1975 Topps Page by Page: Page 23 (199-207)

I'm sure that you all remember that I finally completed my 1975 Topps set. 

Now that it's done I thought it would be fun to look through the set and talk about it. Going page by page seemed like a good way to go about it. Hopefully you find it interesting to read what I have to say.

How about we continue with page 23?

Red Sox Cards on the Page:  1. Always nice to be reminded of Yaz's 1967 season!

Cards that make the 1975 Topps set cool: As I mentioned last time, while these cards aren't exactly "vintage hall of famers", they're definitely a cool subset. Something Topps should really replicate one of these days. 

My favorite card on the page: I think I'd have to stick with the Yaz-Cepeda card. But I really appreciate the Robinson-Clemente one as well. Interesting to note the variety with these cards. Robinson is the only person who appears twice...and it's once in each league.

What would your answers to those last two categories be?

Cairo Eubanks Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Cairo Eubanks is passionate about young leaders, a talented speaker, and the current Miss Broward County. I was honored that she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more!

So, let's see what happens when Cairo Eubanks visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Broward County crown?

I celebrated by sharing the news with my family, loved ones, and local community leaders! I was still in shock that I couldn’t sleep because I was excited for my first appearance as Miss Broward County 2020 at the Girl Scouts Thin Mint Sprint the next morning at 6AM. I cheered on the runners, attended a meeting with my Executive Director and fellow titleholders and then spent the Sunday surrounded by my family as we celebrated my Dad’s birthday! It was an amazing 24 hours that I experienced with my new title.

What did you learn about at the Miss Broward County competition that will help you at Miss Florida?

I learned to stay calm and focused no matter what’s going on around me. The day of the pageant, my feet cramped up at 12PM—6 hours before the competition started! I had to wear sandals through the rest of rehearsal and prayed that my feet would feel better in time for the competition (thank goodness they did!) . And food that was supposed to be delivered during the pageant because of dietary restrictions never showed up! Regardless, I calmly assessed my alternatives: I wore heels on stage and would immediately change to sandals until I participated in all aspects of the competition on stage. And my kind, fellow candidates shared vegan snacks they had that held me throughout the competition. These are just examples of aspects of the day that could have caused me to lose focus or be distracted. Instead, I implemented my motto that there is always a solution and was more than humbled to find out that despite some setbacks that happened on the day of the competition, I was able to overcome them to become Miss Broward County 2020 in the first competition that I have ever competed in! I am also extremely grateful for the sisterhood opportunities that the Miss America Organization provides: backstage, we were helping each other with makeup, hair, and (in my case) sharing vegan snacks so that I wouldn’t be hungry!

Which part of the Miss Florida competition are you most nervous about?

I wouldn’t say that I’m nervous per se, I’m extremely excited! It felt like a dream come true to receive the title of Miss Broward County and I look forward to experiencing the Miss Florida competition alongside some amazing fellow candidates. I have already (virtually) met and connected with many of my fellow sister queens and I can’t wait to experience the sisterhood on the Miss Florida platform.

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Unlocking Youth Leadership Potential”?

I’ve always had an interest in leadership development but it wasn’t until I came back from living abroad in Tamil Nadu while working with often marginalized youth on soft skills development that I realized that I could develop a youth leadership program. I created Personal and Professional Development, a 3-part youth leadership program that includes a 10-week online course through my company, CairoSpeaks/CairoWrites prior to competing for the title of Miss Broward County. Throughout my life, I feel blessed to have held leadership positions on local and international platforms and I know that I gained my confidence in my leadership potential after being believed in and encouraged to strive for excellence by my mentors. I want to pay it forward by providing soft skill training and leadership networking opportunities because I truly believe that every child has the potential to become a leader if they are given the opportunity to lead.

As a talented motivational speaker, what do you enjoy about going out on stage?

The best part of going out on stage is connecting with the audience! I love being able to connect with individuals of all ages, ideologies, and backgrounds. When you are able to feel the audience’s energy and I feel like I’m able to connect with each member of the audience as if it’s just the two of us in the room, regardless of the audience size.

If you could be a Disney character for a week, who would you choose? Why?

I would 100% be Esmeralda from the Hunchback of Notre Dame! Not only is she intelligent, witty, and absolutely gorgeous, she was fearless and unafraid of advocating on behalf of marginalized people.

What can you tell me about CairoSpeaks/CairoWrites?

CairoSpeaks/CairoWrites is a consulting firm which specializes in executive coaching and enhancing both interpersonal communication skills and executive writing. As a Certified Leadership Coach-in-training, I also offer speech coaching sessions and ghostwriting to busy international leaders and business executives.

If you had an extra ticket to a Miami Marlins game, who would you take with you? Why?

I would definitely take my Dad who is an avid sports enthusiast. He’s also one of my favorite people in the world, so hopefully we could watch a Miami Marlins game in July (fingers crossed!). I would also make sure to schedule the ticket with my Dad when you’re going—I’m still new to baseball and I know that Section 36 would be the best to watch the game with—after we finish social distancing, I’ll be ready to watch the Marlins and I’m sure you will be, too!

Is there a feature or activity at a Miami Marlins game that you’d especially like to experience?

I would love to experience the pregame activities and then after the game watch the kids run the bases! I remember the first time that I played baseball as a child , I was amazed by that feeling of adrenaline when you’re able to score a run—I would love to see that same enthusiasm and joy that these future baseball players would have after the Marlins played!

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That would be so much fun!

As always, I want to thank Cairo for visiting with us, and for sending along the amazing picture.

As Cairo continues her time as Miss Broward County, I encourage you to check out her official Instagram and website. It’s a great way to make sure you don’t miss out on anything she’ll have going on. 

I also want to wish her the best of luck whenever she competes for the Miss Florida title. It would be wonderful to have a Section 36 visitor wear that crown!

Thanks again Cairo, and good luck!

2019 Topps Heritage High Number Blaster!

You may remember that he Easter Bunny was good to me this year, bringing plenty of card packs for me to open. I thought I'd share them with you because, well, what else am I going to write about?

We'll continue with the next box, the 2019 Topps Heritage High Number!

Bravo Easter Bunny for finding older wax to open. I'm sure you've all seen as much as you care to of this set by now. But, I mean....there still aren't any games being played right now.

So...

See? I wasn't lying. That's really the box I opened.

And there are the eight packs.

OK. What? I'm a fan of multi-player cards. One of the things I love about the regular Topps Update series is that they tend to have lots of these fun cards included. But, "Robbie and Rosy"? What does that even mean? I like a little bit more thought put into it than that. OK, a lot more. I even wondered if they were going for some obscure homage to the original 1970 set, that they had a card like this that was being duplicated. But, the checklist seems to say that't not the case. Any ideas?

One of those hard to store inserts. At least it's of a guy I may be able to move at some point. 

What?

A chance for Topps to squeeze in as many Guerrero cards as possible. A "Now and Then" from a few months earlier.

I'm so Shiny!

Finally, a Red Sox card. Not exactly worth the wait. But, it's nice to have nonetheless. Obviously fond memories of Eovaldi from 2018.

But, if that's the highlight...that's pretty poor. 

How did your boxes go?

1975 Topps Page by Page: Page 22 (190-198)

I'm sure that you all remember that I finally completed my 1975 Topps set. 

Now that it's done I thought it would be fun to look through the set and talk about it. Going page by page seemed like a good way to go about it. Hopefully you find it interesting to read what I have to say.

How about we continue with page 22?

Red Sox Cards on the Page:  1. I'm glad there's the one, because this page is Yankees heavy as it is!

Cards that make the 1975 Topps set cool: Vintage cards of Hall of Famers are cool. And, while these don't exactly count as that...these cards were one of the reasons I collected this set. It was a fun way to add cards of these hall of famers without just adding a retired player to a set. It also is a fun way to see all the Topps designs shown off in one place.

My favorite card on the page: Since the cards are all so similar, it really comes down to player selection. I want to pick the Jensen-Banks combo for obvious reasons. But, the star power on the Mantle-Aaron card is just too hard to pass up.

What would your answers to those last two categories be?

Elizabeth Pierre Visits Section 36!

Photo by K. Garcia Productions

Section 36 has another visitor! Elizabeth Pierre is an advocate for empowering young voices, a talented dancer, and the current Miss Cambridge. I was glad she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more!

So, let's see what happens when Elizabeth Pierre visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Cambridge crown?

I celebrated by having the best rest of my life. I hadn't had a full night sleep the few days leading up to the competition, so it felt amazing to lay in my bed and cuddle my new sparkly hat. The following weekend my mom cooked all my favorite foods and my family came over to surprise me with a beautiful cake and the sweetest card. It was totally unexpected and I felt super loved! 

What part of the (eventually) upcoming Miss Massachusetts competition are you most nervous about?

Photo by K. Garcia Productions

On stage question! You never know what to expect, so you really have to get yourself in the zone beforehand. There are so many things that could distract you, like the lights, microphone and audience. It is the first time the crowded theater gets to hear you speak about a pressing issue in society, which causes a ton of pressure. But just like any other phase of competition, you have to shake off those nerves, go with the flow and most importantly, stay true to yourself.

Is there a specific goal you’d like to accomplish during your time as Miss Cambridge?

I would love to co-host a youth leadership conference with Mayor Siddiqui, the mayor of Cambridge. She and I share many similarities ranging from how we grew up, to our passion for youth empowerment. By attending the conference, youth will develop a better understanding of the social issues that are present in their community. Through different workshops, activities, and speakers they will expand their talents and learn skills needed to improve the world around them. With her connection to the Cambridge Youth Council and my connection to The Center for Teen Empowerment, I know we can create an experience that encourages Cambridge youth to be the leaders we know they are.  

How did you select your social impact initiative, “We Hear You: Empowering Youth Voices”?

Photo by K. Garcia Productions

The Center for Teen Empowerment is a nonprofit organization created to support youth-led social change. The TE Model serves as an opportunity for youth to be heard when their voices are often marginalized. My social impact initiative "We Hear You: Empowering Youth Voices" is all about expanding this model to different communities and allowing youth everywhere to envision themselves as leaders. Throughout my years of being a youth worker, I have learned so much about how society functions from their personal experiences and stories. I firmly believe that they should not be discounted because of their age and that as a community, we should remind them of the power they hold.  

As a talented dancer, what do you like most about performing on stage?

When I walk on stage, I am usually a nervous wreck thinking about everything that can go wrong when the spotlight hits me. However, once the music starts playing, the nerves quickly disappear. When I dance, I get to tell a story and become one with both the movement and the music. What I love most is that you can't be anything but yourself when you're dancing. Sure, you can play a character, but the emotion stems from memories only you have experienced. You have to let your guard down and invite your audience on the journey, and the applause you hear at the end, is how you know that being vulnerable was worth it. 

You’ve been able to do quite a bit of traveling. What is your favorite place you’ve visited?

Photo by K. Garcia Productions

Spain! I studied abroad in Madrid for four months with one of my closest friends. We got to stay with the most amazing host mother named Montse who cared for us as if we were her own. While there, I got to to visit all the regions, each so different from the last, but just as beautiful. I found myself overwhelmed with emotion often because I could not believe that I got to experience a country so rich with culture. I had the opportunity to be part of the International Women's March, see the tomb of Queen Isabel de Castilla, live out my childhood dream of being a Cheetah Girl in Barcelona and SO MUCH MORE! The experiences I had in Spain are unlike any other, and for that, the country will always have a special place in my heart. 

Who is your favorite Red Sox player? Why?

Big Papi, David Ortiz! During his 14 seasons with the Red Sox, he was always true to himself. He was so proud of his Dominican culture and never once tried to suppress that to fit in. He is a true testament that being yourself will get you far and because of that he has inspired so many young people in the Caribbean to reach for their goals. Not to mention, he holds the Red Sox record for the number of Home Runs in a season - FIFTY-FOUR! Go Sox!

If you had an extra ticket to a Red Sox game at Fenway, who would you bring with you? Why?

Photo by K. Garcia Productions

My mom because she has sacrificed so much to get me to where I am. My family immigrated to The United States from Haiti and since then, my parents have done nothing but work so hard to make sure my siblings and I have a great life. Since graduating college, I have been doing all I can to help her slow down and take time for herself. Part of that, includes experiencing important parts of Boston culture that she has missed out on. This past fall we took her apple picking for the first time, we're currently planning a future trip to New York City for her and although she doesn't follow baseball, I know she would have a blast at Fenway.

Is there a feature or activity at a Red Sox game that you’d especially like to experience?

I would love to throw the Ceremonial First Pitch. There have been so many notable, respectable, and inspiring people who have gotten the chance to step on the pitcher's mound and throw to home plate. I hope to one day leave a legacy so strong that I get to have that same experience. I don't have the best arm though, so in the meantime, I'll be practicing my pitch!

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That would be an awesome experience!

As always, I want to thank Elizabeth for visiting with us, and for sending along the wonderful pictures.

As Elizabeth continues her time as Miss Cambridge, I encourage you to check out her official Instagram and Facebook Page. It’s a great way to make sure you don’t miss out on anything she’ll have going on. 

I also want to wish her the best of luck whenever she competes for the Miss Massachusetts title. It wouldn’t be the first time someone visited Section 36 as Miss Cambridge and went on to be crowned Miss Massachusetts!

Thanks again Elizabeth, and good luck!

1975 Topps Page by Page: Page 21 (181-189)

I'm sure that you all remember that I finally completed my 1975 Topps set. 

Now that it's done I thought it would be fun to look through the set and talk about it. Going page by page seemed like a good way to go about it. Hopefully you find it interesting to read what I have to say.

How about we continue with page 21?

Red Sox Cards on the Page:  0. Back to the depths of nothingness.

Cards that make the 1975 Topps set cool: Cards of managers as players are cool. While Mel Stottlemyre was a pitching coach, it's practically the same thing. Cards of young Hall of Famers are cool. While Lefty was about mid-career in 1975, the Steve Carlton card is certainly cool.

My favorite card on the page: It has to be the 1951 MVP's card. This is a subset that was the driving factor behind me completing the set. I know they're not "real" vintage cards, but it's fun to be able to add older cards of players like Yogi Berra and Roy Campanella. It has a different feel than adding one of their cards from a recent set.

What would your answers to those last two categories be?

Jozalene Molina Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Jozalene Molina is an 

advocate for women's heart health, a talented contortionist, and the current Miss Riverside City. I was glad she was interested in visiting with us to discuss those topics, and a few more!

So, let's see what happens when Jozalene Molina visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Riverside City crown?

After winning Miss Riverside City I celebrated with my family members who came out to show support me. We celebrated by going to one of my favorite food restaurants which is IHOP!! 

What has surprised you the most about your time as Miss Riverside City?

With my time as Miss Riverside City I’m most surprised about how authentic the sisterhood is! With the #MissCaliforniaClassof2020 we all bond with each other and show support to one another. 

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss Riverside City competition that will help you at Miss California?

One thing I learned about myself while competing for the title of Miss Riverside City competition that would help me for Miss California would be that I feed off of crowd excitement/ cheering. This will help me for Miss California because it gives me more confidence as I walk across the stage.

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Women’s Heart Health”?

I knew I wanted my social impact to be Woman’s Heart Health when I found out I had a heart condition. With my heart condition, every so often I have to come home wearing a heart monitor and I felt so embarrassed. I came to realization that I’m not the only one with a heart condition and I wanted to spread the word to all the beautiful girls and woman to embrace yourself no matter of you have a heart condition or not. 

As a talented dancer and contortionist, what do you enjoy most about performing on stage?

As a dancer and contortionist I’m on stage about 3-4 times a week performing shows to elementary school students around the Inland Empire with a traveling performing team called Ambassadors! While being on stage, there’s so many parts I enjoy. When I perform I look in the audience and see people amazed or clapping with a big smile on their face . I personally love to share a story using my body as an instrument, but when a person in the audience comes up to me after I performed and say wow you truly touched me, thats when I know I did my job as a performer.

If you could be a Disney character for a week, who would you choose? Why?

Oh man that’s very hard to choose!! If I had to be a Disney character for one week, I would choose to be Boo from Monsters Inc!!! As a little girl I would watch Monsters Inc. non-stop on relay all the time. In fact, Boo was my first doll growing up! Growing up walking around with my Boo doll people would tell me I looked like her and I was in AWHH always wanted to be her. 

As a Dodgers fan, how excited were you when they traded for Mookie Betts?

As a Dodgers fan, I was really excited when they traded for Mookie Betts because I knew he would bring food to our team with being a right fielder for us.

Is there a feature or activity at a Dodgers game that you would especially like to experience?

At a Dodgers game I would love to experience being able to go down to the field and looking up into the stadium with thousand of people sitting in their seats. I also can’t forget to say an experience I would also love would to meet all the Dodger players!!! 

If you had an extra ticket to a Dodgers game, who would you bring with you? Why?

If I had an extra ticket to the Dodgers game, I would definitely take my little sister! Both my sister and I are Dodgers fans and I think it would be a good idea for both of us to get out and bond together over the fun drive over there as well as watching the game.

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That definitely sounds like a good time.

As always, I want to thank Jozalene for visiting with us, and for sending along the wonderful picture.

As Jozalene continues her time as Miss Riverside City, I encourage you to check out her official Instagram and Facebook Page. It’s a great way to make sure you don’t miss out on anything she’ll have going on. 

I also want to wish her the best of luck whenever she competes for the Miss California title. It would be wonderful to have the first Section 36 visitor wear that crown!

Thanks again Jozalene, and good luck!

2019 Topps Heritage Blaster!

The Easter Bunny was good to me this year, bringing plenty of card packs for me to open. I thought I'd share them with you because, well, what else am I going to write about?

We'll continue with the next box, the 2019 Topps Heritage!

Yeah. I don't know where the Easter Bunny shops either. And, I'm sure you've all seen as much as you care to of this set by now. But, I mean....there aren't any games being played right now.

So...

I'm guessing you all remember what the box looks like.

And that you get eight packs in each box.

It's been so long without baseball that I actually forgot that these cards would be in this set. The 2018 championship seems so long ago. And, of course, this card is now particularly bittersweet. But, I still love adding it to the collection.

I will never not think it's weird that all the Red Sox cards a photographed in front of that hedge. Especially after getting two in one pack. Is that in a public location? Can I recreate a picture there of me?

Another pack. Another hedge shot. Another former Sox.

Is this the best Red Sox moment from a guy wearing #36 on his back? I'm open to hear other contenders.

I forget. Do these cards have a theme, other than one old player and one current player?

Two Sox, and not a hedge to be seen? I guess JD was late or something. Making the David Price card a World Series memory does not help my nostalgia. I miss him already.

There's that's much better! Back to the hedges. One of the biggest disappointments of the 2020 season is not being able to see Devers take another step towards stardom.

Ok. Another disappointment is cheating the Nationals and their fans out of a proper World Series Championship defense and celebration. I can't imagine if this had happened in 2005.

So, there you have it...the best cards from the blaster. They may not be new and fresh, but they're great additions to my collection!

Open any of these lately?