Page 20 — THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Saturday, August 24, 2013

ANNIE’S MAILBOX

Dear Annie: You frequently print the essay “Dead at Seventeen” by John Berrio, about the dangers of reckless driving by teenagers. I’ve written a version of it that addresses the growing danger posed by older drivers who should no longer be driving. For political reasons, I suspect the chance of any meaningful legislation being passed is slim. The only hope is for people to read this and realize that, yes, unfortunately, it applies to them. An unsafe driver is a danger to everyone on the road, the sidewalk or in a restaurant. A few years ago, a senior driver plowed into a crowd at a farmers’ market, killing 10 and injuring 70. When I took Drivers’ Ed as a teenager, they gave us a copy of “Dead at Seventeen” at the end of the course. Perhaps the AARP could hand out this essay at their Driver Safety courses or adult children can give this to their parents. -- Paul O. Ketro, M.D., Massachusetts General Hospital, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston Killed at Seven I am in agony. He is a statistic. He is one of many, many others whose bodies are as badly mangled as his -- their category is called “Killed by Senior Drivers.” The day I killed him was an ordinary day. How I wish that I had taken the bus. But I was too good for the bus. I remember how I ignored my adult children, who begged me not to drive anymore. I said, “All of my friends drive. I want my independence. I want to be my own boss.” I don’t remember how the accident happened. The last thing I recall was that a younger adult passed me -- he seemed to be going so fast. I guess I was just kidding myself by thinking that if I only drove slowly and on familiar streets, I could still drive safely.

Later on, I found out that a child had run out ahead of my car chasing a ball. I didn’t really see him. My vision isn’t that great anymore -- but I can renew my driver’s license by mail, so my vision doesn’t get checked very often. I felt a bump on the car, and I heard a scream. Then the boy hit my windshield, and I finally noticed him. Glass flew everywhere. Suddenly it was very quiet. The boy was lying on the road, his body mangled. Pieces of jagged glass were sticking out all over. Then there were sirens. The ambulance arrived, and they pulled a sheet over the boy’s head. Hey! Don’t pull that sheet over his head! He’s only 7! He has a ball game this afternoon. He was supposed to have a wonderful life ahead of him. He hasn’t lived yet. He can’t be dead. His mother was there. She was heartbroken. His father came out, too -- they’re my neighbors. He suddenly looked very old. I told the police officer that the gas pedal had gotten stuck -- because that’s what older drivers often say when they hit someone. It’s a small town, and everyone is in a daze. People see me and look away. No one can believe it. I can’t believe it, either. I’ve read about older drivers who plow into crowds, but I never thought it would be me. Please, somebody -- wake him up! I can’t bear to see his mom and dad in such pain. Please don’t bury him! He’s not dead! He has a lot of living to do! He wants to laugh and run again. Please don’t put him in the ground. I promise if you give me just one more chance, God, I won’t drive again. All I want is one more chance. Please, God, he was only 7.

Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to: anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.

$1-A-DAY CLASSIFIEDS • CALL 527-9299 DOLLAR-A-DAY: Private Party ads only (For Sale, Lost, Autos, etc.), must run ten consecutive days, 15 words max. Additional words 10¢ each per day. does not apply to yard sales. REGULAR RATE: $2.50 a day; 10¢ per word per day over 15 words. PREMIUMS: First word caps no charge. Additional bold, caps and 9pt type 10¢ per word per day. Centered words 10¢ (2 word minimum) TYPOS: Check your ad the first day of publication. Sorry, we will not issue credit after an ad has run once, and we do not offer refunds. DEADLINES: noon the business day prior to the day of publication. PAYMENT: All private party ads must be pre-paid. We accept checks, Visa Mastercard and Discover credit cards and of course, cash. $10 minimum order for credit cards. CORRESPONDENCE: To place your ad call our offices at 527-9299 between 9 am & 5 pm, Monday through Friday; Stop by our office or send a check or money order with ad copy to The Laconia Daily Sun,1127 Union Ave, Laconia, NH 03246. You can email ads to ads@laconiadailysun.com, we will contact you for payment. OTHER RATES: For information about display ads or other advertising options, call 527-9299.

Animals

Autos

BOATS

For Rent

BEAUTIFUL Puppies: Apricot and black Pomapoo Teddy Bears. Champ background. Healthy, happy, home raised. 253-6373.

2006 Chrysler Sebring Convertible, 42k miles, Great Condition, $7,900. Call 603-253-3363.

PRIVATE Dock for rent: Up to 10x30. Varney Point, Winnipesaukee, Gilford, $1000/rest of season 603-661-2883.

BARN IN BLEMONT- 5 stall barn with lots of hay storage, tack room, grain room, shavings room, riding arena, 2 large paddock areas & winter water. Price Negotiable. 520-6261

DACHSHUNDS puppies. Heath & temperament guaranteed. Parents on premise, $450, ready now. (603)539-1603. GUINEA Pigs born July 30th, ready now. $20 each. 603-832-4540 LABRADOR Retriever pups AKC, 1 male, 1 female, truly outstanding, great temperaments, (603)664-2828. WEST Highland White Terriers. 3 females 1 male. Ready Sept. 8th. Will have first shots. Also available, Trained 9 month old pups, with all shots. $450-$750. 603-262-0204

2011 Ford Focus SE- Silver, 4-cylinder, auto, CD, 27K, 2 new tires, $12,500. Bristol 978-886-4019 CASH paid for unwanted or junk cars and trucks. Same day service possible. 603-231-2859.

BOATS

Child Care Cotton Hill Day Care has two full time openings as of Aug 26 for any age. All meals included, pre-school program and outdoor play. Call Holly at 393-8116.

1974 Omega boat 24ft. Fiberglass hull. Powered by 165 MerCruiser. Powertrain needs to be re-installed. 2-axle galvanized trailer $1,000. 293-8141. 1988 Wellcraft 170 Classic with trailer, runs great, looks good for the year. $2600. 603-470-5434

Announcement

Bristol, 2+ bedrooms. Large, eat in kitchen, lots of space. 3rd floor with private entry. Beautifully restored building with! May consider one small pet. Unique layout that goes on forever. $700 per month plus utilities. First months rent, security deposit and references. Please call 603-387-6498 for more information and to make an appointment to see. DOWNTOWN LACONIA- Single Adult 1 Bedroom Apt. Includes Heat and Hot Water, No Pets, References. $160./Week Call 455-5343

NEW THRIFT SHOP Now open. Thrift & Gift. 80 Bean Rd. Center Harbor Christian Church. Come and visit our store. Lots of good, clean household items, clothing, furniture. Mon-Sat. 10am-4pm 253-8008.

Employment Wanted

Autos

Do you need housekeeping help or errands? Discount rates for the disabled. Good references. 998-2601.

$_TOP dollar paid for junk cars & trucks. Available 7-days a week. P3s Towing. 630-3606 1998 F150 Crewcab 8 bed, 4x4. $1,200. Bruce 524-3772 1999 Convertible GT Mustang has 50 mods, including super charger, and vertical doors. Electric green, tan top & interior, $16,000 or best reasonable offer. Call Ed for details 603-253-5002 or 203-592-6244.

BELMONT- Extra large, redone, 1 bedroom, 2nd floor. Quiet, sunny Rte. 3. $750/Month. Includes heat/hot water. No pets/Smoking outside. 528-1991

Boat Winterize & Store Starting at $24 per foot

Call JP or Rick 2005 Cadillac Deville- 4 door, 79,800 miles, $5,800. Call Bob 508-782-8324

366-4801

2005 VW Beetle GL Convertible: 4-cylinder, auto, A/C, dark blue, 84k, excellent condtion, $9,995.

KAYAK- 2-man Nu-canoe with paddles, seats, etc. Like new, 0riginally $825, sell $485.

HOME CARE: 15 years experience. LNA background, help with activities of daily living. Flexible hours and overnights. References available. 387-7629

For Rent APARTMENTS, mobile homes. If you need a rental at a fair price, call DRM Corp. Over 50 years in rentals. We treat you better! 524-0348 or visit M-W-F, 12-5, at our new location, 142 Church St. (Behind CVS Pharmacy.) BRISTOL: 1BR for $675/month &

GILFORD 1 room efficiency apartment. Great location, $650/Month, includes utilities. No smoking/No pets. 603-759-2895 GILFORD Condo: 2-bedroom partially furnished, 1.5 bath, granite counters, fireplace. Pool, tennis, washer/dryer. $1,175/month plus utilities. No pets. 617-501-8545 GILFORD Furnished 3-bedroom waterfront winter rental. Dock, washer & dryer. Available through May 31st. $900/mo. + Utilities. Oil heat. No pets. (603) 778-9515 GILFORD- 5 bedroom 2 bath home available Sept. 1st. Newly renovated, swimming pool. $1,850/Month plus utilities. No smoking, pets allowed. 603-759-2895 GILFORD: 1BR house, very private, oil heat, hookups, $750/month. 30ft.x32-ft garage

For Rent

For Rent

GILFORD/LACONIA housemate wanted for 2 room studio completely furnished, in private home now available in Laconia/Gilford. $150/week or $550 per month. 8 minutes from college, hospital and downtown in quiet area. Rent includes all utilities, internet and dish, short/long term. Sorry no pets. Call cell 971-219-7363.

LACONIA- 1 bedroom. Heat & hot water included, 2nd floor, ideal for single person/no pets, parking 1 vehicle. $650/Month, references required. 630-9406

GILFORD: 3BR house, $1,395/month. Very private, oil heat, 3-season room, washer/dryer included. No pets. 455-7883. GILFORD: 1, 2 or 3 bedroom apts. Heat/electricity included. From $190/week. Pets considered/References 556-7098 or 832-3334. GILFORD: MARINA BAY 2 Bedroom, 1 1/2 Bath pool/tennis NO PETS. $975 per month 617-605-4984 GILFORD: Cute updated one bedroom HOUSE, . $690/Month. 566-6815 GILMANTON Iron Works Village. Spacious, private 2 room apartment. Private bath, kitchen, livingroom/bedroom combo. Includes Heat, electric, hot water & cable TV. No pets/no smoking, $675/Month. 603-364-3434

LACONIA/MEREDITH, Attractive waterfront apartment. Large open kitchen, dining & living-room with den, bedroom & bath. Washer/Dryer hookup, beach, quiet wooded area. No pets, non-smoking, references. $825/month plus utilities 527-1086 LACONIA: Large 3-bedroom, wood floors, W/D hookups, dishwasher, microwave. Quiet street, large deck. A must see. No pets, first floor, no smoking. 1st & security. Credit report. $1,200/mo. plus utilities. 603-387-6810. LACONIA: spacious two bedroom apartment for rent. Rent is $702 to $844 per month with heat and hot water included. On-site laundry, storage room and off-street parking. Close to pharmacy, schools and hospital. EHO. Please call Julie at Stewart Property Mgt. (603) 524-6673 LACONIA: ELM STREET AREA 2-Bedroom, first floor. parking, W/D hookups, no smoking, no dogs, $800/ month + utilities, security/ references. 603-318-5931.

LACONIA 1 mile from Weirs Beach. Fully furnished one bedroom condo, available now, $750/month 802-338-0952.

LACONIA: Gilbert Apartments. Call for available apartments. 524-4428

LACONIA2-ROOMMATES wanted to share personal home. Clean, quiet, sober environment. All inclusive, $140-$150/week. 455-2014

LACONIA: Mountain VIew apts. 2BR & 3BR townhouses, 1.5 bath and large decks. $775 & $850/mo. Quiet location with laundry and playgrounds. No Dogs. Office on site. 524-7185.

LACONIA Beautiful 2BR apt in stately home on Gale Ave. Glossy hardwood floors, nicely decorated, full kitchen and bath, pvt porch and garage space. Walk to town and lake. $1,000 a month heated. 524-3892 or 630-4771 LACONIA Large 3-Bedroom, walk to Downtown, Coin-Op laundry, ample parking, heat & water included, no pets. $225/week - 4 weeks security deposit required 267-7949 LACONIA Large one bedroom, second floor, separate entrance, parking for 2 cars, quiet and well-maintained, in good neighborhood, 3-season private porch, includes heat/hw/w/d hookups, no dogs, no smoking in apt. $775/ mo. plus security. 455-8789. LACONIA Southdown condo, 2 Bedroom, 3 bath, garage. No smokers. $1,250 per month plus utiliies. 271-1467

LACONIA: Small, 1-bedroom, 2nd floor apartment close to LRGH. $175/week, includes heat and hot water. Smoke free, no pets & security deposit required. Call 524-9240.

LACONIA: Sunny small 2 bedroom, 2nd floor. No smoking/no dogs. $190/week, includes heat/hot water. 455-5569. LACONIA: The last place you!ll want to live! Quiet, mature tenant wanted for stunning,1st floor fully restored Victorian 2-bedroom near downtown. Tin ceilings, maple floors, beautiful woodwork, LR, DR, Sunroom, on-site laundry, secure storage room, parking. Heated toasty warm. Come and stay forever. $900/Month. 494-4346.

LACONIA, new 3 bedroom duplex, 1.5 baths, efficient natural gas heat. $1,100/mo plus utilities and sec. deposit. Call Mark 387-7349.

LAKEPORT 2-bedroom, second floor, clean, quiet, near park, coin-op laundry, no smoking, heat included. $850/month. Call 524-0703.

LACONIA, Large 1-bedroom, $185/week. Includes parking, heat and hot water. No pets. References & security. 455-6662.

MEREDITH Room for Rent- Quiet, beautiful home. Laundry, kitchen, cable TV, porch. $125/Week. 603-689-8683