7 / 16
7
SEPTEMBER 2017 CHEBEAGUE ISLAND COUNCIL CALENDAR
The Annual
Flu Shot Clinic
Community Matters: What Draws Us Close
When word spread among the community that SecondWind Farm
stand had been robbed and vandalized, people were shocked and
outraged. Coupled with the vandalization of the trails behind the
Chebeague Recreation Center and, subsequently, the school
garden, the news made people wonder what kind of place the
island was becoming. That vandalism and theft could happen in
this very small town, which people tend to think of as a throwback
to simpler times, disrupted their sense of place and security. It
made them question whether anything was safe and whether
anyone could be trusted.
There was much remarking over how awful it all was and how this
was not the place they knew or remembered. Only one person not
only spoke about how wrong it was, but also moved to right that
wrong. Within 24 hours Addie Todd had organized a bake sale to
raise money for farm owner Chuck Varney. She arranged to use
the Hall, lined up bakers, and even enlisted her younger brother
and sister and David Calthorpe to help with sales.
The morning of the sale the space outside the Hall was crowded
with people dropping off food—beautiful challah, cookies of
every description, fudge, and many kinds of pies, including
whoopie. One woman dropped off two loaves of banana bread
and promptly bought one back. People began buying even before
Addie could price everything and arrange it on plates. There was
enough food for all the residents of Chebeague, not to mention
Cliff and Long islands. It seemed as though people couldn’t do
enough to help.
In the end Addie raised over $1800—a staggering sum to Farmer
Chuck that left him absolutely overcome. But more than that,
Addie gave the community a way to disavow the random violence
that had occurred and reaffirm what they felt to be true about
their home. Later, in thanking all those who helped her on the
Chebeague Island Swap, Sell, or Borrow Facebook page, she was
inundated by those who thanked
her
for “making it happen,” for
“bringing us all together as a community,” for her “wonderful
community spirit,” and for being so kind and thoughtful.
That this healing gesture came from a sophomore at the
University of Maine at Orono is all the more telling. We are often
quick to condemn the young just for being young and foolish,
but we should also celebrate those like Addie who are willing
to wade in and try to put things right. So thank you, Addie, for
understanding that while people usually know what’s the right
thing to do, sometimes they need a little push. As Donna Damon
put it, “You rock!”
It’s Nothing
to Sneeze About!
Sponsored by
the Chebeague Island Council
No Appointment Necessary!
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
October 20
At the Hall