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Richmond Record December 2012
Citation preview
By Lauren Broussal
A well-attended long-term planningfollow-up meeting moderated by TownAdministrator Matt Kerwood was heldat the Richmond Consolidated Schoolon November 14. Under discussionwere options developed by the Berk-shire Regional Planning Commission toconclude their long-range sustainabilitystudy of Richmond.
Gwen Miller and Tom Matuszko ofthe BRPC began by summarizing keydemographic findings, as discussed inthe previous meeting of October 3.Next they presented three topic areasdescribing specific observations aboutRichmond, followed by a choice of op-tions with associated potential decisions
in an organized matrix. (The full “deci-sions matrix” is available in the Novem-ber 16 town newsletter.) Citizendiscussion was encouraged during theBRPC presentation.
The first topic, Community Sustain-ability, describes the declining numberof full-time residents in Richmond andthe rapidly aging population. The op-tions propose ways to diversify Rich-mond’s age groups, prioritizemultigenerational services, expandservices for the elderly, actively marketRichmond to new residents, enhancehousing opportunities, or alternatively,to embrace the trend toward becoming acommunity of primarily second-homeowners.
RRIICCHHMMOONNDD RREECCOORRDD
Adult Low Literacy Addressed
Success Abounds at LitNet
Continued on page 9
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Chat with Senator Ben DowningCoffee Talk Held at Town Hall ...........Page 2
35 Tons of Trash Plus RecyclablesAllied Waste Services Earn A+ ........Page 3
Little of This, Little of ThatGoings on Around Richmond ........Page 5
New School Principal C.A.R.E.S.Meet Monica Zanin ..............................Page 6
Books Picks ..............................................Page 7
On The Wing ..........................................Page 10
Community Calendar .......................Page 11
Options Presented
Second Long-Term Planning Meeting
Volume X, No. 8 Richmond, Massachusetts December 2012
By Jo Anne Magee
They meet in pairs as often as weekly
over months and sometimes years. Usu-
ally from different backgrounds, they
share a common interest – literacy - one
to teach, the other to learn. The scene is
repeated over and over across south
Berkshire County every week. All of
this is thanks to the efforts of the Liter-
acy Network of South Berkshire, or Lit-
Net as it is known.
LitNet’s website defines literacy as
the ability to read, write, compute and
use technology at a level that enables an
individual to reach his or her full poten-
tial as a parent, employee and commu-
nity member. About 5,000 adults in
south Berkshire County do not have a
high school diploma. Another 3,000 are
functionally illiterate, as are 20 percent
of adults in Massachusetts, the same
rate as for the U.S. as a whole.
Low literacy rates have large costs.
Low literacy in health costs between
$106 and $236 billion each year in the
U.S. Low literacy economic impacts -
crime, lost work place productivity and
lost tax revenues from unemployment -
cost the U.S. another $225 billion or
more each year. Seventy-five percent of
state prison inmates do not complete
high school or can be classified as “low
literate” according to the ProLiteracy
website.Photo by Dorothea Greene
Executive Director Laura Qualliotine,
Literacy Network of South Berkshire. Continued on page 4
Volume X, No 8 Richmond Record, December 2012 Pg 2
Richmond RecordA monthly newspaper
published in Richmond, MAPublisher – Ann Larkin
Editor – Linda Morse
Treasurer – Roy Jones
Circulation – Irene Jones
Photo Image Editor – Virginia Larkin
Production – Dorothea Greene
Advertising – Roy Jones
Phone (413) 464-0828
Email – richmondrecord@yahoo.com
Subscription rate: $21.00 Yearly
All subscriptions paid in advance
Published monthly by
Richmond Record 420 East Road
Richmond MA 01254.
Postmaster: Send address changes to
Richmond Record, PO Box 214,
Richmond, MA 01254
Periodicals postage paid at
Richmond, MA 01254
The Richmond Record welcomes letters
from readers. The Record reserves the right
to edit letters for length, content and style.
Vintage holiday postcard from the collection of Virginia Larkin, postmarked West
Stockbridge, Mass in 1907.
Chat with Senator Ben Downing
Coffee Talk Held at Town HallBy Linda Morse
On November 15, a small band of cit-
izenry met in an informal open meeting
to talk with State Senator Ben Down-
ing. He began by reviewing current is-
sues at the statehouse, while noting that
the first six months of the year are typ-
ically devoted to getting a new budget
completed. His good news was that the
“rainy day” fund is in very good shape
at $1.7 billion.
Downing represents 48 communities
in western Massachusetts and he is the
chair of the Joint Committee for
Telecommunications, Utilities and En-
ergy. He reported that bringing broad-
band to the remote areas of the
Berkshires has been going well, with
the introduction of the Massachusetts
Broadband Initiative (MBI). Getting
the system up has been easy, he said,
but getting the last mile to the house is
still a challenge.
There were a number of questions
and suggestions from the audience. In
response to the problems that many
towns have with their aging popula-
tions, he suggested that younger fami-
lies might be encouraged to reside in
these towns if Internet access was im-
proved.
In answer to a question about under-
funded public pensions, he acknowl-
edged that it is “huge problem,” not
only in every Massachusetts town and
city, but at the state level as well. Be-
fore the recession, the state started to
put money away for this future obliga-
tion, but has been unable to continue
doing so since then. At present, there is
an on-going adequacy study.
A person in the group asked that
communities be allowed more leeway
in their administration of town prob-
lems or opportunities. Too often citi-
zens hear “ You can’t do that because
the state…” He acknowledged that the
problem exists among most towns.
Along those same lines, another per-
son asked for more consideration from
the Massachusetts School Building Au-
thority in its prohibition of school
buildings (under their financing) being
restricted to use for education only.
Downing said he would take it up with
the MSBA in their January meeting.
Asked about the effect of the afford-
able housing initiative, he reported that
10,000 new units are expected this year.
And, finally, on the subject of rail tran-
sit, (e.g., New York to the Berkshires),
he stressed the need for a more robust
and responsive private sector involve-
ment.
Separately, he confirmed that his
committee continues to be against any
further wind turbine siting proposals.
By Mary Jane Piazza
Is it possible to be fascinated with
trash? Each Monday, Kevin Clark
rounds the corner onto East Slope in his
blue, double barrel Allied Waste truck
at 7:55 a.m. Thirty-five minutes later,
the trash and recyclables of 21 resi-
dences are on their way to their next in-
carnations. "Someone's got to do it,"
says Clark with a laugh, speaking for
himself and Richmond’s other curbside
quarterback, Bobby, each of whom op-
erate single man trucks starting on op-
posite sides of town. Clark, who
coincidentally grew up on Cone Hill
Road, says he has many boyhood mem-
ories of going to the town dump with
Richmond icon Johnny Foster and "sep-
arating out stuff." And while Saturdays
at the town dump are a memorable part
of Richmond nostalgia, today a good
heave-ho and technology do it all.
Clark says that curious homeowners
often come out to his truck to see just
how recycling is done. "There's one
opening on the curb side you're work-
ing from, but inside, the truck has two
lengthwise compartments - one for trash
and the other for that week's recy-
clables." This day’s recyclable was
paper, which the truck's motor continu-
ously squashes to the rear of the farther-
away bin behind the driver's side. To
then load household trash, Clark closes
the large longitudinal divider over the
recyclable side, revealing the opening
for household trash. When the pressure
gauge indicates the bins are full, the
paper contents are driven to the Allied
Waste Services of Pittsfield facility
(now merged with Republic Services
Company) in Cheshire. There, Rich-
mond's eight tons of paper per month is
bundled and loaded on tractor-trailers.
Full trucks are then driven to a facility
in Poughkeepsie, New York. On oppo-
site weeks, the same compartment col-
lects Richmond's average of five tons of
plastic and metal items per month, and
is then driven to North Adams, crushed
and mounted into high piles awaiting
their secondary market. Richmond's
average of 35 tons of household trash
per month, is taken to Covanta Pittsfield
(former Viacon) on Hubbard Avenue,
where it is burned to generate heat for
Crane and Company. Only harmless
steam is emitted from the smokestacks.
People often ask how trash is sorted -
or if it is sorted at all. According to Al-
lied/Republic Customer Service Repre-
sentative Doreen Fontaine, household
trash is pre-sorted by "advanced ma-
chinery with humans behind them," in-
cluding magnets, scales and radar
detectors for high levels of hazardous
waste. If high levels of contaminants
are found, the load is “frozen” and taken
to a special place for decontamination.
Workers in Bobcats and forklifts also
inspect and sift through trash before it
is burned. "When I started working
here in 2006, I knew nothing about trash
except that it stinks," laughs Fontaine.
“We are fortunate that we have an incin-
erator in the Berkshires so that our area
is kept pristine and beautiful." Besides
Crane and Company, Fontaine says she
is aware of an Anheuser Busch facility
in Texas that heats with methane gas
channeled from beneath a landfill.
Fontaine also educates customers as
to what places, such as Best Buy or Tar-
get, will take electronic items for free or
even give you a rebate gift card. Holi-
day Farms in Dalton accepts yard waste
to be turned into compost. In some
cities, Fontaine says, Allied/Republic
runs programs to educate school chil-
dren on recycling and safety around
trucks, thereby educating their parents
as well. “One of my most often asked
questions, though, is whether all plastic
is recyclable. The answer is no," and di-
rects customers to the “Do's and Don'ts”
on back of the collection calendar.
Volume X, No 8 Richmond Record, December 2012 Pg 3
35 Tons of Trash Plus Recyclables
Allied Waste Services Earns an “A +”
Continued on Page 6
Small Job SpecialistSenior Discounts Available
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Steve Drager Electric Company
In 1991, two visionary reading spe-
cialists, Margaret “Peg” Smith and Zoe
Dalheim, founded LitNet to address the
literacy problem in south Berkshire
County. At any one time, about 120 tu-
tors and 100 students work together.
About 80 percent of the students are
non-native English speakers.
LitNet’s results are impressive. Laura
Qualliotine, of Lake Road in Richmond,
LitNet’s executive and education direc-
tor, proudly reports annual achieve-
ments. Ten students each year pass their
citizenship exams; five pass their GED
exams; more than 75% of the non-native
English speaking students make signif-
icant English language learning gains
in one year. Other less directly measur-
able results include buying homes, re-
ceiving promotions, securing new em-
ployment opportunities, advocating for
their children and, perhaps most impor-
tantly, improving self-esteem.
Rosalba Costaneda’s story provides a
vivid example. She was profiled in the
fall 2012 LitNet newsletter. Rosalba
turned to LitNet for help when her
daughter fell ill and she waited two
hours at the hospital for a translator.
“At that point,” Rosalba said, “I knew I
needed to learn English.” Today she is
able to help her children with their
homework, go everywhere without help
and ask questions of her doctor.
LitNet plays an important role in
south Berkshire County as the primary
adult literacy provider. It does that
through the generosity of its supporters
and without state or federal funding or
charging fees. Laura Qualliotine cap-
tured that spirit when she said, “I’m
grateful to be part of a community that
is part of the community.”
Laura came home again to LitNet this
spring, having served as interim educa-
tion director in 2005. When asked what
some of the major challenges are she
mentioned the ongoing need for volun-
teers and, of course, money. Low tech-
nology and financial literacy are needs
that LitNet is also working to address.
In fact, LitNet is rolling out a financial
literacy program this coming spring.
Laura is also concerned about low liter-
acy native English speakers and is re-
searching ways to reach out and support
this hidden population.
Volume X, No 8 Richmond Record, December 2012 Pg 4
Kitchens & Baths
Windows & Doors
Sheds & Decks
Snowplowing
Licensed & Insured
25 Years Experience
Kevin Stottle, Owner
170 North Street, Dalton, MA 01226
(413)684-2684
boston07@verizon.net
Literacy Addressed from page 1
Happy
Holidays
Photo by Dorothea Greene
LitNet staff members (left to right seated)
Executive Assistant Shelley Wojtkowski
and Tutor Coordinator Mary Spina confer
with Executive Director Laura Quallio-
tine.
Volume X, No 8 Richmond Record, December 2012 Pg 5
A Little of This, A Little of That
Goings on Around Richmond
A luncheon to honor Richmond’s vet-
erans and veterans' widows was held
at the school in early November. This
was a collaboration between the Rich-
mond Consolidated School and the
Council on Aging. The event included
entertainment and a ham dinner pre-
pared by Tammy Jervas and her crew.
Veterans seated (left to right) are:
David O'Clair, Richard Stover, Philip
Foster, Reno Castagna, and Melvin
Marion. Standing (left to right) are:
Gerald Dubois, Peter Crause, William
Edwards, Thomas Vagnini, Myron
Ritrosky, Francis Malnati, Michael
Hogue, James Magner and Bruce
Lamke.
Pre K and K students led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Photos by Virgina Larkin
Rick Bartlett and Fran Malnati are in
charge of keeping the flapjacks flying
at the Fuel Fund Pancake Breakfast,
The well-attended annual event raises
funds to compliment those appropri-
ated by the town for residents who
are eligible for the federal fuel assis-
tance.
Good citizens Cathy Gamberoni (left)
and Eileen Masiero, armed with
gloves, rakes, hedge clippers (and no
doubt some Advil) spent several hours
administering fall cleanup at the Vet-
eran’s Memorial perennial bed
around the flagpole in front of the
school.
Santa’s helpers wrestled this season’s
very large and apparently reluctant
Christmas tree into position in front
of Town Hall. The tree was donated
by Paul Polson of Polson Electric in
Pittsfield.
Photo by Dorothea Greene Photo by Dorothea Greene Photo by Michael Paul Esposito
Town Administrator Matt Kerwood is
pleased with Allied/Republic, now in its
first three-year contract with the town.
"When we changed from ECO Waste
Services, the three-year contract
dropped $10,000 with Allied/Republic.
As an idea of the cost to individual tax-
payers, we budget $145,000 per year for
trash removal which, divided by the
total number of parcels including com-
mercial parcels, averages $182 per year.
But the real savings has come in the
drastic improvement in service and the
goodwill generated. Allied/Republic
has shown itself to be a good neighbor
by a $400 donation to “Peas On Earth,”
another $400 donated to the Emergency
Fuel Fund and $1000 towards the
Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Program offered yearly for Richmond
residents.”
Kevin and Bobby say that seeing and
checking in with Richmond seniors is a
highlight along their day’s route. They
are particularly grateful for the treats
and notes of appreciation that people
frequently leave for them by the curb.
For a copy of the Richmond Recy-
cling Calendar and guidelines, go to
www.alliedwastepittsfield.com or con-
tact dfontaine@republicservices.com.
Also, the free Richmond town calendar
with recycling days noted is now avail-
able for pick-up at Town Hall, Bartletts,
the post office, the library, and at Rich-
mond Telephone.
Volume X, No 8 Richmond Record, December 2012 Pg 6
Holiday gift suggestions for those on your list
who love to read.
For the fiction fan
“The Round House”
by Louise Erdrich Winner of the 2012 National Book Award, this
novel, set in an Ojibwe community in North
Dakota, explores the difficult relationship be-
tween whites and Native Americans in mod-
ern society.
For the cooking enthusiast:
“The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook”
by Deb PerelmanPerelman, a celebrated (and quite funny!)
food-blogger and amateur cook, shares over
100 recipes in this bestselling book. Simple
and delicious ideas for holiday entertaining as
well as everyday meal planning.
For the naturalist
“Skulls”
by Simon Winchester In this coffee-table book part-time Berkshire
resident Winchester (best known for his non-
fiction bestseller on the Oxford English Dic-
tionary, “The Professor and the Madman”)
introduces readers to Alan Dudley, a well-
known skull collector who amassed more
than 2,000 skulls from amphibians, birds, fish,
mammals and reptiles. A fascinating explo-
ration about the unique role of skulls in sci-
ence, art and religion.
For the picture book set
“Hello! Hello!”
by Matthew Cordell A graphically stunning book about a lonely
young girl trying to make a meaningful con-
nection with her family despite their obses-
sion with all things digital.
“Abe Lincoln’s Dream”
by Lane Smith Award-winning picture book artist and writer
Smith uses true stories and White House
trivia to celebrate America’s popular 16th pres-
ident.
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Books PicksBy Holly Freadman
By Pam Glass
It was the day after the election, a
week after Hurricane Sandy and a
nor’easter loomed in the forecast. Mon-
ica Zanin, the new, interim Richmond
School principal was busily checking
on student departures, as school had just
let out. The atmosphere, charged with
more than its usual energy, was vibrant
and dynamic. The external forces of
weather and politics were having their
effect on the students giving them more
to think and talk about. Their highly an-
imated chatter gushed like a stream,
flowing through the halls sweeping any-
one in the way. They skittered in all di-
rections, clutching backpacks, coats and
hopes of having the next day off.
The clock ticked past three and with
the wave of excitement descending,
Zanin was free to talk. Her door stayed
open leaving her accessible to anyone
who needed her. She was cheerful,
composed and unruffled from her day.
Her smile was warm and gracious, a
feature she is rarely without.
Zanin comes to the Richmond Con-
solidated School from Reid Middle
School in Pittsfield where she held the
position of head of guidance and in-
struction for the past four years. Her
14-year tenure at Reid also included
teaching sixth grade Math and English
Language Arts along with years as a
guidance counselor. She is proud to note
that Reid Middle School is now at Level
One status, commended by the state for
meeting requirements. “It was seven
hard years of a diligent effort in creating
a positive environment and implement-
ing processes to increase achievement
to bring the school up,” she said, speak-
ing of her former colleagues and her-
self. The details of this achievement
reveal her tenacity and capability, and
her skill with dismantling the big pic-
ture into attainable, smaller steps.
She began her interim principal term
at RCS on October 1, 2012. Asked if
the job was overwhelming after five
short weeks, she replied “My experi-
ence of collaborating with teachers over
the years and being in many different
leadership roles, especially the last two
years, has helped me deal with the day
to day issues that come at you which are
just as important as the big picture.
This school has so much to offer. RCS
is unique in that you don’t see Pre-K
thru eighth often, and this mix of ages
provides another layer of learning for
these kids. We have eighth graders tak-
ing ownership in the science lab by as-
sisting third graders. By giving the
older kids a chance to collaborate with
each other and work with younger ones,
they feel the sense of responsibility. I
always remind them that the younger
ones are looking up to them and they
are the role models.” Zanin went on en-
thusiastically: “Our professional devel-
opment day in October was a fantastic
day of working together as a team. RCS
did not have a set of universal expecta-
tions that was highly communicated
throughout the school. On that day,
teachers and staff created and voted on
a set of beliefs that make up the
acronym C.A.R.E.S. which stands for
Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility,
Empathy and Self-Control. C.A.R.E.S.
will apply to every aspect of school and
Volume X, No 8 Richmond Record, December 2012 Pg 7
Continued on page 8
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New School Principal C.A.R.E.S.
Meet Monica Zanin
Photo by Dorothea Greene
Principal Monica Zanin
will be visible throughout in the form of
banners, posters and other means.”
When asked about juggling the multiple
needs and requests of staff and students,
she did not flinch and repeated again
her favorite tool of the trade - collabora-
tion. “We can disagree respectfully and
move forward. What I love about what
I do is that while everyone has different
roles and different views and different
needs, we all have the same end goal.
And that is, we want the children to
have a safe, happy, positive and learn-
ing enriched school experience.” Zanin,
a parent of a four year old and an eight
year old continued, “I am all about com-
munication and working together.” (The
discussion paused several times as chil-
dren, parents and even the fire chief
sauntered in to ask her questions.)
Zanin does not dwell on the recent,
revolving door of principals at RCS.
She emphatically spoke of moving RCS
forward and her desire to be at the
school for the long run. The school day
came to a close and the Nor’easter still
loomed in the forecast; outside the win-
dows of RCS though, sunny skies
seemed to be ahead.
Volume X, No 8 Richmond Record, December 2012 Pg 8
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Meet Monica Zanin from page 7
Each option generates a column ofdecisions. For instance, if Richmondmarkets itself to attract new families orenhances housing opportunities foryounger residents, that might trigger in-vesting in the school, billing itself as adestination residential community usingthe school as a draw, and reassessing thezoning bylaws to allow for more rentalsand low-to-moderate income housing.
Selectman Roger Manzolini notedthat as a town, Richmond should evolvein the direction desired by the towns-people, providing services only asneeded, “not the other way around.” Healso urged residents to think in terms ofplanning for 25 years or more. How-ever others disagreed, noting thatsweeping changes may occur over thecourse of decades that can impact de-mographics, with the recent recessionand expected recovery cited as exam-ples. In discussing new families, it wasalso noted that the amount of StateChapter 70 funds associated with newstudents is not “a game-changer,” butthat an influx of young adults wouldprovide potential volunteers for townboards and emergency services.
The second topic, Long-Term Finan-cial Sustainability, deals with both thefiscal challenges presented by the
school given the declining school-agedpopulation, and the lack of growth andhomogeneity of Richmond’s tax base.Options range from identifying theschool as a priority and enhancing it, toreducing school services or even clos-ing the school. Regarding the tax base,options are to increase and diversify thebase and/or to reduce costs.
Decisions prompted by identifyingthe school as a priority would includemarketing it aggressively as a reason torelocate, identifying it as a magnetschool, enhancing services, actively re-cruiting out-of-district students, and di-versifying housing opportunities toattract younger families. The option toclose the school precipitates differentchoices that include joining a nearby re-gional school district and giving uptown autonomy in educational decision-making. Choosing to diversify the taxbase triggers decisions about commer-cial development and the balance be-tween rural character and growth, whileattempting to reduce costs will in-evitably spark tough discussions aboutwhich town services can be eliminated.
One resident commented that even ifaffordable housing becomes available,families might not come if there are nonearby jobs. Another responded thatjobs are increasing and Richmond
should position itself to attract youngworkers as the economy brightens,which requires taking steps now. ARichmond fireman noted that there arefiremen who have been looking foryears for affordable housing in Rich-mond. Another resident requested acost-benefit analysis of closing theschool as opposed to keeping it open,which Kerwood stated is now beinggenerated by the State.
The final topic, Next Steps, containstwo options, to engage residents inlong-term planning or to pursue no fur-ther planning efforts. The first option,already the inherent choice, lists deci-sions that require residents to becomeinvolved in future planning steps. Ac-cording to Kerwood, 15 people from across-section of taxpayers, includingsecond-homeowners, will be appointedby the selectmen to an advisory com-mittee to begin work in early January,tasked with weeding through the op-tions and presenting suggested actionitems to the selectmen. Financial andzoning matters will require a town vote,while the select board can decide policymatters with the goal being to formulatea long-term sustainability plan for Rich-mond.
The BRPC plans to issue a final re-port that will be available online atTown Hall, incorporating the feedbackfrom this second meeting.
Volume X, No 8 Richmond Record, December 2012 Pg 9
Long Term Planning from page 1
Volume X, No 8 Richmond Record, December 2012 Pg 10
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Do you remember a recent article in
the Berkshire Eagle about a young man
from Pittsfield, who was leading a
group of FEMA volunteers in Long
Beach, N.Y. after Hurricane Sandy?
As I was reading it, I noticed that his
group had been training in West Vir-
ginia, and I thought, “I wonder if, by
any chance …”
Flashback to two summers ago, when
I volunteered to host an intern from
Berkshire Botanical Garden. She ar-
rived carrying a small, potted plant and
wearing a big smile. The chemistry was
right from the beginning, and we settled
in to a comfortable routine. During the
day, of course, she was busy at Berk-
shire Botanical and on the weekends
she usually went home to Boston. But
during the week we had dinner together
and watched old movies. The routine
varied only occasionally when she in-
sisted on commandeering the remote
and I suffered through something called
“Wipe Out,” where seemingly rational
adults tried to climb on rapidly moving
structures while being pummeled by
high velocity water hoses. There was a
lot of money involved, apparently.
Anyway, the summer moved pleas-
antly along, and we had a jolly time.
She introduced me to geo-caching and
disclosed that there is a site on East
Road. We did the movies at BIFF, pic-
nicked at Tanglewood and had a few
celebratory parties on the back porch.
At last, the day came when she had to
leave. She handed me a note which she
asked me to read after she left. The note
told me how much she had enjoyed the
summer and that she was now hooked
on old movies, but the surprise was on
the back. It was a miniature watercolor
of my backsteps, complete with dog,
cat, window box, flagstone walkway …
every detail. I was touched. It still lives
on my refrigerator door.
Naturally, we kept in touch and I
knew she was volunteering with FEMA
and that she was training in West Vir-
ginia. When I read the article I won-
dered if this was the very unit she was
in and I e-mailed her. Sure enough, it
was the same and she asked if I would
mail her the article. At the moment, she
is living on a navy ship at the Maritime
College in the Bronx with a group of
FEMA employees. She reports that
about 160 people a day come to the
Disaster Recovery Center. Most have
lost everything and are angry at FEMA.
Her job is to look up their applications
on the computer, answer their questions
and try to help them through the
process of FEMA assistance, which can
be frustrating and confusing. She was
looking forward to having a day off, her
first since super storm Sandy struck.
The work is exhausting but she feels a
sense of satisfaction when she can pro-
vide immediate help.
In the end, this is a story about two
people who decided to reach out to
make someone else’s life a bit easier,
and found themselves enriched in the
process.
On The Wing
By Ann Larkin
Volume X, No 8 Richmond Record, December 2012 Pg 11
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13132 Route 22 - Canaan
(Half-mile south of Route 295)
Phone: 518-288-8342
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Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
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but will not meet during
the holidays.Tuesday, January 22 @ 2:00 p.m.
“Winter’s Tale” by Mark Helprin
Thursday, January 24, 2013
6:30 p.m.“An Evening With Jeanet Ingals”
Shout Out Loud Productions, Inc.
A non-profit organization
focused on raising awareness
concerning sex trafficking,
abuse and poverty in the lives
of women and children.
Call the library
for more information.
&Children’s Story Hour
Ages: Infant and Up!
First Thursday of Each Month
3:30 p.m.
(Time changed from 10:30 a.m.)
Blood Pressure Clinics
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9:00 a.m. –10:00 a.m.
Sponsored by the Community Health
Association
Richmond Congregational Church.
Weekly Exercise Classes
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Council On Aging
$2.00 per class
Tai Chi
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Mondays at Town Hall &
Wednesdays at the school cafeteria
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