Michael and his family first came to Falmouth in 1976. They bought their present home in 1978 and summered here with their two children. He and his wife both retired in 2004 and moved to Falmouth permanently. Michael has always been keenly interested in the environment and, already aware of OPET, was eager to become a more active member. We are sure this interest, coupled with his exceptional teaching and administrative background, will greatly enhance our organization. As well as being on the OPET board, Michael is the Vice-chairman of the Berkshire Choral Festival and is a member of the Falmouth Chorale and the St. Barnabas Church choir. He is a US Civil War authority and is also a genealogy expert.
OPET’s other new board member, R. Max Holmes, is an associate scientist at the Woods Hole Research Center. Max received his undergraduate degree in Texas. From there he went to Michigan State University and earned a Master’s degree in science, studying fresh water ecosystems. This led him to a PhD from Arizona State University ,working on fresh water rivers and streams. Upon the completion of his PhD in 1995, he took a post-doctorial position with the Ecosystems Lab at MBL in Woods Hole. Here he was introduced to the marine environment studying estuaries, and eventually became more interested in climate change and the environment. This was also an introduction to his wife, Gabrielle. Gabrielle is a PhD student with the Boston University Marine Program at MBL, where she is studying estuarine ecosystems. She is also a member of Falmouth Associations Concerned with Salt Ponds and Estuaries (FACES) board of directors. Max then moved to the Woods Hole Research Center in early 2005 where he is currently studying climate change, particularly in the Arctic regions. He also is interested in bringing his research into the classroom of those children living in the Arctic areas and has worked on projects toward this goal.
Max is an avid fisherman of pretty much any type of fish, he says: salt water or fresh, on-shore or off, fly rod or bamboo pole with a hook. He describes his yard as “littered” with boats to accommodate his fishing. These days though, life is welcomingly confined to home, as he and his wife are the new parents of a baby boy, Nathaniel. A fishing buddy for sure. Congratulations and welcome to the board, both Max and Michael.
- by Susan Gagosian
Image above: Max Holmes introducing his new son, Nate, to the pleasures of boating.
