LIFE ON THE PLAINS: Winters on the Plains were challenging

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by Roland D. Hallee

Winters on The Plains in the 1950s and ‘60s were a challenge, to say the least. Anyone of my generation will remember winters back then, for some reason, were a lot rougher than they are today. In my opinion, winters now are nothing compared to back then.

We would get blizzard after blizzard of 14 inches or more on a regular basis. And, they didn’t call off school because of a few snowflakes. Most of us, whether it was Notre Dame School, South Grammar, or St. Francis School, walked. Only kids that lived “in the country” were bussed.

My dad would say – and I relayed that to my children later – “In my days, we walked to school in blizzards, and it was uphill both ways.”

Other challenges also presented themselves. Like snow removal. The city had plows to take care of the streets, but there were not a lot of privateers who plowed driveways. Besides, my dad had four strapping boys, and our grandfather lived next door.

We would put on our snow suits, boots, hats and mittens, and out the door we’d go. I remember a few times when we couldn’t even open the door due to the snow drifts against the door, which eventually prompted my dad and grandfather to install panels on the porches to keep the snow from drifting.

Using snow scoops and shovels, we began the process of shoveling, and clearing, the snow from a 100-foot-long driveway.

Of course, there were some “incidences”. One time, while shoveling the front walkway and steps, my younger brother stood on the railing of the porch to knock down some icycles. Well, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity when it presented itself. I gave him a gentle nudge, and he fell head first into a snow bank. With only his legs from the knees down showing, and wiggling, – I laughed – my grandfather was able to pull him out in short order. But, I can tell you right now, that did not go unpunished. But, thinking back, it was worth it.

The snowbanks would get so high, I would estimate probably seven to eight feet, once the work was done, we would take out the shovels, and begin to dig out tunnels, and chambers, where we would stash snowballs for a later assault on neighborhood kids. Oh, how I loved those snowball fights.

Once the activities were complete, we would head indoors where our mother was waiting to handle our wet clothes. She would have the woodstove going, and we would sit in front of it with our feet on the door to get them thawed. Hot chocolate and cookies would usually be included in this ritual.

At school, the boys would go out at recess and head to the towering snowbanks at the end of the church parking lot, where the nuns discouraged us from going. And there, we played “king of the mountain”. Some of the bigger guys would go to the top of the mounds, and others would try to ascend to the summit and displace the “kings”. Sometimes, it turned into a melee, and the nuns so disapproved of such actions.

Winters were tough, but so were we.

REVIEW POTPOURRI: James Buchanan

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James Buchanan

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

James Buchanan

After the very sad four White House years of Franklin Pierce, that of former 15th President James Buchanan (1791-1868), with the help of his niece/hostess Harriet Lane (1830-1903), began with an inaugural ball described as follows by Christine Sadler in her 1963 America’s First Ladies:

“Five thousand revelers danced the night away in a specially built structure and between the reels they consumed ‘twelve hundred gallons of ice cream plus four hundred gallons of oysters, five hundred quarts of chicken salad, five hundred quarts of jelly, sixty saddles of mutton, and thousands of dollars worth of wine. ‘ All this in addition to a four-foot cake featuring the thirty-one states of the about-to-be-dissolved union.”

Harriet Lane

(With respect to Miss Lane, more later!)

Buchanan was born April 23rd, 1791, into prosperity in Pennsylvania, his father being a very successful store owner. He began practicing law in 1812 and became so good at it that, by the time he was 30, he was earning today’s equivalent of 220 thousand dollars a year.

Very cautious and low key in personality, he approached life as a game of chess and shrewdly assessed all angles before making any move while sustaining the sweetest, most charming one on one personality in terms of eye contact, ironic as he was near-sighted in one eye and far-sighted in the other and was always cocking his head in the direction of anyone whom he engaged in conversation.

Buchanan was elected to the State Legislature in 1814 and Congress in 1821. Not being very good at public speaking, Buchanan focused his talent on behind the scenes committee work, slyly working his way through the treacherous labyrinths of state and national politics and its changing winds. Beginning as a Federalist in Congress, he made the safe leap to the Democratic party in 1831 during Andrew Jackson’s administration and was appointed Minister to Russia in 1832 where he served for two years before heading back to run successfully for the first of three-terms as Senator.

Buchanan would serve as Secretary of State for President Polk and as Minister to England for his predecessor Pierce, with whom he shared a rather wary rivalry as fellow Democrats but like-minded in their belief that the federal government had no business interfering with the rights of slaveholders in the South though personally detesting slavery as an institution.

By the time Buchanan assumed the Presidency for his one term in 1857, the country was split horribly and very dangerously on the slavery issue and his cautious neutrality made his Presidency a lame duck one. Details of its failures can be read about in Wikipedia and elsewhere.

Back to his niece, Harriet Lane. What little good her Uncle James accomplished at 1600 Penn­sylvania Avenue may have been partly due to her charm, beauty, wit and savory smarts as his First Lady . As hostess, she brought a level of culture and fine arts to the social gatherings on a level comparable to that of Jackie Kennedy while similarly advocating worthwhile causes, a noteworthy one being the living conditions of Native Americans on the crowded reservations.

After she and her uncle left the White House, Harriet married a wealthy Baltimore banker Henry Johnston at 36 in 1866 while the President retired to his large estate Wheatland where he died in 1868 at 77.

The Lanes had two sons but, by 1885, Harriet had not only lost her uncle but also her husband and both sons. After her own death in 1903, the will bequeathed generous amounts of wealth to, among other charities, establish a boy’s school and children’s hospital while her collection of paintings were donated to the Smithsonian.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Opossums showing up more often on our highways

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Recently, in my travels throughout central Maine, I have seen an unusual number of opossums dead on our highways. There seems to be more and more of them present these days.

My first encounter with an opossum was in 1967 while living on Long Island, in New York. There was a stockade fence between the property where I was renting and the neighbor, and I found it laying, playing “possum,” along the fence.

I never really gave them much thought. Then I first started hearing about them in our area, then I began seeing them.

The opossum, Didelphis virginiana, is a marsupial endemic to the Americas. The largest order of marsupials in the Western Hemisphere, it comprises 103 or more species in 19 genera. Opossums originated in South America and entered North America in the Great American Interchange following the connection of the two continents. Their unspecialized biology, flexible diet, and reproductive habits make them successful colonizers and survivors in diverse locations and conditions.

In the United States and Canada, the only species found is the Virginia opossum, and it is generally referred to as a “possum.

The word “opossum” is borrowed from the Powhatan language and was first recorded between 1607 and 1611 by John Smith (as opassom) and William Strachey (as aposoum). Both men encountered the language at the British settlement of Jamestown, Virginia, which Smith helped to found and where Strachey later served as its first secretary. Strachey’s notes describe the opossum as a “beast in bigness of a pig and in taste alike,” while Smith recorded it “hath an head like a swine … tail like a rat … of the bigness of a cat.” The Powhatan word ultimately derives from a Proto-Algonquian word meaning “white dog or dog-like beast.”

Opossums are usually solitary and nomadic, staying in one area as long as food and water are easily available. Some families will group together in ready-made burrows or even under houses. Though they will temporarily occupy abandoned burrows, they do not dig or put much effort into building their own. As nocturnal animals, they favor dark, secure areas. These areas may be below ground or above.

When threatened or harmed, they will “play possum,” mimicking the appearance and smell of a sick or dead animal. This physiological response is involuntary (like fainting), rather than a conscious act. In the case of baby opossums, however, the brain does not always react this way at the appropriate moment, and therefore they often fail to “play dead” when threatened. When an opossum is “playing possum,” the animal’s lips are drawn back, the teeth are bared, saliva foams around the mouth, the eyes close or half-close, and a foul-smelling fluid is secreted from the anal glands. The stiff, curled body can be poked at, turned over, and even carried away without reaction. The animal will typically regain consciousness after a period of a few minutes to four hours, a process that begins with slight twitching of the ears.

Threatened opossums (especially males) will growl deeply, raising their pitch as the threat becomes more urgent. Males make a clicking “smack” noise out of the side of their mouths as they wander in search of a mate, and females will sometimes repeat the sound in return. When separated or distressed, baby opossums will make a sneezing noise to signal their mother. The mother in return makes the clicking sound and waits for the baby to find her. If threatened, the baby will open its mouth and quietly hiss until the threat is gone.

Opossums eat dead animals, insects, rodents and birds. They also feed on eggs, frogs, plants, fruits and grain. One source notes their need for high amounts of calcium. Thus possums eat the skeletal remains of rodents and roadkill animals. Opossums also eat dog food, cat food and human food waste. Opossums are also notable for their ability to clean themselves of ticks, which they then eat. Some estimates suggest they can eliminate up to 5,000 ticks in a season.

With this in mind, if I do have opossum living under my steps, it would be nice if I could capture them and relocate them at camp where they would be very useful in controlling the tick population.

The Virginia opossum lives in regions as far north as Canada and as far south as Central America. The Virginia opossum can often be found in wooded areas, though its habitat may vary widely. Opossums have been moving north in recent years.

The Virginia opossum was once widely hunted and consumed in the United States. Opossum farms have been operated in the United States in the past. Sweet potatoes were eaten together with the possum in America’s southern area. South Carolina cuisine includes opossum, and President Jimmy Carter hunted opossums in addition to other small game. Raccoon, opossum, partridges, prairie hen, and frogs were among the fare Mark Twain recorded as part of American cuisine. “Granny” on the TV show Beverly Hillbillies was famous for her possum pie.

Opossum oil (possum grease) is high in essential fatty acids and has been used as a chest rub and a carrier for arthritis remedies given as topical salves.

Opossum pelts have long been part of the fur trade.

So, now you can add opossum to the list of dead critters to be looking for on the side of the road.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

What NBA Hall of Famer and 16-year veteran holds the Boston Celtics franchise record for most points scored?

Answer can be found here.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Three Ways A Medicare Advantage Fitness Plan Could Help Reduce Your Health Risks

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Senior Couple in the Gym

(NAPSI)—Have you heard the saying, “Movement is medicine?” Countless studies have shown that physical activity can help reduce the risks of serious health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, back and neck pain, some types of cancer, and even falls. That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults aged 65 and older participate in 150 minutes of physical activity a week. This includes aerobic, strength, and balance activities.

If you’re already engaging in a vigorous walk each day, or playing golf or pickleball, good for you! But what else could you do to enhance your strength, balance, and cardiovascular health? Many health plans, including Medicare Advantage plans, offer exceptional fitness programs that provide low-cost or no-cost benefits to help you meet these physical activity recommendations and stay healthy. Here are three benefits that Medicare Advantage fitness programs may offer to help improve your fitness:

1)Low-cost or No-cost Gym Memberships. Many Medicare Advantage plans offer fitness programs that give members access to gyms, YMCAs, recreation centers, and boutique studios for no cost or a very low cost. These fitness centers offer a variety of workout opportunities, such as free weights, weight machines, workout classes, swimming pools, and other amenities to help members achieve their fitness goals. The Silver&Fit® Healthy Aging and Exercise Program is one example that provides access to 15,000+ standard and 5,000+ premium gyms, including national name-brand chains, YMCAs, and boutique fitness studios. Besides offering a variety of options for getting fit, a fitness center can provide a social outlet for members who want to connect to others in their community.

2)Access to On-demand Video Workout Classes. Going to the gym can be a daunting task if there’s no gym close by, if the weather is bad, or you don’t have transportation. Fortunately, some Medicare Advantage fitness programs include access to on-demand workout videos you can do right from home! It’s easy to start, maintain, or increase your workout regimen when you have a library of cardio, strength, dance, yoga, Pilates, meditation, and cycling classes to choose from. It’s not unusual for such programs, like the Silver&Fit® Healthy Aging and Exercise Program, to offer thousands of video class options and even offer free online classes via social media. 

3)Health and Fitness Coaching. Setting and maintaining your health goals is one way to avoid becoming a couch potato. Stay engaged in your well-being journey by connecting with a personal health coach through a Medicare Advantage fitness program. Whether you’d like to increase your activity level, reduce stress, improve your eating habits, enhance your sleep quality, or just feel better every day, a health coach can give you the boost you need via phone, video, or chat sessions. For those who are looking for extra assistance with their fitness, programs including the Silver&Fit® Healthy Aging and Exercise Program offer a “Get Started” exercise plan, designed to help you begin a goal-based fitness routine. 

A recent 2022 poll showed that nearly half of all eligible Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. It’s no wonder when you consider the many well-being benefits offered to members. The fitness programs and resources described above can help you create a personalized fitness routine so you can reduce your health risks and continue to live your best life.  

Always remember to consult with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine and to discuss what types of exercises are safest for you.

LIFE ON THE PLAINS: Final pictorial walk along Water St.

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Picher’s Furniture Store, at 88-90 Water St. The building is no longer there. It was located across from Gold St. intersection.

by Roland D. Hallee
Photos courtesy of E. Roger Hallee

A market at 162 Water St.

Behind the market, at 162-1/2 Water St., is what appears to be a tavern.

At 188 Water St., there appears
to be another tavern.

REVIEW POTPOURRI – Music: The Penguins; Writer: Alfred Kazin; TV Show: Dragnet

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The Penguins

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

The Penguins

I own a ten inch 78 (Dootone 348) containing two songs performed by the doo wop vocal group, the Penguins – Hey Senorita and Earth Angel. It was released in late 1954 and, in early 1955 in an ironic twist of commercial fate, side one’s Senorita, even though pleasant enough, would be ignored by disc jockeys in favor of Earth Angel soaring to #1 on the rhythm and blues charts for three weeks with 4 million copies sold by 1966 and very musically deserving of its success.

At the beginning, the group consisted of the following singers:

Lead tenor Cleveland Duncan (1935-2012), Curtis Williamson (1934-1979), Dexter Tisby (1935-2019), Bruce Tate (1937-1973), vocalist Williams, Gaynel Hodge and the late, great singer Jessie Belvin, who died very young, shared credit in the writing of Earth Angel.

In 1958, the group signed a contract with Mercury Records where the musically similar Platters would score even greater success while the Penguins own sales were already waning.

In 1955, an all white group, the Crewcuts, recorded their own version for Mercury, scored an even greater success on the pop charts and began their own rise to fame.

Alfred Kazin

Alfred Kazin

Alfred Kazin (1915-1998) stated in his Journals on March 22, 1960, a pre-requisite for truly worthwhile writing:

“Without some kind of innocence, no writing is possible. One must give oneself to the world, uncomplainingly, no matter what….”

Interesting­ly, he complained constantly in these Journals, but still remains one of a handful of writers, most of whose books I have read. One gentleman who knew him commented to me back in the 1980s that “Alfred is not a nice man.”

On the other hand, Southern writer Flannery O’Connor (1925-1964) invited a friend to lunch at her Milledgeville, Georgia, farmhouse and informed her that “Alfred Kazin would be joining them and that he was a sweetie.”

Dragnet

Jack Webb

Lee Marvin

One of the most underrated examples of early 1950s film noir suspense black and white entertainment are the episodes of Dragnet. One had Lee Marvin portraying a serial killer who’s also a vegetarian and takes Jack Webb’s Joe Friday and his partner to dinner at a then-existing restaurant in Los Ange­les.

However Marvin’s character, portrayed with precision-honed calm and based on an actual individual, would still be sentenced to the gas chamber which was a frequent punishment for murderers in the California of that decade.

 

 

 

FINANCIAL FOCUS: Should you consolidate retirement accounts?

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submitted by Sasha Fitzpatrick

One of the rewards for working over several decades is the ability to contribute to tax-advantaged retirement accounts, which can help provide needed income for you when you do retire. As the years went by, you may well have accumulated several retirement accounts, such as IRAs and 401(k)s or similar employer-sponsored plans. But you might find it advantageous to consolidate these accounts with a single provider.

Consolidating them can provide you with several potential benefits, including these:

Less confusion and clutter – If you have multiple accounts in different locations, it may be difficult to keep track of tax documents, statements, fees, disclosures and other important information. Consolidating accounts could help provide clear, simplified account maintenance.

Less likelihood of “lost accounts” – It may be hard to believe, but many people abandon their retirement accounts, leaving thousands of dollars behind and unclaimed. In fact, at the end of 2021, there were nearly 25 million forgotten 401(k) accounts, worth about 20 percent of all 401(k) assets, according to an estimate by Capitalize, a financial services company that helps individuals roll over retirement plan assets into new accounts. It’s possible that employers can even move small, old accounts out of their 401(k) plans and into an IRA on behalf of their former employees, thus increasing the chances that savers will lose track of their money. By consolidating your retirement plans with one provider, you can ensure you don’t lose track of your hard-earned money.

Ability to follow a unified strategy – With multiple retirement accounts, and different investment portfolios, you might find it difficult to maintain a unified financial strategy that’s appropriate for your goals and risk tolerance. But once you’ve consolidated accounts with a single provider, you’ll find it easier to manage your investment mix and to rebalance your portfolio as needed. The need to rebalance may become more important as you near retirement because you may want to shift some of your assets into investments that aren’t as susceptible to swings in the financial markets.

Possible improvement in investment options – Often, 401(k)s may have limited investment selection, so consolidating accounts with a full-service firm may allow for a wider array of products and strategies. This broader exposure can potentially help you improve your overall retirement income strategies.

Greater ease in calculating RMDs – Once you turn 72, you will need to start taking withdrawals — called required minimum distributions, or RMDs — from your traditional IRA and your 401(k) or similar plan. If you don’t take out at least the minimal amount, which is based on your age and account balance, you could face a penalty. If you have several accounts, with different providers, it could be cumbersome and difficult to calculate your RMDs — it will be much easier with all accounts under one roof.

So, if you do have multiple retirement accounts, give some thought to consolidating them. The consolidation process is not difficult, and the end result may save you time and hassles, while also helping you manage your retirement income more effectively.

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

Edward Jones, Member SIPC.

GROWING YOUR BUSINESS: These services are needed right now

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Growing your businessby Dan Beaulieu
Business consultant

No Job too small.

Even if you are technically now a “skilled laborer” you can offer your services and grow your business right now… Without any special tools, equipment, or skills. You just have to know how to work hard and let people know you are available.

I am talking about the so-called small stuff. The type of work that normally falls through the proverbial cracks of normal provided services.

The true essence of a business is to find a need and fill it.

Customers, home owners, small business owners, even other companies have those needs today. They need you right now if you can offer these services:

  • Small carpentry jobs from putting in a window to hanging shelves to, yes, even hanging things on the wall, to fixing a broken step or a broken window, people are looking for someone who can do this kind of work. The kind of work that the larger companies can’t be bothered to do. General handyman or woman services to do anything a home owner needs, just the small stuff like repairing a fence or a step.
  • Other small jobs of any kind. People need someone to paint their steps, paint their shed, or cut a few branches. All jobs that are too small to even call a larger company.
  • Cleaning out attics and basements and garages and sheds and other storage areas. People need someone who can show up, clean their attic, cart away things that are no longer needed and bring that space back to life. No special skills are required. All that you need is strong hand, back and ambitions. Even just hauling away and properly disposing of anything from old paint cans to old appliances. There are no easy ways to do this right now?
  • Detailing cars: the largest detailing companies are booked out for months. But the demand for this service remains high. People would be delighted if they could call someone to come to their house and detail their vehicles in their own driveway.
  • Taking in and storing window air conditioners in the fall and installing them in the spring.
  • Winterizing homes from taking in a storing outdoor furniture including properly storing that barbecue and grill.
  • Hanging Christmas decorations on the outsides of homes and businesses. And then taking down those decorations.
  • General house cleaning on a regular basis. There is a high demand for someone who can do this.
  • And there are dozens of other things you can do, other services you can provide.

Another thing to consider is that Maine has the largest per-capita senior population and many of these people can no longer do that kind of jobs that we’ve listed above. This particular demographic is looking for someone like you right now.

All you have to do is think about it. Consider what you would like to do and get started, you’ll be surprised how quickly you fill out your work schedule. There has never been a better time or a better way to grow your own business.

MY POINT OF VIEW: America’s first veterans were Revolutionary War soldiers

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by Gary Kennedy

So here we are with another year passing us by and searching for meaning. We veterans know who, what and why we are considered veterans. In general, those who have served in the U.S. Military are veterans. However, title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations defines a veteran as “a person who served in the active military, army, navy, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable”.

This definition explains that any individual that completed a service for any branch of armed forces classifies as a veteran as long as they were not dishonorably discharged. The most important thing to understand is veteran status. This is very important to the veteran but has no meaning to the general public. When the veteran is released from his military obligations he or she may be entitled to earned benefits, post military. At this point in time the veteran should locate the nearest “Veterans Administration” office and register any service related situation with a Veterans Advocate. Here also, he will receive information and advice as to what he may be entitled to. He will display his DD214 and perhaps show his military service and medical records. The veteran will be guided from there.

Now let’s take a look at how a veteran began and a little history of the veteran’s origin. In this country the making of a veteran basically began in 1775. This was the beginning of the Revolutionary War. This war began on April 19, 1775, and didn’t end until April 3, 1783; eight long years. We were a young country seeking freedom from mother Great Britain. She didn’t want to let us go so war ensued. The war was fought and won, but at great cost. We lost nearly 70,000 soldiers in this conflict. On the third day of April in 1783 our first veteran was born.

On April 12, 1861, the Civil War had begun. Before it was to end we would lose 364,511 Union soldiers and another 260,000 Confederates. History tells us that loved ones went to the killing fields to claim the bodies of their loved ones. This war ended on April 12, 1865. More veterans were created. They claim 25 percent of those who fought did not survive.

July 28, 1914, World War I began which took the lives of 116,708 and left 204,000 wounded. This ended on November 11, 1918. We were now getting familiar with the word “Veteran”. On September 1, 1939, World War II began and before it was to end 670,846 died and 405,399 were wounded. Those remaining became the new “Veterans”. Next came Korea on June 25, 1950, until July 27, 1953. This was long enough to allow 40,000 to die and 100,000 to be wounded.

Would you know it, we decided the country of Vietnam needed to be free from Communism. This was on November 1, 1955, and ended April 30, 1975. This involved Cambodia and Laos. We spent 20 years trying to change Vietnam but failed in our attempt. However, we did create more “Veterans”. I guess we didn’t have enough so we went to the aid of Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, to August 30, 2021. This would be another 20-year war which cost us 2,456 American lives. There were 20,752 of America’s finest wounded. Also this war led to many U.S. soldiers committing suicide. Currently, I don’t know why our troops were so affected by this particular war. I am currently searching for answers to that dilemma. In any case, we ended up with more “veterans”. The last one that I will mention is the Gulf War, which runs from August 2, 1990, to February 28, 1991. Two hundred nineteen men and women died, more “veterans”. There were other skirmishes that I haven’t addressed and my figures are only a good approximate; they are close enough for purposes of this article. I guesstimate around 1,520,226 deaths and approximately five times that in wounded. That’s a lot of sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters as well as others sacrificing to keep us and others free. So we have a million and a half posthumous veterans and many millions more who were lucky enough to make it home. Home is the key word and it’s still free and safe thanks to veterans; we continue to keep conflict off of our shores.

Believe me, if we didn’t have veterans we would be speaking another language by now. When will we and the world learn to live and let live? Greed and corruption continue to take the front seat and so we must continue to create “veterans”. I am a veteran, yet every night I pray for those in harm’s way, especially our veterans. My time has come and gone as is the case of thousands of others. We must rely on the strength of others now, as they will eventually do. At this point in time it’s the way of things. We need to pray for a world of peace. Until that time, God Bless our future veterans. Pray for them; thank them for serving our country and for watching over us. God Bless our veterans and God Bless America.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Tiktok Trend Exposes Dark Side Of Vaping

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Vaping is so toxic, it can put young vapers in the hospital and even on life support

(NAPS)­­—Chest pains. Ventilators. Collapsed lungs. Life support. Young people are warning each other about the dangerous and painful effects of vaping by doing what they do best – sharing their personal stories on TikTok.

One 23-year-old TikToker went viral in July 2022 after posting a video about her painful experience from lung surgery after her lung collapsed. Vaping contributed to her health problems which left her hospitalized and using inhalers for weeks post-surgery.

“When I woke up from the surgery I asked the nurse if this is what death is… it was one of the most horrific pains I have ever experienced.” – @gracejohanna

Social media is filled with examples of young people exposing the damage that vaping has done to their bodies. Many are sharing photos and videos from hospital beds, speaking up about the scary health crises they’ve faced from using vapes, and pledging to kick the habit for good.

“It’s currently 4:30 am I was fine last night until suddenly I couldn’t breathe and had chest pains. 5 years of vaping and I’ll never touch it again” —@bellaspresent

The tobacco industry makes vapes in kid-friendly flavors that mask the harsh taste and high nicotine content of the products. A staggering 96% of California kids who vape use flavors—and once they’re addicted it can become a lifelong struggle. The tobacco industry’s plan: get customers addicted to vapes, and they are likely to try their other products. Teens who vape are three times more likely to become daily cigarette smokers.

Tobacco industry organization front groups like Foundation for a Smokefree World have worked hard on slick PR campaigns to convince people that their vaping products are much safer than cigarettes. The result: a tobacco industry-created youth vaping epidemic. Marketing these products as safer lured many young people into a lifetime of addiction and disease.

The tobacco industry tricks young people into thinking that vaping is “safer” than smoking but it only takes some scrolling on social media to see firsthand the damage vaping can cause. Young people are fighting against the tobacco industry’s manipulation and deceit by exposing the truth about vaping and reaching an audience of millions.

TikToker @chocolatecandle26, who used vapes for more than four years, went viral with a video viewed 29 million times about being hospitalized for two weeks and ending up on life support. “When flavored air put you in the hospital for 2 weeks and life support for 4 days.” @chocolatecandle26

Vapes have been engineered by the tobacco industry to maximize addictiveness. Designed specifically for vaping, many of the most popular vapes use nicotine salts which deliver a highly concentrated form of nicotine with less irritation. In fact, a single Juul pod can contain as much nicotine as a whole pack of cigarettes. Nicotine is as addictive as heroin and rewires the brain to crave more of it.

Vaping is so addictive that young users start using more and more— resulting in serious damage to the brain and body. But nicotine isn’t the only danger. E-cigarettes contain toxic chemicals with health risks we are only beginning to understand. Similar to people who smoke, people who vape or use e-cigarettes are at a higher risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and lung issues such as asthma, COPD, emphysema, and bronchitis, making it difficult to breathe.

Vaping is known to increase risk of heart damage, and cause lung inflammation, and nausea. Chemicals found in e-liquid may impair the heart’s ability to pump blood and is linked to a dangerous respiratory disease known as popcorn lung. It’s nearly impossible for our young people to escape exposure to dangerous tobacco industry products. In California, there’s a store that sells tobacco for every 293 kids – that’s twelve times more stores that sell tobacco than Starbucks.

This is the moment to break the cycle of addiction. We have the power to create a better future in California and that starts with keeping Big Tobacco from targeting our kids for disease and death. Quitting tobacco is difficult. Anyone looking to quit vaping can text “I Can Quit” to 66819 or visit KickItCA.org to join the free text messaging program.

“Stop vaping before you end up in hospital. I always thought ‘it’ll never be me’. Here we are with lung inflammation and the worst chest pain I’ve ever experienced.” —@rosehajjar_.