Monthly Archives: March 2014

What is your role in Norwich?

I was at yet another public ribbon cutting event in Norwich. It is always nice to see new businesses open but I see a lot of the same faces at these events so I know who they are and what they represent. I would like to see a small change though at these events. Instead of my having to identify the individuals by the name brands displayed on their shoes, purses, jackets and other accessories, I would like to see the leaders of our community wear tasteful identity badges.

Not large identity badges visible from miles away but a distinguishing badge (or pin or tie clasp or something) that may not carry the name of the person but perhaps a symbol of their office or that they belong to Norwich. The Chamber of Commerce gives out hundreds of Rose Tie Tacks each year but few people wear or display them but there is a great discussion about how many have been collected over the years. Embroidered rose stickers for many years were handed out until finally the supply was gone.

Perhaps the Norwich Arts Council or the Chamber of Commerce or another group could take on the responsibility to have a contest for the best design for a unique piece that could be worn by the Mayor and City Councilors and other leaders of the community? Maybe it is time for the leaders of Norwich to be more concerned with displaying their pride in their city and their leadership than their pride in being able to afford a name brand accessory that is neither designed, made or sold in Norwich.

Who says it spring?

According to the calendar spring has arrived. Well in a recent article I read I was reminded of the words of Henry Van Dyke in Fisherman’s Luck, “The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.”

Sadly the first spring day is generally followed by a few cold snaps as winter tries to prolong its life, a kind of reversed Indian Summer. So what gives us assurance that spring will be here and followed by the warmth of summer?

Skunk cabbage: Found in mucky swamps, skunk cabbage appears around mid-March, producing its own heat (through a chemical reaction) that melts the snow and ice around its large, strange, purple-pointed hoods. Later, the plant’s color and scent lures carrion flies to pollinate other flowers and plants.

Groundhog: Male groundhogs, or woodchucks, first emerge from hibernation to leave their male scent around and to search for the dens of females. They tramp about the lawns as if they are the taxpayer.

Skunks may take over convenient groundhog, rabbit, or fox dens if near a stream. In the winter and early spring skunks may be seen out of their dens at almost any time of day, especially before and after long periods of snow cover or prolonged cold weather.

Pussy willows are versatile willow shrubs that love poor soil and soggy ground, ok swamps. The fuzzy white catkins or buds are one of the first signs of spring and we bring the branches inside our homes to brighten the darkness of winter.  Grape Hyacinths appear in the well-drained fields as spikes of dense, usually blue flowers resembling bunches of grapes in the spring. Then there are the daffodils and tulips and of course the crocus that raise their heads above and in spite of any snow that may be on the ground as soon as the earth around them begins to warm.  I welcome them all.

Please e-mail your comments on this blog to berylfishbone@yahoo.com.

 

 

Walk the Halls of City Hall

I think the walls of City Hall could use a bit of sprucing up. I would like to think of the walls of the City Hall as a canvas to display and communicate what a great place Norwich is and how we, as a community have grown over the years.

I enjoy making to-do lists so here is a partial list of some of the displays I would like to see. Maps of the City of Norwich from 1659 then every 50 years or so to show how the shape of the City changed and how areas changed and grew and populated with businesses and homes. If there were some particularly eventful years those maps could be included as well.

Norwich has a variety of recreational areas, ball fields, tennis courts, golf, ice skating, trails, parks, boat ramps and designated fishing areas. As you walk into City Hall there is a huge display of Sports Man of the Year but is there any interest in surrounding it with pictures of activities from throughout the city showing them off and being used.

What about a wall of “Made Here in Norwich” with photos of items that are manufactured here in Norwich.

I would like to see a photographic commitment in each municipal office of the people in that office working with members of the community they are serving. That’s right I want people to see faces they recognize in the pictures. Happy, friendly, welcoming and smiling faces.

It is time for City Hall to lead the way in being “Loud and Proud” about Norwich and all it has to offer.

Marmalade in your Tea

I never know when and where you are going to learn something new. As a friend I had not seen in a very long time and I were sitting at her kitchen table, I watched as she stirred a teaspoon of lemon marmalade into her cup of tea.

You know that I have no control over my mouth and immediately began questioning what I had seen her do. “Have you always done that?” “Where did you learn to put marmalade in your tea?” “My family has always done it. Doesn’t everyone?” was the quick reply. “Sometimes I use lemon marmalade and sometimes orange when I am making sweet tea especially in the summer.”

This kept us in conversation about her family and their food traditions for a very long time. Until recent history sugar and citrus were hard to come by all year round so every bit was used and preserved. Citrus juice was a seldom enjoyed treat that went quickly so the peels with their oils were pressed and some of the precious peel was dipped in sugar and dried to be enjoyed like candy. Some of the peel was thinly sliced and boiled in sugar and water to create marmalade to be enjoyed on toast. Or so I thought. Next time you want to dress up a cup of coffee, tea or cocoa or even just want to add a hint of flavor to a cup of hot water add a small teaspoon of marmalade. What are the food traditions of your family?

Comments on this blog should be E-mailed to  berylfishbone@yahoo.com

I never know when and where you are going to learn something new. As a friend I had not seen in a very long time and I were sitting at her kitchen table, I watched as she stirred a teaspoon of lemon marmalade into her cup of tea.

You know that I have no control over my mouth and immediately began questioning what I had seen her do. “Have you always done that?” “Where did you learn to put marmalade in your tea?” “My family has always done it. Doesn’t everyone?” was the quick reply. “Sometimes I use lemon marmalade and sometimes orange when I am making sweet tea especially in the summer.”

This kept us in conversation about her family and their food traditions for a very long time. Until recent history sugar and citrus were hard to come by all year round so every bit was used and preserved. Citrus juice was a seldom enjoyed treat that went quickly so the peels with their oils were pressed and some of the precious peel was dipped in sugar and dried to be enjoyed like candy. Some of the peel was thinly sliced and boiled in sugar and water to create marmalade to be enjoyed on toast. Or so I thought. Next time you want to dress up a cup of coffee, tea or cocoa or even just want to add a hint of flavor to a cup of hot water add a small teaspoon of marmalade. What are the food traditions of your family?

Comments on this blog should be E-mailed to  berylfishbone@yahoo.com

A Parade of Words Please

The saying is that a picture is worth a thousand words. For some that may be true but for me I appreciate the words. The descriptions. The feelings and emotions that go with the words. Pictures to me are flat. They capture only a moment of the time while words capture and then communicate so much more.

Last Sunday was the first St. Patricks Day Parade in Norwich and people have posted many, many wonderful pictures on the web and in the newspapers. But I miss reading the descriptions of the crowds. “as the crowd began to applaud, hoot, yell and create an uproar”.   Did those who rode on a parade float wave to the crowd? Were things tossed to children? Did their eyes glow with excitement? Were their smiles wide? Did the air ring with their calls to toss candy and toys to them?

Who were the groups that marched and why were they representative of the Irish population? Was the Irish population a large part of Norwich past or present? Where do I find a description of the sound of the step dancers on the pavement?  What lessons will I learn.

While I am certain all was perfect I hope for the future there is a written description that singles out the sounds and scenes of this very first parade.

 

Yesterdays Later Is Now

Is anyone else feeling tired of being threatened and bullied by the leaders of the City of Norwich? If you don’t put more money toward (please fill in the project of the moment) we are going to have to a) close it b) reduce hours c) find a different source for the money d) it’s a mandate and while we ask you, you really have no option but to say yes.

The latest thing is the Ice Skating Rink. If we (the taxpayers) don’t hand over another million dollars it will have to close and we will have no chance of ever seeing the money we have already invested ever again. It’s the “another million dollars” that I am having problems with and why, oh why, do I have a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach there is going to be an $800,000 solution in the offing? A solution that will not need to be explained to the taxpayers.

The School Board just puts in an increased budget saying everything has gone up so we must increase our budget to keep pace.  Everybody deserves a raise who works for the city because the price of groceries and gas has gone up and is there really a person working for the city who does not do an outstanding job in whatever their circumstances are?

My property was just appraised for less so that the tax rate can be raised so I can pay more on less to keep the coffers of the city solvent. I pay $600’s in annual customer fees to the private corporation of the Norwich Public Utilities so they can turn a portion of it over to the City towards another private corporation while I just get to pay the higher costs and fees with no tax credits for my contribution.

Enough with the hidden fees and the magnanimous donations that the payers receive no thank you for. It is time for the bullying and the fee charging so someone else can get the credit for the donation to stop. It is time for the taxpayers to get the credit for all that they contribute. Now. Is a really good time to start. Now, is yesterdays later.