Independent Living Center

I got so swept up Friday in our first TRAILS Crafts at Captains that I forgot to send out this week's calendar!  So here it is! weekly events January 8-13.pdf

Crafts at Captains will become a regular TRAILS thing--a very informal time to drop by, say hi, and try out a new skill.  Here's a pic from last Friday--when Barbara Smallwood inspired us to make Dreamcatchers.

Hi Folks,

Just wanted to share these photos from the December 27 TRAILS' WILD THINGS celebration, where we made edible ornaments for wildlife.  After making ornaments and hanging them in the woods, we warmed up and roasted marshmallows around a campfire.  These pics are worth a thousand words...

We’ll try to make this a special year by continuing to offer activities that help EveryBODY enjoy healthy happiness and happy health!  We love input, and if you'd like to lead an activity, we're here to help that happen!

For example, join TRAILS on Friday  (January 5) for our first “Crafts at Captain’s,” where Barbara Smallwood will help us learn how to make dreamcatchers!  TRAILS will supply the basic materials, but bring feathers, beads, shells, yarns, or other special items to decorate your dreamcatcher.

And check out other fun events on this week's calendar: weekly events December 30-January 6.pdf

Hi EveryBODY,

This week's calendar still has lots of fun things happening--you can check it out by clicking here: weekly events December 23-30.pdf.

And be sure to join TRAILS for a WILD THINGS celebration on Wednesday, December 27^th.  

First we'll make edible decorations like those in the photos at left, which are nutritious for local wildlife and can provide a little winter boost for our birds and mammals. 

Then we’ll decorate Eaglefell Park (next to Devony’s) with our wildlife decorations.  

And finally we’ll gather around a campfire to roast marshmallows and enjoy the woods.  

Meet at the ILC parking lot at 1 pm to carpool.

Call Devony at the ILC, 235-7911, for more information.  Or leave a voice message or text at 299-3244.

Oh my goodness, there's so much happening this coming week!  For holiday activities, check out events on December 15, 16 (tomorrow, there's TONS of fun stuff), 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, & 23.  Here's your calendar: weekly events December 16-23.pdf

Actually, the first night of the Garden of Lights and Christmas Music event is tonight, at Bear Creek Winery.  As I mentioned in an earlier email, let me know right away if you want to go to the Garden of Lights NEXT Friday (December 22) from 5 to 7 pm.  I'll arrange transportation from ILC to Bear Creek Winery and back for as many folks as I can.  (Email me at dlehner@peninsulailc.org or call or text me at 299-3244.)

And if you’re curious about the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count, that event is happening tomorrow (Saturday, December 16).  If you want to see what the bird count is all about, meet up at Islands and Ocean at 8:30 am tomorrow, and you'll join a group that will be looking and listening for birds at designated locations.  At 4:30, all groups will get back together at I&O to share results and hot soup.  It’s quite an adventure!

Phew!  I'm worn out just CONSIDERING all the things happening this week!  So have fun!  And be happy that days will soon be getting longer!  YAY!!

Join TRAILS for a 2-part WILD THINGS Holiday Celebration.   

• First, next Saturday, December 9, join TRAILS at the Trim a Tree for Wildlife event at Islands and Ocean at 1 pm.   
  

• Second, weather permitting, on Dec 27, we’ll put up our wildlife ornaments in Eaglefell Woods (by Devo’s house) for wild critters to enjoy, and then we’ll warm up by a campfire and roast marshmallows.

Holiday Greetings to EveryBODY!

This is Nutcracker Week!  The Nutcracker Faire—with over 90 booths—takes place this Saturday (11 am to 7:30 pm) and Sunday (noon to 6 pm).  The Nutcracker Ballet shows this weekend on Saturday, Dec 2, at 3 pm and 7:30 pm and Sunday, Dec 3, at 3 pm.  Next weekend, it shows Friday, Dec 8, at 7:30 pm and Saturday, Dec 9, at 3 pm.  For Nutcracker Ballet ticket information, call Homer Bookstore at 235-7496 or http://homernutcracker.com/content/get-involved.  

But don’t miss other highlighted activities coming up this week, like tomorrow’s Walk with a Doc or next Saturday’s holiday events at Islands and Ocean and the Pratt Museum:  weekly events December 2-9.pdf

In fact, we'd love to have you join TRAILS for a 2-part WILD THINGS Holiday Celebration.  

• First, next Saturday, December 9, join TRAILS at the Trim a Tree for Wildlife event at Islands and Ocean at 1 pm.  
  

• Second, weather permitting, on Dec 27, we’ll put up our wildlife ornaments in Eaglefell Woods (by Devo’s house) for wild critters to enjoy, and then we’ll warm up by a campfire and roast marshmallows. 

What a wonderful gathering we had at Islands and Ocean on Wednesday afternoon.  Over 60 "framily" members (friends+family) came together for the TRAILS and JOURNEYS Thanksgiving celebration.  And over a dozen hardy souls made it down to Bishop's Beach to enjoy the beautiful afternoon with pie around a fire.  Thank you all for bringing your wonderful energy to share with EVERYONE!  And Thank you Islands and Ocean for all your generosity!

Now, look at how busy you can be this coming week, culminating with the Nutcracker Fair next weekend! weekly events November 25-December 2.pdf  And don't forget that Yvonne and Russ could really use some community love and support--their fundraiser is tomorrow evening (Saturday, Nov 25th) at Alice's.

Greetings EveryBODY,

Holiday get-togethers begin in earnest this coming week, and Tela and I wish every one of you a Thanksgiving filled with people and activities to be grateful for.  I know I'm always grateful that every day I get to experience this beautiful place and amazing community!

And no one need miss out on a great Thanksgiving meal.  Wednesday,  TRAILS and Journeys host THANKSGIVING at 11:30 at Islands and Ocean.  We’ll enjoy delicious dishes served with a helping of thankfulness.  After the main meal, we’ll stroll down to Bishop’s Beach to enjoy the beauty of a wintry afternoon on Beluga Slough, followed by dessert at the picnic pavilion around a big, toasty fire.  And on Thursday, Homer United Methodist Church offers THANKSGIVING food and fellowship at its monthly 4^th-Thursday community dinner.

As always, this town is full of activities we can enjoy; here's the calendar of next week's highlighted events: weekly events November 18-November 25.pdf

Tomorrow's a holiday, so I'm sending next week's calendar out a bit early.   Here's the calendar link: weekly events November 11-November 18.pdf

You'll notice that holiday bazaars and celebrations are starting to pop up to spread holiday cheer (and chances to buy locally made gifts and goodies).  Here are some highlights from this week's calendar:

• Saturday, November 11, check out over two dozen booths at the Holiday Bazaar at Faith Lutheran Church.  
• Sunday, head over to Homer High School at 2 pm to join a very special event: the worldwide “Dance for Kindness."  I'll be there representing TRAILS and Homer and Alaska and helping spread the message "...to look beyond ourselves… beyond our countries, cultures, races and religions and recognize that we are all citizens of the world and that kindness is the common thread that unites us all."  It'd be great to have other TRAILERS there too.  For more information, check out this link: https://www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/recreation/dance-kindness-sunday-november-12th. 
• Tuesday evening at Homer Library, enjoy a free performance by the Homer Youth String Orchestra Club.  You'll also see a beautiful video called Blue Ice, which shows HYSOC hiking to Glacier Lake with their instruments and playing on the lakeshore to an audience of icebergs.  If you can't make the performance, here's a link to the wonderful video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIM8mt8VChM. 
• This Saturday and next Saturday are the last two free movies at I&O about WWII in the Aleutians--the Aleutians were the only part of the US to be invaded during WWII.
• Finally, you could finish off the week with a story-telling “Tellabration,” a global celebration of STORIES!  A couple of great storytellers will entertain you and your family at the Homer Library.

Happy TRAILS EveryBODY!