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Look For Our GRADUATION SPECIAL In The June 30th Issue Of The County Transcript

Issue Home June 29, 2004 Site Home

COLUMNS:
Slices Of Life
100 Years Ago
Along the Way...With P. Jay
Newsbeat

From the Desk of the DA
Earth Talk

Slices of Life

Under Cover Of Darkness

"Silently into the night I go; into the fragrant night I know not where." Those were the words of a song I sang when I was in high school, and they came back to me as I was looking out the window into the dark for Mrs. Morris.

When dusk falls, it’s time for her to make her trip outside. Usually it’s by way of the front, which is good, because the porch light casts a large beam when it’s time to look for her. But tonight she went out the back door, and short of lighting up the whole neighborhood with my dusk to dawn light, it will be hard to see her out there. With patches of weed-flowers growing up through the cracked black top, she loves to play there, catching crickets, looking for anything that moves. And her coloring blends right in. So it may be awhile before I find her tonight. But that’s all right because I have much work yet to do.

My old landlady was correct when she used to quote to me, "A lazy man (woman!) works best when the sun’s in the west." She definitely wasn’t a "lazy man". Up at the crack of dawn, she’d have a good day’s work done before I’d had my second cup of coffee.

Mrs. Morris is like that landlady, Pearl. She wants to get up and going early in the morning! I’ve told you how she races through the upstairs hall, sounding like a herd of elephants. And the loud and persistent yowling that goes on when she wants me up.

Well, the strangest thing happened. I went away for five days and left her here alone. Now, understand that she had people coming in each day to care for her. Sometimes more than one person, because I knew she’d be lonely. She didn’t seem any worse for wear when I arrived home. But, a few days later, I suddenly realized that the running and yowling in the morning had stopped. She might make a few soft mews, but mostly she just stayed in bed or in the hall until I was ready to go downstairs and get her breakfast. I think she believed that my going away was punishment for her being so loud and insistent in the mornings! It’s been several weeks now and nothing has changed. I’m glad for the peace and quiet, but it makes me feel very guilty and sad that she would think I’d punish her like that. Poor Mrs. Morris.

My friend and I often trade cat stories. Her cat rolls little balls down a long set of stairs and then runs down and retrieves them, carrying them back up the stairs in her mouth. She entertains herself that way a lot. Well, when someone came visiting with a miniature dog, the cat brought her ball and laid it by the dog. What a sweet, sharing thing to do. But that lasted only as long as the dog was a stranger. When it got more familiar with its surroundings and started barking furiously, the sharing stopped. Now it was a typical dog/cat relationship.

Soon, my grand-dogs will be coming to visit again, and we’ll see if Mrs. Morris heads for the attic stairs, from where she haughtily surveyed her kingdom the last time Scarlet visited. Whatever the situation, she will survive.

And now, I guess it’s time to go hunt her down and bring her in for the night. Good luck, Shirley.

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100 Years Ago

SUSQUEHANNA: Thirty or forty residents of Susquehanna have been ill as a result of tyrotoxicon poisoning following the eating of ice cream purchased from a vender. None of the cases were especially alarming. AND: A camping party composed of Messrs. Will Ahearn, Joseph Kendrick, Thomas and Frank Burns, are brushing off mosquitoes on Peet's Flats, this side of Windsor, for ten days. By the aid of wireless and tireless telegraphy, we're informed there's somethin' doin' every minute.

GREAT BEND: Horsemen are taking an interest in the following horses now being "worked" at the Keystone Driving Park, this place: Eff Eye Ell, F. I. Lott, Montrose; John M. Sullivan and Red Sovereign, W. A. Smith, Deposit; Black Rose, J. McGinity, Susquehanna; White Line, F. Sutton; Marshland and Rose, William J. Day; Sweetheart, J. Kindrick, Susquehanna. Dr. Miller and Mr. McMahon, of Susquehanna, also have fine horses here. AND: The purchase of the Chamois tannery at this place, and the consequent blending of the chamois factory at Brandt with the one here promises to develop a business which will result in a great increase in the population of the town, and more residents means the stimulation of all lines of business. The new proprietors will take possession of the property here July 1st.

MONTROSE: Our little next-door neighbor, Master David Eugene Stilson, whose bright and happy face greets us nearly every morning, celebrated his 7th birthday on Friday last. In honor of the event his aunt, Mrs. A. W. Lyons, gave him a party, which was held on the Fair Grounds in the afternoon. The merry peals of laughter of the children, who indulged in various juvenile sports, gave evidence that merriment reigned supreme. Refreshments were served under the management of the chaperones, Misses Emily Dennis, Lottie Fargo and Mrs. Levy. The little guests present were: Misses Florence Maxey, Margaret Lyons and Baby Mildred Lyons, Mollie Frink, Florence Bast, Mollie Miller, Beatrice and Ruth Rambo, Margaret Reynolds, and Masters Lyons, Fancher, Albert Miller, Jr., Donald Maxey and Paul Biermann. Robert Bostwisk, Harry Dolan and Charles Morris. AND: Mrs. Lydia Smith, of Chenango Street, announces the engagement of her eldest daughter, Miss Rosa L. Smith, to Rev. J. H. Washington of Auburn, N.Y. Miss Smith is a prima-donna who has assisted greatly in the musical department of church work in Zion Church, while the prospective groom is one of the leaders of African Methodism in New York State.

FAIRDALE: J. B. McKeeby died at age 80, on May 8, 1904. He was born April 8, 1824 in Sussex Co., N.J. and moved to Dimock when 11 years old. In Nov. of 1850 he married Miss Sarah E. Shay. His children were George T., Margaret J., and Benjamin, who served for six years as a county commissioner. Mr. McKeeby enlisted in the War of the Rebellion with Company B, 17th Regt. U.S. Cavalry. He was industrious and thrifty and successful in his chosen vocation, a good citizen and neighbor, and enjoyed the good will of his friends.

FRANKLIN FORKS: The 4th will be celebrated under the auspices of the Athletic Club, a hustling lot of young men of that place and a rousing and enjoyable time is expected. Bicycle, potato, wheelbarrow, foot and sack races, fantastic parade, tug-of-war and a fine fireworks display are among the features. You are invited to attend and participate in a "good old-fashioned celebration."

SOUTH AUBURN: Harry Place has gone to Scranton where he has accepted the position of streetcar conductor.

SILVER LAKE: At the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Rose, on June 28th, Mrs. Laura Griffen and Oscar W. Caswell were married by the Rev. Robert Bramfitt. The parlor where the ceremony took place was handsomely decorated with ground pine, laurels, daisies and damask roses; also a profusion of pink and white carnations. The bride was dressed in brown silk. After the ceremony, refreshments were served. Mr. and Mrs. Caswell left for a wedding trip to Niagara Falls and other places; on their return they will reside with O.C. Caswell, Silver Lake.

HOPBOTTOM: Surveyors have been looking over the territory from here to Brooklyn to consider the probability of having a branch railroad from this place to Brooklyn.

FRIENDSVILLE: Camp Choconut opened on Friday, June 24.

RUSH: The work on the Baptist church is progressing slowly. The contractor, Mr. Lacey, is waiting for the new pews and steel ceiling to arrive. B. H. Kennedy, of South Montrose, has had charge of the mason work.

ARARAT: Jasper Hobbs, while drawing milk to the Thomson creamery, lost a large pocketbook containing $205 from the hip pocket of his overalls. The loss was discovered at about 11 a.m. and from that time until 9 o'clock in the evening the search was continued unabated, when it was returned by Rev. E. C. Layton, who had picked it up near his home a few hours previous. The empty pocketbook was found ground to shreds early in the day, wagon wheels having passed over it, the wad of bills having evidently rolled out when dropped from the owner's pocket. The wallet was tossed one side, while the money, almost within the range of vision, passed unnoticed.

FOREST CITY: Harold Walker, son of Mr. and Mrs. James J. Walker, is one of the first violinists of the St. Rose Academy orchestra in Carbondale.

NORTH BRANCH, Middletown Twp.: Miss Mary McCormick, one of Middletown's popular young ladies, was married to Chas. Welch, of Apolachin, at St. Patrick's church, Rush, Wednesday, June 21. The young couple has the best wishes of their many friends.

SPRINGVILLE: The Ladies' Aid will give a regular supper for ten cents in connection with the 4th celebration. Do not fail to see the fire works in the evening.

GIBSON: The 4th will be celebrated under the auspices of Gibson Star Grange. The speakers engaged for the occasion are Rev. G.O. Beers and Rev. H.J. Crane, Rev. G.W. Stanton and wife, of Herrick Centre will entertain with some fine vocal selections; there will be a parade led by the Gibson cornet band at 10 a.m. and a fantastic parade at 11:45. Dinner will be served in the grange hall. Oration at 2 p.m., followed by sack and wheelbarrow races, etc. Ice cream, lemonade, etc., will be dispensed at the stands. The evening entertainment will consist of songs, tableaux, recitations, dialogues and the temperance farce, "Switched Off." Admission 20 cents. Go to Gibson and have a good time.

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Along the Way...With P. Jay

All in a day’s work

A fella stopped me the other day and the conversation went something like this:

Man: Hey, P. Jay! What the hell is going on with these commissioners?

P. Jay: I don’t know. You tell me.

Man: Seems like they’re doing more fightin’ than anything else.

P. Jay: Well, this country was built on a revolution. Its nice to see independent thinking instead of having things rubber stamped all the time.

Man: Who the hell is talking about rubber stamps? I’m talking about them women commissioners. Why don’t they listen to that Loomis guy? He seems to know what he’s talking about.

P. Jay: Well, I guess so. He’s no dummy that’s for sure but he could use a lesson or two in diplomacy.

Man: Diplomacy? That Loomis guy has a couple a college diplomas.

P. Jay: Not diploma. Diplomacy! A little tact in dealing with people.

Man: Oh, I getcha. Yeah, I suppose he could be a bit tacky at times. But ya know, it was bad enough with one woman commissioner. Now it’s twice as bad.

P. Jay: Oh, I wouldn’t say that. The two we have now aren’t dummies either. If the three commissioners ever get on the same page, you will be surprised at what could be done.

Man: Ya know something. You talk in riddles. I’m talking about the county commissioners and you’re telling me about rubber stamps and pages. You ain’t as smart as people think.

P. Jay: Guess not if you can’t understand what I’m saying.

Man: Oh, I getcha all right. You wanna use some rubber stamps on pages. But pages of what?

P. Jay: No, that’s not what I’m trying to tell you. When I say rubber stamp, I am talking about people who OK what everybody else says rather than making certain what’s being said is right. It’s like people who vote Republican or Democrat only because their parents and grandparents did.

Man: I vote Republican because my Daddy did. You ain’t suggestin that my Daddy didn’t know what he was doin’ are ya?

P. Jay: Not at all. But if you are voting for a certain political party only because your Daddy did, maybe you don’t know what you are doing.

Man: You got a pretty snippy additood ’bout ya dontcha?

P. Jay: I don’t mean to offend you but voting for a political party just because your father did really doesn’t make much sense.

Man: Thar ya go again with that smartalecky talk.

P. Jay: Well, anyhow, how are you doing?

Man: Depends on whatcha mean. Doin’ what?

P. Jay: Just how are you doing. You know, how are you feeling?

Man: Say, you lookin’ ta put sumthin’ in that callum a urs ’bout me?

P. Jay: Not at all. Just trying to be friendly.

Man: Anyhow I don’t think it’s right to have two women as commissioners.

P. Jay: Good thing you weren’t around years ago. You probably would have been against woman suffrage.

Man: Course I would have. I don’t like to see anyone suffer.

P. Jay: No, no, suffrage is the right to vote.

Man: So now you’re back to voting. Like I said, you sure do talk in riddles.

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Newsbeat

Hallstead–Great Bend Legion Honors "NewsBeat" Writer

THANK YOU, Hallstead–Great Bend American Legion Post 357 for the Certificate of Appreciation; The Certificate reads: "Service to America. A Certificate of Appreciation Presented to Louis Parrillo, a proud World War II Veteran. In solemn recognition of the sacrifices and leadership of the men and women of the ‘Greatest Generation.’ In fighting to preserve a free society you won the war, built the peace and gave to future generations the precious gift of freedom.

As the national monument to your World War II service is dedicated in Washington, your fellow citizens honor you. We pledge that your heroic achievements, commitment to freedom and leadership of your comrades will not be forgotten."

In witness thereof, this testimonial of personal gratitude is presented by the undersigned on May 29, 2004.

(The signees): Commander Richard Rood, American Legion Post 357; President Pat Yonkin, Legion Auxiliary Unit 357; Commander Andrew Kovitch, Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 357.

(Note: the Certificate bears the image of the World War II Memorial)

BRITTANY WELCH "A STAR" – Blue Ridge (New Milford) sophomore, Brittany Welch, out of the girl’s softball team lineup for more than a month with a severe ankle injury, on Monday, June 14, 2004, helped her team advance to the final game of the State Softball championship. Ankle or not, Welch begged her coach to let her play. Play she did. She drove in the first two runs in a game they won 3 to 2. She also scored the winning run, in the tenth inning - the game going three extra innings. (Naturally, Brittany had the help of the rest of the team to win). Brittany is the daughter of Tim and Gina Welch, of New Milford, the granddaughter of Sally Welch, of Lanesboro and the niece of Chuck Welch, of Hobbs Market, Thompson. (The game was played in Wilkes-Barre at King’s College field.)

The championship game was played at Shippensburg on June 20, between Blue Ridge and Sto-Rox, with Blue Ridge winning 2-0, to become State Champs in the PIAA Class A. There were many heroes, including Brittany Welch again as she drove in the first run of the game, and the team went on to win 2-0. Brittany Pavelski, pitching star of the Blue Ridgers, allowed three hits, seven strikeouts, no runs. Blue Ridge collected five hits, two by Welch, two by Donovan and one by Hinkley. Welch scored one of the two runs. Congratulations to the entire Blue Ridge team, their coaches and team personnel for winning the state championship!

"FATHERS" Day Get Together – Although Father’s Day was on Sunday, June 20, several former and local residents (New York State/Susquehanna group) met on Wednesday, June 16, at P. J. O’hare’s Irish Pub, Susquehanna, to observe the "Day." The club meets monthly – on the third Wednesday – at a noon luncheon. For more information contact any of the following "fathers" that attended the luncheon: The Head Master, Joe Galloway of Chenango Bridge; Maylan Keenan of Sidney; Fritz Hillis of Johnson City; Tom Westfall, Page’s Lake; Lee Stanton, Endicott; John Coddington, Windsor; Edward Dooley, Kirkwood; Jerry Kane, Conklin; Jerry Buckley, Danny Buckley, Tom McNamara, all of Binghamton; Susquehannaians present – Carl Lawrenson, Dom Battisti, Sandy Battisti, Tony Napolitano, Albert Cleveland, Vince J. Pagano, Bob McNamara, Sr., James Luciana, Joe Canini and Lou Parrillo.

BIEGERT RESIGNATION "A Surprise" – It may not have been a surprise to some, but it was to me. As of June 8, Margaret Biegert resigned as Susquehanna Borough secretary/treasurer. Not only did Ms. Biegert do her job well, she was a big help (to this columnist) during the year of the 2003 Borough Centennial. As the "go get ‘em ads" for the book, many a day Ms. Biegert would let us use her office – and a desk and a phone – to solicit ads for the book. Needing duplicate copies, we were allowed to use the copier to mail out to potential advertisers. Thank you, Margaret. (Margaret has accepted a position with TREHAB in Montrose.)

FIASCHI AWARD – The Mariano and Mary (Lampazzi) Fiaschi Nursing Scholarship was awarded to Jessica Williams for the 2004 school year. The scholarship was established by the late Peter Fiaschi, in honor of his parents Mariano and Mary. Ms. Williams is the daughter of Mark and Debra Williams, of Thompson; the granddaughter of Fred Williams, Leon and Sharon Vail and Beverly and Jerry Parks.

WILCOX’S "Very Unhappy" – George Wilcox and mate, Diane, I understand, through Legionnaire friends, are very, very unhappy about the Detroit Pistons shellacking their beloved Los Angeles Lakers basketball team for the cage pro title. The highly favored Lakers were no match for the Pistons, as they demolished the Lakers four games to one. (Don’t feel bad, Georgie, our Yankees are doing well at the moment. Just ignore that crying towel posted on the Legion bulletin board.)

POOR LITTLE Rich Boy – Michael Jackson, accused of molesting children and free on $3 million bond, wants his bail reduced. According to reports, the "Glove Boy" is worth billions of dollars. "No way will we reduce the bail," says Judge Rodney Melville. His actions warrant high bail to ensure his future appearances at hearings.

"HERE WE GO AGAIN" – California Atheist Michael Newdow wants to omit "Under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance. As of now the high court has ruled it has no basis to remove the words "in God." He doesn’t want his daughter reciting the Pledge with God in it. (Tell you what, Michael, have your daughter wear ear plugs and close her eyes when the Pledge is recited.)

RANDOM THOUGHTS – A day without sunshine is like-night – Atheism is a nonprofit organization – He who laughs last thinks slowest – If you think nobody cares try missing a couple of payments – Success always occurs in private, failure in full view – If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends – I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be without sponges – The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese – If at first you don’t succeed, destroy all the evidence – A clear conscience is a sign of a bad memory – Plan to be spontaneous - tomorrow.

WHAT ARE FRIENDS... "they are those people who know the words to the song in your heart and sing them back to you when you have forgotten." - Anonymous.

YE EDITOR – Chuck Ficarro, County Transcript editor, that is, realized the dream of all golfers on Monday, June 21, 2004 at the Conklin Players Club, as he aced the 186-yard seventh hole. To say he was elated would be putting it mildly. Chuck, a golf teacher of sorts, must of given himself a lesson to earn his first hole-in-one. Just like a bowler getting his first 300 game, or a major league rookie getting his first win or his first home run, a feat you will never forget. Congrats, Chuck, may you have – at least – one more before you retire.

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From the Desk Of The DA

If a police officer gives a "visual or audible signal" to stop a motor vehicle, a motorist must obey such a command. If a motorist ignores such a command, then the motorist may be charged with an offense under the Vehicle Code, namely Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer. This particular offense is a misdemeanor of the second degree, which carries a potential period of incarceration of up to two years and a fine of up to $5,000, and a license suspension for a period of 12 months.

Even if the police officer had no reason whatsoever to direct a motorist to stop, the motorist must still comply with the directive of the police officer. In Commonwealth v. Scattone, the Pennsylvania Superior Court determined that a motorist was guilty of fleeing and eluding a police officer based upon the refusal to stop his vehicle, even though the police officer had no probable cause or reasonable suspicion that the motorist had committed a crime. In other words, the law requires a motorist to stop upon any directive from a police officer regardless of the reason for the request to stop.

A few people have questioned a motorist’s duty to stop in circumstances where concern for personal safety arises. There are tales of criminals using lights and sirens as a means to prey upon unsuspecting motorists, akin to modern day pirates of the highway. What happens if you are by yourself in the late evening hours driving along a rural area and an emergency light suddenly appears in your mirror? Should you stop at that point? Should you travel to a more public area? How does the law handle this situation?

The Vehicle Code provides some guidance. A motorist may assert a defense if "the pursuing police officer's vehicle was not clearly identifiable by its markings or, if unmarked, was not occupied by a police officer who was in uniform and displaying a badge or other sign of authority." The motorist would bear the burden of demonstrating that the authority of the police officer to effectuate the stop was not clearly visible.

Further, the Vehicle Code also provides second affirmative defense where the motorist can demonstrate that the refusal to stop a vehicle "was based upon a good faith concern for personal safety." In determining whether this burden has been met, there are numerous statutory factors that may be considered: (1) the time and location of the event; (2) the type of police vehicle used by the police officer; (3) the defendant's conduct while being followed by the police officer; (4) whether the defendant stopped at the first available reasonably lighted or populated area; and (5) any other factor considered relevant by the court. Once again, the motorist bears the burden of proving the applicability of this defense.

Clearly, a traffic stop in the middle of the day in a densely populated area raises few public safety concerns, while a traffic stop in the middle of the night in a remote location by an unmarked police cruiser may cause a motorist to have reasonable personal safety concerns. Obviously, the motorist’s conduct is also highly relevant. One could not claim this defense if a high-speed chase resulted from the attempted traffic stop, or if the motorist continued to drive through populated and well-lit areas without stopping.

There are no hard rules relating to these types of scenarios. Unless there are significant and reasonable personal safety concerns, however, a motorist should immediately stop his or her vehicle in response to any signal or directive from a police officer to do so. In rare circumstances, a motorist may have reasonable personal safety concerns. In those circumstances, the motorist must take reasonable steps to comply with the police officer’s signal to stop as soon as practicable without further aggravating the situation.

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EARTH TALK

Dear EarthTalk: Why are beaches and coastlines eroding and what can be done about it?

Jesus Lopez, Santa Maria, CA

Beach erosion has both human and natural causes. The process of erosion carries beaches out to sea, but it also created them over millions of years from the rock-strewn shores that originally covered our planet. "Without erosion, we would not have the beaches, dunes and highly productive bays and estuaries that owe their very existence to the presence of barrier beaches," says Jim O’Donnell, a coastal processes specialist with the Sea Grant program at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Sand moves naturally through the actions of wind and the tide, but it is helped along by human actions, and the beach erosion problem is growing dramatically. The main causes are over-building right to the water’s edge (a practice protected by federal flood insurance), rapid rises in sea level exacerbated by global warming, a gradual sinking of coastal land, and inept attempts to fix the problem.

Scott L. Douglass, author of Saving America’s Beaches and a professor at the University of South Alabama, worked his way through college lifeguarding on the New Jersey shore. Like many beach experts, he’s a major critic of the erosion-promoting effects of jetties, sea walls and dredging. Human activity has removed "more than a billion cubic yards of sand from the beaches of America, enough to fill a football field over 100 miles high," he points out. Douglass prefers beach replenishment, which he says "adds sand to the system," but he acknowledges that, with sea levels rising at a rate of six inches every 100 years, beaches may not be able to keep up.

Rising sea level means that wetlands and other low-lying lands get inundated, beaches erode, flooding intensifies, and the salinity of rivers, bays and groundwater tables increases. Sea level is rising more rapidly along the U.S. coast than worldwide, according the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In the next century, a two-foot rise is likely, but a four-foot rise is possible; and sea level will probably continue to rise for several centuries, even if global temperatures were to stop rising.

Orrin Pilkey, who directs the Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines at Duke University, believes that in many cases it would actually be cheaper to move buildings back from the water’s edge than to fund 10 to 20 years of constant beach replenishment, but his ideas have not had many takers among shoreline communities. Some states and localities in the U.S. and around the world have "set back requirements," restricting development on the shoreline. Protecting and restoring natural barriers to erosion, like dunes, wetlands and vegetation close to shore are also natural, low-cost ways to fight erosion.

CONTACTS: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, (508) 289-2252, www.whoi.edu/; EPA Coastal Watershed Factsheets, www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/factsheets; Duke University Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines, (919) 684-2206, www.env.duke.edu/psds/.

Dear EarthTalk: Are raw foods healthier to eat than cooked foods?

Kris Amitzboll, Coledale, Australia

Proponents of raw foods, sometimes called "living foods," believe that raw foods are much healthier for the body than cooked or processed foods. Followers of diets based wholly or largely on raw foods claim numerous health benefits, including increased energy levels, clearer skin, better digestion, weight loss and reduced risk of heart disease.

A purely raw food diet, as its name implies, is based on consuming only unprocessed, usually organic, whole plant-based foods, such as fresh (or dried) fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, beans, grains and legumes, other organic or natural foods which have not been processed, and freshly made fruit and vegetable juices.

According to the Living and Raw Foods website, raw, uncooked foods are believed to contain essential food enzymes which help the digestion process without relying on the body to produce the enzymes that are lost through cooking. It is also thought that cooking (heating foods above 116 degrees Fahrenheit) destroys vitamins and minerals and that cooked foods take longer to digest and tend to allow partially digested fats, proteins and carbohydrates to clog up our digestive system and arteries. In Living Cuisine, The Art and Spirit of Raw Food (available from best-cooking-books.com), raw food chef-to-the-stars Renee Loux Underkoffler argues, "Raw foods make optimal assimilation of nutrition easy, provide pure, clean energy for the body, and do not require a lot of energy for digestion."

Traditional nutrition experts refute this idea, though the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and others are doing studies regarding the possible benefits of a raw food diet. Claudia Gonzalez, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the ADA says that eating all raw, all the time, is an "extreme" diet, but acknowledges, "If you eat more raw foods in your diet (without adding calories) that’s always a good thing. Replacing refined, processed foods with raw foods is a healthy move. Eating a few raw meals a week can be great, but it’s important not to go to the extreme."

Gonzalez, who has studied raw food diets, says it’s hard to eat more than 1,200 calories a day in raw foods. While this might be great for weight-loss, she says, once the weight comes off, that might not be enough to sustain a person’s energy, especially if they are doing physically demanding work.

If you decide to go raw, there are benefits to the environment as well. The lower you eat on the food chain, the less impact you will have on the Earth’s resources. According to certified nutritionist and raw foods advocate Monica Dewart, ì100 percent of the waste materials (seeds, peels, etc.) of a raw diet are biodegradable and great for composting. This is the ultimate environmentally-friendly diet!"

CONTACTS: Living and Raw Foods, www.living-foods.com; Living Cuisine, available from: best-cooking-books.com/Vegetable_Cookery_Raw.html; American Dietetic Association, (800) 877-1600, www.eatright.org; Monica Dewart, certifiednutritionist@yahoo.com, www.thegardendiet.com/network/monica.

GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; or submit your question at: www.emagazine.com, or e-mail us at: earthtalk@emagazine.com.

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