Top Stories for Tuesday March 14, 2017

A Gift of Love Local Youth Receives Donor Heart And Transplant
By Cookie Steponaitis
Joshua Barnes was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) while in the womb and was born with essentially half of a healthy heart. Joshua’s left ventricle was underdeveloped and he had a leaky aortic and mitral valve. The diagnosis was so grave that doctors encouraged parents Dan and Sarah to consider an abortion due to the poor quality of life the baby would have. His parents never considered that as a possibility and went to the Children’s Hospital in Boston where Joshua was induced a week early and had his first stage open heart surgery at three days old. “Joshua was always a fighter,” explained mom Sarah Barnes. “I was told he couldn’t nurse but he nursed until he was two. He was flown to Boston at four months because of a valve being blocked and had his second surgery. Joshua had several open-heart surgeries before he was four, including installing a pacemaker.”
  [ more ]

Kimberly Krans Award Event

WomenSafe has announced that Cheryl Mitchell is the recipient of the 2017 Kimberly Krans Women Who Change the World Award. Please join them on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 from 5:00-6:30pm at 109 Catamount Park in Middlebury and help honor and celebrate Cheryl’s dedication to the community.  Refreshments will be provided.
  [ more ]

American Legion Oratorical Contest Promotes Constitutional Literacy
By Cookie Steponaitis
At a time in American politics where people know they have freedom of speech and most seem to be utilizing it, a speaking contest begun by the American Legion in 1938 focuses youth on developing a deeper understanding and appreciation for the United States Constitution. The American Legion Oratorical has long been known as one of the most challenging but rewarding contests for young orators. The contest challenges each student to research, write and deliver an 8-10 minute speech on some phase of the United States Constitution and deliver a 3-5-minute oration on one of four assigned topics related to the Bill of Rights or the Constitution with only five minutes preparation.  [ more ]