Thomas Jefferson Returns

What would one of America’s most revered founding fathers have to say about the present condition of our country? Well, according to Penney Road resident Gus Jaccaci, Thomas Jefferson is outraged at contemporary America, but he sends a much-needed message of hope for the future of this country.

Jaccaci has formed a kinship with our third U.S. President and principal author of the Declaration of Independence by enacting Jefferson in full regalia while addressing various groups during an interactive and spontaneous conversation called “Awakening America.” Speaking from the year 2040, Jefferson examines our current challenges and reveals the creative steps Americans will take in the coming decades to reinvent our politics, our economy and our relationship with all life.

Gus, his wife Joanne, and academic colleagues form the nucleus of Unity Scholars, a non-profit organization. According to its Web page, Unity Scholars is comprised of “social inventors who host visionary people, projects and events dedicated to enhancing healthy human evolution.”

Hot off the press is a new book published by Unity Scholars entitled, “2008 Thomas Jefferson Returns, Letters Received and Recorded” by August Thayer Jaccaci, described by the publisher as “an American shin kicker.” The book’s foreword explains to the reader that “Mr. Jefferson has returned for the year 2008, a critical election year to reawaken and revive the ailing soul of America.” His letters were received by Jaccaci around July 4th of 2007 who compiled them as short chapters in this 140-page paperback. Large type and double-spacing was used, making the book very easy to peruse for readers of all vision levels. The content is philosophically complex, rendering the manuscript to be particularly appealing to visionaries.

To order this Jeffersonian guide, make your check for $20.08 + $1 shipping per copy payable to ‘Unity Scholars’ and send to Gus Jaccaci, 626 Penney Road, New Gloucester, ME 04260. For more information, call 926-5933.

George’s Lung Capacity Declines

As most New Gloucester citizens could tell you, George Carman is a well-liked volunteer fireman in our town who has been battling the lung disease cystic fibrosis from birth. His friends, family, co-workers and members of the fire department have formed a committee to raise funds for the expenses associated with a much-needed double lung transplant that is not covered by insurance.

New complications in George Carman’s medical condition have increased the urgency in this fundraising mission. A recent doctor’s report revealed a drop in his lung capacity from 37 percent to 32 percent. Although the numbers seem insignificant, this sudden drop has placed Carman on a portable oxygen tank that he must wear when he becomes exerted. As his lung function continues to decline, this tank will ensure that the proper amount of oxygen will get to his lungs.

Carman and his wife, Amy, flew out of the Portland International Jetport to New York City on Dec. 18 for a re-evaluation by his surgical team at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. “This could be the visit,” Carman said as he packed his bags for the overnight stay. “It could be just the meeting we have been waiting for to see if my health has declined enough to move forward with the transplant.” Carman, easily exhausted, is currently listed on an inactive transplant list. Once the surgeons determine the absolute need for new lungs, Carman will be placed on the active transplant list, and from there it’s just a matter of time until he will be rushed to New York City for the full double lung transplant.

Two Urgent Projects

The New Lungs for George committee has taken on two urgent projects. One of them is finding a plane service to get him from Maine to New York City within a couple hours of being notified that a set of donor lungs has been located. His doctor insists that driving is not an option. Carman will carry a pager and when the pager goes off, he has a maximum of six hours to arrive at the hospital in downtown Manhattan.

For the second project, the committee is organizing a New Year’s Eve celebration at Spring Meadows in Gray from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Dec. 31. The ticket price includes great entertainment (a live, eight-piece band called Sly Chi (voted “Portland’s best R&B band” and “best live act”), appetizers, party favors, a champagne toast at midnight, and hourly giveaways. One lucky winner will receive an overnight stay and dinner for two at the Sugarloaf Inn! A Tipsy Taxi Service will be available all evening. Tickets cost $50 per person and $85 per couple. Proceeds will benefit New Lungs for George. For tickets and more info, call 318-5619 or 926-6160. There will be limited seating, and tickets will be sold in advance.

Town Announcements

Dec. 31: All town facilities will close at 3 p.m. for New Year’s Eve.

Jan. 1: All town facilities will be closed for New Year’s Day.

Jan. 2: Land Management Planning, 7 p.m., Meetinghouse

Jan. 3: Public Safety, 7 p.m., Meetinghouse

Jan. 4: Story Time, 9:30 a.m., Library