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MARCH 2025
A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD REFLECTING ON MISTER ROGERS’ ENDURING LEGACY
I recently had an opportunity to watch “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” with Tom Hanks starring as Fred Rogers. It was a beautifully well-made movie that explored Mister Rogers’ character and how he used kindness and empathy to connect with a global audience. Mister Rogers passed away over 20 years ago, but his messages and lessons still hold true to this day. In honor of Mister Rogers’ 97th birthday on March 20, I’d love to take a moment to share my appreciation and admiration for one of the most kind-hearted and inspiring individuals our country has ever seen. Admittedly, I was never really interested in “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” growing up. I would watch it, but it just felt so slow and boring that it never captured my attention. However, I can now see how educational, powerful, and informative his lessons were. He provided encouragement to everyone who tuned in and was inclusive with his messaging. If you flip through all the channels in your cable package, you’ll likely come across countless channels playing programs children shouldn’t be exposed to. Mister Rogers realized this when he was first gaining popularity and wanted to provide children with something helpful. He did this by tackling countless topics during his program. While he would cover basic childhood concepts like friendship and healthy habits, he
also talked about more complicated ideas such as terrorism and divorce. He found ways to make these concepts understandable and digestible for a younger audience. Plus, he let kids develop their own feelings about current events and difficult situations. Whenever you feel a need for inspiration, you can always look at some of Mister Rogers’ most famous quotes. Each one contains wisdom, inspiration, and encouragement. Here are four of my favorites. “All of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we’re giving or receiving help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That’s one of the things that connects us as neighbors — in our own way, each one of us is a giver and a receiver.” “As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has — or ever will have — something inside that is unique to all time. It’s our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression.” “If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.”
“The media shows the tiniest percentage of what people do. There are millions and millions of people doing wonderful things all over the world, and they’re generally not the ones being touted in the news.” Mister Rogers truly believed that every individual has value while also being unique and special. In honor of what would have been his 97th birthday, let’s all try to live our lives in a manner that would make Mister Rogers proud. You can also watch “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” or read one of the many books about him to gain a better connection and understanding of his messages. And if you have young children, they’re trying to keep Mister Rogers’ legacy alive through a spiritual successor called “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.”
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FROM PIRATE TO POPE The Salacious Story of Baldassarre Cossa
History is littered with unsavory souls forever scorned for their foul deeds. Still, few scoundrels reached the depths of depravity with greater aplomb than notorious pirate Baldassarre Cossa (circa 1370–1419) — the man otherwise known as Pope John XXIII. A corrupt criminal whose actions would make Don Corleone blush, Cossa and his brothers built a lucrative business the old-fashioned way — by robbing and pillaging. Although his siblings were executed for their crimes, he survived long enough to pursue a new career in religion. Unfortunately, a desire for power rather than holy redemption prompted his turn to God. An opportunist and conman, Cossa lied, betrayed, and manipulated his way to prominence in the Catholic Church, eventually reigning as Pope John XXIII from 1410 to 1415. Not surprisingly, controversy marked his time as a living symbol of God’s grace. For one thing, it occurred during the Western Schism, a fractious era in Catholic history
when two other men claimed the role of pope and refused to resign. The strife caused by this confusion over papal authority was matched only by Cossa’s indulgences of the flesh. He is said to have bedded hundreds of women — including nuns — during his contested reign. Cossa’s one-man sinning spree eventually landed him in prison, yet, remarkably, he was named Cardinal-Bishop of Tusculum shortly after his release! Much to the relief of devoted Catholics the world over — and, presumably, a fair portion of Italy’s female population — he died shortly after assuming the new role, leaving religious scholars and historians to forever marvel at how much this man of nonexistent morality had achieved in life. Considering Cossa’s infamy, it is no surprise that he is now known mainly as “Antipope” John XXIII. The name “Pope John XXIII” was retired for centuries before a man better suited to hold the moniker chose it and ran the Catholic Church from 1958–1963.
“Candid Camera” was a long-running hidden camera television series that often tried to put unsuspecting individuals in embarrassing, confusing, or humorous situations. In one episode, they tried to frustrate guests at a television conference by informing them that their hotel room did not have a TV. Mister Rogers was one of their targets for the episode, but unfortunately for the “Candid Camera” crew, Mister Rogers doesn’t watch TV and couldn’t be flustered. How many of us would respond in the same manner? Many of us spend the bulk of our days looking at screens. We stare at our computers all day at work, taking occasional breaks to look at our phones to check messages, news, or sports scores. Once we get home, we reward ourselves for completing a hard work day by booting up the TV to watch our favorite shows or play video games. Many will continue using their phones throughout the night, too. Screens and technology have taken over our lives, which is why we should try to participate in the National Day of Unplugging on March 7. Unplugging is incredibly hard, especially if you spend most of your free time on your devices. However, the benefits of unplugging are extensive. You’ll start sleeping better, your focus and concentration will improve, stress and It’s Time for a Digital Detox Are You Stuck in a Screen-Addicted Rut?
anxiety will become more manageable, productivity will increase, and you’ll have a much easier time living in the present.
After learning about the benefits, you may feel compelled to unplug immediately, but doing so can be challenging. If you can’t unplug completely, start by setting time limits and boundaries. Turn off your devices when you’re not actively using them, and find other activities that don’t involve screens to fill your time. It can also help to practice some mindfulness by journaling, meditating, and exploring nature. You may need some time to get where you want to be on your unplugging journey, but once you find your balance, you’ll notice significant improvements in your life.
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Have a Laugh!
Healthy, Happy, and Homemade
THE PERKS OF PACKING YOUR LUNCH
Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup
Do you remember the excitement you felt when you opened up the lunch your mom or dad made for you for school and saw something you loved? There was always a magical feeling to it, but as we grow older, we become disillusioned with some of the simpler things in life, such as bringing our lunches to work. However, packing your lunch can still be exciting. March 10 is National Pack Your Lunch Day, so there’s no better time to rediscover the benefits of bringing your lunch to school or work. One of the greatest benefits of packing a lunch is that you can make it special and unique. Of course, you get to choose exactly what’s included, ensuring you eat something you enjoy. But you can go even further by including a heartfelt note. This is something your parents might have done for you when you were younger. It doesn’t have to be anything groundbreaking, just a simple “I love you” or some words of encouragement. Those kind words can really act as a pick-me-up in the middle of a rough day. You can even leave an encouraging note for yourself. Many of us run into the problem of ordering unhealthy food whenever we eat at a restaurant, but packing a lunch takes this possibility away. You plan ahead when you pack a lunch, ensuring you stick to your diet and be selective with your meals. You won’t have to worry about making a split-second decision about eating something your body might regret later. If you’re worried about your packed lunches getting repetitive and boring, let’s put that fear to rest. You can find a way to pack almost any meal these days. If you want rice and chicken for lunch but won’t have access to a microwave, you can make it before work and put it in a thermos to keep it warm and ready to eat. You don’t have to make a sandwich every day. Once you feel like your options are starting to get bland, ask others or take to the internet for new inspiration.
INGREDIENTS •
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 cup peeled and chopped carrots 1 cup chopped yellow onion 1 tbsp finely chopped garlic 3 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth 1 (15-oz) can (no salt added) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano
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2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
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1/2 tsp ground pepper 1/4 tsp plus 1/8 tsp salt 1 (9-oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini 1 (5-oz) package baby spinach
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1 cup heavy cream
DIRECTIONS 1.
In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add carrots and onions and cook for about 5 minutes or until onions are softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. 2. Add broth, tomatoes, fresh basil, pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and let simmer for about 5 minutes or until carrots are slightly tender. 3. Stir in tortellini. Cook until pasta is tender. Reduce heat to medium-low. 4. Add baby spinach and cream. Cook until spinach is wilted. Serve and garnish with additional basil if desired.
Packing a lunch is a great way to maintain your diet, save money, and create memorable moments for your loved ones.
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INSIDE
A LOOK BACK AT MISTER ROGERS’ TIMELESS IMPACT 1
PLUNDER AT THE PULPIT
TURN OFF THE DEVICES, TURN UP YOUR LIFE 2
SAVE MONEY, EAT BETTER, FEEL HAPPIER
CREAMY TORTELLINI VEGETABLE SOUP 3
K9S FOR WARRIORS IS SAVING VETERANS, ONE RESCUE DOG AT A TIME 4
Scout’s Meaningful Mission A BLACK LAB’S ROLE IN TRANSFORMING A VETERAN’S LIFE
For former U.S. Army Cavalry Scout Ryan Finch, life after his tour of duty was a battlefield of its own. Haunted by PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and the weight of his experiences, Ryan struggled to navigate even the simplest moments of daily life. But then Scout came into his life and became a lifeline, a symbol of hope, and a steadfast partner in his journey toward healing. Scout, a vibrant black Lab, has done more than help Ryan manage his anxiety; he’s transformed his world. Crowds and loud noises, once overwhelming triggers, are now manageable with Scout by his side. Soccer games, family gatherings, and the everyday joys of life that once seemed impossible are now part of Ryan’s new normal. Scout’s presence allows Ryan to enter spaces he never thought he’d enter again, not as a man weighed down by his past, but as a father, a husband, and a human being rediscovering connection. The story of how Scout came into Ryan’s life feels almost destined. Before his deployment, Ryan and his wife had adopted a black Lab, coincidentally named Scout, who died before Ryan went overseas and whose loss Ryan never truly
reconciled as he was away from home. So, when Ryan arrived at K9s For Warriors, and the trainers introduced him to his new service dog — a black Lab named Scout — it was a moment of profound healing and renewal. It was as if life had come full circle, offering Ryan a second chance at hope. K9s For Warriors is a testament to the life-changing power of service animals. Determined to combat the devastating reality that 20 veterans die by suicide every day, this program rescues and trains dogs to become service animals for veterans grappling with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma. The result is transformative. Veterans find independence, confidence, and purpose, while rescue dogs gain a life of devotion and meaning. The impact is undeniable. Graduates of the program report mended family relationships, reduced medication reliance, and renewed joy in life. Ryan’s wife has seen the change firsthand, describing her husband as more engaged, animated, and hopeful for the future. Scout symbolizes resilience and proves that an incredible bond can heal even the deepest wounds.
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