~Summer News from Further Shore~

Happy Summer Solstice everyone! I think everyone in Flagstaff is talking about how unusual our Spring has been. We had rain in May, super cool temps so far in June and it looks monsoon season has already begun. The good news is: fire danger is low and the meadows are full of green grasses and a riot of colorful wild flowers. The gusty spring winds removed several shingles from the roof at Wayne's House. We are now eagerly awaiting an assessment about roof repair (or replacement). Last year's unscheduled flood and renovation has us on high alert to keep the house in good repair. The retreat facility is open for the season and features several facilitators offering excellent information and healing retreats. {See Calendar below}

Special thanks to:

• all who have made donations to our Spring Fund Raising campaign. In addition to the Late Spring acknowledgments, these were also made in loving memory:
  
  
  
  • by Heather P. in Loving Memory of Mary
  
  
  • by Eileen & Dan W. in Loving Memory of Thomas A. Kenny


• all who have made donations to our TLC Client Support Fund (especially Leilani's team!). These allow us to support our TLC clients with massage, Reiki, counseling, music therapy and so much more. The clients are very grateful. You can help us to help others by making a donation on line at www.furthershore.org


• Michael & Betsi Marinelli for a donation of a DVD player for Wayne's House!


• Madrone (Julie) S., VTara R., Pam H., Susanne, Beth P., and Jeane C. for their recent Llumination donations! These Star Light Workers are hosting Llumination Quests in their areas and then donate a percentage of their proceeds to FS. Watch our website for more information about the Quest and these wonderful facilitators.


• Jim T. for the donation of meditation DVD's that will become part of the Further Shore library collection. Jim also helped us to secure a wonderful series on death and dying from the Edgar Cayce foundation.


• Shannon Arnett for hosting the Further Shore display table at the Senior Health Fair that was held at the Aquaplex. About 500 Seniors visited the event and Shannon did a wonderful job of representing our mission. She also offered one of the many workshops that day and the reviews were excellent.


• Satsansar K. for the donation of two great movies "The Bucket List" (which will be viewed as part of Aleia's upcoming "Bucket List Retreat") and "The Blue Butterfly"


• All the vendors who have made donations to this year's Silent Auction collection! We have nearly reached our goal of 60 items and feel greatly blessed by community generosity during these curious and changing economic times.


• VTara R. for co-facilitating our first Cancer Survivor retreat of the season. VTara and Eliot Schipper will be offering another Cancer Survivor's retreat October 2nd and 3rd at Wayne's House. (see details below)
  

Summer Wish List Items include:

1) financial donations for the Cancer Survivor Retreat Scholarship fund

2) sponsors for this year's Bone Dance - see News Bits for details

3) a computer savvy blogger

4) a volunteer to handle ad placement for this year's Bone Dance


News Bits ~

• The 4th Annual Bone Dance is scheduled at the Radisson Woodlands Hotel on October 24th from 6-11 p.m. Tickets are $55 for a single or $50 each when purchasing 2 or more. You will not want to miss this popular gala with the purpose to celebrate and remember our loved ones who have crossed over. A memorial altar, delicious Mexican dinner, dancing to Jimmy DeBlois and Spokes and a terrific Silent Auction provide an evening of fun for all. Find out more at www.FurtherShore.org/Events/BoneDance.aspx. Event Sponsorship is available at 4 levels (Day of the Dead at $500, Silver Ghost at $750, Golden Spirit at $1000, or Diamond Light at $1500). Sponsors will enjoy complimentary event tickets, reserve tables, honorable mention throughout the evening; Golden Spirit and Diamond Light sponsor will also be included in our print ads. We recommend buying tickets early as we are expecting a sell-out crowd.


• Shannon Arnett is offering a special workshop series this summer entitled "Increase Your Peace" - Topics include "Your Balance and Joy in the Work Place" "Financial Stress and Increasing Abundance" and "Increasing Your Peace Around Your Relationships" She is offering a one day retreat at Wayne's House July 4th entitled "Freedom from Stressors on Independence Day" www.arnettinnerpeace.com for full information and to see the YouTube video.


• Congratulations are in order for Kat and Clarence ! They will be married in a sacred ceremony this July 18th near their home in Williams, AZ. Further Shore is wishing them many blessings on this special day and beyond.


• We are grateful to Meg for her service as a TLC practitioner! Meg will be stepping away from this service for a while to travel. Thank YOU, Meg for your loving care for our TLC clients.


• About Llumination the Quest - While Aleia is not currently facilitating the Quest, several others (trained by her) are! The Quest is an amazing way to explore your inner landscape during these changing times. Facilitators also donate a portion of proceeds back to FS's mission. We are hopeful to post the new facilitator information on our website this quarter so watch for that!


• We welcome Jennifer W., sound healer, to the FS practitioner team. Jennifer brings a full resume of healing gifts for our clients. She is also a professional blues/jazz singer and has generously offered to help us plan a concert fund raiser.


• Because of numerous requests, Aleia will be offering a series of mini retreats for healing grief. The retreats will be held on three Saturdays this summer from 9 a.m. to noon. The fee is $45 for each retreat. Limit of 6 participants; individuals, couples, friends or families welcome. Some scholarships are available on request.


• Don't forget to purchase our cookbook, Recipes from the Food Doctor and Friends ~ full of great summer recipes for people who love good food. www.furthershore.org/Cookbook


• Robert and Aleia will be to New York from August 27th until October 1st this year. Plans for offering Llumination quests and /or training facilitators while in Rochester are still in the planning stages. New York friends there may feel free to contact Aleia with any special requests for session work/trainings.


• Buy from Amazon.com and support Further Shore. Used this link (www.amazon.com?tag=furtshor-20) and Further Shore will get a small percentage of the sale.

Summer Calendar

June 5/6 - Wellness Matters - Recreating Your Story, the Next Step - a Retreat for Cancer Survivors

June 21 - HAPPY SOLSTICE SUMMER BEGINS and HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

June 21 - Susanne One Love facilitates Llumination the Quest at Wayne's House. contact her at 856-9265

June 26 - Family Care Giver Discussion 9-11 a.m. with Jill Preston "Legal and Financial Options for Long Term Care" (Thorp Park Community Center FREE and open to all)

July 4 - Increase Your Peace on Independence Day - a retreat from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with Holistic Counselor, Shannon Arnett. call 600-5863 to register. Space limited.

July 11 - Healing Grief I - a mini retreat from 9:00 a.m. to noon Fee is $45. Explore grief as a teacher as related to any area of personal loss; including loss of health, partnership or career. Discover how to recognize your grief and express it in healthy ways. Facilitator is Aleia O'Reilly call 525-2910 to register.

July 19 - Susanne One Love facilitates Llumination the Quest at Wayne's House. contact her at 856-9265

July 25 - Healing Grief II - a mini retreat from 9:00 a.m. to noon Fee is $45. Look deeply into your personal grief cycle and discover the ways that gratitude can eclipse pain and suffering. This retreat will include ceremony and art processes to find the gift of grace after loss. Facilitator is Aleia O'Reilly call 525-2910 to register

July 31/August 1/2 - Soul Matters: Creating a Bucket List for Now and Later - an overnight with Further Shore Founder, Aleia O'Reilly call 525-2910 to register. (there is room for 1 more registrant)

August 8 - Healing Grief III - a mini retreat from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Fee is $45. Learn how to be a loving care giver for yourself and others during the grief cycle. This retreat will focus on natural, simple self care processes to maintain balance during the stressful times that lead to or follow personal loss. Facilitator is Aleia O'Reilly call 525-2910 to register

August 19 Susanne One Love facilitates Llumination the Quest at Wayne's House. contact her at 856-9265

September 12 - Experiencing the Beloved: Relationship as a Conscious Path - a full day retreat with Janine and Eliot Schipper. Call 221-1644 for details

September 20 - Susanne One Love facilitates Llumination the Quest at Wayne's House. contact her at 856-9265

October 2 & 3 - Life Matters: How Cancer Survivors Transform and Thrive - an overnight retreat with VTara Ruscher and Eliot Schipper


Thank you for your support and kindness. Enjoy the Summer sunshine, rainbows and warmth.

Aleia O'Reilly,
Director Further Shore

~Spring News from Further Shore~

The Vernal Equinox is almost here with its promise of new life. It looks, smells, and feels like Spring is finally in the air for Flagstaff, Arizona. After LOTS of snow, we are beginning to see the earth again in Kachina Village. There are even a few crocuses popping out in town. Wayne's House has been quietly "resting" for the Winter months and will reopen again in April. Hats off to the Master Gardeners who will be tenderly grooming the yard and coaxing the beauty out over there.

We have been busy envisioning Spring Retreats (see schedule below). Despite the cold temps our practitioners have been active supporting TLC Clients with counseling, music therapy, massage and advocacy support. These clients are so grateful for our ongoing support in health. Last week one of our TLC Clients entered hospice care at home. Further Shore staff and volunteers will continue offering support for her and her family care givers during this transition.

Special thanks to Joe and Nina Marinelli for the donation of a large screen TV for Wayne's House. More special thanks to New Frontiers Natural Foods and Hastings Entertainment for generously inviting us to table at holiday time with Recipes from the Food Doctor and Friends! We sold a good number of cookbooks during that time and they are still on the shelf at both places. Visit Hastings at their new venue on the corner of 4th Street and 7th Avenue. Gratitude as well to New Leaf Counseling Center on Verde Street! Donations collected at their 2008 Wellness Education Series were donated to Further Shore. We feel so blessed by these and your gifts.

Spring Wish List Items include:
1) grant writer to work on the Flagstaff Community Foundation grant (due on July 27, 2009)
2) volunteer to help Aleia w/Quality of Life Advocate program development (3 hours/week)
3) VCR/DVD player for Wayne's House
4) DVD movies "The Bucket List" "Always" and "Blue Butterflies"
5) financial donations for the Cancer Survivor Retreat Scholarship fund
6) donations for this year's Bone Dance. Silent Auction Collections begin June 1st and end August 1st (art work, coffee, meals, overnight stays, bodywork, coaching, etc. welcome)
7) sponsors for this year's Bone Dance - watch for details!
7) student intern (marketing projects - Bone Dance, Cookbook)
8) a computer savvy blogger
9) at least 3 or 5 individuals to form a fund development committee

We are proud to be part of the Family Care Giver Discussion Series "The Aging Puzzle. . . Making the Pieces Fit" On February 27th we offered a panel presentation entitled "The Gentle Gift of Comfort Care" to 45 seniors and family care givers. The panel included Dona Clark (FMC's Palliative Care Team), Katy Montoya and Dawn Kurtz (Northland Hospice), Marlene Letvin (RTA Hospice), Penny Cook (Abrio Family Services) and myself. The presentation outlined our need for comfort during various stages of life. The next event is April 23rd from 8:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Federated Church. "Life is a Work of Art - Celebrating Your Silver Spirit" is NAGA's 25 Year Anniversary conference. A wonderful program featuring Mary Mareck, MSW is planned. Contact the Area Agency on Aging at 213-5245 for more information or to register.

Spring Calendar
March 20 - Happy Spring
March 27 - Further Shore Practitioner's Meeting 10-11:30 a.m. (Family Resource Center)
March 28 - Quarterly Board Meeting 3-5 p.m. (O'Reilly/McCarter house)

April 1 - Coffee and Conversation NAU's Unity Week
April 23 - NAGA Life is a Work of Art conference (Federated Church)
April 24 - 26 Llumination Retreat/Training at Wayne's House (Registration Closed)

May 2 - "Playing in the Kitchen" 1-5 p.m. at Wayne's House (registration open)

June 6/7 - Wellness Matters - Recreating Your Story, the Next Step - Retreat for Cancer Survivors (V. Ruscher and A. O'Reilly) (registration open)
June 26 - Family Care Giver Discussion 9-11 a.m. with Jill Preston "Legal and Financial Options for Long Term Care" (Thorp Park Community Center)

Thank you for your support and kindness. Enjoy the blossoming of this new season.
Aleia O'Reilly,
Director Further Shore

If you wish to be removed from this posting list, please let us know info@furthershore.org

Winter News

Dear Further Shore Friends,

Happy Ground Hog Day! Here in Kachina Village the snow is still deep. It is a great relief to have Wayne's House in resting mode for the winter. The snow was so abundant and FROZEN that we would have been hard pressed to open those driveways in December or January. It looks like February and March may bring more moisture, a good thing for high deserts.

January is traditionally my Sabbatical time. This year I was able to create time for writing. I am working on both a book and a template to describe what I do for our TLC Clients. I believe I am a "Quality of Life Advocate" (Qu oLA pronounced like Koala Bear) We are gently assisting 5 TLC clients at this time. I am seeking an Assistant Koala Bear (training, flexible hours, hourly wage TBD). I am going to continue with the Sabbatical through the end of March. I am not offering private sessions during this time, but will place anyone on my Reiki list and make referrals if needed.

Beneath winter snow and ice, seeds are contemplating rebirth in the Spring. Plans are in the works to offer "First Weekend Retreats" from April through November. Facilitators and topics to be announced.

I will offer another MARATHON LLUMINATION Retreat and training in late April. There are currently 2 spots open for trainees, 2 or 3 spots open for Seekers. If you are interested or know someone who is, please contact me ASAP. I will not do the training with less than 4. (postponing until November if that is the case).

There is a Care Giver Support Group on February 10th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Loyalton. Facilitator is Michele Lytle. A wonderful opportunity to discuss care giver concerns in a quiet setting with snacks!

There will be a workshop for Seniors and Care Givers at the Adult Center on Friday, February 27th from 9 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This NAGA/NACOG sponsored workshop is FREE and entitled: "The Gentle Gift of Comfort Care" ~ Learning when, where and how to find quality of life support during any stage in life. Panelists include Penny Cook, Marlene Letvin, Katy Montoya, Donna Cook, Aleia OReilly

Further Shore welcomes Frances and Marie to our Advisory Board. We would welcome at least 3 additional Advisory Board members for 2009. Please let me know if you have interest.

Our sympathy and compassion go to Penny as her father passed on December 17th. Penny has experienced several other clients and friends passing since then. Keep her in your prayers please.

Congratulations are in order on the birth of baby Sky born on December 29, 2008 to board members, Eliot and Janine.

I include here a link to Christie's blog site. Her writing is amazing and I think that anyone who has faced serious medical conditions or is care giving will want to check it out. Note a heading called "Chain of Love." Enjoy! http://sweetnotalways.blogspot.com/

Funds raised support our mission to provide education and resources for living well and dying with dignity. We offer support for understanding hospice and palliative care services, conscious transitions and healing grief. In 2008 we offered over over 1000 hours of advocacy, education, bedside support and therapy to our clients and the community at large. Visit our website at www.furthershore.org to make a donation.


May 2009 hold you all in health, prosperity and blessings immeasurable. With LOVE, Aleia

Our 2008 fundraiser: That's Life - A Bone Dance was a great success!

I am finally getting these pictures posted of the event. Thanks to Jim for his photography.


Checking everyone in.



Coordination.



A few of our wonderful silent auction items. Thanks to everyone who donated!


Jesse and Clarence provided our dinner entertainment.


Great food preparded by the Radisson.


A great Day of the Dead costume






Our memorial alter




We had a great time dancing to the music of Spokes!



The Further Shore Board


Aleia, Robert and Janine - Aleia was gifted an amazing art piece (Pele's Abode) by the board and volunteers


Our wonderful 2008 interns - Cynthia and Angie



Nancy and Aleia



Shanon, Aleia and Eileen - part of the Further Shore board


Aleia and Rhianne




Joe and Deb


Shanon and Abraham


Mark and Shayna

FCP Car Wash & Yard Sale!!!

Flagstaff Community Partners is a local nonprofit organization offering education and services for special needs individuals and families. They will have a fund raiser as follows:

FCP Car Wash & Yard Sale!!!

Saturday, October 4th
St. Pius X Church (corner of Cedar and 4th St.)
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM (or until it rains!)

Please stop by to have your car washed and check out the goodies at the yard sale!

Yard Sale opens at 8:00 AM
Car Wash starts at 9:00 AM

If you would like to drop off items that we can sell at the yard sale, please feel free to come by as early as 6:30 AM!!!!

We welcome VOLUNTEERS too! If you would like to help us out and wash a few cars and sell a few items we'd love to see your smiling faces and willing hands!!!!

A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old)

(this is a touching email I received)

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.'

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The Six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.'

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

In memory of...

Further Shore honors the memory of Caryl Westbrook, author of Angels in My Kitchen - Divine Dessert Recipes. This message from David (Friend of FS/Wayne's House) arrived to the FS email box today. You can find Caryl's cookbook at amazon.com

Last evening I heard the sad news that my good pal Caryl Westwood suffered a massive heart attack and passed away. Caryl was alone in her home in Santa Fe and was found shortly after she passed. She was 54. Caryl was set to write the intro to my new cookbook Mandala Desserts- she was the best-selling author of Angels in my Kitchen and my co-author on The Dad’s Cookbook.

Caryl had been a long time student of the Course of Miracles and was an ardent teacher and promoter of the principles and faith based teachings. Her magical laugh and sincere eyes will live on with me forever…..it’s hard to imagine that she won’t be here in October as she planned. I wanted to share this news with you and in case you didn’t know Caryl…..just let this be a guide post and reminder to all of us to reach out more often and love those that make our lives better.

Caryl is in heaven’s kitchen today preparing a feast of delights for all our ANGEL guides……and I just know she is smiling and loving every minute of it! Upon hearing the news of her passing- I called her publisher to see if they would offer a third printing of her cookbook- I am asking everyone I know to purchase one in her memory!!

David