With Glenn... I Walk The Line
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
Because this lawyer is a friend of mine
He sings and dances in his spare time
Because of Glenn... I walk the line
Hear ye! Hear ye! May the court come to order with "Georgie
Johnny Cash" singing and presiding and I "Ain't Misbehavin" today in the
company of my great friend and distinguished lawyer, Stuart Glenn Blackburn. He
was named after his godfather, Glenn Flanders, who was an insurance man in
Windsor Locks for many years. Glenn has kept me on the straight and narrow for so
many years now that he cries with joy when he sees me. He says... taking me and
all my businesses on as a client way back in the beginning gave him his
start... the start of an ulcer right Glenn? Ah, we are just having a great time at
the wonderful Skyline today with Gina and Judy. They think they are in a scene
from "A Few Good Men". Say something legal Glenn.
Glenn and I both were born and raised in Windsor Locks, so we
have childhood stories that go way back as far as Glenn's first job on the ramp of
American Airlines as a kid. He then "took off" (that's an airplane joke Glenn)
to Philadelphia from 1975 to 1985 to get his degree in law and practice there
only to return to this area to keep me out of trouble. US Airways former Manager
Harry Minich's kids, grew up with Glenn and used to go over to his house to play
as Glenn had a basketball hoop in the yard!
Glenn, let's get to the important stuff. Can you think of any
legal way to get the Red Sox into the World Series before it ends? I know you
are a die hard Red Sox fan like me. You must be able to do something, can't you?
I will take Gina, Stacy and Judy and we'll go sit in the box seats at Fenway
and wait till you get everything set. Gina can we have some hot dogs to go
please? Judy wake up here, what did you do, eat all the Halloween candy again? I
think she's had so much chocolate that she's seeing double.
Now when Glenn came back to this area after law school, his
practice was located in Suffield. Then in the early 90's he made it to the big
time on Spring Street. He is now on Concorde Way in the nice office complex not
far from BDL here in town. I know this because I follow him. He can't get rid of
me. Glenn tells us that he has spent the last years working on Property
Insurance claims from all over the country, including claims from Hurricane
Katrina that are still being processed. Can you imagine that? I have to say that
I know Glenn and if anyone is going to get things done, it's him. You are
lucky to have him on your side in any situation as he truly cares about
people.
Glenn married a lovely hometown girl, Kathy Grady, who
supported him through law school and still does, right Glenn? Kathy had a big job
managing retail stores being set up in the area and now has the whole family
involved in about a million projects Glenn tells me. They are all very active in
"The Hartford Children's Theatre", of which Glenn is now the President, so he's not
only a lawyer, but an actor and singer. He said he loves it.
Glenn's children are all involved in many great projects.
His oldest son Nicholas, is very interested in farming and living off the land,
which is very intuitive to a time in our history where we are learning what it
means to "Go Green". I thought wearing a green shirt would do it, but there's a
lot more to it than that. In December, Nicholas will be leaving for Costa Rica
to actually live on a farm and experience every detail of survival in the purest
form there.
Daughter Sarah is a junior at Drew University in New Jersey
majoring in English. She's multi-talented with a upcoming teaching adventure in
Sri Lanka. Sarah sang on "The Christmas in Connecticut" CD that Judy's friend
Jared Lamenzo produced. Jared is now producing for Vanessa Williams and
mainstream artists in NYC... so Sarah you were in good hands! And with Glenn being
so devoted to the arts, he wants to be the first person to buy tickets to a
Christmas Dinner Theatre performance right here at the Skyline based on that CD
on Dec 11th... Here's your tickets Glenn, Here's your money George. Sold!! You
are officially the first now my good friend! I will be sending a flyer to
everyone to join Glenn and me for Christmas dinner and a wonderful show. We
can all celebrate the holiday together. It will be like the old days when the
Coachlight existed. We can't wait!
Glenn's youngest daughter Maggie goes to the Watkinson
School in Hartford and spent last summer in Cambodia involved in volunteer
services. Maggie trained in sign language and helped at hospitals. Glenn
said that after Maggie's experience in Cambodia, at Christmas time she
asked that any gifts meant for her, should be sent to the hospital instead. So she really
found her passion in life at 16 years old. Good girl Maggie.
Glenn's involved in all kinds of community events such as
The Board Of Education, W.L. Dollars for Scholars, and being the sports fanatic
that he is, the Chairman of the Windsor Locks Athletic Hall of Fame. There is an
upcoming induction ceremony honoring town athletes: Carolyn Bravakis, Dave
Farr, George Hill, Bob Cressotti, Kathy Flanders and Mike Mascaro. Tickets can
be purchased at the First selectman's office.
Now Glenn has to get right home after this interview cause he
has to cook, another one of his hobbies. Glenn, all I have is water and soda in my
fridge, can you come to my house too? Glenn is making dinner
for his mom Mary, who is visiting and for his uncles coming in from Braintree
with their wives. His uncles told him that the dinner better be good. Glenn
said that his family has declared Labor Day weekend at their house as big as any
other holiday. They have created a tradition where everyone shows up and
Glenn cooks from noon to sundown. It's all different dishes. He cooks three kinds
of roasts, one being right on the charcoal where he turns the roast every 20
minutes. The roast turning is like a ritual that everyone participates in. He
says daughter Sarah calls the whole thing the "Meat Fest". Glenn, last
Thanksgiving I went out and spent about eighty dollars on that equipment where
you deep fry the turkey outside and I followed all the directions. I don't know
what happened but I blew that turkey sky high to the roof line of my house. We
ended up having hamburgers with cranberry sauce.
Glenn says, in reflecting on his life he is thankful for so
much and he's learned never to take himself too seriously. Glenn, I applaud you
and Kathy and your kids for the giving spirit that all of you have and willingly
share with others. I know you love golf, sports, cooking and
just about everything! There is no grass growing under your feet my friend. You and
your whole family are constantly involved and are there for others. It was my
absolute honor to spend the afternoon with you and catch up on your many
achievements. I know the love you have for Windsor Locks... and I know it is
reciprocated by everyone that knows you. Now you get home.. and whatever you
do..you make sure that dinner is a good one!
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