Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Church
In answer to a comment left on a previous post... I am currently attending the First Nazarene Church of Branson, where I am currently the pianist.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Press Release
As some of you know, I work for a vacation company here in Branson which brings thousands of people to Branson every year and also does marketing for the Branson area. Here is a news release I received today from my friend, Ann, in the marketing department. This is exciting!
You will need to click on the press release to view a larger version.
"After months of work, Account Executive, Ann Reinke will bring this terrific exposure to our community. We are delighted about the opportunity to present Branson to this audience in an exciting new way!” said John Wallen. “We are confident that the people of Branson will welcome As the World Turns with open arms. Obviously we can’t disclose the story line, but we can say that people will be talking about Branson and As The World Turns.”
The cast members will be available for media interviews and autographs on Saturday, June 9 from 10 am until 2 pm at the Grand Country Square.
As The World Turns celebrated its 50th anniversary on April 2, 2006. The show received 12 Daytime Emmy Award nominations in 2006, including Outstanding Daytime Drama Series. Christopher Goutman is Executive Producer and Jean Passanante is Headwriter. A Procter & Gamble Production, As The World Turns is taped in Brooklyn, NY. The show can be seen weekdays on the CBS Television Network. (Check local listings). For photos please visit http://www.pgpphoto.com/.
-END-
You will need to click on the press release to view a larger version.
"After months of work, Account Executive, Ann Reinke will bring this terrific exposure to our community. We are delighted about the opportunity to present Branson to this audience in an exciting new way!” said John Wallen. “We are confident that the people of Branson will welcome As the World Turns with open arms. Obviously we can’t disclose the story line, but we can say that people will be talking about Branson and As The World Turns.”
The cast members will be available for media interviews and autographs on Saturday, June 9 from 10 am until 2 pm at the Grand Country Square.
As The World Turns celebrated its 50th anniversary on April 2, 2006. The show received 12 Daytime Emmy Award nominations in 2006, including Outstanding Daytime Drama Series. Christopher Goutman is Executive Producer and Jean Passanante is Headwriter. A Procter & Gamble Production, As The World Turns is taped in Brooklyn, NY. The show can be seen weekdays on the CBS Television Network. (Check local listings). For photos please visit http://www.pgpphoto.com/.
-END-
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Happy Birthday Jill!
My dearest friend, Jill, celebrates her birthday this Saturday. Hope it's the best, honey!
Happy Birthday!
It's so hard to believe that my nephew, Darren, will be 8yrs old this Friday. Happy Birthday buddy!
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
President's Day Excursion
There is really nothing spectacular about the photos below. I was enjoying the beautiful weather on Monday and decided to kick off my new exercise routine by going on a 3hr hike by Lake Taneycomo. It was a beautiful day, and the temperature was perfect for hiking. I even met a fox along the way. I tried to snap a pic of him, but he had things to do and no time to pose for me. He just continued to trot along his merry way with bushy tail swinging to and fro.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Friday, February 02, 2007
I Belong in 1971
| You Belong in 1971 |
1970 - 1979: Bold and brash, you take life by the horns. Whether you're partying or protesting, you give it your all! |
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Random Acts of Kindness (A Teacher Story)
As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.
Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition,Teddy could be unpleasant.
It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F"at the top of his papers.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise. Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners ... he is a joy to be around."
His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."
His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him.
He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."
Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class." By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself.She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents,wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to."
After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day,she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year,Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same,Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets." A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was stil the best teacher he ever had in life. Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD The story does not end there.
There was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs.Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference." Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make adifference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you.
Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition,Teddy could be unpleasant.
It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F"at the top of his papers.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise. Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners ... he is a joy to be around."
His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."
His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him.
He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."
Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class." By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself.She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents,wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to."
After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day,she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year,Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same,Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets." A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was stil the best teacher he ever had in life. Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD The story does not end there.
There was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs.Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference." Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make adifference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you.
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