tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48621462099348267722024-03-13T06:55:50.501-04:00Fresh InkBarbara Lombardo of Saratoga Springs, NY, is a journalism adjunct at University at Albany and retired executive editor of The Saratogian, The Record and the Community News. Follow her on Twitter @Barb_Lombardo.
Fresh Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16537458886169297261noreply@blogger.comBlogger316125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-25823879817694239792015-10-26T12:20:00.000-04:002015-10-26T12:20:21.463-04:00Practicing the punchline for dad's funeral<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vaJ0bZbRJnA/Vi5RRPDLBCI/AAAAAAAAAbM/HsppPOsoRwA/s1600/Jerry%2B%2526%2BKids%2B2015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vaJ0bZbRJnA/Vi5RRPDLBCI/AAAAAAAAAbM/HsppPOsoRwA/s320/Jerry%2B%2526%2BKids%2B2015.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jerry looks comfortable with his three kids,<br />Steven, Barbara and Robin. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are you comfortable?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A reasonable question to ask of my 85-year-old father for
whom so much has become difficult: hearing, seeing, walking, breathing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But he’s the one who likes to do the asking, a set-up for a
punchline that he’s trained his children, grandchildren, aides, friends and
even his rabbi to deliver, with a shrug: Eh, I make a living.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other day he and Rabbi Dan spent more than half an hour
together in the furniture-packed living room of my dad’s apartment. Afterwards,
the rabbi told me my father instructed him to practice the joke he wants told at
his funeral, with specific directions that the punchline be shouted from the
pews by those of us in the know. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, at his funeral. Which, the doctors say, could be days,
weeks or a very few months away. The other day my father learned he has a
malignant tumor that he decided not to treat. Don’t worry, he said, cancer
won’t kill me. Not being able to breathe will.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My father likes to point bit by bit from head to hip,
reciting which parts are gone, dead or dying. He outlived his wife, and he’s
lived with diabetes, kidney disease, two bypass surgeries, the addition of a
pig’s heart valve, macular degeneration, hearing loss, the replacement of a hip
and now, cancer. When he tips forward in his medical recliner and suddenly
zonks out, we think, today’s the day. Then he gets a second wind in time to
catch the Off-Track Betting station’s replay from Belmont. Give me my sheet, he
demands, checking to see how well he fared following favorite trainer Linda
Rice. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My father had a premature wake of sorts four years ago when
the doctors promised he was a goner. Turned out, as the rabbi explained, God
wasn’t ready for him and, as my brother assured him, neither was my mother, may
she rest in peace. Nonetheless, after being told death is imminent, accepting
the end and saying all his goodbyes, it took a while to come to grips with still
being around.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This time is different. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And so, Rabbi Dan needs to practice. The short version: A
man is hit by a car and knocked to the ground, horribly injured. Waiting for
the ambulance, a police officer takes off his jacket and places it beneath the
man’s head. The officer asks the man, “Are you comfortable?” The man shrugs
(cue dad’s loved ones): “Eh, I make a living.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A loving family, which has grown to include his aides, and
the occasional exacta bring happiness, but living has become just too hard. Any
day could be the one both expected and dreaded. He wants to go, understandably,
like my mother: alive in the recliner one moment, gone the next. Regrettable
because we didn’t get to say goodbye, but enviable for an apparently quick and
painless parting. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t want to lose my father, but for now my hope each day
is an affirmative answer to only one question: Dad, are you comfortable? <o:p></o:p></div>
Fresh Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16537458886169297261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-80279875467484404972015-09-02T10:28:00.005-04:002015-09-02T10:28:40.185-04:00A fitting funeral for Ed Lewi, the life of the party <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lsWNFz3hfI8/VecE-vHQB3I/AAAAAAAAAaY/cOG6VqK2n-o/s1600/lewi%2Bbutton.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lsWNFz3hfI8/VecE-vHQB3I/AAAAAAAAAaY/cOG6VqK2n-o/s320/lewi%2Bbutton.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buttons and "fans" were bearing Ed Lewi's likeness<br />and motto were given to guests at his Celebration of Life.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ed Lewi would have loved his funeral.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was, as he wished, not a somber service Tuesday but a
party – a festive lunch in an air-conditioned tent along the rail at Saratoga
Race Course with cheerful music from Reggie’s Red Hot Feet Warmers, champagne
and, for dessert, his favorite cookies and ice cream. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The usual life of the party was there – in spirit, in upbeat
remembrances, and on buttons bearing his image and motto, “If it ain’t fun, don’t
do it,” that were handed out and pinned on the lapels of several hundred guests
who responded to the obituary invitation to celebrate Ed’s life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vlgh4kmQLb0/VecFCrP96DI/AAAAAAAAAag/s1pAsU_N4iY/s1600/lewi%2Beagle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vlgh4kmQLb0/VecFCrP96DI/AAAAAAAAAag/s1pAsU_N4iY/s320/lewi%2Beagle.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was as close as I'd get to the eagle that greeted<br />guests outside the party tent. I didn't get any closer to<br />the porcupine =</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ed was the consummate marketer and public relations guru
whose professional work, volunteerism and philanthropy were instrumental to the
continued success of the racecourse, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, the
Double H Ranch for seriously ill children, the YMCA Camp Chingachgook, the
holiday parade in Schenectady <a href="http://www.burkefuneralhome.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=1648965">and lots more</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ed, who died on Travers Day at age 81, accomplished so much,
never seeking out the spotlight for himself. He loved people. He had the
perfect match in the love of his life, his wife Maureen. He refused to let
illness slow him down. He was just plain nice, a lovable gentlemen, full of
genuine enthusiasm and kindness. Yeah, he could spin a story for the good of a
client, but mostly for the greater good of the community. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rESkPypqP1Q/VecGDasPZ6I/AAAAAAAAAas/_G7XaL8Xzmo/s1600/lewi%2Blottery.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rESkPypqP1Q/VecGDasPZ6I/AAAAAAAAAas/_G7XaL8Xzmo/s200/lewi%2Blottery.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only funeral service I've been at<br />where lottery tickets were given out<br />as party favors. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He liked wacky outsized promotions that people would enjoy
and remember. Often they involved animals, so it was fitting to find a porcupine
and eagle among the wildlife greeting guests as they arrived Tuesday to his
Celebration of Life. And, at the end, in a nod to his enjoyment of a little gambling,
guests were handed scratch-off lottery tickets. That left me $1 richer for
attending Ed’s party – and much, much richer for having known him. </div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Fresh Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16537458886169297261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-87648250178104709012015-08-28T21:59:00.002-04:002015-08-28T21:59:20.789-04:00Hard to be a good sport trying to update ESPN subscription <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My husband doesn’t ask
for much. Just ask him. When he asked me update his credit card info for his
espn.com subscription, I was glad invest the minute it would take.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That was more than 20
minutes ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The window into which I
input the new expiration date would not fully display and offered no visible
way to submit the information. I tried three times, on the iPad and the laptop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">No problem. The customer
service link anticipates the problems under its FAQs and provided this helpful
information: “If you are having trouble adding new billing information, please
call ESPN Customer Care at 888-549-3776 (ESPN) for assistance.</span>” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Unfortunately, that
number answers with a multitude of choices, none of them remotely relevant:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Thanks for calling
espn customer care. Please listen to this new, brief (yes, it really says
brief) message. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you need new help with you new ESPN
name or password , press one. If you are calling from outside the continental
United States or Hawaii, press 2. If you are calling about Espn/fantasy sports,
mobile or espn 3, press something else I didn’t catch. If you are calling about
espn radio or TV, press whatever the heck you want, it won’t matter, if you’re
calling about the espn network, call someone who cares. To repeat these
options, press star.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After more than five minutes of repeating these
options, a recorded voice said: Enough already, you win, we’ll connect to a
real, live person eventually if not sooner. Two minutes later, Mr. Recording
said, Thanks for your patience. A representative will be with you shortly. Two
minutes later, he said: Sorry for the delay. We’ll be with you shortly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Twenty-one minutes later, I hung up. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I just sent an email to customer service, which automatically promised a quick reply. I automatically doubt it. The quick reply said:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9pt;">Dear Barbara,</span></div>
<pre style="font-size: 9pt;"><tt>
Thank you for contacting ESPN Customer Care. We will respond
to your email promptly. If your issue requires immediate attention, please
contact us at 888-549-3776. We are open 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. ET, seven days a
week.
</tt></pre>
<pre style="font-size: 9pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733333587647px;">Does espn wants us as a customer or not?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733333587647px;">
</span></div>
</pre>
Fresh Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16537458886169297261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-33426954577934156572015-08-28T10:40:00.001-04:002015-08-28T10:40:36.751-04:00American Pharoah: Watching history stroll around Saratoga Race Course<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sVT7RNS5WN0/VeBxgSQdZBI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/kKK4SAvUUrE/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sVT7RNS5WN0/VeBxgSQdZBI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/kKK4SAvUUrE/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Pharoah rounds Saratoga Race Course <br />shortly before 9 a.m. the day before the Travers Stakes,<br />in which the Triple Crown winner will be running. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you bring him, they will come. And did they ever. Well
before 9 a.m., Saratoga Race Course was filled to the gills with people who
didn’t want to miss the opportunity to see the first Triple Crown winner in 37
years. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the crowd waited, the New York Racing Association
replayed American Pharoah’s wins in the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the
Belmont. Then out came the star, strolling around the track in preparation for
tomorrow’s Travers Stakes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My husband and I were on line with hundreds of others as the
gates opened at 7 a.m. We had arranged to meet Joe and Kathy Condon for our
annual breakfast buffet at the track before AP’s appearance was announced. We never
saw the grounds fill up so fast and with so many people this early. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As AP time grew closer, people staked out their spots at the
rail and in the seats. It looked like the busiest day of racing, with no races
going on. Why not, for this chance to see a historic horse? Thirty-seven years
ago, a year into my career in Saratoga, was the last time a horse won the
Triple Crown. Add another 30-plus years to last time a horse did that and won
the Travers, too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So now I can say I’ve seen American Pharoah up close (and
that the eggs benedict with salmon was very good). I must confess I wouldn’t
recognize him if he galloped past me in the cereal aisle at Price Chopper (er,
Market 32) without his blanket. But I’m glad I was at the track this morning,
to see the horse and all the excitement he’s generated. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hats off to Todd Shimkus, the Saratoga County Chamber of
Commerce president, who revved up the bandwagon to bring AP here. Glad NYRA
upped the ante. And happy that AP’s owners decided to bring the horse across the
country to run in the nation’s oldest racetrack. Looking forward to another
historic day on Saturday. <o:p></o:p></div>
Fresh Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16537458886169297261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-58970753160538145662015-08-15T09:43:00.000-04:002015-08-15T09:43:27.064-04:00Must be better place for unsold bagels than the dumpster <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yuLA7-8na6M/Vc6mtF5wIUI/AAAAAAAAAZg/K6khUUw6gbs/s1600/bagels.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yuLA7-8na6M/Vc6mtF5wIUI/AAAAAAAAAZg/K6khUUw6gbs/s320/bagels.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More than four dozen delicious but doomed bagels,<br />
one night's leftovers at Bruegger's.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Made it to Bruegger’s just before their 5 p.m. closing last week
and snagged the five plain bagels left in the wire bin. Added one sesame
because the price for a half-dozen was only about 39 cents more. The sesame is
languishing in the bread box, but that is another story. This one is about where
all the bagels left in the Bruegger’s bins go at the end of the day: Into the
trash.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
More than 48 whole wheats, cinnamon raisins, everythings,
blueberries, 12 grains, honey grains, sundried tomato, garlic poppy, salt and cinnamon
sugars were doomed to be eighty-sixed on
this particular evening. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whatever happened to the cut-rate basket of day-old bagels
in half-dozen sleeves? Can’t offer them anymore, said the guy in charge; something
about state law requiring labeling of all ingredients. Can’t donate them,
either.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It reminded me of my weekly stops at the Price Chopper deli.
The servers are usually spot on. But when they slice more than you want to buy,
they simply lift the top slice or two with their gloved fingers – and dump it
in the trash. Sometimes I just buy the extra couple of ounces. I’d rather pay
the Golubs to let me store their cold cuts for a week rather than let them go
directly from slicer to dumpster.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh, the sandwiches that could be made with those bagels and cold cuts.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Surely these are only tiny examples of distressing amounts
of perfectly good food that goes to waste every day. Surely, there must be a
better destination than the landfill. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Fresh Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16537458886169297261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-74188035704468056232015-08-14T09:00:00.000-04:002015-08-14T09:00:06.036-04:00Savoring the views from Lake George and the legacy of Lynn Schumann<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DmTeXC5M4P0/Vc0gueEMG9I/AAAAAAAAAYo/ZLNpnGGT1cw/s1600/trail%2Bpanorama.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DmTeXC5M4P0/Vc0gueEMG9I/AAAAAAAAAYo/ZLNpnGGT1cw/s640/trail%2Bpanorama.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hiker stopping at the gazebo showed me how to use take a panorama with my iPhone. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I knew the woman this is named for,” I began several times throughout
the morning, as twenty-somethings, sixty-somethings, and in-betweeners appeared
at the gazebo overlooking Lake George to take a load off and savor the view. I
wanted the hikers to know what it took to create this preserve and the special
person in whose memory it was renamed. </div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mEdGe3OBqcY/Vc0gyYErRkI/AAAAAAAAAYw/MSOvLnTXvfE/s1600/trail%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mEdGe3OBqcY/Vc0gyYErRkI/AAAAAAAAAYw/MSOvLnTXvfE/s200/trail%2B1.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The preserve is 45 minutes from<br />
Saratoga Springs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not that anyone needed to hear it from me. The Lake George
Land Conservancy has an excellent flyer that describes the Lynn LaMontagne
Schumann Preserve at Pilot Knob and its trails. More than 2,500 people annually
enjoy what is accurately described as a moderately steep hike with the reward
of “a shady rest at the preserve’s gazebo with expansive views of Lake George
and the Adirondacks.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lynn, who died from breast cancer in 2010, had been
executive director of the Lake George Land Conservancy. I was lucky to get to
know her because her son, Jeff, and my son Joe have been buddies since Lake
Avenue School. She was a lovely person inside and out, smart, sweet and classy –
and passionate about preservation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The trail fit what this tenderfoot was looking for to a T: a
do-able hike with a place to sit and soak up the lake and mountains for as long
as I liked, with the added bonus of being 45 minutes from home, not counting a
pit stop at the outlets. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UdPmzMjRwVI/Vc0g1_yovPI/AAAAAAAAAY8/S1yY0Hcv25g/s1600/trail%2Bgazebo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UdPmzMjRwVI/Vc0g1_yovPI/AAAAAAAAAY8/S1yY0Hcv25g/s200/trail%2Bgazebo.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally took the time to take this<br />
one-mile hike and enjoy the views<br />
of Lake George and the Adirondacks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_8_detX3Hnw/Vc0g7q-j9ZI/AAAAAAAAAZI/yhHNgXgWj8s/s1600/trail%2B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_8_detX3Hnw/Vc0g7q-j9ZI/AAAAAAAAAZI/yhHNgXgWj8s/s200/trail%2B3.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soul food: sky, water, mountains.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So there I was on August 6 – a weekday! – navigating my
first hike in way too long; taking my time along the trail; sharing the Lynn
Schumann legacy with people from Hudson Falls, New Jersey, Webster, NY, and
France; queen of the gazebo with my water bottle, a bag of almonds, a sliced-up
pear, a chunk of Manchego, my husband’s binoculars and my new iPhone, whose
pictures barely do justice to the scenery but are lovely nonetheless. They are
my answer to people asking “what are you doing” since leaving my full-time
newspaper job in July. </div>
<o:p></o:p>Fresh Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16537458886169297261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-35497943444654924662015-08-13T17:26:00.001-04:002015-08-13T17:26:34.170-04:00Searching for Perseids meteors after an evening of Beethoven at SPAC<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hrTmf0pNquI/Vc0JwUhf3dI/AAAAAAAAAYM/djYqh7lGXNQ/s1600/spac%2Bpicnic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hrTmf0pNquI/Vc0JwUhf3dI/AAAAAAAAAYM/djYqh7lGXNQ/s200/spac%2Bpicnic.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No-spill wine glass keeps blanket<br />
and me clean and dry listening to<br />
Fabulous Philadelphians at SPAC.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last night I combined two of my favorite summer pleasures:
listening to the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center
and watching the stars appear overhead. On the SPAC stage, the star Wednesday was pianist Emanuel Ax,
who looked like he was having a ball banging out Beethoven. And I got to test
out my new no-spill wine glass (it worked!) and cheerfully striped roll-up
picnic blanket (thank you, Betsy DeMars). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Meanwhile, this was supposed to be the first and best night
of the Perseids meteor shower. So I stayed up until almost 1 a.m. with the NASA
TV folks describing what I hoped to see. Pretty sure I spotted three shooting
stars in the course of an hour. Woke up at 4:30 a.m. and ventured out
hopefully, but clouds pretty much blocked out any sky show. Anyone out there
have better luck? I’m going to try again tonight. This would be my consolation
prize for not seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland earlier this year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for SPAC, I was so glad to see a well-packed lawn and
inside Wednesday night. SPAC is a fabulous place despite the lack of grass on
the center lawn and the ridiculously inadequate men’s room (ask any guy who’s
had to wait on line). I was so glad SPAC won No. 1 honors as America’s best outdoor
music venue in the recent USA Today contest. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N8EoKt79_UQ/Vc0KBWiJYjI/AAAAAAAAAYU/PE_WhLxBQt4/s1600/spac..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N8EoKt79_UQ/Vc0KBWiJYjI/AAAAAAAAAYU/PE_WhLxBQt4/s320/spac..JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lawn was comfortably packed with people for the Aug. 12<br />
Beethoven night at SPAC. Glad the 49-year-old venue has<br />
retained its classic, familiar exterior.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could have saved six bucks off my lawn ticket had I
followed a friend’s advice and bought it at Price Chopper with my Advantage
card. But $26 is still reasonable for the experience. SPAC membership provides 10
percent off inside seats; the Price Chopper card will get you $5 off an inside
seat at the box office. One of the nice perks of membership was two inside
seats to the orchestra’s Aug. 6 “French night,” which was another lovely
evening. You have one more week to take advantage of wonderful live music by a
fantastic orchestra, under the amphitheater roof or under the stars.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<o:p></o:p>Fresh Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16537458886169297261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-37117017514281184332015-07-21T16:13:00.001-04:002015-07-21T16:16:20.252-04:00After 38 years in the newsroom, it's a wrap<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uPuOMwp6NCI/Va6miJWLdwI/AAAAAAAAAXo/qeqEZaysc0k/s1600/saratogian%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uPuOMwp6NCI/Va6miJWLdwI/AAAAAAAAAXo/qeqEZaysc0k/s320/saratogian%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My workplace since June 20, 1977.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On Thursday I’ll help put together The Saratogian’s Pink Sheet racing section for Opening Day at Saratoga Race Course, and then call it a day for the final time – ending 38 years at my full-time workplace since grad school.<br />
I was in college during the Vietnam War and Watergate and was stirred by the power of the press to do good. I discovered journalism was fun, and I was good at it.<br />
I lucked out landing a reporting job at The Saratogian (where Linda Glazer Toohey was my first of 11 publishers) and rose up the ranks in a great place to live and work. Christy Bulkeley made me one of the few women managing editors in the country; there was never a line at the ladies room during national editors’ conferences.<br />
I’ve loved most of the job: the chase of a “good” story, depth reporting and strong writing, news that somehow makes a difference, the simple joy a well-written headline that fits in print, helping staffers improve their craft, the hectic deadline-driven environment, meeting interesting people who do amazing things, getting to know (at least a little) about a lot of stuff. <br />
After years of running The Saratogian newsroom, I was promoted in 2014 to be top editor also of our sister paper, The Record, merging the two newsrooms into a single reporting and editing operation and striving to serve the audiences of both dailies, not to mention the readers of our weekly Community news in southern Saratoga County.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AbLyLwq3bW0/Va6mh9mKwFI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/pZxfyoHwjK8/s1600/IMG_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AbLyLwq3bW0/Va6mh9mKwFI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/pZxfyoHwjK8/s320/IMG_0108.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newsrooms are not known for their feng shui</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But that consolidation was nothing compared to the single most exciting – and challenging – change in the news business during my career: the Internet.<br />
It is fantastic to be able to report any time, from any place (with an Internet connection), unshackled by the constraints of a press. I love that content can be delivered to your phone. The challenge for news companies is to keep that content coming, and for the public to be savvy consumers of reliable news sources.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sOp6pAS5vGg/Va6mhr3IXkI/AAAAAAAAAXY/SzGxLAuxv-8/s1600/IMG_0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sOp6pAS5vGg/Va6mhr3IXkI/AAAAAAAAAXY/SzGxLAuxv-8/s320/IMG_0184.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We aren't in it for the awards, but we're proud of them --<br />
and we win an inordinate number for a small operation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My belief in the importance of reporting – regardless of how it’s published – is as robust as it was four decades ago when I caught the journalism bug. When the company made its recent offer to accept voluntary layoffs, it felt like the right time for me to move on, allowing Louise Kilbara in advertising to continue her unchallengeable reign as the longest-tenured employee. I have tremendous faith in our products and staff in all the departments here at The Saratogian, The Record and the Community News.<br />
When people ask me, “What are you going to do,” I offer the same reply my husband and I gave our first-born when he wanted to know what we did for the first nine years of marriage before he came along: Have fun.<br />
Seriously.<br />
I will continue to teach a journalism class at the University at Albany, which I’ve been doing since 2008. I intend to get back to writing regularly, stepping up the pace in this blog<br />
. I will continue my volunteer work. I will no longer have lack of time as an excuse for the condition of my garden, my tennis game and my gut.<br />
Before signing off, I want to tell you that I feel bad, to varying degrees, that I:<br />
• Praised deserving staff members too infrequently.<br />
• Didn’t write more.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PbzsiVZwGo0/Va6mh1XCboI/AAAAAAAAAXU/XuWJnK-VSTA/s1600/IMG_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PbzsiVZwGo0/Va6mh1XCboI/AAAAAAAAAXU/XuWJnK-VSTA/s200/IMG_0109.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Superhorse welcomes<br />
visitors to 20 Lake Ave.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
• Sometimes caused inadvertent pain for people in the news and their loved ones, an occupational hazard for journalists.<br />
• Might lose touch with people in the community who have generously shared their off-the-record insight with me over the years.<br />
• Don’t dare acknowledge colleagues in this column for fear of leaving some out.<br />
• Claimed to always put my family before my job, but didn’t.<br />
That said, there’s plenty I feel good about:<br />
• My kids turned out more than OK, my husband is patient and supportive, and my sense of humor remains intact.<br />
• I beat the big boys at the metro papers in our company in an editorial writing contest, one of the most satisfying of my national and state awards.<br />
• I’ve never been doing it for the awards (though I wouldn’t turn down a Pulitzer).<br />
• I’ve launch the careers of dozens (I think it’s in the hundreds, actually) of journalists and had the privilege or working with countless gifted, amazing, dedicated people.<br />
Most important, I feel good to be leaving this newsroom in the hands of talented, hard-working men and women who believe in the importance of what they’re doing and, I hope, will continue to have fun doing it.<br />
<br />Fresh Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16537458886169297261noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-20588220461361378082015-06-05T15:06:00.000-04:002015-06-05T15:06:07.776-04:00Northshire: Saratoga's community-minded bookstore<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1nSnHrUBXCs/VXHx58H9bxI/AAAAAAAAAWw/HDAZc9qNSnE/s1600/FullSizeRender%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1nSnHrUBXCs/VXHx58H9bxI/AAAAAAAAAWw/HDAZc9qNSnE/s320/FullSizeRender%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northshire owner Barbara Morrow opens the June 2<br />Saratoga Springs event featuring the amazing David McCullough,<br />who was a lot happier and livelier as speaker<br />than he looked in this photo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I sing the praises of Northshire Bookstore in downtown
Saratoga Springs, it’s not only because it's a fantastic shop, but because the owners are truly community-minded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Three examples from this week: the sold-out City Center
appearance by historian David McCullough on Tuesday (he was fascinating,
talking about the Wright Brothers and more), tonight’s bookstore visit by Jane
Smiley (I love her work, but will regrettably miss her visit), and this weekend’s
generous offering of support to the projects funded by the local Soroptimist
service organization. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you tell the check-out person on June 6 and 7 that you support
Soroptimists, 20 percent of your purchases those days will go toward the club’s
programs, which include support for domestic violence victims and other projects that improve the lives of women, girls and their communities, locally
and globally. They will also be selling tickets to the Secret Gardens Tour,
which will be on July 12 (see soroptimistsaratoga.org for details). As a member
of the group, with firsthand knowledge of the initiatives it
supports, I am grateful to Northshire.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am also just plain happy that Northshire is here. My
husband and I demonstrate our appreciation by shopping there. That’s the most
effective way to say thank you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Fresh Inkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16537458886169297261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-22905335201830227112015-05-19T18:33:00.002-04:002015-05-19T18:33:46.891-04:00Wouldn't getting the finger goad you, too? <div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oAYa9aWpK10/VVu46tJ6P2I/AAAAAAAAA0s/O4KFP9LMd_M/s1600/copcarlights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oAYa9aWpK10/VVu46tJ6P2I/AAAAAAAAA0s/O4KFP9LMd_M/s1600/copcarlights.jpg" /></a>The mix of news on this morning’s front print page of The
Saratogian made me sad: <a href="http://www.saratogian.com/health/20150518/officers-run-for-special-olympics">police officers supporting the Special Olympics</a> were the
happy and positive centerpiece to anchor the cover, but that story was dimmed a
bit by one about <a href="http://www.saratogian.com/general-news/20150518/saratoga-springs-officer-on-leave-after-driver-gives-him-the-finger">an officer who was goaded into behaving poorly</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am disgusted by the driver who
intentionally gave the officer the finger and then videotaped their encounter,
armed with the knowledge that his disrespect was not in and of itself grounds
for arrest. Grounds for being a jerk, yeah. But not for being arrested,
according to a court decision. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An investigation into the incident, including the officer’s
use of pepper spray, will determine whether the officer over-reacted. Whether
an officer is being taped and whether a person is being a jerk are, truth be
told, beside the point. The police need to do the right thing. But officers
have a difficult enough job without being set up and “tested.” To get respect, give respect.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-71810510057794649382015-05-11T12:04:00.000-04:002015-05-11T12:27:03.023-04:00Some days, mothers just need a hug <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WCJ6SGG4yA0/VVDQC1NB6II/AAAAAAAAAyA/j4do9k7_SmM/s1600/IMG_1849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WCJ6SGG4yA0/VVDQC1NB6II/AAAAAAAAAyA/j4do9k7_SmM/s200/IMG_1849.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Joe outside<br />
Millennial Park in Chicao</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mat01c31hsU/VVDLLUXTIDI/AAAAAAAAAxs/tEXVlcUPPr0/s1600/IMG_1867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mat01c31hsU/VVDLLUXTIDI/AAAAAAAAAxs/tEXVlcUPPr0/s320/IMG_1867.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Trump Tower, where Chicago River<br />
meets Lake Michigan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I want to tell you that I don’t get hung up on Mother’s Day,
a commercialized holiday of compulsory affection. But the truth is I had one
of my best Mother’s Days ever.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was extremely happy to have seen both my sons this weekend
– Joe, who lives in Chicago, and Dave, who lives only a mile from me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m lucky
to see Dave pretty often, but I hadn’t seen Joe since Thanksgiving and I was
aching for a hug; I’d booked this weekend trip to the Windy City in February.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Getting out on Southwest Friday evening had its hairy
moments. Despite great weather in Albany, bad weather elsewhere caused an
almost three-hour delay, including an hour sitting on the plane and warnings
that our non-stop to Chicago may take off but stop somewhere other than Chicago. But
it all worked out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My husband and I splurged with a stay at the Trump Tower on
the Chicago River in the heart of downtown. As we checked in, the man at the reception desk placed before us a small tray with a flower and two steaming
rolled-up washcloths. I wondered aloud if my face was dirty, revealing my inner Jed
Clampett. “Can I use one right here, right now?” I
could, the man assured me, and I did. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Aq81805wKAE/VVDQIyUlAeI/AAAAAAAAAyI/Pfi_PIiKWVY/s1600/IMG_1864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Aq81805wKAE/VVDQIyUlAeI/AAAAAAAAAyI/Pfi_PIiKWVY/s200/IMG_1864.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beverages perfectly lined up<br />
in fridge in room at Trump<br />
Tower, just like at home. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We lucked out with a complimentary upgrade to a suite with a
lovely view of the river, Lake Michigan and the Loop, <i>two</i> bathrooms, and our choice of complimentary bottled Trump water,
tap water from the sink in our full kitchen, or $25 Bling water. The tap water
was delicious. But even better were the mimosas and omelets Joe made for brunch
Sunday morning. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--rxQFC1-tKQ/VVDSowB-pwI/AAAAAAAAAyU/Q9FCIyJ4XhQ/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--rxQFC1-tKQ/VVDSowB-pwI/AAAAAAAAAyU/Q9FCIyJ4XhQ/s200/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Including photo of Dave from <br />
Christmas so he won't feel left out<br />
of this post.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe had moved to a new apartment since our last visit so we
got to explore a section of the city we hadn’t seen before, the West Loop,
which has become a dining destination. My lunchtime vegetarian sub at the understated J.P. Graziano’s contained long slices of marinated
eggplant, roasted red pepper and fresh mozzarella; for dinner, memorable mushrooms in
polenta accompanied my rack of lamb at Nellcote. I pulled the Mother’s Day card on Saturday
to squeak in a visit to the Art Institute of
Chicago for food for the soul, a generous helping of Monet and Rodin.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Coincidentally, like my husband and me, my brother and his
wife had traveled for the weekend to see the second of their two children; I
got a kick out of our respective first-borns good-naturedly commiserating on
Facebook about how their mothers have apparently forgotten who made them mothers
in the first place. Get over it. I mean, we love all our children equally.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Going to see Joe on Mother’s Day weekend – two years in a
row, truth be told – was not deliberately timed to the holiday. I went to
Chicago not because it was Mother’s Day, but because this mother was overdue
for a hug.</div>
<o:p></o:p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-88821727654889282692015-04-30T15:56:00.002-04:002015-05-12T12:10:10.488-04:00Mad Men I can live without: But the Power Rankings....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ozbh4uycFR0/VUKIq8JdQ8I/AAAAAAAAAvY/QuGWZXi81Mc/s1600/mad%2Bmen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ozbh4uycFR0/VUKIq8JdQ8I/AAAAAAAAAvY/QuGWZXi81Mc/s1600/mad%2Bmen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">I will miss the mess of once-dapper Don Draper. I will miss Peggy and Joan. I will miss Roger’s moustache and Stan’s ascot. But most of all, as Mad Men comes to a close, I will miss Mark Lisanti’s Power Rankings on Grantland.</span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">As Jessica Rabbit said (not about Mark, and about a different Roger): He makes me laugh.</span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Even more than the return of the show for the final, final episodes on Sunday night, I have looked forward to Lisanti’s Monday follow-up Power Rankings and Fingerbang Threat Level, even though I’ve never understood what that meant and am afraid to look it up.</span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Did you get it, I’ll ask my husband week. Got it, he’ll reply. Sure enough, on the kitchen counter will be the Power Rankings printout in nice big type with all the photos. I savor each page, from the “previously” to the “not ranked” and everything in between.</span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Thanks, Mark. I’ll miss Mad Men. But I’ll miss you more.</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-72775437815118930082015-04-23T13:52:00.001-04:002015-04-30T16:03:37.318-04:00Remembering that every day is a gift<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1U7BWRmeDq0/VTksjbjKYyI/AAAAAAAAAtU/xjsmytQnCEs/s1600/birthdaycake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1U7BWRmeDq0/VTksjbjKYyI/AAAAAAAAAtU/xjsmytQnCEs/s1600/birthdaycake.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was nice to be remembered<br />
with a cake at the office on my<br />
61st birthday.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A 59-year-old friend done in by a brain tumor was buried
last week on my 61<sup>st</sup> birthday.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That, in a nutshell, is why I am trying like heck not to complain
about getting older and not to harp on my failing hearing, worsening eyesight,
slowing metabolism and the evils of gravity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s why I restocked the bird feeder and took a few moments this morning to
enjoy the cardinal that stopped by. It’s why, tired as I was the other night, rather than make
a bee-line from work to car, I paused to notice the sliver of a
moon flanked by a bright Venus. It’s why I called my father, just to hear his
voice, and my sons, to hear their voice messages. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1DR8q7rYm7s/VTksncqv3EI/AAAAAAAAAtc/hxYOD9Jn18o/s1600/birdfeeder.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1DR8q7rYm7s/VTksncqv3EI/AAAAAAAAAtc/hxYOD9Jn18o/s1600/birdfeeder.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching birds at the<br />
feeder is a simple pleasure.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I won’t lie, it’s a shock to be in my 60s. Where do the
years go?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last weekend I was telling 93-year-old Aunt Madelyn that I never
thought I’d someday say, “Oh, to be 50!” “Really?”
she replied without missing a beat. “How about ‘Oh, to be 80!’”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p><br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
My father says, when it’s your time, it’s you’re time. Yet
we of a certain age, and those much younger, have lost beloved relatives and
friends “before their time” – stolen from us much too soon. I am so sad for my friend's wife and children, his mother and his siblings. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Weird as it feels to say I'm 61, I know I am lucky to have celebrated another birthday, and I hope to recognize each day for what it is: a gift. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p><br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-9779908096310190492015-04-13T12:02:00.001-04:002015-04-13T12:07:58.346-04:00Rape survivors, media credibility victims of Rolling Stone reporting fiasco <div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XCyczOrg_H0/VSvnEqsFiCI/AAAAAAAAArY/is9GPnE4e4s/s1600/rollingstoneuva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XCyczOrg_H0/VSvnEqsFiCI/AAAAAAAAArY/is9GPnE4e4s/s1600/rollingstoneuva.jpg" /></a></div>
The disastrous reporting by Rolling Stone in “A Rape on Campus” is sickening for the doubt it casts on the credibility of rape victims and the media.</div>
<div>
Rape on campuses and how colleges handle them are timely and important topics. Zeroing in on a real case as a specific example of a widespread problem makes perfect sense.</div>
<div>
But the magazine’s lengthy, detailed cover story made a huge splash that ended in a horrible belly flop. The entire piece was retracted and Rolling Stone conceded its failure to follow the basic tenets of reporting.</div>
<div>
Oh, that hurts. Journalism’s single most valuable asset is credibility. Without it, nothing else matters.</div>
<div>
What supposedly sets established news companies apart from just anyone with a website, a smartphone and a Twitter account is a commitment to seek the truth and report it fully and fairly, to paraphrase the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics.</div>
<div>
The <a href="http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp">Code of Ethics (which you can find at spj.org) </a>states journalists should “take responsibility for the accuracy of their work, verify information before releasing it, (and) diligently seek subjects of news coverage to allow them to respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing.”</div>
<div>
Those guiding principles apply to newsrooms of any size and sort, in print and online, for dailies, weeklies and magazines. I have tried to live by this code and to lead by example for all of my 37 years in the news business. Journalists adhere to them instinctively. We want to do the right thing; we want to make a positive difference.</div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/a-rape-on-campus-what-went-wrong-20150405">Yet an independent, 30-plus page review by the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism</a> detailed how Rolling Stone got sucked into an essentially one-source story and failed at “basic, even routine journalistic practices” – despite seasoned writers, editors and fact-checkers. These people are not cavalier about their power and responsibility, yet they failed miserably when it counted.</div>
<div>
And this isn’t just a black mark on journalism.</div>
<div>
“The biggest tragedy here: every future story about sexual assault will live in the shadow of doubt cast by that Rolling Stone article,” wrote Maggie Fronk, executive director of Wellspring (formerly Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga County), in her <a href="http://maggiefronk.blogspot.com/">“Shine a Light” blog</a> on The Saratogian and The Record websites.</div>
<div>
Only 2 to 8 percent of sexual assault claims are found to be false, studies show. “As we read that story it was horrifying, but it wasn’t unbelievable,” Fronk wrote, referring to the original “A Rape on Campus” piece. “Why not? Because rapes like that happen far too often on college campuses.”</div>
<div>
Fronk had just seen “The Hunting Ground,” a film about “the epidemic of sexual violence on college campuses and the injustice victims often face when they rely on their college for support and justice.” These stories, Fronk wrote, “are a place to start the discussion on how to change a system that’s not working.”</div>
<div>
The stories depend on victims’ willingness to come forward. And the changes must be societal.</div>
<div>
No campus is exempt.<br />
In Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College is reviewing its policies in the wake of a recent decision to extend by two years the year-long suspension of a student found guilty of sexual misconduct. The undisputed victim’s decision to go public has drawn widespread attention. More than 1,300 Skidmore graduates reportedly signed an online petition that stated, in part: “The policy should be simple: if you commit sexual violence on this campus, you will be expelled.”</div>
<div>
Though it seems unfair to make proclamations without being privy to the details, it is difficult to imagine how anything less than expulsion could be appropriate.</div>
<div>
Skidmore is reviewing and revising policies, creating an online anonymous reporting form, working with city police to clarify how local law enforcement can help in a sexual assault situation, and, in the near future, having a trained representative of Wellspring on campus. Other colleges are taking similar steps. Those that aren’t, should be.</div>
<div>
Meanwhile, the Rolling Stone fiasco is a wake-up call for newsrooms everywhere to talk about ethics and affirm their commitment to the basics of sound journalism. No challenge facing the news industry is more dangerous than the deadly loss of public trust.</div>
<div>
</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-56230407339388982802015-04-09T16:41:00.000-04:002015-04-09T16:44:53.879-04:00Iceland: A really cool vacation destination<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IF7SJMSRN7Q/VSbg3mvLGKI/AAAAAAAAAqU/O2TiN1ubqoY/s1600/11080351_10152637289442531_6141163664409936285_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IF7SJMSRN7Q/VSbg3mvLGKI/AAAAAAAAAqU/O2TiN1ubqoY/s1600/11080351_10152637289442531_6141163664409936285_o.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steam bubbles up in a country created by volcanoes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
A spring visit to Iceland sounded like a cool idea when we
signed up last October – before the Interminable Winter of 2014-15 blew in and
stayed put. As freezing February dragged on (don’t tell me it’s the shortest
month; it went on forever) and March was no better, a vacation requiring wool socks and long
underwear seemed as smart as picking UAlbany to go all the way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a_KpkduzT_o/VSbg3vTbhJI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/IL7eXbcjmW8/s1600/11069389_10152637289797531_1331249542204874482_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a_KpkduzT_o/VSbg3vTbhJI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/IL7eXbcjmW8/s1600/11069389_10152637289797531_1331249542204874482_o.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This geyser erupts every few<br />
minutes. What a draw that would<br />
be in our state park!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Turned out that Iceland was a beautiful, fun place. We had
11 hours of daylight, lots of sunshine, and even in the 30s, the weather was usually milder
than it was back home on Wednesday, when I had to wipe slushy frost off my
windshield.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ccKOerMBXD8/VSbg3yS7XmI/AAAAAAAAAqc/13w9UKcnNL0/s1600/1966281_10152637278792531_7982346078031392406_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ccKOerMBXD8/VSbg3yS7XmI/AAAAAAAAAqc/13w9UKcnNL0/s1600/1966281_10152637278792531_7982346078031392406_o.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of lighthouses in Iceland.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DRGCsYEXiEo/VSbg4djUcLI/AAAAAAAAAqk/PzqwyUyV3vE/s1600/885675_10152637290067531_2607911796114720460_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DRGCsYEXiEo/VSbg4djUcLI/AAAAAAAAAqk/PzqwyUyV3vE/s1600/885675_10152637290067531_2607911796114720460_o.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall,<br />
with a glacier in the distance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A few highlights: <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">Crossing the tectonic plates, the growing rift
between the North American and European continents that form Iceland; walking
along a steaming path as boiling water bubbled up from holes in the crusty
landscape</span></span>; <span style="color: purple;">floating in the geothermally heated Blue Lagoon wearing a silica mud
face mask and slurping a strawberry smoothie while lifeguards roamed in parks
and ski masks; </span><span style="color: blue;">spooning saffron-infused fish soup loaded with mussels, shrimp
and scallops, and savoring the most moist arctic char ever, two of many
excellent meals in lively, walkable downtown Reykjavik;</span> <span style="color: purple;">touring a greenhouse
where fresh tomatoes are picked every day and a geothermal plant where clean, natural
heat is harnessed; </span><span style="color: blue;">letting a 500 krona bill burn a hole in my wallet until I
realized it was the equivalent of $3.61;</span> <span style="color: purple;">and learning that Icelandic is
impossible to speak and words apparently have a 12-letter minimum, including made-up
symbols like an A and E joined at the hip and a melting d wearing a hat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was my husband’s and my third trip abroad with Edventures, run by an Ithaca woman and her local friend, Mary Huber. Our good
experiences traveling with this small group to Italy and Scotland helped us
decide to sign up to visit a place that wasn’t really on our radar. We’re glad we
had a chance to explore even a relatively small portion of this friendly,
fascinating country. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-35501342038383984032015-03-16T11:26:00.001-04:002015-03-16T12:30:44.959-04:00Good news about complying with Freedom of Information Law requests<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-maPsDwQWoe4/VQb1Yu4h_8I/AAAAAAAAAl8/lx1Qb-zZw3Y/s1600/swlogo2-300x176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-maPsDwQWoe4/VQb1Yu4h_8I/AAAAAAAAAl8/lx1Qb-zZw3Y/s1600/swlogo2-300x176.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">City Editor Charlie Kraebel had seven
reporters do a little experiment over the last few weeks to test how government
entities and schools on their beat responded to requests for public documents. All seven, who write for our daily papers, The
Record and The Saratogian, and our weekly Community News in southern Saratoga
County, were assigned to make a request through New York’s Freedom of
Information Law.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It’s a terrific and important law,
designed not merely for the media but for the public. Public institutions are
doing the public’s business, and most of what they do should, by law, be
available for the public to see. Government agencies even use it when they need
to get documents from other public agencies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://www.troyrecord.com/general-news/20150314/exercise-governments-respond-to-foils">The result of our FOIL experiment waspublished in The Record and The Saratogian on Sunday. </a>All reporters received
the legally required responses and found their requests filled. We thought there was an exception from the city of Saratoga Springs for records about animal control
services, which was graciously accepted in person by the city records officer, who
indicated familiarity with the law. They then replied in writing – but the letter was inadvertently mislaid on our end. The city didn't deserve the critical write-up in the originally published version. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The FOIL request test was timed to
coincide with Sunshine Week, described on sunshineweek.org as “a national
initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and
freedom of information.” </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">It began with Florida newspapers in 2002 and spread
nationwide. The date it tied to the March 16 birthday of James Madison, the
fourth president of the U.S., a founder of the Constitution and author of the
Bill of Rights. States have varying versions of Freedom of Information laws,
and New York’s is one of the best in protecting the public’s right to know.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Learn more about how to obtain public
records, and about access to public meetings, in New York at www.dos.ny.gov/coog/<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-87920407116004011612015-01-30T16:07:00.003-05:002015-01-30T16:08:24.844-05:00'A Constellation of Vital Phenomena' would've been worth the fine<div class="MsoNormal">
“A Constellation of Vital Phenomena” by Anthony Marra, a
2013 novel set in a war-torn village in Chechnya, was recommended to me by a
couple of friends. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After borrowing a copy from the Saratoga Springs Public
Library and reading the first three pages, I was hooked. I selected it as my
book club’s read the next time it was my turn to pick.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IzrQ92yqQqo/VMvvyoGBYeI/AAAAAAAAAdc/nOZ1ngKYr5Y/s1600/book10up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IzrQ92yqQqo/VMvvyoGBYeI/AAAAAAAAAdc/nOZ1ngKYr5Y/s1600/book10up.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this book, but one copy suffices. The library initially <br />
insisted I couldn't renew my copy because someone had<br />
reserved it, even though several were in the stacks. <br />
The library's Jeannine Jeter solved the problem.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Marra’s writing is beautifully vivid, his story-telling remarkable. Although the main story
takes place over only five days, readers learn in layers about the past and
future of the main characters as well as those who pass through in only a
sentence. Not a word is wasted in what Ron Charles described in the Washington
Post as “fresh, graceful prose.”<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m about a third of the way through the book. I knew it was
due any day now, so when I happened to be at the library yesterday, the woman
at the checkout desk scanned my key card: “Tomorrow,” she said. Renew
it, please. “Can’t,” she replied. “Someone reserved it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Probably someone in my book club.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over in the M’s, five or six copies awaited a
borrower. “There’s a bunch of them,” I
said. “Just switch the reserved copy to one of the available ones.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can’t,” she replied. Maybe someone at the Information
Desk could help, she said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the Information Desk was Jeannine Jeter, who appreciated the
absurdity of the situation. But she didn’t know how to outsmart the computer
system’s insistence that only my copy of the book would satisfy the waiting
customer, even though several were in the stacks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Short-term solution to avoid a late fee: Check out one of
the other copies, and return the copy at home before the end of the next day. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A short while later, though, Jeannine sent me a message: She’d
figured out how to switch the reserved book request to an available book, and renewed
the copy I’d originally borrowed. So now I have two on loan, one of which I
will drop off on my way home from work today. I promise.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love it when someone won’t take no from a computer for an
answer, when someone takes the initiative to tackle and solve a problem, for the
satisfaction of getting it done. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you, Jeannine. </div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-57167768679876388972015-01-16T14:32:00.001-05:002015-01-16T14:45:14.447-05:00'Girls Who Code' founder speaking in Saratoga Jan. 24<div class="font7" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 14.0pt;">S<em><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">cience. Technology. Engineering. Math</span></em>.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WHT_DFONnEc/VLlmm8inmlI/AAAAAAAAAZw/zigkXFADsxg/s1600/Saujani%2C%2BReshma.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WHT_DFONnEc/VLlmm8inmlI/AAAAAAAAAZw/zigkXFADsxg/s1600/Saujani%2C%2BReshma.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reshma Saujani is the speaker for the <br />
Cabin Fever luncheon Jan. 24 in Saratoga Springs.<br />
Sign up at soroptimistsaratoga.org. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="font7" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14pt;">Combined, they form STEM, an acronym for
what students ought to be studying to fill well-paying jobs in the public and
private sectors.</span></div>
<div class="font7" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14pt;">Many of our local schools, elementary
through post-graduate, are focusing on STEM. More than a million STEM-related
jobs are expected to be open up in the next four years — “but there won’t be enough
qualified graduates to fill them,” according to a federal government website,
studyinthestates.dhs.gov.</span></div>
<div class="font7" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14pt;">Next Saturday, we have an opportunity
to hear firsthand from a woman who has been in the front lines of preparing
young women for jobs in technology. Reshma Saujani, founder of the national nonprofit
organization Girls Who Code, is the speaker at the Cabin Fever Luncheon on
Saturday, Jan. 24, in Saratoga Springs. I’ll be there, for sure, and seats are still
available. (See below for details unabashedly plugging the event.)</span></div>
<div class="font7" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 14pt;">Saujani’s interests and experience may
be rooted in STEM, but her reach is much broader. Her website describes her as “a</span><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 14pt; padding: 0in;"> true political entrepreneur (who) has been fearless in her
efforts to disrupt both politics and technology to create positive change.”</span></div>
<div class="font7" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 14pt; padding: 0in;">It’s not bragging. A graduate of Harvard’s Kennedy School of
Government and Yale Law School, her recognition includes being named one of
Forbes’ Most Powerful Women Changing the World, Fast Company’s 100 Most
Creative People, and Business Insider’s 50 Women Who Are Changing the World.
Her book, “Women Who Don't Wait in Line,” is about female leadership and, as summed
up by the </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Daily Beast, “talks about
running for public office and having the courage to fail.”</span></div>
<div class="font7" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Saujani is an Illinois native of Indian descent, has been
a lawyer, a congressional candidate, and </span><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 14pt; padding: 0in;">Deputy Public Advocate of New
York City. Her political platform focused on “creating educational and economic
opportunities for women and girls, immigrants, and those who have been
sidelined in the political process.”</span></div>
<div class="font7" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Which brings us back to STEM and Girls Who Code.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The <span style="letter-spacing: .25pt;">GirlsWhoCode.com
website succinctly states its mission and vision: “To inspire, educate, and equip girls with the
computing skills to pursue 21st century opportunities.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; letter-spacing: .25pt; line-height: 115%;">Boys ought to have those
skills, too. But as people in the STEM fields will attest, girls have catching
up to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; letter-spacing: .25pt; line-height: 115%;">“We believe that more girls
exposed to computer science at a young age will lead to more women working in
the technology and engineering fields,” explains GirlsWhoCode.com. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; letter-spacing: .25pt; line-height: 115%;">Among the exciting things about
Girls Who Code and Saujani’s other work is her success in bringing together
leaders in the public and private sectors — educators, engineers, and business — and
combining instruction, mentoring, entrepreneuship and civic engagement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; letter-spacing: .1pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now, about the Cabin Fever Luncheon. </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is
hosted by Soroptimist International of Saratoga County, the local branch of an
international public service organization that I’ve belonged to for more than
three decades. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Soroptimist efforts address both
local and global issues, such as domestic violence, human trafficking, grants
to local nonprofits, and scholarships to women and girls improving themselves
through education and community service. The group has two big fund-raisers
each year, the Secret Gardens Tour (July 12 this year) and the Cabin Fever
Luncheon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To sign up for the luncheon or
learn more about Soroptimists, visit soroptimistsaratoga.org or call 581-1201
ext. 4184.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-57156296994939738202015-01-02T18:41:00.001-05:002015-01-02T18:41:37.879-05:00Focusing on local news, across county lines<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uF3KuoJRV3w/VKcruHSJT0I/AAAAAAAAAXM/TaPwC6Ume2Q/s1600/neatdesk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uF3KuoJRV3w/VKcruHSJT0I/AAAAAAAAAXM/TaPwC6Ume2Q/s1600/neatdesk.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You are more likely to find me at my<br />desk than at the gym. (And, full disclosure,<br />my desk is this neat only the night <br />before a vacation.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My standing New Year resolutions include going to the gym, eating healthier, worrying less about my children and writing regularly. And here we are, the first Sunday of the year, and so far so good — for the writing.<br />
Since Jan. 1, I’ve been to the gym, um, not once. I had Chinese food for dinner and leftover Chinese food for breakfast. When my sons call I drop everything, even though they’re 27 and 25 and living independently (while my husband wryly observes that he lands in voice mail).<br />
For me, 2014 was a year of personal and professional change.<br />
The big thing was that I turned 60, an age that I am happy to have attained and yet in denial of having reached. If you’re my age or older, you know what I mean. If you’re younger, just wait.<br />
Professionally, after years as managing editor of The Saratogian, where I began my journalism career, I was promoted last January by Publisher Mike O’Sullivan to the expanded role of executive editor of The Record, The Saratogian and the weekly Community News, which all fall under the umbrella of a company called Digital First Media.<br />
A regional approach already in play in the advertising department under Advertising Director Barbara Fignar and in the sports department under Executive Sports Editor Kevin Moran expanded into the digital and print news coverage under the leadership of Editor Lisa Lewis, News Editor Paul Tackett, Digital Editor Karen Wallingford, and City Editor Charlie Kraebel, who just celebrated his one-year anniversary with us. Happy anniversary, Charlie!<br />
Mid-way through the year, newsroom staff reductions — an occupational hazard in the news business everywhere — necessitated a leap into a regional approach to planning, reporting and editing. One of the challenges has been keeping our eye on news of particular interest to our specific and diverse communities, while recognizing that a regional approach is in fact appropriate for much of the news, especially as it relates to our quality of life, health, finances, jobs and family.<br />
Consider, for instance, some of the top local stories of 2014:<br />
The sprawling Albany diocese, which includes Rensselaer and Saratoga County, got a new bishop, when Edward B. Scharfenberger was appointed by Pope Francis to succeed Howard J. Hubbard, a Troy native who led the diocese for 37 years.<br />
The 62-year-old Hoffman’s Playland in Latham got a new lease on life with new owners a new location for this summer adjoining Huck Finn’s Warehouse & More.<br />
A Schenectady waterfront project was selected for the region’s only full-scale casino, beating out two proposals for Rensselaer County, including one put forth by the owners of Saratoga Casino and Raceway.<br />
One of New York’s most power politicians, former state Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno, whose district included Rensselaer and Saratoga counties, was acquitted of charges tied to accusations that he took a businessman’s bribes in exchange for steering state money toward the man’s business interests; the state attorney general subsequently agreed that the state would pay $2.4 million as reimbursement for his legal defense bills.<br />
And there was business growth of note in both Troy and Saratoga Springs, along with milestones like the 50th anniversary of the Holiday Inn, the hotel that spurred the revitalization of downtown Saratoga Springs, and the 30th anniversary of the Saratoga Springs City Center. Those two entities continue today to anchor the two ends of Saratoga’s lively Broadway.<br />
Impressive development in downtown Troy during 2014 included the reopening of the former Proctors building on Fourth Street as home to the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce; the start of renovations to Tech Valley Center of Gravity’s future home; new life breathed into the historic Dauchy Building by Saratoga-based Bonacio Construction; the purchase by Pfeil & Co. — another firm with ties to both Troy and Saratoga Springs — of the historic building that houses the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall; and the debut of the River Street Lofts.<br />
The regional outlook is in addition to, not in place of, local news.<br />
For instance, our daily Community Page in print and the digital Community page under Lifestyle on our websites, troyrecord.com and saratogian.com, contain a running calendar of events submitted by representatives of local organizations as well as a large photograph, usually submitted by readers, to feature a local activity that has occurred or promote one that is coming up. (Send photos to Charlie at ckraebel@digitalfirstmedia.com.)<br />
We realize that our readers’ interests and concerns don’t end at the city or county line. We work, play, seek medical care, study, travel and have connections throughout the Capital Region. And a good human interest story is always a welcome read, regardless of ZIP code.<br />
That said, our niche is what it’s always been — local news — including the celebration of individual achievements in the school and workplace, non-profits and their staff and volunteers, spaghetti suppers and other fund-raisers large and small, neighborhood issues, keeping officials accountable, and providing a forum for opinions.<br />
I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas. You know where to find me: Not at the gym.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-17623445755616938152014-11-12T18:15:00.000-05:002014-11-12T18:15:17.372-05:00Skidmore College earns A+ for getting word out in emergencies<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nbl9N2TdSr0/VGPpKtnT0II/AAAAAAAAAO4/-9V6GkYKl90/s1600/12105721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nbl9N2TdSr0/VGPpKtnT0II/AAAAAAAAAO4/-9V6GkYKl90/s320/12105721.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reporter Paul Post took this picture of police<br />
responding to Monday's bomb scare on the<br />
Skidmore College campus. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">No one was hurt, thank goodness, when Skidmore College
faced a couple of recent safety threats — the Oct. 1 lockdown prompted by the presence of an accused
rapist, who was apprehended, and Monday’s bomb scare, which, happily, turned up
nothing and resulted in canceled morning classes. The police did their jobs
well in both cases. And what is also worth noting is how well the school’s
emergency notification system works. The college wasted not a second getting
its warnings out, using texts, email, updates
on </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><a href="http://www.skidmore.edu/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">skidmore.edu</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">, and
notification via Facebook and Twitter, as well as alerting the region's media. The
notification system worked. In addition, in both recent cases, Skidmore sent
emails to parents after the emergencies were resolved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">I asked the college communications folks for more
details, and Dan Forbush explained that Skidmore has the ability to send an
emergency alert to students and employees simultaneously by phone (converting
the typed message to voice), text, and email, and also deliver it instantly to their
own home page, Facebook page, and Twitter feed. “When an emergency arises,
Campus Safety uses e2campus to summon all the key people to a conference
bridge, so that we’re able to constantly pool our information and determine
essential messages to be transmitted, not only to students, faculty, and staff,
but also to parents. It takes a
lot<b> </b>of teamwork,” Forbush wrote. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">After incidents like these, the dean of students and
campus safety director review what went well and what could have done better. “We
always learn a few valuable lessons that help us confront the next emergency
situation, whatever it may be,” Forbush said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">“It’s worth noting that in both of these recent incidents,
students played key roles,” he added. “In the first, students spotted the
intruder and immediately reported it to Campus Safety. In the second, it was a
student who found the threatening note and brought to Campus Safety. We
appreciate their vigilance and assistance.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">We appreciate the students’ vigilance, too, as well as the
good work of the college and police.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-19562649419536107462014-11-05T01:48:00.000-05:002014-11-05T01:48:06.165-05:00Election Night focuses on the Internet <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1RccHXdRw-Y/VFnHJHdJgNI/AAAAAAAAAMs/Q4HpNAQmPpM/s1600/recordelex.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1RccHXdRw-Y/VFnHJHdJgNI/AAAAAAAAAMs/Q4HpNAQmPpM/s1600/recordelex.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s 1:30 a.m., way too late to be blogging for someone who’s
been up since 6 a.m. and has to be back at this desk in seven hours. But we just wrapped up Election Night online coverage, and I
wanted to tell you how proud I am of the way our staff turned around results
for readers of TroyRecord.com and Saratogian.com and followers on Twitter and
Facebook.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K5WC01sHXao/VFnHZHKN5hI/AAAAAAAAAM0/HCM93J6mPRI/s1600/sarelex.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K5WC01sHXao/VFnHZHKN5hI/AAAAAAAAAM0/HCM93J6mPRI/s1600/sarelex.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>A number of races were uncontested and several weakly
contested – but some were hard-fought campaigns that could have gone either way
till all the ballots were in. Keeping tabs on results kept reporters at their
various campaign locations and the handful of editors at The Record and The
Saratogian (Lisa Lewis, Chelsea Kruger, Paul Tackett, Lianne Kim and Karen
Wallingford -- yes, you can count us on one hand) hopping from the time the polls
closed till past midnight. We wanted to be able to tell you who won the local
races, as well as what was happening nationally.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To be sure, it’s weird to publish print editions before the
polls close. Even after a couple of election cycles with the deadline, I don’t
like having a morning paper without last night’s results. But that
did free us tonight to concentrate on being where most readers are: on the Internet.</div>
<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for the campaigns: I’d like to say kudos to all the
candidates who cared enough about their community, state and country to run for
office; and congratulations to those who won. I’m so glad the robo-calls and
mailings will be on hold for a few months. And I’m glad to say that I picked
some winners when I voted Tuesday morning.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-70858843148882359252014-10-28T10:15:00.000-04:002014-10-28T10:15:01.962-04:00Wind turbines are elegant harnesses of Mother Nature's energy<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gt09HDzMX6E/VE-kZ_7vr1I/AAAAAAAAAKo/_Wt8GxMCvpY/s1600/photo%2B(24).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gt09HDzMX6E/VE-kZ_7vr1I/AAAAAAAAAKo/_Wt8GxMCvpY/s1600/photo%2B(24).JPG" height="320" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of the many wind turbines<br />visible from the road en route<br />to Hamilton, NY</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The photo I took from the car this past weekend barely
caught two of the more than a couple of dozen wind turbines that poke over the
hills en route to Hamilton, N.Y.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can’t speak to complaints that the turbines make noise or
harm birds, both issues that should be addressed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
But for those who don’t like their looks, I beg to differ. The
turbines are elegant testaments to meeting a need for power smartly and creatively. They are showing up en masse in more and
more places, harnessing Mother Nature’s unbounded energy.</div>
<o:p></o:p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-84620529524426843642014-10-22T19:50:00.000-04:002014-10-22T19:50:43.385-04:00Letchworth State Park: the peak of fall vacation
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GCdfHWDkrSo/VEg_PmCe6WI/AAAAAAAAAIw/6z4VW_QYZ6s/s1600/letchtworth%2Bgenesee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GCdfHWDkrSo/VEg_PmCe6WI/AAAAAAAAAIw/6z4VW_QYZ6s/s1600/letchtworth%2Bgenesee.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm tempted to call it gorge-ous. The views at Letchworth <br />State Part just after Columbus Day were spectacular.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cleaning out
the garage to make room for the cars before snow falls was a gratifying accomplishment
on my vacation last week.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But what I
really loved about this vacation was the breathtaking fall foliage enjoyed from
four vantage points not all that far from home: to and from the Clark Art
Institute in Williamstown, Mass.; an afternoon with fellow members of the Voorheesville
High School Class of 1972 on George and Judy Klapp’s lovely homestead; an early
evening on the gorgeous 60 acres of DZ Enterprise’s newest project in Galway, a
place for parties, meetings and get-togethers amid ponds, trails and rolling
hills; and, last but not least, a morning taking in the place that bills
itself,<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nY9NM-Fb2hs/VEg_awk0ZOI/AAAAAAAAAJA/435Y9cbltrY/s1600/waterfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nY9NM-Fb2hs/VEg_awk0ZOI/AAAAAAAAAJA/435Y9cbltrY/s1600/waterfall.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Middle Falls has a railroad trestle in the distance and is a <br />stone's throw from the quaint Glen Iris Inn, which <br />offers this view if you're lucky enough to dine there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
immodestly but not too unreasonably, as “The Grand Canyon of the East” –
Letchworth State Park, in western New York.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Letchworth
is what I want to tell you about today.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jmgtW_MnWME/VEg_b1gLPiI/AAAAAAAAAJI/mmL54g0_atc/s1600/waterfall%2Bpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jmgtW_MnWME/VEg_b1gLPiI/AAAAAAAAAJI/mmL54g0_atc/s1600/waterfall%2Bpic.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Letchworth State Park's three waterfalls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At its northernmost
entrance is Mt. Morris, which accurately boasts about being “best town by a dam
site.” It is home, after all, to the oldest dam of its type east of the
Mississippi. Last week, as turkey vultures weaved overhead, the water was
pretty much non-existent on the dammed side; my husband, Jim, who grew up in
Mt. Morris, remembers how it was filled to overflowing when the valley flooded
in 1972. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 24pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Several
times a year we return to the town to visit my Jim’s father. But it had been
years since we drove through Letchworth, long past the days of bringing the
boys and even longer past searching for a place to neck. The park last week was
a carpet of trees in bright yellow, orange, green and red, rising above the
Genesee River and along the cliffs of three waterfalls. A bit past peak, it
could hardly have been more beautiful – if you like that sort of scenery. I
love it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-91362223070036419302014-10-08T18:16:00.003-04:002014-10-08T18:16:49.951-04:00Grants available for literacy projectsThere's money to be had for organizations that promote literacy, and I want to help give some of it to groups in this area.<br />
The money comes from the New York Newspapers Foundation. I've had the honor of being a trustee for the past few years. We've funded a variety of projects, many that come from libraries and literacy organizations, and I'd love to see some applications from this region on the table.<br />
Another round of funding is coming up, so I'm spreading the word in time for the Nov. 7 deadline.<br />
Here's the press release with more details:<br />
ALBANY >> The Trustees of the New York Newspapers Foundation are seeking applications for funding of projects that foster the development of literacy, with particular emphasis on innovative programs which involve networks of community organizations, and which can be replicated in other communities.<br />
In general, grants are issued on a one-time basis and organizations are expected to seek ongoing support from alternate sources. Recent grants have supported community<br />
wide reading projects, parent-child reading programs, and library projects designed to help recent immigrants to develop reading skills.<br />
The New York Newspapers Foundation, a non-profit organization, was established in 1977 by the New York State Publishers Association (now the New York News Publishers Association). The purpose of the Foundation is to encourage the advancement of freedom of speech and of the press, study and scientific research in related fields, the promotion of education, and to assist those involved in all endeavors relating to the dissemination of information.<br />
Organizations wishing to apply for grants from the New York Newspapers Foundation, and whose work is in keeping with the foundation’s goals, are encouraged to supply a brief statement (two pages maximum) describing their work and a project budget to: Diane Kennedy, New York Newspapers Foundation, 252 Hudson Ave., Albany, NY 12210. Application materials are available at www.nynpa.com/foundation.html.<br />
Requests should be submitted by Nov. 7.<br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862146209934826772.post-61717581089756678102014-09-15T11:23:00.000-04:002014-09-15T11:23:03.297-04:00Joan Watkin: a quiet person and expressive artist<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KpopdOEaM_E/VBcCz5xylzI/AAAAAAAAAAM/6mx42jRZrdA/s1600/photo%2B(21).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KpopdOEaM_E/VBcCz5xylzI/AAAAAAAAAAM/6mx42jRZrdA/s1600/photo%2B(21).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ray Watkin next to a self-portrait of his late wife Joan,<br />whose work was on display Sept. 12-14 at the<br />Universal Preservation Hall.</td></tr>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
times I would run into Joan Watkin, she was pretty quiet. I learned that she was a
shy person, the perfect foil for her husband, Raymond. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But
she most definitely expressed herself: through her art. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joan
was a talented artist, and I was glad to get to see some of her work on display
this past weekend at the Universal Preservation Hall, the renovated former church
at 25 Washington St.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3FBgvg3gpRw/VBcC0nW2B6I/AAAAAAAAAAQ/_5y637e5bn0/s1600/photo%2B(22).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3FBgvg3gpRw/VBcC0nW2B6I/AAAAAAAAAAQ/_5y637e5bn0/s1600/photo%2B(22).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">You may recognize some of the portraits by the<br />late wife Joan Watkin, whose </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">work was on display <br />Sept. 12-14 at the </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Universal Preservation Hall.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joan
passed away Aug. 19, 2013, a couple of months after her and Ray’s 50<sup>th</sup>
wedding anniversary. She was a trained artist and worked as commercial artist
for various places, including The Saratogian. Her passions were art and animal welfare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Although
I never really got to know Joan, I’ve had a special connection to her husband almost since moving to Saratoga Springs to become a newspaper reporter
in June 1977. But it wasn’t because Raymond Watkin was mayor when I was covering the city
beat. It’s because one year later he performed my marriage ceremony, a story
for another day. He and Joan were guests at the wedding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So it
was a pleasure to see Joan’s work on display – a variety of media and a mix of self-portraits,
</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">portraits of many
local people, landscapes, animals and more. My husband and I bought a couple of packs of notecards
of her work to benefit the UPH. I think I’ll use some and
save a few, just to enjoy. Her lovely artwork is a reminder that a quiet person may have quite
a lot to say.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1