Southington Care Center nurse crochets 1,000 Christmas stockings for needy children

A heart warming story, courtesy of Southington Care Center*

Lisa Pinter has had her hands full for the last three years – full of crochet hooks and yarn. A licensed practical nurse at Southington Care Center, when she wasn’t caring for “her” residents, she was crocheting thousands – probably millions - of stitches. She even crocheted while sitting in the stands at drag races while her husband was out on the track. A Higganum resident, she stitched her way all over the country while on vacations to Hawaii and South Dakota.

Countless skeins later, her hands are idle because she has been able to cross off an item on her bucket list: crafting 1,000 Christmas stockings for needy children. The youngsters celebrated Christmas Day at the We Are The Children party, organized by radio station 96.5 WTIC-FM and held at the Hartford XL Center. This was the 30th year for We Are The Children, a non-profit and 100 percent volunteer organization that has supported countless numbers of women’s and children’s causes.

It took three years for Pinter to stitch 1,000 stockings so that every child could have one. After delivering 10 boxes to the radio station, she was interviewed on air by radio personality Gary Craig, founder of the event. “Every single stocking had her heart in it. A project that took her nearly three years to complete stands as the ultimate example of giving of yourself,” he said.

Renata Ogrodnik, Southington Care Center director of nursing, said she was amazed by Pinter’s accomplishment. The licensed practical nurse is just as dedicated to her job at the care center, where she has worked for 10 years. “I love my residents and families,” Pinter said. “We have a good team,” she said.

Although Pinter usually works at the care center on Christmas Day, she took the day off and volunteered as an elf at the party, accompanied by her son, Alex. It was great to see parents and children toting the colorful stockings, she said.

“I really don’t expect any recognition. That’s not why I did it,” Pinter said. “I did it for the kids.”

Lisa Pinter, a licensed practical nurse at Southington Care Center, right, and her son, Alex, prepare to be elves at the 96.5 WTIC-FM We Are The Children party held Christmas Day. Pinter crocheted 1,000 stockings which she donated to the event.

*Southington Care Center is located at 45 Meriden Ave., offering skilled nursing and rehabilitation services, a not for profit member of Hartford HealthCare Senior Services. 

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No longer a victim, woman gains empowerment

Today’s story deals with the often hidden terror of violence and abuse in the home.  The personal journey of a Southington woman who virtually lived her childhood under the cruel parental dominance of forced domestic labor in the darkness of an abusive home, a dysfunctional family, and a fear-filled environment is revealed in her own story that becomes a crusade through her teens and adult years in a daunting struggle to crawl out of a life of victimhood.

The owner of Casey’s Image Consultants in Southington, Cosmetologist Casey Morley has written a book that journalizes her courageous and tortuous battle of half a century to ultimate escape from her entrapment as a victim. “How does a child know that living in an abusive environment is not normal?” Morley asks.  This further opens the danger of an abused child whose emotional persona could emerge in adulthood as one accepting cruelty as a way of life.

Morley’s story, published in 2014 under the title “Crawling Out: One woman’s journey to an empowered life after breaking a cycle of abuse no one should have to endure” is the result of her years of tedious hand written notes and journaling her experience. 

Author, Casey Morley

The book chronicles her childhood years as “my mother’s slave” following her father’s early exit in her life and a stepfather with a penchant for insensitive behavior and incidents of inappropriate interest in her. Her relationship with her siblings was fragile at best given the conditions that surrounded all of them.

In her early teens she seized the opportunity to leave the family and move in with a neighboring family for which she had been a baby-sitter and remained with them in a nurturing environment until she was 18.  Morley then had to face the challenge of independence, caring for her own needs while working, continuing her education and training as a certified cosmetologist, trying to improve her place in life.  But in her adult years she was charmed by a man in a new relationship. The happiness was short-lived. His alcoholism, chronic unemployment and abject irresponsibility soon yielded to an unpredictable, unstable presence in Morley’s life.

Meanwhile, Morley was challenged by work, partnerships, landlords and ownership of a business while raising a child without assistance. Morley had deep faith and persisted in searching for answers with counselling ultimately leading to her getting the deceptions and violence of one man out of her life.  However, her ‘victimhood’ was to re-emerge in another relationship which was different but just as crippling to her emotionally and physically. That, too, ended but only after repeated pleadings of another alcoholic to give their doomed relationship dozens of second chances. 

Morley’s driving energy to create awareness to those who are locked into the heartbreak and humiliation of abusive relationships has led her to speaking engagements at such places as CCSU and abuse support groups. “Crawling Out” has also received the attention of Elmer R. Freeman, Executive Director of the Center for Community Health Education Research and Service, Inc. at Northeastern University and Director of the Office of Urban Health Programs and Policy at Bouve College of Health Sciences in Boston. Freeman suggests that “Crawling Out” may be used as a hand out to participants in their group programs for domestic violence and abuse. 

Freeman stated to Morley, “Your story of survival is powerful and inspirational, and would undoubtedly be a useful tool for survivors who are dealing with the trauma of leaving a relationship with an abuser.”

The book, published by Balboa Press, is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other book sellers. Casey Morley is emerging on the scene as an advocate for the millions of children, women (and men) who are victims of the abuse of domestic violence and alcoholism. Morley may be reached at casey@caseymorley.com.
Also see her website at www.caseymorley.com
                                                                                                ©Appleseed 2014 E. Richard Fortunato

As published in the Southington Citizen
January 15, 2016

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Southington Catholic Open House Welcomes All

You are invited...

On Sunday, January 24th, from 11 am to 1 pm, Southington Catholic presents the new school’s first half of the 2015-2016 school year review of the educational accomplishments of its K to 8th grade students. 


Front and center in the school's gymnasium will be students along with teachers, administrators, volunteer parents and members of the School Board to welcome and greet parents, grandparents, family members and the public in a program to better acquaint the community with the activities of Southington Catholic.  


Students and teachers will show and talk about their specific studies, activities and projects with books and work product at tables exhibiting the teaching and learning methods at each grade level. 

From the gym, visitors, escorted by students guests will proceed to individual classrooms. The walk through the hallways and classrooms will present a transformative exploration of a biome, a frozen tundra, a lush rainforest, a vast desert habitat and a colorful ocean landscape, the result of a remarkable collaboration of arts and sciences, designed with the creative imagination of students.

Isabella Sanchez at work in class

In the classrooms, teachers and students will present demonstrations of their various studies and activities including, for example, the innovative SMART table and its interactive technology for phonics and math instruction in  full day Kindergarten, the acclaimed Super Kids reading programs for early grades; the school wide integration of  technology; and the challenging lessons in writing code offered to middle school classes.

Robotics Team members, (l to r.)
Riley Wagner, 6th grade, with 8th graders
Alex Bush, Andrew J. Wong, Emma Kief and
Kelsi Blatchley. 

S.C.'s Competitive Robotics Team will offer a demonstration of its science and technology regional prize winning work.  The team received an award at a competitive regional tournament in Old Lyme, CT, on November 21, 2015. At right, Robotics Team shows a sci-tech project at a ribbon cutting at Southington Catholic for the Southington Chamber of Commerce last fall.  

Principal, Mary Pat Wirkus

Principal, Mary Mat Wirkus states with glowing pride, “Southington Catholic offers its students a fine education that is grounded in faith, moral principles, love and respect for one another. Service to others, strong family values and responsible citizenship are key in a Christ-driven educational environment which is the vision of Southington Catholic”. 

Students are in a warm environment where high academic standards offer individually challenging opportunities to be well-prepared for high school and beyond including reaching for their personal goals in the world of the 21^st century. 

Mary Alexander, Advancement
Director of Southington Catholic

Director of Advancement, Mary Alexander said, “At a recent school forum at Southington Catholic, educators from the highly regarded St. Paul’s Catholic High School recognized Southington Catholic’s outstanding math and science programs.”

"The goals of the Open House are to offer a close view of the progress of students and to invite families within the greater Southington community and surrounding areas an opportunity to consider an education at Southington Catholic for their children.", Alexander added. The school is located at 133 Bristol Street in Southington.  

Wirkus states, on the Southington Catholic website: "Preparing young children for the challenges they will face is an important part of the Mission and Vision of Southington Catholic School.  Our Religious and Academic programs are self-centered and offers all learners a wide range of opportunities.  Curriculum and instruction for 21st century learning provide students with the knowledge, understanding, and skills to become creative, reflective, literate, critical and moral evaluators, problem solvers, decision, and socially responsible global citizens. Our program is supported by our excellent facilities that allow teachers to integrate technology and hands-on experiences into student learning."  

For more information please contact Mary Alexander at 860-628-2485. 

More glimpses of Southington Catholic:

Southington Catholic Soccer Team 2015-2016 School Year 

Soccer Team

Southington Catholic Ribbon-Cutting August 2015

Most Rev. Leonard P. Blair cuts ribbon at Southington Catholic in August 2015 as school co-pastors, Rev. Nicholas Melo (left) and Rev. Ronald May (right) and Principal Mary Pat Wirkus next to five student holding the ribbon with Hartford Archbishop Blair. 

Southington Catholic Supports Bread for Life

Southington Catholic students present food for the hungry to Bread For Life, Executive Director, Eldon Hafford.



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Letter to the Editor -Residents of Southington Care Center - Spirits brightened by thoughtfulness of STEPS 5th graders and kindergarteners

Southington is blessed by wonderful children who give so much back to the community. In early December, the hearts of Southington Care Center residents were warmed by Hatton Elementary School students who participated in the “Warm Your Neighbor” project. 

The youngsters first collected 1,500 boxes of oatmeal, hot cocoa and instant soup.  Kindergarteners colored illustrations of “mugs” which were then assembled by fifth grade representatives of STEPS (Southington’s Town-wide Efforts to Promote Success) program. 

Just before the holidays, these colorful “mugs”, each containing a packet, were delivered to all Southington Care residents and others throughout the community.  

It was truly heartwarming to see the thoughtfulness of these youngsters. Indeed, little gestures can have a huge impact on people’s hearts.

Often the community as a whole does not amply acknowledge our children’s efforts in selflessly sharing their time and talents.  Those who participated in the “Warm Your Neighbor” project truly exemplified two STEPS Assets: Youth as Resources and Service to Others.

On behalf of the Southington Care residents, we all thank you for our “mugs” which truly warmed us all.

Marion Gifford
Residents’ Council President
Southington Care Center

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Reflections the Day after Christmas

Christmas is ...  

Exciting arrivals
Greetings of joy
Reminiscence and laughter
Celebrating each moment



Christmas is ...

Deeply happy feelings 
In a place where you belong
With special people
Embracing togetherness

Christmas is ...

Gifts exchanged
All receiving the same
Most precious gifts
Renewal of love and life
 
Christmas is ...

Peace, contentment, love
and the greatest message. 
"I give you a new commandment:
love one another as I have loved you."
Jn 13:34


         -  By E. Richard Fortunato 

At St. Dominic In Southington and at St. Peter's Basilica "Joy to the World"

The Church of Saint Dominic, Southington, CT

 

 A Child is born... Let us rejoice and be glad . . .

There was no room at the inn. They lay Him in a Manger
[The outdoor creche at St. Dominic, early Christmas morning]

St. Dominic Altar Creche December 25, 2015

And at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome

Pope Francis delivers homily at Christmas Midnight Mass 

Vatican City • The following is the Vatican's official English translation of Pope Francis' Christmas Eve Mass homily, which he delivered in Italian:

"Tonight, 'a great light' shines forth (Isaiah 9:1); the light of Jesus' birth shines all about us. How true and timely are the words of the prophet Isaiah which we have just heard: 'You have brought abundant joy and great rejoicing' (9:2)! Our heart was already joyful in awaiting this moment; now that joy abounds and overflows, for the promise has been at last fulfilled. Joy and gladness are a sure sign that the message contained in the mystery of this night is truly from God. There is no room for doubt; let us leave that to the skeptics who, by looking to reason alone, never find the truth. There is no room for the indifference which reigns in the hearts of those unable to love for fear of losing something. All sadness has been banished, for the Child Jesus brings true comfort to every heart.

Today, the Son of God is born, and everything changes. The Savior of the world comes to partake of our human nature; no longer are we alone and forsaken. The Virgin offers us her Son as the beginning of a new life. The true light has come to illumine our lives so often beset by the darkness of sin. Today we once more discover who we are! Tonight we have been shown the way to reach the journey's end. Now must we put away all fear and dread, for the light shows us the path to Bethlehem. We must not be laggards; we are not permitted to stand idle. We must set out to see our Savior lying in a manger. This is the reason for our joy and gladness: this Child has been 'born to us'; he was 'given to us', as Isaiah proclaims (cf. 9:5). The people who for two thousand years has traversed all the pathways of the world in order to allow every man and woman to share in this joy is now given the mission of making known 'the Prince of peace' and becoming his effective servant in the midst of the nations.

So when we hear tell of the birth of Christ, let us be silent and let the Child speak. Let us take his words to heart in rapt contemplation of his face. If we take him in our arms and let ourselves be embraced by him, he will bring us unending peace of heart. This Child teaches us what is truly essential in our lives. He was born into the poverty of this world; there was no room in the inn for him and his family. He found shelter and support in a stable and was laid in a manger for animals. And yet, from this nothingness, the light of God's glory shines forth. From now on, the way of authentic liberation and perennial redemption is open to every man and woman who is simple of heart. This Child, whose face radiates the goodness, mercy and love of God the Father, trains us, his disciples, as Saint Paul says, 'to reject godless ways' and the richness of the world, in order to live 'temperately, justly and devoutly' (Titus 2:12).

In a society so often intoxicated by consumerism and hedonism, wealth and extravagance, appearances and narcissism, this Child calls us to act soberly, in other words, in a way that is simple, balanced, consistent, capable of seeing and doing what is essential. In a world which all too often is merciless to the sinner and lenient to the sin, we need to cultivate a strong sense of justice, to discern and to do God's will. Amid a culture of indifference which not infrequently turns ruthless, our style of life should instead be devout, filled with empathy, compassion and mercy, drawn daily from the wellspring of prayer.

Like the shepherds of Bethlehem, may we too, with eyes full of amazement and wonder, gaze upon the Child Jesus, the Son of God. And in his presence may our hearts burst forth in prayer: 'Show us, Lord, your mercy, and grant us your salvation' (Psalms 85:8)."

From The Vatican Publishing House

 A holy and blessed Christmas to all.  Peace on earth to all of good will. 

Knights of Columbus to hold Annual Youth Basketball Challenge January 9th

The Knights of Columbus is an international family-oriented fraternal service organization of Catholic men with over 1.8 million members supporting healthy youth activities in addition to contributing seventy million volunteer hours and $162 million dollars to diverse charities.

Locally, as part of its support of youth sports activities, the Southington Knights of Columbus, Councils 15 and 25, will be running their annual youth basketball challenge, a free  throw competition open to boys and girls from ages 9 to 14 residing in Southington, Plantsville, Milldale or Marion. 

The basketball challenge takes place at the Southington Catholic School gymnasium on Saturday, January 9, 2016. Registration begins at 11:00 am, continuing until noon. 

Competition starts at 11:30 and ends promptly at 1:00 pm. Participants will compete in brackets based on age and gender, e.g. nine year-old boys will compete as one bracket while 9 year-old girls compete in a separate bracket and continues in the same way for 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 year olds.  Players will be placed in brackets according to age on January 1, 2016. 

There is no fee or charge of any kind for playing. Each player will have an opportunity to shoot 15 free throw shots at the basket. Player with most free throws scored in each age and gender group will advance to district competition. Inquiries: Phil Mazzati mazzophi@att.net or 203-395-4381.