Here is something interesting that happened to me last week. It showcases the different aspects of living in Connecticut.
I have a 6 year old, black, labrador retriever named Sebastian. Many pet owners will understand that I cant help but spoil him rotten. Last week I took him swimming at Stratton Brook Park, two miles west of Simsbury. Sebastian was estatic. He had a chance to swim with other dogs and we ventured off and walked the hiking trails. While we are strolling the 148 acres of this beautiful state park I will be the first to admit being a girl straight out of Queens Im not exactly the outdoors-y type. After a long hike we went back to the lake. While Sebastian was swimming with half a dozen other dogs, out of the corner of my eye I saw what I thought was a big, black, dog drinking out of the lake. At closer inspection it was actually a cub with the mama bear just a few feet away keeping an eye on her baby. Thankfully, it seems none of the dogs noticed, and the cub and its mother went back into the woods. It was an amazing sight.
This state has dozens upon dozens of beautiful state parks and forests that can truly be a quick getaway even if its just for a little while. Trust me, if I can enjoy being in the woods anyone can truly appreciate the diversity and splendor of all the resources this state has to offer.
The Great Outdoors
Tragedy In Cheshire
The story that everyone is talking about this week is the tragic home invasion and triple murder of the Petit family in Cheshire. I first covered the story on Tuesday night, more than 24 hours after the crimes. As we drove through the streets we saw clusters of neighbors scattered everywhere. All of them with the same, long, sullen, faces and judging by their expressions we knew exactly what they were talking about. This story has not only effected the community but anyone who hears the details of these unthinkable acts.
As I stood in front of the house with the growing memorial of flowers in front I couldn’t help but think about the torture this family under went for hours. I thought about how scared the young girls must have been. I also thought about how hard it must have been for their parents. The feeling of not being able to protect their children from two monsters may be worse than death. I kept seeing the family portrait of four taken just a few months ago in my mind. They seemed so happy and to have your fate in the hands of such evil minds is unimaginable.
In my six years as a reporter I’ve covered my share of tragic stories. All of us in the newsroom have the same questions as you. How can anyone do this? Why? This is a story that makes you want to hold on tight to your loved ones. It’s a story that will certainly haunt many of us for a lot of time to come.
A reporter’s job & challenges
The question I get asked most working on the morning show — right after “Where’s Scot Haney?” — is “What time do you get up every day?” My answer of 2 a.m. is usually followed by a sympathizing look and “How do you do it?”
Well, the answer is simple. I love my job, I love my co-workers and more importantly I love working in Connecticut. Believe me when I say the hardest part is waking up. Besides, how many people have the chance to say they get to see the sun come up almost every day.
What Makes The Job Difficult
What does make my job difficult is a day like today (June 23). This morning, Eyewitness News photographer John Roache and I were headed to Salisbury for a story when we got a call from the assignment desk telling us to turn around and go to a house in Hartford. The Major Crimes Division was there after an 11-month-old baby was taken to the hospital under suspicious circumstances.
At the time, we didn’t know how serious the toddler’s condition was. When we arrived, John and other media outlets were getting video of the scene that included detectives walking in and out of the family’s house. Moments later, a very distraught woman came out of the house and towards the photagraphers yelling, “My son just died 20 minutes ago. Get off my street! You have no right to make my private life public.”
In these situations, you can only express your deepest sympathies and pay your condolences. An answer like “I’m just doing my job and have every right to be here” is not exactly sufficient, but it is what we do in the most sensitive way possible.
Daily Struggle
Despite what many think, the hardest part of our jobs is approaching people while witnessing them go through what could be the most difficult moments of their lives. It’s a balance many journalists struggle with.
After an investigation, it turns out that poor baby died of respiratory problems.
Then, less than an hour later, we get another call from the desk. This time, there is a report of a man who was arrested after his toddler was dangling out a third-story window of an Hartford apartment building. Bystanders flagged down Hartford police officer Sgt. Reginald Allen, who ran to the apartment and ended up kicking the door down.
Police say the child’s 21-year-old father was sleeping while his son was hanging out the window. Apparently, the door being knocked down did not wake him up and, when told about the situation, he allegedly deemed the situation hilarious. He was arrested.
Luckily, for that family, the young child escaped unharmed, but my heart still goes out to the mother who lost her baby earlier in the day.
