Hello everyone. It's Fran DeFilippi Kurpil again. A beautiful June day here. Several totally rainy days have helped my planted seeds and I'm anxious to see them thriving. Those are the various flower seeds that I got at the Livingston Manor Library seed trade. I love that idea. It just adds a little fun to the usual.

Family Graduations: Our granddaughter, Veronica Gieger graduated high school Friday from Damascus Christian Academy. A great reception followed where we gathered and renewed friendships. Each of the graduating students gave a talk about their years growing up and attending DCA. Veronica did a great resume and we were so proud of her. She'll be off to college in the Fall. Our older granddaughter, Megan Burns graduated from Alfred University with her second degree in Education. She has a great, natural ability to bond with young students and has enjoyed working in schools when getting her degree. Megan will be life-guarding again this Summer at Hanoffe Park. She is also fitting in some private swimming lessons. (Grandma here...sorry for bragging). That's what Gramma's do...right?

Parksville: I've learned that The Litwin Family who have owned the beautiful original Pharmacy Building on Main Street are moving back to the area and will be maintaining the building. I don't know what plans they may have. Nice things going on in Parksville with the Rail Trail and the other Hamlet plans for a little park in memory of Tom Caltabalotta's wife. I have such fond memories of Michelle, a good friend as well as a devoted Chamber worker with me.

National Trails Day: By the time you are reading this, the clean-up activities at the Parksville Rail Trail will have taken place in the last few days. So, on Sunday, June 6th, come for a leisurely walk, meet your neighbors who are happy to enjoy this gathering, all day.

Clean Sweep Program: A follow-up from above efforts will take place on June 9th, a major clean-up of Parksville Main Street. Great thanks to Sullivan Renaissance for putting together this volunteer effort.

Presbyterian Thrift Shop: If you have clean adult and children's clothes to donate, please do not leave things by the church door. Contact Susan Hamlin 292-2420 or Hazel Yaun at 239-1124. This new thrift shop will be open the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. The downstairs room is full of a variety of items, baby clothes, men's and women's clothes, lots of yarn, shoes, sneakers, household items, linens, glassware, toys, pictures, etc. Sounds like a lot of bargains, priced to sell. That is the beautiful white, spired church on South Main and Church St.

$14.6 Million To The Rescue: That headline was a real attention-getter. Stay tuned. Very interesting. American Rescue Plan Act. Isabel Braverman did a good job of explaining how it can be used. Sounds good.

Dunkin Joy In Childhood Foundation: What a wonderful charitable group. They have recently given a large donation to St. Peter's Church Food Pantry. So many families need extra help these days.

Gardening: I enjoyed Stacy Tromblee's article from last week's Democrat about getting a little garden planted. Our grandson, Garrett Diehl, very proudly showed us his trays of sprouting seeds last week. I know he'll be bringing baskets of fresh veggies at harvest time. At close to nine years old he appreciates his farm roots.

Signing off for now. My next column will be out on Tuesday, June 22nd. I'm happy to include notes from you, to my email: frankurpil2@yahoo. com.