tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40440662772785751892024-02-08T11:33:48.575-08:00Look Before You LandWhere planning and good judgment are never allowed to get in the way of life's great adventures!John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-41677817073555954142014-12-23T23:35:00.000-08:002014-12-24T07:53:03.537-08:00Peace to the Children; Peace to the troubled soul; Peace on Earth - Monmouth 3rd Ward Sacrament Christmas program<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The primary children first sang two songs, "Samuel tells of baby Jesus" and "Picture a Christmas" from the Primary songbook.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We have heard it said that Christmas is for children. Not only do our little ones feel joyful anticipation for Christmas presents, they also join their elders in celebrating the miraculous birth of our savior. We have seen that in the songs our Primary children presented this morning. Through these songs the children gain testimonies of the scriptures, and through them they express their faith in the miraculous birth and life of our Savior.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Because Jesus entered the world as a poor and lowly baby, he is approachable by all, though he is the creator of Heaven and Earth. Our children understand that he loves each one of us, personally, regardless of our station in life. And our children understand that this little baby was in need of the protection and comfort of loving parents, just as they are. And no matter how old we grow, we can still feel in ourselves that longing to be enfolded in the loving arms of our Father in Heaven, and to be embraced by the Savior Jesus Christ.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is fitting, then, that among our Christmas songs which acknowledge the true meaning of Christmas, so many of them are prayers for peace, greetings of peace, or lullabies sung in peaceful tones, to remind us that we are Children of God, and that he will not forget us.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The choir will sing three lullabies of peace: “Still, Still, “Dona Nobis Pacem”, and “Jesus Lord at Thy Birth”. When the choir sings “The Nativity Song”, please join in on verses 3 through 5, using the paper that was handed out.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: cyan; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Still, still, still </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: cyan; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">(Austrian Carol, Norman Luboff arrangement</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: cyan; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lyrics by Marilyn Keith and Alan Bergman)</span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Still, still, still, one can hear the falling snow.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">For all is hushed the world is sleeping,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Holy Star its vigil keeping</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Still, still, still, one can hear the falling snow</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sleep, sleep, sleep, tis the eve of our Savior's birth.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The night is peaceful all around you, </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Close your eyes, let sleep surround you,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sleep, sleep, sleep, tis the eve of our Savior's birth</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dream, dream, dream, of the joyous day to come,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">While guardian angels without number</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Watch you as you sweetly slumber,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dream, dream, dream, of the joyous day to come.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="background-color: cyan; font-family: inherit;">Dona Nobis Pacem (Traditional round)</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Translates to the prayer, "G</b><b>rant us Peace"</b></span><br />
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<b><span style="background-color: cyan; font-family: inherit;">Jesus Lord at thy Birth (Sally DeFord)</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus, Lord, at they birth, </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">The heavens are singing a lullaby, </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Legions of angels are watching nigh,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus, Lord, at they birth,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Not a cradle is found for thy bed,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">But a manger of hay in its stead, </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Where the cattle may feed, must suffice for thy need,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #2f393a;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, </span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f393a;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The shepherds adore thee on bended knee,</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f393a;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wise men shall hasten to worship thee,</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f393a;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: inherit;"><b>Neither sliver nor gold crowns thy head,</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: inherit;"><b>But thy Father hath crowned thee instead</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: inherit;"><b>With His glory and light, with His mercy and might,</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: inherit;"><b>Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus, Lord, at they birth, </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">With shepherds and wise men we seek thy face, </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">And join with the angels to sing thy praise,</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus, Lord, at they birth, </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f393a;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Not the treasures of earth do we bring,</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f393a;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But to honor thee, Savior and King,</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f393a;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now and ever thou art enthroned in our hearts,</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f393a;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus, Jesus, Jesus Lord, at thy birth</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #2f393a;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: cyan;">The Nativity Song (LDS Primary Songbook, Kelsey Graham)</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #2f393a;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. This is the season
beloved of the year.<br />
Sing a rhyme; Christmastime soon will be here.<br />
Tell the true story of Jesus' birth,<br />
When, as a baby, he came to the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f393a;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. This is the new star,
shining so bright,<br />
Lighting the world on that first Christmas night.<br />
This is the angel proclaiming the birth,<br />
Singing "Hosanna!" and "Peace on the earth!"<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f393a;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. This is the stable,
shelter so bare;<br />
Cattle and oxen first welcomed him there.<br />
This is the manger, sweet hay for a bed,<br />
Waiting for Jesus to cradle his head.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f393a;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. These are the
shepherds, humble and mild,<br />
Hast'ning to worship the heavenly child.<br />
These are the wise men who followed the star,<br />
Frankincense, gold, and myrrh brought from afar.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #2f393a;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>5. See the sweet
mother, Mary so fair,<br />
Joseph, who guided the donkey with care.<br />
See the dear baby of Bethlehem,<br />
Little Lord Jesus, the Savior of men.</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Narrator</span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This Nativity Song we just sang contains all the key elements of the story of Jesus Birth: The star, the angels, the shepherds, the wise men, the stable and manger, Mary, and Joseph. It is a great song for teaching the story to children, and it reminds us that this is a true story. Why is it important to teach this story?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Perhaps Nephi said it best. “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The nativity story and even our modern Christmas traditions point our minds to the plan of salvation and the atoning sacrifice of God’s Only Begotten Son. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The candy cane reminds us of the humble shepherds who were witnesses to the miracle in the stable. And that Jesus himself offers to be our Shepherd, leading us in peaceful valleys, and seeking after us when we are lost.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The traditional Christmas colors red and white, remind us that the Lord said, Come now, and let us reason together. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Evergreen trees, like our Christmas trees, hold on to their leaves year round, showing the strength of life through the harshest winters. Truly we can have hope in the redeeming and enabling power of the savior, through all of life’s difficulties and through eternity.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">These symbols remind us that this little baby is the promised Savior of our souls, bringing us peace greater than the challenges of life. These next songs do likewise. First, Sophie Bevans and Jessica Steed will present a piano duet, “O Holy Night.” Then Gretchen Mitchell will join the choir singing “He Sent His Son.” And the choir will sing “The First Noel”, arranged with our sacramental hymn, “Jesus Once of Humble Birth.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: cyan; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">O Holy Night</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;">Oh holy night!</span><br style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;" /><span style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;">The stars are brightly shining</span><br style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;" /><span style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;">It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!</span><br style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;" /><span style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;">Long lay the world in sin and error pining</span><br style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;" /><span style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;">Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.</span><br style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;" /><span style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;">A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices</span><br style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;" /><span style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;">For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!</span><br style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;" /><br style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;" /><span style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;">Fall on your knees</span><br style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;" /><span style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;">Oh hear the angel voices</span><br style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;" /><span style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;">Oh night divine</span><br style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;" /><span style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;">Oh night when Christ was born</span><br style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;" /><span style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;">Oh night divine</span><br style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;" /><span style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;">Oh night divine</span><br style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;" /><br style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;" /><span style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;">Truly He taught us to love one another</span><br style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;" /><span style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;">His law is love and His gospel is peace</span><br style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;" /><span style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;">Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother</span><br style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;" /><span style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;">And in His name all oppression shall cease</span><br style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;" /><span style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;">Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,</span><br style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;" /><span style="line-height: normal; white-space: normal;">Let all within us praise His holy name</span></span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: cyan; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He Sent His Son (</span><span style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 18px;">Mabel Jones Gabbott and Michael Finlinson Moody)</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px; white-space: normal;">How could the Father tell the world of love and tenderness?</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); box-sizing: border-box; color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px; white-space: normal;" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px; white-space: normal;">He sent his Son, a newborn babe, with peace and holiness.</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); box-sizing: border-box; color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px; white-space: normal;" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px; white-space: normal;">How could the Father show the world the pathway we should go?</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); box-sizing: border-box; color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px; white-space: normal;" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px; white-space: normal;">He sent his Son to walk with men on earth, that we may know.</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); box-sizing: border-box; color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px; white-space: normal;" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px; white-space: normal;">How could the Father tell the world of sacrifice, of death?</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); box-sizing: border-box; color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px; white-space: normal;" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px; white-space: normal;">He sent his Son to die for us and rise with living breath.</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); box-sizing: border-box; color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px; white-space: normal;" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px; white-space: normal;">What does the Father ask of us? What do the scriptures say?</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); box-sizing: border-box; color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px; white-space: normal;" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px; white-space: normal;">Have faith, have hope, live like his Son, help others on their way.</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); box-sizing: border-box; color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px; white-space: normal;" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px; white-space: normal;">What does he ask? Live like his Son.</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: cyan; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>The First Noel / Jesus Once of Humble Birth (traditional) (</b></span><span style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 18px;"><b>Parley P. Pratt)</b></span></span></div>
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<b style="color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. The first Noel the angel did say</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />In fields where they lay keeping their sheep<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />On a cold winter's night that was so deep.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. They looked up and saw a star<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Shining in the East beyond them far,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And to the earth it gave great light,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And so it continued both day and night.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px;">Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px;" /><span style="line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px;">Born is the King of Israel!</span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px;">1. Jesus, once of humble birth,</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); box-sizing: border-box; color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px;" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px;">Now in glory comes to earth.</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); box-sizing: border-box; color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px;" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px;">Once he suffered grief and pain;</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); box-sizing: border-box; color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px;" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px;">Now he comes on earth to reign.</span><br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); box-sizing: border-box; color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px;" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #2f393a; line-height: 20px; text-indent: -10px;">Now he comes on earth to reign.</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Narrator</span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus once of humble birth, now in glory comes to earth. This refers to another mission of the promised Messiah, that he will return to the earth in all his glory and usher in a millenium of peace, where he will rule and reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This peace will extend to all the world, and all Christians long for this promised day. Isaiah records the Lord’s promise for this future time: </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And significantly, we are promised, "And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The herald Angels echo this in their proclamation to the shepherds: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." And in our hymn, “Joy to the World”, Isaac Watts writes:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No more will sin and sorrow grow,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nor thorns infest the ground;</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He’ll come and make the blessings flow</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Far as the curse was found.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The choir will now sing, “Joy to the World”, followed by “Peace Peace”. After the choir sings two verses of Peace Peace, let us join in, singing with all our hearts, “Silent Night.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: cyan; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Joy to the World (Lyrics by Isaac Watts altered by William Phelps; music by Handel)</span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Joy to the world, the Lord is come;<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Let earth receive her King!<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Let ev'ry heart prepare him room,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And Saints and angels sing,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And Saints and angels sing,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And Saints, and Saints and angels sing.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Rejoice! Rejoice when Jesus reigns,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And Saints their songs employ,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Repeat the sounding joy,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Repeat the sounding joy,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. No more will sin and sorrow grow,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Nor thorns infest the ground;<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />He'll come and make the blessings flow<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Far as the curse was found,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Far as the curse was found,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Far as, far as the curse was found.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. Rejoice! Rejoice in the Most High,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />While Israel spreads abroad<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Like stars that glitter in the sky,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And ever worship God,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And ever worship God,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And ever, and ever worship God.</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: cyan; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Peace, Peace (Words by Rick and Sylvia Powell, Arranged by Fred Bock)</span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Peace, peace, peace on earth</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">And good will to all</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a time for joy,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a time for love.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now let us all sing together</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Of peace, peace, peace on earth</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Silent night, holy night,</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">All is calm, all is bright</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Round yon virgin mother and child</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Holy infant so tender and mild</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sleep in heavenly peace</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sleep in heavenly peace</span></b>John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-42573768127590490482013-08-11T22:19:00.001-07:002013-08-11T22:19:52.871-07:00Marion Lake 2013<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This may not be entertaining, informative, or even interesting, but it’s a special experience i want to remember. There are so many thoughts and experiences trying to get out that it is not likely this record will be very readable to start with, but I need to write before I forget.</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-3d549b34-70f6-cbe7-228e-39e217a64464" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Friday and Saturday, August 9 and 10, was the long-awaited backpacking trip with Lilli. Both of us overscheduled, we had this one opportunity to get out and enjoy a trip together. We planned to go to Marion Lake again. This is where we went last year about the end of August, and had such a struggle getting to the Lake. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m such a slowpoke getting ready for anything, and even though I was prepping for it a week or so in advance, we were not ready to get out the door until after 11 am. The weather has been so consistently dry and warm the last few weeks, but I did remember to check the forecast and noticed that it included a call for thunderstorms (30% chance, as they say), both Friday and Saturday. For that I made sure to add in rain ponchos, but otherwise didn’t think much of it.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wendy arranged for us to meet her mom on the highway near our trailhead to get a dragon-head prop which barely fit into the car with our backpacks, and made us laugh a little. We visited for a few minutes and then, nearing 3 pm, we started up the road to the trailhead only to be reminded by a sign that we needed parking passes. We went back to Detroit. I called Wendy and let her know that because we were so late getting started today we would want to enjoy a full day on Saturday, so we might not report in to her until as late as 7 pm.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We arrived at the trailhead and prepared to depart. It was about 4 pm when we got on the trail. We had done better preparation for what Lilli should be carrying, and a little practice hiking - though not as much as last year. We started out strong; the sun was shining.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From early in the day I caught myself initiating many “disputations” with her, or pursuing them when she started them up Contradictions, arguments, etc. As the “adult” I often feel my children should be grateful when I correct them when they misunderstand something or mis-state something. Like the rest of my Children, Lilli doesn’t seem to appreciate this service I provide, but follows the example I set and she corrects me right back. I committed to her early in the day that I would curb my argumentative behavior. I had some success at that, but mostly remembered after the fact, and apologized.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We headed into the forest and soon noticed the forest got extremely dark - much more than it should before 5 pm. I knew a thunderhead was passing over. We started to hear thunder in the distance, which was frightening to Lilli. I told her about Lehi’s dream, and about the darkness and about the beautiful tree of life with the white fruit.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There were moments when the lightning struck close and she would scream and say she wants to go home. We stopped walking a few times. I sang Hymns to her and we prayed together once. I do worry that she doesn’t have the confidence to pray herself, buI think it will come. Teh wind blew needles out of the tops of the trees onto us - I thought it was rain every time it happened, but then I told her it was the fiery darts of the adversary. She had enough concerns in her mind that I don’t think she cared what my lessons were at this point.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The most frightening thing for me was the wind. Yes, Lightning can be dangerous, but I figured as long as we were surrounded by tall trees in every direction, the danger for us was relatively low. But at one point we heard a tree fall, and that got me worried and alarmed her. A few minutes later I saw that we were heading into an area with younger, more slender trees, and that they were swaying violently at the top. We retreated back a few yards, though I didn’t tell her what I was worried about. I said a prayer in my heart, and when I felt assured, we went forward.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Meanwhile, the rain was finally making its way through all the fir needles to start wetting us. I was a little slow getting out our pack covers and our rain ponchos. I couldn’t find mine the first few places I looked in the pack, so i got more and more wet.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eventually we came to Ann lake, and there was still plenty of lightning nearby. I didn’t want to pass by the small open area yet, so we went into an area of thick foliage and stayed out of the rain for a bit. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As the rain and lightning tapered, we continued our trip and arrived at Marion lake. At Ann Lake there was a little tent beside the trail. I exchanged greetings. It was a woman who started on the trail just a few minutes before us. I’ll tell you about that later. Another good analogy to sharing the gospel.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The weather was clearing, so we considered going around the lake. But we were tired, and we couldn’t easily find the trail, so we stayed on the near end of the lake - the only area I had explored to this point. We found a flat place to put the tent which had a log nearby to set out our things and use as a table. There was also a laundry line close by. The storm was gone, but the rain was still dripping heavily off the trees, so I tried to keep the rain fly on top of the tent while I set it up - normally you put it on afterward. In the process of getting the tent up and the beds out of the packs and into the tents, I managed to get distracted and let Lillis bag get a bit dripped on before it went into the tent. Oops. So I let her have mine and I slept in hers.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We made dinner - hot chocolate to start, so we could warm up, followed by mashed potatoes, then a canned pasta thing which was kind of gross. Our bodies were warming up. Lilli wanted to get in her sleeping bag, so i let her do that while i did dishes and tried to prep our camp for the possibilities of rain and critters in the night. I made one more pan of mashed potatoes and shared it with her through a small utility door.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We arrived at camp around six or six 30 and she was in bed probably by 8:00 and I was in by 9:30. We had taken more than 2 hours to get to camp because of delays by the weather. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eventually I got myself ready for bed. She had been reading “voyage of the dawn treader” on my phone. I found out right away that there was a lump in the middle of my bed. My mattress seemed too thin, and it was the slippery one, and the surface on my side of the tent sloped enough to get me off that lump in the middle of the bed anyway. Worse than that was the fact that the bag Lilli brought was not a mummy bag, so my shoulders were cold until sometime later I decided to put on my damp sweatshirt. About 2:30 I prayed for just one more miracle today, that I could sleep, and I did - for four hours. I did read to her for a while til she fell asleep around 10:30. At about midnight a frog was crawling in our rain ponchos, which were sheltering our boots. I didn’t know what it was at first and assumed it was a rodent or marsupial trying to get into our things. The plastic was loud and woke me up, and in turn I woke up Lilli when I was trying to scare the intruder away. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Saturday morning was beautiful. The sun came out and warmed things up comfortably in our shaded camp. Some college-age guys had come in late the night before (they were one of the many reasons I couldn’t sleep) and one of them took a bath naked in the lake where Lilli could see. She turned away and didn’t freak out. We had oatmeal, hot cocoa and sausage for breakfast. We got all our dishes done, played frisbee, and went fishing right by our tent for a while. Actually, I think I did dishes while she fished - and I would come down and help her from time to time. We aired our packs out, which had been under plastic during the night. Eventually we were done with our fishing practice (no bites - not surprising) and ready to go on to another activity. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We packed up everything as if we were ready to leave, except left the tent standing and and put all our gear into it except our daypacks. That way we could come back to the tent for shelter if needed.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We took our lunch and our poles and went around the north side of the lake for the first time. We saw that there are many more good campsites, and many of them were occupied. We debated (each other) about how far to go. I wanted to get clear around to the east end. We didn’t make it to the northeast corner, but close. We found a place which might be interesting to fish. And got out where we could see the sky and found that it was beginning to look threatening. And we found that Lilli’s sandals had come loose and were not on her daypack where they should be. We prayed to find them, and between that and the weather, decided not to fish but to return to camp. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lilli was quite concerned about the weather, and I don’t know if it was fear, inspiration, or good judgement, but she insisted and pushed/dragged me back to camp. My map says our hike was 1.35 miles one way. Without a pack she’s almost faster than me, but we’re pretty well matched. On the return we found her sandals. As we walked, like Friday, the humidity began to climb and we knew a storm was coming. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we got within five minutes of our camp, we considered stopping to fish. Where we stood we could see the thunderstorm active in the west, and that the weather was moving from east to west. The storm was trying to spread back to us upwind, but we remained just out of its reach. Whatever was coming from the east was out of our visibility. We decided to return to the tent. As we arrived it was starting to sprinkle, and the sound of thunder was growing closer. There wasn’t much wind, though.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We got into the tent - even had time to take off our boots and put them inside, in the corners. There were several close thunder cracks, and then the wind picked up sharply and chilled the tent considerably. Lilli could see the lake, and said, Dad, fish are jumping!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I turned to look and saw that the wind was whipping up the lake, and there were splashes that defied explanation. She said, “are those apples?” Then a few of the apples landed in the camp and I saw that what we had was golf-ball sized hail. This was one of the scariest moments of the trip for me. I had no idea whether our tent would hold out hailstones that big. I thought they might pierce right through, so Lilli and I put our daypacks on our heads, huddled close and prayed for protection. Eventually enough stones had hit our tent and bounced off that the fear was gone and we giggled a bit. We looked outside in awe. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This lasted a minute or two. As it moved off to the west we could hear the thunderous sound of the hail mixed with the thunder of lightning. It sounded like a thousand horses running through the forest. There was a convenient intermission where we went out and picked up some giant hailstones and got some great pictures. Then some sprinkles started, so we got back in. Then a “regular” hail storm came and nearly buried the big hail stones. That was incredibly loud in the tent, and it got quite cold. We got our sleeping bags out and got into them as the temperature kept dropping. The hail lasted five minutes or so and the rain continued on for an hour. The whole storm had us in the tent for about two hours.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The ground became saturated and the floor of the tent became icy cold. That’s what got me into my bag. We read some more from dawn treader.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When it eventually died down we loaded up our packs, got out of the tent and put it away and started down the trail. It was probably about five oclock. About an hour later than we had hoped.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The trail was amazing. There was a mixture of pine sprigs and hailstones making a Christmas carpet that smelled nice.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eventually we got to the car, and found it damaged. Dents in the metal and cracks in the windshield. Mine seemed to be the most damaged vehicle, though I did see some evidence on others. </span></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">OK, what did I forget to tell?</span>John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-73148528716475087932013-03-14T01:18:00.000-07:002013-03-14T01:56:25.782-07:00The Loss of Henry Hill, and the Gain for the Rest of Us<br />
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We, the school board, made the decision to “close” Henry
Hill, one of our four elementary schools.
The facts are pretty harsh: the education budget shrinks while the mandated
services rise. Three schools are
sufficient to facilitate the population.
The economy has been poor, and there is no light at the end of the narrow
tunnel for education funding. There is
also no evidence that lawmakers at both state and federal levels will ever understand
that no organization – educational or otherwise – can operate effectively given
the spiderweb of constraints that have been institutionalized.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The suggestion was initially bold and bright, and at the
same time heretical. This is not the
kind of conversation we were accustomed to having, but the priorities make
sense. Classroom funds up,
administration expenses down. However, I
grossly underestimated the resistance to the idea that would be felt in the community. To me, school A vs. school B makes little
difference. They have the same stripe,
and I would have generally trusted any administration of any district I might
live in to determine how many schools are needed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But that is not at all how the families feel who attend
that school that is targeted for closure.
They seem to take that building and its educational environment as an
integral part of their neighborhood and community. I am beginning to see that my absence of
feeling for that aspect of the asset is a personal defect in my character and
in my understanding of what community means.
Even so, I guess that more people feel the way I do than the number who feel
attached to a particular place for their children to get their education.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That means there is something special and different about the Henry
Hill neighborhood, and I believe it is tied intimately with the fact that it is somewhat an
immigrant neighborhood. One of the well-spoken
representatives of the parents’ community from that school admitted that for
him, as a Caucasian native Oregonian, which school his kids attend was not as
big an issue. But he passionately explained the vital function the school performs for the immigrant community.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There's much I don't know about here.</div>
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Perhaps the high density of immigrants in this school –
matching their neighborhoods – offers them the security of likeness or
sameness. Perhaps the safety and social
well-being they feel at this school comes from a certain amount of isolation
from the larger culture of Monmouth and Independence. That special sense of community emanating
from the school building is special, good and admirable. But at the same time it may be a sign that
this little community may be isolating its children from some of the influences
that will better prepare them for life. </div>
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I don’t know well enough to judge.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But I believe if likeness and sameness have been part of the ingredients to the feeling of community surrounding that school, it is no less a value, and no less a miracle.</div>
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I remember a special community I was a part of for three
years. It was called Wyview, and it was
a trailer park – married student housing at BYU. It was filled with several hundred families
with a thousand things in common: we were Mormons; we were young, married,
college students, most with children, but none with teenagers; all poor, or
humble enough to live in 40-year old drafty, leaky trailers – not manufactured
homes, mind you – but with tin siding and actual wheels.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This was a special neighborhood, and a special time of
life for me. I felt security and friendship
in that neighborhood; entertainment was plentiful, safe, and cheap, with walks,
playgrounds, potlucks and outdoor games.
We worshipped together; studied together; played together, and served
each other – like when a blizzard dumped two feet in one night, or the power
went out for a day, or when anyone was sick, or busy, or sad. The women especially were in tune with all
the other families.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There is no direct comparison to the neighborhoods in
Independence around the Henry Hill School, because the Wyview neighborhood was,
by definition, temporary. None of us
would be living there if we graduated, took an absence from school, or allowed
one of our children to advance past the age of 11. Those where the rules. We would be leaving it behind after only a
few years and we all knew it. But this
much I can learn from my experience there that compares to the grief our
district is experiencing today: I LOVED that neighborhood, and I miss it. It was incredibly easy to get to know and
love any of my neighbors, however briefly we might share a stretch of grass, a
driveway and a laundry. It was easy because of our similarities, and
the many friendships planted there sprouted up quickly and have endured for
years.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In South Independence, I suppose that children walk
together with their friends to the Henry Hill school, and perhaps with their parents
also, chatting and supporting each other in life and parenthood, and in their unique position in our local American culture. I suppose that when families gather to watch
their children in school events there is a broad sense of family that is
greater than the sum of the homes. I
suppose that friendly teachers encourage trust and feelings of security in children
and their parents. That is admirable and
desirable, and we should each as individuals be seeking that kind of community
in any school we attend or work in, any church we participate in, and in the
sporting and other clubs we support after work and after school. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Unfortunately – speaking for myself – I have never
developed that sense of community anywhere else I have lived since Wyview. At least not based in a geographical neighborhood. But I feel a similar sense of belonging with
my colleagues at work, my associates on the school board, in my fellow
worshipers at Church and in the performing arts booster club at the high
school.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The sense of community that I personally feel from each
of these associations is borne somewhat out of our sameness, but more so out of
our common struggles, joint sacrifices, and shared accomplishments. I have grown to appreciate and love people
with whom I have very little in common except a narrow band of interests in our
lives. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In these associations it is me that has been changed, and
it is my sense of connection to the community that has grown. I have learned to respect gay people; I have
learned to understand people whose first language is not English – not only
their words, but as much as possible their perspectives; I have learned that
small towns and large cities have completely different mechanisms for
community, and that Portland is farther away from me than a small town in
northern Idaho.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have learned to trust people I consider "rich" because they have more than I do, and give successful people
a chance to like me in my mismatched clothing, with my poor posture and drowsy
disposition; I have learned that I don’t have much talent, but I have admired the creative minds of others and I have gained an ability to recognize the
talents in the people around me that I need to rely on. I experienced the joy giving money and food to people who asked, even though at first I felt unsure about how much they would appreciate my gift.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have learned to forgive people in authority whose
judgment I disagreed with, and more importantly, perhaps, I learned to trust
myself enough to speak out and tell them that I disagree. I have been offended and have had to cool
down, and I have been humbled by the forgiveness of near strangers whom I offended
in my fear and haste. I have
been touched by people’s concern for me, and I have tried to stretch my heart
and reach out to others outside the comfort zone of people who are just like
me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In attempting to associate with people different from me I have learned that fear is the unnecessary anticipation of imaginary pains. I have learned that others also struggle with fear, and
that I have not yet grown to the level of understanding they deserve. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m going on and on in my private musings without being
interesting to anyone not inside my head – so I’ll get to this point: community
does not originate with a school or a neighborhood, it originates with
people. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And it will not die with the changes to a neighborhood or
changes in the patterns of our lives. But
we CAN kill the sense of community with or without a school or a park or a
church or path. We have that
capability. All it takes is for us, the
humans in this thing called community, to determine we will cease to reach out,
that we will stop participating, that we will act in anger and vengeance, that
we will stick with our own kind, that we will fear the future and cling to the
past.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Years after leaving that treasured home at BYU, I
returned, and found the trailers gone. In
the place of the rusty boxes with grass around each home, there were
three-story apartment buildings – twelve units per building. There was new blacktop on roads that didn’t
even follow the same paths the old roads had; There were far more families, and
fewer playgrounds. My brother and his
wife were living just a hundred yards over and 30 feet up from where Wendy and
I had lived with our two little girls.
He didn’t know his neighbors.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Miraculously, a familiar tree – don’t ask me the variety,
but I would call it a shade tree, nearly as broad as it was tall – still stood in the spot that had been a sort of communal
front yard, between our home and the Shurtz home. As I write this I remember our children
playing together; us relaxing and chatting together; helping each other move
furniture. A couple of times we organized “block party” style community events. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I miss those days and I miss that neighborhood. It will never be back. But the friends I made there will always be
in my heart; the beauty I felt there I will always recognize when I see it in a
new place; the lessons I learned there have changed me for the better.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If I failed to bring those gifts from that special
community to the new communities I have been a part of, then I have failed
indeed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And that’s what I hope from the families of Henry
Hill. Will you please, please, bring
that sense of community that you have been so blessed with and impart it to the
other schools you will be attending? You have not been robbed of your community
school. In fact, you have been kidnapped
from it. We have stolen you, that truly
special treasure, meaning a group of people who know what a beautiful community
is, and we are taking you with us into our other schools. You are the seeds of a garden of human
goodness, and I hope and pray that you will grow and spread your love to your
new school communities. </div>
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Yes, it’s corny,
but it’s sincere . . . <o:p></o:p></div>
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I know we have a lot of work to do to nourish the
transplanted roots; but I trust in the quality of your characters. You have such great value. Not only can we not afford to lose any of
you, we cannot afford not to learn what you have to teach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-45211811922664417962012-12-23T09:11:00.000-08:002012-12-26T12:31:13.557-08:002012 Boyack's Annual Report<br />
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Hello everyone, and Happy Holidays to all from the Willamette Valley, the Christmas tree capital of the USA! Have you got your tree yet? We’re still browsing the dozens of farms within driving range of our house, and also the Christmas sections of the local home improvement stores, where quality plastic trees are grown. Back in the day, we could never have considered an artificial tree. Blasphemy! A fresh Christmas tree was part of our holiday religion, along with homemade chocolates and this Christmas letter, mailed out before January and on physical paper. But, just as all of you have seen in your lives, my priorities have drifted as I have struggled to find time to decorate and festivate between creating my holiday Pandora stations and hiding from my children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">So a plastic tree may be anti-Oregonian, but would definitely allow more time for eating the chocolate I intended to put in my kids’ stockings. The decision is not made for this year, but we do already own a small auxiliary plastic tree which we bought on sale after Christmas a few years back. Putting this one up early takes the pressure off the timing of when to buy the real tree. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Now for the news:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Our family has been growing this year!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Kimber and Ray brought baby Ben into the family, and not to be out-done, McKay brought Myles in. He is not as beautiful as Ben, but he’s definitely bigger, so she gets points. They were married the week of Thanksgiving. After the ceremony, Kimber said to me, “Dad: two down, three to go!” I’m not sure that was a joyous thought! They’re all so young! Gary Huxford, an admired friend, gave me the perspective I really needed: “Don’t think of it as losing a daughter, think of it as gaining a bathroom!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The other kids will in fact find the bathroom competition less fierce. But on the downside, McKay was one of our better bathroom cleaners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">It has definitely been hard letting go, especially since the distance will be much farther than with Kimber. Last month in our family prayer I mentioned McKay’s upcoming wedding and began to cry. Then the kids began laughing at me, and I began laughing at myself, while still crying. Then Chad, who recently had oral surgery and finds smiling painful, began chiming in to the now stalled prayer, “Ha ha . . . ow! Stop it! . . . Ha ha . . . ow!” The situation became increasingly desperate, as I was now laughing at Chad as well as myself. The sanctity of the family prayer was at stake. Knowing I wasn’t going to get the job done, I begged, in a laugh-cry-choke-pray sort of squawk, “someone please take over for me!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">After a few more seconds of unsuccessfully stifled giggles, Wendy had enough composure to grab the controls and drag the prayer across the finish line before the fuel tank exploded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Speaking of laughter, I have often postulated that God must have a sense of humor. To my mind that has been proved this week. On Monday as we were setting up the wedding it rained something like five inches – enough to overwhelm the drainage trench and sump pump at our house (not the worst of the problems around town), and pretty soon half the wedding prep volunteers became flood control volunteers. The always-amazing Jessops saved the day with sandbags from the city, and luck / God saved the Jessops from 7500 volts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Then on the Wedding day we had the start of regular drizzling November day. Expectations for photos outside the temple were low, but – miracle of miracles! – the sun was blazing after the temple ceremony! We got everyone outside, from babies to grannies, and just as the first photo was shot, we went into the soak cycle. God has great comic timing! Alexa Tadlock, in the great Mabee tradition, said, “well, it is a WET-ing, isn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">McKay and Myles honeymooned their way from Oregon to New Mexico, where they will be living for the next few months while he finishes up school. He’s a great kid and we’re glad to have him in the family. I don’t think he knows what he’s gotten himself into yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Prior to her Wedding in November, Mckay’s year included education at the Oregon School of Massage and a job at Jamba Juice. I had never heard of Jamba Juice before McKay worked there. Now the nice young ladies on the night shift know me as McKay’s dad and Chad as her sister. They also know that a “Chad Special” is a Berry Upbeet with Daily Vitamin and Weight Burner boosters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Chad has earned a reputation for consistency this year. He put himself on a controlled, healthy, balanced diet, and has never departed from it. He lost 80 pounds and is by far the fittest person in the family. If we’re having desert and he wants to cheat, he will simply ask to smell our treats. There was a day he worried me though: he picked up two M&Ms off the table, and just when I thought he was going to break his commitment, he put them up his nostrils and shot them at his sister. What a relief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Besides being consistently healthy, Chad is also consistently fun. He composed the great song, “Let those poopies out!” in honor of our little friend Case, who was potty training this year and had trouble “letting go”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Between the music and the fitness, he also has time for fashion consulting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">“Dad, pull out your shirt! You look like a dork with your shirt tucked in. Don’t wear black socks with athletic shoes! Don’t wear dress shoes with jeans!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">He probably wouldn’t want me wearing dress shoes with athletic shorts either. I think I’m going to need his coaching for a long time. He is far more aware than I am of what looks good or bad. Then again you should have seen him dressed as “super fan”, or wearing Hannah’s “Party Pants”, or getting his back waxed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">In the spring Chad and Lilli and Hannah all participated in the High School production of “Honk, Jr.” (the ugly duckling story). It was his first and probably last high school musical. He did a great job as a happy, mellow-but-not-stoned frog. Lilli was a duckling and Hannah was some other kind of bird, and she was very birdlike.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">She was very eel-like when she was in the “Little Mermaid, Jr.” this fall. She is still a great singer and now has an important role in the musical “Once upon a Mattress”. We’ll tell you more about that next year. She wouldn’t want me making a big deal out of it. Apparently I’m a bit of a stage parent. But hey, I haven’t driven her to American Idol auditions yet, so I think I’m a model of restraint!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Hannah has been a great sister to everyone, and is usually helpful in all the right ways. She is happy all the time and is the only teenager I’ve ever been well-acquainted with who has the ability to laugh at herself. She makes friends easily, and met a really nice boy while we were camping at the coast. The story starts out kind of romantically, where they found each other because they were randomly using the same radio channel on the walkie talkies. Pretty soon Zach bicycled over with a big group of friends who all wanted to meet Hannah. There were all about 8 years old, but Hannah made them feel all grown up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">She was given a ukulele last Christmas, and Chad gave her some lessons, but so far she prefers the piano. In the spring they had a community talent show, and she sang and played the piano. Chad rocked the house with Bohemian Rhapsody on the ukulele, and Lillian competed with her dance teacher doing a tap dance. Surprise of the night was that Lillian came home with first place!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Lilli is doing great! She’s our only home school student at the moment. She studies, works, pretends, plays, dances and sings her way through the day. OK, I’m being generous about the “work” part of that equation, but it does happen occasionally. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">She and I did an overnight backpacking trip in August, and she was an absolutely delightful partner. Here are a few of her observations during that trip, during which she talked almost constantly:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">* (store stop) Dad, change your shoes before someone sees you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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* (<span style="font-size: 10pt;">in selecting a hat, which I thought was to keep the sun off) I need to look adventurous and cool!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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* (<span style="font-size: 10pt;">as we’re driving to the trailhead) I’m so excited . . . I’m losing my excitement . . . real fast . . . OK, I got some excitement back!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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* (<span style="font-size: 10pt;">during the hike in) I’m not having fun at all. The backpack is not fun, just running around and climbing boulders will be fun. . . . And fishing, and playing with other kids.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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* (<span style="font-size: 10pt;">after taking many, many, stops on the hike in) I’m an adventurer! I only take important stops! . . . well, NOW I do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">* Dad! Your legs are longer than mine! I’m short if you haven’t noticed! Take shorter steps and fewer of them!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">* I’m going to list everything that hurts! (and she did)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">On the hike out we were both commenting on how much quicker the hike was going than on the way in. I said, well, it’s downhill and our packs are lighter. She said, “yes, and I’m not complaining the whole way like I did on the way in.” Truer words were never spoken! I hope to go on many more hikes with Lilli and whoever else will go over the next 30 years!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Lilli helped me get ready for a big hike in Northern Idaho with Jim and Ethan Hewitt. The three of us packed to some secluded lakes at around the 7500-foot level. Granite and quartz boulders; pine and aspen; wild plants of a million varieties including celery and several kinds of berries. Clear lakes and relatively blue skies – there was a lot of smoke from forest fires, but it was thinner at our elevation; warm days and cool nights; lots of fish biting; great food created by Chef Jim. And plenty of strenuous exercise, for those who like that sort of thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Aside from my backpacking adventures, several of my Saturdays were occupied with the Front Entry Safety Project. I poured a concrete walkway from the front porch to the driveway, replaced the stairway and added railings, and trimmed and painted the porch. I had to think long and hard about it, but I decided that nine years after building the porch it was not too soon to finish the job. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I hate to admit it but I had put off the walkway job for several years for one reason or another. Three years ago Hannah broke her foot on the stepping stones that were there but I still didn’t get it done. I sorta kinda had the intention to do it this year, but then Wendy tore her Achilles tendon the same way Hannah got hurt, and that changed everything. Only by getting on it quickly could I possibly prevent the injury that was likely coming next . . . probably to my right eye since Wendy is left handed and she is the daughter of a boxer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Wendy had a great year and was as busy as ever. Her additional commitment this year was CET (Children’s Educational Theater). She taught technical classes and was the technical director for six shows. Lilli was able to attend this camp too. Hannah I went and helped with set construction and it was a good family experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">She designed the sets for the high school productions again this year. My favorite was Cinderella. She is a stickler for detail, and probably 300 man-hours of painting went into it. Cinderella’s home was vividly painted, and it would rotate out and become a shop or disappear altogether. It is great to see the community coming out to support these shows and the high school kids getting great experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">We both enjoy taking in theatrical performances, and luckily we live close enough to Portland to go see the Broadway touring series that comes there. We saw some fun shows this year, and they provide some inspiration for Wendy’s sets and lighting ideas. In October we were realizing we might not have much chance to celebrate our anniversary because of the timing of McKay’s wedding. So we agreed we would just skip it this year – just go out to dinner or something. But THEN I heard that Sweeney Todd was playing at Portland Center Stage, and, knowing this is one of Wendy’s favorite shows, I took the opportunity to be sneaky! . . . In a good way, for once.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">So I took the day off work and peeked into her calendar to be sure I wouldn’t disrupt her schedule too much, and I took her to Portland without telling her what we were going to see. She wasn’t very cooperative at first. She thought she might be heading to an art exhibit or Ice Capades, (not sure why she’d drag her feet for those, but anyways . . . ) she screamed with delight when she saw the sign for Sweeney Todd, and I knew that I HAD SCORED! It’s not every day a couple gets to enjoy such deep and ugly irony, and we thoroughly loved it. Brutal abuse, retribution, bloody murders, beautiful music, and a barber shop. You might say it’s barBERic! Ha ha!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">We did eventually get around to buying each other anniversary presents: his and hers cordless drills! And it was HER idea! I LOVE this woman!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">In June we went to the Canon Beach sandcastle competition. Several of our kids were participants on the Jessop team. The 4 day trip started out to be a very wet one, but eventually dried out. Myles came to visit McKay and get to know us a little better; Chad bicycled up and down the coast; I ate a LOT of marshmallows. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">It was baby Ben’s first camping trip and he had fun! Kimber is such a sweet mom, and Ray is a loving daddy! They are building a solid family, and he is a lucky boy with so much extended family close by. He is a funny kid! He is now 9 months old and finally has his first two teeth. But meanwhile he is already walking. He is a little shy and both his conversations and his complaints are subdued. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Kimber shares her amazing talents in sewing, dancing, writing and art, and makes us all happy. Raymond is now a bus-driver – the perfect job for a gentle, giant, mechanically minded guy who needs a little fallback from software writing. He made a game for the Android phone, called Space Chaser. It is pretty cool because you control the ship by tilting the phone. He had some problems with it at first – he said it had a memory leak. I know all about memory leaks. That’s why I have to carry my blackberry wherever I go, because mine leaks like a sieve and the only way I will follow through on a great idea or even a promise is if I create a reminder. But Ray is not forgetful and neither is his spaceship. I think a memory leak in programming is where you forget to put something away after you used it. That is also a problem I have, but not as commonly as misplacing things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">In June I came out of a store and could not find the car. I checked the blackberry, but I had not left a note saying where it was. Noticing my confusion, several people walked up to me and said, “Is THAT your car?” It was parked innocently 30 yards away in the store’s driveway, where even at my most sleepy and distracted I wouldn’t have left it. There must be a malfunction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I suspect the air conditioning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">You see, if you arrive at your destination while an interesting story is playing on talk radio, you have to put the car in neutral and leave the car running to enjoy the air conditioning while you listen to the end of the story. This is an older model, and the radio and air conditioning not integrated to the parking brake, and thus the car was able to roll away from the place where I parked it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">After the November election I have given up listening to talk radio. Problem solved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">So there you have it, the most newsworthy events of our family’s year neatly summarized in one letter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Harlow Solid Italic"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">May you have a joyful and peaceful Christmas and a successful new year!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">John, Wendy, and Family<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And a bonus tip for your quality holiday: when you buy your fresh Christmas tree, be sure to give it a fresh cut to keep it green, and then look at the newly exposed wood for the Made in Oregon insignia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-89355583435666438302011-12-23T06:14:00.000-08:002011-12-25T22:08:12.008-08:00The Boyack's Annual Report - 2011 (Pictures will be added)<span style="font-size: large;">Time Warp</span><br />
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2011 was another in the series of incrementally shorter and faster years here at the Boyack house. You remember when we were kids, and a parent would tell us about something that would happen next year? It seemed so impossibly far into the future that it was as if we were being told it will NEVER happen! Time didn’t exist, or it was measured so sparingly into our lives that past and future simply fables from another universe visited only by adults. <br />
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Well, I live in the inverse of that reality today. These days as I ponder the events coming over the next few years I feel like I’m in a B-movie runaway train hurtling down the tracks through all of life’s big adventures without any opportunity to prepare for the bumps or savor the taste of accomplishment before the next cliff-dangling stretch approaches.<br />
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Hyperbole, of course. And even if it were meant literally, I’ll confess that I try to pause while running atop the cars (chasing the bad guys away) to take in the beautiful scenery – the sunlit meadows of children playing; the dignified mountain majesty of the well-lived lives that surround me; the bubbling streams of life and personality passing from generation to generation.<br />
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So this letter is one of those pausing moments – a chance to smell the fall, mountain air and give thanks. And in those moments, I quickly count myself blessed – far beyond anything I deserve. <br />
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On the one hand, I am middle-aged, balding and overweight. What I can do for myself I do very slowly - I am often lazy and frequently confused; I am impatient and inconsiderate, distracted and diluted. And yet . . . <br />
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In spite of myself, I have been blessed with the most amazing family, with treasured friends, with peace and with security. Those gifts I attribute singly to the goodness of God, and I love Him . . . for He first loved me. As I approach yet another holiday season, I give thanks for His kindness and the joys of life that I find in family and friends.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Family Memories</span><br />
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<u>Lilly’s Baptism</u>. Lilly reached the ripe old age of 8 this year, and was baptized in May. Both sets of grandparents were able to come and that helped make it a very special family day. Having so many family and friends around was a special treat for Lilly and all of us. Lilly is the caboose, and growing up too, too fast. She is already old enough to occasionally revert to her childhood; twisting into the seat of the shopping cart or high chair; sitting in my lap when I’m surfing politics working at the computer.<br />
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<u>The Wedding</u>. Kimber and Ray were married in the Portland Temple March 18, to the shock and surprise of . . . absolutely no one. This day was sacred, and happy, and fun, with family and friends coming from near and far to make the celebration something really special. Chad and his friends played some great music; Hannah decorated wedding cupcakes – hand-made candy flowers on each one; We ran a slide show of childhood photos; We sang happy birthday to my dad – it was his 80th! My favorite moment was when Wendy read a story Kimber wrote at age 7 . . . in which she is a princess, saved from a ghost . . . by none other than Raymond. If ever anyone’s childhood romantic fantasy came true, Kimber’s did. I wonder who would be the frightening adversary . . . wait – it couldn’t be . . . I’m more of a bog monster than a ghost.<br />
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I’m sure I speak for many fathers-of-the-bride when I say that this day was as terrifying as it was beautiful. I have been her protector since the day she came so tiny and tentatively into this world. Having a daughter leave home can’t be too different than watching her jump out of an airplane . . . the time for preparation is over. Did I say everything I should have said? What if . . . ? I wonder . . . ? Sigh.<br />
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But gladly, whenever I need to feel protective, she and Ray are less than a mile away. And more importantly, she has a much better protector in Ray than I ever was. Now I’m trying to pick up some pointers. Ray has a lot more to offer than just long arms!<br />
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<u>Sandcastle Camping</u>. The Jessops are serious competitors in the sandcastle competition at Seaside. McKay, Chad and Hannah were participants on their team. We camped at Nahelem Bay with our new (to us) pop-up trailer. We stayed true to our timeless tradition of performing mechanical repairs on the vehicle while on vacation. The camp host lent me some tools. <br />
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Staying dry on the Oregon Coast in June is a tricky proposition, but we did manage to have three nice camping days before getting soaked on the morning of the competition. While the kids were over at the beach trying to form delicate sand shapes with shivering hands, Wendy, Kimber and I were trying to get the trailer to “pop” down. We went up and down, up and down, forever, but it wouldn’t latch. I was nothing if not persistent, and we got it figured out and got to the competition just after it ended and the participants all went running for cover.<br />
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<u>Visits to Gma’s house</u>. We got up to Bend to visit Grandma and Grandpa Mabee for a few days in July. This is where Chad and Grandma composed the now famous ballad, “Jack Is A Very Good Dog,” and the effect of the biochemical processes of canine digestion on German athletic socks was finally set to music.<br />
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<u>Visit to Idaho</u>. McKay, Chad and I went out to Meridian for MacRorie Hewitt’s mission farewell and had a wonderful but short visit.<br />
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<u>EFY, Trek, Girls Camp</u>. Chad and McKay went up to Forest Grove to attend EFY. McKay was the Queen of meeting new friends. Chad participated in the talent show. This year Hannah and McKay went on the church youth trek, where they dressed up like pioneers and pushed handcarts along dirt roads in the forest for 3 days. Hannah hurt her foot and limped all the way home. The girls also attended girls camp.<br />
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<u>They Sing! They Dance! They Paint!</u> Last year at this time, Central High School and the community were presenting “Ebenezer” on the new stage at the school. Wendy had been helping with the technical side of the school’s productions for years, but now, with the new theater, she has become the resident expert of the extensive technical systems. Most of us helped on Ebenezer, and since then, working on a show at the high school seems to have become our default family activity. Whether it’s on-stage or off, you’re going to find a Boyack at nearly every single event at the high school auditorium these days. Running the light board or sound or spotlight, or setting up the concert shell or painting a set, or singing in a choir concert or playing a role on stage. <br />
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In the last 12 months Wendy has designed the amazing Messina Farmhouse (Much Ado about Nothing) and Mushnick Flower Shop (Little Shop of Horrors), along with Audrey Hepburn’s basement apartment (Wait Until Dark), which, despite the famous name, will never get rented out again. We tore it down after JennieLinn Jessop was nearly murdered four nights in a row. Wendy was the assistant director in the Pentacle (community) Theater production of Brigadoon, and the director for the CHS production of Wait until Dark. Hannah had a chorus part in Brigadoon and McKay was a rockin’ Doo-Wap girl in Little Shop of Horrors. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it (too much already), but MY KIDS CAN SING! <br />
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This month we had the dance recital, and also had our hands in the “Night in Bethlehem” Christmas Nativity. This is a live nativity out in Salem that has baby Jesus, Mary & Joseph, and the Wise Guys, along with a camel, Old Testament prophets, singing livestock and assorted angels. Wendy’s job is lighting, and I am her lovely assistant.<br />
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Now we are on to our next visually stunning project… the set for Cinderella in which Hannah also plays a mouse/horse to be performed in February.<br />
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<u>The County unFair</u>. Chad accompanied Hannah with his arrangement of Jar of Hearts at the Polk county Fair. McKay performed a humorous song called Joey is a Punk Rocker. They were fantastic! Unfortunately, all the top prizes went to some people outside our county, despite making the top 10. They were winners to us!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Brood</span><br />
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Lillian (8)<br />
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“Miss Lil” has had a busy year. She got to spend a week at Grandma Mabee’s with her Cousin Kylie and her sisters. She even got to visit Crater Lake – something I haven’t done yet. She had a week-long visit from her friend Leah. Lilly doesn’t stop singing or dancing. She loves to plan Family Home Evening, Activity Days, Tap class, and playing with her friends. She was a little distressed with the news that she would be an Aunt before she turned 9. She has gotten used to the idea. She felt the baby kick the other day and is now looking forward to being the chief babysitter.<br />
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Hannah (13)<br />
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Hannah is growing into quite the young lady. Year in brief: Less cake decorating, more singing. Hannah continues to develop amazing talents. She sang a solo at her Jr. High school concert last spring which brought down the house. I never tired of hearing her sing it . . . until that song became popular on the radio, at which time we had all had enough. She has also been learning technical theater from her mom and is considering pursuing musical theater in her (still far off) college education. She is persistent in studying piano . . .<br />
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Chad (16)<br />
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Chad played rugby, football, and the ukulele this year. He and I had three outings to watch the OSU Beavers get beat, but the beavers actually pulled off a win once – you never can tell. My memories of Chad this year include midnight serenades, learning to drive stick shift, big hair, late night homework, “the gallon challenge”, and the McDank. Chad is becoming extremely quick with one-liners, and regularly makes me laugh. If he had written this letter, you would be laughing right now. There’s always next year!<br />
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McKay (18)<br />
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McKay started the year as a Doo-Wap girl, and ends the year as a Jamba Juice girl. She sang in choirs and concerts for the last time. She has completed her high school/home school education and her GED. She had one of the highest scores ever to go through the program. She’s working for a few more months before she begins classes at the Oregon School of Massage. She went to her last year of girls’ camp. She worked over the summer as a sound tech for the City of Independence. She is the favorite “family taxi driver” and saves her mom countless hours!<br />
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<a href="http://raymberhappilyeverafterthree.blogspot.com/">Kimber and Ray</a><br />
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K & R Honeymooned on the ski slopes in Idaho back in March. Kimber has continued teaching at the Dance & Music Studio until December at which time she gave notice (she is planning on beginning her career as a stay-at-home mom), and Ray now works for an electronics assembler in Corvallis. School is on hold at the moment as they prepare for their bouncing baby boy, coming in February! Thankfully, they live around the corner so we can still spoil them.<br />
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<a href="http://wendy-abcsoflosingme.blogspot.com/">Wendy</a><br />
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Wendy is the brains of the operation, on stage as well as at home. In addition to all, Wendy still teaches Seminary… teaches home school… is a vocal coach… writes a blog… works in the garden… and has started working out at Curves again. She also has become the unwilling leader of a pack of dogs. All the dogs in the house follow her around… even to the bathroom. She hates it but I think it’s cute. She works circles around most of us and still has a smile on her face… most days. It has also been determined that Wendy is now responsible for buying all cars in the future. You should see the cute little race car she lets me drive. <br />
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And as for me . . . What a year!<br />
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This has to be one of the most unusual years I have ever had. This was my first full year at my new job. I’m enjoying my job, my chickens, and mowing the lawn. I cleaned “my side” of the garage this year.<br />
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By courage or witlessness, I found myself the chief petitioner of a recall campaign for a school board member. This is strictly small-town politics, but was plenty of drama for me. I helped a small group of people make things uncomfortable for the school district leadership, and in the process faced some slings and arrows myself. As reward for my heroism – or punishment for my crimes – I am now a member of the school board, replacing the member that was recalled. We were the Rebel Alliance, but now I have gone to the Dark Side.<br />
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So there you have it – the traditional update of the crazy life at the Boyack house. My punctuality (funny word to say about me) has altogether failed when it comes to the annual Christmas letter. It may be better to keep up by following us on Facebook, texting, blogs, or phone calls. But we can’t break with tradition, can we?<br />
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We love you all and hope to do better at keeping in touch. Mostly, we love the reason to celebrate this Christmas season: the Savior, Jesus Christ. He lives! He is the way!John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-24848079284285351692011-11-10T21:52:00.000-08:002011-11-10T21:52:48.318-08:00Racecar DriverToday I'm thankful for my car. I think it's been almost 2 months since I had a broken down car in my driveway. The process of finding a third working vehicle for our family was long and painful. Ultimately I abandoned the "cheapest wheels available" approach because it seemed to end up costing more than buying a car that was actually reliable.<br />
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The car we most recently bought ended up being for me to drive, instead of for my daughter McKay. Reason being - it's a two door, not a four door. So poor Dad has to drive the cherry-red coupe with sunroof and the really cool wind spoiler on the trunk.<br />
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Actually, the best part about it is that Wendy picked it out. The previous three cars were bought by me - rather impulsively - and lasted an average of 2 months each.<br />
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So knock on wood - I'm thankful for functioning vehicles! John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-23790209319446025012011-11-08T21:27:00.000-08:002011-11-08T21:27:16.376-08:00Thankful Month - Day 3Today I'm thankful for my job. It's a good job. How good? Pretty good. Not my dream job, but definitely not bad. I have had bad jobs, and good jobs with difficult situations that lasted forever. This job has had its difficult situations, but they have been temporary. I have a good boss and good co-workers, a relatively short commute, and interesting work to do.<br />
<br />
So what's my dream job? I probably shouldn't say, but I'll just tell you that if I had my dream job I would only need a recliner, a TV, and a remote - and I wouldn't have the income to buy them.John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-3396975469847378062011-11-07T21:57:00.000-08:002011-11-07T21:57:12.115-08:00Sawing LogsThankful #2.<br />
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I'm thankful for eight hours to sleep, and for the latex mattress where I get to spend them.<br />
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Nighty Night,John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-66610552868808795222011-11-06T20:45:00.000-08:002011-11-06T20:55:13.938-08:00Thankful Month - Day 1 - My Dear WendyI'm playing catch-up, because I didn't think of it until I was chatting with Wendy just now. Lots of people are writing "a thankful a day" on Facebook, or elsewhere, for the month of November. I was just saying to Wendy that I need a hobby for days like today. The sad truth about me is that I have not learned to manage the minutes between the minutes. I let valuable time go to waste because I tell myself that the time available - until the next scheduled activity - is too short to make good use of it. It takes me a few minutes to "get into" any activity, and so I let all kinds of time go to waste - reading useless news, or eating, etc.<br />
<br />
So Wendy suggested that I meet her challenge of thankfulness. That is obviously a good way to pass the time. So it was easy to choose the first object of my thankfulness: My dear wife Wendy.<br />
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Wendy is a great blessing to me. I have grown a lot from learning from her. I try to follow her example in a few key ways. <br />
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She is faithful to our family. She is acutely aware of and interested in each of our children. She creates activities that become family fun, and she encourages me to take each of the kids for one on one time. I came with very little fatherly intuition, other than family scriptures and prayer. Wendy has taught me everything else, and I am a completely different man, a much more faithful priesthood leader, because of her example and counsel.<br />
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She is an example of dilligence in any endeavor. Whethere it is arriving 30 minutes early for church, spending countless hours preparing for Seminary or volunteering at the high school, or crocheting blankets for newborn babies in our ward or writing birthday cards to the relief-society sisters, she is the greatest example of diligence I know of. I still can't hold a candle to all the work she does or how effectively she does it, but I try harder because I have seen how much can actually be done.<br />
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She is an example of revelation. She is an example of personal service. She is an example in her free expression of creative energy in the arts she loves.<br />
She is also incredibly patient with me. I won't say that patience is her strong point :^), but you don't know what I put her through on a daily basis, and I can tell you she has developed a great level of patience when it comes to me! I am very blessed by her love, affection, and understanding. She has given me the incentive to try (try, try, try) to live a celestial life, so that I can spend eternity with her.<br />
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So there ya go.John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-39705447722033002632011-05-08T18:48:00.000-07:002011-05-08T21:23:32.437-07:00The Tails of Two White Shirts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xyyyh1t_l4s/TcdL595jRwI/AAAAAAAAAFA/EgwQSTvdoDc/s1600/mens-wardrobe-basics-10-closet-essentials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xyyyh1t_l4s/TcdL595jRwI/AAAAAAAAAFA/EgwQSTvdoDc/s320/mens-wardrobe-basics-10-closet-essentials.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Today I wore two white shirts to church. Usually on Sundays I’m a by-the-book LDS attire kind of guy, but today I had a problem. My shirt inventory isn’t what it used to be. I had a choice: a bright, white, long-sleeved shirt with good cloth – and no collar – or a short-sleeved shirt which was very thin to the point of being a little . . . what’s the right word . . . immodest? . . . risqué? . . . Nauseating? <br />
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This problem wasn’t that hard to solve: I wore both! <br />
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The collared shirt over the non-collared shirt. With the jacket on, no one would see the obviously mismatched sleeves. I thought it was perfect. No one noticed it in church and it wasn’t discovered until halfway through dinner at home, at which point I was ridiculed. Alas, people mock what they do not understand. My kids have got to stop underestimating my problem-solving skills. <br />
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Today, two shirts: yesterday, zero. So it averages out.<br />
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Yesterday was a glorious day with the baptism of Lillian, our youngest. She had both sets of grandparents here, and we had an all around good day. Baptisms are priesthood ordinances and spiritual events, but there are some practical aspects you have to plan for in order to avoid distractions – specifically, dry clothing to change into.<br />
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About an hour before the meeting I suddenly remembered that Lillian would need dry clothing. I commanded Wendy to see to it, and Lillian was soon dressed in a beautiful dress and carrying an extra pair of undies and a towel in her bag (the church would supply the baptism suit itself, so that’s about all she needed). <br />
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A while later, it occurred to me, as they guy performing the baptism, I am going to get wet too! I decided to solve that problem immediately before I forgot. I already had a bag with my white pants in it – I added clean undies and a towel, and I was set.<br />
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But not fully. <br />
<br />
After the baptism I left the font and headed into the men’s dressing room. I had staged all my things and was ready to get into dry clothing and back to the meeting. One little problem: I only had one white shirt – no, one shirt of any color – and I had just worn it into and out of the baptism font. Yes, it was my good one, but it was wet up to my chest.<br />
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Would anyone notice? Would it create additional problems, like a wet streak down my pants? I pondered. Meanwhile Lillian is probably just about done over in the ladies room because she has about half the number of articles of clothing to put on, plus at least two women helping her. Hey! What about me? I’m helpless! Standing here dripping, trying to decide whether to drip my way to the Relief Society room for the reminder of the meeting, or what! <br />
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Since we live only a couple of doors from the church, I could have someone bring me a shirt without delaying the meeting much – but how could I get anyone’s attention? They’re all down the hall singing hymns, anxiously awaiting my return.<br />
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Duh, John – this is the 21st century, and I have TWO cell phones right here in the locker room with me. OK, OK! Who do I want to help me, and who should I text?<br />
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My daughter McKay always has her phone – she’s a safe bet. Now, who can come into the men’s room, and would be the fastest getting to my house and back? That’s probably my brother-in-law Paul. He’s fit and can jog to and from the vehicle or skip driving and just run all the way to my house. Got a plan! I texted McKay: “help send paul to bathroom”<br />
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In the meeting room, McKay reads her text, raises one eyebrow, stands and crosses the room to where Paul is, and tells him, “My dad needs you in the bathroom.” Now they each have one eyebrow raised. Paul goes out of the room and passes Wendy in hallway, who had just sent Lillian into the room and was chatting with her friend Shar. “Where are you going?” says Wendy.<br />
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“Your husband needs help in the potty.”<br />
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Two more eyebrows.<br />
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Paul enters the men’s room. “Johnnie, what do you need?”<br />
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I tell Paul my problem and my plan. Paul makes a counter proposal: “why don’t you just wear my shirt?”<br />
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“But then what are you going to wear?”<br />
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I’ll just zip up my sweater to the top and no one will know! <br />
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So right then and there Paul gives me the shirt off his back. I get dressed in my suit and head out and down the hall. Now the thing is, Paul is six inches taller than me, so the shirt sleeves are hanging well below the jacket. Wendy and Shar are waiting outside the room, laughing with/at me, and we all go in and sit down.<br />
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After the meeting, Paul waits patiently as we take pictures and we get home and I help my parents into the house, before I return his shirt to him.<br />
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Now if I had just kept it one more day I wouldn’t have had to wear two shirts today! <br />
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I just don’t think ahead enough, do I? I suppose if I did, I would have washed, or at least dried, my own good shirt!John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-38379797548662808042011-04-28T23:57:00.000-07:002011-04-29T09:02:51.398-07:00The Accidental ActivistLast September I did a foolish thing. Having never attended a school board meeting before, I went with a burr under my saddle and I filled out a comment card and held onto <a href="http://trustyplummet.blogspot.com/2010/09/break-from-humor-to-address-major.html">my prepared speech</a> with sweaty hands. I had just become aware of some big and weird problems in the school district, and, too dumb to know it wouldn't help, I addressed the school board as a disgruntled taxpayer. <br />
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I rode the ragged edge of the rules and complained about a specific employee before they realized what was happening. I got hearty applause from an unhappy bunch of teachers looking for a hero. I also got a very clear view of what they were unhappy about. <span id="goog_1598125175"></span><a href="http://trustyplummet.blogspot.com/2010/09/this-is-no-maytag.html">As I wrote then<span id="goog_1598125176"></span></a>, at least some of the problems became very clear to me.<br />
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Over the next month I lost considerable sleep wondering if I was about to be sued and my family would lose our house. I was sure that I should not have become involved. At the same time, my sense of indignation was rising, and I just couldn't justify remaining silent.<br />
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My speech may have been a litte ill-advised (I would not have lost that sleep if I had bought liability insurance for $20 / year BEFORE making that speech instead of after), but it helped bring like-minded people together to actively engage in the cause.<br />
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But over a couple of months, things settled down. I began to miss a few board meetings and write less frequently, and even miss a couple of meetings with my rebel friends. (Before there was Citizens for 13J Excellence I called our group the Rebel Alliance).<br />
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And then there was the 2 page complaint. We started working on that last fall. And then even while that was in process, in January <a href="http://thecentraladvocate.blogspot.com/">Kathleen Stanley</a> decided not to pass GO but to go immediately to a recall election. I decided to grace them with my presence at the organization meeting, and was asked to conduct the meeting. And then the big surprise: during the meeting I was nominated to be the chief petitioner on the recall petition drive.<br />
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And that's how I became the mascott for the recall, and for <a href="http://www.citizensfor13jexcellence.blogspot.com/">Citizens for 13J Excellence</a>. Sure - I'm on the steering committee, and as the chief petitioner my name actually appears on all the legal forms and on the ballot. Kinda cool. But really, I was the mascott - not the brains or the brawn. I'm John Q Public, ticked off and enthusiastic. Ready to go for blood without knowing what to do or how to do it.<br />
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With the help of friends and other volunteers, it got easier and better over time. We got the job done, and sit here tonight having achieved victory. The superintendent has resigned, and the chairwoman has been recalled by the voters.<br />
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The superintendent resigned last week with a payout because of a serious complaint filed by three female district employees. A threatening and harrassing work environment made their lives miserable for years. Without that complaint, it was going to be quite a challenge to get rid of the superintendent, even with a new school board.<br />
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So tonight, one of those complainants told me that without the background push of Citizens for 13J Excellence submitting complaints and filing for recall, she and her compatriots would not have had the confidence needed to stick their necks out and make that formal complaint.<br />
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And likewise, the teachers union, seeing there was movement afoot, was in the process of submitting a vote of no-confidence when the resignation occurred. As it turned out, he was gone and the vote wasn't needed, but it could easily have been needed, and it would have been a very powerful tool toward getting rid of him or at least in limiting the damage he could do for the remaining 2 years of his contract.<br />
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So what I'm saying here is that because the public got involved in a highly visible way (Kathleen's Blog being the main pillar of that), the teachers and administrators were able to speak up and state the problems clearly for everyone to hear. The felt we had their backs, and, as much as it is possible, we did.<br />
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Without us, this would have been much more difficult and painful for them than it already was, and so much more prolonged.<br />
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So now, as I look back at all those times when I wish I hadn't got involved, or when I seriously debated wither to continue, because of the great sacrifice it was to my time, I thank the Lord that he put me in this situation and gave me the power to help these people who were in need. I didn't do much, but I was a figurehead. I was a body in the community, and I cared enough to help. That meant something to those who were in the trenches. I am so glad I never quit.<br />
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I am glad this happened. I could never have predicted that a mere eight months after that fateful speech, the district leadership has been removed due to the swift and vocal actions of an insignificant community group. I would never have guessed that I would meet such wonderful people make good friends. I worked with people whose tremendous sacrifice and commitment to education made big things happen.<br />
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Was it worth the trouble? Absolutely!John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-38809932159113438922011-04-01T13:07:00.000-07:002011-04-01T13:10:05.829-07:00This is me posting on my blog . . .I accept that this post will not be perfect. It will not be funny and will likely not be intetesting. But it could just be THE post that restarts my writing habit. <br />
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What could I write about?<br />
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How about that guy Rob that stayed at the Mabees when we lived there, and the manly way I confronted his deceipt. Or how about the list of offenses the exiled chicken has committed, and that in spite of her guilt I can't get the jury to go along with the death sentence. There are all kinds of great things happening with my kids - and of course with my parenting. Did you know we have to wipe the dogs feet for them when they come in from the back yard? But the kids? . . . We keep asking.<br />
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Our $500 car is worth zero right now and we're feeling betrayed. Our luck usually goes so much better than that . . . NOT. I'm taking a project management class - actually it's a study group for taking the Project Management Professional certification exam. But I'm dividing my notes into two groups: project management and test taking. I'm actully really good at test taking. That explains how I got through college, but this will be more challenging than most multiple choice tests I took in college. Except Business Law. That stunk. Have I ever confessed/explained how I really got thru college?<br />
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How about my wedding story? Wendy wrote down the story of our courtship within a couple of months of our marriage, but I haven't done that yet. I really should. My memories of that time of my life are unfaded. But I don't know what happened ten seconds ago. I think I really do suffer from short-term memory loss or ADD or both. It makes life very interesting, and allows me to think very creatively, and solve problems well. What I'm thinking about at any given moment is not likely to be connected with what is going on around me at all, and not likely to stay on the same topic for more than 15 seconds. Creative opportunities.<br />
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I could write about the lessons I've learned in my political experiences over the last six months. The bicycle shed? My new slum-lord retirement plan. MUD. The concrete sidewalk that isn't. The whistle I stole when I was five. (sorry Joe). How about snow caving? Hiking, fishing and other activities I wish I were doing.<br />
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I could write forever about my jobs, but it wouldn't be enjoyable for you or me. The task list in my notebook includes pending transactions, an HR profile, iProcuremnet documentation, commitment to change in the PPMC area, testing the database upgrade and a patch, MSDS attachments, a view for Mr Stapleton, MD50 documentation and reimbursements. Told you.<br />
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How about working in Japan? I did that for seven months after my mission. Made something like $11K but I don't even know where half of it went. It would have been worse if I hadn't been budgeting. In Okinawa as a missionary, we once walked through a very poor farm village. A kid saw me and ran, screaming, "OKaasan!! Hen na ningen! Hen na ningen!!" (Mom! A weird human!!). This was Miyako island, actually. I was one of two white guys on the island. My companion was Japanese.<br />
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If this list isn't proof of a mental disorder, I don't know what is. But, on the other hand, disorder or not, it's fodder for a lot of good blogging!<br />
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See ya!John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-42568316782276140652010-12-21T22:39:00.000-08:002010-12-21T22:39:38.724-08:00BOYACK'S ANNUAL REPORT - 2010Hello Boyack fans! Wow, what a year! <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This letter is about to miss the Christmas deadline, but what can I say? This has been a year of adventure and changes, but one thing stays the same: I’m late wherever I go! Before I start my ramblings about the Oregon Boyacks, I think it’s most important to say in this time of celebrating family, friendships, love, and God’s goodness, that we remember you specifically. This electronic greeting doesn’t come to your door in a crisp bright envelope and stand nicely on your mantle, but it comes with smiles and warm thoughts from my family to yours. We truly wish you a merry Christmas and a joyful new year. May God’s kindness protect and bless you throughout the year.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yZxMwtZ2Brk/TRGS4IZAw6I/AAAAAAAAAB4/Tc7UdHNcliw/s1600/Lilly+and+Leah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yZxMwtZ2Brk/TRGS4IZAw6I/AAAAAAAAAB4/Tc7UdHNcliw/s200/Lilly+and+Leah.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lillian and Leah</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Lillian (7) is a very busy, independent little lady. She is reading chapter books, like “Charlotte’s Web”, and she is doing well in home school. She has been in swimming and dancing classes this year, and she likes to ride her bike the short distance to class whenever her parents will let her. She tried roller blading to class and I nearly called the police. I gave her a head start and then shadowed her in the car. Short story: I lost her, but it all ended up well. Her favorite programs are Danny Phantom, Clifford, and Martha Speaks. She sings exceptionally well and her voice fills the house. Often. Fills it right to the top and overflowing. And, significantly, she hasn’t climbed into my bed in the middle of the night in the last couple of months. Yes!!! </div></div></div> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yZxMwtZ2Brk/TRGVCi9XOtI/AAAAAAAAAB8/aGMSLqUTKbY/s1600/Chad+%2526+K+Sunglasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yZxMwtZ2Brk/TRGVCi9XOtI/AAAAAAAAAB8/aGMSLqUTKbY/s200/Chad+%2526+K+Sunglasses.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock Stars</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Hannah (12 for one more month) is an amazing young woman. If I start right off by saying how wonderfully she cooks and cleans, I’m going to get in big trouble, so let’s praise her for being responsible and a hard worker. She is in the Jr High school choir – her first participation in public school – and she also sings and plays the piano. I sometimes wonder whether I’m hearing my 12-year old daughter or a professional pop star. OK, so I’m her dad, but seriously, she’s great! She read the Harry Potter series and now she’s working on “Tennis Shoes” book five. She will be your friend for a half gallon of ice cream.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yZxMwtZ2Brk/TRGMdr5ps7I/AAAAAAAAABw/xIzs8kDulfY/s1600/Chad+Matrix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yZxMwtZ2Brk/TRGMdr5ps7I/AAAAAAAAABw/xIzs8kDulfY/s200/Chad+Matrix.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matrix Chad</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Chad (15) is going places I’ve never been! He played football again this year and follows NCAA and pro teams. He took a weight lifting class and is stronger than I ever was, even before I dissolved into a puddle of jelly back in 1997. He’s another musician in the family, and possibly the best. He’s a GENIUS on the ukulele. He picked it up from some friends at school starting last December. He got a cheap little thing for Christmas and has not put it down since. He bought himself a high-quality electric/acoustic, complete with amp and pedal, and now he’s a ukulele rocker. He creates chords, progressions, rhythms, and even lyrics.</div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This year Chad and I went to a concert of the ukulele legend, Jake Shimabukuro. We also had a great time cycling the San Juan islands with 20 guys and dads from church. In this beautiful setting we experienced physical challenge and refreshing relaxation. But better than those, Chad discovered that he could potentially live on twenty dollars a day. We are men of simple needs.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yZxMwtZ2Brk/TRGWN68iGqI/AAAAAAAAACE/PUNFIS5MAi4/s1600/McKay1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yZxMwtZ2Brk/TRGWN68iGqI/AAAAAAAAACE/PUNFIS5MAi4/s200/McKay1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McKay practicing her "blonde" look</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">McKay (17) is our first teenage driver. She can even drive stick shift, and she runs errands for Mom in a 1986 Toyota Celica. It’s not much to look at, but I think she likes it a lot. Another great singer, her voice melts my heart. She had a couple of solo roles at the high school this year, and sings in the church choir. She is self-driven in school and is learning math I never had to know and studying anatomy. I’m no help to her when she has a question on homework. Her plan is to become a massage therapist, and she is working that plan.</div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">McKay has a new friend. He’s six months old and twelve inches high: the smallest and busiest dog we’ve ever had. If you need your knees scratched or ketchup cleaned off your face, he’s the man for the job. He’s affectionate and playful and a loved addition to the family and THE LAST PET WE WILL BE GETTING FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS. That’s the last time I’m saying that for the last time.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yZxMwtZ2Brk/TRGW6VDKx-I/AAAAAAAAACI/TMKj67rMecw/s1600/Kimber+Playground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yZxMwtZ2Brk/TRGW6VDKx-I/AAAAAAAAACI/TMKj67rMecw/s200/Kimber+Playground.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kimber and Ray . . . </td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Kimber is almost 20, and getting MARRIED! AAAAAH(I’m officially old)HHHH!!! Ray Jessop is the lucky guy. I know – I could knock you over with a feather, right? Ever since he was Han Solo and she was Princess Leia before they were ten, more than a few people have seen this coming. Kimber says she had this hope since she was six, but she and Ray have spent so much time together I think she thought he was just an annoying brother. But these things change, don’t they? </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yZxMwtZ2Brk/TRGW_FDMexI/AAAAAAAAACM/wgIeCqWD4Uo/s1600/Ray+Playground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yZxMwtZ2Brk/TRGW_FDMexI/AAAAAAAAACM/wgIeCqWD4Uo/s200/Ray+Playground.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">. . . have many things in common!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In May he returned from serving a mission in New Jersey, and went to work a’wooing, and won her heart handily. He made his proposal on the beach just this month – only about a month after she had picked the wedding date. They plan to be married in March.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">She is still taking classes at Chemeketa and teaching at the Dance Studio. She’s also had some success selling her own artwork in the form of painted shirts. She really is an amazing artist!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yZxMwtZ2Brk/TRGYd5eSdTI/AAAAAAAAACQ/-vn28KWB6Qg/s1600/Wendy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yZxMwtZ2Brk/TRGYd5eSdTI/AAAAAAAAACQ/-vn28KWB6Qg/s200/Wendy.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wendy, Shar and Sobe to the rescue!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Wendy has been taking it easy this year. She quit teaching early-morning Seminary and sent our kids to public school so that she can catch more daytime television. Ha Ha! But you didn’t even bite on that little tease, did you?</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>In addition to Seminary and home school, Wendy still teaches singing lessons. She has spent countless hours volunteering at the high school in their theater and music programs. She has become the de facto technical manager of the school’s beautiful new theater and is training students to use the equipment. She also is sharing her artistic talent as she designs and paints the sets there.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yZxMwtZ2Brk/TRGY3g_DRKI/AAAAAAAAACU/sw64qB3XAMs/s1600/John+hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yZxMwtZ2Brk/TRGY3g_DRKI/AAAAAAAAACU/sw64qB3XAMs/s200/John+hat.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biking Fashion Expert</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">For myself, I’ve had a few changes in my life this year. I’m now working at Wah Chang in Albany, OR. It’s a great job and it’s much closer to home. This year I had a concern about a school district issue, and got uncharacteristically involved. I joined the Rebel Alliance and we are taking on the Imperial Senate from a rebel base in the Alderan System. </div><br />
And this year I became a pet owner farmer . I’m in love with eight beautiful hens the idea of providing for my family with resources in the back yard. Every day I run home from work and spend quality time bonding with these magnificent creatures with wide eyes and an intellect to match my own do the necessary chores to keep my livestock healthy.<br />
<br />
So that’s the summary! I hope to share a few more details on my blog before the year is out. Here are links to a few stories I've enjoyed writing this year:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://trustyplummet.blogspot.com/2010/07/mans-best-feathered-friends.html">Man's Best Feathered Friends</a><br />
<a href="http://trustyplummet.blogspot.com/2010/07/driving-mrs-boyack.html">Driving Mrs Boyack</a><br />
<a href="http://trustyplummet.blogspot.com/2010/06/bicycling-adventure.html">Bicycling Adventure</a><br />
<br />
Now to find more time for writing! With five active kids and a super active wife, (and lots of hairbrained adventures of my own) I am getting lots of inspiration of things to write about, but I’m trying hard to keep up and not writing much. I figure that day will come.<br />
<br />
So Merry Christmas, and we hope to keep in touch!<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-41956278922765707252010-10-06T19:21:00.000-07:002010-10-06T19:21:14.114-07:00The Corners of My Mind . . .. . . are dusty.<br />
<br />
<br />
Yesterday I got a rare privelige of participating in the judicial process that we take so much for granted. Last month my lovely wife and I were witnesses to a bad car accident, in which we saw a red sports car cross Lancaster without enough clearance, and a small pickup T-boned it.<br />
<br />
So we were subpoenaed to Salem Municipal Court to testify. It was really quite an honor, and all things were done in the greatest decorum and courtesy.<br />
<br />
The police officer, as well as the offending driver, had established for the judge that the red car had attempted to cross from a parking lot. I think the police officer wanted more information from us witnesses as to how the guy entered the intersection. Did he stop and look, or just slow down before entering the road?<br />
<br />
When my turn came, I was asked to describe what I saw. We were traveling far behind the pickup when it ran into the red car.<br />
<br />
"The first thing I noticed was the cloud of smoke from the airbags deploying, and the pickup truck being shoved to the right. And the red car passing in front of the pickup.”<br />
<br />
Policeman: “Did you see the car leave the parking lot and enter the roadway?”<br />
<br />
Me: “No, I really wasn’t aware of either vehicle before the collision.”<br />
<br />
Policeman, referring to his notes: “So you don’t remember telling me that the red car entered from the parking lot?”<br />
<br />
Me, smiling: “Uh, I could have told you that, and if so, it’s probably more reliable than what I can remember today.”<br />
<br />
Policeman, rolling his eyes: “No further questions.”<br />
<br />
Besides the honor of participating in the greatest justice system in the world, I also got paid eight dollars and twenty cents for that testimony.<br />
<br />
I love America!John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-21559949031434865452010-10-06T19:00:00.000-07:002010-10-06T19:23:21.244-07:00Encouraging CivilityI have removed an anonymous comment that was made on 9/29. I appreciate this note that came from that commenter:<br />
<span style="color: black;"><blockquote><span style="color: black;">I would like to publicly retract my statements of Mr Maloney and Hunter from 2 posts ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>. . . <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>It was not the appropriate wording for the "opinion" I was trying to get express. ...again, I do not want to go down the road of name calling and take away from the positive discussion at hand. Again, I appoligize to both men for going down that road.</blockquote></span>We all need to remember that our voices will be heard best when spoken in careful tones, and our words will be best understood when they are unerringly true. I found this quote today from Mary Wortley Montagu (I have no idea who she is, hopefully she is nice):<br />
<blockquote>Civility costs nothing, and buys everything. </blockquote>So I also apologize, for leaving the offending comments up for just over a week. I am new to this world of controversial writing, and I did not take the needed initiative to monitor the comments.John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-43423845170195734332010-09-29T08:20:00.000-07:002010-09-29T08:38:05.578-07:00I Have Been SchooledSome readers have corrected my assertion that the bond for the 47 Million was in 2006. I am learning that it was actually 2008, and that a smaller bond was in 2006. Thank you for pointing this out. I havent yet found published results for the 2008 election, but will publish a link to them when I do.John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-58140270983191253122010-09-28T21:28:00.000-07:002010-09-29T08:35:17.911-07:00Updated: The Ethics of OversightThe Central School Board has a problem. From their perspective, it may seem small at the moment. Having to deal with a few complaining citizens has probably always been part of the job. But they may not realize that the substance of the complaints is no longer about programs and policies. It’s really not even about education. It’s about ethics and honesty. It’s about money, and it’s about oversight.<br />
<br />
Here are some examples of flagrant waste that concern me:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thecentraladvocate.blogspot.com/2010/08/double-reverse-trick-play.html">Vacation time reimbursed without authorization</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://thecentraladvocate.blogspot.com/2010/09/entitlements.html">Personal expense budget exceeded without authorization and personal recreational activities paid for by school district funds</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://thecentraladvocate.blogspot.com/2010/08/shifting-bond-expenditures-to-general.html">Non-bond funding used for items in the original bond description</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://trustyplummet.blogspot.com/2010/09/break-from-humor-to-address-major.html">Specified and contracted items in the bond not delivered</a><br />
<br />
Concerns are growing amongst staff, teachers and now citizens about district office expenditures as well as the bond fund. And right alongside those questions we are asking where does the buck stop in the Central School District? The board should be the supreme authority, but they don’t seem to be asking questions, pushing back, or demanding accountability from the superintendant.<br />
<br />
When the public sees evidence of wrongdoing and mismanagement in the district, and hears that the school board has let this behavior pass, we wonder how many other things have happened that we are not aware of. We wonder how the school board can not be aware. Or, assuming they might be aware, we wonder if they are complicit and approving of wasteful and harmful behavior.<br />
<br />
Let me tell you a story. This is a story told by my ethics professor at a business college, many moons ago. It’s a true story about a local manager of a large non-profit organization and his treasurer, and it goes like this: The manager traveled much for his work, and so he got in the habit of signing checks in advance, so that the treasurer could take care of routine business when the manager was out of town. <br />
<br />
The treasurer’s family was dealing with some major medical issues. Once when the manager was out of town, a large bill came due to the treasurer. This non-profit organization collects donations for people with medical issues or other needs. The managers have control of the dispersal of this money. So the treasurer, justifying himself by saying that the manager would probably give him the money if he were to apply for it, wrote himself a check for several thousand dollars and paid his bill.<br />
<br />
When the manager returned, the treasurer felt a little too shy to explain what he had done, so he didn’t bring it up. The manager continued to sign blank checks as usual, and was eventually gone out of town again. At the treasurer’s home, another bill came due, and he again took money from the organization without asking by using the signed checks. This happened several times. Eventually, guilt compelled him to confess to the manager what he had done. But by then this poor treasurer had stolen many thousands of dollars.<br />
<br />
I don’t know how this story ended for the treasurer. The professor’s point in telling it was to highlight the manager’s unethical behavior. Yes, that’s right. The manager behaved unethically by placing the control of so much money into the hands of one man, without requiring accountability. The checks actually required two signatures, to facilitate accountability, but the manager defeated that system by signing blank checks. The treasurer was guilty of theft, to be sure, but the manager was responsible for creating the environment where theft could easily occur. And an otherwise honest man found the temptation too much to bear.<br />
<br />
Is Central School Board, like the manager of this non-profit aid group, signing blank checks? If they are not performing their duty of oversight, they are guilty of creating an environment where a person might begin to think of district funds – given by taxpayers for the purpose of educating students – as completely under his own discretion and answerable to no one else.<br />
<br />
The Central School Board’s own policy states that the board “assigns and holds the superintendent responsible for all the administrative functions of the district” (Policy Code BCD). “Holding responsible” means verifying that a task was completed according to the agreement (for example, a budget), and when it wasn’t, requiring the problem to be corrected as soon as possible. Holding responsible can also mean reprimanding, coaching, or terminating a relationship.<br />
<br />
To salvage its reputation, the school board should take seriously the concerns that have been brought up, and take immediate and fully-corrective action.John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-73871542011575443102010-09-28T21:22:00.000-07:002010-09-29T08:37:34.875-07:00Facts, Opinions, and Dialogue<strong>UPDATE: Some readers have corrected me on the issue of when the 47 million bond was approved. It looks like it was 2008. The one I saw in 2006 was a smaller bond. I am still looking for published results of the 2008 election.</strong><br />
<br />
Until recently, my blogging has been infrequent and “humorous”. One of the luxuries of writing humor is that I can choose when to stray from the truth for the sake of a laugh. Likewise, the people who tell me that my writing is funny have no obligation to the truth.<br />
<br />
But now that I’m <a href="http://trustyplummet.blogspot.com/2010/09/break-from-humor-to-address-major.html">writing about community affairs</a>, I try to be very conscious of what’s true – or at least documented, versus what is my opinion. I don’t want to mislead people, or get people charged up emotionally based on only a kernel of truth. I want people to know what’s actually happening, the way I want to know, and make informed decisions. In the best cases I hope more of you will get involved, even if it takes the ugly truth to wake you up, as it did me. <br />
<br />
I try to stick to documented facts and separate it from my opinion clearly, so that I can maintain some respect among you readers.<br />
<br />
Another reason I need to be very careful about the truth is that I don’t want to ruin someone’s personal reputation through untruths. Though I have never personally spoken with any of them, I have the greatest respect for the individuals on the School Board. They are giving the sacrifice of unpaid public service. I know that if and when we do meet, we can do so respectfully, and maybe even cordially, if I’m diligently honest about how I pluck their feathers. <br />
<br />
Also, I don’t want to be sued. <br />
<br />
On the other hand, I think they are ruining their own reputation as a board, and I am making it my mission to loudly assist them in that process – by simply reporting what I know – if they don’t take the hint and change their ways.<br />
<br />
Here on this blog, you and I can have a public dialogue about these issues, and raise awareness in the community. I appreciate you commenters that have noted my understatements and overstatements in my loud-mouth recommendations. I also appreciate the anonymous commenter today who wanted to set me straight about the history of the bond measure that gave us the school expansion. <br />
<br />
I, and at least one other reader, did exactly what we should have done when told of my “inaccuracies.” I went to the source, and confirmed the truth. This is important, because honestly, I was working from memory before I was challenged on this fact. If I had been wrong, I would be posting that correction now.<br />
<br />
So, to you commenters, anonymous or otherwise, I say bravo. <br />
<br />
So to the specific issue raised today, I can say without a doubt that the bond measure passed in November 2006 with 54% of people who voted on this measure voting Yes. The rest of the figures are: 40% of the people who cast ballots that day in our district voted Yes. 26% of registered voters voted Yes. <a href="http://apps.co.polk.or.us/comjournals/TempImages/7372530613934.pdf">Here you can read the report yourself</a>.<br />
<br />
And the other fact I verified is that <a href="http://www.economagic.com/em-cgi/data.exe/blsla/laust41000003">unemployment was at 5.1% that month, and it was 10.3%, more than double, last month</a>.<br />
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Now, to the good man who was misinformed on these facts, I say, Thank you for reading and beginning to get involved and thinking about these issues. Keep reading, keep talking and listening, and let’s help everyone get the truth.<br />
<br />
The other point, good fellow, is that the primary issue I wanted you to get from reading that blog was that YOUR tax money is paying for a 47 million dollar bond, and I’m concerned that this project may have been delivered without your best interests – and maybe not even the kids’ interest – as the top priority. <br />
<br />
I really hope I’m wrong on that one.John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-58009451663412363992010-09-27T20:24:00.000-07:002010-09-27T20:24:32.478-07:00Trust me, this is funny!Hey everyone! Just thought you might like to know that I once thought this blog was going to be a humor blog. Here are a couple of my favorite posts: <a href="http://trustyplummet.blogspot.com/2010/07/driving-mrs-boyack.html">Driving Mrs Boyack</a>, and <a href="http://trustyplummet.blogspot.com/2010/06/bicycling-adventure.html">Bicycling Adventure</a>. I hope to devote more time to that in the future, and less time to community problems. Thanks for reading!John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-27340878025025443292010-09-14T23:50:00.000-07:002010-09-15T06:43:05.713-07:00This is no Maytag! (Sorry for the long, long post here! The good stuff is at the bottom)Attendees to Monday’s school board meeting were on the edge of decorum. Agitated, murmuring, and asking questions out of turn. There were strong statements of concern, with loud applause after those statements – as contrasted with polite applause after statements of congratulations and accomplishment.<br />
<br />
There is a perception among at least some teachers that there are management problems in the district, that they are not being addressed, and that the board doesn’t want to hear about it.<br />
<br />
<strong>My first school board meeting</strong><br />
<br />
I attended because I was angry. It is unfortunate that it took frustration and anger to bring me to my first attempt at civic responsibility. A nervous but enthusiastic rookie, at the very first meeting I attended, I rose to speak. I addressed the issue that roused me from slumber: the suspicion of very costly mismanagement at the district office. Judging by the applause and cheers I received, this concern was shared by many in the room.<br />
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However, the nerves I felt before and during my presentation never left me. I felt very uneasy about the unpleasant experience of being in an adversarial position with another human being. This is rare for me, especially in public.<br />
<br />
I couldn’t sleep, and I have been thinking about this experience constantly for more than 24 hours now. I couldn’t get over how pathetic and embarrassing the whole meeting was. Complaints aired in public, emotions high, and a very complex organization to manage with scores of people watching and hoping for solutions. It seems impossible and hopeless. <br />
<br />
This having been my first attendance to a school board meeting anywhere, I can’t say how this meeting compared to any other, or how this school district compares with any other. Certainly the problems faced by this district are common throughout the country: funding is shrinking while legislative mandates expand.<br />
<br />
<strong>Dirty Laundry</strong><br />
<br />
In the middle of a long drive to work, the whole matter settled in my mind. The Central School District board has a public relations problem. Their reputation (as a collective group) is deteriorating within the district and in the community.<br />
<br />
I compared the experience to what I know: publicly held, for-profit manufacturing companies. The school board is the board of directors; the superintendant is the CEO; the principals are the managers; the teachers operate the manufacturing equipment.<br />
<br />
The school board meeting would translate like this: you invite customers, stockholders, and employees to one meeting, and then you open the mic to allow anyone to speak. <br />
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This would be a disaster in the private business world, in the best companies. A company’s reputation could be ruined by one bad actor, be it by blunder or bomb. A company with a contentious relationship with its employees would instantly fall apart.<br />
<br />
The district has a big group of unhappy teachers. They’re unhappy about some important issues, and they’re looking for a place to air the dirty laundry. I went to the meeting in hopes of shining light on the issues, and I guess I did. I reached deep into the pile and got the stinkiest mess I knew about, drug it out into the public lobby, and hung it on the concierge’s desk.<br />
<br />
This is embarrassing for me, for the board, for all the district employees, and for the entire community. Was it necessary? Maybe not. Was it helpful? Maybe not.<br />
<br />
The real problem is this: the school district has no washing machine.<br />
<br />
In a corporation, if management is capable at all, employee gripes are addressed when they reach critical mass. Maybe even before. But allowing employees to speak publicly about grievances and brushing it off as either trivial or out of the board’s control causes problems for the company’s image, and ultimately its profitability. Quality employees and managers leave for a more pleasant work environment; concerned customers look more closely at your competition; investors take another bet.<br />
<br />
So corporations try to avoid this by developing specific policies and practices to resolve employee complaints before the spill out into public vies. Occasionally there occurs a complete breakdown of trust between a manager and his employees. I have been through this twice: once as the incompetent manager, and once as the disgruntled employee. In the latter case, the VP I worked for was fired by the senior VP. <br />
<br />
In the former case, my manager sat me down and said, “we have to be sure this position is the right one for you, and if it is not, we have to ask, is there a position at this company that is a good fit?” Ouch.<br />
<br />
In both cases, the issue was brought to light by upset employees who went over their manager’s head to a figure they could trust. Someone who would listen. Someone with the power, and hopefully the wisdom, to make the needed change for the benefit of the company.<br />
<br />
In both cases, until that meeting took place, good employees were leaving for other opportunities, who might perhaps have been retained if they had not been put off by their boss’s actions. <br />
<br />
So how does this process work in Central school district? I’m still asking around, and I may be corrected, but what settled on my mind this morning is: it doesn’t. It’s not happening, at least not above the level of the school principals.<br />
<br />
<strong>Perception is Reality</strong><br />
<br />
When the meeting came to order, the room was clearly divided into two groups: those who run the district, and the rest of us who don’t. The superintendent sits next to the board chairman, and three district employees sit in the same grouping with the board.<br />
<br />
You may think I’m nitpicking here, but I see this as a problem. It’s not a giant problem if the meeting is primarily serving as a mechanism to inform the public of the state of the district and hear concerns form the public. A united front is desirable in that case. <br />
<br />
But in my case, like several others who spoke, I was there to complain about district management. So there is the guy I want to complain about, sitting side by side with the people who are supposedly going to fix the problem. It’s like filing a complaint of assault and having the perpetrator accompany the police officer to take your statement. At first, you are incredulous. Then, when the words start flowing, they tend to come out with more animosity than they might otherwise. <br />
<br />
And, of course, the rumor is that there is a personal friendship between the board members and the superintendent. I hope that’s not true. If it is, then even separating the tables won’t help people with complaints take the board more seriously.<br />
<br />
In my completely unstudied opinion, the school board’s jobs are 1) setting policies, and 2) overseeing the superintendent’s work. This school board has ruined its reputation regarding #2. They seem not to notice any lapses by the superintendent. At least from what we outside the board can see.<br />
<br />
<strong>Talk to the Hand</strong><br />
<br />
The other thing that was obviously frustrating to the people around me was that the rules of the board meeting don’t allow the public to ask questions of the board, or comment on any actions taken by the board. <br />
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At one point in the board business (I believe it was the issue of how public statements should be taken in board meetings), a kindergarten teacher spoke up politely and asked if she could ask a question. The school board president put out both her hands toward the woman, and stated the rule: “I’m sorry, questions are not allowed.”<br />
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The teacher sitting next to me couldn’t restrain herself: “That’s the problem!” There were murmurs of agreement.<br />
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The chairperson allowed the question, and it was answered satisfactorily. (For the record, I am not opposed to this rule). This interchange was evidence to me - perhaps circumstantial at this point - that the teachers feeling of not being heard may be based on kernels of facts<br />
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I also noticed that the board members asked no questions of the speakers or the attending public. To my memory (not the best) the only questions that any board member asked was Mr. Paul Evans, asking questions of the district employees. How in the world can you understand a problem without asking questions? I certainly hope they ask questions in their private deliberations and in one-on-one conversations.<br />
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So if this board meeting was representative, and if there are not other times and places where communication occurs with the public and the school teachers, I completely agree with the teachers that there is very little communication with the school board. We made statements. They went on to other business. One item most complained of, the issue of the print shop’s reduced staffing, was added to the agenda. The board left the room for executive, private, session.<br />
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<strong>Three hours well spent</strong>.<br />
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One item discussed late in the meeting was a change in the school board meeting format in an attempt to improve their communication with the public. The idea was to have the board members split up in the meeting hall and hear the statements separately and then give reports on them in the reconvened group. <br />
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The teachers had seen this on the agenda before hand, and assumed it was an attempt to shut down communication. It may have turned out something like that, but Mr. Evans proposed to amend that plan to add time for open comment at the end of the meeting, for anyone who was not satisfied with the board member’s representation of their concern.<br />
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I think this is a noble effort. Much like buying a washboard and tub is better than sitting with no laundry service at all.<br />
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<strong>No, I’m not making this up</strong><br />
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It was mentioned that a quieter way is being sought for the individuals attending the meeting to express their support for a statement or action in the meeting. Because we have no applause meter, a show of hands or sign-language applause might be better. <br />
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The chairman also suggested that anyone who wants to can email the board with concerns: “you have our email addresses. I think I’ve only received three emails . . .”<br />
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Today I went looking for the email addresses on the <a href="http://www.central.k12.or.us/">district website</a>. If they are there, they are somewhere other than the “board” page. Perhaps the teaches have them.<br />
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<strong>Do something different</strong><br />
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So, now that you have endured reading this far, here are my recommendations to the board for commencing REAL communication. I think it is important to point out how well qualified I am to give this advice: I have been to exactly one school board meeting.<br />
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1. Hear grievances in private so that dirty laundry has someplace to go other than the public board meeting.<br />
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a. Does the district have a grievance policy for employees to go above their immediate boss’s head to the next level manager? Do the employees know about it? Are they willing to use it?<br />
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b. Since at the top of the district, the Superintendent reports to the Board, does the board make themselves available, individually as well as in formal, private board meetings, to hear the concerns of employees?<br />
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c. The public meetings have an explicit rule that criticism of individuals is not allowed. This is a good, healthy, appropriate rule. But in private meetings specifics should be encouraged.<br />
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d. This kind of private meeting could be regularly scheduled or by appointment. At a minimum it should be held before deliberations begin on whether to extend the superintendant’s contract. Yes, even when everyone is happy.<br />
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e. No one other than the board members and the parties concerned should be present in that meeting. Obviously not the superintendent.<br />
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2. Ask and answer questions.<br />
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a. There must be a forum in which the public can ask questions of the board.<br />
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b. Refusing to respond to questions is a bad PR move. I know you’re busy, but big businesses typically do this once a quarter.<br />
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c. What is it that prevents you from asking questions of the speakers? Would you feel listened to if you make a grand statement and all you get is a polite, “Thank you . . . Next!”?<br />
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3. Post board members’ contact information on the district website. <br />
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a. Actually, in addition to names, phones, and email addresses, I’d like to see what zone you are elected in and how long you have been serving.<br />
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b. A picture and a bio would be very lovely, but probably overkill.<br />
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4. Continue this public board meeting as is. It serves essential purposes<br />
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a. It works well for citizens to make their concerns known <br />
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b. Everyone gets to view the workings of the public board.<br />
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c. It is the place to debate policy, strategy and direction.<br />
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d. If it is serving also as a place for employees to air complaints about management, it is only because the superintendent and the board are failing in their management.<br />
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5. Put the district superintendant at a separate table.<br />
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a. In public meetings, the district superintendant and employees should NOT sit at the same tables as the board.<br />
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b. This will be a visual cue to the truth that the board is separate from the district management, and provides concrete oversight. <br />
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<strong>But ya gotta mean it</strong><br />
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If these kinds of practices are put in place for show, they will fail. Cloudy people will continue to show up and rain on your public board meetings. But if you listen and act in response to the concerns about management, people will know you are for real. Doing the right thing – even when it may be different than what the complainant hopes for – goes a long way.<br />
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In the case of Central School District, when behaviors of the superintendent change for the better, then you will begin to earn the trust your position deserves.John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-789455775215042392010-09-12T19:33:00.000-07:002010-09-14T08:27:06.433-07:00A break from humor to address major issues at the Central School DistrictAn Open Letter to the Central School Board:<br />
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Several years ago when the bond measure was voted on in this school district, it passed with 54%. This is democracy. Majority rules, and those who opposed paying additional taxes for this measure will dutifully pay for this bond right alongside those who supported it.<br />
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54% is a slim margin, and this was BEFORE the recession started. If the election were held one year later, it is unlikely that the measure would have passed.<br />
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These are tough times. We have entrusted you, the school board, with our children AND our money – the most sacred things we have. I do not believe you have lived up to that trust.<br />
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At the open house of the new Central High School building the other day, Mr. Hunter said that the project was completed “under budget”. This struck me as odd. <br />
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It is odd to call this under budget, because the new computer lab has no computers. <br />
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It is odd because in the beautiful auditorium, there is a giant alcove backstage for storing a concert shell. This shell doesn’t exist. Its ceiling panels are there, but the concert towers aren’t there and the rumor is they weren’t in the contract that was given to the theatrical rigging company. <br />
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It’s odd to call this project under budget when it is using money from other sources than the original bond. $300K has been allocated in the 2010 general fund budget to do resurface the track and buy the property the vision clinic was on. These items were in the scope of the original bond, and should have been paid for without affecting this year’s budget in an amount that could have paid for FOUR teachers.<br />
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And finally, it’s odd to call this project under budget given that an additional loan of $500K has been taken to upgrade HVAC systems in the existing schools. This also was part of the scope of the original project.<br />
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A local blog, the <a href="http://thecentraladvocate.blogspot.com/">Central Advocate</a>, states:<br />
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<blockquote>Given the savings realized by building during an economic slump (estimated to be several million dollars), the district should have had plenty of money to complete all of the elements promised in the bond. Instead, they have shifted some of those costs into this year's operating budget. This does not strike me as good bond management. Yet the bond manager has been rehired for next year with a new job title and a 12.5% raise. And we are laying off teachers.</blockquote>And now we come to Mr. Maloney. <br />
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Mike Maloney has been the bond manager during this project expanding the high school. He has been rehired and given a twelve percent raise, to administer the half-million dollar loan for HVAC upgrades. His total compensation over two years will amount to two thirds the value of the loan he is administering, and could have been used to hire two teachers. This is an unconscionable waste of money in the economic downturn we are experiencing. Capable people in the community could be called upon to do the work which may average out to only a couple of hours per week on a part-time or volunteer basis. But we are paying an annual salary of over $110 thousand. All for a project that was in the scope of the original bond. <br />
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What about Mr. Maloney’s performance administering this bond gives the idea that spending over 300K more dollars for his services over the next two years will bring $300K worth of value to our students, our classrooms, and our taxpayers?<br />
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And before his recent work here at Central, what about his performance in prior positions made him the obvious choice to administer this bond?<br />
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With the assistance of Google and the World Wide Web, I was able to find, in about one hour’s time, some information on Mike Maloney which would not only discourage me from hiring him, but would make me question the judgment – or honesty – of any person who did.<br />
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<a href="http://www.edweek.org/login.html?source=http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2005/01/12/18consult.h24.html&destination=http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2005/01/12/18consult.h24.html&levelId=2100">In Education Week, January 11, 2005</a>, it states facilities and transportation associate superintendent Michael C. Maloney, was indicted for alleged mishandling of at least $627,000 in school construction and consulting contracts. (Fee Required)<br />
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This was in Houston Texas.<br />
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At this same time, he was charged and convicted of a misdemeanor crime of lying on a government document: His Resume. He claimed baccalaureate and masters degrees from a university that doesn’t exist. <a href="http://educationwonk.blogspot.com/2005/04/liar-liar-rsum-on-fire-mike-maloney-of.html">According to the blog “Education Wonks</a>”: “Maloney only got caught when his subordinates became concerned at his obvious lack of expertise in supervising the letting of contracts.”<br />
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The Mail Tribune of Southern Oregon, <a href="http://archive.mailtribune.com/archive/2007/0321/local/stories/20marchmaloney.htm">reported in 2007 that Mike Maloney was hired and fired</a> from a position there. He was fired specifically because he was not forthcoming about his previous conviction. But they also had concerns with his construction management experience. It says: <br />
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<blockquote>A month after Maloney first met with the committee in April 2005 and began touring schools to help identify needs for repairs and construction, former Medford district facilities manager Sam Digati did an Internet search under Maloney's name and found out about the conviction.<br />
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[They were ] suspicious of Maloney because he asked questions that indicated he knew less about construction than he had claimed.</blockquote>Right there at our fingertips was the background of this man who made an impression in two different districts that 1) he had an insufficient knowledge of construction and supervising of contracts, 2) he had a criminal conviction for misrepresenting himself, and 3) he was implicated in the mishandling of public money.<br />
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It appears his next stop was here, in wonderful, friendly, trusting, Central school district. In Southern Oregon they got suspicious within a month! But here we put him in charge of a 37 million dollar bond over two years, with a disappointing result that should have been predicted by Mr. Hunter and you on the School Board. More money was spent than the voters specifically approved for the project – some of it coming from the general fund which could have paid for teachers - and some components listed in the “2008 Bond Scope of Work” have not been delivered. In a time when budgets are tight everywhere, especially in Oregon, it seems we followed the approach, “Do Less With More”.<br />
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And the superintendant can state publicly that it was finished under budget? Something is definitely wrong here.<br />
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As taxpayers and parents, we expect you, the Board, to carefully oversee the wise use of our money and the operation of our district to the benefit of our students and our community. <br />
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I call on this school board to have an outside, independent audit of ALL bond expenditures, immediately. Account for EVERY penny and be prepared to justify EVERY expense.<br />
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Trust is a good thing, but it has to be earned.<br />
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<strong>UPDATE:</strong><br />
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At the meeting last night, Kathy Zehner said that there is some misinformation out there that they will work to correct. I have been pondering this post and my shorter statements at the board meeting, and I feel to correct one thing. Maloney's compensation may not be two thirds of the project he will be administering. I assumed that the $500K HVAC project was his only responsibility, when in fact I have no knowlege what his responsibilities will be. Therefore, while I am still critical that he was hired, and that he got a raise in tough economic times, I do not have enough information to comment on the ratio of his compensation to the value of the projects he is administering.John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-983652828772100392010-07-31T20:28:00.000-07:002010-07-31T20:31:05.385-07:00Mastering the Art of Blog WritingSo last night Wendy and I watched the movied "Julie and Julia", a lovely, supposedly true story about Julia Childs in the 40's and 50's, struggling to publish a cookbook, and Julie Porter(?) in the 2000's, who is inspired by Julia Child's recipes and stories as she struggles to "become a writer". <br />
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I identified with Julie for many reasons: she's working a regular day job and trying to write in her spare time; she has a wonderfully supportive spouse who can't quite make up for her own lack of follow through; her delightful wit stems from having a certain contentness in her insecurity; she's sensetive and introspective (moody and selfish) and she makes a mess every day in the kitchen.<br />
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So Julie starts a blog, and within a year she has lots of readers, gets featured in the New York Times, and then offered deals for books, movies and stage shows.<br />
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I watched her for the whole year - OK, two hours - and I thought to myself, this should be Easy! I could do this! All I need is a gimmick! <br />
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That's what Julie did. Julie's gimmick was that she made all 500+ recipes in Julia Child's book, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" in one year, and blogged about it every day. All I need to do is find some adventure I can do every day and blog about it. The possibilities are endless.<br />
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The most obvious is home repairs and improvements, because that has already produced so much comedy (stupidity) in my life. But that's a bit more expensive than cooking. I could write about my exercise plan (Walking, Yoga, and Shovelglove), which I'm going to start as soon as I find a compelling reason, like a coronary bypass. I could write about parenting, but I'm sure I would offend the six most important people in my life. <br />
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So the endless blogging possibilities immediately whittle themselves down from overwhelming to managable, to nothing. And worse than that, in addition to a topic, I'm missing all the rest of the ingredients essential to this blogging success recipe: time, focus, and passion.<br />
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The difficulty with time is obvious, I'm sure you all have smilar challenges when you consider adding an extra hobby into your life. I have a full time job plus 10 hours a week commuting; I have a wife whose company I enjoy and five kids in the most active stages of life; I have scouting activities with Chad - this year bicycling; I serve in the church; I have a home and a yard to maintain and chickens to feed. <br />
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I don't know - maybe I just don't have my priorities straight. Julie was certainly able to put everything else on hold. Of course she had a small apartment, no church, and no children, but that's beside the point. She focused and got it done.<br />
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Focus has been a challenge for me since I was about 17. I'm always victim to the new thought, need, or distraction that comes along. This can be fun in writing humor, but it's not so helpful in getting things done.<br />
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Passion. What do I really care enough about to share my excitement with others? Hmm - let's ask it another way. Do I ever get excited about anything? Nope - nothing outside of ice cream anyway.<br />
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But I do have one possible solution to the topic problem. I have a new harmonica and I'm learning to play. I have the hymnbook and the primary children's songbook. I could learn to play a song a day and blog about it for year!<br />
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What do you think? You are getting excited to read about this aren't you? Maybe this will work!<br />
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Well, I might try that later. I'm going to see what the chickens are up to today. . . . and I'll get some ice cream on my way out.John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-57295125500216901412010-07-09T23:27:00.000-07:002010-07-09T23:27:23.349-07:00Happy Weekend!Hey, everyone - Thanks for stopping by. If you like what you read, please share it with your friends. Also, if you are an experienced blogger, we'd love to learn from your experiences. Please drop us a line!John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-89205614028019849892010-07-09T23:20:00.000-07:002010-07-09T23:31:06.063-07:00Hey, Readers, give me a suggestion for a title for this post, would you?There’s something wrong with our car. <br />
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It’s a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban. We’ve had it for almost four years – long enough to make it definitively ours by all the markings, inside and out. (If you want a vivid record of a rockin’-hot series of tic-tac-toe games once played in the car, just look at the leather in the second row of seats)<br />
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Well, so this car has been pretty good to our family, and in return, we have actually maintained it – as in, oil, water, filters, and all that good stuff gets changed when it’s supposed to, unlike some previous vehicles I have owned for a while and then sold for scrap.<br />
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So we think of it as a good car, but now it’s giving us some serious problems. I could give you all the technical details – about sensors, plugs, wires, baskets, nodules, timing, fanimolds, inflectors, protruders, etc., but it misses the point. I don’t mean that there’s a mechanical malfunction. I think this is more of a spiritual thing. I think the car is possessed by left-wing anarchists. <br />
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Either that or a chicken.<br />
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The whole business started about six weeks ago with an absolute gusher of a coolant leak. Wendy got it home, and we “hired” (cajoled) two mechanically-minded young friends to repair it, which they did. <br />
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But then it wouldn’t start, until and unless I changed the spark plugs. I don’t think it actually needed new plugs, but it was feeling a little pouty. You know how you sometimes buy an ice cream for a kid after the dentist fills a cavity? Same deal. <br />
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Then it ran fine for a while . . . like, an hour. And then it wouldn’t start for anything.<br />
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Then it got on a tow truck and went to the mechanic, who repaired it with the following series of operations: he A) put in the key, and B) turned it. <br />
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Yep, that’s it: started right up. That’ll be one hundred twenty-five dollars, please!<br />
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That subversive Suburban (nice alliteration there!) worked great for another three weeks. The countdown began for the liftoff of our summer vacation/reunion trip, and it started pulling random pranks. A little cough here, a little hesitation there – like me after a bite of spicy curry that is beyond my threshold. Only I’m sure this was totally intentional.<br />
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I bought it another set of spark plugs as a bribe, and it did everything I wanted for four hours. Then back to it’s old tricks.<br />
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No, not a chicken. They’re more consistent. I think it is working with the Iranian nuclear negotiators.<br />
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The misfiring got worse and worse until we (Wendy) knew that it wasn’t safe to pull the trailer from Oregon into the burning desert of southern Utah and back. <br />
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My judgment is a little different. If five out of eight cylinders are firing, that’s 62% success! That’s only a 38% chance that the family will be sitting on the side of a remote road in 100-degree heat waiting to be rescued by a tow truck operator using the handle “bean dip bouquet”.<br />
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So we rented a mini-van, which was reasonably comfortable, and very reliable, and had a great, but short, vacation in Utah. Meanwhile the “Subver-ban” was on it’s best behavior at the mechanic’s shop, and he refused to fix a car that wasn’t broken, but was only possessed by the ghost of an anarchist Iranian chicken.<br />
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You may say, “How frustrating! These cars make themselves so indispensible to us and then seem to take on a mind of their own!” But I’ve grown through this and many other similar “character-building experiences”. They give you perspective, you know? Through this I have gained confidence: I am now more confident than ever that the machines are literally conspiring against us, like Arnold Schwarzenegger.<br />
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Mankind should have never entered the Machine age. Insetad we should have knocked down the door and thrown in a stun grenade and then sealed the door with a million yards of concrete.<br />
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But of course we wouldn’t have concrete, or grenades, so we would have to use potatoes.<br />
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And I wouldn’t be typing on the laptop while listening to Pandora. I would hand-write this missive and then publish it by sending it to . . . hmm. . . the Shinkle family! <br />
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Because there’s about thirty-five of them, and I would still have more followers than Wendy.John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4044066277278575189.post-16094820234326505512010-07-08T21:23:00.000-07:002010-07-08T21:23:00.189-07:00Extra MeetingsA couple of long days yesterday and today, but I have some good stories on tap for this weekend. I have to keep my list of followers growing so that Wendy doesn't win the contest!<br />
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Meanwhile, because I'm swamped, Wendy just bypassed the tooth fairy completely and gave Lillian a dollar and told her to go put it under her pillow herself. <br />
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A good manager always delegates.John Boyackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733963874439460697noreply@blogger.com0