Dear Editor: Howdy people! Here’s the scoop and here’s the poop! It’s my freedom of speech opinion, while I still have that freedom. I’m appealing to the Stockton Sentinel to print it.

Why? Whynot! With the elections FINALLY over and holidays coming quickly, I decided now would be the perfect opportunity to get out and explore some more territory in the Great U.S. of A.

MAN ALIVE, TRENT IS FIVE!! Who has a pocket full of rocks And loves puppies and bugs? Who can wrestle like a champ But also gives great, big hugs? Who can’t resist jumping in puddles And loves to explore? Who will be celebrating a birthday soon And will be four, plus one more? Who leaves behind a trail of dirt Wherever he goes? And likes to make snow angels Whenever it snows? Who loves to play Mario Kart And works hard to win each race? He learns to take his time And figures out the pace. Who loves catching butterflies And then sets them free? He likes the monarchs the best And steers clear of the bees! Who loves his big sister And his Mommy and Dad? Who enjoys playing with Drake and Rosie And is always happy, not sad? Who makes me so proud And has courage galore? Who is strong and brave And so much more? Who is my little bit of Heaven, My miracle from above? It’s my five-year-old Trent Who I love, LUV, LoVe! Happy Fifth Birthday to my one-and-only Trent Avery! Love you and your big sister more than more, Grams!.

The spookiest places in Kansas I hope you are remembering that Saturday is the night of the “Halloween-Global-Full-Blue Moon,” which is so rare, the last time it occurred was in 1944, during World War II. You should either get out and see it or bury your head under a pillow until the night is over, depending on just how superstitious you are.

Halloween is coming So what should they wear? Will Tessa be a princess And Trent look debonair? Tessa will be a cheerleader In Stockton blue and white. Trent will be Captain America Come this Halloween night.

Several weeks ago, the Sentinel published the obituary of Mr. Cecil L. Overlease who lived in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. I kind of remembered hearing a story about this town years ago, but curiosity prompted me check it out. Perhaps many of you did the same thing.

THIS AND THAT * Legendary singer/songwriter Mac Davis passed away on September 29th, and although I knew he wrote such great hits like “Baby, Don’t Get Hooked On Me,” “Don’t Cry Daddy,” and “Whoever Finds This, I Love You,” I did not know that he wrote the lyrics to my favorite Elvis song, “In The Ghetto.” If you want to listen to some great music, check him out. His music will live on! * Yes, it is finally October! That means all the cobwebs and dust in my house are now Halloween decorations! * People who were born in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s have lived in seven, six or five decades, two centuries, two millennia and had the best music, the coolest cars, drivein theaters, soda fountains and plenty of happy summer days.

In this bizarre year of 2020, another highly unusual event is coming our way. Can you handle anything more? This event will spookily coincide with Halloween, and the fact that there will be a full moon. But this time it’s not just ANY full moon — this one will be special. First, it will also be called a blue moon, but it doesn’t have anything to do with the color of the moon. Rather it’s all about the timing of full moons through out the year.

THIS AND THAT * Hey, Charlie Brown, I hope I look as good as you do when I turn 70! Charlie and the Peanuts gang will officially observe their 70th anniversary this weekend! The launch date for the daily comic strip by Charles Schulz began on October 2nd, 1950 with the Sunday edition out in the newspapers on January 6th, 1952. We could learn a thing or two from that comic strip.

I am using my space this week to pass along an important announcement that is being shared across the country to gain support of a very important piece of legislation that this newspaper would ask you to support. This opinion piece was written by Dean Ridings, CEO of America’s Newspapers, an organization which advocates for and defends freedom of the press and expression.