The Family Times February 2010 Archive
Texas Mayor Speaks About Natural Gas Risks
“Anything in this process is a hazard,” declared Calvin Tillman in a presentation on natural gas drilling. Tillman, the mayor of DISH, Texas, spoke to a crowd in the auditorium of Binghamton East Middle School on February 18 about …
Skating in a Positive Direction
Dr. Richard Falzone always has a couple of skateboards in the cargo box of his car. He keeps them there in case a good skating opportunity presents itself during his travels. This may seem out of the norm for a Harvard-trained …
When I met the Argiros family over 20 years ago I had no idea what an impact it would have on my life. I was a sophomore in high school when my parents became friends with Tony and Betty. All that I really understood was that …
I had a countdown for December 12, the day my friends graduated, and the last high school graduation I would witness here as a student. I had one thought coursing through my mind: I’m next. The day finally came when the reality hit me …
There is often that person who, every few minutes, takes out their Carmex, or ChapStick to moisturize their lips. It seems unlikely that the lips of these people dry out faster than they can put their lip balm away. Some have gone as far as to …
Frank O. started selling raffle tickets to the Super Bowl in his town to raise money for the students at The Family Foundation School. In just two months he raised over $30,000, which was more than enough to buy mattresses and pillows for the …
The Pleasures of Nature … Snow and All!
Tommy Cummings, a staff member at The Family Foundation School, recently organized another hike for Sunday activity. In the past couple of months, Cummings has been taking Betton House and other students out on hikes around the property …
As a young girl growing up in a Kansas community centered on agriculture, Shari Carroll never imagined she would be where she currently is, in the Family Foundation School IT department working with computers. When asked what she would …
Hancock’s Holy Name Society is sponsoring a community bingo game for the benefit of the Hancock Education Foundation. Knitted afghans will be given as prizes in the game, to be held on April 18 at Father Rausch Hall. The Hancock …
Clinic Construction In Full Swing
After two idle months, construction of the new Lourdes Clinic has picked up. The building on the corner of East Main St. and Read St. in downtown Hancock is beginning to take shape. Two walls, the west wall and the east wall, have …
Exit letters are the last stage of the program at The Family Foundation School. Students who are in their last six months actively prepare to graduate and venture off into the world. Exit letters precede all destinations whether it be going …
Annie Ostrander, New FFS Head Nurse
Annie Ostrander is now the new head nurse in The Family Foundation School Health Office. Ostrander, who is a staff in Betton House, the former soccer coach, and a sponsor, received the position recently, and has been a nurse for 13 years.
Mia Rotundo was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. Growing up, she wanted to be a college professor and go to strange places to study rocks. In high school, Rotundo was introduced to the 12 Steps. Her school offered opportunities to …
Finding it hard to decide what kind of food is right for you? Don’t have a cow, have a veggie burger! Along with many other significant changes, the kitchen and administration have put together a new menu for those veggie lovin’ staff …
Students are now required to wash their bed sheets at least once a week at The Family Foundation School. The announcement was made by Rita Argiros during a recent circle-up before lunch. Apparently some students at …
The administration has been busy this month creating various activities for the students. The Venture Crew and Dog Training are combining, and the new crew will be led by Rita Argiros, Vice President for Administrative Affairs. On February …
The Sweet Sound of Music Returns
Music to some is a blessing, to others a curse, but to a school full of teenagers it’s an absolute necessity. This is why, on February 11, 2010, students walked into their families and were ecstatic to find an iPod and speakers, a dream to …
In another Family Foundation School first, students will now be able to choose their own sponsor, the staff they want to have lead them through the 12 Steps to a higher way of life. This is a major change to the traditional way that …
Other’s Matter, Just Ask The Goops
Recently, a FedEx delivery woman came to The Family Foundation School to drop off some packages. What would normally be a routine job turned unusual when she wound up standing at the glass door with her packages, after students let the …
The Family Players Present: The Imaginary Invalid
Rehearsals are running and the stage is being set for the performance of “The Imaginary Invalid.” The director, Sid Parham, chose this play due to its uproarious script, and thoughtfully selected students fit for the characters. The play …
Giving Back the Gift of Carpentry
Joe Lichty was once a teacher, a sports coach, and the head of admissions at The Family Foundation School. Now, Lichty is working as a teacher for the Kids’ Carpentry Program in Minnesota. The after-school program, started in 1982, and …
January 29 celebrates Tu B’Shevat, a Jewish holiday representing the fruits of spring and what they signify. In honor of the holiday, Jewish Studies Director Rabbi Michele Medwin created a feast of dried and fresh fruits and nuts for all …
Michele Medwin, Rabbi at The Family Foundation School, has been holding a class on Monday nights for the Jewish students at the school. The class is currently focused on the story Healing From Despair by Rabbi Elie Kaplan Spitz. The book is …
Staying Warm With Spirituality
February is, in most people’s minds, the dreariest month of the year. Although the snow is blowing and the temperatures are still freezing, spirituality and preparing for spring is helping The Family Foundation School students stay warm and get …
Emotions are running high in the natural gas drilling conflict. Fear of damaging the environment clashes with the vast economic benefits that drilling could bring. As with any large issue, facts are often hidden in a lot of bias and …
What’s Hot With Gas Drilling …
Even if they just pump plain water into the ground, what comes up naturally is hazardous and radioactive. The things that come from the earth are heavy metals, said Ron Bishop, a biochemist at SUNY Oneonta who worked construction with …
Water is Essential for the Drillers
Stone Energy Corp, a Louisiana-based energy company, has a few natural gas drilling wells in Pennsylvania. Drilling at the company’s site in Clinton Twp. was halted and the company fined by the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) in …
Crime Boom Successive to Gas Boom?
DISH, Texas and many other areas in Colorado and Wyoming, have reported post-drilling crime booms in their communities. The trouble comes with the workers the companies hire, who live in trailers next to the rigs while they are …
February is off to a good start in Betton House due to the students’ outstanding grades. For a couple of months, students have been studying hard for Regents exams and other sorts of tests, and the results were beyond excellent. The majority …
Lake House has undergone many changes in the past two months and February was no exception. Two months ago, old Smith and Lake House merged as one family prompting change in many areas. After taking some time to adjust to the changes …
February proved to be a very strenuous month for Mann House. The biggest task the family undertook was the task of moving into a new space. Mann House students spent the day moving their family’s furniture, TV, board games …
Wilson House experienced considerable growth in February. With December graduation leaving the family without its long-time senior members, the students have had to take a more active role in the family. “We have some new students …
Talbot House started off the month doing very well academically. Regents scores came out and the results were impressive for many Talbot House students. In U.S. history Brooke C. got a 94% and Nick P. received an 87%. In earth …
The bleachers were filled with Family Foundation School students for the usual Sunday night meeting. Alex D. and his daughter Maria surprised both staff and students as the guest speakers for the night. Both are alumni of The Family …
A Letter of Tremendous Grattitude
Dear Susan, I hope this message finds you and all of your family well. But then I suppose that is the topic of my message. I will try to keep it as brief as possible but please bear with me, when I do write I tend to go on and on.
I graduated from The Family Foundation School in June 2005. Since then I have been in touch with several staff members but have never written anything for The Family Times. (Embarrassing, considering I slaved over that newspaper for …
Many things were different when alumni, Neil F. was at The Family Foundation School. Neil arrived at FFS in 1995 and was here for two years. When he first arrived there was one family and only 70 students at the school. When he left in …
It has been a while since I have written to The Family Times, and I apologize for that. Life is great. I have been working Monday-Saturday. I thought my life after The Family Foundation School would be filled with classes in large …
Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger is a perfect example of the author’s ability to incorporate difficult concepts and ideas into realistic situations. Franny and Zooey is about two out of the seven Glass children and their relationship with …
Seeing “Avatar” is similar to having a spiritual awakening. It thoroughly and completely blows your mind with its breathtaking visuals and epic plot. The viewer gets immersed in the beauty of the conceptual planet of Pandora, home of …
The whistle blew and the Houses got ready for a dodgeball competition. On Sunday, January 31, the students at The Family Foundation School lined up in the gym and awaited their turn to compete in games of fun-filled dodgeball. The first …
Livingston Manor Goes Wild on Falcons
Even with Sarah V. scoring 12 points and racking up steal after steal with the help of guards Denise T. and Michelle J., the Falcons lost to the Livingston Manor Wildcats on February 28, at home, 62-16. The Falcons won the tip-off and …
Falcons’ Wings Get Clipped by Wildcat Claws
With 1:48 left in the intense game, the Livingston Manor Wildcats took the lead 53-52 and went on to beat the Family Falcons, 60-54 at The Family Foundation School on February 18. Falcon guard Isaac M. and Wildcat center Brendan Smith stood …
The sun was up but the temperature down, the wind blowing but the Frisbee’s flying. Mann House students braved the cold weather for some Sunday afternoon fierce competition of ultimate disc. Each Sunday families get a schedule of …
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I would like to reserve two copies of Quo Vadis by Terry McCarthy. My son was a student at the school and was a family 8 member. Terry truly touched my family’s heart.
Thank you
Laurie Vaughan