Time to Celebrate Memorial Day

by Mary Jane | May 26, 2021 | Special Events, The Kindness Connection Blog

Time To Celebrate!

It’s Memorial Day weekend! Now that most of the country is opening up, it will be more like business as usual for this 2021 holiday. Even though the pandemic is still a reality, and social distancing is still encouraged, we are slowly getting back to normal. The Shady Pines Gazette news editor, Zulah Talmadge, put out the word a week ago that she wants the people of Shady Pines Story Town to let her know how they plan to celebrate. Now, she’s having a hard time answering all the calls coming in!

“Yes, Sara, we’re doing a bunch of different stories about the holiday. What are you and Joe and the kids doing this year? You’re going to the picnic in Stonewall Park? You’re excited that it’s back on this year. You won’t have to wear a mask because you’ve been vaccinated? Uh-huh. I see. OK. We’ll see you there around 5:30.”

The Picnic Is Back

Zulah writes a few ideas in her reporter’s notebook. The annual Shady Pines Memorial Day Picnic is a big deal. The gathering this year will be larger than last year but folks will still be encouraged to stay in their own groups as much as possible.

To encourage some distancing, parking will be restricted to fewer cars than normal and areas will be roped off to prevent people gathering in large groups. Volunteers will be on hand to help anyone who’s confused about the new rules. Shady Pines is a small Southern town with a population of around 6,000 people. So, managing “crowds’ is easier here than in some places around the country.

Gathering Story Ideas

There’s a whole lot more to this story as well as another story about the importance of this day we honor every year. But to read more you’ll need to grab your copy of the June edition of The Shady Pines Gazette. You’ll find multiple pages of Stories, Recipes to Go and Features that are perfect to take on your holiday weekend getaway or wherever your plans take you.

You can get your

COPY HERE

ENJOY!

Why Memorial Day is Important

by Mary Jane | May 15, 2020 | The Kindness Connection Blog

Are you thinking Memorial Day weekend plans may look a bit different this year? With social distancing and the constant threat of Covid 19, the good folks of Shady Pines Story Town are thinking ahead. The 25th of May will be here before you know it. There are a whole of of people getting together to come up with ways to celebrate the holiday in a safe way.

In the meantime, a reader wrote to Zulah Talmadge, Editor at The Shady Pines Gazette newspaper, and asked a very good question. “Do you think kids know the real meaning behind Memorial Day?”

So of course, Zulah thought that was reason enough for this article. This is what she wrote:

MORE THAN FUN IN THE SUN

It’s obvious that kids and adults alike love Memorial Day weekend. Why wouldn’t they with all the traditional activities like parades, barbecues, lawn games, fun in the pool, beach trips and the like? But at the same time, the true meaning of Memorial Day goes beyond all the fun and games. It’s actually a very serious and important holiday. For over 150 years, Memorial Day has been dedicated to paying respect to all the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.

HOW IT ALL STARTED

Have you ever wondered how this holiday became part of the U.S. Calendar? It’s always the last Monday in May. Memorial Day actually began as Decoration Day back in 1868, when the graves of Civil War soldiers were decorated with flags and flowers. It was renamed Memorial Day in 1967, and in 1968, the last Monday in May was officially declared a U.S. holiday, turning the day into a celebratory three-day weekend before summer begins.

SEND WARM WISHES OF GRATITUDE

As you know, here in Shady Pines, we try to remind ourselves and our children to be kind and caring. One of the most important lessons any of us can learn is gratitude. So before you fire up the grill, maybe you and the kids send out heartfelt Memorial Day wishes. Here are some examples:

For an American citizen, today is the day to proudly remember all the soldiers who gave their lives for the country. Let us bow our heads in their honor. Wishing you Happy Memorial Day.
Love of this country, patriotism, is the reason why so many men and women fought for our land. Sending you warm wishes on Memorial Day.
Today is the day to remember all the real heroes who serve this country with their military service. We honor them for their contribution in bringing happiness. Happy Memorial Day.

SHARE WITH US

For many of the members of our Shady Pines community who have friends or loved ones serving in the military, this can be a very solemn occasion. Please tell us your story and what wishes you want to send out on this Memorial Day. We’d love to hear from you!

Now I’ve got to find Scoop, the Cub Reporter, so we can report back on the 2020 version of fun-filled festivities being planned for our small Southern town.

Stay tuned!

***Leave a comment below and share your thoughts and plans so we can pass them along