How did it get to be July???

Hard to believe, but it's July! Where does the time go?

The 2011 Walk of Hope is fast approaching! This year the walk will be held on Saturday,September 17th, at the park in Beardsley. This year we have a back-up plan in the event of bad weather - Keith Anderson has agreed to let us use the former Beardsley school gym if we can't be outside.

There are some changes this year ... the most important being a change in the survivor's walk. In past years we have done this as a kick off to the event, however many of our survivors found it too difficult to stay for the entire event, so this year we will honor them just before the evening meal is served. We are also working on having some golf carts available for those that find walking difficult.

Another big change is that we have ordered glow sticks in a variety of colors to light the luminary bags, insted of using candles. We are hoping this will save the volunteers a lot of time, and also give the lit luminaries an exciting new look!

We have begun selling luminary bags. Sell sheets are available from all the team captains. Please notice that this year, to make the creating of the list easier,  we are using separate sheets for "in honor of" and "in memory of". The cost is $5.00 again this year.

Both luminaries, and raffle tickets will be available at the Big Stone County fair, July 16th, 17th, & 18th. We will have a booth in the commercial building, and will be doing a raffle as well. If you have time to volunteer to help in the booth please let me know. (Bette 320-839-2048)

On July 23rd, there will be a new fundraising event - a tractor ride! Old & new tractors are invited to participate. The ride will begin in Clinton at the fair grounds, and go through Johnson, Graceville, Barry, Beardsley, and end back in Clinton for a pot-luck supper. The proceeds of the free will donation potluck funds will go to the 2011 WOH. If interested contact James or Joy Haukos at 320-630-1371  or 320-630-1415. If you plan on riding, and want to have lunch at Country Corner in Graceville, please RSVP so they have a head count.

If you are having a team this year, but haven't contacted Elaine Martig yet, please do so so we know what your team is doing for fundraising.

Last, but not least, our July meeting will be Tuesday (July 12th) at 7:15 at the Beardsley firehall on main street. We have a lot to accomplish before september, so let's have a good turnout for the meeting! See you there!