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April 16 and 17, 2016 V V V THE GAZETTE, EMPORIA, KANSAS V Shower From PAGE 1 I really liked the idea of a community baby shower and having the community involved somehow, too.” To reduce SIDS deaths, it is recommended that babies sleep in their own beds, on their backs, alone. Co-sleeping is not considered a safe sleep option. At the shower, expectant mothers will receive a Pack ‘n’ Play and other gifts. “A Pack’n’Play is considered a safe sleep option,” Barrett said. “Especially for the newborns that might be in the same room as the parents. They are nice because they can collapse and be put out of the way but they are considered a safe sleep option. They are just as good as a crib and they allow the baby to have a good, safe place to sleep.” It is also recommended that babies always be placed on their backs to sleep. There should be no crib bumpers, blankets Photos by Kendra Johnson/Gazette Craig Shandler had his 1965 Mustang GT restored at Floyd’s Inc., a project which began back in February 2015. Mustang From PAGE 1 “We normally don’t do this type of work,” Wheeler said. “It’s more because it was for a friend.” The pair couldn’t remember exactly how they became friends, but Wheeler said it has something to do with both of their mother’s involvement with the Kiwanis Club. “I’ve used John for all my collision work over the years,” Shandler said. “Deer just like to jump out and hit my vehicles.” According to Shandler, Dugan took care of finding and securing the parts, while Wheeler handled the repairs.  For a project which started in February of 2015, Wheeler credits most of the work to his staff. Working on the Mustang was very different than working on the usual collision repairs, according to Wheeler. “The restorations are fun but they’re really involved,” Wheeler said. “The more you get into them the more you find that needs to be repaired ... collision work, you know when to stop because the insurance company stops paying you, but these make you feel good when you’re done.” “John has done a remarkable job. He’s very dedicated,” Shandler said. “His wife comes in and works on it, too.” While the entire project was a good experience, the best feeling was seeing the restored vehicle pull out of the garage and into the sunlight for the first time. “It’s been very rewarding, especially to get it completed,” Wheeler said. When asked if completion was the best part of the project, he had a one-word response. “Absolutely.” For a project started by a love of Mustangs from a sonin-law and grandmother, that passion has now extended to Shandler’s granddaughter Ellexia Dugan, 6. “She just wants to drive the Mustang,” Shandler said. V Page 3 V or stuffed animals in the sleeping area as well. To be guaranteed a Pa c k ’n’ P l ay ex p e c t a n t mothers are asked to preregister for the event by calling 343-6800, ext. 4499 or emailing Heather Aylward at haylward@new manrh.org. “I have ordered 80 Pack’n’Plays,” Barrett said. “We currently have 70 moms preregistered so I have about 10 more that I can guarantee Pack ‘n’ Plays for and then I can do rain checks for up to 100 moms.” Barrett says that she never imagined when the first Wade’s Ride launched that the organization would be able to give back to the community in this way. The Wade Barrett Memorial Fund has now partnered with the Emporia Community Foundation and she now feels the fund is rooted in the community. “I really hope that it continues for awhile to be successful so we can put on the community baby showers once a year and do the swaddles,” Barrett said. “It would be a really cool thing and really good for babies in our community.”  40TH ANNIVERSARY Tom and Lisa (Christy) Riley would like to invite family and friends to celebrate with them their 40th Anniversary, on Sunday April 24th from 2-4pm at the Neosho Rapids Community Center. The couple m WB