Special gifts brighten life of terminally ill boy

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Last week, a young boy who is terminally ill with muscular dystrophy received three precious gifts: A soft, warm puppy to cuddle, an all-terrain vehicle that offers him freedom, and membership in the Cub Scouts that brings him pride, courage and respect.

Colby Nutt of Orrington is 10 years old and a pupil at Center Drive School.

Recently, the son of Carrie and stepson of Ralph Holyoke met Peter and Tammi Young, who discovered Colby had one very special wish: He wanted a German shepherd puppy.

So the couple went about the task of raising the $500 necessary to purchase Maggie May, who now is resting, contentedly, in Colby’s arms.

Employed by a local salvage company, Peter Young said co-workers, local residents and people from surrounding communities “pitched in to purchase the dog.”

But then the Youngs learned something else: Colby’s handicapped-equipped go-cart, given to him by the Brewer Police Department, had been stolen.

So Peter Young, his cousin Johnny Young, “Bubba” Smith and Colby’s stepdad built a new buggy, from scratch, for Colby.

“It doesn’t go much faster than his wheelchair,” Peter Young said, “but he can go places his wheelchair can’t, and that’s what makes it so special.”

Colby has a path around his home where he rides, Young explained.

“When you can go somewhere you couldn’t before, it’s quite an experience.”

Colby’s one remaining wish, Young learned, was becoming a Cub Scout, so a Cub Scout he has become, thanks to people like the Youngs and Colby’s caring church and community members, his neighbors and his new and old friends.

These days are special for Colby and his family, as they are for all who have come to know and love this young boy who speaks with such pride and joy for what he has been given.

For these gifts, but especially your love and support, Colby thanks you all.

A Fly-In for Special Olympics is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at Dewitt Field in Old Town.

The fee is $10 per ride, and proceeds benefit Penobscot Area Special Olympics.

For more information, call Bruce Bowman, 941-4234.

Ellen Brown reports the Perry Harvest Fair is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at the Perry Municipal Building.

Members of the Episcopal Church of Eastport will serve lunch, and New Beginnings Church of God will host a public supper from 5 to 7:30 p.m. to benefit the Labor of Love Food Pantry.

Vendors, games, pony rides, a quilt contest and more awaits you.

Entertainment includes Barbara’s School of Dance, Sunrise Serenaders, organist Winona Small and bagpiper Paul Tinker.

Downeast Ambulance Service will check your blood pressure.

Call Brown at 853-4478 for more information.

Michael Povich, president of the Ellsworth High School Alumni Association, invites you to enter the “1st Annual Walkin’ to School” 10-mile walk, with registration at 8 a.m. and the walk at 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 3, at EHS.

Shorter routes are available, and proceeds benefit the association’s scholarship endowment fund.

You can walk individually or as a team, and a $25 minimum pledge is required.

Walkers receive a water bottle, and those raising $150 or more a gift certificate and commemorative T-shirt.

Registration forms can be obtained at Ellsworth businesses; from EHSAA, P.O. Box 11, Ellsworth 04605, by calling 667-1112, faxing 667-3097, e-mailing ehsaa@yahoo.com or visiting www.ellsworthmaine.com/ehsalumni.

For three years, a small group of female former Bangor Hydro-Electric Co. employees have been getting together, and they would like to have more women join them, Betty “Pete” Millner of Bangor told me.

“If any ladies are interested, we would like to hear from them. We are hoping to hold a reunion during the summer of 2005 to renew old acquaintances,” Millner said.

The gatherings are “for all women, not just those from the Bangor office,” she stressed.

If you are interested, call Millner, 942-0010, Marguerite Gallison, 942-6840, or Beverly Mallett, 989-2740.

Barbara Fister reports My Friend’s Place is sponsoring a free workshop on the Best Friend’s Approach to Alzheimer’s Care 9 a.m.-3 p.m. both Monday, Oct. 4 and Oct. 18, at the First United Methodist Church, 703 Essex St., Bangor.

Facilitated by trainers from the Maine Alzheimer’s Project, you should bring a bag lunch, but beverages will be provided.

A certificate is issued to those who complete the course.

Registration is required. Call 945-0122 to do so.

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