Local News and Events

 This weekend, as we celebrate Father’s Day and spend time with loved ones, let’s also take a quiet moment to lift up our country in prayer.May we seek peace, wisdom, and unity in our communities—across city lines, state lines, and national borders.May we remember those who serve and protect, and those who work to lead with compassion and strength.May we be guided by grace, humility, and hope.And as we look beyond our borders, we also offer prayers for Israel—for safety, healing, and peace amid hardship. For all people affected by conflict, may there be comfort, resolution, and the courage to choose peace.🙏 Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is simply pause and pray.Wishing you a safe, meaningful, and peaceful weekend. 06/13/2025

 Friday the 13th... What Do You Think... Is It Lucky? Is It Cursed? Is It Just Another Day? "Don't be superstitious. Nothing will happen on Friday the 13th that cannot happen on Saturday the 14th."... Unknown It’s Friday the 13th! Is today just another Friday for you, or does the date give you pause? Some people avoid travel, cancel plans, or tread carefully on Friday the 13th, while others barely notice it’s even on the calendar. Whether you lean into superstition, dismiss it entirely, or treat it like a personal lucky charm, this date has long captured the imagination.  Fact: Did you know that every month that begins with a Sunday has a Friday the 13th? If you are superstitious about this day, good news! In 2025 there is only one Friday the 13th (today)!  A Brief History of Friday the... 06/13/2025

United States Army Day in GaithersburgThe U.S. Army will celebrate its 250th birthday on June 14, 2025, commemorating the Army's distinguished service to our nation. At the June 2 Mayor and City Council meeting, Mayor Jud Ashman declared June 14 as United States Army Day in the City of Gaithersburg. The City recognizes the Army’s pivotal role in shaping our nation’s history, security, and freedom and encourages all residents to join in honoring the men and women who have served and continue to serve. This is a City of Gaithersburg, Maryland announcement. Iceland Poppy, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania USA IMG 4423Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 06/12/2025

Look who is admiring my new shirt!  Tom Brannon, who gave me the shirt, and who is pictured all over it, points to it.  My daughter, Valerie Canepa, is trying to take it because she likes it so much.  Actually, it is last year's shirt but I didn't get one last year.  The Cereal Drive is held yearly by KTHV11 TV station and goes to several different cities to solicit cereal for our kids.  The sign below shows how successful Searcy was with 6503 boxes.  Tom Brannon and Karen Fuller are in the group below.  The white haired lady in the middle is Karen's mother, Anita Hart Fuller.  She grew up in Searcy and has been a great helper with my historic blogs about our area.  If you want to read my blog about their coming, click this.                                           https://activerain.c... 06/12/2025

June 12, 2025 Rain is grace; rain in the sky descending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life------John Updike, an American Writer of novels, poems, short stories, literature. Thankful Thursday Light rain continues to grace Flower Mound and much of North Texas. I nearly forgot I planted some lilies last year. Liz and Bill Spear will probably get a kick out of what happened yesterday morning. In between the rain and the sunshine, I thought I saw a monstrous bee through my kitchen window! I grabbed my camera and cautiously walked towards whatever landed. What a surprise it was to see this beautiful lily!  It’s funny how quiet things are when it rains lightly and there is no thunder. Only thoughts were pounding in my head. All life depends on raindrops, both gentle and heavy. ... 06/12/2025

Auburn vs Opelika – What’s the Better Move in 2025?So you’re deciding between Auburn and Opelika? It’s a common debate—and honestly, it depends on your vibe.• Auburn: Bustling, university-town energy, higher prices. If you want to be near Auburn University, tailgating, and trendy coffee shops—this is your scene.• Opelika: Quieter, more spread out, often more affordable. Think historic homes, slower pace, and local charm.• Schools, taxes, traffic—yep, they’re different in each city. What matters most to you?• Downtown Opelika has a storybook charm and hidden gems. Downtown Auburn is a hub of energy and style.• Ask yourself: Want game-day hype or small-town chill?The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone. As a local Auburn and Opelika realtor, I know the ins and outs of both. L... 06/12/2025

Summer Water Safety It is the beginning of June, and already 22 children have drowned in the state of Texas.  That is 22 too many!Whether you and your family will be near a pool, lake, the beach, or a river, you need to know and practice water safety.*NEVER LET ANYONE SWIM ALONE  * DO NOT TAKE YOUR EYES OFF ANYONE IN THE POOL, EVEN IF THEY CAN SWIMYears ago, a family friend had a terrifying near-tragedy. Four adults were sitting by the pool while their daughter and her friend, both strong swimmers, were in the water, doing flips and swirls. In an instant, our friend’s daughter lost consciousness and sank to the bottom of the pool. Thankfully, her friend noticed right away and immediately called for help. That quick action likely saved her life.(Of the children who drown, 88% drown with ... 06/12/2025

FUN THINGS TO DO AROUND WESTPORT, MA HOME TIPS, FREE EVENTS AND MORE *FREE CONCERT * FLAG DAY * FARMERS MARKETS * BEACH INFO * EXERCISE CLASSES * ART * FREE MOVIE NIGHTS * KARAOKE * WESTPORT RIVER DAY AND MORE https://www.safeharborrealty.net/blog/14202/fun-things-to-do-around-westport-ma-home-tips-free-events-concerts-and-more-Safe Harbor Realty is a family owned and operated real estate agency in Westport, MA. We have been trusted by Westport, and the surrounding communities with their real estate needs since 2003. Helping Guide Home Sellers and Home Buyers in MA & RI navigate the complex & ever changing real estate market. If you are in need of real estate advice contact Safe Harbor Realty today for expert real estate guidance.We ♥️to help our friends, neighbors and community. Thank ... 06/11/2025

Celebrating 33 Years of Excellence at Glenn Smith Chevrolet GMC in Opelika, AL! If you’re in the Opelika area, Glenn Smith Chevrolet GMC just gave us all a reason to smile! I had the pleasure of attending their 33rd anniversary celebration today, and let me tell you—it was a blast!  From the lively atmosphere and friendly faces to the incredible team that makes Glenn Smith such a trusted name in the community, this event reminded me why they’ve been going strong for over three decades. Whether you’re there for the celebration or seriously looking for your next vehicle, this dealership knows how to make you feel right at home.  They’ve got a wide selection of vehicles, knowledgeable staff, and a commitment to service that truly mirrors what I aim to bring to my own clients in real estate... 06/11/2025

19th Annual Jubilation Day Gospel ConcertFeel the joy at the 19th Annual Jubilation Day Gospel Concert! Join us Saturday, June 14 from 3–7 PM at the City Hall Pavilion for an uplifting afternoon of Gospel music, food & community. Includes special Juneteenth tribute.FREE! Info: https://gburg.md/JubilationDayThis is a City of Gaithersburg, Maryland announcement. Orchids, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania USA IMG 2734Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 06/11/2025

A sure sign summer is here, is the beginning of Rose Tree Park's Summer Festival of Free Concerts! And according to the Delaware County's Website, it is the 50th Annual Concert Series!Concerts start at 7:30 PM (a few at 10 AM).  Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets.Arrive early with a picnic dinner and make an evening of it under the sky!Refreshments and snacks are sold at the park.The first week's line up:Wednesday 7:30 PM June 11 - Delaware County SymphonyThursday 7:30 PM June 12 - The Fabulous GreasebandFriday 7:30 PM June 13 - Minas Brazilian JazzSaturday 7:30 PM June 14 - Rose Tree PopsSunday 7:30 PM June 15 - Sensational Soul Cruisers          (open links for more details) All concerts are scheduled for one time only with no rain date.Cancelled due to rain?  Call 610-891-4455 f... 06/10/2025

Wordless Wednesday…Danger, Will Robinson! While I love technology, I’ve never been overly fond of robots. I can understand them in manufacturing plants but in restaurants?? I suppose it’s inevitable with staffing shortages, and it’s also a nice marketing gimmick. From my reading, The Rise of Restaurant Robots, I learned they can also carry a heavier load than you or I. Think of those huge trays some servers carry! Saturday, at my niece’s birthday lunch, we had the opportunity to see them in action. They got my attention! Like the Roomba vacuums, they had some trouble maneuvering around chairs but all in all, not bad! This one brought our meals and delivered the birthday cake. But that’s not all…it was also programmed to sing Happy Birthday!                                   What do you ... 06/11/2025

 Windmill Village in Buckeye, a Great Place to Call Home!Tucked away in the growing community of Buckeye, Arizona, near Sundance, Windmill Village is a neighborhood that strikes the perfect balance between quiet suburbanliving and everyday convenience. This inviting subdivision offers an excellent opportunity for homeowners seeking both space and value.🏡 Spacious Homes for a Range of NeedsWhether you're a first-time homebuyer, moving up, or looking to downsize, Windmill Village has something to offer. Homes here typically feature 3 to 5 bedrooms and a variety of floor plans designed to fit different lifestyles. Prices often range from the low $300s to the $500s, making it an appealing option in the West Valley.  🌳 A Community with CharacterResidents enjoy access to community parks and s... 06/09/2025

 HEY!!SO!!  We have had Searcy in the news a lot in the last few years.  Our Mayor Matt Faulkner has done a great promotion job for our town.  He is going to support this drive and will come and visit the drive.  KTHV11 is having their 25 anniversary cereal drive this year.  They visit cities and collect cereal to help our children.  It is time for them to visit Searcy.  The drive will be held Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at the front of our large Walmart store beginning at 6:30 am.My connection is through one of their star reporters, Karen Fuller, and her mother, Anita Hart Fuller. (Both shown in picture above.)  Karen's mother and dad grew up in Searcy.  Hopefully, you remember that I have over 2000 blogs on line and Anita helped me so much with the many historic ones.  Google Anita Hart ... 06/09/2025

Read an interesting article last week, the nonpartisan Florida Taxwatch group said Florida’s economic growth pattern should match or surpass the national economic growth pattern for the next five years.  I pulled some interesting facts out of the article, the report predicts that while the state's population will continue to increase, the number of people moving to Florida each day is projected to decrease from 982 in 2024 to 789 in 2030.The report also predicts that the state's tourism industry – which it says creates 2.1 million jobs and saves each household $1,910 annually in state and local taxes – will have steady growth after three years of record numbers.  Florida welcomed a record 142.9 million visitors in 2024 and the report predicts that number will increase to nearly 186 mill... 06/10/2025

If you've owned your home for a long time, chances are its value has increased�, maybe even doubled, tripled, or more. But did you know that a law written in 1997 still limits the amount of capital gains tax exclusion, despite skyrocketing home prices? Currently, homeowners can exclude up to $250,000 in gains if single or $500,000 if married filing jointly when selling their primary residence, as long as they've lived there for at least two of the last five years. But with today's home values, more sellers are finding themselves exceeding this exclusion and facing a significant tax bill. More Homeowners Are Now Affected In 2023, nearly 8% of home sales surpassed the $500,000 capital gains exclusion. However, in high-cost states like California (28.8%), Hawaii (23.8%), Washington, D.C. ... 06/10/2025

 Pensacola Bands on the Beach - Cadillac Willy at Gulfside Pavilion, Pensacola Beach. Live Music at Five Sisters’ Blues Cafe featuring Skyler Saufley. Angelena’s Prosecco Week Celebration with sparkling flights and Italian bites. Palafox Market – A vibrant farmers' market with local vendors. PaceNo major events found specifically for Pace, but you might find local gatherings or activities at restaurants and parks.Gulf Breeze Bands on the Beach - Cadillac Willy at Gulfside Pavilion, Pensacola Beach. JSA In-House Authentication at 3755 E Gulf Breeze Parkway. TPSA Board Meeting at Tiger Park Lane. For more details, you can check out Visit Pensacola and Gulf Breeze Chamber of Commerce. Let me know if you need recommendations for specific activities!Whether you're looking for family-friendly... 06/09/2025

  Nestled in Santa Rosa County, Pace, Florida, is a thriving community known for its welcoming atmosphere, excellent local amenities, and a perfect blend of small-town charm with modern conveniences. Whether you're a resident or just visiting, there's plenty to explore!🏞️ Things to Do Pace offers a variety of attractions for all ages: Benny Russell Park – A family-friendly park with playgrounds, walking trails, and picnic areas. West Florida Railroad Museum – A must-visit for history buffs, showcasing the region’s railroad heritage. Arcadia Mill – Step back in time at this historic site featuring a scenic boardwalk and educational exhibits. Blackwater Heritage State Trail – Perfect for biking, jogging, or a peaceful nature walk. 🍽️ Where to Eat Pace is home to a variety of delicious din... 06/11/2025

With Vibrant Community, Sports, Dining, and Recreation! 🌊🏡Nestled between Pensacola and Navarre, Gulf Breeze, Florida, is a charming waterfront city known for its tight-knit community, outdoor adventures, and coastal lifestyle. Whether you're a resident or a visitor, there's plenty to enjoy in this scenic Gulf Coast destination.🏡 Community & Lifestyle Gulf Breeze is home to friendly neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a strong sense of community. The Gulf Breeze Community Center serves as a hub for local events, fitness programs, and gatherings, making it easy to connect with neighbors.⚽ Sports & Fitness For sports enthusiasts, Gulf Breeze offers fantastic facilities: Gulf Breeze Sports Association – A volunteer-run organization supporting youth sports like soccer, baseball, and footb... 06/13/2025

Who says homes aren’t selling? May proved otherwise! I’m excited to share that I made the Coldwell Banker NW Austin Million Dollar Club this month!Our office celebrated 19 remarkable agents who each listed, wrote, or closed $1 million or more in sales during May, a true testament to the dedication, adaptability, and hard work that define our team.Today’s market isn’t without its complexities, longer days on market, shifting price points, and evolving buyer expectations mean we must approach every transaction with strategic focus and creative thinking. At Coldwell Banker NW Austin, we meet weekly to share insights, track local trends, and refine our strategies to match buyer demand in every neighborhood and price range.While the days of 3% mortgage rates may be behind us, the opportuniti... 06/10/2025