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Weekend Events April 20-22
Another work week has come to an end. This weekend is Earth Day, and there are tons of different ways to mark...
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Come One, Come All: Lake Shore VFC Carnival Returns This April
The Lake Shore Volunteer Fire Company’s annual carnival is a local tradition, but it wasn’t...
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Weekend Events April 20-22
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Chesapeake Girls Win Showdown With Northeast, 17-10
The Chesapeake girls lacrosse team earned 2018 bragging rights and continued its early-season hot streak with...
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Chesapeake Boys Drop Hammer On Northeast, 17-4
There was no stopping the Chesapeake boys lacrosse team on April 6 as the Cougars controlled play from start...
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Chesapeake Girls Win Showdown With Northeast, 17-10
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PBA Update
I can’t believe it is April already. It is hard to fathom, but spring is around the corner. I know we...
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Pasadena Resident Opens Third 7-Eleven
Those driving down Ritchie Highway in Arnold will notice a new haven for taquitos and Big Gulps. That...
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PBA Update
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George Fox Teacher Nominated For Educational Excellence Award
Elizabeth Davidson didn’t always want to be a teacher. In her freshman year at the University of...
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Evolve A Cappella Group Performs With Deke Sharon In NYC
At just 50 years of age, Deke Sharon is often referred to as “the father of contemporary a cappella....
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George Fox Teacher Nominated For Educational Excellence Award
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Inaugural Best Of Maryland Arts Education Festival Will Celebrate Maryland Arts Education On April 20
Maryland’s first-ever Best of Maryland Arts Education Festival is set to take place on Friday, April 20...
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Local Actress Comes Full Circle, Teaches Alongside Former Theater Instructor
A familiar face appeared at Lake Shore Elementary’s arts and humanities classes from April 3 to April 9...
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Inaugural Best Of Maryland Arts Education Festival Will Celebrate Maryland Arts Education On April 20
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Legislation Affecting Immigrants
You would think, especially in an election year, that the primary focus of our Annapolis representatives...
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AAGOP Central Committee Announces Vacancies In District 31
The Republican State Central Committee of Anne Arundel County today announced two committee member vacancies...
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Legislation Affecting Immigrants
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Prevent Dental Disease
Today’s dental mission should not be just reacting to and treating problems; instead, the priority...
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UM BWMC May Calendar
Tuesday, May 2 10:00am-11:30am: Yoga for Stroke Patients – A 10-week class for stroke survivors (...
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Prevent Dental Disease
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Get Tickets Now For Third Annual Bull And Shrimp Roast To Benefit The Lance And Ryan Fund
The Third Annual Bull and Shrimp Roast to benefit the Lance And Ryan Fund LLC will be held on Saturday, March...
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Bucs Lacrosse Registration Is Open For Spring 2018
Registration is open for Bucs lacrosse for the spring 2018 season. Register at http://www.bucs-ac.org/....
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Get Tickets Now For Third Annual Bull And Shrimp Roast To Benefit The Lance And Ryan Fund
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Sandy Reckert-Reusing said her book is for children or anyone who is struggling in life. “This happens in our lives too. We will be given wings to fly,” she said.
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In Sandy Reckert-Reusing’s story, “How Grace Became Amazing,” a chubby caterpillar forms a chrysalis and transforms into a beautiful butterfly.
Garden Caterpillar Inspires Local Author’s Debut Children’s Book
Pasadena resident Sandy Reckert-Reusing has been a professional writer for decades. A graduate of Old Mill High School, Anne Arundel Community College and the University of Baltimore, she leads a communications team at a Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. During her free time, Reckert-Reusing recently added to her writing resume with the creation of “How Grace Became Amazing,” a newly released children’s book.
“How Grace Became Amazing” is the story of a chubby caterpillar, Grace, who forms a chrysalis and transforms into a beautiful butterfly. A real caterpillar in Reckert-Reusing’s sister’s backyard inspired the book.
Jeanie Reckert shared with her sister photos taken in her Pasadena backyard as the caterpillar advanced toward its wondrous metamorphosis. It started with an army of tiny caterpillars on a milkweed plant. One of them, whom the sisters named Grace, traveled across the yard to the back of a fabric chair, where she created her chrysalis — “a blanket-type wrap” as the book describes the hardened shell.
The photos of a creature going through its metamorphosis inspired Reckert-Reusing. “I have a pretty strong faith,” she said. “I am amazed every day. God uses the simplest things in everyday life to show us his grace.”
Grace remained in the chrysalis for 10 days; the shell’s color changed, and Jeanie captured the advance of the tiny creature with her camera. “She shared this transformation with me every day,” Reckert-Reusing said. “This happens all the time and we never think about it.” Eventually, a monarch butterfly emerged, drying its wings before taking flight. “It was a labor of love for this caterpillar,” the author noted.
Through her work in communications, Reckert-Reusing knew a designer who could help make a book, using the photos to tell the caterpillar’s story. Illustrator Cynthia Ramirez Herrick used Photoshop to convert the original photos into full-page, soft-colored images.
The process of writing, designing and publishing the rhyming book took four to six months. Reckert-Reusing found a Christian publishing house, Mill City Press, to produce the hardback book. “It’s been a lot of fun and very gratifying,” she said of the experience.
“The book is great for graduates or people who are struggling,” Reckert-Reusing said. The inspiring story of transformation is meaningful to children and adults alike. “This happens in our lives too. We will be given wings to fly,” she added. “When I see how much children love it and connect with it, that’s really rewarding.”
Reckert-Reusing has appeared at Chick-fil-A family nights in Annapolis to read “How Grace Became Amazing.” She is also making arrangements to read the story at Anne Arundel County Public Library events. The book will be featured in a Christian retail show in June and also at BookExpo America, a book industry show in New York City. Work on a second book about the caterpillar-turned-butterfly is underway.
“I’ve shared my faith in a way that I may not be able to share otherwise,” Reckert-Reusing said. “It’s been wonderful to have support from family and friends and strangers. People have been so supportive. They relate to the message.”
“How Grace Became Amazing” is available on Amazon and at the Barnes and Noble website. Check out the “Sandy Reckert-Reusing” Facebook fan page. At her blog (www.meaningfulmoments.blog), she also shares thoughts on the simple beauty of life.

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