Harley Tilque Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Harley Tilque is passionate about early action to fight cancer, a talented dancer, and the current Miss Metrolina's Outstanding Teen. I was excited that she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more.
 
So, let's see what happens when Harley Tilque visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Metrolina’s Outstanding Teen crown?

Well of course no celebration is complete without a dinner and dessert.  So I went to Applebee’s with some of my friends and family! It was such a fun night and we were there celebrating until the restaurant closed.

How did you select your social impact initiative dealing with Ovarian Cancer Awareness?

In 2012 my grandmother was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer.  She was only given 2 month to live. However, she was offered the opportunity to become part of a research study and was given 5 more years with us.

After we lost her unexpectedly (she was cancer free when she

passed), I decided to change my platform to T.E.A.L. -Take Early Action & Live. I wanted to continue what she had started and honor her as well.

After a lot of research I learned that the symptoms of this disease are very vague and only 15% get diagnosed in the early stages. I also learned that it also does not get the funding it deserves because there is no screening test to detect this “silent killer”, the nickname for ovarian cancer. Over the past 3 years I have been developing my platform, I have raised over $4,000 towards research, have helped to spread

the word about the symptoms

and hopefully will be able to help families across the country.

Is there a specific goal you’d like to accomplish during your time as Miss Metrolina’s Outstanding Teen?

Only time will tell but I hope to become the next Miss North Carolina Outstanding Teen! My committee has helped me prepare for this pageant for almost 2 years and I am ready to show everyone all the hard work i’ve put in.

You recently had the opportunity to compete in the Summit cheer competition. What was that experience like?

IT WAS A DREAM! Being new to the cheer community it was honestly overwhelming. Summit is like the super bowl for cheerleaders and if you are lucky enough to win, you get a personalized ring! My team had worked so hard the entire season and we were so proud of the performance we left on the mat. All the support from the team and parents was so electric to be around and we even got to go to Animal Kingdom and MGM Hollywood Studios.

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

For sure Venellope Von Schweetz from Wreck-It-Ralph. Not only does she get to race go-karts made from Candy but she has an amazing best friend like Ralph to always hang with. I would love to be in her place and live in Candy Land, sounds like heaven to me.

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

Thomas Rhett! I am a huuuugee country fan and especially of

Thomas Rhett. I not only love to follow his new songs but all the new updates with his life and family. He is definitely a role model I look up to for advice and would give anything to sit down and watch some baseball with him.

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

I think it’s be really cool to throw the first pitch at a game. Even as a competitive dancer and cheerleader, coordination isn’t always my friend so I’m not sure how far the ball will go but I am always open to trying new things.

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I agree, that would be a fun experience!

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

I encourage you to follow Harley on her title's 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 when she competes for the Miss North Carolina's Outstanding Teen title. It would be wonderful to have the first Section 36 visitor wear that crown!
 
Thanks again Harley, and good luck!

A Swing and a Trade Post

A few months ago I got a note from Swing and a Pop-Up saying he had some Red Sox dupes that I could probably use more than he could. I'm always willing to get new Red Sox cards, so I graciously accepted and a swap was made. I couldn't believe the generous pile that arrived at my door! Let's check out just some of the highlights.

The "Trading Places" card is funny to me. I don't remember that subset being all inclusive. So, the fact that they decided to make a card celebrating Mark Loretta changing teams seems like an interesting choice. The UD Masterpieces is another oddity. The whole idea of the set, I thought, was to make the cards look like classical paintings. The added inset seems out of place, even if I understand that they wanted to show off the ankle.

Jay Payton looks scared, to me.

Rickey Henderson was 43 years old with the Red Sox in 2002. He only saw limited action, but I remember being blown away by how he terrorized pitchers on the base paths. When he was on first, you could just feel the game change. I can't even imagine what that would have been like in his prime when he was stealing 100 bases a year. He should have been MVP every year. Sort of like Pedro. Always fun to get a card of his I don't have.

Nomar too. I know he has a TON of cards out there, but I have a ton of Nomar and Pedro cards in my collection so it always surprises me to find ones I don't have.

Look! Two more! I don't know if I've ever seen 2001 Opening Day before. That logo isn't exactly subtle.

More Nomars!

These are the Opening Days I'm used to seeing. The small logo making them basic duplicates of the base Topps sets. Can you even tell which one of the four isn't Opening Day?

Papi was supposed to be a utility guy and ended up a legend. Ball was supposed to be a legend...but wasn't.

A picture of Will Middlebrooks diving on a 2013 card. That, of course, reminds me of the terrible interference call on Will during the 2013 World Series. I don't like being reminded of that.

What did I JUST say?

That's better. Hard to remember a more dominant pitching performance than Beckett during the 2007 postseason. (Well, other than Pedro during every stretch of his career.) 

Always enjoyed the Bowman Platinum brand, even when it features Ryan Kalish.

A couple more Sox stars.

Love that Lester card.

And, of course, the Pedro card.

Not sure if there was a more overrated player during his tenure. For some reason Boston fans prefer dirt to talent. I may never understand that.

This set basically escaped me. So glad to be able to add some to the binder.

Way back to the early years of Topps Gold.

Even a little earlier.

Lots of pitchers. Some good, some not so good.

So, there are the highlights of an incredible shipment. I can't thank SAAP enough for sending them along.

Hopefully more Red Sox swings lead to line drives.

1975 Topps Page by Page: Page 58 (514-522)

 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 58?

Red Sox Cards on the Page  

0. Although, there's at least one on the checklist card.

Cards that make the 1975 Topps set cool 

Checklist cards are cool. And, I guess whatever's going on with Cruz's hat is pretty cool. Not a lot of great stuff on this page.

My favorite card on the page 

I mean, can a checklist be my favorite card? Pretty generic group of cards on this page otherwise. Other than some bad airbrushing. But, at least the checklist lists the card of 1975 World Series hero Luis Tiant.

What would your answers to those last two categories be?

Melody Hager Visits Section 36!

Photo by Donald Latham

Section 36 has another visitor! Melody Hager is passionate about music therapy, a talented singer, and the current Miss Statesville. I was excited that she was willing to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more.
 
So, let's see what happens when Melody Hager visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Statesville crown? 

Directly after winning/competing, I always make a pit stop to Cook Out. It's a southern fast food chain and you can get everything imaginable there. I'm usually running on adrenaline during the day, so when I finish the night, I need something fast and preferably greasy! :) The next day after winning Miss Statesville, I visited the local assisted living center that housed my grandfather for years. I thanked them for what they do and payed homage to the man that has inspired me! 

What’s the biggest thing you learned about yourself at the Miss Statesville competition? 

I am resilient. In 2018, I had a panic attack on stage while competing for another title. I was so bogged down and burnt out and I didn't listen to my body or my brain. I decided that I needed a comeback, but I needed to be FULLY Melody when I returned. So I reconnected with myself, and lo and behold, I won!

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

My biggest goal is to continue my advocacy work through my

Photo by Donald Latham

SII Music is Medicine: Music Therapy Matters. Ideally, through my advocacy of the practice and the therapists, I'd like to secure music therapy recognition through licensure in our state. That would require legislation, but would better protect clients and music therapists. It's already in the works! :)

How did you select your social impact initiative, “Music is Medicine: Music Therapy Matters”? 

I was inspired by my grandfather, PaLuke. He had a stroke after my grandmother passed in 2012. I come from a deeply musical family, so we played old tunes that we hoped would resonate with him. Amazingly, we watched as his mood, speech, and memory improved while interacting with the music. I delved into research and discovered music therapy! Since then, I've felt a deep love for the practice and the people who make it possible. 

As a talented singer, how do you select the perfect competition song? 

Photo by Donald Latham

First and foremost, it needs to mean something to me. Even the best entertainers can fall flat if the song has no connection to them. I always select pieces that have sentimental value. After that, I choose songs that showcase my range and power. I have a strong belt and want to showcase my years of experience. I also LOVE to bring some Rock 'n Roll to a stage! 

You currently work as a school counselor. What do you like about that field? 

Working in Learning Support at my current school is so rewarding. During such a hectic year due to COVID-19, the kids needed stability and trusted adults. I'm so honored to be that for so many of my students. I love human connection, and have a particular passion for advocating for children. Through this job, I've gotten to know them as people and helped them as they develop into adults. I may or may not have cried when my seniors said goodbye!! 

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

My first job was actually dressing up as Disney princesses for parties and charitable events! I'd have to say Elsa. For one, having ice powers would be a great conversation starter. But knowing the influence she has on young girls would give me the opportunity to promote independence and following your dreams. Elsa and the Frozen franchise was (and continues to be) a cultural phenomenon, and would be one I could use to help nurture the next generation of women leaders.

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

Photo by Donald Latham

My dad! I don't I've ever been to a baseball game with him before. Neither of us know much about the sport, so I can only imagine the laughs we'd have trying to figure out what's going on. Cheer when our section cheers! 

You recently had the opportunity to sing the national anthem before a Charlotte Knights game. What was that experience like? 

Singing the anthem is always nerve wracking. It's the one song you can't mess up. As a Charlotte native, I understand how important Knights games are to our local community and knew I had to bring my A game. Even with my years of experience as a performer, I still get nervous before singing the Anthem! It went off without a hitch though, thankfully. The staff at the ballpark were so hospitable and welcoming. It was an honor. 

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I can imagine that would be stressful!

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

I encourage you to follow Melody on 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 when she competes for the Miss North Carolina title. It would be wonderful to have the first Section 36 visitor wear that crown!
 
Thanks again Melody, and good luck!

1975 Topps Page by Page: Page 57 (505-513)

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 57?

Red Sox Cards on the Page  

1. Dick Pole makes an appearance.

Cards that make the 1975 Topps set cool 

Team cards are cool. Especially featuring Billy Martin. Rookie cup cards are cool. And while Vida Blue isn't a Hall of Famer, cards of 6X all-stars are pretty cool too.

My favorite card on the page 

Lots of choices today. I have to wonder what the result of Chris Speier's picture was. There are some great uniforms on Lee and Milbourne, and Vida Blue is a great player. But, I think I have to go with Dick Pole.

What would your answers to those last two categories be?