Occupation: I am Dean of the Macricostas School of Arts and Sciences at Western Connecticut State University. I started on July 16, 2018. I was in the English department teaching at Shenandoah Uni...
UPDATE (Thursday, March 28, 2019): The April 6 Flagpole Radio Cafe has been canceled. || Check out an exclusive chat with singer/songwriter Lucy Kaplansky, who will be headlining the next Flagpole Radio Café April 6.
Edmond Town Hall kicked off St Patrick’s Day weekend with the second installment of its four-week Dark Night Cabaret series on the evening of March 15.
While renovations continue to take place in the ...
Newtown High School students are making magic on the school’s auditorium stage: the spring musical, Mary Poppins, is being staged Thursday, March 21 to Sunday, March 24.
Members of the Newtown Senior Center were sporting festive green ensembles during the annual St Paddy’s Day lunch and bingo on March 15.
Irish-themed dishes like Shepard’s Pie and Irish soda bread wer...
After reading about the company’s 80th Anniversary celebration and planned expansion last year in The Newtown Bee, US Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced March 11 that Aldine Metal Products in New Milford is his latest “Murphy’s Monday Manufacturer.”
Shortts Farm is again starting its Community Supported Agriculture program, in which residents purchase "shares" and receive a basket of produce and other items each week.
A Canada goose showed up on Hawley Pond nearly five months ago. Injured and alone, he has formed a tentative friendship with one couple who may have saved his life by paying attention to him when other geese would not.
What started as one Sandy Hook mom’s quest to help find a way for her children to “get involved” has led to an outpouring of support, and more members of the community can help join the effort to aid Bridgeport’s homeless.
Excellent forum hosted by these young college students. They posed difficult but very important questions, especially about the increasing costs of living in Newtown; what qualifications and qualities Brandon Moore, the candidate for CT State Representative that appeared for the forum, brings; the candidate's ability to lead; and the ability to make difficult choices. Brandon Moore was impressive. He was on point and focused on improving the quality of life of Newtown residents. My husband and I were huge opponents to his candidacy, believing some of the things that have turned out to be untrue, but thankfully we asked a lot of questions and observed a lot behind the scenes, and Brandon Moore is a solid, knowledgeable, honest and strong candidate.
What a time to be alive! Thanks for the alert, David. I'll have to make a point to follow this issue here in Newtown, it's been something I've been following for some time on the national level. FYI- I think Canada had to put on hold their plans to reduce their mental care liabilities via state-assisted murder until 2027 because they had a hard time drumming up support. It's deeply ironic and sick that the advocates struggle to keep their momentum pushing this thru at state levels because once they find their loophole they promptly end their lives (and their advocacy). Praying this doesn't become a reality here in CT but other forces seem to be hard at work here.
The group of college students reached out to both candidates. One appeared and one did not. The DTC had plans for one not to appear and that was coordinated. I knew before anything was released to the public, of one non appearance being coordinated. Why is a forum such a concern? Why so much promotion of rumors and so many moving over toward the candidacy of Brandin Moore. Including me. The lack of transparency has to end. The manipulation of residents as well. I saw it firsthand and pulled away from the campaign. Nothing sus here just lack of information.
Death is not anathema. We all must come to it. It is as sacred as life. Western medicine has given us many benefits. We can cure disease and injury that used to cut life short. We can support healthy aging, giving us more years to enjoy life. But western medicine has its dark side. It tends to make death the enemy, something to be postponed, avoided, fought against regardless of the cost. Quality of life is sacrificed for quantity. Our doctors fight heroically for life, and their commitment is admirable. But they do not always know when and how to step back from the fight. Often, the medical system itself will not allow them to step back from the fight. Medical aid in dying is in part a response to that problem. Many people who seek it are alive because of previous medical intervention that was seen as good at the time. My mother lived many years past the point she wished to be dead. At 96, she stopped eating and drinking. That is not a good way to die. Not good for the one dying, not good for the family present for the dying. Medical aid in dying was not available for her. A dear friend lived with metastasized bone cancer for many years. Despite the pain, he managed with dignity. He lived independently which was essential to his sense of self-worth. At 90, he could no longer care for himself and was ready to die. Unlike my mother, he had access to medical aid in dying. Those of us who loved him were grateful.
Proposals for medical aid in dying should be considered seriously. Such a proposal is not a "twisted thing." This kind of legislation arises from compassion and is intended to address a significant societal problem. I applaud our local Commission on Aging for engaging with the issue.
Christine I truly cannot sufficiently express how appreciative I am of your letter. It means so much to to know that this moment, during this campaign, is the time when you felt you needed to speak out. I also deeply appreciate your attendance at the College Democrats of CT debate. Even though we weren't able to have a full conversation between both candidates, I am still so proud that you took the time out of your evening to learn more about this critical election. Thank you so much!!
