Fair advocates environmental, personal well-being

PETER DANA POINT – This year’s health fair held Wednesday at the Indian Township Reservation near Princeton had plenty to offer in the way of good down-home information.

Nancy Soctomah, a representative of Passamaquoddy Peaceful Relations at the tribe’s sister reservation at Pleasant Point, talked with youngsters about dealing with bullies as the children made key chains out of beads that glow in the dark. She also gave them an information card on ways to handle bullies.

The Passamaquoddy Environmental Department handed out brochures about everything from air quality and mercury to lead paints, environmental director Martin Dana said. “The pre-1978 homes contained a lot of lead and people are seeking information on that,” he said.

A few steps from the environment information booth was a nearby health booth, where representatives of the Regional Medical Center at Lubec spoke about breast and cervical cancer screening. Medical center spokeswoman Abby Crockett said free Pap and mammogram appointments could be scheduled.

Betty Francis of the Passamaquoddy Boys and Girls Club was signing youngsters up for the club, which already has upward of 100 members.

Chick Crockett of the Passamaquoddy Forestry Department handed out spruce seedlings to youngsters.

“The Passamaquoddy own about 125,000 acres that is actively managed,” he said. “We just want people to know how it is going and what is being done.”

Longtime basket maker Molly Neptune Parker and her 16-year-old granddaughter, Francis Soctomah, were making baskets at their booth.

“The majority of my grandchildren show an interest in basket making,” she said. She said that Soctomah began making baskets when she was 5 years old.

“I try to encourage her and all the others [grandchildren] to do as much as possible to carry on the tradition for when all of us are gone,” Parker said.

Next to the basket makers was the Passamaquoddy Housing Authority booth. Donna Sockabasin, director of the housing authority, said they were promoting green housing and energy efficiency.

“We are giving our tenants pointers on how to lower their energy bills and buy energy-efficient appliances,” she said. Sockabasin said the authority is looking at energy efficiency for their next housing project.

While adult tribal members walked around and picked up information, the youngsters were having fun and learning.

Dylan Newell, 8, was driving a golf cart around an obstacle course, wearing a pair of fatal-vision goggles, in a demonstration provided by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department.

“They drive the golf cart through [the course] without the goggles. The second time they put the goggles on and it gives the effect of them being impaired,” said Sherry Sewell of the Sheriff’s Department.

Dylan said with a grin that driving with the goggles on “felt like I was dizzy.”

“I learned a lesson of not to drink and drive,” he said.

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