So Many Choices, So Little Time

By Joni Johnson

RVM will host a Hobbies, Crafts & Volunteers Opportunities Fair on April 11 from Noon to 3 PM in the Auditorium.  It will be a chance for everyone to find out about the many activities available to residents of Rogue Valley Manor.

As most of you know, we have a multitude of activities to choose from to keep our bodies and minds engaged. Our April Fair is focused on the Hobbies, Crafts and Volunteer Opportunities that many of us have heard about or seen people participating in throughout the campus.  Have you ever wondered how we’ve managed to have a beautiful bonsai display within our swimming pool area or how our community gardens grow?  Our April Fair is designed to provide you with answers to these questions, and with others you may not have even thought about.

There will be approximately two dozen teams of people to answer your questions about what they do and where and when they do it.  And who knows, you might connect with like-minded people with one or several of these groups and become an active member!

Mary Ann & Wayne Hager, Co-Chairs of RVM’s Volunteer Committee, along with Meryl & Gary Hanagami, Co-Chairs of the Wellness Advisory Committee, supported by Bill Tout, Recreations Committee Chair are spearheading the orchestration of our April Fair.  Our Community Engagement Team, led by Director Sarah Karnatz, is sponsoring the event, and is planning a host of resident enticements to satisfy your body while the myriad of groups should help build your spirit and strengthen your mind.

If you’re looking for a place to exercise your writing skills, how about talking to Bob Buddemeier of The Complement to see what they have to offer.  Feeling a bit stressed out lately?  Seek out Nancy Ottis whose Meditation Group will offer a place to calm your mind, or how about asking Arlene Ching about the benefits of Rooftop Gardening.  Curious about the originations of your family tree?  Rita Derbas and her Genealogy group could Sherlock you way down the right path.  And who would have thought Paul Ackerman’s Rogue Rover’s RV group existed?  But he’s there as well.  Feeling ambitious?  How about starting or reactivating a group that is in need leadership?  We have those too!

RVM is known for its resident volunteers, and we’ll have several of those groups as well.  If you want to exercise your legal chops, talk to Marilyn Perrin about CASA and helping those too young to help themselves.  Curious about supporting high school girls navigating their way to and through college?  Seek out Julie Crites and learn about our Fairy Godmothers program. Or for providing the homeless with a bit of comfort, Ruth Draper with Sleeping Mats for the Homeless may be right up your alley!

Remember how it was for you, uprooting your comfortable life to adopt a new one at RVM?  Talk about the choices we must make here, or about finding out how to go about making them?  You  can help new residents assimilate and navigate life at RVM — simply talk to Suzana Gal about joining the Ambassadors Group.  Still not enough?  Seek out Mary Ann and Wayne Hager or Bill Tout, they’ll find a volunteer or hobby or crafting group to your liking.

Living here really can be the start of something wonderful!  So, join us at the Hobbies, Crafts & Volunteer Opportunities Fair on Friday, April 11 from 12-3 pm. in the Auditorium.