February Smile

Editor’s Note: Imagine the smile this editor had when she was introduced to Paul Reichert with: "Paul has a summer home on the River in Alexandria Bay and is a cartoonist." Well, there are lots of interesting River Rats so, why the big smile? By the end of the email chain, I was laughing out loud.

Once we started to correspond, I turned to Google. His bio explained his professional career as a lawyer in Washington, DC, a graduate of Hamilton College, an author, and a cartoonist. His book The Lemonade Ripple: A Sweet Story of Kindness and Charity is available on Amazon.com. The story introduces children to philanthropy and is set on the St. Lawrence River, featuring the charitable paddle event held each summer in Alexandria Bay to support the local Foundation for Community Betterment. (Stay tuned as we will do a book review in the future)

Joining the Team

Many of my friends know my career was working for universities and hospitals. I was the development officer and yes, I worked with many wonderful graduates who returned to make a difference for the next generation. I discovered that Paul is one of those, having been awarded Hamilton College's 2022 Volunteer of the Year Award. I started smiling again and I realized I had met one of those special individuals who is making a difference. And you can imagine how pleased I was to learn that Paul would like to join our TI Life Team!

Why the laugh?

Below, you’ll see Paul's first cartoon, for the February issue of TI Life. Welcome aboard my friend – and thanks for making us all smile. I am sure this will help us to get through this winter's polar vortex.

February's Smile

By Paul Rechart

Paul Reichert’s bio, published on Amazon, is just as interesting as his cartoons. It reads, “he is a life-long cartoonist and illustrator, having published several editorial cartoons and freelance work.” But when the decision came to university, he chose the law profession and is now an attorney in Washington, DC. The bio goes onto say, “To escape the humidity of Washington, DC, they spend their summers on the St. Lawrence River in upstate New York, along whose banks Paul can be found most afternoons in a hammock, resting his drawing hand, and thinking of his next cartoon or children's book.” As described above, we at TI Life welcome him to the team.