Not only has the meaning of the word type changed (somewhat) over the past few decades, but so too has how we, as people, actually do the action of typing. When I was 9, I made my own newspaper, using an electric typewriter to generate my original hardcopies.  It was my mother’s typewriter but the whole family used it for schoolwork and formal business letters.
It was costly, both in dollars and in effort, to make a mistake, which is why we only typed things which we had already written down. Today, I have noticed that only the generations which remember this two-step process of typing, still use the word or phrase ‘type it up’— the younger folks now say text (as in actual text words) or document (as in actual typed up paper).
In addition, with the inventions of spell check, autocorrect and spelling and grammar, most typing is done in real-time.  For example, in completing this column, I no longer sit and write out a rough draft, editing with an eraser or linear pen stains, but rather, I sit down at my computer and simply start … typing.
I always have an idea for the column, so the direction is clear, but I often find that when I do my editing, I am copying whole sentences and pasting them in new locations.  Sometimes, I delete entire paragraphs and rewrite, only keeping a sentence or two. Most times, I edit out superfluous words or thoughts that seem to wander.
Given that I have a targeted word count which translates into newspaper space, most of my edits are focused on structuring a column which represents my thoughts on a subject in roughly 500-550 words. As a result, I rely heavily on a streamlined and efficient editing process. Typing on a computer is now very easy to do since little effort and skill is required to produce a document which is grammatically correct. However, even though software technology is awesome in cultivating a creative writing process, it does not always cooperate in yielding a document which is 100 percent indicative of what I think I typed.  My finger (and brain) might think that it hit the d- when it actually hit the f- and since f-i-g- is also a word, the only way to catch these mistakes is to carefully proofread, which I always do, reading out loud and to whomever is in the room.
In the end, I am now very thankful that, as a writer, my mother insisted that I take (backspace, t-o-o-k, ?, backspace, t-a-k-e) a typing class in high school.  This helps me today with my keyboard speed so that I can move on to the editing portion of the typing process. However, on occasion, I switch the language of my keyboard to German, which instantly sends me back to those high school days where I had to learn to hint (backspace, u-n-t) and peck for letters. For this reason, I tend to write out what I want to write in German before I actually ‘type it up’.  However, because Germany is a place which also embraces real-time typing, the autocorrect and word suggestion (highlight, Italic) software works equally well ;-)…
B-A-C-K-S-P-A-C-E! B-a backspace, caps lock, A-C-K-S-P-A-C-E!   
Kathy Naumann, possessor of NATURALLY curly hair and the understanding that you can’t control everything!

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caption, page 5:

Last Box
After more than two years volunteers all put their hands on the last box Oct. 30 before loading it into the last car through Foodshare. More photos on FB Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger on 10-30. Linda Lemmon photo.


Foodshare
ends but
food aid
to continue
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
The final Foodshare was held Oct. 30 after distributing more than 2 million pounds of food to those in need in northeastern Connecticut. But the need remains so the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse is already working on a Plan B and Plan C to continue to help.
Bruce Hay, coffeehouse vice president, said the group intends to set up food drives at local supermarkets to benefit TEEG, Daily Bread and Friends of Assisi. In addition, a food warehouse may be in the works in Manchester, being built through this winter and into the spring.
In addition Connecticut Foodshare said there are more than 700 options across the state for people in need of food. They urge those in need to check at: ctfoodshare.org/find-help; 211ct.org; and calling the state's helpline, 211.
A record-breaking 622 cars came through on the last Foodshare.
The Foodshare program was started by the Coffeehouse more than two years ago and brought food to veterans. When COVID-19 hit, 15 months ago, the program expanded to the general population. Given the military background of its founders, each Foodshare has been run with efficient military efficiency.
Hay, dressed as Santa and rain drenched Oct. 30, said that at the beginning the program was funded by a USDA grant and the 30-pound boxes included dairy and meat. When that program ended in last spring, the Connecticut Foodshare (formerly Connecticut Food Bank) stepped in with another federal grant to fund 21-pound boxes filled with produce. At least 1500 boxes were given free to anyone in the drive-thru setup.
While the program might have started years ago by the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse, it was quickly joined by sponsors including: the Town of Putnam, the American Legion Post 13 of Putnam, the Albert J. Breault VFW Post 1523 of Putnam, the Putnam Business Association and WINY Radio. For the Oct. 31 event Daily Bread of Putnam donated Twizzlers licorice candy for the volunteers to give to those receiving boxes. The volunteers, some dressed in Halloween costumes, didn’t forget the canines in the cars. Any dog spotted in a car going through the line got a dog treat.

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caption, page 4:

Honored
Nov. 1 Putnam's newest recreation field was named for Owen Tarr, center. On the left is Mayor Barney Seney and on the right is Parks and Recreation Director Willie Bousquet. More photos Wed. night at: putnamtowncrier.com. Linda Lemmon photo.



By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — What he wanted for the town was simple: “The best.”
And Owen Tarr was the driving force for setting the high standard for his town — and far beyond his “specialty,” recreation.
At the Nov. 1 dedication of the new soccer, baseball and softball state-of-the art facility, named in Tarr’s honor, Willie Bousquet recounted a long history with Tarr. He said: “He’s been a part of my life for the better part of my career” as the director of the town’s Parks and Recreation Department.
“All he wanted for the town was the best,” Bousquet said. The facility, which “replaces” the former Owen Tarr field on School Street, Bousquet said Tarr’s “best” standards are numerous. He didn’t want a chain link fence at the new facility, he wanted black and so the fences are black, Bousquet said. The lighting is state of the art. “I can even turn the lights on remotely from my phone,” he said. Softball players have remarked that it’s lit up “like Broadway.” “It is such a plus to our whole recreational area” on Wicker Street, he said
When the St. Marie-Greenhalgh stadium was being built, Tarr insisted that Bousquet accompany him to see some “perfect” bleachers in Barrington, R.I. Tarr picked the “perfect” spot for the bandstand at Rotary Park years ago.
Bousquet said he was new to his job, years ago, when Tarr had him go with him to a Christmas party so he could get Charlotte Greenhalgh’s on the letter of intent for the original School Street recreation area. “He turned to me and said ‘Just let me handle it’.” And he got the signature.
Elaine Sistare called Tarr a “great part of the community.” When the Municipal Complex was approved, the original Owen Tarr field at the complex site would have to be removed. The state required that recreation fields be built on another town-owned piece of land. Bousquet said Tarr was very humble about the field being “moved”.
Sistare added Tarr has reached into his pocket to fund projects that needed help, and not just recreation projects.
Mayor Barney Seney called Tarr a leader. “He’s served more than 35 years in recreation. I’d say that’s a record in the state of Connecticut.” Seney called Tarr a “driving force.”
Bousquet summed it up: He’s not afraid to do the work. He’s a great friend of our town.”