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Webster shows amazing outpouring of support for Wreath Across America Day

17 Dec

The Webster community has done it again.

At Saturday afternoon’s Wreaths Across America ceremony, an estimated 1,000 adults, children, veterans, active military and first responders gathered at Webster Union Cemetery to honor our veterans at the 2023 Wreaths Across America Day, proving once again what a generous and caring community Webster is.

Local Wreaths Across America organizer Cherie Wood was delighted by the extraordinary response from the Webster community, which was about three times the number of volunteers who attended last year’s ceremony, the first held in Webster.

It was that amazing support that allowed Webster’s Wreaths Across America effort to expand significantly this year. Last December only 650 wreaths were placed at one cemetery, Webster Union. This year Webster was able to add to more cemeteries — Webster Rural and Union Hill — where volunteers placed an amazing 1,350 wreaths. And most of those wreaths were sponsored one at a time.

The ceremony began promptly at noon. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem and a moment of prayer, Wood explained how Wreath Day is not just a local occurrence, but was happening at the exact same time at more than 4,200 cemeteries across the country and in foreign battlefields.

“More than four million wreaths will be placed on veterans’ graves today” by three million volunteers, she said, reminding everyone that, “We are not here to ‘decorate graves.’ We are here to remember not their deaths, but their lives.”

Following Wood’s remarks, representatives from each of our nation’s armed services placed ceremonial wreaths in memory of those who served, and those who are still listed as Prisoners of War or MIA. It was especially moving when Dorothy Reid and Grace Allen, from Gold Star families, placed the Army wreath. Dorothy lost her son, and Grace lost her father, in Afghanistan.

Family members of veterans who are resting at Webster Union Cemetery were invited to enter the grounds first to place wreaths on their loved one’s graves, followed a few minutes later by the rest of the volunteers. Wood encouraged each participant to say the veteran’s name out loud before placing the wreath, and take a moment to thank him or her for their service.

She explained,

It’s a small act that goes a long way toward keeping the memory of our veterans alive. Wreaths Across America has a saying: A person dies twice. Once when they take their last breath, then again when their name is said for the very last time. Many of our veterans no longer have family to remember them. Today, we, the Webster community, will become their family. They will not be forgotten. Not on our watch.

After placing the wreaths at Webster Union, volunteers were invited to drive to Webster Rural and/or Union Hill to help place those wreaths.

The heartwarming support from the Webster community has even been noticed by the National Wreaths Across America organization. Many locations struggled to meet their goals this year; the funding just didn’t happen. But here in Webster, in just our second year, we more than doubled the number of wreaths placed and added two more cemeteries. Next year, Wood hopes to add even more cemeteries and more veteran wreaths, until all 3000 veterans resting in Webster are remembered and honored.

I was very proud of my community that day, and I was especially touched by how many entire families attended, involving their children in this solemn ceremony, teaching them how important it is to remember and honor our fallen heroes.

Click here to see an entire gallery of photos. Thank you to Glenn Peck and Rebecca Parzynski for their photos (which I have included in the gallery). If you have any photos you’d like me to add to the gallery, please email them to me at missyblog@gmail.com. (Via text and Facebook they come out too small!)

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Want to help kick-start next year’s Wreaths Across America effort?

Through Tuesday, Jan. 16, The National Wreaths Across America organization will match one-for-one every wreath sponsored. So for just $17, you can sponsor two wreaths for placement at next year’s ceremony, Dec. 14, 2024. Click here to find out more!

Groom’s best man is the stranger-turned-brother who saved his life

16 Dec

Now here’s a really nice story which hails from Geneva, but has a distinctly Webster connection.

About two and a half months ago, on Sept. 29, Webster resident Chris Costello and his fiance’ Chelsea were married in a beautiful outdoor ceremony in Geneva. Now, that news in itself is not remarkable. But there’s much more to this story, and it’s pretty touching.

More than 20 years ago, 8-year old Chris Costello was diagnosed with leukemia. After months of chemotherapy, remission and relapsing, he was finally told that a blood stem cell transplant would be his best chance at survival.

Hundreds of miles away in Portland, ME, Ed Suslovic, who had registered as a stem cell donor more than a decade earlier in college, found out he was a match for a young boy battling leukemia. He didn’t hesitate to donate his blood stem cells to a perfect stranger, ultimately saving Chris’s life. A year later, Chris and Ed met in person and instantly formed an unbreakable bond.

Now, back to the wedding. Obviously, it was already a special day. But it was made extra special in that Chris’s stem cell donor and longtime friend, Ed Suslovic, served as best man and officiated the wedding.

How heartwarming and appropriate that was, since it was Ed’s selfless donation that made it possible for Chris to marry the love of his life.

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In 1998, once Chris had regained his health, his mother established Christopher’s Challenge to educate about bone marrow transplants, encourage people to become potential bone marrow donors, and provide financial support to patients going through bone marrow transplant procedures. You, too, could save a life and be part of someone’s inspirational story by signing up through DKMS, the world’s largest blood stem cell donor center.

To find out more about Christopher’s Challenge, click here.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 12/10/2023)

New children’s book stars Webster Thomas basketball standout

15 Dec

There’s a new picture book on Amazon, which attracted my interest because it not only was written by a Webster author, but features a Webster student and his Webster coaches.

Andrew Conquers the Court, written by Antonietta Quinn, launched in November and has already become an Amazon.com bestseller. It’s a story of determination and perseverance, the kind of I-won’t-quit attitude that we try to instill in our children … and aspire to ourselves.

The book was inspired by a true story about Antonietta’s son Andrew. When he was in 7th grade at Willink Middle School, Andrew tried out for the basketball team, but wasn’t chosen. For some kids, that kind of defeat might have been the end of the story. But for Andrew Quinn, it was just the beginning.

Andrew set his sights on improving his skills and trying out for the team again in 8th grade. He started playing basketball whenever he could, working out with his friends and younger brother, getting up early every morning to practice dribbling, and joining travel teams. When tryouts came around again, Andrew not only made the team, but Coach Rob Fenton (another name Webster folks will recognize) put him in the starting line-up.

Andrew ultimately became a star player on the Webster Thomas High School Varsity team, earning MVP honors. Plus, he was voted the Monroe County Division 2 Co-Player of the Year, a Ronald McDonald House All-Star Player, and was selected for the First Team of the All-Greater Rochester basketball team.

As an educator herself, Antonietta realized what a great story Andrew was living.

“Watching it as a mom, I thought, this is amazing,” she said. “This is a metaphor for life. You don’t get what you want, but you keep working at it and you eventually get it.” It wasn’t until years later that she decided to write a book. So many people were telling her how inspirational Andrew’s story was, she knew she needed to share it with the world.

People would say to my husband and me, “Gosh, he’s got such a great story.” Then at his senior banquet his coaches said, “I don’t think this ever happened before, where a kid didn’t make it in 7th grade and ended up the all star on the team.” … That’s where it kind of popped in my head that maybe this is the time to do the children’s book I’ve wanted to do. 

That decision was further sealed when Andrew’s 7th grade English teacher told Antonietta, “I tell his story every year to my class.”

“As soon as she said that,” Antonietta thought, “I was like, that’s my book. That’s gotta be it. Because if she tells it to her class, maybe other classes would read it too.”

Now she hopes Andrew’s story will inspire others, young and old, to not give up when life throws you a curve.

“The whole idea of resilience in life is so important, because you’re going to go through those things,” she said. “It’s just part of life, whether it’s a sport that you love or a career … Failures are really learning opportunities” if we choose to look at them that way.

Andrew Conquers the Court, written by Antonietta Quinn and illustrated by Eva Morales, is available on Amazon.com for $18.99 in hardcover, $12.99 in paperback, or $3.99 for Kindle.

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Andrew Quinn is currently studying architecture — and playing basketball — at Marywood University in Scranton, PA. Antonietta Quinn lives in Webster with her husband David and younger son Sean, currently a junior at Webster Thomas.

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends

22 Nov

This Thanksgiving, like most of us, I’m thinking about all of the things and people I’m thankful for in my life.

Of course, my husband and three children top the list. And I could add a lot of other, smaller, things that are making my life enjoyable, like my friends, Tiny Titans kids, the kittens I’m fostering, the ability to travel, and my continued good health.

But definitely in the top 10? My blog and all of my blog readers, whom I have come to consider my extended family. Your continued support, your kind comments and emails, have given me a real purpose in life.

So thank you, my blog readers and friends, for helping keep me busy and happy. (And special thanks to Lydia and Emmie McKibbon for the artwork which briefly greeted walkers along Dunning Ave. before the rain washed them away.)

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/22/2023)

Raking leaves, tossing kids, making memories

17 Nov

They say when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade. Webster residents George Baker and his wife Melissa have a different take: when life gives you leaves, make a huge leaf pile and throw people into it.

That’s exactly what took place last Saturday, and has every year for almost 20 years, at the Baker home on the corner of Klem and Holt roads. In a column I wrote about the event for the D&C back in 2014, Melissa recalled how the Leaf Party tradition began:

In 2004, our little great nephew Trevor was born. That fall he came to play in the leaves at our house, since we have numerous trees and many leaves. He came the next year and the next year after that, until this year we had our 11th annual “Leaf Party.” As other nieces and nephews were born and then our own grandchildren (Ryan, Brendan & Nolan Moorman), they added to the fun.

The idea is to start with a monster pile of leaves, add a bunch of fearless children and two strong people who can toss them, one by one, into a thick bed of leaves. After “one, two, THREE!” and huge wind-up swings, each child is launched into the soft leaf pile. Adults are not immune to the tossing ritual, either, especially those (like me) who say “I want to be tossed!” (Check out the photo below.)

The celebration has grown every year and now includes not only family members, but neighbors and lots of other friends. Everyone enjoys hot chocolate and a variety of baked treats, and drivers who go by the house wave and honk their horns.

Simply put, the annual Leaf Party is a celebration of family, friends, laughter and life’s simpler pleasures.

“The things I enjoy about these parties is all the smiles from the kids of all ages,” George wrote.

It’s kinda like the unofficial end of the season get together in our neighborhood. Having a yard full of people enjoying their time with each other and having fun, what more could we ask for? Over the years it has also helped bring our neighborhood a little closer together. We feel good about sharing snacks and hot chocolate with everyone and watching them make great memories for each of us.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 11/17/2023)

A “magic” pumpkin patch grows at Woodside Nursery School

26 Oct

This is just the most adorabl-est thing ever.

I was visiting recently with some new friends over at the Woodside Nursery School, located at the United Church of Christ on Klem Rd., who told me about a “magic gardening” activity they designed for their young charges.

The students first planted “magic” pumpkin seeds — fallen leaves cut into stars, hearts and butterflies — in the Magic Pumpkin Patch outside of the school. Then, during the day, parent volunteers and school board members helped the magic seeds “grow” by replacing them with little pumpkins, perfectly sized for little hands. You can just imagine the squeals of delight from the students and the wonder in their eyes when they saw the magic garden filled with miniature pumpkins.

Check out some of these adorable gardeners:

In the next several months you’re going to be hearing more in my blog about the parent co-operative Woodside Nursery School, which has been serving our community since 1956 from the same location at the United Church of Christ, 570 Klem Rd. I didn’t know anything about them until my visit, and was rather surprised they’ve been around this long. I’ve encouraged them to keep sending me news about what’s going on over there, so stay tuned for more cuteness coming across your computer screen.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 10/26/2023)

WSPS hosts appreciation luncheon for its drivers

23 Oct

The Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters (WSPS) hosted an Appreciation Luncheon on Oct. 19 for the organization’s volunteer drivers.

The luncheon was held at the Webster Arboretum on Schlegel Rd. Most of the drivers and their significant others were present, along with the WSPS support staff and board members. Also in attendance were the Webster Town Supervisor Representative Kim Doyle and Daphne Geoca, Senior Coordinator of the Webster Parks and Recreation Dept.

Chances are you’ve seen the WSPS automobile driving around town. Based at the Webster Recreation Center, the Webster Association of Senior Program Supporters is a group of volunteers who provide transportation for retirees and disabled residents who live within the Webster School District. They help residents get to and from medical and dental appointments, and provide rides to pharmacies, banks, barbers, hairdressers and tax preparation services.

WSPS drivers and dispatchers have provided a record number of rides through September 30, 2023. Logging 2,940 volunteer hours, the drivers gave 3,113 rides, spanning 38,240 miles driven — just shy of the organization’s record year of 2022.

The volunteer drivers are the backbone of the organization; without them the service would not exist. Webster is indebted to them for their community spirit and service. These selfless volunteers are always happy to help and assist the retirees and disabled folks living in the Webster School District.

The Town and Village of Webster have supported WSPS for several years, recognizing the real need for the WSPS services. Several local businesses and service organizations also support the organization.

Currently WSPS has 57 volunteer drivers but with the number of seniors and disabled folks in the Webster School District increasing, they’re always in need of more volunteers. For more information on how you can join the team, call 585-216-7829 or visit the group’s website.

A big thank you to the Karpus Family Foundation which funded this year’s luncheon, and to the local which donated gifts for the drivers, including Wendy’s, Abbott’s Ice Cream, Tim Hortons, Corona’s Mexican Restaurant, Jiffy Lube, Wegmans and Bruster’s Real Ice Cream. And always a big thank you to Vision Hyundai of Webster, which subsidizes the WSPS vehicle. (And my thanks to Dave Norton for the great report and photos.)

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 10/23/2023)

Schroeder grad takes home an Emmy

22 Oct

Yet another Webster graduate is making a name for herself.

Webster Schroeder graduate Samantha Hake ’08 recently won an Emmy for her work as a producer on the National Geographic film The Flagmakers, described on the website as “an intimate glimpse into the people whose hands make America’s most recognizable icon.” (Read more about the film here.)

Samantha wrote,

As a producer, I worked on this film for over three years with Co-Directors Sharon Liese and Academy Award Winner Cynthia Wade. I am extremely proud of the beautiful and poetic film that we created, all while navigating dozens of different languages among the subjects and a raging pandemic that tested our resolve to capture compelling stories while keeping our cast and crew safe.

The film screened at festivals nationwide and was shortlisted for an Academy Award before being nominated for a News and Documentary Emmy. 

After graduating from Schroeder, Samantha went on to study television, radio and film at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School. During her senior year at college, she was accepted into the SULA program, a Los-Angeles-based professional program initiative, where she worked at a commercial production company on Super Bowl commercials. 

After college, she met director Sharon Liese and has worked alongside her to edit, shoot and produce several projects. (Read more about Samantha’s film career on her IMDB profile.)

Samantha received her Emmy at the 44th annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards Ceremony held Sept. 28 at The Palladium Theater in Times Square. She described the experience as “truly a night of full, proud hearts.”

The saying goes, “it’s an honor just to be nominated” and it really is true. I felt so privileged to be in a room with and to be recognized by the most esteemed, ambitious, and creative filmmakers in the industry. When they announced that The Flagmakers won the award for outstanding short documentary, I know our team at home watching and our team at the ceremony all cheered together. Filmmaking is such a collaborative storytelling process and it’s an amazing feeling to share the recognition with everyone involved. 

Other projects Samantha has completed include Parker, a short documentary which, after premiering at Sundance earlier this year, was chosen as the only documentary in the Sundance Short Film Tour that screened in theaters nationwide. She’s also the co-executive producer on a new four-part true crime/cult documentary series which will be airing soon.  

In the meantime, you can stream The Flagmakers on Disney+.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 10/22/2023)

Webster Baptist Church memorial bricks now in place thanks to Eagle Scout candidate

20 Oct

The east-side entrance to the Webster Baptist Church on South Ave. is getting a bit of an upgrade, thanks to the efforts of Eagle Scout candidate Hunter Kurosawa.

For several days over the last week or so, Hunter and his team of adult and Troop 113 Scout volunteers have been installing bricks along the drainage ditch lining the side of the church building. They’ve already worked almost 14 hours over two long days and are planning at least one more before the project is finished.

There are about 200 bricks in all, but 13 of them are rather special; individually-engraved memorial bricks, purchased by Webster Baptist Church parishioners in memory of loved ones.

Hunter landed on this particular project after having little luck with other organizations. He wrote,

I was looking for an Eagle Project at the zoo, through NEQALS, and through Webster Trails. … Then I got an email from my Scoutmaster saying (Church Moderator Diana) Marchner had a project at the Webster Baptist Church. She had contacted the Scout Advisor that I am using. 

I was so happy to have a project. We went to meet her to talk about what she was looking for and I was really excited about the project. Mrs. Marchner was so nice and so happy to find someone to take on the project. It is a lot of new skills for me to learn and it is so nice to be working with Mrs. Marchner.  

Apparently Marchner feels the same way.

“I can’t tell you how impressed I am with this young man … and Scout advisors,” she wrote. “I am totally amazed at how professional and dedicated to perfection they are. I really lucked out having this Eagle Scout candidate.”

The entire project has been … well, a project.

Before even placing the bricks, the site had to be dug out, cleared of stones and leveled with gravel. Some of the stones have to be cut to size before they’re all set in place with polymeric sand and pitched at a two-degree angle to allow for water runoff.

they are using Polymeric Sand so that they can be replaced as the bricks get engraved.  Also Polymeric Sand helps in deterring the growth of weeds between the bricks. 

There have been several challenges to overcome along the way. After digging out the site, his team discovered a plastic pipe they had to remove, and found an electrical conduit needed replacing to bring it up to code. Then they had to build a retaining wall to hold the bricks in on the south edge. All before they could even begin to lay the bricks.

But overcoming obstacles is all part of completing a successful Eagle Scout project. (And learning new things like how to mix concrete and build a retaining wall.)

The memorial bricks program is part of an ongoing fundraising initiative by the 166-year old Webster Baptist Church to raise money for needed repairs and upgrades. Bricks are still available; they cost $150 each (but larger donations are more than welcome) and they can be personally inscribed. If enough bricks are purchased, the hope is to use them to build a new sidewalk leading to the front door. It’s estimated that would take about 1,500 bricks.

You might say that Hunter Kurosawa is helping the Webster Baptist Church take a step towards maintaining a strong faith community.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 10/20/2023)

“All Shapes and Sizes” art show will celebrate some very special artists

13 Oct

A two-day art show and sale scheduled for Oct. 20 and 21 at the Webster Recreation Center will showcase some very special artists.

The All Shapes and Sizes exhibit will feature the artwork of more than 80 Webster-area artists, all of whom have physical, developmental or behavioral challenges. The artists, ranging from ages 4 through 56, have created about 120 unique, colorful and downright stunning paintings and collages, all of which will be on display during the show.

The exhibit, now in its sixth year, is organized by Webster resident and WCSD teacher’s aide Kate Clemont, assisted by a dedicated team of volunteers. For Kate, who handles most of the countless tasks necessary to put on a show of this type, it’s a true labor of love.

Kate’s youngest son Jack has autism, and she discovered many years ago how much joy he got out of creating art.

“There’s not a lot he gets celebrated for,” Kate said. “But he and I would paint together and he’d do some beautiful pieces and he’d be so proud of himself. I thought this would be nice for other kids.” 

And so this very special art exhibit began. For this year’s show, Kate began working with her artists back in May. She would pull the Challenger Field athletes aside when they came off the field and encourage them to do some painting. Over the summer she created art with the students in the district’s extended school year program. She even held a make-some-art day in her backyard.

Everyone was given the opportunity to create, regardless of their disabilities.

“A lot of these kids don’t have the fine motor skills to handle a paint brush,” Kate said, “so I find other things for them to paint with, whether it’s back scrubbers or sponges or stamps or squish balls. Whatever it takes for them to get in the paint.”

“Many of them have sensory needs,” she added, and were afraid to touch the paint. “So I’d wipe it on my face … just get down there and dirty with them in the paint. I was covered in paint from head to toe.”

Bottom line, Kate said, “If they’re given the opportunity, they can create and make some things. It just looks like a million dollars, and they’re so proud of themselves.”

The All Shapes and Sizes exhibit is just one of many ways Kate has found to give back to the community for all of the opportunities her son has received. She’s also raised money for Autism Speaks, Camp Puzzle Piece, and Never Say Never Stables. But it’s the art shows where she really gets to indulge her passion for art and truly see the joy it brings to children and adults with disabilities.

Kate actually has a unique understanding of the challenges these special artists face. Eight years ago she developed a serious skin condition called necrotizing fasciitis, also known as “the flesh-eating disease.” It almost killed her, requiring a 75-day hospital stay and almost 30 surgeries, during which she coded twice. Large swaths of skin from her armpit to her hip had to be removed and replaced with skin grafts.

And as a direct result of the treatment, Kate lost her right hand, left index finger and the ends of her toes. The whole experience helped put a lot of things into perspective.

“After I got sick I lost my creative side; your mind is focusing on getting back. I thought I’d never get to paint again.” Working with the kids helped her rediscover that passion.

“I look at these kids who really have something to complain about, and they’re just getting on with it,” she said. “They just want an opportunity and a chance. I can’t complain. If that’s what you want to do, let’s get on with it.”

Clearly this show would not go on without Kate Clemont’s passion for art and the special artists she works with. But make no mistake — it is ALL about the artists.

“The exhibition is a chance for families and the public to get together at a free event, and just share the joy of what has been achieved,” Kate said. “It really is an amazing event, giving these amazing individuals a chance to be celebrated and show their artistic ability.”

The All Shapes and Sizes exhibit takes place Friday, October 20 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, October 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive. A silent auction will be held both days, with the final bids being awarded at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

In addition to the paintings (whose starting prices range from $10 to $250), magnets, coasters and tote bags will be available for purchase. There’ll be some amazing raffles courtesy local businesses, and Kate’s son Jack will be selling lemonade.

All proceeds will benefit Rochester Challenger Miracle Field. Admission is free.

Check out the galleries above and below to see some of the featured art and the joy on these kids’ faces. Then come to the exhibit to see the art in person, and help celebrate these very talented and very special artists.

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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 “Follow Me” link on the right side of this page.

(posted 10/13/2023)