Evening Sun Blog

Sports Editor’s Playbook, May 17, 2013

Pat — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:57:10 +0000

Norwich junior Matt Murray may be the most versatile runner in Norwich track and field history. He already has multiple school records in indoor and outdoor track and field. Just this season, his times from 100 meters to 1,600 meters would place him in the top five or six in all of Section IV in every event except the 110-meter hurdles. That is one event he has yet to post a time. What runner can compete on even footing with sprinters and distance runners? I said to myself a couple of years ago – and anyone else within earshot – runners such as Chad Noelle of Greene come around once in a generation. Noelle won state championships in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters, and was also the best 800-meter performer in Section IV. He has the best times in those three events in Chenango County history, and is now competing at the University of Oregon as a standout distance runner. In the distance events, Noelle has no equal, yet Murray is that transcendent athlete with the uncanny tools to excel in any event he enters. Murray, a junior, will be among the favorites to win a state championship next month. Treasure this athlete, folks, as we have never seen a local high school track athlete with his all-around capabilities.
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I wanted to publicly bid a fond farewell to one of the classier young coaches and teachers, who is leaving the area at the conclusion of this school year. Rick Mohrein, varsity basketball and baseball coach at G-MU, is headed to Charlotte, N.C. with his wife after accepting a similar job to his current post at G-MU. Rick suffered through a paucity of victories this past year, but he was always upbeat and saw the positives to build on. Rick, who is about 6-foot-4, was a standout basketball and baseball player for Afton during his high school playing days. Although he surely does not remember me, I remember him. Afton had some respectable basketball teams during Rick’s playing days, and Afton’s baseball teams were always competitive, particularly against Class D competition. Best wishes to Rick and his wife in the next phase of their lives.
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I was at “Meet the Candidates” night at Stanford J. Gibson Elementary School in Norwich earlier this week as the public had the opportunity to listen to the thoughts of the seven prospective Norwich School Board candidates. One candidate, Bruce Braswell, presented a consistent theme in which he believed we should not cut any programs (read opportunities) for kids. The extracurricular activities are essential to rounding out the character of an individual. Music, sports, and the arts are also about passion, self-motivation, and often, working well with a team. I wholeheartedly agree with keeping opportunities available to kids, so I was dismayed when I learned that Bainbridge-Guilford plans to cut one of its sports programs – tennis. The tennis program’s inherent cost is a relative blip in any school’s overall budget scheme. Tennis is one of the most cost-efficient programs, particularly at B-G. Kids provide and maintain their own equipment; team members bought their own uniforms this year; the kids self-officiate their own matches, and the coach drives the team bus. The tennis courts require little maintenance at this time, and the same nets have been in place for 10 years. The only overhead is the purchase of tennis balls for the season. The tennis program is also coed, and it is not suffering from lack of interest, nor is it non-competitive. The Bobcats finished with a 6-4 record with the majority of the starting lineup returning next year. Unfortunately, there may not be a next year, and this is a disservice to the kids.

Follow me on Twitter @evesunpat

For the sake of brevity… or not.

Ashley — Sat, 11 May 2013 04:24:33 +0000

Week five has come to a close and it’s been a little while since I’ve written a blog. It’s not for lack of trying… I’ve started and deleted about 17 times now. There are so many things on my mind – even as I type right now – I have no clue where I want to head with this.

For a brief wrap-up of happenings around here – I’m really enjoying things… The flowers on my desk have died because I forgot to water them. I have post-its reminding me about almost everything else though. I’ve finally been able to discard my two notes reminding me to buy new batteries for my mouse.

I met and had the pleasure of interviewing Amy Ridgway, which was an awesome experience. Amy grew up in Norwich. For those who haven’t read the article, she was the brave nurse who worked with detectives to get a confession out of her colleague and friend, Charles Cullen, who has admitted to killing at least forty (but quite possibly hundreds) of patients over sixteen years as a registered nurse. Check out Charles Graeber’s book “The Good Nurse” which tells the entire story. He dedicated a great deal of his time on this work, and is the only journalist that has interviewed Cullen in prison in New Jersey. The story was also on 60 minutes and CBS This Morning. Fascinating stuff. It definitely brings up qualms regarding actions and policies of hospitals and healthcare facilities, but for the sake of brevity, I’ll save that for another time.

As a little precursor to what follows – I try to be as happy-go-lucky, peaceful, “live and let live” as possible. While my opinion below may box me in to a certain category or party of individuals according to some folks, I’d prefer to just keep my checkmark next to the spot that says “human.”

A little more than a week ago, I had the pleasure of attending the Educational Forum on the NY SAFE Act at the Oxford Rod and Gun Club. I say “pleasure” because I was honestly super excited. Now, let me warn you, I’m late to the game. I don’t know technicalities of certain firearms, and I don’t know every legal definition down to a “t.” But, I will share what I learned and some of my thoughts. Bear with me a little, okay?

The NY SAFE Act was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo on January 15, 2013. This was a knee-jerk reaction in response to the shootings in Newtown, CT.

“The SAFE Act stops criminals and the dangerously mentally ill from buying a gun by requiring universal background checks on gun purchases, increases penalties for people who use illegal guns, mandates life in prison without parole for anyone who murders a first responder, and imposes the toughest assault weapons ban in the country. For hunters, sportsmen, and law abiding gun owners, this new law preserves and protects your right to buy, sell, keep or use your guns.” -Governor Andrew Cuomo

Well that’s certainly some dexterous language to make things sounds fine-and-dandy, isn’t it?

Simply put, the SAFE Act will do nothing to make anyone any safer. Law-abiding citizens became felons while they were sleeping. Of course, tragedies including Sandy Hook, Aurora, CO, Virginia Tech, etc. are disgusting and disheartening. However, it’s been said countless times, regardless of laws that are in place, someone determined to obtain a weapon (be it a firearm, bomb, knife – you name it) and use it to cause harm on an unsuspecting or innocent party will do so.

How many criminals do you think will attempt to purchase a firearm through legal means? (Christopher Dorner and the LAPD is deserving of its own attention, so for the sake of brevity -again- I won’t discuss that now). Chances are he/she/they will talk to a friend or a friend of a friend of a friend and have what they’re looking for in a very short while.

Do I get a warm and cozy feeling when I think of a dangerously mentally ill individual with a weapon? Not particularly. Is it going to happen anyway? Absolutely. There is no legislation that will stop that.

Something else that has been given much attention from supporters of the SAFE Act is the specific portion of the 2nd Amendment that states, “A well-regulated militia.” It is imperative to understand the Constitution was written in 1787. “Well-regulated” now does not hold the same definition as it did then. These days, if something is “regulated” it is controlled, supervised, adjusted. However, when the Constitution was written “well-regulated” referred to something being in proper working order. Something that was well-regulated was calibrated correctly, functioning as expected.

Therefore, a “well-regulated militia” could very well be a group of three friends who agree to get together a few times a year, train with one another, and be content in knowing that if something were to “go down,” they would be prepared to take necessary action – be it most likely against a tyrannical government.

Another thing that was brought to my attention at the forum is that ten rounds are still allowed for shooting competitions or recreational shooting at a range. The SAFE Act does, however, limit the number of rounds you can have at your home for personal defense/protection to seven. This raises the question, “Why is sport shooting given more value than personal protection?”

If I understand correctly, the SAFE Act also does not include an exemption for law enforcement. Most police officers in NY carry 9mm weapons with a 15-round capacity. Essentially, these folks are in violation of the SAFE Act – along with thousands of law-abiding New Yorkers.

Questions arise when it comes to the lack of clarification all throughout the legislation. It was mentioned at the forum that you must re-certify your weapon with the State Police every five years. If you fail to do so, your registration will be revoked. It was also stated that it is not currently written that you will be sent a reminder notice around that five year mark, so if this ridiculous legislation holds up, you’ll want to keep track on your own.

As of March 15, all private handgun, rifle or shotgun sales or transfers (with the exception of those sales or transfers to and between certain family members) will require a background check of the buyer. The “immediate” family members exempt include spouses, domestic partners, children and stepchildren. …Okay, I have none of those things. What about siblings? The legislation is incredibly vague, and as I said before, knee-jerk. Questions were raised at the forum regarding grandchildren… they’re not considered immediate family, and are not exempt. Now, I’m not saying the background check is a necessarily a bad idea, I’m saying that the SAFE Act was very poorly written, and clearly not well thought out.

Now, I’m aware I’m jumping around a whole lot here, but I have too much to say so am only going with random snippets as they come to me.

I’ve seen posts on Facebook claiming “I have to have a license for my dog, so you should have one for your gun.” – The majority of the people frustrated with this legislation do have registered weapons and permits to carry. They are legal and were turned into criminals overnight. Other posts have made reference to other groups with limited rights, such as “How does it feel to have your rights infringed, I can’t even marry the person I love.” – I think the idea of the government being involved in “love” and “marriage” has been a ridiculous concept since I was a kid, so even heterosexuals requiring “marriage licenses” makes no sense to me. The government doesn’t need to know who I love. But I digress… I’m on your side, and you should be able to marry who you want to marry. In the same token, a gun owner who wants to protect his/her family/self has every right to do so.

A number of lawsuits have been filed against the SAFE Act, and I am super curious to see how things turn out. Arrests have also been made to folks in violation of this legislation, and people gathered to protest at arraignments of those charged with violating (this happened up in Moreau, NY – near Saratoga Springs – just last week). There have also been instances of gun licenses being wrongfully revoked due to cases of mistaken identity (one man near Buffalo, as an example).

The 2nd Amendment states, “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” The NY SAFE Act is clearly in violation of this. Know your rights. Exercise your rights. Educate yourself.

Alright, that is all. I want to go out and dance in the rain.

Oh – you can follow me on Twitter…

@evesunashley

You’re welcome, America

Shawn — Fri, 10 May 2013 20:16:40 +0000

It looks like a busy weekend ahead, with a cruise-in at the Howard Johnson Hotel tonight, the Norwich Merchants Association Spring Crafts Festival on Saturday and of course, Mother’s Day on Sunday (and me without a special Mother’s Day gift idea. I refrain from the customary macaroni necklace and Popsicle stick picture frame).

Kudos to the teachers at the Sherburne-Earlville Central School District for their respectful protest on Tuesday. I’m one who believes testing is a good thing, so long as there’s a clear goal in mind. However, when teachers are testing only to get ambiguous results, not knowing what steps to take next; and not knowing where to go, yet still expected to know when they get there… well to me, it sounds an awful lot like building a plane in the air. I admire any effort to change education for the better, but it’s only appropriate to diligently scrutinize any changes made. Perhaps this new method of statewide assessment isn’t the best alternative. Perhaps it’s time to learn from mistakes, adjust accordingly, and move forward.

Avid readers of The Evening Sun are surely familiar with the weekly “Thumbs” section. Thumbs, for those who don’t know, is a brief opinion piece written by reporters. My “Thumbs Down” this week went to obnoxiously long receipts that have only grown longer in recent years – namely, the 30-foot receipts I get after buying a single pack of gum at the grocery store. When Thumbs was published in today’s paper and I thought I could put it behind me for another week, I received a phone call from a reader who told me receipt paper may also contain trace amounts of the glycogen BPA, which can be absorbed in the skin (a claim backed by a 2011 study reported by the New York Times). I read in the report that BPA can disrupt hormones, cause neurological damage, and even stimulate obesity… and then it clicked. Longer receipts equals fatter, crazier people! I just solved our nation’s most pressing health-related issues and crippling diplomatic affairs: we need shorter receipts! You’re welcome, America.

The golfing gods get the last laugh

Pat — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:15:14 +0000

Golf stories, like fishing tales, get longer, more dramatic, and heroic with each retelling They also bore the heck out of listeners by the fifth or sixth time they are recounted. Just as a fisherman is wont to exclude those dismal days with nary a bite, the average golfer spends precious little time at the 19th hole regaling his bar mates with the day’s mishaps and foibles. No one really cares, they’ve all been there.
Channeling my inner golf raconteur, here is yet another golf story. If you’re already hitting your mental snooze button, you can bypass the rest of this blog.
A truism of all amateur golfers: You’re never sure what will happen before you tee off. How well – or how poorly – you play is a mystery until you have actually played a few holes. And day to day, the level of play can swing (pun intended) wildly. Another axiom of golf: The higher one’s handicap, the greater (potential) disparity in play from day to day.
So Tuesday night, I was matched in my league against Canasawacta Country Club’s biggest tournament winner, Robert Branham. The two biggest tournaments at C.C.C. are the men’s member-guest and the club championship. Between those two, Bob has between 30 and 35 career wins. No one else is even close to that number of titles. Now in his mid-50s, Bob is still the titular golfer by which all other C.C.C. members measure themselves. This was my opportunity to show Bob that I not only can write a decent game, but also play a fair game of golf. Referring to truism one, my strong tee shot on the first hole was not a precursor of good things to come. In fact, I managed to hack it up pretty good, and Bob took me to the woodshed in a lopsided victory. I think Bob summed it up best late in the round: “This isn’t your best display,” he said.
Agreed.
If Bob could have seen me the next day. Actually, if anyone had seen me play, they would have noted the 180-degree turn. After finishing my morning responsibilities at the newspaper, I had a few hours until I had to return for my afternoon/evening shift. I resolved to make an adjustment in my golf game based on feedback from Bob and my playing partners. For this one day, the fine-tuning worked beautifully. Shots headed in their intended direction, and I even dropped a few putts outside of gimme range. Rain was intermittent on Wednesday morning, and for a portion of my round, the wet stuff held off. Toward the end of my 10-hole exhibition, the misty rain finally took hold. Playing the fourth hole – the number one handicap hole on the course – I resolved to finish up soon, and hoped I could close strong. Teeing off on the 464-yard hole, I hit my best drive of the short round. If you have played C.C.C., you know that if a drive does not reach the 200-yard mark from the green, your second shot is a blind one. Fortunately, I drove it past the 200-yard mark, and could see the flagstick. Pulling a six-iron from the bag, I made solid contact. From that far away, it’s hard to figure the depth of where the ball will land on the green, and my ball hit about 35 feet above the hole. The green slopes heavily downhill from the back to front, and as I walked toward the hole, the ball slowly trickled back down the hill settling 20-25 feet above the pin. A precarious position given the severity of the slope. I didn’t care, it was the first time this season I had hit the green in two shots. I looked around the course as I studied the putt. The skies were heavily overcast and grey, and no one – and I mean no one – was in sight. Later, as I walked back to my car, I would encounter the only other players on the course that day. Those players, however, were on the opposing side of the course.
My next shot was mano–a-mano with my ball and putter up against a fearsome green and a tiny four-inch cup waiting for a ball to eventually drop. Looking at the slope of the putting surface, I estimated a direction to hit the ball, and resolved to just nudge the ball forward, and allow it to trundle downward. I hit the putt softly, and in hindsight, probably had time to pull out my cell phone and videotape the 10-second trip to the hole. Watching my dimpled friend’s travels, it quickly crossed my mind, “hey, I didn’t botch this right off the bat.” The ball was seemingly magnetized to the cup, and into fell into the bottom. As the ball reached the cup, I raised my putter, a la Tiger Woods, and fist-pumped as if I had just holed the winning putt at the Masters. Just as it was 30 seconds earlier, no one saw that putt go in. I hit my two best shots on that hole all year, and capped the hole with my best putt. Fittingly, no one saw it, I’m sure no one reading this really cares, and I promise, I won’t tell this story again.
The golfing gods got the last laugh – again.

Follow me on Twitter @evesunpat

Sports Editor’s Playbook, May 3, 2013

Pat — Fri, 03 May 2013 12:18:12 +0000

Congratulations to Greene varsity baseball coach Steve Burghardt, who won his 300th career game last weekend against Whitney Point. Burghardt is in his second stint with the Trojans. In his first go-around, he won multiple Susquenango Association championships, and to my knowledge, at least three Section IV titles. Burghardt was his typical understated self when asked about his achievement earlier this week. “I’m 60 years old, so what’s that, five wins a year? No big deal,” Burghardt said.

The baseball and softball regular seasons are drawing to a close within the next week-plus. And it’s a darn shame as we’re now approaching the best weather of the spring. Thursday was a sunny 80 degrees with a light breeze, and Wednesday was carbon-copy weather. Since the beginning of April, local clubs have taken to the diamond in chilly, windy, and usually inclement weather conditions. One coach told me that his team played half of its season over the previous two weeks, and his regular season will end next week. For schools whose record does not qualify for the postseason, their 2013 baseball/softball season will be over before May 10. Total length of season for those clubs, according to my records: Five weeks.
The first baseball and softball games reported in The Evening Sun this spring were played on April 4. Along the way we have seen numerous postponements and rescheduled games due to poor weather. Figuring in rescheduled games, we’re 28 days removed from those first games, and the season is nearly over. Does that feel like a real varsity sports season? Especially in comparison to the length of the fall and winter sports seasons? The season is shoved down our throats as if it is a sprint to the finish line. Meanwhile, only the best teams get to enjoy some of the better weather that is heading our way the next few weeks. Let’s analyze this year’s spring sports season: Practice began in early March – indoors every day – running nearly four weeks until the start of the regular season. The regular season lasts five weeks, and the postseason (league, sectional, and state playoffs) will last approximately another four weeks. Over those 12 or so weeks, one-third of the time kids are not even practicing outdoors, and in the final third, most of teams are either ineligible to play based on record or are eliminated from the postseason in the first week. In the end, baseball and softball players are getting short-changed in the spring sports season.

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Soundtrack of the newsroom… and other things.

Ashley — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 20:37:22 +0000

At the close of week three here in the newsroom, I have plenty that I could blog about. Can I make up my mind on a topic? Of course not.

It has been great working with Brian, Shawn and Kevin. The soundtrack of the morning hours is just the pitter-patter of fingers on keyboards, which is nice. Once the paper is finished, Brian can be identified by his whistling when he comes and goes, Kevin by his distinct laugh, and Shawn is super sneaky so I can only figure out it’s him coming through the door by default. In any case, it’s a lot of fun and I’m really enjoying things here.

On another note, I was reading about the Tribeca Film Festival and see that “The Kill Team” won best documentary. I haven’t checked it out yet, but it’s on my list. Reading that did remind me of another documentary I recently watched – “The Invisible War.” I highly recommend it to mature audiences, as it gets pretty descriptive regarding sexual abuse cases within the military, but definitely worth the watch – in a “this is absolutely horrible” kind of way. It’s on Netflix.

Well, I’ve mentioned the words “soundtrack” and “festival” which makes me eager for upcoming shows and festivals. What I wouldn’t give to be at the New Orleans Jazz Fest this weekend… one of these years I’ll make it happen. The Mountain Jam lineup is pretty solid, and I probably should’ve gotten tickets for that, but haven’t. It’d be nice to see Dispatch, Soulive, Michael Franti, and of course everyone else. The Cat Empire is touring soon, and I’ll probably go to their show in Philadelphia. I have yet to see them live, and they’re one of my favorites. I can’t talk about music and festivals without bringing up the Chenango Blues Fest, one of my favorite things about living in the area – terrific live music right here in Norwich.

Speaking of live, there’s live music tonight at The Blarney Stone, the Hop City Hellcats. Also, The Norwich Theater Company’s production of “How Green Was My Brownie” opens tonight at 7 p.m. at the Martin W. Kappel Theater. That’s something to check out too. It was really funny – but probably not appropriate for the younger folks – but if you’re looking for some laughs this weekend, I highly recommend it.

Well, here ends my ridiculous stream of consciousness-type blog.

Follow me on twitter… @evesunashley

Beware of half-truths; you might get the wrong half

Shawn — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:04:47 +0000

I find it funny that so many people complain about the supposedly high number of Chenango County SNAP recipient who take advantage of their benefits, yet so few people – none that I know of – have the numbers to back up that statement. True, I believe there are people who “abuse the system,” as one ’30 Seconds’ caller recently put it, just as I believe there are people who steal, speed, litter, plagiarize, jaywalk, or obscurely break any other number of laws. But how can one possibly say that “most” or “many” (or my favorite, “all”) welfare recipients abuse their privileges without having one bit of empirical data to support that argument? Seams pretty weak to me.

Then again, these types of arguments come from the very same people who believe county government calls all the shots in determining who receives federal supplemental assistance. It’s just further proof that people see what they choose to see. I guess ignorance truly is bliss.

But I digress… and step off my soapbox…

In something completely unrelated, legislators in New York City are considering what to do about the Times Square “entrepreneurs” who dress up as pop-culture characters to make a few bucks by posing for photos with tourists. The considerations come two weeks after a man dressed as Cookie Monster pushed a two-year-old boy because the boy’s parents didn’t foot a $2 tip for the photo op. Who would of thought costumed strangers working the streets of New York would be so unpredictable? Instances like this are exactly why I wouldn’t let Mario use my camera to take a picture of me and my wife during our last visit to the Big Apple. Never in my life do I want to file a police report for a stolen camera with a suspect description: obese Italian plumber, with blue overalls and oversized head — Grew three sizes larger after eating mushroom. Some circumstances are worth the extra effort to avoid.

B-G grad McGinnis playing in Arena Football League

Pat — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:11:30 +0000

Bainbridge-Guilford graduate Willie McGinnis has reached the next level in his football career. Following his high school graduation, McGinnis was signed by the University of Rhode Island where he played four seasons and earned second-team all-league honors in the Colonial Athletic Association as a defensive lineman. McGinnis had his sights set on the NFL, but injured his knee a week before his pro day workout at URI.
Two seasons removed from his collegiate football career, McGinnis is playing football again on the professional level. No, not the NFL, but the Arena Football League. McGinnis was signed by the Pittsburgh Power, and played in his first game last week, a 64-33 loss to the Utah Blaze. According to the Rhode Island athletics site, 8,390 fans attended the game.
McGinnis told his collegiate alma mater’s website that he was fortunate to have a great support system at home, who watched him rehab his injury and work himself back into playing shape. “One person I am thankful for the most is my brother (Chris),” McGinnis said in the URI website article. “All of it allowed me to push myself beyond where I felt I could go. My understanding of success is that it’s a joint effort. No one person succeeds solely on their own accord, so to them, I say when I rise, we rise.”
The mechanics of Arena Football are similar to every level of football, but the dimensions of the field are about half the size of an NFL field, and teams align with eight players instead of 11. The speed of the game, too, is much faster with an emphasis on the passing game. “There are a number of rules changes that I am adjusting too,” McGinnis said in the article. “But when it comes down to it, it’s just football.”
McGinnis was a star player for B-G/Afton during his high school playing days, and was a two-time Evening Sun All-Star at linebacker. He has played football most of his life, and he said he is thankful to continue his football journey. “I couldn’t imagine myself not playing this game, and not going out on my own terms,” McGinnis said

Follow me on Twitter @evesunpat

Sports Editor’s Playbook, April 21, 2013

Pat — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:40:35 +0000

Did anyone notice similarities in the Sherburne-Earlville baseball and softball linescores Wednesday? Rarely have I seen two game results so statistically symmetrical. Or, it was one of those unique coincidences that happen in sports way more than one thinks. And the only reason I am mentioning the coincidence is that I am a certified stats geek. The Elias Sports Bureau hires guys like me – times about 10.
If you missed the game results, here is what happened: Sherburne-Earlville’s two teams both built 3-0 leads with one-run inning and a two-run inning, and took 3-0 leads into the fifth. The boys gave up six runs in the bottom of the fifth and lost 6-3. The Marauders’ girls lost their three-run lead giving up all six runs in the sixth inning. They, too, lost 6-3. It’s unusual to have that similar of an outcome between any two teams I cover, much less two teams playing on the same day on adjacent fields. This is just another example among hundreds of why sports are so refreshing and unpredictable. On any given day in any game, you might witness something you’ve never seen before.

I haven’t targeted Norwich varsity softball in my blog, well…not too often. Thursday’s victory at Susquehanna Valley was a milestone I wish I saw. Of course, I had 17 other games to report on, and SV’s home site is a 75-minute drive on a good day. In 2011 and 2012, Norwich won exactly won Southern Tier Athletic Conference league game. Neither of those two victories compares to this one, especially considering the opposition. For most of my 18 seasons covering area sports, Susquehanna Valley softball has taken a spot at or near the top of our section winning multiple Section IV titles along the way. This year’s Sabers may not have the makings of a state title contender, but when has that mattered? Norwich has not beaten Sus Valley in at least 20 years. The Norwich team that ended the drought starts three and sometimes four freshman among the six infield spots. Norwich softball, long the doormat in STAC, is no longer anyone’s patsy. Just ask Sus Valley.

Friday’s sports edition paid tribute to George Echentile, one of this year’s Norwich Sports Hall of Fame inductees. Echentile was long retired before this generation of students were born, but for generations before that, he was as dignified and classy a teacher as there ever was at Norwich High School. He was one of my physical education teachers at NHS in the 1980s, and was, simply put, the finest teacher I ever had. That is no disrespect to the many good teachers I had in high school and college. Some people just set the bar incredibly high. He was named teacher of the year in Norwich multiple times, and in my opinion, they should have just renamed the award in his honor. They just don’t make ‘em like George Echentile anymore.

Follow me on Twitter @evesunpat

What a week…

Ashley — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 19:40:01 +0000

What a week it has been. Sending positive energy and vibes to anyone in need.

The bombings in Boston on Monday have certainly shown that during times of crisis, we as a people can come together. It’s nice to see, yet unfortunate it takes a tragedy for it to surface. In no way do I want to discredit this empathy we are showing – it truly is wonderful – I guess it’s just a nice little fantasy in my head that people should show compassion and humanity to one another around the clock.

Hats off to those brave folks who have helped out throughout this situation in Boston, and those who are continuing to help out as more is unfolding as I write this. First responders, by-standers, the National Guard members, medical staff … anyone who has a helping hand in the care and safety of those afflicted gets a big thumbs up.

The explosion in West, Texas on Thursday certainly has had me concerned as well. I hadn’t heard about it until about 6:30 a.m. as I was heading out the door. My father lives in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and just before I closed the door to leave I heard on the TV, “Explosion in West Texas.” – I thought, “Oh no. Well, I’ll find out more soon, but at least it’s not near Dad.” Wrong. It turns out West is the name of the town, and is actually not too far – about an hour – from my father. He’s fine of course, but boy – what a misleading town name. The positivity and love mentioned above is no doubt directed toward all the folks down in Texas affected by this explosion as well.

Syria is also on my mind. There are way too many people hungry, without water, women and children being raped and beaten. Those who survive will have a long road ahead of them after experiencing such horror, that’s for sure. It is heartbreaking. I sincerely hope these individuals will receive the post-trauma counseling necessary to continue with life after such brutality. Things of this nature are – of course- a domestic issue as well, and I extend the same hopes of vitality to all who have endured – or are enduring – such situations.

My thoughts are with the thousands without shelter after the earthquake that rocked the Middle East on Tuesday. At least 35 people were killed and an estimated 150 injured in Pakistan, and one death has been reported in Iran. Pakistani soldiers are helping with the relief effort and have been distributing food, blankets and medicine. I hope those folks get taken care of soon.

I am thinking of our service men and women around the world. As the weather warms up, the attacks in Afghanistan will only increase. For those who have served, are currently serving, and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice – thank you.

Maybe you’ve been down because your beloved pet has passed away. Maybe you’re bummed because the only milk you have to put in your coffee expired far too long ago. Maybe you’re just down about the cloudy weather. Regardless – chin up. This world is filled with gentle, caring individuals – even though it may not seem like it all the time.

Shawn, thank you for watering the plants. It also served as a reminder for me to water the plant on my desk. Kevin, thanks for helping me fix the time on my computer. That whole seven varying times thing was throwing off my day, but now I’m good to go. You know, sometimes it’s just the little things.

I suppose to sum up what’s on my mind today, there is a lot going on in the world… there always is. Horrible things happen… they always will. I like to think the good outweigh the bad, the caring outshine the callous. It’s certainly not a perfect place, and it never will be, but healing thoughts to anyone feeling down and out.