Bob Deakin Short Stories

Want to find the reporters at a town meeting? Look in the front row. Not all of us sit there but that’s the best place to look as most people avoid the front row (and reporters) like the plague, with the occasional exception of developers or attorneys, who are typically not shy from showing themselves in front of a crowd.

We’re not hard to find anyway as few people show up with notebooks, laptops, cameras or tape recorders. It can be an isolated existence as someone may not like a recent story that was written, a perceived “agenda” of the publication or reporters in general. It comes with the job and members of the town organizations we cover have it even worse as they too of course develop reputations for perceived agendas.

That aside, in my experience most people I’ve dealt with over the years are pleasant and I admire those who serve on the boards and the residents who take the time to show up and participate in local government. As for the developers and attorneys, there are few people better to deal with as a reporter than them. They have a specific goal in mind and want to get the word out, accurately, as to their intentions and are not afraid to speak their mind. That makes for good sources and good quotes.

As the close of the budget season nears and referendums approach, the power of the residents still exists in local municipalities when residents choose to use it. It is cliché but true: When residents turn out in numbers to force changes in the decisions their local leaders make, things happen.

The perfect example is the annual budget. Using local towns with Board of Selectmen form of government as an example, the course of events tends to repeat itself year after year. Town leaders urge input from residents and town-funded organizations early the process in an effort to get a map of public opinion and gauge where to cut or increase in order to come up with the most agreeable budget for a town vote.

Those who attend lots of town meetings know the ropes of participation; wait until the public comment session to speak or ask questions. It’s a very democratic process and typically very civil, especially in Woodbury and Middlebury where the towns are small, people know each other and the person or board of persons is usually the source one must go through to solve problems. In larger towns there are more people, organizations and red tape to go through but here it is likely the people you must deal with are in the same room at the meeting you attend.

On a lighter note there are certain clichés you can count on hearing at almost every meeting such as ‘let’s not put the cart before the horse,’ ‘six of one, half dozen of the other’ or ‘comparing apples and oranges.’ Stands to reason as meetings usually involve discussing solutions to problems.

Those of us with the tape recorders can attest that there is always someone coughing at a meeting. It doesn’t matter the state, town, season or climate, you can count on coughs to block out key dialog listening back to the tape of the meeting.

As for writing the story, there is usually a key issue that is the focus or highlight of a meeting, which of course ends up being the lead. Sometimes you can’t always tell what the resolution of an issue is at the meeting because the decision is too long winded or confusing, that’s why it’s usually necessary to talk to the first selectmen or one of the key players after the meeting or the next day.

If you’re lucky or you try hard enough you can usually get the person you need or someone else who can confirm the facts before you submit your story. After all that you check your facts, make sure it all makes sense, listen to the tape to double check and try to figure out what that word was that was blocked out by the loud cough.

Originally published on Patch.com in April 2011

Copyright 2011

Driving down the road the other day I passed a bus stop with four people waiting, craning their necks looking up the road to see the bus on its way. They each had angst written on their faces and did not look like they wanted to be there. Just then I thought to myself; “have I ever seen anyone smile at a bus stop?”

The answer was no, and I didn’t feel good for having the thought but I knew I was right. Why don’t people look happy at bus stops? I realize they don’t have a ride to where they want to go or perhaps are unable to drive. It happens to everyone at one time or another and it’s nothing to be ashamed of.

I took the bus a few months ago when my car was being repaired and the ride itself was interesting. It was nice to be able to do some reading and organizing while on the road and there was a certain freedom in not having a car once I was at my destination. It was also pretty cheap, just over a dollar for a ride all the way across town.

There were a lot of stops though. Stands to reason, of course, as it’s a vehicle for hundreds of people, all going to different places at different times. It wasn’t as bad as the Metro-North train to and from New York City though, regarding the stops. On the train it seems to take hours between stops and it’s a lot more long-term for everyone involved. They’re carrying more stuff, have bigger plans and they can’t just hop off and on like with the bus.

It seems a bit quieter on the bus too. People typically travel alone or with only a companion or two at the most. The critically important cell phone calls that everyone needs to make every ten minutes of their lives aren’t quite as prevalent either as quarters are tighter, the ride is shorter and riders don’t get as comfortable as they do on the train. I didn’t strike up a conversation with anyone on the bus. Since they all looked so unhappy at the stops I didn’t want to bother them or make their days any worse than they already were.

One thing that was fun was the electronic sign at the front of the bus, inside, announcing the coming destination with a little ping sound and the sign blinking as the bus slowed to a stop. It seemed an awful lot of resources to announce the arrival of CVS. It would have been a lot more fun and personal if the bus driver had announced it, especially if he had a real thick New York accent like they do on Metro-North. It was equally amusing when the bus was arriving – those at the stop see “Good Afternoon” on the electronic sign on the outside of the bus. It was all so friendly yet so impersonal.

Following my sojourn into public transportation I realized that the wait at the bus stop was pretty uncomfortable considering sitting or standing at the side of the road in front of hundreds of passing cars. It’s also awkward waiting with a total stranger who appears to be very unhappy. Add some cold or rainy weather and that creates added gloom in an awkward place. Now that I think of it, I probably wasn’t smiling either.

If it’s economical travel you’re looking for, taking the bus isn’t so bad after all.

The waiting is the hardest part.

Originally published on Patch.com in April 2011

Copyright 2011

Motown legend and singer Marvin Gaye would have turned 72 years old this week if not for his tragic murder at the hands of his own father 27 years ago. It is a shame he’s not around anymore and so is the case with many of the musicians and others that worked on his seminal What’s Going On album released in 1971.

There’s a lot to the album as far as styles and influences go, from soul and blues to gospel and jazz with a lot to say about the state of the world and the environment at the time. There are also a lot of factors that make it a great album, most notably the orchestral arrangements by David Van De Pitte, which gives the album its seamless flow, the songs themselves and the long list of musicians who took part. Not everything is known about the album’s production, including who played what tracks.

There is another fact about the album that has been a personal challenge of mine in what has turned into a 9-month investigation. That is, what is the percussion sound (on beats 2 and 4) that dominates “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology),” the album’s biggest hit, and recurs throughout the rest of the record?

The only reason I decided to find out is because last summer a friend asked me “do you think that cowbell sound is meant to simulate a submarine sonar?”

“No,” I replied reasoning the album has no nautical or military aspect to it and that it just wouldn’t make any sense. The more I listened to it again, however, it was remarkable how much like a sub sonar it actually sounded. Nothing really special about the sound except it really carries the rhythm of the song and gives it an ethereal quality, which became the real Marvin Gaye sound, even emblematic of the early 70s soul sound in general.

I’m reasonably sure it’s a temple block struck with a rubber mallet with lots of reverb but that’s lots of reverb. It’s almost ridiculous to even think about it but since I’d listened very carefully to the album hundreds of times long before that question was asked, it became somewhat of an obsession to find out how they did it.

Since then I have read every book I could find about Marvin Gaye and even contacted Motown to interview a percussionist who played on the album. I began with the Motown History Museum, which was little help. Those I managed to get on the phone sort of laughed at me and were urgent to get me off the phone but I did get a few links to musicians that I might have found myself anyway.

One of them was Jack Ashford, a percussionist and one of the “Funk Brothers” who played a lot of Motown sessions in the 60s and 70s. He’s credited on the What’s Going On album so I figured what better place to start. Email after email, letters and phone calls produced no replies so I was out of luck with him as well as plenty of other musicians, engineers and arrangers who worked on the album.

Here’s a sample of one of my letters:

Hello Mr. (place name here),

I’m writing a short piece about the “Mercy Mercy Me” song. I’m a freelance writer and had a few questions about the recording sessions of the album – what instruments were used and mainly how you got the percussion sounds. If you would answer a few questions or let me know who to contact, that would be great. Thank you very much for your time and help and best of luck in the New Year. – Bob Deakin in Connecticut

As a reporter I’m used to research and cold-calling people with odd questions so it wasn’t a great effort on my part but after a while I was getting frustrated. Granted it was 40 years later so many of them aren’t around anymore and many more don’t maintain a public profile.

After six months of research I’m still in the same place as I was before but I haven’t quit. What I have found out is that the percussion tracks were recorded at the Motown studios in Detroit between 1970 and 1971 and all of the orchestrations and backing choruses were recorded at facilities in Los Angeles.

Beyond that, this investigation is still a work in progress. I don’t believe the temple block sound was meant to replicate a submarine sonar, I just think it sounds great, and probably involved no more thought than “okay, that sounds good, we’ll keep it” after two or three takes in the studio. Who knows, maybe it was recorded in a big hallway, bathroom or staircase. That’s the kind of story I’m looking for.

However it was recorded, it probably took no more than a few minutes, which is a lot less time and effort than I’ve spent trying to find someone just to tell me about it. Mercy mercy me.

Originally published on Patch.com in April 2011

Copyright 2011

It’s baseball season again, which for me is as sure a sign of the changing of the season as any. I like the crack of the bat, the new hope for old teams and all that poetic stuff, but what I look forward to more these days are reconnecting with an old circle of friends I used to work with.

I hadn’t seen many of them until last year when I decided to create my own fantasy baseball league at the urging of an old friend named Don. He and I used to work together at a popular restaurant in Danbury 20 years ago when a bunch of our co-workers took part in what was then known as “rotisserie” baseball, as it was known before the days of the Internet. Simply put, you guess what major league players will have the best statistics for the year and the winner wins the money at the end of the season.

We all took part for a number of years before everyone went their separate ways in life. It was a lot of fun, a good excuse to talk trash and led to a lot of phone calls, sporting events and other gatherings that might not otherwise have taken place.

Last year I ended up running a league for the first time and didn’t have enough team “owners” so I decided to contact all of the surviving members from the restaurant who used to play. A few said no but a half dozen said yes. They included guys that were now parents, others that lived thousands of miles away, some that still lived nearby and two who actually still work at the restaurant.

Everyone had visibly aged but not too much. Most were much happier in life than they were way back when, and with all of them, after two minutes of catching up it was onto the subject of baseball and other events not involving life’s challenges or politics. 

The members of the group now take part in a diverse variety of professions and endeavors including screenwriter, longtime local radio personality, student, construction supply executive, database administrator, two in the restaurant business and Don, who we still can’t figure out what he does for a living. We just know he works in an office building and spends a lot of time on the phone and computer maintaining teams in four other fantasy baseball leagues and even more in football and basketball.

There is no way I would have seen some of these guys, perhaps ever again, had Don not made the suggestion to play fantasy baseball. I’ve kept in touch with all of them and we’re going to do the league again this year even though I was the winner at the end of last season. We don’t play for money anymore so no one was too upset. 

I’m looking forward to the baseball season even more than ever this year. Even though most of our conversations will be via email and the occasional phone call, I still have a good group of friends that I thought I might not ever see again.

Thanks Don, and get back to work, whatever it is you do.

Originally published on Patch.com in March 2011

Copyright 2011

Lists are a great marketing tool to draw viewers, readers and listeners. In recent years companies such as ESPN, Forbes, IMDB, TV Guide, Amazon, Rolling Stone and others have released lists of the top 10, 50, 100 or more of the best all-time in various categories. The attraction to lists, of course, is that people have their own ideas of what is best or top 10 or further, and if they disagree, the debate is on, and the interest too.

Yesterday was the prime-viewing day of the Super “Perigee” Moon, according to NASA, when the moon comes closest to the earth as part of its oval shape of orbit. It happens about every eighteen years, which inspired my favorite five songs with “moon” in the title:

Moonlight in Vermont
Blue Moon
Moon Dance
Moon River
Dancing in the Moonlight

Quite often lists are a vehicle for an upcoming TV show or a special edition of a magazine. Michael Jordan was voted #1 of the “Top 50 Athletes of the 20^th Century” a decade ago, convenient in that he was still of playing age, Nike’s (ESPN’s biggest sponsor) biggest endorser and willing to help market the series of shows highlighting the list. Jim Brown and Jim Thorpe weren’t on the payroll.

“How can you put Pulp Fiction in the top 10 movies of all time let alone the top 250?” one might argue, referring to IMDB’s Top 250 Movies a few years ago. Shawshank Redemption was #1 and no movies earlier than 1957 made the list. Hmm?

Rolling Stone magazine put out its Top 100 Songs a couple years ago and the top ten list was full of classics like Johnny B. Goode and Good Vibrations. However, Like a Rolling Stone was chosen the number one song of all time and Satisfaction by the Rolling Stones number 2? How convenient.

In 2002 TV Guide named the “50 Greatest Shows of All Time,” in which the top ten was in line with some of my favorites with the exception of The Sopranos, which most people haven’t seen. Unfortunately I’m not one of them and suffered through the boredom of a couple seasons of that. Here’s the top five:

Seinfeld
I Love Lucy
The Honeymooners
All in the Family
The Sopranos

On a more local level I’ve come up with my top five list of favorite hiking trails:

Appalachian Trail in Kent
Tarrywile Park in Danbury
White Memorial in Litchfield
Lover’s Leap State Park in New Milford
Steep Rock in Washington

There are even web sites dedicated to lists now including, among hundreds, the Top 10 List (predominantly British), Craigslist (predominantly fraud) and Angie’s List, a fee-based service finder and even Timothy McSweeney’s Lists of Tendencies (humor).

What are some of your lists? Do you have a problem with some you’ve seen? I hope so. Perhaps we can come up with a “Top 10 Un-debatable List.”

Originally published on Patch.com in March 2011

Copyright 2011

Following a recent lecture and workshop focusing on memoir writing I was reminded once again how many stories out there may never be told. This is not news to me or anyone else, as most of us are surrounded each day by people with interesting tales to tell including relatives, friends, associates or total strangers. They are not famous people but their tales are just as interesting and usually more so, it just takes longer to get someone to start reading a story without a familiar face on the cover.

After attending many such lectures alongside professional writers of all types including ghost writers, historical novelists, publishers and journalists, it is apparent that one thing they are all eager to share is how interesting the subjects are that they are currently focusing on. Many say it with regret for reasons such as they won’t be able to spend enough time on the story, the key subject is no longer around, they can’t get a publisher or most often, they’re struggling to find the most interesting way to tell the story.

All are understandable frustrations as it takes an awful lot of time to research and collect biographical information, conduct interviews then organize it into a palatable story before even considering having it edited and published. It’s a lot of work but if enjoyable it can be a labor of love, particularly as the story progresses.

It is also amazing how little of the stories we know about the ones closest to us. Typically, military experiences, early marriages and relationships, financial hardships and ancestry are the first to go with the repressed stories of people’s lives. Understandable as painful memories don’t make for good conversation, but they often have a profound effect on life and life’s decisions years later. The same goes for good memories and the longing to capture those feelings again. All such information provides good foundation and framework in the building of one’s life story.

I am currently helping two people with their stories. One is an autobiographical account of an entire life and the other a memoir of a short period of time on a trip across the country. Neither project is being done with any exchange of funds or a published work in mind but if it turns out that way all the better. My method is setting up a tape recorder and leading subjects through the tales then organizing the thoughts for their review. Collecting photos is also a big part of it and scanning and filing of images, while time consuming, makes for easy viewing and saving once done.

Last week Connie Burak of Middlebury proposed the idea of neighbors helping neighbors in various ways for mutual benefit. Helping someone with a memoir or even just organizing old photos or letters may be a valuable service to provide for someone who isn’t good with a computer or who may have health issues to contend with. It will take considerable time but the rewards may be well worth the effort.

In following up on last week’s column, many organizations exist in the area to help residents and provide places to volunteer. Some can be found by going to the Woodbury Services Council or the Middlebury Club Organizations pages on the town web sites. A search of the web turned up a number of other sites that propose to find volunteer organizations for potential volunteers but most merely direct the visitor to big lists of other web sites.

Is there a story inside you? There probably is or there may be one in someone you know. If it’s research and writing that you like there are a number of subjects out there looking for help on a memoir or story. Some just need a push to do it themselves and others probably have no idea where to start. The work can’t be done in a day or a week but the time spent is better than losing the story of a lifetime.

Originally published on Patch.com in March 2011

Copyright 2011

Connie Burak of Middlebury brings up an interesting idea in her comment to the Woodbury-Middlebury Patch this week. She proposes utilizing the under-utilized skills and talents of local citizens for the betterment of the community with what could be an ambitious movement to “fill in the gaps as tutors, monitors, nature and sports instructors” among other needs to help offset local, state and national budget cuts.

She reminds us that it is a “community with many well-educated, highly trained and experienced people in their various fields” including retirees, the unemployed, underemployed and perhaps even those working. Her suggestion includes anything from donating time to bartering for services and she asks for the input of those interested to discuss it.

It’s true that many people, in any town, are looking for things to do, ways to help, reasons to meet new friends and ways to serve their town and neighbors. Particularly at this time of year when there’s not much going on in the way of recreation, cabin fever has its grip and warm weather is a light at the end of the tunnel, finding ways to volunteer or come together for mutual benefit and common good might be a way to brighten the days.

Connie asks the following questions:

“Does anyone think it might be worth a meeting to explore some new and different volunteer possibilities? Is there anyone out there who has had experience organizing this kind of effort?”

Maybe there are residents who think a meeting would be worth while, and perhaps there is someone out there that has organized such an effort before. It seems as though Connie is proposing a simple exchange of services between good neighbors that has gone on in small towns for centuries, and not a formal program with a name attached to it.

Technological advances in communications are rubbed in our face every day from cell phones and email to Twitter and Facebook, and almost every conceivable local meeting is broadcast on television or on the Internet. Yet most people don’t even know what their next door neighbor does for a living or how many people within a mile of their home could benefit immensely from a half-hour of help in the yard, a ride to work, a rough edit of a story, the use of an extra television set or ten minutes of help to get their heat running again.

There is a lot of talent out there and lots of people looking for ways to utilize their talents, even if they don’t know what those talents are. If nothing else, volunteering time or just finding out what could make the town a better place is a good start to making – or keeping – the town a better place.

Connie’s letter makes no mention of money, party affiliation, qualifications, facilities or government involvement, just a way to make life better for all, or even just one.

You ask good questions and make good suggestions Connie. Maybe the answers are out there and perhaps you’ve inspired someone to find a way to use local talents, skills and personalities for the betterment of the community. 

Originally published on Patch.com in March 2011

Copyright 2011

This weekend marks several remarkable and unremarkable anniversaries in U.S. history.

First and foremost is the 92^nd anniversary of the designation of the Grand Canyon as a national park. On February 26, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson marked the establishment of the canyon – currently over 1.2 million acres – as a national park, an event which finalized President Theodore Roosevelt’s original designation of 800,000 acres of the canyon as a national monument eleven years previous.

February 27 is the 184^th anniversary of the inception of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras celebrations. On this day in 1827 a crowd of costumed students marched through the streets of New Orleans mimicking the European Carnival, a period of fun and reckless abandon preceding the penance of Lent. The official day of celebration this year will be March 8.

Last but not least, today is the 31^st anniversary of the one and only time in National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) history that a Grammy award was given for “Disco Recording of the Year.” Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” now has its place in history as the one and only song to ever capture this award, beating out four now classic hits for the honor. The other nominees were “Boogie Wonderland” by Earth, Wind & Fire (with The Emotions), “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough” by Michael Jackson, “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” by Rod Stewart and “Bad Girls” by Donna Summer.

NARAS decided to give the award at a curious time considering the disco fad was winding to a close. Whether NARAS board members suddenly realized the award was obsolete or they were metaphorically overcome by the title of the winning song, they apparently decided that disco would not survive, and neither would the award.

Coincidentally, 1980 was the last time that Ethel Merman, the First Lady of Broadway, released a solo album. Its title? “The Ethel Merman Disco Album.”

The LP contained old standards such as “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “I Get a Kick Out of You” and “I Got Rhythm,” all recorded with the requisite synthesizer string orchestrations and thumping disco beat of the time. Reportedly she was no fan of disco and recorded the vocals in advance of the instrumentation in order to save herself the mortification of hearing the final mixes.

What resulted was a surprise hit in the discos even though the album never cracked the Billboard charts. She even made live appearances to promote it, including the performance of “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” on the Tonight Show. The album gained the stage legend a whole new generation of adoring supporters in the glittery, smokey drug-filled nightclubs of that era, most notably Studio 54 in New York, where she reportedly made an appearance in response to the album’s popularity.

With support like that she probably looked forward to getting back to show tunes and retiring from making disco albums. She lost out on winning Disco Recording of the Year but won the hearts of the clientele of Studio 54 and a host of other clubs just like it.

Who could ask for anything more?

Originally published on Patch.com in February 2011

Copyright 2011

Like 500 million other people, I am a Facebook user. There is nothing compelling about telling anyone about my life or reading daily information about others I know, so I don’t use it on a regular basis anymore, and I wonder how long it will remain as popular as it is.

When I first joined it was fun because I had a small circle of friends that invited me in and it was mainly a bunch of catching up with old friends, wise cracks and exchanges of photos. As the circle of friends expanded, however, the comfort level waned, the messages seemed more like press releases and the photos became increasingly unfamiliar.

It’s sort of like the evolution of small town newspapers over the years. I recently looked at an old local newspaper from the 1930s and it was filled with tidbits of very personal info, graduation photos of entire classes and reviews of parties held by people known around town.

It made me think: What if Facebook had been around in the 1930s and people had computers? How might some of the posts read?

[Photo] Elmer Jenkins – If that dirty rat next door don’t stop turning his place into a juice joint every night I got a mind to go over there and sock him in the kisser.
25 minutes ago · Comment · Like

[Photo] Gertrude Smithers – And how! I know a good private dick that comes into the malt shop every morning, Elmer. You just say the word and I’ll get ‘em crackin’ on the case and bang some noggins.
10 minutes ago · Like

Elmer Jenkins –  As long as he don’t show up three sheets into the wind like that last mug you sent over, tell ‘em to gimme a ring: Klondike 5-4578
5 minutes ago · Like

It’s possible that Elmer and Gert’s conversation might be typical of what we would find. The formality of the written language of the time might have made for more polished exchanges but of course that would depend on the individuals in discussion. Also, the photos that accompanied the names would have been entertaining considering the posed black and white portraits that would almost surely have been the norm.

I would also like to think that as is common today, song lyrics might appear as a form of inspiration and that friends would join in to finish the lyrics to, for example, an Al Jolson hit song:

[Photo] Buster Sullivan – Mammy, Mammy…
40 minutes ago · Comment · Like

[Photo] Ethel Gerhard – The sun shines east, the sun shines west…
30 minutes ago · Like

[Photo] Homer Croddy – I know where the sun shines best…
25 minutes ago · Like

[Photo] Stump Riley – Mammy, my little mammy. My heartstrings are tangled around Alabammy…
15 minutes ago · Like

It’s a pretty far-fetched idea, I know, to imagine Facebook and computers in the 1930s. For one thing, even if there were computers they likely would have been too big and expensive for the masses, and they would have put those old newspapers out of business.

Originally published on Patch.com in February 2011

Copyright 2011

It’s now entering the time of year when the cold, snowy weather is testing the patience of Connecticut residents who have been cooped up inside their homes for most of the past three months. Different attitudes determine different ways of handling this yearly New England dilemma.

For those who thrive on snow there are still plenty of freezing temperatures ahead and the potential for big time snow falls to add to the already historic winter. Those looking toward spring have a challenge ahead in making it through at least another month or two of winter weather before being able to finally exhale and cheer on a new spring.

When I was young and in school I cheered for more and more winter storms but as I got older I looked for signs of spring earlier each year. Skiing was a hobby I picked up around the time I became an adult and that was a good way to mix childlike fun in the snow while taking a trip away with friends as an adult getaway. Eventually, however, the endless drives, unloading of equipment, long lines and long trips up the chairlift got the better of my patience.

All hope is not lost, however, as in recent years I’ve been inspired by the methods of others to make the best of the winter weather.

One couple in Bridgewater holds periodic parties in which they freeze a toy statue inside a block of ice next to the wood burning stove, invite their friends over and share food, music, conversation and spirits until the ice melts and the statue falls to the floor. It usually takes about four or five hours and by that time most in the house have forgotten about the ice and the cold weather.

Another group of friends in various towns have taken to building their own recording studios in the past couple years. Most of them find musical inspiration hard to come by in summer and have taken advantage of the situation to have fun building simple studios in order to invite family and friends downstairs or in the garage for some musical fun and even serious recording sessions. Not as prone to long for the sunshine in the winter, the ability to stay indoors and focus on the art turns out to be much easier in winter.

A friend in Middlebury who is a serious artist chooses to do the brunt of her yearly work in the winter months when the distractions are fewer and the dark hours longer. She gets up early, turns on classical music (no vocals) and focuses all of her energy on the work she has been planning all year. She may only get one or two good pieces each year out of it but it’s one or two more than she’d be able to complete during the summer.

Some friends, of course, get on a plane and fly to warm climates to visit relatives, take the family on vacation or work somewhere else during this time of year, but to real New Englanders that’s cheating. Unless you’re going to stick it out during the rough times you’re not the hearty north easterner you may claim to be; you’re a snowbird, which is not a complementary term in the north or the south, where they are seen as folks who aren’t able to handle the extreme heat of the summer.

Most Connecticut residents fall somewhere in between, making the best of the winter and spending their time enjoying whatever things they like, whether it be home projects, movies, ice fishing, books, bonfires, cooking or a thousand other things.

For the snowbirds, they’re spending their time fighting off stereotypes, enjoying the weather and remembering how much fun it was sitting around the fire and waiting for that toy statue to fall through the ice.

Originally published on Patch.com in February 2011

Copyright 2011

Another new month in a new year. They seem to come faster and faster. I used to be young but all these years passing by so quickly has me adding them up, uncomfortably. I realize with age comes wisdom but how much wisdom do I need? I used to enjoy being inexperienced.

I was fortunate to be invited to a number of parties for the Holidays, but being invited to parties is different these days, for the better. Parties are now described to me by who is going to be there and not how many kegs of beer are going to be there. I always wondered why kids in school would tell me how many kegs were going to be at a party, as if one wasn’t enough for dozens of people. And they were always talking about half kegs. I never saw a full one.

I’m glad I’m still around to enjoy life but habits still plague me: Whenever I hear a song by the bands Journey or Bon Jovi – now considered classic – I get nostalgic and turn the station to something else just like I used to when I was a teenager. Just because it’s old doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good.

Other things mark time for me too, such as the TV shows I’m hip to. Can I name the entire cast of the old TV shows Taxi or M.A.S.H.? Yes. I even remember the more obscure shows from the 70s like Love, American Style and Room 222, whatever that was about. The Incredible Hulk? Definitely. Adam 12? Now you’re talking. The Jersey Shore? Never seen it.

Until this winter I used to think that it snowed more in my early childhood and that the totals simply dropped with age.

Maybe they have.

I looked up historical weather data to try to prove myself right or wrong and indeed the annual Connecticut (the state as a whole) snowfall totals from the late-1960s to the early 1970s averaged roughly from 69 to 89 inches. From 71/72 to 78/79 the totals ranged from 36 to 58 inches with a high of 93 in 77/78 before dipping to a low of 16 inches in the winter of 79/80. For the record, the winter of 95/96 takes the cake with 115 inches and who knows what the final tally will be this year.

So I guess it did snow more when I was a kid.

Perhaps the most prominent sign of age for me involves newspapers. Now that the primary news sources are television and online such as Patch, the old newspaper sections I was used to when I was younger such as the police blotter are no longer to be found.

The police blotter used to be such a great barometer of age. I knew I was really young when the people getting arrested were ex-schoolmates of my parents. I knew I was getting closer and closer to driving age when those making the paper for the wrong reasons were classmates of my older siblings. I knew I’d finally arrived as an adult when the troublemakers were my own friends and schoolmates.

Something told me I was getting older, however, when I recognized fewer and fewer names in the police blotter. You really know you’re getting old when you never see any of your old classmates in the police blotter anymore and when you see the children of your former friends and classmates in trouble in the local news it’s official; you’re old.

“Hey, that must be (so and so’s) kid,” I sometimes find myself thinking these days as I read local police briefs online, remembering his oft-arrested father at a pool hall or a McDonald’s parking lot, usually up to no good. “At least it’s good to see that traditions still are handed down from father to son.”

Originally published on Patch.com in February 2011

Copyright 2011

The recent removal of eight Woodbury officials from town organizations they serve on brings up a sensitive issue that has plagued many towns for many years: attendance at town meetings.  

With the exception of elected officials such as the board of selectmen, finance, planning and zoning and others, it is often difficult for small towns to fill the various boards, commissions and committees to address matters that make a town operate.

There are a lot of positions to be filled and not always residents eager to take on the charge.  Many different groups keep the lights on at Town Hall late into the evening on any given night comparing notes, brainstorming, listening to guest speakers and tending to other activities, and the task at hand often takes months and sometimes years to develop before noticeable changes occur to the public. It is often not exciting work, and can be exacerbating as evidenced at meetings by the occasional flare of tempers and look of frustration on the faces of the members. 

A quick look at the town of Woodbury directory shows more than 30 boards and commissions, not including various town departments. That’s a lot of meetings and activity for a town of 10,000 residents. To have an active and vibrant group of volunteers depends on the town, the location, its leadership and quite frankly, good luck.  

Active volunteerism tends to run in cycles in many towns. Older residents sometimes claim that in the past there used to be more community input. On the opposite side, communities used to be smaller, much closer-knit with fewer town organizations making decisions and fewer regulations to adhere to. 

Serving on a town commission or committee can provide valuable learning experience for those looking to one day take on a leadership role or run for an elected position. It is also a great way to do one’s part for the town, take part in rewarding activities, meet new friends or learn about things that have always spurred curiosity. It also looks good on a resume for those only concerned with that. 

After attending hundreds of meetings throughout Connecticut in the past decade it is amazing the patience displayed by those volunteering their time to serve their community, as well as those that attend meetings as observers or commentators.

It’s one thing to show up at a town meeting and criticize those that dedicate themselves to join town organizations and another to do so without ever showing up to a meeting to see what they actually do.  It can be entertaining to attend some of these meetings depending on the group.

As with families, school or groups of friends, some officials are outspoken and get the ball rolling while others play the diplomat and others keep quiet, choosing to make their contributions below the radar, remaining seen but not heard. 

Two weeks ago, First Selectman Jerry Stomski, attending a meeting of the Woodbury Business and Economic Development Committee, acknowledged the absence of several members of the group at the meeting. While he did not express any anger or outward displeasure with the lack of showing, he made it clear that in the near future he may be obliged to remove members of town organizations that fail to attend at least two thirds of their meetings. 

He kept his word.

There are as many different reasons for members of town boards, commissions and committees to not have made the requisite two thirds of the meetings. Family issues, health, work and travel all come in to play in one’s life and one’s ability to attend meetings of the groups in which he or she is a member.

They may or may not have been able to attend most of the meetings, but for those who chose to be heard but not necessarily seen, they will now have to look for another way to serve their town.

Originally published on Patch.com in January 2011

Copyright 2011

Woodbury is a beautiful town with the unique combination of rural scenery and classic New England atmosphere at the edge of an undeniably urban area. I’ve been coming to Woodbury for 20 years ever since I was a “student” with Jack and Evan Jones at RBY Studios on Main Street (okay, I know that’s Southbury but it’s close) and although I’m sure there have been many changes, it still looks the same to me.

This week I had the pleasure of covering a meeting of the Woodbury Business & Economic Development Committee (BEDC) at the Shove Building and was pleasantly surprised to meet a nice group of folks working at marketing the town for tourism and, of course, economic development.

If you’ve never been to such a meeting in a small town, and I’ve been to dozens, the initial thought when you arrive as a stranger may be something to the effect of ‘what could this tiny group crammed in a little office possibly accomplish?’

Well, they can accomplish a lot and often do, and no one ever knows about it. I watched Bill Monti display a picture book he and a sub-committee of others have in the works that narrates a historical walk through town that will likely be on file in Woodbury for the next hundred years. Mr. Monti’s enthusiasm about his work spread quickly and it appears they are well on their way to completing it in short order. Every town needs such a book and Woodbury, you have one on the way.

I met BEDC Chairman Joe Donato as soon as I walked into the room. Not knowing I was a reporter (maybe he did) and never having seen me, he smiled, shook my hand and urged me to join the small group at the table. I hesitated a bit waiting for the rest of the members to arrive and fill the seats before fellow committee member Ray Manzi waved me over and pulled up a chair for me.

I could tell this was a newly-formed group (last summer) that was still finding its way and experimenting with methods in which to accomplish its objective, which is to “create an economically successful community through the promotion of the town’s resources,” etc. Quite an undertaking in these times but considering Woodbury’s resources of parks, history, reputation as an antiques destination and convenient location to heavily populated areas along one of the most beautiful drives through the state (Route 6), it is not such a far-fetched goal.

As a reporter, when you enter a room as a complete stranger, set a portable tape recorder in the middle of the meeting table, step back, take a photo of the group then sit down and start taking notes, there can sometimes be a level of tension that some may not have expected.

Enter Woodbury First Selectman, Jerry Stomski.

We had never met and he didn’t look like his photo on the town web site so when he arrived I admit I didn’t know it was him. Just like Mr. Donato, his hand was out to me with a hello and a welcome before he even sat down, wearing jeans and casual attire.

Jerry immediately noted that the absence of members of town boards/committees for more than two-thirds of their meetings (five of nine were not present for this one) should result in their removal from that group. A subtle message was sent but he did not belabor the point.

From there the meeting took a decidedly ambitious pace through Mr. Stomski’s urging progress and members that went through their various reports on progress made and plans ahead. While he was direct, he was polite and encouraging and it looked as though he’d given a lot of thought to this group and the marketing and advertising of Woodbury and it’s businesses.

Through all of the reports, information, advice and marketing plans exchanged, what struck me the most was that the town holds an open mic night at the Old Town Hall each Friday night and is planning a ‘Saturday Night at the Movies’ one night each month later this year. These couldn’t possibly be moneymaking events but it shows character and that the town of Woodbury wants to remain the town of Woodbury.

Who wouldn’t want to live in a place like that?

Something tells me that Joe Donato might even be found up on stage on Friday nights at the Old Town Hall. There are good people looking out for you, Woodbury.

Originally published on Patch.com in January 2011

Copyright 2011

Wednesday’s televised memorial service in Tucson, Arizona raised a number of issues in my mind, and hardly any related to the terrible events that surrounded it.

As with any tragedy, most people are genuinely concerned for their fellow man and want to do anything they can to help. Obviously that was the case here, with the government wanting to honor the victims and their families as well as those who courageously stepped in to help during the shooting.

One issue I had a problem with, however, was that the service resembled a political convention or a pep rally. Before the first speaker said a word there were shrieks and cheers coming from the crowd, most likely students from the University of Arizona, where it was held.

If any event was inappropriate for cheers and smiles this was it. Were the cheers coming from people looking to cheer up the victims’ families or were they coming from people searching for the nearest crowded event to make noise at? Respect was apparently not required at the door.

Second, why was the event on television? Was it as a tribute to the victims and to show the human side of the tragedy or was it another photo op for the politicians? I saw mostly famous faces in the front rows but when it came time to thank the people who acted most courageously by jumping on the shooter, cameras had to zoom in ten rows back through a standing crowd and we still never saw them.

Third, Wrap it Up! A friend of mine once said that directly to the face of someone who went on to long to make a point. While it wasn’t polite or tactful, it made an impression.

At the Arizona service, each of the speakers went on far too long with little to add to the proceedings other than to say they were there. Ironically it was Daniel Hernandez, Jr., the young man who helped save Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ life and could have had the most to say, that kept it short and appeared very humble throughout the evening.

From local town meetings to political fundraisers to phone greetings from customer service reps, it is obvious that a concise point is no longer en vogue. Less is more? Not anymore.

We’ve all seen it in schools and at town halls. A contentious issue is on the table and a line of speakers wait their turn to speak their minds. And speak their mind they do, often sharing every thought that is in their mind but only a few pertaining to the issue at hand. Ever notice that the shorter speeches are often the most poignant? That’s usually because the speaker had a main point and stuck with it rather than pontificate.

President Obama’s speech was emotionally riveting, sensitive and delivered like the professional speaker that he is. It put the appropriate human touch on the victims, the events, and ended gracefully. It was a wonderfully speech, whatever team of writers wrote it, but it too went on far too long too.

I wish the rest of the speakers at the service in Arizona, and public speakers in general, would take a cue from Mr. Hernandez, stick to their point and “wrap it up.”

Originally published on Patch.com in January 2011

Copyright 2011

Years ago, when I was still in college, I made it a point to buy a couple bottles of champagne and deliver them as gifts to a few friends of mine on Christmas Eve. It was either a new friend or couple that I became friends with during the year and I thought it was a nice, simple way in which to acknowledge their friendship while stopping for a quick social visit to help kick off the Holidays.

These were almost always happy events, with me catching them off-guard early in the evening. We rarely ever drank the champagne, usually settling for short chat or a glass of wine at the most. The champagne was merely a memento of my appreciation and since I was usually visiting folks much older than myself, it seemed like a more mature way for me to show Holiday spirit.

The nights began with a lot of driving around listening to Christmas music in the car, mustering up the courage to make my stops. Surprisingly, not being known as a social butterfly, I always did manage to make the stop and I never regretted it. The surprised smiles on my friends faces and the welcome words and invitations to future events always made me feel good.

Perhaps it was selfish of me to make these overtures since I was usually the one to gain the most, but looking back it was worth it considering some of the long friendships that were established, partially, as a result.

The most memorable visit, however, is one I’ll never forget, and it plays back in my head every Christmas Eve. It was at my friend John’s house, which was in a rough part of Danbury.

He and I worked at the same restaurant at the time, and even though he was likely some 30 years older, we shared a common interest in old music and hit it off well. I met his live-in girlfriend a few times and although she was cordial I sensed it wasn’t a match made in Heaven. Anyway I knew John liked champagne and I knew he’d be home so I took a big risk and pulled into his driveway with a nice gift-wrapped bottle.

I never reached the door.

Once out of my car I heard music coming from a car in the dark, dirty driveway and saw a person in the driver’s seat. I walked up, knocked on the window and saw that it was John. He was surprised to the point of fright but invited me in to sit down. After chatting for a few minutes I discovered that he’d been thrown out of the house (or at least refused entry) by the same live-in girlfriend. He seemed like he may have been drinking but he seemed more sad than anything. How couldn’t he be? It was Christmas Eve and he was sitting in his car in his driveway in the cold.

How could it get this bad for this good guy? He had a couple of nice, grown-up kids, and people liked him but something was wrong. I’ll never really know what it was because I never had many more opportunities to speak to him again. He passed away a couple months later after being out at a bar that night and no one ever really knew exactly how he died – no one at his funeral, at work, nowhere.

It was such a shame but I’ll never forget the smile on his face, the big laugh and the big handshake he gave me when I handed him that bottle. I’ll never know how that night turned out for him but it had a big impact on me. I’m not sure I was doing the right thing by stopping by but I’m sure glad that I did. I grew up a little bit that night and I still re-live that visit every Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas, John.

Originally published on Patch.com in 2010

Copyright 2010

Columnist Bob Deakin goes through the list of favorite Holiday Christmas tunes

It’s Christmastime, and there’s no better place to be for Christmas than New England. To see the plumes of smoke billowing from the homes, the Christmas lights on the houses and in the trees, there’s nothing like it. To hear the song “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and to know that here is home for Christmas is a comforting feeling.

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

“Feliz Navidad” by Jose Feliciano? That may not be anyone’s favorite Christmas song but it certainly is catchy and it wouldn’t be Christmas without it. Mr. Feliciano, who has a home in Redding, CT, certainly hit on a clever note by combining one happy Christmas song with two distinct languages.

Gracias, Senior Feliciano, from the bottom of my heart.

“Please Come Home for Christmas” by The Eagles always rings the right note. Penned by blues pianist and singer Charles Brown, The Eagles did this in 1978 known for its simple, blues structure and capped by a straightforward, melodic guitar solo from Don Felder.

Certain Christmas songs have gone through waves of popularity, such as “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” by Elmo and Patsy in the early 1980s. One could always count on hearing that one every couple hours back then but the novelty of it has apparently worn off.

Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas album has had its own ebb and flow of popularity since its original release in 1965, particularly in the early 1990s, at least in the circles I traveled in. Everyone seemed to have that CD at the ready back then, all too eager to play it at any occasion possible around the holidays. Now that they’ve all had the album for upwards of 20 years they’re probably tired of it or perhaps it will go through another wave of popularity.

Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song” is one of my favorites – both the single and the album – and   particularly as part of the Capitol Records recording and release in 1961 with Nat on the cover in a Cardigan sweater in front the fire with a pile of presents at his feet. Many classics on the album are to be cherished including “O Holy Night,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and others with the chorus and orchestra conducted by Ralph Carmichael, which has since been released countless times with a host of different songs in the collection.

Various lesser-know Christmas classics exist by very famous artists including “Christmas in My Heart” by Ray Charles, “The Christmas Waltz” by Frank Sinatra, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” by The Beach Boys and “It Doesn’t Have to Be That Way” by Jim Croce. For a Spanish-speaking classic look up “Sonrie” by Mexican singer Luis Miguel. Although not technically a Christmas song (it’s the Spanish version of Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile”) it appears on Miguel’s Navidades Christmas album from 2006.

If it’s a lesser known classic you are seeking, particularly with a Southeastern United States feel, check out Christ Stamey’s “Christmas Time” or “Home for The Holidays,” which have gotten considerable airplay on college radio stations in past years or Wes Lachot’s “Christmas Is The Only Time (I Think of You)” for a Byrds-style melancholy Christmas classic from the 1990s.

There are a lot of Christmas songs to choose from and many are of the “throw away” variety recorded in a pinch for the benefit the record company or a movie release, but there are just as many others out there worthy of a listen. When in doubt, start with Bing Crosby’s Irving Berlin classic, “White Christmas,” and work you way out from there.

May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be white.

Originally published on Patch.com in December 2010.

Copyright 2010

Columnist Bob Deakin compares and contrasts living in the south as opposed to the Tri-bury area

Coming back to Connecticut from Florida after a five year absence has provided a new perspective on what it’s like to live in the state. Most importantly, it’s great to be back. The people are what make the life, and Connecticut has all that life has to offer.

Roads.

The first stark contrast between the two states is driving. Down in Florida it’s straight, flat and the pavement is never stressed by the weather, so nearly all of the roads are in perfect condition. They weren’t built around neighborhoods either, strained for space and routed by rock outcroppings. Although Florida has the oldest “continuously occupied settlement of European and African American origin” in the United States (St. Augustine – 1565), the roadways are mostly new by comparison to New England so they’re simpler and more grid-like. However, they’re much longer. To take a 25-mile drive to the mall down there is nothing. To do that here takes twice as long and twice the stress.

There is also a confounding issue about driving in Connecticut: people are always drifting over the center line into oncoming traffic. I don’t know what it is other than narrow roads and cell phones that make drivers do that but it has always been the case here and apparently always will. A dangerous practice indeed, especially when it’s a large truck in the oncoming lane, and I wish it would stop.

People.

Yes, people are friendlier in Florida. Sorry Connecticut but if it was 80 degrees and sunny every day you’d be a lot friendlier too. Funny how that works. You might be a bit challenged to find a close-knit group of friends down there like you do up here, since most people there are visiting or recently transplanted, but there is something to be said for beautiful weather every day. It’s easier to get in shape, stay in shape, eat healthier and just take a walk and breathe good, warm air every day without dressing like an Eskimo. It’s great to be rugged and to be able to take on the elements of New England in winter but it’s kind of nice to be warm and bathed in sunshine every day too.

Houses.

There is nothing like the houses in Connecticut. Each one has centuries of history behind it, if only for the property, and is a veritable work of art. Even the badly constructed colonial homes have a beauty like none other. Homes in Florida are more dazzling for their properties, pools and palm trees, and you wouldn’t want to live in a wooden two-story colonial when it’s 90 degrees and humid for six months of the year. Not to mention termites in Florida are apparently on steroids and can take down a good old wooden house in a matter of weeks.

Concerning houses, there seems to be a popular legend with southerners that people in Connecticut sit around on expensive wicker furniture on their front porches all day burning $20 bills to keep warm. I have yet to see anyone sitting around here on wicker furniture burning anything larger than a $1 bill. How did that rumor come to be?

Clothing.

It’s cheap to dress yourself in Florida but not so in Connecticut. From the moment you wake up in the morning here it’s “what shoes do I wear?” “how heavy do I layer myself?” or “what coat and series of sweaters do I wear?” In Florida it’s “what T-shirt and pair of shorts do I wear today?” or “do I just wear no shoes at all?” There is never a thought of buying a sweater, long-sleeved shirt or long pants unless the job requires it. And even expensive shorts and short-sleeved shirts are cheap.

More People.

The people in your life are what’s most important and for me and many of you, most of them are right here and they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. There is a charm to making a fire each morning, making a pot of coffee each day, and dressing for the weather and the occasion, and even taking the long drive on the rough roads to make it all happen. Be happy you’re here in such a nice place and that you don’t have to leave for Christmas, Hanukkah or any of the Holidays. This is the place you visit for the Holidays.

I love Florida and I love Connecticut and both are filled with wonderful people, but it comes down to the people you want to be with. Wherever your loved ones are is the place to be.

If you’re lucky they’re all in the same place.

Originally published on Patch.com in December 2010.

Copyright 2010