Category: West Brookfield

TAG: Talk About Guns – Parent/Child Dialogue on Gun Safety

April, 25, 2018
West Brookfield, MA

One of the most challenging aspects of raising children, is helping them understand choices and the consequences to themselves, family, friends and community. On Wednesday evening, April 25, Linda McCoy, Director of the Senior Center in West Brookfield provided the setting for the launch of Ed Lapenas, TAG: Talk About Guns Program. The content of the program teaches parents and children how to talk about guns and gun safety.

A small crowd participated in an hour-long discussion on a program created by Lapenas which brings the dialogue on gun safety home. Lapenas discussed the public school format of presenting complex social topics to children in a lecture format and wondered what do the children understand. Is the child given a opportunity for a give and take on the topic so that an adult can assess the child has comprehended well enough to apply the given knowledge. Lapenas asked, “Unless you engage in a one on one conversation, you don’t know what is a misconception and what is actual knowledge.”

The program revolves around the question put to the audience by Lapenas, “What do you know about what your kids know about guns?” The TAG program offers an opportunity to ask questions so a parent can understand their child’s attitude, knowledge and beliefs about guns. The conversation takes place in the home and is completely confidential.

Lapenas gives parents and children a tool to work with on gun safety. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in their 2014 report on Deaths in the U.S., accidents are the 4th leading cause. Guns are in the home, as the Pew Research Center reports 3 in 10 adults own a gun. The reasons given are for protection, hunting, sport shooting, gun collectors and/or required for a job. A 2008 CDC report on Childhood Injury stated 12,175 children in the age range of 0 – 19 died by accident. The accidents include death as a result of auto accident or encounter with autos, drowning, poisoning and discharging guns in the home.

TAG provides parent’s a guide to start the discussion. A Gun Safety Survey of 35 statements is included with parents encouraged to select two or three for each dialogue session with their child. An example of statements are:”I can load a bolt action rifle. Yes or No” “Önly adults should be allowed to use guns. Yes or No” and “I have been on hunting trips with a friend. Yes or No”. The child is asked to respond for the parent to gain knowledge on what they know and don’t know about guns. According to Lapenas, “The long-term goal is to develop a sense of responsiblity in your child that will carry them safely into adulthood.”Lapenas emphasized the program teaches the child to pause in certain circumstances and make choices that result in their safety. The child is educated and empowered to stop and think of consequences to them or others with whom they interact daily.

Lapenas is a Brookfield resident with a Master’s degree in Education and BA in Psychology. He states he obtained law enforcement experience with the Oregon State Police and several private security firms. Lapenas said that the brain development in children is not enough at the age of 7 or 12 years old, to understand guns and gun safety. “Kids engage in risky behavior because they are kids. That’s what they do, experiment with the world around them, touch things and try to figure things out.” Children are naturally inquisitive and curious. They learn by watching and listening to the adults around them and modeling behaviors.

Lapenas said, “the interaction between a parent and child will help the parent assess comprehension by observing the child’s actions. If the child begins to exhibit behavior that is undesirable in thoughts, or other verbalization, there may need to be an intervention by the parent.” He gave insight into the topical discussion on gun violence in our schools, theaters or other public places. The lack of dialogue, knowledge and intervention may be a reason for “the crazy things that are happening in our society. They {signs] are there for people to see and people have seen them and unfortunately been ignored. ”

Lapenas said, “gun safety starts with us individually.” Discovering a child’s beliefs about guns and gun safety can be surprising to both parties about what they know and what they think they know.”

Lapenas stated there is no fee for individual service. His goal is to find agencies and foundations who might like to support TAG. He may be reached at tagne2018@hotmail.com

DIY Publishing with Local Mystery Author Tracey Ryan

March 29, 2018

West Brookfield, MA

There is nothing as satisfying as a good read. Whether it is lounging at seaside with a paperback or curled up on the couch with a kindle, leisure reading is one of life’s pleasures. Characters in novels share with us the complexity of human relations. They invite us along as armchair travelers to new environments on or beyond this world. A skillful writer creates a story that only exists in their and our imagination, but is as alive as you and I.

Tracey Ryan greeted a small audience at Merriam-Gilbert Public Library in West Brookfield MA, promoting her first book published in May 2017. “Wicked Game of the Hunter” is part one of a mystery trilogy set in Hardwick and the seaport district of Boston. By day, Ryan is a Director of Client Communications at Fidelity Investments. The death of her father six years ago prompted Ryan to write this novel now. Ryan said losing him, “made me sit down and reevaluate what is important in life. Who knows what life can bring tomorrow. I wanted to do this.”

Book publication is a complicated business. The traditional route has been for writers to collaborate with someone in the industry that can help with the technical aspects of publication. A partnership with a literary agent can be one-step along the path. A publisher provides in house services with the goal of producing a book to be sold at a brick and mortar store. The logistics may include proofreading, line editing, content editing, cover design, formatting, printing and marketing. Upon publication, the author often agrees to help promote sales on a book tour.

However, the digital age has given authors a more direct route to sales with self-publication of e-books and print on demand books. According to Writer’s Digest, a popular magazine, website and support network for writers in all genres, self-publishing has a long tradition and includes notable writers such as Mark Twain, D.H. Lawrence, Walt Whitman, Jack Canfield, Stephen King and Margaret Atwood.

Today’s self-publication options offer writers the tools of a publishing house. The writer bears the upfront costs for manufacturing, production and marketing. However, they keep all income derived from the book sales. It is DIY for writers.

Phil Sexton, vice president and group publisher at Writer’s Digest recommended the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) as a place to find quality editors for hire. The website has an extensive member directory and job listing available at no charge. EFA webpage advertises that they can “put you in touch with more than 2,400 editorial professionals with a broad array of skills and training—the people you need for self-publishing projects; fiction and nonfiction trade books; website copy; magazine articles; advertising, public relations, and training and education materials; corporate communications; and more.”

Writer’s Digest, has a May 1, 2018 deadline for submissions to its’ 26th Self-Published Book and e-book Awards. The grand prize of $8,000 includes a feature article, a press release to major publishing review houses and a trip to the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference in NYC.  They offer Blue Ash Publishing as a DIY product.  Software exclusively for the self-publishing market include Microsoft Publisher, Serif PagePlus and Scribus. Other DIY self-publishers include Book Life by Publishers Weekly and Bookbaby.

Authors with interest in DIY may benefit by joining the Alliance of Independent Authors, a nonprofit organization which will guide ambition and help ground Indie authors in the reality of publishing. The website provides a wide range of services and demonstrates the legwork involved in self-publishing. The writer needs to educate themselves to the possibilities and pitfalls of publishing. Sexton also recommended the Writer Beware Blog as the watchdog group that says it is “shinning a bright light into the dark corners of the shadow-world of literary scams, schemes, and pitfalls.” The blog offers a Thumbs Down list of agencies and publishers to avoid. It is time, talent and money at stake.

Ryan selected Amazon’s Create Space for her mystery novel. The 2nd installment of the trilogy is at the U.S. Copyright Office in Washington D.C. Ryan advocated authors obtain a copyright before handing over the work to a publisher to protect their artistic work. Her background in marketing and communication has given her knowledge of how to manage this area of book sales.

The most important aspect of writing is storytelling. Writing is a craft that is developed with effort and practice. The ability to convey thoughts into words that an audience can connect to is an art. Writers put bits of themselves into the story. Ryan said, “my dad is part of the book. It’s dedicated to his memory and how I can honor him for supporting me. The 2nd book has a large event that happens and I put yellow roses on each of the tables at the event because he sent yellow roses to me at the start of every semester at college.” Books are emotional repositories. In fact, Ryan is so deep into her characters and story, that she said they have taken on a life of their own. She said, “I don’t know who the ultimate murder is yet. I let the story take me on the ride.”

Tracey Ryan may be reached at Traceylryan.com

Published in The Citizen Chronicle, April 5, 2018: Local mystery author shares clues on DIY publishing

 

 

205 Self-Portraits – West Brookfield Young Artists on Display

West Brookfield, MA – March 3, 2018

Who am I? At some time in life, this thought may come into the consciousness. West Brookfield Elementary School (WBES) children grades 2 – 6 had a unique opportunity to look inside themselves and answer this question. Rebecca Fay, proprietor of the Worcester Art & Frame Gallery in downtown West Brookfield has dedicated space for the month of March to a unique, local exhibition of 205 Self-Portraits. Each image is a window into the child’s perception of who they are and what matters in their world.

The exhibit opened to the public on Saturday, March 3. An old grandfather clock gently chimed in the background as the public came into the shop. Children and their parents streamed inside to find their work of art amongst the large display. The exhibit takes up two full walls at the front of the gallery. Excited voices rang out, “that’s me, that’s me” as their portrait was found and shared with family. The children drew their images last fall in Ms. Kelly Mundell’s art class. Ms. Fay said for those children she knew, it was remarkable how some part of their personality came through in the drawing. “Some are funny, some are introspective, and it’s just amazing. I could stand here and stare at them all day.”

Some children drew a self-portrait that reflects on their own image visually or mentally. A patron said, “it’s what kids perceive themselves to be. It is amazing how they see each other. How they perceive themselves. How they look.” The children took great care in presenting their face and in particular, expression in the eyes. Hairstyles, clothing and personal effects were shared in detail.  Some children drew objects around them that had meaning in their lives. Animals, sports and music are in the background. Others gave insight into the importance of social connections with words floating around their image. Some images share emotions of the moment including what look like storms clouds around the mind. A few images share a wink back at the audience.

The plaque on the wall says, “These portraits are worthy of a show at the national gallery. Each image represents a child in our community. They represent individuals, but also our strength as one, standing together. When you look at them, you’ll see not only a resemblance to a face you might know, but also, our future, and the hopes and dreams of these remarkable young souls.”

The gallery also contains works from artists both local and throughout New England. Displays of pottery, woodcraft, prints, oil paintings and glass works greet the visitor around every corner. The shop is small, but the exhibits well laid out. There is space to move around easily and find something to appreciate.

The Worcester Art & Frame Gallery is located at 10 East Main Street, across the street from Ye Olde Tavern. The shop offers art by local artists and custom frame services. Hours are Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

 

Published in The Citizen Chronicle – West Brookfield student self-portraits on exhibit