Lamoine Community Remembers, Honors Jina

(Lamoine) — The life was pretty much drained from the staff at the Lamoine Consolidated School on June 20th as they heard about the accident. Six days earlier Jina Haslam and the 16 others in her class had a festive graduation from 8th grade and were just settling into their summer routines. The teachers had been at school cleaning up from the year and getting things ready to return for the fall. Principal Val Perkins suggested they stop for the day and go home—they couldn't do it. Voices were very low, and few could speak without tears welling up or choking. Generally it was agreed it was a stinky day, despite the sun being out for the first time in a while.

The community quickly swung into action. Selectman Chair Jo Cooper, who is trained in hospice, helped lead the way. Having learned of the tragedy while taking her children to appointments she and school officials arranged for the school to be open. The next day after students learned that Jina had died, her classmates showed up one by one. They left messages, brought flowers, and hugged and cried. The graduation which had been recorded and aired for the cable TV channel was copied for each who had graduated. Jina's family made the funeral arrangements and the school gym where she cheered and played basketball was deemed the most suitable location to remember her life. All the firefighters and EMT's who responded to the call gathered at the fire station the next evening to talk things over. The EMT's from County Ambulance had praise for how the Lamoine Firefighters responded, and vice versa. Selectman Cooper said it was important for the emergency workers to know how much the community appreciates their efforts. Grief counseling was offered both to students, teachers and firefighters.

Jina was one blossom on a big family tree in Lamoine. Her mom and dad (Patti & Bob) grew up in town. Her grandparents (Bill & Enid Neleski), great grand-mother (Jennie Neleski) and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins live here as well. She leaves two younger brothers (Kyle and Ben), an older sister Angela, and older brother Eric who all attended graduation. Besides playing for the championship basketball, softball and cross-country teams, Jina played flute in the band. Jina was also a member of the cheering team for several years and had several state championship medals. She was consistently on the honor roll, earning all A's and B's.

Jina had a particular love of animals, and was to start a summer job at the Seal Cove Goat Farm. Her plan was to attend Mount Desert Island High School in the fall, and then attend college to become a veterinarian.

At Jina's funeral, her parents and grandmother (Enid Neleski) announced that they intend to help raise funds to build a new gym for the community to replace the current school gym which is too small to accommodate many town and school function. Donations can be directed to Duane Crawford or Bonnie Marckoon (both Lamoine residents) at The First PO Box 1664, Blue Hill, ME 04614. A scholarship fund in Jina's memory has also been set up at The First . The scholarship will be used for MDI High School graduates who intend to pursue veterinary sciences after high school.

Jina Haslam performed Pachelbel's Canon with other 8th grade band members at her graduation June 14th. Lamoine CTV recorded the performance which was played at a celebration of her life.

A Difficult Day

The twisted bicycle was a grim site on the corner of Cos Cob Avenue as investigators reconstructed the accident that claimed Jina

Funds Start Arriving for “Jina's Gym”

Town Wide Yard Sale Planned

July 23rd

(Lamoine) — In what is hoped is the first of many fund raisers to get a new gym facility off the ground in Lamoine, Enid Neleski is asking if folks would be willing to have a yard sale at their home on Saturday, July 23rd, and that a portion of the proceeds be donated to the fund named for her granddaughter Jina Haslam (see article above). The finishing touches are being put on the plans and information will be available on the town's website soon (www.lamoine-me.gov).

The idea is to have yard sales at homes all over Lamoine. Donations from the proceeds should be sent directly to The First (see address above). Pink Yard Sale signs indicating that the sale is in support of the “Jina's Gym” fund will be available at the Town Hall and the School.

Mrs. Neleski is also looking for other creative ways to raise funds for the gym project. She can be reached at 667-8824. The school's building committee, the school committee and the Selectmen will be discussing the idea in the coming weeks as well.

Mrs. Neleski noted the while a new gym's time has come, it's appropriate that the fund drive be in honor of a young lady who spent a great deal of her school time in the current facility. More than 300-people packed the gym for Jina's funeral.