Ordinary Maine

This time of year is very busy for Fire Fighters. Not only to they have their normal duties which include protecting you and your home, but winter places the additional burden of making sure that fire hydrants are cleared of snow so they can be used in an emergency.-Think about how many hydrants thier are in your neighborhood and realize there are many, many hydrants in this city.

Last year Camden asked me about the colorful sticks that he often found on fire hydrants. I explained that they were used by Fire Figthers to locate hydrants that were buried in the winter snow so they could be shoveled free. He then asked who did all that work? When I told him that firefighters often go out and shovel the hydrants he looked around and noted that was a lot of work.


As the first storm of the season beared down on us, Camden asked if we could help the firefighters? His current career aspiration is to be a police officer, but his maternal grandfather was a Fire Captain and he loves to stop by the Mechanic Street Station and see the Fire Trucks when we are out on our walks. I told him that we could make a big difference by adopting the hydrant up the street to shovel during the winter.

Now keep in mind, Camden just turned five last week and I knew I too, was making a commitment when he decided he wanted to adopt a hydrant. I know that fire fighters appreciate it when they go out on a shovel detail and they find hydrants maintained by the citizens. It lets them know they are appreciated and that the people they protect care about the job they do in the community. So after the next snowfall, take some time to shovel a hydrant near you and let a Fire Fighter know you appreciate their service.

Great Community Service!

Tony

I have been waiting for the day when Camden would be old enough for Legos. I was hoping that this Christmas would be the time, but given that Madilyn only 2 we decided to ask Santa to hold off on Legos for a year. Well then Cousin Keith entered the picture and bought Camden as starter set anyway. His was not aware that we were trying to put off the use of these toys for another year. Anyway, Camden loves Legos.

Well he just happens to turn 5 this coming Friday and due to the long (and weather filled) weekend we decided to let him have his Birthday Legos early. I can tell you that is great fun to build these set and for the most part the sets of today are just as neat today as the were when I was a child (editor's note: Yes, I know many still think I am a child.).


Last night we worked on the motorcycle above. This one took quite a bit of time, but together we made it happen. Often times I would show Camden how to place the pieces, but he is pretty good at guessing where things go. He also knows how to ready the pictorial directions when I try to quiz him. That's pretty cool.

As we start a fresh 2009 Cub Scouts all across the country are preparing to take part in a rite of passage that is 56 years old. Any current or former Cub Scout reading this know that I am talking about the Pinewood Derby. Since Cubmaster Don Murphy created this event for his pack in 1953, millions of boys all over the country have take part in this great Scouting program. Of
course this also means that millions of moms and dads have also shared in the experience

Below are some photographs of cars from Standish's Pack 874 Pinewood Derby held today at Bonnie Eagle High School. These were some of the more interesting designs and I just wanted to share them with you all.

The Fender guitar.

The Axe.

The Sk8 Board

The Hedgehog

The Submarine

Quite honestly these are much better than the cars I made as a Cub Scout. In fact the guitar took best in show for the Derby. Two years from now I will be doing this with Camden. I am looking forward to it.

Great Scouting!

Tony

I realize that the new year has begun, but alas there have been no new posts of Ordinary Maine. Right now I am working on many different things and my photography is taking a back seat. I plan to be back next week sharing the things about my friends, my family, my job and this great State that are all part of my Ordinary Maine.

Tony