Alice Gerard

Today, I am sharing a type of writing exercise. In this exercise, you imagine that you are living on a deserted island. Those of us who are less than thrilled with the result of the recent presidential election in the United States may have an urge to move to a deserted island. I have to […]

Today, I am starting a series of interviews of teachers that I plan to continue through the school year. Because I am now the editor of the Huth Road Elementary School PTA’s newsletter, I have the opportunity to interview teachers so that people could get to know the teachers a little better. Unfortunately, there is

On Saturday, December 3rd, at the Grand Island Town Hall, there was a presentation on the effects of dangerous levels of pollution in Buffalo, Tonawanda, and Grand Island. There was also an explanation of research that is underway to assess the damage in Buffalo, Tonawanda, and Grand Island from exposure to air pollution.  Contaminants have

On Friday, December 2nd, I went to the Grand Island Historical Society’s holiday luncheon at River Lea. The house was decorated in a Williamsburg style. It looked very Christmasy and quite delightful. It was definitely enough to get you in the Christmas spirit, if only for the amount of time that you were at River

jjYesterday was World AIDS Day. It was a day to remember the many who have been lost to this terrible disease and to feel hope that a cure can be found to HIV/AIDS. As of now, HIV can be controlled with medication, much like any chronic condition, but it cannot be cured. Because my knowledge

Today is World AIDS Day. It’s a good day to remember those who have been lost to this dread disease and also a day to remember that hope is still alive. There is still no cure for people who are HIV positive, but, now, the condition can be managed, much as other chronic conditions, such

Today, I did my last gardening job for the year. My task for the morning was to plant bulbs. Usually, gardening work offers the opportunity for instant gratification. You dig weeds and prune shrubbery. Once you remove the refuse, you see results right away. There is no reason to wait. With bulb planting, it is

On Monday, November 28th, I went to Buffalo to hear about Standing Rock from Lakota spiritual leader Arvol Looking Horse. He is a 19th generation Keeper of the White Buffalo Calf Pipe, and has had that responsibility since he was twelve years old for the Lakota, Dakota, and North Dakota Nakota peoples. He is a

Last week, the book club at the Grand Island Memorial Library discussed The Secret Wisdom of the Earth, by Christopher Scotten. This is a first novel by the author, who has, in the past, worked as a carpenter, bouncer, kite flyer, amusement park ride operator, and CEO of a few technology companies. The main character

I love tattoos. I don’t have any tattoos, but I love them. Really. I think that a lot of people have the most gorgeous tattoos. I really admire the way that they use their bodies as canvases for creative works of art. Tattooing is nothing new. People have gotten tattoos since prehistoric times. It was