Lindaedgecombe

Wednesday, Febraury 28, 2007

Rulon Gardner Back on Speaker's Circuit

Rulon Gardner has a whole new tale of endurance to add to his motivational speeches. The Olympic gold medalist was back on a plane, back on the speaker's circuit and back on wrestling mat just days after a plane collide plunged him into a frigid lake near the Arizona-Utah border. Adding the meet to his growing list of near-miracles, Gardner said Tuesday that his disturbing weekend "is an experience I still can't comprehend."

Wearing jeans on a campus where they're not allowable and a leather jacket decorated with the Olympic rings. Gardner spoke at the Middlesex School about location goals and reaching them for about an hour. When the theater had to clear out for national French exams, he went over to the athletic building to provide a wrestling clinic. Why hop on a plane just two days after crashing in one? For the same reason he has resume wrestling just six months after he nearly lost his feet to frostbite in a previous outdoor ordeal.

Friday, Febraury 23, 2007

Leaving the power within untapped

I regret I won't be attending your March 6 inspiring extravaganza at the Ottawa Congress Centre. Unfortunately, this will mean I won't learn how to experience the power within me from exceptional leaders who could change my business, professional and personal performance. All right, I derivative the last bit from your newspaper ad. But truthfully, I couldn't have phrased it any better myself.

I suppose you picked Ottawa as a venue because you finished we need some novel inspiration. Personally, I'm regularly enthralled by the vehicular gymnastics of Highway 417 tail-gaters and lane-changers. Otherwise though, there doesn't seem to be anyone in town to inspire real oohing and aahing.

Yours truly can't go for two lawful reasons: It'll be a Tuesday. My regular employer isn't likely to permit it when I try to explain I'm going to hear Suzanne. Somers inspire me to do I can't understand what. If you'd made it a weekend engagement, I could have used the reason at home of going to a hockey game when a seven-hour brawl broke out.

Wednesday, Febraury 21, 2007

The State of the Global War on Terrorism

Retired General Barry R. McCaffrey spoke to viewers of about 150 students at Spangler Auditorium. Barry McCaffrey, president of McCaffrey Associates and chairman of the board of HNTB Federal Services, served in the United States Army for 32 years and to leave as a four-star General. At retirement he was the most highly bedecked serving General, having been awarded three Purple Heart medals for wounds received in his four battle tours-as well as twice awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second-highest award for valor.

He also twice was awarded the Silver Star for courage. For five years after departure the military, Barry McCaffrey served as the nation's Cabinet Officer in charge of U.S. Drug Policy. He was established for this position by unanimous vote of the U.S. Senate. The presentation consisted of about thirty minutes during which General McCaffrey gave tremendously candid observations on the ongoing U.S. War on Terror. Two of these observations followed piercing questions from Kennedy and HBS students in the audience.

Monday, Febraury 19, 2007

Third lecture in wellness series set for March 14

Stress management will be the focus of the third and last lecture hosted by Morgan Hospital and Medical Center in partnership with First Presbyterian Church in Martinsville and South Central Indiana REMC. Stress management consultant and motivational, fitness and wellness speaker Cea Cohen-Elliott will bring a message on stress management, healing and humor March 14 at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 240 E. Washington St. in Martinsville, with the subject "Relax, Refresh, Recharge."

The MHMC Healthy Community Initiatives sequence is open to the public free of charge. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served fashion. "The lecture series has been a great success," said Marvin Bailey, MHMC Healthy Community Initiatives Team member representing the First Presbyterian Church. "I've been impressed with the interest the Morgan County community has shown towards the subjects of defensive health care and providing healthy choices. We've been very providential to attract qualified speakers to Morgan County."

Thursday, Febraury 15, 2007

Low-key style hid stamina

With a grandfatherly person that masked a astute ability to build power and wield it, Rep. Jim Black became one of the two longest-serving House speakers in state history. Black, 71, a Mecklenburg County Democrat, became speaker in 1999 when Democrats which regain control of the House. He not often came across as a crusader during his eight years of running the chamber. His distinctive response on most issues often delivered in a low mumble was he would have to see whether the votes were there to gain passage.

He could bring a sharp, often humorous rebuttal, but it rarely came off as mean-spirited or unhinged. A reasonable, pro-business Democrat who loved his profession, optometry, Black continued to see patients on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays when the legislature was in session. He stayed out of politics until he was 45 and his two children were frequently grown.

Monday, Febraury12, 2007

Hagel: U.S. must gain world's trust

America will be secure only if the world trusts the nation's purpose, as well as its military power, U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel said here yesterday. Hagel, a Nebraska Republican who has said he's allowing for a run for president, told viewers at the College of William and Mary that the country should take advantage of "limitless opportunities to gain the trust and confidence of the world's next generation."

Hagel has attracted national attention just as a staunch Republican who is vocally opposed to President Bush's plan to step up the number of U.S. troops in Iraq. He was the keynote speaker at W&M's annual Charter Day ceremony, and also the receiver of an honorary degree. In a wide-ranging and often-humorous speech, Hagel acknowledged the need for military strength, but he said the United States should also take pains to preserve the world's trust at a time when world's population is growing and growing younger.

Friday, Febraury 9, 2007

Chamber honors Norton business owner

Debra Nichols will be honored at the Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting today, Feb. 9, as business person of the year, and she credits both hold up of the community and the chamber for her success. Nichols, a Raynham resident, founded Home Instead Senior Care in Norton approximately two years ago. Home Instead assists senior citizens in Mansfield, Norton and the greater Attleboro area, and allows them stay at home as a substitute of moving somewhere else, such as a nursing home. The caregivers help bring seniors meals, take them to doctor's appointments, coerce them to the grocery store or give them any other assistance they may need.

"We help them with things they need to remain independent," Nichols said. Nichols said she is delighted to get the award from the chamber. She said there are many people in the community who contribute to the success of Home Instead Senior Care, including the 50 caregivers who work for the company. Since she started the business by herself, she said there are a lot of struggles someone must conquer to be successful with a business, such as working long days and sometimes wondering if all of the work is worth it.

Tuesday, Febraury 06, 2007

Speaker talks to teenagers about choices

Tom Malloy wants to convey a different message to teens. "When I was a kid, the drug program speakers were all the guys that had been the burnouts, sharing their disgust stories and then telling kids not to do what they did," Malloy said. His significance is: "I've never tried illegal drugs and look at all the things I've done and continue to do." Malloy was among the guest speakers in a day-long seminar titled "Risky Business" that listening carefully on positive choices as well as the consequence for poor choices.

The event is one of the results of a survey last year of Waupun High School students on a selection of risky behaviors. "We discovered that a lot of students were participating in unhealthy dating relationships and underage drinking," said event coordinator and Alternative High School teacher Andrea Utrie. "What we tried to accomplish today is keeping the doors of opportunity open to students by educating them on the long-lasting impact of bad choices."