A reader reminds us of White Cane Safety Day

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The call came from John Steadman of Robbinston, who had a simple request.

He asked that we remind readers that today is White Cane Safety Day.

Steadman, 50, has had poor eyesight since he was a youngster and now uses a white cane when walking.

The problem is, he explained, most drivers don’t seem to notice he is carrying that white cane with a red tip.

For several years, Maine has had what is known as a “White Cane Law,” requiring motorists to yield to those using a white cane or a guide dog.

But that’s not always the case.

Recently, Steadman said, “I was at an intersection in Calais. The light was just flashing, and I headed out, with the cane in front of me. The truckers just blew their horns and drove right by. I won’t tell you what they said.”

And it’s not just in town that he and others using canes or dogs encounter such obstacles.

Walking along the streets and roads of small communities, the problem is the same.

For some reason that white cane with the red tip doesn’t seem to mean much to many motorists.

But it should. As law-abiding drivers in the state of Maine, we are required to ensure that those using white canes can walk about our communities with comfort and confidence.

According to the National Federation of the Blind Web site, a joint resolution of Congress was signed into law on Oct. 6, 1964, authorizing the president of the United States to proclaim Oct. 15 each year as “White Cane Safety Day.”

John Steadman just wants to make sure you think about that, not just today, but always.

I also spoke with Caitlyn Blodget, an orientation and mobility instructor for the state’s division for the blind and visually impaired in Portland.

She reminds us that while “blind travelers, generally, do not need any special accommodations or assistance,” they do “rely on drivers to follow the rules of the road,” which is true for all of us: pedestrians, drivers and cyclists.

Blodget also suggests drivers “not do anything out of the ordinary” when coming upon a blind pedestrian, such as honking your horn or stopping suddenly, since such behavior “is likely to confuse or distract” the blind person from the task at hand.

We welcome all visitors to the Machias area this weekend for the University of Maine at Machias Homecoming, Reunion and Family Weekend, which coincides with the Machias Bay Area Fall Festival.

Sue Palmer of UMM reports campus tours, a volleyball tournament, the Homecoming Parade, entertainment at the Performing Arts Center, a fine arts show and sale, a craft fair and a scarecrow and pumpkin construction event are all part of this exciting Down East weekend.

There will be plenty of food to eat at a variety of sites; an auction to benefit the Alumni Association’s Scholarship Fund; opportunities to swim, watch soccer and basketball; have fun with science and congratulate recipients of the UMM Distinguished Alumni awards.

Proceeds from the $1 entry fee for Sunday’s annual Run for Fun will benefit WUMM, the campus radio station.

For more information about the weekend’s activities, call UMM, 255-1284 or the Chamber, 255-4402.

Martha Doyon and Anne Gabbianelli O’Reilly are co-organizers of the first Family Fun Day, sponsored by the parish families of St. Gabriel’s in Winterport and St. Matthew’s in Hampden.

And while this is the third year St. Matthews has held this event, this is the first time the parishes have come together for an activity that should be fun for all.

The weekend begins with a joint yard sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, in the parking lot at St. Matthew’s, 70 Western Ave. in Hampden.

The yard sale continues through the same hours on Sunday, Oct. 17, at the same site.

O’Reilly told me she hopes lots of people come to the yard sale, “because we have just tons of stuff from both parishes. A whole barn full.”

Sunday’s festivities also includes games, a bounce house, bake sale, crafts, face painting, a 25-cent room that is popular with young people, lunch, an afghan raffle, prayer pillow sale and more.

O’Reilly also reported that Father Robert Vaillancourt, who serves both parishes, believes it is important “to have these two churches join, now, in festive activities, as this is our future.”

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