February 5th 2011
We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn... It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look, which morally we can do. To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.
-Henry David Thoreau, Walden
January 11th 2011
The new year has been ushered i!. 2010 seems to have gone by so rapidly for us here at Bell Street. We definitely want to extend our best wishes to everyone in respects to the holidays, albeit in a belated fashion. Thanks for helping make this a great year and we hope you had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year's!
Here at Bell, December was a busy month leading into January. The celebration of St. Nick as well as Christmas (with resident gift exchanges) at the house, resident time with family for the holidays, bell ringing participation via the Salvation Army, ARC events such as the Santa Celebration and Knights of Columbus Christmas Party and MR CARES, Inc. and the ARC's Make a Difference Tuesdays made for much to be involved in this past month.
With the advent of the new year, we've taken down our Christmas decor, put the tree back into storage and spent a highly enjoyed afternoon at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay to catch the Celebration of Trees event and to capitalize on reduced admission rates. Exploring exhibits, walking through passenger cars and sitting in the engine room of the 4000 series trains was a huge hit for everyone as well as parusing the outside garage and the train engines there after the viewing of some films at the museum theater.
-Bell Street
December 12th 2010
Snow has arrived at last, and what an epic magnitude of accumulation it was from the 11th into the 12th. Weekend plans were very thoroughly dashed from the wrath of this ice valk's sweeping storm.
Residents and staff here at Bell Street declared war on snow and set about the task of snow removal and/or snow relocation with snowblower and shovels as arms. With the last shovelful dispatched and the driveway and sidewalks cleared, we took time outside of the multitude of breaks taken amidst the campaign to relax and hydrate.
Conditions in lower Neenah remained rather rough as we made our way to Family Video so the guys could pick out a movie of their interest to watch at home together and Pizza Hut was summoned to deliver us pizza, a great reward for a near-full day's effort(s).
-Bell Street
November 28th 2010
With Thanksgiving behind us in this rapidly paced year, the residents at Bell Street (along with staff) spent the past few days investing time and effort into household decorating for the upcoming Christmas holiday as well as St. Nick.
And what better way to cap off a day's work than to go out and view the lighted displays at Oshkosh's annual Celebration of Lights held at Menominee Park.
November 24th 2010
We at Viola House would like to say think you to who ever gave us the turkey. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
November 21st 2010
Our annual Minnesota trip was enjoyed by all who attended the 3 day excursion. Clients and staff enjoyed the Mall Of America, as well as a variety of local restaurants (including PF Changs), and the Science Museum in St. Paul including the amazing Omni-theater! Pictured here is one of our clients trying out the simulated news booth at the Science Museum. Fun!
November 2nd 2010
"The assessment of another's needs is an act of responsibility which is so complex that it can only be executed wisely when one operates with genuine love for the other"
-M. Scott Peck from The Road Less Traveled
October 18th 2010
We came across some last minute tickets to see America’s Got Talent, yesterday. We had fun hopping in the car last minute to ride from Wausau to Milwaukee for an amazing show. The show was hosted by Jerry Springer at the Riverside Theater.
Some of the talent we saw was, ballroom dancers, optical illusions using black light, a stunt bike rider, and an opera singer.
It was a great way to end a fun weekend.
October 4th 2010
With a past month rife with activities, we hadn't had the opportunity to utilize some pre-purchased tickets for the Milwaukee Zoo until the opening week of October. Considering the continued expansion of Fall-like conditions and lowering temperatures, we felt that the opening weekend of October would be one of the better times by which to go.
We bundle up for what would be a chilly and windy day and packed a lunch to be enjoyed prior to heading on in.
The outing was met with great response by the guys, who greatly enjoy zoo outings to area zoos and an opportunity to go to a county zoo such as the one in Milwaukee was the cherry topping the sundae, so to speak.
And reduced crowd, due to weather made for a very relaxed zoo experience which was certainly welcomed.
The larger animals (grizzlies, elephants, gorilla, hippos, giraffes, lion and [playful] tigers) were big hits with bats, the anaconda, flamingos and a wide spectrum of primates, aquatics adding to the list of favorites. And of course, the Family Farm was of big expressed interest to boot!
All in all, it made for a great activity outing. :)
October 1st 2010
Dear September,
We just finished writing to Summer to touch on our eventful month of September here at Bell Street.
The Eve of Destruction was only one of many things going on, as we discussed. Close in the shadow of the Eve of Destruction outing was an afternoon spent at Michael's Quarry in Neenah to attend the Quarry Quest event, which some of our residents participated in while another attended the annual truck convoy event for Special Olympics held in Oshkosh.
Enclosed is a photo postcard from our day at Quarry Quest.
But that was not all. One of our staff extended an invite to their wedding reception held at The Marq to which we attended as a household with great food, socializing opportunities and an on-scene photo booth which was quite popular.
Not only that, but some of the guys really enjoyed time getting out to dance!
The ARC's Fall dance was another dance opportunity enjoyed by everyone here at the house as was an outing to Octoberfest in Appleton. There was also Seafood Fest in Menasha. We've been also been getting in bike rides as best as we can and putting away patio furniture to get ready for the colder months ahead and that dreaded snow stuff that will no doubt blanket everything outside.
Well, we just wanted to say that it's been a fun month with you, September. We appreciate your leniencies in allowing for us to capitalize on some great events this year. We will look at seeing you again next go around!
Sincerely,
-Bell Street