Is it patriotic to be green?
This is in response to the announcement in Feb. 5 Mid-York Weekly concerning the Hamilton 4th of July Parade theme for 2009: "It Is Patriotic to be Green." Upon reading the letter three or four times, I believe that a change in wording might be more favorable. Maybe "How To Go Green" or "Going Green in Hamilton" or similar would be more appropriate. Floats and/or displays could then show various ways to go green or how to do so, and not try to use patriotism as a force to become green or more green.
The theme seems to imply that those who do not want to or can not change to "energy" efficient items, etc., are not patriotic. Yes, many of us choose to have energy saving appliances, windows, faucets, etc., but many might not be able to afford them or just choose not to.
Apparently someone in Earlville became instantly richer this past week as the result of finding a bright red wallet belonging to my wife Nancy F. Bond. Nancy is not sure where she lost the wallet, but is sure she had just withdrawn money, using her ATM card at NBT bank on Friday afternoon, Feb. 14, and had taken out some books from the Earlville library. She did not realize she had lost the wallet.
The wallet was found. That we know because in the mail on Tuesday we received two new credit cards noting that our Master Card had been "illegally obtained as a result of a merchant database compromise." It appears the founder attempted to use the Master Card illegally and was|unsuccessful – fortunately.
I know economic times are hard, but we would have hoped the finder would return the wallet to the library. We figure the money is long gone, but the effort to deal with the other cards, mementos and particularly the driver's license is a very time consuming and difficult job. We would like the wallet returned with contents intact – perhaps left on the library stoop. Is that asking too much?
On Jan. 7, 2009, my family and I lost our home to a terrible electrical fire and we lost everything. You don't realize how much your home and belongings are a part of you until you lose them. I thank God every day that my kids were not harmed, but I also think about all the stuff they lost. They lost a family pet, their Christmas, their favorite stuffed animal, the security blanket they slept with, and the birthstone necklace given to them by their grandmother. But, although the sentiments behind these things are to replace, over time we will.
So when I look back on this tragedy it has taught me a valuable lesson: possessions, no matter how loved, cannot replace the love of a community. Our family, friends, neighbors, and community have given of their prayers, time, things and money to help us through this trying time. We could never thank people enough for what they have done for us.
We've been able to start moving on with what has been given to us. We would like to give a special thanks to the fire departments, EMTs, and volunteers that helped us on that tragic night. Because they risked their lives to come out on those bad roads and their quick thinking on sight, they were able to save the house that we are in the process of building. It was their efforts that saved our future home and the efforts of our community that have helped us to|continue to build.
I know when I look back on that day it won't be a day of loss, it will be the day that showed me just how much we are loved by our families, friends, neighbors, and community, and that is something more valuable than any possession.
I would like to take a moment to remember Millie Miner and her outstanding dedication to our library in Oriskany Falls. In 1989 the longtime resident librarian, Stephanie Falbo, retired from her position. The Falbos had lived in five rooms of the original building on Main St. while the village maintained two rooms for use as a village library. When the decision was made to no longer exchange library services for rent the library board was at a critical junction. Millie stepped in and with a very supportive group of volunteers and her expertise and experience the library was kept functioning. The Oriskany Falls Rotary dove in and raised funds to remodel and expand the library using all four downstairs rooms. Millie then went to work filling those rooms and adding an appeal and enticement that the library had never seen before. Business soared!
Would this have happened if Millie had not been willing to take charge? That question will remain unanswered but the facts are there. Millie Miner developed the library to a point where there was no question of its survival. She worked diligently to find funding for the hiring of the library's first independent director. I was very fortunate to be that person and Millie was there with me every step of the way. She continued to serve on the board, join the Friends of the Library and take an interest in anything that we were doing. Few people have shown this same dedication. We were overwhelmingly fortunate to have her and she will always be remembered.