Singers Wanted!

 Submitted by Marcia Bliven, GMC alto section rep.
---------------------

On Sunday, May 1, 2022, GMChorale, one of New England's most engaging and celebrated symphonic choruses (originally known as the Greater Middletown Chorale), will present Franz Joseph Haydn’s musically innovative and brilliant late-classical oratorio, “The Creation.” GMC is looking for enthusiastic new singers in all vocal ranges (SATB) to join and bring this special work to life.

“The Creation,” composed in 1798, celebrates the creation of the world as described in the Book of Genesis. It presents a unique opportunity for the amateur singer to perform an oratorio that is both musically innovative and a treasured masterwork that at the same time is musically accessible and a perfect introduction to choral singing. It's a great chance to see if singing with a symphonic chorus is for you!

To sign up: Fill out the inquiry form at https://www.gmchorale.org/join or email New Member Coordinator, Margie Livengood at margie.livengood@gmchorale.org. We will contact you to set up a time to meet the conductor.

Head to www.gmchorale.org for the latest information.

A Word of Caution: Privacy Issues with AARP Staying Sharp Package

Staying Sharp Review – AARP

The author appears to be legitimate, professional, & knowledgeable.

Proposed Reconfiguration of Route 17 On-Ramp to Route 9 Northbound

Proposed reconfiguration (click to enlarge)

 The State Department of Transportation has revealed its plans for changes in the access to Route 9 near Harbor Park. The existing and proposed plans are shown in the two figures. Public comment is welcomed until February 18, by email to Kevin Fleming, Transportation Planner.

Any person may ask the sponsoring agency to hold a public scoping meeting by sending such a request to the Kevin Fleming. If a public scoping meeting is requested by 25 or more individuals, or by an association that represents 25 or more members, the sponsoring agency shall schedule a public scoping meeting. Such requests must be made by: Friday January 28, 2022.

Existing roads. I have rotated the 
DOT image to make comparisons with proposed plans

According to the DOT:

The purpose of the project is to reduce rear-end crashes at the Route 9 Northbound and Route 17 Northbound interchange. The project is needed because the existing stop-controlled on-ramp from Route 17 onto Route 9 Northbound has a crash rate significantly higher than similar adjacent freeway segments.  

The proposed work includes providing a full-length acceleration lane for Route 17 Northbound traffic to merge onto Route 9 north.  Reconstruction of Bridge No. 00638, which carries Route 9 over Union Street, will enable widening the structure to the west as well as addressing maintenance concerns.  The proposed acceleration lane will require realignment of Route 9 as well as the closure of the Harbor Drive on-ramp onto Route 9.

After closure of the Harbor Drive on-ramp, the Main Street Extension and Route 17 interchange will serve as primary access to Route 9 for the southern section of downtown Middletown.  Proposed improvements at Route 17 and Main Street Extension include adding dedicated turn lanes to Main Street Extension and the Route 17 off-ramps.  The Route 17 Southbound off-ramp will be realigned and signalized to create a more typical intersection configuration. New sidewalks will be added to the east side of Main Street Extension to increase pedestrian connectivity.

Additionally, a noise wall is anticipated along the Route 17 Northbound on-ramp from Main Street Extension.

 The plans and maps are HERE.

Further Information from DOT is below the jump.

 

CHEER Website

Sign up for CHEER!

Video: Martin Luther King, Jr., Final sermon at Washington Cathedral, March 31, 1968.

In Memoriam:
Remaining Awake
through a Great Revolution

Video: youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM10gKtY4ZA&list=RDYM10gKtY4ZA&start_radio=1

Text references: Revelation: 16:-Behold I make all things new.-Former things are passed away. Rip Van Winkle,
a story by Washington Irving.

Community Health Center Follows Science to Protect Patients and Staff

 Submitted by the CHC.
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Community Health Center, Inc., Connecticut’s largest health center serving more than 150,000 patients statewide, has announced a COVID-19 vaccine booster requirement for all employees. By February 1, 2022, all clinical and patient-facing staff must receive the booster; all other employees, including those working remotely, must receive a booster by March 1.

CHC previously instituted a requirement that all staff be fully vaccinated with two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines or one dose of Johnson & Johnson. The booster requirement will apply to employees eligible to receive the dose per CDC guidelines.

According to Marwan Haddad, MD, chair of CHC’s COVID-19 Advisory Group, “At CHC, we have followed the science in our approach to protect our patients and staff during the COVID pandemic. The evidence is clear that people who are vaccinated and boosted are less likely to get COVID and less likely to be hospitalized than those who are unvaccinated and those who are vaccinated and not boosted. With this highly transmissible Omicron wave, we want to make sure that our staff is as fully protected as possible, which in turn protects our patients and communities.”

From Story Corps: WWII Veteran Mateo Snipes' Action inspired Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter

Read at: https://www.npr.org/2022/01/14/1072980492/how-a-wwii-veterans-act-of-voting-inspired-a-teenage-martin-luther-king-jr

The Story of How a WWII veteran's act of voting inspired
a teenaged Martin Luther King Jr. in Georgia, in 1945

JARROD SPORT

January 14, 20225:15 AM ET

From Transcript, as heard on Morning Edition

How would you describe Dr. King’s legacy and his impact on history?

How would you describe Dr. King’s legacy and his impact on history?

By Ms. Faith M. Jackson, President of the Middlesex County of the NAACP-Unit 2018-B

“One of my favorite quotes of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” Dr. King, believed if there was “No Justice, there would be No Peace.” We see that in our everyday living. 

As long as America continues to practice, treat, view, and consider the enslaved descents of the African American race of these United States, less than, no true lasting justice will come to a race of people that have been, has been, is, and continues to be mistreated by its abuser can ever be made whole. As long as America fails to identify with its pass, it will not be able to heal with the great urgency, compassion, equality, fairness, and justice for all. As long as America is of the mindset of a privilege and superior attitude, there will be “No Justice, No Peace.” There will always be the troubling of the waters, until America can relate to a race of people they brought to this country, used to build wealth, will it ever understanding the meaning of the ties that bind us. 

As long as America maintains a subservient attitude towards the African American, we will have no peace. However, as we continue to showcase and depict the wrong, injustice, ill- treatment of race of people that have survived all kinds of inhuman treatment in American history, without social and economic justice, unrest will continue in our nation. The African American race was brought here with nothing, was freed with nothing, and when they did have something, America destroyed it, burnt it to the ground, and left them with nothing again. Knowing the true history of nation is important. One would start to wonder what kind of human being does such inhuman things to another human being and think nothing of it or that it is okay. I think this is a question for America to answer. So, what’s all this clamor about inclusion, equity, equality, and justice? It sounds like another reactionary failure and detour to addressing structural racism, which has been in place for hundreds of years, going nowhere anytime too soon. Why, because the resistant to true change is so ingrained in our nation that it is difficult to move the needle. But, someone has to try and keep it in the forefront, if progress is going to be made. This is the significant impact of Dr. King’s legacy, work, and why it will continue to facilitate change for the future. 

We must never give up on the possibility, “That One Day” a significant breakthrough can create a tidal wave of insurmountable change for the massive of people. It is true that the majority of Americans are truly uneasy with injustice, but they are unwilling to pay the significant price to eradicating it. So, why ask me what needs to be done, when you already know what you must do to eliminate structural racism and injustice in America. Thank you “

Enjoy the videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX3IwWn-d9U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJstIEx6EnU

 

 

 

 

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Committee of Greater Middletown will be presenting the 29th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration, on January 17, 2022 at 12 p.m. for a virtual service in honor of Dr. King.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Committee of Greater Middletown will be presenting the 29^th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration, on January 17, 2022 at 12 p.m. for a virtual service in honor of Dr. King.  

Who was the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Why do we honor him with a national holiday? 

 

Dr. King was a civil rights leader who championed equal rights for all and that “All men are created equal,” according to the article “Martin Luther King, Jr. Day” from the Department of Defense Education Activity(https://www.dodea.edu/dodeaCelebrates/MLK.cfm) website. He began his quest for civil rights in 1955 with the Montgomery Bus Boycott and continued his path for social justice during the turbulent 1960’s until he was assassinated in 1968 according to the article “Martin Luther King, Jr.” from U.S. History.org.

 

Two words that could describe who Dr. King was “equality and nonviolence” according to U.S. History.org. Why? He was a proponent of nonviolent means to overcome the racial discrimination and injustices of the time. Dr. King “created change with organized Sit-ins, marches, and peaceful demonstrations that highlighted issues of inequality,” according to the “Martin Luther King, Jr. Day” article from the Dodea.edu website.

Dr. King created the Southern Christian Leadership Conference whose purpose was the “advancement of rights for African Americans,” from U.S. History.org. In April 1963 he planned a protest in Birmingham, Alabama because according to Dr. King this was “the most thoroughly segregated city in the United States" during this time period. He organized peaceful protests against the racial injustices there. Dr. King was jailed numerous times in Birmingham for his peaceful protests against the racial discrimination towards African Americans according to History.com

On August 28, 1963 the Reverend Dr. King organized the “March on Washington” which ended at the Lincoln Memorial. The goal of this march was for “Jobs and Freedom… to shed light on the injustices African Americans continued to face across the country according to the History.com website article “Martin Luther King Jr.” This peaceful demonstration attracted approximately 200,000-300,000 people and is considered a milestone in the “American civil rights movement and a factor in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,” according to the same article. Also, the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The March on Washington was where Dr. King delivered his famous “I Have A Dream Speech.” I

 

In 1964, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on combatting racial discrimination and was the youngest person ever to receive this award according the Dodea.edu website article “Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.”

In 1983 President Ronald Reagan signed legislation creating a U.S. federal holiday in honor of Dr. King. It was first celebrated in 1986 and it is observed on the third Monday of January annually according to History.com’s article “Martin Luther King, Jr.”

This year will mark the 27th anniversary of the National Day of Service in honor of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. according to the Dodea.edu website.  It states, “This day was established to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King, and to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. ¨ It also noted that the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday should be a “Day On, Not A Day Off.”

Ms. Faith Jackson, the President of the Middlesex County of the NAACP, reflected on the legacy and impact of the Reverend, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  She stated, " One of my favorite quotes of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” Dr. King, believed if there was “No Justice, there would be No Peace.” We see that in our everyday living.” 

 

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Committee of Greater Middletown will be presenting the the 29^th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration, on January 17, 2022 at 12 p.m. for a virtual service in honor of Dr. King.  The keynote speaker will be State Representative Brandon L. McGee Jr. who is currently serving his 4^th term representing Windsor and Hartford.  To join the virtual service please go to  Zoom ID: https://tinyurl.com/middletownMLKbday

The Webinar ID is 946 6060 1745 Phone:  +1 929 205 6099

 

According to organizer Ms. Britany Hardy, "This program is our key fundraiser in honoring Dr. King’s dream for equality and his articulated stance on education. It also allows us to provide financial support to upcoming high school graduates continuing on to higher education."  Hardy further stated, "We as a community have an opportunity to support and help our youth become positive, productive members of society, who in return will give back and help to educate and support others."   The MLK, Jr. Scholarship Committee is asking residents to make a contribution to this fund.  People may mail their donations to P.O. Box 282, Middletown, Connecticut 06457.  For more information, please email  

mlkscholarship@yahoo.com.  

 

For more information about the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. please see the following websites:

https://www.dodea.edu/dodeaCelebrates/MLK.cfm
https://www.ushistory.org/US/54f.asp
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/martin-luther-king-jr
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/march-on-washington
https://www.history.com/news/kings-letter-from-birmingham-jail-50-years-later

 

Enjoy the videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smEqnnklfYs&list=RDsmEqnnklfYs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMYbd2ZhhjE

 

 

 

 

Godfrey Memorial Library

ZOOM Genealogy Club

Saturday, January 15, 2022

1:30 pm (EST)

 

On Saturday, January 15, Carol Ansel will do a presentation on Getting the Most Out of the Godfrey Scholar Databases.

• There may be resources on the Scholar that you aren’t aware of – what's been added recently?

• What's the difference between browsing and searching?

• How to know which data have been run through OCR and are thus searchable?

• What commercial databases do you have free access to via the Scholar?

Godfrey Premium members can register for free at the following email: zoomregistration@godfrey.org

If you are not a Godfrey Premium member and want to attend the presentation, you can pay $10 via PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/us/home) and send to Godfrey Memorial Library. Then register using the above email.

Please register by 4:00 pm Friday, January 14.

 

January 6, 2021: U.S. Capitol Assault In Washington, D.C.

Do you remember where you were on January 6, 2021 when you heard the tragic news when former President Trump's supporters tried to overthrow the U.S. Government when they ransacked the U.S. Capitol Building over the results of the November 3, 2020 presidential election in favor of the former president?  This was the day both houses of Congress met to certify President Joseph Biden's electoral vote win on November 3rd.

 

It all began in the morning of January 6, 2021 on the White House Ellipse for the former president's "Save America" rally in which he summoned his hordes of supporters to come to Washington, D.C. to protest the certification of the Electoral College votes stating the November 3rd presidential election was fraudulent due to his defeat by the voters & President Biden. There has been no evidence of any type of fraud.  However, that did not stop the former president and his supporters by claiming the election was rigged.  To date more than 600 people have been charged by federal prosecutors for their role in the assault on the U.S. Capitol and more arrests are still coming according to USA Today article dated December 8, 2021.  7 Connecticut residents have been arrested for their participation in the January 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol according to the Connecticut Insider article “These Connecticut residents have been charged in U.S. Capitol riot,” dated November 15, 2021.

 

By 11 a.m. the former president's supporters start to gather on the lawn of the White House Ellipse.  

 

12 p.m. former President Trump begins his speech stating the 2020 election was stolen and telling his supporters "“never give up” and “never concede.” 

 

12:30 p.m. a throng of the former president's supporters begin to gather outside the U.S. Capitol Building.  

 

1p.m.-More protesters storm the outer barricade west of the Capitol building as senators and Vice President Pence walk to the House chamber. 

 

1:10 p.m. the former president ends his speech urging his followers to go down to the capitol telling them “If you don't fight ... you're not going to have a country anymore.” 

 

1:30 p.m. After the former president's speech his supporters began to march to the U.S. Capitol.  Soon after the crowd grows larger eventually overtaking the U.S. Capitol Police where they made their way up the Capitol steps.  After 1:30 p.m. pipe bombs were discovered at both the Democratic & GOP national headquarters. 

 

2:15 p.m.-Supporters of President Trump "breaches the Capitol, breaking windows and climbing inside the building, then opening doors for others to follow," according to the Washington Post. 

 

2:20 p.m.: Both houses of Congress adjourn, and members begin to evacuate the building.  

 

3:36 p.m. White House Press Secretary states on twitter the National Guard and Federal forces are on their way.  

4:05 p.m. President Elect Biden calls on the former president to tell his supporters to go home and "demand an end to this siege." President Elect Biden states "Our democracy is under unprecedented assault" while the capitol was still under attack by the pro-Trump mob.  

 

4:17 p.m. Former President Trump tells his supporters that he loves them to go home now while still insisting the 2020 election was stolen.  

 

5:40 p.m. Police begin to clear the capitol and congressional leaders announce the electoral votes will be counted.

 

6 p.m. Capitol Curfew takes effect.  The people arrested on this day were for unlawful entry and curfew charges.

 

8:06 p.m. Vice President Pence reopens the U.S. Senate stating, "Let's Get Back to Work." 

 

9 p.m. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reconvenes the U.S. House stating, “justice will be done.”  

 

3:42 a.m. on January 7, 2021 Vice President Pence affirms President Elect Biden's electoral vote win declaring Biden the next president elect.

 

January 6, 2021 will be another day in history that will be “a date which will live in infamy…."  Former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

 

For more information about the January 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol please see the following websites.

 

https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/These-Connecticut-residents-have-been-charged-in-16622061.php

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/interactive/2021/capitol-insurrection-visual-timeline/

 

https://www.usatoday.com/storytelling/capitol-riot-mob-arrests/

 

Here’s are a couple of videos from National Public Radio about the events of January 6, 2021 in Washington, D.C.  Spoiler Alert:  Viewer discretion is advised.  NPR bleeped out the obscenities from the rioter’s language when they initially aired these videos. You do not have to watch these videos.  Again, Viewer Discretion is advised.

 

https://www.npr.org/2021/06/18/1008211655/new-videos-underscore-the-violence-against-police-at-the-jan-6-capitol-riot