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BETTER BEGINNINGS
PENNY PATTER


February 16, 2004

Challenge as Opportunity?

“Challenge is a dragon with a gift in its mouth.. Tame the dragon and the gift is yours,’ according to Noela Evans   I like the idea of having a tame dragon as a pet.  “Go fetch,”, I would say, “Bring us an opportunity.”

 

When Better Beginnings was started in 1967, it really was a challenge.  Some in those days might have considered us a problem, but we thought we were part of the solution.  Of course, we had problems, challenges even, and do to this very day.  For one thing, the center has never had adequate financial backing.

   

At the same time, the center abounds in opportunities.

  • An opportunity for young children to have a nurturing, quality preschool education;

  • an opportunity for parents to be able to work and provide for themselves and their families;

  • an opportunity for staff members to use their special talents;

  • an opportunity for all of us to share respect and maintain dignity, and more ….

Opportunities for Community Interaction:

Because we have consistently been seriously under-funded, our survival depends on our supportive community and its members.  With this comes the special joy of knowing that our community members, organizations, governing bodies, value what we do.

    And from all those who do help, I am told that it is a bounce-back opportunity.  Our supporters reap the joy of knowing that they are helping, really helping others, and that while they assist today, they are also touching tomorrow.  Many enjoy being able to witness the tangible results of their gifts.
Boomerang Opportunities:
In “Boomerang Joy”, Barbara Johnson tells of a survey in which 95-year-olds are asked, “If you could live your life again, what would you do differently?”  They mentioned two things, “We would reflect more.” and “We would do more things that lived beyond our lives.”  Barbara Johnson suggests that we “Do something today that will last beyond our lifetime.”     I thought she might suggest some things that would fit, but she didn’t.   So, I guess we will have to make our own list.  Of course, it immediately occurs to me that anything we do to positively affect the life of a child will most likely last well beyond our lifetime.   There are many others, I am sure.  I hope that you will offer other ideas for this list.
Opportunity to be Grateful:

Earlier this week, I mused that if I had just one word to describe our friends in this community,  it would have to be “responsive”.   Of course, I would add generous, compassionate, caring, loving, wonderful.  Even that would not begin to describe my feelings of warmth and joy.

 

A couple of weeks ago, I had the nerve to mention that donations and contributions 

    were in a post-holiday, dead of winter, hitting- bottom low.  I was myself somewhat dispirited, in something of a January funk.  I did not even visit the office for more than a week.   When finally I braved the ice, snow, bad cold, run-down battery, etc. to make the trip, I could not believe the stack of donors I found.   Make that word “WoW”.
How do I love thee?   Let me count:

First of all, appropriately, is the First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown Mission Commission, who granted us not one but two supportive grants.   One is to extend our bookkeeper’s hours so that she can help with translation of policies, teacher training materials, curriculum and lesson plans and schedules, communications with parents, and weekend fun work for family/child interactions.  It is not easy being

   

a bilingual center!

 

The other is to refurbish one of our classrooms with new lightweight safety furniture that enhances learning centers.   This is (here we go again) a challenge grant.  Choosing just one out of four classrooms to be refurbished is difficult; we are looking for others to match this grant.

Tuesday is Paper Day:
Remembering this were the Integrated Preschool Program of the Mercer Special Services School District, Ana Barrera, “Mr. Jonathan” Craig, and “Mr. Jack” Conklin.     Thank you so much for much needed paper towels, toilet tissue, copy paper, and construction paper.
Filling the Snack Gap:

Those who recognize that the closing of Minute Maid will affect our ability to offer our little ones their morning snack are Anna Barrera and Dee Murphy who donate snacks and cereal; “Mr. Jonathan” Craig bringing snacks and a large box of fruit;  The Temple Shaari Emeth College Committee who collected and donated a variety of individual snacks, and, again, 

   

First scheduled Sundays when congregants will have opportunity to donate juices for the children’s morning snack.

The Junior Friday Club finds many innovative ways to be supportive of the children and their families.  For Valentine’s Day they prepared and presented 95 Valentine Treat Bags for the Moms, letting them know they are loved and cherished.

Generous contributions

arrived from Howard Vassall, monthly pledges from Wilfred and Ondina Jeffers for “our kids”, from Mildred Bell and Frances Rios in memory of their brother 

    and uncle Jimmy Jackson, as well as contributions in memory of our friend Dr. Jerome Bodin.  Sunny Young Deli continues to collect pennies for us, as well.
Friends who designate United Way contributions

for Better Beginnings include Niambi Daniels from Schering-Plough, Abraham Valliath and K. B. Brushi  from DeLoitte & 

    Touche, and Debbi S. Martinez from Johnson & Johnson.
Donations of computer equipment
to help close the digital divide came from James & Amy Sidelinger, as well as Jerry      & Beverly Cohen, as well as David Warner.
More:
“Mr. Jonathan” Craig with many items, obviously based on his observations of needs, and often on behalf of Reg. Bishop, Trinity Church.   They included 5 cartons of new toys, which will be used as birthday gifts for the children, and many other useful      items.  Other helpful donations include books, magazines, cards, toys, wrapping paper from Millie K. Brown and Walters Family, Leo VandenBlink, David Warner, and Amy Gzaolem.
Dates to Remember:
SPAGHETTI DINNER

Friday, March 5th, 2004. Food donated by Romano’s Macaroni Grill. Benefits Better Beginnings.

    eleventh annual Mayors' Shining Star Gala

Sunday, April 25, 2004


If you have suggestions, thoughts, ideas, comments that you would like to share, please write to me at bewith@mail2peace.com or PO Box 187, Hightstown NJ 08520. Visit our website at www.princetonol.com/groups/bbcdc

February 10, 2004

Speaking of Love:
It is that time of year again, when we speak of love.   One of my favorite children’s songs, as most of you know, has these lines: 

Love is something if you give it  away, .....You wind up having more.

It’s just like a magic penny.

Hold it tight and you won’t have any.

    

Lend it; spend it, and you’ll have so many, ....they’ll roll all over the floor.

At Better Beginnings, we experience and enjoy love every minute of every day.

Some people say that when they walk in the door at Better Beginnings, they can feel the love!

Love, an Experiment:
I have had it up to here with all the bad mouthing and demoralizing chat I hear on the radio and TV.   I bet you have too.   Let's conduct an experiment.  For one day or one morning or one afternoon, whatever, make a decided effort to spread love (and joy).  Find a way to let everyone you know that they are likeable or  have done something really well or whatever.   Please try this and let me know  the results.  (I know, many of you do this already.   But humor me, ok?)

My bet is that the love (and joy) will bounce right back at you.

    Some examples:  If you pass a child, give him or her a smile and comment favorably on something they are doing.  If you read an article, or see a comic strip your friend might like, cut it out and save it for her.  If a friend is sad, give him or her (or both) your time and comfort.   If someone is ill, send a card or make a call or visit.   If someone needs help, lend a hand.  If an agency needs volunteers, offer your services.  The happiest, most loved people

 I know are those who have given willingly and kindly of themselves.

Love, Jerry Style:
Such a person was our friend, Dr. Jerome Bodin.  As is his widow, Jackie Bodin.  For many years both have given quietly and thoroughly of themselves to others and for the betterment of the community.   Their warm and caring smiles and efforts have been a blessing for our community.

When Jerry Bodin died recently, he left us knowing that our community is a better place for his having been here.  Notably he was an activist in the Hightstown-East Windsor Human Relations Council, which is where I met him and Jackie, in the sixties.  His warmth and calm demeanor and sense of justice and fair play were important at a time when anger and ill will were flaring and violence was in the air.  He helped us find 

    ways of rectifying and improving our "human relations". 

As time went on, he was actively involved in Beth El Synagogue, B'Nai Brith and the Lions Club, and he was a volunteer from HomeFront.  He was also actively supportive of Better Beginnings, one of the outgrowths of the Human Relations Council.

I am so grateful that Jerry was recognized while still with us.  As one example, he was presented with the Mayors' Shining Star Individual Award in recognition of his altruisms and many kindnesses.  We miss you, Jerry, but we are so glad we had you for a while.   We love you, Jackie, and offer our condolences and gratitude for your many generous acts and support.

Love may not be having to say sorry, but it sure helps to say thank you!
With that comes this suggestion:  As another loving gesture, let us make sure that we say thank you to those around us and show them that we appreciate their friendship and      kindness.   How easy it is to take for granted, to complain about, rather than appreciate the positive element they bring to our lives.

 

February 9, 2004

What Attitude?:
Until I moved to New Jersey in 1965, I thought the word "attitude" needed an adjective in order for it to mean anything. Like bad, enthusiastic, willing, wrong, right. Then I adapted, understanding immediately when someone was described as having an "attitude." I knew just what was meant.

Now I am ready to counter that point. I herewith endorse the notion of the good attitude, the right attitude, the positive attitude. I can take a hint, you see. All week I have been receiving quotes and stories on behalf of maintaining a good attitude.

Anonymous sent me this one: "Attitude determines our reactions: Live with hope...positive and optimistic. Live with doubt... negative and pessimistic." Well I 

    am certainly in favor of positive and optimistic. Who wants to be negative and pessimistic?? Not this Red Hen. I've got a garden to grow.

RealAge’s Tip of the Day calls it "outlook". "Staying positive may help protect your heart from needless aging. In a study of men, those who had a tendency to experience negative emotions, such as anxiety, pessimism, and hostility, had a higher risk of heart disease compared to their peers who possessed more positive emotional outlooks. Catch yourself when your mood turns dark and try focusing on positive thoughts." Well I sure do want to protect my heart (and other parts) from needless aging, even if I am not a man.

Accentuate the Positive (Attitude, that is):

I really do try. Almost anything has its positive and its negative. If I find myself dwelling on the negative, I like to flip it over and find the positive. If I can smile or laugh about it, so much the better. If I can’t find the positive right away, I may have to tuck it away somewhere because the positive side might not reveal itself to me immediately. Like the story (passed on to me by Liston Abbott) of how a world traveler brooded for a long time on the negative side of losing one of his thumbs. Much later, in his travels, cannibals captured him. They were about to enjoy a hearty meal. Then they noticed that his thumb was missing. They threw him 

    back because he was not "perfect". The point is that we sometimes do not realize that a calamity may seem a minor inconvenience when we view the masterwork (Master’s work) of our lives. Makes me feel better about my thumbs not being as useful as they used to be. Could be a real advantage some day, who knows?? Actually, come to think of it, it gives me a reasonable reason for not handwriting personal letters and notes any more. (Yes, I actually have southern relatives who believe it is an iniquity of high order to type a personal note or letter.)
Personal Attitude Adjustment:
I did get the hint. This has not been an easy season for me or for anyone to whom the bitter cold and snow has become "the enemy" with its compatriot of aches and pains. No longer is snow the "fun friend" it used to be. I needed a serious attitude adjustment. Thanks everyone. I did not go out and build a snow person nor did I make      an angel in the snow. But I did make the best of the opportunity to curl up with a good book and a mug of cocoa, under a warm blanket. I enjoyed watching the flakes falling on the outside of my window, and seeing the doves and squirrels dashing about finding the seeds and warm water my daughter put out for them.
Captain, oh Captain:

Let’s all pause now and think about a guy with a great attitude: Captain Kangaroo. Bob Keeshan died on January 23, 2004. He was 76. Perhaps you remember him for his awarding winning show which premiered in 1944 and which was on the air until 1984, first on CBS and then PBS. What many do not know is that he was the national spokesman during the 1990’s for 

    the Coalition for America’s Children. Although a funny, friendly guy, he was serious about meeting the needs of vulnerable children, and challenged us to improve the health, education, safety and financial security of our children, and held politicians and others in power accountable to meet those needs. The results of his work live on.
Attitude of Gratitude:

Many thanks to "Mr. Jonathan" Craig, Trinity Church (Reg. Bishop), and James & Amy Sidelinger for the boxes of toys. We 

    are putting them aside for birthday gifts for the children.
Tuesday is Paper Day at Better Beginnings:
Don't forget …. we can use all kinds of paper: towels, tissue, toilet, construction,      copy, printer, money. We also enjoy magazines and catalogs.
Do you have comments?  Suggestions?   Ideas for Penny Pincher?  E-mail me at bewith@mail2peace.com or PO Box 187, Hightstown, NJ 08520.  Better Beginnings, you may make a    

v h  virtual visit to www.princetonol.com/groups/bbcdc or to the center located in The First Presbyterian Church School Rooms at 318 North Main St., Hightstown NJ. Share the Joy!