Letters to the Editor – June

Posted

The Editor:

A tribute to David Gellatly by Theodore Roosevelt – Man in the Arena

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Renee Coe

Point Roberts

 

The Editor:

I probably have no need to tell you this, but you live in a beautiful, quirky community full of people from many different cultures, backgrounds, lifestyles and perspectives.

Although I do not live here on the Point, I work here and have a general idea of the uniqueness of this little peninsula. What I did not realize was the scope of compassion, empathy and support the residents here have for one another and even an “outlander” like me.

On April 4, Mingo, my eight-month-old miniature Australian Shepherd puppy ran away from my friend after he got loose, bounced off a car and ran off into the woods behind her home. It was only his third time on the Point, and after that shock to his system he must have been too disoriented to find his way back. We spent hours looking for him but he did not respond, and no one really knew where he was.

My friend posted on Tsawwassen Loop, and another friend posted on Next Door. Word travels quick on this little peninsula, and when my son and I were out looking for Mingo we found lots of people driving around, biking, walking … all looking for Mingo! Several people asked me if I was looking for the dog, I said “yes”... a few asked me whose dog it was and I replied “mine” and people were shocked. They did not know whose dog it was, and it didn’t matter; there was a missing puppy in trouble and people were doing what they could to help.

Mingo must have been shell shocked; people kept catching sight of him but he would not go to anybody. Normally he is a very sweet dog that loves food and loves people, but even though many people left food and water out for him and caught glimpses of him, he was skittish and would not go to anyone.

Saturday, April 11 was the last report we had of anyone seeing him alive. I, along with at least half of the Point Roberts residents, kept checking, but it seemed he had disappeared.

I started to give up. My 15-year-old son never did. He said “Mom, Mingo is like a teenage boy, he’s probably having a great adventure.” I think my son was right. The weather was good, people were leaving food and water out for him, life wasn’t so bad ... until he crossed over the border into Canada, which probably happened that Saturday at some point. Nobody was leaving food or water out for him there, and it is a lot more populous than peaceful Point Roberts.

Thursday morning, April 16, I got a call from a lady who works at Umpqua Bank who just happened to see a post in the Tsawwassen Loop of a “found puppy.” I gave her my number and sure enough it was Mingo. We were both so excited that we were not making much sense, and somehow we got ahold of the nice lady and her son who found Mingo and agreed to meet at a local park across the line.I saw them before they saw me, when I yelled out “Mingo!” he froze and his stubby little tail started going. Carol, the lady who found him, knew right then it was my dog. After 12 days on the road he was thin and exhausted, but other than that he was perfect. After a trip to the vet for a check-up, a bath and some food he was wiped out but very happy to be home. My son said, “I told you so Mom, you should not have given up”.

I was raised to appreciate kindness from people, but not expect it. After this experience I need to adjust my attitude. Many thanks to all the residents on Wellington Road and the surrounding area who put food out for Mingo and checked for him, all the people who walked/biked/drove around looking for him and showed compassion and concern for a little lost dog and his family.

Special thanks to Shaune Ann and Brad, Christina, Kathrine and Rick, Alicia and family, Martha, Julia, Jonquil, Kelly Joy, Bam Bam, Virginia, Tam, Allison and many people whose names I do not know for taking the time to look for the little guy.

A big thank you to Jane from Umpqua for making the connection and putting up with me bawling, and to Carol and Liam for being so kind as to take the time to help a little lost dog rather than walk on by when they saw him near their home in the Village area of Tsawwassen. Mingo had a big journey, and we are so happy he is home.

Mary Riggle getting a kiss from Mingo.
Mary Riggle getting a kiss from Mingo.

Mary Riggle

Blaine

 

The Editor:

The Point Roberts Park and Recreation District has received several inquiries regarding the 2020 summer kids camp. The park district recognizes the need for children to play and socialize and how difficult it has been for our youth during this time of Covid-19.

The only way we can host kids camp is if Whatcom County is elevated to Phase 3 for modifying physical distancing measures developed by the Washington State Department of Health.

Phase 3 allows for recreational group activities of up to 50 people. Phase 1 began on May 5 and the timeline to reach Phase 3 remains difficult to predict. The park district plans on setting go or no-go dates for camp during our June meeting, which will depend on actions taken by the Washington State Department of Health.

We plan on being prepared with several alternatives for holding an abridged camp session starting later than the normal July start time.

These alternatives included the possibility of holding a limited camp at the end of July and/or early August. If we are able to host kids camp, we also plan to implement as many of the recommended camp safety protocols as possible developed by Center for Disease Control and the American Camp Association. The park district will post any updates on summer camp to our website at prparkandrec.org as well as the All Point Bulletin, PAWS and Nextdoor

Bennett Blaustein, chair,

Point Roberts Park and Recreation

District No 1 Board of Commissioners

Point Roberts

 

The Editor:

We wanted to take this opportunity to thank those responsible for the maintenance of the Point’s parks and trails. They are lovely and well cared for. The facilities are clean and stocked. We are so lucky to have this to enjoy in our own backyard. Much appreciated.

Debra and Jeff Ferguson

Point Roberts

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here


OUR PUBLICATIONS