Tuesday, February 16, 2021

All Souls' Day- 2017

 ON THIS DAY

3 years ago
On this ALL SOULS Day, too many of my former students are on my mind. REST IN PEACE to my students from Loyalsock HS, Jenkintown HS, Strousburg HS and Springfield HS
From 1981-2010
It’s been great to reconnect with my students on social media. To date, I’m connected one way or another to almost 3,000 of my 10,000 students. For years, they left us after high school and we never heard from them again and I often wondered what happened to them. Did the superstars stay on top? Did the marginal students find more success in their adult world? Were they happy and productive? Did they have children and now view the world differently?
I have to say that I’ve been really pleased with so many of their success stories.
But the downside of staying connected to these people is learning of their deaths. I am losing too many, too soon, too senselessly. Drug overdosing seems to be the biggest culprit for many of these young deaths. Regardless of how they go, each death is a loss to me.
Aaron Gorman
Aaron Tomsho
Adam Joachim
Alex Ghassan
Alyssa Coulston
Angie Conway
Ben Weiss
Beverly Broome
Billy Tashjian
Blair Heron
Bob Gordon
Bobbie Clements
Brant Marino
Brian Cassimissma
Brian Flieggle
Bridget Delaney
Candi Carpender
Carlos Fitzpatrick
Casey Feldman
Chris Senkow
Chris Simms
Colleen Kilkner
Collin Kunklin
Craig Kramer
Dave Adams
David DeWain
David Mojica
David Touchton
David Tourscher
Dennis – class of 1995
Dennis Serfass
Donna Schweinberg
Doug Paul
Doug Ruddy
Dustin Mumbauer
Eric McGurk-
Erin Galligan
Frank Schaffer- 2004
Gabby Oberti
Garrett- car accident
Graham Gower
Greg Bloomfield
Holly Winters
Jack Shaeffer
Jackie Kellie
Jay Keefer
Jeff Younken
Jeni Harris
Jennifer Furlong
Jeremy Steen
Jesse Schlomer
Jimmy Stewart
Joel Anderson
Joe Hull
John Gormly
John Piechocki- 2003
Justin Smith
Kate Leary
Kathy Cuff
Kevin Picard
Kyle Sabel
Laura
 Hill
Lee Papadopolous
Marrisa Twaska
Matt Conklin
Matt Halcomb- 1990
Matt Kolb
Matt Lopicalo- 2001
Matt McGill
Matt Tracey
Matt Turner
Melissa Pearl
Mike Davies
Mike Myers
Mike Petrillis
Mike Schecter
Mike Stewart
Mike Transue
Mitch Counterman
Mark Wertman
Nick Petrolli
Ottmar Hagerty
Pat Grady
Pat Tracey
Raeford MacIlwaine
Rebecca Davidson
Sarah Bullock
Sarah Wolf- 1989
Sean Burrill
Sean Rice- 1985
Shane Hansen
Shannon Murphy
Shari Wilson
Shawn Bennett
Stacy Thomas
Steve Wolf
Susan Polanco
Tim Batchler
Tina Michaels
Veronica Kish
Vincent J. Hill
You, Kathy Flatley Bandos, Kathi Lewis and 210 others
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Comments

  • Joey Ferrell
    You were the best principal I ever had. I'll never forget you and how you helped my thru my difficult Senior year. You were a great support system for me and I'll never ever forget that. The fact you are friends with so many of your former students spe… 
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  • Betty Diane Ulrich
    Bless you Bridget
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  • Norma Meade
    May they all Rest In Peace. The fact that you still remember them is a tribute to the relationship you had with your students.
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  • Janet Van Horn
    Dennis Serfass and Angie Conaway - class of 1997 (neither drug related)
    Thank you Dr. Kelly for staying in touch with all of us after all these years! SHS ALUMNI
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    • Bridget E Kelly
      More sad news. I will add them to the list.
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    • Janet Van Horn
      My condolences to all of the families who have lost their loved one too soon! 🙏🏼
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  • Dennis Higgins
    Wow. There were some familiar names that I hadn't known had passed on. Thank you for this.
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  • Soraya Thompson
    Too many gone too soon 😕
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  • Carole Lange
    Damn Bridget! That list is far too long and those kids died far too young. Kudos to you for keeping their memory alive.
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  • Michael Morris
    God bless ...
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  • Blyndra Kue
    Thank you for keeping in touch for many years after! You are one of my favorite principals (SHS Class of 2001)! It saddens me that so many have passed early. I fell in a mass depression after Aaron passed.
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  • Charlotte Ostrander
    Thank you Dr. Kelly for the love youve shown all of us. I was saddened to recognize many names on the list. I thought as i read this, my name was close to being there. Im so thankful to be alive!!! I pray for continued strength and seeing my friends not making it reminds me why I must remain strong.
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  • Joanne Murphy Pappalardo
    OMG 
    Bridget E Kelly
    , that is a long, sad list. Saw some I knew from Stroudsburg. It's wonderful that you take the time to stay in touch. Sal just got started on FB not too long ago and has heard from many of his former 4th graders. The best is when t… 
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  • Joanne Murphy Pappalardo
    So true. The world is a different place. Keep being the wonderful friend you are. You still make a difference .
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  • Shelly Litts-Schultz
    You were incredible to us students. As a member of the class of 1990 at Stroudsburg High I graduated. It was nice you remembered them. Craig Kramer was one of my best friends. Lord he is missed. So are the rest of them. Thank you!
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    • Bridget E Kelly
      Craig's death really shook me. I got a call from a parent around midnight to tell me that he died. I had just spoken to Craig at the end of the school day. I couldn't believe it.
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    • Shelly Litts-Schultz
      I know it was a terrible tragedy so shocking. His friends and family were devestated. He had the best smile just so sad on the inside
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  • Stephanie Cipriani Morrison
    Thank you so much Dr. Kelly for honoring these friends of our past. They were all taken too soon, and your love reminds us not to take our lives for granted and to be thankful every day for how far we have come. Even in our darkest hours, we have been … 
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  • Diane Wescott
    Thank you Bridgett. I saw names that I remember. It made me sad.
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  • Robert Dudley
    Was just thinking about Frank yesterday
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  • Sal Pappalardo
    You honor those who are gone
    in speaking fondly them, Bridget! God Bless you!
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  • Chris Belton
    My heart breaks over this list....So many children we have taught and loved and lost.
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  • Tara Broczkowski
    Amazing... Your dedication to following the lives of your students - and the empathy you share with their families and loved ones! I was saddened by the loss of the students I taught in the years that I was at SHS 😢
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  • Michelle Mehan Patterson
    Great thoughts .... Have you read Grit by Angela Duckworth.... thinking you probably have but if you haven't great read....
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  • Gloria Handling
    Thank you for remembering these students so fondly. I too, recognized so many names. Prayers for their families to find comfort and peace.☝💙
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  • Michelle Mehan Patterson
    So saddened by the loss of all those ....no longer with us, it touches every family... thinking of you..
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  • Sarah Phillips
    Thank you for remembering! ❤ Thank you for touching so many hearts!
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  • Heather Lynn Hartman
    Wow I can believe so many friends and classmates. I didn't know Jeff Younkin had passed away. 💔 so many kids from the Class of 91. You're amazing for keeping us all in your heart Dr. Kelly, I wish you were still at SHS, we could use some greatness back… 
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  • Wendy Conway Scott
    Thank you Dr. Kelly for keeping their spirits in all of our hearts.
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  • Lynn Talbot
    Can't believe u have kept up with all these lives
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  • Chrisy Sorrenti
    Dr. Kelly, is the Matt Conklin on the list from SHS? P
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  • Sandy Adams
    Aaron Tomsho
     as well 
    .
    .
    .
     class of 
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  • Stacy Flynn-Totero
    And this is exactly why you were my favorite principal ❤️
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  • Amanda Lombardo
    Thank you for remembering those that are gone. You were a great principal! SHS 2005
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  • Sarah Glasgow
    Wow 😔. I know several on this list, and a few I didn’t know about. So sad. As a teacher myself now, I’ve already had several that have passed away. It’s nice that you’re remembering them and have kept in touch with so many others.
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  • Kitty Hall Hodinka
    Matt Lopicalo (sp) from class of 2000 or 2001. SHS
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  • Robert Francis
    I have had run through this list in my own mind probably a dozen times and I always come to the same conclusion...what can I (people my age) do? I would love to get into the fight but I cant figure out where I can be effective.
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    • Bridget E Kelly
      Me neither. I started keeping this list when so many people starting dying in large numbers. It helped me face the magnitude of the problem.
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    • Sean Kyle
      It's prescription drugs and suicide as the two biggest causes for the deaths at SHS 
      That's the two biggest areas we need to address
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  • Stacy Lynn
    Bridget
    , that list is too long and very sad. I remember having a hard time in high school and you pulling me into your office and treating me like a real person. Thank you for that. Thank you so so much. You always saw the best in us and made us b… 
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  • Jessica Heath
    I didn't know about some of these. So sad to see so many young folks gone.
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  • Tina Popko Carpinello
    You're a beautiful soul, 
    Bridget E Kelly
    . ❤️
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  • John McLaughlin
    Such a sad litany,Bridget! "Touch a Name on the Wall..." Sadness all around.
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  • Erin Kelly Thompson
    Mike Petrellis - 2003
    Brian Fleagle 2003
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  • Joanne DeLuca Transue
    My heart just broke reading all the names and remembering my classmates on the list
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  • Carol Fox
    I'm touched that you have kept track of these students. I know too many of them! Very sad!
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  • Jennifer Hayes
    And this is why you were and still are so loved. Thank you for always caring. Thank you for remembering.
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  • Suzanne Adams
    Aaron Tomsho
    ...Class of 1991. Just another name to add to your list!
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  • Tammy Hay
    Patrick Grady. Class of 1991
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  • MonaLisa Agathangelou
    Sarah Bullock and Michael Meyer have also passed from class of 1995. So sad to see so many names that are familiar to me ❤ Thank You for the remembrance
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    • Bridget E Kelly
      do you have a yearbook picture of mike. I had at least two Mike Myers in my career.
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  • Dave Moore
    Some of these names I know, but didn't even know had passed 😕So much tragedy in our communities these days.
    Thank you for being such an excellent leader for all of us
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  • Debra Ward Metz
    In my son's tremulous senior year, you helped us with compassion as if he was your only student.. Thank you so much for being a bright light in this all too often dark world. You are very loved and respected by this mom.. ❤ May God bless you in everyt… 
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  • Melissa Shanley Yetter
    ❤️ I know tooo many of these kids. ESP my Sarah Wolf❤️❤️❤️
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  • Betsy Scholz Paugh
    Overwhelmed reading this list and don’t know what so say. Just thanks, for loving without measure or judgement.
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  • Rachel Burke
    Today is Bobby Clements birthday which is always a reminder for me ... we need change
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    • Bridget E Kelly
      every time I pass Nifty Fifty, I think of him.
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  • Melanie Damon
    I wept reading this as I was waiting for my train. Its unreal the amount of loss we have experienced as such young ages.
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  • Adrianna Gerard Cabrey
    Familiar with some of these names. Shocked to see some that I wasn’t aware who passed!
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  • Anne Obi
    No words... beautiful for remembering, thank u, rip to all (💔 shs c/o 2007)
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  • Erica Torregrossa
    May they all RIP. Thank you for being such a caring and compassionate person.
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  • Cheri Monaghan West
    Bridget Galligan. Can't remember what class she was in. 
    Jim Galligan
    ?
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    • Lisa Ann
      Erin Galligan.....
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  • Cheri Monaghan West
    Shari Wilson class of 99 or 2000
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  • Sharon Scerbo
    This list, and your attention to it unconditionally, reminds me what a great principal you were at Stroudsburg where your presence seemed to be everywhere! You wore your passion for youth on your sleeve and continue to serve us all by your acknowledgem… 
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  • Joanne DeLuca Transue
    Joel Anderson and Matt Halcomb 1990
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    • Bridget E Kelly
      if you have your yearbook handy, would you send me a photo of them.
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  • Boon Doc
    I pretty much left Stroudsburg in my rearview mirror after graduation and didn’t make any effort to stay in touch with anyone until recently. That said…some of names on this list surprise me. As a paramedic I deal with death more often than most…still…it gives one pause to read this list with only the memory of the fallen as teenagers with brimming with potential and their whole lives laid before them.
    I don’t have a great many positive memories of my school life in Stroudsburg…but you were always one of my fondest. You never ceased trying to understand us and, when necessary, reach out to those you knew were foundering. Being an educator wasn’t a job for you…it was a calling…and it showed. The list itself is somewhat shocking…though the fact that you kept it is not.
    You had a lasting impact on me as a young man and I have always been grateful for your being such a lasting and positive influence. Though you might have forgotten, one of the last times I saw you was following a school board meeting towards the end of my senior year where you met my mother. You knew far more about me than I had previously realized and it only reinforced my belief…that you really did try to know each and every one of us…as impossible a task as it might have been. 
    Thank you for everything Dr. Kelly…I know I’m not the only one that feels this way…doesn’t make it any less important for you to hear it.
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    • Bridget E Kelly
      Thank you John and I do remember this conversation. We walked out of the board meeting together and stopped to chat right outside the cafeteria.
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  • Linda Marshall
    Great accolades to a great person.
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  • Gloria Handling
    I filled up with tears as I read this list of names. Wonderful young people gone too soon. Thank you Bridget for loving all all of these students without one ounce of prejudice or judgement. They loved and respected you back. May they all rest in peace… 
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  • Jennifer Furey
    Thank you for being such a caring person. I always highly respected you and the way you cared for us at your school. You touched a lot of students at Stroudsburg High School.
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    • Janet Van Horn
      This isn’t exactly the post I should make this comment here but I’m gonna go ahead and say it. Reading these heartwarming comments about Dr. Kelly are 100% accurate. We were very blessed to have such a wonderful Principle who genuinely cared for us students. Having one child who just graduated at Stroudsburg this past June and my second being a Junior still, they certainly do NOT have that, in fact they have the opposite and it truly makes me sad. Dr. 
      Bridget E Kelly
       you truly were an amazing, compassionate Principle and I know many of us can’t thank you enough! Thank you for never forgetting those we lost!
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  • Sara Pierce
    Wow. You just put it all in one place. You are an amazingly empathetic and caring woman. I am lucky to have had you care for me in two difficult years of high school. Thank you for being a person I strive to be, and keeping those we care so deeply abou…
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  • Janelle French
    ❤ Jeremy Steen ❤ Thank you for remembering.
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  • MonaLisa Agathangelou
    As I know many of these people you mentioned, I am saddened they are no longer with us but I also appreciate that you have taken the time to keep a close eye on us through the years. As a great leader you have exceeded the expectations as our high scho… 
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  • Carol B. Hall
    You are an amazing person and have been an example in caring for your students and staff. I am proud to know you. Your contact with former students is a credit to you as well as to them. Thank you for the example you have set for education professionals.
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  • Jen Haley
    So heartbreaking to read so many familiar names. Many whose smiling faces popped into my head as I read through this list. Mrs. Kelly, you are a real hero, to hold so many of your students for so long. I remember you fondly from my time at SHS. I believe was also lost Mike Schecter class of 1992. Too many of my friends on that list 😢
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  • Robert Hunt
    Missing Mike Transue, class of 1989, ma'am. May he rest in peace.👼
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    • Bridget E Kelly
      You’ve lost a lot of classmates.
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    • Robert Hunt
      Bridget E Kelly
       yes ma'am, I have. Its hard to believe that so many are gone. Its nice to see someone keeping up with their memories. You're 1 in a million, ma'am!
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  • Robert Hunt
    And I stand corrected: Mike Transue is on that list.
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  • Joanne DeLuca Transue
    Herb Strunk class of 90
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  • Mike Lemon
    Thanks, Bridget, for this beautiful, if sad, reminder. Too many on that list. Kat and I were talking about Bob Gordon just last night. We need to remember and maybe cry sometimes.
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  • Joanne DeLuca Transue
    Sorry to share that Stroudsburg Has lost another Classmate remember all his photo taking and Nice guy! Rest In Peace Dan Heimbach
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  • Kitty Hall Hodinka
    Bobby Supper class of 2005- Springfield
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Monday, February 15, 2021

Bittersweet


A Bittersweet Moment

The Old Building Is Coming Down

SHS

January 2021

Several of my former students were posting a video of the old high school where I used to the the principal.  The building is going to be torn down in a few weeks and it is stirring up all sorts of emotions from people.  There is my take:


As people make comments that this moment is bittersweet, I can tell you it is only bitter for me. It saddens me to see this bldg go down. There were so many, many students who passed through these doors who have gone on to do wonderful things. It was a privilege to guide you on to the next step of your life. And I am so proud of what you have done as adults. And now, our common grounds, our hallowed halls will be gone too soon and forever. This video just fills me with nostalgia and heaviness. 


Best wishes to the current students as they embrace their new home. But for the rest of us, we are losing a big piece of our history. Thank you to the thousands of you who shared these halls with me. 

And thanks to the staff and parent who helped with this journey. To name just a few: Joseph Bosak Sissy Sayer Staeger Jill Yazwinsky Dougherty Vicki Murphy-Kendall Bill Atwell Sr. Tom Grubb Susan Descano Joe O'brien Jaye Pedante Rina Vassallo Tom Brientnall Fonda Akins Karen Carty Fran Talarowski Lisa Lockley Marc Scroggins Maureen O'Reilly Naylor Janine Graff QVC Tilman Buntz Kirsten Kollars Marne O'Hara DiCamillo Sita Romeu-Jeffers Sally Staeger Burke Gina Burns Hercer Wendy Yohn Robert Young Francis Mendieta Ward Chris Belton Ruth Snyder Megan Clementi Amy Jenceleski Roe Viso Linda Bellace Cathy Keenan Doris Gough Bethany Coover Casey Danubio Jessica Houser John Gildea-Walker Rosemary Touhill Nancy Gansky 

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Sunday, February 14, 2021

The Great Wall


The Great Wall of China

Beijing, China

February 2012


 

I walked the Great Wall on a cold, gray, windy February day.  There weren't many people out there that day. The wind was blistering and the path is steep so it was very hard to walk.  Every step was laborious. And I couldn't imagine how laborers from centuries ago were able to get around this walkway with any ease.  It was just too damn hard to walk it. After five minutes, I wanted to leave and retreat to some place warm. But I thought I can't come all this way and only spend 5 minutes there.  So I waited half an hour and gleefully left.

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Thursday, February 11, 2021

2nd District Brewery

 2nd District Brewery

Philadelphia, PA



I had a lot of trouble finding this place because my GPS gave me two different addresses and there is not enough signage in front of the brewery.  It's on a corner, tucked amongst several car repair shops. You are really going to have to look for it.

That being said, they make great beers.  They are a little pricey so I only tried three 4 oz beers: Big Thoughts (Double IPA),  True Nature (IPA) and Leland ( Rye Stout). All of them were flavorful and easy to drink.

The atmosphere is friendly. This would be a great Friday After-work Happy Hour hangout.  There is plenty of room, a good jukebox and friendly staff. There are many small tables that allow you to have conversations just with your friend. But there are also lots of standing areas.  There is a long bar with seating. I didn't see anyone eating food so I don't know what they have as options.

They offer 4 oz, 10 oz and 16 oz pours.  They have growlers and crawlers.  I like have quantity options.

Check it out.


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Tuesday, February 9, 2021

images of China 2012




















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Monday, February 8, 2021

Kennett Square Brewery

 Kennett Brewery Company

Kennett Square, PA

I think this place recently opened.  I liked the place.  It had a nice vibe and there seemed to be an effort to make this place a happening place.  There is a full schedule of entertainers.

Of course, I had a flight here: 4 glasses of 5 oz for $10.  I had the porter, the stout and two IPAs.  The two IPAs tasted very similar. I liked everything I drank and I'd go back some time.





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Saturday, February 6, 2021

Emily Is Losing Her English Skills

 EMILY’S CONCERNS ABOUT LOSING HER ENGLISH SKILLS.


During the Spring Semester of 2012, I taught leadership skills to college women at Sias University in Henan Province, China. Emily graduated last May (2012) and returned to her rural village where few people speak English so she has no opportunity to practice and improve her skills.  She is worried about losing her skills. And so am I.

 

FROM EMILY:    On Dec 26, 2012 10:00 AM, "emilytian(田蛟平）" wrote:

Hi Bridget, I am glad to hear from you . I worked in a big factory as a administrator for human resource after i graduated. The factory was built in my city so it is convenient for me to go home. But during my work i had no chance to speak English. I can't use English daily. I was confused that whether i should change my position. I didn't want to forget my English. Though it is not good . I love English, I dream that one day i can go abroad use my English. My mother didn't want me give up this position because she want me work in my hometown which she can see me every week . I afraid that if i did not use English frequently i will lost it someday . And i will lose the contact with you, jerrie and MaryAnn. I was afraid that happened one day. What should I do . Do you have any good ideas. What about your life after you leave sias. I am looking forward to hearing from you soon. 
Yours EMILY.

 

 

MY RESPONSE TO EMILY:  
Emily listen to some podcasts on iTunes on a regular basis. Listen to English every day. Your English is very good and I would have to hear that you are losing this skill. Write every day. Keep a journal. Add something on the WAFW page on LinkedIn. Keep some conversations going. If you stop speaking or listening to English you will lose your confidence in your good skills. Dont surrender.

 

Dear Bridget: 

There is almost one month I didn't send you email, how are you? The spring festival is going on the way , next week I will start my holiday for my spring festival. I send a few emails to jerrie about my work and my life ,she give me some good suggestions. I found that I didn't lose my skill -English. Though I can't speak it every day ,I can send you and jerrie , Maryann emails as before I stay at school . I spent my spare time to learn English as soon as possible. You know that it is good for me that I can use it and send you emails.

I decided to change my work after spring festival I want to find a position which use English so I can improve my skill not keep my skill. Do you have some good suggestions?
Have a nice day!
Emily.
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Friday, February 5, 2021

American Cannon IPA

 American Cannon

Double Dry Hopped American Pale Ale
Heavy Seas Brewery, MD

I don't really understand what a dry hop is but I definitely thought there was a crispness to this taste that is different from other IPA beers I have had.  Maybe it is all in my head. Regardless, I liked this beer.  But then again, I like most thinks that Heavy Sea brews.  I can always count on this brewery for lots of taste.



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Thursday, February 4, 2021

Triple IPA

 Hop'Solutely Triple IPA

Fegley's Breworks
11.5% Alcohol

I never had a triple IPA before but friends of mine talked about getting up early on a cold February morning to wait in line to try a pour of a limited release.  I didnt get up for the event but I did become obsessed with trying a Triple.

I found this bottle.  It took me three hours to drink because I had to sip it.  There was no way I could gulp this beer as it was too heavy, too intense. And then, when I finished, I had to go to bed because I was drunk.



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Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Home. NOW WHAT!!!!

 ON THIS DAY- FB Post

6 years ago

Bridget E Kelly

November 16, 2014  · 


Home. NOW WHAT???????????????


I ran for public office in 2014. I ran from February to November and spent all of my time on the campaign.  I lost the election and a few days later I went to Jamaica for a few days to relax and put the the campaign and year behind me.  And then I came home to my old life.


Jacki Budicker VanGorden   Make spaghetti sauce.

Betty Diane Ulrich Welcome home!

Doris Gough  Start your next campaign.

Rita Young Kanouse Breathe

Lynn Rosenblatt-Shapira  Come to visit!

Kathy Flatley Bandos  Deep breathing and laundry.  Then get back on that horse.

Marge Dorrin enjoy life

Maureen Patton Reis You will figure out something interesting to get involved in!

Rosemary Touhill  Use all those gifts God blessed you with..teaching, guidance and especially that knack you have of making everyone feel special! 😊

Debra Ward Metz  Yes, catch up on the laundry and mail.. Lol.. Then pray and continue on your journey in this thing we call life..

Marilyn Vaughn  You will do something wonderful.I'm sure!

Chris Belton  Run for school board....

Cheri Monaghan West  I second that

Selia Wang  Come to China

Ginni Outlaw-Buongiovanni-  Be beautiful and strong. You are the captain of your ship...where you going to take it Captain Bridgett??? Hope all roads lead to happiness and fulfillment.

Jeams Jn Louis  Life goes on !


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Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Phone Stores




Phone Stores

Jacmel, Haiti

July 2013

These vendors just cluster together and pop up an umbrella and they have a store, right there on the street, where they will sell you sim cards and minutes and phones, all from their inventory which is stuffed away in their back packs.

 


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Monday, February 1, 2021

February 2020


February 2020
PA, FL, VA, Mexico, Belize, Honduras

1- SA- FL- We are off on our cruise to the Western Caribbean.  For the next week we will set sail from Miami to Mexico, Belize and Honduras. The journey is going to be as great as the destination.  I can't wait and I cant wait to see how Lauren enjoys this journey.

2- SU- At Sea- what a great way to go through life. We just meandered around the ship. And drank mojitos and eat too much and soaked in the sun.  Damn, we are lucky.

3- M- Mexico- we shopped today.  Lauren couldn't spend her money fast enough.

 4- TU- Honduras- I thought we were going kayaking today but I was confused.  Today we took a drive through the island of Roatan and zigzagged through neighborhoods so we could see the everyday life of the people.

 5- W- Belize- it was a beautiful, sunny day so we just rented a cabana on the beach and soaked up the warm and the sun.  I did take a quick dip in the Caribbean Sea and loved it. It was a wonderful, lazy day.

 6- TH- At Sea- We were scheduled to dock in Mexico today but the weather just did not agree with us.  The harbor closed due to high winds.  The ship's captain came over the PM, right in to our cabins and made the announcement.  Lauren and I were disappointed for a moment as this was going to be another opportunity to snorkel again.  But we recovered quickly and rolled over and slept in until noonish.

7- F- At Sea- it's our last day on the ship and we have decided to hang in the main lounge and watch the last of the adult focused silly game shows.  We had another mojita and checked out the rip-off shopping options on board once again and then went back to the cabin to pack and go home.

8- SA- FL- we got off the boat by 8:30 AM and boarded a bus to take a boat ride through the Everglades National Park.  We were in search of alligators.  And we saw them.  We saw some great birds. Afterwards, we spent 8 hours in the airport, waiting for our return flight to Philly.  It was after midnight before I got home and, as always, it was great to be home.

 9- SU- PA- it was good to sleep in my own bed but I did miss the rocking of the boat. I slept in, went food shopping and then sat in the lounge and half-watched the Oscars.  I also had to call Bangladesh to make arrangements for a group we will be running in March.  I spoke to this man for 5 minutes and didn't understand a damn word he said to me.  I wonder if he had the same problem.

10- M- PA- I had an appointment with a Medicare Insurance Specialist today and I was so damn happy.  Come July 1, my premium will be half of what it is today and I will have so many benefits, including vision, hearing, dental and cancer payments.  I will have no damn deductibles which is great because my deductible is $7500/year now.  What a relief.  Afterwards, I went to see JoJo Rabbit and I loved it.

11- TU- PA-  It's a rainy day, warm but dreary.  So I headed to a brewery in Pottstown,  J. J. Ratigan Brewing Company.  I also stopped at the Army Navy Store next door and bought shit I don't need.  I justified it because I signed up for a pain in the ass driving assignment for the Cancer Society tomorrow.  I have to pick someone up by 8:30AM for his treatment and then drive him home at 3:30 so this will encumber my entire day.

12- W- PA- I had to get up early to take a cancer patient to his treatment and then I had to pick him up  again in the mid afternoon.  He must have liked me as he told me that he was going to post his next request soon so I could sign up and get him.  Afterwards, I went home and spent hours going through all of my damn electronic toys.  I have too, too much stuff and it is weighing me down.

13- TH- PA- It was a rainy day so it was a perfect day to drive to Centralia, the ghost town.  I was there 10 years ago and I could still see some semblance of a downtown area.  But today, I couldn't find anything but the old cemetery. Smoke is no longer seeping through the cracks of the sidewalks and the streets.  The main street is now a tourist attraction as it has become known as Graffiti Highway.  On the way home, I stopped at 1787 Brewing Company and Gabe's. And I found things to buy in both of these places.

14- F- PA- I was up early to make a phone call to Bangladesh.  My students still want to make the trip to China in the spring.  So do I so I booked my trip and I am flying round trip for  only $500. I really wanted to see the new Will Farrell movie, Downhill,  and it opened today.  So I went and it was awful. OMG, I wouldn't even watch this movie again for free on Netflix. I posted my first Podcast episode. Afterwards, I went for drinks with Debbie and Jill.  Jill just broke up with Nick so she was a bit of a mess.  She could barely stay in our conversation and then she just had to go home to cry.  So Debbie and I went over to Split Rail and ran in to Joe and Anna and Emelia. I miss them.

15- SA- PA- It was cold today so that curtailed any thought of going outside today.  Mostly I worked on my new podcast.  I don't like how my voice sounds. I'm too forceful.  I need to relax more and I need to get rid of my breathing ticks that are annoying.

16- SU- PA- It was a beautiful, sunny day and at 42F, it seemed warm.  I ushered at the theatre and listened to Marc Cohen sing Walking to Memphis.  He hasn't lost his voice after all these years and he was charming as well. I like this theatre gig.

17- M- PA-  Jimmy texted us early this morning to tell us that Teresa Collebelli died late last night.  She had been suffered terribly for the last 4 years from a freak lung disorder. But is is still hard to let her go. I went to the movies to see the 2019 Nominated Short Action Films. I really liked them all but the one that won the Oscar. Jill called me in the evening and just wanted to chat about her grandmother. She's lost in her grief today and rightly so. It's Brian's birthday.  He is 50 today.

18- TU- PA- I made a call to Bangladesh and talked to Nadia for an hour.  I have to let this assignment go.  I went to the movies to see the 2019 Nominated Short Documentary Films and I had my ticket and waited an hour because I had the wrong start time.  And when I sat down at my seat, I saw that I had a ticket for the Animated Films which does not interest me.  But I stayed anyway and watched them.  I don't really like animated films.  But some of these were really interesting.

19- W- PA-

I went to a gastro-intestinal specialist today to address my vomiting issue.  I hated this woman.  She was rude, dismissive and annoying.  I don't want to go to her.  But if I decide to go elsewhere, it will take another month to get an appointment.  Damn, damn, damn.  She wants me to get blood work, eat a radioactive egg salad sandwich and have a colonoscopy. I don't want to do any of these things.

 I also went to the third in a series of 2019 Nominated Short Films.  I went to see the Short Documentary Films.  And I enjoyed them, but they only showed two films and three more films were being shown in the evening.  I couldn't go because I had to meet Patricia at PSU for a presentation on depression.  A man drew 100 sketches to demonstrate his depression.  He is taking his show, The Anxiety Project,  around the state and it was inspiring.  I really could get over how much I enjoyed it.

20- TH- PA- Jimmy and Joann came by for lunch.  It was good to see Joann and I think she was grateful to get away form the house.  We went to The Social Club for lunch and talked mostly about Teresa.  Joann told me, "I lost my best buddy.  I called her 4 or 5 times a day."  That's a big loss.  I wasted the rest of the day.  I did nothing.  Put a few things away and hung in the lounge.  I should have gone to get my bloodwork done.

21- F- PA/VA- I drove to VA to see Brian and his family.  It was a perfect day for a 5 hour drive.  It was sunny.  There was no traffic and I listened to Jack London's book, The Call of the Wild.  This book is now a movie and I just cant see how this story translates in to a movie. He's given the dogs too much of a human quality.

22- SA- VA- OMG, it was a beautiful, warm, sunny day.  It was a perfect day to get in the car, drive for an hour and take a tour of a whiskey distillery.  We went to the Virginia Distillery  and Woodridge Farm Brewery.  The weather was so damn beautiful that we sat outside on the porch and just took in the beauty of the mountains.  On the way home we picked up a movie, Midway, a movie about our response to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. War is dreadful.

23- SU- VA/PA- we went out for breakfast just as we have for years as I leave the Kellys. I meandered home by way of some of my favorite spots.  I picked up too much junk at Gabe's.  Then I went to the Molly Pritchard Brewery in Carlisle, PA.  It took me 8 hours to get home.  I listened to Mike Pollan's book, Caffeine, on the way home.

24- M- PA- Today was Teresa Collibelli's funeral.  She was a lovely woman who suffered so much.  My heart went out to her sisters who are burying one sibling after another.  There were 16 of them and I think they are half way through the pack. It's hard to let go.  I just keep thinking that she is just going to re-appear in a day or two.

25- T- PA- it is a raining day and it's been so damn nice the last couple of days that now I am a complaining, whiney hiney. Bring back the sunshine.  I didn't do much but I did go to Lisa Kelly's house for dinner.  She wanted my insight in to whether I thought her dad was crazy or not.  They are finally selling the family house at the beach in NJ.

26- W- PA- I had to go to the dentist yet again.  She's all over me because I have not tried using Clorex as a mouth wash as she had prescribed.  On the way home, I discovered that Sly Fox Brewery opened a taproom in Malvern.  So I stopped for a quick flight of three stouts/porters and two IPAs.  I came home and ran in to Jon and Jill and we went out for dinner at a local Italian restuarant.

27- TH- PA- I intended to get lots done today but I started with a call to my insurance company to clarify if I can get blood work done and it took all afternoon to speak to someone, set up a new app to continue to communicate with each other  and get an answer which I still haven't received.  Hopefully, I will find out tomorrow.  I didn't make much more progress on my DoTo list.  I did get a new pack of packing cubes to review for Amazon and I love them,  I can't wait to write my review.  I had to usher at Uptown tonight for Dueling Pianos.  OMG, they played for 2 1/2 hours.  I thought they were never going to end.

28- F- PA- It was cold and I was up early to take a woman to treatment for her cancer.  I got lost and she was late for her appointment. I needed gas and discovered that I forgot to bring my purse so I had to scrap quarters together to get $5 in gas.  I went to the movies with Phylis to see Les Miserables and it was miserable.  It was hard to watch and poor people in Paris battle to stay alive in poverty worlds.

29- SA- PA- It's a Leap Year, an extra day of winter and it is damn cold today.  I was supposed to go to a funeral today with Sue Descano but she had to put her husband in the hospital today and her 96 year old mother needs her care.  So I didn't go so I could help Sue today and she is too exhausted to accept any help. Now I feel bad for missing the funeral.




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