Far too often we believe trips require traveling countless miles to reach faraway lands. But that thinking can rob us of the amazing sights and sounds found much closer to home.
With the COVID-19 pandemic restricting our travel, now is the perfect time to rediscover your own backyard. Fortunately, several local state tourism boards have put together road trip suggestions. Whether you’re a foodie, history buff or just love hitting the open road, there’s something for everyone.
A more unique road trip through the state is following the Barns Trail. Consisting of seven different routes, this trail takes you past Connecticut’s barns that are open to the public, including working farms, farm stands, orchards and wineries.
Grant’s Tomb in Manhattan (Photo: Courtesy of New York State)
New York
The New York State Division of Tourism has compiled a plethora of road trip destinations that allow travelers to discover the Empire State’s rich history. The stops are divided into themes, including Arts and Culture, Civil Rights, Immigration and Natural History.
New York’s Finger Lakes region provides the ideal backdrop for an educational road trip about the origins of the modern-day women’s rights movement. It all starts in Seneca Falls, where the first Women’s Rights Convention took place in 1848. Today, the city is home to the Women’s Rights National Historical Park and National Women’s Hall of Fame. Nearby, in the cities of Rochester and Auburn, travelers can visit museums dedicated to Susan B. Anthony and Harriet Tubman, respectively.
The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council teamed up with the Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau to create a series of themed road trips throughout Rhode Island.
“Are We There Yet?” is a family-oriented journey that takes travelers to Central Rock Climbing Gym in Warwick, BattleGroundz in Lincoln and the Providence Children’s Museum. When hunger strikes, families can chow down on burgers at Harry’s Bar & Burger then satisfy sweet tooth cravings with the latest offerings from PVDonuts.
Speaking of food, “Comfort Food Across Cultures” allows travelers to experience different societies by eating their way through various cuisines. Stops include the Bolivian and Peruvian restaurant Los Andes, Korean Fried Chicken spot Den Den and Krakow Deli & Smokehouse, which serves up Polish pierogis and golombki.
The “Take it Outside” road trip celebrates the Ocean State’s outdoor escapes, including Rocky Point Park, Goddard Memorial Park and Roger Williams Park, which also houses the Roger Williams Park Zoo and Museum of Natural History and Planetarium. When the weather warms, outdoor activities like kayaking, water sports, horseback riding and hiking can be done at the Landing at Lincoln Falls and Lincoln Woods State Park.
The site of Paul Revere’s capture (Photo: Courtesy of NPS)
Another Massachusetts road trip idea takes you along Cape Cod. Stretching from Orleans to Provincetown with stops at various beaches, trails and lighthouses, this is an ideal scenic drive.
New Jersey
New Jersey’s Department of Travel and Tourism recommends cruising along the state’s eight scenic byways, which “showcase the state’s cultural contributions, rich heritage and natural beauty.”
All of these drives offer travelers something different. The Millstone Valley Bypass is a 25-mile journey that will transport you back to Revolutionary War times as you pass by Rockingham, George Washington’s last wartime headquarters. More Washington history can be discovered along the Delaware River Bypass, which takes you to Washington Crossing State Park, the location where George Washington and the Continental Army landed after crossing the Delaware River.
In the northern part of the state, the Palisades Bypass offers unparalleled views of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline, with lookout points to stop and enjoy the sights. In southern New Jersey, you can travel along the Bayshore Heritage Scenic Byway. This 122-mile roadway allows you to view much of the state’s coastline as well as the East Point and Cape May Lighthouses.
Whether you rediscover your own backyard or take a longer drive to one of these states, enjoy the journey, travel safely, and don’t forget to review the COVID-19 guidelines if you are planning to travel outside of your own community.
And, if you need a little extra space while you’re on the road, or you just want to take the trip in a vehicle that’s “new to you,” visit your local neighborhood Hertz and don’t forget AAA members can save up to 20% on rentals.
This past fall, a road trip in Sicily fulfilled one AAA member's personal goal of driving abroad – and tested his driving moxie against their notorious drivers.
A road trip in Sicily fulfilled a personal goal of driving abroad – and tested my driving moxie against their notorious drivers.
My first impression of driving in Italy came from overhearing a colleague throwing out ideas at work: “Just like road signs in Italy, these are merely suggestions.”
Sixteen years later I could attest to that firsthand with my first Roman cab ride – the only recollection of which is my wife and I clutching each other in the back seat, equal parts fear and fondness. A few days later, we boarded a Trenitalia for a seven-hour train ride. The train itself boarded a ferry on the way to Messina, the first stop in Sicily, where we would visit family I’d never met before.
A few days into our stay, we were brought to Montalbano Elicona, the town where my father was born, 40 miles west of Messina. Cousin Carmelo did the driving as we sat in the back overlooking the steep hill we needed to ascend to reach the town. As Carmelo confidently sped around tight turns with not much more than a stone wall protecting us from potential doom, I assured myself, “They do this all the time.”
The skyline of Montalbano Elicona at dawn.
We departed three days later, with Carmelo driving us to the airport – and missing the airport exit. We expected him to take the next exit to turn back. Instead he turned back ‘Sicilian style’: put the car in reverse, back up for a few hundred feet and take the exit.
No shoulder? No worries.
Driving in Sicily
My turn to drive in Sicily would come six years later during a couples trip, circling the island at Italy’s boot tip. Our six-day journey planned for us to pick up our car in Palermo, drive south to Agrigento to visit the Greek ruins, cut east to Taormina, a quick stop north to see the family again in Messina, then back across to Palermo.
The beaten path rarely being the most interesting, en route to Agrigento we diverted to the Cattedrale di Monreale, the UNESCO World Heritage site located in the eponymously named town. The roads here were not designed with cars in mind. The first anxious moment was when a local tailgated us as we made the way up the winding one-lane road to the cathedral. My sense that we were holding up traffic was justified when I allowed a driver behind me to pass and received a less than welcoming wave from him in return.
We garaged the car and arrived at the cathedral with a few minutes to spare before the Italian afternoon riposo, just enough time to awe at the 12th century Norman architecture. The next stop brought us to Sciacca, and that stretch of SS624 didn’t disappoint, gifting us with a stunning hilly landscape. As we got closer, we caught our first view of the Mediterranean Sea.
Agrigento was among the largest cities of the ancient Greek empire. It sits on a plateau overlooking the Mediterranean; the Valley of the Temples, Agrigento’s main attraction, is also recognized as a World Heritage site.
Two days later, for the run from Agrigento to Taormina, I took a break from driving to enjoy the view from the backseat. The diversion on that leg of the trip was the town of Piazza Armerina and the third UNESCO site on our itinerary, the Villa Romana del Casale. The mosaics in the 4th century Roman resort made the stop worthwhile.
Taormina, Sicily.
Continuing from the villa, it was easier to see the sights unfold from the backseat as Sicily continued its run of hilly landscapes, fertile vineyards and a shepherd using much of the road to guide his sheep.
We hit the Autostrade for the first time as we reached Catania. From my phone I determined that the toll from Catania to Taormina would be €1.70 and payable by credit card or cash. I patted myself on the back and texted this intel to my wife who was riding in the ladies car.
Upon reaching the Taormina exit, we inserted the credit card into the toll machine – and saw it gobbled up. A few tense minutes passed with the credit card not forthcoming as we tried to converse with an agent over the intercom.
Eventually the machine gave up its catch, which we exchanged for dropping two euros in the basket and sped off. I subsequently learned that American credit cards aren’t suitable for the toll road and the wives had wisely paid cash.
The trip up the hill is a scenic single lane that brings you into the heart of Taormina. Miss a turn there and you’ll find yourself either circling the town again, facing the wrong end of a one-way, or in a local’s driveway (as my wife’s car did).
As we arrived at the hotel, we were happy to garage the cars and become pedestrians for the next three days, Taormina being very walkable.
It was easier to let Angelo, a local guide, drive us to Mount Etna on our third day there. On our way back to town, Angelo took us to the Madonna della Rocca, a 1640 church built in the rock which hangs high over the town. The road leaving the church cannot allow large tour buses and provided its own acrophobia-inspiring overlooks.
Santuario Madonna della Rocca, Taormina.
Family Reunion
Back on the road the following day, we headed north to Messina, enjoying the view of the blue Ionian Sea hugging A18/E45. At the Messina Centro exit (paid that toll in cash!), I was confident we would reach the family by 1 p.m. as promised. Guided by GPS, we took a turn that led up a somewhat familiar road. The roads were wide enough for no more than a parked car and one lane of traffic to accommodate both directions.
So, what to do when a car inevitably comes in the opposite direction? Always defer to the local, hit it in reverse and hopefully find a spot to back into. But how do you do that when another driver is on your tail? The spot we found was not easy to get back into and in that panic, I looked in my rearview hoping for some sympathy. Instead I saw frustration as my tailgater clasped his hands in a very animated way, wagging them, plainly praying to the driving gods that I would get out of his way.
It was now apparent we needed to turn around. As I looked for a place to reverse, our next obstacle came into view: A large tree branch extending three quarters across the road. The branch itself wouldn’t have been difficult to drive over, but that would have meant bowling over the bent-over woman picking whatever the branch was offering – berries, figs, pistachios or maybe olives.
She and our car had a standoff, which we lost; she continued to pick at the branch. We crept around the branch and advanced a few dozen meters to make our U-turn. The unforgiving road was not much wider than the length of our car, making the U-turn tight and treacherous. A fence bent over 45 degrees, overlooking a sharp hill drop, was evidence that other drivers had done this before. Fifteen to 20 delicate K-turns later, we were on our way back.
Traffic in Monreale, Sicily
The lost time made the visit with family too short. We considered staying overnight, as we indulged on pancetta-wrapped scallions and braciole paired with homemade creamy limoncello and red wine. But rather than risk missing our morning flight, it was best to move on.
Returning west, I drove A20 in awe of the tunnels built into the mountains to accommodate the Autostrade and gazed at the towns built into those mountains centuries earlier.
Three hours later, we found ourselves in Cinisi, just south of Palermo – a favorite overnight spot for early-morning fliers. The next morning, after one final missed turn, we reached the rental car return.
The rental agent thoroughly inspected the car and joked “You’re a killer.” In his thick accent he points out a small bird carcass wedged in the wheelhouse. Add that regret to the list of unexpected yet mostly endearing memories.
Nick Popolo is a longtime AAA member from Staten Island, NY. Connect with Nick on Twitter at @npopolo.
Last month, the United States Postal Service announced it awarded a contract to Oshkosh Defense to manufacture a new generation of postal delivery vehicles. It will be the first major upgrade to the USPS fleet in thirty years.
Oshkosh Defense, based in Oshkosh, W.I., will produce at least 50,000 to 165,000 trucks over 10 years. All the vehicles will be assembled in the United States. The Postal Service has a fleet of more than 230,000 vehicles, approximately 190,000 of which deliver mail six or seven days a week. The current mail-delivery trucks are Grumman LLVs manufactured between 1987 and 1994. They were only intended to have a have 24-year life span.
The exact design of the new vehicles has yet to be finalized, but it’s clear that these trucks will have a unique look. And while they may look funny, the vehicles were designed with safety in mind. The large windshield allows for increased visibility and eliminates the front blind spot. The low hood and bumper were designed to prevent pedestrian fatalities. Should one get hit by a truck, they are more likely to get stuck in the legs rather than the torso, a difference that could very likely safe their life. This comes at a time when pedestrian deaths are reaching record highs.
Other safety features found on the trucks include 360-degree cameras, advanced braking and traction control, air bags, a front- and rear-collision avoidance system that includes visual, audio warning and automatic braking.
The new fleet vehicles will also be environmentally friendly, equipped with either fuel-efficient internal combustion engines or battery electric powertrains. The trucks will also have increased cargo space allowing them to accommodate higher package volumes, thus reducing the number of trucks needed on the road.
AAA is proud to celebrate its School Safety Patrol program’s centennial anniversary. For 100 years, Patrollers around the world have provided school-age children an extra sense of safety and security when going to and from school.
Closer to home, countless students across the Northeast have participated in the program and gone on to become leaders in their fields and communities. But no matter where life has taken them, they still fondly recall their AAA Safety Patrol experience.
Here are just a few of our members’ stories.
Connecticut
Claudio Anania
I very distinctly remember my Safety Patrol experience. It was during my fifth grade school year (1973-1974) at Washington Elementary School. We were handpicked to be patrollers by the teachers assigned as our councilors. Being a patroller taught me how to work successfully, independently and also as part of a team. We were the first ones at school in the mornings getting ready to man our assigned posts, school driveway, each corner of closest intersections with crossing guard, U.S. flag duty, etc. It taught me great leadership skills I still use to this day. Both my daughters were Safety Patrollers at their elementary school in fifth grade, with one taking her patroller experience to the next level to become a police officer.
As I look back on it now, it was such a rewarding leadership position that I still talk about to people to this day.
Ed LoTurco
I was a Safety Patrolman at Locust Avenue Middle School in Danbury, Conn., from 1955-1956. I was the first to volunteer in my school because I was already a Boy Scout and felt this was just a calling and it sounded like something very special to do. I became the captain of my group because I managed to get eight of my classmates to also join. This may have very well been my first leadership role that led to so many new experiences and leadership roles.
(Photo: Nancy Cirmo)
Nancy Cirmo
I have been a member of AAA since the 1970s, as a young adult. I am now 67 years old and have used AAA services many times. It has always been a great experience and helped me more times than I can count, especially when I experienced a predicament with a car (such as my dead battery a year or two ago in subfreezing temperatures, out on the road).
In 1962, I was Nancy Carlson. I was 10 years old and attended Margaret L. Keefe grammar school on Pine Street in Hamden, Conn. (It is now the Keefe Senior Center.) A teacher organized the patrol and described it as a great responsibility and service to my school. I thought it would be great to help kids, especially the little ones. I remember being assigned to a specific street corner and making sure kids crossed safely. It was great to feel that I was helping kids stay safe on their walk home from school. There were no buses, only walkers. I was introduced to the patrol in fifth grade, and in the sixth grade, at age 11, I was elected as captain of the Safety Patrol. It was probably my first experience with leadership, although I do not recall the specifics of my responsibilities. It gave me confidence and a sense of pride and responsibility that started me on a road to helping others. I became a speech pathologist in the public schools in Bristol, Conn., and recently retired after 39 years. I mostly worked with special education preschoolers, continuing my feelings of confidence, responsibility and pride in my work. I am attaching a picture of my captain’s Safety Patrol pin. I still have it after all these years!
Massachusetts
Pamela Alvarez
From the first day I began kindergarten at West Boylston Street School (Worcester, Mass.) in 1966 I wanted to be a patrol leader! In those days, students were home for lunch and at the end of the school day in lines patrolled by one older student. I was excited to be able to wear the belt and yell “lines out” as the head patrol leader would shout everyday if the students behaved well!
However, such an honor was bestowed by the principal on fifth and/or sixth grade students only. My year would come when I was offered the junior patrol leader position in fifth grade. I would lead the youngest of the students home. I could not have been more excited! To wear that patrol belt and lead was such a thrill for me. My sixth grade year would begin with the honor of head patrol leader. I still can feel the excitement on a sunny day screaming “lines out” as we neared a few of my last neighborhood streets!
(Photo: David L. Clark)
David L. Clark
In 1954, I was a 10-year-old fourth grader when I was appointed as captain of the Safety Patrol at the Waterford School in Blackstone, Mass. As noted in the records of the Blackstone Historical Commission, the Waterford School was constructed in 1865 by Welcome Farnum, a local mill owner. Blackstone is located on the banks of the Blackstone River, which was a well known center of the textile industry in the Northeast. The school was a two-story wood building on a raised granite block foundation consisting of four large classrooms. It has since been replaced by a CVS.
This was indeed a proud moment in my life and instilled a sense of purpose, duty, service and responsibility. My post was at the intersection of Blackstone and Main streets. Upon my command with a raised arm, the other patrollers would lower their flags to stop traffic and allow students to safely cross a busy Main Street. I felt like I was an integral part of the law enforcement community in that part of the world. Upon reflection, perhaps that experience was the basis for my ultimate career choice: I was an FBI special agent for 31 years.
The school safety position taught me another important lesson about not exceeding the limits of my own authority. While I was on duty, a motorist intentionally disregarded the patrollers’ lowered flags and came to a sudden stop directly in front of my post. I immediately recognized the passenger as the local bully named Alex. When I confronted Alex about the reckless behavior he responded by picking me up and throwing me into the bushes!
New Jersey
Dr. Dick Lejava
My school patrol duties started in about 1950 while in Garfield, N.J., Grammar School (#4) Washington Irving. The reason I wanted to be on the school patrol was that I felt like I was helping my classmates to stay safe while attending school each day. Being on the school patrol taught me that I had a duty to my fellow student’s safety as well as always being on time and to never shirk my duty. It taught me to be responsible each and every day, no matter the weather! My classmates also looked up to each and every school patrol member and we all did it with pride, satisfaction and responsibly. All these lessons stayed with me all my life, and I guess it helped me to achieve my goal in later life to become a doctor.
One side story: I was voted as the captain on our school patrol.In my last year I did not have a steady post but walked around to each post to make sure everyone was at their duty assignment. I struck up a friendship with one motorcycle patrolman on our police force as he would be at the busiest corner each morning and afternoon. At times, while he was helping to direct traffic, I would somehow manage to be at that corner to say hello and somehow I’d manage most times to sit on his motorcycle, which being a 12-13-year-old was the greatest!
In 1952, my last year on the school patrol, my friend the patrolman gave me a silver dollar. I am sorry to say that a few years later while the motorcycle patrolman was leading a funeral procession on his motorcycle he was struck and killed in the line of duty. From then on I squeezed that silver dollar he had given me a little harder and cherished it and always kept in in my pocket until I moved up to Cape Cod to practice. One day my receptionist who worked for me lost her brother who also was killed in the line of duty due to a traffic accident in my hometown and I saw how it had affected her and her family. I thought about my friend and said I had to try and find his son to give him the gift his dad had given to me. With my persistence I found him living in New Jersey; I think he became a principal in one of the schools in one of surrounding towns. I sent him the coin with a letter explaining how I had obtained it. In return I received a beautiful letter thanking me for my kind gesture and how appreciative he was. I hope he still carries that coin in his pocket. I know he will pass it on to his son and think of his dad as I did, and what a beautiful person he was and what an inspiration his dad was to me.
Patricia Dahlhaus
I attended School No. 5 in Paterson, N.J. I was a safety patroller in seventh and eighth grade in 1952-1953. I wanted to protect my fellow classmates. You had to go stand out there and cross kids in the morning. You had a strap and a badge. I had a captain badge, a blue one. I think I was picked because I was the oldest of six kids. It taught me to always abide by the rules (laughing). We always did follow the rules, especially when my husband became a police officer. We could never do anything wrong!
Linda Schulman
I served as a fifth grade safety patrol guard at Clifton, N.J., elementary school #9. My most remarkable memory was of Nov. 22, 1963. I served with a male classmate as the guard on the kindergarten bus, as those students were picked up and dropped off separately from the other students. An announcement was made over the loudspeaker that school was being dismissed early and to prepare for immediate departure. Puzzled, my fellow safety patroller and I headed out to the kindergarten door. When we got to the bus, we found the bus driver in a state of shock, listening to the radio. He told us the president had been shot. At the end of our school year, we traveled to Washington, D.C., to march in the 1964 Safety Patrol parade. The evening before, after dinner, we climbed to the top of the Washington Monument. It was extremely hot and very crowded but the view was amazing!
I recently retired as an audiologist after more than 40 years and always found many of my early experiences working with and interacting with small children extremely beneficial to my career. Serving on the safety patrol also helped greatly in developing time-management skills, you had to be on time for the bus and you had to be all set with all your books and assignments at the end of the day. It gave me an early lesson on the value on being depended upon. Thank you.
New York
Edward P. Welsh
As I recall, back in 1965, there were two things I wanted: the new Ford Mustang I saw at the New York World’s Fair and to be a member of the AAA School Safety Patrol. I did get the Mustang as part of the Aurora HO Scale Electric Race car set that Christmas, but the School Safety Patrol badge was something that had to be earned. The upperclassmen students that participated in the School Safety Patrol were highly respected by all and represented the best of us at PS 100 in Queens, N.Y. Most of the kids I hung around with wanted to be a part of that elite cadre. Being a good student and staying out of trouble were key attributes for those who wanted to join.
It was a proud day when I took my post as a member of the School Safety Patrol. My shiny badge had the famous three AAA’s embossed on its surface. We learned that AAA protected the rights of motorists and my job was to help protect fellow schoolmates under the supervision of Mrs. Grinnell. The most important lesson I learned was the value of service to others. That lesson followed me throughout my life.
Many years later, my affinity for AAA was renewed when I applied for and was hired by the AAA National office to work as an automotive field representative in New York state, which was the beginning of a 34.5 year career. Until my retirement, I felt the same pride working every day at AAA as I did standing on the corner at PS 100 helping to protect my classmates. I credit much of my success to those lessons learned as a School Safety Patroller and will be forever grateful to AAA for allowing me to wear the badge.
Jim Soto
Just saw the article celebrating the 100 years of School Safety Patrollers and it brought back fond memories. I attended Elementary School PS 154 (Queens) and was a patroller from 1965 (fifth grade) until graduation in 1966 when I was captain of the squad. I signed up because a friend was on the squad. I remember having the vinyl safety sashes and badges. It was an honor to be selected. I learned how to be dependable and to schedule the morning, lunch and afternoon coverage of the four intersections around the school and any after-school activities. It was a great experience. Although it was 54 years ago, I have the small metal plaque that I was presented by the school principal to recognize my involvement on the squad when I graduated from sixth grade.
Thanks for the memories.
Jay Pasachoff
In the 1940s and 50s, I grew up in the Bronx and attended PS 114. As did most of the boys in my class, we went to Hebrew School four afternoons a week, Monday through Thursdays, though our families attended synagogue only on the three days a year of high holidays in the fall. (I would join my father and uncle for a bit during the services.) An ultimate aim was to be bar mitzvah (age 13), which I was in June 1956. (Girls at that time had an age-15 “confirmation,” not the bat mitzvah many Jewish girls, including my daughters, have these days.)
When I was perhaps 10, in 1953, I decided that I might as well learn how to run a service, so I went on a Saturday morning to a children’s service. We attended Temple Adath Israel on the corner of the Grand Concourse and 169th Street; the auditorium for the children’s service was entered from the 169th Street side. I sat in the back one Saturday and started to take notes. Almost immediately, someone came over and told me that I wasn’t allowed to write! In principle, I had known that in that “conservative” denomination, you weren’t supposed to write (or drive) on Shabbos, but everybody I knew (and my whole family) did.
Anyway, banished from the religious service, I devoted more time to the school safety patrol. I had a white belt that went over my shoulder and around my waist, of course, and a badge. Soon I had the red-backed badge as lieutenant, as I recall, and then I got the blue-backed captain’s badge. So I remember my school safety patrol captaincy as my main religious responsibility for much of those three years until my bar mitzvah.
It has been joked that if you have mice in your house, just bar-mitzvah them and they’ll never come back! That’s what happened to my friends and me, once we had our religious services and bar-mitzvah receptions. Mine was at the Concourse Plaza Hotel, with friends/cousins and others present. And I no longer had responsibility for the school safety patrols, though I always feel especially kindly toward the crossing guards I see.
Richard Hessel
I was on the school Safety Patrol at Covert Avenue School in Elmont, N.Y., from I believe 1954 thru 1957. We had the white belts as I remember. Also the captain had a blue shield and the lieutenant and sergeant had red and green. I signed up because I wanted to help the school and I also was in the Cub Scouts at the time. I figured it was a good way to “do a good turn daily” and “always be prepared.” During one afternoon in 1956, I was patrolling the school bus pickup area at the school. As one of the busses left with the students to take them home, a student didn’t see the bus moving and ran in front of the bus. Somehow I just ran after him and pulled the boy to safety on the other side of the drive. As other adults came running, the driver who was quite upset for not seeing the boy thanked me for my deed.
Later that year at an assembly, I was presented with the AAA Distinguished Service Award for my actions. I still have the medal engraved with my name and “1956” in my possession. From then on I always seem to be volunteering to assist others through Boy Scouts (where I’m still an active leader), American Legion vice commander, official Red Cross volunteer, BOE inspector and volunteer at the VA Hospital in Northport, N.Y.
Rhode Island
Angela Tarlian
In 1957, I was a School Safety Patroller at Randall Holden Elementary school in Warwick, R.I. I was in the sixth grade and assigned to help children cross Warwick Avenue. April of 1958, I, along with a boy at my school, was chosen to travel to Washington, D.C., and march in a big holiday parade. I don’t recall the holiday. We traveled by train and stayed at the Annapolis Hotel for the weekend.
During our stay we were taken to many of the sites by bus. When visiting the White House I saw President and Mrs. Eisenhower get into their limo. I was so excited! After leaving the White House one of the three buses transporting us was in an accident. I don’t remember anyone being seriously injured.
The day of the parade was beautiful! I can remember being so proud to represent my school, city and state. After the parade we made our return to Rhode Island. It was an experience I never forgot.
Kathryn R. Levine
I do not recall whether I actually applied to be a patroller and really don’t think that was the case. Rather, I believe the school authorities asked if I would take on that role. I considered it an honor to be asked to do so. I was issued a white safety patrol belt and badge and I believe I may also have had a flag on a pole. It was my job to help safely cross students from the opposite side of the street to the side on which the school was located. I believe I had the job when I was in the sixth grade at Warren A. Sherman Elementary School in Warwick, R.I., and that would have been the 1957-58 school year.
Although I was proud to be asked to serve in this leadership role, my greatest memory from my participation in the program was that I was one of the patrollers selected to go to Washington, D.C., to represent our state patrol program. Kids came from all different states and we got to visit the national monuments, sleep in a hotel and march in the Cherry Blossom Parade! For the parade we had to dress all in white and were issued red safety patrol belts to wear just for the occasion. We felt mighty important indeed!
I am not sure if any studies have ever been done looking into the connection between school safety patrol programs and later leadership roles or volunteer work done by former patrollers. I think that would be a worthwhile study. As for myself, I went on to become a school psychologist and then a director of special education. As a young mother I fostered newborn infants and cared for them until they were formally adopted. I also taught Sunday school and raised two boys of my own. Later, I became a hospice volunteer and, in connection with that service, I became and remain a member of a hospice threshold choir. Our group sings at the bedsides of those transitioning from this life.
I cannot say that being a safety patroller directly led to any of these lifetime activities. But I can say that I was then and am now very proud to have held that position. Oh, and one last thing: My husband was also a School Safety Patroller!
(Photo: Michelle G. Traub)
Michelle G. Traub
I was amazed to see your call for stories on being in the School Safety Patrol because I had just been telling my boyfriend how much I had enjoyed that role. I was a patroller at Tiogue Elementary School in Coventry, R.I., from 1985-1986.
We were allowed to join at the end of fifth grade. I had admired the sixth graders who helped patrol the school and knew I wanted to join as soon as I was old enough. I was actually attending Washington Oak Elementary School at that time. I remember we were meeting in the gym to discuss who would be captain of the patrol. My friend Michael nominated me unexpectedly, and then it was taken to a vote. Two of us were selected as the final candidates. We had to turn our backs to the group while our peers voted. I was sure I wouldn’t be picked, as the other girl was much more popular. When I learned that I had won I was amazed and so proud. But then a few months later we learned that our school districts were being reassigned and I would be attending Tiogue. I was a bit worried that the new school might not have a safety patrol. However, once the school year started the new principal already had me assigned to the role. My task was to walk the kindergarten students to their bus. They were always such bundles of energy and nerves. Since I remembered being a very shy and timid 5-year-old myself, I loved being able to comfort and support them as they made their way home safely. I still remember the little ones who were on my bus. It felt like they were my siblings.
I think the role gave me a lot of compassion for children. I had initially planned to be an elementary school teacher, but once I started college I found a greater passion for health promotion. I ultimately went on to become a registered dietitian and am now a writer. However, my love of children never left. I have utilized that in a very important role as an aunt to 13 nieces and nephews.
Cathy Rounds Waldron
In 1960, when I was in sixth grade at Park School in Warwick, R.I., I saw the principal talking to my teacher. She stood at the head of my class and announced that Cathy Rounds was chosen to be a Jr. Police! (That’s what we were called.) I was given a red sash and a red flag with the word “Stop” on it. My post was at the top of my street where it met the main drag going to my school. It was pretty calm every day because back in 1960 everybody walked to school since most of our moms stayed home and most families had just one car, which dad took to work.
Then, towards the end of the school year, I was chosen to take a trip to Washington, D.C.! We went by train (my first time), stayed in a hotel (my first time) and of course saw all the sights: the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Arlington and many more exciting things. As a young girl who had never really been anywhere, it was quite the experience!
The warmer months are finally here, which means there’s even more fun to be had in the Pocono Mountains. But spending time with family doesn’t have to mean spending lots of money. There is a ton of fun things to do in the Poconos that are free!
The Pocono Mountains has 2,400 square miles of beautiful greenery and massive lakes and rivers for endless outdoor adventures, not to mention a great selection of tours and events in town. Gather your friends and family and forget about the budget.
The farmers’ markets in the Poconos are a fun and free way for locals and visitors to get out and meet the local farmers and learn about the area. Explore the Main Street Farmers Market at The Cooperage Project and ask the farmers and purveyors questions about their produce and plants. They are so passionate and knowledgeable about their craft that you’ll quickly learn things like how to take care of your plants that aren’t doing well or how to cook a certain vegetable you’ve never heard of.
Calling all girls! Skirmish Paintball is offering free basic paintball field entry to women on select Ladies’ Days for ages 10 and up. Skirmish Paintball the world’s premier paintball facility played on a wooded site with trout streams, waterfalls, natural- and man-made obstacles. This deal includes all-day play, gun and gear rentals and parking. You don’t need any experience to play and the friendly staff can answer any of your questions beforehand. It’s great exercise and a fun way to spend the day, so grab your friends and get ready to smile.
It’s no secret that waterfalls are abundant in the Pocono Mountains; a magical cascade is always nearby, no matter which of the four counties you are located in. Hiking to a waterfall is a rewarding and free adventure; turn it into a full-day family picnic, or a romantic sunset walk with your significant other. While you’re out and about, bring your binoculars and do some bird watching. There are hundreds of native birds in the area to spot.
Keep your eyes open while enjoying the nature trails at the Pocono Environmental Education Center campus or the Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary to spot all types of birds from colorful songbirds to raptors including owls and bald eagles. Both are open to the public daily, all-year-long from dawn until dusk. Spring and fall migrations are particularly spectacular. Bring your binoculars!
Plan a visit to one of the many free museums and historical sites throughout the region. Learn about American history at the Upper Mill, an operating, restored water-powered mill that was built in the early 1800’s. Or tour the Zane Grey Museum and learn about the famed western fiction writer’s miraculous life. Open from Memorial Day to October, National Park Service rangers and volunteers will be available to answer questions at both locations.
A bike ride is a wonderful way to explore. Ride through the town or chose one of the hundreds of trails in the area. Follow the route of the whitewater rafters or ride along the former railroad bed that parallels the Lehigh River. You’ll enjoy views of waterfalls throughout the trail and will surely encounter some beautiful wildlife. Grab a bottle of water and some comfy shoes and hit the trail!
What is your favorite free thing to do in the Poconos? Share it with us in the comments.
It’s been almost two years since an incident at the West Springfield, Mass., branch made Joyce Beaulieu a hero, but to her, it will always seem like yesterday.
It’s been almost two years since an incident at the West Springfield, Mass., branch made Joyce Beaulieu a hero, but to her, it will always seem like yesterday.
And, in case she ever needs a reminder, she had a Hometown Hero certificate delivered to her at the branch in January. If not for the pandemic, the award would have been presented last spring.
Joyce, the branch manager, and Meg Martin, a former employee who is now a nurse, earned the title together for helping to save a member’s life in April 2019.
The member had intended to renew her driver’s license when she walked through the doors that day. But soon after crossing the threshold she collapsed to the floor. After that, she remembers very little.
Joyce can recall every agonizing moment. She saw what happened and rushed to help. She had someone call 911 and get Meg, who was then in nursing school. Both were trained in CPR but had never used it. An off-duty firefighter who was also there to renew his license, came forward, too.
“We were all side-by-side,” Joyce said.
It appeared the member was not breathing and had no discernable pulse. The three took turns performing manual chest compressions, and the member’s husband performed rescue breathing. After 22 minutes that felt, an ambulance arrived.
A few hours later, the member’s children called the branch from the hospital to say thank you and that their mother was OK. Joyce and Meg visited her about week after the incident, and there was an immediate connection.
“She mentioned that she recognized my voice. I was the one talking to her and asking her to stay with us the whole time,” Joyce said. “We’ve had a connection ever since.”
They are in contact at least once a week, speaking by phone and text messaging often. “We call each other soul sisters. It’s on a completely different level,” Joyce said.
She hopes to never be in an emergency situation like this again, though she would not hesitate if the need arises. And now, the branch has a defibrillator on hand and several more employees trained in CPR, as does every building in the AAA Northeast footprint.
With news that the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine has met U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements, vaccination is once again front and center in many Americans’ minds.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a vaccine finder tool to help you locate vaccine distribution sites. The tool populates the name, address and phone number of pharmacies and stores within a one to 50-mile radius of your zip code.
At this time, users can search for the Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and/or Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID vaccines and see whether specific locations are in or out of stock.
Know Your Eligibility
COVID-19 vaccinations are still in limited supply in the U.S. Vaccine eligibility varies by state, but if you are ready – or considering getting ready – to receive a vaccine, the finder tool can help you plan.
“Initial supplies of COVID-19 vaccine [should] be allocated to healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents,” according to the CDC.
The next groups the CDC recommends get vaccinated include anyone 75 years and older along with frontline essential workers. This means people working in food and agriculture, grocery stores, manufacturing, public transit and education (teachers, support staff, daycare workers, etc.) as well as corrections officers, fire fighters, police officers and U.S. Postal Service workers.
For more vaccine rollout recommendations from the CDC, see here. Contact your local health department for more specific information regarding your eligibility.
Plan Your Vaccination
Knowing where you’ll get your vaccine is only half the battle. To assure things go as smoothly as possible, plan for what comes next as well, including scheduling a second vaccination and easing possible side effects.
“If you received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, you should get your second shot three weeks (or 21 days) after your first,” according to the CDC. “If you received the Moderna vaccine, you should get your second shot one month (or 28 days) after your first.”
You can expect some potential side effects from your vaccination, including injection site pain and swelling as well as the possibility of mild cold/flu-like symptoms.
Continue Taking Precautions
Vaccine rollout hasn’t been easy, but a new vaccine and the CDC’s vaccination finder increase hope for wider vaccine distribution. Vaccinations can help protect against COVID-19, but remember that vaccination does not mean immunity.
“It’s important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to help stop this pandemic as we learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work in real-world conditions,” according to the CDC. “Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others, stay at least 6 feet away from others, avoid crowds, avoid poorly ventilated spaces and wash your hands often.”
For more information on COVID-19 vaccines, see here.
Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions.
Celebrating Healthcare Heroes With Random Acts of Kindness
AAA Northeast brought 1,026 boxes filled with healthy snacks, free membership vouchers and a message of thanks to healthcare workers on National Random Acts of Kindness Day, February 17.
AAA Northeast employees brought 1,026 boxes filled with healthy snacks, free membership vouchers and a message of appreciation to healthcare workers on National Random Acts of Kindness Day, Feb. 17.
Some volunteered to decorate and fill the boxes with healthy snacks, including nuts, tea and protein bars. The boxes were delivered to 36 healthcare facilities in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island.
Connecticut
Fran Mayko, AAA public affairs specialist, and Michelle Glifort, AAA battery technician, visited Milford Regional Medical Center, Bridgeport Hospital and the VA Medical Center in West Haven on Feb. 17 and Griffin Hospital in Derby later that week.
Melissa Silver, left, of the Bridgeport Hospital Foundation in Connecticut greets Fran Mayko of AAA as she arrives with snack boxes for hospital staff.
Massachusetts
Mary Maguire, director of public-government affairs, and Sandra Marsian, vice president of marketing, led the efforts in Massachusetts. They brought more than 300 boxes to healthcare facilities in Attleboro, Dorchester, Falmouth, Greenfield, Northampton, Roxbury, Springfield, Palmer, Westfield and Weymouth.
Catherine Daly, a respiratory therapist at South Shore Health in Weymouth, said the donations help lift everyone’s spirits.
“Everybody is part of this pandemic. Whether you’re a healthcare employee, working for AAA, working for a grocery store, we’re all doing our part. To get these little thank yous from everybody, just means the world,” Daly said.
From left, Breda Devlin, John Ralston and Catherine Daly from South Shore Health in Weymouth, Mass.
New Jersey
“The healthcare workers have done such a terrific job under difficult circumstances,” said David Hughes, president of the New Jersey division of AAA Northeast. “AAA would like to recognize their efforts.”
David and Shani Jarvis, manager of content-design for AAA public affairs, took that message to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson and St. Joseph’s Wayne.
Miriam Sewer of St. Joseph’s in Paterson.
New York
Two AAA contingencies covered areas in the New York City and Utica areas. They visited about 12 hospitals in the Bronx, Bronxville, Cooperstown, Oneonta, Utica and Yonkers in efforts led by Gerri DiSalvo, public affairs specialist in Garden City, and Patti Artessa, public affairs director in Utica.
“Healthcare workers have endured the strain of the pandemic for nearly a year. AAA wants to support these heroes by giving them a snack so they can physically recharge,” said Robert Sinclair Jr., senior manager of public affairs.
From left: Patti Artessa, AAA regional director of public affairs in Utica; Tinny Williams of A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta; and Stacie Harvey, manager of AAA Oneonta branch.
Rhode Island
Cassidy Dubie O’Connor, AAA public affairs specialist, and Jillian Grossguth, executive assistant, left AAA Northeast headquarters in Providence with 200 packages and made eight stops around the state.
Cassidy Dubie O’Connor and Jillian Grossguth arrive at South County Hospital in South Kingstown.
Did you get a stimulus check last year? The stimulus payments, or Economic Impact Payments, affected millions of people who were determined eligible by the IRS in 2020. Though there’s still talk of a third stimulus check just around the corner, you only need to consider the first two stimulus payments when you’re doing your 2020 taxes. If you got a stimulus payment, is that money taxable? Do you have to record it when you file your taxes? And what about if you were eligible for a payment, yet somehow did not receive it? We’ll answer all those questions and more.
Who Qualifies for the Stimulus Payments?
The federal government sent out two different rounds of payments in 2020. The first was under the CARES Act, and the second was under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act.
The first stimulus payment, which went out in April of 2020, was $1,200 per person and $500 per child. The second stimulus payment, which just went out in December of 2020, was $600 per person and $600 per child. But not everyone qualified for these payments. Those that qualified included individuals with an annual income of up to $75,000, married couples with a joint annual income of up to $150,000 and individual heads of household (read: single parents) with an annual income of up to $112,000.
Is the Money from My Stimulus Payments Taxable?
You do not have to pay taxes on your stimulus payments. The money from your stimulus payments is not considered income by the federal government, and so you do not owe any taxes on it. That money is yours.
Do I Have to State My Stimulus Payments When I File My Taxes?
Let’s say that you got all of the stimulus payments that you qualified for, and that your life circumstances haven’t changed since then. You haven’t gotten married, your income didn’t drastically decrease, you didn’t have a baby, and nothing else happened that could affect the amount of money you were owed. In that case, you don’t have to do anything! The IRS is aware of the money they paid you, and you can file your taxes as normal.
When you received your stimulus payments, you should have also received a document titled Notice 1444 for the first stimulus and Notice 1444-B for the second stimulus. These notices feature information about the amount of the payment, how the payment was made and how to report payments that weren’t received. Even if you are not planning on using these notices, file them in a safe place with the rest of your tax documents so that you can refer to them if you need to.
However, if you didn’t get the stimulus payments that you were owed, or if you didn’t receive them in full, there’s still something you can do about it.
What if I Didn’t Receive My Stimulus Payments?
This is where taxes really come in to the stimulus payment conversation. What if you never got that money? If you didn’t receive a stimulus payment but still qualified it, or if you didn’t get the full amount that you were owed, you can be eligible to claim a “recovery rebate credit” on your tax return. Even if you are not required to file a tax return for 2020, you do have to file one if you want your recovery rebate credit.
If you want to see if you’re eligible for the recovery rebate credit, you need to know the amount of any stimulus payments that were already issued to you in 2020, and have documentation for it. This is where Notice 1444 and Notice 1444-B come in handy. The recovery rebate credit will then be reduced by any previous stimulus payments. Then, you need to fill out the Recovery Rebate Credit Worksheet (Form 1040), which can help you calculate if you are eligible for the credit.
If, as mentioned above, your financial situation has changed during 2020, this is the time for you to state the changes and get the credit that you qualify for. According to the IRS, the economic impact payments were based on your 2018 or 2019 tax information, but the recovery rebate credit is based on the information you include on your 2020 tax return.
Can Anybody Help Me With This?
Taxes are already confusing enough without all of the extra complications of the economic impact payments. But fortunately, you don’t have to file your taxes all on your own. TurboTax is ready to help you with everything from stimulus payments to recovery rebate credits. With special COVID-19 questions, it makes the process of filing your 2020 taxes simple and easy. You don’t need tax knowledge or even an appointment to make sure that your taxes are done right and you get every benefit you’re eligible for. Plus, AAA members get up to $20 off online federal products.
Lucky for us, there are many types of clam chowder to choose from here in the Northeast, from a rich, creamy bowl of New England clam chowder to a hearty, red-colored concoction often known as Manhattan clam chowder.
But just how many types of clam chowder are there, and how are they different? I went on a investigative journey, and what I found was that the answer is much, much more complicated than it seems.
Can’t get enough clams? We have all your favorite clam recipes here.
Types of Clam Chowder: The Great Debate
I started by consulting the world’s leading authority on words, Mr. Webster, who defines “chowder as a soup or stew of seafood (as clams or fish) usually made with milk or tomatoes, salt pork, onions and other vegetables (as potatoes).” This seemed broad, yet simple enough. But, how do clam chowder types gain local characteristics? Why is New England stereotypically creamy, while Rhode Island clear, and so on? What contributes to the creation of many types of clam chowder?
I found out that this discrepancy wasn’t a new thing. Chowder is a historically evolving dish, having been served in the Northeast recorded back into the 1700s. While the different types of clam chowder often blend, intersect and influence each other, each region often vehemently maintains that their version is the correct one and the most delicious. Whether or not the soup actually hails from that region is another story.
In fact, chef Louis P. De Gouy, author of the 1949 “The Soup Book,” noted, “Clam chowder is one of those subjects, like politics and religion, that can never be discussed lightly. Bring it up even incidentally, and all the innumerable factions of the clambake regions raise their heads and begin to yammer.”
But culinary political correctness aside, I think everyone can agree on one thing: they’re all delicious! Read on to find out about each area’s classic chowder and for some great recipes. Enjoy!
New England Clam Chowder
This clam chowder is markedly different from other types of clam chowder. It’s distinguished by the presence of a thick dairy base that gives the soup a creamy white color and a hearty texture. According to “The Yankee Cookbook,” the recipe calls for salt pork, onions, potatoes, milk and butter – and of course, clams. Although individual recipes vary, the distinguishing milk or cream element is omnipresent.
The soup generally doesn’t contain any vegetables other than onions and potatoes, also a differentiating characteristics from other types of clam chowder. It’s most commonly served in the northern New England states.
Rhode Island clam chowder is classically known for its absence of milk or cream. But, as it turns out, this individual characteristic setting it apart from other types of clam chowder isn’t as clear as it may seem.
Some Rhode Island chowders are made in the same style as New England chowder. They simply omit the dairy product, resulting in a clear soup. Others are red. This is due to the addition of stewed tomatoes, an element attributed to the abundance of Portuguese settlers. The Yankee Cookbook weighs in on just how intense – and confusing – the controversy can get:
“The raging clam chowder controversy that has continued almost uninterruptedly in New England for generations centers on the use of tomatoes as an ingredient in its preparation. Rhode Island and Connecticut housewives uphold the tomato. The rest of New England scorn it. A Maine politician claims the addition of the tomato to clam chowder is the ‘work of the reds’ who seek to undermine ‘our most hallowed tradition,’ and suggests that all housewives and chefs adding tomato be forced to ‘dig a barrel of clams at high tide’ as a penalty.”
Regardless, one important thing about Rhode Island chowder remains the same: the use of quahogs. What are quahogs, you ask? Why, they are none other than Rhode Island’s official state shell. As a Rhode Islander, I can tell you, they’re kind of a big deal around here. Plentiful in the Rhode Island and nearby Cape Cod areas, the clams are easily harvested at low tide. They are definitely the key ingredient in any delicious Rhode Island chowder.
It seems that south of New England, the hostility surrounding the clam chowder controversy eases up a little. Everyone seems to be OK with tomatoes in their chowder, as they serve as defining characteristics of the Manhattan variety. The tomatoes are used instead of milk or cream. And oftentimes more vegetables, such as peppers, celery and carrots, are added to the recipe without protest.
The result is a tasty, vegetable-style, hearty soup enjoyed by many, both in New York City and beyond. There is little evidence linking the recipe to Manhattan, though.
Like other types of clam chowder, however, the emergence of this variety didn’t go off without a hitch. It even downright angered many traditionalists, including Eleanor Early, a mid-1900s food writer, who passionately stated, “Some people make a vegetable soup with a [clam] drawn through it and have the audacity to call it clam chowder.” She adds, “Tomatoes and clams have no more affinity than ice cream and horseradish.”
As if things weren’t confusing enough, this type of clam chowder is emerging as a popular blend. It combines two types of clam chowder: New England and Manhattan.
The result is a creamy, tomato-based clam chowder that’s served all over the country. It’s also named for the obvious pun, Long Island being between New England and Manhattan. The half-and-half variety is catching on in restaurants, thanks to patron requests. Perhaps the best place to try the mixture is Popei’s Clam Bar on Long Island. After all, it claims to have invented the concoction.
So what is the real and the best of all the clam chowder types? Well, that all depends on what you’re looking for and if you’re willing to be flexible.
Jasper White, author of “50 Chowders,” encourages soup lovers to keep an open mind.
“By insisting that only a certain type of clam, fish, dairy product or vegetables makes the ‘true’ or ‘best’ chowder, the same people who carry on the legacy of chowder have also limited its scope. The reality is that cooks have improvised chowders continuously for about 300 years, and there was never one true chowder.
“All the rivalry, history and speculation are good fun,” he said, “but what really matters is what’s in the pot.”
Catherine and John Devine of Norwalk, Conn., were looking for a new travel experience related to their Irish ancestry.
And since their daughter Kimberly was studying at the University of York in England for a semester abroad, a vacation in Ireland just made too much sense.
But a key question loomed: How should the three of them spend time together in the Emerald Isle? AAA travel agent Jennifer Kalotai blazed the trail by doing extensive research to help the Devines tailor a vacation to meet their multi-generational needs.
“Ireland appeals to all ages,” said Catherine. “And from start to finish, Jennifer kept us well informed.”
And so began the family’s nine-day Irish Gold tour with C-I-E Tours International.
Even though the spring weather didn’t always cooperate, the Devines made the most of of their time on the tour, shrugging off cold temperatures and rain to trace a rainbow from Dublin to Galway and back again.
“My husband and I particularly enjoyed seeing Clonmacnoise with its Celtic crosses and hearing the history of the settlement,” said Catherine.
But one spot had a special resonance for the Devines: The soaring heights and breathtaking ocean views at the Cliffs of Moher. Not only was the weather beautiful and the scenery breathtaking that day, the Cliffs offered a cinematically inspired moment the family won’t soon forget.
“It’s the site of a scene in one of our favorite family movies – the Cliffs of Insanity from the movie ‘The Princess Bride,'” said Devine. “Standing that high up with the gorgeous blue sky above and the blue waterway below was such a memorable moment for us.”
Jack Reed, the senior United States Senator from Rhode Island, sat down with Lloyd Albert, senior vice president of public and governmental affairs at AAA Northeast, for a wide-ranging discussion on transportation, infrastructure, the COVID-19 pandemic and the current state of America’s political process.
President Joe Biden has wasted little time pushing for an accelerated adoption of electric vehicles. (In January, he announced the government’s fleet vehicles will be replaced with electric cars.) The need for greener vehicles is one Senator Reed endorses and he is confident consumers’ demands will be the leading driver is this transition. “One of the things that’s encouraging is that it will be a market transformation. It won’t be some kind of command decision,” Reed said. “The automobile companies are looking ahead and they’re trying to maximize profit and cater to their consumers and they see this coming.”
It’s easy to get caught up in the benefits of green technology without fully considering the possible drawbacks, the senator reminded. “I’m told it takes fewer people to build an electric car and I’m told it takes fewer people to maintain an electric car. That falls over to a problem we have as government: ‘How do you replace those good jobs?’ As we’re looking at this electric revolution, we also have to look at some of the consequences.”
America’s crumbling roads and bridges have been a topic of conversation for years. The most recent analysis by the American Society of Civil Engineers gave these categories a D and C+, respectively. The need for a large infrastructure investment is evident and though such a package has been discussed repeatedly, it has yet to come to fruition. “We do have to have a big infrastructure package,” Reed said. “We’ve been working at it slowly but we do need a bigger, more intense program.”
The senator, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee that writes legislation dictating how federal funds will be allocated, hope that recent events, including infrastructure failures in Texas, will spur on this vital work. “The appealing part about it is that everyone understands that it’s not a regional issue, it’s not an issue for the Northeast, it’s everywhere. “I think we’ll try to work off that common feeling and start delivering real solid progress. The other point in developing infrastructure is that it puts people to work and we’re concerned about keeping employment up particularly.”
Any legislation addressing these issues will likely require a significant amount of bipartisan approval, something that has been very difficult to come by in Washington in recent years. But, while admitting it’s too early to say for certain, Senator Reed is hopeful for a changing of the tide. “What I sense, and what I think we’re going to work toward, is that middle ground. We have to work for that middle ground,” he said. “It’s early. We’ll know more in a few weeks when we start tackling the big infrastructure program.”
It seems that with every passing week, another major auto manufacturer announces bold new plans for its line of electric vehicles. Most recently, the headlines have come from Toyota, the world’s leading automaker, and the luxury UK-based company Jaguar Land Rover.
Earlier this month, Toyota unveiled its plan to debut two battery electric vehicles (BEVs) by the end of 2021. These will be the first mass-market BEVs the company has sold in the United States. The Japanese marque is one of the last major car manufacturers to offer all-electric vehicles. Instead, Toyota has focused on, and dominated, the hybrid market beginning with the release of the Prius nearly 25 years ago. According to the company, it has over a 40% share of the total alternative fuel vehicle market, including a 75% share of the fuel cell market and a 64% share of hybrids and plug-ins.
“We continue to be leaders in electrification that began with our pioneering introduction of the Prius nearly 25 years ago,” said Bob Carter, TMNA executive vice president of sales. “Toyota’s new electrified product offerings will give customers multiple choices of powertrain that best suits their needs.”
Jaguar Land Rover, meanwhile, announced that its Jaguar lineup will be all electric by 2025. The automaker isn’t the first to make such an announcement but’s timeline is by far the most ambitious. Other car companies have given themselves an additional decade of time to make the all-electric transition. While Jaguar’s limited number of models will make the move easier, it currently only sells one BEV: the Jaguar I-Pace SUV.
It’s critical to know the rules of the road before you get behind the wheel of a car. But for most of us, it’s been a long time since we sat for our driver’s license exam. It’s likely we forget – or maybe never even learned – some of them. To see how well you know your driving laws, take our rules of the road quiz below and let us know how you do!
Unless otherwise stated, all questions refer to driving laws in the six states in AAA Northeast’s territory: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. Similarly, all mentions of the term “Northeast states” refer to the aforementioned six states.
*In New Jersey and Rhode Island, headlights are required to be on from sunset to sunrise. ^In New Hampshire, the age limit is 7 #New York has no such law while New Jersey’s ban only applies to those with a learner’s examination permit. All Northeast states ban handheld cell phones and texting while driving for ALL drivers. **In New Jersey, the property damage threshold is $500 ^^In New Jersey, the requirement is 20/50
Whether you’re just beginning your driving career or are a long-time driver looking to improve your skills, AAA has you covered. Learn more about our Driver Training program and Defensive Driving courses.
Fashion trends come and go, but some will be remembered for years to come. See if your favorite styles made it into our new crossword.
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your puzzle playing experience. Good luck!
Since our members are the root of everything we do, your feedback is important to us. Let us know if you run into any issues while playing, or share your ideas for future puzzles by emailing us.
All grandparents want the best for their grandkids and a big part of that is ensuring they’re set up financially. But with various laws, regulations and taxes to consider, it’s not always as simple as writing a check.
Fortunately, there are numerous methods and tools for grandparents to give money to their grandkids. Learn about some of the most popular and discover which one is right for you.
Open a Savings Account
An easy and effective way to put money aside for your grandchild is funding a savings account for them. Putting money in an account when they’re still young allows the funds to grow for decades.
This is also a good way to teach your grandchild about saving, allowing them to watch the savings grow over the years.
Start a 529 plan
A 529 plan is a popular tool to assist in paying for a grandchild’s higher education. These savings accounts are opened in the child’s name but anyone can contribute to them.
The earnings in a 529 plan accumulate tax-free and no taxes are applied when the funds are withdrawn so long as the money is used for school expenses, such as tuition, fees, books and supplies. Additionally, a state tax credit or deduction is usually given to any individual who contributes to the plan.
Contribute to Their Retirement Plan
If your grandchild is older and has begun working, consider helping them out by padding their retirement account. Any person who’s earned income – even if it’s just a summer job – can open an individual retirement account. (If your grandchild is a minor, you’ll need to open a custodial IRA for them.)
You may also be interested in a Roth IRA. Funds are taxed as they are contributed to a Roth IRA, but once there, the money grows tax-free. Funding such an account when your grandchild is just entering the workforce could be an especially good idea. At this stage in their career, they’re likely not being taxed heavily and can allow the funds to grow for decades.
Utilize a UGMA/UTMA Account
The Uniform Gifts to Minors Act and Uniform Transfer to Minors Act allow individuals to give or transfer assets to underage beneficiaries. These are custodial accounts in which the assets are held in the minor’s name. This eliminates the cost and time that comes with establishing a traditional trust fund.
There are pros and cons that come with the UGMA/UTMA. Because these accounts are in the grandchild’s name, any contributions are irrevocable. Additionally, because the account is treated as the grandchild’s asset, it could impact their federal financial aid.
On the other hand, any earnings the account accumulates are tax-free up to a certain amount and while donors don’t receive a tax deduction, up to $15,000 can be given free of federal gift taxes per individual per year. Furthermore, unlike a 529 plan, there is no penalty if the funds are not used for schooling. Once handed over to the grandchild, the account’s assets can be used for anything.
Write Them Into Your Will
Although not the cheeriest task, writing a will is an effective tool for giving money to grandkids and the only way to ensure your assets go to the individuals you want to receive them. Without one, you’ll have no control over who gets what. The advantage of a will is that it won’t affect your retirement savings the way other accounts may. If you’ve put aside money for your grandchildren through other means and an unexpected cost comes up, you may not be able to get that money back without a penalty or at all.
A will also allows you to provide instructions on how the assets should be distributed. For example, you can state that your grandchild not receive an inheritance until they turn 18.
Introduce Them to a Financial Planner
If you don’t have the means to pass down money to your grandchildren – or even if you do – the best gift may be knowledge. They can learn a substantial amount in just a few hours of speaking with a professional financial advisor. Now your grandchildren know the best ways to save money themselves. This can give them a financial leg-up not just in the short-term, but the rest of their lives.
Car batteries rarely get much thought … until they die and your car won’t start. That might be why roughly 25% of roadside assistance calls AAA Northeast receives are for battery issues. But most of these issues can be avoided by being proactive about car battery maintenance. To learn how to do this, we asked our AAA car battery experts the important questions. Here are their answers.
How do you properly maintain your car battery?
Car batteries require regular maintenance to provide the longest life. This includes driving the vehicle several times per week in order to maintain a full state of charge. These should be longer trips with steady cruise speeds. “Short local trips are not optimal for longest battery life,” said Jason Carrara, AAA Northeast Technical Program Manager. “They don’t provide the complete recharging a battery needs after giving energy to start your car.”
What about battery terminals?
Battery terminals should be periodically removed and cleaned. This will ensure proper performance every time you turn the key or push the button to start your car. Electricity cannot flow properly, and your engine will not start, if terminals are corroded.
To clean battery terminals, use a memory saving device and the proper personal protective equipment and disconnect the car battery terminals from the battery posts with baking soda and water. (This valuable service can also be performed by AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities, your regular repair/maintenance shop, or AAA Mobile Battery Service.)
What happens if I accidentally drain my battery?
If you drain the battery, it needs to be recharged on a battery charger likely for several hours, sometimes even a whole day. Simply running the car for 30-60 minutes – as was a common remedy years ago – or going for a ride will usually not completely recover your battery and will shorten the life and performance ability of your battery.
“It is the cycling of a battery that causes a shortened life,” said AAA’s Car Doctor John Paul said. “If you let your vehicle battery die, such as by leaving the lights on, even after a full recharge the battery may not recover to 100 percent of its original capability.” When you get out of your vehicle lock the doors and make sure the lights are off.
How long do car batteries last?
The average battery life in the Northeast is between three to five years. As they age, batteries should be checked each year.
How do you test a car battery?
You can test the voltage with a tool called a voltmeter (buy here) to get an idea about the condition of your battery, although a voltmeter won’t give you the full picture of the overall battery condition.
You can also visit the nearest AAA Approved Auto Repair Facility for battery testing. It’s a simple check and you can even ask to have it done when you’re getting an oil change or other repair work.
How do you jump start a car battery?
If your battery dies and you need a jump start, you can always request roadside assistance. But should you need to do it yourself, here’s how:
Make sure that other vehicles are at a safe distance and that you’re in a spot that’s out of danger’s way.
Move both cars to face each other head-on about 18 inches apart (or as close to this as possible). Set the parking brakes, turn off the ignition and remove the keys.
Open the hoods of both cars and find the battery terminals. Usually, the terminals are red or black and you will see a + (red) and – (black) sign on the top.
Tightly attach the red, positive cable clamp to the red, positive terminal of the dead battery. Next, attach the opposite end of the red, positive cable to the working vehicle’s positive battery terminal.
Attach the black, negative clamp to the working car’s black, negative battery terminal but do not attach the negative clamp to the negative battery terminal of the dead battery. Instead, attach it to an unpainted metal part of the car like a bolt or the engine block. Dead batteries can produce hydrogen gas and if there’s a spark you want it away from the battery.
Start the engine of the working car and let it run a minute or two before trying to start the dead car. If the car won’t turn over at first, wait a few more minutes and give it another try.
Once the dead car is working again, remove the black, negative clamps and do not let them touch while the other cables are attached to the car. Then remove the red, positive clamps. Do not let the red and black cables touch. Close the hoods and stow your jumper cables. Take the car to a local repair shop and to have the battery fully charged and tested.
AAA Car Battery Services
AAA is your one-stop-shop for all your car battery needs. Members can use roadside assistance to have their battery tested. A technician will come to you, wherever you are, and test your battery and charging system with the latest equipment. If you need a replacement, the technician can install a new battery on the spot. All AAA car batteries come with a 6-year limited warranty and members receive a $25 discount.
AAA recycles every old battery that is replaced so you can be ensured that yours is disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.
Learn more about AAA’s car battery service or schedule a battery testing at AAA.com/BatteryService.
AAA members can save on automotive replacement parts and accessories at NAPA.
If you have a question about your battery or any car-care issue, ask our Car Doctor John Paul here.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a great deal of stress and anxiety in many people’s lives. But when we think about anxiety, it’s almost always in the context of how it affects the major aspects of an individual’s life – their mood, behavior, relationships, career. Very rarely do we consider how anxiety can disturb the routine elements of everyday life. Take, for example, driving.
It’s common for driving to cause anxiety even under the best of circumstances. COVID-19 has only made it more rampant, and in turn, made the roadways a little less safe.
According to Kristy Cuthbert, a Graduate Student Clinician with Boston University’s Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, the effects of the pandemic manifest themselves in two major ways. Most notably, drivers may be mentally distracted by the stresses of the pandemic that they loose focus on the road, a condition known as rumination. “If you’re sitting in your car and you’re worried about how things are going to go when you get home, if your family is going to be okay, are you bringing COVID home to your family, you find yourself off on a train of thought and it’s easy to get distracted from the drive home,” Cuthbert says.
Second is the effect the pandemic has had on workers’ commutes. Many who normally take public transportation have chosen to drive, while people who had been forced to work from home likely haven’t been behind the wheel very much over the past 10 months. Those in either scenario are now driving everyday when they’re simply not accustomed to it. “When you’re first getting behind the wheel after a long time, there is a lot of anxiety involved with that.”
AAA Northeast’s Public Affairs Specialist, Joanna Frageorgia, hosts a discussion with Kristy Cuthbert, a Graduate Student Clinician with Boston University’s Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders. Cuthbert shares about how COVID-19 related anxiety can impact drivers.
Unfortunately, there is no quick fix for anxiety. But there are some tips and tricks to help alleviate your stress when driving Cuthbert recommends a practiceknown as “grounding.” This technique involves engaging your senses in order to distract you from unwanted thoughts. Since the main senses you use during driving are sight, hearing and touch, Cuthbert suggests making a mental note of things you can hear (the radio), see (the red of the stop sign), and touch (the warmth of the steering wheel). “This is a way of grounding you in the present by using your senses that brings you back to the task at hand.”
More than anything, if you’re experiencing anxiety in the car or out of it, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. “Everyone is experiencing increased stress and anxiety…Hopefully that gives a sense of community and maybe it allows a little bit of that self-judgment to fall away,” Cuthbert says. “You’re not alone in this. That’s really the key takeaway.”
To learn about Cuthbert’s work or to seek assistance go to bu.edu/card. You can discover more about AAA’s traffic safety programs and resources at AAA.com/Community.
Charlie Wiggins and the Gold and Glory Sweepstakes
In honor of Black History Month, learn how Charlie Wiggins became one of the country's great racecar drivers despite being barred from racing's biggest event.
The Indianapolis Speedway is the mecca of professional race car driving. But when Charlie Wiggins and other African-American drivers were barred from competing at the vaunted raceway, they took matters into their own hands.
Wiggins was born in Evansville, Ind., in 1897. He spent much of his childhood shining shoes outside an automobile repair shop. He eventually convinced the owner to take him on as an apprentice. Wiggins quickly became an expert mechanic. In 1922, he moved to Indianapolis, opened his own shop and began building a race car out of junkyard parts. Dubbed “the Wiggins Special,” it was his dream to drive the car in racing’s greatest event: the Indianapolis 500. Yet Wiggins was denied entry based solely on the color of his skin.
Undeterred, Wiggins and several other African-American drivers formed their own racing league, the Colored Speedway Association, which held competitions across the Midwest. Wiggins was outstanding in the new league. His exceptional driving ability coupled with the engineering knowledge to build top-notch cars propelled him to many victories and earned him the nickname “the Negro Speed King.”
The highlight of the Colored Speedway Association circuit was the annual Gold and Glory Sweepstakes, a 100-mile race on a 1-mile dirt track at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Wiggins didn’t compete in the first event in 1924, which, according to the Historic Vehicle Association, drew a crowd of 12,000 and was the largest sporting event held for African Americans up to that point. However, over the next decade, Wiggins would win three sweepstakes championships.
Wiggins gained prominence across the racing world – and across racial lines. In 1934, well-known Indycar pilot Bill Cummings hired Wiggins to tune his car for the race. According to Road & Truck, Wiggins posed as a janitor in order to surreptitiously bypass Jim Crow laws. It worked and thanks to Wiggins’ skills, Cummings won the Indianapolis 500 and set a track record.
Two years later, Wiggins suffered a horrific accident in the Gold and Glory Sweepstakes, losing his right leg in a 13-car wreck. Afterward, he made himself a wooden leg and spent the next four decades building and repairing cars, and training mechanics. One of his proteges, Sumner “Red” Oliver, became the first official African-American mechanic in Indy 500 history as a member of the 1973 Patrick Racing Team. Unfortunately, Wiggins passed away in 1979, 12 years before Willy T. Ribbs became the first black driver to qualify for the Indy 500.
For more information on the Colored Speedway Association, pick up “For Gold & Glory” by Todd Gould, the definitive book on the African-American racing car circuit.
In “This Is Spinal Tap,” a character brags that their amplifiers go to “11” instead of just 10. That same philosophy applies to cars when automakers take performance to the next level.
If you’re going to drive a small high-performance car, outlandish spoilers and bulbous bodywork just go with the territory. Such is the case with the Honda Civic Type R.
This top-of-the-line variant of the familiar Civic hatchback has what may be the biggest, most convoluted rear wing ever put on a production car. Which strikes me as somehow fitting, as with a 306-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder motor under the hood, this baby can really fly.
Acceleration is abundant in any of the six-speed manual transmission’s gears (sorry, not sorry: no automatic is offered), and faster speeds arrive almost without effort. Steering is precise, and the powerful red Brembo disc brakes produce “right now” stopping power.
One other thing you may expect from a performance-oriented model is rough ride quality – and you’ll get it in Sport mode. Flip the console-mounted switch to Comfort, however, and the Type R becomes a livable daily driver. Handling is always above reproach.
In this life, things are not always what they seem. Sometimes, like in the case of the all-new Toyota GR Supra, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
You see, this fifth-generation of Toyota’s super coupe is actually a Japanese re-engineered version of BMW’s latest Z4 convertible. That means lots of German hardware, including its gutsy 382-horsepower, turbocharged 3.0-liter engine (a new base model for 2021 comes with a 255-horsepower turbo 2.0-liter four cylinder).
One downside to this technology transfer is the slightly confounding iDrive infotainment system that uses a large console-mounted knob to control everything from navigation to the radio station.
This car is both uniquely handsome and deceptively quick. The top model’s adaptive suspension delivers a smooth ride that contributes to this effect, as does the spot-on steering.
Add a high-quality interior and the latest tech features and you have a very modern muscle car.
Looking for a new ride? Check out more car reviews at AAA.com/TestDrive.
