Tree shines bright for cancer patients
Star in memory of Ruel Flannery
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The official lighting of the Community Tree in Presque Isle, located in front of Machias Savings Bank, took place Friday evening, Dec. 2, as part of the Lights of Life effort now underway by The Aroostook Medical Center.
This marks the ninth year that TAMC is holding a Lights of Life event to raise funds to support treatment for patients of TAMC’s Aroostook Cancer Care Center, the only comprehensive cancer treatment center in northern Maine. In a new collaboration this year, TAMC partnered with Machias Savings Bank to incorporate their new community tree as the Lights of Life tree as well.
Representatives from Machias Savings Bank and TAMC were both a part of the tree lighting ceremony as about 50 community members gathered to celebrate the occasion. TAMC President Greg LaFrancois announced during the ceremony that this year’s star was being dedicated in memory of Ruel Flannery, a well-known and well-loved member of the Fort Fairfield community.
Flannery passed away in August of this year, but is remembered not only as a potato farmer but for his enthusiastic and generous support of his community. He spent 15 years on the town council and held season tickets for 65 years to Fort Fairfield High School basketball games. He received the town’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011 in appreciation for his service, commitment and caring to his community.
Flannery’s daughter, Jill Boyd of Presque Isle, spoke during the ceremony, sharing a touching Christmas family memory and thanking the staff of Aroostook Cancer Care for their care of her father and their family.
“Because this is Christmas and we are standing around a Christmas tree, I want to share an annual family tradition we had,” Boyd reminisced. She recalled how her father would make calls and prepare a list of people new to the area and invite them to the family farm to cut down their first Christmas tree.
“We entered the enchanted forest. The trees were covered with candy canes, and the bonfire was hot and beautiful. We had hot dogs and marshmallows and all the fun things you have at a cookout in the middle of winter. Then it would be time for families to circle around and choose their special tree,” said Boyd.
Boyd also made a point of thanking the staff of Aroostook Cancer Care, not only for the care of her father, but also their support to the family.
“The staff that saw us over a period of time while Dad was receiving treatment went above and beyond. We remember every hug, every kind word. Everyone is sharing now in the loss that we feel. We so appreciate that,” she said.
Although the tree is lit, the Lights of Life Effort continues through the end of December. Anyone who would like to buy a light in Ruel Flannery’s memory, or in honor or memory of someone they love, may do so online at www.tamc.org. Lights may also be purchased in person at any Clukey’s Auto Supply location or at McGillan, Inc. in Fort Fairfield. Lights are being sold for: white, $10; red, $25; green, $50; blue, $100; yellow $150; orange, $250; and purple, $500.
For more details on the Lights of Life or to purchase a light, visit www.tamc.org or contact TAMC Foundation office at (207) 768-4250.
