EDDIE DANIELS – It’s probably wrong of me to assume it was Lisa Landis who left this mystery food in the WJTL refrigerator. But since she’s on vacation this week and not here to defend herself, I’m going to do it anyhow.

Lisa is my prime suspect mostly because she has a history of bringing in random food items such as the one(s) pictured below. The only other person who uses the fridge on a regular basis is John, but he’s very good at making his usual sandwich, banana, and yogurt disappear during the lunch hour.

But my biggest concern isn’t who left these weird deep-red mystery items in an unsealed plastic bag. My concern is what are they? I haven’t bothered to smell them because I’m not that brave. They appear to be small plums. Or large cherries. Or beets. Or something else I haven’t thought of.

I’m also not sure why they are all three in different stages of decay. One seems perfectly round, one looks a little bruised, and the third looks downright smooshed.

Have a look. What do you think they are?

Eddie Daniels, Video Guy
eddie@wjtl.com

Jul 27 2010 – READ THE UPDATE ON THE MYSTERY FOOD HERE!

2009 – Lisa takes the Kids Cookie Break behind the scenes at the Castle Roller Rink

LISA LANDIS – This mom had a fantastic Mother’s Day Weekend.  Mind if I share?

First, I got to giveaway “Funky/Silly Bandz” on the Kids Cookie Break, making life easier for the mom’s whose kids’ are running all over creation trying to find a store that hasn’t sold out of the latest trend ( thanks to Olde Mill House Shoppe Lancaster for donating the Bandz).

Second, I got to redeem myself as an auctioneer for Friendship Community, taking on WDAC’s Mike Stike and WGAL’s Jere Gish to see who could raise the most money for Friendship.  I am happy to announce I had the highest bid ($625) for a rocking horse crafted by a Friendship resident. Hah! Even with all of the promises and bribes from the auctioneers (including my own bag of tricks aka silly bandz, cds, books), this mom worked hard to make up for brining in the least amount of money last year. Now to be honest, I did go last, which seems to be the winning spot. If the Freakonomics geeks would study this one I’m confidant they’d conclude, “the last person up to bat at the auction block always hits a home run.”  What made me most proud was that the three of us combined brought in more money for Friendship Community this year than last!!!

And finally, my Third weekend highlight (remember last hits the home run), my family spoiled me with brunch at “Wish You Were Here”, the latest “Central Market Cookbook”, an original book written and designed by my son with songs, poems, pictures, etc. and even dinner cooked by my 12-year old son Alex who is a marvel in the kitchen. It was pancakes for dinner. And we’re not talking out of the box. I’m talking the most amazing pancakes made from scratch with chocolate and cinnamon cream.

So as you see this mom had a marvelous mom’s day. And a big thanks to my mom for making it all possible 🙂

Happy post-Mother’s Day to mom’s everywhere.  I close with a few thoughts to make you smile:

Dumbwaiter: One who asks if the kids would care to order dessert.
Full Name: What you call your child when you’re mad at him.

QUOTES

A suburban mother’s role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and by car forever after.  ~Peter De Vries

Sing out loud in the car even, or especially, if it embarrasses your children.  ~Marilyn Penland

And funny joke:

A Sunday school teacher asked her class why Joseph and Mary took Jesus with them to Jerusalem.  A small child replied: “They couldn’t get a baby-sitter.”

EDDIE DANIELS – This afternoon Lisa and I were in Hershey for the annual PAB (Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters) Awards. WJTL was up for (and received) two awards: Outstanding Website (and yes, this was before our big website overhaul!) and Outstanding Program Designed for Kids.

I was happy to accept the award for our website and Lisa accepted on behalf of the Kids Cookie Break! It was fun meeting other people from a variety of TV and radio stations from across the state! Here’s a quick video of Lisa and I accepting the awards for WJTL. Is it just me, or do I look scared to death? Just for the record, I wasn’t…I think I was more concerned about whether or not there would be coffee refills.

There was.

The Men’s Choir Performs Jambalaya

Lisa Talks to Captain Coco

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj93OhQy2Po]

Lisa Talks To Mr. Bob

Lisa Talks With Tina About Cleaning Up Her Belongings

Sherrid Authement Wheelchair Man

MDS Home Owner Gail Bordeaux

Check out some of Lisa’s selected live call-ins from the MDS project in Louisiana. For a complete listing of all Lisa’s reports, visit the WJTLcasts page.

Mar 11 7:45am Report

Mar 10 In the Kitchen

I had the opportunity to talk with some amazing people here in Cameron today. I invite you to listen to my conversation with Tina who was cleaning up glass from her land where her trailer once stood. Her neighbor is Mr. Bean whose home is being rebuilt by Mennonite Disaster Service. She has an amazing faith.

This next audio bit is an interview with Gail Boudreaux. Her house was rebuilt after Rita, but then damaged from Ike. MDS volunteers have been working to help get Gail back in her house.

And this man, Sherril Authement is a neighbor to another MDS work site. I like his comments about the “mennonites”:) An example of how the MDS workers are loved and respected here.

Tomorrow (Wednesday morning) I will head out with the crew to another MDS site here and then I leave for Diamond, LA which is close to a 5 hour drive. Part of me is excited to move on while part of me is not ready to leave. There are so many stories still to hear and people to meet. I wasn’t prepared for the devastation and destruction I’ve witnessed here. I knew there was rebuilding to be done, but thought it would be in certain areas or pockets of the town, but it’s everywhere! Tomorrow I will share some of the pictures I’ve taken to give you a better idea of how overwhelming the clean up is for these people.

If you are considering a volunteer service mission trip I invite you to check out the opportunities with MDS. The beauty of working with MDS that I’ve loved is seeing people from so many different faith backgrounds come together to serve in the name of Jesus. A taste of what heaven will be like-minus the mosquitoes!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHug0QdXYP0]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUyuF2YH4sY]

I invite you to join me as I broadcast live March 9-14th from the Cameron, Louisiana and Diamond, Louisiana Mennonite Disaster Service projects.

Let me tell you about the work of MDS. MDS is a channel through which the church can respond to those affected by disasters in Canada and the United States by providing volunteer labor. MDS works to clean up, repair and rebuild homes.  While that is the focus, the activity becomes a means of touching lives and helping people regain faith and wholeness. In the words of one homeowner in Point Aux Chenes, LA-“MDS didn’t just bring financial aid and volunteers-they brought hope!”

MDS would not be able to help without thousands of volunteers giving of their time & talents.  In 2006 alone, over 6,000 volunteers served with MDS.  While the program is supported by the human and financial resources of Mennonite churches in the US and Canada, the organization works alongside multiple faith-based agencies, churches, government and private organizations when responding to the needs of disaster survivors.  The mission of MDS is to assist families while allowing them to “see a sermon”.  They believe that volunteer action best demonstrates God’s love and the disaster response projects provide opportunities for short and long term volunteers to express their faith through service.

I’ll be in Cameron the evening of March 8-10 and I will be in Diamond, LA March 12-14th.  I invite you to listen along on the radio as I bring you live audio as well as video reports to wjtl.com.  I have great respect for the work of MDS.  I am honored to be able to give you a behind the scenes look at what it means to be a short-term MDS volunteer AND to meet the many people who have witnessed God’s love through the compassion and servant spirit of MDS.

Some of you may be surprised to learn that the rebuilding and cleanup in the region from the damaging effects of Hurricane Katrina (Aug 2005) and Hurricane Rita (2005) and Hurricane Ike (2008) continues today!  Here is some information about each project.  And look for blog updates Sunday night March 8th when I’m scheduled to arrive in Cameron, LA for volunteer orientation.  Talk to you then!

Disaster Description

Cameron Parish, in the southwest corner of Louisiana next to Texas , was known as a beach and fishing destination before it was devastated by Hurricane Rita in September 2005. Three years after Rita hit there are still many vacant lots and many residents have not returned to the area.

Update September 2008: Hurricane Ike caused widespread damage to Cameron.  Some reports are that damage from Ike is as bad as or worse than damage from Rita.  MDS personnel are currently assessing damage for response this winter.

MDS Response

MDS set up a project site on a vacant property east of the town of Cameron. With God’s help over the last three years volunteers completed numerous repair jobs and nine new homes in partnership with Faith Share, an ecumenical group that is working as the Long Term Recovery Committee. Many willing volunteers worked hard to help restore hope to Cameron and it’s surrounding communities.

Disaster Description

Diamond is located in Plaquemines Parish, south of New Orleans. Because Plaquemines Parish encompasses the first 70 miles of the Mississippi River it is host to several oil refineries.

Diamond sustained almost a direct hit by the eye of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. Most buildings were destroyed. Because of the great displacement of the local population, many people are still doing the physical work of rebuilding their communities. MDS is repairing and rebuilding homes in the Plaquemines Parish as well as rebuilding homes of members of the Grand Bayou Community, a Native American community.

MDS Response

MDS has repaired numerous homes and has rebuilt nine homes. The work continues throughout the summer in Plaquemines Parish and more homes in the Grand Bayou will be rebuilt this fall.