PLAYOFF BASKETBALL AND HOCKEY

I had a sports weekend.Saturday I was invited to see my Brother's Grandson (10 years old) play
Basketball at Salem State University for a league championship.It was neat in the sense that both teams were from Swampscott
and all the players know each other and basically "hang"together. I guess that means in a few years
Swampscott should have a good team at the High School level.

It was great for me since Grandson Jordan Cummings is a "Star" point guard on one team;
and a "Star" forward on the other team is John Caponigro whose Father,Joe is the Coach.

Joe is a Star in his own right since he works at Panakio Adjusters with yours truly, and is the
Baseball Coach at Lynn English.He has assisted many of his players go to Elite College Programs
along with some to MLB Teams.

Each team won a game on Saturday and Sunday. in Basketball........One was named the CHAMPION.

I also saw MY Alumni, Malden Catholic win It's fourth straight Super Eight Title in Hockey at the Garden.

The skill level of the players in both sports is terrific.It is different from my day.......which was long ago.

ABORTION IS NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT...

The Knights of Columbus has released  a Marist poll that had the following findings.

84% OF AMERICANS WOULD LIMIT ABORTION TO THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF PREGNANCY;

THAT ABOVE STATISTIC INCLUDES STRONGLY PRO CHOICE AMERICANS;


74% OF AMERICANS FAVOR A BAN ON ABORTIONS AFTER 20 WEEKS WITH THE
ONE EXCEPTION....TO SAVE THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER

53%  BELIEVE THAT LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION

60% THINK THAT ABORTION IS MORALLY WRONG..

This is a tough issue for many people,however, it is easy for me.Life is under the jurisdiction of God.

24 HOURS…….KIM DOES IT AGAIN..

The pool at the YMCA IN Swampscott/Marblehead  ,Ma.was the site of a magnificent feat today.
Kim Garbarino once again pulled off an amazing swimming milestone.

He swam for 24 hours.He started at 1 pm yesterday until this Sunday afternoon at 2pm.

Let's do a little math.The pool  down and back for one lap is 50 yards.30 laps is is 1500 yards
add two more laps and you have the magic mile of 1600 yards.(32)

I was with Kim in the pool mid morning today and he said that he stopped counting miles at thirty early
morning.he did not know the exact time.


So……He knew he had done 960 laps…..He may have stopped counting at  4-5 am and he continued
swimming until 2pm Sunday.He ended at 2pm because of the Daylight Savings change.

His original goal was to be a mile an hour for 24 hours…..He passed that …..and who knows what he exactly did…..UNBELIEVABLE……..1200…..1500 ?......or more.....

Many people gave him support including his lovely Wife,Amy.I am sorry I do not have  the names…
Kim thanks you all.

I also had the opportunity to see his good friend Sgt. Joe Ross, of the Massachusetts State Police
swimming beside Kim this morning and making a visual observation of his Health.Joe had stopped over at the pool two other times during the night and early morning to check up on him.

Everyone can use a friend like that…..even if you could not swim.

This effort was for the YMCA YOUTH SWIMMING PROGRAM.Please go to the Y website and
give them some money…..Come on….do it.

"TO ASHES YOU WILL RETURN"...."AND LIFE IS LIKE A PUFF OF SMOKE"

Tomorrow is the beginning of Lent......with  Ash Wednesday....reminding us that life is short.......
We all wish to avoid the thought of death and the fact of it's reality,however, their are ways
to deal.......as they say........

Reach out to the spiritual which is unseen and sometimes seen if you pay attention.A coincidence
many times is really a "wink from God"........A push from the Heavens hoping we come around.

Think about your life,your purpose and what impression you want to leave your family,friends,
and the whole world.

A good exercise for all in this Lenten Season.

Love.....from Thoughts

DO YOU HAVE A RELATIVE WHO IS OR WAS A GOALIE ?

I have a Brother who was a great GOALIE.........however they can be strange.....It is a hazard of the
position.

He sent me the following link and he thinks it is hilarious.....what do you think ?

Subject: Slapshot

Date: February 28, 2014 at 10:19:57 PM EST

To: Harvey Rowe

The goalie from slap shot.

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/n_w4MV_LwMw

RALPH CRONIN....RIP

Ralph's Funeral  was "packed to the rafters" last Monday at Saint Pius.Father Greg gave
a nice talk that touched on all the lives Ralph touched and how he was a valued member of our Lynn Community.

The Story people have been mentioning is the circumstances surrounding his death.Ralph's devoted wife,Linda was cross country skiing with him and  he said   ......"The view is so beautiful."...........
and he fell and closed his eyes without a sound.......!

Was this view a reward from God  for his good life,spirituality, and all the assistance he gave in his life ?

I think so........How about you   ?...............

RALPH CRONIN…..A BEAUTIFUL LIFE

Ralph Cronin of Lynn,MA will be laid to rest today at a Funeral Mass at St.Pius.He has spent his life
assisting many people without fanfare……..He was a humble man who figured out his purpose in this life as "God's Missionary"……It was a "Beautiful Life"

More on this later.

KIM......HE DID NOT SWIM HERE FROM CUBA...BUT...

The followers of "Thoughts " have read about the swimming feats of Kim Garbarino,including
The "English Channel " conquering  last August (can you believe it was a year ago !)..........

well.........He is up to it again. First, On August 10, he entered  the Boston Harbor Light swim
with 25 other swimmers.......EIGHT MILES LATER.....Kim was one of the eleven swimmers
that finished it.....

After the above race Kim met an Author,Mike McCormick who writes about swimming and after he learned of Kim's exploits...He asked him to do  a "double" Boston Light Swim THAT HE COULD WITNESS.......so 10 days later......Kim swam to Carson beach,South Boston....and back to the Light
House in less than ideal conditions........The time was under eight hours.

This is an amazing accomplishment......considering the short recovery period he had between the two swims.I will keep you updated......"The presses will be rolling"

Far left,Walter Butler,Mass State Police,Kim,Author Mccormick
and Bob Gaff, Boat Captain

"EARN YOUR SHOWER"..............JOE CAPONIGRO

Coaches and Teachers from the youngest level......up to the Professional  level make a difference in people's lives..........The unknown is " who is actually listening".....when wisdom and inspiration is
given by the leaders in our schools.........

Joe Caponigro, Baseball Coach of Lynn English HS,Lynn,MA. FOUND OUT THAT ONE OF HIS PLAYERS LISTENED TO HIM.............It happened to be  one that is going to Harvard University in the fall.

We should all listen to "Joe Cap ".......

 English High School

365 diplomas at Lynn English

By Chris Stevens / The Daily Item

LYNN — Lynn English Valedictorian Jake Meagher walked up to the podium during Friday’s graduation, thanked administrators for approving his speech then tore it up.

“Before I begin my speech I need to make an apology,” he said. “The speech was full of life lessons … but today is about 2013.”

Meagher’s speech to 364 of his peers packed into in a steamy field house was full of thank-yous to staffers and family and included individual shout outs to “those that paid me a $1 to name them in my speech.”

He joked that anyone who doesn’t think they’ve come a long way since middle school should, “check out your old MySpace page and try not to shed a tear. Seriously I tried it and I couldn’t.”

But it was also full of heart.

Others quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson, Winston Churchill, Mark Twain and even Judy Garland, but Meagher quoted his baseball coach, Joe Caponigro when he told his classmates they should “earn your shower.”

“Always put your best effort into everything you do,” he said. “Everybody is capable of great things but you still need to earn your shower every day.”

However he also brought down the house when he said, “to quote Shakespeare, at least I think it’s Shakespeare — We started from the bottom and now we’re here,” which is actually a quote from hip hop artist Drake.

“I knew that would get a good reception,” he said.

Class President Kati Vu also drew chuckles and cheers when she reminisced about elementary school.

“We were ready to take on the world with our Britney Spears and Power Rangers backpacks,” she said, adding, “by the time we became seniors, freshman appeared smaller and teachers had become mentors, she added.

Keynote speaker Rep. Robert Fennell, an LEHS alumnus, urged the students to find their passion and City Council President Timothy Phelan urged them to choose the right path not necessarily the easy path.

Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy, a Lynn Classical High School graduate, whose two children attend English drew cheers when she admitted she was becoming personally attached to the school.

But for all its pomp and circumstance the ceremony left some students a little dazed.

“It’s surreal,” said Leo Awokang. “I can’t believe 12 years is down to these last few minutes.”

Emmanuel Jaidah said prior to Friday it seemed it took forever to finish high school.

“Now it seems like it was just yesterday that we were freshmen,” he said.

The Mason boys, Kyle, Cody and Robert, cousins, have been together a lifetime and Friday they graduated together.

“From diapers to diplomas,” said Robert Mason.

The three will go their separate ways in September with two headed off to college and one into the Air Force.

“We will definitely miss the teachers and friends and all the dumb stuff we did,” said Robert Mason.

Lindsay Barrios called the day bittersweet. Guadalupe Barrios, no relation, agreed but also said it was a good time for a fresh start.

Salutatorian Kelsey Littlefield reminded her classmates that although they are moving on, they will always be bulldogs.

“We will forever bleed maroon and gray,” she said.

Chris Stevens can be reached at cstevens@itemlive.com.

« Back to School List

Photos

TEBOW....................HORNUNG

I know I have been around longer than the followers of "Thought's ".............but this story of Tim Tebow is like "history repeating"........back in the 50's ----60"s Notre Dame had a QB who was big,strong and a great college player.........He won the Heisman Trophy........and ended up in the

NFL.

Guess what.........He did not have the mechanics to be the starting Quarterback for Green Bay and in

addition Bart Starr was the Starter and he was a "winner". The Coach Vince Lombardi made Hornung

a running back and he was good enough to make it to the NFL Hall of Fame as a back who could run,pass on the option play and catch passes.He also was a kicker....../He was a mainstay of the Champion Packers and was my favorite player............

I do not think Paul Hornung prayed as much as Tim...........so you never know....

If he makes the Patriots.....He may be on the Roweboys as a reserve.

POPE FRANCIS......WHAT DOES WELCOME MEAN.......

So an unmarried woman has a child......and she goes to a priest an  asks that her baby be given the
Sacrament of Baptism......The priest says no since she is not married..........
I know that in many Catholic Churches this has happened, but  let me tell you the following;

There is a "new sheriff" in town.......and Pope Francis is telling the Church and its Priests to get out
and be with the people and show compassion and welcome to persons seeking the Church.Pope Francis said the the woman had the courage and fortitude to have this "Child of God".....and the Church must welcome this soul into world.

God Bless........More to come.........

KIM GARBARINO......AND ENGLISH CHANNEL SWIM TEAM

I told you that there are going to be some great happenings in the next few sumer months ;

Kim and his "Channel Team " are going after the Catalina Straits off the Coast of Southern California
The distance is the same as the "channel",however it will not be as cold and will not have the currents..........................but guess what..............England did not have any Sharks.......at least
I didn't see any.

The particulars will be  described more fully in "Thought's" as we move along.


You followers know I "sneak off" each summer for a week or so......Last year was Ecuador.......
this summer it may be Haiti.........more on this later also.

SUMMER HAPPENINGS........

Ok Guy's I will be posting items I am involved with during the summer and readers of the "Thought"s"
are welcome to participate.

The first one is a week from Sunday, June 16,2013  1: 30-4:00 pm and you will have the opportunity
to serve the meal at My Brother's Table.Remember, the Table serves meals seven days a week and
they do not accept any public funding.The Table served over 112,000 meals in 2012.

They need your help.

Let me know as soon as possible.If you let me know soon....You can bring a friend or family members.

WANT TO DO CHARITY WORK.......JUNE 16TH ...LET ME KNOW

I have a need for some "good souls " to help me serve dinner from 1:30- 4:00 Sunday,June 16....

If you wish to help let me know......The sooner the better........Volunteer spots usually fill up soon.


My Brother's Table will appreciate it.We served over 12,000 meals in 2012......and it is rising each month

Your help is appreciated.

Thank you

PANAKIO ADJUSTERS,LLC.....NEW TEAM MEMBERS....

I have been a busy guy......and Lisa and I are thrilled to welcome two great guys to the Panakio Team.
...................Joe Caponigro and Dan Davison.

.Joe is of Swampscott and LYNN ENGLISH fame  as the current
Baseball Coach who is always in the STATE TOURNAMENT.
It did not happen this year,but there is "always next year.He is
a business guy who brings tremendous talent to the Office.He will
be the Head Administrator and work along with Dan in client relations.

Dan is a Lynn guy who was a  standout QB at Saint Mary's and
is a successful licensed Contractor who owns DSD Construction in Peabody
He will be supervising our Large Loss Estimating Division.

Most of the followers of this site know that Panakio is always there when calamities
strike.A fire,broken pipes, and storms can be upsetting to you and your family.We have  the
experience and "know how" to deal with the Insurance Companies . We know you
have questions when a fire or storm of Sandy" proportions" occurs and we have the Answers.

Myself,Lisa, Dan and Joe stand ready to assist you on a moments notice.

TAKE A WORLDVIEW.....FORGET THE NE PATRIOTS

I was thinking of the Patriots loss the other night and all the fans both young and old who were upset at the outcome.
We all realize that it is ok to care about the NFL if you take it in the sense that it is entertainment and
not "life or death" or serious gambling.
I was reading a Matthew Kelley book a few weeks ago and he asked a simple question ..........

What is your worldview............Here is his answer.......

How do you see the world?...  there are almost 7 billion people on the planet, and if we reduce the world’s population to 100 people, proportionally…

• 57 of those 100 people would come from Asia, 21 from Europe, 14 from North and South America, and 8 from Africa
• 51 would be women, 49 would be men
• 68 of those 100 people would not be able to read and write...
• 6 of those 100 people would own or control almost 50% of the world’s wealth
• 5 of those 6 people would be U.S. citizens
• 3 of those 5 people would live on the same street of the north shore of Long Island…
• 1 out of those 100 people would have just been born
• 1 out of those 100 people would be just about to die, and
• Only 1 out of those 100 people would have been to college…  
• 1/3 of the world’s population died from lack of bread
• 1/3 of the world’s population died from lack of justice, and
• 1/3 of the world’s population died from overeating…

SEE YOU LATER...........THINK ABOUT IT.....

LOOKING FOR LOVE....READ THIS........

I received the following letter ;     Sit down....read it..........and then reflect on it.

Country singer Johnny Lee's 1980 hit not only reached number one on the Billboard charts, but its unforgettable refrain dominated pop culture references for some years. Lookin' for love in all the wrong places... It is what musicians call "a great hook," or something that you can't forget after you've heard it. If you know the song, I apologize. It will be stuck in your head now for the next day or so. But it's one of those rare popular hooks that also happens to capture an important truth, in this case one that lies near the root of today's "culture wars." Are we seeking for true love, or are we just seeking the fleeting feeling that popular culture tells us love is? The differences between the two should be clear to us, especially in their consequences. One way involves surrender, sacrifice, selflessness and the recognition of one's own and the beloved's ultimate destination -- heaven. The other is it's polar opposite -- involving using another, self-satisfaction and only caring about the moment. With the latter, when one is indeed looking for love in the wrong places, we find a radical individualism and shallowness. It is this view that is behind the confusion that allows the Culture of Death to thrive. A person holding this view may say he or she is opposed to murder, but can turn right around and murder an unborn child because this tiny human being threatens what they think will be their individual happiness. A mistaken search for love can have deadly consequences. Consider those who promote abortion, euthanasia, sterilization and contraception. What lies at the root of this population control mentality other than a radical individualism, and a willingness to deny another person's right to life to achieve what appears to be the happiness of the moment? This radical secular view is dominant in many areas of society, having convinced many that their happiness lies in sexual "freedom," and in personal glory and wealth. When "developed" nations look at the suffering of developing nations they thus misdiagnose the problem and, therefore, the solution. To them, the solution is to get rid of the extra people, those who are holding back "sustainable development." So they saturate these cultures with media, advertising and "education" that is intended to make them into radical individualists like so many are in wealthy nations -- to change their view of love and happiness into being about self-fulfillment. Most important to these death peddlers is how to convince people to have as much sex as possible without producing children. Of course it's not just in developing nations where this is being sold. The contraceptive mentality, so diagnosed by Pope Paul VI and John Paul II, and railed against by HLI founder Father Paul Marx and many others, has had many consequences other than the intended sexual "freedom" and "women's empowerment." We see the nations who long ago bought into this warped view become far less free, and certainly not empowered. Parts of Europe and Asia are in demographic free fall and can't convince people to start having children again. The most populous nations -- those whose fertility was the highest until recently -- are becoming the economic powers, even buying the debt of "developed" nations who can't be bothered to have children. Even here in the supposedly most developed nation on Earth, our fertility rate is dropping, and any connection between this and our faltering economy is ignored. Among the seven new saints canonized by Pope Benedict on Sunday was Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. At a time when we need to be reminded of what true love is -- that is, a true and complete gift of self -- we receive this great gift of saints we can look up to in our own age. Saint Kateri once said "I am not my own; I have given myself to Jesus. He must be my only love." This love is radical. It is selfless and most certainly focused not on the next moment of fleeting happiness, but is focused rather on the eternal, and bringing the eternal into today, here and now. It is a love that is all about gift -- about the other, and finding a deeper and more true happiness in giving oneself to another. The false narrative that happiness is found in power, pleasure and individual fulfillment is sold to us constantly, even as the consequences that clearly follow this lie are ignored. But we have a choice, a way to use our freedom to truly love others in a total gift of self (cf Gaudium et Spes24). Thanks to Saint Kateri and others even among us who know where to look for true love, we can avoid looking for love in all the wrong places, and firmly set our gaze upon Him Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.   Sincerely yours in Christ, I can hear the music in my head........

AMERICA.........ONE NATION......

My Daughter Melissa is a friend of Kate Quigley whose Brother was one of the Americans killed during the attack at the Libya Embassy......He is Glen A.Doherty a former Navy Seal from Winchester,Ma.who died defending Ambassador Chris Stevens as his Security Guard.
He is an American Hero who stands for all that is great about this Country........and I have been privileged to be given Kate's email to her family and friends.THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE CAN ALL STAND TOGETHER AND PUT PARTISAN POLITICS ASIDE.
I wii let Kate speak for herself and Glen;

Dear Friends and Family,

I wanted to take a minute to share with you all the events that took place yesterday because it was truly a memorable day and I wish so many of you could have experienced it with us..  

We began the day early at a breakfast meeting with the State Departments top officials as well as the families of Chris Stevens, Ty Woods and Sean Smith.  There was raw grief in the room but it was really nice to know that we were not alone in this and the families of the other fallen hero's were amazing.  In speaking with Chris's family they are concerned with the fact that they don't know his wishes for the future, no conversations were had.  I am thankful that myself and others did this with Glen and we know exactly what he wants.  I spent time with Ty's family and he was professionally much like Glen.  A professional who set the bar above the top and settled for nothing less, also one of the best in the field.  His close friend, and former seal who was close to Ty and Glen  told me he didn't let too many people in, but Glen was one of them.  He said Glen could imitate Ty's mannerisms perfectly as no one else could.  I am glad to know that Glen had one of his boys with him, as we all know with Glen that was of utmost importance.  

At Andrews Air Force base we spent a few hours prior to the ceremony again with the families and top officials.  It was here that we met with Obama, Biden, Clinton, General Powell and his wife, Congressmen and Senators, etc.  They all spent time talking, crying, hugging us (I couldn't get Biden off me.....enough Joe!) He was quite a character and had a lot of fun with Jack and Thomas.  He gave them the gold coin of the Vice President which is an extremely elite club to be in and an invitation to the White House....they were thrilled.  Thomas was dying to ask President Obama for his coin but was shy to do it.  He chose instead to drop Biden's coin at the Presidents feet as Obama was chatting with my brother Greg as a way to let him know he had it.  Obama....not to be outdone by the VP not only ponied up his own coins for the boys but boxes of candy with the Presidential seal and more stories and traditions about how these coins are to be used.  We were never rushed and I was amazed at how the highest members of Government knew much about my brother and the others.  Congressman Markey presented us with a flag that he flew over the Capitol building at half mast....we were the only family to have this honor.  Hillary Clinton spoke to us candidly and beautifully about the realities of the middle east.  My boys were truly impressive to all in the room and I was so very proud of them.  Barbara handled herself with strength and grace.  Greg, Alice, True and Naomi were strong and beautiful.  

The actual Ceremony in the hanger made me so proud to be an American, it was beautifully done.  The fact that both Clinton and Obama brought Glen home is something I know he is smiling about (politics aside!)  My story telling, name dropping brother can't tell this one so I will do it for him....but I know he would have loved it.  In the beginning of the ceremony Chris Stevens mother broke down.  Barbara was about to put a hand on her shoulder, instead Obama go up from his seat and came over for one more hug before he himself went up to the podium.  The words and traditions of bringing these boys home were beyond beautiful and I felt a sense of peace inside of me.  There was a moment of lightness as Ty Woods father's cell phone alarm went off and he could not silence it.  Our State Department friend, former Secret Service took it upon himself to relieve the nice man of his phone and shoved it under his leg to silence it..  After all the words and prayers were spoken there were more hugs from all and greetings from Senator Kerry, and John McCain.  The Libyan ambassadors also came to us with hugs and traditional middle eastern greetings and a very surprising/unexpected message.  He looked at me and said "we will get those responsible for this, I promise you that....sooner or later."  It was nice to hear and a promise I hope is kept.  

The mood after the ceremony was much lighter as I think we all had a sense of peace from our experience.  There was some laughter and jokes, and my nephew True was given helicopter twirls from our State Department friend, former Secret Service/Marine/dear friend of Glen's.  It was a beautiful sight.  If Glen were telling this story he would add that he were surrounded by Secret Service to make it feel even cooler.  We said our goodbye's one last time and watched the plane with our boys depart, headed for one more stop before hometowns.  

I am so proud to be an American on this day, and I have witnessed the best in the business helping to make a really shitty time a little bit better.  Politics aside the day was handled with the utmost professionalism, tradition and beauty.  Glen is proud.  Glen is honored.  Glen is home.  

Feel free to forward to any and all, thanks for all the kind words and support,

Kate

DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.....

It is hard for me to listen to all the rhetoric being sent out from Charlotte these days.I have a  memory and I remember things politicians have done, and when I hear them say things that are completely different than their prior actions.....It is hard to stay quiet.

I will leave it this way on this night.......It is their turn.....and it is the American Way.....

I will take the advise of the British who have been a friend and foe.

STAY CALM, AND CARRY ON......

JERSEY SHORES......CAMP SUNSHINE....

I asked for a hero last week.......and I did not get a response......so I found some "right under my nose"

I try not to "kick someone" when the are down,but it was noticed that Jersey Shores has been cancelled.
It  has been a "thorn in my side"that the characters of the show have been popular beyond belief the last few years and been rewarded for their unruly behavior and beliefs;while other young people go around trying to do the right things ... and never getting rewarded or "fully realized for their actions"

I am changing that right now  !!!

Have you heard of CAMP SUNSHINE IN MAINE   ?

Here is a paraphrase of it's website;

"On the shore of Sebago Lake,Camp Sunshine provides  respite ,support,joy and hope to children with life threatening illnesses and their immediate family......."

Meaghan Walker of Lynn, Molly Durgin of Lynn, Brooke Bergeron,Swampscott, Gabe Skelton of Lynn, Lily Gardner of Lynn, Jake Kiley of Lynn and Megan Lang of Peabody along with Teacher
Doug Lowe of St. Mary HS,Lynn,Ma. are the heroes.

All of the above young people took time away from their families, responsibilities and summer jobs to
give love and support to children and families in need during a difficult time in their lives.

God Bless  these superstars.....and take a look at Camp Sunshine and consider volunteering or giving them financial support.