Blowing back at Katrina

The past few weeks in the Lakes Region have seen an outpouring of unparalleled kindness shown by strangers in the north to strangers in the south. Our front page stories detailing these acts of specific kindness are both lengthy and varied, but at the same time, we’ve probably missed a host of other good deeds that are happening daily around this region for the benefit of hurricane victims. And for that we apologize. If in our reporting this week we missed what you or your organization are doing for the benefit of Katrina survivors, please let us know and we can tell your story next week. We are determined to report on each act of kindness people in our region are showing those who have struggled since Katrina blew through.

And there are so many stories to tell. Everyone from the three Windham girls raising money through a bake sale to the Sebago firefighters and Cumberland County sheriff’s deputies who are heading south to offer any assistance they can. Bravo to all. You are heroes in our books. And in everyone’s books.

In talking with reporter Peggy Roberts, who is gathering many of these local angles to the Katrina story, I’ve been impressed with how compassion seems to ooze from residents of the Lakes Region. Not to sound too much like Pollyanna, but it seems people around here care very much. And that is such a nice thing to see. Americans here and around the country are pulling together for the greatest cause of all, rebuilding our country from a blow the likes of which we’ve never seen. Something good is indeed coming out of something so very bad.

But, like we’ve been hearing commentators say lately, we’ve got a long way to go. It’s mostly going to hit our wallets. But with all the fear and dread, it’s been nice to see local gas stations lowering their price of gas, truly a precious commodity. What was once $3.44 and even $3.69 (at the North Windham Cumberland Farms; what was up with that?) is now $2.99 a gallon and even lower. Thank you for not taking advantage of us oil-addicted consumers. That will help everyone’s pocketbook. (Who ever thought we’d be happy to see gas prices back in the high $2 range!)

One real worry is the prospect of heating homes and apartments this winter. We need to be aware of our neighbors, especially the elderly or poor who may choose to save money by lowering the thermostat. Be a good neighbor if you can and check on them regularly and offer to pay for what they need. It’s great to give to far-off charities, but there’s nothing like helping that person who really needs it in your own community.

Lastly, this is a time, like Sept. 11, to appreciate what we have for income producing jobs and physical comforts. We should also remember that our country is rebounding, albeit slowly, from a major catastrophe, and have patience. It was interesting to see droopy-eyed Michael Brown, the FEMA director, get sacked for his sluggish response. But we have to be mindful that things take time, even in this hurry-up society in which we have been sucked into, and be thankful for the subtle progress.

We also need to be the best Americans we can. If that means slowing down on the road to save gas, donating money, or volunteering to go south if you are able, then that’s what we should do. And by the stories in our paper this week, it sounds like that’s what people are doing. A whole city and coastline has been decimated, yet people as far away as Sebago Lake in the northeast corner state of Maine have responded, and that should make everyone feel patriotic.

-John Balentine, editor