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Over Easy |
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Over Easy by Ed Flynn June 2005
I’ve always thought there was a certain consistency to inconsistency. Actually that’s what makes life interesting. Think about it for a moment. Cargo magazine tells us that “the next trend in jeans is distressed denim ripped and then patched up.” Excuse me, but haven’t distressed jeans been the way to go for years now? When was the last time you saw jeans that weren’t on life support? So here comes the latest fashion ploy – rip holes in them and before they hit Bloomies or Nordstroms or the Gap, be sure you stitch ‘em up first. Back in the good ‘ole days, time was measured by how gradually your new denims aged. It was an honorable journey through a year or two of stickball, roller hockey, John Wayne movies, trips to the Polo Grounds, and a long distance adolescent crush on Jane Powell. You had those after-school and Saturday leggings just the right shade of “sky blue-grey” before the thread became too bare to bear. My pal Buddy Early showed half his shin bone before he coaxed his mom out of the three or four bucks for those darker-than-midnight Lee Riders. But today you bleach ‘em, stress ‘em, blotch ‘em, embroider ‘em, and rip ‘em at the factory. Voila, the gods of fashion are satisfied. These things are now worthy of a Cal Klein or Gloria Vanderbucks label. Just be sure you sew them up first.
Have you noticed that Martha Stewart is popping up all over the place? She’s been complaining because her parole restrictions are getting in the way of her rehabilitation. More to the point, these days your earning track is tied to your social life and those late night schmoozing moments can wreck your body clock. So to keep in shape, Martha likes to jog. But that confounded ankle bracelet is beginning to chafe. Trotting around Westchester’s hill and dale would put her outside the required transmitter limits, making the federally mandated I.D. device trip its alarm and yikes almighty, boys and girls, it’s “there goes the neighborhood.” Here comes the search and rescue helicopter. Now you know the folks down there in bucolic Katonah won’t buy into that stuff, right? So Martha is hinting about an adjustment. Martha, that mansion of yours sits on top of a basement big enough to contain a moving sidewalk. Think of the possibilities. Your marketing people out in Sun Valley, the Hamptons, or Bel-Air will sell these moving indoor sidewalks to every trendsetter in show-biz. While the rest of us are slogging through slush and sleet or cold autumn rain, y’all will have it joggingly perfect right downstairs.
This inconsistency thing does have a certain symmetry, don’t you think? For example, does anyone out there still believe we dropped a little “shucks and awe” on Iraq because of a few WMDs? Or was it really the butcher of Baghdad we were after? We must have had a very good reason to invade a sovereign nation (sleazy, murderous, and kleptocratic through it surely was), but how did that justify the death of over 1,600 Americans and the maiming for life of over 10,000 more in just over twenty-six months. Was it the oil? Seriously, was it the oil? So, where’s the oil? The overall cost in dollar amounts for this little adventure is running in excess of $300 billion. Oh, and just so you don’t get too complacent about this … there’s still no exit strategy. Still.
Ivan Eland, in his new book, The Empire Has No Clothes, argues that U. S. military interventionism harms the interests of Americans politically, economically, and militarily. He thinks that America and the free world would be more secure and prosperous if our government reduced its military involvement overseas. He goes the extra step to point out that when we coerce “democracy” what we spawn is fractured and violent societies, cross border aggression, and radical revolt. More indigenous populations die and here at home our liberties will begin to evaporate. Check your morning paper.
There is a dreadful consanguinity at play in all of this. Here at home, our own primo amigo major domo has requested one billion over the next four years to pay for medical care for illegal aliens and Congress is falling all over itself to further push the envelope. Michelle Malkin, the brilliant patriot/author, puts the illegal alien total at 20 million. Look up the meaning of the word “illegal.” If your very presence on American soil puts you outside the law … how are you in possession of a driver’s license? How did you get a Social Security card? Who makes all this possible? Who has at his command this incredible esemplastic ability? More to the point, why is he doing it?
And now, how about all this homeland security? $4.5 billion has been spent on screening equipment that has failed to accomplish its mission. Almost four years after 9-11, our dysfunctional government agency in charge of homeland “security” has come up with a new tax on airline tickets to pay for more of the same. Meanwhile, down in Danbury, the mayor, who is coping with ten to fifteen thousand illegal aliens and was sounding the alarm in April, has reversed course and according to the May 12 Hartford Courant is now apologizing to these people for his insensitivity. Ah, consistency, where art thou?
Finally, a
heads-up for the affable Katie Couric. It relates to Benedict XVI and the media
allusions to his Nazi “sympathies” as a 14-year-old. What follows is the
verbatim text of a one-half page ad in last month’s Catholic Transcript
newspaper. It honored Benedict’s predecessor John Paul II. “The Jewish
community of Connecticut extends our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to
you on the passing of Pope John Paul II. He will forever be remembered for his
respect and love and a lifetime of friendship with the Jewish people. May his
memory be for a blessing!” This was co-signed by the Anti-Defamation League,
the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, the Federation of Jewsih Communities
of Western Connecticut, Inc., the Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut,
and the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven. What a beautiful message from
the Jewish people to another faith community. Such transfer of sympathy and
high regard is no less than the echo of John Paul II and could not have been
issued if his successor was in the least suspect of anything other than
continued and warm relationship with our “older brothers in faith.” Mazeltov,
Katie.
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The Prospect We All Love by Joseph L. Gomez
The Sad Story of Mrs. “W”
Once upon a time, in a little town not so very far from here, there lived a lady whom we shall call Mrs. W. She moved to the little town in the mid-forties, like so many others did, after her husband came back from the war.
Mr. and Mrs. W bought a nice little house in the little town and he went to work in Waterbury and provided a comfortable living for their family for many years. He became involved in the affairs of the little town and soon he served on a few of the little town’s boards. When he retired from his full-time job, Mr. W took a part-time job in the center of the little town and became a fixture who exchanged a kind word with everyone he met while he worked at the place of his employment. He thought nothing of going out in the night to do errands for people who could not leave their homes and was a perfect neighbor to all in the little town.
When the business closed, Mr. and Mrs. W could always be found at various town gatherings, always together, and as cheerful as ever. But, as it inevitably happens to us all, Mr. W’s health took a turn for the worse. Mr. W was hospitalized, and then was moved to a convalescent facility in the little town. Mrs. W visited him every day, but he grew weaker and after a protracted period of illness, he passed away.
Mr. W’s illness had been costly to their modest retirement budget and had drained their savings to a great degree. Now, for the first time since they were married so many years ago, Mrs. W was coming to a crossroads in her life. The mortgage on the little house was paid, but she was looking at some unexpected but eventual bills for home repairs. She tried and tried to come up with an answer, but it always came back to the fact that now she was on the downward side of 80 and would have to leave her little house in the little town and try to find something affordable with no upkeep to worry about.
Mrs. W tried and tried to locate a place within her little town where she had shopped and worshipped for all these years, but to no avail. You see, the little town had no provision for such a situation and there was no affordable housing available to Mrs. W. Sadly, she was forced to relocate to the big city to live.
The little town, for which Mr. and Mrs. W had been a resource for so many years, had no room for her now. The most unfortunate part of this story is that it is true.
Now, I pick up our local newspaper and discover that a large firm, Toll Brothers, is in the process of negotiating to build a 300-unit complex on Scott Road. It would consist of mostly townhouses with one or two-car garages (hardly the place for our Mrs. W of the story), but perhaps a glimmer of hope on the horizon.
You see, our Town had stipulated in the past that any such construction must contain 30 percent of units deemed to be “affordable” in nature. The present developers, being the good businessmen that they are, are not ones to take a small hit to their bottom line, protested that they should be allowed to reduce the number of affordable units from 30 percent to 15 percent, resulting in a drop from 90 affordable units to 45.
At this writing, their request is up for a vote by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Whether our town goes the way of the little town in the story is entirely up to the members of that board.
We shall shortly learn whether we are, indeed a town that cares about its people, or like the one in the story, more interested in pleasing developers rather than our own citizens. All of our futures are riding on the outcome, not just Mrs. W’s. Stay tuned!
Remember, if you have something interesting to say, chances are we would like to hear it. You can call me at 758-3182, fax me a note to 758-7502 or email jgomez04@snet.net
[Joseph L. Gomez is a poet,
freelance writer, and the author of Sarah Ann, The Story of a Pioneer Woman.]
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Life in Prospect by John Guevin
100 Years Ago – June 1905
Union School District
The annual meeting of the Union School District was held on Monday evening. It was voted to continue the state superintendency for another year and pay eight dollars per week to the teachers in all the schools.
The members of the School Board of Visitors for the next year were: David M. Plumb, Edgar G. Wallace, William H. Phipps, William E. Clark, E. W. Griswold, and Lavergne G. Clark.
Prospect Congregational Church
Children’s Day was observed at the Prospect Congregational Church with exercises taking place at the morning service at 10:45. There was also a short sermon by the pastor.
Rev. and Mrs. Phipps and Halsey S. Clark attended the council at Bunker Hill for the recognition of the Congregational Church organization there.
The Graduates
Miss Elizabeth Chapin and Miss Frederica Hays, 1905 graduates of St. Margaret’s School, spent a week at the parsonage.
Rev. and Mrs. Phipps attended the graduation exercises of Miss Ethel Phipps at Mount Holyoke College. Miss Phipps then spent the summer at home. Miss Bertha Clark was also at home having completed a year of training at New Britain for kindergarten work.
Robert Clark received the congratulations of friends for having secured a prize of $75 for a scholarship to the high school in Naugatuck.
Prospect – A Summer Destination
“The new Library and the good roads from Waterbury may be the excuse for so many driving out from town. Automobiles pass frequently. There is still room for people who wish to spend a few weeks in town at the farm houses.”
“Prospect still holds the record for healthfulness and quietude. It is so quiet here at evening the only sound is the tinkle of some distant cow bell; but it is an ideal place for rest and recuperation.”
Waterbury American, June 21, 1905.
Celebrations
There was a surprise party at William Pulford’s home on Wednesday evening. The event marked his 43rd birthday.
On Saturday evening there was a large gathering of friends at the house of William E. Clark and his wife to celebrate their Silver Wedding Anniversary. Many beautiful presents were received. An enjoyable musical program was presented.
Civil War Veterans
Several of Prospect’s Civil War veterans attended the unveiling of the Soldiers’ Monument in New Haven. One of them, Stephen Talmadge, had been a member of the Sixth Connecticut Regiment.
“We do not think the State did justice to one of the smallest members (the Town of Prospect). While it had less than 500 inhabitants and sent over 70 soldiers into the service during the Civil War, and a majority of them were good soldiers, who went forth from patriotism, and it seemed a fitting testimony that the State should aid the town in placing a monument to their memory. There are a few veterans who have kept up their interest in the town, and their loyalty to the town, state and country almost demanded that the State should show its appreciation.”
Waterbury American, June 21, 1905.
75 Years Ago – June 1930
4-H Canning Club
A christening party for the new 4-H canning club was held Tuesday in the kitchen of the Prospect Congregational Church. In the absence of the leader, Mrs. Clifford P. Clark, Miss Myrtle Files, junior leader of the Farm Bureau, took charge of the girls. The new club was officially named the “A Merry Can” 4-H Club of Prospect. Following the christening ceremony, Miss Files demonstrated the canning of strawberries and spinach.
The girls attending were: Julia Rozum, Helen Rasmussen, Helen Fournier, Helen Mahoney, Barbara Talmadge, Althea Main, Edna Kieper, and Leila Wallace.
The club conducted their canning program throughout the summer. Each girl received a pint jar which was to be filled with some product and returned at the next meeting.
Boy Scouts
The Boy Scout troop held the regular meeting at the Prospect Congregational Church. The troop was registered at this time. The boys enjoyed sports on the Green.
Among the scouts present with Scoutmaster Gould B. Clark were: John Wallace, Edmund Fournier, Donald Mahoney, Roger Fournier, Richard Brundage, Ralph Leavenworth, Victor Petrauskas, Ernest Bernier, Herbert Hill, and Harry Talmadge, Jr.
Mother and Child
The third and last lesson of the “Mother and Child” series was given by Miss Elizabeth MacDonald. The subject of the talk was “Baby’s Bath.” Mrs. Ray Purdy demonstrated, using her youngest baby. Among those present were: Mrs. Clarence Hodges and daughter Shirley Lois, Mrs. Clarence Fenn and daughter Caryl, Mrs. Edison and daughter Jean, Mrs. Charles Boisvert and daughter Barbara Luise, Mrs. Ronald Walker and daughter, Mrs. Arthur W. Davis and daughter Myrtle Althea, Mrs. Frank Plumb and daughter Sylvia, and Mrs. Ray Purdy and two daughters, Also present were Mrs. Michael Mahoney, Mrs. Raymond F. Chandler, Mrs. Clifford P. Wallace, Miss Leila Wallace, and Miss Frances Whitcomb.
Prospect Public School Graduates
The closing exercises of the Prospect Public Schools were held on Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. in the Prospect Congregational Church. Diplomas were presented to graduates from Center School No. 2. They were: Roger Russell Fournier, Althea Mae Main, Ralph Carlyle Leavenworth, Anna Elizabeth Buriko, and Nellie Hlooshko. Louis Cocchiola of the Summit School also received a diploma. The class motto was “With a Will to Conquer,” and the class colors were green and white.
Prospect Baseball Team
The Prospect baseball team beat the Wolcott team by a score of 14 to 2 when they met on Saturday afternoon at the athletic field in Waterbury. This was the fourth game of the season. Prospect had won two games and lost two, which put them in second place in the YMCA church league. Oakville held first place. The boys held practice every Tuesday and Thursday evening at Plumb’s field.
50 Years Ago – June 1955
Children’s Day
The Children’s Day program was presented at the Prospect Congregational Church. It included scripture reading and prayer by the children. Among those participating were Althea Davis, Alice Pierpont, Sylvia Plumb, Jennette Chatfield, Robert Young, Alvin Main, David Chatfield, and Richard Pierpont.
The program included piano selections by Miss Josephine Clark and “Story of Children’s Day” by Miss Leila Wallace. Eleanor Chatfield sang the solo “Birdies in the Treetop.”
Evening Women’s Association Seventh Anniversary
The Evening Women’s Association of the Prospect Congregational Church held its meeting in Fellowship Hall. A potluck supper celebrated the association’s seventh anniversary. Friendship aprons were still out and those having them were asked to bring them to the next meeting. Rainy day bags were also to be collected at that time.
Dr. Robert C. Senior installed the following officers for the 1955-56 season: President, Mrs. Thomas Feero; vice president, Mrs. Raymond Sugden; secretary, Mrs. Walter Voegeli; treasurer, Mrs. Claude Tibbetts; and auditor, Mrs. David Pierson.
Barbara Martin to Wed
Miss Maureen Martin was hostess at a shower for her sister, Miss Barbara Martin, who was married on Saturday to Don Bragg of Waterbury. The guest list included Mrs. Rose Martin, Mrs. Rose Cordeau, Miss Helen Camerota, Mrs. Oro McNamara, Mrs. Edna Capuano, Miss Jean Lister, Mrs. Myrtle Bragg, Mrs. Margaret Turmeil, Miss Mary Fortier, Miss Anne Fontana, Miss Anna Griffin, Mrs. May Griffin, Mrs. Carl Hanson, Mrs. Dennis Martin, and Mrs. Richard Brundage.
Also attending were: Mrs. Claire Cordeau, Mrs. Alfred Martin, Jr., Mrs. Lillian Carroll, Mrs. William Eddy, Mrs. Mark Folman, Mrs. Irene Tesca, Mrs. Freddy Trenzio, Cynthia Tultla, Mrs. Ann Duigan, Mrs. William Martin, Mrs. Edna Soberiski, Mrs. Shirley Sears, Virginia Bragg, Shirley Bragg, Carol Turmell, Ruth Turmell, Joan Turmell, Catherine Martin, and Maureen Martin.
Prospect Grange
The play “Classic Dishes” was presented again at the Prospect Grange on June 11. Later in the month the lecturer’s hour included a pantomime, “Bachelor’s Dream,” with twelve men taking part. There was a puppet stunt with nine women participating.
The schoolchildren told a story about Davie Crockett. The ladies’ quartet sang “Kentucky Bay.” The Girl Scouts presented a memorial number with Mrs. VanWagner as leader. Also included was a duet by Mrs. Adolf Bender and Miss Mary Ann Harvey. Mrs. Vera Kudzma was at the piano.
Budget Approved
A $267,934 budget won by a margin better than two-to-one at a special town meeting on June 1. The session was orderly in comparison to the meetings two weeks earlier when the same budget total was rejected.
Of 281 town residents present at the meeting, 188 voted in favor of adoption and 92 against with one abstention. In explaining changes made by the Finance Board, Chairman James Doyle emphasized that the expense side of the budget was unchanged. There were, however, several changes in anticipated revenue.
At another meeting, the tax rate was set at 26 mills. This rate represented a two-mil reduction from the previous year.
Prospect Community Fife and Drum and Bugle Corps
The Prospect Community Fife and Drum and Bugle Corps was awarded first prize at a meet in Willimantic. Prospect’s Major Edward Pelkey also took first place in the junior division. About 40 senior and junior corps participated in the meet.
25 Years Ago – June 1980
Brownies and Girl Scouts
Brownie Fly-Up was held at Algonquin School. Third grade Brownies crossed the bridge into Junior Girl Scouts. Parents were invited and refreshments were served.
Camp Day was held at Town Park on June 14. There was still money left in the camp fund for girls interested in day or overnight camping during the summer. A dinner for leaders and co-leaders was held June 26 at the Seafarer Restaurant in Cheshire. Marion Yarrow was in charge of reservations for the dinner.
B-Tweens Club
The B-Tweens Club planned three trips for June. Ann Miranda took reservations for the events. One trip was Atlantic City for the day. Another outing featured St. Anthony’s Feast and Quincy Market. A third trip involved sulky races and a wine and cheese party at Brotherhood Winery.
Chapel Senior Center
There was an open house to celebrate the new kitchen at Chapel Senior Center on Jun 13. Raymond Caruso donated cabinets and labor to make an empty nook into a kitchen in order for the center to become a nutrition site. All types of kitchen articles and supplies were needed, such as dish towels, trays, bowls, frying pans, and hand mixers.
The Senior Center added to the staff with four part-time workers employed under the Senior Aide Program. They were Henrietta McClung, Helen Gelinas, Theresa Buckley, and Clara Wall.
The Senior Center took a tour and picnic at Hop Brook Dam on June 16. A ranger conducted the tour and also led a nature trail walk.
Chamber of Commerce
The Prospect Chamber of Commerce elected officers at its regular monthly meeting with the following results: President, Elaine Graveline; vice president, John Schieffer, Jr.; secretary, Lois McGarvey; and treasurer, Kim Costello
The Board of Directors consisted of Anthony Purcaro, Domenic Briglia, Dee LoCascio, Hans Reichardt, John Schieffer Sr., Dom Moffo, Michael Mucciacciaro, Marc Ratte, Eugene Graveline Sr., and James Ashe.
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All Pets are Family
(I learned 14 Rodents Later)
I can clearly recall the day the first rodent entered my house. It was just a week after my daughter’s ninth birthday. The hamster was undeniably cute; however, it was still a rodent, not a pet. As all mothers know, it isn’t necessarily that we don’t like animals, it’s just that we know we will be the one to take care of them regardless of the promises made by our well-intentioned children. I was not looking forward to caring for a rodent. I didn’t even like them when I was a child, (remember that movie, Willard?) Inevitably as a mother, I too became somewhat attached to the “rat.” I would find myself stopping to watch it playing in its cage when I went to clean my daughter’s room. So when the poor little animal passed on just three months later, I too was saddened. To make matters even harder to bear it happened the day after Christmas. My daughter was devastated. Another reason why mothers are against pets, it’s the number one rule of mothers, “at all costs avoid pain for your children.” It’s an unreasonable rule. Pain comes with growing up.
We had a funeral for the little “rat” in the back yard. I even found plastic flowers to lie on the grave. I will never forget the heartbreak my daughter felt. She grieved for three days. For months after she would go to visit her hamster, Jana.
After saving up some money my daughter went to buy another hamster. The pet store had dwarf hamsters, two for $10. What a bargain! So we went home with two. I need not explain in detail what happened about a month or two later; after all you have your own children.
My poor babysitter was taking care of our two dogs, while we were away on vacation at the end of August. She thought she was just supposed to feed the dogs, let them out, and drop some food in the cage for the hamsters. She was a little surprised when she arrived one morning and found all these little fuzzy wormy things wiggling around in the cage! So now we had nine hamsters.
Of course, my daughter wanted to keep them. I was trying my best to find someone to take them. According to my little girl there were plenty of her friends who wanted them. But apparently they had mothers stronger than I, and the nine hamsters stayed at my house.
As the little critters got a bit older (and with close observance on my part), I determined which ones were boys and which ones where girls based upon their position as they played. I think you know what I mean. I purchased another cage and separated the rodents, which we all know can multiply like rabbits. I did a wonderful job, considering the sales people at the pet store said that dwarf hamsters are too small to be able to see what sex they are. However, I obviously didn’t separate the little rascals fast enough, and just around Thanksgiving we found that we now had a new brood of five hamsters. Fourteen in all!
At this point it wasn’t too hard to convince my daughter that we couldn’t keep all of these hamsters. I agreed to only give away the new babies, since she had not yet become attached to them. We did find a family who would take one of the hamsters. The pet store where we purchased the original hamster did offer to take the new babies when they were ready to care for themselves. In the meantime I was getting attached to some of the little critters myself. You can’t help it when you feed them and clean up after them. My daughter came to realize that when I called her animals “rats” and “rodents” it was now meant as an endearing term.
Unfortunately, hamsters don’t live very long. Dwarf hamsters seem to have even a shorter life span. They are very sensitive to stress. With all of those other hamsters in the cage, and two children and numerous friends wanting to see and pet and carry the little things, the stress level was very high. The hamster population started falling like autumn leaves.
We buried four more hamsters in the back yard, each with its own flowers. My daughter and son even found some rocks and took permanent marker to make the passing family members headstones. With each funeral I saw a different level of grief. It was obvious which hamsters my children had become most attached to.
My attitude about these rodents was changing. These pets my daughter had chosen were becoming a part of the family. If a hamster was ill, I cared for it and taught my daughter what to do. At the passing of each little hamster’s life, a box was carefully picked out and lined with tissue or wood shavings. The hamster’s little body was put in gently and always covered with a tissue.
They say God only gives you what you can handle. I firmly believe that each minute of your life prepares you for what is coming later. Very recently we have lost the last of the hamsters, D.C., or Darn Cute. With the saga of the dwarf hamsters, my daughter has realized that even though her animals died she still has very special memories of each of them, that memories are something you can have forever. These hamsters were her friends. She could talk to them and tell them how she felt, and they would never interrupt or criticize. She could practice what she wanted to say to me, so she could be more confident about what she wanted to say. She is very eager to get a new pet. But we will give that some time.
My idea of a pet has always been a dog. Some say that cats make the best pets. Although I will never be able to understand, and will never allow them into my house (did you read that clearly honey?) there are people who adore snakes, iguanas, frogs and more non-fuzzy animals. The point is a pet is a personal choice, some creature that can provide you with unconditional affection. When someone loses their pet, remember no matter how ridiculous you think it is to love that animal, someone did.
We have two dogs in their late teens, and I’m sure that we will be losing them in the next few years. I hope the death of all those hamsters has helped prepare our family for that day. It was easy to be the rock for my daughter when her loss was not mine. I will try to have the same grace and understanding of death as my daughter has seemed to grasp over the loss of her hamsters in the past year. I will hold onto the memories of my “babies,” Max and Mitzy, when they go to doggy heaven.
In time we will have more pets, after the grief has passed and we’ve had time to heal from the loss. Everyone needs a friend they can tell their innermost feelings to without fear of judgments or criticism. There is only one place to find that in any family, a pet.
Copyright MTS 06-05
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