Last College Visit (we hope)

On Veterans Day, Greg, Emily and I went to North Adams in the western part of the state to visit what we hope will be our last college visit. We went to see MCLA or Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. It’s located in the Berkshire Mountains. Unfortunately it was a grayish day and past peak. I think this would have been a beautiful drive a few weeks earlier. I couldn’t resist taking a picture of the above sign. Who knew there was a Florida in MA. Click on photos for a closer look.

MCLA is a fairly small school. About 2000 students attend. It’s older and has a more classic look. The kids that did the tours were very enthusiastic and really seemed to love their school, that always says a lot. Another nice perk of the school is how reasonably priced it is. It’s more than half the price of Champlain per year. Champlain is still Em’s #1 pick (it is a really nice school so we understand her motivation) but she moved Hofstra into #3 and MCLA into #2. The area is really beautiful with mountains all around. One thing that really impressed me was how clean the air smelled, it was the freshest air I’ve ever smelled.

MCLA tends to be geared towards the arts, performing in particular. To the left is an interesting sculpture. The gate to the right is symbolic. Our guide told us that on the first day of school as a freshmen everyone files through the gate. At graduation everyone files out through the gate. The rest of the time it’s kept closed and its suppose to be bad luck to go through it at any other time.

 

 

After we finished our college visit we went into the downtown area to see two museums. The one above was an exhibit on birds and nests done by college students.

The other was a more typical museum with some interesting pieces. Art certainly can be in the eye of the beholder.

   

 

We traveled through the Berkshire Mountains. Some of the roads were very winding. Just outside of North Adams is a very classic hairpin turn and I do mean hairpin. I can only imagine how many accidents have been in that spot.

The statue below is a commemoration to veterans which seemed appropriate as it was Veteran’s Day. The mountain backdrop was spectacular.

Couponing

About a month ago I saw a local story on the news about a woman who lives in our home town and feeds her family of six on less than $5 a week because of coupons. Hmmm, I thought, now there’s a challenge and thus began my quest. Here is a link to the story that first captivated me. Coupon Queen They recently featured her on Good Morning America.

I do have to preface this all by saying it has become a new part time job and I spend a lot of time scouring the internet for coupons. I have been keeping a spreadsheet of spending. I don’t see how I could ever get it down to less than $10 but I have been managing to get some items for free when they’re on sale and have cut our food bill close to $50 per week. I’m still honing my craft. Here are some links to my favorite sites:

 Coolsavings      Coupon Bug

Coupons.com     Redplum      Smartsource

Use your zip code to find the deals in your area. Most sites will let you print at least 2 of each. If you have multiple computers in your home take advantage of them. Typically the first of the month they reset. I have also visited manufacturers sites that I like and found coupons. Our favorite peanut butter is Jif. I couldn’t find any coupons but I went to their site and sent them an email praising their product and they sent me one in the mail. There are many more sites out there, blogs about saving money etc. The Sunday paper typically has coupons but not on a holiday. I know next year with two in college every little bit will help.

A Parent’s Worst Nightmare

Sunday evening around 6:30 two local boys were almost home when one of them lost control of his car and smashed into 3 trees before it finally came to rest. The other boy was not wearing his seatbelt, was thrown from the car and died. Both of these boys were in Emily’s senior class. She knew them, the one that died more so.

This once again has made me reflect on the fragility of life. We open the door, give them the car keys and hope for the best.  We expect them to come back to us, sometimes they just don’t. Apparently speed played a factor and the driver is being charged with vehicular homicide. He will be forever impacted and will have to live with whatever demons this will bring to him.

As with any tragedy in a small town the news flew like wildfire. An email from the principal was first out. Counselors were made available to anyone that felt the need for professional help dealing with this  and will be available for as long as necessary. When Emily came home from school we talked about it. She knew before she went to school because Facebook was already lit up with the news. Technology affords many good and bad things but in this instance I think it has offered a place to grieve for this boy’s friends and family. The kids started a memorial Facebook site as a place to express their emotions. I’ve been reading some of the post and they are very heartfelt, some sad and many humorous as they recall shared time with the victim. I thought what a comfort it will bring to the family, of the love that was felt for their son, as they try to make sense of something that can’t be understood and as they try to live with something that is unlivable.

College Updates

Yesterday we went to an open house at Colby-Sawyer in NH. This update is devoid of photos because it poured all day. We could tell that the area around the college was probably very beautiful with wonderful mountain views but unfortunately all we saw was mist and fog. The campus was well maintained and the library was a converted barn with silo, very nice.

We have one more college to visit on November 11th, MCLA or Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts out in North Adams, MA. They have a creative writing program and from a parental point of view will be the financial safety school. So this is where we are at to date:

#1 Champlain College- Burlington, VT

#2 Hofstra University- Long Island, NY

#3 Colby-Sawyer- New London, NH

The other schools that have been visited and are a no are:

University Farmington- Farmington, ME

Quinnipiac University- Hampden, CT

Green Mountain College- Poultney, VT

To those out there that have gone through or are going through this process you know how much work and how time consuming it is. For those who will be going through it my condolences;)

Way Too Early

This is what we woke up to this morning. Hey, it’s only October 16th. I don’t think I can remember ever getting snow this early since we moved to New England. Granted it won’t last but I hope it’s not a harbinger of things to come.

Tomorrow Greg and Emily will be going to Farmington University in Maine for a visit. I’m working so they’ll be on their own. Next Saturday the three of us will be going for a visit to Colby-Sawyer College in NH, that should wrap up all the planned visits. Next step is to get the applications in then sit back and wait and wait…

Topsfield Fair 2009

The Topsfield Fair is the oldest County Fair in the country and has been a tradition of ours since we moved here. This year marked our 28th fair. It runs for 10 days and ends on Columbus Day. I thought we might not make it this year but the weather was beautiful so we took advantage of it today. Please click on the photos for a closer look.

We always start out with the flower barn. I find it very peaceful and a nice escape from the hubbub of the fair.

 

We try to hit the buildings early before they get too crowded. Next is the vegetable building. Every year the great pumpkin makes an appearance. I thought it might not be as big this year due to all the rain but below is another record setting pumpkin. When I look at it I can envision the growers hovering and worrying about it all during the growing season.

In the veggie building the scouting troops make creations out of plants. There are a ton. These are some of my favorites.

 

Another favorite is the sand sculpture. This is started on day one of the fair. The sand artist does his thing while people mill about. I have taken one each year since I’ve gone digital. I keep thinking I’ll put them together. Maybe when I have some free time;) One advantage of going on the last day is we got to see the finished product.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I couldn’t resist the John Deere miniatures for Gary. There was a whole display so this is a teaser. 

 

 

 

 

My favorite part of the fair are the Hallamore Clydesdales. Much to the dismay of my family I could stand there and watch these gentle giants all day. These are some pics of them getting ready to tour the fair grounds and coming out of the arena. They are quite breathe taking. I hope you enjoyed my little sample of our fair. 

paDuok

Yesterday, October 8, 2009, Greg and I went to Lowell to attend a  recital Derek and his housemate Dave put together. Each music student is required to attend 10 recitals each semester.

 

Derek and Dave approached one of their professors back in the spring requesting to put a recital together. Derek has become incredibly skilled on the marimba. Dave is a senior and a music business major. Follow the links for a rare treat. Their recital was well attended and they received a standing ovation at the end. These are in the order in which they were performed. Lockenia is composed by Dave. Derek was the soloist on Over the Moon and Dave in Motion Beyond.

Mediterranean Sundance

Lockenia 

Over The Moon

Motion Beyond

Octobones

Octobones sample in HD

The second Octobones I shot a segment on my digital camera. It has the capability to shoot HD. I’ll have to use it more often.