by Pamelia Dowling

Down East Community Hospital (DECH) Auxiliary is holding a membership drive! Auxiliary membership is an excellent way to support DECH, our community hospital, which has served us well for the past 50 years! Perhaps you or a loved one has been helped directly? Auxiliary membership is a great way to give back!

Abigale and Brian Bell from Edmunds had  a 9lb - 4oz baby boy on Feb. 5th named Foster Aubrey Bell. Ebonica Newman from Baileyville, had a 9lb-3oz baby boy; named Sabre Newman on Feb. 11, 2015. Kendra and Powell from Jonesport, had a 8lb-3oz baby boy on Jan. 26, 2015

Cherryfield

Stanley Arthur Willey, 76, passed away unexpectedly at his home Saturday Feb. 7, 2015. He was born in Cherryfield, Sept. 9, 1938. The son of the late Nina M.(Grant )and Stanley A. Willey Sr.

He worked as a carpenter in his younger years, then went to work for A. L. Stewart & Sons, then later Cherryfield Foods INC. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, working, and gardening. He especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and loved his grandchildren.

Ambrose “Chip” Snow Brooks, 72, passed away from cancer, on December 1, 2014 in Mount Airy,  NC. Chip was born November 17, 1942 in Milbridge, ME to Meddie Joseph and Charlotte Brooks.

Chip grew up in Milbridge, ME with his 9 brothers and sisters. Chip is survived by 3 sisters, Viola, Sally, and Norma and 1 brother, Bliss. He is remembered with smiles, love and laughter by his 7 children, Deborah, Frank, Billy, Michael, Patrick, Sarina and Melissa, as well as 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Some time back I heard an individual say, “You are only as strong as the people you surround yourself with.”  Taking a look at this statement as it relates to our partners, husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, and significant others could be revealing.  I became acutely aware that not everyone, many times women and girls, understands that it is NEVER OK to overlook verbal degradation by those who say they love us.  We might ask ourselves these questions to determine if we are being verbally and emotionally abused by our mates:

Unless you belong to a private rifle and pistol club, finding a place to sight in your deer rifle or simply to practice with a firearm is becoming increasingly problematic in Maine.

There was a day when all you needed to do was to find an old gravel pit, set up a target and plink away. Not anymore. Pit owners, mindful of all the new legal liabilities that seem to be the scourge of the 21st century, are posting their properties.

Organized shooting clubs and ranges don’t have it so easy either as anti-gun factions and other detractors try yo put them out of business.

Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2015, was celebrated in a big way in Cooper with all-day benefit events including an ice fishing derby on Cathance Lake, a poker drive with designated spots around Cooper and Cathance Township, children’s crafts and games at the Cooper Community Center, and a “souper” supper which featured an abundance of food generously donated by many local residents.