1.  A Seedy Story:

“They call OJ Simpson a hero, but he’s not.” Thus spoke Dave Jackson, Middlesex Prosecutor’s Office Investigator. “The real heroes are the people who get up day after day and go to work and take responsibility for their families and actions.” Later came the Juice-y event and trials that showed how insightful was Jackson’s thought.

His statement resonated. “Everyday heroes,” I responded. Add to this my long-time lament that “Pros” command obscene salaries while teachers barely command respect much less a living wage. The germ of an idea had been implanted.

2.  Rocky Roads:

Still, the seed seemed to have fallen on rocky ground. Then HHS graduate,, Randy Pinkett, tall, athletic, and a Rhodes scholar paid a visit to a youth group at Better Beginnings. He was awesome. He was setting out on an engineering career and had been mentored by our own Liston Abbott.

“Randy” has since made some noteworthy accomplishments. Succinctly, his group broke new ground in technology-supported activities for community building in low-income and minority housing. He now has five degrees, including Ph.D. from the prestigious MIT Media Laboratory. He has received more than 50 awards. Moreover, USA Today, Parade, Black Issues in Higher Education, the National Society of Black Engineers, and the National Science Foundation have recognized him for his accomplishments. He has been featured in Black Enterprise and Ebony magazines, as well as CNN and Black Entertainment Television (BET).

3.  Young Sprouts:

On this day, early on, however, just as he had been encouraged, this young powerhouse eagerly reached out to youth. We hoped our young people would relate to him, particularly in setting goals for themselves. He asked them if they had thought about their futures. One young man, almost 13, responded that he wanted to play pro ball. After explaining how many apply and how few are chosen for that field, Randy asked him if he had a fall back position. “Well, he said, My Dad’s in jail, but when he’s out, he’s an auto mechanic. Maybe I could fix cars.”

At that moment, a tiny seedling poked its head through the ground.

There are many heroes right here in our community, I mused, everyday heroes young people can look up to, such as Liston whose mentoring efforts are legion.

And here are these youth who could benefit from spending time with men who are responsible, reliable, and of good character. We need to introduce them to each other.

4.  Field of T:horns:

Still the thorns of everyday reality interfered. How to organize? Where to find the time, the place? How to recruit and protect? Men of accomplishment and character to whom I spoke thought it was a “fine idea”, with “merit”.

Then one day in the mail arrived an invitation from the State to submit a proposal for a Minority Male Project! Sunshine for my sprouting idea! Now, if only the gentle rain of collaboration would fall. This was more than a one-person or one-agency project. It needed community.

Then the phone rang! Marcia Alig, then Director of the Community Action Service Center, was on the line. She had received the same invitation and would I like to collaborate. Yes, I almost shouted, and I know just exactly what I would like to apply for. Off we went to the workshop required by the funding agency.

5.  Rich Soil:

We spent days writing and afternoons reviewing and refining. Finally, our budding idea was described on paper and sent off to the powers that be. It was approved and we got our grant. What we needed now was some rich soil. We called upon the Churches for help with recruiting and the idea was met with great enthusiasm. The First Presbyterian Church, St. James AME, and Mt. Olivet Baptist, provided just what was needed: a place to meet, a format, and the men willing to give of their time and talents to encourage our youth.

What we were still calling Mentor-Vention became HEROS. My role was complete. Subsequently, as time and success helped our growing plant grow tall and straight, there came a time when a new branch would appear. Young women, it seemed, would also benefit from the group’s offerings. The Latino Women’s Council joined in, and LADIES was added. 

In the ensuing years, the grant has run out. A caring group of men and women continue to provide just the atmosphere, teachings, and experiences needed by our youth. They are admirable. I applaud them. Al and Brenda Werner provide resolute leadership. Soon,   (cont.)

on April 9, at the Mayors’ Shining Star Charity Gala, the community will join in the applause. They are our Shining Star Organization 2005. For more about the event, visit www.princetonol.com/groups/bbcdc

6.  Penny Pincher ...

enjoyed a recent Week-end FunWork project.  Parents and young students made paper bead necklaces, primarily of junk mail, design of choice.   They were beautiful.  For details of the project, visit www.princetonol.com/groups/bbcdc and click on FunWork

7.  Continued from last week:  Mystery Project

Use two lids, one slightly larger than the other to draw and cut out a total of eight circles from paper. Tissue paper or crepe paper work well.   The Pincher, of course, recommends scrap paper.  Get yourself a green pipe cleaner, and stand by.

8.  Nurturing our Seedlings:

Not by chance, I think, is the fact that “nursery” means a nurturing place for plants and for little children. The warm rain and sunshine are provided, in this case, by our generous and caring donors and contributors. This week, they have included. Jenny’s Deli. Her daughter had a baby and off went Jenny, forgetting, like any good grandmother, to stop the bread delivery. Our friends at the Borough office, across the street from Jenny’s, observing the potential waste, were sure that Jenny would want our children to have the goods. Jenny’s daughter worked at Better Beginnings one summer while attending school to become a pediatrician. So, we feel, well, like family.

Other “family” members, Minnie Bell, Frances Rios, and Ondina and Will Jeffers faithfully contributed their monthly pledge. From Roger Hummel, Sarita Kelkar, Delores Murphy, Donald Trichter, Jonathan Craig, Anna Ward, Michael and Michelle Coccodillo, Taylor & Jamie Cohen, PNC Bank and Andrea Diamond came useful items including typewriters, laptop computer, Berlitz Spanish Tutor, clothes and toys, games, books, puzzles, and “Growing Up Great” CDs.

H & H Gas (Our friend Harry Horowitz is at least one of those “H’s”.) has made several generous contributions in honor of Carmine Petito, Kevin Rauscher, and Geri Petito. Their names are entered in the center's Book of Honors for perpetuity. By making this contribution to the center's fledgling endowment fund, H & H has again invested in the future, helping to assure that the work of the center continues, and local children and families will benefit.

Similar gifts for Birthdays, Memorials, and other special events and remembrances are available. At the donor's direction, a certificate will be mailed to you, or, if you wish, it will be sent directly to the recipient. Better Beginnings will act promptly and an acknowledgement will be sent to you. Better Beginnings is a 501(c)3 organization which means, of course, that contributions are tax-deductible.

The residents of an apartment in Twin Rivers, burned out a month or so ago lost everything, including money the Mom had been saving from babysitting for working parents.    She has located another apartment, but needs security plus the first month's rent.  She needs furniture, especially a double bed.  Ida Navarro, well known in our community for helping those in need, has located two sofas which the children can use for beds, a table and four chairs, and has collected about $500 of the approximately $1300 needed. To help, Ida can be reached at home at 448-6891.

10.  Gala Support and Auction:

Sponsors now 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. “Mr. Jonathan” also donated golf clubs and other items for the Gala auction; “Miss Dee” also donated attractive items for the auction. George Medary has donated three beautiful handmade wood items, including a teddy bear rocker, a train lamp, and a large wooden train in a wooden cabinet. I am working on a “Martha Coming Home” Poncho. Contributors include Jack & Mary Conklin, and DJ Rickie.

11. Two Cents Worth:

Young student: “How did Randy get to Rhodes?”

Teacher: “He toiled earnestly and made good grades.”

“No, how, not why.”

“He flew to England in a plane.”

“Then what?”

“He rode on the Rhodes Road!”

"Did he follow rules?"

"Yes, he’d heed the Rules of the Rhodes."