WEEKEND GO AND 'GLOW'

December is starting with a whirlwind of activity. I am grateful for every opportunity. I just hope I can keep my schedule straight. And keep up!

Today is my last catch-up day for a while, so we hit the grocery store this morning and enjoyed the sunny, mild day. This afternoon I’m working on some surprise goodies to share with my newsroom friends tomorrow on “HSPA Day,” and make some dishes ahead for the fridge.

Tomorrow is the day Hoosier newspaper folk look forward to all year long with a morning full of Hoosier State Press Association seminars, then the awards banquet when reporters’ best work is recognized.

No matter what the paper or I do or don’t win, being there is my annual booster shot reminder that I’m part of a profession much bigger than my own band of newsies, and I reflect on the numerous first Saturdays in December I’ve shared with many in this profession. I always leave the convention hall renewed and ready to get busy – well, except that time I felt myself becoming ill as we sat through the awards session, and by the time I got home, I had full-blown flu!

I have a bit of exciting news to share, and it’s that my books are now available at Warm Glow Candle Co. in the newly opened Artisans & Java building on the property. The new concept replaces the former Watering Can gardening store. I’m privileged to share space with the Kids at Heart Publishing, LLC crew and I want to thank both the publisher, Shelley Davis, and Warm Glow Founder and Owner Jackie Carberry for this opportunity.

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If you’ve never been to Warm Glow, it’s at the Centerville exit on Interstate 70 in Wayne County, Indiana, and it’s a magical place! It was the vision of business woman Jackie Carberry, who first crafted candles in her Richmond home to use as decorations in an antiques shop. However, the candles seemed to sell like hot cakes and she knew she was onto something.

I wrote about her for the cover story in her magazine for women five years ago.     

From her small beginnings came the tourist attraction that is now Warm Glow. It’s so much more than candles, but also quality gifts of so many kinds.

The candles are made in Centerville – yes, made in the U.S.A. and shipped all over the country. The Centerville story at the I-70 exit is the mother ship.

What’s more, the customers are from literally everywhere! There is a new flow of traffic – heading east and west nonstop at all hours of the day and night, plus, of course, locals or regionals who make their way to this store complex.

I’ve long dreamed about having the Warm Glow sticker on my books and now I do! This weekend is the annual Christmas open house and as part of the festivities, I’ll be there Sunday from noon to 3:30 p.m. Stop and see me in the Artisans & Java building. I’m looking forward to seeing other artists’, crafters’ and authors’ merchandise too.

Monday night, I’ll be speaking during the Fishers United Methodist Women’s Christmas dessert event. I have to thank Linda Shimer for so kindly inviting me to do this several months ago. The church’s book club members read both of my books and had me in for the two discussions. I was so impressed with how thoroughly they read the books and the insightful questions they had. I look forward to Monday.

Then Tuesday after work, it's onward to Farmland where another friend I met this year, Farmland Librarian Carrie, invited me to have a table in the library where they are doing a meal and expect a couple hundred locals to pass through. The whole town is hosting an open house that evening. I’ll be there from 5-9 p.m.

After this stretch, only one more official book event remains in 2017.

Meanwhile, I plan to savor every moment and enjoy visiting with everyone I can – old and new friends alike. Whatever you’re doing this weekend, enjoy it.