Coming to Cardinals’ defense

Coming to Cardinals’ defense

After seeing and read- ing about all the hoopla surrounding Cardinal Mooney football, I would just like to say a few words in their defense. I can’t believe with all the horrific happenings around the world right down to our own city streets that this story ever made print. It’s all about a bunch of kids smoking cigars and spraying champagne in a locker room after a championship game.

What kid didn’t light up a cigar/cigarette in high school? Who didn’t sneak a few drinks when they thought they could get away with it? I know I did. And I like many, many other Mooney graduates grew up to be productive members of society. I don’t think any other local high school has produced as many success stories as Cardinal Mooney. We were the new kids on the block dating back to the late 1950s but we came out swinging. Ever hear of Boom Boom Mancini? How about the Stoops brothers, Bo Pelini, not to mention the judges, police captains and prominent businessmen and women who call Cardinal Mooney their alma mater.

Cardinal Mooney has awarded literally millions of dollars in scholarships to other students. These aren’t awarded to kids who sit on their butts.

Yes, it was wrong to give a 17-year-old a cigar, but put it in perspective. The crowd was elated after a championship game and one father made a mistake. Was it life threatening? No. Make the kids and the father say their Hail Marys and three Our Fathers. Period. Finished. Case closed.

Susan Colucci Centorame, Youngstown

Adults should have known better

This letter is in response to a previous writer who described himself as a 62-year-old Catholic who believes that what recently took place at Cardinal Mooney High School is being blown out of proportion and doesn’t understand what the big deal is. The big deal is that in the state of Ohio, it is illegal to provide alcohol to minors with a few exceptions. It is also a violation of school policy to possess tobacco and alcohol on school property. Student-athletes cannot and should not be given preferential treatment.

It was a high school football state championship. It was a time for happiness, excitement, and celebration. Cigars and champagne are reserved for Super Bowl champions, who are adults.

The writer also incredibly asks if someone could tell him the difference between parents giving them champagne in celebration and a priest giving children a sip of wine after communion which represents the blood of Christ. Since he professes to be a Catholic, he should know that Catholics believe the bread and wine do not represent the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ but become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through transubstantiation.

In light of the recent problems at Ohio State involving boosters and coaches who didn’t follow the rules, the adults should have known better. Teenagers do not need parents and other adults to be their buddies, but instead to be role models who teach by example.

Jeanne Dovich, Lowelville

Mooney isn’t the real problem

I used to deliver Vindicators when I attended St. Dominic and Cardinal Mooney. I would hate to see what my old paper route looks like now.

I heard it is called the most dangerous square mile between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. St. Dominic’s Church is still there. Cardinal Mooney is still there. The one source of pride for Youngstown in 2011 was Mooney winning their eighth state title in football.

Instead of going after the Mooney kids, why don’t Prosecutor Jay Macejko and police Chief Rod Foley try to fix what is truly wrong in our beloved city? The only thing needed to fix our city is courage.

Mark A. Batchko, Youngstown

Cardinal Mooney, Class of 1985

Christmas spirit is alive

I want to thank the Christmas angel who saved the day for my family this season.

Last Wednesday my mother was shopping at Ollie’s in Niles. After leaving the store, she unloaded her cart into the car and forgot to remove her cane before returning the cart.

This was no ordinary cane — it had belonged to my grandmother, who was born on Christmas Day and passed away just over two years ago. She loved that cane and it was decorated just for her. We still have a very difficult time during the holidays, and the thought of the loss of my grandmother’s beloved cane, especially now, was just too much to bear.

About an hour later, Ollie’s called my mother to tell her the cane had been returned by someone who found it in the cart. I want to thank this angel and tell them that the return of this treasured piece of my grandmother’s memory was an answer to a fervent prayer. You never know the magnitude of what an innocent act of humanity could mean to someone.

Mary Jo Knuth, Liberty

Many stepped up to help animals

The other day I had the plea- sure of delivering pet supplies donated to Shepherd of the Valley’s Operation Santa Paws to our three shelters. The public’s generosity far exceeded our expectations. We were able to provide hundreds of dollars worth of supplies to Animal Charity in Youngstown, the Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County, and Alchemy Acres Animal Sanctuary in Salem.

In particular, I would like to thank the Southern Park Mall for partnering with us this year and Copper Zone Tanning for being our drop site at the mall. Their participation made Operation Santa Paws much more visible. Thank you to Pet Lodge USA in Boardman which also served as a drop point and to Roth Brothers which made us their charity of choice this year.

Then there are all the people in our communities, like a woman in Niles who took up a collection in her neighborhood and brought a wonderful assortment of items to our Niles site. We also received monetary donations in the amount of $240, enabling us to give each organization $80 in cash.

All of the shelter staffs were overwhelmed at the amount of supplies Operation Santa Paws delivered. Again, thanks to everyone for being so generous and remembering the animals that are homeless this holiday season.

Lynn Miller, Youngstown

The writer is corporate marketing director of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Retirement Services, Inc.

A thought-provoking surprise

Sitting in our living room recently, my wife and I had an experience that we felt should be shared. It was Sunday evening and our door bell rang just after 7 p.m. It is really unusual for anyone to come knocking in the evening hours, especially on a Sunday. When we answered the door we were greeted by a group of young men and women of high school age and they broke into a Christmas carol, singing a beautiful rendition of “Silent Night.” Even more surprising was that they were not trying to raise money for the school, and they were not seeking nor would they accept any donations when offered. These fine young people simply said they were out having some fun and wanted to take the time to wish us a very merry Christmas.

When I shared this story with a friend who lives in the Wickliffe area of Austintown, he had a similar story. This past Halloween he and his wife had 70 trick-or-treaters visit his house, and he was awestruck that every single one politely said “thank you” when they received their candy.

If these children, from the tiniest 3-year-olds to those nearing high school graduation, are representative of the way parents are raising their children, I think we can all sleep a little better knowing that our future is in good hands. To the parents of these children, and many others I am sure, I would like to say thank you and congratulations on a job well done.

Gary Wakeford, Canfield

Another Letter, A15

Many played Santa

On behalf of the staff at Home Instead Senior Care, I would like to thank everyone who helped with this year’s very successful Be a Santa to a Senior program.

Generous individual shoppers, along with groups such as Ridgewood Garden Club, TCTC, IAAP, Valley Care Health Systems billing department, McDonald Girl Scout Troop and staff from Chaney High School, bought gifts for area seniors.

The seniors’ names were provided by Sterling House Brookdale Living & Clairbridge Cottage, Paisley House, Visiting Nurse Association, Hands on Volunteer, Catholic Charities, S.C.O.P.E., Guardian Angels, Valley Renaissance, Senior Center of Mahoning County, Mahoning County Senior Service Unit, Mahoning County Adult Day Care & Autumn Hills Health Care. These names were put on ornaments and hung on trees at Wal-Mart Vision Centers in Boardman & Warren, Curves in Austintown, Boardman, Canfield, K-mart Super Center in Niles, and Optiview in Austintown and Niles. We were able to collect more than 3,000 gifts for those seniors who otherwise might have been overlooked this holiday season.

We also would like to thank the more than 80 volunteers, including Sen. Joe Schiavoni, Jackson-Milton wrestling team and cheerleaders, Chaney High School students, and Boardman-Poland Juniorettes who collected, wrapped and delivered the gifts to over 700 area seniors who continue to struggle during these tough economic times.

The South Avenue Chick-fil-A, Westgate Pizza of Austintown, Huntington Woods Subway, Philadelphia Candies, and Eat ’n’ Park of Austintown helped feed our many volunteers while UPS of Canfield, Send it Packin’ and Poland Giant Eagle provided items to help us transport these gifts. The preschoolers from Great Expectations and Sunshine Preschools made cards for our seniors to enjoy.

And don’t forget Santa (Bill Dick) for adding some holiday cheer to it all in a large room provided by the Holiday Inn of Boardman. Thanks to all those who helped us brighten the holidays for our local seniors.

Carol Hitchcock, Austintown

The writer is owner of Home Instead Senior Care.