Julia Zimney Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Julia Zimney is eager to promote healthy relationships, a talented pianist, and the current Miss West Sound. I was so excited she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more!

So, let's see what happens when Julia Zimney visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss West Sound crown?

After I won the title, there was a banquet at The Cloverleaf in Bremerton, WA. All of the candidates were celebrated with pizza, scholarship awards and the company of family and friends.

When you were crowned, you chose the word “transparency” to define your year. What has this meant for you?

A lot of my accomplishments come from the trials and tribulations I have overcome in the past. It would be doing the Miss West Sound following a disservice if I was not honest about the growing pains that encouraged me to have the character development that led to my successes and ambitions. Our hardest times can be some of the most transformative, and it reminds us that we are human. I want those that watch my year to not only see me as a role model, but the friend that understands.

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss West Sound competition that will help you at Miss Washington?

I learned that I am already Miss Washington in my own way , just as I was Miss West Sound in my own way before I had the actual title. I know that I have touched the lives of so many people across Washington state whether it was through working at a suicide and mental health hotline, responding with police officers to victims of domestic violence, or even working in my career in emergency response and preparedness to end COVID-19 in our country. I have the qualities of Miss Washington, and I do not need a crown to feel like her. As long as I remember that, I will have a blast at Miss Washington week with the stress free, open minded, gracious attitude that my parents raised me to have.

How did you select your social impact initiative, “The Red LIPS Project”?

The Red LIPS Project stands for Redefining Love in Partnerships. It is all about ending and preventing gender based violence through the positive representations of healthy relationships. Hollywood and the media often project certain relationships as passionate and fun, when they are really toxic and obsessive. By highlighting the healthy relationships in our community, we can better encourage each other to see the red flags of a violent one.

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

My talent song is "Hakuna Matata" from The Lion King. With everything that is going on in the world, it not only holds an important reminder but it also expresses great joy. I love interacting with my audience, and I use this song to really help them feel a certain energy.

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

Pumba from The Lion King. Who wouldn't want to live freely in a jungle where you get to sing, eat bugs and live free of worry?

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

Florence will always have my heart. I was able to study abroad in the city for four months through a program with Gonzaga University. The people had a beautiful way of interacting with one another, and it is their human connection that truly makes the culture worth immersing in.

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

I would bring my brother! When we were younger, he would collect the bobble heads from bobble head nights. I even gifted him an Edgar Martinez one!

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

I, of course, would love to throw out the first pitch! Still waiting on the call from @mariners, though ;)

—-

That would be a wonderful experience!

As usual, I want to thank Julia for visiting with us, and for sending along the fantastic picture.

As Julia continues her time as Miss West Sound, I encourage you to check out her official Instagram and Facebook Pages. It’s the best 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 when she competes for the Miss Washington title. It would be wonderful to have the first Section 36 visitor wear that crown!

Thanks again Julia, and good luck!

Riley Slate Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Riley Slate is passionate about homeless healthcare, a talented singer, and the current Miss Brandywine. I was so excited she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more!

So, let's see what happens when Riley Slate visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Brandywine crown?

After winning, my Mom and I went to our favorite restaurant! Following that, I had to drive back up to school because I had clinical rotations the

 following morning at 8am! I was so happy to win the Miss Brandywine crown and have the opportunity to represent the exact area I am from in Delaware!

What part of the upcoming Miss Delaware competition are you most nervous about?

I wouldn't say that I am nervous about anything, I just want to make sure that I'm able to convey my most authentic self to the judges and to the audience!

What has surprised you the most about your short time as Miss Brandywine?

Definitely all of the love and support I have received from my peers and individuals In the community

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Health for Hope”?

My FAVORITE question! It was through my patients that I was inspired to pursue my social impact initiative, Health for Hope: Providing Healthcare to the Homeless. The  program that I am currently enrolled in, has created a Free Clinic, within the city of Allentown, PA, to provide health care to over 1,000 homeless men in the city. As a student in the program, I volunteer my time to see my own patients, diagnose, and treat this marginalized group of individuals – completely free of charge. The love and gratitude that the men display to myself, as well as my peers, is truly the most rewarding part of the entire experience. To me, it is so important to not only provide these individuals with the care that they deserve, but it is also imperative that as a community, we give them the respect that they deserve.

As a talented singer, what is your favorite part about performing on stage?

I love taking a song that is meaningful to myself, and being able to connect with the audience.

What is your personal fitness routine?

I come from a family of runners, so running has always been a huge part of both my life and my exercise routine. I completed my first marathon in September of 2017, which was a huge bucket list item of mine. Since then, I definitely haven't run anywhere near 26 miles at a time, but I do try to get outside and run every day if I'm able!

What do you remember about attending your first Phillies game?

I was really young, so I don't remember too much, but I definitely remember the Chickies and Pete's fries!

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

My dad of course! He is a huge Philly sports fan and I would love to share that experience with him!

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

Obviously throwing out the first pitch! I'm not sure if I would be able to actually reach home plate, but I'd like to try!

—-

That would be a wonderful opportunity!

As usual, I want to thank Riley for visiting with us, and for sending along the picture to accompany the interview.

As Riley continues her time as Miss Brandywine, I encourage you to check out her official website as well as official Instagram and Facebook Pages. It’s the best 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 when she competes for the Miss Delaware title. It would be wonderful to have another Section 36 visitor wear that crown!

Thanks again Riley, and good luck!

2020 Topps Opening Day 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 start with the newest box, the 2020 Topps Opening Day!

Not sure why these come in one of the big blasters. Was the single slot not wasteful enough? Too easy to display on shelves?

I mean, there are more packs than usual...bot not THAT many more. Even if you include the "red parallel" pack.

Speaking of which...always great when the special packs yield a Red Sox card. It will be interesting to see how Chavis does in his next season. Will he have a role? Will he break out? Will he be forgotten? Only time will tell.

Look, another Red Sox card in the very next pack! And, another player currently on the team. Bonus! Love the red jersey matching up with the red border.

No Red Sox card in the next pack. But, a guy the Sox beat on the way to one of their titles. That's pretty. Cool.

OK, this is pretty cool. I wonder if that chandelier looks as amazing in real life. Anyone know? Is it just out in the middle of the concourse?

Another Washington guy. A pretty generic insert, but at least it adds some variety to the pack.

I have to say, I enjoy the mascot inserts in this set. The idea was supposed to be that this would be a fun set...and the mascots certainly help that image.

The same goes for this insert set. I like the theme of showing spring training shots as a fun diversion from regular cards.

Another Red Sox player. The blue jersey doesn't work quite as well as the red one did.

This one's not quite as obviously spring...so a little less fun.

Another mascot!

Another National! What's with them all?

Did he catch it?

Another Red Sox! Unfortunately, the first "former" Red Sox.

As expected, a fun box to open. Imaginative inserts. Mascots. Exactly what you've come to expect from Opening Day.

How did your boxes turn out?

Allie Gier Visits Section 36!

Photo by Josh Roesener

Section 36 has another visitor! Allie Gier is passionate about giving hope to people with depression and anxiety, a talented stage orator, and the current Miss Butler County. I was so excited she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more!

So, let's see what happens when Allie Gier visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Butler County crown?

Since it was just my mom and I who drove up to Augusta we went to Walmart and bought a whole bunch of snacks and watched movies in the hotel all night! I wouldn’t trade that memory for the world!

What has surprised you the most about your time as Miss Butler County?

One thing that is really surprised me so far as Miss Butler County is the close knit community of Augusta! Every time I go, I feel so welcomed by everyone there!

Since this will be your first time competing for Miss Kansas after competing in the Teen program, what part of the competition are you most nervous about?

I think the most nerve-racking part is getting to be on stage with so many other amazing and talented women!

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Depression and Anxiety: There is Hope”? 

I chose my social impact initiative for two reasons. One is that I’ve been suffering from severe depression and anxiety for quite a few years. The second reason is because I lost a dear friend of mine freshman year to suicide, it was something that really impacted me and I decided I wanted to help make a change.

What goes into creating a great monologue to perform on stage?

Lots and lots of drafts! My monologue went through five or six different drafts before I was finally happy with the current piece!

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 it would definitely be Rapunzel!! I adore her both with her long and short hair. She has such a kind and brave heart and she knows what she wants!

You were a member of the state champion DC Explosion softball team. What do you remember most from that season?

My summer ball team was state champion back in 2018. A really memorable moment from the season was the moment I stepped up to the plate. I grabbed my bat by the barrel, looked up at God and asked him for strength. The ball came in and I swung, smacking the ball between first and second baseman and past the right fielder. Two girls scored putting us ahead by one point. Switching and going out on the field (I was left fielder) was intense. But we got three outs as each girl came up to the plate. The moment we got the third out we all ran into the pictures circle and we all started crying. We were state champions! On top of that we beat our rival team! 

You were able to make an appearance at a Dodge City A’s collegiate baseball league game. What was that experience like?

I’ve been throwing pitches for the Dodge city A’s for four years as a DC explosion player, but let me tell ya, throwing a pitch in a crown and sash is a whole different ball game!

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

If I had an extra ticket to go see the Royals I would definitely take my dad! I’ve always grown up watching the Royals. I have a baseball that is signed by the team players when they won the World Series back in 1985! My father and I have always bonded over baseball and softball!

—-

That sounds like it would be a great time!

As usual, I want to thank Allie for visiting with us, and for sending along the wonderful pictures that accompany the interview. They make the post so much better.

As Allie continues her time as Miss Butler County, I encourage you to check out her official Instagram and Facebook Pages. It’s the best 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 when she competes for the Miss Kansas title. It would be wonderful to have the first Section 36 visitor wear that crown!

Thanks again Allie, and good luck!

1975 Topps Page by Page: Page 18 (154-162)

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 18?

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

Cards that make the 1975 Topps set cool: Participants in the 1975 World Series are cool. Pedro Borbon was one. He gave up two of the runs on the game tying home run by Bernie Carbo in game six. That clutch homer is often overshadowed by another home run later in the same game.

My favorite card on the page: I'll go with the Dave Kingman. He's the only other player on the page that I had heard of before. Here's one of his fun early cards. Didn't know he played for the Giants.

What would your answers to those last two categories be?