Thumbs up to the Town of Kennebunk for its support of the Museum in the Streets proposal, which would place several historical plaques around town marking places where important events occurred or high profile people once lived.
This program has been very successful in Biddeford, which has the markers on several old buildings giving passersby an opportunity to learn about the city’s landmarks while they’re standing on them, without having to delve into a history book. Kennebunk has a rich history that will be easier to share with more people once the plaques are installed.
Thumbs up to Katie Grant and Courtney Dexter, sixth grade students at Saco Middle School, who spearheaded the school’s efforts to raise money for the Red Cross response to the disaster in Japan. These two young ladies were moved to action by the images and stories of the havoc wreaked in Japan when an earthquake and tsunami occurred last month. Their demonstration of compassion and commitment to social action so early in their lives is encouraging and should inspire us all to be so bold in leading others in a good cause.
Thumbs down to the Sanford businesses recently nabbed for selling alcohol to minors. Police sent an underage person into the stores to buy alcohol and if the person was successful, the stores were cited. Four businesses were caught in this sting, and we hope that it now makes them think twice about checking IDs. Clerks must take their job seriously, knowing that they are an important part of preventing underage drinking. Stings such as these, which are conducted by several area police departments, should be a reminder to convenience store managers that all staff must be trained to check IDs if a person appears to be under 30 years of age.
Thumbs up to all volunteers at York County organizations who are the heart and soul of so many non-profits that help those in need. Volunteers spread cheer at the hospitals, transport the elderly to medical appointments, help care for children and keep parks and trails clean. This past week was set aside for recognition of these folks, without whom many social services would not be available. York County Shelters did a particularly nice job of recognizing two dedicated volunteers this past week ”“ Carol and Dick Ogden, who have been making weekly food runs to the Good Shepherd Food Bank in Auburn for two years now. Kudos to all of them.
Thumbs up to Springvale resident William Leonard for tackling a woman who allegedly stole Oxycontin from the Sanford CVS on April 10. Due to Leonard’s quick thinking and the help of his wife to hold down the suspect until police arrived, a costly and dangerous manhunt was avoided and the drugs recovered. Some may say that Leonard put himself in unnecessary danger by stopping the alleged robber, but he was probably acting on instinct and that thought never crossed his mind. When regular citizens make it clear that they are willing to stand up for a civilized society, criminals are more likely to think twice.
Ӣ Ӣ Ӣ
Thumbnails is a Monday feature of the Journal Tribune’s opinion pages. If you would like to respond, please write the Reader’s Forum via e-mail at jtcommunity@journaltribune.com or by dropping your letter off at our Biddeford or Sanford offices.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
