Editor’s note: Every day there are rays of light that shine into the lives of people through their neighbors, their co-workers, their families and even through complete strangers. This column is devoted to exposing these sunbeams to the light and offering readers an opportunity to share good news. We plan to occasionally offer up our own sunbeams, too.
Our salute

This is in appreciation to the L/A Veterans Council for keeping the Veterans Day program at the Lewiston Armory. The South Paris Veterans Home residents look forward to attending the program each year.

We arrived at the armory to be greeted by the VFW Auxiliary state president and one of the recent VFW state commanders. They all helped in getting the residents seated. The program was wonderful, as usual, and the parade review was also very nice.

The guest speaker, Rep. Mike Michaud, praised the veterans and families who gave their all. It was good to see other elected officials attend the program.

The group “Just Us” did a great job as usual.

To all others who took part, I thank you for a nice day for the veterans.

– John Kezal, Rumford

Liasion Chairman, South Paris Veterans Home
Wonderfully wonderful

Advocates for Children is a wonderful organization and a tremendous resource for families in Androscoggin County. They have a home visiting program, information and access to community resources, and a parent resource center, to mention a few. They have provided 30 years of education and support to children and families.

Being a school nurse, I see first hand the wonderful programs they provide to area schools. I took my three-year-old grandson to their holiday festival for children. What a wonderful event. So many quality activities for children.

I send along a thank you to the employees, volunteers and board members at Advocates for Children for providing such an important service to our children and their families. Keep up the good work.

– Daphne Izer, Lisbon
Rewarding dinner

Another Thanksgiving Day dinner at Mt. Blue High School cafeteria, sponsored by the Augusta Valley Scottish Rite Masons, has come and gone. It was a very rewarding time. We had many volunteers, which included MBHS Honor Society students, JMG students, and individuals from all over Franklin and Somerset counties, to either help prepare or deliver meals to anyone who called, and to serve people who came to the cafeteria to eat.

We wish to thank one and all for the help they provided, whether it was a donation or manual labor. Without those dedicated people and the community, we could not provide this service each year.

– Rufus W. Cox, New Sharon
Three cheers from 4-H

The 4-H Leaders Association of Oxford County would like to thank all the businesses and individuals who supported our Take-A-Chance Auction on Nov. 30.

Supporters turned out on a cold and windy night, making the auction a success. 4-H members in Oxford County will benefit from people’s generosity through educational programs county-wide.

4-H is a program of the Oxford County Extension Association and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. We thank people for their support of the 4-H program in Oxford County.

– Susan Jennings, South Paris

Extension Educator, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Success achieved

The River Valley Chamber of Commerce Christmas in the Valley Committee would like to thank all those who participated in this year’s craft fair on Dec. 1 and parade on Dec. 2. Both events were a great success, and we appreciate all those who volunteered and made it possible. We could not have done it without them.

Enjoy the holidays and we hope to see everyone again next year.

-Kristy White, Rumford
The Sun Journal encourages its readers to offer their own sunbeams in writing. Please limit letters to 200 words. Letters must be signed and must include the author’s full name, address and telephone number, for verification purposes only. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Letters may be edited.

Address letters to: Letters to the Editor, Sunbeams, Sun Journal, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Fax: 207-777-3436. E-mail: [email protected], and note that the letter is for Sunbeams. For more information, call Anthony Ronzio, editorial page editor, at 800-482-0759, ext. 2285.