Paul Newman, Connecticut's Own: Hooray for Heroes illustrated by Janice Hechter

Connecticut's Own:  Paul Newman
Illustrated by Janice Hechter from Hooray for Heroes! by Mollie Wilson


Paul Newman, man of many talents, lived for many years in Westport, Connecticut.  He is best known for his starring roles in movies, and also for his generosity in establishing "Newman's Own", his nonprofit food industry.   The Hole in the Wall Camp in Ashford, Connecticut was the first children's camp Newman established. This nonprofit camp provides services to over 15,000 sick children yearly.  Visit the website:
http://www.holeinthewallgang.org/ for information on how you can donate to this worthy nonprofit organization.

Post your comments about Paul Newman and his efforts on behalf of sick children.

Pennsylvania Station New York Honored Railroad Magnate, Alexander Cassatt: Hooray for Heroes

Getting Serious about the Dog Days

Rabbit Rabbit!  You'll have good luck all month if the first words you utter on the first of the month are "rabbit rabbit".  You'll have more luck if it is your birth month. August typically is the beginning of the Dog Days of summer.  Animal imagery this month is huge.

Dog Days are the hottest most sultry days of the summer.  Usually beginning in July and extending into September.  The Farmer's Almanac lists the Dog Days as 40 days beginning in July and ending in August, but the tradition is ancient, having beginnings in Roman times.  In fact,  the Dog Days were so named when Sirius, the "Dog Star" was raging.  The ancient Romans believed the heat was caused by the angry dog, the brightest star in the heavens second to the sun.  The feast of Saint Roch, patron saint of dogs is August 16.  No matter how you celebrate the Dog Days, keep in mind that soon fall will be arriving.  Dog Days signal the beginning of the end of summer.  Celebrate the Dog Days...leave extra water for Fido, pack a picnic basket, read a good book (may I suggest Hooray for Heroes? ) vacation locally or faraway, take a bike ride or find a  seashell.   Listen carefully to the Dog Days sounds of summer--put a seashell to your ear!

Seashell Song

Hold a seashell to your ear
tell me, tell me if you dare
O' the music in the deep blue sea
secrets shared with you and me.

Secrets we all need to know
of the life that dwells below
of the waves that slap the shore
far above the mermaid lore.

Secrets of that dark deep ink
secrets make us pause and think--
of the beauty of sea beasts
of the ships that rest in peace.

Hold a seashell to your ear
listen, listen if you dare.
Hear the music of an ancient rhyme
flowing through the depth of time.

Secrets hidden in frail shells
tossed upon  the giant swells.
Hold a seashell to your ear
tell me, tell me what you hear.

Hold that seashell to your ear
forever keep the secrets near
in your heart where they belong
like a secret seashell song! 

Tell Mollie Wilson what you think. Post your own comments.

May Awards Harriett Beecher Stowe & Hooray for Heroes Awards

Harriett Beecher Stowe & Friend
May Awards 2010

Hooray for May! Last week Hooray for Heroes! was awarded Honorable Mention in Children's Literature at the San Francisco Book Festival. http://www.sanfranciscobookfestival.com. This is indeed an honor when considering the hundreds of books submitted for consideration. According to Mr. Bruce Haring, Director: "This was without a doubt, the most competitive festival ever." There will be a party in San Francisco this week to celebrate the authors who worked so hard to create their books...it will be at the famous Hotel Rex. Fortunately, my mother and brother live in the city and will represent illustrator Janice Hechter and me. Last year both Duck Tape and Santa's Hat won two awards for Children's Literature in the London Book Festival and the NYC Book Festival. Thanks to illustrators Janice Hechter, Toby Mikle and editor Nancy Lindstrom for their help and support in making these books a reality.

All Rhyme Time Books are now available at Amazon. I joined the Amazon booksellers program and have sent a box of books off to the Amazon warehouse. Hope this makes ordering books easier for everyone! Check the website: www.amazon.com for Rhyme Time Books.

Toby Mikle, illustrator of many children's books, is preparing Duck Tape 2 for publication in June at King Printing in Lowell, Massachusetts. Partial proceeds from the sale of Duck Tape 2 will go to the Brain Injury Association of Connecticut, www.biact.homestead.com. This is a wonderful nonprofit organization that educates the public about brain injuries and provides resources for those with brain injuries. Visit the website and be impressed with the good work this association does in Connecticut. Check out the Hole in the Wall Gang website that explains the purpose of the Newman camps for ill children. The first camp was build in Ashford, Connecticut and now there are many such camps in the US and around the world.

More later in the month. Enjoy the spring weather as you rake out the gardens and spread the mulch! I watch as my cat, Skooter and his friend, Tiger play in the leaves and are enjoying spring smells....here's a little poem for cats everywhere!

Fred

I have a little kitty I always call him Fred.

He sleeps beside my bed, and jumps upon my head.

We play so well together we laugh and hug all day

If Freddy was a person I know what he would say:

"The more we are together the more we like to play

and spend the day in sunshine, and chase grey clouds away."

"Your sandbox is my favorite it looks like kitty litter

the swing set is enormous and daily does grow bigger."

"Your arms are kinda chubby and hold me mighty tight

when dogs come around to sniff me, you never let me fight!"

"You always keep me safe and give me lots o' food

the only little bitty thing is--

"I'm not a his, I'm a her!"

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