Editor's Note: August, 2010

Dear Readers,
First, I’d like to thank Jennifer Meschinelli for trusting me to plan and edit this month’s issue of Jill. I am currently a magazine journalism major at Plattsburgh State, interning at The Press Republican’s Special Publications, and I am both honored and excited to have this opportunity.

For August’s issue, we decided to focus on single women. Though I am currently in a happy and committed relationship of two years, I realize now more than ever the importance of embracing one’s own individuality. As amazing as romantic relationships can be, we must not overlook the joys that come from pursuing our own interests and goals and learning to love and trust ourselves regardless of who else loves us.

My hope is that this issue of Jill will inspire both single and non-single women alike to be grateful for all of the relationships in their lives, not just the romantic ones. And especially, to work on the most valuable relationship in any woman’s life, her relationship with herself.

As the ancient Greek playwright Euripides once said, “There is just one life for each of us: our own.”

So ladies, enjoy this issue of Jill, enjoy these dog days of summer, and enjoy yourselves!

Sincerely,

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the best time to Make A Bold Career Move

Life is too short to wake up every day with a feeling of going to work. Unfortunately, career/work dissatisfaction is a common complaint. Even if you are completely unhappy with your job, walking away from that stability into the risky unknown future is a bold step - one that a relatively few brave souls dare to take.

Truthfully, there is no such thing as the perfect time to change. Every woman has a good excuse why now isn’t a good time to uproot herself and move across the country or lose income by going back to school or starting a new business.

These excuses tend to become more numerous and resistant to change as time goes on. If you’re feeling any pangs of uncertainty while it is still early in your career, it is a good idea to pay attention to them before life gets more complicated.

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Also My Best Friend

He often knocks my alarm clock off my nightstand in the middle of the night, ejecting the batteries and making me late for work. I can’t leave my jewelry out on my dresser because he’s a professional thief, and I’ll likely never see it again. He’s ruined countless pieces of my clothing, killed at least two of my plants and left permanent stains on my carpet. And because of him, I go through more lint rollers each month than rolls of toilet paper.

His name is Finn, and he's not just my cat, he's also my best friend.

The truth is, despite my complaints, my relationship with Finny is one of the least complicated and most unconditionally loving relationships in my life.

Don’t get me wrong, my relationships with my friends, family and boyfriend are very rewarding, and of course, no furry friend can bring the level of understanding and meaning to a relationship that a human can.
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self sense: What I Learned When I was Single

When I was 24 years old, I became a divorced woman. I had been married for four and a half years and in a relationship with this man/boy since I was 18. Getting divorced rocked my world, turned it upside down, pulled the rug out from under me and knocked me on my tush.

All the old clichés applied. At the time, I was a middle school English teacher, and I remember the head of the music department saying to me, “Look at you Ilene. You’re pretty and smart. You’ll be remarried in two years.” 15 years, and many lessons later, I met my second and forever husband.

Don’t expect someone else to complete your life:
Fill your own holes from the inside out. Be your own gardener. Dream your own dreams. I made the mistake of thinking that the perfect (or not so perfect) partner would make me feel whole and special. I had to learn to be my own perfect partner – or close to it!
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Women's Roller Derby Rolls Into Town

Look out, Plattsburgh, here they come! This past January, a rowdy group of local women began meeting to organize a local roller derby league. Led by Kimberly Cummins, the group has worked throughout the spring to pursue official status as a league of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association and become a registered non profit organization.

Cummins, a recent Plattsburgh State University College graduate, has been a skater throughout her life.

“I went to a [roller derby] bout in Vermont a few years ago, and I fell in love with it,” she explained.
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The Sweet Life

Local woman, Stacy Sweet, tells Jill about her style, her new home and the keepers to her heart …

Name: Stacy Sweet

Age: 51

Hometown: Chazy, N.Y.

Occupation: Cardio tech by day, waitress by night
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the breast: an unexpected obstacle to breastfeeding

August is breastfeeding awareness month. Last year, pediatricians were charged by our governor to increase breastfeeding awareness and “promote” breastfeeding. I did my part--I gave birth to another child who needed to be fed. Yet the month came and went without many news articles about nipple shields or Lansinoh cream, and pediatricians continued to do pretty much the same thing we always do, which is advocate for breastfeeding. It was a letdown.

Here it is August again, and we’re professionally obligated to draw attention to breastfeeding. It’s not an easy task since the topic is rooted in duplicity. Breasts are a form of nutrition. Wait, no they’re a symbol of sexuality. Perhaps in Neanderthal times everyone dressed alike so Captain Caveman found a good reproductive partner by looking for boobie lumps as they evolved under wooly mammoth tunics. Back then breasts were a sign of a good mother. So it didn’t take long for the cave girls to start making low cut Vs in their shaggy wardrobes in order to attract a mate.
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Good Rents! Best Movies to treat yourself to!

As a woman with a hectic and full life, you deserve a treat now and again. Vegging out in front of the TV is the perfect way to let all the stress from the day rush out of you and into the Twizzlers, M&M’s and diet soda you stack up next to you. Oh wait, that’s just me. But anyway, here are some great picks for flicks that you can indulge in all by yourself. Remember to check your local library, as well as, your favorite video store when looking for these movies.

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The Bonds Of Friendship

Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver and the other gold.

This saying is one that many folks remember many years ago from their scouting days, and I am sure it is still used by scouts to this day. It is one that I repeated so many times during my own childhood years.

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Garden-Fresh, Grill Friendly, Great For Your Family

Summer in the North Country means farmers markets favorites including fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese and dairy products, as well as meat and even maple syrup.

“We’re very fortunate; we live in God’s country,” said David Martin, chef and co-owner of the Turtle Island Café in Willsboro. Martin likes to take advantage of all the local ingredients available to him living in the Adirondacks.

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