Ok, so really? Yesterday wasn’t ALL that bad. It was just a combination off too many people too close, in too little time. People who took advantage of a 12 year old inviting them over, to see what was really going on over here (I swear we don’t grow drugs, really). At the end of the day, it was just a lot to try and deal with. But all in all, it was a decent day.

The one thing I don’t think I elaborated on enough, was the fact that we havent done a real holiday, in who knows how long. Usually the kids go somewhere, and I work. I don’t like, holidays. I really don’t. So this year, stepping out and doing the whole nine yards, was by far, the stupidest thing farthest we have gone in a long time.

When it was just the kids, it was really kind of nice. Meaning, where there weren’t 101 people trying to fit into the already small house.

It wasn’t until the kids were in bed, I had finished my rant about how I hate holidays, and I was laying in the dark, did I really start to think about things in a whole new light (or dark).

Last year, Josh was…

A mess.

Can I say that?

Last year, he spent a majority of his time in the corner, freaking out with the slightest movement in the wrong direction. He didn’t want anything to do with anyone, and would scream and yell if the kids got too close. No one would say what happened, why he was like this, or what was going on. There was talk of institutionalizing him, giving him over to the state, and who knows what else. We had three months to make some sort of progress, to convince the courts that he was worth keeping. It sucks to say it like that, but its how it was. He was just another number, another case, another disturbed individual, and who wanted to “Waste” time on him?

Last year we were knee deep in issues involving him. Court dates, paper work, therapist, social workers were all part of our lives. The in and outs of every move that was made with him, or for him, was somehow kept track of, and no one, NO ONE would say what was wrong with him. There was “No hope.”

I don’t even remember what we did last year for Thanksgiving, but Im pretty sure it was similar to the years past: Nothing.

Last year, every single post, somehow, in one way or another, mentioned Josh, or a new problem or issue. Because last year, that’s where our focus was…with less than two months left to get him into a position where he appeared to be worth helping.

Last night I lay there thinking, about just how far we have come. Thinking about how far not only Josh has come, but how far Madison & Dylan have come as well. While the spot light was on Josh, they got shoved to the side, and the only times they really complained were when after a few attempts at doing something, I gave up because it was too much work with Josh. They were in the middle of the mess, right there, every day, seeing what went on, what happened, knowing the same amount of things I did. Knowing who he used to be, and who he was now, and not knowing why. There wasn’t much I could keep from them, even if I had wanted to. They gave things up, walked out of stores hundreds of times, endured the stares, and everything else.

But they understood, and understand, and I havent even had to tell them.

The know when something is important, and they understand how big it is when Josh accomplishes something small, and minor. They don’t care that he isn’t caught up with his peers, they love him how he is, and who he is. Infact, most times its them reminding me of these things. Not the other way around.

While I sometimes get hung up on the smaller issues…they see right past it, and love him. All the time.

It hasn’t been easy for them. For any of them. They have days when nothing goes right, they fight just like every other kid, yell and carry on, but at the end of the day…they tell each other good-night, and the days problems are put to rest. They don’t dwell on the small things, they don’t get hung up on the fact that someone gave them a different look, because they were with Josh, who is five years old, and apparently unable to control himself when he flips out on the ground.

Its not the life I would have chosen for them. To live this way, to go through what they have gone through. Its not the way I would have hoped their childhood would be spent. I would have preferred they didn’t have to loose their parents, and go through foster care, and into the “System.” I wish I could give them more, and give them better. But sometimes, that’s not what really matters…

And while yesterday was up and down, I was thankful, at the end of the day, to have them here. To have custody of them. For it to be OVER.

Im thankful that this year, while we still have problems and issues to work through, that Josh is here, with cousins who are more like siblings, who really truly, love him for who he is. Im thankful to have them. Here. Right now.  Together, for each other. 

Ask me again, when they wake up, destroy whats left of the house, and invite the REST of the neighbors over for leftovers, and I might have a different opinion. But right now, I am thankful: For them.

Just as a side note: Does anyone have any idea how hard it is to get three kids to look at the same camera?  I mean, seriously. 

Its like…”Hey kids OVER HERE!!!” 

“No, look this way”

“Dylan knock it off, leave your sister alone, no bunny ears”

“Madison dont cry, red eyes wont look good”

“Wheres Josh?” 

*Five minute break to find Josh*

“This way kids!!”

“Last time I checked, I was the only one in the room with a camera, but NONE of you are looking this way”

“Ok, we will just go with the one that looks like Josh is all strung out on the weed that we do NOT grow, Dylan is tired of smiling, and Madison, well, shes lucky shes even IN the picture…”

Going shopping tomorrow?

Ask yourself what local, independently owned businesses would you really miss if they disappeared and make sure to get into those stores tomorrow.

For every $100 you spend locally, $68 stays in the local community.

If you shop or eat at national chains, only $43 stays in your community.

If you shop on-line nothing stays local, did you hear that? Nothing.

Rather than suck up to the giant conglomerates drink from the fountain of pure and  local and rest in the knowledge that almost $.70 of each dollar you spend will go back into your community.

I wrote about this in more detail a few days ago and also here.

P.S.  Last year I wrote about spending $100 locally. (So okay, maybe I did have this idea first.) But seriously, it’s pretty good.  Read it.

P.P.S.  Obviously, this is geared toward Madison, but the same applies to any local economy.  Just do it!

Let me know your three choices whether you are here locally in Madison or elsewhere!

Craftacular! This Saturday, November, 28^th for 10am-5 pm at the Masonic Temple in downtown Madison. I have a huge range of items, wonderful gifts for your loved ones and yourself. Pillows and Skull drawing will be there, making a rare outing!  More info at Craftacular!

Kickoff Dips and Spreads (serves 8-12)

Madtown Nutbrown Cheese Fondue ~ This fondue is made with Farmer John’s Cheddar and Asiago warmed to a smooth dip with Ale Asylum Beer and  seasonings; served in a bread bowl that you can pick apart in the fourth quarter when the fondue is eaten.  Comes with a selection of three dippers for $35, additional dipper choices are $8 each.   Dippers (choose three): mini gherkins, blanched cauliflower and broccoli, rye bread, soft pretzels, apple slices, sourdough, brat bites, vegetarian kielbasa

Spinach Dip (serves 8-12) ~ Made from favorites of local producers: Snug Haven Farm hoophouse spinach, yogurt from Sugar River, and Primrose Farm hardneck garlic make a delicious spread served chilled in a bread bowl with crackers and veggies.  Relatively fresh and healthy game fare.  $35

Deviled Eggs ~ $7 per dozen. Your choice of classic, micro-greens, pesto, & lemon curry

Sporty Cheeseball ~ Cream cheese ball made with Farmer John’s sharp white cheddar and parmesan, scallions, pecans, and parsley with red pepper football laces or basketball lines; served with bagel chips or crackers (serves 12+) $29

Salmon Pockets ~ $20 per dozen wrapped in wonton filled with smoked Twin Rivers, WI salmon, scallions, and cream cheese and baked

Bean Dip of the Gods ~ $20 (with feta cheese or vegan option) Organic dip of creamy garbanzo beans, Primrose Farm’s hardneck garlic, sundried tomatoes, fresh herbs, and olives; served with pita chips and veggies

Duo of Tortilla Dips ~ Since we don’t get fresh peak-season, tomatoes in Winter, try these two delicious tomato-free dips with Sun Chips: White Salsa ~ a creamy cilantro-lime dip with black olives and green onion along with Black Bean Dip ~ great low-fat bean dip with garlic and toasted cumin  $20

Half Time Fare

Seven Layer Chilled Pizza ~ Seven layers served on a foccacia crust.  Organic refried beans, fresh guacamole, 2 pounds of Cajun Smoked Salmon from Twin Rivers, WI, a mix of peppers and olives, sour cream, salsa, and Farmer John’s Pepperjack Cheese.  Eat as a pizza or serve as a dip and eat the tasty foccacia when it’s gone!  $45

Green Bay Booyah! A chicken stew that is native to the Green Bay area.  Made with local Jordandahl Farm chicken, tomatoes canned at their peak, homemade chicken broth, and organic vegetables.  Traditionally, served with oyster crackers.  Gallon of stew $4

Lasagna ~ Your choice of Vegetarian or Stoddard’s Market Sausage & Mushroom, made with fresh RP’s Pasta and served with a side foccacia garlic bread.  $70 pan for 12

Last Sunday, I was sitting in Church and the preacher was talking about lists. We make lists for everything, grocery lists, to-do lists, New Years Resolution lists, what-I-want-for-Christmas lists, and it goes on and on. But, do we ever make a Thanksgiving list? Do we ever really recognize what we are truly grateful for? Thank God for it? I’m going to venture and say that most of us don’t. I’ve never made a Thanksgiving list. Sure, I give thanks for things in my life, but honestly, I probably don’t do it enough. Can you ever thank the Lord enough, after all that He is has given us?

So, this year, I’ve decided to make a Thanksgiving list! Twenty things that I am grateful for, and they might be big or they might be small, and they might seem silly or be really significant but all of them are things for which I am thankful.

1. Jesus Christ
2. Salvation
3. Grace
4. Heaven
5. The Word of God
6. Second Chances
7. Forgiveness
8. Love
9. Prayer
10. Health
11. Family
12. Nick
13. Friends
14. America
15. Hardship, Trials (They make you stronger and you learn so much. Think about it.)
16. My house
17. My job
18. Attending college
19. My car
20. My love of photography

Yesterday, my friend Alex and I went to Memorial HS on the west side of Madison to speak at our friend Lisa’s family life class about homosexuality.  To say the least, the very idea of doing this provoked a lot of emotions and memories as well as making me examine my own beliefs and opinions.

When I woke up in the morning I had to finish a paper, so my mind was kept off of the subject for a bit.  But then with the paper finished, I had about an hour to let my nervousness build before Alex picked me up.  To contextualize this, Memorial is a high school and in my old age I feel like I have nothing left in common with the average high schooler.  Also, the majority of students are from racial minorities and much of the debate around LGBT legislation and homophobia surrounds the lack of support and outright homophobia by other minorities.  Therefore, I was very nervous.  I really had no idea what to expect.  My worst case scenario would have been a student being unabashedly homophobic toward me or Alex and then having the class support that view point.  I was pleasantly surprised by the attitudes of the students, and to a certain extent, some of my faith in humanity was restored.

We arrived at the school a little after eight and proceeded through the maze of hallways and classrooms until we arrived at the home economics module of rooms.  Then we took our seats at a table in the front of the classroom and waited for the students to filter in.  After the bell rang and the students settled down, Lisa introduced us and how things would work for our discussion–basically they could ask us anything and we could either choose to answer or pass (we never ended up passing on a question).  Things started slowly.  There were a few girls in the class who were the most comfortable asking questions, because, I believe, they had previous experiences with gay people.  The two boys in the classroom were visibly uncomfortable and ended up staring at their papers for the majority of the time, only to ask, “You guys smoke weed?”  To which Alex tersely answered, “Why would I want to do that to my body?”  Every class (we talked to three) began with the same series of questions:  When did you know you were gay?,  Are you two dating?,  Are you dating anyone?, How/When did you come out? etc.  To be honest, these questions definitely made me anxious at times .  A lot of these topics/issues are things from my history that have been difficult and painful at times and are things that I don’t revisit and examine on a frequent basis.

Eventually the conversation became easier.  We became more comfortable with the students ,and they became more comfortable with us.  And we repeated this three times.  It genuinely surprised me how open minded the students were and how uninformed they were at the same time.  A lot of questions dealt with whether we had given up on women, who is the man/who is the woman in a gay relationship, etc.  I guess what I found most surprising is that these are things that people really don’t understand, which made me all the more thankful that I could talk to these young people and broaden their horizons.  A few of the students even said during the discussions that they thought we were cool and would be friends with us, which I found to be extremely touching and endearing.  Another thing that I think is interesting is that all these students will most likely have attitudes toward homosexuality in their adulthood that will be divergent from their parents.

We talked for a bit about hate crimes as well.  One girl in the second class told us a story about how her cousin in Chicago was stabbed to death for being gay.  Afterwards her family members told her his murder was justified, and he was currently in Hell (she did not share these opinions).  I honestly wanted to cry.  We talked about how tragic that was and how it is all too common of an occurrence in our world.  Just the other week a teenage boy was decapitated, dismembered and partially burned in Puerto Rico.  We also talked about the fact that the media does not pick up these stories and report on the extreme brutality.

Other questions we got dealt with gay marriage and gay families.  One of the big points I tried to impart was that marriage is a legal contract above all else.  The religious ceremony is really just pomp and circumstance.  Furthermore, we talked about how political and religious élites exploit a few select passages from the Bible to unite all the homophobes together in light of increasing disenchantment with the GOP and increasing secularism.  This point the kids really seemed to get.  They understood that similar things like pre-marital sex, theft, and divorce are equal or greater sins that are not focused on in the national dialogue.  Families were another big issue.  I think every class asked us if we planned on having children.  Then another familiar line of questioning came up:  Will they be teased in school?, Are all gay people pedophiles?, Do children need two opposite sex parents?  All these questions were answered and myths were debunked!

I think the largest message that we tried to get across is that everyone is different and we all have our own tastes and attitudes and identities–and that’s fine!  For the most part I think the students picked up on that.  I found this to be a really good experience for myself, and I know Alex enjoyed it especially, because he is studying to be a counselor.  All in all, the young generation is far from perfect, but it still has a lot of potential and willingness to think independently.

608 661-7009 Office

Christopher Fischer Cashmere, renowned for its sumptuous knitwear, announced the opening of a new boutique at 1225 Madison Avenue between 88th and 89th Streets in Manhattan. Designed by Christopher Fischer himself, the store reflects the brand’s new retail concept – small, luxe and intimate stores that “wrap and envelop customers” in Christopher Fischer’s signature cashmere.

Inspired by design elements from the Christopher Fischer New York showroom, and a vision of a small but “trés chic” boutique in St. Germain in Paris, the 450 square foot store balances modern and contemporary design with traditional elements of richness. Wood finishes range from bleached and stained oak floors to naturally weathered oak trim on shelves and mahogany and exotic wood display stools.

The store is blanketed with natural textures including a leather center carpet, leather trims on drawers and small leather items for the home displayed throughout. Upon discovering an exquisite antique brass framing around the windows when stripping the outside paint, Mr. Fischer restored the framing to its original beauty and balanced it with contemporary antiqued brass hardware on the front door. The centerpiece of the store is a slated solid Wenge wood display table designed by Christopher Fischer.

Providing customers with the ultimate “one-on-one” personal service, the intimate store environment also encourages visitors to see, touch and feel the products “up close”. The store stocks a focused selection from the Women’s Collection, in addition to highlights from Christopher Fischer Home, Little Christopher Fischer Baby, and gift items from the Men’s Collection. The store selection changes virtually every week, which provides customers with an ever changing assortment from both the Christopher Fischer Women’s Black Label and Orange Label collections. The store will also exclusively feature seasonal limited edition sweaters.

“We feel this is very much a test store for our new retail concept. It is our first store on Madison Avenue and the Upper East Side, which we hope will herald a new expanding retail presence for us in New York and other cities,” notes Mr. Fischer.

Read More………..

Looking for foreclosure of short sale properties? Let the Baker Realty Group help you out!

Click here for a complete and updated list of foreclosures and short sales in MADISON
Click here for a complete and updated list of foreclosures and short sales in SUN PRAIRIE

Feel free to contact Bill Baker with any questions you may have!
bakerwilliamj@kw.com
Keller Williams Realty

In case you hadn’t heard, Madison has been ranked the #1 charitable city in the country by Men’s Health Magazine. That charitable feeling has extended into the La Follette community. For example, La Follette students, faculty and staff contributed over 3 boxes full of items for the Goodman Community Center Thanksgiving Baskets. These items are going to be used by the Center to provide food and other amenities to over 1000 Madison-area families for their Thanksgiving dinners. The LSSA Volunteer and Outreach Committee also has several other activities planned for the coming months. We’ll be joining with the Goodman Community Center again to adopt a family for Holiday Baskets in December. La Follette students will also be volunteering with Urban League’s 21st Century Careers Program. This program mentors middle school aged children, teaching them about educational opportunities. La Follette students will be sharing their stories regarding their educational and career decisions.

Upcoming events for spring semester include La Follette’s annual team for the Special Olympics Polar Plunge. Last year the team raised over $1500. We also plan on working with the Dane County Farmer’s Market cooking breakfast at one of the Saturday morning markets held in the Senior Center. Proceeds from this breakfast will go to friends of the DCFM, a non-profit organization that supports the Farmer’s Market and provides some educational opportunities within the county.

If you have questions about any upcoming activities or would like to suggest an activity for La Follette to be involved with, please contact Becky McAtee at mcatee@wisc.edu

We look forward to helping Madison continue it’s charitable legacy!!

For a complete article about the Men’s Health ranking, please visit http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/article_61f3c142-d4ab-11de-b87a-001cc4c03286.html

The 1st annual Carolina Shine Fest in Madison, NC. Images from Saturday, November 21, 2009.

A two-day celebration of the history and heritage of moonshine in the Carolinas.

© 2009 Wendy Quinn Hutchens

For more information visit: The Southern Culture Society

]]> http://sullivandaniel.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/wovon-man-nicht-sprechen-kann-daruber-mus-man-schweigen/ Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:45:27 +0000 Dan Sullivan http://sullivandaniel.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/wovon-man-nicht-sprechen-kann-daruber-mus-man-schweigen/

Beth Mueller’s dissent from the Badger Herald Ed Board’s astonishingly sensible pro-pot-legalization editorial in today’s edition of the BH suggests two things, though I could be wrong on both: 1. Mueller has never smoked weed, and 2. she’s unfamiliar with Ludwig Wittgenstein’s final proposition in the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (alright, not so important in this case).

Use of marijuana impairs the mind so as to prevent a person from rational thought. This harm is most significant. Use of this drug, like any other illegal drug, seeks only pleasure over the higher, transcendent goals of humanity, which are all products of reasoned thought.

[...] There’s nothing wrong with simple relaxation, which would be a motivation for many to use marijuana. But even the pursuit of rest shouldn’t settle into mere escapism or artificial warping of the mind to intellectually skip town. Imagine what a society we’d have if relaxation entailed a more honest release from the burden of work to be more aware, not less, of the beauty of people, the world, and even new ideas.

[...] True, drunkenness similarly harms a person by blocking the ability to think rationally. [...] Alcohol, however, remains justifiably legal because it can be used to an extent that does not impair reason.

Mueller has a very, very peculiar understanding of the effect that marijuana has on the mind. Intellectuals smoking pot: never happens, right? And what’s with this fetish for “reasoned” and “rational” thought? Also, the notion that alcohol can be consumed in moderation whereas marijuana cannot is particularly bizarre.

But yeah, I recommend reading both pieces in their entirety; some pretty ferkakt logic at work in the dissent, and I don’t mean that in a good way.

Want To Help Local Non-Profits With Their Technology Needs?

Want to Earn Course Credit and Gain Valuable Experience in Your Community?

TechShop Madison has service-learning opportunities available to students for the Spring 2010 semester. Credit is given through directed study or a 1-credit add-on to an existing class.

Work with our committed team of student leaders, UW-Madison faculty and staff, and non-profit partners to build the technology capacity of local community organizations. Students work one-on-one with non-profit staff in order to meet the technology needs of the organization over the course of the semester. The Spring 2010 project theme is using Web 2.0 technologies (social networking, blogging, online photos and videos, podcasting) to advance the work of our non-profit partners.
Students from all disciplines are welcome! Good communication skills and willingness to develop expertise in the selected technology topics are required. The 40-hour commitment (over the semester) includes all training and service requirements.

Visit our website to fill out an application: (http://comm-org.wisc.edu/techshop/news.php) Applications are due by Tuesday, December 15th.

Contact Molly Reddy at mmreddy@wisc.edu for more information on the application and interview process.

*****

I just want to plug the program. I participated this semester and it was a great experience. I worked with the Urban League of Greater Madison and was able to really help them improve their social networks using my social networking knowledge (Facebook, blogs, Linked In, and Twitter) and almost no other technical skill. You get to make great contacts in the community, get formal experience working with technology, and one credit. If you are interested or have an questions, feel free to comment here or ask me.

SCOD had been developing connections in Wisconsin, as brother Cordite has relocated there together with EmBee. Wisconsin seems to be an interesting State, judging from the area around Madison. There are many alternative establishments there to study, communicate with, and be a part of.

Albion Swords is the number one manufacturer in America of museum quality swords. Their workshop surpasses that of Toledo Swords in Spain. Also they have been filming an independent film called “Devolution: 2012”.

Circle Sanctuary is a beautiful gathering place for pagans of all kinds. Head Priestess and Co-Founder Selena Fox is delightful, positive, and charming as a hostess for events. Circle Sanctuary has circles, animal sanctuary woodland, and was responsible for getting pentacles put on military tombstones for pagans in Arlington Cemetery. There is also a private Cemetery at Circle Sanctuary.

House on the Rock is the most amazing and bizarre house to ever exist. It is a professional tourist attraction, and is as large as many amusement parks. The architectural composition is so eclectic, it is impossible to explain in one paragraph.

Phelan Vanth has established a ghost tour known as Wicked Witchconsin. Hanging Day in Mineral Point Town has a new meaning on Halloween every year now! Doing this tour independently has given her the freedom to bring you the most gritty and blackest story of Point’s history.

The town of Mount Horeb has Trolls and the Mustard Museum, Madison University plays Quidich (from Harry Potter), and the farmland is beautiful. There are many active pagans and hybrid vehicles in Wisconsin. More reports will certainly be about Wisconsin, and Cheese.

"After"

around the corner

(I’m having a hard time inserting these pictures the right way, but you get the idea)

My house has been hit by the Organizing Fairy.  When she’s on a roll, she’s every mother’s dream.  And she’s MY daughter.  To give a little background…at the dinner table tonight, I mentioned that I had an idea of something someone could give me for Christmas:  to clean out and organize our “play/toy” closet, which is under our staircase.  Madison pretended that she had no interest whatsoever.  So Dave and I went to a fireside, came back a couple hours later, and the place has been transformed!  I wish I had taken a “Before” picture, but to give you an idea, one couldn’t even WALK in there without doing a balancing act.  The nice thing about this closet has been that I can just open the door, throw a toy in, close it, and voila!…out of sight, out of mind.  So every couple of months we give it a decent cleaning.  Tonight, Madison decided she was “in the mood”, and she came through for me.  Christmas came early!  Thanks, Madison!

One measure of the stagnant political culture in Wisconsin has been the failure to sort out a 21st century transportation strategy, especially in southeastern Wisconsin but also in greater Dane County. Reality is that economic markets and job-sheds transcend Wisconsin’s 19th century political boundaries. Yet our communities are locked in endless turf battles as if those regional facts of life don’t exist.

I was curious to hear what city planner Peter Park had to say about his experiences in Denver. As you’ll see from this story for WisBusiness.com, Denver is far ahead of any Wisconsin community, and Park is one of those really bright guys you seek out for his insight.

Park: Milwaukee’s former planner embraces rail as key to urban development
11/16/2009

By Marc Eisen
For WisBusiness.com

Peter Park, the star urban planner behind Milwaukee’s downtown revival, returned to Wisconsin Friday to discuss the lessons he’s learned in his new work as Denver’s planning chief.

“We need to look at transportation and development together. They’re not separate,” he told a gathering of several hundred environmentalists at the Promega Corporation’s Biopharmaceutical Technology Center in Fitchburg.

Park, 46, is working the land-use side of the most ambitious transportation project underway in the United States — the $4.7 billion FasTracks program. It promises 119 miles of light-rail and commuter-rail tracks by 2017, including 70 train stops that are expected to be the focal point of new residential and commercial development in the Denver area.

“Doing all this at once is crazy and scary,” Park admitted. “But if we’re going to grow [the transit system], now’s a great time for it.” Metropolitan Denver’s population of about 2.7 million, he noted, is expected to hit 4.3 million by 2035.

Park’s talk to the “Bringing Bioneers to Wisconsin” conference was a stark reminder that Wisconsin’s marquee cities, Milwaukee and Madison, are laggards in sorting out their 21st century transportation systems. Read more here.

Rest in Peace, Alice Tallamy

Yesterday, after a long and courageous battle with cancer, the Tallamy family had to say goodbye to a loving wife, a wonderful mother, and an adoring grandmother.  Alice fought a good fight and always kept a smile on her face through the toughest times for her family and friends.

In Alice’s words, “Sometimes I look back and see only one set of footprints, and then I realize that God has carried me through this trial in life. Although this cancer is one negative thing in my life, God has blessed me in many ways that shadows the cancer that burdens me.”  She will be missed greatly, but we are grateful that she is in a better place and has left a lasting impression of love with her family, friends and community.

Friends may pay their respects to the family on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 from 4-7 p.m. at the Pinkel Funeral Home, 31 Bank Street, Sussex.  A celebration of Alice’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, November 27, 2009 at the Sussex Christian Reformed Church.

~~NJ Herald Obituary~~