Sand In My Shoes.....

Happy Sunday everybody!  I sure hope you had a great weekend like I did!  This morning, Mrs. Jane took us all out on the beach.  What a wonderful time I had.  While she (and some of our friends) smeared this stuff all over themselves called sunscreen, Mrs. Jane said I'd be just fine.  

It was grand laying on a towel on the beach watching the seagulls, listening to the waves crashing on the shore, and generally just relaxing after our busy weekend.  Soon it will be time to go back in the room and pack to go home.  

Here are a couple of pictures for you to enjoy.....

Thanks for checking in today.  I hope everyone has a great week ahead.  -Michael.

Convention Time....

Happy Friday everybody!  I'm still loving the beach, and now I'm at The Arc of North Carolina 2012 State Convention.  I've met all sorts of wonderful people.  Along with some friends, I've been working The Arc of Rowan's booth.  

Here are a couple of pictures of us all hard at work....

Thanks for checking in by today.  I hope Mrs. Jane takes some more pictures for me to post.  Have a great weekend. -Michael

Fun at the Coast......

Happy Thursday everybody!  I'm at the BEACH!  It's just wonderful.  I've never been to the beach before, so when Mrs. Jane invited me, I was packed and ready before she even know what had happened.

We got here yesterday, Mrs. Jane and friends, for The Arc of North Carolina State Convention.  The Convention doesn't start until Friday, but I got to come down early because Mrs. Jane had a few meetings to attend.

Here's a picture of me loving my room.....

Here's a picture of me unpacking....

And best of all here's a picture of my friends and I enjoying the cool  ocean breeze on our hotel balcony....

I am having such a LARGE time here at the beach.  Thanks for checking in today.  Mrs. Jane said she might have time to take a few more pictures and send to Mr. Rob, so check back again soon.
-Micheal.

Today is FASD Awareness Day.......

Hello everyone!   Today September 9, 2012,  is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder awareness day.  Here is a little information I found for you.

"Every year on September 9th, International FASD Awareness Day is observed.  Proclamations are issued in countries, states, provinces, and towns all around the world.  Bells are rung at 9:09 a.m. in every time zone from New Zealand to Alaska.  People all around the world gather for events to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking during pregnancy and the plight of individuals and families who struggle with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).  The first FASDay was celebrated on 9/9/99.  This day was chosen so that on the ninth day of the ninth month of the year, the world will remember that during the nine months of pregnancy a woman should abstain from alcohol.  Anytime is a good time to raise awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)."

The above information comes from the FASD Awareness Website.  

Here's a great graphic from their website also.....

I even found a GREAT Fact Card from the the websites of The Arc of New Jersey and the NJ Coalition for Prevention.  

Here's a picture of me helping out Mrs. Jane at a FAS presentation at one of our local middle schools this past school year.  Mrs. Jane reports she has presentations lined up already for this coming school year!  I'll be helping out again, and I am very excited.

Thanks for checking in today!  -Micheal.

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Mr. Rob here, I want to thank the New Jersey Coalition for Prevention, The Arc of New Jersey, and FASSTAR Enterprises for the information they provided via internet, and all they do for the education and prevention of FASD.

Back to School......

Hi everyone, it's Micheal here.  It is with great sadness I'm here to report today is the LAST DAY of summer vacation.  Bright and early tomorrow morning, students all across Rowan County and surrounding counties will be heading back to school.  

For some of those students it will be their first day of school.  Now I have to tell you, there is nothing to cry about!!  (I'm talking about the mommas.)  I know none of you new kindergarteners are going to cry on your first day of school.  Right?

I hope everyone has a great first day of school, followed by a great school year.  If you are out and about in the morning early, be careful.  There will be students waiting at bus stops, students driving to, or being driven to school.  Also, those big, slow, yellow school buses will be out too!  Please,  leave a little early, and be especially careful in the morning.  

Here are a few "Back to School" images from the web for you to 
"enjoy?"......

Thanks for checking by today.  Enjoy your last day of freedom if you are a student, and check back soon.  -Michael.

Knights To The Rescue.....

Happy Friday everyone.  The Arc of Rowan had some special visitors recently.  They were Sir William Shaver, Knight Almoner and his merry band from the Knightly Order of the Fiat Lux .  

They came by the office to present Shela Sapp, The Arc of Rowan's Assistant Director with a check for $650.00 to fund two scholarships for the Summer Day Program.  This is the third year they have done this.  Everyone at The Arc of Rowan wants to send out a great big THANKS.  While I didn't get to be in the picture, I was there when it all happened.  

Here's a picture for you to enjoy....

That's it for today!   Have a great weekend everyone. -Michael

Lending a Helping Hand......

Hey there everyone, Mr. Rob here today.  Michael wanted me to pass along some pictures of the 2012 Summer Food Drive.  

Here is a report of the action from Mrs. Jane.....

The Summit Civitans and RHA teamed up for a Summer Food Drive. They have been providing food for needy families (with I/DD) at Thanksgiving and Christmas for several years.  This year they realized the need was great and pulled together a tremendous  amount of food for The Arc  of Rowan to distribute to needy families this summer.  The food donations have included many chickens to give away. Canned food and bottled water was included. Pictured is the unloading of the van full of food to The Arc of Rowan office.

Thank-you to our Community Guides for helping to distribute the food to families that could use some extra help during these hot days of summer.

Here are some pictures of our volunteers hard at work......

Once again thanks to everyone for all their help!!  -Michael