Walingford and Meriden YOUR STORIES February 2009

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Boo Crew Review – Trail of Terror

Well another year has come and gone for the Trail of Terror in Wallingford. Each year seems to run more smoothly than the previous. Yes, the lines were long but the timed speed pass worked out well, especially for the first year. This was quite the year so let me go through some of my favorite highlights of the season.

·First, as always, was the presentation of the check to the Red Cross. For the 3rd year in a row the Boo Crew raised over $100,000 for the South Central Chapter of the American Red Cross.

·I think a very close 2nd highlight was the visit we had from the UCONN Women’s Basketball team. The team and coaches (Gino stayed in the bus) made a stealth visit to the Trail this year and had quite the time. They were so much fun while inside the Trail and hung around the Red Cross tent afterwards and took pictures, hugged each other and talked about their experiences.

·The 3rd highlight was the presentation of a check for C.R.E.W. Community Revitalization Efforts of Wallingford. They were a huge help to the Trail this year, and for their effort they earned the proceeds from Halloween night and an additional amount for all their off-season efforts. The check was for $16,000, which will help pay for their trip to work with the Hurricane Katrina victims, sacrificing their spring vacation in April. What a great group of students.

·There were many more highlights of this years’ season, too many to mention. The Trail has become a part of life for many people and each year comes a bittersweet ending. We can now get back to our “normal” lives; seeing our families again, actually sitting down and having a meal (with utensils), and catching up on just about everything that we pushed aside for many months. The sad thing is dealing with not seeing our Trail family for the winter.

Well, that’s all for now, the 14th Trail of Terror is now behind us. The 15th will be here before you know it, time for us to get to work.
Wayne “Spookologist” Barneschi


In honor of “The Night Tiger”

Last week a Great Horned Owl was found limping across a CT road dragging an illegal “foot hold” steel trap around by its mangled leg.

As I read this story and watched the news coverage, needless to say, I was extremely saddened by it. This particular variety of owl, in my opinion, is the most magnificent of all of nature’s birds of prey. It deserves to be honored and respected, not harmed due to the careless act of one or more ignorant individuals.

When you become informed of some of the fascinating and interesting facts about this bird, you immediately become aware that this is much more than “just an animal” and that it is surely the handiwork of something much bigger and more profound than most can even imagine.

It is respectfully nicknamed the “night tiger” and “a cat with wings” as it is an awesome night hunter equipped with talons and strength that can swiftly and mercifully takes down its prey. This bird has 500 pounds per square inch of gripping power in its talons! (An adult human male’s hands have only 60 pounds per square inch!)

It can turn its neck 270 degrees in either direction without moving its body!

They have spectacular binocular vision that allows them to see and spot prey in low light and their hearing is even more spectacular than their vision as their ears are offset on either side of the head to help pinpoint both horizontal and vertical direction of sound!
They are about 18-25 inches long and have a wingspan of 35-60 inches and lastly but sadly as related to this story, most great horned owls are known to mate for life.

On the mystical side, the great horned owl is revered by many cultures and is believed to be a symbol of the feminine essence of Spirit. It is associated with the moon and night and is considered a bird of magic and darkness, of prophecy and wisdom. They say the owl teaches us to trust our instincts.

Whoever set this trap certainly lacks the knowledge above that teaches us to respect nature and all of its creatures. Did they even consider such a thing happening and decided that “it’s just an animal”?

Did they even consider that someone’s dog or cat or even someone’s child could have been mangled by this trap and decided to set it anyway?

I don’t know these answers but just maybe they will read this and think twice next time.

It’s only natural to let an incident like this cause us to react emotionally and make it become a stepping stone to further ones cause or beliefs, but in the spirit of this newspaper, to find the good news in the world and in our town, let me just say that after reading several internet discussions posted by everyone from vegetarians to hunters and from trappers to wildlife rehabilitators, that the good news one can derive from this unfortunate incident is, that it seems, that most responsible people, no matter what their own personal views and beliefs on trapping or hunting or animal rights or wildlife rehabilitation, feel that this incident was illegal and unnecessary and horrific and are as saddened and sickened by it as I am.

This is not a story about trapping; it is about illegal and immoral trapping. Respectful trappers everywhere are appalled by it.

It is heart warming and encouraging, seeing the outpouring of emotion and help that is coming from people everywhere, who thanks to the media, have heard of our local celebrity.
I am told that people as far away as Canada have offered to rehabilitate this poor creature and that wildlife rehabilitation centers all over have had their phones ringing off the hook as concerned individuals scramble to find hope for this great bird of prey.

Finally, in closing, my respect and good wishes to Kathy Grasso, veterinarian and wildlife rehabilitator for her compassion and care for this creature and I trust that whatever the outcome of this story, that she will insure that it is made from a place of compassion and experience.

Thank you, James Rusate



South Meriden Volunteer Fire Department News

South Meriden Volunteer Fire Department is its 101 year of service to the Village of South Meriden and the City of Meriden. In 2008 the department responded to 772 calls of service to the community, that was a 7% increase of calls from 2007.

Point of information about the calls in 2008, approximately 61 % of the calls responded to where medicals and Motor Vehicle Accidents.

Health Tips
We urge all our residence to be careful during the winter months with shoveling snow. Take it easy do not over do it. Use a good shovel and do not over load it when you lift it. Also for those of you that have snow blowers please be extremely careful not to put your hands near the blades of the blower unit while it is running. You might say who would do that, but each year Meriden's emergency service responders respond to several of these calls each year and it isn't a pretty sight so please take precautions.

If you can and have the time and the energy may be you can help a neighbor who is a little older or might be ill, give them a hand clearing away the snow from their walkways or driveway. It feels real good to be able to help them out during the winter months. Each year we lose friends and neighbors to heart attacks during the winter months from over exerting themselves shoveling snow.

We also want to thank all of our friends that have been helping clearing snow and ice a way from fire hydrants during storms. This allows the fire department during fire emergencies to hook up to fire hydrants quicker to gain access to a water supply if the fire is one of a substantial size.

Do to the amount of snow we have been receiving, we still need your continuing help with clearing fire hydrants

Another health tip. If you are under a doctor’s care and take certain medications keep a list of these medications handy just in case you have the need to call 911 for during a medical emergency.

Also with this list you might want to give a little history of any medical conditions that you also might have. These are important things for emergency responders to have just in case you are unable to respond to our questions when we arrive at your home. A good place to keep this information is in an envelope on you refrigerator and note that it is Medical Info.
Membership Information

We are currently accepting applications for membership for individuals who live in Meriden over the age of 18 in good health and have a clean police records and can pass the application process.
We are also accepting application for those individuals who might all ready be certified as a State of CT Firefighter/EMT and do not live in Meriden but are willing to fill night crew positions at our station. These individuals will need to meet our by-law requirements for drills, weekly night crew and duty crew assignments.

We are one of the only Volunteer fire stations in the State that have sleep-in crews at our fire station we presently cover 6 out of 7 nights. Our nightly in-house status allows us to service our customers you our neighbors quicker. Being a volunteer fire fighter takes a lot of commitment and time. Our members make a lot of personal sacrifices to belong to our department, but they get great satisfaction of being part of terrific tradition of saving lives and property. We train and work hard but we love serving and protecting our friends.

Applications can be picked up at our station at 31 Camp Street, South Meriden in the evenings. We are a DRUG FREE Department and we TEST all applicants.


Dear Housewives – Central Connectiuct’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 or phone with your confidential question and we will answer it in the next issue.
June and Flora

Dear Housewives:My husband spends too much time on the computer. He will spend countless hours looking at anything. This takes him away from our family time. I am sick of it. Should I get rid of our computer or is that too drastic? From, IBMad in Meriden

JUNE: It is not good that he spends family time on the computer and it sends a bad message to the kids. The computer has taken over peoples' interpersonal skills and more and more we can't relate to others. I don't think you need to get rid of the computer because in these days they are really necessary, but you should set some family ground rules that apply to you as well. Talk to him and let him know how you feel...or better yet, send him an email.

FLORA: We all can get lost in cyberspace. We may have good intentions to look up the capital of
Swaziland, and then find ourselves 3 hours later researching the British colonies throughout history, then learning all about the British Invasion beginning with The Beatles...

You can, in a non-confrontational way, mention how people spend so much time on the computer, they don't even realize the amount. Ask if he would be willing to have a timer that counts up. Tell him that you will do the same for yourself.

Dear Housewives: My husband wears sweatpants all the time and I can't stand it. He even wears them out to dinner. We can't go anywhere nice because he refuses to wear regular pants. What can I do? Sweating it out in Southington.

FLORA: Hmmm, this is tricky. You may have to pick your battles. Does he love and respect you? If this is the least of your worries, love him in his sweats. It may be a comfy issue or he may be comfortable with who he is and doesn't need to be styling. June?

JUNE: You don't have to be "styling" to look presentable. If he is comfortable being a slob then I guess it is okay. Sorry, sweats have their place ( trust me I am a stay at home mom and sweats are my friend) but when going out to dinner or to functions in public he should dress accordingly. He doesn't have to go to Brooks Brothers for a suit but some nice jeans with shirt is necessary.

Book Review

Flora: I am currently reading: "Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography" by Sidney Poitier. I will review it next month. "Waiting for Snow in Havana" by Carlos Eire (who is a professor at Yale University in New Haven) was a wonderfully written memoir that tell the story of young Carlos growing up in pre-Castro Cuba. His memories are so rich with detail, it a gift beyond measure. This story captivated me, made me laugh and cry. It was difficult to read about free life on this beautiful island nation and how it transformed into a communist state. Oh, how they have a chance to taste freedom once again if the Cuban leaders bend toward democracy. I pray it will happen, and soon.

JUNE: I went to see "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" last week. I am a Kevin James fan and he did deliver in this movie. This was a fun movie with many laughs. Mr. June and I had a great time. I think anyone who likes a funny movie should go see it.

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Community Health Crisis: We’re Going the Wrong Way!

This is the first time in modern history that our children are expected to live shorter, less healthy lives than their parents. Life expectancy, as well as quality of life, had increased dramatically, from the 1970s through the 1990s. Dr. Kenneth Cooper, credited with pioneering the aerobic fitness movement, played a major role in raising awareness of the need for rigorous activity across the lifespan, and the resultant increase in life expectancy is more than ten years over that period of time
.
I’m in my 50’s now. As a youngster in Illinois, I was required to participate in one hour per day of rigorous physical activity in school. Afterwards, I would play wiffle-ball, football, soccer , floor hockey or the like for another two to three hours after school before coming home for the family meal. A couple of times a year, we were required to demonstrate our fitness level by taking a nationally standardized physical fitness test. The results were published at the school and sent to our parents.

While my dad sometimes watched TV, both channels, news and westerns, were pretty uninteresting through a child’s eyes. I ate well, slept well, played hard and had plenty of exercise and activity. So did all my friends. We knew a couple kids who were somewhat overweight, but they were still fit enough to be active and play with us.

Today, as a parent of 3 ranging in age from 13-26, I see a wholly different world. There is no mandatory physical education in most schools, and, often the programs offered under the physical education heading include informational / topical programs and far less rigorously active classes. The P.E. teachers I know are terrific and invested, but their numbers are a fraction of what they used to be, their funds and resources are cut way back, and, there’s only so much they can do.

After school, most kids don’t play competitive or intramural sports for hours as once was the norm, they play X-Box 360 or at best Wii. Most, rather than sitting down for a balanced home cooked meal in the evening, grab something from the fast food domain, loaded with calories, sugars, fat and sodium. We see the results every day in the epidemic of obesity, early onset diabetes and poor body image. Sadly, we are not going in the right direction!



Your Wallingford Family YMCA would like to help! In response to the growing health crisis in our community, we have developed two new programs to help our neighbors start to make lifestyle changes that can make a real difference in their lives..

The Healthy Balance Program is a comprehensive introduction to nutrition, fitness and stress management. The program includes:

8 weekly group sessions.

3 individual appointments with a Personal Trainer / Nutrition Manager to target individual lifestyle needs and develop a realistic, achievable and manageable exercise and lifestyle plan. You will receive a comprehensive exercise program designed just for you!

A Dietician prepared textbook with healthy meal plans and recipes along with a journal to monitor your progress.

A better understanding of the impact of stress on your health and strategies to manage daily stressors.

And, a total lifestyle management plan that comes with a lifetime partner in your quest for healthier living: the Wallingford Family YMCA!

The cost of this terrific program is a very reasonable $239 for YMCA members and $289 for community participants (and, community participants receive a free 3 month YMCA membership!).

Our New Fitness Punch Card. We invite you to purchase a 10 or 20 class card at a cost of $39 for 10 or $79 for 20 classes. This card allows access to any Wallingford Family YMCA fitness or aquatics class (with a very few exceptions). The purpose of this non-renewable punch card is to invite you to “try on” the YMCA and see if it is a good fit for your lifestyle.

For more information about these or any other Health and Wellness programs, please contact Mark at 203-269-4497 Ext. 24.



Be a Hero for kids with cancer!

St. Baldrick’s began as a casual conversation between friends and has exploded into the world's largest volunteer-driven fundraising event for childhood cancer research, which started in 1999. Thousands of volunteers shave their heads in solidarity of children with cancer, while requesting donations of support from friends and family. Tens of thousands of volunteers make St. Baldrick's happen, with the leadership of a board of directors and the support of a small staff. Volunteers organize each event, coached and equipped by the Foundation.

Every year more than 160,000 children around the world are diagnosed with cancer. In the US cancer kills more than any other disease, and because childhood cancers are different from adult’s cancers, the research must be specific to kids.

I was never aware of just how many children are affected by cancer and the research needs for children are different from adults. Curing cancer in children is so very important because they are the future. St. Baldrick’s being a volunteer based organization not only provides monies, it helps people realize, and become involved in something that they may not other wise be part of.

Four years ago, guys from the Meriden Fire Department asked me to join them in New Haven for our first St. Baldrick’s event. What a great experience it was. About 16 guys on very short notice got together and shaved their heads bald. My husband came as the camera man and left, yes you got it-Bald! One of our good friends Marie shouted out “I’ll give $250 if Jim shaves his head!” The look on his face made me want to be the camera person. So Jim handed over his camera to my sister, Theresa, and then became one of the many fire fighters that had to wear a hat for the winter season. As part of the event we have guest speakers come talk about their role and how St. Baldrick’s has helped them help children fighting cancer. That year a pediatric Oncologist spoke on behalf of his peers, what a humbling “Oh My God” experience. After the doctor spoke, we all passed the hat around and raised over $800 for the doctor to shave his head and to all of our surprise, he did! When we ask people to shave their head in solidarity for children fighting cancer, hopefully the answer will be “Why not, it’ll grow back”.

For the last two years it has been held at Quality Time Café and hosted by the Meriden Fire Department, with my salon Jennifer’s House of Hair doing the shaving. This years event at the Quality Time Cafe will be held on Saturday, March 7th from 3-7pm. The continued support and new comers to St. Baldrick’s has grown immensely. The Meriden Fire Department leads various other fire departments and societies in a parade. All shavings stops the patrons wait for a very special boy, Brent and his family to arrive by fire truck, which leads the parade. Brent is six years and was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at the age of 2. Brent spent most days at either the oncologist's office, Yale New Haven Hospital or Dana Farber/Boston Children's Hospital. He was immunosuppressed so germs were a constant enemy. Brent had six rounds of chemo, two stem cell transplants and three weeks of radiation. Today Brent is totally cancer free and doesn't even remember being sick. Brent’s father Mike, for the past two years, has given a speech that has not left a dry eye in the room. He talks about his experience as a father, who has a child with cancer. He reminds us all of how short life can be and also of how long it can be. He expresses his gratitude with such dignity for all the people that helped make the experience for a child with cancer an easier one.

Jennifer’s House of Hair will be hosting their 2nd social gathering to raise money for St. Baldrick’s. Last year we held a social gathering called, “Dish It Up”, which we raised over $1300 for The CT Food Bank. We were very successful in raising money for “Dish It Up”, that we thought it would be a good idea to hold another social gathering for St. Baldrick’s. Jennifer’s House of Hair will be teaming up with Goldilocks Deli in hosting “A Bash For Baldness”, which will be held at the salon, 437 Broad Street, Meriden. It will be held on Friday, February 27th from 5p.m to 8p.m. We have local businesses and dedicated clients that are going to be sponsoring different tables of various types of beer and wine, and Goldilocks Deli will be cooking an assortment of comfort foods, as people walk around and socialize. Tickets will be $20 per person. All proceeds collected that night will be donated 100% to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. If you have any questions about this event, or would like to know how to become a sponsor please call the salon at 203.235.3166.

Jennifer’s House of Hair will also be collecting donations at the salon. You can stop by the salon and buy a St. Baldrick’s Circle, either in honor or in memory of someone, and Jennifer’s House of Hair will also be collecting bottles and cans to help raise more money for this great organization.

Be a Hero for kids with cancer!




Exercise Tips for Seniors Starting Anew

Babies today have it better than those that came before them. That's because, according to a 2007 report from the U.S. Census Bureau, a baby born today has a lot more life to look forward to than one born 50 years ago. A child born today can expect to be around for the next 78 years, whereas one born half a century ago had a projected life span of nine fewer years.

While some might suggest this longer life expectancy is a product of people taking better care of themselves, others might say it's due in large part to advances in medicine.

Whatever the reason, it's obvious more and more seniors are living longer lives, and many are hoping to add even more miles to their odometers. One way to do just that is through exercise. But for seniors who haven't hit the gym in a while, starting an exercise regimen can be an intimidating, if not confusing, experience. Seniors looking to make exercise a regular part of their lives should consider the following tips along the way.

* Seek medical advice: The first thing you should do, even before lacing up your first sneaker, is visit a doctor. Each individual is different, and a doctor will let you know what you, personally, should and should not be doing as you begin a new exercise regimen. In addition, a checkup could reveal problems you might not be aware of.

* Recognize limitations: If you have not lifted a weight or run a step in 20 years, you're not going to be able to simply pick up where you left off. Recognizing your physical limitations is paramount to the success of your new program. For seniors, the point of exercise is not to become a pinup guy or girl, but to get healthy or maintain existing health. Set realistic goals and acknowledge what you can and cannot do.

* Choose an enjoyable program: Choose an exercise program you know you will enjoy. An enjoyable program will encourage participation and increase the likelihood that you'll stick with it. Whether it's a daily walk with friends or a structured workout at the local gym with a trainer, the program you choose should be one you look forward to, and not one you see as a necessary evil.

* Take it easy: Whenever a new program is started, be it by a teenager, professional athlete or senior citizen, the temptation to overdo it is omnipresent. However, flying out of the gates is a great way to get hurt, particularly if you do not yet know your physical limitations. Take it slow as you begin a workout, and make a daily journal of what you do at the beginning. That way, should you encounter any aches or pains, you can always look at the journal or share it with your physician or trainer to determine what might be the root of the problem. As you grow accustomed to physical activity, you can then make adjustments to your routine accordingly.

* Do your homework on facilities: You may, especially if you are retired, prefer to workout during the mid-morning hours when kids are in school and working professionals are at the office. That can make choosing a gym easier for you than it is for students or professionals.
However, when looking for the right facility, do your homework and find a gym that has all that you want. Some gyms, for example, heavily emphasize weight training, and don't offer other amenities such as racquetball courts or a swimming pool. Find a gym that best fits your needs. Many gyms offer free passes for up to a week so prospective customers can get a better grasp of what the gym has to offer. Take advantage of this common practice when choosing a facility.

* Make stretching a regular part of your regimen: Young or old, stretching is an integral part of any successful workout routine. For seniors, however, stretching becomes especially important, as you are more susceptible to injury than you were in your more youthful days. Stretching helps prevent muscle pulls and other injuries, and should be done both before and after a workout.

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It’s Your Choice
By Laura Marotti – Curves of Meriden

Hopefully, if you were asked what you'd rather improve—your mind or a body part—you'd pick your mind. After all, learning is a fabulous way to stay young and become more interesting; knowledge doesn't age the way our bodies do! The reality is that most women would rather improve a body part than learn a new skill or take a class. If you are deeply dissatisfied with your body image, it's important to ask yourself the following questions: what will changing my figure do for me, can I change this about myself and is it worth it to spend the time and effort to get this particular area of my figure to look different? Remember, different doesn't always mean better!

A poll of over 5,000 women found that seven out of 10 women believe their lives will improve if they have "better" bodies. Only one in every 50 women is happy with how her body looks—this means that most of us are dissatisfied when we look in the mirror! The body part most women would like to change is their thighs with the waist placing second and in descending order: breasts, feet, face and teeth. The most disliked aspect of appearance is not a body part; rather, it's a woman's weight that is most likely to drive her crazy. A full 60% of women are not happy with their weight and would like to be skinnier.

The fact is that while 8 out of ten women are dissatisfied with their reflections, we may be seeing a distorted image. We are so deluged with unforgettable and unattainable images on a daily basis that our idea of beauty has become skewed and, in many cases, impossible to emulate. Air brushing, lighting, makeup and a host of experts make the women on magazine covers reach a level of perfection that the models don't even possess in real life. We have become comfortable looking at images of beauty that don't really exist; the current ideal of thinness in the media is attainable by only 5% of the female population.

Pressure to conform to the perceived ideal of feminine beauty has become increasingly unhealthy. To be sure, we all need to strive to be the best we can in all areas of life, but does being skinnier really make us happier? Studies show that surprisingly, the women who most live up to our standards of beauty are no more satisfied with their bodies than the average women. It seems that even the ideal beauty isn't perfect enough to satisfy herself. In addition, new research shows that there is no direct evidence that happiness is related to weight; rather, self-esteem and identity come from within and not from without.

This is where an exercise regime becomes vitally important; exercise builds a healthier body and increases feelings of self esteem. A workout may not make someone a perfect ten, but it goes a long way towards enabling a woman to take control of her health, manage her time, and push herself to try new things. A good diet and exercise plan treats the entire individual and isn't focused on that swim suit; rather, it's an opportunity to connect with one's body, refresh the mind and interact with others. Self esteem and good health go hand in hand—exercise and diet go a long way towards producing a more joyful life.

To be content and contributing members of society, women must be well balanced and pursue interests other than weight management. To be healthy, happy and well balanced should be the goal of one's life, not attaining or maintaining a number on the bathroom scale.



Beat the Recession!
by Ernie Larsen

I’m not sure if the government has officially declared that the US is in one. In any event – I thought it may be a good time to offer a few money saving tips for Joe and Jane six-pack, you know, just plain folks - just last week I read an article with a headline that was offering money saving advice – well it was doing just that, but it was geared toward those who had more than modest investments and were dabbling in the stock market – not that it wasn’t timely or important for that matter; it was my thinking that a few hints for ‘the average family; regular people, the middle class, those who could use some advice on saving their hard earned dollars – well any way I trust you know what I’m getting at. Saving starts at home. As I’m writing this the President has been in office for just a week or so and is already making progress on some campaign promises, however these are not going to trickle down for quite a while and save the ‘average Jane and Joe any money right away. In a pre inauguration interview he exhorted all Americans to be prepared to sacrifice; exactly what was not revealed and why should the guy on the street have to give up his daily coffee while the big savings banks and investment firm get billions for a huge bailout?!! Not going to dwell on this - just wanted to jog your collective memories – those bailouts were fair to everyone, n’cest pas?

Well, it’s beyond us right now; plus it’s neither here nor there so let’s get to it; how do I plan to save you a few bucks? First some background, I’m a true New Englander, frugal – OK I admit I am a cheapskate!

So I’m going to share with you some of the ways I do actually save money – take it or leave it, you can keep the money where it belongs in your wallet, so here goes.

What is really important, you have to want to save and simply exercising few easy tasks and expending a bit of effort, you’ll be on your way.

I’m not going to try and offer too large a list of suggestions in this writing, just some that can immediately save you some money. Most are pretty obvious, but pooh-poohed by those who think too much effort has to be expended – well when it comes to saving money, I’d rather have it in my pocket than someone else’s. I hope you will benefit from these ideas.

Anyone who is a consumer of almost any type of goods from fuel, food and the like you know it’s fairly easy to imagine that something that cost, let’s say a dollar last year now for sure costs more or even worse a commodity may be priced the same, but the producer may have repackaged it into a smaller sized package – remember when you used to be able to purchase a pound of coffee – not any more; a popular size for coffee cans is now in the neighborhood of 11/13 ounces, yet for that quantity you’re paying what you paid for a pound.

THE FIRST THING you have to do is ”know what you have” – you’ll have to shop at home first – no use buying something, even though you may get a dollar off or it is a ‘deal’, if you already have the same item in a cupboard and you will not use it in the foreseeable future, what’s the point? Pretty simple – maybe – one of my best hints/tips “if you don’t need it – don’t buy it”
Here are a few ideas for sensible shopping:

1. Use coupons – there are virtually cents/dollars/buy one get one free for almost every type of commodity available. The most common are cents off coupons normally found in the Sunday newspaper in a tabloid format or sent in the mail or available right at the store, usually adjacent to the product they are discounting. The average person can usually save 3-6 dollars on each trip to a grocery store with coupons. I’m sure you’ve heard stories of people who are coupon ‘buffs’ for lack of a better word; they actually buy hundreds of dollars of items and pay pennies on the dollar – well I haven’t been able to duplicate that, however I must say on almost every trip to the store, I do use a coupon and rarely pay full price. Also remember, if you are a Senior – take advantage of the grocery store’s discount day; my favorite grocery store on South Broad Street has discounts on Tuesday’s.

And remember, coupons are not just for retail or grocery stores – just last week a local restaurant published a 20% off coupon in the local newspaper and my wife and I took advantage of that – we were at the restaurant already for a monthly ‘meeting’ with friends and decided to have a bite there.; $7.00 subtracted right off the bill. And right now in my dining out coupon files I have a buy one entrée and get one free at a chain restaurant in the local mall. And it doesn’t stop there - during the holiday season one of the new restaurants on the block was offering gift cards for half price, i.e. spend $50.00 and receive a $100.00 card, I really took advantage of that offer, made my mailman and family members really happy. Then there are several restaurants locally and in adjacent towns offering dinner for two with a bottle of wine for less than $40.00 or in that range; the hitch is you have to eat mid-week, no problemo for us, we would rather eat out on a Wednesday or Thursday night and avoid the weekend crowd. Just check the local daily newspaper for specials – it doesn’t take a lot of time and you can save a few bucks in the process.

Coupons can save you money; it really is a no-brainer. I know those who eschew using coupons, ‘it’s too much trouble’ – well perhaps they don’t have money worries and are spending someone else’s hard earned cash, I’d rather have the money in my pocket – so coupons it is………………..

2. Here’s another idea to save a few bucks – ‘brown bag it for lunch’ - if you add up what you spend for the midday meal I bet by making lunch at home and bringing it in to work can save you almost $15.00/20.00 a week. Say you buy a sandwich and drink for $7.00 (conservative) each day that’s $35.00 a week. I’m not going to itemize it, but a loaf of good 12 grain bread, enough for 8 sandwiches, $3.89 – a pound of lunch meat, let’s say imported ham, $5.99 on sale and ½ pound of cheese, around $3.00 along with condiments already in the fridge – it’s already half of what you would spend going out. And you don’t have to eat the same thing every day, this was for examples sake. Mix it up, tuna salad, chicken salad, left over meatloaf, chicken etc..lots of ways to make it interesting. Just remember, you can save a significant amount bringing your own. A rough example – you work 50 weeks a year and brown bag it for 30 and save a minimum of $20.00 per week that’s $600.00 - nothing to shake a stick at – wouldn’t you rather have that in YOUR pocket than paying someone else to make a simple sandwich? And if you don’t relish lugging a sandwich in every day – how about leftovers? Most workplace lunchrooms etc. have a microwave oven - so heating last nights meatloaf, roast beef, whatever is not really a problem; accompany the meal with a ‘baggie’ of potato chips, a piece of fruit etc. A very frugal lunch in my book. And talking about ‘sides’ stay away from those multi-packs containing small bags of chips – a lot more expensive than buying the larger family size and packaging them yourself.

OK so how can you save on days you do go out – well the best thing to do is have a ‘special’ out to lunch day. Try to go out with someone else or a group – one of the most frugal lunches you can have, around these parts, is at a Chinese restaurant. Almost all have daily specials that will set you back around $5.00 and if you don’t purchase a drink – a couple around here offer complimentary tea. I know some people who bring their own bottled water, but you have to make sure the place you’re eating doesn’t frown on that. Many of the places I frequent serve quite adequate portions, enough for you to take half home for the next day’s lunch – so it’s a double bargain. Or share the meal with a colleague; so 3 bucks for lunch, not a bad deal. When I go for Chinese take-away many times I just get a pint of soup – won ton or shrimp-rice – both are very filling and under $2.00 per serving. And the menu at all the Chinese places around here is so extensive; there is virtually something for everyone.

And once again, don’t forget coupons – many of the chain places offer coupons and there are opportunities to get money off of and additional menu item for free. Lots of ways to keep money in your pocket. Remember the buy one entrée, get one free – we’ll be using that the end of this week – guaranteed to save 10-12 dollars.

3. Enough food talk – what about some entertainment? Well the movies have bargain nights – so if you want to see the latest first run film, once again, check the daily newspaper or get on the Internet for show times and what night is bargain night – usually a Tuesday or Wednesday. And if you’re an old-duffer like myself check for the Senior Discount – some places start offering this at age 55 and if the clerk is 18 or so, anyone over 35 probably looks ancient to them and you’ll be in discount heaven without even asking. So what if you want to stay home and watch a video – there is always the video store, but that costs money – how about the local public library? They lend, no rental fees, videos on a wide range of subjects, dramas, biographies, how-to and many more. All you have to do is have a valid library card and you’re in business. And if the local library doesn’t have what you are looking for, your card is accepted in almost any other library in Connecticut – the possibilities are endless. And let’s not forget books, my wife and I are avid readers and do purchase the latest bestsellers – usually at a warehouse store offering a 45% discount off list. But when we are in between purchases make a trip to the library for some supplemental reading. Right now the library has a special lending program for bestsellers – head on down to 105 Miller Street – check out what is available, you’ll be surprised the variety of entertainment the library offers. Oops, I forgot to mention – if you are looking to visit a museum, say in New Haven or Hartford or other Connecticut locales check with the library, they offer, on a first come basis, 2 for 1 admission tickets – we recently borrowed them for a visit to the Mark Twain house in Hartford and the Peabody Museum in New Haven. Saved over $10.00 at each location. No computer – they’re available at the library – some with internet access, printers and all the accessories. A visit to the Meriden Public Library is worth your time – all sorts of good stuff and it’s free. What better way to save money.

4. Well, here are a few more easy ways to keep your hard earned dollars; around the house; turn out unnecessary lights, fix running toilets, make sure faucets are turned completely off, close doors of rooms you are not using, turn down the thermostat a couple of degrees and if you’re cold – put on a sweater, make sure you run the washing machine with a full load, same with the dryer, better yet hang out the clothes on the line, weather permitting, of course. While these tips seem insignificant, they really will affect your bottom line and will save you money.

Getting back to food – with all the convenience items available today, some which I think border on the ridiculous, ‘already mashed potatoes’ or ’frozen chopped onions’ for example – I bet these cost 20 to 50 times more than buying a 5# bag of spuds or Vidalia’s and doing it yourself. Any time you buy an item in a small quantity – or something that is designed to make your cooking chores easier, you are probably paying a premium. This goes for sweets to savories. When my wife was a classroom teacher she would often come home and whip up a batch of her classic chocolate chip cookies with an admonishment – ‘those are for school – don’t eat them’ and then explain there were several students who had never tasted home-made cookies or anything home made for that matter. Hard to believe, not really in this day and age – there are those who don’t cook from scratch at all. To many, home cooking is heating something up in the microwave.

So in the interest of frugality and getting back to basics featuring something easily homemade I’m going to close this piece with a recipe for a hearty dish that I saw prepared on the Food Channel; the host was visiting a restaurant that made almost all of their ingredients for their meals from scratch; this dish caught my eye, not only for its simplicity of preparation, but the fact it only required three low cost ingredients. There are a couple or so variations of this; some serve it as a soup, some as a main course, here’s my take on the ever popular pasta fagiole; what, you say – it’s just pasta (macaroni) with beans (fagiole) and around here I’ve heard this pronounced Pasta Fazool.

INGREDIENTS: 8 ounces Ditalini pasta (1/2 box)
1 can of Cannellini, Garbanzo or Red Kidney Beans
1 to 1.5 cups of pasta sauce, bottled or homemade
Grated cheese (optional, but adds flavor)

METHOD: Add pasta to a sufficient amount of salted boiling water and cook until al dente (8-9 minutes) drain. Heat beans in sauce pan, drain and add to drained pasta. Heat pasta sauce and add to the mixture, stir to mix. Garnish with grated cheese and serve with Italian bread. Makes 4-6 servings (this is really good the second day and is great for bringing to work for a hearty lunch – see you’re saving money again.

COST: 1 pound box of pasta $1.19
Can of beans (on sale) .60 cents
Pasta sauce – (on sale) 16 oz $1.00
LESS THAN $3.00 – can’t beat that, eh?

Enjoy and remember, use these tips to keep the money where it belongs - in your pocket! With a minimal effort you too can be on the way to saving……………good luck.



Free Meditation Group

Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes LLC in Wallingford is pleased to announce the addition of a free Meditation Group every other Sunday from 7:00pm-8:30pm. The Group will begin with a short discussion followed by a Guided and/or Silent Meditation.

All are welcome. No experience is necessary.

Clinical studies have shown that Meditation can help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Other benefits of Meditation include a boost in overall health and immune function, stronger focus and concentration, reduced tension, anxiety and stress, clearer thinking and less emotional turmoil, relief of pain, support in kicking addictions and other self defeating behaviors, greater creativity and enhanced performance in work and play, increased self understanding, more joy, love and spontaneity, greater intimacy with friends and family members, a deeper sense of meaning and purpose, glimpses of a Spiritual dimension of Being, and more.

Please call TLC to register: 203-269-2TLC (2852).
Group dates are 2/15, 3/1, 3/15, 3/29…..
For more information please visit:
www.tlclisazola.com



This Valentine’s Day, Be Good to Your Heart

By Lisa Zola - Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes LLC of Wallingford
203-269-2TLC (2852).

Since Valentine’s Day is a day that is associated symbolically with the heart, I thought it would be fitting to write an article about how to care for your heart. Statistics show that heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the United States and has been since the early 1900’s. This just does not make any sense, especially given all of the advances in medicine we have had since then. In addition, stress, anxiety and depression have all been implicated as contributing factors in heart disease and are some of the top reasons why people visit their health care provider.

What seems to be missing and what I think is the key to a healthy heart, and to a happy life, is following a healthy lifestyle. In fact, our health problems have become so chronic in nature that until we change our usual approach in how we treat disease AND unless lifestyle changes are implemented, those with heart disease will continue to progressively worsen and ultimately die of their heart disease, as we can easily surmise from the statistics. And those with other ailments won’t be much better off.

However, there is good news in all of this. A person with heart disease can actually halt the progression and even reverse their disease as evidenced in the “Lifestyle Heart Trial” study conducted by Dr. Dean Ornish. A pioneer in the field of medicine, Dr. Ornish is the first physician ever, to demonstrate the reversal of heart disease in patients who had been diagnosed, by facilitating lifestyle changes, and subsequently, he has developed a program specifically for reversing heart disease without drugs or surgery. It is also important to keep in mind that the whole person needs to be treated, not just the disease or symptoms, which simply are red flags and the body’s way of saying that there is a break in the Body-Mind-Spirit connection.

Your heart needs to be to be nourished emotionally and spiritually, not just physically and it is important to integrate all three of these components in order to achieve optimal health. Physically, your heart requires the proper nutrition, exercise and rest. As far as nutrition is concerned, recommendations for a heart healthy diet include eating low-fat foods and choosing the right fats such as monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). It is equally as important to avoid fried foods and foods that contain those dreaded trans fats.

Physically, your heart is a muscle that needs to be exercised just like any of the other muscles in your body, in order to keep it healthy and strong. Physical activity is good for your heart and has numerous health benefits for your heart and for the rest of your body too including helping to lower cholesterol and blood glucose levels, promote joint, cartilage and bone strength, maintain flexibility, assist with weight loss, and elevate mood. The truth is that in many cases, diet and exercise should replace surgery in treating heart disease. Always consult with your health care provider before starting exercise.

Emotionally, stress has now been linked to heart disease, but don’t let that stress you out! There is a very simple remedy, and I am not talking about paxil or prozac. It’s called breathing. Usually when we are anxious, nervous or uptight, our breathing becomes more rapid and shallow. When faced with stressful situations, our bodies prepare for the “Fight or Flight Response,” a response in which the adrenal glands pump out cortisol and adrenaline to prepare the body for action. These stress hormones which are released into the body cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Alternatively, slowing down and deepening the breath induces the “Relaxation Response,” a physiological state of quietude, which counteracts and is the antidote to the stress response. Add a half smile to your breathing which causes pressure on the vagus nerve and stimulates the release of serotonin, and you’ll get that feel good feeling too. All you need to do is to take three slow, deep belly breaths with a half smile on your face and see how much better you will feel. This technique can be done several times a day or as often as is needed and takes only a moment.

The last component for caring for your heart is to nourish it spiritually with Love. Love is an energy that arises spontaneously in the heart and is our essential nature. It is always ready to flow; however, if we are not experiencing love right now, it is not because we are failing to create it, but because we are preventing it from arising. Love is always there, waiting deep within our hearts and waiting for us to surrender to it. And, when we do, it rewards us with the greatest fulfillment in life: that Divine connection with our Higher Being, Source, or God. If you sometimes find it difficult to make that heartfelt connection try practicing gratitude and try to be grateful for both the blessings and the challenges that life brings.

Ultimately, how we treat our heart is in our own control, whether we have heart disease or not. Being good to our heart is vital for a healthy life. Developing lifestyle changes is a process that takes place over time, but the rewards naturally lead to heart health and happiness on the physical, emotional and spiritual levels of existence. So this Valentine’s Day, do yourself a favor and be good to your heart!



The Sweet Tooth
Michael Santacroce, D.M.D.

With Valentine's Day approaching, it seems ironic that February is Dental Health month. After all, the most common gift given on Valentine's Day is chocolate, which contains a large amount of cavity-causing sugar. Everyone knows that sugar is not a good thing to eat as far as healthy teeth are concerned, but millions of pounds are ingested every year in the form of chocolate, baked goods, and candies.

As a matter of fact, common table sugar, or sucrose, is the ONLY substance that causes tooth decay. So you would think that it might be easy to avoid it, and stop cavities from forming, forever. But if you stop and think, sugar is in almost every food we eat, including fruits, sauces, drinks, and nearly all snacks. Not to mention, even if you avoided all foods with sugar, you would still have another source of sucrose--carbohydrates! That's because the human body has enzymes which break down carbohydrates into (you guessed it) sugar.

So the question is, how do we avoid sugar in our diet? The answer is, you can't. Eating a perfectly healthy diet will always contain sugar. The idea should be not to avoid eating sugar, but to limit the amount and frequency of it. Eating everyday foods such as cereal and milk for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, and meat, salad, and dessert for dinner will never contain enough sugar to damage healthy teeth, provided you brush your teeth twice a day. However, 9 pieces of chocolate washed down with soda provides enough sugar for decay to get a great jump-start.

Science has proven that keeping sugar and bacteria away from tooth surfaces will protect teeth from getting decay. The best way to do this is to brush and floss, soon after eating any foods, especially sweets. Knowing this, you can still lay back and enjoy your Valentine's Day chocolate in complete bliss, with a clear conscience, realizing your toothbrush is only steps away.



The Greater Meriden Chamber of Commerce
Introduces Their Health & Wellness Council to the Community

Over 60 members of the Greater Meriden Chamber of Commerce were in attendance to participate in the “unveiling” of the Chamber’s new Health & Wellness Council. The event was held on Friday, January 30, 2009 at Four Points by Sheraton. The event was sponsored by Universal Healthcare Foundation and also featured a panel discussion on the State of Healthcare in CT. Council of the Greater Meriden Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to identifying and promoting best practices in community and employee health and wellness through advocacy for healthcare access, literacy, policy and programs.

Greater Meriden Chamber Members at Council Rollout

Moderator & Council Chairman David Lowell (at podium) with Dr. Zavosky, DSS and Juan Figeuroa, Universal Healthcare Foundation

With rising healthcare costs and a population that is increasingly burdened by a variety of medical conditions, health promotion and disease prevention is the best way to take a proactive step in encouraging others to lead a healthy lifestyle, which will result in:

reducing employee absenteeism
increase productivity
create an overall healthier workforce.

In order to do this, the Health & Wellness Council is providing added educational opportunities to its member businesses so that business leaders can make informed decisions about the direction of healthcare for their employees. The trickle-down effect that this creates results in enormous benefits for you, your employees, and the greater community.

The Council focuses on a number of ways to enhance communication on the healthcare issues that matter most to you and your business. The following activities and projects are all a part of the Council’s efforts:

Health & Wellness Education Breakfast Series
Health & Wellness Directory
Health & Wellness Activities
Health Literacy
The Health & Wellness Council welcomes other area healthcare providers to join in our mission of building a healthier community. The Council meets the fourth Monday of each Month at 9:00 a.m. at various locations in the greater Meriden area. For more information and to locate an upcoming meeting, please visit us at www.meridenchamber.com, or call the Chamber at 203.235.7901.

Thank you in advance for your participation in making our community a healthier community! It is with your help that we will obtain our mission through a balanced program of promotion, advocacy, education access and activity.

The Greater Meriden Chamber takes a proactive leadership role in moving, improving and positively changing the communities we serve. Through our daily participation, we cause results and create a roadmap for our future. No projects ever get done by themselves. They require vision and action through leadership; that is where the Greater Meriden Chamber of Commerce makes a difference. We inform and engage our staff and membership in the economic development, workforce development and business development projects in the towns we serve and in the region.

The four principles of networking, promotion, education, and leadership are the basis of the plan of work for the Greater Meriden Chamber of Commerce. We will continue to highlight one each month so that readers may become more aware of what the Greater Meriden Chamber is doing for its members and the communities that it serves. For more information on joining The Greater Meriden Chamber (all businesses who are located in the city, or do business, or plan to do business, in the Greater Meriden area, are eligible to join…call 203.235.7901.)


Coco Key

By Dawn A. Nierenburg-Reynolds

So where is it 84 degrees year round (a few degrees lower near the entrance way)? Yup, it’s Coco Key. If you have somehow escaped the barrage of commercials placed on kid’s channels, Coco Key is a 55,000 square foot, indoor water park located in neighboring Waterbury.

After some major pleading and lofty promises by my kids and I Andy, my hubby, agreed to take us to Coco Key for the day. So, our big family trip this holiday season was to this new local attraction. That morning, knowing that this was the day, my children came down the stairs dressed and ready to go, without prompting. Now how much is that worth? Ah, yes “Priceless”. Drive time: 15 minutes max with traffic. My son Josh only got in two “Are we there yet?” Yes, he did manage two but, before I had to answer I was pointing out the billboard in front of the Waterbury Holiday Inn Coco Key Water Resort.

We found a great parking space walked twenty feet to the front door loaded up with the swim bag which included everything you would need for a day at the beach minus the sunscreen. With no lines at the front desk and the complex at maximum capacity 1,040 people, we got our official admission bracelets and were directed through the big glass doors that housed the water adventure that my children had been anticipating since before they opened last August. Parent’s note- the dressing rooms where toasty warm, a very welcome surprise! Yes, that gets an exclamation point.

The first thing you see is Parrot’s Perch a water playground ideal for the littler ones maximum water depth 6 inches- but, enjoyed by the bigger ones too. With four, not so scary, water slides, some great interactive water features, a very manageable climbing net and, oh yes, the giant bucket of water that threatens to soak you at regular intervals this attraction will keep them entertained for hours. My five year old son, Shaunessy, loved this area and made some new friends here. The soaking is avoidable, just keep your ears open for the ship bell and if you are like me, run away from the sound, if you are like any one of my kids, stand under the splash zone and await the massive soaking. Baby/ toddler bungee swings complete this mom friendly area. Another parent note, life vests in many sizes are easily accessed they are scattered around all swimming areas to grab as you need.

The lazy river was a lot of fun. The whole family grabbed tubes held onto each other and made our way under waterfalls, by water jets and under water geysers again and again and -oh you get it by now. There is a pool with some cool obstacle course features. I made a graceless attempt across the floating lily pads. In another area of this pool separated by a floating log they have two basketball hoops and the deepest water in the complex about waist high for the average adult male. Both adults and kids were warming up in the toasty hot tub that is tucked away in the back corner.

As you drive up to the hotel complex you can’t help but notice three tubes jutting out of the side of the building. Oh yes, these are the water slides, must be 42” inches high to enjoy, not just for kids anymore, my kind of fun. Woohoo! There are three big slides; Shark Slam a tubeless light-blocked slide about one story high with some fun twists and turns, Pelican Plunge running the full height of the water resort, the fastest of the three lit by the light of the day as it winds outside the complex walls and the third slide Barracuda Blast as tall as Pelican Plunge but all in the dark. There was a long line, Josh my 7 year old, was the first one to want to hit the slides. We grabbed a double tube and waited with the other eager adventurers. We swapped stories with other kids and their adults on the way up. Josh sang, he does that when he is excited. I started getting nervous anticipating the ride. “Hey Josh, are you sure about this? We can turn around you know, you don’t have to go down the slide.” “I’m sure, mom. Don’t worry mom, it will be OK” “Thanks Josh, I feel better now (not)” He made me go down Barracuda Blast the darkened tube, I screamed all the way down. Josh smiled all the way down. My throat hurt the next day. Josh’s face hurts the next day (from smiling too hard). I did go down the slide half a dozen more times with my daughter Sierra and Josh and yes, I grew to love them all. Most of all, I loved the time with my family.

There is an A&W/ Pizza Hut inside the water complex. A medium pizza runs $15. A chicken strips and fry combo runs about $6 and change. Watch the internet for day deals. I had found a twilight special, 4pm-8pm Mondays and Thursdays, for $15 per person. Contact the resort at 203.706.1000 or online cocokeywaterresort.com/Locations/Waterbury. You can buy tickets online but there is a $2.00 per ticket service charge. Birthdays run $30-$40 per guest but include cake, pizza and goody bags. It’s a party I’d want to be invited to. Overnights claim to run from $185.00 per room with two day wrist bands for four guests. I ran a search and could not find a room for less than $250.00 per night.




Connecticut Trolley Museum East Windsor,CT
By Dawn A. Nierenburg-Reynolds

When you have boys, there is a good chance they dream of trains. And once again we were on a hunt for the ultimate fun holiday family experience. Here is a great one, so save it in your memory banks for next vacation.

The Connecticut Electric Railway Association, Inc. is the owner and operator of The Connecticut Trolley Museum. Founded in October 1940, it is the nation's oldest incorporated organization dedicated to the preservation of the trolley era.

A three mile round trip streetcar ride with an educational narrative is provided to the museum's visitors during their visit. The collection consists of passenger and freight street cars, interurban cars, elevated railway cars, service cars, locomotives, passenger and freight railroad cars, and a variety of other rail equipment.

This was our very first visit. We picked a great time during Winterfest, their holiday celebration event which begins after Thanksgiving and runs through the last weekend in December. They opened at 5 p.m. and ran the trains through 9 p.m. We were impressed by the huge, heated, hangar length museum building that housed the ticket booth, the museum gift shop, the bathrooms and about a dozen miniatures train displays sporting winter scenes as well as two full sized trolleys. Outside four trolleys, lit and decorated for the holiday were running the 1.5 mile track. Included in this four-pack was a gorgeous open street car from Montreal, yes open, as in roof free. We happen to be lucky for it was a balmy 55 degrees the night of our visit. This was the trolley with the big line the one everyone wanted to ride on. Scrolled metal side rails and tiered seating where just some of the charm this trolley offered. It was a nostalgic trip that took you back to through memory and period images 80 years into the past.

I requested more information on this unique trolley. The following information was joyfully provided by Xian Clere of The Connecticut Electric Railway. Montreal Tramways Car #04 was built by Montreal Tramways in 1924 in their Youville Shops. It is one of 4 unique Montreal open touring trolleys in existence in North America. There aren't many and it certainly is not your standard "cookie cutter trolley". Sister Car #03 was built at the same time. Cars 3 and 4 are similar in their design and appearance. But cars 1 and 2 were built earlier in the 1900's and featured a wood frame while cars 3 and 4 feature a steel frame. You were riding car 4 which was the last one built and also only 1 of 2 currently in the United States. Car 2 is at the Seashore Trolley Museum in Maine. In the 1930's, all of the Montreal touring cars were equipped with dynamic braking for their trips coming down from Mt. Royal. Of course, one may ask what an open car is doing in Montreal, Canada. Well, these cars were designed strictly for tourists to the area and were typically not used for everyday commuter service. They were operated only in the summer time mostly for trips to Mt. Royal and throughout Montreal.

The museum opens again for the 2009 season this April. So keep your eyes open, I’m sure they’ll have something special to offer. Currently pricing is as follows; Adults $8.00, Senior $7.00, Youth $5.00, Under 2 Free. They are located on North Road in East Windsor, CT 860.627.6540.









FEEDING BIRDS AND CRITTERS GETS US ALL THROUGH WINTER’S CHILL

By Phyllis S. Donovan

My sister, who lives in the Massachusetts Berkshires, lost her husband a few weeks ago. He had a massive heart attack while snow blowing his driveway, a job he actually enjoyed.

Upset and preoccupied in her grief over the next several days, my sister’s usual daily routine was totally abandoned. Then one evening, several days after the funeral, she heard thumping on her back deck and going to check found three full grown deer calmly gazing through the sliding glass doors at her. “It was eerie,” she said tearfully, “They were just standing there looking for Joe.”

She’d forgotten that her husband had fed not only the birds every day but also left out food for the deer and flock of wild turkeys that frequent their rural backyard. His little menagerie was feeling his absence.

She said she should have realized when her son from Florida, who slept in his old room in the days leading up to the funeral, complained that “a crazy mother cardinal” kept fluttering against his window outside of which hung the then-empty feeders.

Now, feeding the wildlife has become another of her daily chores. “It helps make me feel better,” she told me.

I know how she feels. Every time a storm is approaching (and how they know, I’ll never figure out) all the birds in our neighborhood descend on my feeders to gorge themselves for the coming bad spell.

In the black and white landscape of these grey dreary winter days, those small flashes of brilliant feathered fluff add both color and brightness to our lives. It’s well worth the blocks of suet, thistle seed and heavy bags of sunflower seeds we keep dragging home from Greenbacker’s Agway.

We have four kinds of woodpeckers alone. Every time we hear the rat-a-tat pounding on the drainpipe to which the suet feeder is attached, we look out see if it’s the downy, hairy or red-bellied woodpecker (whose head, not his belly, is red) and their cousins, a pair of huge brown flickers with black chevrons on their chests and red feathers in their crests. Sometimes, surprise, it’s only a small brown thrasher or even an upside-down nuthatch.

We love the small sleek tufted titmice and chickadees who swoop in to retrieve one sunflower seed at a time and whisk it away. We tolerate the reddish house finches who look like they’ve been dipped in raspberry juice, come as a flock and quarrel amongst themselves the whole time they’re here. The goldfinches, olive drab in winter, frequent the feeder where we keep the thistle seed they prefer. Sometimes every perch on that feeder is full. They scatter that fine seed all over the deck and make a mess but in the spring when they turn yellow and look like a flock of wild canaries, it’s worth it.

For bright color, you can’t beat the cardinals, especially the brilliant red males, who, even after many months, approach our feeders timidly. Mama, with her silly pink beak and more subdued coloring is braver than her partner who remains in the surrounding cedar trees watching until the coast is clear. When they both perch on the snowy cedars, the pair looks like a watercolor by local artist Esther Tomkinson which I own and cherish. I know at least three pairs of cardinals come to our feeders because that’s how many I’ve seen out there dining at one time.

Then of course there’s the bluejays who seem to know whenever I fill the feeders because they can’t keep their mouths shut, setting up a ruckus to call all their pals to dine. When a bluejay plunks himself down in our hanging feeder, the rest of the birds scatter. Not only does he sit there gorging himself, he uses his beak to shovel aside both empty shells and still-full seeds to get at the good stuff. In so doing, he knocks down to the deck plenty of seeds for the mourning doves, juncos and sparrows who are happier poking around on the flat deck than swinging aloft in the high feeders.

Of course we have our own complement of squirrels, many of whom have nest in the large trees surrounding our deck and come down regularly to clean out the feeder and do their best to try to get the suet out of its wire cage. If my husband sees them out there, he goes to the deck door, stamps his feet and barks like a big dog….and they totally ignore him.

Our cat, on the other hand, likes to just lie on a pillow on the bench which looks out the big windows onto our deck and just watch the action out there. She enjoys watching the birds come and go from the warmth and safety of the house and will even perk up her ears and check out any squirrel action. But she really has no intention of venturing out to tackle one of those furry critters. I think when she was younger and friskier, a squirrel bit her on the ear. The bite got infected and we had to take her to the vet and have it lanced and the fur never grew back on that spot. So this big fluffy kitty with a tiny scar on her ear gives squirrels half her size a wide birth. They have the run of the back yard and if she does venture out, she makes believe they aren’t there.

Of course, we also have bunnies in our woods so I throw of hunks of cut up apple to them when everything is frozen over. And there is a grey cat with a frayed red collar who calls at our back door nearly every evening for a handout. At first, because of the collar, I thought it belonged to someone but it kept getting thinner and wilder. It still won’t let me get near it, but our cat tolerates it if their paths cross out back. I set up a box for it under our picnic table on the deck which is covered by a big tarp during the winter, but I don’t think it’s used it. It pains me to see it out there on these bitter cold nights, but like the rest of the critters, I want to do what I can for it.

Some people feel that we shouldn’t be getting wildlife to be dependent on us, that we’re upsetting the balance of nature. I feel if we can make life easier for them, all to the better. I guess it runs in the family. I have a cousin who lives in the California desert. He always leaves out a big barrel of water for the desert critters. We’ve seen a road runner, a covey of quail who nest nearby and even bees come to his “watering hole” to drink and there were probably lots of others we didn’t see. Can that be bad, offering God’s creatures needed sustenance? I don’t think so



“MAGGIE’S CORNER”
Touched By an Angel
By: Maggie Griffin

5 years ago, there was a young lady who find out she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Having two small children, she was scared about the two children living without her if she wasn’t around to raise them.

She first went in for a lumpectomy, and it turned out to be a partial mastectomy. The surgeon had to remove a large size tumor and found others. A month goes by, it was February. She had to go through a double mastec tomy. The surgery was scheduled to take place February 12th. The night prior, she dropped her children off to her parent’s home, to sleep there, as she had to be in the hospital 5:30 in the morning. The surgery took 14 hours because during the process, she lost a lot of blood resulting in 4 blood transfusions; they found a hernia and her heart stopped. The surgical team needed to get her heart beating again and successfully they did.

After the surgery was complete, she was in critical condition, but in the recovering room. Her Mother was there with her husband by the time she woke up. Her mother touched her toes and the young lady opened her eyes. Not knowing the problems she had in the operating room, all she wanted to know was did the surgeons replace what they took off of her by reconstruction? Her husband told her yes.

February 13th, she woke up and wanted to see where they operated, still not knowing the problems she had in the operating room. She=2 0lifted her bandages and her skin was like charcoal, blistered. She called for the nurse and within hours, she was back in surgery because the skin grafts didn’t take in the reconstructed area.

She never thought she could be as brave as she was going through all of this. All she kept thinking about was her two small children and how she couldn’t wait to see them. But something happened to her that she will never forget after the second surgery, in the early morning of February 14th.

It was around 3:30 A.M. on February 14th. It is Valentine's Day. She was lying in her bed in her private hospital room, sleeping, until she felt a hand on her head with a thumb rubbing her forehead. She woke up and opened her eyes, while she felt the hand on her head and the thumb rubbing her forehead, and saw a Man in a white doctor’s coat. She thought to herself "who is this doctor", as she looked at his face. She complemented him about what a glowing complexion he had. He=2 0was young with blue bright eyes.

Then she asked him who he is. He told her he is a part of the Team and was in the operating room with her both times. She then asked him, “Am I going to be ok?” He looked at her with a smile and reassured her she is going to be just fine and that her two children were going to visit her later in the day. He told her he is just checking in on her and to go back to sleep so she can be up when her children arrive and reminded her to stay brave.

6:30 a.m. came and she was woken up by three doctors that were a part of the surgical team. She told them one of the surgeons from the surgical team was already in to check in on her around 3:30 in the morning. Then she told them all he did was put his hand on her head and rubbed his thumb on her forehead. One of the doctors on the team looked at the chart that hung at the rear of her hospital bed and told her, "no doctor was in here before them to check in on her and they don’t start their rounds to check in on their patients until 5:30/6:00 in the morning".

This young lady was baffled; she knew she wasn’t imagining things. As the day went by, her husband did walk in with her two children, like she was told she was going to see her children later that day, and she was given a Valentine’s Day gift from all three. The children brought her two joining teddy bears holding a heart with red roses, and they drew her pictures. She told her husband about the doctor that came in 3:30 in the morning. She even mentioned it to the nurse when the nurse came in during her time with her children.

Later that evening, the night shift nurse from the previous night came back . The young lady asked her about the doctor that checked in on her the morning at 3:30 in the morning. That nurse looked at her chart, just like the three doctors from the surgical team did, and told her there was no doctor in this room at that time as she would also have known because she worked that shift, just like she is working the same shift now. The young lady started to cry and said, “But he was here, I talked to him”. The nurse looked at her and said "many things happen in this hospital, what did the man look like?" The young lady told her he had light brown very short wavy hair, his skin was shiny and he had blue eyes. The nurse then said to her “Ah, You Were Touched By An Angel.”

The young lady started to think about this. But when she recalled him telling her she was going to see her children later that day, and she did although she wasn’t sure, plus she didn’t tell anyone her children may come, she believed what the nurse told her was true. Knowing an Angel was by her side now, she knew in 100% confidence she was going to make it through her next step battling cancer.

Finally, on February 15th, one of the head surgeons came in to talk to her. He told her that cancer was found in her lymph nodes, she has stage 3, invasive lymph node positive breast cancer. He told her what took place in the surgical room the first time and the problems they ran into, this way she understood why the surgery took longer than it should have. Never mind all the other problems like the hernia and the blood loss, needing four blood transfusions, she thought to herself. As soon as she was told her heart stopped, but they got it beating again, she laughed and told the surgeon “So let me understand this, YOU SAW A STRAIGHT LINE ON THE MONITOR AND I DIDN’T SEE THE BRIGHT LIGHT? I HAVE A BIG CONCERN HERE!" But this made her and this head surgeon laugh. He told her as long as she keeps this humor within her; she will do just fine through chemotherapy.

Just think about it - if this young lady didn't have those blood transfusions, would her heart start beating again? Remember the fact she lost so much blood during the first surgery, would she be alive today to tell this story?

This is story is TRUE. I know this young lady very well. After this experience, she sees life totally different, leaving her to help so many people in need. The miracle is she is stil l alive today and tells this real experience to many and how she was Touched By An Angel in the early morning on Valentine’s Day during a challenging time in her life.
Angels are all around us, no matter what kind of mood we are in, no matter what we say or do. Just rest assured, by reading this true story, through trouble times, an Angel is there, right beside you.

It is not by accident that the happiest people are those who make a conscious effort to live useful lives. Their happiness, of course, is not a shallow exhilaration where life is one continuous intoxicating party.Rather, their happiness is a deep sense of inner peace that comes when they believe their lives have meaning and that they are making a difference for good in the world.Ernest Fitzgerald(American Minister)

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Opportunity for Change
By Jennie Jenkins

The current economic situation has stirred up a tremendous amount of fear mongering, especially with respect to the media’s announcements of job layoffs throughout the country. Life is certainly unpredictable when it comes to jobs; I certainly know. I have experienced job loss in my life. However, in spite of this, I am still standing, stronger than ever. So, if you receive a pink slip, fear not. A job layoff, as I have learned, can actually be a blessing in disguise. It is an opportunity to profoundly change your life and do what you really love, what you are meant to do as part of your path in life.

How do you know the path you should take? You must listen carefully to what makes your heart sing, what resonates within your soul. Paying attention to your thoughts, especially the repetitive ones, is extremely important. Is there a class you keep thinking of taking? Have you thought of examining your resume to see what skills are transferable to the job/career you wish to have? Do you look at that professional astrologer’s business card, which recently caught your eye, and think of calling to make that appointment? According to Angel Expert, Doreen Virtue, repetitive thoughts, as long as they are positive in nature, are often divinely-infused thoughts, or what I like to call “Divine Transference.” It is up to us, though, to “listen” and, most importantly, act upon this guidance.

How do you know you are embarking on the right path? One way of knowing you are on the right path is noticing signs along the way, signs which confirm you are doing what you are supposed to be doing. Do you notice “doors” opening for you, along the way? If, however, you are feeling unsure of whatever signs you are receiving, spend some quiet time alone to calm your mind. When we experience stress and racy thoughts it’s hard to make wise decisions. However, when we focus on quieting our minds, we can see things more clearly and exercise better judgment. So, spend some quiet time alone to center your self. Listen to some peaceful music. Meditate. By doing this, the wisdom within you will resonate. You will have a strong sense of what to do.

Just as it is important to focus on the spiritual aspect of your life, it is just as important to focus on all the material resources available to you, as well. We live in a state that is rich in career and job resources, from Connecticut’s state library program to the University of Hartford’s non-profit center, Center for Professional Development to our “211” info line program, a free information line and website which guides people to the assistance they need. In addition, thanks to grant and state funding, many resources, including the use of the internet at public libraries, are often free of charge.

So, fear not, you are okay and will be okay. Just have faith, follow your divine guidance, and act, using the divine wisdom within you.

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To read The People’s Press in image or pdf form go to http://www.peoplespressnews.com/


An Angel In A Pickup Truck
by Barbara Sherburne

After doing a fairly short proofreading job this morning, I sat down to tackle my income taxes, which I finished, and now I am just awaiting W-2s from a couple of employers. I had looked out the window earlier to see what snowfall we got, and it was maybe three inches. Someone had cleared the sidewalk in front of the house, ending abruptly several feet before my side, but nothing looked bad. I could see I could easily get out of the driveway. Around 3 p.m. I decided to go out and start the car and do some minimal shoveling and run a few errands. I got outside, and what was blocking my part of the driveway were these two huge boulders of solid ice. I am assuming it was a Town plow that unearthed a pile from somewhere from the prior storm and left them blocking me in. Well, I pounded and pounded with my snow shovel and tried to break pieces off of these ice blocks that were too heavy to move. I kept at it (real good for carpal tunnel people), and eventually broke off enough from each of the two boulders to use my shovel to push them further down the road in front of the house. What a job that was though.

I then went to the post office and bank, and since it was just about 3:30 and my night job didn't start until 5, I decided to take a drive over to the Community Garden to see if the driveway was any better than it had been lately. I haven't fed the birds since December 29th, and I have been steadfastly feeding the birds for about nine years now all yearlong, so I was feeling bad that I hadn't been there in over two weeks. As I approached the entrance to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park and could see what it looked like, a little voice in my head said, "No, it still looks iffy," (I've got to listen to that little voice) but, on the other hand, there were lots of tire tracks, so I took a chance. I went down some distance and turned around using the four-point turn method until I was headed in the direction of going up the hill.

I then trudged to CJ's garden, and I tried with all of my might to get his door open so I could get to my two bird feeders, but there must have been ice on the other side. I was using my feet to kick the door repeatedly, but I couldn't open it quite enough to go inside. So I walked outside his garden to the approximate location of the bird feeders and threw bread and raisins over the top of the fence, which is high, and threw bird seed through the fence. It all disappeared into the snow, but I made quite a pile at my feet, so I guess the birds will get some of it.

And then I trudged back to the car. I was pretty high up on the hill, but no matter what I did, I could not go forward. In fact, I kept going further and further backwards. I have a small shovel I carry in the car and thought maybe I could shovel a path, but I soon realized that wasn't going to work as it was pretty much solid ice. Damn. No cat litter. No IceMelt. Several Jeeps and vans passed me by, but no one was stopping to help. I then saw a big school bus, and what the gal was doing there with the bus, I don't know. (I had considered earlier parking at the top of the entrance of the driveway. Had I done that, my car would have been damaged by all the large vehicles that came in and then left.) The school bus went all the way down to the hockey field parking lot, quite a distance, and I have no idea why, and then came back. I flagged her down and explained my dilemma. She did not know how she could help, but she said she would call the Town for me. I had no idea when this would occur, but I thanked her.

I waited maybe 10 minutes and kept trying to get my car up the hill, but I just couldn't do it. No Town truck had shown up, and I was beginning to wonder if one ever would. I was starting to feel a little panicky and was praying to God to please help me. Finally a pickup truck drove down the driveway and the guy in the truck was talking on a cell phone. When he was finished with his phone call, I got out of my car and told him I was stuck and could he please help me. He wasn't sure if he could help, but he remembered, cheerfully, that he had a bag of IceMelt in the pickup part of his truck. He quickly got out of the truck, went to the back, and pulled out this enormous bag that was just about empty. I'd say there was maybe a cup of IceMelt. He proceeded to toss it around the tires. I didn't see how that could possibly help. He said, "Would you like me to drive your car?" I told him it was a stick shift, and that was fine with him. He got in the car, and I stood there in disbelief as he drove the car right up to the top of the entrance. I ran up to him and tried to give him some money, but he wouldn't take it. I could not believe how easily he got my car up the hill. He told me, "My driveway is longer than this one, so I'm used to it." He said he would stand there until he was sure I could pull out into the street. I thanked him so much, and was nearly in tears and kind of shaken up. He understood as it was going to be a cold night. I touched his shoulder and said thanks again (I really wanted to hug him), and he stood there with all this traffic going by until I could finally pull out into the street, and then I waved to him, and he was doing the same.

I thanked God, by the way. I was very thankful for the Good Samaritan, and this is the second time that happened to me at the Community Garden. The first time was a couple or three winters ago, and now I know: "Do not go down that driveway unless you are absolutely, positively sure you can do so." But it was really weird how this guy was able, without backing further down the hill, to get in the car and just drive it right up the hill. Like what? (And the other fellow two or three years ago did exactly the same thing.)

So that's how my day went before my night job at Krauszer's, and then I worked there until 10:15, so it was kind of a long day. I was fervently asking for God's help when I was stuck on that darn hill, and I believe He sent me an angel my way. And I thank that angel who came to my aid. I don't know your name, but I hope you are reading this. Thank you very, very much.Barbara Sherburne (who is approaching age 60)barndt49@yahoo.com
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The AfterLife?

By Liddy

Have you ever wondered if ghosts exist? Did you ever hear a bump in the night, a noise you couldn’t explain; catch a glimpse of something out of the corner of your eye only to look and see nothing?

Just maybe you are experiencing a little bit of the spirit world. Of course many people believe no such phenomenon exists. And then you have people like me and probably hundreds alone just in Connecticut who is out searching for the “proof”. I belong to the “AfterLife” paranormal group. We are local and enjoy what we do. In the warmer months we are out most weekends doing what we love. Ghost hunting! In the colder months of the season we try to get out as much as possible, but due to the weather it can be difficult.

Connecticut has many places to investigate but unfortunately they are private property.

Our group respects that and always asks for permission but 10 out of 10 times are denied. The problem seems to be that many of the buildings we wish to investigate are owed by the state and for some “secret reason” won’t let anyone in. There is the excuse: it’s unsafe, work is being done on the building, etc; It is understandable that some area’s may indeed be unsafe due to the age of the building or asbestos. But oh what a dream it would be to be able to snap some pictures. Pictures don’t lie so maybe the idea of capturing an image or an evp is scary to the owner of the property and they may have concerns of not being able to rent or sell it (if word got out). More and more people believe in the paranormal so it can also be enticing to a buyer. Think of the publicity and curiosity of it all.

In our travels, we have caught “ghostly” figures on cameras/camcorders and I have a picture I had taken that to me and many others appear to be a white button down shirt. It was taken in the winter; my husband and I were the only ones there and we both had on dark coats. My husband was off to the right, not in front of my camera and was I very pleased to have gotten that shot. This is why ghost hunting is so interesting. It is relatively inexpensive and gets you out for a night of the unknown.
The AfterLife will continue to search for the “proof” and have a good time in doing so. If you have any questions or comments, please email me. I would love to hear from you.

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Cold weather is here -- Go to the Snow!

Many people equate the warm weather with outdoor fun. After all, winter is for huddling inside by the fire sipping hot cocoa, right? Not necessarily. Although there may be the tendency to want to hibernate when it's cold, it's actually beneficial to get out of the house and stay active. Enjoying the outdoors year-round provides exercise, may alleviate seasonal blues, and can offer new perspectives on natural landscapes.

The cold weather shouldn't hinder your outdoor activities. Here are some fun pursuits anyone can enjoy. Best of all in this economy, most are free.

Get moving: Running and walking enthusiasts are generally out rain or shine. Just because it's cold doesn't mean you have to put these activities on hiatus. Set up a club of like-minded enthusiasts in your neighborhood and meet for a daily jog or stroll each day. Experiment with different routes and even stray "off the beaten path" once in a while. Who knows what winter wonderland you may discover? Don a few extra accessories, such as a hat and gloves to keep away the chill, but don't over-bundle.

Enjoy winter sports: Skiing, ice skating, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and sledding are just some of the winter sports that you can enjoy. What's more, they can often be a family affair and tailored to all different skill levels.

Explore new activities: Some people think that activities such as hiking, horseback riding, mountain climbing, and cycling are just for the warm weather. In fact, with the right gear these pastimes can be enjoyed any time of year. Camping outdoors at a state park may take on an entirely new perspective when there is a chill in the air. Hiking during the colder months could open you up to different foliage and opportunities to see animals that delight in cold weather. There are even those who enjoy a cold-weather swim. "Arctic" or "polar bear" clubs abound.

If you think creatively, there are plenty of fun ways to be active when it is cold outside. Even a trip to a local park to feed the birds or enjoy an impromptu winter picnic may fit the bill.

When staying active during the winter months, be sure to put safety and fun first.
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Home Country
Slim Randles

Steve, the long-limbed cowboy of our band of coffeed philsophers, rumbled into the Mule Barn coffee shop and stopped before taking his seat at the round table. He reached down, unwrapped the napkin from the fighting tools and handed his spoon to Doc.
“Here, Doc, hit me.” Steve held out his hand and closed his eyes.
Doc tapped the back of Steve’s hand, and Steve sat and flipped his coffee cup to the upright and fillable position.
We waited.
“You fellas know I’ve been looking for a little place off somewhere to build a cabin, right?”
We did.
“I bought one.”
“That’s great!”
“Then I called the county and they told me I had to leave a 10-foot setback on each side of the lot. Can’t build on the setback, you see.”
“So what’s the problem?” asked Doc.
“The lot’s only 25-feet wide by 100 feet deep. This means I can only build a cabin that’s five feet wide.”
“Well, yeah,” said Dud, “but it can be … what … eighty feet long? Right?”
“You can build an indoor archery range 20 yards long and still have twenty feet left over to live in,” Herb suggested.
“Problem is,” said Steve, “the county says the cabin has to be a minimum of 16 feet wide…”
“Meaning?”
“Well, sir,” said Steve, “since I can’t build on it or live on it or anything, I thought I’d just put a sign there with a collection can that says, ‘Idiot’s Lament. Please leave a dollar in the can.’ If enough people come to look at it, I might get my money back someday…”
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Brought to you by 3Rivers Archery, the traditional folks. Visit them at 3RiversArchery.com.
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President Obama: You Can Save America from the Road to Ruin!

by Roger L. Kemp, PhD

Introduction

The term “infrastructure” refers to the basic facilities and installations necessary for society to operate. These include transportation and communication systems (e.g., highways, airports, bridges, telephone lines, cellular telephone towers, post offices, etc.); educational and health facilities, water, gas, and electrical systems (e.g., dams, power-lines, power plants, aqueducts, etc.); and miscellaneous facilities such as prisons, asylums, national park structures, and other improvements to real property owned by government. In the United States, the infrastructure is divided into private and public sectors (in the latter case, divided again between facilities owned by municipal, county, state, and federal governments, as well as many special district authorities such as the Port Authority of New York and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, to name a few).

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the only professional membership organization in the nation that has graded our nation’s public infrastructure since, there are fifteen major categories of government infrastructure. These infrastructure categories include:

Aviation, Bridges, Dams, Drinking Water, Energy, Hazardous Waste, Navigable
Waterways, Parks and Recreation, Rail, Roads, Schools, Security, Solid Waste,
Transit, and Wastewater.

Fiscal Crisis

All levels of government in the U.S. are facing a new era of capital financing and infrastructure management. Revenues that once were available for capital construction, restoration, and maintenance, have either diminished or evaporated entirely in recent years. Portions of the public infrastructure that were once adequate are now experiencing signs of distress, even decay, with no end in sight to the ongoing deterioration of America’s infrastructure.

Local, state, as well as the federal government, are now subjected to unprecedented fiscal demands for public services in an environment of limited taxation and dwindling financial resources. Throughout the nation, many state government deficits loom ominously on the horizon. At the same time, the federal deficit is at an all-time high, exacerbated by the fact that our nation is finance an undeclared war in the Middle East. These negative fiscal circumstances, experts believe, are likely to continue for many years to come.

Congested highways, overflowing sewers, and corroding bridges are constant reminders of the looming crisis that jeopardizes our nation’s prosperity and the quality of life for our citizens. With new grades for the first time since 2001, the condition of our nation’s infrastructure has shown little to no improvement since receiving a collective grade of C- in 1988, with some areas sliding toward failing grades. The American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2005 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure assesses the same categories as in did in the previous survey. The grade comparison of America’s infrastructure between the ASCE’s most recent 2005 survey and its original survey in 1988 are highlighted below.

Aviation – Received a grade of B- in 1988, and a grade of D+ in 2005.
Bridges – Received a grade of C+ in 1988, and a grade of C in 2005.
Dams – While not graded in 1988, they received a grade of D in 2005.
Drinking Water – Received a grade of B- in 1988, and a grade of D- in 2005.
Energy – While not graded in 1988, this category received a grade of D in 2005.
Hazardous Waste – This category receive a grade of D in 1988 and in 2005.
Navigable Waters – While not graded in 1988, they received a grade of D- in 2005.
Parks & Recreation – While not graded in 1988, they received a grade of C- in 2005.
Rail – While not graded in 1988, this category received a grade of C- in 2005.
Roads – Received a grade of C+ in 1988, and a grade of D in 2005.
Schools – While not graded in 1988, this category received a grade of D in 2005.
Security – This category did not exist in 1988, and insufficient data is available to properly evaluate this category (i.e., this is a new category since 9/11/01).
Solid Waste – Received a grade of C- in 1988, and a grade of C+ in 2005. This is the only infrastructure category to increase during its grade since the original “graded” evaluation some 17 years ago.
Transit – Received a grade of C- in 1988, and a grade of D+ in 2005.
Wastewater – Received a grade of C in 1988, and a grade of D- in 2005.

In short, U.S. roads, bridges, sewers, and dams are crumbling and need a $1.6 trillion overhaul, but prospects for improvement are grim. This is the amount of money necessary over the next five years to restore and rebuilt major components of our nation’s public infrastructure. The nation’s drinking water system alone needs a public investment of $11 billion a year to replace facilities, as well as comply with regulations, to meet our future drinking water needs. Federal grant funding in 2005 was only 10% of this amount. As a result, aging wastewater systems are discharging billions of gallons of untreated sewage into surface waters each year, according to the ASCE’s report.

And the signs of our deteriorating infrastructure go on! Poor roads cost motorists $54 billion a year in repairs and operating costs, while American’s spent 3.5 billion hours a year stuck in traffic jams. The country’s power transmission system also needs to be modernized, the report said. While demand continues to rise, transmission capacity failed to keep pace and actually fell by 2 percent in 2001. As of 2003, 27 percent of the nation’s bridges were structurally deficient or obsolete, a slight improvement from the 28.5 percent in 2000. It is alarming to note, but since 1998, the number of unsafe dams in the country rose by 33 percent to more than 3,500.

A dozen national professional associations have officially endorsed the ASCE’s 2005 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. They include the American Public Works Association; the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association; The U. S. Conference of Mayors; the National Heavy and Highway Alliance; the American Road and Transportation Builders Association; the Association of State Dam Safety Officials, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, and the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association. For a complete listing of these endorsing organizations please refer to ASCE’s website.

National Leadership is Needed

While the views expressed by many experts who research and write on infrastructure issues throughout the nation point to a general agreement on the magnitude and complexity of this problem, little agreement exists on a consensus on how to achieve a comprehensive nation-wide solution to restoring and maintaining America’s public infrastructure. Although there is disagreement as to an acceptable solution, one point seems obviously clear: the necessary leadership and policy direction required to properly address this national issue must come from the highest level of government. It is only within a national policy framework that states, counties, and cities can work together to improve the current condition of our public works facilities. Local and state governments alone, because of their many diverse policies, multiple budget demands, and varied fiscal constraints, cannot be relied upon to achieve the comprehensive solution required to solve this national problem.

The current philosophy of our national government has been to let the lower levels of government (states, counties, and cities) solve their own problems, regardless of the nature of their complexity or the magnitude of funds needed. The political posture of our national government needs to become more positive and proactive if a solution is to be forthcoming. For these reasons, it is obvious that assertive leadership is needed from the federal government to make the difficult policy decisions, as well as to approve the funding requirements, necessary to solve our country’s infrastructure problem. Fundamental changes are needed to redirect national priorities about how public capital investments are made. Public officials, at all levels of government, can no longer merely build public facilities without adequately maintaining them in future years.

The Future

As the severity of this issue escalates, and citizens become more aware of the increased costs of postponing a decision on this pressing issue, taxpayers may be more willing to become politically involved in solving this issue in the future. Local taxpayers cannot be expected, however, to foot the entire bill for a solution, since the majority of our country’s capital assets have been constructed over the past several decades, some over a century ago, and frequently with the assistance of grant funds from our federal government. This bullet is “to big to bite” by lower levels of government alone.

Also, cities, counties, and states have relative degrees of wealth based on their taxing capacity, bonding levels and ratings, and budgetary reserves. Because of this, many lower levels of government do not have the financial capability, even with increased taxation, to adequately address those issues related to restoring and maintaining America’s infrastructure. It is safe to say that most citizens throughout the country already feel overtaxed by all levels of government. Even thought citizens may be willing to assist financially, a major redirection of federal government funds will be required for a truly comprehensive and coordinated nation-wide response to our country’s outstanding infrastructure problems and issues.

Even with some additional taxes and user fees, funding will be limited from the lower levels of government. For this reason, argue those who deal with infrastructure issues, national priorities must be established for the replacement and restoration of capital facilities at all levels of government, starting with those projects that are necessary to ensure the public’s security, health, and safety. Funds from the national government must be targeted for infrastructure projects from less important operational programs with limited or only special interest, constituencies. Within the framework of national policies, existing federal grant programs must be redirected to provide the necessary funds to assist in the financing of those capital projects necessary to restore America’s public works infrastructure to ensure the security, as well as the health and safety, of all our citizens throughout the country.

Our nation is not “on the road to ruin,” as some experts explain, but merely going through the transition period required to properly sort-out and arrive at politically acceptable long-term solution to this critical and complex policy issue that plagues all levels of government – federal, state, county, and city alike. If our nation’s infrastructure is allowed to deteriorate even further in the future, possibly to the point of decay, the cost of resolving this issue will escalate significantly in future years, for all taxpayers. If this happens, economic development programs will also continue to suffer, and the revenues they could generate will not be available to assist in restoring our public infrastructure. For these reasons President-Elect Obama should make the restoration of America’s public infrastructure a national funding priority.
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Note:

To develop the Report Card, ASCE assembled a panel of 24 of the nation’s leading civil engineers; analyzed hundreds of studies, reports, and other sources; and surveyed more than 2,000 engineers throughout the nation to determine the condition of America’s infrastructure. Base grades were then reviewed by ASCE’s Advisory Council. For more details about this process refer to ASCE’s website (http://www.asce.org).

About the Author: Dr. Roger Kemp is a career city manager, having served in California, New Jersey, and Connecticut. He is Past-President of the CT Town & City Management Association, and the Monterey Bay and CT Chapters of the Amer. Society for Public Administration. Roger can be reached at .
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“Sheltering an Animal’s Perspective”
by Gregory M. Simpson


I have been reminded lately how cat and dogs with disabilities provide the same loving companionship as those without disabilities.

At a dinner party hosted by friends, Holly took her rightful place. Holly is a beautiful gray and white shorthaired cat – with one eye. Whether a cat with one eye or a person with two, anyone could see that Holly truly found her purr-fect match in my friends’ family. Adopted from a local humane society, she has been part of a loving home ever since.

My friend also gave a home to “Sugar”, a 3-legged, longhaired, diabetic, black and white cat. She describes, “I have to say at first I was nervous many years ago to adopt one with disabilities but I found out that they adapt very well to their situations. It reminds me of a human with disabilities and having to adapt.”

While writing this column, my path crossed with a certified veterinary technician who describes her four cats as “differently-abled”. Two are three-legged, one is cross-eyed with limited vision, and the fourth has a cleft palate in addition to a condition that affects coordination. This kind-hearted veterinary technician has a long history of adopting disabled animals, including a blind cat that, “…zoomed through our two story apartment like a road runner, without crashing into anything.” Her most disabled adopted cat was a gray calico found and brought for surgery because of injuries incurred from resting on a car’s engine for warmth. This cat had her leg, ear, tail and left eye removed, but was reported to live a “happy normal life and was a gift to us for 15 years.”

My favorite happy ending story is that of Logan. Logan was a young beagle brought to a local humane society after being tied to a tree for two years. He never knew when he would be petted or even fed. He never had the life of a puppy growing up because he was always by himself. He was observably depressed. Besides suffering these hardships, he has one other disability – he is blind. One day he was picked up by the animal control officer after he got loose. The animal control officer knew his owners and contacted them. They replied, “He is no longer our problem. We gave him away.” When Logan reached the humane society, he loved being around other dogs, cuddled with them, and ran around playfully. A nice couple who had other dogs adopted him. He was able to learn how to climb stairs as his human companions said, “Step.” Working through his blindness, he learned to get around just fine in his new, safe, and loving home.

Occasionally, a disabled animal bonds with another animal as its guide. A clipping e-mailed to me contained the following description by Terry Burns of Middleburg, Pennsylvania: “Cashew, my 14-year-old yellow Lab, is blind and deaf. Her best friend is Libby, 7, her seeing-eye cat. Libby steers Casey away from obstacles and leads her to her food. Every night she sleeps next to her. The only time they’re apart is when we take Cashew out for a walk.”


Deaf animals can still “hear” from the very core of their being – whether one calls this their heart or their soul. Please listen to your inner voice and consider adopting an animal with a disability.

The mission of no kill shelters is to ensure that all animals, including ones as just described, find loving homes. All animals, whether “differently-abled” or not, want the same things that each of us wants – to love and be loved, have a home, and live a life without pain and misery. They do not ask for much but give unconditional love in return. Please consider adopting a disabled animal. As Aesop said, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

For the animals,

Gregory M. Simpson

Gregory Simpson’s animal welfare involvement spans over 25 years, having provided leadership for several Connecticut organizations, as well as having served as state advisor to the national Friends of Animals. Currently a Board member of Protectors of Animals, Inc., he was chosen by CAT FANCY magazine as one of the ultimate cat lovers in the U.S. He is also a member of the Cat Writers’ Association.


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“Sheltering an Animal’s Perspective”
by Gregory M. Simpson

Life is full of close working relationships. One of them should be with your veterinarian.

Are you aware that admission to veterinary school is more competitive than medical school? This is because there are only 27 U.S. veterinary schools as compared to 155 medical schools.

So how do you choose a veterinarian who was so carefully selected for veterinary training? There are many factors to consider. Feeling confident about his or her veterinary skills should be at the top of the list. Therefore, seek one or more recommendations from friends, family, or neighbors as testimonials.

Once the relationship is established, be conversant with your veterinarian about any condition or treatment related to your companion animal. In this internet age, it is a simple matter to access additional information about any veterinary diagnosis or treatment. There are also publications available, such as the Cornell Book of Cats, Cat Fancy, Dog Fancy, and Catnip: A Newsletter for Caring Cat Owners.

As important as veterinary skills is “bedside manor,” both for you and your companion animal. Choose a veterinarian who is willing to spend quality time with you, explaining diagnoses and procedures to your satisfaction. If you want a second opinion, you should be able to ask for one without resistance. At times, it may be appropriate for the vet to even make the contact.

“Bedside manor” extends beyond office appointments, through follow-up phone calls or e-mails to see how your animal is progressing. It is also common for vets to send holiday cards and sympathy cards when companion animals pass on. However, your veterinarian alone does not establish a supportive environment. Veterinary technicians and reception staff play important roles in setting the atmosphere. Are they friendly and knowledgeable? They may be the ones you speak with as often as your vet.

What is the ambience of the veterinary clinic or hospital? Is it bright, warm, and inviting? Is it clean? When considering a veterinary practice, appropriately ask for a tour of the facility. Are all parts of the practice equally well-maintained? Examine where your animal will stay if ill. Would your sick cat be caged in a room with barking dogs or be placed separately with only cats? Is the cage space large enough to move around in if multiple overnight stays are needed?

Availability is a key factor. What are the hospital hours? Are the hours convenient to drop off your companion animal before work and pick up afterwards? Is the clinic open on Saturdays? How are emergencies handled? Could you reach a vet from the practice after hours or would you need to go to an emergency hospital? Is the veterinary practice close enough to your home so as to be readily accessible on short notice? Are clients seen for appointments on time? These are all questions for which you will be glad to have answers before selecting a vet.

There are other signs that a veterinary practice may be a “good place” for you and your companion animal. Are there one or more resident animals that greet each client? Does the vet participate in a low-cost spay/neuter program like Spay USA or Friends of Animals? Does the practice offer multiple pet discounts? Does the clinic help place animals needing homes? Does it maintain a bulletin board of useful information, such as places to adopt or upcoming animal welfare group events? Does the vet donate time or discounts to animal rescue organizations?

After selecting a veterinary practice, allow time for the working relationship to develop. A vet gets to know your animal’s physical and psychological needs better over time. Remember that you spend the most time with your pet, so you are the most important symptom reporter. If you have any questions about the vet’s assessment or treatment – ask. It is your companion animal and the responsibility to secure the best care is yours. It is the veterinarian’s responsibility to provide the best veterinary care he or she can. And remember - regular check-ups are important. Not all health problems are symptomatic. For instance, heart murmurs can be a silent killer.

Doing all of the above will make the process of visiting the vet more pleasant and productive – for both your pet and you!

For the animals,

Gregory M. Simpson

Gregory Simpson’s animal welfare involvement spans over 25 years, having provided leadership for several Connecticut organizations, as well as having served as state advisor to the national Friends of Animals. Currently a Board member of Protectors of Animals, Inc., he was chosen by CAT FANCY magazine as one of the ultimate cat lovers in the U.S. He is also a member of the Cat Writers’ Association.



Wallingford Native Publishes Book

Take Your Child by the Hand and Visit Auntie’s House; A New Children’s Book by Dawn Aldrich that Offers, Young and Old, a Subtle Lesson in Trust

“Of course, little one, let’s have some fun!” This line, taken from Dawn Aldrich’s new book, Auntie’s House, encapsulates the message the up-and-coming children’s book author is hoping to promote. Her mission in writing the book about a child being cared for by her aunt is to address the issue of trust kids have when being left with a person who is not their parent. “Will I have fun?” “Will they treat me with love?” and “Will mommy and daddy come back?” are just a few of the questions that run through little minds when being dropped off at a day care situation. Subtly addressing the answers to these questions and more, Auntie’s House is an entertaining, rhythmic story, told from a child’s perspective of the adventures she has at auntie’s house while her mother is at work.

A resonating theme throughout Auntie’s House is the love the caregiver shows for her niece and especially the relaxed tone the child demonstrates while spending time at her aunt’s home. “I hope kids will have fun with my book and after reading it, will say “let’s read it again!” states Aldrich. She also hopes they will identify with the feelings the little girl is experiencing and know that it’s ok for mommy to leave because she’ll be back. By reading the book she wants kids to acknowledge that there are other people who love them and will take care of them while their parents are away for a short time. “I also hope to reach the adults who are reading the story to let them know it’s really ok to leave their child every so often,” says Dawn. She hopes the book will allow parents to realize their kids will be just fine. As the book playfully illustrates, the kids might even have fun while they’re gone by experiencing some new activities with their caregiver!

What sets Auntie’s House, a book geared toward pre-school through third graders, apart from other children’s books is the fact that it has a strong emphasis on family. Aldrich notes that she has seen many books that focus on strangers taking care of kids. “I wanted to dwell on the positive issue of trust rather than negative issue of fear,” admits the author. Dawn drew on the experiences she had with babysitting her own great-niece, Maya, as an inspiration to write

Auntie’s House. Having moved back to her hometown to be near her family after being away for time, Dawn is a huge proponent of following one’s roots and is a firm believer in doing what it takes to make family a priority. Realizing that close proximity isn’t always an option for some families, however, Dawn emphasizes that “family” can take on a much broader meaning than how the word is commonly defined. “An exceptional caregiver doesn’t have to be a blood relative,” insists Aldrich, “in fact anyone that offers the love and security that a relative offers can be considered a family member.”

A native to New England and the youngest daughter of three girls, Dawn grew up in Wallingford, Connecticut and currently resides there with her husband, Peter, her childhood sweetheart whom she jokingly describes as having met “over a bowl of Cheerios.” Together they have a son, Aaron, a daughter, Torrie and a granddaughter, Dakota who all live in close proximity to one another. Despite the normal childhood challenges and struggles that all families face, Dawn describes the relationship between herself, her husband and their two children as “very close.” Along with previous positions as a youth pastor and day care owner, the writer holds an Associates degree in Radio and Television from Endicott College and a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Education from Houghton College.

Order advanced copies of Auntie’s House by visiting amazon.com or halopublishing.com

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Nature as a Mirror
Chinese New Year of the Ox 2009
By Dorothy Gonick

Getting ready for the New Year celebrations is especially exciting this year. Our whole family has been making the house spotless. We’ve put up the special scrolls, gathered plum blossoms and arranged them beautifully. Bowls of golden oranges add touches of cheer. Gifts are chosen and ready to exchange with our visitors. Trays of fruits and candy are ready for our visitors. Mother has new red clothes for us to wear because red scares all the evil spirits away, insuring us a good year to come.

The New Year arrives when the first new moon of the year appears. My aunts and Grandmother have been helping Mother prepare the big feast we’ll have on New Year’s Eve. It will be wonderful to have all of our family here, surrounded by the spirits of our ancestors. Staying up until midnight is a happy time of feasting, playing games, telling fortunes and hearing stories. My cousins may bring a new game to play. At midnight we’ll go outside to see the exploding fireworks that welcome the New Year, and add to the noise by calling “Happy New Year” to all our friends and neighbors.

And so begins fifteen days of celebrating. For the next two weeks we visit friends and relatives. Elders will give the children red envelopes that have ‘lucky money’ in them. We will visit the temple and pray for good luck, riches and health. Every day has a special meaning, I like the fourteenth day because we’ll get ready to celebrate the Lantern Festival, also known as Shang Yuan that is held on the fifteenth night. We will prepare special lanterns and hang some in temples, others we will carry in the evening parade by the light of the full moon. That is a very special celebration with a dragon dance. The fancy, fierce-looking dragon is made of silk, paper, and bamboo and held up by young men as they dance through the streets. I used to be afraid of the dragon, but now it is exciting to watch and fun to dance along with it.

This year is very special because I was born in the last Year of the Ox. My mother says that Father has many of the traits of the Ox because he too was born in the Year of the Ox. Some of these traits are: being dependable, working very hard without complaining, being trustworthy, and patient. Father is respected by the townspeople because of his honest and leadership. I’m glad I was born in the Year of the Ox because I admire my father and love him; hopefully I’ll be like him too.

Our Ox works hard and steadily for Father to assure that our rice crop will have a good harvest. It may be his special year, but he still has work to do. I plan to tie ribbons and flowers on his horns and recite the special poem I’ve written to celebrate his goodness.

Dependable Ox
Does the will of the farmer,
Glory not his goal.



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Warm Your Home for Winter
By Janice Serendi

As the holidays pass us by and all the decorations are put away for another year, sometimes our rooms look oddly plain and uninviting. We’ve been used to the festive colors of fall and then the December holidays, so our homes were warm and comforting, dazzling and interesting for the past thirty days. Now it’s January and everything looks bare. The light from the winter sky is very different from spring, summer and fall. The leaves are gone and everything takes on a grey, black and brown bleakness around us. As we retreat into our homes to ward off the cold in these chilly months, our homes should reflect caring warmth for our loved ones and friends. To feel better in our homes we must take charge and make them cozy and inviting to get through the long three months ahead of us.

Nothing helps us more than rearranging furniture when we need a change. It is the single most used decorating tool for changing the mood and look of a room. For the winter months, it is always a good thing to move the seating arrangement closer to the fireplace for warmth and intimacy. This rearrangement can make us feel wonderful and it’s something new to look at! For more comfort, add plenty of throws or blankets on your seating pieces so that you and your family can cozy up to the hearth and get warm. Throw pillows of every size and shape also help in this effort. Don’t be afraid to use different patterns on the pillows and throws.

On your tables try layering different fabrics for a more “closed in” feeling. This also creates visual interest throughout the room. Change your accessories to reflect the winter season. Cut branches from your yard and put them in a vase in your foyer. You don’t have to hang anything on them; they make a statement on their own.

Group plenty of candles throughout your home. They are a natural choice for winter decorating because they add much-needed light to a home’s interior. Place interesting books on the coffee table in front of your seating arrangement with candles. Cluster them together because they cast a warming glow to every corner of a room. Keep a stock of winter white candles, mirrored and sparkling accessories, and frosted glasses on hand to keep the look fresh and inviting. Mix all heights of candlesticks as well as different materials, such as, silver, brass, glass & wood. A group of white votives on the mantle and pillar candles mixed together make a statement. Bring some greenery in the form of plants into your homes for the winter months and use as accessories all over the house. Plants bring new life and freshness when used together with candles.

Because winter white is richer than the stark white of spring and summer, it lends itself beautifully to use with mirrors and accessories with mirrored surfaces. Use plenty of lights on dimmers in the winter months to warm up the spaces and give you an inviting feeling.
Dress your dining tables with tablecloths, even two different layers of fabric work well. Take out your cloth napkins for another layer of texture. If you have bare windows in the summer months, find or make inexpensive panels to dress your windows. Draw shades or blinds in the late afternoon to keep the cozy look going. If you are storing a rug that has darker colors, use it for the winter months. Put a rug under your kitchen table for an added layer. Placemats warm up a wooden or glass table; again, use candles often. Don’t save them for special occasions. Switching slip covers and window treatments will shake things up; in today’s home furnishing stores, slipcovers are readily available and inexpensive. Large throw pillows along the edges of a rug will be inviting to guests for extra seating and add a sense of comfort to any room!

Even your bathroom can look warm and inviting this winter. Change the color of your towels to darker, jewel-like tones. Layer many towels on each rack. Bring candles into the space and cover the windows. Change your shower curtain to reflect the season and add a new rug to the floor.

To keep extra warm in the bedrooms, place comforters folded up at the foot of each bed. This is a luxurious look and it coaxes and encourages your family to get into bed. It makes for a cozy look and a warm night! Make sure that blinds and shades are drawn and, again, cover the windows for the winter months ahead. Always make sure that there is enough light in each room for reading or working on the computer. Winter white shades give a warm glow to each room.

Make your home smell warm and cozy. Do some real cooking on the weekends when everyone's home. Few of us get to walk in the door at night and smell the pot roast cooking or the wonderful odor of stew simmering on the back burner, but you can do this on the weekend. Special breads as well.

If you use artificial flowers for your arrangements, purchase some stems that appear to be covered with frost or snow. Work these pieces into arrangements throughout your home. Fill glass jars of various sizes with artificial snow and arrange them throughout your home. Nestle some white lights into the greenery around the inside of your home.

If you are really ambitious, paint some of your rooms a warm color such as salmon, terra cotta or an olive green or gold. Change your accessories around; you don’t have to purchase anything new, just move things around. You’d be surprised how different your house will look!

Janice Serendi is an interior decorator with Ackerman Interiors of Wallingford, Connecticut

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What to Do? Tips for Time Management
Submitted by Carol Carbutti Comfort Keepers of Wallingford
In-home Care Specialists Can Help

Even though you’re older now and you may have fewer demands on your time, you’ve probably still got a lot going on – perhaps more than you realize! By getting yourself a home care companion, you’ve taken an important first step towards freeing up some of your time because you’ll have someone helping with daily chores, meal preparation, errands, grooming, and other tasks. So now that you’ve freed up some time, what are you going to do with it?

You could sit back and react to all of life’s circumstances, but without some sense of routine, you could end up increasing the amount of stress you’re placing on your body. Stress is unhealthy and it’s definitely something to avoid. That’s why you may need to take steps towards managing your time.

Besides keeping stress under control, there are other benefits of time management. For one, managing your time is a way to ensure you’re doing the activities that mean the most to you. It’ll keep you from over-scheduling your time, too. (Yes, this can happen!) Managing your time helps you maintain balance in your life and will probably end up saving you time, too.

If all of that sound good, here are some tips that can help you manage your time.

Make a list of your activities.

You want to put everything on this list, including exercise and rest. If you can’t think of everything all at once, spend a few days putting this list together, jotting each activity down as you prepare for it. Also make note of whether the activity is a regularly scheduled one or whether it occurs only occasionally.
Prioritize the list.

Look at the items on your list and determine which are the most important. If you’re unsure which items are important and which aren’t, move on to the next tip.

Understand your personal goals.
Knowing what you want to accomplish during this stage of your life is just as important as it’s always been. Goals keep you focused and on track and will give you a sense of accomplishment.
Put your schedule in writing.
Putting your schedule in writing is the easiest way to ensure you’re doing those activities you enjoy and that will help you meet your goals. You can use a planner, a wall calendar or even an online calendar. The point is to write down what you’re doing and when. As each new opportunity presents itself, glance at your calendar to see if there’s time to include it. If necessary, take time to think how the activity fits into your personal goals. If you don’t have time for it and it doesn’t advance or enrich your goals, consider passing!
Be flexible
The days of living by a rigid schedule are over! Never be afraid to change plans when the mood strikes.
Creative ways to spend your free time:
Pricing items for local rummage sales
Preparing and serving meals at homeless shelters
Washing dogs awaiting adoption
Volunteering to read at kindergarten classes
Making baked goods for fundraisers
Stuffing envelopes
Going back to school
Giving online dating a try!


Helping Hands Thrift Store
22 No. Turnpike Road
Wallingford, Ct. 06492
(203) 284-0300
STORE HOURS ARE TUES.- SAT. 9A.M.- 5P.M.
WE ACCEPT CASH, DEBIT, M.C. AND VISA


COLD OUTSIDE, HOT DEALS INSIDE!!

BAG DAY EVERY WEDNESDAY!
Fill a bag of CLOTHING ONLY for $1.50(we provide the bag) does not include coats, suits, gowns.
We have name brand clothing, some new some slightly used! No limit on how many bags you can fill!

SPECIAL GOING ON NOW! ALL WINTER COATS, JACKETS ONLY $5.00 NEW AND SLIGHTLY USED, MANY MAJOR NAME BRANDS!

FREE CUSTOMER APPRECIATION CARDS AVAILABLE NOW! For every $15.00 purchase get your card stamped, fill the required spaces and receive 20% off your next total purchase (card has no cash value)

We will pick up donations of resalable furniture or appliances FREE locally when they are clean, unstained , no rips and in good working condition.
Donated items of clothing, books, household appliances, electronics, knickknacks,linens,housewares,movies,baby items are just a few of the items we will accept as long as they are in clean, good condition and working, clothing must be in season.
Items may be brought to the store when it is open.

Stop in, need furniture but don't see what you need, please ask as we have more in storage. We also offer delivery service on furniture purchases on the first and second floors only(unless there is an elevator available) for a minimal fee locally.

REMEMBER! Your money will buy more at our store. Stop in and check out the 2 floors of merchandise we have for sale. Unadvertised specials happening at the store during Feb.

HELPING HANDS THRIFT STORE WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE WHO DONATES OR MAKES PURCHASES SHOWING THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT TO HELP THE CHRYSALIS CENTER FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. OUR THANKS GOES OUT TO ALL THE LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN SO KIND IN OFFERING THEIR SERVICES TO THE CHRYSALIS AND THE STORE.
TOGETHER WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE TO OTHERS IN NEED OF HELP.

Helping Hands has assisted many different organizations to help someone or families going through difficult times when we have been contacted and so have all the caring people who have donated items that has helped the store be able to continue to live up to the stores name Helping Hands. The store does not receive any government,state or other funding and has been able to continue to stay open from purchases made and donations received which has allowed us to be able to offer help back into the community.

The store is in need of circular clothing racks if anyone knows where we can obtain them at a low price or if someone has some they would like to donate please call the store.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY FROM HELPING HANDS THRIFT STORE!


To read The People’s Press in image or pdf form go to http://www.peoplespressnews.com/ We are Wallingford and Meriden Connecticut’s Community Newspaper.