Judy Bauman- President

I received my nursing degree from the School of Nursing, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.  Over time, I have held various positions, the most recent being Wellness Director at the Highlands Retirement Community in Topsham.

I am a member of First Parish Church, and facilitate the weekly Caregivers’ Support Group held there.  I served on the church’s Outreach Committee, and  participated in one of the church’s mission trips to Honduras.

I was a volunteer at the Tedford Shelter and the OASIS Clinic, and served on the Board of Directors of Spectrum Generations in Augusta.  Currently, I am pleased to be a member of the weekday volunteer team at The Gathering Place

Grace Carrier

I am originally from Brooklyn, NY and I am currently a student at Bowdoin College. I am studying Sociology with a minor in Physics. I started volunteering with The Gathering Place my freshman year at college and have loved the opportunity to get to learn about Brunswick beyond Bowdoin and the amazing community support organizations here.

Besides from volunteering at The Gathering Place, I also work with Tedford Housing to create “Fun at Federal Street,” a program where Bowdoin students run outdoor games, arts & crafts and other fun activities for children in the family shelter. In the summer after my sophomore year, I also interned with the organization Growing to Give, which is a non-profit that grows organic produce for donation to local food pantries, including MCHPP.

John Fitzgerald

Brunswick has been my home since 1983 and I have taught economics at Bowdoin since that time.  I have been aware of the Gathering Place since its inception through my association with Tedford Housing and with some people presently and formerly associated with it through First Parish Church.  The Gathering Place provides a vital service, particularly in conjunction with other social services in Brunswick such as Tedford Housing and Midcoast Hunger Prevention, and makes Brunswick a better community.

At the college, I was a faculty fellow for the McKeen Center for the Common Good for several years.  It coordinates volunteer activities and promotes public engagement by faculty and staff. I served on the board of (now) Midcoast Community Action, formerly Coastal Economic Development, for 10 years and was Treasurer for several years.  At the time it handled a number of programs directed toward low income families, such as Head Start, Low Income Energy Assistance, WIA (job training), and low income housing projects.  I served on the board for Tedford Housing for several years, and was Treasurer for two or three years.

My association with these groups has been personally enriching and also had a side effect for my work.  My research has often focused on policy for low income families and broader themes of intergenerational links in income and health.   I have taught courses in Poverty and Inequality, Public Economics, and Public Policy Evaluation.   Serving on the board of organizations that provide services has allowed me to see “where the rubber meets the road” in poverty policy.  In my work it is easy to get bound up in statistics, but meeting clients and understanding how services affect people makes it personal and human.

Olivia Giles

Olivia is originally from Gray, ME but moved to Brunswick to study at Bowdoin College.  She graduated as a member of the Class of 2020. She became acquainted with The Gathering Place through her work as a summer intern in 2017. Some of her major projects included a community resource database, a community outreach project titled, Living on the Edge: Words of Poverty, and a recreation of the annual Point-In-Time Count for the unsheltered population.

Continuing to engage with various communities in Maine, Olivia worked as an intern at Pine Tree Legal Assistance, the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, and volunteered at Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program.

Olivia currently works as a legal analyst at FordMurray in Portland, ME, and she plans to attend law school in the near future.

Judy Gray

I grew up in New York State where I graduated from high school and from what was then Geneseo State Teachers College. I later lived in New Jersey after I married a New Jersey State Trooper. When he retired we moved to Bowdoinham in the early 70s.

Many years ago I worked a lot of enjoyable and rewarding jobs: as a night telephone operator, teacher, interviewer, employment counselor, job developer, operations manager, and bookkeeper. I’ve been married twice, divorced once, and widowed once, after which I spent twenty good years with my dear friend until his death ten years ago.

I have three adult children – one retired daughter, one daughter contemplating retirement, and a somewhat younger son who has been self-employed for about 30 years and gives no indication of retiring. They are all very good to me, indeed far better than I deserve. I am “Elder Sister” to two younger brothers who I see each summer in western New York. In addition, I have a wonderful extended family including 3-4 generations of my college roommate’s family, my sister by another mother, an “adopted” daughter, two impressive granddaughters, multiple grandsons [actual, acquired, and one who “adopted” me].

Twenty years into retirement I enjoy playing bridge, volunteering at The Gathering Place, reading, writing, doing crosswords, and the NY Times Spelling Bee, traveling to New York and to Eastport, the company of old friends, and the friendship of strangers. I spend congenial time with friends at the Gathering Place, the Sea Dog, and the Three Robbers. I have a good life.

George H. Hardy

Born June 1, 1935 –in Rahway N.J, I grew up in Long Valley, New Jersey, the second of six children of Rufe and Ethel Hardy. My father was a High School Teacher and my mother was a stay-at- home mom. I graduated from Hackettstown High School in 1953. Growing up I delivered newspapers, worked as field hand on a dairy farm and as a grocery clerk at a supermarket.

I attended and graduated from Maryville College (Tenn.) with a B.A. in Philosophy. I then received a M Div in 1957 from Louisville (KY) Presbyterian Seminary. Then ordained as a minister of the Presbyterian Church (USA) I served rural churches in Indiana and Illinois. Moving to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1966, I entered Case Western Reserve University from which I received a MSSA (Social work) degree in 1974. For the next 18 years I worked in the inner-city of Cleveland in both secular and religious settings as a community organizer, pastor and agency administrator. In 1983 my wife Joanne and I moved to Sunderland, VT where we owned and operated Hill Farm Inn for 15 years. In 1993 I began my fourth career as an Interim Pastor/agency executive in twelve churches and church organizations, helping them work their way through transitions in ministry and identity.

In 1957 I married Maryel Vogel. We had three children; Henry, John and Martha. We were divorced in 1975. John died by suicide in 1995. In1976, Joanne Klunder and I were married. I have two step children and two grandchildren.

I have lived in 10 states and The District of Columbia. I moved to Maine in 2004. I now livein Brunswick.

Starting in 2009, I worked with Ed Bradley and Chick Carroll to do the ground work to establish a day center for homeless adults and others who needed a place to be during daytime hours. In 2011, along with many others, we established The Gathering Place. I served on the Steering Committee/Board for five years. During that time I served as a volunteer as I continue to do

I look forward to serving on TGP’s Board again.

Les Hodgdon

I came to Brunswick in 1979 to work as Chief Financial Officer at the former Regional Memorial Hospital and was part of its growth into the Mid Coast Parkview Health system. I’ve been retired since 2014 as has my wife, Sidney, a middle school teacher in SAD75. I’ve served in various capacities on the boards of many nonprofit organizations over the years, including United Way of Mid Coast Maine, Spring Harbor Hospital, Curtis Memorial Library and Friends of Curtis. I’m also a regular volunteer at The Gathering Place. My wife and I both grew up in Vermont and attended college in Burlington. We have two married sons and three granddaughters. Since retirement, my wife and I have been frequent travelers both in the US and abroad. We are both readers, walkers on trails and, until recent years, on the golf course.

Kelsey Lee Esq.

Kelsey Lee is currently an attorney specializing in business and humanitarian immigration at FordMurray Law in Portland, Maine. Kelsey grew up in Nebraska where she worked with immigrant and refugee communities after graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Before attending law school, Kelsey taught English in Thailand as part of the Fulbright Program. Kelsey came to Maine in 2018 to study at the University of Maine School of Law. While a student, Kelsey served as President of the Multicultural Law Society, volunteered at the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic, and worked as a student attorney in the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic. Kelsey graduated in 2021 and is excited to become more involved in her Maine community. Kelsey’s experience as an attorney, particularly her work on issues concerning public assistance while an intern at Pine Tree Legal Assistance and the Maine Equal Justice Partners, will be a valuable asset to The Gathering Place. Kelsey loves spending time with her dog, Lucky, and is an avid gardener. She is currently growing her first lemon tree!

Larry R. Kalajainen- Vice President

Larry is a retired United Methodist and United Church of Christ pastor, who has served forty-four years in parish ministry on three continents.  A native of western Pennsylvania, he earned degrees at the University of Pittsburgh, Asbury Theological Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary, and finally, the Ph.D. in New Testament and Early Christianity at Drew University.

In the 1970s, Larry and his wife Carol served with the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries in Sarawak, East Malaysia for six years.  He served four pastorates in the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.  While in New Jersey, he also taught as an Adjunct Professor at Drew Theological School and at New Brunswick Theological Seminary. He was called to become Senior Pastor of the American Church in Paris, France in 1994 and served for nearly ten years before returning to the U.S. to serve First Parish Church UCC in Brunswick and Scarsdale Congregational Church UCC in New York.

One of Larry’s lifelong concerns has been to bridge the gap between the academic study of the Bible and its application to the life of the local congregation. His writing and teaching have combined the critical study of the scriptures and Christian history with pastoral resources for individuals and congregations. His most recent work, The Bible Says. . . How Good is the Good Book? was published in 2013.

Larry is an avid reader of contemporary fiction and non-fiction.  He also loves cooking and baking artisanal breads, and has pursued a serious interest in travel and fine art photography for fifty years.

Since returning to their home in Brunswick in 2016, he has been teaching part time at the Maine School of Ministry (UCC). He and Carol are members of the choir at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on most Sundays, but also occasionally attend Hope Gateway United Methodist Church in Portland to support that congregation’s intentional ministry to immigrants and asylum seekers. Carol also serves on the steering committee for the Midcoast New Mainers Support Group here in Brunswick. They have two daughters and four grandchildren.

Patsy Oehl- Secretary  

Born and raised in New York, marriage and family eventually brought me to Scituate, Massachusetts. Over my 30 years in Scituate, I was the ultra PTO & classroom volunteer, Girl Scout Leader, Sunday School Teacher, Interim Director of Christian Education, and for many years the Collector and Assistant Treasurer at my church.  I have worked on many committees, both professionally and as a volunteer.  Eventually I returned to school & earned my Bachelor’s in 2003(exactly 30 years after I first started!) and began teaching Kindergarten that year. I earned my Masters in Special Education two years later.

I loved teaching my young learners, but I determined that I would love living in the same state as my husband even more, so I retired in 2017 and moved to Brunswick.  I began volunteering at The Gathering Place that first summer and have found a warm & welcoming community there and at my new church home – St Paul’s.

Together my husband & I have 5 children and (so far) one most exceptional grandchild.

Joyce Oreskovich

Joyce moved to Maine from Pennsylvania in 1981 and has resided in Brunswick since 1988.  Although a resident of Brunswick for over 30 years, she spent her waking hours in Augusta working for the State in various employment-law jobs.  She retired from her position as the State of Maine’s Director of Human Resources, which she held for the last 8 years of her service, in September 2018.

Retirement opened-up opportunities to discover Brunswick and contribute to our community.  After several months of relaxation Joyce looked for volunteer opportunities.  Satisfying a desire to do something for Brunswick’s homeless population and also its senior community, Joyce currently volunteers at The Gathering Place as well as at Brunswick Area Respite Care.

Joyce has a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh and a law degree from the University of Maine School of Law.  She served on the board of Special Olympics Maine and on the board of a national professional organization of state personnel executives.  She takes classes at the senior college and tends to her flower gardens from mud season to football season.  Joyce and her husband Roger Hellyar-Brook have a son, Harry, who resides in Austin, Texas.

John Harlow Ott

Retired Executive Director, Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library [National Heritage Museum], Lexington, MA.

A graduate of Eastern University in St. David’s, PA with a B.A. in American History and the State University of New York at Oneonta’s Cooperstown Graduate Program with an M.A. in American Museum Administration, John Ott’s 37 year career in museums has always focused on building institutional capacity, community integration and diversity to reflect the evolution and importance of our nation’s arts, culture and history.  His past positions include Executive Directorships of Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield, MA; the Atlanta Historical Society in Atlanta, GA; the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum in Baltimore, MD; and the National Heritage Museum in Lexington, MA and as Interim Director of the Northeast Document Conservation Center in Andover, MA.

His community involvement includes chairmanships of the Baltimore City and Lexington, MA Chambers of Commerce and board positions and trusteeships with numerous museums and business associations.  He served as President of the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Association as it became one of the newest National Heritage Areas under the National Park Service, was President of the Groton Historical Society, restoring the Governor George Boutwell House, and he has led a range of initiatives over the years to promote and enhance tourism in the State of Massachusetts.  He has received numerous awards and recognition as Museum Professional of the Year in Georgia and was chosen by INDEPENDENT SECTOR to be included in its 1991 book, Profiles in Excellence, for his leadership style.

He currently serves as a Trustee of Old Sturbridge Village and chairs its Library Committee, is Historian of the Massachusetts Agricultural Club, is an elected member of the American Antiquarian Society in Worcester, MA and is Overseer of Merriconeag Grange #452 in Harpswell, Maine where he resides with his wife Lili Reineck Ott, also a 1975 graduate of the Cooperstown Graduate Program.

Abigail Manny Patterson

I was born and raised in the Boston suburbs, attended high school in Virginia where I was president of my class. Attended Radcliffe College for two years, married and spent a year at Fort Benning, Georgia. I returned to college and finished my degree while my husband was at graduate school and our first two children were born. I graduated, with their toddling help, in 1958.

I was lucky enough to stay home while the children were young, and was elected classroom representative at least once for all six of them. Call me a PTA junkie, veteran of more sales and fundraisers than I care to count. Outside of their schools, the volunteer work I am most proud of during those early years was at a Planned Parenthood clinic on 125th Street in Harlem.

When the youngest child entered kindergarten, I went to work as Director of Admissions at the New Canaan Country School until my late husband’s retirement in 1993 when we moved to Harpswell.

Since living here, I have been president of the Harpswell Garden Club, happiest to be involved in the work its members have done on the Centennial Hall Gardens in Harpswell Center and at the Memorial Gardens at the former Navy Base. I have also been president of the Auxiliary of MidCoast Hospital and co-chaired its major fundraiser, the “Grand and Glorious Yard Sale” four times. I have served three terms on the Board of Directors of MidCoast Hospital and am still working on its Development sub-committee. Still volunteer at the Hospital and at St. Paul’s Church. I am also Secretary of the Maine Women’s Giving Tree.

I love working with people, and would love to help the Gathering Place in Outreach and Fundraising. The work you all do for the forgotten and neglected sector of our population is truly awe inspiring.

 

Pat Ryan

I grew up in Lancaster, Pa, moved to Boston after graduating from Syracuse University, and have lived in Maine since 1971.  After serving as Executive Director of the Maine Human Rights Commission for 32 years I retired in 2011.  I am committed to civil rights, and have worked on issues pertaining to women ever since I can remember.  I am proud to be a founding director of the Maine Women’s Lobby – an organization that continues to advocate for girls and women in Maine today.

I continue to work as a mediator and serve on several non-profit boards.  I am an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, and focus my energies on outreach.  

My husband Charlie Priest and I live in Brunswick.  We have two wonderful daughters who together with their families make us grateful for our lives.  I am excited to become a board member of The Gathering Place!

Hugh P Savage

Hugh has lived in Brunswick since 1984.  He is a Professional Engineer and a retired Home Inspector.  He started Acorn Engineering in 1989 and owned Up-Country Building Inspectors from 2003 to 2010.  He was a founding member of the Maine Coalition of Home Inspector Professionals and held several offices in the organization.

He is an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Brunswick where he has twice been a member of its Vestry and is currently on its renovation committee.

He is a Court Appointed Special Advocate guardian ad litem and a Spiritual Wellness visitor for Mid Coast Hospital.

Previously he has served on the board of directors for 7 Rivers Habitat for Humanity, Midcoast Hospice Volunteers, and Curtis Memorial Library.  Caroline Savage and he recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of their marriage.  They have 5 children and 9 grandsons.

Phil Studwell

I received my BA in Religion in 1977 from Trinity College in Hartford, Ct  and my Master’s in Social Work from Hunter College in NYC in 1982. I recently retired from 27 years with the Portland School District as a clinical school social worker and also maintained a part time private LCSW practice for 15 of those 27 years in a downtown Brunswick office working with youth ages 6 -21 yrs.

Previous to working in the Portland schools, in the 1980’s, I worked in New York City with Jewish Childcare Services, then in Brunswick, Rockland and Augusta for the State of Maine Dept of Mental Health and Retardation for a year plus. I facilitated the first NAMI support groups in Bath and Rockland during that time, then worked in York County with Sweetser Children’s Services for 4 years doing intensive home based family work .

I have lived in Brunswick since 1985 and, with my late wife, raised two children here.  I’m currently remarried and a member of St Paul’s Church where I facilitated a youth group over four years culminating in a service pilgrimage to a social work university in Southern India. I also chaired St Paul’s Outreach Committee from 2010-15. With Chick, Ed, George, Bunny and others I founded the Gathering Place in 2010.