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Two great hikes, one fun day

22 Oct

My regular blog readers already know how much I love the Friends of Webster Trails (FWT). These two special events they’re involved with in a few weeks are great examples why.

The first is a Family Scavenger Hunt on Saturday Nov. 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Whiting Rd. Nature Preserve.

Participants will explore the park on a well-marked trail, completing a fun scavenger hunt along the way. Three different skill levels will be available for kids aged 2 to 12, so children of all ages can participate. Everyone who completes the hike can choose an autumn-themed prize.

Cost is $5 per child, and please preregister at the Recreation website (look for program 301205-A). You can pay when you get to the hike. Sign in anytime between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The hunt will take place rain or shine, so dress for the weather.

This hike is sponsored by the Webster Recreation Center in collaboration with the Friends of Webster Trails and WHEN, the Webster Health and Education Network. All proceeds will benefit the Friends.

That evening, also Saturday Nov. 2, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., the Friends’ annual Hot Cocoa Hike will be held along the Chiyoda Trail behind the Webster Recreation Center.

The kids and adults alike are welcome to this family-friendly hike through the woods of the Chiyoda trail. The loop is an easy 1.3 miles long, and includes a stop for socialization and hot cocoa.

The trail will start at the west side of the Parks and Rec building and be marked by lights along the way. This is not a guided event. You are responsible for finding your way to the hot cocoa and back by following the marked path.

Participants are asked to leave the parking lot between 7 and 8 p.m., to arrive at the hot cocoa stop by 8:30 p.m. Please leave your dog at home; you can bring them back to enjoy the trail another time. Please bring a flashlight and your own travel mug. This is a carry-in carry out event.

There’s no cost, but please register here so the Friends know how many people to expect.

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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 10/22/2024)

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Your input needed: How should Webster spend $4.5 million?

2 Oct

You’ve no doubt been hearing about how the Village of Webster has been awarded a $4.5 million NY Forward grant from New York State for improvements to our downtown business district. The grant was secured in large part to the efforts of the Webster Economic Development Alliance (WEDA), headed by Matt Chatfield.

Over the last several months, WEDA has been collecting proposals for projects all around our village, from business owners and community members. Those proposals have been whittled down to 21 projects, ranging from building a conservatory to improving Veterans Memorial Park to enhancing the Harmony House and more.

Now that the potential projects have been identified, it’s time for the community to help decide where we should spend the $4.5 million.

Here’s where YOU come in. YOU can vote on the projects you think are most important to fund. And it’s really easy (and kind of fun) to do. Just go to this link, where you’ll see all the projects, a short description of each and what each will cost. Then just go down the line and check the ones you like best. As you do, each expenditure will be deducted from your $4.5 million bankroll until it’s all gone (or mostly). And you can go back and forth all you want as you make your decisions, deleting a project here and adding something there depending on the money you have left. It takes 10 minutes or less, and responses are recorded anonymously.

BUT THERE’S A DEADLINE!

All responses must be submitted by Monday, Oct. 7 at midnight. So take a moment now, go to the link and make your opinions known!

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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 10/1/2024)

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Natural beauty and history combine in FWT’s Cars Along the Creek hike

30 Sep

Of all of our town’s beautiful trails, perhaps my favorite are the ones which wind through Four Mile Creek Preserve at the corner of Lake and Phillips roads. Not only is the landscape beautiful, especially during the fall, but the trails serve up some very interesting history.

Scattered along the Four Mile Creek trails are seven rusted-out old cars, including a 1949 Nash Ambassador Custom Airflyte, a 1950 Chevrolet Deluxe Bel Air, a 1956 Nash Rambler and others.

On Saturday Oct, 5 from 1 to 3 p.m., the Friends of Webster Trails‘ trail steward Dennis Kuhn, will lead a guided Cars Along the Creek tour, filled with anecdotes and fun facts. Hikers will also have stops at the overlook to identify the “Blue Ribbon” trees of the preserve. Organizers promise snacks and prizes.

The family-friendly two-hour hike will begin at 1 p.m. at the Four Mile Creek Preserve parking lot, corner of Phillips and Lake roads. This is a very popular hike, so PLEASE register here (it’s very quick and easy).

Here’s a bit more background about the cars, from Dennis Kuhn:   

The cars were driven onto the property from Lake Road across a bridge that accessed farmland where the cars were last driven. It seems that some local youths decided to create a racetrack somewhat off the beaten path to have some fun cavorting around the open fields that were available at the time. If you traverse the land as it is now, you’ll have to use your imagination to see a relatively treeless landscape that existed sometime in the nineteen fifties or early sixties.

Nevertheless, the youths of the day had a ton of fun going around in circles until they ran out of gas or had a flat tire or wrecked the transmission.

The cars you’ll see include:

* 1951 Chevrolet Styleine Deluxe Bel Air
* 1961 Ford 500 Galaxy Club Victoria
* 1959 Nash Rambler
* 1959 Chevy Bel Air
* 1954 Plymouth Belvedere Suburban
* 1949 Green Nash Airflyte

Click here to learn more about the Friends of Webster Trails.

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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 9/30/2024)

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Get out, get hiking, win prizes

25 Sep

The Webster Recreation Center has come up with YET ANOTHER fun challenge to keep us healthy, and this one has the added benefit of spotlighting our town’s beautiful trail system.

They’re calling it their Two-Week Trail Challenge, and it’s based on the brand new Hit the Trail Passport, recently updated in conjunction with the Friends of Webster Trails.

This newly updated passport is a whopping 40 pages long, and includes 32 trails and trail spurs in all, spanning Webster from west to east, measuring more than 36 miles of incredible natural beauty. Each page features a different trail, detailing its individual spurs, their length, difficulty and approximate hiking time.

For the Two-Week Trail Challenge, hikers are encouraged to walk all the trails in the passport between Oct. 5 and Oct. 20. The challenge doesn’t include Webster Park or Bike Trail, but it’s an added bonus if you do them too.  Hikers will record their progress on an online form (emailed to all registrants) and will receive a completion certificate and a keepsake pin as well as social media and website recognition.

Please register for program #301204-A either online or by calling 585-872-7103, option 0. You can pick up one of the new Hit the Trail Passports at Webster Parks and Recreation on Chiyoda Dr., or at Wegmans (Holt Rd. or Eastway) You can also see the passport and download it 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 “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 9/25/2024)

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What’s happening at the library

5 Sep

This month’s edition of WHAT COOL THINGS HAS THE WEBSTER PUBLIC LIBRARY COOKED UP? runs the gamut from a picture frame swap to tie dying, egg carton mushrooms to beer.

More to come about all that, but first I want to share this Long Range Plan Survey which the WPL folks hope that everyone will take a moment to fill out — and that includes anyone who doesn’t even use the library very much. The survey is only 17 questions long (it took me about 6 minutes) and will go a long way towards helping the WPL develop their plans for the next several years.

So what do you love about the library? What don’t you love? What do you think they could do better? The Webster Public Library folks really want to hear from you. Click here to access the survey (and they’d really love to have your response by Sept. 20).

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Now on to all of those cool things happening this month:

For adults

An Evening With John Kucko, Thursday Sept. 12, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.: TV sports anchor John Kucko will entertain everyone with stories that feature the Rochester area. Registration is required. (This is full, but you can put your name on a waiting list.)

Adults-only hike at Four Mile Creek Saturday Sept. 14, 9 to 11 a.m.: The Webster Public Library and Friends of Webster Trails are partnering for an easy and beautiful hike through Four Mile Creek Preserve at the corner of Phillips and Lake roads. Registration is required because available spots are limited. Dress for the weather and bring bug spray and sunscreen.

Home Brewing with Upstate New York Homebrewers Association, Monday Sept. 30, 6:30 to 8 p.m.: Dave Wurster and Craig Mullen from the Upstate New York Homebrewers Association give a presentation on the brewing of beer. Registration is required.

For Teens and Tweens

Make in Monday: Egg Carton Mushrooms, Monday Sept. 9, 6 to 7 p.m.: For this month’s craft night, teens (grades 4 and up) and adults are invited to make egg carton mushrooms. All supplies will be provided. Registration is required.

Teen Library Club, Wednesday Sept. 25, 6:30 to 8 p.m.: A group for teens grades 6 to 12 who enjoy books, games, crafts, food, sharing ideas, taking surveys, and just hanging out with friends. Registration is required.

For Kids and Families

Adventure Afternoon: Stem with the Three Little Pigs, Friday Sept. 6, 3 to 4 p.m.: Explore a topic with hand-on fun. This month, enjoy the story of the Three Little Pigs, and then design structures to see what will withstand the wind! Geared towards ages 5-12. No registration is required.

Tie Dye Fun! Tuesday Sept. 10, 5 to 7 p.m.: Bring a white t-shirt, pillowcase, socks etc… to tie dye! Don’t forget to wear clothes you don’t mind getting color splashed on. All ages are welcome. Registration is required, and please register each participant individually.

Family Fun Night: Star Wars, Monday Sept. 30, 6 to 7 p.m. Celebrate the start of Star Wars Reads Month (October) with Star Wars-themed crafts and activities. All ages welcome. No registration is required.

FOR EVERYONE

This month is Picture Frame Swap Month at the library! Bring all those frames that you can’t use anymore, and swap them out for ones that are just perfect for your needs. It’s happening all month.

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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 9/5/2024)

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Webster community mailbag

3 Sep

Lots of notices came across my email in the few weeks I was out of town, so I’ll do my best to catch up.

Concert to benefit St. Jude

This coming Saturday Sept. 7, the 3rd annual St. Jude Benefit Concert will take place at Gazebo Park on North Ave., from noon to 6 p.m.

Three bands will take the stage, including Red, Hot and Blue; Shades of Grey; and local favorite Sarah De Vallière. Food will be available from Pub 235 and Guida’s Pizza. There’s no charge, but donations will be accepted to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. So bring your lawn chairs, coolers and blankets and enjoy a full afternoon of tunes for a good cause.

NY Hope Garage Sale

NY Hope’s huge annual garage sale returns next week, with three days of bargains.

You probably all know about this incredible event from years past, so let’s get right to this year’s details:

Here are the details:

  • Sale begins Wednesday, Sept. 11, 6 to 8 PM; Preview Night, Murphy Hall at Holy Trinity Church, 1460 Ridge Road. For a small admission fee, be among the first to shop.
  • Thursday, Sept. 12 and Friday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Saturday, Sept. 14, 10 a.m. to noon only, everything is half-price!

All proceeds go to Webster NY Hope, which serves the needs of residents in the 14580 zip code, providing food, clothing, household goods and furniture to those in need.

It’s chicken barbecue time again!

St. Martin Lutheran Church will hold its Fall Drive-Thru Chicken BBQ on Saturday, Sept. 21 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.

For our 55+ friends

I got the latest edition of the Webster Recreation Center 55+ newsletter recently. It’s always packed with tons of information, but I pulled out these tidbits in particular:

This month’s Talks on Tuesday schedule features a new informative presentation each month. They run from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., there’s no charge and all community members are invited (not just Rec members). Registration is requested. This month’s programs include:

Sept. 10: SOCIAL SECURITY 101. Troy Gribnau from Edward Jones will answer your questions about Social Security, including how it fits into your retirement plan, when you should start taking benefits, how to the taxes work, and more. Registration is requested. Search for activity# 346940-C.

Sept. 17: ASTRONOMY FOR SENIORS. NASA Ambassador Jim Porter will help you discover the rich hobby of astronomy, with just a small pair of binoculars. Activity# 346940-D.

Sept. 24: MEDICARE. Sara Mason from Mason Wealth Management will host a workshop to help you understand what all the pieces of Medicare mean — parts A, B, C, D and Medicare Supplemental Insurance. Learn when you can make changes and why you should review your plan annually. Activity# 346940-E

And this last program I pulled out because it’s becoming more and more important these days to be able to spot AI-generated fake news:

Tuesday Sept. 10, FAKE NEWS & HOW TO SPOT IT TECH WORKSHOP, 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Join technology instructor Daniel Jones to learn how to spot what’s real, what’s true, and what’s not. Learn about:

  • disinformation: How it spreads and how to recognize it
  • personal responsibility
  • the rise of deepfakes
  • fact-checking resources
  • terms you should know

Please register for activity #346014-A.

Oh, one more thing from the Rec Center.

If you’ve got game, you might be interested to know that the Rec Center has groups that play Canasta, Rummikub, competitive Scrabble, Mahjong, Bridge and Bingo every week. Check the newsletter for details about these and lots other 55+ programs.

Want to read more about Webster’s history?

The Webster Museum is developing an outreach newsletter for friends, members and supporters with more general information about the museum and local history. If you’re interested in being added to the distribution list, send your email address to WebsterMuseum@gmail.com.

ALSO, the museum folks have a mystery that they need help solving. Does anyone know how or why the penny-farthing (the high-wheel bicycle) came to be the museum’s logo? They’ve done some digging through their archives but haven’t been able to come up with anything. Let them know if you have any clues!

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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 9/3/2024)

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Waterfront Art Festival, village events on tap this weekend

24 Jul

The 51st annual Waterfront Art Festival returns to Charles Sexton Park (formerly North Ponds) this weekend, Saturday and Sunday July 27 and 28, with lots of great art, entertainment and food.

The Waterfront Art Festival quickly became a highlight of the Webster summer event scene when it moved here from Canandaigua almost ten years ago. For anyone who appreciates fine art and quality crafts, this is a must-see event. Dozens of artisan booths line the park’s scenic and shaded walkways, displaying an incredible variety of hand-made items in all price ranges.

What’s really nice about this particular festival is that all of the artisans’ work is juried beforehand, which is why it’s all so different and high-quality. Plus there are food trucks, live music, demonstrations, a wine, beer and cider-tasting tent, several food and drink vendors, plenty of free parking right on the grounds, and a handicapped parking area. You can even bring your own cooler and your own chairs into the festival.

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Charles Sexton Memorial Park, off of Rt. 104 between Rt. 250 and Holt Road (take the Rt. 250 exit off Rt. 104). 

Admission is only $5, no charge for kids 12 and under. For more information, including a list of artisans and entertainers, click here for the Waterfront Art Festival website and here for their Facebook page.

Music and games in the Village of Webster

The Village of Webster has cooked up some great family-friendly events this weekend as well.

The Red Hot and Blue Band  brings Americana to the Gazebo Park on Friday, July 26 at 7 p.m. The band plays Neil Diamond, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Elvis, and much more. Bring your chairs, blankets and refreshments and sing along with some favorite tunes. Admission is free.

By the way, next Friday Aug. 2, Escape Terrain takes the gazebo stage, described on the Webster BID website as “an inventive, uniquely versatile jazz fusion band, featuring jazz guitarist Ryan Johnson.”

The village’s next Family Games Night & Beer Garden is this Saturday July 27 from 4 to 7 p.m.
on West Main Street in the Village.  

There’ll be tons for kids (and adults) to do, including sidewalk chalk art, Giant Jenga, Giant Connect Four and Cornhole. DJ Chad Cassano will provide music for the evening.

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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 7/24/2024)

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Heroes, and more heroes, will play at Miracle Field on Saturday

18 Jul

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Combine baseball, Miracle Field, and first responders, and whaddya get? An incredibly fun and inspirational day for the whole family.

It’s the fourth annual Heroes Helping Heroes Day at Challenger Miracle Field. This coming Saturday July 20, local first responders will spend the day at Miracle Field, playing with and against some of our amazing Challenger athletes. In addition to the entertaining baseball games, and the chance to meet some local first responders and get a close-up look at some of their equipment, there’ll be food, carnival games, a dunk tank, obstacle course and lots more.

The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the field, 1000 Ridge Rd., Webster.

The day will start with a tribute to local heroes followed by baseball games. The Seneca Park ZooMobile will be onsite with animals and families can enjoy a dunk tank, inflatable games, and food throughout the event. A variety of special needs agencies and providers will also be there. 

This is a great morning of safe family fun. There’s no charge, and there’s plenty of parking. To find out more, visit www.rochestermiraclefield.org.  

If you’ve got about a half hour to spare, consider clicking through to this story aired by WROC-TV about Miracle Field, filmed at that year’s Heroes Helping Heroes Day. It’s really inspirational.

About Challenger Miracle Field of Greater Rochester  

Challenger Miracle Field of Greater Rochester provides people with developmental, physical or intellectual disabilities a barrier free, safe, accessible place to experience the health benefits and joy of play through baseball, other team sports, and adaptive recreational equipment.

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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 7/18/2024)

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Here’s a fun way to explore all of Webster’s trails

17 Jul

I got an email from the Friends of Webster Trails the other day with some exciting news: the Wegmans Hit the Trail Passport has been updated.

The passport program began at least five years ago as a way to encourage families to get out and discover our area’s beautiful trails, using a passport to record their completed hikes. Each trail has a marker post somewhere along it, which participants use to make a rubbing into the passport.

This newly updated passport is a whopping 40 pages long. It includes several new trails which the Friends have added since the last printing — the Herman Rd. Forever Wild Forest, State Rd. Nature Preserve, Michael Johnson Nature Trail and the Hickory Bark Trail — plus the Bike Trail. There are 32 trails and trail spurs in all, spanning Webster from west to east, measuring more than 36 miles of incredible natural beauty.

Each page features a different trail, detailing its individual spurs, their length, difficulty and approximate hiking time. The location of each marking post is clearly indicated, and there’s even a short description of each trail’s unique features. (A sample page is below.)

Basically, it’s a fun and educational way for the whole family to explore our amazing trail system. And if you’ve completed the passport program before, there are so many new trails to explore, it’s time to do it again!

You can pick up one of the new Hit the Trail passports at Wegmans (Holt Rd. or Eastway) or at Webster Parks and Recreation on Chiyoda Dr. You can also see the passport and download it 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 “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 7/16/2024)

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Get your tickets now for Webster Community Night at the Red Wings

3 Jul

If you haven’t gotten your fill of Rochester Red Wings games this season, here’s a good opportunity to do so, at a great price.

On Friday Aug. 16, the Webster Recreation Center will be partnering with the Red Wings to host a Webster Community Night. The focus will be on our community that evening; Supervisor Tim Flaherty will be throwing out the first pitch, and Webster-based musician Sarah De Vallière is singing the national anthem.

The game starts at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are only $10; you can use the QR code on the flyer, or click here.

The Wings will be in the middle of a home stand with their cross-state rivals, the Syracuse Mets, and they’re doing really well this year, so this should be an exciting game to watch. And what a great way to spend an evening with the family.

Several businesses and community groups already have signed up as sponsors for the evening, and will have promotional tables set up with giveaways, including Webster Golf Club, Webster Public Library, Wellness 360 Physical Therapy, Kittelberger Florist & Gifts, Diamond Collision and fairlife. If your business is interested in joining them, email Gunnar Hausknecht at ghausknecht@redwingsbaseball.com or call (585) 454-1001 ext. 3024

Speaking of Sarah De Vallière, this very popular local musician will be performing a free concert at the Webster Arboretum on Thursday Aug. 22 as part of the Webster Recreation Center’s Music at the Arb series.

These concerts are held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Arboretum’s gazebo, with plenty of room for music lovers to relax in chairs or on blankets, with a cooler at their side filled with drinks and snacks. There’s no charge, and there’s plenty of parking.

BUT BEFORE THAT, the next Music at the Arb concert is scheduled for Thursday July 18, featuring Doctor’s Orders, an acoustic folk and pop duo playing a variety of songs from the Beatles to John Prine, and pretty much everything in between.

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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 7/3/2024)

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