Reeling & Healing Midwest - August 12 2007 Retreat Follow-Up

THANKS: Many thanks to all the volunteers who took time out of their schedules to assist and guide us on and off the river. They are quite a unique bunch – and memorable as well. Each added their own genuine gifts of heart to make the retreat the best ever. A gigantic thank you to Rusty & Julie Gates and the entire staff of Gates Lodge. The food was superb and the staff top-notch as always.

SEND NOTES: I encourage you to reach out and keep in touch with each other. One never knows when you’ll be together again on the river, but that shouldn’t hold you back from sending a note, email or making a phone call to just say, “Hello.” A contact list of all participants and volunteers has been mailed to you.

PHOTOS: As you can see, a few of the photos from our time together have been incorporated into this note. You will find a few more on our website’s GALLERY page. Just look for your retreat date and click on the corresponding photo album. In addition to the website’s GALLERY, we have posted 200+ photos from your retreat on the Flickr website. Use this link to access those photos. You can surf through them and choose to download or order any that you like.

Please feel free to submit any digital photos you would like to include in the albums via mail or e-mail. If you have traditional photos that you would like us to copy/print and distribute or have placed on the website, just mail them to our address below. We’ll scan them and return them.

ROD OUTFIT: As mentioned this summer, a fly fishing manufacturer has given the “thumbs up” to offer participants and volunteers the opportunity to purchase a fly rod outfit for a very special price. Read more about it here.

WADERS: A number of participants and volunteers were interested in owning waders. A major wader manufacturer is extending a 40% discount off of the retail cost of any of their wading products. Learn more about it here.

ON-LINE STORE: Yes, it’s now open. Check out our special merchandise at shop.reelingandhealing.org. All proceeds help fund our New Participant Retreats.

FUTURE RETREATS & EVENTS: We’ll keep you in the loop about future outings, retreats, volunteer opportunities, and more via mail or email. Currently, we’re kicking off 2008 with our Annual Winter Retreat, January 11-13th at Crystal Mountain Resort.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you’re doing.

Here’s to renewed spirit and renewed hope.

FISH ON!

Cathy Sero

MORE ABOUT:
Reeling & Healing Midwest, also known as Reeling & Healing of the Midwest, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that champions fly-fishing retreat programs for women diagnosed with or surviving cancer. It is 100% donor-supported with a 100% volunteer staff. Visit www.ReelingAndHealingMidwest.org or www.IFishOn.org


Post Retreat Note Sometimes You Inspire Yourself How do you know who you are if you don’t step outside your comfort zone and try something new? How will my life be enhanced? How will giving from my heart change me? These are questions, not necessarily thought of prior to attending a New Participant retreat, that can definitely be answered now. From the moment we began to share our similarities and connect the dots between cancer, struggle, triumph, and trust, this group of would-be fishers came together to support each other. We made it through fly fishing history, Wally’s Vest of Awe-n-Wonder, and enjoyed gifts of lanyards, fish earrings and hand-knitted items. Throw in delectable food, sharing of stories, support from others and the gentle coaching of our river guides and what do you have? An awesome experience on and off the river. Aside from tree branches and weeds, there were fish caught and almost caught, miles of beautiful river waded, rocks turned to check out the existance of aquatic life and the sky searched for a plethora of stars at night. There was an abundance of love, support, patience and kindness. It was good for the spirit. Having shared numerous hugs, everyone left the retreat with smiles, warmth and fond memories. Please pass them along through your life’s journey. When stressed out, sit back, relax and remember the river. Remember wading and the feel of the water rushing around your legs as you first stepped in. Remember casting and its gracefulness. Remember how you gradually relaxed and began to embrace the experience of the fly fishing with the women who came together with courage and love. Remember the laughing, sharing and the freedom to just be. To Fish On! (continued below)

THANKS: Many thanks to all the volunteers who took time out of their schedules to assist and guide us on and off the river. They are quite a unique bunch – and memorable as well. Each added their own genuine gifts of heart to make the retreat the best ever. A gigantic thank you to Rusty & Julie Gates and the entire staff of Gates Lodge. The food was superb and the staff top-notch as always. SEND NOTES: I encourage you to reach out and keep in touch with each other. One never knows when you’ll be together again on the river, but that shouldn’t hold you back from sending a note, email or making a phone call to just say, “Hello.” A contact list of all participants and volunteers has been mailed to you. PHOTOS: As you can see, a few of the photos from our time together have been incorporated into this note. You will find a few more on our website’s GALLERY page. Just look for your retreat date and click on the corresponding photo album. In addition to the website’s GALLERY, we have posted 200+ photos from your retreat on the Flickr website. Use this link to access those photos. You can surf through them and choose to download or order any that you like. Please feel free to submit any digital photos you would like to include in the albums via mail or e-mail. If you have traditional photos that you would like us to copy/print and distribute or have placed on the website, just mail them to our address below. We’ll scan them and return them. ROD OUTFIT: As mentioned this summer, a fly fishing manufacturer has given the “thumbs up” to offer participants and volunteers the opportunity to purchase a fly rod outfit for a very special price. Read more about it here. WADERS: A number of participants and volunteers were interested in owning waders. A major wader manufacturer is extending a 40% discount off of the retail cost of any of their wading products. Learn more about it here. ON-LINE STORE: Yes, it’s now open. Check out our special merchandise at shop.reelingandhealing.org. All proceeds help fund our New Participant Retreats. FUTURE RETREATS & EVENTS: We’ll keep you in the loop about future outings, retreats, volunteer opportunities, and more via mail or email. Currently, we’re kicking off 2008 with our Annual Winter Retreat, January 11-13th at Crystal Mountain Resort. Please keep in touch and let us know how you’re doing. Here’s to renewed spirit and renewed hope. FISH ON! Cathy Sero MORE ABOUT: Reeling & Healing Midwest, also known as Reeling & Healing of the Midwest, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that champions fly-fishing retreat programs for women diagnosed with or surviving cancer. It is 100% donor-supported with a 100% volunteer staff. Visit www.ReelingAndHealingMidwest.org or www.IFishOn.org
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