A Call to Action For Civility from Shady Pines Story Town
Be A Civility Champion
Can we talk? My name is Mary Jane McKittrick. (old photo) For more than a decade I’ve been writing stories about cartoon characters living in and around the fictional Shady Pines Story Town.
While the number of residents of Shady Pines has grown along with the number of locations in town, the intent of this project has always been the same: To inspire young children and the adults who love them to be good and kind.
The humans and animals of all ages and backgrounds living in this small Southern town tell stories with positive messaging infused with life lessons and delivered with gentle and sometimes wacky humor.
Their mission is to ‘Restore Civlity One Kind Gesture at a Time!’
Often situations that happen in the “real world” are reflected in this fictional world. Our characaters 
talk about everything from severe weather outbreaks and national holidays to current events in a way that young children appoximately 6-9 years old can understand. It’s also an opportunity for their caregivers to start a discussion on these topics.
Time For Change
Sadly, a groundswell of violent events and verbal sparring in this high octane politcal environment has shown us just how much we need civility right now. More than ever we’ve got to modify and soften the national tone. Otherwise we are doomed to sink further into the abyss of mean-spiritedness, mockery and division.
I can tell you that kind of negativity is not the Shady Pines Way. Our characters discover how to work together to find solutions to problems. They believe in cooperation instead of confrontation. Anger and hatred are not tolerated. Kindness and caring are celebrated.
For a long time I stopped using the word civility in my marketing. Do you know why? So many people kept telling me Civility is dead in America. Ugliness, they said, has taken hold and there’s nothing you can do about it.
Let’s Spread Good News
Well I have news for you. It shouldn’t be that way and it’s not in Shady Pines Story Town because we haven’t given up on the hope that “real world” communities should strive to be more like this one.
And in case you’re wondering this site has no agenda – political or otherwise. For more on how it got started you can read The Back Story 
The truth is, we’re just trying to encourage and uplift. We want to underscore the urgent need to restore a gentler way of communicating with one another that transcends all boundaries and ideologies.
I hope you feel the same. Here’s our call to action:
Please join us in spreading the word as we continue our national award-winning quest to promote Civility. Share this post on your social 
media or by email. Talk to friends and loved ones about the need for change.
And most importantly, thank you for listening!
It’s here. The Fourth of July. But this year there’s a catch. 
All kinds of commotion swirls around Town Hall and Mayor Beauregard Fibbs in downtown Shady Pines Story Town. 
The good news is that the Big ‘Ole Barbeque in Stonewall Park is still on the schedule for the afternoon. Tents and tables will be up and loads of great food and cold drinks will be available.
hand to make sure everyone stays safe.
Mayor Beauregard P. Fibbs sits at his big wooden desk in his office at City Hall and answers one phone call after another. He gets more frustrated by the minute. Finally, he calls for his assistant.
their own homes for cryin’ out loud!”
As Beth leaves, the mayor returns to his desk. He knows what he wants to say in the interview he is about to give. Besides safety for pets and veterans on the Fourth of July, he wants safety for children included in the story as well.
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.
Zulah heads downtown to Main Street to see what people are saying about this toasty start to the summer season.
things I could carry at one time.”
“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.
Extra! Extra! Read all about it. Our top story in The Shady Pines Gazette is that as of Tuesday March 19th Spring has Sprung! That’s right.
As winter fades from the calendar, the temperature slowly starts to rise.
The reason all of us are staying outside more is becuase the days are getting longer.
One of the most visually striking signs of spring is the arrival of those springtime flowers.
We call it – what else? The Azalea Festival. People get all dressed up to attend a whole weekend filled with events and live entertainment.
Not to be a downer but we do have to mention a not-so-peasant part of
all those flowering plants and trees.
probably find yourself with symptom like sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes.
just send an email to our address and you can do the same: 
Afterwards, I was deeply grateful for the many acts of kindness that I saw firsthand. People stepped up and stepped in to help individuals and families who had to rebuild. I continue to be moved by the courage and selflessness of neighbor helping neighbor. In this time of Thanksgiving, let’s remember the value of community and the importnace of working together to make Shady Pines a very special place to live.”
Next, Zulah opens up an email from Harold and Edna Sanders. Harold’s Nuts ‘N Bolts hardware on Main Street is such a gathering spot with it’s soda fountain smack in the middle of the store. And Edna’s Kitchen off the back of their home on Dogwood Drive is the place to pop in and see what new recipe she’s cooking up for the neighbors.
“Edna and I are so thankful for all the blessings we’ve experienced this year. We’ve been able to stay healthy, which is the most important thing. The store is still going strong despite some storm damage,” says Harold.
Our Boomer dog had that awful sore on his front paw but it’s so much better now,” says Edna.
Harold nods. “Yes and Halley spiked that fever and scared us to death. But thanks to the wonderful veterinarian who treats both of our kids, that clever scamp of a cat is back driving her canine brother crazy again.”
Speaking of the Food Drive, here’s a note from Rita Moreno, Director of The Shady Pines Community Center. Let’s see what she has to say.
It just goes to show you that there are good people everywhere who are willing to help. I am so grateful for the outpouring of love and generosity from strangers that is helping to rebuild lives here in Shady Pines.”
now living with a friend while repairs are underway. But nothing stops that young gal. She’s known as ‘Keep it Moving’ (Kim) Dunworthy. Kim’s taken on additional shifts to make sure the mail is delivered on time. Some days she’s so tired she can barely wave to me. But still she keeps going knowing people depend on her. Their letters and packages are her highest priority.
But let me leave you, dear reader, with this thought. As tough as the blows of 2023 have been, countless examples of resilieceand the goodness of the human spirit have been on display as well.
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!