Living Art of Montana
Posted by Adele Gibbs
Minutes of the Missoula Sunrise Rotary meeting January 28, 2009.
Amidst the snow and freezing January temperatures, we gathered this morning at the warm and inviting Blue Canyon for our regular weekly meeting. This was all beneath the gaze of "Mortimer the Moose" who Chris Warden noticed has replaced the elk above the fireplace.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Rusty Babington and the invocation was done by Paul Williamson (with a great reminder to all to "serve above self"). Sergeant at Arms David Bardwick introduced Mary Windecker (guest of Susan Cramer) who today has turned in an application for membership.
David Bardwick mentioned that following the meeting a few weeks ago wherein it was mentioned that Arnie's mother felt that Chris Warden was, shall we say, "hot," Chris has been receiving many emails and calls. Chris said the word got out, that several men have actually called about it, and that his wife Lori is "worried." It's tough being at the top!
David offered a selection of humor this morning in the form of snippets from the game show Hollywood Squares. After several groans across the room, Chris Warden said that was almost as bad as watching the show. Discussion of TV shows led to a useful tidbit from David: Did you know that the Dick Van Dyke Show was the first to show a woman on TV wearing pants?
Chris Warden then shared the readout Susan Cramer sent to Chris following last week's meeting he missed while in Canada. Fortunately it wasn't true that the election resulted in a coup and that RI swept in to remove several members-but Chris said Susan sure knows how to push his buttons.
Announcements:
Kara McCarthy shared two announcements. First, a new youth exchange student (a girl from Argentina) arrived last week and is attending Sentinel. She is hosted by our club and is currently housed with a club family for the next three months. She will be in Missoula for a year, and help is needed with housing beginning in three months. Please email Kara or Chris if you are interested in helping.
Second, Kara announced that Community Medical Center's Voice of Hope Cancer Summit is scheduled for next Wednesday, February 4th, at the Hilton from 4pm to 8:30pm. This FREE event features keynote speaker Elizabeth Edwards. Kara said there will be room for 1000 at this event and they're hoping for standing room only! (For more info on the summit, call 327-4221, or see www.communitymed.org.)
Chris Warden announced that there are only three tickets left for the Money Train, just a week from this Saturday. See Jeanine Nguyen soon! Also, Rusty and Lynda are selling raffle tickets this week and next. Get yours today!
Susan Cramer reported that the Montana Repertory Theatre's Red Soiree last Saturday evening was an outstanding success. The play To Kill A Mockingbird was reportedly "excellent!"
Chris Warden reminded us that he received an email from past District Governor Jeff Strickler with a call to all to consider the opportunity of Assistant District Governor. Members must be nominated by a club member or district officer (both Carl Prinzing and Clyde Neu are District officers) and the deadline is February 15th.
Chris Warden said that the club has proved we're successful at raising money. We now need to work on a process to define our process for distribution of the funds we grant. He has formed a working group, chaired by he and Kim Anderson. Other group members include Joe Bischof, Lynda Frost and Susan Cramer. Other club members are encouraged to be a part of this group (just let Chris know). Chris expects to meet two or three times prior to the April 15th Club Assembly meeting, when the newly defined process will be presented to the club.
Paul Williamson announced that there are only about 50 Baskets of Plenty still available. Please consider one for Valentine's Day or Easter, or any other holiday or event. Contact Paul to get yours today!
David Bardwick announced that he ran into former member Lorne Doty last weekend. Lorne now works in California and sends greetings to all!
Chris Warden announced that he's scheduled the next Rotary After Hours for Wednesday, February 25th at 5:15. He offered either Finn & Porter or the Depot, and following an informal club vote Finn & Porter was confirmed as the venue. The club purchases appetizers, and there is a no-host bar. Please attend! Family and friends are welcome.
Susan Anderson announced that she has been working with the Interact group at Sentinel. They are running a "Have a Heart Food Drive" to benefit the Missoula Food Bank and have challenged us to help. Please bring your non-perishable food items to next week's meeting or to the February 11th meeting. Susan will have chocolate hearts as a thank-you to donors at the February 11th meeting. The Food Bank welcomes any type of non-perishable food donation. Additionally, frozen wild game that has been professionally processed is welcome-so clean out those freezers! The Interact group is also working on other projects: AniMeals, Youth Service Day in April, and is thinking about a "diversity week" at Sentinel.
Darko Butorac announced that the Missoula Symphony's family concert "Music Gets GINORMOUS!" is this Friday at 7pm at the University Theater. Tickets are $6 and a sellout (as with previous years) is expected, so get your tickets today!
Our program and speakers were then introduced by Deni Llovet. The program featured Beth Ammons and Lori Mitchell who spoke passionately about Living Art of Montana. Beth explained that Living Art was established in 1993 by a woman named Linda who had been diagnosed with spinal cancer. The mission of Living Art is to use the arts and nature to support healing.
Beth Ammons has been an MD for twenty years, and said she got involved with Living Art in 2004. She described herself as a nerd who is a closet artist, and that co-presenter Lori Mitchell (who is a dancer and has been in nursing since 2005) is an artist and a closet nerd.
Beth and Lori did a marvelous job with a moving presentation about Living Art. Living Art has programs that include patients, family members, physicians and health care providers, and of course, kids. Beth said that as a teacher in the medical field she's learned that the person is just as important as the science, and involving health care providers in Living Art aids healing. Healing (different from "curing") is done by helping people connect: with one another and themselves.
Programs include mask making, gardening, planting, theater, dancing, writing, singing, etc. Beth said that "Creativity and Healing" is effective because it addresses and involves aesthetics, distraction, relaxation responses, subconscious mind and expression, sharing and generous listening, reflection, insight and perspective, and community building. Kids are involved mostly with the arts and movement as a way to connect. Beth explained that in families touched by illness those families are often "exploded for awhile" and often split. Living Art aims to address that.
Beth and Lori shared slides of Living Art in action: Camp Mak-A-Dream: Siblings of Cancer Survivors (storytelling); Camp Mak-A-Dream for Young Adults (mask making, writing and reflection), and others. They spoke about making a positive connection with self and others, and healing "family to family" and "kid to kid."
Lori explained that Living Art's programs are often in the summer, typically twice a year. However, the need existed for continuous help. "Creativity for Life" was started and is held three Saturdays per month for two hours each time. The program is open to drop ins, and Living Art would like to increase the program to include one more Saturday each month. To do so, they are looking to raise $7,000 over a two-year period.
Following this important program, Chris Warden announced that dictionaries in next year's project will be donated in Beth's and Lori's names.
Chris then announced that our dues statements have been sent out. If you are in a difficult situation and it is tough to pay, please see Chris. He can discuss a payment plan or perhaps help from other Rotarians. Chris announced our next two programs: February 4: Jeanine Nguyen on her trip to Vietnam; and February 11: Bob Rowe, former Public Service Commissioner and CEO of Northwestern Energy.
We then closed the meeting with a recitation of the Four Way Test.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Rusty Babington and the invocation was done by Paul Williamson (with a great reminder to all to "serve above self"). Sergeant at Arms David Bardwick introduced Mary Windecker (guest of Susan Cramer) who today has turned in an application for membership.
David Bardwick mentioned that following the meeting a few weeks ago wherein it was mentioned that Arnie's mother felt that Chris Warden was, shall we say, "hot," Chris has been receiving many emails and calls. Chris said the word got out, that several men have actually called about it, and that his wife Lori is "worried." It's tough being at the top!
David offered a selection of humor this morning in the form of snippets from the game show Hollywood Squares. After several groans across the room, Chris Warden said that was almost as bad as watching the show. Discussion of TV shows led to a useful tidbit from David: Did you know that the Dick Van Dyke Show was the first to show a woman on TV wearing pants?
Chris Warden then shared the readout Susan Cramer sent to Chris following last week's meeting he missed while in Canada. Fortunately it wasn't true that the election resulted in a coup and that RI swept in to remove several members-but Chris said Susan sure knows how to push his buttons.
Announcements:
Kara McCarthy shared two announcements. First, a new youth exchange student (a girl from Argentina) arrived last week and is attending Sentinel. She is hosted by our club and is currently housed with a club family for the next three months. She will be in Missoula for a year, and help is needed with housing beginning in three months. Please email Kara or Chris if you are interested in helping.
Second, Kara announced that Community Medical Center's Voice of Hope Cancer Summit is scheduled for next Wednesday, February 4th, at the Hilton from 4pm to 8:30pm. This FREE event features keynote speaker Elizabeth Edwards. Kara said there will be room for 1000 at this event and they're hoping for standing room only! (For more info on the summit, call 327-4221, or see www.communitymed.org.)
Chris Warden announced that there are only three tickets left for the Money Train, just a week from this Saturday. See Jeanine Nguyen soon! Also, Rusty and Lynda are selling raffle tickets this week and next. Get yours today!
Susan Cramer reported that the Montana Repertory Theatre's Red Soiree last Saturday evening was an outstanding success. The play To Kill A Mockingbird was reportedly "excellent!"
Chris Warden reminded us that he received an email from past District Governor Jeff Strickler with a call to all to consider the opportunity of Assistant District Governor. Members must be nominated by a club member or district officer (both Carl Prinzing and Clyde Neu are District officers) and the deadline is February 15th.
Chris Warden said that the club has proved we're successful at raising money. We now need to work on a process to define our process for distribution of the funds we grant. He has formed a working group, chaired by he and Kim Anderson. Other group members include Joe Bischof, Lynda Frost and Susan Cramer. Other club members are encouraged to be a part of this group (just let Chris know). Chris expects to meet two or three times prior to the April 15th Club Assembly meeting, when the newly defined process will be presented to the club.
Paul Williamson announced that there are only about 50 Baskets of Plenty still available. Please consider one for Valentine's Day or Easter, or any other holiday or event. Contact Paul to get yours today!
David Bardwick announced that he ran into former member Lorne Doty last weekend. Lorne now works in California and sends greetings to all!
Chris Warden announced that he's scheduled the next Rotary After Hours for Wednesday, February 25th at 5:15. He offered either Finn & Porter or the Depot, and following an informal club vote Finn & Porter was confirmed as the venue. The club purchases appetizers, and there is a no-host bar. Please attend! Family and friends are welcome.
Susan Anderson announced that she has been working with the Interact group at Sentinel. They are running a "Have a Heart Food Drive" to benefit the Missoula Food Bank and have challenged us to help. Please bring your non-perishable food items to next week's meeting or to the February 11th meeting. Susan will have chocolate hearts as a thank-you to donors at the February 11th meeting. The Food Bank welcomes any type of non-perishable food donation. Additionally, frozen wild game that has been professionally processed is welcome-so clean out those freezers! The Interact group is also working on other projects: AniMeals, Youth Service Day in April, and is thinking about a "diversity week" at Sentinel.
Darko Butorac announced that the Missoula Symphony's family concert "Music Gets GINORMOUS!" is this Friday at 7pm at the University Theater. Tickets are $6 and a sellout (as with previous years) is expected, so get your tickets today!
Our program and speakers were then introduced by Deni Llovet. The program featured Beth Ammons and Lori Mitchell who spoke passionately about Living Art of Montana. Beth explained that Living Art was established in 1993 by a woman named Linda who had been diagnosed with spinal cancer. The mission of Living Art is to use the arts and nature to support healing.
Beth Ammons has been an MD for twenty years, and said she got involved with Living Art in 2004. She described herself as a nerd who is a closet artist, and that co-presenter Lori Mitchell (who is a dancer and has been in nursing since 2005) is an artist and a closet nerd.
Beth and Lori did a marvelous job with a moving presentation about Living Art. Living Art has programs that include patients, family members, physicians and health care providers, and of course, kids. Beth said that as a teacher in the medical field she's learned that the person is just as important as the science, and involving health care providers in Living Art aids healing. Healing (different from "curing") is done by helping people connect: with one another and themselves.
Programs include mask making, gardening, planting, theater, dancing, writing, singing, etc. Beth said that "Creativity and Healing" is effective because it addresses and involves aesthetics, distraction, relaxation responses, subconscious mind and expression, sharing and generous listening, reflection, insight and perspective, and community building. Kids are involved mostly with the arts and movement as a way to connect. Beth explained that in families touched by illness those families are often "exploded for awhile" and often split. Living Art aims to address that.
Beth and Lori shared slides of Living Art in action: Camp Mak-A-Dream: Siblings of Cancer Survivors (storytelling); Camp Mak-A-Dream for Young Adults (mask making, writing and reflection), and others. They spoke about making a positive connection with self and others, and healing "family to family" and "kid to kid."
Lori explained that Living Art's programs are often in the summer, typically twice a year. However, the need existed for continuous help. "Creativity for Life" was started and is held three Saturdays per month for two hours each time. The program is open to drop ins, and Living Art would like to increase the program to include one more Saturday each month. To do so, they are looking to raise $7,000 over a two-year period.
Following this important program, Chris Warden announced that dictionaries in next year's project will be donated in Beth's and Lori's names.
Chris then announced that our dues statements have been sent out. If you are in a difficult situation and it is tough to pay, please see Chris. He can discuss a payment plan or perhaps help from other Rotarians. Chris announced our next two programs: February 4: Jeanine Nguyen on her trip to Vietnam; and February 11: Bob Rowe, former Public Service Commissioner and CEO of Northwestern Energy.
We then closed the meeting with a recitation of the Four Way Test.