These are some pictures from a flight over Boston in March, 2021 with my mom and son in our Diamond DA40 NG – N920LA.
See more here: https://www.instagram.com/marco_bitran/
Archives
All posts by Marco Bitran
I am very proud to say that I was recently admitted as a Command Pilot for PALS https://palservices.org/.
Marco Bitran
There are a lot can be made and be savored at the Boston Harbor Islands. If you could have your own boat, you can make use of what the harbor will offer. Throughout the harbor, you can find a lot of boat ramps available for public use. The downtown Boston can be your starting point. The peninsulas and different islands are yours to cruise while you enjoy the views of the harbor. Public mooring places can be taken advantage too in the harbor.
If sailing is exactly what you really love, just like what Marco Bitran does as a spare time activity, you could find lots of opportunities with Marco Bitran at Meetup Boston. You get to learn how to sail and enhance your sailing abilities. Even if you are here for just a limited time, you’ll be able to learn and enjoy water sports such as windsurfing and kayaking.
When you get to be an experienced sailor and one of the members of Boston sailing organization, you will get the opportunity to race. Griffin, a soling boat type had been competed by Marco Bitran in a race. He placed 8th among the nearly 20 competing boats.
Informal contests took place around the Harbor Islands. Several types of boats are welcome to join. Courses to be taken are decided by the skippers and also agreed throughout their meeting.
How to Join the Competition
Should you choose to be the skipper of the boat, make sure to register on that day of the race. The organizer of the race can help you with your crew problem if you do not have them. In case you only wish to join the race as a crew, let the organizer know about your intention so they can ask a skipper to join him. “Wants to Crew” listing is where you can find crews not called by skippers. You can be included in that list if the skipper doesn’t get in touch with you. The organizer’s office will do their very best to get you aboard.
Community Boating, Inc and also Marco Bitran’s Younger Days
As a kid, Marco Bitran mastered and developed his skills in sailing back on his days at the Community Boating, Inc. (CBI). The vision of this center is “Sailing for All”. It’s the oldest sailing center established in 1946. The center caters water activities to the people of Boston no matter what their ages and skills.
Boston Sailing Center
Marco Bitran is a now a regular member at the Boston Sailing Center. It’s not only memberships of the club that this club does however courses on sailing too. There are a few club membership options available. What boat you would like to have or already owned may figure out your membership. Apart from the individual lessons you can avail, there are general classes you can enroll in. This includes basic sailing abilities. The instructional courses are designed for members who want to stay in Boston for a short number of days. There are choices too for members who will be here for a short period of time. You can jumpstart your sailing skills by using private lessons with expert people.
Marco Bitran’s Boat Sailing Experience in BostonBoston Harbor Islands offers you lots of opportunities that you are able to do and love.
If you have your own boat, you can make the most of exactly what the harbor can provide. At downtown Boston, there are boat ramps readily available. That may be your starting point at the harbor.
The peninsulas and also diverse islands are all yours to cruise while you take pleasure in the views of the harbor. Public mooring sites can be taken advantage too in the harbor.
9 Questions You Need To Ask About Boston Sailing News Marco Bitran
You will get to take pleasure from the water activities too. There are kayaking and windsurfing here. When you get to be a skilled sailor and one of the members of Boston sailing club, you will get the opportunity to race.
Griffin, a soling boat type had been competed by Marco Bitran in a competition.
Of the almost 20 boats participated, skipper Marco Bitran placed 8th on the rank. Informal races are common in the Harbor Islands. Boat of different kinds are welcome to join the competition.
Courses to be taken are decided by the skippers and also agreed during their meeting. The Race: How to Join In case you opt to be the skipper of the boat, be sure to register on that day of the race. If the crew of the boat is your problem, the organizer can assist you on that. If you believe joining the competition as a crew is more fun, advise the organizer of your intention so they can assign you to a needing skipper. In case where the skipper did not get in touch with you, do not worry as the organizer will put you on the “Wants to Crew” list.
The organizer will find means and techniques for you to join the competition as a crew.Marco Bitran Started in Community Boating in his Youthful Days
At the Community Boating, Inc., Marco Bitran started off his sailing days as a child. He developed his abilities and learned a lot there. Established in 1946, this is the most well-known public sailing center up to this time. Its vision: “Sailing for All”. People of Boston, regardless of their talents or ages, are the best target of this center.
Boston Sailing Center
As of this day, Marco Bitran is a member at the Boston Sailing Center. The center doesn’t accept club memberships only yet sailing classes too. Options for club memberships are offered. This depends on the boat you have or wish. Individual classes can be benefited. General classes like basic sailing skills are offered too. The instructional courses are developed for members who want to stay in Boston for a quick number of days. There are approaches to improve your abilities even if you will be here for a shorter time.
You can jumpstart your sailing knowledge by using private lessons with expert people.
If you are going to exist you will most likely be looking for things to do in Boston. There are numerous things that you simply should not miss out on while you are there. If you enjoy motion pictures and television Boston has a strolling trip that you should not miss out on. It takes you to places that have actually been used in motion pictures and on TELEVISION. You can check out the bar from the renowned television show cheers and even grab a beverage there. The walking trip last around one and half-hours. Another stop that needs to be on your list of things to do in Boston is going to the museum of bad art. You can check out a museum of excellent works of art throughout the country but in Boston you can really check out a museum devoted to bad artwork. , if you are not a lover of art you might believe that all museums have bad art however you have not seen anything like this location. The artwork that you will see will offer you hours of story ideas with your good friends. When you get home from getaway, this might be the number one topic of discussion for months. How might you not get your good friends attention by saying, “Hey I went to visit the museum of bad art”. That is sure to get anybody’s attention. The final stop on your journey to Boston need to be a sailboat flight. There are many other things to do in Boston during the summer however there are a couple of that you should not miss out on. Wherever you decide to go once you get there Boston is an excellent place to visit on holiday or on business alone or with the household Boston is a terrific location.
There are many things to do in Boston summer. Boston Common, bounded by Beacon, Charles, Boylston, Tremont, and Park streets, is the earliest public park in the nation, developed in 1634 as a “cow pasture and training field” for common usage. Cattle grazed here for 200 years and could search for every now and then to see the occasional public hanging that took place in the Common.
The park has to do with 50 acres in size and is the anchor for the Emerald Locket, a.system of linked parks that check out a number of Boston’s communities. Pet dogs are.
Welcome on Boston Common and can even run off-leash from 5-7 a.m. and 5-7.p.m. Close-by, 15 minutes to the south of Boston, is the dog-friendly Blue Hills. Appointment. The very first inhabitants pertained to this area 10,000 years earlier and called.themselves “Massachusett,” indicating “people of the hills.” When European explorers set sight on the forested slopes while sailing along the shoreline they. called the region heaven Hills.They logged the hillsides to develop hose pipes and barns and cleared the lowlands for.crops and animals. In 1893, the Metropolitan Parks Commission made the Blue.Hills one of their first purchases for land set aside for leisure. Today, Blue Hills. Reservation preserves 7,000 acres of land where you can trek with your pet dog in the.shadow of Boston.Some 125 miles of tracks go to a range of terrain from hills and meadows to forests.and wetlands, including an unique Atlantic white cedar bog.
A few of the canine. hiking can be rather tough and many of the routes are strewn with rocks. Great.Blue Hill, increasing 635 feet above the Neponsett Valley, is the greatest of the 22 hills.in the Blue Hills chain.Keep your direct for sweeping views of the urbane location. Keep an eye.out for the varied wildlife in heaven Hills Appointment that is not often associated.with Boston – wood rattlesnakes, coyote, and otters. Most of the trails are marked. but a path map is a smart purchase for day walkings – one is on sale at park. headquarters (695 Hillside Street) or heaven Hills Trailside Museum (1904 Canton. Opportunity).
The National Register of Historic Places notes 16 structures from Blue Hills. Booking. The most popular sits at the top of Great Blue Hill – the Blue Hill. Weather Observatory. Still utilized as a weather station, the observatory remains in Eliot.Tower, a stone observation post constructed by the Civilian Preservation Corps during the.1930s. Heaven Hills Appointment is headquartered in Milton, 8 miles south of Boston. Take. Path 93 to Exit 3, Houghton’s Pond. Turn right at the stop sign onto Hillside Street.Houghton’s Pond lies approximately 1/4 miles on the right; continue 1/4.
Miles to the appointment head office on the left.
If you are into films and tv Boston has a strolling trip that you should not miss. Another stop that should be on your list of things to do in Boston is going to the museum of bad art. You can visit a museum of excellent works of art anywhere in the country however in Boston you can, in fact, go to a museum committed to bad artwork.
There are lots of other things to do in Boston throughout the summer season but these are a couple of that you ought to not miss out on. Wherever you choose to go once you get there Boston is an excellent location to go to on holiday or on business alone or with the family Boston is a fantastic place.
Weekend trips can be the best choice for people who cannot find time to go for long vacations. Weekend trips will save your time, as well as free you from the stress and pressures of everyday life.
Following are some of the steps you need to follow to plan your weekend trip effectively:
1. Draft A Plan:
Firstly, you need to draft a plan. You will have to fix the day on which you are going, so that you can prepare beforehand for the trip. You also need to choose an appropriate destination, as you do not have much time. Do not choose a destination far away from your place as you will waste your time in traveling.
2. Plan a Weekend Trip as per your Requirements:
You need to plan a weekend trip as per your requirements. You might need to visit your relatives for a trip. Alternatively, you might want travel within the state. You need to select an appropriate plan that fits your requirements.
3. Select the Best Deal:
You need to perform a little research before you approach a local travel agent. Compare the rates of all travel agents in your city. Then, select a deal that offers relatively inexpensive rates. This way, you will save some money and get satisfaction from the trip.
4. Pack Correctly:
As you are not going for a long journey, you need to pack the luggage accordingly. First, you need to list down all the things that you wish to carry. Make sure that you do not over pack, as there will be difficulty in carrying them. You can stuff all your clothes by rolling them in your bag. This is the best method to protect your clothes from wrinkling.
5. Get Your Car Checked:
If you plan to drive in your car for the trip, then remember to check all components of your vehicle properly. Check the condition of the car and see whether it is suitable for a long trip.
For more information, visit Cheap Flight Service. They offer information on cheap flights [http://www.cheapflightsservice.com] and cheap tickets [http://www.cheapflightsservice.com] to anywhere around the country. Thanks to their search system you will enter your travel details and in just one click you will be able to search all the best flight booking engines at once.Then all you have to do is to compare that travel deals and offers and choose one that bests suit your travel needs. Their site will save you time and money for sure, just try it and you will be satisfied and find cheap airfare as well!
Expert Author L. Wayne Smalls
When I was a boy growing up in Baltimore City, I often wondered what it would be like to be a father. I always felt somehow, that I would be a good father, but I wasn’t sure how I would get there. For most of my childhood, I grew up in a single-family home with my mother. Our life during my childhood was good, but we often struggled as my mom worked really hard to make ends meet. I watched my mother work full-time while putting herself through college and taking care of me. As she continued to excel in her career, our quality of life became better. I truly admired her for that, but I was still missing something.
My father was around while I was growing up, but not on a daily basis. In fact, there were some long spans of time when I didn’t see my dad. When I had the opportunity to spend time with him, he taught me things, but they were usually most useful to me on the streets. I mean, he taught me how to be tough and defend myself. Those kinds of things were very helpful to me, but I also needed to be around some other positive males that could collectively teach me what being a man, and ultimately a great father, was really all about. I needed and wanted to learn how to do that.
As I grew into adulthood, I learned that it takes more than just reaching a certain age, or having the ability to reproduce that makes someone a good father. When I became a father, I realized that I was automatically inducted into an elite fraternity of brothers that easily surpasses any other fraternity that anyone could be a part of in terms of the level of importance. I came to understand that God charged me with the obligation of being a teacher to my children.
Over the years, I have made plenty mistakes while dealing with my children. Everything has not always gone the way I wanted, as nothing rarely ever does. I have learned that it takes a combination of several attributes that has helped me to become a better father. There are several characteristics that every father must incorporate within himself that can help him to be the best possible father that he can be. I have compiled a list of some of those characteristics.
1. Every father should be a role model for his children. So many young people tend to look up to celebrities to pattern themselves after. Some of those celebrities accept that role and handle it pretty well. On the other hand, I can’t count how many times athletes have rejected the responsibility of being a role model to kids. They don’t want that responsibility. There are others who seem to want the role, but are not fit to lead a five-year old to a kindergarten classroom. Above any other group, it is the father’s job to live the kind of life that any child would desire to emulate.
2. Every father should be a teacher. A father should instruct his children on all matters of life. That is not to say that a father should know everything. No one knows everything. The point is that the father should be involved in every aspect of his children’s lives. He should be there to provide advice and guidance to assist his children as they develop and progress through life. Fathers should certainly be able to share the lessons that he has learned during his lifetime with his children that may have profound effects on them as well. In my opinion, besides a school teacher, no other person should pour into a child more than their father.
3. Every father should be a disciplinarian as all children need discipline in their life. Fathers should be the catalysts of discipline for their children so that the judicial system does not have to become that catalyst. Being a disciplinarian is about teaching children to obey laws and to follow rules that are enforced by consequences. Developing a reverence for leadership should start with the father. If done correctly, children will most often grow into law-abiding citizens with a healthy amount of respect for authority in all areas of their lives.
4. Fathers are supposed to be the primary provider for their children. Financial situations are different for everyone, but the effort to provide should not solely be financial in nature, although it is very important. It is still just one aspect of providing. Other aspects of providing for children may include, but are not limited to friendship, love, security, emotional support, guidance, and life skills. This list of things could go on forever, but the point is that being an active father can have a positive and powerful influence on the development of our children.
5. Fathers can be empathizers for their children. We are a fountain of knowledge and information for our children. The experiences that we have gone through can help us to pass along wisdom that will be invaluable to them. We are the ones that can relate to our children the most. While there may be some variances to the situations that young people face today, we can still have some level of understanding and even compassion for what they go through. Sometimes our children may not even need us to fix all their problems. Just being there to listen to them could do wonders for their esteem and give them a sense of support.
Being a father is not easy for many reasons. There are so many things to deal with when it comes to raising children. It’s even more difficult when the father and mother are not in the same household. However, being a father is a great privilege that should not be taken lightly. Any man who is lucky enough to have children, is automatically inducted into the fraternity of fatherhood and should purpose in himself to live by the code of the fraternity. It is our responsibility to raise our children. If we relegate that responsibility to others, we are delinquent in our obligation to God, negligent to our communities, and ultimately accountable for the outcome of any of our children who become wayward.
Fathers, let’s work really hard together to make a positive change in the lives of our children. We have to step up our game. There are so many of our children who are going down the wrong path, but we can turn that around by increasing the level of activity that we have in the lives of these children. Whether a man is or is not a biological father, he can be a member of the fraternity of fatherhood by being a mentor to a young person in need. Understanding that fatherhood is difficult, we can also seek advice from each other when we encounter unfamiliar territory. We don’t have to try to do everything on our own. We are a band of brothers. We are the fraternity of fatherhood!
L. Wayne Smalls, Author of Called To Be A Soldier and President of L. Wayne Smalls & Associates, LLC. is a retired Army Officer who is now a motivational speaker and writer. See more at http://www.lwaynesmalls.org
While mothers have had their special day since 1914, fathers have only recently officially received the recognition they so richly deserve. After all, dad is the pillar of the family unit, the one who made us feel safe, loved to tickle and tease, and above all gave us a sense of security. While mom was the pillow to fall on, dad was the rock who held us up. Here are some thoughts and facts on Father’s Day, dedicated to every man out there who proudly wears the name DAD.
Origins
In 1909, listening to a sermon on Mother’s Day, Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd felt inspired by Anna Jarvis’s efforts and felt there should also be a Father’s Day. Her father, Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, had as a single parent raised his six children in Spokane, Washington after his wife’s death. She initially suggested June 5th, the anniversary of her father’s death, however, she did not provide the organizers with enough time to make arrangements, and the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday in June. Unofficial support from such figures as William Jennings Bryan was immediate and widespread. Calvin Coolidge recommended it as a national holiday in 1924 but the all-male U.S. Congress was mindful that passing a measure so favorable to males could be seen as a conflict of interest. In 1926, The National Father’s Day Committee met for the first time in New York City. Lyndon Johnson made Father’s Day a holiday in 1966, but the holiday was not officially recognized until the presidency of Richard Nixon in 1972 when he signed into law a permanent U.S. Father’s Day to be observed on the third Sunday of June.
Inspiring Words
When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years. – Mark Twain
I’m sure we all remember our teenage years and how true and insightful this statement by Mark Twain is. Here is another of my favorites:
It doesn’t matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was. – Anne Sexton
What is a dad? I’m sure not everyone would answer exactly the same way but this poem by an unknown author seems to sum it up very well.
What Makes A Dad? -Unknown
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle’s flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
And then there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it – Dad.
Perhaps the most important thing a father can give us is love. Hold on to your memories of youth. Those things that your father did that made you feel so special and loved. My favorite memory is of my father coming into my room one night when I was crying. He was so concerned even though to him, my problem must have seemed insignificant. By the time he left, I was happy, and the world was a brighter place. Many of us have these kinds of memories.
Excerpt from the song Dance With My Father
Artist: Luther Vandross
Back when I was a child, before life removed all the innocence
My father would lift me high and dance with my mother and me and then
Spin me around ’til I fell asleep
Then up the stairs he would carry me
And I knew for sure I was loved
If I could get another chance, another walk, another dance with him
I’d play a song that would never, ever end
How I’d love, love, love
To dance with my father again.
Be sure to let your father know how much he is loved and appreciated this Father’s Day.
sources – wikipedia.org, Compton’s Interactive Encyclopedia 1997
Patricia Fason is a writer and a poet. To see more of her work visit Sites O Web Romances You or for ideas on what to get your father this year for Father’s Day, visit the Father’s Day Section of the Gift Boutique.
Summer vacations are perfect for hitting the road and having an adventure or staying closer to home and simply recharging. The slower pace and rest a vacation offers are priceless, but that doesn’t mean you should relax your financial vigilance. Here are some ideas to help you get the most for your money as you travel this summer.
Consider off-season tropical destinations
During the winter months, tropical hot spots command top dollar. But if you’re not averse to hot and humid weather, there are bargains to find south of the Equator during the summer months. Land a package deal to a Caribbean or South American destination and you can look forward to less crowded beaches and hotels in paradise.
Take advantage of the stronger dollar in Europe
For the first time in over a decade, the U.S. dollar is approaching a 1:1 ratio with the euro. That means American travelers can expect their vacation budgets to go further in the 19 countries operating on the euro currency. Airfare to Europe has also fallen, making this summer an ideal time to cross the Atlantic. If you plan to visit several countries, consider purchasing a Eurail pass to stretch your dollar across the continent. The pass allows you to travel between multiple countries by train within a 30-day window for one reasonable price.
Think outside the hotel room
There are more lodging choices than ever before if you’re willing to venture beyond hotels for your accommodations. Check out websites that coordinate home sharing in hundreds of countries around the world, typically at prices far below standard hotel rates. Also consider family-run pensions (short-stay boarding houses in Europe) and bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) for cheaper and more intimate stays. If you like having a full kitchen to make your own meals (also a money-saver), look into short-term vacation home and apartment rentals.
Be flexible
If you aren’t particular about where you travel or specifically when, you can often find last-minute deals online. These typically are package deals to specific cities or attractions that include airfare, hotel and other amenities like a rental car or some meals. Compare offers and determine which provides the best value. Also, when you’re booking airfare, be flexible with your travel dates to improve your odds of landing a better price. Consider a midweek departure and return to avoid paying higher weekend rates. Airlines also tend to start sales at the beginning of the week, so keep an eye out for promotions.
Traveling comes with expenses, but vacations memories are irreplaceable. If you need help planning your trip, consider working with a travel agent who can provide information and tips for saving money on specific locales. Also, consider working with a financial advisor who can help you budget and work toward both your short- and long-term financial goals including traveling, buying a home, saving for college and retiring.
Scott D. Serfass, CFP®, CRPC®, CDFA™, CLU®, ChFC® is a financial advisor and senior partner of Serfass, Phillips & Associates, a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. His team specializes in helping people retire confidently and develop plans to help families effectively share wealth across multiple generations. To contact him, visit http://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/scott.d.serfass
By I learned after years of working my tail off that if I did not take care of myself one of two things was going to happen. Either I was going to lose my health or I was going to lose in terms of my results. Self-care became my battle cry where as before I would sneer a little bit at people that talked about self-care thinking “How bourgeois!” Little did I know that I would be biting my tongue!
Not only did I learn the merits of self-care but I also learned that it was not as easy to get and keep on track with as I thought.
Self Care is an investment in our personal resources. Whether what you demand of yourself is large or small you need to take care of your most important tool – you.
Here are a list of 10 self care tools that you can use to be your personal best:
1. Move your body/ Feed your body. Both movement and nutrition in balance create optimal self care. Learn to lovingly and joyfully move your body. Dance, do yoga, stretch, walk or even exercise. Feed yourself everything that your body needs to be healthy. If you are not sure what this is start by drinking more water and eating more greens.
2. Take time in nature and with animals. Both of these experiences have a wonderful effect on us. It helps us de-stress and relax. If you can’t get out in nature, go to a local park, or get a plant (or two or three!). As far as spending time with animals, their playful and loving ways are a particularly healing form of self care. While there is little substitute for the real thing, you can always supplement with some photos or videos.
3. Unplug and watch less TV. We are wired 24/7 these days. We go to sleep and wake up with our first things being smartphones and TV’s. If you have not already adopted a technology diet, putting one in place can have a fabulous effect on you.
4. Be less negative and be around negative people less. It takes two to tango and if you are negative then chances are the people you are around are too and vice versa. Take some time to work on yourself first. Change the way you think and speak and then start making choices to be around people who reflect that.
5. Let go of grudges. Nothing pulls you down more than uncleared anger and resentment towards others. The only person you are hurting with your negative thinking is you. People can be short-sighted and make mistakes but holding on to the mistakes is the biggest one of all.
6. Spend time with awesome friends. Spending time with people you love and especially doing fun activities and laughing is a wonderful way to relax and connect – two important elements of self care.
7. Mental Hygiene. Obsessive thinking and worry are so commonplace that people think they are normal. While common for sure, these are not healthy patterns. Learn to stop yourself when you are on a tear. Simply say “Stop” and focus your mind on something more pleasant or productive.
8. Make A Difference. Being of service in the world is a powerful way to feel better. It gives us a sense of meaning and we get the benefit of making other people happy. Take a weekend to volunteer at a food bank, Habitat for Humanity or any other cause that calls to you. Put some good energy in the world.
9. Emotional Hygiene. Sometimes you just need to clean the pipes. If you have a lot of built up emotion or if you have been dealing with a lot of stress, the best self care might be throwing a fit. Lie down on your bed and kick and hit with your arms and legs. Scream if it feels right. It may sound silly but after you will feel like a million bucks.
10. Gratitude. Nothing changes your attitude like gratitude. Take a moment every day to write or state at least three things that you are grateful for. So many of us have so much to be thankful for. Remember this is a form of self care.
If you want to be more fulfilled and more successful, it takes knowing how to keep yourself being and feeling your best. Join Kate for this weeks hour of Real Answers Radio as she talks with Holistic Health Coach and founder of BNourished, Katie McDonald. Learn ways that you can support every aspect of who you are – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual – for a 360 degree picture of what you can do to be the best version of you. http://ctrnetwork.com/profile/RealAnswers
Dr. Kate Siner has been called, ” A true visionary leader who advocates for a much needed shift in the world today.” With a PhD in Psychology and rich personal story, Dr. Kate Siner is the perfect one-two-punch that has facilitated transformational work for thousands of people around the world. Dr. Kate Siner has been on NBC, ABC, Fox, and other major networks speaking on fulfillment and success. She’s been featured and quoted in numerous journals and magazines, is an author of the soon to be released collaborative book “Soul of Success” with Jack Canfield and is winner of a “2015 RISBJ Women to Watch Award” for excellence in entrepreneurship. http://www.katesiner.com
Approximately 925 million people across the world are hungry.
More than 9 million children under age 5 die every year and malnutrition accounts for more than one-third of these deaths.
I learned of these statistic while touring ECHO.
ECHO exists to reduce hunger and improve the lives of small-scale farmers worldwide.
Located in N. Ft. Myers Florida, ECHO is an information hub for developmental workers from all over the world.
Their purpose is to help those who are teaching farmers become more effective in producing enough food for their families and communities.
The International headquarters, in Florida, includes the Global Farm, Research Center, Seed Bank, Tropical Fruit Nursery, and bookstore.
Echo also operates Regional Impact Centers, providing resources to small-scale farmers, in strategic locations around the world.
These Centers are located in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Arusha Tanzania, and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. In addition, they are working on a soil science project in South Africa.
I had the unique opportunity to tour the facility in N. ft Myers and see first hand the work being done.
The tour was educational and fascinating. Our guide, Vic, was entertaining and engaging. The tour, consisting of demonstrations, farming techniques, plants and animals; showcases innovative ways to help farmers in developing countries. We also observed some of the simple technologies being used in these countries.
One of the highlights was learning of the Moringa tree.
ECHO’s co-founder Dr. Martin Price first learned of the moringa while visiting an orphanage in Haiti. He wrote multiple articles sharing moringa’s amazing nutritional benefits including:
7 times more Vitamin C than oranges
3 times more iron than spinach
3 times more potassium than bananas
4 times more Vitamin A than carrots
4 times more calcium than milk
The crushed moringa seeds are used to clarify and purify water. The seed kernels kill 90% of the bacteria in contaminated water.
Moringa trees grow very quickly. The branches can be cut and placed in moist soil to root and grow into another tree.
This quick-growing, nutrient rich tree provides vital nutrition for those in developing countries.
Another interesting plant growing at ECHO is the Miracle fruit. The small red berry is used medicinally. When the fleshy pulp of the fruit coats the taste buds and inside of the mouth, something amazing happens. Even a sour lemon tastes sweet. The effect remains for 30 minutes or more.
I’m guessing the sugar industry would like this plant to remain a secret.
A couple more interesting discoveries:
Did you know that the mango belongs to the Poison Ivy family of plants?
I’m glad I’m not allergic.
ECHO also works to develop Appropriate Technology. Defined as “Technologies that fit well into a culture, environment, region, and way of life; as opposed to those facets forming around the technology.”
One of these technologies is the Biogas digester. It uses manure, food scraps and plant residue to create methane gas used for cooking. The high quality compost can be used for agriculture.
A portable hand washing sink, called a “tippy tap” can be used to reduce the spread of infection.
Gardening techniques are being developed for small spaces.
The Appropriate Technology used at ECHO serves as a teaching tool to prepare those working in development. These technologies use resources already found in developing countries to reduce workload, improve health and reduce fuel consumption.
The tour of ECHO was both interesting and inspirational. It left me with a renewed hope and a belief that those living in developing countries can be taught to help themselves overcome hunger. Run primarily by volunteers and interns, funded with donations, ECHO is making a difference!
Tours are as follow:
April through November: 10 a.m Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
December through March: Tuesday-Friday at 10,12, and 2. Saturdays at 10 and 12.
Admission is $10 for adults (13+)
Child (6-12) $5
Children under 6 are free
Tours last approximately 90 min.
I would highly recommend this tour for anyone interested in world hunger, agriculture, gardening, simple technology or just wanting to see an amazing collection of tropical food plants.
It is a rare and unique opportunity to discover an organization making a difference around the world.
To learn more about ECHO and how to schedule a tour, visit http://www.thewaytowander.com
As a response to environmental concerns on global warming, a movement was started promoting the “organic” way of life. It essentially encourages people to lessen their carbon footprint by consuming organically grown foods and even growing their own organic gardens, among others. While some people found it easy to grow their own food, others who were not used to the gardening and farming way of life found it rather challenging. Thankfully, there is an abundance of information shared by concerned individuals on how to start organic gardening and farming. One of the most useful information, however, remains to be how to make homemade fertilizer because it will be greatly needed if the plants are to survive.
First Things First: Soil Test
The first thing one has to do before proceeding to even gather materials to make fertilizer is to test the soil. This is very important because it will help give an idea of what nutrients the soil lack and what type of fertilizer ingredient can help supplement it. This can be done by getting a sample to a professional in a soil-testing laboratory who can test it for a fee. Once the soil is tested and the lacking nutrients, if any, are determined, gathering materials would be the next step.
Readily Available Materials
There are a lot of materials that can be used in making fertilizers at home. These materials can be easily found mostly in the kitchen. Examples of such materials would be eggshells, coffee grounds, vegetable peelings, fruit peelings, molasses, and tea grounds. Some other materials are the less pleasant smelling ones because it involves wastes such as horse, chicken, or basically any kind of animal manure. Dog, cat and rabbit droppings have been recommended by gardeners as well. The availability of manure as fertilizer materials will, however, depend on whether you live in or near a farm or you own at least one or two of those animals.
Particular Uses
It goes without saying that materials for the homemade fertilizer will first have to be gathered. However, if there is a particular type of plant one is working on, it might be a good idea to do some reading on what type of plant the materials are best for. For instance, coffee grounds are particularly best for plants that need much acid such as roses, tomatoes, and blueberries. Banana peelings work wonderfully for roses too. Egg shells help peppers and tomatoes produce a robust yield. Vegetable peelings work best for cucumbers, roses, cabbages, and leafy greens. Rabbit droppings, when mixed with other materials, help wonderfully with growing tomatoes.
Learn how to make homemade fertilizer and get ideas on the best organic fertilizers that you can use in your organic garden. Visit the website of smilinggardener.
Also, could can find us on: http://www.boosterblog.net
Marco Bitran Boston 
You must be logged in to post a comment.