"Fiddler's Green Of Stamford: Not Only 'Room', But A Whole Load Of Compassion At This Inn On Christmas This Year" By Rev. Barbara Sexton 'Dear Ones Healing Ministry'

 FIDDLER'S GREEN 280 Shippan Ave., Stamford, CT

http://www.fiddlerspub.com/

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1805665179&sk=wall

 Dear Ones:

     There it was--the 'proof'.

     More proof, I mean...that Stamford is an 'okay, stand-up, sentient, helpful and fiercely friendly' community.

     And this, on, of all days, an early Christmas morn, filled with anything but the happiness and good-tidings the day ordinarily implies.

     This year, 2011, hosted a most horrendous tragedy, the Badger-Johnson fire, which saw to the loss of three children Lily, Sarah and Grace Badger along with their grandparents Lomer and Pauline Johnson. 

     A frantic Stamford Red Cross worker taxed with the duty of 'canteening' Stamford firefighters and their fellow first-responders, did not know where to look on this December 25, 2011 for FOOD and DRINK for those she has dedicated herself to serve.

     Then she found FIDDLER'S GREEN ON SHIPPAN AVE.  Read here in Angela's own words:

"I had the task to find food for our canteening efforts on a day when most local restaurants were closed," Red Cross volunteer Angela Malizia told Patch. "I was hopeful to see the open sign lit up on the front window of Fiddler's Green. They did not hesitate to help as soon as I walked in and told them what was happening just a few blocks away. 

The owners and customers went above and beyond with the immediate action of cooking and donating of the food, loading my car and giving comforting assurance that we had a place we could rely on if we needed anything else."

READ THE REST HERE:

LINK: http://stratford.patch.com/articles/fatal-christmas-day-fire-in-stamford-ruled-accidental-in-nature
     After days, now weeks of blogging and posting and commenting about our tragic Stamford fire as a neighbor, I'd inadvertently found myself in some unsavory areas of cyberspace which left me kind of...well...kind of 'territorial' about Stamford, if truth be known.

     This surprised me, as I no fan of many things about Connecticut, even after 33 years, although I do love the people I know here.   But in the aftermath of this fire, there I was 'defending' 'everything Stamford'--from firefighters' responses to those by the Badger and Borcino parties and all with a weather eye on what is in my basic nature:

     Fighting for justice as my Christian faith mandates, while looking through the lens of own role as an emergency first-responder as a member of the Medical Reserve Corps based in Stamford, CT.

     I don't suppose it will be a surprise to you that I ruminate regularly on what to expect from our community should a 'worst case scenario' actually transpire.

     From an 'emergency-preparedness' standpoint and cold, clinical analysis, I'd say that we are, in this area, very well staffed and positioned to deal with come what may.

     This is a good to know considering how close we are to 'Ground Zero'.

     We've got 'brains', we've got 'brawn' (often in the same package!) and we've got resources.

     Yet, I've still challenged myself with evaluating just how THE STAMFORD COMMUNITY would pony-up at crunch-time, when catastrophe strikes.

     And I must say that the response to the tragic Stamford Christmas fire has given me a shot of confidence that we are in good stead regarding our ability to handle 'tragedy', large or small.

     As importantly, the kindness and generosity of FIDDLER'S GREEN has gladdened my heart no end!

     So, I would like to publicly THANK FIDDLER'S GREEN of STAMFORD for so generously and selflessly aiding Stamford Red Cross worker Angela Malizia and crew in order to provide provisions for Stamford firefighters and other first-responders early on Christmas morn 2011.

     GOD BLESS YOU FOR THE WORK OF YOUR HANDS AND HEARTS.  THEY WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.

     I enter this New Year not only with a greater awareness of fire safety, but with a renewed sense of the goodness of Stamford.

     So, no matter what 'negativity' you may hear or read about in the press after this 2011 Christmas fire in Stamford, remember that we are going to work through our grief together.

     Come what may, we live in a city where--even on Christmas--there is not only 'room', but a whole load of compassion at 'the Inn'.

May God Grant You Many New Years Blessings

Rev. Barbara Sexton

"The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"

www.DearOnesHealingMinistry.blogspot.com

email BarbaraKSexton@aol.com

 

IS IT POSSIBLE FOR US ALL TO BECOME 'CHAMPIONS OF COMPASSION'?  I pray so!-Rev. Barb

IN HONOR OF LILY, SARAH and GRACE, FROM THE FAMILY

Thank you for all your prayers and support during this very difficult time.
The funeral for Lily, Sarah and Grace will be held Thursday, January 5th at 10:30am at St. Thomas Church on Fifth Avenue between 53rd and 54th Streets in New York City. All are welcome.

Donations can now be made to The Other 364 Foundation, a foundation that has been developed in honor of Lily, Sarah and Grace, whose mission is to champion compassion every day of the year. Checks can be made out to:

The Other 364 Foundation
c/o Badger & Winters Group
135 Fifth Avenue 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10010

love@badgerfamilysupport.com

ROYALTY-FREE MEMORIAL IMAGES:

LINK: http://dearoneshealingministry.blogspot.com/2011/12/god-rest-their-souls-as-stamford.html

LINK: http://dearoneshealingministry.blogspot.com/2011/12/in-memoriam-for-badger-johnson-families.html
LINK: http://dearoneshealingministry.blogspot.com/2011/12/in-christian-sympathy-for-those-lost-to.html

"God Rest Their Souls, As Stamford Grieves" By Rev. Barbara Sexton Dear Ones Healing Ministry

Anyone may use the image above if they so desire.
click to enlarge and right click to save

Please pray for all involved.

God Bless You-Rev. Barb

 "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;

       he delivers them from all their troubles

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

       and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

                                                                          Psalm 34:17-18  (NIV)

"In Memoriam For The Badger & Johnson Families, Friends & Neighbors" By Rev. Barbara Sexton Dear Ones Healing Ministry

"Gone to be with God"

This graphic may be freely used by anyone.

God Bless You
Click to enlarge & right click to save

"In Christian Sympathy For Those Lost To A Stamford, CT, Fire Christmas 2011-To Family, Friends, Neighbors & Firefighters" By Rev. Barbara Sexton Dear Ones Healing Ministry

Survivors:

Madonna Badger, mother

Matthew Badger, father*
Wade Johnson, brother of Madonna Badger, uncle to the girls*
Campbell Badger, brother of Matthew Badger, uncle to the girls*

Michael Borcina
(* not on site at time of fire)

DECEASED:

Lily-aged 10 yrs.

Sarah & Grace-twins age 7 yrs.

Beloved Grandparents: Lomer & Pauline Johnson

     No words can adequately express the depth and breadth of this tragedy.  The Lord, alone, can offer the solace and comfort we all need at this time.  

     When Jesus was first on this earth, he spoke these words...known as 'The Beatitudes'...to all his disciples & to the many people who had gathered around him:

   "He said:

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
   for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
   for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
   for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
   for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
   for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
   for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

All I can add is my cry, "Have mercy, Lord".

Rev. Barbara Sexton, neighbor

"The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"

www.DearOnesHealingMinistry.blogspot.com

Please pray for all involved.

 

   

 

"Stamford Mayor Calls for Partial Evacuation of City and Issues Curfew for City Streets" Posted By Reverend Barbara Sexton 'Dear Ones Healing Ministry'

Mayor Calls for Partial Evacuation of City and Issues Curfew for City Streets

Saturday, August 27, 1011, 6:30 PM, Stamford
Mayor Michael Pavia met at 6:00 P.M. this evening with all City and operations emergency personnel.

“Because wind gusts may exceed 75 mph, I am issuing a curfew of all non-essential, non-emergency vehicular and pedestrian traffic from City streets effective 6:00 A.M. Sunday morning, until further notice,” declared the Mayor. “We are closely monitoring this storm for severe weather and unsafe conditions. We urge our residents to use extreme caution and stay at home.”

Earlier today, Mayor announced a mandatory evacuation of areas that are most vulnerable to flooding. “Due to expected high tides, storm surges, and heavy rains, I am advising anyone that lives in a low-lying area or along river flood plain areas, to relocate to higher ground,” the Mayor stated.

Residents who live on the following streets are reminded to evacuate their homes and move to higher ground. Those streets are as follows:

Sea Beach Drive (#76 and above, even numbers only)

Saddle Rock Road

Rogers Road (#49 and above)

Ralsey Road South (#1 through #37, odd numbers only)

Downs Ave. (#111 through #142)

Ralph Street (#9 and #15)

Dolphin Cove Quay (#160 and above)

Kennilworth Drive West (#73 through #95)

Weed Ave. (Weed Circle, #195 through #225)

Residents should make arrangements with family, friends or other accommodations. If none of those options are available to you, the City has opened a shelter at Stamford High School, located at 55 Strawberry Hill Ave. at 5:00 PM.

Please bring any necessary medications, toiletries and bed linens you will need with you. Shelters are pet-friendly, however all animals must have their vaccinations up to date (tags or paperwork) and must be crated. Please bring food and medicine for your pets.

If necessary, additional shelters will open and be announced on the City’s website: www.cityofstamford.org and on Twitter @cityofstamford. Emergency workers at Stamford HS will direct evacuees to additional shelters, if necessary.

EMERGENCY INFORMATION AND CONTACTS:

Emergency Hurricane Hotline 203-977-8840

CL&P 800-286-2000

Yankee Gas 800-989-0900

LOCAL NON-EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

Stamford Police Dept. 203-977-4444

Citizens Service Center 203-977-4140

Stamford Hospital 203-276-1000

Connecticut Poison Control 800-222-1222

LINK: www.cityofstamford.org/content/40/default.aspx#

"Stamford RESIDENTS & Their PETS Saturday UPDATE For Hurricane Irene: Shelter(s), Preparation, Assistance & Warnings For You" By Reverend Barbara Sexton "The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"

 

courtesy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stamford,_Connecticut

 Dear Ones:
     Today, Mayor Michael Pavia has declared a 'state of emergency' for Stamford, CT:
"Mayor Michael Pavia is declaring a state of emergency effective at 8:00 a.m. Saturday
August 27th, 2011. This state of emergency will be in effect until further notice. The City recommends that residents in low-lying areas evacuate and seek shelter on higher ground. Evacuation should be complete by no later than 7:00 p.m. on Saturday August 27th. To determine if your home will likely be affected please review the maps included in
this briefing. Residents should make arrangements with family, friends or other accommodations immediately. If none of those options are available, the City is opening a shelter at Stamford High School on 55 Strawberry Hill Avenue at 5:00 PM. We are prepared to open additional shelters if necessary. Emergency workers at Stamford High School will direct evacuees to additional shelters if necessary.  Shelters are pet-friendly, but all animals must be crated. Please bring food and any medicines for your animals to the shelters. Please bring food and any medicines for your animals to the shelters. The Mayor has temporarily suspended all parking meter rules beginning at 12:00 p.m. today so that residents in low-lying areas with multiple vehicles can move their vehicles to higher ground. All city parking garages are open and free. Please routinely check you local news outlets for up to date information. The City will issue further information as it becomes available on its website and via Twitter, WSTC -1400AM and News 12 CT.
For further information on storm preparedness visit the American Red Cross website www.redcross.org , and the federal government www.ready.gov for pointers on personal readiness. During the emergency the City will use the Reverse 911 system to send a recorded message to each resident that has a published number.
EMERGENCY HELPLINES – UTILITIES 
Aquarion Water Company 1-800-732-9678 
Northeast Utilities (203) 386-2000
Yankee Gas 1-800989-0900
LOCAL NON-EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
City of Stamford Citizen Services (203) 977-8840
City of Stamford Police Department non-emergency (203)-977-4444
Stamford Hospital (203) 279-1000
Connecticut Poison Control 1-800-222-1222
STAMFORD GOVERNMENT CENTER
888 WASHINGTON BOULEVARD
P.O. BOX 10152
STAMFORD, CT 06904-2152
Phone: (203) 977-4150
FAX: (203) 977-5845
Email: mpavia@ci.stamford.ct.us
Mayor
MICHAEL A. PAVIA"

Read Mayor's Press Release Here: 

LINK: www.cityofstamford.org/filestorage/25/50/IrenePosting_Update.pdf/

      We are blessed to have 'shelter arrangements' in Stamford that will allow our beloved companion animals to be with us when the 'worst' hits.

     May I remind you that many shelters across the country do NOT allow pets into (human) emergency shelters, leaving their poor owners to either abandon them or to risk 'life and limb' in order to stay with their animals!

     In any case, if you find that you WILL need to evacuate your residence, please do so in a timely manner and do it sooner-than-later, in order to avoid very dangerous driving conditons.

     Don't forget that we will likely encounter downed trees and powerlines, dangerous winds and flying projectiles and flooding, as well as fellow travelers in distress if we wait too long to seek the safety of one of Stamford's emergency shelters.

     So, please be responsible and act wisely and decisively.  As we all monitor the 'news' today, of course we pray for those who deliberately put themselves in peril saving others.

     Please, dear God, put your Protective Hands over those who put themselves at great risk in service to others, as they travel to and fro, on missions of assistance and rescue.

     Please, Lord, watch over all of us who will be affected by the power of this storm, that we be not afraid, but safe and secure under You.

     We pray these things in our individual traditions, which for Christians is in the Name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.

AMEN. 

     And one more thing: I am truly surprised by some of the comments being made about Stamford's city public safety director Bobby Valentine 'being out of town'.

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Valentine-out-of-town-during-Hurricane-Irene-2143505.php
http://www.sbnation.com/2011/8/27/2388012/hurricane-irene-bobby-valentine-public-safety-director  
     In this day and age of computer and smart-phone communication, 'mileage' is often irrelevant.  Are people complaining because they wish Bobby Valentine to 'be here to share the experience'?
     Exactly what will that accomplish, considering all emergency personnel know what their roles are and are on 'alert' and ready to roll?

     In fact, 'emergency preparations and training' are done WELL in advance of any actual emergencies.  

     And when an actual emergency is imminent, a more emergent time schedule is developed and news disseminated as in the 'news release' above.

     You can believe that busy Bobby has been putting in his fair share of work.  I'd think that Stamford would be THANKFUL to have someone like Bobby who is essentially a well-qualified VOLUNTEER (who has saved the city around 100K, to boot!)

     I call his willingness to serve 'REALLY stepping up to the plate'!

     But...."no good deed will go unpunished" and Bobby V. is being 'blessed' by those who are griping about him at this time.

     Emergencies/deaths/funerals/grave illnesses ALWAYS bring out both the very BEST and the very WORST in each and every one of us, every single time...no doubt about it.
God Bless Us All
Reverend Barbara Sexton

"The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"

www.DearOnesHealingMinistry.blogspot.com/

Member Medical Reserve Corps.