Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Fall 2010 | Page 23

“if it were today you could have been recognized for your talent and ability to play sports.” My sports career started when I was very young and growing up in a neighborhood for sixty boys and thirteen girls. My earlier years were spent playing baseball and watching the boys play Little League. I want to play so badly but Commissioner Paul Hanson said “girls were not allowed, but if they were you would be my first choice.” So I have to play with the guys during practice and off season. During the Babe Ruth League I remember playing with some of the guys of the Maine Telegram League Champions back in the late 50’s, Hilary Mahaney, David Hanson, and Howard Jones. I had to stop thinking of playing baseball, girls were not acceptable. Because of my father’s work with H.P.Hoods Egg, we moved to Waldoboro. Both my brothers, George Olsen ’56 and Jon Olsen ’58 were well on their way in careers of management with F W Woolworth and I was entering the seventh grade. This is when I started playing basketball and softball, where the girls were very active. I spend most of my time at the field and on the court. Coach Robert Greene, of Waldoboro High School, asked if I would like to sit on the bench during the freshmen session. He saw my ability and thought I might be his upcoming star when I arrive at the high school. However, again, we had to move again due to down sizing at HP Hoods Egg productions. We moved backed to Saco, where I entered Thornton Academy in 1960. As most of the readers remember I was sport minded and was considered a loner/tomboy. My first two years I had two different coaches, Miss Norton and Mrs. McLaughlin. It wasn’t until Miss Vlahokas came and saw my abilities and helped me a lot. She was responsible for my professional basketball career with the All-American Redheads. To my surprise, I received a letter from a former player of the Redheads, which she was the top dribbler and has been playing for a few years. When I arrived to base camp in Caraway, Arkansas she took me under her wing. I was so grateful for that, she taught me a lot. After being reconnected to the team members, it back a lot of memories and thought it would be nice to reconnect to my classmates at Thornton. It has been forty five years and wanted to share.” 1970 Jocelyn Canning writes, “had a great time at my class reunion this year. I encourage all my classmates to make and an effort and join in next time.” 1965 Rita Boyle Creapeau writes, “My oldest grandson Jesse recently graduated from Stonewall Jackson High and is off to Boise State.” David A. Hickey shares, “Although I live in Georgia and, work in Tennessee, I still visit my get-a-way home in Kittery.” 1972 Class Agent Kenneth Janson 14 Windy Point Ln Saco, ME 04072-2239 207-282-6946 or [email protected] Marc Boutet and Jim Stoddard ’72 rode their touring motorcycles up through Quebec, into Labrador, across to Newfoundland and down through Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island for a scenic and challenging two week 3,500+ mile ride. Jeanne DeNaples PetersonKamfonik opened Beggar’s Ride Studio & Gallery, LLC at 39 Old Orchard Street, Old Orchard Beach, Maine this summer featuring 15+ Maine artists and craftspeople. The Gallery will be opened year round selling wonderful wall art, pottery, jewelry, sculpture and handmade gifts! The Studio will feature classes for adults and children in Pottery, Beading, Photography and more. Jeanne shares, “please stop by for a visit, I would love to see more of my TA friends.” 1967 Class Agent James E. Nelson 399 Main St Saco, ME 04072-1520 207-282-6653 or [email protected] 1968 Richard Dolby retired in January 2009 as Director of Code Enforcement for the City of Augusta. In January of 2010, Richard was appointed as Acting Director of Building Codes and Standards with the Maine Department of Public Safety. Charlie Tufts is heading back to Vietnam soon, after recently signing a consulting contract with Skechers of Manhattan Beach, California. He will be restructuring the Vietnam manufacturing operation while simultaneously creating a Southeast Asian headquarters located in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)Vietnam. Tufts will be working with domestic markets and sourcing manufacturing plants to export footwear from Thailand and Indonesia to worldwide markets. The Tufts real estate firm, Coldwell Banker Team Real Estate in Windham, will continue to be operated by his wife Karen and son Jim. Share Your Photos Want to see your picture in Postscripts? Send us photos of your reunion, an alumni event or anything else that would be interesting to your classmates: jennifer.hass@thorntonacademy. org or call 207-602-4447. 1974 Stephen R. Dupuis and Helen Heffernan ‘74 enjoyed a great trip to the former Loring AFB to attend a two day autocross event on the former airfield. Steve writes, “amazing countryside on the way up and down.” 1975 Allen R. Sicard writes the Class of 1975 had its 35th reunion. They had about 100 people at Jimmy the Greek’s in Old Orchard Beach. Everyone had a great time and many are still reconnecting on Facebook! 1976 Michael LeBarge and wife Lorri Davis LeBarge ’83 share, “Hello to all my fellow Alumni and friends at TA. We have been living in Chesapeake, Virginia for 16 years. Michael has been working for the Virginia Department of Corrections, St. Brides Correctional Postscripts • 23