JUNE 2019 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES Town &CountryLiving Magazine
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THE STURBRIDGE TIMES TOWN & C OUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE 3 4 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES TOWN & CO UNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING Spring happens here
pring has finally sprung here in the snow “just falling out of the sky.” For some - Green Mountain state. For many of you one from Vermont, (me,) it was amazing Sliving in a milder climate, that occurrence that she thought that would be so amazing. took place a month or more ago. In Central Another person I once met in Florida, and Vermont it took place just weeks ago, after who had spent his life there, had a serious what we hope was the last gasp of winter. answer that also amazed me, when I asked At our house it snowed enough to cover the him if he and his wife had ever been north. ground on the 14th of May. He replied: “Yes, we have. We’ve been to Here the change to spring is imme - North Carolina.” That made me feel like diate and not violent, (but almost,) as grass, bringing the suntan lotion the next time I leaves and tree buds burst forth in a matter go to South Barre. of a dozen days or less when the season fi - I do love the season of spring in my little nally arrives. Within a few more days every corner of this great big world. It is good to lawn has someone with a rake and mower, spring clean the inside of your home. To me finally getting rid of twigs and leaves and it is even better to get the outside spruced ‘stuff’ in general, left in the wake of winter. up. I feel happy when I get the trash from On our lawn that someone is me. This year winter and the gas grill cover removed for I have also employed my two-year-old the summer. For you these things might not granddaughter Nahla, in the job of raking. be a big deal. For me they are like seeing She, with her small rake and pink work here knows that it would be a very long snow falling out of the sky, if you’ve always gloves, helps ‘disperse’ the piles of leaves walk, no matter what the season. In fact, lived in Florida. Papa has just made. (It’s good to have from my house to downtown Barre seems Just yesterday I read a bumper sticker on help.) like a long walk, and I can see it from here. a car that was momentarily in front of me Ours is a big country. To me, the Yes, our country is big, and our at an intersection. (Isn’t that where every - saying of ‘It’s a small world’ has less mean - world is immense. It’s no wonder the one reads bumper stickers?) This sticker ing than to some. I’ve seen a lot of it. (Not weather and temperature vary to such a said: “What happens in Vermont stays in to stray too far from the subject of spring, ‘degree’. (See what I did there?) We had a Vermont. But not much ever happens.” but my wife and are retiring this month and friend, years ago, who had lived her entire That saying holds some truth, but some plan to see much more of it very soon.) life in Florida. She once wondered aloud to things do happen here. Spring happens Anyone who has driven to Orlando from me on the phone what it must be like to see here, right after the last snowfall of May. n
HE HRONICLE OF TURBRIDGE OUNTRY IVING 5 T C S C L THE STURBRIDGE TIMES TOWN & C OUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE BOOK REVIEW By Richard Morchoe
Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World By Cal Newport Portfolio, 2019 Hardcover, 304 Pages ISBN-10: 0525536515 ISBN-13: 978-0525536512 List: $26.00 Amazon: $17.10
Digital Minimalism—Getting More Out of Life with Less
Every now and then, online media in - of their social media habits. That he is the Newport did not get the import of Sulli - forms us there is a problem that could be so - messenger may seem odd. The man has van's cri de coeur right away. Readers of his cietally existential. The website Medical never succumbed to the siren call of Face - book, Deep Work contacted him about the Daily's headline shouted that "Human At - book, Twitter or any other platform. He problems of personal life and losing control tention Span Shortens To 8 Seconds Due To with the plethora of apps and other outlets. Digital Technology." The species is less able The 2016 presidential election, with all the to concentrate than its goldfish (nine sec - online discussion and anger concentrated onds). Of course, that will not be a problem his mind. He noted, with help from techno- for long as we shall probably start forgetting philosopher Jaron Lanier, that "In an open to feed them. marketplace for attention, darker emotions The 2015 article by Lizette Borreli notes attract more eyeballs than positive and con - that we had a 12 second span in 2000. It is a structive thoughts." The darkness "can be - large percentage drop since then, but that come a source of draining negativity…" dozen is itself not impressive. The decline Cal would see the point the formerly is a nosedive that must have started some human Sullivan was getting at and began time ago. After all, our hunter-gatherer an - the research that led to Digital Minimalism: cestors could not let their minds wander Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. while chasing wooly mammoths for days If you have a smartphone, a tablet and a across the steppe. computer you have probably wasted time Can we stop our descent into a state of online. If you are the rare specimen who mental ephemerality? It will not be easy, for hasn't, there is no reason to read on. as they say in the psychology trade, one has If you do have a problem and recognize it to want to change. No doubt there are some as severe, Digital Minimalism has interest - who think that playing Candy Crush non - ing strategies and would be well worth a stop is a full life. read If you are completely oblivious to any What, however, can a person, who sees an problems and are too busy happily checking existence of constant diversion as a waste of Instagram and constantly playing online time yet cannot escape, do? games, please go and feed the goldfish. Cal Newport believes he has an answer. does not do much web searching thus his Considering that Digital Minimalism has His Digital Minimalism is subtitled Choos - smart phone does not play a big part in his much value, it is not perfect, though the ing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. If life. flaws should not get in the way of the seri - someone picks up Newport's book, in all A September 2016 Andrew Sullivan piece ous reader. likelihood they see there is a problem and in New York Magazine was the impetus. The imperfection is minor, but glaring. want to trade distraction for focus. The The 7000-word essay was titled "I used to Be In the chapter Spend Time Alone, the au - main title implies that there will be a need a Human Being." Sullivan claimed that the thor waxes eloquent about the importance for surgery, possibly drastic, on the con - tsunami of news and gossip and images of, well, spending time alone. Being by nected life. made one into an information addict and he yourself with your own thoughts can be Newport wants his readers to get control wrote, "it broke me." Adjacent Page 6 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES TOWN & C OUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE wonderfully liberating, and at a time in his - critical points. them except turning away from the consid - tory when the iPhone wants to eat your He also refers to the 17th Century philoso - eration of themselves...." brain, a necessity. That it is difficult to do is pher Blaise Pascal who said "All of human - Severe, but one can understand how a major point of the treatise. ity's problems stem from man's inability to some might consider a life of playing Candy Mr. Newport uses the work of two men sit quietly in a room alone." It has been pop - Crush, as is said, not a bug but a feature. who wrote the book, Lead Yourself First, to ular of late to quote the Frenchman's Pensee Loving distraction is our nature and the cell make his argument. Raymond Kethledge, a 139. phone is just what the devil ordered. federal appeals court judge, and former More informative would also have been So, who does Newport hold up as an ex - army officer Michael Erwin are different in to quote another 139 paragraph, "Men are emplar in a later chapter? Pete Adeney age and experience, but contend that, like unhappy because they require constant di - could be called the anti-contemplative. Greta Garbo, you really want to be alone. version. They require constant diversion be - Adeney's blog, Mr. Money Mustache, is The two men cite Abraham Lincoln and cause whenever they consider their own about how he achieved financial independ - Martin Luther King as people who needed nature they realize the miserable condition ence in his 30s through shrewdly applied solitude to realize what they had to do at of their existence – nothing can comfort Page 22
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THE STURBRIDGE TIMES TOWN & C OUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE 7
WANT TO HELP RUN THE TOWN? HERE’S YOUR CHANCE By Elisa Krochmalnyckyj
Who gets to decide… should be a good meeting.” taxes. …how many marijuana retail stores The house planned on the 1.3-acre prop - should be in Sturbridge; if Sturbridge Marijuana laws erty will not look different than the other should collect taxes on marijuana sales; A local bylaw proposal that would make houses along Cedar Street. and whether people should be allowed to smoking marijuana in public or any other “The house is really nice,” said Town smoke marijuana in public? use of marijuana or marijuana products in Planner Jean Bubon. “Habitat for Human - …if Sturbridge should charge a 3-per - public places illegal is the subject of Article ity went through the Cedar Street neigh - cent local tax on marijuana sales in town? 41. The fine for violating the bylaw would borhood and tried to design a house that …whether a Cedar Street residential be $300. would blend in with the community property earmarked for moderate-income “The by-law is proposed for the purpose there.” housing should be turned over to Habitat of preserving the right to peaceful, quiet Nor will the owners stand out, Bubon for Humanity? and orderly enjoyment of public places for said. To be eligible to own the home, appli - …if the town should spend $49,000 to in - the inhabitants and visitors of the Town of cants need to be earning 50 to 80 percent of vestigate how reasonable it would be and Sturbridge,” according to the Town Meet - the median household-income for the Stur - how much it would cost to build a multi- ing Warrant. bridge region. purpose sports field on town-owned prop - Article 42 proposes that the town charge “Granted, they won’t be CEO’s of big erty at 60 Cedar Street? a 3-percent local option tax on all mari - companies, but they will be the teachers, …dozens of other matters that will juana sales in Sturbridge. the firemen, the service workers who grew guide the town through the next year? “Depending how many retailers there up in Sturbridge and want to raise their Every Sturbridge voter who attends the are in town, that amount could be substan - own families here,” Bubon said. “They are Monday, June 3 Annual Town Meeting at 7 tial,” Bridges said. “That 3 percent would people who will be putting in 500 hours of p.m. at Tantasqua Regional High School is go into the General Fund.” ‘sweat equity’ to help build their homes, who gets to decide. and then pay a mortgage every month.” “If people want a direct say in how their Habitat for Humanity Every town in Massachusetts is required town is run, this is it,” said Town Admin - Articles 37 and 38 are related to a plan to have 10 percent of its housing be priced istrator Jeff Bridges, adding that it’s been for Habitat for Humanity to build a single- for moderate-income families. With this many years since he’s served a town with family home on vacant land at 226 Cedar property, and the proposed 97-unit moder - a Town-Meeting form of government. St. The land was taken by the town several ate-income apartments on Main Street near “June 3. I’m really looking forward to it. It years ago to pay for years’ worth of back Fairview Park Road, Sturbridge would be
8 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES TOWN & C OUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE Town Meeting
June 3, 2019 between 9 and 10 percent. “Municipal Affordable Housing The town took ownership of Trust Fund.” two parcels several years ago — In other matters at the meeting: 226 and 284 Cedar Street — — Nine Articles relate to through “tax-taking,” and those spending the town’s Community parcels were earmarked for mod - Preservation Act funds; erate-income families. The 284 — Article 34 asks to change the property could not be developed time polls open from 7 a.m. to because of septic issues. The 226 6:30 a.m.; property is suitable for a single- — Article 35 seeks establishing family home, so earlier this year a Commission on Disability. the town asked for proposals. — The last article, Article 43, is Habitat for Humanity’s offer a “petition” article, which means was the only offer that came in. it is on the Town Meeting War - Fortunately it was a good one, rant at the request of residents in - Bubon said. stead of at the request of a town Overlook Farm “They exceeded all of the re - department. It asks for Stur - quests we had,” she said. Once bridge to pay $55,000 toward the 3UJDQLFDOO\+URZQ the property is transferred to costs of treating an algae problem (not certified Habitat for Humanity, the rest of in South Pond (Quacumquasit *UXėDQG4URGXFHLQ7HDVRQ with the state) the process would be managed Lake). East Brookfield and Brook - • Retail Stand Opens Mid June by them. field, which share the pond with • Pick your own Strawberries - mid June! The Article 37 vote would be Sturbridge, have also been asked Check our facebook page for more information SNAP available for payment! whether to transfer the land to to contribute. We accept SNAP, cash and credit cards at retail stand! Habitat for Humanity. The Arti - A copy of the warrant is on the HDęK cle 38 vote would be whether to town’s website: town.stur - 8R=RXU, allow the Housing Partnership bridge.ma.us. *DPLO\ KH0HGRX[ Committee to create and fund the 8
THE STURBRIDGE TIMES TOWN & C OUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE 9 Burgess, Senior Center pen-pal identities to be revealed
By Elisa Krochmalnyckyj “Oh. You end with ‘sincerely,’ then a comma, Part of Liv’s letter talked about the activities Remember the “good old days” when stu - and then your name.” she likes, Provost said. dents used their best penmanship to hand- On the letters to the seniors, the class had “She told me what she played, and then she write let-ters? And how much fun it was to to bend the rules a little because the stu-dents wanted to know if I like sports!” Provost said. “I get those letters? didn’t yet know who would be receiving wrote back that I really don’t do too many sports These are the “good old days.” At least for their letters or who would be writing back to now, but then I told her about the things I used some third-graders at Burgess Elementary them. to do, like ice skating.” School and their pen-pals at the Sturbridge “We didn’t know the names, so we just What may have impressed Provost the most Senior Center, who have been exchanging let - wrote ‘hello,’ instead of ‘dear’ and the name,” was Liv’s penmanship. ters. explained Liv, whose wrote to her senior “I could not believe it,” Provost said. “She “In my letter I wrote that I was on a base - about about summer vacations, including writes the way we wrote when we learned pen - ball team,” said third-grader Gavin, who this sum-mer’s upcoming trip to Portugal. manship. Each letter went right up to line the then explained the rules of proper letter-writ - Liv has a trick for good writing. way it should — it was the lined paper with the ing. “Put details into it when you are describ - dotted lines we used to use. Every single letter “You start with ‘dear’ and their name on ing something,” she said. “And do it well.” was perfect. It was wonderful.” top — and you indent,” he said, thinking Dorothy Provost was one of the Senior The pen-pals will meet each other at a June 4 hard. “And start with a capital letter.” Center pen-pals. The letter from Liv landed “reveal party,” which will be held in the school How do you end a letter? on Provost’s lap. cafeteria during the day. “Punctuation — always end with punctu - “It was the cutest thing,” Provost said, “We’ll be serving the seniors coffee and dan - ation,” he said, then realized the question reading the entire letter out loud. “I can’t wait ish, and we are going to go down and meet them was about the letter’s closing and signature. to meet her.” and reveal who everyone’s pen-pal is,” the
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class’s teacher, Tammy Howe ex - change started last June, at the end plained. of the school year, when Burgess Gavin found a flaw in the plan. Board of Education Member Kris - “Coffee?” he asked. “What are ten Touhey approached Principal the kids going to drink?” Kathleen Pelley with the idea. It Mrs. Howe thought for a was decided that it would be per - minute. fect for third-graders because they “Juice,” she said. “I think that were learning to write in cursive. will be a good idea. So we’ll have “Learning cursive is a big deal,” danish, coffee and juice.” Finley said. “Even in second Another suggestion, this one in grade, everyone was talk-ing © 2019 Sturbridge Times Photo by Elisa Krochmalnyckyj the form of a question, followed. about how when you got to third Students in Mrs. Howe’s third-grade class at Burgess Elementary School get com - “So we’ll be sneaking out of grade, you were going to be learn - fortable as they work on their writing skills. Class members have become pen-pals math?” said Finley, who wrote to ing how to write cur-sive.” with members of the Sturbridge Senior Center. her pen-pal that she likes to read It took most of the school year to and was already on the 4th Harry get everyone ready to be able to danish, and we are going to go plan. Potter book. compose real letters to pen-pals. down and meet them and reveal “Coffee?” he asked. “What are Mrs. Howe laughed. “We’ve been doing mini-lessons who everyone’s pen-pal is,” the the kids going to drink?” “No, we’ll be sneaking out of all year,” Mrs. Howe said. “We use class’s teacher, Tammy Howe ex - Mrs. Howe thought for a reading,” she said. writers notebooks a lot, and we plained. minute. The impetus for the pen-pal ex - write a lot about the books we’ve Gavin found a flaw in the Next page
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THE STURBRIDGE TIMES TOWN & C OUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE 11 Pen pals
From previous page Third-grader Major is waiting for some an - last draft. Mark was out sick the day the stu - been reading and we write about all kinds of swers from his yet-to-be-named senior pen- dents were putting the final touches on the let - things. We’ve written letters before, but they pal. ters and sending them out. were printed, because we weren’t ready to do “I asked them questions about what their “Mark was absent, so we had to sign his our letter-writing in cursive until just recently. favorite things are,” he said. “And I told them name for him,” Mrs. Howe said, then held So we did some practice letters in cursive, and about some of my favorite things, which are back a grin. “But then someone said it was for - finally, we were ready.” soccer and cats.” gery. That led to a good discussion about for- Students agree it’s a lot more fun to get a Once the seniors have written back, the stu - gery.” real letter in their mailbox than getting an dents will send another batch of letters that, Mrs. Howe’s class was the only one that got email. Even better is for the letters to be hand- like the first batch, will be the subject of sev - to be pen-pals with the seniors. delivered by a private carrier, like Sturbridge eral revisions before they are finalized and “We thought about maybe having all the Senior Center Outreach Coordinator Leslie cleared for delivery. third-graders do it, but we have 120 of them, Wong, who has been handling the Senior- The letters were the perfect culmination of so we decided one class was better,” Mrs. Center end of the exchange. the year’s work in learning cursive and made Howe said.
“Mrs. Wong thought it would be quicker the students feel they were writing something While there was no particular reason and more fun to come here and pick the let- that mattered. that Mrs. Howe’s class was chosen, she is glad ters up and bring them right the seniors,” Mrs. “I really wanted to try,” Mark said. “I it happened that way. Howe said. printed my letter first, then I copied it. Then, “My favorite thing to teach is writing,” she After the students put their final touches on on my second-to-last draft, I kept making little said, and looked around the class. “Especially the letters and handed them over to Wong, the changes in it. On my final draft, I really tried this year. This is a really good group of writ - students were counting the days until the sen - to make it my best.” ers. I am so impressed with them.” n iors wrote back. There was only one glitch in the plan — his
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Publick House flags lend cosmopolitan feel in Sturbridge
By Elisa Krochmalnyckyj eign policy, so I am relatively okay know - Why are state and international flags al - ing flags. But the ones that I’ve seen at the ways being flown in front of the Publick Publick House that I don’t know, I immedi - House? ately Google. It’s really incredibly interest - “Because the world is bigger than our ing. It’s —“ neighborhood,” said Publick House Gen - Filchak paused for a minute. eral Manager Michael Glick. “There is so “I must sound like one of those people much beyond Sturbridge, beyond Massa - who studies flags,” he added, typing in a chusetts and beyond the United States.” few words into his computer. “A vexillolo - The trio of flagpoles were installed gist.” when the Publick House re-landscaped its For those less vexillological, the Publick front lawn in 2011. House displays information about that “We have three flags — the United day’s flags, Glick said. States flag that is flown all the time; a “There’s a posting inside — right across country flag that stays for a week, and a from the front desk inside a frame — that state flag that changes every day,” Glick says which flags are flying that day,” he said, then paused. “Well, the state flag is said. “It’s obviously for hotel guests, but supposed to change every day. Sometimes anyone who wanted to come in and look at we forget.” it is more than welcome to.” The flag tradition was originated years Keeping with the Hawthorne Hotel’s tra - ago by owner Michael Harrington at the dition, the Publick House rotates all 50 Hawthorne Hotel in Salem, which is the United States flags and 193 flags from other Publick House’s sister hotel. The tradition countries. was continued to the Publick House dur - “The Hawthorne Hotel flies, as we do ing the front-lawn renovation. now, all of the flags that are in the United Before that, the Publick House had only Nations,” Glick said. “Right now there are one flag, a United States flag, that was Page 17 © 2019 Sturbridge Times photo by Elisa Krochmalnyckyj hung on a sole flagpole that very close to the building and behind a large pine tree, Publick House Front-Desk Clerk Sean Curtin raises the national flag for Dominica, which, different from the Dominican Republic, is an English-speaking country with a population of 70,000 located on a small island in the West Indies. so the view of it was obscured. The new flagpoles, which are visible from up and down Main Street as well as from the Town Common, were an impor - tant part of the redevelopment of the Pub - lick House’s front lawn, and since then have caught the attention of many. That includes Kevin Filchak, who came to town three years ago as Sturbridge’s tourism and economic-development coor - dinator. “I was immediately intrigued when I saw them,” he said. “It is certainly some - thing that gets us thinking and helps us re - alize that we are part of a much larger community — even if we may not recog - nize the flags at first.” Actually, Filchak did recognize most of the flags at first. “I have always been interested in for -
THE STURBRIDGE TIMES TOWN & C OUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE 13 r MUSINGS FROM LONG HILL s RAGING BOLTON & TH E PRESS
BY RICHARD MORCHOE
Everything in moderation has never tion that John Bolton would gain notori- been said of John Bolton. When he was ety. He became Under Secretary of State LEGAL being considered as UN Ambassador, Joe for Arms Control in 2001. It was his per- Biden compared his appointment to send- formance in this position that most likely BRIEF ing a "bull into a china shop." Appointed caused the former vice president to speak National Security Advisor by President as he did. Amongst his antics, he was ROBERT A. GEORGE, ESQ. Trump a little more than a year ago, he has said to have demanded the resignation of STURBRIDGE ATTORNEY
M O N T H L Y L E G A L A D V I C E remained true to form. the head of the OPCW (Organisation for
F O R R E A D E R S O F Since he got the job, Venezuela and Iran the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons)
T H E S T U R B R I D G E T I M E S M A G A Z I N E could be said to have been put on the front within 24 hours, stating "We know where burner. It would not be unfair to say they your children are." Sealing CORI have been thrown onto the barbecue grill. There were other controversies and Bolton could be described as a chicken- even some praise, but no surprise that he he instant you’re charged with a crime hawk. That is, he promotes wars, but was a staunch supporter of the Iraq war. in Massachusetts, you have a criminal avoids serving in them. The man has been Not alone in that folly, he stands out from rTecord, even if the charge is dismissed or a at this hypocrisy for a long time. He was most of the other cheerleaders as he still jury finds you not guilty. for the Vietnam war, but kept out of harm's thinks it a great idea. Your CORI – Criminal Offender Record way by joining a Guard unit that would Paul Wolfowitz was strident for that Information – then follows you everywhere not be deployed. He wrote of his action in conflict, and after it, Bush nominated him you go. That shoplifting charge from your his Yale 25th reunion book: "I confess I had to head the World Bank, which proves teens, for instance, shows up when you apply for a job ten years later, or when you no desire to die in a Southeast Asian rice nothing succeeds like failure. He at least try to get an apartment, or if just want to paddy. I considered the war in Vietnam al- got something out of the debacle, but coach your kid’s soccer team. ready lost." Hardly noble, but not really even that man admits the mistake with There’s some relief. So long as you didn’t dishonest. some deftness in blaming others. commit a serious crime like murder, in Bolton, sometimes referred to as the Ken Adelman is famous for making which case you probably wouldn’t ever Walrus or Stache due to the mustache he the most notorious pronouncement be- have to worry about getting an apartment again anyway, you can have your CORI sports, first got into government in the fore the Iraqi invasion. He was sure of sealed relatively easily. Reagan Administration and would con- success and predicted the war would be For most misdemeanors, you now only tinue in the George H.W. Bush years. a "cakewalk." Ken had the good sense to have to wait three years from the date case It was in the younger Bush's administra- admit he misspoke. was disposed of before filing a request to seal your record with the Office of the Com - missioner of the Probation. The wait for most felonies is now seven years. There is no waiting period if your case was dismissed, or if a jury acquitted you, but this can’t be done by mail. Instead you would have to file the request directly with a judge in district court. Judges are generally inclined to agree to seal the record. They recognize that making a mistake or two shouldn’t disqual - ify you from good jobs and decent housing. Keep in mind, however, that sealing your record doesn’t mean it no longer exists. If you get charged with another crime, your CORI shows up for the prose - cutor. After all, he’ll want to consider your past miscues when deciding how to deal the new one.
14 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES TOWN & C OUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE
Most everyone else knew to they minded their own business. abandon their former position, Maybe what Bolton is trying but not Stache. It's rather odd to achieve is justified by the bru - that he has been hired by the tal police crackdown on protest - man who called the Iraq war ers that has been going on for 27 “the single worst decision ever weeks. Actually, that has been made.” happening in France, a nation It would be an understate - sans crude. The American press ment to say that the man is on has been stalwart in its non-re - the warpath. It looks like he porting of the yellow vest strug - wants open conflict with Iran © 2019 Shutterstock News Service gle among the Gauls. and has been pushing for regime John Bolton National Security Advisor to the United States during a visit to Kyiv, Which brings us to the real change in Venezuela that might Ukraine. 24-08-2018 point about Bolton, the media is turn into a hot war. It may be happy to be his enabler. Anyone mere coincidence, but both of buckling under to the US, the posed them on us, and called for who has been following US pol - those entities sit on oceans of pe - Persians aren't looking for a regime change here during the itics in this century knows that troleum. fight. The words, Tonkin Gulf, great recession in 2008. Well, no, Page 22 Speaking of coincidences, come to mind. there are charges that four oil When it comes to Venezuela, tankers were attacked at the Bolton has been a busy fellow, mouth of the Persian Gulf re - trying to get everyone in that cently. The New York Times re - country to abandon President ported that American officials Maduro. Venezuela is awash in suspect Iran is to blame. Former black gold, but the country is US intel officer Colonel Pat Lang broke. Mismanaging a valuable who runs the Sic Semper Tyran - resource does not speak well for nis website has written that "The the Maduro administration. The tanker damage in the Gulf was popularity of the incumbent probably a "provocation" aimed took a beating. Of course, that at Iran." justifies the US imposing sanc - It is unlikely that the Iranians tions and calling for the ouster of would pull such a stunt. Even Maduro because of incompe - though they have no intention of tence, just like Venezuela im -
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THE STURBRIDGE TIMES TOWN & C OUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE 15 OUR PETS WITH KATHY MENARD
Housebreaking the Adult Dog
Q. We are looking into adopting a rescue dog looking away. They wait a few seconds then try that came up from down south that is one-year- again. Each time the dog jumps they turn away. old and not housebroken. Is it possible to house - It is critical that the person not actually walk more break a dog of this age? What is the best way to than 1 step away. If they take several steps the dog go about it? will assume they are leaving and their brain will move on to something else, then they won't make A. You would treat this dog as though it was the connection. Usually within 5 or 6 times the a young puppy for housebreaking purposes. dog will offer a sit - the person approaching needs Bring her out often, at least once an hour, for the to quickly reward the dog. If the dog jumps as first few weeks. When you know she should need they go to reward it, they again turn away from to go, such as first thing in the morning or after the dog. The dog needs to see anytime it jumps you've been gone several hours, bring her directly the person turns away. This will need to be re - peated 5 or 6 times in 5 or 6 places with 5 or 6 out to the area you would like her to go in. Do doing what it thinks humans want. Yelling people before the dog will generalize and not jump not talk to her until she squats, then very calmly or scolding your dog, pushing it down, using on anyone anywhere. praise her and use a phrase that will later become your knee, etc are all forms of reinforcement. her command, such as good girl do your busi - Your dog is jumping for attention. You need Kathy Menard has been a dog trainer for over ness. Say this very calmly. If you say it in an ex - to set up a session where someone holds the 35 years and is certified through the Certification cited voice she will clamp her muscle and come dog on a leash or you tie it to something - you Council for Professional Dog Trainers. She has to you. After 2 weeks of calmly praising her and need to be sure the dog cannot move the per - trained under three world-renowned Schutzhund putting a command to it you shoud be able to son or object it is tied to...a second person ap - trainers for 14 years and has competed in the bring her outside and tell her to go do her busi - proaches the dog talking to it, with treats in American Kennel Club and the sport of ness and she should understand what it means. their hands - as the dog jumps that second Schutzhund, earning over 15 titles. Kathy is the If you bring her out and you know she more person says something like “nope” and takes owner of Compatible Canine in Fiskdale, MA. than likely needs to go but she does not, bring 1/2 step away from the dog turning sideways, her in and put her in her crate for a little while (at least 5-10 minutes) then try again. Going to the bathroom outside earns her freedom in the house. I mentioned above to bring her out every hour or more often. She may not need to go this often, but you want to give her the opportunity to should she need to so she doesn't end up going in the house.
Q. No matter what we do to stop our dog from jumping we cannot break him of it. We are so desperate we are considering using a shock collar. Please help.
A. Please do not use a shock collar to teach the dog not to jump. Your dog is jumping be - cause humans have reinforced the behavior - it would be very unfair to the dog to shock it for 16 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES TOWN & C OUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE Publick House flags
From page 13 but every once in a while, someone does - n’t like one of the flags,” he said. “Maybe 193 ‘sovereign states’ that are members of the Vietnam flag — but Vietnam is in the the U.N., so that’s how many country flags United Nations — and they don’t like it, we have — unless something changed and and we had some backlash from the a country entered or left since the last time South Carolina flag with its Confederate we got a new set, which was three years markings.” ago.” “If a bride and groom Most of those complaints came when While the Publick House generally rotates are from, say Ireland, or the flags were new to the Publick House. the flags in order, it sometimes makes excep - “The feedback now is all positive,” tions. even Texas, we try to put Glick said. “It’s been years since there’s “We take requests,” Glick said. “If a bride that flag up.” been a negative comment.” and groom are from, say Ireland, or even Glick is happy about that. Texas, we try to put that flag up. Or if we get MICHAEL GLICK, “This is one more thing we try to do to a corporate event, and the company is based PUBLICK HOUSE GENERAL MANAGER be a good neighbor,” he said. “The flags in Germany or France or anywhere else, we really aren’t as much for our hotel guests would intentionally fly that flag, and they as they are for our community.” like that. But when there is not a request or Filchak thinks the flags are a great idea a special event, they are flown in alphabeti - — for the community, the hotel guests, cal order.” and for Sturbridge’s many visitors. Once in a while, the Publick House has “It’s another one of the many interest - gotten complaints about a particular flag. ing little gems in Sturbridge,” he said. n “The flags are generally well-received,
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www.hiresoper.com (508) 765-9003 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES TOWN & C OUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE 17 HEALTH&FITNESS greater sturbridge’s fitness expert By Julie Gerrish PERSONAL TRAINER JULIE GERRISH FITNESS, STURBRIDGE When your worst workout is actually your best workout
ur feet are the base of support for the then put the ball under the ball of your foot, ative! whole body, and yet, we really don’t keep your heel down and flex and point Some websites to check for foot help: pOay enough attention to the health of our your toes over the ball. Massage the calves correcttoes.com,, tmfa.com (Table Mountain feet unless we have a problem. As someone with your hands, a foam roller or tennis Foot and Ankle), and nyfoothealth.com. who has suffered from foot issues from ball. These websites have many articles about time to time, I have some really simple mo - Work on your toe mobility. Wiggle the big the feet and what kind of shoes to buy, and bility exercises and massage techniques we toes back and forth and push down at the are helpful resources. can do to keep our feet functionally fit. knuckles Try some toe yoga: while stand - Don’t forget about your feet in your daily The feet are divided into three sections: ing, press the big toes down on each foot exercise routines. A little self-care of the feet the forefoot, the mid foot and the hind foot. and lift the little toes up and hold, then re - goes a long way and can prevent many The forefoot contains the toes and their con - verse it and lift the big toes and press the physical problems, injuries and issues in the necting bones and is designed to handle little toes down. future. significant force and wear and tear. The Ankle mobility: Stand at a wall with one mid foot contains the arches of the feet and foot forward. Keeping both feet straight, acts as a shock absorber when walking or drive the forward knee toward the wall and running. The hind foot works to bear and back out about 10 times, pushing through distribute weight to the foot while standing the heel. You should position yourself so and allows the foot to move in many differ - when you drive the knee forward it should ent directions. just touch the wall. The back heel can lift A foot which is malfunctioning can have but make sure the front foot stays flat and very severe consequences on the whole both feet are straight. body, resulting in compensation, injuries Exercise your calves. Standing on one foot, and deterioration over time. I’m going to slowly lift the heel off the floor and push up address a common foot problem known as onto the toes, holding for 3 sec and taking flat feet, when the entire bottom surface of 4 seconds to lower back down to the floor. your feet touch the ground. This is caused Do 10 reps each. by prolonged overpronation of the feet, Exercise your arches: Standing on both where the arch drops and the foot caves in - feet, pull the ball of your foot toward the ward. This can be caused by genetic factors, heel and push weight slightly to outside of weak arches, a foot or ankle injury, or heels, creating an arch in the feet. Hold 5 arthritis. seconds each and do 10 reps. Make sure the While you can’t truly reverse overprona - toes stay down and don’t scrunch up too tion and flat feet, you can strengthen the much. arches, ankles and feet so symptoms and Balance exercises: Start easy with these deterioration are lessened. Left untreated, and advance them as you get better. Just flat feet can lead to bunions, achilles ten - practice standing on one foot at first, dinitis, arthritis, hammertoes, plantar fasci - adding longer hold times and looking in itis, shin splints and knee and hip pain, different directions. You can also try closing among other problems. your eyes (near a wall at first for safety) and adding leg and arm movements. Try a slow Your toolkit for flat feet treatment: march with high knees, then pretend you Massage the feet and calves. Roll the foot are walking on a balance beam, adding on a tennis ball with medium pressure, weight as these exercises get easier. Be cre -
18 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES TOWN & C OUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE By Tom Chamberland
Taking your dog for a hike
ith summer just around the cor - in place to help your dog pass strangers through poison ivy, oak or sumac All ner, many of us want to get out and other triggers. that itch-inducing oil on his coat will Wand enjoy the great outdoors, some will Is your dog licensed, up to date on now be all over you (and your car when bring their four-legged best friends, too. vaccines, flea and tick prevention, and you travel home). Hiking safely and responsibly with your heartworm prevention? You never Consider other hikers. It may be a dog is a little more involved than just know what you'll run into on the trail, so bummer, but it's a fact: not everyone hopping out of the car and setting loose make sure that your dog has current ra - likes dogs. Some people are allergic, on a trail. Here is some advice to get you bies vaccinations and any other appro - some are fearful, some just plain old ready to tackle the trail with your dog, priate vaccinations. Also, flea, tick and don't like them, and some people don't complying with local bylaws, and how heartworm medication are a must for agree that dogs should be allowed on to be socially and environmentally con - heading out on trails. hiking trails. So to keep everyone as scious while hiking. ON THE TRAIL: Like it or not, you're happy as possible and prevent unpleas - representing all dog owners when you're ant encounters or complaints, act as if BEFORE YOUR HIKE A FEW hiking with your dog. You want to be on every oncoming hiker doesn't like dogs THINGS TO CONSIDER: your best behavior not only to keep you until they prove otherwise. Make sure How strenuous is the hike? Your dog's and your dog safe and happy, but also to your dog is on a leash as hikers ap - age, stature, and fitness level are all fac - help ensure the trails you enjoy stay proach, and don't allow your dog to go tors that will determine if he or she can open to dogs. Just a handful of bad up and greet them unless invited. Be go on a trail with you, or what type of episodes between dogs and other hikers, considerate, give dog-less hikers the trail you select. Older dogs get achy or one too many calls for problem dogs, right of way, and have your dog sit po - joints and tire out faster than dogs in could mean that dogs will be banned litely next to you (or at least stand out of their prime. Meanwhile a tough hike from the trails. So do you and your dog the way) while they pass. may hinder proper development in pup - a favor by following these guidelines. Don’t bother wildlife or plant life. It's pies if there is too much jumping or Keep control of your dog at all times. really easy to follow this guideline -- you scrambling before their joints and bones This means your dog should stay on a 6- just have to keep your dog on leash and are fully formed. Shorter dogs may have foot leash. Sturbridge Bylaws require on the trail. It's so easy for an off-leash a more difficult time on trails, since they your dog to be under your control when dog to get overly excited and chase after have to expend more energy and may off of your own property. Having your everything from squirrels and birds to not be able to scramble over rocks as eas - dog on a leash will prevent a plethora of deer and coyotes or how about that ily. Make the length of the trail roughly potential problems, from chasing feared run in with a porcupine? So re - equal to the length of your daily walks. wildlife to having a run-in with another member you're in these animals' home, Is your dog socialized and non-reac - dog to charging up to approaching hik - and it's best to be a respectful guest and tive? You'll likely be meeting other peo - ers. A simple nylon or leather leash is not send them into a panic. Also, staying ple, dogs, and cyclists on trails, and best; no flex-leads as these can cause as on trail means you won't harm fragile, possibly even horses. Many of our trails many problems as they prevent. Still not and possibly threatened or endangered invite multiple users. Often the trails will convinced you want to keep your dog on plant life especially in the spring as ver - be narrow when passing others, making a leash? Just consider the possibility of nal pools abound and disturbance by a it even more difficult if your dog is nerv - your dog encountering a snake before dog running thru a pool will potention - ous, fearful, leash reactive, or aggressive you can notice or get there to pull your ally destroy many larvae and eggs. toward other humans or animals. If this dog away. Or perhaps your dog goes Keep a 1:1 human-to-dog ratio. Han - is the case, seek out quieter, less popular bounding off trail for a moment and, un - dling two dogs by yourself can quickly trails and have a few training strategies beknownst to you, has bounded right Page 21
THE STURBRIDGE TIMES TOWN & C OUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE 19 YARDWORKS Caring for what grows in your yard By Tom Chamberland, ISA/TRAQ, MQTW
A Spring Potpourri of Topics
First on everyone’s mind – Gypsy Rhododendron winter kill and third, is setting the mower height to 3” Moths! Thanks to the relatively cold dry winter to 3-1/2”. But wait, don’t you need a soil By now if you have at all driven we experienced, coupled with the late win - test? Well one could spend their money around Sturbridge you have seen many ter snow and bright sun, many rhododen - that way but knowing our soils are natu - of the dead trees in the yards along our dron plants suffered a condition call rally acidic, lawns prefer a more neutral to streets, dead due to a combination of “winter burn” where up to the top 2/3rd sweet soil, and our rainfall is also still on gypsy moth defoliation for past four of the plant now looks dead and the bot - the acidic side, I just routinely, 2 x’s a year years combined with the persistent late tom third still alive. As an evergreen, the add lime. The fertilizer application in fall spring/summer drought conditions we plants leaves are always expirating water, to get the grass roots, recovering from our have experienced for the last five years. our cold dry weather cause the plant to ex - normal dry July and August the new en - These dead trees may be in your yards. pire water faster than the roots can restore, ergy to grow and set a good root mass for If they were dead last year, and have not causing this browning of the leaves. Also, quicker green up next spring. The mower, leafed out by mid-June, they are dead, with the late season snow fall, the lower being set a 3+ inches provide good shade with no chance of coming back. Time to leaves were somewhat protected from this for the root systems, reduces the propaga - call in a certified Arborist for removal. continued exposure, thus survived. The tion of weeds, and give that “lush lawn” Maybe you noticed a tree that looked only way to have prevented this would look we want our neighbors to be jealous good last year but is now “dead” no have been to apply an anti-desiccant spray of. Good lawn care is not that hard or time emerging leaves, again give it thru late back in December and early January to consuming. For more information visit: June, if no new leaves are bud breaking, “seal” the leaves. So, what do I do now? https://www.flower-gardening-made- then consider removal. As for how bad Well it is known that the plant will gener - easy.com/low-maintenance-lawn.html it will be this year, for most of Sturbridge, ally recover from this and set out new egg masses from last summer’s moths leaves later this summer, around mid-July, Shade-tolerant vegetables are some, to few, to not at all. It all varies If you just do not like this “dead” look, you Usually I do not even think of getting by location. The eggs have hatched, and can cut and remove, and obviously reduce my garden started until after May 15th, by the time you are reading this, the the size of your plant. Come later in the once all threat of frost has passed. But I gypsy moth caterpillar will be anywhere summer, if the plant has not re-sprouted was also thinking of the shadier spots, and from ½” to ¾” long. leaves, go ahead and cut out the dead what could I plant there? Well here is a list Several quality landscaping compa - stems, new growth will shoot forth, to of vegetables to consider if you have a nies in our area are properly equipped enjoy this plant next year! For more infor - shady, not full sun area in your garden. and licensed (yes ask to see their state mation on winter kill visit: https://exten - Scallions: Onions need long growing pesticide applicator license) and are of - sion.unh.edu/blog/rhododendrons-winte periods and plenty of sun to produce bulbs fering spray treatments. r-damage large enough for the effort. But, if you in - Hopefully this year (unfortunately not Set the mower high & lime those lawns tend to harvest them as scallions or baby last year) we will have the proper rain fall Regular readers of my articles know I onion plants, any area that gets dappled and temperatures for the natural bacteria do not favor large lawns, but rather en - light or partial shade is good enough. Start and fungi to “bloom” mid-June and courage more natural landscaping with harvesting when the plants are 6 inches again give us a good natural gypsy moth native plants and flowers, however, yes, I tall. Minimum sun – 3 hours mortality. The wet early wet spring we do have a VERY SMALL lawn. There a just Lettuce: loves it when it is really cool. had does not help control the GM. Only three steps I take each spring and summer, Slightly shady conditions are better for time will tell. For the best info on con - first is an application of dolomitic Lime in keeping the delicate lettuce leaves crisp trolling gypsy moths visit: spring (late May -June) and early fall (Sep - and sweet. If you have open leaved vari - https://www.pests.org/everything-you- tember). Second is an application of 10-10- eties, harvest the lower leaves to extend need-to-know-about-gypsy-moth-cater - 10 organic fertilizer also in late September, the harvest. Plant the head-forming vari - pillars/ 20 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES TOWN & C OUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE eties every two weeks for a continuous sup - Sturbridge Trek ply. Sufficient water and cooler temperatures in the shade would prevent the plants from From page 19 trash and leaving nothing but footprints, bolting in the summer heat. Minimum sun- become overwhelming if you come across so too with your dog. Pack out all dog three-to-four hours more dogs on the trail, or if one dog be - waste and avoid leaving signs that he was Spinach: is quite happy growing in the comes tired or injured. One dog per per - on the trail. shade most of the day, especially in the after - son helps you maintain control over Hiking with your dog can be a great ex - noon. This green is usually grown in two sep - situations and makes it easier on every - perience for you, your dog, and others arate seasons, spring and fall, because it one during the trek. More than two dogs who enjoy our open space lands. Avoid - doesn’t do well in summer heat. But in partial can be intimidating to other hikers. ing user conflicts is the best way to keep Do not allow your dog to drink from shade, and with sufficient water to keep it our lands open and enjoyable by all. areas of standing water. from wilting, a small patch of spinach can pro - Standing water Area trail events abound in June: June vide plenty of greens all through the growing typically harbors parasites and bacteria is shaping up to be a busy month for area season. Just pick the leaves as they enlarge; that can make your dog sick, even fatally trail committees: Here is a quick look at this promotes the growth of more new leaves so. Be sure you bring enough fresh water the calendar: Yoga on the trails: from the center of the tuft and prevents the to keep your dog hydrated so you can Sunday, June 9th plant from bolting. Minimum sun – three-to- avoid any ponds, marshes or puddles that Join FrOST member Jennifer Songer as four hours make your dog ill. she leads a hike and a stop for yoga in the Take breaks for water and snacks. Carrots: Choose early maturing varieties De - field along the Arbutus Park trail. Meet for shade. Sow carrot seeds directly in well hydration and overheating are common at 8:30 a.m., 10 OSV access rd. parking lot, cultivated beds where they can get 4-5 hours problems for dogs on hiking trails. Be bring your mat, the lawn area will be of direct light and then bright light for the rest sure to continuously hydrate your dog mowed. Hike will last about 2 hours. of the day. You may need to wait a bit longer (and yourself!) every half hour or so. If Saturday, June 15th trail volunteer day: Sturbridge Trail Committee’s monthly for the tubers to develop. Even at full maturity your dog is panting excessively or slow - volunteer trail day they may look like baby carrots, but they re - ing down, find a shady spot to rest until , 8:00 a.m. to noon, 10 main tender and sweet too. Minimum sun – he or she recovers. Bring snacks and treats OSV Access Rd. four-to-five hours for your dog and dole them out over the For more information on any of their events Radishes: are cool season vegetables that course of the hike. visit their Face Book page at: usually take less than a month from seed to 7) Leave no trace. Just as you'd apply www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Stur - harvest. They may a take a bit longer when the rule to yourself by packing out all bridge-Trails they don’t get full sun. However, the cooler microclimate in the shade means they can keep growing well into summer. So, you can probably have several batches all through the growing season from spring to late fall, with - out the otherwise mandatory summer break. Minimum sun – four-to-five hours. For more information on shade tolerant vegetables visit: https://www.motherearth - news.com/organic-gardening/shade-toler - ant-vegetables-zm0z11zsto
Tom Chamberland is the Tree Warden for the Town of Sturbridge and a Certified Arborist. He enjoys caring for plants that grow in his yard and welcomes reader suggestions for future articles. Email him at: tchamberland@town. sturbridge.ma.us
THE STURBRIDGE TIMES TOWN & C OUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE 21 Book Review Digital Minimalism
From page 7 "digital declutter." strategies have been accepted and Cal's work Your reviewer learned about Newport and is useful. He is not ready to do a whole frugality. It instructs his followers how to do his book online, of course. His cell phone month because of commitments that de - the same. His is a reasonable program and, seems to want to be his master and not the mand the use of tech. More importantly, the other than the online blog, he mostly es - servant. Certain of Digital Minimalism's goldfish look healthy. n chews the digital life. He also does not like that sitting quietly in a room business either, "For me, inactivity John Bolton and the Press leads to depressive boredom." The author re - counts the building and craftwork Adeney From page 15 chemical weapons? That also was bandied does and it is impressive, but it is diversion about in print and broadcast outlets. It put Bolton's gonna Bolton. There is nothing and the question becomes is it qualitatively Trump on the defensive and he bombed about him that has changed. The press that really different from a life wandering in the Douma. From a leaked report in May of 2019 used to make fun of the man may not be digital swamp. This is a stark contradiction by the Working Group on Syria, Propaganda praising him now, but neither is he held to in Digital Minimalism, but it does not deter and Media, it appears that enough holes the same scrutiny he once was. from its usefulness whether you want to have been poked in the original narrative to Is this the convergence of team neocon make stuff or be alone with your thoughts or make it a sieve. and team neoliberal? It may be, to judge by work and play with others in a non-digital All this should surprise no one. We may the headline from a FAIR (Fairness & Accu - environment. have a free press, but conformity is ever pres - racy in Reporting) posting on April 30 of this The author lays out how social media gets ent in the Fourth Estate. n year, “Zero Percent of Elite Commentators control of our minds by psychologically ad - Oppose Regime Change in Venezuela.” This dicting us. It's not on the same level as crack includes The New York Times and The or meth, but it is addiction and he has the Washington Post. Both papers have been sources to back him up. more than vocal in their disdain for the ad - If you are addicted and want to break out ministration, except on issues of foreign in - of it, you can do something about it. New - tervention. They never seem to mention that port's most severe idea is to take a thirty-day Maduro is the legally elected president. break. Undoubtedly, few will be inclined to Still, the unanimity is impressive. The So - this unless they are at a crisis point, but as viet Union needed the threat of the Gulag to outlined, it's not a bad idea even for the mod - enforce journalistic conformity. erately distressed to partake of what he calls The article did not mention Bolton, but the lads and lasses on the press bus agree with him. It is the same with Iran, except occasion - ally he gets favorable mention as in this Eli Lake article at Bloomberg (May 17, 2019), "John Bolton Is Exactly What Trump’s Iran Policy Needs." Reading Lake's offering, it seems he is trying weirdly to portray Bolton as working toward peace in the role of bad cop. Elsewhere, we hear the mantra of Iran being the leading state sponsor of terrorism. It is repeated ad nauseam in the press. The truth is a bit different, and though Wikipedia is not perfect, looking at the List of Terrorist Incidents in 2018 will give the lie to the claim. Remember all the talk about Assad's
22 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES TOWN & C OUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE GE T WE T POOL & SP A LO AN S BY SC U
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