Your Stories June 2009
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com . We are your NewsMagazine!
Red Cross closure
Dan McKercher
It's truly a sad day when outsiders have the ability to manipulate things in our community in such a way that hurts our neighbors.
It would seem that Charles Frey "email cfrey@arcsct.org, phone number 203-787-6721" and Diane Auger "email augerd@usa.redcross.org, phone number 860-678-2700" didn't do their homework when deciding to close the Wallingford branch.
If this closure goes through then the red cross will lose not only the much needed funds that this chapter pulls in from it's community and from the United Way. Not to mention the volunteers that the Wallingford staff has been able to put together to form a family of neighbors that happily help one another.
If the powers that be were to take a close look at what is done at this chapter they will find that if they were to replicate what is going on here they wouldn't have the financial problems that they now have. The Red Cross as it is known in Wallingford is a community entity helping it's neighbors by not only doing It's core services but extending a hand to folks that need it.
You would think that folks learned from what happened with the 9/11 mess that the Red Cross got into by trying to soak funds away from the neighbors that gave thinking that it would go to the families that were lost! Maybe Charles and Diane forgot what happened.
The question that should be asked here is why would anyone want to kill a cash cow? Someone should Ask Charles Frey and Diane Auger, Why would they want to kill a Chapter that brings in enough funds to pay it's own staff, support the services that it provides, but also makes enough to help build Charles and Diane's pay check too!
Star Mentor
Submitted by Joy Dutra
Gus Robotics Team 228 would like to announce that Mr. Gordon Morrison, team teacher and mentor won the “Star Mentor” award at WPI on May 9, 2009. Many letters of nomination were received, but Mr. Morrison was chosen for his ten years of commitment to Team 228. He will be retiring from Maloney High as a physics teacher this year. Everyone on the team has appreciated all of Mr. Morrison’s time, commitment, kindness and knowledge that he has shared with the team.
Gus Robotics Team 228
Submitted by Joy Dutra – Tema Mentor
Gus Robotics Team 228 consisting of students from Platt, Maloney and Wilcox recently participated in the World Championship Robotics Competition held in Atlanta, Georgia during April vacation. Our robot did well and our students met other students from all over the world.
In addition, Gus Robotics also won the Motorola Award for Innovative Design at the Hartford Regional and best website
award. Our team is very proud of its accomplishments. Gus Robotics will be competing at Battle Cry 10 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in May and at the Where is Wolcott? competition at Wolcott High School in June. Team 228 is always open to students who are interested in science, technology, engineering, computers and team spirit/pep. For more information please check out our website at www.team228.org.
An interview with Wayne Barneschi on the Wallingford-Meriden branch of the American Red Cross.
1. How did you develop the relationship with the Meriden-Wallingord branch of the American Red Cross?
Andrea was the only reason the Trail of Terror and the Red Cross had a relationship. When I walked into her office and met her she was the only charity person that embraced us and we have been working closely ever since. Her warm kindness and integrity gave us a reason to work as hard as we do to assure her vision was fulfilled.
2. Is that the reason you started the "Trail of Terror?"
No, but it became the reason to continue. Once I sat on the Advisory Board and realized the extra services this branch offered to the community I wanted to do as much as I could for them. The Wallingford Branch and its staff took on Andrea's personality and is a perfect model in which every Red Cross branch should strive for. Its a shame to hear their jobs will be terminated and its especially devastating to hear, from the CEO of the chapter, that they don't even have a plan in place yet.
3. How much money did the "Trail of Terror" donate to the our branch of the American Red Cross last year and since you started it?
Last year we donated over $100,000 and since we started over half a million dollars.
4. Any comments you might have in addition.
Andrea always wanted to see that the clients needs were a priority and did the best she could to fulfill them. I was always amazed at how well her staff worked together and knew each others roll so the tasks got done right. From the time a client walked through the door to the time they left that branch their needs were met by smiling faces and with the upmost respect. Since I received the news about the branch closing and the staff loosing their jobs I have had a real hard time working on the Trail, it will never be the same.
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In Tribute: Lessons Learned from My Dad, Bill Jenkins
By Jennifer Jenkins
It’s been nearly 16 years since my Dad’s passing, and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of him and wish he were sitting across me at the dinner table eating his favorite dish, mashed potatoes; singing along, although out of tune, with his beloved Roy Orbison records; talking seriously to his customers over the phone, all the while standing in his striped flannel pajamas; opening the freezer door to sneak a late night snack of Edy’s frozen yogurt for him and my Dog, Frisky; or dancing the jitterbug with a big smile on his face. When you grow older, you realize the impact your parents have on your life. In the case of my Dad, he left an enormous impact as a result of the valuable lessons he taught me along the way.
I know my Dad would smile as I say that he became a teacher after all. He was not a teacher in the traditional sense. He didn’t even go to college, although he wanted to go and would have gone if the G.I. Bill had existed in 1955. He was more or less a teacher of life and of those values which make a person noble in character to those he touched throughout his life.
Reflecting back, I am enriched by all the wonderful lessons he taught throughout his lifetime here on Earth. I learned from him about love, kindness and compassion for others; the importance of family and friends and the sacrifices you make for the ones you love; nobility of character; and that life is to be enjoyed in spite of its ups and downs and how humor helps you ride its waves.
Most of all, I realize my Dad taught me the success of one’s life is not measured by the money or possessions acquired throughout one’s lifetime but by how loved one is. I can honestly say that my Dad was a good man loved by all who knew him. This was evidenced, to my deep astonishment, by all who attended his funeral, including those who traveled quite a distance to pay their respects. He was and is very much loved, especially by me.
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“Maggie’s Corner”
“Like Father, Like Daughter”
By: Maggie Griffin
Since as far back as I can remember, my Father was a man I always looked up to. Many knew him as a business man, a politician, a Fire Commissioner, a Police Commissioner and a member of several clubs and leader of local chapters of non-profit organizations. Many knew him as a Brother out of 10 siblings, an Uncle, a cousin a friend. But now I am going to tell you how he was as my Dad.
My Dad, Domenic “Dom” DellaRocco was born May 29th, 1929 to Lucy Longabardi and Salvatore DellaRocco. He was very close to his parents, was raised to know what respect is, working hard, keeping dignity and morals. He helped everyone and anyone in need. I was born May 24th 1969, and here I am, writing about my Dad when he was turning my age when I was born. He always said “They broke the mold when you were born”. He wasn’t kidding because I am just like him, so I guess it is safe to say I was born in his mold.
He taught me to swim in a Lake. He taught me to dive. I remember wearing a life jacket because he always wanted me to be safe. I use to love it when he would swing me and throw me in the water. “Daddy, Daddy…do that again! He taught me how to ride a bike, he constantly was going with the camera, capturing every moment in my life. He taught me so much which lead me to who I am today.
I remember when I was about five years old and my Dad had Lung Cancer. Back then, hospital rules were a little different. Half of one of his lungs had to be removed. So one time my Mother took me to the hospital to try to get me to see my Dad. Given the age I was, at that time, the hospital wouldn’t allow me to visit him in his hospital room. Over hearing a nurse tell my Mother “your child is too young, we cannot allow her to visit him in his hospital room, I am Sorry”. Well, I guess I inherited my Dad’s strong will at that moment. So here I am at 5 years of age and I actually told that nurse, “You are not going to stop me from seeing my Dad”; and I ran down that hall looking in every room for my Dad as my Mom was chasing after me. I found and saw my Dad. When he finally came home, it was important to me to make sure my Dad was always ok, so I followed him constantly. He survived lung cancer.
I remember when he took me to a car show and I got to see the original car that was in the movie “Grease”. I really thought it was capable of flying after seeing the movie. But that wasn’t the first movie I saw with my Dad. The very first movie I saw with my Dad was at the old Strand Theatre in Hamden and it was “King Kong”. I was about six years old at that time.
We went to so many places, we had so many talks, and my Dad was the one who raised me to be honest. My Mother, she focused on my older siblings and pretty much forgot I existed, yet I love my Mother and will never let anyone speak poorly about her, another thing my Dad taught me. That’s why I am so much like him; he took me under his wing and taught me respect, regardless. Example was when those famous Rabbit Fur Coats back in the late 70’s, early 80’s came out, my Mother bought for my sisters, but not me. It hurt; I was about 11 years old. So my Dad took me to a store at the Hamden Plaza and bought me a Rabbit Fur Coat, better than the ones my sisters got. I was proud to wear it because it made me feel that my Dad wanted to buy me my coat. Funny, my Dad made sure I wore the best wedding gown on my wedding day too. Being the youngest and the last to get married, as I danced the Father and Daughter dance to the song, “You’re Daddy’s Little Girl”, he was singing it to me too. At the end of the song, he whispered in my ear something that made me cry. He whispered “You are my youngest, my baby, and you are Daddy’s real little girl, remember that.”
Just like my Dad, I battled cancer at a young age, and just like me, my kids insisted to visit me in the hospital. My Dad was there every day. I saw his tears of worry. I told him at that time, “It’s ok Dad, I am just like you. You proved your doctors wrong when you had lung cancer; I am going to do the same thing and prove my doctors wrong”. Then he smiled and being the comedian he was, he said to me, “That’s right, because I got news for you; Heaven don’t want you and Hell is afraid you’ll take over”. I laughed so hard, I had to press that morphine button twice in less than a second.
But let’s go back into my teen years, every time I would get in “trouble” in school, my Mother would know, but say “Don’t let your father know, you’ll give him a heart attack”. I heard that phrase from my Mother all my life. Little did she know, he knew every stunt I pulled, and guess what, he never had a heart attack when he found out, but he always made sure he had a talk with me about whatever it is, good or bad, without my Mother present.
He believed making one mistake is ok, but learn from the mistake; don’t repeat the same mistake twice. I heard that a little over 100 times in the 4 years of high school. The good news is I didn’t repeat the same mistake twice. Responsibility, be responsible, Dad would always preach.
I am now turning 15, learning to drive with a driver’s permit and looking forward to getting my driver’s license. I am being responsible, on the road with a driver’s permit and Dad teaching me. On my 16th birthday, my Dad decided to take me for my driver’s test, written and on the road, to DMV, with the Camero. I was like “YES!” Then I was more excited after I passed and received my first CT State Driver’s license, 24 years ago, with that dreadful and big yellow “Y” on it.
So Dad let me drive home from the DMV, in the Camero. I did perfect until I took a right turn on Sanford Street and turned right onto the side walk. My luck, at that time he was the Police Commissioner. He said “Stop the Car!” So I did and in my mind I was “oh no”. Then Dad said move over to the passenger side. So he gets out getting in the driver’s side and then said, “Now Give Me Your Driver’s License”. He never gave me back my license until I passed his driving test and showed responsibility driving a car rather than being a show off. It took about a year. But at least I didn’t give him a “heart attack” like my Mom always would repeat.
Later in life, when I became a mother, he came with me for my last ultra sound, just 3 days before my first child was born. Here I wanted to be surprised, but he had to know if I was having a boy or a girl. So I finally caved in and said, ok what am I having? The technician said, “Mrs. Griffin, you are having a girl”. I never saw a smile so big, ear to ear, on my Dad’s face when he heard that, I was just waiting for what was going to come out of his mouth. Sure enough, he laughed and had to say “I hope your daughter does to you what you did to me”. I told my Dad, “Please don’t say that, you’ll give me a heart attack”. Today, my daughter does do what I did to him. My son, I don’t know how or where he gets this from, but when my daughter gets in trouble, my son will say to her; “Don’t tell Dad, you’ll give him a heart attack”. I recently had to finally ask my son, “Have you been talking to Grand Ma?”
What was nice was my Mother always would think my Dad never knew what I did, whether it was good or bad. The fact is, he did by taking the time everyday to talk to me. Every time she would say that phrase over and over “Don’t tell your Father, you’ll give him a heart attack”, I’d cringe because the truth is, my Dad knew when I was guilty, worried, happy or hurt about something just by looking in my eyes. When that would happen, he would tell me, “Ok, tell me what happened or what is on your mind”. Let it be known that being honest with my Dad since I can go as far back as I can remember, I realized my Dad was once my age and probably seen and did it all. Knowing this, he did not want me to repeat any of his mistakes.
He taught me being honest with him all the time and by doing so, honestly with my Dad will give me dignity when I get older, and he was right. He taught me to put my feelings and thoughts in words so I don’t run into conflicts, he was right. He taught me that it is ok to feel hurt when someone may humiliate me because humiliation leads into humanity, he was right. And most of all, he taught me to always be prepared to defend myself, never throw the first punch, but make sure you throw the last, he was right on that too because in the real world, we need to know self-defense.
He isn’t with me today physically, but he is in spirit. For example, recently I found out news within “the family tree” that wasn’t pleasant for me to hear. And I know that if my Dad was still alive, he wouldn’t be too pleased either because of what his definition of responsibility is. So of course I go visit my Dad at the cemetery and told him. Then I was happy to say, “You know what, I told Dad and he didn’t have a heart attack”. But this news, like my Dad use to say to me when I was always honest with him growing up, he would say; “Thank God you didn’t tell your Mother, this would make her roll over in her grave”. My Dad knew all along that my Mother would say “Don’t tell your Father, you’ll give him a heart attack”.
There is so much more I can write about my Dad, but I am limited on words. To me, he was more than a Father, he was an incredible Dad. He never forgot me or my children and I will never forget him, he still lives in me. Every time I take his Formula for a drive, a car I was given after he passed away, a car that was his; I know he is sitting in that passenger seat because somehow I can hear him say to me; “Be careful when you turn so you don’t drive on the sidewalk”.
Father’s be good to your daughters, someday they’ll be like you too. Daughters who become Mothers will understand Mothers have Fathers, so Mothers be good to your Daughters too.
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to http://www.peoplespressnews.com/ . We are your NewsMagazine!
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DEAR HOUSEWIVES
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 andwe will answer it in the next issue.June and Flora
Dear Housewives,I have a hard time staying organized with my home. For instance, I have a hall coat closet that has shoes tossed in, scarves on the floor. Help me! Motivate me ladies. Thanks.I love my housewives in Meriden
FLORA: For me, a task like yours seem so daunting but once I complete it, I wonder, what took me so long! Look at your calendar and schedule your closet cleaning as you would any other appointment. Your question reminds me that I too have a closet to tackle!
JUNE: There are so many items on the market to help you organize. Start by measuring the area. Then go to the store and see what items suit your needs. You can get some shelves or shoe cubbies on the bottom and shelves above. Most are fairly economical and will help you organize your life.
Dear Housewives,It is the time of year where bugs come out to play. Unfortunately, I have ants in my house. I don't want to spray because I have babies in the house. What can I do to get rid of these pests? Ant eater in Meriden
JUNE: Almost everyone gets this problem at some time. I believe there are child friendly sprays that can be used. I do know you can buy ant traps or poison houses at the store which are safe for kids. I wouldn't let them play with them but the poison is on the inside. Also, be sure to not leave any crumbs around. This will attract the little buggers.
FLORA: Prevention is key. Eat at your table and no where else in the house. Clean up immediately after cooking. As for the ants, unless it's an infestation, I would just smush them all.
JUNE: Do you remember the movie "Who framed Roger Rabbit?"? This movie was out in the 1990's I think. You may not have even seen it yet Flora (haha). Well, anyway, I got it for the kids and they really liked it. Point being, rent some of the older kids movies--your kids will like them. My older son really liked "Hook" with Robin Williams and Julia Roberts.
FLORA: I did not see "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?". Stop laughing. And I have not seen "Hook" yet either. But....I fully agree with you on renting some older films for children. Remember that PG, back in the day, is different from today's PG.
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It is with great pride that we tell you a little about our father, Norman Marchione. To us, he is a hero.
At the age of 21 he went off to WWII and fought throughout Europe. He was part of the 157th battalion, 45th division. He took pleasure in helping his buddies and would try to keep them out of trouble. He even did their KP so they could go into town and have fun. His purple heart was earned with a gunshot wound while fighting in Alsace Lorraine; which was followed by returning to the front and later participating in the liberation of Dachau. He loved his buddies and the people in the countries he met and to this day he is deeply saddened by the losses and the atrocities that he witnessed.
When he finally came home, he married and started searching for a career – he wanted to continue to serve and help other people. He eventually found that opportunity as a police officer in Pittsburgh, Pa. He shares his stories with everyone that will listen because he enjoyed his work and enjoys the memories. The roles of detective and later Police Sergeant provided him with a broad range of experiences that fall under “protect and serve”. His favorite stories include giving a little elderly woman who came into the station a dollar to take the bus home; allowing lonely or homeless people to sit in the station during the night (and frustrating the officer on the next shift); delivering babies; taking care of his fellow officers when they were discouraged,; talking people out of jumping off bridges, using ingenious approaches to solving criminal cases, and guarding three Presidents of the United States as well as numerous celebrities. Although there were rock stars, athletes, and many famous entertainers, Sammy Davis Jr is talked about most frequently because he and his uncles were down to earth and treated my father like he was one of the family. When he was asked recently “what was your best memory while being on the police force?”, he simply replied “having that many opportunities to help people, and let them know that someone cares about what is happening to them.”
Although our father was dedicated to his work, he never forgot our family. We would go for little car rides and get snow cones or popcorn. We were the only ones in our neighborhood to make it to the seashore before we reached 16. Of course, there’s always the story about being marooned in Virginia Beach when our car died and there was no money to get home – but our Dad took care of it and eventually we got home. He coached his son Norman’s baseball team and went to his college basketball games. Dad was filled with pride regarding his son’s athletic accomplishments and felt he could have become a professional. He saw him through some very rough times which contributed to his son’s ability to turn his life around. All the guys in the neighborhood knew Mr. Marchione and remember him to this day when he visits the neighborhood.
Of course there was always time for his daughter Karen – nothing like a father-daughter relationship. On one of their visits to the zoo, when she was 5 years old, she was bitten by a mouse and they shared the excitement of a visit to the hospital and a tiny article in the newspaper. Norm was the official chauffeur and chaperone for his daughter’s activities through elementary and high school. He waited patiently for her after each event – as well as all the other girls that she promised to ride home. He relished the frightening effect that being a police officer had on his daughter’s dates as they came to pick her up. He even chaperoned her prom and cut in on her date to float her around the floor – he was always a fantastic dancer. When she left home, he saw many other parts of the country in order to visit her, and continued to share new adventures and create new memories.
Our parent’s marriage, like most, had its ups and downs. However, in 1985, when our mother ended up disabled from an aneurysm in a nursing home; our father visited and cared for her for 15 years. He succeeded in making her laugh and feel very special in addition to overseeing her care. It has been important to him to make sure that we were all “alright” and ensured that each of his children had a home to call our own.
Our father always loves to make people smile. He says hello to everyone and is always ready to give a compliment on an accomplishment or effort of a stranger as well as taking a moment to catch a woman’s eye and tell her how lovely she is. He enjoys babies, children and animals and for some reason, they all respond positively to him. We remember bringing stray dogs home and leaving them there to greet him in the evening so that we could pick one and find homes for the rest. We brought everything home from toads, rabbits, chickens, birds, cats and dogs – it was always alright with him.
He is 86 now and lives with his daughter, 2 dogs and 3 cats. We feel blessed that he is our father. All through his life he has worked to take care of us and everyone he knew.
He is –THE BEST! Happy Father’s Day Norman Marchione!
This is about my dad Joseph Tkacz Sr.
Dad worked hard all his life and enjoyed Hunting and Fishing, He enjoyed going to the Meriden Rod and Gun Club, Especially duringfishing season, He, till this day finds time for his family, especiallyhis grand children.
He has a great Grand daughter now, and he loves to spend time with her.Family keeps him going, He loves a good party and gathering,My brother and I have good memories growing up. It wasn't pictureperfect but the love was there.
Dad is a survivor. He has over come so many health issues, It is thefamily moments that keep him going, We call him the ever ready bunny, We will be celebrating his birthday in August, He will be thrilled at aBirthday party in his honor.. Once again he is all about family and hiswife of 66 years, She takes good care of him and she deserves a medalherself, She puts our needs ahead of her own. Our family circle consistsof, Carmel , his wife, Joe Jr. and his wife Barb, Deb Belancik andhusband Benjamin, grand children, Joey the 3rd and his wife Patty,Brian, Tiffany, Ben and Laura , his great grand daughter Josselyn Tkacz(named after the rest of the Joes')
Deb Belancik
70 hidden Pines Circle,
Meriden Ct..
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Marion Calvert
A Self-made Man
by Janet Althouse
My dad was a very special man. Of course, all little girls, and big ones, think their dads are special. But mine really was. He had, what I thought, was an unusual name. Marion Calvert, but everyone called him "Cal". He was a "self-made man". Anything he wanted to learn how to do he just taught himself. So, maybe you could say he was a "self-taught man". He taught himself how to play the piano and then taught himself how to tune that piano. He had a lot of natural abilities and talents. He could paint pictures, but also painted houses. He had artistic talent, but studied and enlarged on that talent and became better at it. He made money painting houses, but never any money at painting pictures. One time he painted the portraits of the children of an optician in exchange for glasses, since we didn't always have a lot of money. He painted two large pictures of "Christ in Gethsemane". One in pastels, one in oils and gave both of them to churches. He could also make signs and do lettering and had the ability to put gold leaf on those letters. They don't make signs like that anymore. I remember when he did signs for the local Fire Department but instead of charging them, he took his pay in tickets for chances on the refrigerator they were raffling off and HE WON!! He could do remodeling; build cabinets and closets; put in windows and doors. He put a bathroom in our house when we had only the now obsolete outhouse. Even did the plumbing and the wiring. He earned a living doing dry wall and did it so well that you could not find any seams, try as you might. But my dad was not just about talents, but was a genuinely nice person. Always willing to help someone. He did not know what prejudice was. He was a God-fearing man and believed in following the Biblical teachings, as best he could. AND he made great pancakes. When my mother had to be away he would whip up pancakes for us for supper. Yum! I only remember him ever just once punishing me and that was because I would
not be quiet in church. He took me outside and laid a couple well-placed whacks on my bottom. I kept quiet after that. Usually when I did something wrong, he would take me aside and explain why what I did was not a good thing and told me to not do it again. Most of the time I took his words to heart. But, sad to say, he was not a part of my life after I married and had children. He and my mother divorced and his new wife was very jealous. She did not like for him to spend time with me, especially if my mother was around. He did come and help us with some finishing work on the house my husband and I built. He taught my husband how to do mitering. My husband went on to make many, many picture frames and he had never been very handy with projects like that before. But - when my oldest daughter got married, he came to the wedding and stayed a little while for the reception. (His wife sat in the car.) Long enough to dance with his grand daughter. That is one of daughter's treasured memories. We did visit him and his wife on occasion, but she did not make us feel welcome so they were not long visits and not really happy ones. He often wrote me letters. Maybe that's where I get my love of writing to people. I never doubted that he loved me and I still have those letters. One regret I have is that we did not get more of the pictures he painted. His wife had five children and several grand children. (They got most of the paintings.) Being the kind man that he was he became "grampy" to those step grand children and my children barely knew him. My two youngest just vaguely remember him. But my son has inherited his ability to do just about anything he puts his hand to, just like my dad. When he died the only thing I got was a putty knife and a pool table with a broken leg. I still have both and it's been 24 years. But I have the memories and the letters, and a couple pictures he painted. And he was MY dad and nobody else's, because I am an only child.
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To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com . We are your NewsMagazine!
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Bobbie’s Bevy of Beauties
The bulbed flowers are gone and most of the trees, shrubs and bushes have given a beautiful display. Our lilacs and rhododendrons were exceptional this year. When I wrote last months article it looked like the perennials were dormant but what a difference now. Don’t remember the hibiscus and Helena being this height until around the middle of June. My foxglove, yarrow, four o’clocks, campanula, rose of campione, lilies, liatris and lambs ear have begun to bud. Was surprised to see that the darker leaf lambs ear doesn’t produce flowers where the lighter leaf one does. Also the callas and dahlias have pushed their way up. Perennials I have that are in bloom now are the columbine, bachelor button, yellow loose strife, coral bells, mini white carnations, evening primrose, knautia and the simplicity pink rose.
A few years back the annuals were all planted by the end of April. Same with the veggies. What a change in the spring weather. Now one has to wait until the middle of May or even longer. Wouldn’t want to chance an early planting with some of the very cool weather we had. Or protecting the plants by covering them is a pain in the “xxx”. Finally made my usual many trips to the nurseries and purchased just about all the annuals that were on my list. Which needless to say was a very long one. A planter or two plus the two small rock garden beds where the two huge pine trees once grew should just about end the digging and planting for this year. The weeds are another story. They just keep a coming. As I have mentioned many times the short brown leaf begonia is probably #1 on my list of annuals. Three other favorites are the lavender lace with tiny orchid flowers and totally tempted with small red blooms. Both also very short, plants but spread to a very nice width. So one plant can cover a good deal of ground. The third one is the black and blue salvia. Black buds which turn to royal blue flowers. They can grow up to four inches tall. These three will continually bloom until the cold weather returns. The pint size container usually ranges about $4.50. A little pricey but well worth it. Give them a try. Bet you’ll like them.
Fuchsia now comes in an upright plant. Found two varieties last year and was very pleased with them. The flowers are the same shape and color as those in the hanging pots. This year discovered an orange one. Looks entirely different from the other two. Planted the three in a container. They basically are a shade plant. So far so good. Maybe some of you would like to give these a try to.
Jimmy decided to give his veggie garden a rest this year. So his big boy tomato plants are in the tubs. Three were reserved for the cukes. They are all doing very well.
T
hink I covered just about everything I wanted to write about. Nothing left but a good bye for now.
Flowercerely yours,
Bobbie G. Vosgien
Congratulations to our next door neighbors Courtney and Matt on the birth of their first child on Wednesday, May 27, 2009. A beautiful little girl whose name is Anna Grace.
P.S. Dear Izzy-Bella, what a great performance you gave doing ballet and hip hop at the YMCA children’s spring dance on May 30th. Love, Grammie Bobbie and Gump Jimmy
P.S.S. Happy 21st Anniversary June 11th to Jodie and John. Love Mom “Greta” and Dad
P.S.S.S. Happy Birthday on June 29th to J.W.V. “T.G.” – Love, Bob
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To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to http://www.peoplespressnews.com/ . We are your NewsMagazine!
Mother's Day Poem
Life What's It about
Life is like a roller coaster.
One day your up,
the next your down.
Life is like a roller coaster.
One day your happy and dancing,
the next your sad and crying.
Life is like a roller coaster,
You have good times with your friends,
then you bad times with your family.
Life is like a roller coaster.
You have to try to stay up on the top,
let the good times last.
Don't let something get in your way.
'Cause then your back down again.
Life is like a roller coaster.
You do many things to stay up.
Then if you make a mistake,
you go down.
Life is like a roller coaster.
God is helping you stay up with him.
You just need to do the right things to stay with him.
Life is like a roller coaster.
So, what are you doing to
Stay up with God?
I know I am doing
the right things with my
life. THINK POSITIVE! Stay Positive.
Love God all they way & stay with him.
Happy Mother's Day MOM!
Love Always!
Rachel
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One may think that choosing a paint finish is just as hard as choosing a color, but it doesn't have to be. Below is a list of basic finishes along with each benefit the finish or sheen has.
by Kimberley Linstruth-Beckom
Home Improvement can be exciting because it allows the homeowner to change their surroundings. Painting a room is one of the easiest home improvements to do because it doesn't involve a lot of power tools and it can either make a big impact for your room décor, or it can make your head spin due to all the choices out there. Choosing a paint finish for your interior or exterior project, however, should not have to be the hard part.
Each paint finish has a benefit to it and not every finish is beneficial for every room. One may think that choosing a finish is just as hard as choosing a color, but it really doesn't have to be if you follow a basic rule of thumb. Below are the most common finishes you will find in any paint store with its benefits.
Every store that carries paint will have three to four basic finishes or sheen. They are flat, satin (or eggshell), semi-gloss, and gloss. Each one has some pros and cons.
Flat paint has no sheen to it. The lack of sheen will hide imperfections like dents, dings, or repaired holes. It is the least washable and would not be a good choice for a room that gets a lot of use because spills, fingerprints, and other kinds of marks would be difficult to remove.
Satin, or what's often called Eggshell paint, has a slight sheen. It is more washable than a flat paint and will remove marks more easily. It is not as shiny a sheen as a semi-gloss or a gloss, so it will hide some imperfections, but only when a light isn't shining on it. Satin would be an ideal choice for a bedroom, living room, or a dining room because these walls do not typically need a scrub down from dirty hands, grease, or other types of marks.
A semi-gloss paint is meant for walls that take a beating when it comes to marks like grease, mold, mildew, crayon, fingerprints, food splatter, and any other type of mark that may be hard to remove. This sheen is great for rooms like a playroom, kitchen, and bathroom because the walls can be easily cleaned.
Gloss paint is the shiniest of all sheen. It is the most durable and the easiest of all the paints to clean. This paint is best for small projects like a chest of drawers, kitchen tables, or cabinets that will need extra cleaning care. It will not hide imperfections, however, and must be applied when the weather is not humid to prevent the paint “sticking” to itself on cabinet doors or drawers.
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FATHERS AND SONS AND THE VOLUNTEER ETHIC
By Phyllis S. Donovan
We grew up as part of a generation with a strong volunteer ethic. Granted, for young mothers of that era of stay-at-home housewives, volunteerism was a chance to leave the kids with their Dads and get out for awhile with women our own age with a shared mission of contributing to the community.
In those days, the Meriden Junior Woman’s Club, for instance, had to limit its membership to 125 so many women wanted to join, and that was only one of the organizations in which young people could offer their time and talent.
My husband, too, was an unabashed volunteer, spending his time hosting radio programs on area stations such as the old WBMI and WATR and handling state political and governmental affairs programs for CPTV, later MCing innumerable CPTV Auctions on air for many years.
Nowadays, young parents don’t have as much time for volunteering as they are even busier than we were trying to earn a living in the current economy with wives more likely than not right out there in the workplace with their spouses.
Still, our sons find time to spend with their own children as volunteers in organizations that enrich their lives. One son has been a Little League coach for two of his sons’ teams, even when his job took him as far afield as Japan and England. With the emphasis on good sportsmanship and just having fun, the boys seem happier and more grounded than in an earlier time when the emphasis was on winning at all cost. Teaching youngsters good values through sports is, to my way of thinking, an admirable goal.
Another of our sons has a 12-year-old boy chose to join a Boy Scout Troop whose emphasis was more on community service and learning outdoor skills than an alternate, more sedentary group. Why? “Because I’m a Troop 177 kind of guy,” he told us proudly. This means, though, as one of the active troop chaperones, our son, who was never one to espouse the great outdoors, has found himself going on troop hikes and sleepovers in the woods. Even in the winter, the troop camped out at Sleeping Giant Park. Sometimes they have cabin-like structures to sleep in, other times just tents. “But the meals are great,” our son says. Many of the mothers make desserts and pasta dishes to send along for the campers to heat up so they aren’t just eating the same old hot dog-hamburg-s’mores fare.
Our daughter’s husband is another great sportsman and outdoors person who is happy roaming the woods and fishing the streams of Connecticut. Since they only have one 13-year-old daughter, he has taught her to take pride in being an expert fisherperson. No kidding, she really enjoys pitting her fishing skills against her Dad’s mostly along area streams. (She leaves the ocean fishing to him.)
As a family, they participate in the Connecticut State Parks’ annual summer Park Pursuit, sponsored by the Connecticut DEP. Families compete every weekend at different parks to hone their outdoor skills such as canoeing, camping, hiking, biking and orienteering. Last year, the emphasis was on ecology and the environment. This year, with the concentration on “geo cache” projects, they’ve been checking out natural formations such as kettleholes and dinosaur tracks.
When our youngest son and his family moved from a Manhattan apartment into a home in one of Connecticut’s more family-oriented communities, they fell right into exposing their two youngsters, ages 4 and 6, to a permanent “country fix.” As family projects, they enlarged their back lawn which was bordered by woods they owned, planted daffodil bulbs throughout the property and competed in jack-o-lantern making competitions.
They enrolled the kids in everything from ice skating lessons to swimming, t-ball and soccer classes and were right there to watch their progress. If volunteering begins at home, they have devoted hours to enhancing their little ones’ skills including teaching them the pleasure of reading and complexities of chess.
I firmly believe that the love and respect for a father grows out of that father’s involvement and attention to nurturing and enhancing the lives of their children. By the looks of things, our grandchildren are well on their way to an enduring appreciation of their fathers that will last a lifetime.
My bond with my own father lasted that long and beyond. (He would have been 108 this month and I still fondly remember the many ways in which he helped to shape my life.)
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to http://www.peoplespressnews.com/ . We are your NewsMagazine!
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The Reluctant Warrior….
By Ernie Larsen
Just a week ago we received a call from my wife’s sister to let us know that their Uncle Bob had just passed away; their cousin called Jane and said Bob had simply fallen asleep and died. At 94 years his mind was still functioning quite well; his physical being was precarious and finally was his Waterloo.
This ended what had been a life that others would have had a difficult time emulating. While his journey into another existence was not unexpected it certainly has left a void in his family that will be difficult to fill; Uncle Bob was unlike any other person I have met in my 64 years. He and his brother, my father-in-law were best friends and both towered over me and at 6’1” that was something. Both had booming voices and when I first met them my wife will tell you that I was afraid of them both. Maybe so, but after I got to know them, Bill Luby, unfortunately for such a short time and Bob Luby for the better part of 42 years I quickly learned how to react to them and when Bob used to stop on his Saturday visits there was always something to talk about and if you had nothing to say, never fear, Bob always had a topic or two under his bonnet.
To say Bob led a long, productive and very interesting life would certainly qualify as understatement; he would have celebrated his 95th birthday today, just a day after his funeral. And that’s just the beginning of this tale of a citizen soldier, lawyer and community benefactor and certainly one of the outstanding members of the Greatest Generation.
Bob Luby came from a family where hard work and education were key; he did all the right things, a scholar athlete at both Meriden High School and College of the Holy Cross, Yale College then Yale Law School. His law practice in Meriden was just getting off the ground when the hostilities of WWII had become such that he felt the call to arms and the needs of his country; enlisting in the US Army as a private. His future in the service was to be one of subtle accomplishment. He rose in rank and responsibility in the Army’s 3rd Engineering Battalion, participating in numerous amphibious landings, he being in the first wave, usually the riskiest of positions - yet he came away virtually unscathed, physically, the emotional side of it all was a different story. Then drawing on his legal background, the brass chose him to be one of those who organized military governments on the Japanese mainland. And for all he accomplished this lowly recruit/private ended his Army career a Lieutenant Colonel and being the person he was, not looking for any recognition, all of this went unheralded back in the States. He did tell a couple of war stories to the family and you could tell he was uncomfortable about it and unfortunately so much was left unsaid – including his accomplishments other than combat. His law partner for many years, Gary Olson, in his eloquent eulogy at Bob’s funeral mass, related a story that he and Dennis Gaffney, another law partner, gleaned from Bob, probably at one of their daily lunches at Fischer’s Deli. It involved an incident 5 days or so after the second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki and Japan had surrendered. The higher ups ordered Bob to select an officer and two non-coms to head to Hokkaido, the northernmost island of the country of Japan to take over a girl’s school which was to be used for the incoming military government. Well, being the kind of officer he was, Bob Luby volunteered to be the officer and I would imagine there were numerous sergeants who wished to accompany him. This was a very risky operation; some considered it a suicide mission, not knowing how the civilian population would react to 3 US soldiers coming to commandeer some property. The trio was armed only with side arms and it was unknown if word of the surrender had reached the outskirts of the country. Well, it all worked out, the civilian populace was loyal to their Emperor and took heed of his exhortation to comply with anything the occupying forces requested.
So that was Bob Luby, the soldier, when I first met him in 1967 I really didn’t know what to think of him. I certainly was intimidated, he was taller than me, more outspoken, back then I was sort of reserved, not the bubbling personality I am today.
When Mary and I announced our wedding plans Uncle Bob offered to be a surrogate for Mary’s parents in planning for the wedding, suggesting a reception site and other details – he wanted us to have what we would have if Dot and Bill Luby were still with us; quite generous to a fault and he wished no special recognition – that was Bob Luby.
And then the rest of his family; Aunt Ruth whom I mentored when she took a course in photography in her pursuit of a degree in Art, cousin Deb the scholar, as I thought of her, cousin Tom who nicknamed me Ernesto Che (after Fidel Castro’s trusted lieutenant Che Guevara) and still calls me that to this day; cousin Bobby, well I guess I should say Bob who also got the photography bug back in the 70’s. I’m glad he went Nikon – great choice; based on all the photo albums and snapshots at Bob’s services perhaps my influence rubbed off – or so I like to think.
We spent a few holidays with them, the most memorable was, well not exactly a holiday, it was Bob’s 75th birthday. We drove up the drive on Westfield Road and here were Tom and Bobby assembling a grill – it was their gift to their father. Uncle Bob was acting as foreman and encouraging his sons as only he could do. My brother and brother-in-law ambled over to see if we could be of assistance and noticed, without even looking at the directions, they were going about the whole set up –backwards. So, we suggested they let us finish the job as they informed us this would be the main cooking source for the party and there were about 50 hungry people waiting for food. So we took it apart and got it together and 30 minutes later the burgers were sizzling.
My wife has a bunch of stories about Bob, I guess the one I’ve heard the most is when he would pick up her up after a long day at the office to go down ‘to the beach’ the Luby cottage in Madison – she said he drove with reckless abandon, his head would bob as if he were going to fall asleep and she said she would loudly say ‘Uncle Bob’ and he would acknowledge ‘waking up’ as it were and then keeping his eyes on the road – this was almost a weekly thing and from what his family relates, his driving skills were like his golf game – never really improving – leaving a lot to be desired.
Bob was also an avid sports fan – he especially enjoyed and supported Yale football as a former player himself. Several years ago when Holy Cross was opposing Yale at the Yale Bowl in New Haven, my son Kevin, an HC Alumnus, Mary and I traveled down to the game. We were having a mini-tailgate party interacting with the group parked next to us when I looked across the parking lot and lo and behold here’s Uncle Bob ambling toward the Bowl; by himself, he drove down from Meriden to take in the game, something he said he did for almost every home game. We invited him over and sat with him during the drubbing that the Eli’s gave the Crusaders. After the game Bob did not dwell on Yale’s victory – he was very diplomatic about it after all he started his college career at the Cross. Bob’s brother Bill was also an HC alumnus as were my son and my sister in law’s son. Cousin Tom took a degree from Yale so there is a lot of history with those two schools. Later that year the Crusaders got their revenge on the basketball court so I guess it came out even.
Uncle Bob’s interest in sports continued with his regular presence at his grandchildren’s sporting activities. It was easy to pick him out – he usually was the tallest one on the sidelines. And I’m sure when the girls came off the court, field or horse ring he would greet them with his ubiquitous ‘Good job, kid!”
His later years he became less mobile; however he was still driving, much to the chagrin of his family until a couple of years ago. His mind was still in full gear and he would carry on a conversation on current events, history, sports almost any subject. A voracious reader – he always had a novel, biography or two at his chair side and once told me that reading and buying hardcover books was an investment. Well, I now realize that he was not talking 100% financial - the purchase also was an asset in learning. My wife and I still buy hardcover best sellers regularly and I’m sure Uncle Bob was an influence on the love for reading that exists in our family.
There is so much more I could say about Uncle Bob and the family – it was sad to lose him – his services were something he would have enjoyed – the touching tributes from his granddaughters and his long time law partner and good friend, his personal relationship with the clergy. The Antique Veteran’s presence was quite moving and a most deserving tribute to this accomplished citizen-soldier. Speaking with one of Bob’s friends at Bobby & Karen’s house later – she theorized that there probably wasn’t a dry eye in the group when the somber notes of Taps echoed over Sacred Heart cemetery.
In this issue’s tribute to father’s, Mary and I say so long to Uncle Bob, who assumed the role of surrogate father to us and our entire family - he certainly was more than an uncle – we thank him for stepping up to the plate for us and our families – we’ll certainly miss him!
And finally - Pax vobiscum Bob and no worries with me – I don’t ever think I’ve ever taken a wooden nickel
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com . We are your NewsMagazine!
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Wait ‘til Your Father Gets Home
“Wait ‘til your father gets home,”
a statement
to instill fear, desperation.
and I hoped that the day
would never end,
that he’d never come home.
Many times he came tired, exhausted,
Too tired even to exchange
The smallest of attention, a kind word.
And time flies.
The bridge that separated us
Grew, longer and longer,
The wall thicker and thicker,
Then indifferences settled in.
Two men so close in blood,
So far apart,
Never having anything
To say to each other
You, the Master;
I the pawn.
Yet many times I wanted
To throw my arms around your neck.
It would have felt so good,
But such behavior is unmanly
And many things were left unsaid
Ah, mothers,
Don’t threaten your children!
Dad also wants to be a teddy bear,
The lion in the den
Playing with its cubs,
The bird who takes its youngsters to flight.
Home Country
Slim Randles
We drove up the mountain as far as Jasper Blankenship’s cabin, then walked in the remaining quarter mile to Steve’s newly built cabin. We all knew how important this mountain hideaway was to the semi-aging cowboy, and were prepared to ooh and aah in unison. A cabin, for a man who never had a home that he owned, is a big deal.
He’d been working on building the place since last fall. Finally, over coffee down at the Mule Barn, he said he was ready for visitors as long as we didn’t need anything more complicated than a cup of coffee and a chair.
We made a morning expedition of it. But when we came in sight of the log cabin hiding in the dense shade of the pines, we weren’t ready for what we found. Steve had built a turret on one corner. A turret. A little room ‘way up there.
We stared without speaking.
“Like my turret?” he said.
“Well,” said Doc, “it sure looks … well made.”
“You don’t think it’s pretty?”
“Sure we do!” said Herb. “It’s just …”
“Just what?”
“A … turret. You know. We weren’t expecting one.”
“You can go in it, but it only holds one at a time. Have to climb a ladder.”
“Me first,” said Dud, and went through the front door.
We all took our turns up in the turret. It had a chair next to an end table with magazines on it. There was a window on each wall. You could see half the world.
Doc finally climbed down the ladder and poured himself a coffee. “Got to tell you, Steve, I never had you figured for a turret man.”
Steve smiled into his coffee, then looked up. “If you guys each built a cabin exactly the way you wanted it … no women or anything in the planning … you know … wouldn’t you have a turret?”
We thought about that for minute, then … slowly, the supreme court of coffee drinkers began nodding collectively.
Then Dud said, “Mine would have a TV set …”
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Brought to you by Abe’s Motel and Fly Shop. See them at http://www.sanjuanriver.com/.
Protecting seniors against Crime
Submitted by Carol Carbutti – Comfort Keepers of Wallingford
Seniors are more vulnerable to certain crimes, but being observant, alert, and careful can reduce the opportunity for someone to take advantage of them. Although as people age, chances of being a crime victim decreases, using common sense precautions can reduce the risk that they may be subjected to. Crime prevention is everyone’s responsibility, and any crime or suspicious activity should be reported to law enforcement.
Be aware when you are at home
· Keep your doors locked at all times.
· Don’t hide keys; leave an extra set with a trusted neighbor, friend, or family.
· Lock windows and sliding doors.
· Never let strangers into your home. Ask for photo ID if needed, or call the company they represent.
· Put your lights on timers if you are going to be away, and/or turn on a radio.
· If you live alone, have a friend you can check in with to watch out for each other.
Be aware when you are out
· Don’t carry your wallet in your back pocket.
· Hold your purse close to your body; don’t dangle it.
· Don’t carry large amounts of cash.
· When riding the bus, train, or subway, sit close to the driver, or near an exit.
· Don’t go out alone - go with family or friends.
· Keep your car doors locked.
· When going to your car or entering your home, have your keys in hand.
· Avoid dark, deserted routes.
Be aware to protect your money
· Use direct deposit for your Social Security checks.
· Don’t show large sums of money when you are shopping.
· Don’t sign contracts unless you are sure it is for a legitimate reason.
· Don’t put your purse or wallet unattended on a counter when shopping.
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“Sheltering an Animal’s Perspective”
by
Gregory M. Simpson
A Wesleyan University student asked recently how I got involved in animal welfare. The answer was reflexive, “I adopted my first cat.”
The 1981 trip to the Connecticut Humane Society, one of the oldest humane societies in the country, is clear in my memory. A playful orange tabby, just a year old, grabbed my attention from one of the stainless steel cages and I was instantly engaged. “Are you going to adopt that one?” asked a young woman who added that she was looking for an orange tabby. “Yes,” I said, announcing my decision to adopt my first cat. “Yes, I am.”
Adopting “Cinnamon”, my most beloved cat ever, was indeed a day that changed my life and impacted how much of my free time would be spent from that day forward.
For the next 17 years, over half of my adult life, Cinnamon was my constant companion. To paraphrase the writer, Hillaire Belloc, she was my cat and I was her human. Disproving the myth that a cat is more attached to place than person, Cinnamon was content as long as she was with me, whether riding in the car, visiting relatives overnight, watching television, or sleeping on my bed.
The sad time came for Cinnamon’s inevitable passing. It was one of my saddest days and I still miss the unconditional love she brought into my life. Yet she taught me what Maude counseled Harold in the classic film, Harold and Maude, to “Go and love some more.” To that end, I have devoted an avocation to improving the lives of felines, including by adopting more strays whose paths have crossed mine.
Almost three decades have passed since adopting that first cat. I have played many roles in memory of Cinnamon, including serving on boards of directors for four Connecticut animal welfare organizations, and as state advisor to the national Friends of Animals, Inc.
After publishing dozens of letters to the editor through the years, in 2002 I began writing “Sheltering an Animal’s Perspective” columns for several newspapers, with the aim of providing humane education and advancing animal welfare. Membership in the Cat Writers’ Association followed.
I have been at this a long time. I have testified at the State Capitol with the late Cleveland Amory, founder of Fund for Animals and have been in protests with Wayne Pacelle, President, and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States – when he was a Yale undergraduate! Some of the best in the field have trained me, including Bryan Kortis, executive director of Neighborhood Cats in New York City. I have mentored others and have been mentored myself by Ellen Perry Berkeley, author of Maverick Cats and board member of the national Alley Cat Allies. Having trapped, neutered and spayed, fund raised, placed animals in loving homes, coordinated volunteers, cleaned cages, and spent quality time with shelter cats awaiting homes, I was honored when chosen by CAT FANCY magazine as one of the ultimate cat lovers in the U.S.
All of this was done for no compensation other than the unconditional love from one special cat – a cat that taught me that contentment comes from simplicity – the simplicity of loving, playing and living in the moment. As the sculptor, Rodin, aptly wrote, “The more simple we are, the more complete we become.”
Because of the love of that cat, I believe as an epithet in a pet cemetery reads, “O heaven will not heaven be, unless my cats are there to welcome me.” So, until we meet again, Cinnamon, I will fight the good fight to see that others like you get the same opportunities that each of us wants – to love and be loved, a good home, and the ability to live a life without pain and misery.
The Wesleyan University student wanted to know how I got started because she was looking to find her “passion”. I will be eternally grateful to one cat named Cinnamon who helped me find mine.
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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To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com . We are your NewsMagazine!
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Meriden Humane Society
Andy,It's been very busy at the Meriden Humane Society and just when we think nothing else can happen, it does. Do you think you could put a word out to your readers for us?
Recently, we have had an influx of dogs and cats either being abandoned or dropped off at our door step. While this is not always uncommon, what is is the fact that most of them need immediate medical attention. People areletting these animals suffer, to the point where it is almost too late to help them. They are being left to die under peoples porches or abandoned on the streets, because people cannot financially take care of them.The Meriden Humane Society is currently in debt to its local veterinarians and cannot get treatment for these animals until these debts are paid. It pains me to tell you how sad this makes me feel. I hope that some of you could see it in your hearts to help us out at this time. You can't even imagine how frustrated we feel when we have to get an animal treatment and don't know where to go. Please, even if it's a few dollars, it will help a sick animal.You can send donations to the Meriden Humane Society, 311 Murdock Ave,Meriden, CT 06450 or call (203)238-3650 and see how you can help.Thank you with all of my heart,Lori Peck, Dedicated Volunteer
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Prohibition Days
By Dorothy Gonick
Growing up in the 1920’s and ‘30s during prohibition days, our values were influenced greatly by our parents and grandparents. Booze was abhorred by them. Mom and Grandma Adair belonged to the Woman’s Society of Christian Service and the WCTU (Women’s Christian Temperance Union).
This ink blotter was given out by the Hospital in Rochester, Minn. and used by my grandparents. We kids thought it was funny and had fun imagining liquor turning people’s heads into wooden ones. Before the 18th Amendment was passed, Grandpa Adair had once attended a lecture by Carrie Nation and acquired a mother-of-pearl hatchet-shaped pin. Carrie Nation was a dedicated fighter for prohibition of liquor and went from one tavern to another chopping up the bars with her hatchet while giving a fiery lecture to the patrons. As kids, we were awed by that story, admired that tiny pearl hatchet, and vowed never to touch liquor.
In 1933 when the states were given the choice of allowing liquor to be sold or not, Iowa chose to be a ‘dry’ state and Missouri chose to be ‘wet’. Our Iowa farm’s southern boundary was on the Iowa/Missouri state line. Soon a Beer Shack was erected just over the state line and became a focal point for thirsty Iowans, judging by the license plates on cars passing by, some from 100 miles away. Cousin Maurice visited us each summer and remembers opening his bedroom windows for fresh air and hearing country music blasting away throughout the night.
There were times that motorists were out of gas or had slid off the road, they came knocking on our door asking for help, even in the middle of the night, which caused Dad to form a hatred for what liquor did to people and he began locking our doors after years of unconcern. Nevertheless on those mud-slicked roads, he would use his tractor or hitch a team of horses to extricate the car and send it on its way. He vowed never to patronize a place that served or sold liquor.
Years later on a family trip to Maine, Mom’s relatives invited us to an elegant restaurant for dinner. When we arrived, Dad noted that drinks were offered. He didn’t criticize us, but stuck to his vow and would not go in, but took his small grandson, Tommy, down the street to a Wimpy’s for hamburgers. Another time we remember happened while on a social visit when he was given a mug of beer. Not wanting to create an incident, he quietly poured it onto a potted fern. The host noticed his empty mug and promptly refilled it!
When liquor became available in Iowa, the Beer Shack was closed but was soon reopened to sell fireworks: something that Missouri allowed and Iowa did not. From fire-water to fire-works, and the traffic flowed on.
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Here’s an interesting postscript:
During World War II my fiancé was stationed in Germany and then served in the Military Government after the war ended. The U.S. Army Education Program was formed and servicemen were given the opportunity to enroll in classes at certain schools. Walt was accepted at the Bavarian State Brewery of St. Stephan (Weihenstephan) A&T School, where he achieved his brewmeister certificate. Dad may not have approved, but we weren’t chastised for it. After his discharge Walt returned to his pre-war occupation of soil scientist, which pleased the family I’m sure.
May 11. 2009 word count 573
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ROADSIDE LOVLINESS
By Dorothy Gonick
“Oh, look!” Mom exclaimed as we passed a clump of purple flowers along the roadside, as we came home from a shopping trip in Grant City. “Aren’t they lovely!” Later that afternoon, Dad surprised her with an armful of those lovely roadside flowers. Mom arranged the purple Liatrus flowers in a big crock on our front porch for everyone to enjoy.
All of nature pleased Mom and we 'caught’ her delight in flowers, birds, weather and all it had to offer. The upside down feeding of Nuthatches and the brilliant orange of Orioles were a couple of her favorite birds to see. Queen Anne’s Lace was a weed that
enchanted her in summertime. It bloomed alongside the lovely blue Chicory plant
that Dad admired. It was such a favorite of his that when mowing along the roadside he skipped cutting it, and allowed the Chicory and Queen Anne’s Lace to bloom extravagantly.
The delight in all of nature and the love and concern they had for each other and for our family became implanted in each of us. Today the sight of Chicory and Queen Anne’s Lace blooming together along a roadside continues to warm our hearts with happy thoughts of Mom and Dad.
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KID’s Press
Slick 3
Hypnotized by Play Land
By: Brandon DiMichele
It has been 2 weeks since Jade and her mother had discovered that Slick was a girl.
Jade’s mother made a suggestion that they should change Slicks name, but Jade didn’t agree.
Jade’s father had come home from a business trip and was very excited about the great news, he decided to build a giant dog house in the back yard. Now the dogs don’t have to live on that ratty old dog bed they had.
They had made names for the puppies too, Erin, Jack, and Lauren, two boys and two girls.
While Jade was walking in the park she found a poster on a tree…
Come to…
Play land!
Where fun comes to life.
Play Land is a fun interactive place where children come to have fun. We have many games and rides. Totally free and you can have your birthday party here!
1752 Lakefield St. Stratford, Ct 06614 1-800-388-5555
“Wow! This place looks like fun! But I don’t know where 1752 Lakefield St. is.” Jade said sadly.
Jade slowly walked on the side walk with her head dangling. Without looking, she tripped and fell over.
As soon as she lifted up her head she gazed upon the tall building that said Play Land over the doorway.
She squealed, “PLAY LAND! I FOUND IT!” She climbed up and dashed into the building. She peered at all of the children playing games and rides.
She rushed to a game and instantly she was hypnotized in the coolness.
Meanwhile…
“Where is she!?!?” Jade’s mother shouted angrily. “She said she was going to be right back!”
“Don’t worry. I’ll go out and search for her with Slick. Maybe Slick can pick up her scent.” Jade’s dad told her.
They headed out the door and went to the park. When there, Slick picked up the scent. They galloped down the side walk until the reached Play Land.
They wandered inside and started seeking for Jade. Suddenly Slick started running in a direction. Jade’s dad followed and they found Jade.
“Jade! What are you doing?” Jade’s father shouted.
“I’m playing a…oh.” Jade said.
“Yeah, oh. You should have come to your mother and I before you came here!”
“Sorry.”
“C’mon. Let’s go home.”
“Ok.”
Jade, Jade’s dad, and Slick all walked home, had a great dinner, and went to bed.
The End
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Barb’s Family
Submitted by Alan Murphy
Foster Adoptive Mission
You may have seen her on her way to work or in a grocery store and noticed her friendly and welcoming smile. She may look a lot like one of your friends or neighbors. She might even look a bit like you. What sets her apart is that this woman, Barbara, has been a foster parent since 2002.
“I always knew I wanted to work with children,” Barbara explains. “And the 30 years I spent teaching special education were tremendously gratifying. Yet I always wanted to do more. Being a foster parent has allowed me to make more of an impact. Together with my family, I have been able to change the lives of children from all different backgrounds and a variety of circumstances. There are challenges, to be sure—as every foster parent will tell you—but the rewards have been beyond what I would ever have expected.”
There are currently 513,000 children in the foster care system in the United States, and there is a dire need for committed, caring adults willing to take these children into their homes over the short or longer term. In her seven years as a foster parent, Barbara and her husband have taken in 25 children for stays ranging
from a few days to nine months. They have adopted two of these children (one a toddler and the other a teenager), who are now a permanent part of a family that also includes Barbara’s two college-age biological sons and, at present, one additional foster child.
After having done this for seven years, Barbara tells us: “Now, I wish we had made the decision to start even earlier. Each one of these children has contributed to our home and family life in a special way.”
Barbara is especially grateful for the FAST program, which sends professionals into foster homes to help address the children’s unique needs. She tells us that the first few days of a placement can be especially trying, as children act out in different ways and can be particularly needy when first separated from a parent. FAST provides the information and support Barbara and her family need to make the transition as smooth as possible. “The reward is when the child begins to trust you,” Barbara says. “The first time he comes to you for comfort or she places her head on you. Those are the moments that make everything worthwhile—just knowing that you have created a safe and loving place for this youngster. For some of these children, the time they spend in our home is their first experience of a healthy, nurturing environment. We show them the sort of home life they deserve. And I don’t mean with regard to home size or material possessions; I mean having a place to live where everyone has your best interests at heart. A place where you know from one moment to the next what to expect and don’t have to live with fear or hunger or neglect.”
Barbara’s eyes light up as she speaks of a three-year-old currently in her care: “She is so bright and says the funniest things. She has been identified as gifted by the teachers at the nursery school she attends, which doesn’t surprise me at all. I’ve met with this little girl’s mother, and she has so much potential. We are all hoping she will be able to turn things around and be reunited with her child. Until then, she knows her child is in a loving home.”
The most difficult part of being a foster parent, according to Barbara, is seeing the children leave, especially when there is no contact afterwards. “It’s not possible to adopt every child,” Barbara says, “and of course we worry about the children after they’ve left our home. We just have to take comfort in the fact that, for as long as we had them, we loved them and gave them a stable, structured family life. Sometimes, we are able to keep track of a child when he or she leaves. One of the children was adopted by her grandparent, and we get together and talk on the phone often. It is such a joy to know this child is in a caring home and is being given a good chance for a healthy and happy life.
”
What makes an ideal foster parent? According to Barbara, there is no one formula other than enjoying children, being able to provide a loving home, and being willing to fight for what they need. Barbara considers foster parenting her calling and encourages others to join her in providing a temporary home for one or more of the thousands of local children in need.
Foster parenting is a commitment—and an opportunity to make a big difference in a child’s life. FAM (Foster Adoptive Mission) has presented this vignette of Barbara’s experiences as a foster parent in hopes of encouraging other caring adults to reach out to children in difficult circumstances. If you have any interest in becoming a foster parent, please call FAM today for more information. There is no obligation. Your timing couldn’t be better: May is National Foster Care Month. Please call FAM at 860.949.4061 or 203.706.0101. There is a child out there who needs you.
Please note: To protect the privacy of children in the foster care system and their foster families, FAM (Foster Adoptive Mission) prefers they remain anonymous in most instances. In the case of this article we have omitted the last name of the foster parent and have been given permission to use the foster parent’s first name.
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No Joke: Matching Funds Available if State Antes Up
by Jessica Ciparelli
When does $1.5 million state-funded investment dollars equate to $3.2 million? When it is combined with $1.7 million of private funding. And this is no April Fool's joke.
At the Legislative Office Building on April 1, close to 100 people, including legislators, parents and philanthropic leaders gathered to hear the announcement of a challenge to the state: Come up with $1.5 million to invest in building community plans for early childhood, increasing parent leadership (through programs such as the Connecticut Parent Trust Fund's Parent Leadership Training Institute, or “PLTI”), and improving early literacy, then private funders and foundations, including the William Casper Graustein Memorial Fund, will fund the remaining $1.7 million.
“Foundations are ready to invest,” said WCGMF Executive Director David Nee. “I really hope this offer is appropriately [accepted].”
It's not a huge sum to invest on either side, however, the testament to the product is measurable. The room was filled with parent leaders, many of whom have completed, or are in the process of completing, PLTI. Parent groups and advocates from East Hartford, West Hartford, Torrington, New Britain, Norwich, Norwalk, Manchester, Danbury, Windham,Windsor, Bridgeport, Stamford, Meriden, Middletown and Colchester were present to show their support of the matching funds and the opportunity to continue investments in early learning and parent leadership programming. Both make good economic and social sense for Connecticut's children, especially in tough times.
“We can't say enough about Graustein and other [funders] who are making these partnerships work,” said Rep. Bruce Morris (D-Norwalk). “I can't say enough about PLTI either. This certainly is a tough budget year, but this is an investment.”
Rep. Morris spoke of closing the state's achievement gap and said there is a way to do just that.
“Early childhood education is one of the first things we need to do,” he said. “We need to level the playing field with parents playing an active role.”
Marisol Estrada-Soto, a 2007 graduate of the PLTI class in Meriden, said the class has helped her become more involved. She is even now part of a work group for the “Meriden Early Learning Blueprint,” a comprehensive plan of action to promote learning for young children and their families.
“I realized I wanted to help the parents of Meriden become more engaged,” she said. Taking part in the Meriden Blueprint plan has helped her further understand what is going on in her own community.
For some, the reason for taking part in PLTI is more personal. That is the case of Kimberly Clark of New Haven, who is half-way through the 20-week program.
“The reason I am so adamant for PLTI and PEP [People Empowering People, also part of the CT Parent Trust Fund] is because I have a 7-year-old and I don't want to lose him to the streets,” Clark said. “It would be a disservice to allow these [programs] to fall by the wayside.”
“Families are so ready to be engaged – they just need the support,” said Elaine Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Connecticut Commission on Children.
Melody Currey, former state representative and current East Hartford mayor said there are at least 100 graduates of PLTI in East Hartford, and many of them are now serving on boards and commissions and are speaking out for children's issues.
“We have been very fortunate to have that,” Currey said.
Susan Murphy, vice president of corporate communications and community relations for Liberty Bank, said one of the bank's priorities in its strategic plan is to invest in preventative programming for families, including early literacy, youth leadership and PLTI.
“It's one of the best investments we can make,” said Murphy. “[But] we can't obviously do it alone – the only way we can do it is to partner with state and local government.”
In terms of capacity building, George Hensinger, representing Norwalk Early Childhood Council, said the council has been involved with Graustein for at least the past 10 years and has developed a three-year action plan. Eighty school readiness slots, he said, were added in Norwalk in 2008, with a goal of another 100 planned for 2009-2010. He added that through a program called "EPIC," 29 parents have been trained to go out and further engage other parents in the community.
State Rep. Catherine Abercrombie (D-Meriden) said she was “very” confident that the state would secure the $1.5 million in matching funds, but she urged those present to contact their legislators to stress how important programs such as these are.
“As we all know, nothing is set in stone,” she said.
The press conference was sponsored by the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund, CT Parent Power, Rep. Abercrombie and the Connecticut Commission on Children.
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\Memories Of A Lifetime
Connecticut Outdoors
Written By: Paul Narducci
I recently had the opportunity to take my nephew Ryan Paul fishing. He is involved with the cub scouts and they had their annual fishing derby in Killingwirth at there camp. This place is completely beautiful and reminded me of my childhood. I use to go to camps very similar to this and was also a cub and boy scout years ago. Of course we wake up to a day that is not so nice regarding the weather but it isn’t raining. After speaking to Ryans mom Lori we decide to continue with our plan. They pick me up around eight o clock and we are off. You could tell the excitement in Ryans face, he was ready to fish! We get there and the place is packed with people of all ages. Its very windy and is definitely cold. After about fifteen minutes of fishing you guessed it it started to rain. So we put on our rain suits and continue to fish. Lori and I look at each other with a confused look hoping that one of us would ask Ryan if he wanted to leave. We all know I couldn’t do it because I’m Uncle Paul the guy with the fishing show. As I begun to shiver a bit and felt something dripping from my nose Lori finally asked the Question of the day. As the rain comes down harder and the wind is blowing, Ryan was ready to go. Although we didn’t catch any fish it was an honor to be asked to spend time with Ryan. I can guarantee you we will be back out again. Paul, Ryans on the phone wants to go fishing.
April 18, 2009 Opening Day. I pick Joe Dias up at 5:30 am that’s right I said am. We are headed off to Wharton Brook to catch some fish. We get there and it isn’t as packed as it has been in the past. Right away people are catching fish and the madness has begun. Are first fish is a tiger trout. We never caught one of these before. We leave Wharton Brook with four fish for my parents to enjoy. Due to the economy and possible fees for fishing to go up we were forced to ask them for ten dollars a fish. I convinced Joe that he should ask grandpa. As I was getting the fish into a bucket with fresh water Joe went over to talk to Grandpa. I told my Dad how our day went and he was eager to get the fish cleaned,so we left. I asked Joe how much did we get and he told me to forget about it. What’s with this? Forget About It, someone has been watching to many mafia movies. Well I never did get an honest answer. I decided to take Joey out for breakfeast for some pancakes and French toast. What away to end a perfect day. I love French Toast. As a reminder here are some possible lures for you and your kids to try, Yum trout pellets, buoyant and Rough Rider from Thomas spinning lures. As always Paul, Tony, Frank, Joe and Jonathan wish everyone the best of luck and good fishing!
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This had happened to me on May 10 and I related it to Barb in a personal eMial. I decided to copy the text and submit it to The People's Press. I wonder how many other readers found themselves in my situation.
THERE'S A MOTH IN MY EAR!
Submitted by Nancy Sherburne, Tucson, Arizona.I went to bed shortly after midnight, Sunday, May 10. I had just turned on the light to check on a noise when I felt something I took to be an insect caught in my hair. Imagine how I felt when I heard the frantic fluttering of what I took to be a moth inside my right ear! After trying to dig it out with a Q-tip swab I gave up and called 911. The EMTs that showed up shone a flashlight into my ear but couldn't see anything so they said there was nothing there. Here I am listing to the intermittent fluttering and KNEW there was something there. I think further investigation told them there was something in my ear but they said they had nothing to take it out with. I would need a pair of slender forceps I could buy at Walgreens or I could get in the shower and let hot water run into my ear to flush it out. They left and I grabbed an unused 16-oz disposable plastic cup and went into the bathroom. I think I filled it up six times, pouring the water into my ear and trying to get the thing out in between. Since I had no forceps or even tweezers, the only thing I could think of to try was a lobster pick so I went to the kitchen for one and gently inserted it into my ear trying to skewer the thing. Suddenly, it came out into the sink and was indeed a small, dead moth. It was one weird experience I don't want repeated, but at least if it is I will know what to do. Now I have to worry over whether I get a bill or not, but at least their suggestion of the hot water did the trick.
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Wild Flowers of Hubbard Park
By Francis W. Lappert
I must go back to my early teen years to describe the many wild flowers that grew in the park. There were two small streams that came from Meremere. reservoir and from some springs also. We called that one “Bee Hive Brook” because there was a stone structure at the edge of the swamp opposite Reservoir Ave. shaped like a bee hive. The other small stream on the west side of “Mirror Lake we called shady brook which came from springs in the forest. Both of these streams supported the park with a multitude of wild flowers. Listed among them were the “Adder Tongues which grew in profusion along the stream. Then there were the “Jack-in-the-Pulpits” which were also plentiful, also a white flower called “Blood Root” so called because when picked the stems juice was the color of blood. The yellow flower which grew right in the stream was called “Cow-Slip”.
The flowers we liked the best were the purple “Lady Slippers” and the yellow variety. The purple ones grew under the pine and hemlock trees in the north of “Meremere” reservoir. The yellow variety grew on the hillsides between Hubbard Park and the reservoir. Today they are very scarce from over-picking and changes made in the park. There was one rare flower that grew up every year on the slope that was the dam for the reservoir, it was called “Dutch Mans Britches” as the flower which was white, resembled a line of britches hung out on a line. On the rock slides on both sides of the reservoir grew the multicolored “Columbines”, a very fragile flower. One of the first flower to appear in the spring was the “Mayflower”, some were blue others a shade of pink. My sister Rose was always the first person to find them and bring them to the local newspaper. She always knew when they were ready to bloom. On the north of the lake on the sunny hillsides were wild “Geraniums”, blue “Violets” and yellow ones which were quite rare. There was also the “Blue Gention” and one called “Wind Flower”. There were also the flowering bushes that were quite beautiful. “Honeysuckle” which grew among the rocks near the reservoir, “Mountain Laurel” which was plentiful along the road leading to the “Castle”. Along the brook coming from the reservoir were numerous “Pussy Willows”. The parks undeveloped forest land has numerous white “Dogwood” trees which are in full blossom at this time.
Most of the flowers which I have mentioned are long gone due to the development and improvements made in the park. Where the swimming pool is located we used to play ball in the meadow that was there. Most of the youth in our neighborhood on Reservoir Ave. learned to swim in “Mirror Lake” as it was clean and not polluted. Now the ducks and geese have taken over.
I recently received a letter from my sister in California, Rose Lappert Clark, and she listed a number of wild flowers that I had forgotten to mention. Among those are as follows:
Solomon’s Seal – Along the rocky ledges
Saxifrage – Along the rocky ledges
Blue Flag – Swampy areas
White Violets – Swampy areas
White Daisy – Open Field
Buttercup – Open Field
Wild Aster – Open Field
Wild Rose – Open Field
Black Eyed Susan – Open Field
Snap Dragon – Open Field
Clematis – Open Field
Anemone – Open Field
Red Trillium – Open Woodland
Myrtle – Open Woodland
Indian Pipes – Open Woodland
Added to the fifteen kinds I listed it makes quite an array of wild flowers that once grew in the park.
I don’t believe there is any other park in Connecticut that can claim such a variety. I challenge anyone to roam through the park and name as many as we both have.
You won’t feel Old…
Submitted by Donna Mahon
Just in case you weren't feeling too old today, this will certainly change things.
The people who are starting college this fall across the nation were born in 1989 .
They were not born when the space shuttle blew up.
Their lifetime has always included AIDS.
The CD was introduced 2 years before they were born.
They have always had an answering machine
They have always had cable.
Jay Leno has always been on the Tonight Show.
Popcorn has always been cooked in the microwave.
They never took a swim and thought about Jaws.
They don't know who Mork was or where he was from.
They never heard: "Where's the Beef?", "I'd walk a mile for a Camel", or "de plane Boss, de plane".
McDonald's never came in Styrofoam containers.
They don't have a clue how to use a typewriter
Do you feel old yet? (Sorry)
Notice the larger type, that's for those of you who have trouble reading.
Save the earth. It's the only planet with chocolate
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Number 9 – The Best Beatles’s Tribute Band
THE MUSIC
The Beatles, the most successful rock group in history and arguably the greatest band of all time, officially got their start in 1962 when they released their first single “Love Me Do”. They then went on to write more number one hits than any other band in history. In the relatively brief amount of time they were together, these four lads from Liverpool managed to compile a library of songs so rich with tonal complexities and range of emotion, it’s almost incomprehensible how innovative and unique they really were. Even after 40 years, their songs are still considered timeless classics and there’s no doubt they will continue to live on and endure the test of time. And if one were to delve a little deeper, they would come to realize that the Beatles were also pioneers on a number of other fronts…from their unique writing…to their vocal arrangements…to their style and delivery…to their look…to their sound and their approach to instrumentation…and even to their recording methods. They did it all. Needless to say, their story is a long and wonderful one and we could go on and on. Let’s just say the Beatles helped to shape a time and change the world. How could one not be drawn to their music.
OUR FORMATION
Hence, this leads us to the story of Number Nine. Many have asked why we formed and what our goal is as a band. We originally came together as part a mission to help children and our community. More specifically, we decided to form and perform as part of a charity event we organized on behalf of a local elementary school’s music program. We chose to embark on that endeavor of good will because music is near and dear to all our hearts and music has had a profound impact on each of our lives. And there’s no denying that music offers our youth a unique vehicle to exploring & unlocking their creative side and the potential benefits cannot be underestimated. All too often, the music programs are among the first programs to be diminished and even cut when a school is faced with budgetary constraints. Limiting these vital programs does a disservice to our teachers doing so could be detrimental to our youth and the future of our society. Our formation was in large part dedicated to sending the message that we must do everything in our power to preserve the arts and our efforts pay homage to the fine men and women dedicated to teaching our youth.
Another big reason we came together was that we simply love the music of the Beatles and we also really enjoy performing it. So much so, as a matter of fact, that we’re finding it very hard to stop learning and mastering their songs. There’s a seemingly endless well of great songs to choose from and we’re finding that the more we learn, the more inspired we become to learn more. We’re now well beyond 100 songs in our performing repertoire and to our amazement there are still dozens more gems that we’re working on. The Beatles catalogue of material is truly mind boggling.
OUR MISSION
We like to think that our mission is to pick up where the Beatles left off in August 29, 1966. This is when they played their last live concert in San Francisco’s Candlestick Park. At the time, many thought it was the end of an era. What they didn’t know was that the Beatles were hard at work creating an album that would forever change music. An album that was so intricate and deeply layered with sound and instrumentation, it would go beyond anything done previously. It was also an album that contained music so deep and involved, it would be virtually impossible to recreate live with only 4 people. On June 1, 1967, the album, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," was released in the U.K and it topped the charts all over the world, holding the number one slot in Britain for 27 weeks and for 19 in America. This was the turning point for the Beatles and for music as we knew it.
OUR NUMBERS
As the Beatles evolved over time, so did their music. More and more instrumentation was being used on their recordings, vocal arrangements became more complex, and their use of studio and recording techniques grew in unimaginable ways. It didn’t take us long to figure out that trying to recreate their recorded material live with only four people would be virtually impossible and we quickly found our numbers growing well beyond four. But we also found that having many players could be a great asset because it allows us the ability to perform any of their songs, from any era, from the simplest to the most complex. Virtually no song is out of reach. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that we often like to explore sounds and arrangements beyond the recorded versions when the mood for improvisation hits us. We like to keep things fresh and exciting, not only for us but our audiences as well.
YESTERDAY…TODAY…AND TOMORROW
From that original benefit concert in early 2006, things have grown and evolved at an incredible rate. We’re now performing on a regular basis and each and every show brings with it memorable experiences and a feeling that we’re doing something special. Performing the music of the Beatles is indeed a great challenge but well worth the effort in our eyes. Our hope is that we can do justice to their great music and that we can move you. We’re proud to say that we cover a very wide range of material from the fresh and exciting early years to the mesmerizing psychedelic period to the beautifully crafted and seasoned material of the later years. There’s virtually no song out of reach. These are timeless classics that are sure to evoke powerful memories and we strive to make the music and our show an experience you’ll never forget.
MUSICIANS
Ken Sullivan – vocals
Ted Andrzejczuk – vocals & accordion
Geo Filippides – lead electric & acoustic guitar
Bob Glick – rhythm electric & acoustic guitar
Chip Hulten – bass guitar
Ralph Bushnell – drums
Chris Griffin – horns
Dave Zerio - keyboards
* Note, performances often include special guest appearances from a wide variety of talented and gifted musicians!
CONTACT INFO: For booking info or questions, contact Geo. J. Filippides @ 203-715-4621. For additional info on the band and upcoming performances, visit us at our website at http://www.number9info.com/
Red Cross closure
Dan McKercher
It's truly a sad day when outsiders have the ability to manipulate things in our community in such a way that hurts our neighbors.
It would seem that Charles Frey "email cfrey@arcsct.org, phone number 203-787-6721" and Diane Auger "email augerd@usa.redcross.org, phone number 860-678-2700" didn't do their homework when deciding to close the Wallingford branch.
If this closure goes through then the red cross will lose not only the much needed funds that this chapter pulls in from it's community and from the United Way. Not to mention the volunteers that the Wallingford staff has been able to put together to form a family of neighbors that happily help one another.
If the powers that be were to take a close look at what is done at this chapter they will find that if they were to replicate what is going on here they wouldn't have the financial problems that they now have. The Red Cross as it is known in Wallingford is a community entity helping it's neighbors by not only doing It's core services but extending a hand to folks that need it.
You would think that folks learned from what happened with the 9/11 mess that the Red Cross got into by trying to soak funds away from the neighbors that gave thinking that it would go to the families that were lost! Maybe Charles and Diane forgot what happened.
The question that should be asked here is why would anyone want to kill a cash cow? Someone should Ask Charles Frey and Diane Auger, Why would they want to kill a Chapter that brings in enough funds to pay it's own staff, support the services that it provides, but also makes enough to help build Charles and Diane's pay check too!
Star Mentor
Submitted by Joy Dutra
Gus Robotics Team 228 would like to announce that Mr. Gordon Morrison, team teacher and mentor won the “Star Mentor” award at WPI on May 9, 2009. Many letters of nomination were received, but Mr. Morrison was chosen for his ten years of commitment to Team 228. He will be retiring from Maloney High as a physics teacher this year. Everyone on the team has appreciated all of Mr. Morrison’s time, commitment, kindness and knowledge that he has shared with the team.
Gus Robotics Team 228
Submitted by Joy Dutra – Tema Mentor
Gus Robotics Team 228 consisting of students from Platt, Maloney and Wilcox recently participated in the World Championship Robotics Competition held in Atlanta, Georgia during April vacation. Our robot did well and our students met other students from all over the world.
In addition, Gus Robotics also won the Motorola Award for Innovative Design at the Hartford Regional and best website
award. Our team is very proud of its accomplishments. Gus Robotics will be competing at Battle Cry 10 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in May and at the Where is Wolcott? competition at Wolcott High School in June. Team 228 is always open to students who are interested in science, technology, engineering, computers and team spirit/pep. For more information please check out our website at www.team228.org.An interview with Wayne Barneschi on the Wallingford-Meriden branch of the American Red Cross.
1. How did you develop the relationship with the Meriden-Wallingord branch of the American Red Cross?
Andrea was the only reason the Trail of Terror and the Red Cross had a relationship. When I walked into her office and met her she was the only charity person that embraced us and we have been working closely ever since. Her warm kindness and integrity gave us a reason to work as hard as we do to assure her vision was fulfilled.
2. Is that the reason you started the "Trail of Terror?"
No, but it became the reason to continue. Once I sat on the Advisory Board and realized the extra services this branch offered to the community I wanted to do as much as I could for them. The Wallingford Branch and its staff took on Andrea's personality and is a perfect model in which every Red Cross branch should strive for. Its a shame to hear their jobs will be terminated and its especially devastating to hear, from the CEO of the chapter, that they don't even have a plan in place yet.
3. How much money did the "Trail of Terror" donate to the our branch of the American Red Cross last year and since you started it?
Last year we donated over $100,000 and since we started over half a million dollars.
4. Any comments you might have in addition.
Andrea always wanted to see that the clients needs were a priority and did the best she could to fulfill them. I was always amazed at how well her staff worked together and knew each others roll so the tasks got done right. From the time a client walked through the door to the time they left that branch their needs were met by smiling faces and with the upmost respect. Since I received the news about the branch closing and the staff loosing their jobs I have had a real hard time working on the Trail, it will never be the same.
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In Tribute: Lessons Learned from My Dad, Bill Jenkins
By Jennifer Jenkins
It’s been nearly 16 years since my Dad’s passing, and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of him and wish he were sitting across me at the dinner table eating his favorite dish, mashed potatoes; singing along, although out of tune, with his beloved Roy Orbison records; talking seriously to his customers over the phone, all the while standing in his striped flannel pajamas; opening the freezer door to sneak a late night snack of Edy’s frozen yogurt for him and my Dog, Frisky; or dancing the jitterbug with a big smile on his face. When you grow older, you realize the impact your parents have on your life. In the case of my Dad, he left an enormous impact as a result of the valuable lessons he taught me along the way.
I know my Dad would smile as I say that he became a teacher after all. He was not a teacher in the traditional sense. He didn’t even go to college, although he wanted to go and would have gone if the G.I. Bill had existed in 1955. He was more or less a teacher of life and of those values which make a person noble in character to those he touched throughout his life.
Reflecting back, I am enriched by all the wonderful lessons he taught throughout his lifetime here on Earth. I learned from him about love, kindness and compassion for others; the importance of family and friends and the sacrifices you make for the ones you love; nobility of character; and that life is to be enjoyed in spite of its ups and downs and how humor helps you ride its waves.
Most of all, I realize my Dad taught me the success of one’s life is not measured by the money or possessions acquired throughout one’s lifetime but by how loved one is. I can honestly say that my Dad was a good man loved by all who knew him. This was evidenced, to my deep astonishment, by all who attended his funeral, including those who traveled quite a distance to pay their respects. He was and is very much loved, especially by me.
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“Maggie’s Corner”
“Like Father, Like Daughter”
By: Maggie Griffin
Since as far back as I can remember, my Father was a man I always looked up to. Many knew him as a business man, a politician, a Fire Commissioner, a Police Commissioner and a member of several clubs and leader of local chapters of non-profit organizations. Many knew him as a Brother out of 10 siblings, an Uncle, a cousin a friend. But now I am going to tell you how he was as my Dad.
My Dad, Domenic “Dom” DellaRocco was born May 29th, 1929 to Lucy Longabardi and Salvatore DellaRocco. He was very close to his parents, was raised to know what respect is, working hard, keeping dignity and morals. He helped everyone and anyone in need. I was born May 24th 1969, and here I am, writing about my Dad when he was turning my age when I was born. He always said “They broke the mold when you were born”. He wasn’t kidding because I am just like him, so I guess it is safe to say I was born in his mold.
He taught me to swim in a Lake. He taught me to dive. I remember wearing a life jacket because he always wanted me to be safe. I use to love it when he would swing me and throw me in the water. “Daddy, Daddy…do that again! He taught me how to ride a bike, he constantly was going with the camera, capturing every moment in my life. He taught me so much which lead me to who I am today.
I remember when I was about five years old and my Dad had Lung Cancer. Back then, hospital rules were a little different. Half of one of his lungs had to be removed. So one time my Mother took me to the hospital to try to get me to see my Dad. Given the age I was, at that time, the hospital wouldn’t allow me to visit him in his hospital room. Over hearing a nurse tell my Mother “your child is too young, we cannot allow her to visit him in his hospital room, I am Sorry”. Well, I guess I inherited my Dad’s strong will at that moment. So here I am at 5 years of age and I actually told that nurse, “You are not going to stop me from seeing my Dad”; and I ran down that hall looking in every room for my Dad as my Mom was chasing after me. I found and saw my Dad. When he finally came home, it was important to me to make sure my Dad was always ok, so I followed him constantly. He survived lung cancer.
I remember when he took me to a car show and I got to see the original car that was in the movie “Grease”. I really thought it was capable of flying after seeing the movie. But that wasn’t the first movie I saw with my Dad. The very first movie I saw with my Dad was at the old Strand Theatre in Hamden and it was “King Kong”. I was about six years old at that time.
We went to so many places, we had so many talks, and my Dad was the one who raised me to be honest. My Mother, she focused on my older siblings and pretty much forgot I existed, yet I love my Mother and will never let anyone speak poorly about her, another thing my Dad taught me. That’s why I am so much like him; he took me under his wing and taught me respect, regardless. Example was when those famous Rabbit Fur Coats back in the late 70’s, early 80’s came out, my Mother bought for my sisters, but not me. It hurt; I was about 11 years old. So my Dad took me to a store at the Hamden Plaza and bought me a Rabbit Fur Coat, better than the ones my sisters got. I was proud to wear it because it made me feel that my Dad wanted to buy me my coat. Funny, my Dad made sure I wore the best wedding gown on my wedding day too. Being the youngest and the last to get married, as I danced the Father and Daughter dance to the song, “You’re Daddy’s Little Girl”, he was singing it to me too. At the end of the song, he whispered in my ear something that made me cry. He whispered “You are my youngest, my baby, and you are Daddy’s real little girl, remember that.”
Just like my Dad, I battled cancer at a young age, and just like me, my kids insisted to visit me in the hospital. My Dad was there every day. I saw his tears of worry. I told him at that time, “It’s ok Dad, I am just like you. You proved your doctors wrong when you had lung cancer; I am going to do the same thing and prove my doctors wrong”. Then he smiled and being the comedian he was, he said to me, “That’s right, because I got news for you; Heaven don’t want you and Hell is afraid you’ll take over”. I laughed so hard, I had to press that morphine button twice in less than a second.
But let’s go back into my teen years, every time I would get in “trouble” in school, my Mother would know, but say “Don’t let your father know, you’ll give him a heart attack”. I heard that phrase from my Mother all my life. Little did she know, he knew every stunt I pulled, and guess what, he never had a heart attack when he found out, but he always made sure he had a talk with me about whatever it is, good or bad, without my Mother present.
He believed making one mistake is ok, but learn from the mistake; don’t repeat the same mistake twice. I heard that a little over 100 times in the 4 years of high school. The good news is I didn’t repeat the same mistake twice. Responsibility, be responsible, Dad would always preach.
I am now turning 15, learning to drive with a driver’s permit and looking forward to getting my driver’s license. I am being responsible, on the road with a driver’s permit and Dad teaching me. On my 16th birthday, my Dad decided to take me for my driver’s test, written and on the road, to DMV, with the Camero. I was like “YES!” Then I was more excited after I passed and received my first CT State Driver’s license, 24 years ago, with that dreadful and big yellow “Y” on it.
So Dad let me drive home from the DMV, in the Camero. I did perfect until I took a right turn on Sanford Street and turned right onto the side walk. My luck, at that time he was the Police Commissioner. He said “Stop the Car!” So I did and in my mind I was “oh no”. Then Dad said move over to the passenger side. So he gets out getting in the driver’s side and then said, “Now Give Me Your Driver’s License”. He never gave me back my license until I passed his driving test and showed responsibility driving a car rather than being a show off. It took about a year. But at least I didn’t give him a “heart attack” like my Mom always would repeat.
Later in life, when I became a mother, he came with me for my last ultra sound, just 3 days before my first child was born. Here I wanted to be surprised, but he had to know if I was having a boy or a girl. So I finally caved in and said, ok what am I having? The technician said, “Mrs. Griffin, you are having a girl”. I never saw a smile so big, ear to ear, on my Dad’s face when he heard that, I was just waiting for what was going to come out of his mouth. Sure enough, he laughed and had to say “I hope your daughter does to you what you did to me”. I told my Dad, “Please don’t say that, you’ll give me a heart attack”. Today, my daughter does do what I did to him. My son, I don’t know how or where he gets this from, but when my daughter gets in trouble, my son will say to her; “Don’t tell Dad, you’ll give him a heart attack”. I recently had to finally ask my son, “Have you been talking to Grand Ma?”
What was nice was my Mother always would think my Dad never knew what I did, whether it was good or bad. The fact is, he did by taking the time everyday to talk to me. Every time she would say that phrase over and over “Don’t tell your Father, you’ll give him a heart attack”, I’d cringe because the truth is, my Dad knew when I was guilty, worried, happy or hurt about something just by looking in my eyes. When that would happen, he would tell me, “Ok, tell me what happened or what is on your mind”. Let it be known that being honest with my Dad since I can go as far back as I can remember, I realized my Dad was once my age and probably seen and did it all. Knowing this, he did not want me to repeat any of his mistakes.
He taught me being honest with him all the time and by doing so, honestly with my Dad will give me dignity when I get older, and he was right. He taught me to put my feelings and thoughts in words so I don’t run into conflicts, he was right. He taught me that it is ok to feel hurt when someone may humiliate me because humiliation leads into humanity, he was right. And most of all, he taught me to always be prepared to defend myself, never throw the first punch, but make sure you throw the last, he was right on that too because in the real world, we need to know self-defense.
He isn’t with me today physically, but he is in spirit. For example, recently I found out news within “the family tree” that wasn’t pleasant for me to hear. And I know that if my Dad was still alive, he wouldn’t be too pleased either because of what his definition of responsibility is. So of course I go visit my Dad at the cemetery and told him. Then I was happy to say, “You know what, I told Dad and he didn’t have a heart attack”. But this news, like my Dad use to say to me when I was always honest with him growing up, he would say; “Thank God you didn’t tell your Mother, this would make her roll over in her grave”. My Dad knew all along that my Mother would say “Don’t tell your Father, you’ll give him a heart attack”.
There is so much more I can write about my Dad, but I am limited on words. To me, he was more than a Father, he was an incredible Dad. He never forgot me or my children and I will never forget him, he still lives in me. Every time I take his Formula for a drive, a car I was given after he passed away, a car that was his; I know he is sitting in that passenger seat because somehow I can hear him say to me; “Be careful when you turn so you don’t drive on the sidewalk”.
Father’s be good to your daughters, someday they’ll be like you too. Daughters who become Mothers will understand Mothers have Fathers, so Mothers be good to your Daughters too.
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to http://www.peoplespressnews.com/ . We are your NewsMagazine!
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DEAR HOUSEWIVES
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 andwe will answer it in the next issue.June and Flora
Dear Housewives,I have a hard time staying organized with my home. For instance, I have a hall coat closet that has shoes tossed in, scarves on the floor. Help me! Motivate me ladies. Thanks.I love my housewives in Meriden
FLORA: For me, a task like yours seem so daunting but once I complete it, I wonder, what took me so long! Look at your calendar and schedule your closet cleaning as you would any other appointment. Your question reminds me that I too have a closet to tackle!
JUNE: There are so many items on the market to help you organize. Start by measuring the area. Then go to the store and see what items suit your needs. You can get some shelves or shoe cubbies on the bottom and shelves above. Most are fairly economical and will help you organize your life.
Dear Housewives,It is the time of year where bugs come out to play. Unfortunately, I have ants in my house. I don't want to spray because I have babies in the house. What can I do to get rid of these pests? Ant eater in Meriden
JUNE: Almost everyone gets this problem at some time. I believe there are child friendly sprays that can be used. I do know you can buy ant traps or poison houses at the store which are safe for kids. I wouldn't let them play with them but the poison is on the inside. Also, be sure to not leave any crumbs around. This will attract the little buggers.
FLORA: Prevention is key. Eat at your table and no where else in the house. Clean up immediately after cooking. As for the ants, unless it's an infestation, I would just smush them all.
JUNE: Do you remember the movie "Who framed Roger Rabbit?"? This movie was out in the 1990's I think. You may not have even seen it yet Flora (haha). Well, anyway, I got it for the kids and they really liked it. Point being, rent some of the older kids movies--your kids will like them. My older son really liked "Hook" with Robin Williams and Julia Roberts.
FLORA: I did not see "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?". Stop laughing. And I have not seen "Hook" yet either. But....I fully agree with you on renting some older films for children. Remember that PG, back in the day, is different from today's PG.
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It is with great pride that we tell you a little about our father, Norman Marchione. To us, he is a hero.
At the age of 21 he went off to WWII and fought throughout Europe. He was part of the 157th battalion, 45th division. He took pleasure in helping his buddies and would try to keep them out of trouble. He even did their KP so they could go into town and have fun. His purple heart was earned with a gunshot wound while fighting in Alsace Lorraine; which was followed by returning to the front and later participating in the liberation of Dachau. He loved his buddies and the people in the countries he met and to this day he is deeply saddened by the losses and the atrocities that he witnessed.
When he finally came home, he married and started searching for a career – he wanted to continue to serve and help other people. He eventually found that opportunity as a police officer in Pittsburgh, Pa. He shares his stories with everyone that will listen because he enjoyed his work and enjoys the memories. The roles of detective and later Police Sergeant provided him with a broad range of experiences that fall under “protect and serve”. His favorite stories include giving a little elderly woman who came into the station a dollar to take the bus home; allowing lonely or homeless people to sit in the station during the night (and frustrating the officer on the next shift); delivering babies; taking care of his fellow officers when they were discouraged,; talking people out of jumping off bridges, using ingenious approaches to solving criminal cases, and guarding three Presidents of the United States as well as numerous celebrities. Although there were rock stars, athletes, and many famous entertainers, Sammy Davis Jr is talked about most frequently because he and his uncles were down to earth and treated my father like he was one of the family. When he was asked recently “what was your best memory while being on the police force?”, he simply replied “having that many opportunities to help people, and let them know that someone cares about what is happening to them.”
Although our father was dedicated to his work, he never forgot our family. We would go for little car rides and get snow cones or popcorn. We were the only ones in our neighborhood to make it to the seashore before we reached 16. Of course, there’s always the story about being marooned in Virginia Beach when our car died and there was no money to get home – but our Dad took care of it and eventually we got home. He coached his son Norman’s baseball team and went to his college basketball games. Dad was filled with pride regarding his son’s athletic accomplishments and felt he could have become a professional. He saw him through some very rough times which contributed to his son’s ability to turn his life around. All the guys in the neighborhood knew Mr. Marchione and remember him to this day when he visits the neighborhood.
Of course there was always time for his daughter Karen – nothing like a father-daughter relationship. On one of their visits to the zoo, when she was 5 years old, she was bitten by a mouse and they shared the excitement of a visit to the hospital and a tiny article in the newspaper. Norm was the official chauffeur and chaperone for his daughter’s activities through elementary and high school. He waited patiently for her after each event – as well as all the other girls that she promised to ride home. He relished the frightening effect that being a police officer had on his daughter’s dates as they came to pick her up. He even chaperoned her prom and cut in on her date to float her around the floor – he was always a fantastic dancer. When she left home, he saw many other parts of the country in order to visit her, and continued to share new adventures and create new memories.
Our parent’s marriage, like most, had its ups and downs. However, in 1985, when our mother ended up disabled from an aneurysm in a nursing home; our father visited and cared for her for 15 years. He succeeded in making her laugh and feel very special in addition to overseeing her care. It has been important to him to make sure that we were all “alright” and ensured that each of his children had a home to call our own.
Our father always loves to make people smile. He says hello to everyone and is always ready to give a compliment on an accomplishment or effort of a stranger as well as taking a moment to catch a woman’s eye and tell her how lovely she is. He enjoys babies, children and animals and for some reason, they all respond positively to him. We remember bringing stray dogs home and leaving them there to greet him in the evening so that we could pick one and find homes for the rest. We brought everything home from toads, rabbits, chickens, birds, cats and dogs – it was always alright with him.
He is 86 now and lives with his daughter, 2 dogs and 3 cats. We feel blessed that he is our father. All through his life he has worked to take care of us and everyone he knew.
He is –THE BEST! Happy Father’s Day Norman Marchione!
This is about my dad Joseph Tkacz Sr.
Dad worked hard all his life and enjoyed Hunting and Fishing, He enjoyed going to the Meriden Rod and Gun Club, Especially duringfishing season, He, till this day finds time for his family, especiallyhis grand children.
He has a great Grand daughter now, and he loves to spend time with her.Family keeps him going, He loves a good party and gathering,My brother and I have good memories growing up. It wasn't pictureperfect but the love was there.
Dad is a survivor. He has over come so many health issues, It is thefamily moments that keep him going, We call him the ever ready bunny, We will be celebrating his birthday in August, He will be thrilled at aBirthday party in his honor.. Once again he is all about family and hiswife of 66 years, She takes good care of him and she deserves a medalherself, She puts our needs ahead of her own. Our family circle consistsof, Carmel , his wife, Joe Jr. and his wife Barb, Deb Belancik andhusband Benjamin, grand children, Joey the 3rd and his wife Patty,Brian, Tiffany, Ben and Laura , his great grand daughter Josselyn Tkacz(named after the rest of the Joes')
Deb Belancik
70 hidden Pines Circle,
Meriden Ct..
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Marion Calvert
A Self-made Man
by Janet Althouse
My dad was a very special man. Of course, all little girls, and big ones, think their dads are special. But mine really was. He had, what I thought, was an unusual name. Marion Calvert, but everyone called him "Cal". He was a "self-made man". Anything he wanted to learn how to do he just taught himself. So, maybe you could say he was a "self-taught man". He taught himself how to play the piano and then taught himself how to tune that piano. He had a lot of natural abilities and talents. He could paint pictures, but also painted houses. He had artistic talent, but studied and enlarged on that talent and became better at it. He made money painting houses, but never any money at painting pictures. One time he painted the portraits of the children of an optician in exchange for glasses, since we didn't always have a lot of money. He painted two large pictures of "Christ in Gethsemane". One in pastels, one in oils and gave both of them to churches. He could also make signs and do lettering and had the ability to put gold leaf on those letters. They don't make signs like that anymore. I remember when he did signs for the local Fire Department but instead of charging them, he took his pay in tickets for chances on the refrigerator they were raffling off and HE WON!! He could do remodeling; build cabinets and closets; put in windows and doors. He put a bathroom in our house when we had only the now obsolete outhouse. Even did the plumbing and the wiring. He earned a living doing dry wall and did it so well that you could not find any seams, try as you might. But my dad was not just about talents, but was a genuinely nice person. Always willing to help someone. He did not know what prejudice was. He was a God-fearing man and believed in following the Biblical teachings, as best he could. AND he made great pancakes. When my mother had to be away he would whip up pancakes for us for supper. Yum! I only remember him ever just once punishing me and that was because I would
not be quiet in church. He took me outside and laid a couple well-placed whacks on my bottom. I kept quiet after that. Usually when I did something wrong, he would take me aside and explain why what I did was not a good thing and told me to not do it again. Most of the time I took his words to heart. But, sad to say, he was not a part of my life after I married and had children. He and my mother divorced and his new wife was very jealous. She did not like for him to spend time with me, especially if my mother was around. He did come and help us with some finishing work on the house my husband and I built. He taught my husband how to do mitering. My husband went on to make many, many picture frames and he had never been very handy with projects like that before. But - when my oldest daughter got married, he came to the wedding and stayed a little while for the reception. (His wife sat in the car.) Long enough to dance with his grand daughter. That is one of daughter's treasured memories. We did visit him and his wife on occasion, but she did not make us feel welcome so they were not long visits and not really happy ones. He often wrote me letters. Maybe that's where I get my love of writing to people. I never doubted that he loved me and I still have those letters. One regret I have is that we did not get more of the pictures he painted. His wife had five children and several grand children. (They got most of the paintings.) Being the kind man that he was he became "grampy" to those step grand children and my children barely knew him. My two youngest just vaguely remember him. But my son has inherited his ability to do just about anything he puts his hand to, just like my dad. When he died the only thing I got was a putty knife and a pool table with a broken leg. I still have both and it's been 24 years. But I have the memories and the letters, and a couple pictures he painted. And he was MY dad and nobody else's, because I am an only child.___________________________________________
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com . We are your NewsMagazine!
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Bobbie’s Bevy of Beauties
The bulbed flowers are gone and most of the trees, shrubs and bushes have given a beautiful display. Our lilacs and rhododendrons were exceptional this year. When I wrote last months article it looked like the perennials were dormant but what a difference now. Don’t remember the hibiscus and Helena being this height until around the middle of June. My foxglove, yarrow, four o’clocks, campanula, rose of campione, lilies, liatris and lambs ear have begun to bud. Was surprised to see that the darker leaf lambs ear doesn’t produce flowers where the lighter leaf one does. Also the callas and dahlias have pushed their way up. Perennials I have that are in bloom now are the columbine, bachelor button, yellow loose strife, coral bells, mini white carnations, evening primrose, knautia and the simplicity pink rose.
A few years back the annuals were all planted by the end of April. Same with the veggies. What a change in the spring weather. Now one has to wait until the middle of May or even longer. Wouldn’t want to chance an early planting with some of the very cool weather we had. Or protecting the plants by covering them is a pain in the “xxx”. Finally made my usual many trips to the nurseries and purchased just about all the annuals that were on my list. Which needless to say was a very long one. A planter or two plus the two small rock garden beds where the two huge pine trees once grew should just about end the digging and planting for this year. The weeds are another story. They just keep a coming. As I have mentioned many times the short brown leaf begonia is probably #1 on my list of annuals. Three other favorites are the lavender lace with tiny orchid flowers and totally tempted with small red blooms. Both also very short, plants but spread to a very nice width. So one plant can cover a good deal of ground. The third one is the black and blue salvia. Black buds which turn to royal blue flowers. They can grow up to four inches tall. These three will continually bloom until the cold weather returns. The pint size container usually ranges about $4.50. A little pricey but well worth it. Give them a try. Bet you’ll like them.
Fuchsia now comes in an upright plant. Found two varieties last year and was very pleased with them. The flowers are the same shape and color as those in the hanging pots. This year discovered an orange one. Looks entirely different from the other two. Planted the three in a container. They basically are a shade plant. So far so good. Maybe some of you would like to give these a try to.
Jimmy decided to give his veggie garden a rest this year. So his big boy tomato plants are in the tubs. Three were reserved for the cukes. They are all doing very well.
T
hink I covered just about everything I wanted to write about. Nothing left but a good bye for now.
Flowercerely yours,
Bobbie G. Vosgien
Congratulations to our next door neighbors Courtney and Matt on the birth of their first child on Wednesday, May 27, 2009. A beautiful little girl whose name is Anna Grace.
P.S. Dear Izzy-Bella, what a great performance you gave doing ballet and hip hop at the YMCA children’s spring dance on May 30th. Love, Grammie Bobbie and Gump Jimmy
P.S.S. Happy 21st Anniversary June 11th to Jodie and John. Love Mom “Greta” and Dad
P.S.S.S. Happy Birthday on June 29th to J.W.V. “T.G.” – Love, Bob
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Mother's Day Poem
Life What's It about
Life is like a roller coaster.
One day your up,
the next your down.
Life is like a roller coaster.
One day your happy and dancing,
the next your sad and crying.
Life is like a roller coaster,
You have good times with your friends,
then you bad times with your family.
Life is like a roller coaster.
You have to try to stay up on the top,
let the good times last.
Don't let something get in your way.
'Cause then your back down again.
Life is like a roller coaster.
You do many things to stay up.
Then if you make a mistake,
you go down.
Life is like a roller coaster.
God is helping you stay up with him.
You just need to do the right things to stay with him.
Life is like a roller coaster.
So, what are you doing to
Stay up with God?
I know I am doing
the right things with my
life. THINK POSITIVE! Stay Positive.
Love God all they way & stay with him.
Happy Mother's Day MOM!
Love Always!
Rachel
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One may think that choosing a paint finish is just as hard as choosing a color, but it doesn't have to be. Below is a list of basic finishes along with each benefit the finish or sheen has.
by Kimberley Linstruth-Beckom
Home Improvement can be exciting because it allows the homeowner to change their surroundings. Painting a room is one of the easiest home improvements to do because it doesn't involve a lot of power tools and it can either make a big impact for your room décor, or it can make your head spin due to all the choices out there. Choosing a paint finish for your interior or exterior project, however, should not have to be the hard part.
Each paint finish has a benefit to it and not every finish is beneficial for every room. One may think that choosing a finish is just as hard as choosing a color, but it really doesn't have to be if you follow a basic rule of thumb. Below are the most common finishes you will find in any paint store with its benefits.
Every store that carries paint will have three to four basic finishes or sheen. They are flat, satin (or eggshell), semi-gloss, and gloss. Each one has some pros and cons.
Flat paint has no sheen to it. The lack of sheen will hide imperfections like dents, dings, or repaired holes. It is the least washable and would not be a good choice for a room that gets a lot of use because spills, fingerprints, and other kinds of marks would be difficult to remove.
Satin, or what's often called Eggshell paint, has a slight sheen. It is more washable than a flat paint and will remove marks more easily. It is not as shiny a sheen as a semi-gloss or a gloss, so it will hide some imperfections, but only when a light isn't shining on it. Satin would be an ideal choice for a bedroom, living room, or a dining room because these walls do not typically need a scrub down from dirty hands, grease, or other types of marks.
A semi-gloss paint is meant for walls that take a beating when it comes to marks like grease, mold, mildew, crayon, fingerprints, food splatter, and any other type of mark that may be hard to remove. This sheen is great for rooms like a playroom, kitchen, and bathroom because the walls can be easily cleaned.
Gloss paint is the shiniest of all sheen. It is the most durable and the easiest of all the paints to clean. This paint is best for small projects like a chest of drawers, kitchen tables, or cabinets that will need extra cleaning care. It will not hide imperfections, however, and must be applied when the weather is not humid to prevent the paint “sticking” to itself on cabinet doors or drawers.
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FATHERS AND SONS AND THE VOLUNTEER ETHIC
By Phyllis S. Donovan
We grew up as part of a generation with a strong volunteer ethic. Granted, for young mothers of that era of stay-at-home housewives, volunteerism was a chance to leave the kids with their Dads and get out for awhile with women our own age with a shared mission of contributing to the community.
In those days, the Meriden Junior Woman’s Club, for instance, had to limit its membership to 125 so many women wanted to join, and that was only one of the organizations in which young people could offer their time and talent.
My husband, too, was an unabashed volunteer, spending his time hosting radio programs on area stations such as the old WBMI and WATR and handling state political and governmental affairs programs for CPTV, later MCing innumerable CPTV Auctions on air for many years.
Nowadays, young parents don’t have as much time for volunteering as they are even busier than we were trying to earn a living in the current economy with wives more likely than not right out there in the workplace with their spouses.
Still, our sons find time to spend with their own children as volunteers in organizations that enrich their lives. One son has been a Little League coach for two of his sons’ teams, even when his job took him as far afield as Japan and England. With the emphasis on good sportsmanship and just having fun, the boys seem happier and more grounded than in an earlier time when the emphasis was on winning at all cost. Teaching youngsters good values through sports is, to my way of thinking, an admirable goal.
Another of our sons has a 12-year-old boy chose to join a Boy Scout Troop whose emphasis was more on community service and learning outdoor skills than an alternate, more sedentary group. Why? “Because I’m a Troop 177 kind of guy,” he told us proudly. This means, though, as one of the active troop chaperones, our son, who was never one to espouse the great outdoors, has found himself going on troop hikes and sleepovers in the woods. Even in the winter, the troop camped out at Sleeping Giant Park. Sometimes they have cabin-like structures to sleep in, other times just tents. “But the meals are great,” our son says. Many of the mothers make desserts and pasta dishes to send along for the campers to heat up so they aren’t just eating the same old hot dog-hamburg-s’mores fare.
Our daughter’s husband is another great sportsman and outdoors person who is happy roaming the woods and fishing the streams of Connecticut. Since they only have one 13-year-old daughter, he has taught her to take pride in being an expert fisherperson. No kidding, she really enjoys pitting her fishing skills against her Dad’s mostly along area streams. (She leaves the ocean fishing to him.)
As a family, they participate in the Connecticut State Parks’ annual summer Park Pursuit, sponsored by the Connecticut DEP. Families compete every weekend at different parks to hone their outdoor skills such as canoeing, camping, hiking, biking and orienteering. Last year, the emphasis was on ecology and the environment. This year, with the concentration on “geo cache” projects, they’ve been checking out natural formations such as kettleholes and dinosaur tracks.
When our youngest son and his family moved from a Manhattan apartment into a home in one of Connecticut’s more family-oriented communities, they fell right into exposing their two youngsters, ages 4 and 6, to a permanent “country fix.” As family projects, they enlarged their back lawn which was bordered by woods they owned, planted daffodil bulbs throughout the property and competed in jack-o-lantern making competitions.
They enrolled the kids in everything from ice skating lessons to swimming, t-ball and soccer classes and were right there to watch their progress. If volunteering begins at home, they have devoted hours to enhancing their little ones’ skills including teaching them the pleasure of reading and complexities of chess.
I firmly believe that the love and respect for a father grows out of that father’s involvement and attention to nurturing and enhancing the lives of their children. By the looks of things, our grandchildren are well on their way to an enduring appreciation of their fathers that will last a lifetime.
My bond with my own father lasted that long and beyond. (He would have been 108 this month and I still fondly remember the many ways in which he helped to shape my life.)
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to http://www.peoplespressnews.com/ . We are your NewsMagazine!
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The Reluctant Warrior….
By Ernie Larsen
Just a week ago we received a call from my wife’s sister to let us know that their Uncle Bob had just passed away; their cousin called Jane and said Bob had simply fallen asleep and died. At 94 years his mind was still functioning quite well; his physical being was precarious and finally was his Waterloo.
This ended what had been a life that others would have had a difficult time emulating. While his journey into another existence was not unexpected it certainly has left a void in his family that will be difficult to fill; Uncle Bob was unlike any other person I have met in my 64 years. He and his brother, my father-in-law were best friends and both towered over me and at 6’1” that was something. Both had booming voices and when I first met them my wife will tell you that I was afraid of them both. Maybe so, but after I got to know them, Bill Luby, unfortunately for such a short time and Bob Luby for the better part of 42 years I quickly learned how to react to them and when Bob used to stop on his Saturday visits there was always something to talk about and if you had nothing to say, never fear, Bob always had a topic or two under his bonnet.
To say Bob led a long, productive and very interesting life would certainly qualify as understatement; he would have celebrated his 95th birthday today, just a day after his funeral. And that’s just the beginning of this tale of a citizen soldier, lawyer and community benefactor and certainly one of the outstanding members of the Greatest Generation.
Bob Luby came from a family where hard work and education were key; he did all the right things, a scholar athlete at both Meriden High School and College of the Holy Cross, Yale College then Yale Law School. His law practice in Meriden was just getting off the ground when the hostilities of WWII had become such that he felt the call to arms and the needs of his country; enlisting in the US Army as a private. His future in the service was to be one of subtle accomplishment. He rose in rank and responsibility in the Army’s 3rd Engineering Battalion, participating in numerous amphibious landings, he being in the first wave, usually the riskiest of positions - yet he came away virtually unscathed, physically, the emotional side of it all was a different story. Then drawing on his legal background, the brass chose him to be one of those who organized military governments on the Japanese mainland. And for all he accomplished this lowly recruit/private ended his Army career a Lieutenant Colonel and being the person he was, not looking for any recognition, all of this went unheralded back in the States. He did tell a couple of war stories to the family and you could tell he was uncomfortable about it and unfortunately so much was left unsaid – including his accomplishments other than combat. His law partner for many years, Gary Olson, in his eloquent eulogy at Bob’s funeral mass, related a story that he and Dennis Gaffney, another law partner, gleaned from Bob, probably at one of their daily lunches at Fischer’s Deli. It involved an incident 5 days or so after the second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki and Japan had surrendered. The higher ups ordered Bob to select an officer and two non-coms to head to Hokkaido, the northernmost island of the country of Japan to take over a girl’s school which was to be used for the incoming military government. Well, being the kind of officer he was, Bob Luby volunteered to be the officer and I would imagine there were numerous sergeants who wished to accompany him. This was a very risky operation; some considered it a suicide mission, not knowing how the civilian population would react to 3 US soldiers coming to commandeer some property. The trio was armed only with side arms and it was unknown if word of the surrender had reached the outskirts of the country. Well, it all worked out, the civilian populace was loyal to their Emperor and took heed of his exhortation to comply with anything the occupying forces requested.
So that was Bob Luby, the soldier, when I first met him in 1967 I really didn’t know what to think of him. I certainly was intimidated, he was taller than me, more outspoken, back then I was sort of reserved, not the bubbling personality I am today.
When Mary and I announced our wedding plans Uncle Bob offered to be a surrogate for Mary’s parents in planning for the wedding, suggesting a reception site and other details – he wanted us to have what we would have if Dot and Bill Luby were still with us; quite generous to a fault and he wished no special recognition – that was Bob Luby.
And then the rest of his family; Aunt Ruth whom I mentored when she took a course in photography in her pursuit of a degree in Art, cousin Deb the scholar, as I thought of her, cousin Tom who nicknamed me Ernesto Che (after Fidel Castro’s trusted lieutenant Che Guevara) and still calls me that to this day; cousin Bobby, well I guess I should say Bob who also got the photography bug back in the 70’s. I’m glad he went Nikon – great choice; based on all the photo albums and snapshots at Bob’s services perhaps my influence rubbed off – or so I like to think.
We spent a few holidays with them, the most memorable was, well not exactly a holiday, it was Bob’s 75th birthday. We drove up the drive on Westfield Road and here were Tom and Bobby assembling a grill – it was their gift to their father. Uncle Bob was acting as foreman and encouraging his sons as only he could do. My brother and brother-in-law ambled over to see if we could be of assistance and noticed, without even looking at the directions, they were going about the whole set up –backwards. So, we suggested they let us finish the job as they informed us this would be the main cooking source for the party and there were about 50 hungry people waiting for food. So we took it apart and got it together and 30 minutes later the burgers were sizzling.
My wife has a bunch of stories about Bob, I guess the one I’ve heard the most is when he would pick up her up after a long day at the office to go down ‘to the beach’ the Luby cottage in Madison – she said he drove with reckless abandon, his head would bob as if he were going to fall asleep and she said she would loudly say ‘Uncle Bob’ and he would acknowledge ‘waking up’ as it were and then keeping his eyes on the road – this was almost a weekly thing and from what his family relates, his driving skills were like his golf game – never really improving – leaving a lot to be desired.
Bob was also an avid sports fan – he especially enjoyed and supported Yale football as a former player himself. Several years ago when Holy Cross was opposing Yale at the Yale Bowl in New Haven, my son Kevin, an HC Alumnus, Mary and I traveled down to the game. We were having a mini-tailgate party interacting with the group parked next to us when I looked across the parking lot and lo and behold here’s Uncle Bob ambling toward the Bowl; by himself, he drove down from Meriden to take in the game, something he said he did for almost every home game. We invited him over and sat with him during the drubbing that the Eli’s gave the Crusaders. After the game Bob did not dwell on Yale’s victory – he was very diplomatic about it after all he started his college career at the Cross. Bob’s brother Bill was also an HC alumnus as were my son and my sister in law’s son. Cousin Tom took a degree from Yale so there is a lot of history with those two schools. Later that year the Crusaders got their revenge on the basketball court so I guess it came out even.
Uncle Bob’s interest in sports continued with his regular presence at his grandchildren’s sporting activities. It was easy to pick him out – he usually was the tallest one on the sidelines. And I’m sure when the girls came off the court, field or horse ring he would greet them with his ubiquitous ‘Good job, kid!”
His later years he became less mobile; however he was still driving, much to the chagrin of his family until a couple of years ago. His mind was still in full gear and he would carry on a conversation on current events, history, sports almost any subject. A voracious reader – he always had a novel, biography or two at his chair side and once told me that reading and buying hardcover books was an investment. Well, I now realize that he was not talking 100% financial - the purchase also was an asset in learning. My wife and I still buy hardcover best sellers regularly and I’m sure Uncle Bob was an influence on the love for reading that exists in our family.
There is so much more I could say about Uncle Bob and the family – it was sad to lose him – his services were something he would have enjoyed – the touching tributes from his granddaughters and his long time law partner and good friend, his personal relationship with the clergy. The Antique Veteran’s presence was quite moving and a most deserving tribute to this accomplished citizen-soldier. Speaking with one of Bob’s friends at Bobby & Karen’s house later – she theorized that there probably wasn’t a dry eye in the group when the somber notes of Taps echoed over Sacred Heart cemetery.
In this issue’s tribute to father’s, Mary and I say so long to Uncle Bob, who assumed the role of surrogate father to us and our entire family - he certainly was more than an uncle – we thank him for stepping up to the plate for us and our families – we’ll certainly miss him!
And finally - Pax vobiscum Bob and no worries with me – I don’t ever think I’ve ever taken a wooden nickel
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com . We are your NewsMagazine!
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Wait ‘til Your Father Gets Home
“Wait ‘til your father gets home,”
a statement
to instill fear, desperation.
and I hoped that the day
would never end,
that he’d never come home.
Many times he came tired, exhausted,
Too tired even to exchange
The smallest of attention, a kind word.
And time flies.
The bridge that separated us
Grew, longer and longer,
The wall thicker and thicker,
Then indifferences settled in.
Two men so close in blood,
So far apart,
Never having anything
To say to each other
You, the Master;
I the pawn.
Yet many times I wanted
To throw my arms around your neck.
It would have felt so good,
But such behavior is unmanly
And many things were left unsaid
Ah, mothers,
Don’t threaten your children!
Dad also wants to be a teddy bear,
The lion in the den
Playing with its cubs,
The bird who takes its youngsters to flight.
Home Country
Slim Randles
We drove up the mountain as far as Jasper Blankenship’s cabin, then walked in the remaining quarter mile to Steve’s newly built cabin. We all knew how important this mountain hideaway was to the semi-aging cowboy, and were prepared to ooh and aah in unison. A cabin, for a man who never had a home that he owned, is a big deal.
He’d been working on building the place since last fall. Finally, over coffee down at the Mule Barn, he said he was ready for visitors as long as we didn’t need anything more complicated than a cup of coffee and a chair.
We made a morning expedition of it. But when we came in sight of the log cabin hiding in the dense shade of the pines, we weren’t ready for what we found. Steve had built a turret on one corner. A turret. A little room ‘way up there.
We stared without speaking.
“Like my turret?” he said.
“Well,” said Doc, “it sure looks … well made.”
“You don’t think it’s pretty?”
“Sure we do!” said Herb. “It’s just …”
“Just what?”
“A … turret. You know. We weren’t expecting one.”
“You can go in it, but it only holds one at a time. Have to climb a ladder.”
“Me first,” said Dud, and went through the front door.
We all took our turns up in the turret. It had a chair next to an end table with magazines on it. There was a window on each wall. You could see half the world.
Doc finally climbed down the ladder and poured himself a coffee. “Got to tell you, Steve, I never had you figured for a turret man.”
Steve smiled into his coffee, then looked up. “If you guys each built a cabin exactly the way you wanted it … no women or anything in the planning … you know … wouldn’t you have a turret?”
We thought about that for minute, then … slowly, the supreme court of coffee drinkers began nodding collectively.
Then Dud said, “Mine would have a TV set …”
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Brought to you by Abe’s Motel and Fly Shop. See them at http://www.sanjuanriver.com/.
Protecting seniors against Crime
Submitted by Carol Carbutti – Comfort Keepers of Wallingford
Seniors are more vulnerable to certain crimes, but being observant, alert, and careful can reduce the opportunity for someone to take advantage of them. Although as people age, chances of being a crime victim decreases, using common sense precautions can reduce the risk that they may be subjected to. Crime prevention is everyone’s responsibility, and any crime or suspicious activity should be reported to law enforcement.
Be aware when you are at home
· Keep your doors locked at all times.
· Don’t hide keys; leave an extra set with a trusted neighbor, friend, or family.
· Lock windows and sliding doors.
· Never let strangers into your home. Ask for photo ID if needed, or call the company they represent.
· Put your lights on timers if you are going to be away, and/or turn on a radio.
· If you live alone, have a friend you can check in with to watch out for each other.
Be aware when you are out
· Don’t carry your wallet in your back pocket.
· Hold your purse close to your body; don’t dangle it.
· Don’t carry large amounts of cash.
· When riding the bus, train, or subway, sit close to the driver, or near an exit.
· Don’t go out alone - go with family or friends.
· Keep your car doors locked.
· When going to your car or entering your home, have your keys in hand.
· Avoid dark, deserted routes.
Be aware to protect your money
· Use direct deposit for your Social Security checks.
· Don’t show large sums of money when you are shopping.
· Don’t sign contracts unless you are sure it is for a legitimate reason.
· Don’t put your purse or wallet unattended on a counter when shopping.
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“Sheltering an Animal’s Perspective”
by
Gregory M. Simpson
A Wesleyan University student asked recently how I got involved in animal welfare. The answer was reflexive, “I adopted my first cat.”
The 1981 trip to the Connecticut Humane Society, one of the oldest humane societies in the country, is clear in my memory. A playful orange tabby, just a year old, grabbed my attention from one of the stainless steel cages and I was instantly engaged. “Are you going to adopt that one?” asked a young woman who added that she was looking for an orange tabby. “Yes,” I said, announcing my decision to adopt my first cat. “Yes, I am.”
Adopting “Cinnamon”, my most beloved cat ever, was indeed a day that changed my life and impacted how much of my free time would be spent from that day forward.
For the next 17 years, over half of my adult life, Cinnamon was my constant companion. To paraphrase the writer, Hillaire Belloc, she was my cat and I was her human. Disproving the myth that a cat is more attached to place than person, Cinnamon was content as long as she was with me, whether riding in the car, visiting relatives overnight, watching television, or sleeping on my bed.
The sad time came for Cinnamon’s inevitable passing. It was one of my saddest days and I still miss the unconditional love she brought into my life. Yet she taught me what Maude counseled Harold in the classic film, Harold and Maude, to “Go and love some more.” To that end, I have devoted an avocation to improving the lives of felines, including by adopting more strays whose paths have crossed mine.
Almost three decades have passed since adopting that first cat. I have played many roles in memory of Cinnamon, including serving on boards of directors for four Connecticut animal welfare organizations, and as state advisor to the national Friends of Animals, Inc.
After publishing dozens of letters to the editor through the years, in 2002 I began writing “Sheltering an Animal’s Perspective” columns for several newspapers, with the aim of providing humane education and advancing animal welfare. Membership in the Cat Writers’ Association followed.
I have been at this a long time. I have testified at the State Capitol with the late Cleveland Amory, founder of Fund for Animals and have been in protests with Wayne Pacelle, President, and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States – when he was a Yale undergraduate! Some of the best in the field have trained me, including Bryan Kortis, executive director of Neighborhood Cats in New York City. I have mentored others and have been mentored myself by Ellen Perry Berkeley, author of Maverick Cats and board member of the national Alley Cat Allies. Having trapped, neutered and spayed, fund raised, placed animals in loving homes, coordinated volunteers, cleaned cages, and spent quality time with shelter cats awaiting homes, I was honored when chosen by CAT FANCY magazine as one of the ultimate cat lovers in the U.S.
All of this was done for no compensation other than the unconditional love from one special cat – a cat that taught me that contentment comes from simplicity – the simplicity of loving, playing and living in the moment. As the sculptor, Rodin, aptly wrote, “The more simple we are, the more complete we become.”
Because of the love of that cat, I believe as an epithet in a pet cemetery reads, “O heaven will not heaven be, unless my cats are there to welcome me.” So, until we meet again, Cinnamon, I will fight the good fight to see that others like you get the same opportunities that each of us wants – to love and be loved, a good home, and the ability to live a life without pain and misery.
The Wesleyan University student wanted to know how I got started because she was looking to find her “passion”. I will be eternally grateful to one cat named Cinnamon who helped me find mine.
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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To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com . We are your NewsMagazine!
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Meriden Humane Society
Andy,It's been very busy at the Meriden Humane Society and just when we think nothing else can happen, it does. Do you think you could put a word out to your readers for us?
Recently, we have had an influx of dogs and cats either being abandoned or dropped off at our door step. While this is not always uncommon, what is is the fact that most of them need immediate medical attention. People areletting these animals suffer, to the point where it is almost too late to help them. They are being left to die under peoples porches or abandoned on the streets, because people cannot financially take care of them.The Meriden Humane Society is currently in debt to its local veterinarians and cannot get treatment for these animals until these debts are paid. It pains me to tell you how sad this makes me feel. I hope that some of you could see it in your hearts to help us out at this time. You can't even imagine how frustrated we feel when we have to get an animal treatment and don't know where to go. Please, even if it's a few dollars, it will help a sick animal.You can send donations to the Meriden Humane Society, 311 Murdock Ave,Meriden, CT 06450 or call (203)238-3650 and see how you can help.Thank you with all of my heart,Lori Peck, Dedicated Volunteer
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Prohibition Days
By Dorothy Gonick
Growing up in the 1920’s and ‘30s during prohibition days, our values were influenced greatly by our parents and grandparents. Booze was abhorred by them. Mom and Grandma Adair belonged to the Woman’s Society of Christian Service and the WCTU (Women’s Christian Temperance Union).
This ink blotter was given out by the Hospital in Rochester, Minn. and used by my grandparents. We kids thought it was funny and had fun imagining liquor turning people’s heads into wooden ones. Before the 18th Amendment was passed, Grandpa Adair had once attended a lecture by Carrie Nation and acquired a mother-of-pearl hatchet-shaped pin. Carrie Nation was a dedicated fighter for prohibition of liquor and went from one tavern to another chopping up the bars with her hatchet while giving a fiery lecture to the patrons. As kids, we were awed by that story, admired that tiny pearl hatchet, and vowed never to touch liquor.
In 1933 when the states were given the choice of allowing liquor to be sold or not, Iowa chose to be a ‘dry’ state and Missouri chose to be ‘wet’. Our Iowa farm’s southern boundary was on the Iowa/Missouri state line. Soon a Beer Shack was erected just over the state line and became a focal point for thirsty Iowans, judging by the license plates on cars passing by, some from 100 miles away. Cousin Maurice visited us each summer and remembers opening his bedroom windows for fresh air and hearing country music blasting away throughout the night.
There were times that motorists were out of gas or had slid off the road, they came knocking on our door asking for help, even in the middle of the night, which caused Dad to form a hatred for what liquor did to people and he began locking our doors after years of unconcern. Nevertheless on those mud-slicked roads, he would use his tractor or hitch a team of horses to extricate the car and send it on its way. He vowed never to patronize a place that served or sold liquor.
Years later on a family trip to Maine, Mom’s relatives invited us to an elegant restaurant for dinner. When we arrived, Dad noted that drinks were offered. He didn’t criticize us, but stuck to his vow and would not go in, but took his small grandson, Tommy, down the street to a Wimpy’s for hamburgers. Another time we remember happened while on a social visit when he was given a mug of beer. Not wanting to create an incident, he quietly poured it onto a potted fern. The host noticed his empty mug and promptly refilled it!
When liquor became available in Iowa, the Beer Shack was closed but was soon reopened to sell fireworks: something that Missouri allowed and Iowa did not. From fire-water to fire-works, and the traffic flowed on.
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Here’s an interesting postscript:
During World War II my fiancé was stationed in Germany and then served in the Military Government after the war ended. The U.S. Army Education Program was formed and servicemen were given the opportunity to enroll in classes at certain schools. Walt was accepted at the Bavarian State Brewery of St. Stephan (Weihenstephan) A&T School, where he achieved his brewmeister certificate. Dad may not have approved, but we weren’t chastised for it. After his discharge Walt returned to his pre-war occupation of soil scientist, which pleased the family I’m sure.
May 11. 2009 word count 573
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ROADSIDE LOVLINESS
By Dorothy Gonick
“Oh, look!” Mom exclaimed as we passed a clump of purple flowers along the roadside, as we came home from a shopping trip in Grant City. “Aren’t they lovely!” Later that afternoon, Dad surprised her with an armful of those lovely roadside flowers. Mom arranged the purple Liatrus flowers in a big crock on our front porch for everyone to enjoy.
All of nature pleased Mom and we 'caught’ her delight in flowers, birds, weather and all it had to offer. The upside down feeding of Nuthatches and the brilliant orange of Orioles were a couple of her favorite birds to see. Queen Anne’s Lace was a weed that
enchanted her in summertime. It bloomed alongside the lovely blue Chicory plant
that Dad admired. It was such a favorite of his that when mowing along the roadside he skipped cutting it, and allowed the Chicory and Queen Anne’s Lace to bloom extravagantly.
The delight in all of nature and the love and concern they had for each other and for our family became implanted in each of us. Today the sight of Chicory and Queen Anne’s Lace blooming together along a roadside continues to warm our hearts with happy thoughts of Mom and Dad.
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KID’s Press
Slick 3
Hypnotized by Play Land
By: Brandon DiMichele
It has been 2 weeks since Jade and her mother had discovered that Slick was a girl.
Jade’s mother made a suggestion that they should change Slicks name, but Jade didn’t agree.
Jade’s father had come home from a business trip and was very excited about the great news, he decided to build a giant dog house in the back yard. Now the dogs don’t have to live on that ratty old dog bed they had.
They had made names for the puppies too, Erin, Jack, and Lauren, two boys and two girls.
While Jade was walking in the park she found a poster on a tree…
Come to…
Play land!
Where fun comes to life.
Play Land is a fun interactive place where children come to have fun. We have many games and rides. Totally free and you can have your birthday party here!
1752 Lakefield St. Stratford, Ct 06614 1-800-388-5555
“Wow! This place looks like fun! But I don’t know where 1752 Lakefield St. is.” Jade said sadly.
Jade slowly walked on the side walk with her head dangling. Without looking, she tripped and fell over.
As soon as she lifted up her head she gazed upon the tall building that said Play Land over the doorway.
She squealed, “PLAY LAND! I FOUND IT!” She climbed up and dashed into the building. She peered at all of the children playing games and rides.
She rushed to a game and instantly she was hypnotized in the coolness.
Meanwhile…
“Where is she!?!?” Jade’s mother shouted angrily. “She said she was going to be right back!”
“Don’t worry. I’ll go out and search for her with Slick. Maybe Slick can pick up her scent.” Jade’s dad told her.
They headed out the door and went to the park. When there, Slick picked up the scent. They galloped down the side walk until the reached Play Land.
They wandered inside and started seeking for Jade. Suddenly Slick started running in a direction. Jade’s dad followed and they found Jade.
“Jade! What are you doing?” Jade’s father shouted.
“I’m playing a…oh.” Jade said.
“Yeah, oh. You should have come to your mother and I before you came here!”
“Sorry.”
“C’mon. Let’s go home.”
“Ok.”
Jade, Jade’s dad, and Slick all walked home, had a great dinner, and went to bed.
The End
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to http://www.peoplespressnews.com/ . We are your NewsMagazine!
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Barb’s Family
Submitted by Alan Murphy
Foster Adoptive Mission
You may have seen her on her way to work or in a grocery store and noticed her friendly and welcoming smile. She may look a lot like one of your friends or neighbors. She might even look a bit like you. What sets her apart is that this woman, Barbara, has been a foster parent since 2002.
“I always knew I wanted to work with children,” Barbara explains. “And the 30 years I spent teaching special education were tremendously gratifying. Yet I always wanted to do more. Being a foster parent has allowed me to make more of an impact. Together with my family, I have been able to change the lives of children from all different backgrounds and a variety of circumstances. There are challenges, to be sure—as every foster parent will tell you—but the rewards have been beyond what I would ever have expected.”
There are currently 513,000 children in the foster care system in the United States, and there is a dire need for committed, caring adults willing to take these children into their homes over the short or longer term. In her seven years as a foster parent, Barbara and her husband have taken in 25 children for stays ranging
from a few days to nine months. They have adopted two of these children (one a toddler and the other a teenager), who are now a permanent part of a family that also includes Barbara’s two college-age biological sons and, at present, one additional foster child.
After having done this for seven years, Barbara tells us: “Now, I wish we had made the decision to start even earlier. Each one of these children has contributed to our home and family life in a special way.”
Barbara is especially grateful for the FAST program, which sends professionals into foster homes to help address the children’s unique needs. She tells us that the first few days of a placement can be especially trying, as children act out in different ways and can be particularly needy when first separated from a parent. FAST provides the information and support Barbara and her family need to make the transition as smooth as possible. “The reward is when the child begins to trust you,” Barbara says. “The first time he comes to you for comfort or she places her head on you. Those are the moments that make everything worthwhile—just knowing that you have created a safe and loving place for this youngster. For some of these children, the time they spend in our home is their first experience of a healthy, nurturing environment. We show them the sort of home life they deserve. And I don’t mean with regard to home size or material possessions; I mean having a place to live where everyone has your best interests at heart. A place where you know from one moment to the next what to expect and don’t have to live with fear or hunger or neglect.”
Barbara’s eyes light up as she speaks of a three-year-old currently in her care: “She is so bright and says the funniest things. She has been identified as gifted by the teachers at the nursery school she attends, which doesn’t surprise me at all. I’ve met with this little girl’s mother, and she has so much potential. We are all hoping she will be able to turn things around and be reunited with her child. Until then, she knows her child is in a loving home.”
The most difficult part of being a foster parent, according to Barbara, is seeing the children leave, especially when there is no contact afterwards. “It’s not possible to adopt every child,” Barbara says, “and of course we worry about the children after they’ve left our home. We just have to take comfort in the fact that, for as long as we had them, we loved them and gave them a stable, structured family life. Sometimes, we are able to keep track of a child when he or she leaves. One of the children was adopted by her grandparent, and we get together and talk on the phone often. It is such a joy to know this child is in a caring home and is being given a good chance for a healthy and happy life.
”
What makes an ideal foster parent? According to Barbara, there is no one formula other than enjoying children, being able to provide a loving home, and being willing to fight for what they need. Barbara considers foster parenting her calling and encourages others to join her in providing a temporary home for one or more of the thousands of local children in need.
Foster parenting is a commitment—and an opportunity to make a big difference in a child’s life. FAM (Foster Adoptive Mission) has presented this vignette of Barbara’s experiences as a foster parent in hopes of encouraging other caring adults to reach out to children in difficult circumstances. If you have any interest in becoming a foster parent, please call FAM today for more information. There is no obligation. Your timing couldn’t be better: May is National Foster Care Month. Please call FAM at 860.949.4061 or 203.706.0101. There is a child out there who needs you.
Please note: To protect the privacy of children in the foster care system and their foster families, FAM (Foster Adoptive Mission) prefers they remain anonymous in most instances. In the case of this article we have omitted the last name of the foster parent and have been given permission to use the foster parent’s first name.
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No Joke: Matching Funds Available if State Antes Up
by Jessica Ciparelli
When does $1.5 million state-funded investment dollars equate to $3.2 million? When it is combined with $1.7 million of private funding. And this is no April Fool's joke.
At the Legislative Office Building on April 1, close to 100 people, including legislators, parents and philanthropic leaders gathered to hear the announcement of a challenge to the state: Come up with $1.5 million to invest in building community plans for early childhood, increasing parent leadership (through programs such as the Connecticut Parent Trust Fund's Parent Leadership Training Institute, or “PLTI”), and improving early literacy, then private funders and foundations, including the William Casper Graustein Memorial Fund, will fund the remaining $1.7 million.
“Foundations are ready to invest,” said WCGMF Executive Director David Nee. “I really hope this offer is appropriately [accepted].”
It's not a huge sum to invest on either side, however, the testament to the product is measurable. The room was filled with parent leaders, many of whom have completed, or are in the process of completing, PLTI. Parent groups and advocates from East Hartford, West Hartford, Torrington, New Britain, Norwich, Norwalk, Manchester, Danbury, Windham,Windsor, Bridgeport, Stamford, Meriden, Middletown and Colchester were present to show their support of the matching funds and the opportunity to continue investments in early learning and parent leadership programming. Both make good economic and social sense for Connecticut's children, especially in tough times.
“We can't say enough about Graustein and other [funders] who are making these partnerships work,” said Rep. Bruce Morris (D-Norwalk). “I can't say enough about PLTI either. This certainly is a tough budget year, but this is an investment.”
Rep. Morris spoke of closing the state's achievement gap and said there is a way to do just that.
“Early childhood education is one of the first things we need to do,” he said. “We need to level the playing field with parents playing an active role.”
Marisol Estrada-Soto, a 2007 graduate of the PLTI class in Meriden, said the class has helped her become more involved. She is even now part of a work group for the “Meriden Early Learning Blueprint,” a comprehensive plan of action to promote learning for young children and their families.
“I realized I wanted to help the parents of Meriden become more engaged,” she said. Taking part in the Meriden Blueprint plan has helped her further understand what is going on in her own community.
For some, the reason for taking part in PLTI is more personal. That is the case of Kimberly Clark of New Haven, who is half-way through the 20-week program.
“The reason I am so adamant for PLTI and PEP [People Empowering People, also part of the CT Parent Trust Fund] is because I have a 7-year-old and I don't want to lose him to the streets,” Clark said. “It would be a disservice to allow these [programs] to fall by the wayside.”
“Families are so ready to be engaged – they just need the support,” said Elaine Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Connecticut Commission on Children.
Melody Currey, former state representative and current East Hartford mayor said there are at least 100 graduates of PLTI in East Hartford, and many of them are now serving on boards and commissions and are speaking out for children's issues.
“We have been very fortunate to have that,” Currey said.
Susan Murphy, vice president of corporate communications and community relations for Liberty Bank, said one of the bank's priorities in its strategic plan is to invest in preventative programming for families, including early literacy, youth leadership and PLTI.
“It's one of the best investments we can make,” said Murphy. “[But] we can't obviously do it alone – the only way we can do it is to partner with state and local government.”
In terms of capacity building, George Hensinger, representing Norwalk Early Childhood Council, said the council has been involved with Graustein for at least the past 10 years and has developed a three-year action plan. Eighty school readiness slots, he said, were added in Norwalk in 2008, with a goal of another 100 planned for 2009-2010. He added that through a program called "EPIC," 29 parents have been trained to go out and further engage other parents in the community.
State Rep. Catherine Abercrombie (D-Meriden) said she was “very” confident that the state would secure the $1.5 million in matching funds, but she urged those present to contact their legislators to stress how important programs such as these are.
“As we all know, nothing is set in stone,” she said.
The press conference was sponsored by the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund, CT Parent Power, Rep. Abercrombie and the Connecticut Commission on Children.
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\Memories Of A Lifetime
Connecticut Outdoors
Written By: Paul Narducci
I recently had the opportunity to take my nephew Ryan Paul fishing. He is involved with the cub scouts and they had their annual fishing derby in Killingwirth at there camp. This place is completely beautiful and reminded me of my childhood. I use to go to camps very similar to this and was also a cub and boy scout years ago. Of course we wake up to a day that is not so nice regarding the weather but it isn’t raining. After speaking to Ryans mom Lori we decide to continue with our plan. They pick me up around eight o clock and we are off. You could tell the excitement in Ryans face, he was ready to fish! We get there and the place is packed with people of all ages. Its very windy and is definitely cold. After about fifteen minutes of fishing you guessed it it started to rain. So we put on our rain suits and continue to fish. Lori and I look at each other with a confused look hoping that one of us would ask Ryan if he wanted to leave. We all know I couldn’t do it because I’m Uncle Paul the guy with the fishing show. As I begun to shiver a bit and felt something dripping from my nose Lori finally asked the Question of the day. As the rain comes down harder and the wind is blowing, Ryan was ready to go. Although we didn’t catch any fish it was an honor to be asked to spend time with Ryan. I can guarantee you we will be back out again. Paul, Ryans on the phone wants to go fishing.
April 18, 2009 Opening Day. I pick Joe Dias up at 5:30 am that’s right I said am. We are headed off to Wharton Brook to catch some fish. We get there and it isn’t as packed as it has been in the past. Right away people are catching fish and the madness has begun. Are first fish is a tiger trout. We never caught one of these before. We leave Wharton Brook with four fish for my parents to enjoy. Due to the economy and possible fees for fishing to go up we were forced to ask them for ten dollars a fish. I convinced Joe that he should ask grandpa. As I was getting the fish into a bucket with fresh water Joe went over to talk to Grandpa. I told my Dad how our day went and he was eager to get the fish cleaned,so we left. I asked Joe how much did we get and he told me to forget about it. What’s with this? Forget About It, someone has been watching to many mafia movies. Well I never did get an honest answer. I decided to take Joey out for breakfeast for some pancakes and French toast. What away to end a perfect day. I love French Toast. As a reminder here are some possible lures for you and your kids to try, Yum trout pellets, buoyant and Rough Rider from Thomas spinning lures. As always Paul, Tony, Frank, Joe and Jonathan wish everyone the best of luck and good fishing!
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This had happened to me on May 10 and I related it to Barb in a personal eMial. I decided to copy the text and submit it to The People's Press. I wonder how many other readers found themselves in my situation.
THERE'S A MOTH IN MY EAR!
Submitted by Nancy Sherburne, Tucson, Arizona.I went to bed shortly after midnight, Sunday, May 10. I had just turned on the light to check on a noise when I felt something I took to be an insect caught in my hair. Imagine how I felt when I heard the frantic fluttering of what I took to be a moth inside my right ear! After trying to dig it out with a Q-tip swab I gave up and called 911. The EMTs that showed up shone a flashlight into my ear but couldn't see anything so they said there was nothing there. Here I am listing to the intermittent fluttering and KNEW there was something there. I think further investigation told them there was something in my ear but they said they had nothing to take it out with. I would need a pair of slender forceps I could buy at Walgreens or I could get in the shower and let hot water run into my ear to flush it out. They left and I grabbed an unused 16-oz disposable plastic cup and went into the bathroom. I think I filled it up six times, pouring the water into my ear and trying to get the thing out in between. Since I had no forceps or even tweezers, the only thing I could think of to try was a lobster pick so I went to the kitchen for one and gently inserted it into my ear trying to skewer the thing. Suddenly, it came out into the sink and was indeed a small, dead moth. It was one weird experience I don't want repeated, but at least if it is I will know what to do. Now I have to worry over whether I get a bill or not, but at least their suggestion of the hot water did the trick.
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com . We are your NewsMagazine!
Wild Flowers of Hubbard Park
By Francis W. Lappert
I must go back to my early teen years to describe the many wild flowers that grew in the park. There were two small streams that came from Meremere. reservoir and from some springs also. We called that one “Bee Hive Brook” because there was a stone structure at the edge of the swamp opposite Reservoir Ave. shaped like a bee hive. The other small stream on the west side of “Mirror Lake we called shady brook which came from springs in the forest. Both of these streams supported the park with a multitude of wild flowers. Listed among them were the “Adder Tongues which grew in profusion along the stream. Then there were the “Jack-in-the-Pulpits” which were also plentiful, also a white flower called “Blood Root” so called because when picked the stems juice was the color of blood. The yellow flower which grew right in the stream was called “Cow-Slip”.
The flowers we liked the best were the purple “Lady Slippers” and the yellow variety. The purple ones grew under the pine and hemlock trees in the north of “Meremere” reservoir. The yellow variety grew on the hillsides between Hubbard Park and the reservoir. Today they are very scarce from over-picking and changes made in the park. There was one rare flower that grew up every year on the slope that was the dam for the reservoir, it was called “Dutch Mans Britches” as the flower which was white, resembled a line of britches hung out on a line. On the rock slides on both sides of the reservoir grew the multicolored “Columbines”, a very fragile flower. One of the first flower to appear in the spring was the “Mayflower”, some were blue others a shade of pink. My sister Rose was always the first person to find them and bring them to the local newspaper. She always knew when they were ready to bloom. On the north of the lake on the sunny hillsides were wild “Geraniums”, blue “Violets” and yellow ones which were quite rare. There was also the “Blue Gention” and one called “Wind Flower”. There were also the flowering bushes that were quite beautiful. “Honeysuckle” which grew among the rocks near the reservoir, “Mountain Laurel” which was plentiful along the road leading to the “Castle”. Along the brook coming from the reservoir were numerous “Pussy Willows”. The parks undeveloped forest land has numerous white “Dogwood” trees which are in full blossom at this time.
Most of the flowers which I have mentioned are long gone due to the development and improvements made in the park. Where the swimming pool is located we used to play ball in the meadow that was there. Most of the youth in our neighborhood on Reservoir Ave. learned to swim in “Mirror Lake” as it was clean and not polluted. Now the ducks and geese have taken over.
I recently received a letter from my sister in California, Rose Lappert Clark, and she listed a number of wild flowers that I had forgotten to mention. Among those are as follows:
Solomon’s Seal – Along the rocky ledges
Saxifrage – Along the rocky ledges
Blue Flag – Swampy areas
White Violets – Swampy areas
White Daisy – Open Field
Buttercup – Open Field
Wild Aster – Open Field
Wild Rose – Open Field
Black Eyed Susan – Open Field
Snap Dragon – Open Field
Clematis – Open Field
Anemone – Open Field
Red Trillium – Open Woodland
Myrtle – Open Woodland
Indian Pipes – Open Woodland
Added to the fifteen kinds I listed it makes quite an array of wild flowers that once grew in the park.
I don’t believe there is any other park in Connecticut that can claim such a variety. I challenge anyone to roam through the park and name as many as we both have.
You won’t feel Old…
Submitted by Donna Mahon
Just in case you weren't feeling too old today, this will certainly change things.
The people who are starting college this fall across the nation were born in 1989 .
They were not born when the space shuttle blew up.
Their lifetime has always included AIDS.
The CD was introduced 2 years before they were born.
They have always had an answering machine
They have always had cable.
Jay Leno has always been on the Tonight Show.
Popcorn has always been cooked in the microwave.
They never took a swim and thought about Jaws.
They don't know who Mork was or where he was from.
They never heard: "Where's the Beef?", "I'd walk a mile for a Camel", or "de plane Boss, de plane".
McDonald's never came in Styrofoam containers.
They don't have a clue how to use a typewriter
Do you feel old yet? (Sorry)
Notice the larger type, that's for those of you who have trouble reading.
Save the earth. It's the only planet with chocolate
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to http://www.peoplespressnews.com/ . We are your NewsMagazine!
Number 9 – The Best Beatles’s Tribute Band
THE MUSIC
The Beatles, the most successful rock group in history and arguably the greatest band of all time, officially got their start in 1962 when they released their first single “Love Me Do”. They then went on to write more number one hits than any other band in history. In the relatively brief amount of time they were together, these four lads from Liverpool managed to compile a library of songs so rich with tonal complexities and range of emotion, it’s almost incomprehensible how innovative and unique they really were. Even after 40 years, their songs are still considered timeless classics and there’s no doubt they will continue to live on and endure the test of time. And if one were to delve a little deeper, they would come to realize that the Beatles were also pioneers on a number of other fronts…from their unique writing…to their vocal arrangements…to their style and delivery…to their look…to their sound and their approach to instrumentation…and even to their recording methods. They did it all. Needless to say, their story is a long and wonderful one and we could go on and on. Let’s just say the Beatles helped to shape a time and change the world. How could one not be drawn to their music.
OUR FORMATION
Hence, this leads us to the story of Number Nine. Many have asked why we formed and what our goal is as a band. We originally came together as part a mission to help children and our community. More specifically, we decided to form and perform as part of a charity event we organized on behalf of a local elementary school’s music program. We chose to embark on that endeavor of good will because music is near and dear to all our hearts and music has had a profound impact on each of our lives. And there’s no denying that music offers our youth a unique vehicle to exploring & unlocking their creative side and the potential benefits cannot be underestimated. All too often, the music programs are among the first programs to be diminished and even cut when a school is faced with budgetary constraints. Limiting these vital programs does a disservice to our teachers doing so could be detrimental to our youth and the future of our society. Our formation was in large part dedicated to sending the message that we must do everything in our power to preserve the arts and our efforts pay homage to the fine men and women dedicated to teaching our youth.
Another big reason we came together was that we simply love the music of the Beatles and we also really enjoy performing it. So much so, as a matter of fact, that we’re finding it very hard to stop learning and mastering their songs. There’s a seemingly endless well of great songs to choose from and we’re finding that the more we learn, the more inspired we become to learn more. We’re now well beyond 100 songs in our performing repertoire and to our amazement there are still dozens more gems that we’re working on. The Beatles catalogue of material is truly mind boggling.
OUR MISSION
We like to think that our mission is to pick up where the Beatles left off in August 29, 1966. This is when they played their last live concert in San Francisco’s Candlestick Park. At the time, many thought it was the end of an era. What they didn’t know was that the Beatles were hard at work creating an album that would forever change music. An album that was so intricate and deeply layered with sound and instrumentation, it would go beyond anything done previously. It was also an album that contained music so deep and involved, it would be virtually impossible to recreate live with only 4 people. On June 1, 1967, the album, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," was released in the U.K and it topped the charts all over the world, holding the number one slot in Britain for 27 weeks and for 19 in America. This was the turning point for the Beatles and for music as we knew it.
OUR NUMBERS
As the Beatles evolved over time, so did their music. More and more instrumentation was being used on their recordings, vocal arrangements became more complex, and their use of studio and recording techniques grew in unimaginable ways. It didn’t take us long to figure out that trying to recreate their recorded material live with only four people would be virtually impossible and we quickly found our numbers growing well beyond four. But we also found that having many players could be a great asset because it allows us the ability to perform any of their songs, from any era, from the simplest to the most complex. Virtually no song is out of reach. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that we often like to explore sounds and arrangements beyond the recorded versions when the mood for improvisation hits us. We like to keep things fresh and exciting, not only for us but our audiences as well.
YESTERDAY…TODAY…AND TOMORROW
From that original benefit concert in early 2006, things have grown and evolved at an incredible rate. We’re now performing on a regular basis and each and every show brings with it memorable experiences and a feeling that we’re doing something special. Performing the music of the Beatles is indeed a great challenge but well worth the effort in our eyes. Our hope is that we can do justice to their great music and that we can move you. We’re proud to say that we cover a very wide range of material from the fresh and exciting early years to the mesmerizing psychedelic period to the beautifully crafted and seasoned material of the later years. There’s virtually no song out of reach. These are timeless classics that are sure to evoke powerful memories and we strive to make the music and our show an experience you’ll never forget.
MUSICIANS
Ken Sullivan – vocals
Ted Andrzejczuk – vocals & accordion
Geo Filippides – lead electric & acoustic guitar
Bob Glick – rhythm electric & acoustic guitar
Chip Hulten – bass guitar
Ralph Bushnell – drums
Chris Griffin – horns
Dave Zerio - keyboards
* Note, performances often include special guest appearances from a wide variety of talented and gifted musicians!
CONTACT INFO: For booking info or questions, contact Geo. J. Filippides @ 203-715-4621. For additional info on the band and upcoming performances, visit us at our website at http://www.number9info.com/
Labels: meriden wallingford newspaper, meriden wallingford newspaper news connecticut, the peoples press
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