How We Experience Martin Luther King Day in Shady Pines
An Important Message
A new year is just beginning. 
What a wonderful opportunity for all of us set a respectful and kind tone in the year ahead. Remembering the life of a true leader is a good way to start.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, January 16. Many of our businesses in Shady Pines will be closed on this national holiday.
Rita Marena is the Director of the Community Center.
Since the elementary school next door will also be closed, Rita is putting together a program Monday to help children know more about this important civil rights hero.
Who Is Martin Luther King, Jr?
He was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 15, 1929. Martin Luther King Jr. made it his life’s mission to bring compassion, fairness and equality to all Americans.
Not everyone believed the way he did back in the 1950’s and ’60’s. To bring about change in America, Dr. King became a social activist and civil rights leader.
He lived in the South and fought against the longstanding practice he experienced that not all people were treated the same. He saw that Black people did not have the same rights as White people so he led peaceful marches and nonviolent protests.
Guided By Family, Faith and The Constitution
Martin became a Baptist minister. His faith guided him to believe in justice and the United States Constitution 
which says that all people in this country have the same rights no matter the color of their hair, skin, religion, age, disability or nationality.
He was married to Coretta Scott King, who helped lead the way during the civil rights movement. They were married nearly 15 years.
Dr. King gave his life for his Dream of Equality for All. Thousands of people were there for his famous speech on the mall in Washington DC where he declared that dream.
Shortly after that, Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.
The Dream Lives On
Monday at the Shady Pines Community Center Rita will lead the celebration of Martin Luther King Day. Children will be asked to think about their dreams. What inspires them?
Ray Robinson will be there. He’s been learning about Dr. King in school and he will talk about ways kids and their families can make the world a kinder place through peaceful change, just like Dr. King did.
The children will write down their dreams and ideas or draw pictures. 
Then they’ll have something on paper to hang on the fridge or elsewhere at home. It will be a source of inspiration throughout the year.
Martin Luther King’s legacy continues to lift up people who learn about his determination to make us better people and a better nation. You can visit the monument created in his honor in Washington, DC.
Written on the side of the monument are theses words: “Out Of The Mountain Of Despair A Stone Of Hope.”
Shadows deepen early each day in late December. Streetlights around Shady Pines flicker on just after 5 pm. Why, before you know it, it’ll be New Year’s Day 2024!
mixed together. She’s had a sip of water and is now settling in for a nap.
Once he switches the front window sign to 
“It was fun having you at the store today, Boomer,” says Harold as he pats the Australian Shepherd’s head. “You were a lot of help.” Harold gives the multi colored dog a treat from one of the many wooden barrels near the cash register. “Ruff,” says Boomer.
Halley rolls her eyes. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Boomer growls softly under his breath.
Edna sees Harold has something in his hand. “What’s that?” she asks.
Boomer can’t believe what he’s hearing. “Princess? Did he just call you princess?”
“Did she just say we’re going to be part of this?” asks Boomer.
“Fun?” asks Halley. “I know how to walk on a leash. But no self-respecting cat should be asked to do it!”
Harold agrees with his wife. “Yes, and Halley likes to show she can do things other cats can’t do. It gets people to notice her and she adores being the center of attention.”
cookbook I’m writing. Oh, and I want to find ways to better show how much I appreciate my family, friends, and this wonderful community.”
And that’s where we leave the Sanders’ family on this evening in late December. Harold and Edna continue to write down the rest of their resolutions.
It can get overwhelming.
Harold moves closer. “I didn’t know you’d done that.”
“Starting the first of December this one highlights important messages each day.”
“You also may also see Avent Wreaths. Each candle has a separate meaning.”
Just then, the couple’s two four legged children wander in. Boomerang, the Australian Shepherd dog, laps water from his bowl.
Boomer plops down on Harold’s feet. “Yeah. I think so. I like to rip up the paper.”
“I sure hope the folks still plan to get me a new squeaky toy.”
Edna gazes out the kitchen’s large double pane window. “You know Harold when I was a little girl my grandmother used to get me an Advent Calendar every year.”
busy. I never thought of them as a way to promote conversation around important issues.”
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.”
“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.
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.”
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.
I knew that I would probably read some sweet notes from the wonderful people who live here. I wasn’t prepared for how emotional I would feel after hearing their thoughtful and heartfelt messages. I think I have to take a little break before I read the rest.
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.
A very important American holiday will be here before you know it. No, not Thanksgiving or Christmas. This date on the calendar is coming up way sooner than either one of those celebrated days.
me I’m supposed to help out around the house. And be good to mom while he’s gone. I told him I’d try to be just like him.”
It’s kinda sad to realize just how many wars the United States has been involved in, isn’t it? So many men and women have made a lot of sacrifices for the freedom we enjoy today. 
“While those who died are also remembered, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military — in wartime or peacetime.”
As we say goodbye to Halloween it’s time to fiddle with the hands on the clocks. 
ever so softly from the trees.
“It’s come to may attention that this weekend on Saturday y’all need to do something. Before you go to bed you’ll want to turn your clocks back an hour. Because at 2am on Sunday morning November 5th we will all be falling back together. And, if you want to get to church on time, or not miss out on whatever else you have planned, then you best change those clocks the night before!”
Thursday morning have breakfast ready 15 minutes later than normal, then naptime 15 minutes later and so on until the entire daytime schedule has been shifted.
With that one change you help them stay sleeping longer.