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During the first week of November, the "Ark of Hope" passed through Connecticut. This magnificent large sycamore chest was conceived as a visual message of peace, sustainability and concern for the Earth. It was pulled via wagon every inch of the way from northern Vermont to New Haven, Connecticut as part of its journey to the United Nations. It was built to hold a copy of the Earth Charter, along with 300 Temenos Books and their images of global healing. More ... Now that nuclear power plants are seen as vulnerable targets for terrorism, it is even more important to be aware of some of the precautions to take in case of a major release of radiation. Plant security has been increased since the September 11 attacks. However, there is still a danger that a reactor would become a radiological weapon through an attack by air or a land takeover. In Connecticut, the radioactive spent fuel pools at Millstone 1 in Waterford and Connecticut Yankee in Haddam could be at the greatest risk because they lack the containment coverage of the reactors. More ... Stamp artist Steve Buchanan of Winsted autographs envelopes at the unveiling of his new stamp series, Carnivorous Plants, at the Winsted Post Office on November 9. Photo Robin Gourd. More ... While on a visit to my daughter and son-in-law in Wells, Maine we spent a day in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. We toured the old and new sections of the city, and also took a boat trip around the harbor. I was able to revisit areas that I remembered when I was stationed there, in the U.S. Navy, some 50 years ago. The Portsmouth Naval Prison and Naval Shipyard and parts of the old submarine base brought back a lot of memories. The day tour ended with a visit to Albacore Park, which is the home and museum for the submarine, USS Albacore AGSS-569. More ... The black hole theory of attracting wild songbirds to your garden and landscape states that birds cannot see anything in a birdhouse or nesting box to differentiate it from a natural cavity in a tree. When a hole is drilled into the face of the birdhouse, it appears from arm’s length or a considerable distance as a black hole. Except for the rough outlines of the cavity on a dead tree truck, its aspect is about the same as the hole in a birdhouse. Birds can see this black hole from a considerable distance and they are attracted to the hole for a nesting site, food, and winter protection. If you drilled a hole in a piece of wood and placed it on another piece of wood painted black, and hung it on a tree and had the patience to wait, in early spring, the birds would arrive. More ... Once upon a time, killer bees attacked the Medireview Kingdom of Vespucci. Countless citizens were attacked and killed without apparent rhyme or reason. The King of Vespucci declared a state of emergency and called out the army, equipped with swords, shields, spikenards, crossbows and cannon. Soldiers searched carriages for killer bees and detained, indefinitely without bail, passengers in whose effects bees were found. Pilgrims returning from abroad were sharply interrogated lest they had been bribed with honey to carry killer bees back to Vespucci. Judicial hearings, rules of evidence and the right of habeas corpus were suspended. Accusing speeches were made against bees throughout the kingdom, against their ungainly appearance and unseemly noise, and citing their undoubted envy of the entrepreneurial genius of Vespuccians. More ... Henrietta C. Harvey (left) and Carol Aldrich look over photos of Harvey’s earlier years as Goshen selectman. Harvey, who is retiring after 20 years of service as selectman, was honored by the town of Goshen with a luncheon at Camp Cochipianee on November 11. More ... Congresswoman Nancy Johnson at the Memorial Service and Memorial Stone unveiling at Canton Junior High School on November 9. Photo/ Robin Gourd. More ... "There breathes for those who understand, a voice from every flower and tree. And in the work of Nature's hand, lies Nature's best philosophy." More ... For those of you who would attempt to roast chestnuts to enjoy at table after a sumptuous Thanksgiving dinner (or at any time), be advised that a plentiful supply of imported chestnuts are available at most markets during the holiday seasons. More ... For someone in her 80s, I feel that I am blessed in many ways. First of all, that I am still here! I cannot complain of poor health—I am really "hale and hearty." I take a brief walk almost every day down a side road, early in the morning. I love the quietness—almost no cars to disturb the peacefulness. Birds along the wooded hills are making morning sounds, but I hear no human sounds except the traffic on the main road at a distance. The distant verdant hillside adds splashes of autumn colors, as the early morning vapors begin to rise and dissipate. How I love to pause, and just drink in the glory of our mountain at that early time of day. It's a never-ending source of joy and worship. I hate to leave the scene. More ... Colin Wilson is a native of Pleasant Valley, where his mother still lives, and a graduate of Northwest Regional High School, where he was a member of the baseball and basketball teams. He now lives in Manchester, NH with his wife, Wendy, and their 7-month-old daughter. More ... The old Rudy is back, I think. Mayor Giuliani has arrested officials of the firefighters union, along with some firefighters. The real issue, it seems, is failure to agree with the mayor. One of the charges is obstructing governmental administration. More ... |
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