Your Uncle Jack

THis was in todays paper about dad, your Uncle Jack:

Portraying an 'American Life'
Showtime TV series found family life of John 'Jack' Smith of Hamilton especially appealing.

By Eric Robinette
Staff Writer
Sunday, February 17, 2008

HAMILTON — Lights and cameras sparked a lot of action for John "Jack" Smith and his family Saturday, Feb. 16, as a film crew shot an episode at the Berkeley Square retirement community for the Showtime series "This American Life." The show profiles people at different stages of life who all share a very common name. Smith, 79, is at the upper end of the age range for this episode.

Smith and his family have had lunch at the Berkeley Tavern every week for the past four years, and the film crew was there to shoot that and various other slices of Smith's life. John Smith is such a common name that there have been several of them in this family alone. One of them is "Jack's" son John. "It's been fun. We've looked through photo albums, and it's been a real bonding experience, reminiscing and all that, "John Smith said.

"Jack" Smith is a New York City native who made his way to Hamilton in 1959 to work for the Mosler Safe Company. He retired in 1992 as a vice president.

"This American Life" found "Jack" Smith by searching through the country, looking for people who were in the later stages of their life, said Lisa Pollak, one of the producers of the show. They found Smith's family life especially appealing.
"He has this wonderful family to speak about him that takes him to lunch every Saturday. It will be a nice portrait of a man at a stage where he may not be able to say much, but he's surrounded by this family that's tremendously caring," Pollak said.

"Jack" Smith has a form of dementia that makes verbal communication difficult, so during the shoot, the family tried various tactics to get him to talk a little. One of these was trying to figure out which John Wayne movie was his favorite: "Rio Bravo" or "The Sons of Katie Elder."

The family also talked about the pitfalls of having such a common name. "When you sign in to a hotel as 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith,' you get a lot of funny looks," said Susan Smith, John Smith's wife.

Pollak said the show with the Smiths does not have a definitive air date, but it will play sometime in late May or early June. When the show does air, John Smith said he hopes viewers will see "just the life of a great man."

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.

I thought you might appreciate this. Cousin John

Happy New Year

Hey Fam. about to go to work but thought I'd send a quick shout. What's up with everybody?

Resolution

The word has really been tossed around a lot in recent Christmas Seasons. Resolution - it used to have a different meaning. If you ask a person today about their resolution, they'll probably tell you 7.1 or 12.0 if they're really into technology.

But I'm thinking more classic. I'm wondering what an appropriate resolution would be for this next step in my life. Because as far as I'm concerned a New Years Resolution should be more important than "I'll eat less fatty foods" or "I'll try to kick my habits."

My resolution is going to be something more. Maybe I'll try to be less materialistic. Maybe I should become more professional. I might try living healthier. Maybe I'll commit to update this page/ stay in touch more with friends and family? I could even think about settling down. Maybe I'll chastise those celeb-hungry people for their obsessions. I could become politically active instead of just vocal. Who knows? Any ideas?

What will your NYE 2008 promise be? What will you improve on. Anyone with Rogan blood must know there's always rooms for at least an ounce of improvement.

Happy Holidays!!!

I'm sorry I have been away from this blog for a very long while. Bryan, I first want to say how thankful I am to you for continuing to hope our family members will take the time during their very hectic lives to drop a line and say hi once in awhile. Unfortunately, I can only assume that either they have nothing to say or that they are just too busy. Well, I just wanted to say that I am thankful for all my family members and wish them health during 2008. I have enjoyed many happy memories that we all helped to create this past year and hope that they will continue to be created either together as a group or individually. Don't be shy gang let's share our fun times or any interesting tid bit of information that you feel we would all like to know. I have really enjoyed the postings and hope they will continue. As for the Kalberer family, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends and family and look forward to spending some time together during the Christmas season. Bryan, Dan, Jeanne and hopefully Jennie will be coming up to Ct., as they have been doing for the past 6 years on Christmas Eve. We go to mass together as a family and come home to feast on prime ribs. Then we usually make our way to the tree to open our presents. I have so much to be grateful for this year and I thank God for all he has given me .I pray that each of you will be able to say the same. Hey Smith family...what plans do you guys have for this Christmas season???

Body of War

My Friend worked on this project should be a great movie. I'll post more about the release date when I know more. This is certainly an Oscar Contender. http://www.bodyofwar.com/bow_trailer.php

Please Read

Here's something that many may have read this before:
http://www.mccsc.edu/~curriculum/willing.pdf

This isn't a request for money. It's not about Politics or Religion. This is just a call to our senses to listen before we speak.

Please take a minute to print out, put it up on your refrigerator and read it when you get a chance.
-- It might brighten your day.

turkey & tryptophan

So after 4 straight meals of Turkey+ I'd say I'm sworn off the stuff till at least Christmas.

1. What are YOU doing to for Christmas and New Years?
2. I remember those times when we'd all go around and say what we were thankful for on Thanksgiving. I'd have to say I'm thankful to be home in sweet relaxing Brooklyn after 3 days of partying in CT with Dan and a Turkey Bowl in Carle Place. SO what are YOU thankful for?