Employee of the Month

This is the level of dedication we expect from all our staff!

-Management

Lucy of 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds' fame dies

LONDON (AP) -- Lucy Vodden, who provided the inspiration for the Beatles' classic song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," has died after a long battle with lupus. She was 46.

Her death was announced by her husband, Ross Vodden, and St. Thomas' Hospital in London, where she had been treated for the chronic disease for more than five years.

Vodden's connection to the Beatles dates back to her early days, when she made friends with schoolmate Julian Lennon, John Lennon's son.

Julian Lennon, then 4 years old, came home from school with a drawing one day, showed it to his father, and said it was "Lucy in the sky with diamonds."

At the time, John Lennon was gathering material for his contributions to "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," a landmark album released to worldwide acclaim in 1967.

The elder Lennon seized on the image and developed it into what is widely regarded as a psychedelic masterpiece, replete with haunting images of "newspaper taxis" and a "girl with kaleidoscope eyes."

Rock music critics thought the song's title was a veiled reference to LSD, but John Lennon always claimed the phrase came from his son, not from a desire to spell out the initials LSD in code.

Vodden lost touch with Julian Lennon after he left the school following his parents' divorce, but they were reunited in recent years when Julian Lennon, who lives in France, tried to help her cope with the disease.

He sent her flowers and vouchers for use at a gardening center near her home in Surrey in southeast England, and frequently sent her text messages in an effort to buttress her spirits.

"I wasn't sure at first how to approach her," Julian Lennon told the Associated Press in June. "I wanted at least to get a note to her. Then I heard she had a great love of gardening, and I thought I'd help with something she's passionate about, and I love gardening too. I wanted to do something to put a smile on her face."

In recent months, Vodden was too ill to go out most of the time, except for hospital visits.

She enjoyed her link to the Beatles, but was not particularly fond of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds."

"I don't relate to the song, to that type of song," she told the Associated Press in June. "As a teenager, I made the mistake of telling a couple of friends at school that I was the Lucy in the song and they said, 'No, it's not you, my parents said it's about drugs.' And I didn't know what LSD was at the time, so I just kept it quiet, to myself."

Vodden is the latest in a long line of people connected to the Beatles who died at a relatively young age.

The list includes John Lennon, gunned down at age 40, manager Brian Epstein, who died of a drug overdose when he was 32, and original band member Stuart Sutcliffe, who died of a brain hemorrhage at 21.

A spokeswoman for Julian Lennon and his mother, Cynthia Lennon, said they were "shocked and saddened" by Vodden's death.

Angie Davidson, a lupus sufferer who is campaign director of the St. Thomas' Lupus Trust, said Vodden was "a real fighter" who had worked behind the scenes to support efforts to combat the disease.

"It's so sad that she has finally lost the battle she fought so bravely for so long," said Davidson.

Mexican Oysters

A big Texan stopped at a local restaurant following a day roaming around in Mexico. While sipping his tequila, he noticed a sizzling, scrumptious looking platter being served at the next table. Not only did it look good, the smell was wonderful. He asked the waiter, 'What is that you just served?'

The waiter replied, 'Ah señor, you have excellent taste! Those are called Cojones de Toro, bull's testicles from the bull fight this morning. A delicacy!'

The cowboy said, 'What the heck, bring me an order.'

The waiter replied, 'I am so sorry señor. There is only one serving per day because there is only one bull fight each morning. If you come early and place your order, we will be sure to save you this delicacy.'

The next morning, the cowboy returned, placed his order, and that evening was served the one and only special delicacy of the day.. After a few bites, inspecting his platter, he called to the waiter and said, 'These are delicious, but they are much, much smaller than the ones I saw you serve yesterday.'

The waiter shrugged his shoulders and replied, 'Si, señor. Sometimes the bull wins.'

More Maxine

# 1 song this date 1976

Camping Essentials

Warning to Dog Owners

If you own a dog that belongs to a 'dangerous breed' category and you also have a child or a visiting small child please take this as a warning.

Don't leave your dog with a small child unattended under any circumstances!!!

Only one little moment was enough for the following to happen.

See the photo below...

Susan Atkins, follower of Charles Manson, dies

61-year-old, who admitted killing Sharon Tate in '69, was fighting cancer.

Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkle and Leslie Van Houten, from left to right, are shown en route to court in Los Angeles, Ca., August 1970. The three women, displaying the symbol X on their foreheads as followers of the Manson cult family, were involved in one of the most notorious mass murders in California history.

LOS ANGELES - Susan Atkins, a follower of cult leader Charles Manson whose remorseless witness stand confession to killing pregnant actress Sharon Tate in 1969 shocked the world, has died. She was 61 and had been suffering from brain cancer.

Atkins' death comes less than a month after a parole board turned down the terminally ill woman's last chance at freedom on Sept. 2. She was brought to the hearing on a gurney and slept through most of it.

California Department of Corrections spokeswoman Terry Thornton said that Atkins died late Thursday night. She had been diagnosed with brain cancer in 2008, had a leg amputated and was given only a few months to live.

WEEKEND LOVE FORECAST:

ARIES: You are so attractive because you have a balanced life and do not depend on others to give your life purpose. TAURUS: Make it a point to love the package you come in, even if there are things about it that you want to change. GEMINI: Remember that you do not need to measure up to anyone else's standards, only your own. CANCER: Realize when a competitive tone is appropriate and when a more loving, sharing tone is what's needed. LEO: You love the one with whom you feel most relaxed and comfortable. VIRGO: When you focus your need to improve things on yourself, other people magically get better, too. LIBRA: You find something nice to say, even when it's challenging to think of it -- that's class. SCORPIO: You know when to be silent, and this brings you terrific opportunities. SAGITTARIUS: You recognize that your partner's style is not the same as yours, and you respect the difference. CAPRICORN: You will be high on the invite lists. AQUARIUS: Singles: The one you make eye contact with is a real contender. Couples shamelessly flirt with one another. PISCES: You listen to the person who is, for some reason, being ignored. This brings you good fortune.

COUPLE OF THE WEEKEND: Virgo and Libra are featured players in this week's sky-drama and make quite the dynamic duo. Virgo makes plans, and Libra puts those plans through a system of checks and balances to make sure they'll work. Both signs value honesty and believe that "true" love is "truthful" love. Virgo does well to borrow from Libra's gentle diplomacy, and Libra learns from Virgo's steadfast adherence to the rules.

Two old guys were chatting...

One said to the other: "My 85th birthday was yesterday. The wife gave me an SUV".


Other guy responded: "Wow, that's amazing!! Imagine, an SUV!! What a great gift!"


First guy: "Yup !!...Socks, Underwear and Viagra!"

Fluffernutter nominated for official sandwich of Mass.

A Massachusetts legislative committee is considering what the state sandwich, candy and candy bar should be.

The Boston Globe reported that the foods under consideration are the Fluffernutter for the sandwich, Necco wafers for candy and Charleston Chew for candy bar.

Marshmallow Fluff was invented in Somerville and is now made in Lynn. Necco Wafers used to be made in Cambridge and now come from Revere. And the man who made the Charlestown Chew famous, Nat Sloane, was a native of Belmont.

Massachusetts already has five official state foods: the baked navy bean, corn muffin, chocolate chip cookie, Boston cream pie, and Boston cream doughnut.

$5G reward offered in 1974 Revere cold case

REVERE - Leigh Savoie was 10 years old when he left his State Road home to shine shoes, hoping to buy his mother an Easter present. It was April 7, 1974 - the last time anybody saw him.

Savoie's disappearance has remained a mystery. On Wednesday, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley and Revere Police Chief Terence Reardon jointly announced that a $5,000 reward has been offered in connection with the cold case.

The Carole Sund/Carrington Foundation, an independent private agency that provides awards in missing persons cases, has posted the reward for inf-ormation leading to Savoie's return or the prosecution of a suspect in his abduction.

"We are pleased that the Carole Sund/Carrington Foundation has provided funding in order to aid us in pursuing a case that we and they consider very much active and worthy of our best efforts throughout this passage of time," Reardon said. "We request that anyone having any information, no matter how trivial, regarding this case contact us in order to contribute to its successful resolution."

Conley echoed that sentiment. "As long as there's hope - hope of finding Leigh or hope of finding justice for him - we will not rest," he said. "With law enforcement resources bolstered by the Carole Sund/Carrington Foundation, and with the public's assistance, we have a chance to write this story's final chapter."

Savoie was last seen wearing blue pants, a blue sweater, brown shoes, and a white shirt reading, "Try it, you'll like it." He stood about four feet tall and weighed approximately 60 lbs. He had brown hair and brown eyes.

"Savoie sometimes shined shoes at nearby Suffolk Downs. On the day he disappeared, he left home with his shoeshine kit. Later the same afternoon, the owner of a Revere restaurant returned the kit to Savoie's home, saying the boy had dropped it off earlier in the day on his way to Revere Beach," said Conley spokesman Jake Wark.

Today, Savoie would be 45 years old.

Revere Police are investigating the case with the assistance of State Police homicide detectives assigned to Conley's office. In the absence of other information, the boy is currently classified as missing; should investigators develop substantive evidence that he was a victim of homicide, State Police will take the lead, Wark said.

Anyone with information on Savoie's disappearance is urged to call Revere Police at 781-286-8203 or State Police at 617-727-8817. Those familiar with the boy or his neighborhood in the early 1970s are also asked to call.

Daily Item

Jailed Red Sox fan in Iowa gets Royal treatment

It’s like a little bit of the Bay State in the Corn Belt.

Red Sox Nation citizenship got one Hawkeye out of jail for the day.

Taking a page from furlough-happy Massachusetts jurisprudence, an Iowa judge sprung a jailed man so he could watch his beloved Red Sox play the Kansas City Royals last night.

Randy Barker is half-way through two concurrent 10-day sentences for violation of a protective order, but prior to his conviction last week, his dad scored tickets to the Sox Midwest showdown, according to his court-appointed lawyer, Margaret King. She told the court Barker is a diehard Sox fan.

In a move King called “compassionate,” magistrate Benny Waggoner allowed Barker’s father and brother to pick him up from jail, drive him the four hours to Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, then bring him back, she said.

“He’s going to be allowed to go with his daddy and brother. They’ll bring him back tonight,” she said. “It’s a small town. Everybody knows everybody, and everybody trusts everybody . . . Everybody had a lot of compassion for him.”

When reached, the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office in Keosauqua, Iowa, said no one was available to comment on the arrest.

County Attorney Craig Miller said he objected to the decision, but not strenously “under the circumstances.”

“I opposed the motion, because he was serving a jail sentence,” Miller said. “I think the judge made the decision, trying to be fair to the defendant and to the family.”

Neither the police, the prosecutor, nor Barker’s lawyer would say what Barker did to violate the order. Waggoner could not be reached for comment.

So Barker watched Red Sox ace Josh Beckett take on Royals’ right-hander Luke Hochevar, as the Sox attempted to avoid a third loss.

King said she did not know why Barker loves the Red Sox, and added that no Boston B’s were in evidence at his trial. Barkers reached in Van Buren County told the Herald by phone they were Barker’s distant cousins, but no direct relatives could be reached.

Boston Herald

News from England

Genie in a Bottle

A woman rubbed a bottle and out popped a genie. The amazed woman asked if she got three wishes.

The genie said, 'Nope, sorry, three-wish genies are a storybook myth. I'm a one-wish genie. So... what'll it be?

The woman did not hesitate. She said, 'I want peace in the Middle East'. See this map? I want these countries to stop fighting with each other and I want all the Arabs to love the Jews and Americans and vice-versa. It will bring about world peace and harmony.

The genie looked at the map and exclaimed, 'Lady, be reasonable. These countries have been at war for thousands of years. I'm out of shape after being in a bottle for five-hundred years. I'm good but not THAT good! I don't think it can be done. Make another wish and please be reasonable.'

The woman thought for a minute and said, ' Well, I've never been able to find the right man. You know - one that's considerate and fun, romantic, likes to cook and help with the house cleaning, is good in bed, and gets along with my family, loves me more than his booze, doesn't watch sports all the time, and is faithful. That is what I wish for...a good man.'

The genie let out a SIGH, rolled his eyes and said, 'Let me see the damn map again.'

Happy Birthday, Uncle Tommy!

Steven & Tommy, Las Vegas - 2003

Maxine

Motivational Posters

Don't come a knockin' if the cars a rockin'...

Happy Hump Day!

The Old Man, a Boy & a Donkey

An old man, a boy & a donkey were going to town. The boy rode on the donkey & the old man walked. As they went along they passed some people, who remarked it was a shame the old man was walking and the boy was riding.

So they changed positions.

Then, later, they passed some people who remarked, "What a shame.... he makes that little boy walk."

So they then decided they'd both walk!


Soon they passed some more people who thought they were stupid to walk when they had a decent donkey to ride.

So, they both rode the donkey.


Now they passed some people who shamed them by saying how awful to put such a load on a poor donkey.

The boy and man figured they were probably right, so they decide to carry the
donkey.

As they crossed the bridge, they lost their grip on the animal and he fell into the river and drowned.

The moral of the story?

If you try to please everyone, you might
as well kiss your ass goodbye!

The Five Finger Prayer

1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

The Mexican Lion

This is a true story of a Garage Owner in the Southwest.

He was sick and tired of thugs breaking into his garage shop to steal tools etc. So he came up with this idea. He put the word out that he had a new Mexican Lion that would attack anyone that would break in or climb his fence. Would-be thieves saw the "Lion" from a distance and fled the scene.

Coastsweep seeks volunteers for Rumney Marsh cleanup

REVERE - Employees from GE Aviation in Lynn, members of the Saugus River Watershed Council, students from Revere High School and state Rep. Kathi-Anne Reinstein will join forces on Saturday, Sept. 26 to remove trash and other debris from Rumney Marsh.

Joan LeBlanc, director of the watershed council, said more volunteers are needed to participate in the 22nd annual Coastsweep. "Volunteers will help remove trash and debris from Rumney Marsh and participate in a statewide survey of marine debris for the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management," she said, adding that the event presents an opportunity for high school students to earn community service hours.

Volunteers will meet behind the VFW Mottolo Post at 10 Garofalo St. The cleanup will be conducted from 9 a.m. to noon. Refreshments, gloves and trash bags will be provided. Work clothes are recommended.

"Please bring rubber boots if you have them," LeBlanc said.

Coastsweep coordinators have emphasized this year that volunteers should not move any fishing gear or pieces of fishing gear. Instead, participants should note any identification numbers and report the find to the state Environmental Police dispatcher at 617-626-1650. State law prohibits people from destroying or damaging pound nets, fish traps or weirs.

For more information about the Rumney Marsh cleanup, contact the watershed council at srw@shore.net or call 781-233-5046. The marsh is classified by the state as an environmentally-sensitive area and vital wetland.

The watershed council is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 1991 to protect and restore the natural resources of the Saugus River watershed.

Coastsweep cleanups also took place last Saturday in Nahant at Long Beach and in Gloucester at Long, Niles and Wingaersheek beaches. Beach debris pickups were held earlier this month in Salem, Beverly, Ipswich and Newburyport.

The People of Walmart