Hampden man grateful for help in time of need

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We are sure family and friends would agree that the best aspect of calling the Hampden home of Remi and Reta Morneault these days is the bright “hello” you hear from their son, Dan, when he answers the telephone.

Dan Morneault, 33, is receiving treatment for central nervous system lymphoma which, in simple terms, means he has a brain tumor. He was diagnosed in November, and the outlook was not good.

The prognosis didn’t get any better when, after surgery, the tumor “grew back double,” his mother said. But then came a trip to Boston “for a consult,” as Dan describes it, and a new treatment plan consisting of chemotherapy and radiation.

The results have been remarkable, to say the least. His rounds of chemotherapy, which weren’t as bad as he expected, ended three weeks ago and now it’s on to radiation. The tumor is shrinking. Both mother and son say doctors are impressed with the way Dan is responding. To hear him talk, you’d never know anything was wrong.

But, in February, life was a little more difficult for Dan Morneault. However, he was determined to make a statement — and determined to make it himself.

He wanted to express his gratitude for the help accorded him by family, friends and strangers. “It took him a long time, but he typed the letter himself,” his mother said.

Because that letter took so much effort and means so much to him, we are happy to share it with you.

It begins with two, big, bold words: “THANK YOU.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved with the benefit dance held for me on Saturday, January 24, at the Brewer Auditorium,” Dan wrote.

“I would like to extend a special thank you to Capital Ambulance for its organization of the dance, and to all of my family, friends, and co-workers for their assistance and donations.

“I would also like to thank all of the businesses for their raffle/door prize donations. In spite of the lousy weather, the dance was a wonderful success.

“Thank you all for your time, effort and caring. It certainly means a lot to me.”

Dan Morneault’s recovery — and good spirits — means a lot to everyone else.

The rescheduled Carmel Historical Society potluck supper featuring our colleague, Melissa McRae, reading excerpts from the book she edited and published with Maureen Bradford, “No Place for Little Boys: Civil War Letters of a Union Soldier,” is 6 p.m. Thursday at the Masonic Hall in Carmel.

CHS vice president Connie Graves reports the event will be held that evening, rain or shine, snow or ice. Bad weather had forced its earlier postponement, but she assured us this date is solid.

The public is invited to attend the meeting, which will be a special one for local residents who are descendants of Peleg Bradford Jr.

Most of the letters in the book are those of Bradford, a Carmel native and Civil War veteran who is buried there. If you have questions about the meeting, call Graves at 848-7468.

In November, we reported that Rec Ride Plus of Bangor had acquired a 20-passenger wheelchair-accessible bus. The vehicle is the fifth in a fleet that provides transportation for people with disabilities and seniors living in our area.

We also reported that volunteer drivers and dispatchers were needed for the program, and learned recently from Rec Ride Plus executive director Dave Pellegrini that is still the case.

Rec Ride Plus is administered by Wes Smith from the Bangor House on Main Street. It operates seven days a week.

Pellegrini said drivers and dispatchers who are available days, evenings and weekends are needed for a minimum of four hours a week. The program will sponsor individuals who want to obtain their commercial driver’s license as long as that person volunteers for the program.

Volunteering is “a great opportunity for someone who wants to join a great team, have some fun, and participate in our prgorams,” he said. Interested candidates should contact Smith at 942-0092.

The Bangor Senior Citizens Club meets at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Bangor Recreation Center, the former National Guard building on Main Street. The meeting is a potluck lunch.

“We are inviting any seniors age 60 and older to come that day and just bring something for the potluck table,” said member Marge Maple.

“It’s just a good chance for everyone to get to know people. We’ll have a short meeting and, after that, a get-acquainted meeting and then people can play cards, cribbage, scat or anything they would like.

“We just thought that would be a nice way for new ones to get acquainted. We meet there every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., but we have a meeting just once a month. The entrance is on the Farm Road where there is parking for seniors.”

The Bangor Historical Society is hosting a Volunteer Open House and Orientation for people interested in volunteering at BHS 1-4 p.m. Sunday at society headquarters, the Thomas A. Hill House, 159 Union St.

The afternoon is not only a chance for newcomers to learn the ropes, but for veteran volunteers to update their knowledge. A tour of the facility precedes the orientation as does a discussion of the society’s programs and community tours.

BHS volunteers guide the Best of Bangor Bus Tour, the Mount Hope Cemetery Tour, the Bangor Historic Track Tour and museum tours. They also participate in general and genealogical research and volunteer for events and programs that support the society.

Refreshments will be available. If you need information before Sunday, call executive director Chris Olsen, 942-5766.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.