Winter 2012
Price: Free Cover Photo by David Wachs
Skiing with The Family * ‘Twas the Night From Indonesia to Texas * Fiction & Poetry Spectacular A FREE journal written by young people for young-minded people
Publisher’s Letter
A New Years Wish
W
inter is a time of Good Cheer and holidays that bring us all together. We will say goodbye to Old Man 2012, who tested our resolve, but showed that caring and neighbor helping neighbor is alive and well in each of us. My new year’s resolution is to become a more confident writer and get aquainted with my writers voice (squeak). I am learning so much about writing styles from the young people who submit their work. Their stories range from funny to deeply personal and have made me laugh, cry or just drop my jaw in awe. Each written piece has a distinct voice and personal style. Take the advice column “Sushi” (pp. 10) written by Griffin Stewart. The writers voice is Griff ’s dog Sushi talking! “That darn Sushi!” No doubt it is Griffin’s wit and easy-going style, plus his ability to think like his dog that we read. He genuinely cares about the reader and gives us a fun opportunity to see the world with dog eyeglasses. In the essay “Perserverance”, written by Nataly Romero (pp. 29), her writing voice is from the heart. Its honesty is as arresting as her journey is brave. To me it’s the voice of the essay that is the part that grabs you... that wakes you up…that tells you, “I need to read this!” I am discovering the more I write the easier it gets to find that voice or personal style. With more practice I think it will become second nature and just flow naturally. Like in life, there are no real short cuts. We learn from doing, and then take what we like and what works and let things grow from there! Avoid putting yourself down, keep neutral and discover for yourself...your own writer’s powers!
TOC/Masthead Contents Freshman Year................................................................... p. 5 Music (Interview with Tom Pacheco)........................... p. 6 The Holidays...................................................................... p. 7 Advice............................................................................... p. 10 Fiction (Elemental: Final Chapter)................ p. 8-9, 11-13 Cover Story (Hitting the Slopes)............................ p. 14-15 The Wall...................................................................... p. 16-17 Adventure &ARTBUYYOUTH.............................. p.18-19 Causes............................................................................... p. 20 Shop Local........................................................................ p. 21 Style............................................................................. p. 22-23 Poetry........................................................................... p.24-25 Books........................................................................... p.26-27 Local Sports...................................................................... p.28 Healing.............................................................................. p.29 In Memory....................................................................... p. 30
EDITORIAL
Editor-in-Chief........................................................ Cathy McNamara Art Director...............................................................Grey Ivor Morris Copy Editor.........................................................Monique Martindale
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Carolyn Handel..................................... goodlifejournal@gmail.com
Distribution & Subscription Rates
Throughout the Hudson Valley. Subscription orders availiable at: Goodlifejournal@gmail.com 1 year $25. GoodLife Youth Journal is published by GoodLife Publishing 20 Mountainview Avenue Woodstock, NY 12498
Spring Issue will feature a humor section of interviews and writing. Deadline Feb 9th. To submit, check out back cover.
On the cover: “I took the photo last winter in March or so. He’s dropping the Rock Garden off the Summit Chair of Mt. Bachelor. Straight air over a gnarly stack of volcanic stones about 35’ - 40’ onto untracked snow. The run-out is the hairiest part as he instantly hits about 50 mph and has to negotiate avalanche rubble and a couple sets of traverse tracks.” Photo by David Wachs (father of Lucas Wachs, age 16) Page 4 • www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com
thank you to our generous sponsors! Nick Alba Joan Reynolds Sam & Cathy Margerelli Marilyn Manning
Freshman Year
It’s Almost That Time of Year
By Rachel Castellano, age 18
I
Photo byRachel Castellano
t’s almost that time of year again. The time of forced family dinners, your great aunt’s sloppy kisses, and another cat present from your grandma. The holidays have always been an exhilarating time of year (mostly because of the presents and no school.) However, this year is different for me. After being at college for about 4 months, a long break at home seems necessary and refreshing. For the past 18 years of my life, my dad has recorded the first moments of Christmas on camera. Throughout my last years of high school, this was just one of the many things I believed I was too cool for. However, after realizing that my home isn’t really my home anymore (an example being that my sister has taken over my room), capturing these moments seems important because it’s one of the only times we will all be together. Sarah Coburn, a freshman at Skidmore College says, “My family’s Christmas lasts just about all day because we take turns picking out presents for each person to open…one by one. It’s incredibly frustrating but I’m really excited for this year”. It’s traditions like these that make our families seem unique and special. It’s hard to see this until you’ve been away from your family for some time. Now that I look back on it, Christmas isn’t the only day of this time of year where my family holds traditions. My sister, brother, and I hold a serious passion for sledding and making snow forts. I’m confident that I will be more inclined to say yes when they ask me if I want to go play outside this year. This has been a vital part of my childhood, and I’m not ready to let it go yet. I think it was important for me to realize that at college, even though my Mom’s not here nagging me about cleaning my room, she’s also not here to remind me where I left my favorite pair of pants. Even though my little brother isn’t here playing loud computer games, he’s
“After being at college for 4 months, a long break at home seems necessary and refreshing” also not here to keep me company so I’m not alone after a bad day of school. Most college kids view the holidays as something more special than we did before because we realize that the people we are here were shaped from the people still at home. For those of you still in high school, don’t take your great aunt’s kisses for granted. For those of you now in college, be prepared to realize how much you’ve missed.
www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 5
Music
Tom Pacheco: Why Can’t There be Peace? Caleb: How did this collaboration to produce a song with the Onteora choir and Live Peace International happen?
Tom: Well, the song is really about the approach of war as heard first from nature. From the humble bumble bees out to the whales in the sea. So I don’t have a favorite part. The chorus works and I had written and worked on that song earlier. When Pete Seeger heard it, the song had a lot of references to actual current wars and he said, “You know these wars are gonna be dated, and the song won’t work.” So I went home and I scrapped all that and I kept the chorus which Pete loved, and wrote the verses about nature...and that’s how that came about. Caleb: So, we all know you around Woodstock. I’m sure a lot of people are interested in how you got started in music.
Caleb: How would you describe your music? Tom: I played Reggae, Rock, Country, Folk, Blues. I work mainly solo now. Back when I moved to Ireland I found they really liked words there. You know I started that way when I first played guitar. I’m kinda like from the old trubadore tradition. Its been an honor to work with John, Live Peace International, the kids at Onteora and everyone else that have been involved, including yourself. It’s been a really beautiful collaboration.
Choir for Peace Caleb: Olivia and Eliza, you guys are in the choir at Onteora that sings the song, “Why Can’t There be Peace?” Olivia & Eliza: Yes, the name of our group is called “Sounds of Jazz”. It is an after-school choir that Ms. Kaya teaches. It is separate from the Onteora High School choir. Caleb: How did this whole collaboration between Live Peace International and the Sounds of Jazz get started? Olivia: My mom was asked to do instrumental parts for a song written by Tom Pecheco in a recording studio and so I went along with her. At the studio that’s where I met John Nelson, founder of Live Peace International (for whom the song was being done.) He asked me if I knew anybody who could sing the vocal parts of the song and I told him about our singing group, “Sounds of Jazz .” We all started contacting each other and I got our director, Ms. Krista Cayea, involved (She loved the idea.) It blew up from there. Caleb: What is the message you guys hope the audience gets after you sing this peace song? Page 6 • www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com
Olivia: The general theme and message here is that peace is what its really all about. In the end all that matters is each other, not politics or war. Caleb: I heard the performance of the song is up on YouTube. Eliza: Yeah, we are Ms Cayea’s Onteora Choir “Sounds of Jazz” (most close to 2000 views on of) back row: Kelsey Van Etten, Ashley Rose, Kyle YouTube! Berryann, David Hans, David Foster, Zoe Patschke, Sabrina Mason, Sophie Corwin, Alex Schaef
Eliza Siegel, Dylan Kastel For more information visit Woodstock Live Peace on Facebook or www.livepeaceinternational.org also view the choir singing : “Why Can’t There be Peace?” on YouTube.
Photos by Rebecca Schackne
Tom: That started when Jack Nelson called me up and said “Do you have a peace song? I need a Peace song.” Well, I’ve written over 3,000 songs and I said, “Yah, I have one that’s only a few years old.” So I played it over the phone and he said, “That’s what I want!” We went to the studio on Route 28 and recorded it again, only this time with the young kids at Onteora singing it. It was a real honor. Caleb: Do you have a favorite part of the song at all?
Interview by Caleb McNamara, age 20 Tom: My dad was a jazz guitar player and I was born on a farm in Massachussettes. My first memories were jazz players that came over to the house from Harlem, Kansas City, Louisville, and Boston. So my very first memories are all jazz music. When I was about 7 or 8 I first heard artists like Chuck Berry and Little Richard and all those great artists. I was in Boy Scouts and hating every second of it. I remember it was a gray, rainy day and they happened to have the TV show “American Band Stand” on and all of us were sitting around a table doing rope knots while Jerry Lee Lewis was jumping on his piano and playing. That ended my Boy Scouting career and I started to play guitar about a year and a half later. Then I was in rockbands at the age of eleven or twelve and at 19, in 1966, I moved to Greenwich Village, NY with a band called The Ragamuffins. I was the singer and songwriter and we were the opening act many times for Jimmy James and The Blue Flames, which was Jimmy Hendrix before he went to England and became a star. Going from a farm to NYC, I started to listen to all kinds of music.
The Holidays
‘Twas the Night
By Alexis Parkhurst, age 16
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
Holiday Fun By Esther Harrington, age 16
I
know, I know. I’m usually the one to write relationship columns. But I decided to mix things up for a bit. I am going to do a holiday fun column. Now the holidays are coming up. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah, and New Year’s and with that comes those long snowy days. I know it’s fun building snowmen and throwing snow balls. But we all eventually get cold and go inside. But
Photo by Susie Sofranco
“A
Visit from Saint Nicholas” has become a well-known poem in the Christmas celebrating community. The lines are read to children at school, at home, and shown throughout the media. Many people are able to recite the lines, but when asked the history of the poem would not have the slightest idea of where it came from or the impact it has had on the holiday culture. The author of this classic Christmas poem was
unknown for a large span of its popularity, as it was published anonymously in a paper on December 23, 1823. It was not until 1844 that Clement Clarke Moore had claimed ownership of the piece, his neighbor having submitted the poem to the paper 20 years before. When the word Christmas is spoken a few specific images probably pop into the average person’s head. These include the idea of Santa Claus riding a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer, stopping at the chimney of every house to deliver presents to children. “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” created this image taught to children generation after generation. Without it, we would not view Christmas in the same way we do. Moral of the story: The next time you or someone you know keeps their good work unpublished, remember “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” and the true power that words can have.
what if we become bored? Well, I’m here to keep you entertained. First, I want you all to grab your birdseed, pinecones and peanut butter. What is this for? Squirrel feeders. Yes, they may be pesky but they are literally the only animals out during winter besides deer. I also have a pet squirrel so they are especially close to my heart. During the winter squirrels need food and will hop and pounce all over the place. That is very fun to watch from the indoors. So take your pine cones, tie a string to them, rub them with peanut butter and roll them around in bird seed. Then watch those squirrels go! Last, but not least, use the internet. There are so many ideas for what to do on a cold winters day. So HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 7
Fiction
Elemental Magic (Part IV)
Illustration by Jesse Ditkoff
Our story thus far... Adam and his friends, banished from Arcantile, have escaped from their pursuers, but only temporarily. As it turns out, V has found them. As we lay on the grass, panting worse than a dog that was out in the hot sun all day, an idea sprang to my overworked and short-circuited brain, “Where are we?” All I knew was three things: -It was daytime -We weren’t on the Mainland -And maniacs weren’t chasing after us. That was it, the only thing we were sure of and the only thing I cared about at the moment. Too much had overwhelmed all of our brains in the last 24 hours, and we didn’t want to complicate things. “Does anybody know where we are?” Zach asked, as our fried brains started to recover. “Underground.” James said, either being sarcastic or hallucinating. I thought the former. Sasha had sat up and was poring over the map. “I think we ended up in a kind of transitional phase, in between the Mainland and the world to the west.” That sounded plausible, and a look up into the blank sky convinced me thoroughly, we hadn’t generated enough magic. A door hung in midair about thirty feet away from where we were lying. It was suspended in the air, and slightly glowing, subtly calling attention to itself, like a student at the back of the classroom, waving his hand in the air but not making a sound. Sasha put her hand to her mouth and yawned, “I’m going to sleep a while.” On that note, she promptly lay her head on her duffle bag and fell asleep. Zach looked at the door behind him wistfully, and said, “If you guys don’t mind, I think I’ll follow suit.” Several minutes passed, with James rummaging through his bag and me staring at the door. Something felt like a trick, but I couldn’t figure out what it was. Was it related to the constant high frequency tome in my ear, like a prolonged scream? I was too tired to care, and promptly lay on the grass and tried to catch 70 winks (us Elementals sleep more than mortals.) Those winks did not come. The screaming must have detained them. Being tired of hearing the noise, I covered my ears with my hands and rolled into a ball. That helped, sort of. ... Several hours later, the four of us woke up at the same time, as if our minds were set to a network of alarm clocks. “We should be going,” Sasha said, “this in between place is draining my wand too fast for comfort.” Even though I had just slept, I could
By Helen Schauffler, age 11
feel my magical reserves draining rapidly. A thunder cloud rolled over our heads at an unnatural pace. A darker image floated out from the main cloud, like a jigsaw puzzle with one piece missing. It took the shape of a V, and floated back to mingle with the rest of the thunderhead. A roll of thunder was heard in the distance. “V isn’t just in the mortal world anymore.” Zach said, “He’s coming this way.” His face went pale, as if he knew the damage the tyrant had done. We all climbed onto Alastar as fast as we could, not wanting to get caught in the rain. Zach and I followed the same procedure we had used the first time we had to pass through into a new magical world. We landed in an ocean, the waves lapping at Alastar’s wings. I scrambled off and observed the surroundings. Sand dunes took up as much as you could see to one side, the ocean rolling and billowing on the other side. I thought I should be drawn to the water, like a water Elemental normally would. I felt strangely off balance, like there was too many living things per square foot. I had felt this unease before, thinking I was claustrophobic. But when this started happening when there were jus one or two healthy people in the room. My “claustrophobia” was on overload in this place, near the ocean. The seagulls screeched overhead, dropping oysters and mussels on the rocks, narrowly missing our heads. I saw a splash out to sea, and a flash of orange came from the same place. We had landed in a mercolony.
“We had landed in a mercolony.”
Due to various reasons, the author has decided to not continue serializing her story in the publication. If you would like to continue reading the story, it will be continued on figment.com. There is a search engine in the upper right hand corner of figment’s home page, typing Elemental Magic into the field and selecting the first result will bring you to the story. Even though the cover will say the author is Violet G. Bass, it is the same story. If you are a youth author, I highly recommend joining this website. Page 8 • www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com
Fiction
The Hobo and the Bottle
By Sammy Corwin, age 13
Illustration by Megan Stack
Previously in “The Hobo and the Bottle”: Aladeen literally bumped into hobo Joe, who granted his wish to be able to hear when people are coming so he knows when to run. The problem was that everything was way, way, WAY too loud. Hobo Joe said that to undo his wish he would need to get a bejeweled bottle from Jophare, the fattest and most disgusting person Aladeen had ever seen. Armed with only his lucky flashlight and Joe’s coat, he sets off on the most dangerous and exiting adventure of his life. He is currently on the 4th of the old Chuck’s Light Bulb Factory.
J
and Aladeen was no exception. He watched in horror as the box slipped from his grasp and hit the floor. As soon as it shattered, Jophare sat bolt upright and looked over. Aladeen was not, however, looking at Jophare’s attempts to get up, but at what was in the box. The contents of the destroyed box was the most beautiful bottle Aladeen had ever seen. It was tall, skinny, and embedded with every single kind of precious gem you can think of (and a few others.) The glass looked like what I would call crystalized gold. When Jophare finally got to his feet, Aladeen came to his senses. He grabbed the bottle and started running down all the flights of stairs he had came up on. Jophare was faster than he thought, but Aladeen was much faster and soon lost him. He made it to the third floor when he saw Jophare right in front of him, glowing a strange yellow. Aladeen turned left, hoping to lose him among the shelves. His plan was working until Jophare threw the first fireball, just missing him by mere inches. He dived forward and just made it out the door when the door exploded right behind him. He was outside and knew he had to be anywhere but there, so he headed for the nearest bridge he could think of. He would hide under it until tomorrow. As he was running, he heard a scream of rage that he would never forget. (To be continued...)
Part #2 ophare was the most disgusting human being that Aladeen had ever seen. His torso was bigger than the world’s biggest ball of twine. He had too many chins to count, and his limbs looked like giant marshmallows stuck together by lard. In other words, he looked like a much less than pleasant and an overstuffed Pillsbury Dough Boy. Luckily, (thanks to Aladeen’s lucky flashlight) he was asleep. Aladeen started scanning the room for the reason he was there in the first place. After a few minutes, he spotted a box made completely out of light bulbs. He guessed that the bottle was the only thing Jophare owned worth putting in that box. Carefully and quietly, he made his way toward it. He was three feet away from it when Jophare let out the snore to end all snores and rolled over. Aladeen didn’t move for what seemed like hours, until Jophare settled down again. As quickly as he could, Aladeen moved forward, grabbed the box, and started to leave. He couldn’t believe he’d actually gotten it. He WOODSTOCK DAY SCHOOL was so nervous that his palms were sweating. NURSERY THROUGH GRADE 12 As many people know, when people’s palms are sweating, it gets hard to hold onto things,
845-246-3744 ext.103 woodstockdayschool.org www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 9
Advice
Ask Sushi
Fluffy Advice by Griffin Stewart, Brooklyn Age: 12
Sushi: Well, I am a mammal like you, so I think I am going to be able to answer this question pretty well. For one, many mammals eat other mammals, so it isn’t always bad to eat meat. But I understand where you are coming from. Think about for a minute, I eat carrots, celery, apples and anything my pack gives to me. A lot of it is delicious vegetables or fruits. So, you would have to be serious while crossing over and for one I heard some stories about my pack, before they had me, that they were vegetarians, too. I’ll give you a list of good foods that give you a lot of vitamins and minerals, as well as some meat substitutes. Goji berries. Lots and lots of goji berries. They are good for you. Carrots are my favorite. And they should be yours, as well. Celery. And I hear, big hearty soups are really delicious. You could plop basically anything in your soups: a lot of tomatoes, potatoes-- potatoes especially because they give you a lot of carbohydrates. Soy is a good substitute for meats. Eggs are a delicious and an easy source of food, so are beans, rice and quinoa. Quinoa, I am pretty sure is a Superfood, too. If you look online and look for a list of all the vegetarian foods you’ll find there’s quite a lot. And also, too, if someone makes you an amazing beef stew that looks so delicious and healthy, it’s okay to eat it sometimes. It doesn’t make you a bad person to eat it now and then. If you feel out of balance and say , fish have a certain protein that you need, just buy a can of tuna and eat it. What I am trying to say is don’t beat yourself up about slipping up now and then. If there is a great meal in front of you that someone slaved over, do them a favor and eat it. Plus, don’t think I forgot about one of the main parts of your question. If you are really serious about it, just tell your parents how you feel about wanting to not eat a lot of your mammal friends. Also, do
research about being a vegetarian. Then strike a good conversation about it. If you feel calm and collected, they’ll see you as an equal, not as an underling. So keep your wits to yourself and stay calm and collected so that you can no matter what happens, even if they do say no, after all that you tried... don’t get super angry at your parents. Maybe they just have a very meat-related diet and they can’t take it out immediately. I don’t really have too much information about your family because that would be kind of weird if I did, so good luck and that’s my Sushi wisdom to you!
“I am a mammal like you”
H
ello Dudes and Dudettes. It’s another “Ask Sushi” with the always glorious me, Sushi. A lot of good stuff has happened. For one, I had a carrot today. And Griffin went out for almost-ever and I thought he would he never come back, but yet, he’s back. A lot of bad stuff has also happened, like the Hurricane Sandy. Or is it Frank? Or maybe it’s Steve? Hurricane Frank hit the four boroughs, New York, Brooklyn, Long Island, Queens and New Jersey, as well. It’s pretty bad. A lot of places got ruined and lot of people’s house got destroyed. You know, what is even sadder is Long Beach has been almost completely destroyed…well, you know, really badly damaged. Stupid Frank slash Sandy slash John slash Bob! Let’s hear some questions now. From Kayleigh Ann Myer: “I really want to try becoming a vegetarian in support of the rest of my mammal friends. How can I convince my parents I can stay healthy while making the transition, and what are some yummy meat substitutes?”
Page 10 • www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com
Mimi Ngo writes: “If one doesn’t agree with something bad his or her friend is doing, what might he or she do?” Sushi: First, might I just say that this is a very good question. I cannot do the greatest answer and if you feel it is half sided or doesn’t really help the problem, it is because the question is a little too imprecise, but I do understand why you didn’t say what that person is doing, so that it will not ruin your friends relationship with you or anything. I understand. So in advance, I am sorry if this answer does not help completely. If your friend is doing things that could ruin someone’s life or his own life then you should immediately tell someone’s parents, or teachers before it gets out of hand. But even if that person is doing something like weed or graffiti or even the worst of the three stealing from a convenient store…then you should try to either talk your friend out of it or even still tell that person’s parents or teachers. Or, if the person is trying to get you to do it with him or her, say, “No.” Even if he or she is your best of friends, there is no point and no reason that you have to do that if you really don’t want to. If it was up to me I would bark at them until they stopped or I could always lick their hand so that they couldn’t do it. Then that way, it’s also a win for me because I LOVE TO LICK! So, what I am trying to say is, don’t do what this person is doing if you don’t want to and also try to persuade or get that friend out of doing something bad. And that is my Sushi wisdom to you. (Well my always-wonderful fans, that was “Ask Sushi.” Doggie out!)
Fiction
Crocodile Tears
I
“Maybe these
crocodile tears will come in handy again some day.”
Illustration by Caleb McNamara
t was so hot and dusty that day, she could hardly wait to reach the river. In the sweltering noonday sun, even flapping her ears as hard as she could was not enough to cool her down. Tumba’s huge grey head was filled to the brim with thoughts of water, cool delicious trunkfuls of water. Upon reaching the river, she extended her trunk and sank down on the side of the river bank. As she relaxed into her long awaited drink, she allowed her trunk to sway a bit to-andfro in the water. This movement drew the attention of a bumpy log floating nearby. It began to drift ever closer to get a better look. This “log” was none other then Kaban, an old craggy croc with failing eyesight. He saw the elephant’s trunk as a water snake, a favorite treat that he was rarely able to catch. He closed in and was finally upon it. With a quick snap of his mighty toothy jaws, he grabbed hold of his tasty treat.
By Children’s Author John Covenant
saw something moving in the water and I snapped at it.” Tumba replied, “You looked pretty chubby to me.” Kaban replied, “Oh that…I tripped across a dead zebra the other day. That’s why I look this way! He tasted terrible. Please, just stomp on me and put an end to my misery.” Touched by his story and tears, her first instinct was to attack him. But she was a kindly creature by nature and was touched by his tears. Finally Tumba said, “Just this one time I am going to let you go. But if you ever bite me again, there is a rubber tree with your name on it.” Slowly Kaban slipped back into the water. When he was far enough from shore to be safe he was tempted to call back to Tumba that he had fooled her. But then thought, “Maybe these crocodile tears will come in handy again some day.” And the smiling croc treaded down the river with a new trick under his old hide.
For a few precious moments, the old croc was in bliss over his good fortune. Then suddenly Kaban felt himself being pulled out of the water by his tasty treat. When He looked up he came eye to eye with his “meal”. As the elephant continued to pull him out of the water she said, “There is a perfect rubber tree for you old croc and I shall knock you silly on it. Will I ever!!” Tumba was one very huge, very angry, very hurting elephant. Kaban had only one chance and he seized it.He immediately let go of the elephant. All the while he continued to look up at her with numerous crocodile tears flowing from his eyes. Tumba, though very upset and angry, was confused by the croc’s behavior. She thought, “Why isn’t he trying to escape?” She asked, “Why are you crying?” And he whimpered as much as a croc can whimper. You don’t want to know.” Tumba, now curious said, “Yes, I do want to know.” He whimpered back, “I can barely feed myself. I www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 11
Fiction
“O
Free Hugs
from the usual giggling girls who came up to him. She looked about his age, despite her small size. She also looked fairly…sad. Her gaze was lowered down to the ground, and her eyes had a hazy look to them. He couldn’t really tell, but her eyes flashed the colors cerulean and amethyst. They had pride and self-control written all over them, along with loneliness. The girl stopped and stood in front of him, not looking up at him. He could tell she was distressed about something, considering her tightened fists and trembling shoulders. He couldn’t tell if she was crying or was really angry, but whatever it was, he was sure it wasn’t something good. She was quite pale, but not sickly looking. She had a bunny scarf loosely wrapped around her neck and inner shoulders –even though it was summer. She was wearing a casual lilac sundress with a cardigan and pretty earrings. Despite looking fairly attractive–if he could say so himselfshe lacked “life.” She looked downright depressed, which didn’t suit her at all, he decided. Before he even knew what he was doing, he opened his arms out for her, much to his surprise. Sure, he was pretty uptight and cranky according to his friends, but he definitely wasn’t incapable of being sympathetic and kind. He wasn’t as mean as some people thought he was due to his constant scowl. He actually had a big heart on the inside, not that he would admit it though. The girl stared at his open arms for a minute, before running into his arms, hiding her face in his chest. Her arms wrapped around his waist and her fists balled up his shirt. He just blinked down at her, debating what he should do. Upon feeling wetness on his shirt, he realized that she was crying. Not being able to stand watching a girl cry, he did what he usually did for his sisters when they would cry. He dropped the “Free Hugs” sign and hesitantly wrapped his arms around her. Awkwardly, he patted her back affectionately, imagining his friends in the café laughing at him. Not that he cared, though. They stood like that for several minutes, just silently embracing (he blushed to the side.) She sniffled, and raised her head, looking up at him curiously. Realizing how awkward the situation must be for him, she let go, blushing. “Uh…sorry about that!” she said, wiping her eyes. “This is so embarrassing.” He just stared at her like a gaping fish, not sure what to do. Noticing his own staring, he shook his head, “Um…it’s okay. Obviously, you’re sad about something. And my mom used to always say hugs are the best kind of medicine, and considering the sign I was holding…” “That’s cute, what your mom said, I
“Before he even knew what he was doing, he held his arms out to her”
Page 12 • www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com
Photo by Dylan McNamara
kay, just stand here. We’ll be in that café over there watching in case you get bombarded by girls so we can laugh,” laughed his friend, pointing to the café she and everyone else would be waiting in. “With your ‘apparent good looks,’ I’m sure you’ll be dead in no time. Good luck!” He frowned and glared at his so-called friends, who happened to be sticking out their tongues at him as they retreated to the safety of the café. If this is what his father meant by “the goodlife,” then he wasn’t exactly feeling the thrill of “really living.” He sighed as he held up the “Free Hugs” sign, trying to ignore a group of giggling high school girls coming his way. Why was he doing this again? Oh yeah, that’s right, he lost a bet at that party yesterday. “Wow, you’re so handsome!” squealed a high school girl as she hugged him tightly, with her two other bubbly friends following behind, much to his dismay. They all hugged him as if they were children hugging a man in a giant bear costume (except he swore one of them pinched him.) They reeked of perfume and nasty candy-smelling lip balm. He tried really hard to not push them off, but his patience only went so far. He then wondered, were the hugs supposed to be reciprocated? If they were, then he must have been doing it all wrong. The next hug was from a little girl, and due to his soft spot for children, he hugged her back and even gave her a little smile. She then asked her mother if she could keep him ‘cause he was cute, which was kind of weird, but luckily her mom said, “Maybe when you’re older.” That was equally as weird, but he let it slip. Several more dozens of people came, hugged him, and went on their ways as casually as they came. It was strange to say the least. What compelled these people to go and hug a complete stranger because he held a “Free hugs” sign? It didn’t make sense, but he did remember that his mother used to always say, “A hug is the best medicine there is.” He used to believe her, but nowadays, he couldn’t say as much. Maybe hugs just didn’t work for him? He watched as the group of girls, who had just hugged him, walked away sighing. There were five girls in the group and each one held on way too long for comfort. (He couldn’t say he would be surprised if he found their numbers in his pockets later) Crazy girls…, he thought to himself, rolling his eyes. He sighed as his saw another girl approach him. Except this girl was different
By Mimi Ngo, age 14
Fiction
Photo by Ashley Ford
mean.” She smiled at him, and wiping the last of her tears from her face. “I have to say, though, she’s right. I really needed a hug…it kind of made me feel like someone was there to catch me after I fall, even if it lasted a short while. So, thank you and tell your mom thanks for me.” He scratched the back of his head, “Well, my mom’s kind of gone, but I’ll tell her anyways” he said, sending her a genuine smile. She widened her eyes and bit her lip, “Oh, sorry. Forget I said that!” “It’s fine. And nice to meet you,” he said, extending his hand out to her. “Uh…nice to meet you too,” she said, shaking his hand and smiling.” Now that she was smiling, he could really see the beauty behind her eyes. She looked a lot prettier when she wasn’t crying. After an awkward silence, she started to play with her scarf. “It was nice… hugging you. So maybe we’ll see each other around sometime. I go to the school here, and if you go there, too, maybe we’ll see each other and talk sometime,” she said nervously, not knowing what to do. “Uh, well, I’ll see you later,” she waved to him and started to walk away, not expecting her wrist to be grabbed. “Wait!” As of that moment, he honestly didn’t know what he was doing. He was running purely on impulse, and it was probably making him look like an idiot. He didn’t know why, but he wanted to learn more about this girl. As corny as it sounded, he felt like there would be many more times that they will cross paths in the future, like there was a reason why they met today. “How about we talk now? If you’re not busy or anything… if you want, we could go to a restaurant or the park or something…,” he said, slightly nervous. He was never good with the ladies. She lifted one of her brows, and smirked, “Sure, but how about you ask me normally to go on a date, Mr. Smooth?” He frowned, and made a sound similar to “che.” She chuckled and grabbed his arm, dragging him to follow her. “So I’m taking it’s a ‘yes?’, to which she nodded her head. As they walked side by side, she suddenly popped a question. “Just wondering, why were you holding a ‘Free Hugs’ sign, anyway? That isn’t going to get you fangirls,” she said teasing him, as she poked him in the side playfully. He glared at her and smacked lightly at her poking hand, “Lost a bet at a party yesterday. And how about you? Why were you crying?” It suddenly felt like they had known each other for years. It was easy to talk to each other, and the atmosphere was as clear day.
She was silent for a moment, “Just some family problems, which isn’t new. And I had just lost my job and one of my friends, but that’s life I guess.” She shrugged and continued, “I had finally hit my limit, and just broke. I hate crying, and I’ve been crying for awhile now. When I was walking before, I had just calmed down. But once I saw you standing there with that stupid sign, I honestly didn’t care. I knew I needed a hug, which led me to cry again once I hugged you. After that hug though, I suddenly felt at ease…it was really stupid,” she finished, laughing at herself. His face softened and he smiled genuinely, “You know, it’s not bad to cry. It doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human.” She smiled up at him, “You know, I feel like we were both at the right place at the right time.” “Why do you say that?” “I think we were meant to meet. I’m glad I met you, and I’m happy you lost that bet. I wouldn’t have wanted you to win anyway,” she said sticking her tongue out at him. It was fun to poke fun at him even
“The girl stared at his open arms for a minute before running into his arms” though she barely knew him. He glared at her before saying, “I feel the same way. I think we were connected even before we met, despite the cheese. As strange as the meetings might be, we will always meet.” Watching from the cafe his friends all stared, wide eyed and mouths agape. Did he just leave with a girl? One friend started crying hysterically as he watched his best friend walk away with a girl even before he did. “How could he? Friend betrayer!” “How about that? I think I might try this Free Hugs thing,” said another, smirking behind everyone. Before he knew it, a girl smacked him over the head with her sandals, “No girl would want to touch you, Baldy!”
www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 13
Cover Story
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e all love snow. Whether it be for snowball fights, snowmen, snow-angels, or just for general ram- can be a bit scary. But, if you don’t learn, you’ll never get the pleabunctiousness. We love to watch it from our win- sure out of it. Also, once you learn and come back a lot and get your dow, sipping hot chocolate next to our blazing muscles used to the movements, it becomes like riding your bike: fire, or riding through it on our rickety plastic sleds. And, most of you never forget how. all we love to ride the chairlift up the mountain, and then speed If skiing or snowboarding just really isn’t your thing, and you redown it on our skis or snowboard. ally don’t think it’s right for you, you can always do snowtubing. A Snowsports are loved by so many people. It makes a great outing lot of the places I mentioned (including Hunter) have a snowtubing for a family, or a superb way to bond with friends. You can even go option, which is most definitely a blast. solo for a bit of solitude, though of course you won’t be totally alone. You may hear people say, “Snowboarding is much harder to It doesn’t matter if you can just inch your way down the bunny hill learn than skiing”, or something along those lines. This is true. or if you’re doing 360’s off the jumps Snowboarding takes a lot more fallin the terrain parks, the mountains ing, and a lot more practice to get are a great place for a day of boistergood at. Skiing is not by any means ous fun. easy to learn, though it takes less In our area, a massive amount of time and, usually less injuries than people ski or board and we have some snowboarding. However, once you of the best places to do it. Belleayre learn snowboarding, you’ve got it. Mountain is great for both beginYou’ll probably get better as you go ners and experts. If you’re just learnalong, but basically once you learn ing, you may want to consider a lesthe basics, it’s just practice. Skiing son from one of their great teachers ,on the other hand, is not the same. who will get you up to the top of the Once you learn the basics of skiing, mountain in a jif. it is much harder to become an exThe same goes for Hunter Mounpert at it. tain, though, as it is larger there are My last bit of advice, is not to some more challenging slopes. As worry about falling. Of course well as being fun, these great family you’ll fall. It’s inevitable. You can’t destinations are also relatively close to Skiing the North face of Mount Snow go skiing or boarding without fallmost Hudson Valley dwellers. ing a couple of times, at least. If you do happen to seriously hurt There are also many more smaller mountain, that, if they are clos- yourself, there is never a staff member, or ski patrol member far off. er to you, are just as good of of bet as the major ones. These include So do not be discouraged by the thought of falling. Trust me, I know Windham, Plattekill, Catamount, and many more. it can be scary at first; but take my advice and try it. The thrill of it, Skiing or snowboarding can seem a little intimidating at first, and just the pure, raw, energetic fun of it, is totally worth falling a even for an experienced skier. That first day back on the mountain few times. Because after all, you’ll just get back up, and keep at it.
Page 14 • www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com
Photos on this page by Dylan J, Central NJ
Leo Lasdun, age 14, Woodstock
Cover Story
Lucas Wachs, age 16, shredding the slopes Photos from Mt. Bachelor (Oregon). Photos taken by David Wachs (father of Lucas).
Here’s some places to ski, accessible from the Hudson Valley: www.huntermtn.com www.windhammountain.com www.belleayre.com frostvalley.org catamountski.com (Massachessetts) mountsnow.com (Vermont) mtbachelor.com/winter (Oregon) www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 15
the wall
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illustration * art *
manga * photo * comics * digital * lifestyle * Satire
Artwork by Jonathan Rowan, age 12
Artwork by Lucie Parker, age 10
Doodles
My mind was wandering. I was drawing a girl (with marvelous hair, because I LOVE drawing hair), and I realized that I had colored Sharpie art pens in my bag that I hadn’t gotten a the chance to use yet. I thought, I’ll add some color to her hair.... and then again, why not add some color to the fantastical aspects? You just have to find the color. By Hannah Corwin, age 16
www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 17
Adventure
Habitat: Indonesia
By Susie Sofranko, age 20
I traveled to India to work for Habitat For Humanity, buiding houses for those less fortunate. Captions (Clockwise from top left) I am happy to help with the heavy lifting; Three dolphins join us for sunrise at Lovina Beach; The widows celebrate the completion of their two new houses; We all pitch in to scrape cement from our tools at clean up time; Our best helpers anxiously wait for their next task.
ArtBuyYouth
Artist: afar25 Astronaut OG, 14 by 18 inches, $100
Page 18 • www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com
A new website for purchasing art by youth (site under construction). 100% of purchase price will go to the artist. Purchase can be made through Shop.Afar25.com or Facebook : Afar25-store
Monkey in Control, 5 inches high, $40
King Mico, 18 by 25 inches, $180
Adventure
San Antonio, Texas F
or my birthday this year I went to San Antonio. I turned 15, and in my culture, it’s the biggest birthday ... but I didn’t want to have a “quinceañera.” So I got to go on a trip to San Antonio, instead. When I went there I knew nothing about San Antonio. Once we got out of the airport, the first thing I noticed was that no one was speaking in a Texan or southern accent. The only accents I heard were Mexican, Latino and a lot of Spanish. Occasionally there would be someone with a southern accent and I heard people saying “y’all.” The city tourist information said that 44% of people in San Antonio speak Spanish and 63% of the people are Hispanic. The weather there at the beginning of the week of October 9th was in the 60s, but most of the week, the temperature raised and stayed highs in the 90s.
By Tessa Flores Reininger, age 15 Section 9 of the General Provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Texas, it is stated how the new republic would resolve their greatest problem under Mexican rule: All persons of color who were slaves for life previous to their emigration to Texas, and who are now held in bondage, shall remain in the like state of The author servitude ... Congress shall pass no laws to prohibit emigrants from bringing their slaves into the republic with them, and holding them by the same tenure by which such slaves were held in the United States; nor shall congress have power to emancipate slaves.” I also noticed that there were no signs written in Spanish at The Alamo. The major sources of income for San Antonio are the military and the tourism industry, in that order. There are 3 Air Force bases in San
“At night, it becomes even more picturesque, with thousands of Christmas lights” The Alamo
My favorite part of San Antonio and what makes it a such a different and beautiful city, is the River Walk, or “Paseo del Río.” The narrow San Antonio River is so pretty, and it has sidewalk cafes, shops and restaurants on both sides. It is 2.5 miles long. More than once, we ate at restaurants that had tables on the side walk and I sat less than a foot away from the river. At night, it becomes even more picturesque, with thousands of christmas lights hanging from the trees and from the restaurants. There are many resturants along side the river and there are wandering mariachi bands that will play you a song of your choice for $10 dollars. Our hotel was a block from the historical ruins of El Alamo. We visited it, but not before we went to an IMAX movie theater to see a movie about what had happened in El Alamo. It was kind of overwhelming to witness this battle on a huge screen. My dad was disappointed because he found out that the complete truth of the story of the battle for the Alamo was not told in the movie, nor in the Alamo itself. In 1929 Mexico abolished slavery and Texas was a part of Mexico. The Alamo fighters who were American immigrants did not comply with Mexican laws and brought their slaves. Since the Mexicans would not allow the Americans to have slaves, they decided to fight for independence and write their own laws ... like this one that states: “in the
Antonio and one Army base. Everything in San Antonio is easy to walk to. You can walk from the Alamo to the Spurs Arena in around 20 minutes. You can also take a horse and carriage, double decker bus, public buses or water taxi in the river. We rode in a water taxi and you could also have a meal catered to you in one. There are many, many huge hotels in downtown San Antonio. I absolutely loved “San Anton”, as they call it. If you ever have the chance I recommend that you go.
www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 19
Causes
One Voice For Laos
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By Jesse Ditkoff, age 18
Photo by Jesse Ditkoff
here has been a lot of change and progress within the One Voice For Laos group since its last trip to Asia this past summer. With a new generation of volunteers taking over for others who have left for college like me the best way to learn about the project is to ask the members about it. So thats what I did. Since the success of the Halloween Dance that took place in Woodstock just recently, a possible ski event is planned at one of the nearby mountains and more dances are certain to pop up this year. Local teen volunteer Sequoia Sellinger is organizing a special entertainment Winter Gala planned for the beginning of January. “By Sunday I’ll know the majority of our acts.” Sellinger stated, “There will be professionals as well as many talented students performing.” Rio Morales, Garland Berenzy and Anna Weissman will also be doing a One Voice for Laos presentation at Onteora High School’s “Diversity Day.” Anna explained, “…we want to take the middle-schoolers through the day of one or two of the orphans, describing how they live and eat and learn, and what the conditions are. Then, we plan on handing out materials for each student to write a letter to an orphan as a pen pal. We hope that this will involve the middle-schoolers on the project without actually having them at events for high-schoolers or at actual meetings. This way they see what we are doing and how they may be able to help in the future. We want to get the younger generation understanding the project and the fact that they may be young, but there is still a way to make an impact.” Mimi Ditkoff, another Onteora student involved with the project, is
The orphans appreciate all the help from One Voice For Laos.
currently creating bios that current members could use on college applications. “Basically, it’s like a short resume of how they’ve benefitted the project so far.” Avery Leighton notes, “I’ve only been doing it for maybe 4 weeks and just knowing whatever I’m doing benefits the less fortunate makes me want to get things done quicker and it feels awesome! Just 3 days ago Adam [Rejto] and I decided to give the $600 we raised from the One Voice for Laos Halloween dance to go towards the dental expenses for the orphans this November. It just feels really good knowing how much of a change we’re all making for these kids and it shows other kids in our area how easy it is to do something [to help].” Hearing all these testimonies from the teens involved, it’s important to remember the goal of this project. I spoke with the founder Evelyne Pouget. “One Voice for Laos would like to continue the amazing work we started last year. If we were to stop sending money that helps the or-
Kids plan an event and create a multimedia presentation for a fundraiser in support of the Deak Kum Pa orphanage project.
phans get the basic needs of food, clothing and education, they would go back to the way life used to be. Our main goal now is to help local teens get involved. With so many now expressing an interest, we want to help the youth to learn how to organize, fundraise, adopt a cause they care about, and change the world.” Page 20 • www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com
Shop Local
FiberFlame
By Alexis Parkhurst, age15
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Photo by Dylan McNamra
hen I was asked to do an article on Fiber Flame, I ing to gather and later clean up all the materials in their own home. At like most people, knew very little about it. I knew it Fiber Flame, parents have to focus on nothing but helping and watchwas a craft store, but did not have a clue as to what ing their kids improve their creative abilities. it offered and why One thing that Christina stressed it was so unique. Then I stepped is that while this new business has into the building and immediately spread rapidly in the world of young understood. Instantly I was fascichildren and adults, it hasn’t had nated by the wide open workspace. much business from high school Across all the walls were shelves students. Their goal is to eventufilled with different ceramics, fabally have a specific time in the week rics, beads, and stamps; almost anycommitted to teenagers. thing I could think of. Each time I While Fiber Flame features a gift passed a shelf an idea of something shop and some classes, its core is I could make formed in my head. the creative walk-in center. Here, Surrounding me were children and a customer will come in, pay $10 adults contently making whatever for two hours of work time, and it was they had imagined with the purchase a “blank” to work on. help of the staff. After seeing this This can be anything from a mug, and learning more about the store to a stocking, to a lump of clay and I realized more people should be much more. The room is full of reaware of everything this business Christina Brady and the author, Alexis Parkhurst. sources and a customer can make a offers. completely unique craft by the end Fiber Flame, located on 1776 route 212 in Saugerties, is a brand new of their time slot. business dedicated to be a creative outlet for the people of Saugerties, One of the best things to give someone you love is something you Woodstock and surrounding areas. It is a place where someone can made yourself. For anyone of any age there is something at the store walk in and make close to whatever arts and crafts they want with the that can be made into a beautiful gift for almost anyone on your list. convenience of having all the resources at their fingertips. Festive Fridays is a day that Fiber Flame offers customers time to The name Fiber Flame was decided between the two owners, Chris- knock off presents on their Christmas list with 10% off purchases and tina Brady and Shea Lord Farmer, by focusing on the two crafts they half off studio fees. Fiber Flame is a great place to visit if you’re tryfelt would become popular at their space. The first was fiber, meaning ing to find the perfect Christmas or holiday present, or just want to materials, fabrics, and weavings that could be used to make original experiment with art and have fun. art. The second was pottery, which requires the use of a big flame and a kiln to harden and “fire” a clay masterpiece. They felt this name was perfect because it left customers questioning what was inside the building doors and the “endless possibilities of a business based on being creative.” Shea and Christina temporarily opened their creative space on February 1st in a garage next door while their current building was being built. They instantly realized that this was going to be a business that the community truly appreciated and took advantage of. By the time they moved into the building they were incredibly successful, finding themselves to be a popular destination for weekenders and vacationers. The building and its art sessions became a type of refuge for people from NYC who suffered from Hurricane Sandy. Families who had lost power or their homes came in to spend time together making crafts to escape the stress. “Even without the storm that’s what’s happening. They’re coming together as families and making things,” Christina explained. For many families, coming to this building is easier than hav-
www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 21
Style
Style, Logic & Stability By Kayleigh Myer, age 15
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hen the term “vintage” suddenly arises in the midst of a conversation, or appears in the title of your most favorite Wordpress blogger’s new post, or is hardly able to be read on that fading sign of the old clothing shop next to the vinyl store down the street, what do you make of it? People of our ages, from children to adolescents, tend to be comfortably familiar with the description, so we most likely do not question or make much of it in the occurrence of the word’s usage. Now, think more visually of the word “vintage”. Perhaps the roaring twenties, psychedelic seventies or grungy nineties come to mind (or rather any other decade coming before or in between.) These time period themes are the idea that the majority of us acquire regarding vintage style and culture. Coincidently, the clothing customs and trends of previous generations tend to make a full circle, and much of the twenty-first century has seen an incredible deal of these fashions as they become reintroduced through the rise in popularity of thrift shops, as well as in the front of stores and websites such as H&M, Urban Outfitters, Free People, ModCloth, Etsy, etc. Provided below are images of stylistic clothing- old and new- that are either from or inspired by a prior decade or time period. Vintage dresses vs modern.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Take a guess at which of Figure 1 or 2 is vintage or pre-owned. They both resemble a similar statuette of attire that a 1950’s housewife from an old television program might wear, except for the fact that one originally cost $90 and the other was an old hand-me-down from a grandmother. Figure 2 is the vintage piece. Button-up tanks, especially those with a top button, seem to be quite popular at the moment.
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 3 is a sheer top with black and white color blocking purchased at a large department store for $35. Figure 4, however, is a similar top but with thicker, sturdier fabric purchased at a thrift for around $3. While both display the same sort of fashion concept, the second image portrays a top that has most likely held up over the course of a few years and is still in pristine condition. The top in the first image has an interesting color trend going on, but the quality isn’t as great as the thrifted piece for the price it was bought at. Page 22 • www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com
Style Vintage and store-bought dress comparison.
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 5, 6 and 7 include a mix of both store bought and thrifted pieces. The first dress in Figure 5 is a simple vintage Ralph Lauren prom gown that an embroidery shop in Saugerties added handmade lace embellishments to. (You can find this shop on Partition Street a few doors down from DIG, virtually across from the wine shop.) The other two dresses were purchased from urban shops- one is from H&M, and the other was a gift. The first two dresses of Figure 6 were purchased at the Woodstock Flea Market for $2 each! An INSANE deal, considering the second is 100% South African Silk. Our flea market is a fantastic place to scope out unique finds. You are ideally guaranteed that not many people will own the same things you purchase from the market, and you are also helping out Hudson Valley locals financially (Most are already so generous to sell their pieces at such low costs). The third dress of Figure 6 was purchased at a mall store’s closing sale at a decent price, though it’s original cost was $95. The dress is actually of a decent quality, but let us keep in mind that it was constructed and imported from Bangladesh. Foreign imports tend to be from factories of poor conditions and extremely low pay, so doing a majority of your shopping through local venues and family owned companies reduces your participation in foreign inadequacies. Maintain your stand against the influx of harsh working conditions by just occasionally purchasing from large corporations.
Finally, Figure 7 includes a pair of Doc Marten and velvety Canadian Bogner boots. Most of us know that Doc’s tend to be on the moderately high price scale, but I must admit that they are a lofty investment. I have had my white Doc’s for about a year now, and despite the vulnerability of their color, they have held up like new, and will probably remain that way for another decade or so as they are notorious for their great quality. The Bogner’s are a hiking boot closely resembling Doc Marten’s. They are insulated with a lush plaid fabric, and have proven to be quite comfortable. I do not have any complaints regarding either pair, and am very satisfied with the both. All of the items shown in Figure 8 are vintage or handed-down (Besides the tights, or course- that would be sort of odd.) This is an example of how apparel from different time periods can fit together all in one outfit. Figure 7
Figure 8
Local shops and places to check out: • Annie’s Downhome Stitchin’ in Woodstock (in the building next to Dharmaware- She does not really have a large sign or advertisement outside the shop). When you walk in, it is practically a huge closet of apparel from what I assume are the 1950s and onward. A great portion of the clothing seems to be from the 60s/70s, and some articles have interesting stories behind them as well. This is my personal favorite shop in the area for vintage finds.
• Various shops of Partition Street in the Village of Saugerties • Various shops around Woodstock, like Castaways across from • Catskill Art Supply • The Woodstock Flea Market And I am positive that there are many, many more around! Go exploring! www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 23
Poetry
Night Life
Poem by Theresa Morreale, age 15 Laughing echoing delightfully down the hall Smells flicker through the air long enough for a memory The light is inviting but at a distance eerie It filters through the crack of the door, Exposing dust near the floor The room full of secrets, wanting to be there A room full of adults, shutting the children out to dream Late at night, the wonders of being older
Never seeing:
Innocent curiosity driving feet forward The smell of cigarettes mixed with alcohol A peek through the door reveals a table of joy They talk feverishly in excited voices Gossip of long lost friends are remembered Stories reveal themselves through foggy memories A blanket snags a chair, making a loud noise The talking stops as she walks to the door, Discovering an eavesdropper She closes the door, blocking the view Carried away to bed, away from the night life
Drawing & Poem by Kaitlana Viglielmo Never seeing does not mean you do not believe. Some say you have to see to believe but they’re wrong. To see is a privilege into making the belief real. When you believe you can go to far-off places. When you see, there’s no more saying the unseen isn’t there. Once you see the untold, the told becomes fiction and the untold becomes reality. And you can never say you’ve never seen. Keep your mind open to see, to grasp the facts of fiction and reality. But you should never say, “I don’t believe” because once you say you don’t, you can’t. And then you’ll never get the chance to see the imaginary that is there, to see what’s not told. There’s more to the mind that doesn’t pass through the eye. You’ll miss out on parts of life if you’re one that never sees..
The darkness of a child’s room is all that is left Forgetting the night light, she closes the door Back to childhood and its unanswered questions Back to naïve dreams of the world And the cloudy understanding of reality Once more laughter is heard as sleep slowly takes over.
STARE We were told not to, and yet, we do always curious, always watching, watch us stare
RAIN It falls, soft at first
Illustration by David Fletcher
Photo & Poem by Lily Pinchbeck, age 11
but then hard pouring down pounding then, a flash of light illuminates the sky
Page 24 • www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com
Poetry
The Bleeding Stone
Poem & Photo by Martha Daniel, age 17 I hear the crows at dusk, see shadows in amorphous lifeand take a breathtry to feel the heart squeezeit’s there, I swearin my head, the hinges creek again.
Eyes of a Teenager
Drawing & Poem by Eliza Siegel, age 15 The old music that is new to me Yellow light Linoleum floor tiles In need of a good wash
There is a war, I’ve heard, mine is closer-
Dancing across the floor
bound by home
Amusing myself with the thesaurus results
and bloodless veins, a subdued, labeled stonea long gone life
For unwise
Covers the stove
I’d trade mine for,
She says
more than once-
Keeps in the heat
And take a breath with mourning at dusk.
Funny How that works
Know life has a job to doFeed the amoeba and lance it lastbleed sorrow fast and stay to carry-
Blue fingernails Dancing across off-white keys Tapping Could be rhythm Could be Something different entirely
off with the crow, peckingmy soul at dusk.
The kettle on the stove Looks prehistoric The eyes of a teenager Know all, anyway www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 25
Books
Parenting in Your Own Voice
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By Audrey Malloy, age 17
ith the holidays just around the corner, whether one up, she was the oldest in a big family. Taking care of all of her younger likes it or not, most will be forced to spend time with siblings, Reynolds’ whole life had seemed like a test drive for raising family. Parents, grandparents, first-cousins once, her own child. However, when the moment came for her to hold her twice, three-times removed, and generations upon own child in her arms, she panicked. She disregarded all intuitions, generations will be crammed around the kitchen table, fighting not feeling confident enough to trust herself, and consulted a mere over who gets the biggest slice of pumpkin pie. The older broth- guide book every four hours. Eventually, after realizing the guide book er will complain when he’s teased wasn’t changing any diapers or tuckabout his non-existent girlfriend by ing her daughter in at night, it dawned Grandpa, and the teenage sister will upon Reynolds that she should listen sigh when she’s forced to play archaic to her motherly instincts, and her carols on piano for Grandma. Many of basic common sense. “‘What do the us gripe and groan when stuck with our experts know?’, I realized,” she exparents and family, but it doesn’t have plains. “No one knows yourself or to be this way. Family is something your child like you do.” A mother can very precious, but not rocket science. try to protect her baby from evils of In their book, Parenting in Your Own the world, but children need to expeVoice, Joan Reynolds and Sheila Dinarience disappointment and mistakes burg-Azoff explain this. - that’s reality. In collaboration The relationship between parents with Dinaburg-Azoff, the two and children is a mystery no scientists started helping parents in a have yet to understand. Upon seeing workshop, where parents of all yet another book about parenting, one Joan Reynolds and Sheila Dinaburgages and experience could come may roll his or her eyes. After all, what Azoff at book signing at FiberFlame. in, ask questions, and learn how makes these authors “experts” in raisto work with their children. ing children other than their own? However, Reynolds and DinaburgDinaburg-Azoff and Reynolds Azoff ’s book is quite the contrary. In fact, it’s almost the anti-parenting then wrote their book, just rebook. Through reading it, it’s revealed that you, the parent, are the leased earlier this year, to help expert indeed. The book is divided into three segments: first, it reveals parents have the revelation Reynwho the parent is. Next, it discusses who the child is. And thirdly, it olds did 30 odd years back. Now, ties it all together, meshing the parent and the child to create a perfect with a daughter of 32, Reynolds is parental harmony. This is why Parenting in Your Own Voice is una more confident parent than ever. like any other parenting book – it revolves around the individuals, as “After all these years, I’m still learnopposed to setting rigid guidelines. The strict rules other parenting ing from her,” she tells me. And that’s what parenting is all about. books set create a great deal of stress amongst parents. Whether they While parenting is undeniably stressful, expensive, and much feel they’re babying, feeding, ignoring, or buying their child too much, more than health class or Toddlers in Tiaras could have ever prepared parents have a hard time trusting themselves. “Our own instincts are you for, it’s something attainable by all. There’s no 3-step parenting or really solid, and we should trust them,” says Reynolds. There are cer- top-secret equation to raising the perfect child, the answer is within tain things parents (hopefully) teach their children in this day in age the parent. Joan Reynolds doesn’t consider herself an expert by any – avoid drug culture, don’t talk to strangers, always have manners. means, but her goal is to make other parents realize that they are the The rest is within the parent. “It’s easier to turn to a book when we experts. No one said parenting is easy, but humans have being doing don’t know something, but [their advice is] not necessarily best for it for nearly 200,000 years. All one needs to be successful is some selfour child.” Reynolds likes to look at their book as a behavioral guide confidence, common sense, an optimistic outlook and a quality set of instead of a parenting book. earplugs. For more questions, find Reynolds or Dinaburgh-Azoff at Reynolds herself has had quite the journey in parenting. Growing parentinginyourownvoice.com.
Homework Lets face it, kids hate to say it, but homework does help. Homework makes us and our teachers know we understand the lesson, but how much homework is too much. In this paragraph you will learn that homework is good and how to much homework is bad. Have you stayed up until 10:00pm or later on assignments, cried or even sacrificed your weekends for them? According to greatschool.org, “Many students and their parents are frazzled by the amount of homework being piled on in the schools. Yet researchers say that American students have just the right amount of homework”. But hold on, it’s not just the kids who are stressed out. “Teachers nowadays assign these almost college-level projects with requirements that make my mouth fall Page 26 • www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com
By Brianna Palmer, age 12 open with disbelief,” says a frustrated parent. “It’s not just the kids who suffer”! Homework is not bad either just too much is. Homework is good too it teaches students to work independently and individually. Some people even find learning in a quiet and peaceful environment like home to be much easier than in a populated place. According to projectappleseed.com it serves as an intellectual discipline, establishes study habits, eases time constraints on the amount of curricular material that can be covered in class, and supplements and reinforces work done in school Kids are over whelmed these days and lets make the conclusion that we need to make schools cut down on homework!
Books/Movies
West Hurley Public Library
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library, which are arranged along the far wall and can be bought for as little as ten cents each. All of these features are enclosed in a recently renovated space, making the West Hurley Public Library one of the newest libraries (they moved few years ago) in the area. Along with these updates comes new technology, such as the iPad that sits on the front desk and the wide variety of Playaway audiobooks. (Playaways are books in a small, mp3 player format that can be listened to like an iPod or plugged into a car’s stereo to hear.) Visit their Facebook page, where an assortment of fascinating articles and videos, such as the origin of the commonly seen slogan “Keep Calm and Carry On,” can be found. All of these features, mixed with the friendly staff and beautiful area, make the West Hurley Public Library one of the most enjoyable spaces to visit for book lovers and peace seekers alike. Photo by Eliza Siegel
he West Hurley Public Library is and is open to the public. Inside the barn are a second home to many residents books for all ages on sale for very good prices. of the area. It provides not only a The books range from old to relatively recent safe environment, but also a fun and interesting space for people young and old. With a large selection of books, DVDs, audiobooks, CDs, and computers available for public use, it is hard to enter and not check anything out. There are many things that make the West Hurley Public Library unique and well-loved. Among these things are book clubs, knitting groups, storyhours for children, various workshops (last month’s was a babysitting training course), and different art activities for children, such The library is fully equipped with computers and printers. as LEGO building night. Another invaluable asset to the library is the book barn. Open daily, the and can be purchased inside the library itsmall building stands right next to the library self. Also for sale are many books inside the
By Eliza Seigel, age 15
Library Calendar Phoenicia Library: Sats: Story time- 11:0012:00 Come and hear a story, and maybe do a craft, do a dance, or have a snack! Visit the new Teen Room too! call 845-688-7811/ or visit on the web Olive Library: Tues: Story Hour 10:00-11:00 Call for other activities for children, teens, and adults! 845-657-2482/ or visit on the web Woodstock Library: Winter Story Times (Jan 3-Mar 17). Tuesday @ 4:00PM for Pre-
school (stories, craffts, movies). Wednesday @ 10:30 AM Toddler story time (stories, songs,crafts). Saturday @ 10:30 AM Family (stories and performers) Wed: Lilliput Players: young actors sessions. Sat: Readers theatre. Call Lesley Sawhill 845-679-7149 or woodstocklibrarykids@gmail.com West Hurley Library: Red Cross Babysitter Class. Nov. 17 from 8:30 - 5:00. ($25). Mon: Pre-school story hour 10:30, Weds: Knitting Group 6:00-830, Movie every 4th monday
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
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By Jonah Martindale, Age 14
his movie was engaging. It is about the hardships of a student named Charlie who has trouble socializing and is going to high school for the first time. The movie was adapted from a very popular book of the same name. Although I didn’t read the book, I heard from a lot of people that the movie was a decent adaption. The story itself had some upsetting elements to it, but flowed along well. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give it a 7, as it had a decent story and the acting was well done, but it lacked that original “something” that truly makes a film great. I would recommend it to anyone who read the book, or anyone who enjoys teen dramas.
Call 845-679-6405 or mailbox@westhurleylibrary.org Kingston Library: Tues Toddler Story hour, 3:00-5:00, 2nd Sat of mo. Origami 10:30-11:30 w/Anita Barbour. Call 3310507 x7 Stephanie Morgan/or Web Poughkeepsie Library: Aug 21 Trip to Norman Rockwell Museum. Aug 29 Summer Reading Award party 1:30-2:30 Youthevents@poklib.org
Cloud Atlas
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his movie, in my opinion, was a phenomenal masterpiece directed by the notorious Wachowski brothers (The Matrix.) It is a very long movie; the length is two hours and fifty-two minutes. However, if it wasn’t as long as it is, they couldn’t fit in the whole story. It all revolves around past lives and the way every life impacts the next. It is told through six different stories. The story alone on a scale of 1-10 makes me want to give it a ten. However, although the story was incredible and came together very well, it was slow at times and could have flowed slightly better. The writing was generally well done, with the exception of a couple scenes. All in all, it is an incredibly well done film, and I would suggest that anyone who is into films/movies see it. On a scale of 1-10, I would give it an 8. www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 27
Local Sports
America’s Most Underrated Sport Photography by Clare Casto, Woodstock Youth Center Staff
Brett Wrixon (staff) and Rafael Hiquita (member) play a match at the Woodstock Youth Center.
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very sports fan has a favorite sport. Mine is ping pong. While most of America accepts ping pong as a game to play in a basement on a rainy day, I play it the way most Americans play baseball and football. I’ve loved it since my parents bought a ping pong table 2 years ago. My obsession is justified since ping pong is an Olympic sport and is played at over 200 American colleges. But America has put ping pong in a category with
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By Ethan Jobson, Age 12
ultimate frisbee and dodgeball in terms of importance. Ping pong is a fast, exciting game with crazy spins and fantastic shots. It deserves better. Even the argument that China dominates at the sport is wavering. This year at the Olympics a 16-year old American girl, Ariel Hsing nearly knocked off China’s Li Xioaxia in what would’ve been the biggest upset in ping pong history. So come on America, let’s put ping pong in it’s rightful place as a major American sport. Find out more about the programs at the Woodstock Youth Center at youthcenter@hvc.rr.com and New Paltz Youth Center at info@npyp.org-
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS Don’t hit too hard. You don’t need too much
power to hit over the net
Practice, practice, practice. This is true for most
sports, but especially for ping pong.
Use different grips until you find out which one
works best for you. For more about ping pong and ping pong clubs in the area go to www.teamusa.org/USA-Table-Tennis.aspx.
Healing
Perserverance
By Nataly Romero, age 18
Illustration by Emily Merritt, age 15
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he time-consuming obstacle of battling depression has long since been a heavy burden upon my weary shoulders. Being a child of the 90’s had unleashed a powerful resentment within me, one I would never come to feel comfortable with. Influenced by music which was influenced by narcotics, the perception I had of my surroundings began to blur and the sheer thought of living life became unbearable. The persistent thought of never living up to anything became my mantra for the following years. It would be a lie if I said perseverance was easy to come by; in fact it took a lot of giving up to finally manage my emotions. The obstacle that showed to have given me the most heartbreak was the discontinuation of medication. Over the course of three years I was used as my own lab rat, testing and retesting medicines with little or no improvement. It was in my Junior year of high school where I reached my threshold; it felt incredibly wrong to ingest a chemical that had the ability to alter my mind. I found myself being unable to stay awake during my first period, then throughout the course of the school day I was becoming irritable. Of course, this was only because I had taken the medication whose side-effects were often the cause for more alarm than the actual symptoms it was supposed to suppress. Soon after I came to the realization that I would feel less apathetic about my responsibilities as a student, and as an inhabitant of my parents’ house, if I surpassed the withdrawal symptoms of my old mind-numbing medication. During the summer before my senior year I began to set my priorities into a more realistic, yet emotionally satisfying order. I realized I had more to accomplish than I thought, and I began noticing something I hadn’t ever before: change. Slowly, but surely, my mood had evened itself out without the disturbances of other drugs, and I was starting to think more clearly throughout the day. It seemed as if I had conquered the most debilitating obstacle: my own critical mind. Perseverance is to thank, on my part, for the progress I have made so far and for any stray feelings of positivity I have left. www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 29
In Memory
♥ Tommy, I was thinking about you the last few days. I saw your Dad and brother in the mall, a few weeks ago. I’ve said prayers for your , Mommy and for your, Daddy ...for your great big brother, Nick. Life is fast moving. Too fast! Your friends are getting older. There was an innocence that was lost , when you left them. Those tears will truly never be dry. Why I came to tears thinking of you today. Funny how, Ryan wrote right below me. I guess we are on the same wave length! Life has it’s mysteries, to why, for “the reasons,” God allows for certain losses...and the certain joys we experience in life. I will always remember the essay you wrote, that your, Dad gave us, as the gift to read. It was so touching! It was about the beauty of the mountains you had the experience of growing
up within, your feelings on why you felt this area was “rare in it’s beauty.” You are forever apart of, The Breath and The Memories of these, Mysterious Dark Mountain Eyes...The Enchanting Eyes of the Woodland Valley Streams... and what these, “Eyes” have seen..throughout time. Some of the people, like you..who had the honor to know of this certain rare experience, of living life here, are now resting beneath it’s trees and beneath it’s beautiful moonlight Like you, Little Sweet Darling...you will be like the song says, “Forever Young.”...Always, in our hearts and minds, you will be exactly that, A Sweet Friend we Once Knew..A Dear Friend to Some...A Kind Smile to Others...Always, A Dearly Missed Son and Brother. ♥
I’m Still Here with You
By Helen Whipple, age 21
I stare out beyond the window sill, up into the midnight sky, I wish upon a falling star, and send my dreams up high, One day, my true love will come, One day, I will be saved, Whether now, or never, I need to take this plunge, I vow to myself, never to let go, I take with me, your soul,
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I take with me, your promise, And when there’s nothing left, just dust amongst the rubble, I’ll stand tall above the ashes, Carrying your heart in my hands, I know you’ll always be with me.
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www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 31
SUBMISSION INFO: GoodLife accepts work done by young people aged 10 to 20. Deadline: Winter: Nov 9th, Spring: Feb 9th, Summer: May 9th, Fall: Aug 9th. Length: 300 to 500 words. Art: All forms Send to : Goodlifejournal@gmail.com and we will get back to you. • Permission: Need a parental email if you are younger than 16 (giving permission to publish your work & receive payment.) Need address.
• Topics Examples: Lifestyle, music, book & movie reviews, sports & fitness,political & environmental. • Writing strategies: Reflecting, Reporting, Explaining, Arguing, Opinion and Humor Illustration by Jesse Ditkoff, age 18
Be CREATIVE and send work that you would be proud to have published All articles must be appropriate for ages 10 to 100!
Goodlifejournal@gmail.com
Cathy McNamara (845) 332-3353 GoodLife Journal 20 Mountaiview Ave. Woodstock, NY 12498
This journal is dedicated to the memory of our friend Tom Alba
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