Proper Etiquette When Meeting a Guide Dog Team

Hi, I’m Heath and I’m visually impaired. I live locally with my wife and guide dog Mari. She is my first guide dog. I returned home with her at the end of April after intensive training at a guide dog school in Oregon. I would like to thank those of you who have shown interest in Mari and for your warm greetings.

However, there are guidelines people should follow when meeting a guide dog team. An effective guide dog knows that when it’s in harness it’s “game on” and to be alert to any possible hazards. As such please don’t touch, talk to, feed or otherwise distract a guide dog while it is wearing its harness. Even if it is just laying at the handler’s feet. The reason for this is because too many distractions, even a well intentioned pat on the head, will, over time, erode the dog’s ability to guide effectively and safely. They become solicitous and may guide their handlers into obstacles or worse yet, oncoming traffic.

That being said it is always okay to speak with the handler. I for one am an affable person and like to chat. If I have time I’ll gladly remove Mari’s harness so you can interact with her. She gives great kisses!

Thank you all for your understanding.

R. Heath Clavin
Brunswick

Have You Considered Becoming a Rotarian?

Being a Rotarian is not for everyone.

It is for people interested in serving our community and the world. Rotary is by far the largest group of organized volunteers in existence. The Rotary Club of Brunswick was chartered in 1925 and does local projects such as mulching the Town Mall, hosting the annual Bicycle Rodeo and Safety Day, distributing food for Mid Coast Hunger Prevention, and building the children’s playground at the Tedford Housing Family Homeless Shelter.

Our most recent event was our annual Fun and Games on the Mall, held every 4th of July. Dozens of children and adults have a friendly competition in traditional games including the sack race, three-legged race, and wheelbarrow race.

We support and participate in international projects such as the Rotary initiative to end polio in the world, clean water projects in Latin American countries, and children’s health programs in Zambia.

Rotary also represents a wonderful opportunity for people to meet and network regularly with like-minded friends. Our weekly club meetings feature interesting speakers and lively conversation.

Our 61 members include men and women from all walks of life and backgrounds. We encourage high ethical standards in our vocations and in our Rotary activities.

Want to learn more? Be a guest at one of our meetings. The Brunswick Rotary Club meets every Monday (except holidays) at The Daniel, 10 Water Street. You may also visit our website for more information: http://brunswickmainerotary.org/ .

Don Kniseley
Brunswick Coastal
Rotary Club

Taking the Train to OOB

My wife, daughter, granddaughter and I recently did something different, we took the Downeaster from Brunswick to Old Orchard Beach. My wife and I went for the day and our daughter and granddaughter took an overnight bag and spent the night in OOB. We took train 684 the 11:00 a.m. train which put us in to 0013 at 12:10. The Downeaster puts you right in the center of things in OOB. Place Playtand is a 3 minute walk from the platform, the pier 4 minutes and you are right in the center of all the shops and eating places. We decided to look around some and have a late lunch. We had lunch at the Belle Buoy restaurant, whose owner has relations here in Topsham, the service was excellent, the food good, and the prices reasonable.

After lunch we walked around some more then it was time to catch train 683 for the trip back to Brunswick for me and my wife. Train 683 was supposed to get into 0013 at 3.17 pm but was 15 minutes late because it was diverted to a siding to let a southbound freight pass. But we got back to Brunswick at 4:30 pm with plenty of daylight left in the day.

We accomplished three things by taking the Downeaster to Old Orchard Beach instead of the two cars it would have otherwise taken. We didn’t add to the congestion on I-295, Lord knows that there is enough of that between Brunswick and Portland. We didn’t have to look nor pay for parking in OOB. I am no big environmentalist but we did leave a greener footprint taking the Downeaster to OOB. So If you are considering a day trip to Old Orchard Beach why not try the Downeaster for your trip I think that you will find that you enjoy it.

Raymond T. West
Topsham