Give Peace (Making) a Chance

Another Family for Peace float at the Willimantic Boom Box Parade, July 4, 2007. File photo © by Brenda Sullivan.

To the Editor:

Today, world peace and global sustainability are elusive visions of a future which, as a young person in the 1960s, I thought I’d live to see.

Now I’m a grandmother who wants those expectations to become a reality for my grand­children Georgia, Joseph, Talon and William.

In 1969, when I first heard John Lennon’s song “Give Peace a Chance,” I was an idealistic 23-year-old beginning her 35-year teaching career.

I believed a peaceful world would come about through educating young people to create peaceful solutions as an alternative to war.

Today, 40 years later and retired from teaching, I’m asking us to give peace-building a chance.

As a former history teacher, I know that most of the history I taught revolved around conflicts waged as a result of differences in perception. What if we could build an international perception/conviction that is in everyone’s best interests, one that assures human rights and the sustainability of our planet?

Could this world perception/conviction become a reality?

Yes, it has already begun, spearheaded by the United Nations, whose central purpose is to end the scourge of war for future generations.

Sept. 20-21 has been designated as the United Nation’s International Day of Peace 2009. During that 24-hour period there will be world-peace celebrations telecast from all corners of the globe.

This historic event will utilize http://www.CultureOfPeace.org and http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/ as interactive vehicles to empower organizations and individuals to participate in the celebration.

Locally, there will be an International Day of Peace Celebration in Willimantic from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20 at the Peace Pole in Heritage Park (next to the ArtSpace apartments  in the old mill buildings on Main Street).

Please get involved and give peace-­building a chance.

Jane E. Schreiber – Mansfield Center – A retired teacher

(reprinted courtesy of The Chronicle)

Mansfield man Tasered while tangling with police

A Mansfield man was arrested by Vernon police early this morning after allegedly violating a protective order and arguing with a victim.

At approximately 1: 16 a. m., police were called to Vernon Avenue where Steven Stanley, 49, of 290 Mansfield City Road, was arguing about pending court cases, said police.

According to police, Stanley was taken to the Vernon Police Department for booking, but became unruly during a phone call. Police say Stanley became upset after officers told him to end the call and became confrontational with officers.

Police say Stanley then lunged at the officers and had to be subdued with a Taser.

Stanley and an officer suffered minor injuries from the scuffle, said police.

After both incidents, Stanley was arrested for three counts of violating a protective order, second-degree burglary, interfering with a police officer and refusal to submit fingerprints.

He was due in Rockville Superior Court today [Sept. 18].

Posted Sept. 18, 2009

From the HTNP.com Editor, related links:

Video of police use of taser: http://www.taser.com/pages/VideoDetails.aspx?videoid=67

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) about tasers: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/03/18/f-taser-faq.html

Fast facts and interesting stories about taser use: http://www.mahalo.com/taser

What some people will do to get on TV (YouTube video)-

Music, children's games, peaches and fun Saturday at Storrs Farmers Market

Something new, the town's Agriculture Committee and Parks and Recreation Department is co-sponsoring a "Farmers Market Kitchen."

Every Saturday is special at the Storrs Farmers Market.

This week, on Sept. 19, Bruce John will play acoustic tunes, John Walker will bring old-fashioned children’s games and tools, and there will be a great selection of the end-of-summer fruits and vegetables such as peaches, raspberries and greens, as well as the beginnings of fall foods such as winter squash, potatoes and onions.

The forecast is looking great, so it should be a busy day – come early if you want to be sure to get your favorites.

And as always, you will find free-range eggs, thick and creamy goats-milk yogurt, wholesome local meats, fresh-baked pies and more.

The market sets up shop at the Mansfield town hall parking lot (at the corner of Routes 195 and 275/South Eagleville Road) from 3 to 6 p.m.

The market is open every Saturday from now through November – and offerings change throughout the season. (For a sneak peak at what will be at the market, sign up for weekly emails by writing to StorrsFarmersMarket@gmail.com)

And something new, the town’s Agriculture Committee and Parks and Recreation Department is co-sponsoring a “Farmers Market Kitchen” with Rebecca Canfield.

This series of five farm-to fork cooking demonstrations (which began June 27) and tastings offers simple, delicious recipes made with fresh ingredients from local farms.

An hour-and-a-half program is given on the last Saturday of the month, just before the Storrs Farmers Market opens, now through October.

Rebecca Canfield is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, and a Food Services manager at UConn where she promotes eating local food through the Local Routes program.

Residents and nonresidents can register for one or more of these programs at the Community Center, or by visiting www.MansfieldCT.org and clicking on the Community Center logo.

For more information, contact Jennifer Kaufman at KaufmanJS@MansfieldCT.org.

Posted Sept. 18, 2009