America in need of prayer
To the editor:
National Day of Prayer will be held Thursday, May 2, 2013. The theme for the day is “Pray for America.”
In observance of the National Day of Prayer, there will be a noon gathering at the Presque Isle courthouse around the outside flagpole. All are encouraged to come and to especially offer extra prayers on this day. Other cities and towns are encouraged to have similar gatherings either in homes, churches, outside, etc.
Will you commit to pray? It begins with you.
Mrs. John Cancelarich
Presque Isle
Editor’s note: The Gray Memorial United Methodist Church, at the corner of Sweden and Prospect streets in Caribou, will be holding a National Day of Prayer Service from 7-8 p.m. on Thursday, May 2nd. Everyone is welcome.
Special Olympians are grateful
To the editor:
It has been my honor, privilege and pleasure to serve as the volunteer head coach of the Special Olympics Aroostook Snowdogs basketball team over the past two years.
Thanks to the financial support of countless individuals and businesses throughout our community, on April 12-14, 25 Snowdogs, coaches, and support staff, along with over 75 Snowdog fans traveled to the University of Southern Maine for the statewide Special Olympics basketball tournament. This tournament was the culmination of a season-long effort on the part of the Snowdogs that began with our very first practice on December 1st.
Throughout the year the Snowdogs were committed to improving their basketball skills, being great teammates to each other, exhibiting fine sportsmanship, being accountable for their own actions, and representing themselves well. As we arrived in southern Maine and throughout the weekend, and as I witnessed their actions on and off the basketball court, I was in awe of each and every Special Olympian. Their hard work throughout the season in every aspect of their lives paid off during tournament weekend. Not only did our two teams bring home Gold and Bronze medals, they were a first class act in all respects.
The Snowdogs are wearing their medals proudly, but to me their accomplishments are far reaching well beyond wins and losses on the basketball court. The Snowdogs represented themselves, their families, their case workers and their community extremely well, and they are very proud for doing so.
Coach Brian applauds the Snowdogs, and is so proud to be their coach and to be a part of their wonderful lives. On behalf of all the Snowdogs, I want to thank our wonderful community for their untiring support throughout the year. You have made a difference in the lives of the Snowdogs and we will be forever grateful.
Coach Brian N. Hamel
and his 25 Snowdogs
Presque Isle
Open your heart to a handicapped cat
To the editor:
Halfway Home Pet Rescue volunteers are delighted our mascot, Toby, won the Humane Society of United States coveted “Best Personality” award. Toby enjoys life as a valued member of the HHPR crew. Toby comforts the orphaned kittens and teaches young feral cats that life as a domestic can be very, very good.
Chester, our 3-legged miracle, runs up and down stairs, jumps up on the cat castle and gives as good a show as any circus high-wire act. We never told Chester that his leg, so badly chewed by a coyote or large dog, was so badly infected that it destroyed the leg and we had to amputate to save his life. Put Chester in a race with 4-legged cats and he could probably win.
Henry, sweet little old man, has the patience and love of a saint. Henry’s only problem is to keep watch on his left ear. He emits a lot of ear wax which needs cleaning occasionally and he has had surgery for polyps on that ear. Henry is looking good, and he dearly wants to be part of his own dear family.
PAWS lost an ear due to frostbite issues because he was stranded outside for over three years before someone took him in. We are grateful he is now safe and his only problem is a few food allergies. PAWS requires a special diet that is not expensive. PAWS is extremely loving and wants to be around people as much as possible.
These cats face life doing the best they can by being grateful and loving to those of us who care about them. Toby is not adoptable. He needs everything and everyone in a proper space due to his blindness in one eye and his balance issues with walking. Chester will be a wonderful companion cat in a nursing home or the Veterans Home. He is very responsive and loving. Henry also is the kind of gentle older cat who will remind you of your favorite uncle or grandfather. He just wants to be a lap cat and watch the world go by. Mr. PAWS doesn’t care for dogs. He considers them untrustworthy and sneaky (he learned that the hard way). We also have several sweet cats that require special situations. Some need a quiet home. Others like a room full of kids. Most of our cats prefer to live inside the home completely, and a few require a country home with lots of space to explore.
Whatever type of home you have, let our specially trained volunteers match you with a perfect cat companion. Halfway Home Pet Rescue (adoption center), 489 South Main St., Caribou. Adoption hours are on Saturday only from 12 noon to 3 pm or by special appointment. Check HHPR on Facebook. Mailing address: PO Box 488, Caribou, 04736 Website:www.halfwayhomepetrescue.org Call Mary at 999-1075
Norma Milton,
president of HHPR, Caribou
