Going downhill fast
Let’s face it. Anytime I’m compelled
to get off the couch, I’m outside my comfort zone.
In the past, when my kids whined
about wanting to ski, I dodged the bullet due to the expense involved. They can
shame me for being lazy, but they can’t argue with the checkbook.
Then I heard about special skiing and
snowboarding deals at BristolMountain.
Like Scout ski nights and Wegmans Family Nights.
Before I knew it, I was preparing to sacrifice what’s left of my dignity on a
mountainside in OntarioCounty.
It’s been 25 years since I last
careened wildly out of control on my old Rossignol
210s. Thankfully, the newer, shorter skis were easier to handle. The free
lesson helped, too. Our instructor patiently imparted the three keys to
successful skiing. Three things. Hell, even I can
manage that. The elementary school aged kids in the group grasped the concepts
readily, too.
Saturdays through March 11, Bristol
has Wegmans Family Night. With a Wegmans
Shoppers Club Card, a family of three can ski or snowboard from 4 to 10 p.m.
for $60. Additional family members are $12. Half-price ski
and snowboard rentals available. Free beginner lesson at 5 p.m. Go to www.bristolmountain.com or call
374-6000.
Danny spreads the love around. Swain’s
got Wegmans Night on Saturdays, too, 4 to 10 p.m. Three lift tickets for $68, three
snow tubing tickets for $30. Purchase tickets at Wegmans.
Rental discounts available. Go to www.swain.com or
call (607)545-6511.
— Linda Kostin
(www.junkstorecowgirl.com)
Cinema family two-fer
The Cinema has Chicken
Little and Zathura as a double feature January 11 and 12 7 and 8:25 p.m.; then again as the
weekend matinee at 3:15 and 4:40 p.m. Chicken
Little is harmless flapdoodle from Disney, and Zathura is a cut better than
that, exciting, sweet, smart, and fun. (AW)
The “S” word
…I
the LORD your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the sins of parents,
to the third and the fourth generation… — Exodus 20:5
I imagine this passage gives both of
us the creeps, invoking as it does the dreaded “S” word, favorite weapon of
vindictive demagogues. It is natural to rail against the harsh unfairness of
such a god. But the wisdom and challenge of this passage lies not in
characterizations of the jealous Yahweh of ancient Semite tradition, but in the
powerful warning of the tragic impact of our own offenses.
By definition, sin injures far beyond
the one who commits it. That’s what makes it so sinful. Think of the effect of adultery on a family: The fallout
from such a betrayal flows through generations, creating for children,
families, and communities relational issues that often
persist. The same can be said for stealing, slander, killing, etc. The sins of
previous generations have indeed shaped our world, and our sins will bring hardship to our progeny.
Think of the legacy we are leaving.
Have you created more blessings than
road blocks? Have you done your best to interrupt legacies of conflict and
weave instead an inheritance of love and joy for those who will follow? Tread
lightly in life, and avoid those places you shouldn’t tread at all.
…never may I live to see my friend or son in
want; hitherward let your heart be turned. — The Rig Veda, Book
VIII, Hymn XLV.36
— Rev. Corey Keyes
This article appears in Jan 11-17, 2006.
