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BETTER BEGINNINGS
PENNY PATTER |
May 28, 2004
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I am from Generation GO (Good Old) Days. When I was growing up, having one radio and one telephone was considered quite “modern”. Last week I asked readers for suggestions for a list of “Twenty things to do instead of watching TV” and another list of “Twenty Reasons To Limit TV watching”. I thought I might have to defend the Gen-GO |
ramparts, but …. To my surprise, no-one said, “It is absolutely impossible to turn off the Tube” or even “If you weren’t so hopelessly old-fashioned you would not even suggest such a thing.” Well, I suppose some might have thought it, but no-one said it. |
| A little perspective: When TV first hoisted its mesmerizing screen, I defended this new technology (dubbed the vast wasteland) as having great potential as a learning tool. I still think so. It has, in fact, far surpassed that promise. Much of what is learned, unfortunately, is not altogether, uh, | constructive. As if violence and blatant sexual scenes were not enough, TV is now being blamed for children’s obesity and insufficient physical activity. Like water and fire, TV requires moderation. And that is what we (my good friends who wrote to me and I) propose. |
| In researching
this column, I found an article saying that sometimes computer parts are
not perfect, but work okay, especially in conjunction with another less
than perfect part. Fascinating!
The same can be said of body parts. Not all body parts are perfect, but we manage, and often compensate. We admire greatly those who excel regardless. Of course, none of us is perfect, and as we grow older, our parts tend to wear out. Like a car, our bodies |
are not intended to last forever. Oh sure, we
can get some replacement parts, such as my knees and the lens in my eyes.
Some people even have hearts and other organs replaced.
Those who made this possible are certainly making a big difference in our world. Punny Penny asked about replacement of her "little gray cells" but was told, "Never mind. Forget about it! It doesn't matter." |
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Nick Graff, a retired police detective writes, “I thought back to when I was a youngster and we did not have a TV. I didn't KNOW what a TV was until I joined a crowd of people watching a small set in a store window. Black and white. “We played Checkers; Chinese Checkers being the favorite. We even had Chinese Checker tournaments. Monopoly was another favorite. Sometimes the whole family would get involved which, if you think about it, is a good thing. “Today, everything is presented in ' full force' and you do not need to use your imagination. I suggest that the radio replace the television so as to possibly exercise one's imagination. In our day... we had shows that we would gather around and listen to with our imagination going full force! Inner Sanctum was my favorite. 'Just Plain Bill' and 'The |
Green Hornet' were others. “With all that is available today, what I have suggested probably sounds pretty boring but it served us well and that’s why we call it "The Good Ol' Days." I realize that some people say you ' can't go back ' and you should not live in the past. I don't 'live' in the past but I sure like to ' visit' once in awhile. “One other suggestion would be for kids to take up a light hobby like finding out as much as you can about the state you live in; or any state they wish. Library has a world of data as does the Internet. “I am not sure the above is of any help but it may be if the power goes off and the kids are forced to find an alternative!” |
| (Sigh) Thank you, my friend. I am wondering if some, after reading this, might be considering a regularly-scheduled old fashioned family night, with family members and friends joining in, listening to the radio, | and playing Checkers, or maybe Pick Up Sticks, Jacks, Hop Scotch, or playing jump rope or ball. Soon we may be able to add running around catching lightning bugs. (Sigh) |
| Ideas contributed by our school-age children and from adult caregivers, families and friends will be offered in a later column. There is still time to hear from you! Write to me, please, at bewith@mail2peace.com or PO Box 187, Hightstown, NJ 08520. |
Week-end FunWork also offers suggestions for interactive fun learning, in English and Spanish. Visit www.princetonol.com/groups/bbcdc to review. |
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Our cable provider, Comcast, is also concerned about our children. I found this at their website: “Parenting is hard enough. Comcast makes it easy to control what your kids watch. “Comcast is committed to helping you choose and control which programming is appropriate for viewing in your home. That’s |
why we offer Parental Control options with our basic and digital cable
services that let you easily control what your kids can watch — even
when you’re not around.
“To learn more about the types of Parental Control features that are available as part of your cable service, [click the links below] or call 1-866-781-1888.” |
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Penny has a penchant for crocheting when TV-watching. Faith Sarafin
recently donated a huge bagful of soft Jiffy yarn. Each skein will
make one warm hat for a child at Better Beginnings.
The Pincher once cut some plastic bags into strips and worked them in with the yarn to |
crochet a waterproof hat. What do you do with your plastic bags? I know you don’t throw them in the garbage. Here are some ideas: Use in trash cans; store shoes in them; return them to the store; cut to make aprons for children when they paint; make into shower hats. Send your ideas to me as above. |
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In a letter dated April 30, 2003, just received, we learn of those in the NJ State Employees Charitable Campaign and the Combined Federal Campaign who have designated Better Beginnings for their workplace giving. Since we very much need and look forward to these contributions, we were overjoyed to get the letter. Donors include Marlia C. Bailey, Nicholas Angarone, Anita Brink, Ann Freund, Nelda Gunnell, Stacy J. Hinson, Sandra Kerr, Marjorie McAvoy, Faith H. Sarafin, and E. S. Perrine. In looking over the list, I notice that the offices of employment range from the |
Newark Post Office to School Districts, Colleges, Health Care Facilities, County Offices, a Commissioner’s Office in Trenton, and beyond. No wonder it took so long. That’s a lot of information gathering to do. In any case, we are extremely grateful for these designations; the contributions are badly needed, and these friends can be sure they are used as intended: to nurture the present and invest in the future, helping neighbors who are determined to provide for themselves and their families. |
| to our friends, Clara Martino and Al Werner, both of whom have been hospitalized. | We hope you continue to improve and will soon be “all better”. |
| to family and friends of Anne James, Sparki James grandmother. She fully enjoyed life and many activities and loved her | granddaughter dearly, as do we. We will all miss her. |