Jamie Strait has always been a writer.  “Even when I was a kid I used to write stories for fun,” said Strait, who now teaches writing to sixth graders at Queensbury Middle School. “I’ve always had this interest in writing stories for as long as I can remember… I just always tucked them away just for me,” she said. 

For the first time, the seasoned scribe is sharing her writing in the form of her first published book titled, “Last Place Lexi.”

The book tells an inspirational story about Lexi Lexington, a girl with big dreams who ends up in last place. Lexi loses a soccer game and gets a bad grade on a school assignment. 

The book teaches kids to follow their dreams, remain resilient in the face of obstacles, and believe in themselves while maintaining a positive attitude. Strait was also inspired by her 7-year-old daughter, Kinsley.

“I noticed a theme with both her and my students,” Strait said. “This feeling that if you don’t get something the first time or things don’t go your way — however small they are — it feels like a big deal.”

Strait started searching for books she could share with her students and her daughter about resilience, but couldn’t quite find a book with the right message… So, she decided to write and publish her own.

“You can’t control life’s circumstances,” Strait said. “But you can control your attitude and how you react to those circumstances. At the end of the story, Lexi learns that the most important thing is having a positive attitude.”

To illustrate the book, Strait worked with her childhood friend Amanda Newman, who used Kinsley’s likeness to draw Lexi, and used her own 7-year-old daughter Lilou as the likeness for Lexi’s best friend.    

The book is now available on Amazon for $12.99, and should be in bookstores by the end of fall. 

Strait is planning a book reading and book signing event on November 11th at The Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls. She will partner with retired Queensbury teacher Clare Rainwater, who now runs Clare Elizabeth Yoga, to present a workshop called “Creating Confident Kids.” 

Strait already has some follow-up books in the works, but for now, she is focusing on promoting “Last Place Lexi” and teaching her sixth-grade writers about resilience and perseverance. 

“To become a better writer, you need to work on your own character and self-confidence, which are more important than anything else that I’m teaching,” Strait said. “If kids can walk out of my room and feel confident and feel like they can fail forward or feel like it’s OK to make a mistake, if they don’t give up… Then that would be the most amazing thing I could do.”

For more information, you can follow Strait on Instagram @JamieStraitAuthor. 

 As autumn creeps in and the “Back to School” season begins, The Landing at Queensbury, an award-winning senior living community, embraces the Back to School season with a heartfelt series of conversations featuring their dedicated staff and beloved residents. The community shares the wisdom, experiences, and unique stories of their remarkable team and resident family through engaging Facebook posts.

Kicking off the series, the community introduced its Executive Director, Alisha, in a lighthearted post highlighting her engagement with residents and even a playful snack on her desk. Alisha’s words of advice? “Always share your snack pack.” These posts bear the hashtag #SeniorLiving, reflecting the vibrant senior life essence at The Landing.

The spotlight then shifted to its residents’ rich history and wisdom, featuring Jeanette and Chuck, who generously imparted timeless advice. Jeanette’s counsel was to “Stay in school — whatever will be will be,” while Chuck emphasized the importance of learning everything. This thoughtful exchange beautifully illustrated the enriching experiences that residents enjoy daily, underscoring the value of intergenerational connections.

Continuing in this heartwarming vein, Izzy and Mike, two more residents, stepped forward to share their insights. Izzy encouraged all to cherish their families, while Mike urged perseverance with the simple phrase, “Stick it out.” These conversations exemplify The Landing’s unwavering commitment to cultivating a supportive and nurturing environment for its residents.

Sue and Patty, esteemed residents of The Landing, took center stage in the series, illuminating the special bond between the staff and the resident community. Sue’s advice was to “Keep studying and consider joining sports or clubs,” while Patty’s wisdom was to “Work hard and have fun.” These exchanges of knowledge and stories make every day a remarkable journey for all involved.

To conclude this inspiring series, Kate – the Business Director at The Landing – shared her pearls of wisdom, ensuring that the “Back to School” spirit thrives within the community. Her advice: “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”

The Landing at Queensbury is an award-winning assisted living and memory care community that offers Connections, a relationship-oriented and data-based Connect, Move, and Learn program for dementia residents. For more information about The Landing at Queensbury, please visit https://www.pegasusseniorliving.com/the-landing-at-queensbury/