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Joan
Grown
According
to James
Shades
of
Pinkie
A
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Blue
Bank
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A
Letter
from Lea
Jots
by
Jerusha
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Most
recently
updated on
8-15-04
Thanks
for
visiting.
The Clan salutes
"JOSH EDDIE"
for choosing to serve
his country and make
this family proud!
Important Dates
10.23.04 — Hurray Day (chair:
Jay)
10.23.04 — Pond Work Party
10.24.04 — Clan Council
New
Columns!
Hornsby Hullabaloo
Peat's
Paragraphs
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recent Updates
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John's
Journal
The Duetsch Report
You'll
want to
read the new
poem by Uncle Bob
LEFT: Three sweet grils
at the Town House— Emily, Walie, and Hannah
ABOVE: John takes third consecutive age group
medal at the Coach Plummer Run, summer's top cross-county 5k race. Come
to think of it, so did Rita. Now that's what we call a real Three-Peat!
Class
of 2004
Peat named Casey
County Junior Miss!
Rita
Helen Dixon
. . Bellarmine University
Personal Record Set
at State Track Finals!
Hitched
on 11-26-03: Joan and Joe!
Mothers
chosen as Best Moms.
Congratulations to the Bride and Groom.
Class
of 2003
Wowee Wow-wow!
Congratulations, Grrrils!
Caitlan
Claire Adkins
. . Georgetown College
Holly Josephine Hellyer
. . Bellarmine University
Class
of 2003
What can we say about
this guy? Cool hat!
Brendan
Corey Adkins
. . University of Louisville
. . Centre College
Attention Clan Households
Please supply to House of John:
Spouse graduation picture
(specify "copy" or "use as is")
Clan"tiller
portraits" available.
Seitz 03/04 portraits can still be ordered.
Contact House
of John
In
2001, Nic departed from his regular sports column in the Casey County
News to reflect on current events:
It has been two weeks ago yesterday when the world witnessed the most
terrible terrorist attack on the greatest nation ever. One that will forever
haunt not only the American people, but peoples everywhere.
Just like the rest of the American sports world last week, I too will
take a break from my regular column to share my own personal thoughts
about the tragedy that has befallen us. For me, it was unbelievable and
still gives me an awful sense of dread. I was sitting in my second block
class when the televisions were turned on to show two burning skyscrapers.
For the rest of my life, I will remember where I was and what I was doing.
Like myself, the rest of the class and everyone in school was awestruck
and in disbelief. Forever will that day live in our memories.
Now our nation is recuperating from our tragedy with mixed feelings of
sadness, anger, fear, and patriotism. The rubble is still being removed
and the losses tallied, but we, as a nation, cannot let this hold us back
from being the great nation that we are. It is obvious that whatever message
of terror the terrorist had planned to send was not received. Instead,
a nation once caught up in its squabbles of race, religion, and financial
status has bonded together. Black or white, Jew or Christian, wealthy
or poor. No longer does it matter. This attempt of terror to kill the
American spirit has only made it stronger and much more powerful.
It once took a great tragedy before the American public bonded together
to drive the greatest nation to win one of the most notorious wars of
the 20th century, World War II. That generation of Americans became known
as "The Greatest Generation." Why? Because in the country's
greatest hour of need, personal disputes were set aside and rivals became
allies.
Now, it is that time again. Time when all must join hands in support of
the freedoms of our country. Time to stand firm and never allow ourselves
to buckle to the will of those who use murder and terror as a weapon.
It is time for the next "Greatest Generation" to arise. Last
time it arose from the waters of Pearl Harbor. This time it will arise
from the ruins of the Twin Towers.
Think about
this the next time you fly our Nation's colors. Think about it when you
hear the Star-Spangled Banner at the next sporting event you attend. Think
about "...o'er the land of the free..." and what it means to
you. How do the butterflies feel in your stomach when you hear "America
The Beautiful" or "Proud to be an American?" Doesn't it
spark that patriotic feeling that you can get nowhere else? Doesn't it
draw that tear from your eye? Think about this, and I really mean think
about all of this. We have not been weakened, but strengthened as our
entire nation moves forward to show that tyranny and terror will never
control the Red, White, and Blue. That the American dream— life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness —will live on. That this one
nation under God is now, and every shall be, indivisible. I leave you
now with a request: To pray for all the victims of this tragedy. Pray
for those who have lost and those who are lost. Pray for those in charge
of our country to do what is right. But most importantly, pray for the
protection and safety of our country, the United States.
God Bless America!
Nic Dixon
...
A Parent's Letter— by Joan
Dear
Ms. W:
Please understand that I would never presume to make suggestions to you
on how to coach or how to teach. As a parent and a teacher, I know better
than to do that. However, since Caitlan has made the decision to come
to this practice scheduled on a Sunday, I feel I must express my displeasure
to you.
When Caitlan told me that you had scheduled this Sunday practice in light
of the upcoming tournament, I immediately reacted with dismay. As a Christian
and a Catholic, I have taught my children that the Sabbath must be preserved
as a day of rest dedicated to the Creator and spent whenever possible
with family. I realize that other coaches are probably scheduling Sunday
practices, and that you feel that the girls have a right to be competitive.
However, soccer already takes up a significant amount of time in each
girl's schedule and the schedule of her family. Practicing on Sunday (or
on Wednesday nights) sets a precedent that allows athletics to encroach
on time previously reserved for church or home. At some point, parents,
and hopefully students, should recognize that there is a limit to the
amount of practice and game time available in anyone's week, and that
priorities need to be maintained.
Since Caitlan is seventeen and old enough to make this type of decision
on her own, I allowed her to do so. She obviously felt that she would
not play in the tournament if she did not practice. After knowing how
I felt about this, she did agree to give you this letter. It was not her
idea. Today is a gathering of Caitlan's family in Casey County during
which we remember the anniversary of her Grandfather's death. She will
miss that gathering. Luckily she was able to attend church with us because
you scheduled the practice later and I do appreciate that. Her family
is made up of aunts and uncles who have coached and played high school
and college sports. Her cousins are involved in many high school teams
across Central Kentucky. We understand the value of athletic competition.
We also understand the value of family time and a day of rest.
Thank you for the time and effort you have put into coaching our girls'
soccer teams. Please accept this note in the spirit it was written, and
good luck in the tournament.
Sincerely,
Joan Dixon Adkins
...
Too
many notes . . .
. . . Here
it is again—
the traditional publisher's nag. Clandestiny needs a shot in the arm,
and you're just the one to step forward.
.
. . But,
alas, our lives are so busy, and when we do take time for Clan, it's more
likely to be our high-priority committee work. I'm reminded of the film
"Amedeus," and the rival composer who criticized Mozart's music
as having "too many notes." I'm not trying to say that our lives
have too many notes, I'm just hoping that Clandestiny will be one of them!
.
. . As
I've speculated before, I believe that Grandybo would have endorsed this
online newsletter. Imagine for a moment how he might have embraced it
and the use of email in general. I think he would have kept this site
brimming with personal essays, keen observations, tender admonishments,
calls to action, and early morning musings. I doubt if there is one among
us who would fill those shoes in his place.
.
. . Ladies
and gentlemen of the Clan, prove me wrong!
.
. . John
A
. . . Web Editor
