Imagine what we could do with the billions spent on Mother's Day

Today is the day we remember and honor the important role of mothers. And, perhaps, partially out of a sense of guilt that for most of the year, mothers are underappreciated, some $14 billion will be spent in this country for Mother’s Day; which includes $2.9 billion in meals, $2.5 billion in jewelry and $1.9 billion in flowers.

New York columnist and author Nicholas Kristof, who has been an untiring advocate for women and girls in under-developed countries, suggests we move the apostrophe so that it becomes Mothers’ Day, an occasion to help other mothers around the globe as well.

The $670 million spent on Mother’s Day cards alone, could change the lives of many of thousands of poor women.

We might all, for example, request a small donation in our name be sent to Women for Women International, CARE, or Save the Children, instead of candy or cards.

Right here in Connecticut, I met recently with a remarkable woman and mother who has dedicated herself to helping not just mothers, but fathers, children and families. I first learned about Cheryl Bedore from the equally remarkable Blanche Newman, a 90-year-old friend, poet and active volunteer at Cheryl’s charitable center, Master’s Manna, in Wallingford.

Although Cheryl had worked in the medical field, she felt a clear calling to help “feed God’s flock” in Wallingford and in 2006 in only 600 square feet of space, she started her charity in the basement of a church. Now, Master’s Manna is in a spacious, albeit industrial space at 46 N. Plains Road in Wallingford. It houses a food pantry, a soup kitchen, a diaper bank and a used clothing area.

Always seeking more and better ways to help, this indefatigable and determined woman has added a free small medical clinic, which is open a half-day each week, staffed with doctors contracted through the Community Health Center.

Cheryl is also instituting a new service provided by Labor Ready, a firm which works with local companies to find temporary jobs for those who are out of work. Classes are offered in saving money through couponing, cooking and sewing. Cheryl feels families need to be shown ways to return to some basics and learn how to shop smart, grow some of their own food, do canning and preserving and make some of their own clothes ... all excellent ways to stretch a dollar.

There is a shower and laundry facilities, much needed by people who have temporarily lost their homes. The cheerful, licensed kitchen and dining room with its large-screen television and popcorn machine, serves lunch twice a week and dinner on Fridays. There is a bulletin board listing items people wish to dispose of and items that are needed, and there are even several vans which will provide nonemergency transportation.

All of this is run by small army of volunteers who greet and hug one another like members of a big family. Cheryl says, “Find your passion and that is the area in which you should help.”

Lyman Hall High School students as well as a group of autistic children from Benhaven School also serve as volunteers. Cheryl calls these children “differently abled,” typical of her “always look for the positive” view of life.

She is sure, for instance, that a much-needed, commercial-type freezer will be donated by someone; perhaps a restaurant buying a new one or someone going out of business. Food is received from the local Stop & Shop, ShopRite, Elizabeth’s Bakery and Thurston Foods, while Bristol-Myers, Wallingford Rotary, Webster Bank, United Way and others have made donations and the Wallingford office of Pearce Real Estate has taken part in several community efforts.

Master’s Manna derives its name from “manna,” the provision provided by God to the Israelites who were in the desert for 40 years.

I was quite bowled over by the selfless commitment Cheryl and her volunteers exhibit and by their accomplishments. Cheryl’s motto says it all, “With the grace of God, gladness and singleness of heart, we come to serve those in need with respect, dignity and compassion.”

To find out more or make a donation, call 203-678-3042 or go to www.mastersmanna.org.

Contact Jean Cherni, certified senior adviser for Senior Living Solutions and Pearce Plus, a helpful, full-service program for seniors contemplating a move, at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 15 The Ponds at 101 Hotckiss Grove, Branford, Ct. 06405.

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Visits to the theater and museums were just what the doctor ordered

Following the advice I give to others who also serve as caregivers, I took a “mini vacation” recently. Some people find they are rejuvenated by lolling in the sun on a sandy beach, others by a visit to close friends, still others prefer their own familiar surroundings and a good book.

For me, it has always been travel to exotic places, the theater and museums. Exotic places are not possible while looking after Val and in addition, it is too expensive to do on a regular basis unless you happen to be the author of “Eat, Pray, Love” and can recover from a love affair by traveling, writing about your miserable life and then get paid to do so.

However, theater and museums are accessible in our area and with careful planning, needn’t break the bank. I was particularly fortunate in that old friends in New Jersey offered me their New York time share apartment for an overnight stay so I was able to have a veritable feast; seeing two plays and three museums in less than two days.

Upon arrival in New York on Tuesday morning, my first stops were the theater box offices of the plays I hoped to see. Presenting my discount coupons, which I had obtained through web sites like theatermania.com and broadwaybox.com, I purchased tickets for two plays still in “previews.”

That evening, seated third row, orchestra at half-price, I enjoyed the light-hearted new musical, “Catch Me If You Can,” based on the movie by the same name with Leonardo DiCaprio. For the following day, I had indeed been lucky to snag one of the last tickets to the matinee for “War Horse,” which even though it hadn’t opened as yet, was still a sell out due to word-of-mouth raves.

Although this time, I was way up in the heights of the Vivian Beaumont Theater, this unique and thrilling drama, imported from England, left me shaken and crying.

It is a serious theater-goer’s dream, telling the story of one of the last battles during the first World War in which cavalry was used. It is related through the eyes of a boy and his beloved horse, Joey, who is called to war.

The horses are amazing, life-size creations made by the Handspring Puppet Company of South Africa.

Their movements and, indeed, the whole production is so remarkable, it is impossible to describe except to say the entire audience was on its feet shouting endless “bravos” at the finish.

Steven Spielberg plans to make a movie of the story using live horses, which I am afraid will change and distill the entire special experience.

As for museums, one of the most unusual and lavish exhibits is a display of 357 magnificent jewelry masterpieces created by the renowned VanCleef and Arpels and showcased in the elegant mansion that houses the Cooper-Hewitt Museum at 91st and 5th.

On display are eye-popping jewels and accessories owned by such luminaries as Paulette Goddard, Consuelo Vanderbilt, Dutchess of Windsor, Eva Peron, Barbara Hutton, Empress Soraya of Iran, Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Onassis and Princess Grace of Monaco.

Your chance to ogle all this dazzling magnificence ends on June 5, so do hurry up to choose a favorite bauble before it closes.

Stretching my time off, this past week, I joined the Madison Scranton Library’s one-day bus outing to visit the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Their beautiful and bold new wing has added 121,307 square feet and 53 new galleries featuring works from the ancient Americas to abstract works of the 20th century.

Despite a colorful brochure and map, I became hopelessly lost, but delighted in viewing many unplanned-for objects and paintings. One of the current features (on view until Aug. 7) is an exhibit of the remarkable hand-blown glass sculptures of Dale Chihuly. While I’m not a fan of his type of grandiose and spectacular glass works, they are still quite something to behold. The many children who were visiting the museum seemed especially enchanted by his work.

Having enjoyed all of this stimulating change of pace, I can now settle down to my usual routine of work and part-time caregiving and remain calm, organized and patient, well, for a few weeks, anyhow.

Contact Jean Cherni, founder of the retirement advisory service, Senior Living Solutions, at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 15 The Ponds at Hotchkiss Grove, Branford 06405.

I'm reading: Visits to the theater and museums were just what the doctor ordered