It's almost that time....

Summer is almost over. It's sad. I know, I know, we still have several more weeks of summer according to the calendar. However, ask any school-age child and they will tell you that summer is over in about one week. I remember growing up in Virginia in the 70's and 80's when we went back to school after Labor Day. How wonderful was that?

Well in honor of all the educators and school personnel that are heading back to the classroom this week in preparation of the school year, MyleStone Gallery and Wines is having an Education Appreciation Week. From Tuesday, August 17 through Saturday, August 21, we are offering a 15% discount off one item in the store, even if that item is already on sale. You can come in every day to use the 15% coupon if you like. With a purchase, we will also offer a 25% discount coupon to be used during the holiday shopping months of October-December.

I can remember some of my teachers with such clarity that it's not even funny for this 40 year old mind. I could write pages and pages of all those that touched my life but here are just a few that made a difference....Mr. and Mrs. Yeatts who taught English and Home Economics, respectively, at Gretna Jr. High School will always have a special place in my heart. They believed in each of us and it showed. My high school English teacher, who was also the mom of a dear friend, was quiet and calm and had a way of making us all simmer down and pay attention. I developed a strong love of English as a result of her teaching.

The college years were full of professors who no doubt shook their head many times at my test scores or term papers. I had a tendency to procrastinate just a bit!! I have a minor in English, I know *surprise*, thanks to several professors who opened my eyes to English Lit and poetry. I attended Averett University which is a liberal arts school and the courses we had to take to graduate really opened my eyes. Sociology, Religion, Psychology, Speech, Ethics were just a few of the courses that made you step back and really think about the things around you. Truthfully though, it was the professors. Without their love of the subject and desire to help us all understand, the classes wouldn't have been half as meaningful.

I even had an Accounting professor who changed my way of thinking....even if she wasn't as patient with me as she was with all her other students. Thanks Mom.

The passion a teacher has to pass on their knowledge is to be commended. I have often thought I wanted to teach, but have been afraid I couldn't handle the classroom as good as my own teacher's did. I am sure it is frustrating and disheartening at times, but the work teachers do is too important not to recognize. Look at all the CEO's making millions...they can thank a teacher for that. I think the teacher's salaries should be in proportion to all those they helped to succeed.

We want to say thank you to the teachers and school personnel for all you do for our youth. No doubt my own teachers are looking at me and thinking "REALLY" and some are in awe that I even turned out not so bad!! Well, I DID listen to what they told me....sometimes. Even though most of them wanted to bop me on the head a time or two.

Keeping the Business in Small Businesses

It's summertime and I am sure you have either been on vacation or are planning a vacation soon. Whenever I am traveling I wander down roads with no idea where I am heading, I eat where the locals eat and I step into all the little shops in town or along the way. I like to support small, local businesses because they are the heart of a town.

I encourage you to head down the unknown path and pay a visit to those local, small town businesses. You never know who you will meet, the conversations you will have and the treasures you will find.

Shop local wherever your travels take you. It makes a difference to the owners and the town and you will be very glad you did.