Connections-Spring 2008-Programs

It’s been busy at the Hub this school year. As of the end of January, we’ve had about 160 different students come through the Hub doors since September, with an average of about 20 students a day and a high of 40 students attending on one day.

We’re a couple months into 2008 now and there’s been a lot going on since our last newsletter and a lot that’s coming up at the Hub. During Thanksgiving we served two Thanksgiving dinners with all the trimmings, one for the middle school pre-teens and one for the high school teens (thank you Payless and Whidbey Pies for your turkey and pie donations). In December we had a fabulous “Holiday Party.” A tree was donated by Bayview Farm & Garden which the students decorated. The kids made over 200 cookies, most of which were given to the residents at Brookhaven in Langley. We had a great buffet of finger food, cookies and other treats and each child received a small fun present.

Some art projects we’ve done, are making and painting masks with the help of Diana Shirley, painting with watercolors under the tutelage of Louise Halloway Stanley and we’ve started a mural called “Follow Your Dreams” where students paint their vision of what they dream of doing in the future on one of the Hub walls. Our Thursday “Jam Sessions” with Levi Burkle have been going well with at least a few students each week learning some new riffs on the guitars and drums. During our Wednesday “High School Day,” we’ve been serving espresso drinks made by our barista extraordinaire and kitchen helper, Heather Nielsen. After 4:30 a group of high school kids get together and do a weekly jam session which is always innovative.

Some special activities we’ve had are: in January we took 35 kids to go bowling in Freeland. We had the place to ourselves with black lights overhead and illuminating the lanes, rockin music playing, pizza, pop and great hospitality served up by the owner and staff of Freeland Lanes (a big thank you to Roger, Nancy & Chris). In February, we’ll be having a group of youth participating in the Mystery Weekend (it hasn’t happened yet as of this writing) but the kids will be playing disgruntled restaurant employees and picketing on the streets of Langley while trying to help direct tourist detectives towards possible murder suspects. It’s a wonderful experience for the kids and it’s a great way for them to contribute to the merchants of Langley.

On upcoming Early Release Days we’ll be having a treasure hunt in Langley where

teams hunt for clues with the winning team receiving prizes, gym day at Freeland’s Trinity Lutheran Church gym with games of basketball, dodge ball and other games and roller-skating at Oak Harbor’s Rollerbarn. For dates and time schedule for these activities or any other inquiries, please contact Frankie at the Hub at 221-3230.

Lastly, I want to give a special thank you to the all the youth who did such a fantastic job of waiting and bussing tables at our annual “Salmon Dinner” fundraiser. Your energy, smiles and good work were a big part of making this fundraiser one of our most successful ever, thank you Heather, Erin, Chad, Birdie, Brianne, Erika, Tyler, Issy, Brittany, Cassie and Kelsey. I love you all.

Frankie

Youth Leadership Council

Diana Shirley, YLC Manager

On January 12th New Faces, a teen band from Port Townsend who does gigs in Seattle, Olympia and Bellingham as well, performed here at Bayview’s Front Room for one of The Youth Leadership Council’s Alcohol and Drug Free events for teens. Also playing that evening was the band, Shakem Bones, with local youth Seth Sobottka, Miles Milf, Preston Ossman, Joseph Hayes and Whit White. The concert drew a crowd of over 80 people, who also enjoyed baked goods prepared by members of the leadership group along with a leadership council from Stanwood. Visiting for the day and evening, the Stanwood group came to glean some expertise to use in putting on similar events in their community. The South Whidbey Youth Leadership members have put on several concerts and have taken on most all of the responsibility for doing so, from reserving the hall to contacting the bands. This event was an example of their leadership abilities. Congratulations to those of you who organized this very successful event, Lauren Stelling, Alexis Leduc, Lauren Stelling, Ana Weeks and Preston Ossman. I wish you the best in your future endeavors. Also, thank you to Chet Sulgrove and Ahren Bader Jarvis for doing the sound. In January, the council also published their teen magazine, The Edge, available at Island Coffeehouse and Books and Living Green. The zine contains the writings, art and photography of several high school students. Below is an example of one of the pieces found in The Edge:

“Changing Leaves” by Shelby McDaniel

Autumn air carries the dawn,

as red and orange dance on fall trees.

The world awakened by new beginnings.

Daylight breaks,

while birds chirp the morning song,

and autumn air carries the dawn.

Dew drops glisten below the fog,

on blankets of green slowly changing brown.

The world awakened by new beginnings.

Summer’s warmth fading fast,

with winter’s breath creeping soundless in the wind,

as autumn air carries the dawn.

Nights brightened by shining stars,

quieting the day.

Autumn air carries the dawn,

to a world awakened by new beginnings.

Days get shorter,

as harvest moons begin to bloom.

The world awakened by new beginnings.

If you are interested in learning about or being in The Youth Leadership Council feel free to contact diana@swyouth.com or call 221-3230.

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