Appreciate Waypoints column
Reading Mark Fiorentino’s column in the April issue (Waypoints, If You Love Me Like You Love Me) really brought home the message that we can love some of our companion animals beyond all reason.
I have also had a great dog, but the partner that I miss the most, almost like I’ve lost a limb, is my Dutch warmblood, Pico. Pico and I shared many adventures on the horse trails in Granby. Hiking those trails today without him makes my heart ache.
The day I read Mark’s column about Apollo it had been nine years (nine years, two months and 25 days, actually) since I said good bye to Pico. The column reminded me of all the exciting, funny, sometimes frustrating, always wonderful times I had with my horse. As much as it hurts to lose a special companion, I wouldn’t trade the memories.
Thanks for honoring Apollo, and reminding us of the marvelous animals that we are lucky enough to have in our lives.
Amanda Lindberg
East Granby
Underfunded not same as unsuccessful
We are writing in response to the recent article in the Vision / Community Education Supplement [inserted in the April issue] regarding the GMHS Fine Arts Booster (FAB) organization. While we certainly support FAB’s endeavors, we hope to provide a clearer snapshot of the performing arts program in our town, as our children have been participants during various years since 2011.
The article correctly credits leadership of the GMHS Dramatic Arts Team from Leeayn Burke, Nikki Currie-Huggard and Janet Spatcher. However, we feel strongly that choreographer Meg Funk and musical director and teacher Mindy Shilansky should be included as impactful members of this group.
Funk took over as the spring musical’s choreographer after many years of dedication from GMHS alum Katrina Rambush. As choreographer for the past two musicals, Funk has elevated the level of performances, patiently adding a whole new element of skill for many students who have never formally taken dance before. Additionally, dancers from her Nutmeg’s Dance Studio have joined productions for years.
Mindy Shilansky certainly has encouraged the involvement of “multiple generations of students” in GMHS’s productions. Even before Shilansky was officially named musical director, she donated her time and talent, preparing students for the musical by providing extra vocal practice sessions. She also teaches the introduction to drama class at the high school, promoting student participation in both the fall play and spring musical. She spends countless hours preparing practice tracks and transposing songs, all to allow students to showcase their best vocal abilities. She is a huge reason for the program’s success.
Which brings us to our final point—the success of the program. It is important to note the dramatic arts program has been successful for many years, well before the establishment of FAB. To suggest “decreased patronage” and the threat of the program’s discontinuation is news to us. It is true that COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the musical in 2020, creating a financial loss. In spite of this disappointing situation, the post-pandemic program came back stronger than ever, with growing numbers of students involved in both cast and crew each year.
Footloose was indeed a smashing success. However, be assured that previous years’ productions were equally successful. Attendance at performances has been robust, although variable depending upon the size of the cast and selection of the show. Productions have received multiple Halo nominations (and awards) for the past several years, acknowledged as some of the finest performances in Connecticut.
The GMHS Dramatic Arts program was never “off track.” We feel it is important to understand that being underfunded is not the same as being unsuccessful. We hope the entire team at GMHS realizes that we recognize the difference and applaud their efforts. Funding is certainly needed as the town does not assist with critical equipment necessities (like the sound system generously provided by the Granby Education Foundation) or production costs. We are confident that with FAB’s support, the program will continue to flourish.
Sara Scotto, West Granby
Deb Ranicar, North Granby
Smart Phones are dumbing down our children
Home schooling has significantly increased over the past two years. One would doubt that parents/caregivers who participate in this form of education allow cell phones during instruction hours because it interferes with direct communication amongst the participants and the children aren’t diverted from the work at hand.
So why are cell phones allowed in our educational institutions during school hours? They aren’t needed to take selfies, check any social media websites, do math, utilize them as a thesaurus, text each other, harass other students or call parents in the middle of classes. They are distracting and rude to teachers who should have their students’ full attention to educate a fully attentive audience.
Allowing the use of Smartphones prevents students from making the most of their 180 school days, virtually and in person as required by state and/or federal law to fulfill graduation requirements to pass to the next grade.
We worry about the drugs entering our country, but cell phones are a drug and a dangerous addiction that interferes with proper development of socialization skills necessary to solve problems, negotiate, debate intelligently, speak extemporaneously and establish personal confidence.
Allowing Smartphones in the school day venue is irresponsible, which is evident in the fact that school grades and test scores have declined in the past number of years.
Susan Patricelli Regan