A View from Glen Hill: Nurturing the inclination to do good

Written by Stephen Hudspeth
Thursday, 09 February 2012 00:00

Recently, I’ve found myself “DVD-immersed” in the CBS television series of the mid-2000s, Joan of Arcadia. I was reintroduced to it by the Rev. Jane Field when she showed its pilot as a prelude to discussion at a joint youth group gathering of Wilton Presbyterian, St. Matthew’s Episcopal, and Zion’s Hill United Methodist Churches.

Joan was the brainchild of executive producer Barbara Hall, a Roman Catholic fascinated by both physics and theology. The series’ brilliant scripts explore high school student Joan’s ability to recognize God in a variety of human forms as He/She interacts with her.

Warrior Words: Adventures of the mind

Written by Sara Gardner
Thursday, 09 February 2012 00:00

Now that the days are overcast and dreary as winter has settled in for the long haul, the overwhelming lethargy caused by the monochromatic dullness of this season makes me yearn for milder days. Yet even as the dismal weather conditions and the post-holiday social lull try to weigh down my spirits, I feel just as bright and optimistic as ever because my mind is vacationing in sunnier places.

In my daydreams, I am not trudging through typical winter slush and snow piled outside to make it on time to school. Rather...

I am strolling along a flower-lined boulevard in Paris, a baguette under my arm, coming from a charming side-street off Rue St. Germaine, resplendent with carts stacked with their bounty of fresh produce and sidewalk artists displaying their talents.

SCORE: Networking is a contact sport

Written by Hiro Hiranandani
Thursday, 09 February 2012 00:00

The most effective form of marketing is word-of-mouth. But people can’t spread the word about you and your small business if they don’t know you.

That’s where networking comes in. Whether it’s through a professional association for your industry, a local business group, or a conference, networking offers a valuable forum for prospective customers and colleagues to learn about you and the services or products you provide.

Editorial: Heart health

Thursday, 09 February 2012 00:00

Look at the woman sitting beside you, or across from you. Did you know the number one killer of women is heart disease? Could that woman be at risk?

According to the American Heart Association, more women die of cardiovascular disease than from the next four causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer. But the association says 80% of cardiac events in women could be prevented with the right choices for their hearts involving diet, exercise and no smoking.

From the Senate Circle: Education: Is Connecticut losing its competitive edge?

Written by Toni Boucher
Thursday, 09 February 2012 00:00

Connecticut Realtors provide a good barometer of the economy’s health. They know why people move in and move out, the canary in the coal mine so to speak. National headlines that proclaim our high taxes and bonding downgrades make selling our state more difficult. The one competitive advantage Realtors point to has always been the state’s top ranking in education until recently.

Senior Center News: Lunch and love songs

Written by Lizabeth Doty
Thursday, 09 February 2012 00:00

Lunch at Ogden House

A wonderful lunch will be prepared by volunteers from Our Lady of Fatima Church on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at noon in the dining room at Ogden House, 100 River Road. This event is sponsored by the Wilton Senior Center and is open to all Wilton senior citizens. Ron Spataro will perform a selection of love songs after lunch. Ron is a seasoned professional keyboard player and vocalist who has been entertaining audiences for more than 40 years. Ron has performed with artists such as Tony award winner Frankie Michaels, Little Anthony and Mary Wells. He has graced the stages with great bands such as the Spinners, Orleans and the Grass Roots. Ron is also a record producer having produced more than 25 albums and 100 singles over the years. He has also engineered live sound for Buddy Rich, the Crystles, Larry Elgert and many others. Ron has combined his expertise in all areas to bring you a state-of-the-art performance with a sound that is second to none. With songs from the last five decades from artists like Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Tony Bennett, Rod Stewart, Willie Nelson, Lionel Richie, Elton John, the Beatles and many more, Ron entertains with the highest level of professionalism and will capture the hearts of your audience. So whether you enjoy sitting and listening in a concert type environment or if you love to dance — you will find Ron’s performance is second to none.

The cost of the lunch is $3. Reservations: 203-834-6240.

Library Lines

Written by Janet Crystal
Thursday, 09 February 2012 00:00

Crafty day

This Saturday, Feb. 11, the library has a few crafts to share with people. Children can take part in Drop-in Valentine’s Day Crafts from 10 to 5. Materials are supplied by the library; creativity is supplied by kids of all ages. There is no fee or registration. The program is made possible by the Coyle Family Young Readers Fund. Members of the Fairfield County chapter of Embroiderers’ Guild of America present Stitch in Public Day and will be embroidering from 10 to 4 in the Gallery. People will be able to stop by, chat with the members about their love of stitching, see their wonderful samples and perhaps become inspired. Books on the subject will be available for loan.

Editorial: Disenfranchised

Thursday, 02 February 2012 00:00

Grieving the loss of a loved one — particularly a spouse — is hard enough. Being deprived of openly grieving because of a lifestyle choice must be unspeakably difficult.

Although we have come a long way in accepting what are euphemistically called alternative lifestyles, people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered — collectively known as the LGBT community — continue to face many difficulties in pursuit of daily life.

Openly grieving the death of a life partner should not be one of them.

Guest Commentary: Burn awareness is essential

Written by Rocco Grosso, Wilton Fire Inspector
Thursday, 02 February 2012 00:00

With National Burn Awareness Week (Feb. 5-11) approaching, the Wilton Fire Department would like to take the opportunity to remind residents of the dangers fire can present.

This year’s campaign is Be Burn Aware. Statistically, in the average year, 18,300 Americans are injured and more than 3,500 perish in fires. Of these, roughly 10-15% are children under the age of 14. Children under five years of age account for 52% of child fire deaths. Young children, because of their age, are much less likely to escape a fire in the home than adults.

Letter from Hartford: The 2012 session is coming: Ready, set — wait ...

Written by Gail Lavielle
Thursday, 02 February 2012 00:00

The 2012 legislative session is coming, and the General Assembly has a lot on its agenda. At the top of the priorities list are:

• Jobs — continuing the bipartisan work done in the October special session;

• Education — taking serious steps to close Connecticut’s achievement gap, the country’s largest;

• Infrastructure and emergency preparedness — ensuring that the state is better equipped to provide essential services in the wake of weather-related and other disruptive events.