I’M JUST CURIOUS: Just passing time

/0 Comments/in /by

by Debbie Walker

That is right. Quite a bit of time I am working on one project or another. The most recent one has Dave scratching his head in wonder. I have been wanting to do some matchy (means I want the different pieces to match) things for the bedroom. I found a comforter for the bedroom, truthfully, I bought it to help me cheat in making a quilt. But… some other idea traveled through my head before I got to the quilt (I’ll just have to buy another one to cheat with.).

I have had a lightweight quilt om my bed for quite some time. One side of it was all the bright colors I like. On the other side of it is a print with a white background and flowers outlined in black. Did I mention the quilt is black with a little white mixed through it. So, I have the comforter for the bed and yesterday I started cutting up the black and white flowered comforter to make something like blinds for the windows. Got a pair done and discovered the sun shined through and showed the bright colors of the other side of the comforter. I was kind of bummed but I got over it. I just have to put another thickness of fabric to hide the bright colors, not really a problem.

I also bought some black cotton to make some simple curtains for over the “blinds”. I have to get some more fabric because I want to make some king-sized shams, too. If I complete the entire project, I will let you know. If I don’t you will know another project got my attention. (I always have more than one going).

My friend, Ed, sends some of the neatest emails out daily, some just funny, and some are very interesting. This week one of them is something I am going to do for yet another project. This is written for the month of December, daily. Each day you pick up some form of food, canned or maybe dry foods, common sense items you could use anytime. You know, what you use regularly. Your church or local food banks will certainly accept the contribution or gift it privately. I will let you know how my gift box is progressing.

I was reading our local paper the other night and an article became interesting. We have a local theater group, and they were looking for people who would audition for a part or even volunteer for other needs. And yes, I called the next morning. I will be going over Saturday to meet the people and audition. Isn’t that a hoot! The play is a comedy, and I am anxious to hear more about it. I am ready for some new experiences, fun ones. When I was working at the school in Corinna I used to dress up and act out stories for the kids, and I do miss that.

When we first moved here, I was so shy. I was always a shy kid. My first year my boss at the recreation club had me on the stage and that was just the beginning of speaking to the crowds. I also found out then if you put on some kind of costume, you can be anyone you need to be.

I’m just curious what your latest projects are. Let me know, please. Contact me at DebbieWalker@townline.org . Have a great week.

REVIEW POTPOURRI: Gerald Ford

/0 Comments/in /by

Gerald Ford

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Gerald Ford

The 38th President Gerald Ford (1913-2006) always struck me as the most personally likable of our 46 chief executives. His geniality helped immensely in generating good will on both sides of the aisle during his 25 years in the House of Representatives before President Richard Nixon appointed him as vice president on December 8, 1973, after Spiro T. Agnew was forced to resign.

However, at the same time, when Ford became vice president, I confess to knowing very little about him, except for the name, and, despite having more interest in our nation’s leaders 50 years ago than nowadays, I had very little interest in knowing more about Ford (Congressmen L. Mendel Rivers and H. Edward Hebert interested me more.). But I do remember Ford serving on the Warren Commission investigating JFK’s assassination.

Eight months later on August 9, 1974, President Richard Milhous Nixon resigned and Gerald Ford became president and would appoint Nelson Rockefeller as vice president (it was a choice between Rockefeller and George H. W. Bush.). Ford also kept Henry Kissinger on the job as Secretary of State and William E. Simon as Treasury Secretary.

Certain memories of the Ford Presidency stick out:

A photograph in Time magazine shows Ronald Reagan shaking hands with D.C. Federal Judge John J. Sirica, who became best known during the Watergate investigation for demanding that Nixon turn over the White House tapes; Ford is standing between the two men with a look of panic on his face.

First Lady Betty Ford did a cameo appearance on the Mary Tyler Moore Show.

During September 1975, two assassination attempts were made on President Ford’s life 17 days apart – the first by a Charles Manson follower named Squeaky Frome and the second by Sara Jane Moore. Both women served prison terms for more than 30 years before finally being paroled.

Ford’s decision to pardon former President Nixon may have been the most controversial one of his two years in office and is still being debated by scholars.

Ford’s televised debates with Democratic candidate Jimmy Carter were marked by what struck me as lots of warmth and cordiality – the amount of time the two spent shaking hands seemed at times forever.

A few memories after Ford left office:

In the late ‘70s, Ford was a guest on the Dick Cavett Show and had the most ingratiating smiles and laughs at Cavett’s witticisms.

At the 1980 Republican Convention, it was reported that Reagan offered Ford the chance to be his running mate before selecting Bush.

During the late 1990s, a cable channel televised a program at the Ford Presidential Library in which the former president introduced historian David McCullough who gave a speech about his just published biography of Harry Truman.

On December 26, 2006, President Ford died from coronary disease at his home, in Rancho Mirage, California; he was 93.

MY POINT OF VIEW: New veterans made every day

/0 Comments/in /by
by Gary Kennedy

November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson set November 11 aside as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. President Wilson stated, “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations”. The day was to have a suspension of work beginning at 11:00 a.m. On June 4, 1926, the U.S. Congress officially recognized the end of World War I. The world’s worst war had come to an end; Armistice Day had begun.

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5U.S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the Eleventh of November of each year a legal holiday, a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace. The intention of Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor those who served in World War I. After World War II and Korea, the 83rd Congress was urged by veteran organizations to change the word Armistice to Veterans. That is when (public law 380) was made effective (6-1-1954). November 11 directed the holiday to legally become Veterans Day.

So that tells us how it happened and when it happened but it was supposed to end with “The War of all Wars”, World War I. World War II slipped in with even greater death and destruction. Then come the Korean War in June 29, 1950, which once again brought about more death and destruction leaving widows and orphans and thousands of broken hearted parents and friends. Many veterans became veterans again. The same occurred with Vietnam.

The world never learning from history, decided to give it a go again in the Middle East which also left voids in many family units. World War I left us 20 million deaths and 21 million wounded. World War II, military deaths were between 21-25 million which included those in captivity; those we couldn’t bring home. Korea wasn’t quite so bad, only 1.9 million military casualties. Then came Vietnam, which had 58,200 U.S. military losses. Looks like we are beginning to learn our lesson. We seem to be giving less and less of our precious resources, our sons and daughters.

Last but certainly not least is the multiple conflicts and incursions in the Middle East, which have taken nearly 10,000 of America’s finest. Not too bad you say; well, I guess I should mention there have been more service related suicides than there are from combat in these Middle East conflicts. Why is that?

Diminished public support for the country’s ongoing wars, a sexual assault epidemic in the military ranks, a masculine military culture (consider hazing and other demeaning events). Last but certainly far from the least there has been more civilian deaths then military deaths. Wow! So, as you can see there is a lot to all of this, as well as the creation of a veteran. So, I would like you to ponder on my key word SUPPORT.

“The making of a soldier is the creation of a Veteran”. He or she went to school with you, and played sports with you, went to church with you and perhaps may have even married you. He/she is one of us now and forever, in the good and the bad times. When the uniform comes off and the wrinkles begin to form and steps are not always steady, they most likely will end up needing your help and that of the Veterans Administration. When they reach out don’t let them fall. Be there for them as they were for you. We, in these United States of America, walk tall and free because of their sacrifice. Try to understand how they feel if they are ignored, especially in an hour of need.

As I always say, “it isn’t what you take with you; it’s what you leave behind”. The Lord Giveth and the Lord Taketh Away, Job 1:21, thou Shalt Not Kill, you shall not murder, is one of the 10 Commandments in the Torah; the Quran states, if any one slew a person unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land it would be as if he slew the whole people; and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. These references are for individuals and expectance is expected to be acknowledged by the individual thus if adhered to will reach the collective.

If a veteran is given a fair shake he or she will be just fine. As longs as we don’t follow the Good Books there will be veterans. The answers to all are there. It is your duty to search. God bless and have a happy and safe Veterans Day with those you care for, and God bless the veteran who gave his/her all for each and every one of us.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Let’s take a look at what’s to come

/0 Comments/in /by
Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

We’ve turned another page on the calendar and we are now entering into the time of year when the holidays are upon us, and the wintery weather is on the horizon. What is in store for us this year?

Well, most of my natural signs are not visible this year. One of the forecasters of snow amounts, the hanging of bee hives, was not present this year. The activity of the bees was almost non-existent toward the end of summer. Remember, the higher the hives, the more snow can be expected.

Secondly, the wooly bear caterpillar. Old farmers folklore states the wider the rust colored band on the furry caterpillar, the milder the winter. I have not seen one single, solitary wooly bear caterpillar this year.

The onion peelings are the only one that I have been able to use. My wife and I use a lot of onions. In this case, folklore has it the easier to peel, the milder the winter – the onions have been relatively easy to peel.

The first cicadae was heard on or about July 26 this past summer. Farmers’ folklore says 90 days following that, we will see the first killing frost. Although the 90-day period ended on October 26, it usually doesn’t take effect until after the next full moon, which was October 28. Although a frost was predicted, it didn’t happen in the Kennebec Valley. Side note: It was 37-degrees when I drove to work on October 30. However, there was a frost on October 31.

So what’s in store? Well, I had to go to several sources to find out. Coming up with a consensus was difficult. But here goes.

Winter officially arrives this year on December 21, 2023. On the winter solstice, those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere are tilted as far away from our Sun as possible.

Many sources are predicting snow, seasonable cold, and all of winter’s delights! This winter’s forecast will surely excite snow bunnies and sweater lovers alike, promising a lot of cold and snow across North America.

Snowfall will be above normal across most snow-prone areas. Get prepared for plenty of snow throughout the season! Keep a shovel at the ready early, especially in the Northeast, where snow will arrive beginning in November with a myriad of storms, showers, and flurries continuing through the beginning of spring.

Along with above-normal snow, we’ll see normal to colder-than-normal temperatures in areas that typically receive snow. Expect just the right amount of chill in the air for an afternoon of adventurous snow sports like snowmobiling, skiing, cross-country skiing and ice fishing. Only snowy New England and the Atlantic Corridor will enjoy winter temperatures milder than typical for their regions. Which I guess is good news when it comes to the heating bill. Much of the U.S. coastline, from New England down to Florida will see mild to cool temperatures.

The Old Farmers’ Almanac explains that we are approaching the middle of Solar Cycle 25, which is increasing in intensity and already as strong as Solar Cycle 24, which possibly had the lowest solar activity in about 200 years. Such low activity has historically meant cooler-than-average temperatures across Earth, but this connection has become weaker since the last century.

They go on to say the expected El Niño has emerged and should gradually strengthen into the winter. El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon marked by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. Typically, El Niño conditions result in wetter-than-average conditions from southern California to along the Gulf Coast and drier-than-average conditions in the Pacific Northwest. Will we see a “Super El Niño?” We also expect a warm Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) and a cool Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). Also significant are the equatorial stratospheric winds involved in the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation, or QBO.

Wow! My head is spinning!

WAKE UP, FANS!

Amazing how much of a difference a week makes. After feeling good about the New England Patriots’ last second upset win against the Buffalo Bills, our collective bubbles were burst with this past Sunday’s performance against the Miami Dolphins. The 31-17 loss was disappointing, especially after scoring a touchdown on a long pass early in the game that gave the Pats a 7-0 lead. I guess it’s on to Washington and a showdown with the Commanders. A winnable – and loseable – game.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

When was the last time the New England Patriots started a season 2-6.

Answer
2000. Bill Belichick’s first year as head coach.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: How to plan for dental emergencies while away

/0 Comments/in /by

Don’t let tooth troubles take a bite out of your vacation fun. Plan ahead how you’ll deal with dental emergencies.

(NAPSI)—When you’re jetting away from rainy Washington for vacation, your suitcases are often filled with traveling essentials, but did you think of what you may need in case of a dental emergency while relaxing in paradise?

“It is important to know whom to call, where to go and what insurance can cover,” said Kyle Dosch DDS, Delta Dental of Washington’s dental director and a member dentist. “This ensures that your smile stays healthy at home and while traveling.”

Not all dental issues are life-threatening, and some, such as a mild toothache, can wait until you return home safely from your travels. However, if you are experiencing intense dental troubles, it is important to be attentive to these issues as they arise:

• A broken or dislodged tooth
• Continuous gum or mouth bleeding
• Broken orthodontics
• A toothache accompanied by a fever
• Sudden, severe pain in your jawbone
• Sudden swelling in your mouth and/or gums
• Discoloration or growths in your mouth

If the pain is severe, you may need to go to the nearest emergency room for medical attention. Keep in mind that an emergency doctor can typically prescribe only pain medication or make a few stitches to wounded areas. To receive attention from a licensed dentist, make sure to call ahead and schedule an appointment to better suit your needs and have a plan in action. However, if in the case of immediate dental attention, most dental practices offer emergency appointments for new and existing patients. Make sure to call ahead to check that their practice accommodates for new patient emergencies.

Plan for Dental Emergencies Before Traveling

Most dental insurance plans, including most Delta Dental plans, have some coverage for emergency care whether your travels include the United States or outside of the country.

To ensure you will be well-covered and equipped for any emergency, review your coverage benefits and identify emergency care options before taking off on your trip. By doing so, you have a good idea of your home coverage plan. If dental care is needed while you are traveling, book an appointment with your regular dentist for a follow-up visit as soon as you return. Additionally, make sure your records are updated with any treatment received out of town.

What to Consider When Experiencing Dental Issues Abroad

Dental emergencies present their own special challenge, especially when facing them outside the country. The best way to begin is by using the resources around you. If staying at a hotel, hostel, or Airbnb, speak with the concierge or a trusted fellow traveler for a recommendation or for the country’s professional dental association. This association can help point you in the right direction for the names of reputable dental clinics in the area. For extra assurance, do some research on the establishment to confirm its legitimacy. One thing to keep in mind is that this dental visit will be paid out of pocket, so when you return home, you will need to file your own claim. Make sure to keep a copy of this detailed billing statement to send with your dental insurance emergency claim form. It is important to double check the information about the treatment (including tooth numbers if any were involved, date of service and total cost) is correct. After checking the information, your dental insurance provider will do a currency conversion at the time of reimbursement. Additionally, if your billing statement is in another language, ask for it to be translated.

Travel With Ease of Mind

If you experience a dental emergency while traveling and you can visit an in-network dentist in any state, you will be covered at the same rate as in your home coverage. If you need to visit an out-of-network dentist, you will have to pay out-of-network coinsurance. Then, you will need to submit an Interactive ADA claim form. The most important step to remember is to always ask for a detailed receipt for your exam or medical treatment.

For more information on experiencing dental issues while traveling, visit Delta Dental of Washington’s blog at www.deltadentalwa.com.

I’M JUST CURIOUS: Do you bathroom read?

/0 Comments/in /by
by Debbie Walker

I may wind up regretting this, but… you know I love to share knowledge (?). The back up story here is my friend, Edgar, who gave me a couple of books years ago. They have been packed in storage, but I found them again last week. The name of one book is Uncle John’s Supremely Satisfied Bathroom Reader, by the Bathroom Reader’s Institute.

One subject caught my eye: it is What’s in Toothpaste? Have you ever wondered what is in toothpaste? I can’t say I ever really wondered but when I saw this I had to know! I hope you will find this as fun as I did.

About 30 percent to 40 percent water (so many products are mainly water!)

Chalk. The same variety schoolteachers use. Did you know chalk is crushed remains of ancient ocean critters? They are rough but gentle enough to clean.

Titanium dioxide. It goes into white wall paint to make it bright. For at least a few hours it does the same for your teeth until it all dissolves and you swallow it. (Lovely thought, isn’t it, but wait! There is more!)

Glycerin glycol. It keeps the mixture from drying out. Did you know it is an ingredient in antifreeze?

Seaweed. It is made to allow oozing and stretching in all directions and hold the paster together.

Paraffin, it’s a derivative that keeps the mixture smooth.

Detergent. Toothpaste without foam and suds? What good would it be? It would be perfectly fine, but the public demands foam and suds.

Peppermint oil, menthol, and saccharin. These counteract the horrible taste of detergent.

Formaldehyde. The same kind is used in anatomy labs. Kills bacteria that creep into the tube from your brush and bathroom counter.

Does this recipe turn you off? Don’t worry, studies have shown brushing with plain water can be almost as effective.

Do you still want to read in the bathroom?

I am switching over to another Uncle John’s book. It is Uncle John’s Slightly Irregular Bathroom Reader. The page about LOVE…And MARRIAGE.:

“I love being married. I was single for a long time, and I just got sick of finishing my own sentences.” (Brian Kiley)

“They say marriage is a contract. No, it’s not. Contracts come with warranties.” (Wanda Sykes)

“My husband and I celebrated our 38th wedding anniversary. I finally realized that if I had killed that man the first time I thought about it, I’d have been out of jail by now.” (Anita Milner)

“Getting married is a lot like getting into a tub of hot water. After you get used to it, it ain’t so hot.” (Minnie Pearl)

“The Wedding March always reminds me of the music played when soldiers go off to battle.” (Heinrich Heine)

“Never get married in the morning – you never know who you might meet that night,” (Paul Hornung)

“Marriage is like a phone call in the night: first the ring, and then you wake up. (Evelyn Hendrickson)

For the last one, please don’t be offended) . “Before we got engaged, he never farted. Now it’s like a second language.” (Adela Rogers St. John)

I’m just curious if Edgar will realize he is responsible for this column!! Any questions or comments, contact me at DebbieWalker@townline.org . Have a great week!

REVIEW POTPOURRI – Composer: Jerome Kern

/0 Comments/in /by

Jerome Kern

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Jerome Kern

Great American Songbook composer Jerome Kern (1885-1945) was so captivated by reading Edna Ferber’s 1926 novel Showboat that he immediately saw its possibilities as a musical on Broad­way. But he had never met Miss Ferber and had no idea how she’d respond.

One even­ing at a theater reception, he spotted an acquaintance, the notoriously outspoken book re­viewer/­author/theater critic/­radio personality Alexander Woollcott (1887-1943) who was chatting with a woman and who could possibly arrange an introduction, given his own connections in the publishing world; Kern approached Woollcott with his request.

Woollcott replied that Ferber was very reclusive and inapproachable and could not imagine her wanting to even discuss the matter but would see what could be done. He then turned to the woman sitting next to him and said, “Edna Ferber (1885-1968), meet Jerome Kern. ”

With lyricist Oscar Hammerstein, Kern worked very quickly and the musical premiered on Broadway in less than a year. It was a huge success, it has generated at least two films in Hollywood, numerous recordings of selections have been released – I am quite fond of a 1946 Columbia Masterworks set- but Showboat had to wait until the mid-1980s for a complete recording of its three hour plus length of music and drama.

Edna Ferber

In 1980, I attended a production of Showboat at the Houston Grand Opera starring Donald O’Connor, a quite memorable evening.

Certain songs from the musical still resound – My Man Bill, Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man, and Old Man River.

A Music Treasures of the World LP from the ‘50s contains the nicely scored Showboat Symphonic Suite conducted by William Strickland (MT-31).

I recently listened to several other records here at the house of Kern compositions:

Columbia A5081 – a December 31, 1908, 12-inch shellac featuring soprano Elise Stevenson singing a very charming song, Frieda, from the 1908 Broadway musical, the Girls of Gottenberg, which closed after less than a year.

Victor 35425 – a November 24th, 1914, shellac, also 12 inch, featuring the Victor Military Band performing a medley of tunes from the Girl from Utah, which includes the classic They Didn’t Believe Me.

Victor Red Seal – a 1938 set of six 12-inch 78s, Gems from Jerome Kern Musical Shows, presenting the Victor Light Opera Company directed by Leonard Joy.

ES 10, a 1960 LP with Ed Sullivan’s written notes on Kern’s 1933 musical Roberta and selections from it performed by the uncredited vocalists listed simply as the Ed Sullivan All Star Cast, the record having sold in supermarkets for $1.69. Selections included Yesterdays, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes and Lovely to Look At, and were very nicely performed.

Book of the Month Records 41 – 7511, a 1984 three LP set with booklet, Jerome Kern Master of Melody, and containing vintage recordings of his music that range from Paul Whiteman to Perry Como.

The arranger/composer Paul Weston related an anecdote about working with Kern in Hollywood. The older composer told Weston, “Whenever you get told to do something that doesn’t make any sense, you ask why and keep asking why until you get an answer that does.”

On November 11, 1945, Jerome Kern died in a New York City hospital, at the age of 60, from a cerebral hemorrhage he had suffered six days earlier; Oscar Hammerstein was keeping a vigil in the room when Kern stopped breathing.

VETERANS CORNER: Back problems another subject worth looking into at the VA

/0 Comments/in /by
by Gary Kennedy

Many veterans complain about back pain and perhaps that is one of the most common complaints from our new veterans, especially if they are vets who are retiring after 20-plus years. If you take into consideration the nature of this type of career you will find that many of the venues residing within the military are extremely taxing on the human body. A soldier must be fit or put in shape in order to perform at peak proficiency. Calisthenics for most are a daily necessity. As time goes on this, coupled with the veterans military occupational specialty, MOS, can take its toll on the body. Some handle physical activity with relative ease while others have anatomical structures that don’t stand the test of time. Some bodies reach conflict before they complete even one tour of duty. Unfortunately, there is no way of telling for sure whose body will stand the test of time.

Today we will go over some of the back/spinal issues one might encounter due to their serving their country through military service. As I have mentioned before it is very important how an issue is presented and to what it is applied, if not a stand alone situation. This is also reason to be prepared by acquiring a Veteran Service Officer, V.S.O., to stand with you and guide you through the process. At this point it is assumed that you have a Primary Care Physician, P.C.P. to call your own. This is where you will take your initial complaint and where your problem will be analyzed, developed and referrals will be made. I suspect you will be sent to Orthopedics who, in turn, will order X-rays to see what is going on inside of your back. At this point the orthopedist will arrive at a diagnosis and log all necessary notes regarding your situation based upon what the X-rays and examination show. This will be the inception of a potential compensable claim. The best part is you will receive the medical care you deserve.

Backs are one of the most complicated areas of the human body as they are part of many systems of which affect or are affected by many different problems and/or conditions. Some of the most common addendums to this area are as follows: Sprains-strains, traumatic injury, fractures, herniated discs, sciatica, lumbar spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, scoliosis, etc.

Back sprains and strains can be rated from 10-100 percent depending on how severe the symptoms, pain and loss of range of motion. Extremely severe pain, loss of motion hit the high end. When it comes to traumatic injuries VA relies on Disability Benefits Questionnaires, D.B.Q. to collect disabilities information. This can be done by the veteran’s doctor or by VA to make a benefit evaluation. I prefer the latter, then comes fractures which are rated by schedules which are primarily based upon earning capacity. Separate diagnostic codes are used from 38 U.S.C.A. § 1155; 38 CFR. Next is Herniated Disc which last less than four weeks in the past 12 months may be able to qualify for 20 percent, episodes that last less than six weeks can be rated at 40 percent. This could go north of 60 percent. Lumbar Stenosis can be rated from 30 percent to 100 percent depending on the inability to move the spine. Osteoarthritis is usually given 10 – 20 percent depending on severity. (Diagnostic Code 5003) Scoliosis is curvature of the spine. Scoliosis is considered an idiopathic disorder. The cause of scoliosis is basically unknown and cannot be cured. Scoliosis can be considered for compensation if it is caused by military service or aggravates a pre-existing condition. It’s beneficial to know that scoliosis can cause other problems to occur such as spinal stenosis and arthritis.

There are three degrees of scoliosis. 1) Mild – less than 20 percent; 2) Moderate- which indicates a curvature of 25 – 40 percent degree of curvature and; 3) Severe – 50 percent more.

Scoliosis proof needs to show a nexus to an in-service event or show aggravation of a pre-existing injury. Medical reports as well as lay evidence can be used to establish a claim. This type of claim is not the most common of claims so make sure you contact your V.S.O. for his/her advice in the matter. They can guide you along. There is much more that we can address next time.

God Bless and have a safe weekend.

CRITTER CHATTER – Hit or miss: a squirrel and chipmunk

/0 Comments/in /by

chipmunk

by Jayne Winters

When I visited with Don today, there were two new admissions in small cages in his living room: a young chipmunk and a gray squirrel, both likely HBC (Hit By Car) victims. The chipmunk wasn’t in good shape; he was hunched up in a corner of his cage, his fur very disheveled. Don said he didn’t appear to have any broken bones, but initially had a bloody mouth and was in shock.

Even if an injury is minor, shock can quickly kill. When I researched on-line, I found it interesting to learn that an animal with a mild head injury may be more likely to survive than one with minor fractures because the ability to register fear and pain can be impaired from a head injury, whereas fractures cause more pain, fear and stress, which can lead to shock. Being careful not to handle the chipmunk much and further traumatize him, Don has syringe-fed him with squirrel or puppy milk to provide nourishment and hydration. Over a couple of days, the chipmunk has been able to eat and drink on his own, as well as ‘go potty’ and is moving around the cage, albeit stiffly. He’s being kept warm with a small heating pad.

The squirrel came in the same day as the chipmunk and physically looks to be in much better condition. He had a bloody nose upon arrival, but his larger size probably helped him tolerate the impact better. He, too, was sleeping soundly when I was at the house, but curled up in a normal position; he’s now been eating and drinking appropriately. I also learned that small animals can be given infant or child ibuprofen for pain; dosage is determined by the animal’s weight.

squirrel

According to World Atlas, about 41 million squirrels are killed by drivers annually. Researchers theorize that squirrels (and I would assume other rodents and small mammals) view oncoming cars as predators. Squirrels tend to stop and start and change direction constantly in an effort to confuse and avoid predators such as hawks, owls, and foxes. They often freeze and then run out of the way at the last minute in an effort to escape claws and jaws. Unfortunately, that instinct doesn’t work well with cars.

In addition, because their eyes are positioned on the side of their heads, depth perception and any ability to sense how fast cars are moving are severely limited. Their visual perspective is much different than ours – their eyes are about 2 inches from the pavement! While they may comprehend something is coming, their brain and vision can’t process the concept of speed. By the time instinct kicks in, it’s simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time that determines whether it successfully gets across the road or not.

Autumn seems to be peak time for squirrel fatalities on the road. They’re busy collecting food for the winter and looking for places to store it, crossing roads more frequently. Young squirrels are out of the nest and on their own for the first time; inexperience and lack of evasive maneuvers from potential predators increase their chance for collisions.

Despite what some people may think, it’s highly unlikely that wildlife play tag or chicken with on-coming cars or trucks. Sadly, there are drivers who find sport in chasing down an animal, no matter its size or species, and intentionally swerve out of their way to hit it, but I hope they are few and far between.

A follow-up to the opossum I mentioned in last month’s article: another suspected HBC victim, it had suffered a broken jaw. Although it was fed milk and vitamins with a syringe for a couple of days, Don was concerned about its ability to survive in the wild. He took the opossum to the vet and they discovered in addition to the broken jaw, its nasal cavity was also severely fractured. These injuries were not anything that would heal well; the kindest thing to do was humanely euthanize it.

Other rehabbers continue to generously provide assistance to help keep critter care at Duck Pond manageable.

They are greatly appreciated! Please check the following web sites to see if there is a rehabber near you: https://www.mainevetmed.org/wildlife-rehabilitation or https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html.

Donald Cote operates Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on Rte. 3 in Vassalboro. It is a non-profit state permitted rehab facility which is supported by his own resources and outside donations. Mailing address: 1787 North Belfast Ave., Vassalboro ME 04989 TEL: (207) 445-4326. Please note the previous e-mail address is no longer monitored.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Surprising News About The Fight Against Polio

/0 Comments/in /by

You can join in the efforts of Rotary members and others to wipe polio from the face of the earth.

(NAPSI)—When it comes to combating polio, there’s good news, bad news and better news.

The good news is that efforts to eradicate the dreaded disease have been going on for decades. Back in the disease’s peak years in the 1940s and 50s, it affected between 13,000 and 20,000 people in the United States each year, many of them children. Thousands died. Many others were permanently paralyzed. Then Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin developed vaccines and the number of cases dropped. As of August 30, 2023, only seven cases of “wild polio virus” (two in Pakistan, five in Afghanistan) have been detected in 2023.

The bad news is that even one case of polio is one too many, and while cases of polio have fallen over 99% worldwide since 1988, a variant of the polio virus is causing outbreaks and consuming critical resources needed to stop the transmission of wild poliovirus. What’s more, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted efforts to combat vaccine-preventable diseases, including polio.

The better news is we know how to eradicate polio. Vaccines are highly effective, and the more people who are vaccinated, the less the virus can spread.

What’s Being Done

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative developed tailored strategies to end polio. It offers multi-vaccine campaigns with polio and other vaccines, and increased environmental surveillance sites to quickly detect the virus.

Also, Rotary and its partners are using a new vaccine, nOPV2, to address outbreaks of the variant poliovirus. Millions of doses have been administered.

Who Is Helping

Polio eradication is the flagship priority of Rotary, a global humanitarian organization with more than a million members around the world. These men and women are business, professional, and community leaders with a shared commitment to making the world a better place.

The organization had the audacity to take on a global effort to protect children everywhere from disability and death due to polio and the tenacity to finish the job and keep its promise to children everywhere.

What You Can Do

You can be part of the effort to end polio in four ways:

1. Donate to the End Polio Now Campaign. Donations will be matched 2:1, up to U.S. $50 million by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
2. Contact government leaders and encourage them to prioritize financial and political support for polio eradication.
3. Participate in World Polio Day on October 24, 2023, to raise awareness of the importance of polio vaccination and to celebrate the parents, professionals and volunteers who make eradication achievable.
4. Join Rotary. Rotary members have contributed over $2.6 billion dollars and countless volunteer hours to immunize up to 400 million children a year. As a result, more than 20 million people who would otherwise have been paralyzed are walking, and more than 1.5 million people are alive who would otherwise have died.

Learn More

For more information visit: www.polioeradication.org and www.endpolio.org.