Original Facebook post September 25 at 7:01 AM 

I was invited by Rachael Salmirs and Karen Boreyko to a wonderful pre-party for the 2018 Desert Mountain High School Homecoming Dance. I was able to take a few photos of these incredible young men and women and their loved ones. I did a quick crop and edit on these reduced size images so I could post them right away. If there is any parent of these incredible kids who is great at Lightroom or Photoshop and would like to work on the original larger files so they can be printed and shared, please message me. 

​Les Maness www.StoriesFromTheRoadLesTraveled.com

Original Facebook post September 20 at 5:26 PM ​

I had the great pleasure of photographing Dancing Soulz of Scottsdale. As you can tell by these happy faces, the people who come out just LOVE to dance! A special thanks to Jamee Soulz and Glen Netter for inviting me to photograph the dance lesson and social dancing afterwards at Casablanca Rooftop Lounge in Scottsdale. 

If you would like more information about Dancing Soulz, check out their Facebook page Dancing Soulz of Scottsdale (Social Dance Group) or Meet Up page at https://www.meetup.com/DancingSoulzScottsdale/. If you'd like to encourage other beginning to advanced dancers to be a part of these fun, affordable events, please feel free to tag and share my Facebook post at https://tinyurl.com/y7pudngp. 

Les Maness www.StoriesFromTheRoadLesTraveled.com
  

Original Facebook post September 10 at 7:37 AM

As some of you may already know, I love quirky names (because mine rhymes) and goofy puns (did I mention I am a Dad?). :-) So when I saw the Son Of A Bee booth at Rock Hill's Farmer's Market, I made it my beeswax to learn about them. Turns out that Nicholas here is the third generation in the family bees-ness. And the company got it's unusual name because his Grandpa had a colorful phrase every time he got stung, which they simply shortened a little to make it G-rated. 

Now here's why there is such a buzz about this company's sweet success. First, bee-lieve it or not, the honey is pure and comes straight from the hive. Secondly, they make all kinds of products from lip balm to candles to honey sticks, so this is no fly by night bee company just trying to wing it. And lastly, their motto is "We Let Our Honey Do The Talking!", which also sounds like good advice for any man going to his wife's family reunion. 

So if you want to take the sting out of shopping for pure honey, check them out at 
https://www.sonofabee.us/. And one more thing...like the song says...

Don't worry, Bee happy. 

​Note: For more New York travel related links, go to https://tinyurl.com/y8jvyq9d​

Original Facebook post September 9 at 4:09 PM

When you have a town with a larger-than-life statue of rock musicians, you know there's got to be a place for future rock stars near by. And in Rock Hill, NY that place is Steve's Music Center. Steve Schwartz opened the store many years ago with the goal of being a music resource for artists in the area. Now thanks to the internet and loyal customers, his jam packed store now offers Amps, Banjos, Cables, Drums, Guitars, Harmonicas, Mandolins, Metronomes, Mics, PA Equipment, Pedals, Pickups, Tuners, Vintage Gear and much more..

If all of that weren't enough to drive anyone crazy (see signs he's holding above), Steve is in these four, very diverse bands with extremely talented musicians: 

• Jazzmosis: Mike Cervone-Drums, Greg Fiske-Sax, Tom Volpe-Bass and Steve Schwartz-Guitar. 
• Joanna Gass and the Search and Rescue Orchestra: Joanna Gass-Vocals, Eric Nies-Keyboards, William Paschall-Drums, Kenny Windheim-Bass and Steve Schwartz-Guitars. 
• Rock Hill Ramblers: Laura Garone-Vocals, Antoine Magliano-Guitar/Vocals, Kenny Windheim-Bass and Steve Schwartz-Guitar. 
• Southern Fried Soul: Laura Garone-Vocals, Antoine Magliano-Guitar/Vocals, William Paschall-Drums, Kenny Windheim-Bass and Steve Schwartz-Guitar.

If you meet Steve, you will quickly find that he is caring, knowledgeable, humble, personable and funny. And you'll see why his passion for helping everyone discover their inner rock star can be summed up in just four words: "Stop wishing, Start playing!". To check out his store, and to meet the man who puts the rock in Rock Hill, go to www.stevesmusiccenter.com.

​Note: For more New York travel related links, go to https://tinyurl.com/y8jvyq9d​

Original Facebook post ​September 9 at 4:00 PM

The town of Rock Hill, NY may be small, but what it lacks in size it gains in sheer flower power. There are flower gardens on the street, in the parks and at a Farmer's Market that sells them. And if that weren't enough, there are paintings and graphics of flowers just to make sure you don't miss them. So I guess it isn't that surprising to learn that Rock Hill is just 20 miles away from Woodstock, the "flower power" concert that rocked the world 50 years ago.

​Note: For more New York travel related links, go to https://tinyurl.com/y8jvyq9d​

Original Facebook post September 9 at 3:55 PM

Rock Hill, NY is a quaint village located at the foothills of the gorgeous Catskills Mountains. The lush green area is home to Wanaksink Lake, Wolf Lake, Treasure Lake, Lake Louise Marie and a number of stunning waterfalls. The area is known for hiking, running, swimming, bicycling, skiing and boating. It is is also recognized for it's emerging music scene and terrific restaurants. And like the city's motto indicates, "Rock Hill: Small Town, Big Heart", the friendly residents and businesses there all work together to make visitors feel welcome.  

​Note: For more New York travel related links, go to https://tinyurl.com/y8jvyq9d​

I'm happy to announce that my ebook Life Is A Highway is now available for free at https://tinyurl.com/y9tmk9pp. The book highlights some of the Amazing Faces and Amazing Places I saw in the summer of 2018 as I drove across Canada and America. As with my other travel books (see link https://bit.ly/2Iz8wVN), America The Beautiful (to all 48 states in 2016) and On The Road Again (from AZ to Nova Scotia in 2017), my goal is put you in the passenger seat so you can just kick back and enjoy the ride. 

Les Maness, Stories From The Road Les Traveled  

My new book, Encouraging Words©​ is now available for free at https://bit.ly/2vgMLnv. The book is a compilation of posts from the mental, emotional and spiritual road I have traveled over the last few years. It highlights some the uplifting, soul stirring, humorous and thought provoking things I have been privileged to observe along the way. It is my desire that these stories and images bring hope to those disheartened by today's headlines, inspiration to those going through trying times, smiles to those who need their days brightened, and appreciation for all those who are doing their very best.

To read this book, simply scroll down on your PC, tablet or mobile device. If there’s a post you like, or if you have encouraging words from your own experience, please let me know. If you would like to share a post, simply copy the title of the post and forward that link. And if you have contacts in the media, please let them know I’d be honored to do an interview on any of my free books on www.LesManess.com (AKA Stories From The Road Les Traveled).