Tales from a District Traveler

I’m so glad it’s cold. No, I don’t particularly like the cold, but seeing ice developing on the water and frost decorating the edges of the leaves feels to me like Christmas.

There are so many wonderful things to do at this time of year: sing alongs, concerts, tree lightings, holiday gift giving. So much to do, so little time! With two young daughters, five siblings, a mother, some in laws, two sisters in law with kids, and a dog, it’s easy to get wrapped up (no pun intended) in shopping for presents, decorations, and food. Since I’m not particularly good at shopping (probably because I don’t do it very often) this can be a bit stressful. So, every year I try to focus on what is really important about December and remember the “giving” part of the holiday season.

This year, my friend, Annie Watson, is doing a donation drive from December 14th through 18th (Monday through Friday) from 9am to noon each day. She is looking for diapers (packaged) and jars of baby food to donate to three local organizations that help mothers and babies in need: Kids in Crisis, Neighbor to Neighbor, and the United Way.

In conjunction with this, she will be offering free photo sessions for 6 to 12 month old babies and will be having a “best baby photo” contest… BUT her primary goal is to gather as many diapers and jars of baby food that she possibly can during those 5 days. Photos, of course, will be available for purchase, if you so desire.

If you cannot come during those hours to make a drop off, please call her at (203) 485-0565 or email her at AWatsonPhoto@aol.com to make arrangements to drop off your donation.

This holiday season, let’s all remember those less fortunate. Helping Annie collect these most essential items won’t take a whole lot of time and it’ll put you in the real holiday spirit.

I have been waiting for classical music to find its audience in our modern world and often wonder when and if the Facebook, Moveon.org, iphone culture of today will affect the experience of going to a classical concert.

How can the more cerebral experience of a classical concert compete with 3D movies? When we are accustomed to being bombarded by action images and surround sound it feels really old fashioned to sit still and listen to classical music. So, you can imagine how pleased I was last Saturday night when I attended the benefit concert for the Stamford Symphony performed at the Marriott Hotel, a concert that was exciting, exhilarating and fun.

Working with a theme of Gypsy Rhapsody, the nine professional musicians led by conductor/pianist Eckart Preu, played music from Hungary, one of the main sources of “gypsy music”. They performed a lively czardas, a traditional dance that can be traced back to the 18th century Hungarian verbunko that was originally used as a recruiting dance by the Hungarian army. The program also included unusual titles such as “Parade of the House Elves” or “Venetian Gondolas” that were at times haunting, funny and boisterous.

While this music was indeed wonderful, the whole experience was made more engaging for a classical beginner like me, thanks to the wonderful repartee between Eckart Preu, the conductor, and Erica Kiesewetter, the solo violinist who boldly dressed the part wearing hoop earrings, a cropped top and a long skirt bejeweled with bells. Before playing each piece, Eckart and Erica chatted about where they found these little known works (one time it was in an old box in someone’s basement) or what emotion they evoked. They had friendly disagreements that introduced questions about the music that gave the listener a way to connect in a more active way.

To a classical neophyte, this was a true gift, one that I hope to get again. So, with the winter weather approaching, remember the terrific orchestras that we have here in Connecticut. Many have weekend matinees and terrific children’s programs. I’ve listed the Fairfield County symphony websites below.

Greater Bridgeport Symphony, www.bridgeportsymphony.org
Greenwich Symphony Orchestra, www.greenwichsym.org
Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, www.norwalksymphony.org
Stamford Symphony, www.stamfordsymphony.org

My beautiful rescued lab with her ever-present tennis ball

I grew up with Labrador Retrievers- two black and one yellow. I loved them all. Some kids have blankies, I had dogs. Over the years, I’ve tossed around the idea of getting a dog, but whenever I carefully analyzed my life I just couldn’t see how I could maintain a sane life with a dog. When my husband decided to run for Congress I thought that maybe, if he won, we would get a dog. So, in the depths of the campaign when my two daughters asked for the thousandth time to get a dog, I offered them the “possibility” of getting one IF their daddy won the election.
The girls didn’t forget my “sort of” promise, even with all the excitement surrounding my husband’s election win. And, they wanted a puppy. Who can blame them? Spend any time looking at pictures of puppies of any breed and you’ll fall in love. But, I knew that caring for a puppy was more than I could handle and decided that with so many dogs in need of rescue, it would be better to adopt. Plus, I figured that if I was going to turn my life upside down, it might as well be for a really good cause.
Thankfully, there are several terrific rescue/adoption organizations in our area. I chose to work with Killingworth, CT based Labs4rescue, which deals with Labrador Retrievers. An all volunteer non-profit organization, Labs4Rrescue is dedicated to providing a new life for rescued or displaced Labs or Lab Mixes. When I looked at their website, I was shocked to see how many gorgeous dogs were up for adoption. Most of them come from the South because, according to Labs4rescue, there the spay/neuter laws are not enforced and since female labs have litters of 10-12 puppies, there are just too many labs running around. There are a also a lot of puppy mills and not enough demand so dogs that aren’t good duck hunters are “surrendered” at the end of the hunting season. Black labs are particularly at risk, perhaps because they shed black hair. What is really heartbreaking is that many dogs are sent to the high kill shelters that only keep them for three days before they are gassed.
After three weeks of working through Labs4rescue I found Bella, a beautiful, loving, fully house and crate trained 1.5 year old black lab rescued from Tennessee. She was transported, courtesy of Labs4rescue to Connecticut. She is a quintessential lab- she is patient beyond words with kids, loves food of any sort, wants and gives a ton of love, and is rarely seen without a disgusting tennis ball in her mouth. I will admit right up front that she has some health issues but nothing that can’t be handled thanks to our terrific veterinarians at VCA Davis Animal Hospital. And, I promise that the love this dog gives is more than most- I really think she feels lucky to have been saved.
So, if you’re thinking about getting a dog, please consider adopting one. You can adopt any age, from puppy to senior. Conveniently, most adoption organizations list their available dogs on their websites and most host local adoption events where you can go see the dogs in person. In fact, Adopt-a-Dog is hosting its annual Putting on the Dog fun dog show on Sunday October 18th at Roger Sherwin Baldwin Park in Greenwich (http://www.adopt-a-dog.org/POD2009.htm) Throughout the day there will be a dog show with seventeen categories, such as Biggest Lap Dog, K-9 Krooners, A Pooch Who Can Smooch, and Clever K-9 Tricks amongst other fun activities for the family. There are so many dogs out there looking for a safe, loving home- many of them are as terrific as Bella. Please don’t forget them.
LOCAL PET ADOPTION ORGANIZATIONS:
Adopt-a-dog, Greenwich, 629-9494; adopt-a-dog.org
Bridgeport Animal Control Facilities, Bridgeport, 576-7727; bptanimalcontrol.com
Oxford Animal Shelter, Oxford, 881-3653
Pet Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), Norwalk, 750-9572; pawsct.org
Save Our Strays, Westport, 255-0514; saveourstraysinc.petfinder.com
Shelton Animal Shelter, Shelton, 924-2501
Stamford Animal Care and Control, Stamford, 977-4437

My first posting is about amazing woman, Amy Guerrieri, who was inspired one night watching a tv show about the dire poverty in Martin County, Kentucky.

That night she was shocked to learn that many of the children in this part of Appalachia only get a meal from the subsidized meal program if and when they go to school. She couldn’t believe or accept that this was happening in the United States.

A person with a real can-do spirit,   Amy decided to help.  As a mom, her first impulse was to help the kids. A foodie and owner of the Upper Crust Bagel Company in Old Greenwich, she wanted to create something to improve the kids’ nutrition.

Working with nutritionist Karen Newman, Amy created a vitamin and mineral-enhanced drink for kids called Rockin’ Water. I tried some of the cherry flavored Rockin’ Water and it is delicious! (Full disclosure: my 2 elementary school aged daughters haven’t yet tasted the Rockin’ Water but they will as soon as I can get back to Arcadia Coffee where it is sold).  In addition, Amy  started a non-profit organization called R.A.M. P. (Rockin’ Mom Appalachian Project) that helps families  in Martin County,  taking truckloads of  Rockin’ Water  and other much needed items that are donated such as diapers, school supplies, clothes and personal hygiene items. (To see photos go to:  http://rampamerica.org/images).

On her trips to Martin County, she has visited  schools and churches, met with moms and talked to school kids about healthy eating.  She has made personal connections with these people. This is a person who doesn’t just do the quick and easy- write the cheque. She has made a huge committment to help this community in a very personal way. Her next trip down to Appalachia is the second week of August. If you feel you can donate money or non-perishables please visit the R.A.M.P. website at  rampamerica.org or call 203-940-1152 or drop stuff off at the Rockin’ Waters office at 187 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich.