6 Friday, March 10, 2023brooklintowncrier.com In partnership with Whitby in Bloom March 22, 7:30 pm Brooklin United Church, 19 Cassels Rd., Brooklin Guest Speaker: Sean James Topic: 20 + Bullet Proof Plants Register online at: https://www.whitby.ca/en/ play/whitby-in-bloom.aspx Gardening can be challenging. We'll look at different situations and which plants thrive in them. (The original request was for 20 plants, but it couldn't be kept to only that number!) Folks think that certain circumstances are challenging. The truth is one needs to know the right plants. Brooklin-Whitby Garden Club Meeting My daughter and I recently attended Trafalgar Castle School's adaptation of Newsies Jr. as one of her best friends is in the cast. The kids put on a great show. The most notable part of it was seeing her gentle, somewhat shy friend transform on stage. Up there stood a confident, proud young lady who was having the time of her life. Early teens is a time when many kids find their confidence wavering. So many changes happening at once. Physical changes along with going to high school, peer pressure and hormones can really rattle a kid's grounding. So when you see one discover their passion and run with it, you know it's a good thing. As my daughter sat at a local restaurant enjoying a post-show dessert, she shared the same thoughts. "She was so good," she said. "She looked so happy when when she spoke. I'd love to be in a show sometime. It looks fun." " She worked really hard," I replied, "and it showed." "I know. I've hardly seen her since s c h o o l started because of her always rehearsing and me having sports, " she said, feeling a little disappointed. "It's been tough to get together." "Maybe you'll have more time now that her play is done." "I don't know, I have hockey playdowns, then tryouts. But in May we'll have more time." Her frustration showed. "It's like in the play…the headline on the paper." "What do you mean?" I asked. I had no idea where she was going with this. "Newsies Stop The World. The play stopped us from hanging out. But it's for a good reason. It's so she could be in the show." "I see what you mean. The newsies went on strike to make a change for children's rights. And the two of you kind of also took a break so she could do something amazing." I hoped I was putting her thoughts correctly. "Exactly!" she answered, beaming. She went silent for a minute as she pondered her thoughts. Then, "Totally worth it. So proud of her." That's another change I'm seeing in my daughter and her friends. The shift from everything revolving around them to celebrating each other's successes and caring for the concerns of their friends. So, while Newsies Jr. stopped them from hanging out for a few months, it actually sped up the momentum in their development in different ways. The show had a bigger impact than just the 90 minute production. It changed the lives of two young ladies. As for that cast and crew: Can't wait to see what you do next! Newsies Stop The World Brooklin Family Matters: by Leanne Brown