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April Thoughts and Shots
Even though the last few days have looked more like January, we are nearing the end of April. Time once again to load up the blog with bits and pieces from previous comments. The tragic events on the campus of Virginia Tech have all of us wondering, as we did in 1999 when students died at Columbine High School, how we can avoid these mass murders.
News analysts have been quick to question the actions of the campus police, the college president and other administrators. These are events that cannot be anticipated, can never be stopped and no matter how someone reacts the "Monday morning quarterbacks" will feel they have all the answers. Today radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh even blamed the Virginia Tech shootings on Don Imus!
On another note, despite the cold weather, snow and rain, the major league baseball season is underway. The tribute to Jackie Robinson on Sunday was wonderful, especially the festivities at Dodger Stadium, where many baseball greats gathered to honor the Brooklyn Dodger Hall of Famer. If anyone watched the interview that Jon Miller and Joe Morgan conducted with Robinson's widow, Rachel, you could really get a feel for what a great person she is.
It was great to see so many players wearing Jackie Robinson's number 42 jersey. Those jerseys will be auctioned off to support the Jackie Robinson Foundation, which Rachel Robinson oversees. As you may know, the number 42 has been officially retired by major league baseball. No player will ever wear that number again.
Only one major league player wears #42 at this time, and that's the New York Yankees' ace reliever Mariano Rivera. He had already been wearing the number when the major league decree was issued, so he will be the last player to ever wear that number.
I found it ironic that on Sunday Rivera blew the save by giving up a game-ending three-run home run to little-known Marco Scutaro. I just couldn't help believe that Jackie Robinson was up there in heaven helping the Yankees lose the game, helping that ball stay oh-so-fair and sending the Yankees' #42 back to the clubhouse with his head hanging. A little Dodger revenge on Jackie Robinson day!
Two people have asked for help in a little North Country research. William J. Brown attended Tupper Lake High School and graduated in 1935. His son, William A. Brown, is trying to locate school memorabilia from that time period. The school has told him that these items are in storage, but no one seems to know where. Can anyone help?
And North Country legend Gordie Little is wondering if anyone has ever heard of an area musician named Ken Picard. He apparantly played with some local groups in the 1960s. I don't recall the name. Can anyone help?
On a sad note, my friend Sue Swoboda passed away, after a valiant fight against cancer. She worked with me for many years at Stafford Middle School, where she was the principal's secretary. She is a wonderful friend. Every day I would invade her space, making the morning and afternoon announcements from next to her desk. On many occasions she had to take over my announcing duties and she did so with a smile and a threat that "you owe me for this, Foxy!"
In fact, during the last year or two that I worked at Stafford she kept a little list on her desk of how many times she had done my job. Each mark represented a "refreshment" that I owed her. I think when I retired the list was pretty long. I hope some day we meet in heaven so I can repay her for her kindness.
Sue and her husband Al, a retired city firefighter, raised a great family: daughters Keri and Kyra and son Kern, who is a regular member of the On the Sly blogoteer brigade. All your friends will miss you, Sue. You are someone special.
Comments
Thank you so much for the kind words, Foxy. It was so nice to see you paying your condolences to my mom and family. So many people turned out. I couldn't believe all the co-workers, family, and friends that came to pay their respects. It was absolutely amazing.
Mom is very much missed, not only by family, but the many friends she had at school and in the union. She has touched so many lives and she had made each and everyone of us a better person.
On behalf of the Swoboda Family, Al, Keri, Kyra and myself, I would like to thank each and everyone of you for your thoughts, prayers, condolences, support, and thoughtfulness during this very sad and challenging time in our lives.
Take care,
Kern
(Foxy's note: Kern is the son of Sue Swoboda, a longtime Plattsburgh City School District employee, was a great friend to many. Sue passed away last week.)
Posted by: Kern | April 23, 2007 9:59 PM
Foxy,
I just wanted to leave a note here to the friends and family of Mrs. Swoboda. Kern and I were in the same graduating class at P H S. My condolences go out to all that knew and cared about Mrs. Swoboda.
Posted by: Kathy | April 19, 2007 12:20 AM
Hi Foxy!
All hell is breaking loose here in the political arena and I'm so involved, that I have been remiss in writing you.
Believe me, I do faithfully read your site every day and agree that if today's kids want a true role model, all they have to do is look to Jackie Robinson.
So sorry about your friend Sue. Seems that too many of our local heroes are passing on.
Lynda, Reno, NV
Posted by: Lynda (Bouyea) Bevins | April 18, 2007 4:21 PM
Foxy, you were so right about Sue Swoboda. She was a loving, caring person. I had the opportunity to work with her during my sixteen years on the Board of Education at Plattsburgh and also while working with the United Way, as Sue was on the planning committee for the City School District representing CSEA. Sue cared for everyone in the school district, her co-workers, the kids and even the parents who often came to the schools to seek some type of assistance. The school district lost a valuable employee and Al and his children lost a loving, caring mother.
Posted by: Mike Mannix | April 18, 2007 10:08 AM