OLD SAYBROOK “South Pacific”

WOWWW!  What a performance.  Congratulations to all the students, faculty, staff, parents and community support for this weekends wonderful production of  “SOUTH PACIFIC“.

The music was excellent, the acting and singing, magnificent.  It really says something about the spirit of a school system when the High School Principal (Tara Winch) does the Choreography and the Superintendent of Schools (Joseph Onofrio) is the percussionist in the school orchestra.

BRAVO Michael Cronin as Emile deBecque.  It’s a difficult production to sing with a French accent.

Michael Cronin with Broadway's Emile David Pittsinger

I know, because I’ve talked about this part with the current Emile, David Pittsinger in the Broadway revival at the Vivian Beaumont Theater.   David, is my wife’s brother and godfather to our son.

The cast and crew have been working tirelessly on this production for months.  About 6 weeks ago David visited the local cast and assisted with their rehearsal.    He not only coached Mike Cronin but also the very talented Caroline St. Germain (Nellie Forbush).

Sending them off on stage in what was for many their 1st Broadway production was a huge fax signed by the Broadway Cast and posted outside the auditorium’s display case.

BRAVO Old Saybrook!!

How to: Budget

Here’s a subject matter I have no business blogging about.  Since everyone from the White House to my house is talking about budgeting….why not get it all out in the open.

The budget process is simple.  Money comes in as income and bills come in as anti-income.  When bills (expenditures) exceed income, you have a problem.  Between mortgage, utilities, insurance, taxes, health-care, auto etc..there never seems to be enough for food.  Don’t get me wrong we’re not starving but these tough financial times find ourselves eating healthier and making (and baking) things from scratch.

The savings are devoted to shrinking those higher credit cards we can soon destroy.

When it comes down to the basic necessities of life we will get by and be better off in the long run.   How?  We’ve lowered the thermostats and added more sweaters.  Turned off the lights and tv’s when not in the rooms.  We are eating more salads and fruits and drinking more water than flavored drinks.

For entertainment, going out to dinner or the movies is a rarity.   Finishing up those unfinished household projects has become more of a priority.   Thinning out the closets and basement and donating the gently used items to GOODWILL or St. Vincent De Paul Society is a great feeling.

We will all make it through…and become more responsible in the end.

New addition to the house

I love dogs.  Puppies are cute.  Last June, Duffy, our 15 year old Wheaton Terrier died.  That left 4 year old Bennie (Cocker Spaniel) to rule the roost…until last Saturday.

“What’s this!”  I exclaimed as my step-daughter walked into the house with a 8 week old SCHNOODLE (part Schnouzer and part poodle).   “Where’s your mother!”  I bellowed.  Not wanting to acknowledge this new “temporary” member to the family.

So now that some time has gone by, this little thing is greeting me at the door wagging his elongated tail, he waits for me, he jumps on me…wants to cuddle on my lap…blah, blah, blah.   I thought I was done with the baby phase, then puppy phase…diapers, accidents on the wood floors, rugs ect…ect.

But Scout is Elisa’s dog…going back to school in July when she returns to her off-campus apartment….that means we get to raise Scout while she’s studying abroad this semester in Australia…. hmmmm.

Then does this mean when Scout leaves, someone in the house is going to want to replace him with another little cuddly, cute puppy?????

I don’t want to look in the rear-view mirror!

Why look back?  Is something from 2008 going to speedup on us and pass us in 09?  I hope not.   It’s a NEW YEAR.  Time to venture  into uncharted or unmapped territory.  Leave your GPS at home, it won’t help on this ride.  Where do you want to go this year?  To the gym?  Down the aisle?    When you do look back in the mirror of 2009 a year from now what will you see?  A better you?  A better us?   Now is the time to do what you’ve put off doing.  If not now, when?     Now, lets chat about what you want to do.

Happy New Year!

Shelton National!!!

OMG, how exciting is this!  Shelton National’ Little League going to Williamsport, PA!  Congratulations ballplayers, coaches and families!  I was in Williamsport covering the Trumbull when they won the World Series in 1989. 

The energy level on Howe Ave. this week will be electric.  Speaking as a son from the Valley, this is one awesome opportunity to show your talent, you’ve earned it, you deserve it.  As my late coach Mr. Frank Fucci at Kolbe H.S. would tell us:  “Men, you gotta wanna.”

GO GET EM!

Thank you M.S. Riders 08′

What a ride!  Thanks to our viewers, donors, Team”3″ supporters and other participants, the 2008 M.S. Ride was a wonderful success.  More than 1200 pre-registered for Sunday’s ride that kicked-off and returned to The Cadillac Ranch in Southington.  Nice Can-Am there Judy!    Ted Tine’s looong Purple Chopper caught a drool.  Greg Loehr of the Red Knights can always be counted on to be by my side…(since 1973).  George Giguere, Ron, Brian, and alllll the riders…who can’t forget the Iron Maidens!  Congratulations one and all.  

The true cruisers are the victims of M.S. who came to the Cadillac Ranch and supported the riders.   Thanks to new treatments and medicines, in many cases Pharmaceuticals are making headway in the Fight against this degenerative disease.

Acknowledgment to: Karen Butler, Sue, Karen, of the Iron Maidens…and all my friends at WFSB: Shelley, Chris, Peter, Aleesha, John Roache, Helen, Dana, Patience and Klarn for making this a HUGE success!

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

We cover many stories in the course of a week.  Last Saturday (June 1) I helped MC the Habitat for Humanity Builders Blitz 08 kickoff in New London.  I was blown away by the awesome positive “can do” attitudes of everyone involved in building not one, but two brand new 1200 sq. foot houses.   Today, Saturday June 7th..one week later, Habitat and the incredible building teams led by the Fusaro’s (Real Estate Service of CT) and Nort Wheeler’s (Mystic River Building Co.) handed the keys and well wishes over to the home-owners. 

Two-houses, one week.  You have no idea how much preperation time and orchestration these projects took.  Kudo’s to Terri O’Rourke- Exec. Dir. Habitat SE CT.  …Cal Price at Liberty Bank…and every man woman and child that swung a hammer, fired a nail gun, taped, spackled and painted.  I’m proud to have been a small part of this warm experience.  Welcome Home!

SUMMER OF FUN

So, here we are again – just change the digit on the year.    I don’t know about you but 2008 is flying by!  Weddings, graduations, events, etc…etc…etc.  When is the merry-go-round going to stop!  It’s not that I want to get off mind you, but can’t we just put the brakes on and enjoy life a little more.  Today, Sunday, after Mass I started puttering around the garage and house and decided whooooooa, HOGAN, stop.  Let’s go inside and sit down for a spell.  It actually felt good to read the whole newspaper, page by page and just to sit and relax before the merry-go-round started up again.

I think for my summer vacation, I’m not going to “plan” my honey-do list.  I think my honey-do list will be a secondary priority and not the main priority.   Ahhhh I feel refreshed alreay.

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