Nazareth Village - A Re-Creation of Life in Biblical Times

Based in Western Massachusetts, Naomi Tetherly possesses a background as a public school educator and an academic enhancement coordinator. A travel enthusiast in her free time, she has visited locales from India to the Azores. Naomi Tetherly’s most recent travels took her to Holy Land sites such as the Mount of Olives and Garden of Gethsemane in Israel.

Among the cultural highlights was a tour of Nazareth Village, which provides visitors with a glimpse of life as it was on Galilean farmsteads during the time of Jesus Christ. The rural location includes ancient olive tree groves, where historical actors undertake roles as shepherds, taking care of goats and sheep on rocky slopes.

Tours include demonstrations of ancient terrace and roof making techniques, as well as an authentic wine press from the first century AD that was discovered a decade ago. A highlight for many is watching olives being carried to a traditional olive press, where donkeys then pull the heavy millstone to create olive oil.

Other activities include the plowing of wheat and picking of pomegranates, with visitors also gaining insight into the religion of the time inside a synagogue. The location is also an ideal starting point for those who plan to hike the Jesus Trail and learn more about the founder of Christianity.

Visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

ELA educator and school administrator Naomi Tetherly taught second and third grade at Robert M. Hughes Academy Charter Public School before taking on the position of Special Education Director. Outside of her classroom experience, Naomi Tetherly enjoys exploring new destinations. In early 2018, Ms. Tetherly set out on a 12-day tour of Israel’s Holy Land, making stops at the Dead Sea, the Mount of Olives, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, located in the holy city of Jerusalem, is sacred to Christians. The church is known worldwide as the site of Jesus’s last days and his miraculous resurrection. 

The hill where the Church stands has held religious significance since the 2nd century. The Church as it appears today was built in 1048 and is currently shared by 5 different Christian denominations. The tomb believed to belong to Jesus is housed inside the ancient structure. 

Visitors to Jerusalem’s Old City can explore the Holy Sepulchre year-round between the hours of 5 AM and 8 PM from April to September. During the fall and winter months, the Church closes an hour earlier.

Tips for First-Time Authors of Children’s Books

Primary education professional Naomi Tetherly holds a Massachusetts Initial license for Elementary Vice-Principal/Principal and a master's degree in school administration from American International College. Formerly an English and Social Studies teacher, Naomi Tetherly is currently in the process of writing a children’s book.

The best children’s books engage their audience with relatable characters, interesting scenarios, and rhythmical language. There are a few areas that authors must consider when writing a children’s book for the first time.

Connecting to a young audience requires an understanding of their natural interests. There are significant psychosocial changes that occur as children develop, so authors must identify the specific age group that will be their target audience. Once this has been determined, writers can draw ideas from their own childhood or other children in their lives. 

Though most children’s books have themes centered around typical childhood scenarios, there are infinite unique ways to present the storyline. Authors can keep children and older readers interested by writing in a way that stimulates the imagination. They should also consider how their book’s images will bring the characters and their fictional world to life.

Tours at Nazareth Village

Naomi Tetherly completed her MA in school administration at the American International College in 2013. She previously served as special education director at the Robert M. Hughes Academy Charter Public School. In March 2018, Naomi Tetherly went on a 12-day vacation to Israel, where she visited Nazareth Village. 

Nazareth Village, located in the hills 12 miles southwest of the Sea of Galilee, dates back to the time of Jesus. The village has been explored via extensive archaeological excavations, which have found a wine press that dates to more than 2,000 years ago. It includes the remains of a vineyard, terraces, a spring-fed irrigation system, stone quarries, watchtowers, and old olive trees.

Nazareth Village provides tour services, ranging between 45 and 90 minutes. During the tour, guides lead visitors in languages such as English, French, Italian, Arabic, Russian, German, Hebrew and Finnish. Visitors can choose from three different programs that include the Parable Walking Tour, biblical meals and school and education tours.

In the Parable Walking Tour, a guide describes Galilean life during the first century. The re-enactment includes villagers dressed in first-century costumes, who perform everyday activities such as working in an olive press and on the farm. Visitors are able to see the village’s grape vines, olive trees, and cultivated terraces. The average tour lasts 75 minutes. 

To learn more about first-century cuisine, visitors are welcome to try Nazareth Village’s biblical meals. The Martha meal includes a helping of fresh bread, za’atar and hummus. A traditional first-century meal includes lentil stew, salads, bread and dips. Visitors also can try the traditional meal with chicken, a Passover meal, or the festive Prodigal Son meal.

The Renowned Church of the Holy Sepulchre

A teacher at East Longmeadow Public Schools, Naomi Tetherly is licensed to serve as vice-principal/principal elementary (Pre-K-6) in the state of Massachusetts. Naomi Tetherly enriches her knowledge through world travels and recently visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel. 

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is situated at Golgotha, a hill in the Old City. The church complex encompasses the site of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and is considered the holiest of Christian shrines. As early Christians revered the site, the Roman emperor Hadrian established a temple covering the site in honor of the pagan goddess Aphrodite. When Christian Roman emperor Constantine I came to power he replaced the temple, sometime around 320, with a Basilica. 

The church underwent destruction and rebuilding under the various forces that controlled Jerusalem over the centuries, including the different Crusades that were fought to gain control of the Holy Land. As a result, the vast church complex is made up of over 30 astonishing chapels and worship locations from various denominations of the Christian faith.

Different parts of the church are owned by the Catholic, the Armenian Orthodox, and the Greek Orthodox churches, and two Muslim families hold the key that open and close the church. As a mixture of various architectural influences and as a place of worship, it is a must see site while in Jerusalem.

EORC’s Monthly Cross-Country Race Series

A licensed school administrator in Massachusetts, Naomi Tetherly teaches within the East Longmeadow Public Schools and draws on her experience teaching language arts to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Naomi Tetherly enjoys running in her spare time, and belongs to the Empire One Running Club (EORC) in Western Massachusetts. The organization holds a series of races throughout the year, including the Holyoke Elks Cross-Country monthly race series.

The racing series consists primarily of 5k races, with five 8k races being held once a month from April through August. Races take place on Thursday evenings on courses along dirt and gravel roads, and the routes also circle the scenic Ashley reservoir. Participation is open to men and women of all running skill levels and individuals aged 16 and under and over 70 may participate for free. A $5 participation fee is required for all other runners. The EORC provides refreshments at the end of every race and distributes prizes through a lottery drawing.

The Unbelievable Barkley Marathons

Currently working on a children’s book, Naomi Tetherly serves as a teacher at East Longmeadow Public Schools in Massachusetts and is licensed to work as a principal and vice principal in the state. A holder of a master’s degree in school administration, Naomi Tetherly is an avid runner and enjoys cross-country and trail running.

For many passionate runners, participating in the Barkley Marathons is on their bucket list, but even applying for entry to the race is shrouded in mystery. Its creator and race director, Gary “Lazarus Lake” Cantrell was inspired to stage the event after learning that Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassin, James Earl Ray, was once caught only 8 miles from Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary after having escaped 54 hours earlier. A portion of the race passes through the now closed prison. 

First held in 1986, the annual 100 mile (some say it's more) ultra trail marathon involves finishing five 20-mile loops through the punishing, fog-filled terrain of Tennessee's Frozen Head State Park, with a race cut-off time of 60 hours. It has over 60,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain, more than twice the height of Mt. Everest. Only 35-40 runners are allowed to participate each year, and only 15 runners out of about 1,000 have finished the race within the prescribed cutoff. In the March 2018 edition, like in so many other years, not a single participant finished the race.

Popular Sources of Plant Based Protein

Naomi Tetherly is an educator who served as the special education director and academic enhancement coordinator at Robert M. Hughes Academy, a charter public school in Springfield, Massachusetts. An avid runner and vegetarian, Naomi Tetherly is dedicated to maintaining good health. 

One of the biggest concerns people have when embracing a vegetarian lifestyle is finding good sources of plant based protein. With a well-planned diet, vegetarians can easily obtain the protein they need to stay healthy and promote muscle strength. Several sources are listed below:

- Tofu, tempeh, and edamame are all soy based products that are high in fiber and healthy fats. In addition, they provide much needed calcium, iron, and vitamins. Tofu and tempeh can be marinated and included in a wide variety of dishes, including stir fries.

- Lentils are packed with protein and are also high in fiber and complex carbohydrates. They can easily be incorporated into salads and soups or combined with quinoa.

- Chickpeas and beans are inexpensive and easily prepared. Black, kidney, and pinto beans are all very popular and used in many recipes. These legumes are also a good source of magnesium.

- Quinoa is an ancient, gluten free grain that is a good source of protein and complex carbohydrates. It can be used to replace rice in dishes.

- Nutritional yeast is a staple in many vegetarian diets and has a cheesy flavor. Found in powder or flake form, nutritional yeast can be mixed with water and used in dips, dressings, and sauces.

- Nuts and seeds are a fantastic source of fatty acids and protein. Peanuts, cashews, almonds, walnuts, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds can all provide a nutritious snack whole or in nut-butter form.

Exploring Lisbon’s Belem District

Massachusetts-based educator Naomi Tetherly most recently served as the special education director and academic enhancement coordinator at Robert M. Hughes Academy, a public charter school in Springfield. Aside from her professional endeavors, Naomi Tetherly enjoys traveling around the world to destinations including India, Japan, and Portugal.

Portugal, located in southwestern Europe on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, is one of the oldest nations in Europe. With a rich tradition that includes the Age of Exploration, the country is becoming a popular destination for tourists. Belem, a neighborhood and cultural center within the capital of Lisbon, was once the departure point for explorers setting out for the New World. 

Visitors to Lisbon can easily spend a day exploring the sites of Belem, and several museums highlight the district. In addition to the Museu dos Coches, which features a large collection of European horse drawn carriages, a stop can be made at the Museu de Marinha, a naval museum dedicated to the country’s maritime history. The MAAT, a museum dedicated to art, technology, and architecture, is also located in Belem.

Several monuments can be found in Belem. Most notably, travelers can visit the Belem Tower, which once served as a first line of defense for the city against attacks from the sea. The magnificent Padrao dos Descobrimentos (Discoveries Monument) honors Portugal’s role during the Age of Exploration. Featuring explorers on one side and the financiers of their expeditions on the other, the monument is a fitting display of the country’s notable contributions to exploration and discovery.

Visitors to Belem can also tour the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, one of Europe’s most extravagant monasteries. 

Belem can easily be explored independently and on foot. Within a day or two, visitors can see the monuments, explore the museums, and experience views of the waterfront from the comfort of a cafe or restaurant.

The Scenic and UNESCO World Heritage Assets of the Azores

Naomi Tetherly is a respected presence in the Massachusetts educational community and currently teaches with East Longmeadow Public Schools. An avid traveler, Naomi Tetherly has traveled throughout Asia and Europe, and also had the opportunity to visit the Portuguese autonomous region in the mid-Atlantic, the Azores. 

First colonized by Portugal in the 15th century, the nine subtropical islands that make up the Azores feature a combination of small villages and rugged volcanic peaks. Highlights include Pico Island, which features a combination of verdant vineyards and a 7,700-foot peak that represents the highest mountain in Portugal. 

A cultural highlight for many is the town of Angra do Heroísmo, which was a port of call for nearly all trans-Atlantic voyages until the steamship became prevalent in the late 19th century. 

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town contains the San João Baptista and San Sebastião fortifications, which date back 400 years and are uniquely well-preserved examples of 16th-century military architecture. Angra also offers a central zone rich in religious structures including the Baroque convents of the Franciscans and Jesuits, and the Santíssimo Salvador da Sé cathedral.

The Ins and Outs of a Fruitarian Diet

Naomi Tetherly is a Massachusetts educator who has held positions such as special education director with a charter public school in Springfield. Health conscious with a passion for running, Naomi Tetherly follows.a diet that is vegetarian and emphasizes fruits. She has an interest in fruitarian diets that consist mostly of raw fruits.

A fruitarian diet is generally defined as one that consists of at least 50 percent fruits. This reflects the abundance of antioxidants, including beta-carotene and vitamin C, in fruits, which assist in detoxing and weight loss. At the same time, seeds and nuts are often consumed within such a diet for protein. This makes up for fruits' lack of protein, calcium, iron, and essential fatty acids such as B12. 

As recommended by the Fruitarian Foundation, the everyday combination of fruits that provides maximum impact includes banana, ripe avocado, coconut, olives, and lemon juice. The recommended fruitarian diet also incorporates pine nuts, almonds, chestnuts, cashews, and hazelnuts.

What Are Individualized Education Programs?

Naomi Tetherly is an experienced Massachusetts educator. Previously a special education director at Robert M. Hughes Academy Charter Public School, Naomi Tetherly was responsible for preparing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities. 

An IEP is a legal document highlighting a child’s individual learning needs and the special services his or her school will provide. Public schools are statutorily obligated to prepare IEPs for students receiving special education services. A typical IEP contains a statement on the child’s present level of performance, his or her education goals, the support services he or she will receive from the school, and how academic progress will be measured. 

The IEP is prepared by various people involved in the child’s education, including parents, teachers, counselors, and doctors. A strict criterion must first be followed to ensure a child indeed has a disability and is eligible for an IEP. 

The IEP system ensures students with disabilities receive tailored quality education services to advance their learning. It also binds public schools to provide the special education services outlined in the IEP.

The Differences between Indoor and Outdoor Tracks

School administrator Naomi Tetherly has years of experience facilitating education in public schools. Also an avid runner, Naomi Tetherly runs on both indoor and outdoor tracks. 

Aesthetically, indoor tracks are different from outdoor tracks. For starters, indoor tracks are smaller than outdoor tracks. Indoor tracks are 200-meter ovals, while outdoor tracks are 400-meter ovals. Because of they are larger, outdoor tracks allow runners to fully stretch themselves and are better suited for long-distance running. Smaller indoor tracks have narrow turns and short straightaways, which subject runners to a large centripetal force. This makes it harder for them to fully stretch themselves. 

Another difference is that indoor tracks often have sloped turns to compensate for their tighter curves. Some runners find it difficult to maintain balance on these turns and even tumble and fall. It takes skill and practice to adapt to an indoor track. Because of this, personal best times on indoor tracks are usually much slower than outdoor tracks.

Tips and Tricks for Novice Trail Runners

Naomi Tetherly, a teacher for East Longmeadow Public Schools, specializes in helping students in early education, specifically pre-school and kindergarten. Previously she worked as the special education director and academic enhancement coordinator for Robert M. Hughes Academy Charter Public School in Springfield, Massachusetts. In her leisure time, Naomi Tetherly is an avid runner who enjoys a range of challenges from cross-country to trail running, the latter of which infuses new scenery and energy into an otherwise average running experience.

Trail running involves running on rough terrain, which offers a unique set of challenges compared to running on pavement. Safety should be the first priority, such as knowing when to slow down to avoid injury, mapping out the area to avoid getting lost, taking some sustenance for a long run, and wearing the right shoes. Running in pairs is also recommended.

Running on rugged terrain utilizes muscles that aren't usually used when running on roads. When starting out, short runs are the most beneficial, as the body grows accustomed to this new workout. Keep your eyes on the ground, scanning the area immediately ahead for any obstacles. Wear plenty of sunscreen during the day, and invest in a headlamp if running at nighttime.

How to Make a Traditional Manhattan

A successful cross country and half-marathon runner, Naomi Tetherly works professionally in the field of education, where she currently is pursuing a vice principal position in Western Massachusetts. Also an avid home chef, Naomi Tetherly enjoys entertaining friends with vegetarian and fruitarian dishes and Manhattan-inspired recipes for dinner and drinks.

Perhaps the most iconic cocktail inspired by the famed New York borough, the Manhattan is thought to have originated in the late 1800s at the Manhattan Club in New York City. This fairly straightforward concoction, which is typically served before dinner, has been referred to as “one of six basic drinks” by David A. Embury in his book, The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks.

To make your own Manhattan, mix two dashes of angostura bitters with one ounce sweet vermouth and two and a half ounces bourbon. Although the drink can be served over ice, for a traditional bent, stir the mixture over ice before straining it into a chilled glass. Complete your Manhattan with a single maraschino cherry, and enjoy.