Honoring volunteers on their week
Noble Horizons has not been able to welcome our devoted volunteers to campus for over a year, but they remain cherished members of the Noble family whose impact is felt daily. On the occasion of the 47th annual National Volunteer Week (April 18-24), we are thrilled to recognize our volunteers whom we normally celebrate with a tribute party but we are grateful to honor here for their invaluable contributions. These generous men and women have not been with us in person yet their support continues to enrich the lives throughout the Noble community.
First and foremost, we wish to thank the hardworking Noble Horizons Auxiliary volunteers who have presented the spectacular Festival of Trees for over 20-years, organized Noble’s popular bi-annual tag sales, hosted the festive annual holiday fair and so much more. Incredibly, despite their absence, their impact continues to resonate whether through their sponsorship of the beloved resident lobster luncheon, their purchase of raised flower beds which give all Noble residents access to the joys of gardening, their generous donations to the Employee Scholarship Fund, their gift of two NuStep exercise machines and most significantly, their exceptional contribution to upgrade Noble’s Wi-Fi network which has been severely taxed during the pandemic. These remarkable volunteers, like all volunteers, give from their hearts…and in so doing, they touch lives with kindness, compassion, and friendship.
To the many who visit as volunteer readers to residents, play games, chat, visit with pet therapy dogs, perform concerts, and offer countless other activities- we miss you, we thank you and we can’t wait to welcome you back! You single-handedly transform lives while inspiring and humbling us with your dedication and commitment. We have done our very best without you but we are not whole without you!
We send Noble volunteers and volunteers everywhere our gratitude for your incalculable impact and open hearts.
Caroline Burchfield
Director of Community Relations
Noble Horizons
Salisbury
A memory of the prince, so charming
As I write, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, has just been laid to rest in St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. One of my friends said to me today, “Oh, he was the handsomest man I ever saw! What was he like?” She was asking me because I was English, and was therefore expected to know everything about the Queen’s husband, even though I had been an American for more than 50 years. So, I told her what I knew about Prince Philip. I thought it might amuse your readers as it did my friend.
When I was 18, in 1955, I was presented at Court. My godmother wanted me to be presented, and my mother gave in and agreed the deed should be done. So one beautiful spring afternoon, I found myself being driven down the Mall, through the gates of Buckingham Palace and up to the great door under the archway. The presenters sat in rows on little gold chairs in the grand ballroom. The debutantes came in from a side door to make their curtsies to the Queen, who was sitting with the Royal Family on a platform in front of this audience.
I soon found myself waiting in an anteroom, peering around the girls before me to catch a glimpse of, of course, Prince Philip. He was in naval uniform — swoon! But all too soon the girl before me took off for the white canvas pathway and I had to prepare myself for this terrifying but well-rehearsed performance. I heard my name announced in the stentorian tones of the major domo, and began to walk forward in my silk afternoon dress on my high heels, till I came to a square patch stitched on the canvas, turned left and walked toward the Queen.
I looked up at her as I moved three steps forward, and she looked at me and graciously bowed her head. Then I had to stop, and go into my knee-lock, and, looking down now, give my court curtsey. Then, stepping backwards three steps (you never turn your back on the Queen), reached the junction and, turning right, walked towards the Duke of Edinburgh. Come to the next square. Curtsey in front of him — balance a few precious moments, then up and away, out of the grand ballroom and on to the Queen’s tea party!
In spite of all this terrifying activity, I was able to notice one thing to tell my friends: Prince Philip did something the Queen never did. He always looked to his right as one girl backed away from him, to see what the talent was about to bring next. Hopeful to the last! And he seemed to be smiling, enjoying himself, which none of the other members of the Royal Family did. The Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, the Princess Royal, all looked as if they were dying for a nice cup of tea. But not Prince Philip!
And that’s all I know about the Duke of Edinburgh.
Gaile Binzen
Salisbury
Thanks from SVAS for support
On behalf of the Board and the Squad of the Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance Service, I would like to extend a big THANK YOU to our community. Your support of our annual appeal for donations is what makes it possible for our volunteer EMTs to serve you free of charge.
We have been fortunate, also, to be the recipient of several bequests, which become our reserve to fund unexpected financial demands, many of which have surfaced during this past year of the pandemic. In this, our 50th year, our deepest thanks to our donors, past and present!
Don Mayland
President, Salisbury Volunteer
Ambulance Service
Salisbury
Pay attention when driving: all will benefit
Thank you for your editorial about distracted driving in your April 8 edition.
Having been the victim of someone else’s distracted driving, I can’t stress enough the importance of paying keen attention when driving a vehicle, which, unfortunately, can become an instrument of destruction if not responsibly operated.
Not only has my own experience informed my awareness of the road and of other operators, but countless examples of accidents and their sorry aftermath have been experienced by others in my personal and professional life. There are far too many auto accidents and there is far too little attention paid to the emotional and physical trauma, not to mention financial ruin, they can cause, not only to the operator, but to innocent others.
It is the most selfish and self-important act imaginable to believe that the text, or phone call, or sip of coffee, or newspaper (yes, I have seen drivers reading the paper while driving!) cannot wait until you are safely at rest. In my opinion, the penalties for “distracted driving” offenses are far too lenient to be effective deterrents.
Please, be responsible. Don’t text and drive. It isn’t necessary to take that phone call or read or respond to that email before you get to your destination. The life you save may be your own… And the pain and trauma you cause someone else will live with you forever.
Donna D. Vincenti
Lakeville
Let’s continue our legacy
Our history is pregnant with renowned individuals who based their businesses and personal lives on the Almighty. Consider Samuel F.B. Morse, inventor of the American telegraph system and Morse Code, who on May 24, 1844, from our Supreme Court sent his first message based on Numbers 23.23: “What hath God wrought.”
Or, Samuel Adams, signer of the Declaration of Independence, in his will: “I…recommend my Soul to that Almighty Being who gave it…” Or William Cushing, First Associate Justice in his will, “Sensible of my morality, but being of sound mind after recommending my soul to Almighty God through the merits of my Redeemer.”
Or, John Dickinson, signer of the U.S. Constitution in his will: “Rendering thanks to my Creator for my existence…”. Or Patrick Henry, Governor of Virginia, in his will: “…I give to my dear family the religion of Christ.” Or John Jay, our First Chief Justice in his will “Unto HIM who is the author and giver of all good, I render sincere and humble thanks…”. Or Charles C. Pinckney, signer of The Constitution in his will: “To the eternal, immutable and only true GOD, be all honor and glory, now and forever, Amen.”
Or John Witherspoon, signer of the Declaration of Independence: “I entreat you in the most earnest manner to believe in Jesus Christ, for there is no salvation in any other.” For centuries, we have shared a legacy of prayer relying on the Almighty. We invite you to continue this legacy as well as your own legacy.
Since 1952, every president has proclaimed a National Day of Prayer. Let us continue the legacy together. Come join us Thursday, May 6, at the Memorials next to the Salisbury Town Hall at 6 p.m. to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the National Day of Prayer.
Marie Barnum
Salisbury
Housing need is clear
After speaking with Patrick Sullivan (Lakeville Journal reporter) and Curtis Rand (Salisbury first selectman), it is clear that affordable housing should be available to low-income families who wish to reside in the town of Salisbury. If Salisbury wishes to continue their long-standing vibrancy and outstanding community, then affordable housing is the answer. The population has already fallen 15% in the last 14 years and is expected to fall exponentially by 22% in the next six years.
This will seclude the community and drive people farther apart. The vibrancy will be no more. The goal is to bring working class people back into the town. As of right now, that is not possible. The supply of houses has decreased due to Covid driving prices up to about $900,000 a pop. Obviously this is not affordable for your average teacher, nurse or landscaper. Bringing these citizens back increases overall town productivity and economy. America was built on the common working man. Having blue collar men or women within the community creates a symbiotic relationship where money funnels up and down.
And yes, they are blue collar. They are not people who will bring crime and more poverty. They are people who if given the building blocks to life (i.e., food, clothing, warmth) will build something beautiful. Many write to the editor saying location is the problem, but as stated by Jim Dresser it’s not either-or. He also points out many statistical and analytical articles done in previous papers showing how affordable this project is. Residents around these project sites will highlight complications of traffic, waste disposal, parking problems and many other minuscule issues compared to the problems that will arise if the population, and in turn, the power within Salisbury falls. Decisions on laws and regulation that affect the locals will be passed off to towns such as Hartford or even Washington.
Giovanni Procaccini
Salisbury School
Salisbury
Support the future
As an international student attending Salisbury School, I was not sure what to expect of the town of Salisbury when I first arrived. However, my family and I quickly fell in love with the town and the surrounding area. Whether it was going on a small field trip to check out the civil war memorial downtown and stopping in the Sweet Williams coffee shop or going out to eat at a local restaurant with my parents when they would come down to watch a football game, we knew this town was special. My favorite memory is when my family and I mentioned at a restaurant that we were Canadian, and the waitress called over two of the other waiters to talk about the Canadian television show Trailer Park Boys.
This area and its people are special, but a peculiar problem has arisen. The housing market in the area has grown so expensive in the recent years, that the people necessary to keep the businesses of the town running are unable to afford a place to live in the immediate area. With these people driven out of the town, how can we expect them to remain working here just to commute a longer distance? If no action is taken now, I believe the great community that has been built in the town of Salisbury will slowly deteriorate until it is unable to support itself. There is a strong need for workers in the near future to help the town run properly. This need can easily be filled by the development and construction of affordable housing right here in Salisbury. This housing will allow the workers that are needed to live close to their jobs and contribute to the already established community.
With funding coming from the federal level, the space needed already available, and excellent experienced management, why would you not support it? It is up to the community of Salisbury to ensure that this great place remains for the residents of the future. Supporting the construction of affordable housing in Salisbury is supporting the future of Salisbury.
Scott Fulton
Salisbury School
Salisbury
Save HR-1
The filibuster is a Jim Crow construct of Southern white supremacists designed to skew the vote to their non-democratic cause. We will not be a true democracy until all votes are counted. Uphold HR-1.
C Archer Woodward
Winsted
"Cow," by Joelle Sander.Cornwall Library
Lala TamarProvided
