Reeling and Healing Midwest Blog

Can you believe that more than 1.3 million new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in the United States this year? Those are staggering statistics, but there is hope. Each of us can do something to save lives and help those already fighting this disease. That���s why I���ve decided to take action against cancer by supporting the American Cancer Society Relay For Life�� event in Muskegon, Michigan at Mona Shores High School.

Relay For Life is an overnight event that brings our community together to help support the American Cancer Society and its lifesaving mission to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. It also helps people who are walking this cancer journey to deal with it���s ups and downs and what is available in our community for them.

I invite you to show your support in the ongoing fight against cancer by joining us for this year���s event. Survivors��� Lap and the moving Luminaria Ceremony are on Friday night, June 1. On Saturday, June 2, there will be many activities occuring for you to join in on. We hope to see you there!

JoAnn (6 year survivor-breast cancer)
���Breast Friends��� Team Capt.
www.acsevents.org/relay/muskegon/mi

Greetings all. The following item was left behind at our booth at the MFFC Show. It belongs to someone who attended the July 30th 2006 retreat as it sports a fly tied by our own Alex Brown. If it belongs to you, please drop us an email with the necessary contact information.

Fish On!

Over 20 past participants will attend the 2007 Spring Trout Reunion Retreat in Lovells, MI, this weekend. We will be fishing on the North Branch of the Au Sable River and lodging in a private river home of a special couple who supports Reeling & Healing Midwest and also at Fuller’s North Branch Outing Club.

The women attending are cancer survivors and range in age from 32 to 70 years old. Some have fished once, others have been attending retreats for over six years. No matter their experience level, they are young at heart and come together knowing they’ll have a wonderful time.

The weather forecast for the weekend is partly cloudy with temperatures ranging from 40 degrees in the morning up to the high 60′s and 70′s by mid-day. Excellent conditions for a variety of hatches – assorted caddis, small stone flies and lookout – BWO and Hendricksons should be popping too.

We’ll be armed with plenty of flies thanks to the many tyers and fly fishers who donated over 100 dozen to us for use this season.

The grocery list is completed, equipment is ready to be christened in the river for the first time this year and the enthusiasm of the women who will be attending is going each day.

Follow our retreat experience over the next few days as we blog riverside at our retreat location.

Fish On!

“We whole-heartily support Reeling & Healing Midwest,” stated Mark, a Headwaters Trout Unlimited member for six years.

In 2006, the Headwaters Chapter of Trout Unlimited, which covers the counties of Otsego, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Alpena and Montmorency raised funds to support Reeling & Healing Midwest retreats and a Reel Recovery retreat in Michigan. A few of their members volunteered, recruited participants and in-kind donations (one even baked pies!).

Complimentary Trout Unlimited memberships were offered to a number of our retreat participants by Headwaters with the hope to assist in continuing their fly fishing education, as well as river restoration and conservation education. Not one retreat participant turned down the offer.

“This year, we dedicated the 50/50 drawing at our Annual Banquet to Reeling & Healing Midwest,” shared John Walters, President of the organization, “with a promise to match the amount with a donation to Reel Recovery as well.” Thanks to the assistance of Sue Walters and Sharon Greanya, the 50/50 drawing was an amazing success. This year’s drawing awarded $765.00 to our upcoming summer retreat programs.

Thank you to all who participated, to the Headwaters TU, to everyone who purchased a 50/50 Raffle ticket and to all of you who believe in our efforts and organization.

Special thanks to John & Sue Walters for championing our cause, their dedicated support, never-ending positive attitudes, and expert volunteerism.

(Click here to learn more about Headwaters TU)