What do we do with our old trash containers?

Editor:
    I see that the town is going to be buying (or has already done so) hundreds of new trash cans for the recycling program that goes into effect May 1. Wouldn't it have made more sense to instead have bought hundreds of color-coded stickers that we could all affix to our existing trash containers?
    And what should we all do with the hundreds of old (and quite usable) trash containers that we can no longer use? Throw them away? It seems to go against the whole spirit of recycling to be discarding all these big hunks of plastic.
 
John Coleman
Scarborough

Green Acres neighborhood thanks Nate Bennett

Editor:
    On behalf of my neighbors and myself, I would like to thank Nate Bennett of Steve's Lawn and Garden for his hard work in assisting his friends and neighbors in the Green Acres neighborhood of Scarborough. Nate is always the first to lend a hand to a neighbor needing help, bringing a wealth of resources and knowledge to any task.
    This past summer, Scarborough Public Works and Glidden Excavating & Paving Co. did a great job in Green Acres, rebuilding the drainage and re-surfacing the streets. They also put in some great sidewalks on Sunset Road and Elmwood Avenue.
    Unfortunately, the town is unable to plow all the sidewalks in town. I suspect it would be cost prohibitive. Nate has taken it upon himself to snowblow the entire network of sidewalks in the neighborhood. This allows the local kids to walk safely to and from the bus stops and for others to take their daily walk out of harm's way.
    Nate's benevolent behavior is indicative of the attitude of the Green Acres neighborhood. I read all too frequently that neighborhoods in Scarborough have become less neighborly and folks keep to themselves, interacting less than in the past. I am thrilled to live in a neighborhood where folks know one another by first name, still have block parties and are aware of which of our neighbors are selflessly serving our country in Iraq and Afghanistan. The neighbors watch out for our elderly, make or bake each other gifts for the holidays and still return wandering pets to their rightful homes without fanfare.  
    In closing, thanks again to Nate Bennett for helping make our community one that is enjoyable to live in and one we can be proud of!
 
Scott Macomber
Scarborough

Rinaldi family thanks community for its support

Editor:
    In January, our six-year old daughter was hospitalized at Maine Medical Center with a rare and serious illness – bacterial meningitis.  It was a very difficult time for our family. The outpouring of support we received from the community was greatly appreciated. We cannot thank everyone enough for the phone calls and meals, the prayers and "get well" wishes, the cards and the visits and gifts which brightened our daughter's days in the hospital (and ours too!) and afterwards.
      In addition to family and friends, we would also like to thank teachers/staff and students at Eight Corners School, the priest and parishioners at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, students and teachers at Stardancers, Inc., Wright Express and Bessworth Child Care. We would like to express our gratitude to our neighbors, who came to our aid that first night when our daughter was admitted to the hospital and to all the doctors, nurses and staff at Maine Medical Center who treated and cared for our daughter, including the emergency department staff who worked so quickly to diagnose and treat our daughter. The volunteer staff at the Barbara Bush Children's Playroom was wonderful. When our daughter felt better, she looked forward to the playroom for games and arts and crafts. We are fortunate to have the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital in our community. 
     Prayers for our daughter have been answered.  She is home now, doing well and fully recovered from her illness. For this, we are especially grateful.

Lynne and Sam Rinaldi
Scarborough