1975 Topps Page by Page: Page 32 (280-288)

 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 32?

Red Sox Cards on the Page:  1. Yaz! If you're going to break the shutout streak, might as well do it in style.

Cards that make the 1975 Topps set cool: Fathers of players are cool. Even grandfathers of players are cool. And, of course, Yaz is cool!

My favorite card on the page: I mean. Yaz. The OF-1B designation (while not new) is a nice reminder that the Sox found another guy who could play left field pretty well in 1975.

What would your answers to those last two categories be?

Sabrina Gauthier Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Sabrina Gauthier is passionate about helping foster families, an author, and the current Miss Sanford. I was thrilled that she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more!

So, let's see what happens when Sabrina Gauthier visits Section 36!

What made you want to participate in the Miss Maine program as Miss Sanford?

Sanford is such a unique place to live. The diversity that sits within this small Maine City is really amazing. I have lived here for three years and still seem to experience something new every week. To be able to carry the title of Miss Sanford to the Miss Maine stage gives me the chance to represent everything Sanford has to offer. I hope to  do my city proud and bring home the crown!

 

You finished first runner up at last year’s Miss Maine competition. What did you learn about yourself from that experience that will help you the next time you compete?

Placing first runner up has taught me more than I ever thought

it could and I’ll sum it up into two points: 1. Trust in your timing and 2. Learn to objectively judge your performance. Trusting in your timing is incredibly important and a mantra that I carry with myself throughout all areas of life -  not just pageantry. At the time, I’ll be honest, I was disappointed to hear my name be called as first runner up. Obviously I was hoping to walk away with the win but I was ecstatic for my sister queen to be crowned. I mentally stepped back and told myself that my time will come and that if it was meant to be it would have been. I look forward to stepping on the stage again this year! My other lesson was to look at my performance objectively. Unfortunately, I don’t have access to the scores or judges' feedback. I had to think back to my performance and give myself some sort of score to figure out how to best improve. After analyzing my competition I found the areas that weren’t as strong as I’d liked them to be and have put more focus to bring them up to par. I am excited to return to the stage with these lessons in my back pocket and some exciting surprises up my sleeve! 

 

 

Do you have a specific goal you’d like to accomplish during your time as Miss Sanford?

I plan to expand my social impact initiative to continue to spread awareness and information about the foster system in Maine and beyond. Currently, I’m working on several ideas on how to fundraise and help the Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine while Covid is still an obstacle.

 

How did you select social impact initiative: Fostering Friends?

I have four adopted siblings, one permanency guardianship sister, and several foster siblings. Growing up with my parents fostering I have been able to experience a whole world that many people don’t know exists. Fostering Friends started as volunteering with the Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine (AFFM) and has grown to encompass Foster Facts Fridays, fundraisers, several social media accounts, and even a website. I am so blessed to have this community that wants to know more about the foster care system in Maine and beyond and even donates to help families in the area. In short - I selected my SSI thanks to my family and the world they’ve shown me. 

 

You wrote a children’s book “Will She Ever Talk Again”? What was that like to put together?

Writing a book has always been a dream of mine. To be able

to combine this dream with my social impact initiative just made sense. I already had a loose concept of what I wanted my book to be about and spent some time refining my ideas into a cohesive plan. Once I had a general timeline of events and characters I did some research on how to write a children’s book. I then wrote out my drafts and came to a product I was happy with. The hardest part was finding an illustrator. I was able to partner with Badrus Soleh in Indonesia to bring my book to life! Finally, I independently published through Amazon. All in all from writing to publishing the book took around three months to become a reality. The whole process was such a surreal experience. I am so happy with my end product and that I am able to bring some representation of not only foster children but also non-verbal children into the literary spotlight. 

 

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

I would definitely be Anna from Frozen for a week! I actually have the chance to play Anna on a regular basis (during non-covid times) for a business in Southern Maine called “Rent-A-Princess”. I always have so much fun playing her! She’s so quirky and independent and loves to talk about chocolate and sandwiches - who doesn’t love that? The kids at parties are always so excited to see Anna too so to be able to live in that feeling for a week would be amazing!

 

What is your personal fitness routine?

Currently my fitness routine looks a lot different. It mostly consists of long walks with my dog and yoga sessions. I work two jobs that have me on my feet so I get the opportunity to be active throughout the day. When I am able to go to the gym I love mixing cardio with bodyweight exercises. Although yoga is always a constant!

 

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

I would take my Mimi with me - she is a Red Sox super fan! It

would be so much fun to experience the atmosphere at Fenway with her and know that she would be soaking up and loving every moment of the experience. 

 

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

I would LOVE to attend a “Dog Day at Fenway” event! Dogs are my all time favorite animal and my pup Max would be the best companion. He’s so social and would make a ton of new friends. Although, I doubt we would pay attention to any baseball with so many furry distractions! I would also have to keep Max far away from any popcorn - he loves it!

—-

Dog Day would be so much fun!

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

As Sabrina continues her time as Miss Sanford, I encourage you to check out her Instagram account. It’s a great way to keep track of everything she has going on!

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

Thanks again Sabrina, and good luck!

2020 Topps Heritage Blaster!

You may remember that the Easter Bunny was good to me this year, bringing plenty of card packs for me to open. This box represents the last one from that haul! I wanted to share it with you because, well, some of you might like it.

So here it is, a box of 2020 Topps Heritage!

I'm sure you've all seen plenty of this set by now. But, you can always skip over this. Right?

So...here are the highlights...

Starting with...the unopened box!

The hedge is back! Unfortunately, Workman won't be after he was recently dealt to the Phillies. Lots of memories.

I'll be honest, I din't realize Xander finished among the RBI leaders. I knew he had a bunch...but didn't register that it would be enough to make it on this card.

Speaking of RBI, this guy knows how to get them as well. With Xander, that's one heck of a left side of the infield. Hard to think of one better. Especially going forward.

Fisk Flashbacks are always fun. Especially when they flash back to something other than the 1975 World Series. As amazing as that series was...it's nice to remember that Fisk did other things in his career as well.

So, a solid if not spectacular box.

How did yours go?

1975 Topps Page by Page: Page 31 (271-279)

 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 31?

Red Sox Cards on the Page:  0. Another shutout.

Cards that make the 1975 Topps set cool: Team cards are cool. Especially when they're the bizarre floating head variety.

My favorite card on the page: Be hard to pick anything other than the Chicago White Sox team card. Especially on this page. That card stands alone as something that I am instantly drawn to.

What would your answers to those last two categories be?

Danielle Morse Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Danielle Morse is passionate about Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a firefighter, and the current Miss Addison County. I was thrilled that she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more!

So, let's see what happens when Danielle Morse visits Section 36!

What made you want to participate in the Miss VT preliminary program as Miss Addison County?

When I was a freshman in high school I was in the hospital for over a month due to complications after an appendectomy. After that I was selected to be the 2014 Children's Hospital Champion for Vermont. With this new title I went around to different fundraisers, events and trips for the hospital where I met Jeanelle Achee, Miss Vermont 2013, the future Miss Vermont 2015, Alayna Westcom, and Miss America 2015, Kira Kazantsez (Dixon). I thought they were the absolute coolest, and felt so lucky to meet them as my mom and I had watched Miss America together. I knew that I wanted to be Miss Vermont some day, because I wanted to make an impact on younger generations like they did to me. When the Miss Vermont organization came out with their preliminary program this year, I knew I had to jump on board right away. I have lived in Addison County my entire life, and have been apart of many organizations within, I have also experienced a tremendous amount of support from my community, so there was no other title I would rather represent. 

Do you have a specific goal you’d like to accomplish during your time as Miss Addison County?

Although I had already raised over $600 with my can drive for

the UVM Children's Hospital from March to July, (Which is when I got my title as Miss Addison County) my goal now as Miss Addison County is to raise over $1000. I knew that during this pandemic I wanted to make an impact, but I did not want to ask people directly for any money since I knew everyone was going through a hard time. I had thought of the idea of the can drive because I was able to go around picking up bags of returnables that people had collecting when they did not have the time to return them themselves, and I found it to be almost a relief for them because I got the bags out of their hair. 

 

What have you learned about yourself from past competitions that will help you whenever you compete for Miss Vermont?

From competing in Miss Vermont 2019 I learned simply that I was able to do so. I had always dreamed of competing in the Miss Vermont pageant growing up but did not think I had what it took. Like any challenge I put myself up to, I quickly became determined, and at this point I had less than four months to get ready for my first competition. I was so proud of myself that I simply got up on that stage and preformed with the best of my ability, excited for the years of competing to come. 

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals”?

My freshman year of high school I had an appendectomy at a

smaller hospital near my town, after a week of complications they had made the decision to send me to the University of Vermonts Children's Hospital in the middle of the night. I remember being wheeled through the hallway and seeing the murals that were painted cheerfully for all the patients, right away I felt more comfortable and that I was at the place that was right for me. During my month there, I had met some amazing people, the nurses, the child life specialist, the volunteers. etc. A little while later I was surprised with the opportunity to be the 2014 Children's Miracle Network Hospital Champion for Vermont, along with a young heroes award from the Vermont National Guard. I was able to attend fundraisers, events, and even a trip to Washington D.C to meet Michelle Obama and Disney World to meet John Schneider, Marie Osmond, Nick Cannon, the band Lady A (who sang me Happy Birthday for my 16th birthday!!) and Miss America 2015! Along with all this excitement and amazing opportunities that I am forever grateful for, I also realized that I wanted to be a nurse. Just like those that saved me and made me feel so comfortable in the hospital, and now I can proudly say that I am a senior in Nursing School. I love having the opportunity to give back to Children Miracle Network Hospitals especially UVM's, and selecting this as my social impact initiative seemed perfect. 

You currently work as a firefighter. What got you interested in that field?

It all started in 8th grade when I became suddenly interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter through my two older cousins interests. They had both been cadets (junior firefighters) for two towns near me and they both seemed to love it. We had an opportunity in Middle School to do an independent study, and I chose to do mine on Volunteer Firefighting. I was only 13 at the time, and in the town I lived in you had to be at least 15, so I had two long years to wait until I could join. The next meeting they held after my 15th birthday I dragged my mom to a meeting and quickly signed up. After that I was able to go to fire calls, and trainings, attend a cadet academy, and go to county regional fire schools. I was hooked, and 6 years later I am still doing what I love with hours of experience, scholarships, a Fire 1 certification, and even an Addison County Junior Firefighter award under my belt. 

What is your personal fitness routine?

I have never been big on going to the gym, I much prefer doing home workouts, or utilizing Vermonts beauty and

acreage to encourage a healthy lifestyle. Im lucky to live in an area where I can go swimming in our lakes and rivers, hiking on our trails around town or up mountains with beautiful views . In high school I was a year around athlete with being a field hockey goalie, cheerleader, and playing lacrosse, and after graduating I have had to find other ways to workout by myself. 

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

I quickly became fascinated with Elsa after watching Frozen in theaters back in 2013. I have grown up loving the snow, and my three sisters. I love that she represented being an independent woman, brave, and of course being a snow queen. I think it would be so much fun being her for a week and being able to have powers that controlled the winter weather. 

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

I would take my oldest sister, Heather! Whenever she wins tickets to a concert or event she always asks me to go with her, and we have had some really fun times together, so this would be an opportunity to give back to her. She also went to college down in Boston, so she would be able to navigate us around the city with much less stress. 

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

I would love to be at Fenway for Vermont Day! I think it is so

cool that Fenway has a day special for each state in New England and I would love to be there to represent a fan from the Green Mountain State. 

—-

Vermont Day would be so much fun!

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

As Danielle continues her time as Miss Addison County, I encourage you to check out her Instagram account. It’s a great way to keep track of everything she has going on!

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

Thanks again Danielle, and good luck!

2019 Topps Stadium Club Blaster!

You may remember that the Easter Bunny was good to me this year, bringing plenty of card packs for me to open. I'm still working my way through the boxes. I thought I'd continue to share them with you because, well, some of you might like it.

We'll continue with the next box, a box of 2019 Topps Stadium Club!

I'm sure you've all seen plenty of this set by now. But, you can always skip over this. Right?

So...here are the highlights...

That's right! Here we have the rare and elusive...unopened box!

OK. Here's an actual highlight. A beautiful shot of JD Martinez. Love how Stadium Club doesn't let the design interfere with the photo.

This is an absolutely gorgeous shot of Section 36. My one complaint? You'd think that in a set focused on photography, Topps would have done a better job of cropping that guy with a bat out of the shot. really takes it down a notch.

Not the world's best box. But, anytime you see Section 36 you've had a good day.

How did your box go?

1975 Topps Page by Page: Page 30 (262-270)

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 30?

Red Sox Cards on the Page:  0. Another page lacking in extreme awesomeness.

Cards that make the 1975 Topps set cool: Fathers of players are pretty cool. Alomar and McRae fit that category. Managers as players are also cool, Mr. McRae.

My favorite card on the page: After a few choices on the previous page, nothing is really calling to me on this one. The Jim Perry is pretty sweet. But, I'll have to go with the action photo of Dick Ruthven. When one of those action shots come along, it's hard to miss.

What would your answers to those last two categories be?

Landry Champlin Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Landry Champlin is passionate about living fearless, a talented singer, and the current Miss Plano. I was thrilled that she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more! I’m just as excited that she is the first visitor to Section 36 from the state of Texas!

So, let's see what happens when Landry Champlin visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Plano crown?

I was so fortunate to have my best friends from Oklahoma City University in the audience the night of Miss Plano! Needless to say, after I was crowned, we enjoyed some much needed IHOP and took the iconic “sleeping crownshot!”

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss Plano competition that will help you whenever you compete for Miss Texas?

Authenticity, authenticity, authenticity! Oftentimes, it is so easy to look around the dressing room at the other candidates and begin to compare yourself and your qualifications for the job. However, at the Miss Plano competition, I remained authentic to my character while finding gratitude in the little successes throughout the day! As I continue my journey to the Miss Texas crown, I will always call upon my experiences staying true to myself. 

What surprised you about your time as Miss Plano?

As a longtime candidate in the Miss America Organization, I am constantly looking to better myself and redefine what it means to be the best public figure, leader, and titleholder I can be. This being said, I was surprised just how much I have grown as Miss Plano, despite having completed several years prior. The COVID-19 Pandemic brought on countless opportunities to grow in my online influence and my ability to communicate virtually! Additionally, I found an amazing support system in my board of directors and now have an even deeper understanding of what it means to intentionally create long lasting friendships!

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Live Fearless: Defining Life Without Limits”?

As a child, I was diagnosed with a rare speech impediment called “blocking.” For most of my life, I was not able to articulate simple sentences, introduce myself to new faces, order my own food at a restaurant, let alone succeed in an organization characterized by public speaking. When I began competing in the Miss America Org., I quickly realized the direct correlation between confidence and success in regards to my ability to speak in front of others! Needless to say, I faced my biggest fear of stuttering in public and developed a passion for articulate communication. I found tremendous growth stepping outside of my comfort zone and vowed to make the most of every opportunity I was given. I created my social impact initiative and school program with one focus: Living Fearlessly. I aim to inspire everyone to face their own adversity head on and find confidence in fearlessly pursuing their dreams, just as I did in the Miss America Organization.  

As a talented singer, what do you enjoy most about performing on stage?

As a longtime performer and vocalist, I have always aimed to create an emotional shared experience for each audience I perform for! I believe the most intangible, meaningful forms of communication come from the arts, specifically music. During my talent, I strive to evoke powerful emotion not only in the judges, but from every audience member in the auditorium. My favorite part of performing onstage is feeling the magic of the lights, crowd, and most importantly, the music. If one person is moved by my performance, I have done my job. 

What is your personal fitness routine?

I am a fitness JUNKIE! I begin my day with an early morning workout consisting of weight training and cardio! My FAVORITE workouts include cycle classes, deadlifts, squats, and climbing on the StairMaster! I have a passion for clean eating and partake in a low carb diet that is also rich in protein! I prioritize sleep, exercise, and proactive organization to ensure that my physical and mental health consistently remain the best that they can be. 

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

If I could be any Disney character for a week, I would choose Mary Poppins! I have always been inspired by her tenacity, genuine heart, and passion for achieving the impossible! Mary once said, “Anything can happen if you let it.” I believe in this wholeheartedly, especially when I am speaking to children about overcoming obstacles and achieving their goals! Overall, Mary inspires the best in all of us and sprinkles a little magic along the way!  

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

I would take my brother, Grayson! I was so fortunate to grow up going to Ranger games with my younger brother and parents! We had seats near home plate and I will never forget how much fun we had cheering on our favorite team and watching the fireworks! My brother and I especially had a great time eating all of the ballpark desserts, looking out for foul balls, and singing “Deep in the Heart of Texas” at the top of our lungs. Needless to say, I would love to recreate those experiences with my brother! 

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

Amidst the pandemic, the Texas Rangers opened their new ballpark, “Globe Life Field!” This brand new facility sits next to the old stadium and is complete with a retractable roof and upgraded seating and restaurants! As soon as it is safe to do so, I would love to attend a game in this space and learn more about their new home!  

—-

It’s always fun to get to explore a new ballpark!

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

As Landry continues her time as Miss Plano, I encourage you to check out her official Instagram account. It’s a great way to keep track of everything she has going on!

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

Thanks again Landry, and good luck!