The last day of March, members of the Orland Fire Department held a benefit supper for little Cameron Sukeforth and his family.
The now 13-month-old youngster is the son of David and Angel Sukeforth of Bucksport, who are both members of the Orland Fire Department.
In April, Kathie Conary of the OFD e-mailed to express “a heartfelt thank you” to everyone who helped make the benefit “a tremendous success,” adding that “well over $2,000” had been raised, with the results of the 50-50 ticket sales yet to come.
Recently, I contacted Conary to find out how Cameron and his family are doing.
Conary e-mailed she had spoken to Cameron’s grandmother on June 12 and that the little guy “was back home after having surgery.”
Cameron apparently now has a feeding tube, and underwent treatment for a hernia.
“He is now gaining a little weight as he can keep the food down,” Conary explained.
She also reported that plans are under way for a Benefit Scrapbooking Day for Cameron Sukeforth from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 26, at the Bucksport Rod and Gun Club.
Admission is $30.
You bring your own supplies, and lunch and snacks will be provided.
To register, call Jen Davenport at 949-2802.
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On the first of May, friends of Island Falls resident Laurie Breton held a fundraiser for the wife of Paul Breton and daughter of Robert and Evelyn Dunphy, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Cleo Skolfield, one of the many community members working on that event, reported that “the benefit dinner, silent auction and quilt raffle were a huge success.”
“This is a small community, with very generous people in Island Falls, and the surrounding area,” Skolfield wrote.
“Laurie and her family were certainly overwhelmed with the support they received.”
Recently, I spoke with Skolfield, who told me that Laurie is receiving treatment at the Lafayette Family Cancer Center in Brewer, and that doctors are very pleased with the “great attitude” she has as she deals with her illness and treatment.
Skolfield also told me that she and her husband, “who was collecting donations at the door,” were amazed by the generosity of people attending the May benefit, considering the poor economy and lack of employment opportunities in their small Aroostook County community.
Many people, Skolfield and her husband realized, were so generous they were, most likely, giving above their means, which is just one more example of what real life is like in small-town Maine: neighbors caring for neighbors.
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Several times since our June 3 story about Lulu, the 5-pound, 2-year-old lost Yorkie and beloved pet of Massachusetts couple Norma Brettell and Wally Luikey, Norma and I have talked or e-mailed to discuss any new developments.
Unfortunately, although there have been sightings, little Lulu has yet to be found, Norma told me last week.
“The search is still on,” she said.
“We’re just hoping people will keep their eyes open for her.
“We don’t want to give up on her if she’s still out there, and a number of us have a sense that she is still out there: either with somebody or on her own.”
Lulu scampered away from her family over Mother’s Day weekend on Saturday, May 8, near the intersection of Day and Lambert roads in Brewer, while the couple was visiting Wally’s mother.
The couple has been making regular trips between Massachusetts and Maine and will continue to do so in hopes of locating the companion of their 10-year-old Yorkie, Dinkie, who helped raise Lulu.
There is a Finding Lulu Facebook page; Lulu does have a microchip for identification purposes; and a reward is being offered for her return.
If you have any information on the whereabouts of Lulu, you are asked to call Norma Brettell at 617-875-6113.
If you do not wish to call long-distance, Lulu’s Maine breeder, Holly Cleary of Arundel, is also participating in the search, and you can call her at 282-5561.
Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; javerill@bangordailynews.com; 990-8288.