Page 3 - PGA Community News - December '22

December 2022 December 2022 PGA C.A.N.!, Page 3
From The Editor:

“Do You See What I See?”…

As I exited the volunteered his time to raise funds for many humanitarian In October, 1962 Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne
supermarket, I heard the causes. I have known about the Lions Clubs for many Baker wrote the lyrics and music, respectively, to the
first Christmas bells of years but was not aware of the multitude of programs Christmas carol, “Do You Hear What I Hear?” It was
the season and then saw in which it engages. The organization was founded in released after Thanksgiving as a plea for peace during
the bell ringer standing 1917 by Melvin Jones and a group of business leaders the Cuban missile crisis. Bing Crosby recorded the song
beside the red donation in Chicago who wanted to address the betterment of for Capitol Records on November 22, 1963 – the day that
bucket as he wished me a their community and the world through service projects. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated!
blessed holiday. Memories In 1920 Helen Keller was a speaker at the Lions Club
flooded my mi nd of convention and asked them to become “knights of the The first verse is:
joyous Christmases past blind in the crusade against darkness.” Since that time the Said the night wind to the little lamb,
and anticipation filled my Lions have worked tirelessly to aid the blind and visually Do you see what I see?
heart with Christmas 2022 impaired. The Lions program, “Opening Eyes,” has saved Way up in the sky, little lamb.
approaching. Soon I would see the beauty of the season the sight of more than 400,000 athletes. Please include Do you see what I see?
with decorated trees and sparkling lights and hear the the Lions Club International in your list of charities to A star, a star, dancing in the night
Christmas carols sung by a host of artists. which you donate and advise others of the many altruistic With a tail as big as a kite,
Reality brought me back to the moment as I pondered endeavors of the Lions. With a tail as big as a kite?
that some in our community will not see what I see or hear Allen’s visual impairment did not impede his zest
what I hear. Those with vision and hearing impairments for life. He has flown solo in an airplane with audio May we all be inspired by Allen Preston this holiday
are not exposed to all of the sights and sounds of the instructions and scuba diving. Allen hosted a cooking season by “seeing” that the gift of ourselves is more important
holidays. Years ago I met an extraordinary man, Allen television show on our local public broadcasting Channel than tangible gifts. Let’s keep in mind the significance of the
Preston. I attended a wonderful performance at the Kravis 42, WXEL, entitled, “Cooking Without Looking.” His lyrics, “Do You See What I See?”
Center. During intermission, Allen approached me with sense of humor adds a lot to the show. I viewed an Until next month…
his guide dog, “Jolly.” We exchanged salutations and episode on Youtube after Allen described the experience James A. Cioffi, Editor
agreed that the musicians were outstanding. to me. Recipes are presented live for the blind and vision james@jcclaw.com
Allen sees only light and dark shadows as a result of impaired – many of whom cook for themselves each day.
myopic retinopathy. He was born in Waukegan, Illinois. It is a valuable service to the vision impaired and blind
For the first ten years of his life, Allen lived with his in South Florida. The show was produced by the Vision Commissioner’s Update from page 1
maternal grandparents near Toronto, Canada. It was an World Foundation. Allen is quoted as saying, “I thank
affluent home with servants attending to the family. His God for the opportunity to see the world in a way few to fit current conditions and activities occurring in the
grandparents’ advancing age necessitated a move by Allen others see it. I hope we can inspire you to maintain your river. The objectives include:
at the age of ten to a farm in north central Minnesota independence and stay safe in the kitchen.” • Improving overall river hydrology and water
to live with his mother and stepfather. It was a culture Allen also volunteered for Southeastern Guide Dogs and quantity through accelerated land acquisition for water
shock inasmuch as he was expected to work a farm with other charities that promote independence and dignity for the storage on public lands by implementing restoration
30,000 chickens!! Allen received his B.S education at blind and visually impaired. Southeastern Guide Dogs is a projects, coordinating with stakeholders, and monitoring
the University of Minnesota. After graduation, Allen not-for-profit organization that provides dogs at no expense the health and restoration of the river.
taught high school shop for 8 years – the final year in to the recipients. The puppies are trained and socialized for • Improving water quality by identifying and reducing
Clewiston, Florida. He has a technical mind that can repair a two year period and then the recipient attends school with points of pollution; increase storm water treatment and
mechanical equipment. the dog for 26 days. All funds are raised through donations. retention; decrease turbidity/cloudiness; reduce harmful
Allen is retired and was the president of the West It has been in existence for 38 years and is headquartered in bacteria; and, utilize best management practices in the
Palm Beach chapter of the Lions Clubs International. He Palmetto, Florida. Its website is www.guidedogs.org. remaining agricultural areas surrounding the river.
• Protect and preserve the native wildlife, fish and
vegetation by acquiring additional parcels in the Pal-Mar
Water Control District; monitor sedimentation, erosion,
and flows affecting valued ecosystems.
• Protect and preserve historical, cultural sites and
recreational resources.
• Increase environmental education and stewardship
opportunities within the river.
Preserving and protecting the National Wild and
Scenic Loxahatchee River requires a balance in managing
the wetlands and natural areas filtering water that feeds
into the basin, so that the water entering the river is of the
highest quality possible, while at the same time helping
to provide flood protection for our community.
Palm Beach County’s Comprehensive Plan identifies
the Loxahatchee River as an “Area of Particular Concern”
driveway courtyard to preserve in its natural state. Our land development
code contemplates additional setbacks from wetlands and
other environmentally sensitive areas, and this process
has been effective is directing land development activities
away from the river area.
If I can be of assistance to you, please contact me at
(561) 355-2201 or by email at mmarino@pbcgov.org.

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