I’ll be all around in the dark. I’ll be everywhere. Wherever you can look. Wherever there’s a fight, so hungry people can eat, I’ll be there. Wherever there’s a cop beatin’ up a guy, I’ll be there. I’ll be there in the way guys yell when they’re mad. I’ll be there in the way kids laugh when they’re hungry and they know supper’s ready, and when people are eatin’ the stuff they raise and livin’ in the houses they built—I’ll be there, too.

ryan

drunk driving.

rena

whipped cream on coffee: so wrong, yet so right.

By Michael Hughes       November 27, 2009

The Hilfiger luxury estate listed at around $28M sold for $20M in Greenwich, Connecticut.  Sotheby’s International Realty says the mansion is being purchased by a family who toured it in September.

The mansion features a 2,000 bottle wine cellar, indoor basketball court, sauna, massage room with a waterfall and home theater.  It sports eight bedrooms and nine bathrooms boasting over 20,000 square feet of living space.

Hilfiger purchased the home in 2005 for $18 million.  It has been on the market since 2008.  The designers’ reason cited for moving was to relocate to New York City.

The Hilfiger mansion is located on Connecticut”s Gold Coast which has an abundance of suburban/country perfection.  and is home to Martha Stewart Judge Judy and Mary Tyler Moore to mention a few.

Today, I realized what makes me the most happy; my closest friends.

We have been through a lot and have shared a pretty incredible experience since our first confrontations. I wanted to take this time to thank you, personally, for everything. The arguments, the successes and failures, the moments of truth, the silences and the outlandish activities we have all shared together. There is nothing more that I can ask for in this world other than us all living successful and happy lives. You are the greatest anyone could ever wish for and thus the reason why I have no hesitation when it comes to our chill time together. It is no wonder why my relations with women seem to fail; I give all my time to you guys, art and education. And I don’t regret a thing.

And to my fellow artists whom I believe I am good friends with, thank you for all your support. It is because of you that I am on this path and enjoying every second of it. Without you, I would not be writing this. I would probably be drunk in class or at some stupid party. You guys, in a way, saved me and gave me the key to truly expressing myself and my beliefs and I would gladly do anything to help you become more successful Ted and Peter. But more importantly, you gave me a key out of the hell I was living in. Once more…Thank you. It was an honor to help with the book and an honor to paint for hours in the rain with you, Peter. I don’t think you really understand how much it means to me.

Anyways, hope you and everyone else have a good holiday as I know this was easily the best thanksgiving I have had in years.

-Mike

Two years ago I knew very little about my ancestors.

I wanted to know the reasons that led my father to cut all ties with his immediate family and also with his children.

While I won’t go into this subject, I can say that I now understand why my father acted the way he did.

His father married Mary Landry in 1912.

I thought she had died and that he remarried with Juliette Métayer in on around 1926 since my father was born in August 1927.

I tried desperately to find this marriage in several data banks but to no avail…

Guess what?

They never married… And this was in 1927.

How did I came across this information?

I met the nephew of Maria Landry this spring.

How did I contact him?

Since I entered Maria Landry’s file and all her ancestors in my Heritage genealogy site, I got a Smart Match. Someone had the file of one of Maria’s family members. I wrote this person and she gave me a phone number to call.

I picked up the phone and talk to a 84 years old man.

This man wanted to see me so he could tell me what he knew of my grandfather though he never met him.

Next time, you will meet Antonio Landry, Maria Landry’s nephew.

Just to tease you, here is a picture of Antonio Landry.

Antonio Landry

My photos from yesterday’s presidential turkey pardon made it to the front page of The Norwalk Hour and are on display at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.

The Newseum’s outdoor exhibit showcases the front page of every newspaper in the Uniter States, so I’m pretty honored to have my photo on display there, along with Katerina Voutsina’s article. Here’s the photo:

Nov. 25, 2009-Barbara Erena, Anthony Erena and their granddaughter Riley, 10, of Wilton, Conn., at the annual Turkey Pardon on the steps of the White House in Washington, D.C.

Here’s the front page:

It is a war! The casualties are very high….you need a plan. There are very few options. We have the way.

Unfortunately, the small business owners have been abandoned, left to defend themselves on their own, with no defense and the battle front is very bloody, many casualties, with no help in sight.

That is the sad plight we are in.

The economy is melting down, revenue are drastically cut, overhead creeps up daily, yet debt service on your loans remains the same, choking any chance for survival. After your businesses are destroyed, you then get to face the full force of your personal guaranties, further burying you and preventing any chance of rehabilitation.

There is a way to successfully navigate this bleak situation. Second Wind Consultants with thirty years of experience handling such issues, has been saving one small business at a time, stripping of the debt from the business so it may run free of debt, and then reducing the personal guaranty to pennies on the dollar.

The only small business bailout program there is, and its success is phenomenal.

“We are on a mission, to save as many small businesses as we can.” says Don Todrin President, and to spread the word and save more businesses, we have created a field force to deliver our message door to door.”

We have identified a number of exceptional business workout strategists, and have launched a small field force in New England to save as many as possible with personal service.

Scattered throughout New England we can now visit you personally and explain our program.

Call us, we will come to your rescue, now with a field force ready to protect and preserve your valuable business assets and give you the opportunity to survive and emerge successful again.

Call us, we will be there quickly. We are now staffed in Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

There are no other options. This is a war….we are your cavalry.

Call us for help 413-584-2581

OK, here’s the thing Connecticut burglars, anyone worth their salt knows stealing from nuns ain’t going to net you any great worth, secondly it’s just nasty. Thieves broke into the Sister’s of Mercy in Hartford, Connecticut and took off with a book bag and a Toyota Corolla. You guys are going to hell!

True love stories never have endings.  ~Richard Bach

These guys are a bunch of jokesters, but it looks like Mommy may want to find this young boy a new daddy very soon! This little tyke is asking is father, “what happens if our house blows up?” Daddy answers “then we’ll build a new one!” Sorry Daddy, you’re not doing anything without a solid homeowner’s insurance policy. When choosing a policy that best fits “you,” remember to make sure you’ve chosen a plan with enough coverage for your family and home. Make sure you’ve chosen a plan with: 

• Enough coverage to rebuild your home if it’s destroyed
• Enough coverage to replace your personal property if it’s destroyed 
• Enough to protect your assets if you’re ever sued

While this video is funny, we’re keeping our fingers crossed hoping Mommy has already started the hunt to find that youngster a new Daddy. These must have been the bloopers from the video, because I’m sure the real footage was scripted as follows:

“Daddy, what happens if our house burns up in a fire?”

 “We’ll build a new one son. We know Paradiso Insurance has our back!”

In Stafford Springs CT, we know that we don’t typically have to worry about tornados or asteroids destroying our homes, but make sure you have the right answer to tell your child when he asks about your Connecticut home!

Thanks for the laugh Kentucky Farm!

(Part I)

Part II:

Wethersfield Burying Ground, First Christ Church, Wethersfield, CT Samuel & Mary Boreman are buried here.

It is curious that my ancestors left England in part to escape the tyranny of a state religion—and upon arrival practiced the same tyranny of an official religion themselves.

They were wrought by fear of things they didn’t understand. They were superstitious. This resulted in the Salem Witch Trials, the most famous, but not the only witch trials in New England.

In the Connecticut Colony, beginning in 1639, estates were administered by the Particular Court also sometimes referred to as “Quarter Court” when it met quarterly, which also dealt with most other judicial actions. By September of 1662, Samuel Boreman was something of a mover & shaker in Wethersfield (today a really neat suburb of Hartford, CT), and was appointed as a juror on at least one such court:

At a Particular Court held at Hartford, December 30, 1662, Samuel served as a juror in the indictment of Nathaniel Greensmith and of Rebecca, his wife: “Nathaniel Greensmith thou art here indicted by the name of Nathaniel Greensmith for not having the fear of God before thine eyes, thou hast entertained familiarity with Satan, the grand enemy of God and mankind, and by his help hast acted things in a preternatural way beyond human abilities in a natural course , for which according to the law of God and the established law of this commonwealth thou deservest to die.”

The magistrates holding the court were Matthew Allyn, moderator, Samuel Wyllys, Richard Treat, Henry Wolcott, Daniel Clark, secretary, John Allyn. The jury were Edward Griswold, Walter Filer, Ensign Olmsted, Samuel Boardman, Gregory Winterton, John Cowles, Samuel Marshall, Samuel Hale, Nathaniel Willett, John Hart, John Wadsworth and Robert Webster.

Nathaniel Greensmith made no confession. Here is all that we know of the evidence given in against him:

Rebecca Greensmith testifieth in court January 8, 1662.

“1. ‘That my husband on Friday’ night last, when I came to prison, told me that now thou hast confest against thyself let me alone and say nothing of me and I will be good unto thy children.”

“2. ‘I do now testify that formerly when my husband hath told me of his great travail and labor, I wondered at it how he did it; this he did before I was married, and when I was married I asked him how he did it, and he answered me, he had help that I knew not of.”

“3. ‘About three years ago, as I think it, my husband and I were in the woods several miles from home, and were looking for a sow that we lost, and I saw a creature, a red creature, following my husband, and when I came to him I asked him what it was that was with him, and he told me it was.a fox.”

“4. ‘Another time when he and I drove our hogs into the woods beyond the pound that was to keep young cattle, several miles off, I went before the hogs to call them, and looking back I saw two creatures like dogs, one a little blacker than the other; they came after my husband pretty close to him, and one did seem to me to touch him. I asked him what they were, he told me he thought foxes. I was still afraid when I saw anything, because I heard so much of him before I rriarried him.”

“5. ‘I have seen logs that my husband hath brought home in his cart that I wondered at it that he could get them into the cart, being a man of little body and weak to my apprehension; and the logs were such that I thought two men such as he could not have done it.”

“I speak all of this out of love to my husband’s soul, and it is much against my will that I am now necessitate to speak against my husband. I desire that the Lord would open his heart to own and speak the truth.”

“‘I also testify, that I being in the woods at a meeting, there was with me goody Seager, goodwife Sanford and goodwife Ayres. And at another time there was a meeting under a tree in the green by our house, and there was there James Walkicy, Peter Grant’s wife, goodwife Ayres, and Henry Palmer’s wife, of Wethersfield, and goody Seager; and there we danced and had a bottle of sack. It was in the night and something like a cat called me out to the meeting, and I was in Mr. Varlet’s orchard with Mrs. Judith Varlet, and she told me that she was muth troubled with the marshal, Jonathan Gilbert, and cried; and she said if it lay in her power she would do him a mischief, or what hurt she could. Taken upon oath in court.’

“The jury return that they find the prisoner at the bar, Nathaniel Greensmith, guilty of the indictment.”

“Respecting Rebecca Greensmith, the prisoner at the bar, the jury find her guilty of the indictment.”

“The said Rebecca confesseth in open court, that she is guilty of the charge laid in against her.”

“This, with the concurrent evidence, brought the woman and her husband to their death as the devil’s familiars.” [Source: A CASE OF WITCHCRAFT IN HARTFORD, By Charles J. Hoadley, LL. D. Published in the Connecticut Magazine November, 1899]

The Greensmiths were executed a couple of weeks later:

“On [January 25,] 1663, [*Sometimes recorded as 1662 or 1662/3, since January 1 was not the legal beginning of the new year] a husband and wife were hanged for witchcraft in colonial Connecticut…”

“…The persecutions began with the deathbed ravings of an 8-year-old girl, who accused a certain Goodwife of the town, the latter preserving herself only by escaping detention and fleeing the colony with her husband…”

“…Nathaniel Greensmith did not “own and speak the truth,” but he shared his wife’s fate this day. They may have been executed with a third accused witch as well, but the documentary trail for Mary Barnes’ case seems less certain. Though she, and perhaps another woman, may have been hanged after the Greensmiths in this particular spasm of supernatural paranoia, the Hartford witch trials of 1662-63 would mark the last witchcraft executions in Connecticut.”

“The Greensmiths left behind 15- and 17-year-old daughters, a modest estate, and community lore of the miraculous post-execution recovery of the party they were supposed to have been afflicting.” [Source: Executed Today.com]

Thus ends the short chronicle of my immigrant ancestor, Samuel Boreman. I’m sure glad we no longer fall prey to irrational fears and superstitions…

…or do we?

I’m not sure if B’port is a nickname used for Bridgeport, CT but I decided to use it anyway.

We spend the day up north and had a good time. We decided to relax for most of the day which was a good idea as I didn’t get much sleep last night. As a result of my frequent tossing and turning, Drew didn’t sleep too well either. Oops.

We started our day by going to the zoo. It was alot of fun. I never get tired of visiting a zoo. They are all different in at least one way so it never really gets monotonous.  My favorite animal today was Pygmy Marmoset. I hope I spelled that right. I have a feeling my spelling has been compromised due to lack of sleep. But anyways, they are just so cute you could eat them!

Another cute(and funny) thing that happened was being offered a slobbery lollipop by a sweet little girl. I’m not sure why she wanted me to have it but I politely declined and suggested that she keep the tasty treat for herself.  She thought it was a good idea.

After the zoo, we headed back to the hotel and did pretty much nothing.

Once the evening had arrived, we headed out for dinner. The atmosphere was so intimate and perfect. The food was pretty good as well.  Drew still amazes me with how much he can eat.  He’s blessed with great metabolism and regularly works out so it’s not much of an issue.  Good for you, Drew. Good for you.

We at Hatter & Beanz have thought of something interesting and, even though our idea may not be so unique it’s something for those who may be less fortunate or those that may have been hit hard by the economic downfall.  

So readers, as we give thanks for our families, our friends and the roofs over our heads we have built for you a list of soup kitchens and shelters and services in each of the 50 states. (Oh by the way, we personally checked each reference).

So here’s how this is going down, we’re going to sort this by state, and right now our goal is to list one or two organizations by per state for this year. At Christmas, we’ll add one or two more, per state.

Alabama

1 – Rose Of Sharon Soup Kitchen – 2412 Memorial PKWY NW – Huntsville, AL 35810 Ph: (256) 536-2970

2 – Anniston Soup Bowl – 1516 Moore Avenue – Anniston, AL  36201 – Ph: (256) 236-6794

Alaska

1 – Downtown Soup Kitchen – 434 East 4^th AVE – Anchorage, AK 99501 – Ph: (907) 277-4302

2 – Food Pantry of Palmer – 7805 East Palmer Wasilla HWY – Palmer, AK 99645 – Ph:  (907) 745-3635

Arizona

1 – Vista Colina Family Shelter – 1050 W. Mountain View Rd. – Phoenix, AZ 8501 -  Ph: (602) 944- 0960

2 – Gospel Rescue Mission – 1130 West Miracle Mile – Tucson, AZ 85705 – Ph: (520) 740-1501

Arkansas

1 – Food Bank of North Central Arkansas – 14215 Highway 5 South – Norfork, AR 72658 – Ph: (870) 499-7565

2 – Johnny’s Food Bank – 312 Church Street – Lake Village, AR 71653 – (870) 265 -2601

California

1 – TLC Soup Kitchen – 3904 High Street – Sacramento, CA 95838 – Ph: (916) 759-1806

2 – Hospitality Kitchen – 821 East 6^th Street – Los Angeles, CA 90013

Colorado

1 – Denver Rescue Mission – 1130 Park Ave West- Denver, CO 80205 – Ph: (303) 297-1815

2 – Soup Kitchen Inc. – 1675 Larimer Street – Denver, CO 80205 – Ph: (303) 629-6383

Connecticut

1 – Torrington Soup Kitchen – Trinity Church, 220 Prospect Street – Torrington, CT 06790 – Ph: (860) 482-0130

2 – Covenant Soup Kitchen – 220 Valley Street – Willimantic, CT 06226 – Ph: (860) 423-1643

Delaware

1 – Food Bank of Delaware – 1041 Mattlind Way – Milford, DE 19963 – Ph: (302) 424-3301

2 – Acorn, Inc. – 1607 Todds Lane – Wilmington, DE 190802 – Ph: (302) 762-4226

Florida

1 – Homestead Soup Kitchen – 105 Southwest 3^rd Ave – Homestead, FL 33090 – Ph: (305) 245-7448

2 – Bread of the Mighty – 325 Northeast 10^th Ave – Gainesville, FL 32601 – Ph: (352) 395-6570

Georgia

1 – Albany Rescue Mission – 604 North Monroe Street – Albany, GA 31701 – Ph: (229) 435-7615

2 – Feed America – 102 East 14^th Ave – Cordele, GA 31015 – Ph: (229) 273-0227

Hawaii

1 – Office of Social Ministry – 100 Kinoole Street – Hilo, HI 96720 Ph: (808) 935-3794

Idaho

1 – The Soup Kitchen – 301 South BLVD – Idaho Falls, ID 83401 Ph: (208) 557-5750

2 – St. Maries Food Bank – 416 Main Ave – Saint Mares, ID 83861 Ph: (208) 245-9090

Illinois

1 – Midwest Food Bank – 1703 So. Veterans PKWY – Bloomington, IL 61701 Ph: (309) 663-5350

2 – Cornucopia Food Pantry – 402 Market Street – Rockford, IL 61107 – Ph: (815) 962-1380

Indiana

1 – Backstreet Mission – 215 So Westplex Ave. – Bloomington, IN 47404 – Ph: (812) 333-6360

2 – Wells County Food Bank – 1254 So. Main Street – Bluffton, IN 46714- Ph: (260) 827-0053

Iowa

1 – Community of Concern – 203 North US Highway 71 – Carroll, IA 51401 – Ph: (712) 792-5150

2 – Mapleton Food Bank – 315 Main Street – Mapleton, IA 51034 – Ph: (712) 881-1128

Kansas

1 – Genesis – 350 So. Range Ave. – Colby, KS 67701 – Ph: (785) 460-7930

2 – Christian Food Bank – 111 West 4^th Street – Pratt, KS 67124 – Ph: (620) 672-5150

Kentucky

1 – God’s Pantry Food Bank – 1685 Jaggie Fox Way – Lexington, KY 40511 – Ph: (859)255-6592

2 – New Hope Food Bank – 880 J.T. Riggs Road – New Hope, KY 40052 – Ph: (502) 549-6015

Louisiana

1 – Food for Families – 245 Illinois Street – Delhi, LA 71232 – Ph: (318) 878-3869

2 – God’s Food Box – 711 Mahlon Street – Deridder, LA 70634 – Ph: (337) 463-4449

Maine

1 – Good Shepherd Food Bank – 3121 Hotel Road – Auburn, ME 04210 – Ph: (207) 782-3554

2 – Winthrop Food Pantry – 15 High Street – Winthrop, ME 04364

Maryland

1 – Movable Feast – 2620 Wilkins Ave – Baltimore, MD 21223 – Ph: (410) 327-3420

2 – Abundant Life Church – 110 Front Street – Pocomoke City, MD 21851 – Ph: (410) 957-4206

Massachusetts

1 – Beverly Bootstraps – 371 Cabot Street – Beverly, MA 01915 – Ph: (978) 927-1651

2 – Merrimack Valley Food Bank – 735 Broadway – Lowell, MA 01854 – Ph: (978) 454-7272

Michigan

1 – American Saucery – 10750 Capital St – Oak Park, MI 48237 – Ph: (248) 544-9485

2 – Manna Food Project – 8791McBride Park – Harbor Springs, MI – Ph: (231) 347-8852

Minnesota

1 – Fare for All – 8501 54^th Ave North – Minneapolis, MN 55428 – Ph: (763) 450-3860

2 – Pastor Paul’s Mission – 100 Oliver Ave North – Minneapolis, MN 55411 – Ph: (612) 521-4665

Mississippi

1 – Hartland Hands – 385 Stateline Road East – Southaven, MS 38671 – Ph: (662) 280-5365

2 – PBM Ministries – 639 Second South Street – Woodville, MS 39669 – Ph: (601) 888-3880

Missouri

1 – Arnold Food Pantry – 23 Village Plaza – Arnold, MO 63010 – Ph: (636) 467-5959

2 – Holy Spirit – 3128 Parkwood Lane – Maryland Heights, MO 63043 – Ph: (314) 739-9796

Montana

1 – Give Away House – 1058 2^nd Street North – Harve, MT 59501 – Ph: (406) 265-7741

2 – Sagebrush Food Pantry – 669 Park Ave – Shelby, MT 59474 – Ph: (406) 424-8287

Nebraska

1 – Arapahoe Area Food Pantry – 210 7^th Street – Arapahoe, NE 68922 – Ph: (308) 962-7296

2 – Western Nebraska Food Bank – 825 Hickory Street – Sidney, NE 69162 – Ph: (308) 254-1095

Nevada

1 – Food For Thought – 3579 US Highway 50 – East Carson City, NV 89029 – Ph: (775) 883-1011

2 – Colorado River Food Bank – 1575 South Casino Drive – Laughlin, NV 89410 – Ph: (775) 782-3711

New Hampshire

1 – Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter – 42 Chestnut Street – Nashua, NH 03061 – Ph: (603) 889-7770

2 – Sonshine Soup Kitchen – 4 Crustal Ave #4 – Derry, NH 03038 – Ph: (603) 437-2833

New Jersey

1 – Extra Helping – 31 Evans Terminal – Hillside, NJ 07205 – Ph: (908) 355-3663

2 – Interfaith Food Pantry – 540 West Hanover Ave – Morristown, NJ 07960 – Ph: (973) 538-8049

New Mexico

1 – The Food Depot – 1222 Silver Road – Santa Fe, NM 87507 – Ph: (505) 471-1633

2 – Los Alamos Community Food Bank – 77 Loma Vista St – Los Alomos, NM 87544

New York

1 – Masbia Soup Kitchen – 4114 14^th Ave – Brooklyn, NY 11219 – Ph: (718) 972-4446

2 – Project Hospitality – 100 Park Ave. – Staten Island, NY 10302 – Ph: (718) 448-1544

North Carolina

1 – Good Shepherd Ministries – 811 Martin Street – Wilmington, NC 28401 – Ph: (910) 763-4424

2 – Hallelujah Soup Kitchen – 1904 South Wilmington Street – Raleigh, NC 27603 – Ph: (919) 899-6498

North Dakota

1 – Amen Food Pantry – 1100 3^rd Ave West – Dickinson, ND 58601 – Ph: (701) 483-4344

2 – Carrington’s Daily Bread – 875 Main Street – Carrington, ND 58421 – Ph: (701) 652-2333

Ohio

1 – Zion Soup Kitchen – 2716 West 14^th Street – Cleveland, OH 44113 – Ph: (216) 861-2371

2 – From Darkness to Light – 1925 Stanford Road – Twinsburg, OH 44087 – Ph: (216) 744-7408

Oklahoma

1 – Salvation Army – 1306 SW Ave E – Lawton, OK 73501 – Ph: (580) 355-1802

2 – Ardmore Soup Kitchen – 2207 Ridgeway Street – Ardmore, OK 73401 – Ph: (580) 226-2870

Oregon

1 – Lebanon Soup Kitchen – 170 East Grant Street – Lebanon, OR 97355 – Ph: (541) 451-7667

2 – St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen – 820 Ellsworth Street SW – Albany, OR 97321 – Ph: (541) 926-8562

Pennsylvania

1 – Jubilee Kitchen – 2005 Wyandotte Street – Pittsburgh, PA 15219 – Ph: (412) 261-5417

2 – East Liberty Soup Kitchen – 1091 Pittsburgh Road – Valencia, PA 16059 – Ph: (724) 898-3503

Rhode Island

1 – Fall River Soup Kitchen – 783 Slade Street – Fall River, MA 02724 – Ph: (508) 324-1323

South Carolina

1 – Project Host Soup Kitchen – 525 So. Academy Street – Greenville, SC 29601 – Ph: (864) 235-3403

2 – The Soup Kitchen – 573 Meeting Street – Charleston, SC 29403 – Ph: (843) 723-2726

Tennessee

1 – Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen – 215 Foster Street – Clarksville, TN 37043 – Ph: (931) 645-9020

2 – Manna Day Ministry – 1186 Ft. Campbell Blvd. – Clarksville, TN 37042 – Ph: (931) 648-1324

Texas

1 – Star of Hope Homeless Shelter – 419 Dowling Street – Houston, TX 77003 – Ph: (713) 748-0700

2 – New Hope Housing, Inc. – 320 Hamilton Street – Houston, TX 77002 – Ph: (713) 223-1995

Utah

1 – Manila Food Pantry – 93 North 1 West – Manila, UT 84046 – Ph: (435) 784-3993

Virginia

1 –Central Virginia Food Bank – 1415 Rhoadmiller Street – Richmond, VA 23220 – Ph: (804) 521-2500

Washington

1 – University Street Ministries – 4740 University Way NE – Seattle, WA 98105 – Ph: (206) 522-4366

West Virginia

1 – Soup Kitchen of Greater Wheeling – 1610 Eoff Street – Wheeling, WV 26003 – Ph: (304) 233-2992

Wisconsin

1 – McCarthy-Hall Kitchen – 1100 Douglas Ave – Racine, WI 53402 – Ph: (262) 634-9336

Wyoming

1 – Community Soup Kitchen – 633 Bridger Ave – Rock Springs, WY 82901 – Ph: (307) 382-7383

Have A Happy & Safe Thanksgiving Holiday !!!!

-Hatter & Beanz

Tony Guglielmo could not believe the topic of conversation Monday when he arrived for the quarterly board meeting of a non-profit foundation he serves on in Connecticut. It wasn’t the economy. It wasn’t unemployment or health care. It wasn’t any of the normal gossip.

Everyone was talking about the University of Connecticut football team and Saturday’s 33-30 double-overtime victory over Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Guglielmo, a State Senator from the 35^th district in eastern Connecticut, thought he had taken a wrong turn and exited somewhere in the Deep South.

“These are not football fans – well, maybe one or two,” Guglielmo said Tuesday. “I just came from Thanksgiving dinner at a senior housing center and I was sitting at a table with a lady from Louisiana. She said going to games at LSU was part of the fun of growing up.

“I’m not saying we’re ever going to be like Louisiana – or Penn State even. But if you can generate interest from people who are not sports fans, then you can raise the profile of the whole university – and it’s nothing but positive.”

It was quiet on the UConn campus in Storrs Tuesday. The students had left on holiday break even before the football team returned from South Bend, so there was no raucous campus celebration. The players didn’t go home. They are going through their regular weekly schedule – without classes – in preparation for Saturday’s home game against Syracuse.

Coach Randy Edsall held his regular weekly meeting with the media and was asked if anything was different about this week.

“Well, you know, the smiles,” Edsall said. “You can smile now. But really, we haven’t changed a thing.”

Finding the ability to smile again is a pretty big thing for this football team. The Huskies (5-5) were smiling Oct. 17 after beating Louisville 38-25 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford. But hours later, Edsall was called to a hospital to identify the body of junior cornerback Jasper Howard. Howard had been murdered, stabbed to death during an altercation near the Student Union, where a homecoming dance had been held.

That’s when a coach becomes a father. That’s when players turn to each as brothers, when smiles are replaced by tears, and lives are changed forever.

Saturday’s win couldn’t bring Howard back to the Huskies. But ever since that senseless act that took him away, the UConn players had been trying honor his memory with a victory. They came up short – painfully short – against West Virginia, Rutgers and Cincinnati. They lost those three games by a total of 10 points.

So when they finally broke through, and celebrated in that shrine known as Notre Dame Stadium, Edsall looked into the NBC camera and dedicated the win to Howard. Edsall has earned so much respect while hugging his football sons. He has paced them through all the candlelight vigils, all the memorials, and a trip to Florida for a funeral.

So, when UConn beat Notre Dame, Randy Edsall had tears in his eyes. Why wouldn’t he?

“Little No. 6 was up there looking down on us today,” Edsall said of the departed teammate known as Jazz.

From a purely football standpoint, UConn’s win over Notre Dame wasn’t a huge upset. Even so, Edsall didn’t hesitate to label it the biggest win in school history because it was. Ten years ago UConn was still playing in Division I-AA (now the FCS). The Huskies didn’t become a full member of the FBS until 2002. They didn’t join the Big East until 2004.

Those recent milestones explain Edsall’s reference to “little ol’ Connecticut” when he talked about the weight of the win. And if you are like Tony Guglielmo, who played on two Yankee Conference championship teams before graduating in 1962, you know any talk of UConn ever beating Notre Dame could have gotten you “carried away in a straitjacket.”

Forget the Notre Dame part. There were Connecticut residents just 10, 11 or 12 years ago who simply didn’t get the whole infatuation with football. They said the upgrade to I-A would never work and that UConn should drop the sport instead.

Ironically, that’s what Northeastern did Monday. UConn and Northeastern met 23 times between 1935 and 2000. The announcement from Boston that the 74^th season would be the last for Northeastern brought back memories of UConn’s eight-year struggle to upgrade and plan for a stadium. Guglielmo always agreed with the concept of upgrading, but he was part of a temporary legislative roadblock during the stadium debate.

“I voted against building a new stadium,” Guglielmo said. “I thought it would be a good idea to renovate and play in the Yale Bowl [in New Haven]. Lew Perkins [the AD who since moved to Kansas] thought it was the worst idea ever. Lew was so mad he didn’t talk to me for a while.”

All of that is in the past. This week, Guglielmo has been getting e-mails from his former UConn teammates, who remain in various degrees of shock over beating Notre Dame. The Huskies can become bowl eligible with a win over Syracuse Saturday or South Florida on Dec. 5. After everything they’ve been through, that would be special.

Of course, Edsall didn’t want to talk about that Tuesday. His focus is totally on Syracuse now. Not Notre Dame. Not the possibility of a bowl bid. He wasn’t even willing to admit that the days of being “little ol’ Connecticut” are officially over.

Beating Notre Dame pretty much took care of that, don’t you think?

“I said that because we’re relatively new, but I think we’re a pretty good football team,” Edsall said. “More so, I think we have a very good football program. But those aren’t things that I would answer. That’s for other people to decide.”

Until last night, I’d never seen Christmas in Connecticut (1945), but my wife got me to sit down and watch it with her—and what a great holiday movie! Barbara Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan have smoldering chemistry (it’s surprising that they don’t melt the snow). Anyway, it’s a great Christmas film that, if you’ve managed to have missed it over the years (as I had), you might want to locate. Here it is at Amazon, and here’s the original trailer for the film:

My cataloging lately has involved many account books. There is often little to distinguish one from another, so many containing numerous entries for sales of corn, molasses, and rum. Today, the account books of Stephen Coit provided a pleasant surprise.

Stephen Coit was a merchant in Canterbury, Connecticut. We have four of his volumes in our collection, three account books and a day book. Like many merchants of the time, Coit sold a variety of dry goods and food items. Nails, tea, candles, and codfish are among the many items recorded.

As I opened the day book, my eyes settled on a familiar Connecticut name, Miss Prudence Crandall. Prudence Crandall has become our State Heroine for having the strength and courage to educate African-American girls in 1833 and 1834 (her house is now a museum). Not only does the day book demonstrate she routinely purchased from Coit, we also have the corresponding account book detailing her expenditures.

So, wondering what a school teacher in Canterbury, Connecticut purchases from a local merchant? The first time she is listed in the day book she purchased three yards of white flannel, one and three quarter yards linen diaper, three sheets wadding, two skeins black silk, 15 needles, and fine tape.  She spent $3.37 on these items. Other times she would buy ribbon, robe, and crackers. Crandall must have been doing some writing in June 1832. One day that month she purchased rose paper and a bottle of ink.

As late as June 1833, the last month the day book was used, Coit was still conducting business with Crandall. Once Crandall began teaching African-Americans many of the shopkeepers in the area refused to sell to her. There is no indication as to whether Coit was among those shopkeepers. Additionally, Coit left Canterbury at some point in 1833.

The Stephen Coit account books (Account Book collection/Ms. 55740) are open for research. Please come and learn even more about Prudence Crandall!

Heres a treat to all those who read the blog from our hometown of New Milford, CT. What we will do is a fantasy draft containing all the basketball players from 2005 until the seniors of 2010. Russo and Leary will alternate picks and have a little analysis of each pick. This weeks NBA Power Rankings from ESPN.com will determine the order. Without further ado, The New Jersey Nets are on the clock…

1.) New Jersey Nets- Rick Casagrande (Leary)

The Nets suck, but they already have a big man in Brook Lopez and a good point guard in Deven Harris. Have to pass on todd ward for Rick, who will give the Nets a new dimension by just lighting it up with 3’s

2.) Minnesota Timberwolves- Todd Ward (Russo)

Stunned he wasn’t selected first, Minny jumps all over Ward. New Milford’s 1000 point scorer adds a potential future slam dunk champion to the squad. Imagine Rubio to Ward all day, a bright future in Minny.

3.) New York Knicks- Will Chavarria (Leary)

The Knicks have another slam dunk of a first round pick. They love his ability to run the break.

4.) Philadelphia 76ers- Chris Norlander (Russo)

Philly’s head scout knew who they wanted once they scouted Chris. His 40 point performances at the Danbury War Memorial locked his spot up as a top 5 pick. Unmatched range on his 3, Chris reminds some of a more talented Danilo Gallinari.

5.) Memphis Grizzlies- Xavier O’Rourke(Leary)

Although the Grizzlies are unsure of how to spell his last name, they need to replace Iverson. Who better to do that?

6.) Charlotte Bobcats- Frank O’Brien (Russo)

The most improved player in the draft gets coached by Larry Brown. Franks jumper and strength going to the hoop will prove to some that he was one of the most underrated players in nm history.

7.) Washington Wizards- Thomas Calhoun (Leary)

Upset with O’Brien getting taken the pick before, the Wizards scrambled. So they went with the most athletic player on the board who will let Gilbert Arenas know where to stick his paycheck

8.) Los Angeles Clippers- Kevin Duffy (Russo)

The most athletic point guard in the draft is a perfect match to put along side Eric Gordon. The Clipps have their backcourt for the next ten years.

9.) Detroit Pistons- Chris Russo (Leary)

The most loved player in New Milford Basketball history. It will be an easy transition to the pros for Russo due to the fact that many of the ex-Uconn players will relate his abilities and hard work to that of Ed Nelson.

10.) Golden State Warriors- Cody Norlander (Russo)

The last player out of the green room has the talent to go in the top 5. He dropped due to a former coach blackballing him. He looks forward to his NBA opener against brother Chris in Philly.

11.) Indiana Pacers- Andrew Schlemmer (Leary)

Expect A.J. Price to sit out and demand a trade because the Pacers went against his wishes of trading up to play with Kevin Duffy. The Pacers bring in a great team guy, who at once casted a vote for Russo as team MVP in 2006.

12.) Sacramento Kings- Scott Rossell (Russo)

The Kings has Schlemmer number one on their board, and but are thrilled by the idea of getting Rossell. The tools are there for Scotty, and in two years, Evans plus Martin plus Rossell will equal a playoff spot.

13.) New Orleans Hornets- John Krafick (Leary)

Shockinly Krafick fell this far in the draft. Knowing they have to replace Peja soon, the Hornets take the safest player in the draft. The League should be worried because Krafick is never afraid to take the big shot.

14.) Toronto Raptors- Chris Allen (Russo)

CAL, as he is known by most NBA scouts, has a skill set matched by few in this draft. He falls because he had a little run in with the law a few years back, however, Allen is a nice pick up to put next to Bosh.

15.) Chicago Bulls- Shane Edmond (Leary)

The Bulls add some attitude with this pick. This kid can control the boards for them for the next 15 years. In-Shane-In-The-Membrane will be a fan favorite instantly.

16.) San Antonio Spurs- Justin Papp (Russo)

J is about as deadly as they come from downtown. The Spurs push aside Mason Jr. for J.  His rec specs also made him an instant hit with the ladies.

17.) Oklahoma City Thunder- Luke Martin (Leary)

The Thunder already have a big time scorer, now they have a guy who can really dial up the intensity level as well as contribute the two keys to winning a championship: Defense and Rebounding.

18.) Miami Heat- Thomas O’Rourke (Russo)

Some would be surprised that Thomas fell this low, however, it is not known what has happened to him since he left nm. A real unknown in the draft, the Heat take the gamble.

19.) Utah Jazz- Nate Stenabaugh (Leary)

The Jazz usually bring in safe players, they do it once more with nate-dog. He will be a great replacement for Kirilenko down the road.

20.) Houston Rockets- Ian Smith (Russo)

The Rockets bring in Smith to put next to Brooks in the fastest backcourt of all time. Smith is one guy that the Houston fans cant help but root for.

21.) Milwaukee Bucks- Mike Paradiso (Leary)

Paradiso can make an imidiate impact for the Bucks. In five years this could be looked at as the steal of the draft

22.) Portland Trail Blazers- Nick Paradiso (Russo)

The kid can run better than any big man in the draft. Fits perfectly in the Portland rotation.

23.) Boston Celtics- Ani Lekaj (Leary)

The Celtics make a move to try and become a more likable team in the eyes of, well, everyone. They cash in with a pick that has huge upside.

24.) Cleveland Cavaliers- Dennis Rinaldi (Russo)

Trying to draft somebody who can keep Lebron from skipping town, the Cavs draft a defensive stopper in Dennis. They were going to take Bobby Baird, but they thought he might quit basketball for the 8th time.

25.) Dallas Mavericks- Billy Rehders (Leary)

Rehders will be exactly what Mark Cuban wants and loves. A guy who will come in, play solid defense, and make flashy passes to Dirk in the big spot.

26.) Denver Nuggets- Zach Wasser (Russo)

His skills were on full display as a soph at nmhs. His unreal bball IQ will show that after he is done dishing behind the back or over the backboard passes to Melo, that he can take over for Karl as coach.

27.) Orlando Magic- Phil Dobson (Leary)

Dobson paired up with Dwight Howard would be an unstopable force inside, one that will make Orlando into a dynasty. Dobson is a question mark though because he left basketball in ‘08. His athleticism was too much to pass up at 27.

28.) Phoenix Suns- Vincent Van Wattum (Russo)

When I think of run and gun, I think Vin Van Wattum. Deadlier than anybody from downtown, Vin can launch with the best of them. He was cut from nmhs, but that is only because coaches failed to see how amazing a shooter Vin is. Steal of the draft.

29.) Atlanta Hawks- Doug Kitchens (Leary)

Atlanta doesn’t need much help, but over the next few years Kitchens will develop into a franchise player. After playing basketball with him once this summer it was evident how he can take the pressure off everyone on the court. He will be a stud down in hot-lanta

30.) Los Angeles Lakers- Chris Leary (Russo)

The legend preceeds Leary. The game vs. Cal and Fob, the game vs. the 13 year old in Mass, the 3 point shootout vs. Reed, not to mention his game against Marcus Tracy. Leary is a winner, and that fits perfectly with the Lakers. Him and Morrison team up for the best shooting combo of all time. Lock up another ship for LA.

My Life as a Realtor ~

Day 122:

Sunday – and Jonathan had his last soccer game – which ended in a tie – and I was so thankful it was a HOME GAME -  at the New Fairfield High School Rebel Turf Field.  And yes, once again – I sat in my car… actually it’s our rental from Enterprise…

… and watched the game – keeping myself warm and multi-tasking at the same time.  I worked a bit, making calls, sending e-mails and I looked over my “To-Do” list for Thanksgiving Day.  

The majority of Boardmans in the United States are descended from cousins Thomas Boreman and Samuel Boreman. Sadly, there is no evidence that any of the current Boardmans living in Great Britain are related. The name has its roots in the names “Bourman” or “Bowerman.” The cousins were descendants of William Boreman (circa 1525) of Banbury, Oxfordshire, England.

The surname changed over time from Boreman to Bordman and finally to its current Boardman. The spellings were often interchanged freely as they were not all that concerned about the spelling.

The first to arrive was THOMAS BOREMAN, born in Claydon, where he was baptised Oct. 18, 1601.” (Boardman Genealogy, page 102) “The exact date of Thomas Boreman’s coming to New England is not known. He was probably here as early as 1634, but is first found on record in March 1634-5 when he was made freeman by the General Court of Massachusetts. His first grant of land is recorded at Ipswich in 1635. (Boardman Genealogy, page 104)

My immigrant ancestor SAMUEL BOREMAN, arrived in 1638. He was born Abt. Aug 1615 in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England, and died Apr 1673 in Wethersfield, Hartford, CT. He married MARY BETTS Abt. 1640 in Wethersfield, (1666 Hartford Co.) CT, daughter of JOHN BETTS and MARY BIGGS. She was born Abt. 1623 in Claydon, Oxfordshire, England, and died 03 Apr 1684 in Wethersfield, Hartford, CT.

More About SAMUEL BOREMAN:

Baptism: 20 Aug 1615, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England

Fact 1: 1634, Wethersfield established.

Fact 2: 1666, Hartford County Established.

Fact 3: 1673, At the time of his death in 1673, he was the owner of about 350 acres, including an Indian grant of 200 acres on the east side

of the Connecticut River, in the present town of Marlboro, which was confirmed to his heirs by a vote of the town in 1685.

Immigration: Abt. 1638, Arrived in “…Bay of Massachusetts, before Boston…” (Josselyn), 3 July 1638.

Residence 1: Abt. 1619, (Samuel) removed with his father’s family about 1619, from Banbury to Claydon, their early home.

Residence 2: Bef. 22 Aug 1639, Ipswich, Massachusetts Bay Colony. Samuel Boreman’s first appearance as a settler in New England is at

Ipswich, Mass., where, in a list of inhabitants without date, he is called a cooper, and has land recorded to him, Aug. 22, 1639.

Residence 3: 1641, Wethersfield, Colony of Connecticut

Marriage: Abt. 1640, Wethersfield, (1666 Hartford Co.) CT

A contemporary story of his arrival written by John Josselyn:

‘Departed Gravesend, England, “Anno Dom. 1638, April the 26, being Thursday” (Mr. John Josselyn, who kept a journal of this voyage, and also of one taken some years later, both of which were published in London in 1675) “I came to Gravesend and went aboard the New Supply alias the Nicholas of London, a Ship of good force, 300 tons burthen…On the eighth day, one Boreman’s man, a passenger, was duck’d at the main Yards Arm (for being drunk with his master’s strong waters which he stole) thrice, and fire given to two whole Sacree at that instant”… Whether the Mr. Boreman of Josselyn was Samuel, as is probable, or some other of the name, who in an unaccountable manner utterly disappeared after landing, the journal has a direct bearing on this history as showing the circumstances likely to attend a voyage taken at the time when Samuel Boreman is known to have crossed the ocean.’ (Source: The Boardman Genealogy 1525-1895 by Charlotte Goldthwaite. pages: 158-161)

This concludes the chronicle of how and when my Boardman family arrived in the colonies.

The Boardman Chronicle will conclude tomorrow with Samuel Boreman, Part II (a Hartford Witch Trial)

Connecticut town’s officials have axed a church’s plans for a staged event on adjacent public property

SCROOGE ALERT LEVEL: HIGH

It’s become apparent that most reporters in the U.S. assume that religious expression on public property is automatically violating Constitutional law regarding separation between church and state. Without hesitation, journalists misreport conflicts without understanding that the law is about freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.

America’s founding fathers were concerned about the religious tyranny they encountered in Europe resurfacing in their new country. They did not want the establishment of religion by government. However they did not want to squelch the expression of faith.

Notice the inference in the second paragraph of the story below.

WBZ: Nativity Scene Rejected At Manchester Church

MANCHESTER, Conn. — It was Caroline Cheshire’s Christmas wish for her parish, a live nativity scene that would bring the Christmas story to life after services on Christmas Eve.

But she had no idea she was trampling on the separation between church and state with her idea.

She hoped locals in the town playing Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus, even a donkey she had already lined up, would make it a special evening for children at First Parish Church in Manchester.

“We didn’t mean to offend anyone. Families who come out of the church are the ones that choose to celebrate Christmas Eve in church,” Cheshire tells WBZ-TV.

Her idea was rejected by the board of selectmen in a matter of minutes, because the church sits on the town common…

FULL STORY