The People's Press - Meriden, Wallingford and Central Connecticut's Newspaper: December 2010

Your Stories December 2010 Stories from The People’s Press – remember you can always share by sending yours to andy@peoplespressnews.com by the 30th of each month to be in the following issue. To read The People’s Press in image of pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com My Christmas tree, Nathaniel This year I found my near perfect Fraser fir at the North Farms Volunteer Fire Department. One man was ever so kind to transport it to my apartment, carry it up to the second floor, and help me get it into the tree stand, something that alone would have taken me probably two hours to accomplish. So bravo to that Volunteer Fire Department!! I was just sitting with my tree, which I decorated yesterday, and asked its name, and got Nathaniel, but it was okay to call him Nate. I have occasionally gotten names before, but this one came through loud and clear. I am not sure how much people think about the trees that are chopped down for us and the sacrifice the tree has made for us. The chopping down is the beginning of the end of that particular tree's life, and I am compelled to talk to the tree about it. I have done this before with other trees, but I sat down tonight with Nate and discussed this sacrifice he has made to make me happy. Some trees have more souls than others, no fault of theirs, but this tree is vibrant with energy. I thanked him so much for letting me adorn him with lights and ornaments, and remarked on how beautiful he is. Nate was beautiful to begin with, but in the season of Christmas we do kind of shiny him up. My Nate has a beautiful pine odor, which Fraser firs are known for, and I am so enjoying that too. My cats love to play with the ornaments, and they also love having life inside, a real tree which they admire. I spoke to Nathaniel tonight about death, and how I know he gave his life to be in my apartment, and how very much that meant to me, and perhaps neighbors who could view the tree in my window as well. It's not much of a stretch to compare this to Christ and how he died for us, willingly. If we could for a few moments just think about the tree we have bought or cut down and maybe compare it to Christ's death, and revel in the remarkable nature of a tree all adorned with ornaments and bright lights and think about Jesus. He gave us these trees. He gave us everything. And He gave His life for us. I so love this tree, and I know in a few weeks, it will inevitably die. But the sacrifice was made knowing this. Nate knows this. God knows this. It may sound silly to you, but if you have a live tree in your house, I would encourage you to sit around it and ask it for a name and see if you get one. And then thank that tree for gracing your home, for you to be fortunate enough to able to decorate it and enjoy all the happiness it gives to you. See if your tree smiles in response. Nate did. He says not to worry about the death part. His branches will fall back into the earth and will be part of it. More trees will grow. God's love will continue to be here; we just have to look for it. Barbara Sherburne barndt49@yahoo.com “Sheltering an Animal’s Perspective” by Gregory M. Simpson What’s in a name? For cats, it should be a lot! T.S. Eliot wrote that, “Cats must have three names – an everyday name, such as Peter; a more particular dignified name, such as Quaxo, Bombalurina, or Jellylorum; and thirdly, the name the cat thinks up for himself, his deep and inscrutable singular Name.” Our Siamese cat is regal, and comes from the long line of cats originally from Siam. The first documented export of a Royal Siamese was to President Rutherford B. Hayes’ wife, Lucy Webb Hayes. As a kitten, our Siamese was as white as freshly fallen snow, so my wife named her Polar Bear or Polar for short. To fit her royal demeanor, her fully dignified name is Her Royal Highness, Precious Princess Polar Bear. She has not yet shared with us her other name, the one she thought up for herself. “Lucky” was so named when we rescued him from the outdoors one frigid January night. He made it perfectly clear what he wanted as he wrapped his two front legs around my leg and would not let go. After that, he wanted nothing to do with going out. He taught us about being a survivor. Another of our cats was discovered at ten days old in someone’s back yard, covered in dirt. Hence, her name became “Dusty.” She was found with a puncture wound in his neck due to an animal bite. Hand fed around the clock until adopted, Dusty taught us that there’s a lot to be said about being in the right place at the right time. Our orange tabby was adopted from a local animal shelter after he was found starving and unable to move due to his entanglement in a flea collar. Depressed at the shelter, he routinely faced the back of his cage. When brought home, though, he bounded up on the sofa between my wife and me, all but beaming with satisfaction over his new home. Between the color of his coat and his sparkling disposition, he could only be named “Sunny.” Our petite, gray and white cat has antics as funny as a cartoon kitty, so we named her “Garfield.” Then there is “Sesame”. He was so named because he always seemed to be waiting for a door to open. One day, as he waited by a door, my wife called out, “Open, Sesame,” and the name stuck. Petfinder.com, the on-line database of adoptable companion animals, has revealed the ten most popular names for animals awaiting adoption in 2009. The name “Lucy” took the number one spot for cats, with “Smokey” coming in second. For the first time in recent history, the name “Bella” made both the cat and dog lists of popular names. The names “Kitten,” “Princess,” “Tigger” and “Misty” of years past were replaced by names like “Midnight,” “Daisy,” and “Charlie” for 2009. The name chosen by Petfinder.com as the most unusual moniker for 2009 was “Shyanne Thailand Moo Goo Guy Pan,” followed by “Mr. Tomfoolery Scardeycat Eliot.” There appears to be a definite trend of people giving their companion animals middle names. Mark Twain, who kept many cats at his home on Farmington Avenue in Hartford, commented that, “My cats died early – on account of being so overweighted with their names, it was thought – ‘Sour Mash,’ ‘Apollinaris,’ ‘Zoroaster,’ ‘Blatherskite,’… names given them, not in an unfriendly spirit, but merely to practice the children in large and difficult styles of pronunciation. It was a very happy idea – I mean, for the children.” Yes, as T.S. Eliot observed, “The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter.” Cleveland Amory, founder of Fund for Animals, and author of The Cat Who Came for Christmas, elaborated that, “A cat who dislikes his name can – and I am reliably informed, often does – go through his entire lifetime without ever, even by a careless mistake, acknowledging that he has ever heard it before, let alone recognizing, in any perceptible manner known to mankind, that it would in any way have any possible connection with him.” My favorite words about the naming of cats come from my favorite author about cats – the French writer, Colette, who wrote, “There stands before you…she who rejects the names of queens, the childish diminutives, and is called – as if she were the only one in the world – Cat.” For the animals, Gregory M. Simpson Gregory Simpson’s animal welfare involvement spans over 25 years, having provided leadership for several Connecticut organizations, as well as having served as state advisor to the national Friends of Animals. Currently a Board member of Protectors of Animals, Inc., he was chosen by CAT FANCY magazine as one of the ultimate cat lovers in the U.S. He is also an award winning member of the Cat Writers’ Association. Stories from The People’s Press – remember you can always share by sending yours to andy@peoplespressnews.com by the 30th of each month to be in the following issue. To read The People’s Press in image of pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com Long Lost Brother…. OK, so he wasn’t “really” lost, but it felt that way to me all these years. Back in the Summer of 1982, I remember standing at the end of my driveway watching my brother, Steve, socialize with all sorts of well wishers. Why you ask, because early the next day he was flying down south to start boot camp in the United States Air Force. This was the way his friends bid him farewell, since our family did not “do parties”. Purposely, I was memorizing his smile, his laugh and just his overall presence, because I felt as if I was never going to see him again. Regardless, of the four year age difference, he never made me feel like I was just the kid sister tagging along. On the contrary, Steve was always including me in parts of his life and was always my back bone when I needed one, where other brothers might not bother. I was extremely happy for him and proud that he made such a grown up decision, but I was losing my best friend. Since then, I have always felt a part of me was missing. For the first time, I felt real heart ache. Of course we kept in touch via letters, phone calls, care packages, gifts, etc. Eventually, as with many long distance relationships, the communication between us began to dwindle. No one to blame, its just life moving along as it should. That is what we were supposed to do, right? Still, I know Steve blames himself for not coming home for 28 years, but has no reason to. He had good reason for leaving home, which had nothing to do with me. Unfortunately, in the weeks that followed, me being a shy 15 yr old, I had a really hard time without his support. However, life moved on and within 3 years of his leaving, I had graduated high school moved out on my own. Steve was traveling all over the world doing his USAF thing by then. Over the years, we attempted to reconnect a few times, but to no avail. So, why am I telling this story? Well, after all these years, Steve finally came home to visit. Unfortunately, it took the recent loss of our father to do so. Despite the fact that it took a family tragedy to bring us back together, I choose to always believe that everything does happen for a reason, good, bad or indifferent. You see, just as I mentioned in my last article “Guardian Angels”, Steve too had become estranged from our father. Call me crazy, but I feel it was my fathers’ spirit that actually pushed us back together to be family. Growing up, our whole family had it problems, not unlike many others. As a result, one by one each family member abandoned the rest. Love, affection and support is a two way street. A friend once said “My theory is-if there are people in my life that are not “life fulfilling” is some way, shape or form, then I don’t want them in my life…period”! Since then, I have implemented that within my life and have always come out happier because of it. Therefore, anyone who does not fit into that mold, is a waste of my precious time and energy. Also, while I agree that relationships take hard a lot of exertion and stamina, it only works if all parties involved are equally working towards that same goal. So, last Sunday morning, in the darkness of 5am (see current photo), I drove “Trench” as he prefers to be called, to the airport. He lived with us for the entire week and it was the most wonderful, amazing week ever. It was simply PRICELESS!! Ironically, we did not do anything terribly exciting either. No attractions or museums. Nope, nothing like that. He and I just did regular things, hung out, he adored my kids (and they too adored him) and talked A LOT!! We both agreed that it was as if we had never been apart all these 28 years. It was if they just melted away. We discovered that we think the same way, have the same life theories, like the same things from dark chocolate, honey mustard and Country Music!! It even got to the point we were finishing each others sentences. Some really neat things happened by shear luck, or was it fate…hmm? When I first picked him up, we went to lunch. Trench wanted food you cant get in Texas. So, we ended up at an old fashion Polish Diner on the Berlin Tpk complete with a friendly staff, mini juke boxes at every table and the BEST perogies. His first morning here, God granted his first wish by covering the ground with just enough snow for him to enjoy with his niece and nephew, before school. We took LOTS of pictures and he even pulled them around in the sled. By 10am, it had all melted. While reliving his little league glory days at Parker Farms, we each found a baseball. It was really neat having an official souvenir. OK, so this story really could go on and on, but I digress…yea finally. Steve I know that you will be reading this and getting teary eyed, as I have writing it, but I know that they are happy tears. You will always be a part of my life, no matter how far apart we are geographically and as you said to me, many times during your visit, I am NEVER going to let you go again!! I love you so much; my heart aches, but for the good reasons now. Love “Your Favorite Sister, forever”….Michelle “Trench” Scianna Please Help The Wallingford Animal Shelter! Along with everyone feeling the effects of the poor economy the worst is the animals. I guess I can understand when people loose their homes, but to just give up their beloved pets because times are bad I don’t understand. The children especially need those pets to comfort them. I say this because the Wallingford Animal shelter is overloaded with dogs & cats. How can you help, of course adopt always adopt before buying and donate canned dog food especially. It doesn’t take too much out of your dollar under 65 cents each. I can’t imagine giving up my wonderful dog(adopted from the shelter) or my 2 beautiful cats(also adopted) The joy & comfort they give me is hard to explain. So please open your heart & provide some love in the form of canned food if you can’t do anything else & they always need blankets, towels wash clothes to give a warm place on that cold concrete floor. Thanks Carole Golitko Pudge is Missing Again! Her name is PUDGE, she went missing early in November, 2010. She is 8 years old now. You portrayed her in June of 2006 and she was returned in the cul-de-sac here where we live. She is a good size fixed female. Mostly white w/greyish black tiger markings on her back. She is friendly and furry with long hair. She was born and raised here. I am now a 13 year cancer survivor this year but have become very diabetic from extensive chemo. PUDGE has always been a great companion for me. She likes to be greeted in the morning when I awake and still shares my chair with me. She still likes lying on the deck when it is nice out. Her 2 buddies, they were pound puppies and 19 years old, have passed. She always came in by her name as I still need to rest. She would never stay out in this weather except to potty. She shares our home with a couple of siblings here on the East side of Wallingford. I call her every day. Like waiting for a miracle. My heart is heavy awaiting for her return. If found please call Linda at (203) 265-9461 South Meriden Vol Fire Department The Village Community Emergency Service Life Line Serving Since 1908 Now its time for a couple of safety tips for our neighbors. We hope you all have working smoke detectors in your home. Working Smoke detectors save lives. Please make sure that you changed your batteries in the detectors. If you have not changed your batteries Yet please do so! Also if you do not have carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in your home please purchase them. CO is a colorless, odorless, highly poisonous gas that is produced by inefficient burning and incomplete combustion of fuel products in heating appliances, furnace, hot water heaters, and stoves. If you do not have efficient burning appliances in the home, over a period of time CO could be building up in the home which if unchecked could lead to medical conditions and even Death. Having your furnace cleaned and serviced each year will help keep the units running more efficiently. CO is the silent killer, please protect your family and yourself and purchase CO detectors for your home. CO is also produced by normal operation of your vehicles and comes out of the vehicles exhaust systems. Running your vehicle in the garage could cause CO to seep directly into the home. With winter right around the corner we are asking for your assistance with a little maintenance item. If you have a fire hydrant near the front of your property we need your help. When it snows it would be helpful; if you could clear the snow and ice away from the hydrant. In a fire emergency it is very important that we can hook our hoses to the hydrant as quickly as possible in case we need additional water to extinguish a fire. During and after snow storms we do try to get out and clear hydrants, but we do not always have time to get to them all. It would be very beneficial for all of our neighbor to have clean and clear fire hydrants. If you can help us out with this maintenance item we would appreciate your assistance. Another health tip. If you are under a doctor’s care and take certain medications keep a list of these medications handy just in case you have the need to call 911 for during a medical emergency. Also with this list you might want to give a little history of any medical conditions that you also might have. These are important things for emergency responders to have just in case you are unable to respond to our questions when we arrive at your home. A good place to keep this information is in an envelope on you refrigerator and note that it is Medical Info. Public Service Announcement We are still looking for some eager, hard working and committed volunteer recruits to join our department. South Meriden Vol. Fire Dept now is accepting applications. We are recruiting citizens from Meriden over the age of 18 who are High School Graduates in good physical health and have a Clean Police Record. No fire fighting experience is necessary; we will train you and send you for training. We also do recruitment for certified firefighters that live outside of Meriden as long as they can meet our bylaw requirements to do minimum one duty overnight crew a week plus meet our drill, meeting and squad duty requirements. While volunteering with our department you will gain the experience, knowledge and certification which will help your career search in the emergency service field or just enhance your present career. Our members that have served over two years with us and are in good standing with our department can receive enhancement points that could help them in the hiring process if they choice to apply and test for a City of Meriden Fire Fighters position. Information about our application process: We administer a written entrance exam in order to determine if applicants will be able to take and pass the required State of CT Fire Fighter I course and CT Emergency Medical Technician or Medical Response Technician courses which are also mandatory over the first 18 months of membership. We also administer an agility test that helps us determine if the applicants can perform the physical duties of a fire fighter. We also administer an oral interview and perform police and other background checks to ensure that the character and integrity of our prospective members meets our highest standards. South Meriden Vol. Fire is also a drug free environment and we test for drug use. May your best day in 2010 be your worse day in 2011 Good-bye for now, talk to you soon Keep Safe and Stay Healthy Happy Holidays and Happy New Year Keith Gordon, Chief of Operations Memories to Live For……… By Bonnie Kent I have so many great memories of Christmas with my family, one of my most loved memories was when I was about four, I remember being in those footie pajama’s and coming into the living room and seeing the huge stuff collie that Santa brought me I still remember it to this day and the joy it brought me through my childhood. But probably my most memorable are those spent in Pennsylvania with my grandparents. Those were the days where your parents had those station wagons and they would put down the back seat load up the back with the clothes and the old metal cooler with food and snacks. Then we laid out our sleeping bags and our pillows hoping not to be stuck in the middle where you would get kicked, elbowed or slept on. It was great going on these adventures to grandma and grandpa’s and they were adventures because we were usually going to a new place. My grandfather is famous for moving and constantly buying new cars. So once we arrived and grandma made sure we were full with home cooked goodies it was off to explore. Whether it was Ashland and the park at the end of the street with the train, Bloomsburg and the fair, the mountain in Benton with the deer the huge rock and old bus, Berwick, Danville, or Montoursville we always had a great time. But the adventures were not always at grandpa’s house I can remember being five maybe six and coming down one of the winding mountain roads in our white station wagon and the car sliding on the roads and being stranded in a snow storm at one time. But every one of my memories brings happiness even the sad ones. The years have been great and I miss my grandparents that are gone but the most aggravating, bullheaded, argumentative and the most endearing one is still here and as of January 23rd he will reach his 99th Birthday. Up until last Christmas he still lived in his own home, drove his car (and kept buying new ones each one smaller than the last) and is the most opinioned person you will ever meet and the last one I expected to live as long as he has. My grandfather is a Pennsylvania coal miner and made beautiful music on his organ. He has black lung and has been on oxygen for as long as I can remember. I guess growing up with him was hard, my dad doesn’t have many memories but does my grandpa have some great ones of serving in the army and his escapades in Washington with the army boys, his stories of the mines and getting trapped and how it was one of the only times that “the suits” were at the mines, and about the time that he pulled a brother out of a collapse. The way he spoke these miners were brothers and family. My best memories of my grandfather are him sitting at the table at what I considered odd times with his fork in his hand and yelling at 4:30 or so in the morning “Agnes, where is my breakfast?” and my grandmother yelling back “Charles, you know it to early to eat the kids are not up yet so you can wait?” I can still smell the homemade sticky buns, chicken pot pie, and all the other mouth watering foods my grandmother made. As I grew up the memories of my grandfather changed I remember how my cousins and my brothers stopped visiting because of my grandfather and his open voicing of his opinions of boys with hair over their ears and it all came back to me as I got older. I was driving him one summer and we saw a young man with long hair and out the window he yelled “Girlie, don’t you think you need to get a haircut!” I see a lot of him in my middle daughter, Sabrina who also yells her opinions out the window as I am driving. I have been doing a lot or research on Ancestry.com lately as I realize I don’t know a lot about my family history and how they grew up. I was amazed at what I found in the immigration files, and the information that they collected in the censuses, and the photo’s and newspaper clippings and military records. Just this month I went to see the ornery one and I brought my two oldest daughters’s and his favorite Hershey chocolate bars. The first comment out of his mouth was “is this what Hershey is calling a chocolate bar now?” and proceeded to tell us how thick and how cheap the bars were in his time. It was a great time as I brought up the stories I found out about his father and his uncles and he in turn was amazed at the new cell phones my daughters had and the pictures that we took of them and how he could see them right then and there. I mentioned the article that my dad showed me of his saving a trapped miner and he went off about his days in the mines and my daughter got to hear some of the stories that I had heard and some of the one that were new to me. It was a great time for us all but the one thing I will remember most about this trip is the baby. You see my daughter, Sabrina is taking Child Development in school and this was the weekend that she had the computer baby. This thing cried at all times of the day and night, you had to feed it, burp it, change the diaper and pay attention to it or it would continue to cry. This baby amazed my grandfather and all the people in the retirement home. I have a great picture of him holding this doll and the look of amazement on his face is wonderful. As Christmas approaches this year I am realizing that pretty soon this glorious man will be gone and I will miss him and the battle of the minds that I have come to love. I will miss the reminder of the wonderful memories of my childhood Christmas’s. This year I hope tp return to see my grandfather for Christmas and hope to wish him Happy Birthday in January. I hope that my girls will have great memories of my parents and pass on our family history down to there children. Happy Holiday’s to all………….. Congratulations to Stephanie Griffin of Wallingford, CT By: Andrew Reynolds People's Press News and contributing publication of The People's Press news - Venture Out Publications, LLC, is proud to announce and congratulate Stephanie Griffin of Wallingford, CT as the New Senior Vice President of VentureOut! Publications, LLC. Because Venture Out Magazine Online is in cooperative relationship with The People's Press News, we will see Stephanie Griffin's Journalistic Columns from time to time both in The People's Press and in Venture Out Magazine Online. Miss. Griffin is currently a student who is studying a major in media communications and journalism at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. She also is a Music Performer and Writer in the Music Industry. Stephanie's diversified communication skills, musical talent, and journalism has been recognized, leaving her opportunities in the past to meet music performers such as Ryan Cabrara, The Group Simple Plan, Christine Ohlman, Dean 'HB' Vitali - just to mention a few in the celebrity arena. She is the relative of Actor, Film Director, Writer and Producer - Matthew Quinn Martin who appeared several times on Law and Order, Criminal Intent, P.S. I Love You and wrote the Moive "Sling Shot". In addition she is also the relative of Actor David Della Rocco from the all-time favorite Movie "Boondock Saints" and "At Jakes". Stephanie is the daughter of Maggie and Tom Griffin of Wallingford and sister of Tommy Griffin. Originating from Hamden, CT, she moved to Wallingford in 2002 where she attended Dag Middle School and Lyman Hall. She is a National Honor Society, CAPT Scholar and Varsity Scholar member as well. The People's Press News is looking forward to Stephanie Griffin's contributions in her columns and we congratulate her in her achievement as Senior Vice President for VentureOut!, Publications, LLC - of whom is a contributing partner of The Peoples Press News. The Whale If you read a recent front page story of the San Francisco Chronicle, you would have read about a female humpback whale that had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, a line tugging in her mouth. A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farallon Islands (outside the Golden Gate ) and radioed an environmental group for help. Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her. They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her. When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, and nudged them, pushed them gently around as she was thanking them. Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives. The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth said her eyes were following him the whole time, and he will never be the same. May you, and all those you love, be so blessed and fortunate to be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you. And, may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude. I pass this on to you, my friends, in the same spirit. Happy Holidays to you and yours! Michael Bermudez THANK YOU Nancy Freyburg December 18, 2010 “I must say something about the handsome young man who brought my dinner! He was a “heart breaker” and at age 95, he made me feel young again! He ate some cookies with me and looked at pictures of my family and showed me some of his. We had a wonderful conversation about so many things. He set my meal up for me and left me another for the next day. When one is old, almost blind, in a wheel chair, and all alone, the holidays can be especially difficult. My handsome visitor made me feel very special and he came back on Saturday to say hello. Thank you for all your kindness and for always remembering to never forget those of us who are……………………..” The letter went on for another page sharing memories, extolling our biscuits and stuffing, and letting me know how important it is to feel special. This letter is one of the many reasons I am blessed each Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter to be part of the holiday community dinners in Wallingford. The visits, and just sitting with someone, are just as important as the meals. In our 29th year, we served about 300 meals to those who came to the First Congregational Church and sent meals home to another 250 people. We will do the same thing again Christmas Day. I have a heart full of wonderful memories and dream of more to still make. My heart felt thanks to all of you who help make the memories. Your generosity of spirit and willingness to help and care for others is what is so special to me. It is because of you that so many others really enjoy their holidays. Whether it is the regulars who come to peel 250 pounds of potatoes, after having spent 3 days cooking turkeys, those who call with donations to make sure we have everything we need, those who set a beautiful dining room and shower goodness and grace on all who have come to eat, those who shower me with kisses and hugs, while showing me their new special Olympics medals, Dennis playing his guitar and singing all my favorite songs, or someone who has lost a spouse of 62 years and just wanted to be with us… this is why we come back year after year to be part of all these wonderful stories. Thanks for all you do to make all this possible. Gods’ peace and blessings to all. Traditions that Matter Colleen Totz Diamond I celebrate Christmas the way I clean house -- erratically. I have little sense of tradition and less still of posterity. I decorate differently each year. I set up the tree in different rooms. I buy greenery on a whim or not at all. I buy gifts for everyone or for no one. One thing always remains consistent, however: my mom’s lasagna. Until now. This year, my mom is breaking a decades-long tradition and cooking beef tenderloin instead of lasagna. The kids are bringing the sides. Instead of pulling names from a hat, we’re exchanging gifts with everyone. We think so, anyway. We never discussed the gift-giving. The gifts are beside the point. We thank the good Lord for another year together. We do it silently, but we do it. My father died in 1988, when I was 19 years old and living in the Midwest. The first thing my mom did was pull the family together. Within two hours of his passing, she arranged a plane ticket to have me home by late afternoon. My sister was six years old. My aunt picked her up from Parker Farms School. My brother was at Sheehan. Monsignor, the pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Church, brought him home. The first Christmas without our dad was pretty lonely. Talk about a break in tradition. My mom lit seven candles in the fireplace, as a remembrance of his presence, and we did our best to carry on without him. To be honest, I don’t remember that Christmas very well. I just know that my family changed. Christmas changed. We held onto each other a little tighter that year, and we still do. For every good-bye in life, there are new beginnings. In the decades since my dad’s passing, we’ve welcomed new family members, some who were born into the family, and some who arrived by chance. My mother is a proud “Nana.” My brother and his wife are proud parents. There is “Jimbo,” our new father. There is my husband, Dave. And my sister is a focused grad student, with an expanded family to cheer her on. Our story is not unique. We all face a time when the ground shifts under our feet. What do we do? We adjust our stride. My family anchors itself to the traditions that matter, and lets go of the ones that don’t. We don’t light candles in the fireplace anymore, but we do keep our dad in our hearts. We might tell a “remember when” story or two, but we also live in the present. When I clean house, the excess clutter – trash bag after trash bag – goes out the door without a second thought. I never miss the stuff. That stuff is then; my clean house is now. My mom’s lasagna was not a casualty of impulsive thinking. The decision was years in the making. The courage to let go of a longstanding tradition, at least for this one year, took much deliberation. I can’t speak for her, but I suspect that without the support of our expanded family, she may not have had the courage to make the break. This year will be unlike other years, at least at the dinner table. T his year will also be just like every other year. As she does every year, my mom will pull us together for a celebration of each other. I expect that we’ll see that at the end of the day, it’s not really the food that matters. FOLLOWING THE STAR (A probable story of Baltar, a youth in ancient Persia.) By Dorothy Gonick “For years, ever since I came to serve Caspar, I’d heard the prophecy about a star that would guide people to the birthplace of a new king. Overhearing snatches of Caspar’s talk with other Magi, and hearing their excitement as they studied old manuscripts and searched the heavens by night, made me wonder how a star could possibly guide men. Stars are beautiful and I loved watching them as they traveled across the heavens each night, and I wondered which one would glow brightly and lead the Magi. Time passed, yet no star had appeared. Other wise men were also searching the heavens for the sign and each had vowed to meet when the star appeared; then travel together to meet the new king. Caspar had purchased a gift of expensive myrrh, and after showing it to me had secreted it from prying eyes. I marveled at the beauty of those gleaming golden droplets of sweet smelling hardened resin that were nestled in the silver filigreed box. Caspar told me of the significance of those droplets: they were the lifeblood of the tree, the essence of the tree’s life. “Then came the night I was awakened with a shout of joy from Caspar. ‘Awake, Baltar! Make ready my robes—the star has appeared!’ Years of waiting spurred much activity, and my pleas to accompany Caspar on this journey were accepted. Quickly I gathered clothing and hurried to the shed where camels were waiting. Jugs of water and parcels of food were snugly secured on a waiting camel. Caspar nodded approval and majestically mounted his camel, nodded for me to mount the burdened beast, and we set out just as the sun was rising. The shining star guided us forward. I rode in awe of the God who created this star to guide travelers on their journey to see the fulfillment of the prophecy He’d given many years before. "Along our journey, two of Caspar’s Magi friends, Melchior and Balthazar from other countries, joined us. We found rest and refreshment in the occasional oases, and after seeing to my master’s needs, I listened to the awesome tales of the Magi and watched the camels nibble the sparse grasses as dusk fell. Stars began appearing and soon the wide crescendo of the Milky Way spanned the heavens in musical waves. Our special star was a burst of staccato echoing through the spheres, giving majesty to the night sky overhead, and a sense of peaceful protectiveness as we took our rest. In the very early dawn, I gathered clusters of dates for us travelers to enjoy on our midday break. As the nighttime stars faded from view, our plodding camels again began the steady onward course, still following the star. “Traveling through the Judean hills near the approach to Jerusalem, a rose bush bloomed in a rock crevice. I gathered six of the fragrant roses to be my gift for the new king. The streets of Jerusalem were wide and filled with foreigners, merchants, and beggars. We wondered why there seemed no excitement about the birth of a new king. Didn’t they know, or were we wrong and had followed the star in ignorance and futility? The three Magi made their way up to the palace of Herod. I held the camels as the Magi entered the palace with their gifts safe in the folds of their robes. Soon the three Magi came back down the steps with their gifts for the newborn king still within their robes, saying ‘We must be on our way to Bethlehem, where the prophecy has foretold the birthplace.’ “Dusk was falling as we approached the tiny village of Bethlehem. The star hovered and sent a shaft of bright light down toward a humble dwelling. The three Magi dismounted and reverently held their treasures as they entered the home. In the aura of light, a young couple welcomed them; the mother was cradling her young son. As they knelt before Him with their gifts and worshipped, the child smiled and reached out to them as in a blessing. As the magi were solemnly returning to the camels, I bravely entered the home and knelt before this holy child. The gift of roses I had gathered yesterday was still fresh and with a big smile for the mother, I laid them among the treasured gifts of the Magi. When the child met my gaze, I became enveloped in a wave of great love. While in this aura of majesty I vowed to return someday to serve this new king. For now, my duty was to honorably serve Caspar, my Magi, as long as he had need of my services “While on the way from Jerusalem, an angel had warned the three wise Magi not to return to Herod’s palace, but to leave by another way, so Melchior and Balthazar soon departed for their own countries. As we traveled, Caspar continued to teach me many of the stories that led us on this awesome expedition to find the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ… “I never tired of telling my story to others in the household, and of my hopes to someday find this chosen king and serve Him.” On Christmas! A day of celebration The birthday of the Messiah Now it's shop till you drop Cruising the aisles in the middle of the night Bargains last for only an hour Stores open 24 hours - $99.00 Flat Screens Ad inserts create pounds of recycling TV spots more annoying than those of silly season Shopping centers overrun; parking is impossible Lines at checkouts challenge ones ire Discounts on everything - buy something, get one free "Remember the reason for the season" "Keep Christ in Christmas" Let's tone down the crass commercialism - return to uncomplicated times Wouldn't that be lovely? Buon Natale! Ernie Larsen Christmas is for Children! My brothers and I always anxiously looked forward to Christmas morning. After celebrating Christmas Eve with many aunts, uncles, and cousins, we put on our holiday pajamas, left some cookies and milk for Santa and the reindeers, and were whisked off to bed by our parents. I still remember staring at the base of the tree and wondering how, and more importantly, when the presents would arrive. I could never figure out how Santa made it into our house when we did not have a fireplace and chimney . . . I guess so long as the presents arrived, it just didn't matter. As our own children, Bria and Blake, are preparing for the Christmas holiday, my own childhood memories flash before me. Whether it was my first remote control car, my real New York Jets jersey, or the year that none of my clothes fit, I can't help but reflect back on what mattered most. That was quality time with my family. As I get older and busier, I look forward to the holidays and have a new appreciation for the wonderful family I have been blessed with. I want to thank my mom and dad, my brothers and their families, and all my relatives for always putting family first. I also want to thank my wife, Amy, the rock of our family, and my children, Bria and Blake, for giving life true meaning and purpose. I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. Enjoy and value the time you have with your family and friends. Let us not forget—Christmas is for Children! Laugh, love and live…. All the best, Mark Benigni The First Snow The first flakes tickle my cheeks, soak my hair . . . fresh ground silences each footstep, eating it like a favorite breakfast food. As I chip through ice, I remember our dad and how he yearned for wintry days dark mornings to run the plow, bright clouds of breath at the pump, evenings speeding though town on snowmobiles. . . . These metaphors, the reason of his life, keep me close when nature shaves her sky, fluttering her icy long into my hands. For Dad, Christmas, inevitable in its noise, punctuated the winter like an em dash in a snowy field. This winter beehive lives to distract us from a quiet that begins with first snows, each newer than the last, longer than the first. —Colleen Totz Diamond Home Country Slim Randles I guess the stranger was more obvious to us than if he’d been in a bigger town, because we just don’t get too many unless the fishing’s good in summer. A stranger tends to stick out, and when this guy quietly showed up at the Mule Barn truck stop drinking coffee, we looked for a minute or two. Dud got up to go see what he was driving, but in the parking lot, only the familiar colors, dings, dents and scratches were to be seen, each car and truck resting in its customary place. So did he walk here? Take the bus? Doc walked over to him and invited him to bring his cup over to the round table, where all of us Knights of Unlimited Knowledge were holding forth, but he just smiled and shook his head. “Maybe he isn’t able to talk,” Dud said. We looked at him again, and tried to get on another theme … Christmas presents for wives and grandkids, with the Big Day being so close. But it didn’t take. We just kept looking at him, then looking away when he looked up at us. Loretta didn’t know who he was, either. “Loretta,” said Bert, “I want you to give him whatever he wants for breakfast. On me.” She spoke to him and he smiled and pointed to something on the menu and nodded at Bert. Steve was next to get up. He walked up to the stranger and tipped his hat. “Hey, pard,” Steve said, “you know, if you need a place to bunk tonight, we have a bunkhouse on the place with a good stove in it.” The stranger smiled and looked questioningly at Steve. “Just down the road there, see that ranch on the left? Just come over when you’re ready. You can have some supper with us if you like, too.” Steve came back. “I think he’s going to stay in the bunkhouse tonight.” “Oh, good,” Doc told him. “Cold tonight.” “Well,” Bert added, “we’ll probably find out he’s the chairman of the board of something and then feel kinda silly.” “I don’t think so,” Loretta said, topping off the mugs, “but he seems, well, special, I guess.” “Or maybe,” Doc said, “we want him to seem special.” “And it probably don’t matter much which,” Steve said. “It’s Christmas.” -------------------- Sponsored by: www.pearsonranch.com. Farm direct, delicious, California navel & Valencia oranges. Traditions JoAnne Grabinski Traditions are the stuff memories are made of. They are those repetitive, sometimes lame, rituals that we partake in and somehow, somewhere along the way they morph into a fondness and become the basis of cherished memories. Holidays are the prime season for these traditions and rituals: everything from getting the tree, decorating the tree, making cookies or gifts, shared activities, and even opening gifts. Many revolve around the selection, preparation and consuming of food. When some friends of mine were younger, there was a cardboard fireplace that was put up along with the tree. Their dad even went as far as creating footsteps from the fireplace going around the tree and then back to the fireplace, indication that indeed, Santa truly had stopped by. As the older ones grew wise to this, they kept silent to let their youngest sister experience the magic of ‘Santa’s visit. I’m sure their was a time when every one was in their teens this seemed so dumb and surely they had out grow this childlike ritual, but wisely their parents continued on. Now that they all have children of their own this has become a wonderful story to pass along to their children about what it was like growing up. And with the passing of their father, the one who made Santa’s footsteps for so long, the long held tradition means so much more. I’m not sure if that cardboard fireplace is still around, maybe it is, maybe it isn’t, but it holds a special place in the hearts of four little girls. Another friend of mine started a tradition when her girls were little. After Thanksgiving, they gather twenty-four Christmas books, wrap them up and put them in a basket. Every night one child selects a book, unwraps it and together as a family they read the book. The collection is varied in theme as well as size of the book and on Christmas Eve they always read ‘Twas the Night before Christmas’. I started a tradition of my own, twenty years ago. My sister and I hold a cookie swap in the beginning of December for family and friends. What started out as a suggestion in a recipe book has now turned into a long standing holiday event that kicks off the Christmas season. Sure, it took a few years to get the event to where it is today, much like a pendulum swinging back and forth to find its center, so we too, have found our center. We get together with family and friends, exchange, six dozen prepackaged cookies, hold a grab bag, collect canned goods and eat sweet and savory snackies along with wassail, or spiced hot cider. The highlight of the event is the presentation of the cookie swap awards. The awardees receive a cookie lollipop for numerous and sundry reasons: oldest baker or farthest baker to freshest cookies, (those that made them that day), the celebration of new house, job, husband or baby, or the tongue-in-cheek of new body parts. But the most coveted are for the cookies: best looking cookie, most original recipe and best packaging. At times we have had as many as twenty-five bakers participate in our cookie swap. Aside from the food and fun, not to mention the cookies, the underlying purpose is to connect with family and friends. It’s an opportunity to catch up with one another and to celebrate our friendships and the bonds of family. Traditions and rituals don’t necessarily have to be complicated or expensive. The essential theme is the repetitive nature tied to and creating a shared experience. So as we move through life people come into and leave our lives and we adjust these traditions. But that is all part of life, sharing and shifting of roles to ensure the continuance of these well loved traditions. Stories from The People’s Press – remember you can always share by sending yours to andy@peoplespressnews.com by the 30th of each month to be in the following issue. To read The People’s Press in image of pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com My boys want to play football... It was three years ago that my boys first stepped onto the football field at Recreation Park. It was a steamy August evening that they made their way through a sea of wandering children all searching for their teams. After a short time, we came to find what would become their new team and we met the two men who were to become their new coaches. After some introductions my boys were quickly transformed into "Dolphins". In that single evening they had become a part of a team, but little did I realize that this team would eventually become a part of them too. I had innocently thought my boys were just trying out another new sport, that we would be engaging in a series of practices and games and then we would be done. I couldn't have been more wrong. Something happened over the past three years of multiple nights of practices and Saturday games. Somewhere between the black smudges under their eyes and the orange coloring sprayed in their hair and somewhere between the ritualistic chanting before every game and that very first snap of the ball, and then finally those anxiety ridden moments of their last game. Something else had taken place, but I guess I never saw it coming. I admit that I was more focused on getting from point A to point B and getting everything else done in between while my boys were focused on something very different. Apparently they had their "eye on the ball" the whole time. While I focused on completing all of the day to day tasks, friendships were being formed on the field and good sportsmanship was being learned. Skills of the game were being reinforced, self-pride was forming, and respect was becoming more and more evident. I give all the credit to two phenomenal coaches, Jim Ringrose and Doug Napoli. Without these two coaches I am confident the experiences my boys shared along with their team would not have been nearly the same. They not only coach, but they mentor and that makes the difference. Besides having the experience stacked up behind them, the enormous commitment of their time, and the never-ending patience, they have possess something even more important...they have heart. These two men were my boy’s coaches for flag and they want to continue to coach at the tackle level for the SVMFL. Recently we discovered that this would not even be a possibility, as they were not granted a team. I don't pretend to understand the politics behind who gets a team and who is turned away, but I do know one thing for certain. Coach Doug and coach Jim not getting a team is a dis-justice for the children who want more than anything to continue to play for them and for other children new to the game. Below is a letter that my son recently wrote to the President of Southington Valley Midget Football League asking for one more chance......just one more chance to play for two outstanding coaches. Sincerely, Dawn Brown Dear Mr.Verdi, My name is Garrett and I am 8 years old. I have met you before during the Apple Harvest Parade, but you may not remember me. I was the one dressed in an orange jersey. I marched along with my brother Camden, my other team mates, and my coaches. I was proud to be a Dolphin and I was excited to be marching with the football league. I have been on the Dolphins for three years now and Coach Jim and Coach Doug have been my coaches from the beginning. I remember my first practice. I was nervous. I knew I loved football and I was excited to be a part of a team, but I didn't know what it would be like. It was great! I loved every part of practice and I especially loved the games. The best part though was my team and my coaches. My coaches pushed us to try our best, to play our hardest, and have fun. We have the best coaches around. My brother and I want to play tackle next year and we want to play for coach Jim and coach Doug. My mom just told me that we won't be able to because they won't have a team of their own. I know that sending you this e-mail isn't going to change anything, but I wanted to say something to you anyways. Coach Jim and coach Doug are my coaches. They are my only coaches and my brother's too. Right now there are 5 of us who are moving up to tackle and every one of us want to play for coach Doug and coach Jim. I don't care if we can't be Dolphins anymore and I don't care if I don't even have a nice uniform to wear. But I care who my coaches are and I want them. Without them it isn't the same anymore. My brother and I liked hitting the field every Saturday and playing football. I miss my coaches making us work hard. I want to play for them again. I know what you are probably going to say, but I wish that you would think about it and let my brother; my other teammates and me play again for coach Doug and coach Jim next year as a tackle C team. I know there are other kids too who want to sign up for tackle C and are first time players. We could make a great team and we could make next year a really great year working together. Thank you, Garrett Brown #77 Dolphins! (aka Shockey) JACK You are the light....you are the love.......you are the captivating star.... the star that came...for me, from afar. One March...many emotions... as two people felt....it could not contain.... contain the blue sky, the clouds or any drop of cleansing rain. The sky let go..let go with a spark....the spark that became so bright..... it lightened even the darkest of the dark. This day...this blonde star exceptional, memorable, significant and unique..... the sky that kissed his new mother on her reddened cheek. He was John by name and Jack by growth... growth with greatness....greatness of both. Upon his parents, sisters and uncounted friends this gift did he bestow, this gift that made him swiftly glide... on tranquil water and blanketed snow... With ease it came....and then mind expanded.... cities travelled and now to be landed... landed in the core...the core of the star's own apple, where identitys will grapple. Wild and controlled..... became the inner talks... the star wanted to go...to go where freedom walks. He did. The star let go....let go with a spark...that lightened up my darkest of my dark. Thank you sky...thank you star. by Kathryn Cinquino How to "pop the question" at Christmas, or, "Being scared silent" I was qualifying as an engineer on freight trains operating between Chicago and La Crosse, Wisconsin in late 2000. On the day before Christmas Eve we departed LaCrosse in late afternoon with an intermodal train for Cicero Yard in Chicago. We had two new locomotives; the weather was clear but cold. I was with my engineer/mentor and an "old head"(high seniority) conductor. The crew we relieved told us that the train was in good order and the locomotives were operating as intended. With that information and our paperwork we looked forward to a quick, uneventful trip. I settled into the engineer's seat,checked my gauges and paperwork again, called the dispatcher to verify that we were ready to leave and off we went. Let me tell you, it's a wonderful feeling to see those signals all green ahead of you! We took a couple of sidings to let some westbound trains pass, but that didn't detract from the easy trip our crew was having. One of the sidings we took was about 1 1/2 hours travel time from Cicero. I took that opportunity to call my wife on my cell-phone. She would drive to the roundhouse at Cicero and meet me there after we brought the motive power to the service tracks. This was our normal routine. That way both cars could be left at home and she really didn't mind coming to get me,or ask one of our daughters to get me. This day she mentioned to me that A...... wanted to speak to me when I came home. A...... was our youngest daughter's steady boyfriend and we knew they were planning to marry so I had guessed that A......wanted to speak with me about that. Well...little did I know that all that "high green" would come to naught! We got our train into Cicero OK. I was guessing that my wife was already in the parking lot(she was)or very near it. We cut the power off the train at the EAST end(my emphasis) of the yard and ran thru an empty track to the WEST end of the yard where I would wait for a signal indication to enter a stub track, throw a switch leading to the roundhouse, reverse direction and pull into a service track. Easy enough, BUT the yardmaster told us that we would have to wait a while because a certain train was going to make a move. I said OK, but then looked at my colleagues and wondered out loud why that train would affect operations at our end of the yard. Well a few minutes turned into a 1/2 hour, I radioed the yardmaster that we were still waiting, she told me we needed to wait for --------train. Again we were in a quandary as to why that train affected us. What we had to do would have required less than a minute to accomplish, although it did affect signals on the main line, but that train didn't operate from our end anyway. Well an hour turned into two hours and a couple more radio transmissions. By now it was in the wee hours, my mentor had a drive of about 1 1/2 hours ahead of him to get to his home. His front door was across the road from our main line and when we would pass his home during normal hours, we would give his wife a toot or two! Our conductor was going to deadhead back to his home in Wisconsin. Train operations are normally reduced over major holidays so they sent B.. home since operations were winding down. Our little band was fit to be tied and we were pretty upset by this time. After 2 1/2 hours it finally dawned on the yardmaster that the train she was holding us for operated to/from the EAST end of the yard. NOBODY said anything to her; they were all enjoying her making a fool of herself, of course, at our expense. I was livid with rage when she gave us the signal. B..., the conductor was already on the steps of the locomotive when we started moving, he threw the switch in record time, hopped back on the lead loco, gave me a highball and off we went to the fuel rack(at a slightly higher speed than rules called for-don't tell anybody). I was cussing all the way! Before I even had the locomotives stopped in the fuel track, my mentor was outside applying a hand brake as was required. All three of us were cussing out the yardmaster, the railroad, the hour, the weather and anything else that crossed our minds. The air was BLUE! We quick-marched to the register room, tied up the job, shook each others hands,while wishing each other a Merry Christmas. I was STILL filling the air with invective as I half ran to my waiting family in the parking lot. My wife told me that she could actually see how upset we all were while getting off the locomotives and they (wife, daughter and S.I.L. to be)could hear me swearing all the way to the car. Well...A...... never spoke a word to me that night other than a "Hello" and "Good Night". He was too frightened to speak to me, as was my daughter. By the morning, I had calmed down, it was Christmas Eve day and we all felt good. A...... did propose marriage to our youngest that morning, on his knee at that! I later learned that I threw a good scare into A..... He had never seen me upset before. Unfortunately my wife had,and she knew that the best way to handle it was to let me sputter and spark until I calmed down. In spite of the poor start, it did turn out to be a memorable Christmas. C.J.Tomlin Chicago, IL Happy Birthday Jesus -Janet Althouse Jesus was born in a manger bare So He our humanness could share. He came to earth to help us see Just how beautiful life can be, If we just let Him take control And give to Him our heart and soul. He asks so little and yet so much, He wants only our lives to touch, To experience our joy and our pain, His suffering and dying become our gain. If we but have faith and believe, Eternal life we will receive. Jo Ann Jones Just for a look at the winding road That led to our house on the hill. It was there I was born and I long to go back It would be such a wonderful thrill Like the wink of an eye many years have gone by And a memory book it would fill. Oh, what I'd give to go back there and live And I hope someday that I will. In Loving Memory of Raymond G. Becroft December 3, 1914 to September 6, 2010 Maggie’s Corner The Band America Talks About - Maggie Speaks By: Maggie Griffin What a pleasure it was to have the American band that people are raving about--“Maggie Speaks”--stop by Maggie’s Corner and talk to Maggie Griffin! “Maggie Speaks”, the band that travels across America, is comprised of Dave Calzaretta - lead vocals, Dayna Malow - lead vocals, Chris Siebold - guitar & vocals, Shawn Sommer - bass & vocals, and Blake Cooper – drums. “One of the things that 'Maggie Speaks' has built quite a reputation for is their corporate work all over the globe”, said Dave Calzaretta. Booking close to 200 events a year, we often see the band “Maggie Speaks” playing at events for various special venues around the globe-- including Fortune 500 companies--and they have been seen at these following locations: Barcelona, Spain; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Puerta Vallarta – Mexico; Cancun, Mexico; The Bahamas; Los Angeles, CA; Las Vegas, NV; Denver, CO; Naples, FL; Dallas, TX; Detroit, MI; New York, NY; Boston, MA; Milwaukee, WI; Chicago, IL; Orlando, FL; Anaheim, CA; Phoenix, AZ; Scottsdale, AZ. The Corporate list they play for is a combination of names we all hear of. Playing at events for Abbott Labs, Starwood Properties, Gartner, All-State Insurance, State Farm Insurance, Ameriprise Financial, McDonald’s, Wrigley, Citrix, Klein Tools, Bridgestone / Bandag, Exxon Mobil, Scottsdale Insurance, Deluxe, RW Baird, Hewitt Associates, Georgia Pacific, National Hockey League, Chase, LPGA, IBM, Novo Disk, Chicago Bears, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Blackhawks. “Maggie Speaks” about expansion, called “Maggie Speaks Presents”. The concept of “Maggie Speaks Presents” is in several markets where they travel for different types of events. In 2006, another creation of the band was born based on the volume of requests they receive. Collectively forming 20 more musicians employed by them, presenting what their audiences expect when they request “Maggie Speaks”, using their own name of their band. There are three versions of “Maggie Speaks”. They are “Maggie Speaks”, “Spoken Four” and “Final Say”. “Maggie Speaks has won the following awards”: 2010 – Event Solutions Spotlight Award for Best Entertainment Ensemble 2009 – American Entertainment Magazine Best Duo of Group 2009 – Finalist in the Chicago Music Awards for Best Pop Artist (winner was Jennifer Hudson – other finalists were Kanye West, R Kelly and Wilco). Dave Calzaretta states; “Throughout the recession, Maggie Speaks has continued to grow, performing at corporate events throughout the country for some of the world’s largest companies. During these difficult times, it is important for companies to still meet and motivate their employees and sales staff. It is important to network and share best practices. While some companies came under fire for hiring the likes of Jimmy Buffet and Sheryl Crow, many companies went the route of hiring Maggie Speaks to come in based on their ability to entertain the entire company from the Board Room to the Mail Room without creating a negative impression on share holders.” The band’s secret to success in this economy is a diversified portfolio. Calzaretta along with band mates Blake Cooper and Shawn Sommer, bring a specific skill set to the stage creating their diverse performance offerings. When Maggie Speaks plays a corporate event as opposed to a national act, they play different hits all night while national acts typically only cover their small catalog of hits—clients get a better deal and a more appealing show. The band artfully covers current hits of today along with chart-topping favorites from the last four decades, seamlessly transitioning from one song to the next. Maggie Speaks has evolved into the Midwest’s most popular touring cover band. Because of their diverse song list, the band appeals to anyone from the CEO to the mailroom attendant at a corporate event or from Grandma and Grandpa to the younger generation at a private wedding….they are the ‘un-cover band’ getting everyone motivated to hit the dance floor together! Large corporations are feeling the pressure of budget cuts yet they still need to entertain and celebrate successes so they book Maggie Speaks to provide numerous acts at a much lower price point than national recording artists. Calzaretta explains, “We found four more musicians and replicated our show. They play the same songs with the same arrangements and instrumentation as Maggie Speaks; we compare it to a Starbucks or McDonald’s model of business where folks don’t mind where they get their latte or Big Mac as long as it’s the same product.” With this branding concept in mind, they were able to book over 150 shows in Spoken Four’s first year of operation, capitalizing on all of the opportunities that came their way. Bookings continued to increase for both Maggie Speaks and Spoken Four, inspiring them to ‘replicate the brand’ again in 2007 creating “Final Say.” With the same concept, four more musicians, identical set lists and ongoing bookings, the empire continues to grow. To date, Magnificent Events, Ltd employs 13 fulltime musicians and vocalists, 3 fulltime sound engineers and 3 fulltime crew members – covering nearly 500 shows annually. Maggie Speaks and Magnificent Events are creating jobs during this nation’s challenging recession. Calzaretta is proving that it doesn’t always pay to pursue a white collar career. Unlike many other rock musicians, he is thriving, not simply surviving, as this young entrepreneur notes, “Follow your dreams, not your wallet and your wallet will catch up.” MAGGIE SPEAKS MAKES COMMITMENT TO GO GREEN, Chicago Band Implementing Eco-Friendly Initiatives. Maggie Speaks evolved into the Midwest’s most popular touring cover band and has set its sights on going green. Taking small steps in order to make a huge difference in the environmental battle, members of the popular Chicago band Maggie Speaks have begun doing their part to lower their impact on the environment. Perfectly timed with Earth Day, the band says it will be ready in April to fully launch its green movement called aptly, LISTEN GREEN. Lead singer Dave Calzaretta believes, “We only have one planet Earth and we want to be part of the solution to preserve it for the generations that follow. The grass is GREENER on the Maggie Speaks side. Calzaretta along with his band mates Blake Cooper and Shawn Sommer believe in the urgent need to REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE and have committed to the following GREEN efforts: -Concert date flyers printed on recycled paper using soy ink. Using reusable stainless steel bottles on stage to avoid the waste from plastic water bottles. -Offering fans eco-friendly, certified organic cotton T-Shirts, designed with water-based ink by domestic producers. -Upgraded its van to a more fuel-efficient, lower-emissions model. -Actively making the switch to hybrid vehicles for transport to and from shows. -Using low-wattage LED lights and high-efficiency sound equipment to reduce power consumption. -Using electronic payroll service and receiving only online statements from vendors/business partners in order to reduce paper consumption. The event implemented green efforts during the show including recycling bottles, reducing waste and utilizing recyclable trash bag liners. Founded in 1987, Keep Chicago Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, is a nonprofit organization that works with Chicagoland’s business community, schools, neighborhoods and government agencies to improve our environment through education, public awareness and community involvement. *Keep Chicago Beautiful has nominated Maggie Speaks for its 2009 Innovation Award. Blake Cooper emphasizes; “We work hard to maintain our fan base, which is our strength in our energy. Like a Hallmark, for our fans, we deliver the very best”. Songs we heard from the movie the Hard Easy , were written by David Calzaretta and Jimmy Riley. They are: “The Hard Easy” – The Theme, “Yell”, “DeLeah”; Hard Easy Starring: Henry Thomas – “E.T.”,David Boreanaz – “Bones”,Vera Farmiga – “The Departed”,Bruce Dern – “Big Love”,Peter Weller – “Robocop”,Nick Lachey – musical 98 Degrees,Gary Busey – “Buddy Holly Story” Dave Calzaretta is the President of Magnificent Events, Ltd. And can be reached at (815) 230-3770,(888) 376-6537, www.MagEvents.com Board of Directors, International Association of Corporate Entertainment Producers www.iacep.com “Maggie Speaks”, the Winner of the 2010 Event Solutions Spotlight Award for Best Entertainment Ensemble. Visit Maggie Speaks at: www.MaggieSpeaks.com Spoken Four at: www.SpokenFour.com Final Say at: www.FinalSay.com FICTIONAL SEASONS Short Stories by Janet Cipolli “FAKE, NOT FAKE” Beth and Walter Chester were doing their annual holiday browsing through Home Depot. Beth enjoys looking at the seasonal displays of brightly lit trees and holiday decorations. Walter doesn’t mind as long as he can check out the endless supply of switch plates, indoor thermometers and birdfeeders. "What a beautiful tree! Walter, look." Beth pointed to an eight-foot-tall white artificial tree with multi-colored lights. "I hate white trees. Especially fake white trees." "You paid $150 for the fake tree we bought here two years ago. You love that tree." "It's not white sweetie." he debated in his bull-headed way. "And I don't love it. I think we’re going to get a real tree this year.” He stood tall breathing in an imaginary aroma. “A lush pine-smelling eight-footer." Beth turned to him, arms crossed, anticipating the imminent battle of dealing with her husband's stubborn nature. "Oh no, we're not spending any more money on a new tree. The one we have in the basement is just fine." "Nah, I want a real tree. I want to wake up on Christmas morning and smell the outdoors, the Alps, the Rocky Mountains--all those big hills." Beth turned away with a huff. "I am not dealing with the mess of a real tree," she insisted. "Falling pine needles and spilt water all over the place? Uh, uh.” She already knew it would be pointless to continue her argument because of the faraway blank stare on her husband's face. At that very moment, Walter was skiing down the Matterhorn with someone named Jean Philippe amid the fresh scent of pine trees. She could only hope one of those eight-footers was directly in his path—he could use a good reality whack. A week later, Walter was getting ready to drive over to Pine Acres, a local purveyor of Xmas trees, and was excited about it. Beth had already made it quite clear that she wanted nothing to do with shopping for his “dream tree” and that was fine with him. 'A few fallen needles and some spilt water, big deal,' he thought to himself. He could handle that. As he reached for the car keys he looked to see if his wife had perhaps emerged from her mood. “Do you think we need a tree stand sweetie?” Beth’s facial expression was sufficient. On his way down the street, Walter noticed all the holiday decorations on his neighbor’s houses. He stopped at the corner of the street. “Now that’s a tree!” he said out loud. On the front lawn of the corner house stood a brightly decorated Blue Spruce. He knew an elderly couple lived there but in all the years he could remember this was the first time they had ever decorated that tree. Boy, it looked good. As he turned the corner, the station wagon hit something—big enough for Walter to bang the side of his head against the door. From the sound of crunching metal under the car, it wasn’t hard to imagine what had just happened. “Mommy!” a little boy shouted. “My bike!” Walter got out of the car to see the boy’s mother storming out of her house. “I’m sorry kid,” Walter offered, looking under the car. “I didn’t see your bike. What’s it doing in the street anyway?” The boys’ angry mother rushed towards him. “I just bought that bike for him now look what you did!” “Whoa, lady” Walter leaned back. “Back off! I really didn’t see it. Here,” taking his wallet out of his back pocket “is fifty-dollars enough to replace it?” The woman stuck her nose in the air, grabbed the cash and shoved it inside her top. “You’re just lucky my old man isn’t home or it might have cost you more than just your money, mister.” “Yeah, okay,” Walter smirked. “You have a nice day too.” He took his time, moseying back to his car to let her know he wasn’t afraid of her, her imaginary old man or starring in an episode of COPS. Back on the road, he arrived at Pine Acres to find it crawling with people and their kids fighting over which tree to buy. “Daddy, Daddy! Get this one!” one kid shouted as the tree he was holding fell on top of him. Walter steered his way through the rambunctious crowd to an area towards the back. There, under a hand-painted sign that read NORTHERN BLUE SPRUCE, he spotted his tree. It was beautiful—just like the luscious eight-footer he had imagined. He shoved his face between the branches and inhaled the fresh aroma. “Get your face out of the tree,” said the worker. Walter jumped back causing pine needles to stick to his hair, “I’m buying this tree,” pulling out his wallet. “How much is it?” “100 dollars.” Walter pulled out his cash and counted sixty-five. “Here, I’ll write you a check for the difference,” handing the money to the young man. “Cash only mister,” pointing his finger to a sign that read NO CHECKS. Perturbed, Walter envisioned the face of the angry mother with the bike and silently cursed her before reaching for his ATM card, “Hold this tree. I’ll be right back.” The worker handed Walter back his sixty-five dollars. “Can’t hold trees mister. First come, first served.” Walter began to get agitated and flustered. “Well then take my cash as a down-payment. I want this tree.” The young man pointed his finger towards another sign that read NO DOWN PAYMENTS ACCEPTED. Walter impatiently looked around at the increasing number of tree shoppers headed toward the area of his Northern Blue Spruce. “Oh look Marvin, what a beautiful tree!” a woman’s voice caught his attention. “That’s the one I want.” She was pointing right at Walter’s tree. “Oh no you can’t buy this one,” Walter told her. “I already bought it. Go away,” waving them to move on. She looked suspiciously at Walter before taking hold of her husband’s arm and turning away. Walter shoved his wallet back into his pant pocket and with both arms outstretched grabbed the Northern Blue Spruce and picked it up. Boy, was it heavy! He put it back down and tried to figure out a way to get it to his car. He thought “if I could just get it to the station wagon, I can tie it to the roof and have Beth bring me the rest of the cash.” He set it down on the ground, picked it up by the stump and began dragging it along towards the parking lot. “Hey! Put that back!” a worker yelled. Walter picked up his pace and yelled back. “That’s okay, thank you, I got it!” Just as he caught site of the station wagon, a strong yank backwards made him lose his footing. He looked up from the gravel to see two men hoisting up his Northern Blue Spruce. Walter jumped up and with the help of his flowing adrenaline, he thrust his arms between the branches and matched the formidable force of the two men. For a minute there he thought he had them and if it weren’t for the distracting sounds of the approaching police sirens—he would have. “So, how much has this dream tree cost us so far?” Beth taunted as she and Walter left the police station. “Don’t ask,” was his reply. After they got home and much to Beth’s chagrin, Walter headed down to the basement and came up carrying their artificial tree. Ten minutes later, Walter walked back into the kitchen and put on his jacket. "Where are you going now?" Beth asked. "To get our tree." "You just brought it up from the basement.” "I told you we’re getting a real tree this year, get with the program sweetie." "What did you do with our fake tree?” "I gave it to the old couple down the street." grabbing the car keys, "Oh and I promised them all our ornaments and lights so we'll have to pick up some new ones." "Why the hell did you do that?" crossing her arms yet again. "Because that’s what they wanted for the Blue Spruce on their front lawn.” It was now Beth who stood with a blank stare. As Walter began to leave he stopped and turned to his wife. "Do we have an axe sweetie?" "Lazzari's Sports Roundup - - - - 12-11-10 Gotta love WFAN's Steve Somers--who recently called the disappointing 2010 Dallas Cowboys squad the "Arlington Afterthoughts"..........TRIVIA QUESTION: The 1995-'96 Minnesota Timberwolves--who finished a disappointing 26-56 under coaches Bill Blair and Flip Saunders--were led in scoring by a player who was a member of five different teams over his nine-year career. Can you name this individual? Answer to follow..........ITEM: Former NFL lineman Keith McCants is arrested AGAIN--this time for crack cocaine possession outside an exotic dance club in Florida; it was his SIXTH drug-related arrest since 2008. The ironic part of this latest bust has to do with the name of the establishment where this low-life criminal had been hanging out that evening just prior to his arrest: "Tina's House of Angels"..........In my next lifetime, I DO NOT want to be in the same foxhole with Washington Redskins defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth..........This week in sports history, December 20, 1979: The Philadelphia Flyers extend their unbeaten streak to an NHL record-tying 28 games; they get a third period power play goal from Behn Wilson that results in a 1-1 tie with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Over 17,000 fans at the Philadelphia Spectrum saw Wilson put the puck past Penguins goalie Greg Millen with 4:08 remaining. The tie allowed the Flyers to match the 28-game unbeaten streak put together by the 1977-'78 Montreal Canadiens.........If you're putting together a new football team and you want guys on your squad who play the game the way it's SUPPOSED to be played, can you go wrong by picking New England's Wes Welker on offense and Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu on defense?..........I've been hearing all year long from some fellow NFL fans that sooner or later the "roof would cave in" on the Vikings season--due to Brett Favre's advancing age, etc. And YES--last weekend it caved in LITERALLY..........If Joe Paterno had aged HALF as well as actress Teri Hatcher, then Penn State would be playing for a national championship in a few weeks; just sayin'..........The insanity continues: I see that pitcher George Sherrill recently agreed to a $1.2 million contract with the Atlanta Braves; in 65 games last year with the Dodgers, Sherrill pitched to an ERA of 6.69. Yes--in my next lifetime, I DO want to come back as a below-average, left-handed relief pitcher..........Great stuff from color guy Dan Dierdorf during last weekend's Steelers/Bengals game. He pointed out that Cincinnati LB Dhani Jones was recently asked how is he still able to play so hard for a team that's now 2-11. Jones simply answered, "Because my mother and father are watching." Yes, pride STILL matters to some..........Answer to trivia question: ISAIAH "J.R." RIDER--who averaged 19.6 ppg while appearing in 75 games..........ITEM: Former MLB player Gary Sheffield has partnered with a New York lawyer and plans to advise clients in the player representation business. Yeah, JUST the kind of guy I'd want overseeing MY career--surly, confrontational, linked to steroids, and uncooperative. Sheesh--what's this world comin' to, folks?..........I'd love to see Debra Grand--a VP at the Bank of America--hook up with PGA golfer Fred Funk. If they ever tied the knot, fans of a great American band would surely delight in her full married name of Debra Grand Funk..........Happy birthday wishes go out to former major league pitcher Paul Swingle--who blows out 44 candles on December 21st. The most avid baseball aficionado out there may not be familiar with this native of Inglewood, CA--who attended Grand Canyon University. Swingle played just ONE season in the majors--1993 with the California Angels. In just nine career appearances (all in relief), Swingle pitched a total of 9 2/3 innings, gave up 15 hits, and allowed nine earned runs--thus rendering him a lifetime ERA of 8.38. Hey--they ALL can't be Nolan Ryan, right? Best wishes and happy holidays, Paul..........Finally, condolences go out the family of a special man who passed away recently--Frank Pergola of Ansonia, CT. Frank was a member of the Silver Sluggers Baseball Club--a close-knit group of individuals who meet weekly down in southern CT during the baseball season to discuss the happenings in major league baseball. Frank was a long-time friend to my father; whenever I'd see Frank at the weekly meetings, he'd kindly shake my hand and ALWAYS ask how my Dad was doing. Frank was simply a soft-spoken individual with a smile that could truly light up a room. I've met bigger BASEBALL FANS in my life than Mr. Pergola, but few nicer PEOPLE; he'll truly be missed. May you rest in peace, Frank Pergola. Stay up to date on Lazzari's Sports Roundup at http://boblazzari.blogspot.com/ Stories from The People’s Press – remember you can always share by sending yours to andy@peoplespressnews.com by the 30th of each month to be in the following issue. To read The People’s Press in image of pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com Local Band & Album Review By Wayne Montefusco This month of Nov, I decided to do something different. A free download. I went to an event in Willimantic at the Capitol Theater. This was for a double CD release party. All proceeds went to the Jett Foundation for research in treatments for Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy. The artists were Mike P and Brian Jarvis. I know I have covered Brian before but this time is because Mike P is from the Brian Jarvis family. He just recently left to go on his own. Mike has been recording his first CD for well over a year and it finally came to see the light of day. The name of the disk is “What Am I Waiting For”, kind of sums up why Mike is now out doing his own thing. I have met Mike many times over the past year and have seen him grow as an artist. The first time I heard him sing a cover of “Superstition” I knew he had talent. I had found some downloads of his on Reverb Nation back in the beginning of the year. One of the songs was “Remember November”. Great song about kids just being kids growing up. Download the CD at themikep.bandcamp.com/ just put in 0 for the price and it will download. I want everyone to give it a try and let me know what you think. This is a good disk that takes a few listens to really get to appreciate it. Remember December Had Enough Alone Alright Stay With Me Something New How You Sing Midnight What Am I Waiting For Don’t Have the Time Mike is someone that is still new and I see potential in him to be someone packing the halls someday. He can be seen out in the state doing solo acoustic shows and possibly with a full band. He has talent that hasn’t peaked to its potential for he is just getting started. I like his voice and his ability to write songs. I hope you like this artist and album as much as I do. I’m looking forward to more music and shows with this artist. I also wanted to revise the Brian Jarvis Band. He just had put a new disk out of 6 songs. Three are new and three are revised versions of songs off of his first album. Its 6 songs of greatness with no filler. Brian has a band of some of the most talented musicians in the state. All play out in other bands. John Coates on bass also of Columbia Fields, Jim Townsend on drums also of Article 19, and Dan Fortin on lead guitar formerly of Article 19. Mike P also played a big part in this bands success. This band is really more like a family then just a bunch of guys getting together to just play. When you listen to this disk, it must have been recorded live in the studio because it has that live feel to it. Just has an edge to it that makes you want to play it over and over. Preview it here, http://www.soundwavemerch.com/merchbrianjarviswh6.html Addison Station Addison Station, a band that I have gotten to know over the past few months. I knew Jeff Kenniston from his days with the band Article 19. Trent Gerbers I met at the first show that I went to go see when I saw that they were playing Cherry St Music Club. They were playing as a full band and partly as a duo. Jeff and Trent can put a show on that goes on for hours that leaves you satisfied. They play a good brand of top 40 songs changed up to the Addison Station style. "Addison Station started as a studio group in 2008, releasing an introspective collection of acoustic pop tunes titled “Everyday Hero”. The group parted ways upon its release, but in February of 2009 vocalist Trent Gerbers and instrumentalist Jeff Kenniston decided to start touring as a duo under the same name, performing music off the EP as well as a number of cover songs and newly written material. Over the summer and fall of 2009 the duo realized that for their music to reach their fullest potential they would need to flesh out the instrumentation. Kyle Dunnack (percussion) and Jon Coates (bass) were added to bring the live show to the next level. As a quartet, Addison Station’s music has fallen into a niche of funky and pop/rock tunes powered with a driving rhythmic foundation, vocal harmony, and pop sensibility. They have since added a lead guitarist RC Roberts and new Bass player Kyle Charette. Falling Run to You Home Tonight Expiration Date You Don’t Have to Turn Away This is really the first disk by Addison Station as a band. Each song is a good as the first. Every song can be a staple on FM radio. The show is just as good as this disk. They play out in the state all of the time. Listen to all songs above by going to www.reverbnation.com/addisonstation I’ll be looking forward towards more shows and music from these guys. Trent Gerbers - Lead Vocals – Harmonica Jeff Kenniston - Vocals, keys, Guitar Kyle Charette - Bass R.C. Roberts - Lead Guitar Kyle Dunnack - Percussion Stories from The People’s Press – remember you can always share by sending yours to andy@peoplespressnews.com by the 30th of each month to be in the following issue. To read The People’s Press in image of pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com Local Teacher and Writer Publishes Insightful Book Love Never Fails About the Book: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to fall in love with someone of a different race? According to Jada Calloway, she has never considered dating outside of her race. When Jada is introduced to Pete McKnight, the handsome single brother of her co-worker, she suspects that he's interested in more than friendship. Pete's mother, Mrs. McKnight, fears that Jada is getting too close to her son. Mrs. McKnight does not approve of Jada because of her race and has no shame in letting everyone know. With each encounter that Jada has with Mrs. McKnight, the tension increases and Jada's insecurities resurface. Will Jada put her bitterness and insecurities aside to pursue a new relationship, or will she go back to what’s familiar? About the Author: Carla Victoria Wallace Born and raised in Connecticut, Carla Victoria Wallace resides there with her husband. She currently works as an elementary school teacher. Carla enjoys instilling her love for reading and writing into the children that she teaches. When she’s not teaching, she likes to spend her spare time traveling, reading, or working on her latest book. You can purchase the book at: http://www.nevaehpublishing.com/books.html How to contact Carla: E-mail:carlavictoriawallace@yahoo.com Myspace: www.myspace.com/carlavictoriawallace Blog: www.carlavictoriawallace.wordpress.com BLANK CANVAS When a child is born they are like a blank canvas. Innocent, pure and anticipating each new brush stroke that will add color to their lives. Despite the fact, that they will have siblings, friends and teachers that will contribute to the palate. As a parent, you play the most important role for creating a one of a kind work of art out of your child. It is imperative, the child is exposed to many different ways to learn and express themselves in order for their creativity to blossom and be able to blend those colors and create their very own unique shades. Over the years, they will be involved in soccer, ballet, baseball, swimming, which is invaluable to their color wheel. Nevertheless, what is most precious to the child is the time spent with their parent, no matter what you are doing with them. Theoretically and quite literally, every day a parent consistently utilizes colors to add substance to their child’s life: Laughing hysterically, while attempting to decorate cookies with pink, green and purple sprinkles, then finding your 2 ½ yr old, under the table, sucking the blue icing out of the tube. Admiring their intense facial expressions and experiencing their self pride, when they find the hidden treasures, which are all red on a red background in a Seek & Find book. Listening to their giggles, as they fully enjoy, a cool dark night, jumping in a pile of crisp autumn leaves of gold, crimson and amber. Inevitably, anticipating their first brush stroke, on their own pure white canvas and curious as to what colors they will choose to then create their very own, one of a kind work of art. …..Michelle Trenchard-Scianna 11/30/10 Stories from The People’s Press – remember you can always share by sending yours to andy@peoplespressnews.com by the 30th of each month to be in the following issue. To read The People’s Press in image of pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com DANGER -- DO NOT TREAD ON THIN ICE The winds, they are howlin' -- howlin' at my front door…..I keep reminding them that I am not quite ready for ol' man Winter -- not just yet. But, they seem to be deafened by their own ferocity, and the nerve-grinding lament continues. Can I escape the inevitable ? I do not like the freezing cold of Winter, I do not like it in any way…….I do not care for it here, nor do I care for it over there….I wish I could grow wings and fly south for the winter - just the way those warm-weather birds do. When I was just a little tyke, I loved getting my big, heavy winter coat on, slipping into my furry gloves, wrapping the woolen scarf, which my Mom had knitted for me, around my skinny neck, and then busting out through the door into that beautiful, sparkling, fluffy white snow. I would run into that blustery cold wind without a care in the world, and kick and stomp through drifts of frozen powdered rain (snow). It was a wondrous time of year……time to build an igloo, have a snowball fight with a bunch of friends, and, of course, go sled riding down that treacherous mountain of a hill. I never got frozen, I never wanted to come in…..I wanted to play in that new-fallen snow forever and ever. There was a sliver of a creek, just beyond our cornfield, that would freeze over during the winter months in the blink of an eye. Now, talk about fun……..Hey, there is nothing quite as daring as walking on thin ice, and yes, I and my friends were wild and crazy - braver than the bravest kids in that little country town. We had done all the other fun things, and now, it was time to cross that frozen creek…….because -- well, just because it was there. I remember being the first to step gingerly out onto the ice……and then, the crackling sound….oooh, that sound was not good....and then I was through the ice and into the water. I can still feel the frigid, cold cold water, and me shivering.....floundering to get out. I remember hearing sirens, and people crowding all around me…….I must have passed out at some point and came to in some hospital. The vision is still with me of faces looking down at me, and saying things like… "He's okay….he'll be just fine." A nurse was telling me that I should have known better than to try to cross that ice-covered creek, and that my Mom and Dad were on their way to the hospital to take me back to our warm and cozy home. I spent many a snowy day doing all those happy wintertime things back then…….but, I did not go near … that foreboding … frozen … creek again. In a way, I guess, a lesson was learned from that experience. I still haven't tried challenging any frozen lake, creek, river, or puddle. But, I still love playing in the snow.....mainly with my children and their children. There is nothing quite as exciting as getting hit with a snowball by a grandchild with a good aim. - George Arndt Stories from The People’s Press – remember you can always share by sending yours to andy@peoplespressnews.com by the 30th of each month to be in the following issue. To read The People’s Press in image of pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com My name is Nancy Sherburne, and some People’s Press readers may know that a resident of Wallingford, who contributes articles to this paper, including the piece on the elephant Miss India, is my twin sister Barbara. We are fraternal and so do not look alike, she being several inches taller than I. Even though we were raised together in Connecticut (I moved to Tucson, Arizona, when I was 22) and were raised by a mom who made sure we ate well, my eating habits changed when I moved out on my own. Our mother loved cooking and baking, and watching The French Chef. While I do not have many memories of the days when I was a child, I remember my sister and I helping her prepare things for our school's bake sale such as crème puffs and homemade pies. She steered us away from what were then called fancy drinks, preferring we drink Kool-Aid, Tang, orange juice and milk. I do not believe bottled water was around, so drinking tap water was the rule. Dinners were made from scratch as those boxes of dried pasta and sauce you add beef, poultry or tuna to were not invented yet. She made chili con carne, chicken and rice, and beef stews, and always made sure we ate our vegetables. She loved collecting favorite recipes and stored them in notebooks. Funny how it is my sister who has them while I was the one who developed a love of cooking. Unfortunately, along the way I developed a love of other things such as boxed macaroni and cheese, pasta sauce, canned soups, and frozen entrees loaded with calories and, well, I developed a weight problem. My sister, on the other hand, developed her own eating habits that allowed her to keep her weight at a far-healthier level. She stayed away from the carbonated sodas I am addicted to, and drinks a popular, low-calorie powdered drink. She does not eat boxed meals either, and avoids foods with fat, cholesterol and sugar such as the bread I have for toast every morning. She has managed to stay close to her proper weight while I have not. The last time I was weighed the scale read 223 which is pretty bad considering I am only 4'10". Needless to say, you would not look at us and think we were even related, let alone twins. Not being a dietician or nutritionist, it is not for me to tell you what to eat and what not to eat, but I can tell you for sure the saying "You are what you eat" is definitely true, and the time to avoid my path is before those eating habits are so firmly ingrained in you they are impossible to change. Being obese, and all the health and emotional problems that accompany it, is not fun. Despite the coming holiday season, with so much food to tempt you, try eating to live and not to indulge. FAMILY ties to family...family who are friends friends with always open arms and who always make amends depend on glee, embrace, counsel and even cover guaranteed to aid in your discover who you are look at yourself...parts of two people and like kin look at yourself...and look what is under the skin there is plenty of sterling there to unveil everyone will have their own tale laughter at ones own expense is needed much to press forward sometimes things in life are not exactly what you have ordered but family pulls you together in any wind or rain pick you up...no matter what....again and again like "the little engine"....we CAN through family who are friends that help...but mostly you. we all are admirable in our own way family who are friends point that out to us when we are near...everyday by Kathryn Cinquino These Velvet Clouds By: Joel Rosario It is raining on a Sunday night and he is alone. There is a multitude of flowers at his feet, a picture of a distant friend standing on a wooden easel and two dozen empty metal chairs that the rain is a making a haphazard, erythematic beat against. His hair is a dripping mess about his face and every drop is harsh and cold and they all detonate like a trillion miniscule explosions against his shoulders. He can hear his fingernails as they click together on his soaking coat and his eyes are drowning in repressed tears. There is a rather small stone in front of him. The letters are fresh and cut deep into the rock and a myriad of green petals are assorted in a wonderful mess at its base. His legs feel wobbly and his lips tremble. He can almost taste her lips. Lips that tasted of iced tea and cherries that were cool and moist are now covered in wood and dirt. He almost wishes that he'd never kissed them at all. Her name was Vanessa. But she's gone, now. She was very beautiful. Vanessa's skin was smooth and even and her complexion was a pale bronze that complimented straight black hair. Her eyes used to be glowing and green while her personality inspired mixed emotions, such as admiration and uncertainty, to whomever she met. He runs his hands over his face and pushes his hair from his eyes. His throat is dry and coarse and his stomach is lying at the put of his feet. He can't even feel his chest. The love that had been there, the admiration he held for his dearest is now muted and retarded. It was not going to grow or recede. His love is deadened. And as hard as he tried not to, he remembers her. He remembers the flutters in his chest at the mention of her name and the uncertainty he masked behind a dozen plastic smiles whenever he approached her. He remembers her lambent green eyes and the inside jokes that founded a relationship. He remembers his dearest, a friend, and then he remembers that he'll never see her again. He was lost without her. Like a ship without a captain, a canvas without an artist, an orchestra without a conductor. His dearest, sweetest Vanessa had repeatedly saved him from loneliness and despair while helping him find some small meaning in his life. Without her, without his love to steer him straight in all that he does, he is once again as directionless as the rain falling on his shoulders; there is nowhere to go but down. He peers upward to the see the sky part. The rain is relentless and menacing but a flicker of light can be seen. Orange and fuchsia slivers of anorexic light seep through the tears in the sky and all meet on Vanessa's stone. He is lost for words because he knows that the clouds are trying to tell him. The clouds are now on two sides of the sky. Over his shoulder is a gray veil of moisture and darkness that licks at the horizon with saddened tongues of lightning. The sky is crying and it is lost. Like a ship without a captain. Or an orchestra without a conductor. The other clouds are fluffy and unimaginably gorgeous. There are herds of soggy purple clouds that are drifting too low to be real. He can almost touch them. Straws of sunlight push through while the sky, of which is now golden and vacant, almost smiles at him. These were Vanessa's clouds. She used to talk about touching them one day when she could fly. A day when she should be free of all responsibility and time and worry and love him without consequence. He can't remember what she used to call them. Now he's thinking about all the time he had spent with her. He's thinking about how slow the clock would move whenever he was around her and all the time he spent on quieted affections and muted kisses. He's thinking that he'll never see her again. And the clouds over his shoulder are simply trying to remind him that everything ends eventually. It's on the tip of his tongue. He can almost taste it. When he looks over to her stone again, he sees only rock and letters and flowers and raindrops. His dearest in the sun and the clouds and there is a flutter in his chest. The sky suddenly stops crying and his eyes aren't drowning anymore. He knows that he'll see her again. And, suddenly, he isn't thinking about her absence. He's thinking about how the clouds are there for a reason. His throat is now tickled with her memory and he looks up at the clouds with a smile he once believed he'd never used again. His voice is low but full and he tells the clouds that he'll see his dearest again. He knows that he'll see her again. "Death is a tragedy...but only for the living. We who have died go on to other things." -Charles de Lint The Christmas That Almost Wasn't It was Christmas Eve of 1982. It was an exceptionally cold day in Chicago. I was working for a "legacy" airline at the time and I had a 37 mile drive each way to work. I point that out since I was driving a rather old pre-owned car at that time and the heater didn't work! I was working a day shift and on my frigid way home from work, I was thinking about our Christmas preparations and mulling over what Santa was going to bring our two daughters who are 14 months apart in age, the oldest in kindergarten. I was eager to get that drive over so I could warm up prior to dinner. Speaking of dinner, I was eagerly awaiting the morrow's trip to my mother's house for her always huge and tasty Christmas dinner which would be shared by about 35 members of our family,children,spouses and grandchildren and a couple of S.O.P.s thrown in. Let me digress a moment. My mother had a large house, so all of us could be accommodated for the dinner,BUT, free space was at an absolute minimum. My mother's Christmas tree was in the corner of what is known as a "sun parlor" in her living room. The tree was surrounded by the gifts which she was exchanging and the gifts which others had brought. When everyone was there, the tree would be surrounded by gifts from floor level to halfway to the ceiling! Mom had a hard,fast rule; NO gift opening until dinner was finished and the table was cleared! NO EXCEPTIONS! You did not even touch the gifts! It was sheer agony for the little kids! At any rate, these were my thoughts on that frigid Christmas Eve. I reached home safely,greeted my wife and children,ate our supper and settled in for the evening. My routine after supper would be to settle into my easy chair, turn on my stereo and play a 33 1/3 vinyl or two of Christmas music while I read my mail and glanced at the newspaper or a magazine. As the night wore on it was bath time for my daughters. My wife got their tub ready and saw to it that they got in and she was supervising their bath time. Believe me, there was no complaining that night! They knew Santa was coming and they had better be good! Now everyone who is married knows their spouse has a certain tone of voice when something is wrong! It's like... when you hear that tone of voice, you know the roof is about to cave in! At any rate I was in my relaxation phase when I heard my wife use that tone of voice when she called out "Charlie"! I jumped from my chair and ran to the bathroom. My wife said "LOOK"! as she pointed at our oldest daughter, the kindergartner. Stefanie was covered with little red dots! You got it! The Chicken Pox! Talk about putting a damper on things! Well, what do we do now! We called my mom and told her what was happening and that we would call back tomorrow with further information. Now we had made no provision for having dinner at home the next day. Yes there was food in the house, but not really the sort one would have for a holiday dinner. What are we going to do? I had the chicken pox as a child so I wasn't worried about myself. At any rate on Christmas afternoon, I gathered the gifts which we had planned on exchanging with my relatives and brought them to my mother's house. In turn she gave me the gifts for our family and a HUGE box full of Christmas dinner so that we would have something to eat. I bid a brief Happy Holiday to my family and made my way back to our house. Naturally the pox made it's way to the younger sister but at least her infection didn't occur on a holiday! In spite of it all, we had a marvelous Christmas and memories we'll never forget. Charles J.Tomlin - Chicago IL Snickers I would like to take this opportunity to extend a personal thank you to both the Wallingford PD as well as our Animal Control Office. I am an animal lover and own dogs. Recently my dog figured out a way to dig a hole and squeeze through the bottom of our fence to experience the love of freedom over a weekend. Frantic of losing him, I drove up and around the neighborhood in hopes to find him. With no such luck, an hour later, I called the routine police station line to report that my dog had been missing. As I described to the operator whom answered the phone, he was quickly to know that a dog, similar to mine in the vicinity of my residence was brought to the dog pound. Although upset, our dog got away, I was thrilled to hear he was safe and sound. The next day I received a call from our Animal Control Office that I may come to get him and bring him home. Glad as we were to see him, we found out that a police officer, Officer Smith brought him to the pound. I thank the Wallingford PD along with our Animal Control Office for taking such great care of our dog. Marsha Hillman Stories from The People’s Press – remember you can always share by sending yours to andy@peoplespressnews.com by the 30th of each month to be in the following issue. To read The People’s Press in image of pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com NATURE AS A MIRROR: Cardinals: Dec. 2010 by Dorothy Gonick NORTHERN CARDINALS Bright red cardinals, Green pine and glistening snow Winter has arrived. December’s snow frosts the backyard pine tree, welcoming winter birds to shelter in its boughs. A bright red cardinal alights, calling to his mate with a happy trill. Swooping to the feeder, he nabs a seed and returns. It is heartwarming to watch as they briefly touch beaks while exchanging the morsel in the manner of courtship. This pair is delightful to watch as we listen to them sing; one bird trilling a few phrases solo, the other counter singing to complete the song. Cardinals mate for life and remain together throughout the year in harmony and tranquility, unlike many birds that lead separate lives until their breeding season. It is easy to understand how this bird gained the name of ‘Cardinal’, as its plumage resembles a Catholic Cardinal’s crimson cassock and hat. The bright red male cardinal with a saucy crest and a black face has a heavy, red conical bill. His mate is grayish buff with a black face and touches of red on her crest, wings and tail. Her beak is pink. Northern Cardinals live in brushy woodlands, thickets, and also in parks. The female builds the deep, cuplike nest two to twelve feet above ground and fills it with fine twigs, and strips of bark. While she builds the nest, her mate is nearby keeping watch and singing to her. She incubates the two to five buff or pale green, brown-speckled eggs alone, while her mate stays nearby and sings. In a devoted manner, he brings foods of fruits, seeds and insects to her while she nests. After thirteen days of incubation, the eggs hatch and both parents are kept busy feeding their nest full of hungry babies. The young begin fledging when about eleven days old. The female may soon begin a second brood and the male continues to bring her food. There may be four broods per year which keep them busy through the summer until they can freely enjoy the abundance of seeds and fruit found in nature. Each morning as dawn breaks, a chorus of bird song is heard to greet the day. Awakened birds stretch, and then enjoy the freedom of flight and voice while they view the world, finding the manna that awaits them. This reminds me of a favorite hymn; ‘This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.’ I wonder if that is the song they are singing? Listening to their happy songs can lift our spirits to begin the day with joy and a hopeful outlook, too. The colorful cardinals and glistening snow tell us that winter is here, let’s welcome it with joyous expectancy. Frugal Living in Connecticut By Gina Juliano On my blog, Gina's Kokopelli, I often post many free samples and list deals for free items at the drug stores. Often, these are health and beauty items most of us use every day. My faithful readers report having so much fun going to get their mail because it seems like Christmas with mailboxes stuffed full of samples. I also hear from readers who follow my Drug Store Deals Roundup posts every week and head out to the three drug stores to rake in the free items. Personally, I get between $200-$300 worth of free merchandise each month just by following sales and matching up coupons. At Rite Aid this week, for example, I got $45 worth of Gillette deodorant for free. I just waited for a BOGO sale (buy one, get one free) and used my BOGO coupons. Because Rite Aid accepts the coupons when they have a BOGO sale, I ended up getting all ten deodorants for free. But what do I do with all this stuff??? After a while, one can only have so much free toothpaste, deodorant, and shampoo. However, the stores still want to give me free stuff and I can't pass it up! So what do I do? DONATE IT! Just because I don't need it doesn't mean others don't. Everything I don't want or need gets put in a bag and taken to Master's Mana in Wallingford three or four times a month. With the economy being so crummy, more and more people are in need of some help. And choosing between feeding one's family or buying shampoo is not something I really want people to have to do. Eating and being clean are essentials! Now that we are in December, most of us start thinking about a family to “adopt” at Christmas time; or perhaps we buy a few extra things at the grocery store and drop them in the food bank donation box as we leave. I guess I'm here to implore that this doesn't just happen during the holiday season. If you are a frugal coupon shopper like me, you can donate items and the free samples you request all year round – and pull very little, if any, money out of your pocket to do so. You have to admit if feels great to help others, and it seems like the holidays always bring out that need in us to do so. Why not extend that fabulous feeling of peace on Earth and good will toward men all year? Okay, I have to admit that this donation thing isn't all completely selfless. There is a hidden benefit to you personally when you donate your free items: TAX WRITE OFF. If you save your receipts and ask for donation letters, you most probably can take what you donate as a tax deduction on your yearly taxes. For instance, I will have approximately $3,000 in donations I will submit on my tax return this year. I obviously didn't pay this much (if anything!) for the items I donated, so donating my unwanted freebies really does have a huge benefit! Even if you don't donate much, every little bit does help; and donating just a little bit each month can really add up over the course of a year. All you have to do is save your coupons, watch the sales, and read Gina's Kokopelli to get the skinny on all the free stuff! With very little time invested in the pursuit of free stuff – about an hour a week – you can help others, give yourself a pat on the back for helping others, and claim a tax write off. No too shabby! Gina is the creator of Gina’s Kokopelli, a Connecticut blog dedicated to all things coupon, free and cheap. You can get more frugal tips, freebies, coupons, and great deals by visiting her blog at http://ginaskokopelli.com. Gina also teaches couponing classes and would love to be invited to your organization or business to teach a class. For more information or to inquire about a couponing class, please email her at ginaskokopelli@yahoo.com. She’s also happy to answer any couponing question you may have! Dear Housewives – Central Connecticut’s Know It All Gals Dear Readers, Do you have a question regarding family life, budgeting, customer service issues, DVD or book reviews, or home organization? We will give you our candid advice from a family perspective. Contact The Peoples Press by e-mail, (andy@peoplespressnews.com) or phone, (203-235-9333) with your confidential question and we will answer it in the next issue. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to our Dear Readers and a Healthy and Prosperous New Year! June and Flora Dear Housewives, I was planning on giving family members gift cards for the holidays until I realized that some people hold on to them in their wallets and never use them. What should I do this year? To Card or not to Card in Wallingford FLORA: I say forget the gift card. Way too many stores are going out of business and yes, there are people that hoard them in their wallets. Come to think of it...why on earth would there be a stash of unused gift cards in anyone's wallets? June? JUNE: I guess people don't like FREE anymore. I can't figure it out, if you get a gift card the only thing you have to do is shop. Easy right?! There are even websites where you can swap your gift cards with other people. Really people, free is free. It is rude to let someone waste their money just to give it to a store. Dear Housewives, How do I organize my basement storage area? I don't know where to begin and have been putting it off for years. - Ashamed to admit my procrastination in Meriden JUNE: I would say start by getting rid of anything you haven't used in the past three years. If you haven't used it by now, you probably won't. Buy some nice storage shelves or clear plastic bins and label things. Also, put things away as soon as you can, don't just throw them in the basement to do later. Later never comes. Good luck. FLORA: I am a big fan of quadrants. Divide the area into 4 squares. Tackle a square one week at a time. It took you years to get messy in there, so it will take some time to get organized and tidy. Remember the 3 piles. 1. Keep 2. Discard 3. Give Away you just inspired me to organize an area that needs attention! JUNE: Well, Flora it is that time again, have a happy and safe Christmas season. FLORA: Here are wishes for good health, prosperity, safety and blessings this Christmas Season. The holidays, shopping and a new kitchen; 2010 - 'a musing' by Ernie Larsen It's Wednesday evening, the night before Thanksgiving - I just finished making the last dish I'm bringing to my brother's house, tomorrow. I know we are going to have enough food; we always do, this year is no exception; just a change of venue - Peter and Ellen graciously accepted the challenge of hosting the holiday as we are in kitchen limbo. Remodeling has not started, a couple of things have occurred - the new deck is up and last Friday the electrical service was upgraded. The start date now is this coming Monday - it will be a good feeling when the first foods from the new kitchen are ready for service - maybe we'll have an open house with a 'tasting menu' of some of mine and Mary's fav dishes. That sounds good in theory - we'll see. Guess what - fast forward to Thanksgiving evening, Platt won the Stoddard Bowl, both teams were evenly matched and it was a fine day for football - the win also assured the PHS team a spot in the playoffs - congratulations to all the team and their coach. Thanksgiving dinner was great - Peter and Ellen had it together and as usual for a Larsen gathering there was plenty of food. We picked up Aunt Carmen from her apartment in W. Hartford and had a good visit with her - she is quite active at the facility where she lives and always has some good stories to share. It was Emily's first Thanksgiving and she had a chance to have some samples of 'big people food' mashed potatoes, squash puree and not sure what else - it was a fun day all in all - Ann and Steve stopped by as did Jane - so it was a good representation of family. Right now, it's Saturday night - Black Friday is a memory - I'm not sure what I dislike more the incessant political ads which recently proliferated the media or the ads in preparation for what I refer to as the BF nonsense - do I really need to buy a laptop computer at midnight?? In my opinion, the whole concept of the day has become somewhat inane. Stores opening in the middle of the night, at midnight on Friday and some just cutting through the hype and were open on Thanksgiving with 'specials' just for a few hours during their special hours- I thought this was just awful. To those retailers who closed for the day to give their employees a day off to spend any way they wished, I tip my hat. This shows some real chutzpah on the part of the store owners to let their help celebrate the holiday in the spirit of the season. On Friday, (yes Black Friday) I was taking care of my granddaughter, Riley; we were delivering Advent calendars to some of her friends, I usually just had my daughter hand them out, but thought this would be a fun activity for the both of us while Gramma and my daughter went to a movie. We were heading up the Chamberlain highway and at the traffic light at the exit from Meriden Square (or whatever they call it now) my granddaughter, who is 7.5, commented on the amount of traffic coming from the shopping complex and went on to tell me that stores were opening in the middle of the night and some opened on Thanksgiving and why did they have to do that, plus why do they call it Black Friday? I tried to explain the BF rationale when suddenly she changed the subject noticing a police car (with emergency lights flashing) behind two cars involved in a fender-bender; her next statement gave me a chuckle - "Look Poppa - even the police are shopping for bargains". Ah, the innocence of youth! After the ladies got back from the flicks, Gramma and I were driving home and she asked if I wanted to stop at TARGET to pick up a toy that was on sale, Friday only, offering a $30.00 discount. If you know me, that is a major reduction so TARGET it was - this was about 1:30 PM and the store was busy, not too crazy and we were in and out in 10 minutes or less. So, as much as I abhor the BF phenomenon - I got sucked in by a 'deal' -c'est la vie. Yesterday's (Thanksgiving Day edition) local newspaper was the annual Christmas shopping issue, SEARS must have had 3/4 different circulars as did JCPENNEY - etc...and tomorrow, Sunday - I'm sure more trees have been sacrificed producing the pages and pages of bargains for the ubiquitous inserts in the paper. This year it appears that the advertising campaigns have become more intense that in the past and while that may be good for the retailers - it certainly is wearing on the average person, like myself. While I'm writing this the 'talking hairdo' anchoring the 11:00 PM news mentioned 'cyber Monday' that if I recollect correctly is the Monday after Black Friday when people are using their computers to place orders for Christmas gifts; many are at work and order from there. So, the retail frenzy continues - we'll get the figures if this year’s sales were better than last year - who cares? What's my point of all this - the real meaning of Christmas seems to have been abandoned. For those who have forgotten the holiday is the Christian celebration of the alleged birth date of Jesus Christ, the son of God; born to the Virgin Mary in a stable in Nazareth which, I believe, is in modern day Israel - the exact site of Jesus birth is very tenuous and while other locales are oft mentioned, I chose this one as it is the one I have remembered from my days under the influence of the RC church. There are even theories that Jesus was not born on December 25th - back in history some unknown calendar planner decided that this would be a good day to celebrate the holiday. Maybe that's why we celebrate some of our major holidays on Mondays, sometimes days before or after their original historical dates. Over the years, there have been many campaigns to keep religion in this major of all holidays (let's keep Christ in Christmas) yet this has been pretty much forgotten - while Thanksgiving is still credited as being the biggest travel day of the year, Christmas has the longest tenure, over a month of shopping, planning, parties and all the other intricacies that comprise this time of year. Not that I'm particularly religious - I do follow tradition and here I'm just making a point. When you are out shopping or wherever, remember the real meaning of Christmas and do what you will to keep up in whatever way you believe, the tradition that it holds. Peace! On a chronological basis, it's now Monday night - Cyber Monday - well, for me it was demo Monday, the construction company workers arrived and began the remodel on our kitchen. So, for the next couple of weeks I'll be sticking close to home to chaperone them. And the days do go by quickly, Monday and Tuesday night we went out for a bite, tonight is still up in the air. We are still making decisions on counter tops and sink fixtures - that should be sorted out today, Wednesday Dec. 1. So, hopefully, my next dispatch will include a notice of kitchen completion and back to normalcy in the house of Larsen. If you miss my next rambling, Merry Christmas - Happy New Year and a belated Happy Hanukkah! That was then and this is NOW! Cristian Torres My name is Cristian Torres, I am 14yrs old in 9th grade at Francis T. Maloney High School. Q: What make you decide to get involved with My City Kitchen? A: I wanted to loose weight because my uncle died of obesity. Q: What was your diet like before My City Kitchen? A: I eat lots of rice and beans, pork-chops, fried chicken. Q: Tell me about your experience at MCK? A: I didn’t know how to cook, didn’t know what a portion was, and I didn’t understand what had fat, and carbohydrates. Q: How long have you been part on MCK? A: Since day one. (My City Kitchen opened June 2009). Q: What are some of the things you have learnt at MCK in the past year? A: I learned how to cook, eat healthier, I exercise more, I understand portion control, I feel like I can cook any recipe because I am confident cooking in the kitchen. Q: Do you cook at home and did your family make any changes since you started coming to MCK? A: Yes, once a week if I don’t have sports after school and I also help my parents cook dinner. My family no longer eat fried foods, we totally switched all our food to whole grains like pasta, breads and we eat fat free dressing, low sodium ham, we use less salt and we eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Q: What is your most memorable experience about MCK? A: There is too many, we did so much I don’t know which one? Q: Name just one? A: Oh yeah! My first time on television I was cooking on CT Style channel 8, and I made a vegetable lasagna. That was fun. Q: Any last words you would like to say? A: During my time at MCK it didn’t even feel like I was losing weight, because everything I was eating tasted very good and I didn’t feel like I was missing out on the fatty foods. My family and friends told me I was getting thinner and thinner so I kept on doing what I was doing, just learning how to eat and cook healthier. I just want to thank My City Kitchen and Chef Kashia for helping me feel good about myself and I am going to keep striving for my goal which is to build muscles and have a healthy body for my age. A Happy Christmas Tail It was around 9:30 Sunday night early in December, 2008, when my cell phone rang. I answered it, and a woman asked, "Is this West Virginia Sheltie Rescue?" I told her it was, and asked how I could help her. She told me that her mother had a 10-month-old Sheltie puppy that she had obtained when the owners moved and left him chained outside. Her mother had the dog one week when he got hit by a delivery truck, and his leg was broken. It was now two weeks after the puppy had been hit, and her mother had not taken the puppy to a vet. She told her mother that the dog had to be turned in to rescue so he could get proper medical attention. That's when she called me. She told me that the dog would probably have to have his leg amputated. I assured her that Sheltie Rescue would take him, and made arrangements to meet her the next morning, and hung up the phone. I sat there in shock. The motto of National Sheltie Rescue is "Get the Dog!" And as I had been doing for over 25 years, I was going to "Get the Dog," but I had spent all my money on rescues, and an amputation surgery would cost big bucks. I bowed my head and said, "Dear Lord, what am I going to do now?" Suddenly, it was clear. I picked up the phone and called the director of National Sheltie Rescue (with whom I had worked for years), Dorothy K. Christiansen. I shall never forget that call. It went like this: "Hello." "Dorothy, this is Jo Ann Jones from Sheltie Rescue of West Virginia, and I have a problem and I don't know what to do." "What's the problem?" she asked. I told her about the puppy I was picking up the next morning and about the surgery that was needed, and that I did not have the money for an amputation. In a very firm voice, Dorothy stated, "What do you mean, you don't know what to do? You get the dog, you take him to your vet, have the surgery done and have him neutered at the same time -- and you send the bill to me." After I hung up, I sat there and cried. Thank you, Lord, and Dorothy, and National Sheltie Rescue. Early Monday morning on the way to pick up the puppy, I called my vet, explained to him what I was doing, and told him I could not pay him, but the National Sheltie Rescue would, but they would have to be billed after the surgery. Bless him. He said, "You get that puppy in here now. We'll take care of him and worry about the bill later." Thank you, Lord! It was an hour and a half drive over a narrow curvy country road, but I arrived right at 10 a.m. to meet the lady at "A** Hole Lounge" (honest) in a small northern West Virginia community. Thank the Lord, I did not have to go inside! The woman opened the back door of the car and I saw him. Oh, that poor sweet puppy. I know he was in pain, but he still had a wide Sheltie smile for me. I asked the lady to sign the release paper, put the puppy in the crate in my Jeep and got out of there as quickly as I could! He was a very small boy with the sweetest face. Of course I talked to him on the way to the vet's office. I told him he was safe now, and we were going to see a very kind man who would take away his pain and make him as good as new. Then I discussed his name with him. Since it was almost Christmas and he had a bum leg, I decided to call him Tiny Tim. I think he liked it. Dr. Kendrick at Middletown Animal Clinic in Fairmont, WV, met us at the door. I filled out the papers while they examined Timmy. The good news was, his leg did not have to be amputated! They would do the surgery the next morning, put in a pin to set the leg, and I could take him home the next day. When I got back in the Jeep, I sat there and I cried again. I'm not really a person who cries very often. Life is good! Timmy is now in his forever home. A happy normal little Sheltie. And that, my friends, is what Sheltie Rescue is all about! Jo Ann Jones Stories from The People’s Press – remember you can always share by sending yours to andy@peoplespressnews.com by the 30th of each month to be in the following issue. To read The People’s Press in image of pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com Remembering those we love and miss at Christmas. By Nicole Christmas, a time of cheer and celebration, with sadness in the heart that lingers A triad of painful endings A tragic Christmas Eve day accident, a boy who lived only to the age of three, a father who suffered through the pain of cancer. Christmas, a time of cheer and celebration, with sadness in the heart that lingers Grief a strong emotion, the result of a strong relationship Mourning and perseverance, moving forward, but not forgetting A celebration about much more than presents under a tree Christmas is a time of joy, hope and birth; the birth of a messiah, your child, an idea, an awakening, a hero, a puppy, of learning to enjoy your memories. Christmas a time of cheer and celebration, moving forward, but not forgetting Thanksgiving at Loon We trekked it to Loon Mountain in Lincoln, New Hampshire, for Thanksgiving. We didn’t ski, or snowboard, or do anything remotely adventurous. We just moved in for a few days, put our feet up by the fire, and sputtered about anything but ordinary living. We dreamed about furthering our education, starting an animal rescue, and remodeling the bathroom. We talked about things that hold us back, and laughed at how small those things seemed from the top of the windy mountain. It’s the magic that’s vacation -- no TV, no 3G, no anything. Just us, the wind-whipped mountain, and a Do Not Disturb sign. On Thanksgiving Day, we ate from a buffet of gourmet food, food that we could never prepare on our own. Pumpkin soup, maple-glazed brussel sprouts, gourmet green bean casserole, and fancy sweet potatoes. We had a choice between turkey, salmon, and lamb. We had so much more than so many people that day. . . . Our last day at the resort, we took the gondola to the top of the mountain. Nearly 3,000 feet up, from a tropical hot chocolate stand (seriously – there were toucans painted on the walls), we snapped a spectacular photo of the White Mountains. We stood at the scenic lookout, breathing in the mountain air, as long as our lungs could handle the cold. Next year, we’ll ski, we told ourselves. I’d better start training now, I told myself. Finally, our trip was over. We needed to head out before sunset obscured our vision. We boarded a gondola to the bottom of the mountain and reluctantly, drove home to Meriden, where unpacking and laundry, and the mad Christmas rush, awaited us. Loon Mountain reminded us that we need to let our brains go slack every now and again, just take in the view and breathe the fresh air. We hadn’t taken a vacation in a long time. We needed to get away so that we could appreciate the things that waited for us at home. Colleen Totz Diamond/12.4.10 December 4, 2010 By Katrina S. Axelrod My Friday, December 4th , 2010 defied the odds. All of them. At once. I: Woke up feeling fine (for me, anyway-- you would have stayed home from work if you felt this way); I: Discovered that I had lost 2.25 lbs over the two weeks surrounding Thanksgiving; I: Was informed that the CCCY Orchestra will receive a $2,000 donation; I: Learned it was "International Day of the Disabled Person," and, as I worked on CCCYO stuff, I heard Classical music on WGBH in Boston from the pens of Disabled composers who overcame their handicaps to produce great works for the ages. I felt kinship with them as I know that I am also a person who is defying the odds in my own way; I: Found a perfect set of clip earrings, (CLIPS!) my Hanukkah present to myself; I: In the mail received a card from Irene Moriarty, our older son’s second grade teacher (our son is now 21 years old), telling me what a fine job I did on a ‘Letter to the Editor’ the week before. Thank you, Irene, it means a great deal to me that you still write. THEN I: Had a wonderful Board meeting that named me ‘Executive Director’ of the Meriden ArtsTrust, Inc./Central Connecticut Civic Youth Orchestra. What a day. Do you know how rare that is? Well yes, you do, that is why I’m writing this, to share it with you. Everywhere I went, I was given a compliment on my hair or my makeup or something I was doing. And it got me thinking, “Thank you to everyone who said nice things to me and about me.” So, I write to thank the Universe for my day. I was grateful to God, of course, and I even went to speak with my wonderful Rabbi to give him a heartfelt compliment on something he had recently done. It was a lovely talk, my thanks to you, Rabbi. For every teeny, tiny, little thing that went right, Universe, thank you. For every big, huge thing that went right, I also send my thanks. I felt like ‘Tevya’ in Fiddler on the Roof’ except that, for once, we could sing together: “Thank you for your Vast Eternal Plan, Today I am a weallllll---theee (wo) man! Thanks again Universe! I really do notice these things! I wish you a day like my December 4, 2010! Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Eid and Happy New Year to all ‘People’s Press’ readership, (and I’ve still got some to spread around, how great is this?!) KSA Katrina S. Axelrod - Meriden ArtsTrust, Inc. & Central Connecticut Civic Youth Orchestra www.heartsinthearts.com Grant Writing and Support for Selected Agencies We Lost A Friend Today - Spidey We had only known him about three months, but he quickly became a part of our everyday life. Spidey got his name because he was so spider-like (my husband is so imaginative). He (she?) was a harvestman (Phalangium opilio http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phalangium_opilio), or daddy longlegs. Spiders are the one creature that really bothers me. I won't hurt them, but I don't want to be in the same room with them. But for some reason I don't mind daddy longlegs, even though I didn't know they were NOT spiders. I first saw Spidey in the living room on the curtain behind my computer monitor, but he soon followed me through the foyer, down the short hall, and into the kitchen. He blended perfectly with the oak cabinets. He explored all around, especially on the ceiling from which he would sometimes fall. Early on, as I worked at the sink, I blew my hair back out of my eyes, but wondered about the static that made it fly around so. Ut-oh, that wasn't hair; it was Spidey's legs. He must have fallen from the ceiling to the top of my head. After that, I always checked the ceiling as I came into the room, and any cabinet I brushed by. Most of the time he stayed around the light over the kitchen sink, coming down to the sponge we put behind the faucet just for him, to get a drink. (That was a medium size kitchen sponge and he could completely cover it, edge to edge.) He would explore around the backsplash and, if he happened to touch me with one of those extra long, probing front legs, he'd scurry back up to the light. I would hear Frank (DH) talking to him as he washed the dishes every night. Spidey was busy during Thanksgiving. He seemed to love the little pieces of turkey I gave him, but the best was the oatmeal cookie crumbs! By Thanksgiving night his little body was so round I was sure he would explode. Once in a while he would go on a walkabout and disappear for a couple of days. This weekend, he returned missing a hind leg. They grow back, but he was definitely missing it and a little unsteady on his remaining seven feet. Maybe that is why he ended up on the kitchen floor, where this morning the dog pointed out his crushed body blending with the faux brick tile. He was a treasured friend and it will be a while before I stop checking the ceiling. Shari Burghart Life along the Q River… An Update from the Quinnipiac River Watershed Association QWRA’s Patriotic Family Day The morning of Saturday, September 25 was warm, a brief step back to the hot days of summer. But the veterans showed up on time and in uniform for the day's special event. The VFW Post 585 donated a flag pole, flag and bench to the Quinnipiac River Watershed Association and this was the day for the inaugural flag raising. Joining the Post members, with only a handful of World War II still alive from that area of bravery, were several AmVets Post 83, including QRWA board member and building chair Paul Roy, and Meriden's own Antique Veterans representing several branches of the armed services. The veterans were treated to coffee while they chatted before the days’ events. Before the official ceremony began, long time QRWA supporter Bill Godburn, who spearheaded the flag donation, presented QRWA president Ginny Chirsky with an original painting of Red Bridge. Ginny gratefully accepted the oil painting on behalf of the entire QRWA organization, thanking Bill for his sharing his talent with the community. "This lovely painting will be proudly hung in our lobby of our building once it is complete. It is a treasure, much like Bill himself." Everyone started to gather around the flagpole with the area recently landscaped by QRWA member and Master Gardener Melissa Haseley. Ginny spoke briefly thanked all those who made this event possible: the generous and patriotic donations of Post 585, installation of the flagpole and castle by mason Frank Basch, and Paul Roy who organized the ceremony. Noted Ginny, "The raising of this flag is symbolic of the raising of our hopes for this organization and this building. We are forever indebted to the men of Post 585 as we are to all our veterans." As the crowd gathered the men took their places, with Commander Charlie Moyles giving direction to start the ceremony with a bugle call, followed by the Antique Veterans providing a loud but brief salute with their rifles. Bill Godburn led the inaugural flag raising surrounded by members of Post 585 saluting Old Glory as she slowly traveled up the pole to the cheers of the crowd. Once to the top therewas a burst of applause celebrating this historic event. With the QRWA's Family Day officially begun events began to take on a life of their own. Members of Beat the Street and the NAACP went for a canoe ride up the Quinnipiac River Gorge, while other children participated in garden themed arts and crafts overseen by Julie and Anne. Certified Master Gardeners Becky and Patti were available to offer information about destructive and invasive insects, the monarch butterfly migration and tours of the Butterfly & Bee garden. Over 70 people lined up for paddle lessons on Hanover Pond to participate in Family Day and many enjoy a walk through the Butterfly & Bee Garden. Others enjoyed refreshments of hotdogs and cool drinks while still others learned more about WOW Green, non-toxic cleaning products and on-going fundraiser for the QRWA. The QRWA’s Family Day was filled with sunshine, lots of fun activities and hopes for a bright future while the Stars and Stripes found a new home right on the water. Upcoming QRWA Events: Winter Hike – Sunday, February 13, 1:30 pm. Meet at Quinnipiac River State Park at the end of Banton Street, North Haven, CT. Eagle Count – please check the website for details Continuous Fundraiser: Purchase environmentally safe cleaning products, help the environment and help the QRWA! Visit www.WOWgreen.net/149153 for details. The Quinnipiac River Watershed Association (QRWA) is a 501c3 organization whose mission is to restore the Quinnipiac for the health and enjoyment of all citizens and communities along its reach and to educate all students, families, individuals, businesses and governments to be informed stewards of the river. We provide water activities, events in education, outreach, advocacy, scientific monitoring, conservation, restoration, recreation and public access to the watershed area. To learn more about the QRWA and future events, please visit our website at www.qrwa.org. Thank you for your support and remember your donations are tax deductable. INSPIRATION FROM TV By Sil Patterson I remember Sunday mornings at our home and my often frenzied approach to getting our five boys and one daughter ready for church. I pick the year, 1970, just so I can list their ages as 14, 12, 10, 8, 5 and 3 years. My Mom and Dad believed in God and Sunday School was a must for me as well as my three siblings. This was the initial reason, but I soon realized that no way was it possible for me or my husband to instill God's Word without the support of the pastor, the Sunday School teachers, the beautiful church music. This brought us some peace and reason in our lives and world. But the actual setting forth was not peaceful or reasonable. "Eat your cereal, let's go! Get dressed! Stop dawdling! No time to play with Trixie! (our beloved dog)" Competing with TV also complicated our exit. Finally, arranging the boys in the Plymouth rambler (the girl fit in anywhere) to avoid touching each other--or nasty words across the car seat: this took energy. Could a Mother occasionally have burn-out? The TV could be a barrier to our exit as I have already said but--"Davey and Goliath”, a puppet show with religious and moral themes brought me spiritual nourishment and energy to get to church. One Sunday, I stopped yelling as I watched Davey place a little lost girl in her wagon as he set off to find her mother. My eyes clouded with tears as the whole story showed the right way to find true joy in life, written in such a way that even a stumbling adult could understand. The story was taken from Jesus parable, "The Good Samaritan." To this day I remember and my children remember Davey and Goliath as well as Sunday school. Nana who came with the flood "Nana who came with the flood." That's what we always called our dad's aunt. I stumbled across a letter today in an old folder of my mom's things that I have been keeping, mostly tin-type photos and a few newspaper clippings, and why this letter was there, I don't know, but I found it interesting. This is an excerpt of a letter my mom, Bernice Hubsch Sherburne, wrote to her parents, Frederick and Kathryn Hubsch on Wednesday, November 18th, 1953, 57 years ago. "We've been having a pretty hectic time around here. Last Friday [the 6th], week, we had a humdinger of a snowstorm. Phil had driven into town and was bringing out a lot of stuff in the station wagon. The traveling was so bad I urged him to stay in and come out on Saturday morning. However, Saturday morning, about 8:30, one of my neighbors called and said he thought we were in for trouble. An abnormally high tide and the wrong kind of wind were pushing the water over the seawall - which is something that has happened around here about four times in the last 20 years - the last being that Thanksgiving storm we had in 1950. We knew it might happen, but were foolhardy enough to think it might be years away and put our washing machine and dryer down in the basement - which was a mistake because the water came in through the windows to a depth of nearly 5 feet! I got the oil burner upstairs in the nick of time, with the help of said neighbor, and a lot of Phil's power tools, but the rest of it was a mess. Phil called me about 10 and said he was down in the village but the roads were underwater. Next thing I knew, he was rowing down Rowayton Avenue in a rowboat, which he tied to our front lamp post. We spent the day cleaning up as best we could. Phil's aunt was visiting - had just come the night before - and then the electricity went off. I took her up to Ruth's [dad's sister] and Regina and the kids to Lou's [mom's sister] for the night. Fortunately the wind shifted and the next tide didn't rise so high. We were lucky. So I'm without a washer and dryer, and until yesterday, freezer, but fortunately it's all covered by insurance. But we won't put them back in the basement - we're building a small vestibule in the back, floor height, and we'll keep the washer and dryer and freezer there, well out of harm's way.... We're having the Thanksgiving dinner here this year - the senior Sherburnes, the Holzapfels [my father's sister], the Ryans from Phil's office, and Vance Bricker. The Robbins [my mom's sister] are having some people from the hospital, and it is just too big a group to combine. Next year I hope we can celebrate together. The girls' birthday falls on Thanksgiving this year, but we're having a party for them on Friday. They are growing so fast and are so entertaining. Nancy is a panic." Strange as it might seem, I remember the rowboat, and dad took us out in it to survey the damage in Rowayton. I was only 4, but one vivid memory is seeing someone sitting on the top of a couch in her living room. Totally flooded house. The other thing I vividly remember is all the worms that surfaced out of the soil once the water receded. It's kind of amazing to think about such a snowstorm occurring around November the 6th in 1953 with the weather we have been having lately. I could find nothing on the Internet to verify the date, though. Just to kind of round this out, Nana, who came with the flood, was in contact with me and Nancy some years later. She was a great proponent of music and playing the piano. Her name was May Mayberry. That's true. I have several things she needle-pointed hanging on my walls in this apartment. She wrote many letters and sent me photographs from years ago, and I do treasure her memory. I wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving, and let us hope we do not get any big snowstorms in November. It is kind of odd, though, that snowstorms used to occur in November. There was one before 1950 that my parents went through, might have been 1947 or thereabouts, and then my mom mentioned the one in 1950 as well, and then 1953 too! I guess we are lucky in a way. But, you know what, take me back to those days of rowing down the streets of Rowayton in a rowboat. It was an incredible experience. Barbara Sherburne barndt49@yahoo.com The Dog Who Goes Trick-Or-Treating In the next block over from me lives a Jack Russell terrier who one year went trick-or-treating with his family. After the kids took him home, J.R. (his name, short for Jack Russell) decided he could trick-or-treat on his own, and instead of going as Dracula, this time he would go as a dog. He slithered out of the house and thought about where he got the best treats, a chicken jerky strip and a big Milk-Bone biscuit. So when I went to the door with the candy, there was J.R. without his folks but with some kids waiting patiently. When the kids started leaving, he was at the end of the line waiting for his treat. I gave him another treat, jerky and biscuit, and watched him go hide behind the rose of Sharon bush to eat them. Shortly after, there were some more kids, and at the end of the line was J.R. again. This time he just got a jerky strip, and he delightedly ran off behind the bush to eat his treat again. He did that about four times, waiting at the end of the line, then running behind the bush to enjoy his treasures. All was quiet, it was late, the kids had all gone home, when there was a knock at my door. Thinking it to be a straggler, I went to the door and there stood J.R. politely asking for his treat. I gave him a Milk-Bone and called his mommy to come get him before he ate too many treats, even if they were dog friendly. Every year I look forward to the trick-or-treaters, but mostly I look forward to J.R., who now knows when the kids dress up, it's time to go trick-or-treating. And he's the first one at the door the last few years. Now he is bringing friends, and I get nearly as many dogs as kids, with and without kids in tow! Paula Sparks About The People's Press We are a community newspaper and a viewspaper serving Wallingford, Meriden and all of Central Connecticut. It's your write to express yourself. That's right; The People's Press is made up of submissions by YOU! It's all about your LocalMotion. You can submit a photo, a story, a poem, a recipe, community and local news or whatever you would like. That's what makes us a viewspaper and a newspaper! It's not about us, it’s about you! You can email us all of the above at andy@peoplespressnews.com . You will also find information from the Wallingford and Meriden Mayors, the Wallingford and Meriden Public Libraries, the Wallingford and Meriden Senior Centers, the Wallingford and Meriden Health Departments, other various town and city departments and events as well as information about the wonderful groups and civic organizations that help Wallingford, Meriden and all of Central Connecticut to be a better place. We list news and events before they happen and not after they happen so you can be a part of them. You will also find only LOCAL BUSINESSES in our paper! We invite you to join us by becoming a part of the family of our submitters and sharing your news, stories, photos and views that matter most to Wallingford, Meriden and Central Connecticut. We are YOUR newspaper. The People's Press - Your Town, Your News, Your Views! 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Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Happy Holidays

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Your Stories December 2010 - Meriden and Wallingford CT

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