BDN Good News 2017

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

State edition

bangordailynews.com

Saturday/Sunday, December 23-24, 2017

THE SWEETEST SUCCESS STORIES OF 2017

from the Bangor Humane Society

BY JASMINE J. HAINES

Stacey Coventry, the director of development and public relations at the Bangor Humane Society (BHS), has a hard time narrowing down the staff’s favorite adoption stories from 2017. In her opinion, it’s a good problem to have.

Thanks to a grant from the ASPCA and a partnership with Quirk Subaru of Bangor, BHS held a special event in October where all adoption fees were waived. It was a huge success, said Coventry.

“Not only did every available pet on the Subaru Loves Pets event day get adopted, which cleared the shelter,” she said, “but the event drew such a large crowd that we saw a huge increase in paid-for adoptions on the days leading up to the event. We adopted out over 70 pets in three days. Over 100 for the week.”

She also said that when BHS was emptied of adoptable pets on that Saturday, adopters went to the animal orphanage in Old Town and emptied their shelter of adoptable pets as well.

Here are some of BHS’s favorite success stories from 2017.

Poppy the Rabbit Poppy was one of the lucky pets to find her forever home during the Subaru Loves Pets event. She was an 11-month-old rabbit found abandoned at Blue Seal Feeds with wounded trauma and a missing ear. After treatment for her wounds and about a month of TLC from the BHS staff, Poppy hopped into the heart of a local woman who had to take her home. Today Poppy is fully healed, and now lives with other rabbits she loves to play with and has a spunky personality her owners adore—a perfect match.

“We always try to make sure that the fit is right between the owner and pet,” said Coventry. “We don’t want to place an animal in a home where it will be unhappy or risk it being brought back. We make it a priority to go the extra mile in finding the best fit for everyone.”

Macy the Dog When Macy was surrendered to BHS, the staff was told there was something a little extra special about the seven-year-old black golden doodle. She was underweight, had fleas, and had been a bit neglected, but Macy also knew American Sign Language (ASL).

Knowing this, the staff felt Macy’s best match would be a hearing impaired owner who could benefit from Macy’s skill and also give her the attention and love she needed as a loving and playful companion.

The Ouellette family came in looking for a dog for their 19-year-old daughter. She was going to be living on her own for the first time and she also happened to be hearing impaired. She had been approved to have a service dog in her new apartment and the BHS staff thought that Macy and she would hit it off. Upon meeting, the Oullettes knew that Macy was going to be a wonderful companion. They clicked right away, and today Macy knows seven different ASL commands and has been inseparable from her new owner ever since she brought her home.

Wilma the Cat While some pets are anxiously wagging their tails to be taken home, others need a bit more coaxing before they are placed in their forever home. Wilma, a two-year-old tiger cat, came to BHS in June. According to Coventry, she was “fearful, timid, and shy. Employees couldn’t even get near her. She was clearly very stressed from being in the regular enclosure with the other cats so she was placed in a crate inside one of the employee’s offices for a calmer atmosphere.” One

BDN GOOD NEWS Saturday/Sunday, December 23-24, 2017 3 employee took the time to slowly get to know Wilma on her terms, and found her to be a real sweetheart once she trusted you. Unfortunately, that is sometimes hard to translate to potentiate adopters.

After a couple months, Wilma was featured as “pet of the week” on the BHS Facebook page and her story was put up for all to see.

“That’s how Wilma’s owner found her,” said Coventry. “She saw her story, understood that she needed to give Wilma space and time to transition, and today it is our understanding she is treated like a total princess in her new home and very happy. Social media was key to that adoption.”

Kebo the Dog Kebo was a 12-year-old lab mix who had been abandoned. When he got to BHS he was covered in tumors and clearly depressed. They treated him by removing his tumors in hopes that they were just benign like some older dogs develop. Unfortunately, Kebo had cancer. He was sweet and silly, and after just a few days he perked up and the staff could tell he still had a lot of love to give. Though experts estimated he had maybe six months to live, they didn’t want to give up on him after all he had been through.

“Sometimes dogs come to us with medical conditions that are not treatable. It’s hard to ask an adopter to take on a terminal animal,” said Coventry. “But we also want to make sure that they have a quality end-of-life [experience]. There is a dog hospice in southern Maine we work with called ‘Old Dogs New Digs’ that finds foster homes for dogs that don’t have a lot of time but still have a lot of love to give.”

Kebo was placed with a foster family who fell in love with him, and it was clear he loved them too. The once-depressed pup spent his final months stealing snacks, catching sticks, and getting all the attention he could ask for. The family would often send photos to BHS to update them on how Kebo was doing. They got to spend four months together before Kebo had to say goodbye to his new family, who will never forget the quirky lab that stole more than just their popcorn.

If you are interested in adopting, fostering, or donating to the Bangor Humane Society, visit bangorhumane.org. Don’t forget to follow them on Facebook, too—you never know, you may just find your new best friend there.

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4 BDN GOOD NEWS Saturday/Sunday, December 23-24, 2017

A score for Brewer Little League

Katahdin Trust employees stop by to congratulate the Brewer Little League on their new scoreboard. From left: Ed Vanidestine, vice president, Brewer Little League; Grady Vanidestine, Brewer Little League; Michael McAfee, Brewer Little League; Eunice McAfee, Katahdin Trust customer service representative; and Danelle Weston, Katahdin Trust regional vice president. Photo courtesy of Katahdin Trust

BY ANNE GABBIANELLI

When we think spring, we think baseball. And for the Brewer Little League, this coming spring’s games on the home field will be lit up on the new scoreboard courtesy of Katahdin Trust.

“As renovations to the league’s home field were winding down, our goal for 2017 was to secure a sponsor who would complete the renovation with a new scoreboard,” said Ed Vanidestine, vice president for Brewer Little League. So the search began as to how to make this renovation, which began in 2016, complete.

League volunteer Laurie Cates, also an advertising representative with the Bangor Daily News, put the feelers out. The response from Katahdin Trust was one of enthusiasm about the pending proposal regarding the project.

Once the league put together its request with details required for the bank’s review, Katahdin Trust got to work assessing the community needs.

“In the case of the Brewer Little League scoreboard, we have customers and employees who live in that community and whose families benefit from the Little League program,” said Katahdin Trust regional vice president Danelle Weston.

Such requests are carefully reviewed and go through the appropriate approval channels before any commitment can be made. “Many variables factor into the cost of a scoreboard such as its size, location and more.”

“Katahdin Trust is very proud to work with Little League and other youth programs in our service region that encourage teamwork, healthy habits, outside play and more,” said Weston.

“We know it will benefit hundreds of families for years to come including, our own customers and employees who live in Brewer, many of whom volunteer their time to coach, transport, and support programs like the Little League.”

The league leaders did not stop with one score board, though. Quality Jewelers and Season’s Restaurant came onboard for the second scoreboard for the other Little League field. The city secured a grant for the major renovation project and the recreation department paid to have both scoreboards installed and wired.

“People have worked really hard on this project, and community members are very proud of the new fields,” said Vanidestine.

For many, the season can’t some soon enough because the score boards went up late in the summer, so only a few kids have seen them. “I expect they will be very excited come spring to see the scores lit up,” said Vanidestine.

The feedback the league continually got from parents was about the lack of a scoreboard, he said. “I think the parents will be as, or more, excited about the scoreboard. It’s been the one thing that has been missing from our fields for several years.”

BDN GOOD NEWS Saturday/Sunday, December 23-24, 2017 5

Team Mimi hits home run against cancer

BY ANNE GABBIANELLI

“Tommy is a typical teenager,” said his mom, Bobbi.

“He enjoys hanging out with friends and he has the occasional attitude when told to take the dirty dishes out of his room.”

But Tommy Hosmer, a 17-year-old Bangor High School senior, is more than ‘a typical teenager.’ He is the founder of the Team Mimi’s Softball Tournament named in honor of his “Mimi” who died of ovarian cancer. Tommy is now gearing up for the 7th annual event, and has raised $50,000 since he first began his fundraising.

“I am very proud of Tommy for his compassion,” said Bobbi, “and for taking the loss of his Mimi and turning it into what it is today; from a very, very young age, Tommy has been a giving, kind hearted child.”

Tommy’s dad Paul recalled how his mother (and Tommy’s Mimi) Linda Williams, who was 62, was looking forward to the Lafayette Center for her care.

“It opened just a month after she passed in 2009,” he said.

“She fought for three and half years with cancer and Tommy only knew of her being sick, so his goal was to raise enough money to get her name on the wall.”

Today, Linda’s name is in fact affixed on the donor wall on the second floor of the Lafayette Center because of her grandson’s fundraising efforts.

“Whenever we went over to her house, we were always doing something like coloring and swimming,” recalls Tommy. “She was very energetic and that is what kind of drives me to do this. I think of her energy and now turn it into my own.”

“Mimi loved watching me play baseball and attended my games, and if she couldn’t come, she always asked about how it went,” said Tommy. “I thought of a softball tournament because it’s coed and it’s popular. Immediately, I knew Champion the Cure was my cause.”

Tommy’s efforts have been recognized by many. The teen was recently selected by US Cellular’s “Future of Good” program, which champions and invests in youth who make a positive impact in their communities. The Home Run Derby fundraiser Tommy organized in October was featured by US Cellular which awarded $10,000 to Team Mimi. Tommy also won a trip last month to the Boys and Girls Club of America in New York where he connected with other young, energetic fundraisers.

This young philanthropist began with a book sale, and rather than take the proceeds and go to Disney World (as the book donor suggested), he declared his charity—Champion the Cure Challenge. That was when he was 10 years old.

Tommy’s quiet demeanor and knack for fundraising has him ramping up his annual letter writing campaign

seeking donations, sponsors, and raffle items for the upcoming spring tournament. “[Then] I go around to local businesses seeking donations. I used to drag my parents around,” he said with a laugh, acknowledging that he probably exhausted his parents. “But now I have my license. I can go by myself.”

Over the years, Tommy has amassed a Tommy Hosmer (right) and Linda Williams, the inspiration for host of sponsors including Bangor Parks Team Mimi. Photo courtesy of Team Mimi. and Recreation, Sam’s Club in Bangor, Varney Buick GMC, Bodies By Badger, and many others rotating throughout the years, not to mention the ever-growing list of patrons of the softball tournament.

Each year the tournament draws more folks registering to get up to bat. “Usually teams return and the new teams hear about it through social media or are told by other teams,” said Tommy, who strives to have 14 teams compete each year. “The last tournament, though, we had to turn down teams because we did not have enough space. It was kinda hard on all of us but we had no choice.”

He admitted that “it is incredible seeing the entire community coming together not just for me but for cancer awareness. Everyone has been affected in some way by cancer. I do what I do because I don’t want people to have their family go through what ours or someone else is going through.”

In the fall, Tommy heads off to college at Northern Maine Community College and already his parents and friends are gearing up to keep the momentum going for Team Mimi.

“We have a pretty good support system of friends who are there at the drop of a hat,” said his father.

Tommy admits he does not flaunt his successes with team Mimi, but rather gives the credit to the community and its financial generosity. “I would say of Team Mimi that we are just a big team of people—a community, really, who want to find a cure for cancer and be there for each other. I’m amazed and very proud of the community’s help. I owe my community the world. I could not do this without any of them.”

To learn more about Team Mimi, visit teammimi.net or find them on Facebook.

Tommy Hosmer presents a Team Mimi donation in 2010. Photo courtesy of Team Mimi.

6 BDN GOOD NEWS Saturday/Sunday, December 23-24, 2017

Running with confidence

Girls on the Run empowers youngsters one step at a time

BY JODI HERSEY

Young girls all over Maine have a spring in their step and a newfound confidence about themselves thanks to Girls on the Run, a nonprofit organization that inspires and empowers pre-teen girls through running.

“It’s been fascinating to watch it grow and see the impact we’ve had on so many girls,” said Staci Olson, program director for Girls on the Run Maine. “We’ve helped 3,000 girls. Personally and professionally, I couldn’t ask for anything more. It’s a pretty special thing to do.”

Girls on the Run is a national after school program aimed at helping girls in 3rd through 8th grades be healthy and confident using a life-skills based curriculum, various games, and running workouts.

There are independent chapters in all 50 states. The Girls on the Run Maine chapter started five years ago with just one team in Portland. Now there are 75 different sites participating in the program from York to Presque Isle, with over one thousand participants.

“The reason we do running is to give the girls the life experience of setting a goal, working towards it and accomplishing it. That’s played out by having girls participate in a non-competitive 5K at the end of the season that’s all about celebrating each girl’s individual accomplishments,” explained Olson.

In the fall and spring, participants meet twice a week for 10 weeks with their team. Volunteer coaches

have a different topic they address at each practice, from self positive talk and healthy habits to cooperation, teamwork, and community involvement.

Then coaches will walk their team through a series of activities to practice that day’s topic before they all step outdoors to run.

“We really put a lot of emphasis on the elementary program,” said Olson. “We’re trying to reach girls at the key age where their confidence is still strong and we’re building off that to help give them skills to battle challenges they may be facing when they get to middle school, where there is more social pressure on them and they may question their identity a little bit.”

Girls on the Run has had a huge impact on 11-yearold Hazel Goodwin of Brunswick. She joined when she was in the third grade.

“I like running. You do so much stuff and it is a really positive environment,” she said. “And Girls on the Run is not competitive at all so everyone runs at what they call their own ‘happy pace’ so you just relax and have fun.”

Hazel’s mom, Alyssa Goodwin is a local pediatrician who rearranged her schedule to be a volunteer coach with Girls on the Run. “I’m a runner. I’m a five time marathoner and I grew up in a family of runners, so I’ve always loved runners and I felt like so much of my practice nowadays has become talking to kids about promoting healthy

habits, minds and bodies, especially in the world these kids are growing up in,” said Goodwin. “Ever since I became aware of this program, it seemed like the perfect marriage of all my interests because it focused on girls having positive self esteem and how to manage nutrition, being kind, making friends and [it addresses] bullying and peer pressure.”

Girls on the Run Maine is always looking for new host sites where the program can help empower even more girls in the state.

“We look for host sites willing to let us come in and provide our programming. We need classroom space and outdoor running sites. We help get them set up and [also] help with coach recruitment,” said Olson.

The program costs $145 per participant and scholarships are available for those whose families can’t afford the fee. The Goodwins believe the program and its message to young girls is worth the investment.

“Hazel is smart and really talented but tends to be afraid of trying hard things. What we noticed immediately [after the program] was her confidence.

Some time at the end of her third grade season, Hazel spontaneously said, ‘I think Girls on the Run is the best thing that’s ever happened to me,’ and I said, ‘You know, I think you’re right,’” said Goodwin.

For more information on Girls on the Run, visit girlsontherun.org.

PHOTOS COURTESY STACI OLSON

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8 BDN GOOD NEWS Saturday/Sunday, December 23-24, 2017

CORINTH RESIDENT PROVES TO BE A

‘natural giver’

Roxanne Easler on a recent volunteering mission. Photo courtesy of Sandy Holt Snide.

BY ANNE GABBIANELLI

“Everyone needs a warm touch and a smile,” said Roxanne Easler of Corinth in explaining why she has volunteered for Beacon Hospice of Bangor for the past nine years. The retired nurse and later a deli employee of 15 years, said she has much to offer and wants to pay it forward. “We had hospice for my mother when she was at the end of her life. I wanted to give back to the wonderful program,” she said.

When you talk to folks in and around town, they will tell you this woman does more than just share a warm touch and a smile. “Roxie is like our community’s Mother Teresa. She takes care of everyone,” said Wanda Greatorex, who has known Easler for some 25 years. Theirs is a friendship that began through their children.

“Roxie has shown me that when your spirit is forced to plumb the lowest depths of pain, you can reach out to others and help lift them up, thereby surviving the deep pain your own spirit is experiencing,” Greatorex said. “She lifts my heart no matter what sorrow or sadness or boredom I may be going through. Not much escapes her sharp eye. I love owls, and I guess Roxie is my own special owl, with her sharp eye and boundless wisdom.”

Easler started her hospice volunteering nine years ago, but only after the death of her mother and subsequent death of her son. Roanne Austin, volunteer coordinator with Beacon Hospice, has come to know Easler as having endless compassion.

“Roxie’s approach is one of being present in the moment. Whenever patients are on their journey, she listens with compassion and shares their joys.”

Easler’s work with hospice has included providing direct care visits to patients in facilities and private homes. Austin said easler’s passion to help others has also included mentoring new volunteers and participating in volunteer training, as well as working at volunteer fairs and participating in The Walk to End Alzheimer’s with the Beacon Hospice team. “Roxie has found balance in her volunteer role with hospice as well as her life with her family, friends, and community,” said Austin.

Easler’s volunteerism soon grew to include volunteering for the JD Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Cheryl Morin and her husband who lost their son to suicide, like the Easlers. It’s based in Abbot, offering education about suicide awareness, prevention, and anti-bullying.

“Roxie is someone who gets it when you are having a difficult time with whatever is going on,” said Morin. “She is a facilitator of our groups for suicide survivors, and she asks people to lunch when she knows they are having a difficult time after a loss of their loved one.”

There is more, though. Morin claimed Roxie will do anything she can to help the organization from being a runner at the Foundation’s auctions to getting sponsors for the yearly Walk to Wake the Silence. “Roxie just gives me strength,” said Morin.

Easler’s dedication seems to be endless, as Lucy Johnston noted her friend has a way of keeping folks on her radar. “She checks on them if they’ve had surgery or not feeling well, and she just helps take care of some of her neighbors, giving them rides because they don’t have a vehicle.” Johnston said. “She’s just so caring and so willing to give of herself and her energies.”

Well-known for her volunteerism, Roxie certainly is known as the lady who makes Christmas happen for less fortunate families. “My house looks like the North Pole now through December 24th,” said Easler with a chuckle.

She also produces what some consider her “famous” summer yard sale.

“People donate items to me throughout the year. I don’t price, but sell by donation. It’s a very lucrative yard sale, so I use the funds the buy gifts for 12 families for Christmas, and I couldn’t do this without the community. People are extremely generous.”

Easler admitted she is proud of what she does for the community at Christmas.

“When you have been helping about 50 children every Christmas over the course of 15 years, that’s a lot of kids!”

Roxanne Easler with her grandchildren’s chicks.

Photo courtesy of Dave Easler.

Easler’s husband Dave is proud of his wife of 40 years. “She is caring, compassionate, and honest. She likes to look out for others like her mother did.” They both agree volunteering is healing. “You meet such interesting people with life stories to tell.”

“Helping people is life’s greatest reward,” Roxie continued. “You will receive far more than you can give, and it just warms my heart. I just love helping people.”

Volunteer work for this couple has been healing as they both work with the JD Foundation and Connecting with Nature, an outing group designed to promote wellness and community through wilderness excursions, big and small. The great outdoors has also drawn Dave to volunteer at the Orono Bog Walk.

The Easlers have another passion—family. Roxie and Dave raised three boys and today enjoy their three grandchildren Darren, Dawson, and Henry spread out from Tennessee to Surry, Maine.

So if Roxie Easler is not at a hospice patient’s bedside, running a yard sale or Christmas shopping for those less fortunate, you are bound to find her on a trail soaking in the great outdoors. “Mother Nature is a great ‘drug’ for depression. Feel the dirt with bare feet, let the sun warm your back and just breath,” she said. “You will be amazed at how this will make you feel.”

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10 BDN GOOD NEWS Saturday/Sunday, December 23-24, 2017

Season’s Greetings from AARP Maine!

BY JANE MARGESSON, AARP

As 2017 comes to a close, it is important to reflect on how Mainers are having a positive impact on their communities each and every day. While we often focus on the challenges facing our state, there are wonderful examples of 50+ Mainers contributing to our state’s economic growth, entrepreneurial success and their local communities. We are fortunate to work with many of these individuals on an ongoing basis and are grateful for their passion and dedication.

Last year at this time, we had 24 Maine communities participating in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities (NAFC). We have almost doubled that number and expect to reach 50 very soon. Maine continues to lead the nation in this endeavor and we are excited about all the initiatives that are currently underway in our state that help Mainers age in place in the towns and neighborhoods they know and love. Our free guide is available if you would like to learn more about this work and how you can be a part of advancing age-friendly ideas in your own community. Just send an email to me@aarp.org to request a copy.

An age-friendly community encourages residents to remain active and socially engaged throughout their lives. One of the wonderful features of the NAFC is that success comes through the collaborative efforts of local residents, the township, local businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders. Some initiatives may take years to develop, but smaller changes can also boost a town’s age-friendly complexion. For example, the town of Bucksport has successfully focused on safe streets. Each year a local business owner is awarded a “golden shovel” for consistently keeping the sidewalk in front of their business snow and ice free. In another example, Bangor’s police department raises awareness about serious issues through positive, and often humorous, law enforcement alerts on Facebook.

Both of these initiatives were featured in the latest edition of AARP’s publication “Where We Live: Communities for All Ages.”

In November, AARP Maine celebrated Augusta residents Bob and Carol MacDougall and honored them with our annual Andrus Award, named after our founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus. “To Serve, Not to Be Served” is the motto Dr. Andrus coined for our organization and the MacDougalls take this message to heart. Carol told me that one thing she and Bob are really proud of is the “bench program.” They approached grocery store chains in the Augusta area that did not have bench seating inside and outside for older or disabled residents to use while waiting for a ride. Both Hannaford and Shaws agreed to put out new bench seating and the City of Augusta has also started to put bench seating along the routes that seniors take to get to do their shopping. “It is exciting to see how small things like this can make us a more livable city and enhance aging in our community,” said Carol.

On behalf of our 230,000 Maine members, we thank our volunteers, partners and all Mainers who embrace these initiatives for the benefit of all generations. It is inspiring to share stories like these that remind us how great a role each of us can play in advancing positive change.

We wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season!

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12 BDN GOOD NEWS Saturday/Sunday, December 23-24, 2017