Bone Dance Countdown!

Bone Dance 2013 will feature 8 Great Live Auction Items and a small Silent Auction with 4 Rock and Roll autographed memorabilia items to WOW the collector in you! Hint:  there will be vinyl and a string instrument! Our Table Captains have been busy filling seats and the first deadline for Gala reservations is next Wednesday, October 9^th!! We are already past half-way to our maximum number of paid guests and Table Captains have first come/first serve options for seating. Reservations will close when we hit the maximum, or on October 18^th (whichever comes first). If you plan to attend, please do one of these things before October 9^th to assure that you have a seat:

Visit the website to purchase your reservation 

Send a check to:

Further Shore, Inc. 

Attention: Bone Dance Team 

P. O. Box 23518

Flagstaff, AZ  86002 

Deliver your payment (check or money order) to your Table Captain

If you cannot attend the gala, but want to make a tax deductible contribution in any amount, visit us here, use the pull down menu and donate securely via paypal. Thank you for your continued support of Further Shore’s programs.

Celebrations of Life

Greetings everyone, Robert and I are taking a vacation from August 18^th until September 3^rd to celebrate 20 years of happy marriage! See you all in September and remember to celebrate life every day. Love, Aleia

Our second Death Café was held last Saturday and it was, again, a wonderful celebration of life! We had 30 reservations; 18 new patrons and 9 repeat guests arrived. When asked to write three words to describe the experience, patrons reported these to name a few: revealing, respectful, awesome, helpful, caring, inspiring, beautiful, open, exhilarating, educational, and rich! Our next Café will be held on Saturday, September 28^th from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Federated Church. Watch for the event to be posted on our Facebook page.

Memorial Celebration - Two gatherings will celebrate Pat Taylor’s life and legacy. The first will be Thursday, August 22, at 4 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Flagstaff. The second will be Saturday, September 28, at 3 p.m. at Tonto Basin School. All are invited

That’s Life – A Bone Dance ~ tickets are on sale now for the 8^th Annual Memorial event and fund raising gala. This beloved Flagstaff tradition is a reservation only event you will not want to miss.

We welcome Carrie Schuessler, Allison Howard and Becky Hayes to Koala Bear Volunteer status!

Raquel Rotnes is having hip surgery on August 26^th . . . We are wishing her the very best healing!! Read her story and/or offer meal support by going to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/belo/planner

The Elizabeth Kubler-Ross Foundation is coordinating with http://www.deathoverdinner.org/ in hosting a global event on August 24 as a 9th Anniversary celebration of Elizabeth's transition.

Mid Summer News

Further Shore is hosting another Death Café on August 10^th from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Federated Church in Flagstaff (400 W. Aspen on the corner of Sitgreaves and Aspen). Reservations are limited to 30 people and we are close to that goal. If you would like to attend, please RSVP by calling 928-525-2910 or on Facebook in the “Event” section.

Everyone at Further Shore is sending peace and healing thoughts to the family, extended family and friends of Pat Taylor. We had the honor and privilege of serving Pat in the early stages of a serious medical situation last Fall. Beauty, humor, quick wit and the seemingly endless ability to love life were but a few of the qualities that she exhibited to everyone she met. Pat could also out-hike most of her FS staff! She passed peacefully on Monday, July 29^thwith David, her husband, of 50+ years, nearby. You can read about her journey, memorial celebration information, and see some amazing photos of her at https://www.mylifeline.org/pattaylor/  . Cards or calls can be sent to the family here:

David Taylor and Family
c/o Dawn & Rob Begley


1415 Lomalai Drive


Flagstaff, AZ  86001

In lieu of Flowers, donations may be send to:

Tonto Basin Public Schools


P.O BOX 337


445 So. Old Hwy 188


Tonto Basin, AZ 85553

Reflections and News

Greetings everyone, It is fire season in the Southwest; time to use care with flames of all kinds. The recent loss of nineteen Granite Mountain  hotshots has been deeply felt here in Arizona. Everyone I know seems  to know someone who was connected to this event. It gives us cause to  reflect on the miracle of life as well as its uncertainty. Wherever you are,  please join me in taking a moment to be grateful to all first responders  who rush forward into perilous situations. Theirs is a life of caring, service,  and courage. May their dear families take solace in the time they shared  the memories they made and the gifts they gave in service.  Gratefully, Aleia Further Shore Fundraiser. Stop in or take out on Tuesday,  July 16th for lunch or dinner at either of the Fratelli Pizza  locations for 10% Tuesday! On that day, Fratelli will donate 10%  of their sales to Further Shore’s TLC Client Support Program. In addition to great traditional pizza there’salso a yummy gf option,  so let’s go eat! Flagstaff’s first Death Café was a great success. You can read about  it on our Face Book page; the next one will be held on  Saturday, August 10th from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the  Federated Church in Flagstaff. Check out the calendar for  more information about Summer Programs at Wayne’s House.  Don’t forget to mark your calendar for the 8th annual memorial gala  and fund raiser, “That’s Life ~ A Bone Dance!” on October 26th.  This event has become a cherished Flagstaff tradition.

Death Cafe and Other News

Further Shore Summer Programs and retreats are in full swing. Bridging the Gap will be offered just once this season (the first week in August). Holding Space is a three hour workshop to help you deepen your understanding true presence. There are several dates to choose from. Five Wishes Coaching sessions are available by appointment withMeg Leander. Inquire about Renewal Retreats at Wayne’s House. All our programs are offered on a sliding scale. Don’t forget to Like us on Face Book where you will find lots of interesting tidbits to enhance living well and dying with dignity.

Further Shore is proud to host Flagstaff’s first Death Café on Saturday, June 29^th from10 a.m. until noon at the Federated Church, 400 W. Aspen Ave. This global movement which began in London has the objective: "To increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives". At Death Cafés people come together in a relaxed and safe setting to discuss death, drink tea and eat delicious cake. OurDeath Café is open to those with secular and/or spiritual viewpoints. Freely offered, donations welcome. Reservations Required or call 928-525-2910.

First Call for Bone Dance Table Captains! We are seeking 22 folks who want to help make this year’s annual memorial gala and fund raiser a great success. Please contactAngela Krupica at 928-600-9430 if you would like to serve.

Remembering Konrad

Dear Further Shore Friends,

Our Flagstaff community will remember Rev. Konrad Kaserer at a memorial service onWednesday, May 22, 2013 at 6 p.m. at the Unity Church of Flagstaff, 6134 Black Bill Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86004. His obituary appeared in the Daily Sun on Sunday. Robert and I have known Konrad for many years as a teacher, minister, counselor, priest and friend. We shared deeply meaningful conversations and healing ceremonies during an especially transformational time. Konrad’s written mission statement for his life reads: “To honor my life and priestly vocation; to honor the Divine by living the divine life I came here to live; to express love, happiness, abundance, joy, peace, compassion; to be in communion with my beloved; to travel and experience the world as the beautiful garden that it is. I want others to be at least as successful as I am.” He will be dearly missed and always remembered.

Love, Aleia

Beautiful Beginnings and Endings

Dear Further Shore Friends,

Walking in the Ponderosa Pine forest last week I spotted the first sprouts of yellow flowers poking through the pine needles. Spring is finally coming to the still snow-capped mountain. Meadows are greening up, red-winged black birds are singing and daffodils are bobbing in the blustery wind. Springtime for me, especially during the astrological sign of Aries, marks a time of waking up to new beginnings and honoring what is ending. May all your “farewells” and your new beginnings be gentle. Joyfully, Aleia

Let your voice be heard!All adults can benefit from thinking about what their healthcare choices would be if they could not speak for themselves. April 16^th is National Healthcare Decisions Day. Visit the site and consider completing your living will this month. Our own Meg Leander is available to guide individuals, families or groups through The Five Wishes, “a living will with heart and soul” that was created by the Florida nonprofit organization Aging with Dignity.

Hold the Date: June 29, 2013 from 10 a.m. to noon for Flagstaff’s first Death Café. The objective of Death Cafe is "To increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives". At Death Cafés people come together in a relaxed and safe setting to discuss death, drink tea and eat delicious cake. The idea of running Death Cafés came from the work of Swiss sociologist Bernard Crettaz. Jon Underwood (England) initiated Death Café as part of a set of social projects about death called Impermanence. Reservations will be required. Stay tuned for more details.

New Advisory Board for 2013-2014: We are grateful to these past Advisors for their service:  Nikki Baldwin, Mark Carroll, Susanne One Love, Eliot Schipper, and Judith Waidelich. Thank you all for the wonderful ways you have offered your kind support. We welcome back to the Advisory Board:  Shayna Diamond-Atonna, Dot Dunn, Becky Hayes, Peter Klein, Jack Pelton and Bee Valvo. Thank you for your continued support! We also welcome new advisors for this cycle: Amber Belt, Isha Braun, Nancy Gedney, Jean Malecki-Friedland, John Mead and Denise Stanga. What a blessing to have such gifted friends holding space for Further Shore.

Thanks for visiting and “liking” us on FaceBook. Visit today!

In Loving Memory

Dear Further Shore friends, Our team was honored to serve Karen Vercoe in her valiant journey and transition. My thanks to her Further Shore team and to Hospice Compassus who provided her end of life care. Here is the obituary that appeared in Sunday, March 3^rd Daily Sun paper.

Karen Leslie Vercoe, born November 23, 1956 died on January 15, 2013 after a brief struggle with a cancerous brain tumor. A kind and gentle soul, she gave her life to the care of children; first her own and then at Sechrist Elementary as a school nurse. Her career continued with the care of children when she transferred to Flagstaff Medical Center and became a charge nurse in the pediatric unit. Among her life accomplishments were two wonderful children; a son, Alex and a daughter, Amanda Iris. She loved the beach and was an avid scuba diver. Despite the tragedy of the diagnosis, she and her family were deeply moved by the outpouring of love and support from this community. There are many who will feel loss of her passing. The memorial, a celebration of her life, will be held on April 21st, 2013 from 10am-2pm at Joanie Abbott’s property in Flagstaff, AZ: 1751 S River Valley Rd. All are welcome. Please bring a dish of food. Car-pooling is preferred. RSVP: 928-607-0815.

Late Winter News

With only days left in this Winter Season, Flagstaff is again blessed by a deep blanket of snow! While Wayne’s House is still closed for the season, our service continues with gentle support of six Tender Loving Care (TLC) Clients; the eldest is eighty-one and the youngest is four! Your generosity makes our work possible. Thank you for helping us to help them! Traditionally for me, Winter is the time of rest, rejuvenation, writing and research. Below you will note a number of items that may be of interest. My thanks to Jim Torson for sharing links to many of these important announcements. 

Warmly, 
Aleia O’Reilly

I recently wrote a news brief about a Anita Moorjani’s best-selling book Dying To Be Me, which describes her amazing journey through cancer, dying, afterlife, and return to life. She will be speaking at the Creative Life Center in Sedona on March 23^rd from7-9 p.m. Tickets are $15 for general seating; doors open at 6:30 p.m. The event is hosted by David Sunfellow of NHNE-NDE.

Terry Gross with NPR recently interviewed Dr. Sam Parnia, author of a new book Erasing Death: The Science That Is Rewriting the Boundaries Between Life and Death. He's a critical-care doctor who is the director of resuscitation research at the Stony Brook University School of Medicine. He's conducting research into optimal cardiac arrest care, and into the experiences some cardiac arrest patients report they have brought back from the other side of death. He says whether these experiences are psychological phenomena or actually happen, they've been reported so routinely they warrant further study. Buy the book via Amazon.com and they will donate a percentage to support our programs. You can hear the interview here. http://www.npr.org/2013/02/21/172495667/resuscitation-experiences-and-erasing-death

Choosing Wisely. How can physicians and patients have the important conversations necessary to ensure the right care is delivered at the right time? An initiative of the ABIM Foundation, Choosing Wisely is focused on encouraging physicians and patients to think and talk about medical tests and procedures that may be unnecessary, and in some instances can cause harm. To spark these conversations, leading specialty societies have created lists of evidence-based recommendations that should be discussed to help make wise decisions about the most appropriate care based on a patients’ individual situation. Choosing Wisely is part of a multi-year effort to support and engage physicians in being better stewards of finite health care resources. The ABIM Foundation is a nonprofit established by the American Board of Internal Medicine in 1999.

Let your voice be heard! An important part of our mission is to encourage people to have a living will and a medical power of attorney who will follow and honor your wishes if you cannot speak for yourself. Further Shore is now a state liaison for National Healthcare Decision Day which is April 16, 2013. The NHDD is founded to inspire, educate, and empower the public and providers about the importance of advance care planning. Meg Leander is available to help individuals or families explore an advance directive created by Aging with Dignity called The Five Wishes. Meg is offering small group sessions on March 24^th or April 14^th from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please contact her directly if you are interested in either of these dates, or schedule according to your needs. 928-221-1600 or Meg@FurtherShore.org

Care givers may enjoy listening to the radio show On Being as Krista Tippett interviews Joan Halifax. Joan has worked with hospice and end of life care for over thirty years. During the show, she discusses what she calls Edge States, as well as her thoughts on the sorrow within compassion and our collective moral distress. She offers bracing, nourishing thoughts on finding buoyancy rather than burnout in how we work, live, and care for others (51 minutes). At the close of this radio conversation she offers a 10 minute meditation on grief that she invites us to download and share.

Here is a Ted Talk offered by Dr. Krisin Neff on Self-Compassion. With the support of the administration at Flagstaff Medical Center, Dr. Neff will be coming to Flagstaff in July.  Her two presentations on 7/16 and 7/17 will be open to the public. Stay tuned for time and place.