on how a new way of 'trick or treating' keeps kids safe on Halloween
Hello friends,
I have been watching an interesting change in the habit of ‘trick or treating’ over the past few years. Maybe this is just happening in Utah, since we are extremely family oriented here, maybe this new way of ‘trick or treat’ is becoming popular in other places as well, I don’t know.
This is what is done in Utah on Halloween, it’s called ‘trunk or treat’, and this is how it goes:
Instead of walking the neighborhood hunting down favorite candy, Parents gather with their dressed up little ones in the church parking lot. The little goblins then walk from car to car (or mini van to mini van) to spook the adults and collect their sweet treats.
After the kids made their round, everyone gets back in to the car (or mini van) and drives back home.
The issue at hand is the safety for the children. On a FOX news interview several mothers made it clear why they are so worried about letting their children go on a ‘trick or treat’ spree through the neighborhood; The list of registered sex offenders in Utah is long and a quick search on the internet reveals that some of them might live close by. I certainly understand and appreciate any parent whose priority is the safety of their child.
However, is a child’s safety less endangered walking home alone from school, the bus stop, a friend’s house, or soccer practice on any given day? Wouldn’t a group of trick or treaters accompanied by older kids be safe? Times have certainly changed and I wonder if our parents had to fear as much as we do today. There is much to think about before you send your little ones out there for a few hours of Halloween fun.
As far as I remember, we were always warned to be ‘careful in the woods’, nobody ever said anything about being ‘careful around the neighbor’s house’!
No doubt, - the world is a dangerous place. But can’t our kids possibly be protected carrying on a tradition we loved and so did our parents when they were young? It seems like our kids get robbed of the good times. I’m not here to judge the positive and negative sides of ‘trick or treat’ versa ‘trunk or treat’. Safety for kids is a huge issue - not just on Halloween. Pedophiles are all around, but so are predators on the internet, around schools, and the mall.
How much protection can a parent offer? How many restrictions do parents have to put upon their kids to ease the worried mind? One last question comes to my mind: Do you let your children become hostages of your anxiety and fears?
Have a happy and safe BOO Day!!
Rebecca~
http://www.rebeccalerwill.com/
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Small Stores - Big Hearts
Hello friends,
This blog is for writers and readers alike. Especially if you enjoy browsing and shopping little, independent (book) stores.
Being in the middle of a little 'book signing tour' I combined with my husband's travel, I had a wonderful experience in an independent bookstore named Sleuth's Mystery Bookstore in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Until now, my focus has been on the big chain stores, the likes of Barnes & Nobles, Hastings and so on. I always thought that I couldn't go wrong visiting the 'big ones' promoting my book. But what makes a book signing truly memorable and unique is the special attention the independent bookstores put into a writer’s visit.
In my case it was Laura, the owner of Sleuth’s Mystery Books. She went WAY out of her way to make me feel welcome. There was advertising in several local newspaper's columns, she’d added a link to my website on hers, her store was beautifully decorated and several print outs talked about my novel 'Relocating Mia'. There was even a marquee announcing, in flashing red, my name and the date of the event.
One of Laura’s friends is a gourmet chef and she arrived with a huge bag of home made goodies to spoil my readers and me during the signing.The atmosphere was relaxed and more intimate as I knew from book signings at the bigger stores. The visitors mingled longer to enjoy the great food and fun conversations. I was asked much more into detail about my past and future work.
What can I say; the book signing at Sleuth's Mystery Books has been not just successful, but a very memorable one due to the owner’s kind efforts. I think I will concentrate future signings more into the direction of the independent book stores.
We all love browsing the little 'Mom and Pop' stores, don't we? And there is much talk out there about the big, cooperate companies elbowing the little stores out of business. My husband and I own a small bicycle retail store in Utah. Believe me; I know what it’s like to compete with Wal-Mart down the road.
Well, of course I wouldn’t want to find myself without Barnes & Nobles and the likes, not even to mention the online book retailers, where most of my novel sells through, and I shop a lot myself. But I don’t want to oversee the smaller, independent stores to share business with. The friendly atmosphere and unique story each and every one of these small stores have to tell are inspiring to me.
Besides the great book signing experience in Laura’s store, I also came across a few Agatha Christy Mysteries printed back in the early 1970’s, I’m not so sure if I would have found them in a chain store.
So, regardless if you are a reader or a writer; I would like to encourage you to get out there, browse, and support the independent book stores! I’m glad I did and I will continue to do so.
This blog is for writers and readers alike. Especially if you enjoy browsing and shopping little, independent (book) stores.
Being in the middle of a little 'book signing tour' I combined with my husband's travel, I had a wonderful experience in an independent bookstore named Sleuth's Mystery Bookstore in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Until now, my focus has been on the big chain stores, the likes of Barnes & Nobles, Hastings and so on. I always thought that I couldn't go wrong visiting the 'big ones' promoting my book. But what makes a book signing truly memorable and unique is the special attention the independent bookstores put into a writer’s visit.
In my case it was Laura, the owner of Sleuth’s Mystery Books. She went WAY out of her way to make me feel welcome. There was advertising in several local newspaper's columns, she’d added a link to my website on hers, her store was beautifully decorated and several print outs talked about my novel 'Relocating Mia'. There was even a marquee announcing, in flashing red, my name and the date of the event.
One of Laura’s friends is a gourmet chef and she arrived with a huge bag of home made goodies to spoil my readers and me during the signing.The atmosphere was relaxed and more intimate as I knew from book signings at the bigger stores. The visitors mingled longer to enjoy the great food and fun conversations. I was asked much more into detail about my past and future work.
What can I say; the book signing at Sleuth's Mystery Books has been not just successful, but a very memorable one due to the owner’s kind efforts. I think I will concentrate future signings more into the direction of the independent book stores.
We all love browsing the little 'Mom and Pop' stores, don't we? And there is much talk out there about the big, cooperate companies elbowing the little stores out of business. My husband and I own a small bicycle retail store in Utah. Believe me; I know what it’s like to compete with Wal-Mart down the road.
Well, of course I wouldn’t want to find myself without Barnes & Nobles and the likes, not even to mention the online book retailers, where most of my novel sells through, and I shop a lot myself. But I don’t want to oversee the smaller, independent stores to share business with. The friendly atmosphere and unique story each and every one of these small stores have to tell are inspiring to me.
Besides the great book signing experience in Laura’s store, I also came across a few Agatha Christy Mysteries printed back in the early 1970’s, I’m not so sure if I would have found them in a chain store.
So, regardless if you are a reader or a writer; I would like to encourage you to get out there, browse, and support the independent book stores! I’m glad I did and I will continue to do so.
Best wishes and happy browsing!
Rebecca~
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Viva Las Vegas, Baby!
Hello friends,
we just found out... we're going back to the NFR !!!
My hubby Troy has been selected to work the NFR (National Finals Rodeo) in Las Vegas again, as the funny man - the man in the can - the barrelman!
This is very exciting, though the selection is done by the top 20 bull riders of the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association)
and Troy has been honored to work this prestigious event for the past two years. Thanks to all of the bull riders who put their trust in Troy and his bullfighting buddies, who put their lives on the line to keep the cowboys safe.
CONGRATULATIONS to:
Troy Lerwill ~ 2007 NFR Barrelman (picture right)
Darrel Diefenbach ~ 2007 NFR Bullfighter (picture middle)
Clay Collins ~ 2007 NFR Bullfighter
Cory Wall ~ 2007 NFR alternate Bullfighter (picture left)
Keith Isley ~ 2007 NFR alternate Barrelman
The NFR will be held from the 6th to the 15th of December at the Thomas and Mack Arena in Las Vegas.
Hope to see y'all there!
Hope to see y'all there!
For more info visit http://www.prorodeo.com/
Rebecca~
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Radio Interview
Hello friends,
just a quick note on what's going on this week:
I'm in Waco Texas with my hubby Troy. He is working the 'Heart o' Texas Fair and Rodeo' as the featured Rodeo entertainer and funny man.
As usual, I use our travels to set up book signings and other events.
We had a really nice signing last Saturday at the Barnes and Nobles on Waco Drive and this coming Saturday, October 13th I'll be visiting the Hastings Bookstore on Bosque Blvd. from 1:00p.m. - 4:00p.m. Hope to see y'all there.
Today, Wednesday the 10th, I'm very honored to be invited as a guest on Gloria Taylor Edward's radio book club 'Voices Of The Drum'. Tune in and listen live from 6:00p.m. - 6:30p.m. EST
visit http://www.wclmradio.com/pages/home.html and click on the 'listen live' button.
Enjoy!
Rebecca~
www.rebeccalerwill.com
just a quick note on what's going on this week:
I'm in Waco Texas with my hubby Troy. He is working the 'Heart o' Texas Fair and Rodeo' as the featured Rodeo entertainer and funny man.
As usual, I use our travels to set up book signings and other events.
We had a really nice signing last Saturday at the Barnes and Nobles on Waco Drive and this coming Saturday, October 13th I'll be visiting the Hastings Bookstore on Bosque Blvd. from 1:00p.m. - 4:00p.m. Hope to see y'all there.
Today, Wednesday the 10th, I'm very honored to be invited as a guest on Gloria Taylor Edward's radio book club 'Voices Of The Drum'. Tune in and listen live from 6:00p.m. - 6:30p.m. EST
visit http://www.wclmradio.com/pages/home.html and click on the 'listen live' button.
Enjoy!
Rebecca~
www.rebeccalerwill.com
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Interview With Romance Designs
Hello friends,
By accident I found an amazing website. It's called http://www.romancedesigns.com/
Anyone who likes to read (and write) romance and romantic suspense should check it out. A few weeks back I received word about an interview they had planned to do on me and today, it showed up on my doorstep.
If you would like to find out more about my writing, my thinking and my doings, you can click on the link below and it will get you there.
Enjoy!
Rebecca~
http://romancedesigns.com/interviews/INTRebeccaLerwill.cfm
By accident I found an amazing website. It's called http://www.romancedesigns.com/
Anyone who likes to read (and write) romance and romantic suspense should check it out. A few weeks back I received word about an interview they had planned to do on me and today, it showed up on my doorstep.
If you would like to find out more about my writing, my thinking and my doings, you can click on the link below and it will get you there.
Enjoy!
Rebecca~
http://romancedesigns.com/interviews/INTRebeccaLerwill.cfm
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