Essex Junction, Vermont

 Feast of Saint Lawrence

I remember the day that we got the news that Dad was being transferred from the St. Johnsbury telephone office to the Burlington one.  It was toward the end of my 7th grade year;  I was crushed.  St. Johnsbury was all I ever knew, and I was very lucky that we kept the camp at Miles Pond.  Somehow having the camp to come home to made every thing less scary.  It still does, but on the Feast of Saint Lawrence, the Patron Saint of our Parish in Essex Junction, I was so grateful to be reminded of the story of St. Lawrence (click the link and read all about it)  The Life of St. Lawrence.  I cannot help but think about all of the cool benefits of my adopted hometown too.  

We moved to Essex Junction in the Summer of 1977 as I was going into the 8th Grade.  I was sure that my life was over, but Essex Junction and the greater Burlington, Vermont area had lots of exciting opportunities for this 12 year-old girl.  If you are in the Burlington area, please check out these exciting places:

Lake Monsters Baseball

Balloon Rides

Echo Aquarium

Family Fun

Farm to Fork Fitness

Boat Rides

Educational Resources:

Lake Champlain Atlas

Clean Water Rangers

Virtual Learning

Groveton, New Hampshire

 At the Races

I will travel anywhere in the world to see my cousins, and when it turned out that two of my cousins were racing their cars at the Riverside Speedway in Groveton, NH on Saturday night, my cousin John and I had to join in on the fun.  Turns out, it was nerve wracking, loud, but oh so exciting!  I spent the first hour or so in the "Pit" catching up with my cousins.  They warned me that it can be dangerous in there, and I had to pay attention.  I wish I had a diagram of the Pit Pass area because as soon as I stepped inside, I was nearly run over by a car coming off the speedway.  I did not even see (or hear) them coming!  My cousins warned me to wear ear protection to safeguard my already bad hearing, and I am so glad I did because I had a chance to listen to so many stories about racing through the years and in our family from my cousin John.  In the meantime, we made more memories and then sped home through the night!

Saints Christopher and Francesca-  Pray for us!

Click the link for more information about Riverside Speedway and all of the activities they have going on there.   

Check out these other great resources too:

Article about activities that are dangerous for your hearing

American History of Automobile Racing

Saint Francesca Romana

St. Christopher

Family Fun Things to do in Groveton, NH

Racing Rules

Ouch!

How exciting!

I love the sportwear!

I want to give it a spin!

Headed back to the shop...

Isle La Motte

 St. Anne's Shrine

When I found myself in the Lake Champlain Islands (see next post) on Friday night, I knew that I was called to visit the St. Anne Shrine.   I am so glad that I answered the call!

Here are some resources for you if you are interested in making a pilgrimage to Isle La Motte to visit the St. Anne Shrine.  Scared to travel in this time of Covid?  Check out the article on Virtual Pilgrimages.

St. Anne Shrine Website

Background for Students on Pilgrimage

Virtual Pilgrimages

Adoration Chapel

 St. John's Church

(Lifeteen.com)

On the Feast of Mary Magdalene, Thursday, July 22nd, I stumbled into the 5:15 PM Mass at my hometown church of St. John's in St. Johnsbury.  It had been an emotional day, and I knew that I needed daily Mass more than ever!

As I walked through those familiar glass doors, I was so surprised to see Father Lance, one of our former priests back at the pulpit setting up for Mass.  Father Lance was such a Good Shepherd to my Mom and Dad when he served St. John's before, and as he began Mass, he began to speak about the people from generations past who developed such a strong Eucharistic Adoration program.  Immediately, I felt chills because our Mom and Dad were very involved in this from the beginning, and this was a daily devotion for them over many years.  

Father Lance said that July 22nd was the day that the Adoration Chapel was going to reopen after many long months of being closed due to Covid.  He invited those of us attending Mass that afternoon to form a Eucharistic Procession down to chapel and then, sign up to spend an hour a week adoring our Lord. Whenever I am home, I plan to do just that- devoting time in the Adoration chapel looking at and listening to our Lord.  This devotion meant so much to my parents, and I want their legacy of Faith to live on in me and all of the generations who come after.  

Here are some resources to help your children understand Eucharistic Adoration:

Adoration Tips for Kids

What is Eucharistic Adoration?

Look to Him

A Beginner's Guide to Adoration

The New York Stock Exchange

 Ringing the Bell

Often times when I was teaching away in my classroom and a student provided a great answer, I would call out, "ring, ring, ring" and pantomime ringing a bell.  This morning, my sister-in-law Tracey was part of the Weber Grill team ringing THE Bell at the New York Stock Exchange.  I could not be any prouder.  She, and the entire team, has worked so hard for this moment.  Congratulations!

Curious what it all means?  Check out these great student resources:

The Stock Market Game

What is the NYSE

Teachers' Guide to the Stock Exchange

Vermont

Another Trip around the Sun and the Pond

Birthdays are such a blessing.  With each additional year that I accrue, I gain aches and pains, but also joy and wisdom too!  Much like taking trips around the pond in my kayak, the scenery changes based on where I am.  

Here are some of the highlights from my Happy Birthday month.  Enjoy!

Birthday Video

Miles Pond

 Waiting on a Sunny Day

Wow!  The sun came out this afternoon after what felt like days of rain.  I jumped in my kayak and headed around the pond.  With Bruce Springsteen's song (Waiting on a Sunny Day ) resonating in my brain, I thought about the tumultuous weather of the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.  

Check out these awesome weather sites if you love weather as much as I do!

Interactive Websites:

1. Weather Wiz Kids

2. Almanac

3. Space Weather Center

4. Weather Websites