The Family Times April 2010 Archive
The construction of the new Lourdes Clinic in Hancock is in full swing. David O’Neil, Project Manager for William H. Lane Inc., is supervising the construction. O’Neil and his team started working the second week of January. Currently, the …
Although Hancock is one of the smallest communities in the State of New York, there is nothing small about their neighborly love. When a family is in need, the whole town usually knows of it within days and this tight-knit community …
As gas drilling in New York appears more and more a possibility, residents are joining together to make certain that their voices are heard and their concerns are taken into account. On April 29, New York Residents Against Drilling (NYRAD) met …
The Catskills is one of the top destinations in the country for fly fishermen. World-famous Junction Pool, birthplace of American fly-fishing, is nearby, and the wild trout fishing in the “big river,” the Delaware, is among the best in the …
Decades ago, marriage was different; it was universally considered a sacred institution, or so I’ve heard. When a happy young couple shared their vows, they meant it when they said “until death do us part.” Nowadays, it seems that the …
Many teenagers try to be different by not doing what is “normal.” It turns out that there are a lot of people trying to be different though, and this makes a big group of people doing the opposite of what is popular, thus creating a new popular. Prep …
After all of the years complaining about how short the weekend is, students in New York State public schools might be getting exactly what they asked for, or exactly the opposite. Legislators in New York are considering allowing districts to …
This year 120 million households found a 2010 census form from the U.S. Census Bureau hanging on their doorknobs. The census is conducted by asking a series of questions of a percentage of the population. The questions vary from how many …
An eleven-year-old race driver? Yup! His name is Timmy VanDemark, and he is the son of Myron VanDemark, a staff member at The Family Foundation School. Although this is VanDemark’s first year racing and he has only been on the track …
Skateboarding Verdict: Approved
It is a common notion that skateboarders are anti-authoritarian. This negative connotation hinders them as well as the sport. Many people even refuse to acknowledge skateboarding as an official sport, even though the number of participants …
Life can sometimes become monotonous as people fall into their daily routine. The Family Foundation School is no exception. We wake up, go to chapel, go to school, do study hall, go to bed, and do it again. Add three meals a day and you have …
Administration has been busy this month with Venturing Crew, renovation of Whiting Hall, and skateboarding. CPR classes have begun for students involved in Venturing Crew. Pam Allen is renovating Whiting Hall in order to store med carts …
Never Too Young for an Easter Egg Hunt
Easter Sunday, the highest of Christian holidays, is the culmination of weeks of disciplined prayer and fasting for many students at FFS. It is also a day to relax and have some fun and remember what it’s like to be kids again. The day was …
Recently, many students at The Family Foundation School have been rushing up to J.B’s woodcarving trailer to check out the animals. The new aquarium tank was cleaned, filtered and filled with various fish. Woodcarving intern, Jens J., …
Coleman and I the Computer Guy
Brian Coleman is a software and web designer with Western Assent in Colorado. He was educated at a junior college for two years, and then spent four years at Friends University. He took Microsoft classes. Western Assent is a small …
Two Breaths and Thirty Chest Thrusts
Dick Szczesh and Rita Argiros are currently offering CPR and First Aid Safety certification classes at The Family Foundation School on Sundays. These classes are specifically available for the students participating in dog training and Venture …
For most Family Foundation School graduates, the last six months at the school are often the most exciting, scary, and stressful part of their stay. They are often filled with worry and anxiety, along with anticipation and exhilaration, and, for …
Philosophy, the love of wisdom and the search to find the truth, has fascinated people for centuries. This passion prompted Kevin G. and Parker S. to propose the idea of a class where students could learn more about philosophy. “I have …
Nine Puppies Cause a Stir at FFS
Family Foundation School students looked out the windows of their Houses to see a strange sight, Mike Allen pushing a playpen up a hill. Many wondered what in the world could be going on, and still others went out to investigate. When …
Betton House students are already breaking through the doors to go outside and enjoy the sun. BH students are making the best of April through many activities. Jewish students Max Z. and Matt B. were two of the nine students who hosted …
Lake House students have set some goals for themselves in hopes of fusing the family together. Ever since the merger it has been a challenge to unify the family, but not for lack of effort. Senior Cajai F. realizes “I must help out and 12-Step …
In Mann house this month many students have been stepping up. They have spent every moment possible outdoors playing either volleyball, football, Frisbee, guitar, cards, reading and even lounging on the grass. About three months ago …
Wilson House was off to a good start in April. The house has several new students and the family is trying to give them the support and positive guidance that they need. Everyone in Wilson House is experiencing spring fever. The family …
Talbot House has been going through some changes. In April, the family said goodbye to Pat M., who went home at the beginning of the month. They have also welcomed three new students: Jake R., Alexa B., and Jeremy P. To help them …
The Hancock Partners are a group of men and women who are dedicated to improving the economic and social growth of the Greater Hancock, N.Y. area. Hancock Partners, Inc. was formed by Jerry DaBrescia, Russell Bass, Ron DeLuca and …
There was nothing like a beautiful spring day to celebrate Hancock’s newest addition, Sidney Federal Credit Union (SFCU.) Both the elite of SFCU and Hancock locals turned out for the April 29 Grand Opening of the new Hancock …
Oil and gas drilling could conceivably result in enormous amounts of pollution that can have seriously hazardous effects on our health, our air, water, and land. Despite these risks many natural gas drilling sites in the U.S. are located near homes …
Honestly, it is difficult to decide which is more unusual: a large-scale economic system that has suddenly gone berserk, or the way Michael Moore portrays this as the focus of his film, “Capitalism: A Love Story.” Many of us have begun to categorize …
Jewish students at The Family Foundation School headed off on retreat this past month for a unique study of Mussar. A spiritual program much like the 12 Steps, Mussar focuses on the cultivation and balancing of traits such as patience …
The Family Foundation School offered three services during Holy Week this month: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and an Easter Vigil. The services were an opportunity for students to reflect and do interior work through meditation, prayer …
Bullying Gone Too Far This Time
Bullying has been a problem in schools for a long time, but recently there has been a sharp increase in the amount of it in the classrooms. “One in every 16 students is bullied,” according to Ken Savage, a Boston blogger who is following …
Grateful for the Opportunity of a New Way of Life
I was born in Mount Kisco, New York on December 18, 1992. I have a sister that is seven years older than I. She always looked out for me and we still get along to this day. My mom and dad would always argue, and when I was five they got a …
Do you know how it feels when you are ready to move on with your life, but it is extremely difficult because you are so comfortable and safe in the environment that you are currently in? Staff member Ted Towsley finds himself in this position. He …
In the Jewish tradition, after Passover, Jews are obligated to keep kosher for Passover for seven days. At The Family Foundation School, a majority of the Jewish students made the decision to honor that tradition. To keep kosher for …
Student Government: Stepping Up
Several years ago at The Family Foundation School, Student Government was formed so that the student body could be heard and have a say in what happens around the school. Now more than ever, Student Government is getting involved …
Terri E., along with a couple of Family Foundation School alumni, visited the school to host a Sunday AA meeting. Terri arrived at The Family School in 2002 as a young girl who did not know how to respect herself and others. Her careless …
Megan C. visited The Family Foundation School on a chilly Sunday and hung out with Mike Argiros and other staff. Megan was surprised about how much the school has changed since her graduation in 1998. Megan arrived at The Family School in …
Mike O., accompanied by other Family Foundation School alumni and friends, visited the school to share his story at a Sunday AA meeting in the gym. Students were enlightened by his experience, strength and hope, and the June graduates …
Nate Z., along with his wife and one of two children, recently attended the The Family Foundation School Passover Seder to visit with staff and students and to enjoy the feast. Before arriving at The Family School in March ’97, Nate repeatedly …
Pam Allen was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and growing up was hectic. She had seven brothers and sisters and attended 17 different schools before graduating from high school. Allen moved from Fort Worth to Michigan in 1964, and married her …
In the vast land of New Jersey, in a small unsuspecting town, on a cold November morning, I, Nick P., was born. I grew up in a town called West Windsor and was raised by my mother and father. My childhood was interesting to say the …
The beautiful weather has sprung and so has the exercise. Almost every day students at The Family Foundation School have found the time in their busy schedules to go outside and enjoy some physical activity. Staff members …
This year at The Family Foundation School the school has seen a surge in flying Frisbees. From the time the last bell rings on Friday until dinner is called on Sunday evening, the colorful discs can be seen soaring over the campus in every …
Family Foundation School students have begun their journey to the pond to kick off the fishing season, which officially started on the first of the month. Jimmy S. along with 10 other people went fishing in the morning using worms that …
Fran H., the number one golfer for the Falcons, played a great game against the Yellow Jackets, shooting a score of 44. “My shots were on today, but if it wasn’t for the players around me I wouldn’t have shot the score I did,” he said. Falcons …
Two outs, runners on first and third base, and the player who anybody would want to be at plate was up, Sarah V. Nervous, pressured, and a little cold due to the weather, Sarah knew that the game rested in her hands. She got into her stance …
