Shady Pines Story Town Plans for the Next Big Storm
Looking Ahead
This hurricane season is proving that no one is safe from natural disasters.
People living high up in the mountains near Asheville, North Carolina never thought a hurricane could ravage their communities. But it did. In fact, Hurricane Helene started in the Gulf before leaving its mark on several states.
Florida has been hit by two hurricanes in two weeks.
First Helene battered homes and businesses, and now Hurricane Milton has left destruction in its wake.
Storm surge, winds toping 100 mph and tornadoes tore through Florida from one side of the state to the other.
People living in the affected areas are left in a state of shock.
Taking Stock
At the Sanders home in downtown Shady Pines, Edna washes the breakfast dishes in the sink. She watches the coverage of Hurricane Milton on TV.
“Oh my goodness. I feel so sorry for these people. That could happen to any of us.”
Her husband, Harold, rushes into the kitchen. He’s looking for something.
“Honey, have you seen my keys?” he asks. “I can’t find them and I’m going to be late for work.”
Edna points to a basket on the kitchen counter by the back door.
“They’re right over there,” she says.
Harold is releived. “Oh. Thank you, dear.”
He looks at the TV. “Are you watching the news about the latest hurricane?”
Edna nods. “I am. And it has me thinking.”
Harold is not sure he should ask. “Thinking about what?”
Before she can answer, there’s a piercing cat scream followed by a loud bark coming from the other room.
A silver cat with a pink collar races in followed by an Australian Shepherd dog. They whip around the kitchen table and nearly knock Edna and Harold off their feet.
Harold grabs the dog by his collar just as the cat leaps onto her perch by the window sill.
“Boomerang and Halley’s Comet what has gotten into you two?”
The animals look at each other.
“When dad uses our full names we’re in trouble, “says Boomer.
“You started it,” says Halley.
“You are the most confounding creature,” says Boomer. “I told you to leave my toys alone.”
Edna sighs. “These two.”
Harold releases Boomer who immediately looks for his rawhide bone.
“What were you going to say before we were interrupted?”
Edna sits at the table. “I really think we need an evacuation plan.”
Making A Plan
Harold agrees. “You’re right. In the past we’ve just been winging it.”
Edna can’t stop looking at the TV. “I know. But these storms seem bigger and are showing up more often than before.”
Harold has an idea “Why don’t I call my brother up north and ask him if we could stay there if we need to leave?”
Edna shakes her head. “That won’t work. Don’t you remember? He’s allergic to cats.”
Boomer looks up from his bone. “I’m allergic to everything about Halley. I still have to live with her. Doesn’t that count?
Halley yawns. “You are paws-itively hilarious.”
Boomer growls.
“Oh, yeah,” says Harold. “I forgot about that.”
Edna get up from the table and hugs Harold. ” I know you’ve got to get going, but why don’t we talk more about this tonight?”
Donations Needed
“I think that’s a great idea,” says Harold. “In the meantime, why don’t we both go by the Community Center today and donate to The Lantern Project?“
Edna turns her gaze first to Boomer and then to Halley. “I think I’ll take the kids with me. They seem to need a lesson in how to think of others and not just themselves!”
Harold laughs. “That project was set up to help people and pets impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Now with Milton, the need for clothing, food and household supplies is even greater.”
With that, Harold goes off to work. He own the Nuts ‘N Bolts hardware store on Main Street.
Edna heads upstairs to look through closets and drawers for items to donate. Her four-legged children are right on her heels.
The great thing about the folks who live in this small Southern town is that they practice kindness and caring as a way of life.
As for an evacuation plan… Do you have one?
Okay everyone. Let’s get real. I’m Zulah Talmadge with The Shady Pines Gazette news. 
We watch homeowners knee derp in mud picking up the pieces.
Whole communities have been wiped out.
We are calling this all- hands-on-deck effort: The Lantern Project. We aim to spread light and love through our efforts and donations to people in need. 
One thing we learned right away is that we need to work with The Red Cross and other big relief organizations.
rushing into these hard hit areas and then getting stuck because of washed out roads.
we’ve got neighbors worried about friends and loved ones who live in some of the affected areas.
Because of that, Mayor Beauregard Fibbs has set up a communications center at City Hall.
Making these connections is proving to be hard to do. Crews are working round the clock to restore power and cell phone service knocked out by the storm.
While all of this is going on, Scoop, the Cub Reporter, is working with teachers and parents whose children attend The Shady Pines Elementary School.
Their goal is to round up clothes, toys, books and educational materials to be donated to kids in the flood zones who are missing those things right now.
The Lantern Project is another way we express compassion as part of our ongoing Kindness and Caring Campaign.
The shadows are longer. Football is back on TV.
Sunday, this weekend, the sun spends as much time above the hoizon as below.
For many families here in Shady Pines Story Town, 
it’s now a tradition to load everyone up in the car and head out to pick pumpkins. In a few weeks, we’ll have a story from 
Scoop the Cub Reporter as he goes on assignment for The Shady Pines Gazette to the local Pumpkin Patch.
Maybe this is a good time to see if you’ve got the right clothes for fall. Sweater weather is on its way. 
Don’t let this special time pass you by. With each new season comes another 
Here’s a fact that is hard to believe. We are marking Patriot Day 2024. It’s been 23 years since that horrible attack on our country, September 11, 2001. 
But there are many young people and children who weren’t around back then.
Planes were hijacked by bad men and flown into their targets. So many innocent people just going about their daily lives never made it home.
It seemed like a bad movie. It couldn’t be real.
And then we saw so many brave policemen, firemen, and other first responders race in to help others. Many didn’t come back alive. It was all too much to bear.
We would never feel as safe again.
As deep and painful as our wounds were, a sense of brotherhood swept over our nation in a way many of us may have never before seen in our lifetime. Above the black smoke and rubble, America still stood as a country – held together by the spirit of our people.
The thing is, these people woke up that morning just like the rest of us. They did not know what was to be asked of them in the next couple of hours. 
But, when it came time, they got up the courage needed and answered the call.
If you live near any of the
It wasn’t always that way. Let’s remind ourselves, and the children, of an important time in American history when we were united.
Halloween candy and costumes are already on display in stores. There’s no question about it. We’re heading into Fall.
Fabulous Fall Food Drive 2024
“Well,” say Rita. “The Food Drive kicks off this weekend at the gazebo in Stonewall Park at 10am with live music and all sorts of treats from Maggie’s Diner.”
“Here’s a list of the top 20 items. Mostly canned or boxed foods and staples are requested. Oh, and they can write a check if they want to give money instead of food.” 
The timing of this food drive is important. September is the month of The Harvest Moon.