… WRITING A NEW MANUAL FOR MODERN LIVING …
Episode 7: Bishop’s Orchards
Podcast: Download
It has become apparent (to me at least) that we are drawn to guest editors and locations because we love them.This week was no exception: Duo and I travelled to Bishop’s Orchards Farm Market in Guilford Connecticut to hear pitches from our host, sixth generation family member (and mother of 2) Sarah Bishop DellaVentura, along with freelance writer for (Patch.com) Sarah Kyrcz, stay-at-home dad Gerry McGuire, serial entrepreneur Ryan Duques, and the founder and president of Zane’s Cycles, Chris Zane.
Standing: Ryan, Sarah K, Chris. Gerry. Seated: Bruce, Duo and Sarah
We continued our conversation about how much the world has changed, and the editors pitched questions about compromising with one’s spouse or significant other, “play date” etiquette when dads are involved, learning how to “unplug” from technology, and keeping kids occupied on long trips.
The songs you’ll hear in this episode included Church, Family Affair, Smokin’, and One Bourbon, One Scotch and One Beer. Have we piqued your interest? Feel free to give the podcast a listen!
How should we teach our children good manners?
Guest editor (and Yale soccer coach) Brian Tomkins raised this issue in the Glenwood episode, having witnessed ill mannered kids taking more than one hot dog in a long line at a camp lunch this summer.
The simple answer, of course, is for parents to model considerate behavior themselves: but based on the seemingly “epidemic” nature of this problem, we’re obviously falling short.
How can we, as parents, reverse the trend?
Is there a safe way to protect yourself from mosquito bites?
And this BONUS question: how to handle the itching from when they (inevitably) get you.
This topic was pitched by by guest editor Ann McGuire in Episode 5 at The Glenwood Drive In. Ann complained that “I can spray myself, it doesn’t work. I can sit in front of a smudge pot, it doesn’t work.” (Duo also seized the opportunity to display what he described as a “grand mal mosquito welt” on his calf.)
What say you?
Episode 6: Delaney’s
Podcast: Download
This week we gathered at one of my favorite local watering holes, Delaney’s Tap Room and Restaurant in the Westville section of New Haven. We chose Delaney’s to follow up on several conversations we had in Episode 4 at Heirloom: the importance of community, the uncertainty of our changing times, and the possibilities to be discovered in doing the things you love.
Delaney's in Westville
Led by Provocateur-in-Chief Duo Dickinson, we gathered: blogger and (imperfect perfectionist) Wendy McGee, Playwright Susan Cinoman, Public Media Manager in transition (and our executive producer) Kim Grehn, his lovely wife Deb, the owner of Rooby Dooby’s Cakes in West Hartford, and the equally lovely Amanda, the Manager at Delaney’s.
The conversation was lively, the cheesecake was delicious, and we took another important step in figuring out exactly what it is we need to do to write “the new manual for modern living”.
What is the best way to cope with a fear of deep water?
This question was pitched by Binnie Klein in Episode 4 at The Paugusset Swim Club.
Binnie had a bad experience at summer camp, and shared that “there’s some of us who didn’t benefit from the exposure [to swimming] at an early age, but we don’t want to miss out”.
(Michael Morand told story of “Skipper” an authoritarian swim teacher from his childhood who used to push kids under the water with her foot. Binnie referred to this as “immersion therapy, pun intended”.)
What say you?
How are we supposed to be raising our children?
This extremely important question was pitched by provocateur (or should it be ‘provocatress’?) Danielle Ginetti from one of Duo and my favorite New Haven watering holes, 116 Crown in New Haven.
In Episode 3, Danielle shared her concern that “…there’s no set standard”, and I have to agree.
How are we supposed to be raising our children? Please share in the “Comments“!
Episode 5: The Glenwood Drive In
Podcast: Download
Someone (it might have been Episode 4 guest editor Binnie Klein) commented recently that the show has been “a show about making a show”, and I don’t disagree with that assessment. Having worked on the Guide in one form or another for over ten years now, I’m finally learning not to over think things. (Gary, our web designer is constantly urging me to “grip it and rip it” – a golfer’s exhortation to stop standing there and hit the damn ball.) That’s what’s happening with the RLSG radio show: we’re trying things and finding out what works and what doesn’t.
The Coach, Wayne, Duo and Ann
Episode 5 was recorded on a beautiful July Sunday afternoon at an amazing spot in Hamden, Connecticut: The Glenwood Drive In. What is a joyful experience! Our host for the afternoon was the owner, Wayne Stone and his son Rob, who advised me to try the birch beer. (It did not disappoint!)
Ann McGuire is the Editorial Director for Milford Living Magazine, and was suggested by our producer, Cindy Papish Gerber. (Like the birch beer, Ann did not disappoint.) We were also joined by Brian Tompkins, the Men’s Soccer coach at Yale. (I ran into Brian recently, and about 30 seconds into the conversation I knew he’d be a great addition to any round table discussion.) The conversation was freewheeling and fun, and when the session was over, we attacked some of the Glenwood’s award winning hot dogs and fries.
Duo pitched a question about potential corn syrup abuse, Ann wanted to know why mosquitoes love her so much, Brian pondered the question of manners, and I asked about parenting kids who are experimenting with drugs and alcohol.
How do you find happiness?
Guest editor Matt Scott is a man in transition. He’s just been through a divorce and a major career transition. (If you’d like to hear a little of his story, check out the pitch meeting at Heirloom.)
His *BIG* question: how does one find happiness?
Episode 4: The Paugusset Swim Club
Podcast: Download
By the time we were ready to record Episode 4, certain things were beginning to come into focus. For starters, recording conversations with interesting people at fun (and interesting) places was working. The sound of the birds chirping and the haircuts in Episode 1; the clatter of dishes and late afternoon patrons talking in Episodes 2 and 3.
This time, we decided to incorporate a sense of… well, time. And it being summer, we headed to the closest body of water we could think of: Paugusset, a family-centric swimming, tennis and social club in Orange, Connecticut. (I’m vaguely familiar with the place – our family has spent the past 20 summers there!)
Duo Dickinson, the adoring (and adorable) Binnie Klein, Michael Morand (in fabulous hat), yours truly, and Mike O'Brien, Manager of The Paugusset Club in Orange
Our host for the afternoon was Mike O’Brien, who coaches swimming at two area high schools and manages the club in the summer, and this week’s ‘provocateurs’ were Binnie Klein and Michael Morand. Binnie produces a music and interview show on WPKN, lectures in Yale’s Dept of Psychiatry, and wrote the book,”Blows to the Head: How Boxing Changed My Mind”. Michael describes himself as “a master of the hearty hello and the quick goodbye”.
We talked about stuff like Binnie’s summer vacations growing up (which always involved proximity to a racetrack), Duo’s insecurity about the size of his legs (too big) as well my own (too skinny), Michael’s thoughts on a recent trip to New York, and Mike’s ‘just gotta get in’ attitude towards adults who are afraid of the water.
Come on in, the water’s fine…
Are there rules for clothing any more?
“…and what are they?” wonders guest editor and New York Times columnist Mark Oppenheimer. (I became a huge fan of Mark’s when he wrote “It’s a Wonderful Block“. about the Westville section of New Haven.)
In particular, Mark wanted to discuss the proper attire for men at weddings these days. (Mark doesn’t feel the Oakleys-over-the-baseball-cap look favored by Coach Taylor on Friday Night Lights falls into this category.)
Thoughts?
The Barber Poll
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