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- Local Teen Costars with Father in Original Musical Drama at Darress Theater.Posted on: 2011-09-16Local Teen Costars with Father in Original Musical Drama at Darress Theater.
Blairstown teenager Rachel Lawley will be sharing the stage with her father, Gil, in an original musical drama opening Friday September 16 at the historic Darress Theater in Boonton. The play, Lost in the Field, written and directed by Keith E. Brown, exposes abuse and corruption ingrained in the foster care system. Keith's unique insight is fueled by his own experiences as a child within the system.
The musical drama employs flashback of the main characters haunting memories to key childhood moments, interspersed with significant original songs performed by the talented child actors, ultimately returning to the present and the unresolved conflicts with the now grown foster brothers and sisters.
Rachel, an 8th grader at North Warren Regional High, plays Alex, the troubled love of the title character John. Involved in key scenes throughout the production, Rachel is enjoying the challenge of portraying such a conflicted and significant role. She also performs two emotionally wrenching songs, 'Nothing But Trouble' and in her last scene, 'Misery', followed by her death from a drug overdose. 'This is really a good experience for me. It’s pushing me as an actor, because this role is so far from what I am' said Rachel.
Her true passion is singing, especially opera. This summer, Rachel won first place in the Warren County Farmers Fair, singing Andrea Bocelli's 'Time to Say Goodbye', and placed second in the North Warren Community Talent show this past spring. Her prior stage experience was a lead role in the school s production of 'Once on this Island'.
She is enjoying sharing the stage with her father Gil, who made his stage debut in Keith's original play from last spring, 'The Outcasts'. He portrays the grown up Mikey, a complicated character - intelligent, yet deeply troubled due to the brutal abuse suffered early in life. His past leads to a life of crime, homelessness and alcoholism. However, ultimately he is able to turn his life around as an adult and provide some needed insight to the main character. Said Gil, 'In the end, the theme of the play is about maturing emotionally. The past only defines you if you let it. Wisdom is gained from your experiences'.
The play will be performed at 8pm on September 16, 17, 23 and 24 at the historic Darress Theater (www.darresstheater.com) in Boonton. Tickets are $20. Theater phone is 973-334-9292.
- New Jersey Black Bear HuntPosted on: 2010-04-06In New Jersey, it’s illegal to feed bears—intentionally or through improperly stored garbage. Although studies show that bear complaints drop significantly when garbage is properly stored, the Division does not enforce this law. Instead, they turn the other way while thousands of bear country residents—especially on garbage day—violate the Bear Bear Feeding Ban (NJSA 23:2A-14). And when bears are inevitably lured into human environments by the smell of food items in the garbage, the Division then sets a trap and shoots the bear—often right on the homeowner's property.
They then use these very same bear nuisance incidents to drum up support for bear hunting.
The Division is not only breaking the law by failing to enforce the feeding ban. They are sabotaging non-lethal bear management.
Why?
The NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife does not protect wildlife. The Division (formerly Fish & Game) exists to regulate hunting, and to serve the interests of the hunting community. Salaries of Fish & Wildlife employees are paid for via the sale of hunting licenses and their existence is contingent on killing animals.
Could New Jersey’s rapid decrease in the popularity of hunting have the Division eager for increased revenue? They are very active in recruiting new hunters, even encouraging children as young as ten years old to hunt. And black bears, our largest land mammal, is clearly in the center of their crosshairs.
The Division also inflates population statistics by encouraging residents to contact them regarding bear sitings. But whether a resident calls to complain or to ask a question, the call is logged as a nuisance complaint. This manipulated data is further compromised, as 10 calls about one bear are recorded as 10 complaints. The Division then uses these complaints to justify a need for a bear hunt.
When game officers shoot 'nuisance' bears, they reinforce the myth that bears are dangerous. Yet the bears they kill are targeted for knocking over trash, emptying birdfeeders, and lapping up honey from beehives. On rare occasions, when home (or garage) entry is involved, it is the bears that are blamed. The Division refuses to address the true source of the problem: a homeowner who did not bearproof their property.
Division employees—who should be non-biased—argue publicly in favor of black bear hunting and align themselves with hunters. The Division is literally a state-sanctioned hunting organization. And it is clear that they are eager to gun for New Jersey’s largest and most majestic land animal—our black bear.
The Division doesn't have a black bear management plan; what they have an agenda. With each 'complaint' they log, with each homeowner not fined for violating the feeding law, and with each bear they publicly shoot—they lay the groundwork for another bear hunt this year, 2010.
Website:www.savenjbears.com/Home.htmlEmail:hasla1@verizon.net -
Saving Grace MinistriesPosted on: 2010-10-17Are you going through hard economic times?
Please come out and join us for a wonderful dinner held at the First United Methodist Church.
Free clothing and social services are only part of the evening.
Dinner is served every last Saturday of the month from 4pm-6pm. Take home meals are available.
Orders for Christmas baskets are being taken at this time. Please contact Saving Grace if you need help getting food for the holidays.
Ministry Needs:
Saving Grace Ministries is looking for a few dedicated and caring dentists to help struggling area residents with their dental needs. If you can volunteer your time or offer any kind of help in this area, please contact the Director of the ministry, Kimberley Baumgartner.
They are also looking for volunteers to help each month in the soup kitchen. No requirements are necessary, just a willing heart.Website:www.savinggraceministry.netEmail:k_baumgartner@msn.com
