
This President’s Day 2025 Mayor Fibbs Dreams about What Could Have Been
Presidential Thoughts
The third Monday in February is now known for one thing – it’s President’s Day!
The national holiday this year lands on Monday, February 17th.
It’s the day we honor the people who have been elected to the highest job in our government.
Over at The Shady Pines Gazette news office Editor, Zulah Talmadge, wants to do an article about this subject. “I know,” she says. “I’ll go talk to the mayor. As our top politician here in Shady Pines Story Town, he might have some thoughts on this.”
She looks over at Scoop the Cub Reporter who is doing some research on his computer.
“Scoop what do you say we go talk to the mayor about President’s Day?” she asks.
The tall, lanky teenager with a shock of red hair finishes up a phone call and grins. “That’d be great, Ms. Talmadge. I been looking up all kinds of neat stuff about this holiday. For instance, we can’t go to the bank because it’ll be closed.”
“That’s right Scoop,” says Zulah. “Monday is a federal holiday. No mail delivery either.”
The Mayor’s Been Thinking
Over at City Hall on Main Street Mayor Beauregard P. Fibbs is lost in thought. “President’s Day,” he says with a sigh. “Zulah wants to talk to me about it. Should I tell her the truth?”
You see, dear readers, ever since he was a boy, Beauregard dreamed about one day becoming president of the United Staes. He wondered what it would be like to live in the White House.
He even saw himself sitting at the big Resolute desk right there in the Oval Office.
Zulah Has Questions
Fibbs is jolted from his daydream by a loud BZZZZ sound going off by his phone. He pushes the button for his assistant. “Yes Misses Walker? She’s here? Sure let her in.”
“Hi Mr. Mayor,” says Zulah. “Thanks for taking time to do this.”
“I’ll get the microphne and camera set up while you two chit chat,” says Scoop.
The mayor fidgets a bit in his seat. “Well, Zulah. What do you want to know?”
Zulah pulls out her reporter’s notebook. ” Even when we were kids, it seems to me you always wanted to be in politics. Why was that?”
Dreaming Big
Mayor Fibbs clears his throat. “Well I wanted to help people and be of service. And I like solving problems. I think you know that about me, Zulah.”
Zulah nods. “I do.”
He continues. “Two of my heroes growing up were President Washington and President Lincoln.”
Scoop looks up from his camera. “And they were both born in February so they’re the reason for the very first combined President’s Day. Before that, we just celebrated Washington’s birthday.”
Mayor Fibbs looks at Scoop and and sits a little taller. “It sounds to me young man that you also like our very first and our 16th president. Tell me what you found out about these men that sticks with you.”
George Washington and The Myth
Scoop thinks for a minute. “Well, doing research, I learned the cherry tree myth is the most well-known and longest lasting legend about George Washington.
As the story goes, Washington was only six years old he got a hatchet as a gift. He didn’t mean to but he accidentally damaged his father’s cherry tree.
When his father found out what he had done, he got angry and asked his son for the truth. Young George bravely said, “I cannot tell a lie. I did cut it with my hatchet.”
Washington’s father hugged him and said that his son’s honesty was worth more than a thousand trees. That story meant something because my parents are always telling me how important it is to be honest.”
Mayor Fibbs agrees. It’s a very important quality in anyone but especially for politicians.”
Scoop is on a roll. “And that brings me to Abraham Lincoln who was known for his honesty.”
Abraham Lincoln
The future president was first called “Honest Abe” when he was working as a young store clerk in New Salem, Illinois.
People in town say that whenever Lincoln realized he hadn’t given the right change to a customer, even if was just a few pennies, he would close the shop and deliver the right change – no matter how far he had to walk.
All his life people relied on Lincoln’s honesty, integrity, and fairness.”
Leaders Are Important
“Well done, Scoop, says Mayor Fibbs. “You’ve just explained how these two men showed why they became great leaders.”
Zulah stops taking notes. “Is this what inspired you to want to be president Mr. Mayor?”
Fibbs nods his head. “Yes. I wanted to make a difference on a very large stage.”
Scoop has a question. “Do you still feel that way?”
The mayor smiles. “No, Scoop, I don’t. I’ve discovered there’s plenty to do right here to improve the lives of our wonderful neighbors. Being mayor is a great job and I am grateful for it every single day. Even on President’s Day.”
And that’s the message dear readers.
Compassionte leadership and caring neighbors are just some of the reasons why we love living here in Shady Pines Story Town!