Letters

"Together, we thrive." This simple yet complicated statement is the theme of this year's United Way of Mid Coast Maine fundraising campaign.

Home fires don't stop for the holidays. In fact, they tend to spike nearly 20% because of seasonal risks. In Maine, 200-plus families experience devastating home fires every year. Every time a Mainer experiences this loss, the Red Cross will be there. I know because I am a Red Cross volunteer. Our disaster action team members respond at a moment's notice to comfort these families, providing critical care after the unimaginable happens.

Between the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 11, and the morning of Monday, Oct. 13, two floats went missing from the beach at Mackerel Cove. They had been tied to a stout post next to the boat ramp, one behind the other, waiting to be picked up.

I read with interest the article "More wells running dry as drought grips Harpswell." Once-reliable wells are running dry and water storage systems are becoming more prevalent as "property owners run out of other options." Harpswell's geology makes wells harder to drill and more likely to run dry everywhere, especially near the shore.

I read the story "More wells running dry as drought grips Harpswell," in the October Anchor, with interest. As it turns out, our well seemed to be easily handling the demands we put on it through most of the summer — until it didn't, seemingly crashing overnight.

On Sept. 27, approximately 28 "Voter ID for ME" signs were legally placed in Harpswell. As of this writing, almost all of them have been defaced with swastikas or black marker changing the number in Question 1 to an 8. After the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office was notified, most of the swastika signs were removed.

We were in Alaska with family in June when a local restaurant called to tell us our dinner reservation for 18 to celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary was being canceled because they were closing. I had noticed a column in the Anchor by a new catering chef ("Harpswell's Private Chef") and called your wonderful development officer, Janice Thompson, who directed me to Amanda Palma.

For the past seven years, my wife and I have spent August on Orr's Island. I walk laps around Mitchell Field daily, so if you are an early morning dog walker, we have undoubtedly waved to each other.

Harpswell Aging at Home turns 10 this year, and what a decade it has been! HAH has grown from a handful of Harpswell people concerned about their aging neighbors to a dynamic band of more than 400 volunteer drivers, cooks, carpenters, caregivers, social workers, writers, photographers and more from all parts of town.

What a weekend! The Cundy's Harbor Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary wants to send out a huge thank you to everyone who helped make this year's Cundy's Harbor Days such a fun and successful event!