By Gert Hendry

This past week we celebrated St. Valentine’s Day (LOVE), President’s Day (PATRIOTISM), and Ash Wednesday (FAITH). When you receive your ashes think (there’s that word again) about positive, charitable, unselfish things you can do (rather than “give up” something or do both :) smile!).

Then along comes George Washington’s Birthday known as “The Father of Our Country”. He was our FIRST President from 1789-1797. As a young boy and growing up he learned MORALS, MANNERS, and much KNOWLEDGE needed for an 18th Century adult GENTLEMAN.

At the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia 1775 Washington was elected Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. He took command of troops (not to well trained) and entered into a war that lasted 6 horrific years.

In 1781 with the help of French allies the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown was achieved. In 1787 the Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia, when it was ratified the Electoral College unanimously elected Washington as President. In his Farewell address he “urged” and warned his countrymen in Foreign Affairs to avoid long term alliances”. He died of a throat infection three years after retiring. “George Washington’s INTEGRITY set a pattern for all the Presidents to follow”.

Have you been following these wonderful Olympic Games? The U.S.A. is doing great. In the entire History of the Olympic Winter Games no American ever won a Nordic combined medal until Feb. 14, 2010. Johnny Spillane of Colorado won the Silver. This competition combines Ski Jumping and Cross Country Skiing.

As of Feb. 16, 2010 the U.S.A. has a total of 6 medals – Germany 4 medals – France 3 – Canada 3, with other countries following with 2 or 1 medal. There are still many more days ahead for the Winter Olympics. Sadly it started with the tragic fatal accident of the young 21-year-old Olympian Nodar Kumaritashvill from Georgia (not U.S. Georgia).

During a Luge training run at 88 miles an hour he flew off a turn and over the railing into a pole where he died almost instantly. How dangerous the Luge is and how risky. There are measures being taken to improve the Luge run. Another strike against the Olympics is the weather.

It has been raining and windy making it difficult to compete. In spite of this Hannah Kearney of Vermont won America’s FIRST GOLD medal, ending with a back flip and a 360-degree jump in 27.86 seconds. Hooray for the U.S.A. The Winter Olympics will continue until the Closing Ceremony Feb. 28, 2010. Keep watching and cheering for our young Olympians.

On Feb. 11, 2010 on channel seven at 5:00 P.M. a special on HEROIN was presented. It is known that heroin dealers are targeting children in the suburbs on Long Island (not far from our area). They are using parking lots in Malls and Fast Food parking areas to deal Heroin. There has been a Special Heroin Task Force stationed in a parking lot. As a result, there were at least 10 deals made and confiscated in one day. According to Hospital reports and statistics 4 young people a month DIE from OVERDOSING on Heroin.

These are not just ordinary kids, they are top honor students and top athletes and popular teens. In order to locate these low-level dealers and distributors there were close to 30 Detectives with special dogs to sniff them out. Hopefully, this initiative will save lives.

The program went on to say that Heroin use is usually associated with homeless, back street dealings not the so called all American kid. Caroline Sullivan a substance abuse counselor claimed it is “Your Parents WORST Nightmare”. One Mom on the show whose son died from an overdose – said it was a “descent to hell” and surreal to her and “couldn’t be true”.

He started with prescription pills and when the street supply “dried up” and the cost was greater he turned to Heroin. It was cheaper and today’s Heroin can be snorted. There were tricks used to make it harder for parents to detect the use. Using Heroin became a “status” symbol. The Dealers in order to attract kids dealers have labels on the Heroin bags with modern day symbols. The D.E.A. is trying to track down and find the direct line to distributors.

D.D.D. No. It is not an insect or bug spray but initials to remember and THINK about. Laugh, have fun, enjoy yourself, be the “life of the party” but D.D.D.; “DON’T DO DRUGS”. The results of using drugs of any kind can lead to ADDICTION. Once you have reached that point (I call it the POINT OF NO RETURN) it is hard to turn back. Each person’s body chemistry responds differently. In some the desire is greater than in others and the reaction is not the same.

Many of today’s so called “Role Models” do use drugs and blatantly admit it. In the movies, playing an instrument, singing stars, young people (and old) in bands using drugs. In a recent column of the “STARS: it stated 2 known stars (I won’t write their names) like their reefer but try not to get HIGH while shooting their roles in movies they are making. These are examples to you young people? Some of these known people go for rehab, and have the means to have the best, not once, not twice and sometimes a third time. Not a pleasant experience but that is what ADDICTION leads to. Why take chances with your bodies and minds? D.D.D.

In 1910 that is 100 YEARS AGO my little calendar quoted “Have a vital INTEREST in what is happening around you, and TRY to make this world a little BETTER place, by what you DO. Remember that character, dignity, and DEPENDABILITY are vital in life.

Be Well & God Bless