Deborah’s Comments (group member since Nov 09, 2021)

Deborah’s comments from the Turn of a Page group.

Threads updated to here

“I wouldn’t touch you with a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole!” You’ve snagged the You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch button!




Rockin’ Christmas Songs

Christmas parties are the heart and soul of the holiday season, and what goes better with a party than a rockin’ playlist! Here is just a small selection of catchy and jumpin’ jams to get everyone into a dancing mood!

1. Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms

First released by Bobby Helms in 1957 and is considered Helms’ signature song. “Jingle Bell Rock” was composed by Joseph Carleton Beal and James Ross Boothe, although both Helms and session guitarist Hank Garland disputed this. Helms and Garland both claimed that the original song by Beal and Booth was called “Jingle Bell Hop”, and it was given to Helms by a Decca executive to record. This song, according to Helms and Garland, had little to no resemblance to the current song. Helms did not like it and as a result, they both proceeded to work on it by changing the music, lyrics, and tempo and giving it a previously missing bridge. This new song, they claimed, was the one that is known today. Neither Helms or Garland received writing credit or subsequent writing royalties. This song has been performed many times, but Helms’ first version is arguably the best known. The song’s title and some of its lyrics are an extension of the old Christmas standard “Jingle Bells.” It makes brief references to other popular songs of the 1950s, such as “Rock Around the Clock”, and mentions going to a “Jingle hop”.

Please do ONE of the following tasks:
-Read a book that makes you smile.
-Read a book that you consider a “signature” of the author.
-Read a book that references another book (please provide page number and excerpt).

Threads updated to here

Such a friendly person!






10. Alan



Alan, a genial Japanese-American, now runs Hooper's Store on Sesame Street. He took over from Mr. Handford in Episode 3786 and quickly became close with Baby Bear and Telly Monster. He later employed Gabi and Miles as assistants. Currently, Chris Robinson, Gordon and Susan's nephew, helps him at the store.
In his initial appearance, Alan was catering for Big Bird's Birdketeer meeting in the yard. Though initially overwhelmed and tempted to ask them to move, the Birdketeers warmly welcomed him to the street. They appreciated his catering efforts, marking the start of his friendly relationship with the Sesame Street residents.


To meet Alan, please complete ONE of the tasks below:
a. Read a book by an Asian author.
b. Read a book with a yard on the cover.
c. Read a book where the MC has an assistant. (please describe)

Kindhearted and energetic!




13. Charlie



Charlie is a young girl who was introduced on Sesame Street during season 50. She and her family relocated to the street in episode 5013, where her parents, Mary and Victor, had retired from the military. Charlie has made appearances on the show, including in audience shots for The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo and on stage in a game of tic-tac-toe. Her mother is portrayed by Jennifer Barnhart, who previously appeared in The Magical Wand Chase. The show also reveals that Charlie's family is Jewish, as she celebrates Hanukkah in a series of holiday web videos.


To meet Charlie, please complete ONE of the tasks below:
a. Read a book with an MC who is or was in the military.
b. Read a book by a Jewish author.
c. Read a book where a character moves to a new place.

Er-nie!






12. Ernie





With his signature striped shirt and mussy tuft of black hair, Ernie is the picture of innocence. Always up for a good practical joke, Ernie loves tubbies and his yellow rubber duckie.


To play with Ernie, please complete ONE of the tasks below:
a. Read a book with something stripe on the cover.
b. Read a book with ‘practical’ in the text. (brief location and passage)
c. Read a book written by an author whose initials can be found in RUBBER DUCKIE.

Warm Hearted mentor!




6. Gina Jefferson

Gina Jefferson is a human character on Sesame Street, created by Nancy Sans as a minor role. She debuted in Episode 2253, season 18, getting lost on her way to 123 Sesame Street. She made recurring appearances before becoming a regular in Episode 2358, working at Hooper's Store. She befriended Mike and Savion and had a relationship with Jesse. Gina graduated high school (Class of 1990) in Episode 2745, season 21, and continued working at Hooper's Store.


To meet Gina, please complete ONE of the tasks below:
a. Read a book with MPG Young Adult.
b. Read a book where a character got lost somewhere or into something (please explain)
c. Read a book where the MC has a sister.

Creative and caring!




15. Dave and Frank





Dave and Frank are Nina's brother and his husband, respectively. The couple are the parents of Mia. Since the family didn't live on Sesame Street at the time, they made their collective debut in Episode 5132 for a visit on Family Day. Dave and Frank help distract Big Bird to keep Granny Bird's visit a surprise.
The couple also keep in touch with Nina through video calls, as seen in Episode 5235 when they have a family picnic with Elmo. Dave and Nina maintain a friendly sibling rivalry as adults, arguing over who gets to be the blue beanbag in the traditional family beanbag toss, and he and Nina share memories of Abuela Sofia's pasta salad recipe. Frank's mother (referred to by Mia as Granny Franny) used to make tiny sandwiches. They moved to Sesame Street in season 53 and have made recurring appearances since.
Frank is Jewish, and Dave is Cuban. In Episode 5420, their daughter performs a show about their cultural traditions before a Shabbat dinner with ropa vieja.


To meet David and Frank, please complete ONE of the tasks below:
a. Read a book that is tagged ‘LGBTQ’. (at least 3)
b. Read a book where someone was surprised by someone or something. (please describe)
c. Read a book with a biracial character.

Believe in Yourself!


2. Gordon Robinson





Gordon Robinson, an original Sesame Street resident debuting in the first episode with his wife Susan, initially worked as a history teacher before becoming a science teacher. They live at 123 Sesame Street and adopted their son Miles in 1985. Gordon's sister Olivia lived with them, and his nephew Chris joined the show in 2007. Conceived as a Black role model, Gordon became universally appealing and is known for his kindness and firm guidance. He appeared in both Sesame Street films and developed an alter-ego, Trash Gordon, in Oscar's bedtime stories.


To meet Gordon, please complete ONE of the tasks below:
a. Read a book where a couple adopted a child.
b. Read a book with two numbers from 1985 in the page count. (edition you read)
c. Read a book with a character who has an alter-ego in the story.

The Power of We!


8. Kami redefines HIV



Takalani Sesame, South Africa’s version of the show, introduced the franchise’s first HIV-positive character with the debut of Kami in 2002. Kami, whose name means “acceptance” in Setswana, has a vibrant personality and an energetic spirit, showing kids that people can live happy, full lives amid HIV diagnoses.


To watch this episode, please complete ONE of the tasks below:
a. Read a book that has the letters HIV in the title.
b. Read a book that has ‘acceptance’ mentioned in the text. (please state location and brief passage)
c. Read a book with a character that has a vibrant or energetic personality. (please explain)

Current Location: Molasses Swamp
Current Location Steps: 2/50
Total Of All Steps: 187

Current Location: Gingerbread Plum Tree
Current Location Steps: 13/15
Total Of All Steps: 49

Current Location: Gingerbread Plum Tree
Current Location Steps: 13/15
Total Of All Steps: 49

Home Sweet Home





Home, later redesigned as Home Sweet Home, is the final location in the original 1949 version of Candy Land. The 1984 redesign removed it from the game, replacing it with Candy Castle.

No need to take any more steps as you have reached your final destination but before you finish I just have one more final task for you. It will be a piece of cake, I promise!

Read any book that fits our General Challenge Guidelines and answer the following questions:

1)What is your favorite type of candy?

2)Which Candy Land destination would you like to visit, if Candy Land was made into a theme park?

3)What is your favorite board game as a child?

Current Location: Molasses Swamp
Current Location Steps: 50/50
Total Of All Steps: 245

Current Location-Gumdrop Mountains
Current Location Steps: 11/25
Total Of All Steps: 62

Current Location: Crooked Old Peanut Brittle House
Current Location Steps: 19/30
Total Of All Steps: 95

Current Location: Gumdrop Mountains
Current Location Steps: 3/25
Total Of All Steps - 57

It’s Peanut Butter Jelly Time! You have earned the Crooked Old Peanut Brittle House Button!







Lollipop Woods



Steps to Next Location-40




The Lollipop Woods is where Princess Lolly resides.


A lollipop is a type of sugar candy usually consisting of hard candy mounted on a stick and intended for sucking or licking. Different informal terms are used in different places, including lolly, sucker and sticky-pop. Lollipops are available in many flavors and shapes.

The main ingredients in a standard lollipop are sugar and corn syrup. Sugars are fully hydrated carbon chains, meaning that there is a water molecule attached to each carbon. Sugars come in two forms: straight-chain and ring form. When sugars are in straight-chain form, aldehyde and ketone groups are open, which leaves them very susceptible to reaction. In this state, sugars are unstable. In ring form, sugars are stable and therefore exist in this form in most foods, including lollipops.

Sugar interacts differently depending on the presence of other ingredients and on various treatments. When heated enough to break the molecules apart, sugar generates a complex flavor, changes color, and creates a pleasing aroma. Sugar can form two types of solids in foods: crystalline and glassy amorphous. Glassy amorphous solids can be found in products such as lollipops, marshmallows, and caramels. Glassy amorphous solids result when moderate sugar concentrations (50% solutions) are heated to high temperatures, eliminating nearly all moisture. The final moisture content is around 1–2%, whereas the final moisture content in crystalline candies is 8–12%. The non-crystalline nature of glassy amorphous solids is due to the presence of inhibitors in the solution. Without an inhibitor, crystallization would occur spontaneously and rapidly as the sugar cools due to its high concentration. Some common inhibitors used in lollipop production are corn syrup, cream of tartar, honey, and butter.
In a lollipop, the moisture content falls to less than 2% at the end of the lollipop-making process; water is required at the start of the process. All other ingredients used in the process of lollipop production are optional. The use of inhibitors is dependent on the type of sugar used. The amount of inhibitor in the lollipop is usually small in comparison to the amount of sugar used. Additional flavors, colorings, and inclusions (like bubble gum or a Tootsie Roll) can be added to the final product but are not part of the main structure of a simple lollipop.



Giant Step Tasks
You may only complete one of these two tasks once per location, and you will earn a Giant Step (5 Steps) for this task

1)Read a book that has a title that begins with a letter in the word “Lolli” and ends with a letter in the word “Pop”

2)Read a book that you have used for any other(not this one) challenge by Deborah



Current Location: Lollipop Woods
Current Location Steps: 0/40
Total Of All Steps: 107