“The small Lego machine inside the White House whirred and in a moment it was turning the pages of a story book. One page flipped, and then another, even faster as President Barack Obama marveled at its efficiency.” That was the opening paragraph of an article written by Jim Kuhnhenn of the Associated Press. He was relating the events in the White House with a group of kindergartners and first graders who were winners of a science fair.

Like Shubham Banerjee, the 12-year-old seventh grader from Southern California, that I wrote about last week; these children had used Legos and their imagination to create a device to help other people. Their device was designed to help paralyzed or arthritic people to read books.

I am always bolstered by the imagination of young people and their desire to create a better future for others.  

As mentioned in my column last week, Legos have taken their creativity a step further with "The LEGO Ideas Book."  It is a wonderful stepping-stone for creative young minds, and the book helps parents and teachers who are looking for new and different ways to open new avenues for children to develop their ideas.

With children like Shubham Banerjee and the White House science fair winners working with teachers like Paul Levin, we can only dream about what they will create to help us in the future.

Just as these young people have created something that started as a simple idea, so have others throughout our history turned ideas into something useful. Our world has evolved because of those who were willing to take a chance. Many people hesitate to take a risk because of the fear of failure. Think about that for a moment.

How often have you heard someone say, “We could make that faster (slower, better, cheaper, etc.), if we make this change?” And the response from someone might be, “that won’t work because……”

Right then and there the idea goes dead. Since we fear what others will say, we may not take a chance on almost anything because we fear failure. You have probably also heard someone say, “That’s my idea! I thought about doing that years ago!” However, thinking and doing are two very different things.

As long ago as 1936 the same problems existed. People were afraid of taking a risk. A young man who was born into poverty wrote a book that was a massive best seller. His name was Dale Carnegie. He was the author of “How to Win Friends and Influence People” which remains popular today. He also wrote “How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.” One of the core ideas in his books is that it is possible to change other people's behavior by changing one's behavior toward them.

In order to change other people’s attitude toward us, Carnegie felt that we first had to build greater self-confidence. I remember my own father saying, “When you shake hands with someone be firm. Don’t try to crush the other hand and make it hurt and above all don’t shake with a limp, dead fish hand either. Your first impression should be one of confidence in yourself. It will show through your handshake.”

Dale Carnegie also taught that we needed to strengthen our people skills, enhance our communication skills, and develop better leadership skills. These were all part of his program to help people improve their attitude and reduce stress. If we are more confident in our ability, it will show. It will make the difference between thinking and doing.

I am sure that the children who worked with the Legos to create something new did not have the fear of failure that other  people have had because of their young age. Part of the fear comes from former trials and failures. Most success’s come after much hard work and many disappointing trials. But with encouragement from family and friends, the will to succeed is strengthened.

If the core group of family and friends are not encouraging, then a trial may never be taken to completion and our world might never know what a wonderful idea or product we could have had.

Once again I am impressed with the wonderful contraption that the young kindergarteners and first graders were able to WOW our president with. I am still in awe of the science fair winner from California with his braille machine. Most of all I love the support of these young inquisitive minds that allows them to create for the betterment of society.

Video editing class

 There will be a video editing  workshop  on Saturday, April 28, at the Altamont Free Library. The class will be conducted from 1 to 4 p.m., by Frank and Zach Appio, local filmmakers. This class is being offered to boys and girls between the ages of seven and  14 who are interested in photography and filmmaking.

Interested young folks should  register at Appios at youthanimationworkshop@gmail.com.

Mark you calendar

Now that spring is here and the snow is melting, folks will start thinking about their summer plans.  So while planning, be sure to put the Altamont Fair dates on your calendar. This year’s dates for the annual event are Aug. 11 through the 16.  More information will be forthcoming. 

Drivers needed

Do you have some spare hours during the week? Perhaps an hour and a half Monday through Fridays. Drivers are needed to deliver meals to residents in the Altamont and Guilderland areas. For additional information or to volunteer your services, call 356-1980, ext. 1048.

Scholarship info

Guilderland High School seniors who plan to major in teacher education at a two or four year college are eligible to apply for the Guilderland Teachers Association Scholarship.

 Financial need will be considered.  Two thousand dollars will be granted — disbursed in four annual  $500 installments. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is April 17.

Ladies celebrated

The Schenectady St. Andrew's Society will hold a Ladies Night on Saturday, April 25. The event will be held at the Turf Tavern in Scotia. Dinner tickets for members are  $40 per person. There will be no charge for a Society member's wife or significant others.

Reservations can be made with Brian Kohler, 6 Joseph Terrace. Albany, NY 12203 no later than April 20.  Be sure to include the member and guest names.  For additional information, contact Kohler at 452-3763.

Open installation

Cyrene Temple No. 18, Daughters of the Nile, will hold an open installation of their officers on Saturday, April 11, at 11 a.m.  The installation will be held at the Oriental Shrine Center located at 75 Water Plant Rd., Troy, NY.  A reception will follow the installation.

Members and friends who plan to attend are asked to RSVP to Beverly Harrington at 861-8005 by April 18.

Hospitalized

Albert Parshall, formerly of Guilderland, currently is now a patient with what has been considered a heart attack. Parshall is well known in the Altamont area as a Past Patron of Helderberg Chapter and a member of Noah Lodge. Speedy recovery wishes are extended.

Anniversary

Happy-anniversary wishes are extended to Diana and Bruce Shank of Main Street who will celebrate their special day on April 5.

Birthdays

Happy-birthday wishes are extended to:

— Buddy Meagley, Amanda O'Connor, Casey Smith, Mike Trendell, Andrea Zacharias, and Stephanie Zacharias on April 3;

— Carson Adams, April Donato, Joanna Elario, and Mike Wilford on April 4;

— Quinn Michael Smith and Yvette Terplak on April 6;

— Mary Elario, Stewart Linendoll, John Oliver Rosser the Third, and Billy Usher on April 7;

— Sara Glennon, Samantha Holmberg, Judy Munroe and Alexus Diane VanAlstne on April 8; and

—  Amy Edwards and Daniel Zinski on April 9.