Chinese New Year 2022: Year of the Water Tiger

Painted by Gai Qipie
1660-1734

2022 is the Year of the Water Tiger in the Chinese New Year. “The Tiger is the third sign of the Chinese Zodiac and is thought of as Ruler of the beasts on Earth. It is believed that a person born in the year of the Tiger is courageous, optimistic, tolerant, and generous. They can expect a long life, and were born to command, not to obey.”
https://www.tigerstealive.com/tiger-who-came-to-tea-blog/tigers-what-they-mean-in-chinese-culture/

- The tiger is one of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals.
- Tigers represent royalty in eastern Asia. In fact, the marking on the tiger’s forehead looks very similar to the Chinese character that is
translates to the English word 'King.' Therefore, the tiger has been dubbed the King of the Animals.
- The White Tiger represents the west of China as well as the season  of autumn. It is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese Constellation.
- They are the national animals of Malaysia, South Korea, Bangladesh, and India.
- Because of its stalking and hunting abilities, the tiger was used to
   represent the highest army general in the armies of Imperial China.
   https://www.tigers.org.za/tigers-in-culture-and-folklore.html

STORIES

Anansi Claims His Fame – West Africa
https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/2000/06-25/0087_tell_me_a_story__anansi_claims_hi.html

Anansi, Firefly, and Tiger - India
https://mocomi.com/indian-folk-tales-anansi-firefly-and-tiger/

The Fox and the Tiger - China
https://www.worldoftales.com/Asian_folktales/Chinese_Folktale_26.html#gsc.tab=0

The Goat that Ate Tigers – West Bengal
https://booksameya.in/the-goat-that-ate-tigers/

How the Tiger Got Its Strength - Khasi
http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/07/khasi-how-tiger-got-his-strength.html

How the Tiger Got Its Stripes – South America
https://www.scribd.com/document/152782463/HOW-THE-TIGER-GOT-ITS-STRIPS-South-American-Folktale

The Legend of How Tiger Became a Chinese Zodiac
http://en.chinaculture.org/focus/focus/2010spring/2010-01/26/content_367588.htm

The Nodding Tiger - China
https://www.worldoftales.com/Asian_folktales/Chinese_Folktale_8.html#gsc.tab=0

The Tiger and the Monkeys - Khasi
http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/2014/07/khasi-tiger-and-monkeys.html

Tiger Aunt: Beware of Strangers – Taiwan
https://islandfolklore.com/tiger-aunt/

The Tiger, The Brahman, and the Jackal – Eastern India
https://www.worldoftales.com/Asian_folktales/Indian_folktale_9.html#gsc.tab=0

The Tiger’s Mistake – Malaysia
https://elfinspell.com/FolkloreCollections/Skeat-FablesAndFolk-Tales/Fable-9.html

Tiger Returns the Favor
https://folkency.nfm.go.kr/en/topic/detail/6017

The Tiger’s Whisker – Korea
https://www.eagle.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/The%20tiger's%20whisker%20korean%20folktale.p

The White Tiger - Korea
https://storiestogrowby.org/story/white-tiger/

Why the Tiger and Stag Fear Each Other - Brazil
https://fairytalez.com/tiger-stag-fear/

2010 Year of the Tiger – My previous blog post when 2010 was the Year of the Tiger.
https://karenchace.blogspot.com/2009/12/2010-year-of-tiger.html

BOOKS

24 Wonderful Chinese Folk Tales for Kids
https://www.pragmaticmom.com/2017/12/chinese-folk-tales-kids/

CRAFTS

Activity Village
https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/chinese-new-year-crafts

Family Fun Crafts – Chinese New Year
https://funfamilycrafts.com/category/seasonal-holiday/holidays/chinese-new-year/

Red Ted Art – 11 Must Make Easy Tiger Crafts for Kids
https://www.redtedart.com/tiger-crafts-kids/

Red Ted Art – The Tiger Who Came to Tea (Complements the books of the same name.)
https://www.redtedart.com/tiger-craft-tiger-came-tea/

CURRICULUM

Tigers! A Look a Korea’s Folk Stories – Lesson plan for grades 4 – 8 offering additional stories.
https://www.koreasociety.org/images/pdf/KoreanStudies/Monographs_LessonPlans/Elementary/12%20Tigers%20A%20Look%20At%20Korea.pdf

FINGERPLAYS, SONGS, AND RYHMES

Perry Public Library – Year of the Tiger
Songs, rhymes and more for the preschool set.
file:///C:/Users/Story/Documents/MicrosoftWord-Karen/LAPSIT%20PROGRAM%20RESOURCES%20AND%20ARTICLES/Year%20of%20the%20Tiger.pdf

RECIPES

20 Chinese New Year Foods That Will Bring You Good Fortune
https://www.delish.com/entertaining/g438/chinese-new-year-food/

SOMETHING EXTRA

Tigers are revered in many diverse cultures. The sites below offer information from several locations.

Chinese Zodiac  Tiger Symbolism
https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/tiger-chinese-zodiac-sign-symbolism.htm

The Siberian Tiger and the Country of Tiger Tales – Interesting background information, including two stories, The Tiger and Dried Persimmons and The Matching Mountain Spirit. https://www.asianstudies.org/wp-content/uploads/the-siberian-tiger-and-the-country-of-tiger-tales.pdf

Taming the Year of the Tiger
https://studycli.org/chinese-zodiac/year-of-the-tiger/

Tigers Place in Korean Folklore
https://gogohanguk.com/en/blog/the-tigers-in-korean-folktales/

 

 

Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and weblinks may change or break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links. At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.

 

Karen Chace 2021 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission, please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I appreciate your support and personal integrity.

Stories to Celebrate Brother and Sister Day

The Elder Sister
by
William Bouguereau, 1869

May 2 is Brother and Sister Day! My mother had 11 brothers and sisters so there were stories aplenty of sibling rivalry, household chores gone awry, playing tricks on their strict Irish mother, banding together to help the family during the Great Depression, and more. I’m sure you have your own stories as well. Make sure to write down those family stories; so many are worth remembering.

Here are some folktales and fairytales from around the world to help you celebrate siblings!

STORIES

Alenoushka and Her Brother – Russia
http://tinyurl.com/bbxjkgu

The Brother and Sister – Turkey
http://tinyurl.com/bkkbn5h

The Brother and His Sisters –West Africa
http://tinyurl.com/bdsyyj2 

The Enchanted Stag – Grimm/Germany
https://tinyurl.com/6w8x2ttt 

The Icon’s Warm Bread – Greece
http://tinyurl.com/b5a8m4f

Little Brother and Little Sister – Germany
https://www.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm011.html

The Little Sister: The Story of Suyettar and the Nine Brothers – Finland
http://tinyurl.com/az32zuq

Sivka-Burka - Russian
http://tinyurl.com/a4psurf 

Sister and Brother – Turkey
http://tinyurl.com/a3r2t9r

The Three Brothers - Serbia
http://tinyurl.com/agvodlo

The Two Sisters
http://whisperingbooks.com/Show_Page/?book=English_Fairy_Tales&story=Two_Sisters

Two Brothers – Jewish
https://storiestogrowby.org/story/two-brothers/

Quarrel of the Sun and the Moon - Inuit
https://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/QuarrelOfTheSunAndTheMoon-Eskimo.html

ACTIVITIES

20 Activities for Siblings to Bond, Compete and Cooperate
https://playtivities.com/activities-for-siblings/

BOOKS 

24 Children’s Books About Love and Siblings
https://bookroo.com/books/topics/love/siblings

100 Must Read Books About Siblings
https://bookriot.com/books-about-siblings/

Celebrating Siblings: 50 Mighty Girl Books About Sisters & Brothers
https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=11580

SOMETHING EXTRA

Bold Sisters in Fairy Tale Families
https://folklorethursday.com/folktales/bold-sisters-in-fairy-tale-families/

Family Fun – An older blogs with fingerplays, songs, and more on the theme of ‘family.’
https://tinyurl.com/cv6wkmus 

 

Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and weblinks may change or break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links.  At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.Karen Chace 2021 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission, please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.

 

 

Learning Together: Educational Resources - Art, Music, Math, and More!

Centennial High School Center Mural

Literacy and Oppression

Used with permission from the artist Glen Davies
View his other amazing works at
 http://www.glencdavies.com/educational

Millions of families around the world are home with their children, protecting themselves and others while we isolate from COVID 19. Although children are out of school educational institutions are encouraging families to continue the learning at home.

Teachers have done what they always do, work incredibly hard for our children; I am sure you already have resources that have been sent directly to you from your individual schools.I have put together a number of additional resources below to supplement what your educators have already shared. At the end of this blog you will also find a link to another blog that offers many resources on long distance entertainment from aquariums to zoos! I hope you find something fun to do together. Stay well and healthy everyone!

ACTIVITIES/CRAFTS

Download Coloring Pages from Over 100 Museums

https://tinyurl.com/wyg8v8u

Easy Nature Craft for Kids

https://tinyurl.com/w29q9lr

Eric Carle Printable Activities

https://tinyurl.com/uvop8og

110 Fun At-Home Activities for Families and Kids

https://tinyurl.com/r7s4c79

Lego Printables and Activities

https://tinyurl.com/rc2rh72

ART LESSONS

12 Free Art Lessons on YouTube Your Kiddos Will Love!

https://tinyurl.com/ruhfceb

Free Printable Mazes from the amazing cartoonist and storyteller Joe Wos.

https://tinyurl.com/utp6je3Free Drawing Classes from Famous Illustrators

https://tinyurl.com/urpxnlw

BOOKS AND MORE

6,000 Historical Children’s Book Online for Free

https://tinyurl.com/ufx4tuz

300,000 Books to Download for Free from the New York Public Library

https://tinyurl.com/suhnajv

Audible.com - For as long as schools are closed, we're open. Kids everywhere can instantly stream an incredible collection of stories, including titles across six different languages…All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet. Explore the collection, select a title and start listening.

https://stories.audible.com/start-listen

EDUCATION

5 Canadian Virtual Field Trips for Fun and Learning

https://tinyurl.com/vu9xcnl

75 Educational Activities for When You’re Stuck Indoors

https://tinyurl.com/yx8bthcg

100 Lego Projects for Kids: Challenges, Instructions, STEM, Games, and More!

https://tinyurl.com/u4zr3ok

Chrome Extensions for Struggling Students

https://tinyurl.com/vj6rqd4

Free Printable Worksheets K-8 – A wide variety of worksheets for various grade levels on an number of subjects.
https://tinyurl.com/tm2nxqo

Learning Without Tears

They are providing free access to online programs supporting handwriting instruction, keyboarding, and early learning skills! Their website is

https://www.lwtears.com/

Maintaining Students’ Motivation for Learning as the Year Goes On

https://tinyurl.com/qkpxqtx

The Parent’s Guide to Google Classroom

https://tinyurl.com/t3cjp7v

Preparing to Teach Online: Webinar for Educators

https://tinyurl.com/trncez3

Scholastic Learn At-Home: Projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing.

https://tinyurl.com/u2n97f8

Schools Out Kids Podcasts Are In (Plus Many More Educate-At-Home Resources

https://tinyurl.com/qp5k6eu

Teaching Online

https://tinyurl.com/trncez3

I take no credit for the picture below. I have attempted to find the source online but it has been shared numerous times and I have been unable to track down the person who designed it. If you know please tell me so I can offer proper credit.

 

LAPSIT RESOURCES

27 Lapsit Program Themes form Apples to Zoos – From my own blog, songs, fingerplays, story stretchers to keep the youngest among us entertained.

https://tinyurl.com/trjlkdl

MATH

16 Card Games That Will Turn Your Kids Into Math Aces

https://tinyurl.com/tyk8x5v

64 Awesome Websites for Teaching Math

https://tinyurl.com/rlk32nu

School House Rock

https://tinyurl.com/se7vbzh

MUSIC

Folk Cloud – “This project is focused on original folk and traditional music of the different countries, nations and ethnic groups of the world. Definition of “folk” and “traditional” music in different cultures changes…”

https://tinyurl.com/tbxctyc

The Ultimate List of Online Music Education Games

https://tinyurl.com/vchhsto

READING

Children's Book Authors Are Offering Free Online Videos While Kids Are Home From School

https://tinyurl.com/v6gbsek

Eric Carle Read the Very Hungry Caterpillar

https://tinyurl.com/whqqzfo

Josh Gad of Frozen Reads Books to Kids on Twitter Every Night

https://tinyurl.com/u73cesw

Stay At-Home Read Alouds, Storytimes, Sing-Alongs and More

https://tinyurl.com/srcvg39

Storyline Online – “The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s award-winning children’s literacy website, Storyline Online, streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations.”

https://tinyurl.com/yx5lufk2

Websites for Read Alouds and Activities

https://tinyurl.com/ukc8vyo

SPEECH

6 Free Online Speech Therapy Resources

https://tinyurl.com/r2cxscd

STEAM

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) Free Arts Integration Lesson Plans – For grades K-12 fully-developed lessons, assessments, student handouts, PowerPoints and warm-ups.

https://educationcloset.com/arts-integration-lessons/

WRITING

Free Cursive Writing Sheetshttps://tinyurl.com/sp6m5mz

EXERCISE/PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

GoNoodle - Movement, yoga, mindfulness videos, downloadable curricular activities, along with off-screen home activities. You can find information about it and join at
https://www.gonoodle.com/good-energy-at-home-kids-games-and-videos/

Kid Yoga Videos https://tinyurl.com/s8k5lue

YMCA – Sixty free online classes from Boot Camp to Yoga.

https://ymca360.org/

GAMES

Dice Games for Family and Kids

https://tinyurl.com/rx4es4h

HAVE SOME FUN MAKING SHADOW PUPPETS

I take no credit for the picture below. I have attempted to find the source online but it has been shared numerous times and I have been unable to track down the person who designed it. If you know please tell me so I can offer proper credit.

LIVE STREAMING COURSES

Disney: Imagineering in a Boxhttps://tinyurl.com/y4zzszr8

Kennedy Space Center – Free online activities and tours. “The videos will pair at-home activities kids can do using everyday items like paper towel tubes and rubber bands to build a rocket.”

https://tinyurl.com/vobgqku
Mindful Schools- Free online mindful classes for kids.

https://tinyurl.com/uoeoxbn

Virtual Marine Biology Camp

https://tinyurl.com/vss9jxb

Weathers Courses for Students K-12

https://tinyurl.com/v2hppz8

MISCELLANEOUS

Make lunchtime fun! How to make fruit and vegetable bug snacks.

https://tinyurl.com/vwr9nfl

Mo Willems on the Lost Art of Being Silly 

https://tinyurl.com/va4bcxa

Arm Chair Entertainment: From Aquariums to Zoos
https://karenchace.blogspot.com/2020/03/arm-chair-entertainment-from-aquariums.html

Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and weblinks may change or break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links.  At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.

Karen Chace 2020 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.

A Universe of Stories: Lots of Fun for the Wee Ones

This year the Summer Reading Program theme is ‘A Universe of Stories.’ I put together a list of fingerplays, crafts, songs and more to delight your young audiences. All of these resources are found on the Internet, they are not mine.

However, the story stretch at the end, My Aunt Came Back From the Milky Way, is my own creation. You are welcome to use it in your programs, put I do request that you give me attribution.

I hope you find something fun to add to your summer storytelling programs and perhaps the coming school year.

CRAFTS

Danielle’s Place - The following crafts and templates are found on http://tinyurl.com/kmcnyo .

• The Cow Jumped Over the Moon
• Sun Moon and Stars Mobile
• Alien Space Craft

Decorate A Star - Provide each child with a large tag board star-shaped cutout (or have them cut it out themselves). Provide whatever materials you'd like and allow the children to decorate their stars. Some ideas would be markers, paint, glitter, stickers. If you'd like attach a wide Popsicle stick with tape to the star to use as a wand. 

http://stepbystepcc.com/shapes/star.html

Easy Sun Catcher It requires a lid from a margarine container (or I imagine that a yogurt lid might work too), a large amount of Elmer's glue, a piece of string or ribbon, and items to decorate the sun catcher.

• First fill the container with Elmer's glue and decorate with shells, etc.

• Let the glue dry completely. The glue dries clear and can be popped out of the lid.

• With a sharp point make a hole in the sun catcher and put a string through it. Hang it in front of a window and admire!http://tinyurl.com/ncsvpf

Enchanted Learning – Lots of astronomy themed crafts here for hours of fun.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/astronomy/ 
 

Star Mobile

What You Need:

• Yellow construction paper
• String or yarn
• Two plastic straws
• Hole puncher
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Eraser
• Stapler

1. Draw 6-8 stars on the yellow construction paper. Each one should be a different shape or size.
2. When you’re finished, ask a parent to help you cut out the shapes. Cut around the outside of the lines and then use an eraser to remove the pencil marks.
3. Parent Alert: Using the hole puncher, pierce a hole at the top of each star.
4. Cut a piece of string for each of the stars and tie it around the hole. Tip: Vary the length of the string to help your mobile come to life.
5. Parent Alert: Pick up two straws and make the shape of the letter “X” with them. Staple the straws together where the two meet.
6. Cut and tie a long piece of string to where the staple is and then tie the rest of the strings to one of the four limbs of the X.
7. Hang your mobile by the long string in the middle and in your room from the ceiling or in a favorite corner somewhere around the house. Now, you can look at the stars anytime you want!

http://sloanlongway.org/docs/pdf/february13sg.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Starry, Starry Night

Materials

• Black construction paper
• Gold or silver and colored self-adhesive stars
• White chalk

Directions: In advance, cut sheets of self-sticking stars into smaller segments so that each child may have his or her own sheet. Provide each child with a full or half sheet of black construction paper and a piece of chalk. Show the children how to draw on the paper with the chalk, creating such things as stick figures, houses, a moon, or trees. Then hand out the stars and let each child add them to their pictures.
http://tinyurl.com/mj3wce

Sun, Moon, Stars & Planets Theme - Rhymes, recipes, activities, songs, finger plays and crafts from Child’s Play.

http://tinyurl.com/lpf2fo

GAMES AND ACTIVITIES

Star Dance - In advance, cut out 6-inch star shapes from yellow construction paper and tape them to the floor with double-sided tape. Choose music, such as Lullaby Classics by Baby Einstein, to accompany this activity. During the program, turn the music on and have the children dance among the stars by stepping on them, stepping over them, hopping on them, hopping over them, sitting on them, and running over them.

Bubbles - Either make or purchase a bubble mix in advance. To make bubble mix, mix ¼ cup blue dish washing liquid, 1-cup water, 1-teaspoon salt and 1-teaspoon glycerin. Combine well but gently. Do not stir too much and do not shake. Store in a sealed container. Gather bubble wands, or make some from pipe cleaners or from yarn tied to 2 straws. Tell the children to blow the bubbles up to the stars.

http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/projects/trc/2006/manual/todstars.html

One Little Astronaut

One little astronaut floating out from base, Hooked to a hose, exploring space. (Pretend to float in space.)

She thought it was such an amazing trick; she called another astronaut to join her quick. (Beckon with hand.)

Two little astronauts floating out from base (hold hands with second astronaut) Hooked to a hose, exploring space. (Pretend to float in space.)

They thought it was such an amazing trick; they called another astronaut to join them quick. (Beckon with hand.)

Continue until all children are holding hands. http://www.rpls.ws/lgiat/2007/READ/lincollibideas.pdf  (This website is now defunct.)

SONGS AND RHYMES                                       

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Twinkle, twinkle little star,

How I wonder what you are.

Up above the world so high,

Like a diamond in the sky.

Twinkle, twinkle little star,

How I wonder what you are.

Hey Diddle Diddle

Hey diddle, diddle, the cat and the fiddle,

The cow jumped over the moon.

The little dog laughed to see such sport,

And the dish ran away with the spoon.

Star Light, Star Bright

Star light, star bright,

First star I see tonight.

I wish I may, I wish I might,

Have the wish I wish tonight.

Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire (Jerry Lee Lewis version re-written)

You give us light and you make things grow.
At dawn and sunset, well, you hang real low.
You are a star.
Closest by far.
Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire!

You may have sunspots and solar flares.
We know at you to never stare.
We all use sunscreen.
Sunburn makes us scream.
Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire!

Sun, kiss me, baby! (They cross their arms and shake themselves as they bend at the knees. It makes their voices quiver.)
Feels good!
Sun, warm me, baby!
You warm me like the sun should.
You're bright!
At night!
Come on and shine you light, light, light, light!
Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire!

You give us light and you make things grow.
At dawn and sunset, well, you hang real low.
You are a star.
Closest by far.
Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire! 
http://teachers.net/lessons/posts/346.html

Lyrics to popular Moon Songs – While some may not be exactly for the younger set, many would be wonderful to play for the older children. 

http://tinyurl.com/n3xzdd

FINGERPLAYS

Reaching for the Stars

I am reaching for the stars; I am climbing up to Mars

I think I might never stop

I hope I don’t drop …. Kerplop!

I am reaching for the stars; I am climbing up to Mars

I think I might never stop

I hope I don’t drop …. Kerplop!

Mr. Moon

Mr. Moon, Mr. Moon,

You’re out too soon; the sun is still in the sky.

Go back into your bed,

And cover up your head,

Until the day goes by
http://www.superiorchildrenscentre.org/images/Fingerplays.pdf

PRINTABLES AND COLORING PAGES

Moon and Stars http://tinyurl.com/nccxymSun http://tinyurl.com/nalffzSun Windsock http://tinyurl.com/lwk7rr
Astronaut http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/astronaut-colouring-page Space http://tinyurl.com/hcd2l

A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA

Lincoln Library – Numerous games, activities, songs and more that will help you blast off to fun! Note: The original link is no longer available but the resources may still be accessed via the Wayback Machine at this link.

https://web.archive.org/web/20120905045151/http://www.rpls.ws/lgiat/2007/READ/lincollibideas.pdf

Reach for the Stars – A story stretch I wrote back in 2009 for the Summer Reading Program Theme, Spaceship Adventure. This is my own creation. You have my permission to use it in your performances or classroom, however I do request attribution. Should you wish to use it in any publication please contact me for written permission.

https://karenchace.blogspot.com/2009/06/reach-for-stars.html

Please note, websites change at a rapid pace and web links may change or break without notice. I cannot be responsible for redirected or broken links.  At the time of this posting all links were in working order. Thank you for understanding.

Karen Chace 2019 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.