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Monday, January 29, 2007
The People's Press February 2007 Issue
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February 2007 Stories Part 1
February 2007 Stories Part 1 sponsored by:
By Phyllis S. Donovan
As Valentine Day approaches each year, we read about collections of old-fashion valentines being put on display at libraries or other public places. Some of the more valuable ones date back to the turn of the past century. I always marvel at the fantastic foresight (or perhaps simple sentimentality) of those individuals who long ago were prompted to save those mushy missives.
If we had been valentine savers, we would undoubtedly have our own collection of antique, lacy valentines to show off by now. But alas, Valentines Days have come and gone and we have merely memories to share.
Looking back, I remember a time when valentines did rate considerable attention in our young lives. (And I’m talking about ancient history here.)
During our early school years, a Valentines Box, fancily decorated by our more artistic classmates, was set up in each classroom. During the week preceding the big day, valentines were deposited in the box for distribution at our Valentine’s party on the big day. As the box got fuller, our anticipation grew as we wondered eagerly how many valentines in there were for us.
We considered it an obligation to give a valentine to every single one of our classmates whether we liked them or not. Sometimes, if we liked someone especially well, we’d favor him with more than one card (if there were any left over in the package deal we’d bought). One’s popularity, after all, was judged in those young days by the number of valentines received.
In our youthful opinion, commercially made valentines were better than handmade ones and cards that came in envelopes were nicer than those that did not. But the very best kind were the ones with a lollipop attached (remember those?) and these were passed out only to special favorites.
As we grew older, we became more selective in deciding who to favor with our valentines. By then we were picking out valentines individually and paying up to a dime apiece for them. (I told you this was in the dim long ago past.)
In our small Berkshire village, valentines were sold in only two places – the drugstore and a tiny jewelry store run by a dignified old gentleman who was always repairing watches. Somehow, we felt that valentines purchased at the jewelry store had more class than the drugstore variety. Besides, we were intrigued by the magnifying eye piece the old man used while working on the watches.
We’d watch the old man and he’d watch us and eventually we’d select a too-expensive valentine for a favorite friend.
It was over a mile’s walk home from the downtown jewelry shop (all uphill, of course) and the snow in our mountain village was often knee deep at that time. But the February sun had a bit of warmth to it and our spirits would be high as we trudged up the hill and home with our prize.
Like as not, our carefully selected valentine would be unappreciated by the current object of our affection, but it didn’t matter as long as we didn’t receive in return on of those comic horrors calculated to insult.
Do you remember those abominable things? Usually printed on a single sheet of that cheap pulpy paper used for comic books, they cost a penny apiece and weren’t worth that. Still, I suppose they were the early forerunners of today’s humorous cards which capitalize on the sophisticated putdown. Judging from their price, these days it’s just as costly to insult your lady-love as to lavish her with hearts and flowers.
When our children were young, they always made certain that their absent-minded father didn’t let Valentine’s Day pass unheralded. They would start reminding him a week in advance because they knew that at the last minute he’d go out and buy the ubiquitous heart-shaped box of chocolates that they’d get a chance to help polish off. (It was partly my fault because he knew I didn’t want cut flowers that would die before I got my money’s worth out of them. And, in those days, with five kids to support, we were certainly weren’t in the market for expensive jewelry.)
Now that our children are off, married and have kids of their own, I have to admit, I actually do have a collection of old Valentines. They can’t be classified as antique and the craftsmanship isn’t anything to brag about. Still, they rank among my more valued possessions. Most of them run to red construction paper hearts carefully cut out and pasted on white paper lace doilies with “I Love You” painstakingly printed across the top. Some date back to when my own children were in grade school; the newer ones are from our grandchildren. And every single one of them is cherished.
Family Time is GREAT!
By Sarah Rain
Having recently moved into a new place, my family and I have discovered that we need to spend time together as a family! We all lead very busy lives, but taking time to get together once a week just for fun is the best thing we have ever done. I suggest that everyone do this. It’s not that hard.
Rent a movie, use one you have ….get a board game (you know the ones in the top of the closet covered with dust) a deck of cards, order food (defiantly mom’s don’t cook - suggestions are the 40-slice pizza from big y its only 10 bucks for a cheese one on Fri.!!) Call everyone together... Yell if you have too…I have found that if you mention food they all come running (dad‘s will too). Pizza does it best. Tell them that from this time to this time will be family time no phone calls, no friends, no nothing! Just you, your partner and the kids.
Now I have a 13 year old and a 5 year old (getting them in one place can be close to impossible) all I have to do is make sure the game/movie works for both. It’s not that hard to find something both will watch. You don’t have to spend a million dollars to have some fun. The cost of the movies is over 8 dollars a ticket not including the popcorn or food or the running around to get everyone there. And most of the movies aren’t good for everyone.
I know that having just one night of this has made a huge difference in how I see the family and how the kids see it too. They know that Friday is movie night at least twice a month. And I even get “mom are we going to do the movie pizza thing this Friday?” They look forward to just chilling out. And it gives us parents a chance to talk to and maybe even reconnect with the family. So it’s not all dishes and diapers and home work and dinner and bed. If you are having a hard time finding a movie there are tons out now for kids that are good for adults and those in between.
Cars, Over the Hedge, Charlie and the chocolate factory, Superman Returns. We have a habit of watching a lot of Disney movies or ones that we have seen on TV. Some times we let the kids choose. Barbie movies are common and so are action movies like Walking Tall and Batman Returns. We even get the classics like Robin Hood men in tights or space balls. I know the language in movies isn’t the best in some of these but put in place a rule that what you see in the movies is not something you do in life.
I know that it have allowed my 13 year old to watch older movies because I think he will learn form them... And if the language isn’t something that is ok but is needed then he knows not to repeat it. We have come to discover that we all have a lot in common and that we can spend time together with out drama, with out friends and with out distractions. I feel that is has become an important thing to have you r family around and to enjoy time with them. Life gets too crazy sometimes and just stopping for those few hours can re-center and relax a family.
So take a few hours and sit down with the kids... Watch a movie, play aboard game teach them to play your favorite card game!! It will last you for years to come!
595 Days
VALENTINE MEMORIES FROM LONG AGO
By Phyllis S. Donovan
As Valentine Day approaches each year, we read about collections of old-fashion valentines being put on display at libraries or other public places. Some of the more valuable ones date back to the turn of the past century. I always marvel at the fantastic foresight (or perhaps simple sentimentality) of those individuals who long ago were prompted to save those mushy missives.
If we had been valentine savers, we would undoubtedly have our own collection of antique, lacy valentines to show off by now. But alas, Valentines Days have come and gone and we have merely memories to share.
Looking back, I remember a time when valentines did rate considerable attention in our young lives. (And I’m talking about ancient history here.)
During our early school years, a Valentines Box, fancily decorated by our more artistic classmates, was set up in each classroom. During the week preceding the big day, valentines were deposited in the box for distribution at our Valentine’s party on the big day. As the box got fuller, our anticipation grew as we wondered eagerly how many valentines in there were for us.
We considered it an obligation to give a valentine to every single one of our classmates whether we liked them or not. Sometimes, if we liked someone especially well, we’d favor him with more than one card (if there were any left over in the package deal we’d bought). One’s popularity, after all, was judged in those young days by the number of valentines received.
In our youthful opinion, commercially made valentines were better than handmade ones and cards that came in envelopes were nicer than those that did not. But the very best kind were the ones with a lollipop attached (remember those?) and these were passed out only to special favorites.
As we grew older, we became more selective in deciding who to favor with our valentines. By then we were picking out valentines individually and paying up to a dime apiece for them. (I told you this was in the dim long ago past.)
In our small Berkshire village, valentines were sold in only two places – the drugstore and a tiny jewelry store run by a dignified old gentleman who was always repairing watches. Somehow, we felt that valentines purchased at the jewelry store had more class than the drugstore variety. Besides, we were intrigued by the magnifying eye piece the old man used while working on the watches.
We’d watch the old man and he’d watch us and eventually we’d select a too-expensive valentine for a favorite friend.
It was over a mile’s walk home from the downtown jewelry shop (all uphill, of course) and the snow in our mountain village was often knee deep at that time. But the February sun had a bit of warmth to it and our spirits would be high as we trudged up the hill and home with our prize.
Like as not, our carefully selected valentine would be unappreciated by the current object of our affection, but it didn’t matter as long as we didn’t receive in return on of those comic horrors calculated to insult.
Do you remember those abominable things? Usually printed on a single sheet of that cheap pulpy paper used for comic books, they cost a penny apiece and weren’t worth that. Still, I suppose they were the early forerunners of today’s humorous cards which capitalize on the sophisticated putdown. Judging from their price, these days it’s just as costly to insult your lady-love as to lavish her with hearts and flowers.
When our children were young, they always made certain that their absent-minded father didn’t let Valentine’s Day pass unheralded. They would start reminding him a week in advance because they knew that at the last minute he’d go out and buy the ubiquitous heart-shaped box of chocolates that they’d get a chance to help polish off. (It was partly my fault because he knew I didn’t want cut flowers that would die before I got my money’s worth out of them. And, in those days, with five kids to support, we were certainly weren’t in the market for expensive jewelry.)
Now that our children are off, married and have kids of their own, I have to admit, I actually do have a collection of old Valentines. They can’t be classified as antique and the craftsmanship isn’t anything to brag about. Still, they rank among my more valued possessions. Most of them run to red construction paper hearts carefully cut out and pasted on white paper lace doilies with “I Love You” painstakingly printed across the top. Some date back to when my own children were in grade school; the newer ones are from our grandchildren. And every single one of them is cherished.
Family Time is GREAT!
By Sarah Rain
Having recently moved into a new place, my family and I have discovered that we need to spend time together as a family! We all lead very busy lives, but taking time to get together once a week just for fun is the best thing we have ever done. I suggest that everyone do this. It’s not that hard.
Rent a movie, use one you have ….get a board game (you know the ones in the top of the closet covered with dust) a deck of cards, order food (defiantly mom’s don’t cook - suggestions are the 40-slice pizza from big y its only 10 bucks for a cheese one on Fri.!!) Call everyone together... Yell if you have too…I have found that if you mention food they all come running (dad‘s will too). Pizza does it best. Tell them that from this time to this time will be family time no phone calls, no friends, no nothing! Just you, your partner and the kids.
Now I have a 13 year old and a 5 year old (getting them in one place can be close to impossible) all I have to do is make sure the game/movie works for both. It’s not that hard to find something both will watch. You don’t have to spend a million dollars to have some fun. The cost of the movies is over 8 dollars a ticket not including the popcorn or food or the running around to get everyone there. And most of the movies aren’t good for everyone.
I know that having just one night of this has made a huge difference in how I see the family and how the kids see it too. They know that Friday is movie night at least twice a month. And I even get “mom are we going to do the movie pizza thing this Friday?” They look forward to just chilling out. And it gives us parents a chance to talk to and maybe even reconnect with the family. So it’s not all dishes and diapers and home work and dinner and bed. If you are having a hard time finding a movie there are tons out now for kids that are good for adults and those in between.
Cars, Over the Hedge, Charlie and the chocolate factory, Superman Returns. We have a habit of watching a lot of Disney movies or ones that we have seen on TV. Some times we let the kids choose. Barbie movies are common and so are action movies like Walking Tall and Batman Returns. We even get the classics like Robin Hood men in tights or space balls. I know the language in movies isn’t the best in some of these but put in place a rule that what you see in the movies is not something you do in life.
I know that it have allowed my 13 year old to watch older movies because I think he will learn form them... And if the language isn’t something that is ok but is needed then he knows not to repeat it. We have come to discover that we all have a lot in common and that we can spend time together with out drama, with out friends and with out distractions. I feel that is has become an important thing to have you r family around and to enjoy time with them. Life gets too crazy sometimes and just stopping for those few hours can re-center and relax a family.
So take a few hours and sit down with the kids... Watch a movie, play aboard game teach them to play your favorite card game!! It will last you for years to come!
595 Days
Michelle Averitt
If you are struggling with losing weight, the kind of weight that makes you cringe when you have to go out in public; the kind of weight that makes you stay at your desk at work because you're to embarrassed to walk around; the kind of weight that makes you cringe when you go out to a restaurant with friends and they pick a booth and you know you’ll have to squeeze into the booth; the kind of weight that makes you cringe when you have to get on an airplane and buckle up; the kind of weight that makes you cringe when have to use a turnstiles at the movie theater or a museum; the kind of weight that makes you hide behind your child, another person or an object when you are getting your photograph taken, and then when you see the photographs you want to die of embarrassment; the kind of weight that makes you avoid cameras altogether; the kind of weight that when you walk up a flight of stairs you are winded; the kind of weight that makes you just plain tired; the kind of weight that makes your knees ache or back ache just because you've been standing for more than 10 minutes; the kind of weight that keeps you sitting and watching your child or children play instead of playing with them; the kind of weight that keeps you from going on hikes or bowling or cycling or iceskating or volleyball or swimming or running or you name whatever it is you long to do but don't because you are embarrassed or to tired to move; the kind of weight that makes you cringe when you think about buying new clothes and having to try them on; the kind of weight that makes you avoid mirrors so you don't have to look at yourself because you hate who you are and how you look; the kind of weight that steals time; the kind of weight that keeps you from living life...from all that is beautiful...from your family...from your children...from you.
If you are struggling with losing weight, the kind of weight that makes you cringe when you have to go out in public; the kind of weight that makes you stay at your desk at work because you're to embarrassed to walk around; the kind of weight that makes you cringe when you go out to a restaurant with friends and they pick a booth and you know you’ll have to squeeze into the booth; the kind of weight that makes you cringe when you have to get on an airplane and buckle up; the kind of weight that makes you cringe when have to use a turnstiles at the movie theater or a museum; the kind of weight that makes you hide behind your child, another person or an object when you are getting your photograph taken, and then when you see the photographs you want to die of embarrassment; the kind of weight that makes you avoid cameras altogether; the kind of weight that when you walk up a flight of stairs you are winded; the kind of weight that makes you just plain tired; the kind of weight that makes your knees ache or back ache just because you've been standing for more than 10 minutes; the kind of weight that keeps you sitting and watching your child or children play instead of playing with them; the kind of weight that keeps you from going on hikes or bowling or cycling or iceskating or volleyball or swimming or running or you name whatever it is you long to do but don't because you are embarrassed or to tired to move; the kind of weight that makes you cringe when you think about buying new clothes and having to try them on; the kind of weight that makes you avoid mirrors so you don't have to look at yourself because you hate who you are and how you look; the kind of weight that steals time; the kind of weight that keeps you from living life...from all that is beautiful...from your family...from your children...from you.
Yeah...that kind of weight. All that...described me for 13 years. All of it. And more.
Do you know what my biggest regret is in this life? That my son did not have the person I am today as a mom. That my son grew up with the person I described above. He was three when I started to gain weight. He was 16 when I lost weight. I can't get that time back. Ever. There are no do over's with children, it's kind of a one time shot. It's not that it was all bad, I am a pretty cool mom, we did do stuff, we had fun. But man, had I been the me I am today...I know it would have been so much better. I cheated myself and I cheated my son.
Do you know what my biggest regret is in this life? That my son did not have the person I am today as a mom. That my son grew up with the person I described above. He was three when I started to gain weight. He was 16 when I lost weight. I can't get that time back. Ever. There are no do over's with children, it's kind of a one time shot. It's not that it was all bad, I am a pretty cool mom, we did do stuff, we had fun. But man, had I been the me I am today...I know it would have been so much better. I cheated myself and I cheated my son.
I am no different than you are. Not one little bit. I don't have any magical powers. I don't have super will power. The only difference is that I started...and I didn't quit. What happened in the middle of that process wasn't easy, for the first 3 months I wasn't very happy and I only lost 11 pounds, but I kept going, kept getting on the scale, I averaged a 1 - 1 1/2 pound weight loss a week, slow going for someone that had 80 pounds to lose, but 3 months turned into 6 months, 11 pounds turned into a 20 pound weight loss, to 30 pounds, 40 pounds; from size 22 to size 20 to size 18 to size 16 all the way down to size 8. The more success, the easier it got. It took 595 days to lose my weight, a little over 18 months, but that time would have gone by no matter what and time isn't something you can get back.
I think the hardest part was when I could not see the results, but if you start and you keep doing what has proven to work, you will lose the weight. It's when you stop doing what you need to do, that's when it stops working. It's really that simple. I know...it isn’t easy...but the concept is simple.
It's the same thing with my running, when I started running in May I thought I'd die when I ran on the track for 2 minutes. But I had a training plan and it said if I followed it that in 9 weeks I would be able to run 3 miles. I really didn't believe that I’d ever run 3 miles. I just couldn't see the possibility of running 30 minutes without wanting to die, but the plan I had said it was possible, so I followed the plan. I wasn’t perfect, I missed some days, but even without following the plan exactly, within 9 weeks I was able to run 3 miles. It worked because I followed a proven plan. It’s the same thing with losing weight, when I first started, it seemed insurmountable. Me lose 80 pounds? Yeah right. But I followed the plan, not exactly, but enough that it worked.
I wanted to share my regret hoping that it will motivate you to get started. I can't ever get that time back with my son. I missed out on 13 years of life because of my weight.
So if you are struggling with the kind of weight that I mentioned above, whether it's 15 pounds or 80 or more, it's possible to lose the weight, I did it and I'm really a very ordinary sort of woman who use to look like this: and today I look like this:
And life is much better without that kind of weight.
Nobody Ever Got Fat from Eating a Banana
I wanted to share my regret hoping that it will motivate you to get started. I can't ever get that time back with my son. I missed out on 13 years of life because of my weight.
So if you are struggling with the kind of weight that I mentioned above, whether it's 15 pounds or 80 or more, it's possible to lose the weight, I did it and I'm really a very ordinary sort of woman who use to look like this: and today I look like this:
And life is much better without that kind of weight.
Nobody Ever Got Fat from Eating a Banana
By Lisa Zola
As a nutritionist, it never ceases to amaze me when I hear that someone won’t eat a banana because they think they’re fattening, or that they’re not allowed on their diet because they have too many carbs or have a higher glycemic index. I mean, c’mon! Nobody ever got fat from eating a banana! In fact, bananas have numerous health benefits and help to prevent a number of illnesses and conditions, making them a must have in our daily diet.
For instance, bananas contain vitamins including B6 and B12, as well as have iron, potassium and magnesium. The Vitamin B6 a banana has helps to regulate blood glucose levels, and the iron they have helps to stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood. A banana is also high in potassium yet low in salt, therefore, making it an excellent choice in the treatment of high blood pressure. According to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can help reduce the risk of death from strokes by as much as 40%! In fact, the U.S Food and Drug Administration has given the banana industry the thumbs up to make official claims that the banana has the ability to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.
Bananas are also good for the treatment of heartburn providing a natural antacid effect in the body and they are good for the treatment of morning sickness due to their soothing effect. They are also high in fiber, which helps restore normal bowel function and also help to prevent constipation without resorting to laxatives.
Did you know that in a study that involved 200 students, those who ate a banana at breakfast did better on their exams? Research has also shown that bananas can improve learning by making students more alert. And for those who may be suffering from a hangover, a banana milkshake sweetened with honey, helps to calm the stomach, replete blood sugar levels and re-hydrate the body.
Finally, bananas contain tryptophan, a natural enhancer that can help aid in the relief of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Surely, bananas must be the reason why monkeys are so happy all of the time.
Perhaps then, given all of the benefits of a banana, the expression ought to be, “A banana a day keeps the doctor away!” Not to suggest that apples are not healthy or have their own health benefits. In fact I could write another article just on the benefits of an apple. I think I will. I guess what this really all comes down to is that we need to be getting more fruit in our diet in order to help the body deal with the stressors of daily life and so that we may reap the health benefits that can be obtained from our food. So, here’s to bananas. Eat and enjoy!!
As a nutritionist, it never ceases to amaze me when I hear that someone won’t eat a banana because they think they’re fattening, or that they’re not allowed on their diet because they have too many carbs or have a higher glycemic index. I mean, c’mon! Nobody ever got fat from eating a banana! In fact, bananas have numerous health benefits and help to prevent a number of illnesses and conditions, making them a must have in our daily diet.
For instance, bananas contain vitamins including B6 and B12, as well as have iron, potassium and magnesium. The Vitamin B6 a banana has helps to regulate blood glucose levels, and the iron they have helps to stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood. A banana is also high in potassium yet low in salt, therefore, making it an excellent choice in the treatment of high blood pressure. According to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can help reduce the risk of death from strokes by as much as 40%! In fact, the U.S Food and Drug Administration has given the banana industry the thumbs up to make official claims that the banana has the ability to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.
Bananas are also good for the treatment of heartburn providing a natural antacid effect in the body and they are good for the treatment of morning sickness due to their soothing effect. They are also high in fiber, which helps restore normal bowel function and also help to prevent constipation without resorting to laxatives.
Did you know that in a study that involved 200 students, those who ate a banana at breakfast did better on their exams? Research has also shown that bananas can improve learning by making students more alert. And for those who may be suffering from a hangover, a banana milkshake sweetened with honey, helps to calm the stomach, replete blood sugar levels and re-hydrate the body.
Finally, bananas contain tryptophan, a natural enhancer that can help aid in the relief of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Surely, bananas must be the reason why monkeys are so happy all of the time.
Perhaps then, given all of the benefits of a banana, the expression ought to be, “A banana a day keeps the doctor away!” Not to suggest that apples are not healthy or have their own health benefits. In fact I could write another article just on the benefits of an apple. I think I will. I guess what this really all comes down to is that we need to be getting more fruit in our diet in order to help the body deal with the stressors of daily life and so that we may reap the health benefits that can be obtained from our food. So, here’s to bananas. Eat and enjoy!!
February 2007 Stories Part 2
February 2007 Stories Part 2 sponsored by:
Online Learning has Integrity
Charles M. Shultz, the award-winning cartoonist responsible for warming our hearts with Snoopy and the Peanuts gang, took only one formal art education course—and it was a correspondence course by mail.
Correspondence courses have come a long way since the days of Charles Schultz.
This fall, more than 29,000 students in the state of Connecticut have taken online courses—the modern incarnation of distance learning.
Higher education is now offering a great product called online education. Students must still commit to signing onto the class two to three times a week, doing the work, and meeting the deadlines, but there’s now incredible flexibility. You choose the time to sign onto the online course, take your exam, or submit your assignment.
As a distance learning professional, I receive numerous questions about the merits of online learning. The prevailing belief is that an online course where students and teachers never meet cannot be of the same quality as a traditional “brick and mortar” or lecture-driven class.
Learning in an online environment is active, as students are responsible for reading, researching, analyzing, and evaluating material. In education theory, these activities are referred to as higher-order thinking. Instead of learning that Hartford is the capital of Connecticut (lower-order thinking), students are taught to think about why Hartford is the state’s capital.
When questioned about the merits of online learning, I think of large university classes where hundreds gather in lecture halls to learn statistics, history, or astronomy. The professor does not know each student, does not take attendance, and cannot determine who—out of scores of students—understands the material, needs more attention, or is using instructional time for a power nap. Feedback comes only from a midterm and a final, a few quizzes, and arrives weeks after the test has been taken. Lectures prevail. Isn’t this the true “distance learning?”
In our online classes, the average class size is 22. Professors can tell immediately, based on weekly discussions, assignments, and quizzes who is “getting it” and who is not. Professors can work with each student individually, through online communication and collaboration, and provide encouragement that cannot be given during the middle of a lecture.
Education is great, and everyone could use a little more of it. Educators dictate what courses you needed to take and when to take them. Educational institutions are only open at certain times, and only offer certain classes a few times a week, on certain days.
People are used to adjusting work schedules, family, community, social, and spiritual activities, around taking classes. Maybe that’s feasible for some, but not so easy for others.
Online education is portable, academically sound, interactive, and provides instant feedback so you’ll always know how you’re doing in the class. In addition, you won’t have to find a babysitter, put more gas in your tank and—even better—you can incorporate education into your life instead of having to rearrange your life around taking classes.
Think about it. It worked for Charles M. Schultz.
Erin Mason
Educational Technology Specialist
Middlesex Community College
Charles M. Shultz, the award-winning cartoonist responsible for warming our hearts with Snoopy and the Peanuts gang, took only one formal art education course—and it was a correspondence course by mail.
Correspondence courses have come a long way since the days of Charles Schultz.
This fall, more than 29,000 students in the state of Connecticut have taken online courses—the modern incarnation of distance learning.
Higher education is now offering a great product called online education. Students must still commit to signing onto the class two to three times a week, doing the work, and meeting the deadlines, but there’s now incredible flexibility. You choose the time to sign onto the online course, take your exam, or submit your assignment.
As a distance learning professional, I receive numerous questions about the merits of online learning. The prevailing belief is that an online course where students and teachers never meet cannot be of the same quality as a traditional “brick and mortar” or lecture-driven class.
Learning in an online environment is active, as students are responsible for reading, researching, analyzing, and evaluating material. In education theory, these activities are referred to as higher-order thinking. Instead of learning that Hartford is the capital of Connecticut (lower-order thinking), students are taught to think about why Hartford is the state’s capital.
When questioned about the merits of online learning, I think of large university classes where hundreds gather in lecture halls to learn statistics, history, or astronomy. The professor does not know each student, does not take attendance, and cannot determine who—out of scores of students—understands the material, needs more attention, or is using instructional time for a power nap. Feedback comes only from a midterm and a final, a few quizzes, and arrives weeks after the test has been taken. Lectures prevail. Isn’t this the true “distance learning?”
In our online classes, the average class size is 22. Professors can tell immediately, based on weekly discussions, assignments, and quizzes who is “getting it” and who is not. Professors can work with each student individually, through online communication and collaboration, and provide encouragement that cannot be given during the middle of a lecture.
Education is great, and everyone could use a little more of it. Educators dictate what courses you needed to take and when to take them. Educational institutions are only open at certain times, and only offer certain classes a few times a week, on certain days.
People are used to adjusting work schedules, family, community, social, and spiritual activities, around taking classes. Maybe that’s feasible for some, but not so easy for others.
Online education is portable, academically sound, interactive, and provides instant feedback so you’ll always know how you’re doing in the class. In addition, you won’t have to find a babysitter, put more gas in your tank and—even better—you can incorporate education into your life instead of having to rearrange your life around taking classes.
Think about it. It worked for Charles M. Schultz.
Erin Mason
Educational Technology Specialist
Middlesex Community College
Finding a Loving Home
By Diana Lewis
“Cajoling up stories isn’t going to work with me, young man” said Amanda Jordan to her twelve year old son, Michael. “It seems to me that both you and your new friend, Jason has been getting into a lot of mischief lately.”
“It’s only minor stuff, Mom,” he answered defensively.
“That may be but this “minor stuff” can be lead to stronger stuff down the line. I’d hate to see that happen.” Jason lowered his eyes. “What is going on with you, Michael? This isn’t like you” she stammered. She knew the last few months had been hard for him since his father died, but it had been hard on her too. She was left with raising a very ambiguous twelve year old who was easily intimidated by the other children around him. What was she to do? She had been praying about this for weeks now and somehow God wasn’t giving her an answer. “Help me to stay the right things.” she prayed inwardly.
“Michael, I’m not sure what to do about this. I haven’t figured it all out yet, but for now you are not to hang around with Jason. Is that understood?”
“Yes, ma’am, “he answered. He wasn’t too happy about this decision but he had enough respect for his mother to respect her wishes.
“No, go do your chores,”
“Yes, ma’am,” he answered as he headed out the door for the barn. He wasn’t expecting Jason to be there when he went out the door.
“What’d your Ma say?” he asked.
“I can’t hang around with you for a while, so please go so I don’t get into trouble.” said Michael.
“You going to let her dictate your life?” he asked. “Mother’s don’t mean a thing, ya know”
“That’s not a nice thing to say,” said Michael. “Now leave before I go in and tell her you are here to influence me. I have to do what my mother says whether you like it or not.”
“Boy, you got it bad.”
“Michael is someone out there with you?” hollered his mother.
“Now go, Jason, before I get into any more trouble.” he whispered and Jason sauntered off grumbling something under his breath. He was gone through the woods before his mother got to him.” Was that Jason?” she asked.
“Yes, and I told him I couldn’t hang around him anymore.” she smiled inwardly at her son. She knew she was going to have to go have a talk with Jason’s parents, but she wasn’t going alone. She would take Parson Fredericks with her.
The next day, Amanda went to see Parson Fredericks and told him what had been going on and he agreed to accompany her to see Jason’s father. Parson Fredericks knew a little about the family. Jason was an only child. His mother had died during childbirth so Jason had no sense of having a mother. His father worked at the Larson’s Sawmill. They headed over to see Mr. McMahanus.
Mr. Paul McManus was a tall stocky man. His beard was gruffly looking and he walked around like he didn’t have a care in the world. He scowled when Amanda and Parson Fredericks approached him. The parson introduced himself and Amanda.
“Yah, what do you want with me?” Mr. McManus asked gruffly.
“We’d like to talk to you about your son,” answered Amanda.
“Yah, what’d he do now? Murder someone?”
“No, nothing that extreme but he is a bad influence on my twelve year old son.”
“Oh, that puny kid who doesn’t know his own mind? He’s got a lot to learn about life. He’s never going to get anywhere the way he’s going and you are no help for him. He needs to learn to respect the world and how bad it is and .....”
“Children should learn to cherish this world we live in,” said Amanda, barely containing her anger and she walked away. Parson Fredericks followed her.
“Looks like the only thing we can do is go see the sheriff,” said Amanda and they headed for the sheriff’s office. When they arrived the sheriff wasn’t there and the deputy was headed out the door.
“If you want to see the sheriff, he’s at the schoolhouse,” he said quickly and headed in that direction himself.
On the way to school, Michael found Jason waiting for him at the edge of town.
“What did you do with our horses and cow?” he asked Jason.
“What makes you think I did anything with them?” he asked sarcastically.
“I think I know you a little better than that, Jason.”
“I think they’re around somewhere. I’m not sure exactly where though.” Jason answered.
“What possessed you to do that?” asked Michael.
“Women don’t tell me what to do!”
“Mom had a right to, you were on our property.”
“Well, she paid the price.”
“That wasn’t right,” said Michael, walking off.
“Where are you going?”
“To school.”
“Come on, let’s go have some fun.”
“I can’t hang around with you.”
“Come on, your mother is nobody. Let’s go,” tugging Michael’s sleeve. Michael jerked away.
“I’m not going anywhere with you. You cause too much trouble,” said Michael and headed off toward school, leaving Jason standing there. After a few minutes, Jason followed Michael to the schoolyard.
When they arrive, he noticed Molly Jenkins heading into the outhouse. Michael watched Jason walk over and tie the door shut with a piece of rope. Molly was screaming to get out. Jason ran to the edge of the woods and grabbed some old dried grass and set it on the ground behind the outhouse. Michael didn’t really pay attention to what he was doing until he saw the smoke. He ran over.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Playing a joke. Come on, let’s get out of here.” he started to run and turned around noticing Michael not following him. “Come one,” he yelled.
“No” said Michael as he reached into his pocket and took out his father’s jack knife and cut the rope that tied the door. Jason decided he better run, because he heard the children hollering for the Miss Miller, the teacher. Molly was out of the outhouse by the time Miss Miller came out. Michael told her what happened. Jack Thompson was the oldest in the class. She sent him to get the sheriff and told some of the others to get the water pail from inside the school and go to the well for some water. When the sheriff arrived, he took over putting the fire out and Miss Miller told the children to go inside, all except Michael.
Michael had just finished telling the sheriff what had happened when Amanda and Parson Fredericks arrived. Amanda was in a panic when she saw Michael talking to the sheriff. They walked over to them. The sheriff saw them coming and turned to them.
“Your son is a mighty big hero today, Amanda. You should be proud of him.” She looked at him with questions in her eyes. She saw the remains of the outhouse.
What happened? Was it Jason?” she asked.
“Yes,” answered Sheriff Connolly. “And Michael told me about your cow and horses. We’ll start looking for them as we are looking for Jason.” He turned back to Michael, “Do you know any places he might be?”
“I know of a couple, I can take you there.” he answered.
“If it’s okay with your mother,” answered the sheriff. Michael looked at his mother.
“I don’t know she said. This could be dangerous.” she said.
If I may,” said Parson Fredericks. “If I went along, Amanda, would that help?”
“That would be alright,” said the sheriff.
“You can stay with Anna while we’re gone,” said Parson Fredericks. Amanda agreed to stay with his wife while they went looking for Jason.
“Meet me at the sheriff’s office in half and hour.” He turned to his deputy, “Have four horses saddled and ready to go when I get back. I have to go see Mr. MaManus about this too. He may want to go but he may not either. He’s a very unpredictable man.” He headed toward the sawmill.
Sheriff Connolly came back alone. He looked very angry but he knew he couldn’t take it out on them. It had not gone well with Mr. McManus. It was clear that he cared nothing for the things his son did. In fact, he tried to laugh it off with the sheriff. But to the sheriff it wasn’t a laughing matter.
“Let’s go,” he said mounting his horse.
“I take it that it did not go well with Jason’s father?” asked Rev Fredericks.
“No, it didn’t and when and if we find Jason, he won’t be going back home with him. He threatened that if he came back home, he was going to blister his behind till he couldn’t breathe.” answered the sheriff angrily. “I will find him a better place to go. Good thing the judge is in town for another couple of days.” He clucked his horse and steered him to get ready to go. “Lead the way, Michael,” he said. Everyone followed Michael but the sheriff and the parson were staying close to him. They rode for a while out of town.
“One of the places is just around that bend. There’s an old shack there.” said Michael.
“Okay, you and the parson stay here. Do you have a gun?” the sheriff asked the parson.
“Yes,” he answered taking it out of his coat pocket.
“Keep it ready in case he comes around.” The sheriff and his deputy road slowly around the bend. There got in there and there was no sign of Jason. They checked the shack and it looked someone had been there but he wasn’t now. They mounted their horses back to where they left Michael and the parson.
“It looks like he might have been there but he’s not now.” They continued on to two other places when Michael had been with Jason, but he wasn’t there.
“I know of one other place, but I’m not sure exactly where it is. He never took me there but he told me about it.” said Michael.
An approximate location would be helpful,” answered the sheriff.
“Well it’s near a river and he said there was two shacks there and oh, a windmill.”
“Windmill? Hmm,” said the deputy, “that must be the Carlson place just north of town.”
“Let’s go” said the sheriff. They followed him this time since he knew the way. They came to a grove of trees. The place was just on the other side of those trees.
“Parson, you and Michael stay here.” The parson nodded and took his gun out from his coat pocket again. The sheriff and the sheriff dismounted and left the horse tethered by the trees, and walked around the trees slowly
Michael heard a twig snap and jumped. Both the parson and Michael turned to where they heard the noise. They didn’t see him at first, but then they saw him and Jason had a gun.
“Drop the gun, Parson,” he ordered. “I don’t want to hurt anyone.”
“Jason, we want to help you,” said the parson.
“Help me,” he laughed, “With the sheriff looking for me now and I imagine my pa is too. If my pa gets me I won’t live to see tomorrow. If the sheriff gets me I will probably spend the rest of my life in jail.”
“The sheriff wasn’t talking about taking you to jail, he was talking about finding another place for you to go, other than your father’s” said Michael. “Maybe I can talk my Mom into taking you”
“You’re Mom! Ha! She hates me”
“She doesn’t hate you, Jason; she just doesn’t like the things you do.”
“Really?”
“Really”
“I don’t think I’d mind having you as a big brother.” Jason is eleven years old, with curly brown hair, which he worn slicked back.
The parson had silently walked around the trees and signaled for the sheriff to come. When they got there, they heard part of the conversation.
“You’ll have to follow my Mom’s rules,” said Michael. Jason scowled a little bit and then he smile.
“Are they that hard to follow?” he asked.
“No, the ones you have problems with, I’ll help you.”
“Really, Do you think your Mom will let me live with you?”
“I’m not sure but we can go ask her.”
“Well, what are we waiting for?” Michael looked up at the sheriff. He was smiling and he shook his head affirmative and all mounted their horses. The Parson helped Jason on his horse and he got on behind him, and they headed back to town to the parsonage. Amanda and Anna were sitting on the porch drinking tea when they saw them approaching. As they were approaching, the sheriff whispered something to his deputy and he road off into another direction.
Amanda was standing on the ground next to the steps when they pulled up in front of the parsonage. Anna had hurried in the house. She came out with four large glasses of iced tea and gave each one of them one and they all sat on the porch.
“Mom, Can Jason come to live with us?” She looked very surprised and shocked.
“Well, I don’t know, honey. I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” she answered.
“I promise I’ll be good, Mrs. Jordan,” pleaded Jason. “I don’t want to go back with my pa, he will.........” He stopped his sentence there.
“I know all about what your father said, Jason,” said Amanda, “but the circumstances and the things you’ve done, I don’t know if this is a good idea.”
“I’ll change my ways, please Mrs. Jordan,” he pleaded. Just then they all heard the roar of Jason’s father coming up to the parsonage steps.
“There you are,” roared Mr. McManus. “Come here so I can give you your whipping. I told you if you got into trouble again, I’d whip till you were dead.” He was taking his belt out of his pants as he approached. Jason hid behind Amanda.
“I said, come here, boy,” he ordered loudly, too loudly. Amanda cringed at the sound of his voice.
“Lord, help me to decide what to do. I cannot see this boy be punished like this.” She squeezed Jason’s hand, as if to say, ‘don’t worry” but there was worry in his eyes. She got up and walked down the few steps to a few inches of Mr. McManus.
“I cannot allow you to do that,” she said quietly.
“Get out of the way, Woman. This is between my son and me. It’s none of your concern. He’s my son and I will treat him the way I want to treat him.”
“You’ll not abuse him in my presence.”
“Abuse? A whipping isn’t abuse.”
“The way you plan to do it, it is.” she said quietly. “I want Jason to come live with me and Michael.”
“You?! Ha! You’ll never get my son!”
“I think she will,” said some one from behind him. He turned around and there was the judge. Judge Matherson stood there for a moment.
“Jason, come here,” said the judge. Jason slowly walked down the steps and over near the judge but away from his father. His father tried to grab him but Parson Fredericks was quicker than he was. He stood between Mr. MaManus and Jason so he couldn’t get him.
“Jason, how many times has your father given you severe beatings?” asked the judge.
“Now wait a minute, demanded Mr. McManus, “that is none of your business. Don’t answer him Jason,” he ordered.
“I am a judge in the United States court and if I make it my business then it is my business.” He turned back to Jason, “How many?”
“I’m not sure how many?”
“Has it been more than 5 or 10?”
“More than 10,” he answered.
“That’s enough for me, said the judge. “Arrest him,” he ordered the sheriff. The sheriff went over to Mr. McManus and tried to put handcuffs on him but he resisted.
“You can’t do this, I am a citizen, and you can’t treat me like this.” Finally with the deputy’s help they were able to get him cuffed.
“Mrs. Jordan, I hear you are interested in taking the boy in, is that correct?”
Amanda stepped forward, “Yes, I am, your honor.”
“Then come by the courthouse tomorrow and sign the temporary custodian papers. He can move in today and you can have the papers tomorrow.” Said the judge and he turned back to Mr. McManus. “As of right now you are to have nothing to do with your son. You are to leave him alone and depending on how your hearing goes, if I am lenient with you, you will have to leave town and never return.”
“Mom, can we go to Jason’s house to get his things?” asked Michael.
“Yes, and Jason, when we get home we will go over some rules you will have to live by, is that okay?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” he answered and they were gone. Amanda turned to the sheriff and Parson Fredericks and his wife, Anna.
“Thank you so much for your help. Did you happen to see my horses and cow anywhere?”
Before anyone could answer that question, Max Caldwell from the Caldwell Stables just north of Amanda’s farm,
“I’ve been looking for you everywhere, Sheriff Conolly,” he said, “Baxter told me that he saw you head this way. A hand of mine, found 2 horses and a cow road roaming around the edge of my property. Has anyone told you they lost them?”
“Yes, they belong to Amanda, here.” the sheriff answered.
“Good I’ll have one of my hands bring them back to your farm.”
“Thank you, Mr. Caldwell,” said Amanda. He tipped his hat and he headed back to where he left his horse in front of the Baxter’s General Store.
Six months later............
“Mom, can we go down by the creek and do some fishing?” asked Jason.
“Are your chores done?” asked Amanda.
“Yes, Ma’am,” he answered.
“How about your reading that you are reading through the summer. Have you read your three chapters today yet?”
“Can’t I do that later?” he pleaded.
Since Amanda had taken Jason into her home, Jason did an about face on his actions. She grew to love him as much as she loved Michael. The three of them became a family. They did everything together. They worked the wheat field together, they cleaned the barn together, and they played games together. Jason became to be a normal child. Even the teacher and the parson were amazed by Jason’s turn around. He helped anyone who needed help, and he’d refuse to take any money for doing it.
He started going to church with Amanda and Michael and he even listened to Parson Fredericks sermons and if he didn’t understand something, he would ask Amanda and if Amanda couldn’t answer the question, he would go to Parson Fredericks for the answer.
Amanda secretly thanked God for Jason’s attitude change, because she knew that only He could do this miraculous change in him. Jason had finally found a loving home.
By Diana Lewis
“Cajoling up stories isn’t going to work with me, young man” said Amanda Jordan to her twelve year old son, Michael. “It seems to me that both you and your new friend, Jason has been getting into a lot of mischief lately.”
“It’s only minor stuff, Mom,” he answered defensively.
“That may be but this “minor stuff” can be lead to stronger stuff down the line. I’d hate to see that happen.” Jason lowered his eyes. “What is going on with you, Michael? This isn’t like you” she stammered. She knew the last few months had been hard for him since his father died, but it had been hard on her too. She was left with raising a very ambiguous twelve year old who was easily intimidated by the other children around him. What was she to do? She had been praying about this for weeks now and somehow God wasn’t giving her an answer. “Help me to stay the right things.” she prayed inwardly.
“Michael, I’m not sure what to do about this. I haven’t figured it all out yet, but for now you are not to hang around with Jason. Is that understood?”
“Yes, ma’am, “he answered. He wasn’t too happy about this decision but he had enough respect for his mother to respect her wishes.
“No, go do your chores,”
“Yes, ma’am,” he answered as he headed out the door for the barn. He wasn’t expecting Jason to be there when he went out the door.
“What’d your Ma say?” he asked.
“I can’t hang around with you for a while, so please go so I don’t get into trouble.” said Michael.
“You going to let her dictate your life?” he asked. “Mother’s don’t mean a thing, ya know”
“That’s not a nice thing to say,” said Michael. “Now leave before I go in and tell her you are here to influence me. I have to do what my mother says whether you like it or not.”
“Boy, you got it bad.”
“Michael is someone out there with you?” hollered his mother.
“Now go, Jason, before I get into any more trouble.” he whispered and Jason sauntered off grumbling something under his breath. He was gone through the woods before his mother got to him.” Was that Jason?” she asked.
“Yes, and I told him I couldn’t hang around him anymore.” she smiled inwardly at her son. She knew she was going to have to go have a talk with Jason’s parents, but she wasn’t going alone. She would take Parson Fredericks with her.
The next day, Amanda went to see Parson Fredericks and told him what had been going on and he agreed to accompany her to see Jason’s father. Parson Fredericks knew a little about the family. Jason was an only child. His mother had died during childbirth so Jason had no sense of having a mother. His father worked at the Larson’s Sawmill. They headed over to see Mr. McMahanus.
Mr. Paul McManus was a tall stocky man. His beard was gruffly looking and he walked around like he didn’t have a care in the world. He scowled when Amanda and Parson Fredericks approached him. The parson introduced himself and Amanda.
“Yah, what do you want with me?” Mr. McManus asked gruffly.
“We’d like to talk to you about your son,” answered Amanda.
“Yah, what’d he do now? Murder someone?”
“No, nothing that extreme but he is a bad influence on my twelve year old son.”
“Oh, that puny kid who doesn’t know his own mind? He’s got a lot to learn about life. He’s never going to get anywhere the way he’s going and you are no help for him. He needs to learn to respect the world and how bad it is and .....”
“Children should learn to cherish this world we live in,” said Amanda, barely containing her anger and she walked away. Parson Fredericks followed her.
“Looks like the only thing we can do is go see the sheriff,” said Amanda and they headed for the sheriff’s office. When they arrived the sheriff wasn’t there and the deputy was headed out the door.
“If you want to see the sheriff, he’s at the schoolhouse,” he said quickly and headed in that direction himself.
On the way to school, Michael found Jason waiting for him at the edge of town.
“What did you do with our horses and cow?” he asked Jason.
“What makes you think I did anything with them?” he asked sarcastically.
“I think I know you a little better than that, Jason.”
“I think they’re around somewhere. I’m not sure exactly where though.” Jason answered.
“What possessed you to do that?” asked Michael.
“Women don’t tell me what to do!”
“Mom had a right to, you were on our property.”
“Well, she paid the price.”
“That wasn’t right,” said Michael, walking off.
“Where are you going?”
“To school.”
“Come on, let’s go have some fun.”
“I can’t hang around with you.”
“Come on, your mother is nobody. Let’s go,” tugging Michael’s sleeve. Michael jerked away.
“I’m not going anywhere with you. You cause too much trouble,” said Michael and headed off toward school, leaving Jason standing there. After a few minutes, Jason followed Michael to the schoolyard.
When they arrive, he noticed Molly Jenkins heading into the outhouse. Michael watched Jason walk over and tie the door shut with a piece of rope. Molly was screaming to get out. Jason ran to the edge of the woods and grabbed some old dried grass and set it on the ground behind the outhouse. Michael didn’t really pay attention to what he was doing until he saw the smoke. He ran over.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Playing a joke. Come on, let’s get out of here.” he started to run and turned around noticing Michael not following him. “Come one,” he yelled.
“No” said Michael as he reached into his pocket and took out his father’s jack knife and cut the rope that tied the door. Jason decided he better run, because he heard the children hollering for the Miss Miller, the teacher. Molly was out of the outhouse by the time Miss Miller came out. Michael told her what happened. Jack Thompson was the oldest in the class. She sent him to get the sheriff and told some of the others to get the water pail from inside the school and go to the well for some water. When the sheriff arrived, he took over putting the fire out and Miss Miller told the children to go inside, all except Michael.
Michael had just finished telling the sheriff what had happened when Amanda and Parson Fredericks arrived. Amanda was in a panic when she saw Michael talking to the sheriff. They walked over to them. The sheriff saw them coming and turned to them.
“Your son is a mighty big hero today, Amanda. You should be proud of him.” She looked at him with questions in her eyes. She saw the remains of the outhouse.
What happened? Was it Jason?” she asked.
“Yes,” answered Sheriff Connolly. “And Michael told me about your cow and horses. We’ll start looking for them as we are looking for Jason.” He turned back to Michael, “Do you know any places he might be?”
“I know of a couple, I can take you there.” he answered.
“If it’s okay with your mother,” answered the sheriff. Michael looked at his mother.
“I don’t know she said. This could be dangerous.” she said.
If I may,” said Parson Fredericks. “If I went along, Amanda, would that help?”
“That would be alright,” said the sheriff.
“You can stay with Anna while we’re gone,” said Parson Fredericks. Amanda agreed to stay with his wife while they went looking for Jason.
“Meet me at the sheriff’s office in half and hour.” He turned to his deputy, “Have four horses saddled and ready to go when I get back. I have to go see Mr. MaManus about this too. He may want to go but he may not either. He’s a very unpredictable man.” He headed toward the sawmill.
Sheriff Connolly came back alone. He looked very angry but he knew he couldn’t take it out on them. It had not gone well with Mr. McManus. It was clear that he cared nothing for the things his son did. In fact, he tried to laugh it off with the sheriff. But to the sheriff it wasn’t a laughing matter.
“Let’s go,” he said mounting his horse.
“I take it that it did not go well with Jason’s father?” asked Rev Fredericks.
“No, it didn’t and when and if we find Jason, he won’t be going back home with him. He threatened that if he came back home, he was going to blister his behind till he couldn’t breathe.” answered the sheriff angrily. “I will find him a better place to go. Good thing the judge is in town for another couple of days.” He clucked his horse and steered him to get ready to go. “Lead the way, Michael,” he said. Everyone followed Michael but the sheriff and the parson were staying close to him. They rode for a while out of town.
“One of the places is just around that bend. There’s an old shack there.” said Michael.
“Okay, you and the parson stay here. Do you have a gun?” the sheriff asked the parson.
“Yes,” he answered taking it out of his coat pocket.
“Keep it ready in case he comes around.” The sheriff and his deputy road slowly around the bend. There got in there and there was no sign of Jason. They checked the shack and it looked someone had been there but he wasn’t now. They mounted their horses back to where they left Michael and the parson.
“It looks like he might have been there but he’s not now.” They continued on to two other places when Michael had been with Jason, but he wasn’t there.
“I know of one other place, but I’m not sure exactly where it is. He never took me there but he told me about it.” said Michael.
An approximate location would be helpful,” answered the sheriff.
“Well it’s near a river and he said there was two shacks there and oh, a windmill.”
“Windmill? Hmm,” said the deputy, “that must be the Carlson place just north of town.”
“Let’s go” said the sheriff. They followed him this time since he knew the way. They came to a grove of trees. The place was just on the other side of those trees.
“Parson, you and Michael stay here.” The parson nodded and took his gun out from his coat pocket again. The sheriff and the sheriff dismounted and left the horse tethered by the trees, and walked around the trees slowly
Michael heard a twig snap and jumped. Both the parson and Michael turned to where they heard the noise. They didn’t see him at first, but then they saw him and Jason had a gun.
“Drop the gun, Parson,” he ordered. “I don’t want to hurt anyone.”
“Jason, we want to help you,” said the parson.
“Help me,” he laughed, “With the sheriff looking for me now and I imagine my pa is too. If my pa gets me I won’t live to see tomorrow. If the sheriff gets me I will probably spend the rest of my life in jail.”
“The sheriff wasn’t talking about taking you to jail, he was talking about finding another place for you to go, other than your father’s” said Michael. “Maybe I can talk my Mom into taking you”
“You’re Mom! Ha! She hates me”
“She doesn’t hate you, Jason; she just doesn’t like the things you do.”
“Really?”
“Really”
“I don’t think I’d mind having you as a big brother.” Jason is eleven years old, with curly brown hair, which he worn slicked back.
The parson had silently walked around the trees and signaled for the sheriff to come. When they got there, they heard part of the conversation.
“You’ll have to follow my Mom’s rules,” said Michael. Jason scowled a little bit and then he smile.
“Are they that hard to follow?” he asked.
“No, the ones you have problems with, I’ll help you.”
“Really, Do you think your Mom will let me live with you?”
“I’m not sure but we can go ask her.”
“Well, what are we waiting for?” Michael looked up at the sheriff. He was smiling and he shook his head affirmative and all mounted their horses. The Parson helped Jason on his horse and he got on behind him, and they headed back to town to the parsonage. Amanda and Anna were sitting on the porch drinking tea when they saw them approaching. As they were approaching, the sheriff whispered something to his deputy and he road off into another direction.
Amanda was standing on the ground next to the steps when they pulled up in front of the parsonage. Anna had hurried in the house. She came out with four large glasses of iced tea and gave each one of them one and they all sat on the porch.
“Mom, Can Jason come to live with us?” She looked very surprised and shocked.
“Well, I don’t know, honey. I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” she answered.
“I promise I’ll be good, Mrs. Jordan,” pleaded Jason. “I don’t want to go back with my pa, he will.........” He stopped his sentence there.
“I know all about what your father said, Jason,” said Amanda, “but the circumstances and the things you’ve done, I don’t know if this is a good idea.”
“I’ll change my ways, please Mrs. Jordan,” he pleaded. Just then they all heard the roar of Jason’s father coming up to the parsonage steps.
“There you are,” roared Mr. McManus. “Come here so I can give you your whipping. I told you if you got into trouble again, I’d whip till you were dead.” He was taking his belt out of his pants as he approached. Jason hid behind Amanda.
“I said, come here, boy,” he ordered loudly, too loudly. Amanda cringed at the sound of his voice.
“Lord, help me to decide what to do. I cannot see this boy be punished like this.” She squeezed Jason’s hand, as if to say, ‘don’t worry” but there was worry in his eyes. She got up and walked down the few steps to a few inches of Mr. McManus.
“I cannot allow you to do that,” she said quietly.
“Get out of the way, Woman. This is between my son and me. It’s none of your concern. He’s my son and I will treat him the way I want to treat him.”
“You’ll not abuse him in my presence.”
“Abuse? A whipping isn’t abuse.”
“The way you plan to do it, it is.” she said quietly. “I want Jason to come live with me and Michael.”
“You?! Ha! You’ll never get my son!”
“I think she will,” said some one from behind him. He turned around and there was the judge. Judge Matherson stood there for a moment.
“Jason, come here,” said the judge. Jason slowly walked down the steps and over near the judge but away from his father. His father tried to grab him but Parson Fredericks was quicker than he was. He stood between Mr. MaManus and Jason so he couldn’t get him.
“Jason, how many times has your father given you severe beatings?” asked the judge.
“Now wait a minute, demanded Mr. McManus, “that is none of your business. Don’t answer him Jason,” he ordered.
“I am a judge in the United States court and if I make it my business then it is my business.” He turned back to Jason, “How many?”
“I’m not sure how many?”
“Has it been more than 5 or 10?”
“More than 10,” he answered.
“That’s enough for me, said the judge. “Arrest him,” he ordered the sheriff. The sheriff went over to Mr. McManus and tried to put handcuffs on him but he resisted.
“You can’t do this, I am a citizen, and you can’t treat me like this.” Finally with the deputy’s help they were able to get him cuffed.
“Mrs. Jordan, I hear you are interested in taking the boy in, is that correct?”
Amanda stepped forward, “Yes, I am, your honor.”
“Then come by the courthouse tomorrow and sign the temporary custodian papers. He can move in today and you can have the papers tomorrow.” Said the judge and he turned back to Mr. McManus. “As of right now you are to have nothing to do with your son. You are to leave him alone and depending on how your hearing goes, if I am lenient with you, you will have to leave town and never return.”
“Mom, can we go to Jason’s house to get his things?” asked Michael.
“Yes, and Jason, when we get home we will go over some rules you will have to live by, is that okay?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” he answered and they were gone. Amanda turned to the sheriff and Parson Fredericks and his wife, Anna.
“Thank you so much for your help. Did you happen to see my horses and cow anywhere?”
Before anyone could answer that question, Max Caldwell from the Caldwell Stables just north of Amanda’s farm,
“I’ve been looking for you everywhere, Sheriff Conolly,” he said, “Baxter told me that he saw you head this way. A hand of mine, found 2 horses and a cow road roaming around the edge of my property. Has anyone told you they lost them?”
“Yes, they belong to Amanda, here.” the sheriff answered.
“Good I’ll have one of my hands bring them back to your farm.”
“Thank you, Mr. Caldwell,” said Amanda. He tipped his hat and he headed back to where he left his horse in front of the Baxter’s General Store.
Six months later............
“Mom, can we go down by the creek and do some fishing?” asked Jason.
“Are your chores done?” asked Amanda.
“Yes, Ma’am,” he answered.
“How about your reading that you are reading through the summer. Have you read your three chapters today yet?”
“Can’t I do that later?” he pleaded.
Since Amanda had taken Jason into her home, Jason did an about face on his actions. She grew to love him as much as she loved Michael. The three of them became a family. They did everything together. They worked the wheat field together, they cleaned the barn together, and they played games together. Jason became to be a normal child. Even the teacher and the parson were amazed by Jason’s turn around. He helped anyone who needed help, and he’d refuse to take any money for doing it.
He started going to church with Amanda and Michael and he even listened to Parson Fredericks sermons and if he didn’t understand something, he would ask Amanda and if Amanda couldn’t answer the question, he would go to Parson Fredericks for the answer.
Amanda secretly thanked God for Jason’s attitude change, because she knew that only He could do this miraculous change in him. Jason had finally found a loving home.
February 2007 Stories Part 3
February 2007 Stories Part 3 sponsored by:
“Sheltering an Animal’s Perspective”
by Gregory M. Simpson
Whenever I visit Manhattan in the summer and see horse drawn carriages, I think of the inherent cruelty to the horses that are known to drop to the ground from heat exhaustion. I reflect on the absurdity of horses sharing the asphalt with fume spraying buses, taxis and automobiles careening amongst canyons formed by towering skyscrapers. But that’s another article in and of itself. Today, I want to write about another bad idea involving removing animals from their natural habitats – keeping exotic wildlife as pets.
Only 19 states have full or partial bans on the private ownership of large exotic animals, so there are thousands of tigers, lions and other big cats captive in the U.S. The federal government requires no quarantine, no inspection and no tracking of movement of these animals.
By the age of six months, a wild cat can tear your house apart – or much worse. There have been dozens of attacks on humans in the last number of years, including the killing of a boy by his grandfather’s tiger, a lion that killed several dogs and trapped a child in his room and another wild cat that tore off the arm of a four year old boy. Tigers are the most purchased cat followed by cougars, bobcats and lions. The number of individual captive tigers living in the U.S. is estimated to be between 5000 and 7000. Only about 10% of tigers are kept in professionally run zoos and sanctuaries. The rest live in a variety of settings, including backyards where people keep them as pets.
If you’re looking for a large and beautiful cat, visit an animal shelter and adopt a house cat. Maine Coon cats are big and good with children. Mackerel tabbies resemble little tigers. There is also a spotted tabby which resembles a tiny ocelot. If your favorite wild cat is the Black Panther, there are a variety of black cats from which to choose. House cats are much easier to care for and much less expensive than wild cats. More importantly, they won’t look at your house guest as a potential meal.
An exotic pet is any animal not commonly recognized as a household pet, where specialist and often difficult information is required to properly care for them. They include lizards, crocodilians, snakes, tortoises, primates, sugar gliders, chipmunks, hedgehogs, pot bellied pigs, and birds such as parrots and toucans.
Let’s examine one group - the reptiles. The majority of reptiles destined to be sold as pets are caught in the wild, using nooses, nets and dogs. Injuries during capture and transportation include paralysis, claws wrenched from toes by sacking material, bites and scratches. Many are dehydrated, starving, emaciated and diseased. Survivors are put into poorly regulated cargo holds for shipping that often lasts up to 80 hours, resulting in a mortality rate that is matched by a similar number that die soon after arrival.
Those reptiles that do survive are particularly poor at adapting to artificial environments and routines because their biology is hard-wired for life in the wild. This results in abnormal behavior such as spending long periods patrolling cage boundaries or climbing the glass walls of the tank. Most people are unaware of how large some reptiles like iguanas can become or how long they live. They can live to be 14 years old, with males potentially becoming very aggressive. Reflect on this statistic: each year, 90,000 people are treated for salmonella infection contracted from reptiles.
If all of the above does not cause enough concern, then consider these other public health and safety issues. Zoonotic diseases, i.e., those that jump from animals to humans account for three quarters of all emerging infectious threats, according to the Centers for Disease Control. For instance, the monkey pox outbreak started with a shipment of imported African rodents which then spread to American prairie dogs – all in the pet trade. Twenty thousand prairie dogs are yanked from their homes in Texas every year and shipped to pet stores. Wild animals are notorious as reservoirs for disease and parasites. SARS has evidently been traced back to wild animals in food markets in China. The doors are wide open legally for the import of the majority of wild animals destined for the pet trade, including African ball pythons and hedgehogs.
The business of exotic and wild animals as pets in the U.S. is conservatively estimated to be worth $15 billion annually. It is the biggest black market money makers after drugs and weapons. The exotic pet trade is rampant with animal cruelty, as depicted in the book Animal Underworld: Inside America’s Black Market for Rare and Exotic Species by Alan Green and The Center for Public Integrity.
Don’t contribute to the cruelty by obtaining exotic and wild animals as pets. As a wise man from Senegal said,
In the end - We will conserve - Only what we love - We will love only - What we understand - And we will understand
Only what we are taught
Gregory Simpson is Vice-President of the Meriden Humane Society, a no-kill shelter, and member of the Cat Writers’ Association. Formerly a state advisor to Friends of Animals, he was also named one of the 40 Ultimate Cat Lovers by CAT FANCY magazine.
NATURE AS A MIRROR
by Gregory M. Simpson
Whenever I visit Manhattan in the summer and see horse drawn carriages, I think of the inherent cruelty to the horses that are known to drop to the ground from heat exhaustion. I reflect on the absurdity of horses sharing the asphalt with fume spraying buses, taxis and automobiles careening amongst canyons formed by towering skyscrapers. But that’s another article in and of itself. Today, I want to write about another bad idea involving removing animals from their natural habitats – keeping exotic wildlife as pets.
Only 19 states have full or partial bans on the private ownership of large exotic animals, so there are thousands of tigers, lions and other big cats captive in the U.S. The federal government requires no quarantine, no inspection and no tracking of movement of these animals.
By the age of six months, a wild cat can tear your house apart – or much worse. There have been dozens of attacks on humans in the last number of years, including the killing of a boy by his grandfather’s tiger, a lion that killed several dogs and trapped a child in his room and another wild cat that tore off the arm of a four year old boy. Tigers are the most purchased cat followed by cougars, bobcats and lions. The number of individual captive tigers living in the U.S. is estimated to be between 5000 and 7000. Only about 10% of tigers are kept in professionally run zoos and sanctuaries. The rest live in a variety of settings, including backyards where people keep them as pets.
If you’re looking for a large and beautiful cat, visit an animal shelter and adopt a house cat. Maine Coon cats are big and good with children. Mackerel tabbies resemble little tigers. There is also a spotted tabby which resembles a tiny ocelot. If your favorite wild cat is the Black Panther, there are a variety of black cats from which to choose. House cats are much easier to care for and much less expensive than wild cats. More importantly, they won’t look at your house guest as a potential meal.
An exotic pet is any animal not commonly recognized as a household pet, where specialist and often difficult information is required to properly care for them. They include lizards, crocodilians, snakes, tortoises, primates, sugar gliders, chipmunks, hedgehogs, pot bellied pigs, and birds such as parrots and toucans.
Let’s examine one group - the reptiles. The majority of reptiles destined to be sold as pets are caught in the wild, using nooses, nets and dogs. Injuries during capture and transportation include paralysis, claws wrenched from toes by sacking material, bites and scratches. Many are dehydrated, starving, emaciated and diseased. Survivors are put into poorly regulated cargo holds for shipping that often lasts up to 80 hours, resulting in a mortality rate that is matched by a similar number that die soon after arrival.
Those reptiles that do survive are particularly poor at adapting to artificial environments and routines because their biology is hard-wired for life in the wild. This results in abnormal behavior such as spending long periods patrolling cage boundaries or climbing the glass walls of the tank. Most people are unaware of how large some reptiles like iguanas can become or how long they live. They can live to be 14 years old, with males potentially becoming very aggressive. Reflect on this statistic: each year, 90,000 people are treated for salmonella infection contracted from reptiles.
If all of the above does not cause enough concern, then consider these other public health and safety issues. Zoonotic diseases, i.e., those that jump from animals to humans account for three quarters of all emerging infectious threats, according to the Centers for Disease Control. For instance, the monkey pox outbreak started with a shipment of imported African rodents which then spread to American prairie dogs – all in the pet trade. Twenty thousand prairie dogs are yanked from their homes in Texas every year and shipped to pet stores. Wild animals are notorious as reservoirs for disease and parasites. SARS has evidently been traced back to wild animals in food markets in China. The doors are wide open legally for the import of the majority of wild animals destined for the pet trade, including African ball pythons and hedgehogs.
The business of exotic and wild animals as pets in the U.S. is conservatively estimated to be worth $15 billion annually. It is the biggest black market money makers after drugs and weapons. The exotic pet trade is rampant with animal cruelty, as depicted in the book Animal Underworld: Inside America’s Black Market for Rare and Exotic Species by Alan Green and The Center for Public Integrity.
Don’t contribute to the cruelty by obtaining exotic and wild animals as pets. As a wise man from Senegal said,
In the end - We will conserve - Only what we love - We will love only - What we understand - And we will understand
Only what we are taught
Gregory Simpson is Vice-President of the Meriden Humane Society, a no-kill shelter, and member of the Cat Writers’ Association. Formerly a state advisor to Friends of Animals, he was also named one of the 40 Ultimate Cat Lovers by CAT FANCY magazine.
NATURE AS A MIRROR
By Dorothy Gonick
PIGS
“Gung Hay Fat Choy!”
It’s time to celebrate
Chinese New Year Day!
“Gung Hay Fat Choy!” meaning “Wishing You Good Fortune and Happiness!” This is the greeting heard throughout the Orient during the Chinese New Year celebrations. These celebrations start this February 4th, on Start of Spring day, and continue until New Moon Day, February 18th, also called New Year Day. The Chinese use the Lunar calendar that is based on the phases of the moon, with New Year Day celebrated on the first new moon of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar. This year is 4704.
Many, many years ago, an emperor prepared a feast and invited all the animals to come, but only 12 attended. He honored them by naming a year for each one, so every year one of the animals will be honored. The year 2007 or 4704 is the Year of the Pig. Some Chinese consider the pig lucky because they see that pigs eat food all the time, enjoy sleeping all day long and worry about nothing during their entire lives. Therefore, the pig is a lucky animal.
Each family member joins in preparing for the New Year. The house is scrubbed, scrolls are hung, flowers and special fruits gathered, and foods prepared. Gifts are made ready for exchanging with visitors. New clothes are readied, especially red ones and much visiting is done. There are special activities through the two weeks of celebrations, such as the three-day lantern festival where lanterns are carried through the streets. On New Years Eve, a special meal is shared with the family and children receive red packets of money for the New Year. The festivities are completed when the fanciful bamboo dragon weaves through the streets amid strings of firecrackers.
Pigs have been around for a few million years and are believed to have been tamed by Stone Age people. There are still wild hogs that are strong fierce animals living in forests and jungles in many parts of the world. Razorbacks living in southeastern U.S. and West Indies are descended from tame hogs that escaped and became wild again.
PIGS
“Gung Hay Fat Choy!”
It’s time to celebrate
Chinese New Year Day!
“Gung Hay Fat Choy!” meaning “Wishing You Good Fortune and Happiness!” This is the greeting heard throughout the Orient during the Chinese New Year celebrations. These celebrations start this February 4th, on Start of Spring day, and continue until New Moon Day, February 18th, also called New Year Day. The Chinese use the Lunar calendar that is based on the phases of the moon, with New Year Day celebrated on the first new moon of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar. This year is 4704.
Many, many years ago, an emperor prepared a feast and invited all the animals to come, but only 12 attended. He honored them by naming a year for each one, so every year one of the animals will be honored. The year 2007 or 4704 is the Year of the Pig. Some Chinese consider the pig lucky because they see that pigs eat food all the time, enjoy sleeping all day long and worry about nothing during their entire lives. Therefore, the pig is a lucky animal.
Each family member joins in preparing for the New Year. The house is scrubbed, scrolls are hung, flowers and special fruits gathered, and foods prepared. Gifts are made ready for exchanging with visitors. New clothes are readied, especially red ones and much visiting is done. There are special activities through the two weeks of celebrations, such as the three-day lantern festival where lanterns are carried through the streets. On New Years Eve, a special meal is shared with the family and children receive red packets of money for the New Year. The festivities are completed when the fanciful bamboo dragon weaves through the streets amid strings of firecrackers.
Pigs have been around for a few million years and are believed to have been tamed by Stone Age people. There are still wild hogs that are strong fierce animals living in forests and jungles in many parts of the world. Razorbacks living in southeastern U.S. and West Indies are descended from tame hogs that escaped and became wild again.
Pigs have no sweat glands and find wallowing in the mud a cooling activity. They have poor eyesight, but a keen sense of smell. The pig will use his snout to dig up roots and fungi that tempt him. Besides food for our pleasure, the pig also supplies leather for gloves, jackets, belts, and footballs; the bristles for brushes; and fat made into lard, soap, candles, salves, and shaving lotions. Although the pig is considered a lazy animal, it does contribute to man’s welfare in many ways.
Hope Marches On For Connecticut Family
The freshly laundered bath towels barely provided a cushion as the young mother fell to a crumpled heap on her bathroom floor. Her legs, strong and sturdy for most of her life, seemed to have betrayed her. And it was clear: she was not getting up without help. Her husband, Jeff, wasn’t due home for another two hours, and the last thing she wanted to do was scare her two young sons, Shane and Jamie.
Setting aside the physical pain from the fall and the related bruise to her ego, Mary acted quickly. She called the boys to fetch her paints and the three spent the rest of the afternoon on the bathroom floor painting blue, purple and green-stemmed irises on the wall.
Shane, now 15, recalls that afternoon. “I was too young to know what really happened, but now that I’m older, I understand how my Mom was trying to protect me that day.”
Mary Smith, 45, a resident of South Windsor, Conn., was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1998 after a similar incident involving a fall.
“Initially, I wanted to protect my children from the diagnosis and the effects of my disease,” Mary said. “However, as time went on, I realized the importance of educating my sons about MS and its symptoms.”
The effects of multiple sclerosis quickly became more debilitating for Mary, and, as Shane and Jamie grew older, the boys oftentimes took on the role of caregivers. “I could only protect them for a brief time,” Mary said. “There was really no way to hide the fact that I couldn’t walk anymore.”
When Jamie left for college last fall, much of Mary’s daily care became Shane’s responsibility. Along with his classes and extracurricular activities as a sophomore at East Catholic High School in Manchester, Conn., Shane helps Mary with her medications, prepares meals and takes on extra chores, including laundry, gardening and caring for his dog, Spanky.
“It’s difficult for me now,” he said, as he lowered his gaze momentarily and looked toward his folded hands. “I feel like I have to be home more often to keep an eye on my Mom. I always have lots to do.”
According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and the United Hospital Fund, Shane is among the 1.4 million children aged 8 to 18 who provide care for an adult relative, of which 72 percent are caring for a parent or grandparent.
The Smith family turned to the National MS Society, Greater Connecticut Chapter shortly after her diagnosis for information, resources and helpful programs. The Smiths began building a network of friends who share a common life experience.
“As a family, we realized we needed to get more involved in helping to find a cure,” said Mary. “After everything the chapter did for us, it didn’t take long for us to become activists in the fight against MS.”
In 2000, the Smith family formed Team Mary, a five-person MS Walk team that is now a group of more than 200. Shane and Jamie are captains of Team Mary at the Manchester, Conn. walk site at Manchester Community College, alternating roles as captain for each year’s MS Walk. Over the past six years, Team Mary has raised more than $69,440 and is one of the top 10 walk teams in the state. In 2006, with Shane as captain, Team Mary raised $11,085 of which Shane raised $4,590 himself, placing him as the fourteenth top fundraiser in the state for the 2006 MS Walk.
To rally support, Shane and Jamie write letters to friends and family sharing their experiences over the past year.
“MS has really taken everything out of Mom,” read last year’s letter from Shane. “She spends most of her day in bed or in the wheelchair. She hates the loss of independence. I can’t blame her.”
“’Hope’ is our family motto,” Mary said, as she proudly pointed to the photos, paintings and pillows around her room that display the word. “All that we really have is hope. Hope for the strength to fight MS each day, and hope for a cure. Team Mary is an extension of that hope.”
The message of hope was clearly spelled out for the family soon after Jamie graduated from high school.
Jamie arrived home after spending an afternoon with his basketball teammates, and, to the shock of his parents, he lifted his shirt to display the word “hope” emblazoned in the form of a tattoo across his back. Mary laughs as she recalls Jamie’s excuse: “I thought you’d like it, Mom. I designed it myself!”
“I was surprised that Jamie got a tattoo,” Mary said. “But he could have chosen to get any tattoo he wanted. Instead, he immortalized my fight with MS on his body. His children and his grandchildren will know my story and the hope that he will always carry with him. Now, how could I be angry at him for that?”
Courage and hope in the face of adversity have propelled the Smiths to step forward since her fall nine years ago. Their friends and family continue to hold out hope for a cure and usher Team Mary into its seventh year.
The day Mary fell to her bathroom floor; she painted irises with her two sons. According to lore, the iris flower symbolizes faith and hope. It’s no surprise that the iris is a constant reminder of that bittersweet afternoon.
The Greater Connecticut Chapter will host its annual 2007 Travelers MS Walk on Sunday, April 22, at eight walk site locations across the state, including Cheshire, Clinton, Enfield, New London, Manchester, New London, Simsbury, West Hartford and West Haven. A ninth site, Woodstock, will host the MS Walk on Sunday, April 30.
Pre-registration for the 2007 Travelers MS Walk is FREE and preferred. To learn more about the Travelers MS Walk, please tune to WTNH News Channel 8/MY TV 9, Comcast Communications and 97.7 WCTY Country Favorites. Lunch will be provided courtesy of Subway and Coca Cola. WTNH News Channel 8 morning news anchor Darren Kramer will serve as grand marshal. To register online for the 2007 Travelers MS Walk, please go to http://www.ctnmss.org/ or call (860) 714.2300.
Hope Marches On For Connecticut Family
The freshly laundered bath towels barely provided a cushion as the young mother fell to a crumpled heap on her bathroom floor. Her legs, strong and sturdy for most of her life, seemed to have betrayed her. And it was clear: she was not getting up without help. Her husband, Jeff, wasn’t due home for another two hours, and the last thing she wanted to do was scare her two young sons, Shane and Jamie.
Setting aside the physical pain from the fall and the related bruise to her ego, Mary acted quickly. She called the boys to fetch her paints and the three spent the rest of the afternoon on the bathroom floor painting blue, purple and green-stemmed irises on the wall.
Shane, now 15, recalls that afternoon. “I was too young to know what really happened, but now that I’m older, I understand how my Mom was trying to protect me that day.”
Mary Smith, 45, a resident of South Windsor, Conn., was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1998 after a similar incident involving a fall.
“Initially, I wanted to protect my children from the diagnosis and the effects of my disease,” Mary said. “However, as time went on, I realized the importance of educating my sons about MS and its symptoms.”
The effects of multiple sclerosis quickly became more debilitating for Mary, and, as Shane and Jamie grew older, the boys oftentimes took on the role of caregivers. “I could only protect them for a brief time,” Mary said. “There was really no way to hide the fact that I couldn’t walk anymore.”
When Jamie left for college last fall, much of Mary’s daily care became Shane’s responsibility. Along with his classes and extracurricular activities as a sophomore at East Catholic High School in Manchester, Conn., Shane helps Mary with her medications, prepares meals and takes on extra chores, including laundry, gardening and caring for his dog, Spanky.
“It’s difficult for me now,” he said, as he lowered his gaze momentarily and looked toward his folded hands. “I feel like I have to be home more often to keep an eye on my Mom. I always have lots to do.”
According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and the United Hospital Fund, Shane is among the 1.4 million children aged 8 to 18 who provide care for an adult relative, of which 72 percent are caring for a parent or grandparent.
The Smith family turned to the National MS Society, Greater Connecticut Chapter shortly after her diagnosis for information, resources and helpful programs. The Smiths began building a network of friends who share a common life experience.
“As a family, we realized we needed to get more involved in helping to find a cure,” said Mary. “After everything the chapter did for us, it didn’t take long for us to become activists in the fight against MS.”
In 2000, the Smith family formed Team Mary, a five-person MS Walk team that is now a group of more than 200. Shane and Jamie are captains of Team Mary at the Manchester, Conn. walk site at Manchester Community College, alternating roles as captain for each year’s MS Walk. Over the past six years, Team Mary has raised more than $69,440 and is one of the top 10 walk teams in the state. In 2006, with Shane as captain, Team Mary raised $11,085 of which Shane raised $4,590 himself, placing him as the fourteenth top fundraiser in the state for the 2006 MS Walk.
To rally support, Shane and Jamie write letters to friends and family sharing their experiences over the past year.
“MS has really taken everything out of Mom,” read last year’s letter from Shane. “She spends most of her day in bed or in the wheelchair. She hates the loss of independence. I can’t blame her.”
“’Hope’ is our family motto,” Mary said, as she proudly pointed to the photos, paintings and pillows around her room that display the word. “All that we really have is hope. Hope for the strength to fight MS each day, and hope for a cure. Team Mary is an extension of that hope.”
The message of hope was clearly spelled out for the family soon after Jamie graduated from high school.
Jamie arrived home after spending an afternoon with his basketball teammates, and, to the shock of his parents, he lifted his shirt to display the word “hope” emblazoned in the form of a tattoo across his back. Mary laughs as she recalls Jamie’s excuse: “I thought you’d like it, Mom. I designed it myself!”
“I was surprised that Jamie got a tattoo,” Mary said. “But he could have chosen to get any tattoo he wanted. Instead, he immortalized my fight with MS on his body. His children and his grandchildren will know my story and the hope that he will always carry with him. Now, how could I be angry at him for that?”
Courage and hope in the face of adversity have propelled the Smiths to step forward since her fall nine years ago. Their friends and family continue to hold out hope for a cure and usher Team Mary into its seventh year.
The day Mary fell to her bathroom floor; she painted irises with her two sons. According to lore, the iris flower symbolizes faith and hope. It’s no surprise that the iris is a constant reminder of that bittersweet afternoon.
The Greater Connecticut Chapter will host its annual 2007 Travelers MS Walk on Sunday, April 22, at eight walk site locations across the state, including Cheshire, Clinton, Enfield, New London, Manchester, New London, Simsbury, West Hartford and West Haven. A ninth site, Woodstock, will host the MS Walk on Sunday, April 30.
Pre-registration for the 2007 Travelers MS Walk is FREE and preferred. To learn more about the Travelers MS Walk, please tune to WTNH News Channel 8/MY TV 9, Comcast Communications and 97.7 WCTY Country Favorites. Lunch will be provided courtesy of Subway and Coca Cola. WTNH News Channel 8 morning news anchor Darren Kramer will serve as grand marshal. To register online for the 2007 Travelers MS Walk, please go to http://www.ctnmss.org/ or call (860) 714.2300.
February 2007 Stories Part 4
February 2007 Stories Part 4 sponsored by:
Abraham Lincoln has no extended lineage to carry on his great name. He and his wife Mary Todd had four children. However, only the eldest, Robert Todd Lincoln, lived until adulthood and to marry. Robert had three children: Mary, Abraham and Jessie. Mary's only child, Lincoln Isham, had no children. Abraham lived from 1873 to 1890 and had no children. Jessie had two children, Mary Beckwith and Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith, neither of whom had any children.
There are so many things to love about Wallingford. Here are two.
The Mayor as a person.
I have been organizing the Wallingford Holiday Community Dinners for 26 years. It is not my main job, although sometimes I think so. Late in the evening on the day before Thanksgiving, Bill Dickinson, Mr. Mayor, always finds his way to my door. He asks if I have everything I need for the dinners. He takes out his check book and gives me a donation.
Then we sit down and talk about things that have happened to us during the year, the good and bad and hard and sad. The phones don’t ring. People don’t find us. We just sit and talk and laugh and sometimes cry. He asks what I think about some things and I tell him the truth, even when it isn’t always what he wants to hear. He does the same thing for me. The main thing that we have in common is that we both love what we do, and know we have been called to do it. We might not love everything that goes along with it, but we love what we do. He can’t imagine cooking all these turkeys and I can’t imagine being Mayor. I really look forward to his visit the night before Thanksgiving. We have a joke now about which one of us will retire first. As our talk winds down, and we give each other a hug goodbye, one of us always says, “you thinking about retiring anytime soon?” And the night ends with a wink and a smile.
The People of Wallingford
I don’t think I have ever known a more generous people than those in Wallingford. Miracles often appear at my office door, sometimes before I even know I will need them! In the 26 years of organizing the Wallingford Holiday Community Dinners, we have never run short of food. As the dinners have expanded to include, adopting families, delivering meals to the homebound; the volunteers and the food and monetary gifts always come through. I have been blessed by the generosity of spirits I have seen in everyone who participates. When I need more money, your purses open. When I need more hands, yours are always there. We serve more than 2500 people annually! One person doesn’t do that. A community does. The hearts and hands of Wallingford make it happen. Thank you.
Parents & Kids Foundation, Inc.
Nancy Freyberg, Executive Cheerleader – Master Dreamer
101 No. Plains Industrial Road, Wallingford, Ct. 06492 203-284-8299
http://www.jpnancy.com/ lavendermoon47@yahoo.com
The Good Wife’s Guide Then and Now
By Priscilla Reynolds
THE GOOD WIFE'S GUIDE believed to be published in "Housekeeping Monthly” circa 1955
Written under these original excerpts are Sil’s comments.
OK WHEN YOU GUYS STOP LAUGHING LONG ENOUGH TO PICK YOURSELF OFF THE FLOOR, Read THIS TO ALL THE WOMEN YOU KNOW SO THEY CAN HAVE A GOOD LAUGH TOO.
THE GOOD WIFE'S GUIDE believed to be published in "Housekeeping Monthly” circa 1955
Written under these original excerpts are Sil’s comments.
OK WHEN YOU GUYS STOP LAUGHING LONG ENOUGH TO PICK YOURSELF OFF THE FLOOR, Read THIS TO ALL THE WOMEN YOU KNOW SO THEY CAN HAVE A GOOD LAUGH TOO.
"Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal (especially his favorite dish) is part of the warm welcome needed."
Sil's comment: Such wonderful nostalgia! It would be a saving grace in marriages today if the man or the woman thought of the other's favorite meal (perhaps two times a week) instead of gulping down left overs or fast food en route to their children's activities.
"Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people!"
Sil's comment: I can remember my Mother, back in the 1940's, retreating to her bedroom to change into a flattering dress before Dad arrived. The role of the female is much more in the workplace these days. It never hurts to remember the past and attempt to be considerate and clean when welcoming the person home, male or female.
"Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it."
Sil's comment: Again, this goes both ways. Love and intimacy are a two person obligation in marriage. Being optimistic is more important than trying always to please.
"Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives."
Sil's comment: Teach the children to help. Either husband or wife needs the same consideration.
"Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper etc. and then run a dust cloth over the tables."
Sil's comment: Teach the children to help. Either husband or wife needs the same consideration.
"Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper etc. and then run a dust cloth over the tables."
Sil's comment: Everyone enjoys a neat home but this is not always possible. In many families both parents work outside the home. Clearing up the clutter means there is cooperation in the family. Learning to forgive the harrassed person at home creates harmony and respect.
"Over the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering for his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction."
Sil's comment: Times have changed. Many homes today have no fireplaces or wood stoves. Couples find ways to provide comfort, each for the other. Often each person lets the other know his or her good intentions and there is mutual satisfaction.
"Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair and, if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part. Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet."
Sil's comment: Wouldn't this be wonderful for the homecoming of either man or woman? These are rules that could bring peace of mind to anyone's dinner table.
"Be happy to see him."
Sil's comment: Try to be happy. In some cases, it's necessary to forgive each other. Don't let the sun go down without attempting to right the wrong.
"Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him."
Sil's comment: This is a repeat of "Be happy to see him," and sounds phony. Often our spouses are scape goats for the calamities throughout the day. Wipe the slate clean. Show genuine love.
"Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first-remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours."
Sil's comments: The female is no longer subservient to the male. However, both parties need to listen more than complain.
"Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or goes out to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his very real need to be at home and relax."
Sil's comments: WOW! The female would not be human if she followed the above,--and thus, the male missed out in the end.
"Your goal: Try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquility where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit."
Sil's comments: Wouldn't it make more sense to make ourselves more peaceful and tranquil, each for the other?
"Don't greet him with complaints and problems."
Sil's comments: This is a repeat of "Listen to him." Please listen to each other and try to cease complaining.
"Don't complain if he's late home for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through that day."
Sil's comments: RIDICULOUS! There are exceptions for being ridiculous, such as, having a tour of duty in Iraq.
"Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or have him lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him."
Sil's comments: Jobs can be difficult. Each person needs a warm welcome and genuine kindness from the people he or she loves.
"Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice."
Sil's comments: Let's hope every couple has moments like this.
"Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him."
Sil's comments: When was this written--1955? I can't remember having any of the above thoughts. This must have been written by a male chauvinist.
"A good wife always knows her place."
Sil: SO SHOULD A GOOD HUSBAND!
Did You Know?
Groundhogs belong to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. While most marmots live in the mountains, groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are actually lowland creatures, hence the reason many people have seen or can recognize a groundhog at first glance. Another reason for that is the groundhog's prevalence in popular culture, particularly that of North America. Each year, in both the United States and Canada, Groundhog Day is celebrated. Traditionally the day serves to determine how long winter will last. If the groundhog sees his shadow, that means there will be six more weeks of winter. If not, that means winter will end shortly. Different regions of the country boast different local prognosticating groundhogs, the most notable of which is Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil. While the earliest American reference to Groundhog Day dates back to the mid-nineteenth century, the holiday actually extends back several centuries into German and French folklore. Perhaps the holiday's ability to withstand the test of time is a testament to the physical strength of the groundhog. Known for its cute and cuddly appearance, the groundhog is actually quite strong. Exceptional burrowers, groundhogs are said to move 700 pounds of dirt when digging a burrow.
Did You Know?
Did You Know?
Groundhogs belong to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. While most marmots live in the mountains, groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are actually lowland creatures, hence the reason many people have seen or can recognize a groundhog at first glance. Another reason for that is the groundhog's prevalence in popular culture, particularly that of North America. Each year, in both the United States and Canada, Groundhog Day is celebrated. Traditionally the day serves to determine how long winter will last. If the groundhog sees his shadow, that means there will be six more weeks of winter. If not, that means winter will end shortly. Different regions of the country boast different local prognosticating groundhogs, the most notable of which is Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil. While the earliest American reference to Groundhog Day dates back to the mid-nineteenth century, the holiday actually extends back several centuries into German and French folklore. Perhaps the holiday's ability to withstand the test of time is a testament to the physical strength of the groundhog. Known for its cute and cuddly appearance, the groundhog is actually quite strong. Exceptional burrowers, groundhogs are said to move 700 pounds of dirt when digging a burrow.
Did You Know?
Abraham Lincoln has no extended lineage to carry on his great name. He and his wife Mary Todd had four children. However, only the eldest, Robert Todd Lincoln, lived until adulthood and to marry. Robert had three children: Mary, Abraham and Jessie. Mary's only child, Lincoln Isham, had no children. Abraham lived from 1873 to 1890 and had no children. Jessie had two children, Mary Beckwith and Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith, neither of whom had any children.
There are so many things to love about Wallingford. Here are two.
The Mayor as a person.
I have been organizing the Wallingford Holiday Community Dinners for 26 years. It is not my main job, although sometimes I think so. Late in the evening on the day before Thanksgiving, Bill Dickinson, Mr. Mayor, always finds his way to my door. He asks if I have everything I need for the dinners. He takes out his check book and gives me a donation.
Then we sit down and talk about things that have happened to us during the year, the good and bad and hard and sad. The phones don’t ring. People don’t find us. We just sit and talk and laugh and sometimes cry. He asks what I think about some things and I tell him the truth, even when it isn’t always what he wants to hear. He does the same thing for me. The main thing that we have in common is that we both love what we do, and know we have been called to do it. We might not love everything that goes along with it, but we love what we do. He can’t imagine cooking all these turkeys and I can’t imagine being Mayor. I really look forward to his visit the night before Thanksgiving. We have a joke now about which one of us will retire first. As our talk winds down, and we give each other a hug goodbye, one of us always says, “you thinking about retiring anytime soon?” And the night ends with a wink and a smile.
The People of Wallingford
I don’t think I have ever known a more generous people than those in Wallingford. Miracles often appear at my office door, sometimes before I even know I will need them! In the 26 years of organizing the Wallingford Holiday Community Dinners, we have never run short of food. As the dinners have expanded to include, adopting families, delivering meals to the homebound; the volunteers and the food and monetary gifts always come through. I have been blessed by the generosity of spirits I have seen in everyone who participates. When I need more money, your purses open. When I need more hands, yours are always there. We serve more than 2500 people annually! One person doesn’t do that. A community does. The hearts and hands of Wallingford make it happen. Thank you.
Parents & Kids Foundation, Inc.
Nancy Freyberg, Executive Cheerleader – Master Dreamer
101 No. Plains Industrial Road, Wallingford, Ct. 06492 203-284-8299
http://www.jpnancy.com/ lavendermoon47@yahoo.com
February 2007 Stories Part 5
February 2007 Stories Part 5 sponsored by:
Since nursery school, everyday Tommy would come home and the first thing he would want to play with was his legos, building and creating new objects with imagination, talent and patience.
Building blocks were always a fun thing for him. In later years, he was able to build pretty much anything with lego building blocks. But now that Tommy is in middle school, his building techniques went into animation talent, simply by using a program on the home computer, a program I never thought existed.
He combined his love for building blocks into animated, short films. My rule is no computer, but Tommy was up to something one day and I went to see what it was. He took his love and talent with legos, and combined that with his knowledge of technology, making short, two minute, animated lego films.
Thinking he was in trouble for being on the computer, I asked him to show me what he was doing on the computer. The look in his face was "Oh no, I'm in trouble now". But when he showed me, I was in complete amazement. I watched a short clip movie he created and animated with legos that he built, moving, second by second, with voice background and color animation. Then it was more amazing seeing how he wrote his own credits, like watching one of those short clips you usually see before you watch a feature film at the movies. I couldn't believe my eyes and I was more then proud of discovering a talent my son has.
In end, Tommy didn't get in trouble, but was encouraged to exercise his talent more. At 11 1/2 years old, 6th grade student, I am amazed at how much a child really knows about technology, especially my child. More so as a parent, I am more amazed of what my son can do on the computer, without accessing the intranet, making short animated films with legos.
I want to tell Tommy that we VERY impressed, proud and if when he gets older, if animation film making is what you want to do, GO FOR IT!!
A Journey to London
By Beth Vumbaco
This past December a friend of mine, Kate Poniatowski, invited me to her daughter, Heather Williams’ graduation at Le Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts in London, England. I have always been interested in that part of the world, especially the royal heritage, the amazing architecture, and the rich and long history. So about ten seconds after Kate’s invitation I said, “Yes, I’ll go” and we were on our way. While my trip included plenty of sightseeing, I was blessed with new friendships I did not anticipate.
We left JFK at 7:30 p.m. for the 6-hour flight. Neither of us slept a wink (more from excitement than fear of flying). It was my first trip to Europe and the plane was huge. Over 400 people of all nationalities were on board. It was still dark when we landed at 6:30 a.m. We cleared customs in 10 minutes, only to wait over an hour for luggage. Our taxi driver, Paul, was generous in sharing information about Great Britain (though I was so terrified of the taxi driving on the opposite side of the highway, I can barely recall a thing he said)!
Ed and Ann Carr (formerly from Meriden) were our hosts for the week. Ann is Kate’s sister and the Carr’s have a lovely home in Leatherhead, south of London. The Carrs previously lived in Dubai, on the Persian Gulf in the Middle East, and their home is filled with memories of the culture they deeply enjoyed.
Ann teaches in a private school and is a positive mentor to both parents and students. She is an open, heartwarming woman who loves life and puts everyone around her at ease. We have an instant kinship through humor and compassion. By the end of my visit I realize that while the trip was great, the Carr family is wonderful – my papers for them to adopt me are in the mail.
Captain Ed Carr graduated from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He loved being a ship captain and he thrives in every new challenge in his shipping career. He is a brilliant man of high achievement. I thoroughly enjoyed the many stimulating conversations we shared.
The Carr’s children, Ed and Helen, attend college in Connecticut and Massachusetts. I feel like I know them and look forward to meeting them.
We decided the best way to handle jet lag was to stay up. Once we settled in at the Carr residence, we took the train to London. An all day train fare is $19 American. The ride from Leatherhead to London was delightful! It was fascinating to see the countryside vanish as the urban city approached. Looking down on all the chimneys, we expected to see Mary Poppins around the next bend. Commuting and touristing is serious business. You have to stay focused on where you are going, lest the crowd push you in the wrong direction. Anyone who has ever been in London’s subways have the phase “mind the gap” ringing in their ears. Some of the gaps between the subway doors and station floors are scary!
The first thing you notice wherever you go in England is that the British are thin. If you see someone heavy, it is most likely an American tourist. People in London walk a lot! Ironically, the second thing you notice is that many British smoke. Many pubs have a cloud of smoke by noon, and it was concerning seeing infants in strollers and small children exposed to thick second hand smoke at mealtimes.
The goal of our first day in London was to get a feel for the city itself – so we walked and walked and walked starting from the Piccadilly Square area to St. James Park to Buckingham Palace. The British people were friendly and patient in responding to tourists questions. If mentioning the U.S., the British are quick to offer their strong distaste for President Bush and the British Prime Minister Blair.
The days were crisp and grey, usually 45-50º F, but over our entire week it never rained! One evening we were drawn to a store where “papaparatzi” with cameras had to wait at the door. Kate and I toured the store not for its pricey fashion, but to discover its star shopper. We concluded it was London’s top fashion model that was hiding her size 4 statuesque figure in a fur coat that made her appear to be a linebacker. Every red-blooded American woman has to experience Harrods where we browsed seven floors of unique gifts and clothing that so few can afford! We also ventured into Christie’s Auction House and a live auction. It was amazing to see people casually bidding tens of thousands of dollars on furniture and home decorations.
We were awake a full 33 hours by the time we enjoyed dinner at the Carr home and promptly fell asleep shortly after.
On Wednesday, we experienced the Double Decker Sightseeing Buses. The view from the top open seating section was wonderful! The bus gave our feet a chance to rest and the chilly wind put pink in our cheeks. Traffic in London can only be described as horrific so we quickly learned that walking and the subway were far more efficient.
Madam Tussauds Wax Museum did not disappoint. The wax figure of Queen Elizabeth was perfect; you expect her to breathe at any moment. After sitting with George Clooney, we signed up as Captain Jack Sparrow’s crew. “Chamber Live” was an unforgettable experience as people dressed as goblins scared us at each turn, and we clung to each other for courage as well as protection.
Parliament is both a building as well as a political institution. Politically, there are two distinct houses – Commons and Lords, which balance power between the monarchy and Parliament. Security is very tight and we were frisked several times before enjoying Parliament in session. As a building, Parliament is still officially a royal palace, although Henry VIII was the last resident.
The clock tower, known as Big Ben began telling time in 1859. The name Big Ben actually refers to the bell housed within the clock tower. We adored the beauty of the clock tower and have many photos to prove it. Our favorite photo was taken at night.
Westminster Abby is both a house of God and a house of kings. It holds a thousand years of history. We are in awe of every nook and cranny; we could easily spend the entire week there. The Abbey was founded in 960 AD as a Benedictine Monastery. William the Conqueror was crowned here in 1066. King Edward I had an oak coronation chair built in 1301 that has been used at every coronation since. It is here that Queen Elizabeth was crowned on June 2, 1953. Over 3300 people are buried in the church and cloisters including writers Chaucer, Dickens, Browning, Kipling, Tennyson, and also actor Laurence Olivier.
A catamaran cruise provided us a leisurely cruise on the Thames River. This helped us recognize bridges and popular tourist locations. Most surprising was the recently built London City Hall, a huge oval entirely of glass which appears oblivious to the historical buildings around it.
On Sunday, we arrived at St. Paul’s Cathedral just in time for the service. The Cathedral took 35 years to build and is 300 years old. It is very humbling and spiritual to participate in a service under the same 364-foot dome where Charles and Diana were married. While the Cathedral was crowded, we were amazed to be seated in the front row near the Men’s Choir.
After the service, we walked to the Tower of London which is over 900 years old! This is one of the most popular attractions for who can resist tales of torture, murder and beheadings! Guides dressed as Beefeaters provide tales of the many people found guilty of treason, as well as other royal gossip. The Tower of London actually has 20 towers in total and served as a palace and armory. The chapel on the grounds still has weekly services. The Medieval Palace of the Tower was residence to many kings and queens, as well as being a fortress.
The Jewel House of the Tower of London protects an amazing collection of gem-studded crowns, orbs and scepters. Pieces from the 14th century until today are breathtaking, especially the 530 carat Cullinan 1 diamond which sits on a monarch’s scepter.
While women enjoy the gem collection, men are drawn to the equally impressive collection of weapons and armor housed in the White Tower. This is the original Tower of London, protecting William the Conqueror around 1080. Ravens roam free and several have permanent residence at the Tower of London because of the belief “if the ravens leave, the tower will fall.”
We easily walked 8-10 miles per day and particularly enjoyed walking along the bank of the Thames River, day and night. The Millennium Mile was our favorite walk, and takes less than 30 minutes. The walk begins at the Big Ben clock tower adjacent to the House of Parliament. Crossing the Westminster Bridge, you find yourself looking in all directions at the amazing views. Following the South Bank, we were dwarfed by the London Eye, a 450-foot Ferris wheel that promises an unforgettable view of London. We experienced the British Airways London Eye at night. The line was huge but each spoke “room” holds 40 people easily. As the world’s tallest observation wheel, the slow moving ride takes a full hour to go full circle. It is breathtaking! Further down the walk are the Tate Modern Art Museum and the Millennium Bridge which opened in 2000. It was a surprise to learn that London Bridge now resides in Arizona!
On Saturday we visited Hampton Court Palace, the most magnificent Tudor building in Britain. Henry VIII was the first king to own the palace and he embellished it in honor of his second wife, Anne Boleyn before she lost his favor and was beheaded. Costumed guides help relive history as tours are given. It is awesome to view the magnificent tapestries and furnishings.
The palace gardens cover 60 acres of magnificent greenery including a maze. Of particular note is the conservation of over 400 “yew” trees planted by Queen Anne in 1703 which are 300 years old. On a daily basis, gardeners collect the yew tree bark and observe the trees for signs of disease or damage. Yew tree bark contains the chemical component that makes Tamoxifin. This medication is used to reduce the chance of breast cancer in women at risk.
It was interesting to learn from a guard that an endangered species of spider lives in the top floor of the palace apartments. Staff follows the guidelines of the National Wildlife Protection Agency to ensure the safety of these spiders who feast on mites and dust.
December is not the time of year to enjoy the splendor of London’s gardens, yet it is easy to see why these open green spaces with water fountains and statues are a great pride to England. Some flowers were also still in bloom.
We strolled through Kensington Gardens which cover 275 acres. It is a magnificent setting for gardens, fountains, statues and memorials. A seven-mile memorial walk includes Kensington and passes through Hyde Park, Green Park and St. James Park. Just west of Kensington Gardens is a street called Kensington Palace Gardens. In the heart of embassy land, this street is a half mile long and is referred to as “Billionaires Row” because many very rich people live there.
Kensington Palace has elegant gardens and was home to Queens from Mary to Victoria. From 1981 until her death, Diana, Princess of Wales and her sons, Prince William and Prince Henry lived in apartments 8 and 9 of Kensington Palace.
Our last night in London was at the very posh Four Seasons for the graduation dinner beginning with a champagne cocktail hour, leading to more food than we eat at Thanksgiving, and meeting graduates from various parts of the world.
The highlight of the trip actually occurred at Heather’s graduation when Kate’s eyes filled with tears of pride as Heather was awarded her diploma. Heather had worked hard during the past nine months and gained many friends in addition to her cooking skills. Thank you Kate for the opportunity to visit England and share your family!
Thirty Days into 2007
Well almost; here it is Monday morning, back to work! It’s the last full week of January, where has the time gone? And still no snow, I’m not complaining like some others because when we get it, it’ll be another story, if you know what I mean! This has been a winter to write home about, no precipitation, moderate temperatures, in fact I a few weeks ago I had to rush out to get my fishing license; remember back to the 6th of the month, I do, 65-70° weather, I spent 5 hours trout fishing in the Trout Management area on the Salmon River in Colchester; I had a few good nibbles, didn’t land anything, it was a joy to get out so early in the year for a relaxing afternoon.
Last weekend had Monday off so my wife and I planned a ‘theatrical’ weekend in NYC. The real incentive was an offer from a hotel we’ve stayed in previously offering some decent rates for a two-day stay. Plus they offered a discount for AARP members which made it really attractive. We did a Saturday to Monday trip. I had previously booked two shows, BUTLEY with Nathan Lane and REGRETS ONLY with Christine Baranski. We did some shopping, went to a new store, the M&M store, yes a store dedicated to this icon of ‘sweetoothers’ worldwide. We did buy some of the delectable discs in colors that matched the theme for our granddaughter’s upcoming birthday party. Pale blue and white for her Wizard of Oz theme. We also moseyed over to Tiffany’s, a bit late for breakfast but found plenty of foreign tourists there, I guess the strong Euro and Pound etc. with the weak dollar make their wares attractive to the Euro traveler. Didn’t do any typical tourist stuff, had lunch at a couple of different pubs, dinner at a ‘fav’ place and found a new eatery in Chelsea, recommended by a NYC native. We did our usual Metro-North thing, parking in New Haven. Saw the skeleton of the NH Coliseum, bid it farewell. All in all, we had a very nice time, relaxing and fun.
So, now after the NFL playoffs I guess we’ll bombarded with adverts for the Super Bowl, nowadays it seems that the ancillary events leading up to and during the ‘game’ (I hope it is a good one) are of more interest than the scrimmage itself. Look at the money spent on the commercials; I have to admit I do enjoy some of the creative offerings but the hype prior to the game, in my opinion, is a bit much. I don’t think just because I disagree with the saturation ads they’re going to change on my account, but venting is somewhat Well, New England lost, Chicago won, I guess I’ll root for Chicago, have a good friend, my Army roommate, who lives there, one of the few people I know who actually has a Chicago address.
Although, I’m also a fan of Peyton Manning; appears I’m in a bit of a conundrum, but I’m pretty flexible so no big deal. My major loyalty will be with Chicago, and like I stated earlier, I hope the game is as good as the Pats and Colts contest.
As the month winds down, looking forward to my granddaughter’s 4th birthday party; can’t believe how time flies. A lot of ‘stuff’ has transpired since before she was born up until now. As the saying goes, ‘that’s life’; I guess we should just be thankful we have what we have and make the most of each day. In a few days the end of the month is upon us and February roars in, hopefully with not too much negative weather. There’s lots of activity for me coming up; and so it goes. Until next time, I bid you peace.
Ernie Larsen - 1/22/07
Never underestimate the hi-tech knowledge of a child and their talents
TOMMY GRIFFIN, 6TH GRADE OF DAG MIDDLE SCHOOL WALLINGFORD...THE NEXT GENERATION OF ANIMATED FILM PRODUCERS
Well almost; here it is Monday morning, back to work! It’s the last full week of January, where has the time gone? And still no snow, I’m not complaining like some others because when we get it, it’ll be another story, if you know what I mean! This has been a winter to write home about, no precipitation, moderate temperatures, in fact I a few weeks ago I had to rush out to get my fishing license; remember back to the 6th of the month, I do, 65-70° weather, I spent 5 hours trout fishing in the Trout Management area on the Salmon River in Colchester; I had a few good nibbles, didn’t land anything, it was a joy to get out so early in the year for a relaxing afternoon.
Last weekend had Monday off so my wife and I planned a ‘theatrical’ weekend in NYC. The real incentive was an offer from a hotel we’ve stayed in previously offering some decent rates for a two-day stay. Plus they offered a discount for AARP members which made it really attractive. We did a Saturday to Monday trip. I had previously booked two shows, BUTLEY with Nathan Lane and REGRETS ONLY with Christine Baranski. We did some shopping, went to a new store, the M&M store, yes a store dedicated to this icon of ‘sweetoothers’ worldwide. We did buy some of the delectable discs in colors that matched the theme for our granddaughter’s upcoming birthday party. Pale blue and white for her Wizard of Oz theme. We also moseyed over to Tiffany’s, a bit late for breakfast but found plenty of foreign tourists there, I guess the strong Euro and Pound etc. with the weak dollar make their wares attractive to the Euro traveler. Didn’t do any typical tourist stuff, had lunch at a couple of different pubs, dinner at a ‘fav’ place and found a new eatery in Chelsea, recommended by a NYC native. We did our usual Metro-North thing, parking in New Haven. Saw the skeleton of the NH Coliseum, bid it farewell. All in all, we had a very nice time, relaxing and fun.
So, now after the NFL playoffs I guess we’ll bombarded with adverts for the Super Bowl, nowadays it seems that the ancillary events leading up to and during the ‘game’ (I hope it is a good one) are of more interest than the scrimmage itself. Look at the money spent on the commercials; I have to admit I do enjoy some of the creative offerings but the hype prior to the game, in my opinion, is a bit much. I don’t think just because I disagree with the saturation ads they’re going to change on my account, but venting is somewhat Well, New England lost, Chicago won, I guess I’ll root for Chicago, have a good friend, my Army roommate, who lives there, one of the few people I know who actually has a Chicago address.
Although, I’m also a fan of Peyton Manning; appears I’m in a bit of a conundrum, but I’m pretty flexible so no big deal. My major loyalty will be with Chicago, and like I stated earlier, I hope the game is as good as the Pats and Colts contest.
As the month winds down, looking forward to my granddaughter’s 4th birthday party; can’t believe how time flies. A lot of ‘stuff’ has transpired since before she was born up until now. As the saying goes, ‘that’s life’; I guess we should just be thankful we have what we have and make the most of each day. In a few days the end of the month is upon us and February roars in, hopefully with not too much negative weather. There’s lots of activity for me coming up; and so it goes. Until next time, I bid you peace.
Ernie Larsen - 1/22/07
Never underestimate the hi-tech knowledge of a child and their talents
TOMMY GRIFFIN, 6TH GRADE OF DAG MIDDLE SCHOOL WALLINGFORD...THE NEXT GENERATION OF ANIMATED FILM PRODUCERS
Since nursery school, everyday Tommy would come home and the first thing he would want to play with was his legos, building and creating new objects with imagination, talent and patience.
Building blocks were always a fun thing for him. In later years, he was able to build pretty much anything with lego building blocks. But now that Tommy is in middle school, his building techniques went into animation talent, simply by using a program on the home computer, a program I never thought existed.
He combined his love for building blocks into animated, short films. My rule is no computer, but Tommy was up to something one day and I went to see what it was. He took his love and talent with legos, and combined that with his knowledge of technology, making short, two minute, animated lego films.
Thinking he was in trouble for being on the computer, I asked him to show me what he was doing on the computer. The look in his face was "Oh no, I'm in trouble now". But when he showed me, I was in complete amazement. I watched a short clip movie he created and animated with legos that he built, moving, second by second, with voice background and color animation. Then it was more amazing seeing how he wrote his own credits, like watching one of those short clips you usually see before you watch a feature film at the movies. I couldn't believe my eyes and I was more then proud of discovering a talent my son has.
In end, Tommy didn't get in trouble, but was encouraged to exercise his talent more. At 11 1/2 years old, 6th grade student, I am amazed at how much a child really knows about technology, especially my child. More so as a parent, I am more amazed of what my son can do on the computer, without accessing the intranet, making short animated films with legos.
I want to tell Tommy that we VERY impressed, proud and if when he gets older, if animation film making is what you want to do, GO FOR IT!!
A Journey to London
By Beth Vumbaco
This past December a friend of mine, Kate Poniatowski, invited me to her daughter, Heather Williams’ graduation at Le Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts in London, England. I have always been interested in that part of the world, especially the royal heritage, the amazing architecture, and the rich and long history. So about ten seconds after Kate’s invitation I said, “Yes, I’ll go” and we were on our way. While my trip included plenty of sightseeing, I was blessed with new friendships I did not anticipate.
We left JFK at 7:30 p.m. for the 6-hour flight. Neither of us slept a wink (more from excitement than fear of flying). It was my first trip to Europe and the plane was huge. Over 400 people of all nationalities were on board. It was still dark when we landed at 6:30 a.m. We cleared customs in 10 minutes, only to wait over an hour for luggage. Our taxi driver, Paul, was generous in sharing information about Great Britain (though I was so terrified of the taxi driving on the opposite side of the highway, I can barely recall a thing he said)!
Ed and Ann Carr (formerly from Meriden) were our hosts for the week. Ann is Kate’s sister and the Carr’s have a lovely home in Leatherhead, south of London. The Carrs previously lived in Dubai, on the Persian Gulf in the Middle East, and their home is filled with memories of the culture they deeply enjoyed.
Ann teaches in a private school and is a positive mentor to both parents and students. She is an open, heartwarming woman who loves life and puts everyone around her at ease. We have an instant kinship through humor and compassion. By the end of my visit I realize that while the trip was great, the Carr family is wonderful – my papers for them to adopt me are in the mail.
Captain Ed Carr graduated from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He loved being a ship captain and he thrives in every new challenge in his shipping career. He is a brilliant man of high achievement. I thoroughly enjoyed the many stimulating conversations we shared.
The Carr’s children, Ed and Helen, attend college in Connecticut and Massachusetts. I feel like I know them and look forward to meeting them.
We decided the best way to handle jet lag was to stay up. Once we settled in at the Carr residence, we took the train to London. An all day train fare is $19 American. The ride from Leatherhead to London was delightful! It was fascinating to see the countryside vanish as the urban city approached. Looking down on all the chimneys, we expected to see Mary Poppins around the next bend. Commuting and touristing is serious business. You have to stay focused on where you are going, lest the crowd push you in the wrong direction. Anyone who has ever been in London’s subways have the phase “mind the gap” ringing in their ears. Some of the gaps between the subway doors and station floors are scary!
The first thing you notice wherever you go in England is that the British are thin. If you see someone heavy, it is most likely an American tourist. People in London walk a lot! Ironically, the second thing you notice is that many British smoke. Many pubs have a cloud of smoke by noon, and it was concerning seeing infants in strollers and small children exposed to thick second hand smoke at mealtimes.
The goal of our first day in London was to get a feel for the city itself – so we walked and walked and walked starting from the Piccadilly Square area to St. James Park to Buckingham Palace. The British people were friendly and patient in responding to tourists questions. If mentioning the U.S., the British are quick to offer their strong distaste for President Bush and the British Prime Minister Blair.
The days were crisp and grey, usually 45-50º F, but over our entire week it never rained! One evening we were drawn to a store where “papaparatzi” with cameras had to wait at the door. Kate and I toured the store not for its pricey fashion, but to discover its star shopper. We concluded it was London’s top fashion model that was hiding her size 4 statuesque figure in a fur coat that made her appear to be a linebacker. Every red-blooded American woman has to experience Harrods where we browsed seven floors of unique gifts and clothing that so few can afford! We also ventured into Christie’s Auction House and a live auction. It was amazing to see people casually bidding tens of thousands of dollars on furniture and home decorations.
We were awake a full 33 hours by the time we enjoyed dinner at the Carr home and promptly fell asleep shortly after.
On Wednesday, we experienced the Double Decker Sightseeing Buses. The view from the top open seating section was wonderful! The bus gave our feet a chance to rest and the chilly wind put pink in our cheeks. Traffic in London can only be described as horrific so we quickly learned that walking and the subway were far more efficient.
Madam Tussauds Wax Museum did not disappoint. The wax figure of Queen Elizabeth was perfect; you expect her to breathe at any moment. After sitting with George Clooney, we signed up as Captain Jack Sparrow’s crew. “Chamber Live” was an unforgettable experience as people dressed as goblins scared us at each turn, and we clung to each other for courage as well as protection.
Parliament is both a building as well as a political institution. Politically, there are two distinct houses – Commons and Lords, which balance power between the monarchy and Parliament. Security is very tight and we were frisked several times before enjoying Parliament in session. As a building, Parliament is still officially a royal palace, although Henry VIII was the last resident.
The clock tower, known as Big Ben began telling time in 1859. The name Big Ben actually refers to the bell housed within the clock tower. We adored the beauty of the clock tower and have many photos to prove it. Our favorite photo was taken at night.
Westminster Abby is both a house of God and a house of kings. It holds a thousand years of history. We are in awe of every nook and cranny; we could easily spend the entire week there. The Abbey was founded in 960 AD as a Benedictine Monastery. William the Conqueror was crowned here in 1066. King Edward I had an oak coronation chair built in 1301 that has been used at every coronation since. It is here that Queen Elizabeth was crowned on June 2, 1953. Over 3300 people are buried in the church and cloisters including writers Chaucer, Dickens, Browning, Kipling, Tennyson, and also actor Laurence Olivier.
A catamaran cruise provided us a leisurely cruise on the Thames River. This helped us recognize bridges and popular tourist locations. Most surprising was the recently built London City Hall, a huge oval entirely of glass which appears oblivious to the historical buildings around it.
On Sunday, we arrived at St. Paul’s Cathedral just in time for the service. The Cathedral took 35 years to build and is 300 years old. It is very humbling and spiritual to participate in a service under the same 364-foot dome where Charles and Diana were married. While the Cathedral was crowded, we were amazed to be seated in the front row near the Men’s Choir.
After the service, we walked to the Tower of London which is over 900 years old! This is one of the most popular attractions for who can resist tales of torture, murder and beheadings! Guides dressed as Beefeaters provide tales of the many people found guilty of treason, as well as other royal gossip. The Tower of London actually has 20 towers in total and served as a palace and armory. The chapel on the grounds still has weekly services. The Medieval Palace of the Tower was residence to many kings and queens, as well as being a fortress.
The Jewel House of the Tower of London protects an amazing collection of gem-studded crowns, orbs and scepters. Pieces from the 14th century until today are breathtaking, especially the 530 carat Cullinan 1 diamond which sits on a monarch’s scepter.
While women enjoy the gem collection, men are drawn to the equally impressive collection of weapons and armor housed in the White Tower. This is the original Tower of London, protecting William the Conqueror around 1080. Ravens roam free and several have permanent residence at the Tower of London because of the belief “if the ravens leave, the tower will fall.”
We easily walked 8-10 miles per day and particularly enjoyed walking along the bank of the Thames River, day and night. The Millennium Mile was our favorite walk, and takes less than 30 minutes. The walk begins at the Big Ben clock tower adjacent to the House of Parliament. Crossing the Westminster Bridge, you find yourself looking in all directions at the amazing views. Following the South Bank, we were dwarfed by the London Eye, a 450-foot Ferris wheel that promises an unforgettable view of London. We experienced the British Airways London Eye at night. The line was huge but each spoke “room” holds 40 people easily. As the world’s tallest observation wheel, the slow moving ride takes a full hour to go full circle. It is breathtaking! Further down the walk are the Tate Modern Art Museum and the Millennium Bridge which opened in 2000. It was a surprise to learn that London Bridge now resides in Arizona!
On Saturday we visited Hampton Court Palace, the most magnificent Tudor building in Britain. Henry VIII was the first king to own the palace and he embellished it in honor of his second wife, Anne Boleyn before she lost his favor and was beheaded. Costumed guides help relive history as tours are given. It is awesome to view the magnificent tapestries and furnishings.
The palace gardens cover 60 acres of magnificent greenery including a maze. Of particular note is the conservation of over 400 “yew” trees planted by Queen Anne in 1703 which are 300 years old. On a daily basis, gardeners collect the yew tree bark and observe the trees for signs of disease or damage. Yew tree bark contains the chemical component that makes Tamoxifin. This medication is used to reduce the chance of breast cancer in women at risk.
It was interesting to learn from a guard that an endangered species of spider lives in the top floor of the palace apartments. Staff follows the guidelines of the National Wildlife Protection Agency to ensure the safety of these spiders who feast on mites and dust.
December is not the time of year to enjoy the splendor of London’s gardens, yet it is easy to see why these open green spaces with water fountains and statues are a great pride to England. Some flowers were also still in bloom.
We strolled through Kensington Gardens which cover 275 acres. It is a magnificent setting for gardens, fountains, statues and memorials. A seven-mile memorial walk includes Kensington and passes through Hyde Park, Green Park and St. James Park. Just west of Kensington Gardens is a street called Kensington Palace Gardens. In the heart of embassy land, this street is a half mile long and is referred to as “Billionaires Row” because many very rich people live there.
Kensington Palace has elegant gardens and was home to Queens from Mary to Victoria. From 1981 until her death, Diana, Princess of Wales and her sons, Prince William and Prince Henry lived in apartments 8 and 9 of Kensington Palace.
Our last night in London was at the very posh Four Seasons for the graduation dinner beginning with a champagne cocktail hour, leading to more food than we eat at Thanksgiving, and meeting graduates from various parts of the world.
The highlight of the trip actually occurred at Heather’s graduation when Kate’s eyes filled with tears of pride as Heather was awarded her diploma. Heather had worked hard during the past nine months and gained many friends in addition to her cooking skills. Thank you Kate for the opportunity to visit England and share your family!
February 2007 Stories Part 6
February 2007 Stories Part 6 sponsored by:
ANGEL WINGS
By Cathy Short
Wings as soft as down
The angelic being brings forth
a beam of light,
As I suddenly feel
a gentle brush on my cheek
and light and beauty
surround me.
All the colors of a rainbow
glistening around the angel,
feeling safe and secure
with her presence.
No fear enters here,
only love, peace and joy
realizing the reign of angels
is closer than I thought.
The angel spoke softly in a singing voice
"Claim your freedom
Love one another
The soul never dies
There is nothing to fear
Feel the love, open your heart
Seek truth. Be true."
And then she vanished
along with the light.
I feel a flutter in my heart
and wonder if the angel left one
of her feathers in my open heart.
As I walk away to start a
newly ressurected life
I feel light with joy
over-flowing around me
to give away
to share the joy with others
who are lost and heavy hearted
And so the story never ends
and Love is eternal.
POLICE ARE HUMAN BEINGS TOO
Why I rate the Wallingford Police #1 In Community Relations
Have you seen the paper lately? The headlines are filled with scandal in the police departments, from the State Police down to the individual municipalities. Eureka! Police are people too, subject to the same human frailties, character flaws and weaknesses as the rest of us. The uniform doesn’t exempt them from misconduct; criminally or otherwise abusing their power. Even I have had my own unpleasant experiences with these badge-wielding authority figures playing god.
And who should be blamed for these officers’ indiscretions? Is it the officers themselves, or something greater that carries with it the responsibility to keep them in line? In my experience, it’s the culture of the employer that is to blame. Nine out of ten times, in the context of the police departments, the Chief is responsible for the culture his department emits. Some police departments are very unprofessional and rude and downright obnoxious – not just one officer, but most of them; whereas, other police departments have a policy of community policing and service. Perhaps the answer is better screening procedures. I have an example:
When I worked at a major retail chain, we had a personality screening procedure. Not just a test, but something more obscure. I was a clerk at the returns desk, a cashier. At the store, the applicant first encountered me, the lowest person on the totem pole; a cashier. Yet they didn’t get to the next stage unless they could carry on a conversation with me and my co-workers. We looked for people who were energetic, happy and comfortable talking to people. If you didn’t like people, you didn’t get to the next stage. In addition, we had constant monitoring while working there. Secret shoppers, tests and training; three strikes in a period of three months and you were out!
Another example: I once interviewed for a position of investigator for the Public Defender’s Office. At that interview a question was posed: "If after a thorough investigation of a case, I found evidence that was unfavorable to my client’s case, what would I do with that information?" My answer: "I am an investigator, not a story teller. I would report the facts I received to the lawyer that employed me and let the lawyer chose what to do with it." I mention this because that is the job of the police department. They are investigators; they should have no stake in the case other than to report what they saw or heard. But rarely do we find this attitude.
What happened to the idea that, "the police are your friends?" That’s the image I grew up with. I generally don’t feel that way anymore, although I always give EVERYONE the benefit of the doubt. Prejudice is not the answer. In fact, good cops are still in existence, at least in Wallingford, Connecticut:
The other day I called the Wallingford Police Department in order to rectify something a client did. I first spoke to Sargent Davis who greeted me with an easygoing, friendly and professional attitude. He even engaged me in conversation about unrelated things. I really felt not only comfortable, but I trusted him. Then he transferred me to the arresting officer, Officer Barangie. (I hope I spelled his name right). For a moment I felt panic, I was afraid of the personality I would encounter. But Officer Barangie couldn’t have been nicer. Not only was he easygoing, friendly and professional, but he kept his word in regard to my client. I trusted him, and it paid off. He not only treated me well, but he was equally easygoing, friendly and professional with my client. In-fact, the thing that impressed me the most was the fact that while meeting with us, he stated: "I have no personal stake in this case, I am just doing my job." Hats off to Officer Barangie and Sergeant Davis for showing that they are not only human, but that they are representatives of a police department that I suspect truly practices "Community Based Policing."
Tina Sypek D’Amato, Esq.
Our Taxes and the Man behind the Tree
By David Radcliffe
We are a grumpy lot, we taxpayers. A recent false-Spring gave us false-hope that we’d somehow avoid winter. The war in Iraq is an ever-gloomy thing. Fuel prices remain helplessly and hopelessly high. Even the UCONN men’s basketball team is playing poorly. And more significantly, homeowners are looking at a potential tax increase. Yes, in dark days like these, we wonder if the sun will ever shine again.
No one wants to pay taxes. Russell B. Long, a long-time United States Senator from Louisiana a generation ago, captured the challenge facing our Council with his famous line, "Tax reform means, 'Don't tax me, don't tax thee, tax that fellow behind the tree!'
Over the past five years, Meriden household incomes have remained largely the same. Costs – of everything – have risen significantly. Higher levels of government mandate that locals provide a range of services, but are providing less cash to offset costs. This is a messy recipe. No matter what our Mayor and Council do with regard to setting a budget and tax rate, some will still be unhappy.
There are those among us who are absolute in their aversion to taxes. A tax of any amount is unacceptable. Others have a higher threshold for tax support. The acceptability of a tax, argue UCONN public policy professors Bill Simonsen and Mark Robbins, is based on some standard of reasonableness. Citizens compare taxes and the services they support with other payments they routinely make. If a tax is within our spending patterns or expectations for a service, we support it. If we are startled by how large a tax is, we don’t support it, like walking out of a car showroom due to sticker shock.
I confess that my left eye twitches when I look at the new assessment of our family’s home (103% increase!). Still, I believe our Mayor and City Council are up to the daunting task before them. I’ve been to many of Finance and City Council meetings over the years. On the whole, our Council is thoughtful and sensitive on how they are spending our money. Sure, I shake my head at the occasional bone-headed decision, but the services I come to expect are quietly and effectively delivered at a price comparable to other towns like ours.
To craft a sustainable budget, the Council must continue to consider and act on items such as reorganization and consolidation of services and new approaches to getting work done. Beyond taxes, think about other ways to generate revenue, including new and increased user fees and business partnerships. And who doesn’t want a more efficient government, where we get more service for less money. Business- and neighborhood-friendly development, especially in the downtown and HUB area is key to growing our tax base. Finally, the State has been good to Meriden but will be especially important partners this Spring.
As citizens, we need not be passive consumers of our public leaders’ decisions. We can and should be informed and active during and after budget season. Ask questions of our officials, hold them accountable, and recognize them for good works. There are plenty of ways to make a difference above and beyond our duties to vote and pay taxes.
This tax-setting process is much more than pleasing a grumpy public or just an exercise in math. And it’s more than just getting through this current year. Setting a budget and tax is about protecting our community and putting it in a position for future success, not just defending short-term or selfish interests. Sure, I’d rather pay fewer taxes, but I also understand that we want and need an appropriately-funded senior center and health department and planning department and so on – services that reasonable people agree add value to the Meriden experience.
Our family could choose to live anywhere. We’ll stick it out and pay our fair share here in Meriden, along with that man behind the tree. I hope you will too.
David Radcliffe, for better and worse, has a degree in Consumer Economics and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in public policy at the University of Connecticut.
By Cathy Short
Wings as soft as down
The angelic being brings forth
a beam of light,
As I suddenly feel
a gentle brush on my cheek
and light and beauty
surround me.
All the colors of a rainbow
glistening around the angel,
feeling safe and secure
with her presence.
No fear enters here,
only love, peace and joy
realizing the reign of angels
is closer than I thought.
The angel spoke softly in a singing voice
"Claim your freedom
Love one another
The soul never dies
There is nothing to fear
Feel the love, open your heart
Seek truth. Be true."
And then she vanished
along with the light.
I feel a flutter in my heart
and wonder if the angel left one
of her feathers in my open heart.
As I walk away to start a
newly ressurected life
I feel light with joy
over-flowing around me
to give away
to share the joy with others
who are lost and heavy hearted
And so the story never ends
and Love is eternal.
POLICE ARE HUMAN BEINGS TOO
Why I rate the Wallingford Police #1 In Community Relations
Have you seen the paper lately? The headlines are filled with scandal in the police departments, from the State Police down to the individual municipalities. Eureka! Police are people too, subject to the same human frailties, character flaws and weaknesses as the rest of us. The uniform doesn’t exempt them from misconduct; criminally or otherwise abusing their power. Even I have had my own unpleasant experiences with these badge-wielding authority figures playing god.
And who should be blamed for these officers’ indiscretions? Is it the officers themselves, or something greater that carries with it the responsibility to keep them in line? In my experience, it’s the culture of the employer that is to blame. Nine out of ten times, in the context of the police departments, the Chief is responsible for the culture his department emits. Some police departments are very unprofessional and rude and downright obnoxious – not just one officer, but most of them; whereas, other police departments have a policy of community policing and service. Perhaps the answer is better screening procedures. I have an example:
When I worked at a major retail chain, we had a personality screening procedure. Not just a test, but something more obscure. I was a clerk at the returns desk, a cashier. At the store, the applicant first encountered me, the lowest person on the totem pole; a cashier. Yet they didn’t get to the next stage unless they could carry on a conversation with me and my co-workers. We looked for people who were energetic, happy and comfortable talking to people. If you didn’t like people, you didn’t get to the next stage. In addition, we had constant monitoring while working there. Secret shoppers, tests and training; three strikes in a period of three months and you were out!
Another example: I once interviewed for a position of investigator for the Public Defender’s Office. At that interview a question was posed: "If after a thorough investigation of a case, I found evidence that was unfavorable to my client’s case, what would I do with that information?" My answer: "I am an investigator, not a story teller. I would report the facts I received to the lawyer that employed me and let the lawyer chose what to do with it." I mention this because that is the job of the police department. They are investigators; they should have no stake in the case other than to report what they saw or heard. But rarely do we find this attitude.
What happened to the idea that, "the police are your friends?" That’s the image I grew up with. I generally don’t feel that way anymore, although I always give EVERYONE the benefit of the doubt. Prejudice is not the answer. In fact, good cops are still in existence, at least in Wallingford, Connecticut:
The other day I called the Wallingford Police Department in order to rectify something a client did. I first spoke to Sargent Davis who greeted me with an easygoing, friendly and professional attitude. He even engaged me in conversation about unrelated things. I really felt not only comfortable, but I trusted him. Then he transferred me to the arresting officer, Officer Barangie. (I hope I spelled his name right). For a moment I felt panic, I was afraid of the personality I would encounter. But Officer Barangie couldn’t have been nicer. Not only was he easygoing, friendly and professional, but he kept his word in regard to my client. I trusted him, and it paid off. He not only treated me well, but he was equally easygoing, friendly and professional with my client. In-fact, the thing that impressed me the most was the fact that while meeting with us, he stated: "I have no personal stake in this case, I am just doing my job." Hats off to Officer Barangie and Sergeant Davis for showing that they are not only human, but that they are representatives of a police department that I suspect truly practices "Community Based Policing."
Tina Sypek D’Amato, Esq.
Our Taxes and the Man behind the Tree
By David Radcliffe
We are a grumpy lot, we taxpayers. A recent false-Spring gave us false-hope that we’d somehow avoid winter. The war in Iraq is an ever-gloomy thing. Fuel prices remain helplessly and hopelessly high. Even the UCONN men’s basketball team is playing poorly. And more significantly, homeowners are looking at a potential tax increase. Yes, in dark days like these, we wonder if the sun will ever shine again.
No one wants to pay taxes. Russell B. Long, a long-time United States Senator from Louisiana a generation ago, captured the challenge facing our Council with his famous line, "Tax reform means, 'Don't tax me, don't tax thee, tax that fellow behind the tree!'
Over the past five years, Meriden household incomes have remained largely the same. Costs – of everything – have risen significantly. Higher levels of government mandate that locals provide a range of services, but are providing less cash to offset costs. This is a messy recipe. No matter what our Mayor and Council do with regard to setting a budget and tax rate, some will still be unhappy.
There are those among us who are absolute in their aversion to taxes. A tax of any amount is unacceptable. Others have a higher threshold for tax support. The acceptability of a tax, argue UCONN public policy professors Bill Simonsen and Mark Robbins, is based on some standard of reasonableness. Citizens compare taxes and the services they support with other payments they routinely make. If a tax is within our spending patterns or expectations for a service, we support it. If we are startled by how large a tax is, we don’t support it, like walking out of a car showroom due to sticker shock.
I confess that my left eye twitches when I look at the new assessment of our family’s home (103% increase!). Still, I believe our Mayor and City Council are up to the daunting task before them. I’ve been to many of Finance and City Council meetings over the years. On the whole, our Council is thoughtful and sensitive on how they are spending our money. Sure, I shake my head at the occasional bone-headed decision, but the services I come to expect are quietly and effectively delivered at a price comparable to other towns like ours.
To craft a sustainable budget, the Council must continue to consider and act on items such as reorganization and consolidation of services and new approaches to getting work done. Beyond taxes, think about other ways to generate revenue, including new and increased user fees and business partnerships. And who doesn’t want a more efficient government, where we get more service for less money. Business- and neighborhood-friendly development, especially in the downtown and HUB area is key to growing our tax base. Finally, the State has been good to Meriden but will be especially important partners this Spring.
As citizens, we need not be passive consumers of our public leaders’ decisions. We can and should be informed and active during and after budget season. Ask questions of our officials, hold them accountable, and recognize them for good works. There are plenty of ways to make a difference above and beyond our duties to vote and pay taxes.
This tax-setting process is much more than pleasing a grumpy public or just an exercise in math. And it’s more than just getting through this current year. Setting a budget and tax is about protecting our community and putting it in a position for future success, not just defending short-term or selfish interests. Sure, I’d rather pay fewer taxes, but I also understand that we want and need an appropriately-funded senior center and health department and planning department and so on – services that reasonable people agree add value to the Meriden experience.
Our family could choose to live anywhere. We’ll stick it out and pay our fair share here in Meriden, along with that man behind the tree. I hope you will too.
David Radcliffe, for better and worse, has a degree in Consumer Economics and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in public policy at the University of Connecticut.
February 2007 Wallingford and Meriden Town News and Events
February 2007 Meriden and Wallingford Town News and Events sponsored by:
Mayor’s Corner - Meriden
Dear Friends,
We finally had our first snowflake, but it didn’t last long. I am not complaining though. I would like to wish everyone a Happy Valentines Day, especially my beautiful wife and daughter, Amy and Bria. Valentine’s Day is not just about flowers and fancy candies; it is about taking the time to thank those special people in our lives. Those individuals who bring a smile to our face when we are having a tough day. The people we know we can always count on.
On February 8th, Meriden and Wallingford will once again compete in Literacy Volunteers’ Scrabble Tournament. So get a team together and help raise funds for this worthy cause. Preparations are also underway for Meriden and Wallingford’s Annual Relay for Life fundraiser. The kickoff celebration will take place on January 25th at Zandri’s Stillwood Inn. This is a great opportunity for Meriden and Wallingford residents to work together to fight cancer. This has been a special event in large part due to the great volunteers and generosity of so many citizens. We will also celebrate President’s Day as we honor those who led our great nation.
Hopefully the groundhog will soon deliver a positive message that we are having a short winter season. I still have my hat and gloves ready and the sled is in the garage. Thanks for all your support.
Sincerely, Mark D. Benigni
A New Year Message from Meriden’s Mayor Mark!
Happy New Year! Let me start by thanking our citizens and city staff for all their support.
As we begin 2007, I would like to reflect on some of our accomplishments in 2006. New businesses like Webster Insurance, Aplicare, CDG Call Center, J&J Tristate, and National Cabinetry brought hundreds of jobs to our city and new revenue for our grand list. We have also seen significant retail growth, many new quality single family homes, and the addition of Newbury Village, a high end 180 unit apartment complex. Important infrastructure improvements like the Coe Avenue and Bradley Avenue bridges, the Hanover Dam, and the capping of the landfill were successfully completed. In addition to the new developments, we improved our bond rating and received an award for our annual audit. This is a credit to our improved financial standing and honest budgeting and accounting procedures. The Boys & Girls Club and Girls Inc. both added new pavilions to improve their facilities and increase their offerings for our children. Last, but certainly not least, we celebrated our 200th birthday with pride and honor.
As we look ahead, I am excited with our ever increasing development opportunities. Castleview Plaza on West Main Street and Centennial Avenue will add a bank, EyeCenter, and a new Napoli’s Restaurant to current tenants Dunkin Donuts and Aarons. Silver Commons on Broad Street will open with a Starbucks, Coldstone Creamery, and Japanese restaurant.
The new Burger King is open and soon Walgreens will join the new plaza on East Main Street and Paddock Avenue. Further up the road, Lowe’s will anchor a new plaza at the former Ames site. This plaza has been vacant for over 10 years and soon will receive a much needed face lift. When these plazas are renovated their value increases significantly, thus increasing revenue for the city. The City also benefits from the aesthetic improvements to the area.
Meriden will welcome our first 55 and over housing development on Baldwin Avenue and new single family homes will continue to balance our housing stock. In the next couple months, the HUB demolition will highlight our efforts to clean up downtown. Café Dolce, Middlesex, state agencies, and new businesses continue to join long standing businesses like Fischer’s and Butler Paint in downtown Meriden.
As we continue our flood control efforts, we will put the finishing touches on Phase 1 of our linear trail and begin preparations for Phase 2. The trail is magnificent and a great asset to our city. The views along the Quinnipiac River make Meriden’s linear trail second to none.
One of the most exciting additions coming to our city in 2007 is a privately funded, handicap accessible playscape for Hubbard Park. The playscape committee headed by Dawn Nierenburg-Reynolds and the Bourdon family has done a remarkable job raising funds and planning for this playscape. This will give our citizens one more reason to visit the state’s most beautiful park, Hubbard Park. I look forward to seeing you at city events throughout the year and I wish you a safe and prosperous New Year.
I am excited about our future and inspired by the commitment of our citizens.
Thanks for all your support,
Sincerely, Mark D. Benigni
Wallingford Senior Center FEBRUARY Edition
HOW DO I GET THERE? TRANSPORTATION FAIR FOR DRIVERS AND NON-DRIVERS
Dear Friends,
We finally had our first snowflake, but it didn’t last long. I am not complaining though. I would like to wish everyone a Happy Valentines Day, especially my beautiful wife and daughter, Amy and Bria. Valentine’s Day is not just about flowers and fancy candies; it is about taking the time to thank those special people in our lives. Those individuals who bring a smile to our face when we are having a tough day. The people we know we can always count on.
On February 8th, Meriden and Wallingford will once again compete in Literacy Volunteers’ Scrabble Tournament. So get a team together and help raise funds for this worthy cause. Preparations are also underway for Meriden and Wallingford’s Annual Relay for Life fundraiser. The kickoff celebration will take place on January 25th at Zandri’s Stillwood Inn. This is a great opportunity for Meriden and Wallingford residents to work together to fight cancer. This has been a special event in large part due to the great volunteers and generosity of so many citizens. We will also celebrate President’s Day as we honor those who led our great nation.
Hopefully the groundhog will soon deliver a positive message that we are having a short winter season. I still have my hat and gloves ready and the sled is in the garage. Thanks for all your support.
Sincerely, Mark D. Benigni
A New Year Message from Meriden’s Mayor Mark!
Happy New Year! Let me start by thanking our citizens and city staff for all their support.
As we begin 2007, I would like to reflect on some of our accomplishments in 2006. New businesses like Webster Insurance, Aplicare, CDG Call Center, J&J Tristate, and National Cabinetry brought hundreds of jobs to our city and new revenue for our grand list. We have also seen significant retail growth, many new quality single family homes, and the addition of Newbury Village, a high end 180 unit apartment complex. Important infrastructure improvements like the Coe Avenue and Bradley Avenue bridges, the Hanover Dam, and the capping of the landfill were successfully completed. In addition to the new developments, we improved our bond rating and received an award for our annual audit. This is a credit to our improved financial standing and honest budgeting and accounting procedures. The Boys & Girls Club and Girls Inc. both added new pavilions to improve their facilities and increase their offerings for our children. Last, but certainly not least, we celebrated our 200th birthday with pride and honor.
As we look ahead, I am excited with our ever increasing development opportunities. Castleview Plaza on West Main Street and Centennial Avenue will add a bank, EyeCenter, and a new Napoli’s Restaurant to current tenants Dunkin Donuts and Aarons. Silver Commons on Broad Street will open with a Starbucks, Coldstone Creamery, and Japanese restaurant.
The new Burger King is open and soon Walgreens will join the new plaza on East Main Street and Paddock Avenue. Further up the road, Lowe’s will anchor a new plaza at the former Ames site. This plaza has been vacant for over 10 years and soon will receive a much needed face lift. When these plazas are renovated their value increases significantly, thus increasing revenue for the city. The City also benefits from the aesthetic improvements to the area.
Meriden will welcome our first 55 and over housing development on Baldwin Avenue and new single family homes will continue to balance our housing stock. In the next couple months, the HUB demolition will highlight our efforts to clean up downtown. Café Dolce, Middlesex, state agencies, and new businesses continue to join long standing businesses like Fischer’s and Butler Paint in downtown Meriden.
As we continue our flood control efforts, we will put the finishing touches on Phase 1 of our linear trail and begin preparations for Phase 2. The trail is magnificent and a great asset to our city. The views along the Quinnipiac River make Meriden’s linear trail second to none.
One of the most exciting additions coming to our city in 2007 is a privately funded, handicap accessible playscape for Hubbard Park. The playscape committee headed by Dawn Nierenburg-Reynolds and the Bourdon family has done a remarkable job raising funds and planning for this playscape. This will give our citizens one more reason to visit the state’s most beautiful park, Hubbard Park. I look forward to seeing you at city events throughout the year and I wish you a safe and prosperous New Year.
I am excited about our future and inspired by the commitment of our citizens.
Thanks for all your support,
Sincerely, Mark D. Benigni
Wallingford Senior Center FEBRUARY Edition
HOW DO I GET THERE? TRANSPORTATION FAIR FOR DRIVERS AND NON-DRIVERS
Friday, February 23, 10:15 a.m.
Your doctor’s appointment is next Thursday at 1:00 p.m. How will you get to the doctor’s office? If you don’t drive, do you know what your transportation options are? If you do drive, do you know what resources are available to help ensure your safe trip behind the wheel? Join us on Friday, February 23, at 10:15 a.m. to get information to answer all your transportation questions. Presenters and exhibitors include: AAA, AARP, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Greater New Haven Transit District, Wallingford Police Department, and the Wallingford Senior Center. Free handouts and refreshments. This program is open to the public. Please call 265-7753 to register.
WINTER BAKE SALE
Your doctor’s appointment is next Thursday at 1:00 p.m. How will you get to the doctor’s office? If you don’t drive, do you know what your transportation options are? If you do drive, do you know what resources are available to help ensure your safe trip behind the wheel? Join us on Friday, February 23, at 10:15 a.m. to get information to answer all your transportation questions. Presenters and exhibitors include: AAA, AARP, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Greater New Haven Transit District, Wallingford Police Department, and the Wallingford Senior Center. Free handouts and refreshments. This program is open to the public. Please call 265-7753 to register.
WINTER BAKE SALE
on Tuesday, February 20
We are planning a delicious event to raise funds to help our “adopted” classrooms at Moses Y. Beach School (see separate article on our partnership with MYB on page 5). We need bakers and buyers! Please call 265-7753 to sign up to bake for this event. The goodies will be on sale on February 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., or until supplies run out! Thanks in advance for supporting this special project.
READERS’ THEATRE GROUP
A Readers’ Theatre Group (a popular art form for those who enjoy performing in a play by sitting and reading a part) is being organized for any interested members! No experience necessary! Please sign up during February and we’ll convene the group in March.
DANCE PARTY with VINNIE CARR
Wednesday, February 28, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
It’s a Sweethearts Dance! Join us for an afternoon of dancing, music and fun. Invite your friends!
SENIOR CENTER PARTNERS WITH LOCAL SCHOOL
The Wallingford Senior Center has been designated the official community partner of Moses Y. Beach School. Our relationship with the school began with our joint pen pal program in 1999. We are now planning ways to help enrich the students’ educational experiences. One aspect of our partnership will involve assisting the teachers with classroom materials such as special books and arts and crafts supplies. (Our February Bake Sale will raise funds for this effort.) Our pen pal program (see separate article below) is another important part of our relationship. Also, we will be planning special events at the Senior Center to which our MYB students will be invited. Finally, the teachers have expressed a need for classroom volunteers. Adults are needed to work one-on-one with students; to participate in reading buddies programs; to share their musical talents; or to assist with special projects in the classroom. Obviously this partnership needs lots of participation by senior center members. The time commitment is small but the rewards will be huge!
Please sign up if you want to be part of this exciting new outreach program.
LITERARY COMMITTEE UPDATE
The Literary Committee has begun work on the spring issue of Mirrors of Life, our Senior Center literary magazine. Anyone who wishes to submit an original poem, essay or story is asked to bring it to the reception desk. Please be sure you put your name on everything you submit. Also, new committee members are always welcome. We need your ideas and hope you will join us. Sign up and we will contact you regarding meeting dates and times.
SOCIAL SERVICES
ELDER LAW ATTORNEY APPOINTMENTS
Available Wednesday, February 7
Appointments are available for the afternoon of Wednesday, February 7 to get free legal advice from Attorney Daniel Tully. Please call 265-7753 today to reserve your appointment.
HOMEOWNER TAX RELIEF PROGRAM
February 1 through May 15, 2007
Who should apply? People sixty-five years of age, or Totally Disabled as of December 31 preceding the application period. Applicants must own and reside, or hold Life-Use of property. Annual income (including Social Security) cannot exceed $28,800 in 2006 for a single individual or $35,300 in 2006 for married couples. Please call the Assessor’s office at 294-2001 for more information.
Property Tax Deferral for the Elderly
February 1 through May 15, 2007
How does Property Tax Deferral Work? The tax on your property is postponed, to be collected at a future date.
Who qualifies for Property Tax Deferral? Any homeowner who is presently receiving benefits under the Elderly Homeowners Program qualifies for tax deferral. Please apply at the Assessor’s Office, or call 294-2001 for more information.
HAVE YOU APPLIED YET FOR THE CT ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM?
The Senior Center takes applications for energy assistance for Wallingford residents, age 60 and over. Income limits are $27,867.32 for a single person and $36,441.88 for two people. There are asset limits. Applications are by appointment only. To find out more information or to schedule an appointment, call 265-7753.
ENERGY ASSISTANCE NEWS FLASH !
March 15, 2007 is the deadline for fuel authorizations or deliveries from Basic Benefits, Crisis Assistance or Safety Net Assistance. To request a fuel delivery, follow directions on the guideline notice you received when you made your application. Phone 235-0278 or 237-6957 Ext. 21 or 22 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
LOW VISION SUPPORT GROUP - EASY TO USE TALKING BOOK MACHINES
Announcing more portable and “user friendly” talking book machines ready to be delivered to you free of charge through the Connecticut State Library for the Blind. This is a terrific service. See a demonstration and find out how easy it is hear books on tape! All are invited—Friday, February 16 at 10:15 a.m. Please call 265-7753 to register.
ATTENTION ENERGY ASSISTANCE ELECTRIC HEAT CUSTOMERS EXCITING NEWS FROM WALLINGFORD ELECTRIC
The Wallingford Electric Division is evaluating a new method of the way it recognizes Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) awards. In the past, if you received an award, the Division would credit your account upon the actual receipt of the check from the State for the CEAP award. As you may know, the award checks do not come in until the end of the winter or early spring. This winter, the Division will recognize your CEAP award as a credit to your account at the time the Division receives notice of the award. Larry Elliott of New Opportunities has agreed to have his staff provide the Division with a monthly report of awards. In addition, the Division can still receive award letters directly from you, the customer, as the Division has in the past. Upon receipt of the monthly reports or your individual award letter, the Division will post a credit adjustment to your account in the amount of the award. This credit will serve to offset any existing open items on your account or to offset upcoming bills. The quickest way to get the award posted to your account is for you to forward a copy of your award letter to the Wallingford Electric Division customer service staff at 100 John Street. If you have any questions, please contact Electric Division Customer Service at 294–2020.
DRIVING REWARD
Remember when you were 16 and newly licensed? Was there anything more thrilling than the grown up feeling of driving? Driving, no doubt, has lost some of that thrill factor over time, but there are still good feelings to be had. Being a volunteer driver with Interfaith Volunteer Care Givers (even if you only do it once or twice a month) will give you the unmistakable satisfaction of really helping a neighbor. Our drivers give rides to medical appointments and take people grocery shopping or just out for a change of scenery. Gas mileage reimbursement is available to our volunteers. Please call Social Worker Marie Cunha at 265-7753 for details.
AARP SAFE DRIVER CLASS
February 5 & 7 or March 5 & 7
The AARP Driver Safety Course will be offered in February and in March, on Monday and Wednesday, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The fee for the eight-hour classroom course is $10.00 per person which must be paid at the time of registration.
Check payable to “AARP.” Cash cannot be accepted.
CITY OF MERIDEN FEBRUARY EVENTS
VALENTINE’S DAY CARD CONTEST
Grades K-5 students are invited to enter the 2007 Valentine’s Day Card Contest. Original, hand-produced cards can be brought or mailed to the Parks & Recreation office between February 1st – 12th. Winners will receive a special prize package. All entries must include the child’s name, phone number, school, & grade.
WINTER VACATION WEEK CAMP
The Recreation Division’s “Winter Vacation Week Camp” will meet from 9:15AM-3:00PM at Hanover School from February 20th-23rd. It features games, puzzles, educational sessions, arts & crafts, and videos in addition to hiking, swimming, movies, & arcade field trips. Boys & girls currently in grades K-6 are eligible to attend. Beginning February 5th, interested participants can register at the Parks & Recreation office. The cost is $40.00 for the week. Please register soon, as there are only 40 openings available for the program.
MASA REGISTRATION
Rules & roster forms for the 2007 Meriden Amateur Softball Association season will be available at the Parks & Recreation office beginning Wednesday, February 14th. The league registration meeting will be held Monday, March 5th.
2006-2007 CO-ED ADULT VOLLEYBALL PROGRAM
Organized recreational volleyball games for adults ages 18 & older take place every Tuesday night at Holy Angels Center in South Meriden from 6:00-9:00PM. The program runs through March 27th. A one-time $25.00 registration fee can be paid onsite any night the program is in session.
INDOOR PUBLIC SWIM PROGRAM
The 2006-2007 Indoor Public Swim Program takes place at the Maloney HS pool on the following dates & times: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:30-7:45PM and Saturdays & Sundays from 12:00-3:45PM.
All interested participants must possess a valid 2007 pool pass. Available for purchase at the Parks & Recreation office, passes cost $5.00 for adults and $1.00 for children ages 17 & under. Potential recipients must come to the office in-person and bring proof of Meriden residency to receive a pass.
20TH ANNUAL “DAFFODILS ON PARADE”
The 20th Annual “Daffodils on Parade” will take place on Saturday, April 28th. Groups, clubs, schools, businesses, or individuals wishing to march in Meriden’s largest parade are asked to call the Recreation Division office at 630-4259 for an entry form. Creative participation is always welcome!
MAX E. MURAVNICK MERIDEN SENIOR CITIZENS’ CENTER
The Max E. Muravnick Meriden Senior Citizens’ Center is open to all Meriden residents age 60 and over. Membership is free of charge and new members may sign-up any weekday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. by presenting a driver’s license or other proof of age. New members receive an information package about senior services and a coupon entitling them to one complimentary lunch in our Senior Community Café. Sign-up today and find out about all that is offered for Meriden seniors at the Max E. Muravnick Senior Center!
City Clerk Irene Masse will speak at the Senior Center before lunch on Wednesday, February 14 at 11:15 AM about the new passport requirements for U.S. travelers. Beginning January 23, all U.S. citizens traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport. This will also apply to land and sea travel as early as January 1, 2008. Please note that the passport requirements do not apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or directly from a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico. The City Clerk will explain the new regulations and how to apply for a passport for those interested. Also that day, a special Valentine’s Day lunch of oven roasted chicken with gravy, roasted potatoes, and green and wax beans with cherry pie for dessert will be served. For a lunch reservation call 235-8052. Entertainment will be provided by singer George Gandy.
A Valentine Dinner Dance will be held at the Senior Center on Thursday, February 15 with music provided by Vinnie Carr. Dinner of top round of beef, baked potato, green beans almondine, dessert and coffee will be served from 5:00 to 6:00 with dancing from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Tickets are available now for
Meriden residents at a cost $6 per person and may be purchased at the Senior Center.
The “Move and Soothe” gentle movement class taught by Susan Sandel, Dance/Movement Therapist, will resume on Tuesday afternoons in March from 12:30 to 1:30 PM on the lower level of the Senior Center, starting on Tuesday, March 6. The class will feature gentle movement set to music to stretch, relax and strengthen your body and, most of all, to have fun! Participants should wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing and sneakers or rubber-soled shoes. Ms. Sandel is an accomplished dance therapist and we are glad to welcome her back to the Senior Center in March for “Move & Soothe” classes each week at the Senior Center.
The 17th annual “Walk for Warmth” will be held in downtown Meriden on Saturday, March 3 at 10:00 AM. This two-mile walk raises money to provide energy assistance to people in need who would otherwise not qualify for help. Last year’s walk raised $16,000 which helped more than 110 households with their winter energy bills. I will be walking in the 2007 “Walk for Warmth” and ask that concerned people consider donating to this worthwhile cause or walking themselves in this community event. To make a pledge, please contact me at the Senior Center at 237-0066 or call New Opportunities of Greater Meriden at 235-0278.
AARP’s trained volunteer Tax-Aide counselors are once again ready to help local seniors with income tax advice and actual preparation of their 2006 Federal and State income tax returns. Meriden AARP volunteers will be at the Max Muravnick Senior Center each Wednesday, from Wednesday, February 7 until Wednesday, April 11. This free service is offered by appointment which may be made by calling the Senior Center at 237-0066.
On a related topic, the Senior Center also has IRS forms to claim a refund of the federal telephone excise taxes you paid with your phone bill for many years. This refund will be included on your income tax return if you file a tax return for 2006. However, if you do not have to file an income tax return you can submit IRS Form 1040EZ-T to claim this refund. For a single person who paid taxes on long distance calling, the standard refund is $30. For further information or to pick up a copy of the form please inquire in the Senior Center office.
The next session of the AARP Driver Safety Program at the Senior Center will be on Wednesday, April 25 and Friday, April 27 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Class participants will learn defensive driving techniques, new traffic laws and much more in this 8-hour course. Successful completion of the classroom course also entitles you to a discount on your automobile insurance premiums. The course fee is $10 and reservations for the class are now being accepted by calling the Senior Center at 237-0066. Additional AARP Driver Safety Classes this year at the Senior Center will be held on July 25 & 27 and November 7 & 9, 2007.
The Elderly and Disabled Homeowners’ Tax Relief Program sponsored by the State of Connecticut has now started. Any elderly or disabled Meriden homeowner can apply for a credit to their local property taxes at the Meriden Tax Assessor’s Office at City Hall between February 1 and May 15, 2007. To be eligible applicants or their spouse must have been 65 or older by December 31, 2006 or be on Social Security Disability. You must own and live in the house for which you claim a tax credit and the income limits are $28,800 for a single person and $35,300 for a married couple. Applications for tax relief are also available for qualified veterans. For more information contact the Tax Assessor’s Office at 630-4065.
For a complete listing of all Senior Center classes, activities, trips and meal menus, pick-up a copy of our newsletter available on the first of each month at the reception desk in the front lobby.
John F. Hogarth - Senior Center Director
Mayor’s Corner – Wallingford
Dear Friends,
February is upon us with crisp cold weather and gradually lengthening daylight hours. The name is derived from the Latin word Februa, a time of festival of purification celebrated in ancient Rome. When the 10 month Roman calendar became 12 months, at first January was added to start the calendar and February was added as the last month of the year. In 452 BC February was moved to second place in the calendar.
It is said that we as humans are creatures of habit. That becomes very clear when the calendar we use to mark the passage of time is considered. It is amazing how people who lived thousands of years ago still directly influence how we act and think today. Our contribution to February is President’s Day and Valentine’s Day. Both are worthy entrants deserving of attention. Of course Valentine’s Day is also of Roman origin and identifies the day St. Valentine became a martyr. I guess we should have a Presidential purpose when we propose to our Valentines in purity of spirit. Most of all, keep a sense of humor.
Sincerely,
William W. Dickinson, Jr.
We are planning a delicious event to raise funds to help our “adopted” classrooms at Moses Y. Beach School (see separate article on our partnership with MYB on page 5). We need bakers and buyers! Please call 265-7753 to sign up to bake for this event. The goodies will be on sale on February 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., or until supplies run out! Thanks in advance for supporting this special project.
READERS’ THEATRE GROUP
A Readers’ Theatre Group (a popular art form for those who enjoy performing in a play by sitting and reading a part) is being organized for any interested members! No experience necessary! Please sign up during February and we’ll convene the group in March.
DANCE PARTY with VINNIE CARR
Wednesday, February 28, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
It’s a Sweethearts Dance! Join us for an afternoon of dancing, music and fun. Invite your friends!
SENIOR CENTER PARTNERS WITH LOCAL SCHOOL
The Wallingford Senior Center has been designated the official community partner of Moses Y. Beach School. Our relationship with the school began with our joint pen pal program in 1999. We are now planning ways to help enrich the students’ educational experiences. One aspect of our partnership will involve assisting the teachers with classroom materials such as special books and arts and crafts supplies. (Our February Bake Sale will raise funds for this effort.) Our pen pal program (see separate article below) is another important part of our relationship. Also, we will be planning special events at the Senior Center to which our MYB students will be invited. Finally, the teachers have expressed a need for classroom volunteers. Adults are needed to work one-on-one with students; to participate in reading buddies programs; to share their musical talents; or to assist with special projects in the classroom. Obviously this partnership needs lots of participation by senior center members. The time commitment is small but the rewards will be huge!
Please sign up if you want to be part of this exciting new outreach program.
LITERARY COMMITTEE UPDATE
The Literary Committee has begun work on the spring issue of Mirrors of Life, our Senior Center literary magazine. Anyone who wishes to submit an original poem, essay or story is asked to bring it to the reception desk. Please be sure you put your name on everything you submit. Also, new committee members are always welcome. We need your ideas and hope you will join us. Sign up and we will contact you regarding meeting dates and times.
SOCIAL SERVICES
ELDER LAW ATTORNEY APPOINTMENTS
Available Wednesday, February 7
Appointments are available for the afternoon of Wednesday, February 7 to get free legal advice from Attorney Daniel Tully. Please call 265-7753 today to reserve your appointment.
HOMEOWNER TAX RELIEF PROGRAM
February 1 through May 15, 2007
Who should apply? People sixty-five years of age, or Totally Disabled as of December 31 preceding the application period. Applicants must own and reside, or hold Life-Use of property. Annual income (including Social Security) cannot exceed $28,800 in 2006 for a single individual or $35,300 in 2006 for married couples. Please call the Assessor’s office at 294-2001 for more information.
Property Tax Deferral for the Elderly
February 1 through May 15, 2007
How does Property Tax Deferral Work? The tax on your property is postponed, to be collected at a future date.
Who qualifies for Property Tax Deferral? Any homeowner who is presently receiving benefits under the Elderly Homeowners Program qualifies for tax deferral. Please apply at the Assessor’s Office, or call 294-2001 for more information.
HAVE YOU APPLIED YET FOR THE CT ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM?
The Senior Center takes applications for energy assistance for Wallingford residents, age 60 and over. Income limits are $27,867.32 for a single person and $36,441.88 for two people. There are asset limits. Applications are by appointment only. To find out more information or to schedule an appointment, call 265-7753.
ENERGY ASSISTANCE NEWS FLASH !
March 15, 2007 is the deadline for fuel authorizations or deliveries from Basic Benefits, Crisis Assistance or Safety Net Assistance. To request a fuel delivery, follow directions on the guideline notice you received when you made your application. Phone 235-0278 or 237-6957 Ext. 21 or 22 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
LOW VISION SUPPORT GROUP - EASY TO USE TALKING BOOK MACHINES
Announcing more portable and “user friendly” talking book machines ready to be delivered to you free of charge through the Connecticut State Library for the Blind. This is a terrific service. See a demonstration and find out how easy it is hear books on tape! All are invited—Friday, February 16 at 10:15 a.m. Please call 265-7753 to register.
ATTENTION ENERGY ASSISTANCE ELECTRIC HEAT CUSTOMERS EXCITING NEWS FROM WALLINGFORD ELECTRIC
The Wallingford Electric Division is evaluating a new method of the way it recognizes Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) awards. In the past, if you received an award, the Division would credit your account upon the actual receipt of the check from the State for the CEAP award. As you may know, the award checks do not come in until the end of the winter or early spring. This winter, the Division will recognize your CEAP award as a credit to your account at the time the Division receives notice of the award. Larry Elliott of New Opportunities has agreed to have his staff provide the Division with a monthly report of awards. In addition, the Division can still receive award letters directly from you, the customer, as the Division has in the past. Upon receipt of the monthly reports or your individual award letter, the Division will post a credit adjustment to your account in the amount of the award. This credit will serve to offset any existing open items on your account or to offset upcoming bills. The quickest way to get the award posted to your account is for you to forward a copy of your award letter to the Wallingford Electric Division customer service staff at 100 John Street. If you have any questions, please contact Electric Division Customer Service at 294–2020.
DRIVING REWARD
Remember when you were 16 and newly licensed? Was there anything more thrilling than the grown up feeling of driving? Driving, no doubt, has lost some of that thrill factor over time, but there are still good feelings to be had. Being a volunteer driver with Interfaith Volunteer Care Givers (even if you only do it once or twice a month) will give you the unmistakable satisfaction of really helping a neighbor. Our drivers give rides to medical appointments and take people grocery shopping or just out for a change of scenery. Gas mileage reimbursement is available to our volunteers. Please call Social Worker Marie Cunha at 265-7753 for details.
AARP SAFE DRIVER CLASS
February 5 & 7 or March 5 & 7
The AARP Driver Safety Course will be offered in February and in March, on Monday and Wednesday, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The fee for the eight-hour classroom course is $10.00 per person which must be paid at the time of registration.
Check payable to “AARP.” Cash cannot be accepted.
CITY OF MERIDEN FEBRUARY EVENTS
VALENTINE’S DAY CARD CONTEST
Grades K-5 students are invited to enter the 2007 Valentine’s Day Card Contest. Original, hand-produced cards can be brought or mailed to the Parks & Recreation office between February 1st – 12th. Winners will receive a special prize package. All entries must include the child’s name, phone number, school, & grade.
WINTER VACATION WEEK CAMP
The Recreation Division’s “Winter Vacation Week Camp” will meet from 9:15AM-3:00PM at Hanover School from February 20th-23rd. It features games, puzzles, educational sessions, arts & crafts, and videos in addition to hiking, swimming, movies, & arcade field trips. Boys & girls currently in grades K-6 are eligible to attend. Beginning February 5th, interested participants can register at the Parks & Recreation office. The cost is $40.00 for the week. Please register soon, as there are only 40 openings available for the program.
MASA REGISTRATION
Rules & roster forms for the 2007 Meriden Amateur Softball Association season will be available at the Parks & Recreation office beginning Wednesday, February 14th. The league registration meeting will be held Monday, March 5th.
2006-2007 CO-ED ADULT VOLLEYBALL PROGRAM
Organized recreational volleyball games for adults ages 18 & older take place every Tuesday night at Holy Angels Center in South Meriden from 6:00-9:00PM. The program runs through March 27th. A one-time $25.00 registration fee can be paid onsite any night the program is in session.
INDOOR PUBLIC SWIM PROGRAM
The 2006-2007 Indoor Public Swim Program takes place at the Maloney HS pool on the following dates & times: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:30-7:45PM and Saturdays & Sundays from 12:00-3:45PM.
All interested participants must possess a valid 2007 pool pass. Available for purchase at the Parks & Recreation office, passes cost $5.00 for adults and $1.00 for children ages 17 & under. Potential recipients must come to the office in-person and bring proof of Meriden residency to receive a pass.
20TH ANNUAL “DAFFODILS ON PARADE”
The 20th Annual “Daffodils on Parade” will take place on Saturday, April 28th. Groups, clubs, schools, businesses, or individuals wishing to march in Meriden’s largest parade are asked to call the Recreation Division office at 630-4259 for an entry form. Creative participation is always welcome!
MAX E. MURAVNICK MERIDEN SENIOR CITIZENS’ CENTER
The Max E. Muravnick Meriden Senior Citizens’ Center is open to all Meriden residents age 60 and over. Membership is free of charge and new members may sign-up any weekday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. by presenting a driver’s license or other proof of age. New members receive an information package about senior services and a coupon entitling them to one complimentary lunch in our Senior Community Café. Sign-up today and find out about all that is offered for Meriden seniors at the Max E. Muravnick Senior Center!
City Clerk Irene Masse will speak at the Senior Center before lunch on Wednesday, February 14 at 11:15 AM about the new passport requirements for U.S. travelers. Beginning January 23, all U.S. citizens traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport. This will also apply to land and sea travel as early as January 1, 2008. Please note that the passport requirements do not apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or directly from a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico. The City Clerk will explain the new regulations and how to apply for a passport for those interested. Also that day, a special Valentine’s Day lunch of oven roasted chicken with gravy, roasted potatoes, and green and wax beans with cherry pie for dessert will be served. For a lunch reservation call 235-8052. Entertainment will be provided by singer George Gandy.
A Valentine Dinner Dance will be held at the Senior Center on Thursday, February 15 with music provided by Vinnie Carr. Dinner of top round of beef, baked potato, green beans almondine, dessert and coffee will be served from 5:00 to 6:00 with dancing from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Tickets are available now for
Meriden residents at a cost $6 per person and may be purchased at the Senior Center.
The “Move and Soothe” gentle movement class taught by Susan Sandel, Dance/Movement Therapist, will resume on Tuesday afternoons in March from 12:30 to 1:30 PM on the lower level of the Senior Center, starting on Tuesday, March 6. The class will feature gentle movement set to music to stretch, relax and strengthen your body and, most of all, to have fun! Participants should wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing and sneakers or rubber-soled shoes. Ms. Sandel is an accomplished dance therapist and we are glad to welcome her back to the Senior Center in March for “Move & Soothe” classes each week at the Senior Center.
The 17th annual “Walk for Warmth” will be held in downtown Meriden on Saturday, March 3 at 10:00 AM. This two-mile walk raises money to provide energy assistance to people in need who would otherwise not qualify for help. Last year’s walk raised $16,000 which helped more than 110 households with their winter energy bills. I will be walking in the 2007 “Walk for Warmth” and ask that concerned people consider donating to this worthwhile cause or walking themselves in this community event. To make a pledge, please contact me at the Senior Center at 237-0066 or call New Opportunities of Greater Meriden at 235-0278.
AARP’s trained volunteer Tax-Aide counselors are once again ready to help local seniors with income tax advice and actual preparation of their 2006 Federal and State income tax returns. Meriden AARP volunteers will be at the Max Muravnick Senior Center each Wednesday, from Wednesday, February 7 until Wednesday, April 11. This free service is offered by appointment which may be made by calling the Senior Center at 237-0066.
On a related topic, the Senior Center also has IRS forms to claim a refund of the federal telephone excise taxes you paid with your phone bill for many years. This refund will be included on your income tax return if you file a tax return for 2006. However, if you do not have to file an income tax return you can submit IRS Form 1040EZ-T to claim this refund. For a single person who paid taxes on long distance calling, the standard refund is $30. For further information or to pick up a copy of the form please inquire in the Senior Center office.
The next session of the AARP Driver Safety Program at the Senior Center will be on Wednesday, April 25 and Friday, April 27 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Class participants will learn defensive driving techniques, new traffic laws and much more in this 8-hour course. Successful completion of the classroom course also entitles you to a discount on your automobile insurance premiums. The course fee is $10 and reservations for the class are now being accepted by calling the Senior Center at 237-0066. Additional AARP Driver Safety Classes this year at the Senior Center will be held on July 25 & 27 and November 7 & 9, 2007.
The Elderly and Disabled Homeowners’ Tax Relief Program sponsored by the State of Connecticut has now started. Any elderly or disabled Meriden homeowner can apply for a credit to their local property taxes at the Meriden Tax Assessor’s Office at City Hall between February 1 and May 15, 2007. To be eligible applicants or their spouse must have been 65 or older by December 31, 2006 or be on Social Security Disability. You must own and live in the house for which you claim a tax credit and the income limits are $28,800 for a single person and $35,300 for a married couple. Applications for tax relief are also available for qualified veterans. For more information contact the Tax Assessor’s Office at 630-4065.
For a complete listing of all Senior Center classes, activities, trips and meal menus, pick-up a copy of our newsletter available on the first of each month at the reception desk in the front lobby.
John F. Hogarth - Senior Center Director
Mayor’s Corner – Wallingford
Dear Friends,
February is upon us with crisp cold weather and gradually lengthening daylight hours. The name is derived from the Latin word Februa, a time of festival of purification celebrated in ancient Rome. When the 10 month Roman calendar became 12 months, at first January was added to start the calendar and February was added as the last month of the year. In 452 BC February was moved to second place in the calendar.
It is said that we as humans are creatures of habit. That becomes very clear when the calendar we use to mark the passage of time is considered. It is amazing how people who lived thousands of years ago still directly influence how we act and think today. Our contribution to February is President’s Day and Valentine’s Day. Both are worthy entrants deserving of attention. Of course Valentine’s Day is also of Roman origin and identifies the day St. Valentine became a martyr. I guess we should have a Presidential purpose when we propose to our Valentines in purity of spirit. Most of all, keep a sense of humor.
Sincerely,
William W. Dickinson, Jr.
Mayor of Wallingford
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