 civil engineering graduate of Maine State College, as the University of Maine was then known). Both are in the University’s Historic District.

Holmes Hall, before later additions, was originally a five-bay, two-story building. It was known as the “Experiment Station Building� until it was renamed as Holmes in 1904. It was the first dedicated home of the chemistry department. When built, views to the east, south, southwest were expansive, overlooking wide open agricultural land. To the west the view included Coburn Hall, the President’s House, and the river beyond.

Coburn Hall was built in 1887-88 for the Departments of Agriculture and Natural History. In addition to administrative offices and classrooms, Coburn also contained the college library and a natural history museum. Views took in the President’s House and the river. Coburn Hall was considered a very important addition to the campus when it was built because it was the second classroom building erected on the Maine State College campus and because it was the third building constructed of brick. It also represented the importance of agriculture to the college and state. It was in Coburn in 1897 that the national honor society Phi Kappa Phi was created.

Stay in Touch and Homecoming Registration

Please register for Homecoming and/or update your contact information online:

If you are unable to complete your registration online, please call the 91¸£Àû Foundation at 207.581.5100. The staff will gather your registration information.

Remember to let us know whether you are bringing a guest and whether either require any special accommodations.

Also, if you plan on joining a tour after lunch, be sure to make your choice during registration. Once a tour is full it will no longer be available to choose.

1. Tour of Littlefield Garden. (Maximum 60 retirees)
2. Tour of Versant Power Astronomy Center (including a show in the planetarium). (Maximum 50 retirees)
3. Tour of the new on-campus Hotel Ursa (including historic campus buildings Coburn and Holmes Halls). (Maximum 20 retirees)
4. Tour of Rogers Farm Master Gardener Demonstration Garden (Maximum 30 retirees) Note that Rogers Farm is about an 8-minute car ride from Wells Conference Center. Please provide your own transportation.

Maps to all locations will be provided on the day of Homecoming.

Register by June 3, 2024.

The President’s Council of Retired Employees

Thomas Sandford, Chair
Rick Borgman, Vice Chair
Richard Judd, Secretary
David Bagley
Louis Bassano
Brenda Collamore
Cindy Eves-Thomas
Rich Kent
Claire Strickland
Althea Tibbetts
Gail Werrbach
Isabella LoRusso
Sarah McPartland-Good
Jeffery Mills
Tom Peaco

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’s President on matters of importance to retirees and the University community in general.

umaine.edu/retirees

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

The post Silver Tracks Spring 2024 appeared first on President's Council of Retired Employees.

Message from the Chair, President’s Council of Retired Employees

Greetings to University of Maine Retirees, Great News! We are having a live 91¸£Àû Retirees Homecoming on Friday June 16, and you are invited. At the event, meet up with former colleagues, find out about 91¸£Àû services and involvement opportunities by talking with members of organizations, hear from Dr. Habib Dagher how 91¸£Àû will print houses for the homeless, and have an enjoyable lunch with new and old friends. After lunch there will be tours of new facilities or time to visit museums and walk around campus.

The President’s Council of Retired Employees (PCRE), which organizes the Retiree Homecoming, serves to enhance communication between the University of Maine and the community of retired employees. If you have a retirement issue, you can find members of PCRE and their contacts on our website. The site also has news of coming events, past Silver Tracks (our newsletters), and histories of the Hikel awards, and the 91¸£Àû Retiree supported scholarship awards.

— Thomas Sandford, Associate Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering

Retiree Homecoming

Save the date! We are back on campus! Please join us on Friday, June 16 from 9 AM – 3 PM for the annual Retiree Homecoming.

• Welcome by President Ferrini-Mundy. Keynote by Habib Dagher, who will talk about the innovative new 3D printed houses.
• Two optional tours: the new engineering building or the Composite Center featuring the 3D printing of houses (you will choose one).
• Registration begins at 9 AM with coffee and light morning snacks. The tours end about 3 PM.
• 9 AM and on: Over 20 organizations available to meet you, including Aetna, TIAA, Alight (formally AON), UM Benefits, Field’s Pond, Eastern Area Agency on Aging, The 91¸£Àû Foundation, Versant Power Astronomy Center, Fogler Library, UCU, UM Bookstore and Bear Necessities (a discount coupon will be available and Bear Necessities at the Alfond will be open), plus over ten other organizations. Health insurance workshop at 9 AM: Alight, Aetna, and UM Benefits will be available to answer questions.
• Introduction of the Hikel Awardees from 2022 and 2023. Announcement of the Brown Scholarship awardee.
• Free lunch and door prizes.
• A parking lot will be reserved for attendees.
• Note that the University has six self-guided walking tours that you can take anytime: Art Inside, World of Trees, Gardens, Sculptures, Historic District, and Circle the Mall. You can follow the tour using your cell phone. Access at Self-Guided Walking Tours.

Information on registering for the 2023 Retiree Homecoming is on the Homecoming web page.

A Note from 91¸£Àû President Ferrini-Mundy

Hello to you all. It is wonderful to write to you at a time when we have returned to in-person events and activities on campus. It is terrific to see students out and about, interacting with each other and fully engaging in the complete University life experience that was not possible for the last 2 plus years. I am grateful to the staff, faculty, and students who endured the significant challenges of COVID while maintaining a safe, caring, and healthy culture focused on providing the best academic opportunities for our students.

In my last note, I wrote about our successful R1 designation. Since that time, we have transitioned to work that is required to sustain R1 status — like increasing our numbers of graduate students and post-docs, to recruiting and retaining premier faculty, and engaging our undergrads in authentic research experiences. We continue to do all we can to support economic development and innovation across our state and nation.

I mentioned The 91¸£Àû 2025 Commission in my last note and I would like to update you. The Commission delivered their thoughtful and creative framework since my last writing. The work of the 91¸£Àû 2025 Commission will now transition to the Maine Compass. The Compass provides us a foundation and framework
to organize our initiatives into nine different focus areas. As we develop the foundation and begin to incorporate and implement the associated strategic initiatives, you will hear more. This work will help us think about who we are and what we can — and should be — for the state, the region, the nation, and beyond. Please stay tuned.

Lastly, I would ask you all to think about how you might be able to join me and our students, staff, faculty, and alumni in continuing to share the benefits of being a University of Maine Black Bear. Increasing enrollment and retaining our quality students is my top priority and I welcome your support and assistance with ensuring that the opportunities a 91¸£Àû education offers are broadcast as wide and as far as possible.

–Joan Ferrini Mundi
President, University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias
Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, University of Maine System

91¸£Àû Retirees Harold “Brownieâ€� Brown Scholarship 2023

Scholarship Awarded

This year’s recipient of the 91¸£Àû Retirees Harold “Brownieâ€� Brown Scholarship is Logan Doucette. Logan is the grandchild of Sandy Vaillancourt. Sandy worked for Cooperative Extension as an Administrative Specialist. She started working for the University of Maine in June 1982 and retired in 2016. Logan, a senior majoring in business administration, lives in Bradley, Maine. Logan expresses his many thanks for the scholarship. It is helping him to achieve his goals and dreams and he hopes one day to give back to help others to achieve their goals and dreams.

The endowed scholarship fund has grown over the years, thanks to the generosity of many retirees. Your gifts can be sent to the University of Maine Foundation or made .

Retiree Announcements

Retiree Field Trip

Join 91¸£Àû Retirees on a 2-hour Schooner sail on Thursday 9/14. We will sail out of Camden on the 9:45 voyage on the Schooner Olad. Please arrive 30 minutes earlier. After, you’ll have time to have lunch and wander the shops of Camden. Cost is $55 per person which includes gratuity for the crew. Places are limited, so reserve yours at sandford@maine.edu or 207-942-0598 and send your payment to the address you will receive with your confirmation. You can cancel with a refund before 8/25.

Survey Coming!

The Retiree Council wants to hear from you. We are preparing an electronic survey to better understand your needs, your issues, and what you would like to know more about. Look for a notice soon.

Call for Retiree Stories

We are looking for interesting stories from retirees. What are you up to? Where have you gone? Let us know. Selected stories will be posted on the PCRE website and possibly in a future newsletter.

Please follow these guidelines: keep your story about 500-750 words; be sure to let us know your name, year you retired, your prior role at 91¸£Àû, and number of years you were employed at 91¸£Àû. Please include a good quality photo of yourself (jpg preferred). Submit via email to Borgman@maine.edu.

Retiree Resources

Library Access for Retirees

Retiree access to library resources is based upon emeriti faculty status or Gold Card eligibility. Semester borrowing privileges are granted for general collection items. If circulation staff can verify that eligibility
requirements are met, then your MaineCard will suffice, but a Gold Card is proof of eligibility and makes the process easier. Staff will work with you to set-up your account for book borrowing and off-campus access to licensed electronic resources (MaineStreet credentials will no longer work). Non-emeriti faculty retirees, who do not meet the minimum requirements for a Gold Card, no longer retain borrowing privileges. A Bangor Public Library card is recommended for book borrowing. Access to 91¸£Àû licensed electronic library resources is available on dedicated terminals inside of Fogler Library.

MEA – Retired Dental Insurance

Retirees from the University of Maine may be interested in joining MEA-Retired (and its affiliate HEAR —Higher Education Association Retired), visit mearetired.org. Dues total $82 per year for retired professionals and $68 per year for retired hourly (non-salaried) employees. One advantage to membership is access to their retiree Northeast Delta Dental insurance plan (for those who do not have access to the University’s retiree dental plan). Monthly premiums in 2022 were $51.98 for the retiree, $88.55 for the retiree plus one, and $139.43 for a family.

Note that there is also a , which posts information and discussions about University of Maine retirement issues.

Barbara Hikel Award Recipient 2022

Last spring the President announced Karen Boucias as the 2022 recipient of the Barbara Hikel Award, given annually to a University of Maine retiree who, after retirement, provides extraordinary voluntary service to the University of Maine. Until her retirement in 2014, Karen was Director of the Office of International Programs. Since her retirement, Karen has continued to serve the University.

Karen serves as a member of the University of Maine Board of Visitors and the Collins Center for the Arts Board. She is an incorporating member of the University of Maine Foundation and chairs its Stewardship and Public Relations Committee. She serves the 91¸£Àû Alumni Association as a Reunion Committee Member for the class of 1971.

After serving twelve years on the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) Board of Trustees, Karen is now a member AUBG’s University Council. AUBG was founded in 1991 by a partnership including the University of Maine. Karen was a founding member of the Maine State Chapter of the Fulbright Association and continues to serve as a lifetime member. Her contributions to the University’s international presence are symbolized by the creation of the Karen Boucias International Scholarship Fund.

Karen is clearly an excellent choice for the 2022 Barbara Hikel Retiree Award.

The President’s Council of Retired Employees

Thomas Sandford, Chair
Rick Borgman, Vice Chair
Richard Judd, Secretary
David Bagley
Louis Bassano
Brenda Collamore
Richard Kent
Gail Werrbach
Sarah McPartland-Good
Jeffery Mills
Tom Peaco

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!

91¸£Àû is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.

The post Silver Tracks Spring 2023 appeared first on President's Council of Retired Employees.

Message from the Chair Re: The PCRE and the Health Insurance Saga

As Chair of the President’s Council of Retired Employees, I began to think about the upcoming academic year in late summer and what issues we would need to deal with. At just this time I received an unexpected letter in the mail stating that retiree health insurance was about to undergo a sea change. It was immediately clear that the Council could and should play a role in sorting this all out for those we represent. We elected to establish ourselves as a source of information to help retirees understand what was happening at the System level, and we hoped to assist by becoming a liaison between the UM administration and retirees. We contacted the heads of all the unions as well as UM HR. At the same time, as each of us dealt with AON on an individual basis, we discussed how matters were progressing at our meetings, developing a data base. In the end, retiree and Union activism were central in changing the course of the changeover, leaving the existing health care package intact as an option. The amount of effort we were putting in was well-known to both the Administration and the Union leadership and was certainly worth our time. It serves as an example of what we as a group representing retirees are capable of accomplishing and I would like to thank all Council members for their time and enthusiasm in pursuing answers.

Sincerely,
Harold “Dusty� Dowse
Prof. Emeritus of Biology and Mathematics, and Chair, PCRE

Retiree AtHomecoming 2021 — Save the Date

Due to the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, the Committee has decided to host a virtual Retiree AtHomecoming on Zoom scheduled for Tuesday, June 1, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Our goal is to have a guest speaker followed by breakout sessions of your choice. More information will follow as soon as details are finalized. We look forward to your participation. Visit our website where we will post more details as they become available.

Oral History Project

Even though 2021 would have been the fifth year of the All Maine Women and Retiree Council’s oral history project, due to restrictions caused by COVID, we have decided not to go ahead with interviews this year. We are endeavoring, though, to find a way to assure that the past two year’s compilation videos can be placed on our website.

91¸£Àû Retirees Harold “Brownieâ€� Brown Scholarship Awarded

This year’s recipient of the 91¸£Àû Retirees Harold “Brownieâ€� Brown Scholarship Fund is Carter Verrengia, grandchild of June and Rupert Stafford ’59, ’69G, both retirees from the University of Maine. From Hebron, Connecticut, Carter has been visiting 91¸£Àû since he was a young child, attending hockey and basketball games. He fell in love with the campus and hoped one day he would attend as a student. Carter is now a member of the Class of 2023 working on a double major in Finance and Finance Economics. The endowed scholarship fund has grown to over $13,000, thanks to the generosity of many retirees. Your support and gifts can be sent to the University of Maine Foundation or made .

Barbara Hikel Award Recipients 2020

The Barbara Hikel Retiree Award is given by the University President to a University of Maine retiree who, after retirement, provides extraordinary voluntary service to the University of Maine. The President’s Council, on behalf of President Ferrini-Mundy, is pleased to announce two winners of the 2021 Barbara Hikel Retiree Award: Marisue and John Pickering (jointly), and Linwood “Woody� Carville. The pandemic cancelled the 2020 Homecoming, so the decision was made to present two awards during our virtual Homecoming 2021 planned for June 1st of this year.

Marisue and John Pickering, long associated with the University, have volunteered countless hours for the benefit of the University. They knew that even those of us with considerable tenure were not familiar with all the treasures of the 91¸£Àû campus.

They initiated, researched and created six self-guided campus tours that can be accessed and followed via smart phone (visit Self-Guided Walking Tours):

1. “Art Inside� directs you to collections and special exhibits around the campus and, once there, describes the works and the artists
2. “The World of Trees� shows you the profusion of varieties for which we were designated an arboretum
3. “Garden Tourâ€� takes you to landscaping features, as well as specially designed gardens and courtyards, that are reflective of 91¸£Àû’s campus plans
4. �Sculpture Tour� shows a sampling of the University’s many works of art
5. “Circle the Mall� showcases the 950-foot-long tree-lined pedestrian green space in the heart of campus
6. “Historic District Tour� explores 10 architecturally significant structures comprising the oldest section of the campus. In all the tours, there is an abundance of interesting detail for both the visitor and the seasoned employee or retiree. John and Marisue’s exemplary service to the University is truly appreciated.

Woody Carville was a student-athlete, coach and administrator at the University for nearly 40 years. Retirement in the early 90s didn’t stop him. Since then he has maintained his passion for athletics by regularly ushering at football games and as a member of the M Club, he has served as its treasurer and volunteered at their special events. In addition, he has ushered for years at the Collins Center for the Arts. Finally, he is an active alumnus. He has been a class officer, planned class reunions and has made hundreds of stewardship phone calls to alumni. He took it upon himself to write letters of condolence to the families of hundreds of alumni who passed away. His exceptional volunteer service has meant a great deal to the University.

The President’s Council and all of 91¸£Àû congratulate our winners and treasure their services to our beloved university. We all benefit from those who bring their best to this institution.

A Note from 91¸£Àû President Ferrini-Mundy

Greetings,

I hope that you are well during these extraordinary times. Please know that I appreciate all that you have done and continue to do for the University of Maine.

I am very pleased that the University of Maine System responded to concerns expressed by many of you regarding health benefits, and that now you can retain the group plan and have options for exchange-based individual plans.

Today, I’d like to share with you several of the many outreach and research projects that faculty, staff and students at the University of Maine, University of Maine at Machias and systemwide have engaged in during the pandemic.

As you know, addressing complex challenges of the 21st century is part of our mission, and I am so proud that we are doing just that. I hope that you are proud, too, as each of you created the foundation that supports this kind of incredible service to the people of Maine, and beyond.

Last spring, nearly 200 students and faculty members systemwide who are CNAs or licensed nurses responded to UMS Chancellor Dannel Malloy’s call to serve in the fight against COVID-19. They fanned out to work across the state, including at two of Maine’s hardest hit long-term care facilities. To further be responsive to pandemic-related workforce needs, at 91¸£Àû, early graduation was facilitated for 38 nursing students.

91¸£Àû biomedical engineer Caitlin Howell and virologist Melissa Maginnis are conducting research with scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst that involves using a bioengineered membrane to detect and analyze airborne coronavirus droplets. The project’s inspiration is the pitcher plant’s liquid membrane that traps insects.

When hand sanitizer was in short supply, 91¸£Àû and craft distillers and brewers in Maine partnered to make it. We also distributed more than 3,000 gallons of the sanitizer directly to 100-plus health care providers across the state. (Pictured below.)

At the request of the Maine CDC, 91¸£Àû also manufactured more than 4,000 bottles of solution for the Maine National Guard to conduct aerosol fit tests of N95 masks. Testing is required before masks can be used by the state’s first responders and front-line health care workers.

A 91¸£Àû economics professor and graduate students worked with the state to develop forecasts of how COVID-19 could affect Maine’s economy, as well as prospects for recovery and guidance for policymakers.

The College of Education and Human Development created a website to address questions and provide research-backed information for teachers and parents about remote learning, social-emotional learning, trauma-informed teaching, special education and literacy.

Because we couldn’t hold in-person concerts, the Collins Center for the Arts launched an online talent contest called the Maine Talent Showcase. More than 100 people entered and you can enjoy the performances of the 10 talented finalists on the CCA website.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension also moved its workshops, classes, and events online and created new resources — including 32 new publications — to support Maine farmers, U-pick operations, cut flower and seedlings industries and consumers.

Engineers, computer scientists and students created 3D printing design plans and code for reliable infrared (IR) thermometers, then shared them online for free, so hobbyists could bolster the nation’s supply during the shortage.

The Maine Folklife Center, Maine Studies Program and the Hutchinson Center collaborated on the Jack Pine Project, which invited Mainers to tell the stories of the COVID-19 pandemic through the arts.

A 91¸£Àû and Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership innovation team worked with hospitals and manufacturing collaborators to build, test and produce two variations of an “aerosol box.â€� The boxes protect front-line medical staff as they intubate and transport patients who may have COVID-19. Hospitals can sterilize and reuse the boxes.

New media students used audiovisual and interactive technologies to develop apps and activities to help people de-stress, learn new skills and entertain themselves during the pandemic, to cope and adapt.

91¸£Àû System conducts wastewater sampling to identify COVID-19 infection to limit its spread on campuses, including at 91¸£Àû, University of Maine at Fort Kent, University of Southern Maine’s Gorham campus, and University of Maine at Presque Isle, as well as in the communities of Orono and Farmington.

As you can see, we’re striving to accomplish important work. And do even more. The Harold Alfond Foundation’s $240 million commitment to the University of Maine System will be transformative and will allow us to implement even more creative ideas and programs to serve the students and all people of Maine.

For more information about these projects, and to stay up-to-date with our new discoveries, and outreach, please visit umaine.edu and follow us on social media platforms.

We safely welcomed students back to the campuses in late January, ready for another rewarding and meaningful semester during these unprecedented times. Like last fall, we’ll follow public health and safety practices. And this semester, we’ll be able to test and promptly report results for every member of our on-campus communities each week.

I wish you all a healthy, safe and fulfilling 2021. Please be in touch if you have questions or ideas.

Sincerely,
Joan Ferrini-Mundy
President

An Interview with Dr. Hannah Carter, Dean of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Could you share your background and why you felt it was a good fit for the position of Dean of Cooperative Extension?

I can’t think of a better fit because I am a product of Maine Cooperative Extension. I grew up in the 4H Program in Aroostook County. My first real job outside of working on my father’s potato farm was working in the summer as an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) scout in the Aroostook County Extension office.

My first job after my undergraduate degree was back in the Extension office full time as an IPM Professional. My Graduate work was in Extension Education and Agricultural Leadership. I feel like in a lot of ways I have come full circle, to begin as a 4Her and be back as the Dean of Cooperative Extension.

What role do you see 4H playing in connecting Maine’s young people with the opportunities available through the University of Maine System?

We are working with enrollment management to establish a 4H scholarship, available across all campuses, for kids who participated in the 4H Program. We hope it will be an incentive to keep kids here in Maine.

We are also exploring how kids can get credit for their 4H activities. For example, each year 4H youth participate in a statewide public speaking tournament. We are evaluating ways in which we could award credit so that when they come to the university, they won’t have to take Public Speaking 101. The university has been open to that concept and we are looking at other activities that might apply.

What roles do retirees currently have with the organization?

Quite a few retirees are Master Gardener volunteers and some are involved in the 4H program, either through clubs or school programs, while other retirees are serving on Extension Association Boards. A former administrator serves on the 4H Foundation Board and other administrators are being plugged in where they are needed.

Would you be open to creating an Extension Retirees Corps? What other potential roles do you see for retirees?

That is an awesome idea. First, we need to know our audience of volunteers and their appetite for being connected to Extension.

Frequent communication is most important. I want to have all our retirees receive our Extension newsletter so they could keep informed about Extension and learn about volunteer opportunities.

We have base line needs that we aren’t filling because of budget and retirements. There is an opportunity to plug our former faculty/professionals in those areas. I feel stipends or contract work is all on the table but I want people to do it because they really want to do it.

Another opportunity for retirees is serving as mentors to new faculty and professionals. We have wonderful mentors, however, younger faculty/professionals require lots of time and guidance. Sometimes I feel our established faculty doesn’t have the time available to provide the support they need. Wouldn’t it be great if we could do a mentor match program with retirees?

The President’s Council of Retired Employees

Dusty Dowse (Chair)
Nancy Boyington (Secretary)
Marian Dressler
Michael Pullen
Susan Randall
Phyllis Thibodeau
Gloria Vollmers
David Bagley
Richard Judd
Thomas Sandford
Louis Bassano
Kimberly Whitehead
John Diamond
Jeffery Mills
Sarah McPartland-Good

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!

91¸£Àû is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.

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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 91¸£Àû Retirees Harold “Brownieâ€� 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 91¸£Àû 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 .

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 91¸£Àû, 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 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 .

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 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.â€� 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!

91¸£Àû 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)

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Greetings!

It is an honor to provide my first message to the retired employees of the University of Maine. During my early months here at 91¸£Àû I was pleased to meet the wonderful and dedicated President’s Council of Retired Employees (PCRE). It is clear they manage to accomplish extraordinary things and have a lot of fun at the same time.

Several of you will be familiar with the Blue Sky strategic plan and assessment, a comprehensive undertaking that guided the work of our campus from 2012 – 2018. Building on the momentum and success of those efforts, we just announced 91¸£Àû’s next iteration of strategic vision and values-setting. On November 15, 2018, with Provost Hecker, I held an interactive forum at Wells Conference Center, in which we described three shared and guiding values and solicited questions and comments. Now, I’m asking you to participate as well. Your perspective and experience as retirees of this campus mean that you will have much to contribute toward this process. I encourage you to visit the dedicated website at /strategic-visioning. There you will be able to view the presentation and participate by sharing your feedback and questions. You will also see the dates and locations of three upcoming forums. This process will continue to be interactive and I look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Our retirees’ continued interest in 91¸£Àû speaks volumes about why this institution is the wonderful place that it is. You, our retired employees, engage by attending athletic events, at performances and exhibitions, serving on boards of your colleges and centers, and volunteering in a variety of ways. Your engagement shows us that 91¸£Àû is special to you, and you are an important part of the community. We rely on your experience and perspective to guide us.

Thank you for your continued dedication to the University of Maine!

President Ferrini-Mundy

“None are so old as those who have out-lived enthusiasm.” –Henry David Thoreau

Soliciting Nominations for the 2019 Hikel Award

We invite nominations for the 2019 Barbara Hikel Retiree Award. This award was established in the memory of Barbara, who was an exemplary 91¸£Àû employee who stayed involved with the university for many years after her retirement. The award goes to a University of Maine retiree who provides extraordinary voluntary service to the University of Maine. This award will be presented at the 2019 President’s Council of Retired Employees Homecoming on June 4, 2019. Details regarding the award and nomination form appear on the UM Retiree Council website.

91¸£Àû Retirees Visit Cellar Door Winery

On October 9, 2018, thirteen University of Maine retirees traveled to Lincolnville, Maine for a delightful visit to the Cellar Door Winery. The weather was spectacular as the retirees enjoyed a wine pairing; wine tasting together with food prepared to bring out the flavor of the wine. Following the wine pairing, the retirees toured the wine making facility, were introduced to the wine maker and received an excellent lecture on the process used to prepare the wide variety of Maine wines available at the winery. Several of the retirees also took a tour of the vineyards to see the grapes used in the wine making process. A good time was had by all on a truly spectacular Maine day.

Top 10 Health Tips for 2019!

1. Embrace a healthy diet plan
2. Move more
3. Be smoke-free
4. Schedule sleep
5. Prioritize preventative screenings
6. Connect with others
7. Stay hydrated
8. Appreciate what you have
9. Pick up a hobby
10. Meditate

Oral History Project

The Retirees’ Council is partnering with senior honor society All Maine Women (AMW) to interview retirees as a beginning of building an archive of oral histories from 91¸£Àû retirees. The Council’s own AMW Alumna Marian Dressler is taking the lead on this project. The 2018 interviewees were George Jacobson, Marisue Pickering, Michael Pullen and Judith Round.

Scholarship Awarded

Julianna Southworth Acheson was the most recent recipient of the 91¸£Àû Retirees Harold “Brownie” Brown Scholarship Fund. Julianna is the granddaughter of James M. Acheson, professor emeritus of marine sciences and anthropology.

Julianna is a junior majoring in child development and family relations.

Remembering Harold “Brownie” Brown

Brownie was Professor Emeritus of the University of Maine. He began his career there as a member of the cooperative extension service faculty from 1968 to 1999. From 1985 to 1999 he served as the Maine 4-H Program Coordinator.

Brownie received numerous awards including the Achievement Award and Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents, the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents, the Doctor of Public Service Honors Causa, of Unity College in 1987 and he was introduced into the National 4-H Hall of Fame in 2005.

Brownie sreved as the first chair of the President’s Council of Retired Employees. In 2007 he was presented the Barbara Hikel Retiree Award in recognition of outstanding volunteer service to the University following retirement.

He palyed an important role in establishing a scholarship designed for relatives of 91¸£Àû retirees. At the time of his death, the scholarship was renamed in his honor.

If you would like to support this scholarship, you can contact the University of Maine Foundation and tell them that you would like to give to the 91¸£Àû Retirees Harold “Brownie” Brown Scholarship Fund. You can make checks payable to University of Maine Foundation with 91¸£Àû Retirees Scholarship in the memo line. If you would like to pay by credit card, go to the .

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.

Ethel Hill, Chair
Mark Anderson, immediate past chair and secretary
Marian Dressler
Joseph Genco
Candace Jordan
Raymond Pelletier
Mike Pullen
Judith Round
Claire Strickland
Phyllis Thibodeau
Gloria Vollmers

New Members as of January 2019

Harold “Dusty” Dowes (replacing Mark Anderson)
Nancy Boyington (replacing Candice Jordan)
Sue Randall (replacing Judith Round)

91¸£Àû 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)

The post Silver Tracks December 2018 appeared first on President's Council of Retired Employees.

Greetings from the President

91¸£Àû community has a depth and breath unlike any other institution. In our mission as Maine’s public research university, we serve constituents statewide and make contributions on a global scale. Our students come from every county in Maine, and, increasingly, from out of state. 91¸£Àû employees also work in every Maine county and our more than 107,000 alumni are found
worldwide.

Our retirees are a wonderful blend of the best of these last two groups. Like alumni, you know 91¸£Àû and its potential to change lives. As former employees, your work contributed to the success of the state’s flagship university. And you continue to have a leadership role to play in the university community writ large.

91¸£Àû counts on your experience and engagement. We hope you’ll share your extensive knowledge and 91¸£Àû with others. We also hope you’ll remain connected to the university, both as a resource and as a way to know what’s new and next.

If it has been a while since you’ve been on campus, toured our research facilities throughout the state, and talked to our faculty and students about their many community service initiatives, let me extend an invitation to you. Come to Homecoming June 7. In some ways, it’s impossible to know every facet of 91¸£Àû, but I encourage all of our constituents to explore our breadth and depth. And you are among our top ambassadors for the University of Maine.

Thank you for your continued support and for all that you do on behalf of 91¸£Àû.

President Susan J. Hunter, Ph.D.

To Your Health

As has been the Council’s custom, we asked Tony Richard of the University of Maine System to update us on changes to health insurance coverage. The news is mostly good in that there were not a lot of changes for 2016. There was no premium increase for Medicare-eligible retirees. Medicare-eligible mitigated a premium increase by an increased out-of-pocket minimum from $1500 to $2000, raising copay to $5 for PCP and for specialist copay to $20. Emergency room copay changed from $65 to $75. Two enhancements were added: Hepatitis C treatment covered at 100% and Urgent care is now covered worldwide.

For non-Medicare-eligible there was a 4.5% increase due in part to federal regulations. These increases for non-Medicare-eligible are being phased in over time through 2019. For non-Medicare-eligible, two programs were added: Best Doctors program and Telemedicine. Best Doctors provides access to world-class physicians 24-7. Telemedicine provides access to world-class physicians 24-7 who can assist with diagnosis and can write prescriptions. Participants need to register to use these programs.

Second Retiree Scholarship Awarded

There is growing interest in the scholarship established in 2013 by the President’s Council of Retired Employees with gifts from retirees of the University. This academic year there were 23 applications. The scholarship was awarded to Samuel Favreau, who is the grandson of John Blease, a longtime professional employee at the University. Samuel is a Mechanical Engineering student who is in his senior year.

The purpose of this scholarship fund is to put one-half of donors’ gifts into the endowment fund and the other half for a current award, until such time as the fund reaches $10,000. We encourage you to give to this fund so that it can be permanently endowed. Information about ways of giving can be found .

Retiree Homecoming June 7, 2016

Plans are underway for Retiree Homecoming June 7, 2016 at Wells Conference Center on the Orono campus. This year’s featured speaker will be Dr. Heather M. Leslie, director of the Darling Marine Center in Walpole, Maine. Thanks to the generosity of Ira C. Darling, the Center has been an active hub of marine science and education by researchers and students from the University of Maine and institutions around the world since 1965.

As in the past, some 20 units and organizations that provide programs and services of interest to retirees will be on hand with information to share with us. A complimentary buffet lunch and ice cream sundae bar will be provided. Following the main event, we are offering three tour options: The Orono Bog Boardwalk located on Stillwater Avenue in Bangor, the Page Farm and Home Museum or the Advanced Structures and Composites Center on the Orono campus. Watch your mail for your invitation, which should arrive by the end of April.

Retiree Spotlight

Dr. Rosemary A. Bamford, Professor Emerita, was a member of the College of Education and Human Development Faculty for 34 years. Since retiring, she has been a member of the President’s Council of Retired Employees for 10 years serving on several committees as well as secretary. This year she decided to retire from all boards and is traveling with her husband, Mark. While she believes it is important to give back to the community, it is a pleasure to travel and participate in local activities without having to schedule around meetings.

The Barbara Hikel Retiree Award

The Hikel award is named after the late Barbara Hikel, seen here volunteering at a Combined Charitable Appeal for University Employees (CCAUE). The 2016 award will be presented at Homecoming by President Susan J. Hunter. The award honors retirees who have volunteered their time and talent to the University following retirement.

This year’s awardee is Marian Dressler. Marian retired from the University of Maine in June 2010 after approximately 21 years of service to 91¸£Àû. Marian has been an active volunteer for the women’s basketball program for many years. She is a member of the President’s Council of Retired Employees, volunteers at Buchanan Alumni House and events on campus including Commencement.

Community Outreach Events

The President’s Council of Retired Employees is expanding its efforts to enhance communication between the University of Maine and its retired employees by providing outreach to groups of retirees and friends on current University events and activities.

On May 19, 7:15 p.m. at Dirigo Pines, the Council is sponsoring a talk by Stephen Roberts, 91¸£Àû student of International Affairs and French, who will talk about his experiences during his semester at the University of Ottawa.

The Council is also working with the Penobscot Valley Senior College to co-sponsor a tour of the Darling Marine Center in early fall. More information about this event will be forthcoming.

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.

Judith Round, Chair
Mark Anderson, Vice Chair
Harold Brown, Past Chair
Devon Storman, Secretary
Marian Dressler
Joseph Genco
Ethel Hill
Candace Jordan
Raymond Pelletier
Mike Pullen
Robert Strong

Maine’s Land Grant and Sea Grant University

91¸£Àû does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, including transgender status and 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 inquires regarding nondiscrimination policies: Director, Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, 207.581.1226. eoinfo@umit.maine.edu

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Save the date!

Retiree Homecoming 2015, Tuesday, June 2, Wells Conference Center

Benefits News

From Tony Richard, Director of Employee Benefits and Payroll, UMS

91¸£Àû System (UMS) provides Medicare eligible retirees, widows/widowers, and former employees receiving Long Term Disability benefits (hereafter referred to as retirees) with a Medicare Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan through Aetna.

The UMS requires that a retiree enroll in Government Medicare A (hospital) and B (Physician/out-patient) when it first becomes available in order to retain their UMS retiree medical coverage. UMS also believes that with government Medicare A and B and one other group health plan, like your UMS retiree medical coverage, you do not need to purchase any other health insurance coverage.

Claims must be submitted to Aetna under the Medicare Advantage plan. Aetna will process and pay what Medicare would have paid and what they (Aetna) would pay as the secondary insurer. If a medical provider sends a claim directly to Medicare, it will be denied because you are in a Medicare Advantage plan. If you have questions regarding the Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO program, please contact Aetna directly at 1.855.320.6555. If you have questions about EBPA, UMS’s third party administrator who bills and collects retiree health premiums, please contact EBPA at 1.888.232.3203. For any retiree who is NOT Medicare eligible call CIGNA at 1.866.269.9635.

When you are an Aetna member, you get online tools and resources to help you easily manage your health and your benefits on your Aetna Navigator member website. Go to the to see a preview of what Aetna Navigator has to offer an Aetna member.

91¸£Àû Celebrates 150 Years

91¸£Àû is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2015 with events on campus and statewide, and an interactive website to encourage community engagement by the many constituents of the state’s land and sea grant university.

In a Jan. 23 letter to the community, 91¸£Àû President Susan Hunter noted the significance of this anniversary for the state and its many constituents — an opportunity to celebrate 91¸£Àû’s legacy and to understand how that history informs the university’s future.

91¸£Àû’s 150th anniversary events began with the School of Performing Arts benefit production, “150 Years of American Song: A Celebration of the University of Maine,â€� Jan. 23. University of Maine Day at the State House in Augusta was celebrated Feb. 24 — the date 150 years ago that the Maine legislature passed the bill creating the Maine State College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts.

Other 150th celebration events during this anniversary year include:

• Women in Leadership Week, March 23–27, featuring a Presidential Installation on March 26, Collins Center for the Arts
• Maine Day, April 29
• Commencement, May 9
• Open University Day and Homecoming, Oct. 17–18

More information about these and other anniversary events will be on the 150th website.

91¸£Àû nondiscrimination notice: 91¸£Àû does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, including transgender status and gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies: Director, Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, 207.581.1226.

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$8,000,000 Bond Referendum to Create Animal/Plant Disease & Insect Control Laboratory on Ballot this November

Question 2: Do you favor an $8,000,000 bond issue to support Maine agriculture, facilitate economic growth in natural resource based industries, and monitor human health threats related to ticks, mosquitoes, and bedbugs through the creation of an Animal and Plant Disease and Insect Control Laboratory administered by University of Maine Cooperative Extension?

Maine’s agricultural economy is the largest in New England. The numbers of farms and the acreage under production are increasing. The growth in the number of young farmers is over 40% in the past five years. Food production and processing is a growth sector of the Maine economy.

This lab will help protect Maine food producers and processors with monitoring, testing and education. Through the combination of agricultural, residential, and public health resources, a new lab will impact Maine citizens from all walks of life. The new lab’s unique combination of insect, plant, and animal diagnostics will provide an exceptional teaching opportunity for students, as well as premiere research and outreach facilities. The lab will actively support the work of many state agencies including the Department of Marine Resources, Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Agriculture Conservation and Forestry, Health and Human Services and the Maine Center for Disease Control.

The expanding tick population and the resulting increase in the reported cases of Lyme disease and other serious illnesses is a prime example of the importance of this new laboratory. Presently, the Insect and Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab is now operating the only tick identification program in the entire state. The new lab would allow testing for Lyme and other disease causing organisms.

Just this year, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension became the new home of the state’s tick identification program. Portland’s Maine Medical Center, which handled the program for 25 years, eliminated the service last December due to funding deficits. 91¸£Àû Extension’s Insect and Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab, which identifies 3,000 plant, pest and insect species each year, expanded its services to compensate for Maine Medical Center’s cut by creating the Tick ID Lab, which began operation April 1.

The Animal/Plant Disease and Insect Control Laboratory will help:

• Support Maine agriculture
• Screen ticks for Lyme disease and other pathogens
• Facilitate economic growth in natural resource-based industries
• Monitor Maine’s moose herd for diseases and parasites
• Provide public outreach to help Maine citizens manage emerging pest issues
• Monitor and respond to invasive pest threats

If you are a Maine resident, a YES vote on Question 2 will support the new laboratory.

For Your Health

From Consumer Reports On Health Newsletter Volume 26 Number 4

Shingles Vaccine

A new study found that having had shingles can raise your risk of a heart attack or stroke. So if you haven’t gotten your vaccine, do it today.

New Self-test for Dementia

A 15-minute paper-and-pencil test might help detect early signs of cognitive decline. You can find the test at medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare (search “SAGE�).

Avoid Caramel Color in Foods and Drinks

Consumer Reports stated that caramel color used in many foods and drinks, from soy sauce to baked goods and many soft drinks might contain a potentially carcinogenic chemical called 4-MEL. Although Consumer Reports is not ready to make recommendations, they urge limiting consumption of products with “caramel color� or “artificial color.�

Before You Take Antibiotics, Ask These Questions

• Is it really necessary?
• Is it the right one?
• How long should you take it?
• What are the side effects?

When to Go Organic?

Organic foods as a rule cost more than conventional foods. Here is Consumer Reports take on which organic choices will provide the most immediate benefit from high to low:

• Fruits and Vegetables—High (Not treated with synthetic pesticides and fertilizers)
• Poultry—Medium to High (Do not have antibiotics)
• Beef—Medium to High (Not treated with antibiotics—also look for grass fed)
• Dairy—Medium to High (Not treated with growth hormones and has 60 % more heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.)
• Packaged food—Low to Medium (To avoid food additives and synthetic dyes, but remember a cookie is still a cookie)
• Seafood—Not applicable (No government approved organic standard for seafood.)

Three Retirees Join Council

Council vacancies were recently filled by John Alexander, vice president and provost emeritus and professor emeritus of civil engineering; Candace Jordan, senior development research analyst, University of Maine Development, and Marian Dressler, administrative assistant in the Department of Athletics.

There is a current opening on the Council for a retired faculty representative from the Maine Business School and in 2015 there will faculty positions open in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Cooperative Extension.

First Recipient of University of Maine Retiree Scholarship Named

Hannah Chavis, granddaughter of retired faculty member in the College of Engineering George Elliott, was chosen by the Office of Financial Aid as the first recipient of the University of Maine Retirees Scholarship.

Hannah is a junior from Fairfield, Maine majoring in Nursing. Her goal is to become a registered nurse. Ultimately, she says she wants to become a home care nurse because she thinks they become the most personally engaged with the patient. Hannah is involved with the National Scholastic Collegiate Scholars and the Orono Student Nursing Association. She enjoys volunteering at the blood drives held on campus and working with her church.

Out and 91¸£Àû

Volunteers and Friends of the Orono Bog Boardwalk have completed the first phase of fundraising for and replacement of the 508 sections of the boardwalk, which is located off Stillwater Avenue in Bangor, Maine. Under Phase I, the first 104 were constructed and installed along with new railings, interpretive stations and wheelchair turnouts. The sections are made of composite materials and will, thus, be longer lasting. Phase II fundraising is underway to complete the next 120 sections.

For more information about the bog boardwalk, visit the Orono Bog Boardwalk website.

The Orono Bog Boardwalk is fully wheelchair accessible and open to the public during daylight hours until early November.

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.

Council

Harold “Brownie� Brown, Chair
John Alexander
Rosemary Bamford
August “Gus� DeSiervo
Marian Dressler
Candace Jordan
Gordon Kulberg
Mike Pullen
Judith Round
Devon Storman

91¸£Àû does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, including transgender status and gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veterans status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquires regarding nondiscrimination policies: Director, Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, 207.581.1226.

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