Being A Successful Newspaper The Old-Fashioned Way

On June 18, 2010, in Greenfield, MA, Life in New England, Marketing, by Wilfried F. Voss

New York Times, Washington Post, and all other big newspapers all over the country struggling to survive the Internet boom, here is my ode to the Recorder, serving the people of Greenfield, Massachusetts and the North Quabbin region.

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Speechwriter Ben Clarke And His Offensive Humor

On June 9, 2010, in Greenfield, MA, Life in New England, Politics in Greenfield, Massachusetts, by Wilfried F. Voss

I still wonder who at The Recorder allows Ben Clarke to continue his Rush-Limbaugh-wannabe tirades, and if someone will tell him that his humor is not funny in the least.

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Hawk Migrations – Where To See Hawks In New England

On June 1, 2010, in Life in New England, by Wilfried F. Voss

As it happens, Lighthouse Point is ideal for counting raptors and certain other species during the migration. A day earlier, Greg Hanisek, a volunteer from Waterbury, counted 825, including 15 bald eagles–the highest single-day bald-eagle recording since bird counts officially started here nearly 40 years ago.

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Traditional Barn Dances With Calls & Fiddling

On June 1, 2010, in Book Reviews, Life in New England, Lifestyle, by Wilfried F. Voss

Dance instruction has never been made easier than with Traditional Barn Dances With Calls & Fiddling. Created by Dudley Laufman, a traditional New England dance caller and fiddler, and his cofiddler, Jacqueline Laufman, who have more than 80 years of combined experience, this book, DVD, and two-CD package contains everything you need for learning to teach 53 dances to participants of all ages and abilities. Music, calls, and dance steps are included for Virginia Reel, Portland Fancy, Paul Jones, Grand March, Seven-Step Polka, Farandole, and Jefferson and Liberty and more.

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Women’s Writes: Signature Quilts & Stories

On June 1, 2010, in Life in New England, Lifestyle, by Wilfried F. Voss

The New England Quilting Museum’s groundbreaking exhibition on women’s material history, Women’s Writes: Signature Quilts and Their Stories tells the little-known story of women in the 19th and early 20th centuries taking social action by by combining needle and thread with the power of the pen.

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Fast-Moving Storm Savages Franklin County

On May 29, 2010, in Life in New England, Technology, by Wilfried F. Voss

Back in the 1930′s President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in an effort to end the current recession, initiated actions to provide modern comforts of electricity to millions of households all over the United States. The fastest and most economical solution at the time was the use of wood, and the impact of FDR’s initiative is still visible in form of the familiar electricity posts that decorate streets all over the country.

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The Murderous Red Sox – Yankees Rivalry

On April 19, 2010, in Baseball is NOT a Sport!, Life in New England, by Wilfried F. Voss

The rivalry between the Red Sox and the Yankees is a much needed spice for an otherwise sober game that, more than once, challenged my ability to stay awake during late night hours.

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The Grand Old Lady Of Log Plain Road

On April 9, 2010, in Life in New England, by Wilfried F. Voss

I still remember how Buffy came into my life, or vice versa, whichever view works. Buffy is our dog, sort of a Rhodesian-Ridgeback, a breed used in Africa to hunt lions. There is, however, not a single aggressive bone in her. She is very affectionate, and she likes to please – provided she knows you. In her younger years she liked to run until she would pass out, and she is still very protective of my wife, and, now that he is part of her life, our son Patrick.

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Helping To Bring Lasting Peace To Northern Ireland

On March 31, 2010, in Life in New England, Political Comments, The Bleeding Hills, by Wilfried F. Voss

As part of ICF’s reconciliation program, 100 twelve-year olds from segregated Belfast neighborhoods have been selected each year to spend a one month summer holiday in the United States. Represented in equal numbers, these Protestant and Catholic children bear the scars of deep historical hatred. Hosted by American families, the youngsters take part in a wide range of activities, including a summer camp that uses team games to build trust and encourage cooperation.

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The Egg-Shell-Perforation-Causer

On March 14, 2010, in Life in New England, by Wilfried F. Voss

The basic problem with eating boiled eggs is to produce a clear-cut edge on top where you open a boiled egg. Many people prefer to use a breakfast knife and simply cut the top off. Such a barbaric method is simply not acceptable. The edge is too rough, and you may end up with egg shell pieces in your yoke.

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