Saturday, February 13, 2010

Update from 2/9/10 meeting

The following is the agenda from our February meeting. Included are some brief notes about the discussion that followed on each topic.
1. Welcome and introductions: We had lots of new faces, plus plenty of our regulars. It's great to have so many folks come out to support the Y.A.!
2. Induction of new student members and alternates: our representatives from grades 5 & 6 are Savanna Cary (voting member), grade 5; Emilee Thibeau (alternate), grade 5; Remi LeBlanc (voting member), grade 6; and Taylor Patrick (alternate), grade 6. Representatives from grades 7 & 8 are Mackenzie Brady (voting member), grade 7; Acadia LeBlanc (alternate), grade 7; and Brooke Linendoll (voting member), grade 7. Our representatives from grades 9 - 12 are Willie Linendoll (voting member), grade 9; Gracie Lynn Bessie (voting member), grade 11; and Brianna Thibeau (alternate), grade 11. We are very proud to announce our group!
3. Secretary's report - review and approval of minutes
4. Amendment of by-laws: this involved a few minor changes due to our incorporation.
5. Treasurer's report
6. Ski/Snowboard Club: all is going well with this program. About 25 kids are participating regularly this year. Many thanks to our volunteers and to the volunteer bus drivers!!
7. Snowshoeing - Keith Kelley: Keith spoke about a snowshoeing event he's trying to coordinate with some students from the high school, and spoke about some opportunities available to help at Merck Forest.
8. Skating at SAW: the event on Jan. 30th went very well! The skates that are available for borrowing are in the barn by the pond; they should be used and then returned. Thanks to the Shoppe Off Broadway for collecting the ice skates from community members and making them available to borrow, and to Randy Dumas who sharpened all of the skates.
9. Ping-pong tournament: there has been one meeting held thus far, and more to come as the students organize this event. Details will be announced as they are available. Right now it looks like the tournament will be held sometime within the first few weeks of March, at the Courthouse. The tournament will be for adults and kids.
10. Website, Blogspot, Facebook: please keep checking these sites for information about what's happening with the Y.A.
11. Summer swim program: there have been lots of discussions about the future of the swim program; it looks like there will be a possible move of the program from Hebron Camp to Lake Lauderdale. The Salem Y.A. is looking into the possibility of coordinating with the Cambridge Youth Commission. This is a move that is being carefully considered and will impact other summer programs. Stay tuned for more details.
12. Public service: discussion of possibilities for public service in our community. Hearts and Hugs for Olivia is this weekend, 2/13 (see blog post just below this post for more details). Also talked about Earth Day clean-up, and other options related to the Salem Rescue Squad and Fire Department. Also brought up was the possibility of a future benefit walk coordiated by the Y.A.
13. Action plan: there will be a separate sub-committee meeting to address an action plan for the Y.A.
14. New business: Kyle Hunter spoke to our group about a project he is working on to create a public, multi-use trail on the old railbed between Main Street in Salem and Rupert, VT.
15. Comments from guests: Erin Trombley from Girl Scouts spoke to us with a plug for involvement in the Girl Scouts and a call for partnership opportunities with community organizations.
Additionally, our youth members expressed positive feedback about the Youth Association and excitement to move forward.
16. Other: Herb Perkins reported that the application for the community van has been submitted and we are waiting to hear the results. The van in question is a van that has been used for years by the Greenwich community; they have purchased/are purchasing a new van and are giving away the older van to a non-profit organization. It will be necessary to implement a process of coordinating the use of the van by community groups, as well as a method of coordinating volunteer drivers.
Also discussed was the use of the barn behind the Courthouse as a drop-in center for kids in the after school hours, possibly modeled after the program the Cambridge Youth Commission has in place currently.
17. Next regular meeting - Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
18. Adjournment

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Hearts & Hugs for Olivia

Hearts & Hugs for Olivia

Olivia Brown is a 3-year-old girl who lives in Salem. In June of 2009, she was diagnosed with a rare genetic form of cancer.

In January 2010 Olivia underwent surgery to remove cancerous sections of her lung. During surgery, doctors found that the cancer has spread to the lining of Olivia's heart, her diaphragm and to the other side of her chest cavity.

Olivia will be undergoing chemotherapy and steroid treatments to assist in her fight to beat this cancer, pleuropulmonary blastoma, which has progressed to Stage III.

On Saturday, February 13th at 6pm the Salem First United Presbyterian Church will open its doors for 3 fun events to benefit Olivia and her family.

Pot Luck Dinner Entrance is free (donations gladly accepted), just bring a dish to share!

Dessert Auction Stay to enjoy some sweetness and bid on delicious desserts immediately following dinner.

Silent Auction Throughout the event, there will be a silent auction where items and services will be available for you to bid on.

100% of your generous bids will go to the Brown family. Bid high & bid often!

If you or your business have a service or item you would like to donate to the silent auction portion of Hearts & Hugs for Olivia, please contact Kaarina Wirkki at 854-3106.

All other inquiries may be directed to Donna Holmes at 854-7920. All donations are greatly appreciated and will make a big difference in this little girl's life.

Come to eat or just come to bid - either way, come and help Olivia!

Pictures from the skating event at SAW on 1/30/10

All credit for these photos goes to Tom McMorris of McMorris Photo. Thanks!!