1. Courage...

to do the right thing even when it is difficult: This is one of the paths we are exploring this week, on our trek to character development.

For our young students, we start with a lively mixture of language and social development.  We propose some situations.  Then we ask, "Who did the right thing?"    What was it?"  "What was the wrong thing?  Why"  "What is courage?"    Discussions, open-ended questions, puppet plays, role playing, stories and poems are the order of the day.  We may also draw on actual incidents during the day, should any occur.   As always, being the good role model tops the list of most-effective techniques.

2. Courage - You Gotta Have Heart:

Can you think of situations to illustrate this truism?  (Please share.)  Example: Verbal abuse is rampant, in homes, in schools, on the highways, in the workplace, in the marketplace, on TV, in music, even in radio, I am told.  A bystanding individual may be afraid to object when he hears someone call another a name that is degrading or demeaning.  But a courageous individual may speak up, and say, "We don't use that language here."   "I don't like to hear that."  "That is not a nice way to talk and it is not true.  Joe is a nice person."  If he does this, the damage to the injured one is reduced.  Joe feels less degraded because someone cares enough to speak up for him.  Chances that verbal abuse will escalate to the physical are curtailed.

If a child happens to observe this,  even better, he learns that verbal abuse is unacceptable, and that speaking up for others is worthy.

3. Right Thing, Right Reasons, Right Time - Continued:

Marsha Fais offers some ideas for this ongoing query:

• Giving back too much change to the cashier when they make an error

• Returning someone's possessions if they drop them in the street

• Taking the time to REmail something that doesn't belong to you even if the mailman put it in your mailbox

Opportunities to practice these three "R"s occur to all of us at some time during our daily and weekly travels.  Thank you, Marsha, for reminding us that we all have many chances to do the "right thing".

4. Shining Stars:

Congratulations to this years Shining Stars who will receive their awards at the Mayors' Shining Star Gala on April 9, 2005 at the Ramada Inn.  Recipients are World War II Purple Heart Veteran George Medary for Lifetime Achievement; Jodi Hiles, Individual; Heros and Ladies Mentors, Organization; and Triangle Repro of East Windsor, Business/Industry.  Tickets are $75.  Program Ads range from $75 for a business-card-size to $600 for the back    (cont.)

cover.  Sponsor opportunities range from $2000, platinum to $500, bronze.  Items for silent auction are needed.

5. In our Corner:

It is always easier to be courageous when you have friends to help.  This week ours included First Washington Community Foundation, Inc. who furnished an entire classroom with needed furniture, including tables, chairs, literacy corner and more.  Thank you, First Washington, for providing a safe, comfortable learning environment for our young students.

Harry Horowitz made a contribution in honor of Susan Greenan, with his thanks for her helpfulness.  Joseph and Sylvia Hadad made a contribution in memory of Carmine Petito’s Mother.  Her Tuesday night card friends also made a memorial contribution.

Our “Mr. Jonathan” Craig’s offerings included snacks, children’s books, dress-up clothing, and winter clothing.  “Miss Dee” Murphy donated clothing, food and miscellaneous, interesting items.   The Borough of Hightstown remembered “Tuesday is Paper Day” with a box of white paper; and Karen McGuinnens donated stuffed animals, CD’s, educational toys and games.

Thank you everyone.

6. Penny Pincher Flips her Lids:

Never even think about tossing your lids or jar tops in the garbage.  Penny has many uses for them, as game pieces, for sorting, as stencils, as palettes for painting, as saucers under plants.  Coffee can lids also make neat Frisbees for small hands.  Save two lids, one a little larger than the other, and some pretty tissue paper, and Penny will tell you next time how to make it into something beautiful. 

For more ideas for FunWork and re-using throw away items, visit www.princetonol.com/groups/bbcdc and clink on FunWork.   It is in Spanish and English.

7. Two Cents Wordth:

Courage is built on the French word, "Cour", meaning heart.  When is it courageous, or "the better part of valor" to turn your back and walk away?   What was the "cowardly" lion looking for?   Did he find what he was looking for?  Where?

Is a Coward the bovine equivalent of Shepherd?   Or is it, like forward, a direction?  i.e, is cowardly  the direction we take when we are walking toward the herd of cows?  When a person cows another person, why is he called a bully?  Are bullies really cowards?

8. Help Wanted:

Volunteers are needed.   Immediate needs are for computer techs., Spanish translators, and Music makers.  Also needed, assistance with the Gala.