Well, we do need something, don't we? Earthquakes/tsunamis/reactor malfunctions/radiation leaks/civil wars/revolutions/government shutdown. Holy cow. I guess it makes last year's Haiti earthquake almost pale in comparison. Almost.
I find my good news where I can. And when I can. Dreary, rainy weather for the last week is having a noticeable effect on lawns. Greener by the day. Tulips, irises and more are sticking their shoots above ground, reaching for the sun. Trees are budding. First the small, almost unnoticed growth. Then, getting larger and more colorful until they burst out in an explosion of color. An explosion of beauty that is all too short lived.
More birds, and different kinds of birds are noticeable by the day, too - if you're watching. Soon the trillium will be blooming in the hardwood forest areas. They will give way to the other wildflowers. One of my favorites is the imported ornamental 'Dames's Rocket'. It will grow to almost 4 ft tall and has a beautiful fragrance. You'll find it in moist woodands, open meadows and thriving along roadsides. It comes in shades of white and pink and purple. Yes, it is an invasive species, but one that I tolerate easily. The sight of a patch of it growing, and the scent as I drive by with my windows rolled down never fails to lift my spirits.
The Tigers had their Home Opener today and beat Kansas City 5-2. Go Tigers!
The Detrot Syphony Orchestra (DSO) strike has been settled (officially as of about 40 minutes ago) and free concerts at Orchestra Hall this weekend are going to be a full house! It always amazed - and yet disturbed me - that a relatively small and beautiful venue like that could not sell out for every performance. It really is 'pure' music. And so masterfully performed and conducted. It has been a very strange year without our monthly fall and winter journeys to hear the DSO.
I've also been privileged to participate in some great community activities, one of which was the recent Brighton Optimist Spring Beak Fun Day. A totally free day for kids in the grades K-4, filled with a variety of activities and even the proverbial 'free lunch'. Watching the 170 or so children exerience crafts, karate, swimming, kayaking, face painting - even a small scale version of 'Minute To Win It' - made me smile deeply.
If you're searching for a positive way to spend some time, start looking at your local community groups. We're all busy and we all have a lot of reasons to not participate, but I have to tell you that your time spent on activities like this pay huge dividends in your mental state, your outlook on life and in your sense of value and fulfillment. It's a beautiful thing to give back to the kids in your community without a thought of what you'll get in return. If nothing else, they got a chance to interact with other kids and do things that didn't involve keyboards and video screens.
Nothing stays the same forever, and there is still much to be thankful for in our lives. If you're getting down about world or local events, cut your news time to 20 minutes a day. You can't do anything about those big news events anyway. Find something in which you can make a difference and get out and do it.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Brighton Optimists Sponsor Spring Break Fun Day
Talk about a great youth event. But first some history.
Like many Optimist Clubs, the Brighton group conducted a 'youth appreciation' event every year. One of Optimist International's (OI) 'legacy' events, it was originated to recognize kids for just being good kids. Over the years, Brighton took nominations from parents, neighbors, teachers - almost anybody, really - and set aside a day to present the kids with certificates. Family was invited, refreshments provided. It was a good event.
But participation started to fall off. It was getting tougher to get nominations. Fewer teachers participated. The event just quietly went away for a number of years. And sadly, nobody in the community asked about it. One of our members, Peggy Hall, then went a Michigan District Conference, her first appearance at one in 12 years. She went specifically to try to get some ideas for re-establishing 'youth appreciation'. And did she ever!
At a roundtable session, she heard about a spring break day concept that the Alpena Optimist Club had been conducting. They got permission to use the high school during spring break, when it would normally be closed, and had this great event for the kids. Peggy came back charged up and started making plans.
On April 5, 2011, the Brighton Optimists will conduct their 2nd Spring Break Fun Day, aimed at grades K-4. There will be sessions on karate, yoga, origami, geology, musical theatre, cooking, swimming, kayaking - and a lot more. Some classes are tought by local businesses, things like yoga, karate and kayaking. Others that are more hobbyist in nature are taught by either Optimist members or others in the community.
This event is totally FREE to the kids and a light lunch is provided, too. Registrations are pouring in and it looks like we will easily surpass the 150 kids that we had last year. The event is open to all Livingston County residents. It's just one more way that a group of dedicated people are trying to make a difference in their community, and in the lives of children.
The Brighton Optimists have been very busy as of late. They awarded a $500 scholarship to their Essay Contest Winner in early March, awarded two $500 scholarships to their Oratorical contest winners later in March, they're doing the Spring Break Fun Day on April 5th, and planning the 25th Anniversary of their Free Fishing Derby For Kids on June 11th.
Like many Optimist Clubs, the Brighton group conducted a 'youth appreciation' event every year. One of Optimist International's (OI) 'legacy' events, it was originated to recognize kids for just being good kids. Over the years, Brighton took nominations from parents, neighbors, teachers - almost anybody, really - and set aside a day to present the kids with certificates. Family was invited, refreshments provided. It was a good event.
But participation started to fall off. It was getting tougher to get nominations. Fewer teachers participated. The event just quietly went away for a number of years. And sadly, nobody in the community asked about it. One of our members, Peggy Hall, then went a Michigan District Conference, her first appearance at one in 12 years. She went specifically to try to get some ideas for re-establishing 'youth appreciation'. And did she ever!
At a roundtable session, she heard about a spring break day concept that the Alpena Optimist Club had been conducting. They got permission to use the high school during spring break, when it would normally be closed, and had this great event for the kids. Peggy came back charged up and started making plans.
On April 5, 2011, the Brighton Optimists will conduct their 2nd Spring Break Fun Day, aimed at grades K-4. There will be sessions on karate, yoga, origami, geology, musical theatre, cooking, swimming, kayaking - and a lot more. Some classes are tought by local businesses, things like yoga, karate and kayaking. Others that are more hobbyist in nature are taught by either Optimist members or others in the community.
This event is totally FREE to the kids and a light lunch is provided, too. Registrations are pouring in and it looks like we will easily surpass the 150 kids that we had last year. The event is open to all Livingston County residents. It's just one more way that a group of dedicated people are trying to make a difference in their community, and in the lives of children.
The Brighton Optimists have been very busy as of late. They awarded a $500 scholarship to their Essay Contest Winner in early March, awarded two $500 scholarships to their Oratorical contest winners later in March, they're doing the Spring Break Fun Day on April 5th, and planning the 25th Anniversary of their Free Fishing Derby For Kids on June 11th.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Optimists Do Great Things For The Community
One of the greatest 'jobs' in Optimist International is being Lt. Governor. Within your District (mine being the Michigan District), you are elected to interact with clubs in your 'zone'. My zone (Zone 10) has seven clubs. Part of my duties are to get around to the clubs, answer questions, be a resource, and to provide encouragement and guidance.
It is so gratifying to see what our Zone 10 Clubs are doing for their communities. One has just completed their Essay and Oratorical contest, others are busy with either 'Student of the Month' or Youth Appreciation activities, as the Breakfast Optimist Club of Ann Arbor is conducting. Some have recently started or are working on Junior Optimist Clubs at their schools.
There's a free 'Spring Break Fun Day' for elementary school aged children coming up in Brighton, and Ypsilanti is getting ready for their day of service for the Ronald McDonald House at Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor.
Of course it takes a lot of energy to plan and conduct these projects. Most Optimist Clubs could use a few good new members to help with existing projects and perhaps add some new ones, too.
If you're considering some kind of community service, look up your nearest Optimist Club in the directory at Optimist International and make contact. You won't be sorry.
It is so gratifying to see what our Zone 10 Clubs are doing for their communities. One has just completed their Essay and Oratorical contest, others are busy with either 'Student of the Month' or Youth Appreciation activities, as the Breakfast Optimist Club of Ann Arbor is conducting. Some have recently started or are working on Junior Optimist Clubs at their schools.
There's a free 'Spring Break Fun Day' for elementary school aged children coming up in Brighton, and Ypsilanti is getting ready for their day of service for the Ronald McDonald House at Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor.
Of course it takes a lot of energy to plan and conduct these projects. Most Optimist Clubs could use a few good new members to help with existing projects and perhaps add some new ones, too.
If you're considering some kind of community service, look up your nearest Optimist Club in the directory at Optimist International and make contact. You won't be sorry.
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