Thumbnails:
thumb”¢nail (thum’nail’)
…2. anything quite small or brief,
as a small drawing or short essay
Thumbs up to the new online system, “Get Connected,” recently launched by the United Way of York County, which allows people to find volunteer opportunities in their community. This new service is a great way to connect nonprofits and those who have time to give, allowing people to browse opportunities and get more information so they can make a real commitment. Anyone who has some extra time on their hands should check out this website to see all the different ways they can become more active in their community, helping populations as varied as children to military veterans.
Thumbs up to the school administrators, police officials and others who are working toward implementing a restorative justice program for youth. It’s sad to know that 15 students from Biddeford ”“ who should be getting an education and growing up alongside their peers ”“ are instead serving time in the Long Creek Youth Development Center for juvenile offenders in South Portland. Several others still are in the juvenile corrections system but not incarcerated. The social problems behind these children’s behavior ”“ from poor parenting to mental health issues ”“ are difficult to address. One thing that can be done, however, is providing a response to these children when they commit a crime that not only serves as punishment, but sets them on a new course. Having offenders apologize personally to those they harmed ”“ a property owner whose building was marred with graffiti, for example ”“ is a return to old-fashioned community building, and we agree with its proponents that it will have a real impact on keeping at least some of these children from a life of crime.
Thumbs up to the Biddeford 50+ Club and the Parks and Recreation Department for their work in organizing and putting on a very successful senior expo last week. The event featured more than 50 vendors, including lawyers, health care providers and even the public library. Pulling all of those folks together, organizing them and making sure people are aware of the event is no small order, but the club made an impressive showing with their first-ever senior expo. The show drew hundreds of visitors, showing that the senior citizen population is a strong and active part of southern Maine and very interested in goods and services that cater to them.
Thumbs up to wood carver Ernie Merritt, a member of the Southern Maine Chronic Pain Association, who has started an eldest resident cane tradition in the City of Saco. Based on the idea of the Boston Post cane, Merritt will create a hand-carved cane that the city will present to its eldest resident, but in this case, the family will keep it upon the person’s death and a new one will be made. First to be honored with a cane was Richard Dabrowski, 102, who is a resident of Seal Rock at Atlantic Heights. A well-regarded World War II veteran and noted artist, he is an ideal candidate to kick off this program and we applaud Merritt for taking the initiative to start it.
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