On Aug. 19, we were gifted with the opportunity to attend an all-inclusive intergenerational community dance at Rail River Folk School. This event that will remain upon our hearts always. There was laughter and joy shared, music and friendship in enormous and happy measure, and hospitality overflowing into the dance hall and our lives that evening.
We do not have all names and organizations that made this event possible, let alone such a joy, but please know Wellness through the Arts does make a difference and we can testify to that fact because we experienced it. A very special thank you to Connie Osmundson and Bob Wilson, KAIROSalive!, Participatory Arts Collective, Kathryn Gonzalez, Hardag Foundation, B-WELL, The Clean Starts Band with Don Zieman and Friends, The Rail River Folk School, Hondo and Suzy (Hondo and Suzy School of Dance), Krista Hart and Jonathan Biekke (and all staff members at Havenwood that made this trip possible) and last but not least, all of the community members who made this event BEYOND AMAZING! Thank you for dancing with us and laughing with us. Thank you for providing hospitality, bar none.
On the way home, our youngest volunteer, Colin Hart, age 3½, led the singing, from "Wheels on the Bus" to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". Our bus was lit up not only by the lights inside and outside, it was lit up by twinkling eyes, joyful hearts, happy feet and warm smiles that were still in motion. Please know that we were so touched by the signing (ASL) and words at the closing of the dance, that many were moved to grateful tears of gratitude seen and unseen. So to each and every one of you, we sign: "thank you, thank you, for your big hearts". And to Parker Genne, Nicholas Pawloswki, and Maria Genne (KAIROSalive!) we say: "I know this rose will open. I know how to do the schottische in a wheelchair I know how to rock it with "Love Train". I know how to do the tango. I know I can still dance" ... and so many more "I Knows". We hope this is the beginning of a beautiful journey that embraces the healing power of the arts within our Bemidji community.
Beth Lane
Activity director, Havenwood Care Center
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On behalf of all the residents who attended
Bemidji
