thumb”¢nail (thum’nail’)
…2. anything quite small or brief,
as a small drawing or short essay
Thumbs up to all those who participated in, or attended, Memorial Day events throughout the area on Monday, May 26. Several municipalities in York County honored our war dead with respectful wreath-laying ceremonies and speeches, as well as proud parades to recognize these veterans’ ultimate sacrifice and celebrate the freedoms we have today. Memorial Day is an important reminder that those Civil War statues and granite monuments engraved with names represent far more than cold stone; those whose names are written there were brothers and sisters, spouses and children of people who lived here ”“ and some who still do. Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of the summer tourist season, and as we move forward into this joyous time of year, it is good to remember that the freedoms we enjoy come at a hefty price.
Thumbs up to the completion of Sanford’s first-ever film festival this past weekend, at which 37 films were shown at different venues in the city. With a variety of genres and films from all over the world, the event was an exciting boost for the renaissance efforts being pursued by the city’s movers and shakers. It’s a testament to the sheer will of organizers that the Sanford International Film Festival came together so quickly, after the Lewiston-Auburn film festival was canceled at the end of March. Members of Synergize Sanford and others who helped with the event are to be commended for their efforts, which have drawn attention to the city as an up-and-coming arts hub.
Thumbs up to the Biddeford High School students in the alternative education Compass Project program, who recently launched the dory they built as a celebration of completing the program. The six students in the Alternative Pathways program had an opportunity to learn hands-on boat-building techniques, team work and listening skills during the project ”“ all important lessons that will serve them well as they move into the workforce. We’d particularly like to applaud Superintendent of Schools Jeremy Ray for putting his money where his mouth is, almost literally, by purchasing the students’ dory. Grants from the Davis Family Foundation and the Somers Foundation made the students’ participation in this program possible, and we hope this first class of “graduates,” along with this vote of confidence from Ray, is inspiration enough to continue funding it. It’s commendable that Biddeford has embraced a different approach for students who do not respond well to classroom learning, giving them a chance to build confidence and see the results of their work.
Thumbs up to the parking easement plan at the Harmon Museum in Old Orchard Beach, which will allow them to share a lot with the nearby Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution. Abutters have raised concerns about noise and giving up an easement right to the property, but we feel these are adequately addressed. It’s actually a great deal for the town. The easements are proposed from both the museum and the bank to allow for construction of the lot, which will have 13 parking spaces ”“ 10 for the bank and three for the museum. This will allow handicap access to the museum, and the bank will maintain the lot with snowplowing and seal coating. As well, it will be closed during off-hours, so abutters will not be dealing with people returning to their cars in the middle of the night. The lot is a win-win for the museum and the bank, which has deep roots in the community, and we encourage voters to support it June 10.
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