Potential Future Concerns

I've been trying to organize for when I resume group meetings in the fall. One of my largest concerns is being able to continue providing childcare. For the past two years we've relied heavily on AmeriCorps workers that BHK has generously provided. Linda Pucket was our key AmeriCorps worker and she was very loyal to our group; she donated her time to every single group meeting. Unfortunately Linda has moved out of the area and the guarantee to provide future childcare for each meeting is uncertain.

I know that providing childcare is what makes it possible for many people to attend the meetings. I'm trying to come up with solutions to solve this issue should it become a problem. I'm hoping that since I schedule the meetings so far in advance that I wont have to worry about this. However, I'm putting it out there and if anyone has a suggestion please let me know.

My other concern that I have is being able to cover meetings should I have an emergency or become ill at the last minute. At this time I have no back up in place and I run the group solo. If anyone would be willing to cover a meeting in my place, please email me or call me and let me know. I've been running the group for two years and only once did something come up and I thought I would have to cancel a meeting. Be assured that I would not be calling on people very often.

If anyone has any input to the above concerns, please get in touch with me. I would greatly appreciate any feedback.

Rained Out!

As you all know we were rained out yesterday and I had to cancel the picnic. I will shoot for another date, time, and location for the end of July. I will probably aim for more of an evening time so that more people can potentially attend.

Should anyone want to meet before next month please let me know, I'd be happy to set something up sooner at a coffee shop or park. I'm available by phone or email any day of the week.

Bad Weather for the Picnic?

If bad weather swoops in before our picnic today, the picnic will have to be cancaled. There is no shelter or structures of any kind at this park for us to stay dry.

In the event that I have to cancal our get together, I will try and send out some dates to try again next month.

I'm crossing my fingers and hoping for the best! Have a great weekend if I don't see you!

Picnic Directions

To get to the Douglas St. Park this Friday, you make a right turn at Little Caesars in Houghton. Go up a couple of streets and make another right turn onto Douglas. Drive down Douglas until you see the park on the left hand side; you can't miss it.

The picnic will be from 2:30-4:00 and please come even if you can't bring a dish to pass. If you haven't done so already, please RSVP me so that I know how many people to plan for.

There will be no childcare and parents are responsible for their own children while at the park.

I look forward to seeing everyone!!

It's a Potluck Picnic!

Kathleen Helppi, whom most of you know, is the Regional Parent Mentor for Michigan Alliance for Families. I'm sad to announce that Kathleen will be moving downstate in July with her husband and family. Kathleen's husband (Joe) was offered and accepted a job downstate. Kathleen was born and raised here and she has family that still resides here and she will be coming to visit, so this is not a permanent good-bye.

Since I spoke so many times at our meetings of having a gathering at a park during the summer, I thought it would be nice to do so now before Kathleen leaves. Please join me on June 25th, 2010 from 2:30-4:00 at the Douglas St. Park in Houghton. The gathering will be a potluck picnic so please bring a dish to pass. Please join us anyway even if you can't bring a dish to pass.

See you soon!