Welcome Home, Annie
Annie is a 3-year-old gray tiger cat owned by Karen McNutt of Standish. Annie disappeared from her home on Oct. 5, 2005. She remained at large for one year and five months, and was found and returned in March of 2007.
There were two sightings of Annie when she first disappeared, and many signs were posted to help to locate her but the family was not able to locate her and bring her home. The family searched for her daily until Thanksgiving 2005 without any success. Annie became known as L.C. for Lost Cat.
Eventually they believed that she would not return and they made the decision to befriend and give a home to another cat. They eventually gave up hope of ever finding Annie. In March 2007, a neighbor believed that he spotted Annie and a trap was set for her. When she was finally trapped she showed the effects of being on her own for a long time.
As she matured her coat got darker and she didn’t look exactly as they remembered her, but there was a familiarity that made them sure that she was their kitty. When they released her from the trap they weren’t sure what to expect or if she would even recognize her family. She gingerly walked from the trap and after about 10 steps she began to purr.
She was taken to the family vet who determined that she had a small healed injury, and she was quite matted, but Annie was healthy for a cat who had survived on her own for so long. They welcomed her home with great affection. She has had to adjust to the new cat and there are still a few territorial issues, but she is adjusting to the new dynamic, and the McNutts are very glad to have their little pet back home.
Circle of Friends
In May of 2005 Beverly Bergman moved to Maine. Her daughter was relocating here and she decided to also sell her home in Cape Cod and come to Maine. She sold her home first and moved to Pine Tree Estates in Standish.
She became actively involved in the Standish Recreation Committee’s Senior Forum where she met new people, but soon realized that she wanted more friendships with women her age. She believes that as we age our female friends give us the support and friendship that we need to live more fulfilling lives.
Beverly and her new friend Jean Kelly began to talk about this and decided that rather than waiting around for someone to knock on their door and ask them to be their friend, they would take the first step. They began by putting an article in the Standish Recreation Committee’s Newsletter. By word of mouth they began to meet new friends and get phone calls from women who wished to extend their social circle.
They named their group the Circle of Friends. They meet monthly at each other’s homes where they visit, knit, do crafts and socialize. A light refreshment is served and this group has filled a need for newcomers and other women who are just trying to extend their friendships within the community. If you would like to meet these women and expand your social circle, call Beverly Bergman at 642-2166.
Standish Boy Scouts
There are a variety of events happening for Cub Scout Troop 874 as these boys complete the work on their badges. The Webelos who are 9 and 10 years old are crossing over into Boy Scouts on April 28 in a ceremony at Camp Hinds. Some Webelos will achieve their Arrow of Light, which is the highest achievement a Cub Scout can achieve.
Boy Scout Troop 875 left on Saturday morning, April 21, for an overnight stay at Purgatory Chasm, which is located in Sutton, Mass. There were 10 boys and 4 adults in attendance. These Boy Scouts are 11-18 years of age.
Purgatory Chasm is a unique natural formation that runs a quarter-mile between granite walls, rising as high as 90 feet. It is believed to have its origins in the sudden release of dammed up glacial meltwater near the end of the last ice age about 14,000 years ago. This educational opportunity was shared by the Boy Scouts and their chaperones on the first really good weekend of Spring 2007.
Active Senior Program
The Active Senior Citizens is a twice-monthly program that takes place on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at the Steep Falls Fire Station. A luncheon is served through the Meals on Wheels Program. There can be as many as 50 people in attendance and there is often entertainment. Ken Heath was recently elected as the new president.
It is necessary to call ahead if you plan to attend. You can call Alvida Fogg at 642-4929 or June Frost at 727-6215. The May meetings will be on May 9 and May 23. The June 13 meeting will be a picnic at Kiwanis Beach. In case of rain the meeting will take place at the Steep Falls Fire Station.
Wildridge Garden Club
The April meeting of the Wildridge Garden Club was held at Corrie Lewis’ house in Sebago. There was a tree pruning demonstration by Dick Brzozowski, who is the director of the Master Gardner Program at the University of Maine, co-operative Extension Program for Cumberland County.
Dick did a demonstration and all garden club members had an opportunity to try their hand at pruning. Wildridge Garden Club always accepts new members to the club and if anyone is interested in joining they can call Betty Perry at 642-4166. Wildridge Garden Club meets monthly and their focus is on education, community beautification and fellowship.
Senior Forum
The Standish Recreation Sub-committee will present a Senior Forum on May 5 at the Edna Libby School from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be various demonstrations, including a Watercolor Exhibition, to show what seniors are doing in the community.
Some physical fitness activities involving seniors this past year are Tai Chi, Line Dancing, and Nordic Walking. Other programs are a Book Club and Watercolor Classes. To obtain more information about this program call Olga Schimmer at 675-3147.
Recreation Committee
The Standish Recreation Department sponsored a chartered bus trip to the Science Museum in Boston on April 21. This was a Saturday trip so it was open to all ages at well as residents and non-residents.
Marrett House Master Gardener Cleanup Day
The Marrett House in Standish is a historic house that is well known for its garden. Each year Master Gardeners gather to help to clean up the garden and prepare it for the public to view throughout the spring, summer and fall. If you have not visited the garden yet be sure to put it on your “must see” list for this summer.
In the meantime all master gardeners who are available are invited to come on May 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help prepare the garden. Other volunteers would be welcome also, as there are many tasks to be done that are of a “no experience needed nature.” For more information, contact Susan Gibson at 247-6577.
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