a PDF of the November, 2011 issue

Transcription

THE
NOVEMBER, 2011
AUBURNTIMES
Prsrt. Std
U.S. Postage
PAID
Worcester, MA
Permit No. 2
THE CHRONICLE OF AUBURN & OXFORD LIVING
MAGAZINE
INSIDEAUBURN
Auburn School District
strives to be
ahead-of-the-curve
in student learning,
communication
BY STEPHANIE RICHARDS
As Superintendent Dr. Maryellen Brunelle talks about
the Auburn School District, you sense she is goal driven to
see students thrive whether they are in preschool or high
school. The 26-year veteran to education took the helm at
the district four years ago and seems to embrace the challenges of creating a 21st century school district with ease.
With a budget of about $20 million dollars, Auburn
Public Schools currently serves 2,359 students with 300 faculty, administrative and support staff. Six schools encompass the district including Auburn High School and Auburn
Middle (grades sixth to eighth), Julia Bancroft and Pakachoag Elementary (both grades third to fifth), and Mary D.
2
THE AUBURN TIMES MAGAZINE
© 2011 Sturbridge Times photos by Stephanie Richards
Dr. Maryellen Brunelle, Superinendent the the Auburn schools.
Stone and Bryn Mawr Elementary (both kindergarten to
second).
In difficult financial times, the District has been able to
maintain minimal increases in its budget, up by just 1.9 percent overall the last four years. “Federal and state stimulus
dollars have helped maintain that small increase. Making
up for those dollars in the next year will be challenging,”
Brunelle said. “We have a leadership team that meets at
least twice a month to discuss budget planning and are developing core goals and values. Our overall priority is to respond to needs based on data. It is critically important that
you have priorities straight as the pool of available funds be-
comes smaller. Our continual focus needs to be how
to impact student achievement and we’ve got to be
proactive versus reactive.”
Brunelle said her predecessor developed a strategic plan in 2007. Reviewed last fall, that plan was revised a few years out and now addresses seven areas
including curriculum and professional development,
technology, stability in administrative team, facilities,
community relations and marketing. There had been
instability in leadership prior to Brunelle’s appointment, with a turnover of seven superintendents.
“Overall, the salary structure needs to be set so we
can keep staff. Likewise, we need to ensure Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education goals are met,” said Brunelle, who comes from
a family of educators and has also worked in the Tantasqua School District. “We need to make sure students have opportunities beyond high school so they
are prepared for whatever path they take. In terms of
curriculum, we need to incorporate different classes
and programs, but we may not be able to add staff.
The challenge is to use the resources we have.”
The District currently has a major building project process underway--Auburn Middle School. Located on 12.5 acres at 10 Swanson Road, the school
was built in 1959 (addition built on in 1972) and is
approximately 51,000 square feet with additional
space in four modular classrooms. In May, Auburn
residents approved a $600,000 for a feasibility study
for the middle school a the Town meeting. However,
the process of exploring a new middle school dates
back to 2007 when a “Statement of Interest” was approved by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). The project never went anywhere
Continued on page 4
AUBURN&OXFORDLIVING
NOVEMBER, 2011
THE
AUBURNTIMES
MAGAZINE
PUBLISHER & EDITOR
MANAGING EDITOR
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
WRITERS
PAUL CARR
JOHN SMALL
KAREN ROTHWEILER
CYNTHIA ALLEGREZZA
JEFF CANNON
ROBERT GEORGE, ESQ.
RICHARD MCGRATH
RICHARD MURPHY
STEPHANIE RICHARDS
JOHN RYAN
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3
3
A conversation with Dr. Maryellen Brunelle
Continued from page 2
because of superintendent turnover.
“The MSBA has certified an enrollment
projection for Auburn Middle School of
560 students. For that number of students, the building size, per their specifications, should be 98,000 square feet,”
Brunelle said.
MSBA has approved moving forward
with the project and developed timelines
in the design selection phase. Skanska
USA Building, Inc. has been selected the
Owner's Project Manager (OPM), coming
out on top because of their efforts with
community outreach according to
Brunelle. “We need the support of the
community and must keep them informed. The project could cost anywhere
from $20 to $40 million, depending what
decision is made on the design—either
renovating/adding onto the current site
or building new. Right now, we are slated
for 54.16 percent reimbursement and can
earn nine more incentive points (for up
to 60 percent total). We need to make the
most educationally and fiscally sound decision that makes sense. It is an extremely
time consuming process, but we are keeping inline with MSBA timeline goals.”
After the study is completed, Brunelle
hopes to move forward and bring a proposal before the Town Meeting in the fall
of 2012 or spring 2013. The high school
project (building completed in 2006)
took more than 16 years to be built, she
said. One resident commented to
Brunelle that the middle school project
can’t take as long. Current information
on the project’s progress can be found on
a link on the District’s website
(www.auburn.k12.ma.us).
There have also been many new initiatives to improve communication with
both parents and the community. This
fall, the District implemented a new communication tool, iPass Parent Portal, for
parents to keep abreast of their child’s
progress on things like tests, homework
and attendance. “I asked three questions
when I came here and invited responses.
In the 49 responses I received, there were
comments about a desire for stronger
communication with staff. The iPass Parent Portal program is one way of doing
that.”
Initially, the program has been rolled
out to parents of students in grades six to
12 because grades were already being
“We need to make sure
students have opportunities
beyond high school
so they are prepared for whatever
path they take.
In terms of curriculum,
we need to incorporate different classes
and programs, but we may not be able
to add staff.
The challenge is to use the resources we have.”
DR. MARYELLEN BRUNELLE
AUBURN SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
recorded in the iPass program, making it
a seamless transmission. Through the
program, parents go online and register,
answering questions related to their
child’s birthdate and ID number assigned
by the district. Once verified, they can
view grades on quizzes and tests and
homework submission. “Our minimum
requirement is that major tests or quizzes
are posted within two weeks, but faculty
are doing it in shorter period of time. We
have 420 families registered for the iPass
Parent Portal and the feedback has been
positive,” Brunelle said. “We didn’t want
to remove the independence or responsibility piece for the students…this is really
a supplement for parents. If homework
hasn’t been turned in, parents still need
to go to their child and ask them about
it.”
The website has also undergone a
major redesign to improve communica-
tion. A Community Relations committee
surveyed families on how they currently
get information, Brunelle said. Feedback
on that survey noted there was a lack of
current information on the website. The
new website is more user-friendly and allows information to be updated easily so
it can remain current. In addition, many
teachers created pages for the new site.
“Our goal is to have all teachers have a
page. The website helps strengthen the
home-to-school and school-to-community connection,” she said.
Information about the District is also
passed along to parents through a quarterly newsletter that is emailed and
posted to the website. Through a program called One Call Now, parents also
receive reminders and other school information via telephone or email.
Brunelle noted a lot of other “firsts”
this year, including the preschool program being moved from Mary D. Stone
Elementary to Auburn High School. The
elementary school is not handicap accessible, so the impact has been tremendous
for some of the 44 preschoolers in the integrated program. In addition, the District expanded to a full-day kindergarten
with seven classes this fall. It received a
Continued on page 16
4
BOOK REVIEW
$91,000 education jobs grant to help offset the cost. There has also been a substantial infusion of technology in the
classroom to enhance learning, including
Epson BrightLinks, Polyvision Boards,
Flip and document cameras, iPads and
laptop carts. “We are using things like
apps for letter recognition and number
sense. The technology is also used with
the special education population for
learning—it is a huge draw,” Brunelle
said. “However, we have to balance technology infusion with students working together in groups and collaborating.”
As with any school district, safety is a
primary concern and Auburn Public
Schools is no different. A school safety
committee comprised of fire, police and
school staff was formed about five years
ago. Brunelle said the committee meets
monthly, sometimes more, with one goal
in mind—making sure buildings are safe
for students. The group develops and refines protocols for safe and hard lock
down drills and works with safety teams
at each school. The committee was also
instrumental in changing policy so every
visitor, including delivery personnel, is required to leave their driver’s license at the
office to enter the building. This summer, they also presented a scenario for a
mock bus accident. “It is good to have fire
drills, but practicing these other things
helps them to be more second nature to
us if they occur. We also created a special text tip line to report bullying at the
middle and high school (not anonymous). We had a minor incident at the
start of year that was reported to it and
were able to address it immediately. “
Brunelle said the School District is really in a collaborative effort with parents
and the community at large. “We are
committed to excellence and continuous
improvement…it is a partnership with the
community and parents. I encourage parents and the community to take advantage of information on the web, and in
our newsletter and be informed. There is
a lot happening in Auburn Public
Schools thanks to the dedicated staff and
families,” she said.
Budget presentations for FY2013 will
be made to the Auburn School Committee at 6:30 p.m., November 14 through
16 at the administrative offices, located at
5 West St., Auburn. All meetings are also
televised. For more information on
Auburn Public Schools, go to
www.auburn.k12.ma.us
WILLPOWER
By Roy F. Baumeister
and JohnTierney
Penguin, Sept. 1, 2011
304 pages
List price: 27.95
Amazon: 17.04 (10/26)
Rediscovering
thegreatesthuman
strength
ISBN-10: 1594203075
ISBN-13: 978-1594203077
Also available on Kindle
and Audio CD, Unabridged
BY RICHARD MURPHY
Go into any bookstore in this country,
and you will find shelves filled with tomes
on self-help. It’s a half full or empty situation, depending on your outlook. Are we
a nation of benighted folk who feel so low
that we are desperate to raise ourselves out
of the swamp of despair? Maybe self-improvement is a noble goal, to be better
than we are. Take your pick, there is a
book for every taste.
Some volumes seem to signify narcissism and are of the bring out your inner
super star genre. Yet another have as a
theme stop being that lazy slug and be
more productive. It is a subject that many
have written about. One of the first was
Napoleon Hill, with his Think and Grow
Rich. Whether it worked for the 20 million readers is questionable, but it worked
for old Nap.
In WILLPOWER Rediscovering the
Greatest Human Strength, Roy F.
Baumeister and John Tierney have written
a book that is not going to work miracles.
It is, however, realistic on what the will can
and cannot accomplish.
The two men are not a couple of guys
selling a self-help cult. John Tierney writes
on scientific subjects for the New York
Times. Professor Baumeister heads the social psychology program at Florida State
University.
Maybe the most interesting aspect of
the study is that you may not be a weakling, just hungry. Obviously an oversimplification, but without sufficient fuel in
the form of glucose, temptation is harder
to resist. Not understanding the biological
basis of willpower leads us to ask too much
of it.
Glucose is a form of sugar that the body
needs. Too much and it becomes fat. Not
enough at the right time and you might be
tempted into getting that Red Sox logo tattoo on your forehead. It would not be
smart to swallow a bag of m&ms just before
you go into an automobile showroom, but
making a deal while starving is not a wise
strategy. The authors are adamant, “No glucose, no willpower.”
Near as bad as not enough glucose is lack
of sleep. You probably realize that already.
Even if we’re not self aware, most of us have
observed a cranky toddler who should be
in bed. It ties in with the glucose problem. Sleeping lowers the demand for glucose and helps the body utilize it. Sleep
deprivation not only impairs glucose processing, it can also lead to a higher risk of
diabetes. Simply put, “A rested will is a
stronger will.”
Willpower can be used up. You only
Continued on page 8
5
THE SHOPPING NEWS
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a fun and affordable experience
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AUBURN
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WED. & FRI. 10:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M.
SAT. 9:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M.
SUN. 10:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M.
508.832.0066
SMARTYPANTSSTORES.COM
BY CYNTHIA ALLEGREZZA
Elizabeth Evans is an entrepreneur—and a successful one. How she achieved that status is most interesting, however. She had been an emergency room
nurse and a pharmaceutical researcher, but that all
changed when she got laid off and found herself looking for a different way to make a living.
After a fair amount of soul-searching, she decided
to start her own business and stumbled upon an opportunity she simply could not pass up. In December
2010 she opened Smarty Pants Consignment store in
the Westside Plaza in Auburn. “I started from scratch
to build this business,” she said proudly. Her tenacity
and courage have certainly paid off for this small business owner.
Like a child “the store is constantly evolving,”
Evans said. “My goal is to make Smarty Pants not a
cluttered or claustrophobic place to shop. I really work
hard to keep a good variety of merchandise here.”
The result of that attention she conscientiously devotes to the details of displaying and organizing the
store’s ample stock results in a delightful shopping experience that offers reasonable prices and incredible
deals. You will definitely pay less here than at a department or specialty store for quality clothes and
sought-after gear for children. In fact, many items have
never been used and still have tags or the original
packaging. As she straightened a bin of soft fleecy
hats, Evans said smiling, “You never know what you
might find here.”
She is not kidding. The day we visited, the racks
were chock full of clean gently used or sometimes
6
© 2011 Auburn Times photos by Cynthia Allegrezza
Every item in the store is brand-name and top quality, says owner, Elizabeth Evans.
never even worn baby and children’s clothing—preemies to size 12—and a healthy supply of toys, games,
stuffed animals, books, and baby equipment including strollers, high chairs, cribs, bouncers, ExerSaucer®, and bedding.
You’ll find popular clothing brand names here
such as Baby Gap, Gymboree, and Carter’s, among
others. Maternity clothes—which are much more stylish than when I was wearing them in the 1990s—feature flattering selections (from size small to x-large and
a handful of plus sizes) appropriate for work or hanging out at home from Motherhood Maternity, Gap,
and Old Navy. The requisite baby gear and equipment features well-liked, durable products from
Graco, Fisher-Price, Evenflo, and Eddie Bauer. Evans
recently started carrying dancewear and her store offers a nice selection of leotards and tap, ballet and jazz
shoes for the budding performers in your home.
As any parent knows, kids seem to outgrow their
clothing overnight. If you are tired of digging in dirty
boxes and shopping in driveways or front lawns at yard
sales to find bargains, Evans makes it easier to find
great bargain prices on hundreds of popular name
brand items all in one place. Everything sold here is in
excellent used condition, thanks to Evans’ due diligence with her consigners, which number more than
400.
Evans prices her inventory so that the customer
gets a good deal. “I determine a fair price,” she explained. “Someone will see it and know that it is a
good price.”
For example, we found kid’s pajamas priced from
$3 to $6 and baby snowsuits and buntings with an additional 20 percent off. With nearly 1,200 square feet
of the store devoted to clothing, Evans encourages
shoppers to spend time browsing the racks in her
cheerful and spotless store. Her selections do change
daily and always seasonally. Be sure to inquire about
any special promotions the store may be running for
an even better deal. There’s a fitting room in case you
want to try the clothing on—great for moms-to-be
shopping for maternity duds.
Smarty Pants, with its central location on Rte 12
& 20 and ample parking, is more of a boutique venue
than a run-of-the-mill consignment store, and that
is just how Evans wants it. "Every item here is
name brand and top quality," she said. "I want to
help families meet the demands of their growing
families and save a bundle.”
Grandparents often frequent the store, Evans
said. “They do not want to spend a lot of money
on certain things, and this is a good place to find
clothing or baby gear that they want for their
grandchildren,” she said.
Although Smarty Pants is a consignment store,
currently Evans is not booking appointments with
potential consigners. However, she is accepting
some items on an as-needed basis. “If you would
like to consign items, call or stop in to inquire
what is needed,” she explained. “Only bring the
agreed upon items. This will benefit you because
you will only be bringing high demand items that
I can put out faster and they should sell faster.”
Evans requires that clothes must be washed
within two weeks of coming into the store and be
free of stains, damage, odors, piling, pet hair, and
wrinkles. “They must be on hangers, in excellent
condition, and be ready to put right out on the
racks,” she said. “If you do not have the right size
hangers for your clothes, stop by the store and we
will send you home with some. The hanger must
be facing left like a question mark as you are looking at the front of the clothing. If hangers are provided, be sure to bring your items in within a
week. Make sure shoes are in good condition and
the soles are clean. Put them in the wash and air
Inspiring Art
dry them. Please carefully inspect each piece before you come in for your appointment.
Consigning baby gear, equipment and toys at
Smarty Pants follow similar rules. Evans requires
that you stop in or call with a list of what items
you have. “All toys and equipment must be in
near perfect condition, clean, ready to be put out
for sale and easy to display,” she said.
As far as product recalls go, Evans said she
does try to keep up with recalls on gear and
equipment as much as she can. “This is something that ultimately should be the parent’s responsibility to check before bringing the item
into the store,” she said.
The store offers consigners a 60-40 deal on
clothes, meaning that Smarty Pants receives 60
percent for items sold and the owner 40 percent
of the selling price. If a consigner opts for store
credit, it is a 50-50 arrangement.
Items unclaimed by the designated pickup
date become property of Smarty Pants. Evans,
who is adamant about giving back to the community, makes regular donations of goods from
the store to the Massachusetts Department of
Children and Families to benefit foster children.
When you consider that children go through
18 to 20 different clothing and shoe sizes before
they turn 18, shopping at Smarty Pants is certainly a low-cost, high-quality option for outfitting babies and children.
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7
Willpower
have so much of it. The authors detail experiments where subjects are offered temptations
and heroically resist. In the second part of the
test, they collapse and give in with little resistance. Again, we ask too much of the will at
our peril.
If there is one aspect of willpower that has
the attention of the multitudes it is dieting.
The subject weighs heavily on the nation.
This is understandable as most of history, the
struggle to feed the world was just that, a struggle. In an age of abundant, relatively cheap, if
not good, food, why not eat? The consequences stare back at us from a full-length mirror. Hence, dieting has become an industry.
Are you contemplating a diet? The authors
have one word of advice, don’t. They chronicle the travails of America’s most famous dieter. Oprah has risen from poverty to untold
wealth. She is legendary for her driven personality. If any one could be poster child for
the will triumphant, it would be her. Yet, her
ongoing battle with weight has not been successful. Even Oprah has asked too much of
8
“...life simply
is will
to power”
FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE
BEYOND GOOD & EVIL
willpower.
Remembering what was mentioned earlier about glucose, the authors present the dieter’s nutritional catch 22:
1.
In order not to eat, a dieter needs
willpower.
2.
In order to have willpower, a dieter
needs to eat.
Okay, dieting is not the way to go. Are we
to just slurp our way to inevitable tonnage?
Not necessarily. There are strategies that can
help. Still, it’s no slam-dunk, more a bit of
jui jitsu. The authors are not presenting a
diet plan, but strategies to make it easier to
avoid or neutralize some of the temptations. Be warned, it’s never going to be a
lose 40 pounds over the weekend deal.
The last chapter also presents strategies
to help those of us with slug tendencies become more productive. They cite the
method of Raymond Chandler, arguably
the greatest detective novel writer.
“Chandler had his own system for turning out the Big Sleep and other classic detective stories. “Me, I wait for inspiration,”
he said, but he did it methodically every
morning. He believed a professional writer
needed to set aside at least four hours a day
for his job: “He doesn’t have to write, and if
he doesn’t feel like it, he shouldn’t try. He
can look out the window or stand on his
head or writhe on the floor, but he is not to
do any other positive thing, not read, not
write letters, glance at magazines, or write
checks.””
The authors hail this as a “marvelously
simple tool against procrastination for just
about any kind of task.” What they don’t
write about Chandler was his profound love
of the bottle. Your man was a stone drunk.
The picture of Ray, tumbler of Jameson in
one hand and other on the typewriter has a
certain charm, but is not probably going to
work for the rest of us no matter how many
hours we do nothing in the morning.
Despite that, Willpower is the most realistic book ever published on the subject of
what is possible for humans to accomplish
by will. You may not become a dynamo after
reading it, but nothing they suggest is unreasonable.
It couldn’t be simpler ...
Carl Westerman wants to keep
his neighbors warm in winter
BY JOHN RYAN
We’ve all struggled at some point in our
lives. Whether it’s due to illness, a sudden
job loss, or in worst case scenarios, both;
the fact is, we all need a helping hand occasionally. And the charity Keeping Auburn
Warm is doing just that for folks in
Auburn who need help with staying warm
in winter.
Founded in 2008 by Carl Westerman,
this non-profit organization helps Auburn
residents by providing heating assistance
with fuel for their homes, furnace cleaning
or repairs, insulation and just about anything else that will keep Auburn families
from going cold throughout the year.
Through this program dozens of families
have been helped and over $22,000 have
been raised to aid in that assistance.
Carl Westerman has spent his life in
various lines of work, including as a Marine
and Vietnam vet, a police officer in Worcester and Auburn and a town selectman for
the town. He spends his days now running
his private detective agency and overseeing
all day-to-day operations with Keeping
Auburn Warm.
Westerman discusses the impact the
program has had on his own life. “With all
the good things I’ve done,” Westerman
said, “running this charity has been the
most rewarding and fulfilling thing I’ve
done. It feels great to help people who really need it, especially with something as
important as keeping the heat going for a
family that wouldn’t be able to afford it otherwise.”
Luckily, he doesn’t have to do everything alone and gets tremendous support
© 2011 Auburn Times photos by John Ryan
Carl Westerman, founder of a not-for-profit agency that focuses on keeping his neighbors warm.
from the community at large. The charity is
hosting its annual fundraising dinner November 5 at the North American Martyrs
Church, 8 Wyoma Drive, Auburn. Support
for this dinner has been provided by the Piccadilly Pub, located at 602 Southbridge
Street, who have donated the food for the
occasion. Father Gee of the the Church is
hosting the fundraiser and the students of
Auburn High have donated their time to
provide music for the evening. Best of all,
almost all of the tickets have been presold,
with less than twenty left at the time of this
Continued on page 15
9
Local wine expert
selects ten best
choice wines for
Thanksgiving
celebrations
BY CYNTHIA ALLEGREZZA
It can be a downright daunting task to select wine to
serve with a Thanksgiving meal. Do you opt for a red or a
white or both? Is a sparkling wine ever appropriate for the
holiday table? And what do you bring along to your host
if you are charged with bringing the wine to Thanksgiving
dinner?
Well, we took these perplexing questions to an expert
to get some answers: David Freitas, assistant manager and
wine merchant at Colony Liquors & Wine Shoppe in
Auburn. “When it comes to selecting wine to serve with
a Thanksgiving meal, you will want either a red or white
wine that will pair comfortably with a wide range of food
flavors,” he advises. “Pinot Noir is a classic red wine
choice; it is light in style and more transparent in the
glass. A Cabernet will overwhelm the food; it’s too much
© 2011 Auburn Times photos by Cynthia Allegrezza
Local wine expert, David Freitas, assistant manager and wine merchant at Colony Liquors & Wine Shoppe, displays the ten wines
he selected to recommend for this article.
wine.” Freitas also likes Syrah as a red wine option because of its deeper and darker raspberry flavor.
On the white side, Riesling is Freitas’ go-to wine.
“The sweetness of Riesling balances out the dryness of
the turkey,” he explains. Another white wine alternative is Alsace, which he says is a “good fit” for a
Thanksgiving meal. “It is a refreshing blend of five different European grapes,” he adds.
Of course, buying wine for a house-full of guests
can be expensive so we asked Freitas to provide some
reasonable selections that won’t break the bank and
will add a wonderful accompaniment to your holiday
celebration. Here are his top 10 Thanksgiving wine
suggestions. Cheers!
White
Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley 2009
Riesling $9.99
This delightful medium dry/medium sweet wine
from Washington’s world-class Columbia Valley vineyards showcases flavors of ripe peach and juicy pear
underscored with racy acidity. It’s crisp, clean, and
complements turkey and all those fixings wonderfully.
“Dr. L” Loosen Bros. Germany 2010
Riesling $11.99
Dr. L embodies the elegant and racy style of Riesling from the steep, late-soil vineyards of the Mosel
Valley in the heart of Germany’s wine country. It is
fruity, with a refreshingly crisp taste that cools the
palate making it an excellent wine for spicy side dishes.
Hugel & Fils Alsace 2008 Gentil $14.99
A perfect introduction to Alsace wines, Freitas says.
Gentil allies the suave, spicy flavor of Gewurztraminer,
10 THE AUBURN TIMES MAGAZINE
the body of Pinot Gris, the finesse of Riesling, the
grapey-ness of Muscat, and the refreshing character of
Sylvaner to bring out a fresh grape character and flavor.
It is gently dry and a pleasing aromatic white wine.
Red
Redtree California 2009 Pinot Noir $9.99
Redtree Pinot Noir is the perfect wine to enjoy with
a variety of roasted foods—especially turkey. For the
price, it is amazingly consistent, varietally expressive,
and food friendly by the glass or bottle. An impressively
affordable red wine for a Thanksgiving table, Freitas
adds.
DaVinci Toscana 2010 Red Blend Opula $13.99
Opula is a fruit-forward, full-bodied red wine, which
is an intriguing combination of rich Cabernet Sauvignon, earthy Sanglovese, spicy Syrah, and smooth Merlot. “This is a new wine that is lighter and easier to
match with food,” says Freitas.”It’s an interesting blend
of four distinct wines and flavors, but it works.”
Underwood Cellars Oregon 2009 Pinot Noir $13.99
This distinctive Pinot Noir exhibits aromas of strawberry pie, with notes of cedar, brown sugar, and spice.
The palate is lush with a healthy concentration of ripe
red fruits: cherry and strawberry. The finish is bright
and fresh, gushing with these red berry fruits.
Qupé Central Coast California 2009 Syrah $15.99
Syrah pairs beautifully with a Thanksgiving meal,
Freitas says. Its bright raspberry and black currant flavors make it all the more food-friendly.
Sean Minor Four Bears Napa Valley California 2009
Pinot Noir Carneros $16.99
A medium-bodied wine offering tasty and wellTHE CHRONICLE OF AUBURN & OXFORD LIVING
blended cherry, strawberry, and plum flavors. The
wine is balanced with spicy, earthy notes and a hint of
vanilla that will integrate quite well with your palate
and provide a silky smooth finish.
Sparkling & Dessert
Prima Perla Prosecco $9.99
Starting Thanksgiving on an upbeat note with a
toast of well-chilled, sparkling extra-dry wine—such as
this Italian Prosecco—will provide a refreshing kickoff to
a memorable meal with your family and friends.
Nivole Michele Chiarlo Italian 2008 Moscato D’Asti
$12.99
When it’s time for pumpkin pie and other delectable dessert treats, be sure to open a bottle of this wellchilled sweet and sparkling wine. Nothing beats
Moscato D’Asti with its lush peach flavors. A must for
any Thanksgiving dessert table, Freitas says.
To chill
or not?
David Freitas suggests
that white wines be
served chilled and reds at
room temperature.
However, you can slightly
chill a Pinot Noir for 5 to
10 minutes just before
you serve your meal.
THE AUBURN TIMES MAGAZINE 11
INSURANCE
GUIDANCE
By Richard McGrath, CIC, LIA
PRESIDENT & CEO, McGRATH INSURANCE GROUP
If not for fraud, insurance premiums
would be significantly lower.
Fraud accounts for about 10 percent of
the property/casualty insurance industry’s
incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses, which comes out to about $30 billion a year, according to the Insurance
Information Institute (III).
Healthcare fraud accounts for 3 percent
to 10 percent of healthcare expenses, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, while the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services estimate the cost of
healthcare fraud to be between $75 billion
and $250 billion a year.
Fraud typically increases during tough
economic times, which may be why the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reported a 23 percent increase in questionable
insurance claims, from 85,018 in 2009 to
91,730 in 2010.
Fraud may be committed by many different parties – policyholders, insurance agents
and brokers, those who provide services to
the insurance industry and even insurance
companies. In the end, though, it is the consumer who ends up paying, as the costs of
fraud and fraud prevention are reflected in
insurance premiums.
Insurance fraud boosts premiums
Common Types of Fraud
Insurance fraud ranges in scope and seriousness from the insured person who provides false numbers to offset a deductible
to the crime rings that arrange accidents so
they can file lawsuits against insurance
companies.
Many insurance-related cases settle out
of court, as juries tend to be sympathetic to
“victims” and insurance companies want to
avoid the negative attention that comes
with such cases.
Common examples of insurance fraud
include:
•
“Padding” or inflating claims to
receive a larger-than-warranted settlement,
sometimes to cover the cost of a deductible,
but often just to make a profit.
•
Misrepresenting information on
an insurance application.
•
Submitting claims for injuries or
damage that never occurred or for services
never provided or equipment never delivered.
•
Staging of accidents.
Healthcare, workers’ compensation and
auto insurance are especially vulnerable to
insurance fraud, according to the III.
Doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, diagnostic facilities, medical equipment sup-
Reach
every
home in
Auburn.
“Healthcare
fraud accounts
for three percent
to 10 percent
of healthcare
expenses,
according to
the FBI.”
RICHARD MCGRATH
PRESIDENT & CEO,
MCGRATH INSURANCE GROUP
pliers and attorneys have been cited in
healthcare scams, including reselling of
prescription drugs and identity theft involving the filing of false medical claims.
The most prevalent types of healthcare
fraud cited by the FBI include billing for
services not rendered; “upcoding” services
and medical items to receive a higher payment than warranted for what was provided, filing duplicate claims, performing
excessive or unnecessary services, offering
kickbacks, and unbundling tests and procedures that would cost less if billed together.
Workers’ compensation fraud includes
cases in which employees fake or exagger-
ate injuries, but it also includes cases where
employers misrepresent their payroll or the
type of work carried out by their workers so
they can pay lower premiums. Employers
with poor claims records may apply for coverage under different names and medical
providers may exaggerate treatment by “upcoding” to increase insurance payments.
Auto insurance fraud is far ranging. In
addition to staging accidents, which typically
result in hard-to-disprove “soft tissue” injuries, consumers often seek to lower their
premiums by misrepresenting information
on applications. Use of a false Social Security number to avoid revealing a poor credit
score, misrepresenting the use of a vehicle
and giving a false address to be insured
where rates are cheaper are common forms
of “rate evasion.”
In addition, auto sellers have been caught
“title washing” by putting false serial number
plates on vehicles that have been damaged in
floods and other natural disasters. By switching plates, dealers can sell salvaged cars for
the price of used cars.
Carriers Fighting Back
Given the cost involved, insurance carriers are fighting back and are reaping benefits
from their efforts. For example, the antifraud efforts of Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Association saved or recovered more than
$510 million in 2009, a return of $7 for every
TO ADVERTISE IN
The Auburn
Times
Magazine,
call
Karen
at
774-230-4573
OUR OTHER KIDS
Holiday hazards to avoid
so you can keep your pet safe
$1 spent.
To battle fraud, most insurers have
established special investigation units
(SIUs), which often include professionals with experience in law enforcement.
States have also set up anti-fraud bureaus and the National Insurance
Crime Bureau, a non-profit organization with nearly a century of experience
fighting fraud, uses its expertise to help
insurers prepare for major fraud cases.
Fraud investigators also are increasingly using data-mining programs to
identify repetitive claims and cases that
stand out or meet certain criteria. The
Insurance Services Office (ISO) has collected information about more than
700 million claims in its ClaimSearch
database.
Regulatory changes are also helping
to detect and deter fraud. Under the
Affordable Care Act of 2010, healthcare
providers can be excluded from enrolling in Medicare and Medicaid if
they lie on their applications, and the
Improper Payments Elimination and
Recovery Act requires agencies to conduct recovery audits for programs every
three years and develop corrective action plans for preventing future fraud.
The consequences of being caught
committing fraud can be severe, and include a loss of insurance coverage, legal
and criminal action. Under the federal
Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt
Organizations Act (RICO), for example,
insurers can collect triple damages.
The increasing attention being paid
to identifying fraud should make consumers and employers think twice
about fudging their information or taking other actions that could lead to
fraud investigation.
The holiday season is filled with a
frenzy of activities from decorating the
house to baking sweets to gift buying and
wrapping. Adding decorations to your
mantel or front yard adds a festive look to
your house, but pet owners should also
take a moment during the busy decorating season to examine how they make the
season bright - and safe - for their pets and
families.
According to new research from CSA
International, a global testing and certification organization, 60 percent of pet
owners are concerned about their pet's
safety when leaving them alone in a
house. Three in 10 Americans have either
experienced or know someone who has
experienced a holiday decorations-related
accident with a pet that required a trip to
the vet's office.
While the types of accidents varied, it's
important to remember these CSA International holiday safety tips to help keep
your pets and family safe.
— Cords are not chew
toys: But, sometimes you can't
prevent your pet from sneaking a sniff. Carefully inspect
holiday light strings yearly and
discard any with frayed cords,
cracked lamp holders or loose connections. Ensuring that all holiday decorations are in proper
working order and all cords
are fully insulated are important steps to avoiding electrical and
fire hazards and
keeping pets safe
when
you're
away.
— Up, up
and away we
go: When decorating a tree or
other indoor areas,
place break-able ornaments and elecContinued on next page
Richard A. McGrath, CIC, LIA is
President and CEO of McGrath Insurance Group, Inc. of Sturbridge, Mass.
He can be reached at rmcgrath@mcgrathinsurance .com.
This article is written for informational
purposes only and should not be construed
as providing legal advice.
Keeping pets safe during holidays
Continued from previous page
trical decorations up high to protect both small children
and pets. It's also important to keep potentially deadly
ingestible items out of pets' reach, such as chocolate,
poinsettias, tinsel and colorful ornaments that may look
like a ball or toy.
LEGAL
BRIEF
ROBERT A. GEORGE, ESQ.
M
O N T HLY
FOR
THE AUBUR
L
E GAL
RE AD ERS
N
TI
M E S
ADV
OF
M
IC E
AGAZI N E
PIERRE MOTION
If you’re going to trial for drunk driving, you probably
want the breath test thrown out. You better hope you
burped.
Under the law, the police have to observe you for 15
minutes before administering the test. This means that
once you’re booked, an officer has to sit and watch you,
and watch you and watch you. Usually the staring match is
recorded.
It’s a little uncomfortable, to say the least. And, as often
happens, the officer stops looking for a minute or two.
Maybe he takes a call, or leaves the room for a little while.
Or, maybe, you burp and he doesn’t notice.
The reason for the observation period is to make sure
that you aren’t burping, or coughing or sneezing, or doing
anything else that can interfere the breath test machine.
If you do, the 15 minutes has to start running again, or
a judge should throw out the test.
If the officer leaves or fails to observe you for 15 minutes,
a judge should throw out the test.
You can even argue that if the cop who administers the
test isn’t the same cop that observed you, a judge should
throw the results out. In truth, however, a lot of judges
won’t buy this argument.
That might because they recognize the importance of
this rule. They want to make sure that the evidence used to
find a person guilty of a crime, and perhaps put them behind bars, is reliable. It is unreliable if someone is burping
within 15 minutes of blowing into the breath test machine,
or if no one is bothering to make sure they didn’t burp.
It probably is reliable is the observation did take place,
even if the observer isn’t the tester.
— Spot the mark to keep Spot safe: When purchasing light strings, extension cords or electrical decorations, look for a certification mark such as one from
CSA International. This provides assurance that products are tested and certified to applicable standards for
safety and performance.
— Fresh or fake, be safe: If you buy a real tree,
make sure it's fresh. Fresh trees are less likely to dry out
and become a fire hazard. Artificial trees with electrical
lights should have a certification mark on them and
should be made of fire-resistant materials. Pet owners
should tether their Christmas tree to a wall to avoid tipping.
keep away from combustibles. And if you leave the room,
blow the candle out.
— Safe storage: After the holidays, wrap and store
lights and decorations in their original packaging, as they
likely contain manufacturer's instructions on replacement
bulbs and details for proper product use. Keep pets away
from packages as well as your gift wrapping area. Swallowed string, ribbon, plastic, and even wrapping paper
can lead to intestinal blockage and require a trip to the
vet.
More tips for a safe holiday season that's fun for you
and your pets can be found at www.csaholiday.com.
— No sparks for Sparky: Whenever possible, protect family and pets from electric shock by connecting all
outdoor lighting into receptacles protected by weatherproof ground fault circuit interrupters.
— Holiday time is battery time:: Make the holidays your time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and other safety devices and replace
batteries if needed.
— Cat and canine candle concerns:: Don't leave
lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or
cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface, and
THINGS TO DO Carl Westerman: Keeping Auburn Warm
Nov. 4: ROCKETS VARSITY FOOTBALL at
Northbridge. 7:00 p.m.
Nov. 5: GRAND OPENING. Health Is
Wealth/Invest in You! New personal training/small group training fitness studio. Join in
the grand opening celebration. 2:00 p.m. to 5:00
p.m. 166 Worcester Rd. (Rt. 20) Charlton.
Nov. 5: FUNDRAISING DINNER. To benefit
Keep Auburn Warm. Food provided by Picadilly
Pub. May be sold out by press time. Check by calling: 508.721.7723. NORTH AMERICAN MARTYRS CHURCH, 8 Wynona Drive, Auburn.
Nov. 6: ROCKETS GIRLS VARSITY CHEERLEADING Fall SWCL Competition. 12:00 p.m.
Nov. 7: COLLEGE SEMINAR. Field trip to
Worcester State University. 10:00 a.m. to 1:00
p.m. AUBURN HIGH.
Nov. 11: NO SCHOOL.
Nov. 12: ROCKETS VARSITY FOOTBALL .
at Westboro. 1:00 p.m.
Nov. 12: CONCERT FOR A CAUSE. Invisible children. 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. AUBURN
HIGH.
Nov. 17: HIGH SCHOOL BAND/CHORUS
FALL CONCERT. 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
AUBURN HIGH.
Nov. 24-25: THANKSGIVING DAY GAME.
ROCKETS VARSITY FOOTBALL vs. Oxford
AT HOME. 10:00 a.m.
Nov. 24-25: THANKSGIVING School
Break.
Nov. 29: TBA VARSITY FOOTBALL vs.
MIAA Football Playoffs
Send your listings to The Auburn Times
Magazine by the 22nd of the month preceding your event:
ThingsToDoAuburn@gmail.com
writing and most likely sold out by the time
this goes to press.
This, of course, will not be their only
fundraiser this year with many more to
come including walk-a-thons, dunk tanks,
dinners, and auctions to be announced as
they come to fruition. Donations can also
be given at time to the charity to help with
their noble cause of keeping people from
freezing to death in what is usually a brutal
Massachusetts winter.
With the economy continuing to slide,
unemployment getting worse by the day, the
approaching winter, many local residents
would normally have to decide between
keeping the lights and heat on and rent or
medical bills. With Keeping Auburn Warm,
many struggling can do both.
To apply is simple. One can either call direct at 508- 721 7723, email at keepauburnwarm@gmail, or mail to PO BOX 222,
Auburn, MA 01501. Donations can be given
the same way. Once an application is received, the group reviews the paperwork to
make sure the people qualify, which they almost always do, and the family is contacted
as to the next step. Keeping Auburn Warm
receives the bills directly from the fuel or
electric companies and then pays a percentage of that bill depending on the economic
situation of the applying family.
Volunteers are what help keep this charity going. Ed Binnall, Michelle Beaudoin,
Bob Campbell, Dan Carpenter, George
Fournier, Rev. Douglas Geeze, Rev. Brian
Grover, Wayne Page, Cheryl Westerman,
Ann Weston, and Erin Poitras are all people who have donated their time and their
workplaces for this worthy cause.
“We’re always looking for people to not
only donate their money but their time as
well,” Westerman said. “We get churches
and businesses to help but that means nothing if we don’t have the manpower to effectively run the fundraisers we need to raise
money. A lot of people who help out are
ones we’ve helped out in the past. Now that
their lives have improved, they see it as a necessity to help others in the same boat they
were once in. No one has been upset with
how we run things. The opposite actually
with all being very, very grateful.”
Keeping Auburn Warm is a great charity
that provides invaluable assistance to those
who desperately need it. Anyone who
wishes to donate money, their time , or
even their business is directed to call Carl
Westerman today. There are needy families
who could use your help. If your one of the
lucky few out there whose economic situation hasn’t crumbled in today’s increasingly
unstable markets, Keeping Auburn Warm
would love to hear from you. The aid you
provide could literally save someone’s life.
NOVEMBER POEM
The Vigils of November
BY JEFF CANNON
Stiffening from the chilly air but able to say with a smile
“Good Morning!”
In November I will keep the vigil of the hours
And with care tend to my heart trimmed like the trees
Down to the elemental meaning of its rhythms
Savor the music of its harmony that moves with change
Soothes the anxiety of having to re-arrange my known landscape
Just when I fixed it up according to the detailed scheme of
mind
Setting up order with its diagrams
Showing where everything must be placed
Yet plans are just fragile arrangements kept together
By the strength of our crossed fingers
And I must learn again to bear what sprouts with rough edges
To disrupt everything and continue to grow
With a potent will I cannot leash
To slosh through these days and shake off
In gray particles that shimmer in faint streams
Of departing light, seeable if you tilt your head at just the right
angle,
The dander of their thought and the hair of their emotions
All over the floor
In November I will keep the vigil of place
And read the prayers about where the heart keeps all things
Yet, I wonder with a worried look
In which chamber of its spaciousness I put those
Pictures and last year’s boots
That box of scarfs
That bag of gloves and mittens
And if they were put back in pairs
Or will my friends talk about me
When I wave good-bye wearing two different gloves?
In November I will keep the vigil of the hearth
Turning pages of sacred books for holy recipes
That offers the communion of hearty meals
To feed the deeper hunger that tosses in my sleep
The one that pokes my shoulder or licks my face
To get me up before the dawn
Before the traffic
So it has time to play with me
Come November I will keep the vigil of great thanks
For all the labors and great works of hard pain
Testing endurance
The elasticity of long-suffering
That verifies that the light of compassion
Has not died with the passing of the leaves
But remains faithful to the cause of my name
And the body that gives it shape
And the world that shares the fruits of its ground
For my wellbeing
Before I get caught up in projects with small eyes
That only see what they want to do
Wihtout reference or the slightest scent of who or what
Exists around them and is displaced by the fevered activity
Forging ahead to achieve its goals by any means
In November I will keep the vigil of the four corners
And bless every niche with the attention of its incense
To outline the place that shelters me despite the distance
Growing cold that bundles affection in an overcoat
Still, these four corners offer a respite from the world outside by
Providing this asylum filled with the details of my life
All the artifacts of my history that remind me where I came
from
All the places I have been and where I am going
Keeps a center beneath the blankets that gives me bearings
To know the boundaries of my roominess
So it does not spill over to upset another’s
Grateful I will contemplate with my steps this home
That provides my name with a comfort soothing to its letters
So I in turn hold firm responsibility
For my behavior, the consequences of my actions
And awake to the true task of my heart and hands
Willingly bow before the stars melting the icy night with their
faith
And respond with my fidelity to protect them
Pass on the rubrics of their wisdom and that of
The trees and mountains and seas
And the creatures that complete the grand fabric of mystery
That body of bodies
Mind of minds
Gracious heart of hearts
That leaping flame that charges with its ecstatic tingling
Everything into consciousness
And know in my bones that I am not
A hermit praying alone
A monk giving all for nothing
But another voice in unison with the Cosmos
Chanting its wondrous rounds of poetry that sounds
The dance of delight in graceful twirls of vast spiral turns
To coax the great darkness to open its arms
And re-make the universe from the joyful echoes
Of winter roses blooming from the liturgies holding hands
Through the reverent keeping of the vigils of November
THE HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL ADVISER
BY THE FACULTY OF HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL
A REGULAR FEATURE IN THE AUBURN TIMES MAGAZINE
About Perfectionism
While being a perfectionist
can give you a great sense of accomplishment,
it can also lead to long-term dissatisfaction
Q: I'm a bit of a perfectionist -- both at work and
in my private life -- and my friends make fun of me for
needing things to be "just so." Their teasing is good-natured, but I do sometimes wonder if my need for everything to be perfect at all times can be a bad thing. Is there
a down side to my perfectionism?
A: You are far from alone. In fact, a surprisingly
large number of people are told: "You're such a perfectionist." Most don't know if they should feel insulted or flattered when someone says this. And what
do people mean when they say that, anyway?
We often consider something to be "perfect"
when we can no longer find any errors, mistakes or
flaws. Sometimes when you've done something "perfectly," it simply means that you achieved a particular
standard you set for yourself. Striving to achieve a personal standard like this can lead to increased effort,
accomplishment and feelings of satisfaction.
However, when taken to an extreme, these standards can do a number on your self-esteem. They can
create the feeling that "nothing is ever good enough."
Perfectionism can also lead to a rigid adherence to
following a routine: You feel that things always have
to be done a particular way, and your approach can't
ever be altered.
Perfectionists who vary their routines may find
themselves constantly doubting their own actions. If
you're never sure you've made the right decision, you
can end up always second-guessing yourself, even
when you do act.
Perfectionism can bring on many different emotions. They can range from low self-esteem to strong
confidence. It may make you feel anxious and tense on the one
hand, or determined and persistent on the other. While being
a perfectionist can give you a great sense of accomplishment, it
can also lead to long-term dissatisfaction.
Think about how you usually feel when you are working on
or completing an important task. The project could be a big projTHE CHRONICLE OF AUBURN & OXFORD LIVING
ect at work or a home renovation project. Do you feel like your
self-worth rides on everything you produce? Can you recognize
that it's OK to not be at your best for everything all of the time?
As with many things in life, whether your need for perfection
is healthy or unhealthy comes down to a matter of degree. The
question is: Does your perfectionism provide more benefit than
negative aspects, or does the pressure of high standards make you unhappy?
Perfectionism can be especially detrimental
when it becomes extreme -- when it interferes with
your basic daily functioning, work, relationships
and caring for yourself. In this case, it becomes increasingly associated with psychological disorders
such as depression, eating disorders and obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD).
The bottom line is that there is a difference between healthy and unhealthy perfectionism. When
it works for you, perfectionism encourages you to
achieve high but reasonable standards that lead to
feelings of satisfaction and increased self-esteem.
Unhealthy perfectionism, on the other hand,
compels you to hold yourself to unrealistically high
expectations -- and can be driven by a fear of failing
and disappointing others.
If you feel that your need for perfection is interfering with how you live your life and your happiness, it might be worth speaking with a professional
who can give you some tools and tips for how to
better channel and control your perfectionist tendencies so that they work for you and not against
you.
One tool that may be of help is a new book from
Wiley Publishers in collaboration with Harvard
Health Publications, the consumer publishing division of Harvard Medical School. "The Perfectionist's Handbook: Take Risks, Invite Criticism,
and Make the Most of Your Mistakes," written by
Harvard psychologist and executive director of the
International OCD Foundation Jeff Szymanski,
Ph.D., can help you identify whether your tendencies are
healthy or unhealthy and give you advice on how to use
them to your benefit, both at work and in the rest of your
life.
Copyright 2011, the President and Fellows of Harvard
College.
‘What Makes New England Such a Special Place’
Norm Abram and Bruce Irving schedule book signing lunch
Master craftsman and media personality Norm Abram
and author Bruce Irving will share their thoughts on “What
Makes New England Such a Special Place” during a special
lunch and book signing at Old Sturbridge Village on Saturday, November 5. Tickets for this rare opportunity to personally meet the well-known television personality include
lunch and are available for $65 per person ($55 for OSV
Members.) For more information, call 1-800-SEE-1830 or
visit www.osv.org.
Abram is the star of the long-running New Yankee Workshop and This Old House, and has been an Honorary OSV
Trustee since 2010 after serving on the Board of Trustees for
nine years. Many of his wood working projects are reproductions of Old Sturbridge Village artifacts. Irving is the author of New England Icons: Shaker Villages, Saltboxes,
Stone Walls, and Steeples, and is a home renovation consultant and Emmy Award-winning producer for This Old
House. Abram contributed the foreword to Irving’s book.
The buffet lunch will be held at the Village’s Oliver
Wight Tavern from 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. The menu features classic New England recipes including native corn succotash, steamed mussels, mini beef turnovers, grilled
chicken, and apple brown betty.
Norm Abram
Following the lunch, Abram and Irving will present
their thoughts on the uniqueness of this region – including Old Sturbridge Village’s place in it – and take questions from the audience. They will then move to the New
Bruce Irving
England Book Store at the entrance to the Village for a
book signing. Copies of Abram’s and Irving’s books will
be available for sale or visitors can bring their own copies
or other memorabilia to be signed.
For November crafts and cuisine: use what’s in your garden
The cooler temperatures and changing
colors of fall draw many us outdoors to explore the wondrous New England autumn.
The summer harvest has made room for
many cold weather crops. Our fall garden
still offers a lot to be used and discovered.
Pumpkins, squash and gourds
Pumpkins, squash and gourds are abundantly available at this time of year whether
in your very own garden, from local farm-
ers markets or at the grocery store. Pumpkins and squash are some of nature’s
healthiest and most delicious ingredients
for cooks and bakers, alike. Miracle-Gro
and PBS’ America’s Test Kitchen have
teamed up to share inspiring recipes that
bring the bounty of the fall harvest directly
to the tabletop.
November’s offering of colors, sizes, texture and shapes of pumpkins and gourds
also make for exciting decorative ideas.
• Stack an arrangement of gourds of
various colors and sizes, and hold together
with wooden pegs for stability. This makes
a bold statement for the front porch or entryway.
• Select eight to 10 small squash, drill
out a spot to hold votives, and float in a
punch bowl for an interesting dinner party
centerpiece.
• Drill a hole in gourds and let air dry.
Then, paint and hang from a tree for a fun,
natural bird house.
• Hollow-out a pumpkin and use as a
vessel for a floral arrangement or line with
a clear plastic bowl for a festive serving
dish.
Apples and pears:
Some of fall’s most abundant offerings
are found in the form of apples and pears
in the Auburn area. Trips to the local orchard to “pick your own” offer great family
fun. So, what can you do with all of these
delicious fruits?
• Apples and pears are most delicious
and nutritious just as they are - straight off
the tree.
• Of course, make America's favorite
dessert: apple pie.
• A serving or two of applesauce, apple
crisp or apple dumplings on a cool, crisp
autumn day will warm up any chilled soul.
• Dip slices in cinnamon, peanut butter
or even chocolate for a delicious snack.
• Gadgets that core, slice, spiral cut and
even peel make apples and pears even more
fun to eat. They aren't just delicious, they
are beautiful as well.
• Dried apple slices taste great, but also
make the perfect fragrant addition to any
potpourri.
• Whole apples or pears can be
mounted on floral picks and added to
flower arrangements or wreaths for unexpected seasonal touches.
• A simple, large bowl filled with pears
or apples makes a lovely edible arrangement.
• Spray paint fruit for a fun (although
no longer edible) decoration.
• Pears and apples can be used for
printing. Simply cut the bottom off the
fruit and dip in a small amount of paint or
ink. Then, stamp onto a piece of stationary, wrapping paper, note card or gift bag
for a unique design. Various shapes and letters can be carved into the flesh of the
apple or pear for more unique and personalized stamps.
‘Evening of Illumination’ Nov 12 at Old Sturbridge Village
Visitors to Old Sturbridge Village will get a rare opportunity to see the Village lit only by candles, oil lamps,
and firelight during the museum’s “An Evening of Illumination” special event set for Nov. 12. Visitors will be
guided around the Village Common into select buildings
to enjoy the soft glow of a New England evening much
like early 19th-century residents would have experienced.
Following the guided tour, visitors will return to the
Bullard Tavern to enjoy light refreshments, mulled cider,
a cash bar and entertainment.
An Evening of Illumination is a once-a-year opportunity for visitors to see what evening life was really like for
New Englanders in the early 1800s. Each tour is limited
to 15 visitors to ensure a peaceful, intimate look at the
Village. On their tours of select homes and buildings, visitors will learn how people stayed warm and productive
during the fall and winter when daylight dwindled and
long hours of darkness began early. With light and heat
coming only from candles, oil lamps, and fireplaces, 19thcentury families typically gathered in a single room where
the limited light would provide enough illumination for
one person to read aloud to the entire family.”
“Imagine an evening without the intrusion of texting,
telephones, TVs, and computers – where families gathered around the fire and played music, games, or listened
quietly as someone read aloud by candlelight. The soft
light created a magical mood and drew families together
at day’s end,” notes Deb Friedman, director of public program at Old Sturbridge Village. “Too often today we hurtle through hectic schedules without pausing for quiet
time like this in the evening.”
Guided tours will leave every 10 minutes from the
Visitor Center from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35
per person or $30 for OSV Members. Advance registration is recommended as this event sells out.
Beginning on November 2, the Village is open Wednesday – Sunday from 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Admission is:
$20 for adults; $18 for seniors; $7 for children ages 3-17;
children under 3 are admitted free. Each admission includes free parking, and a free second-day visit within 10
days.
For details, visit www.osv.org or call 800-SEE-1830.
At Westside Plaza

a PDF of the November, 2011 issue

Transcription

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