Dear Editor:

Through the generosity of our community and our many volunteers, the St. Andrews Hospital Auxiliary was able to open the doors of our new Thrift Shop on December 4, located in the former Waltz Pharmacy space in the Meadow Mall. The move is an exciting one for us, giving us more space to better display our merchandise and serve our customers. It takes us a step further in our mission "to assist St. Andrews Hospital in its objective of providing the highest standards of medical care and treatment to the people of the region."

The monies raised from the proceeds of the shop also provide for our student loan fund, which gives financial assistance to healthcare personnel for furthering their education. This assistance is in the form of loans, an annual scholarship, and grants for special programs.

The shop also assists people in our community who are in need.

From all of the volunteers at the shop to everyone on this wonderful peninsula, a very big thank you, and a very Merry Christmas!

Penny Thumith, Co-Chair

St. Andrews Hospital

Auxiliary Thrift Shop

Dear Editor:

On Tuesday, Dec. 5, my granddaughter, Chelsie, and I were on our way home from work. When we came by Brenda's Restaurant, we came upon the structure fire at the Sherman residence on Ray's Lane off Route 27. My granddaughter, who is eight years old, was really intrigued by the fire trucks and rescue arriving to the scene. She wanted to watch and see what was happening, so we pulled into Mrs. Wagstaff's driveway and watched across the field. The flames, which were visible in the back of the structure, were lighting up the sky.

We watched our region firefighters, rescuers, sheriff deputies, fire police and ambulance crew at work. We were amazed at how well all the fire departments - Boothbay, East Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport and Edgecomb - and the other responders all worked together. The traffic control, water shuttle crews, ambulance service, Central Maine Power and Sheriff's Department, along with the fire crews, responded well to the situation in the dark, cold and windy night.

One of the questions I heard asked was "Did we really need all of the equipment there?" Well, we believe so because they saved the house and prevented anyone else's property from being damaged. They needed lots of water and, because of planning and much training, they got it. Good job!

My granddaughter said to me, "Gramp, we need to call those guys if we have a fire and need help." It was very impressive to her and me.

So, the bottom line is, all the talk in meetings about saving tax dollars by cutting this and cutting that in regards to the fire, police, ambulance service, road departments, etc., as far as we are concerned, should be out the door. It is obvious that the money that is spent, and the time that these men and women training together, has paid off dearly. They did an awesome job, saved the building and no one was injured.

So, when budget time comes up again and the subject of cutting the budgets comes up, just ask the victims of this recent fire or the general public what they think before you vote. Remember, you could be the one that needs the help from the people who are always there.

We should be very proud of all of our local departments and their dedication to our region and citizens.

Dear Editor:

As we fast approach and go through this holiday season, for those who celebrated Hanukkah on December 5, those who will celebrate Christmas on December 25, and those who will celebrate the beginning of Kwanzaa on December 26, I am reminded of how much things have changed.

Please do not misunderstand me, I believe that EVERYONE should celebrate their heritage and should not be discriminated against for their beliefs and traditions during their upbringing.

I also believe it is important to instill the correct heritage information to children as it pertains, and to explain how others may celebrate. It is my belief that children, when it is explained, and understood, can enjoy the other celebrations with friends and their families as well as their own. I believe that this is an experience that is very important to help young children to understand that people do have different beliefs.

This brings me to a point that I find sad in our own community.

I can remember as a young child, being very excited for our annual school concert singing the ever popular Christmas songs that children enjoy. "Up On The House Top," "Rudolph," "O' Christmas Tree," "Here Comes Santa Claus," just to name a few.

Now because it has become so political, children are not allowed to have such a concert. One child has a different belief and is not allowed to participate with friends. So why not let them participate? Does it really hurt them to join their friends? If you really don't want them to participate, then let that be the parents and child's choice. But give them the choice; it is their time for enjoyment. Life is tough enough once you are an adult? My oldest son was able to participate in such a concert when he was in kindergarten, but my youngest son never experienced the same enjoyment with his friends. Enjoyment for the parents and grandparents and community members that enjoy the young voices of children performing the "fun" Christmas songs, some with "props" and hand actions to go with the song, and not something so complicated that they don't even understand what they are singing.

When I was a child everyone participated in the fun of the practicing for the "BIG" performance for our parents and grandparents, and dressing in a "special" holiday outfit. It didn't even matter what you celebrated, Hanukkah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa, we just had fun laughing and singing and enjoying ourselves while we gave a loving audience of family and friends our "cute" songs. Everyone was happy, and no one worried about the difference in religious backgrounds.

It has now become a "Winter Concert" for those who WANT to participate. It is just not the same. All children should be able to be involved and just have a good time.

What is happening to our world today? Are we so caught up in what is politically correct, that the real meaning for all of these celebrations has lost the true meaning? Are we so caught up in trying to outdo everyone else in the season, causing much stress that is not necessary, and just enjoy the season remembering the real reason we even have this season? The entire season is based on how much money can be made in sales, how much we can buy for family and friends, and how will WE enjoy ourselves. Why not take some time to share a few moments with the less fortunate, the person who is always alone, or who is sick and alone in a hospital or hospice. What are we really teaching our children? That it's okay to discriminate and separate beliefs and not just all join as one and live in harmony? Maybe that is the problem with the world today. We don't take care of our own people, and we send our people elsewhere to correct someone else's problem.

A quote from a song that is sung by NickelBack:

"If everyone cared and nobody cried, if everyone loved and nobody lied, if everyone shared and swallowed their pride, we'd see the day when nobody died."

Maybe these words hold some meaning that we should all consider!

Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Merry Christmas to everyone!

Stacy L. Dickinson

Boothbay