Real Voices, Real Choices Conference

We left at 7am to go to Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, MO. The van was as packed as it could be. First thing we did was to head for a place that had caffeine to help keep us awake. The rest of the way went smooth until Cindy's phone's GPS decided to take us elsewhere. But after several turn arounds, we finally arrived at our destination. When we got there, we registered for the conference and waited for our rooms. Since we were a little early, the RVRC crew already provided planned games in the main hall room. It allowed a chance to talk and get to know people and mingle. There were numerous speakers and break-out sessions to choose from. Each speaker and break-out session was very informative and interesting. Each break-out session had a drawing at the end of their presentation. At night time, the RVRC conference crew planned karaoke, movie, bingo, or game night, or you could do what you wanted to do. On Monday night, the Friends in Action group had a pizza party in Cindy's room. It was great for all of us. The days started early and ended late, and sleep was super welcome on Tuesday night. I had lots of fun and met interesting people and hope to do it again next year.


Brenda F

Fourth of July Picnic

I would like to thank everyone that came to the Fourth of July BBQ at Friends in Action.  I was also like to thank everyone for the joyful time at the clubhouse and a special thanks to BJC and the staff. 

Ed F.

Busy day

The "Out Reach" team was busy today. One of our members is in the hospital so they stopped in to say "Hi". Then they dropped in on a couple of other members to check and see what they were up to.
While the "Out Reach" team was busy, a couple of the members headed out to buy some flowers for the flower shop. It looks like "Florals by Friends" is going to be busy!

 

Tonight is game night. There is a lot of cheering going on. Know one seems to care who is winning or losing.  Friends just relaxing and enjoying some social time. 

 

We had a happy 4th of July

We hope you had a happy 4th of July. Friends in Action was full of chatter on the 4th. This year we grilled hamburgers and everyone brought something for a potluck. Talk about food!!! We had 2 - 8' tables covered with food. Everything from bake beans to Earthquake cake.

This Weekend...

“Country Days” is a yearly festival in Farmington, MO on the 1st weekend in June. They hold a parade, talent show; there are carnival rides, and all kinds of good food. Friends in Action Clubhouse decided to make Country Days part of our EWH program this past weekend. We had so much fun. It was very hot. I wasn’t planning to go, but wanted to. I received a call the day before inviting me to join Clubhouse for the day. I was excited to go. The Country Days parade was good. The high school band was good. There were antique cars that came by. I liked the dancers, people on horses, and the farm tractors. There were many different floats, but the church floats stood out to me. Everything was so good.
Ruth T.

From Julie:
I went on a mile-long walk with the Friends in Action Clubhouse. I enjoy talking with a lot of people. I really liked the speeches that the [RESPECT Institute speakers] gave. I really enjoyed being at the park with my clubhouse family. --Julie

Memorial Day, the whole story...

Prior to our accreditation, we always celebrated holidays as a Clubhouse family, but never on the actual day. After our first Clubhouse International training in 2013, we began moving toward holiday celebrations on the actual day. We celebrated Thanksgiving Day and had 13 members attend the event. Then, in 2014, we celebrated July 4 and again Thanksgiving- both having about 22 members.

This year we will celebrate every holiday on the actual holiday. This past Monday was our first celebration for Memorial Day. Due to weather reports, we moved the bar-b-q/picnic from the lake to Clubhouse. That move did not dampen any spirits!! 40 members attended this event along with 2 staff members!!!!! Our daily average attendance is 30 so this was amazing!!! Many members participated in the washers tournament.... the winning team was: Lindell and Brent. Other games included ring toss, bowling, bean bag toss, and board games.

Our Clubhouse is becoming well known for its potlucks and Memorial Day was no exception. Bonnie, Julie, and Warren were the "Grill Masters" and prepared pork steaks for all of us. Liane was a busy bee in the kitchen preparing "extras." The dessert table did not have Betty's volcano cake (I have yet to tell her how much I missed that and HER at the picnic), but it did have Jessy's amazing rocky road cake, Mary's coconut cream pies, apple crisp from Chris and Tommy, Tim's Oreo cookies, and Shannon's fruit salad (yes... it was considered a dessert because it was full of coconut and marshmallows and very sweet). We had plenty of other choices also: Julie's homemade potato salad, Gerry's potato salad, Shannon's deviled eggs, Sheila's green bean casserole, Brent's cucumber salad, Mike's pasta salad (without onions so I didn't have to pick them out), Carol's famous mac n' cheese, Cory's coleslaw, and of course a picnic wouldn't be complete without chips and soda....which we had plenty of.

It is comforting to be a part of this Clubhouse family and being a part of making our own traditions (at the Clubhouse) for each holiday.

Anna & members