Hope this newsletter will update you on everything that is going on with our agency now and in the near future.

 

FUNDRAISING:  We've just recently finished our spring fundraiser with the bird baths and stepping stones. It was a success and special thanks go out to Pauline Maccaux for suggesting this fund raiser.  If you'd like to still order one, please give Pauline Maccaux or Marie Willis a call and they can order one for you.

 

TRACK & FIELD:  District competition is over and our 15 state qualifiers are practicing for State which will take place on June 7-9, 2007 at UW Stevens Point.  I've enclosed the schedule of events for our competitors. Thanks go out to Gaylord and Marie Willis and Carol Moe-Kiefer for the use of their vans to transport our athletes.  Without their generosity, it would be a lot more difficult for our athletes to compete.  If you'd like to go and watch, please do so as there is no charge to attend these games and you are able to watch many talented athletes.  Opening ceremonies are at 7pm at the Colman Track on June 7th. Competiton starts at 8:30am on June 8th. Closing ceremonies and the dance will be held at 7pm on June 8th.  The theme for the dance is "Pirates of the Caribbean." So I am sure we'll have some very interesting costumes. Check our website for pictures of the event and dance. We should finish up sometime in the afternoon on June 9th (hoping to be home around 5pm). This time is tentative because we never know if the events are running on time or if there could be weather problems and delays. When we get closer to home, we will contatct the people responsible for picking up your athletes. As far as money that your athletes will need to take, lunch on June 7th is provided: otherwise, your athlete will be responsible for their own meals and if they wish to purchase souvenirs, then youshould bring extra money also.  Remember, you are only allowed one suitcase to take (everything you want to take must be in one bag).

 

REVISION:  The hotel we are staying in is the Country Springs and their phone number is 715-341-1340.  The rooms are listed under my name so if you need to get a hold of someone,  call the hotel or my cell phone (608-434-2719).

 

IMPORTANT:  I'm not sure if you all know this or not, but Ramona Nachtigal was chosen as the 2007 Wisconsin Special Olympics Volunteer of the Year, and Vickie Luxton was chosen as the 2007 Wisconsin Special Olympics Athlete of the Year. They will be attending a reception in their honor on the evening of June 7th, 2007. They will also be VIP's at the opening ceremonies. You are both very deserving of these awards, so Congrats!

 

BUTTERFEST:  Nancie and I feel we should focus our energy on getting everything ready for the bocce scrimmage so we will not be marching in Butterfest unless someone else wants to get a float ready and be in charge.

 

BOCCE:  Practice will be at  Pineview School on Fridays from 3-4:30pm beginning on June 14th. I need to know by June 11th if you are interested in playing on order to put teams together. If you are only going to be able to participate part-time please let me know because of district competition, and the implications of not having full teams. Teams usually consist of 4, 5 or 6 people and I try to keep teams at 4 players so everyong gets a chance to play: so if teams aren't full, it could result in a team being scratched from competition. Nancie  Cook and I are organizing our first Bocce Scrimmage which will be held on June 23rd, 2007 at the Soccer fields next to Pineview School. We are anticipating 20-30 teams participating in our scrimmage. If anyone would be willing to officiate, be a scorekeeper or help with lunch, we would really appreciate it. We are asking that each participating athlete bring a pan of bars or a case of water and let me know that by June 11th. Athletes please remember to wear your uniforms to theis event. Please bring your own lawn chairs, pop-up tents or blankets, as seating will be limited and there are no trees for shade. There will be an opening ceremony at about 9:45am. with the scrimmage starting at 10am and hopefully ending by 3pm.

 

UNIFORMS:  If you are participating in basketball skills, track and field, or bocce, please pay for your uniforms.  The cost is $49.  Please make checks payable to Sauk County Special Olympics. If you can't afford your uniform I've had several athletes contact their case managers and they paid for them.

 

PICNIC/AWARD CEREMONY:  September 8th, 2007 at Webb Park  4pm. we will again be holding our awards ceremony and picnic. We are reserving the large shelter for a pot luck picnic followed by our awards ceremony and then get in some final bocce games. At 4pm, just prior to the picnic, we want to have a team picture taken.  This will include athletes in ALL sports (bowling, basketball, track & field and bocce),  along with Coaches and volunteers. Following the picture-taking, the athletes can change their clothes and enjoy the picnic. I'm contacting MPS photography and having them take our agency picture and we can purchase photos for $2 each. I hope we have a big turnout because I'm very proud of our athletes, volunteers and coaches.

 

HALLOWEEN: I've reserved the Cazenovia Community Center on North Street in  Cazenovia for October 27th, 2007 for a Halloween Party. The time of the event will be 3-9pm.  There will be prizes for the most creative costime, scariest costime, etc. Come enjoy the music, haunted house, food and companionship.

 

Hope everyone has a wonderful spring and summer and if you have any comments or have any concerns please feel free to contact me.

 

Deb Carroll

Agency Manager/Coach

983-2719