Tag Archives: Missy Rosenberry

June History Bit: Webster’s kit houses

10 Jun

In today’s wacky and overpriced housing market, it’s fun to remember a time back in the early to mid-1900s when you could purchase your new home from the Sears Catalog. 

They were called “kit houses,” also known as pre-cut houses, ready-cut houses, mail order homes or catalog homes. Basically, they were delivered in pieces, which the homeowner would assemble. They came in many different styles ranging from simple bungalows to imposing colonials, and buyers were encouraged to personalize their order; walls, windows and doors could be moved, added or eliminated. Prices ranged from $3,000 to $10,000 depending on the style, which was a reasonable price even back then. 

Several other companies also offered kit homes, including Montgomery Ward, Aladdin Homes, Wardway Homes, and Bennett Homes. Almost all the materials needed to complete the home were provided, including pre-measured and pre-cut lumber, and hardware. Brick, concrete or masonry were not included, and plumbing, electricity, labor and land would, of course, add to the final cost. But ultimately, a kit home was an economical option for a lot of families. 

Several kit houses still exist in Webster. One in on Shoemaker Rd. Its owner remembers that the ranch-house model was called the Fairmount and it was ordered from Liberty Ready-Cut Homes. It featured a 1330-foot floor plan, with covered porch, three bedrooms, kitchen, living room and dining room.   

She added,

The “kit” was brought in on the Hojack, then the parts were trucked to the building site on Shoemaker. The owners (Irving and Helen Simmons) did much of the assembly themselves and hired contractors for a few things. I can verify that the quality of the construction is superior to the two previous homes I’ve owned, contractor-built, around the same time, and of similar styles. 

These beautiful little (and big) homes were the perfect answer for families looking for an affordable home-buying option, and their quality has survived the test of time. 

You can read more about Webster’s kit houses and more at the Webster Museum, 18 Lapham Park in the Village of Webster. It’s open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Visit the website at webstermuseum.org

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

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(posted 6/10/2025)

Webster community mailbag

9 Jun

Let’s start at the Arboretum today.

The next informational program hosted by the Webster Arboretum is called Composting 102, scheduled for Tuesday June 17 from 7 to 8 p.m.

It’s presented by Master Gardener Wendy Mendola, who believes that “rinds, limbs, manure, leaves, garden clean-out, etc. are terrible things to waste!” Get started on composting or learn new methods to compost your food and garden debris. This will be an interactive discussion.

The presentation will be held at the the Curry Building at the Arboretum, 1700 Schlegel Rd. There’s no charge, but registration is requested.

Rec Center highlights

There’s still time to register for the 55+ Golden Gala on Friday, June 20 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Webster Recreation Center.

This is a senior prom with dancing, a live band, a photo booth, an appetizer bar and a dessert bar. The event is sponsored by Kittelberger Florist, who’ll be providing flower corsages for the attendees. (Golden glam attire is suggested, but not required!)

Cost is $18 per person, and registration is required by June 10 (register for program #243001).

Webster Police will host car seat check

The Webster Police Department is partnering with the Monroe County Office of Traffic Safety to host a Car Seat Installation Check on Friday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Webster Police Department, 1000 Ridge Road.

There’s no charge for this service, but they would like to know you’re coming so they can have enough staff on hand. Click here to register.

Tea at Two Fashion Show was a success

The recent Tea at Two Fashion Show hosted by Embrace Your Sisters was a tremendous success, raising $47,000.

Embrace Your Sisters is a Canandaigua-based organization dedicated to providing emergency financial support for people with breast cancer. The organization covers 13 counties, and more than $600,000 has been distributed to date. In the past, Webster residents have supported — and received financial support from — Embrace Your Sisters, so this is great news.

The Embrace Your Sisters Tea at Two Fashion Show is an annual event, and tickets have sold out each of the last four years. So if you’re interested in attending the 2026 show, plan ahead!

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As usual, the Webster Public Library has a ton of great programs this month, but I’m only going to highlight a few of them today.

The first is the Tiny Art Challenge, which is going on all summer. The library provides the tiny canvasses, and you provide the art supplies and creativity to make a masterpiece which will be displayed at the library.

Start by registering this month. Then, in July, pick up your canvasses and work on your art.

Deadline to return your finished pieces is Aug. 1. Then from Aug. 4 through 29, all the finished pieces will be displayed, and community members can vote for their favorite. The winning artwork will be announced in early September.

Outdoor storytimes at Ridge Park have begun!

Join Webster Public Library staff members for stories, sogns and rhymes at the Ridge Park pavilion (across from the Town Hall parking lot at 1000 Ridge Rd.) every Wednesday from 9:30 to 10 a.m. through Aug. 27.

This storytime is geared to children ages 0-5, but all are welcome. No registration is required. In case of inclement weather, storytime will be held in the library building and the change will be posted on the library’s Facebook page by 8:30 a.m.  

Here’s a teaser for other things happening this month at the library:

  • Color our World drop-in crafts, June 27 and 28
  • STEAM Family Fun Night, June 30
  • Teen Library Club, June 25
  • Program on Internet Security, June 24
  • Jigsaw puzzle competition, June 28
  • This month’s community collection: craft supplies

Click here to sign up for the newsletter to come to your email box and find out more about all of these events and more every month.

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

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(posted 6/9/2025)

Webster’s a lot cleaner today thanks to these Scouts

8 Jun

I love it when a great community story just falls into my lap.

On Saturday morning I was running down Holt Rd. and had just turned onto the bike path when I came upon a small gaggle of teens and adults in bright construction vests, picking up trash. Of course I had to stop and find out who they were and what their story was.

Turns out these community-minded folks were from Webster Scouting America Troop 262 (from the Webster Presbyterian Church), and picking up trash along the bike path is a service project they complete two times a year.

Troop 262 Committee Chairman Adam Pruyne wrote,

Each year we spend a few hours walking the bike path along Rte 104 from Bay Road to Phillips patrolling for trash. We are registered with the DOT and they provide the vests, hard hats, garbage bags and trash bag pick-up and we provide the effort. In general, this is likely the largest organized community service project our troop performs and we’ve done it so many times, it is part of our yearly routine.

The troop also invites Cub Scout Pack 262, Troop 425, and Troop 163 to join them for clean-up day.

“Troop 163 always covers from Bay Road to Five Mile Line for us,” Adam wrote. “Troop 425 (all-girl troop) and Pack 262 weren’t with us today as they were on their own adventures but typically they join us. We had 30 attendees today and have had as much as 75 if the timing is right for everyone.” 

The Scouts and their adults managed to fill somewhere between 10 and 15 big orange garbage bags (which Adam considered a “light garbage day”). When the Cub Scouts attend, they’ve been known to collect as many as ten more bags from within Charles Sexton Park alone.

And they have a lot of fun doing it. “We sometimes have an informal competition on who got the weirdest find of the day,” Adam wrote. “Today, one of the boys found a realistic looking $1,000,000 bill!”

Saturday’s service project is a very good example of how Scouting is much more than just tying knots.

This is an excellent opportunity for the scouts, both boys and girls, to understand what selflessness and sacrifice is as they give back to the community, even though some are too young to fully appreciate that they are doing those things. This is one of the better aspects of scouting that I feel is lost on the general public. The scouts learn so much about life in these few hours they spend doing this cleanup. They learn about other people, they learn manners as we attempt to let others have the right of way on the path and they learn about environmental conservation and why it is important to “leave no trace” as we conduct our tasks.

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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 6/8/2025)

Book performance brought the joy of reading to our district’s preschoolers

7 Jun

Several beloved children’s books came to life on Thursday morning when Webster Schroeder preschool teacher Jamie Palmer hosted a very special live book performance for Webster’s youngest students.

More than 250 preschool students, teachers and aides — from the district’s seven Webster’s elementary schools and Schroeder and Thomas high schools — attended the performance in the Schroeder auditorium. As the audience members filed in and settled with great excitement into their seats, behind the curtain, an assortment of characters (including a toad, bear, crocodile, donkey, duck, sheep, Elephant and Piggie, Ballet Cat and more) got into their costumes and arranged their props.

Ballet Cat herself (Jamie Palmer in her bright pink tutu) introduced the performance, which featured several of the preschoolers’ favorite children’s books and authors:

  • Toad in the Road by Stephen Shaskan
  • Ballet Cat: the Totally Secret Secret by Bob Shea
  • What’s Your Favorite Favorite? by Bob Shea
  • Oh! Are You Awake? by Bob Shea
  • Elephant and Piggie: Let’s Go for a Drive! by Mo Willems
  • My Friends Make Me Happy by Jan Thomas
  • My Toothbrush is Missing! by Jan Thomas

In between books, as cast members prepared behind the curtain, the young audience members danced and clapped to songs performed by Webster Public Library (WPL) Outreach Cooordinator Jason Poole, and laughed at some pretty bad knock-knock jokes.

Palmer was supported by a talented cast of WPL staff members, Webster School District (WCSD) teachers and Schroeder students. I even got to play the supporting role of Grandma in What’s Your Favorite Favorite? Other performers included:

  • WPL Teen and Family Experiences Librarian Colleen Hernandez
  • WPL Assistant Director Shana Lynott
  • WCSD Special Education Consultant Teacher Bill Ambler
  • Webster Schroeder Librarian Jennifer Strege
  • Webster Schroeder students Brody Walrath, Maura Ugine and Sarah Painton (on the drum set)

Thursday’s show was Palmer’s second annual preK book performance. The idea came to her a few years ago when she and Jason Poole were planning Webster Public Library visits for the district’s preschoolers. It was her first year as a preK teacher after working for several years as the Schlegel Elementary School librarian.

She said,

I missed doing book performances. I said, wouldn’t it be cool if we could do a book performance for all of preK on Schroeder’s stage. Since I’m here, it’s a big stage, and we have an auditorium that will fit everybody, that would be a fun field trip. We could celebrate summer reading with the Public Library and also the reading joy that happened while we were in preK.

You could definitely see that joy in the faces of the preschoolers as they danced and sang, laughed and clapped, and watched with delight as their favorite book characters came to life. And since there’s a new crop of preschoolers every year, you can bet this won’t be the last of these shows.

“After everyone came last year,” Palmer remembered, “they said, ‘Oh you need to do that again. And maybe you need to do two.'”

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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 6/7/2025)

Schroeder students make waves in cardboard boats

6 Jun

I get a lot of press releases from the school district. For various reasons, I don’t always use them for my blog, but this most recent one that came across my email just made me giggle, in large part because of the photos which accompanied it.

Earlier this week, Webster Schroeder High School students put their physics and calculus knowledge to the test in a unique, fun and entertaining challenge: building and racing boats made entirely of cardboard. 

Teams of two to four students spent a week designing and constructing their vessels, aiming to create a boat sturdy enough to carry at least one person across the width of the pool.

On Tuesday June 3, four innovative cardboard creations hit the water at the Webster Aquatics Center, each vying for the fastest time. While one boat quickly succumbed to the water, sinking before leaving the edge, the remaining three showcased impressive engineering. One canoe-shaped vessel successfully transported its Warrior captain across the pool and back. Another, designed like a stand-up paddleboard with internal reinforcements, saw its sailor swiftly glide across the water using homemade cardboard hand fins. The fourth boat, resembling a small outrigger canoe, also demonstrated remarkable speed.

Ultimately, the stand-up paddleboard-style boat, with its innovative hand-fin propulsion, was declared the winner for its impressive speed at 20.24 seconds. Second place was the outrigger canoe with two rowers at 29.02, and the canoe took third with a time of 39.85. 

After the official contest, other classmates eagerly took the opportunity to try out the cardboard crafts, though one boat eventually sank under the weight of two occupants. It must have been so much fun to watch.

What a terrific way to have students apply their classroom learning to a real-life problem, and have a lot of fun doing it.

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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 6/6/2025)

The Webster Garlic Fest could use your help

5 Jun

The 2025 Webster Garlic Fest is coming up fast. It’s scheduled for Saturday and Sunday Sept. 6 and 7 at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Dr.

If you’re not familiar with the Garlic Fest, it’s a great family festival for anyone who loves all things garlic. The Rec Center gymnasium and grounds outside are packed with crafters, food vendors, distilleries, wineries, food trucks and, lots and lots of garlic growers. Many of them provide tastings and samples. And even if you’re not a big fan of garlic, there’s lots of other neat things there. In past years there have been baby goats (in pajamas), alpacas, a huge 70-year old tortoise, Mr. Wally the Balloon Man, a comedian and entertainers.

As you can tell, this is a huge event, and because of that, it takes a LOT of money to bring it back every year. I’m told that costs top $10,000 for the two-day festival. Proceeds from admission (which is very reasonable) and vendors make up a portion of that, but organizers are hoping to attract some more large-scale business or corporate sponsors to help defray the costs. And not for nothing, the less spent on overhead, the more can go to the organizations that benefit from the festival, Wreaths Across America and the Blue Star Mothers Rochester chapter.

So please, if you work at a corporation, or have any connection with a business or corporation which would be interested in becoming a sponsor for the 2025 Garlic Fest, please let Cherie Wood know by emailing her at websterwreaths@icloud.com.

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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 6/5/2025)

Thank you, Webster, for helping make the Women’s Club Fashion Show a success 

4 Jun

The Women’s Club of Webster held its annual Spring Fashion Show and Luncheon on Sunday June 1, and thanks to incredible support from the Webster community, it was a huge success.

The show, held at the Penfield Country Club, featured fashions by Chicos of Pittsford. Almost 150 women attended; many of them were Women’s Club members, but most of them were not, and had come with friends to enjoy the fashions, food and camaraderie. 

The event’s success can be attributed to the many individuals who worked so hard to organize it, and almost two dozen local merchants who donated door prizes or basket raffle items.   

Specifically, the Women’s Club would like to thank:

  • the volunteers who designed and printed the programs, came early to set up, sell tickets, take pictures and do whatever else needed to be done; 
  • the members who collected donations from vendors;
  • everyone who donated the beautiful raffle baskets (we had 57 of them) and door prizes;
  • Chico’s of Pittsford for the gorgeous fashions, and all of the club members who acted as models;
  • the Penfield Country Club for hosting; 
  • Judy Bayer, who made the beautiful dessert cookies (including dresses, purses and hats); and
  • our sponsors – Morgan Stanley, First Consulting, Inc., and Roc City Stampers – for cash donations and the beautiful Cherry Blossom favors. 

The annual Fashion Show is one of three big fundraisers hosted by the Women’s Club, which also include the Card Party in November and Christmas Cookie Sale in December. 

The Women’s Club of Webster is a lively group of women of all ages and from many different backgrounds, all dedicated to supporting cultural and educational causes through volunteering. The Club hosts luncheon meetings every month except July and August. For more information about becoming a member, call Carolyn Rittenhouse at (585) 265-1303.

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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 6/4/2025)

Rec Center’s Summer Celebration is this weekend

3 Jun

Regardless of how warm it’s going to be this week, it’s not really summer yet (and for that matter it’s hardly been spring). But that’s not keeping the Webster Recreation Department from hosting its annual Summer Celebration this weekend, Saturday June 7.

The Town of Webster’s annual Summer Carty will be held at the Webster Recreation Center, 1350 Chiyoda Drive, beginning at 4 p.m., and will feature food trucks, live music, family activities, and inflatables for the kids.

This year’s food trucks will include:

  • Bruster’s of Webster
  • Curbside Quesadilla
  • Macarollin’
  • Nancy’s Fried Dough
  • Roc Bowlevard
  • Tony Tomato’s Wood Fired Pizza
  • Uncle Bucks
  • Vasko’s on Park

Dr. Jem will kick off the music, followed by ZBTB (Zach Brown Tribute Band), who’ll take the stage at 6 p.m. The evening concludes with a fireworks display at 9:45.

Here are some other important reminders:

  • First Responders Park, First Responders parking lot and the Recreation Center CLOSE at 4 p.m.. Nearby walkers may want to consider driving because you won’t be able to cut through First Responders parking lot due to fireworks set-up. 
  • The main Recreation Center lot will be for handicap parking and elderly drop-off only. All othe parking will be across Chiyoda Drive in the Xerox lots. AND there’s no shuttle service.=, so plan to walk in from those lots. (Don’t worry, helpers will be there to direct traffic.)
  • Food trucks & bounce houses open at 4 PM. Bounce houses are free, food trucks take cash or credit. Bounce houses will close exactly at 8:45 p.m. for safety reasons.
  • For any onsite emergencies look for the pop-up tent with the RED WPRD flag on top or the two safety tents.

The Summer Celebration is free, no registration is required, and the entire community is invited. And it will be held rain or shine.

Looking ahead, mark your calendars now for these other family fun events from the Rec Center:

  • This summer’s Music at the Arb series kicks off Thursday June 19 with a performance by Josh Ketchum. Thursday July 19 features Chelsey Berry and Mark Cellura, and on Thursday August 14, The String Brothers. These concerts are all held in the Webster Arboretum gazebo, begin at 6:30 p.m. and are free and open to the public.
  • This year’s wet and wild Summer Splash event will be held Saturday July 19 from 3 to 5 p.m. at First Responders Spray Park on Chiyoda Dr. This is free family water fun which includes snow cones, Rich the Magic Man and bubble fun. No registration is required.
  • The 2025 Mud Run is scheduled for Saturday Sept. 20 (times TBD). I’ll have a lot more in my blog later about this, because I LOVE LOVE this event.
  • Sandbar Summer Splendor has been scheduled for Tuesday Aug. 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Sandbar Park on Lake Rd. Lots of summer family fun planned here; more information to come.
  • Finally, say goodbye to summer at the “See Ya Summer Kids Concert” with Mr. Loops on Thursday Aug. 28 from 6 to 7 p.m. at Sandbar Park. This is also free and open to the 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 “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 6/3/2025)

Mabel Jane’s brings mid-century modern decor — and more — back to the village

31 May

The Village of Webster’s newest shop caters to customers who really like the old.

The new Mabel Jane’s Vintage and Consignment shop opened in mid-April at 10 North Ave., just steps from the village’s four corners.

Mabel Jane’s features two rooms and more than 1200 square feet packed with pre-loved furniture, antiques and collectibles. It’s the realization of a long-time dream for owner Sharon Kruger, an extension of the Loyal Helper Group, a business which she’s owned for 9 years.

I help people downsize and move; sometimes they’ve moved to Heaven. After we get them situated, they ask, “What do I do with what’s left?” I help them find a home for it without putting it in the dumpster. We help them donate some, sell some.

And now, Sharon has a dedicated shop in which to do that.

I’ve always wanted a shop, not because I’m taking all their stuff here. That’s too much work and cost for them. But there are special pieces that you can’t necessarily sell in the month that you’re working with them, so we could bring them in here.

Sharon also takes items on consignment from the community, so there’s a wide variety of, well LOTS of stuff, and inventory turns over daily. Plus, the prices are very reasonable. Friends have actually suggested to her that she raise them, but she doesn’t want to do that. “I want my inventory to change,” she said, “and I want it to get into someone’s hands.” 

The 10 North Ave. location most recently housed Mod 4 U, which specialized in mid-century modern decor. That shop closed in February, and Sharon said that people are happy to see a similar shop fill the empty space.

“Robert (Verrone) was here before,” Sharon said, “and he had some great mid-century modern. This has got that and more. And it’s not all vintage, there’s some new stuff.”

So basically, it’s like one big estate sale right in the heart of the Village of Webster.

Sharon is still trying to sort out her hours, but right now Mabel Jane’s is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and usually one other day during the week. The best way to find out when she’s there is to visit Mabel Jane’s Facebook page or Instagram (mabel_janes_), which are both updated regularly.

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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 5/31/2025)

Webster Museum receives $2,500 donation from NBT Bank

30 May

The Webster Museum and Historical Society received a generous donation Thursday morning when representatives from NBT Bank presented the museum with a check for $2,500.

The presentation was part of NBT Bank’s grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at their new branch located at 1075 Ridge Road (in the plaza with Corona’s Mexican Restaurant, next to Great Clips).

Donations like this are a key part of NBT Bank’s commitment to supporting the communities they serve. With each new branch opening, the bank selects a local nonprofit organization to receive a donation.

During the check presentation, Market Manager Lindsey Meyers praised the museum’s efforts, saying:

The Webster Historical Society’s passion for keeping Webster’s history alive, and the dedicated effort within the community, is really something special. Their commitment to the Webster School District and other organizations makes them a staple in both Rochester and Webster. We are honored and privileged to partner with you today.

Webster Museum President Tom Pellett expressed gratitude for the donation, noting that while there are no immediate plans for the funds, they will go a long way toward supporting the museum’s mission.

“It’s gifts like this that keep us—a nonprofit, all-volunteer museum—going,” he said. “It enables us to keep the museum open for free, so we’re always thankful.”

Also attending the presentation were Webster Museum volunteers Sharon Pratt and Deb Oakley; Webster Town Historian Lynn Barton; Webster Town Supervisor Tom Flaherty; Webster Chamber of Commerce President Barry Howard; Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President Bob Duffy; and several NBT corporate representatives.

NBT Bank, which recently merged with Evans Bank, is expanding its presence in Upstate New York. The new Webster location is the first NBT branch in the Rochester area. When asked why Webster was chosen, Shauna Hyle, Executive VP of Community Banking, explained:

We really like the Webster community. We had a subsidiary in downtown Rochester, and many of our employees lived in Webster. That gave us some insight into the area, and we felt it was a great opportunity to re-enter this market.

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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 5/30/2025)