Top Stories for Tuesday December 2, 2008

“A test against the enemy and the sea”: Sharing Memories with Winston W. Whitten
By Cookie Steponaitis
    To most Americans the mention of the South Pacific congers up images of tropical paradise, blue ocean, warm breezes and exotic vacation destinations. To Winston Whitten and the men of the USS Mississinewa (AO-59), the Pacific Ocean of 1944, was one of war time danger. The Mississinewa was An Ashtabula class tanker that was used for carrying and re fueling American ships and planes in the war. The tanker was 553 feet long and carried 140,000 barrels of ship fuel as well as 100,000 gallons of high octane plane fuel. With a ship’s complement of 278 enlisted men and 21 officers, the tanker was laid down by the Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard in Maryland and was launched on March 28, 1944. After an entry cruise in the Chesapeake Bay, the ship entered into wartime service on May 11, 1944 and first refueled ships for the third fleet.
  [ more ]

Family Owned Sears Store Opens On Exchange Street In Middlebury

   From L to R: Employees Maeghan Silvestri and Christopher Payne, Owners Mike and Kym Harrington, employee Naomi Manning, and Andy Mayer, president, Addison County Chamber of Commerce.
  [ more ]

“Just Sing a Song” Celebrating the Holidays with Voices Raised and Hearts Lightened
By Cookie Steponaitis
   “Sing, Sing a song, Sing out loud, Sing out strong, Sing of good things, not bad, Sing of happy, not sad, Sing, Sing a song, Make it simple, To last your whole life long, Don't worry that it's not good enough, For anyone else to hear, Sing, Sing a song.” When Joe Raposo write these lyrics for his 1980’s music group, he may not have had Christmas time in mind; but really music is not just seasonal and is a part of our lives, celebrations and gatherings during the whole year. As snowflakes danced in the Champlain Valley this Thanksgiving weekend, and people busily hustled around with friends, families and the inevitable holiday shopping list; it became evident that the holidays have arrived. Adding to the merriment are special gatherings that will occur to brighten our season and lighten our hearts.
  [ more ]