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Friday, July 20, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
54,504 Shot in America This Year - 234 Today
...but maybe it’s time that the two people who want to be president of the United States stand up and tell us what they are going to do about it
- NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg
12 Killed, 70 Victims in Colo. Theater Shooting (From AP News Reports)
Aurora, Colo. - A gunman wearing a gas mask and black SWAT gear hurled a gas canister inside a crowded movie theater during a midnight showing of the new Batman movie Friday and then opened fire, killing 12 people and wounding nearly 60 others. Eleven are in critical condition.
Aurora Police Chief Dan Coates said suspect John Holmes purchased four guns at local gun shops and 6,000 rounds of ammunition through the Internet. Among the guns was an AR-15 rifle and that the gunman used two gas canisters, all apparent legal purchases.
NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg rips Obama and Romney on gun control
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg had sharp words for President Obama and Mitt Romney in the wake of Friday’s massacre in Colorado, saying the “soothing words” from the presidential contenders are not enough.
“You know, soothing words are nice, but maybe it’s time that the two people who want to be president of the United States stand up and tell us what they are going to do about it, because this is obviously a problem across the country,” Bloomberg said in an interview with WOR News Talk Radio 710 in New York City. Read on at the Hill...
President Obama Responds to the Tragedy in Aurora, Colorado
[Even] as we learn how this happened and who's responsible, we may never understand what leads anybody to terrorize their fellow human beings like this. Such violence, such evil is senseless. It's beyond reason. But while we will never know fully what causes somebody to take the life of another, we do know what makes life worth living. The people we lost in Aurora loved and they were loved. They were mothers and fathers; they were husbands and wives; sisters and brothers; sons and daughters, friends and neighbors. They had hopes for the future and they had dreams that were not yet fulfilled.
Statement by Mitt Romney on the Shooting in Colorado
"Ann and I are deeply saddened by the news of the senseless violence that took the lives of 15 people in Colorado and injured dozens more. We are praying for the families and loved ones of the victims during this time of deep shock and immense grief. We expect that the person responsible for this terrible crime will be quickly brought to justice."
Mitt Romney's Official Policy Statement on Gun Rights "Protect the Second Admendment
Statement by Vice President Joe Biden on the Shooting in Colorado
Jill and I were shocked to learn of the tragedy in Aurora, Colorado this morning. The reason this is so deeply felt by all Americans is that, but for the grace of God, the victims could have been any one of our children, in any one of our towns. It is every parent’s worst nightmare to receive ‘that phone call’ and to sit by their child’s bedside, praying. We know what it’s like to wait and wonder and the helplessness a parent feels at this moment. Our hearts go out to each and every person who is suffering right now as a result of this terrible event. The prayers of an entire nation are with the victims and their families. We stand with the city of Aurora and the state of Colorado in mourning.
Sen. Portman Statement on Tragic Massacre in Colorado
Jane and I join all Americans in expressing our condolences to the families and friends of those whose lives were cut short by the senseless act of violence in Colorado last night. They are in our prayers this morning, as are those victims who were injured and a community now in grief.
Sen. Brown Statement on the Tragedy in Aurora, Colorado
Connie's and my thoughts and prayers are with families of the victims of this morning’s tragedy in Aurora, Colorado. Law enforcement is still investigating this senseless act of violence to ensure that the gunman is brought to justice. As those efforts continue, I know that many of us in Ohio will continue to keep the Colorado families affected by the tragedy in our thoughts.
Congresswoman Jean Schmidt Has Issued No Statement
The NRA Statement
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and the community. NRA will not have any further comment until all the facts are known.
Statement of Brady Campaign to End Gun Violence
We Don't Want Sympathy From The President Or Other Elected Officials; We Invite Americans To Join Our Campaign To Hold Politicians Accountable To Act
Statement from Brady Campaign President Dan Gross in response to the massacre in Aurora, Colorado:
On behalf of the Brady Campaign, I send our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and survivors of the mass shooting in Aurora, Colorado.
This tragedy is another grim reminder that guns are the enablers of mass killers and that our nation pays an unacceptable price for our failure to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people. We are outraged. We understand that President Obama has just spoken and so might Mitt Romney.
As someone who has suffered the lasting impact of gun violence, and President of Brady, I can tell you that we don’t want sympathy. We want action. Just this past April 16, the anniversary of the worst mass shooting in American history, 32 victims of gun violence joined us to demand Congress take action to stop arming dangerous people.
Today we are meeting with activists across this country as we continue to call on the American people to add their voice for change through our petition against arming dangerous people at www.bradycampaign.org. We are insistent that our elected leaders take action to prevent future tragedies. Political cowardice is not an excuse for evasion and inaction on this life-and-death issue.”
After Aurora: "We Don't Want Sympathy, We Want Accountability."
“On behalf of the Brady Campaign, I send our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and survivors of the mass shooting in Aurora, Colorado.
This tragedy is another grim reminder that guns are the enablers of mass killers and that our nation pays an unacceptable price for our failure to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people.
» Click here to Take Action NOW to Stop Arming Dangerous People
» Click here to for a History of Mass Shootings Download Major-shootings
»» Click here to learn more about the history of the Brady Campaign
» Join the Discussion on Facebook
Site Reccomended by Aurora Police Chief Dan Coates
Friday, July 20, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
This LOVELAND MAGAZINE HD VIDEO is from the World Choir Games Friendship Concert that was held at Epiphany United Methodist Church on July 13.
The video was taken by Bob Kessler, and interviews conducted by Gretchen Kessler.
A overflow, standing room crowd saw the performances by Epiphany Voices in Praise, The Chulada Choir of Thailand, and the Voices of Namibia. The doors to the church had to be closed an hour before the concert began. The best seats were taken ninety minutes before show time.
Security for the visitors was provided by the Miami Township Swat Team, the Miami Township Fire Marshall and the Miami Township Police Department. A church usher said that they had never before had to turn people away. The crowd size was estimated to be 650.
People lingered long after the last choir performed, mingling with the foreign guests. The church provided homemade food for them, as well as gourmet dishes brought in from around the Cincinnati area.
Thursday, July 19, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
This LOVELAND MAGAZINE HD VIDEO is clips from President Barack Obama's Town Hall meeting that was held last Monday at Music Hall. These interviews were conducted before the President took center stage.
To watch Loveland area residents who attended the town hall, and listen to their views about it... Loveland Residents Interviewed at Obama Town Hall
Thursday, July 19, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Little Miami Local Schools has hired Heather Chaney as preschool director for the district. The Board of Education voted to hire Chaney at its June 26 meeting.
Chaney comes to Little Miami from Lakota Local Schools, where she was a special needs preschool teacher at Shawnee Early Childhood School.
Mrs. Chaney has taken an active role in teaching as well as developing preschool curriculum for Lakota’s special needs preschool program since joining Lakota in 1998. She also developed Lakota’s preschool progress report that assesses children in the areas of social/emotional skills, gross and fine motor skills, communication, and pre-math and pre-literacy.
"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Little Miami's preschool families. I have worked in integrated preschool settings for 21 years,” Chaney said. “This is my passion, because I have seen so many success stories come from this type of model. I hope to continue to implement all the good processes that are currently in place and then build upon them to keep the program in compliance with new state standards and initiatives."
Chaney has a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology from Miami University and licensure in early education of the handicapped from Wright State University. She will take over the duties handled by out-going preschool director Jody Bailey.
“Heather brings with her a wealth of knowledge of preschool programs that can only benefit the families of Little Miami,” said Little Miami Superintendent Greg Power. “We’re excited to bring her on board to lead our preschool, and to make our vibrant program even more so.”
Thursday, July 19, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Miami Township Kid’s Concert
Sunday, JUL 22 • 2:00 pm
Community Park Performance Pavilion • GET MAP HERE
This is a great family event. There will be music from Zak Morgan and a magic show performed by Jason Jacobs.
Enjoy the outdoors and live entertainment while relaxing in beautiful Community Park.
Gather the Kids – Grab the Cooler – Have Some Fun!
WHO'S ZAK?
Zak Morgan performs over 200 shows a year, using music, magic, theater and comedy to encourage children to read books and exercise their imaginations. His unrestrained stage presence always leaves a lasting impression.
Thursday, July 19, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Dear Loveland Magazine Readers,
I currently serve on a wonderful non-profit organization called The Loveland Initiative and am inviting each of you to consider attending our Information Night, this Thursday July 19 at 7 PM at the Loveland Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, or on August 9, same time and location.
Our mission is to assist and educate low-income children and their families in and around Loveland. We are looking for people of all ages to volunteer, teenagers 16 and older, young adults, middle age adults & senior citizens.
Join us and bring a relative, friend or neighbor. Some fun upcoming events: Nisbet Concerts in the Park, Bikes, Bands & Bites (Taste of Loveland), Back To School Backpack Program, LaRosa's car washes...and many others.
Or perhaps you are an individual or business owner that may consider being one of our sponsors or donating your company's goods or services. I am attaching a flyer with all the details. Thank you and please e-mail me with any questions.
Take Care,
Tom Eardley
Loveland
Thursday, July 19, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
By law, Ohio Lottery profits must go to schools.
Yet record-setting profits this year don’t guarantee a windfall for public education, critics say.
“In reality, when lottery profits exceed estimates, the total amount available for Ohio schools does not change,” said Kirk Hamilton, executive director of the Buckeye Association of School Administrators. Read on at Columbus Dispatch...
Thursday, July 19, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
The Clermont County Water Resources Department has lifted the voluntary water reduction for customers that was requested on June 28, due to the extended period of dry weather. During the voluntary water reduction, peak water demands reached record highs. Customers were urged to refrain from washing cars, watering their lawns, or other non-essential water usage.
“The Clermont Water Resources Department would like to thank customers for their cooperation with the voluntary water reduction,” said Director of Utilities Lyle Bloom. “Recent rainfall and increased production from our water treatment plants has eliminated the need for the voluntary water reduction.”
For additional information, contact Clermont County Director of Utilities Lyle Bloom at 732-8860.
Thursday, July 19, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
On Monday, President Barack Obama first said he was not in Cincinnati's Music Hall to sing, and his wife had asked him to not be signing in public so much. But, he did lead the audience in signing Happy Birthday to 18-year old Adam Hoover who was in attendance.
Later, during the question and answer period of the town hall style meeting, the President called on Adam's mother Anna to ask a question. She declared that her son was: "Openly gay, grass roots, and speaks for a lot of the LGBT community." She asked the President what was he going to do for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. "What's your next steps? What are you going to do for us?"
This LOVELAND MAGAZINE HD VIDEO is the exchange, and a brief interview with Adam after the town hall meeting was over.
Thursday, July 19, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Dear Loveland Magazine,
Wednesday, July 18, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Dear Loveland Magazine Readers,
Mr. Obama starts by saying, ”If you work hard, you can get ahead. If you're responsible, then you can live out your dreams, you're not confined....." Those statements work in words only Mr. Obama. In practice over the past thee plus years, those are not the words that have characterized your administration. (Loveland Residents Interviewed at Obama Town Hall)
You have established programs of entitlements (ObamaCare, unsustained stimulus, tax the wealthy while 49.5% don't pay any taxes, over-regulation, and the list goes on and on) with virtually no growth in jobs.
Small businesses continue to struggle, and regulatory expenses pile up with very little benefit to show.
You say, “Everyone should play by the same set of rules." Yet, the entitlements you've piled up would indicate otherwise. Those entitlements (i.e. our national debt) will be paid for by generations to come. We simply can't afford more of your programs and your "Forward" approach to our future.
We need a strong dollar, strong job prospects (a reason to keep jobs here and bring more in), and an environment that is cooperative with businesses, vs. the anti-business approach you've created.
Let's look at the campaign you ran on four years ago - just a little different than what we got! What makes this time any different? We're tired of your double-speak and need someone who understands how to drive economic growth with the creation of jobs - someone who knows how to negotiate for the better of America. Based on your performance over the past three plus years..... that's not you!
Sincerely,
Steve Max
Wednesday, July 18, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
by Linda Cox
Though the Loveland Woman’s Club has spent several months celebrating their 100th anniversary, the June 12th meeting was the highlight of their centennial celebration beginning with a delicious tea attended by members dressed in vintage apparel.
Following the tea, Mrs. Patricia Furterer, as the mistress of ceremony, reminisced on Loveland as it existed 100 years ago: many unpaved roads with horses and buggies, though there were some new-fangled cars, and the area was flourishing with grocery stores, banks, stores, hotels, saloons, doctors, lawyers, pharmacies, an ice cream company, opera house, and more. One of the local newspapers was called The Hustler and excerpts from the paper were read by Mrs. Ann Barfels and Mrs. Sue Lundy.
Mrs. Patricia Furterer explained that the Loveland Woman’s Club initially was called the Research Club in 1912 and then, as now, their purpose was, “To provide literary and cultural expression and interest in civic, charitable and national affairs.” The club met on Monday afternoons at members’ homes. Club meetings were prim and proper affairs, as hats and gloves were worn and hostesses used their finest china and linens. Loveland Woman’s Club became affiliated with the OH Federation of Woman’s Clubs in 1915, though that membership has not been continued.
Mrs. Furterer also highlighted several of the projects the Loveland Woman’s Club had undertaken over the years, including:
A “lending library” was established in 1916 at the old Town Hall, which burned down in 1972. Books were donated and purchased. After six months, 134 library cards had been issued and there were 1,232 books available to Loveland citizens. The library continued until 1951.
A living Christmas nativity scene was assembled and orchestrated on what was known as Railroad Park, an area that is presently adjoining the bike trail. Beautiful costumes were
acquired, animals were secured, and husbands assembled the manger scene. Town folks participated in choral groups, volunteer firemen distributed candy to children, and Santa Claus was at Spark’s Hardware Store. This festive occasion continued for many years.
The first scholarship was awarded in 1961 in the sum of $100. This year, scholarships totaling $6,000 were awarded to six students.
Through the joint efforts of the Public Dental Service Society (in Cincinnati), Loveland Schools Superintendent L.W. Hurst and School Nurse Neil Hartman, and the Loveland Woman’s Club, a dental clinic was established in 1964 at Lloyd Mann School for school children who needed dental services. The clinic thrived for years in part because of support LWC provided for supplies, but was closed when the Public Dental Service Society’s funding was discontinued.
In 1965, the LWC secured a site (the former Methodist church on W. Loveland Ave.) to begin a Head Start Program in Loveland. The program was eventually moved into Loveland School facilities.
Continue reading "Loveland Woman's Club Celebrates 100th Anniversary" »
Wednesday, July 18, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Dear Loveland Magazine Readers,
I would just like to post here a sincere thank you to New Hope Baptist Church and the Loveland Chamber for doing such great work so we could see the Choirs in a wonderful place. (Jodi Inabnitt Talks About How Choir Games Came to Loveland )
New Hope people were so welcoming and I knew the gal from the Chamber had worked very hard and fast.
Thanks again,
Charlene Hinners
Wednesday, July 18, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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Wednesday, July 18, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Listen to What Your Neighbors Have to Say...
This LOVELAND MAGAZINE HD VIDEO is interviews from Loveland area residents at the town hall meeting held by President Barack Obama Monday in the Ball Room of Music Hall.
The President gave opening remarks before a standing room crowd of 1,200 in the ballroom and 400 in an overflow area, then answered questions from the public. He talked about the choice in this election between, “Two fundamentally different visions of how to grow the economy, create middle-class jobs and pay down the debt.”
Loveland Magazine worked the crowd inside Music Hall to track down area residents, getting their reaction to the President’s talk, and why they were there to support his re-election.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Loveland, Ohio - This LOVELAND MAGAZINE HD VIDEO of the Loveland World Choir Games Concert last Friday at New Hope Baptist Church was shot by Gretchen Kessler. Bob Kessler conducted the interviews with choir members, directors, organizers, and area residents attending the concert.
A crowd of more than 800 attended.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Loveland, Ohio - This LOVELAND MAGAZINE HD VIDEO is of Jodi Inabnitt, the Executive Director of the Loveland Area Chamber of Commerce in an interview after last week's World Choir Games Friendship Concert at the New Hope Baptist Church.
Inabnitt talks about why the concert was moved indoors, her favorite performances, and up and coming Chamber entertainment activities.
She also describes a surprise serenade by the Canadian women who become infatuated with some Hamilton County SWAT team members. Videographer Gretchen Kessler got the episode on tape.
Bob Kessler conducted this interview.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Dear Loveland Magazine,
Thank you, Loveland Magazine, for this information. I had no idea who was William Smith.(Will Voters of Ohio 2nd Congressional District Send William Smith to Washington?) It indeed is very helpful to know the candidates that will represent district 2 in Washington. Thanks.
Sincerely,
Tuesday, July 17, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Dear Loveland Magazine,
Thanks for this very enlightening interview with this candidate. (Will Voters of Ohio 2nd Congressional District Send William Smith to Washington?) I can't imagine when, where, or how we voters might have been able to get such insight into Mr. Smith had you not driven out and actually sat down with him. Keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
Paul Elliott,
Loveland Resident
Tuesday, July 17, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Tuesday, July 17, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Cincinnati Financial Corp. expects to report $140 million to $160 million in catastrophe losses when it posts second-quarter results next week.
That’s much lower than the $290 million that the Fairfield-based insurer lost in the same quarter a year ago due to major storms. Read on at the Business Courier...
Tuesday, July 17, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Clowns to the left of me and jokers to the right. Well, that’s where I think I am in this political environment. - William Smith Candidate for Congress
by David Miller
This LOVELAND MAGAZINE HD VIDEO is the first video interview William Smith has granted since he won the Democratic Primary in March. He will face Brad Wenstrup for a seat in the U.S. Congress representing Ohio’s 2nd District - the seat that will be vacated by Jean Schmidt after losing to Wenstrup in her primary election.
Smith, from Waverly, won the primary, beating Indian Hill resident, David Krikorian by 61 votes out of more than 20,000 cast.
Loveland Magazine traveled the 90-miles to the far reaches of the district and interviewed Smith on the front porch of his modest home in the rural, rolling hill setting a few miles from Pike State Forest. A call had to be made from Brewesters gas station and convince store just off of St. Rt. 32 to get final directions where the last cell service was available - to his home land line. After scratching down those directions that involved many complicated turns for the “short cut” Smith described, the final question was, “What does your house look like.”
“You will see me sitting on the front porch, Smith said. Then with a little more probing he said, but had to count three times in his mind down the winding one mile to his home, “It’s the fifth, no seventh, no hold on, it’s the one, two, three, four, five - it’s the fifth house on the right. You will see a red barn, a deer damaged Neon and a red, riding mower in the front yard, and I will be sitting on the front porch.”
Smith is the “Unknown” candidate that barely a seasoned politician had heard of, and most still don’t know. Democratic party leaders here in Hamilton and Clermont County admitted the morning after Smith’s surprise election win that they did not know him, and in fact never spoken to him. No photos were available for publication. Smith had no campaign site where reporters could go to to gather information. Smith is still hard to reach because he is gone from home except part of the weekend, and it helps if you have his home number and not just his cell number. He does not have an e-mail address.
Until this in-depth interview, Smith remained the unknown candidate, and the ignored candidate, despite grabbing the chance to perhaps become, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” The difference - this real-life Mr. Smith is no naive Jimmy Stewart character. Yet, nearly four and a half months have gone by and no one had contacted Smith to find out his political beliefs.
When asked if he had ever been to Washington, Smith said, “Yes. My senior high school trip. And, used to deliver goods in the Washington Beltway area driving by the National Security Administration between Baltimore and D.C.”
Smith is an overnight truck driver. He said he almost completed a teaching degree at Ohio University, but because of ever changing credit requirements during the 1970s never received a diploma. He has also been a correction officer at the Lucasville State Prison, a postal worker, a job training counselor, and when very young, worked in the family saw mill.
“The elite look at people like me and say you’re unworthy, you deserve to be where your at - at the bottom. What they don’t understand is that me, and people I consider like me, are the foundation that all the other accomplishments of this nation are built on - and if you undercut the foundation, what’s going to happen to the structure above it?”
Smith talked about the insecurity that people are feeling in their daily lives. Worries about health care and doctor bills. Where is the next pay check coming from? Will the Social Security system you paid into, be solvent?
Smith talks slowly and deliberately. Loveland Magazine recorded about 90-minutes of conversation with Smith, who doesn’t talk in sound bites, and apologized for that. “Simple, thirty-second - I call it bi-polar politics, sorry I just can’t give you that.”
This first installment of the conversation is about 21-minutes long; Smith talking about his surprise win, why he decided to enter the race, why he is staying in the race despite pressure to get out, and what he feels he has to offer voters in the 2nd Congressional District.
In the following days, Loveland Magazine will publish Smith’s beliefs on abortion, birth control, social services, and his answers to who he believes made “robo-calls” in the last days of the March primary on his behalf. The “robo-calls” are credited with Smith’s surprise win. Who made the calls, and did they violate federal election laws, is still being investigated by election officials. Smith speculates, but denies any involvement or direct knowledge of who made the calls.
The two hour visit with Smith on his front porch during a rare Summer rain that barely dented the drought in Southwest Ohio ended in his kitchen, where he offered a slice of freshly baked pie. “You have to eat it with a glass of milk though. It tastes better that way”
Soon after he cut into, and served a slice of coconut cream pie with meringue topping, he expressed consternation that he may have sliced into the pie that his mother had baked for church the next day. The sin already committed, Smith grabbed another pie and served another piece - rhubarb this time. "Grown out there in the side yard.” Smith pointed through the window over the kitchen sink. “See the rhubarb garden. It’s inside those concrete blocks by the fence.” He then told a story about where the concrete blocks came from.
Smith has been told he needs $500,000 to win the race against Wenstrup. He said that he spent $150 to win the primary, and says he has no more money to spend. His campaign manager recently quit because of uncorroperative Democratic party leaders. He does have a Treasurer for his campaign, but no bank account because he has no money to put into it.
Two slices and a glass of milk he had though and a desire to explain how he would be able to serve everyone in his district if sent to Washington.
Watch the rest of the interview...
William Smith on the "Welfare System"
William Smith Talks Jobs, Price of Fuel, Farm Bill, and Money in Politics
2nd Congressional Dem Candidate William Smith on Abortion and Birth Control
William Smith is Asked: Who Made Robo-Calls?
Tuesday, July 17, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
by Fran Hendrick
When memories of sounds and sights and scents are blended together, a space can magically be imbued with the sense of coming home. What’s so exciting about creating your own space is that you’re endowed with the power to bring only the best, the most choice of those memories together in a brand new way. You design a completely new fashion that is custom-tailored to you.
It’s a funny thing, the elements that can cause one to suddenly feel at home. Some of my best times as a child were spent with my grandmother and my aunt and uncle’s family in Manitowoc, Wisconsin on the shore of Lake Michigan. To this day, the sound of tires on a gravel road makes me feel that I am driving up the long driveway to the house on the bluff overlooking the lake, a place where there might be squabbles, but there would be no fighting, no intense sadness, none of the sense of imminent doom that I felt so often apart from those weeks in the summer. The sound of a gravel road instantly blesses me with a sense of well-being.
Many nights, returning to my grandmother’s house on the country roads that lead through this small town, there would be the scent of a skunk floating on the air. To me, this is perfume (though only in small doses, I later learned); how delightful to find it here, a little outside the city where I now live. Likewise, I was surprised, when I moved here, how the slight bit of mildew in one of the doorways summoned up those summers when the lake breeze always left things just a bit damp.
Not that I’m seeking to directly recreate either of those in my home beyond faintly, distantly. But my associations to what might be, to other people, unpleasant sensory elements are contented ones.
The last time I visited Manitowoc, I was dismayed with an advance in technology that had replaced the hollow echo of a far-off fog horn with an electronic phony twin. No matter — in my own home, I have a little lighthouse that reminds me of the sound exactly as it used to be. Just the sight of it brings the reassuring sound of that old sentinel to mind and I am transported to the psychological space of summer freedom, wide open spaces, the sun, building sand castles beside the icy lake, full picnic baskets that included home-grown tomatoes and my grandmother’s deviled eggs, quadruple solitaire and laughter.
Creating A Space That’s You: Find a moment to write down five sounds and scents from your own happy memories and imagine the ways you could weave them into your space to welcome you to each new day.
Monday, July 16, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Alex Gartner, a worship leader and pianist at Epiphany United Methodist Church has been awarded the Dr. John Leman Award from the College Conservatory of Music (CCM).
Gartner is the accompanist and Assistant Director for the Voices in Praise at Epiphany which was recently awarded a Silver Diploma in competition at the World Choir Games
He is a Cincinnati native and attends the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati studying choral music education. He is currently the associate accompanist for the Cincinnati Children's Choir and the director of camps at Coney Island.
Dr. L Brett Scott, Assistant Professor of Ensembles and Conducting at CCM made the presentation. Gartner was given the award: “Because of his musical leadership, exemplary character, and his commitment to the ensemble itself.”
Included in the award was a $500 stipend, and a plaque given to Gartner. His name will be inscribed on the plaque in the main hall of CCM, next to the box office windows near Corbett Auditorium.
Dr John Leman began serving as director of the CCM Chorale in 1969 and remained in that position for many years. Leman, who suffered from multiple sclerosis and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, was highly regarded in the American Choral Director's Association, and Dr. Leman's family was present for the award presentation.
Sunday, July 15, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

























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