19Dec 2013 by CJ

Reflecting on the end of the year doesn’t always have to be a bad thing

Life & Living
For some reason the holidays are always a time for reflection. A time to applaud our accomplishments, lament our failures and mourn the loss of those no longer in our presence. Perhaps its location towards the end of the calendar is what spurs on this personal reflection in so many of us. This coming to a close if you will is often the impetus for us to look back over the last year to evaluate the past - hoping for a better future. Art Buchwald once said, “Whether it’s the best of times or the worst of times, it’s the only time we’ve got.” And I guess that’s really the only way to look at life isn’t it? This year marks the first Christmas I will spend without my beloved…
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04Dec 2013 by CJ

Though the experience is over, memories are a window into the past

Life & Living, Love & Relationships
The other day I was rummaging through a drawer for something-or-other and came across the enclosed photograph. Within seconds I was transported back to being a teenager for a pleasant trip down memory lane. Throughout high school, I always worked behind-the-scenes on the school plays. [caption id="attachment_2010" align="alignright" width="283"] Craig's moment in drag[/caption] Fascinated by the workings of theatrical productions as a kid, this became one of the highlights of my high school years whether it was working on sets, organizing props and furnishings or pulling open the curtain at show time.My drama teacher Mr. Richard Snyder, who also directed and produced all of our main stage productions, was an incredible influence on me. A friend and mentor, he made a shy and insecure teenager feel appreciated and accepted and…
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03Dec 2013 by CJ

Simple holiday decorations bring more meaning to the season

Life & Living
It’s amazing how many holiday decorations one collects over the years. They’re often impulse purchases that are just “too cute” to pass up, but years later you find yourself asking “why did I buy this?” Over the last few years my wife and I have gone through our collection – eliminating a great deal of those impulse purchases. But they never go to waste as charitable organizations and family members typically benefit from these items that are still like-new, just not for us. But this year my wife and I went one step further by choosing to decorate our home – inside and out – minimally. Instead of adorning every square inch of our home with holiday decor, this year we picked a handful of favorite items and tastefully spread…
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25Nov 2013 by CJ

Practice the art of Thanksgiving all year long

Generosity & Kindness, Life & Living
“Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds.”  Theodore Roosevelt In November of 1621, after their first successful corn harvest, Governor William Bradford organized a celebration. Comprised of struggling colony’s and their Native America allies, it was a day to come together to appreciate the bountiful foods before them - during a period of time filled with unending sacrifices and personal struggles. More importantly, it was a celebration of life and the people they were fortunate enough to still have around during a break from the harsh realities they had to endure. Americans today have little understanding of what it was like to…
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22Nov 2013 by CJ

Is it the government’s job to impose menu labeling regulations?

Life & Living
Many of you are probably unaware of the new menu-labeling regulations President Obama is spearheading through his “Obamacare” program. In short, the regulations would mandate that all restaurants include the calorie count of the items they serve in order to combat rising healthcare costs due to obesity in adults and children. A noble effort yes, but is it really the job of the government to play nutritionist? Obviously many restaurant owners are up in arms – especially those who will need to replace their existing menu board systems in favor of an application that will allow for continual updates. One Domino’s franchisee recently said, “To think that I have to deal with these things on the side, and continually have to be putting more money into things that are really…
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