5365-R2_CIC_December2017_Calendar_Web

One Man’s Island by Bob Libby

Notices Ladies Aid: Please join us for crafty projects and camaraderie from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. each Thursday. Catholic Communion Service: A regular Catholic Communion Service will be held every Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at the church. Sew Good: Sew Good will meet December 27 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Parish House. For more information, please call Lola Armstrong (846-4737) or Karen Corson (846-0938). Classified Ads Top Shelf Cleaning and Services: Cleaning, moving cars to and from the Stone Pier or Chandlers Wharf, snowplowing and snowblowing, and winter house watching—daily, weekly, or monthly—lawn mowing, and light tractor work. For more information, call Cindy at 207-846-1055 Seasonal Rental at 13 Island View Rd: Fully equipped summer home with 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, and private right ofway to thewater;$900perweek plus a$300 security deposit. Contact Richard Bowen at rhbowen3@gmail.com or 207-831-6148. We have been through an eventful month on Chebeague. The world is in constant turmoil, and like it or not, we are all part of it. Forecasters warned us to expect high winds, and those winds howled all night, but then at 5:00 a.m. the power went out. At first light as we started to drive around and listened to the radio, we quickly realized that it was going to be at least a few days before the power was restored. Like many islanders we had had a generator for basic power, but we sold it at our yard sale. So, back to preelectricity roughing it. We have always heated with wood, and Paula has mastered the use of oil lamps. We had already filled the tub with water and started to assess the storm’s damage. As in the Patriots’ Day storm, huge fir trees were uprooted and fell west revealing stunted root balls, but none crushed houses. One uprooted in our front yard, and another huge tree snapped its trunk and landed inches from Dean Miller’s cottage. Again, what I learned from this event is the community spirit of Chebeague. All the volunteers stepped up, started clearing roads and setting up shelter at the Hall. One thing that changed from a decade ago is the need for recharging cell phones. At the Hall people lined up to recharge devices. Let’s realize how dependent we have become.

Personally, we have had to cope with the recent deaths of several members of our extended family. Don Munsey, Cathy Hunter, and Maureen McKuen were our neighbors on Chebeague, and their generosity to us will never be forgotten. Each one always gave of themselves willingly for the good of the community. Munsey is in the same category as Martha Hamilton, Fran Calder, and Mabel Doughty in my mind. His efforts in a thousand ways helped improve this community. We would have been hard pressed to repair the Brick House without his generous help. The first year we ran the games on the Fourth of July, Munsey provided the materials for those games while also organizing the parade. We are deeply immersed in holidays this month, but I hope everyone will join me in making a conscious effort to thank everyone who volunteers to help their neighbors and all the strangers they selflessly aid. I am truly thankful for the spirit of volunteers who go out of their way to help. Find a way to thank the many volunteers who make Chebeague so special.

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DECEMBER 2017 CHEBEAGUE ISLAND COUNCIL CALENDAR