Beth Vrabel

My beautiful Mammaw turned 97 last week. I wish you could hear her laugh; it’s the brightest in the world. I didn’t have a chance to see her in person, but she told me it was a wonderful celebration, with homemade cupcakes, lots of family stopping by, new puppy snuggles, and beautiful flowers. She told me the whole congregation at church sang her a happy birthday.
Here is my favorite picture of her. She is dipping her feet in the water at Longwood Gardens sometime in the 1980s.
You can almost hear that laughter, can’t you?
IMAGE: A framed photo of a white woman with brown hair. She is grinning as her bare feet dangle over a pond.

Happy May! We’re one month closer to graduation! A cherished tradition at Canton High School is to present each senior with a large packet of letters—gathered from teachers, coaches, family, friends and mentors—during a graduation day breakfast.
When my daughter graduated, her packet included cards from the librarian who sang her nursery rhymes, her first-grade teacher, her martial arts coach, her great-grandmother, friends’ parents, aunts and cousins, and more. Each letter is a treasure and a reminder of how far the graduate has come and what they have accomplished!
Please spread the word about Letters for Seniors (aka “Maroon Envelopes”) for the CHS Class of 2025! Ask those in your child’s life to send a card or letter with well wishes (no valuables, please) to Canton High School, 76 Simonds Ave., Canton CT 06019, with the student’s name and Attn: Maroon Envelopes.
Letters are due by the end of May, but given the scope of this project, we’re grateful for your quick response!
IMAGE ONE: an illustration of three graduates surrounded by writing prompts, including “Remember when…” “I’ll never forget…” “I can’t wait to hear about…” “I always knew…” “Don’t forget how proud we are of you” and “You make a difference.”
IMAGE 2: a graphic of an envelope with STUDENT’S NAME, Attn: Maroon Envelope, Canton High School, 76 Simonds Ave, Canton Ct 06019, and a small handwritten note.