Posted by Jason Redcay on May 26, 2014 in Press | 0 comments

Dennis Denenberg has touched the lives of many students, both in the area and throughout the country. A career educator, “Dr. D” as he is known to friends and students , retired in August 2002 from elementary education department at Millersville University. His career in education also includes teaching at Manheim Central School District serving as an elementary school principal in that district and serving as an assistant superintendent at Manheim Township School District. He now has a second career –discussing the important of integrating heroes into the school curriculum with educators. “When i started to talk about heroes in 1990 i had no idea it would turn into a second career. I may be retired but i am still teaching– the great thing is that i have no papers to grade,” Dennis says. He witnessed  first- hand the fact that educators struggled with history education at all grade levels. When he grew up there were pictures of heroes such as Benjamin Franklin and Albert Einstein in the classroom, by the late 80s they had been replaced by poster of cartoon characters such as the TV character ALF. This inspired him to write  an article entitled “De-ALF” the Classroom”, which was published in Teachers Magazine in December 1989  ” There’s a real lack of heroes in our country today. The number one reason kids don’t have a heroes is that they don’t see them. My mission is to get real heroes into the classroom on a regular basis,” he explains. He’s co-authored a book “50 American Hero Every Kid Should Meet” with Lorraine Roscoe. Heroes mentioned in the book include Walt Disney, Jimmy Carter, Yo-Yo Ma, Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, Jonas Salk, Benjamin Franklin, and Elie Wiesel.  The book has sold more than 50,000 copies. So far he’s been to 38 states with his presentation and has spoken to more than 75,000 people. Last year he presented 37 programs. He stresses that he speaks only to adults. ” It’s important to show educators, administrators and parents that real heroes can inspire kids, ” he states. Dennis    describes his program as something that’s both entertaining and educational. He carries a lot of props including a variety of hats, and he dresses in Colonial costume. ” My intention is to entertain and educate  —   the two should always be linked together. I always tell people that Vaudeville is not dead.” he says with a smile. He starts his preparation by dedicating it to his sister — Diana Denenberg Durand, who passed away in October 2007 after an 18 year battle with cancer. He describes her as a real hero. He’s also been inspired by his parents — by their love and devotion to each other and their family. In September 2002 he honored one of his own heroes — Alvin Hildebrand, his eighth grade history teacher at Manheim Central...

Posted by Jason Redcay on May 24, 2014 in Press | 0 comments

National and local every day heroes were honored and a special announcement was made at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Day Thursday morning.  Three thousand area school children, along with dignitaries, scholars and government officials attended the annual event to pay tribute ti Dwight D. Eisenhower, soldiers and other every day heroes who have made an impact on the lives of others. School children from Abilene and other surrounding districts packed the Eisenhower Center grounds as Dan Holt welcomed the audience.  In a special announcement, Julie Lorenz , director of public affairs for the Kansas Department of  Transportation, announced, on behalf of Governor Kathleen  Sebelius, that a building in Topeka will be named after Dwight D. Eisenhower. The former Security Group building, known as the Harrison Center in Topeka, will be named the Dwight D. Eisenhower State office building.  Lorenz said Eisenhower’s name was chosen  for the building because state officials wanted someone who was a well known around the world and who had made a significant contribution to transportation. The former president fit the criteria and is known as the father of the great interstate system, Interstate 70. Lorenz  quoted a poem by James Griffin, which was written about the highway system. “Roads, like leaders, have always inspired poets and writers,” she said.  Dan Holt introduced four members of the Easy Company, 406th Regiment, 101st Airborne– Lynn          “Buck  Compton, Forest Guth, Don Malarkey and William Wingett, along with wingett’s brother Kenneth Wingett, who later served with his brother in the 82nd Airborne. The group of men were heroes  of World War II and were also the subjects of the famed mini series, Band of brothers. along with Dwight D. Eisenhower Day, the men will the Eisenhower dinner on Oct. 15 at the Wreath Laying Ceremony on Oct. 16. Holt said the four men represent all men and women who served in the military. Merrill eisenhower  Atwater , great grandson of the former president, also spoke on behalf of the men. Atwater asked the question, ” what is heroism ?”  Heroism is the act of putting yourself in harm’s way and giving up your life for others,” he said. ” My great grandfather was like that.” Atwater said his great grandfather wrote his great grandmother and told her that he would  take full responsibility for the battle of Normandy and what happened. He would not want himself  thought as a hero,” Atwater said. He believed his troops were the heroes.” As Atwater pointed at Compton, Guth, malarkey and Wingett he said, “these four men make heroes.” Dr. Dennis Denenberg, professor emeritus  Millersville  University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Andy Thompkins, Kansas commissioner of education and MM1 First class Petty Officer Steven Eddy of the USS Eisenhower also spoke to the crowd about what kind of person a hero is. Denenberg described Dwight D. Eisenhower as a man who wore...