No more bear problem
To the editor:
It was surprising enough to see that bear at my bird feeders just before daylight last Saturday morning, but on Sunday evening I got an even greater surprise. To my utter astonishment, I found a large dead bear down by the brook behind my house. I reported the discovery to police chief Gahagan first thing Monday morning and he quickly notified wildlife authorities. Police officer Bell, game warden Fitzgerald and another game warden whose name I regrettably missed, were soon here and showed me claw marks on a tall maple tree which the bear had climbed and then apparently fallen to its death. With the generous permission of my neighbor to work from his more accessible back yard, the officer and wardens made short work of wrapping the malodorous remains in a tarp and hauling it away.
I wish to express my sincere appreciation to every one of those people for their prompt response and efficient handling of a very unpleasant task.
Carroll B. Knox
Caribou
Impressed with response
To the editor:
On behalf of AARP Maine, I would like to thank The Aroostook Agency on Aging and all the local organizations who worked with us on hosting AARP “You’ve Earned a Say” listening sessions in late June in The County. Hundreds of county residents, many of whom are AARP members, generously shared their thoughts and ideas during our events.
“You’ve Earned a Say” takes the debate about Medicare and Social Security out from behind closed doors in Washington, D.C. and ensures that all Americans have a voice in the discussion about their future. By completing our simple questionnaire, everyone can make their voice heard.
Lori Parham, director
AARP Maine
Staying well in summer
To the editor:
Summer is finally here. For many of us, summer means outdoor fun! Children are out of school, vacations are being planned and it’s time to fill the agenda with outdoor activities like swimming, riding bike, running, and hosting barbeques. It’s also an important time of year to be aware of how you’re fueling your body. The abundance of local fresh fruits and vegetables, combined with grilling foods, provides a great opportunity to add variety and many healthy options to your diet.
Try some of these great tips to keeping yourself healthy this summer:
• Get out the grill. Choose lean cuts of meat and enjoy grilled chicken breasts, fish, and kabobs. Try marinating in salsa or lower calorie dressing or citrus juices.
• Lighten up your salads. When making potato salads and coleslaws, substitute your mayonnaise for low-fat or fat-free options. If you’re adding egg to your salads, lose some or all of the yolks. Try a new salad such as fresh spinach, strawberries, feta cheese with a low-fat balsamic dressing.
• Keep it fresh and simple. Try keeping fresh fruits and vegetables available and focus on easy snacks that do not take much prep work.
• Easy on the sugar sweetened beverages. It’s important to stay hydrated during the summer heat. Water is the best option when temperatures soar. Think about adding slices of lemon or lime to naturally add flavor.
Reegan Brown
community education specialist
ACAP/Healthy Aroostook
