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.
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.
Generally speaking, the first weekend in 
September signals the unofficial end of Summer. Yess-sir-eee. Labor Day on Monday, September 2nd becomes part of a three-day celebration for most folks in Shady Pines Story Town. I bet it’s the same where you live.
A National Holiday qualifies as a really good excuse to throw a party.
celebrate all the wonderful workers in our country who make our day-to-day living just that much better.
Ray’s father is in the Army and right now he’s serving our country overseas. 
Ray and his mom haven’t seen him in a long time. Staff Sergeant Robinson writes to Ray as much as he can.
And don’t forget to be grateful for all the grocery store workers who make sure you have enough of those picnic foods ready when you need them.
Finally, these hard working , underpaid United States workers decided they had to do something to improve their situation. So they joined
demanded better pay, fewer hours, and safer working conditions. 
Back here in Shady Pines our favorite mail carrier, Kim Dunworthy, is on a mission. She hurries to make her final delivery of our town’s letters and packages by Friday afternoon. Kim is excited to get to her parent’s home in nearby River City so she can help with party preparations.
It’s their Labor Day weekend tradition.
“plan” on a holiday weekend, Harold arrived home to find a half filled blow up pool, an out of control water 
hose snaking 
in all directions, a drenched dog hiding in the bushes and a soaked cat howling in a tree.
Besides Boomerang the Australian Shepherd dog and Halley’s Comet a silver streak of a cat, Edna was waterlogged from the tip of her head to the toes on her feet.
Fortunately, this time the wooden table in the backyard is set for a picnic. Edna is humming as she brings out a pitcher of lemonade from the kitchen. Boomer dogs her heels and Halley tries her best to sneak up on a bird.
It’s the biggest mystery anyone can remember and a whole lot of people are talking.
Dozens of stories swirl concerning the condition of Shady Pines Story Town’s only school. People say the school will not be able to open to students in time for the Fall semester.
Scoop the Cub Reporter try to answer the questions they keep getting asked. But even they aren’t sure.
The first day of the new school year is fast approaching. Soon, big yellow buses will start rolling. Kids and their parents have been buying new clothes, backpacks and supplies.
The heating system was upgraded, classroom walls were painted, a few water pipes needed to be repaired and some student desks were replaced.
Mayor Fibbs is frustrated. “EEE-Gads. Enough of this!” The mayor calls over to The Gazette and asks Zulah Talmadge if she and Scoop can get over to his office.
The mayor shakes his head. “Well, I’ll be. What we have here is that little ‘ole game of telephone.”
Tropical Storm Debby is finally outta here. Her
visit to Shady Pines Story Town dumped over fifteen inches of rain in some places! Why that’s enough to fill buckets.
Their memories of those days without a home are as dark as the clouds outside.
“Hey, Boomer buddy. We need some exercise. What do you say we take a walk?”
Edna hands Boomer’s leash to Harold. “Be careful. Watch out for deep puddles.”
Halley rubs up against Edna’s leg. Edna picks her up. “You think that’s a good idea, do you? Okay then.”
Edna gets all of her ingredients together and puts them into Gertie the blender.
“Come on down girl. I’m putting these in your bowl. Here you go Boom.”
“I thought you might like a sweet treat after your adventure in the rain.”
Another wonderful example that kindness and caring goes a long way even on a rainy afternoon in the small Southern town of Shady Pines.
But the folks who forecast the weather say Hurricane Debby is hitting Florida big time. Soon it will head up the East Coast.
at the pictures on the news, it won’t be long before our small Southern town will be dealing with a whole lot of rain and wind.
“It seems like Debby is a gal we need to take seriously.”
“Ruff!”
Halley’s Comet rubs against Edna’s leg, a sure sign she wants some attention. Edna picks her up and hugs and kisses her.
says Halley
But on a day like this, she wants to be extra sure.
It’s on! Every four years the world comes together to see incredible sports competition. This year the 2024 summer
Olympics are in Paris, France.
Learning to be a good sport is having an impact even as far away as the small Southern town of Shady Pines.
“Mom sounds like it’s important.”
“Look at the American gymnast, Harold! His name is Frederick Richard.”
Harold and Edna cheer as other members of the USA team perform.
Edna is teary. “Each man gave it their all.”
Isn’t the bronze medal third place?”
Boomer plops down by Harold who starts petting the dog’s head.
Chattering customers and clinking glasses fill the ar in Nuts ‘N Bolts Hardware. 
An old fashioned soda fountain sits smack dab in the middle of the downtown store.
“Seems like when people watch the news or go on the internet they get so riled up.”
And that’s how the ‘KINDNESS and CARING’ campaign got started.
Zulah are helping to spread the word.
It’s here! The actual start of summer has arrived. But for many folks in Shady Pines Story Town it’s felt like summer for awhile. Temperatures this June heading into July have been soaring into the high 90’s. The air often feels like it’s 100 degrees or more.
“See ya Ms. Zulah.”
People Are Talking
Be Careful In The Heat
Zulah heads back to The Gazette office with loads of information for her article. She’s discovered some important things.
woods,” says Zulah.
A father is so very important in the lives of his children – even if his children have four legs!
sister act. Boomerang had grown up out west on a ranch where his herding instincts made him a natural for rounding up cattle.
The family left her in the car for just a minute to go inside a restaurant to get lunch. They left the windows down a bit so their favorite feline would have enough air.
Instinct took over and the silver streak was out the window and gone. You guessed it. She found herself lost in Shady Pines.
to help your kids make their own Father’s Day gifts we found a site for you 
are with them.
good. Boomer and I will get us some.”
Boomer barks. “Hey, watch where you’re going!”
Edna agrees. “Look around. Hot chocolate, chocolate eggs and bunnies, jelly beans, candy. No wonder the kids are hyper.”
Before you can say, “hop to it,” the children arrive at the starting point giggling and laughing. They carry baskets and buckets and are ready to go.
“Halley, I bet I find more stuff than you do,” yells Boomer.
While enthusiasm for the hunt is still strong, some of the children start to peter out. They’ve been searching for a long time and are getting tired. A few of them line up and compare what they’ve hauled in.
another. What about you?”
“Well, there was nearly a fight over a big chocolate bunny. Oh, and our favorite cattle herding dog had no trouble rounding up some wayward boys.”
Edna winks at him. “Not Eggs-actly!”
It’s that time people! 
Halloween in Shady Pines is a big deal. Around our small Southern town folks get gussied up in costumes. 
Oh, good. Here’s a mom with two youngsters. 
“If your kids don’t explore the outdoors very often, this is a great way for them to discover nature. Seeing how pumpkins grow out of the ground and are attached to vines is very educational. It helps them understand that pumpkins don’t just show up at the grocery store automatically.”
Do you see the colors of that butterfly next to the pumpkin? Being out on the farm you can be amazed at Mother Nature. I think this kind of stuff is really cool!
I met another mom who told me, “From the second we arrived, my children ran off with smiles, but quickly, they realized how much work it was to be in a field of pumpkins. Even running took work since the vines were everywhere, waiting to trip little, toddler-sized running feet.”
So a lot of kids don’t realize it takes hard work to be a farmer.
before.
time for me to take the title back!
Oh, No! Look at the time. I’ve got to get back to the Gazette office. My editor, Zulah Talmadge, is probably wondering why I’ve been gone so long. But this is just so darn much fun. Hope you’ve enjoyed it!
The curtains billow gently from the open windows in the Sanders house on Dogwood Drive this morning.
She hesitates for a moment. “Maybe I should put on my swim suit. No, I’ll just change into some shorts and a tee-shirt.”
garden with its different kinds of roses.
snakes through the air like a crazy, whirly, swirly, out of control object.
It’s late afternoon now and the shadows in the backyard grow longer. Finally, a cooling breeze causes the wind chime made of spoons to sing.
Harold reaches way up to the top cabinet and brings down a container of cut glass. “What about this one? It should look great with sunlight bouncing off it.”
Harold sees Boomer looking up and sniffing at the flowers on the kitchen counter. Halley has jumped up on her window seat and is licking her paws. Harold smiles. “I think I can manage, dear.”
“What’s a Mother’s Day?” asks Boomer.
In minutes the kitchen table is covered with thick paper in a variety of colors, coloring pens, scissors, glue – the works. Boomer crawls under the table and chews his bone. Halley grabs Mr. Squeaky toy with her teeth, throws it up into the air and chases after it.
Harold looks around the room. “We need to add things to the card that will be meaningful to Edna. The flowers! They’re perfect.” Harold takes out his phone and snaps a picture.
Before he can finish the sentence, Halley sees a bird perched in the tree right outside the open window. In a flash, she leaps off the table sending papers and pens high up in the air. Before they can hit the floor, Boomer is charging after Halley, running and dodging the flying objects.
Harold picks up the pink card and turns it around to show his wife the message. “We were trying to surprise you with a Mother’s Day card.”
A new month is nearly here. And in Shady Pines Story Town that means new opportunities for fun and kindness. Some May Day traditions date back hundreds – even thousands – of years.
Either way, the maypole itself is supposed to be a delightful reminder that the cold days of winter are
behind us and spring has sprung. This tradition is also about celebrating the love of friends, family and community.
And there’ll be musicians playing folk music.
and dashing away before they get discovered. 
But the truth may be the opposite. A small 
The level of activity has certainly picked up this week. Before you know it, Easter will be here.
guys look for new shirts and ties to spruce up their looks; and kids search for new oufits along with goodies to fill their Easter baskets.” 
Easter he sits with the kids to tell them about the Legend of the Easter bunny.
Well children, it turns out the exact beginings of the Easter Bunny legend is not easy to pin down.
But, there is a solid historical reason why the mythical creature is a rabbit.
She was typically represented in art by a woman in a flowing gown.
It won’t be long now and the excitement is building. The Shady Pines Community Center will soon hold it’s annual 
and makes a beeline to the refrigerator. “What do we all like, dear?”
Boomer tilts his head. “You don’t know, do you?”
take weeks or even months to arrive. 
His teacher called him “addled,” which means slow or dim. 
That’s right. They didn’t think he was very smart. Edison’s mother was frustrated with the school.
the Grand Trunk Herald.
Some of his other best known inventions include the phonograph (which recorded sounds and played them back) and the movie camera. That’s right. Every time you watch a movie you now know who made that possible.
Just days ahead of Martin Luther King Day this year, Boston unveiled a new statue. 
about the civil rights leader’s connection to Boston?
“I Have A Dream”
President Ronald Reagan signed Martin Luther King Day, into law, making it a federal holiday.
With all the angry political divide in our country right now, Martin Luther King Day comes just at the right time, don’t you think? His peaceful approach to intolerance was not only the right way to encourage change, it actually worked!
Dreams are the wings that let us soar through life. And this year, 
hopes that a dream would give them advice, comfort, or healing. How about that?
I get lost in my thoughts sometimes. But you should know that a lot of folks get some really good and creative ideas while they’re daydreaming. So don’t knock it!
A long time ago in 1865, a man dreamed up the idea of a little girl falling into a magical land and having all sorts of adventures with the characters she found there.
in an amazing way in this children’s tale. Not only that, but it has become one of the most beloved and enduring children’s stories of all time.
Here’s another example. In 1925 a man turned a mouse into an empire.
Hey look! We’ve got a new year upon us and that means new opportunities for the good folks of Shady Pines Story Town. What do you want to happen in 2023?
Ask questions to help you find out what’s most important to to your kids. Some examples:
And here’s something else you can try. Write thank you notes. Yep, one expert said they wrote to all the people that had helped them this year. It made that person feel good. And it helped the person sending the note to feel gratitude heading into a new year. 
Oh, boy, the big day will be here before we know it!
The countdown to Christmas is on here in Shady Pines Story Town. Have you seen the advent calendars? They’re popping up everywhere.
Now that Thanksgiving is in our rear view mirror the holiday season is in full gear. 
It has been seen by Christians around the world as a way to get ready for the coming 
These days, most Advent Calendars have numbered paper doors or pockets that open to reveal an image, chocolate or other small object. Some of the folks here in Shady Pines will hide messages of kindness, caring and love behind those colorful doors.
For instance, a long time ago you might have seen a really old fashioned calendar that looks like your great, great, grandmother might have made it. 
These holiday calendars are fun. And just like the spiritual theme of the season, they offer anticipation, and the joy of discovery.
Do you know what we should all be doing this Friday, November 11th? I’ll give you a hint. That’s Veterans Day. We need to say thank you to the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces of this country. 
How Veterans Day Started
Any chance we get, we should recognize them for their service.
I don’t know about you, but most people confuse Veterans Day and
gone.
This can’t be possible. It seems like Labor Day was just yesterday.
football is once again on TV, and warm clothing is popping up on racks everywhere you look.
So what does all of this mean?
Fall and Autumn are the same season! Autumn is just the formal way of saying it. Fall is when the weather starts getting cooler, the leaves change and some animals search for food to store up for Winter.
the hoizon as it does below. On that day (September 22) the sunrise and sunset are about 12 hours apart everywhere on the earth. The daylight hours are just a smidge longer.
For many Shady Pines families it’s become a tradition to take the children out to pick pumpkins and apples this time of year.
We found a recipe for pumpkin bread with walnuts that is really tasty. You can leave the nuts out if you or someone in your family is allergic.
We mentioned clothing earlier. If your wardrobe could use a little fall overhaul this is the time to do it. Sweater weather is on its way. 
With each new season comes another chance to think about ways to be kind to our family members, neighbors and friends. Of course, that shouldn’t be just a Fall thing. Here in Shady Pines we try to make it an everyday thing! Happy Fall y’all!!!
This is so exciting! Folks in Shady Pines are all a twitter about what’s going on in the skies above our town this week and even waaaay beyond that.
much of the matter of our bodies was created within the stars a really long time ago.
male deer, or bucks, are in full-growth mode during this time. According to 
Whatever you choose to call it, just remember to look up tomorrow night after sunset.
for is brewing off the coast.
Those rains are already soaking the coastal regions in the South.
track this storm system closely to make sure they can still go ahead with everything that’s supposed to happen on Monday.
straight lines as they form teams. 
We’re all about that in Shady Pines.
of those booming explosions. Our small animals get scared, shiver with fear and look everywhere for a place to hide. If you know your neighbors have pets who respond negatively to fireworks, please be respectful.
Bottom line, in Shady Pines no matter what the weather or the holiday 
moms, dads, family members and friends are just tickled pink to see them perform on the stage at the Shady Pines Community Center next door to the school.
Next is the actual graduation ceremony. You’ve never seen so many cameras and phones fly out of purses and pockets. This is an event that a family wants to preserve for all time. And don’t the kids look cute in their caps and gowns? It was a fairly small graduation class this year but there was nothing small about the joyous celebration.
You really know it’s spring in Shady Pines Story Town when the first day of May rolls around.
In fact, it’s such a big deal our mayor, Beauregard P. Fibbs, is declaring 
A group gathering is welcome news after folks around here had to spend so much time apart because of the pandemic. Now the small Southern town can kick up its heels at a party or kick back and smell those bright, wonderful, spring flowers.
We’ll have all sorts of flavors available like chocolate, strawberry and vanilla, plus rocky road, pepermint, and so much more. After that, we’ll dance around the 
maypole.”
Thursday the 5th. Can you guess what it is? That’s right! Kim is organizing a Cinco De Mayo party. Kim grew up in nearby River City just over the McCaw River, but one of her best friends is from Mexico.
They’re in black and white ’cause she lived a long time ago. Her name was Sonora Smart Dodd. She was born in Sebastian County in Arkansas in 1892. Her mother, 
in raising her and her and her brothers.
plan into place ran into some difficulties. So the first Father’s Day celebration was pushed back to Sunday, June 19, 1910.
celebration in 1916. President Calvin Coolidge chimed in with his support in 1924, as well.
Sonora Dodd died in 1978 at the age of 96. The mother-of-one was remembered as a children’s book author, sculptor, and a business owner. Her gravestone reads, ‘Founder of Father’s Day.’
There are some important days ahead for our country. A national holiday tomorrow and by mid week, Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th president of the 
United States. Normally, this is a really cool event. For a lot of reasons, it’s going to be different. On Wednesday when the swearing in ceremony takes place, President Elect Biden will take the oath of office on the same steps of the Capitol where an angry mob rioted just a short time ago.
The calendar reads January 6th. You know what that means? It’s Sherlock Holmes’ birthday! He may be a crime fighting character out of books from a long time ago. But, through movies and television dramas people all over the world still follow this famous detective as he travels around London, England solving mysteries. In fact, Sherlock Holmes has a real fan living in Shady Pines Story Town.
Edna stares at the page. “Oh, golly. Oh, boy. This is great!” She claps her hands for joy. Edna is really excited. She’d forgotten what day it is. 
Her favorite detective of all time was born on Januray 6, 1861. Everyone knows how much Edna loves these stories. Why, one of her best friends just sent her a book for Christmas called, The Adventures of Sherlcok Holmes.
“Let me get your chew bone Boomer, and Halley I’ll get you some tuna. Then, I’ll tell you all about him and his famous partner, Dr. Watson. He was a retired army officer, don’t you know.”
He’s also known for that tweed hat he wears, the pipe he smokes and the magnifying glass he uses to look for clues.”
Oh, boy, the big day will be here soon. The countdown is on for Christmas and advent calendars are popping up everywhere. 
I want you to know about two events that are happening at the same time. You really should be paying attention to both. 
Zulah Talmage with you from The Shady Pines Gazette news team. On the one hand, our nation is still waiting to hear the results of the 2020 presidential election. Unlike other elections, this one is taking a long time.
great? Here’s another one: “In a world where you can be anything, Be Kind.”
Fall is such a wonderful time of year in Shady Pines. Everywhere you look there’s an explosion of color. And I really like the cooler weather, don’t you? I’m Scoop the Cub Reporter for The Shady Pines Gazette.
One mom I met told said, “If your kids don’t explore the outdoors very often, this is a great way for them to discover nature. Seeing how pumpkins grow out of the ground and are attached to vines is very educational. It helps them understand that pumpkins don’t just show up at the grocery store automatically.”
In a city filled with celebrities, Kobe Bryant managed to stand out.
That’s why it was even more painful to learn that the daughter who loved playing basketball and being coached by her famous father, died alongside him on their way to a game.
Attach Action to the Resolutions
mixed together, taken a sip of water, and is settling in for a nap.
“Well,” says Edna, “I’m thinking agility classes for Boomer and walking on a leash classes for Halley. She still doesn’t have the hang of it yet.”
“Hey, watch out!” says Harold.
“Hey, where do you want me to put these?” One of the volunteers helping to decorate carries an armload of ornament boxes. The fragile, colorful balls will decorate the Center’s Christmas tree later on. The trouble is, right now, he can barely see above the top box and shuffles right towards the tree. Before anyone can yell, “Look out,” the man bumps right into the tree. Swaying uncontrollably on its stand, rocking from one side to the other, the tree lurches to the right before toppling to the floor. The boxes fly across the room, crashing to the earth in an almost musical tinkling of breaking ornaments.
One of the smaller boys, clutching his pine cone, tugs on Harold’s tool belt. “I want to put mine 
up high,” he says, and soon the adults are lifting the smallest children up on their shoulders so they can tie their pine cones to the tallest branches. Old and young alike smile and help one another.
I just found out that there is an art project you have to see to believe. I’ll give you a hint. This is one doggone good assignment for me. I’m heading over to our local author, Mary Jane McKittrick’s, house right now. Seems Mary Jane has a friend with some artwork that might just unleash a whole new trend. Have you guessed what it is yet?
Here’s Mary Jane’s friend, Jan Maresh Saunders, with the artist herself – Polly the dog!
Sunday, this weekend, the sun spends as much time above the hoizon as below.
Scoop the Cub Reporter as he goes on assignment for The Shady Pines Gazette to the local Pumpkin Patch.
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.