Little Red Door Fundraiser in Oaklandon

Joanne King’s outdoor fundraiser benefiting the Little Red Door was a day of fun in the sun. Children enjoyed activities like the bounce house, jousting arena and the ever-popular dunk tank (enjoyed by big kids, too).

Bob Cowan of RC productions helped keep the party going with his donated DJ and karaoke services. Doug Bowsher of Lord Ashley’s was there serving up hamburgers and hotdogs for a minimal fee, with proceeds going to The Little Red Door. Ann Duran from 107.9 The Track was the emcee for the festivities.

Joanne was in great spirits and was obviously pleased everyone in attendance was having a great time. One of the highlights for Joanne was when her brother, Boyd King, and his family from Bowling Green, Ohio, made a surprise appearance.

For more information on Joanne and her cause, go to http://geistblogs.com/blog/cancer-survivor-organizes-community-fundraiser/

“Hail and Well Met,” The 3rd Annual Fishers Renaissance Faire Celebrates its Sister City of Billericay, England.

In 1958, President Eisenhower thought the best way to achieve world peace was to educate his people on both the differences and similarities of our own hometowns to others across the world. Hence, Sister Cities International was formed. It was this initiative that connected Billericay, England, to a small town in Central Indiana known as Fishers. The Renaissance Faire, which was held on the grounds of Conner Prairie the weekend of Oct 6th, is a tribute to Fishers’ “Sister City” of Billericay.

Sister Cities Association of Fishers, a non-profit organization, puts on the Faire, with proceeds helping fund the international travel of Fishers students and teachers to the small town 35 miles east of London. Last June, two Hamilton High and two Fishers High school students, along with two teachers, spent nine days with host families in Billericay. Students from Billericay are expected to visit Fishers in November.

The Fishers Renaissance Faire depicts 16th-century English Renaissance during Market Festival Days, when the town was honored by a visit from Queen Elizabeth. With more than 200 costumed characters participating in events such as the Dragon Scale Consort, The Queens Grand Entrance Parade, Peasant Olympics, Wedding Ceremony, and of course, the Grand Joust, this year’s Faire was very entertaining and a huge success. If you missed the Faire this year, be sure to catch it next year. According to 8 year olds Kayla Greenwald and Alyssa Staples, this Faire was “really really really really great!” They especially loved watching the magic shows and taking pony rides.

Go to www.fishersrenfaire.com to become a sponsor or volunteer for next year’s Faire.

CUMNS Kids celebrates 40 Years

Thirty-nine years ago, when starting her new job as a teaching assistant at a local nursery school, little did Chris Landon know she would be helping the program celebrate its 40th anniversary. That is exactly what the enthusiastic CUMNS Kids program director did on September 29, 2007, at the 13th annual CUMNS Kids fall festival.

Children and their families enjoyed an afternoon riding ponies, taking hayrides and playing a variety of games and activities. In the crowd of over 600 people, Landon could spot former students playing games with their very own CUMNS kid.

“I’ve seen it come full circle,” Landon said of the children she has watched grow and bring their own kids back to the school.

CUMNS Kids (Castleton United Methodist Nursery School) is located at the Castleton United Methodist Church at 71st/Shadeland in Castleton. Starting in 1968 as a nursery school with 25 preschool aged children, the program has grown to include 234 children ages 6 weeks-kindergarten. It is one of only 125 nursery schools nation wide that is accredit by the National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).