Renata said “what’s cute?”

“We had the first frost of the season last night and Angela decides to put on her bathing suit” I said still laughing.

“That’s not a bathing suit” her mother replies “she’s in her bra and underwear.”

I laugh louder now – “Yeah right that’s funny – she’s six”

The expression on Renata’s face didn’t change at all.

“Wait… you’re serious? SHE’S SIX!” I said.

“Well, she was asking for them” Renata said.

“SHE’S SIX! She asks me if the Amazons on Paradise Island are real and asks could we go there and see them!”

I’ve done the only logical thing I could do… I’ve locked myself in the man cave and I am drinking a cup of “unbelievable” with a shot of “denial”

I will be collecting donations for the Wallingford Fireworks Fund. Hope to see you there. We did good yesterday and I am hoping to add to the total today

The collection goal for the 2013 event is $35,000.00.

As published in the supplement to the Record Journal on Friday October 5, 2012

By Elizabeth Landow , Executive Director, Wallingford Center Inc.

Once again, it is time for CELEBRATE WALLINGFORD!! The first weekend in October marks the biggest event of the year. It is the time of the year that we can truly appreciate this wonderful town we live in!

After five years in our Hall Street location, we are excited to be holding the event up at the South and North Main Streets location.

This is a wonderful opportunity to ‘taste’ the specialties of many of Wallingford’s finest restaurants and recognize the civic and non-profit organizations that help make this town what it is! Please stop by and admire the handicraft of the many participating crafters and be sure to check out the businesses that are participating this year – there are several new local entrepreneurs who have decided to showcase their businesses at the festival.

For the fourth year, we will be hosting a Homemade pie contest – the judges can’t wait to taste the wonderful entries this year and as always we have a delightful selection of music scheduled to entertain you.

WCI is thrilled once again to join forces with the Health Department and the Wallingford Family YMCA to present the 3rd Annual Activate Wallingford Health Walk and we are happy to announce that theca will be hosting a ‘Fitness Fun Zone’, in the Holy Trinity School parking lot. Please stop by to see what all the excitement is about!

A new addition this year is the ‘New’ Car Show!! Several of Wallingford’s car dealers will be displaying the exciting new models of cars in the parking lot behind Simpson Court.

Another exciting feature this year is the ‘Harvest Fair’ down at the gazebo – please walk down to the railroad station green where you can find several of the local farmers selling pumpkins, mums and all sorts of things to get you into the Autumn mood and along the way be sure to stop by the local stores and shop a bit and pay special attention to the youth groups that will have a tent on the sidewalks – these kids will be showcasing their organizations and selling their fundraisers.

And last but not least – please walk through the Cemetery and view the wonderful artwork done by area adults and children and organized by Easel Works and take a moment to admire the beautiful Cemetery that is so well – maintained and is a truly a treasured part of Wallingford’s history.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Wallingford Center, Inc., I would like to thank our major sponsors, Stop & Shop, Mid-State Medical and Ferguson &McGuire As well as our other sponsors: Nucor, John J. Kovacs Insurance and Plunske’s Garage for their continued support to Celebrate Wallingford. WCI is fortunate to have the support of Mayor Dickinson and the town officials. If not for the help of our volunteers and dedicated town employees this event would not be possible. On a personal note – I would like to thanks all the WCI Board members who selflessly dedicate their time and energy to do whatever is needed to make this a successful event year after year.

Please come down and spend the day with us and CELEBRATE WALLINGFORD!!

To my son Andrew – I am so sorry I missed your great clinic workout as I was out fundraising that day at Celebrate Wallingford for the Fireworks Fund but I wanted to let you know, publicly, that I am so proud that you tried hard and did your best. It could have been just one hit – when it is your personal best that is all that maters.

Great work son! Keep doing what you’re doing and have fun.

Remember the only things I expect from you and your siblings is to do the right things, try hard, and be good.

Quick note – I will be there this weekend, weather permitting – Sunday may be up in the air. I will be collecting donations for the Wallingford Fireworks Fund. Hope to see you there

As published in the supplement to the Record Journal on Friday October 5, 2012

By Elizabeth Landow , Executive Director, Wallingford Center Inc.

Once again, it is time for CELEBRATE WALLINGFORD!! The first weekend in October marks the biggest event of the year. It is the time of the year that we can truly appreciate this wonderful town we live in!

After five years in our Hall Street location, we are excited to be holding the event up at the South and North Main Streets location.

This is a wonderful opportunity to ‘taste’ the specialties of many of Wallingford’s finest restaurants and recognize the civic and non-profit organizations that help make this town what it is! Please stop by and admire the handicraft of the many participating crafters and be sure to check out the businesses that are participating this year – there are several new local entrepreneurs who have decided to showcase their businesses at the festival.

For the fourth year, we will be hosting a Homemade pie contest – the judges can’t wait to taste the wonderful entries this year and as always we have a delightful selection of music scheduled to entertain you.

WCI is thrilled once again to join forces with the Health Department and the Wallingford Family YMCA to present the 3rd Annual Activate Wallingford Health Walk and we are happy to announce that theca will be hosting a ‘Fitness Fun Zone’, in the Holy Trinity School parking lot. Please stop by to see what all the excitement is about!

A new addition this year is the ‘New’ Car Show!! Several of Wallingford’s car dealers will be displaying the exciting new models of cars in the parking lot behind Simpson Court.

Another exciting feature this year is the ‘Harvest Fair’ down at the gazebo – please walk down to the railroad station green where you can find several of the local farmers selling pumpkins, mums and all sorts of things to get you into the Autumn mood and along the way be sure to stop by the local stores and shop a bit and pay special attention to the youth groups that will have a tent on the sidewalks – these kids will be showcasing their organizations and selling their fundraisers.

And last but not least – please walk through the Cemetery and view the wonderful artwork done by area adults and children and organized by Easel Works and take a moment to admire the beautiful Cemetery that is so well – maintained and is a truly a treasured part of Wallingford’s history.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Wallingford Center, Inc., I would like to thank our major sponsors, Stop & Shop, Mid-State Medical and Ferguson &McGuire As well as our other sponsors: Nucor, John J. Kovacs Insurance and Plunske’s Garage for their continued support to Celebrate Wallingford. WCI is fortunate to have the support of Mayor Dickinson and the town officials. If not for the help of our volunteers and dedicated town employees this event would not be possible. On a personal note – I would like to thanks all the WCI Board members who selflessly dedicate their time and energy to do whatever is needed to make this a successful event year after year.

Please come down and spend the day with us and CELEBRATE WALLINGFORD!!

Money doesn’t destroy character, it reveals it.

I really believe we all could be as powerful as them if we all could just pull together

Angela asked me to take her to Catechism and I said “sure”. Then she asked if we could walk there like last week. I replied “sure but it’s a little over a mile and a half and we have to leave earlier and it takes more time but I can if you want.” (Adam overheard and decided he wanted to come along too).

So then I asked – “why do you want to walk?”

And she replied “I know you like to walk to exercise and I like to go with you because it takes long.”

I didn’t understand the comment so when I asked “why do you like that it takes longer” she replied “because I get to spend a longer time with you.”

I love my kids – they make so much sense.

There ought to be a law that requires only kids’ logic be applied to address all adult matters – the world would be so much better for it.

Having said that and realizing my situation in very small with respect to all things in the universe I wanted to mention that Karma served me justice this week.

Tuesday morning (September 11) I had to head into work abnormally early for me. I was heading out on the 4:11AM train as I needed to leave work early as I had a Town Council meeting that night.

As I approached Union Station a few minutes before 4AM I saw a guy in a baseball cap standing near the entrance. He was probably in his early 20s and a little taller than me dressed in cargo shorts a polo shirt and a baseball cap.  He was trying to talk to the guy walking past him at the time and I just presumed at that point he was pan-handling.

As a rule I never give cash to people that pan-handle (unless they have a really creative sign like the guy that made no bones about needing cigarettes and beer – his cup got my dollar); generally it’s never the truth. I don’t know how many “broke and hungry” signs I’ve seen where I’ve said “come on in [THIS SHOP] and I’ll buy you a sandwich” where the response is “could I just have some spare change – it’s all I need.” Turns me right off and I walk away.

Anyway, I was figuring I’d have to dodge the guy heading into the station for my train. As I got into ear shot (and you have to catch me just right because I am 100% deaf in my right ear) I hear him say “stuck” “no money” “Stamford” and “sleep.”

And I stopped.

“Can you help me; I was on the train coming back from New York on the last train. I was out with friends and my stop was Stamford but I was asleep and missed the station and woke up here. I have no cash to get back to Stamford.”

I’ve done that before myself (eons ago when I commuted to Stamford and parked in Bridgeport); fallen asleep right through my station. The thing is, this guy got off the arriving 3:02 or the 3:56 and there was no turnaround train and he claimed he had no cash.

“You need a ticket to Stamford” I asked.

“Yes” he replied.

“Come inside with me and I’ll buy you a one way ticket.”

I walked inside and the kid followed me; I bought the $6.50 fare, shook his hand and he thanked me and took the ticket.

I didn’t watch him follow me down to track 8; I have no idea if he got on the train or if he waited outside for someone to sell the ticket to for $4.00 or something. I didn’t care – I did my thing and kept going. Thinking I solved a problem for someone who honestly had one is what allows me to do it again someday and not feel like I got taken for a ride.

This morning (Thursday September 13) I decided to hop off the 5:39AM train that arrives in Harlem at 125th street at 7AM and walk to work from there.  It just about a 4 mile walk one way and I try to do it a couple times a week.

When I got over to 3rd and down to 117th street I decided to stop at the McDonald’s http://www.mcnewyork.com/4825/ and get breakfast. As I stood in line behind another gentleman who was wrapping up his order he turned to me and asked “are you getting food for breakfast” to which I replied “yes”.

He then asked “what are you having”? I answered the two for $3.00 Sausage Mcmuffin and egg breakfast deal.

And with that and for no reason whatsoever he bought me my meal.

I thanked him, shook his hand and went about the rest of my walk to work.

For those that say nothing good ever happens in Harlem I say “you’re consistently looking in the “bad” places”.  I am certain Harlem is never going to win any “nicest neighborhood” awards but it isn’t ALL bad ALL the time.

Karma was at work this week at least for me and I was caught nicely in the updraft.

He was born on September 4 2009 at 10:20 in the morning; 5 days early.

He weighed in at 7 pounds 11 ounces and measured 19 3/4 inches in length

I had a lot of fun spending what little free time I have with all four kids this summer as they did not travel to Poland this year. It was especially nice to spend Andrew’s birthday (August 4th) and Alex’s (tomorrow) on their actual dates rather than celebrating them once they returned home as I do most summers.

Alex, I know you are too little to read this but I am writing it anyway. I am far from a perfect father; hell, I am far from a perfect anything. But each day I get up and I put my feet on the ground and before I do too much else like starting my commute to work at 5AM, I check on you, your brothers and your sister. I watch you as you sleep and I kiss you good morning and I leave to go about my day. This cycle repeats each day all week and over the weeks of the year.

Time goes by really fast, but it is frozen for just a few seconds each morning while I watch all of you little ones sleep.

I hate spending so much time away from you, for work and for other things that I am involved in. I believe all of it is important and somehow all of it is making some sort of difference. It is my hope that I am making things, little things, better somehow so that the town you live in and the world you inherit is a better place than the one I was left with.

If all else should fail I hope you come to realize I love you, your brothers, and your sister, more than heaven and Earth.

I have no idea what I’ve done to be blessed with such wonderful little souls in my life but I will spend the rest of my days trying to give you what you deserve – the best father that I can be.

Happy 3rd birthday.

I love you – Daddy.