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.”
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.
“I will be thinking about my father on that day. He’s a retired Colonel in the Army. Since he’s not actively serving that makes him a veteran.
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.
Be patient and consistent and before you know it your kids will be back on track.
Just days ahead of Martin Luther King Day this year, Boston unveiled a new statue. 
I’m Zulah Talmadge in the Shady Pines Gazette nes office. “
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!
What do the children in your lives see when they look to the future?
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. 
Around 5 o’clock folks head down to Stonewall Park with their picnic baskets and coolers. A lot of our local business like Maggie’s Diner, Fred’s Corner Grocer and Cup ‘O Joe’s coffee shop donate food and drinks.
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 
celebrated nationwide on Sunday, June 19th.
It’s late in the game and Harold’s guys are two runs ahead of the other team. What’s so bad?
Harold’s wife, Edna,
is across the room lounging on the couch. She’s looking through recipes in her latest cooking magazine while listening to the ballgame. “What’s that dear?”
Harold turns the volume down on the TV. “What’s supposed to happen when your children are covered in fur? They’re not going to buy me a mower.”
room chased by a handsome Australian Shepherd dog. “Halley, you are such a pain. Give me my toy back!”
“I don’t see your name on it, Booo-mer-rang!”
Boomer points at the toy. “Well look at it, will ya!”
girl. But, please, play with your own toys.”
And they love you right back. Look at them.”
Edna joins him on the floor and hugs him. “Yes, and besides that, they may have something for you next Sunday that you’re not expecting.”
“Oh, please tell me it will not be crawling, slithering or flying through the house. You know how our daughter likes to surprise us!”