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Opinions
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View From the Stage... Memories of music in the morning |
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Wednesday, 22 October 2008 |
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By Joseph DeMasi My wife and I live just west of the courthouse and just a block away from the high school.
Every spring and fall we are treated to a glimpse of the Valley City High School Marching Band as they come marching through the neighborhood at 7:45 a.m. practicing for one of the many events they participate in. Now they certainly don’t compare to the USC marching band but as a professional musician, it is always enjoyable to hear our youth participating in what is to me one of the most unmusical of ensembles, that being a marching band.
I know though that once these kids graduate just about all of them will never touch the instrument that they are playing again for the rest of their lives. There aren’t many gigs for a baritone horn player. So this is their life experience being part of a musical group.
I’m sure many of us can remember and relate to our high school musical experiences. I started on the violin when I was in the fourth grade and played in the orchestra. In junior high the band teacher asked me if I would like to study the trombone as well.
I had a good ear and good intonation which you need for both instruments and I said yes, if for no other reason than I would get to play in the band and there were a lot of cute girls in the flute and clarinet sections.
By the time I got into high school though my interest in the trombone had faded. While I still think it is a beautiful sounding instrument, I just couldn’t get past the spit valve thing. I didn’t want to leave the band though so the band director asked me if I wouldn’t mind playing bass drum in our marching band and to help the timpani player in concert band with counting and tuning the timpani.
I agreed and spent my high school years in the percussion section. I’ll never forget the very first holiday concert we had. The night of the concert our band director came up to me to tell me that Mitch, the timpani player I had been helping out was sick and wasn’t going to make the concert.
I would have to play the timpani instead. Now the timpani are very loud and it’s not like you can hide in the back. You’d better know what you are doing. But I loved classical music. Beethoven was my main man and I was ready.
I knew the parts, played them with confidence and tuned the timpani to the different notes while the band was playing which is not something that is easy to do. After that concert the timpani were mine. Mitch got moved over to another drum and I got to play timpani for the rest of my high school years.
Now in my mind we sounded like the New York Philharmonic but in reality we probably sounded like the Valley City High School Marching Band. Fortunately there are no recordings of my high school band to compare but I never touched the timpani again.
So as I lay there at 7:45 a.m. half asleep and listen to the VCHS Marching Band parade pass my bedroom window, I recollect, sigh and smile. I think of my time playing timpani and my time playing bass drum in the marching band.
I remember the parades we marched in and the football games we played at. I remember fondly the good times we had and how our band director, Mr. Mazzerelli, Mr. Mazz for short, really cared about us and worked us hard to be the best we could be. He treated all the kids fairly and made band a fun, memorable experience for us all. And I know that one day these fine young students will hopefully look back on their high school musical experiences with fondness and pride.
That is what music should really be all about. It was always fun for me and it still is to this day. So until next time. I’ll see you from the stage.
Joseph’s “spotlight” picks
n VC Junior High Band/Choir Fall Concert- Oct 27
n High School Musical- Nov 18, 20-22 |
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Paws to consider... Abandoning pets is wrong |
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Wednesday, 22 October 2008 |
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By Julee Russell
Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals The Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals reminds everyone that abandoning pets is a form of abuse. Domestic pets such as cats, dogs, and rabbits cannot survive on their own. Without help these abandoned pets are doomed to suffer in the outside elements, become the prey of wild animals, be a nuisance on private properties, or often be hit by vehicles. In many cases, these pets die alone and in pain.
You can help. If you see someone dropping off an animal and driving away, make a report to your area law enforcement personnel. If you can, help the animal and try to keep it safe. Check with local agencies to determine options for assistance. These pets deserve love and respect.
If you have a pet that you can no longer care for, please address the situation responsibly. Our area is home to shelters and rescue groups. Contact them to help determine the humane care choices for your pet. It’s their world too.
FALL RAFFLE
The SVFA Fall Raffle ticket sales are underway. Each ticket is $1 with all proceeds going to the general operations of the Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals. These operations include spay/neutering and medical care for animals taken in by the organization. Your raffle ticket money will be used to directly assist an animal in need. The prize drawing will be held at Dutton’s Parlour, Nov. 28, by Santa Claus himself, assisted by “Santa Paws.” Many valuable prizes are available!
AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION
Currently there are four dogs available for adoption. The newest of these is Jezebel.
Jezabel is a young female chocolate lab cross who loves children. She is housetrained, good around other dogs and cats, affectionate and playful. She loves attention, and is looking forward to finding a permanent, loving home. Jez’s smaller size makes her an excellent “in the house” “family” dog.
Wicket, an adorable Maltese/Pekinese cross is doing well in his foster home. He’s very loving, playful, and enjoys attention.
If you are interested in adding one of these dogs to your family, please contact www.svfanimals.org for the pre-adoption form. A hard-copy of the form can be picked up at the Rosebud Visitor Center in Valley City.
DOG PARK
Fundraising for the Dog park continues. Watch the Times-Record for the upcoming scrapbook event to be held at the city auditorium.
As always, be responsible: ID and spay/neuter your pets. |
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Your Health... Living a long and healthy life with diabetes |
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Tuesday, 21 October 2008 |
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By Sharon Buhr On Nov. 1, a diabetes class will be offered at the Health Education Building at Mercy Hospital from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Individuals with diabetes are encouraged to attend and update their knowledge.
It is sponsored by Mercy Hospital, Innovis Health, MeritCare Clinic and the City-County Health District.
Why would I want to come to such a class, a recent patient asked me. The reasons are many. For some individuals it is helpful to join in discussions with other people about diabetes...to hear the problems they have, and to hear how they have solved them.
Other reasons to attend the diabetes class include learning new information about diabetes. Diabetes is continually being studied and new information on how to treat it comes out virtually monthly. Also, you will have the chance to talk to a variety of health professionals and ask them questions which can mean better control for the individual with diabetes.
One question I frequently get asked is “can a person with diabetes lead a full and healthy life?” And can individuals live 40, 50 60 years with diabetes?
The answer is a resounding YES! And there are many cases to prove it.
Take the case of a patient I shall call Bill. He was 11 months old in 1923 when he was diagnosed with diabetes. Today he is 85 years old, and he may have lived with Type 1 diabetes longer than anyone else in the U.S.
In 1920 Dr. Frederick Banting, created the idea to make insulin and by 1922 he, along with three colleagues, were able to make a pancreatic extract, a purified insulin, for use in patients with diabetes.
We know that insulin is not a cure, but it has provided individuals with diabetes the way to lead a full and happy life.
By 1949 researchers had discovered that there are two types of diabetes, one due to lack of insulin (type 1) and one due to reduced insulin sensitivity (type 2). By 1955 the first oral medications for diabetes (pills for type 2) were introduced.
The blood glucose meter was developed in 1970, allowing people with diabetes to better understand their blood sugars, and hence control them better.
In the past 20 years a number studies have shown that for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, complications can be reduced when blood sugar control is better. This is the reason the four health care organizations in Valley City are partnering to present the diabetes class—so that everyone in our community with diabetes will have access to new and helpful information.
We want each person with diabetes to have a good blood sugar number, to reduce their risk of complications, and be as healthy as possible.
The cost of the class is $25 for the person with diabetes and $7 for a friend or family member to attend also. This includes lunch, snacks and materials.
To register for the class, please call Mercy Hospital at 845-6456.
YOUR HEALTH is coordinated by Mercy Hospital. |
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Bridge to VCSU... State of the university |
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Tuesday, 21 October 2008 |
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By Steve Shirley Last week, I delivered my first VCSU State of the University address. During the address, I outlined how the campus is presently positioned, coupled with current challenges and the vision for how we plan to grow the University. This article briefly synopsizes the address. If you would like to view the entire address, it is posted on the VCSU website at www.vcsu.edu/media.
There are many positive initiatives underway at VCSU including our recently completed NCATE accreditation visit. NCATE is the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. VCSU is reviewed every seven years by NCATE, and by all accounts we had another highly successful review last week. As NCATE is the “gold standard” for teacher education accreditation, this speaks volumes to the outstanding quality of our preeminent teacher education program. Thanks to everyone in the education area for their efforts and hard work ensuring a successful accreditation visit and for establishing and maintaining a world-class teacher education program.
Further positive developments at VCSU demonstrating a strong state of the university include new and continued academic partnerships with NDSU, MiSU-Bottineau, Northwest College in Powell, Wyo., and the Boston Museum of Science. New and expanded academic programs have been added at VCSU in areas such as library & information technologies, fisheries & wildlife, enterprise applications, and health sciences. Significant advancements have been made with teaching technologies, online education, and distance delivery. Two new intercollegiate athletic programs, men’s & women’s golf, will begin in Fall 2009. Major infrastructure upgrades across campus have occurred including installation of a new campus steamline, a renovated running track, and office and entryway upgrades. A new VCSU marketing plan has been implemented this year along with a new Internet homepage.
Master’s student enrollment is now at 119 students, a record number for VCSU. Retention of first-year students is at 68 percent this year, the highest that figure has been since 2002. Fall 2008 total student headcount grew to 1019 students, a 3.8 percent increase over last year.
However, despite all this growth and progress, an ongoing challenge for VCSU is increasing the number of freshmen, and continuing our overall enrollment growth. In addressing enrollment, several new priorities have been identified, including an expanded focus on recruiting and retaining international students. These students can help VCSU achieve on-campus enrollment growth, and also help the university succeed with campus diversity objectives.
Men’s & women’s track & field and cross-Country will be reinstated effective for fall 2010. This decision is contingent upon VCSU raising new, external dollars for operational and scholarship funding of the programs during the first couple years. Successfully raising new dollars ensures the addition of these sports do not negatively impact or financially detract from any of our current athletic programs or other campus departments. If the funds are not successfully raised during the next year, we will not launch the programs.
More emphasis will be on a growing student segment – the adult learner. Again, having the technology and partnerships in place to serve these learners will be important. We will continue collaborating with other institutions of higher education and external partners as we successfully move ahead. Additionally, we will begin campus discussions exploring the role of technology in the classroom, the environmental responsibility of our campus, the continued role of undergraduate research along with the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines. The VCSU Foundation, our alumni, and friends of the university will remain a critical and fundamental component for our success. The future is bright; certainly there are some challenges ahead of us, but with creative and thoughtful decisions we will successfully navigate the terrain.
Dr. Steve Shirley is president of Valley City State University. |
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Politics Again: Endorsements |
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Friday, 17 October 2008 |
It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly native criminal class except Congress. —Mark Twain
In politics we presume that everyone who knows how to get votes knows how to administer a city or a state. When we are ill... we do not ask for the handsomest physician, or the most eloquent one. —Plato
A recent survey was said to prove that the people we Americans most admire are our politicians and doctors. I don't believe it. They are simply the people we are most afraid of. And with the most reason. —Unknown Source
Nothing can be said about our politics that has not already been said about hemorrhoids. —Unknown Source
A few days ago I decided to write a column endorsing the presidential candidate of my choice.
I intended to do a rather light-hearted piece on the 10 Reasons to Vote for Obama (Reason 5: He is all-forgiving, and will keep in political office many of those naughty Congressmen responsible for the financial disaster—unless they feel that they have met their own multi-million dollar retirement goals.) You get the drift …
Unfortunately, in the mean time, the stock market went south—to just a hair short of Antarctica. I investigated and found out why. The result was that I got really angry, so angry that I put off writing this column for several days. What I had in mind to write originally would not have worked out for a family-oriented newspaper.
The origins of the crisis lie within certain policies of the Carter and Clinton administrations. Under their administrations, programs were initiated and expanded that were based on the granting of mortgages to people who would be unable to pay them off—or even to make the payments in the first place. “Politically correct” ideas were exploited for justification. Broadening the Democratic power-base was the evolving hidden agenda.
This toxic subprime program is illustrative of the liberal inability to accept that sex causes pregnancy and that insufficient income limits ability to pay (see my T-R 9-10-08 column, “Why are there conservatives and liberals?”). The thin trickle of red ink begun with Carter and Clinton was turned into a crimson tide by the liberal Democrat subprime mortgage pimps Barney Frank, Christopher Dodd, and Franklin Raines—among others. Several Republican moves toward control were stonewalled by the Frank, Dodd, Raines and the Democrat-controlled Congress.
Contrary to the propaganda of the pre-frontal lObamatized, the crash is not the evil fruit of Bush administration policies. President Bush indulged in ill-considered financial adventurism, but nothing that would cause worldwide financial catastrophe. (Note: Bush’s approval rating is 29 percent or less; that of Congress 16 percent or less, and the respective levels of poor government are reflected in this difference.)
The reason Bush is the lightning rod for all the blame is that he is just one person with one name and title. He is seen as a single source of bad decisions and a clear target for recriminations. The real villains are scattered throughout Congress; they act in groups behind the scenes and they rarely suffer the consequences of their foolishness.
Right now, perhaps for the first time in history, our very own government is revealed as our greatest danger. The U.S. government is not exactly an enemy—in the sense of a North Korea or Iran—it is worse than that: we have been deeply and treasonously betrayed by irresponsible, greedy, and deluded members of Congress—our own representatives, our own people.
It is not Wall Street that is ultimately responsible, and it is certainly not the Bush administration’s fiscal policies per se. Wall Street can mess around with billions of dollars, but when you get into the trillion dollar range, it’s government.
In this case, it was the government that chummed the subprime waters. Trillions of dollars in the hands of political buffoons is like giving gasoline and matches to children. And they took another $700 billion! All we can hope is that practice makes perfect.
Certain members of Congress have sucked the blood out of the future of our elderly and of our children, and crippled the hopes of almost everyone in between. They, however, saw to it that they were compensated in the millions for their “services.” Bring on North Korea and Iran! Bring on Russia and China! We would have half a chance of dealing with them in a fair fight, but having to do battle with our own government will be far more difficult.
There are no police to call when one is burgled by the federal government. We must rely on our own devices. We may not be talking about manning the barricades and heaving Molotov cocktails; it may be more like struggling to subdue someone close to us who is a mean drunk, who has occasional fits of behavior that put himself and others in danger, who is constantly hitting us up for a “loan,” and who is often a worldwide embarrassment.
I have been a bit shocked to learn how little fellow conservatives know about the background of the financial collapse. There is nothing mysterious or subtle about it. As the television ad puts it, you could see it “coming like an atom bomb.” Also, little notice seems to have been taken of how a Barack Obama administration, combined with a Democrat-controlled Congress, will be able to steamroll us into socialism virtually without opposition. The wheels of that steamroller will be greased by the liberalized Supreme Court that also will soon be installed.
Electing John McCain might just put a small hitch in the liberal get-along. McCain might be just enough of a speed-bump to keep the long black limo of the Liberal Democrats from running over our lives, our “fortunes,” and our sacred honor.
(Documentation in support of the above statements is available on request. Sorry, e-mail only.
Dennis Stillings’ column appears on occasional Fridays. Reach him by e-mail:
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