And March nroared in like the lion!

So, Happy Leap Year to all our friends celebrating Feb. 29 birthdays. Pick up a copy of today's Sun to read about our local leaplings, Angelo Turano, John Roarke (you can read more about John below!), Jane Lenihan, and Ann Gingerella.

I'd like to welcome my long-ago friend from Nantucket Chris Turrentine as a new online reader! Hi Chris! I will make it over to the Borough one of these days and we will catch up! There are more and more Nantucket -- Rhode Island -- Southeastern Connecticut connections I am discovering these days! Indeed, another friend, Gene Mahon, maintains an interesting and friendly website at:

www.mahonabouttown.com/html/homepage.htm

Local Nantucket fans will appreciate Gene's site I am sure! Patti and Steve Hartford will enjoy it -- and cute Kathy McCuin (whom I haven't seen forever!) Time for a visit Kath! Speaking of the Nantucket connections, Pawcatuck resident Whit Petrie is another expat. While he still maintains his Nantucket connections, he moved to Connecticut several years ago. I saw Whit at the Cooked Goose last weekend, having breakfast with his friend from Ashaway.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! In honor of this favorite author’s birthday, NEARI will celebrate Read Across America Saturday, March 1, at Warwick Mall, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. when famous readers will read aloud and free books eill be distribited to children and the Cat in the Hat himself will make an appearance. Visit:

And how about those Red Sox at the White House? Where WAS Manny? 

I am sure that my colleague Mark Dullea has spied the rascal! Mark is in Fort Myers and plast I knew was planning on attending as many games as possible. Now that's good stuff!Very exciting! He promised photos and newsy tid-bits upon his return! I will be waiting. Hi Mark!! What's better than baseball?

Speaking of the color RED, I heard from Front Porch News friend Gerry Corneau this week who shared the news that his movie, "Seeing Red"  aired last night on RI PBS.



   In a nutshell, the story tells of "Three Americans and a Brit, disillusioned after the 2004 election and troubled by the idea that their nation is bitterly divided over morality, set out to investigate religion and politics in the US. From Megachurches in Texas, to Music Festivals in Vermont, to MTV protests in New York, they discover that the fanaticism with which mainstream media characterizes Christian america tells only one side of a diverse and fascinating story. Shot in red and blue states across America, "Seeing Red" chronicles the many answers to the questions: is America truly divided by morality, and why are the Democrats failing to connect with 50% of America? Constructed for audiences across the political spectrum, "Seeing Red" investigates key issues for leaders intent on future electoral victories, and gives everyday Americans a new vision of their country." http://www.ripbs.org/primetime.html#red



When Hinde came north for a wedding in Hartford, in September, he came up early to visit with the family and drove Jack and his wife Yvonne to the museum where they met up with their daughter Linda. Hinde took the pictures to document the trip for his cousin, he said.

Also, lest I forget, on Sunday's Veteran's, there was a story about Mary-Catherine Stockman, who won an award for her essay about Patriotism. Her essay can be found at the VERY bottom of the page.

So as I have been happily saying time and again --- spring is just around the corner! Well, it sure is for my colleague Mark Dullea who is in Fort Myers and plans to attend the Red Sox Spring training camp! Now that's exciting! He promised photos and newsy tid-bits upon his return! I will be waiting. What's better than thinking of baseball?

  We have some new baby news! Welcome Nina Vinhateiro! Nina is the new daughter of Amanda and Nathan Vinhateiro of Wakefield, the granddaughter of my dear friends June and Dennis Vinhateiro. June is a guidance councilor at the Met School in Newport and Dennis works for the town of South Kingstown. June -- aka "Mormor" tells me that "Nina" means "little girl" in Spanish, "strong" in Navajo, and is a nickname for Hannah in Hebrew. 

And Michael Philip Fusaro, Jr. of Norwich, entered the world on Valentine's Day! He is the son of Carolyn and Michael (also of Norwich). Daddy Mike is the Godson of Sam Fusaro of Westerly.

 I was driving along listening to "The Breeze" -- WJZS when I heard a familiar voice --- on a commercial -- it was my adorable young friend Michaela Richmond! Michaela's dad owns Zero Wampum in Wakefield so it would make sense that she would be the voice for the biz! It was great Michaela Jane! Michaela's mom is Westerly native Pat McGauran --- a VERY close friend of mine --- who grew up on Wells Street. I have been trying to connect with Pat so I can tell her about the St. Pius X School fundraiser scheduled for April26 starring comedian John Roarke. Make sure you save that date now! It will be an evening of hilarity for sure --- John is a very funny fellow. He is also a graduate of Westerly's once bustling Immaculate Conception School and has very funny tales to tell and memories to share. You can find out more about him by clicking on the following link.

http://www.johnroarke.com/

The beautiful Deb Carey, inspired by last year's "Tomorrow Fund" for children with cancer fundraiser that Angie Iacoi organized, thought that it would make for a good St. Pius X School fundraiser. I have it on my calendar! 





Well, dear readers, I must beg your indulgence and ask your forgiveness for my occasional typos on this page! As folks who know me are aware, I tend to zip along a little too quickly at times.  But I will take more care -- I promise :)

So, now we are in lent -- the beginning of the season we Catholics call Lent. One of my favorite topics is Faith --- spirituality, religion and faith. I enjoy writing and reading about different religions and practices --- especially traditions. Because I know Catholicism and Christianity best, its what I tend to write about most, but I enjoy hearing -- and hearing -- faith stories from all traditions. please feel free to share thoughts about Lent if you'd like. Remember when we were kids and used to give things up like candy and sweets? Anyone doing anything extra special they'd like to share? I am trying to keep up with Fr Ray's daily homilies. You can find those by clicking One program I like very much is called "This I believe" on NPR. Listen to a sample here:

www.thewesterlysun.com/articles/2008/02/19/lifestyles/religion/doc465326d5adf80496533054.txt

www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4538138

I now this has been up for a while, but its a cool link and I have heard that many readers enjoy it! So, I will continue to let you take a peek at Watch Hill via the Watch Hill Yacht Club's webcam. Click on www.whyc.net and see! It's sort of a gray Monday here in Westerly and you can see for yourself via the camera! Thanks so much WHYC!









Remember to keep checking the good news and good photos at the Front Porch gallery,  www.thewesterlysun.com/gallery/





Thanks so much for joining me here on the Front Porch online! I hope you enjoy your visit and I encourage to keep sending me your good news and photos to share with our online readers. Meanwhile, did you know that you can enter news of your organization - your church, your club, your committee - right here at our cheery, friendly site?



Ciao bella! :)

Nancy (Burns-Fusaro)

nbfusaro@thewesterlysun.com

  Why Am I an American Patriot?  

          Patriot. What is a patriot? As an eighth grader, when I think about the word patriot, I think of a person who served our nation in times of need; a person who believes we are a united people; a person who takes pride in their country; and a person who will do anything to defend his or her country whenever they can. We should always ask ourselves why and how am I an American patriot?

          Although I am not yet at the right age to serve my country, and although I don’t necessarily support the war, I support my troops, the people who risk their lives to defend me. I send cards, letters, and pictures to cheer them up while they are away from home, overseas. I also participate in raising money to put together care packages for both the troops and their families.

          Everyday at school, we recite the “Pledge of Allegiance”. Allegiance is devotion or loyalty to a government. A key word in this recitation is indivisible. This means we are united as one. I honor this and am glad my country is a republic. Whenever I recite this, I don’t just say these words, I think of their meanings. This pledge, this promise, to my country is not just about meaningless words, it is about saying how long our country has stuck by this assurance of justice and liberty.

          My main reason for why I am a United States patriot is because of the unlimited opportunities and privileges I have as an American citizen. I will always have my rights and people who will proudly defend them. This makes me proud of my country. This makes me proud to be an American citizen.

          George William Curtis, an American writer and public speaker in the 1800s, once said: “A man’s country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle, and patriotism is loyalty to that principle.” This to me means that we aren’t a set spot of land, but rather a united people to whom we all owe loyalty in the form of patriotism and nationalism.

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