THE SECRET OF BERRY HOUSE  by M P MUELLER

Imagine being five years old and suddenly your mother disappears one evening after supper. She simply goes upstairs to check on a strange noise in the house, and doesn’t come back. If that isn’t frightening enough for the next five years of your young life, you are left in the care of a wicked old housekeeper, Mrs. Boil and her nasty trouble-making cat. During this time, your once-loving father slips into depression and moves from your house into his office above the carriage house to lose himself in his work. One day you too disappear as you are pulled by a strange force through a crack that abruptly appears. This is where your true adventure begins!

AMERICAN DREAMS  by Mateo Lobos

God gave me the blessing of reaching my American dream. I had always thought about writing, but I didn’t think I could do it. I feared criticism, but then I felt God say, “Don’t be afraid,” so I started writing. May we also continue to have a country that inspires huge dreams, great ideas, and great music. A country that still can say “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” (Emma Lazarus). I still want this country to be around for my grandchildren’s grandchildren, so let’s keep the American dream alive! Hoorah, semper fidelis!