It's Time To "Rock Your Socks!"

It’s Time To “Rock Your Socks!”  Happy World Down Syndrome Day on Sunday, March 21, 2021! 

On this day people will be encouraged to "Rock Your Socks" meaning to wear colorful mismatched socks on each foot. This day is "dedicated to raising awareness about Down syndrome and celebrating individuals around the world living with the genetic condition" from the https://www.dsaatl.org/wdsd_2021website. It further states “According to the World Down Syndrome Day website the date for WDSD being the 21st day of the 3rd month was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome," according to Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta's website https://www.dsaatl.org website

Shannon Marie McCormick of Middletown said the Down Syndrome Association of Connecticut (DSACT) has virtual celebrations planned all day for this event on March 21st plus they will be beginning their first ever "Run Your Socks" event.  Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic it will be virtual this year. It will begin on March 21-April 30th. McCormick stated "The Down Syndrome Association of Connecticut (DSACT) will be celebrating all day on Facebook with recordings of authors, siblings, and individuals with Down syndrome reading from books about Down syndrome. Check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/mydsact.

We're donating books to schools and libraries around the state, too.”

McCormick further explained “Last, but not least, we're launching our first Rock Your Socks Run from March 21st through April 30th. It's all virtual this year, of course, but that means there's something for everyone wherever they are! Walk, run or roll 3,210 steps, 5k, or 10k. Registration is $25, includes a custom race medal and race bib. Funds raised support students in the DSACT Literacy and Education Center https://www.virtualstrides.com/rock-your-socks-for-literacy-virtual-run/"

 

For more information about World Down Syndrome Day on Sunday, March 21, 2021 please see the following websites:

 

https://www.dsaatl.org

https://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org

https://www.nothingdown.org

 

Enjoy the videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olbKk9OBc7I&t=1s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVzj59M_ri8

 

 

Teen auditions for "Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992"

Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company announces auditions for Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992, by Anna Deavere Smith. Auditions are open to all young people ages 13 - 20, including actors, dancers, singers, activists, acrobats, poets and just plain folks.

Auditions will be held on Monday, March 22 and Thursday, March 25, 6:30 - 8:30 pm at Oddfellows Playhouse, 128 Washington Street in Middletown. Students must pre-register for one of the two audition dates at www.oddfellows.org/auditions ; masks & social distancing protocols are expected. Performers uncomfortable auditioning indoors in-person may arrange a virtual audition by contacting info@oddfellows.org.

Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 was created in response to the 1992 riots in Los Angeles following the acquittal of the police officers in the beating of Rodney King. It explores the events of that year from multiple perspectives, and this Teen Repertory Company production will adapt the piece, adding text, dance and music, to reflect the Black Lives Matter movement and contemporary events. The piece will be rehearsed and performed outdoors in downtown Middletown.

Rehearsals will be Mondays and Thursday, 5 - 7 pm, beginning March 29. All rehearsals will be outdoors with masks required. There will be daily rehearsals May 16 - 19, and performances May 20 - 23 and 28 - 29. Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 will be directed by Oddfellows Artistic Director Dic Wheeler with local actor Diamond Wynn, and the production will include dance choreography by Middletown choreographer Felicia Goodwine.

To register for one of the two auditions, please go to www.oddfellows.org/auditions. It is free to audition, but there is a $250 tuition fee to be in the Teen Rep Company. Financial Aid is available for anyone who needs it; it is Oddfellows policy never to turn anyone away for inability to pay.

For more information, visit www.oddfellows.org, call (860) 347-6143, or email info@oddfellows.org. 

Godfrey Memorial Library - ZOOM Genealogy Club Meeting

Saturday, March 20, 2021

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (EST)

Breaking Down Genealogical Brick Walls - Brick by Brick

Every genealogist eventually ends up running into the dreaded brick wall.  The term “brick wall” refers to a barrier or an apparent dead-end in your research when an answer to a question cannot be found.  Sometimes it’s a record that has gone missing in an online database.  Other times it’s a family member or an entire family that has gone missing in the records.  Times such as these can be discouraging and frustrating.  When you think that you have exhausted all possibilities in your research, it’s time to come up with new ways to think about your question and then look some more. 

Our speaker this month is Carol R. Witmer, a new member of the Godfrey Library’s Board of Directors.  She is a professional genealogist and founding partner of “Come Home to Connecticut,” a genealogical research and consulting firm.  Carol will talk about how to distinguish a real brick wall from a minor detour.  She will also discuss strategies and tools that can help you tackle those tough research problems, find answers to your questions, and break down your brick walls.  Remember, behind every genealogical brick wall is an ancestor waiting to escape! 

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

If you are not a Premium Godfrey Scholar member and want to watch the presentation, you can pay $10 via PayPal at the following web address:  https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/GodfreyMemorial  Then register at the email above.

Please register by 4:00 pm Friday, March 19.

Electrifying your Home!

Here is a link to a simple (but thorough!) guide to electrifying your home. If Middletown is to become powered by 100% renewable energy, we will have to electrify heating and transportation. 

The guide can help you understand this process, and its costs and benefits.

https://redwoodenergy.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Pocket-Guide-to-All-Electric-Retrofits-of-Single-Family-Homes.pdf

I hope some find this useful!

Here is the introduction to the guide:

"Welcome! This booklet is intended to be a simple “how-to” guide to help homeowners, home renters, utilities and policy makers who want to replace existing gas appliances with efficient electric alternatives, many of which are simple and require no home modifications (e.g., countertop induction ranges, condensing washer/dryers, portable space conditioning heat pumps). This booklet has three sections, the first to explain the costs, benefits and strategies for electrifying a home, the second section is lessons learned from case studies of retrofitted homes, and the third section is an extensive product guide to help choose your electrification appliances. You are not alone in this project of electrifying your home! And it can be affordable and easy—see our discussion of the Watt Diet and how one can avoid electrical upgrades. Since 1993 Americans have been progressively using more electric appliances, and 1 in 4 homes nationwide are now all-electric : electric stoves are now 61% of annual sales in the U.S. and electric laundry dryers are 88% of annual sales, while the majority of homes built since 1950 have been built with electric water heaters, and since 1970 the majority of homes have been built with electric space heating. Electrifying existing buildings, often paired with low-cost solar power, is a growing industry nation-wide. This guide was written to accelerate this existing trend to use electric appliances because the global scientific community says that fossil fuels burned in our buildings are causing 28% of climate change5 , with natural gas leaks upstream of our appliances responsible for another 25% of global climate change. 6 As our grid power grows cleaner by including more clean, renewable energy, a concerted effort is underway globally to use cleaner grid electricity to replace polluting fossil fuel appliances."

And don't forget, in order for this to work, we need to decarbonize the grid, too. 

Planet of Circus Premiere! Spring classes!

 

Oddfellows Playhouse and ARTFARM are excited to announce the premiere of Circophony

Youth Circus’ new film, Planet of Circus! The film will premiere on Facebook Live on

Friday, March 12. Opening Night Red Carpet pre-show begins at 6:30 pm. Planet of Circus

will premiere at 7 pm. This unique and visually stunning combination of circus, dance,

animation, music and visual art is offered free of charge.

Planet of Circus is an original film created, performed and filmed by the students of Circophony,

a youth circus ensemble based in Middletown, CT. Planet of Circus! is born out of an 8 week

production schedule, primarily on zoom, where students wrote and rehearsed scenes and then

translated them to a small screen. It is the story of the peaceful Planetians, a harmonious species

of circus creatures from Madeupplanetia!  They live in balance with their planet, their circus

skills and one another -- that is, until aliens arrive! Follow our heroes as they dance, contort and

juggle their way out of danger and put their planet back in balance. 

Directed by Oddfellows Circus Director Allison McDermott, the movie features technical

direction and animation by Brooklyn-based artist and puppeteer Andrew Murdock. Costumes

are designed by Marion Imbruglio, set and prop design by Robin Leet, sound design and original

music by Rowan Trowbridge-Wheeler, and additional circus and movement coaches for the

production include Leah Maille, Naja Muller and Pablo Puente.

The cast is made up of teen circus artists from all over, including Aislinn Carroll, Mike Colombo,

Asera Holley, Breanna Stielau, Artemis Trowbridge-Wheeler and Rowan Trowbridge-Wheeler of

Middletown; Grace Darby and Lila Delaronde of Portland; Emily Brainerd of Chester; Haylee

Weglarz of Deep River; Maya Cooper of Meriden; Ellie Kelly of New Britain; Patience Armstrong

of New Haven; and Kayla Robinson Smalls from Dacula, Georgia.

Circophony Teen Circus is a training and performance program for ages 12 - 20 run in collaboration

by Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater and ARTFARM. Spring training in acrobatics, juggling and

contortion will be offered outdoors this spring from April 13 to May 29. Circophony training is open

to all young people 12 - 20; previous circus experience is not required.

For more information about the March 12 performance or outdoor classes this spring, contact
Oddfellows at info@oddfellows.org, call (8600 347-6143 , or go to www.oddfellows.org.
Circophony’s Planet of Circus is made possible with the generous support of the Connecticut Office
of the Arts/DECD; Middletown Commission on the Arts; The Fund for Greater Hartford; American
Savings Foundation; State of Connecticut Judicial Branch (Youth Violence Prevention); Evan Boyd
Knoll Memorial Fund; Middletown Youth Services Bureau; Thomas J. Atkins Memorial Trust Fund;
Middlesex United Way; CHEFA Cultural Relief Grant; New England Foundation for the Arts New
England Arts Resilience Fund; Community Foundation of Middlesex County; and many generous
individual donors.

For a complete list of spring programs, with descriptions,
go to https://oddfellows.recdesk.com/Community/Program

Marine Debris in the Northeast

Earth Day 2021 is Thursday, April 22.

Marine Debris is a severe problem in World Oceans, & in Rivers, Lakes, Ponds & Streams throughout planet Earth. 

This Earth Day, make a pledge to work to reverse this problem or at least to do no harm.

Join local beach or riverside-waterside clean up by searching for these cleanup events online or in your local newspaper. These events are fun
& they do help! 

MARINE DEBRIS in the NORTHEAST--This region includes Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.

With an urbanized coastline and diverse coastal habitats that support both valuable fisheries and protected species, marine debris has extensive impacts on the economy and the environment in the Northeast. Lost, abandoned, or discarded fishing gear can unintentionally trap fish, lobsters, and other wildlife, which threatens the survival of protected and endangered species. In addition, trash from urban areas is often carried to the ocean, littering beaches and sensitive marine ecosystems.

The NOAA Marine Debris Program, in partnership with local agencies, non-governmental organizations, and coastal and fishing communities, aims to prevent and reduce marine debris in the Northeast through education, research, and removal projects, as well as response to large debris events.

Excerpted from NOAA website:
https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/northeast

Link to TRASH TALK: What is marine debris?  -- A 2-minute video, suitable for school classroom viewing.  http://oceantoday.noaa.gov/trashtalk_whatismarinedebris/otkn_801a_whatismarinedebris_lg.webm

 

A longer, award-winning video suitable for classroom viewing:

https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/discover-issue/trash-talk

NEWS ALERT: COVID-19 VACCINE FOLLOW-UP

 

COVID-19 VACCINE FOLLOW-UP:

 

As a follow up to the COVID-19 Vaccine article I wrote please do not forget to complete the "Daily Health Check-In" after you receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Go to https://vsafe.cdc.gov/en/  on your smart phone or computer. Follow the prompts to register and answer how you are feeling after you had the vaccine. They will send you a daily text message to see how your reaction was to the vaccine. They will do this for several days after receiving the vaccine. Please do not think of this as Big Brother watching you or trying to invade your personal privacy.  I hope this does not deter you from getting this vaccine against the deadly COVID-19 virus. 

 

Enjoy the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITIF-i40dto

 

Homage to Vernon Jordan

Vernon Jordan
(August 15, 1935 – March 1, 2021)

He lived as he believed.
By example, by what he did, he led us to a better place.
A brave, wise man. With a wise and knowing mother.

 

Vernon Jordan, 2019.

 

NEWS ALERT: GET VACCINATED AGAINST THE COVID-19 VIRUS. DO IT TODAY!

NEWS ALERT:  GET THE COVID-19 VACCINATION.  CALL YOUR MEDICAL PROVIDER TODAY TO FIND OUT HOW AND WHEN.

 

Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine? This question probably has been on everyone’s minds these days. 

 

Governor Ned Lamont revised the COVID-19 distribution. He is not calling it phases any more but now it will be based on age according to Middletown Acting Director of Health Kevin Elak. Persons 55 years and older became eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine on March 1st along with educators, all school personnel, and childcare providers. The next age group to become eligible will be individuals 45-54 beginning March 22, followed by individuals 35-44 April 12th and on May 3rd 16-34-year-old. Health Director Elak stated “You do not have to register with VAMS to make an appointment for the vaccine. You can check with your doctor to see if they are giving the vaccine at their office.” He also stated people can call the Connecticut Vaccine appointment line at 877-918-2224. Salvatore Nesci the Acting Director of Health for the Town of Cromwell said, "it depends on the provider," regarding if a person would have to preregister on the VAMS website to schedule an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine.  If you have any questions about your need to register on VAMS call your medical provider.

 

According to National Public Radio President Joe Biden said on March 2nd “We're now on track to have enough vaccine supply for every adult in America by the end of May." Dr. Anthony Fauci stated recently on Instagram Live according to CBS News “"We project so anyone who wants to get vaccinated would have gotten vaccinated by the time we get to the end of the summer and the beginning of the fall."

 

When you become eligible to receive the vaccine take the opportunity to get vaccinated and protect yourself along with your relatives and friends.

 

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine please see the following websites:

 

https://portal.ct.gov/Vaccine-Portal

https://portal.ct.gov/vaccine-portal/COVID-19-Vaccination-Phases

https://middlesexhealth.org/patients-and-visitors/coronavirus-information/covid-19-vaccine

 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-

ncov/vaccines/recommendations.html

https://vams.cdc.gov/vaccineportal/s/landingpage

 

https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/03/02/973030394/biden-says-u-s-will-have-vaccine-supply-for-all-adults-by-may-prioritizes-teache

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dolly-parton-receives-covid-19-vaccine/?intcid=CNM-00-10abd1h

 

Please get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.  

 

Enjoy the videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjfT6H6QUIA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H-ipHhzKRI

 

 

 

 

 

The Buttonwood Tree Presents Storytelling with Story City Troupe Featuring Moth Champion Tom Ouimet

 $10 - March 5th - 7-9 PM - Online Via Zoom

Come and join us this Friday for Story City Troupe a collective of storytellers based in the Hartford, CT area founded by Sue Huggans. They will showcase fascinating adult style story time!

This month's theme will be "Passion," in all it's many forms--there's so much to love about this life! We will also feature returning teller Tom Ouimet who has been busy telling stories and winning Slams at The Moth!

All stories are true, personal stories, often funny, sometimes amazing, poignant or ironic and based on a single theme for the evening. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll identify!  Tickets

The audience is invited to participate by offering to tell their own story (email TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com for details) and by staying on after the storytelling for an informal "Chat room." You may talk with the tellers or other audience members, ask questions, get advice etc!

March Tellers:
Mike Isko
Nina Lesiga
Sue Huggans
Tom Ouimet
 

And if there's time after audience participation, TBT's own Anne-Marie McEwen

 Please register via Buttonwood.org

New Fossil Fuel Project Prompts Discussion of Concerns, Opportunities, and Win-Win Alternatives

This article was submitted by Middletown resident Jill Harris: 

The Middletown City Council, representatives from NRG, representatives from the Jonah Center, and local citizens came together on February 11th to consider and discuss NRG’s proposal for a fossil fuel power plant project on River Road and its impact on the community.  The discussion occurred in the context of the Middletown Council’s unanimous decision in 2020 to declare a climate change emergency and of the town’s option in February 2021 to terminate a tax agreement worth several million dollars that is favorable to the NRG project. 

Brian McCabe presented NRG’s proposal to replace two units built in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s with a new unit.  John Hall of the Jonah Center and Wesleyan Physics Professor Brian Stewart presented in opposition to the proposed plan.  Connecticut produces more power than it uses, exporting 26% of the power it generates.  Although the proposed gas powered turbine would be more efficient, it would be allowed to run 182 days a year instead of the few days a year that the units it would replace currently run.  The increased running time would result in the release of five times the amount of the current CO2 emissions and as much as 76 tons of Particulate Matter, factors which contribute to the climate crisis and negatively affect the local environment and the health of local residents.  

Mr. Hall and Professor Stewart spoke in favor of seeking alternative technological solutions such as a storage facility for green technologies such as wind and solar.  Mr. McCabe said that NRG is currently working on other types of storage facilities in other parts of the country and would be willing to work with the Jonah Center on this alternative.  He also said that the same local labor force could be employed to build a storage facility for green energy as would be employed for the current proposal of the fossil fuel burning turbine.  

Councilman Gene Nocera called the public comments “heartwarming” as approximately 45 citizens called in to voice their opinions.  According Councilman Philip Pessina, 14 of those calls favored the proposed plan for reasons of its benefit to the labor force, while approximately 30 people called in to object to the proposed plan for environmental reasons, both current and immediate damage to the local ecosystem and the health of local residents and its contribution to the existential crisis of climate change.  “The Climate Emergency [declaration] was not a paper exercise,” Councilman Vincent Loffredo noted, implying that the council is committed to acting in accordance with the urgent need to act to reduce greenhouse gasses.  Both Councilman Grady Faulkner and Councilman Ed McKeon said that they liked the alternative idea of a storage facility for green energy, and Councilman Pessina saw the potential for a “three-legged stool” that would bring NRG and labor, environmentalists, and the government into a cooperative project that could be a model for the transition away from fossil fuels.  “You can’t put a price on health,” Councilwoman Jeannette Blackwell added, “and we need to continue to discuss the impact on marginalized communities.”

The town is now waiting and watching to see if the Common Council will terminate the tax agreement and if meaningful discussions between the City, NRG, and the Jonah Center take place regarding an energy storage project.