Engaged, Now What?
By Jamie DeChesser
So, he finally pops the question and you have already practically planned your dream wedding, right? Most of us ladies have pictured how we want our big day to be in some way or another but when it finally comes down to planning the wedding, the x’s and o’s become uh-ohs! There is a lot of time, energy, and creativity that goes into planning a beautiful wedding. If you are like me, you like to take on the challenge. If you are like my fiancé, you are just ready to show up at the altar and have a great time. The process of planning a wedding can be very stressful but it should be very fun as well. Here are some of my tips, being a real bride in the midst of all the excitement to help make planning your wedding a smoother, more exciting process:
Create a budget: Having a CPA as a fiancé does have some of its benefits! I am the more creative “dreamer” in our relationship and can tend to get carried away, especially after watching all of these bridal shows, featuring brides that have unlimited budgets. Whether the cost is 100% on you and your fiancé or you have family helping you out, creating a very specific budget will help with planning every step of the way. This way, you can weed out vendors that are way out of budget and you have a realistic approach to planning your wedding.
Focus on what you and your fiancé want: A lot of the stress of being a bride comes from the pressure of friends, bridesmaids, moms, mother-in-laws and everyone else that has an opinion. From your guest list to your wedding dress, the people that love you only want to help, however sometimes their opinions steer you away from your own uniqueness. Maybe you love the outdoors and want to get married at a beautiful vineyard but your sister pictures you in a castle with all of the trimmings. Do not forget that this is your big day and putting your own creativity and uniqueness into the planning is what in the end, makes your day unforgettable for you and your guests. Whether big or small, fancy or casual, your wedding day should reflect the love that you and your partner share.
Use your resources: Brides have a lot of work cut out for them so why not take advantage of all of the great resources out there? There are several wedding websites (one of my favorites is the theknot.com) that will provide you with local directories of vendors from florists, photographers, venues and more. You can even chat with other brides and swap ideas, pictures, and experiences. Also, the duty of a bridesmaid is not only to look pretty and walk down the aisle—they are there to help. Put them to work! I have taken advantage of the bridesmaid to help with mailing out save-the-dates, picking out flowers, and helping with my invitations. Think of your bridesmaids as part-time wedding planners. This will not only help reduce your workload, but also strengthen the bond between you and your girls!
Have fun: I cannot stress this enough. When I first started to plan my wedding, I have to admit, in the beginning, I was a bit of a classic Bridezilla. I was having fights with my mom over the guest list, becoming overwhelmed with petty details, and was just plain not enjoying myself. Once I took a step back and realized that being engaged is a wonderful thing and that I was going to marry a man who I cherish and love, I relaxed and started to enjoy the process. My mom and I have a blast trying way too many cake samples at bridal shows and I find myself becoming more inventive and creative when I am having fun with it.
So, bride-to-bes, congratulations on your engagement and have a blast planning your dream wedding, whatever that may be! For advice/tips on wedding planning, feel free to email me at CTsweetsBride@yahoo.comctsweetsbride@yahoo.com.
In the Shade of the Old Oak Tree
Sweat, and lots of it was oozing from my pores. It was hot enough to fry an egg in the palm of my hand. There seems to always be things needing attention and on this day I was replacing a few rotted posts for an elderly neighbor. I had been at it for a couple of hours under the hot sun maybe pushing myself a bit too much. It was definitely time for a break. At the back of the house I found a plastic cup and headed for the water spigot. My cup now full to the rim it was time to find a shady spot to cool off for a spell. I reckon it was a hundred yards or so away that I noticed a solitary oak tree just out on the edge of the corn fields. That, I decided, would be my spot to find comfort. By the time I reached the tree I was feeling just a might woozy and glad to finally plant my butt in amongst some roots at its base. Slowly I eased my head back into the firm bark of the tree and closed my eyes.
Moments later my eyes opened, staring up into the many branches and leaves. A slight glimpse of sunlight glittering through was now welcomed as I was enjoying the magnificence of a tree that had obviously been around for many generations. It was strong but even this fine oak was showing signs of the ages. My eyes slowly drifted back down to earth as I reached for a cool sip of my water. Then I began to twittle. Twittle, a strange word I reckon that means you get just a tad busy doing nothing at all and in this case my I found my fingers rummaging through a pile of leaves. Even my mouth twittles on occasion and this held true as I placed a stick of straw into my teeth and held it there. As my hands continued I noticed a slightly larger pile of leaves and ran my fingers underneath feeling a slightly cooler temperature. My fingers then found what I thought was just a small stick but upon further twittling realized that it was a small oak, only protruding a few inches from the soil. It had been bent over and had been starving for fresh air and sunshine. Gently I pulled the leaves back and restored this little one to its natural position. The soil was dry and it had been quite some time since we had received any much needed rain. I crawled just a few feet away and grasped my cup of water. I knew this little oak could use it as much as I had only moments earlier. The soil actually made faint crackling sounds as the moisture was absorbed. As I poured what I knew would be the gift of life a warm feeling came over me. Then once again I drifted myself back into my own comfort leaning against the strength of the large oak. I would close my eyes for a moment or so.
Then, like a strong jolt of an earthquake I was startled. I had only fallen a mere two inches from a root but darned if it didn't smart a bit on my rear end. I had been jolted by the voice of a stranger. Never had I felt this much from a kind greeting such as "Howdy". He gave a slight chuckle as I tried now to wriggle my way into a sitting position amongst the roots of the tree. Upon finally gaining my composure I gave him a reply of "Howdy, back atcha". This response in these parts is kinda customary just meaning that we both recognize each other's presence in a kindly fashion.
My eyes were still getting focused from my snooze as I looked up at him. He was tall in stature and maybe just a bit on the thin side. The clothes he wore were a bit raggedy to look at but not too bad for someone who might have limited means. Besides, ain't nothing wrong with a hard working gent having a few holes ifn's they are all in appropriate places. I could tell he had some age behind him even through the thick beard of grey that he wore. What I saw next was his shoes which seemed a bit odd. The shoes were in good enough shape but they were mismatched. One shoe was showing its natural light grey coloring while the other was a solid pitch black and riding much higher up his leg. In a much softer voice now than the one that had awakened me he asked politely "Have you got a cool drink for a stranger?" Instinctively I reached for my cup of water but before I could turn completely I remembered that I had drank about half and poured the rest on the little oak tree. My hand continued towards the cup and my eyes finally caught up. To my astonishment this same cup, that I'm sure was empty moments before, was now slightly more than half full. I only paused for a second or two, figuring that the heat of the day had somehow played a trick on me, and handed the gentleman my cup of water. In a few short gulps his thirst was quenched and a response of being much obliged was given. He then asked if he could have a seat at the tree to rest his tired old feet. I let him know quickly that he was more than welcome to join me. As he sat down I looked towards the gate at the front of the yard that I was still planning on tending to. I thought to myself that I would get to it soon enough. It was still time to sit for a short spell. As I eased my way to my comfy root to sit something caught my attention. Dang if I didn't almost sit down on a beautiful green grasshopper. With cupped hands I reached out and gently gathered it into my hands. The words came out of my mouth to the little grasshopper in my own apologies of disturbing him as I placed it on a lower branch of the tree. Such a wonderful little creature and they always make me take the special time to watch and appreciate.
A moment later I turned back towards the stranger and sat down. There was a strange look on his face now as he looked me in the eyes. I had seen that look before and half expected the question that was coming. He glanced towards the little oak and then nodded with a slight raising of his brow in the direction of the grasshopper and the question came. "Are you one of them animal nature nuts?" My normal response to such a thing would be very short but something startling happened before I could begin my reply. The last ten years of my life flashed before me freezing my mouth even from twittling. I was remembering every creature, from the largest to the smallest that had entered into my life. Vivid images came to me of when I had nourished plants and relived my anger of watching some of our breathtaking surroundings destroyed for development. So many little ones have entered my life. The flashback that I was encountering was intense and very difficult to handle. It only lasted for a brief moment but left me drained.
My head once again found the comfort of the proud tree that was supporting me. In a soft voice I gave the gentleman my reply. "Yes Sir, some might would classify me as one of those animal nature nuts that you hear about." Still drained from my flashback I reached for my cup of water to cleanse a dry throat and drank. After only a sip, water embarrassingly came spitting from my mouth. I apologized to the stranger for my behavior but I knew, I just knew that this cup had been emptied moments earlier. Gotta be the heat and that weird flashback thing that just happened was all that I could figure. My eyes once again turned to the stranger and I saw those same questioning eyes. "What makes you into such a person, this animal and nature lover that you have become" he asked. My reply to this would not come easy. It's that same question that I have asked my own self for years. Some answers are so difficult to put into words and this has always been most difficult. I'm not sure why but I felt a comfort sitting with this stranger. He reminded me of my father who passed on only a few years back. It was something in his eyes that made me decide to come up with an answer to his question. I stated to him that it might take a while with my explanation of why my feelings are so strong. I asked if he had time to listen. Seemingly in the voice of a father to a son he said "Son, I have all the time in the world to spend with you". His eyes changed now and the look told me that he was ready to listen and intent on hearing the answer. With a deep exhale I searched for the words.
It was ten years ago that my own story began. Although I had a fondness for some animals by no sense of the word could I have been called an animal or nature lover. Sure, I had pets in my life at times but they were easy to care for. We bonded just as any other people who would own pets would do. I gave to them at my convenience and enjoyed having them. I also grieved with any loss of a pet that I "owned". Any animal other than a pet had little purpose for me to care deeply about. I was busy, wrapped up in my own world. I enjoyed many pleasures in life, most being selfish and materialistic but I was content, or so I fooled myself into believing. I had no idea that there was another side of life or the deep emotions that could come with it. I do feel that I was a giving person but sometimes I wonder if even in those times that it was done at my own convenience. I enjoyed attention such as when showing off a new car or a new boat or anything that would draw special attention. In a way, that's what may have brought me into the wonderful world that I now live in. A new pet, something exotic, something unique would be really exciting and different. A little skunk entered my life.
This is when my eyes looked up at the stranger. The mention of having a skunk as a pet usually catches folks off guard which is continued by a crazed look on their faces. What I had said to him had no effect, only a slight lean forward to listen further so I continued. My first thoughts were how cool it was to have such a different type of animal for a pet. But, nobody told me beforehand just how different it could be. The little skunk was downright cute! His antics were totally different than anything I could have ever imagined. I showed him off every chance I got to everyone, so proud to have something so different. But through all of this I was learning about a different type of care that I must give. The little skunk was not as easy to care for as a dog or a cat. It required special diets. Preparing its meal wasn't as easy as sitting down a bowl of cat food or dog food. I quickly learned too about the attention my little skunk required. This was no animal that liked to be left alone and it would require much time to mold its personality. I too, was realizing that this was a different type of animal that what I had been accustomed to and plenty of patience was required. This would require sacrifices like I had never before given to anyone or anything else in my life. These things I gave and I noticed with each little bit I could sense a closeness forming between us. There was a training happening and not only was the skunk being trained but I was being trained as well. I look back on this now and know how love is formed. Each day I learned more about giving and learned that by doing so another can give back freely in return. We all long for that feeling of loving warmth and acceptance. It's an unconditional love that can more easily be found in animals. Animals live their lives striving for warmth and security and we as humans are the same way.
The truest feelings of love had crept up on me and this was realized a short time later. At this point a tear came to my eyes in remembering my little skunk. There was a time in my life that my tears were hidden but I had grown to be proud of them, never again feeling a need to hold them back. I was reliving the most difficult day of my life. A hand from the stranger found my shoulder which brought me great comfort. Somehow he knew the tremendous amount of sorrow that I felt and live with each day. With his hand still resting upon my shoulder I continued. My life had been changed by, of all things, a little skunk. Through this little one I had learned the value of life and how precious each breath we take can be. Love is a teaching experience that I feel every day. Through many years now, I’ve learned it from other animals, large and small, each being unique in its own special ways. I've nurtured through injury and sickness and I've felt unsurpassable joy in releasing many others back to where God intended. Each of these little ones have left an impression in my life, a warmth that is indescribable.
My head now once again leaned back and found the strength of the great oak tree that held me secure and my eyes closed only for a brief second. I had found in myself the meaning of love. The words that I speak could never describe the emotions in my heart. I opened my eyes and glanced over to the young sapling of the oak tree and thought of the wee little grasshopper. All aspects of nature have given meaning to my life. My eyes then turned towards the stranger, the one who had been so intent on listening. In complete silence he had left me. My eyes searched the yard and even out into the corn fields but he was not to be seen. I had enjoyed my chat with him, although I was the one who seemed to have done most of the talking. He had left me without so much as a simple goodbye. One last swallow of water I thought and I would head back to my task at the gate. I reached down amongst the roots to retrieve the cup and was flabbergasted. Sitting with a balance that only a little one such as this could muster, a chittery little fella rested on the brim of the cup. It was a grey squirrel taking one drink after another.
By now seeing this cup each time filled slightly over halfway with water, I was not surprised. I would think heavily about it later for sure. After a moment or so the little squirrel seemed to have his fill, turned his back to me, and after a few twitches of the tail he scurried up the oak tree. I would remember this little one throughout my entire life for he had a distinct feature about him. His front paw held a marking that brought those tiny little bumps to my skin, something unique that will always have a special place in my memories. One little black paw riding high on a leg. I lost sight of the little fella high up in the leaves but it wasn't due to a lack of trying to keep up with him.
Howdy! I danged near jumped from my skin as I heard the voice behind me. It was my neighbor and although pleased to hear his voice it was getting a bit late in the day and I knew his gate still needed attention. "Thank you, thank you, thank you" rang out in his voice. He hurriedly pulled me by the arm and we headed towards his gate. Just before I could spit out my apologies for being so lax I saw it. To my knees I went staring in disbelief. My neighbor swung the gate open and closed it back and forth, over and over again. A fresh coat of grey paint covered its exterior along with, you guessed it, one lone picket on the end painted black. "How can I ever repay you for such kindness" he asked me. Under normal circumstances my reply would have been nothing, nothing at all, but I gave thought for a quick second or two. I did have one thing that I desired.
On the mantle above my fireplace rests something of a reminder of a day that I'll never forget. To some it may look out of place, just a dirty old cup, but to me it's a symbol of all of the wonderful things in our world to appreciate. There's a love surrounding that cup, one that I can never quite find the right words in describing.
To this day, my cup is always slightly more than half full. It's been I reckon about twenty years since that day under the oak and I still stroll past from time to time especially in those hot days of summer. The mighty oak tree is still lending its shade to those who would venture underneath. A somewhat younger tree rests too, seemingly cradled in its branches, and there's an old tire hanging from a rope beneath it. I kinda reckon we've got some new neighbors with kids. And danged if I don't see an old gate needing just a wee bit of attention.
Unkie Milt
Life along the Q River… An Update from the Quinnipiac River Watershed Association
Hanover Pond Repairs
By JoAnne Grabinski
On Friday, March 18 contracted workers from Green Mountain Pipeline Services damaged a sewer line located in Hanover Pond in South Meriden. The Quinnipiac River Watershed Association’s (QRWA) headquarters sits on the edge of the pond. The sewer lines had already been diverted due to the scheduled work on the pipe, so no sewage leaked into the pond. Green Mountain was attempting to place a sleeve in the sewer pipe as part of a comprehensive program the City’s sewer lines. The pipe collapsed during the sleeving process and created the leak, which resulted in large amounts of pond water rushing through the line and stressing the pumps at the nearby sewage treatment plant on Evansville Avenue.
As a result the City obtained an emergency order form the DPUC to drain the pond in order to make repairs to the pipe. The pond was drained by opening the dam. The pond was drained to the point where work could be done, but there was still some water left in the pond. Crews were busy Saturday working on creating a damn to get to the affected pipe, which was located near the island in the center of the pond. Bald eagles have been regulars at the tree on the island so there was some concern that is disturbance could be harmful to the birds.
According to Ginny Chirsky, President of the QRWA, once DEP had confirmed there was no sewer leakage into Hanover Pond from the broken pipe she felt confident that the situation only created a temporary displacement and wildlife will return to normal at Hanover Pond including the four Bald Eagles and fledglings who have made Hanover Pond their home.
Notes Anna Neumon, a member of the city’s Conservation Commission, “My concern is on the impact, if any, on the immediate area and on the fish and the eagles who feed from the river and pond.” “We expect no adverse harm to wildlife,” CT Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) spokesman Dwayne Gardener said of the break and subsequent draining. “The period of time the pond is drawn down is going to be brief and there is still water available.”
Since the break, crews have been working around the clock to fully fix and line the pipe. According to Public Utilities Superintendent Dennis Waz, the city will be paying for these overtime costs. City Finance Director Michael Lupkas said Tuesday that he hadn’t yet seen a full cost estimate for the additional work, but that funding would likely come out of Meriden’s Enterprise Fund for the sewers. As of Thursday the repairs seemed to have been complete and the damn was closed to allow the pond to refill to its normal levels. And that same day two eagles were spotted flying above the pond.
Upcoming QRWA Events:
Wednesday, April 13, 5:00 pm – Annual Fish Stocking, Meet at Red Bridge, Oregon Road, Meriden. Please park in the Linear Trial lot.
Saturday, April 23 – Annual River Clean Up – contact David James at 203-237-2845 for staging area and times.
Saturday, May 1, 1:30 pm – Eagle Watch on Hanover Pond. Led by certified canoe instructor Dan Pelletier and Wildlife Biologist Peter Picone. Watch through binoculars or cruise around Hanover Pond. This event is for experienced paddlers only.
Sunday, May 15th, 9:00 am – 31st Canoe/Kayak Race, Down River Classic. Register at the Southington DOT parking lot on Route 322. This year the race with be combined with an Environmental Fair for CT Based Environmental Groups.
To learn more about the QRWA and to confirm information, dates and times for upcoming events, please visit our website at: www.qrwa.org.
Home Country
Slim Randles
Margaret Clawson, down at the Rest of Your Life convalescent home, can’t help it, really. You see, she’s a pony mom. Her teenage daughters have horses, and she’s busy hauling the girls and their mounts around to horse shows, gymkhanas and barrel racings throughout our corner of the country on weekends.
Pony moms have … well, a way about them. So did Genghis Khan. As one old cowboy put it: “You can put a pony mom in a room full of Little League moms and she’ll whip them all into shape.”
So in a way Margaret couldn’t help herself.
Dud and Anita Campbell were invited to come and be judges last Friday, but weren’t sure what was happening until they got there. But there, smiling from ear to ear, were about half the inhabitants of the home lined up in their best bathrobes and non-skid slippers, holding onto their walkers.
“Okay guys,” said Margaret, inspecting the troops ala Rommel, “we’re going to see fair play done in each contest, but you will strive to win. It’s the American Way.”
Nods and grins.
Then Margaret whipped out a stopwatch and said, “Our first event is the pole bending. You will weave in and out of the chairs in the hallway, go completely around Grant’s wheelchair at the far end, and weave back. If you break the pattern, you will be disqualified. Okay now. Estelle, are you ready?”
Estelle was.
“Go!”
There she went, in and out of the chairs, only getting her walker hung up on a chair leg once during her run. Two wall bumps. No falls. No pattern breaks. Great applause as she crossed the finish line.
The event was eventually won by Mitch, who claimed he’d been a track star in high school around the time the stock market crashed.
“You’ve probably noticed the obstacles we’ve put out,” Margaret then announced. “Lily, do you have your hearing aids on? That’s better. So now we come to the trail horse class. Get those ponies ready!”
You’re never too old for fun.
Brought to you by Slim Randles’s outdoor memoirs, Sweetgrass Mornings, available at www.slimrandles.com.
Burn victim may not survive
After I read this news headline in the morning paper, I was moved to offer comfort to the unfortunate victim, and listen to his tale of woe. I wished to soothe the agony of his final moments, as he was not long for this life. Listen to this sad tale he told to me.
“My life was filled with sweetness; my companions and I lived a soft life until one day tragedy struck, and we were tumbled from our cozy comfortable life. I became impaled and immobile. Flames were everywhere and licking closer. I was sweating; the blistering heat was scorching and roasting me. I’ve swollen to twice my normal size. Such misery I have never known and I fear for my life, so I thank you for rescuing me from these burning flames. If by some chance I don’t survive, will you write my eulogy, telling of my soft-heartedness and how everyone enjoyed my sweetness?
“Oh, yes, Mr. Marsh Mallow, I shall, I shall.”
Dorothy Gonick
Connecticut Outdoors
Written By: Paul Narducci
This past Feb Connecticut Outdoors participated in this year’s fishing and Hunting show at the Connecticut Convention Center. This was our first year doing this and overall we feel it was a great success. We represented our sponsors and mainly our focus was Lubrimatic. As you all know Lubrimatic carries products that will take care of all your boating needs. They have everything from grease guns, gas stabilizer, marine grease, lower unit oil and of course their brand of TCW3 two stroke oil. I have a Skeeter bass boat with a 150 Yamaha. I use all Lubrimatic products on and in my boat. This is truly a wonderful company with great products that are proven and dependable. They have come out with a new line of products called Ultralube. These products are nontoxic and enviormentally friendly. For those who stopped by our booth they were pleasantly surprised when we gave them a free sample of this product and the feedback I have received is people love it. I have used it myself and it works great no more squeeks and no more mess. For those who would like more info log onto www.lubrimatic.com.
Myself, Tony and Frank worked our booth and met a lot of nice people. We had key chains, tire gauges and a lot of product from Lubrimatic that we handed out to those who spent time at our booth. It was really nice to see how happy and thank full people were to receive something free. Lubrimatic is a wonderful company with a new line called ULtralube. This is a product worth looking into and checking your local retailers for this product. One of our sponsors Lunker City also had a booth and a fellow fisherman Chris Bielert was working this. Chris is a wonderful person with a lot of knowledge about our sport and is respected among the fishing community and industry. They had Charlie Moore coming on Saturday and I asked Chris if he could set up a meet and greet with Charlie and my son Jonathan. Saturday Chris came to our booth several times in anticipation of Jonny’s arrival . Jonathan got to meet Charlie Moore with his cousins Joe Dias and Ryan Paul. Charlie was a class act and treated my son with a lot of respect and talked to him not at him. He wasn’t afraid or uncomfortable and spent close to ten minutes with him. We all totally loved this. Some people shy away, get nervous and don’t know what to say or how to act. This was not the case with Charlie and I will forever appreciate the way he treated my son. Jonathan was very excited about meeting him and couldn’t wait to tell everyone about it. Charlie gave Jonathan a bunch of his hats DVd’s and a signed autograph. Jonathan wears this hat and it is now his favorite hat to wear. I would like to give a special thanks to Chris who works for Lunker City and to Herb Reed ( owner of Lunker City ) for setting this up. You made one little boy very, very happy. Charlie ,Charlie Moore yooooo. Jonathan and I like to yell this is in our house especially when we watch Charlie’s show. Lunker City has come out with several new lures for 2011. Lures that we love to use are the salad spoon, pudgie, rascal worm, sluggo, swimfish and ozmo. If you would like info on these lures go to www.lunkercity.com. Lunker City was one of my very first sponsors in 1994 and I will be forever grateful to them. Opening day of fishing!!!! April 16, 2011 it’s time to go fishing. It sure has been a long long winter and I need some therapy. For those who love to go trout fishing you may want to try Wharton Brook, Black Pond, and the Quinnipiac River. I would recommend trying anything by Thomas Spinning Lures. My favorites are the rough rider, buoyant, Colorado, EP Spinn, Special Spinn and the double spin. I’m hoping to hit all three at some point during the day. If you see us there come over and say hello maybe you to will be pleasantly surprised. As always the crew of Connecticut Outdoors wishes everyone the best of luck and good fishing!!!
Radio Like It Used To Be…
By Brad Devlin
Music and the way we listen to it has changed a lot since I was a kid growing up in the 70s. Back then, we relied on trusted disc jockeys to turn us on to new hip music and tell us which cool bands were coming to town. However, these things are almost impossible to find in the overly nostalgic repetition of commercial rock ‘n roll radio or the deafening thump-thump-thump of some sweaty late-night clubs here in Connecticut. And, if you’re like me, is not that your musical tastes have changed all that much. We still want to hear new and thought-provoking music and maybe even go out to see a show every now and again; the trouble is where to find these things. What’s a gracefully aging music fan to do?
In many regards, college radio has become what commercial rock ‘n roll radio used to be. And for readers of The People’s Press, 88.1FM, WESU in Middletown is closest place to find it. The variety of music on WESU challenges me. If you’re looking for Caribbean or Jazz, gospel or grunge, you’re sure to find it on the schedule. Rob DeRosa’s HomeGrown program might be my favorite on the WESU schedule because it gives me the great new music from cool new bands that I want, with the added caveat that the show exclusively features actively performing bands from our home state of Connecticut. I tune in every Thursday on my drive home (5:05-6pm) to get a healthy helping of great music grown right here at home. DeRosa has been hosting the show for close to eight years, and I’ve been listening almost as long. At first, I was surprised at the quality of some the local Connecticut acts he features. Seven years later, I find myself even more surprised at the sheer number of local bands that exist from all over our home state. DeRosa plays them all, and he has introduced me to many of my new favorite acts. Interestingly, several of the acts DeRosa has featured on HomeGrown have gone on to national and international acclaim.
Each show focuses on Connecticut bands performing during the coming week. On occasion, a few of the shows are DeRosa’s own productions (DeRosa volunteers as music coordinator of the annual Meriden Daffodil Festival. In recent years, and at DeRosa’s request, the festival has featured an all-Connecticut line-up of musical acts. DeRosa also hosts a free music series every Monday evening during the Wesleyan University school schedule at the Red & Black Café inside the Wesleyan Bookstore on Broad Street in Middletown.), but more often he features acts performing at local clubs and coffeehouses throughout the state. So if you like what you hear, grab a pen and paper because at the
next break between songs, DeRosa will tell you a little about the band and let you know where they’ll be performing. From time to time, he’ll even host live bands right in the studio. Recent HomeGrown guests have been Eric Lichter of Dirt Floor Studios in Chester, eclectic songwriters The Sawtelles of Southington, and Fairfield County’s Caravan of Thieves.
As a disc jockey, DeRosa is as loose and charmingly irreverent as you might expect a veteran of Woodstock to be. Intelligent adult allusions abound, and the weekly public service announcements from Willie Nelson are good for a knowing chuckle from 70s rock ‘n roll radio fans everywhere. Everywhere is an appropriate term here because WESU and Rob DeRosa’s HomeGrown are available worldwide via wesufm.org. So again, if you’re like me and in search of new and thought-provoking music and want to know where to see a show every now and again, you can find these things on Rob DeRosa’s HomeGrown on 88.1FM WESU in Middletown (wesufm.org if you’re on-line). It’s radio like it used be.
MERIDEN MAN RUNNING TO RAISE MONEY FOR LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY
Bill Mercuri can usually be seen walking or running with his Rhodesian Ridgeback, Gus, almost anywhere on Meriden’s west side.
On April 30th he’ll be running in the Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville, TN as part of the Team in Training, a comprehensive endurance training program for runners, walkers, cyclists and triathletes which benefits The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Since 1986, Team in Training has raised over $800 million for the LLS.
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society helps fund research into cures and treatments for Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma and Hodgkin’s Disease. It also provides much needed services to improve the lives of those living with these diseases.
Bill has a $5,000 fundraising goal and a deadline of March 15th by which to raise it. He needs your help in achieving his goal. Please support his run by making a gift to this campaign. Donations of all sizes will be greatly appreciated.
Giving is easy and all gifts are tax deductible. You may write a check payable to LLS and mail it to:
Bill Mercuri - 39 Corrigan Ave., Meriden, CT 06451
Or, use your credit card to give online at Bill’s secure web page: pages.teamintraining.org/ct/cmc11/wmercuri
Corporate sponsorships are also available at the $1,000, $2,500, and $5000 levels.
For more information on this event and how you can help, please contact Bill Mercuri at 203-237-4305 or e-mail him at bill.mercuri@att.net
To my sister, Brianna Kaitlyn Vitale,
may she rest in peace until we meet again<3
*11.2.89 - 2.9.06*
_An original poem by Kayley Brook Vitale_
"My Reason To Be"
I can't seem to hold back the tears,
Even after all these years.
I try to keep them tucked inside,
But they never seem to want to hide.
I don't cry much, to say the truth,
But I always cry because of you.
I lost you in a tragic way,
Now I'm just living day to day.
I guess you never know what's coming next,
You put me through the hardest test,
To see if I could make it through,
Living life, without a you.
It was hard at first, don't get me wrong,
But I have learned, for you, to just be strong.
It seems that since you left, my strength has grown,
And to you, my friend, I now do owe,
A true, sincere, and great big thanks,
For helping me strengthen my strength.
You are in my mind, and in my soul,
But on my heart, you've taken a toll.
For now, I cannot change the past,
If I were able, I'd run out of gas.
I guess that I will just push through,
This life I live because of you.
My motivation,
my strength,
my reason to be...
Brianna, that's what you are, to me.
The Computer Guru
Wayne Montefusco of Solve-It-All Computer
Let’s talk about computer maintenance.
I have been fixing computers for years and one of the main issues I see is lack of care. I get many systems when they are on the verge of dying. Like a car that hasn't seen an oil change in a year or more. Caring for a computer is the same thing. Over the course of time a system gets clogged with junk files that can make a system come to a crawl. There is many ways to do this.
1. Purge internet cache. This will also help when viewing web pages to make sure your seeing the most recent updates.
2. Clean out Windows\temp folder. Only delete files that are not in use. This is a folder that is used when installing programs. Junk does add up quick here.
3. Delete Windows Update installer files. Go to Windows folder and get rid of any folders that start with a dollar sign. You have to have all files showing to see theses.
4. Disk cleanup in you properties of your hard disk is important to get rid of files that the system doesn't need.
5. Purge all Windows System Restore entries except the last one. This can be done from the options part of Disk cleanup.
If you have any questions for Wayne that you would like answered –call 203-213-5444 or email
wmontefusco@yahoo.com
Out of the Fire, and Into the Frying Pan
By Chuck Rinaldi
From the time I became an adult, I have always enjoyed cooking. For a little over four decades, the kitchen has been my favorite room in the house. I started this love affair with all things culinary when I got married and, for the first time, was living away from my childhood home where food was simple and relatively unexciting. Being young and on a pretty tight budget, get-togethers with our friends tended to be dinners at each others’ houses rather than going out to restaurants. It was these occasions that caused me to begin seeking out more interesting cookbooks and gave me the opportunity to begin preparing dishes such as Chicken Kiev or Lobster Thermidor for our guests. It was during this time that I realized that rather than seeming like work, the time spent searching out recipes and preparing these foods was really fun for me. I must admit I also enjoyed receiving compliments from our friends or the applause that would greet the presentation of a flaming Cherries Jubilee. I continued in this vein, trying this, perfecting that, always looking toward the next occasion to cook for family or friends, and I gradually began to gain a wider knowledge of various cooking methods and preparation techniques. Time passed and the demands of teaching, going to graduate school, raising children, working a second job and making home repairs took over time that before would have been spent at the cutting board and stove. Life moved on, to a second marriage, a new job (at Sheehan High School in Wallingford!), and a focus on acting and theater that lasted for the next 25 years.
Cut to the present… In June, 2009, I retired from my position as a high school Assistant Principal, and my wife and I fulfilled a dream by moving to Arizona. It took a little while getting used to being retired, not having to run off to work each day, or having my life segmented by bells signaling the change of classes. I now had the time to pursue things I enjoy or had always wanted to do. I started going to the gym three times a week, taking T’ai Chi, reading to my heart’s content, doing home improvement projects, and traveling. However, among the most wonderful aspects of this new phase of my life is that I have begun to cook seriously again. It has been like returning to a lost love.
About twenty years ago, I began acquiring professional-level pans, knives and other cooking implements to be able to cook like the gourmet I have always wanted to be. I also collected cookbooks, dozens of them, searching for just the right recipes by great chefs such as Jacques Pepin and Mario Batali. It got so bad that my wife finally instituted a “one in, one out” rule to help keep some kind of control on the situation. Now, in a new house with a well-set-up kitchen, all these things are being used the way they were intended to be. Since we try to keep an eye on our health, not every night is gourmet night, but at least twice a week I try to make a special dish or soup that I have not tried before. I am venturing into French cuisine and thanks to Julia Childs’ Mastering the Art of French Cooking, I am turning out such dishes as Daube de Boeuf à la Provençale with great success. Living in Arizona, outdoor cooking is possible year round, so Bobby Flay has become my guru as well. I began making my own bread about a year ago, and recently started turning out my own hand-made pasta. Although I do subscribe to a number of cooking magazines, thanks to the Internet and The Food Network, I’m no longer bringing home cookbooks, and I can learn new techniques and recipes from some of the best chefs in the world. These days, a visit to “Cucina Rinaldi” might just include tempting smells from the kitchen, a good glass of wine, some home-made bread and food that’s been carefully and lovingly prepared. Whether it’s a spicy chile rellenos or a delicate celery-root soup, the satisfaction I derive from preparing a complicated recipe and turning out a fine restaurant-quality meal has become one of my greatest pleasures.
I Did Not See My Shadow
by Colleen Totz Diamond
I like winter – generally speaking. I’ve never had cabin fever. Days inside with cats and coffee and blankets and my laptop, working away on some book or other, were days that I could see my backyard through Robert Frost’s eyes, and get sentimental about teenage years spent skiing and speeding through town on snowmobiles. But with more than 50 inches total snowfall and roof collapses, this winter has been less Robert Frost and more Stephen King. Even Puxatony Phil got the memo – see that shadow, and kiss your safety goodbye.
I’ve been hanging on to this notion that I like winter to the point of absurdity. Roofs are leaking. Buildings are collapsing. Roads are blocked. Parking lots are downright hazardous. None of that put me over. No, before yesterday, I was cool with winter, even this one. Even with the snow shoveling, the roof-raking, the 10-inch ice dams in our gutters. So what changed?
Winter got personal with me. I fell yesterday, in the backyard, on my return trip from the red shed (which I may as well start calling the “cat shed,” seeing as though I’m using it to house two once-feral, now-socialized cats). In and of itself, falling was not the bad part; getting up was worse.
I fell in such a way that my legs bent at the knees, with my feet under my torso and the rest of me flat on my back. My feet were wedged under the thick crust of ice, under my buttocks. This is what I get for traveling downhill on a melting icy path with my arms full – a bag of dirty litter in my left hand, and a tote of cat supplies in the other, and no spade to lean on.
My first inclination, before I realized I couldn’t get up, was to laugh. Look at me, I thought. Crumpled on top of myself in some undefined quasi-Yoga pose. I was a cartoon of myself, but half as flexible and with no leverage. Where I needed a handle, there was no handle. Where I needed a floor, there was open air.
I checked the integrity of my iPhone, which I carry to the shed just in case I fall (I know) or am cornered by an angry possum or the Hubbard Park bear (which may or may not exist) and need to call for help. The phone was fine – still secure in my pocket.
I cursed myself for not wearing gloves or a winter coat, because while it was a balmy 32 degrees when I made my way out to the shed, I spent a good half hour canoodling with the cats, and the temperature dropped into the 20s for the return trip.
I tried a few times to stand from what I thought was a squatting position. I couldn’t do it. My feet were in soft snow under the ice, and my feet were higher than my knees. (Now would have been a good time to use the iPhone, but my hands were wet, and I wouldn’t risk ruining the phone. I doubt AppleCare covers this sort of thing.)
I set down the bag of litter and the tote, and pushed down onto the ice crust with my hands, but my hands crunched clear through to the ground, which was lower than my knees, which were lower than my feet. I’m pretty sure that was the moment when I strained my left shoulder and pulled both quads.
Until this point, I was fascinated with my predicament. “Only me . . . “ But now, I began to panic. Why hadn’t I worn a coat? I scanned the area for neighbors, anyone shoveling a back deck, or clearing a roof, or otherwise hanging around waiting to lend a hand to an idiot neighbor in distress. No one was outside.
Finally, I was able to puzzle through a plan of attack. I backed out of the mess by rolling on my side just slightly, pushed myself back onto the path, hoisted myself onto my knees, and climbed to my feet. I was soaked, and my pants, back, and elbows were covered with snow and ice. I wanted to be in my house, and I had half the backyard to go. Stupid winter.
When all was said and done, I was fine, just some scrapes and bruises, and a damaged ego. Nothing an Epsom salt soak and a couple of Aleve couldn’t remedy.
I’ll tell you one thing, though. That groundhog had better be right, poor thing.
WHO BELIEVES IN GROUNDHOGS ANYWAY?
By Phyllis S. Donovan
Today is National Groundhog Day. All day, it’s been vacillating between rain and sleet and all the trees in our back woods are sporting glassy coatings of solid ice. I don’t know about Punxatawny Phil but around here any self-respecting groundhog wouldn’t dare to stick his nose out of his burrow on a nasty day like this. Even if he did decide to get a breath of fresh air, it wouldn’t be rays of sunshine that would scare the critter back inside for six more weeks, it would be sharp needles of precipitation which couldn’t raise a shadow if it wanted to…a much better reason for the poor animal to seek warm shelter.
Either way, it’s pretty obvious that, groundhog or not, we’re pretty much doomed to at least another six weeks of this horrid stuff which we’ve been steadily subjected to since a day or so after Christmas. I’m not the only one who is getting pretty tired of it. Everywhere we go we hear folks wondering if all this bad weather will ever end.
We have been lucky the plows can continue to keep up with it all, even if we take our lives in our hands just driving downtown with the mountains of cleared away snow in medians and at crossroads piled so high we can’t see over it all. Try nudging your car cautiously out into traffic and hear the irate honking of horns when oncoming drivers reprimand you for edging out in front of them.
By the second storm, the plow through our neighborhood succeeded in taking down our mailbox. During a late storm last spring it had been tipped a bit askew but, tipsy or not, it was still suitably serviceable. This year, however, a plow finished the job and it now lies frozen onto its side on the top of the giant snowbank at road’s edge in front of our house. Thanks to a very understanding mailman, we’re still using it. Like many of our neighbors, we shoveled out a path to our fallen soldier and the mailman still leaves mail in it.
If we have mail to go out, we raise the flag as usual, even though, with the box lying flat, it points toward the driveway instead of straight up. When the mailman leaves the mail, he puts the flag down and it points toward the house. As long as we all know the signals, it works. Who knows when we’ll ever get it standing upright again, certainly not until most of this snow melts away and then we’ll have to figure out how to prop it up until spring.
I always feel sorry for the birds in weather like this. My husband went out early this morning, cleared the ice and snow out of all the feeders on our back deck and refilled them to overflowing. We keep running down to Greenbacker’s Agway to buy food for them: sunflower seeds for the chickadees, titmice, juncos, sparrows, mourning doves, and our spectacular red cardinals and bluejays, thistle seed for the finches and suet for the woodpeckers, nuthatches and giant flickers who bang so hard it reverberates through the house. No matter what it costs, I get a lot of pleasure out of watching our feathered diners.
We aren’t the only ones watching. Two days ago I saw a Cooper’s Hawk sitting in the maple tree right outside our kitchen window. (We live in a raised ranch so our kitchen is on the second floor.) He sat there long enough for me to get a good look at him and check my Peterson’s Field Guide but all the time he sat there not one bird came to the feeders. Once he flew back into our woods, they all came back again.
Like everyone else, we’ve been worrying about the weight of all that snow on our roof. We’d never even heard of roof rakes until this winter but we’ve been seeing folks with lower roofs than ours using those long handled tools to clear at least as far as they can reach on their roofs. We’ve also seen men up on roofs shoveling and/or snow blowing for what we’ve heard are exorbitant fees. Of course, it’s a drop in the bucket compared to what we’d have to pay if the roof caved in. My sister, who lives in the frigid Berkshires and had her roof cleared off, told me that she heard an architect on the Home and Garden Network say that if the house is an older one (ours is over 50) and constructed by a reputable builder (we live in a Carabetta house) that chances are it’s been built to New England standards and should weather winter’s wrath.
Since, our attic is still dry and the house seemingly tight, we thought it would probably survive the unusual amounts of snow. But this morning I walked into the kitchen and heard a loud drip—drip—drip. Water was dripping in over the window behind the kitchen sink. Clearly all the sleety rain and ice had created an ice dam up in the gutter area and it was seeping into the house. Just as we thought our luck might hold through this miserable winter, we’re hit with a situation that must be dealt with.
Right about now, my resolve is weakening. My husband’s suggestion that we should just escape to the Caribbean until this blasted winter is over is sounding better and better to me. But we’d still have to determine a window of time between storms when we could fly out to warming climes and face the airport hassle if it didn’t work out.
Guess we’ll just grin and bear and take our chances right here. We ARE New Englanders after all.
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 advise from a family perspective. Contact The Peoples Press by e-mail at peoplespress@peoplespressnews.com or by calling 203-235-9333 with your confidential question and we will answer it in the next issue. Sincerely, June and Flora
Dear Housewives,
With all the snow days, do you housewives think the Board of Education should remove days off of February vacation? - Snowy
JUNE: I think this year they should remove the February vacation due to all the snow days so the kids don't have to go into the hot summer. I think they would rather have their April vacation when it is starting to get warm. Plus, there aren't usually any days off in March .
FLORA: Why do we have February vacation anyway? The kids are off for 10 days at the end of December followed by seven weeks of school to be off another week? Aren't they beginning the CMT testing at the beginning of March? Usually there are snow days in those 7 weeks.
Oh, I forgot...the teacher's unions...hmmm, that may pose a problem; but hopefully not. As a parent, tax payer and citizen, I say do away with the February vacation.
JUNE: Don't knock the teacher's union, for the most part they try to keep teachers from getting taken advantage of any more than they do. Do you know what they have to put up with these days? I bet if they took away Mr. Flora's vacation time or they added work hours with no extra pay he wouldn't be happy. Without a union, tough noogies for him. Teaching is hard work and if they get 5 lousy days off in Feb. then good for them. They are usually correcting and planning during that time anyway.
FLORA: We are getting off topic. Perhaps a Dear Reader will have a Union Question for us in the future where we can expand on that topic.
Teaching is hard work and I value their commitment and the profession they chose.
JUNE: Off topic, yes, but I didn't bring it up.
Dear Housewives,
My kids are going a bit batty in the house with all these snow days. What can we do? - Cabin Fever
FLORA: Break out the Board Games so they won't get bored...Learn some card games, watch movies, bake, read, roll coins...I'd say build a snowman, but you might loose a little one out there in the five foot deep snow!
JUNE: One thing they can do is school work. They can get ahead on some of their work. They can enjoy and play games, help clean up or go out and play in the snow. Remind them that you don't have to entertain them and give them some ideas. If they still are bored I bet they can find some things in their room to clean. We don't usually get this much snow, so remember it will be over soon.
A Night at the Opera……..and some other stuff
By Ernie Larsen
When I was a young soldier defending our nation in the wilds of southern Germany, I had the opportunity to enjoy my first of several opera performances. My “squeeze of the moment” was an opera fan and had an inside line on discount tickets, a plus for me as I was more or less living paycheck to paycheck – this was long before the Army was all it could have been, salary wise.
So, we attended the opera – quite an occasion; in Germany where almost everyone dresses up for social occasions and just about everything else (I actually saw a foreman on a construction site in a pair of bund hosen (knickers) wearing a shirt and tie, hmmm?) the opera certainly qualified for that. I got out my best outfit, Navy blue blazer and grey slacks, powder blue shirt and spiffy tie, along with I have to say the best polish on a pair of shoes rivaled only by someone wearing a pair patent leather slip-ons.
The first series of productions were Richard Wagner’s (German composer ) Ring series – one of the most famous opera, IMO and quite a feat to stage. There are four separate operas that comprise the Ring series – I’m not an opera scholar, however the easily accessible INTERNET provides much information on all operas; I also recall seeing that Meriden Adult Education offered an opera appreciation program given by Valerie Bubon, opera aficionado extraordinaire.
Well, I digress; I’m pretty good at that and for a few months I attended the Nurnberg Staatstheater (Nurnberg State Opera) enjoying a couple of the aforementioned Ring series along with performances of the Nurnberg Symphony and some other classical performances and operas. And then the inevitable – splitsville with the Fraulein du Tag and it was back to hanging with the guys at Ingrid’s (local watering hole – just off the base).
This was in 1964 and until now, well for years I have listened to the Saturday afternoon concerts of the Metropolitan Opera from Avery Fischer Hall in NYC – sponsored for the longest time by Texaco Corporation. And as my wife and I do visit NYC often for Broadway productions I thought the opera might be an interesting diversion. Hopped on the Met’s Internet site and whoa – ticket prices for the opera were out sight; decent seats, $155.00 and up. Not that I could not afford the price but when I’m paying less than that for 2 B’way tickets, I’m really thinking about parting with the cash. And then perusing the Met Opera site – I see RUSH tickets for $20.00 which are subsidized by one of the benefactors of the venue. There are 200 orchestra seats put aside for each performance, unless it is a premiere or Sold-Out, and they offer senior citizens the opportunity to buy 50 of these by phone or internet each day at noon and the rest are available at the box office two hours prior to the performance. I know NYC lines can get long – just go by the TKTS booth any day and check those folks out. And I did a TARGET Friday at MOMA doors opened at 5:00 and the queues started at 3:00 – I’m not a big fan of waiting on lone, as the NY’ers express the terminology.
This was another split weekend, I was in the City on Thursday, had some photo business and was looking for some specialized equipment, just small stuff but readily available at B&H, my fav photo retailer. And I had some other errands: my wife was coming down on Friday – we had tickets for LOMBARDI – fantastic – if you get a chance see this one, a true American classic.
Again, digressing – I programmed my cell phone with the Met’s number and around 12:05, Thursday, just after noon I was the proud owner of a ticket to La Boheme, orchestra seat V35, which was right on the aisle for the low price of $20.00. Other seats in the same row were $155.00. Such a deal!
So, I had a few hours to wait and went out to a bookstore and NYPublic Library – it was pretty cold and windy down amidst the canyons of skyscrapers and these venues offered not only warmth but also some excellent diversions, exhibits and just browsing through books. Then it was back to the hotel – it was suggested to arrive around 7:15 for the opera – this gave me time to check out Lincoln Center and the Met gift shop – oh yes, a fine opportunity to people watch. Talk about a diverse crowd – the high rollers in tuxedos, dark suits with the women in high-end dresses looking like they were freezing their patooties off. Come on A February night, around 20F outside wearing about half a yard of silk material with spaghetti straps and stiletto heels that looked like they could cause a lot of damage in hand to hand combat. And then, tourists, jeans, Dockers, corduroys, slacks, sweaters with all types of footwear – but not too many of them were wearing sneakers (trainers). And the middle of the road couples, nice practical dresses or pantsuits, and he with slacks, dress shirt and tie with a heavy winter jacket; lots of that style – myself, I had on Docker type pants, turtleneck, flannel shirt and a fleece pullover with a light car coat and L.L.Bean gumshoes, waterproof and nice and warm.
I didn’t make any purchases at the gift shop – had a glass of wine before heading into my seat and then it was almost show time. The first thing I noticed when entering the auditorium were a bunch of what seemed to be lecterns behind the rear seats of the orchestra. They all have a mini screen mounted on the front of the units. Well, these were the standing room only seats, yes folks; people pay to STAND and enjoy the opera. And this particular production ran 3 hours.
Now I had a chance to peruse the program, got the background on the principals, conductor etc. Then the acknowledgements: people who GENEROUSLY donate to the Met; they’re just finishing up the 125th anniversary fund campaign with the major donation of $30 million from Mercedes and Sid Bass (whoever they are) then the Ziff Family gave $15.00 million (I think they are of the Ziff Davis publishing house, could be wrong). And then a few 10 and 5 million gifts and then some lower in value -I wonder how William Rondina and the15 or so others who gave just 1 million feel; they are listed on the bottom of the donor list, in small type, as if their money was ‘chump-change’; people LOVE their opera in NYC!
The auditorium is filling up, it’s 5 after 8, the lights dim a couple of times, the curtain goes up and La Boheme begins its 59th season being performed at the Met.
It was thoroughly enjoyable, the translation screens certainly were well appreciated and the effort by both performers and behind the scenes people was exemplary – the 4 different sets were incredible in their design and the conductor and orchestra were second to none.
I’ve been to many different performance of events, from Broadway to local school concerts and it seems that people believe they have to give standing ovations – come on, for little Ricky who just murdered Ode to Joy on the clarinet, you know what I mean – if you really enjoy a good performance and it isn’t out of sight, just raise the volume and length of your applause.
And now the exception to this rule was made up in my mind last Thursday; as soon as the first two performers came out for curtain call –the whole auditorium started to rise and the applause for the whole company lasted a good 10 minutes or maybe more; believe me, more than well-deserved.
And I was in full agreement when a lull in the ovation triggered a hearty “BRAVO”.
Showdown At Gobbler's Knob
Stepping off the train at Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, was a sobering aged man of impeccable dress. The Rochester and Pittsburgh Railroad traversed the backwoods of this puny little settlement, nearly secluded from humanity. He was here - not to enjoy the scenery, nor the local fare … he was here to serve a warrant for the arrest of a groundhog named Phil.
"Where might I find the Burgess of this squalid, shanty town?" He asked with a dignified air of superiority. "I'm here to take into custody the vermin who claims to be a certified promulgator of the future weather to come our way."
One of the folks, who had gathered around the man holding a folder to his lapel, spoke up.
"We have no Burgess, sir……but we do have the president of the local council who might be able to help you. If you follow me, I will gladly introduce you to His Honor."
The two men walked briskly toward the town hall which had been built around the turn of the century. Several of the townsfolk followed close behind the pair. There was a certain strain of intense curiosity that prevailed over the onlookers as they gathered at the steps of that old brownstone building.
The town of Punxsutawney was steeped in volumes of facts and legends. Going back to the yesteryears of the early inhabitants -- the dignified Native American tribes of the Delaware, Shawnee and Mahoning Indians. One of the stories told by a great chief of the Delawares was that of the Ponkies. He had killed an evil sorcerer to rid the hunting grounds of its "evil medicine" but it arose as a nastier biting nemesis called sand flies. The Indian word, Ponksaduteney meaning "land of the sand flies" was given to this area, and later became the formal name Punxsutawney.
Eagerly, the man with the warrant, waited for the so-called speaker of this no man's land to answer the knock on the heavy oaken door.
"What in tarnation are you doing here, mister, mister…..eh, what's yer name anyway ?"
"The name is Herman Gogant… Sergeant Gogant, that is, of the US Marshall's office, and I am here to bring in this local yokel named Phil."
There came a thunderous roar of uncontained humiliating laughter from the crowd that had gathered 'round.
"Well, let's get on up to Gobler's Knob and see what Phil has to say about that."
More laughter and jeers were directed at this Tomfoolery with the slicked-down hair, and the manners of a jackass.
Off they trudged towards the top of the hill where the hole of Punxsutawney Phil stood in all its infamous glory. All huddled around as the marshal unfurled the document and began to read from the certified wording put forth by the laws of the commonwealth.
"It is unlawful for a man or beast to impersonate a figure of civil standing. Now come out of your darkened abyss and face your foreboding fate, sir."
There was a stillness in the air …. a quietness such as that of a pin dropping on supple sand, which nothing could compare to.
And, as the gallant citizenry waited, Phil emerged from his chambers yawning. Then, with the swiftness of lightning, the marshal grabbed the poor furry thing, slapped handcuffs on his front paws, and started to drag him back down the hill.
The crowd was not about to let their little celebrity be taken away to be flung into some dank dirty ol' jail cell.
"Let go of him," someone shouted. "Take those cuffs off ol' Phil before we tar and feather you." Everyone formed a semicircle between the marshal and the path leading down to the center of town. Someone held onto the marshal's coattails while another scuffled for the key to the handcuffs. Soon there was pandemonium. Cursing, shoving, name-calling, and all sorts of ballyhoo.
"String him up!" "Run him out of town!" "Kill him ….. the dirty rascal," came shouts from several of the fans of Punksy. Dirt, debris, and fiery words, flew like Hades unleashed. And as the wild flaying and nerve rattling scuffle finally ended, there came a sigh of triumphant heraldry over the dust upon the hill that day.
All is peaceful and quiet now in the little town of Punxsutawney…… the natives have been appeased, and Punxsutawney Phil has been safely slipped back into his hole to wait again for another Groundhog Day.
Nobody talks about the man with the warrant … the man who tried to arrest ol' Phil … but if you happen to walk around Gobbler's Knob some dreary dark night, you might catch the sound of a weak muffled voice crying, "Help, help --- I don't deserve this fate."
-george arndt-
Gustav, the Goldfish" by Theodor S. Geisel aka Dr. Seuss
Hasn't been seen in 61 years!!!! But that's about to change...
"This is the tale of a goldfish that grew,
Presented to you with a technique that’s new.
To get best results, just read it aloud,
To your youngsters and friends and the rest of the crowd.”
Although Dr. Seuss had already written and illustrated "And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street" in 1937, "The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins" in 1938, "The King's Stilts" in 1939, and "Horton Hatches The Egg" in 1940 and so many more that followed, he was also writing stories for Redbook Magazine for 11 years, from 1948 to 1959. He wrote these story poems under the name of Theodor S. Geisel, which was his name of course, just without the Seuss part spelled out. The very first story of his that was published by Redbook Magazine was "Gustav, the Goldfish" in June 1950, followed by 21 others over the course of the years.
I was emailing my nephew Doug Arndt one day recently about "Horton Hatches The Egg," and how I remembered reading that book to him and his brother Michael, and that I have a copy of it here that was published in 1940. He said he had a copy that I gave him and his brother in 1983 and he remembered me reading the story to them. In his email he mentioned "A Fish Out Of Water," a story his dad read to them every so often and that it was one of his favorites. I did not remember this story. He told me there was a Cat In The Hat logo on the book, but it was not written by Dr. Seuss, so that piqued my curiosity.
Ah. "A Fish Out Of Water" was written by Helen Palmer, Seuss's first wife. I did a bit of research on this and discovered that they had collaborated on a number of stories and that Seuss had given his wife permission to go ahead with that book, although the same story line had been written by him 11 years earlier in the story of "Gustav, the Goldfish." "A Fish Out Of Water" has different words and illustrations, but it is essentially Seuss's story.
Charles D. Cohen, who is a dentist, has had a fascination with Dr. Seuss books for years, since his childhood. He first started collecting early editions of his works while he was in college. Dr. Cohen likely has the most comprehensive private collection of Seuss's works in the world. He is the author of "The Seuss, the Whole Seuss, and Nothing But the Seuss."
So here is the best part: Dr. Cohen has written a book that includes seven rarely seen Seuss stories which will be published on September 27, 2011. It is called "The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories," and includes the story "Gustav, the Goldfish."
I ordered this book a week ago for my nephew Doug, which I found on Amazon. I think this is kind of exciting news!!! I intend to flip carefully through the pages of the book before wrapping it up as a present for my nephew's two daughters.
I happened to stumble upon this information, and I don't know how many people have heard about The Bippolo Seed, but for those parents and their child or children (or nephews and nieces or grandchildren) who love Dr. Seuss, I am quite sure they would be excited to learn about this book that can be ordered right now.
Here is a link where you can order The Bippolo Seed:
http://www.amazon.com/Bippolo-Seed-Other-Lost-Stories/dp/0307746054
(There is an interesting comparison of two story lines here, "Gustav, the Goldfish" (by Seuss) and "A Fish Out Of Water" (by Palmer):
http://1stedition.net/blog/200/03/a_story_of_two_fish_dr_seuss.html
This was posted on a blog by Stan Zielinski on March 11, 2007, which he entitled, "A Story Of Two Fish: Dr. Seuss Out Of Water." It was never published as a book.)
Dr. Seuss left us 20 years ago, September 24th, but his books will live on here and henceforth.
"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You." (Dr. Seuss, 3/2/04 - 9/24/91)
Barbara Sherburne
barndt49@yahoo.com
There's talk on the farm twixt the goat and the goose
'Bout a new storybook by our own Dr. Seuss.
There will be friends who'll have stories for you,
And Gustav the goldfish, you'll find him there too.
Youngsters and older will read it, and then...
The magic of Seuss will delight you again!
(by me)
Frugal Living; Getting More for Less in Connecticut!
By Gina Juliano
www.ginaskokopelli.com
Is Shopping at BJ's or Costco Really Frugal?
The quick answer to that question might be “Of Course!” You definitely pay less for things. However, I urge you to take a second look.
I used to shop at Costco at least twice a month. I would get my paper goods, cleaning supplies, cereal, pet supplies, and many other products I used. I just assumed I was getting a bargain because I was buying in bulk. In essence, I did get a bargain because I was spending less per item than I would have if I shopped in a grocery store. What I didn't know, however, was I could also get these items for free or pennies at drug stores.
With the exception of pet supplies and some meats, I rarely use Costco now to buy things I need. I have found taking advantage of the drug store sales, promotions like Extra Bucks and Register Rewards, plus manufacturers' coupons make for some incredible bargains that beat Costco hands down.
Take, for example, Finish dishwasher tabs. I used to buy these in bulk at Costco. A can of 100 tabs would cost $14.99. On the other hand, I just bought eight 20 count boxes of Finish tabs for free using coupons and CVS Extra Bucks. Why would I want to pay $14.99 when I can get what I need for free?
Fabric Softener is another example. I could continue buying the Kirkland brand of fabric softener for $8.89 at Costco. It's a good price and I like the way it works. Instead, I picked up FREE Gain fabric softener at Rite Aid by using coupons. The small bottles are regularly $2.99, and I had eight $3 coupons. I'm set for six months with fabric softener I didn't pay a dime for.
The bottom line answer to the question “Is shopping at Costco and BJ's Frugal?” is sometimes. Quite frankly, you need to know your prices and the type of shopper you are. For a couponer like me, the drug stores are the only way to go. I watch sales and match up my coupons to get most of my paper goods, cleaning and laundry supplies, and toiletries for free. However, if you are someone who doesn't coupon, then Costco and BJ's are an excellent choice to save some money.
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!
SOCIAL SECURITY’S FINAL FOUR
By Paul Gilfillan
Social Security Manager, Meriden Ct
This time of year basketball fans are gearing up for March Madness -- a time when the final four teams in the NCAA fight for the title of national champion. While basketball fans are excited about March Madness, Social Security already has a winning “final four” of online services to cheer about: the Retirement Estimator, Benefit Application, online Extra Help application, and Business Services Online.
The Retirement Estimator is an easy way to get an instant, personalized estimate of your future Social Security benefits. Just key in some basic information and the Estimator will use information on your Social Security record, along with what you input, to give you a benefit estimate on the spot. You even can experiment with different scenarios, such as changing your future earnings and retirement date. Check it out in English at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator or in Spanish at www.segurosocial.gov/calculador.
The Benefit Application is the most convenient way to apply for Social Security retirement benefits. You can apply from the comfort of your home — it’s fast, easy, and secure. It’s so easy, in fact, that it can take you as little as 15 minutes to apply online. In most cases, once your application is submitted electronically, you’re done. There are no forms to sign and usually no documentation is required. Social Security will process your application and contact you if any further information is needed. Try it out when you’re ready to retire at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline.
The online Extra Help application is an easy way to save about $4,000 a year on your prescription drug costs. To qualify for the Extra Help, you must be on Medicare, have limited income and resources, and live in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. Learn more about it at www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp.
Business Services Online is our one-stop shop for small businesses. The site allows organizations and authorized individuals to conduct business with and submit confidential information to Social Security. You even can use it to file your W-2s the fast, convenient, and paperless way — online. Visit Business Services Online at www.socialsecurity.gov/bso.
In the American Customer Satisfaction Index, Social Security received the highest ratings in both the public and private sectors.
To learn more about our winning services, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices. Or, read our publication What You Can Do Online at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10121.html.
Get to know our final four, and all of our online services. When you do, you will be the winner.
What kind of impact can a teenager have on society & their community
The day that Sarah Gopoian joined Hunter’s EMS Explorer Post 181 was the day of her 12th Birthday 2-2-05.. Just hope she’ll know how much of an impact she made and the memories she can look back on….. She always came with a smile, and I know it also was to hang out with her dad. Now she graduates Maloney HS with honors, accepted to Central CT & Keene State. And wants to become a TEACHER…and she will. Determined and wants NOTHING to do with the Military
2-23-10 Community Service 3 hours event not recorded
9-15-09 Community Service 8 hours event not recorded
March 2009 CT. EMS Conference 9 hours
12-20-08 Meriden Spirit of Giving 3 hours
8-5-08 Meriden National Night Out
7-26-08 Meriden Cemetery Clean up 3.5. Hours
5-10-08 Meriden QRWA Clean up 5 hours
4-26-2008 Daffodil Festival First Aid Station 13 hours
4-19-08 Meriden City Wide Clean up 5 hours
4-15-08 Meriden Girl Scout First Aid training 3.5. Hours
4-12-08 Meriden YMCA Kids Safety Fair 5 hours
March 2008 Cromwell CT. EMS Conference 16 hours
4-17-07 City wide Clean up 4 hours
11-9-06 Cheshire BSA Medical Demonstration 3 hours
11-4-06 Meriden Neighborhood Cleanup 4.5. Hours
10-15-06 Meriden Merit Badge medical training for scouts 6 hours
9-23-06 Durham Fair First Aid station 8 hours
8-1-06 Meriden National Night Out 4 hours
6-17-06 Meriden Bicentennial Parade 4 hours
5-19&20-2006 ACS Relay for Life 24 hours
4-30-06 Daffodil Festival First Aid Station 8 hours
4-22-06 Meriden Road Race 3 hours
4-19-06 Milford State Vaccination Medical Drill 6 hours
3-17 & 18 2006 Cromwell CT. State EMS conference 16 hours
3-8-06 Meriden Public Safety 7.5 hours
3-4-06 Blizzard Blast First Aid Station for BSA 7.5 hours
2-7-06 Meriden first aid training for Girl Scout Brownie’s 3 hours
12-18-05 Meriden Spirit of Giving 4.5 hours
9-22-05 Meriden Hurricane Rita Relief preparations 3 hours
8-24-05 Meriden Senior Center File of Life presentation 2 hours
8-23-05 Meriden Rotary Club Luncheon 6 hours
5-31-05 Durham Memorial Day Parade 3 hours
5-21-05 Meriden Kiwanis Bike Safety Rodeo 3 hours
5-14-05 Meriden Police Academy Law Enforcement Stations Day 6 hours
3-19-05 Meriden St. Patrick’s Day Parade 3 hours
12-19-04 Meriden- Spirit of Giving 4 hours participated prior to full membership to post
8-28-04 Durham Mass Casualty Drill 6 hours participated prior to full membership to post
219.5 HOURS… tiring just looking at it.
Love, The Fam!
2011 is the Year of the Turtle
Life along the Q River… An Update from the Quinnipiac River Watershed Association
By JoAnne Grabinski
Turtles are in trouble. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categorizes that 47% of all living turtle species as threatened. That’s why the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is working in conjunction with Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) who has proclaimed 2011 as the “Year of the Turtle”.
Humans cause the largest harm to turtle populations, but we have the power to make positive changes toward turtle survival. The largest threats to turtle populations include: habitat loss and degradation; overharvest of wild turtles for food, traditional medicines, and pets; mortality from roads, agricultural machinery, fishing bycatch, and predators; exotic invasive species and diseases; loss of unique genetic make-up due to hybridization; and climate change.
Currently, 328 species of turtles are known worldwide -- 57 (20% of the world's turtle species) are found in the United States and Canada. The United States has more native turtle species than any other country; and it is a turtle biodiversity hotspot. Connecticut is host to twelve turtle species including 4 sea turtles. Seven of these turtles are currently on the state's List of Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species.
Careful stewardship and conservation action can successfully slow or reduce the declining trend of turtles. Because turtles can respond well to population management and conservation, it is not too late to preserve our turtle heritage. Three basic approaches for species conservation include: 1) protecting rare species and their habitats; 2) managing common turtle species and their habitats so that they remain common; and 3) managing crisis situations, such as species in peril from acute hazards, such as oil spills.
Turtles (which include tortoises) occur in fresh water, salt water, and on land. Their shells make them some of the most distinctive animals on Earth. Turtles are typically slow creatures. This isn’t limited to their speed; they also grow slowly. It may take 10-15 years before individuals of some species can reproduce. A thriving turtle population relies on turtles surviving many years, if not decades. But if a population loses adults and begins to decline, a slow recovery can be expected. Because of these “slow” characteristics, the primary threats to turtles are intensified.
The QRWA has an ongoing Turtle Crossing Project spearheaded by board member Deb Mason. She and her volunteers actively assist turtles in crossing the road during their mating season of May and June, which can be a time of high mortality for these one-of-a-kind creatures. Deb also works with local authorities and experts in the rehabilitation of turtles and releases them in their native habitats. If you want to help Deb in the 19 towns of the watershed with Eastern Box and Wood turtles, please contact her at 203-494-7610 or 203-237-2237 or turtlecrossingproject@yahoo.com. Deb is actively investigating how the QRWA can partner with local agencies to aid in the efforts of these turtles.
To learn more about turtles during the “Year of the Turtle” is to subscribe to the DEP’s Connecticut Wildlife magazine (www.ct.gov/dep/wildlifemagazine). You also can visit PARC’s web site at www.yearoftheturtle.org, as well as the Year of the Turtle page on the DEP’s web site (www.ct.gov/dep/yearofturtle). And don’t forget to check out your most local resource, www.qrwa.org.
Upcoming QRWA Events: Sunday, March 13, 1:30 pm – Winter Wildlife Hike. Meet at Quinnipiac River State Park at the end of Banton Street in North Haven, dress for the outdoors.
Saturday, April 23, Annual River Clean Up – contact David James at 203-237-2845 for staging area and times.
Saturday, May 1, 1:30 p.m. –Eagle Watch on Hanover Pond led by certified canoe instructor Dan Pelletier and Wildlife Biologist Peter Picone. Watch through binoculars or cruise around Hanover Pond. This event is for experienced paddlers only.
Sunday, May 15, 11:00 am – 31st Annual Canoe/Kayak Race, Down River Classic. Launch at DOT Lot, Route 322, Southington, CT.
QRWA provides 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 to confirm information, dates and times for upcoming events, please visit our website at: www.qrwa.org.
The Quinnipiac River Watershed Association (QRWA) is a not-for-profit 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. Thank you for your support and remember your donations are tax deductable.
UCONN and My City Kitchen move to Schools
Chef Kashia Cave- Founder and President of My City Kitchen (MCK) is taking it one step further with the program. MCK move to local schools in the City of Meriden. In Collaborating with the University of Connecticut (UCONN) Department of Extension and Mrs. Umekia Taylor. My City Kitchen provides healthy cooking demonstration to students of Casimir Pulaski Elementary School.
UCONN and MCK teamed up with Ms. Ellen Kearney, the Health/Physical Education Teacher of Pulaski to bring hands on healthy cooking demonstration to over 275 students. “We have been treated to some delicious food lately. So far on the menu our students have made healthy turkey wraps, cheese and bean quesadillas and yogurt parfaits. It has been very exciting for the students to try new foods and to learn what categories each food item falls under in the Food Pyramid, this is a wonderful enrichment program to teach our students about eating healthy, portion control and nutrition. This program would not be possible without the support and contributions of UCONN, Shoprite, Cabot Cheese Company, our Principal Mr. Tom Brown and Chef Kashia Cave,” Kearney says.
Chef Kashia states “we have been looking for different way to reach out to the children in our community, and working with Principal Brown and Ms. Kearney provided us this great opportunity. We are currently working with Pulaski and Roger Sherman Elementary Schools. I hope in the future we can work with all school in our City and give every child an opportunity to be part of our program. MCK also provides scholarships for students’ ages 6-17yrs who cannot afford the program.”
For more information about My City Kitchen programs please visit them on line at: www.mycitykitchen.org or contact their office: 203-238-2870, by email: kashia@mycitykitchen.org. MCK is located at 384 Pratt Street Meriden, CT 06450. Become a fan on Facebook: My City Kitchen, Inc.
So when was the last time you experienced a miracle?
Rabbi Baruch Kaplan
No, I mean a real miracle of Biblical proportions! Okay, so now you start to think about some supernatural event that shatters the laws of nature….It’s not your fault that the so-called ‘big’ miracles seem to get all the attention.
One of the most obscure Jewish holidays, is the holiday of Purim. I mean even the stores haven’t found a way to cash in on it! The funny thing is that one would think it would be the most popular.
The Purim observances (dating the 4th century BCE) include a public reading of the Purim story accompanied by lots of noisy disapproval for the villain, and all this is done decked up in costume! The rest of the day is spent giving gifts of food to acquaintances (think special treats!), charity to the poor, and peaking with a Purim feast!
The plot isn’t too bad either. Set way back in ancient Persia, the Jews were saved from the wicked Haman by a beautiful Queen Esther who won the love of the powerful King Ahasuerus. Palace intrigue, love, a real villain ~ what could be better.
The only ‘problem’ with this holiday is that it’s not taken seriously enough since it lacks a good miracle. Think about it; a beautiful woman who is secretly Jewish is chosen by a king whose grand visor is plotting to annihilate the Jewish people. That could just be a great coincidence….or not.
But that is why I love this holiday, for it celebrates the natural miracles that happen every day. It is those miracles that seem to be taken for granted daily, through which G-d smiles and shows His love. So don’t let those moments go to waste. Celebrate the miracles in your life; don’t take any of it for granted!
If you wish to find out more about Purim go to www.jewishwallingford.com and read up on it, and don’t forget to reserve for our local Purim celebration....to be held on March 20th. An event you will enjoy!
Knitting with Mom
By JoAnne Grabinski
After Christmas I decided to learn to knit. Why? I’ don’t really know, I’ve heard that ‘they’, whoever ‘they’ are say that you should start new hobby every few years or so. It’s supposed to keep your brain and body active in learning something new. Its new skills to master, new activities to participate in and new people to meet, all the while creating new neuropath ways in the brain. Simply put, it’s good for you and your health.
But it was more than that. You see, my mom is a wonderful knitter and I realized I better start learning from the best. So I went out and bought some yarn and she brought a set of needles when we met at my sister’s to watch a UConn Lady Huskies basketball game. Looking back, that may not have been the proper atmosphere to begin learning a new skill.
I had decided to make a scarf, thinking it would be pretty straight forward after all it was a rectangle. I chose a denim blue in color, soft and textured, thinking it would ‘work up quickly’, that’s knitting talk for easy-to-knit. Well, not so much.
The good thing was my brain got it; the bad news was my hands were not quite there yet. Kitting is slipping the needle in back of the stitch, wrap the yarn around the needle and slide it off the front, while purling is just the opposite, slinging the needle in front of the stitch, wrapping the yarn around the needle and sliding the stitch off the back. If you knit row after row you end up with rows of bumps and that is called ‘ribbing’, whereas if you alternate knitting rows with purling rows you a very flat weave that most people think of as knitting. And alternating knitting and purling in various forms get you a whole bunch of different stitches, like the seed stitch or basket weave. And then there is the real complicated stuff of cables. All I know is I’m not ready for that… yet.
I remember her kitting when we were waiting for the doctors or dentist and even the orthodontists. Back then, we all went regardless of who the appointment was actually for. So she always had her knitting with her while she was waiting and it seemed like we were always waiting for someone. She would bring her knitting with her while my dad went fishing, always being productive with her time. My mom knit us hats, mittens, scarves, sweaters, ponchos (yes they were real cool at one time!) and tons and tons of blankets. Every now and then she would call me over and hold up her work in progress against my squirming body to see where she was and what she needed to do. Measuring the sleeve length or the back all the while telling me to ‘hold still’.
There were many trips to Carmelle’s Yarn Shop first on east Main Street and then on Elm Street. She had a lovely French accent and was so very helpful to my mom when she got stuck or wanted to start a new project. There were always such the beautiful colors of the yarn to look at and I was constantly touching them and looking at the pattern books, thinking ‘mom can make me this… and this… and this too!’
I remember a denim blue jacket-like sweater he made for me while I was in middle school. It was a basket weave pattern, with a ribbed collar and patch pockets. It had a knitted belt to tie it together. Man, I loved that sweater and wore it all the time, to the point that I had holes in the elbows. We put patches on them and I got a few more years out of it.
I still have several of her (master) pieces: a sea green top and skirt, the double-breasted short jacket with the shawl collar and that old comfortable fisherman-like sweated with the cables. Several of her pieces have labels that say ‘handmade by Mom’. A few years ago, my cousin gave my brother and sister-in-law a huge bag of handmade sweaters that her now grown children had worn. It was very kind of her to pass along the sweaters to another generation, her grandchildren.
So my mom cast on twenty stitches and the adventure began. It seemed real easy, I think I learned it all through osmosis, watching my mom knit for years and years. Admittedly there was a lot of awkwardness in holding the needles and yarn; she made it seem so effortless.
Well it wasn’t quite so effortless for me. I added stitches, I deleted stitches, I knitted when I was supposed to be purling and purling when I should have knitted. Then I’d get frustrated and call her, and all she’d say was, ‘Bring it over and we’ll take a look at what you did.’ So Mom would rip it out and gently guide me through the process. After every row I’d learned to stop and count the stitches to make sure I had twenty. For a while there I could only knit correctly if she was in the room.
I finally got the hang of knitting, but I still have to work on keeping the tension consistent. I got to the point where I could fix my own mistakes, but I must have ripped that scarf out ten times and started it all over again. I’m getting better, and like learning any new still the key is to keep practicing. So I finished that scarf and my mom showed me how to bind off, or take the stitches of the needles and complete the project.
The nice thing is that I’ve got to spend some more time with my mom and she is passing on a skill that is such a big part of her. It was a way for her to define herself other than housewife and mother. She has taken up her knitting again and we sit there, knitting side by side. She’s much faster of course, with her needles just clicking right along, but I’m getting the hang of it now. My sister is thinking of starting again, after learning while in high school.
I’ve finished my scarf and now am on to my next project, a baby blanket. I’m sticking with squares and rectangles for now until I feel ready to intentionally add or decrease my stitches. But I know I’ll always have my mom right there when I need her expert advice on knitting… or anything else.
The Lions Den by Ralph Riello
“In Like A Lion, Out Like A Lamb…”
This weather-related sobriquet is now the unfortunate description that applies to our annual “Day The Lions Roar” auction, scheduled for February 27th. This has been a tough winter, and like so many others, we and Cox Public Access did not come away unscathed. If you have been down Route 10 in Cheshire recently, you might have noticed that the roof of the Cox facility located just south of the I-691 interchange has fallen victim to the snow loads.
Initial reports had us putting out a delay notice, however we just learned that the building will not be ready for occupancy for at least five months, meaning the 2011 edition of the auction is officially cancelled. True to the spirit of Lionism that exists in our committee, we are proposing an idea that will allow us to salvage something from the event. We have received many generous donations and consignment items and would hate to see this major fundraiser silenced. At our recent board meeting, myself and co-chair Vince Caramanello floated an idea for a silent auction to be held at Platt High School as part of the festivities offered with the Palm Sunday Brunch in April. This week, our committee will meet with the Brunch Committee to determine if this idea is feasible. We certainly hope so. Stay tuned for more on that.
Meriden Lions as “The Dream Makers”…
If you haven’t read Mike Roberts’ Woods and Water column that appears regularly on Sundays in another publication, try to find a copy. His complimentary words and descriptions of Meriden Lions and our various projects tell the story of what Lionism is all about, especially here in our community. What inspired his column was the work that is currently being undertaken at the QRWA headquarters in the Republic of South Meriden. Past Presidents Art Forcier and Ed Haberli have combined resources from their President’s Project budgets and are constructing a classroom that will be named for the Lions, and new bathroom facilities. Each Lions President is given a budget and a generous sum of many to apply to a project in the community that they feel is worthy of financial help. As is the case with the Meriden Lions, financial help is only one small part of the equation. On a cold and raw Saturday morning this past February, over a dozen Lions, myself included, proceeded to saw and remove concrete flooring to expose earth that likely has not seen the light of day since the great depression. Said earth was then shoveled out to make way for the installation of new sewer pipes feeding the bathroom facilities. The propane heaters donated for the work were greatly appreciated, as were the breakfast sandwiches. By the way, those heaters work well as sandwich warmers if the sandwich is encased in aluminum foil. By early afternoon, the digging was mostly done, and the last five or six of us said our goodbyes as we left the old building prepared for plumbing and framing work scheduled to take place soon, if it hasn’t happened already. Mike called the Meriden Lions “dream makers” in his article, and I think Ginny Chirsky, Mary Mushinsky, and other members of the QRWA would likely agree with that name. Miscellaneous news from the Jungle…
The Lions scholarship dinner is coming up soon, and I would like to remind those lucky recipients of this generous award that it is REALLY A GOOD IDEA to show up at the dinner, dressed neatly, and allow the Lions to see whom it is that we invested in. It’s the right thing to do. It always amazes me that we honor a student with a couple of grand, and they don’t show up at the scholarship dinner at Sans Souci. This is not a good way to start off your professional career kids…just a gentle reminder.
The Lions Citizen of the Year is coming up soon, and we are looking for nominations. Nominees cannot be Lions so if you know somebody worthy of the honor, contact me at ralphriello@yahoo.com and please include a brief description of why they deserve this honor, and contact info so I can get back to you with questions.
Fun stuff coming up from the Meriden Lions…
The weather is turning, and these events are slated for the spring…Relay For Life, Palm Sunday Brunch, Fishing Derby, Duck Race.
Meriden Lions meetings are every Wednesday at Sans Souci on the Berlin Turnpike. If you have interest in becoming a Lion, just come to the bar between six and six-forty five. There are plenty of Lions available that can direct you further.
Thanks for listening!
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