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Mid-Hudson Vegetarian Society, Inc.
38 East Market Street, Rhinebeck, New York 12572 USA -
845-876-2626
Vegetarian - Vegan - Animal Rights - Health - Nutrition - Environment
The mission of the Mid-Hudson Vegetarian Society, Inc. is to promote the vegetarian ethic in the Mid-Hudson (New York) region, educate the community and aid anyone in the pursuit of a totally vegetarian (vegan) cruelty-free and healthful lifestyle.
Newsletters
Fall 2003 Edition
President's Message
Getting into the popular culture is a good thing (I think). Here are descriptions of three recent cartoons/comic strips about vegetarianism.
In the New Yorker, a cartoon showed two women lunching. One said to the other that her original reason for becoming vegetarian was health, followed by concern for the animals and the environment, but now "I do it just to annoy people." Dilbert ran a few strips featuring "Vegan Mike." In one, Mike accompanies his office mates to lunch and we see him tell the waiter that, no he can't eat any of those fifty selections, what else is available?
Most recently, Dagwood entered a pet store to buy a new leash for his dog. The proprietor tells him that they are no longer called leashes, but now, "a partner's walking aid." Dagwood leaves the store wondering what's next. Don't we all?
Having major media entertainment cover some of "our" issues can be a good thing. For people to find something funny in a piece they need to have a basic understanding of the underlying issues. I believe that it is important also for those of us who believe strongly in the vegetarian lifestyle to be able to laugh at ourselves.
A recent issue of the Poughkeepsie Journal came to my home in a plastic bag that also contained a card from Dunkin' Donuts offering a free breakfast sandwich with "ham, egg and cheese." Remembering TV's Doublemint Twins, I wanted to paraphrase them with this one, "Yes, three, three, three ways in one. Three ways to raise your cholesterol at once."
Inside that issue of the newspaper was an article by the head of the Dutchess County Health Department headlined "Get 5 a day in a rainbow of healthy colors." It began "It's harvest time. What a wonderful, colorful time of year!" It went on to explain the why and how of eating vegetables and fruit each day. And, it did not mention the eating of any animal products. I was expecting the usual low fat dairy and lean flesh advice, but was pleased to see that it was absent.
It is easy to become discouraged when we see the all too frequent articles about obesity ? especially among children, the rise in diabetes, and on the ongoing cruelty to animals and degradation of the environment. One of the best things we can do is help others become vegetarian. We have starter kits for individuals, and guides for restaurants at our office.
I hope you have been taking advantage of the Fall harvest by buying produce from local farms and visiting farmers' markets in the area. Many of these markets continue through November. Health food stores also carry organic produce, as do the major supermarket chains.
Eating well through the fall can make a real difference in staying well during the winter. Please read about our events and plan to join us. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at Nick's on Oct 25 and Thanksgiving on November 27.
Roberta Schiff, President
We look forward to
hearing from you
