Hi everyone, I hope you are all well. It sure has been crazy weather … some days are rainy and cold, other days so pretty and warm. I am sure we are all looking forward to a sunny warm spring. Please be sure to let me know when you start planting those beautiful gardens, no matter how small or how big, and what you are planting. It will be fun to hear what our different gardens look like.

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This week I would like to share news of the 80th Birthday of a very special Valley Home lady. Mrs. Audrey Rinna has lived her entire 80 years within one square mile. She started life in the beautiful triangle on Michigan Avenue in Valley Home; moved to Freelove Avenue and then up the road to Pioneer, all within a mile of each other in Valley Home. Audrey had a wonderful childhood, she was surrounded by fun cousins and dear friends. For Audrey it was a magical time; it was a simple and uncomplicated childhood. She and her cousins and friends could play all day together, always safe; ride their bicycles, no cell phones or social media, so many happy memories from her childhood here in Valley Home.

Audrey graduated from Valley Home School. She was blessed with lifetime friends. She also made new friends often, she loved her new friends but always cherished her old and dear friends. If you are lucky enough to know Audrey, you also know that you have a friend for life. Everyone who knows her loves her and trusts her. Audrey has earned the admiration and trust of her entire community.

At a young age, Audrey was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Valley Home. She is a lifetime member of St. John’s and it was there, this beautiful young woman would be married to the love of her life and become Mrs. Audrey Rinna.

She was very supportive of her Valley Home community; she raised her family here. As a trusted community member, she became the acting Postmaster when Mr. Leroy Aker was out of town. As a young mother Audrey belonged to the Valley Home School Parent Club, she helped put together the still much sought after “Valley Home Cookbook.” For those of you who have a copy of this amazing cookbook, I am pretty sure it is worth its weight in gold.

Today, Audrey’s family lives in her childhood home on Freelove, including her grandsons, Eli and James.

Audrey, we are blessed to call you our friend … you are a very special woman. Happy, Happy 80th Birthday! May God grant you many, many more birthdays.

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As always, you may contact me by email at winniemullins51@gmail.com or by text or telephone at 209-985-5233.

Until next time, “Happy Trails To All!”