Reeling and Healing Midwest Blog

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:)

Our third men���s retreat went off without
a hitch at Gates Lodge July. There were participants and volunteers from all over the State of Michigan. We were blessed with some wonderful weather and many trout were caught as well.Once again, Coy & Tim from Reel Recovery travel from Colorado to facilitate the retreat. And ���Spoon��� was there with his digital camera capturing EVERY moment possible to document the retreat for the survivors who had traveled up to Grayling to enjoy some time on the famed Au Sable.

From entomology, heron watching and telling kayakers that they were three miles from the landing to making new friends, learning to cast a fly rod and sharing joy and pains of our journeys, it was a memorable time for all. Even the Bread Hole was amazing.

It was my third year of assisting at the retreat. And though the program remains the same, the retreat, because of the men who attend, is always different.

This year was very different for me due to the fact that my father had just been diagnosed with prostate cancer. At my request, my father had taken time off from his busy work scheduled and volunteered at the 2005 & 2006 men’s retreats as a River Buddy/Guide. This year he called me to ask if he could volunteer again on the river. His mission: to not only help others, but share his new diagnosis, compare notes from a different perspective and to give/receive support from a different level than he had ever anticipated.

Needless-to-say, the process of watching my father share with the participants and volunteers was heartwarming. I am thankful to all who reached out to support him, offered their good words, wisdom and prayers. And for their hugs as well.

Of all my treasured memories from my time at the retreat, I am thankful for the laughter shared with “Bob with One O” on the river dock on our final day. Though we hardly fished, we laughed and told stories that had our sides aching. Doing that together, surrounded by nature and sunshine, hearing the echoes of the laughter – nothing but joy. It felt grand to have the weight of the unknown lifted from shoulders and hearts.

And to my dear roommate, Nurse Navin…I commend you on your stellar perfection Loops, Double-Surgeon Knots and Nail Knots. Our leaders rocked!

In closing, I extend the Reel Recovery blessing to all…

BE WELL, FISH ON!

Our good friends and supporters from the Mason-Griffith Founders Chapter of Trout Unlimited were in the booth next to us at the MFFC Expo in early March. There was Mark, and Mark, and Mark (really – there were three of them) and Sam, Dave (back from CO), Paco and more.They were raising monies for their 2007 activities with a wonderful raffle of six different top prize items. With long days of standing on the hard floor, and the drive down from the Grayling area, a number of the gentlemen jumped at the opportunity to indulged themselves 10-20 minutes of chair massage which was available in our booth with our therapist, Laura. She had generously donated her time and a portion of her proceeds to our retreat programs. She was a hit and will be back!

Thanks to everyone else who enjoyed the chair massage – especially the gentlemen from the booth next door!

Fish On!

As some of you know, earlier this week a Call To Action went out asking for volunteers to staff our booth at the MFFC 2007 Fly Expo (info, MFFC Website). The response has been great! As always, our volunteers have come though.

At this point we are at about 90% coverage for the weekend, but could use more help. We have divided the show into time slots (see below). If you are interested, drop us an email at info@reelingandhealingmidwest.org or call 866-237-5725. There are rooms available Friday and Saturday night.

Saturday, March 10th – Show is open between 9 am and 6 pm
- 8:30 am – 12:00 pm, Need 1 Volunteer

Sunday, March 11th – Show is open between 10 am and 4 pm and booth tear-down
- 9:30 am – 1 pm, Need 2 Volunteers
- 1pm – 5 pm, Need 2 Volunteers

Map To Location for those who are attending the show.

Thanks to Ruthanne for coordinating this event. She’s the best around.

See you at the show. Fish On!

Yep – We’ll be back again this year for the big show in Warren, MI at the Macomb County Community College. Reeling & Healing Midwest is planning to host a spectacular booth loaded with goodies and fun for everyone.

We will have our t-shirts – with new styles for women and men. There will be a raffle for a silver Tiffany fly fishing key chain, a slot at the famed Michigan Trout Unlimited School at Ranch Rudolph in June, and fun fly fishing gifts. There are plans for a special children’s fish search with prizes too.

In addition, we’re seeking fly donations for our retreat participants, as well as for Reel Recovery, Project Healing Waters, Fishing Has No Boundaries and a few other non-profit organizations that promote well-being through fly fishing. If you have flies to donate, whether trout, bass, steelhead or salmon, we can use them. We welcome usable fly boxes as well. Bring them to the show and drop them off at the booth.

We’re in need of volunteers to help set-up, tear-down and help out in the booth on Saturday and Sunday. Send us an email if you are interested in joining us. There will be a special hospitality suite on Friday and Saturday nights that you are welcome to attend. We’ve reserved a block of rooms at a special rate if you are interested in staying close to the show too.