Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Week 4 of new job... Interesting!! I have never worked in a seasonal property before, so my first Saturday was so boring. No walk ins and no phone calls. I did paperwork just trying to get things into the system from 2006 to get accurate reports.
Right now, it has been quite boring but at least I had a few inquires through the internet. I am just so bored! I hate starting a new job.
HALLOWEEN IS WEDNESDAY!! Do you remember how much fun it was when we were kids? I can remember it being really cold or rather warm, if it was cold you would have to wear a coat over your costume which of course, I hated, but if it was warm it was amazing. No matter what it was fun, I grew up on Yantic Lane in Norwich, CT anyone from there can tell you, alot of candy to be had then, this would be 1970's when parents left us alone to go out and collect our candy.
The only rule, no eating any fruit that might have been given to you, the rumor was there could be a razor blade in it. Compared to what is going on this world today, that does not seem to much. In the New London Day today, the police are recommending parents go on line to see who is a registered sex offender in your neighborhood. How sad are our times, that something that was so much fun for kids, has to be so monitored now? We all thought the no eating the fruit was bad, except we really only wanted the candy anyway so why would someone give you fruit? They ran out of candy or how no intention of participating except when little kids kept ringing their bell?
I know alot of times now kids don't even go door to door, they go to an organized event, in a mall, firehouse safe havens as you might say. I know in my last neighborhood we lived in, the first wave of kids were from the neighborhood, then you would see vans letting off inner city kids so they could/would have a safe environment, no one seemed to mind, I thought it was great. I love to see the kids having fun, this year, in the middle of nowhere in Maine we won't get anyone but it is OK. I still enjoy the holiday and my memories.
Right now, it has been quite boring but at least I had a few inquires through the internet. I am just so bored! I hate starting a new job.
HALLOWEEN IS WEDNESDAY!! Do you remember how much fun it was when we were kids? I can remember it being really cold or rather warm, if it was cold you would have to wear a coat over your costume which of course, I hated, but if it was warm it was amazing. No matter what it was fun, I grew up on Yantic Lane in Norwich, CT anyone from there can tell you, alot of candy to be had then, this would be 1970's when parents left us alone to go out and collect our candy.
The only rule, no eating any fruit that might have been given to you, the rumor was there could be a razor blade in it. Compared to what is going on this world today, that does not seem to much. In the New London Day today, the police are recommending parents go on line to see who is a registered sex offender in your neighborhood. How sad are our times, that something that was so much fun for kids, has to be so monitored now? We all thought the no eating the fruit was bad, except we really only wanted the candy anyway so why would someone give you fruit? They ran out of candy or how no intention of participating except when little kids kept ringing their bell?
I know alot of times now kids don't even go door to door, they go to an organized event, in a mall, firehouse safe havens as you might say. I know in my last neighborhood we lived in, the first wave of kids were from the neighborhood, then you would see vans letting off inner city kids so they could/would have a safe environment, no one seemed to mind, I thought it was great. I love to see the kids having fun, this year, in the middle of nowhere in Maine we won't get anyone but it is OK. I still enjoy the holiday and my memories.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
It has been 2 months since Thomas died and I am still having such a hard time accepting it as a fact. I have a wonderful picture of him, Claudette and myself at the Lighthouse Inn on New Years Day Brunch. Sad to remember that Thomas and Seth (who took the picture) are both gone. That New Years Day, we were so tired, not from partying but from working the night before at the FloodTide in Mystic, I believe we did have a bottle or two of Champagne but mostly we were exhausted. Anyone who has worked in a busy restaurant on New Years Eve knows exactly what I am talking about, so we treated ourselves to brunch around 1pm, so we wouldn't need dinner. Also, we finally rolled out of bed around 11am, so what else is there to do on New Years Day? None of us watched football and a Bloody Mary or Mimosa to us was always the best way to start a New Year ( or any Sunday whichever came first).
As, I look at the picture I remember the smell, how bad the food was and Thomas pretty much complaining about the lack of variety, too saucy brunch. He at the time was working out like crazy an watching what he ate. Claudette and I pretty much just wanted to eat and have mimosas. The three of us, had such different relationships to each other, but we certainly loved each other and enjoyed our company.
Claudette and I got through the funeral together and are still very close. My mind keeps bringing me back to the last time we saw Thomas. He was miserable, made us miserable and it wasn't a good way to end it. I cried this morning, for his loss as if it was only yesterday that I got the call. Everyday, I remember or think of something to say to him. At this point in the calender year, I would be planning my trip home for Christmas and when we would get together. Last year, we met at Thomas's on Christmas Eve (right after a deer hit my car), it was so much fun. We played games and talked, laughed and basically had fun.
I miss Thomas so much. I hope he knows that in my heart he will always be missed and loved.
As, I look at the picture I remember the smell, how bad the food was and Thomas pretty much complaining about the lack of variety, too saucy brunch. He at the time was working out like crazy an watching what he ate. Claudette and I pretty much just wanted to eat and have mimosas. The three of us, had such different relationships to each other, but we certainly loved each other and enjoyed our company.
Claudette and I got through the funeral together and are still very close. My mind keeps bringing me back to the last time we saw Thomas. He was miserable, made us miserable and it wasn't a good way to end it. I cried this morning, for his loss as if it was only yesterday that I got the call. Everyday, I remember or think of something to say to him. At this point in the calender year, I would be planning my trip home for Christmas and when we would get together. Last year, we met at Thomas's on Christmas Eve (right after a deer hit my car), it was so much fun. We played games and talked, laughed and basically had fun.
I miss Thomas so much. I hope he knows that in my heart he will always be missed and loved.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
My husband and I are having a little rough patch since he arrived in Maine. Part of it, is the fact we were away for the first time in our marriage for about 3 weeks, then my "Period" hit, of course and my father in law ( Sweet man) is here with him too, which puts stress on me when we are living at the hotel. Nothing to get divorced over, but definately something that for us to work through. It has been so tough looking for a place to live and then seeing what little is out here in Maine. We have finally found a place, I know he was so disappointed yesterday when he was driving around getting no where and we lucked into this place. Now, it is just a waiting game to make sure that we are a good fit for the landlords.
I already in my mind can see where to put our furniture, how to decorate for the holidays etc. I so want my family to come visit once we are in and settled, can you tell I am in sales, I am saying when not "IF".. This article below struck me today, because of what we are going through now, and think it should help all married couples who believe in their vows.
(CNN) -- Americans are always good at touting an issue as a state of emergency in order to establish a sense of urgency. And there are any number that we could highlight -- HIV/AIDS, gun violence, drug addiction -- but one that should be added to the list is that of the divorce rate in this nation.
Martin says couples must sometimes work to make their marriages last.
Various studies show that at least half of all marriages in the United States will end in divorce, and if you remarry, those figures grow exponentially. For some reason, Americans are either getting married for the wrong reasons or are not making the effort to spend more time working on their marriages to save them, and instead, run to divorce court at the first sign of trouble.
I can speak from experience on this issue -- I was divorced after six years of marriage in 1999. The idea to shut down the marriage wasn't mine. My wife said she wanted out, and then as now, I felt the reasons cited were easy to overcome, if two people were willing to actually make it work. And in fact, I refused to sign the papers unless language was cited that I didn't agree with the divorce. Why? Like I told her, if someone in the future did research on me and came across that public document, then they would see my true feelings on the matter.
I've since remarried and thoroughly enjoy the six-year relationship with my wife, Jacquie, and both of us have made it our commitment to help other couples sustain and grow their marriages through leading and teaching marriage seminars and workshops at various churches across the country.
This notion of a national initiative to get Americans discussing our marital woes -- and how to fix them -- really hit home again this weekend when I saw the movie, Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married?"
It's the story of eight college friends who gather for one week a year, and we get to see the marriage drama that each of one of them go through. One couple is constantly arguing over any little issue; another appears to be strong on the outside but is grieving on the inside over the death of their child in an accident; one couple fights the workaholic nature of the wife and the sexual fits her husband has to endure; while another speaks to a husband who is cheating on his wife with her best friend because his wife has put on a lot of weight, and she has to deal with not being loved.
The movie was such a hit that two weeks ago it was number one at the box office, garnering $16 million, and was number two last week.
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What resonated so much was that these were ordinary couples who go through the ups and downs that so many marriages face. I don't want to give away everything about the movie, but in the end, one of the marriages can't be saved. But the great thing is that the couples faced some serious issues, and didn't take off at the first sign of trouble. They fought (verbally), argued, disagreed, but in the end, recognized that the marriage vows they professed for one another on their wedding day came true -- to have and to hold, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer.
I strongly believe that for too many of us, we've accepted the notion that marriage will be perfect; that we won't endure trials and tribulations. But that isn't true. In fact, where is that ever true than in someone's fantasy life? What's amazing to me is that when faced with difficulty on the job, so many of us will buckle down and work harder to prove ourselves worthy to keep that job. But at home, we'd rather leave, even if that means putting our kids through a divorce.
As I suggest in the six essays on marriage in my book, "Listening to the Spirit Within," if you're in a marriage where someone is physically abusing you and your life is being threatened, by all means leave. But we can't be afraid of going outside the marriage to get counseling, whether spiritual or secular. You may have grown up and watched your parents divorce, and that pain is still there, and you may see it being repeated in your relationship. Trust me, it can work.
But couples must be willing to confront themselves. Maybe your idea of marriage is "I-my" and it should be "we-us-our." Maybe you see your spouse as more of a roommate, co-habitating in a space where you pay half the bills and he or she pays the other half.
America wasn't just built on the idea of strong ideals. It was also constructed on the back of strong families. But today, these families are being splintered and broken up for a variety of reasons, including our selfishness and unwillingness to confront our problems and to compromise.
Is it you I'm speaking to? Are you in the position where your marriage is crumbling before your very eyes? If so, take action today. Don't let divorce end it all. Remember, your trial today could eventually be your testimony tomorrow.
Roland S. Martin is a nationally award-winning journalist and CNN contributor. Martin is studying to receive his master's degree in Christian communications at Louisiana Baptist University, and he is the author of "Listening to the Spirit Within: 50 Perspectives on Faith." You can read more of his columns at www.rolandsmartin.com.
I already in my mind can see where to put our furniture, how to decorate for the holidays etc. I so want my family to come visit once we are in and settled, can you tell I am in sales, I am saying when not "IF".. This article below struck me today, because of what we are going through now, and think it should help all married couples who believe in their vows.
(CNN) -- Americans are always good at touting an issue as a state of emergency in order to establish a sense of urgency. And there are any number that we could highlight -- HIV/AIDS, gun violence, drug addiction -- but one that should be added to the list is that of the divorce rate in this nation.
Martin says couples must sometimes work to make their marriages last.
Various studies show that at least half of all marriages in the United States will end in divorce, and if you remarry, those figures grow exponentially. For some reason, Americans are either getting married for the wrong reasons or are not making the effort to spend more time working on their marriages to save them, and instead, run to divorce court at the first sign of trouble.
I can speak from experience on this issue -- I was divorced after six years of marriage in 1999. The idea to shut down the marriage wasn't mine. My wife said she wanted out, and then as now, I felt the reasons cited were easy to overcome, if two people were willing to actually make it work. And in fact, I refused to sign the papers unless language was cited that I didn't agree with the divorce. Why? Like I told her, if someone in the future did research on me and came across that public document, then they would see my true feelings on the matter.
I've since remarried and thoroughly enjoy the six-year relationship with my wife, Jacquie, and both of us have made it our commitment to help other couples sustain and grow their marriages through leading and teaching marriage seminars and workshops at various churches across the country.
This notion of a national initiative to get Americans discussing our marital woes -- and how to fix them -- really hit home again this weekend when I saw the movie, Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married?"
It's the story of eight college friends who gather for one week a year, and we get to see the marriage drama that each of one of them go through. One couple is constantly arguing over any little issue; another appears to be strong on the outside but is grieving on the inside over the death of their child in an accident; one couple fights the workaholic nature of the wife and the sexual fits her husband has to endure; while another speaks to a husband who is cheating on his wife with her best friend because his wife has put on a lot of weight, and she has to deal with not being loved.
The movie was such a hit that two weeks ago it was number one at the box office, garnering $16 million, and was number two last week.
Don't Miss
Martin: Barack Obama's black wakeup call
Martin: Why is the GOP scared of black voters?
Martin: 'Jena 6' rally was about equal justice
Martin: It's not too early to start choosing next president
What resonated so much was that these were ordinary couples who go through the ups and downs that so many marriages face. I don't want to give away everything about the movie, but in the end, one of the marriages can't be saved. But the great thing is that the couples faced some serious issues, and didn't take off at the first sign of trouble. They fought (verbally), argued, disagreed, but in the end, recognized that the marriage vows they professed for one another on their wedding day came true -- to have and to hold, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer.
I strongly believe that for too many of us, we've accepted the notion that marriage will be perfect; that we won't endure trials and tribulations. But that isn't true. In fact, where is that ever true than in someone's fantasy life? What's amazing to me is that when faced with difficulty on the job, so many of us will buckle down and work harder to prove ourselves worthy to keep that job. But at home, we'd rather leave, even if that means putting our kids through a divorce.
As I suggest in the six essays on marriage in my book, "Listening to the Spirit Within," if you're in a marriage where someone is physically abusing you and your life is being threatened, by all means leave. But we can't be afraid of going outside the marriage to get counseling, whether spiritual or secular. You may have grown up and watched your parents divorce, and that pain is still there, and you may see it being repeated in your relationship. Trust me, it can work.
But couples must be willing to confront themselves. Maybe your idea of marriage is "I-my" and it should be "we-us-our." Maybe you see your spouse as more of a roommate, co-habitating in a space where you pay half the bills and he or she pays the other half.
America wasn't just built on the idea of strong ideals. It was also constructed on the back of strong families. But today, these families are being splintered and broken up for a variety of reasons, including our selfishness and unwillingness to confront our problems and to compromise.
Is it you I'm speaking to? Are you in the position where your marriage is crumbling before your very eyes? If so, take action today. Don't let divorce end it all. Remember, your trial today could eventually be your testimony tomorrow.
Roland S. Martin is a nationally award-winning journalist and CNN contributor. Martin is studying to receive his master's degree in Christian communications at Louisiana Baptist University, and he is the author of "Listening to the Spirit Within: 50 Perspectives on Faith." You can read more of his columns at www.rolandsmartin.com.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
This was in the New London Day Today:
Groton — The case of a drug dealer accused of murder had been one of Lt. John Varone's most difficult investigations because witnesses were afraid to tell police what they knew, the veteran Groton Town Police detective says.
But that investigation was a “cakewalk,” Varone said, compared to what police faced for eight months as they tried to determine what led to the Jan. 28 alcohol-fueled crash that killed 16-year-old Cameron Lee of Groton and two people in another car, John Geise of Mystic and Wayne Lecardo of Groton.
In report after report, detectives and officers said that when they asked teens about who provided the alcohol Lee drank that night, all of them said the same thing: That there was beer at the large party on Farmstead Avenue that Lee attended, but they did not know where it came from and never saw him drinking.
“I've never seen a code of silence like this before,” said Varone, who has been a detective for the past decade. “This was a very hard case for us to investigate.”
Cameron Lee left the Farmstead Avenue party, and when his car crossed the center line on Flanders Road and burst into flames after striking the car carrying Geise, 52, and Lecardo, 33, he had a blood-alcohol level of 0.12. Lee, whose car was traveling 101 mph five seconds before the crash, was legally intoxicated and violating the restrictions on his license by driving with a passenger and after midnight.
Police said they wanted to find the source of the alcohol to close their investigation and cut off a potential supplier of alcohol to minors, possibly preventing another tragedy. The supplier would face 18 months in prison and a $1,500 fine.
“No one can change the fact that someone brought alcohol to a residence and then someone drank it and then operated a motor vehicle. That can't change,” Varone said. “We just want to get to the truth. We want to be able to give the families closure.
“There are a lot of families that are ruined over this. Parents lost their kids. Kids who have lost their parents, and families have suffered the emotional consequences of that night.”
Varone said he was not necessarily surprised by the lack of cooperation. Many of Lee's friends have said in e-mails, letters to The Day and postings on the newspaper's Web site that it serves no purpose to blame anyone in connection with the crash.
Varone said that police conducting investigations sometimes run across people who do not want to talk to them or tell the truth.
“And we can't force them,” he said.
In the case of the investigation into the 2001 killing of Eric Dames, Groton Town police last year had to take the unusual step of arresting two witnesses to ensure their testimony at the trial. The pair had failed to appear at the first trial of drug dealer Michael Smith because they feared for their lives. Another witness could not be found. Others were reluctant to help police.
•••One of those present at the Groton house party in January was Michael Grater, who had been friends with Cameron Lee since elementary school.
Grater, who attends Robert E. Fitch High School, said Sunday that he spoke to Lee at the party but left after an hour because it with getting crowded with students from Fitch, Stonington and St. Bernard high schools. Grater said he did not know who brought beer to the party.
In a report filed by Groton Detective David Doan, Doan describes a March interview with Grater at his home. Doan reported that Grater said there was beer at the party, but he had not seen Lee drinking and did not know where it came from.
Doan said that when Michael Grater's mother left the room during the interview, the teenager said Lee might have been drinking. Before Doan could clarify the remark, Kathleen Grater returned and told Doan he was upsetting her son and asked him to leave. Doan said he had only spoken to Michael Grater for about six minutes.
The report also states that Grater's father, Mark, an attorney, indicated police could not interview his son again but said he would ask Michael about the party. The report states that Mark Grater told police his son suffers from a condition that makes him get upset easily. Michael Grater suffers from a neurological condition that has left him partly disabled and makes his speech unclear at times, according to his mother.
On Sunday, Kathleen Grater said she and her son wanted to cooperate but police kept asking him the same questions over and over even though he couldn't provide them with any additional information.
“We feel horrible about what happened. It's a terrible thing that happened, but he told the police everything he could,” said Kathleen Grater, who said she also knows Geise's widow, Jennifer.
••• Varone said his department's investigation was as extensive as any probe into a major crime. He said the initial commitment by the department involved all officers on duty that night as well as additional officers called in for the accident reconstruction. Three detectives were initially assigned to the case, with a minimum of two always working on it. He said Ledyard police, state police and the New London State's Attorney's Office all provided invaluable assistance.
Varone said half of the investigation involved reconstructing the technical aspects of how the crash occurred while the other half centered on why it happened. The latter involved looking into the lives of the victims to see where they were and what they were doing in the 24 hours before the crash. Geise and Lecardo were driving home after finishing their shifts at Foxwoods Resort Casino, where they worked as butlers.
“It was very complicated. We had to go back and trace (all three) lives and talk to enough people to feel comfortable about what was going on,” Varone said.
Police interviewed more than 50 people. Varone said tracking down what Lee did from the time he left his home for the party at about 9 p.m. and the crash, which happened four and a half hours later, was difficult.
“We obviously wanted to look at the party and determine if there was anything criminal in nature there,” he said.
Thus far, police have been able to charge only the 17-year-old boy who hosted the party on Farmstead Avenue. He was issued an infraction for permitting a minor to illegally possess liquor on private property, which carries a fine of $146. The teen was not identified because state law bars the release of names of minors charged with all but the most serious crimes. His parents were not charged because they were out of town and unaware of the party at their home.
The teen has the choice of pleading no contest and paying the fine or pleading not guilty. His decision is not yet available; the state's Centralized Infractions Bureau said Monday it has not yet logged the outcome of the ticket.
If he pays the fine, the admission cannot be used against him or his family in any of the civil lawsuits expected. A not guilty plea would expose him to a guilty finding, which could be used in a civil case.
Varone said he hopes teenagers, including his own son, learn from the crash.
“This was an absolute tragedy. The only good that can come from this is if teenagers stop and make good choices. Don't drink and drive and follow the rules,” he said.
*** My Friend Wayne Lecardo lost his life along with his friend John Geise due to someone giving liquor to a minor. They have destroyed (2) families, Wayne's wife is too young to be a widow. John left behind a wife and kids, where is the justice for them?
Groton — The case of a drug dealer accused of murder had been one of Lt. John Varone's most difficult investigations because witnesses were afraid to tell police what they knew, the veteran Groton Town Police detective says.
But that investigation was a “cakewalk,” Varone said, compared to what police faced for eight months as they tried to determine what led to the Jan. 28 alcohol-fueled crash that killed 16-year-old Cameron Lee of Groton and two people in another car, John Geise of Mystic and Wayne Lecardo of Groton.
In report after report, detectives and officers said that when they asked teens about who provided the alcohol Lee drank that night, all of them said the same thing: That there was beer at the large party on Farmstead Avenue that Lee attended, but they did not know where it came from and never saw him drinking.
“I've never seen a code of silence like this before,” said Varone, who has been a detective for the past decade. “This was a very hard case for us to investigate.”
Cameron Lee left the Farmstead Avenue party, and when his car crossed the center line on Flanders Road and burst into flames after striking the car carrying Geise, 52, and Lecardo, 33, he had a blood-alcohol level of 0.12. Lee, whose car was traveling 101 mph five seconds before the crash, was legally intoxicated and violating the restrictions on his license by driving with a passenger and after midnight.
Police said they wanted to find the source of the alcohol to close their investigation and cut off a potential supplier of alcohol to minors, possibly preventing another tragedy. The supplier would face 18 months in prison and a $1,500 fine.
“No one can change the fact that someone brought alcohol to a residence and then someone drank it and then operated a motor vehicle. That can't change,” Varone said. “We just want to get to the truth. We want to be able to give the families closure.
“There are a lot of families that are ruined over this. Parents lost their kids. Kids who have lost their parents, and families have suffered the emotional consequences of that night.”
Varone said he was not necessarily surprised by the lack of cooperation. Many of Lee's friends have said in e-mails, letters to The Day and postings on the newspaper's Web site that it serves no purpose to blame anyone in connection with the crash.
Varone said that police conducting investigations sometimes run across people who do not want to talk to them or tell the truth.
“And we can't force them,” he said.
In the case of the investigation into the 2001 killing of Eric Dames, Groton Town police last year had to take the unusual step of arresting two witnesses to ensure their testimony at the trial. The pair had failed to appear at the first trial of drug dealer Michael Smith because they feared for their lives. Another witness could not be found. Others were reluctant to help police.
•••One of those present at the Groton house party in January was Michael Grater, who had been friends with Cameron Lee since elementary school.
Grater, who attends Robert E. Fitch High School, said Sunday that he spoke to Lee at the party but left after an hour because it with getting crowded with students from Fitch, Stonington and St. Bernard high schools. Grater said he did not know who brought beer to the party.
In a report filed by Groton Detective David Doan, Doan describes a March interview with Grater at his home. Doan reported that Grater said there was beer at the party, but he had not seen Lee drinking and did not know where it came from.
Doan said that when Michael Grater's mother left the room during the interview, the teenager said Lee might have been drinking. Before Doan could clarify the remark, Kathleen Grater returned and told Doan he was upsetting her son and asked him to leave. Doan said he had only spoken to Michael Grater for about six minutes.
The report also states that Grater's father, Mark, an attorney, indicated police could not interview his son again but said he would ask Michael about the party. The report states that Mark Grater told police his son suffers from a condition that makes him get upset easily. Michael Grater suffers from a neurological condition that has left him partly disabled and makes his speech unclear at times, according to his mother.
On Sunday, Kathleen Grater said she and her son wanted to cooperate but police kept asking him the same questions over and over even though he couldn't provide them with any additional information.
“We feel horrible about what happened. It's a terrible thing that happened, but he told the police everything he could,” said Kathleen Grater, who said she also knows Geise's widow, Jennifer.
••• Varone said his department's investigation was as extensive as any probe into a major crime. He said the initial commitment by the department involved all officers on duty that night as well as additional officers called in for the accident reconstruction. Three detectives were initially assigned to the case, with a minimum of two always working on it. He said Ledyard police, state police and the New London State's Attorney's Office all provided invaluable assistance.
Varone said half of the investigation involved reconstructing the technical aspects of how the crash occurred while the other half centered on why it happened. The latter involved looking into the lives of the victims to see where they were and what they were doing in the 24 hours before the crash. Geise and Lecardo were driving home after finishing their shifts at Foxwoods Resort Casino, where they worked as butlers.
“It was very complicated. We had to go back and trace (all three) lives and talk to enough people to feel comfortable about what was going on,” Varone said.
Police interviewed more than 50 people. Varone said tracking down what Lee did from the time he left his home for the party at about 9 p.m. and the crash, which happened four and a half hours later, was difficult.
“We obviously wanted to look at the party and determine if there was anything criminal in nature there,” he said.
Thus far, police have been able to charge only the 17-year-old boy who hosted the party on Farmstead Avenue. He was issued an infraction for permitting a minor to illegally possess liquor on private property, which carries a fine of $146. The teen was not identified because state law bars the release of names of minors charged with all but the most serious crimes. His parents were not charged because they were out of town and unaware of the party at their home.
The teen has the choice of pleading no contest and paying the fine or pleading not guilty. His decision is not yet available; the state's Centralized Infractions Bureau said Monday it has not yet logged the outcome of the ticket.
If he pays the fine, the admission cannot be used against him or his family in any of the civil lawsuits expected. A not guilty plea would expose him to a guilty finding, which could be used in a civil case.
Varone said he hopes teenagers, including his own son, learn from the crash.
“This was an absolute tragedy. The only good that can come from this is if teenagers stop and make good choices. Don't drink and drive and follow the rules,” he said.
*** My Friend Wayne Lecardo lost his life along with his friend John Geise due to someone giving liquor to a minor. They have destroyed (2) families, Wayne's wife is too young to be a widow. John left behind a wife and kids, where is the justice for them?
Friday, October 19, 2007
It is foggy this morning, from my hotel window I can not even see the water. When I walked outside today there was a wonderful sweet smell, I think it was the flowers around the property, along with the rain and the grass. I never realized how much I would miss season's change, the 2 years we spent in North Carolina, I believe the coldest it got was 40' an some rain. It really is only 2 seasons there, Summer and Spring. No real winter and unless you are in the mountains no real autumn. I am sure I am romanticizing New England, and forgetting things about North Carolina.
The best thing about North Carolina was the two years after I married my husband for us to get to know each other so much better with no real outside influences. My family who I love so much will butt in, in a moments notice. They mean well but sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming, so I think our first two years of marriage it was best not to be close to either family. Now, on the other hand, I am happy, excited to be back in the fold of my family. We have just had another loss, my sister-in-law's mother passed away last night of Cancer.
She was in such pain in the last two years, it really is better for her, but I know my sister-in-law is so devastated, she was very close to her mother an her two little girls have just lost their grandmother. I will be traveling down to CT for the Funeral an to help my brother out for Monday. I feel ( not realistically) that lately, I have been surrounded by death. I still think of Thomas everyday, and know he would be so happy I am back in New England, where knowing him, he would say I belong. Sometimes I feel if it is way too late for me here and starting another new job, new location. Just a stupid question, why does someone death make us think of everything we should of done in our lives? Is it because, Death is so final and life way too short or am I just trying to bring everything into order because I am hurt?
The best thing about North Carolina was the two years after I married my husband for us to get to know each other so much better with no real outside influences. My family who I love so much will butt in, in a moments notice. They mean well but sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming, so I think our first two years of marriage it was best not to be close to either family. Now, on the other hand, I am happy, excited to be back in the fold of my family. We have just had another loss, my sister-in-law's mother passed away last night of Cancer.
She was in such pain in the last two years, it really is better for her, but I know my sister-in-law is so devastated, she was very close to her mother an her two little girls have just lost their grandmother. I will be traveling down to CT for the Funeral an to help my brother out for Monday. I feel ( not realistically) that lately, I have been surrounded by death. I still think of Thomas everyday, and know he would be so happy I am back in New England, where knowing him, he would say I belong. Sometimes I feel if it is way too late for me here and starting another new job, new location. Just a stupid question, why does someone death make us think of everything we should of done in our lives? Is it because, Death is so final and life way too short or am I just trying to bring everything into order because I am hurt?
I saw this story on FOX NEWS.COM this morning and thought it was great. What cracks me up is the burglar actually complained to the cops that he had to clean up his mess. Buddy, You are in someone Else's home in ALABAMA, you are lucky to still be alive. I want to applaud Adrian and Tiffany for making him clean up his mess. It is so devastating to come home and find your home has been violated and you no longer feel safe, it is your comfort zone, so good for you to take it back and not let this lowlife ruin it for you.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A burglar in Montgomery chose the wrong family to mess with, literally.
Adrian and Tiffany McKinnon returned to their Centennial Hill home Tuesday after a week away to find that thieves had emptied almost everything the family of five owned, Tiffany McKinnon said through tears.
"Tears just rolled down my face as I walked in and saw everything gone and piles of trash all over my home," she said.
Adrian McKinnon sent his wife to see her sister while he inspected the piles left behind. As he walked back into the sunroom, a man walked through the back door straight into him, Tiffany McKinnon told the Montgomery Advertiser in a story Thursday.
"My husband Adrian caught the thief red-handed in our home," she said. "And what is even crazier, the man even had my husband's hat sitting right on his head."
Adrian McKinnon held the suspect, 33-year-old Tajuan Bullock, at gunpoint and told him to sit on the floor until he decided what to do.
"We made this man clean up all the mess he made, piles of stuff, he had thrown out of my drawers and cabi-nets onto the floor," Tiffany McKinnon said.
/**/
When police arrived, Bullock complained about being forced to clean the home at gunpoint.
"This man had the nerve to raise sand about us making him clean up the mess he made in my house," she said. "The police officer laughed at him when he complained and said anybody else would have shot him dead."
Capt. Huey Thornton, a police spokesman, said police arrested Bullock at 2 p.m. Tuesday on burglary and theft charges. He was being held in the Montgomery County Detention Facility on a $30,000 bond.
"The victims were lucky in this case to be able to catch the suspect in the act and hold him until police arrived," Thornton said.
He said the case was unusual because generally burglars act while the homeowner is away and are in and out fast so they can quickly sell the stolen items.
The couple said they chose to rent the Ross Street home because it was a quiet place for their three young children to play outside. Turns out it was a bit too quiet — most of the homes near theirs are vacant.
"We don't have any neighbors to help watch our house because it's like a ghost town here except when the church is meeting across the street," Tiffany McKinnon told the Advertiser Wednesday.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A burglar in Montgomery chose the wrong family to mess with, literally.
Adrian and Tiffany McKinnon returned to their Centennial Hill home Tuesday after a week away to find that thieves had emptied almost everything the family of five owned, Tiffany McKinnon said through tears.
"Tears just rolled down my face as I walked in and saw everything gone and piles of trash all over my home," she said.
Adrian McKinnon sent his wife to see her sister while he inspected the piles left behind. As he walked back into the sunroom, a man walked through the back door straight into him, Tiffany McKinnon told the Montgomery Advertiser in a story Thursday.
"My husband Adrian caught the thief red-handed in our home," she said. "And what is even crazier, the man even had my husband's hat sitting right on his head."
Adrian McKinnon held the suspect, 33-year-old Tajuan Bullock, at gunpoint and told him to sit on the floor until he decided what to do.
"We made this man clean up all the mess he made, piles of stuff, he had thrown out of my drawers and cabi-nets onto the floor," Tiffany McKinnon said.
/**/
When police arrived, Bullock complained about being forced to clean the home at gunpoint.
"This man had the nerve to raise sand about us making him clean up the mess he made in my house," she said. "The police officer laughed at him when he complained and said anybody else would have shot him dead."
Capt. Huey Thornton, a police spokesman, said police arrested Bullock at 2 p.m. Tuesday on burglary and theft charges. He was being held in the Montgomery County Detention Facility on a $30,000 bond.
"The victims were lucky in this case to be able to catch the suspect in the act and hold him until police arrived," Thornton said.
He said the case was unusual because generally burglars act while the homeowner is away and are in and out fast so they can quickly sell the stolen items.
The couple said they chose to rent the Ross Street home because it was a quiet place for their three young children to play outside. Turns out it was a bit too quiet — most of the homes near theirs are vacant.
"We don't have any neighbors to help watch our house because it's like a ghost town here except when the church is meeting across the street," Tiffany McKinnon told the Advertiser Wednesday.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Back in New England. I am in Maine, do you know to get anywhere is atleast 30 minutes due to the hotel is on a Penisula, it overlooks Casco Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The colors are amazing right now here, and yesterday was my day off I went for a ride, about 100 miles and it really was only to the next few towns up the highway, but in order just to get there from the hotel takes a good 30 minutes. Staying in a hotel alone not so much fun, my husband should be here by Tuesday, which is good because they are moving me to a cottage. Which is on a dirt road, and all by itself. It would be very scary and very "SHINING" if I was there all alone.
I like Maine, but it is alot harder finding a place to live than I thought. Most of the places I have seen are small, cold an downright ugly. The hotel is shutting down soon, and I really want to find our own place, I will not feel comfortable and settled until that happens. My husband has not even found a job as of yet, so this is just harder than I thought it would be. I am hoping I did not make a mistake moving us so quickly back to New England.
I like Maine, but it is alot harder finding a place to live than I thought. Most of the places I have seen are small, cold an downright ugly. The hotel is shutting down soon, and I really want to find our own place, I will not feel comfortable and settled until that happens. My husband has not even found a job as of yet, so this is just harder than I thought it would be. I am hoping I did not make a mistake moving us so quickly back to New England.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
I am in Maine now. It was a LONG Drive up from North Carolina. You would think with (3) people, but I realized that my mom can not see very well at night so she did not drive at all on Friday night. Then on Saturday, she made myself an her husband nervous, so pretty much it was he an I doing all of th driving. Some of the highlights were he hit a Bob cat that ran into the highway in Virginia about midnight on Friday night. Which made me a nervous wreck. My mother's stomach was bothering her the whole ride on Friday another loving aspect of the ride NOT PRETTY. Luckily, her husband has lost all sense of his smell, I unfortunately did not so the windows were wide open at 1am.
We got in late on Saturday night, on Sunday morning it was a beautiful Autumn day, so we went out on his 1957 Wooden Century boat, along with about 10 other wooden boats between 1956-1964, it was quite interesting. It was alot of fun, the boats were beautiful an the people were so enjoying themselves. The boats all have to be out by October 15, 2007 so for them it was a great way to end the season. I was suppose to be looking for a place to live but this was so much better.
I started my job on Monday. I hate beginning a new position, you have to watch an observe the dynamics of your new co-workers an how they intermingle with each other and the guests. I am staying on the property, which closes October 20, 2007 for the season an will reopen around May 14, 2008. It is a seasonal property on the coast of Maine. One building actually from the outside looks like the Inn from 'the shining' an how quiet it is here at night is kind of creeping me out. My husband will not be here for about 13 more days. I sit in my hotel room an do nothing. Tomorrow I am off, so I will do some exploring and have some appointments to see places to move into. I hope we find a place ASAP, so we do not have to get a storage shed and another truck once he is up here.
It is hunting season, something new to me. Hearing alot of gun shots, is always a great way to start my day, as I sit outside an watch the sun rise over the ocean, it just makes my day.
We got in late on Saturday night, on Sunday morning it was a beautiful Autumn day, so we went out on his 1957 Wooden Century boat, along with about 10 other wooden boats between 1956-1964, it was quite interesting. It was alot of fun, the boats were beautiful an the people were so enjoying themselves. The boats all have to be out by October 15, 2007 so for them it was a great way to end the season. I was suppose to be looking for a place to live but this was so much better.
I started my job on Monday. I hate beginning a new position, you have to watch an observe the dynamics of your new co-workers an how they intermingle with each other and the guests. I am staying on the property, which closes October 20, 2007 for the season an will reopen around May 14, 2008. It is a seasonal property on the coast of Maine. One building actually from the outside looks like the Inn from 'the shining' an how quiet it is here at night is kind of creeping me out. My husband will not be here for about 13 more days. I sit in my hotel room an do nothing. Tomorrow I am off, so I will do some exploring and have some appointments to see places to move into. I hope we find a place ASAP, so we do not have to get a storage shed and another truck once he is up here.
It is hunting season, something new to me. Hearing alot of gun shots, is always a great way to start my day, as I sit outside an watch the sun rise over the ocean, it just makes my day.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Tonight is my last night in North Carolina. I leave for Maine Friday night. Mom an Husband are flying in to drive up with me. My husband will be packing up our house an moving us around October 21, his dad is coming to drive up with him which makes me happy. I really did not want him driving by himself 900 miles with a trailer hitch on a truck.
I am looking forward to our new adventure an being back in New England an close to the family. I have not decided if I might revise the name of my blog or not. North Carolina was definitely something different for me. Let's face it I am a New England Girl no matter what. My husband of course is planning our next move in 2009. For now, I am going to enjoy where we are, each other an being close to my family again.
REALITY TV:
Rock Of Love: So glad Brett picked Jess, I hope they make it work. She seemed the best fit for him from the show but then again you never do know how they cut and edit on TV do you. Was it not classic or expected for Heather to storm off? I now am looking forward to the Reunion show on Sunday. It will be interesting to see Lacey again an how the other girls are going to react to her after watching everything she did an said to get them off the show.
Beauty and the Geek: SO DISAPPOINTED IN SAM/REBECCA HOOK UP!! Also sad to see Holly & Luke go home, I liked both of them. I do like Will but this mess with his partner hooking up with Sam is going to bite him in the butt. I can not wait for the Make overs, I believe John and Nicole are both going to look incredible.
I LOVE NEW YORK 2 : Give me a break, as if we have not had enough of Tiffany (new york) an her psycho mom...
New Shows: Sexy Dirty Money - WONDERFUL!! Funny, witty the best new show. I love the writing an Peter Krause always good. Watch it Wednesday nights at 10pm.
Back to you - Kelsey Grammar and Patricia Heaton chemistry an supporting cast, this show should last awhile.
Big Bang Theory: Still one of my favorites, my husband and I laughed so much in this week episode, probably because he saw himself in the Sheldon character more an more. (Sorry honey so true)
What have you been watching?
I am looking forward to our new adventure an being back in New England an close to the family. I have not decided if I might revise the name of my blog or not. North Carolina was definitely something different for me. Let's face it I am a New England Girl no matter what. My husband of course is planning our next move in 2009. For now, I am going to enjoy where we are, each other an being close to my family again.
REALITY TV:
Rock Of Love: So glad Brett picked Jess, I hope they make it work. She seemed the best fit for him from the show but then again you never do know how they cut and edit on TV do you. Was it not classic or expected for Heather to storm off? I now am looking forward to the Reunion show on Sunday. It will be interesting to see Lacey again an how the other girls are going to react to her after watching everything she did an said to get them off the show.
Beauty and the Geek: SO DISAPPOINTED IN SAM/REBECCA HOOK UP!! Also sad to see Holly & Luke go home, I liked both of them. I do like Will but this mess with his partner hooking up with Sam is going to bite him in the butt. I can not wait for the Make overs, I believe John and Nicole are both going to look incredible.
I LOVE NEW YORK 2 : Give me a break, as if we have not had enough of Tiffany (new york) an her psycho mom...
New Shows: Sexy Dirty Money - WONDERFUL!! Funny, witty the best new show. I love the writing an Peter Krause always good. Watch it Wednesday nights at 10pm.
Back to you - Kelsey Grammar and Patricia Heaton chemistry an supporting cast, this show should last awhile.
Big Bang Theory: Still one of my favorites, my husband and I laughed so much in this week episode, probably because he saw himself in the Sheldon character more an more. (Sorry honey so true)
What have you been watching?
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