Archive | April, 2024

Get your free trees, courtesy the Sierra Club

19 Apr

Now here’s a great way to beautify your property and help the environment at the same time, and it won’t cost you a thing.

On Saturday April 27, members and volunteers for the local chapter of the Sierra Club will be stationed at Webster Park to hand out free trees to the public. 

Your species options will include:

  • Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor)
  • Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
  • Serviceberry aka Juneberry (Amelanchier canadensis)
  • Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) 

Planting instructions will be included. All trees are bare-root, so please bring a bag or container of water to keep the roots wet until the tree can be planted. 

The event will be held rain or shine on Saturday April 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Webster Park (corner of Lake and Holt roads).

Sierra Club members will also be at Seneca Park, Northampton Park and Genesee Valley Park on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. if you find yourself closer to one of those parks that day.

This is the fourth year that the Sierra Club has held this event. The trees are free, but members will also be grateful for any small donations. This beautiful poster, by the way, was created by local artist and Sierra Club Executive Committee member John Kastner.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 4/21/2024)

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Grand opening this Friday will celebrate new village hair salon

18 Apr

The community is invited this Friday evening to welcome the village’s newest salon, Shear Inspiration, to 33 North Ave.

Jessica Warren, who has worked for Robyn Whittaker at Beyond Cuts Salon for five years, will be introducing her new salon to the community at her grand opening celebration, Friday April 19 from 5 to 8 p.m.

The event will have food, drinks, a photo booth, door prize raffles, giant Jenga, giant connect four, tabletop cornhole, goodie bags (first-come, first-served) and more. If the weather’s nice, look for some of the games outside. There will also be some ASL interpreters from RIT there to bridge the communication gap for deaf visitors if needed. The door will be open, so stop in anytime between 5 and 8 p.m., and stay as long as you want.

Don’t fear!!! This does not mean that Robyn is leaving the business. This is more of an administrative move. Even though the Beyond Cuts name is no longer over the door, rest assured that Robyn will still be there to serve her own faithful clients under the Shear Inspiration roof. So stop by and say hi to both Jessica and Robyn Friday night.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 4/18/2024)

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Webster Montessori School shines bright at fundraiser

18 Apr

Bonus blog today about a great event coming up next weekend (April 27), but you have to get tickets by this Saturday.

It’s called A Roaring Night to Shine Bright, and it’s an exciting fundraiser for the Montessori School.

This annual fundraiser offers an incredible selection of silent and live auction items which range from restaurant gift cards and a crepe-making class to a Christmas Eve visit from Santa and a getaway at the Glen Iris Inn.

Other great items include:

Even those brand new to live auctions will have fun and be comfortable, as you’re led through the process by seasoned auctioneer David Mammano. Simply raise your bidder paddle when you’re ready to make a bid, and the auction team will keep you informed of the current highest bid and guide you through the bidding process.

A Roaring Night to Shine Bright will be held Saturday April 27 beginning at 5 p.m. at Evento East, located in BayTowne’s Street of Shoppes.

Tickets must be purchased by Saturday April 20. For more information and to get your seats, click here to visit the event page.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 4/18/2024)

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Webster Schroeder Theater Company will present Little Women

17 Apr

Little Women, the classic tale of love, loss, heartbreak and growing up, will come to the Webster Schroeder stage in four shows April 25 to 27.

Adapted by Thomas Hischak based on the book by Louisa May Alcott, Little Women follows the adventures of Jo (Veronica Sanberg), Meg (Emily Schiffhauer), Beth (Kathryn Sullo), and Amy March (JimmaLy Ortega) as they grow up in Civil War America. The beloved story of the March sisters is timeless and deals with issues as relevant today as when they were written. Click here to see the whole cast list.

The Webster Schroeder Theater Company will present Little Women on Thursday, Friday and Saturday April 25, 26 and 27 at 7 p.m., plus a matinee performance on Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and may be purchased on the Schroeder Theater Company website.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 4/17/2024)

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How to fill your home with love: become a Lollypop foster parent

16 Apr

Note: I had this blog all written and ready to post even before I learned today that Lollypop Farm is expecting to receive more than 80 dogs from a local hoarding case. They really need foster parents to lighten the load. Please read this blog, and consider becoming a foster.

Many of you know that I foster cats and kittens for Lollypop Farm. I’ve written about the experience in my blog and talk about it all the time at social gatherings, because I love it so much.

Right now, Lollypop has a lot of families officially registered as fosters, but most of those families are not very active. So the need is great, and constant (think about the recent hoarder case in Penfield where the Humane Society rescued more than 50 cats), and many more fosters are needed. Often the animals which are brought in need time to get stronger, bigger or need medical respite before they can be adopted out.

That’s where we come in. Fosters might stay with you just for a week, maybe as long as a few months. But every single one of them just needs a place to be loved and cared for until they find their forever homes.

Lollypop sent out a plea last week asking foster families to tell about their experiences. I wrote mine about the cats we foster, but it could have very easily been about dogs, rabbits, even hamsters. Here’s what I wrote:

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My husband and I have had cats all our lives, so when our last feline friend, Lily, passed away a few years ago, she left a huge hole in our hearts. But we were newly retired and knew we wanted to do a lot of traveling. It really wouldn’t be fair to get another cat if we planned to be gone for long stretches of time. 

Becoming a kitty foster parent was the perfect alternative. By fostering a cat (or even better, KITTENS!), our hearts and home would be filled with love again, but we would still have the flexibility to travel. 

Whenever I tell people that I’m a foster, the immediate reaction is, “Oh, I could NEVER do that. I wouldn’t be able to give them up.” It was from these folks that I learned the term “foster fail.” Yes, I say, it is hard. I fall in love with every foster that we welcome into our home, and I cry every time I have to say goodbye. But I know that for every kitty I return to Lollypop, there are dozens of others awaiting loving foster homes, and I can provide that. 

So far, the turnaround has been brief; since we began fostering last fall, I think we’ve only been “cat-less” for a few days. I believe the record is less than 24 hours. 

Two of the cats we’ve fostered are part of Lollypop’s MaryEllen Program, which is another level of wonderfulness. Cats in this program still belong to their original owner and are temporarily entrusted to Lollypop’s care due to some family emergency or difficulty. I love knowing that my being able to provide continuing loving care for their feline family member removes a little bit of stress from what must be a difficult time.  

One of the best things about being a Lollypop Farm foster mom is the incredible support we get from the foster team. Despite the great volume of critters passing through their offices every day, they treat each one like it’s their favorite. Foster families are never short of supplies — food, litter, toys — which are a simple phone call away. Staff members patiently answer your questions (and I’ve had a lot of pretty dumb ones) and address any of your concerns. And if there’s ever an issue which requires veterinarian attention, the clinic staff (equally amazing) is there for you. 

When I tell people that I’m a Lollypop foster parent, they very often respond, ”Oh, that is SUCH a caring thing to do!” Of course I agree with them, nod, and thank them for their kind words. I DON’T tell them that a huge part of my motivation to be a foster parent is purely selfish. 

I love cats. I need cats in my life. The fact that there are cats out there that need me as well is just a wonderful bonus. 

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Please consider becoming a Lollypop foster family. It’s extremely rewarding. Click here to go to the Lollypop website to find out more and fill out the foster parent interest form.

Even if you can’t become foster right now, there are other ways you can help: 1) donate funds to help assure that animals in need get plenty of food, medical and behavioral support. 2) donate supplies; in addition to towels, blankets, and flat sheets there are many supplies that are needed to work with shelter animals. Click here to see Lollypop’s Amazon Wish List.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 4/16/2024)

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Webster Chamber Names Turner Auto Care April Business of the Month

15 Apr

Congratulations to Turner Auto Care on being named the Webster Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month for April 2024. The award was presented at the Chamber’s Breakfast Before Business meeting on March 22.

Turner Auto Care is well known for being one of Webster/Penfield’s finest import specialty repair shops. Located at 1411 Empire Blvd. since 1972, Turner is celebrating its 55th year in business this year.

The Turner business was founded by three Turner brothers. In 2011, Scott Bartlett joined Turner Auto Care, working with Robert Turner, who retired in 2014. Scott’s wife Vicki Bartlett joined the team in 2016, continuing a family-owned business structure.

Upon presenting the award, Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Barry Howard said of Turner, “they believe (that) priorities of education, trust, and exceeding expectations develop customer feelings of being welcomed, safe, and valued.” In addition to being a Chamber member, Turner Auto Care supports several community non-profit agencies including the Webster Girl Scouts, Greece Residents Assisting Stray Pets, GirlRock! and Webster Thomas Titan Service Scholars.

The Webster Chamber of Commerce presents a Business of the Month award to one of their member businesses at each of their monthly breakfast meetings. It’s one way the Chamber helps keep their member businesses and organizations visible throughout the Webster community.

The next breakfast meeting is this Friday April 26, beginning at 7 a.m. at the Webster Recreation Center. Network with as many as 90 business and organizational leaders before breakfast, enjoy an informative program and then take part in the “pass-the-mic” time, when everyone has an opportunity to be visible.

Visitors and members are welcome. Please register here.

Pictured above: Webster Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Carolyn Montanaro (far left) presents the April 2024 Business of the Month award to Scott and Vicki Bartlett of Turner Auto Care.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 4/15/2024)

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Another great Community Arts Day in the books

13 Apr

A thousand thank-yous to everyone who came by my table at Community Arts Day (CAD) on Saturday to say hi! I know of at least a few people who came to the event just to meet me (which was cool!) and several others who just happened upon it, with a “I LOVE your blog!” as they walked by. I might have even introduced it to a few who’d never heard of it before. Thank you all for your kind words.

I was delighted to be a part of CAD this year, which as you know is one of my favorite annual events. As always, it drew some really big crowds (I think the rainy, windy weather helped) and I was pleased to see a lot of people checking out the community agency displays and learning about local businesses and the services they provide. In particular, I always enjoy watching kids play with the vintage toys brought by the Webster Museum and try to dial a rotary phone.

If you and your family were able to spend some time there today, you know what a great time it is and were amazed by the pieces of artwork created by our very talented school children. If you couldn’t make it, no sweat. I got your back. Click here to see a really big gallery of photos, in which I tried to capture the wide variety of delightfulness that is Community Arts Day.

Congratulations to all of the organizers for another great event, and thank you to all of the volunteers that helped in hundreds of ways to make this year’s Community Arts Day another success.

Hope to see you all again next year!

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 4/13/2024)

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Webster community mailbag

12 Apr

There are several new events in today’s mailbag, plus reminders about a few things I’ve mentioned in previous mail bags, so let’s dig in …

WCSD absentee and early voter ballots available

Applications for absentee or early voter ballots for the Webster CSD Annual Budget Vote and School Board Election are now available.

Absentee ballots are for qualified voters of the district who will be unable to attend the polls on the day of the vote, for reasons outlined on the absentee ballot application. Voters must apply for the ballot in advance. Absentee ballot applications are available at the school district website or from District Clerk Heather Murphy, 119 South Avenue, Webster.

Qualified voters of the district who may wish to use an early voter ballot May download one from the school district website or from District Clerk Heather Murphy, 119 South Avenue, Webster.

All absentee and early voter ballot applications must be RECEIVED by the district clerk at least seven business days prior to the vote if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter or the day before the vote if the ballot is to be picked up personally by the voter.

The Webster CSD Annual Budget Vote and Election of Board of Education Candidates takes place Tuesday, May 21, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Webster Schroeder High School gym, 875 Ridge Road, Webster.

Got stuff to shred?

The Webster Chamber of Commerce will be partnering with Kinecta Federal Credit Union on Saturday April 20 for a Drive-up Shred Fest from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Safely dispose of sensitive and unwanted documents for free.

The event will take place at the Kinecta’s Webster Main Branch, 189 West Main St. Limit is 10 boxes per person, and while you can drop them off for free, a $1 donation per box is suggested to benefit Operation Freedom Ride. Click here for more details.

Webster Chamber of Commerce invites you

The Webster Chamber of Commerce would also like to invite any and all business owners to the next Monthly breakfast meeting, Friday April 26.

Network with as many as 90 business and organizational leaders. In addition to networking before and during the breakfast, an informative program is always planned, along with a time to “pass-the-mic” so everyone has an opportunity to be visible. Visitors and members are welcome.

These meetings are always held at 7 a.m. at the Webster Recreation Center. Click here for more details about this month’s program and to register.

Fashion and fun, courtesy the Women’s Club of Webster

Fabulous food, fashions, fun, friendship, raffles and door prizes are on the menu for the 2024 Spring Luncheon and Fashion Show, Sunday May 19, sponsored by The Women’s Club of Webster.

In addition to the beautiful fashions on display, participants will enjoy a delicious luncheon, with choices of a crisp apple salad with shrimp, cheese, candied nuts, craisins and dressing; or chicken French with lemon sauce, linguine and green beans. Both choices include coffee and dessert.

The donation is $37.00 per person. Please mail your choice of entree, names of people you wish to sit with, and check payable to the Women’s Club of Webster to Laura Fawcett, 28 Wheatstone Circle, Fairport, NY 14450. Reservations are due by May 8. Net proceeds are donated to local charities.

The luncheon and fashion show will be held on Sunday May 19 at the Penfield Country Club, 1784 Jackson Rd., beginning at 11:30 a.m. Fashions will be presented by Chico’s. Questions can be directed to Laura at (585) 329-5317 or Bonnie Travis at (585) 671- 2345.

Also, this news from the Women’s Club of Webster: the ladies will be providing their famous cookies for the cookie table at the Red Cross blood drive, Saturday April 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Martin Lutheran Church, 813 Bay Rd.

Appointments for the blood drive are not required. Donors should feel free to just drop in. For more information about the blood drive, please contact Katie Houtat 585-353-9964.

It’s all about the bees

The Webster Arboretum will present a fascinating program on Tuesday April 23 when longtime Webster beekeeper Mike Kopeki will answer the question, “The Queen Must Die and Drones Too …WHY? ”  

Mike will be joined by Kevin Gorman, who raises queen honeybees, and Amy Stringer, beekeeper and owner of the North Bee honey shop in the Village of Webster. The three presenters will discuss a variety of topics all about bees and beekeeping.  

No registration or fee is required. The program will begin at 7 p.m. Meet at the Curry Building at the Webster Arboretum, 1700 Schlegel Road.

WHEN will host spring Drug Take-Back event

Webster Health and Education Network, together with the Town of Webster and the Webster Police Department will host a DEA National Drug Take Back event on Saturday April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Webster Town Court, 1002 Ridge Rd. (behind Town Hall; look for the blue roof). Clear out your medicine cabinet to help to keep Webster safe. This will be a drive-through event so you don’t even have to get out of your car! 

This is your chance to safely dispose of unused, expired or unwanted medications.

Registration is not required, but if you register you’ll get a reminder via email about the event. Learn more at Whendfcc.org

Special Needs Parent Resource Fair

The library will host a Special Needs Parent Resource Fair on Saturday April 20 from 10 a.m. to noon. This is especially designed for parents, guardians or caregivers looking for more information about resources and opportunities in our community for children and adults with special needs. More than 50 agencies from all around Rochester are already signed up. Click here to see the list of participants. Registration is not required unless you’d like to be reminded of the event. Click here to register.  

If you’re an organization that would like to participate, please email jennifer.paxson@libraryweb.org.

Books, books books (and all really cheap!)

The Friends of the Webster Public Library‘s spring book sale is happening April 24 to 27, with all books priced 50 cents (paperbacks) or $1 (hardcovers).

The Friends Members Night will be April 24 from 4 to 7 p.m., with the general public sale from Thursday through Saturday. Bring your own bag on Friday or Saturday and fill it for just $5,

All proceeds will benefit the Webster Public Library.  

Chicken BBQ for dinner

St. Martin Lutheran Church will hold a Drive Thru Chicken BBQ on Saturday, May 4 at the church, 813 Bay Road, Webster. The event begins at 4:30 p.m. and will continue until all dinners are sold out.

Dinners will include a half chicken, salt potatoes, coleslaw, roll, butter and cookie, and will cost $15.

The event will be drive-through only and there will be no advance sales; first-come, first-served. Cars should enter the parking lot, follow the signs, and purchase dinners using exact payment of either cash or
check. Cars will then pick up boxed dinners.

Proceeds from the BBQ will support both St. Martin’s Little Free Pantry and Christmas Stocking Project, which reaches more than 500 local youth in Monroe and Wayne counties.

Whew. That is all. For now.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 4/12/2024)

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Reasons why Community Arts Day is the best event EVER

11 Apr

A few days ago I posted a blog about this weekend’s upcoming Community Arts Day. Like most of my blogs, it did a pretty good job outlining all of the fun stuff there will be to see and do. But that blog fell far short in one big way: it didn’t make it at all clear how much I LOVE this annual event.

First, the details again: Community Arts Day, held at Webster Schroeder High School, is a family-friendly festival which showcases the musical and artistic talents of Webster School District K-12 students, and invites dozens of community groups to display their great contributions to our community.

The event always draws a lot of parents and children, because every single school, from the elementary to the high schools, has its own artwork display. The works range from sculptures and metalwork to collages and foil paintings, and all grades are represented. I love wandering through the halls to check out the range of skills, and am always impressed by the colors and designs and creativity I see, regardless of the child’s age. And the artwork on display from the high school AP students? Just blows. Me. Away. Every year.

As a blogger, I also like to peruse all of the information tables set up by community groups. I greet old friends from the Webster Public Library, Webster Museum and the Friends of Webster Trails. I pick up flyers from organizations like the Gathering Place to see what events they have coming up. And I learn about agencies I didn’t know anything about before.

I LOVE catching all of the different dance and music performances. But there are so many of them, sometimes happening at the same time, that I find myself running from recital hall to the auditorium and back again. This year’s schedule is no different, either. It features lots of dance groups, elementary school music ensembles, the Schroeder Theater Company and much, much more. (See the entire schedule on the CAD Facebook page.)

I LOVE the bake sale. Unfortunately, the prices are so reasonable and the selection so varied that the treats often double as my lunch. But if I decide to have a hot dog or pizza instead, I can get those as well at the cafeteria.

I like watching the kids at the craft table making sand art; wandering through the art vendors to see if I can pick up some early Christmas gifts; and watching the Webster’s Got Talent student talent show (scheduled this year from 2 to 3 p.m.). I also always check out the gymnasium where the SparX team demonstrates their latest robot.

I like that the Webster Marching Band always sets up a bottle and can drive in the parking lot during the event (10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) so I can take advantage of that while I’m there.

Basically, I love that this is such a family-friendly event which doesn’t have to cost you a dime to bring the kids to. Even if you just stop by for an hour, you’ll have great fun and learn so much more about the great resources — and talent — our community has to offer.

Community Arts Day will be held this Saturday April 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Webster Schroeder High School, 850 Ridge Rd. Admission is free, and there’s plenty of parking.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 4/11/2024)

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Hi, can we meet?

11 Apr
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Just another quick reminder today that I’ll be setting up a meet-and-greet table at Community Arts Day this Saturday, April 13 at Webster Schroeder High School. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and I’m planning to be there all day.

The reason I’m doing this is simple. I know a lot of you out there are reading and enjoying my blog, but I’ve met very relatively few of you. I’m hoping to change that on Saturday with this invitation to come on out to Community Arts Day and stop by my table to chat.

Bring along your questions, blog ideas, flyers for your group’s upcoming special event, or that clipping you have on the fridge of your favorite blog (I like to think someone has done that!). Bring along your suggestions and your complaints.

But most of all, bring you. Because while I can see a lot of statistics that tell me you’re one of my regular readers, statistics are, by their very nature, impersonal. I would like to meet you. Look for my table just inside the entrance nearest the gymnasium. I’ll be right on the corner. (P.S. Please be forewarned; if I have met you before I will probably forget your name, ’cause that’s what I do. So help me out!)

Make sure to check out today’s follow-up blog which has more detail about Community Arts Day, and make a plan to stop by with your family, whether you care to visit my table or not. Because it’s a wonderful day which brings all of the great things about our community together in one place.

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

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 4/11/2024)

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