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z___Christmas story

Molly makes a friend from Peppermint Valley

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children. Molly jumped high, and looked from him to the woods in front of her and back to him again. How did he circle around her without her noticing? She needed to be paying more attention and daydreaming less. “I just…I saw you walking. I’m from Gingerbread Island,” she added quickly. “Obviously,” he answered with an eyeroll. “You smell like someone knocked over a spice rack. But why are you following ...

Molly takes a chance to leave Gingerbread Island

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children. “It’s settled then,” Mayor Gingerman said. “We will move forward with Operation Ginger Quest! Numbers may have dipped last year, but we will not let that happen again! We will prevail and return to the top and show those Chocolate menaces we’re the best! For the next week, you may submit your ideas to the ballot box in Town Hall. This Christmas, the humans of the world will be filled with joy over the ...

Molly dreams about leaving Gingerbread Island

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children. Far, far away on Gingerbread Island, where all the Christmas gingerbread in the world was made, the Gingerpeople were hard at work. With Christmas drawing near, gingerbread goodies were constantly being shipped across the world so people everywhere could enjoy delicious treats during the holiday season. Gingerbread Island wasn’t the only place working day and night. Peppermint Valley, Chocolate Forest, Gumdrop Cove, ...

New York’s golden boy Mamdani is all wet: Socialism does not work

I live in New York City. “Proud Democratic Socialist” Zohran Mamdani is likely to be my next mayor. I’m not happy about it. But I am outnumbered. Mamdani is popular. He won more primary votes than any other candidate in the city’s history. Minneapolis may also elect a socialist mayor. Why?! How deluded can voters be? In my new video, I explain why their socialist ideas are destructive. Mamdani mocks those of us who fear socialism. He says socialism just means that the state “provides whatever is necessary for its people to live a dignified life.” Sounds ...

The magic of Merrywood lives on and on

Just as they’d planned, Gabby and her family took the drive to Merrywood Falls on Christmas morning to visit their friends there. But as they stood at the very spot where they parked their car last year on Main Street, they were left speechless. There was no town. No people. No Emily Frost to greet them, no Christmas tree, no quaint shops. Nothing but open land and trees stood before them. “How can this be?” Mom asked. “There’s not even a road anymore.” “Emily did say that if we didn’t need them we wouldn’t find them,” Dad mused. Mom blew out a deep breath. ...

Time to race

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the ninth chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children. “You want us to do what now?” Dad asked as a tall, lanky man dressed in red pants and a green Grinch sweater explained the Christmas relay race. They were standing on top of a snow-covered hill just outside the forest where a row of spruce trees were planted, along with three other teams of four people. Each team wore matching Christmas sweaters. The Murphy’s were blue, featuring a cat wrapped in strings of ...