John Lennon died 31 years ago today.
My mother made each of her 5 children take piano lessons. I was terrible, and the songs in the John W. Schaum Piano Course were uninspiring. I remember asking my mother, "If you insist on me taking piano lessons, could I at least pick out some music I enjoy". I purchased the sheet music to Imagine. My piano teacher played it for me and commented how simple the melody was. I remember thinking, great, the simpler the better. That was 40 years ago. 9 years later some nut job guns him down. A toast, "to one of the great musicans, thanks for the inspiration".
Today, in the great state of Maine, good folks are collecting new or gently-used children's coats or new, unwrapped toys. These coats help many families keep their children warm through the long Maine winter, and the toys will help make a happy Christmas for many children throughout the state. This campaign is a success because of tremendous generosity every year. 
