What’s Up with Advent Calendars?

by Mary Jane | Nov 29, 2020 | Breaking News, The Kindness Connection Blog

Time For Advent Calendars!

Oh, boy, the big day will be here soon. The countdown is on for Christmas and advent calendars are popping up everywhere. These are the calendars that kids love because they include a hidden treat or toy behind every day of the week from the first of December right up to Christmas Eve. Hi everyone, Zulah Talmadge with you for The Shady Pines Gazette News. Now that Thanksgiving is in our rear view mirror the holiday season is in full gear.

What Is The Season of Advent?

Do you know about the Season of Advent and the reason why these calendars are fun for kids and adults alike? Let’s start at the beginning. Traditionally, the Season of Advent begins on the final Sunday in November and lasts into that third week in December.

It has been seen by Christians around the world as a way to get ready for the coming birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. That’s why each day on an Avent Calendar is its own celebration to reflect the joy and hope of this very special season. You also may even see Avent Wreaths with four or five purple, pink and white candles. Like the calendars, these wreaths are also used to symbolize a scared time of year. Each candle has a separate meaning.

Typically, during the Season of Advent, one candle on the wreath is lit each Sunday as a part of Sunday church services. But you don’t have to be a practicing Christian to honor the spirit of Advent. The Advent Calender started in the mid-19th century when Germans marked the countdown to Christmas with chalk marks on doors or by lighting a candle.

Advent Calendars Are All Different

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 Story Town will hide messages of kindness, caring and love behind those colorful doors.

There is no one way to make a calendar. They look as different as the people who create them. 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 days, there all kinds of Advent Calendars you can buy or make for yourself. But one thing remains the same. These holiday calendars are fun. And just like the spiritual theme of the season, they offer anticipation, hope and joy of discovery.

How to Use an Advent Calendar

Best of all, for parents, it’s something you can use to keep the kids busy and a way to promote conversation around issues you might want to discuss.

We did a story for The Gazette not long ago about parents and grandparents who are concerned that kids are more focused on getting toys, video games and stuff for Christmas, rather than what they can do for others in need.

It’s normal for kids to get so excited while wating for Christmas to arrive. But, in 2020 with many of our neighbors going through hard times, consider using an Advent Calendar to focus those young people in your life on what you and your family values most.

That’s what we try to do each and every day here in the small Southern town of Shady Pines!

Thanksgiving Thank You Notes

by Mary Jane | Nov 18, 2020 | Breaking News, The Kindness Connection Blog, Uncategorized

Taking Note of What We Have

It’s hard to believe Thanksgiving is next week. I’m Zulah Talmadge with The Shady Pines Gazette news. I don’t know about you, but I can’t seem to keep track of what day it is anymore. Because it has been such an unusual year, we’ve been kicking around ideas here in the news office about how to cover the holiday. We want to do something diferent this Thanksgiving.

We’ve been asking our neighbors to write a thank you note of sorts and let us know what they’re grateful for in 2020. They can send an actual note by mail, or just send an email to this address and you can do the same: https://shadypinesstorytown.com/contact

Our Neighbors Share Their Stories

Let me read some of the ones we’ve already received. This one really got to me. It’s from 7 year old, Ray Robinson. Here’s what he had to say. “This holiday I’m glad my dad was promoted. He’s a Lieutenant now. Best of all, he and his unit will be home in time for Christmas! Mom and I have had a really hard year with him being away. But now she’s happy and I’m glad. Plus, I got a lot of time to play with Boomer and Halley. I liked that, too. Signed, Ray.”

Zulah takes a tissue and dabs her eyes. “See what I mean? That young man is so kind. He’s like so many kids in town whose parents are serving our country and can’t be home for the holidays. We salute each and every one of them.”

Zulah pulls herself together and opens another email. “This one comes from our very own mayor, Beauregard P. Fibbs. Let’s see what ‘ole Beau has to say, shall we?”

Zulah opens the email with the official title, Mayor of Shady Pines, right there on top. Zulah thinks to herself, I can hear him clearing his throat before he wrote this. He does that before every speech.

“I believe I speak for many of the citizens of our wonderful town when I say this year we’ve had to pull together like never before. I have been so impressed and so grateful for the many acts of kindness I’ve seen. People have stepped up and stepped in to help individuals and families who have fallen sick because of the coronavirus. Our neighbors have pitched in to help local businesses struggling to survive this pandemic. Never before have I been so moved by the courage and selflessness I’ve witnessed first hand. In this time of Thanksgiving, let’s remember what we have, and what we still need to do, to make Shady Pines the very best place to live.”

Zulah takes a moment to collect her thoughts. She’s known Beau most of her life. They grew up together. She can’t remember when she’s heard him speak from the heart like that. “Wow. Good for you, Mr. Mayor,” she says softly.

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 is the place to stop 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 the pandemic. Harold, we need to mention that Boomer and Halley are doing well, too. And by wearing a mask and staying socially distant, we’ve all been able to help out down at the Shady Pines Community Center with the food drives. Edna, you’re so right. This Thanksgiving we send our best wishes from our household to yours and hope all of us can be back together very soon!”

Zulah finds herself nodding her head as she reads the email from Harold and Edna. It’s so true. We all have had to alter our way of doing things this year, but that didn’t slow people down from doing good work. The food drives continue even as I write this article.

The Can-Do Attitude That Helps Us All

Next up is Kim Dunworthy. Our young postal worker had a challenging year, that’s for sure. With changes made to the U.S. Post Office system and a presidential election that had more people mailing in votes than ever before, Kim has had her hands full. I’ve seen her so tired some days she could barely wave to me. But still she keeps going knowing people depend on her. Their letters and packages are her highest priority.

“I am so very grateful for the faith and trust the folks in Shady Pines have placed in me. I may be fairly new but everyone here is so friendly and treats me like one of their own. This year has been tough on all of us. At the post office we had to overcome obstacles we never saw coming. Who knew at the first of the year we’d all be dealing with a pandemic? I am thankful this holiday for the friends I’ve met, the kind and caring people who go out of their way to help, and the ‘never give up’ attitude all of my co-workers have shown. My very best to you all!”

Zulah pushes her desk chair back, stand up and takes a deep breath. “I knew that I would probably read some sweet thank-filled 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 2020 have been, the countless examples of the resiliece of the human spirit have been on display as well. Keep your loved ones close, celebrate the good when you can and give thanks for the front line workers doing all they can to battle this horrible virus on our behalf.

From Shady Pines Story Town,

Happy Thanksgiving!

**Please write a comment and let us know what you thought of this post

Leadership and the Kindness Factor

by Mary Jane | Sep 24, 2020 | Shady Pines Stories, The Kindness Connection Blog

THE LEADERSHIP/KINDNESS CONNECTION

What’s the most important quality in a leader?

Hi I’m Mayor Beauregard P. Fibbs. As mayor of Shady Pines Story Town I get asked that question a lot. It really gets to be a big deal during election season. Naturally, this whole notion of being a good leader is a hot topic right about now. Folks will be going to the polls real soon, so they have to think about it. They have to consider whether this fella or gal they’re voting for has the ability to be a good leader.

Of course I’m hoping my neighbors will elect me again. I like being mayor. Oh sure, as my name implies, sometimes I do tell a fibb or two. But honesty is important, so I always make sure I fess up when I do get caught stretching the truth a bit. And, I try not to make that mistake again.

How about Kindness? Do you think a leader should be kind? I do. Sometimes I think we forget that politicians like me need to be kind.

We have folks in town who are hurting right now. Why with this pandemic still going strong, we see some businesses forced to close up – maybe for good. A lot of kids are still out of school and learning from home. Some of the folks who got the virus and are really sick, are being treated in the hospital in River City.

IN OUR SMALL SOUTHERN TOWN WE BELIEVE KINDNESS AND CARING IS THE SHADY PINES WAY!

I would say that kindness is one of the most undervalued leadership qualities in our world today. Here’s the way I see it. There are some people who will tell you that being kind is just another word for pushover, weak, inefficient, and soft.

They’ll tell you that you have to be tough and strong to be a leader. Why you’ll even hear it said that mean people who rule with fear are the ones who get results. They’ll let you believe that a Game of Thrones approach is what people really value.

Well to all of that I say, “Poppycock.” That approach is entertaining in a TV show or a movie, but in real life – not so much. Leading with fear may work for a little while. But, sooner or later, people start to resent you for being like that.

Now, I’m not saying that there aren’t times when a leader has to make some tough decisions. Parents have to do the same thing with their kids.

There have to be rules to keep evryone safe. That’s what Harold and Edna Sanders found out when they adopted those two critters. When Boomerang and Halley’s Comet came to live with them, Harold and Edna had a heck of a time. They’d never been parents before.

First, they had to set boundaries and rules to keep their two, four-legged kids from tearing the house down. You see, they had to be leaders. They didn’t yell and scream at Boomer and Halley. That would have just scared those two animals.

Instead, they used kindness and compassion to show them the way. Oh, and they had to have a whole lot of patience. A happy family hugging their pets But, by setting a good example, they helped their kids understand what was expected. Nowadays things are much calmer in the Sanders household. Most of the time!

LEAD BY EXAMPLE

Here’s the thing. I find that our neighbors like it when I tell them the truth and do what I say I’m going to do. That’s how they know they can trust me. No matter how tough things get, we know we can get through it together. For instance, I told them months ago that this Covid 19 virus is much worse than the flu. Even now we still have to do all we can to make sure our community is as safe as possible. That’s being honest with people.

THAT’S THE SHADY PINES WAY

When someone is hurting, you need to be kind and show them compassion. That what a leader does.

No one’s perfect. We all have our moments. I don’t always do the right thing. Sometimes I’m not the best version of myself. When that happens, I do get all stressed out. Then, I take a deep breath and remember to do what I can to lead with kindness, compassion, and generosity.

By the way, kindness comes in all different forms. It’s the free smile, the free hello, and the free wave. It’s treating people with generosity, empathy, and care. It’s about asking people how they are doing and taking a few minutes to actually listen to the response before walking off.

You don’t have to be a politician, or even a parent for that matter, to show peole you care. Kids can be leaders, too.

Being kind is a great strength in any leader. This is how we should all want to lead to create a real impact for ourselves and for the people, and animals, in our lives.

What do you think? Leave us a comment below!

Shady Pines After The Storm

by Mary Jane | Aug 5, 2020 | Breaking News, The Kindness Connection Blog

The pictures tell the story. Hurricane Isaias walloped Shady Pines and then headed up north.

I’m Zulah Talmadge here at The Shady Pines Gazette news office. It has been a busy time for us covering this story ever since that storm hit us on Monday night and a heartbreaking time for many of our neighbors.

Winds topping 90 miles per hour whipped through here along with pounding rain. Tornado warnings went off constantly Monday night. It was really scary.

As a result of those high winds and water soaked ground, a lot of trees came tumbling down on cars and houses. There was rushing water on the streets and those winds tossed some cars around like they were toys.

To the east of us in River City, boats that are normally all safe and securely tied to their docks, wound up on top of one another.

Tens of thousands of people across our state lost power. Crews are still working hard to get the lights back on for everyone.

Then, after all it did around here, that blasted Isaias took its mischief up the east coast. Don’t you know some of the same things happened to towns and cities up there? I’m telling you, even though the storm was downgraded to a Tropical Storm and not a Hurricane, it still did a whole lot of damage.

You can see that ‘ole Isaias ripped up a lot of folks’ homes. Even houses made of brick couldn’t stand up to those winds. You just know it’s going to take a good long time before these homes will be fit for people to live in again.

And it wasn’t just houses. A whole lot of businesses were damaged, too.

Just when so many of us are struggling to make ends meet because of the pandemic, the storm just came at such a bad time. Not that there’s ever a good time for a storm of destruction, but the timing of this one seems especially unfair.

One thing I can say at a time like this is that we all need to pull together to help one another. People are havig to clean up and clear out furniture, clothes, and all sorts of stuff that were soaked. Some things may have to be replaced.

This is when all of us need to rely on others to help us out when it’s too much to do by ourselves. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s OK to ask for help when you need it.

Here is Shady Pines our neighbors have already been out and about dealing with trees that fell down. They got together to pull those trees upright and secure them with strong, thick, ties that they wrapped around stakes in the ground. That should give the trees time to grow strong roots in case of another strong storm.

Meanwhile, Harold Sanders who owns the Nuts ‘N Bolts hardware store downtown, is doing a different kind of raising. He’s talking to folks who gather at the soda fountain in his store about starting a fundraiser. He wants to raise money for some of our neighbors who did have damage to their homes.

That soda fountain is a really good place to spread the word and get something going. People of all ages go there not only for a cool drink or dessert, but also to hear Harold tell stories. Take it from me, he can tell some whoppers that’ll have you laughing in no time.

Harold is also a very kind man who loves this commuity.

And, taking care of one another is important to all of us who live here in Shady Pines Story Town. You never know when you, or someone you know, may need help.

What are some things you can think of to do to help your neighbors who might have been hit hard by this storm? Tell us your ideas in the comment section below.

Until next time, Zulah out!

A Famous Father and Gifts For Dad

by Mary Jane | Jun 17, 2020 | Shady Pines Stories, The Kindness Connection Blog

Let’s celebrate fathers. A father is so very important in the lives of his children – even if his children have four legs! A good father guides, encourages, supports and loves his kids unconditionally. That’s why in honor of Father’s Day, we want you to know Harold Sanders is that kind of dad. He’s also the most famous father here in Shady Pines Story Town.

Harold and his wife, Edna, never had children of their own. But the day Boomerang, an Australian Shepherd dog, and Halley’s Comet, a silver streak of a cat came into their lives, everything changed. When they adopted the two strays, Harold and Edna officially became parents.They had no idea the challenges they would face as the Sanders became a family of four. Home Sweet Home

Boomer and Halley weren’t all that excited about becoming an instant brother and sister act. Boomerang had grown up out west on a ranch where his herding instincts made him a natural for rounding up cattle. It was when he left the U.B. Good Ranch in a pickup truck with his favorite ranch hand that everything changed. Clint had stopped for gas. Boomer heard a squirrel in the nearby bushes and took off. He wound up lost in Shady Pines.

Meanwhile, Halley was living the good life with a family up north in a beautiful neighborhood. The little girl of the family spoiled her with gifts and all the tuna she could eat. The silver kitty was used to going on trips with the family. But the vacation down South turned everything around for Halley’s Comet.

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. That’s when Halley heard the birds chirping. Instinct took over and the silver streak was out the window and gone. You guessed it. She found herself lost in Shady Pines.

We’ll pause here because the whole story of how Boomer and Halley were lost, then found, is the title of the second book in their honor. A local author, Mary Jane McKittrick, decided to write about the adventures and misadventures of this blended family of animals and humans. Lo and behold, the books started winning awards and that’s how Harold and his family became famous. In fact, the Sanders put little ‘ole Shady Pines on the map! Visitors are always coming to our small Southern town asking to meet them.You can get your own copy along with the other two books in the series by going HERE

If you can believe it, the books for 4-8 year olds won the Mom’s Choice Gold Award for excellence and the Pinnacle Award for Independent Book publishers.

You know the best part? Even though the Sanders’ family gets so much attention, It never goes to their heads. They’re not stuck up at all. Oh, sure, Halley can be a little snooty at times, but she was like that from the beginning. And Boomer always puts her in her place.

Edna is so creative and fun. Harold is the steady one who sets such a good example. He is a decent, hard-working man who looks you right in the eye when he talks. He believes in doing a good job, loves to laugh, and doesn’t have to raise his voice to get attention. Harold walks with quiet confidence and leads by example.

It’s funny but Boomer and Halley seem to want to please him. They feel really badly when they disappoint him. Don’t get me wrong. they’re kids after all, so they can get into trouble. That look he gives them when they’ve done something wrong is enough to snap them back into good behavior.

Folks around Shady Pines admire the man who owns the town’s Nuts ‘N Bolts hardware store with its old-fashioned soda fountain slap dab in the middle of the store. That’s where locals enjoy listening to Harold spin a story. Harold Sanders is like a lot of our neighbors who love to tell stories filled with positive themes. Seems all they want to do is inspire young children to grow up and be good people. That’s why we’re known as Shady Pines Story Town where kindness and caring is a way of life. People here don’t just talk about being good to one another, they actually try to live that way. Just another reason to celebrate the contributions of Harold Sanders and all the fathers making a difference in the lives of their children!

If you’d like to help your kids make their own Father’s Day gifts we found a site that could help GO HERE

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