Bear Accident

Last Tuesday on Route 113 in Standish, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office responded to an unusual accident call – a woman and her 12-year-old daughter were driving at about 7:30 p.m. when they struck a bear.

“Apparently the bear ran into the road while the driver was heading west,” said Cumberland County Chief Deputy Kevin Joyce. “The driver did not have an opportunity to stop in time.”

Although the vehicle sustained upwards of $1000 worth of damage the woman and her daughter were uninjured. The bear was not so lucky.

The responding officer, Deputy Kerry Joyce, brother to the Chief, was forced to euthanize the seriously injured bear.

According to Joyce, bear sightings in Standish have been on the rise for the past couple of years.

Sheriff’s deputies and animal control have responded to dozens of calls since the summer.

“I get approximately eight calls a week,” said Standish Animal Control Officer Jack Freitas.

The calls range from simple sightings to bears in birdfeeders and trash.

“Nine times out of 10, if a bear is wandering through a yard, it will keep wondering,” said Freitas, but suggested keeping trash in the garage and taking down birdfeeders. “The best thing to do is to think of what a bear would be looking for, and remove it from your yard.”

Although it is unusual for bears to attack, it can happen.

In 2004 a Cape Road resident was attacked by a mother bear while attempting to take pictures of a baby bear in his backyard. The man was not seriously injured, but it serves as a good warning to anyone approaching wild animals, especially babies.

“If a cub is in your yard definitely leave it alone,” said Freitas. “Where there is a cub, there is a protective mother bear very close by.”

Bear attacks in Maine are very rare, the 2004 incident was the first reported since 1999.

“Bears are actually very docile animals,” said Freitas. “They just want to live in harmony like the rest of us.”

St. Joseph’s College Tree Lighting Ceremony

St. Joseph’s College invites the public to a campus Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 29 at 6:30 p.m. near the main entrance. Festivities will include an appearance by Santa – bearing gifts for the children – refreshments and singing.

Visitors can drive through the campus entrance on Whites Bridge Road and attendants will guide parking. For more information, call 893-7723.

Bonny Eagle News

Bonny Eagle High School was honored recently on the Southern Maine Community College campus for its participation in the Early College for ME program.

Early College is a transition program designed for students who have the potential to succeed in college but who might be undecided or otherwise lack the support to pursue post-secondary study.

The school has worked in partnership with Maine’s community colleges and the ECforME regional staff for the past five years to help students apply to and enroll in college directly from high school. As one of the 25 original participating schools in the state, Bonny Eagle High School was recognized by the Early College staff as a valuable partner in building an effective program that continues to engage and motivate students to pursue college.

Holiday Happenings

• The annual Christmas in the Country Craft Fair at Bonny Eagle High School will be held on two days this year: Friday, Nov. 23, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Crafts include quilts, homemade jewelry, candles, American Doll clothes and more. Parking for the fair will be available at Bonny Eagle High and Middle schools.

• Standish Recreation wants to award your holiday spirit. Starting Monday, Nov. 26, residents can register their home at town hall and start decorating. The judges will award prizes on Dec. 15 to the person or group who decorates their house or business with the most holiday spirit. For specific details contact the Recreation Department at 642-2875.

Meetings

The Standish Town Council will be holding a workshop Tuesday Nov. 27 at 7 p.m.

The Standish Community Center Committee meets Thursday Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. at the Standish Municipal Center.

Out and About

Friday

Memory Lane Music Hall welcomes Boston band Revolver.

Saturday

Memory Lane Music Hall welcomes Boston band Revolver.

Heidi’s Take

Be careful out there

For most of us this time of year signifies family and friends, peace on Earth, joy to the world, and all that is holy, or maybe not.

I was at the mall this past week, which by the way is already decked out in silver bells and red velvet garland, shopping for a much-needed winter hat, when I saw it. The true meaning of Christmas for the materially obsessed.

A certain upscale store was offering a one-day-only sale on some very expensive sweaters when I watched two women grab for the last sweater on the almost bare table. Now I must admit, I could have walked away or sent a perfume-clad saleswoman to their aid, but I didn’t. I watched with the intensity of a hunter on the last day of the season.

Each woman tugged on the corner of this lonely sweater ever so gently pretending not to see the other. After neither woman let go, the tugging became more of a grab, and then of course proceeded to a full-on yank with neither shopper giving an inch. The women quietly continued this pulling match until the weaker of the two gave up and muttered something under her breath and proceeded to another sweater table down the hall a bit. The victor of this cashmere tug-of-war glided on air to the check out where I heard her say, “I love a good bargain, the only thing better than getting this on sale is knowing someone else will have to pay full price tomorrow.”

What concerns me the most is what will happen when the season really gets into full gear this week. Will the grabbing turn into pushing? Shoving? Fist fighting? I’m afraid to ask. Will the Black Friday crowd be so ruthless this year that people will risk life and limb for GameBoys and cell phone vouchers?

I fear for you, my readers, I really do. So please, I beg you, before your holiday shopping excursion this year make sure your life insurance is paid up, your protective gear is in place, and please, please, just be careful out there.