Teacher of the Year really was surprised

POLAND — When Poland Middle School teacher Shannon Shanning found out Monday that she was the teacher of the year, she said she truly was surprised.

Really? OK, everyone knew there were three teacher of the year finalists and the decision would be announced in September during an assembly. Didn’t she suspect something when an assembly was called?

A bit, she said. “You get a little nervous for every assembly, but we are giving laptops on Friday” to students. The orientation made sense.

When a finalist, Shanning was advised to “kind of dress up every day in September,” because the award could come any day, she said.

She took the advice. As she sat on the stage during the ceremony, Principal Shawn Vincent told her, “Good job. You look very nice today.”

— Bonnie Washuk

Eggs and thank-yous

MECHANIC FALLS — Ronald Pettitt adds a little respect to the crepes, pancakes and breakfast casseroles at his restaurant, Egg-Ceptional at Five Corners in Mechanic Falls.

On Saturdays, he addresses patrons with a simple query, “Are there any veterans in the house?”

“If they raise a hand, I announce it to everybody and say, ‘This is the reason why we are free today,'” Pettitt said. “And I go and give each one of the veterans a pin.”

In just under two months, Pettitt figures he has spent about $340 on the pins, which feature a flag and one of the armed services.

“I will keep it up as long as I can,” he said. “I’ve had some of them cry. They did serve our country, and they should be recognized.”

Pettitt is a veteran who served aboard a destroyer in the Navy.

He said he merely wishes to respect all veterans, particularly those who served in Vietnam.

“They didn’t get hardly any recognition, and they were treated so badly,” he said.

— Daniel Hartill

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