Hi again faithful followers - It's been a long time since I have had a chance to jot down some thoughts and observations. The real estate market has been very active and I have been super busy with rental turnover and assisting buyers and sellers in purchasing, in many cases, their first home. But with all of the hoopla over the arrival of the cast and crew from Extreme Home Makeover here in the Upper Valley, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share my thoughts (which I expect will be unpopular) about this show and its "mission".

While, on the face of it, helping others to do anything in a selfless manner without hope or expectation of reward is a noble goal, the sad truth about this show ( and the word "show" must certainly be emphasized) is that it has none of the characteristics of genuine charity and is a shameful imitation of the true spirit of offering oneself to provide assistance to those in need.

The very idea of parading the misery of others and particularly their children in front of their neighbors and a national television audience to promote products and self-aggrandizing TV personalities is just plain wrong and, in my opinion, anyone who participates in such a charade is simply in it for their own purposes, which have nothing to do with charity, or, more likely, have been deluded by the media hype to believe that they are performing an actual charitable act, rather than participating in a massive ad campaign strapped to the backs of an unsuspecting and usually desperate family in dire personal and financial straits.

So, there you have it - for my part - Ty and company can stay home and leave the Upper Valley, which has a long and distinguished reputation for taking of those who are in need, to offer sustenance and assistance to the less fortunate. If you're with me, turn off your TV when this sad chapter is aired and volunteer your time and resources to any of the fine local organizations like COVER, the Listen Center, SEVCA, any of the local food shelves, or many others that I have failed to mention. Volunteer to visit the home-bound, deliver meals for Meals on Wheels, serve dinner or help clean up at a homeless shelter, be an official at the Special Olympics or, as a minimum, mow your elderly neighbor's lawn or clear their walk. Offer to drive someone to a doctor's appointment, visit a person who is lonely or just give them a call; but do something, anything other than support this disgraceful and exploitative Hollywood display by watching and wasting your time and spirit.