I have always enjoyed selling. At 11 years of age I started selling eggs from my own flock, and produce from my garden plot. During my teen years I sold greeting cards, seeds, household needs and candy bars.

After marriage we had an egg route in Bangor, had general stores with groceries, gas, oil and auto supplies, hardware, building supplies and grain. Our motto was, “We sell most everything.” We also had an insurance business, and a heating oil route.

In my early teens I wrote out an ad that I thought was quite clever. I showed it to my dad for his approval. I forgot many years ago what was in that ad, however, some 65 years later I still remember my dear departed dad’s remark. He said, “Let me tell you something son. If you can’t climb without dragging the other fellow down, don’t climb.” I tried to follow his advice over the years.

As I see ads on various products, read ads by different companies, yes, and listen to some of the political campaigners, I believe there are many people today who could profit from dad’s advice.

Clifford Woodman

Winterport