Well, I had just got to where I was adding distance with a full trailer and now Mother Nature decides to throw in this blasted heat and thunderstorms!!!!! Hello? I'm not ready to ride in 105 degree heat!
I am still slowly rolling along though...I WILL get back to where my bike and I can go anywhere together!...then other than crossing oceans...the world is the limit!!!!! :)
Friday, June 29, 2012
Monday, June 4, 2012
SETTING MY GOALS HIGH
I was thinking about my reasons for doing this Memorial Scholarship and of course there is the obvious, for Andy and to make sure that he is remembered. There's more to it than that though. Those of you who knew Andy knew he was passionate about politics but you may not have realized one of his driving reasons. I have always believed and taught my children that we all hold a personal responsibility to help each other and that only when society realizes this and stops relying on big govt to come to their rescue will we truly find peace and utopia. Perhaps it is idealistic but I believe that when people in a community have needs to be met that the community should come together to meet those needs. WE should pull together to make sure that people in our communities have food, shelter, support, companionship etc. These are things that WE are in a position to be more aware of than some politician sitting in Washington because they are our neighbors, our family and our friends. By helping one another we help enrich our own community and if each community does this then our country becomes a better place.
There is one thing that occupies my thoughts and occasionally distracts me from my emotional and physical pain and that is WHAT DO I DO NEXT? What do I do next to keep raising money? And once the scholarship is a full ride scholarship what is the next need to put money towards? There's certainly no shortage of needs. I can list a few I'd like to work on and that is regardless of the community I live in:
1) a teachers fund- so teachers can make learning more interesting and fun without having to reach into their own pockets or ask constantly from the parents because many parents just don't have the money to constantly put into project after project. Let alone the cost of field trips or things like band equipment, sports equipment and let's face it..hands on, real life learning is much more fun and interesting than just reading about it in a book.
2) Research and financial aid for struggling CFIDS patients. More people are disabled from this disease than many others. It's one of the leading disabling diseases in terms of numbers and the amount of pain and suffering it's victims undergo in the world yet in our country it is ranked toward the bottom when it comes to research funding. Also many of it's victims cannot work, cannot afford insurance thus cannot get what little treatment there is...we are invisible. I'd like to see that changed.
3) I'd love to help expand the rail trails program. Cycling is great exercise as is walking. These trails provide beautiful safe (out of road traffic) travel, not to mention for those of you who are dedicated to going green these provide a method of commuting that "leaves nothing but footprints". It would be so amazing to see these connected with bunkhouses so people could discover the wonders of nature. You definitely won't hear "I'm bored" on a cycling vacation with the kids! Direct the trails near historical landmarks and voila..income for the community, educational fun, exercise and travel all in one. Low cost infrastructure, work for people building them. ;)
4) Community resource fund- to be used as needed to fill the needs of individuals and families in the community. (Think expanded United Way)
These are just a few things. And they wouldn't take much. If each person came out to at least one of the fundraisers, had some fun and gave just a little these goals are all highly attainable. If each business (or person with "deep pockets") contributed to the fundraisers to bring the community together...they would get their company known in the community, they would unite the community building a stronger foundation where people want to stay and raise their families and keep their company a continuous patronage. It would build a stronger America and more stable economy in the long run. As it is it seems that everyone is scrambling around looking for this and it is no longer there or there are only small pockets of it here and there. We CAN get each other through these rough times and come out stronger for it if we take up our own personal responsibility and help each other.
As for future fundraisers? I think I might have some riding partners for the long distance ride ...so that MIGHT be back on. We have also been considering a retro prom/dance. There are a lot of things on this list...I just have to put my "feelers" out and see what seems to interest all of you the most. :) If you have ideas or like a particular idea I mention please comment on it! That's the only way we can know what YOU will like!
Much love,
Mom
There is one thing that occupies my thoughts and occasionally distracts me from my emotional and physical pain and that is WHAT DO I DO NEXT? What do I do next to keep raising money? And once the scholarship is a full ride scholarship what is the next need to put money towards? There's certainly no shortage of needs. I can list a few I'd like to work on and that is regardless of the community I live in:
1) a teachers fund- so teachers can make learning more interesting and fun without having to reach into their own pockets or ask constantly from the parents because many parents just don't have the money to constantly put into project after project. Let alone the cost of field trips or things like band equipment, sports equipment and let's face it..hands on, real life learning is much more fun and interesting than just reading about it in a book.
2) Research and financial aid for struggling CFIDS patients. More people are disabled from this disease than many others. It's one of the leading disabling diseases in terms of numbers and the amount of pain and suffering it's victims undergo in the world yet in our country it is ranked toward the bottom when it comes to research funding. Also many of it's victims cannot work, cannot afford insurance thus cannot get what little treatment there is...we are invisible. I'd like to see that changed.
3) I'd love to help expand the rail trails program. Cycling is great exercise as is walking. These trails provide beautiful safe (out of road traffic) travel, not to mention for those of you who are dedicated to going green these provide a method of commuting that "leaves nothing but footprints". It would be so amazing to see these connected with bunkhouses so people could discover the wonders of nature. You definitely won't hear "I'm bored" on a cycling vacation with the kids! Direct the trails near historical landmarks and voila..income for the community, educational fun, exercise and travel all in one. Low cost infrastructure, work for people building them. ;)
4) Community resource fund- to be used as needed to fill the needs of individuals and families in the community. (Think expanded United Way)
These are just a few things. And they wouldn't take much. If each person came out to at least one of the fundraisers, had some fun and gave just a little these goals are all highly attainable. If each business (or person with "deep pockets") contributed to the fundraisers to bring the community together...they would get their company known in the community, they would unite the community building a stronger foundation where people want to stay and raise their families and keep their company a continuous patronage. It would build a stronger America and more stable economy in the long run. As it is it seems that everyone is scrambling around looking for this and it is no longer there or there are only small pockets of it here and there. We CAN get each other through these rough times and come out stronger for it if we take up our own personal responsibility and help each other.
As for future fundraisers? I think I might have some riding partners for the long distance ride ...so that MIGHT be back on. We have also been considering a retro prom/dance. There are a lot of things on this list...I just have to put my "feelers" out and see what seems to interest all of you the most. :) If you have ideas or like a particular idea I mention please comment on it! That's the only way we can know what YOU will like!
Much love,
Mom
Saturday, June 2, 2012
TROJAN WALK-A-THON to benefit THE ANDREW HENSLEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
On Saturday June 16th we are holding a walk-a-thon fundraiser at Tri Central High School track and field. Located at 2115 W 500 N SHARPSVILLE, INDIANA 46068. Included in our day of fun will be a silent auction with some great items to bid on, a bake sale with some wonderful homemade items perfect for Father's Day! (They always say a way to a man's heart is through is stomach!) There will be a concession stand, and entertainment provided including sets by our own Tri Central High School Jazz Band, Individual vocalists and our special guest MIA
If you wish to walk there is a registration donation of $5 for students and $10 for adults which can be waived for anyone with 10 pledges or more. Walkers will earn 1 ticket for the silent auction for every 4 laps the complete. Registration will begin at 9:00am and Walking at 9:30am and will last until the last walker stops or 6:00pm whichever comes first. If you would like to sponsor, donate an item for the silent auction or need a pledge sheet please email me Lori Jones with your name, mailing address, and the number of pledge sheets you will need at lojojones67@gmail.com .
We have to raise a minimum of $10,000 to make this happen. The President of the Tipton Foundation who handles our counties scholarships told me that I'll never be able to do it "By holding petty fundraisers" He said "you can only raise that kind of money if you know people with deep pockets" My words to him were "Sir I mean no disrespect but I believe you underestimate the power of a community working together..." Please help me prove him wrong! $10,000 will provide a $400 scholarship to a Tri Central graduate between the ages of 17-25 who has at least 2 years participation in Tri Central athletics and or Band, who consistently shows an honest eagerness to learn and do their personal best, and who shows a kind, compassionate, giving personality towards their fellow students and community. If living at home with parents their family income must be $60,000 or below and if independent their income must be no more than $30,000 annually. Of course the more we can exceed the $10,000 the more we can lessen the financial burden on these students!
If you would like to help us achieve our goal and help our young men and women, our future, further their education during these hard economic times please come out and join us for a day of fun or if you cannot be there you can make a donation by clicking on the button below:
Friday, June 1, 2012
Just a bump in the road
Where do I start? Well I am happy to report Zack is at home and recooperating quite well. Our prayers are with him. Turns out he was quite ill..just shows what a trooper he is...or how stubborn he is, one or the other? ;)
I've continued my riding and am coming along! I'm up to being able to ride 30 miles a day pretty easily. (Yeah me!) I'm anxious to see just how far I can go...I've not tried that yet just because I've not had anyone who would ride that far with me. But I'm thinking I may set out on my own soon and give it a try because the curiousity is killling me!
The path I've been riding is the Nickle Plate. It runs from Cassville Indiana to Rochester Indiana if you complete the entire route. It's a beautiful paved rail trail.
I've continued my riding and am coming along! I'm up to being able to ride 30 miles a day pretty easily. (Yeah me!) I'm anxious to see just how far I can go...I've not tried that yet just because I've not had anyone who would ride that far with me. But I'm thinking I may set out on my own soon and give it a try because the curiousity is killling me!
The path I've been riding is the Nickle Plate. It runs from Cassville Indiana to Rochester Indiana if you complete the entire route. It's a beautiful paved rail trail.
The thing is there are no challenging hills on this path...at least none that I have encountered thus far. So once I complete the distance my next challenge will be to find a route with challenging hills. To be honest, I'm so anxious to get out and really go some place...to actually hit the road and ride to a destination and pitch my tent or check in to a hotel and wake up the next morning and keep going...I want to go...go ...go and see just how long and how far my body will carry me. As the Nike slogan says, I may load up soon and JUST DO IT. I'm so at peace when I ride. I love the interesting people I encounter and the beauty of the road. I love the fresh air and sunshine and just being out there..just me and my thoughts. It seems to help in the healing process. Am I scared of going alone? Oh yes but really, there is just as much danger riding the roads near home as there is any other road. One must practice the same caution regardless of where you are.
We still need all the help we can get raising money for the ANDREW HENSLEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND. and expenses for fundraising which have been minimal thanks to many donations of items needed. If you would like to donate you can do so by clcking on the button below:
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOU SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT!
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