I really don't want to sound negative when I say I don't like Spring. Especially when those around me are acting like giddy school-children on these rare sunny, pleasant days we've been having around here lately. Me? I'm just being a realist. Or maybe I should say a cautious optimist. I've lived in this part of the country my whole life, and like Lucy pulling the ball away from Charlie Brown, I'm just not going to fall for it so soon.
March comes along and we get a glimpse of what is to come. We get a a thaw...the sun comes out for one, maybe two days in a row and in desperation we pull out our shorts and sandals. You see tops down on convertibles (even though the heat is on full blast) and folks heading to the golf course. I want to say- "warning warning Will Robinson...don't get your hopes up! "Don't switch the wardrobe and put the sweaters away! Don't fall for it! It's not over yet!" Yet I...hopefully, do the same.
Then Lucy pulls the ball away.
After 3 days of paradise; 3 days of thinking maybe the worst is over; one weekend of mowing and planting, the weather forecast calls for plummeting temperatures, sleet and snow. Your plants have to be covered, you are back to scraping ice off the car window.
Spring is a big fat tease.
It gives you a taste of what you've been dying for, only to pull it away from you when it is just within your reach. March 20th comes and goes...daytime temperatures lag behind by several weeks, because the earth and sea (or in our case, the lake) take time to warm up. And then April's showers come and my backyard with my two loping, frolicking dogs turn it into a mud-pit. Spring for a dog owner means yard clean up and lots of paw wiping. It is the season of mud.
So for those of you who love spring, and think its the most wonderful time of the year...you can have it! I will enjoy the days we are lucky to get with a vengeance. I will soak in the sun for my much needed vitamin D production, and I will wait through this one for my other favorite seasons, which are...in order Summer, Fall and Winter...followed by Spring.
Little Darlin', it HAS been a long cold lonely winter. And I can't wait for the return of consistently pleasant days. And when they arrive, I will be one happy girl! But in the meantime, I will prepare for the cold, hope for the warm, and not be frustrated or surprised or angry by much that happens in between.
Happy Spring! :-)
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Losing Friends Daily
I caught up with my best friend from childhood recently. She lives in Boulder and although we don't talk but a few times a year, once we do it's like no time has passed at all. I love having a friend like that.
We talked about the things we are involved with, and how both of us as we get older, find ourselves wanting to do things that make a difference in areas we believe in, but that in making any attempt to "make the world a better place" we seem to be losing friends. That is difficult for me. I liked to be be liked (who doesn't?) I pride myself in my ability to use diplomacy to resolve conflict in my work and personal life. I work hard to use verbiage in person and in my writing so as to make my point but not offend. I have always believed in the "you catch more flies with honey than vinegar" and find more people will be on your team if you play this way.
But sometimes, when you become a voice for something you believe in you lose friends.
My Boulder friend is a teacher, and in her many years working with children she has seen the best and the worst scenarios, and has become a voice for those without one in situations of suspected abuse, neglect or extreme family dysfunction. She also speaks up about teaching personal responsibility to kids and their parents and raising expectations without over-rewarding kids for just doing what they ought to to. She's lost a few friends.
Another friend who now lives in California has a child with learning disabilities. While always a great mom, she went from being what most of us would consider a "normal" wife and working mom to an amazing advocate for children with similar disabilities in our public school system. Her being a voice for these kids didn't win her any popularity contests and there were many challenges she faced in getting changes made. But her accomplishments are many in this area and many children (and parents who didn't have the time, dedication or courage) have benefited from her work.
Advocates for people with disabilities, for children, for the elderly, and a bit further back for civil rights or the women's movement did not have it easy. At the very least they were scorned and abandoned by many. At the very worst they were beaten, jailed or killed for their cause. Thank God for the people who were passionate for causes that now, with the hindsight of history--were good.
Over the last 10 years, my eyes have been opened to the unbelievably cruel business of growing animals for food inside factory farms. I have learned that if you make people feel uncomfortable about choices they are making, they get angry. In raising issues that seem very common sense, it is easier to label me as "a crazy liberal or PETA activist" (of which I am neither) than to just have an open mind an listen with the defenses down. If I could beg your indulgence, I ask your indulgence on what I feel are 3 common sense points on my position for animal welfare:
1) Factory Farming. I am NOT telling anyone to stop eating meat. I am asking everyone to get educated on what is being done to our food supply in factory farms. Anyone who does the slightest bit of research, visits a large factory farm, watches the movie Food Inc or the HBO documentary or Meet Your Meat will see that our country's large factory farming practices are corrupting our nations' meat supply and hurting our nation's health. The sidebar is that it is also horrendously cruel to animals. I didn't know then what I know now. Now that I do- I want others to know. I want laws to change. I want our food supply safe. I want animals treated well. And if people choose to eat meat, to support local farmers who raise they animals in a free range environment. Laws need to be passed. I believe if people knew, if they saw what goes on, they would be sickened and would want laws changed. It is the "extremists" who publish hard to watch videos that are helping to get the word out. If you saw a pigs being de-skinned while still alive., or baby calves living in a box with only small holes and no sunlight so they are tender for veal? Or lambs having their legs tied to they don't move? Or chickens de-beaked so they don't poke each other? Or hens in cages so small they can't spread their wings or turn around. Or cows going into the slaughter machine still alive as they are cut up piece by piece. (They are suppose to be "stunned" first-most are not.) If you heard heard the screams--you'd agree there needs to be change.
2) Puppy mills. 7 years ago I bought my purebred Sheltie from a pet store. Many in my life have pure bred dogs from breeders. Many breeders do it right, and treat their animals well. But many don't. So there needs to be more regulation. Pregnant moms in a puppy mill don't lay on the floor of the family room by the fireplace. They are kept pregnant to bear litter after litter and live in a cage their whole lives. Most are euthanized after her 7th, 8th or 10th litter. The Amish in Ohio are known for their extreme cruelty in managing their puppy businesses. Undercover farm hands on an Amish Maltese farm witnessed atrocities that would melt the coldest heart. Many dogs are so in-bred they have numerous health issues and 60% of purebred dogs from puppy mills end up in shelters or worse. I didn't know then what I know now. Reputable breeders suffer from not having laws than punish those that run puppy mills.
3) Chaining dogs. Why have a dog if all you do is chain it to a tree to live in its own waste in the hottest summer and the coldest winter? I'm talking 24-7 365 day a week chaining. I've seen collars grown into the necks as dogs slowly choke to death. Frostbit paws. Dogs dead from starvation at the end of a chain. Shouldn't there be laws to discourage animal cruelty and punish those who break it? Many states are passing laws preventing this cruelty. All states should.
I'm for common sense. I'm for doing what's right. But because so many don't, we have to have some regulation. My Republican friends call me a liberal because I want "more legislation" and yet--without legislation for extreme unfairness, whether its for children the elderly, the disabled or for animals with no voice--how do we make change happen?
PETA may negate much of the good they could do and loses credibility with some of their antics and yet...how can the point be made without showing the horrible videos of the puppy mills? Or calves being nailed into their crates for veal?
How do we force change when people just don't want to know what is really happening? And are these causes worth losing friends?
We talked about the things we are involved with, and how both of us as we get older, find ourselves wanting to do things that make a difference in areas we believe in, but that in making any attempt to "make the world a better place" we seem to be losing friends. That is difficult for me. I liked to be be liked (who doesn't?) I pride myself in my ability to use diplomacy to resolve conflict in my work and personal life. I work hard to use verbiage in person and in my writing so as to make my point but not offend. I have always believed in the "you catch more flies with honey than vinegar" and find more people will be on your team if you play this way.
But sometimes, when you become a voice for something you believe in you lose friends.
My Boulder friend is a teacher, and in her many years working with children she has seen the best and the worst scenarios, and has become a voice for those without one in situations of suspected abuse, neglect or extreme family dysfunction. She also speaks up about teaching personal responsibility to kids and their parents and raising expectations without over-rewarding kids for just doing what they ought to to. She's lost a few friends.
Another friend who now lives in California has a child with learning disabilities. While always a great mom, she went from being what most of us would consider a "normal" wife and working mom to an amazing advocate for children with similar disabilities in our public school system. Her being a voice for these kids didn't win her any popularity contests and there were many challenges she faced in getting changes made. But her accomplishments are many in this area and many children (and parents who didn't have the time, dedication or courage) have benefited from her work.
Advocates for people with disabilities, for children, for the elderly, and a bit further back for civil rights or the women's movement did not have it easy. At the very least they were scorned and abandoned by many. At the very worst they were beaten, jailed or killed for their cause. Thank God for the people who were passionate for causes that now, with the hindsight of history--were good.
Over the last 10 years, my eyes have been opened to the unbelievably cruel business of growing animals for food inside factory farms. I have learned that if you make people feel uncomfortable about choices they are making, they get angry. In raising issues that seem very common sense, it is easier to label me as "a crazy liberal or PETA activist" (of which I am neither) than to just have an open mind an listen with the defenses down. If I could beg your indulgence, I ask your indulgence on what I feel are 3 common sense points on my position for animal welfare:
1) Factory Farming. I am NOT telling anyone to stop eating meat. I am asking everyone to get educated on what is being done to our food supply in factory farms. Anyone who does the slightest bit of research, visits a large factory farm, watches the movie Food Inc or the HBO documentary or Meet Your Meat will see that our country's large factory farming practices are corrupting our nations' meat supply and hurting our nation's health. The sidebar is that it is also horrendously cruel to animals. I didn't know then what I know now. Now that I do- I want others to know. I want laws to change. I want our food supply safe. I want animals treated well. And if people choose to eat meat, to support local farmers who raise they animals in a free range environment. Laws need to be passed. I believe if people knew, if they saw what goes on, they would be sickened and would want laws changed. It is the "extremists" who publish hard to watch videos that are helping to get the word out. If you saw a pigs being de-skinned while still alive., or baby calves living in a box with only small holes and no sunlight so they are tender for veal? Or lambs having their legs tied to they don't move? Or chickens de-beaked so they don't poke each other? Or hens in cages so small they can't spread their wings or turn around. Or cows going into the slaughter machine still alive as they are cut up piece by piece. (They are suppose to be "stunned" first-most are not.) If you heard heard the screams--you'd agree there needs to be change.
2) Puppy mills. 7 years ago I bought my purebred Sheltie from a pet store. Many in my life have pure bred dogs from breeders. Many breeders do it right, and treat their animals well. But many don't. So there needs to be more regulation. Pregnant moms in a puppy mill don't lay on the floor of the family room by the fireplace. They are kept pregnant to bear litter after litter and live in a cage their whole lives. Most are euthanized after her 7th, 8th or 10th litter. The Amish in Ohio are known for their extreme cruelty in managing their puppy businesses. Undercover farm hands on an Amish Maltese farm witnessed atrocities that would melt the coldest heart. Many dogs are so in-bred they have numerous health issues and 60% of purebred dogs from puppy mills end up in shelters or worse. I didn't know then what I know now. Reputable breeders suffer from not having laws than punish those that run puppy mills.
I'm for common sense. I'm for doing what's right. But because so many don't, we have to have some regulation. My Republican friends call me a liberal because I want "more legislation" and yet--without legislation for extreme unfairness, whether its for children the elderly, the disabled or for animals with no voice--how do we make change happen?
PETA may negate much of the good they could do and loses credibility with some of their antics and yet...how can the point be made without showing the horrible videos of the puppy mills? Or calves being nailed into their crates for veal?
How do we force change when people just don't want to know what is really happening? And are these causes worth losing friends?
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Musings on a Meat Free Year
Last year, I decided to give up meat for Lent. This February marks one year of my being meat-free. I admit, because I was never a big meat-eater (I mostly ate chicken and an occasional hamburger) I didn't think it would be that difficult. It was, actually, tougher than I thought. Anytime you tell yourself you CAN'T have something, of course, makes you want it more. I've been craving a Swenson's burger from day one!
My reasons for the decision were personal, and when someone would ask, I would share those reasons. But I have tried hard not to come off as preachy, or cause-driven at the least, or judgmental at the worst.
I've eaten meat for 50 years. In the past 2 years, however, I have learned through reading books, articles and watching documentaries on PBS and HBO that like many big businesses there is a great deal of corruption in the factory farming industry in general and the meat industry in particular. So I hope if you decide to read on, you will know that I do not have a problem with people who still choose to eat meat, but just want to share what I have learned because there has been more and more publicity on this subject of late. In fact, this past week, Oprah aired a program on where our meat comes from, and several of my friends said "wow, the stuff exposed on this show is what you have been talking about!".
Like so many industries, the meat industry has gotten very big--Walmart big, and has not had the right kind of regulation. Too much regulation would put restrictions on these companies that would cause a profit loss. So, the big corporations behind these huge factory farms use their money get the lobbyists keep the laws and restrictions light. As this country has witnessed, big business with little regulation can certainly lead to corruption as we've seen in our financial, pharmaceutical, and other industries. For the purpose of profit, livestock has turned into a mass-production business. Problem is, we are eating the results of this mass production, and the results are causing major health issues. Back in the day, cattle used to graze on grass on acres of land. Hens and chickens were cage free. Pigs lived on farms with room to eat and grow. It takes a few years for an animal to grow to an adult so they can be slaughtered for food, and factory farms have found a more profitable way of producing more livestock to grow more quickly.
Many researchers believe (although the stories are squashed) that the reason our young girls are developing breasts and going through puberty as early as 8 years old is due to the hormones in our meat and poultry supply, added to spur quick growth. The antibiotics injected into these animals is adding to the crisis of resistance to disease. There are many studies linking the additives in our food supply, even in the insecticides and pesticides used to grow vegetables inside factory farms, to causing so much of the cancer and autism rates we've seen in the past 10 years.
And INSIDE is the key word. On so many of these farms, calves, cattle, pigs and poultry never see the sun. They never see the outside of a pen. They are born, raised and slaughtered indoors. The same is true for so many of our vegetables. The red, green and yellow peppers that looks so perfect in our stores are artificially colored, and grow inside, under UV lights with additives some researchers say take away their nutritional value.
And if you are still reading, the living conditions of living feeling creatures inside so many (not all) of these farms is heartbreaking, and the slaughter technique used by many big business farms is horrific. There are ways to do a clean kill that are not being practiced. Pigs (one of the most intelligent animals next to humans and chimps) are often thrown into vats alive, to have their hair removed as are many calves. It takes too much time to kill them first. The cattle experience their horns being cut off, multiple brandings, and tagging of ears with staple guns; while pigs have their tails removed, which is excruciating as it is their pain mechanism, so they won't move in their pens for the time they are grown.
I never knew, never wanted to know where the meat I ate came from. I'd go to the grocery store, buy it, cook it and eat it. But now that I know, my passion on the subject, both for the cause of our health, and for animal welfare makes me want to speak out. I am mostly alone in my meat-free lifestyle. There are only 3 other people in my life who do not eat meat. So I am not suggesting no one eat meat anymore. I am suggesting that with a little research, (made easy with the Internet) you can find local farms that raise their animals and grow their produce the old-fashioned way. Supporting those farmers will be healthier for everyone. And you can feel better that the animals were treated humanely and lived a good life.
I know some believe it isn't appropriate to post cause-related subjects or information on a social networking site like Facebook; and that it should only be used for connecting with friends. While I keep learning lessons about how to use new media technology, and I know it has its blessings and curses, overall I believe social networking can be used to foster positive change because it can get information out to so many so quickly. And there are some causes I do believe are worth sharing. When I have posted links and information on animal welfare, or on the controversial Issue 2 last fall, the postings on my wall got intense and a few people were offended. I am sorry about that. And I learned a few lessons. A friend of mine who explained the benefits of Issue 2 (which passed by the way) assures me that its passing will actually help put a stop to some of the abuses in Ohio that were happening. I hope she is right.
I hope social networking can be used for the good, in that useful and thought-provoking information can be shared in a positive, informative, productive and not mean-spirited way. And I will work toward that goal in my future posts.
My reasons for the decision were personal, and when someone would ask, I would share those reasons. But I have tried hard not to come off as preachy, or cause-driven at the least, or judgmental at the worst.
I've eaten meat for 50 years. In the past 2 years, however, I have learned through reading books, articles and watching documentaries on PBS and HBO that like many big businesses there is a great deal of corruption in the factory farming industry in general and the meat industry in particular. So I hope if you decide to read on, you will know that I do not have a problem with people who still choose to eat meat, but just want to share what I have learned because there has been more and more publicity on this subject of late. In fact, this past week, Oprah aired a program on where our meat comes from, and several of my friends said "wow, the stuff exposed on this show is what you have been talking about!".
Like so many industries, the meat industry has gotten very big--Walmart big, and has not had the right kind of regulation. Too much regulation would put restrictions on these companies that would cause a profit loss. So, the big corporations behind these huge factory farms use their money get the lobbyists keep the laws and restrictions light. As this country has witnessed, big business with little regulation can certainly lead to corruption as we've seen in our financial, pharmaceutical, and other industries. For the purpose of profit, livestock has turned into a mass-production business. Problem is, we are eating the results of this mass production, and the results are causing major health issues. Back in the day, cattle used to graze on grass on acres of land. Hens and chickens were cage free. Pigs lived on farms with room to eat and grow. It takes a few years for an animal to grow to an adult so they can be slaughtered for food, and factory farms have found a more profitable way of producing more livestock to grow more quickly.
Many researchers believe (although the stories are squashed) that the reason our young girls are developing breasts and going through puberty as early as 8 years old is due to the hormones in our meat and poultry supply, added to spur quick growth. The antibiotics injected into these animals is adding to the crisis of resistance to disease. There are many studies linking the additives in our food supply, even in the insecticides and pesticides used to grow vegetables inside factory farms, to causing so much of the cancer and autism rates we've seen in the past 10 years.
And INSIDE is the key word. On so many of these farms, calves, cattle, pigs and poultry never see the sun. They never see the outside of a pen. They are born, raised and slaughtered indoors. The same is true for so many of our vegetables. The red, green and yellow peppers that looks so perfect in our stores are artificially colored, and grow inside, under UV lights with additives some researchers say take away their nutritional value.
And if you are still reading, the living conditions of living feeling creatures inside so many (not all) of these farms is heartbreaking, and the slaughter technique used by many big business farms is horrific. There are ways to do a clean kill that are not being practiced. Pigs (one of the most intelligent animals next to humans and chimps) are often thrown into vats alive, to have their hair removed as are many calves. It takes too much time to kill them first. The cattle experience their horns being cut off, multiple brandings, and tagging of ears with staple guns; while pigs have their tails removed, which is excruciating as it is their pain mechanism, so they won't move in their pens for the time they are grown.
I never knew, never wanted to know where the meat I ate came from. I'd go to the grocery store, buy it, cook it and eat it. But now that I know, my passion on the subject, both for the cause of our health, and for animal welfare makes me want to speak out. I am mostly alone in my meat-free lifestyle. There are only 3 other people in my life who do not eat meat. So I am not suggesting no one eat meat anymore. I am suggesting that with a little research, (made easy with the Internet) you can find local farms that raise their animals and grow their produce the old-fashioned way. Supporting those farmers will be healthier for everyone. And you can feel better that the animals were treated humanely and lived a good life.
I know some believe it isn't appropriate to post cause-related subjects or information on a social networking site like Facebook; and that it should only be used for connecting with friends. While I keep learning lessons about how to use new media technology, and I know it has its blessings and curses, overall I believe social networking can be used to foster positive change because it can get information out to so many so quickly. And there are some causes I do believe are worth sharing. When I have posted links and information on animal welfare, or on the controversial Issue 2 last fall, the postings on my wall got intense and a few people were offended. I am sorry about that. And I learned a few lessons. A friend of mine who explained the benefits of Issue 2 (which passed by the way) assures me that its passing will actually help put a stop to some of the abuses in Ohio that were happening. I hope she is right.
I hope social networking can be used for the good, in that useful and thought-provoking information can be shared in a positive, informative, productive and not mean-spirited way. And I will work toward that goal in my future posts.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Communication Advice... from Mom
I recall a piece of advice my mom gave me years ago, when I was in grade school school. After a crackdown on note writing in class where teachers would catch note passers and read notes aloud she said "don't ever write anything down on a piece of paper you wouldn't want read in front of the whole class." In this age of digital communication and Instant-everything, from texts to Facebook posts, Tweets, Snapchats, and email (which is almost old-school) the advice rings truer than ever, but now its "don't post anything you don't want read across the world in an instant.",
Innocent notes passed in class in 6th grade have turned into "sexting". Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat has kids who don't have the maturity to understand the consequence of their words and digital actions has them making mistakes that could follow them a lifetime. Online bullying is at an all time high with consequences that often end in life-change, or life-ending results. Anyone in IT will you delete doesn't really mean delete. Once is posted, tweeted or sent, it's out there forever, and can come back to haunt you. If its profound and good, all the better, but if its not... well, ask any number of celebrities and politicians who have gotten caught with their pants down (so to speak).
So what to do when you have a thought, an opinion, a frustration that you just have to vent?
I have a technique I've shared with my kids and others others that has worked for me and it's cheaper than therapy. When I was young, I found that whenever I was extremely passionate about something...whether I was working through a decision, was very upset or sad, or especially angry with someone, I would express it by writing it down. On paper. Most of the time, I would vent, cry, and rant and then, I'd go outside and light the paper I wrote everything on and watch it burn. The negativity would go up in smoke and I would mentally let it go. It now seems rather Zen-like. Hmmm maybe I was ahead of my time!
I believe its a technique that still works, although through the years I've adapted it to the computer. When I'm making a difficult decision I write down the pros and cons...in a word document--not online or in an email or a post. Whether it relates to a job, a money issue, or more importantly, how to talk to someone about a difficult issue; personal or professional--writing your thoughts down gives you the chance to state your entire thought process with no interruption or argument. Then, walk away from the document. Wait on it. Mediate on it. Pray on it. Maybe for an hour, maybe 24.
I often find when I re-read my words, I can see how they may be taken if I was the recipient. I can edit your my message, see how often I repeat my point (something I am guilty of) and I see clearly the way I handle myself when upset, angry or struggling through something. Sometimes I read what I've written and think "wow" I came off like a jerk and I'm so glad I didn't have that conversation then! If it was a purchase I was considering, I often don't want it the next day, or, conversely, I still do, and feel better it wasn't an impulse. Often, a good night sleep changes the way I look at something, and 24 hours later, it just doesn't seem that important.
In this age of instant communication we need to slow down and work through it. Giving your thoughts more time can prevent a lot of damage. To ourselves, our relationships, maybe even our finances. Maybe there are some things that were better about the way Mom use to do it.
Innocent notes passed in class in 6th grade have turned into "sexting". Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat has kids who don't have the maturity to understand the consequence of their words and digital actions has them making mistakes that could follow them a lifetime. Online bullying is at an all time high with consequences that often end in life-change, or life-ending results. Anyone in IT will you delete doesn't really mean delete. Once is posted, tweeted or sent, it's out there forever, and can come back to haunt you. If its profound and good, all the better, but if its not... well, ask any number of celebrities and politicians who have gotten caught with their pants down (so to speak).
So what to do when you have a thought, an opinion, a frustration that you just have to vent?
I have a technique I've shared with my kids and others others that has worked for me and it's cheaper than therapy. When I was young, I found that whenever I was extremely passionate about something...whether I was working through a decision, was very upset or sad, or especially angry with someone, I would express it by writing it down. On paper. Most of the time, I would vent, cry, and rant and then, I'd go outside and light the paper I wrote everything on and watch it burn. The negativity would go up in smoke and I would mentally let it go. It now seems rather Zen-like. Hmmm maybe I was ahead of my time!
I believe its a technique that still works, although through the years I've adapted it to the computer. When I'm making a difficult decision I write down the pros and cons...in a word document--not online or in an email or a post. Whether it relates to a job, a money issue, or more importantly, how to talk to someone about a difficult issue; personal or professional--writing your thoughts down gives you the chance to state your entire thought process with no interruption or argument. Then, walk away from the document. Wait on it. Mediate on it. Pray on it. Maybe for an hour, maybe 24.
I often find when I re-read my words, I can see how they may be taken if I was the recipient. I can edit your my message, see how often I repeat my point (something I am guilty of) and I see clearly the way I handle myself when upset, angry or struggling through something. Sometimes I read what I've written and think "wow" I came off like a jerk and I'm so glad I didn't have that conversation then! If it was a purchase I was considering, I often don't want it the next day, or, conversely, I still do, and feel better it wasn't an impulse. Often, a good night sleep changes the way I look at something, and 24 hours later, it just doesn't seem that important.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Tree of Lights
If you live, have worked or driven through the West Market Street corridor in Akron, between West Point Market and Acme over the years, you've probably noticed the long strands of twinkling lights that adorn the Akron Radio Center every holiday season.
Those 5,000 bulbs strung diagonally 3 stories high in the shape of a tree, with the beautiful star on top is more than just a festive annual holiday display. Each and every bulb represents a $5 donation, and every penny benefits Haven Of Rest Ministries here in Akron.
This Thursday through Saturday December 3rd through the 5th, members of the WQMX staff are holding our annual Tree Of Lights Radiothon. It's our goal to light every bulb on the tree and the star on top to beat last year's goal of $30,000 raised for Haven Of Rest Ministries.
Haven Of Rest provides food, clothing, shelter and educational programs to needy and homeless men, women and children. The Haven gets no money from the government, and relies on donations from generous business owners, corporations and individuals like you and me.
The Akron Radio center is the home of 3 great Akron radio stations 94.9 FM WQMX. 97.5 FM WONE, and 1590 AM WAKR, as well as the online news source for Akron: www.akronnewsnow.com. It is very important to the owner of these radio stations, Thom Mandel, that his stations support worthy causes in the community all year long. At this time of year, especially, when the weather turns cold, and thoughts are focused on giving, Thom's country station 94.9 WQMX presents the this extra special fund-raiser in the hopes hearts will be touched to give to this worthy organization.
A side note on the Tree Of Lights: country music fans may remember the legendary Akron country radio station, WSLR. Years ago, then program director Nick Anthony coordinated some of the first Tree Of Lights campaigns with the legendary disc jockey Jaybird Drennan, along with Rick Carderelli and my late husband Phil Cordle; broadcasting from the O'Neil's department store window in downtown Akron. Years later Nick brought the concept back to life as the Senior VP of Programming here at WQMX. For me, personally, it is wonderful to be a part of the Akron tradition that my husband was also a part of...while raising money for such a great cause.
If you'd like to help, you can donate to the Haven Of Rest by phone at 877-535-1563 or you can stop by the station until 7pm these next 3 days and make your donation in person. We're at 1795 West Market Street in West Akron.
God bless you for your support, whether it be financial or prayful.
Those 5,000 bulbs strung diagonally 3 stories high in the shape of a tree, with the beautiful star on top is more than just a festive annual holiday display. Each and every bulb represents a $5 donation, and every penny benefits Haven Of Rest Ministries here in Akron.
This Thursday through Saturday December 3rd through the 5th, members of the WQMX staff are holding our annual Tree Of Lights Radiothon. It's our goal to light every bulb on the tree and the star on top to beat last year's goal of $30,000 raised for Haven Of Rest Ministries.
Haven Of Rest provides food, clothing, shelter and educational programs to needy and homeless men, women and children. The Haven gets no money from the government, and relies on donations from generous business owners, corporations and individuals like you and me.
The Akron Radio center is the home of 3 great Akron radio stations 94.9 FM WQMX. 97.5 FM WONE, and 1590 AM WAKR, as well as the online news source for Akron: www.akronnewsnow.com. It is very important to the owner of these radio stations, Thom Mandel, that his stations support worthy causes in the community all year long. At this time of year, especially, when the weather turns cold, and thoughts are focused on giving, Thom's country station 94.9 WQMX presents the this extra special fund-raiser in the hopes hearts will be touched to give to this worthy organization.
A side note on the Tree Of Lights: country music fans may remember the legendary Akron country radio station, WSLR. Years ago, then program director Nick Anthony coordinated some of the first Tree Of Lights campaigns with the legendary disc jockey Jaybird Drennan, along with Rick Carderelli and my late husband Phil Cordle; broadcasting from the O'Neil's department store window in downtown Akron. Years later Nick brought the concept back to life as the Senior VP of Programming here at WQMX. For me, personally, it is wonderful to be a part of the Akron tradition that my husband was also a part of...while raising money for such a great cause.
If you'd like to help, you can donate to the Haven Of Rest by phone at 877-535-1563 or you can stop by the station until 7pm these next 3 days and make your donation in person. We're at 1795 West Market Street in West Akron.
God bless you for your support, whether it be financial or prayful.
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