Page 27 August 2008
A Note To The Publisher (Andy, I know you are a busy fellow, so don't answer this email.) In response to your email to me, things do seem to be unfair at times for our struggling middle-class people who are not quite poor enough to qualify for a damn thing. I do complain, don't get me wrong, but I know this -- the United States of America is the best place in the whole world to live! And I do not for one second take that for granted. I feel terrible about the children, who are born into abject poverty in other countries, for their parents also, but I don't live there, and I am thankful, ever so thankful, that God chose me to be born in the USA. There are beliefs out there that a child's spirit in heaven decides where they will be born before they are born. There are reasons for this. If one believes in reincarnation, there are always more lessons to be learned. In one life we may be rich, and in another poor; famous in one; no one in particular in another. I try very hard to approach life on a day-to-day basis and not worry inordinately about the future. I don't know what it holds. I don't have a crystal ball. I do know that this paper serves a purpose. Perhaps it is on a somewhat small playing field in the spectrum of this great country, but for all of those people who contribute to this paper and for all of those who read this paper, where would we be able to post our stories, our joys, our griefs, our comments, our views or read about them if it were not for what you have created for all of us? When I thought one day, What would it be like if The People's Press were not here anymore?, I was taken aback by my own thoughts about that. Where would I send my stories to? What would it be like not to read the great columns that appear monthly, like Gregory Simpson's "Sheltering An Animal's Perspective," "The Mayor's Corner," Dorothy Gonick's "Nature As A Mirror," Bobbie Vosgien's "Bobbie's Bevy of Beauties," and the regular contributors who send in great stories, especially the old-timers like Francis W. Lappert? I am grateful for this paper. I have been given so many opportunities over the last seven years or so (I have lost count of the years, actually) to write stories for this paper, whether they were stories about the town, the mayor, a doll store (Peggy's Porcelains Doll Boutique) , "Paula's Place," my old neighbors on Simpson Avenue, my cat Babe ("The Last 23 Days"), "Raising The Flag On Iwo Jima," the Castle Bank in Meriden, a tribute to my friend Paula Cella ("You Weren't Supposed To Go"), "Where's The Beef?" about a dairy industry here in town (Cella Brothers), "My Mother's Voice" and my piano, "Walking Through The Fire," "The Cat Who Couldn't Play," and just too many stories to remember at this point. This paper got me to write again, something I hadn't done in many, many years. I was so very grateful that I wrote the story about Simpson Avenue when I did, and was it a coincidence? "To All My Friends On Simpson Avenue - This One's For You!" It was in the March 2007 edition. Gracia Parete passed on November 27th, 2007 (the day after my birthday), at age 98 and a half! I saw her children and grandchildren at the wake and neighbors I had known on Simpson Avenue. Gracia was my landlady before the house was sold, and I had known her since 1990. So many people at that wake spoke to me about The People's Press article and how much they appreciated it. Gracia spoke only Italian, but I was assured that the story was read to her and translated into Italian, and she loved it. Thank you, Andy. You just never know when you will touch someone with your words, and you have given me this opportunity I might never have had had it not been for this paper. I know it is hard work to pay the bills, and it is for all of us, but please keep this paper going. (It's okay if you want to delete that sentence.) I appreciate, truly, what you have given to this community of ours. It started out small, but look how it has grown! Could you have imagined it? Gratefully yours, Barbara Sherburne. barndt49@yahoo.com
The American Film Institutes Top 10 Films for: FANTASY 1. "The Wizard of Oz," 1939. 2. "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," 2001. 3. "It's a Wonderful Life," 1946. 4. "King Kong," 1933. 5. "Miracle on 34th Street, 1947. 6. "Field of Dreams," 1989. 7. "Harvey," 1950. 8. "Groundhog Day," 1993. 9. "The Thief of Bagdad," 1924. 10. "Big," 1988.
GANGSTER 1. "The Godfather," 1972. 2. "Goodfellas," 1990. 3. "The Godfather Part II," 1974. 4. "White Heat," 1949. 5. "Bonnie and Clyde," 1967. 6. "Scarface: The Shame of a Nation," 1932. 7. "Pulp Fiction," 1994. 8. "The Public Enemy," 1931. 9. "Little Caesar," 1930. 10. "Scarface," 1983.
The Brian David Ash Annual Fundraiser This September 5th, 6th and 7th The Brian David Ash Fire Memorial Fire Prevention Fund will hold its twenty-second fundraiser at Stop & Shop on East Main Street in Meriden. The fund was created in memory of our son Brian, who perished in a house fire twenty-five years ago. We decided to establish a fund in his name to promote fire safety education. We had learned that we couldn't just give money to the fire department, because it would have to go into the city's general fund, and probably wouldn't find its way to their budget. On Friday, October 14, 1983 my heart was ripped right from my chest. My son, Brian, age 7, had died in a fire. In a single moment, I went from being the farther of a bright and beautiful child to childless. My wife Roberta and I had no local families, and we were in total despair. We did in deed have to take the long journey through the valley of grief. As I look back from the edge of the brighter side, I realize it is possible for life to go on. In the beginning, Brian was in my thoughts every waking moment. Today, only things that would remind me of him bring me to think of him. Since his loss, we have had a daughter, Elizabeth, who is now twenty-three. As a family, we speak of him often, but our life continues today as we are now, and not dwelling in the past. It almost seems callous, but it is true, life does go on. Shortly after our loss, my most difficult question was, do your have any kids or how many children do you have? Oh, what a great chance to dump your grief on someone else's shoulders. Of course if you don't mention the child you lost you would be guilty of denying their existence on this earth. How do I answer that question twenty- five years later? That depends on who asked and why. It's usually small talk from someone who really doesn't know you. As a driving instructor, my students frequently ask me if I have children. I do tell them I have a daughter who is a college student. This is very relevant to my relationship with students. I generally will not mention the child I lost years before they were born because it's not relevant, and my relationship with them doesn't need emotions. So much has changed over the past quarter century that I am not the same person I was when I lost Brian. Life does go on, and I have to live out the one I have now, even with the fond memories of the past. I look to the future when my daughter graduates from college, enters the career of her choice, gets married, and gives me grandchildren I can spoil and send back home with her. Don't worry, I will tell my grandchildren about the uncle they never met. Michael G. Ash
An Open Letter from the Meriden Arts Trust Dear Friends, We could all use some good news about now. So, let's help our friends and neighbors come together as an organization that will give a real boost to the community! The Meriden ArtsTrust, Inc. and the Zach Weston/Walter Q. Peabody Foundation are 'drumming up" a new community initiative and we hope we can count on your support. "The Crescendo Committee to bring a new symphony to Meriden", or "The Crescendo Committee" for short, of which I am a part, is a group of musicians and non-musicians who are bringing a new Symphony Orchestra to Meriden. Through e-mail, the area newspapers, posters and word-of-mouth we are contacting everyone who wants to have a lively and active Symphony to once again bring Orchestra music back to Meriden. Please send this e-mail to anyone who you think would have an interest in helping up bring together adult musicians from age 20 and up who wish to spend quality time together with other musicians and bring a civic orchestra to Meriden. We all miss "Tchicken and Tchaikovsky"-we all miss the wonderful sounds and lively shared experiences when we go to a Symphony concert. Musicians- if you're practicing now - why not rehearse? A benefit concert by Mr. Christopher White, organist, will be announced soon. Please support this wonderful cause and pledge your support for a New Meriden Symphony by purchasing a ticket and attending what will be a great concert and reception. Thanks for your time, and keep an eye out for the advance publicity! Please contact meridenartstrust@yahoo.com for more information or call Mrs. Katrina Axelrod at (203) 235-7445, as soon as possible. Thanks in advance for your help!
Southington Genealogical Society The Southington Genealogical Society will conduct its next business meeting on Tuesday, August 26th at 7:30 pm in Southington Police Headquarters. Members are invited to present summaries of their ongoing research. The general public is invited to bring their questions, researching difficulties, and curiosity. Our summer meetings are a time when we like to reach out to the local community and to all those who have thought of pursuing this fascinating hobby, but had no idea how to get started. We also welcome the challenging questions of those who have tried to research their family history, but have run into problems and given up. To all of you who fall into either category (or even somewhere in-between) we say there is hope! Come to our July and August meetings and find out why being part of a genealogical community can make the difference. There is no admission charge, no obligation to become a member, and seating is on a first come first serve basis. The Southington Genealogical Society is a non-profit organization located in central Connecticut that promotes the accurate recording, research and preservation of family history. The society regularly meets at 7:30 pm on the fourth Tuesday of every month, except December, in Southington Police Headquarters, 69 Lazy Lane, Southington, Connecticut. THE PEOPLES PRESS will be closed for Summer Holiday from August 1st - August 13th. We will return any phone calls or emails on August 14th. Have a great month.
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