Friday, January 2, 2009

Carnegie Medals Awarded to Berwick Man for Extraordinary Civilian Heroism

BERWICK –
In its fourth and final award announcement of 2008, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission named a Berwick man, Fred Hunt, Jr. along with 18 other individuals as recipients of the Carnegie Medal. The medal is awarded throughout the United States and Canada to those who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. Three of the awardees lost their lives in the performance of their rescue acts.
Hunt died helping to save Maureen A. Jennings from drowning, and Qemal Agaj helped to save her on Cocoa Beach, Fla. on October 22, 2007. Jennings, 68, was swimming in the Atlantic Ocean when she was caught in a current while attempting to return to shore.
Hunt, 51, senior buyer, and others on the beach, including Agaj, 65, retired factory worker, were alerted to her situation. They entered the water and waded and swam out to Jennings. They then pushed her toward shore before succumbing to the current themselves. Jennings struggled through water to reach shore safely, receiving aid en route. Responding members of a rescue team recovered Agaj from the water, and then, joined by a lifeguard, returned Hunt to the beach. Hunt could not be revived, as he had drowned. Agaj recovered from exhaustion and ingesting water.
The recent 19 individual awardees range anywhere from California to New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Oregon, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and Illinois.
The heroes announced bring the total to 92, the number of awards made in 2008, and to 9,243 the total number of awards since the Pittsburgh-based Fund’s inception in 1904. Commission President Mark Laskow stated that each of the awardees or their next of kin will also receive a financial grant. Throughout the 104 years since the Fund was established by industrialist-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, $31.1 million has been given in one-time grants, scholarship aid, death benefits, and continuing assistance.
Resumes of the acts follow. To nominate someone for the Carnegie Medal, write the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, 436 Seventh Avenue, Suite 1101, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, or call 1-800-447-8900 (toll free). Fuller information on the Carnegie Medal and the history of the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission can be found at www.carnegiehero.org
Article submitted to The Weekly Sentinel by Cindy Hunt courtesy of carnegiehero.org.
Photo caption: A verse from the New Testament encircles the back-side outer edge: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). (wwwCarnegieHero.org photos)

Ogunquit Christmas by the Sea Winners Announced

OGUNQUIT –
The Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce announces the winners of the Christmas by the Sea Chowder and Chocolatefest. In the Chowder competition, first place went to Clay Hill Farm for their creamy Lobster Bisque. Second place was awarded to Five-O Shore Road for their chunky Clam Chowder. Third place went to Bintliff’s Ogunquit for their flavorful Crab and Scallop Bisque. In the Chocolate competition, first place was awarded to Five-O Shore Road, serving a multi-layered Chocolate Gelato Cake from their sister restaurant Caffe Prego. Second place went to Sundaes at the Beach for their dreamy Triple Chocolate Daydream Ice Cream.
Winners of the Decorating Contest were: In the resident category, first place was awarded to the Hawkins/Lebel Household. Judges’ Choice went to the Mayhan Residence. In the business category, Anchorage by the Sea won first place, second place went to Scotch Hill Inn, and third place was taken by Angelina’s Ristorante. The Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce would also like to acknowledge and thank Keith Shubert of Floral Concepts for decorating the town Christmas tree at Veteran’s Park, Ogunquit Rotary Club for decorating the tree at Rotary Park in Perkins Cove, and Carla Bashaw of Genesis Day Spa who coordinated the decorating of the entire town along with the Ogunquit Public Works Department and several Chamber members and volunteers.
The Village Spirit Committee’s Christmas by the Sea Parade was another sucess. Five-O Shore Road won first place for their magnificent float. The Cub Scouts won second place for the second year in a row. MaineStreet took third place for their float featuring Sandy Bottoms the Snow Queen and Mr. Ogunquit. Santa’s reindeer were busy grazing on the beach, so to the delight of the crowd, Santa rowed himself down the street in the Ogunquit Dory.
In spite of the cold weather and snow, the participants of the 22nd annual Christmas by the Sea had a wonderful weekend. The Ogunquit Chamber thanks all who participated, and especially those who helped to collect food for St. Mary’s Food Pantry, gifts for Caring Unlimited, and money for Hospice of York and our other non-profit members.
Photo caption: Santa rows down the road in the Ogunquit Dory. (Courtesy photo)