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May 25, 2012
Mark Clayton: Is Hillary's State Dept. hacking Al Qaeda? Not quite
Erika Bolstad: Temple cancels Wasserman Schultz speech
The Kosher Gourmet by Ethel G. Hofman: The former president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, whose members included the likes of Julia Child, is back with contemporary Shavous cuisine: Ruby Fruit Soup, Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cheese, Key Lime Curd, Calsone Casserole Frittata with Wild Mushrooms, Sun-dried tomatoes and Olives, Baked Tilapia with Pepper Cheese Cream and Brown Sugar Shortbread
May 24, 2012
Jeff Jacoby: The peace process battered Israel's reputation
Michael Muskal: 'Pro-choice' position hits record low, according to poll
Chris Farrell: Are We in a Tech Bubble?
The Kosher Gourmet by Penelope Wall: PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS --- hold the steak!
May 23, 2012
Tony Pugh: More private colleges offering tuition discounts
Mary Beth Franklin: How to Choose the Right Annuity for You
Tina Susman: The wig wasn't enough: Man gets 13 years for posing as his dead mom
The Kosher Gourmet by Emma Christensen:A simple way to do fish right
May 22, 2012
Warren Richey: Can US group challenge overseas surveillance act? Supreme Court to decide
Thomas M. Anderson: Walking Away From a Mortgage
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: Enjoy a celebration of the most rich and layered flavors: Black bean, sweet potato and quinoa chili
May 21, 2012
Mark Clayton: Cybersecurity: How US utilities passed up chance to protect their networks
Howard LaFranchi: NATO summit: Who will foot the bill for long-term Afghanistan security?
Chris Farrell : Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Stephen Whiteside, Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: Social anxiety disorder --- or just shy?
Guy Jackson : Victim's father regrets death of Lockerbie bomber
The Kosher Gourmet by Mario Batali: Famed chef's veal shoulder farsumagru: A festive meat course for late spring
May 18, 2012
Rabbi Berel Wein: Striving: The People of the Book's Book for (All of) the People
Steven Goldberg: 5 Great Stock Picks and the Exchange-Traded Fund that Owns Them
Mary Pickett, M.D.: Ask the Harvard Experts: Don't be forced into gluten-free lifestyle based merely on a doctor's false-positive test
The Kosher Gourmet by Carolyn Malcoun: DIY healthy lunchbox treats: HOMEMADE FRUIT BARS for kids and brown-bagging adults alike
May 17, 2012
Warren Richey: Teacher fired for being unwed and pregnant can sue religious school, court rules
Josh Mitnick: Netanyahu's 'centrist' coalition is already proving it's anything but
Steven Goldberg: Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Amina Khan: Research links coffee to lower death rates
The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Duran : Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole with Cheddar and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
May 16, 2012
Carmen Terzic, M.D., Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: A variety of exercises can help improve balance
Melissa Healy: National strategy on Alzheimer's disease aims to halt it by 2025
The Kosher Gourmet by Joyce White : GOODNESS GRACIOUS: GREENS! 4 winning recipes that are no longer just for down-home folks (Includes expert tips & techniques)
May 15, 2012
Kristen Chick: Obama administration resumes arms sales to Bahrain despite serious unresolved human rights issues. Activists feel abandoned
Pat Mertz Esswein: Homes are now affordable again and mortgage rates are low. What you need to know before you buy
Kathy Kristof: Our Practical Investor Fights Inflation with These 6 Investments
Sue Hubbard, M.D.: The Kid's Doctor: Lactose intolerant young child? Check again
The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Hunt: Spread a Little Excitement with EXOTIC CONDIMENTS (4 RECIPES)
May 14, 2012
Lisa Gerstner: How to Protect Your Identity, Finances If You Lose Your Phone
Harvard Health Letters: Heart disease and dementia
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: MANGO COCONUT OAT MORNING MUFFINS are a bright but hearty delight
May 11, 2012
Jessica L. Anderson: Get the Best Deal on a Used Car
Jett Stone: Forget face-lifts and fake knees. Scientists have seen the fountain of youth --- and it's broccoli
The Kosher Gourmet by Chef Mario Batali: The famed chef's vegetable dish that tastes true to the season: FAVAS AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS WITH POTATOES AND TARRAGON
May 10, 2012
Sergei L. Loiko: Putin sends warning to U.S., NATO in Victory Day speech at Red Square
Mary Rourke: How being a 'mentch' got Vidal Sasoon his start and fighting in Israel's War of Independence provided him with confidence and a strong sense of his own identity
Jeff Bertolucci: Get Home Phone Service for Less Than $10 a Month
The Kosher Gourmet by Betty Rosbottom: Gleaming with its golden, crimson, and snowy white hues, this silken smooth and creamy STRAWBERRY ORANGE TRIFLE looks impressive, but is easy to prepare
May 9, 2012
Sharon Palmer, R.D. How you can reduce your risk -- or delay -- chronic diseases associated with aging
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Jewish World Review
Nov. 22, 2010
/ 15 Kislev, 5771
We're Here to Make a Difference
By
Mitch Albom
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
>We had a guy in our sports department, a big hunk of man named Matt Fiorito -- bearded, bespectacled, fast with a chuckle. Matt was larger than life in many ways; when sitting in a chair, he seemed to be squatting on a throne. He loved to talk and he loved to eat and was the kind of guy in whose beard you'd expect to find the Blue Plate special. But he was always there. A fixture in the office. They say that "half of life is just showing up"?
Matt showed up.
He was there, at a desk, when I arrived 25 years ago and it feels as if he'd been there since the building opened. Matt did more than five decades in this newspaper business, the last chunk at the Free Press as a copy editor and bowling columnist. He had, when healthy, a slow gait, an ambidextrous bowling talent and a gentle, somewhat high-pitched voice, as least for a man who resembled a wizard from Middle Earth.
But Matt was more than that. Much more. He was kind and thoughtful and humble and eccentric, and he had more courage than the next 10 guys in line. He used it most recently to battle cancer, in and out of hospitals, off and on machines, wrestling the devil to an even draw.
He had his 74th birthday a week ago Friday.
He died a few hours later.
Where's everybody going?
THE GO-TO FOLKS
Doesn't every office have folks like Matt? People whose face you associate with a place? They ground the building to the earth, give you a sense of who's who, what's what, where's where. You think they will always be around, always be the voice that answers the phone. (Matt used a simple, "Sports....") And then one day, you don't hear that voice anymore, and all you have are stories.
There are a million stories about Matt Fiorito, from riding an elephant to giving his shoes to a homeless man. Family lore states that as a kid in Canada, Matt ran around the streets pretending to be a superhero named "Flag Man." Yes. "Flag Man." He'd tie the Canadian flag into a cape and look for bullies who were bothering innocent children.
Even then, I guess, he was a guy you could count on.
And that's what I just can't get past. That the guy you always counted on won't be there now. The desk is empty. The pattern is broken.
Where's everybody going?
MAKING A TRUE DIFFERENCE
Matt covered bowling for the Detroit Free Press. In between, he edited copy -- on night shifts and day shifts, weekdays, weekends. Sometimes he was one of two people in the whole office. He fielded calls, all comers. He engaged people in conversations that went longer than they were supposed to, because he seemed to find everybody fascinating.
Now and then, if I wrote a column that drew angry responses, Matt would send me an e-mail saying, "Can you please clean out your voice mailbox? They're spilling over to me." But I knew by that point he'd already answered a half-dozen, informing callers that no, I was not a lunatic and yes, he would relay the message and no, he didn't know my home address.
A few weeks back, Matt was admitted to the hospital fighting acute leukemia. I reached him via phone, had one of those "keep the chin up" talks as he lay in his bed.
The next day, he somehow managed to send me an e-mail. This is what it read:
"Hey -- I really appreciated the phone call. I'm sure I won't have any trouble staying positive, but if I do, I'll call you for a booster shot.
"As a high school dropout, I've occasionally been asked to speak to alternative-ed grads about turning things around. And I always bring up the age-old college sophomore question -- 'Why are we here?' The answer is simple, I tell them, we're here to make a difference. Somebody made a difference to you to get you this point, now your job is to go out and make a difference to someone else.
"In July, when I was felled with blood clots in my lungs -- which could have been instantly fatal -- one of the doctors said 'I guess God didn't want you yet.' (Apparently the devil didn't, either). So I figure God kept me around so I could make a difference in someone's life. So, I'm looking forward to kicking this thing and getting on with the mission.
"Best to you and your family -- Matt."
I'm sorry, I've kind of rambled here. I just don't get why we keep losing these great people, why they are there one day, pillars of our world, and gone the next. Where's everybody going? I seem to be asking that every day now.
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© 2009, THE DETROIT FREE PRESS
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