Yorkwise Benefit Auction set for April 5
Dear Independent,
York High School's Yorkwise is getting ready for their 10th Annual Auction on Saturday, April 5, at 5 p.m. in the York High School Gymnasium.
Some of the auction items so far include a Wilderness Motorsport's Husqvarna lawn tractor and a motor scooter. We have full patient care for braces from Atlantic Orthodontic Center, as well as many great items and gift certificates from local businesses.
The Yorkwise raffle item for the auction is a Sony Bravia 40-inch LCD HDTV, with only 320 tickets available at $10 each. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Ocean Bank in York or York High School. Ticket sales and the drawing will take place at the auction.
It's also not too late to make a tax-deductible donation to York High School for the benefit auction. We accept items in good condition such as furniture, artwork, electronics and Maine-made items such as jewelry, needlework and crafts. We do not accept clothing or used appliances and tools. Items can be dropped off at York High School or arrangements can be made for pickup.
For more information, contact York High School at 363-3621.
We appreciate your help and donations to support Project Graduation, substance education and chemical-free activities for York students.
Yorkwise Auction Committee
York
York Beach resident seeking peace in the park
Dear Independent,
As Bill Burnham addressed the Select Board on Feb. 25, a rare feeling arose within me - that of hope. More loss of quality of life in my neighborhood of York Beach has been directly linked to his name as chair of the Ellis Park Committee and leader apparent of the "plugging in" and nightly saturation of summer beach concerts than has been directly and effectively recognized and addressed. This is despite numerous calls to the Police Department by various people regarding the noise level of the new concert series. This is despite at least one phone call to the now deceased Verna Rundlett and a direct conversation with Bill Burnham. This is despite a petition written and submitted per recommendation by the former Town Manager Mark Green to the select board and to the Ellis Park Committee. This is despite a meeting of several neighbors with the committee itself. During this meeting, Mr. Burnham suggested that if we didn't like the music in our private homes and yards, we should "go out to a movie.
Last night, as Mr. Burnham spoke of the park's proposed new "residential" designation, the glimmer of hope began. Could there finally be a true chance that those of us who have suffered through the intrusion of these concerts into our private worlds once again may have the peace and quiet that most residential neighborhoods by small villages enjoy? Could something we treasured be returned to us?
The low-key town band concerts that were held twice a week for decades were just right. Bands that set up powerful speakers that shoot loud music and emcees' voices out into the private lives of those who live even more than a mile away from the concert venue are not. Let us, in the future, hear the calls of the seabirds rather than two-plus hours of sound checks, music and lead vocalist calls such as, "Let's make some noise on a Friday night!"
With the York Beach Renaissance at hand, let the quality of life for those who live here carefully be kept in mind. As with the Hartley-Mason Reserve, Ellis Park was never intended to be a mega-watt concert venue. It was created as a pleasure ground, a place to walk along or sit and look at the sea, a place to throw balls or soak in the sun.
Elizabeth Dutton
York Beach
New CBS show sends the wrong message
Dear Independent,
The viewers of CBS need to let the network know that their idea of programming has gone into an area that is offensive to anyone who cares about what kind of entertainment comes into our homes. CBS has long been my choice, and I have that network on probably 90 percent of the time that I spend watching television. I can tell you, however, that on Sunday evenings, my TV will either be turned off or tuned to another network.
At a time when most people are very worried about the level of violence in our country, the latest new program is one with the "hero" being a serial killer! What are they thinking? Is this the message that we want our children to get? I haven't seen this show, nor do I intend to, because the premise is so distasteful and upsetting. It presents a story line in which the authorities are unable to catch and prosecute a serial killer, so our "hero" goes to work, finds him and does to him whatever horrendous things he has done to his victims. This "hero" is a vigilante of the most terrible kind, and I think that we should all be offended and insulted by this kind of program. The premise is that because he is a serial killer himself, he can find the killer and will give him what he has given his victims.
To some, I think this will sound satisfying. We all hate the idea of murder in any form, and especially serial murder. The families of victims probably, in their moments of extreme grief, wish that the same acts could be inflicted on the offender. However, this is not who or what we are as civilized people, and to set up such a scenario is beyond all decency. We worry about our children playing violent video games, because of the message they receive, and fear that they will be desensitized by them. What do they think that watching a show such as this every week will do? It isn't a movie that people can go to watch, or not - it will be in our homes weekly! From the promotional scenes on the screen the past few weeks, we will be treated to watching this freak do these horrific things in living color and are expected to think, "That's great!"
I am horrified at such a thing, and don't feel it's as simple as "don't watch it, if you don't like it." It's subversive and dangerous, and could have a terrible effect on vulnerable or troubled people who, in my opinion, will be the ones who watch it. Thinking, intelligent viewers will tune it out, but those who are possessed with a lust for vengeance and violence will watch and be influenced by it.
My message to CBS is that this is one woman who will not be watching your latest offering, and is hoping that public reaction will be to send you a message that says - to paraphrase their promotional message, "Bury it, in pieces!"
Thank you for your time,
Barbara L. Smith
York Beach
CFW thanks its Owl Fund donors
Dear Independent,
The Center for Wildlife (CFW) in Cape Neddick wishes to thank all the generous people who responded to our plea for donations to our Emergency Owl Fund. This winter the center has received almost 40 barred owls in need of medical treatment, compared to the typical winter count of six or eight. (This has likely resulted from a food shortage in Canada that caused many owls to migrate south, while persistent snow on the ground has made hunting for prey especially difficult.)
Most of the owls currently at the CFW were hit by cars while searching for food along roadways and have injuries such as head trauma and broken bones. Many have arrived weak and emaciated from the lack of food. Fortunately, most will recover fully at the CFW and will soon resume their lives in the wild.
Sparked by a challenge grant of $2,000 offered by a generous supporter of the center, we turned to the public for help. The response was overwhelming, with gifts of cash, supplies and offers to volunteer to help care for these wonderful birds. Because of this outpouring of support from the community, we will have sufficient funds to house and care for these owls through the rest of this winter, at a time when donations are typically at their lowest.
The CFW was established in 1986 as a nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation organization. Each year, the organization treats over 1,500 birds, mammals and reptiles representing over 150 species. In addition, our education programs help teach people of all ages why wild animals are important to our lives and communities, and how to take action to protect them.
For more information on the CFW and opportunities for involvement, please call the center at 361-1400 or visit our website, www.yorkcenterforwildlife.org.
From all of us at the CFW, we wish you a warm and safe winter, as you have graciously provided for these magnificent birds.
Steven J. Corrigan, CFW Chair
Cape Neddick
