Why is Flat Stanley at Mountain Laurel Inn Bed and Breakfast in Mentone, Alabama?

As some of you know, Flat Stanley arrived from Essex, MA this week to visit Sarah and I at Mountain Laurel Inn. He came from our favorite niece, Nora. Here is the letter that came with Flat Stanley in the mailing tube. I think it will make you smile as much as I did. As you can see from the pics, I was a little aloof at first in meeting Flat Stanley but when I realized that he might be fun to have around, I did warm up to him. He is spending the night with Chloe for a couple of days to discover the life of a Fort Payne High School Student. He will see many of the hot spots in Fort Payne that used to be known as the "Sock Capital of the World". It was the sock capital because over 25% of the world's socks were made in the 200 sock mills in the county. Unfortunately, the work as gone overseas and Fort Payne is down to about 70 sock mills.
To learn about Flat Stanley's heritage see http://www.flatstanley.com

Here's Nora's letter:

Dear Sasa and Licedy,
I hope Licedy doesn't chew this up. In school we read a book about a boy who got flattened by a bulletin board. His name is Flat Stanley. He wanted to go on a trip. So his family folded him up and mailed him to California. I am mailing ny Flat Stanley to you. Please take him somewhere and write back telling me where you went. If you have pictures or postcards please send them too. Please send him back by April 24. Thank you for helping me. I wish I could fold myself up and visit you!
Love, Nora