Texas Flooding Disaster Triggers Powerful Response in Shady Pines Story Town
Could It Happen Here?
Oh, dear readers, the reality is so much worse than anyone could imagine.
Now a recovery project, the flooding tragedy in central Texas has people in Shady Pines asking an important question: Are we prepared?
In a short period of time, the Guadalupe River swallowed too much rain over the Fourth of July weekend and roared out of its banks rising some thirty feet.
The powerful, rushing water swept away everything in its path in the middle of the night.
At the heart of this nightmare was Camp Mystic where young campers were sleeping. 
Twenty seven young girls and some of their counselors did not make it through the night alive.
Neither did more than a hundred other people.
Another hundred or more have still not been found.
Searching
The search goes on for the missing. So much loss. Such devestation. Unspeakable grief.
Shady Pines Story Town sits on the bank of the McCaw River. 
You have to take a bridge to get to River City on the other side.
We even have a lake near downtown. That’s a lot of water. And, it’s hurricane season.
Taking Action
Realizing this kind of natural disaster can happen anywhere, Mayor Beauregard P. Fibbs calls a meeting downtown at City Hall.
He brings together his staff and members of the community for this effort.
Naturally The Shady Pines Gazette editor Zulah Talmadge and Scoop the Cub Reporter are there to 
cover the news.
“Thank you everyone for coming,” says Mayor Fibbs. “I think we can all agree that we need to review our plan of action because these weather events are bigger and happening more often than ever before.”
Rita Malena, Director tof The Shady Pines Community Center has a question. “What are you thinking Mr. Mayor?” she askes.
“Oh, Rita, good. I’m glad you’re here,” says Fibbs. “We’ll want to use the community center as our staging area in case of an emergency. All food, water, clothing and other essentials will be brought there.”
Harold and Edna Sanders are t the meeting, too. Harold has a question. “What do business owners need to know?”
Pulling Together
“That’s a very good question, Harold,” says the mayor. “Since you own the Nuts ‘N Bolts Hardware store we’ll use your downtown location to coordinate with other business owners. You have tools for repairs and you can talk to Fred at Fred’s Corner Grocer and Maggie of Maggie’s Diner to help manage food supplies.”
“I bet Joe over at Cup ‘O Joe’s coffee shop will contribute drinks and snacks when we need them,” adds Harold.
The mayor claps his hands. “Great idea! Anyone else?”
Edna raises her hand. “Mayor Fibbs since so many of us have pets, I’d like to reach out to Pete at Pet’s Galore and see how we can round up supplies for any animals that might be displaced in a storm.”
Mayor Fibbs smiles. “That’s an excellent idea Edna,” he says. 
“Raising those rascals Boomer and Halley has taught you a thing or two about pet ownership hasn’t it?”
Edna sighs. “You have no idea.”
Seven year old Ray Robinson has a question. “Mr. Mayor. My mom says that we should practice our evacuation drill so we know what to do if we have to leave quickly.”
Mayor Fibbs walks over to the shy youngster. “That’s a really good idea Ray.”
Ray shuffles his feet. “The next time I play with Boomer and Halley I’ll teach them the plan, too!
“I cannot wait to watch you do that,” says Edna.
Harold chimes in. “Me either.”
The mayor chuckles. “Meanwhile I’m going to review our town’s budget so we have enough money to make sure our warning sirens are in tip top shape. That’s one of lessons from the floods in Texas. Too many people didn’t have enough warning.”
Next Steps
Zulah reviews her notes. “Mayor Fibbs are you going to have this action plan given to all of our neighbors?
“Yes Zulah. And I’d like you and Scoop to report what we discussed here. I’m sure there will be follow up articles too. Oh, and I’d like you to cooridnate emergency communication efforts with fire and police so everyone has the same information.”
“We will do it,” says Scoop. 
With that, the meeting is over. Once everyone is gone and he’s alone in his office, Mayor Fibbs takes a moment to look out his second story window onto Main Street below.
“Gosh I love this town,” he says to himself. After all, he grew up here. Now as mayor, Beauregard feels a real need to look after the good people who call this special place home – and those who come to visit.
We hope you drop in often. After all, kindness and caring lives here. And that’s worth celebrating in times likes these don’t you think?
The images are awful. All over the big ‘ole area that is Los Angeles, California h
omes, businesses, schools, banks, libraries, places of worship and more, are wiped out in a matter of minutes.
When the winds calm down the fight goes on in the skies. This real life horror movie is still going on a week after it started.
And what about the children who may not have a house anymore – or a school?
They are horrified like everyone else following the daily updates. What can they do?
As Scoop packs up his camera gear, Zulah has a thought. “I’m glad the mayor is focusing on children. 
The need is so great out there in L.A. We wouldn’t know where to start.”
Scoop tosses his bag into the white news van and throws Zulah the keys. 
I’ll go ask Rita Malena to come to our meeting at the mayor’s office. As the Director of the Community Center she can help us.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
media or by email. Talk to friends and loved ones about the need for change.
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.