The Small Town Storyteller

05/13/2026

Join us at the Chris Higbee Benefit Concert this Sunday to help send off Mary Nigro - the first person from Mercer County to represent team Pa at the National Special Olympics in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The special benefit concert is 4-7 PM Sunday May 17 and features Chris Higbee, along with Alex Higbee and special guest Mike Kovach.
Besides a 50-50’s and a Large Raffle Basket Auction, Warehouse Sales has donated the Grand Raffle Prize - A Black Stone Grill set valued at $700 retail & More!
Plus get dinner at The L**e because Quaker Steak is donating 20% of their food sales that day to benefit Mary and Allie’s Sweet Tooth is setting up with their desserts and donating a portion of their proceeds as well!
The free benefit concert is open to the public - with an option to make a donation (of any amount) for Mary at the door! The live concert starts at 5 PM with Mike Kovach kicking it off!
See you there!

05/11/2026

Octopus on the brain as of late - all four EXCELLENT to watch! Though the first three might include some tears - the 4th one - "Our Oceans" is a 5-part series that won't include tears - just a lot of interest & fascination - and might be good to put one episode in between each of the others to keep you balanced emotionally lol
Octopus! 2-part documentary (but not too serious) is on Amazon Prime and the rest can be found on Netflix. A little fun tidbit is that Alfred Molina, who voices the octopus in "Remarkably Bright Creatures" also play Dr. Octopus (Doc Ock) in some of the Spiderman movies!
Fun facts about Octopuses? (not Octopi apparently lol)
1. Blue Blood
2. 9 Brains - one in their head and each arm houses individual brain function
3. 3 Hearts
4. Some scientists claim their DNA came from meteors that landed on the earth millions of years ago which would make them extraterrestrials. More scientists debunked that assertion but it's interesting to think of
5. Many love shiny items so much they collect them and arrange them creatively - called Octopus gardens!
6. Many can open childproof medicine bottles
7. They are some of the smartest animals in existence
8. They may dream - they have been observed to have REM sleep.
As an animal totem - they represent generosity, selflessness, and self-sacrifice.

05/10/2026

To moms of all kinds - Happy Mother’s Day!! 💖💖💖

05/08/2026

A very special time was had at the 58th Annual Shenango Valley Urban League banquet Thursday evening. It was great to hear from Sierra Dunn, the Executive Director of the PA Governor's Advisory Commission on African American Affairs - who spoke on the State of Black PA. Also great to see so many of our elected officials there in support including Senator Michele Brooks, our Mercer County Commissioners and City of Farrell and Hermitage leadership also. Plus the DJ was LIT!

05/01/2026

Just wanted to make sure you were invited to the 58th Annual Shenango Valley Urban League Banquet 6 PM Thursday May 7 😊

Excited that we’ll have Keynote Speaker Sierra Dunn, Executive Director, PA Governor's Advisory Commission on African American Affairs.

SVUL Executive Director Dr. Erin Houston is our local representative to that commission. Tickets are $65. Besides dinner, there will also be a gift card giveaway as well. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.svurbanleague.org/event-details/58th-annual-anniversary-banquet. (Ticket deadline is now May 4).

You can call 724-981-5310 with any questions. Hope to see you there!

04/30/2026

Had a pretty explore up in Andover, Ohio and then cruised around Linesville and Lake Pymatuning last Sunday when it felt like spring had finally arrived - especially enjoyed the two vintage stores there - a beautiful reuse of historic spaces - and the cotton candy sky overall 💨🌤️💖

04/15/2026

Proud of my friends at JCL Development who are working to be the change they want to see in our community by partnering with my alma mater Westminster College to develop & support an entrepreneurial mindset with their students through fellowship opportunities and projects. Keep your eye on this!

JCL Development donated $500,000 to Westminster College to establish the Economic Development Fellowship Program.

04/12/2026

Had the privilege of being invited to the ribbon cutting for the Golden Age Vintage Marketplace - located next to Sweet Memories Vintage Tees & Candy - upscale vintage, thrifted marketplaces are becoming more popular and it was really cool to see the next big thing just over the border in Girard, OH. Worth a visit! Make a day of it by visiting Extending Grace in Hubbard, OH; Farmhouse Vintage in Andover, OH and The Pearl Street Market in Cortland, OH!

Golden Age Vintage Marketplace occupies a former warehouse space that is connected to Sweet Memories Vintage Tees in Liberty.

04/03/2026

I've been in Paris with my daughter for the last two weeks, and soon after I arrived we went out to get some food - Mexican, our favorite - and as we entered the place, B knew to just find a table and sit down so we did and I mentioned that they were playing Bad Bunny! And the young man coming to serve us said Oh you speak English, why didn't you say so, you sat down and didn't say anything like you're French, lolol ... as we waited, we kept hearing really good latina music, and I kept saying to Bryt that the music they were playing was really good. It got louder and we felt like our table was moving and I said B this has to be a band but we couldn't see anyone playing anywhere - so we asked and here there was a band playing in the basement practicing for later lol The waiter told us we should come back later to enjoy them - 'not that it helps me any but it's nice for the restaurant' and we just laughed - he was a trip! Those unexpected interactions with people are the best! (so was my burrito!)

03/29/2026

I've been revisiting this story for a couple months now and so far everything has been pretty dead on - especially No. 1 - the belief that creativity is being considered more and more a lifestyle, not an activity or hobby. That crafting and creative pursuits are not being kept in a 'box' anymore, but should be part of the daily rhythm of your life. I agree!💖

Discover the crafting and DIY trends Michaels predicts will inspire for your next project, according to the craft store giant's annual data.

03/23/2026

What would you do differently with your life?
My ode to turning 58 earlier this month.

Ode to Turning 58