Just Sayin'...

On August 5, I learned that my friend, Steve Slostad, had passed away from complications due to Parkinson's disease. Steve was my predecessor as Executive Director of Open Hands Midway. He served in that role for 5 years from 2009 to the end of 2014. Steve taught me much in the 6 months we worked together. In October of 2014 he had come into the office and we were working on something. I got up to go downstairs to get on to my next task. Steve said, "Kay, wait, come sit down, I need to talk to you about something." I came back, sat down and he said words I will never forget. "If the Board approves it, will you take my place as the next Executive Director of Open Hands Midway? I am going to retire at the end of the year." I think my eyes got as big as my head. I replied, "Well, thank you for telling me to sit down otherwise I may have fallen down." We both laughed. I asked, "Are you serious?" He said, "Of course, you can do this, I have faith in you. You were meant to be here." I had no idea where this road would lead but 11 years later, here I am. I had a good mentor and a good friend to thank, just sayin...

Last October I had the pleasure of sitting with Steve at a wedding reception. When I arrived at the reception and looked at the seating chart there it was, my name next to Steve and his wife Doris. I was excited because I had not seen them for awhile. We enjoyed some very good conversation, some laughs and the picture you see above, a picture I keep on my desk. I am glad to have this picture not knowing that 10 months later my friend would be gone. I will never forgot him, and I would not be here without him. I consider myself blessed for having had the pleasure of Steve in my life, just sayin'...

As the summer rolls on, and my bike too, the 'Miles for Meal's' fundraiser is going well. At the time I am writing this we have raised $5,016.06 of our $6,100.00 goal and I have biked 2,534 of the promised 3,000 miles I committed to. Did you know an anonymous donor has agreed to give us $500.00 per month if we can raise $500.00? We have already received $1,500.00 for May, June, and July. I hope we can get $500.00 for August, September and October.

This year I have enjoyed many trails and many cities as I rack up miles for our fundraiser. I was thinking of all the trails, maybe you have heard of some of them? There is the Gateway Trail, the Browns Creek Trail, the St. Croix Loop Crossing, the Gandy Dancer, the Hardwood Creek, the Sunrise Prairie Trail, the Sam Morgan Trail, the Robert Piram Trail, the Nine Mile Creek Trail, the Minnehaha Creek Trail, the Root River Trail, the St. Paul Grand Rounds, the West River Parkway Trail, the Grand Round Scenic Byway, the Midtown Greenway, the Big Rivers Regional Trail, the Red Cedar State Trail, the Bruce Vento Trail, Bassett Creek Regional Trail, Mark Sather Trail, and more. That is amazing when I think about it. We are so fortunate in Minnesota to have such amazing bike trails. Yes, a few of those I listed are in Wisconsin but the majority are in Minnesota, just sayin'...

So the season continues, who knows what is in store, hopefully the excitement of riding and reaching 5,000 miles again like last year (I actually rode 5,835 last year). As an avid bike rider it is the most enjoyable thing I can think of to do, just sayin'...

Open Hands Midway is excited to be hosting our 3rd Annual Community Night of Light - Feeding Our Neighbors in Need' event this coming December. The first two years were such a success and those who attended said they thought it was very enjoyable and meaningful. We had beautiful nights and while we cannot predict the weather will be the same, we still hope many people will come and enjoy hot cocoa, cookies and the sight of the tree being light up. Mark your calendar, dress for the weather and join us at 6:00 pm on Friday, December 5.

Much is taking place at Open Hands Midway. Fall will be a busy time as we wrap up the 'Miles for Meals' fundraiser on October 31, participate in Give to the Max day on November 20, and hold our 3rd Annual "Community Night of Light, Feeding our Neighbors in Need' meal program fundraiser on December 5. I hope you take time to check out all these things and consider how you can get involved or support them, just sayin'...