Reeling and Healing Midwest Blog

VISIT OUR BOOTH!

Fellow Fly Fishers & Supporters,

The 2008 season will have its official start at the MFFC Midwest Fly Fishing Expo in Warren, MI, this weekend! Once again, Reeling & Healing Midwest will be hosting a booth at the show. If you are planning to attend, please stop by Booth E-14/E-15 and check us out.

Some of the activities in our booth include:

• Trout Love Beads - while supplies last
• Win A Custom Graphite Rod of Your Choice by Famed Rod Builder & Designer Kerry Burkheimer.
• Special Drawing for Fishing Gear & Accessories.
• The Fly Donation Creel is Open for Your Fly Donations.
• The New “Fish On” Hat and Shirt Collection will Debut.
• Past Participants & Volunteers can order a Special Rod Outfit - rod, reel, line, leader, tippet, flies & fly box.
• Learn about our Retreats - Sign up to Volunteer, Host a Fundraiser, Recruit Participants and More.
• Sign up to Participate in the Vest Decorating Contest.

FLY DONATIONS: Thanks to the support of fly tyers and tying clubs from around the world, our fly donation campaign was a tremendous success last year. These donations allowed us to outfit all 2007 participants with flies. Our mission for 2008 is to do it again. We welcome all types of flies. Learn more here.

Stop by and check out our Show Specials too!

Again, we invite you to join us in kick-starting another great season of renewing the spirit and hope of those who are battling and surviving cancer. Stop by Booth E-14/E-15. Take time out to meet some of the wonderful women who have participated in our fly fishing wellness retreats.

If you’re interested in volunteering in our booth during the show, please send us an email or phone 616-855-4017. We need additional assistance and welcome the help.

Here is to renewed spirit and renewed hope.

FISH ON!

The Huron Valley Chapter of the M.S.S.F.A. is hosted their annual Spring Fishing Show at the Monroe County Expo Center in Monroe, MI on February, 9th-10th, 2008.

Our our Theresa D., Sara W., and Terrie were there with a booth for Reeling & Healing Midwest. They had a great time talking to attendees and sharing stories about R&H Midwest, handing out our trout love beads and accepting donations for our retreat programs.

Sara, an accomplished fly tyer, introduced Terrie to the world of tying. She was mesmerized by the detail and workmanship that goes into tying a fly - she was blown away.

There was a variety of exhibitors from the fishing world - local and national, as well as seminars, speakers and hands-on demonstrations. Some of the best experts throughout the Great Lakes region were present.

The show was a tremendous success for the Huron Valley Chapter and we look forward to returning next year.

Read more here.

Announcing a Special Offer From
Reeling & Healing Midwest and the
St. Croix Rod Company

Are you ready to fish your own rod and reel outfit?

We’re delighted to announce that St. Croix Rod Company has heard our requests and is offering a special package exclusive to Reeling & Healing Midwest.

The combination package consists of a 2 or 4 piece, 8′6″, 5 wt. fly rod, matching reel, fly line, leader, spool of tippet, small foam fly box, 18 assorted flies and shipping costs. We have used these rod outfits at our retreat programs for +3 years and they’ve worked out well. We recommend this rod outfit for novice/beginner level fishermen or individuals who may fish for trout, panfish or bass, less than 15 times a year.

Learn more about cost and ordering here.

This offer is exclusive to Reeling & Healing Midwest participants, volunteers and their family members.

Phone 616-855-4017 with any questions.

FISH ON!

What an opportunity R&H Midwest was to be with ourselves, and in Mother Nature, with an incredible group of loving people. It was a place where my heart could “come out”, a place to get involved and discover. Thank you for a well-planned, fun, interesting, and very rewarding retreat! -Nancy S.

Thank you for continuing to inspire me to work hard for my education. I have decided to work toward an oncology position as a career. These women need the best of care and I intend to give it to them!

-Sue W.

Just a note to let you know how honored I was to be given the opportunity to assist with the retreat. I felt truly blessed to be part of the experience. As I am sure you could tell, I can be an emotional guy much like the others and it was a life-changing experience.

- Joe S.

My son volunteered at a retreat last summer. I wanted to thank you for the opportunity you gave him. It truly made him a better person and if he pursues medicine, I am confident that it will make him a better doctor. That being said, I am so impressed with what I���ve seen, I was wondering if I could participate in the future? I am not nearly the fly fisherman my son is, but if there���s something that I can do to help, please let me know.

Thank you again for the opportunity to make a father proud.

- Bill B.

Thank you for another ���great memorable experience���ĶI learned a lot and it was great to volunteer.

Rose P.

Our own JoAnn Dalson is the recipient of the 2007 ���The Difference Is You��� Award by the Grand Rapids Alumnae Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity for women. JoAnn, a breast cancer survivor, has volunteered hundreds of hours to raising awareness and monies for Relay for Life, the American Cancer Society, Breast Friends and Reeling & Healing Midwest.

���The Difference Is You��� recipient is awarded based on the following criteria:

�? An individual who is a breast cancer survivor, caregiver or activist

�? An individual who has demonstrated an understanding and awareness of issues related to breast cancer survivorship.

�? An individual who has demonstrated a commitment to educating the public with life-saving messages about the importance of early detection.

�? An individual that has made healthy lifestyle choices to help prevent the disease.

Nomination forms were sent out to over 195 different area health care providers, support groups and hospitals. Among the many exemplary nominations received, JoAnn’s stood out as an example of someone who has truly invested in making a difference.

Zeta Tau Alpha is proud to be able to recognize JoAnn as a key person who is making a difference in the community and in many individual lives. She is truly making a difference.

JoAnn will be recognized at the 2007 Survivor Celebration Dinner in Grand Rapids, MI on Thursday, September 27th.

One of our volunteers, Vicki Fuller, gave birth to a baby girl, Madison, in July.

Little Madison is quite lucky to have two parents who enjoy the outdoors and fly fishing. Father, Todd Fuller, works at Fuller’s North Branch Outing Club as a guide.

Congrats to the family. Here’s to a new little soon-to-be fly fisher:)