When I was a kid, I belonged to a gang. Not the carry guns, sell drugs kind of gang. We were more of the rag tag toilet paper houses, pull practical jokes, play baseball on a warm summer day kind of gang. I don’t want to throw anyone under the bus, but our group consisted of my brothers on most occasions and a handful of the kids who lived down the street.

I stand in awe of single moms who successfully juggle jobs and family. And I’m trying to figure out how they do it. Since my son was born 14 years ago, I’ve been lucky enough to be a stay-at-home mom. Sure, I always had a freelance writing job or two perking, but those could be done any time of day. And my schedule was open for school drop-off and pick-up, last minute doctor appointments, sporting events, and play dates.

On Monday I officially begin the job I have waited most of my professional life for — that as publisher of The Daily News and vice president of Stafford Media Solutions. Growing up in Greenville as part of the third generation of a publishing family, I take great pride in carrying on the tradition of excellence started by my grandfather, Dale, and carried forward by my dad, John, and brother, Rob. Our focus always has been on providing advertisers with the best tools possible to spread the word about their businesses and to tell readers each day the story about what is happening in our area.

Christmas is my favorite holiday. Not just because I get to unpack the collection of Santas my mom has sent me one year at a time since college. Or because I take great joy in arranging all of my angels on the fireplace hearth. I do love the day we bring up all the Christmas tree ornaments and drink eggnog and reminisce about how old I was when I made the Q-tip God’s eyes we still have or what my kids remember about making this ornament or that. And if it were up to me, Christmas music would play in my house from the start of November all the way through December.

It seems like such a basic concept, the notion that you have a choice in almost everything about how you live your life. Whether you exercise today or don’t, whether you eat that cookie or refrain, whether you allow someone’s comment to bother you or let it go.

Have you ever been drawn to a place so strongly that it feels like you were meant to be there? Like it was home? Maybe it holds sentimental memories. Or maybe it’s just a place that calms your soul.

I’m a leftovers girl, culinarily speaking. And today is my all-time favorite for feeding this appetite. After all, the day after Thanksgiving I can make a mayo-turkey-cranberry sandwich. And it doesn’t get much better than that.

One of my favorite people in the whole wide world is my Aunt Kitty, youngest of my mom’s two sisters. Aunt Kitty for me has been like I imagine movie stars may be to others — she’s got fantastic style, she’s lived a lot of great places, she’s not afraid to express her opinion and you can’t help but smile along with her melodious laugh.

The remaining assets of the Stanley and Blanche Ash Foundation will be split among two local foundations over the next 60 days or less.
The Ash Foundation, which has contributed millions of dollars to local causes, will be divided and given as endowments to the Greenville Area Community Foundation and Montcalm Community College Foundation.

GREENVILLE — The remaining assets of the Stanley and Blanche Ash Foundation will be split among two local foundations over the next 60 days or less.