FOR YOUR HEALTH: Get The Facts About Fertility, Pregnancy, And COVID-19 Vaccines

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by the We Can Do This COVID-19 Public Education Campaign

(NAPSI)—Questions and misinformation about the effect of COVID-19 vaccines on fertility and pregnancy have left some people uncertain about getting vaccinated if they are pregnant or hoping to get pregnant, but the facts should be reassuring.

“It’s understandable that parents and those who hope to become parents are cautious about COVID-19 vaccines,” said Dr. Daniel Diekema, a hospital epidemiologist at the University of Iowa Healthcare. “However, it should be comforting to know that the vaccines are safe and effective during pregnancy. Growing data and science demonstrate that the benefits of getting vaccinated far outweigh any risks, and we have a long history with vaccines that makes it clear they do not affect future fertility.” Here are key facts about fertility, pregnancy, and the COVID vaccines:

Getting vaccinated protects you during and after pregnancy. COVID-19 can be especially dangerous for people who are pregnant or have recently been pregnant as cases during pregnancy are more likely to be severe. COVID is dangerous for the unborn child too. A recent study found COVID infections are associated with an increased risk of stillbirth. Safety monitoring systems and studies have shown that the COVID vaccines are safe for people who are pregnant, and vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Growing data continues to reinforce that the risks from getting COVID-19 at any stage of pregnancy are far worse than potential side effects from vaccines.

Getting vaccinated protects your unborn or nursing child. Data from safety monitoring systems continues to show vaccines are safe for pregnant people and their babies and getting vaccinated is much safer than contracting COVID. If you’re breastfeeding, getting vaccinated could even help protect your baby, as recent reports have shown that some breastfeeding parents have antibodies in their breast milk after they’ve been vaccinated.

COVID vaccines will not interfere with getting pregnant. No evidence exists of COVID vaccines causing problems with fertility. In a recent study, people who had gotten the COVID vaccine had the same pregnancy success rate as people who had not been vaccinated. Vaccines are carefully studied and monitored, and it is clear they are safe for people who are pregnant or who want to become pregnant. If you are trying to become pregnant, you do not need to avoid pregnancy after receiving a COVID vaccine. If you get pregnant after your first shot, you should get the second shot and a booster on schedule for the most protection possible.

Knowing the facts about COVID vaccines can provide confidence and comfort. Anyone with concerns should ask questions of a trusted health professional, such as a family physician, pharmacist, or nurse. The benefits of vaccination far outweigh potential risks. Vaccines are the best way of getting this pandemic under control.

For more information and to find a vaccine, visit www.vaccines.gov.

FINANCIAL FOCUS: Don’t avoid “taboo” topics with older parents

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by Sasha Fitzpatrick

If your parents are getting close to retirement age, or are already retired, it may be time to talk with them about financial and aging issues, some of which may involve difficult conversations. For the sake of everyone in your family, don’t avoid these “taboo” topics.

You’ll need to be careful about approaching these subjects with your parents. Mention ahead of time that you’d like to talk to them about their future plans and reassure them that you want to understand their wishes, so their affairs will be taken care of as they would like.

If your parents are agreeable, choose a location comfortable for them and ask whom they might like to invite (or not invite). Then, think about how to open the conversation, preferably not with what they want to do with their money – this could be interpreted as your seeking information about your inheritance or being skeptical about their financial decisions. Instead, build a broad-based discussion about their vision for their aging years. A series of shorter conversations may allow you to cover topics more comfortably, one by one, rather than trying to solve everything at once.

Try to address these areas:

Health care – You’ll want to learn if your parents have established the appropriate health-related legal documents – a health care power of attorney, which gives someone the authority to make important decisions about their medical care if they become unable to do so themselves, and a living will, which spells out the extraordinary medical treatments they may or may not want.

Independence – As people age, they may begin to lose their independence. Have your parents considered any options for long-term care, such as a nursing home stay, or the services of a home health aide? And do they have plans in place? If they plan to receive support from family members, do their expectations match yours?

Financial goals – Focusing on the personal and financial aspects of the legacy your parents want to leave can be a valuable conversation. Have your parents updated their will or other arrangements, such as a living trust? Have they named a financial power of attorney to make decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated? Do they have the proper beneficiary designations on their insurance policies and retirement plan accounts? If you can position these issues as being more about your parents’ control over their financial destiny, rather than “who will get what,” you’ll more likely have a productive conversation.

Last wishes – You’ll want to find out if your parents have left instructions in their will about their funerals and last wishes. Express to them that you, or another close family member, should know who is responsible for making sure their wishes are met.

Money, independence and aging can be sensitive topics. Don’t think you have to go it alone – you can enlist help from another close family member. Or, if you know your parents are working with a trusted advisor, such as an attorney or financial professional, you could see if they’d be willing to have this person participate in your talks. You might even be able to introduce them to one of your advisors.

In any case, keep talking. These conversations can be challenging, but, if handled correctly, can be of great benefit to your parents and your entire family.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Edward Jones, Member SIPC.

SOLON & BEYOND: Goofed…and went camping

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Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percyby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

This week I’m using some of a column I wrote back on December 19, 2019 . It starts with these words: Good morning, my friends, Don’t worry, be happy!

Don’t worry, be happy! Received a most welcome letter this week that pleased me greatly. It was from the National Resources Council of Maine… and it starts with these words: “Thank you for submitting your letter to the editor titled, Thankful for Strong Opposition to CMP Corridor that ran on November 17, in the Kennebec Journal. We value your commitment to make the public aware of this critical environmental issue,

We welcome you to become an NRCM member. Your letter to the editor is aligned with the work that we do. You are helping safeguard large tracts of land that are home to treasured wildlife and are our solace. “United we can do what no person can do alone.” Thank you again for everything.

This week my column may be a short one, but most of it will be from an old August 9, 1996 Somerset Gazette . My humble apologies for the lack of this column last week but I goofed and went camping  When someone commented about it not being in I said that I thought everyone should have a vacation once in a while , this person said the reporters need to be on the job all the time. A Rogers family reunion was held at the home of Betsy and Arthur Rogers on the River Road last Sunday with 60 family members and friends present. A delicious pot luck lunch was enjoyed at noon. followed by an auction with Lee Turcotte of Cornville doing a great job as auctioneer.

This will be a short one today with Christmas right around the corner. I do hope all of you have a very happy Christmas with family and friends.

I am going to end this with a few words from a special book called Sunny Thoughts (I used it many times in my writing. I used the following 4 –02–09 hope you like it. Sometimes it’s the little things that mean the most: the song of a bird, a warm breeze blowing through the trees, a friendly voice on the other end of a telephone ,a note written by a friend to us when we need encouragement, the wag of a dog,s tail as we come home from a hard day at work. These things are intangible — we cannot put a price tag on what they mean to us or how they help us to feel abiding peace even in the midst of turmoil. written by Heather Parkins .

Give Us Your Best Shot! for Thursday, December 23, 2021

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To submit a photo for this section, please visit our contact page or email us at townline@townline.org!

FOGGY SUNRISE: Andrew Pottle, of Palermo, photographed, on film, two ducks gliding in the water during a foggy sunrise on Branch Pond.

STRUTTING: This male cardinal seems to be displaying his best profile, recently captured by Pat Clark, of Palermo.

Give Us Your Best Shot! for Thursday, December 16, 2021

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To submit a photo for this section, please visit our contact page or email us at townline@townline.org!

BLAZING SKY: Tina Richard, of Clinton, photographed this fiery sunset from her backyard.

COLORFUL SUNSET: Summer resident Susan Thiem, of Corpus Christi, Texas, snapped the beautiful colors and sunset on China Lake.

 

I’M JUST CURIOUS: 12 birds of Christmas

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by Debbie Walker

Merry Christmas! What does that have to do with all those birds in the song The 12 Days of Christmas? What’s the story behind that? Well, I just read about all this in, yes, The Farmer’s Almanac newsletter.

I learned it was first published in England in 1780, most likely as a lyrical poem much earlier. It became a song in 1909. But I was more interested in the birds.

The first gift was a “partridge in a pear tree”. This bird would have been around in the holiday season. The pear tree is a gift of food. They perch and roost in the trees, but they won’t eat the fruit as they eat grains and seeds. The fruit is harvested in the fall but stored, can last into the winter. Two bountiful gifts.

Two turtle doves are the second day. The doves in a pair would have been a good gift because may breed and be meals in the future.

Three French Hens could lay as many as 900 eggs per year! They could be eaten, sold, or allowed to hatch and young chickens to be used for meal or even more egg production. Food and possible income again.

Four Calling Birds are believed to be the Eurasian blackbird. A thrush with a wonderful sound. It would just be for singing, I guess.

Five Gold Rings you might consider bird banding, also called bird ringing. Not much else to say.

Six Geese A-Laying would be another form of animal, food gift. This gift probably was for the meat but could also be the feathers of resulting flock as goose down for winter wear and insulation. It would be ideal for a holiday gift for the coldest season.

Seven Swans A-Swimming aren’t specially noted as laying, they were most likely a gift of luxury. Swans are a symbol or romance and elegance.

Oh yeah then there were 8 Maids a Milking, 9 Lord’s a Leaping, 11 Piper’s Piping takes us back to birds, and you would probably find them on the beach. They are actually Piping Plovers.

Obviously the birds represented a richness and symbolism of the carol.

Done with birds and on to Poinsettia, the seasonal plant associated with Christmas.

Poinsettia are the number one potted plant sold in the USA today.

They are not toxic to children or humans but if a child ate 500 leaves that would be unsafe (!!). They are mildly poisonous to cats and dogs.

They come in many colors and are now available in marbled, striped or spotted tones.

I have two Poinsettia plants growing in my flower garden right now. It started blossoming about a month ago. Well, not so much of blossoming as the green leaves beginning to turn red. It is almost as tall as me now. I have seen them locally growing as high as the eaves on a single story house.

I am just curious if you have any curiosity about traditions. Share them, please. Remember in the next week to get your sleep, eat good meals and breath! The “busyness” won’t last much longer so find some way to relax and enjoy! Do what you can do and don’t worry about the rest.

Contact me at DebbieWalker@townline.org with any questions or comments. Thanks for reading and enjoy your week.

REVIEW POTPOURRI – Soprano: Dorothy Maynor; TV Show: Last Man Standing; Poet: Edna St. Vincent Millay

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Dorothy Maynor

African-American soprano Dorothy Maynor (1910-1996) sang at the inauguration of Harry S Truman in 1948 and Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953; however, while singing frequently in concert and on radio and recordings, she was never invited to the Metropolitan Opera during her peak years.

In 1964, she founded the Harlem School of the Arts, which provided low cost music education to African-American students, and served as director for many years. Its enrollment had gone up to 1,100 students by the time she retired in 1979. Interestingly, while the Metropolitan Opera would never engage her due to prevailing racism in earlier decades, she was invited in 1975 to become the first African-American to serve on its board of directors.

A 1950 78 rpm set of three 12-inch discs, Sacred Songs (RCA Victor Red Seal M 1043), features arias by Bach, Handel, Mozart and Mendelssohn in which her uniquely warm, very heartfelt soprano voice is a special pleasure. Unfortunately, only a couple of the selections from this album are available on YouTube but there is a sizable number of others and, in time, somebody may post the other four sides.

Last Man Standing

I recently finished watching all 9 seasons of the comedy show Last Man Standing, starring the incredibly gifted cast of Tim Allen, Nancy Travis, Hector Elizondo, Jay Leno, Amanda Fuller, Molly Ephraim, Kaitlyn Dever, etc. Even the facial expressions and body movements were distinguished by brilliant timing, as well as the dialog and constant insults and repartee.

Edna St. Vincent Millay

The Maine poet Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892-1950) was born in Rockland and spent her adolescence in Camden.

After graduation from Vassar College, she found her way to Greenwich Village and published books of her poems, achieving fame and being awarded a Pulitzer Prize.

Although, and very unfortunately, little read today, her writing had a particularly extraordinary power and eloquence, as seen in the closing stanza from Renascence:

“The world stands out on either side
No wider than the heart is wide;
Above the world is stretched the sky,-
No higher than the soul is high.
The heart can push the sea and land
Farther away on either hand;
The soul can split the sky in two,
And let the face of God shine through.
But East and West will pinch the heart
That cannot keep them pushed apart;
And he whose soul is flat-the sky
Will cave in on him by and by.”

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Black and white squirrels…and football

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

My two recent columns on squirrels, black, and gray with white-tipped tails, have brought some local reaction. Over the last 30 years I have seen no more than three black squirrels, and one gray squirrel with a white-tipped tail.

A faithful reader and supporter in Vassalboro wrote: “You mentioned black squirrels – you have seen them in Vassalboro – well I live in Vassalboro and I have a small herd of them in my yard – up to 6 – and growing! Not rare here! I have two varieties of gray ones and red ones as well as the black ones. I also have a friend that lives on the lake in Palermo and they too have seen black ones. Just wanted you to know. I have not seen any with white tails – yet.”

Another reader sent this along to me: “Hi, love your column and thank you for so much information. Wanted to share this with you after reading your squirrel article in December 9, 2021, issue [of The Town Line]. Brevard, North Carolina, is the home of the rare white squirrel. My sister lived there and white squirrels ranged everywhere! Brevard even has a white squirrel festival! Thanks for your enlightening articles.”

I guess depending where you live, the subject is as plain as black and white.

* * * * * *

Let’s shift gears and talk football – New England Patriots to be exact.

Everyone who knows me knows I have been a Patriots fan since day one, in 1960. I have followed them through some really rough times. But, the last 20 years have been a wild ride. Eleven Super Bowl appearances and six victories. They have played in 15 AFC championship games, winning eleven. The Super Bowl losses have been to the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, twice – ugh! I don’t want to talk about those. Especially since I was a Giants fan prior to 1960, when they were “New England’s team”. – and the Philadephia Eagles – losing on a trick play.

Last year was a bit of a disappointment, but then this year has been a pleasant surprise.

Let’s play “what if!”

The Patriots are currently 9-4 on the season, back home in first place in the division and the number one seed overall in the conference, holding tie breakers over Tennessee (a win in head-to-head competition) and Kansas City (because of the Patriots’ 7-1 record in the conference).

So, here we go. What if Damien Harris doesn’t fumble on the three yard line in the season opener against Miami. He was ready to score a game-winning touchdown. Patriots lose by one point.

Next, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tom Brady. The Patriots were down two points late in the fourth quarter and driving for a go-ahead score. The Patriots were forced to attempt a field goal by a very reliable kicker in Nick Folk. In a driving rain, the ball caroms off the left upright and is no good. Patriots lose by two points.

Third, the Patriots were leading the Dallas Cowboys by three points late in the game. They had the Cowboys pinned on their own side of the field, with a third down and 25 yards to go. Should have been game over. However, Dak Prescott completes a 24-yard pass to bring up fourth down. But now they were in field goal range. The kick is good, and we go to overtime. The Cowboys score a touchdown and the Patriots lose by six points.

Now, if you’ve been following this, and doing some math, you know the Patriots were three plays, and nine total points from being 12-1.

What if?

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Tom Brady is 6-3 in Super Bowl games with the Patriots. Who were the quarterbacks against losses to Chicago and Green Bay?

Answer can be found here.

SOLON & BEYOND: A look at some back issues

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Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percyby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

This morning I’m going to write some of the August 4, 2005.

My many thanks to all of you who have told me you liked the Flagstaff article, my thanks also to Roland for doing this series, it means so much . This week I’m going to let Percy (he was still alive then ) have more space, he would like to share these words with you: Realize that you are capable of working miracles of your own making. Remember that it’s up to you to find the key that unlocks the door to your happiness. Understand that increased difficulty brings you nearer to the truth of how to get beyond it. Cross your bridges. Meet your challenges. Reach out for your dreams, and discover how to get closer and closer to a more fulfilling life. Get rid of the ‘if only,s and get on with whatever you need to do to get things right.” ( words by Douglas Pagels.)

A regular meeting of the Solon Historical Society was held at the Masonic Hall on July 25 with 18 attending. A short business meeting was conducted by president Lois Starbird. It was reported that someone has cut the cable across the society’s land on Parkman Hill and fires have been started there. Betsy Graboyes has given an answering machine for the History house and Enid Tozior donated a step ladder. The next meeting will be a picnic at the home of Harriet Dolan, in North Anson, on Monday, Aug. 22. The program, The History of the Boston Post Cane will be presented by Marilyn Rogers.

Now Percy and I will end this column with these wise words from George Washington: “Be courteous to all but intimate with few; and let these few be well tried before you give them your confidence.”

The following information is from another of The Town Line papers on December 19, 2019. Received a most welcome letter this week that pleased me greatly. It was from the Natural Resources Council of Maine….. and it starts with these words: “thank you for submitting your letter to the editor titled Thankful for Strong Opposition to CMP Corridor that ran on November 17, in the Kennebec Journal. We value your commitment to make the public aware of this critical environmental issue.”

I was very pleased to get that letter and, of course, I saved it! The letter ended with these words, “Thank you again for bringing awareness to concerns facing the nature of Maine. You have made a difference.”

And now I will end this week’s column with these words: And now for Percy’s memoir called Of Gifts of Life! Do what you can with the gifts of life and gifts of heart and mind, while they are still within our power to share with humankind – for it is seldom meant to be that gifts we own today, will be forever ours to keep or ours to give away. Don’t let them fade to trials of time or waste to dearths of age, for they are like the joys of youth luxuries of wage, they’re ours to own for just a while, to do with as we can, that will endear our souls to God and grace our fellow man. (words by Michael Dubina.)

REVIEW POTPOURRI: Jazz & Christmas

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Keiko Lee

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Keiko Lee

Keiko Lee is a 56-year-old jazz singer, born in South Korea and now living in Japan. She has rightfully achieved fame for her understated performances in concerts and on CDs since 1995.

A 2010 CD, Smooth (Sony Music Japan S70614C), contains 10 songs that include Hoagy Carmichael’s The Nearness of You, Burt Bacharach’s A House Is not a Home, Stevie Wonder’s Weakness, and John Lennon’s Across the Universe. Several of her performances are on YouTube.

Kheigh Deigh

Kheigh Dhiegh

In addition to Jack Lord’s (1920-1998) very persuasive Chief Steve McGarrett of the Hawaii State Police on the first Hawaii Five-O, which ran for over 12 years on CBS from 1968 to 1980, I was very entertained by Kheigh Deigh (1910-1981) as the frequently appearing Chinese Communist spy Wo Fat who conveyed both sly wit and slimy malevolence in his fierce determination to loyally serve Mao’s government.

Jack Lord

Earlier in 1962, he gained fame as the doctor supervising experiments on kidnapped American soldiers in Frank Sinatra’s classic film The Man­chur­ian Can­didate, in which he states, “We not only brainwash our subjects, we dry-clean them.”

Deigh also appeared as Genghis Khan during the late ‘70s on Meeting of Minds, Steve Allen’s talk show in which historic figures discussed major issues.

Kheigh Deigh was born Kenneth Dickerson, in Spring Lake, New Jersey, to a man whom he described, “as Portugese, Italian and Zulu, while Mother was Chinese, Spanish, English and Egyptian.”

Great Songs of Christmas

For several years starting in 1961, Columbia Records, in conjunction with Goodyear Tires, released the annual Great Songs of Christmas, an anthology of Xmas favorites performed by different artists in Columbia’s record catalog, and sold them for $1 per record.

I first encountered Album 2, from 1962, at a friend’s house almost 60 years ago and now own it and this gentleman’s other records; his widow left it to the Vassalboro Historical Society, after which its representatives made me an offer I just couldn’t refuse.

That particular Album 2 consists of 21 Yuletide favorites performed by Columbia’s musical stars – Percy Faith, Eileen Farrell, Andre Kostelanetz, André Previn, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Leonard Bernstein, etc. Particularly enjoyable were Faith’s Hark the Herald Angels Sing, the Norman Luboff Choir’s The Holly and the Ivy, and Bernstein conducting the New York Philharmonic in Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker excerpts.