THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2019 JOSHUA LOTT/AFP/GETTY IMAGES LIFE & TRADITION

ONCE HE FOUND HIS FAITH, NOTHING SUZANNE WAS EVER THE SAME. VENKER IS ‘THE FEMINIST FIXER’ Her ultimate mission: keeping families together and marriages strong B5 3 WAYS TO BRING LESSONS FROM A LIFE- THE OUTDOORS B2 CHANGING TEACHER INSIDE B10

Remi Adeleke FROM NIGERIAN ROYALTY TO BRONX HUSTLER TO NAVY SEAL AND ACTOR B6

From Nigerian royalty to Bronx hustler to Navy SEAL and actor B2 THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2019 THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2019 B3

HALFPOINT/SHUTTERSTOCK Kristi Clover Is a M.O.M., ‘Master Organizer of Mayhem’ Advice on getting organized and homeschooling

COURTESY OF KRISTI CLOVER BARBARA DANZA good phonics program and from pretty much every- their homes look lived in, math program. thing I did online. especially in busy seasons Author, content creator, Then, create a simple unit I can only juggle so many that seem to accompany and homeschooling mom study for the other subjects. things well, at one time. So #momlife. However, I also of five Kristi Clover encour- A unit study is picking one I prioritize and just do what want them to have practi- ages other moms to get topic to base all your other I can do. There are seasons cal advice and systems to organized and create more subjects on. So if your child when it seems easier to get implement to help them be joy in their lives through loves airplanes, you would more done at once. There more efficient in managing her books, podcast, online study the history and sci- are also times when I have their homes. I really think courses, and YouTube ence of planes. Borrow a to pull back completely in this book will be a breath channel. bunch of books from your order to maintain balance of fresh air to moms in all Clover sat down with The local library and enjoy for my family and myself. stages of life. Epoch Times to tell us just learning more about them. how she does it all. Write stories or essays on THE EPOCH TIMES: You talk a THE EPOCH TIMES: As a very the subject. You could also lot about organization and busy mom, what organi- THE EPOCH TIMES: You home- take a field trip to a local joy. How do you think the zational habits or practices school your five children. airport or talk with a friend two are related? have you found to be espe- What led you to decide to who is a pilot. Add to the MS. CLOVER: Most people cially important in order homeschool, and how has fun by learning how to would probably agree to keep that joy in your homeschooling benefited sketch an airplane, watch that chaos and joy are not family? your family? a movie or documentary synonymous. What I’ve MS. CLOVER: Prioritizing! I KRISTI CLOVER: There are about planes, and make discovered is that when my guess I kind of gave that so many reasons that we some airplane-shaped house isn’t adding to my away earlier. It’s one of the decided to homeschool our snacks. Food is always a stress level and filling up early chapters in my book: kids. We love that we’re great way to create memo- too much of my to-do list, I “Don’t Forget Your Top able to tailor each child’s ries around anything you can more readily enjoy time Priorities.” education to their interests are studying. at home. It’s totally possible There are always going and strengths, as well as Of course, I’d also en- to have joy in all kinds of to be times when life is to their needs. If they need courage folks considering circumstances, but it comes busy and the house will more time to learn a subject, homeschooling to read more easily when my house be harder to keep straight- then we can slow down and “Homeschool Basics.” It’s a Author Kristi Clover. isn’t overwhelming me and ened up to your normal work on it as long as it takes book that my friend Tricia based on my most popular those who live here. standards. So during those for them to truly under- Goyer and I wrote together video about homeschool seasons, I’ve had to learn to stand it. The opposite is to answer questions just organization. THE EPOCH TIMES: Your new lower my expectations and true as well. If they quickly like this to help parents “Homeschool Basics” fol- book is coming out soon. be okay with it. grasp the concept, then we figure out the ins and outs lowed the next year. How- What can you tell us The key is that my faith can move on more quickly. of homeschooling. ever, it wasn’t until early about it? and my family are my two Our gifts to loved ones and friends can be as small as a bouquet of flowers to a wife, a letter of love and appreciation to a parent, an ice cream treat to a child. My older boys have shown My faith and 2018 that I finally turned in MS. CLOVER: Yes! “M.O.M. = top priorities. My home is talent in writing and pho- THE EPOCH TIMES: What made my family are the book proposal for my Master Organizer of May- the hub where I do try to tography, so we create more you get started creating dream book, titled after hem: Simple Solutions to bless my family, but not at opportunities for them to content online and writing my two top my very first moms’ group Organize Chaos and Bring the expense of my sanity or practice those skills. books? workshop—“M.O.M. = Mas- More Joy into Your Home” is my time with them. In the MS. CLOVER: I started speak- priorities. ter Organizer of Mayhem.” coming out Sept. 3! book, I share how I redefine THE EPOCH TIMES: What advice ing at moms’ groups back This book is all about organization. To me, it’s Unexpected Gift, Kristi Clover, author would you give parents who when my oldest two boys and homeschooling THE EPOCH TIMES: You’ve cre- helping moms create more about creating efficiency in are thinking about home- were only in preschool. It mom of five ated so many encouraging efficiency in their homes. my home in order to create schooling their kids? Where sparked a passion for en- resources for moms—es- Kids add a completely dif- more time for my family should they start? couraging moms. pecially homeschooling ferent dynamic to trying and my other priorities. MS. CLOVER: Start with what I’d always been interested moms. You probably get this to stay on top of the daily Now, here’s a bonus tip: Unexpected Time you’re excited about teach- in writing, so I started blog- all the time, but how do you mess that naturally hap- You can prioritize your ing or what your kids are ging as a hobby in 2014. I do it all? pens in a home. Most moms household to-dos. I like interested in learning. Too discovered YouTube and MS. CLOVER: Ha! Yes, I do! carry around this weight having tidy floors and clean JEFF MINICK Soon these guests, all of whom I knew, him of your love and what his hard work many people get bogged live video and fell in love The big secret is that I don’t that they need to have it all toilets. My husband likes were streaming through the front door. means to the family may warm a discour- down with finding the with that platform, and do it all at the same time. together and keep the house clear counters and know- n the movie “Finding Forrester,” a When my 40th Several of them gave me strange looks as aged heart. To say to your 10-year-old af- perfect curriculum to use found that my audience When I’m podcasting, I’m looking perfect as much ing that we have a plan for reclusive novelist gives this tip to they entered the house. Some of them, I ter supper, “Let’s saddle up, Johnny,” and for every subject that they wanted more details about usually not creating You- as possible. It can be quite dinner (even if it’s pizza). So his young protégée: “The key to a birthday was was certain, had little connection with drive him without notice to the bowling want to teach. Sometimes, how I homeschooled and Tube videos. When I was overwhelming. when push comes to shove, woman’s heart is an unexpected gift approaching, our hosts. At one point, I slipped into a alley or a movie will provide him with a it’s best to start with a few organized my family. So I writing “M.O.M.,” I took I want moms to un- those are the things that get at an unexpected time.” hallway and asked my friend Wanda, memory he will long cherish. That young basics for curriculum, like a created an online course almost nine months off derstand that it’s okay if done in our home. INow there’s a piece of worthy advice— my wife asked “Why are we here?” woman in your office expects a present and not just applicable to women. “I don’t know, Jeff,” Wanda said. “Why at Christmas—a bonus, a gift card—but When my 40th birthday was approach- me what are we here?” you can make her day in April with some COURTESY OF BOISE BOYS ing, my wife asked me what I wanted. “A I wanted. This weird answer chilled me. By the comparable offering. surprise party,” I replied. time Julie summoned everyone into the Unexpected gifts, unexpected times. Throwing a surprise party presents ‘A surprise living room, my stomach had twisted into We can even give such gifts to ourselves. 3 Ways to Bring the Outdoors Inside obvious difficulties when the recipient party,’ one enormous knot. Kris and I were clearly One catch: Only those with “eyes to see requests such an event, but Kris found the center of attention. Was this some sort and ears to hear” can unwrap these pres- Tips from Luke Caldwell, host of HGTV’s “Boise Boys” and co-owner of home renovation and design company Timber and Love a way. Around noon on my birthday I replied. of intervention? Had I run naked down ents. In Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” a she and the three kids marched into the Main Street while sleeping? Had I un- young woman who has died is permitted to Finding ways to bring the outdoors inside creates this wonderful organic connection between your home and bookstore we owned on Main Street and knowingly broken some social code? revisit one day in her life. She picks her 12th nature. In my own home, I try to do this in a few different ways: presented me with a miniature cake. They Now, a step back: earlier that month, birthday, and is soon shocked and saddened sang Happy Birthday, I blew out the single several friends had encouraged me to go by the blindness of human beings to the candle, and thanked them. I figured that to the art gallery on Main Street and view miracles of ordinary life. At one point she was my surprise. a painting of our bed and breakfast by addresses the Stage Manager: I was wrong. Asheville artist Ann Vasilik. Eventually, Emily: “Does anyone ever realize life Fresh flowers. It may seem obvious, As I was closing the shop, Kris and crew I viewed the painting—I had no idea our while they live it … every, every minute?” but nothing brings elegance to your pulled up on the street outside. In the car B&B had attracted an artist’s brush—and Stage Manager: “No. Saints and poets home as simply, yet relatively inex- behind her were my sister, brother-in- the unusual angle Vasilik had chosen, maybe ... they do some.” pensively, as flowers. They are always law, and their two little ones. “Hop in,” exposing the ramshackle soul of our old Few of us are saints and poets, and none a mood-lifter, the smell is fresh, Kris said, and whisked us off to McDon- house, intrigued me. I also viewed the of us can realize life every minute, but green, and floral, and the colors are a ald’s, which is where you dine when price tag, shook my head, and walked sometimes a happy accident or force of natural accent to our décor. money is scarce as a desert rain and you back across the street. will can remove us from the trenches of KSENIA MAKAGONOVA/UNSPLASH have little ones in tow. I enjoyed visiting That painting was the purpose of the the daily grind, open our senses to the with my sister and her husband, thanked party. Julie carried it from the next room, mysteries and magic of the world, and everyone for the surprise dinner, and an- held it high, and spoke some words I could allow us respite from our cares and the ticipated an uneventful evening at home. scarcely comprehend. All those people, refreshment of our souls. Incorporating a rustic, Wrong again. some with a good deal of money, some An example: You’ve woken from reclaimed-wood dining table. These two surprises were feints. When poor as the proverbial church mice, had a night of restless sleep and terrible My wife and I love our beautiful, we pulled into the driveway of our bed- chipped in and bought the painting for us. dreams. You’re financially strapped, worn wood table. It brings soul, and-breakfast, I was stunned to find the To this day, it hangs in the home where I the bills are piling up, and you’re just character, warmth, and a sense SHAWN ANG/UNSPLASH of history into our home. parking lot and the lot of the business live, with the names of the donors at- trying to feed the kids and keep a roof ANNIE SPRATT/UNSPLASH next door jammed with cars. Inside the tached to the back. over their heads. Worried sick, you sit on house were some 30 friends and family Unexpected gift, unexpected time. the back deck of your home with a cup members, all ready for a party. It was an These surprises were grand gestures, of coffee. Wearily, you close your eyes, unforgettable birthday. to be sure, but our gifts to loved ones open them, and absorb your surround- Unexpected gift, unexpected time. and friends can be as small as a bouquet ings. For just that moment, your anxiet- In early September of the following year, of flowers to a wife, a letter of love and ies disappear, and along with your cof- my mother died. She was not only Mom, but appreciation to a parent, an ice cream fee, you sip in the morning’s pleasures: a best friend, a confidante to whom I spoke treat to a child. Such simple presents can blue skies, cool air, a slight breeze, and Potting fruit trees. We actually have weekly by phone, a woman who had never brighten the day, bring a smile, spark birdsong. a thriving avocado tree in our home, wavered in her love and support for me. Her romance, and make a memory. Unexpected gift, unexpected time. and we love the look and feel it lends passing left me bereft, slogging through the So often we become caught up in the A key to the heart. to the ambiance. It’s super easy to care for and fresh guacamole is only a days like a man in chains. frantic race of day-to-day life that we About six weeks later, another couple forget the power of the gift. A dozen roses Jeff Minick has four children and a few feet away at any given time! Gifting roses on Valentine’s asked Kris and me to supper, I assumed out to a woman on Valentine’s Day is a nice growing platoon of grandchildren. For PU FAR/UNSPLASH Day is a nice gesture but of sympathy for my loss. We arrived at the with little kick, but the same gesture but with little kick, whereas this 20 years, he taught history, literature, appointed time to find a long table laden bouquet delivered in the same bouquet delivered in the middle of and Latin to seminars of homeschooling with delicacies. “We invited a few other middle of July on no special July on no special occasion might rattle students in Asheville, N.C. Today, he people,” Julie told us as she ushered us into occasion might rattle the the Richter scale of emotions. To leave a lives and writes in Front Royal, Va. See the living room. Richter scale of emotions. letter on your husband’s pillow telling JeffMinick.com to follow his blog. B4 THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2019 THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2019 B5

ANNIE SPRATT/UNSPLASH FREESTOCKS.ORG/UNSPLASH dry was the most boring thing she could imagine. Get Excited How we react to boredom interests nearly all these researchers and writers. In “The Meaning of Boredom,” psychologist About Heather C. Lench writes that “boredom creates a ‘seeking state’ that motivates Boredom people to seek out new situations and stimuli.” Though they don’t use the term “seeking state,” all the investigators of Creativity and self- boredom believe that malaise does indeed Suzanne Venker Is sufficiency eventually breed creativity. Folding pajamas and matching socks emerge out of drawn- may bore Sarah, but while she is doing out tedium so, she is planning the details of Jackson’s upcoming birthday or considering the ‘The Feminist Fixer’ colors she intends for the repainting of the JEFF MINICK living room. Tom’s bout with boredom Her ultimate mission: Keeping families together will eventually lead him into that seek- and marriages strong School’s out, and the kids—Tom, Caroline, ing state. Perhaps he’ll ask Sarah if he and Jackson—are home full time for the can invite a friend over, or build a fort of summer. Their mother, Sarah, has sched- blankets and ropes in the playroom, or uled a week of soccer camp for Tom and learn a magic trick from the book his dad Caroline, and in August, the family will gave him for Christmas. travel to the beach for a vacation, but oth- An old adage states, “Only boring people erwise, the kids will spend most of their get bored.” This is not quite true. Most of days at home. us get bored. In the first week or so of their summer The writers of these articles would break, the siblings are delighted to be free instead contend that “only boring people of classrooms, textbooks, and teachers. No stay bored.” longer do they have to stagger to the van Which leads us to another benefit of al- in the wee hours of the morning under a lowing Tom his boredom: self-sufficiency. book bag that weighs nearly as much as In “The Virtues of Boredom in an Anxious they do. No longer are they tormented by Age,” Joseph Sunde examines the role the agonies of common core math class boredom plays in “fostering true resil- or by the dreary minutes of sitting after iency and creativity.” He quotes Pamela supper at the kitchen table doing their Paul’s New York Times article “Let the homework. Children Get Bored Again,” where Paul Then the day comes when that terrible notes, “Boredom teaches us that life isn’t a serpent, acedia, enters this summertime parade of amusements ... more important, paradise. it spawns creativity and self-sufficiency. It’s mid-afternoon, and the heat and ... Boredom is something to experience humidity in the backyard could boil rather than hastily swipe away. ... Bore- an egg. Nine-year-old Tom has used up dom is useful. It’s good for you.” his allotted time for television and the By finding his own way out of his computer. Now he drifts from room to boredom rather than with the help of his room like a wraith, picking up a book mother or, as is the case with so many and putting it down, rolling the drawing adults, by means of electronic entertain- COURTESY OF SUZANNE VENKER pencils in his fingers and putting them ment—television, computers, phones—Tom CATHERINE YANG by the patriarchy. In Venker’s books, articles, “I really want people who have sort of fig- back on the sketch pad, looking at the By finding their way out of boredom, children learn independence and how to deal with a problem. is learning independence and how to podcast, and radio show, she cites statistics ured out that what they’ve done isn’t work- puzzle he started yesterday and shaking deal with a problem. He is exercising the few years ago, Suzanne Venker and stories that show this just isn’t true. ing, and they don’t know exactly know why his head. He refuses to play Candy Land self-sufficiency that Pamela Paul, Joseph was on a plane when she saw a it wasn’t, and they’re willing and ready to do with 7-year-old Caroline and their 5-year- slip it into the conversation.) articles on why we benefit from boredom. Sunde, and others promote. flight attendant crouched in the Motherhood anything they can to turn it around,” Venker old brother—“It’s a game for babies,” he Of course, Sarah might resort to that old After reading half a dozen of these When we fill up our children’s days with back, reading a book. As she got Venker has been writing for about 20 years, said. tells himself—and he stands surveying his chestnut my mom used. When I com- pieces, I discovered some common ground activities and entertainments, we not only closer, she recognized it was one but she didn’t start out writing about femi- Venker says it boils down to women’s partially constructed Lego village as if plained of boredom, Mom would stop as to why these researchers and commen- take away those hours of free play neces- Aof hers, and the two of them had a moment nism. mindsets. It makes a world of difference. For he’d never seen it before. whatever she was doing—as the mother of tators find value in tedium. sary for growth and the imagination, we of excitement. She had been an English teacher and ini- instance, someone who is constantly look- His rambles take him into the kitchen, six, she was always doing something—raise First, after noting that many children also remove the valuable lessons boredom But the encounter also felt a little sad, be- tially sat down to write about her experi- ing for reasons to accuse their partner of where Sarah is wiping down the counter- an eyebrow at me, and say, “Well, if you’re have a weapon against boredom in their teaches: that peaks of excitement are often cause the reader felt she had to hide what ences in the classroom, but then her personal prejudice is going to have a vastly different tops. Tom slips onto one of the stools, puts bored, I’ll find something for you to do.” phones and tablets, an array of amuse- followed by valleys of the humdrum, that she was reading, as if she couldn’t let anyone life took a detour. She became a mother and relationship than someone who sees their his elbows on the breakfast bar, wraps his So even though boredom and my boyhood ments at their fingertips, these commen- we deliver ourselves from those valleys find out. started writing about motherhood. relationship as a collaboration in which they cheeks in his hands, and unleashes that self were well acquainted, I soon learned to tators are universally opposed to such through willpower and imagination, and “I feel like I’m speaking for the silent group “It was about the early years and staying are also personally responsible. dread pronouncement: “Mom, I’m bored.” keep my mental lethargy to myself. a circus of constant entertainment. It that we, not others, are ultimately respon- who can’t just speak themselves, because home,” Venker said. Then, she realized that She wants to help women get out of “victim So what does Sarah do? Or Sarah could just say, “Well, some teaches, they argue, the wrong life lesson sible for our interior moods. they’ll lose friends,” Venker said. “So I just in order to say what she wanted to say, she mode” and realize the ball is in their court. Suzanne Venker. She might offer suggestions to relieve people think boredom is good for you.” to our young people. Nearly all of us, at say it for them, because I don’t care and they had to start with feminism and its role in “Women have always been my focus and Tom’s malaise: running through a sprin- And she would be right. one time or another, find ourselves adrift Jeff Minick has four children and a need support—and it’s just wrong that they shaping our perspective on motherhood. She concern, because when you’re talking about kler in the baking heat of the backyard, If you Google “the virtue of boredom,” in the doldrums, caught up in dull but growing platoon of grandchildren. For don’t have it.” included just one small chapter at the begin- relationships, they’re really the relationship writing a letter to Grandma, breaking out you will find a score of articles proclaim- necessary chores or work. Children who 20 years, he taught history, literature, Venker, an author of relationship advice ning on the topic. navigators, meaning they set the standards his box of toy soldiers and setting them up ing the value of ennui. The Child Creativ- fail to learn that lesson are missing a criti- and Latin to seminars of homeschooling books, is perhaps better known as “The Femi- “But the theme of that just kept on, be- and men have no choice but to go along with on the dining room table, tidying up the ity Lab, the Acton Institute, Benjamin cal part of their education. Had Tom asked students in Asheville, N.C. Today, he nist Fixer.” cause it’s really never left the news. I think what they want,” Venker said. closet in his room. (That last is least likely Franklin Circles, The Virtue Blog, The his mother whether she was ever bored, lives and writes in Front Royal, Va. See it’s more in the news now than it was be- “It’s definitely everyone’s problem, because to fly, but as a woman of hope, Sarah might Atlantic—these and other websites feature she might tell him that folding the laun- JeffMinick.com to follow his blog. Debunking Feminism fore, it’s morphed into something bigger,” it hurts men and women and children, be- The women in Venker’s family have been Venker said. cause men do best when they’re married and highly educated, professionally accomplished Women have “It’s so inculcated into the culture, you children do best with two married parents,” women, as well as dedicated mothers and don’t even have to label it anymore, it’s just she said. “However, I think it’s more harmful wives. always been in the air. Women think a certain way be- for women.” DIGITAL LIFE “Their lives represent what feminists say my focus cause women have been conditioned to think Many readers have asked her to write a book women are supposed to be doing and sup- a certain way,” she said. As a result, when for men, but she says there is ultimately not are all infinitely better ways erything besides messaging posed to look like ... they weren’t typical like and concern, she says things like “Men and women aren’t much they can do. Venker points to courtship to spend your first waking and the actual phone func- most women of the day,” Venker said. “[But equal as in the same, or interchangeable,” it throughout history, when women decided Is Your Phone Hindering Your Parenting? moments. tion, essentially turning they] were not feminist in the least, in terms because comes off as provocative. marriage was the goal, and men went along How to spend less time on your phone and more time with your family Likewise, nighttime your “smart” phone into a of their value system or their ideology.” when you’re Venker’s message wasn’t popular then, with it. Then values shifted in with the sexual phone usage, even after “dumb,” or “feature” phone. They were conservative, or classically lib- talking about when she dealt with five years of rejections revolution of the ‘60s and ‘70s, and men went ANTONIODIAZ/SHUTTERSTOCK the kiddos have gone to eral, rather than politically progressive, as to publish her first book, and it isn’t popu - along with it. BARBARA DANZA phone problem in the bud. bed, can negatively impact Enlist Your Family’s Help the modern feminist movement is. relationships, lar now. The difference is that now there are Her honest assessment is that things are Can you imagine letting your sleep and your mood. Tackling this issue openly “And I think today, certainly, it’s clear that many more outlets to reach people, and she getting worse now, not better. For all the talk and concern this silly device get in the Charge your phone in an- can be a great teaching op- if you’re not on [the feminist] side of the issue, they’re no longer needs to go through as many gate- “I’m really, really, actually really worried. we hear about the amount way of the goals and dreams other room and don’t touch portunity for your children. you don’t get to speak,” Venker said. really the keepers. There is real concern, that’s what keeps me of time kids spend staring at you have for your family? it for the rest of the night. Admit to your family that Venker, who wasn’t brought up as a femi- A turning point came in 2010, when her op- going,” Venker said. screens, parents are waking Do you ever want your Enjoy your life and your you’ve become a bit too nist, says she could see where culture had relationship ed “The War on Men” became one of the most- Venker has two children of her own, a son up to the hard realization children to be interpreting family right there in front attached to your digital gone wrong. Feminism was feeding society navigators, read opinion pieces on the Fox News site. It and a daughter who is off to college. She says that their own screen time your phone use as “that’s of you. Allow your mind to device. Explain why that’s a a lie, and we ate it up. That lie then produced catapulted her into being a voice on the topic they’ve benefited from her unusual role and may be an even bigger issue. more important than me?” rest and time to slow down. negative thing. Explain the unhappy women, leading to unhappy men, meaning of gender relations, drawing responses from as a result are quite clear about gender rela- No parent wants to look Of course not. Recall this An example of a rule you steps you’re taking to alter and unhappy families. they set the across the gamut. People write responses to tions, but many parents are at a loss for what back at their kids’ child- conversation with yourself might set up for yourself your habits and ask for their What feminism has done today is devalue the piece in online essays to this day. to do when they realize their children have hood and think, “I wish when you find yourself slip- could be to not touch your help. everything intrinsic to women, Venker ex- standards and Venker doesn’t mind drawing ire. She bought into feminist lies already. I’d spent less time on my ping back into old habits. phone until after noon each You’ll find motivation and plained. For instance, women are made to men have no says even in high school, she was often “They don’t realize all these years what phone.” Yet all too often the day. Likewise, perhaps you accountability, and they’ll feel negatively about everything from want- the “fall guy.” the culture was selling their kids,” Venker carefully engineered bells Monitor Your Screen Time agree to plug it in away from learn a positive lesson about ing to be married, or to be a mother, or to be choice but to “Keeping families strong, keeping marriage said. Parents probably aren’t aware of the and icons call our attention Use your phone’s screen the morning. your bedroom at 6 p.m. or the type of relationship monogamous in a relationship; and if they and family strong, keeping families together extent—it’s in the movies, television, music away from our families and monitoring tools or a If your phone is on your before dinner each night. they’ll later choose to have decide to work fewer hours to be with their go along with is my ultimate mission,” Venker said. “And to videos, news, and so on, or if they are they over to texts, email, a news similar app of your choice nightstand, and it’s the first Set the limits that work with technology. children, it’s a choice they feel they should what they fight back against anything that undermines don’t know how to counteract that. alert, or our various social and understand how much No parent thing you reach for in the best for you and your be ashamed about. that goal of marriage and family.” Her recommendation is to talk about these media feeds. time you’re truly spend- morning (as opposed to say, family. Keep at It She points to the ‘70s-era, left-leaning want. topics in the home—pop culture, sex, rela- Each time, the message to ing plugged in. It may be wants to your spouse), you may want It may surprise you how movement to “make the personal political.” Suzanne Venker It’s Society’s Problem tionships, money, marriage, divorce, etc.— our children is clear: “This is shocking at first, but you’ll to rethink that arrange- Declutter Your Screen challenging it can be to cre- Venker says that much of the feminist in- But Venker doesn’t write about politics. She because once they’re out of the house, the more important.” have data that you can look back at ment. You’re giving away What are those apps ate new habits around your formation that gets trickled down to the av- addresses her books directly to women who parent really has no more opportunity to The first step, as they say, measure over time and see their kids’ your fresh mental energy that you keep going back digital devices. The addic- erage person is just that. What most people are trying to find happiness. influence them. is admitting there’s a prob- real improvement on going to whatever your phone is to—Facebook, Instagram, tion is real. don’t realize is the real movers and shakers of Her writing is practical; she speaks to Venker’s fifth and latest full-length book, lem. If you’d like to spend forward. childhood and delivering to your mind. YouTube, Twitter, Netflix? So, if you fall back into the movement had rather destructive back- women who don’t understand why they’re “Women Who Win at Love: How to Build less time on your phone and think, ‘I wish News reports, overnight What would happen if your old ways, don’t beat grounds—broken homes where they learned not in a relationship, mothers and wives a Relationship That Lasts,” is coming out more time with your family, Set Rules for Yourself texts, email, social media you deleted those apps from yourself up. Keep trying. Go to model broken relationships, and mothers who don’t understand why their marriage this year. here are some strategies to Unless you’re going I’d spent less feeds—they come at you at your phone? Would you be back to reviewing your big- who told their daughters not to suffer the way is suddenly full of conflict, successful career “I’m going to do more group work than consider. cold turkey—those old flip lightning speed and start totally lost not knowing picture why and practicing they did, because they truly suffered outside women who’ve been divorced more times writing, and I have a new radio show,” Ven- phones are looking better time on my you off down the digital what was going on or would better habits that work for of the norm. than they’d like to admit, and so on. Ven- ker said. “That’s where I’m taking my focus Assess the Big Picture and better each day—set phone.’ rabbit hole before you even it feel a bit more peaceful? you and your family. “Rather than dealing with them on a per- ker wants to guide them toward happier for the longer term.” Think for a moment about parameters for your device get out of bed. Why not try and see? Don’t let some of the best sonal level, they lash out at society, and want- relationships. And starting in November, she’s taking her how you’d like your little usage. Many people find Exercise, meditation, Delete apps and leave only moments in life be lost ed society to change because they believe “I don’t want to talk till I’m blue in the face message to college campuses. ones’ childhood to be. Then it helpful to not use their journaling, saying good what is essential. on you because you were society was to blame,” Venker said. Modern to somebody who’s not ready to hear it. That’s “College campuses are in desperate need of consider what you might phone in bed and to not look morning to your family, Want to take it a step distracted by a back-lit rect- feminism can be summed up as this: Ameri- like talking to an alcoholic who’s not ready relationship education, because it’s really a regret if you don’t nip this at their phone first thing in and literally doing nothing further? Delete almost ev- angle. Keep at it. can women are downtrodden and oppressed to give it up,” Venker said. mess on campuses right now,” Venker said. B6 THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2019 THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2019 B7

TIMOTHY HIATT/GETTY IMAGES FOR PARAMOUNT PICTURES

COURTESY OF REMI ADELEKE TIMOTHY HIATT/GETTY IMAGES FOR PARAMOUNT PICTURES Remi Adeleke on the Power of Second Chances FROM NIGERIAN ROYALT Y TO BRONX HUSTLER TO NAVY SEAL AND ACTOR

Remi and Jessica Adeleke with their three sons.

Remi and Jessica Adeleke at the Civic Opera House in Chicago on June 20, 2017.

I transformed from a boy who didn’t have a father to a father of three boys. A man who had never been faithful to a woman in his life to a man Remi Adeleke at the U.S. premiere who’s been faithful to his wife for eight years. of “Transformers: The Last Knight” at the Civic Opera House Remi Adeleke in Chicago on June 20, 2017.

CATHERINE YANG returned to Nigeria to become the creator “I just really hit a rock bottom point in my gotten as he was writing. He also did exten- ues like integrity, keeping your word, and of one of the first man-made islands in the life,” Adeleke said. sive interviews, including with people with leading by example. His eldest just started emi Adeleke is gifted. He is world. It was that drop that led him to opening whom he had sold drugs and cellphones, kindergarten, and they turn frustration into a writer, actor, mentor, for- Adeleke, whose mother is American, was his eyes to God. His brother had turned to because it wasn’t just personal for him, and a lesson on perseverance. mer Navy SEAL, and father of born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He, faith years ago and his mother is a devout he wanted to represent everything correctly. “It’s okay to get frustrated. You’re not go- three. When people hear his his brother, and their parents traveled the Christian, but Adeleke had rejected religion As a member of the military, the book need- ing to have all the answers, I get it. But don’t story, their eyes widen in world and had a comfortable life. His mother for most of his life. Deeply depressed and ed to be vetted as well, so as to not disclose quit, just keep trying, keep trying, keep Rawe and exclamations soon follow. For saw the corruption of the Nigerian gov- without recourse, he finally cried out to God. confidential information. pushing,” he said. years, people have asked Adeleke to ernment and urged his father to move Once he found his faith, nothing was ever The book isn’t the only thing he’s written: His children are the greatest joy in his write a book. their assets to the United States, but the same. Adeleke has an espionage thriller screen- life. Adeleke said he realized even before After telling his story on The it was important for Adeleke’s “I didn’t feel hopeless anymore, I felt like I play coming out to market soon, and is he became a father how crucial it was for Today Show, Kathie Lee Gif- father to invest in his home was fulfilled, I felt like I had hope,” he said. now finishing up a black historical mili - him. He’s been volunteering as a men- ford said he had to turn it country, where he felt almost “I felt that even if things are going wrong, tary screenplay. tor for more than a decade now, which into a book and movie. He a parental responsibility. there’s a plan that I may not understand.” came out of his own volition without any laughed it off. After the The corrupt government “To this day,” he said, “things go bad in my Redemption organization asking him to. He knew he "Transformed" segment, she pulled him indeed seized his father’s life, I fail, I make mistakes, things don’t go Despite his tremendous arc, he says a main wanted to be able to give back somehow, by Remi aside to tell him she was assets. When Adeleke was the way I intend them to. But every morning theme of his story is failure. and one day found himself going to an Adeleke. serious—this was a story 5 years old, his father died I wake up, I just have hope.” “The whole book is about a man who failed inner-city church to volunteer his time that could inspire count- in Nigeria under suspicious over and over and over and over again, but for the local youth. less people. And then she circumstances, and they Storytelling who eventually learn to take those failures, “People ask me all the time, who’s the most took him straight to a were left with nothing. His foray into Hollywood also came out of turn them into lessons and those lessons for famous person you’ve ever met or would like publisher. They moved to the Bronx, the blue. successes,” Adeleke said. to meet, and I always go back to my kids,” he “I transformed from a kid New York. Adeleke’s mother Adeleke’s first exposure to Navy SEALs “I want people to realize that, you know, said. “Sometimes when I’m looking at them, who was rich in Africa to a worked hard as a single parent had been seeing a Michael Bay film; little none of us are immune to failure,” he said. I am in awe. I can’t believe that I’m blessed kid who was poor in the Bronx, to provide for her two sons, but did he know, years down the line during his The important part is to not be defined by to have three boys and just have them and Adeleke (2nd L) as a TRF Lieutenant in I transformed from a hustler sell- he remembers her asking for ad- military career, he would get a call to play failure, but use it as a lesson. have them love me and just be with me.” “Transformers: The Last Knight.”

ing drugs to a Navy sailor, and from vances even after having stretched an extra in a “Transformers” film. There is another takeaway of compassion PARAMOUNT PICTURES that transformed into a Navy SEAL. I every dollar. It was supposed to be a small appearance, he hopes people can glean from the book. transformed from an atheist into a person Without fully comprehending it at the but he kept getting more directions and “There were so many times that I did not of faith, transformed from a Navy SEAL into time, he turned to the streets to fill the void more lines, and it grew into a bigger part. deserve a second chance at all. But people an actor—and now a writer,” Adeleke said. “I of fatherhood. He saw gangsters and rappers As a SEAL turned actor and model, he came along, along the way, and gave me a transformed from a boy who didn’t have a who had, in his mind, “made it,” and sought started telling his story, and it started gain- second chance,” Adeleke said. “And along father to a father of three boys. A man who to emulate their behavior. ing traction. Eventually, he committed to with that, the importance of giving your- had never been faithful to a woman in his There were so It started out with stealing cash from his writing it all into a book so others could self second chances—nobody’s harder on me life to a man who’s been faithful to his wife mother’s purse and escalated to selling benefit from his lessons. than me ... sometimes you just have to be for eight years. many times drugs and cellphones. At first, he planned to write the book to- willing to give yourself a second chance, a “I think there’s a lot of transformations that I did not gether with his mother. She wrote the first third chance, or a fifth chance, and never in the book, and I think ongoing, I think Faith Comes Knocking two chapters and he read them over. give up on yourself.” I’ll continue to evolve into the man that is deserve a Though he would fluctuate between agnos- He realized it wouldn’t work—the book Adeleke says it’s also been a redemptive within me,” Adeleke said. “I think I’m al- ticism and atheism for several more years, needed to be in his voice. arc. ways going to be transforming into the per- second chance Adeleke says it was the voice of God that He got halfway through the book when “I’m a father of three boys. My oldest is 5, son that I’m called to be until the day I die.” at all. But prompted him to join the military. his publisher got worried it was going to my middle is 4, my youngest is 4 months,” It took a leap of faith on the recruiter’s part, turn into a big 200,000-word ordeal. They Adeleke said. “My dad died when I was 5, and Silver Spoon to Life of Crime people came and many tiny miracles that came together, had him hire a ghostwriter for the second my oldest is now 5, he’s actually older than Fatherhood is the through-line of Adeleke’s along, along but Adeleke, who didn’t even know how to half, and the results, Adeleke said, had him I was when my dad died by a few months.” story. He says in order to understand where swim, joined the Navy. “turn red.” Everything he does now, Adeleke said, is to he’s coming from, you have to know about the way, and Though he now believes it was God’s plan, He started rewriting the chapters he was give his sons what he never had, and more. his grandfather. As he lays out the beginning he didn’t give it too much thought at that sent. When the writer read them, he agreed “That’s why I work as hard as I work,” he of the book, he notes that his grandfather gave me a point. The military brought him a better life, Adeleke was the only one who could tell this said. “I know that they have the potential was the chief of the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria, second chance. and he thought it was his turn to live it up. story. to be very, very great men.” the equivalent of a king. Adeleke’s father “I graduated from SEAL training, I was “I had five weeks to turn in the book,” Parenting has been an interesting jour - was the eldest son. Remi Adeleke making tons of money, I had girlfriends Adeleke said. “I worked until 2 in the morn- ney for Adeleke. He and his wife, Jessica, His father’s life was a tremendous success all over the place, I had a nice car and nice ing, woke up at 6 in the morning, and got come from very different backgrounds and

story; after meeting Christian missionaries MICHAEL KOVAC/GETTY IMAGES place,” Adeleke said. “But I was still empty. back at it, and was able to turn it in a week families, and have to negotiate how they in West Africa and impressing them with FOR MEN'S FITNESS I was still empty, I was still scratching for before my due date.” will raise their kids, which he realizes is a how quickly he learned, he earned a schol- more. I was still seeking that affirmation The process just flowed, he said, and he common thing for parents. arship to study engineering in London and that I never got from my father.” would think of stories and events he’d for- He wants to be able to instill in them val- B8 THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2019 THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2019 B9

ALEX WONG/GETTY IMAGES BOOK REVIEW This Family Odyssey Is Engaging American History

DEYMOSHR/SHUTTERSTOCK HERBERT W. STUPP

Across the educational landscape, from K–12 on through the universities, the liberal arts and history, in particular, are being downplayed and discouraged. In some cases, this is an effort to steer young people to math and science studies that are likely to lead to solid careers. But others oppose the way that tradi- tional U.S. history and Western civiliza- tion have been taught. It may fall to each of us to help pre- serve what is so positive and remarkable about the United States by informing our descendants and others of our families’ odysseys, challenges, and history. It’s real American history and true-life drama. In researching and writing “Families: Where We Each Begin,” Randal Teague acceded to his adult children’s wish to write a memoir of his own life, with considerable effort devoted to a compre- hensive family history dating back to the early 1600s in Jamestown Colony, through the American Revolution, both sides of the Civil War, and the modern American conservative intellectual and political movements. He demurred that his life was “not consequential enough” for a memoir, but It is up to us to help preserve what is so positive and remarkable about the United States by informing our descendants and others of it has indeed been consequential, and we our families’ odysseys, challenges, and history. can be grateful that his kids won out. I first met Teague in 1969, when I was a courses, such as presidential leadership. Herbert W. Stupp served in the President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media at the White House on Nov. 20, 2018. 19-year old college student in New York Though not a household name, Teague presidential administrations of BOOK REVIEW City and he was the 25-year old profes- has had a ringside influence on some Ronald Reagan and George H.W. sional, decisive, articulate, and Wash- of the most consequential debates and Bush; Stupp was also a commis- ington-based executive director of the struggles of the past century. How about sioner in the cabinet of New York growing Young Americans for Freedom also being chief of staff to the “most City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. (YAF), the nation’s premier conservative important politician” in the 20th cen- Tracing the Rise and Downfall youth organization. tury who didn’t become a U.S. president? At that age, six years difference was That is how Morton Kondracke and Fred noteworthy, and I absorbed lessons in Barnes have described Secretary and Rep. leadership from him, though in hindsight, Jack F. Kemp. of the American Press it was quite amazing that a 25-year old Kemp was the 1970s’ most vocal elected could help to lead a 50-state operation advocate for reductions in federal income to greater influence and a heightened tax rates. Tapping Teague’s leadership, he LINDA WIEGENFELD history, he focuses on The New York Stories unfavorable to Franklin D. Roo- public profile. Two YAF national chairmen hired the staff and crafted the legislation Times beginning in the early 1930s and sevelt were downplayed, John F. Kenne- served by Teague, David Keene and Ron- that would first persuade U.S. Sen. Bill f a tree falls in a forest and no one launches an attack. He calls the paper’s dy’s affairs were overlooked, and Lyndon ald Docksai, have themselves carved out Roth to sign on, and then-presidential Randal Teague. is around to hear it, does it make a actions “wanton inhumanity in the face of B. Johnson’s actions ignored. “Lyndon distinguished Washington careers, owing COURTESY OF RANDAL TEAGUE candidate Ronald Reagan in the late 1970s sound? It is an old, philosophical genocide.” Johnson was so concerned with what in part to symbiotic young adult relation- to secure its enactment once Reagan was question. An update to this riddle is For 14 years, from 1922 through 1936, his vice president would say about the ships within YAF. elected in 1980. the question of whether, if news is following the Bolshevik victory in the Vietnam War (because Humphrey was Merely becoming a partner at a K The results of the Reagan-Kemp-Roth Iignored or distorted, the information will Russian Civil War (1918–1921), Walter Du- a dove) that he had Humphrey’s phone Street national law firm is consequential tax cuts and reforms are known to all still be relevant. ranty served as the Moscow bureau chief tapped,” Levin writes. enough for most people. But Teague used but a few New York Times columnists. A Mark Levin attempts to answer this Author Mark Levin. for The New York Times. Duranty covered With regard to President Donald his knowledge, experience, and time to robust 1980s recovery from recession, a question in his new book, “Unfreedom of ABC RADIO NETWORK up the mass extermination during the Trump, Levin writes that the media’s advance the charitable efforts of educa- roaring economy for more than a decade, the Press.” Levin, a sought-after conser- great Ukrainian famine of the early 1930s, reports on Trump are totally dishon- tional, religious, and other organizations, Teague’s a doubling of federal income tax revenues vative commentator who worked for the which Stalin engineered to crush millions est. While mainstream media says that addressing the cause of liberty, poverty genealogical during the Reagan years, and the creation Reagan administration and currently of peasants who resisted his policies. Du- Trump colluded with the Russians dur- alleviation, and other human afflictions of about 35 million jobs were the results of hosts the syndicated radio program “The ranty did so by saying that, although there ing the 2016 presidential race, Levin says around the world. He found time to foster and historical that 1982 law. Mark Levin Show,” as well as “Life, Lib- was death from malnutrition, no genocide it was actually his opponent Hillary Clin- more realistic understandings of the research Yet for all his professional and voluntary erty & Levin” on Fox News, has published or grain confiscation had taken place. ton who committed this wrongdoing. The Soviet Union and other nations through accomplishments we’ve cataloged, it’s clear several books. Levin talks The result was that most Americans media says Trump is damaging the rule his leadership of the American Council of can serve as that Teague began writing this book for his This book demonstrates Levin’s belief about a were oblivious to what was taking place. of law and separation of powers, as well Young Political Leaders, which arranged a template family. A Teague descendant in 2019 might that the media is no longer worthy of Later, Duranty even won a Pulitzer Prize. as checks and balances that safeguard for exchanges between emerging Ameri- be more interested in “Families” than the great republic, the United States. But new, radical When true facts emerged, there were calls democracy, but Levin points out that cans of influence and young leaders from for anyone would a random neighbor. But once nosing what I found intriguing and what makes approach to for Duranty’s Pulitzer to be withdrawn, Trump has broken no laws. around the world. undertaking through this book, that neighbor might Levin’s book superior to others on the but it never happened. Trump hasn’t enriched his pocket with Teague became legal counsel to the Inter- well be as engrossed as I have become. topic is the way he goes about proving his reporting in The New York Times’s record is no better public funds (as a matter of fact, he do- national Foundation for Electoral Systems such a family That’s thanks to Teague’s genealogical theory: He relies on our history. which the on the Holocaust. Levin writes that The nates what he earns to the government), (IFES), founded by Goldwater campaign and personal and historical research, which can serve New York Times, with its reputation as and Trump’s policies are from main- guru F. Clifton White, helping to create its as a template for anyone undertaking such The Changing Purpose of Newspapers media started the foremost newspaper in the country, stream conservative to center-left. Levin structure and enlist bipartisan talent to history. a family and personal history. The harder Early printing in America, which began to become could have raised public awareness of the adds that, while being accused of lacking help the nations suddenly freed from the Teague worked at this, the luckier he got. in the colonies in 1639, related mostly to Holocaust. character, Trump has shown more moral yoke of Soviet communism and looking for Noting that there have been “southern debates about religion and later promoted an essential Though the newspaper was Jewish- integrity while in office than many pre- help in establishing democratic systems. Teagues” and “northern Teagues” since the gospel. Then, in the years before the instrument for owned, it chose not to do so. Levin, citing vious presidents. IFES provided these mostly East European the surname appeared in this hemisphere, Revolution, patriot newspapers and pam- author Laurel Leff, writes that the paper’s countries with technical assistance in the Teague established that he and perhaps phlets rallied Americans to revolt against the Progressive Jewish owner, Arthur Sulzberger, felt The Media in Its Last Throes creation of effective and credible electoral 9,000 other Americans traced back to a England. Movement. Judaism was only a religion and neither a Print media is declining. In fact, it’s now systems and 30 years later has worked in Teague in Virginia and Maryland: John, an As the years passed, competing factions race nor a people. called fake news. Print also faces compe- more than 100 countries. indentured servant in 1652. emerged within George Washington’s Moreover, Sulzberger felt no connec- tition from social media, online services, He continues to serve as chairman of an He also learned that he, while not a administration and Congress, and by tion to European Jews and didn’t want his and 24/7 news coverage. organization I know well, The Fund for direct descendant of President Thomas the mid-1790s, each faction had estab- newspaper to be known as a Jewish paper. Meanwhile, reporters try to enforce American Studies, founded by William Jefferson, traces back to that president’s lished partisan newspapers champion- The result was that this policy, combined uniformity of thought. F. Buckley Jr. and others. Now, thanks to grandfather and namesake, Thomas. ing its point of view. These publications with the Roosevelt administration’s Levin thinks these factors and others President Roger Ream and board leader- There were two Democrat Teagues and were subsidized through patronage, and whitewashing of the Nazi eradication of make it highly unlikely that the main- ship from Teague, the fund offers pro- one Republican in the U.S. House during though they had a limited circulation, the Jews, led to sparse American coverage stream press will change. He concludes grams and institutes in the United States his work in Washington. the materials they published were widely of these crimes against humanity. by writing, “The media will not only and globally, presenting academic pro- Teague’s memoir provides sagacious reprinted and discussed. Today, Levin writes, The New York marginalize themselves but they will grams and internships in such disciplines quotes from his parents and grandpar- These publications differed from today’s Times continues to demonize Israel. He continue to be the greatest threat to as journalism, business, law, nonprofit ents, which will hearken back to many of media because they were honest enough uses as an example the paper’s constant freedom of the press today—not President management, and an array of political our own dinner table conversations. to identify themselves as partisan, and effort to cover for anti-Israel terror com- Trump or his administration, but the the readers knew where each newspaper mitted by Hamas and Hezbollah. current practitioners of what used to be stood. journalism.” Things changed throughout The Leftist Bias Levin hopes his book will jumpstart a the 20th century as some newspapers In the 1960s, the core value of objectivity long overdue and hopefully productive began to merge and others closed. This began to shift. Levin writes about a new, dialogue among U.S citizens on how best meant that each city had fewer papers, radical approach to reporting in which to deal with the media’s collapsing role. and the surviving papers had to appeal to ‘Unfreedom of the media started to become an essential I agree with Levin about change being ‘Families: Where a broader swath of the public. Objectivity the Press’ instrument for the Progressive Movement. urgently needed. For the sake of U.S. We Each Begin’ in journalism became the goal. Good jour- Author The majority of newsroom reporters democracy, I hope his goal is realized. I Author nalists would present the facts whether or Mark R. Levin were liberal, and they began to think highly recommend this book as a step in Randal Teague not they liked those facts. It was felt that, Publisher that they were no longer above the battle, the right direction. Publisher in this way, the truth would reveal itself Threshold Editions but were to be relied on to join it to im- iUniverse Press naturally. Pages prove society. Linda Wiegenfeld is a retired teacher Pages 272 As a consequence, the media has played with 45 years’ experience teaching chil- 324 The New York Times’s Appalling Record Price favorites in the past with Democratic dren. She can be reached for comments Price

As Levin continues his discourse about $28 presidents, and continues to do so now. or suggestions at [email protected] ALEX_MARYNA/SHUTTERSTOCK $20.99 B10 THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2019 Thursday, July 25, 2019

for kids only This Eulogy for a Teacher: Whether we Week in realize it or not, by word and by deed we spend our days History instructing those around us. The Last Lessons of the You bring your own weather to a picnic. butterfly unknown Patrick Keats COURTESY OF CHRISTENDOM COLLEGE from “The Infant’s Delight: Poetry,” author unknown A yellow Butterfly one day, JEFF MINICK whistling, smiling, Grown tired of play and tired of flying, Upon a thistle blossom grey Bugs Bunny and offering a hello to With outspread wings was idly lying. hen we hear the word everyone I passed in “teacher,” most of us the corridors, and left The sturdy bees went humming by, think of a man or woman wondering whether Drawing sweet honey from the clover, standing before a room I had nudged anyone Nor stirred the yellow Butterfly, Islooney tunes Introduced: collection Vol.3; Antonio BAnderAs/shutterstock filled with students, toward happiness or For he was but an idle rover.

Wwhiteboard and markers at hand, imparting was simply regarded n July 27, 1940, Two little girls, named Anne and May, knowledge to young people through books, as a lunatic.) BiletskA iuliiA/shutterstock looney tunes: collection Vol. 3 Came by with mirth and laughter ringing, an animated lectures, drills, exercises, and tests. Perhaps Anne ran to seize the insect gay— character cre- we recall a specific teacher, one as dear to Caring May followed fast and ceased her singing. us as gold, or sadly, perhaps that teacher we Great teachers care O ated by Tex Av- despised leaps to mind, an instructor who by about their students. Oh! darling Annie, let it be, ery and Bob Evans dint of sarcasm or lack of interest in the stu- They set high stan- Your touch will rob its plumes of beauty; did you of Looney Tunes and dents left a sour taste both for the subject being dards and challenge And God, who made both you and me, Merrie Melodies de- taught and for that particular individual. the students to Has taught us kindness is a duty. hear In truth, of course, most of us are teach- meet them. Great buted. Bugs Bunny ers. Whether we realize it or not, by word and teachers practice about the was first featured in the by deed we spend our days instructing those tough love, but cartoon “Wild Hare” alongside Elmer Fudd. around us: our children, our friends, our co- they always take picnic In it, Elmer Fudd sneaks along and, facing the cam- workers, even those with whom we have only a Pat Keats. into consideration era, says his famous line, “Shhh. Be very very quiet passing acquaintance. One small example: The the dreams, abilities, and I’m hunting wabbits.” barista at the coffee shop I frequent, Laney, re- limitations of the students. If it is in their power— without minds me with my every visit of the importance prehend viewpoints opposed to his own rather a recommendation letter, a phone call, offering When Bugs Bunny appears, his first line is, of

of joyful service, demonstrated by her smile and than to condemn them outright. counsel and a listening heart—they support their beverages? course, “What’s up, Doc?”

ng. I

her kindnesses toward her customers. Lesson No. 1: Build bridges, not barriers. students when they leave school to enter the press soda was It Bugs Bunny went on to become the face of Looney Recently, the world lost one of these good peo- workforce or to pursue further education. Pat Tunes and still makes people laugh today. ple, a man who taught others inside and outside The Power of Engagement was one of these teachers, a man who backed his krisArt/shutterstock PAulAPArAulA/shutterstock of the classroom. In addition to his classroom duties, Pat gave him- students to the hilt. On July 5, 2019, Dr. Patrick Keats, age 67, died self over to the theater. He helped the Christendom Lesson No. 4: In our places of business, in our after a long battle with cancer. For more than a College Players with more than 40 productions, homes, in raising our children, and in our expec- quarter of a century, he taught literature at Chris- some of them classics of the stage, some of them tations of ourselves, we should raise the bar high tendom College in Front Royal, Virginia. A hus- written by the students. In doing so, Pat forged while at the same time lending a hand to those By Aidan Danza, age 13 band, a father, and a friend to many, including me, relationships with his students outside the ardors who falter and remembering that we ourselves Pat was beloved by his students. Who could not of writing essays and taking tests. With other stu- are imperfect creatures. take pleasure in this man with the leprechaun’s dents, he shared meals in the college dining room, 5 interesting facts abOut ants twinkle in his eyes and such brio in his greeting? took them out to supper, and encouraged them Loving When talking about his passions—his wife and to read poetry and prose in groups away from the In his biography of Douglas MacArthur, “Ameri- children, literature, movies and plays, his stu- classroom. One graduate, now a busy mother, still can Caesar,” William Manchester gives us reasons dents—Pat’s voice filled with such ardor that just recollects the time “Dr. Keats” took several stu- why MacArthur’s troops in the World War I were One ant species 200 species, are nomads. They travel around, ants are attacking other insect colonies for food. The only listening to him made you glad to be alive. dents off to a cave where, à la Dead Poets Society, so loyal to him: “He was closer to their age than can lift 100 times everywhere! Thinking of him these last few days, mourning they drank wine and read poetry. other senior officers, he shared their discomforts time they ever stop traveling is when it is time for its bOdy weight the queen ant (the mother and leader of all ants in him, I contemplated what in Pat’s style of teach- Lesson No. 2, especially for those who man- and their danger, and he adored them in return.” nts are one of the the colony) to lay eggs and wait for them to hatch. Ants live on every continent except for ing had drawn the admiration and affection of so age businesses or work with others: We build Pat adored his students, and many of them with its teeth! Antarctica, and some islands as well. Other During this time, the other ants make a nest out of many students. strength in our organization when we build adored him in return. Though I never sat in his most well-known pests, islands (like Greenland) do not have any native Yes, it’s true, a tiny animal like the ant (in this case, their own bodies to protect the eggs, the queen, Then came one of those bombshell moments of relationships. classroom, I heard this adoration in his voice second only to mice and rats. Ants and their food. ant species but were brought there by us humans. the Asian weaver ant) can lift that much weight. enlightenment. whenever he spoke of a particular student or ravage food, to the dismay of many While 100 times an ant’s weight isn’t much by our One prehistOric Pat Keats was teaching me a last lesson—not in Enthusiasm class. homeowners across the world. One standards, this is equivalent to a 200-pound man ants have jObs in lifting 20,000 pounds! Most ant species aren’t ant was 2.4 inches literature, but in life. Pat loved literature and brought that love into Lesson No. 5: Love those we lead or teach. This species even poses a structural their cOlOny. What made him a great teacher were some the classroom. Whether he was teaching a core one is key. Students know when a teacher loves bodybuilders to the scale of the Asian weaver ant; lOng! character traits we might all do well to embrace course to freshmen or an advanced course to them. That love doesn’t require direct expression. hazard, as the carpenter ant most ants can lift 10–50 times their body weight! The queen ant has one job, which is to lay eggs. excavates places in wood to build a They can lift this much because they are so small, All other female ants are workers, and they take This huge ant was the size of more fiercely. Whether at home or in the office, seniors—one of his students told me that his It emanates from the teacher, and the students so their muscles can be bigger whether with friends or with that coffee shop class on Oscar Wilde brought that writer and his can’t help but feel it. colony. However, when they are not in care of the young, attack other colonies, a hummingbird and was relative to their body weight. named Titanomyrma lubei. barista, here are some of the lessons we can take struggles to life for her—Pat sought to inspire in Whether a Douglas MacArthur or a Patrick help the sick and injured, forage, the house (or at the picnic) ants can defend their colony and the It had a wingspan of six from Pat Keats to help ourselves and others excel. his students a love for books and writers. Keats, good leaders, who are also good teachers, be kind of interesting. sOme queen, and almost everything inches (male ants have Lesson No. 3: Suppose we followed Pat’s ex- inspire and return adoration. ants are else an ant could possibly do. wings, females do not.) Seek to Understand ample in our daily routine. Suppose we entered Requiescat in pace, Patrick Keats. You left a Male ants’ only job is to have This particular specimen Pat was much involved with the college—he the workplace determined to do our best and noble legacy, my friend. Here are five facts you may not know nOmadic. children with the queen. It is was found in Wyoming,

had served as academic dean for 11 years—and to do it with passion and gusto. Even if we about ants. not just ants that structure and it lived 50 million Not all ant species live their colonies this way, as bees years ago. sometimes spoke to me of the struggles of are working in an unhappy place of business, Jeff Minick has four children and a growing in colonies. The army the college. Sometimes he questioned certain what might happen if we entered the build- platoon of grandchildren. For 20 years, he and wasps do this as well. ants, a group of about administrative decisions and spoke of clashes ing light in step, a smile on our lips, and a lilt taught history, literature, and Latin to seminars Bruce ArchiBAld between faculty members, but never did he in our hearts? (I used to pay a weekly visit to a of homeschooling students in Asheville, N.C. lucky teAm studio/shutterstock

speak bitterly of others. When he himself was company where nearly every employee seemed Today, he lives and writes in Front Royal, Va. eric isselee/shutterstock fighting some of these battles, he sought to ap- miserable. I purposely entered the building See JeffMinick.com to follow his blog. aMazing Escape Maze Picnic Supplies!

1 2 3 4 Across 5 1 Lays, Fritos, or Doritos (5) 6 7 3 Meals on a stick (6) 7 They may contain chocolate chips (7) AmAzIng START 8 Crunchy picnic entree (12) 8 Which Teacher Changed Your Life? 9 Apple or cherry (3) 12 Picnic side dish (10) escApes! 13 Greens, thrown together (11) I STRUGGLED FOR YEARS get discouraged. one person in the world very important advertis- many papers to grade bright red ink. I did, how- 9 TO MAKE IT AS A WRITER. Five years zoomed past, believes in my writing.” ing awards; and three to write more than a ever, rate more than one My father told me it was a and other than a few It was just the encour- colleges were asking me to word or two,” she said, “I or two words. On the first

hobby and pushed me to freelance jobs writing agement I needed, and I teach a class in copywrit- would write ‘Nice Work’ one, she wrote, “Nicely 10 11 get a licensed profession. advertising copy, I was no doubled my efforts to find ing. I was feeling very or ‘Good Job,’ but never written—well thought Use the foU r nUmbers in the corners, and the operands I defied him and got my closer to my goal. I was work. Soon I was getting a grateful and once again anything more.” out.” On the other, “Good (+, - and X) to build an equation to get the solution in the middle. There may be

degree in philosophy. Af- beginning re-think my great deal more freelance thought of my 9th-grade Unconvinced, when I Sense of Humor!” more than one “unique” solution but, there may also be “equivalent” solutions. 12 ter graduation, I searched life, when I recalled the work. Enough that I was English teacher and those got off the phone, I went Nine words. Nine power- For example: 6 + (7 X 3) +1 = 28 and 1+ (7 X 3) + 6 = 28 for a job in writing. At the encouraging words from able to quit working in glowing paragraphs of up to the attic and dug ful words. Nine little words Easy puzzle 1 Medium puzzle 1 Hard puzzle 1 same time, I wrote short Mrs. Lynn Andersen, my restaurants. Enough to praise written in bright out the box that held my that were so heartening 13 stories like crazy and 9th-grade English teacher. make a down payment red ink. I decided to look old school work (yes, it’s that over the next 15 years,

sent them off to dozens of She had assigned my on a house. Then when- her up and give her a call. true—I’m a total packrat— they grew into hundreds 5 10 8 18 19 26

D A L A S D E S S O magazines. Years passed class with several essays ever I needed a boost in When I got Mrs. An- especially when it comes in my mind. Nine words T P

and I failed to find a job to write. I remembered confidence, I would think dersen on the phone, my to things I’ve written!). It that motivated me to stick 90 64 A98cross T

D A L A S A T S A P down

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in writing, so I supported the glowing paragraphs of again of those dozen first shock was that she took a while, but I finally to my dreams. Mrs. Lynn 1 Lays, Fritos, or Doritos (5) B Z W B

myself by waiting tables praise she wrote in bright glowing paragraphs of did not remember me. I found those old papers. Andersen will always be 1 7 4 16 5 21 O 1 Barbecue veggie (12) 8 Peaches, plums, or bananas (5) I S T

3 Meals on a stick (6) C

E I P S E I

and bartending. In the red ink at the top of all praise written in bright was certain I had been She was right; there were the teacher who changed E

D S G H U

H 2 Submarine style or Deli-made (10) 9 Italian staple (5)

A E O C R

meantime, I received tons my papers. There must red ink at the top of my one of her favorites. My no paragraphs. And, my life for the better. + − × ÷ + − × ÷ + − 7 ×They÷ may contain chocolate chips (7) T

N E K C I H C D E I R F

of rejection letters from have been a dozen of those essay papers. second was when she told there was far less than a N

O N T W 8 Crunchy picnic entree (12) O 4 Chocolatey treats (8) 10 Best grilled with onions (5)

M W O D

the magazines to whom compositions and just Suddenly everything me that she never wrote dozen—only two. About Rob Wilson, keynote Solution for Easy 1 Solution for Medium 1 Solution for Hard 1 N

S E I K O O C H N R

× 5 (10 + 7 + 1) 1) + 7 + (10

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(18 (18 9 Apple or cherry (3)

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I sent my articles and recalling them gave me seemed to gel. I sold my paragraphs of praise. the only thing I remem- speaker and humorist, 21 5 Summer quencher (8) 11 Sandwich alternative (5)

L R A O

− × 1) (7 5) + (10 − × 16 8 + 4 18

RETROCLIPART/SHUTTERSTOCK S B A B E K S P I H

stories. I was beginning to hope. I thought, “At least first book; I won several “There were simply too bered correctly was the Atlanta, Ga. 12 Picnic side dish (10) C

6 6-inch wieners (7)

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Down 1 Barbecue veggie (12) 2 Submarine style or Deli-made (10) 4 Chocolatey treats (8) 5 Summer quencher (8) 6 6-inch wieners (7) B12 THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2019 American Values. Traditional Journalism.

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