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Woven Lives - May 6, 2009
Woven Lives was our second annual Community Appreciation High Tea Event. Actually, only the first event was a high tea, but we still refer to the event at "high tea" even though it has nothing to do with tea . . . well, except for some of the door prizes. But, how many high teas have you ever heard of that serves Popeyes Chicken?
Christine and Dan from Popeyes on Sixth Avenue, about a mile away from TACID, were very helpful. They stood by their two-piece and a biscuit special, which is limited to two per family. We ordered seventy. Dan made sure we had butter, honey, and forks. Not everyone ate, but for those that were hungry the chicken drew rave reviews, as did the biscuits. We also had veggie and fruit platters as well as V-8 Tropical Blend and various choices of canned (on ice) pop.
Marie Janes was our TACID success story. She told of the progression of losing her sight and becoming more and more isolated by her own withdrawal from community and her own life. She finally met TACID Program Manager Laura Beigh, who taught her how to cook again, and how to make her way through a sightless world. Marie took Pierce Transit from home to TACID for the event. Her only problem was getting wet in the rain, but then that was everyone's problem.
Jannette Saxton, Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2009 shared some of her father's advice about facing and overcoming problems and Sheila Wray and Elaine Twogood showed off their fantastic basket art. And TACID Executive Director Chris Ensor explained about many accomplishments of TACID and then gave an excellent tour of the facility.
Marie Janes shared her story of losing her way in the world as well as her sight, and how she found her way back with the help of TACID.
Jim Merritt running as a candidate for Mayor of Tacoma took a breather from his busy campaign with his wife Claudia. They both enjoyed the event and a tour. Claudia purchased a unique pine needle basket from artist Sheila Wray.
Tammy Wilber, Ms. Wheelchair Washington, joined us last year Bridges, our September fundraiser. She was so much fun and such a help that we invited her back for Woven Lives. Jannette Saxton, Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2009, spoke about overcoming obstacles. Afterwards she spoke with Javier Figueroa. Javier is running from a position on the University Place City Council. Javier revealed how a mentor helped him overcome stuttering. The teacher had Javier read books out loud. Javier said he would read to the rocks, he would read to the flowers, and he would read to anyone who he happened to meet. The last year or so of working with his mentor, he read U.S. history books to prepare him for citizenship. When he mentioned that he was born in Mexico, Jannette really perked up and spoke to him in Spanish. She asked to practice her Spanish with him and promised to speak Spanish the next time they met. We will be inviting both Tammy and Jannette to Tapestry, our September fundraiser this year.
The audience seemed to really enjoy themselves. The afterwork event went very well. Although, we were a little late with people arriving from rain drenched freeway congestion, we still ended on time at 7:00 P.M. and we had a whole lot of fun in-between.
Executive Director Chris Ensor gave a tour and explained how the texture as well as the colors were well planned out to help our disabled consumers maneuver through the halls of TACID.
Visitor Kristie, Jim and Claudia Merritt, Javier Figueroa, and volunteer Stacy listen to Chris on the tour.
Elaine Twogood holds up a basket that Sheila Wray created. The twenty-hour basket is entitled Ocean Waves II. It's a Nantucket style basket with yarn woven into the design to give me impression of ocean waves. It will be available for auction at Tapestry
We finished on time with chicken and baskets . . . oops, chicken and biscuits to spare.
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