More Than One Me

Rhia approached the principal and a couple of teachers with an idea today, one she’s had ruminating for months. She wants to raise funds to replace the old, wooden (now classed as needing to be removed and replaced) and handicapped inaccessible playground equipment. Miami school has one structure, and a set of swings (woohoo…but with only 150 or so students, it works). Rhia has never been able to play well, if at all, on that structure.

Even at the old school, it was difficult, and she pretty much stuck to the sandbox. I imagine it was the same for another student, older than Rhia and now graduated and in college. In fact, it would have been more difficult, as she was wheelchair-bound for most of the time.

Sometimes, my kid amazes me. She remembers the insanity that was the HAP Fund, and wants to bring it home again. She’s crazy, but she comes by it honestly.

I’ve written up a list of things she can organize for fundraising, and one of those things is a cookbook. I’ll help her compose a letter for the students and parents, probably tonight… but as in all small towns, the selection will be slim and probably rather similar to every other one put out within a 200 mile radius of town.

However… (you know what’s coming, don’t you?)

I was thinking of a “scratch our back, we’ll scratch yours” kinda thing. Any author, editor, reporter, actor, etc. that would like to byline themselves with their favorite recipe, for a good cause, let us know, and we’ll send a form out by email. I’m spam-guarding the email address, but you just have to remove the guard, and add the appropriate bits. recipes jodilee ca

Please feel free to distribute this note, re-write it, do whatever – spread the word!

Courtesy of Michelle Belanger:

Denessa Smith Memorial Celebration
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
7pm to 10 pm
7:30 pm Ritual
Bishop Park, Wyandotte, MI

Please join the Pagan community to honor Denessa’s life and work. Come raise your voices with Michelle Belanger, Dorothy Morrison, Coventry Creations, Cov/42 Productions, FOCAS, MEC, Pagan Path Community Center, Pagan Pride Detroit, Undeniable Entertainment, Witches of Michigan and members of the Tempest Smith Foundation along with tributes from Christopher Penczak and Kerr Cuhulian.

Denessa was able to bring hope out of tragedy, and that will be our goal with this group ritual.

This ceremony is going to be a memorial, but it is also going to be a celebration. Denessa was a woman who drank deeply of wine and pleasure and flesh and joy, and, accordingly, we ask that people bring their best desserts and other favorite sweets and drinks to share (as it’s a public park, no alcohol). Please also bring a chair. If you have not shared comments for the family at www.mec-mi.org, feel free to bring a single page with a blessing, comment, or prayer for Denessa that will be passed on to the family.

If you would like to make donations to the family or to continue Denessa’s vision, you may bring a check made out to Annette Crossman or follow the instructions on the above website.

–M