Kiwanis Club Donates to Schools

Last week, members of the Standish Kiwanis Club presented Standish Fire Chief Martin Jordan with a check for $3,000 so the department could purchase two automated external defibrillators for Standish elementary schools George E. Jack and Edna Libby, both in the Bonny Eagle School District.

The defibrillators were then presented to SAD 6 Superintendent Suzanne Lucas.

The defibrillator is about the size of a large textbook and is used to analyze the heart’s rhythm and tell a bystander responding to an emergency whether to deliver an electrical shock to a victim of sudden cardiac arrest. This shock can lead to defibrillation that allows the heart to resume normal rhythm and can be crucial after a heart attack.

“Almost anyone can use the device,” said Kiwanis Club Secretary Todd Delaney. “The first minutes after a heart event are critical, and these devices can be so important in saving a life before emergency medical personal can get there.”

The Kiwanis club began working with the Standish Fire Department three years ago to coordinate fund raisers for the defibrillators.

“We have done many fund-raising events over the past three years,” said Delaney. “We will continue to raise money in the future so that we can purchase one for Steep Falls Elementary as well as other places in the community.”

The Kiwanis Club holds several local fundraisers during the year including, the barbecue at the Family Festival, an annual ice Fishing Derby, and this year a hockey tournament.

“Our driving force is to help children,” said Delaney. “We also believe it is important to take care of those that take care of the children such as parents, grandparents and teachers. These devices make it very easy to save the life of a child or a caregiver.”

According to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, when sudden cardiac arrest victims receive defibrillation therapy within the first minute or two after collapse, more than 90 percent survive. A law that passed in 2000 requires the installation of automated external defibrillators in federal buildings.

For more information on the Standish Kiwanis Club, or to donate, contact Todd Delaney at 642-8075.

Standish Holiday Spirit Contest Winners

The following are the addresses of the winners of the holiday decorating contest hosted by Standish Recreation.

1st Place: 164 Harmon Hill Road

2nd Place: 108 Bonny Eagle Road

3rd Place: 8 Bluff Drive

Standish residents are encouraged to drive by and enjoy before the Christmas season is over.

Standish Seeks Committee Members

The Appointments Committee of the Standish Town Council continues to accept applications for the Historic Resources Commission. At this time there is one vacancy for an Alternate Member for a two-year seat. You can obtain an application by mail or by calling Mary Chapman at 642-4678.

Also, the town council is still accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the town council for Area 2 which is the Steep Falls area of town. This appointment is allowed under the provisions of the charter and the term will expire in June 2008.

You can obtain an application for either position by calling Mary Chapman at 642-4678.

Auditions

Auditions for the original one-act play “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep” will be held on Dec. 29 and 30 from 2-4:30 p.m. at the Schoolhouse. Parts are available for 12 to 35 students ages 14 to 21. Auditions will consist of readings from the script, which is available at www.schoolhousearts.org/Frames.htm for those wishing to read it before auditioning. If you have any questions, contact Jerry Walker at 642-5188.

Library FYI

The Steep Falls Library announces expanded hours. The library is now open Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon.

The Scene

Friday

Memory Lane Music Hall welcomes Duke. Doors open at 4 p.m.

Saturday

Memory Lane Music Hall welcomes Kingpin, doors open at 4 p.m.

Heidi’s Take

Resolutions

A new year, a new you. How many times have we heard that? Personally, I am getting tired of it. Did you know that gym memberships rise by 30-50 percent in January and then fall by the same amount in March? I think there is just too much pressure to make resolutions for the new year. I have a friend that suggested I give up candy this year. Give up candy? That’s crazy for me and the economy. (I won’t say I have a problem, but if I give up candy the makers of Sour Patch Kids and Milky Ways are both going out of business.) Maybe I should give up candy, or at least cut down, but why? I like candy, so what? So this year, my New Year’s resolution is to avoid New Year’s resolutions.

I think this year instead of resolving to lose five pounds, or eat more veggies, or give up chocolate, I think we should resolve to love ourselves more. How about we make a resolution to stop caring what other people think. This year let’s accept who we are as people and just get on with it. If you find yourself at a party on Dec. 31, and someone asks you what your resolution is, smile, look them directly in the eye and tell them your resolution is to spend less time making rules for your life, and more time living it. Now somebody give me a Milky Way!