Happy Holidays!

The Horizon's Economic Development Committe sends you warm holiday wishes for you and yours this season.

Our next meeting will be held on Thursday January 17, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. at the Super 8 on Hwy 53. All are welcome and encouraged to attend!

Sliding Hill Grand Opening

When: January 1, 2008
Time: 2-4pm
Where: Behind the RRCC - Parking available at bottom of hill.
(Entrance is off Park Avenue across from cemetery.)

Bring your mode of transpotation.(Sled, cardboard,tube)

Bring warm clothes

Bring family & friends

Snowman building contest

Make it a family friendly afternoon

Bring your own props.(hats, buttons, ect.)

Be creative! 1st, 2nd, 3rd prize winners

Name that Hill contest

Take a ride down the hill!

Fill out the form with the name that best describes the hill.

If your entry is chosen you will have just made history!

Thank you to the Eveleth Parks Commission for co-sponsoring this event

How to Beat the Holiday Blues

How to Beat the Holiday Blues

With the holidays quickly approaching, it can sometimes be easy to forget that not everyone looks forward to the holiday season.
For many people, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s can often be constant reminders of all the things that are wrong in our lives. Perhaps there isn’t enough money to make ends meet or our relationships with our friends and family aren’t exactly what we wish they’d be.

Whatever the situation, it can have us seeing green (with envy) and red (with anger) while everyone else is singing yuletide greetings and spreading holiday cheer.

Here are a few tips to make the holiday season a little brighter:

• Do Your Homework: Not everyone celebrates traditional American holidays. The last three months of the year are chalk full of a variety of cultural celebrations from Yom Kippur to Christmas to Kwanza. Most of these activities feature a large array of community events.
  

• Find out what’s happening in your local community and make it a point to attend. If you’re looking to meet new people, make new friends, etc., they’re not just going to come knocking on your door. Mix and mingle. See and be seen. Who knows? With a little effort you could be sharing these tips with someone else who may be in need during next year’s holiday season.

• Do Something Special to Pamper Yourself: With all of the focus on gift giving during the holiday season we often forget about the special gifts that we can give ourselves.

• Volunteer Your Time: Whoever said it’s better to give than receive was definitely on to something. An easy way to lift your spirits and remind yourself of just how fortunate you truly are, is to volunteer your time and services to those who are less fortunate than yourself. Sickness, homelessness and the rest of the ills of society don’t take a break during the holiday season, so why should you? Volunteering at a local hospital, shelter or foster care facility during the holidays can brighten not only your day, but someone else’s as well.
  
  Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Eveleth Merchants Social

Eveleth Merchants Association Annual

HOLIDAY SOCIAL

Wednesday, December 19th
5:00 p.m.

Margie’s Roosevelt
All Eveleth Merchants and Friends Welcome!

*Complimentary
Hors D’oeuvres
*Cash Bar

Holiday Stress Tips – Management Tips for the Holiday Season
(www.acqyr.com/Holiday_Stress_Tips)

01: Do what you can
Too much food. Too much to do. Too much everything

‘Tisn’t the season of excess. At least it shouldn’t be. Having too much on your plate (literally and figuratively) will overwhelm.

Be aware of time constraints on yourself and your schedule. Don’t over-book yourself or stretch yourself (or your pants) too thin

02: Set a budget
Too little time. Too little money. Zero patience.

‘Tis the season of giving, but no one said giving had to be expensive. Set a budget and stick to it.

There is no greater gift than giving yourself, your time, and your full effort. What comes from the heart outweighs all else.

03: Creative
Pure imagination

‘Tis the season of imagination. Imagine making your own gifts. It’s not only more personalized and heart felt, but you’ll be de-stressing, too.

Arts and crafts, baking, or card-writing will get your mind off things. Plus you’re avoiding the stressful shopping scene and saving money.

04: Count your blessings.
All is calm. All is bright

‘Tis the season to celebrate. What do you have to celebrate? More than you think.

Concentrate on what you do have, not what you wish you did.

05: Expect the time crunch, not perfection.
Year end projects. Last minute shopping. Time pressures galore

‘Tis the season of the time crunch. With so much expected of you – family, work, social events, and more – it’s just not possible to meet every demand.

Unreasonable expectations will lead to great disappointments. Manage what you can with the time you have. There’s no use in stressing yourself out.

06: Beat the procrastination bug.
Make a list and check it twice.

‘Tis the season of much to do. Your mind may drift onto your long to-do list, but don’t let that distract you from the task at hand.

Get everything out of your head and onto paper. Once you do, stop worrying. Trust that things will get done in time.

07: Beat the shopping rush.
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style

‘Tis the season of busy malls and parking lots with long line-ups and stress filling the air.

Avoid the hustle and bustle by planning ahead, ordering online or making personalized gifts. Don’t let the stress of others rub off on you.

08: Let Go
Little battles everywhere. At Home. In the Parking lot. At work.

‘Tisn’t the season of conflicts. Trying to win small battles may cost you health, happiness, and peace of mind.

Grudges, arguments, and fights waste energy and magnify stress. Instead, let go and seek peace in your heart.

09: Create new traditions.
Let nothing you dismay.

‘Tis the season of togetherness. Don’t let conflict create division among your family or friends.

Rekindle relationships by creating new holiday traditions that involve everyone. Taking a fresh look will give you all something to look forward to.

10: Eat, sleep, and be merry.
Sleep in heavenly peace.

‘Tis the season to be healthy. Bring good tidings to your body, mind, and stomach by managing your diet and sleep.

Good health starts with healthy food and quality rest. Otherwise you’ll feel bloated, tired, or cranky, and that just might rub off on others.

11: Be Jolly
O tidings of comfort and joy.

‘Tis the season to be jolly. Santa isn’t the only one who has the right to be jolly. After all, if he can be jolly with is workload, you can be too.

Remember what “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays’ mean. Don’t perpetuate anxiety or fear. Instead, spread joy and happiness.

12: Laugh, dance, sing, and play.
Joy to the world.

‘Tis the season to be free from stress. There is much more to worry about, but there is much more to bring you joy.

Embrace each moment – good or bad – with a smile. Live, love, and laugh. All else will fall into place.

Oct / Nov 2007 Update

“A successful community-visioning process results in a better, more rewarding future. It is also a breakthrough in “people energy” to get things done. But, first, there has to be a vision. Otherwise, a community just condemns itself to a future fashioned by fate and reactionary impulses, rather than a future designed and achieved with intent and commitment.”
- Carl Neu (The Center for the Future of Local Governance)

Eveleth Has a Vision! – On November 1, facilitator David Beurle led discussions with students during the day and a wide range of community members in the evening based on research about rural survival. Participants ranked Eveleth on each criteria; they identified what is going well and what needs improvement on each of his top ten attributes for successful communities:
a. Evidence of strong community pride and inclusive culture - Eveleth’s ranking: 64 (strength) vs. 42 (not a strength)
b. Invest in the future – built to last! - 25(strength) vs. 38 (not a strength)
c. Participatory approach to community decision making - 3 (strength) vs. 42 (not a strength)
d. Creatively build new economic opportunities - 5 (strength) vs. 66 (not a strength)
e. Support local businesses - 23 (strength) vs. 54 (not a strength)
f. Deliberate transition of power to new leaders - 16 (strength) vs. 61 (not a strength)
g. Strong belief in and support for education - 132 (strength) vs. 4 (not a strength)
h. Strong presence of traditional institutions that are integral to community life - 59 (strength) vs. 7 (not a strength)
i. Willingness to seek help from the outside - 11 (strength) vs. 49 (not a strength)

j. Communities are self-reliant - 27 (strength) vs. 25 (not a strength)

Next, the group created a vision for the Eveleth they’d like to have in 10-15 years:

Our rich culture and history defines who we are. Our community is a safe, close-knit place where neighborhood values make Eveleth a great place to raise a family. We are a progressive, cohesive and collaborative community that works together to make our community thrive. We have a range of unique and exciting community events that attract people from across the world to celebrate our heritage, our history, and our culture. In particular, we are renowned for our world-class Hockey Hall of Fame!

Eveleth is a business-friendly community that builds on taconite, timber, and tourism. Our entrepreneurial economy is evident in our vibrant and bustling downtown that provides diverse opportunities for all. The fresh face on our historical buildings demonstrates community pride and innovation. Recreation opportunities provide welcoming ways for the young and old to come together.

Finally, volunteers signed up to work on the following committees: Economic Development; Blight/Beautification; Youth Activities/Involvement; Community Activities; and, Downtown Revitalization. Each of the committees have met and chosen projects to work on in the next six to twelve months. To get involved or to learn more about the exciting work of the committees, contact Heather at 218.305.4456.

“Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.” – Joel Barker, author, Future Edge

Learn to Skate- 30 children signed up and hit the ice – some for the first time - at the Hippodrome. Thanks to the City of Eveleth for making this possible with donated ice time. During the sign-up many items were donated by generous community members: games, warm winter clothing, blankets, skates, and hockey equipment. Fun was had by all at a Halloween party with children skating in their costumes. Thank you to the many volunteers who helped from organizing the event to coaching of the skaters on the ice.

Conference calls w/candidates - Eveleth Horizons volunteers are invited to participate in monthly conference calls with the presidential candidates sponsored by the American Medical Women’s Association. The Conversations with Candidates project is a bi-partisan series of conference calls with presidential candidates and their policy staff to discuss their plans for health care reform. If you are interested in joining the calls, contact Heather at 218.305.4456 for registration information.

Community Visioning - How do community members see the community?

The Community Visioning was held at the Eveleth / Gilbert High School:facilitated by David Beurle The community expressed their voices in whether they thought the community had a strength in an area or a weakness. Each was given red and greeen stickers. Red symbolized a weakness and green symbolized a strength. The tally is listed below:1. Evidence of strong community pride and inclusive culture.

Red (not a strength): 42
Green (strength): 64
2. Invest in the future, built to last!
Red(not a strength): 38
Green(strength): 25
3. Participatory approach to community decision making.
Red:(not a strength): 42
Green(strength): 3
4. Creatively build new economic opportunities.
Red(not a strength): 66
Green(strength): 5
5. Support local business.
Red(not a strength): 54
Green(strength): 23
6. Deliberate transition of power to new leaders.
Red(not a strength): 61
Green(strength): 16
7. Strong belief in and support for education
Red(not a strength): 4
Green(strength): 132
8. Strong presence of traditional institutions that are integral to community life.
Red(not a strength): 7
Green(strength): 59
9. Willingness to seek help from the outside
Red(not a strength): 49
Green(strength): 11
10. Communities are self-reliant.
Red(not a strength): 25
Green(strength): 27

Eveleth Has a Vision!

The vision was created through community conversations with almost 400 Eveleth community members on November 1. Afterwards, dozens of people signed up for working groups so that in 10-15 years people will say of Eveleth:

Our rich culture and history defines who we are. Our community is a safe, close-knit place where neighborhood values make Eveleth a great place to raise a family. We are a progressive, cohesive and collaborative community that works together to make our community thrive. We have a range of unique and exciting community events that attract people from across the world to celebrate our heritage, our history, and our culture. In particular, we are renowned for our world-class Hockey Hall of Fame!

Eveleth is a business-friendly community that builds on taconite, timber, and tourism. Our entrepreneurial economy is evident in our vibrant and bustling downtown that provides diverse opportunities for all. The fresh face on our historical buildings demonstrates community pride and innovation. Recreation opportunities provide welcoming ways for the young and old to come together.

David Beurle of Australia-based Innovative Leadership led discussions with students during the day and a wide range of community members in the evening based on research about rural survival. Participants ranked Eveleth on each criteria; they identified what is going well and what needs improvement on each of his top ten attributes for successful communities:

1. Evidence of strong community pride and inclusive culture
Successful communities are often showplaces of care, attention, history and heritage. They celebrate their success and have a strong and positive local attitude and support a culture of risk taking and innovation. Diversity is often celebrated and people are welcomed.

2. Invest in the future – built to last!
People believe that something worth doing is worth doing right. In addition to the brick-and-mortar investments, all decisions are made with an outlook on the future. Expenditures are considered investments in the future, including investments in people.

3. Participatory approach to community decision making
Even the most powerful of opinion leaders seem to work toward building consensus. The stress is on working together toward a common goal and the focus is on positive results. People collaborate and share resources.

4. Creatively build new economic opportunities
Successful communities build on existing economic strengths in a realistic way; and explore new economic opportunities provided by the ‘new economy’. They actively seek out new opportunities and ideas for new businesses.

5. Support local businesses
Local loyalty is emphasized, but thriving communities know who their competitors are and position themselves accordingly.

6. Deliberate transition of power to new leaders
People under 40 regularly hold key positions in civic and business affairs. Women (and people from ‘minority groups’) often hold positions as elected officials, plant managers, and entrepreneurial developers.

7. Strong belief in and support for education
Good schools are the norm and centers of community activity.

8. Strong presence of traditional institutions that are integral to community life
Churches, schools and service clubs are strong influences on community development and social activities.

9. Willingness to seek help from the outside
People seek outside help for community needs, and many compete for government grants and contracts for economic and social programs. They seek out the best ideas and new people to help build their community strengths.

10. Communities are self-reliant
There is a wide-held conviction that, in the long run, ‘You Have to Do It Yourself’. Thriving rural communities believe their destiny is in their own hands. Making their communities good places is a pro-active assignment, and they willingly accept it.

Adapted from ‘Heartland Centre for Rural Leadership’; ‘20 Clues to Rural Survival’

Learn to Skate

Eveleth Horizons is hosting a "Learn to Skate" at the Hippodrome. From October 1st through October 12th we collected skates, winter clothing, and other items for children. On October 15th, we had volunteers putting the items out and organizing it.

October 16th and 17th: parents/guardians came to sign up there children to learn to skate. We have 30 individuals (adults and children) who are signed up to learn to skate and various volunteers to teach the fundamentals of this community culture. Watch for more exciting information on how the first "learn to skate" program went. Thanks to all those that have helped and continue to help to make this event such a success!

This situation continues to be prevalent in Eveleth...

In September 1960, I woke up one morning with six hungry babies and just 75 cents in my pocket. Their father was gone.The boys ranged from three months to seven years; their sister was two. Their Dad had never been much more than a presence they feared.Whenever they heard his tires crunch on the gravel driveway they would scramble to hide under their beds.He did manage to leave $15 a week to buy groceries.Now that he had decided to leave, there would be no more beatings, but no food either.

If there was a welfare system in effect in southern Indiana at that time, I certainly knew nothing about it. I scrubbed the kids until they looked brand new and then put on my best homemade dress, loaded them into the rusty old 51 Chevy and drove off to find a job.

The seven of us went to every factory, store and restaurant in our small town. No luck.The kids stayed crammed into the car and tried to be quiet while I tried to convince who ever would listen that I was willing to learn or do anything. I had to have a job.Still no luck.

The last place we went to, just a few miles out of town, was an old Root Beer Barrel drive-in that had been converted to a truck stop. It was called the Big Wheel.An old lady named Granny owned the place and she peeked out of the window from time to time at all those kids. She needed someone on the graveyard shift, 11 at night until seven in the morning.She paid 65 cents an hour, and I could start that night. I raced home and called the teenager down the street that baby-sat for people. I bargained with her to come and sleep on my sofa for a dollar a night. She could arrive with her pajamas on and the kids would already be asleepThis seemed like a good arrangement to her, so we made a deal.

That night when the little ones and I knelt to say our prayers, we all thanked God for finding Mommy a job. And so I started at the Big Wheel. When I got home in the mornings I woke the baby-sitter up and sent her home with one dollar of my tip money-- fully half of what I averaged every night.

As the weeks went by, heating bills added a strain to my meager wage. The tires on the old Chevy had the consistency of penny balloons and began to leak. I had to fill them with air on the way to work and again every morning before I could go home.

One bleak fall morning, I dragged myself to the car to go home and found four tires in the back seat. New tires!There was no note, no nothing, just those beautiful brand new tires. Had angels taken up residence in Indiana? I wondered..I made a deal with the local service station. In exchange for his mounting the new tires, I would clean up his office. I remember it took me a lot longer to scrub his floor than it did for him to do the tires.I was now working six nights instead of five and it still wasn't enough.

Christmas was coming and I knew there would be no money for toys for the kids. I found a can of red paint and started repairing and painting some old toys. Then I hid them in the basement so there would be something for Santa to deliver on Christmas morning. Clothes were a worry too. I was sewing patches on top of patches on the boys pants and soon they would be too far gone to repair.

On Christmas Eve the usual customers were drinking coffee in the Big Wheel. There were the truckers, Les, Frank, and Jim, and a state trooper named Joe. A few musicians were hanging around after a gig at the Legion and were dropping nickels in the pinball machine. The regulars all just sat around and talked through the wee hours of the morning and then left to get home before the sun came up.

When it was time for me to go home at seven o'clock on Christmas morning, to my amazement, my old battered Chevy was filled full to the top with boxes of all shapes and sizes. I quickly opened the driver's side door, crawled inside and kneeled in the front facing the back seat.Reaching back, I pulled off the lid of the top box. Inside was whole case of little blue jeans, sizes 2-10! I looked inside another box: It was full of shirts to go with the jeans. Then I peeked inside some of the other boxes. There was candy and nuts and bananas and bags of groceries. There was an enormous ham for baking, and canned vegetables and potatoes. There was pudding and Jell-O and cookies, pie filling and flour. There was whole bag of laundry supplies and cleaning items. And there were five toy trucks and one beautiful little doll.As I drove back through empty streets as the sun slowly rose on the most amazing Christmas Day of my life, I was sobbing with gratitude. And I will never forget the joy on the faces of my little ones that precious morning.Yes, there were angels in Indiana that long-ago December. And they all hung out at the Big Wheel truck stop....

This may seem like just a "story", but in reality, Eveleth community members live with this worry on how they will make it each day and how they will care for their children.

We may wonder, what can we do to help? Join Eveleth Horizons, participate in the community visioning event on November 1st so we can work together to ensure that our fellow community members won't have to live with the worry highlighted in this story.

Together we can conquer; divided we fall....

A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package. What food might this contain? The mouse wondered - - - he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.

Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning : There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, 'Mr.Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it.

The mouse turned to the pig and told him, 'There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house! The pig sympathized, but said, I am so very sorry, Mr.Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers.

The mouse turned to the cow and said 'There is a mousetrap in the house!There is a mousetrap in the house! The cow said, 'Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose.

So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap . . alone.

That very night a sound was heard throughout the house -- like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey. The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital and she returned home with a fever. Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient. But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig. The farmer's wife did not get well;she died. So many people came for her funeral, the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them. The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.

So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't concern you, remember ----when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk. We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.

Community Visioning

The City of Eveleth has joined as a partner in the Community Visioning Event for November 1st.

Please participate in this exciting event. The City has begun to look at a vision for the community, community members have begun to look at a vision, and all of us together can create that vision for Eveleth.

Why do we need a vision? If we don't have a vision, how do we move ahead? How does change happen without a vision? If all of us, together, create a vision, we can move ahead, and create positive change in the community.

Please join the effort:

DATE: November 1, 2007
TIME: 5:03PM for a free dinner; Rally begins at 6PM
WHERE: High School - food in the cafeteria and rally in the gymnasium.

Please call us at 218-305-4456 to let us know you are coming - or if you have any questions. We can also be reached at: eveleth.horizons@gmail.com or comment on our blogspot.

Community Visioning

Please join the Eveleth Community in a community visioning.

Where do you see Eveleth in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?

Want to have input into where it will be?

Join the community in an amazing event - Community Visioning.

When: November 1, 2007
Where: Eveleth High School
Time: Free dinner at 5PM, community visioning rally to follow.
How to get involved:
comment below, call 218-305-4456 or e-mail eveleth.horizons@gmail.com

This session will be facilitated by David Beurle (Founder and Managing Director of Innovative Leadership Australia). David holds a firm conviction that the future of rural and regional areas, lies in the hands of the local people. David's work in community and economic development has earned him - and his work - international, national, and State awards.

Please join us and recruit all that you know who live in or are closely connected to the Eveleth community.

August / September Update

1. Skatepark Grand Opening a Tremendous Success - On Saturday, September 22nd, Horizons sponsored a Skateboarding Competition and Open House at the newly relocated skatepark behind the IGA. More than 20 skateboarders participated in the competition and were cheered on by dozens of adult spectators. Special thanks to Mike Wiskow at Eveleth Public Works for his support; to the Eveleth Merchants for donating a tent in case of rain; to the Super 8 Motel, Snap Fitness, and Mesabi Recreation for donating prizes; Mojosaurus for providing live music; the Italian Bakery for donating a beautifully decorated cake; Parks Commission members Connie Sabetti and Barb Cox for grilling hotdogs and assisting with the making of s’mores; East Range Academy of Technology and Science for vidoegraphers; Terry Hartikka of Public Access for agreeing to put the event on television; Officer Brandon and Officer John of the Eveleth Police Department for cheering on the kids and helping with the event; and to all the talented riders of skateboards and scooters for impressing everyone with your talent. Adults and youth signed up to form an Eveleth Skateboarding Association to work on celebrating the sport, improving public image of skateboarding, and ensuring Eveleth residents have reason to be proud of the skatepark.

2. Eveleth Horizons Receives Recognition – On September 20th, University of MN Extension hosted a luncheon at the Deluxe to celebrate the accomplishments of Eveleth Horizons and presented a $1,500 award to the group.

3. Summer Soccer Wraps Up with Awards Ceremony – Horizons Summer Soccer players wrapped up their season with hotdogs and hamburgers donated by Super One Foods, a presentation of medals paid for by Miner’s Bank, and individual and team photos donated by coach Amy Zadnikar. Thanks to Larry for organizing it all; to coaches Amy, Alan, Terry, and Shawn; and to the parents and kids for your dedication.

4. Skating for Beginners – The City Council approved ice time at the Hippodrome for a beginner’s skating program being coordinated by Larry Zadnikar. Call Larry (744.1082) to sign up for skating or coaching. If you have skates or winter clothing to donate, you can do so at the Eveleth City Hall or the Hippodrome (during business hours) from October 1 through October 15th.

5. Eveleth’s 1st Annual National Night Out - Connections were made between neighbors, police, and EMS at four successful block parties around town on August 7th for National Night Out. We saw the inside of an ambulance, met people who "serve and protect" and learned about some of the "gadgets" the police use. Fun was had by all and plans are already in place to do the same next year. Thanks to the block leaders, Eveleth’s police department, and the EMS Service. If you are interested in getting your block involved next year, please contact Eveleth Horizons at (218)305-4456 – this is a local number – or by e-mailing: Eveleth.horizons@gmail.com

6. Downtown Beautification – 4th Saturday (10a-Noon) -- Please join the Eveleth Horizons monthly project of cleaning the downtown area. On the 4th Saturday of the month through October, individuals are encouraged to clean up the downtown area. The meeting point is at the Italian Bakery at 10a. (Meet early and purchase some of their great bakery goods). We will spend two hours cleaning up downtown, connecting with neighbors and building community spirit! Garbage bags and gloves will be provided.

7. Eveleth Horizons Makes Organizational Progress – A steering committee is now meeting monthly to ensure the range of ideas prioritized at the Action Forum will be addressed through various committees. In addition to the blog (www.eveleth.blogspot.com), Horizons now has email (Eveleth.horizons@gmail.com), a local phone number (218.305.4456), and a fiscal agent!

8. November 1st Community Visioning Session – Please join your neighbors, colleagues, and friends at a community visioning session at the Eveleth-Gilbert High School on Thurs, November 1. A free community dinner will be served 5p-6p; the visioning session will be held 6p-9p. Bring your voice to the conversation shaping Eveleth’s future! Encourage others to bring their voices as well.

9. Legislative Commission to End Poverty Tours Iron Range – Several Horizons volunteers have been very active in planning a visit of the Legislative Poverty Commission. The Commission is charged with developing guidelines to end poverty and prepare recommendations on how to end poverty in Minnesota by 2020. The commission was established by the 2006 Legislature and is guided by the following principles: (a) There should be a consistent and persistent approach; (b) All people should be provided with adequate food and shelter, meaningful work, safe communities, health care and education; (c) All people are intended to live well together as a whole community, seeking the common good; (d) All people need to work together to overcome poverty and overcoming poverty requires the use of private and public resources; (e) Alliances are needed between the faith community, nonprofit agencies, government, business and others with a commitment to overcoming poverty; (f) Overcoming poverty involves both acts of direct service and advocacy to change those structures that result in people living in poverty; (g) Government is neither solely responsible for alleviating poverty nor removed from that responsibility. To learn more, visit: http://www.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/lcep/index.htm

10. Things in the works – The Community Events Committee is planning a citywide ethnic picnic for summer/fall 2008; the Youth Committee hopes to schedule a day for painting playground equipment in the city parks if the weather can stay sunny and warm long enough; the Transportation Committee is working with Arrowhead Transit to reduce barriers to service, creating a car clinic for people to learn basic maintenance of vehicles, and planning a meeting with Congressman James Oberstar to discuss transportation issues; the Economic Development Committee met with Community Vitality staff at Extension to discuss potential training opportunities; and the Education Committee has had meetings with the High School, Junior High, ERATS, and Mesabi Range to discuss potential partnerships. To get involved with any of these committees, contact Heather at 218.305.4456.

To Be Of Use by Marge Piercy

The people I love the best
jump into work head first
without dallying in the shallows
and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight.
They seem to become natives of that element,
the black sleek heads of seals
bouncing like half-submerged balls.
I love people who harness themselves, an ox to a heavy cart,
who pull like water buffalo, with massive patience,
who strain in the mud and the muck to move things forward,
who do what has to be done, again and again.
I want to be with people who submerge
in the task, who go into the fields to harvest
and work in a row and pass the bags along,
who are not parlor generals and field deserters
but move in a common rhythm
when the food must come in or the fire be put out.
The work of the world is common as mud.
Botched it smears the hands, crumbles to dust
But the thing worth doing well done
has a shape that satisfies, clear and evident.
Greek amphoras for wine or oil,
Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums
but you know they were made to be used.
The pitcher cries for water to carry
and a person for work that is real.

SKATING

LEARN TO SKATE

Eveleth Horizons is starting a “learn to skate” program for adults and youth. Interested in learning the fundamentals of skating?

Please sign up! Come down to the Eveleth Hippodrome on October 16th and/or October 17th from 6PM to 8PM to sign up for the program.
(The dates and times of the skating will be announced when the Hippodrome finalizes their ice schedule – on or around October 17th.)

Know how to skate?

Volunteers are needed to help coach and mentor those who are just learning. If you have further questions, please call 218-305-4456.

If you would like to help with the distribution of skates, winter apparel, and toys, we need volunteers on October 15th, 16th and 17th from 6-8PM. If interested, please call Eveleth Horizons at 218-305-4456 (this is a local number) or e-mail eveleth.horizons@gmail.com

Have old skates?

We are looking for donated skates, winter clothing, and toys for youth. If you have any items that you would be able to donate, please bring them to either Eveleth City Hall or the Eveleth Hippodrome (during business hours) any day October 1st through October 12th.

SKATEPARK EXHIBITION

Eveleth Horizons organized a skateboarding exhibition to celebrate the opening of the new skatepark (the skatepark has been moved). The event had broad support from many sectors of the community.

Thanks to:

• Public works director Mike Wiskow who whelped with the logistics and ensuring that the skatepark was ready for the event
• Eveleth Merchants who voluteered to pay for rental of tents - due to all the recent rain, we were very nervous that it would be a wet exhibition. Thanks to the Eveleth Merchants for their generous support - the day turned out to be beautiful!
• Super 8 Motel and Snap Fitness for your donations of door prizes
• Mesabi Recreation for your donation of stickers.
• Mojosaurus, a local band, donated their talents to provide the event with music
• Italian Bakery for your donation of the cake - it was beautiful

• Parks commission members Connie and Barb who gilled hotdogs and assisted with the making of S'mores
• East Range Academy of Technology and Science who provided videographers
• Teery Hartikka of Public Access Channel who agreed to put the event on television
• Officer Brandon and Officer John from the Eveleth Police Department who came to cheer on the kids and help with the event
• Skater Curtis who came up with the rules
• Laurie Kuoppala for judging the event
• the parents and friends who came to cheer on the event
• Tanner, Austin, Matt, Garrett, Dakota, Tyler, Logan, Raven, Nate, Cody, Hunter, David, Brad, Curtis, Nick, Ryan, Cale, Brady, Nathaniel, and Mike. All of you are amazing.
• Stef J. from Horizons and councilor Kuoppala who worked so hard to make this exhibition a reality and a tremendous event.

The event included both skateboarding and skooters:

Councilor Liz Kuoppala gave it a try:

Please enjoy the pictures below, showing these talented youth in action:

Everyone had fun and plans are in place to continue working on demonstarting the skills of skateboarders. The plan is to set up a skateboarding association. If you are interested in joining, please contact Horizons at 218-305-4456 or eveleth.horizons@gmail.com . We will send you a registration card.

Thanks to all who made this such a success.

4th Saturday Clean-Up

On Saturday 8/25, a group got together to clean up Grant Avenue for the 4th Saturday clean-up. The group met at the Italian Bakery - some enjoyed coffee and a roll prior to beginning the clean up. Thanks to those that participated.

Please join us on the 4th Saturday of September for the monthly Grant Avenue clean-up. We will again meet at the Italian Bakery prior to the starting of clean-up at 10AM.

Together we can strive to make our downtown beautiful one "step" at a time.

COME SHARE YOUR ENTHUSIASM AND TALENTS TO BETTER YOUR COMMUNITY

* Volunteers to meet at the Italian Bakery on Grant Avenue from 10-12 (noon) on the 4th Saturday of August, September, and October to clean downtown. Gloves and bags provided.

* Volunteers to brainstorm ideas for planning a city wide picnic/ethnic festival. Meeting will be at City Hall on 8/16 at 6:30PM.

* Volunteers needed to help conduct surveys of Eveleth residents. Contact Heather at 748-2273 or 744-2352 for further information.

* Youth volunteers needed to be a part of a youth advisory committee to plan fun activities for youth. Contact Heather at 748-2273 or 744-2352 for more information.

What else do you want to see done in Eveleth??

POST YOUR COMMENTS BELOW

OR CONTACT HEATHER
748-2273 or 744-2352

BLOCK PARTIES

On Tuesday, August 7th, 4 blocks in the City of Eveleth joined with many other communities throughout the United States and Canada for National Night Out. The overall goal is to bring safety back to the communities by getting to know your neighbors and connecting with the police department.

The Eveleth Police Department was able to send some officers and cars to the parties. The children and adults were able to ask questions, learn about the instruments used, and most importantly, learn more about the individuals who protect and serve the Eveleth community.

The Eveleth ambulance was able to come to the parties as well. The participants were able to see the inside of an ambulance and learn of services that are available to the community.

Individuals met neighbors they hadn't known, reconnected with neighbors they rarely see, and were able to take time to spend in the community getting to know others.

Thanks to those who made it such a success:

* Stefanie J. for pulling all of it together - you do amazing work

* City of Eveleth for assisting with products and the support

* Public Works for bringing out tables, chairs, and roadblocks

* Target for co-sponsoring the event (they are national sponsors of National Night Out)

* Eveleth Police Department for your co-sponsoring the event and working to make Eveleth a safe place to live

* EMS for joining the block parties and bringing an ambulance - it was enjoyable

* The block hosts (Tracie, Val, Beth, and Shirley and Joanne)

The groups are already developing plans for next year. If you would like to host a party on your block the first Tuesday in August of 2008, please call Liz at 744-2098 for more information.

DOWNTOWN CLEAN-UP

DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION AND BEAUTIFICATION:

Please join the Eveleth Horizons monthly project of cleaning the downtown area. The 4th Saturday of the month through October, individuals are encouraged to come clean up the downtown area. The meeting point is at the Italian Bakery. (Meet there early and purchase some of their great bakery goods). We can spend 2 hours cleaning up downtown, connecting with neighbors and building community spirit! Garbage bags and gloves will be provided.

July Update

1. Dozens of Community Leaders Trained
Twenty-seven people have completed the 3-day Leadership Plenty training to enhance their skills on managing conflict, building partnerships, and taking action. The Pew Partnership program is recognized nationally as one of the best development programs in the world: “The theory behind Leadership Plenty is simple – broad-based community leadership is critical for long-term, positive community change.” The leaders are already rolling up their sleeves and making change in Eveleth and the facilitators are willing to do another training – contact Heather if you’re interested: 748-2273 (day) or 744-2352 (evening).

2. Horizons in Eveleth & Gilbert Parades
Twenty-five Horizons volunteers handed out 300 informational cards about our programs, 300 stickers promoting soccer, 130 soccer balls of varying size, and 500 freezies. The float was great and fun times were had by all.

3. Soccer Started
Nearly 30 children are participating in a soccer program sponsored by Horizons. They are playing Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6p at the Franklin fields in July and Southside Park in August. Stop by and cheer on our young people and thank the volunteer coaches!

4. Four Horizons Participants Appointed to City Commissions; One Re-Appointed
Congratulations to Roberta Palen, Rosemary Mattson, Beth Peterson, and Sally Jirik on their appointments to the EDA Board, Cable Commission, Charter Commission, and Planning Commission respectively; and to Barb Coz for her reappointment to the Parks Commission. We appreciate their willingness to serve and are confident they will use their leadership positions to revitalize Eveleth.

5. Downtown Beautification – 4th Saturday (10a-Noon)
Please join the Eveleth Horizons monthly project of cleaning the downtown area. On the 4th Saturday of the month through October, individuals are encouraged to clean up the downtown area. The meeting point is at the Italian Bakery at 10a. (Meet early and purchase some of their great bakery goods). We will spend 2 hours cleaning up downtown, connecting with neighbors and building community spirit! Garbage bags and gloves will be provided.

6. Horizons Sponsors National Night Out
On Tuesday, August 7th, Eveleth is joining forces with thousands of communities on National Night Out. The crime and drug prevention event is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, and co-sponsored locally by Horizons with support from the Eveleth Police Department and the City of Eveleth. From 7:30p to 9:30p, residents will be coming together for a block party and potluck – there will be fun activities for the kids and good conversation for the adults. The following blocks are participating: 700 Block of Cleveland; 800 Block of Summit/Clay (meet in alley); 100 Block of Lincoln; and Michigan between Auburn and Norman).

7. Blog Recieves Recognition
The Northwest Area Foundation (sponsor of Horizons) shared the blogspot with the 180 communities they are working with across many states as a model for information-sharing. http://www.eveleth.blogspot.com/ To get articles or events posted or share comments about the site, email Liz at http://us.f607.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=kuoppala@yahoo.com or Heather at http://us.f607.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=heather.lindula@state.mn.us

8. Resource Center at City Hall
The Horizons Resources Committee signed up to work on a need identified in Study Circles and prioritized at the Action Forum. They collected brochures and pamphlets for a wide range of services available for people in the Eveleth area. Soon you will be able to find the information displayed prominently at City Hall.

9. Retail Trade Analysis Scheduled for Fall 2007
University of Minnesota Extension has agreed to complete an analysis on retail trade and tourism in Eveleth. The Retail Trade Analysis provides a comprehensive report for communities showing how their retail sector has done since 1990. The analysis compares revenue to that of surrounding communities, the state, and similar-sized communities. Local leaders can then use this information to support and grow retail businesses. More info at www.extension.umn.edu/retail

10. Much More to Come…
"An initiative is successful not because the people get together and make comprehensive change, but because the changes they make and the process it entailed somehow provoke an across-the-board response, so that the police start doing their job better, the services start getting delivered better, and the schools start to get better. If you're solely reliant on what the initiative does alone, then you never realize the vision." (Evaluator, Learning from the Early Work of Comprehensive Community Initiatives, The Aspen Institute, Voices from the Field, 1997)

We’ve had enthusiastic support from the City, the schools, business owners, and some local organizations and are moving steadily toward our inclusive community visioning session scheduled for November 1st. Contact Heather for more information about the various committees, meeting times, and the exciting initiatives in the works: 748-2273 (day) or 744-2352 (evening).

Leadership Plenty

Leadership Plenty training continues.... Here are some pictures to share the experiences last Monday. The day is broken up with a lot of group work in order to identify issues and plan action steps to make Eveleth a thriving community with the overall goal of eradicating poverty.

Terri shares her groups vision of a community:

Kate, Brooke, Kathy, and Rachel working on their groups community vision:

Jana, Amy, Kathy, and Mary during one of the many group discussions:

Beth and Lena diligently working on one of the tasks:

If you are interested in learning new leadership skills by attending one of these trainings, you can contact Heather. There is the option to hold more trainings if anyone is interested in participating.

Thanks for your help with the parade

This is a giant thank you to all who helped to make the parade such a success: (If someone was missed, it is with great regret as all the work was so greatly appreciated)

Rose J.
Rose J.'s friend
Sue A.
Kathy P.
Lorrie J.
Laurie K.
Tristan K.
Liz K.
Jennifer K.
Brian R.
Denise R.
Laura K.
Larry Z. - it was a great idea you came up with, thanks for the truck, trailer, and driving
Amy, Alan, Ali, and Kayla
Rachel
Kate
Stefanie, Ivy, Aidan
Ian
Val - thanks for the use of your garage and for all the assistance in gathering of supplies
Heather L.

Those helping with the parade distributed about 300 cards (information on how to get involved in the Horizons project and/or Leadership Plenty), 300 stickers with information on how to get involved in the soccer program, 130 soccer balls of varying size, and 500 freezies. The float was great and hopefully pictures will follow soon.

Thanks to all who made this such a great success. Children were interested in soccer, others are interested in coaching, connections were made to other groups/civic organizations/churches, and A LOT of people now know more about the Horizons Program.

Community Visioning

Heather was able to attend a meeting last Friday (6/29) where the discussion centered around what the next pieces will look like for Horizons.
Here's part of the plan:

1. Eveleth has been signed up for both a Tourism and Retail Trade Analysis. The people who do this from the University of MN Extension, will work with the Eveleth community. The goal is to identify what businesses may work here and in what ways we can capatalize on the tourism industry. The Horizons program will be paying for this, so Eveleth Horizons won't have to worry about raising money to do so. Eveleth Horizons is looking for 1 to 2 more people who are interested in working on this committee. We would really like to have at least one youth involved in the process. If interested please contact Heather or comment on this post. If you would like more information, you can visit these web sites: http://www.tourism.umn.edu/ or www.extension.umn.edu/retail/

2. November 1st of this year Eveleth Horizons will have a community visioning rally. This will be in the evening and the plan is for a speaker to come who has done extensive work with small towns and rural areas. Please mark your calendars for this exciting event. If you would like more information or to be on the planning committee, please contact Heather by phone, e-mail, or by commenting on this post. Also, this is a challenge to everyone: find at least 10 people to come to the rally. (Just imagine if each of the 140 participants in Study Circles found 10 people to come to the event, we would have 1,400 people there) The ultimate goal is less than half of that, so let's try hard to get the whole community to the event because the bigger the event is the better. If you have any connections to organizations/employers/civic groups/etc. and have a contact person, please let Heather know so information can be mailed to let them know of the event.

3. Kudos to all of the work that everyone does. It was so fun to share an update of the Eveleth Horizons and show all the amazing success for the program and the amazing reality of how quickly it was acheived. Thanks for all that each and everyone of you do. This program is a success because of you.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

June Update

1. Summer Soccer Sign-Up
Horizons volunteers are giving young people (ages 5-15) an opportunity to learn and practice soccer skills this summer. The program will run July 26 through September 6. Parents can sign up their children between 10A-7P at City Hall on Mon, July 9, or Tue, July 10. Suggested donation: $5. Adult volunteers are encouraged to sign up as well. No soccer experience necessary. Note: this program is not meant to conflict with any existing soccer programs in the area - but to supplement existing programs by getting more young people into the "soccer pipeline" while offering Eveleth youth an affordable outdoor summer sporting activity.

2. See you at the Parade!
We are looking for volunteers to join the Horizons float in the Gilbert and Eveleth parades - bring friends and family as well - any age! Gilbert parade line-up 6:30p (July 3rd) at the south end of main street in Gilbert. Eveleth line-up 8:30a (July 4) at the ballpark by Franklin School. RSVP to Liz or just show-up on parade day!

3. Leadership Plenty
The 15 people who went through Leadership Plenty last week are raving about it. You can learn more about the training modules at: http://www.pew-partnership.org/lpinstitute.html Trainings will continue three Mondays in July: 9th, 16th, 23rd. (8:30-4:00 at Kaleva Island just south of Eveleth) For more information or to sign up for this free training contact Heather at http://us.f607.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=heather.lindula@state.mn.us

4. Eveleth Horizons Website launched!
Stefanie has been working hard on the website and welcomes your feedback on what sort of information you'd like posted. http://www.eveleth.blogspot.com/ Feel free to post comments directly on the blog if you're comfortable. To get articles or events posted, email them to liz at http://us.f607.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=kuoppala@yahoo.com or Heather at http://us.f607.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=heather.lindula@state.mn.us

5. Join a Commission!
The City of Eveleth is currently taking applications for positions on various boards and commissions - download more information and application at: http://www.evelethmn.com/ (click on "commissions and boards" and scroll to bottom of page). Several Horizons participants have already applied!

6. Recruit Good Paying Jobs
At the Council's recent goal-setting workshop, Liz Kuoppala was assigned the task of pulling together a committee to develop a plan for Eveleth to attract good paying jobs. The Committee will begin their work shortly after the 4th of July and report back to the City Council in September. If you are interested in helping on this committee, please contact Liz at http://us.f607.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=kuoppala@yahoo.com

7. July 6th Movies in the Park
Liz will be showing "Arthur & The Invisibles" (http://www.arthur-movie.com/) for Eveleth's "Movies in the Park" event at Veterans Park on Ely Lake on Friday, July 6th. She could use volunteers beginning at 7p (movie starts approximately 8p) - rsvp to http://us.f607.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=kuoppala@yahoo.com - or just show up for the fun, family-friendly, event.

8. Horizons Helps With Transportation Grant Request
Horizons submitted a letter of support for an AEOA transportation grant request from the State of Minnesota to fund ideas generated in Eveleth's Study Circles. AEOA is applying for $60,000 for transportation assistance for low-income people and $150,000 for transportation advocates to help low-income people develop transportation plans. Watch future updates to keep posted on the status of the grant application.

9. Other Opportunities Coming Soon...
After Leadership Plenty wraps up at the end of July, there will be opportunities to sign up for a range of committees to begin working towards goals identified in Study Circles and prioritized at the May 17 Action Forum. Watch for the July Horizons Update or contact Heather or Liz for further information.

10. Thanks to everyone for your dedication and enthusiasm!
Over 140 people participated in Study Circles; Horizons staff visiting for the Action Forum told us we had the most energized group of people they've seen across the state; we are close to meeting our goal for Leadership Plenty; and people all over town are buzzing with ideas for revitalizing our town and ending poverty in Eveleth. And we've only just begun! "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

5.23.2007 The Eveleth Scene

Horizons Study Circles Gather For A Wrap Up Session
by Rose Judnick - News Service

Members of several Horizons Study Circles gathered for a wrap up session at the City Hall on Thursday to prioritize issues deemed most important, nad determine the next steps to be taken. A total of 140 people turned out at a number of study groups each week during the past few weeks to bring their ideas on revitalization.

Commissioner [Keith] Nelson thanked the facilitators for the special invitation, and briefed those present on issues relating to work he has been a part of regarding revitalization issues. He expressed excitement at the variety of age groups taking interest in the Horizons project - from the youth present, to the mix in between, and noted a wonderful outreach that will be good for North East Minnesota.

Eveleth City Council member Liz Kuoppala reported on a couple of groups she has been involved with, and noted her excitement in working with students in particular, and their concern about racism. Kuoppala also expressed appreciation for their abundance of suggestions for revitalization.

Suggestions from the student groups Kuoppala worked with included city-wide work projects such as mowing, shoveling, painting for lower income adults, as well as a number of additional projects to assist in the beautification of the city.

A city roller rink had been another suggestion by the youth groups, as was a water park noted to be a good way to attract tourists. Reviving the days of the drive-in-theater was another idea brought forth, as was a Quad Cities Multi Purpose facility that could include indoor golf, and a climbing wall among other interesting activities for area youth.

Developing a teen center that would be designed by teens to be what they would want, and not what adults think they would want, included one of many suggestions made by a representative for youth in the area. An auto class where high school students would be able to work on repairs necessary for those in the community who are unable to afford such expenses was another suggestion made to assist with poverty issues by both groups.

A suggestion to revive the pond hockey events of days past was brought up by a member of Kuoppala's Thursday group. Stronger support for independent business owners in the city by lenders and the public was also noted as an important need, as was the need to bring more businesses into the Progress Park area.

Representatives from the remaining groups each had their time to present solutions their groups had concluded would help revitalize the area. The issue of racism was mentioned by a number of the various group's representatives, as was the need to involve youth in special projects such as having speaker panels where parents would be invited to work on developing healthy relationships. Organizing the area's native population to put on pow wows was a suggestions brought forth, as such events have drawn crowds when put in other areas.

Public transportation was noted as being of great importance, particularly in rural areas with a high number of older residents. Current public transportation was noted as being available, but an increase of hours was noted to be of great need.

Longer hours and additional days for the local food shelves was also noted to be of importance, as was a free clinic for those without health insurance. The problem with those unable to obtain medical assistance or other services available because of being slightly above the threshold was a concern of those present, and stressed as an important reason such a clinic would be needed.

A number of speakers reported that their groups had agreed the area already had a lot of good things to offer, but still has much that needs to be improved as well.

More jobs, more downtown specialty shops, and a need to imporve the downtown areas by cleaning up empty storefronts in order to attract customers was noted to be of great importance. A number of the evening's speakers also reported a need for the city to use area youth and local organizations for such projects, as well as for completion of the much needed yard maintenance for the area's older population.

Revitalizing downtown buildings to attract more businesses such as dentists, veterinarians, and a number of other service-related businesses was suggested by several of the groups representatives.

Bringing back activities to the city's parks was another suggestion that could possibly revitalize the area, such as the All Slav Picnic that brought so many families to the Veteran's Park for so many years.

A suggestion for temporary homelessness brought forth a suggestion to organize foster families who could provide a guest room to take in someone in that situation for a month or two.

A focus on the creation of new jobs that would bring former residents back to their home area was noted by Amy Hendrickson as a representative from her Horizons group. She noted that of all of her former classmates and friends, she is the only one remaining in the area. Hendrickson said many would like to return, but there needs to be more of an incentive for them to do so.

She also noted her group's concerns for the young, single, parents without strong family connections - and the need to provide additional support for those residents, as well as the young couples who struggle to raise families while holding down low paying jobs.

A need for neighbors to get to know one another as they had in years gone by was noted by attendees. Encouraging neighbor's nights out as has been done in a number of cities across the country to bring residents together was suggested as a way to bring about safe neighborhoods.

In addition to the need to focus on the creation of new jobs, she noted a need for places for tourists to find recreation. The creation of a business that would rent bicycles for the Mesabi Trail bike trips was one suggestion, as was use of the area's hilly landscapes for rock-climbing events. Summer enrichment programs were also a suggestion as a way to revitalize the areas, as were art classes, sailing, and kayaking on local lakes.

Members of the various groups then selected issues that were most important to them, and will continue to work together to bring about the changes and improvements necessary to revitalize the area through training sessions to be held in mid June. from 5.23.2007 Eveleth Scene

[Many thanks to Rose for capturing the evening's events and to all the participants!]