New York Mills, MN

My mom said I should put this on the blog, because I might be able to get more support. This letter (adam-creek_jrnylc-fundraising-letter_6-3-08.doc) has gone out to many friends, family and neighbors…

I am Adam Creek.   My 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Koehler, nominated me for Jr National Young Leader Conference this fall in Washington DC. I was honored by the fact that she thought enough of me and my leadership potential to take the time to fill out the nomination form.

I have been pretty active in the community since we moved here. I have participated on the Mediation Team at school. This spring, my sister and I raised $45 for the food shelf and organized a dodge-ball tournament for elementary youth. I am a founding member of the NYM Youth Council.

I am happy to accept the nomination, and now the challenge is to cover the costs to attend what I believe will be a life changing conference in a historic setting. Registration is $1840. My mom and dad are very supportive and will provide transportation and half of the registration fee $920. They feel and I agree that I need to take an active role in getting there.

That is why I am coming to you. I have been raising money since June. So far I have earned or collected a total $315 towards my half of the registration fee. If you were given this type of opportunity when you were younger wouldn’t you hate to miss out on it for lack of money!

If you would like to help me get to my goal of $920 by August 1, please consider making a donation to support my continued development as a young leader in NYM. Your support will assist me in developing my leadership potential that will last me a lifetime benefiting me, my family and our community!

Make Checks Payable to JrNYLC reference my student ID 326897-1975480

Donations can be delivered to my mom at OTWCAC or mailed to

Adam Creek
105 Wendy Woods Ln #202
NYM MN 56567

Thank you!
Adam Creek

Congratulations, New York Mills!

After 18 months of planning, organizing, great conversations, and hard work, your work plan is complete!  Click the link below to find details of the Horizons Team organizational plans, focus areas, and projects.

It has been wonderful to see the projects evolve.  I don’t know about you, but I sure have been enjoying my jams and other treats from the Farmer’s market.  Great work!

New York Mills Work Plans

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Due to the rainy/windy weather we have today–the Horizons Celebration has been rescheduled to next Wednesday, June 18.  Same time, same place.  Hope to see you there!

Horizons will officially come to an end soon (even though many of the activities will continue), so in celebration of completion of the grant program there is a celebration on Wednesday, June 11, that you are all invited to.  Please join us for lunch at the Farmer’s Market in the Sculpture Park, 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.  There will be a short program at 12:00 noon.

If you have any questions, please contact Julie Adams jadams@newyorkmills.lib.mn.us  or Todd Cameron tcameron@nymills.k12.mn.us.

Hope to see all of you at the Community Celebration Wednesday, June 11, 11:30 am-1:00 pm! 

Submitted by Heather Cassidy

The Arts Retreat is a program sponsored by the Jerome Foundation and The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center. Artists from all over the country and world apply to the program, since it offers a stipend, room and board, and use of the cultural center for creative endeavors. The handful of artists that are awarded Artist retreats are selected by a jury of (mostly local) artists. When they arrive in New York MIlls, they are free to work on their artwork without distractions. The only requirement we have of them is that they enrich the lives of the local community through classes, workshops or performances. It is a wonderful way to expand our horizons right here in New York Mills!   

Zondie Zinke is our new Visiting Artist to the Arts Retreat Program here at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center.  She is a writer of gripping, raw short stories.  One cool community outreach project she is doing is the FORBIDDEN POETRY CLASS.  Adults and teens 7th grade and over are invited to write poems about familliar objects or activities, with the most obvious descriptor words being forbidden.

What a super way to think outside the box, to expand your vocabulary, and have fun! So invite everyone you know to come and meet Zondie and write some stunning poetry.  It is free, so no excuses!   

Forbidden Poetry Workshop

JUNE 10th,  2008 10 AM- 12 NOON

New York Mills School ROOM #409  

FREE!  

If you have any questions contact Heather Cassidy  at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center 218-385-2229

heather@kulcher.org

Shawn and I took 6 youth council members to Fertile, MN for Youth Council Development Training Saturday 6-7-08.  The council members who attended were Adam, Asante, Marlo, May, Myrone, and Whitnei.  The two hour ride (each way) gave us an opportunity to bond!  I have to take my hat off to all of these youths.  Getting up and out of the door by 7 AM on a Saturday!!! That is dedication to the movement! 

We had a wonderful time meeting the Fertile Youth Council and working with Deborah the trainer.  The discussion was lively and inspired.  All of us left with ideas and motivation to be the change we want to see!  The individual leadership traits that we have to bring to this council is astounding!  We have decided that together we can definitely accomplish our goals. 

Next step.  Some strategic planning and community mapping!  If you are in the presence of one of the council members who attended this session, please ask them about it.  You will be in awe of the intelligence and thoughtfulness they will express.  Stay tuned! 

We would appreciate your joining us if you have the opportunity - next scheduled activity is June 13 Pickup for Pledges.  We will meet at 4:15 under the gazebo in Central Park. 

We cancelled today’s litter pickup due to the unstable weather!! But we will make up for it on July 11th.  We plan to pickup this Friday 6-13 weather permitting!

The Youth Council met on 5-31-08 see notes (nym-yc-meeting-notes-5-31-08.doc) to finalize plans for the Pickup for pledges campaign.  So far, we have $150 in pledges!  We are excited with the amount of support that we are receiving for our efforts. 

People are willing to show support when you are doing something proactive and not just putting your hand out.  The NYM Youth Council is filled with bright and enthusiastic entrepreneurs and we are getting ready to make an impact! 

Please show your support by joining us Fridays in June at Central Park.  We will begin to pickup litter promptly at 4:30 pm.  Consider making a financial contribution to this fundraising cleanup effort!  $.50 a minute is what we are asking (pickup-for-pledges_pledge-form.pdf).

Showing our youth that we support them will encourage them to stay engaged in community issues enabling NYM to continue to be a thriving community where community members of all ages feel that their needs are met.  Supporting youth now will go a long way towards ensuring that NYM will continue to grow and prosper. 

May 7, 2008Dear community group members,

I am writing to ask if you would like to be part of our Farmers’ market as a fundraiser for your group.  One Group will be selected for each week of the market.  During that week they will be able to rent a canopy for 8 dollars, where they will be able to sell their products.

What products could your group sell? Some ideas we have are:

Cold lemonade, cider, caramel apples

Ice cream cones (maybe homemade)

BBQ turkey or chicken sandwiches

Fresh baked breads

Grilled brats and beans

Pancake breakfast

home baked pies, fresh donuts, cookies

Pumpkins that you have grown as a group

Other veggies or fruits you have grown as a group

Anything unusual, special, and homemade foods that the customers would enjoy munching on while strolling through the market.

If you haven’t already heard the latest buzz about the New York Mills Farmers’ Market, let me catch you up to speed.  The New York Mills Farmers’ Market started on Saturday May 31.  It will run on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9AM to 1PM.  We have many interested farmers who will be setting up 10X10′ stalls to sell their fresh fruits, veggies, meats and homemade foodstuffs.  There is a great deal of excitement about the Market from the people of the New York Mills area! Since the Market is located at the New York Mills Sculpture Park, we have excellent access to Highway 10 traffic, so we anticipate a large volume of customers.

Take these ideas and discuss them with your group.  Then call us to let us know what date your group can be our fundraising guest.  The dates will fill up very fast, so call Pat Fredley soon.   Her number is 385-2187.

Heather Cassidy

Farmers’ Market Committee

385-2229

Horthelper@lakesplus.com