Going Going Gone Presentation, JFK Memorial Library, Wallington, NJ, 7-26-23

Photo by Mariah Texidor

My presentation, “Going Going Gone: What the Next Generation Won’t Remember” was hosted by Mariah Texidor, Adult Services Coordinator, JFK Memorial Library, Wallington, NJ on July 26, 2023.

This was my second time presenting “Going Going Gone” at JFK Memorial Library. The first was awhile ago; definitely before the pandemic. I was thrilled to be back, meeting a new bunch of library patrons.

“Going Going Gone” is an interactive lecture/discussion, and it’s the audience that makes it. JFK’s audience was a great mixture of people of all ages. The program is geared towards seniors and this is the very first time I had children in the audience. Two young boys were very interested in learning about the past, and asked many questions. One boy remarked that he didn’t like texting and enjoyed talking on the phone. Talk about an old soul! That comment made my year!

Older members added insightful thoughts and the 45-minute program went on well over an hour!

Photo by Mariah Texidor

For more information on JFK Memorial Library (Wallington Library) visit: https://www.wallingtonpubliclibrary.org/

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.

Pre-sales for Maryanne’s 6th book, “So You Think You Know the Jersey Shore?” are now available: https://omni-pub.com/product/so-you-think-you-know-the-jersey-shore/

And while we are celebrating, here is a wonderful article about the book: https://www.mypaperonline.com/beautiful-ride-in-maryanne-christiano-mistrettas-front-row-seat-to-the-jersey-shore.html

“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit:Be (Extra)Ordinary

“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You

Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: https://eroticbooknetwork.com/product/love-cats/

Maryanne is also available for book editing and coaching. Rates are competitive.

And for positive messages, visit Be YOUnique, the Anti-Bullying You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLq6J9MSvcjd-haQ30ycLWA/videos

Visit my business page, Pear Tree Enterprises, at: https://peartreeenterprises.wordpress.com/

Anti-Bullying Book “I Don’t Want to Be Like You” Now Available on Audiobooks!

I am ecstatic that my book “I Don’t Want to Be Like You” published by Higher Ground Books & Media, is now available on AUDIO! (https://www.audible.com/pd/I-Dont-Want-to-Be-Like-You-Audiobook/B07TB2VKWY?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-155390&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_155390_rh_us)

Sarah Staton is the voice who made my story come to life!

My book takes place growing up in the 1970s when I was bullied in both grade school and high school. And I’m sad to say, that even in this day and age bullying continues. Children are committing suicide because of assholes who have not yet evolved. Adults are secretly emailing me, “Write something about bullying in the workplace.”

It makes me so angry that 50 years later, it’s not getting better but worse.

Bullies target those who are unique; those who speak up for themselves; those who are shy; those who are creative; those who are very smart and think out of the box; those who don’t follow the crowd; and those who are very good looking. If you recognize yourself in any of those words, you most likely were a target for a bully. Because victims are often so smart and creative, they also carry around insecurities. Smart and creative people never feel good enough. You know that old saying, a genius never sees himself as one. Bullies pick up on this and attack.

The good news is, there is no reason at all to feel shame. It’s not you, it’s them. Bullies are the ones who feel hurt, sad, unloved, ugly, dumb, so they target others to make themselves feel big. Bullies are also masters at gas lighting (making others think THEY are the ones who are crazy). It’s a manipulative way for a bully to “win.”

Truth be told, all bullies are losers. If you can’t come from a place of love, you’ll never evolve. And isn’t evolution the ultimate goal? 

I recently sent out a call for speaking engagements. I let everyone know I am READY to speak out against bullying — in libraries, schools, corporations — and I will travel.

One of the responses I received was that bullying isn’t going away.

I did not know how to answer that. From what I wrote above, you may think I agree that it’s not going away. But hear me out, I now believe differently.

I was speaking to someone in a health food store earlier today. This man asked me if I was a vegan.

I said, “No, but I eat vegan for several days at a time.” I further explained I was a vegetarian/vegan for 28 years, from ages 23 to 51. Then I started eating meat (grass-fed only, and some chicken — no pork or veal!) to get my health in order. (I went from having low blood sugar, thyroid issues, low white blood cell count, very low blood pressure/borderline anemic as a vegetarian to a person of perfect health with some meat back in my body!)

After hearing my story, my new vegan friend thanked me for being one of the leaders in the movement back in the day when it was HARD. Now it’s easy! There are more vegans than ever and you can get vegan food anywhere. But in 1986, I was considered a “weirdo” for not eating meat.

What does this have to do with bullying, you may ask? 

You see, over 30 years ago, people didn’t get vegetarians. But we’ve evolved. Now we get it. And people are health conscious and accepting. The smarter ones are getting along in harmony. THIS can happen with bullying too!

At age 55, I see myself having at least another good 30 years on this planet, in this body I rented. In the year 2049, I TRULY BELIEVE, bullying will be on its way to extinction. We will evolve and change the world. Bullies will be the new neanderthals … so over. People who love will no longer be the weirdos. They will be the WINNERS! The meek will surely inherit the earth.

I CAN’T WAIT!

In the meantime, please purchase my book or audio book, it may save your child’s life when he or she hears about how I was bullied, but grew up to be successful and happy!

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.

She is available for blogging, ghost writing, writing, and motivational speaking engagements. She is the author of the following books:

“Be (Extra)Ordinary: Ten Ways to Become Your Own Hero” will be available October 2019. To pre-order, go here: https://kicamprojects.com/shop/be-extraordinary/

“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your copy, go here: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Want-Be-Like-You/dp/1726273261

 

1900 Youngsters Earn Membership In Paterson’s 50 Book Club

Su-nijah Vaughn read over 108 books and aspires to be an author

(Photo by Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta)

Last night I covered a very inspiring event for Paterson Press, Paterson’s 50-Book Club, an event honoring children who have read 50 or more books during the school year. This year 1900 students made it!

Here’s the full article: http://www.northjersey.com/towns/paterson/1-900-youngsters-earn-membership-in-paterson-s-50-book-club-1.1350117

Make Art Out of Recyclables at Garwood Library

“Make Art Out of Recyclables”

(Photo of children used by permission from parent)

“Make Art Out of Recyclables” was held yesterday at the Garwood Library, Garwood, New Jersey.

This program is available for libraries, schools and private parties.

For pricing and availability, contact Maryanne at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com

“Make Art Out of Recycables” is affiliated with Pear Tree Enterprises (www.peartreeenterprises.com)

Synopsis:

Recycling is not only good for the environment. When creative sparks fly, old junk and trash can become a child’s masterpiece!

Whether it’s making robots out of old cereal boxes, dolls out of Q-tips, puppets from old socks, or “designer” footwear from old buttons, children will have a blast at this informative, fun, inter-active class which is geared towards children ages 6 to 10.

Each class is different, according to seasons and materials available. Classes are limited to 20 children, so must have a sign-up sheet. And so that no child gets left out, we do offer discounted “back-to-back” programs.

Class is conducted by award-winning journalist, author and public speaker, Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta with assistance from various artists and teachers who have worked with children.

My Radio Podcast: Guest on The Bully Proof Classroom

I was very honored to be a guest on “The Bully Proof Classroom” a blog radio program hosted by James “Jim” Burns, author of “Anti-Bulling 101.”

The program is about 50 minutes long and I spoke about 45 minutes sharing my challenges: being bullied in both grammar school and high school, living with dyslexia, becoming an award winning journalist and self-employed home business owner without a college education, how bands like The Plasmatics gave me hope for the outside world when I was just a teenager and so many other cool things, some of which are featured in my book: “On the Guest List: Adventures of a Music Journalist” (available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/162903908X)

The podcast will be saved forever, so please feel free to tune in at your convenience: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bullyproofclassroom/2014/03/11/the-bully-proof-classrooms-speaks-with-maryanne-christiano-mistretta

Jim was a great host and I had such a wonderful time! Definitely a wonderful way to end the day.

AGAIN, PLEASE NOTE: If parents want to purchase my book, it IS a rock ‘n’ roll book and there are curse words, so please use discretion as to whether or not your child could read. I would suggest 16 and older.

Hyundai Gives $75,000 for Pediatric Cancer Patients in Paterson

Photo by Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta

Wednesday morning I headed out to St. Joesph’s Hospital in Paterson to cover this amazing story: http://www.northjersey.com/news/health/Hyundai_gives_75000_for_pediatric_cancer_patients_in_Paterson.html

The children moved me to tears! So inspirational!

And for the record, I’m proud to drive a Hyundai — 2009 Accent model, flip color blue/purple, yeah!

(And St. Joseph’s is the hospital I was born in! So great that they are doing such wonderful things!)

Essex Special Skaters 2013

Last night my husband Dennis and I had the pleasure of going to see Robby Stutts, son of our dear friends Bob and Marie Stutts, ice skate in the Special Skaters Spring Spectacular, along with other special needs skaters.

It was quite a show! Robbie was fantastic. In fact, he even won medals for his talents! (Here’s a recent article about him and some adorable pictures: http://www.northjersey.com/sports/201228481_Cedar_Grove_resident_wins_gold_medal_at_Special_Olympics.html?c=y&page=1)

And here is a video of Robby skating from 2012: Robby Stutts

Robby is such a sweet kid and an inspiration! Go Robby!

Robby Stutts and Maryanne

Note: The delicious looking cupcake was made by Robby’s dad, Bob Stutts aka Mr. Fun, Funtime Cakes

You can like Funtime Cakes on Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Funtime-Cakes/212323232111664

Maryanne and Bob Stutts (Robby’s dad)

Robby (far right) and his friends

After the show there was a little party for the skaters with coffee and Bob’s Funtime Cakes. It was so nice to see Bob, Maria and Robby again. All the kids were so adorable and having such a great time. Very inspiring!

Baggy Maggy and Friends Save Stinkville

New Jersey author Paulette Szalay’s book “Baggy Maggy and Friends Save Stinkville” 

This morning I had the honor to meet and interview Paulette Szalay who wrote the environmentally conscious book, “Baggy Maggy and Friends Save Stinkville.”

It’s a great book to inspire children to recycle!

For more information, visit: http://www.baggymaggy.com/

Letter to the Editor, re: Wreckless Driving

I wanted to share with all of you a letter I just had published in The Montclair Times: http://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/191157581_Letter_to_the_Editor__There_s_no_hurry_that_s_worth_the_worry.html

I’m so glad this was published because maybe SOME DAY people will get behind the wheel and think of other people besides themselves and how fast they want to get somewhere.

It was bad enough being a witness to the crazy driver in a school zone, but I know, in my heart, if I EVER had to be a witness to someone hurting a child, it would probably be the worst thing that could happen to anyone.

PLEASE THINK TWICE ABOUT SPEEDING/CUTTING PEOPLE OFF/DRIVING ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD/NOT LETTING PEDESTRIANS HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY/MAKING YOUR OWN ROAD RULES

ESPECIALLY IN A SCHOOL ZONE!!!!

Reach Out and Read!

NJ Congressman, Bill Pascrell (photo by Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta)

Today I had an awesome assignment to cover for The Paterson Press!

I got to meet NJ Congressman Bill Pascrell (and shake his hand!) and watch him read to a bunch of children in support of the NJ Division of Reach Out and Read (http://www.reachoutandread.org/interstitial/?ref=%2f).

I’ll let my article speak for itself (and there are a ton of cute kid photos!): http://thealternativepress.com/towns/paterson/articles/a-congressional-reading-of-if-you-give-your-mous

My first published article of 2013.

I’m going to definitely do a lot more writing this year. I reached out to another online editor and will be covering some local town council and government meetings, which will be some unexplored territory for me as a reporter. I’m having a meeting with the editor tomorrow at 1 p.m.