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Take time to teach children name, address, phone number
By Jewell Cardwell
Beacon Journal columnist
POSTED: 07:40 a.m. EST, Jan 07, 2009
The poignant story involving a 4-year-old Dayton boy abducted and dropped off at a busy rest stop near Columbus following the murder of his mother has gained international attention.
Not only for the heinous nature of the crime, but also for the boy's uncanny ability to give crucial details in solving the mystery. And for a couple traveling from Maryland who bothered to get involved when they saw William Nelson wandering around barefoot and alone.
There is a lesson for all parents in William's tragic loss of his mother, Jennifer, 29.
Perhaps most important was the legacy that she left him. She taught him his name — first and last; his birth date; his complete address; parents' names and other information.
If you're a parent who has already done this with your little one, this doesn't apply to you. But for those who have not, please look upon this as a teachable moment.
While you might think it's cute to assign your child a nickname like Boo-Boo or Princess, this story points out the urgency of your child needing to know his or her correct name, first and last; parents' names, not just Mommy and Daddy; home telephone number and address.
The little boy's father, Eddie Nelson Jr., interviewed on NBC's Today show, recognized the importance: ''My wife, especially, insisted that we work on him learning the phone numbers, just important things . . . a lot of things people would take for granted, and it saved him.''
So, parents, please stop what you're doing and take the time to teach your children well. Someone's life might depend on it.
Wrapped with care
The Longstreth household has long been threaded with tradition.
And the latest family matriarch insists on keeping it alive.
''My Mom and Dad [Joan and Jack Longstreth] have six children, 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren,'' writes Joyce Adams of Mogadore. ''My Mom loves to crochet as her mother did . . .
''My Grandma [Hattie Keppler, who died in 1991 at the age of 92] made afghans for each of her 15 grandchildren for wedding gifts and we all treasure them. It's such a good feeling to wrap up in something made by her now that's she gone . . .
''My Mom carried on the tradition, but it took a turn this year. She decided to make all of the grandchildren an afghan for Christmas! She started last January and finished all 19 by Christmas. It was amazing! My Dad had them draw numbers to pick their gift bag . . . At first they thought the Number One was the lucky recipient of one of Grandma's afghans.''
Joan Longstreth and her husband — formerly of Tallmadge — now split their time between Hartville and Arizona.
This latest installment of afghans — six different patterns in variations of cream and white — was presented to children who range in age from 15 to 38.
''Our Christmas Eves are always special,'' Adams continued. ''But this one was extra special thanks to Mom/Grandma/ Great-Grandma.''
Benefit for family
The Norton Fire Department is cooking up a fundraiser for 21-month-old Luke Smolinski, whose life-threatening seizures have sent him to Akron Children's Hospital countless times.
The benefit is aimed at helping his parents purchase a much-needed therapy dog for their son from the nonprofit 4 Paws For Ability.
The big event — a Chili Cookoff — is set for 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 18 at Norton Community Center, 4060 Columbia Woods Drive.
Cost is $20 per chili entry (includes two dinner tickets); or $5 at the door for dinner (children under 10 are free).
Guests will serve as judges in the following categories: Hottest, Most Original, Most Unusual and People's Choice.
For more information, please call 330-671-0166 or e-mail potter4136@yahoo.com
'Celebration of Change'
The PEARL Foundation, an affiliate of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., is sponsoring ''The Celebration of Change'' inaugural ball, 7:30 p.m. to midnight Jan. 24 at Tangier's grand ballroom in Akron.
Proceeds from the black-tie dinner/dance gala, with the theme Our Moment is Now, go for local college scholarships.
Cost is $50. Preferred seating available.
Tickets are available during regular business hours at Henry's Acme, 1525 Plaza Blvd., Akron; and the Democratic Party of Summit County headquarters, 438 Grant St., Akron. For more information, please call 330-670-9908, 330-524-0497 or e-mail thepearlfoundation@yahoo.com.
Support for groups
Kudos to H&R Block's Akron-Canton metro offices for their goodwill projects.
''We are working very hard to support local nonprofit organizations in our local area,'' writes Kay Kelly, H&R Block's community outreach director.
''Last month, we held a baby shower for Pregnancy Care in Akron and donated over $600 worth of items to be given at Christmas time . . . Since August, we have served dinner four times at the Ronald McDonald House and will continue to do so every month. We have donated over 1,000 food items for their pantry and have raised money through dress-down days at the offices and auction held at Christmas time.''
On Jan. 17, Block's 49 area offices taking part in its open house ask clients to drop off a nonperishable food item for Ronald McDonald House and be entered in a special drawing.
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.
The poignant story involving a 4-year-old Dayton boy abducted and dropped off at a busy rest stop near Columbus following the murder of his mother has gained international attention.
Not only for the heinous nature of the crime, but also for the boy's uncanny ability to give crucial details in solving the mystery. And for a couple traveling from Maryland who bothered to get involved when they saw William Nelson wandering around barefoot and alone.
There is a lesson for all parents in William's tragic loss of his mother, Jennifer, 29.
Perhaps most important was the legacy that she left him. She taught him his name — first and last; his birth date; his complete address; parents' names and other information.
If you're a parent who has already done this with your little one, this doesn't apply to you. But for those who have not, please look upon this as a teachable moment.
While you might think it's cute to assign your child a nickname like Boo-Boo or Princess, this story points out the urgency of your child needing to know his or her correct name, first and last; parents' names, not just Mommy and Daddy; home telephone number and address.
The little boy's father, Eddie Nelson Jr., interviewed on NBC's Today show, recognized the importance: ''My wife, especially, insisted that we work on him learning the phone numbers, just important things . . . a lot of things people would take for granted, and it saved him.''
So, parents, please stop what you're doing and take the time to teach your children well. Someone's life might depend on it.
Wrapped with care
The Longstreth household has long been threaded with tradition.
And the latest family matriarch insists on keeping it alive.
''My Mom and Dad [Joan and Jack Longstreth] have six children, 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren,'' writes Joyce Adams of Mogadore. ''My Mom loves to crochet as her mother did . . .
''My Grandma [Hattie Keppler, who died in 1991 at the age of 92] made afghans for each of her 15 grandchildren for wedding gifts and we all treasure them. It's such a good feeling to wrap up in something made by her now that's she gone . . .
''My Mom carried on the tradition, but it took a turn this year. She decided to make all of the grandchildren an afghan for Christmas! She started last January and finished all 19 by Christmas. It was amazing! My Dad had them draw numbers to pick their gift bag . . . At first they thought the Number One was the lucky recipient of one of Grandma's afghans.''
Joan Longstreth and her husband — formerly of Tallmadge — now split their time between Hartville and Arizona.
This latest installment of afghans — six different patterns in variations of cream and white — was presented to children who range in age from 15 to 38.
''Our Christmas Eves are always special,'' Adams continued. ''But this one was extra special thanks to Mom/Grandma/ Great-Grandma.''
Benefit for family
The Norton Fire Department is cooking up a fundraiser for 21-month-old Luke Smolinski, whose life-threatening seizures have sent him to Akron Children's Hospital countless times.
The benefit is aimed at helping his parents purchase a much-needed therapy dog for their son from the nonprofit 4 Paws For Ability.
The big event — a Chili Cookoff — is set for 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 18 at Norton Community Center, 4060 Columbia Woods Drive.
Cost is $20 per chili entry (includes two dinner tickets); or $5 at the door for dinner (children under 10 are free).
Guests will serve as judges in the following categories: Hottest, Most Original, Most Unusual and People's Choice.
For more information, please call 330-671-0166 or e-mail potter4136@yahoo.com
'Celebration of Change'
The PEARL Foundation, an affiliate of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., is sponsoring ''The Celebration of Change'' inaugural ball, 7:30 p.m. to midnight Jan. 24 at Tangier's grand ballroom in Akron.
Proceeds from the black-tie dinner/dance gala, with the theme Our Moment is Now, go for local college scholarships.
Cost is $50. Preferred seating available.
Tickets are available during regular business hours at Henry's Acme, 1525 Plaza Blvd., Akron; and the Democratic Party of Summit County headquarters, 438 Grant St., Akron. For more information, please call 330-670-9908, 330-524-0497 or e-mail thepearlfoundation@yahoo.com.
Support for groups
Kudos to H&R Block's Akron-Canton metro offices for their goodwill projects.
''We are working very hard to support local nonprofit organizations in our local area,'' writes Kay Kelly, H&R Block's community outreach director.
''Last month, we held a baby shower for Pregnancy Care in Akron and donated over $600 worth of items to be given at Christmas time . . . Since August, we have served dinner four times at the Ronald McDonald House and will continue to do so every month. We have donated over 1,000 food items for their pantry and have raised money through dress-down days at the offices and auction held at Christmas time.''
On Jan. 17, Block's 49 area offices taking part in its open house ask clients to drop off a nonperishable food item for Ronald McDonald House and be entered in a special drawing.
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.
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