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BETTER BEGINNINGS
PENNY PATTER

December 31, 2004
Mourning:
We are stunned by the devastating loss of life in the earthquake and tsunamis that hit Southern and Southeast Asia.  Survivors need medical care, food, shelter, safe water and clothing.  Whatever happens to any leaf on our tree of humanity happens to us, and we are shaken.   Still, it is hard to fathom such an immense tragedy.  We mourn. We sympathize.  We try to comprehend.  We feel compassion for family members.  We look for guidance for ways in which we can help.     Some of those who are listed by Beliefnet as responding and accepting contributions are American Jewish World Service, American Red Cross, Americares, Church World Service, Doctors Without Borders (already on the ground in the affected areas to assess medical needs), Islamic Circle of North America Relief, Mercy Corps, Save the Children, U. S. Fund for Unicef, World Vision. (Note: Beliefnet does not sponsor or endorse any of the charities listed; nor do the Princeton Packet Newspapers nor I, nor Better Beginnings.)

Should auld acquaintance be forgot?

At this time of the year we may already have been feeling sentimental, even melancholy, about individuals who are no longer with us.   I like to think that they are still with us in spirit.  I reflect about some of the things we did together.

Jimmy Jackson’s memory is kept alive by his sister, Minnie Bell, and niece, Frances Rios, who make regular monthly contributions to Better Beginning’s Endowment Fund in his name.  Nancy Goodman makes a contribution in her Mother’s (Bev

    

Goodman’s) memory periodically, and certainly at Christmas.  Most assuredly these and others’ memories are alive and well at Better Beginnings where they were friends and advocates.

Some like to contribute to the fund for a birthday or remembrance gift also.  The entire list of those in our Endowment “Book of Honors” will appear in our new newsletter.   Subscription to the newsletter is free.  Just write or call to sign up.

New to the Book of Honors:

In memory of those who have recently gone for their angel wings.  “Uncle Charlie” Parrish, Oswaldo Ortiz, Mumford Lambert, and Willie Davis.   I feel sad that these friends and family members of friends are no longer in our physical world, but I am glad for the memories and the time they spent with us.

“Contributions to Better Beginnings’ endowment fund are invested for the purpose

     of earning revenue to help the center meet expenses now and in the future.  The long range goal is to ensure the center’s stability.  In a real sense, these contributions are living gifts, which will be perpetuated over many years ahead, empowering children and families to provide for themselves, and reach their full potential.”

Keeping Hope Alive:

2004 has been a challenging year at Better Beginnings; 2005 may be  even more so, as we face head on the increasing difficulties of maintaining an excellent, needed program.   Friends in our community keep the hope alive, and give us courage.  Richard and Mary Scaine, friends of Drs. Celia and David Abalos, sent a gift to be used for faculty appreciation.  Mr. Jonathan showered us with personal gifts.  Added to the holiday gift cards from the Abalos and from Dennis McClary, little wonder staff faces were beaming.

Nancy & John Laudenburg, George & Barbara McDonald, Mr. Jonathan Craig, and, Carol Sprout, and Will and Ondina Jeffers were among those who made special

    

and generous contributions to support the center’s work.  Your monetary support and advocacy are keeping us alive.  Thank you so much.

Unlimited Cleaning remembered Tuesday is Paper Day at Better Beginnings, with a donation of four cases of paper goods, of the toilet and towel variety.

Hightstown Elks Lodge No. 1955 assured a happy, healthy holiday for four families with fifty-dollar gift cards from Shop Rite.  The Elks have for many years been generous to families who are working hard to provide for themselves and their children.

Santa and the Gifts:

On the day of Santa’s visit, our friend Mr. Harry Horowitz treated the entire school to Pizza, making the day even more special.    He is a dear to think of such nice gifts.

The children enthusiastically welcomed Santa. Many thanks to the Hightstown Police Department for arranging for the visit and escorting the dear old man to our door.   Afterwards, while one of the officers stood talking to me in my office about a little problem I was having (locating a particular person), one child not yet three passed by.   She had been a little shy with Santa, but now  she paused  to look adoringly up in the officer’s face, saying, “You bring Santa Claus.”  It was one of those special moments:  I enjoyed it on two counts:  1)  Pride in her ability to speak, after only two or three months, the English language; and 2) Her confidence in the uniformed officer.

Santa got help in the toy department through collections made by Pete and Kerrie

    

Bussone and also USMC Toys for Tots.

The Dutch Neck Cooperative Nursery School, through Pat Lawler, had made almost a tradition of making sure our boys and girls have many new hats, gloves and scarves, always a warm and loving gift and we are grateful.

Much appreciated toys, books and creative materials, sent home secretly to appear under individual trees, came from the Junior Friday Club (Linda Trost and Melissa Nicola), Martha Lehrer, Robby & Maggie Pollard, Danielle Mooney, Claudia Torres, and Mark Magee (Interstate Netbank).

Regular and very welcome payroll deduction contributions, through the United Way, arrived from John Tampellini, Kevin Trayer, Robert Teffenhart, Theodore Lucas,Jr. and Mark Warfield.

Penny Pincher Resolves to Save money and Non-Renewable Resources Simultaneously:
She will:
  1. Turn the lights off when she leaves a room;
    
  1. Let the sun shine in.   On a sunny day, with curtains and shades open, she may not even need electric lights

Two Cents Worth - ough!

The English language provides so many opportunities for word play and wonderment.   Abundant are the words that are spelled the same but have different meanings; words that sound alike but are spelled differently.   “Ough” looks like something “Peanuts” Lucy might say if the doggie tried to kiss her.  Actually, though, it belongs near the top in the English Confusion and Consternation Set.  “Ough” has six different pronunciations.   It seems to have fallen under a “spell”.  Here are some teasers.  Let me know if you can “interpret” them.   We will send one of our famous, much desired, 2005 weekly calendars, to the first five who respond:

    

Level 1)  How would you pronounce the following: Hough, Nough, Broughn Cough?

Level 2)  Pronounce the following:  “The quick broughn fox jumped” and “The cough jumped over the moon.”

Level 3) Enjoy (interpret) this little Penny Rhyme

I once heard of a talented cough
Who’d kick up her heels, then take a
bough.
I don’t know why nor did I ask hough.
But she always milked the approving croughd.

Ideas, Suggestions?
Do you have an idea for Penny Pincher?; a thought for Two Cents Worth?  a suggestion or thought of any  kind for me?  How about a copy of Better Beginnings’ Special Edition on the subject of physical development?   Perhaps you want to volunteer, make a contribution, or donate some items?  Call 609-448-6226.     Write to me at PO Box 187, Hightstown, NJ. 08520 or bewith@mail2peace.com, or call 609-448-6226, Luz Nereida Horta, Executive Director. Want to know more about us, visit www.princetonol.com/groups/bbcdc, volunteer webmeister Liston Abbott.

Bettie Witherspoon is a former executive director of Better Beginnings, which has provided affordable child care to the East Windsor/Hightstown area since 1967.
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