Philadelphia Flyers vs. Florida Panthers December 18, 2014

A special sidebar to all readers as 2014 draws to a close...My fellow media members serve as positive role models who always advance my hockey knowledge whenever I cover Philadelphia Flyers home games at the Wells Fargo Center. The media, as a whole, represent hard-working people, in both old, new and hybrid media forms. Their efforts help the public to better analyze one of the globe's greatest sports.

There are plenty of quality hockey resources available. Bill Meltzer's ever-great HockeyBuzz blog, David Strehle's always-insightful Twitter feed @DstrehleTFP and connected articles, and new colleague Charlie Flowe's WorldSportsShow.com are worth regular digital reads.

Iced Pregame Tidbits

Entering tonight's action the Florida Panthers front a 13-8-8 mark (34 points), while the Philadelphia Flyers have a record of 11-14-5 (27 points).

This is the last date of a four-game homestand for Philadelphia. Next, the Flyers are off to Toronto (Dec 20), Winnipeg (Dec 21), and Minnesota (Dec 23) before a short Christmas break. Philadelphia continues its eight-game road trip in Nashville (Dec 27), Phoenix (Dec 29) and Colorado (Dec 31), Carolina (Jan 2, 2015) and finally, in New Jersey (Jan 3). While this road trip won't seal the season. The available points to be gained could determine playoff viability in the very near future.

Steve Mason started in goal for the Flyers. His 6-10-4 record is reflective of the Flyers' team issues this season, as his .918 save percentage and 2.58 GAA are both better than his counterparts were entering the game.

Roberto Luongo started in net for the Panthers. He had a 11-6-6, .908 save percentage and a 2.70 GAA.

First Period

9:47: Scottie Upshall (4). Assists – Tomas Kopecky and Dylan Olsen.

Shots: 12-8 Panthers.

Flyers looked sluggish. 

Lecavalier back in action. Little to report in this first frame.

Second Period

4:07 Jacob Voracek (12). Assists – Nicklas Grossmann and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare.

Number 93 continues to open eyes around the League this season. His off-season focus and career maturity are evident on nearly each shift. He also recently became only the sixth Flyer in team history to record 10 multi-point games over the first 19 games of the season, joining Peter Forsberg, Brian Propp, Tim Kerr, Mark Recchi and Bob Clarke.

Total shots: 23-17 Panthers.

Third Period

No goals.

Back-and-forth action. Flyers had some scoring chances, but were unable to push the puck past Luongo to secure the extra point. 

Total shots: 30-22 Panthers.

Overtime

Total shots: 32-26 Panthers.

Flyers had sustained pressure. Luongo made a few key saves, including a sharp glove save with less than a minute to go in the game. However, it was on to the...

Shootout

Panthers scored first (Brandon Pirri).

Lecavalier missed.

Panthers missed.

Giroux missed.

Panthers missed.

Voracek scored.

Panthers missed.

Read missed.

Panthers missed.

B. Schenn missed.

Panthers scored (Dave Bolland).

Couturier missed.

Panthers win 2-1.

Final thoughts

The Flyers continuing inability to finish during the shootout is costing them valuable points. It seems challenging to believe that Craig Berube's team will suddenly become more than what it is at this moment in time.

General manager Ron Hextall has limited options as he moves through his first season. Some players may be dealt by trade deadline day. But, the long-term strategy story number 27 told when he was hired surely means that a few-season rebuild is underway.

The Flyers travel to face the Maple Leafs at 7pm on Saturday night. At 19-10-3, that Canadian team will provide another point of measure for an organization that continues to develop its future plans. 

Insight Overtime

Here's a past post about some past transactions in history...

5 Stunning Philadelphia Flyers' Trades

The Philadelphia Flyers have made many trades in franchise history. Here are ten of their most surprising. Some of these deals are only known by the hardest of hardcore fans. Others, are enlightening because of the historic names that are about to be mentioned.

This list has been prepared in chronological order, verses that of chosen importance.

#5: Rick MacLeish “traded” to the Boston Bruins - October 18, 1967

Yes, this trade took place in the 1960s, but MacLeish didn't officially become a member of the Bruins until 1970.

The Flyers obtained Rosaire Paiment from the Boston Bruins for their number one pick in the 1970 National Hockey League amateur draft. That number one pick was used to select MacLeish with the fourth pick.

#4: Barry Ashbee obtained for two no-names – May 22, 1970

A vital part of the Flyers' first Stanley Cup team, Ashbee suffered a career-ending eye injury in April 1974. He was originally acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Darryl Edestrand and Larry McKillop in the spring of 1970.

#3: Bernie Parent traded to Toronto Maple Leafs – January 31, 1971

Parent told me directly, during my one-on-one interview with him at his business office in the fall of 2010, that being traded from the Flyers to the Maple Leafs helped his career. While in Toronto he asked Hall of Fame goaltender Jacques Plante, who was the Maple Leafs' starting netminder at the time, to teach him how to play goal.

Plante's lessons helped Parent to turn his career around and helped him to set the bar for excellence upon his return to the Flyers in May 1973.

#2: Reggie Leach obtained from the California Golden Seals five days after the first Cup was won – May 24, 1974

It's not just that the Golden Seals dealt Leach after he had scored 51 goals for them in slightly over two seasons of play. But, they traded him to the Flyers for Larry Wright, Al MacAdam and the Flyers 1974 first-round draft pick. That draft pick was held by the team that had just won the Stanley Cup five days earlier.

Wright, who was a free agent, re-signed with the Flyers in September. MacAdam had only played five games for the Flyers until that point, but did later score 240 goals in his NHL career. The first round draft pick was used to select Ron Chipperfield, who jumped to the World Hockey Association and never played for the Seals.

#1: Fred Shero traded to New York Rangers – June 2, 1978

The Flyers received a first-round draft pick, as agreed upon compensation, in return for Shero being allowed to accept a job as the Rangers' head coach. The Flyers selected Ken Linseman with the seventh pick in the 1978 NHL amateur draft.

(My feature, which I hold all rights to, originally appeared on Yahoo Sports-YCN.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let's connect on Twitter @SeanyOB, through Facebook, or on LinkedIn. Visit my Examiner Contributor Page.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

My illustrated children's book: Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile officially became a Top 10 Amazon best-seller as of January 29, 2014. The print and ebook editions were initially released in August, 2014.

Children's Alopecia Project

50% of all proceeds from the sale of our book (in both print and ebook forms) are being donated to the Children's Alopecia Project (CAP).

What a ride

This incredible and unexpected ride began in the spring of 2011. By August 2013, the book was published by the Children's Alopecia Project in print form. We have been very pleased with sales of that edition. Use, or share, this link --->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to purchase the printed book directly from CAP.

I published a special ebook edition within weeks of the print book release. After starting in the tens of thousands (in terms of Amazon's children's book rankings), Maddie broke into the Top 50 just prior to Christmas. It climbed through the 30s and settled in the upper 20s before breaking into the Top 10.  

Use, or share, this link --->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to see a 'free-view' of the special ebook edition. I've included extra bonus features in this version that provide background information, extra photos, and illustrations. Each item helps to tell the complete story of this book's birth. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here's a link to this great (print and online) article that the Reading Eagle recently published about our story Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile: Book chronicles Wyomissing teen's journey since being diagnosed with alopecia

Thank you to Stacey Stauffer (Fox 29 Philadelphia). She interviewed Madison Woytovich, her parents (Jeff and Betsy Woytovich) and me about the latest chapter in this inspiring story. Here's a video link to Stacey's wonderful feature. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amazon.com is the number 1 online publishing platform in the world. That's why I used it to publish my first ebook: Fast Fiction and Other Stuff.

This mini-tome is a collection of stories and poems for readers who don't take themselves too seriously. I hope that you enjoy it and am always interested in your feedback. 

Philadelphia Flyers vs. New York Rangers - Black Friday 2014

 

(Pre-game at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

Nov 28, 2014

New York Rangers at Philadelphia Flyers

Rangers 9-8-4

Flyers 8-10-3

Home-and-home – Tomorrow in New York. Then, February 28, in Philadelphia.

Steve Mason – Coming off a recent good stretch. Somewhat inconsistent, though defensive pairings and injury issues need to be considered. 4-7-2, 2.73 GAA, .918 save percentage.

Cam Talbot starts in net for the Rangers. Five game played so far this season. 1-2-1, .908 save percentage, 2.70 GAA.

Flyers hosting eighth consecutive “Black Friday” game. 3-1-3 during that time. Have played a day after Thanksgiving game every season since 1997. 13 at home and 2 on the road. 8-3-3 during that time.

Claude Giroux entered the game leading the NHL in faceoffs taken (558) and faceoffs won (314).

Flyers are 5-0-1 when scoring first, 3-10-2 when allowing the first goal.

Philadelphia has sold out 161 consecutive home games, including every game plus playoffs over the past three seasons. (Streak began November 18, 2010 vs. Tampa Bay.)

First Period

Goal Dan Boyle (Derek Stepan, Martin St. Louis) 6:10 on power play.

Some back-and-forth penalties through the period. Minimal scoring chances. Shots 10-8 Rangers.

Little action to comment on, to say the least.

Second Period

Martin St. Louis scored at 4:14. (Assists Stepan and Chris Kreider).

Shots 21-15 Rangers.

See the end note for the first period, as the same thought applied by the end of this frame.

Third Period

A four-minute high sticking penalty (Kreider against Couturier) at 4:33 into the period gave Craig Berube's team a chance to get back into the game. But, a short-handed goal by Rick Nash (Stepan and Ryan McDonagh) at 5:30 dashed those hopes. Philadelphia scored no goals on either end of the underpowered play.

A middling effort that further confirmed that this year's hockey team, based in the storied region of Philly, is no contender. While there's plenty of hockey left to play this season. Making a playoff push looks to be very challenging.

As general manager Ron Hextall continues to reshape this iconic NHL team time remains on his side. With that and the development of franchise patience there should be little doubt that he can make this team into a legitimate playoff contender. This is year one of the Hextall era. As of now, it appears that this season is clearly one of transition.

After he recently called out the entire team, it seems that a trade (or trades) could be on the way. 

Here's a recent post about some past transactions in history...

5 Stunning Philadelphia Flyers' Trades

The Philadelphia Flyers have made many trades in franchise history. Here are ten of their most surprising. Some of these deals are only known by the hardest of hardcore fans. Others, are enlightening because of the historic names that are about to be mentioned.

This list has been prepared in chronological order, verses that of chosen importance.

#5: Rick MacLeish “traded” to the Boston Bruins - October 18, 1967

Yes, this trade took place in the 1960s, but MacLeish didn't officially become a member of the Bruins until 1970.

The Flyers obtained Rosaire Paiment from the Boston Bruins for their number one pick in the 1970 National Hockey League amateur draft. That number one pick was used to select MacLeish with the fourth pick.

#4: Barry Ashbee obtained for two no-names – May 22, 1970

A vital part of the Flyers' first Stanley Cup team, Ashbee suffered a career-ending eye injury in April 1974. He was originally acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Darryl Edestrand and Larry McKillop in the spring of 1970.

#3: Bernie Parent traded to Toronto Maple Leafs – January 31, 1971

Parent told me directly, during my one-on-one interview with him at his business office in the fall of 2010, that being traded from the Flyers to the Maple Leafs helped his career. While in Toronto he asked Hall of Fame goaltender Jacques Plante, who was the Maple Leafs' starting netminder at the time, to teach him how to play goal.

Plante's lessons helped Parent to turn his career around and helped him to set the bar for excellence upon his return to the Flyers in May 1973.

#2: Reggie Leach obtained from the California Golden Seals five days after the first Cup was won – May 24, 1974

It's not just that the Golden Seals dealt Leach after he had scored 51 goals for them in slightly over two seasons of play. But, they traded him to the Flyers for Larry Wright, Al MacAdam and the Flyers 1974 first-round draft pick. That draft pick was held by the team that had just won the Stanley Cup five days earlier.

Wright, who was a free agent, re-signed with the Flyers in September. MacAdam had only played five games for the Flyers until that point, but did later score 240 goals in his NHL career. The first round draft pick was used to select Ron Chipperfield, who jumped to the World Hockey Association and never played for the Seals.

#1: Fred Shero traded to New York Rangers – June 2, 1978

The Flyers received a first-round draft pick, as agreed upon compensation, in return for Shero being allowed to accept a job as the Rangers' head coach. The Flyers selected Ken Linseman with the seventh pick in the 1978 NHL amateur draft.

(My feature, which I hold all rights to, originally appeared on Yahoo Sports-YCN.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let's connect on Twitter @SeanyOB, through Facebook, or on LinkedIn. Visit my Examiner Contributor Page.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

My illustrated children's book: Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile officially became a Top 10 Amazon best-seller as of January 29, 2014. The print and ebook editions were initially released in August, 2014.

Children's Alopecia Project

50% of all proceeds from the sale of our book (in both print and ebook forms) are being donated to the Children's Alopecia Project (CAP).

What a ride

This incredible and unexpected ride began in the spring of 2011. By August 2013, the book was published by the Children's Alopecia Project in print form. We have been very pleased with sales of that edition. Use, or share, this link --->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to purchase the printed book directly from CAP.

I published a special ebook edition within weeks of the print book release. After starting in the tens of thousands (in terms of Amazon's children's book rankings), Maddie broke into the Top 50 just prior to Christmas. It climbed through the 30s and settled in the upper 20s before breaking into the Top 10.  

Use, or share, this link --->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to see a 'free-view' of the special ebook edition. I've included extra bonus features in this version that provide background information, extra photos, and illustrations. Each item helps to tell the complete story of this book's birth. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here's a link to this great (print and online) article that the Reading Eagle recently published about our story Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile: Book chronicles Wyomissing teen's journey since being diagnosed with alopecia

Thank you to Stacey Stauffer (Fox 29 Philadelphia). She interviewed Madison Woytovich, her parents (Jeff and Betsy Woytovich) and me about the latest chapter in this inspiring story. Here's a video link to Stacey's wonderful feature. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amazon.com is the number 1 online publishing platform in the world. That's why I used it to publish my first ebook: Fast Fiction and Other Stuff.

This mini-tome is a collection of stories and poems for readers who don't take themselves too seriously. I hope that you enjoy it and am always interested in your feedback. 

5 Stunning Old School Philadelphia Flyers' Trades

5 Stunning Old School Philadelphia Flyers' Trades

                                                                             (Photo courtesy of Wikipedia-centpaccr)

The Philadelphia Flyers have made many trades in franchise history. Here are ten of their most surprising. Some of these deals are only known by the hardest of hardcore fans. Others, are enlightening because of the historic names that are about to be mentioned.

This list has been prepared in chronological order, verses that of chosen importance.

#5: Rick MacLeish “traded” to the Boston Bruins - October 18, 1967

Yes, this trade took place in the 1960s, but MacLeish didn't officially become a member of the Bruins until 1970.

The Flyers obtained Rosaire Paiment from the Boston Bruins for their number one pick in the 1970 National Hockey League amateur draft. That number one pick was used to select MacLeish with the fourth pick.

#4: Barry Ashbee obtained for two no-names – May 22, 1970

A vital part of the Flyers' first Stanley Cup team, Ashbee suffered a career-ending eye injury in April 1974. He was originally acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Darryl Edestrand and Larry McKillop in the spring of 1970.

#3: Bernie Parent traded to Toronto Maple Leafs – January 31, 1971

Parent told me directly, during my one-on-one interview with him at his business office in the fall of 2010, that being traded from the Flyers to the Maple Leafs helped his career. While in Toronto he asked Hall of Fame goaltender Jacques Plante, who was the Maple Leafs' starting netminder at the time, to teach him how to play goal.

Plante's lessons helped Parent to turn his career around and helped him to set the bar for excellence upon his return to the Flyers in May 1973.

#2: Reggie Leach obtained from the California Golden Seals five days after the first Cup was won – May 24, 1974

It's not just that the Golden Seals dealt Leach after he had scored 51 goals for them in slightly over two seasons of play. But, they traded him to the Flyers for Larry Wright, Al MacAdam and the Flyers 1974 first-round draft pick. That draft pick was held by the team that had just won the Stanley Cup five days earlier.

Wright, who was a free agent, re-signed with the Flyers in September. MacAdam had only played five games for the Flyers until that point, but did later score 240 goals in his NHL career. The first round draft pick was used to select Ron Chipperfield, who jumped to the World Hockey Association and never played for the Seals.

#1: Fred Shero traded to New York Rangers – June 2, 1978

The Flyers received a first-round draft pick, as agreed upon compensation, in return for Shero being allowed to accept a job as the Rangers' head coach. The Flyers selected Ken Linseman with the seventh pick in the 1978 NHL amateur draft.

(My feature, which I hold all rights to, originally appeared on Yahoo Sports-YCN.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let's connect on Twitter @SeanyOB, through Facebook, or on LinkedIn. Visit my Examiner Contributor Page.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

My illustrated children's book: Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile officially became a Top 10 Amazon best-seller as of January 29, 2014. The print and ebook editions were initially released in August, 2014.

Children's Alopecia Project

50% of all proceeds from the sale of our book (in both print and ebook forms) are being donated to the Children's Alopecia Project (CAP).

What a ride

This incredible and unexpected ride began in the spring of 2011. By August 2013, the book was published by the Children's Alopecia Project in print form. We have been very pleased with sales of that edition. Use, or share, this link --->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to purchase the printed book directly from CAP.

I published a special ebook edition within weeks of the print book release. After starting in the tens of thousands (in terms of Amazon's children's book rankings), Maddie broke into the Top 50 just prior to Christmas. It climbed through the 30s and settled in the upper 20s before breaking into the Top 10.  

Use, or share, this link --->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to see a 'free-view' of the special ebook edition. I've included extra bonus features in this version that provide background information, extra photos, and illustrations. Each item helps to tell the complete story of this book's birth. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here's a link to this great (print and online) article that the Reading Eagle recently published about our story Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile: Book chronicles Wyomissing teen's journey since being diagnosed with alopecia

Thank you to Stacey Stauffer (Fox 29 Philadelphia). She interviewed Madison Woytovich, her parents (Jeff and Betsy Woytovich) and me about the latest chapter in this inspiring story. Here's a video link to Stacey's wonderful feature. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amazon.com is the number 1 online publishing platform in the world. That's why I used it to publish my first ebook: Fast Fiction and Other Stuff.

This mini-tome is a collection of stories and poems for readers who don't take themselves too seriously. I hope that you enjoy it and am always interested in your feedback. 

Baseball, summer, cars, family, and social media friends

I wrote two of my favorite online articles about timeless moments and the meaningful memories that were developed through those experiences. Kind social media responses during the past three years have helped these two stories to grow exponentially.

Loyal 'Insight' readers, or newcomers to this digital space, will understand the importance of each piece as the words in each feature flow...

Could One Baseball Shatter the Summer?

One summer, in the early 1980s, my family and I traveled to the shore. The home my Mom, two Aunts, cousin Chris and I rented annually was two blocks from the ocean in New Jersey.

The alley

Generally, Chris and I would spend some idle time playing catch in an alley that was cemented between our house and another.

There was a window located a number of feet above where Chris crouched to assume the role of Philadelphia Phillies catcher Bob Boone. I was, of course, the right-handed Steve Carlton.

My fastball was good for a boy my size, but it did occasionally get away from me. Like Lefty, I should have used my slider more.

That historic day one of my heaters left my hand and sailed far above my cousin's mitt. He never had a chance to catch it.

Shiny evidence

The ball missed the wood and crashed right through that window. It made such a loud noise that people from a number of surrounding homes came out to see what had happened.

With gloves in hand and shiny evidence on the ground, there was no wiggle room for creative explanation.

My Mom came out and quickly eased the tension by simply saying that the glass could easily be repaired. The next day it was and only cost a few weeks of our combined allowances.

Positive example 

Her example often taught me how to respond to life's unexpected situations and to other people's overreactions.

Vacations often create good memories. Because of my Mom's personality, the image and sound of that window breaking actually became one of ours.

My First Car was an All-time Classic

My dad and I bought a car for $75 on a bitterly cold December day in 1985. The 4-door, hard top, is still the best investment that we ever made.

A few years later, we transplanted the engine of our 1966 Plymouth Valiant into the body of the 1966 Dodge Dart that we had purchased. That action set me up with a reliable, very inexpensive, set of wheels for many years to come.

I drove the Dart to high school, on dates and took it with me to my first job out of college when I worked for the Philadelphia Phillies minor league team in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Engine

This dandy of a car had a Slant Six, 101 horsepower, engine. It ran for 253,000 smooth miles between 1966 and 2001, averaging approximately 16 miles per gallon.

Despite having rear-wheel drive, this warrior would make it through snow storms due to its weight and sheer inner determination.

In its later years it also started to burn some oil, but always kept chugging along.

Air conditioning and AM radio

The car came standard with the four-fifty-five air-conditioning that many vehicles of that era had. When you were on highway and were going fifty-five miles an hour with the windows down, the outside air cooled the inside of the car excellently.

It had an AM, push-button, radio that worked for many years. One day, some neighborhood kids were playing by the car and broke the antenna off. No problem, my Dad and I just ran the wire inside the vehicle and attached the antenna to the top of the dash. It continued to play like a charm.

Upgrades

The front and back seats were both in bench style. They wore out over time and we had them reupholstered.

We had shoulder belts installed, as only lap belts were included during the era when that car was assembled.

Some parts, like the radiator and master cylinder lasted for decades. But, eventually they had to be replaced.

Local junkyards served as good sources of inexpensive parts that lasted for the life of the car after they were installed.

Repaint

One night I backed into a short, dark brown metal pole that was in a restaurant's parking lot. The minor bump slightly dented my rear fender. That incident spurred a re-paint process which transformed the Dart from a period color of blue to a classic white.

My dad's thought process was exactly on the mark, as that shade was always cool to the touch during every hot summer. The change, along with the installation of a tinted front windshield, noticeably reduced the inside temperature of the car.

To the end

The Dart's basic components remained fine throughout it's life. Eventually, body rust caused the suspension weaken.

The cost of repairing the suspension spelled the end of this beloved vehicle. So, the car was retired in May, 2001.

Having come off the assembly line in the fall of 1965, our old friend lived for nearly thirty-six solid years.

Logic verses emotion

This car served as modest transportation for a younger person like myself. Inexpensive possessions of any type are generally ideal for people of any means.

My 1966 Dodge Dart was obviously no show piece and it wasn't meant to be. I found that people who shared a grounded view of the world responded favorably to it. Those who were shallow often exhibited opposite reactions.

People's comments about your car, or about any possession that you own, are always reflective of their inner egos.

I loved the Dart because of its connection to my dad. It represented one element of our always good relationship. That 1966 Dodge Dart was real, just like us.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let's connect on Twitter @SeanyOB, through Facebook, or on LinkedIn. Visit my Examiner Contributor Page.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

My illustrated children's book: Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile officially became a Top 10 Amazon best-seller as of January 29, 2014. The print and ebook editions were initially released in August, 2014.

Children's Alopecia Project

50% of all proceeds from the sale of our book (in both print and ebook forms) are being donated to the Children's Alopecia Project (CAP).

What a ride

This incredible and unexpected ride began in the spring of 2011. By August 2013, the book was published by the Children's Alopecia Project in print form. We have been very pleased with sales of that edition. Use, or share, this link --->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to purchase the printed book directly from CAP.

I published a special ebook edition within weeks of the print book release. After starting in the tens of thousands (in terms of Amazon's children's book rankings), Maddie broke into the Top 50 just prior to Christmas. It climbed through the 30s and settled in the upper 20s before breaking into the Top 10.  

Use, or share, this link --->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to see a 'free-view' of the special ebook edition. I've included extra bonus features in this version that provide background information, extra photos, and illustrations. Each item helps to tell the complete story of this book's birth. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here's a link to this great (print and online) article that the Reading Eagle recently published about our story Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile: Book chronicles Wyomissing teen's journey since being diagnosed with alopecia

Thank you to Stacey Stauffer (Fox 29 Philadelphia). She interviewed Madison Woytovich, her parents (Jeff and Betsy Woytovich) and me about the latest chapter in this inspiring story. Here's a video link to Stacey's wonderful feature. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amazon.com is the number 1 online publishing platform in the world. That's why I used it to publish my first ebook: Fast Fiction and Other Stuff.

This mini-tome is a collection of stories and poems for readers who don't take themselves too seriously. I hope that you enjoy it and am always interested in your feedback.