Marathon fund-raiser becomes ‘sister vacation’

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Becoming members of the Arthritis Foundation Joints in Motion Training team, and the chance to participate in the Arthritis Foundation’s Dublin Marathon in October, has more rewards than one might expect for Caribou natives Angela Ostlund and her sister Sharon Ostlund Moulton.

The women are participating in the event Monday, Oct. 29, in Ireland, to help raise money for a foundation that is very close to their hearts.

Their father, Adrian Ostlund of Woodland, has had rheumatoid arthritis for years, and one of Angela’s students at the Portland YMCA day care center is 4-year-old Kayleigh Doten, who has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Because of their close association with this disease, they have seen how debilitating it can be, which is why they have chosen to support this cause.

The sisters are working together to raise the $8,000 needed to enter the event.

“We haven’t reached our mark,” Angela said. “We’re a little bit behind, but we still have time to raise the money. We’re about halfway there, and we’re doing it together, splitting it between us.”

And while this event has significant meaning for them because of the good it will do those they love and care about, an unexpected reward has been a special bonding that has developed between them.

Angela Ostlund will be 32 this fall.

Sharon Moulton is 41 years old.

With nine years separating them, “we weren’t really close growing up,” Ostlund explained.

Training for the marathon, the sisters now “see each other every week, and our sister relationship has gotten closer,” Angela said.

In fact, they’ve decided to stay on for four days, after the marathon, “at a bed and breakfast in Limerick, to take in the scenery,” Angela said of this grand adventure that has turned into a “sister vacation.”

Angela first learned of the marathon from a poster at the YMCA last year, but it was too late for her to participate.

She wrote for information, anyway, and was on the mailing list this year.

“So I talked with my sister, who had always been a big walker, and wondered if she might want to walk it,” Angela said.

Angela had always planned to run the 26.2 miles but, once training began, Sharon decided to run, too.

However, Sharon does take some “walk breaks,” her sister said.

And while the women may “be a little nervous” about their remarkable undertaking, they know it is all for a wonderful cause, and is an experience that has given their relationship new meaning.

If you can help the Ostlund sisters meet their fund-raising goal, send a tax-deductible check to the Arthritis Foundation in care of Sharon Moulton, 144 Leighton Road, Durham 04222.

The Garden Club Federation of Maine Inc. is sponsoring “Gardening Study Course, Course III, Series VI” from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, and Saturday, Sept. 22, at the University of Maine Clapp Greenhouse on Grove Street, and at the Lyle Littlefield Gardens in Orono.

Taught by UMaine staff, the cost of the full course and exam is $42.

Refreshing and auditing the course is $40, or $20 per day. Lunch is provided.

Garden club members completing a series of four courses and exams become certified by the National Garden Clubs as gardening consultants.

Open to the public, the courses can be taken in any order.

However, preregistration and reading assignments are required, and the registration deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 18.

To register, receive more information or obtain the reading material, write Gloria Burrill, state chairwoman, 140 Greenbush Road, Corinna 04928, or call her at 278-5994.

For more than 11 years, Rape Response Services has been providing support for people in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties who have been affected by rape, incest, childhood sexual abuse or sexual harassment.

RRS needs volunteers to serve as advocates for its 24-hour crisis hot line, to make referrals and to accompany victims or survivors to the hospital, police station or court.

The 45-hour training begins Monday, Sept. 24, and concludes Thursday, Nov. 15.

Sessions are 6-9 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays.

The training topics will include rape trauma syndrome, crisis intervention, the legal system and medical issues.

Among the essential qualities for hot line advocates are good listening skills and an open mind.

If you would like an application or information, call RRS at 941-2980 or e-mail rrs@mint.net.

Anna Meade of Bucksport knows that a very special person attended the Blue Hill Fair last Monday, because she was there, too.

“I lost my wallet with $76 in it, all my IDs and family photos,” she wrote the Bangor Daily News.

Also inside the wallet was a valuable money clip given to her late husband for his 30 years of service with St. Regis Paper Co.

The wallet apparently was “picked up by a very kind and generous person,” who gave it to a member of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.

Meade was called late Monday evening and told the wallet had been turned in.

To that unknown good Samaritan, Meade wrote, “from the bottom of my heart, thanks so much.”

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