Chrisos family: thanks

For those of you who have doubted the goodness of people in today’s world, we hope to erase your doubts with this personal testimony. Recently our son David was involved in an ice-related car accident on his way to school. He was very seriously injured and spent about three weeks at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

Many of you may be aware of this because of the publicity about his accident. He was a member and tri-captain of the Bangor Christian boys basketball team. His team went on the win the title of state runner-up in Class D. Their determination to “Do it for Dave” was inspiring to all of us, especially David.

To everyone at Bangor Christian, I wish to thank you all. The prayer sessions at BC, as well as at Bangor Baptist and other churches throughout the state, were very effective. The Lord saw fit to answer those prayers, and David’s recovery has been nothing less than miraculous. He is now at home and progressing well with his outpatient rehabilitation. There is no doubt in our minds that God will restore him to 100 percent.

The faithfulness of God’s people in praying for David, and David’s personal faith, courage and determination have been key to his improving health. We wish to thank all of you throughout the state for your love, prayers, and concern. The hundreds of cards, phone calls, and visits were so very much appreciated. For those of you who sent flowers, basketballs, or other gifts, prepared meals, and for the countless other thoughtful gestures, we wish to thank you.

To the doctors and nurses at St. Joseph’s and EMMC, and to the EMTs at the Bangor Fire Department, we send our heartfelt appreciation for the great care and personal concern you gave David.

We feel so blessed to be part of this wonderful, caring community. Most of all, we wish to give thanks to our Lord: to God be the glory great things He hath done.

God bless you all.

The Chrisos family

Brewer

Student misses coaches

As a student and softball manager who attends Sumner Memorial High School, I was deeply disturbed to read (BDN, March 15) of the school board’s decision not to rehire baseball coach Dana Smith and the resignation of the four other coaches in protest.

Coaches are teachers and friends. They teach you how to have good sportsmanship and to succeed in more than just academics.

Coaches are also human beings who make mistakes and get emotional, too. On those occasions, appropriate apologies have been given.

My friends and I want to enjoy our sports activities with coaches we know and want. The only way to do that is for the school board to reconsider its decision.

Corey M. Chandler

Franklin

More to Sumner problem

The vote not to renew the basketball contract of coach Dana Smith against the recommendation of the athletic director, principal, and superintendent by the school board of Union 96 and subsequent resignation of the spring athletic coaching staff of Sumner High School is a clear indication of a much greater problem than the animated behavior of coach Smith as stated (BDN, March 15).

This problem must be revisited. The consequence of losing a long- standing coaching staff is too great a price to pay for last week’s decision.

As parents of three Sumner alumni, we are urging the citizens of Flanders Bay to get their board members to fix this problem.

Sumner athletics have produced championship level teams throughout the years. Although much depends on the talent and dedication of the athletes, you don’t reach these levels with poor coaching. We have witnessed the teamwork of the coaches in trying to work a cohesive program for our talented student-athletes and the positive results have been demonstrated throughout the years.

Although we are parents living in Hancock, we have chosen to send our children to Sumner High School. With the closing of the Winter Harbor Naval Base, Sumner High School needs to attract as many students as possible. The reputation of the school’s working environment is at stake, and at the present moment, it doesn’t look good. How will Sumner be able to attract quality candidates for coaching positions if this problem is not resolved?

Linda and Bruce Hardy

Hancock

Sumner deserves better

First of all, I would like to congratulate Sumner High School’s junior varsity basketball team on their outstanding record. I would also like to congratulate their coach, Walter Crabtree, who is solely responsible for their success. He has taught his team well since becoming the JV coach. He scolds them when necessary, he praises them when it is deserved, but most importantly, he teaches them that there is no “I” in team.

What has happened at the varsity level? Sumner’s boys varsity team hasn’t seen a gold ball since 1973 with Gerry Kane! It certainly isn’t because there is no talent there. Mr. Crabtree has proven that time and time again. The varsity team’s morale is low and their self-esteem is lower.

These boys do not deserve to be criticized any more than they already have. This letter is for the boys on the varsity team who have worked very hard and have gotten very little in getting back to normal.

Most of all, I would like to say to the seniors on the team, hold your heads up high and be proud of how hard you have tried and how much of yourselves you have given. Here’s to you J.J. Phinney, captain Roman Jordan, Justin Winslow, Ricky Sprague, Blake Alley, and Billy Grindle.

Paula Phinney

South Gouldsboro

Sumner pride damaged

As an alumnus of Sumner Memorial High School (class of 1984), I have always been proud to tell people where I grew up (Winter Harbor) and where I went to school (Sumner). After having read about the school board’s decision to not rehire Dana Smith as varsity baseball coach, I find myself lacking that pride.

The lessons that athletics teach kids cannot be overstated, but ultimately the lessons parents teach their children are of far greater importance. It is my hope that the children of these parents (not only on the school board, but also the others hiding in the shadows who supported this decision) cut this particular class when this lesson was taught.

This begs the question: Who is coaching sports at Sumner? The janitor? The cook? The school board members? Let’s not forget who really loses out here: the kids. I’ve yet to meet a high school coach who does it for the glory, and certainly not for the money. To a man (or woman), they coach because of their love for the kids and love of the sport.

The people responsible for this farce should be ashamed of themselves. However, the other coaches who resigned their positions in response to coach Smith’s dismissal should hold their heads high. Their show of support is a reminder that a few good folks still live Downeast.

Jack “Snapper” Farmer

Newburgh

Women need not apply

I have a friend who told me once that if you are not in the system or in the clique, then you might as well not apply for a coaching job at Lee Academy. Well, he was right, because the headmaster and athletic director really didn’t look at the applications.

Oh, I’m sorry, only the athletic director chose what applicants to interview, and the new coach he selected (who probably knows a lot about softball) quit the job a few years back. The reason he got the job was because he has eight years’ experience. (Well, that’s what this athletic director said). But I thought Lee Academy had a rule that in-house has first dibs on coaching. So if that is true, what about the two women who work there?

Doesn’t Lee want women coaches? It’s a good thing the varsity girls coach got her job years back, but then again she had no varsity experience, and she was hired. Or is it you have to go to college to be a coach?

I guess I am confused and don’t know much, but I was a JV basketball coach who never went to college and had a 42-21 record for four years, but stepped down because I was a good coach and that didn’t look good for the varsity coach and the school, I guess.

The young woman who applied for the job (who didn’t get it) was a Lee Academy graduate, played four years of softball, was captain for three years and MVP for three years. She went on to play semi-pro softball in Massachusetts, then came back to Maine and played softball in a league, and is now in her fourth season as the junior high coach in Lee. She has a 29-7 record, but she was not selected because the other applicant has more experience, I guess, if you call it that.

Mark Harris

Winn

Brewer team wins award

Congratulations to the Brewer Youth Hockey Travel Squirts. This team of 9-, 10-, and 11-year-old players has been honored with the sportsmanship award from the Maine Amateur Hockey Association.

This statewide award is given to the team, in each division of play, with the fewest penalty minutes for the 2001-2002 hockey season. Last season each player received a certificate from Gov. Angus King. The Maine Amateur Hockey Association, the state board that oversees Maine Youth Hockey, has created excellent positive feedback to the players for penalty-free play through this award.

The players are all excited to get their certificates of recognition from the state.

This sportsmanship award was earned by the kids and our hats go off to them. We also applaud and thank the Brewer Youth Hockey coaches who teach, foster, and instill sportsmanship in the players. We would like to recognize that the parents of the players also play a role in molding the attitude of sportsmanship in the team and community. Sportsmanship and clean play is alive and strong in Brewer Youth Hockey.

Bill Risser

Brewer

More doe permits needed

It’s a shame that with all the does being killed by vehicles and coyotes around here that teenagers like my grandson could not get a doe permit in hunting season.

With mostly a bucks-only law being in place for many years, it is almost impossible to find a buck during hunting season.

Ronald D. Crocker

Lee

WAGM ignores finals

I am writing to voice my dismay at the way that WAGM-TV of Presque Isle disregards the importance of what they air in Aroostook County and their disregard for the opinion of their viewers. I recently made a phone call expressing my dissatisfaction with them for not airing the Eastern Maine Class A boys basketball final played at the Bangor Auditorium March 9.

Whoever answered the phone seemed unconcerned with my opinion and chose to hang up on me. WAGM also chose not to air the boys state basketball final played at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland March 16.

It’s a shame that WAGM TV liberally airs NBA games where the players make millions of dollars and boycotts the healthy game of high school basketball. (Where the thrill of playing and being a fan is the only reward once County teams have been eliminated.)

Fortunately, family members in central Maine taped the games for us and kept us up to speed of all the excitement.

Congratulations to the Brunswick Dragons on their first Class A state boys basketball title.

Lois Gordon

Westmanland