1. Why borders?

Or fences for that matter?  Tall fences make better neighbors, some say.  However, it seems to me that there is a better chance for friendly interchange where there is no high structure blocking the way

Borders can be inhibiting.   Our Native forefathers had no concept of boundaries or “owning land,” until our ground grabbing granddads entered the scene.  No wonder I am confused; my ancestry is trying.

What if there were no borders?  Hope, and despair and human suffering know no boundaries, in any case.  What you do on your side of the “limits” affects me.  Simple examples: If you sneeze, your germs travel.  So does pollution.  No invisible barrier stops either short.   Roosevelt’s famous turkey buzzards frequently clean up road kill in neighboring towns.  Canada’s geese seem to have found a new home near here.  A sick cow may not jump over the moon, but its disease jumps the pond.

Melvin Durai, in his humor column, said, “I've often wondered what America would be like if every state were an independent country. It would be virtually impossible to travel from Nevada to Utah.”  (MelvinDurai.com)    He says he loves the Internet because it transcends borders.   I like that too.   I enjoy chatting with educators across the pond and even in Australia.   (Sometimes I embarrass myself.  I once asked an Australian educator why they took their summer break in December-January.)

2. We have an abundance of borders in New Jersey:

Every bit of land is part of a municipality; and often has its own school district, too.  There is not necessarily true in other States.   In Virginia, for instance, we had County Supervisors  and Superintendents of Education, and that was true in Maryland, also.   It seemed to work pretty efficiently.

Amusing thought:  What if someone in Hightstown who commutes to New York City had to present a passport at every border?   Wouldst need by a New York citizen to work there, or else have a work visa or maybe a guest worker pass?   In traveling 5 miles to work, doctor, or shopping, I pass from one county to another, through three school districts, as I go from Roosevelt, through Millstone, East Windsor and Hightstown.  I emerge into East Windsor again to go to the supermarket.    Suppose I had to present a passport every time I crossed a line!  It borders on the ludicrous.

We can get so doggone territorial and competitive sometimes that we have to have policies restraining us.   Even Better Beginnings has to sign a policy not to discriminate against anybody regardless of color, creed, etc.   We are non-discriminatory by our very nature, but there it is, the law of the land and required by anyone who attracts federal funding.  (Actually, it is our own money which leaves us regularly, some of which is funneled back to us, but that’s another rant.)

3. Funding:

There, I said the magic word.   Better Beginnings attracts funding from Federal, State, and is fortunate to have support from the United Way, Mercer County and both of the municipalities in which the majority of our young students reside, as well as private and foundation contributors.    Still, like most children’s programs, we are without adequate funding, and thus, the fundraisers.

4.  Saturday, the 9th of April is our big fundraiser of the year:

You probably have seen the big sign on the bridge by the Hightstown firehouse.  Mayors Mironov and Patten of East Windsor and Hightstown respectively will present awards to the Shining Stars of 2005 and help us celebrate our 37th year of service to the community, families and children.   Kerrie Peterson-Bussone is again the Chair, and is planning a surprise theme.   George Medary, WWII Vet; Jodi Hiles, Heros and Ladies; and Triangle East Windsor will be honored for their service to our communities.

Corporate Sponsors now include the ¶ (cont.)

Americana as well as Kerrie & Pete Bussone, First Washington State Bank, Jacqueline Bodin, Presbyterian Home at Meadow Lakes, Mathematica Policy Research, Conair Corporation, Shiseido, Customized Benefit Solutions, Inc., and First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown.

Thank you everyone for your support.

5.  Love Without Borders:

The United Methodist Church of Cranbury, bless their giving hearts, remembered that Tuesday is “paper day” at Better Beginnings when we welcome paper goods of all kinds.   They brought napkins, cups, towels, together with yummy snacks.  A “friendly neighbor” donated a computer; from Judy Dinardo (Franklin Park) came beautiful stuffed animals.   Across another border comes Roger Hummel (Plainsboro) with a  DVD Player;  And from Toys  & Things, Larry Berger (Bridgewater) another large stuffed Lab. Dog, twin of the one that was such a hit at our last Gala auction; and from our friends, Ondina & Wilfred Jeffers another item sure to be a big hit, a framed Lody picture.

6.  Support for the Gala:

For the upcoming auction at the gala, Carol Jones donated many items including a gift certificate for Underwater Connection; Lisa Scedola donated 2 hand crocheted children’s blankets, Nilda Garcia donated a “Chinese Empress” Barbie Doll.

Sponsors include First Washington State Bank, Jacqueline Bodin, Presbyterian Home at Meadow Lakes, Mathematica Policy Research, Conair Corporation, Shiseido, Customized Benefit Solutions, Inc., and First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown.

Thank you, everyone for your supportive ways.

7.  When Fences are Useful:

Fences are sometimes important for safety.  Better Beginnings has, for instance, a very tall, link fence around its playyard, so that our young students will not be able to run out into the danger zone (street, busy parking lot, etc.)  Our neighbors, friendly and sociable, also have a fenced yard in which their children play.

8.  When Neighbors are Good:

The family whose apartment was burned out, losing everything, received financial assistance from St. Anthony's and from the First Presbyterian Church, as well as a sofa bed and some mattresses from a private donor.

9. Penny Pincher:

Jaymie of “Pet Sitters Fully Insured” offers another tip.  Start seeds in empty cardboard egg cartons.  When they sprout, you can set the individual cups right in the ground when it is frost free, usually after April 15.  The cardboard will disintegrate leaving the plant to grow down and up.  This is a great activity for children.   Here is an oldie but goodie for a finger play.   “I plant a seed in the ground; Out comes the sun big and round; Down comes the rain, soft and slow; Up comes the little plant, grow – grow – grow.”

1)  Overheard in doctor’s waiting room:

Nurse 1:  I can’t believe it’s March 29 already.

Nurse 2:    I hate March.

Patient to Nurse 2:  That’s okay.  March will be gone soon; its days are numbered.

2)  Words that make English such a difficult language to learn, even for those for whom it is the first language:  Board, Bored, Border, Boarder.  When I was in high school, lots of guys printed on their notebooks, “Bored of Education”.