Snow snow snow…

Hi everyone,

First, hello to all the folks from Waltham tuning into the blog from WCAC. Big thanks to producer Holly Boyko for doing such a great job with my interview!

We’re supposed to get hammered with more than eight inches of snow by tomorrow morning! It’s 4 pm, it’s coming down like crazy and I’m still at school. So just a quick email this week.

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Concord (pop 16993) has a new centenerian. Ralph Miller turned 100 years old on Monday March 11th. He was born and grew up in Kansas, raised his family with wife Peggy in New Jersey, and six years ago moved to Concord to be closer to be closer to his daughter.

During World War II, Mr Miller worked on secret government telecommunications patents. His work helped lay the the foundation for the Internet decades later.

He and Peggy have been married for 72 years and he has over 100 realtives back in Kansas. How great is that? Happy belated birthday, Mr Miller!

100 Years of Memories

By Kerri Roche of the Concord Journal 2007-03-08

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In other news, the town of East Longmeadow (pop. 14100) is rallying around one of its own. Sgt Mark Ecker, 21, lost both his feet to a land mine while on patrol in Ramadi, Iraq. The husband of Jennifer Gaboury Ecker and son of Mark R. and Debra W. Sgt Ecker is recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where he has been receiving cards and gifts from friends and strangers alike in towns like Granby, Westfield and Wilbraham.

“Reading the mail is really amazing for me,” said Ecker, who is 21 and was on his second tour of duty in Iraq when he stepped on an explosive.

“I never would have expected all of this. It reaffirms what I was doing over there, what I was fighting for. It’s helping me get through this,” he said.

Besides his Dad, who has kept a bedside vigil since his son’s arrival, Sgt Ecker has also met with generals, politicians, and Iraqi Vice President Tariq Al-Hashimi.

“Sgt. Ecker said he was happy to have a chance to speak with the Iraqi official.

“I told him I know there’s a lot of Iraqis who want us there, and I believe it’s getting better there. I have no regrets,”" Ecker said.

Donations to the Eckers can be sent to the Mark Ecker II Benefit Account, Berkshire Bank, 72 Shaker Road, East Longmeadow, 01028.

More information on this Sunday’s benefit lunch at Bistro Romito can be found here.

Greetings Pour in for Soldier

by MARY ELLEN LOWNEY of the Springfield Republican 2007-03-16

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And finally, here is some news that I can really sink my teeth into – there’s another walk across Massachusetts going on as I type this! Between March 16 – March 24th, thousands of folks will hike from Northampton to Boston to raise awareness for global warming. Good luck to everyone… and please be careful, especially in this weather (Although, I do have to point out the irony of walking in a blizzard to raise awareness about global warming! ;) )

  More information can be found on the official Interfaith Walk for Climate Rescue Homepage and the Interfaith Walk for Climate Rescue Blog.

Well, I am off to brave a snowy I-93. Have a great St Patrick’s Day, everyone! 

All things Nautical

 

Hi everyone, hope you had a good weekend!

 

So the big news last week was the success of the star-studded crime-drama “The Departed” at the Academy Awards. The movie, which was unofficially based on the Whitey Bulger crime regime, was nominated for five and took home four Osacars, including best direstor (Martin Scorsese) and best film. And in case you were wondering, that other Boston film, “Good Will Hunting,” was nominated for nine and took home two in 1998. Not too shabby, Massachusetts!

 

So is Bay State’s Hollywood hype over? Not quite, it just moves a little southest. West Barnestable Native Daniel Adams is set to begin work on the romantic comedy “Chatham.”

 ““Chatham,” a film based loosely on the novel “Cap’n Eri” by early 1900s Chatham author Joseph Lincoln. The film revolves around three retired bachelor sea captains – Carradine, Dennis Hopper and Martin Landau – who grow tired of each other’s cooking and decide to advertise for a bride for one of them. The three agree that once one is married, the other two will live on with the couple as boarders and reap the benefits of the woman’s domestic talents.” Reports the cape Cod Times.

Award winning thespian and Chatham resident Julie Harris will also play have a cameo in the movie.

Island plays prominent role in new film  

The Cape Cod Times 2007-03-05

http://www.ack.net/movie030207.html 

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Staying with a nautical theme, the aircraft carrier the U.S.N. John F. Kennedy was docked in Boston over the weekend. While going out to dinner in the Fenway area, there were a lot of sailors taking in the sights (well, the bars) of Bean Town. But unlike some of these young fellows, there was anpther sailor who came to the city specifically to see his ship. “‘Marlborough resident Tom McLaughlin served as a botswain’s mate on the Kennedy during its maiden voyage in 1968. “In 1967, fresh out of Newton North High School, McLaughlin was drafted into the Army, to fight in Vietnam. He went to the Navy recruitment office, instead, and he was allowed to enlist there.Almost immediately after her commissioning, the JFK was sent to the Mediterranean, “in response to a deteriorating situation in the Middle East,” according to a Navy press release issued for this weekend’s events.In the forecastle’s cramped berths, McLaughlin and his crewmates could hear the fighter jets taking off, two decks above them, where the ship’s steam-powered catapult launched them into the air.”

“I had a great time aboard this ship,” said McLaughlin, standing in the cavernous airplane hangar below the ship’s flight deck. “I was 18 years old. I was a kid. It’s an experience you never forget.”

The Kennedy is set ot be decommissioned on march 23 in Mayport, Florida. Mr McLughlin, who now works as a custodian at a car dealership is 60 years old.

One Last Look at “Big John”

By Galen Moore of the Daily News Tribune 2007-03-03

http://www.townonline.com/homepage/x1762753770 

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And finally, Andrew Kurtz of Westfiled also knows knows about water, but the Gulf of Mexico kind. The local business man spent a month in the small town of Gautier Mississippi, volunteering to help rebuild homes.

“‘Everyone down there says that the faith based groups coming in are doing far more than the government has done,” says Kurtz. “‘Christ taught us that there is more blessing in giving than in receiving and I can say that, that is truly so and when you come away helping other people you go away as blessed as those you have helped,” he said.

Residents Offer up their beds to Help Out a Neighbor

By Erin O’Connor of the East Longmeadow Reminder 2007-03-05

http://www.thereminder.com/localnews/westfield/residentsofferthei/     

  

On the Farm

Hi everyone,

 

It I had the last week off for February vacation so I packed up the car and drove down to New Jersey, Philadelphia, Maryland, Virginia and Delaware to visit friends and family. I got to see my nieces in Philly, tour historic New Castle, and I even played a little disc golf in Fairfax. It was a fun week!

And as I settle back into the routine of classes, let’s get to some Massachusetts news…

What small business is the number one exporter in New England?  Probably something to do with computers, right? Or biotechnology? Actually, the number one exporter in New England specializes in… doggy wheel chairs. Yup, you read that right. Shelburne Falls-based Eddies Wheels hand-crafts those little carts that are attached to the back of pets in the event they lose their hind legs. And those carts go around the world for all types of animals.

 “By the entrance…to Eddie’s Wheels, which began in a basement in 1998, you’ll find a map of the world swarmed with red dots, showing where it delivers.This week alone, personalized animal carts are going to Turkey, Ecuador, Israel and Jordan, said [co-owner Leslie] Graff-Grinnell. Graff-Grinnell said that the pet wheelchairs are helping dogs and cats – even an occasional horse or alpaca – to walk again.”
Eddie’s Wheels rolls in 1st for New England exporting prize

By Jeremy Dirac of the Greenfield Reporter 2007-03-01

 

 

While we’re in Western Mass, we find Kim Hager of Colraine waking up at 3:30 every morning to start work on her family farm. The 27 year old handles both livestock and paperwork and plans to take over the farm after her parents retire.

But she’s not alone – 20% of the nations farms are operated by women, and the highest percentage is here in New England. Now, four agencies are working together to help both experienced and inexperienced female farmers in Massachusetts navigate the ins and outs of the agricultural industry.

 “Some women have played active roles on farms for years, while others are thrown into a leadership role,” said [Kathy Ruhf of Land for Good Inc.],. “We want to teach all of them the business of farming, as well as how to avoid injury and how to rejuvenate themselves and their farms”  

More women running the farm

By Anita Fritz of the Recorder Staff 2007-03-01

  And finally, across the state in Arlington, we find one-man newsman Chuck Kramer video blogging decades before any of us knew what video blogging was. Armed with news camera, Mr Kramer wandered his town since the early 1970’s, both filming and reporting on local interest stories. Some pieces were humorous, like an account of a construction event in his driveway (the “Little Dig’), and some were eye-opening, like his documenting the pollution of the Mystic River.

  

Mr Kramer wrote, filmed, edited and produced his show around town for thirty years, airing his works on WCVB and on WGBH and picked up local Emmys and national Peabody’s before retiring in 2003. 

 

 “Chuck’s video storytelling is superb, and we are lucky that over the years he has looked in his own backyard of Arlington for inspiration, location or both,” said the Arlington Historical Society’s Richard Duffy. “I remember very well a short feature — a quiet, reflective piece — about summer and baseball.  The story feels timeless, and could have been almost anyplace in America, but it is not. It is a particular moment captured right here in Arlington.”  I wonder what they’ll say about bloggers in the future?  

Local TV legend is part of town series
By Jennifer Mann of the Arlington Advocate 2007-02-22 

Well, have a good weekend, everyone!  

Maybe every library should try this…

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

 

Our first story comes from the Sheffield,
Mass., in the southwestern corner of the state. Librarians there have abolished the traditional fine system for overdue books and are just asking for a friendly donation in the form of an empty mayonnaise jar by the check-out desk. So far, the results have been extraordinary.

“’Miracle of miracles, we were collecting more money than ever before,’” said [Director Nancy] Hahn. ‘The funds go right back into making the library better for the people of
Sheffield.’ 

Hahn soon found that she had to call David Steindler, the Friends member who makes bank deposits for the library, more often. 

Larger denominations of bills were appearing in the jar, and when patrons saw it, they began donating, regardless of whether they had overdue books.” 

Donations jar replaces fines

By Cynthia Pease of the
Berkshire Eagle 2007-02-14

 

 

 

After a 32 year struggle, the Mashpee Indians of Cape Cod have been officially recognized as a sovereign nation. The Mashpees were the famous Indians who met the Pilgrims and aided the new arrivals in the harsh winter of 1620-21. “Without recognition and with economic pressures on the
Cape, our tribe would have dissolved into the landscape,” said Tribal Council Chairman Glenn Marshall. “Recognition as a sovereign nation has saved the tribe that met the Mayflower.”

“Now that they are recognized as a federal sovereignty, Indian tribes recognized as sovereign nations by the federal government have access to federal funds for benefits and services, such as housing, health care, children and elder services, education and environmental protection. The tribe also plans to identify land for the federal government to take into trust.”?

The only other sovereign nation within Massachusetts is the Wampanoag Tribe on
Martha’s Vineyard.

Mashpee Wampanoag tribe receives final recognition as a sovereign nation

Press Release in the
Cape Cod Times, 2007-02-15

 

And finally, here’s a cool story – back in December, soon-to-be Governor Deval Patrick came under fire for his plans to host the most expensive inauguration celebrations in the state’s history – $1.3 million dollars over four days in different locations around the state. What critics missed, and what got bumped back to page 19 of the Boston Herald last week, is that the Governor has chosen to give back the unused funds. He is donating the left-over $500,000 to charities around the state.  

Great work!!  

Needy to get extra $500G in inaugural bash cash

By Dave Wedge of the
Boston Herald 2007-02-16

 

 

Well, not sure if I am going to update again this week because I’m leaving tomorrow for a week vacation to New Jersey, Philly, DC and
Maryland. But take care everyone – it looks like the weather will be better than last week!  

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Hope you all survived the Valentine’s Day blizzard! So here’s a funny story, not right now, but in a five-years-from-now-I’ll-look-back-at-this-and-laugh-kind of funny. As I was walking from the Central Square T stop back to my apartment near Main Street, I saw a few of the local homeless trying to take shelter in an ATM vestibule. I’m not usually a sucker for panhandlers, but it was pretty gelid here in
Cambridge last night, with the wind whipping and the storm a-coming. So I figured I’d do something to help. I stopped in the Walgreen’s on Mass Aveand bought a few bags of trail mix (I looked like the healthiest food they had) and, it being Valentine’s Eve and all, two little boxes of chocolates. Nothing big, everything came to about six bucks. Then I walked back to the vestibule and gave the food to the people huddling inside.  

So, I continue moseying back to my place, feeling pretty good about what I just did, you know, just doing my part to help others, and I turn the corner, walk to my stairs, and what do I see on my car’s windshield? Here’s a hint – it’s red and white and expensive. That’s right. Less than three minutes after buying food for the homeless, I’m stuck holding a $30 parking ticket (I didn’t have my permit displayed properly). How’s that for karma?  :P

Our first story brings out to the western part of the state. There’s been a lot of news about astronauts recently. And despite the fact that one woman has been involved in an unfortunate turn of events, we should remember that astronauts perform jobs that only a fraction of us would have the stamina and courage to do. And did you know that Western Mass is home of one of these brave astronauts? Stephanie Wilson served as a Mission Specialist on the Discovery Shuttle last summer. Before a master’s from University of Texas, before a bachelor’s from Harvard University, Wilson attended Taconic High School (Class of ’84) and the Pittsfield School System, where she was the first chair clarinet for her school’s concert band. Way to go!  Shuttle success story
Pittsfield’s astronaut, Wilson, returns to earth  

By Derek Gentile of the Berkshire Eagle 2006-07-18

And for all those celebrating Valentine’s Day today, here’s a great story from Worcester that will warm the heart. May we all experience a long, strong love like Alfred and Claire Cotton. 

Love in full bloom 

By Pamela H. Sacks of the TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF 2007-02-14    Well, need to hit the hay. I can’t expect another snow day tomorrow! :)

Let it snow!!!

Hi everyone,

 Today’s first article comes from Haverhill Mass., where six high school juniors – Jessica Chang, Alex Conant, Brian Murray, Vincent Pham, Christopher Quan and Allison Spicer – earned perfect scores on their math MCAS. Congratulations! In this story, the smart Samaritans share some of the secrets of their success.  But I have just one question… were all six students sitting next to each other? Hahahha…

MCAS perfection: Six Haverhill High students offer tips after correctly answering all math questions on the test

by Mike LaBella of the Eagle-Tribune 2007-02-13 

As you’ve probably heard, Massachusetts is supposed to get pounded by a nor’easter tonight and tomorrow. Meteorologists predict more than a foot of snow. Good news for those MCAS students, bad news for Debbie Higginbottom and Ed Arcand of Lawrence. They have plans for a Valentine’s Day wedding tomorrow night.    “She and Arcand talked about getting married on the warm, tropical island of Aruba. But Arcand really wanted a winter wedding. Higginbottom finally agreed, as long as the ceremony could take place on Valentine’s Day. “He wore me down,” Higginbottom said of the wedding plans.”   Here’s a tip Ed – always trust the woman to make the wedding plans. J  

Well, I wish them good luck and here’s hoping this is the only storm in a long and happy marriage.

Nor’easter won’t stop their Valentine’s Day wedding

By Jill Harmacinski of the Eagle-Tribune 2007-02-13 

Next we travel to Duxbury on the South Shore, where local businesswoman and native Afghani Raznia Jan was honored for organizing the community to send letters and care packages to our troops and to the children overseas. She received the award on a visit to Afghanistan, where she was scouting locations for a new elementary school, for which she and the Duxbury Rotary Club raised over $50,000 to help build. While in the region, she also donated computers to an orphanage in Kabul and orphanage in Islamabad. “The [orphans] sleep 18 to 20 in one room with two in a bed if they are little,” Jan said.  

Of the care packages, Jan says, “’ “This is saving their lives,” Jan said about the items in the care packages the soldiers could present to the Afghani children. “This is the only way to make a difference.

It’s the only real link and people appreciate it.” “To show their appreciation, the soldiers had the words “For excellence in making a difference” engraved on the medal Jan has on display at her Depot Street shop. The message on the certificate elaborates on the soldiers’ gratitude by stating, “Thank you for your outstanding support to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Afghanistan Engineer District and your thoughtfulness in remembering those soldiers and civilians so far from home supporting the Global War on Terrorism.”  “This is for the community,” Jan said, referring to the help she received in gathering items to send from the local schools and churches.”  

 Soldiers Recognize Duxbury’s Kindness

Morag MacLachlan of the Duxbury Clipper 2007-02-07 

Also from the Clipper is a story of another Duxbury woman heading to Asia to do some good in the world. Twenty three year old Erica Hermann left earlier this month to work in Cambodia as a Peace Corps Volunteer. She is part of the Peace Corp’s first class to go to that Southeast Asian country. “ ‘There are still land mines. You’ve got to be aware,’” The Rutgers Univ alum said.

Herrmann will earn $25 a month for the next 27 months while teaching English to high school students and to high school teachers. “‘ I never learned about Cambodia in school. Hopefully I will be able to tell people what I have learned when I come back and more people will want to join the Peace Corps,’ Herrmann said.” 

Way to go, Erica.  

Duxbury Woman Heads to Far East
Peace Corps first mission to Cambodia

Morag MacLachlan of the Duxbury Clipper 2007-02-07 

Well, enjoy the blizzard tonight and tomorrow. As a teacher living in the city, I have the best of both worlds – I’d get the day off and I won’t have to shovel. Let it snow!!

Swampscott Marine Captain killed in Iraq, one week from coming home

Hi everyone,

Today’s first story is from Swampscott, where community members are grieving the loss of 27 year old helicopter pilot Jennifer Harris. Authorities are still investigtaing whether the crash was caused by rocket or mechanical failure. The crash also killed five marines and two sailors. “This was her third tour. She was scheduled to come home next week,” said Swampscott town veterans agent Jim Schultz.

Friends remember Jen Harris as ‘smart, warm and wonderful’
George Derringer of the Swampscott Reporter,
Thursday, February 08, 2007
and
Swampscott Marine dies in Iraq helicopter crash
George Derringer of the Swampscott Reporter and  O’Ryan Johnson of the Boston Herald
Thursday February 08, 2007

What’s it like to live and raise a family on the Cape Cod Islands? 38 year old Jennifer Christy and her husband decided to brave the rising property values, overlook the lack of jobs, and stay in the small town of Chilmark where she grew up. ”If I’m going to be working 25 or 30 hours a week, I want to do something that gives back to people,” the librarian-teacher said.   

Balancing Trade-Offs of Living on Island, by Ian Fein of the Vinyard Gazette, Friday, February 9, 2007

And finally, who is the best lawmaker on Beacon Hill? The Massachusetts Municipal Association says it’s Sen. Pamela P. Resor, D-Acton, and recently presented her with their Legislator of the Year Award for her work on including education financing, zoning issues and a land conservation laws. Congratulations Sen. Resor!

State senator receives Legislator of the Year Award
from the Community Advocate

And by the way, did you know that Massachusetts loses forty (yes, four-zero) acres of land a day to development? Yikes!!

Plungers and Soldiers

Hi everyone,

Well, the 1st Annual Passion Plunge went well on Saturday. Sixty-something persons with warm hearts and cold toes jumped into Indian Lake to raise money for the Special Olympics. My cousin Paul and I raised over $500. Thanks so much to everyone who donated to our team. I can almost feel my toes again! :)

Plunge benefits Special Olympics

by Matthew Bruun of the Telegram and Gazette 2007-02-04

Meanwhile, in the northwestern part of the state, Leo Parent Jr and Jody Wallenius have been on a mission. The Veteran’s Agents have been tracking down Purple Heart recipients in the area to publicly and officially thank them for their sacrifices.  ”Veterans who were honored at Parent’s ceremonies have told him that this is the first time they have ever been thanked for what they did for their country…”

Veterans Agent Sets Last of Purple Heart Ceremonies

by Karen Chynoweth of the Greenfield Recorder, 2007-02-06

Stay warm everyone!

Mass. Sends Local Poet to Slam Championships

Hey guys,

From the Telegram and Gazette comes this story:

Local poet competes in world series of slam, by Pamela H. Sacks of the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, 2007-02-01

24 Year old Shrewsbury resident Erin Jackson started dabbling in slam poetry in 2004 (in Central Square, of all places!), and now she is headed to Vancouver to try for the Individual World Poetry Slam Finals. Not bad for an English teacher. Good luck, Erin! (Check out the video, too).

In other news, check out this drama from Carver.

Man who wants to leave country cannot until he’s good and properly kicked out.

Immigration case becomes complicated 

Brockton Enterprise, 2007-02-01

Joseph Gemayel of Carver came to the United States from Lebanon and got busted for trafficking drugs – 21 years ago. He spent five years in prison for his offense. During those two decades he also started a family and a business, and also spent $100,000 in legal fees to stay in Amerca. However, last September he was finally ordered to leave the county. Here’s the best (or worst) part – he offered to leave on his own, but he is being detained until – you guessed it – the government can “officially” kick him out.

And here are two more stories about the Walk across Massachusetts:

WHS teacher gives voice to Massachusetts Residents, by Lydia Craft

Winchester Star 2007-01-31

and

BJ Hill’s Excellent Adventure, by Jessica Scola

Cambridge Chronicle 2007-01-30

OK everyone, have a good weekend. As for me, my cousin Paul and I will be freezing our patooties off at Indian Lake in Worcester on Saturday, participating in the 2007 Passion Plunge. That’s right – 700 crazy guys and girls, one (almost) frozen lake, $155,549.06 raised for the Special Olympics.  Wish me luck.. that I still have fingers to type with on Monday! :)

That Duck Gets More Attention Than I Do!

Hey guys,

I am still working on an in-depth report on My Day (ok, 15 minutes) with Governor Deval Patrick. Til then, here is an article from the Leominster Sentinel and Enterprise on the day-to-day differences between Patrick’s office and former governor Mitt Romney’s.    

And here’s a story that pulls the heart – and yo-yo – strings. Seventh grader Daniel Dietz of Florence makes up his own yo-yo tricks, knows over 200 moves, and after practicing for just three years is already “Sport String Trick Division World Champion.” But being a thirteen year old Grand Master Yo-Yo’er isn’t all about fast cars and loose women. Dan know that with great power comes great responsibilty. So he yo-yo’s wherever he can get an audience, and all the donations he collects go to help pay for surgeries to repair childrens’ cleft lips and palates. “If he could have one wish besides no problems in the world , Daniel said it would be “that someone would see my yo-yoing and give a lot of money to help children.” How cool is he? Check out the full story here in the Springfield Republican. There’s a video on the site, too…

 So my roommate and I went to the Asgard last night to watch me on the Channel 7 News, but, evidently I guess I got bumped by Barbaro the racehorse and that damn duck what wouldn’t die.   : ) But it was a split – when I came in to school today, a few students mentioned they had seen me on the news – the 6 pm edition. Oh well… I wish I could have seen it.

Well, take care everyone.