1975 Topps Page by Page: Page 64 (568-576)

 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 64?

Red Sox Cards on the Page  

0. White. Not Red.

Cards that make the 1975 Topps set cool 

This may be the least "cool" page in the set. Although, All-Star cards are pretty cool.

My favorite card on the page 

I'm enjoying whatever it is that's happening with the Nelson card in the middle. And, I do wonder what Pena is looking at. But, have to go with the Jim Wynn All-Star with the great smile.

What would your answers to those last two categories be?

Maura Spence-Carroll Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Maura Spence-Carroll is passionate about military mental health, a talented singer, and the current Miss Colorado. 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 Maura Spence-Carroll visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Colorado crown?

I had a lot of friends and family fly in from around the country to support me, so we had a small get together. It consisted mostly of my family passing around the crown and my mom crying because she was so excited for me; there weren’t many food options, though, so my 2 close friends and I ended up going to Waffle House at 1am. The staff all laughed because apparently my teen had come in about an hour earlier! I’ve never been so thankful for a waffle and some orange juice in my life.

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

I have SO many goals I want to accomplish. I find myself having these big ideas, and the difference between now and a few weeks ago is that now I can enact them with more support. The biggest is one I doubt I’ll see during my year, but I can put the pieces in motion to change the way service members think of mental health. It’s a cultural shift, which is why it’s going to take time. The other main one is that I want to see the Brandon Act passed in Congress. It’s a bipartisan bill that would allow service members to receive confidential access to mental health care. I fully believe it would save lives once enacted, so service members don’t feel as desperate as Brandon Caserta did (for whom the bill is named after).

 

You’re the first Active Duty soldier to wear the Miss Colorado crown. What does that mean to you?

It’s surreal because I’m being posted EVERYWHERE – I found an article about me that was on the Yahoo News featured page. I’m Miss Colorado, first active duty soldier to compete at Miss America, all these other things – but I’m still just me. I didn’t expect to have so many people contacting me with messages of support and encouragement. I’ve had veterans tell me about their experience battling depression; mothers message me to say they appreciate me talking about mental health because they lost their child to suicide (those messages are the most heartbreaking), other soldiers tell me that they hope we can enact change because they know what it’s like living with a mental health condition. . . I see myself as the same woman I was before I was crowned, so it’s a true testament to the platform that being a state titleholder awards you.

 

How did you select your social impact initiative, “#EndTheStigma Surrounding Military Mental Healthcare”?

I noticed during my time that there were two barriers to service members seeking mental healthcare: social stigma, and lack of command support (which stems from the social stigma that exists). I decided to use the phrase “22 Too Many” because it became a cultural sticking point a few years ago, but also because I want to make it clear that doing pushups on social media in support, while heartfelt, isn’t enough. Research has shown that people who receive treatment for mental health conditions are less likely to commit suicide. We need leaders at every level who encourage service members to receive care. We need SMs to know that they won’t be judged for receiving that care. Most importantly, we need those who are comfortable talking about it openly discussing the ways that treatment improved their quality of life – from top to bottom of the ranks. Cultural change, legislature, and proactive care – THAT is how we prevent service members and veterans from committing suicide.

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

I love telling a story through music! There’s this electric thrill that comes from taking a piece and telling the story not just through the lyrics and melody, but through the emotional aspect, as well. My mom was a Celtic musician growing up, and my grandfather loved bluegrass – both of which are about the story told as much as they are the music itself.

 

You’ve been able to work at the Texas Renaissance Festival. What was that experience like?

That was one of the best jobs I have EVER had. I didn’t mean to audition, but my Aunt Christi convinced me to go to a rehearsal – and by the end of the day, I was on the Scottish court! I was on cast for 4 seasons, from 2014-2017, and I learned a lot about myself as both a performer and human. It also helped me with the anxiety and depression I developed at the time because I was newly homeschooled my first year, and my second season started a few months after my sister Kitty passed away. My cast “fairemily” lifted me and my family up when we needed it most, and I met some of my closest friends from my time there, such as my best friend Maddie!

 

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

Merida from Brave. She’s Scottish, I’m Irish (with a Scottish stepdad), and I would kill to be able to do anything as athletic as being a skilled archer! I’m assuming this includes being in her home for a week, and the Scottish Highlands are breathtaking.

 

As an Astros fan, If you had an extra ticket to an Astros-Red Sox game, who would you take with you? Why?

If I could invite ANYONE, I would invite Aubrey Plaza. I don’t know if she likes baseball, but I’m pretty sure her commentary would be hilarious regardless, and would only be better if she had no idea what was going on.

 

Real life? I would take my cousin Jackson. We grew up together, and we’re still close friends. He also only vaguely understands the rules of the game – that someone throws a ball and someone else hits it and runs – so, again, hilarious commentary. (I just called him to ask what he knows, and he said “I know there’s a ball and sometimes they run a lot”, so I was correct.)

 

Is there a feature or activity of a game at Minute Maid Park that you’d especially like to experience?

I would LOVE to throw out the first pitch at a game! I have approximately zero athletic ability, but to me that’s the perfect gig. I get to throw the pitch and then watch my favorite team play IN PERSON? Magical.

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I'd love to be able to do that as well! 

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

As Maura continues her time as Miss Colorado, I encourage you to follow her title's Instagram and Facebook account. You can also check out the Miss Colorado website. They're great ways to keep track of everything she has going on! 

 
I also want to wish her the best of luck when she competes for the Miss America crown this winter. It would be fantastic to have another section 36 visitor wear that crown!

Thanks again Maura, and good luck!

Madison Hawkes Visits Section 36!

Section 36 has another visitor! Madison Hawkes is passionate about fighting cancer, a fairytale princess, and the current Miss Seacoast. I was so excited that she wanted to visit with us to discuss those topics, and a few more.

So, let's see what happens when Madison Hawkes visits Section 36!

How did you celebrate winning the Miss Seacoast title? 

The very first thing I did was FaceTime my mom! She unfortunately was not able to attend the competition, so you can imagine how excited she was when I called her wearing my crown and sash. I actually had traveled to the competition from Maine, as I was house sitting with some friends. So after I drove back to Maine, my friends and I turned on the fire pit, put on some music, and celebrated by just unwinding and soaking up each other’s company.

What did you learn about yourself at the Miss Seacoast competition that will help you when you compete for Miss New Hampshire? 

Though it is titled as a competition, the most important thing is to have fun. I used to go into locals a nervous wreck and compared myself to the other incredible participants. We have to lift each other up and remember that this is a sisterhood above all. 

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

With my year as Miss Seacoast I would love to expand my platform, The American Cancer Society. I would do this going into not only schools, but also small businesses, to discuss how to know the signs of cancer, how to prevent it, as well as how to support patients and families affected. As someone who has had their family be heavily affected by cancer, I wish I had someone who provided support and resources from an organization such as The American Cancer Society, so I want to do my part to be that helping hand.

How did you select your American Cancer Society social impact initiative?

Right before the pandemic hit, my mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. A couple months after that her best friend as well as one of my aunts would also be diagnosed. My mom had to quit her job because the chemotherapy was making her so weak. I was a full time student at Plymouth State University and got multiple full time jobs to do what I could to provide for my family. On weekends I would drive two hours home to help cook, clean, do anything my mom needed me to do. When I was sitting with her one night on the couch because she couldn’t sleep and wanted company, all I could think was how blessed we are to have what we have and how some families couldn’t even afford proper care. So I did my research and discovered The American Cancer Society. I got to work with them right away, helping with the Rockingham County Relay for Life, and we were able to raise over $75,000! They have truly become another family to me, and I’m beyond excited for some projects I have planned with them so stay tuned!

You’re on the peer board for Reach 1 Teach 1 Love 1. What can you tell me about that? 

One of my good friends, Marena Beale, the current Miss Kingston’s Outstanding Teen, reached out to me about an incredible opportunity to be part of this organization almost a year ago now. She knew how involved I was with different mental health clubs and organizations from Astros United, to the Center for Life Management, and thought I would be a perfect fit on the new Peer Board! I take on the role as Marketing & Events Coordinator, where I get us connected with different events and opportunities and create different ways to promote what we are doing. But it’s not all planning and going to events, each of us on the board has a story about their mental health journey and they have the opportunity to share it on our website. For example, in my story I talk about my journey as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, growing up in a small town that wasn’t that accepting, and how I overcame hate to love my true self.

What is your personal fitness routine? 

As someone who is very music-based, I tend to do a lot of

dance workouts. I used to go to the gym at school, but when it closed due to COVID-19 protocols, I needed to find a different way to burn off those college calories as I call them! I discovered these YouTube dance workout videos and loved them, my favorites are the ABBA dance workout videos!

You’re the founder of NH Fairytale Princess. What’s it like to be involved with that? 

My small business, Fairytale New Hampshire, was founded on the ideas of spreading magic and inspiring others. We have made it a priority to be body inclusive, love inclusive, and family inclusive. Being able to see this cast grow from just two people, to a group of friends with theatre based backgrounds has been absolutely incredible to say the least. We have gone to events from northern New Hampshire, to Massachusetts! We were even able to spread magic virtually during the pandemic from the comfort of our homes. It has helped me grow not only my business, marketing and media skills, but also my leadership skills in a way I never had experienced before. The amount of lives we have touched makes the entire journey worth it.

Who is your favorite Red Sox player? Why? 

Though he is now a former Red Sox player, Big Papi himself, David Ortiz, will always be my favorite! Not only did he show dedication to his team, but he also showed dedication to his family and loved ones, which is the most important thing. He gave 110% on and off the field every time and has continued to be a positive influence on Sox fans past retirement. 

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

I genuinely cannot wait to get back to Fenway, be surrounded by fellow Sox fans, and hear everyone belt out “Sweet Caroline”. That is when I think fans truly come together as one and show their support for one another. It is always one of the most positive experiences of every Sox game and I cannot wait to experience that again!

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I can't wait to get back to that myself!

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

Since I know you want to keep track of Madison during her time as Miss Seacoast, I suggest you follow her title's Instagram account to make sure you don't miss anything she has going on! 

I also want to wish Madison luck when she competes for the Miss New Hampshire crown. It would be great to have another Section 36 visitor win that title.

 
Thanks again Madison, and good luck!

2020 Topps Heritage High Number Hanger Box

OK. Can you keep a secret? I bought this box by mistake. Doing one of my standard checks online at Target I was surprised to see Heritage Highs pop up. I assumed it was a blaster. After all, it was at the blaster price. Alas, it was not. It was one of those hanger box things, whatever they are. 

Oops.

But, might as well see what was inside, right?

Or, you know, what's outside. I'm almost positive the picture on the website didn't look like this. Or, I was just mindlessly buying cards...which I can't be sure didn't happen.

But, seriously, three packs?

Delino DeShields Jr showing my displeasure.

A fun insert of Bo Bichette continues the "sons of major leaguers" theme. This insert series is an excuse for Heritage to have some fun, and I don't hate it.

I guess three packs aren't too bad if you get one of these. The gold version of the Baez memorabilia card is numbered to 99.

A Red Sox card! I don't know if I'll ever make it to Red Sox spring training, but I need to know if that hedge is in a public location so I can get a picture.

So, the Baez and now a Robert RC. I guess they were a pretty stacked three packs. 

Hard to be too disappointed since I got about a blaster's worth of value in these three packs.

Not that I plan on buying anymore of these.

Of course, I didn't plan on buying this one either.

You buy any? How'd it go?

1975 Topps Page by Page: Page 63 (559-567)

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 63?

Red Sox Cards on the Page  

1. Bob Montgomery! Longtime Red Sox broadcaster, and the last player to not wear a batting helmet. I doubt the two are related.

Cards that make the 1975 Topps set cool 

Cards of young Hall of Famers are cool. Tony Perez is in the middle of his Hall of Fame career, but still pretty young. Players from the 1975 World Series are cool. Montgomery actually got an at-bat in the series. Perez was, naturally, a star. Nolan made two starts in the series, including Game Seven. Managers as players are cool. Joe Torre is most definitely not.

My favorite card on the page 

Have to go with Montgomery here. Love the 70's Red Sox pullovers.

What would your answers to those last two categories be?