Postal food drive a success
To the editor:
I want to thank the Caribou, Woodland and Connor Township residents, businesses and postal employees who pitched in to make the May 14, 2011, National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive an overwhelming success. It is extremely gratifying to see the community and the Caribou Postal Team work together to restock the local food pantry shelves and provide assistance to some of our neighbors that may need a helping hand.
The results of the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive certainly speak volumes about the community’s generosity and the caring attitude of our employees who worked hard to collect those food donations. As postmaster, I see the food drive as a reflection of the tradition and spirit of community service that postal employees demonstrate every day.
Congratulations to the community and the Caribou Postal Team for their efforts on May 14, to help Stamp Out Hunger.
Lisa Cantafio
Postmaster,Caribou
By Amy L. Eyles
Every day upon wakening, we are blessed with an exciting deposit of 86,400 minutes, unfailingly deposited into our bank of life. It is a clean slate and a free gift, with one simple stipulation — we must spend it, all of it, for once it has passed, we will not get it back. This begs the question of each and every one of us — how do we want to spend it — for in the batting of an eyelash, this bank account may close without warning, ending the game which we take for granted.
In contemplating this question, I have discovered that each and every individual is driven to make a difference, in both his or her own life, as well as those lives of others. The predicament becomes finding a means through which to accomplish these two goals, and frequently this answer eludes us.
What if the answer were more simple than we, as humans realized? What if the answer left each individual a hero of his or her own story, and deserving of a medal of honor? What if that answer was within the grasp of nearly every individual in our towns, counties, states and our very country?
As a bilateral lung transplant recipient nearly seven years ago, I required over 400 units of blood for survival. More simply, this translates to the fact that one generous donor family gave me an amazing gift – but beyond this? More than 400 people stepped up to donate the life-saving gift of blood.
Those who step up to donate represent a different type of hero than one might traditionally envision, yet no less vital to the freedom and survival of those individuals who require transfusions on a day-to-day basis. Blood and organ donation remain two of the generous, life-saving and simple gifts an individual can offer, with the greatest reward, for how could one offer any greater gift than saving the life of another?
As a member of the American Red Cross Blood Services board of Northern New England, I would like to encourage community members to become involved, and seek out local blood drives, or visit your local Red Cross donor center to contribute. Upcoming drives in the Ashland community include Wednesday, June 22, 2011 from 1-6 p.m. at Ashland High School, sponsored by St. Mark’s Catholic Church.
Heroes come in many forms, shapes and sizes. Heroes come in your size. Please consider the opportunity to save the life of up to three others, through a simple donation of your life-saving blood or organs, and the gift of approximately an hour of your time. You need not look any farther than you own backyard to recognize the life which you may have saved.
Amy L. Eyles is an American Red Cross Blood Services board member for the Northern New England Region. She is also a New England Organ Bank volunteer.
To the editor:
We have a day set aside in this country to honor the men and women who now serve and have served our country in the military. That day is called Veteran’s Day.
We also have a very solemn day set aside for those veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, who died fighting for our freedom. That day is called Memorial Day.
Please do not dilute the meaning of Memorial Day by mixing the two together. Memorial Day is not intended to thank and recognize our Vets; do that great gesture on Veteran’s Day or any other day for that matter. On Memorial Day, honor our fallen warriors. It is their day and their day alone.
Ken Hoehlein
Trenton
The Micmac people of old and present day have always been taught about respect towards elders, women, men and most importantly children. It is very beneficial to oversee the meaning of respect, especially in times of intense arguments. The Micmac people have always been articulated by our elders as to the reasons why we respect the people within our life. Respect, is a mutual feeling, some deserve it, while others just simply do not. This is a trait that has been passed down from parent to child and so on through pure communication, which is lacking these days.
We respect our elders because they show us our ways, through what they have experienced and what they have seen. Much thought is given to the teachings that we learn from our elders, from basic parenting to life learning skills that we will never learn in school, but we learn in the school of life. The elders are our eyes of the past because they have seen we will never see again; they are our ears into the present, for they hear what we say; and they are our conscience of the future. The elders have the experience to know of what will happen and how it will happen. We give much respect to the elders, by having them eat first, letting the elders lead us and by teaching our children.
We respect women, because they are the life givers of our people, of all people. Women are the strength behind the men; they drive the men, spiritually to want to achieve. Women are the ones who mold the children to learn the basics within their early years. Women are strong in emotion and in spirit; they are capable of tearing down any strong man with their words. By having the women eat after the elders and by letting the women with the community teach our young ones about what they can achieve.
We respect our children, they do not demand it but they need to see what respect is all about in order to understand it. Children are our future, for them to understand what is around them; they must understand and see what respect is. The parents have the responsibility to teach their children about respect by having the children imitate them, and then the children will see what is required of them.
Lastly, the men have always been taught they we can take care of themselves, but at times, men realize they need help from the women. Men have always been the protectors of the family, the ones that engaged in battle, to hunt and provide for the family, but that responsibility was shared with the women. We must remember that men have the gift of strength, we must not abuse that gift by harming our family or others. For harming someone with a gift, is a curse to what your parents have taught you. As men, they must remain strong within the family and must be vigilant in the cause of harmonious living.
These are the teachings that our parents, our people and our elders that have been passed on to us. We must continue to respect each other, set aside our differences, place ourselves in other peoples shoes before we act and lastly, have fun with each other’s company.
John Dennis is the cultural/community development director for the Aroostook Band of Micmacs.
Dogs at large cause danger and injuries to cyclists and damage to bikes
To the editor:
Little did I know what I was about to experience on my bike ride last Friday afternoon. It was a beautiful day, sunny and no wind, a perfect day for a training bike ride for the Trek Across Maine which is held in June. I ride for three days 60 miles a day to raise money for the Maine Lung Association. It is an amazing event. I decided to do a 20-mile circle, one I ride often on my brand new Trek Madone.
I love cycling and began four years ago as a way to exercise in the summer and be outside. It is a great feeling of accomplishment and very challenging. I was about eight miles into my ride starting up the Woodland Center Road, and all of a sudden a huge dog whose look I will never erase from my mind bolted going a hundred miles an hour into the front wheel of my bike. The dog hit me with such force it threw me to the ground and my head hit the pavement so hard I was stunned from the impact. My head hit the pavement so hard it left me disoriented.
Finally able to sit back up my right side and arm hurting I was able to stand and take in what had just happened. I was so angry, and said to the owner “I cannot believe you allow an animal that large and unmanageable to be that near the road and not on a run or a leash.” She responded “that dog never leaves the yard.” Well it left the yard that day, (and from talking with people who live in that area it is always in the road and unattended), and as a result I sustained many injuries and damage to my bicycle.
I don’t quite get it or understand the thinking of dog owners — why they want to put their animals in danger. To say the least I could have been killed and so could the animal on that busy stretch of road. The dog stood in the middle of the road until the owner could get a hold of the collar to get it into the house. There have been complaints filed against the animal numerous times but nothing is done. It doesn’t seem to be important. Until you actually experience something like this you will never ever relate.
This is probably my fifth or sixth encounter with a dog, but this was the absolute worst thing I have ever experienced as I didn’t ever think I would live to tell about it. That animal was on a mission and it was evident my bike was going over. You can’t react quick enough in these circumstances to get off your bike and put it between you and the animal. It isn’t just cyclists that are in danger this dog has chased runners and four-wheelers also.
I am not stopping until something is done to change the laws regarding dogs. Owners have to be held accountable and be responsible when you have one in your possession. There has to be a fine in place.
There was a very kind high school boy who stopped at the scene of the accident to see if I was all right. That was very much appreciated. Thank you for speaking to Chief Gahagan to tell him the dog was in the road and exactly what happened at the scene of the accident.
If you are harassed by a dog or injured be sure to file a written complaint with your local police department.
Loretta Harmon
Caribou
Farmers’ Market: First you cry
Grief passes through stages — denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
In the wake of a fire in the brooder house at Delphinium Blue Farm earlier this spring, destroying building, supplies, and the next generation of laying birds only a few days old, the first stages passed at near light speed. “No, no, no!!” was all I managed as I raced toward the brooder house that was emitting delicate wisps of smoke from the crevices around the closed door and sealed window. The lungs of chicks less than a week old are smaller than the tip of your little finger; the chances that they could survive smoke inhalation are smaller still. But these babies were my babies and I was suddenly angry enough to take on the fires of hell if need be.
Furious, I wrenched open the door and fell to my knees, peering frantically into the thick dark smoke, hoping for a bit of air down low. Maybe I could crawl in and find the tiny balls of frightened fluff by feel if not by sight. “Oh please, oh please, oh please,” I bargained. Opening the door swept the interior with fresh oxygen and the bedding that had been quietly smoldering burst into a wall of fire with a roar. I had lost the battle before it had even begun.
My mind raced. The water fonts inside the brooder, even if I could somehow reach them, were small like the chicks themselves; babies drown in larger ones if given the chance. It was too early in the year for the hoses to be out or the water turned on. A fire extinguisher from the house was the best bet.
In the time it took to run to the house, grab the extinguisher and return, the fire had spread across the floor, climbed the walls, and in another split second, the roof was engulfed. As the roof caved in and the walls folded, I pulled the pin on the extinguisher and charged, as close as I could get, blasting away with the powdery chemical until the canister was empty. It didn’t matter; the fire had consumed what there was for fuel, the roof and upper parts of the walls were gone, and the lower parts remained only because the snow close to the base dampened the flames. In another few moments, these were gone as well.
The blackened door yawned inward into empty space and the air was filled with flecks and streamers of ash and burnt debris. Done. Over except for the cleanup, picking through the rubble … glass jars and light bulbs exploded in the heat, electric wiring jangling exposed. the melted plastic insulation peeled back and dripping, feeders and feed completely consumed.
Still burning in my brain is the mental picture of the tiny babies, stressed and terrified, confined inside the brooder meant to protect them from drafts and predators, but also a death trap preventing all hope of escape. Did the smoke get them or did they burn? Did they suffer?
A total loss, too large to be borne on the backs of the hens already laying — they bring a profit of a few cents per dozen and must pay for feed, bedding, fences, supplies. Decisions will need to be made about the mission and practices on the farm. Do the chicks even get replaced? Where would they be housed? Is there any justification for the expense to rebuild and replace?
I have more depression than acceptance, but I will need to figure it out. My grief may pass through stages, but first, I really just want to cry.
Editor’s note: This weekly column is written by members of the Presque Isle Farmers’ Market. For more information or to join, contact their secretary/treasurer Steve Miller of Westmanland at 896-5860 or via e-mail at beetree@xpressamerica.net. The group’s website is https://sites.google.com/site/presqueislefarmersmarket/
Party and Walk to benefit animals in need
To the editor:
I am writing to let everyone know about two important upcoming fundraising events to benefit the Central Aroostook Humane Society. These fundraisers will help the shelter continue its wonderful work providing shelter and care for stray, displaced, and unwanted pets.
To start the summer off, the Friends of the Central Aroostook Humane Society will be hosting a “Kick-Off Party” for the annual Paws for the Cause walk on Thursday, June 2, at Freddy P’s bar in Presque Isle from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door and you will receive one free beer with the ticket purchase. There will be a door prize and 50/50 raffle.
This is a great opportunity to get out with friends or co-workers to relax, have a drink, meet new people, enjoy some snacks, and support the Humane Society. You will also be able to preview the great prizes for the winning walk participants, pick up a walk pledge sheets, and learn more about the “Friends” group and the Humane Society.
The Paws for the Cause Walk will be held rain or shine on Saturday, June 18, at the Central Aroostook Humane Society in Presque Isle. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 9:30 a.m.
The walk is one of the best fundraisers for the shelter and is growing every year. I wanted to personally extend this invitation to as many people as possible in hopes that we can make this year another great success.
This is a two-mile group walk starting and ending at the shelter. Participants can collect pledges or register for $5. Pledge sheets available at the shelter.
New this year is a team challenge for local businesses and organizations to make things interesting. The team or organization that collects the most pledges will win a fantastic prize! Team pledge sheets are also available at the shelter.
At the walk there will be face-painting, prizes, a dog wash, and a cookout for all participants to enjoy! This is truly a great event for people of all ages so bring your family and friends, teams, wagons, strollers, and dogs to help support the shelter. Maybe you don’t have a dog? Come out anyway and walk with a great group of people working together to support all animals in need! We hope to see you there!
Liz Farley, friend and director
Central Aroostook Humane Society
