The height of summer has just passed. The heat is on in NY which means the A/C is crankin’. We haven’t had much of a Spring here in my neighborhood the last few years. We seem to go right from snow and bitter cold to what I call The Rainy Season and now, “We’re having a heatwave! A Tropical Heatwave.” Sing it, everyone! Thank you, Irving Berlin!

Colored Lights, Fireworks!

This is a picture of the Congregational Church of Patchogue’s clock tower all decked out in red, white and blue for The 4th of July. People here in town think it’s great! It’s sort of like our own version of The Empire State Building! Why not? We were the first to have Midnight on Main Street with a crystal ball drop and Grucci fireworks on New Year’s Eve! We used to have 4th of July fireworks over the Great South Bay when I was a kid. Yes, the church on Main Street’s tower is lit up, my community has spirit, and I love it!

Operation TP Pyramid- July 19th is our deadline! We still need your help!

This wonderful and worthy endeavor to help our neighbors started at the Congregational Church of Patchogue as the ongoing Toilet Paper drive for Long Island Against Domestic Violence.

What? Yes, you read correctly. Toilet Paper drive! It’s the same as a food drive. In the past, it’s been funded through personal donations from members of the Congregational Church of Patchogue. This year, the church has partnered with LIADV, the American Legion, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, The Medford Chamber of Commerce, The Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce and the Alive After Five Festival Committee.

The result …Operation TP Pyramid! Our Fun, Fundraising Effort, a Peaceful and G-Rated compassionate protest movement to raise awareness and change the law in NY that designates TP as a LUXURY while building the world’s tallest toilet paper pyramid!

Have we gotten flack for this? Yes! Are we made fun of? Yes! Is it a stunt? Is it a gimmick? No!

Under the law, toilet paper and feminine hygiene products fall into the category of toiletries and toiletries are considered LUXURY ITEMS and may not be purchased with grant money! Luxury items! Ha! TP is a luxury in New York State! Don’t even get me started on the whole feminine hygiene products issue!!! It’s ridiculous!

One last bit of seriousness before I depart to spend the day with friends, family, and some vegan/vegetarian BBQ. Please indulge me, Dear Reader, you’ve gotten this far!

There are many cultures that believe in the power of ancestral connection, physical bloodline ancestors as well as ancestors of place. These cultures call on their ancestors for strength and wisdom in dire times. I respectfully suggest that we each do so with the intention that the influence of their higher selves in spirit assist in opening a way for us, as a dynamic and diverse people, to move toward healing.

May all my readers have a safe and peaceful day. Happy 4th of July to my American friends!
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Operation TP Pyramid has been collecting cash, checks and rolls of toilet paper – Scott’s or something similarly septic safe! If you feel so called, send your donation to: Rev. Dwight Lee Wolter, Congregational Church of Patchogue, 95 E. Main Street, Patchogue, NY 11772, as soon as possible. When sending a check, please put “Operation TP” in the memo. July 19th is our deadline! We will build the pyramid and then disassemble and divide the donations between the veterans and domestic violence shelters in our area.