News at a Glance
“Fishing
Has No Boundaries”
Hosts Brainerd Event
Fishing is an unpredictable
venture with an unknown outcome. Sometimes you catch something
and sometimes you don’t. Thankfully, the
annual Brainerd Lakes Fishing Has No Boundaries (FHNB) event is about
as predictable as you can get.
This year’s event, August 25th and 26th, will once again feature
around 100 anglers with disabilities having a great day of fishing
on Gull and Sylvan Lakes. Now in its fourth year, the two-day event
continues to grow and improve and this year will be no exception,
said Dave Anderson, president of the Brainerd Lakes Chapter. “The
support and enthusiasm of the community is what has made this event
grow and will sustain it into the future,” he said.
All that great fishing
fun last year was made possible thanks to the work of over 250
volunteers and sponsors from the Brainerd Lakes Area. Additional
volunteers and sponsors are needed to make this year’s event
on August 25 and 26 a success.
The number is staggering; 54 million Americans have some form of
disability. Those numbers demand attention, and FHNB was founded
to provide fishing opportunities for every person with a disability.
Providing outdoor experiences is also the goal of the Confidence
Learning Center, the location of the annual FHNB fishing event.
Those interested in
volunteering should go to the Brainerd Lakes FHNB website at www.brainerdlakesFHNB.org or call 218-828-2344 or contact either Bob Slaybaugh at 218-828-2344
or Dave Anderson at 952-935-0106. Complete event information as
well as photos from last year’s event can also be found on
the same website.
Government Center Seeks
Volunteer Greeter
Provide general assistance
and information to visitors of the Ramsey County Government Center
East. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Contact Ramsey
County Community Human Services—Volunteer
Services at 651-266-4090 for additional information or e-mail to
volunteerservices@co.ramsey.mn.us
United Spinal Association to
Celebrate
60 Years of Service
United Spinal Association,
a national veteran’s service and
disability rights organization, is proud to announce that May 22,
2006 is its 60th Anniversary. Launched in 1946 by a small group of
World War II veterans paralyzed on the battlefields of Europe and
the Pacific, this member-based organization has grown into one of
the nation’s premier advocates for people with spinal cord
injuries and disorders.
To celebrate the anniversary, the Association has designated the
day as United Spinal Association Awareness Day and has launched an
awareness campaign to bring attention to the services that are available
for individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D),
their families and caretakers across the country. Along with special
events, member recognition and community outreach programs, United
Spinal members, in all 50 states, will wear commemorative orange
ribbon pins on May 22 to show their solidarity. The public can also
participate in United Spinal Association Awareness Day by visiting
www.unitedspinal.org to learn about the history and services of the
Association and how they can support people with SCI/D.
“As we toast our 60th Anniversary, United Spinal stands at
a critical new juncture. We have expanded nationwide and launched
a bold new mission offering our services to more people than ever
before. Complementing our longstanding commitment to serving America’s
paralyzed veterans, we’re now reaching out to everyone with
spinal cord injuries or disorders across the country,” said
Executive Director Gerard M. Kelly. “We eagerly embrace these
new challenges, and we look forward with confidence to our next 60
years.”
For more information about United Spinal Awareness Day, please visit
www.unitedspinal.org or
call 800-404-2898.
Birding and Wildflower Programs
at
Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
Spring has sprung at
the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird
Sanctuary. The woodland wildflowers are in full bloom this month.
Trillium, trout lilies, and wild ginger fill the hills with color
and life. In addition, myriad species of migratory songbirds are
stopping at the Garden before they journey further north. It is a
spectacular time of year to enjoy what the garden has to offer.
Every Thursday, Saturday
and Sunday, naturalists at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden & Bird Sanctuary offer free interpretive programs
ranging from bird watching to wildflower walks. The Garden is located ½ mile
north of I-394 on Wirth Parkway. Please note, the hilly, woodchip
paths may prove difficult for some people to access. To register
for programs, ask Garden related questions, or inquire about plants
in bloom, please call 612-370-4903.
Naturalist Programs at Minneapolis
Regional Parks
The Regional Parks in the
City of Minneapolis offer naturalist led public programs for families
and individuals of all ages. From an Owl Prowl on the West River
Road of the Mississippi River to a Spring Wildflower Walk near Lake
Harriet, you will find a program designed for all nature lovers.
Please call 612-313-7725 for registration details and program schedules.
Neighborhood
Naturalist Programs for
Youth and Preschoolers
The Minneapolis Park
and Recreations Board runs a program called Neighborhood Naturalists
for preschoolers and youth in the neighborhood recreations centers
on a year around basis Programs are offered daily on weekdays and
occasional weekends. Each program is offered as a series of four
consecutive lessons on the same day each week, or on four days
in a row in the same week. From Nature Babies for preschool kids
to In Cold Blood for youth ages 6-12, there is a kid’s
program at a rec. center near you. For schedules and registration
details, please call 612-313-7725.
Zoo Day for Augmentative Communication
Devices Users
United Cerebral Palsy
is sponsoring Zippity Zoo Day for augmentative communication device
users on Friday, June 16 at Como Zoo in St. Paul from 10:00 a.m.
until 2:00 p.m. Participants can ride the carrousel, participate
in the talent show and much more. The cost is $20, which includes
a picnic lunch and t-shirt. Anyone using a communication
device and their family can attend. Register by calling United Cerebral
Palsy at 651-646-7588 or ucpmn@cpinternet.com
VSA Arts Launches Theater
Apprenticeship Award
VSA arts recently announced
the recipient of the first VSA arts Apprenticeship Award for a student
with a disability at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Christopher
Imbrosciano, 21, of South Plainfield, New Jersey, will be attending
the renowned festival in Massachusetts, June 14-August 21, 2006.
VSA arts has partnered
with the Williamstown Theatre Festival to offer an aspiring theater
artist with a disability, age 19-24, an apprenticeship. Every summer,
the Williamstown Theatre Festival Apprentice Program offers 70
promising students a chance to expand their theater education.
One of the goals of VSA arts is to provide artists with disabilities
the opportunity to develop skills in pursuit of a career in the
arts. “The Williamstown Theatre Festival Apprentice
Program provides some of the best hands-on learning experiences.
We are thrilled to offer Christopher Imbro-sciano this opportunity.” said
Soula Antoniou, President of VSA arts.
Christopher Imbrosciano
is a junior at Rowan University majoring in theater arts. He has
performed in: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s
Nest, Three Sisters, Anything Goes, and Oliver. Imbrosciano is also
a skilled theater technician, specializing in stage management and
scenic, properties, and costume construction. He was born with cerebral
palsy.
“Our summer-long theater festival brings together emerging
theater talents and accomplished mentors in a vital and supportive
educational atmosphere,” said Roger Rees, Artistic Direcor,
Williamstown Theatre Festival. “We believe the arts are for
everyone and are very happy to partner with VSA arts to expand our
program and build career opportunities for all artists.”
The Williamstown Theatre Festival apprentices study acting, voice,
and movement, and learn about the many facets of operating a professional
theater. Apprentices also have an opportunity to audition for Williamstown
Theatre Festival productions. Former students of the program include
Christopher Reeve and Gwyneth Paltrow.
For more information contact Maria Rhodes/VSA arts at 202-628-2800
ext. 3883 or marciar@vsarts.org.
Lawrence Klein/ Williamstown Theatre Festival.
Student with Disability
Wins Maryland
Entrepreneur Award
Last spring, my daughter
Andrea Freedman became the first student with a developmental disability
to win Central Maryland’s Junior
Achievement Award. This wonderful story began last spring when Andrea’s
special education teacher handed her an award application to fill
out about her store. Writing has always been difficult for Andrea,
but she kept insisting that her dad and I help her fill out the application
and write this essay. It took days to complete.
Well, imagine everyone’s surprise when she won a Jr. Achievement
award!! The award committee said this was the first time they
had given this award out to a student with a developmental disability
and that they were very excited about their decision!
From a local newspaper
announcement: Andrea Freedman, 19 year old owner of Andies Candies
Store at Bridal Elegance in Eldersburg www.andiescandies.com/ has won the Junior Achievement of Central Maryland’s Youth
Entrepreneur of the Year Award! It is a $1,000 prize! $700 for her
business and $300 for her high school. The Jr. Achievement office
said that there was steep competition this year. Applications and
essays came from ten counties in Maryland and two in West Virginia.
A documentary video
can be found online at the Entrepreneur Center Web site www.studentcenter.ja.org/
Eventually, a DVD will be available that can be copied for training
purposes. Andrea says it is OK with her if people want to use it
to help others.
The above was written by Mona
Freedman, RN, Executive Director/Founder of Caring Communities.
