Archive | June, 2022

A heartwarming story about a kickball and kindness

14 Jun

Several days ago I shared with you all a letter to the editor I had seen in the Webster Herald which illustrated what a wonderfully kind community we have here in Webster. Recently one of my friends shared with me another inspirational story about kindness which I want to pass along today.

The story began at the Summer Celebration held at the Webster Recreation Center last Saturday. JoAnne Ford was attending the event with her grandson and his family. The little boy had brought his brand new kickball to play with, and was sharing it with some other children, who were still using it when his family packed up to leave the festivities. Rather than interrupt their fun, he kindly let them keep playing with it, with his grandmother JoAnne’s promise that she would bring it home.

But when she was ready to leave, the kickball was nowhere in sight.

She felt awful about “losing” the ball, even more so after seeing her grandson’s face when she had to tell him the bad news. Then she had a great idea. She posted a message to the Webster Neighbors Facebook page, hoping that perhaps someone had seen the ball and would contact her.

She never expected the reaction she got.

This was the original post:

I have a very sad 8-yr. old who brought his new kickball to the Webster Summer Celebration last night. He shared it with many children and when we left we couldn’t find it. You see, it’s not just any kickball we bought at a store, it’s orange and has an animated monster on it. … He worked hard to raise enough donations for the Heart Association for a school event to win this ball. So unfortunately we can’t find another like it to replace it. If anyone has seen it, please reach out to us.

The responses were immediate and heartwarming. The post was shared at least 70 times, as people all across the town tried to help a disappointed little boy find his special kickball.

JoAnne’s follow-up post tells the rest of the story:

I turned to this page to say “hey… if you see this ball, please reach out.” What I got in return was some pretty amazing responses! Other children offering up their ball, people reaching out to teachers and school staff to see if there were extra balls, which in turn led to multiple phone calls and coordinating…. ALL THIS FOR A KICKBALL.

My heart is full. I didn’t receive one negative comment. I had a WHOLE community trying to replace a kickball for some kid that lost theirs. (Well actually I lost it). I received a message from Bill Mitchell (the educational director for the American Heart Association). I met with him today and I can’t say enough about how amazing, kind, and generous this man is. He not only had a replacement ball… he had several replacements. Extras to continue to share with friends and make another kids day when they don’t have a ball… we are happy to give them one. PLUS tons of other goodies!

We have a VERY HAPPY boy now! Thank you so much Bill! He’s now “keeping an EYE on the ball.”

Thank you to all others who worked hard at reaching out to teachers and staff to help make this happen. A very special thank you to all the kids willing to give up their ball. Kudos to you parents! Webster is truly where life is worth living!

I don’t think the original kickball was every recovered. But I also don’t think that matters too much to this — now VERY happy — 8-year old.

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(posted 6/14/2022)

Students learn life skills at the OWL Cafe

13 Jun

A small, student-run cafe has sprung up at Schlegel Rd. Elementary School, and it’s providing a lot more than just coffee and snacks for both students and staff.

The “OWL Cafe, Coffee and More” is being operated by the students of the One Webster Learning (OWL) Center, a small program serving Webster Central School District students in grades K-12. 

The cafe, which has been operating for about a month, was first proposed for Schlegel by OWL social worker Kelly Petzing, who saw a similar venture at another school. She immediately recognized that “it would be a good opportunity for the kids to plan something, work together, and use different skills,” she said. It’d be an especially good way to reinforce the mathematics and social skills they’ve been working on all year.

So she brought the idea to OWL teacher Brennan Leva, and together they presented it to the students.

“They were all super excited about it,” Petzing said. So they started planning, working with the students to come up with a name, figuring out what kinds of jobs were required, what services to provide and what products to sell.

The cafe launched about a month ago, and the students immediately proved they were up to the challenge of operating a new business. They rotate among three jobs, Leva said: set-up, cashier and barista. Each presents a different set of learning goals.

“For set-up, students need to learn what things they need to get ready each day, and how to make a list of items that might be missing,” Leva explained. “The cashier’s job is to greet customers, count money and give change.”

The job of barista, however, is probably the most popular. This student listens for the orders, makes the coffee in the Keurig or pours the tea, and hands the drink order to the customers.

The cafe is open for an hour every morning and a half hour in the afternoon. Its menu includes hot or iced coffee, hot or iced tea, seltzer water and a variety of cookies, chips, fresh fruit and other snacks.

It’s a very professionally run business. Every employee wears a crisp blue apron, complete with name tag. Customers are immediately greeted with a polite, “Welcome to OWL Cafe, Coffee and More. How can we help you?” Orders are filled quickly, change is made accurately (albeit with some adult help) and if you need creamer or sugar, you’ll find it at the well-stocked condiment bar. There are even regular specials like half-off hot tea, or buy a drink and get a hand-made bracelet for free. They offer loyalty cards. There’s even an “Employee of the Week,” his or her photo posted next to the condiment bar.

In the short time the cafe has been open, the students have already shown great strides in self-confidence and even leadership skills, Leva said She added,

At first it was a lot of adult help but I think they can pretty much run it self-sufficiently. They’ve really taken over ownership of it. We’ve had some of the younger kids start training. So it’s nice to see that they took complete control of training them, told them everything they need to know, gave them aprons so they’re ready to go.”

A few students have even said they might like to work at Starbucks someday.

Schlegel staff members have embraced the new cafe with open arms, keeping the staff busy with orders for coffee, tea and snacks.

Consultant teacher Bill Ambler is a regular customer.

“The OWL Cafe staff greet me every morning with a smile and a fresh iced coffee,” he said. “The students are always so eager to serve and offer their recommendations. It’s wonderful to see some friends who have been very shy in the past come out of their shells when talking to staff, and a noticeable increase in self-confidence.”

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(posted 6/13/2022)

New historical marker erected in Webster Union Cemetery

12 Jun

Webster Union Cemetery got some long-overdue recognition last Wednesday with the unveiling of a brand new historic roadside sign.

The history of Webster Union Cemetery, located at the corner of Rt. 250 and Woodhull Rd., can be traced back to March of 1817, when the Whiting family lost their very young child, and a caring neighbor donated some land for the burial. In the following years, the cemetery became the resting place of Abram Foster, one of Webster’s earliest settlers, and members from many prominent Webster families.

Wednesday’s ceremony and the new historical sign, however, especially recognized that the cemetery is also the burial place of many patriots who fought for our country, including more than 600 veterans from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, Civil War, World War I and II and the Korean War.

Cemetery president George Baker and Daughters of the American Revolution genealogist Cherie Wood led the ceremony, unveiling the sign before an audience of cemetery board members, local officials, business leaders, representatives from VFW Post 9483, active duty servicemen and others.

The sign is the result of almost two years of research by George Baker, Cherie Wood and Webster Town Historian Lynn Barton. It was made possible with support from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, a Syracuse-based organization dedicated to helping communities celebrate local history and encourage historic preservation through the placement of historical markers.

With installation of the sign, Webster Union Cemetery will also be added to the National Registry of Historic Places.

On Saturday, July 30 at 10 a.m., community members are invited to participate in a Revolutionary War Patriot and Founding Fathers Celebration at the cemetery. Active servicemen, veterans and Webster first responders will be attending, and the the Towpath Fife and Drum Corp. will honor our Revolutionary War Patriots with popular and well-known songs. 

Mark your calendars now; this will be an event the entire family will enjoy. 

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(posted 6/12/2022)

The kindness of strangers

10 Jun

If you don’t subscribe to the Webster Herald, then you missed a really touching letter to the editor in this week’s edition. As soon as I read it, I knew I wanted to share it with a wider audience.

In this day and age when the news is filled with stories about the awful ways people are treating one another, this letter shows there’s still good in our world. And it illustrates what a caring community Webster is.

Dear Editor,

Last Friday my husband Don and I, both in our 80s, were on our way to Mr. T’s for lunch when he lost his balance and fell hard, face down onto the parking lot pavement. In less than a minute, a young woman pushing a stroller came up and asked, “What can I do?” She called 911. Then, another young woman came. “I am a nurse. How can I help?” She got down on her hands and knees and spoke to my husband, who was bleeding from his face. Two more women arrived with paper towls and Kleenex. Another nurse arived, and together the two nurses agreed they shouldn’t try to turn my husband over onto his back. So they went to work, one on his face and the other on his knees to try to stop the bleeding.

Two more people came with umbrellas, opened them up over my husband to protect him from the noonday sun. A gentleman from a nearby store arrived with a chair for me to sit on, and an offer of a glass of water. Another gentleman came with a blanket to put under my husband’s legs. When I said, “It will get bloody,” his response was, “No problem.” The nurse lifted Don’s leg and wedged the blanket underneath his knees to make it more comfortable for him until the ambulance arrived.

After Don was safely in the ambulance and I was on my way back to our car, one of the nurses said to me, “Are you all right? Would you like me to follow you home?” (I wasn’t able to go in the ambulance with Don because of COVID.) When I reassured her that I was OK, she gently closed the driver’s door next to me and said, “I’ll pray for you.”

To say Don and I were blessed was an understatement. No one would wish such an accident would occur, but once it did, nobody would imagine how kind eight strangers could be.

Don is home now and recovering. We’re both “over the moon” with gratitude. We don’t know any of these people’s names, but I doubt we will ever forget their kindness.

— Carole Young

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(posted 6/10/2022)

Tropical shirts? Beach drinks? It’s Webster-itaville (take two)

8 Jun

If you were disappointed that Jimmy Buffett Night at Lala of Webster was postponed last April, I have good news! It’s been rescheduled for Thursday night June 9, and it’s actually bigger and better than the original event was going to be.

From 5 to 7 p.m., Lala will be featuring Jimmy Buffett-themed music, food and drink. Everyone’s encouraged to come dressed in your favorite tropical attire and bright colors, and escape for some beach-time (or at least beach-like) fun.

The party continues next door at Jojo Bistro and Wine Bar, which will have live music and be serving up some tropical drink specials (like a Strawberry Margarita, Coconut Mojito and a non-alcoholic Strawberry Breeze) and snacks (including coconut shrimp).

Need dinner? Across the street, Webster Hots will be grilling up a Cheeseburger in Paradise combo, featuring a burger and fries for $8 or two burgers and a large fry for $13. It’s the same burger served in the actual Jimmy Buffet Restaurant.

So make sure to head into the village this Thursday night and kick your summer off in a fun way. (P.S. keep an eye out for parrots.)

Lala of Webster is located at 38 East Main Street.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com“Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

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(posted 6/8/2022)

Two signs of summer are back

7 Jun

Webster’s two spray parks are now open for the season, at Ridgecrest Park (off of Ebner Drive) and the beautiful, relatively new, First Responders Spray Park near the Webster Recreation Center on Chiyoda Dr.

The First Responders Park (pictured here) is especially fun for kids and families. It’s a firefighter-themed playground and splash pad, with a nearby pavilion. The splash pad has all sorts of water-fun features including a fire hydrant, a dalmatian fountain and fire truck slide.  

The SECOND sign of summer to which I referred is the Joe Obbie Farmers’ Market, which returns to Wewbster Towne Plaza (Target Plaza) this Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m.

If you’ve never been to this market you should start making it a regular Saturday morning stop. Varying with the season, you’ll find baked goods, pies, meats, poultry, goat cheese and goat cheese products, flavored nuts, herbs, spice blends, honey, maple syrup, cider, soap and body care products, plants and cut flowers, jewelry, crafts and of course a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

The market runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Saturday through October, rain or shine. Check out the Joe Obbie Farmer’s Market website and Facebook page for details.

This year the market is introducing something new as well, “An Evening in the Park.” Every Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. in July and August the market will also set up at Charles Sexton Memorial Park (formerly North Ponds), between Rt. 250 and Holt Rd. The evenings will feature live music and food trucks as well as the vendors you’ve come to know and love.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com“Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

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(posted 6/7/2022)

Webster Community Chest is re-imagining their food pantry. And they need your help.

6 Jun

Remember the Webster Community Chest’s (WCC) food pantry? For years, the pantry provided meal assistance to individuals and families in our community until the WCC lost their former space in what is now the Van Ingen Court Building behind Town Hall. Recently they’ve been distributing food through several “little free food pantries” in town, but you know they’d like to do a lot more than that.

Well, I got some good news recently: the WCC is working on a very innovative plan to re-open the food pantry. Their idea is very clever. They’re going to be distributing meal bags.

As a recent press release explained,

The pantry will … operate more like an “Instacart model” for meal preparation support. Residents will be able to place orders for specific meal types, as offered on the WCC website order form, and ingredients to create the meals will be bagged up for their pick-up. Delivery may also become an option, as volunteers are available.

The bags will include all the items for a complete meal, plus a recipe card. For example, the spaghetti dinner bag would include pasta, sauce, parmesian cheese, green beans and more. People can request one of each choice or multiples. Once they receive the orders, WCC volunteers will pack the orders on-site, then take them to another location for pick-up.

It’s a great idea, right? Only problem is, the WCC doesn’t have any storage space. Before they can launch their plan, they need a small place to store and pack non-perishable foods. It only needs to be about 200 to 300 sq. ft., and there won’t be much foot traffic at all. The space needs to be secure, protected from the elements and able to be accessed a few times per week. Extra parking or amenities won’t even be required. It could even be a very temporary location if need be.

If you can help, please call committee chair Joanne Nania at 585-503-2450.

Can you help? Do you or someone you know have some un-utilized space within your business or facility that could be used for this purpose? If so, please contact Joanne Nania at joanne.nania@gmail.com or webcommchest@gmail.com

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com“Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

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(posted 6/6/2022)

Webster community mailbag

4 Jun

Cherry Ridge concerts are back!

Events at Cherry Ridge assisted living community have been rather limited the last two years, but — finally — the free summer concert series has returned.

The series kicks off on Tuesday June 14 with the always popular GateSwingers Big Band, an impressive 19-piece band featuring music from the 40s, 50s, 60s, and present day. On Tuesday July 19, Mr. Mustard makes its Cherry Ridge debut. This four-piece Beatles tribute band plays tunes that captivated an entire generation and you’re sure to know (if you’re cool and hip).

The concerts are held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m., and food concessions begin at 5:30. You’ll want to bring your own lawn chair or blankets.

The concerts are free but registration is required. If you’d like to skip the line, pre-register at www.st.annscommunity.com/concert-series.

Cherry Ridge is located at 900 Cherry Ridge Blvd., across the street from Webster Schroeder High School.


June programs at the Webster Public Library

On Tuesday June 7 from 2 to 3 p.m., join Christine Simons for a digital tour of various Normandy beaches on D-Day. The presentation will also feature some French memorial museums, an American cemetery and memorial, and the Island of Guernsey, comparing how it is now to when it was occupied by Germany in WWII.

Registration is required; click here.

This summer’s Webster Library reading program for adults is called “Oceans of Possibilities.” All summer long, participants will enjoy ocean-themed reading challenges, prizes, book discussions, crafts and movies. On Tuesday June 21, stop by the library from 1 to 4 p.m. for a preview of the program, and enjoy some tasty treats. No registration is required.

Here are two fun crafts for teens and tweens:

  • Monday June 13, 6 to 7 p.m., a yarn wall hanging. Teens grades 4-12 and adults are welcome. Register here.
  • Thursday June 30, 11 a.m. to noon, come paint an ocean scene! All materials and instruction are provided. Teens grades 4-12 are welcome. Register here.

Here’s some summer fun for children and families:

  • Tuesday June 14, 10 to 11:30 a.m., The Marina Drive-in! Start off the morning in the storyroom decorating personal boats, then take a drive over to the Boat Marina (community room) to watch a short movie. You can even bring your boat home to continue the fun. Children ages 2 to 5 are welcome. Register here.
  • Tuesday June 28, 2 to 3 p.m., bring the entire family to play Ocean BINGO and kick off the summer reading program. All ages are welcome. Register here.

This month’s make-and-take crafts:

  • Watermelon craft (for the kids)
  • Rainbow-beaded suncatcher (for teens)
  • DIY shelf decor (for adults)

Materials are available while supplies last.


The 2022 Tour de Cure, the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) premier cycling event, is returning to Webster on June 11.

This huge events draws cyclists from all over the area, riding courses ranging from 12 to 100 miles. It’s the ADA’s largest fundraising event of the year, and they could use your help.

Organizers are looking for cyclists to participate, and volunteers to help with the logistics. The event begins and ends at the Xerox campus in Webster, and is very well organized. Routes are available for all ages and abilities, and it’s not too late to sign up.

If you’d like more information about participating, click here. If you’re interested in volunteering, click here.


This notice from the school district:

All of Webster CSD’s students need to turn in their school-issued electronic devices by the end of this school year, and in August returning students will be provided a new device for the 2022-23 school year.

The district’s Transforming Learning through Technology (TLT) initiative puts a Chromebook in the hands of all One Webster students grades 3-12 and an iPad in the hands of all of our K-2 students, so they may take the devices back and forth from home to school to extend their learning beyond the traditional school day. As part of TLT, the devices are replaced every three years. All Webster CSD student devices will be replaced this year. 

Elementary students should return their devices to their classroom teachers by the end of this school year. Secondary students are asked turn in their devices according to the following schedule: 

  • Spry and Willink middle schools –  June 16 and 17 during lunch and June 21 before the Checkpoint exam. 
  • Webster Thomas High School – return devices to the WTI room: 
    • June 8, 8:00-11:00 a.m.
    • June 9, noon-3:00 p.m.
    • June 10, 8:00-11:00 a.m.
    • June 13, all day
  • Webster Schroeder High School – return devices to the cafeteria:
    • June 8, noon-3:00 p.m.
    • June 9, 8:00-11:00 a.m.
    • June 10, noon-3:00 p.m.
    • June 13, all day

New Chromebooks are being made available for pickup August 22 to 24, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and August 25 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Willink Middle School, 900 Publishers Parkway. For parents/guardians unable to attend one of these dates to pick up their child’s device, student devices will be delivered directly to the students during the first week of school. 

If you have questions, email Brian Zimmer at brian_zimmer@webstercsd.org or call (585) 216-0099.


Lots of fun family-friendly activities are coming up later this month, including a village-wide sidewalk sale, the first Family Games and Beer Night of the summer, and the start of the Movies in the Park. Stay tuned for more details about all of these events, and stay on top of everything going on in the village at www.websterbid.com.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com“Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

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(posted 6/4/2022)

West Webster history will come alive this month during museum’s cemetery tour

2 Jun

The Webster Museum has come up with a very interesting and fun way to learn more about West Webster history, and some of the people who lived there … and are buried there.

On Sunday June 19, from 2 to 4 p.m., the museum will host an historical tour of the West Webster Cemetery, featuring a dozen reenactors portraying many of the former residents who now rest there. The characters will be hanging out by their gravestones, awaiting visitors to wander by and hear their stories.

What’s going to be really fun about this day is that I have volunteered to be one of the reenactors. I chose to portray Martha Cottreall, who died in 1934 at the age of 72. I’ll talk about my life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and especially about the accomplishments of my husband — who participated in a famous Arctic rescue operation — and son, who fought in WWI. (If you ever wanted to meet me, this would be a great chance!)

Tour visitors will also hear from Angelina Aldridge (wife of John O. Aldridge), Ebenezer Cook, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Drake, and Sylvester Brewer (who will talk about the Civil War and the Army of the Grand Republic), among others.

It should be a fascinating way to learn more about our town’s oldest cemetery, and to hear some of the memories of West Webster’s past, spoken by voices of the present.

There’s no charge to attend the event, but donations are always gratefully accepted. Attendees are being asked to park at St. Rita’s Church, across Maple Dr. from the cemetery. NO PARKING signs will be posted along Old Ridge Rd. and Maple Dr.

If you’d like to learn more about the cemetery before Sunday’s tour, you’re invited to attend a presentation at the museum on Saturday, June 18 at 2 p.m. when Peter Elder will talk about the cemetery’s history.

The Webster Museum is located at 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. It’s open 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com“Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

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(posted 6/2/2022)

Curated, the Village of Webster’s newest business, has hit the ground running

1 Jun

The Village of Webster recently welcomed a new business to East Main Street, and it’s already become an enthusiastic supporter of the Webster community.

Curated officially opened its doors on May 20 at 44 East Main, in the lower parking lot between Village Bakery and ROC & Soul Fitness. Those who walk through the door will find themselves immersed in what feels like a beautifully-appointed home, a comfortable, welcoming space decorated with artfully-placed furniture, decorative and functional home items, and gifts.

Owner Justin Brown explains that, true to the meaning of the word “curated,” his shop features a collection of items gathered over time.

I’m a mix of vintage and new pieces. In my design aesthetic I always intermix the two. I like to have mixed metals, mixed woods. … We have a lot of items from upholstery to lighting, special order, case goods, all the way to gift items for the kitchen and women’s jewelry. It’s a collection of pieces that I personally love. 

Justin brings with him extensive experience in retail and interior design, having worked for American Eagle, Anthropologie, MacKenzie Childs in New York City, and most recently the Windsor Cottage Store on Winton Place.

When the owner there decided to close up shop after 21 years, Justin thought to himself, “I always wanted a shop of my own. No time like the present.” So he started investigating available storefronts. Webster was the first place he considered, and despite looking at several other locations, he kept coming back to 44 East Main.

“I wanted to be in a village atmosphere,” he said. “I wanted people to be able to get out, walk store to store and have a local mentality, not necessarily be next to a big box retailer or franchises.” 

“(This location) really does have a neighborhood feel. Having the bakery next door, ROC & Soul, Lalas, it really gave me a feel of a neighborhood but still has lots of options for clients and residents to come to park, walk around and enjoy a sense of neighborhood.”

Pulling the new shop together was a labor of love. It was “raw space,” Justin said, requiring a full build-out, including framing, insulating, drywall, floors, baseboards, a drop ceiling and more, even before painting could begin. Construction delays put him behind schedule, so that by the time everything was done, he had less than a week to move in, get all the merchandise delivered and set up before his already-planned grand opening on May 20. But with lots of help from his husband, parents, sisters and in-laws, it all came together in time.

Justin has already demonstrated that he wants to be a strong village and community partner. He’s joined the Business Improvement District and less than 48 hours after officially opening his doors, participated in the first Webster Wine Walk of the season.

“It’s the least that I can do as a small business owner,” Justin said. “If I’m asking the community to support me, I need to support the community.” 

“I feel it’s only right.”

Curated is located at 44 East Main St., in the lower parking lot between Village Bakery and ROC & Soul Fitness. Read more about the shop on their website and Facebook page.

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email me  at missyblog@gmail.com“Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

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(posted 6/1/2022)