My grandfather used to write and recite poetry. The following was one of his favorites and it had a profound impact on me. I look forward to working with our Luke on memorizing this one.
The Guy in the Glass
by Dale Wimbrow, (c) 1934
When you get what you want in your struggle for self,
And the world makes you King for a day,
Then go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that guy has to say.
For it isn't your Father, or Mother, or Wife,
Who judgement upon you must pass.
The feller whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the guy staring back from the glass.
He's the feller to please, never mind all the rest,
For he's with you clear up to the end,
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.
You may be like Jack Horner and "chisel" a plum,
And think you're a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye.
You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you've cheated the guy in the glass.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Cancer Fighting Cooking Campaign
The American Cancer Society & Relay For Life have partnered with Wellness Associates (a local Saladmaster distributor) and are offering to prepare FREE dinner for you at Monday night's Cancer Fighting Cooking School...
Featuring cancer deterrrent foods and cooking methods, great recipes, easy preparation, door prizes and free food! Please join them on Monday, August 25 at 6:00pm at Wellness Associates (22665 Timberlake Road, located on the corner of Timberlake Road and Forest Avenue).
Registration is REQUIRED!
Please register promptly as seating will be limited to 30 people.
Call (434) 239-3988 or (434) 665-8805.
DON'T FORGET TO ASK US ABOUT THE 100 FREE DINNER GIVEAWAY TO HELP SUPPORT THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY.
A great song for kids, or anyone for that matter
PICK YOURSELF UP Lyrics by Dorothy Fields Music by Jerome Kern From movie: Swing Time 1936 Sung and danced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers (see clip on YouTube) Nothing’s impossible I have found For when my chin is on the ground I pick myself up, Dust myself off, And start all over again! Don’t lose your confidence If you slip. Be grateful for A pleasant trip. Just pick yourself up, Dust yourself off And start all over again! Work like a soul afire ‘Til the battle of the day is won. You may be sick and tired, But you’ll be a man, my son. Don’t you remember those famous men Who had to fall, to rise again? So, pick yourself up, (breathe in, breathe out) Take a deep breath (breathe in, breathe out) Just pick yourself up, Dust yourself off, And start all over again!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Help Stop the Negative and Hurtful Portrayal of People with Disabilities!
Help Stop the Negative and Hurtful Portrayal of People with Disabilities!
Special Olympics North Carolina, The Arc of North Carolina and its affiliates across the state have joined together to speak out against DreamWorks' new film, "Tropic Thunder." The film features the prominent use of the R-word (retard) and portrays people with intellectual disabilities in a disparaging way.
The way a society refers to people with disabilities shapes its beliefs about and responses to them. The R-word has long been a harsh reminder of the ridicule and negative stigma directed toward people with intellectual disabilities, yet the word is becoming increasingly popular in today's culture. Although it is often not directed at a person with intellectual disability, it is used in a negative fashion, to demean or highlight someone's lack of ability - a direct reflection on what people view as the capabilities of people with intellectual disabilities.
"This is not a matter of promoting political correctness," said The Arc of NC Executive Director Dave Richard. "This film's depiction of people with intellectual disabilities is derogatory and demeaning. It does incredible damage to people with intellectual disability."
"Labeling and humiliating others is unacceptable in this day and age," said Keith L. Fishburne, Special Olympics North Carolina president/CEO. " I am calling on the people of North Carolina to be a fan of dignity -- stop using the R-word and do not support this extremely offensive film."
"This film also furthers the negative stereotypes that our state leadership has worked hard against through numerous legislative initiatives," said Richard.
"The leadership of the North Carolina General Assembly worked diligently this session to pass a budget and laws that positively affect people with intellectual and other disabilities."
To counter the film, The Arc of North Carolina is initiating a campaign to educate people about the negative consequences of inappropriate language about and towards people with disabilities. Chapters throughout the state will join the state office's efforts to promote people-first language that affirms the dignity of people with disabilities, fosters positive attitudes and paves the way for more inclusive communities.
Please visit The Arc of North Carolina's website for more information about this hurtful film. Make sure you watch the short video about RESPECT and read the materials about people-first language and Hate Speech. Thank you for helping us promote respect for people with disabilities and their families.
----- Original Message -----
From: NDSC
To: Recipient: Newsline
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 10:12 AM
Subject: NDSC Update: Tropic Thunder
TO: NDSC Members and Friends
FROM: David Tolleson
Executive Director
August 13, 2008
Two weeks ago, the National Down Syndrome Congress joined with other national disability rights organizations to address the new DreamWorks Studios film, “Tropic Thunder”. In conversations with studio executives, our coalition was led to believe that the offending portions of the film were minor and obviously satirical, and would have little impact.
However, last Friday, NDSC Resource Specialist Sue Joe and I were able to see an advanced screening of the film. Journalist Pat Bauer was also in attendance and gives an excellent overview of the film on her blog (www.patriciaebauer.com).
The offending parts comprise a major plot line and, as feared, are already leading to the sale of such items as t-shirts screaming, “You Never Go Full Retard!” On Monday, other national leaders saw the film. The coalition has called for a nationwide boycott. The first one was held last night at the Hollywood premiere. You can see CNN coverage at Pat Bauer’s website and view the Washington Post article at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/12/AR2008081200321.html?sub=AR.
In addition, this story has also been picked up by ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=5560702&page=1), The New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/11/movies/11thun.html?ref=movies), National Public Radio (http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=93531103&m=93531072), Access Hollywood, and press in Australia, Great Britain, and elsewhere.
What can you do to help?
Contact your local affiliate. Over the past week, we have been in touch with leaders from across the country. Many groups are coordinating their efforts with groups such as The Arc and Special Olympics, and protests are planned for today, when the film opens across the country, through next Sunday.
Write an Op-Ed piece for your local newspaper, or a letter to the editor regarding discrimination against individuals with disabilities.
Reading all of the hurtful and hateful comments posted on blogs in response to the boycott can be hard to take. But you could respond—tell your side of the story. Freedom of speech works in our favor, too.
Consider contacting your local school principal and ask them to be on the lookout for disruptive “Tropic Thunder” merchandise or bullying behavior. A sample letter, provided by the Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress, is attached.
Does your local theatre employ self advocates? We heard of one theatre who has decided to pull the movie after speaking with an employee. Another theatre is allowing a self advocate employee to distribute literature to those attending the show.
Share this excellent video, produced by 2008 NDSC Media Award winner Will Schermerhorn for The Arc of Northern Virginia: www.blueberryshoes.com/psa.
Visit Special Olympics’ new site www.r-word.org. Take the pledge to support the elimination of the word, and pass the link on to your friends so they can take the pledge, too.
If you have a middle or high school age sibling returning to school, or off to band camp, football practice, etc., urge them to share with their friends why words hurt and why they should not patronize “Tropic Thunder”. This age group will be a key battleground.
Sign the online petition at www.ipetitions.com/petition/stopTropicThunder?e.
Though we’re in a busy time of year, with the end of summer vacation and the beginning of school, I believe this is a watershed moment in the disability rights movement. It has been a long time, if ever, that so many national and local organizations have banded together to say, “enough is enough”. ANYTHING you can do is better than doing nothing. Please make every effort to lend your aid – and spread the news – right away. It’s time to put the nation on notice that we will not sit quietly by while our fellow self advocates, friends, children, siblings and co-workers are attacked. People with disabilities have rights and value, and deserve respect.
Thank you for your advocacy.
David Tolleson
Executive Director
Special Olympics North Carolina, The Arc of North Carolina and its affiliates across the state have joined together to speak out against DreamWorks' new film, "Tropic Thunder." The film features the prominent use of the R-word (retard) and portrays people with intellectual disabilities in a disparaging way.
The way a society refers to people with disabilities shapes its beliefs about and responses to them. The R-word has long been a harsh reminder of the ridicule and negative stigma directed toward people with intellectual disabilities, yet the word is becoming increasingly popular in today's culture. Although it is often not directed at a person with intellectual disability, it is used in a negative fashion, to demean or highlight someone's lack of ability - a direct reflection on what people view as the capabilities of people with intellectual disabilities.
"This is not a matter of promoting political correctness," said The Arc of NC Executive Director Dave Richard. "This film's depiction of people with intellectual disabilities is derogatory and demeaning. It does incredible damage to people with intellectual disability."
"Labeling and humiliating others is unacceptable in this day and age," said Keith L. Fishburne, Special Olympics North Carolina president/CEO. " I am calling on the people of North Carolina to be a fan of dignity -- stop using the R-word and do not support this extremely offensive film."
"This film also furthers the negative stereotypes that our state leadership has worked hard against through numerous legislative initiatives," said Richard.
"The leadership of the North Carolina General Assembly worked diligently this session to pass a budget and laws that positively affect people with intellectual and other disabilities."
To counter the film, The Arc of North Carolina is initiating a campaign to educate people about the negative consequences of inappropriate language about and towards people with disabilities. Chapters throughout the state will join the state office's efforts to promote people-first language that affirms the dignity of people with disabilities, fosters positive attitudes and paves the way for more inclusive communities.
Please visit The Arc of North Carolina's website for more information about this hurtful film. Make sure you watch the short video about RESPECT and read the materials about people-first language and Hate Speech. Thank you for helping us promote respect for people with disabilities and their families.
----- Original Message -----
From: NDSC
To: Recipient: Newsline
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 10:12 AM
Subject: NDSC Update: Tropic Thunder
TO: NDSC Members and Friends
FROM: David Tolleson
Executive Director
August 13, 2008
Two weeks ago, the National Down Syndrome Congress joined with other national disability rights organizations to address the new DreamWorks Studios film, “Tropic Thunder”. In conversations with studio executives, our coalition was led to believe that the offending portions of the film were minor and obviously satirical, and would have little impact.
However, last Friday, NDSC Resource Specialist Sue Joe and I were able to see an advanced screening of the film. Journalist Pat Bauer was also in attendance and gives an excellent overview of the film on her blog (www.patriciaebauer.com).
The offending parts comprise a major plot line and, as feared, are already leading to the sale of such items as t-shirts screaming, “You Never Go Full Retard!” On Monday, other national leaders saw the film. The coalition has called for a nationwide boycott. The first one was held last night at the Hollywood premiere. You can see CNN coverage at Pat Bauer’s website and view the Washington Post article at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/12/AR2008081200321.html?sub=AR.
In addition, this story has also been picked up by ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=5560702&page=1), The New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/11/movies/11thun.html?ref=movies), National Public Radio (http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=93531103&m=93531072), Access Hollywood, and press in Australia, Great Britain, and elsewhere.
What can you do to help?
Contact your local affiliate. Over the past week, we have been in touch with leaders from across the country. Many groups are coordinating their efforts with groups such as The Arc and Special Olympics, and protests are planned for today, when the film opens across the country, through next Sunday.
Write an Op-Ed piece for your local newspaper, or a letter to the editor regarding discrimination against individuals with disabilities.
Reading all of the hurtful and hateful comments posted on blogs in response to the boycott can be hard to take. But you could respond—tell your side of the story. Freedom of speech works in our favor, too.
Consider contacting your local school principal and ask them to be on the lookout for disruptive “Tropic Thunder” merchandise or bullying behavior. A sample letter, provided by the Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress, is attached.
Does your local theatre employ self advocates? We heard of one theatre who has decided to pull the movie after speaking with an employee. Another theatre is allowing a self advocate employee to distribute literature to those attending the show.
Share this excellent video, produced by 2008 NDSC Media Award winner Will Schermerhorn for The Arc of Northern Virginia: www.blueberryshoes.com/psa.
Visit Special Olympics’ new site www.r-word.org. Take the pledge to support the elimination of the word, and pass the link on to your friends so they can take the pledge, too.
If you have a middle or high school age sibling returning to school, or off to band camp, football practice, etc., urge them to share with their friends why words hurt and why they should not patronize “Tropic Thunder”. This age group will be a key battleground.
Sign the online petition at www.ipetitions.com/petition/stopTropicThunder?e.
Though we’re in a busy time of year, with the end of summer vacation and the beginning of school, I believe this is a watershed moment in the disability rights movement. It has been a long time, if ever, that so many national and local organizations have banded together to say, “enough is enough”. ANYTHING you can do is better than doing nothing. Please make every effort to lend your aid – and spread the news – right away. It’s time to put the nation on notice that we will not sit quietly by while our fellow self advocates, friends, children, siblings and co-workers are attacked. People with disabilities have rights and value, and deserve respect.
Thank you for your advocacy.
David Tolleson
Executive Director
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Thanks for making Mike laugh, Darrell
By Darrell Laurant, News & Advance
Published: August 9, 2008
A recent gathering presided over by Catherine and Mike Mosley at the Church of the Covenant had all the ingredients for an old-style ice cream social — the kids, the ice cream (enough for 100 people), the outdoors, the Rescue Squad.
Actually, the latter was a surprise addition. Mike Mosley stepped in a hole just before the party started and badly injured his knee — hence, the distress call that brought a city ambulance rolling up the driveway into the church’s park.
“We offered them (the squad) some ice cream,” Catherine Mosley said, “but they were busy taking care of Mike, and very professional. So I brought some to the emergency room.”
There was plenty to go around. Catherine Mosley had won an essay contest sponsored by the Dreyers/Edy’s ice cream company (Dreyers west of the Rockies, Edy’s to the east), the prize being everything needed for a major neighborhood gathering.
According to the company Web site:
“Since the Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute program debuted in 2005, Dreyer’s has delivered ice socials to 3,000 neighborhoods and their 300,000 residents. … Dreyer’s believes ice cream is a sweet social liaison that breaks the ice, and enables neighbors to share and bond over a scoop of their flavor. And the cherry on top has been the comments Dreyer’s has received from previous winners:
“We are all so busy we usually only briefly speak or wave to each other. This was an opportunity to sit and chat for awhile. In almost 40 years of living near each other, I don’t recall ever having a party for the neighborhood before now.” — Ruby Harris, Biloxi, Miss.
“Our neighbors are the best, because you can count on them in times of trouble or if you just want to talk and share something. We feel very lucky in these sometimes scary times that we have such a great place to live. I thank all of our wonderful neighbors for being so caring.” — Karen Friebolin, South Whitehall Township, Pa.
“Thanks a lot — my husband had to have surgery.” — Catherine Mosley, Lynchburg, Va.
Actually, Catherine Mosley didn’t say that — in fact, she and her husband took it all in stride. They headed off to the Lynchburg General emergency room, and the party continued without them.
“We decided to have it at the Church of the Covenant because our son, Luke, had gone to camp there, and we love the people, especially the lifeguards,” Mosley said.
“We did invite our neighbors, though.”
You may have gathered from the information above that winning the Edy’s essay contest isn’t quite as competitive as, say, coming away with a Pulitzer Prize. There are, in fact 1,500 winners every year (although Mosley was the only one from the Central Virginia area), gleaned from 9,000 entries.
The thought of that was mind-boggling. Who judges these contests? Can you imagine sitting down to read 9,000 essays about ice cream?
Catherine Mosley happens to be a very good writer, who does freelance public relations work, and applauds Edy’s for its PR acumen.
“That’s just such a great idea,” she said. “It gets the product out to people, and makes believers of them.”
According to Mosley, the company even prints out the invitations.
“Our party in a box arrived full of bowls, spoons, scoops, napkins, ice cream coupons and extra gift certificates, nametags, two table covers, door hanger invitations, a yard sign, a Sharpie, a disposable camera, a metal scoop, an apron and wipes,” Mosley said.
“On (July 30) our ice cream arrived. Having a small freezer, my husband talked to the local Kroger, and they allowed us to store it there. This box contained 12 cartons (1.5 quarts) of Edy’s Slow Churned Light Ice Cream and several boxes of Slow Churned bars in a variety of flavors.”
The ice cream came packed in dry ice. Maybe Mike Mosley could have used some of it on his knee.
Published: August 9, 2008
A recent gathering presided over by Catherine and Mike Mosley at the Church of the Covenant had all the ingredients for an old-style ice cream social — the kids, the ice cream (enough for 100 people), the outdoors, the Rescue Squad.
Actually, the latter was a surprise addition. Mike Mosley stepped in a hole just before the party started and badly injured his knee — hence, the distress call that brought a city ambulance rolling up the driveway into the church’s park.
“We offered them (the squad) some ice cream,” Catherine Mosley said, “but they were busy taking care of Mike, and very professional. So I brought some to the emergency room.”
There was plenty to go around. Catherine Mosley had won an essay contest sponsored by the Dreyers/Edy’s ice cream company (Dreyers west of the Rockies, Edy’s to the east), the prize being everything needed for a major neighborhood gathering.
According to the company Web site:
“Since the Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute program debuted in 2005, Dreyer’s has delivered ice socials to 3,000 neighborhoods and their 300,000 residents. … Dreyer’s believes ice cream is a sweet social liaison that breaks the ice, and enables neighbors to share and bond over a scoop of their flavor. And the cherry on top has been the comments Dreyer’s has received from previous winners:
“We are all so busy we usually only briefly speak or wave to each other. This was an opportunity to sit and chat for awhile. In almost 40 years of living near each other, I don’t recall ever having a party for the neighborhood before now.” — Ruby Harris, Biloxi, Miss.
“Our neighbors are the best, because you can count on them in times of trouble or if you just want to talk and share something. We feel very lucky in these sometimes scary times that we have such a great place to live. I thank all of our wonderful neighbors for being so caring.” — Karen Friebolin, South Whitehall Township, Pa.
“Thanks a lot — my husband had to have surgery.” — Catherine Mosley, Lynchburg, Va.
Actually, Catherine Mosley didn’t say that — in fact, she and her husband took it all in stride. They headed off to the Lynchburg General emergency room, and the party continued without them.
“We decided to have it at the Church of the Covenant because our son, Luke, had gone to camp there, and we love the people, especially the lifeguards,” Mosley said.
“We did invite our neighbors, though.”
You may have gathered from the information above that winning the Edy’s essay contest isn’t quite as competitive as, say, coming away with a Pulitzer Prize. There are, in fact 1,500 winners every year (although Mosley was the only one from the Central Virginia area), gleaned from 9,000 entries.
The thought of that was mind-boggling. Who judges these contests? Can you imagine sitting down to read 9,000 essays about ice cream?
Catherine Mosley happens to be a very good writer, who does freelance public relations work, and applauds Edy’s for its PR acumen.
“That’s just such a great idea,” she said. “It gets the product out to people, and makes believers of them.”
According to Mosley, the company even prints out the invitations.
“Our party in a box arrived full of bowls, spoons, scoops, napkins, ice cream coupons and extra gift certificates, nametags, two table covers, door hanger invitations, a yard sign, a Sharpie, a disposable camera, a metal scoop, an apron and wipes,” Mosley said.
“On (July 30) our ice cream arrived. Having a small freezer, my husband talked to the local Kroger, and they allowed us to store it there. This box contained 12 cartons (1.5 quarts) of Edy’s Slow Churned Light Ice Cream and several boxes of Slow Churned bars in a variety of flavors.”
The ice cream came packed in dry ice. Maybe Mike Mosley could have used some of it on his knee.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Aqua-Pruff (neoprene) Sale!
Had to let you know about this great sale. As a mom, I love Aqua-Pruff, and I used to do some PR for them. Great products for busy, active moms!
See flyer info below:
Manufacture’s Warehouse Sale
We must make room for new products!
Thursday August 14th
Friday August 15th
Saturday August 16th
9am-3pm
110 Vista Centre Drive Forest, Virginia (turn off of Forest Road to Graves Mill
Drive then turn on Vista Centre Drive) look for the white tent.
60%-80% Savings
Stock up for Christmas, birthdays and teacher gifts.
Spend $100 or more and receive a free tote bag valued at $50.00.
Products have been featured in Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, Family Circle,
Southern Living and on CBS Early Morning Show and QVC.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Losing the first tooth (teeth)
It's been a big week.
Luke couldn't let his dad upstage him. (By the way, Mike's surgery went great today -thank you Dr. P!).
Luke lost his first tooth at Amazement Square on Monday. He was with his babysitter, so we missed the momentous occassion. She said he was absolutely "fearless," jerking it out. Ouch!
The staff there made it a memorable moment with the tooth fairy leaving a silver coin... Later that evening, he pulled a second tooth out! And, the next morning, $10 was left by the tooth fairy.
That is a huge increase since I was a child!
Huge train sale including Thomas
Great sales at www.rrgifts.com...50-85% of Thomas the Tank Engine stuff...
We went through a huge train phase - on to pirates now - but I know lots of you are there now...
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Surgery tomorrow
Mike is going under the knife tomorrow. Please say your prayers. Our wonderful friends are feeding us and taking care of our son while we deal with this strange, freak accident.
Good Health is everything... here's to yours and ours! Best, Cat
Good Health is everything... here's to yours and ours! Best, Cat
It all started with the ice cream
So, for those of you who read my "Free Ice Cream for 100" entry - Mike is going in for an MRI today but tentatively scheduled for surgery on Wednesday. This was his "good knee" - the other has been operated on 3 times, and the next step is a knee replacement for that one.
Thanks to Monica Prahinski for getting us an appointment with her orthopaedic husband. Dr. P took one look and said he thinks it is a quad tendon rupture...
Welcome to the 40s!
It all started with the ice cream. Actually, we are huge fans of Edy's now. More later...
Thanks to Monica Prahinski for getting us an appointment with her orthopaedic husband. Dr. P took one look and said he thinks it is a quad tendon rupture...
Welcome to the 40s!
It all started with the ice cream. Actually, we are huge fans of Edy's now. More later...
Monday, August 4, 2008
Food Allergy Walk
A friend forwarded this to me. For those of you who have children with food allergies and sensitivities, you understand... Plus there is great info on the website. Thanks for reading!
Hello all -
There are having a Walk for Food Allergy: Moving Toward a Cure on Sunday
September 7 in Long Branch, NJ.
Julia is going to walk with Team Julia Valinoti. She has set up her page
for the walk. Please check it out - www.foodallergywalk.org, then click on
"donate to a walker", select "New Jersey - Long Branch" for a location and
type in her name. If you can make a donation that is great, but do not
worry if you cannot - we just wanted to let you know she was doing it.
There is lots of great info on the website if you have food allergies or
know someone who does.
If you are available and would like to walk with us we would love to have
you on our team - let me know so I can get you a Team t-shirt.
Thanks for all your support!
Kelly
Hello all -
There are having a Walk for Food Allergy: Moving Toward a Cure on Sunday
September 7 in Long Branch, NJ.
Julia is going to walk with Team Julia Valinoti. She has set up her page
for the walk. Please check it out - www.foodallergywalk.org, then click on
"donate to a walker", select "New Jersey - Long Branch" for a location and
type in her name. If you can make a donation that is great, but do not
worry if you cannot - we just wanted to let you know she was doing it.
There is lots of great info on the website if you have food allergies or
know someone who does.
If you are available and would like to walk with us we would love to have
you on our team - let me know so I can get you a Team t-shirt.
Thanks for all your support!
Kelly
Free Ice Cream for 100
At least nine months ago, if not a year, my dear friend Pam sent me info on the Edy’s Ice Cream Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute. The challenge was simple - write an essay about why your neighborhood deserves an old-fashioned ice cream social. Pam is a wealth of information. She’s always sending me cool links to fun stuff and important information for moms. She is a great writer, and she edits a lot of my work. Our boys – two 5-year-olds and an 8-years-old - are buddies. Although we live four hours apart, we get together as often as possible. And, we are always on the look-out for adventures for our little guys.
Two months ago, I received an email from Edy’s that I was a grand prize winner. I eagerly emailed Pam, and lo and behold, she had won also! In fact, they awarded 1,500 parties to 1,500 neighborhoods across the United States.
“Our neighbors are going to love us,” wrote Pam. We excitedly emailed ideas back and forth about our party plans. But we really didn’t need to; Edy’s took care of everything. As a marketing and PR professional, I have to say this is a brilliant promotion, and it has been brilliantly executed. They boast to 6,000 parties in 4 years, and after our party, they have a new legion of fans in Lynchburg.
We created an invitation, using a customizable template on www.slowchurned.com. Two weeks ago, our Party in a Box arrived full of bowls, spoons, scoops, napkins, ice cream coupons and extra gift certificates, nametags, two table covers, door hanger invitations, a yard sign and stand, a Sharpie, a disposable camera, a metal scoop, apron and wipes for sticky fingers.
On Wednesday, our ice cream arrived. Having a small freezer, my husband Mike talked to the local Kroger and they allowed us to store it there. This box contained 12 cartons (1.5 quarts) of Edy’s Slow Churned Light Ice Cream and several boxes of Slow Churned bars in a variety of flavors. Since some of our kids are dairy-free, we also supplemented with some of Edy’s fabulous fruit bars.
We had decided to stage our party at our neighborhood pool – Camp Kum-Ba-Yah in Lynchburg, Virginia. This 40-acre private, nonprofit camp has a rich tradition of inclusiveness, and that is a whole other story. We love the pool there because of the wide diversity of people and the caring, loving lifeguards who are so sweet with the kids. Camp director Phil Boyce agreed to let us have the party there, and we offered the leftovers for the camp.
We arrived 30 minutes before the party to set up. As my husband was unpacking, he accidentally stepped in a hole and dislocated his knee. Boyce actually heard the pop, and he was standing close to 20 yards away.
Well, I guess you could say that the emergency vehicle elevated it to real party status. Mike was wheeled away and insisted I stay and play hostess to our guests. We sampled such flavors as Raspberry Chip Royale, Cookie dough, Caramel Delight, and two of their American Idol special blends – Cheesecake Diva and Mint Karaoke Cookie. Simple flavors like Vanilla, Chocolate and Peach were also popular.
“This is the best peach ice cream I have ever tasted,” said eight-year-old Brian Grimmett of Forest Virginia, whose grandparents Ron and Barbara Oetgen live in Salem.
After several trips to and from the Emergency Room, Mike was finally released. A day later, his knee is still about the size of one of those 1.5 quart ice cream containers.
Edy’s has a good thing going. We’re hoping one of our neighbors will win next year. But we hope the party will be free of accidents. For more information on other promotions by Edy’s, go to www.edys.com. Look for next years contest in the coming months.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Food, Glorious Food!
A friend asked me to pass this along! I'll be there...
THE RIMLAND CENTER PRESENTS:
A Cooking Demonstration by
SALADMASTER
Join us for an evening of fun, learning, and good food!!
The Saladmaster chefs will be presenting a cooking demonstration using their unique surgical stainless steel cookware.
Learn how easy it is to in crease the nutritional value of your meals and the secret to fast, healthy meals!
You will not believe how simple it is to cook healthy, tasty food with the unique steaming system of the Saladmaster cookware.
Learn how to bake on top of the stove!!
We invite you to dine with us on August 19, 2008. We will be serving:
Greaseless fried chicken with low carb potatoes
Three Vegetable Medley
Heart Healthy Salad
Chocolate Cake (Gluten Free - Pamela’s)
Make it an evening out - bring your spouses and join us for learning, fun, and good food!!
Program will start at 6:00 pm on August 19, 2008 at
The Rimland Center
2919 Confederate Avenue
Lynchburg, VA
Reservations are required and space is limited. So, please call early to reserve your seat! Reservations must be made by August 12th.
For more information or to make reservations, please call
Brenda Murphy at (434) 665-2857
Friday, August 1, 2008
Think Outside the Box/Win a Tee Shirt
Send in your top mom tip for keeping your kids "unplugged" by August 10th, and you may win this cool tee. The bubble reads: "Outside the box with www.chroniclesofmommya.blogspot.com." Email lukesmom1216@yahoo.com with your tip and mailing address.
This article runs tomorrow in The Roanoke Times:
Driven to have fun
Top Ten ‘Unplugged’ Travel Games and Activities
By Catherine Chapman Mosley
As featured in The Roanoke Times on August 3, 2008
Growing up, my family always made a yearly trip to a North Carolina beach. The resounding chorus of “Are we there yet?” never seemed to annoy my father, and he would always reply “Nine more miles.” Funny that his response never changed and we failed to question him. The beach was a six to seven hour car trip, and it would have been complete misery without the extensive program of activities my mother had in her repertoire.
Now that I am a mom, those fun times have come back to me. Although our DVD player was a lifesaver on a long plane trip two summers ago, we tend to migrate to those old-fashioned games we played when I was a child in an effort to "unplug,” simplify and let imagination take its own course.
I enlisted a panel of experts to help me with this article – parents who are on the frontlines, or should I say front seats, of this issue. Delving into their own childhood memories and backseats, they have helped me compile a top ten list for pleasant road trips this summer. With gas prices at an all time high, at least your kids’ spirits and creativity will be too.
10. Travel Backpacks/Containers
“I gave my boys special backpacks just for traveling that they got to fill,” says Ashley Blanchard. “They are great because they are always ready to go… and they pick what they want.”
This is a terrific idea because it gives your child ownership, and they can take the backpack into restaurants and other places for instant activities.
Deborah Gleason lets her two boys fill a Rubbermaid container with their own choice of toys. “This way, the toys are right in between the two boys and they can reach anything they want,” says Deborah. “They also put their toys away when they're done and there's no messy car to clean when we return home.”
9. Organize before you leave
With a long trip in front of you, take the time to clean your car and organize prior to leaving. It will calm you and the rest of the family to have a clean car, and you will know where to find things quickly and easily.
If you need additional inspiration, you may want to check out the “Messiest Car Photo Contest” at www.parenting.com/messycar for a chance to win $500 in gas, car detailing and spa treatments.
8. Audio Books
We made an exception to the rule on this one.
Deborah is very fond of books on CD although “I'm not sure if you would count this since it does kind of plug them in…Our favorite is Peter Pan. It's something we can all listen to or, better yet, Brent and I can turn the volume to the back of the car and we can actually have a conversation!! I like the books on CD because …they're using their imagination and listening so carefully.”
7. Create a summer travel journal
I love this idea, and in looking for options I stumbled onto www.scribblepress.com, a Los Angeles-based company started by two moms who met on a transcontinental flight and ended with a business model for a creative venture. Items such as My Travel Journal and My Vacation give children a way to create their very own bound book with their original art and story.
Kaboose.com offers easy-to-make directions for making a journal from scratch to record summer vacations, camp, pool-time and other fun stuff: http://crafts.kaboose.com/summertime-journals.html. They also have lots of downloadable coloring sheets specifically for summer at http://printables.kaboose.com/summer-printables.html.
6. To buy or not to buy?
Melissa and Doug provide lots of old-fashioned toys for kids, with specific travel games like car bingo, Hangman, The Bear Hunt and Flip to Win memory game. They are available locally at Imagination Station (across street from upper side of Towers on Colonial Avenue) and Periwinkle Toys (4246 Electric Road).
For those of us on a budget, discover www.momsminivan.com with lots of printable car games including car bingo.
5. Teach a foreign language
“Since I'm trying to teach Victoria some Spanish,” says Teri Deal, “I have her find any big truck on the road and tell me what color they are in English, and then I tell her what it is in Spanish. Now, she can point to a truck and say its color in Spanish. Nothing major but she enjoys it and learns a little something.”
4. 20 Questions
This one has been around forever, and it is great for parties or road trips. Nothing is needed except a minimum of two players who ask 20 questions until the answer is revealed.
The Worst Case Scenario Card Game – Travel Edition is great for older kids to test their wits and creativity. With questions like “How do you ride safely in an elevator?” and “How do you prevent altitude sickness?” it’s not as easy as one might think. It’s available at www.areyougame.com, but there is much less expensive version that Lara Wimmer recommends.
“A friend of mine plays a questions game in the car and at the dinner table,” says Lara. “She made about 15 questions that ask about the children’s day such as “What was something funny that happened to you today?”, “What was the favorite part of your day?” and “Did anything happen today that made you feel sad?”
“They take turns drawing and answering a question,” continues Lara. “She ‘invented’ this game because once her kids turned 8-ish, she said they stopped talking.”
3. Parents need to unplug
Turn off the cell or let it go to voicemail. Don’t even think of texting.
Carolyn Moon values her time in the car. “Most importantly we talk to each other. This is one of the few times during the day we are all together with no distractions so we chit chat about anything that is on their minds.”
2. Oldies but Goodies
“I'm always a fan of the old fashioned alphabet game,” says Lori White. “You look for letters of the alphabet, in order, on signs as you pass by them on the highway. It's great to encourage letter recognition in younger children, and it definitely keeps the kids occupied.”
There is the car color game. Each passenger picks a color and counts the number of cars passed in that shade. First one to 50 wins.
For rural road trips, everyone counts cows on their side of the road. If your opponent sees a cemetery on your side, all your cows are wiped out, you return to zero and begin again. First one to 100 wins.
”We play ‘Name that Song’,” says Carolyn. “Someone sings one line from a kid’s song and everyone else tries to guess the song. And there’s ‘I Spy’ - I know you probably thought of that…”
1. Cracker Barrel
I discovered some games there I hadn’t seen in years like Woolie Willie and Etch a Sketch. When another friend suggested Cracker Barrel, I decided to check out their website. They have a whole section devoted to road trip products, and they have the audio books Deborah suggested.
The restaurant chain also launched the Greatest Family Road Trip™ Game in May. While on the road, families can stop by a Cracker Barrel for a bite to eat and a chance to play the game to win more than $1,000,000 in prizes, including over 90,000 gift cards. One guest, who is lucky enough to collect all of the winning license plates, will win the grand prize – a brand new Monaco® RV or $250,000 in cash. The contest ends July 28.
With 27 locations in Virginia, you are sure to pass several on your journey.
- Catherine Chapman Mosley is a Lynchburg-based freelance writer. You can view her blog at www.chroniclesofmommya.blogspot.com.
Make your own tee shirt/Sweetpotatoprints.com
I saw these four moms on Martha Stewart today, and I had another one of those "Why didn't I think of that?" moments. The segment and directions can be found at http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=7a4464d3a5d35110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default&rsc=ts_Homepage_Homepage.
I would be at AC Moore or Michaels right now if my car wasn't getting a state inspection! How cute and how fun! And they even tell us how to do it! I may have to order the pirate shirt since it looks a little complicated.
And... these moms are so on it! Organic, made in America tees are all they will use. From their website: "We are very pleased to have found a sweatshop-free shirt
wholesaler, American Apparel, that not only cares about
the high quality of their clothing, but also cares about
social and environmental responsibility. Not only are all of their shirts made in their downtown Los Angeles factory (avoiding outsourcing to sweatshops), but
all workers are fairly compensated, given health and dental
insurance, even free massages at the workplace. The
company plans to expand its "Sustainable" line of organic
clothing, which we hope to use for our prints in the future.
We hope you enjoy the durability and feel of these shirts,
and the integrity of the supplier, as much as we do!"
Look for our designs shortly... I am thinking ice cream designs for our ice cream party tomorrow!
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