Tim Sample performance to aid camp program

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What a wonderful treat is in store for everyone who decides to support the work of the Blue Hill Society for Aid to Children Inc.

The society operates two day camps on Walker Pond in Sedgwick.

To help fund those programs, BHSAC plays host to Maine humorist Tim Sample at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at the new Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School Auditorium on Deer Isle.

Tickets are just $12 in advance, and can be purchased at Eggemoggin Country Store in Sedgwick, the Grasshopper Shops in Ellsworth and Stonington, and North Light Books in Blue Hill.

If you wait to buy them at the door, tickets are still only $15 for what promises to be an evening of sidesplitting entertainment.

As Candy Eaton says, “Come prepared to laugh.”

Eaton is executive director of BHSAC, which was founded in 1963 by the late Francis and Louise Nichols.

The couple, who had retired to Blue Hill, “felt all kids should be able to learn to swim,” Eaton explained.

Years ago, the program was free to local youngsters, but it grew, expanded “and evolved into a day camp on Walker Pond,” Eaton said.

Since the late ’70s, Nichols Day Camp, for youngsters between the ages of 6 and 12, and Scamp Camp, for little ones ages 41/2 to 6, have been teaching local youngsters the intricacies of sailing, canoeing, rowing, swimming, arts, crafts, nature, archery and field games.

“We run three three-week sessions, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.,” Eaton said. “We load ourselves up with staff, to err on the side of caution.

“We have 20 staff for 75 kids at Nichols, and eight for up to 30 kids we can take at Scamp Camp.

“It’s so much fun, and it’s cheap,” Eaton said of the in-state rate of $235 for three weeks, or $15 a day.

It is the low fee, however, that necessitates fund-raisers such as this one, which features a wonderfully funny, nationally known humorist.

“This year we gave away $5,000 in camperships,” Eaton said. “In the past, we’ve given away as much as $8,000, so we really do need to raise money.”

To understand just what a great experience this benefit can be, however, you must understand three things.

First, you are helping young residents of this area have the opportunity to experience summer camp, and all the wonders that go with it.

Second, you get to hear, and see, one of the funniest men I know.

In case you’ve forgotten, Tim was one-half of the old “Bert and I” recordings and, if you enjoyed that, you’ll love Tim by himself.

And, third, you have the opportunity to see for yourself what Eaton describes as “the new, state-of-the-art, $820,000 auditorium, built totally by donations” which is part of the new Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School.

“Sometimes I just can’t believe it’s here, it’s so great,” Eaton said of the facility.

So, there it is, folks: an opportunity not to be missed.

But, just in case you’re not in that area on that date, and you still want to make a contribution to BHSAC, send a check to BHSAC, P.O. Box 472, Blue Hill 04614.

For more information about the Tim Sample benefit, the camps, or BHSAC, call Eaton at 374-5548.

Carlene West of Orrington has written the Bangor Daily News to express her gratitude “to the people of Down East Maine” who came to the aid of her husband when he was in a motorcycle accident while traveling to Canada.

West wrote that her husband was struck by a car near Harrington and was knocked to the ground.

“There was immediate response from people at the scene,” she wrote of those who “helped by holding my husband securely on the ground, in fear of spinal injuries, while someone else called an ambulance.”

West, a physical therapist at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, well understands “the benefit and necessity of early response in a trauma situation,” she wrote. “These wonderful people not only took the time to assist my husband, but also assisted the paramedic crew and police officers on the scene until he was safely on his way to Down East Community Hospital [in Machias]” where he also received “wonderful care by the staff in the emergency room.”

West wrote that “thanks to the kindness of these good Samaritans, the grace of God and a helmet, my husband is making a steady recovery.”

To those she will never meet to formally say “thank you,” West wants you to know “you have given me yet another valuable reason my family lives in Maine.”

Bonnie Rittal, resource manager of Samaritan Inc. Food for Life, based in Bangor, is seeking donations of clothing and school supplies for children in our area who are returning to, or just beginning, school this fall.

With so many layoffs in the areas served by Samaritan Inc., Rittal said those affected people just don’t know where the money will come from to purchase the items their children need for school.

Samaritan Inc. will gratefully accept donations of clothing and supplies for children of all ages.

You can help the needy in the Greater Bangor area be more comfortably ready to start school by calling Rittal at 947-4968.

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

990-8288.