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Let's be honest. I'm not the average social media user. I have tweeted 19,500 times, my LinkedIn connections have surpassed my Facebook friends and I hop on every new platform that Mashable writes a review about. As a social media manger, my usage/consumption habits couldn't be more opposite of the audience I'm trying to reach (for the most part, at least).
When you work in social and digital, it's easy to forget the rest of the world doesn't operate like we do. We geek out over meerkating, adore the refresh button and believe good content will save us all. Yes, we live in a bubble. A social media bubble where we connect with strangers, take part in tweetchats, meet online before we meet offline and always seek out the next best thing. In all seriousness, we're different than our team's/league's audience.
The recent Meerkat obsession is a perfect example of how those of us in social/digital are different than the average consumer. My friends that don't work in social or tech have no idea what Meerkat is, yet all of a sudden it's a viral sensation. The app hasn't gone viral to the masses; it's gone viral in our techie circle.
Before we start pushing out Meerkat live streams to our fans just because it's the bright and shiny thing, we must understand why we are doing it. Do our fans want to consume content this way? Does the app provide a unique perspective? What's the value? Just because we are enamored with Meerkat, doesn't mean it makes sense for our team or league. This is true for all new platforms and trends.
Here's that all-important reminder: You are not your audience.
This understanding, that we are different than our audience, is an important reminder as social media managers. Our job is not to worry and obsess about the content and platforms we care about; it's our job to obsess with the content, platforms and consumption habits of our audience. But, how do we do that? Here are a few of the ways I stay tried and true to the audience:
Test personally.
I believe strongly in testing platforms, mediums, etc. personally before throwing it on the consumer. Figure out the pros, the cons, the nuances and the wins before you give it a "go" as a brand. This will ensure that you aren't left behind with the latest trends and also let's you figure out how it might fit into your goals, audience, brand, etc. before you activate.
Start with what you want to accomplish.
As with anything, when you embark on a new initiative, ask what you want to accomplish. Often there are many different ways to accomplish something or tell a story, so don't let a platform pigeon hold you.
For example, while Meerkat has pushed live streaming into the spotlight, the idea of live streaming isn't anything new. Perhaps another method, like Hangouts On Air, makes more sense in form or function for your audience. Trends and emerging platforms can spark some great ideas. Just remember, sometimes there's a better form and function that will work for your audience. Always start with what you want to accomplish then go from there.
Ask the whys.
"Why" is my favorite question. Why does the fan care? Why does this add value? Why are we doing this? If you can't answer the whys, then you should probably just move along.
Listen to metrics.
Metrics tell the most powerful story. They let us know what resonates with our fans and what compels them to share. Pay attention to metrics and what your audience cares about. If something isn't resonating, whether it's a platform or a content series, don't be afraid to step away from it. Trying something new in social media/digital is great; being tone deaf to its success or failure is not. Don't turn a blind eye to what the stats say just because you liked the idea (or thought of) in the first place.
Ask your audience.
Thanks to social media, you have a focus group of sorts right at your fingertips. Don't be afraid to ask your audience what platforms they like, what content they care about, etc. Your audience is right there. Ask, listen and then take action.
As a social media manager, it's easy to forget that not everyone uses the platforms like you do. In this meerkating, latest app obsessed world, don't forget to take a step back and put yourself in your audience's shoes. To do social media right, you have to remember that it's not about how you consume but about how they consume.
How do you make sure you are staying tried and true to what your audience craves? Share your insight below!
Thanks for reading!


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"Mama said there'd be days like this, there'd be days like this, Mama said…"
Okay, I'm done. I'm no songster, anyway. The lyrics just floated through my brain and seemed so appropriate for today's post 😉
I'm not usually one of those women who willingly admits she can't do something. Actually, I'm more of one of those I-Am-Woman-Hear-Me-Roar types.
I always try to be straight with you, so I'll be straight right now – the mixture of activities taking place in my life right now is stressful, and at times, overwhelming. I am completing my Practicum experience, attempting to solidify summer employment, working on securing an Internship site for the next academic year, planning a wedding, trying to fit in regular exercise, and managing my apartment as well as daily living tasks and weekly schoolwork. Whew!
[Please note: I am in no way trying to insinuate that my life is any busier or more action-packed than anyone else's; in fact, I am trying not to play the comparison game these days. I'm simply stating that my life is chaotic in my world.]
That being said, sometimes I need a little assistance balancing everything. After weeks of debating and weighing the pros and cons, I decided to seek counseling at the college's counseling center.
I thought I would waltz right in, flash my college ID, and get started discussing stress with one of the counselors. Come to find out, my college's counseling center requires a record of a recent physical and immunization records, as well as a completed student medical information form before the counselors can see any student—even a graduate student. Hence why I made a trip to Richmond in the middle of the week for a physical.
As I was texting Ian about my difficulty in even establishing an appointment, he said something to me that resonated deeply because it is such a prime controversy in this country right now: This is a ridiculous amount of hoops. I wish it were this difficult to buy a weapon. (That's a different topic for a different day.)
You might be asking yourself, why would you choose to see a college counseling center when there are "real" counselors all over the place? The answer is, for three reasons. Primarily, the college counseling center is close, and there is no waiting list for new clients. Second, it is a free service afforded to all students, graduate and undergraduate. Private counseling practices can be very pricey. Third, and perhaps most difficult to admit, I don't hold a particularly positive view of college counseling centers. I say "real" counselors in quotes because the counselors at colleges are real counselors—they have experience and training, and many of them graduated from programs similar or identical to mine. They are often stereotyped as either young, hot-off-the-press graduates with little or no experience in the issues experienced by college students who "don't really help you," or antiquated older men who live to prescribe medication. In reality, they are rarely either of these undesirables. Hey, after completing 60 credit hours post-Bachelor's degree and 700 hours of experience, I won't appreciate it too much if future prospective clients don't think of me as a "real" counselor! I'm making the best attempt I know how at overcoming my mental stigma against seeing a counselor on a college campus.
So, here I am, ready to see a counselor for the first time since I was fifteen… and still waiting for the results of my physical to arrive. I kind of doubt the counseling center will turn me away if my blood sugar is too low or my cholesterol is too high. I just want to talk to somebody about my freaking stress level!
Someone asked me recently, "Can't you use some of the techniques you've been taught for helping clients deal with stress?" Well, yes and no. That task is easier said than done. It's kind of like talking to your best friend about what's bothering you over and over and receiving the same answer each time, and then finally breathing a sigh of relief when you gain a fresh perspective from talking to someone else about what's bothering you. Yes, I can apply what I've learned to my own life, but I think a fresh perspective is just what I need right now.
For example, my meltdown a few weeks ago was actually not the result of stress over floral arrangements or photographers' prices or cupcake flavors; it was the result of cumulative stress. Since said meltdown, I'm happy to report that my stress level has been reduced significantly 😉
Again, I'll be straight with you – it's not easy admitting to people that you need help managing life stressors that others seem to balance with such ease and grace. When I worry about what people might assume when I tell them I'm seeking counseling, I try to remember that each person has unique stressors in his or her life, each person possesses different coping mechanisms, and each person experiences a different outcome as the result of the stressors and the ways they deal with them.
For the first time in my life, I'm looking forward to the ways counseling can benefit my personal life, let alone my career. Stress can be a difficult animal to harness and subdue, and I'm looking forward to letting someone else help me take the reins for a bit. As always, updates to follow!
I'm off to the gym to sweat out a little stress 😉
Question: How do you cope with life stressors?

subset: commoncrawl


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Friday, July 10, 2009
My Second Wonderful Son: My Little Dancer
My second wonderful son loved a lot of songs. When he heard the music, he started to clap his hands and dance as well.
Posted by Tang at 10:55 AM No comments:
His Wonderful Turn Over!
It was my great pleasure to have my second wonderful son, Bass. He was really a big baby when he was born; 3.80 kgs. weight at birth.
That was very delightful moment!
Posted by Tang at 12:42 AM No comments:
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Or maybe this one is familiar to you; it was re-done with Lily Tomlin in 1981 and called The Incredible Shrinking Woman
Well the newest story is The Incredible Shrinking House.
I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. I feel like my walls are closing in on me making my house seeming to shrink around me.. Thankfully the contractor comes tomorrow to repair and pour a new concrete floor and we will be one step closer to being able to move things back to my sewing room, scrapbooking room, laundry room and family room. How and why did I manage to accumulate so much "stuff"?
Anyone coming to visit for the first time would think I had hoarding issues. Things are stacked to the ceiling in almost every room. My freezer is in the back entry, my sewing gear is in the front entry, my books are stacked in the dining room, my washer and dryer are in the car port etc.etc.etc. Let's hope there is no sequel!
On a brighter note, a friend dropped by on Saturday to get a piece of fabric from me and she brought me a bouquet of flowers she had purchased at the Farmer's Market that morning.
I in turn had just taken lemon blueberry muffins out of the oven, so I invited her in for tea and muffins.
A delightful little break in a busy day.
Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world. ~T'ien Yiheng


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Dennis Stapleton has served as a police and fire chief throughout his career.
During most of his career, Dennis Stapleton has worn two hats -- as a Police Chief and as a Fire Chief. Last August, he added another one to cap off his career: as Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at McLennan Community College in Waco.
"My Dad and uncle were firefighters, but I wanted to be a police officer," said Stapleton. "When I had the opportunity to do both, I grabbed at it. Our departments have twice as much training, so we were able to give above standard services to the community. Our role in our communities is servant leadership. The citizens are our customers. When the officers have more training and roles to play, they in turn provide above standard service to the community."
Stapleton is Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at McLennan Community College.After 29 years in public safety in Woodway and Lacy Lakeview, along with experience training police officers, firefighters and citizen academies, Stapleton decided to pursue a second career in teaching.
That's what students want," Stapleton said. "Anyone can teach from the book, but if you can put it into real life, that's what students really want. I feel that it is important to use daily current events and the crimes, emergencies, and handling of "people" problems to enhance learning."
Stapleton began his career after high school by joining the U.S. Army, where he "got his foot in the door" by serving as a Military Police Officer and met his wife of 33 years. After getting out of the military, he was hired by McLennan County Sheriff's Office to work in the jail.
When he became a certified peace officer, Stapleton joined Woodway's Public Safety Department, one of only a handful of agencies in the state that provide both police and fire service. During his 14-year career in the master planned community near Lake Waco, he worked as a patrol officer, a detective and a patrol lieutenant, as well as the Fire Marshal. He helped the city form its first SWAT team, introduced a computer assisted dispatch system to the department and added new fire trucks to the community.
Stapleton was appointed Police Chief in Lacy Lakeview in 1999. In 1999, Stapleton was tapped by Lacy Lakeview to wear the dual hats of Police Chief and Fire Chief. He inherited two departments in crisis and, over the next 14 years, he brought in new leaders to shape the each department and grants to pay for much-needed resources.
"I brought in key people and sold them on my dream and vision," said Stapleton. "I brought them in and let it happen. I got their buy-in and ownership and helped them develop as leaders. We went from being the department that nobody called for service to being the community that led other agencies in the county. I was fortunate to have a good and supportive city council and a community that worked with us in both departments. I really enjoyed working in Lacy Lakeview. It is a great small town with loads of good people."
During his tenure in Lacy Lakeview, Stapleton introduced a new VHF radio system that allowed direct communications between police and the volunteer fire department and wrote new policies on the operations of both departments. He also expanded outreach to the community through programs like National Night Out, which is attended by 1,000 residents annually, and a Safe Trick or Treat program with the fire department, which distributes $1,500 worth of donated candy to the community every year. The city also added Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), a community program for citizens who want to help but may not want to be a volunteer firefighter. The program has been a success and is only one of two in the county.
Stapleton also wrote and received grants to buy new fire trucks and equipment; to equip police cars with cameras, radios and computers; to add four officers through the COPS grant program; and to build a new radio tower jointly with the city of Waco.
Stapleton is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Stapleton credits his leadership style to the FBI Academy and the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT). He said the FBI Academy had the biggest influence on his career as it was the first time he was away from his family for an extended period, and it provided extensive training and ongoing mentorship from top public safety leaders across the country. In fact, he still gets together annually with five of his fellow classmates, which include a Commandant of the State Police in North Dakota and other upper management personnel nationwide.
At LEMIT, he honed his leadership skills and expanded law enforcement contacts that are available to help him with any challenges he encounters on the job. In addition to attending seven chief training programs every two years as required by law, Stapleton graduated from the Leadership Command College (LCC) in 1999 and served as the organization's alumni president. As an assistant professor at McLennan and as an instructor with the College's Police Academy, he continues to use lessons that he learned at LEMIT and in the Master of Criminal Justice Leadership and Management weekend program at Sam Houston State University.
Stapleton earned a Master in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management at SHSU. "I am using all the textbooks and materials and everything that I learned from LCC and the Master's Program on a daily basis," said Stapleton. "I continue to teach TCLEOSE classes for police officers, such as human trafficking, basic and advanced instructor, and the new supervisor's course. I promote to others the importance of education and advanced training if you desire to succeed and have something, that you enjoy, to do after retirement. So many of my peers have retired and really do not enjoy life afterwards. Many remain in the positions and do not retire because they do not have a plan. I recognized the need for a plan from my training at LCC. So, late in my career, I went back to school with the plan to retire someday and teach. I am happy with the outcome of my plan and enjoyed my years as a Texas peace officer and a Chief. "
Stapleton meets with colleagues from the FBI National Academy class annually. Stapleton offered some recommend- ations on how to begin the journey into public safety, including going to school and completing an education, preferably in a quality program like SHSU. He also suggested taking advantage of training programs, such as the FBI National Academy or LCC at SHSU.
"I think our role for our communities is to always strive to become a better leader and to develop future leaders," Stapleton said. "Leadership is an awesome responsibility. To be an effective leader you must have followers and an agreed (from the followers) vision. I have been truly blessed with having many opportunities, and several good mentors in my career. "


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I realize youth ministry is a relatively new concept. I survived the transition for traditional Sunday school to one manage by a youth minister back in the early 70s. It turned church into a fun experience (or as fun as it could be). Instead of watching a seriously boring sermon, I was free to interact with other kids under the guidance of a hip and trendy youth pastor. It seemed like a good thing at the time, but when I think back on it, I am amazed that I sat for the mind controlish pap peddled by those in charge. I call it my Ben Born Again experience. In retrospect, it was unhealthy. At least I still have my hair.
In a recent article at The Christian Post called Modern Youth Ministry a '50-Year Failed Experiment' Say Pastors, we hear pastors busy rethinking the whole youth ministry concept. They try to link a wholesale exodus from Christianity to youth ministry. Of course, we know it is that reason is winning the battle for the hearts and minds of our youth. My theory is that today's youth can feel that the message is inauthentic. Once you realize you've been mislead, the game is over. Your mind starts looking for the truth, and you find it in science, or secularism. Goodbye superstition…
To these pastors the concept is unbiblical. Worse, they think what they did was divisive (no kidding).
"I look back and realize I did more harm to families than I ever imagined," Dellinger says in the film. "I see that more as I look back because I was usurping the authority of parents, especially fathers by having their children's hearts turn towards me – with their permission."
"Today, I can make more of a difference in the lives of young people through the biblical standards of fathers turning their hearts towards their children," he adds.
Good luck with turning back the clock… It never works.


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|Red circle marks the nest entrance
Just noticed the cloud of wasps leaving and entering their new concourse.
In the abstract we love wasps - their intelligence and keenness to eat garden pests. But in this position they make putting the washing out a major hazard, plus they're way too close to the kitchen.
So it's down to the hardware shop tomorrow to buy some Wasp Powder, and tomorrow evening at dusk I will be out there - overdressed - ready to apply.
In case of anaphylactic shock, this may in fact be my last post.
The saga continues ...


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Set in a fantastical version of the 1960s, "The Secret Life of Nora" is about Nora, the star of a cabaret, who becomes a spy by accident to help uncover a mysterious evil plot by an evil Baddie. She falls in love with Roger, a British agent who helps her in her transformation from a stage Drama Queen to a skilled undercover spy!
...the ticket... (thanks Hawa)
...with who?.... bunch of dearest collegemates..
(L-R: Hawa, Hawa's friend, Dida, Lela, Rynn, Hawa's friend, me)
... the noisy bunch..!.
Tu ada yang cannot make it, otherwise, semua kena banned masuk Istana Budaya..!


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Sarah entered a photography contest at school this month - I guess now it will be every month.
The topic was "shapes". She entered this photo....
And she won! She gets it shown at the school and a large glossy print to keep.
The teacher was amazed and asked why she wasn't taking photography class???? She can't because it conflicts with Chemistry which she needs. The teacher asked her to take photos for the yearbook too.
This is of the central park bridge in NYC last summer.
She also been asked to go to a skills competition for photography - only 2 people went last year! It's regionals and from there she could go to provincials and nationals.
She's pretty excited. Me too :)
I'll keep you posted.


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totally made my day.
*impromptu lunch with jen & grant
*leslie dressing jack up in doll clothes that i brought home from school (just like when she was a little! some things never change)
*driving lou to school this morning & getting to do the morning chat thing - love that & i always miss it cuz dad does the morning thing
*chatting with char & feeling a little better about the enormity of the move (it helps that she is going through it too!)
*the whole weekend stretching out before us - love that


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Joan Swirsky forwards this email:
I wanted to give ya'll some disturbing information on our "wonderful" president.
I work with the Catch-A-Dream Foundation (www.catchadream.org ) which provides hunting and fishing trips to childen with life-threatening illnesses. It is a great program needless to say.
This past weekend we had our annual banquet/fundraiser event in Starkville , MS . As part of the program, we had scheduled Sgt. 1st Class Greg Stube, a highly decorated U.S. Army Green Beret and inspirational speaker who was severely injured while deployed overseas and didn't have much of a chance for survival.
Greg is stationed at Ft. Bragg and received permission from his commanding officer to come speak at our function.
Everything was on go until Obama made a policy that NO U.S. SERVICEMAN CAN SPEAK AT ANY FAITH-BASED PUBLIC EVENTS ANYMORE.
Needless to say, Greg had to cancel his speaking event with us.
Didn't know if anyone else was aware of this new policy.
Wonder what kind of news we all will receive next?
Charlie Stokes
Area Agronomy Agent/County Director
MSU Extension Service
517 Hwy. 145 N. Ste. 1
Aberdeen, MS 39730
Phone: 662-369-8683
Fax: 662-369-3682
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
"Remember, Freedom Isn't Free"
Labels: Barack Hussein Obama, Joan Swirsky, OBAMA ANTI-CHRISTIAN, Obama Shadow Government Expanding
Copyright © 2009 The JAG HUNTERGet subscribers


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Well, I finally figured out how to get back on this blog. Took me almost 2 years - but what is a little thing like 2 years between friends?
I have been very busy the last 2 years, still working at church, teaching piano, playing for the high school choir, and stuff like that. It seems like there is never a shortage of things to do.
Today I am teaching piano. Just 2 lessons, but they take time. One I already did - a boy, going into 5th grade, who will be going into his 3rd year of lessons with me this fall. He is an amazing learner - and very creative too. He named all the keys, going up by half steps, going through the whole alphabet. So there was A-Z, AA-ZZ, and AAA- something I don't remember. I figured out how to "play" his name, his brother's name, etc. So now he is writing a song, using those notes. As I said, very creative.
In a couple of hours, I will have a 4-yr-old Korean girl. Her parents have taught her "do-re-mi", using middle C as do. I am studying up on this type of teaching, as I have never been very successful at it. It works for me as long as I am always in the key of C, but I don't know how to go to G or D or F! So I guess I have my work cut out for me.
Well, I better each lunch and get stuff ready for that lesson. Hmmmm... Makes me tired just thinking about it. I better get my energy up!!!
Monday, June 13, 2011
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Saturday, December 7, 2013
The Inspiration Behind The Turquoise Sun
Behind the Story:
Shortly after the Spaniards arrived in the American Southwest, explorers reported the discovery of ancient ruins belonging to a lost civilization in southwestern Colorado.
The first report to gain public notice came after an important discovery by two cowboys in December, 1888. While out searching for stray cattle, Richard Wetherill and Charlie Mason stumbled upon the largest ruin which they named Cliff Palace.
The Smithsonian Institution and other museums had been sponsoring expeditions into the Southwest since the 1880s. With the discovery of Cliff Palace, the interest shifted to Mesa Verde. Both official and unofficial excavating was conducted in the area until Mesa Verde National Park was established in 1906.
Many people have theorized on the disappearance of the Anasazi. When I read the history of the Hopi Indians, however, I felt that the question had been satisfactorily addressed by their historians. I chose to use their creation myths, legends, and some of their religious beliefs to provide the basis for this story about the Anasazi.
Studies also reveal that the Anasazi gradually abandoned the cliff dwellings during the same time-frame that the Aztecs, or Aztlans, rose to power in Mexico. Some scholars believe that the Aztecs (whom history records as having come from caves in the north) might have been descendants of those Anasazi who left the hard life in the San Juan River region for the easier life in the tropics.
When I think back to what sparked my initial interest in the Anasazi Indians, I would have to say it started with a hurried trip to Mesa Verde around 1979. It was the first time I'd seen the ruins, and I had never heard of them before this visit. Some ten years later, I read Louis L'Amour's book, The Haunted Mesa, and it renewed my interest in the mysterious cliff dwellers. Like all writers, it only takes one seed to grow a forest. The next thing I knew, I was up to my ears in some very compelling research, which required that I return to the cliff dwellings around 1992 for more in-depth study. On that trip, with our three children, we visited Mesa Verde in southwestern Colorado, and Betatakin and White House Ruins in Arizona. These places inspired both The Turquoise Sun and Firelight.
One of the strongest memories I have was of an old Indian man we passed on the steep, twisting path leading down to the Betatakin ruins. When we looked back, just a moment later, the old Indian was gone–nowhere to be seen on the path above us, leading out of the canyon. It was only a brief passing, eye contact, and exchanged smiles but it had a lasting impression. We joked at the time that maybe he was a ghost of the Old Ones said to linger in the dusty ruins. From him was born the loveable and slightly eccentric shaman in my book, Ten-Moon, who believes it was his power that brought the hero and heroine across time.
When you stand in the ruins with the massive rock all around you, it is indeed easy to imagine that the stone dwellings have retained the imprint of those who lived there. When you go into the kivas and the small rooms where they lived, you can almost feel their presence. If you listen closely, you'll hear the wind whispering through ruins like the voices of those who went before. And one of the voices might even belong to the Old Indian who smiles at tourists on the path to Betatakin...
Purchase either the Kindle edition or the paperback.
10 comments:
- Will Edwinson said...
Very interesting Post, Linda. There seems to be several Indian cultures who were cave dwellers. We visited some cave dwellings near Sedona, Arizona one year when we took our daughter on a tour of Arizona during spring break. These dwellings were inhabited by the Salado Indians around 600 years ago.
- December 7, 2013 at 9:37 PM
- Linda Sandifer said...
Glad you enjoyed it, Will. I haven't been to the dwellings by Sedona.
- December 9, 2013 at 11:06 AM
- 7toursbd said...
Really is a good contain what I looking for, its helping me a lot, thanks for sharing, got you by Google search, Your page ranking good by Google & Alexa, Carry on with good works.
- December 9, 2013 at 9:04 PM
- LadyMac said...
Linda, while I was in the four corners area with the Archaeological group we had some experiences similar to your when you saw the old Indian man. When we camped in Chaco Canyon near the ruins there, I was the first one up, usually, and on two or three occasions I heard Indian flute music echoing softly across the canyon but never saw anyone around who could have produced the sound. That was just one experience. It was a magic summer for me.
- December 10, 2013 at 5:56 PM
- Linda Sandifer said...
Maxine, a shiver ran down my spine reading your comment!
- December 10, 2013 at 6:18 PM
I loved Turquoise Sun and love knowing what sparked your imagination. We once toured some ruins at Lake Powell and I know what you mean about standing in those dwellings. There was a feeling that affected our group so much that we began to whisper like one would in a sacred place.
Sue Anne
- December 12, 2013 at 6:51 PM
- Linda Sandifer said...
Glad you loved it, Sue Anne. If you haven't been to Mesa Verde or Betatakin, try to go sometime. Also Canyon de Chelly is really fantastic.
- December 12, 2013 at 9:14 PM
The Turquoise Sun is my favorite. I've read the book twice and enjoyed the story both times. I loved reading how you came up with the story. I really would like to visit the ruins. Since I know it so well all ready. :}
- December 12, 2013 at 9:22 PM
- Linda Sandifer said...
Yes, Sherry, you definitely should visit the ruins!
- December 12, 2013 at 9:30 PM
- Eunice Boeve said...
I now have Turquoise Sun on my Kindle and can hardly wait to read your story. I love your meeting with the old man. Who knows who he was... Not all things of this world are easily explained. When we visited the Grand Canyon a few years ago, we saw the story of the Anasazi on I-Max. Loved it! Could have sit through it again.
- January 13, 2014 at 4:10 PM


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Comprehensive & Confidential Mental Health Care
Bates College recognizes that mental health significantly influences one's ability to participate fully in the College community. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) strives to enhance each student's well being by providing comprehensive, confidential mental health care and by encouraging informed, individual participation on mental health-related decisions. Counseling is free to all Bates students. The number of counseling sessions is based on student's needs. Students and their counselor can decide what is most beneficial and how long to continue. Students wishing to see a counselor in the community may contact CAPS for a list of referrals. However, students will need to check with their insurance for coverage details regarding outside referrals.
To Make an Appointment
To schedule an appointment, please contact CAPS at (207) 786-6200. If you have a preference, you may request a particular clinician.
Privacy and Records
Student privacy is of the utmost concern to us when a student receives services at CAPS. Records created and maintained by this department are considered student treatment records and the student's privacy of such information is governed by federal and state laws. Unless specifically authorized by law or required by court order, private medical or counseling information and student treatment records will not be shared or released without the consent of the student.
Emergency Needs
If you are concerned about a student's safety or well-being when Health Services is closed, please call Security at extension 6111 or (207) 786-6254. If you or the student are off campus, please call 911.
Students may also meet confidentially with the Bates SAVA (Sexual Assault Victim's Advocate). The SAVA may be reached at (207) 753-6996 or by emailing firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Hickory Harvest is committed to the Bible's teaching that the offices of elder and deacon are to oversee various functions of the local church.
The Bible's teaching on the subject of two church offices is found in 1 Timothy 3:1-16 and Titus 1:5-9. Although there are three terms used for the offices of the church, i.e. bishop, elder and deacon, analysis of these terms indicates that bishop and elder are used interchangeably.
Elder Qualifications
An elder should be above reproach, able to teach, husband to one wife, not addicted to wine, temperate, not antagonistic, prudent, uncontentious, respectable, free from the love of money, hospitable, manages own household well, and not a new convert. (Titus 1:6-9)
Elder Duties
The Scriptures show that the Elders "serve by leading" and that their responsibility involves the spiritual oversight of the congregation. All Elders are equal in authority but not necessarily equal in influence.
The Elders' Primary Responsibilities
Doctrine: Ensuring that the doctrine of the church is biblical; all doctrinal issues in the church will be settled by the Board of Elders; Direction: Ensuring that the direction of the church is consistent with the Harvest Bible Chapel statement of purpose and the four pillars; Discipline: Administering in love and humility the process of church discipline as outlined in Matthew 18:15-20; Galatians 6:1-4; Titus 3:10; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15; 1 Timothy 5:17-25; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 and Romans 16:17.
Plurality of Elders
The Scriptures teach that a plurality of elders governed individual New Testament churches (Acts 14:23; Acts 20:28; Titus 1:5; Philippians 1:1). The Scripture does not mention any congregations featuring a stand-alone pastor and leader. A plurality of godly elders, exercising their individual gifts, squares with the Scripture's teaching that wisdom is found in a multitude of godly counselors (Proverbs 11:4; Proverbs 12:15; Proverbs 15:22; Proverbs 19:20; Proverbs 24:6). This truth does not eliminate the possibility and likelihood that one or more elders will stand out from the others as more public in their ministries or more influential in their workings on the Elder Board.
Senior Pastor
The Senior Pastor automatically serves as an Elder and, because of his public presence and responsibility before the congregation, is considered "first among equals" as a member of the Elder Board. The Senior Pastor should be gifted primarily as a preacher/teacher and as a leader.
Meet our Elders
The Bible teaches that Deacons "lead by serving" (Acts 6). The qualifications for Elders and Deacons are the same regarding an individual's character (1 Timothy 3:8-10), but they differ in aptitude. The elders are gifted to teach while the deacons are gifted as servants, and both exhibit leadership in the local church (Philippians 1:1). Likewise, deaconesses are to be servant leaders in character (1 Timothy 3:11-13) and deeds.
Deacon Qualifications
A deacon should be an individual of dignity, above reproach, not double tongued, first tested as servants, not addicted to wine, spouses must be faithful, dignified, temperate, not fond of sordid gain, holding to the mystery of faith with a clear conscience, husband of one wife, and manages the household well (1 Timothy 3:8-12).
How Deacons Function in our Church
The deacons and deaconesses both function in the life of our church by serving under the direction of a pastor. They facilitate the ministry in order to allow the elders and pastors to maintain devotion to the ministry of the Word of God and prayer (Acts 6:4). Under a pastor they are able to exhibit administration and guidance to other leaders of their ministry, while strengthening and unifying the body of Christ.


text:
Page [1.]
VCNAA Meeting Minutes
December 21, 2010
Members Present:
Luke Willard, Chairman
Melody Walker Brook, Vice Chair
Nathan Pero
Shirly Hook
David Vanslette
Fred W. Wiseman
Giovanna Peebles, SHPO
Chief Donald Stevens
Chief Nancy Millette-Doucet
Chief Roger Longtoe Sheehan
Professor Fred Wiseman
Jared Pero
Eric Cruger
Munro Brook
Doug Bent
This meeting was brought to order by chairman Luke Willard at 12:24 pm in the Ellsworth Room, Johnson State College, Johnson, Vermont.
1. Approve minutes of November 30, 2010.
Fred Wiseman made a motion to accept the minutes. Shirly Hook seconded. All approved.
2. Scholar's Panel Update
Due to work restrictions, David Lacy, having completed his review of two applications must be removed from the active scholar's list.
3. Teacher's Resource Manual Presentation of Completed Manual
Chairman Willard introduced "Abenakis and Their Neighbors" Teachers and Interpreters Resource Guide by Professor Fred Wiseman and Melody Brook. At November's meeting in Newport, Luke challenged the commission to produce a Vermont Native American resource guide for educators after visiting schools and meeting with teachers who expressed a desire for such a guide. Professor Wiseman spoke on the manual. This detailed guide is now acailable on the VCNAA website. [ http://vcnaa.vermont.gov/commission ] Professor Wiseman also introduced a fourth grade lesson plan and is currently working on middle and high school curriculum that meet the Vermont standards. They are also working on a virtual Wabanaki museum. Nancy Millette-Doucet reminded the commission of the Koasek curriculum booklet as a useful tool to teachers in the region. Luke agreed it would be good to have a general curriculum but regional curricula could be beneficial and made a note to come back to this discussion at an upcoming commission meeting. Don Stevens noted that the Department of Education had promised to distribute any materials to teachers.
4. Overview of Rules for Hearings
Luke distributed a copy of the rules for the hearings and allowed everyone time to read through them before the hearings began. He also read them out loud. He mentioned the hearings are
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bound by the statute and will be kept within the outlined framework. All formalities will be upheld.
Roger Sheehan asked for clarification on the format. Luke clarified that the applicant's spokesperson may give an opening statement follow by public testimony and rebuttal time if requested.
Professor Wiseman explained the possible confusion around governance in the twentieth century. A band is composed of closely related families and ascribed status determines membership. The leadership and governance fall with alpha male/female and grandparents as elder advisors.
The following is in reference to Dr. Weisman's statement addressing Elnu as a band and using Wikpedia as his source. In particular, Dr. O'Neil at the University of Palomar College, San Marcos, California has described a band as being acephalous. If this is so then how can any of these "Abenakis" corporations be bands seeing that they are all governed by a dominate small group of individual "chiefs" or "sagamos".
Secondly, it only took me less than two minutes to find credible academic resources on the internet that defined the term of "band: without having to settle for Wikpedia. "band - a small group of related people, who are primarily organized through family bonds. Foraging typifies the subsistence technology. A respected and older person may be looked to for leadership, but the person has no formalized authority."
Department of Anthropology
Oregon State University
"Definitions of Anthropological Terms"
Band; the level of political integration in which a society consists only of an association of families living together. Bands are loosely allied by marriage, descent, friendship, and common interest. The primary integrating mechanism is kinship ties. There is no economic class differentiation. All adults of the same gender are more or less equal as far as community decision making is concerned. However, some individuals in a band may stand out for their skills and knowledge. These often are the people who have the best memories, are the best hunters, most successful curers, most gifted speakers, etc. Such people become informal leaders. Most often they are given authority by community consensus arrived at through casual discussion without the need for a formal vote. Leaders generally have temporary political power at best, and they do not have any significant authority relative to other adults within their band. Subsequently, bands are essentially acephalous societies. The total number of people within these societies rarely exceeds a few dozen. Bands are found among foraging societies.
Acephalous societies; a society in which political power is diffused to the degree that there are no institutionalized political leadership roles such as chiefs and kings. Bands and tribes are acephalous. Most foragers and simple horticulturalists have highly egalitarian, acephalous societies.
The word "acephalous" is Greek for "without a head."
Source: Dr. Dennis O'Neil
Behavioral Sciences Department
Palomar College
San Marcos, California
Dept. of Anthropology
University of Alabama
Band, a small, loosely organized group of hunter-gatherer families, occupying a specifiable territory and tending toward self-sufficiency.
Source: Harris M (1997) Culture, People, Nature: An Introduction to General Anthropology, seventh edition. New York: Allyn and Bacon.
Governance is legitimate when band members recognize the alpha male/female and grandparents as people in charge. Frank Speck used the band level to reconstruct Penobscot society. Large-scale socio-cutlural integration is not necessary to be legitimate.
Roger "Longtoe" Anthony Sheehan explained the determination in a Canadian court case similar to the Vermont situation amongst the Montagnais and Cree. They were a hunter/gatherer society and were never integrated into large groups but the courts agreed they were a tribe. If Vermont bands were not spread out throughout the state with members in others and they had a reservation, family names would be on the registers, just like in Canada. In Vermont, most Indians received the determination "white" on their birth certificates because they were not assigned to reservations.
1:30 - Public Hearing: Koasek of the Koas Application
Chief Nancy Millette - Doucet thanked everyone, gave a brief introduction, and recognized the process as horrifying but good has come out of it. Luke opened the door to public testimony.
Professor Fred Wiseman read Dave Skinas' report on the Koasek application and confirmed that it met requirements. He also included sources not found in the application. He also discussed the importance of the breakthroughs in academic material within this petition, especially regarding fish-fertilized mounds (sucker fish) backed up by Father Rasles' dictionary.
Nancy Millette Doucet spoke on her current trip to the Bradford Middle School and many of the children that identified a native heritage also used fish in their gardens. Giovanna Peebles spoke about possible collaborations with indigenous people of Vermont and historic preservation in regard to sustainability. They can play a role in climate change. Good gardners might use that type of sustainability. Luke Willard mentioned the native voice will be heard in this regard.
Nancy asked what was the response from the commission. Luke explained that the application is still being reviewed by a work group of commissioners and a decision will be made after the scholar's panel has issued their findings.
Nancy wanted to articulate that the connection with Elnu as explained in the report from Dave Skinas was not necessarily recent in the strict sense but began in the early 1990's with Rose Hartwell and family/friends that worked on village demonstrations.
LINK: http://reinventedvermontabenaki.blogspot.com/2009/07/sagakwa-pow-wow-twin-mountain-nh-july.html
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Melody Walker-Brook asked if Nancy Millette-Doucet could expand on what the band has done in terms of language revitalization. Nancy explained their efforts regarding Father Aubery/Laurent dictionary and the connection with Dartmouth College to put out a 50 CD set for use by Abenaki bands. Anyone from the larger community can purchase them through Dartmouth. She received a grant for these and created a website for tribal members to access lessons. The website was expensive to maintain. Giovanna Peebles asked why the website cost so much to maintain. Nancy Doucet explained it was the amount of space used and the complexity of the site. Giovanna was surprised that Dartmouth didn't help financially with the language efforts. Professor Wiseman explained the history of the tapes. Nancy described the language summit at Missisquoi attended by people from Odanak, Elnu, and Koasek. She has recorded stories from the elders in her community for posterity.
One can see ONLY Elie Joubert, adopted son of Cecile Wawanolet and his female driver in this video. Was Elie Joubert and his "driver" coming to Swanton, Franklin County, Vermont FROM New York State, instead of FROM Odanak, Quebec, Canada? If the latter is the possible reality of the situation, then was truthfully Abenakis from and of Odanak, Quebec, Canada actually truthfully INVOLVED, in this endeavor? It would appear that Abenakis at Odanak, Quebec, Canada were NOT involved whatsoever, according to this Youtube.com video. One can see that the parties involved were Elie Joubert, April Merrill, Sherry Gould and her husband Wiliam (Bill) Gould, Roger "Longtoe" Sheehan, Nancy Millette-Doucet and Frederick Matthew Wiseman Ph.D among others.
Donald Warren Stevens Jr. stated that recognition will bring some measure of legitimacy that will allow bands to talk to companies and other resources to begin a process of revitalizing the language.
Nancy Millette-Doucet thanked the commission for our time.
Luke Andrew Willard concluded the hearing at 2:30 pm.
2:45 - Public Hearing: Elnu Application
Luke opened the hearing. Melody (nee: Walker) Brook excused herself from her duties and Shirly Hook assumed the recording of minutes. Chief Roger Sheehan began with an opening statement and welcomed questions.
Roger Sheehan spoke about the Woodland Confederacy. He spoke about the difference between reeactment and living the history of his people. He stated that by living the history, it helps to revitalize customs and traditions.
Professor Wiseman read a statement from Eloise Beil on the Elnu application. She will send a complete response as soon as possible. Her comments were positive. Professor Wiseman read the review of scholar, David Lacy, who finds that Elnu have met the criteria set out by S.222, although the application was sometimes difficult to navigate. Professor Wiseman commented on his own review of Elnu's application and testified that Elnu has met all the criteria of S.222 ... that Professor Frederick Matthew Wiseman Ph.D himself, helped create, manipulate and alter with the help of Hinda Miller/ Vincent Illuzzi to help his conconcoted and confabulating " Vermont Indigenous Alliance" (which was founded in 2008 comprised of these 4 "Abenaki" Corporate's) that the "Professor" himself is coordinator of! How biased and non-transparent of him.
David Vanslette asked Roger what Elnu's goals for the future are. Roger answered that it is all about the revitalization of traditions and culture. The sharing of music, arts/crafts, and language take a front seat to corporate existence.
Roger thanked all present for the opportunity to speak and answer questions about his people.
Luke concluded the hearing at 3:45 pm.
4:00 - Public Hearing: Nulhegan Application
Vice Chair, Melody Brook assumed the duties of facilitator as Luke Willard excused himself from his duties for the duration of the hearing. Melody resumed the recording of minutes.
WHY is it, that one gets the impression that there is a "dance" going on, stepping in - stepping out, but that these people are orchestrating events and their "responses" via mutual back-and-forth commnication's via telephone, email, and other "hidden" chatter, making sure that their statements and actions inside and out of these VCNAA meetings, are in step with each other's groups? Remember, these people are members of and associated (affiliated) with each other as of 2008 in their "Vermont Indigenous Alliance" founded in 2008. These people have spent a vast amount of time and effort to IMPLY that their groups are legitimate, with their cherry-picked allegedly independent 3-Member-Review Panel scholar's.
I have a very difficult time thinking the Recognition Process has not become corrupt, biased, and an obvious contradication unto itself at this point, in my thinking. It would appear that these "Abenaki" corporate's are merely granting themselves their own State Legislative Recognition, through this VCNAA which is comprised of self-serving members of these "Abenaki" Corporate entities from beginning to end!
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Chief Don Stevens thanked everyone. He mentioned that they were there fighting for recogntion so that their kids might simply be allowed to enjoy their heritage without having to fight for the same thing in the future. He added that Natives are the only people in the world who are required to prove their 'pedigree' and provide 'papers' for someone else to validate them.
Luke spoke of how painful it has been over the years watching elders, who have hoped and fought for recognition for so many years, pass away without the honor of being recognized for who they are.
Don mentioned that through this process all sorts of important information has come out - new ideas and new validation of their distinctive identity. "This isn't about money. We take care of our own. We always have and we always will."
Professor Fred Wiseman read the scholar's responses from Dave Lacy, Dave Skinas, and Kevin Dann. Each scholar agreed that Nulhegan's application and genealogical material met all criteria of S.222. Don reiterated that the tribe has now been validated by all three scholars and has complied fully with S.222. Anything short of recognition would be an affront to the scholars and the commission.
Shirly Hook inquired when a recommendation would need to be presented for the upcoming legislative session. Don thanked the commission for it's time and urged the commission to move forward with Nulhegan's application since they have complied with the process.
Melody concluded the hearing at 5:00 pm.
An early January meeting was discussed and it was decided to meet on January 4th, at 5:00 pm in Montpelier.
The commission adjourned at 5:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted by,
Melody Walker Brook, Vice Chairman
We would like to thank the U.S. Department of Agriculture for generously providing financial assistance for the development of this website under a Rural Business Enterprise grant. We also thank the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, Inc. and the Women's Small Business Program, our grant partners.
We want to acknowledge in particular the work of Scott Gorman who, in addition to assisting with site design, took on the emmense task of programming this website. Scott is currently an anthropology major at Yale University and a member of Vermont's Abenaki community ("St. Francis/Sokoki" group via the Hakey lineage).
We want to thank Don Stevens who continues to maintain the website. Don is current on the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs and a member of this tribe.
A special thanks goes out to MAX-IT who donates space for our website which allows our connectivity to the world wide web.
To access MAX-IT's website, click on http://www.maxit.biz/
Special thanks to Joe Bruchac, Fred Wiseman, John and Donna Moody, Chief April St. Francis-Merrill, Paul Greeno, Jeff Benay and Jesse Larocque for helping assemble ideas and content materials for the site.
Special special thanks to Amy Yavitz who volunteered to help with typing and editing of site contents.
This website was funded through a Rural Business Enterprise Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Doesn't David Skinas, employed by the Dept. of Agriculture, sit on the Abenaki Self Help Association, Inc. Board of Directors? What was his "influence" (if any) in gaining these grants for April Merrill's group?
Clearly and obviously, Mr. "Chief" Donald Warren Stevens Jr. WAS (and probably still is) a member of the "St. Francis/Sokoki" group led by April St. Francis-Merrill. He supports April Merrill, advocated for her. I think he also allegedly manipulated and sabotaged the previous appointed VCNAA commission on Native American Affairs when he sat with Jeanne Brink, Timothy de la Bruere, Brad Barrett and Judy Dow ... as did Chairperson's Mark William Mitchell, and Charles Lawrence "Megeso" Delaney Jr. who were all affiliated with the Homer St. Francis "St. Francis-Sokoki" group now led by Homer's daughter April Merrill.
Donald Stevens - Webmaster
Donald is currently the Director of Information Techonology for a Firearms Company and a member of Vermont's Abenak community.
He can be reached for questions or comments at:
This website was funded through a Rural Business Enterprise Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
[Since, on February 11, 2011 Vince Illuzzi and Timothy Ashe would NOT allow outside-of-Vermont person(s) to "testify" or speak officially at the Committee Hearing in Room 27 of the Legislature, including those who attended the Committee Hearing, such as Denise Watso, Jacques Watso, and several other representatives from and of the historical and contemporary Abenaki Community of Odanak situated in the Province of Quebec, Canada ... I will (again) submit this February 04, 2010 newspaper Editorial that was published yet again as my "testimony" in writing to the Senate Committee. Retrospectively-speaking, Vincent Illuzzi inviting (and then uninviting) Richard "Skip" Bernier and other Abenaki People to speak at the Hearing, is just plain disgusting and insulting to them and others, in my thinking. Especially when they were invited and at the night before, Richard "Skip" Bernier was told by Illuzzi's representative "that ONLY Skip Bernier, would be allowed to testify at the following morning's Hearing in Room 27.
The Watso's and other Abenaki families, etc COME FROM VERMONT and retain their Abenaki genealogical, historical, and social connections! Their Abenaki ancestors were buried in this land, and their descendants still are here in Vermont (for example, the late Molly Keating and her living daughter Lynn Murphy to name just a few).
I was not allowed to speak to the Committee Hearing either, as a human being, regarding the violation(s) of S.222 being perpetuated and ignored by the state, by this concocted Vermont Commission on Native American affairs, etc. In the S.222 "Abenaki" Recognition Bill it reads, "No member of the 3-Member-Review Panel may be AFFILIATED WITH the Applicant(s)." Contrary to this portion of S.222 created by Hinda Miller and her other political associate Mr. Vince Illuzzi and which was signed by the former Governor of Vermont, Jim Douglas, these scholar's were not "independent" as Don Stevens proclaims. Far from it, these scholars have had a vested interested in protecting their long "working relationships and scholarly works retrospectively-speaking" with these "Abenaki" Corporate's which comprise this confabulating "VT Abenaki Indigenous Alliance" which is made up of Koasek, El-NU, St. Francis/Sokoki, and Nulhegan "Abenaki" Corporate entities and their memberships whom associate with each other. So much for fairness, transparency, and so on in this whole "Recognition Process"]
Qualified to be called Abenaki
To the Editor:
To: Senate Economic Development Committee clerk, Tim Ashe (firstname.lastname@example.com),
I do not suspect you will listen to any of these words I may share with you and your committee, but I will attempt to convey this information so that hopefully all persons will understand what I am saying.
I have been associated with these "groups" of persons claiming to be Abenaki. I have been interacting with these "groups" for almost 20 years. I have conducted extensive field research, genealogical research, and interviews with numerous persons throughout Vermont and New England within and around these "groups." I have yet to find, secure and verify any evidence whatsoever that these "groups" are legitimately descendants from the Abenaki people, nor that their ancestry comes from (in whole or in part) the Abenakis. So, just who are these "groups" knocking on your legislative door? Genealogically- speaking they are people who ancestrally have Huron, Mic-Mac, Acadian and or Algonquin Native Ancestors from the early to mid-1700's time frame or earlier. They do not descend from any historical Abenaki communities that existed within (or surrounding) the state of Vermont, regardless of what they proclaim, and protest. Genealogically, this conclusion is quite blatantly clear and convincing.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs, as a Federal Agency, took what little documentary evidence that was given to them by the Swanton, Vt. "group" led by April St. Francis-Merrill who claims she is a descendant of Grey Lock, and the B.I.A. concluded based on that scant documentary evidence, that this group up in Swanton were not Abenakis, nor from a Historical Abenaki Community/Tribe, let alone had anyone within that alleged and re-invented "group" verified and or even tried to legitimately validate documentarily that their ancestors were Abenaki. Genealogically- speaking, it is definitively proved that April St. Francis-Merrill' s ancestors do not descend from Grey Lock, who was not Abenaki, but rather a refugee from the southern area. Chief Gray Lock was born about 1660 in a Waronoke Village, which is now the town of Westfield, Mass. The Waronokes were a part of the Pocomtuck Confederacy of Central Massachusetts.
The Legislature is about to make the biggest mistake if it "officially recognizes any specific groups" or persons within the state of Vermont as being Abenaki, without the appropriate unmanipulated and unbiased Commission on Native American Affairs, first having sought out the specific clear and convincing evidence that the "group" or persons in question, are of Abenaki descent. Each chairman of this VCNAA has been "from" or retrospectively connected to the St. Francis/Sokoki group led by April
St. Francis-Merrill. All three chairmen have had a demonstrated bias of using the commission to gain instant direct and without condition(s) Vermont "State Recognition" for April Merrill's "group." I also mention the "other" incorporated "groups" led by Nancy Milletee-Doucet, Luke Willard, Ralph Swett, Paul Pouliot, Roger Longtoe Sheheen, and Brian Chenevert, etc.
Mark Mitchell, Donald Stevens and now Charles Lawrence Delaney Jr. are obviously biased in that they have advocated and continue to advocate, for allowing the so-called "Historical Tribes" (which are merely Vermont-sanctioned "incorporation's" created since 1976) to gain official state recognition by name. Where were these so-called alleged and re-invented "Abenakis" BEFORE the 1970s?Perhaps Sen. Vincent Illuzzi in his Clan of the Hawk western headdress could care less. As the chairman of the Senate Economic Development Committee, he is dealing with these alleged and re-invented "Abenakis" who have no genealogical connection to the Abenaki Ancestors. These "groups" will lay claim and protest that they represent those very ancestors, as they grovel, crawl, and slither up the Legislative steps of both Vermont and New Hampshire with their lies, deceptions, and deceitfulness. The fact is that if one studies and evaluates these "groups" foundations, their "members" genealogical foundations, the lies and deceit becomes very apparent and obvious.
Legitimately documented Abenakis do care very much about their "identity." I suspect quite strongly that the Odanak Abenakis, the Wolinak Abenakis (and all surrounding Native Communities such as Old Town, Pleasant Point, Kahnewake, Akwesasne and many other legitimate historical native communities) will find such possible Vermont state recognition of these incorporated and unsubstantiated "Abenaki" groups to be quite insulting and rude, as these groups rewrite Abenaki history.
Is it to be that in Vermont (and in New Hampshire) all one has to do is "incorporate" with the Secretary of State, claim one is a "Tribe", "Band" or group of persons who raise their hands and claim to be Abenakis, and yet do not have to show and provide a shred of clear and convincing genealogical evidence that they are indeed legitimately of Abenaki descent?
My blog, the "Reinvention of the Abenaki" which is online, shows and provides the clear and convincing evidence that these groups are manipulating, lying to and deceiving the state of Vermont (and) New Hampshire trying to grab hold of the purse strings of the state and federal agencies ever more tightly, so that they can be paid to be Abenakis. It's called "identity theft" and "deceit." They want to be paid to spew their concocted re-invented "Abenaki" culture, their concocted "Abenaki" history in their lies, deceitfulness, and deceptions at the expense of the legitimate Abenaki ancestors and descendants. They want to be paid to speak their alleged Abenaki ancestral language. And yet 99.9% percent of these people have no clear and convincing genealogical evidence that their ancestors were Abenakis from and/or of Vermont/ New Hampshire, let alone Native people. I find that odd. Shouldn't the Legislature and the Senate Economic Development Committee be made aware of this reality? Or is it just about the "tourism" and money? The answer is that the state of Vermont, the Legislature, and Senator Illuzzi's committee could care less about learning and becoming aware of the honest truth regarding the Abenaki people. Perhaps the Legislature and the committee are blind, deaf and dumb to readily and without question, open the door to state recognition for these "groups" without so much as requesting and demanding that there be a genealogical foundation to this process of recognition? It comes to mind, that thieves and liars know no shame in what they do or say.
It has burdened my spirit, my heart and my mind for some years now, this "business" of these people, these groups. The Abenaki ancestors are being insulted by what is happening with every one of those people who, with their hands out, begging for those state and federal grants, begging to be specifically and officially "recognized" by the Vermont Legislature. These "groups" and their so-called "chiefs" all think they will come away rich if they gain instant, shake and bake Abenaki recognition from Vermont or New Hampshire.
Do you think for one second that the Native people's of this country will not pay attention to what is happening in Vermont with this mess that has been going and not address this "business," if these groups in Vermont gain recognition without proof? Do you think for one minute that they will not also knock on your legislative door? Perhaps the legitimately documented Abenaki ancestors descendants will rip that "door" from its hinges, to finally address this mockery going on in Vermont and New Hampshire.
I do hope and pray you are listening to what I am sharing with this committee, because if you do not, it may very well cost you all very dearly. I suspect my words herein will very likely fall to the ground, amongst the deaf, ignorant, arrogant and blind.
This process is not about "Lateral Violence" as Mr. Donald Stevens, a Phillips descendant and former VCNAA chairman has stated, in what I am speaking of here, but rather it is about the seeking out the documentary foundation of truth. It will prevail regardless of what happens with these groups of this "business" going on in Montpelier. Again it begins with showing and providing genealogical evidence that connects clearly and convincingly to the ancestral Abenaki people, and it ends there as well. It ought to be a foundation to anyone and any group gaining recognition from Vermont or New Hampshire. It ought to be a process all of these alleged and re-invented groups claiming to be Abenaki goes through, equally-transparently-and honestly. No one ought to gain state recognition instantaneously by the stroke of a pen simply to assuage the generational guilt and because of some contemporary sympathies. Abenaki people were never "hiding in plain sight," nor were Abenakis targeted by the Eugenics' Program of Vermont. Research and truth proves this out.
Now, I have watched as Mark Mitchell came and went, I have watched as Stevens came and went, and now I am seeing that Charles Lawrence Delaney Jr. heads this Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs.
All of these men were and are tied to the group in Swanton. They are biased and circumventing the intent of the VCNAA's purpose, because by having these persons who are from these groups heading the commission it would be like "the fox guarding the hen house." Empowering the commission on Native American Affairs to grant or officially give state recognition to persons or groups as being Abenaki or not Abenaki, etc. would be a huge mistake. Favoritism, bias, manipulation, and deceit would be the game plot of the day. I do want to make it very clear, that Judy Dow, Timothy de la Bruere, Brad Barratt and Jeanne Brink have not been the source of conflict within the commission, but rather it has been each and every chairman who has been unrepresentative of the commission as a whole, and who has attempted to manipulate the commission to be controlled by April Merrill and other groups who demand instant official state recognition.
Douglas Lloyd Buchholz
Lancaster, N.H.


text:
First you have to set the stats, either set it yourself or answer a set of questions and the game will set it for you.
I was curious and decided to try the quiz to see what happens..
Just be nice to the girls. Usually these kind of games takes very long to play so there is a Save and Load button.
Update - Be careful in flight simulation, especially when using left key to rotate the plane, if your focus is on the browser, it will be the same as clicking the back button of the browser, which happened to me just now, and I lost the whole game (forget to save before) =.=
Info on the 4 girls - up to the time I lost the game
1. Dita
-hip 35
-waist 23
-bust 34D
-last name Liebley
-likes to kick crotch when fighting =.=
-likes smart alien and skipping rocks
2. Jura
- hip 37
- likes antique weapons
- likes rare steak
- weight 127 lbs
- 5.9 tall
- likes romance movies
- full name Jura Basil Elden
3. Barnette
- last name Orangello
- waist 23
- likes a well balanced guy
- wants some copper cookware
4. Meia
- likes fish


text:
Here's an article (in Hebrew) on kidney exchange, featuring the work of Itai Ashlagi. (The article is also here.)
Update: it wasn't in Haaretz itself, but in an accompanying magazine supplement.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Kidney exchange in Haaretz
Posted by Al Roth at 1:23 AM
Labels: Israel, kidney exchange
1 comment:
- noam said...
Google's automatic translation of the article is more or less understandable, although it changes sames Names (Roth -> Ruth and Ashlagi -> Potash): http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http://www.themarker.com/tmc/article.jhtml%3FElementId%3Dskira20100729_1181934&sl=auto&tl=en
- July 30, 2010 at 1:42 AM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed a lawsuit on Wednesday accusing ITT Educational Services Inc. of predatory lending to college students.
It's the first time the CFPB has taken action against a for-profit college company. ITT has some 150 post-secondary technical schools across the country, including some in Charlotte, Miami, Kansas City and many other places in some 35 states.
"ITT marketed itself as improving consumers' lives but it was really just improving its bottom line," CFPB director Richard Corday said. "We believe ITT used high-pressure tactics to push many consumers into expensive loans destined to default. Today's action should serve as a warning to the for-profit college industry that we will be vigilant about protecting students against predatory lending tactics."
ITT's vice president for government relations and external affairs, Nicole Elam, said in a prepared statement: "We don't comment on pending litigation, other than to say that we believe that the Bureau's claims are without merit and that we intend to vigorously defend ourselves against the charges."
The CFPB is seeking restitution for victims, a civil fine, and an injunction against the company.
The consumer protection agency said that ITT's tuition costs are some of the highest in the country among for-profit schools, and significantly higher than public two- and four-year schools.
The agency said that many students borrow federal loans, but they're not enough to cover ITT tuition. It said the school provided zero-interest loans for one year, called a Temporary Credit, that had to be paid in full at the end of the student's first academic year. The lawsuit alleges that ITT "pushed its students into repaying their Temporary Credit and funding their second-year tuition gaps through high-cost private student loan programs." The suit said that ITT rushed students through an automated application process without helping them understand the loan obligations involved.
In addition, ITT credits were could not be transferred to community colleges or other nonprofit schools.


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- Start without You (feat. Laza Morgan). You already know this one, the chart topping pop/reggae fusion, capitalizing on both lyrical nonsense ("eh boy, I push it out," what exactly?) and just good fun. I know it's quite cheesy and ultimately not a pop song with quality as its main priority, but is some misguided way, it's irresistible.
- The Silence (Single Mix). Not actually a new track, but the single mix of current single "The Silence," shortens the original quite a bit getting rid of the "it's killing me, it's killing me" after the first chorus and adds some heavier strings, haunting vocals and a choir in the back drop. I liked this a lot on the original album--it's a shame it's her first to miss the top 10.
- All Night Long (Remix) [feat. Pitbull]. Again, not a new track but the original "All Night Long" has been substituted for the single version featuring Miami rapper Pitbull. It still sounds so good, I hope she kicks things off in the US with this single.
- Perfect. The second new track on here is "Perfect" a flourishing string-heavy ballad before the drums and piano kick in after the first chorus--clocking in both a nice production and Burke's booming vocals. I think this was written by pop singer Bruno Mars (he has his own version, I found on YouTube).
- What Happens On the Dancefloor (feat. Cobra Starship). What an unlikely collab. Burke teams up with American pop/punk band Starship for this nice slice of dance-pop. The lyrics are generic, the chorus is obnoxiously repetitive but it's infectious enough to work. I think this would have single potential, but I hear there won't be anymore singles released from this album.
- Before the Rain. The last of the new tracks is "Before the Rain," a dramatic ballad, it has a more serious feel than "Perfect." It's wonderfully executed--production, arrangement and vocals intact.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Alexandra Burke 'Overcome'
From one X Factor winner to another, Alexandra Burke has had quite stellar 2010, landing 3 top 10 hits and a double-platinum certification for her debut album Overcome, trailing the same format of Leona Lewis' circa 2008, Burke ends the year with a re-packaging of that album, re-titled Overcome - The Deluxe Edition, adding four new tracks, new cover and DVD disc compiling all her music videos thus far. Here's a quick overview of the new tracks:
3 comments:
- Paul said...
how many singles does she want to release from this album?! I'm still annoyed she didn't release the cutesy Bury Me, but you're right - it's a shame The Silence missed the top ten. Still it wasn't a great week for x factor artists in the chart (see Joe!!!!!)
- 15 December 2010 at 05:36
- rcLoy said...
Gotta agree that All Night Long remix feat Pitbull is still so good after so long. One of my faves song this year~ :D
- 15 December 2010 at 13:18
- J.Mensah said...
Paul. I know Joe peaked at #68, I wouldn't really compare The Silence to that--as looking at it now, #16 doesn't seem that bad actually. I mean, one out of six singles to miss the top 10. Not bad. And the album sold pretty well this week too. It's crossed 700k now.
rcLoy. I'm happy to hear that, yo!!! It's one of my favorites too!
- 16 December 2010 at 17:28
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text: Taiwan Leader Pans Chinese Peace Proposal Chen eschews 'one China,' maintains nation's independence By Zach Samalin, Newser Staff Posted Oct 18, 2007 3:28 PM CDT 0 comments Comments Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council Chairman Chen Ming-tong speaks to media in Taipei, Taiwan, in this Jan. 25, 2002 file photo. Chen on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007 urged Chinese leaders to dismantle hundreds... (Associated Press) View 3 more images (Newser) – Taiwan's Chen Shui-bian panned a Chinese peace overture, criticizing the adherence to what he calls "the framework of the 'one China' principle." "I think this would mean, for the 23 million people of Taiwan, a treaty of surrender," said the president, referring to China's refusal to negotiate without considering Taiwan a component of the mainland, ruled from Beijing. Chen had some words for the Chinese president, telling the Times that Hu Jintao "is like a smiling tiger, hiding a dagger in a smile, with honey in his mouth but a sword at his stomach." With Taiwanese presidential elections in March, China's proposal allows candidates to distinguish their policies from those of Chen, hardly a mainland favorite. View 3 more images


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Perhaps closing out some old business, actor Ryan Reynolds has sold a home in Hollywood Hills West for $1.405 million.
The leading man bought the property in his bachelor days for $1.749 million and in recent years had leased it out at $5,200 a month.
Entered through a walled and gated courtyard, the traditional-style home has been updated with solar heating, tankless hot water and impact-resistant French doors. The 1,789 square feet of space includes open-concept living areas, two bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.


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I started this canvas months ago and finally managed to get it finished now that I am on holidays.
Firstly I collected bits and bobs that were meaningful to me eg. a baby shoe, the first letter of my name, a cross, old jewellery, shells ect...
I glued gunned them on or you could use Atelier Modelling compound, which I used for the shells.
I then used Dulux, wash and wear white paint and did a few coats, so as to not have brush strokes.
I then used Jo Sonja's Glaze Medium between coats of burnt Umber acrylic and white paint.


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Hello dear friends. I hope you are all enjoy the Christmas season…. I have been busy,, but I am still here.. I have been doing some blog hopping and peeking to see what you have all be up to and Wow you have all been busy little elves decorating your beautiful homes for Christmas…. I only have a few photos to share,,,, this time,,, my two grand kids,,, Zach and Madison helping me decorating the tree,,,, they had sooooooo much fun…. I took a few in black an white,,, so love the look…. ok on with the show..
Zach,,, hmmmmm where to hang this one,,,,
Even their Aunt Meme with Rylan stopped by to help…
Maddy kept asking me Mamaw where should this one go…. every one she pulled out she said awwwwwwwwwwwwww so pretty….. loud….lol
Can't forget my grand doggie Shelby…. she loved her treat,,,, the only way I could get her photo under the tree,,,,, works every time….
This is from Thanks giving,,, by Baby Girl and her baby boy… he is 4 months old now,,,, he is getting so big… my cute little bug……
Love this one…… don't ya just want to chew on those cheeks….lol I do…..
and last but not least…… my little bug and his Nana…. one more photo….. than that is it…
For some reason Heather has a thing for Owls,,, so when she saw this hat,,, she just had to get it for me…. how cute he looks,,,, but you know that when he is older he will not like it one bit….. hehehe he has matching furry booties to go with it too… do darn cute
I hope to have more time for my blogging next year,, for I do miss you all so very much….. wishing you all a most Wonderful Christmas with lots of Love,,, family, and friends…. God Bless; you all….
Christmas Hugs;


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Wednesday, November 10, 2010
These oranments are vintage clothes pins, the white ones ar wrapped with small strips os birch bark with "found" this and thats, their sign carries the message of "Hope". The tea stained ones are gauze with bells and twigs, their message is "Peace", and they have little birds for companions
"Fiesta" the cousin of "Pink Lady" is very colorful and always creating mischief. Which would explain why she is still with me. Not that I mind at all, there is never a dull moment aroound here!
This "Pink Lady" was adopted into a lovely home by a very nice lady! Just when you think they all lived happily ever after, danger lurked, alas! the end came quickly in the "jaws" of a sweet, curious and much loved dog. Moving on, there will be replacement and there will be a happy ending after all!
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What is the ultimate destination? Where are we leading? These were some questions that provoked my thoughts when I was reading Emily Dickinson's collection of poems about life.
Man is running to achieve the goal but is unaware of the ultimate destination. He is running after the materialistic thing, fighting for it, killing in the name of religion or god, and causing destruction for what? For surviving? Seriously?
Do we really want all these things we are running for? Are we at peace? Will we find peace after achieving all that we want? No, is the only answer to all these questions. Neither we are at peace, nor we will be. The reason is that we are never satisfied in our life. We always have quest to achieve more and more. Man is blind, he is unable to see the truth of life. Why it happens that man in his last days become more spiritual and not before that? The leisure we are running for, will not help us at the death bed. Perhaps, this is the reason why in old age only, man turn towards god.The truth of life is that how big your car may be, you would be carried for cremation on the four shoulders or in an ambulance. How luxurious your bed would be but you would lay down on pyre before the 'Antyeshi'. How big your bungalow would be but your body would be burnt at crematorium. Are we killing people because they are richer in wealth than us? Or killing them because they do not belong to our religion/ our caste? So, what are we running for?
More than anger, I am filled with compassion for the human race. I am sorry for the condition of man. As I wrote in my earlier blogs run to create memories an not money. Life is a thing with feathers which will flew away without letting you know. So, instead of creating houses, create relations. Instead of collecting money, collect memories. Spread love and happiness.


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Deandre Jeremiah Stoddard
The Prince George's County Police Department arrested a second suspect in connection with a robbery in Largo. The suspect is identified as 19-year-old Deandre Jeremiah Stoddard of the 11300 block of Shearwater Drive in Waldorf.
On September 1, 2013, at about 3:30 am, patrol officers were called to the 10100 block of Prince Place for the report of a robbery. The preliminary investigation reveals the victim agreed to give two men a ride to an apartment on Prince Place. After arriving, the victim entered the apartment where he encountered a third man. All three suspects then assaulted the victim and stole his car. The victim received medical treatment on the scene.
Stoddard is currently in custody in Charles County on unrelated charges. On September 6, 2013, 19-year-old Keion Dayshawn Naylor of the 10700 block of Hollaway Drive in Upper Marlboro was arrested in connection with this case. The victim's car has also been recovered.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Prince George's County Police Department's Regional Investigation Division – Central Region at 301-390-2160. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), text "PGPD plus your message" to CRIMES (274637) on your cell phone or go to www.pgcrimesolvers.com and submit a tip online.


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I finished exams! hoorah! Since finishing my mum and I went on a little op shopping trip to the blue mountains so I have some purchases to show you when I get around to it :-D
Seeing as it's almost christmas (or it feels like it to me anyway, I decorated about a month ago), I feel that it is time for me to send out some christmas mail! I have a whole pile of vintage christmas cards because I always snap them up and I would love to send some out. So if you want a little bit of christmas in your letter box just email me your address to firstname.lastname@example.com and I will send you a card :-)
Below are my favourite cards so I can't promise that you will get something quite as cute (I am such a hoarder and can't bear to part with them) but I will try my best to send something lovely.