tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77414058653967773182024-02-19T08:41:17.617-05:00The Artist In The Bayjim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.comBlogger1550125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-27250169751349486832018-09-30T08:44:00.001-04:002018-10-01T06:45:08.956-04:00Keeping Sexual Abuse By A Priest A Secret<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Victims of sexual abuse by a priest are very good at keeping a secret.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
My wife did not know until 2002, and the rest of you did not find out till this past May. A secret that I kept since 1971.</div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Why do people that are abused wait so long to come forward? For me, I was afraid of not being believed, of being taunted and bullied. I did not want people looking at me differently while whispering doubts or sympathies behind my back. Of course, a fear of the Church is a great motivator for keeping the secret.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Finding the right time to tell your secret is always inconvenient. Not now, later, or after an event. Those of us that were abused are not only good at keeping our secret, we are also great procrastinators.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Procrastinating has an interesting outcome on that person. While we wait for that perfect moment to spill the beans, the procrastinating machine is hard at work. It breaks apart our secret and buries it deeply. Never to bother us again. Hopefully!</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Some are very successful at keeping their secret under deep wraps. Others like myself, for whatever reason, unearth their secret. Then it tries to take over, that secret tries to control you. People find ways to get along with their secret, befriend it so to speak. And that is when the trouble starts, a whole range of personal issues manifest themselves.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
I saw that coming, so I opened my door and kicked my secret out to the curb and exposed it to the world, or for anyone wanting to meet my secret. This worked wonders for me, but it is not the best fit for everyone. My secret is now homeless, a bum, wandering the streets, wasting away. Good Riddance.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
I talked to another survivor last night. He is just beginning his journey. I seem to be his beacon, which is something I do not take lightly. He is where I was just before 2002. Wondering what to do about his secret. He is a few years older than me and has kept his secret buried longer.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
He is going to share his story of sexual abuse by a priest with the NY State Attorney General's Office. He has chosen to remain anonymous. He wanted me to tell you he exists. He went to Holy Family School and Church and IHC. His story is different than most. He was a student at IHC when his abuse happened.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
He also wanted me to share his abusers identity. Which is what I was going to do at the end. But I can not bring myself to do that. Why? Because sexual abuse is personal, darkly intimate. It simply is not my story to tell. I will tell you this, there are many more victims of abuse that were of High School age. They will find it difficult or impossible to ever let their secret out.....<br />
<br />
<br />
Jim Cummings</div>
</div>
jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-32427718049157201142018-09-07T19:05:00.001-04:002018-09-07T22:51:25.477-04:00Meet a Victim Of Sexual Abuse by a Priest<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">People see me as an adult</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Some know me as a survivor of sexual abuse by a priest!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Tell Bishop LaValley enough is enough</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Tell him to be honest, truthful, sincere and transparent</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Tell him to release all the names of the priests that have been accused of sexual abuse.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: red;">NOW MEET THE VICTIM</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
Other Links:<br />
<a href="http://abaycircus.blogspot.com/2018/06/my-sexual-abuse-by-priest-beginning.html" target="_blank">My Sexual Abuse By A Priest Part One</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://abaycircus.blogspot.com/2018/06/coping-with-burden-of-clergy-sexual.html" target="_blank">Coping With The Burden of Clergy Sexual Abuse as an Adult. Becoming A Survivor.</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-4923788526851808812018-06-24T16:43:00.002-04:002018-06-24T16:49:03.953-04:00Coping With The Burden of Clergy Sexual Abuse as an Adult. Becoming A Survivor.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://abaycircus.blogspot.com/2018/06/my-sexual-abuse-by-priest-beginning.html" target="_blank">The following is a continuation of someof the things that I shared with Bishop LaValley in his office onMarch 8th 2018</a>. It is also an accounting of what has
happened to me and my family since that meeting</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After the night I ran from Worczaks
car, I avoided him as much as possible. We were never alone again. I
finished grade school at Holy Family and moved on to catholic high
school at Immaculate Heart Central. I had a difficult time in school
and received average and below average grades in all my subjects. A
classmate of mine, Joe once said that I lacked self confidence, and
he thought I was capable of much more. {Later, I discovered he was
right}.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I graduated from high school in 1978
and attended a 2 year SUNY college at Canton ATC. I found myself
sitting in my advisers office. He looked confused, saying he did not
know how I made it this far. Because from his assessment I was only
reading on a 6<sup>th</sup> grade level. I found myself in a crash
course of remedial reading. Navigating through college became easier
and over time my grades improved dramatically.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was my second year at Canton, when a
friend of mine Eddie urged me to attend mass at the Newman Center. He
said that the priest, Fr. Paul was the coolest person. Eddie knew I
was a non practicing catholic and thought this was just what I
needed. Eddie cared about everyone. Neither one of us knew what was
coming next. I never paid attention, nor did I make any connections.
After all it had been years... I purposely avoided mass but arrived
just as it was ending, hopefully just in time for refreshments. Eddie
was a devout catholic and still the alter boy. He was smiling at me
as he and another server proceeded up the aisle . The priest had his
back to me and was talking to a student. Eddie tapped the priest on
the shoulder and motioned for me to come meet him. The priest turned
and without hesitation said “<b><i>well if it isn't little jimmy
cummings</i></b>....... Eddie looked a little stunned …. Worczak reached
out to shake my hand and I turned around and quickly left. Later,
Eddie tracked me down and tried to get me to talk. No way.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I graduated from Canton ATC in spring
of 1980 and transferred to Oswego State. After starting a new degree
I graduated in 1985. I started my first teaching position at my old
high school in the fall of 1985. { I should note, that in 1984 I did
confide in a priest friend, Fr. Steve Gratto, [now deceased], that I
was abused by a priest and again later in the '80's to a friend who
would later become a priest.} Later in 1988 I started teaching in the
NYS Department Of Corrections and Community Services and have been
there to this date.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I started dating my soon to be wife
Mary in 1990. We would marry in a civil ceremony in November 1992 and
our son was born in February 1996. Mary and I both agreed to start
attending mass more frequently and to raise our son as a Catholic. I
never told Mary that I was abused by a priest, not until years later.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Our son was baptized in the Catholic
church. As a family, we attended mass every Sunday and Holy day of
obligation We all became very involved in our Catholic Community of
St. Cyril. He received the sacraments of Penance and Communion.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We were all very Happy with our lives
and our faith. And then on April 5<sup>th</sup> 2002 the memories of
my sexual and emotional abuse surfaced and I started to lose my
faith. At a social gathering I met up with 2 ladies that were
friends of my parents and they also had children around my age. One
of the ladies started talking about the Boston Priest Sexual Abuse
Scandal, and we agreed on how bad it was. Then the conversation
quickly turned to Fr. Worczak. Both ladies shared stories about how
they had to intercede and tell Worczak to stay away from their
children I returned home after talking with those 2 ladies about
Worczak. Luckily our son was spending the night with a relative. My
wife came home from work and found me sobbing. It took me most of
the evening to tell her what had happened to me as a child. <b>A secret
I kept from her for over 12 years</b>.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My wife convinced me that I had to tell
someone about this. That same evening I called a priest friend who I
taught with at IHC. I told him what I was going through and he said
he would make some calls and get back to me. A few days later, I met
with Monsignor Lawler and Father Morgan and told them about my
encounters with Worczak.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
On April 16<sup>th</sup> 2002 I had a
Psychiatric Evaluation at the Northern New York Behavioral Health
Associates under the care of Dr. Jeffrey Aronowitz M.D. Diagnosis was<b>
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder</b>. These sessions continued through
March 2003.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As parents, Mary and I decided that
nothing should change in our routine, which included our involvement
in our Church with our son. A routine that I found increasingly
difficult to maintain.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
From the first week of April 2002 when
I had my first meeting with Monsignor Lawler and Father Morgan, it
took the Diocese of Ogdensburg <b>ONE very LONG year to finally remove
Worczak from ministry</b>. I can not put into words what I was personally
going through nor what my wife Mary was experiencing. Sometime in
March or April 2003 Worczak was removed from ministry. Some sources
say that he was removed in March, while others say that he celebrated
his last mass on Easter Sunday April 20<sup>th</sup> 2003.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It became very clear to me that his
removal from ministry was going to be kept a secret. Some of his
parishioners thought he had retired, others had no idea, here one
day, gone the next. In my mind, the ambiguity of his removal simply
would not do. For the next few months I was tormented by what should
be done. What could I do?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I contacted a reporter from a local
media outlet. I met with him and shared what had happened to me and
all the documentation that I had accumulated. It was imperative that
I remain anonymous, because we were trying to raise our son as a
Catholic and there were going to be people that would consider me an
enemy of the Church if my identity were made known. On July 2<sup>nd</sup>
2003 my story was made public. And now everyone knew what happened to
Worczak.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Most would think it all ends here, but
it doesn't. We continued going to church as a family. Our son made
his Confirmation April 2012. That was also the last mass I attended.
My obligation as a Catholic parent was in my mind fulfilled. I would
try to find an excuse to tell my son when he would ask why I could
not go to church. Finally, I just told him I was tired of sitting in
a church full of hypocrites. My wife's attendance at Mass has also
diminished. With all that has happened her faith is not as strong as
it once was.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
6 years has passed since I stopped
going to church. I still support my son, who is quite simply in love
with what used to be mine, ours, but is now his church. Time does not
heal all wounds but it gives you the room for burying the memories
and the pain associated with them. My wife and I were coping quite
nicely that is until February 21<sup>st</sup>, 2018. That is the day
that I received the letter from Bishop LaValley describing the
I.R.C.P. The Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program.
That day changed my life, our lives.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
At first I thought the letter was
asking for money for the Bishops Fund, and I was about to throw it
away. But the quality of the envelope felt different it seemed more
formal. So I opened it and began to read. I could not believe what I
was reading and for an instant thought it was a cruel joke. I kept
saying “are you kidding me, I can not believe this.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As I mentioned earlier, I met with
Bishop LaValley on March 8<sup>th</sup>, a meeting that lasted an
hour and a half. A meeting that was uncomfortable, embarrassing, and
for the most part void of any true respect for me. It was a meeting
that lacked sincerity. But I was allowed to tell my story. At the end
of the meeting, the Bishop asked me “Jim, what will it take to
bring you and Mary back to the church?” My reply “You could not
possibly imagine what it would take.” The meeting ended with a well
timed incoming phone call which the Bishop happily answered and I
showed myself out the door.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I spent the next couple of days
collecting everything I would need to fill out the I.R.C.P. Claim and
mailed it. A week later I received confirmation of it's receipt and
then started to wait till the deadline for all the claims to be
submitted which was May 31<sup>st</sup> . It is a long time to wait
for something that I never expected nor wanted.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
On May 9<sup>th</sup> the North Country
Public Radio interviewed Bishop Lavalley: asking him “<a href="https://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/36170/20180509/why-don-t-we-know-names-of-former-north-country-priests-who-face-allegations-of-sex-crimes" target="_blank">Why Don't WeKnow The Names Of Former North Country Priests Who Face AllegationsOf Sex Crimes</a>. Followed by another interview on May 10<sup>th</sup>
by NCPR titled <a href="https://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/36179/20180510/in-career-defined-by-the-priest-abuse-scandal-bishop-lavalley-seeks-a-path-forward" target="_blank">In Career Defined by the Priest Sex Abuse Scandal,Bishop LaValley Seeks a Path Forward.</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Both of those interviews upset me to
the point I had to do something. LaValley was trying to speak for the
victims, people who had no voice. People who would have said, <b><i>NO!
Bishop LaValley you have it all wrong! You do not really understand
what us victims experienced, what we live with every day. You do not
get it because you do not want to soil your hands with the likes of
us!</i></b> That would all change. Very soon the victims were going to have a
voice. I was going to be that voice.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I had to do something first, I had to
tell our son what had happened to me, why I no longer go to church,
why I act peculiar around Christmas and other Holy Days. One evening
an opportunity presented itself. I found the perfect time[if there is
such a thing] to tell our 22 year old son the truth. I will admit
that telling him was the most difficult thing I have ever had to do
in my life. I was unsure if he would refuse to believe what I had to
say, become angry, I simply had no idea.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
But as it turned out, our son is
remarkably strong and handled the truth very well. That was half the
battle. The other half was telling my story, not anonymously but with
full disclosure. On May 21<sup>st</sup> I met with a reporter from a
media outlet and told her my story. It was published on May 23<sup>rd</sup>
and now everyone could put at least one name, one face to the many
survivors who suffered sexual, emotional and spiritual abuse.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Since that story was released I have
heard from many people: Family, former classmates, friends and people
I have never met. All offering words of support, wishing that I can
find peace. <b>What I am asking of them and you, stand up, be heard,
demand the truth. Then rebuild the church, the way it was meant to
be, not what it has become.</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sincerely</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jim Cummings</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-71275105724015468042018-06-21T22:35:00.000-04:002018-06-25T07:42:16.605-04:00My Sexual Abuse By A Priest The Beginning: Part One<i><b>Part Two of this story can be found by <a href="http://abaycircus.blogspot.com/2018/06/coping-with-burden-of-clergy-sexual.html" target="_blank">clicking this link</a></b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Part One</b> is a misnomer as sexual abuse has a beginning but never has an end. But as in most accounts, all abuse starts with grooming the victim: </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I met with Bishop LaValley in his
office at 3:15 on March 8, 2018.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My reason for our meeting was to
explain that when I originally reported the sexual abuse at the hand
of Fr. Paul Worczak I had only described its physical/sexual aspects.
At the time, then Bishop Barbarito and Monsignor Lawler never asked
about emotional, mental, or spiritual abuse. I never thought to
address it because the focus then was on it's physical or sexual
aspects. I feel that these were considered to be more “tangible”.
Furthermore, in those early days I do not believe the church really
cared what emotional scars I was experiencing throughout my life
because of my abuser Worczak.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I started by telling Bishop LaValley
about Worczak's introduction as a new priest during a mass at Holy
Family Church in February 1970. Worczak spoke about ultra- brite
tooth paste and it's sex appeal and other then taboo topics that were
sure to shock the adults but catch the attention of the younger
parishioners. At the end of mass Worczak was standing at the church
entrance doing a meet and greet with parishioners. Instead of wearing
the traditional chasuble and stole, he was wearing a full length mink
coat. He greeted the adults but asked us younger parishioners to
stay. He then made it a point to meet us all one by one. He was very
gregarious and charismatic, something we had never seen in a priest
before. I was 10 years old at the time.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As time went on, small groups of us
were treated to ice cream, and trips to MacDonalds and other similar
outings. The grouping of kids always seemed to fluctuate. But I soon
realized that he had his favorites and I was among them. He invited
us up to his room which was in the newer addition towards the back of
the rectory. He had 5 foot column speakers and a huge stereo amp that
would blow the windows out. It was there he introduced us to artists
like Janis Joplin and T. Rex We were all mesmerized by this new breed
of priest. Our church took on a new life as Worczak took control.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Worczak would at times get us to ignore
certain kids because they had done “something” to make him mad or
violated his trust. And we were all very happy to do his bidding. I
would later find out what that “something” was.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Kids were not his only followers There
was a core group of adults that “loved” Fr. Paul. Among them: The
XXXXX'S, BBBBBB'S, MMMMM'S, MAMAMA'S, BBBBB'S, to name a few.
He loved to play tennis and downhill ski and these were the adults
that he would socialize with. All of them had children about my age.
{On a side note, Mr MMMMM was a long time family court judge and
prominent lawyer.} {As I noted in the March 15<sup>th</sup> 2003
document to the Diocese Of Ogdensburg. It was Mrs. EMMMMM and Mrs
MMMM that I was speaking to on April 5<sup>th</sup> 2002 at a
restaurant when Worczaks name came up and Mrs EMMMMM told me that
years ago she had told Worczak to stay away from her son. Mrs MMMMM nodded in agreement.}</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Worczak would always schedule me and a
few others to be “his” altar boys at weekly masses. This would
continue through 1970 into 1971. He would include “us” into all
sorts of kid friendly social events including the creation of a
Coffee House located in the basement of Holy family Church. It had a
juke box and all sorts of vending games. This appealed to the older
“teen” parishioners.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Worczak could do a perfect
impersonation of our Bishop Brzana. He would entertain us with his
Bishop swearing and making sexual innuendos. It would have us all
laughing hysterically. Warping us. Worczak disliked one of the other
priests at the Parish. He would always refer to Fr. Shulkin as
“Buckets”. Buckets said this or did that. One day, one of us
asked him where the nick name came from. Worczak was happy to tell
us...... Buckets because he is full of shit. Worczak had a cohort who
was assigned to our parish, his name was Fr. Ray Wertman [now
retired]. They both tormented Shulkin, to the point that he
left and pursued a career elsewhere.{I phoned Wertman in 2002 to talk
to him about Worczak. Wertman stated that he did not remember much
from those days as he was drinking heavily. Wertman later stopped
drinking and started a substance abuse treatment center CREDO}</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the fall of 1970 going into the
winter and spring of 1971, Worczak “hired” me to clean his living
quarters on a weekly basis. His quarters were littered with dirty
cloths wadded papers etc and money, bills and coins all over the
floor. The deal was, any money on the floor was mine. Sometimes I
collected as much a $20 a week. {as I look back at my payment, I
think I may have been baited}.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I lived on Winthrop St, the same street
as Holy Family Church. I used to shoot hoops outside. Worczak would
always toot the horn as he drove by in his Mercedes Benz. More often
than not, he would pull over to say hi and talk. Sometimes he would
say, hop in and lets go get and ice cream or want to go to the movies
later....? He was always adamant about me getting permission from my
dad first. My dad would always say yes, after all I was going to be
in the best of company.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Other than a few other trivial events,
this leads up to the description of the sexual abuse I endured from
Worczak that is outlined in the March 15<sup>th</sup> 2003 document
to the Diocese Of Ogdensburg. Immediately after my mother went to
the rectory [after she found my soiled underware]. I discovered that
I was now ostracized from Worczak and the other kids [that were still
in his favor]. Never understanding fully, the why? That is, until I
grew older.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The gap between this and the second
instance lasted approximately until the Fall of 1971, probably late
September or early October. During this time, Worczak would go out of
his way to shun me. Making a point to take others out to do something
fun while excluding me. The others went along with this, because they
[used to be we] had done it to other kids so many times. With the
mentality of an 11 year old, I was distraught, confused, hurt.... No
more toots of the horn as he drove by my house. His car seemed to be
always filled to capacity with kids, more so than before when I
still “belonged”. This happened several times during the week and
more frequently on the weekends. To me, the 11 year old, this was
killing me. I never felt so alone in my life. I was an emotional
wreck. During this time, my mother moved out of our house and I
stayed with my dad. [They would later divorce]</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Then one evening in the fall of '71 I
was out playing hoops and Worczak drove by. It was dusk and I could
see his brake lights as he stopped the car and backed up and stopped
in front of my house. Tooted the horn, rolled down the passenger
window and waved for me to come see him. I leaned against the
passenger door. He greeted me and seemed to be his old self again. We
talked for a little bit.... then he said, you are shivering, its cold
out, get in [his car]. I did, he started to say that he missed me. I
can not remember exactly what he said but the implication was that I
had been punished enough and it was time for me to come back to him.
I started to shake and cry, he then put his arm around me and drew me
close. He whispered into my ear, you know I still love you don't you?
It was then he placed his lips on mine and kissed me, then again but
this time his tongue entered my mouth. I froze, panicked, I then
pulled away from his arm toward the passenger door. When I grabbed
the door handle he became very angry and said if you open that door,
you will be out of my life forever. His change in mood from
comforting to rage scared me and I flung the door open and ran to the
house. I could hear the car wheels squeal and the passenger door slam
shut as he sped away. I would see him occasionally but I avoided him
as much as he avoided me.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Most but not all of this accounting was
shared with Bishop LaValley. At the time of our meeting I found it
difficult to keep my thoughts in order as the recounting of these
events cause me stress and anxiety. I am sharing this documentation
with the Bishop via e-mail. There are other topics that I shared with
him but I will include them in a separate document.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sincerely,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>James Cummings
</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFjxrC5dQDrraut0LOvdYK5WV3mHfXZNP3JCHR2-lT6-pyPg7GGYPIqpz9Og77OmOkfj7UPVZHxq3ZBQWRWFrp6lhEdNNCAjCsFlHYDShujLisjH1x4z8t93Qww7T7U9RrC1y-2Yb1dQ/s1600/img018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1163" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFjxrC5dQDrraut0LOvdYK5WV3mHfXZNP3JCHR2-lT6-pyPg7GGYPIqpz9Og77OmOkfj7UPVZHxq3ZBQWRWFrp6lhEdNNCAjCsFlHYDShujLisjH1x4z8t93Qww7T7U9RrC1y-2Yb1dQ/s320/img018.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUP9DqbCV8sNsHlZ_MYd8MZgV-3kwB_iz3CayWZmeoPPOGQhNQo-9z7AmR21RERy51v2zSbgV-VbsVnmyuUfV20ATuw-MjO8aZEnDt3agLu1Xf2aoybxYUjCIuZwWKMm1w_Wo1z4mYnM/s1600/img019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1163" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUP9DqbCV8sNsHlZ_MYd8MZgV-3kwB_iz3CayWZmeoPPOGQhNQo-9z7AmR21RERy51v2zSbgV-VbsVnmyuUfV20ATuw-MjO8aZEnDt3agLu1Xf2aoybxYUjCIuZwWKMm1w_Wo1z4mYnM/s320/img019.jpg" width="232" /></a><br />
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jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-64647005675598256382016-10-29T09:07:00.000-04:002016-10-29T09:07:11.437-04:00Village ElectionsVillage Of Alexandria Bay:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We have an important election coming up. Nope, not that presidential
one. I am talking about the Village of Alexandria Bay electing two [2]
village trustees.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I stepped down is Democrat Chairman back in
June. I notified the County Commissioner, Chairman, and all of our local
party members. I posted several blog articles, asking for someone
"special" to step up and take the reigns. That ball rolled around the
field and nobody picked it up. I guess it was easier for the committe<span class="text_exposed_show">e to do nothing and point blame.....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="text-align: justify;">
That is why the Democrats never had a caucus and therefore no
candidates on the ballot. Which does not make some downtown business
owners very happy. Not that they really have a say, since they are not
registered voters in the village.<br />
<br />
But opinions they have! In late
September I talked with one business owner who greeted me with.....
"Way to drop the Political Ball" in reference to me stepping down as
Chair. This guy learned instantly that I was not going to take that
slam. He immediately retracted that comment with. "Just Kidding". And he
believed I fell for that and continued to weave a tale of a meeting of
key downtown business owners expressing their displeasure for one of the
Republican Candidates. They referred to him as a loose canon, a menace
to the community and clueless in regards to the differences between
Municipality and Commerce. [Local Govt and Business].<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJS_OdMKloSqFXVLKY3LqQ2Ey1cK97s8PuhgXhH9l9_lJxS214XDjB5-Rg-HhMp7Inp2GsVLk_bz7QY_6uaLcaYj_QvtfNLst__vu32fORjiSdgUlbyb6mMlRDL9VCCXwoojMCeGmELtM/s1600/mark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJS_OdMKloSqFXVLKY3LqQ2Ey1cK97s8PuhgXhH9l9_lJxS214XDjB5-Rg-HhMp7Inp2GsVLk_bz7QY_6uaLcaYj_QvtfNLst__vu32fORjiSdgUlbyb6mMlRDL9VCCXwoojMCeGmELtM/s320/mark.jpg" width="110" /></a> Can't say
that I disagree with their assessment of that Republican candidate. But
wait, there are 2 Republican <br />
candidates on the ballot for village
trustee[s]. I just can not leave you wondering which one. now can I?
That would be unfair to the other....<br />
<br />
I will tell you who the
business owners were NOT referring to. They were not referring to Mark
H. Reynolds. You can choose Mark by going to row B column 8.<br />
More Later</div>
jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-76057736054395871612016-08-27T14:42:00.001-04:002016-08-27T14:42:14.249-04:00Call The Caucus [Last Post]<u><b>Village Of Alexandria Bay</b></u>: <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgU7hiOalqaUbZin0AVU3VvlqPDBtriaP0DFP8ORD67r2PY1BFloqYWjaty-lIVCNX3yWyoY0LQa09VL5Z78nAvklVM9LH5bWAW0IklU3jdwycU43I0o5sIAQN-HagJIF8nx_4lTOhlM/s1600/DSCN9063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgU7hiOalqaUbZin0AVU3VvlqPDBtriaP0DFP8ORD67r2PY1BFloqYWjaty-lIVCNX3yWyoY0LQa09VL5Z78nAvklVM9LH5bWAW0IklU3jdwycU43I0o5sIAQN-HagJIF8nx_4lTOhlM/s200/DSCN9063.JPG" width="110" /></a>A Village registered Democrat needs to step up and call the Caucus. There will be no need for a Town Caucus this year. The Republicans have another year to run amok.<br />
<br />
The Village has 2 open Trustee Seats for a 2 year term. The <span style="color: red;"><b>last day to file Caucus Nominations</b></span> with the B.O.E. is <b><span style="color: red;">September 20th</span></b>. Notice of Caucus has to be advertised and submitted to the B.O.E. 10 days prior to the date of the Caucus which should be held before <b><span style="color: red;">September 20th. All documents from the caucus have to be time stamped prior to 5 pm on </span></b><b><span style="color: red;">September 20th</span></b><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">If you do not know, I resigned as Chairman in June! I resigned because someone else wanted to take it over via </span></span>coup d'état<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">. So I told Dean Erck, since you wanted it, now it is yours. I have no idea where he is, so if you see him, tell him to put all his rhetoric away and call the Caucus. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">No sweat off of my brow if we have a caucus or not....</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="waypoint-wrapper header-row header-first-row" data-href="source-luna">
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<br /><b><span style="color: red;"></span></b>jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-68288012219323704362016-08-17T12:47:00.001-04:002016-08-17T12:47:39.489-04:002016 Democrat Caucus<u><b>Town of Alexandria and Village Of Alexandria Bay:</b></u><br />
<br />
As I have stated before, I am no longer the Chairman of the local Democrat Party.<br />
One of you fellow Dems. needs to "Call" The Caucus. This must be done soon. The Last day to file nominations from the Caucus is Sept. 20th.<br />
<br />
I have all the information that one needs to conduct a caucus. Contact me and I will give it to you. The job of chairman is not difficult just thankless and..............jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-68997962002056602732016-05-07T12:31:00.001-04:002016-05-07T18:19:40.661-04:00Please Carry Out What You Carried InTown Of Alexandria:<br />
<br />
Sometimes a little more thought should go into the placement of signage. I am sure the Town Board never intended this to be humorous. But I bet after this video, they will claim they did!<br />
<br />
Like a friend said to me..... this could be a little tough on the Pallbearers<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EndWM8ktHYY" width="560"></iframe>
jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-25767036257451689682016-05-04T18:32:00.000-04:002016-05-05T05:33:30.556-04:00The Chez Now OpenAlexandria Bay:<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Chez has a 5 Star Menu at Diner Prices</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvYU_ap3aB4vVb2GJ1ZLl3JtcO8d_FG9vYt8EpSQkpE6W8xIfNZ9FbFGQZ-L6p5hwOaud9oniDt19RTZocuvzE5WSbDJjjjzQwlUXEcNuUThxAraiBike4f2UTXSIIvphkityWmn7uos/s1600/diners-drive-ins-and-dives.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvYU_ap3aB4vVb2GJ1ZLl3JtcO8d_FG9vYt8EpSQkpE6W8xIfNZ9FbFGQZ-L6p5hwOaud9oniDt19RTZocuvzE5WSbDJjjjzQwlUXEcNuUThxAraiBike4f2UTXSIIvphkityWmn7uos/s400/diners-drive-ins-and-dives.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-4637629421915453642016-04-23T21:06:00.000-04:002016-04-23T21:06:16.311-04:00A-BAY CAR WASH IS OPENAlexandria Bay:<br />
<br />
A sure sign of spring and summer<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TE5wEdMymRWDs9CpLqOuxEBnEkjsp3-FoIXDsZ0zgXqgZkQkU0sPwSQxH4NV21DeSpE83RmU_16ca8kQG2wDkUQeyToAqy9NEMnWLgDfuNPHozDdWqa7InuxA6gy_pvqkJN-a5pQUx4/s1600/DSCN7436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TE5wEdMymRWDs9CpLqOuxEBnEkjsp3-FoIXDsZ0zgXqgZkQkU0sPwSQxH4NV21DeSpE83RmU_16ca8kQG2wDkUQeyToAqy9NEMnWLgDfuNPHozDdWqa7InuxA6gy_pvqkJN-a5pQUx4/s400/DSCN7436.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-32696300692789390522016-03-20T19:14:00.002-04:002016-03-20T19:14:54.019-04:00The Clipper Inn Opens This Friday<b><u>Clayton NY:</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b><a href="http://www.clipperinn.com/clipper/" target="_blank"><b>The Clipper Inn Web Site</b></a><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0H3QaoxaVOHsZFmNklyl7uxJQ8ZwRdG8mmzBPd8xjobQJe4NIfutNoBL8HsFL-LdljBvrjdSB5OZ7bn6OpuIScBrjcnxY2u8K39sfJuVxik9cmHgd_vHaGZ8Xzga7PRUOcKZCthJDKkg/s1600/breaking-news.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0H3QaoxaVOHsZFmNklyl7uxJQ8ZwRdG8mmzBPd8xjobQJe4NIfutNoBL8HsFL-LdljBvrjdSB5OZ7bn6OpuIScBrjcnxY2u8K39sfJuVxik9cmHgd_vHaGZ8Xzga7PRUOcKZCthJDKkg/s400/breaking-news.png" width="400" /></a>jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-27981951937306038432015-12-23T21:13:00.000-05:002015-12-24T07:39:54.738-05:00Who Is Mrs. Claus?While at an office Christmas party, we were all discussing family traditions for the holidays. After sharing our favorite and quirky traditions, I felt compelled to ask this question. What is Santa's wife's name? Someone quickly said "Mrs. Claus". I wasn't buying that one. I had to find the truth.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8uZ0Go4lkwAFp_b_6c9rf6L_ls94C3tSP9TFB1AJd34hYaKcHY3AyO737hgxxPGyqKqOSJNgeaCtXTXvk5AVYvtP1V8TKZctSRD_ojmSI9YsLKuVDGZbkVjZ6xxYAKy_bVj4a-KWDIk/s1600/hqdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8uZ0Go4lkwAFp_b_6c9rf6L_ls94C3tSP9TFB1AJd34hYaKcHY3AyO737hgxxPGyqKqOSJNgeaCtXTXvk5AVYvtP1V8TKZctSRD_ojmSI9YsLKuVDGZbkVjZ6xxYAKy_bVj4a-KWDIk/s200/hqdefault.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the 1970 TV special Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town directors Rankin and Bass weaved this story. In Sombertown, Kris Kringle meets a school teacher named Jessica. Kris has to change his name to Santa and ends up marrying her. They also claim her middle name is Mary....</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Digging deeper, a self proclaimed historian chronicled this account. In 1864, a beautiful servant girl named Adele was adopted by the von Hoerrneman's a Baltic-Prussian family. This family was well known as Spielzeugherstellers also known as toy makers. According to this source, Adele became Santa's wife.</div>
<br />
I was not believing either of those stories. And then I found this next one. Not really a story but more of a historical account.<br />
<br />
It revolves around Katherine Lee Bates [1859-1929], an American poet, writer, and educator. She is best remembered as writing the words to "America The Beautiful". As a poet, she is known for the "long" poem "<a href="http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Poetry/Goody_Santa_Claus/goody_santa_claus.htm" target="_blank">Goody Santa Claus On A Sleigh Ride</a>" [1889]. She is credited with the notion that Santa had a wife. The poem is written from Mrs. Claus point of view.<br />
<br />
Prior to the 1820's there was no Santa Claus, only a non-secular <a href="https://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/who-is-st-nicholas/" target="_blank"><b>Bishop St. Nicholas</b></a> who brought the gifts to all the boys and girls. It was later that St. Nick made the transition to a secular Santa. And behind every jolly man is a good wife. Bates never gives her a name but this is a poem about equality between men and women.<br />
<br />
Goody Santa Claus depicts Mrs. Claus as wanting to accompany Santa on his Christmas Eve trip to deliver his toys to all the girls and boys -- not a stay-at-home wife. Instead, Santa's wife takes a feminist stance, demanding credit for her hard work in making Christmas possible including cooking to make Santa plump.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Poetry/Goody_Santa_Claus/goody_santa_claus.htm" target="_blank">Goody Santa Claus On A Sleigh Ride</a> is a good read and should be included in your Christmas Eve repertoire. Although it does not settle the dispute of Mrs. Claus first name, it does give her a historical benchmark.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you really want to know Mrs. Claus' first name..... here are a few.....</div>
<div>
Carol, Gretchen, Mary, Jessica, Martha, Juliana, Seeki, Ahoop, and Bea.....<br />
I guess we will never know.....<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-50967351589961682732015-12-19T10:00:00.001-05:002015-12-19T10:00:24.635-05:00Remembering Frank CavallarioAlexandria Bay:<br />
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In 2012 I was given the opportunity to interview Frank and Connie Cavallario. Our conversation starts when Frank was a young boy growing up on the families vegetable farm and continues as He and Connie begin the Family Restaurant business.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vjanad1Rbk0" width="420"></iframe>
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As you all know, Frank and the Cavallario families businesses are Icons in Alexandria Bay. Anything I might say about Frank would not do him justice. <b>This is what people are saying on FaceBook</b>:<br />
<br />
<i>Frank was a great person and fellow Rotarian God Bless him<br /><br />Thanks for the warmth, the grace and the memories all these many years, Frank. RIP. God bless<br /><br />Frank and the other Cavallarios were always good friends and treated my father like family and my sisters and me also !! He was a great guy !! He did a lot for Alex. Bay !!<br /><br />We are very sad at the passing of a great Gentelman in our community RIP Frankie God be with You and your Family<br /><br />I just learned (from Facebook) that Frank Cavallario died this morning.I worked at the Chez and the Steakhouse all through high school and college. I like to tell people that everything I know, I learned from Frank and Connie. I was in their kitchen when we watched Jack Ruby kill Lee Harvey Oswald on tv.<br />Frank was a good husband, father, boss and friend.<br /><br />Sorry to hear that. Definitely an icon of ABay. Glad he was there "overseeing" the food at our party two years ago. Send my regards to the family.<br /><br />A good man indeed.</i><br />
<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.08px;"><br /></span>jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-6742134182834128022015-12-08T19:03:00.000-05:002015-12-08T19:03:16.570-05:00Changing Of The Guard<b><u>Alexandria Bay</u></b>:<br />
<br />
Tonight I attended the monthly village board meeting. The purpose of my visit? To thank the DPW for the work they did on a storm drainage culvert that empties into Otter Creek.<br />
<br />
Tonight was also the first official meeting for Trustee's J. Erck and A. Hunter. Even though they were not my candidates, they did win the election. They also deserve to be given the elbow room to perform their duties as their predecessors before them were given. Everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves.jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-11248514582948926732015-10-31T12:59:00.001-04:002015-10-31T12:59:47.758-04:00Voting In AlexandriaThe Democrat Committee has nominated the strongest candidates to run on November 3rd. Take note from the sample ballots below, that the Dems have recruited the best of the best regardless of political pedigree. We have registered Democrats as well as Republicans running on the Democratic Ticket in both Village of Alexandria Bay and Town of Alexandria races.<br />
<br />
I have read all the political endorsements in the TI SUN letters to the editor section as well as the ADs. Some of them were pointless, and redundant using buzz words to describe each candidates personal characteristics or lack there of.....<br />
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Bottom line, if you are a registered voter please go out and vote. If you are an absentee ballot voter, please fill it out and mail it in.<br />
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<br />jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-4295001812069685372015-10-12T14:29:00.002-04:002015-10-12T14:29:38.567-04:00Chipmunk Invader<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Armed with only a pool skimming net, I
scooped up the chipmunk like a lacrosse player. In one smooth motion
I flung the rascal towards the open window, only to hear a hollow
thud. I knew I had missed my mark as I watched Alvin ping off the
upper window and do a series of slow motion back flips through the
air. The furry critter landed on the carpet and took off like a shot
towards our Dog Luna......</div>
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This was part of a series of botched
attempts to get rid of that little furry invader. The chipmunk got
into the house as Conner opened the kitchen door, exclaiming that a
chipmunk had ran into the house between his feet. We ran into the
house after the varmint, catching a glimpse of him entering my small
man cave.</div>
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We grabbed Luna and closed the door
behind us. The chipmunk was fast and evasive. I scooted out the door
to grab a couple of weapons. A small baseball bat and the pool
skimming net will do just fine. I hurried back to the man cave and
slid through the door, shutting it behind me.</div>
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I guess you could call it Pandemonium,
or maybe our version of killing Walkers like they did in the Walking
Dead. After 20 minutes of chasing and corralling the critter towards
our dog who did not seem to know what to do with it. I began to think
that we were never going to get Alvin out of the house.</div>
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Conner finally trapped the furry
invader pinning him between the net and the carpet. I moved in and
aimed my bat.... bonking the little critter into unconsciousness. The
invader was dead and Conner scooped him up and flung him out the
window.
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We put the room back together. I was
sweating, the dog was panting, and Conner had a smile on his face. I
knew what he was thinking...... and I said to him..... Do Not Tell
Mom.</div>
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jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-41088008431134873252015-10-07T16:31:00.002-04:002015-10-07T16:33:05.572-04:00Otter Creek Nature TrailAlexandria Bay:<br />
<br />
Otter Creek Nature Trail is another preserve project under the direction of Thousand Islands Land Trust [T.I.L.T.]. I am especially excited about this project because it is literally a stones throw from our front door.<br />
<br />
Others should be excited about everything this trail has to offer including an A.D.A. compliant path. I made a video of some of the highlights of this trail. Keep in mind that this is a work in progress scheduled for completion Summer of 2016.<br />
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<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="278" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/141617998" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="https://vimeo.com/141617998">Otter Creek Nature Trail</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user905496">Jim Cummings</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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The trail entrance is located on Rt.26 on the outskirts of the Village Of Alexandria Bay.<br />
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You can Like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ThousandIslandsLandTrust?fref=ts" target="_blank">Thousand Islands Land Trust</a> on Face Book<br />
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<br />jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-86670895776457826342015-08-29T11:40:00.000-04:002015-08-29T14:21:54.227-04:00Dancing Dog Liquor License Revoked<b><u>Alexandria Bay</u></b>:<br />
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The NYS Alcohol Beverage Control Board whisked away the Dancing Dog Nightclub liquor license.<br />
The reason for the revocation seems to involve a church proximity clause. It is all mumbo jumbo to me.<br />
Bottom line is this....<br />
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The Dancing Dog has not violated any of the laws that would normally result in license revocation. </div>
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Our Community does not need another business closed or crippled.</div>
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There is a petition circulating To Reopen The Dancing Dog Nightclub. You can sign the petition at the Dancing Dog Cafe, which is still open and serving meals daily.....<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">Bloggers Note:</span></b> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">My purpose for making this post was to let as many people know that the Dancing Dog was in trouble. I and many others feel that the decision of the ABC BOARD was made in haste and without due process. Anytime a state or federal agency usurps "Due Process" it becomes everyone's concern</span></span></span></div>
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jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-85740257883112468212015-08-28T11:46:00.001-04:002015-08-28T13:47:53.141-04:00Caucuses<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Village of Alexandria Bay</u></b>:</span><br />
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A meeting of Registered <span style="color: red;">Village Democrats will be held on Thursday September 10th 2015 @ 5:30 pm</span> Village Of Alexandria Bay Community Room 110 Walton Street.<br />
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Members will be caucusing for the following Village Board seats:<br />
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One Mayor 2 year term</div>
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Two Village Trustee Seats 2 year term</div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Town Of Alexandria:</span></u></b></div>
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A meeting of Registered <span style="color: red;">Town Democrats will be held on Friday September 11th 2015 @ 5:30 pm</span> </div>
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Village Of Alexandria Bay Community Room 110 Walton Street.</div>
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Members will be caucusing for the following Town Board seats:</div>
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One Town Supervisor 2 year term</div>
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Two Town Councilpersons 4 year term</div>
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Members will also be caucusing for the following Town Office:</div>
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One Town Justice 4 year term</div>
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Candidates from each caucus will appear on the November 3rd Election Day Ballot</div>
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jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-56796644259588584542015-08-21T19:39:00.002-04:002015-08-22T06:19:25.178-04:00T.I.P.S. To Insure Proper Service<b><u>Alexandria Bay</u></b>:<br />
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I have not been downtown in over a year. It was not any one thing but a whole list of why I stopped frequenting bars. "Just fed up with all the B.S." is what I tell anyone that wants to really know.<br />
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"I am never going back there again" were the words I had to eat. Eat them I did, because I was compelled to attend a music event. An event that no fan would miss. So I put on my big boy pants and entered the establishment I had not been to in over a year but used to visit almost daily. I was prepared for the.... "Hey! Where ya been"? And all the other trite sayings that go with a wayward loyal customer that makes a return after a lengthy hiatus.<br />
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So I ordered a beer and it was set in front of me. I had a five in hand but I was told.... "Hey... this one is on us.... we missed you"! I thought to myself "ok, I felt like the prodigal customer". But I also thought "you are still on probation".<br />
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Later, after finishing my welcome back beer, I ordered another one. Come hell or high water, I was paying for this one because in my mind nobody rides for free. Everybody deserves to make a buck. So I handed over my five and it was taken without any squawking. I patiently waited for my buck and a quarter change, but it never came. Apparently the bartender got busy. This happens, so I waited till I could get their attention. That never happened, so I said to myself, "Jim, you were going to put that buck and a quarter in the T.I.P.S. jar any ways". But, the fact remains..... I WANTED TO MAKE THAT DECISION. I get satisfaction from making that ceremonial T.I.P.S. jar donation.<br />
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Fast forward to this afternoon. I made a special trip to the same bar to listen to one of my favorite solo musicians. I ordered a beer from that same bartender and handed over a ten. Got my change back and tossed a buck and a quarter into the T.I.P.S. jar. Feeling pretty happy I sat down with my beer and listened to the music.<br />
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Later, I went to order another beer but this time it was a different bartender. One that I do not know. So I handed her four ones keeping a single in my hand. She was pleasant enough so I had every intention of scooping up my quarter change and tossing it in the T.I.P.S. jar with the single. I watched in dismay as she took it upon herself to take my quarter change right from the till and toss it into the jar that was located at my left elbow. I heard it clink and thought SON OF A BITCH..... did she just do that? I had to bite my lip and not let out a spew of WTF OMG WTF. I know it was only a quarter but I WANTED TO MAKE THAT DECISION. I wanted to be generous and add a buck to that quarter because the bartender was pleasant. So I slipped the buck into my pocket and grabbed my beer. Listened to the music and left.<br />
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Since this bar is on my personal probation..... I WILL NEVER EVER BE BACK. And you can take that to the bank with the quarter you stole from me!<br />
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jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-20264135596533097582015-08-17T19:06:00.000-04:002015-08-17T19:25:28.955-04:00Pat Fitzsimmons: A Video Memoriam<br />
In this post, are a series of videos that I took over the past 5 years of Pat Fitzsimmons. Pat loved to perform with fellow musicians and family members who shared the same love for music.<br />
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The video's vary in recorded quality but are none the less moments<br />
captured of Pat doing what he loved the most.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PF7BtbnMHUGaedtxiVb1iRRvvL_hMRGG5KZZSBIuNnssk_O0xH027Mfq1MRFhol6YqM7qYbkUIAuCdCEWix7X5I6Q48r1awVVnAKFHz_FBC4Ir4oWI2lx_Tg8G4A8IusMRqgtLiTV-o/s1600/pat+and+dave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PF7BtbnMHUGaedtxiVb1iRRvvL_hMRGG5KZZSBIuNnssk_O0xH027Mfq1MRFhol6YqM7qYbkUIAuCdCEWix7X5I6Q48r1awVVnAKFHz_FBC4Ir4oWI2lx_Tg8G4A8IusMRqgtLiTV-o/s320/pat+and+dave.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: red;">Bloggers Note</span></u></b>: <span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">As a young boy, I marveled at Pats defiance of gravity as he flung himself skyward off of ski jumps at Dry Hill. Years would pass and I was a ski instructor at Dry Hill. I found myself in awe as I watched a man gracefully ski down the slopes wearing a trench coat, not your usual attire for sure. Of course it was Pat, donning the boards after a hiatus from skiing. It was years later that I started following The Fitzsimmon's family as they performed around Alex Bay. In conversation, Pat and I chuckled at how we orbited each others lives but never really met until then. He was a gentle man who loved his family and friends. Even though we did not spend a lot of time together as friends, Pat always made me feel as though we had been friends for life......</span>jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-41902943165977376482015-08-10T05:44:00.000-04:002015-08-10T05:44:18.083-04:00Doug WOODSTOCK II Music Scholarship <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-77532333617646040332015-08-06T18:54:00.000-04:002015-08-06T19:02:51.458-04:00Pirate Days [Videos]Alexandria Bay:<br />
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10 Days of Bill Johnston's Pirate Events! <a href="http://www.visitalexbay.org/index.php/thousand-islands-events/bill-johnstons-pirate-days/" target="_blank">Click Here For Details</a>.<br />
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A sampler of Videos from previous years events...<br />
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<a href="https://vimeo.com/47838506">Pirates Invasion 2012</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user905496">Jim Cummings</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="375" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/47823437" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="https://vimeo.com/47823437">pirate parade 2012</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user905496">Jim Cummings</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://vimeo.com/46948656">The Pirates Aarrr Coming To A-Bay</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user905496">Jim Cummings</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://vimeo.com/27832876">Fighting the Pirate</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user905496">Jim Cummings</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://vimeo.com/27828580">Blogger vs Pirate</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user905496">Jim Cummings</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://vimeo.com/27666598">Interview with a Pirate</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user905496">Jim Cummings</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://vimeo.com/album/3511620" target="_blank">More Pirate Videos can be found Here!</a>jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-11105696230224327552015-07-31T21:45:00.001-04:002015-07-31T21:45:42.716-04:00Why You Should Go To The Antique Boat MuseumClayton New York:<br />
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<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/65944037?byline=0&portrait=0" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/65944037">I Found An Island In Her Arms</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user905496">Jim Cummings</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> <p>The Antique Boat Museum recently held a media event. TV, radio, news papers, chamber of commerce, and YES even BLOGGERs were invited. Part of the getting to know ABM was a boat ride around Calumet island on the Miss Thousand Islands II. The Miss TI is a Hacker - Craft triple cock pit runabout</p>
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<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/102362840" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/102362840">Avalanche</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user905496">Jim Cummings</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> <p>......is the 10th Mountain Division's Rock Band.... all the members are Soldiers. They performed at the 50th Annual Antique Boat Show in Clayton New York</p>
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<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/93545129" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/93545129">Antique Boat Museum: A Brief History</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user905496">Jim Cummings</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> <p>It all started in 1965 with a boat show that featured Idyll Oaks. Over the past 5 decades, many Classic and Antique boats have been spotlighted at this yearly boat show. This video chronicles a condensed version of that history and the beauty of each naughtical artifact</p>
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<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/66970207?byline=0&portrait=0" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/66970207">La Duchesse</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user905496">Jim Cummings</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
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<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/71647647?byline=0&portrait=0" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/71647647">49th Annual Antique Boat Show & Auction</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user905496">Jim Cummings</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> <p>Clayton NY, ANTIQUE BOAT MUSEUM</p>jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741405865396777318.post-62763954923477606792015-07-17T16:25:00.002-04:002015-07-17T16:25:51.503-04:00A Thief In The Night<b>Alexandria Bay</b>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMpRHSZsK29E0G3xaNeEdm3fgcXZ_LokzpNE07nVe-Zn02XJpqLplV_d84tCISumeCU8dqZ0sI_7B2DwhwOk9yUcQjsWOJnciiTK17wmoJvkp0LpMykaIUTTKcSQmhSEU_OPLq9E1j8k/s1600/LOCK-TAKE-HIDE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMpRHSZsK29E0G3xaNeEdm3fgcXZ_LokzpNE07nVe-Zn02XJpqLplV_d84tCISumeCU8dqZ0sI_7B2DwhwOk9yUcQjsWOJnciiTK17wmoJvkp0LpMykaIUTTKcSQmhSEU_OPLq9E1j8k/s320/LOCK-TAKE-HIDE.jpg" width="220" /></a><b>A couple of nights ago 4 cars were entered in the middle of the night</b>. Thieves were looking for cash. In one instance the thief was scared away when the owner of the vehicle hollered at the thief after hearing noises then saw his dome light come on. Nothing was missing from his vehicle.</div>
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The next morning the man alerted his neighbor that she should check her vehicle. She had locked her car as she does every night and hung her keys on a hook just inside her house. She was surprised to find that her car was unlocked, the keys laying on the driver seat and then she noticed that her wallet was missing. Evidently the thief knew where she hung her keys inside her house. She reported this to the police and told them her wallet contained a considerable amount of cash. Her wallet was located later that day at the village park. The cash was gone but all the other contents were returned.</div>
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Later that day, I talked to a husband and wife. The husband told me that his wallet was taken from his vehicle sometime the night before. He also told me that he had other valuables in his vehicle but the thieves did not take any of them. His wife mentioned that the contents of her vehicle felt out of place. They admitted that both of their vehicles are never locked.</div>
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<b>Advice from the Local Police</b>: Lock your cars and keep the keys in your locked house. The PD also advised residents to lock their house even if you are just going to be gone for a few minutes.jim cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14869614238693358506noreply@blogger.com0