Celebrate #SpecialEducationDay Today— and Everyday

Posted on December 2, 2019 by alisonpaulklak

Today is National Special Education Day! This day is near and dear to my heart after spending over a decade of my life supporting individuals (children and adults) with disabilities.

I was honored to compose an article on its importance for Partnership for Children of Cumberland County.

Read my article below on the importance of celebrating National Special Education Day!

https://ccpfc.org/news/2019/11/celebrate-national-specialeducationday-dec-2-2019/

– Alison Paul Klakowicz

Host and Creator of Hodge Podge Podcast and Blog

Author of the Award-Winning Children’s Picture Book Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck

https://www.amazon.com/Mommys-Big-Red-Monster-Truck/dp/1525530178

http://www.alisonpaulklakowicz.com

Alison Paul Klakowicz is an Eastern North Carolina native, children’s book author, blogger, podcaster and creative writer. She is a military spouse who resides in Fayetteville, NC with her husband, Adam, and son, Mak.

Katlin McFadden- Marketing Virtuoso, Women’s Business Coach, Brilliant Artist

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Posted on November 18, 2019 by alisonpaulklak

Fayetteville, NC-

Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Katlin McFadden, Business Coach with the Women’s Business Center with NC CEED in downtown Fayetteville, North Carolina.

https://instagram.com/nc_ceed?igshid=1lj1mzkr0j50c

Katlin is a Social Media Marketing Expert, and talented Visual Artist.

She is the owner of Katlin McFadden Studio where she is the creator and curator of her beautiful and emotion provoking artistry.

https://instagram.com/mcfaddenstudio?igshid=9kz2lkpvb0xq

Katlin brings her experience as an #entrepreneur, successful #blogger, and #artist to help #women strive toward their entrepreneurial dreams.

https://instagram.com/wbcfaync?igshid=6u2aaqubw7vt

Listen 👂 to our interview here 👇:

https://anchor.fm/jalisonpaulyahoocom/episodes/Katlin-McFadden–Business-Coach-CEED–Social-Media-Marketing-Expert–Talented-Artist-e8ss0k

Katlin McFadden, NC CEED Women’s Business Center Business Coach

– Alison Paul Klakowicz

Host and Creator of Hodge Podge Podcast and Blog

Author of the Award-Winning Children’s Picture Book Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck

https://www.amazon.com/Mommys-Big-Red-Monster-Truck/dp/1525530178

http://www.alisonpaulklakowicz.com

Tiffany Haywood: MilSpouse 🇺🇸, Mother, Award-Winning Blogger, Writer, Radio/TV/YouTube Personality, Business Consultant

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Posted on November 11, 2019 by alisonpaulklak

Fayetteville, NC-

I was honored to speak with Tiffany Haywood— a military spouse 🇺🇸, mom to six children, award-winning blogger (The Mrs. Tee Blog https://themrstee.com/), radio host (What’s Going On Fayetteville), YouTuber (https://www.youtube.com/user/TeeLoveLifeLaughter/), technology and social media guru, and business consultant http://tiffanyhaywood.com/.

Tiffany is a wealth of knowledge and talents. I’m not sure how she does it all, but she does it well.

When asked how she keeps her focus, without hesitation she said, “prayer 🙏🏻 and coffee ☕️!”

Me too, lady.

Me too!

Enjoy our podcast interview here👇👂:

https://anchor.fm/jalisonpaulyahoocom/episodes/Tiffany-Haywood–Award-Winning-Blogger–RadioTV-Personality–Tech-Guru–Business-Consultant-e8t20h

– Alison Paul Klakowicz

Host and Creator of Hodge Podge Podcast and Blog

Author of the Award-Winning Children’s Picture Book Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck

https://www.amazon.com/Mommys-Big-Red-Monster-Truck/dp/1525530178

http://www.alisonpaulklakowicz.com

Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck Celebrates First Birthday 🎂

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Posted on November 9, 2019 by alisonpaulklak

November, 9, 2019-

One year ago today, Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck hit the presses!

What was a little dream, became a huge accomplishment.

Over the past year, there have been many firsts… holding my published children’s book in my hands for the first time, attending my first bookstore author events, first library events, visiting elementary schools as an official author for the first time, reading my book to children across North Carolina, and the list goes on.

The opportunity to share my children’s travel and adventure picture book has been a priceless gift to me.

I’ve driven all types of new terrain with Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck, and feel like we’ve barely hit the surface.

I am ecstatic to see what adventures lie ahead in 2020.

I would like to thank each bookstore, library, school, media outlet, and other venues for welcoming me with open arms.

To my friends and family, thanks for the amazing encouragement and support.

To my little monster truck fans, thank you for reading my book!

To everyone else that helped me find my way as a new author, who gave me advice, connected me with resources, helped spread the word… thank you.

The greatest lesson I learned this year is this— when you have a dream, follow it.

Make it happen.

Put your truck in gear and…

DRIVE TOWARD YOUR DREAMS!

– Alison Paul Klakowicz

Host and Creator of Hodge Podge Podcast and Blog

Author of the Award-Winning Children’s Picture Book Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck

https://www.amazon.com/Mommys-Big-Red-Monster-Truck/dp/1525530178

http://www.alisonpaulklakowicz.com

Ghost Tales of North Carolina

Posted on October 31, 2019 by alisonpaulklak

North Carolina is filled with ghost stories stemming from the shores of the Graveyard of the Atlantic down to the southern coast in Wilmington, up the Cape Fear River to the Sandhills in Fayetteville, and westward to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

I’ve loved hearing these tales my whole life and have a collection of classic North Carolina ghost stories and legends books I cherish.

My love of ghost tales started as a child while listening to old folks, cousins and friends whittle yarns of things that go bump in the night.

I’m not much on horror films and gore, but I love a good old ghost story. So I decided today on Halloween 🎃, I would tell you all a few of my favorite ghost stories.

Listen 👂 Here 👇👻:

https://anchor.fm/jalisonpaulyahoocom/episodes/Ghost-Tales-of-North-Carolina-e6abiq

Cool Spring Tavern, Fayetteville, NC known for its ghosts

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.fayobserver.com/news/20191023/8-famously-haunted-spots-around-fayetteville-region%3ftemplate=ampart

Ghost Story Hayride by the Market House, Hay Street, Historic Downtown Fayetteville, NC

Sanford House Ghosts- https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pWT9s-mVaIw

Ghosts of Old Wilmington https://www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/about/news-blogs/post/ghosts-of-old-wilmington-one-of-the-most-haunted-cities-in-the-south/

https://visitncsmokies.com/blog/the-legend-of-the-boojum/

-Alison Paul Klakowicz

Host and Creator of Hodge Podge Podcast and Blog

Author of Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck

https://www.amazon.com/Mommys-Big-Red-Monster-Truck/dp/1525530178

http://www.alisonpaulklakowicz.com

Jami McLaughlin- Mom On The Go!, Community Advocate, and Spring Lake, NC Mayoral Candidate

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Posted on October 29, 2019 by alisonpaulklak

Spring Lake, NC-

Jami McLaughlin is a visionary, active community partner and volunteer, mom on the go, and advocate for her beloved community of Spring Lake, North Carolina.

She is the creator of Mom on the Go! blog https://www.fayobserver.com/blogs/mom_on_the_go which was voted the #5 Best Blog by WRAL Reader’s Choice Awards 2018.

She serves as Spring Lake, North Carolina’s Town Historian and is a Member of the Cumberland County Joint Planning Board as well as Partnership for Children of Cumberland County Board of Directors.

Jami is a Sustainer with Junior League of Fayetteville and Fayetteville Holly Day Fair past chairwoman, and current active committee member.

To top it off she is an author and writer… among a ton of other accolades and professional experience in bettering communities located in Cumberland County, NC.

The busy mother of four’s current mission is to be elected as the Mayor of Spring Lake (a neighboring community and gateway to both Fort Bragg and Fayetteville) and Jami’s family’s native home where her deep roots are sowed. She vows to make the community shine through her leadership.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Jami at my home to discuss her vision for Spring Lake, NC and why it’s residents should consider electing her as their mayor. http://jamiformayor.com/get-updates/

Listen to our podcast interview here 👇

https://anchor.fm/jalisonpaulyahoocom/episodes/Jami-McLaughlin–Mom-on-the-Go–Community-Developer–Spring-Lake–NC-Mayoral-Candidate-e8cbej

– Alison Paul Klakowicz

Host and Creator of Hodge Podge Podcast and Blog

Author of Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck

https://www.amazon.com/Mommys-Big-Red-Monster-Truck/dp/1525530178

http://www.alisonpaulklakowicz.com

Zombie Walk— Fayetteville, NC

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Posted on October 26, 2019 by alisonpaulklak

Fayetteville, North Carolina-

Zombie Walk— an amazing Halloween-inspired event which draws thousands of zombies 🧟‍♀️ and onlookers— occurs each year on Hay Street in the heart of Historic Downtown Fayetteville conveniently located off I-95.

https://m.facebook.com/events/699055680599266?ti=icl

The creepy and creative citywide tradition has lured my family (and friends) into its monster mash over the past several years— and we absolutely love this ghoulish time.

Last night, we attended the 2019 event where Hay Street turned into a frighteningly fun festival with artisans, entertainers, live music, food, and spooks galore with 12,000 attendees!

Scroll below to checkout some of last night’s highlights of Zombie Walk 2019!