Sarah French

Leaving FOX CT

2011-09-30T07:00:00.001-04:00

As I prepare to leave FOX CT for Boston, I look back on all the wonderful times I've had here in CT. Thank you for sharing the memories with me! Thank you to Dustin (FOX CT editor/photographer) for making this sweet video...

I sat down with a 17-year-old from Bristol who was attacked at Lake Compounce...

2011-09-27T23:00:00.000-04:00

Criminal caught in the act

2011-09-22T16:30:00.000-04:00

Hope for Haiti Part 3

2011-08-24T12:00:00.001-04:00

Hope for Haiti Part 2

2011-08-23T13:00:00.001-04:00

Hope for Haiti Part 1

2011-08-22T11:00:00.012-04:00

Isn't it amazing what 300 dollars can do?

2011-08-19T23:00:00.002-04:00

On my last full day in Haiti, Dr. Franco held another med clinic in the morning. I interviewed Dr. Franco the day before about Haiti’s tent cities. After the earthquake, it was estimated more than one million people were left homeless. The result… numerous tent cities. According to Dr. Franco, living in a tent city is “hell on earth.” But on Thursday, we traveled to one of Port-au-Prince’s tent cities. They are rebuilding with small matching homes for each family. The mountains in the background were an incredible sight. Their church, a makeshift tent, was placed right in the middle of all the homes. We passed out peanut butter sandwiches and juice. People emerged from their homes, excited to have a free meal.

When we got back to the compound, everyone started preparing for the feeding that night. Dustin and I worked on finishing up our stories – set to air Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday on the FOX CT Morning News. Hundreds of people lined-up outside of the compound. We lined all the tables up outside, filled plates with chicken and rice, and then let the children come to the table first. I looked at Dr. Franco and said, “This is just incredible.”

He replied, “Sarah, isn’t it amazing what 300 dollars can do?”

I agreed saying, “People buy outfits for 300 dollars.”

Dr. Franco said, “Yes they do, and 300 dollars can feed hundreds.”

I just watched as each person cleaned their plate, knowing that tonight these people won’t go to bed hungry.

Miakel followed me around all night. He kept saying, “Sarah… me… you… go to America?” My heart broke. I didn’t know how to handle it.

The next morning, I went into Miakel’s room where all the boys sleep. I gave him my pillow, and then placed the watch he wanted so badly on his wrist. His eyes barely opened, he looked at the watch, then looked up at me, smiled and said “thank you Sarah.”

As we drove away in the tap tap, all the boys waved goodbye. Some of the toddlers were crying. I tried to hold back my tears. My friend Sarah said, “Just remember… this is harder on them than it is on us.”

Once we got to the airport, Sarah and Joannie went to the American Airlines terminal. I was flying Continental. Dustin was on a Delta flight. Thank god we were in the same terminal because as we approached the entrance, the workers (who barely spoke English) told us we weren’t allowed inside until 10:30. It was 6:30. As we stepped away from the gate, Haitian men started surrounding me, trying to sell me things. They were grabbing me, yelling at each other. I was petrified and felt completely helpless. All of a sudden, Dustin grabbed my arm. He had paid-off one of the workers to let us inside. Once we were in, we were told not to get in line until 10:30. So we sat there for four hours, packed like sardines in this little room. There were no lines at check-in, and people were just screaming at each other. It was a nightmare. There was a lot of waiting. Once they finally opened the Continental line, which was really no line at all – we waited another hour. Dustin went to the other side of the room for the Delta line. They pushed us back and finally set up a table to check bags. Then a lady came through and took some people’s passports, but not others. Mine was one she took. I started to panic, thinking what an idiotic move that was… giving this woman my passport. I was watching people get their boarding passes and leave. I finally just pushed my way to the front (this was the time to be aggressive). I said, “I need my passport!” The lady just said “bag.” So I grabbed my bag, which the security guy had already gone through and put to the side. He tried to stop me, but I grabbed it anyway and brought it to the lady who took my passport. She weighed it, checked-it, then finally gave me my boarding pass and passport. Makes no sense at all, but when I finally got to my gate, I was relieved. Getting on the airplane was amazing. The seat was the most comfortable thing I’d been in all week. I closed my eyes and fell asleep before takeoff.

This week on the FOX CT Morning News, you’ll see three stories that I did in Haiti with Dustin. They are set to air Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Let it rain...

2011-08-17T22:45:00.005-04:00

I wake up at 5 a.m. every morning to the chorus line of roosters. The water ran out today, so I was glad I washed my hair outside in the rain yesterday. It was actually very good because I was holding baby Marvin and he peed on my only pair of shorts, so those got a little bit cleaner as well.

We had another free med clinic today. People lined up for hours to see Dr. Franco. A 79-year-old man had an old wound from a pick ax. This took place even before the earthquake and was left untreated. His left hand was scrunched and his fingers turned in. This was a result of a stroke untreated as well. I was amazed watching the nurses take care of him and treat him, especially my good friend Joannie. They didn’t even speak the same language, and she could read him. She understood him. She's an incredible nurse, and I will always look up to her for her ability to connect with a patient.

After lunch we visited the Port-au-Prince Hospital. The workers were on strike, so no one was there to care for these people. As we walked by, each and every one of them held out their x-rays for Dr. Franco. He stopped for everyone, spoke to them, helped them as much as he could, and then prayed with them.

One man was confined to his hospital bed with handcuffs. I asked Dr. Franco to translate for me. This man was put in prison in 2006 for supposedly owning a gun. However, the police here who accused him of this crime never found a gun on him. But they put him in prison anyway. When the earthquake happened, he escaped. But the police found him and shot him in his legs. He will now spend the rest of his life confined to this bed.

As we were leaving, we walked by the tuberculosis tent. Every person in that tent will die of TB. They do not have access to the treatment and medication they need. Hearst cars lined the streets in clear view for all the patients to see.

Everyone was kind of in a daze leaving the Port-au-Prince Hospital. But as soon as we entered the compound, all the boys of the orphanage came running toward us!

I was walking around with a little boy named Olry. He’s 4-years-old. Joannie and I gave him a mini butterfinger. He literally put the entire wrapper in his mouth after eating the candy bar. As the sun set, we got in the hammock together. It only took a few minutes and Olry had passed out. And let me tell you… it’s not that easy getting out of a hammock with a child asleep on top of you.

And this is how we work...

2011-08-17T09:00:00.004-04:00

Sarah Orschlen took this pic yesterday while I was writing my story on the patients here that need help paying for surgeries. The cot turned into our desk and the buckets also work as chairs.

Sarah also made a good point in her blog...

"I find it hilarious (and sort of sick and atrocious) that I have internet access right now, but no running water."

Generations of Hope...

2011-08-16T11:00:00.004-04:00

Yesterday the troops arrived… 24 more volunteers. Joannie arrived at 11 a.m. and Dustin arrived around noon. Dustin is a photographer/editor at FOX CT. However, we had no idea the other was coming to Haiti until about two weeks ago. Must have been fate.

Today, patients are lined up outside waiting to see Dr. Franco. Some suffer from dehydration. Others have cholera and even HIV. But Dr. Franco will see all of them.

The internet connection isn’t great here, so the stories Dustin and I are shooting might not air until next week. Regardless, the people of Haiti have incredible stories – some so sad it’s almost beyond comprehension. I wonder where all their joy comes from. But they are full of so much hope, and Generations of Hope Haiti (GoHaiti) is making that possible for so many people.

The streets of Port-au-Prince

Property where Dr. Franco's friend is building another orphanage

View from the orphanage window

Building the orphanage

Generations of Hope orphanage's backyard

Some of the kids of Generations of Hope

Miakel is an orphan at Generations of Hope.

He loves to play soccer, and he really wants my watch.

Jameson...

2011-08-15T11:00:00.000-04:00

This little boy, Jameson, follows me around all the time. He's so adorable.

His younger brother is so skinny he looks ill. His mother wanted to get rid of him, so the orphanage said they would take him. He didn't want to go, so the mother gave up the boys' big sister, Linda, hoping the youngest would stay at the orphanage because she was there. Well he doesn't. He always leaves in the middle of the night and jumps the fence. He wants his mother's love.

Jameson's younger brother

Jameson is the only one that stays with his mom, who doesn't take care of him. But the orphanage has to have legal rights to keep them unless they were abandoned (like baby Marvin). Jameson is skinny too. I always sneak him granola bars, but he comes here during the day to play with the kids and eat.

Last night, all the kids were getting ready for bed after playing in the rain. Jameson was still here and was told he needed to leave. It was storming, lighting and thundering outside - so I asked Dr. Franco (who speaks English) why he had to leave now. Dr. Franco said he could stay until the rain stopped. So he did. He sat with me. I gave him a granola bar. He has a cut on his face. It was open because it got wet from the rain, so I gave him some neosporin and a band-aid. He said thank you and just kept hugging me. When it was time for him to go, I walked him outside behind the compound alone. He ran off into the sugarcane fields. I believe he lives in the tent city. My eyes began to tear-up as I watched him wave goodbye and leave. It was so sad. I just watched a child run off into the woods, alone at night.

The hammock after the storm...

2011-08-15T10:00:00.000-04:00

Sarah took this picture and posted it on her blog. Click here to read hope.gives.haiti.

Yes, this is the hammock we've been sharing after the storm last night.

Music is a Universal Language...

2011-08-14T17:00:00.001-04:00

The Generations of Hope (GoHaiti) Orphanage is working on clearing an area in front of the orphanage so the kids can have a soccer field. After all of our work yesterday, we told the kids we had a BIG surprise for them. Kim and I pealed mangos in the kitchen to bring out to all the children. I was thinking… “Are these kids really going to get excited about mangos??” But low and behold, when we brought out the mangos, you would’ve thought the kids just walked in to FAO Schwarz!! It was amazing. They are so grateful for sliced mangos, a hug, a high five, even a smile. They just want to be loved.

Today we went to church. Dr. Franco gave the sermon… granted it was in Haitian Creole, but I tried to follow with the help of a translator. Some of the songs were in English but most were in Haitian Creole. However, music really is a universal language.

One of the young orphan girls here, Linda, was cleaning dishes outside today by the sugarcane field. She borrowed someone’s ipod and was jamming out to Justin Bieber! There I was standing next to a sugarcane field, with goats running around me, clothes were being hung on the clothesline between two trees – and there was little Linda cleaning dishes singing at the top of her lungs to a Justin Bieber song. Who would've thought?

I also met a young boy today. His kneecap was so swollen. I asked Dr. Franco what happened to him. He said it was an injury from the earthquake in 2010. His mother cannot afford to pay for his surgery. He’s coming to the compound on Tuesday with a few other kids. If all goes well, technology wise, I’ll be telling their stories on the FOX CT Morning News this week. I'll let you know how you can help if you want to pay or contribute to the cost of surgery.

Again if you want to donate to Go-Haiti, click here.

St. Marc Hospital

2011-08-13T16:00:00.004-04:00

I slept in a hammock last night. There was some sort of summer camp going on next door. They were chanting and singing all night. We traveled to St. Marc Hospital today to deliver supplies. This is the hospital where cholera started. I saw a woman in a coma about to die from HIV, a man who had just taken his last breath, and people left outside in their hospital beds to die from HIV because there was nothing else the hospital could do for them. I gave a woman a granola bar because the hospital doesn’t feed them. It is up to family members and loved ones. Another woman was still in the hospital from the injuries she suffered during the earthquake in 2010. The number of premature babies in the hospital was overwhelming. Sadly, most of them will die. They just don’t have the care and treatment we have in the U.S. A father stood looking down at his premature baby. The mother didn’t make it through childbirth. He has other children he has to take care of, so he told Dr. Franco that he could take this baby when it gets out of the hospital and bring him to the orphanage at Go-Haiti.

There have been some improvements in Haiti. Paul Farmer and Bill Clinton built the PIH (Partners in Health) Hospital in Kreyol, which provides free treatment to patients living in poverty. The hospital helps them obtain effective drugs to treat tuberculosis and AIDS. However, the patients at St. Marc Hospital cannot reach the PIH Hospital.

Arrival in Haiti...

2011-08-12T16:00:00.001-04:00

Riding in the tap tap from the airport to the compound in Port-au-Prince

I'm leaving for Haiti...

2011-08-11T10:30:00.005-04:00

I’m excited to officially announce that I’ll be traveling to Haiti tomorrow morning. This entire journey began when I interviewed Kim Cornell on the FOX CT Morning News for National Nurses Week. I was so inspired by her story of traveling to Haiti, being there for the 2010 earthquake, changing her career path to nursing and now adopting a little boy named GayePaye from the orphanage in Haiti. Read her blog, and you’ll see just what an amazing woman she truly is…

“I went down [to Haiti] the first week of January 2010. I stayed after the rest of the team left to head back home, and that is when the earthquake struck. My life would never be the same. I would never know such fear and terror that I did on January 12th, when I felt the earth move beneath me and felt so incredibly helpless. We immediately traveled through the destruction to get back to the orphanage to make sure the kids were okay, including my little guy, and what I saw on the way will be forever engrained in my mind… It was that moment when I found out he was okay that I decided I just had to move forward with trying to adopt him.”

When I started researching the non-profit that inspired Kim to volunteer in Haiti, I knew I had to be a part of this incredible group. Generations of Hope, Haiti (Go-Haiti) is a non-profit organization committed to reaching the lost and poor of Haiti. President and founder, Dr. Franco Jean-Louis has been working as a missionary medical doctor since 1995. His goal has always been the same: to meet the physical and the spiritual needs of the Haitian people, especially abandoned children and the sick. With Kim’s help, 34 volunteers will be working with Go-Haiti for the month of August. During this time, volunteers will be working at a medical clinic, counseling center, community orphanage, primary school and more.

I’m lucky to have two of my best friends traveling with me. As fate would have it, a fellow Mizzou alumni – Sarah – recently decided to switch career paths from the journalism field to the medical field. I applaud her for figuring out what she wants in life and going for it! And this trip to Haiti was perfect timing for Sarah. She’s an amazing travel companion (we traveled to China together to cover the 2008 Olympic Games), and I’m so happy to have her on this trip. Click here to read Sarah's blog.

Joannie is another gem in my life. If I ever have a bad day, I talk to Joannie and quickly realize – like the book says – “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.” Joannie worked in the burn unit at New York Presbyterian Hospital. When she moved to San Francisco, I was sad not to have her close in NY anymore. But she must have been there for a reason because when the gas line explosion happened in San Bruno, Joannie had just started working at a small hospital near-by and she was one of the only nurses with burn unit experience. I realized, in that moment of my life, that things happen for a reason. We might not always be able to explain why. But I think they do.

Many people ask me why I’m going to Haiti. They say it’s too dangerous. It’s just deplorable living conditions down there. But all I could do was think… If not now, when? If not these volunteers, then who?

So I booked my ticket and off I go.

Follow my facebook page for updates: www.facebook.com/sarah.s.french

Make A Wish Mondays - Taaj's story

2011-07-11T12:00:00.002-04:00

Ferrari & Friends

2011-06-19T15:00:00.002-04:00

I had a great time at the Ferrari & Friends Parade today! Thanks to everyone who came out on Sunday to support Make A Wish CT.

Emmy Award

2011-05-15T12:00:00.006-04:00

I'm so honored to have won my first Emmy for Make A Wish Mondays! This organization is incredible! Thank you Mike Burke, CEO of Make A Wish CT, for helping me come up with this idea. Mike Dominick for helping me with every wish story! Make A Wish CT for making me feel like a part of your wish family. And to all the Make A Wish kids... you have touched my life more than you know. I am changed, truly impacted forever because of you. Thank you.

Make A Wish Gala

2011-05-01T12:00:00.008-04:00

It was truly an honor to host Make A Wish CT's 25th Anniversary Gala at Mohegan Sun. Everyone was so generous. We raised more than $400,000! Hosting with Joe D'Ambrosio was a blast - voice of the UCONN Huskies! But we were all there for one reason... to raise money for all the Make A Wish kids. These children sometimes lose their childhood... fighting illnesses, going through surgeries, etc. But Make A Wish gives them a day or a week to forget all that. It's an amazing organization, and I was truly honored to host this event. Thank you to CEO Mike Burke for the beautiful trophy. It means so much to me, and thank you Make A Wish for everything you do.

Congrats to our X-Factor winners - Henry Smith & Calvin Betancourt

2011-04-21T17:00:00.001-04:00

Click here to support Henry Smith

Click here to support Calvin Betancourt

Alyssa's wish comes true...

2011-03-28T09:25:00.001-04:00

Don't Miss Alyssa's story Monday on the FOX CT Morning News...

2011-03-27T07:30:00.000-04:00

"She Loves You" ...

2011-02-17T15:00:00.000-05:00

Jerry Douglas @ Mohegan Sun

2011-01-15T14:00:00.003-05:00

The FOX CT crew came out to Mohegan Sun to enjoy a performance by one of the world's most renowned dobro players. With 12 Grammy's under his belt, Jerry Douglas has graced over 2,000 recordings by artists like James Taylor, Paul Simon, Ray Charles, Garth Brooks, and the 8 million plus selling soundtrack to "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" Jerry has been a member of Alison Krauss & Union Station since 1998. I'm proud to say he's my cousin as well!

Kyleigh's Story

2010-12-25T17:00:00.004-05:00

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!!!

2010-12-25T08:00:00.004-05:00

I'm pictured above with my baby brother

Merry Christmas!!!

Toys for Tots

2010-11-28T13:00:00.004-05:00

Thanks to everyone who came out and donated to Toys for Tots on Friday at the Shoppes at Buckland Hills. I'm pictured above with Jerry Kristafer (102.9 WDRC-FM) and Second Lieutenant Matthew Blumenthal (son of Senator-Elect Richard Blumenthal).

Upcoming Toys for Tots events include...

Friday, Dec 3 & Saturday, Dec 4 – Brass Mill Center, Waterbury
Friday, Dec 10 & Saturday, Dec 11 – Westfarms, Farmington

Gay in America: Tensions & Tolerance

2010-11-23T16:00:00.003-05:00

It's making headlines everyday...

Gays teens bullied and driven to suicide.

We explore the troubles facing our youth ...

Ways to prevent this growing epidemic ...

And who young people can turn to for support.

Our special series "Gay in America, Tensions & Tolerance"

Wednesday Morning, Nov. 24th at 8 a.m. on Fox Connecticut

Gifts of Love Fashion Show

2010-11-13T13:00:00.003-05:00

Thanks to everyone who came out and donated to Gifts of Love last night. Gifts of Love helps meet the basic needs of individuals and families in Central Connecticut experiencing a financial crisis, so that they can achieve and maintain self sufficiency.

Click here to donate

Athletes with Heart Conditions...

2010-11-08T09:30:00.000-05:00

MAKE A WISH - Kathryn's story

2010-10-21T17:00:00.000-04:00

Victim to Survivor to Thriver

2010-10-21T13:00:00.001-04:00

I was honored to emcee this Thriver event. I was in the presence of so many incredible women. The Thriver Workbook is a new book for women who have been abused and want to reclaim their lives! The author - Susan M. Omilian - is the award-winning originator and facilitator of My Avenging Angel Workshops. My dear friend Cecile Enrico was honored at the event, as a thriver success story. She is the Executive Director of Interval House.

CT Idol

2010-07-26T23:00:00.001-04:00

Make-A-Wish Kids

2010-07-23T09:30:00.000-04:00

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-04T22:00:00.002-04:00

Happy 4th of July! I enjoyed a great BBQ at Sharon's house - she's a FOX CT photographer. Sharon had about 40 people over to her house. We ate hot dogs, hamburgers, pork tenderloin, potato salad, mac n' cheese, and desserts galore! And we couldn't have asked for a better day!

Miss Missouri 2010

2010-06-27T15:00:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to Erika Hebron, our 2010 Miss Missouri. It was our 40th Anniversary, and I was honored to emcee again this year.

Click here to view a photo gallery

Race for the Cure

2010-06-05T11:50:00.010-04:00

Thanks to everyone who came out to Race for the Cure today!

Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the global leader of the breast cancer movement, investing nearly $1.5 billion since inception in 1982. As the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists, we’re working together to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and try to find a cure! Thanks to events like the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and the generous contributions from our partners, sponsors and fellow supporters, we have become the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.

Tiempo Libre Dancing

2010-06-04T13:00:00.000-04:00

Check out our dance moves at the end of the video...

Memorial Day Remembrances

2010-05-31T09:30:00.000-04:00

In honor of those who serve, I’m including a portion of an essay I wrote in college about the life experiences of my grandparents, also known as the “Greatest Generation.” We can all learn so much from this generation.

This is a tribute to my grandfather, just one of many servicemen, who put his life on the line for all of us.

Dr. James French
Feb. 21, 1919 – Jan. 9, 2007

“When I lived in Mississippi, we drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle,” my grandma Weenie said, “and we would leave home in the morning and play all day outside.”

Life in rural Mississippi in the early Twentieth Century had virtually no paved roads, no plumbing, and little electricity. Throughout the United States, many changes during this time were beginning to occur through advances in technology. The turn of the century was one of transition and progress and is considered the first decade of materialism and consumerism. Advances in all these areas remained comparatively slow throughout the early decades, well into the 1930's when the Great Depression stagnated lifestyles. However, the people of Mississippi kept a positive attitude. During this time, my grandma Weenie saw the small town of Durant, Mississippi come together and learn the meaning of sharing. But to others throughout the nation, the American dream had become a nightmare. What was once the land of opportunity was now the land of desperation. What was once the land of hope and optimism had become the land of despair. The American people were questioning all the maxims on which they had based their lives – democracy, capitalism, and individualism. My family, especially my grandparents, have experienced many historical events first hand – the Stock Market Crash, Pearl Harbor, WWII – and saw how their surrounding environments changed because of these events, for better or worse.

When President Roosevelt took office in 1933, he feverishly created program after program to give relief, create jobs, and stimulate economic recovery for the U.S. “When he first took office, my father didn’t like him,” explained my grandfather. “We all thought he was too radical trying to implement all these new projects. But as time went by, we realized that these programs were necessary to improve the economy.” The Works Progress Administration (WPA), an ambitious New Deal program, put 8,500,000 jobless to work. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was another work relief program for young men established in March 1933. This program was one of the most successful of the New Deal programs. The New Deal brought jobs and relief to millions of Americans; however, it did not end the depression. The depression ended because of World War II – a war that my grandfather thought he would never have to fight.

During the 1930s, my grandparents attended college together at Delta State. Once my grandfather completed his music degree, he went back to school to enroll in pre-med. courses. Weenie had then graduated and was teaching in Drew. My grandfather said, “I had not been in school a month when I got a letter from ‘Uncle Sam’ telling me to report to Camp Shelby, Mississippi.”

When grandfather got to Camp Shelby, he was inducted into the army and sent to Camp Croft, S.C. to start basic training. Weenie wrote at once that she would come to S.C. to be married to James. My grandfather wrote Weenie telling her that Christmas was only a few weeks away, and he would be getting a leave. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, the American naval base in Hawaii, on December 7, 1941, all leaves were canceled. The attacks crippled American fleet in the Pacific and caused entry of the U.S. into World War II.

My grandfather was assigned to an infantry regiment and sent to New York to board troop ships for overseas. He left the Port of Embarkation, New York in January 1942, the first convoy to leave the states after war was declared. During that time, my grandfather was on New Caledonia, a small French Island near Australia. From there, he was in the Guadalcanal and Bougainville, Solomon Islands Campaigns. Grandfather being in and out of tent hospitals with malaria on the Fiji Islands separated these two campaigns. “We had to fight two enemies,” explained grandfather, “one being the tropical diseases and the other being the enemy.”

Two years had gone by, and then my grandfather had to return to Guadalcanal – the same mosquito infested location in which he had contracted malaria. However, this time Guadalcanal had been sprayed with DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane). Grandfather was able to stay without any worries of developing the disease again. DDT first tested in the United States in 1942. It saved the lives of countless U.S. soldiers and millions of others across the globe at risk of malaria. In light of its success abroad, when the war ended, DDT was soon widely deployed by public health officials, who banished malaria from the southern United States with its help. “DDT was used everywhere – in the Mississippi Delta, in Water Valley,” my grandfather said. “But I think it was a good thing that the pesticide was banned once we discovered that it was harming the animals.”

As WWII continued, it began to take a toll on the British. One of my grandma’s friends, Evelyn Bohnen, lived in Southampton, England where she was born and raised. “Southampton was very lovely,” explained Mrs. Bohnen, “never as hot as it is in the U.S.” However, Mrs. Bohnen didn’t meet my grandma until she moved to the United States after the war, for she fell in love with an American.

“During WWII, everyone had to work in the armed forces or the factories,” said Mrs. Bohnen. “I started working with ‘Airaid Precautions.’ I went to college for aeronautical engineering for 18 months and took a crash course. Afterward, I was employed as the inspector for the government.” In 1940, Mrs. Bohnen became an inspector for the factories. Women worked in all areas of production ranging from making ammunition to uniforms to airplanes. The hours they worked were long, and some women had to relocate to factory locations.

Dr. Moen Hughes, a Cambridge professor, asked Mrs. Bohnen to become his personal assistant. He was connected with the growth of proctile development and worked for the ministry of supply and development research. “He was almost completely deaf,” explains Mrs. Bohnen. “I guess you could just call me his ‘Girl Friday.’ I took notes for him and listened to his phone calls.”

On August 14, 1940, the Germans attacked Southampton, England. Fortunately, Mrs. Bohnen’s father had taken an area of their home and made an airade shelter with 12-inch thick walls. “I can’t believe my family survived! My church was completely destroyed, and my father’s office was gone,” Mrs. Bohnen said. “We were just lucky to have each other.” Southampton suffered terribly from large-scale air raids during WWII. As a large port city on the south coast, it was an important strategic target for the German air force, Luftwaffe. There were 57 attacks in all, but nerves were frayed by over 1,500 alarms. According to A.R.P. (Air Raid Precaution Department) reports over 2,300 bombs were dropped amounting to over 470 tons of high explosives. Over 30,000 incendiary devices were dropped on the city. Nearly 45,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed, with most of the city's High Street being hit. There were reports that the glow of Southampton burning could be seen from as far away as Cherbourg on the North coast of France. Nazi publicity declared in propaganda that the city had been left a smoking ruin. “My father was devastated because he lost his only son. My brother was an officer with the Royal Signal Corps, a branch of the British army. He died on August 11, 1942 when a mine was bombed,” explained Mrs. Bohnen. “I will never forget that day.”

During WWII, my grandma Weenie stayed in Drew, Mississippi, and taught second grade. “I could only teach second grade because I couldn’t do third grade arithmetic,” said Weenie, laughing. Sue Whirly, Weenie’s cousin, was a math major and applied for Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation in New York during WWII. “Sue was accepted, and she was ecstatic to help build the airplanes during the war,” Weenie said. “But Sue was even more excited about livin’ up in New York City. I think that’s the main reason she applied to Grumman, so she could live in the big apple.”

Back in the United States, when World War II had finally ended in 1945, my grandfather was able to come home. Camp Shelby was where it all started almost four years before. “I was home,” my grandfather said, “and I had long wondered if that day would ever come.” The next day, June 15, 1945, in a little Army chapel in New Orleans, Weenie and James were married.

My uncle, Ed French, has written a book, Crossing the Old Man. It’s a story of appreciation and affirmation of the generation of Americans who grew up during The Great Depression, experienced World War II, and built families and careers afterwards. It is a story told through the eyes and from the memories of a Baby Boomer whose fond reflections of visiting his family in Mississippi are always first met by crossing an old river. It is a story that challenges the reader to look inside himself by looking at the lives of others. It is a story that touches anywhere in the country, but is set in the Deep South. It is a journey met with humor, sorrow and acknowledgment, by crossing an old river – the Old Man. Click here to order Crossing the Old Man.

My great-grandmother on Jerry Springer!!!

2010-05-26T16:00:00.006-04:00

Click here to watch Granny's interview on her local TV station!

(This actually ended up airing on HLN!)

Norman Gentle - Brit Slap!

2010-05-23T17:58:00.003-04:00

2010 Emmy Awards

2010-05-23T09:00:00.002-04:00

Click here to watch the 2010 Emmy Awards

(I was a presenter for the night, click part 9)

FOX 61 also won an Emmy for our coverage of the death of our dear friend and colleague, Alice Morrin. This was a bittersweet award, but our former News Director, Bob Rockstroh, gave a phenomenal speech. He even received a standing ovation.

Sentinel Record article...

2010-05-14T10:00:00.001-04:00

Help flood victims in Tennessee‎

2010-05-08T11:00:00.005-04:00

I emailed my cousin Jill Douglas, married to musician Jerry Douglas, to make sure everyone was okay with all the flooding in Tennessee. I’d like to share an email with you that Jill sent me…

…Devastation is widespread in the Bellevue area; many, many of Olivia's friends [Jill’s daughter] are homeless. Being on the hill, we are fine. We lost a couple of trees, which fell in the TVA right of way. Ashley's home had water flowing through it for approximately 36 hours. On top of that, her beloved fox terrier died this morning. Our neighbor has two trees through her roof, which Grant tarped for her immediately after they fell, and Olivia moved all the furniture for her. Jerry and I were in North Carolina on Saturday and scheduled to travel through Nashville on the way to Memphis for the Beale Street Music festival. The tour bus arrived in Nashville around 8 a.m. Sunday. I awakened to the sound of water rushing against the bus at ear level in my bottom bunk. We were able to get into the parking lot at SoundCheck (rehearsal hall and storage space where Keith Urban – among many others – lost everything, just an hour later) and pick up a trailer which had been packed earlier in the week with Jerry and Alison's things [Jerry plays with Alison Krauss & Union Station]. I am certain if we had arrived 30 minutes later it would have been impossible to get in there. Leaving Soundcheck, we headed for Wal-Mart near our house to meet the other bus, only to learn the parking lot was flooded. So the driver aborted that mission and was going to bring us home, but getting across town was not possible. We had a call saying to forget the Beale St Fest, so at that point we made our way to the airport Marriott, high on a hill. Our entire bus checked-in, followed a couple of hrs later by many, many from the Opryland Hotel, which had to be evacuated. It has been a trying week for our fellow middle Tennesseans. We are all pitching in. The Red Cross found the need for their services to be far less than would be expected, due to the volunteer spirit of neighbor helping neighbor. Clean-up and rebuilding will be a monumental task. Thank goodness the President declared the area a federal disaster.

Thanks for checking in. Sorry to be so late in answering. It has been wild!

Sarah, please do what you can to get our story out and to let it be known that Nashville is cleaning up and we will be ready to welcome visitors soon! The CMA Music Festival WILL go on, as scheduled, next month.

Love you all,

Jill

Interval House Gala

2010-05-08T11:00:00.004-04:00

Speaking about the death of our dear friend and colleague, Alice Morrin, at the 2010 Interval House "Step Up & Step Out" Gala at the Society Room of Hartford.

Jerry Springer on FOX

2010-05-02T14:57:00.005-04:00

Jerry Springer joins the FOX News Team to talk about his show, life & Sarah's Granny!

Click here to watch Jerry's interview!

Katie Stevens @ FOX

2010-04-27T16:00:00.004-04:00

IN THE COMPANY OF WOMEN LUNCHEON

2010-04-07T17:00:00.006-04:00

I had the honor of speaking at the youth reception before the

IN THE COMPANY OF WOMEN LUNCHEON.

The Creating Opportunities Youth Reception, sponsored by the YWCA, welcomed young women from all across the state to participate in the reception prior to the luncheon. I shared a motivational speech to the young women - which focused on journalism as a career and personal insight about the field as a woman. I wanted to motivate the young women to pursue their dreams and actively engage opportunities throughout their lives.

GPS Tracking Devices for Domestic Violence Offenders

2010-03-16T06:03:00.003-04:00

A bill before Connecticut legislators would require convicted stalkers and abusers to wear Global Positioning System monitors to alert law enforcement of their movements.

Other states already employ GPS in their fight against domestic violence.

It's not fool-proof, but is this a good thing? Bad?

2010 Hartford St. Patrick's Day Parade

2010-03-13T16:00:00.005-05:00

The crowds were way down at the annual Hartford St. Patrick's Day Parade, but the hearty, stalwart souls who turned were determined to come and enjoying every minute. Nor did the inhospitable weather deter the parade itself. The usual array of fife and drum corps, bagpipers, twirlers and Irish dancers were all in attendance, many, though not all, sporting serious rain gear.

Danny Kash Photography

2010-03-12T16:00:00.004-05:00

Click here to view more pictures!

Danny Kash Photography

LIVE A HAPPY LIFE

2010-03-09T11:00:00.001-05:00

I read the following on a friend's blog, so I thought I should share it with all of you...

HABITS THAT HELP ME LIVE A HAPPY LIFE

Begin each day with a prayer.
Laugh, laugh and then laugh some more!
Live every day and every hour, with passion and enthusiasm.
Positive Thinking! It has a million-plus benefits. It gives power to turn the worst situation into victory!
The habit of giving joyously and generously!
The habit of spontaneity - thinking of it - doing it - carpe diem - seize the moment!
The habit of entering every day, every hour, without giving mental recognition to the possibility of defeat.
The habit of forgiving - always - everyone - quickly. Do not waste time in un-forgiveness!
The habit of optimism - seeing the best in people and the best in circumstances, situations, and the best for the future.
The habit of having an attitude of gratitude. Giving thanks daily.
Being an encourager. Helping people feel better, stronger - tell them they can accomplish their goals and dreams. Be supportive.

Reid: 'Men, when they're out of work, tend to become abusive'

2010-02-23T16:00:00.000-05:00

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) suggested Monday that domestic violence by men has increased due to U.S. joblessness.

Click here to read more.

Happy Birthday Granny!

2009-11-06T12:00:00.001-05:00

7 Children

12 Grandchildren

15 Great-Grandchildren

9 Great Great-Grandchildren

Domestic Violence Stats:

2009-11-01T12:00:00.005-05:00

20,042. That's the number of family violence incidents reported in 2007 in Connecticut. Here's the breakdown:

22 people died.
There were 6,543 reports of assault, 107 reports of sexual assault, 17 reports of kidnapping.
Of 18,180 victims, 13,622 were women.
In 950 cases, a gun or knife was involved.
In 13,183 cases, the weapon or weapons were hands, fists or feet.
Children were involved or present in 7,401 cases.
Drugs or alcoholwas confirmed in 6,340 cases.
A prior court order had been issued in at least 3,692 cases.
More incidents occurred on Sundays (3,475) than on any other day, closely followed by Saturdays (3,360).

Source: CT Dept. of Public Safety

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-30T17:00:00.004-04:00

The FOX 61 Morning News Team dressed up like Gilligan's Island for Halloween! We were also joined by the Six Flags crew who taught us the Thriller Dance!

Logan and I were Mr. and Mrs. Thurston Howell

And since it's Halloween, I have to recommend my favorite Halloween movie... More than 300 years ago, the Sanderson sisters bewitched the lives of little children. Now it's Halloween, and the witches are back! This time, they've got their eyes on immortal life and have turned their wrath on trick-or-treaters! This is a definite must-see... my all-time FAVORITE Halloween movie -- Hocus Pocus -- starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy.

Benefit Show

2009-10-05T17:00:00.003-04:00

"Many people walk in and out of your life, but only true friends leave footprints on your heart." - Eleanor Roosevelt

This weekend we celebrated the life of Alice Morrin. We presented a beautiful plaque to Alice's family -- which will be placed in our newsroom for all to see.

Coming up on Oct, 17th -- We are holding another event to raise money for the Morrin Education Fund. Please come to this Benefit Show! Bronze Radio Return, Columbia Fields, and Forward Motion are all performing.

Directions: The Warehouse

45 Bartholomew Ave.

Hartford, CT

(860) 985-3100

Michael Bolton Charities

2009-09-14T22:00:00.002-04:00

FOX 61 reporter Jennifer Lahmers, assignment editor Nick Caito, and I attended the 17th Annual Michael Bolton Charities Benefit Concert to benefit women and children at risk of domestic violence. Our late colleague and dear friend, Alice Morrin, was honored at the event.

Thanks to all who donated!

2009-09-08T14:00:00.007-04:00

Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon raised $1,316,632 in CT

and $60.5 Million *Nationwide*

Thank you to all who donated!

Pilot Pen Tournament

2009-08-27T19:00:00.003-04:00

Logan and I attended the Pilot Pen Tournament. We watched the amazing Vineyard Vines Fashion Show (pictured above)! Then we watched a great game of tennis - Californian Sam Querrey defeats top seed Nikolay Davydenko.

Happy 50th Birthday Doug!

2009-08-22T22:00:00.006-04:00

FOX 61's web guru, Doug Stewart (pictured on left), turned 50 this weekend! And we celebrated his birthday in Manchester!

Happy Birthday Doug!

The winners from the Morrin Education Fund Silent Auction...

2009-08-21T13:00:00.000-04:00

The Wlodarczyk family were the winners of the Morrin Education Fund Silent Auction to have breakfast with the FOX 61 Morning News Team! Here we are pictured with Lucas and Dillon. We all had a blast!

Follow my new blog...

2009-08-16T10:00:00.001-04:00

Overcoming Battered Lives

We are launching this blog for all of you… those of you who know someone affected by domestic violence, victims of domestic violence, or anyone who wants to offer words of encouragement or advice. I became interested in domestic violence when my dear friend, Alice Morrin, lost her life at the hands of her husband. Alice was the victim of a murder-suicide. Her death is beyond tragic. However, I want Alice to be remembered for the amazing woman that she was and the warmth she brought to everyone. Alice will live on in the family that she raised, the friends that she loved, and the wonderful memories that she leaves behind. My hope is to help others who are going through domestic violence. Around the world, at least one in every three women has been physically or sexually abused during her lifetime. An estimated 3-4 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner every year. But domestic violence is much more than physical abuse. In fact, many battered women who are controlled by their spouse/partner have never been physically assaulted. Regardless, domestic violence should not happen to ANYONE! Remember, you are not alone, it’s not your fault, and help is available. We need to work together to end Domestic Violence.

Here are some warning signs I found on Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s website…

Warning Signs

The following checklist may help you decide if you or someone you know is being abused.

Does your partner…

constantly criticize you and your abilities as a spouse/partner, parent or employee?
behave in an over-protective manner or become extremely jealous?
threaten to hurt you, your children, pets, family members, friends or himself?
prevent you from seeing family or friends?
get suddenly angry or "lose his temper"?
destroy personal property or throw things around?
deny you access to family assets like bank accounts, credit cards, or the car, or control all finances and force you to account for what you spend?
use intimidation or manipulation to control you or your children?
hit, punch, slap, kick, shove, choke or bite you?
prevent you from going where you want to, when you want to, and with whomever you want to?
make you have sex when you don't want to or do things sexually that you don't want to do?
humiliate or embarrass you in front of other people?

It you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may be a victim of domestic violence. You are not to blame and you are not alone – millions of women are abused by their partners every year. In any case, you need not face domestic violence alone. You deserve help, and help is available by calling 1-888-774-2900.

Domestic violence does not discriminate against anyone at any age: men, women, teens and children. Tell us your story. Do you know someone affected by domestic violence? Were you a victim of domestic violence? This is a safe place for you to be open, so hopefully we can help others and save a life.

Thank You USA Gymnastics!

2009-07-29T07:00:00.006-04:00

First, I want to thank USA Gymnastics for donating a VIP Package for the 2010 National Championships - which will take place at the XL Center!

Be sure to attend the Morrin Education Benefit tonight.

Click here for more info.

Also, since I'm a gymnastics fan, I've included a link to my blog from last summer when I covered gymnastics at the US Olympic Games for the Olympic News Service.

Click here for my 2008 Olympic Games blog from Beijing, China!

I've included a few pictures for you as well...

XL Center - 2010 National Championships!

2009-07-29T06:00:00.001-04:00

Gymnastics Gold:

XL Center Capture 2010 National Championships

By LORI RILEYThe Hartford Courant

USA Gymnastics' 2010 national championships and main world championship qualifier will be held at the XL Center in Hartford Aug. 11-14, 2010. The announcement will be made today.

The Visa Championships are a coup for Hartford, which hasn't often hosted nationally prominent sporting events.

The Davis Cup, the international tennis championship, took place in Hartford in 1987, with Boris Becker, Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe. The NCAA men's basketball tournament was last in town in 1998, and the women's NCAA regional was held at the Civic Center, now the XL Center, in 2004. Skate America, an international figure-skating competition, was held at the Civic Center in 2006.

"From my perspective, when I look at the number of visitors coming to Hartford for this, the TV exposure and the overall impact on the economy, this appears to be one of the biggest events Hartford has ever landed," said Chuck Steedman, senior vice president and general manager of the XL Center.

The 2009 Visa Championships, which will take place next month in Dallas, feature Olympic gold medalist Nastia Liukin and silver medalist Jonathan Horton.

The announcement of the 2010 championships will be made today at noon at the Capitol with legendary women's gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi and Gov. M. Jodi Rell in attendance.

"We are honored the state of Connecticut was selected to host such a popular and exciting sporting event," Rell said in a statement. "… We have a lot to look forward to when it comes to the economic boost it will have on our business community. Frankly, the 2010 Visa Championships are coming to Connecticut at the right time."

About 25,000 people are expected to attend the event, which will feature competition at the XL Center and the University of Hartford, as well as a national gymnastics convention and trade show at the Connecticut Convention Center. The men's and women's finals will be televised nationally by NBC.

Economically, the competition is expected to be a shot in the arm for the region. Direct spending estimated at $7.5 million is expected at hotels, restaurants, attractions and other businesses, according to the Greater Hartford Convention & Visitors Bureau. More broadly, it would enable the region to show itself off for the purpose of generating development.

USA Gymnastics president and CEO Steve Penny said Hartford was chosen for many reasons, including the city's "compact, walkable" environment and the XL Center's adjoining expo center, which will be used for warm-up and practice gyms.

"The combination of the community, the [Greater Hartford Convention and Visitors Bureau] and Chuck Steedman — they showed a lot of enthusiasm for wanting to bring the event to the community," Penny said.

"The Northeast corridor has always been a hot spot for us as far as the convenience for our gymnastics clubs. There are a lot of clubs within a decent radius of Hartford. Any time we can find a good partner in the Northeast, we have been successful."

Texas, which hosts this year's championships, is a hotbed of gymnastics; five members of the senior women's national team live in the state. Karolyi is the director of the U.S. team's national training center near Houston.

"Texas became so popular in gymnastics for two reasons: because major interest was generated by strong club performances, but also because we bring national events to Texas," Karolyi said in an e-mail. "I definitely think that bringing the championships to Connecticut will generate interest in the state.

"Connecticut is a good gymnastics state, but definitely needs a major event to energize the gyms and give that important message to gymnasts about what type of performance it takes to be successful."

Robin Deary Fillmore, state chairman for USA Gymnastics and owner of Deary's Gymnastics in Danielson, was enthusiastic. "When they started bidding for it, they called me and asked me, 'Did I think the clubs would be interested?'" he said. "I said, 'Absolutely.' It's an honor. There are a lot of talented kids in this state who have never had a chance to see these Olympians."

Next year's championships fall midway between the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics, but organizers said that usually doesn't diminish the importance or attractiveness of the event, and Karolyi agreed.

"The mid-part of the Olympic cycle, which falls in 2010, is a very important indicator of the direction and performance expected for the national team," he said. "Next year's championships are going to be a very important and crucial change. It may be a changing of the guard with respect to older gymnasts and younger gymnasts competing. It's going to be one of the most disputed national championships in this Olympic cycle."

We'll miss you Alice...

2009-06-29T20:00:00.011-04:00

I fought back tears during the newscast today, as we all mourn the loss of our dear friend Alice Morrin. Alice had a gift. She could bring happiness into people’s lives. Her warmth and sincerity will not be forgotten.

I learned so much from Alice. As our friendship grew, she and her family welcomed me into their home for Thanksgiving. She has the most loving family, who loved Alice dearly. Marilyn, her mother, with her disposable camera, was the sweetest lady I had ever met. Walter, her father, was a firecracker with a quick wit. Now, I see where Alice gets it.

She was never short of laughter or love. Alice taught me that a sense of humor is a valuable asset. Laugh at yourself. Laugh with others. Laugh often.

It was evident in the way she lived her life that she believed a little encouragement went a long way. And it did! Maybe it's only a few words or a small act of kindness, but that small effort can really encourage another person.

Alice got outside every day, whether it was with her kids or riding her bike. She knew miracles were waiting. She knew each new day was a gift from God, and how she lived her life was her gift to him.

She taught me that you can’t control things that happen to you in life, but you can control how you react to what happens to you in life.

With my short time on earth with Alice, as our friendship grew, I learned that the people you care about most in life are taken from you much too soon. So I’ve learned you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

Alice Morrin was rich with every trait we admire in people. To those who knew her, she leaves behind a space, a presence that can never be filled. There will be less love, less laughter, and less joy.

Her death is beyond tragic. Our loss is unspeakably profound, but her shortened life is nothing short of love and happiness. Ask anyone who knew her. She touched all of our lives. We are all better people because of Alice Morrin. She was not only my colleague, but also my dear friend. She touched everyone here at FOX 61.

Alice will live on in the family that she raised, the friends that she loved, and the wonderful memories that she leaves behind.

I hope and pray that you remember this amazing woman’s life, the genuine warmth she brought to all of us. If we can do that, the darkness of her passing will be overshadowed with the joy and light that was Alice Morrin.

Click here to read more comments from Alice's FOX 61 family.

Go to Bat with Joe Furey!

2009-05-23T07:00:00.007-04:00

Our very own meteorologist, Joe Furey, is stepping up to the plate to benefit Cystic Fibrosis research, Prostate Cancer research, and Juvenile Diabetes.

The 24 hour baseball game takes place from Friday, May 22, 7 PM - Saturday, May 23, 7 PM at the Riverfront Field in Glastonbury.

For more information on Step Up Connecticut, click here!

Nicole Jacobs, Rachel Lutzker, and I went out to the game to cheer for Joe Furey!

Associated Press Banquet - FOX 61 News Team

2009-04-25T10:00:00.007-04:00

Photographer Nick Dethlesfen, Reporter Narmeen Choudhury, Morning Anchor Logan Byrnes, News Director Bob Rockstroh, Reporter Jimmy Altman, me Sarah French, Chief Photographer Mike Piskorski, and Anchor Joy Lim Nakrin.

In Loving Memory...

2008-11-24T21:00:00.000-05:00

My heart is heavy this evening as the Hot Springs community has lost two wonderful people, Nick and Ann Tillman. Nick and Ann were very close family friends, and we all will miss them dearly.

Nick and Ann were headed to Asheville, North Carolina, on a private plane when they crashed near Nashville, Tennessee, and investigators are wondering if weather played a part in the crash.

The pilot, Greg Secrest, flew a 1978 Beechcraft Baron, a twin-engine six-seater.

Pilot Bob Hall says, "I'm not sure what time it was, between nine, nine thirty, something like that, I heard a Baron start up and taxi by.

Hall knew Secrest had looked at his plane before the take-off. He says the 67-year-old pilot took good care of it. "They're great airplanes. Good, dependable airplanes. They carry a lot of weight and they go fast," he explains.

Secrest, along with Nick, 49, and Ann, 42, waited until clouds and rain cleared and then took off for Asheville, North Carolina. However, around 10:30 AM, the plane crashed 15 miles from the Nashville airport.

The Tillmans were such wonderful people. They owned a chain store called Romancing the Stone; their very first store is still on Central Avenue in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Ann was a volunteer. She was the chairman of the Designers Vision House, with FirstStep Arkansas, a school for challenged children.

Nick and Ann leave behind a beautiful family of three young daughters, one with autism and that's one reason Ann was so involved with FirstStep.

My family recently joined the Tillmans for Davis Tillman’s wedding. Davis is Nick’s brother. Now the family will join together again for a much more solemn occasion.

The Tillmans will be missed. They were such a big part of the Hot Springs community and touched so many lives. Nick and Ann, it will not be the same without you.