Post Retreat Note

THIRD ANNUAL ONE-DAY RETREAT

This year’s retreat was even bigger and better than before. Past participants and volunteers of Reeling & Healing Midwest and Reel Recovery, and their spouses or caregivers traveled from all over the State of Michigan, Indiana and Illinois to attend this retreat.

With the assistance of licensed river guides and volunteer river helpers, 75 people attended. They had a choice to enjoy full or half-day float trips or wade fish the Pere Marquette River.

Our day began with registration and breakfast under the Dry Dock at the Pere Marquette River Lodge. Reeling & Healing Midwest provided food with the assistance of the PM Lodge and Debbie of the Log Bar in Baldwin, MI.

Volunteers prepared shore lunches the night before for everyone taking full-day float trips. There was an assembly line of turkey sandwiches, veggies, fruit and surprise desserts.

Lunch for the half-day floaters and wading fishers was hosted at Tom & Peg Sero’s river home. Along with a few volunteers, they provided a full buffet that included pulled pork sandwiches, fresh salad, home-baked desserts and more.

Fishing continued throughout the day – beginning at 9:30 am and ending at about 5:30 pm. Several boats stayed on the river to take full advantage of the daylight and the perfect conditions. By all accounts, several nice sized trout were landed throughout the day.

A dinner buffet was served under the Dry Dock at Pere Marquette River Lodge. Tom and his sous-chefs, Dennis and Frank, grilled steaks and corn, plenty of side dishes, and assorted desserts. Ice cream was donated by Jones' Ice Cream in Baldwin.

Special thanks to all the guides who took the day off to help out and share their boats and skills with our participants. And to our volunteers – Judy, Barb, Peg, Tom, Dennis, Smitty, Dave, Patty and Fred.

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PHOTOS: As you can see, a few of the photos from our time together have been incorporated into this note. You will find a few more on our website’s GALLERY. Just look for your retreat date and click on the corresponding photo album. In addition to the website’s GALLERY, we have posted 100+ photos from this retreat on the Flickr website. Use this link to access those photos. You can surf through them, and choose to download or order any that you like. Please feel free to submit any digital photos you would like to include via mail or e-mail. If you have traditional photos that you would like us to copy/print and distribute or have placed on the website, just mail them to our address below. We’ll scan them and return them.

ROD OUTFIT: A fly fishing manufacturer has given the “thumbs up” to offer participants and volunteers the opportunity to purchase a fly fishing outfit at a special price. Read more about it here.

WADERS: A number of participants and volunteers were interested in owning waders. A major wader manufacturer is extending a 40% discount off of the retail cost of any of their wading products. Learn more about it here.

ON-LINE STORE: Yes, it’s now open. Visit our website and check out the merchandise at shop.reelingandhealing.org. All proceeds help fund our New Participant Retreat Programs.

FUTURE RETREATS & EVENTS: We’ll keep you in the loop about future outings, retreats, volunteer opportunities, and more via mail or email. Currently, we’re kicking off 2008 with our Annual Winter Retreat, January 11-13th at Crystal Mountain Resort.

Here’s to renewed spirit and renewed hope.

FISH ON!

Cathy Sero

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MORE ABOUT:
Reeling & Healing Midwest, also known as Reeling & Healing of the Midwest, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that champions fly-fishing retreat programs for women diagnosed with or surviving cancer. It is 100% donor-supported with a 100% volunteer staff. Visit www.ReelingAndHealingMidwest.org or www.IFishOn.org