When I wrote for the now defunct Foothill Sentinel, I was the ghost writer for the Dear Aunt Sister advice column. When writing the column, I channel my beloved aunt, born in 1913, known affectionately to her five brothers and all their offspring as "Sister." She handled everything with charm, fantastic wit and always a twinkle in her eye.
Dear Aunt Sister,
I have a friend who I’ll call Sue. I have treasured her friendship for many years. Sue recently stopped calling and returning phone calls. I ran into her at a social event and asked her what was going on. Sue told me she’s tired of my asking her advice and then not following it. This friend means a lot to me. What can I do?
Flabergasted
Dear Friend,
What Sue is failing to realize is that when we ask our friends for advice, it is a way of exploring options. It is impossible for you to follow Sue’s advice to the letter because you are NOT Sue!
If you feel the friendship is salvageable, find a way to let her know how her advice has helped you to solve some of your problems, but tell her, too, that you need to do what is right for you. But before you do, ask yourself why you want to be friends with someone who doesn’t want you to make your own decisions.
*************************************************************
HELP! Christmas is coming and our kids want so much. It’s not that we mind buying for them, but why does the fat guy in the red suit have to get all the credit?
Under-appreciated Mom & Dad
Dear Mom and Dad,
It is up to you to help yourself, but let me give you an idea. In our family, St. Nick brings every child three (and ONLY three) gifts: Something they need, something they want, and something “just because.” The theory behind the three gifts gives parents the opportunity to remind children why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. That was the number of presents the Christ child got. Every other gift comes from someone the child knows and can thank properly.
We work hard idea - why does the fat guy in the red suit have to get all the credit?
Now, as for the reference to my dear friend Santa’s weight, a subject about which he is very sensitive: You’re going to end up on his Naughty List. You better be writing to him to apologize or you’re going get coal in your stocking!
Sunday, December 1, 2002
Friday, November 1, 2002
Patrick Dempsey Wins Senior Long Drive World Finals
Published in the Foothill Sentinel, November 2002.
The roar of the crowd was deafening as Patrick Dempsey, crowd favorite and Sunland resident, hit the winning drive straight down the middle of the grid on Saturday October 19. The RE/MAX World Long Drive Golf Finals were held in Mesquite, NV and Dempsey had won over the 4000 strong crowd earlier in the evening with his beautiful voice by singing the national anthem and God Bless the U.S.A. The whole crowd was on edge as Dempsey had hit four of his six allotted golf balls out of bounds. But his fifth ball was absolutely perfect, landing 342 yards from the tee and the only ball he put on the grid that evening. But, it only takes one to win.
It was a picture perfect ending to the years of hard work Dempsey has put in to master his sport. “I felt pretty good going in… I knew I was physically ready. I just have to master the mental strain of competition.”
The mental strain had weighed heavily on every competitor with many upsets in all the divisions: numerous title-holders did not even make the finals. Dempsey added to his stress by volunteering to sing for the opening ceremonies. “I don’t know what I was thinking. It’s not like I didn’t have enough pressure already!” Dempsey exclaimed.
Pat Dempsey had come on strong in the first round qualifiers on Friday by hitting the ball 356 yards – the longest drive of the day! He easily won his second round with a 330 yard ball. The pressure built as he competed in Semi Final Round. Dempsey hit his first two balls out of bounds and his third only traveled to 325 yards – he needed to hit a 327 to oust an earlier hitter from finals. The fourth ball also traveled out of play. However, the fifth hit was the charm as he pounded the ball 346 yards for a chance at the $23,000 purse.
It is Dempsey’s rookie year in the Senior Long Drive Division, having won sixth place in the Open Division last year. Upon hitting the winning ball, he was asked why he wanted to move to the Senior Division. “I wanted to compete in this division because it’s tough. This is the most underrated and competitive division in sports.” It was the only Long Drive Division with big name players in the finals including Dempsey; three time Senior champ, Mike Hooper (Culver City); Bobby Wilson (Texas) and Scott DeCandia (Maryland), both Long Drivers of America Hall of Fame players; and the 1999 Senior Division Champ, Fred Hooter (Alabama).
It was an amazing night for Dempsey as both Women’s and Open Division Champions also credited Dempsey for their wins! Stacey Shinnick of Escondido reminded Dempsey in front of reporters that she had watched him play at Hansen Dam and asked him about competing in Long Drive. He had encouraged her to give it a shot and she took home the $7,500 purse in her division.
But it was Open Division winner, Carl Wolter of Plymouth Meeting, PA that told the most amazing Pat Dempsey story. Wolter, a gifted athlete who only entered his first LDA event three months ago, found Dempsey on the internet and repeatedly called him for advice. When Wolter broke his club days before his district qualifier round, he called Dempsey in a panic: there were no clubs like his available for sale anywhere due to a manufacturing shortage. “Pat Dempsey shipped me his own personal club – that’s what I won my district with and that’s why I’m here,” Wolter said as he clutched his crystal trophy and oversize check for $80,000.
Dempsey shrugged off reporters queries on his incredible generosity by saying, “You never know when or how you’re going to touch someone’s life. I’m just glad I could help him.”
Patrick Dempsey is obviously a winner at Long Drive but he is also a winner in the game of life.
The roar of the crowd was deafening as Patrick Dempsey, crowd favorite and Sunland resident, hit the winning drive straight down the middle of the grid on Saturday October 19. The RE/MAX World Long Drive Golf Finals were held in Mesquite, NV and Dempsey had won over the 4000 strong crowd earlier in the evening with his beautiful voice by singing the national anthem and God Bless the U.S.A. The whole crowd was on edge as Dempsey had hit four of his six allotted golf balls out of bounds. But his fifth ball was absolutely perfect, landing 342 yards from the tee and the only ball he put on the grid that evening. But, it only takes one to win.
It was a picture perfect ending to the years of hard work Dempsey has put in to master his sport. “I felt pretty good going in… I knew I was physically ready. I just have to master the mental strain of competition.”
The mental strain had weighed heavily on every competitor with many upsets in all the divisions: numerous title-holders did not even make the finals. Dempsey added to his stress by volunteering to sing for the opening ceremonies. “I don’t know what I was thinking. It’s not like I didn’t have enough pressure already!” Dempsey exclaimed.
Pat Dempsey had come on strong in the first round qualifiers on Friday by hitting the ball 356 yards – the longest drive of the day! He easily won his second round with a 330 yard ball. The pressure built as he competed in Semi Final Round. Dempsey hit his first two balls out of bounds and his third only traveled to 325 yards – he needed to hit a 327 to oust an earlier hitter from finals. The fourth ball also traveled out of play. However, the fifth hit was the charm as he pounded the ball 346 yards for a chance at the $23,000 purse.
It is Dempsey’s rookie year in the Senior Long Drive Division, having won sixth place in the Open Division last year. Upon hitting the winning ball, he was asked why he wanted to move to the Senior Division. “I wanted to compete in this division because it’s tough. This is the most underrated and competitive division in sports.” It was the only Long Drive Division with big name players in the finals including Dempsey; three time Senior champ, Mike Hooper (Culver City); Bobby Wilson (Texas) and Scott DeCandia (Maryland), both Long Drivers of America Hall of Fame players; and the 1999 Senior Division Champ, Fred Hooter (Alabama).
It was an amazing night for Dempsey as both Women’s and Open Division Champions also credited Dempsey for their wins! Stacey Shinnick of Escondido reminded Dempsey in front of reporters that she had watched him play at Hansen Dam and asked him about competing in Long Drive. He had encouraged her to give it a shot and she took home the $7,500 purse in her division.
But it was Open Division winner, Carl Wolter of Plymouth Meeting, PA that told the most amazing Pat Dempsey story. Wolter, a gifted athlete who only entered his first LDA event three months ago, found Dempsey on the internet and repeatedly called him for advice. When Wolter broke his club days before his district qualifier round, he called Dempsey in a panic: there were no clubs like his available for sale anywhere due to a manufacturing shortage. “Pat Dempsey shipped me his own personal club – that’s what I won my district with and that’s why I’m here,” Wolter said as he clutched his crystal trophy and oversize check for $80,000.
Dempsey shrugged off reporters queries on his incredible generosity by saying, “You never know when or how you’re going to touch someone’s life. I’m just glad I could help him.”
Patrick Dempsey is obviously a winner at Long Drive but he is also a winner in the game of life.
Dear Aunt Sister - November 2002
When I wrote for the now defunct Foothill Sentinel, I was the ghost writer for the Dear Aunt Sister advice column. When writing the column, I channel my beloved aunt, born in 1913, known affectionately to her five brothers and all their offspring as "Sister." She handled everything with charm, fantastic wit and always a twinkle in her eye.
I'm in high school. There's this really cute guy in my class, and I really like him, but I don't think he even knows I exist. How can I get his attention?
Madly In Love
Dear Love,
I am so sorry to be the one to break this to you but, you ARE NOT in love. True love is based on honesty and really knowing someone. You cannot be in love with someone who doesn’t even know you exist.
That being said, I do know how you feel. When I was in high school, I had the most difficult time getting a young man to notice me. The thing that worked best was to just walk over and say hello to him. You have to remember guys are just as shy as girls. Why not be the one to break the ice first? After hello, tell him your name and mention something you have in common. And if the conversation doesn’t start rolling or you feel like a fool? DON’T! First, you showed real courage by talking to him. Someone who likes you will love that quality. If they don’t like you, they’re not worth your time!
And by the way, that young man from my high school days has been my dear husband for almost 60 years! And if you ask him, the thing he loves the most is that I once made a fool out of myself to get his attention!
I'm in high school. There's this really cute guy in my class, and I really like him, but I don't think he even knows I exist. How can I get his attention?
Madly In Love
Dear Love,
I am so sorry to be the one to break this to you but, you ARE NOT in love. True love is based on honesty and really knowing someone. You cannot be in love with someone who doesn’t even know you exist.
That being said, I do know how you feel. When I was in high school, I had the most difficult time getting a young man to notice me. The thing that worked best was to just walk over and say hello to him. You have to remember guys are just as shy as girls. Why not be the one to break the ice first? After hello, tell him your name and mention something you have in common. And if the conversation doesn’t start rolling or you feel like a fool? DON’T! First, you showed real courage by talking to him. Someone who likes you will love that quality. If they don’t like you, they’re not worth your time!
And by the way, that young man from my high school days has been my dear husband for almost 60 years! And if you ask him, the thing he loves the most is that I once made a fool out of myself to get his attention!
Sunday, September 1, 2002
The Old Codger - September 02
The Old Codger was a series written by the publisher of the Foothill Sentinel and was usually an opinion piece written in the voice of an elderly complainer. I filled in for the Codger on several occasions.
I got me some new neighbors who are keen on blastin’ the radio and it got me to thinkin’ bout bein’ neighborly and noise. When I get home, I don’t want to hear another soul, and darnit, shouldn’t have to!
Noise is the reason I moved to our foothills. I usta have a family whose idear of a family barbeque was 50 people. Them folks ‘ould come round bout 4 and cook, laugh and sang Opera into the wee hours. I had to leave for work about an hour after they shut up! They did dat ever day!
‘cross da street, they was a gangster hopeful who would blast that awful rap music and pace back n forth in front of his house cursing into a cell phone. What’s wrong wit his regular phone? Why did I hafta to hear all those curse words??
I got me a friend dat had a rock ‘n roller fer a neighbor dat would practice his music so loud, the winders rattled. Next door was a family who allowed their children to bounce a dern basketball, screaming at the top their lungs until midnight ‘ cause “that’s when children are supposed to go to bed.” In my day, chil’ren went to bed early to get enough sleep for school and what the heck are they screamin’ fer anyway? Why, my mama, God rest her soul, put the fear of God into me with just a look all fer raising my voice above a whisper.
So I called up Foothill Station of the LAPD and asked about noise. The desk officer there said, “ It doesn’t matter what time of day it is or exactly how loud someone is. If it’s bothering someone else, you are in violation of the law. Furthermore, if we are called out to the same location repeatedly, we can take the television, radio or even the musical instruments away.” This means, if yer too loud, yer too loud - period.
This nasty behavior has come here to da Foothills and I just don’t like it! Needless to say, my idea of a good neighbor is one ya don’t see but especially ya don’t hear. I’ve had folks tell me it is their right to play their music as loud as they want. Not so. See dem trees ova dere?? That’s where my right to peace and quiet begins. Besides, what makes ya think you’re da Disc Jockey fer the whole neighborhood? All you folks who blast your music aught to be hogtied and forced to listen to chil'ren’s singalongs for 12 hours straight!
I got me some new neighbors who are keen on blastin’ the radio and it got me to thinkin’ bout bein’ neighborly and noise. When I get home, I don’t want to hear another soul, and darnit, shouldn’t have to!
Noise is the reason I moved to our foothills. I usta have a family whose idear of a family barbeque was 50 people. Them folks ‘ould come round bout 4 and cook, laugh and sang Opera into the wee hours. I had to leave for work about an hour after they shut up! They did dat ever day!
‘cross da street, they was a gangster hopeful who would blast that awful rap music and pace back n forth in front of his house cursing into a cell phone. What’s wrong wit his regular phone? Why did I hafta to hear all those curse words??
I got me a friend dat had a rock ‘n roller fer a neighbor dat would practice his music so loud, the winders rattled. Next door was a family who allowed their children to bounce a dern basketball, screaming at the top their lungs until midnight ‘ cause “that’s when children are supposed to go to bed.” In my day, chil’ren went to bed early to get enough sleep for school and what the heck are they screamin’ fer anyway? Why, my mama, God rest her soul, put the fear of God into me with just a look all fer raising my voice above a whisper.
So I called up Foothill Station of the LAPD and asked about noise. The desk officer there said, “ It doesn’t matter what time of day it is or exactly how loud someone is. If it’s bothering someone else, you are in violation of the law. Furthermore, if we are called out to the same location repeatedly, we can take the television, radio or even the musical instruments away.” This means, if yer too loud, yer too loud - period.
This nasty behavior has come here to da Foothills and I just don’t like it! Needless to say, my idea of a good neighbor is one ya don’t see but especially ya don’t hear. I’ve had folks tell me it is their right to play their music as loud as they want. Not so. See dem trees ova dere?? That’s where my right to peace and quiet begins. Besides, what makes ya think you’re da Disc Jockey fer the whole neighborhood? All you folks who blast your music aught to be hogtied and forced to listen to chil'ren’s singalongs for 12 hours straight!
Dear Aunt Sister - September 2002
When I wrote for the now defunct Foothill Sentinel, I was the ghost writer for the Dear Aunt Sister advice column. When writing the column, I channel my beloved aunt, born in 1913, known affectionately to her five brothers and all their offspring as "Sister." She handled everything with charm, fantastic wit and always a twinkle in her eye.
Aunt Sister:
I get so mad at people who just walk up and barge into conversations. The other day I was having an important conversation and this woman just walked up and started talking to the person I was talking to. I even said, "Excuse me, but you're interrupting." She completely ignored me and just kept talking to the other person. How do you handle people like this? Are they really just thick-headed and rude, or do they just think they're more important than everyone else?
Annoyed
Dear Annoyed,
Yes dear, they ARE just thick-headed and rude. It makes me wish it were acceptable to carry around duct tape to shut the traps of the offensive party. However, you know the old saying, "Do unto others..." Well, I would simply pat the thick-headed one on the arm and say, "Oh, I'm ssoooo sorry. I'm interrupting you. How rude of me!" And then, I would turn on my heels and wander off to greener pastures. Hopefully, the thick-headed one got the message. If not, you've at least had a little fun at their expense.
***************************************
Dear Aunt Sister,
My friend's husband sometimes makes advances toward me, especially when he's been drinking. It's nothing really obvious that I can make a fuss over. He might stand too close, or keep complimenting me about how good I look, or kind of follow me around. What should I do?
Embarrassed
My Dear Embarrassed,
What a predicament. You can’t exactly follow your friend around and hope she will intervene on your behalf. As my dear mother used to say, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” You need to socialize somewhere else. If this is not the solution you were hoping for… learn to take a compliment and keep backing up.
Aunt Sister:
I get so mad at people who just walk up and barge into conversations. The other day I was having an important conversation and this woman just walked up and started talking to the person I was talking to. I even said, "Excuse me, but you're interrupting." She completely ignored me and just kept talking to the other person. How do you handle people like this? Are they really just thick-headed and rude, or do they just think they're more important than everyone else?
Annoyed
Dear Annoyed,
Yes dear, they ARE just thick-headed and rude. It makes me wish it were acceptable to carry around duct tape to shut the traps of the offensive party. However, you know the old saying, "Do unto others..." Well, I would simply pat the thick-headed one on the arm and say, "Oh, I'm ssoooo sorry. I'm interrupting you. How rude of me!" And then, I would turn on my heels and wander off to greener pastures. Hopefully, the thick-headed one got the message. If not, you've at least had a little fun at their expense.
***************************************
Dear Aunt Sister,
My friend's husband sometimes makes advances toward me, especially when he's been drinking. It's nothing really obvious that I can make a fuss over. He might stand too close, or keep complimenting me about how good I look, or kind of follow me around. What should I do?
Embarrassed
My Dear Embarrassed,
What a predicament. You can’t exactly follow your friend around and hope she will intervene on your behalf. As my dear mother used to say, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” You need to socialize somewhere else. If this is not the solution you were hoping for… learn to take a compliment and keep backing up.
Thursday, August 1, 2002
The Old Codger - August 02
The Old Codger was a series written by the publisher of the Foothill Sentinel and was usually an opinion piece written in the voice of an elderly complainer. I filled in for the Codger on several occasions.
The 5th of July, I was in two different parks. Let me tell ya, I was amazed at all them cans just laying about. 3 feet from a trash can, some of em were! My friend, he even seen a woman hiding a can in bushes with a trash bucket in throwin distance! Was that too fer to walk?? There was so many cans, why, I coulda got rich if I coulda bent over to pick ‘em up!
I noticed another thing in parks. Lots of folks just dump burning charcoal at the bottom of a tree. What if that tree catch on fire?? In case ya don’t know, it’s fire season. Make sure ya pour some water on the coals is out before ya dump em. O.K?
Parks are fer everbody! I don’t like havin to clean up somebody else’s mess when I go there. So, pick up afta youself, ya hear? I better not be findin’ a mess on the day after Labor Day!
The 5th of July, I was in two different parks. Let me tell ya, I was amazed at all them cans just laying about. 3 feet from a trash can, some of em were! My friend, he even seen a woman hiding a can in bushes with a trash bucket in throwin distance! Was that too fer to walk?? There was so many cans, why, I coulda got rich if I coulda bent over to pick ‘em up!
I noticed another thing in parks. Lots of folks just dump burning charcoal at the bottom of a tree. What if that tree catch on fire?? In case ya don’t know, it’s fire season. Make sure ya pour some water on the coals is out before ya dump em. O.K?
Parks are fer everbody! I don’t like havin to clean up somebody else’s mess when I go there. So, pick up afta youself, ya hear? I better not be findin’ a mess on the day after Labor Day!
Dear Aunt Sister - August 2002
When I wrote for the now defunct Foothill Sentinel, I was the ghost writer for the Dear Aunt Sister advice column. When writing the column, I channel my beloved aunt, born in 1913, known affectionately to her five brothers and all their offspring as "Sister." She handled everything with charm, fantastic wit and always a twinkle in her eye.
Dear Aunt Sister,
We have a piano and an electric organ in our living room that cost over $1000.00 back when I made a dollar an hour. When children come to visit, they seem to think that these are toys. I keep art supplies on hand but they still seem to bang away. Do you have any suggestions?
S/T Music Lover
Dear Music Lover,
I too have this problem as my dear husband plays the piano. He would always allow the wee ones to “bang away” saying that the old girl needed to be played more often. I did check with a former concert pianist friend of mine and she had the same philosophy. A piano must be played to stay in shape and a child’s way of playing is no different than some forceful musical pieces. But keep in mind, most better pianos come with a lock. If yours does not, have one installed.
As for the organ, have you tried unplugging it?
Dear Aunt Sister,
We have a piano and an electric organ in our living room that cost over $1000.00 back when I made a dollar an hour. When children come to visit, they seem to think that these are toys. I keep art supplies on hand but they still seem to bang away. Do you have any suggestions?
S/T Music Lover
Dear Music Lover,
I too have this problem as my dear husband plays the piano. He would always allow the wee ones to “bang away” saying that the old girl needed to be played more often. I did check with a former concert pianist friend of mine and she had the same philosophy. A piano must be played to stay in shape and a child’s way of playing is no different than some forceful musical pieces. But keep in mind, most better pianos come with a lock. If yours does not, have one installed.
As for the organ, have you tried unplugging it?
Monday, July 1, 2002
Dear Aunt Sister - July 02
When I wrote for the now defunct Foothill Sentinel, I was the ghost writer for the Dear Aunt Sister advice column. When writing the column, I channel my beloved aunt, born in 1913, known affectionately to her five brothers and all their offspring as "Sister." She handled everything with charm, fantastic wit and always a twinkle in her eye.
Dear Aunt Sister,
Recently I noticed that my husband has taken an interest in the way he looks. He has started lifting weights to 'tone up'. I ask him why he is suddenly so into his looks, he says that he is getting older and thought he would try to recapture a little of his youth. He has never given me a reason to doubt his love for me and he has always been attentive during all 25 years of marriage. However, he does stay later at the office than he used to and makes several trips -- some unnecessary -- to the stores. My question is, should I be suspicious? In the Dark in Shadow Hills.
Dear Dark,
I must admit that I too would be suspicious of your man’s new interest in his body and “work.” His behavior could be totally innocent – or not. You said that you trust him. But, trust need not be blind (or stupid for that matter!) I would check his cell phone bill. They usually itemize every call. This is a simple way of checking up on him without him knowing. If you find something, confront him. If not, start going to the gym with him and tone up yourself! That should keep his attentions directed toward home.
Dear Aunt Sister,
Recently I noticed that my husband has taken an interest in the way he looks. He has started lifting weights to 'tone up'. I ask him why he is suddenly so into his looks, he says that he is getting older and thought he would try to recapture a little of his youth. He has never given me a reason to doubt his love for me and he has always been attentive during all 25 years of marriage. However, he does stay later at the office than he used to and makes several trips -- some unnecessary -- to the stores. My question is, should I be suspicious? In the Dark in Shadow Hills.
Dear Dark,
I must admit that I too would be suspicious of your man’s new interest in his body and “work.” His behavior could be totally innocent – or not. You said that you trust him. But, trust need not be blind (or stupid for that matter!) I would check his cell phone bill. They usually itemize every call. This is a simple way of checking up on him without him knowing. If you find something, confront him. If not, start going to the gym with him and tone up yourself! That should keep his attentions directed toward home.
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