The Good, the Bad & the Ugly is a Council Chronicle series that offers a glimpse at unusual stories in the news around the world. They are intended to provoke thought, inform and elicit a range of emotions from joy, outrage, anger, amusement or hope. These are a summary of stories worth knowing. Each month we will feature a story of the Good, the Bad & the Ugly around the globe. If you come across a news item that falls into any of these categories, please email it to me for possible inclusion in the monthly e-newsletter.
THE GOOD
IN A HEARTWARMING MOMENT, UKRAINIAN BOY IS HUGGED BY NEW SPANISH CLASSMATES ON HIS FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Most of us can recall the anxiety we felt on our first day at a new school. Imagine if that first day of school was in a new country and you didn't speak the language. Also, your family fled to the new country to escape a war in your homeland and some of your family members were left behind to fight in that war. This story is about a little boy from the Ukraine on his first day of school in Madrid, Spain and the touching reception he received from his classmates.
A video posted on TikTok shows a teacher introducing a new boy to class. There is a second of hesitation, the kids watching the new boy, one girl leaning in over the desk to get closer. But then, an outpouring of love erupts from the children.
The little boy is surrounded by new classmates all rushing to give him hugs and love. The boy is stunned and unsure how to react. This show of acceptance, happiness and pure love children can give pulls on the heartstrings. The newcomer finally breaks into a huge smile as the hugs keep coming.
the smiling little Ukrainian boy
Although the boy knows very little Spanish, he is already playing with his new classmates and having the best time making friends.
MODERN WAYS TO DYE EASTER EGGS
Want to level up when it comes time to dye Easter eggs this year? I have researched the most modern, unique and amazing methods to dye, decorate and customize Easter eggs so that I can share my new found expertise with you. You can thank me later! It's time to get creative by incorporating other materials into your decorating to create patterns and variations in colors that will leave you with stunning one-of-a-kind eggs. Let's get started, shall we?
Please Note: While many of these options are kid-friendly, there are also some you’ll want to save for a grownups-only decorating party. And, for most of these suggestions, it is recommended that disposable gloves be worn to prevent your fingers from getting stained during the dyeing process.
OMBRE' EGGS
SUPPLIES: Eggs, slotted spoon, various dyes
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Dunk your egg into the dye color of your choice for five to 10 seconds. Remove it from the dye.
2. Lower it 7/8 of the way back into the dye. Keeping it on the spoon, hold it in the dye for 20 to 30 seconds.
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3. Repeat the process, lowering less of the egg into the dye each time until you are only coloring the bottom portion of the egg.
4. Allow eggs to dry in an upright position so the dye won’t run.
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STRING EGGS
SUPPLIES: Eggs, string, slotted spoon, various dyes
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Cut a piece of string long enough to wrap around the egg several times.
2. Wrap the string tightly around the egg in whatever pattern you desire.
3. Tie it off to keep it in place.
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4. Place the egg on a spoon and lower it into the dye. Allow to soak until your egg is the desired color.
5. Remove egg from dye and allow to dry. DO NOT remove the string until the egg is fully dried.
COOL WHIP EGGS
Cool Whip Easter Eggs are a fun way to dye hard boiled eggs for Easter. You can make the prettiest eggs with just Cool Whip and food coloring. No measuring, no spilling, no mess.
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SUPPLIES: Eggs, Cool Whip, Food coloring, Baking dish, Paper towels, toothpicks, disposable gloves
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Spread the Cool Whip evenly in a baking dish
2. Add drops of food coloring to 1 corner. Use 3 or 4 drops of 1 color and use 2 or 3 colors for best results swirl food coloring together with toothpick
3. Roll egg in whipped topping and dye until completely covered. Allow to sit, and repeat until all eggs are dyed. Allow to sit 15 minutes
4. Wipe egg off using a paper towel. Refrigerate until ready to eat
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TIE-DYE EGGS
SUPPLIES: Eggs, various dye colors, coffee filters, spray bottle, water, vinegar, plastic bags, rubber bands/string
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Fill a water bottle with a combination of water and 2 to 3 teaspoons of vinegar. Don’t be stingy on the vinegar. The more you use, the darker your colors will turn out.
2. Spread out a coffee filter on a flat surface you don’t mind potentially staining — such as a cutting board, cookie sheet or cardboard — and smooth until flat.
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3. Add dots of food coloring onto the coffee filter.
4. Spray the colored coffee filter with the water/vinegar combination until just barely damp. If it’s too wet, the colors will run before they ever make it to the egg and this won’t work.
5. Wrap the coffee filter tightly around the egg, then place a plastic bag around the filter-wrapped egg and use a rubber band or a piece of string to tie them together tightly.
6. Place in refrigerator and allow to sit for several hours. The longer it sits, the more brilliant the colors will turn out, so overnight is the best option if you have the patience to wait.
7. Unwrap and enjoy!
MOD PODGE EGGS
SUPPLIES: Eggs, tissue paper, Mod Podge, paintbrush
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Cut out various shapes of tissue paper, bigger pieces if you’re doing this with little kids.
2. Brush Mod Podge onto the surface of the egg, press the tissue paper onto the egg and then brush more Mod Podge on top of that.
3. Repeat until you’ve covered the egg and then allow to dry.
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If you have kids who are too little to handle the Mod Podge, or you don’t want to deal with the mess, you can do a variation on this called “Tissue Paper Eggs.” Just use scissors or a hole punch to create small shapes and polka dots out of the tissue paper. Then, use a glue stick to glue the cutouts to the surface of the egg.
Note: If you aren’t using Mod Podge, you can also use origami paper instead of tissue paper. We don’t recommend origami paper for children, but it’s great for adults looking for a creative alternative. Once you cut out your shapes and designs, use a small paintbrush to brush glue onto the back of the paper shapes and press gently onto the egg.
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GLITTER EGGS
SUPPLIES: Eggs, white glue, Q tips, water, glitter, clear finishing spray
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Mix glue and water together to make a thin glue mixture.
2. The trick to get the bright color is to add a few drops of food coloring to your glue mixture and stir it in.
3. Use the Q tip to cover the egg in your glue mixture.
4. Cover the egg in glitter and let it dry.
5. Spray egg with finishing spray to make sure the glitter stays on really well and your done!
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NOTE: You could use plastic eggs, or poke a hole in the top and bottom of your eggs and blow out the yolks. After all the glue and spray used these eggs would not be safe to eat.
VOLCANO EGGS
SUPPLIES: Eggs, various paints and dyes, vinegar, baking soda, water
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Create a “paint” mixture by combining baking soda, a few drops of egg dye and a few teaspoons of water. Mix together.
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2. Grab a brush and apply paint all over the egg. This works best if you use several different colors on the same egg.
3. Use a dropper to place a few drops of dye onto the painted egg.
4. Holding the egg over a bowl or container you don’t mind getting messy, pour vinegar over the egg and allow it to fizzle.
5. Repeat steps 2, 3 and 4 as desired to create more patterns and a richer color on your egg.
6. Gently wipe off vinegar or allow to air dry.
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SPECKLED EGGS
SUPPLIES: Eggs, clear-drying glue, glitter, cooking oil
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Mix a few drops of cooking oil into each of your dye colors before you begin dipping the eggs.
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2. Start dyeing the eggs. You can switch among several colors to intensify the speckled effect.
3. Allow eggs to dry.
4. While eggs are drying, mix some neutral-colored glitter with glue.
5. Once eggs are dry, paint a thin layer of the glue and glitter mixture onto the eggshell and allow to dry.
MONOGRAMMED EGGS
SUPPLIES: Eggs, letter stickers, various dyes
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Gently place a sticker with the letter(s) of your choice onto your egg. Make sure it is firmly in place.
2. Lower egg into the dye and allow to soak to the desired color.
3. When the dye is dry, peel off the sticker. You’ll have a bright white monogram on your egg, and no arguments over which child dyed each egg!
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DRAGON EGGS
SUPPLIIES: Aluminum foil, air-dry clay, liquid watercolors or food coloring, acrylic beads, jewels, stones, seashells, beach glass and rocks Anything else that might embellish a dragon's egg
INSTRUCTIONS
1. (Optional) If you are using a colored clay, skip to step 2. If you are using a white clay, you may want to stain it by mixing with liquid watercolors or food coloring.
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2. Roll aluminum foil into a ball/egg.
3. Cover the aluminum ball with clay and sculpt it into an egg form.
4. Decorate with beads, jewels, and seashells by pushing them into clay.
5. Let the eggs dry for about 24 hours.
6. (Optional) At this point, you can paint them again.
It's an Eggstravaganza! Which egg decorating style is your favorite? I can't wait to make the Dragon Eggs. They are so vibrant and exotic-looking.
ANGELA WEBSTER APRIL 7TH
DAN LUCKETT APRIL 12TH
NORMA MADDOX APRIL 20TH
HAPPY WORK ANNIVERSARY!
Leonardo after being rescued
Before & After Rescue Dog Transformation
Who can resist a heartwarming makeover, especially when it involves a sweet dog? Whether they were abandoned, lost or mistreated, these down-on-their luck dogs were in dire need of a loving presence in their lives. That's where caring animal shelters, pet rescues and foster parents come into the picture. With a little love and much-needed TLC, these rescue dogs started thriving — inside and out. These before-and-after transformation pictures speak for themselves. Hopefully, it will inspire you to adopt a rescue pup of your own.
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Leonardo
Leonardo needed a lot of grooming and a little TLC before he was ready for his close up. With that sweet face on full display, it's no wonder he was adopted soon after getting a haircut. His new adoptive family now get to enjoy the loving, cheery dog he's become.
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Please consider adopting a pet from the animal shelter or a local rescue if you have room in your home and heart for a new furry family member. Trust me, you'll be so glad that you did. 🐾❤️
Side-Eye Pics are a series of photographs of people or animals behaving strangely or annoyingly. They are doing things that make one pause and take a second look. Their actions are perplexing enough to those observing them to earn them the side eye.
HANGING OUT
Is this guy reliving the days of his childhood hanging off the jungle gym? Or did he party like it was 1999 last night and is still feeling the effects of whatever party favors he indulged in? Whatever the case may be, I'm sure he made an interesting sight for his fellow commuters on this train. Hang in there, buddy!
Bunny Bait Snack Mix is an easy Easter treat made with popcorn, Chex, marshmallows and candy in a white chocolate drizzle. It's a salty and sweet treat the kids will love.
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8 cups popcorn
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2 cups rice Chex cereal
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2 cups white chocolate
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½ cup candy eggs
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1 cup M & M's candy
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½ cup mini marshmallow bits
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colored sugar sprinkles
1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper, and spread Rice Chex cereal and popcorn evenly on baking sheet.
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2. Melt white chocolate according to package directions, and use spoon to drizzle evenly over cereal and popcorn.
3. Drop candy and marshmallows evenly over mixture, and sprinkle with colored sugar.
4. Stir, and allow chocolate to set and mixture to firm up, about 30 minutes, before serving. Store covered in cool place.
Don't forget to save some of this tasty treat for the Easter Bunny!
1. Bats are the only mammal that can actually fly.
2. Wombats are the only animal whose poop is cube-shaped. This is due to how its intestines form the feces. The animals then stack the cubes to mark their territory.
3. 19. The heart of the blue whale, the largest animal on earth, is five feet long and weighs 400 pounds. The whale in total weighs 40,000 pounds.
A BLUE WHALE
4. For comparison, an elephant’s heart weighs around 30 pounds. And a human heart? A mere 10 ounces.
5. The most common wild bird in the world isn’t the sparrow or blue jay, it’s the red-billed quelea, which live in Africa and have an estimated population of 1.5 billion.
6. Cows don’t actually have four stomachs; they have one stomach with four compartments.
7. Octopuses have three hearts.
AN OCTOPUS
8. Fleas can jump 350 times their body length.
9. The platypus doesn’t have a stomach at all: Their esophagus goes straight to their intestines.
10. Eating parts of a pufferfish can kill you. In a defense mechanism to ward off predators, it contains a deadly chemical called tetrodotoxin. There’s enough in one pufferfish to kill 30 people, and there’s no antidote. Still, pufferfish, called fugu, is a highly-prized delicacy in Japan, but can only be prepared by well-trained chefs.
Black-blotched porcupinefish, a species of pufferfish
APRIL FOOL’S DAY 4/1
RAMADAN BEGINS 4/2
AUTISM AWARENESS DAY 4/2
PALM SUNDAY 4/10
NATIONAL PET DAY 4/11
PASSOVER BEGINS 4/15
GOOD FRIDAY 4/15
EASTER 4/17
TAX DAY 4/19
PASSOVER ENDS 4/23
ADMIN. PROFESSIONALS DAY 4/27
ARBOR DAY 4/29
Have you ever wondered what a cute, furry, fluffy-tailed creature has to do with the Easter holiday?
There's actually a lot of history behind the idea of an egg-bearing rabbit on Easter Sunday. The Easter Bunny has a long and deeply rooted history in the Christian holiday that goes back to pagan traditions. Before we welcome the holiday with colored eggs, chocolate rabbits and plenty of egg-shaped and bunny-shaped treats, here's the fascinating origins of the Easter Bunny so you can share the story with family and friends.
Read on to learn where the character comes from, how a rabbit became associated with Easter eggs and how he came to be such a beloved symbol of the holiday over time.
As Christians probably already know, the Bible makes no mention of a mythical rabbit who delivers eggs to children on the day of Jesus Christ's resurrection. So how did a rabbit become a prominent part of one of Christianity's most important celebrations of rebirth and renewal? One theory, according to Time magazine, is that the symbol of the rabbit stems from the ancient pagan tradition on which many of our Easter traditions are based, the festival of Eostre, which honored the goddess of fertility and spring. The goddess's animal symbol was a rabbit, which have traditionally stood for fertility due to their high reproduction rates.
WHERE DOES THE EASTER BUNNY COME FROM?
The Easter Bunny was first introduced in the 1700's by German immigrants to Pennsylvania, who reportedly brought over their tradition of an egg-laying hare named "Osterhase" or "Oschter Haws" from the Old Country. Legend has it, the rabbit would lay colorful eggs as gifts to children who were good, so kids would make nests in which the bunny could leave his eggs and even sometimes set out carrots in case the hare got hungry. Remind you of any other holiday traditions? Eventually, the custom spread across America until it was a widespread Easter tradition. Over time, the fabled bunny's delivery expanded from just eggs to include other treats such as chocolate and toys. Easter baskets have only gotten more elaborate over the years, as a trip to the store will show.
WHY DOES THE EASTER BUNNY BRING EGGS?
Since rabbits are mammals (and give birth to live young), it might seem like a case of mistaken biology to say the Easter Bunny lays eggs on the holiday. Adding another miracle to the festivities, perhaps? The answer may lie in combining iconography. Eggs, just like the rabbit, have long been considered an ancient symbol of fertility, rebirth and new life, all associated with the springtime celebration of Easter.
From a Christian perspective, Easter eggs represent Jesus' resurrection and his emergence from the tomb. According to History.com, the tradition of decorating eggs for Easter may date back to the 13th century, when eggs were traditionally considered a forbidden food during the Lent season. That's why people decorated them as the fasting period came to an end, to make eating them an even more celebratory way to feast on Easter Sunday.
The Easter Bunny is not a common symbol of Easter in countries outside of the United States. In Australia the spring holiday is greeted with the Easter Bilby, an endangered rabbit-like marsupial native to that country. Other gift-bearing animals include The Easter Cuckoo in Switzerland and, in some parts of Germany, the Easter Fox or the Easter Rooster.
Riddle Me This is a new feature to the Council Chronicle that is designed to test your smarts and amuse you.
1. What rock group consists of four famous men but none of them sing? ANSWER: The faces on Mount Rushmore.
2. If Apple made a car, what would be missing? ANSWER: Windows.
3. What is so unbelievably fragile that just by speaking it's name will break it? ANSWER: Silence.
4. It belongs to you, but other people use it more than you do. What is it? ANSWER: Your name.
5. What has 13 hearts, but no other organs?
ANSWER: A deck of playing cards.
6. Which month has 28 days? ANSWER: All of them.
7. Which is the most curious letter? ANSWER: Y.
8. What is full of holes but still holds water? ANSWER: A sponge.
9. What can run, but never walks? Has a mouth, but never talks? Has a head, but never weeps? Has a bed, but never sleeps?
ANSWER: A river.
10. What's the difference between a jeweler and a prison guard?
ANSWER: A jeweler sells watches, and a prison guard watches cells.
SLOW COOKED LAMB SHANK IN RED WINE SAUCE
Lamb shanks are the king of all lamb cuts. Slow cooked until meltingly tender in a rich, deeply flavored red wine sauce, this recipe is worthy of fine dining restaurants yet is completely straightforward to make.
It takes a bit of time for the lamb shanks to become fall apart tender, but since this is a slow cooker recipe no additional labor is required, just patience. Serve this entrée over creamy mashed potatoes with a side of peas, green beans or sautéed spinach and with some freshly baked, crusty French bread.
INGREDIENTS:
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1 yellow onion, diced
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2 celery stalks, diced
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2 carrots, peeled and diced
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3 garlic cloves, crushed
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2 cups chicken stock
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1 cup peeled, seeded and chopped tomatoes
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2 Tbs. tomato paste
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1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
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1 bay leaf
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4 lamb shanks, external fat trimmed
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Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
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2 Tbs. olive oil
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1 cup red wine
DIRECTIONS:
Put the onion, celery, carrots, garlic, stock, tomatoes, tomato paste, thyme and bay leaf in a slow cooker and stir to combine. Season the lamb shanks with salt and pepper. In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil until nearly smoking. Add the shanks and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes total. Transfer to the slow cooker. Remove the sauté pan from the heat, pour in the wine and return to medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring to scrape up any browned bits from the pan bottom. Add the wine to the slow cooker, cover and cook on high for 6 hours. Transfer the lamb shanks to a large serving dish. Remove the bay leaf from the cooking liquid. Using a blender or stick blender, puree the liquids and solids until smooth. Pour some of the sauce over the shanks and pour the rest in a gravy boat to serve alongside the meal. Enjoy.
Seth Phillips protesting annoying things in life
TRUTH BOMBS are described in the urban dictionary as surprising but true statements. A fact or piece of knowledge that, when told to a listener, is devastating to the listener's argument or world view.
New Yorker Seth Phillips has gained a cult following for his truth bombs that protest anything from loud engines, phones that shatter easily, “x” in espresso, and other very specific, small things that add up to our daily lives. He has a whopping 7.5 million followers on social media. Phillips has gone mainstream enough that the fast fashion giant Zara has capitalized on his popularity by selling "Dude With Sign" shirts in their summer collection.
And, of course, there’s always something new to protest against. Such as, hot coffee in summer or verifying you’re not a robot online. The Council Chronicle will now feature these truth bombs in each edition. Those of us who have had enough of everything will get a chuckle out of this series.
BILL HOLLANDER APRIL 5TH
ELIZABETH ALEXANDER APRIIL 9TH
ROBIN ENGEL APRIL 14TH
NICOLE GEORGE APRIL 17TH
KIP EATHERLY APRIL 23RD
PAT MULVIHILL APRIL 30TH
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
'WOULD YOU RATHER' QUESTIONS ARE GREAT CONVERSATION STARTERS AND JUST PLAIN FUN.
1. Would you rather read your mother’s teenage diary or read your teenage diary to your mother (if you didn’t keep a diary, just imagine what kind of embarrassing things you would have written)?
2. Would you rather have hands for feet or feet for hand?
3. Would you rather go to an intimate birthday party for someone you don’t know or organize a huge party for a close friend?
4. Would you rather go on a silent nonspeaking retreat for a week or go on a long weekend vacation with someone who never shuts up??
5. Would you rather live somewhere it rains most days or somewhere it never rains ever?
6. Would you rather dumpster dive for food or ask customers outside a restaurant to buy you a meal?
7. Would you rather swim with sharks or spend the night in a forest with mountain lions?
8. Would you rather go to jail for a crime you didn’t commit or someone else go to jail for a crime you committed?
9. Would you rather eat nothing but salad or nothing but dessert for a week?
10. Would you rather move in with your elderly parents or hard partying roommates?
PRAYER FOR EQUALITY, PEACE & UNITY
I pray for equality, unity and peace in every city in our country. Equality for all people in every country. I pray for justice for all those who have lost their lives needlessly and unjustly. I pray that all people, regardless of race, religion or socioeconomic status be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. I pray for change so that healing can begin in this country and around the world.
Amen.
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