Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful - Laura Osnes and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Dolly Parton - I Still Believe (Audio)

Carrie Underwood - Let There Be Peace (Live From The Today Show / 2020)

Lauren Daigle - Everything (Starstruck Sessions)

Carrie Underwood & John Legend - Hallelujah (Official Music Video)

Carrie Underwood - O Holy Night (Official Audio Video)

Carrie Underwood & John Legend - Hallelujah (Official Audio Video)

How Great Thou Art (feat. Lauren Daigle) - Hillsong UNITED

Activities for Families | Smile, Laugh, Repeat! | Highlights

Activities for Families | Find Fall Fun on the Farm | Highlights

Excited About Great Opportunities

As a nation, we're going through a great deal of upheaval and transition!

Perhaps we can focus on getting excited about some GREAT OPPORTUNITIES for positive and exciting change!!

Let's consider a few of the things / structures that could be exciting to change and bring people together!

For instance: State flags-at least the one in Massachusetts. I have to admit, I have paid NO attention to our state flag, ever. It had no bearing, and didn't resonate at all with me, nor was I conscious about how the flag was perceived by Native Americans. But I also understand, now that I've listened and learned, that Native Americans would feel that it demeans them.

So..let's have some fun with it! Let's sort out a new flag. Maybe we can design a flag that exemplifies inclusion! Or..some other history or promotion of our resources? From the Berkshires to the Cape(s) --let's not forget Cape Ann---there are so many resources and vacation spots and history associated with the Commonwealth, let's come up with something new that reflects a message that resonates today!!!

Team nicknames: Again, because I'm not Native American, I've never thought about school nicknames, but now that I'm conscious about the derogatory nature of some of the nicknames, it's a no brainer to change them.

Again, I would encourage towns / cities to have fun with the process! Run a contest or bring the community together in some format to select a new nickname. Don't make it a negative, make it a positive: we're going to select a nickname not based on the past so much as what we want to project now!

Statues--well--I never really loved statues. First of all--they are expensive to have created ( if a community wants a new one ) and even cost communities to maintain them.

Most people don't even know who is being "memorialized" on the statue they are having a photo taken in front of --or why someone or some committee thought it was a good idea to memorialize that individual. Some of the people memorialized on statues are seen, often rightly I would add, as having very tragic or hurtful or violent pasts -to one race or religious denomination or culture or another. I had NO idea and had never given any thought ( I don't travel to speak of outside of New England ) about the possibility that leaders of the Confederacy would be memorialized throughout the nation! Having become conscious ( that's the word for 2020 --conscious ) that these statues exist--how can people of color see them as anything other than a not so subtle form of bullying, of some sort of perverted hope on the part of some for a return to slavery -or at least, the degradation of people of color??!! How can anyone say that the leaders of a movement to maintain slavery should be memorialized?

So, in sticking with the proposition of GREAT OPPORTUNITIES --let's remove all statues. Yes, all of them! Move statues to private museums that want to display them. This would extend to any religious statues on public land. Move them to church / synagogue / mosque / other properties that want them!

Instead of statues, because I think removing them / destroying them will create such depths of emotion that it will be impossible for at least a generation for people to agree about replacing them with any other public figures ( which suits me because I don't particularly think any statue is worth the cost or aggravation ) -- let's create / replace the statues with trees, or gardens, or fountains. All would be far more beautiful than most statues, should create less angst, and be nice spots to take photos in front of!!

Schools: A number of schools around the country may be named after past public figures who we are not excited to hold onto so firmly in our public consciousness --again, make it fun and exciting to pull the community together to re-name any school or public building that fits that category.

Military Bases: That word again--conscious ---I never knew who or why military bases were named, and I still find it difficult to understand why we named bases after Confederate generals or leaders. ( See above-statues ) So, let's quickly get the top military leaders - maybe the Joint Chiefs of Staff(?) together and re-name them!!!

Some will argue that all these "things" reflect our history. Well, museums can display that history--and people can make their own decisions about going to view them. But there is no excuse for underlying, not-so-subtle bullying. There is no reason to continue being derogatory --or nasty--or negative. If you truly believe we are all one nation--let's take joy in making constructive, positive, community changes!!! We can begin the process quickly--involve so many community members--and make it exciting to look at our future instead of dwelling on the negatives of the past. We can - and should --turn this into an exciting and fun opportunity!

Self-Isolating From The Prisons We Find Ourselves In

Self – isolating from hate, violence, evil

As 2020 drags on, I find myself “self-isolating” more and more—not so much out of fear of the virus - which every day I am more convinced is an act of bio-terrorism by China, and a successful attack at that - –but because of what the virus has exposed for all to see---the “true levels” of faith, or lack of faith commitment, as well as hate, violence, and evil in the country and the world. But my focus today is on what is happening in the United States, Massachusetts, and Central Massachusetts—our neighborhoods.
This virus ( or attack ) has put everyone in a “prison” of sorts. To wear masks or not—to assault those who--if someone isn’t wearing a mask, particularly if you have a significant health issue and feel threatened by the person without the mask---and the increasing episodes of violence resulting from those disputes –is an indication of the true nature of people.

We all feel like we’re living in an alternative universe—from a bad science fiction movie. I find myself unable to go to large stores and see a large number of people in masks, even though I understand the need for them, as a way to try and keep others safe, as a way to be respectful and caring and kind.

Most of us have lost out on seeing long time friends and family members, particularly if they have serious underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, heart problems, asthma, cancer, or other serious conditions that we know about! I’m sadly aware that I may never see some of those friends and family members in person again, never hug them, never hold them close—at least not in our lifetimes on this earth.

We miss going to the lake or ocean, and going to the free outdoor concerts, or the community theater, or the restaurant ( many of us will not ever go to an indoor restaurant again ) or even a grocery or department store. We miss going to church, to synagogue, to a mosque, as well as participating in ministries. Many of us miss working, or more specifically, working and making the money needed to pay existing bills, much less move from job to job in an upward progression that provides us with opportunities to better ourselves financially. In fact, right now for a VERY large percentage of Americans, survival is the focus.

So, we are imprisoned by this virus, and we find our communities, our local communities, losing businesses who just can’t hold on this long, and we wonder about school and our children / grandchildren, and fairs, parades, regattas, and other long time community events that bind us together-and are gone, at least for now.
In the midst of this some truly awful violent events have spawned protests and in some cases riots and added a heavy load of fear to our lives, and confusion, and we are all imprisoned by some terrible truths about the country’s past –what our ancestors did ---and in too many cases—despite many of our best efforts and commitments, in spite of how some of us have fought for equal / civil rights for decades –terrible truths about how so many neighbors—people of color, gay and transgender neighbors—Jewish and Muslim neighbors—women in general, are being treated today. We’re further imprisoned by violence and angry words that spawn retaliation and more violence and more threats from all sides. And we live in that prison day after day.

The response to the “prison” this bio-terror attack / virus put us in has been sadly predictable and discouraging.

I’ve long believed, in part because of my interpretation of the Bible and in part via 67 years of observation, that about 40% of people everywhere have decided to NOT live lives committed to God. About 25% of people DO accept God and live as closely as possible to God’s will. That leaves about 35% of people who just aren’t sure, or who bend between the two. This 35% constitutes the “battleground” between Satan / evil and those who are committed to God.

Under the best of circumstances, those percentages ring true to me. So, 40% of everyone—no matter what color your skin or what your sexual orientation or your gender identification –or career –police officer or accountant or teacher or social worker or grocery store worker—40% of everyone has chose a life not in tune with God. This doesn’t mean that the 40% go around shooting or stealing all the time—but God through Jesus has said that our primary life responsibility is to love God—and love our neighbor. By loving our neighbor- I always took that to mean respect, tolerance, kindness. Those in the 40% “category” often choose not to either love God, nor choose to love their neighbors.

Extreme prolonged stress often brings out the worst, and the best, in people. I’m blessed to know people who have spent the past 4 months delivering emergency food to isolated seniors, putting themselves at risk, and others who have fed and brought encouragement to first responders and health care professionals dealing with so many critically ill and dying people. I know first responders who have put themselves at risk -police officers, fire fighters, ems staff, as well as janitors and grocery store workers and truck drivers who ensure access to food and supplies. Many of these people have demonstrated kindness and caring. How many of these people are in the 40% - but are “reaching into a reservoir of good within themselves—or are in the 25% --or in the 35% and being their best selves, only God knows.

But I’ve also experienced, as many of us all have, a greater number of drivers simply ignoring stop lights & signs—who have no patience at all with those of us who drive the speed limit---who act like they should be the only ones on the road. Many of us have experienced practically being run over in grocery stores –most every time I’ve had to go to grocery stores—by angry people. The angry exchanges and now violence and threats of violence during these exchanges are escalating.

The violence we’ve seen on television ( or in person if you have been a participant ) at protests that a small number turn into riots is disheartening and frightening.
Social media has become –even more than previously—a harbor / vehicle for anyone who chooses to espouse hate and prejudice –and people of all colors are guilty of this –but there are clearly more white people who either feel threatened or angry or hold very deep prejudices and in the relatively anonymous world of social media feel free to express the darkness of their hearts.

I do some part time work that requires my being on Facebook and other social media—and I have enjoyed blogging -promoting my posts on social media. But the darkness I see and feel on Facebook in particular ( which in NO way do I blame Facebook for by the way ) –the anger and open expressions of hate and declarations of violence as a preferred way to deal with long standing feelings and hurts and prejudice has me thinking more seriously about either getting off Facebook or—if I stopped blogging and working—eliminating anyone but a few relatives and friends –maybe going from 3000+ “friends” to 150 “friends” ---who I’m blessed to know don’t share the darkness.

As the world around us –right here in Central Mass as well as beyond—seems to dissolve into this pool of hate and violence---I’ve begun self-isolating. I wasn’t aware of what I was doing at first, but over the past 3-4 weeks I realized that it is simply healthier for me to stay away from most people and settings! I drive very infrequently now, and don’t go very far—as most every time I even drive the 2 miles to the fruit / vegetable store and the pharmacy I see people being more aggressive than ever before—and people around here drive very aggressively to begin with. I just manage a few errands and turn right around and go home!

I take my 3 mile walk, we love taking care of our 2 and a half year old great niece, am blessed to have a couple terrific neighbors / friends, talk on the telephone with other lifelong friends, do my work and writing, and love to read. The television –particularly Hallmark Christmas movies and mysteries provides escapes. Prayer fills most days. With all this, I find I need to be out in the world less and less often. Being out in the world seems more dangerous-and the world seems more filled with evil, and people who have chosen evil, than ever before.

Sadly, beyond prayer, I feel powerless to do anything about the dissolution of our society and world. Throughout my life I worked, and volunteered in settings / organizations / political candidates who I thought would shape a better world. While I do believe my efforts did assist some people, my work hardly made a dent in the fight against racism, or human trafficking, or prejudice based on sexual orientation, or hate, or getting people to vote. In that regard, I feel that I’ve failed. It’s now up to the next generation to sort out strategies to address these issues, and I simply hope and pray that those strategies reflect God’s love and how God asks us to live.

While for many, isolation is a negative and unhealthy circumstance, for me, a level of isolation is indeed a positive. As I feel more and more powerless, withdrawing into prayer and escaping into positive light-hearted activities helps me create an alternative universe of my own. I find a way to create “Light” in the midst of the darkness of this world. I pray that others can begin doing the same rather than allow frustration to become anger that becomes rage that becomes violence. I also pray that the next generation is more successful at creating a better, more just, more Godly world. May God’s peace fill your hearts and souls.

Christmas & Easter --Hallmark & Lifetime Movies--Nana and Grandpa's Nativity

Christmas and Easter are so tied together.. Without Easter, Christmas would have no meaning. Easter makes Christmas as important as it is.
Christmas has –as many spiritually important / religious holy days have become now—less valued for the religious significance. However, for many of us the true meaning lives on—because of Easter.

Even without as much religious significance generally, for many of us Christmas, with the lights and decorations and the music, is still a beautiful time –and for many of us—especially if we try to live lives where Easter is “celebrated” –or “observed”—or lived ( as closely as we can learn to ) everyday—Christmas can be “celebrated / observed / lived” every day of the year.

And for those of us who claim to be Christians, followers of God through Jesus, our call is to live Easter everyday of our lives. The two days are tied together –to truly be lived every day.

That’s one of the reasons I enjoy Hallmark and Lifetime Christmas / Holiday ( am thankful networks and channels are finally paying attention to Hannukah –and waiting for other faith traditions to be recognized via movies and programs too—and are finally getting more diverse in their casting ) movies and programs. Thankful for DVR and DVD’S!

These movies are escapes from the depressing and disturbing world we live in. I escape often—many times per week in fact—“into” these movies ..to lift my heart and soul..or just quiet my heart and soul.

Beyond that –movies –and white lights ( up in my office and family room throughout the year ) and a few other Christmas / holiday decorations—MOST especially ( for decades and decades ) the Nativity that my grandpa made that has also served as my focus point for prayer—remind me and emphasize that Christmas and Easter are to be lived every day of the year!

We don’t love God—or love our neighbors—respect, tolerate, care for, and pray for our neighbors just a few times a year—or just on Sunday. We are called to love God and each other every day throughout our lives here on earth
.
Grandpa’s ( and Nana’s ) Nativity, the white lights and the decorated ( with white lights ) tree, the music I play often throughout the year, are all part of sort of a daily “service” –an ongoing – sometimes all day–religious service.

The movies are not only pleasant ways to escape the bleak reality around us—but also gentle reminders of what we are called to be.
I grew up in what was not such a pleasant home –a violent home. Early on, and especially once I was on my own at 17, I learned to “create” quiet—“create a “focus for prayer” area in wherever I lived, to decorate in a way that made me feel peaceful –and to watch what would make me feel positive …and away from the “noise” of life.
Perhaps you did too? I’ve met so many people who certainly did not grow up –or may have lived in—not so pleasant homes during part of their lives. Whether that applies to you –or if you are blessed to have not experienced that kind of situation—finding ways and places to be calm –find positivity –peace—and maybe a particular place to pray ( someday I’ll write about the movie: The War Room ) –can be so important –and tying Christmas and Easter together with TODAY in our lives becomes a daily mental and prayerful lifestyle.

Celtic Woman - You Raise Me Up (Official Video)

Katherine Jenkins - Silent Night

The Prayer - Katherine Jenkins and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Mrs. America Pageants

Mrs. America Pageants
August 8th is a big day! Regal B Productions is organizing a combined day of Mrs. America pageants that day at Mohegan Sun. Mrs. America title holders will be crowned for Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey. In addition, first runner up title holders ( with a variety of duties ) will be awarded, and the Miss Massachusetts For America title ( for any unmarried woman of any age ) will be awarded too!

Melissa Bassano, a former Mrs. Rhode Island America and now the producer / choreographer / emcee for Regal B Productions is the State Director for 8 pageants, and clearly an enthusiastic advocate for pageant programs.

“Competing in pageants prepared me for what I do now.” Bassano states. She is an executive career and life coach, and a public speaker. “Participating in pageants prepares you by having you talk with people, placing you in situations that allow you to be the best you can be, develop health goals that include eating healthy and working out, and gives participants and title holders public speaking experience.”

Bassano begin entering pageants when she was 18. “I was a singer, and my vocal coach suggested I compete in a local pageant that included a talent portion.” “I was a very competitive person!” She says, “and the pageants were exciting as well as terrific opportunities for self- development.”
The Mrs. America pageant has been around for 45 years, and according to Bassano, is the oldest and most prestigious pageant for married women. The state title winners will receive all expense trips to the national competition in Las Vegas.

Bassano finds so much about the pageants very gratifying. Beyond the self-development opportunities, the title holders and organizations support many organizations and charities. For instance, Bassano has been involved for a number of years with the Gloria Gemma Cancer Research Foundation. ( She is a cancer survivor ) The national and local pageant organizations have been involved for 15 years with Toys for Tots, and more recently has been raising funds for Victoria’s Voice, an organization helping people with drug addictions.

Emily Friedman, the current Mrs. Massachusetts, has been actively involved in advocating for increasing housing for disabled and low- income populations.
The August 8th competitions will be carefully orchestrated to maintain social distancing. The program will be held in a room that could hold 600, but only 200 people will be allowed in the room.

While it is too late to participate in the 2020 competition, right after the August 8th event planning and organizing begins for 2021. “We have many amazing sponsors this year, and we’ll have additional sponsorship opportunities for 2021.” Bassano says. “ Anyone who might be interested in competing in local pageants during the year should contact us through our website: www.regalbproductions.com for information.”

Textbooks Failed People of Color AND White Population Too

I recently did a little informal poll on Facebook, and asked how many people age 40 or older remember being taught about Juneteenth, or the slaughter of the black residents of Tulsa 98 years ago, or that Mississippi still included a confederate flag on THEIR STATE Flag. I asked if anyone knew that many of our military bases were named after confederate leaders or military, and if anyone realized how many statues across the nation there were of confederate leaders. How textbooks "omitted" details like Juneteenth--or Tulsa, is simply mind-numbing.

What I learned, ( and truth be told wasn't surprised to learn ) is that not one person over 40 had learned anything of these events or situations. One younger woman indicated she had learned about many of this at college when she took a black studies course, but no one else in a fairly representative sampling had ever learned these things--until the past month or so.

It might be useful for people of color, and for the white population, to understand that we were ALL taught a "version" of U.S. History that was NOT accurate--was very incomplete in the omission of almost any real background about populations of color, and was a version that was written, and re-written--and re-presented--year after year after year--probably for 40 or 50 years. White people like me learned very little about populations of color--of the terrible injustices done to populations from the Native Americans ( who--in some reading somewhere --I believe I read probably migrated to North America via Asia before the land mass of Asia was broken away from what is now Alaska --by climate change and seismic activity --a change of the earth's crust ) who suffered, and still suffer from American genocide to the terrors experienced by blacks captured, made prisoners ( now we call it human trafficking ) and sold as slaves. We weren't told much about Harriet Tubman or that the Underground Railroad was actually an effort to get to freedom--in Canada--not the northern states. Harriet Tubman was merely mentioned--not highlighted as the brave, heroic black woman she apparently was.

Unless you've recently read Bryan Stevenson's recent book "Just Mercy" --you'd have come to believe that all is now well with our criminal just system as regards to justice for people of color.

We were never taught about the often uneasy attitudes of military leaders toward people of color through WWI and WWII. Unless former Vice President and U.S. Senator Hubert Humphrey as a personal hero, as he was to me, you wouldn't have learned about how Humphrey confronted a very angry southern Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Strom Thurmond about race in an impassioned speech to the national Democratic Party convention in the 1950's, missed learning about just how overtly racist the Democratic Party was until the 1960's--although it took into the 60's to make any substantive progress in Civil Rights. Even then, it was pressure on Kennedy and Johnson and other leaders by the movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King and other clergy, primarily black clergy but also clergy and others living, and in some cases dying for, their lives for God, that led to change.

The list of "historical omissions" is way, way too long to list here. But, whites had NO OPPORTUNITY to learn about the history of people of color in school, at least through high school, where many of us never went beyond in terms of formal learning. Women are barely mentioned, and there have been so many truly important females that played key roles in U.S. History! The LGBTQ community is hardly ever mentioned either.

We were taught that Columbus was a terrific guy and great explorer, neglecting to be told that other explorers ( and to be fair--some of the discoveries of artifacts have come since my days in high school--Framingham North High School, Class of 1971 --had not happened at that point--but some had ) had already "found" ( for the Europeans ) North America. Much has been learned about Columbus and the Vikings who probably beat him here by decades--and the Templars who probably preceded the Vikings. And, of course, we never learned about just where -or when --North America's first inhabitants arrived here.

Andrew Jackson was pictured as a war hero, with no mention of his genocide of native Americans except for a brief paragraph or two--with no explanation offered about what constitutes a genocide---after all--he just made them move, right?

All our founders--and most our presidents, as is the case in every country by the way---had positive elements to their lives--and in many case--many deep and serious flaws that have made me uneasy about making most any of them personal heroes. Maybe John Adams, who I have always respected--and Ben Franklin --but most had good and bad qualities. It's surprising that we became independent--and have survived as a nation for this long.

And while I never was interested in statues of "leaders" or personalities--and wouldn't want a dime invested in any of them--it's easy for me to say it's ok to get rid of most of them, replace them with fountains or flower beds.

This wasn't the fault of teachers. They had to use the textbooks, and to be very fair, had used, and been taught from, essentially the same textbooks or information in those textbooks.

So, was this an "historical omission" on the part of well meaning but uninformed historians or textbook authors? Or--was there a perceived interest on the part of government and other influential white leaders to omit that information? Would many white people have been more vocal through the years in demanding changes that would have honestly benefited people of color more--but also would have benefited those of us who are white in living in peace and concert with all the residents of the country? I can't help believing that more of the political leaders I supported before becoming cynical -- and feeling that there was little hope for change--might have been elected. From Hubert Humphrey to Senator George McGovern --who might have won if he felt that he could have asked Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm ( the other prominent anti-Vietnam War candidate and a terrific black congresswoman from New York if memory serves ) to run as his Vice-Presidential candidate as some of his long time supporters like me were clamoring for, to Walter Mondale. More people of color would vote!!! More people of color would run for office! But, I cannot help but to believe that the omission of so much was a deliberate --and up to now--effective strategy by a select group in power to maintain power.

One of the key elements in bringing people together now and for the future is to spotlight these and other events in the media. For the future to hold any promise, every school committee and teaching staff needs to review every text book, and I'd suggest including very easy to follow videos like those I've learned so much from on the History Channel and America's Heroes Channels.

But schools, from this point forward, have to develop curriculum that "breaks the pattern of omission." This would give children and young adults --white as well as people of color--a chance to really learn--and make better choices--develop better attitudes.

"Race" as God's Lesson and Test?

God made us all, in a variety of skin colors, sexual orientations, and in so many ways, very different from each other.

Since I was a child, I'd hear people say that God loves variety. At many junctures, I'd wonder why, if so many people say and write those words, why don't they live as though they believe those words. Why have race and sexual orientations ( a matter of genetics ) create so much distrust, hate, and violence--from people who consider themselves "followers of God" as well as non-believers?

Twenty or more years ago, I began to believe that God created different skin colors and sexual orientations and other "differences" as lessons--or maybe tests.

Too many "Christians" or "people of God" have gone around stating that they are "people of God"--then lived lives of prejudice and hate and/or fear.

To "speak" love, tolerance, respect, kindness" --is NOT enough--and I don't believe it's enough for God. We are called to "act" love, tolerance, respect, and kindness. In fact, we're called to "be" love, tolerance, respect, and kindness. This week I caught an online message from a pastor ( on Facebook--I couldn't even tell you what church / parish or the priest's name--just came up on my feed in time to listen to his message ) about how our words are meaningless if actions don't follow. The priest also shared a very interesting thought about how "everything is the end times." Reminding us all that our words and actions need to be aligned, and we never know if today is our last day here.

I'd suggest that "race" and "sexual orientations" are lessons that God is asking--perhaps strongly asking --us all to recognize. Our attitudes AND actions to anyone who is "not like us" in some ways --mark us as truly following God --or not.

In both the Old and New Testaments, it seems clear that what is important to God is what is in our hearts--what is in our souls--and what do we do with our hearts and souls in relationship with God ( Love God with all your heart ) and others ( treat others as you would want to be treated )---and how we do, or don't follow the precepts set out in the Bible determines our relationship with God through eternity.

If what is important to God is our own--and our neighbors' -hearts and souls and not the color of their / our skin or their sexual preference --then shouldn't that be our focus too? If our words are hollow, by not "living lives" that honor God in this way and others, are our own souls not hollow?

We're called to love--as in respect, tolerate, care for, and be kind to every single person as we journey through this stage of life eternal--and be in relationship with others only on the basis of what is in their hearts, what is in their souls--how do they reflect God in their lives and relationship with us. Some will be "hearts and souls" we choose to spend more time with, enjoy their company, maybe learn from. Other we might only want to pray for and not spend so much time around--but we're still asked by God to respect, tolerate, and be kind to those we might not choose to "hang around" with.

If we state that we are followers of God--no matter what denomination or faith base we might be inclined to have ---then prejudice and hate--distrust ( for no other reason ) and violence are opposite from being a follower of God. I believe that God is trying to show us all what is truly essential--what is truly important--and that -as the New Testament speaks to, is invisible to the eye. We're all called to live lives where our actions reflect our words, and reflect God's calling us to truly follow the pathway God lays out.

Summer Television?

The end of the "spring television season" was dreary enough as so many programs faced daunting challenges, including the two series I watch on network TV most often, The Voice and American Idol. Both of those programs did what they could to help participants ( which they accomplished quite well I thought ) and generate viewer enthusiasm. I'm not privy to the ratings, the real numbers of texts and calls and votes, so I'm not sure how "the excitement meter" measured. Both were odd to watch at times --without an audience and without in-person mentoring, but they did the best they could. On The Voice, I got very tired, very quickly, of being shown how much 3 of the coaches were drinking, and on one of the nights, I was / am convinced that perhaps 2 of them, and not the one you would think of, had quite enough thank you! Then again, I have an aversion to drinking alcohol anyway, and it's a real turn-off.

Watching a full season without in-person live performances would not interest me, it was simply a bit difficult to not follow the participants I liked to the very end.

I did notice advertisements for a new program--=-and I guess viewers watch celebrities watch television programs!? Really? I thought programs like the Bachelor and Bachelorette insulted the intelligence of Americans everywhere--and my guilty pleasure, pro wrestling, isn't exactly rocket science. But watching people watch television? Really? Oh my!

Most of what I watch beyond that is Hallmark, both the Movies and Mysteries Channel and the Hallmark Channel. I especially enjoy the mysteries, and am grateful for Hallmark re-running Christmas movies-one on Thursday evening and one on Friday evening. I'm more than a little concerned about how many new Christmas movies Hallmark and Lifetime will be able to produce during the summer, as my understanding is many would ordinarily be in production right now.

Beyond Hallmark, it's The Food Network ( although I am so done with most of the competitions -the exceptions being the Baking Championships--because of Duff Goldman and his co-hosts ----and the Childrens' Baking Championship because of Duff Goldman and fellow host Valerie Bertinelli. ) and History Channel; American Heroes Channel and a few other educational / history - focused channels and programs I've found, and repeats of some of my favorite programs such as Mayberry, Carol Burnett, and NCIS --along with some movies.

The dearth of sports has been interesting. I'm a long time pro wrestling fan, so having 4 nights of pro wrestling--3 different promotions--has given me a "sport" to watch some evenings. I'm beyond ticked at both the billionaire owners and the millionaire players--the greed is so obvious and the tone-deafness about how "at risk" some of the players have complained about ( please go to a grocery store, or a healthcare facility, or a police / fire station, and talk to them about being "at-risk" for covid 19 -- at a insignificant amount of money compared to what every pro baseball player is making! So--at this point--although baseball has been my life-long favorite sport--the hell with them all! I won't watch you even if you play.

It's going to be difficult to play any sport this summer or fall--even if the intentions are good.

The great news? I still love to read! I have about 40 mysteries in my bookcase I've yet to read, and a number of other books to re-read. I'm never bored.

So, I'm able to be selective with what television I watch, which is minimal anyway. I have too many other good options--don't you? I walk 3 miles per day, take care of our beautiful great-niece a couple days most weeks, have yard work to do, friends to talk with on the telephone, neighbors to chat with in-person, some work that I do for Jamn Promotions, a little blogging, and my reading. Good thing, because from what I see, the summer season is filled with a few new game shows, and people watching people watch television--punctuated only by a seemingly endless amount of bad news.

What are you doing this summer?

Saint Paul's Elder Outreach at Lincoln Village

Saint Paul's Elder Outreach Director Vo Robert received a call from Lincoln Village, an apartment complex for seniors in Worcester, that a number of seniors needed food. Vo was receiving food donations from Team Generous Hearts around the same time, and was able to help about 20 residents at Lincoln Village through the invaluable assistance of Team Generous Hearts!

Saint Paul's Elder Outreach Director Vo Robert and several wonderful volunteers continue to deliver emergency food, household, and personal care items to isolated at-risk seniors in Worcester 5-6 -7 days per week, through the support of a number of organizations, the City of Worcester, companies, and foundations.

"We are blessed to be accessing a lot of food from a number of food pantries in the city, but food items for those with special diets, household items, and other supplies not found at food pantries make up a lot of what we provide seniors." Robert states. "We're always thrilled to receive donations of grocery store gift cards, as well as help provided by Team Generous Hearts and other community organizations--without which we could not help nearly as many seniors as we do!"

Team Generous Hearts is a group of people from the area who are truly making a difference by contributing food to a number of organizations, including Saint Paul's Elder Outreach and Lincoln Village. What a great blessing and community resource!

Saint Paul's Elder Outreach and Team Generous Hearts

For the past couple of months, as the coronavirus crisis worsened, Saint Paul's Elder Outreach Director Vo Robert, aided by several wonderful volunteers, has continued to deliver emergency food, household, and personal care items, as well as pet food and supplies, to isolated at-risk seniors in the City of Worcester, 5-6-7 days per week. While Vo and Saint Paul's Elder Outreach partners with a number of food pantries in Worcester, food panties, as great as they are, are unable to provide foods for special diets ( diabetes, renal, heart, gluten - free diets for example ) or important foods such as mustard, mayo, ketchup, jar pasta sauce, pancake mix that can be made with just water, etc.

A fantastic group stepped up to help! Team Generous Heart has donated these kinds of items a number of times to Saint Paul's Elder Outreach! "We're constantly searching for ways to meet the needs of all the isolated seniors we assist, and being able to help those with special diets, and provide condiments so the food we deliver tastes great, is so vital to what we're doing!" Robert says.

"Team Generous Hearts has volunteered to donate whatever we need several times, I've provided them with a list of some of our most pressing needs, and they have come through each time." Robert continues. "They are truly helping so many seniors here during this most difficult time, and we're so appreciative!"

Saint Paul's Elder Outreach and Worcester Animal Rescue League Partner!

Saint Paul's Elder Outreach and the Worcester Animal Rescue League have been partnering to provide food for the pets of isolated at-risk seniors in the City of Worcester, Massachusetts! Saint Paul's Elder Outreach Director Vo Robert continues to deliver emergency food, household, personal care, and pet food / supplies 5-6-7 days per week. "Many of the seniors we assist have pets in their household, and those pets are truly family members." Robert explains. "We're very grateful to the Worcester Animal Rescue League for donating pet food and supplies so we can provide this important service to seniors in Worcester, and ensure those "family members" have enough to eat!"

Those We Put At Risk

I'm very enthusiastic about the need to begin helping people --encouraging people--supporting people --and help businesses and charities and congregations re-open.

Given that, we also have to consider how we're putting several "new groups" of people at risk by doing this. Priests, Rabbi's, and Ministers / Elders are going to resume, in some way, coming into direct contact with members of their congregations. A percentage of those clergy have underlying health conditions. Additionally, a number of clergy, particularly in "mainline" denominations such as Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, Baptist, Lutheran, UCC, as well as Rabbi's --are over 60 years old. Around Easter, I was fortunate enough to interview the Roman Catholic Bishop of Worcester, Bishop Robert McManus. In the course of that conversation, he related that over 50% of the active priests in that diocese are over 60 years old, putting them in the "at-risk" category--underlying conditions or not. While many of us want desperately to attend services / Mass again, doing so puts a lot of clergy at risk.

We're also approaching decision time when it comes to re-opening schools in the fall. One of the considerations that I'm sure superintendents are having to think about is the age of staff, including teachers, principals, and janitors, among others. A lot of discussion, and appropriately so, is going on about students, as well as their families. In many schools, we also have staff who, in a percentage reflecting the rest of the population, have health conditions. My guess, and I'm reading more reports that verify this, is that a significant percentage of teaching staff is over 55. I've read estimates that 20% of current teachers might choose to retire rather than be exposed to the dangers of the virus. Other staff percentages will vary from community to community.

So, yes, we need to sort out how to re-open every entity, in some way. I do think we're going to see a lot of "starts and pauses" as we identify situations we've never dealt with before. Going to be a long haul!

Meet Miss Massachusetts

A background in bat morphology, a future dentist, soon-to-be-participant in American Ninja Warrior, Team USA Obstacle Race member, an anchor-host of the Obstacle Race Media Network, dance instructor, and Miss Massachusetts, all wrapped into one person; Lyndsey Littlefield.

A chance encounter in 2013, when she was just 13, with a past Miss Taunton led Littlefield to take this exciting and successful path! “I attended an event where the Miss Taunton made an appearance, and had the opportunity to talk with her there.” Littlefield explains. “Two weeks later, at a yogurt shop, my mom and I ran into this terrific woman, not wearing her sash or crown, and she remembered me, by name.”   That Miss Taunton determined, without knowing it, Lyndsey Littlefield’s path, at least a significant part of that pathway.

In that yogurt shop, Littlefield learned about the Miss Taunton pageant program, and how scholarships were offered. No one in her family had been able to attend college, but Littlefield already had an interest in becoming a dentist.  She entered the teen pageants. When she was a senior in high school, Littlefield turned 17, which meant she could enter the Miss Taunton pageant, and she was the 4^th runner – up.  As 4^th runner up, she received scholarship money, enough to pay for her costs to apply at colleges, and her first semester at Bridgewater State University.

Littlefield continued to enter pageants, and continued to be awarded scholarships as she promoted what she believed in, that every woman is perfect just as she is.  In 2020, she graduated from Bridgewater State University with a degree in biology, and the background in bat morphology.  More on that a little later!  She graduated college debt – free, in large measure because she had received $30,000 in scholarships! 

As she was attending college, she found time to compete in a number of sporting events, including Obstacle Course Racing. “It’s sort of along the lines of mudder events.” Littlefield explains.  Along the way, she attracted the attention of Team USA’s Obstacle Course Race team, and was asked to -while now Miss Massachusetts already—to represent Massachusetts on Team USA.  At the North American championships, Littlefield won 1^st place!

Littlefield also anchored a number of competitions for the Obstacle Course Racing Media Network.  Somehow, she also found time to become a dance instructor, focusing on ages k-12.   

In the course of her college work ( this is all about the bats ) Littlefield had to do a thesis. One of her professors had an interest in bats, and Littlefield became a supporter of bats ( so necessary to our environment ) and intrigued about how, why, and what insects bats ate, and how different bats seemed to eat very selectively. ( in terms of what insects they ate )  Littlefield explored that she developed a methodology to study of the bats’ jaws and teeth might affect how which bats choose which insects they eat, and how that affects our environment. Researchers are now taking her results and methodology around the country ( Littlefield studied bats in Bridgewater ) and doing studies of their own.

Littlefield’s participation in NBC’s American Ninja Warrior has been delayed by the corona virus, and the crisis shutting down the competition for the time being. “I’m doing what training I can at home, as there are no facilities available to anyone right now to train at.” Littlefield says. “It’s not ideal, but many of the competitors have some restrictions, and I’m just doing what I can to train.”

In the meantime, Littlefield was just asked to continue as Miss Massachusetts for an additional year, as the 2020 pageant was scheduled for June.  She happily agreed to stay on another year, and will continue her efforts to bring people together and empower young women.  “I’m looking forward to expanding my social impact initiative that focuses on helping young women, no matter what resources may or may not be readily available to these young women and their families, to develop better skills in decision making, as well as encouraging them to like who you are, and self-identification.

Littlefield works a great deal with Girls INC chapters around the state ( Worcester, Lynn, Lowell, and Brockton among the chapters that currently exist ) in the course of this work.  Girls INC and Littlefield work with local school systems in developing the programs as well as recruiting resources. “If anyone is spending this quarantine time cleaning out their homes, and they would like to dispose of un-needed kitchen supplies, or dance costumes, or school supplies, we could use them!” Littlefield says.  She’s also involved in helping chapters expand, and recruiting more volunteers.

If you think about it, what a fabulous example of what anyone would hope for in a Miss Massachusetts. If you think you’re busy –how about keeping up with Lyndsey Littlefield?  

Editor’s Note: 

I have not had the pleasure to work with Lyndsey, but over the past twenty years have been fortunate enough to work with a number of title holders, in conjunction with charities I was serving as either a staff member or volunteer.   Without exception, I found these young women smart, accomplished, focused on goals, committed to helping others, and interested in learning through experiences such as talking with youngsters at an expo or presenting to a group of business leaders.  Too many people have a mistaken notion, perhaps because of television or movies portrayals, of the pageants and why / how young women benefit from participating in the pageants. 

Hopes of Christmas Future

Thirty years ago, Scott and Denise Weikel began a holiday tradition, partly because they both loved celebrating Christmas, and partly as a way for Scott to purchase meaningful birthday gifts for Denise, whose birthday is right after Thanksgiving. Thus, began what has become perhaps the largest residential Christmas light display in Massachusetts, the Leicester Christmas Display!

"We both love doing this, although it takes a great deal of work to set up 200 to 220 inflatables, along with lights and other decorations throughout the almost 2 acres we own." Scott Weikel says. "Because we have so much land, as well as a workshop (which becomes a Christmas Village) that we use too, we can accommodate baby strollers and wheelchairs." The Weikels will begin (providing that things are back to some sort of normal, and we all have to anticipate they will be!) setting up the displays in October, although the planning process is already well along, as is the construction of new display pieces and repairs to older ones. Last year the Weikels added a church to the display.

"I work at my business (high end kitchen cabinet refinishing and painting) 7 days a week all year until we turn on the lights on Thanksgiving night." Weikel continues. "We don't charge admission, and the electric bill alone is steep!" The display is open to the public on weekends through Christmas.

"But it's really become our entire life." he says. "Our neighbors enjoy it, and have begun decorating their homes and yards too, and we get tremendous support from the people in Leicester."

Santa is on hand for photos with youngsters most every evening, and some of the characters also on hand include Rudolph, the Grinch, and Snoopy. "We set aside some of the trees to be decorated as "Cancer Trees" that are decorated by visitors with ornaments which often include written notes in honor or memory of a friend or family member who has been affected by cancer." Weikel adds.

The local food pantry sets up across the street selling hot chocolate and cookies. Students do community service by helping at the venue. "We do put out a donation box, and last year raised over $10,000 which we distributed to local charities such as Nazareth House." Weikel says. "We also donate candy canes to Friendly House and other organizations."

"The police details have great fun, talking with our visitors and handing out decals." Weikel states. "Right now, the folks at The Great American Light Fight on ABC are talking with us about our being spotlighted on the show, which would be good for the town of Leicester."

The Weikels have created a non-profit 501(c)3 organization to help defray the costs, particularly the $8000 needed for police details. The Weikels' street becomes one way on weekends throughout the weekends the display is open, and police details are essential. "The support we get is mind-blowing" he exclaims. Anyone interested in donating as a way to support the display, or anyone who wants more information, should visit the Leicester Christmas Display Facebook page.

Myfm 101.3 Brings Joy to Neighborhoods!

MyFm101.3 Brings Joy to Neighborhoods

Radio station Myfm 101.3 is bringing joy and fun to neighborhoods as well as the airwaves through the Myfm 101.3 Rolling Party!

DJ “Johnny on the Drive” ( John Wilbur ) accompanied by coordinator Sue Grady drive the Rolling Party van through neighborhoods and the Main streets of communities from Milford to Westborough, Millbury to Uxbridge to Wrentham, several days per week. The Rolling Parties will continue through June, at least.

The “Rolling Party” slowly makes it way through communities, bringing upbeat music, birthday shout-outs, and bringing meals to people working on the frontlines of the pandemic.  “People come out, and dance in yards, in doorways, and on balconies!” according to MyFm 101.3 Outreach Director Darlene Hayes. “It’s a way for us to support all the communities we serve, and bring some joy to this difficult time.”

For information about upcoming appearances by the “Rolling Party” listen to Myfm 101.3, or visit the station’s Facebook page. 

The LOVE 01760 Project

“The Natick Cultural District is partnering with a number of local artists in creating the LOVE 01760 Project.” Athena Pandolf, Executive Director of the NCD organization says.  “In these days of having to cut back Downtown Natick promotions and events, this project is a way to bring people together in a very real, if not physical, sense.”

Anyone interested is asked to decorate half a heart on paper, then bring or send to an artist studio. Local artists are combining the “half hearts” from different participants’ “half hearts.”  The completed hearts will be laminated, and connected with all the other hearts, and will comprise a large outdoor display that will be located somewhere in Natick Center, at a time that will be determined. 

“The LOVE 01760 Project is also selling special tee shirts, with the proceeds going to the Natick Service Council.” According to Pandolf.  “The Natick Service Council has always been, and continues to be, such an important resource to residents of Natick!”

Information about the tee shirts and the “hearts” projects can be found on the LOVE 01760 Project Facebook page!

The Natick Cultural District organization is also involved in developing promotion ideas for later in the year, as well as the upcoming “Porchfest event” that involves musicians performing live on their Facebook or YouTube pages. 

“We’re very grateful for the support of so many businesses, organizations, and individuals for supporting as well as participating in the organization.” Pandolf continues. “For instance, we recently received a five thousand dollar grant from Mathworks and the Foundation For Metrowest, wonderful community partners, and I’m so very grateful.”

Despite the challenges, Athena Pandolf and everyone associated with the Natick Cultural District and downtown Natick are developing creative ways to bring people together, in-person ( when that become possible) and online. 

RIP Medical Debt

“Americans owe seventy- five billion dollars in medical debt that is in collection and on credit reports!” Craig Antico, co- founder of RIP Medical Debt states.  “That works out to forty- three million Americans who are in medical debt.”

RIP Medical Debt has, since 2014, eliminated one billion dollars of the medical debt owed by Americans who have been often financially crippled by this kind of debt.

A chance encounter RIP Medical Debt’s other co-founder, Jerry Ashton, had with members of the New York City Occupy Movement in 2012 led to the organization’s inception.  Both Antico and Ashton were debt collectors in the medical debt industry, where hospitals and other healthcare professionals pass along debts that they are unable to collect, and those debt portfolios are sold to debt collection companies, usually at pennies on the dollar.

Jerry Ashton

Ashton went outside his office building to learn more about the Occupy Movement, and ended up developing relationships with a number of the Movement’s leaders, some of whom had a specific interest in the crushing weight of medical debt on so many people, from so many income levels, in the nation.   The Occupy leaders moved on to other topics, but Ashton and Antico had learned about the enormity of the problem, and had decided they were, because of their expertise, to evolve from being part of the problem to helping people who often experience financial ruin from medical debts.

“Then we had to figure out how to do that!” Antico says. “We had no non-profit experience, and there was no model to follow.”

Antico and Ashton experimented with ways to help, at very significant financial loss.  “My wife thought I’d lost my mind, as we truly ran through all our savings as we set up this organization, and took out loans.” Antico says.

The organization’s big breakthrough was a report nighttime show host John Oliver presented on his program.  “John Oliver talked about it, and our donations sky-rocketed!” Antico exclaims. Shortly after that, other news outlets such as the New York Times, CBS, The New Yorker, and others, began spotlighting RIP Medical Debt, and donations flowed, along with interest from associations and faith -based organizations who raised funds for RIP Medical Debt.

“We still conduct no outbound fundraising.” Antico states. “People will see a news story about us, and appreciate the extent of this very real crisis for families of all income brackets and demographic groupings around the country, and work with us to create a fundraising campaign.” The organization’s fundraising has doubled and tripled every year over the past four years.
For every ten dollars raised, RIP Medical Debt is able to eliminate about one thousand dollars in debt through purchasing that debt in the debt market.

“So far, roughly five hundred thousand families have had their debt eliminated!” Antico continues.  “We send the family or individual a yellow envelope, which contains the surprise, the news that their medical debt is gone!”

“This is a random act of kindness.” Antico explains.  “Our recipients are selected randomly, sometimes because the association or faith-based organization requests that people in a geographic area receive this assistance, sometimes because the folks raising funds belong to a group, such as the Massachusetts Nurses Association, who raise fifteen thousand dollars that was used to assist nurses in the state who had this kind of debt, or because the folks raising funds for us were specific to an illness or condition, and people who have that illness or condition.”

But the people at RIP Medical Debt never know specifically who they are assisting, with families and individuals selected without knowing names, strictly on the basis of data pulled together within the general perimeters.

“We’d encourage anyone, any association, foundation, or faith-based organization to contact us and discuss how they can be of our efforts to eliminate the next billion dollars in debt!” Antico says.

“We’re still working with just a small percentage of hospitals and healthcare providers, and really have just begun letting people know about what we do!”

“The Coronavirus will, sadly, affect so many individuals and families, and a percentage of those folks will incur medical debt through having to undergo treatments they have no health insurance to cover, and we anticipate an increase in the levels of medical debt throughout this year.” He says. “So we’re looking for more people to join our work!”

For additional information, or to learn more about how to organize a fundraising campaign, please visit their website: www.ripmedicaldebt.org.

Fitness Asylum --Adapting to the Virus Crisis

As part of my series highlighting ways businesses, organizations, and congregations are adapting to life in the midst of the pandemic, I interviewed Bonnie LeFrak, owner of four Fitness Asylum facilities in Central Massachusetts and the Metrowest.  Bonnie's Fitness Asylums have been a successful, popular business and program for years now, and Bonnie also plays a role in the INBF Northeast Classic, a major competition for male and female amateur bodybuilders, held in Worcester.

"We've had to pivot our business, and have been able to keep the majority of our members because of the services and programs we are now providing." LeFrak says.  "We are helping people via Facebook Live, Zoom, and other online media."

Through utilizing all these internet based mediums, LeFrak and her staff have been able to offer a Kid's Boot Camp; Storytime for Children, Cooking programs focused on teaching and encouraging learning how to cook and prepare good tasting healthy meals, a Dance Party, and other entertaining but educational projects.

LeFrak has used the Facebook page: Fitness Asylum Community Page to "hold / host" her physical training. "Our page, which we've managed for quite some time, used to be informational, now it's also about providing health and help." Lefrak suggests.  "We're communicating with a number of people who are stressed out, using food and alcohol to to deal with the often overwhelming stress this crisis has brought on."

Through the Facebook page, members have access to live workouts, and find a great deal of encouragement. "We've been offering special programs online, such as our 30 Day Sprint Nutrition program, and have lowered the price for both members and non-members." she continues. "The responses we've been getting about this program have been so very positive!"

"My team has been, and continues to be agile in developing changes through this crisis." LeFrak suggests.  "We found ways to give people what they need, coaching as well as a community."

LeFrak and her team are developing additional virtual classes and training. "We've been able to support parents, teachers, healthcare workers, and many of our neighbors who all have one big thing in common, a need to stay healthy and work out."

"This pandemic is going to change a lot of things for businesses, and every business is going to have to be relationship based, which we always have been." LeFrak says. "We used to do a lot of one to one training, then stopped doing much of that, and now people may ask us to do more of that, in their homes."    Every business, including hers, has to consider how to serve clients / customers, probably in very new ways.

Since 2014, LeFrak has been involved with helping members participate in Bikini Boot Camp and bodybuilding competitions, including the INBF Northeast Classic.  "The event was planned for June 21st at Worcester State College, and even with the pandemic, we had about 85 people register, which was down from the usual 300, but still, about 85 men and women were hoping to participate." she states.  The event timing / date is, at the moment, up in the air. 

"We're still working with people who want to participate, holding posing classes on Zoom for instance, as well as providing diet, nutrition, and exercise assistance." she says.

The Fitness Asylum is adapting to changing conditions, and will continue to do so.  Every business is going to have to do the same.

Editor's Note:  I'll work to provide updated information about this competition as it becomes available.

Airports in the Crisis

Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis is one busy man!   In addition to running the jail and a number of recovery and crime / addiction prevention programs around Worcester County, Sheriff Evangelidis is also Massport Board Chair.  In that capacity, Evangelidis and the Board oversee both Worcester and Logan airports, and the Port of Boston.

The coronavirus crisis has dramatically affected the operations at all the Massport facilities. A

“At Worcester Airport, we’ve seen a 75% decrease in passenger counts, and that number is trending downward.” Evangelidis states. “As of the moment, the New York flights are still leaving in the morning, and returning in the evenings.”  Flights to Florida are now running on alternate days, and flights to other destinations are not running as regularly.

“Some flights have been cancelled because no passengers purchase tickets.” Evangelidis continues. “This is consistent with the trends at airports around the United States, especially the smaller airports.”

“But we’ve made a 100 million dollar investment in Worcester Airport, and we’re going to see this through!” Evangelidis states.  “We’ve been through downturns before, such as after the 9-11 attacks, and we will rebound again.”   The Massport Board and staff are preparing strategic plans based on 3 possible alternatives affecting all the Massport operations. One alternative is a rapid decline in passenger and freight which also translates to revenue, followed by a rapid incline. The next is a rapid decline followed by a slower, perhaps year-long incline. The other alternative strategic plan is based on a rapid decline followed by a very slow, perhaps 5 year, rebound. 

Logan Airport has seen a similar 75% decrease in passenger loads, and that continues to trend downward. “We’d anticipated going from about 37 million passengers to about 43 million in 2020, Evangelidis says. “Clearly, those numbers won’t be approached.”

“We’ve invested 100’s of millions of dollars into the airports and the Post of Boston” Evangelidis continues. “The Port and the airports involve hundreds of jobs, the delivery of produce and products, and a number of construction projects, a lot of moving parts that benefit all of Central and Eastern Massachusetts, in fact the entire state.” Massport’s investments have generated growth in cruise lines that sail to and from Boston, as well as freight ships that bring products to the port, and leave with freight.

While there was no way to anticipate the coronavirus plague, Evangelidis and the Massport Board and leadership are doing what they can to plan for a return to the success the Port of Boston, Logan, and Worcester airports were experiencing.  As Evangelidis said, we all just have to see it through. 

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“The Lord’s ways are not our ways.” Bishop Robert McManus, leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester says, certainly defining the just completed, strange and challenging Lenten period.

“For Catholics, three or four months, if that’s what it turns into, without being able to attend Mass or receive the sacraments is very hard, but my hope is that once we’re able to return to Mass and the sacraments, we’ll appreciate being back together, and receiving the sacraments much more.” Bishop McManus states.

Bishop McManus has been repeatedly asked why he thinks the coronavirus has devastated the world during Lent. “Maybe God’s allowing this to happen now because He’s trying to tell us something.” Bishop McManus continues. “I hope people are really listening, and responding, as it’s a two - way street.”

“Our priests are trying to do so many things to reach people who need faith more than ever before.” Bishop McManus says. “I’m so proud of the way our priests in our parishes have responded to this challenge.”

There are about one hundred and twenty active priests in the diocese, half of them are over sixty years of age, and half under sixty.  When it became clear that the coronavirus was going to be devastating to the community and parishes, Bishop McManus asked twenty of the priests under fifty years of age to engage in a special ministry to the sick.

These twenty priests began calling on parishioners in hospitals, and going to hospitals when Catholics from around the diocese needed the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. “They did this with such an apostolic zeal, with priests getting multiple calls daily, and put themselves in potentially dangerous situations, and I’m so proud of them.” Bishop McManus continues.

On Palm Sunday, Catholics were invited to drive to, parish church parking lots, and stay in their cars in a line.  Lay people handed out palms, while priests stood at a safe distance and blessed the occupants of each car.  “A number of people were in tears.” Bishop McManus says. “This adaptation of distributing palms was a sign of our tangible relationship with the church.”

Throughout Lent, the diocese and individual parishes adapted and created new ways to reach out to Catholics as well as anyone else interested.  Masses from the Cathedral and from parishes all over the diocese were live streamed, shown on television, and posted on YouTube.

Bishop McManus laments that about sixty thousand Catholics attend Mass weekly in the diocese, which is only about twenty five percent of the Catholics here.  “However, during this Lent, we had something like forty - four thousand people viewing Mass, which is very encouraging!” he exclaims.

“Being able to only participate in the Mass online has, I hope, revived the reality of a spiritual communion, through the prayer that is shown during what would be the time people would receive the Body and Blood of Christ, and through prayers that anyone might be saying at that time of the televised Mass.” Bishop McManus continues.

According to Bishop McManus, social media has been a great blessing, a way to stay in touch with people. Had the pandemic occurred twenty - five years ago, media and social media would not have existed in the way they do now, and people would not have been able to stay in touch with one another as people are able to now.

Even with these means of communication, and televising Mass as well as other ministries and programs, people are still struggling with isolation and feeling separated from their faith.  Bishop McManus was saddened to receive many emails from people begging him to allow them to attend Mass.

“Faith tells me God is in charge ultimately, which is so difficult, especially for those who have lost someone because of this virus, or during this time.” Bishop McManus says. “But God will bring us through this.”

Bishop McManus suggests that this may be a time of fasting, fasting from the eucharist, the Mass, and the sacraments. “Hopefully, we’ll all come through this fast with a deeper appreciation for how important the sacraments are to our lives.” He states.  “We don’t realize what we have until we lose it.”

Throughout Lent, Bishop McManus has been visiting hospitals, and blessing the healthcare workers putting themselves in compromising situations in those hospitals. At UMASS, the blessing was broadcast to all the rooms, so every healthcare worker and patient could hear and see the blessing.

“As difficult as it is to believe, our faith tells us that everything works together for good.” Bishop McManus concludes.  As a people of God, we’re all called to live our life in faith.

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Worcester Bravehearts Hope for a Season!

In spite of the uncertainty surrounding all kinds of gatherings, the Worcester Bravehearts are planning for the 2020 baseball season!

Although General Manager Dave Peterson has been furloughed, he’s still on the telephone and runs into the office a couple of days per week, making sure the organization is as prepared as any entity can be in these strange times.

The team’s roster is set for the season, with an expanded roster due to some colleges are allowing student / athletes an additional year of eligibility because of the shut - down effecting all schools. A few of the local players include: Nick Martin, Kevin Hummer, and John West from Shrewsbury; Carson Hauben from Grafton; Hunter Reynold from Marlborough; and Jordan Kjoniksen from Westborough.  “We’ve already found homes for the summer for most of the players, although we do need a few additional homes, if anyone is interested.” Peterson says.

With the roster set, Peterson is working at preparations such as ordering signs, contacting ticket holders who regularly celebrate birthdays at the park, and making other plans for the start of the season.  “I’m making plans for the purchase of everything from baseballs to bats to uniforms and other equipment.” Peterson continues. “However, we can’t place those orders until we know for sure that we’ll be playing this summer!”  The team has a number of purchases to make that would make no sense to complete now, until the current restrictions are allowed to end, from all those kinds of equipment to contracting buses for away games and concessions.

“When people do go back to work and restrictions on being together at events are relaxed, we’ll have a lot to do in a very short period of time, we’ll all have to work harder than ever, in every business and organization, because everything will be compressed into August, September, and October.” Peterson says. “People will be re-booking events like weddings, graduations, even the Boston Marathon, and most every business from restaurants to caterers ( and the Bravehearts are owned by a catering and tent rental business ) to limousine companies to hair stylists and barbers will be working very long days trying to recover some of the income we’re all losing now.”

There is a great deal of uncertainty. “We just have to take one day at a time and see what happens at the beginning of May.” Peterson says. “Without May and June, our business would be so affected that we couldn’t operate this year, and we’d have to wait until 2021.”  Peterson believes that so long as the season opens by mid-June, the team would still have a positive impact on the community, and complete a season.  The team will also have to work with Holy Cross in regards to the use of the ballpark, and right now Holy Cross is closed to students, and the school is also waiting out the spread of coronavirus cases.

It would be very disappointing for the season to begin after the two morning games in early June when the team hosts field trips to these games and provide Baseball in Education Days.  Prior to those games, the schools get a curriculum that involve students being asked questions about subjects like math that apply to many aspects of life, including baseball. Four thousand area students attend the games, and prior to the games, are asked questions about those subjects and topics. 

“In any event, I have to maintain a positive outlook.” Peterson states. “We’re going to figure out ways to entertain people, after all that’s our business, and generate revenue in the offseason.”  A number of entertainment focused possibilities are being discussed by team officials, but no decisions have been made yet, as the hope is the coronavirus crisis will have been successfully mitigated by the summer.

So, as with so many other kinds of businesses and organizations, the Worcester Bravehearts will wait and see how successful physical distancing and other measures to halt the rapid spread of the coronavirus are, and go from there.

To learn more about the Worcester Bravehearts, and to stay updated about the season, visit the website: www.worcesterbravehearts.com 

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More on wrestling!

Although Beyond Wrestling has postponed future wrestling events, along with the opening of a pro wrestling school in Worcester for the time being, Drew Cordeiro, President of the wrestling promotion invites anyone, particularly wrestling fans who are searching for entertainment right now, to go to YouTube or the promotions live streaming channel to watch matches!

“We’ve been looking to expand in Worcester, where we have quite an enthusiastic fan base for our matches held at the White Eagle venue, and include a pro wrestling school as well.” Cordeiro says. “Our plan is to do instruction on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, then live events every Thursday, as well as on other dates.”

“Beyond Wrestling has been a promotion that offers wrestlers an opportunity to learn and entertain fans at the same time, and we’ve had a number of wrestlers who are now in promotions such as the WWE, AEW, NXT, and promotions in Japan.” Cordeiro continues. “Some of those more familiar wrestlers include: Sasha Banks, Kevin Owens, Drew Coulette, and the Viking Raiders, and many others.”

Cordeiro asserts that because the Beyond Wrestling has a large online distribution platform, wrestling for the promotion is a good way to become noticed by the larger promotions in the United States, Europe, and Japan.  Beyond Wrestling can be found online at www.Independentwrestling.tv  or on YouTube/beyondwrestling. The YouTube channel has attracted 2 million viewers.

One distinct way that Beyond Wrestling is unique in how they train as well as the matched made is that women are sometimes wrestling men.  “Few wrestling schools are run by women, so women tend to be trained by men anyway.” Cordeiro explains. “Our creating inter-gender matches, which provide women a way to learn and advance more quickly by wrestling men, is one of our signatures.”

Beyond Wrestling and Cordeiro will be opening up a pro wrestling school and organizing events as soon as it makes sense to do so.  In the meantime, if you’re a pro wrestling fan, and are searching for entertainment, visit one of the online sites. 

Are you a pro wrestling fan and searching for something to watch?  

New England Championship Wrestling is celebrating their 20^th anniversary, and the promotion has quite a few shows on YouTube!

NECW founder and President Sheldon Goldberg is very upbeat about his promotion, despite the inability, at the moment, to put on live shows!

“We’ve always been active in fundraising for local charities, youth and school groups.” Goldberg says. “As we’ve approached the 20^th anniversary, I’ve been analyzing and evaluating what NECW has been and accomplished, and looked at where we want to go from here.”

In the first 20 years, NECW has also included in shows a number of stars before they became famous, including Koffi Kingston, John Cena, Sasha Banks, ( her first professional match was in NECW ) Becky Lynch, ( her first match in America was for NECW ), and others.

“NECW was not responsible for their careers, but we’ve been an important step for a lot of people.” Goldberg states. “There is nothing like seeing that kid you helped along show up on national television!”

Goldberg’s background was in theater production and publicity. He knew people in the wresting business, and always thought it was great show business.  While Goldberg works full time for an insurance company, wrestling is still his passion.

The next step for Goldberg and NECW is finding, then purchasing, a venue.  “Venues have always been a challenge for smaller promotions, and ‘we’d like to establish our own.” Goldberg explains. “It’s difficult for any business to be open when you want to be open if you don’t have your own shop, your own venue.”

“We’re searching for a first - class venue that would hold 300 to 500 people.” He continues. “It would have to be family friendly and television friendly, and we’d anticipate running a number of nights per week, as I have absolutely no doubt the audience is there!”

The plan would be to not just have the live audience, but also live stream the shows. “NECW had 2 successful runs on television over the years, and we have terrific experience with television as well as online and social media platforms.” Goldberg says.

But right now, fans can go to YouTube and watch many past productions.  You can access through the NECW website:  www.NECW.tv    Something fun to watch while we wait for the world to recover!

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