tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6532456194749343156.post5265642402098961901..comments2023-06-26T05:23:37.219-07:00Comments on THE EASTERNMOST POTTER IN THE UNITED STATES: The Bitter and the SweetSHANNA WHEELOCKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071576251040630582noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6532456194749343156.post-60284665573095480032010-05-17T23:00:48.209-07:002010-05-17T23:00:48.209-07:00Hello Shanna, I appreciate your passionate descrip...Hello Shanna, I appreciate your passionate description of the Lubec HS sad vote for closure, so detailed and thoughtful. Your work with the students in Lubec is inspiring. What beautiful artwork they have created under your instruction and guidance. In the early 80's, I lived in Trescott and taught a few summers of grant -funded art programs at the Lubec Elementary while Pat Goden was the school principal. I spent my entire life as a PFA, mostly as a summer resident, with the exception of 5th/6th grade as a student in Lubec. But when I come to visit, I am greeted and recognized by many of my former classmates and childhood friends with the standard "How long you been home?" Lubec will always be one of my homes, that special, odd, corner of life in Downeast. Mostly I am writing in support of the unique, small town school experience that defines Lubec public education. Without the school, the community may dissolve further. Lubec has suffered low-employment, job loss and poverty for decades, the arts being almost the one solid unifying experience that keeps Lubec vibrant. I imagine the scattering of Lubec youth to area schools may further the stresses on families. Where will the kids belong? In my city of Portland, Oregon, there is a citywide after-school program called SUN, Schools Uniting Neighborhoods. Healthy school boards recognize that schools, families and children are what guarantee a future for a community. I am saddened that some of the leadership in Lubec may make a choice that affects generations of potential residents turn away from a life in Lubec. I'm planning a visit to be with family in Maine/Lubec in August this year. I hope to say hello in person. My heart is with you as this story unfolds.Portlandiakidshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01011212662558825881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6532456194749343156.post-77947171564975781372010-05-13T09:16:20.538-07:002010-05-13T09:16:20.538-07:00Trina and I are both very sad about this decision,...Trina and I are both very sad about this decision, Shanna. Hopefully, it will go the other way in June.Michael Chesley Johnson, Artist / Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17003530955203751138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6532456194749343156.post-48584609315832864832010-05-10T03:49:47.025-07:002010-05-10T03:49:47.025-07:00Thank you, everyone, for your supportive, insightf...Thank you, everyone, for your supportive, insightful, and compassionate words.SHANNA WHEELOCKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16071576251040630582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6532456194749343156.post-49684494442979751812010-05-09T17:08:51.288-07:002010-05-09T17:08:51.288-07:00So sorry to read this..very shortsighted...so, har...So sorry to read this..very shortsighted...so, hard to really not know too..just crazy...take some time for you if you can, as this is gonna go the way it goes.. thinking of you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07829823802202894054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6532456194749343156.post-45363189859277171572010-05-09T16:33:06.140-07:002010-05-09T16:33:06.140-07:00Regardless of where you are, and what you're d...Regardless of where you are, and what you're doing, it sounds to me like your passion for the arts will permeate whatever you embrace and people will respond and benefit from it.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01858128860926468463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6532456194749343156.post-77066153024811366122010-05-09T07:11:59.073-07:002010-05-09T07:11:59.073-07:00This is much more than a blog entry, it is a testi...This is much more than a blog entry, it is a testimony to your caring and insight and love of art, and also your dedication and bond with the students of Lubec. You have done so much for this students over many years. Lubec is now full of murals and art, the kids’ art is yearly on display at the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, and this year one of the high school students took first place in a Country wide competition (beating out all the ‘big’ schools), and might win the State. All this since you arrived in town, brought prestigious artists here through grants, and jumpstarted the Lubec Arts Alive phenomenon, which was a great success. There is no way to fully describe how much you have done for your town, how much healing you have brought here. You have helped kids of all backgrounds, including the most impoverished. You are definitely a SPFA!<br /><br />The attempt to close the school is a horrible failure of inspiration on the part of the School Board. They have an incredible opportunity here to make Lubec Consolidated a leader in State Education. It already is by some standards--like having an aquaculture teacher who won the National Teacher of the Year Award, and an art teacher who has brought, through grants, fund raising, community-organizing and sheer talent, amazing attention to this little community. The kids here love art, and a good number of them want to study art when they go to college.<br /><br />To see the pictures from Projects’ Night and then read about the heart-wrenching news of the School Board’s terrible choice to close the school is devastating despite the great beauty of the students’ art.<br /><br />You’re a brave and wonderful soul. And perhaps the best case for keeping the school open has just been made here, on your blog, through the open and honest and passionate expression of your great heart and intellect.Owl Who Laughshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00256278535378385480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6532456194749343156.post-91212844376694983582010-05-09T06:59:51.744-07:002010-05-09T06:59:51.744-07:00I am so sad and frustrated after reading about the...I am so sad and frustrated after reading about the unknown future of your school. I wish our country would understand that the "Walmartization" of our schools will benefit no one.<br /><br />I do wonder what the future of our schools will be. Will students gather in conference rooms on corporate campuses, in empty shops in malls, in their own homes and connect to the internet to learn and be tested? Will we no longer be able to afford to build new schools? <br /><br />I'm so glad to hear that no matter what, you will try to make this as positive as possible for your students and fill them with confidence for the next step in their lives.Kim Hambrichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08784106179953299055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6532456194749343156.post-25301150347505322272010-05-09T06:36:57.409-07:002010-05-09T06:36:57.409-07:00One of the hardest issues for me beyond the loss o...One of the hardest issues for me beyond the loss of the community, is the distance the children will be away from their community and cut off. The length of time they will have to travel to get to school, the costs of that alone. Emotionally and financially. Parents will have a harder time attending events and staying involved, this is a direct cost shift to the parents. I believe the whole community should support the children. It takes a village to raise a child, or so I've heard. Peace and Love~Shanna, I hope this resolves to the best result. Blessed Be~GGingernoreply@blogger.com